30 Weeks

Baby Boy Saylor and I are happy to report that we are both doing very well at the start of week 30! As my mom mentioned in the last post's comments, I "passed" my three-hour glucose test so I do not have gestional diabetes! Hurray!

I had a doctor's appointment this morning and continue to be on the path of a healthy pregnancy. Baby's heart rate was 135 today, still going strong! Dr. Cotoli talked to me about taking "kick counts" every day. When she was explaining that she'd like him to kick 10 times in 2 hours, I laughed and said "Is 10 times in 10 minutes ok?" She laughed and said "definitely!"

We are both looking forward to having Daddy Drew home in just a few weeks, but until then, we are busy busy busy! United Way's big Open House for our new building is this week, I travel home to Virginia next week, and then it won't be long until Drew returns!

Love to you all,
Steph & son

6 Months

Yesterday morning I woke up and my first thought was "3 months til my due date!" Hard to believe that 6 months has passed, but we are getting closer and closer to meeting our little guy! He has developed a schedule for kicking and is growing stronger every day! Sometimes I am talking with someone and can't help but spout out a "oh!" mid-conversation because he gives me a good "Hey Mom!" kick. I love it though. When I lie down at night he always gets readjusted for about 10 minutes and I talk to him, even though I don't know how well my voice goes through. I wonder sometimes if it sounds similar to when you're super congested and hear your own voice resonating in your head!?

Anyhow, all is going well on my end. After my last appointment, I did have some lab work done that showed I was slightly anemic (no biggie-I'm taking iron supplements now) and I did "fail" my one-hour glucose test which sent me on to phase two: the three-hour test. (The test results will determine if I have gestational diabetes or not.) I did the 3-hour test on Wednesday morning and haven't heard from my doctor yet. I'm hoping that no news is good news!!

I am looking forward to working just part-time starting this week. I hope to accomplish several projects that I've put off before the baby arrives!

For the Hokies in the Crowd

I had to post this photo for all my Hokie fans out there! (If you can't read the script at the top, it says "Future Hokie." Thanks to the Saylors for this great maternity shirt!!)

All is well with baby Saylor and I. Our little man survived my longest workday of the year clocking in 20 hours straight for United Way's annual bass tournament and fesitval! He didn't complain one bit!

Drew and I celebrated our second anniversary this week from afar, but the distance didn't make it any less meaningful. What a wonderful two years we've had together! Our third year may be a little crazier than the first two, but having our first child and moving within a month will surely be memorable!

Quick update

Here I am starting my 24th week! The baby and I are growing pretty rapidly these days! In the last week, my work acquaintances and even people I don't know have started to say "Congratulations!" I guess it's safe to say at this point I don't look like I've just put on a beer belly or just letting myself go! I've gained about 16 pounds so far and am doing my best to stay active and eat well so I gain wait slowly as all my books and magazines recommend.

Our little baby boy is kicking more than ever. But I think it's his way of reminding me that even though Drew is gone, I'm not alone. What a realization that we are going to have a 3-person family soon!

Not much else to report on the baby front. I'm down to one month working full time and in May I'll shift to 20 hours a week until I feel that I've tied up all the loose ends at United Way. I'm planning to teach swimming lessons at the YMCA in May-June, which could be interesting. I can see the kids now "Not fair, Miss Stephanie! You can back float because that big belly holds you up!" It will be fun and a different take on a very familiar experience.

Love to you all,

Steph & son

It's a Boy!!!!

According to our awesome Ultrasound Tech, Angie, we are going to have a son!!!! She said she's not allowed say "it's a boy, 100%" but she did say "99%"! As you can imagine, we are both very excited to have this little insight into our baby's world and future of our family.

While that is the fun news, the best news is that he's looking healthy and growing right along! She said he weighs approximately 14 oz. right now and is growing just a little ahead of schedule (no big surprise in our families!) Angie pointed out all sorts of pieces and parts that I would never have been able to decipher, like his kidneys! We also saw his little heart beating away (about 150 bpm, which is good for a baby) and even saw the four chambers of his itty bitty heart. It's amazing to me how much growth has happened in the last 20 weeks. Now the next 20 weeks is his time to put on the pounds!

We are still talking about names, but we'll let you know when we decide! Love to you all from Drew, Steph, and Little Man Saylor!

Still Waiting...

Well, we were hoping to find out on Friday if we would be welcoming a son or a daughter into the world. Unfortunately, the doctor wasn't able to say for sure. She actually went back and forth on seeing signs of a boy, then a girl, yes a girl, no a boy...so she is leaving it up to the official 20 week ultrasound with an ultrasound tech. I'll be calling first thing Monday morning to schedule the ultrasound and hope that I can get in this week or next at the very latest.

The good news is Dr. Cotoli says the baby and I are moving right along as we should be. I've also been feeling the baby move for about 3 weeks now and I know we have a strong, active child already!

Sorry to disappoint all who have been checking in for the gender update! In the meantime, here is a photo of Drew, Baby Saylor and I taken today.

Baby's First Wedding!

Today, we head out to California for my sister's wedding week/family ski vacation! Kristie is marrying Jay Trembulak on Friday, March 6 at Squaw Valley near Lake Tahoe and we are all so excited for them! I've never been to California, so I'm really looking forward to it and hopefully the baby is too! (Since he/she has no choice in the matter really!)

For those wondering, I have (sadly) decided not to ski at all this week. It was tough to decide since I've skied my entire life but never out west. None the less, the baby is my priority now and so I will be enjoying the days with my mom and grandmother this trip! Four generations of fun!!!

I do plan to build lots of snowmen and maybe sled down a hill or two. I love snow entirely too much to skip out on the fun altogether!

I've been growing a little more each week and am only fitting into a few select pair of "normal" pants these days. Maternity clothes are so cute though!

Last bit of news...our next doctor's appointment is March 13, when we should find out if we will have a son or a daughter!!!