Gardner Wilson

I am at 27 weeks today! That means only one week left in my 2nd trimester...wow. The baby now weighs 2-1/2 lbs. and is about 10 inches long from crown to rump....almost the perfect size for cuddling! It won't be too much longer! I took the routine glucose tolerance test yesterday morning. Armed with a light breakfast and a dutiful husband at my side, I was a trooper as I gulped the super-sweet orange-flavored, carbonated liquid within 5 minutes' time as directed. It wasn't nearly as bad as I'd expected. I'd heard horror stores about having to drink super-thick, chalky liquids on an empty stomach....oh, yuk. Thanks, Sherry, Suzanne, and Emily, for giving me a realistic and on-target description of what the whole process would REALLY be like! Within minutes, I was hyper, and so was baby! After waiting for an hour, I was called back to have 2 vials of blood drawn. Again, I did not pass out, and it was relatively painless (it always seems as if you rememb

Last night we toured the Anderson hospital during our childbirth class. Just as I expected, it created a strange mingling of relief AND trepidation within me. Relief that everything was a lot nicer than I'd pictured in my head (everybody tells me that Greenville is much more "posh"), but trepidation simply because I realize that in 13 weeks or so I will be there myself. I did not get lightheaded when all of the equipment and monitors were shown to us, but as the evening crept on I just wanted to go home. Too bad I won't have that option once labor sets in! The nurse showed us the monitor that tracked each room's laboring patterns....there were 4 women in labor last night while we were there. She showed us how that uncomfortable bed on wheels converts into about 400 positions with a few clicks and snaps. We saw the room we want to request, the biggest one with a shower, room # 6. We saw the nursery with 6 tiny babies sleeping away. And we even saw the tr

OK, so I have now attended TWO (count 'em, two) official Lamaze classes. Last night's was better from a social aspect (at least HALF of the couples were married, as compared to only 2 of 9 couples the first night). I think the median age was around 26, whereas it was around 20 on the first night. We labored (ha ha) over the details of (uh) labor, and how to tell whether it is real or not. "Ken, were you paying attention?" you ask. Well... the definition of true labor is (1) consistent contractions that do not go away, AND (2) a cervical change. I will not define a "cervical change" for you. If you've been through class, you know. And if you haven't, well, go to class when it's your time. The best part of the night, by far, was when the instructor had each of us get up and massage our wives' (or girlfriends, in some cases) neck and shoulders for a minute, to simulate what we're to do during her labor. Why was that the best pa

Another doctor's visit today! I saw a different doctor, Dr. Herbert. Dr. Herring was called out right beforehand to a delivery! How cool. Ken and I both really liked Dr. Herbert. Next month I am scheduled to see Dr. Nordeen. This is who Suzanne had and she can't say enough good things about him (he's also a member of our church). I figured seeing all of them and getting comfortable with how each operates will make me less disappointed if Dr. Herring happens not to be on call when I go into labor. It's nice to know I'll be so well taken care of either way! Well, my first "complication" of pregnancy has been diagnosed....I have carpal tunnel syndrome in my right hand/wrist. I had suspected that's what it was, and my suspicions were correct. Turns out 1 out of 3 pregnant women develop it during gestation. Who knew!?? It has to do with the swelling and extra blood volume in the veins. Makes sense, though. At least there is a good chance th

We had our first baby shower thrown for us this past Saturday, given by my mom's side of the family. It was so much fun! There were fun and silly games to open it up, and then we had a blast opening so many precious gifts. This baby shower (and most likely the ones to come) reminded me of how I felt after our wedding showers, just 4-1/2 short years ago. When I saw the dishes, sheets, towels, and so on, it only made me want to marry Ken that same day and start our lives together. And as I sat yesterday and surveyed all of the little sleepers, creepers, socks, gowns, and wrist rattles, I realized even more than ever how I just can't wait to hold him in my arms. To try all of these little clothes on him, to feed him, to wrap him up securely in his soft fleece blankets and sing him to sleep.... :0) meg

What a great week this has been! We were able to get some more cute little pictures of our little Oliver! We had an ultrasound done at Greenville Tech on Wednesday....it was for training purposes, so a student performed it while her supervisor/the nurse stood by. It took about 45 minutes, but hey, it was free! :-) And we have six or seven more adorable screenshots of our little man. When they did the u/s, he was sitting up straight in my belly, and his bottom was at my hip bones. His feet were folded right up in front of his face....boy, he's flexible! :-) I have been feeling lots of kicks on my left side, which is now explained now that I know that's where his toes are pointing. He has the CUTEST little button nose and the cutest shape to his lips and mouth. I can't wait to see him in person. Mom was able to come along to the u/s with Ken and I....she was amazed at seeing it first-hand and live....much different than a video you can watch later. I was glad