Baby Popa

Woah - I can't believe we only have 10 more weeks as a childless couple - it's going fast, but at a good pace.  God knew what He was doing when He gave 9 months to prepare, I think it's just the right amount of time to adjust mentally and physically to the idea.  The nursery is almost ready, we're just waiting for the glider to come in and we still need to hang a few pictures.

The trip to Hawaii was great - a wonderful last hoorah as a couple.  The plane rides weren't too bad on the way there, somehow we snagged an exit row on the long flight over the ocean which helped with the circulation in my legs!  On the way home we weren't so lucky and it was the red-eye, so I was GLAD to get off that plane and home to my bed!

The most "daring" things I did on the trip were a helicoptor ride over flowing lava from active volcanoes and a crazy 4WD down a valley at about a 55 degree angle - don't worry, it's only $2,000 if your car gets stuck and you need a tow!  We managed just fine and the views were totally worth it!  We are so thankful that God provided this trip for us, it was a huge blessing to us.

Wow!  Time is flying by.  We had our 24 week apt. last Thursday and all is well!  The baby's heart rate was 145 bpm and I'm measuring "just right" according to the doctor.  I gained another 8 lbs. since my 20 week apt. which puts me at a total of 17!  He is moving a lot and Bryan was able to feel him from the outside of my tummy for the first time last weekend.  It was so cool to see my stomach poke out where he was kicking.  We're pretty sure we have decided on a name:

Brooks Thomas Popa 

Bryan really liked Brooks from the beginning and it has stuck for me too.  Thomas was my dad's name, so he will carry that on.  We're so excited to meet this little guy!

Well, I think I've started to feel the baby move.  Last Sunday night when we were laying in bed I thought I felt him/her move and then all of this week off and on I have been feeling movements that I'm pretty sure are the baby!  I'm hoping to get a more definite "kick" soon so I know beyond a doubt what it is.  My nausea officially went away after 17 weeks - whoo hoo!!  I've been feeling great for the last week and a half which has been so nice!  And along with that has come an increased appetite and more weight gain.  I'm trying to heed the advice of "gradual weight gain" but it's hard to refrain when you are HUNGRY!

Yesterday we had our 16 week appointment.  We heard the baby's heartbeat again - it's 146 beats per minute, slightly lower than the mid 160s it was at 12 weeks.  The doctor said everything looks good and I was relieved to know that considering the medications I had been taking for the corneal ulcer.  I've gained 3 pounds since the last visit which is actually 3 pounds for the entire pregnancy so far since I didn't gain any weight in the first trimester.  I'm still feeling nausea throughout the day, so I'm hoping that will continue to decrease over the next two weeks or so.  My appetite is growing though, so that's a good sign.  I'm not craving Doritos anymore, which was my first trimester staple.  I'm starting to get a taste back for sweets which I had a major aversion to until about two weeks ago!  That is so weird for me because I LOVE my sweets!

January 30 is our 20 week appointment when we find out the sex of the baby - if he/she reveals.  Be sure to check back for the big news.  I will try and post the 4 month picture of my belly by the end of the week!

Bryan and I (and my mom and brother) spent Dec. 20-28 in San Diego with my aunt, uncle and cousins celebrating Christmas.   Needless to say it was a whirlwind of a trip!  In short, I started developing eye pain on Tuesday night and by Friday evening was in the ER hooked up to an IV and diagnosed with a corneal ulcer on my right eye.  We arrived home from the ER at 3 a.m. on Saturday morning, saw an opthamologist that afternoon, packed that night and flew home Sunday.  I was on a number of medications that are not technically "safe" during pregnancy, but with the alternative being permanent vision loss in my right eye, it seemed to be the best course of action.  Last Monday I woke up with increased head pain and went to a new opthamoligist.  I saw her on 12/29, 1/2 and again yesterday on 1/5.  The ulcer is cleared up and there is now no active infection in my eye!  Praise God!  I am off the antibiotics and on the road to permanent healing.  The doctor said that I can start to gradually wear my contacts - and eye make-up - again!  Thank you for praying for my health and for the health of the baby.