The Baldwin Experience: My Journey Through Life

We’ve had quite an eventful few days with pregnancy!! I had my 28 week appointment yesterday. The glucose test came back negative, so no gestational diabetes! I’ve gained 4lbs in 5 weeks (a little more reasonable than the last 8lbs in 4 weeks, lol), so I’ve gained a total of 22lbs! My BP was 107/70, and baby’s heart rate was 146 – right where it should be. :-) They measured me and I am measuring at 30 instead of 28, so just a bit ahead. Then, when they were “pressing” around my lower abdomen area, they asked if anything has changed. I guess they could feel baby very clearly and he was quite low. I told them that, in fact, in the last week I was feeling a little pressure in the lower region but didn’t feel at all concerned because I thought he had just dropped. I never remember Bennett dropping; he was always pretty high. But, it’s my second pregnancy and there’s all that great “muscle memory”, meaning things can happen a little earlier. They must have felt his big Baldwin he...

Bennett and I went to the lab yesterday for my gestational diabetes screening. When I was pregnant with Bennett, they gave me the disgusting orange syrup to drink at home, then I was able to drive into the lab and get blood drawn. They have changed their requirements a bit, so this time I had to go to the lab, get the syrup there (cherry this time - not an improvement), and wait an hour at the lab to test my blood. It went just fine, but I was running after Bennett in the waiting room the whole time. It was pretty cute, really. He was flirting with all the women, saying "hi" and "bye-bye" to anyone who entered or left, and it was amusing to watch him "at work". I signed up for a "subscribe and save" deal through Amazon where I can now order my diapers, wipes, baby soap, etc. on Amazon, get 30% off and have it shipped right to my door with free shipping. Seems like a pretty good deal; I heard about it from my friend Kelly. Anyway, I ordered my fir...

Wow, almost 25 weeks now!! My 24 week appointment was great – but unexpected… Here’s the deal: I had gained 10lbs by the 20 week mark. But, between 20 and 24 months, I gained EIGHT POUNDS!!! I am not at all “hung up” on weight, but it just surprised me. So, 18lbs so far and growing. I will keep updating! I’ve been feeling great, though had a small touch of a stomach bug again the last couple of days. Teaching Pilates is still wonderful, and it has been fun to progress with my current classes. There are definitely exercises I was able to do a couple months (and even weeks) ago that I am no longer able to do (safely). Bennett is such a big boy. He had his first dentist appointment yesterday! His little mouth is crowded, just like mom’s and dad’s ;-), so they say he’ll need braces early. Otherwise, he’s in perfect health and didn’t even cry! Thanks, Dr. Dana! The Campbell family came to visit last weekend from Pittsburgh. We hadn’t seen Mark and Kelly since our wedding, and ...

Bennett and his cousins :-) Oh, just takin' a snooze in the car ;-) Sledding in 10 degree weather to the Polar Bear Dip!

IT'S A BOY!!! We are going to name him Beau Richard :-). Everything looks perfect! Heart rate was 153 (between 120 & 180 is normal), we saw all of his perfectly healthy organs and bones and he yawned when we were looking at his face! I am still at the 10lb gained mark (lost just a little from the flu I think!) and all is well. Here's a peak for you!