I just found out that I don't have gestational diabetes (after I failed a screening on Tuesday). It's a condition where pregnancy hormones block the proper absorption of glucose by changing how your insulin works so that extra blood sugar can go to baby and result in a high birth weight and even greater likelihood of c-section. That's my version in non-medical terms anyway.

I think the scare was good for me though. I had been snacking routinely to avoid morning sickness in the first months of pregnancy. Lately, I've waited for my three meals to eat and likely spiked my blood sugars. I have two aunts who had maternal diabetes so I feared I would too. I worried I would have to go through summer WITHOUT enjoying a Culver's turtle sundae or Briq's ice cream cone!

Well, it did get me thinking about ways to improve my diet with more of the good foods, less of the no nos. I vow to get back to more regular exercise too. I'll take it as a wake-up call.

Carrie

I had a blood screening test for gestational diabetes this morning and failed! My level was 156 and I was told anything over 140 is a problem so I now have to take a 3-hour glucose test! I understand that sometimes women get a false positive on the one-hour test so I'm hopeful that is the case with me.

In any case, it gets me thinking about my eating habits and I realize I've had too many sundaes and strawberry shortcakes in recent weeks. I was never a big soda drinker, am not a fast-food eater and eat very little processed, frozen meals so I consider my diet healthy. I know I could increase my fruits and whole grains though. If I am diabetic in this pregnancy, I will be following a diet with more smaller meals and I assume, saying goodbye to desserts?!

I was surprised by the result and it was explained that if left unchecked, the high blood sugar levels could cause the placenta to age prematurely. One more thing to worry about!

Anyone else been through this? The glucola (orange soda full of dextrose) I drank wasn't so bad. The next time will involve me sitting around for 3 hours and having blood drawn once per hour. Carrie

Baby will be approaching 2 pounds if it hasn't already within the week. I feel like I've bonded with it more because it is moving much more. I've even had my hand over my belly and felt it almost bumped away!

One personal confession, I took a full-body glance in the mirror last night and it's not just my belly that has morphed. I hardly recognize my legs and back. No one really talks about the emotional part of your physical changes. (I've never heard a pregnant woman talk about it at least.) After finally accepting my stomach being in the way of things and affecting how I used to move around freely, I am now realizing I have to kind of accept my new body.

(Of course) my husband tells me I'm still attractive but I certainly don't always feel that way!

I do feel very healthy and we'll find out next week if my glucose levels are good. They test for gestational diabetes at this point. My aunt had it for two pregnancies so I hope I don't inherit that.

Have any of you had some trouble loving the new you? Carrie

I wanted to take the chance to invite cwmoms readers to check out the revamped wausaudailyherald.com. It's taken me a while to get used to the new web site look, as I imagine it will take you some adjustment time as well. I think it's easy on the eyes and features our videos and photos more prominently. I am involved in much of the video editing and some of the shooting so I'm selfishly pleased they are easier to find!

If you've never looked before, check the middle right side of the new page and click the second icon that looks like a video camera. You'll see our recent videos of the genocide survivor's speech, the MDA lock-up, people struggling with high gas prices and the first time Derek Domke appeared in court related to the Rochelle Anderson murder in Tomahawk. We try to get around the area and bring you interesting voices and images on video that give you, the reader, another way to "see" the news you're reading.

We think we've come a long way in gathering news video for the web site and the numbers prove it! Last April our videos were played 3,495 times and, in a year, that number more than doubled at 8,689 video views. This month we've already had 7,732 video views. See what you're missing!

The story is even bigger when we talk about overall page views.. our traffic is more than 3 million a month now. A big thank you for that!

I hope you enjoy the new site and be sure to register yourself in Pluck so we can network. Happy surfing! Carrie

Although three more months seems like a long time, I am in the last trimester of pregnancy starting this week!

Bending down to pick things up is much more difficult and I've kindly asked my husband to try not to throw dirty clothes down on the basement floor where I have to bend down to get them. I went for a walk yesterday and my legs felt like bricks. I should have done better with exercise up to this point! I feel pretty good and so far, no back pain. However, I have had a little pain where I think my ribs are expanding to make room for baby. I'm most uncomfortable during the evenings after dinner.

The best part of this time period is that baby's movements are getting much stronger and I even saw my blanket move when he/she kicked over the weekend!

Oh, and I need more clothes.. I don't mind the shopping of course, but boy it gets expensive! Carrie

I am putting together some ideas of baby shower games for a colleague here at work. I know many people despise the tasting the baby food game or the measuring the belly one.

What kinds of things did you actually enjoy at showers?

I am a big game player so I don't mind any of it. Carrie

I really wasn't sure whether to consider this my first Mother's Day but it still felt special to me. Baby's movements are stronger now and my husband was recently able to feel it for the first time. He felt one strong kick and then of course it woudn't do it again while he patiently waited for it.

The little one weighs about 1.5 pounds now and is between 11-12 inches long (size of a papaya I read). I do notice that baby is longer now because I can feel the movement on two sides of my belly at the same time. I'm enjoying the bizarre sensations I can feel more often now.

The other big news is that Pete has decided to wait to learn the gender with me. He shredded the answer inside a sealed envelope last week. Now, I can't have a weak moment and find out!

I hope you all enjoyed your own special Mother's Day celebrations. My mother drove over to see me and we had brunch together in Rib Mtn. with my brother and sister. I splurged at the dessert table- yum! I've attached the link to a column I wrote in honor of the day. Here it is:

http://wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080511/WDH04/805110433/1619/WDHlife

Well, I'll reach a milestone next week when I officially begin the third trimester, the most eventful one I'm sure.
Regards,
Carrie

You KNOW you're pregnant when...

You get up to use the bathroom 2-3 times a night!
You get winded just carrying laundry up a flight of stairs
You can fall asleep at 9pm on the couch
You groan and sigh when you get up off the couch
Your belly itches
You actually enjoy the newfound comfort of maternity clothes

Keep it going! Carrie