22 weeks

Wow! 22 weeks pregnant! I can't believe how fast it has gone by. Michael reminded me today that we have only 18 weeks left (+ or- 2 weeks :)). I am just thinking about how fast 18 weeks came on the front end. I must say, I am starting to feel a bit nervous. I feel there is so much to do in terms of getting the other bedroom in order and registering for things that we will need. As of right now, we have absolutely NO room for Jaxon. Well not really, there is a boob and a bed but as for his clothes and his things, I don't know where we are going to put everything. I am really feeling the need to nest. Isn't it a bit early for this? I want to purge, clean and organize but I honestly have no time. I am working as much as I can trying to pick up some extra shifts since our census has popped up to 20 babies! Whoo hoo!! I know that sounds awful, but without them, I don't get paid or PTO accrual. Anyway, it just seems that I have had no time to spend at home. I maybe get a day off here or there but when you work nightshift that really isn't a day off. If I am not working we are either in SF or LA. After this long stretch we are heading up to SF for Chinese New Year, back for another stretch and down to LA to see Makenzie perform in her play. After that, back to work for a bunch, off to Colorado for a little R&R, back to work, down to LA to see Michael's sister and back to work after that! That brings me to the end of February! I often think to myself, why the hell am I working so much! Then I check myself. I have to! Not only do I need the money for the baby (his organic, natural, non-toxic bed and bedding are going to cost us almost $1500) but I also need to accrue paid time off. Unfortunately, I only started accruing at the beginning of December since I just started back at Cottage. So, with my regular shifts, I am looking at possibly an extra 2 weeks on top of the 6 weeks that the state gives you. Yes, that means that I will only have 8 weeks at home with my baby! I am devastated! I am trying to work on other options. I will probably end up taking a leave without pay. It sucks but my baby is worth it. There is no way I am going back to work after 8weeks!!

Ok, enough complaining. Now, about Jaxon "Jax". We had our big 20 week US last week (I was actually 20 +5). It was amazing! Dr. Soffici is the perinatologist in the SB area and does EVERYONE'S 20 week anatomy US. He is highly respected here and since I work with him on occasion I was delighted to see him. I didn't realize that this US would be in 3D. It was AWESOME! We got some great pictures and even got some footage on VHS. I was shaking so much during the US that it was embarrassing. I don't know if it was nerves or excitement. Since I am a NICU nurse I wanted him to tell me EVERYTHING that he was seeing. From the ventricles in the brain to bottoms of his feet. He said everything looked great. He was 13oz and in the 50th percentile. I was so relieved! I must say he is the cutest little fetus I have ever seen! It's crazy to think that I know exactly what he looks like right now. Our cut off here in the world of NICU is 22-23weeks for resuscitation so I have seen many 23 weekers. I can't believe I have one growing inside me right now. He is so active! It's so fun to feel him but honestly, lately, it can be a bit uncomfortable. He seems to like to rest on my bladder and when you are trying to sleep during the day, well, it can get a bit irritating. Also, every once in awhile I feel this extreme tightness on one side of my uterus and when I feel it, it feels like a hard round ball. I think it might be his head or his butt pushing up against me. I have to push him away b/c it is so uncomfortable! For the most part though, I am really enjoying being pregnant. I am almost sad that I only have 18 or so weeks left. I know, I know, I say that now.

Well, have to get back to my "other babies" right now. I am at work and I am taking care of a former 27 week twin who likes to set off her alarm constantly and another full termer that was born today and had a bit of a rough start. He was "down" as we say at birth with a heartrate of <60 class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">resilient. I have seen lots of miracles. Can't wait to meet my little miracle!