The Fabulous Life of Anika & Josh

Over the past couple week I had been having problems with a high blood pressure and my Dr was concerned that I was getting preeclampsia. After two weeks of tests (which really sucked), I was confirmed positive on preeclampsia last Friday.

I only have a mild case and I feel like I am confusing my Dr because I don’t have many of the symptoms, but it is in fact preeclampisa so that I causing problems with my pregnancy.

My Dr said that I since I had a mild case, it was safer to stay pregnant until the baby is full term (there is no cure or treatment for preeclampsia other than delivery). The exciting news is that I am going to be full term (37 weeks) as of tomorrow!

So I am scheduled to be induced Wednesday, July 14 in the early, early morning!

Prepare yourself for Baby Sitko…he’s on his way!

On June 12, Melissa & Brianne threw a couples Baby Shower/party for Josh & me. We had so much fun (despite the 100 degree weather)! It was such a great day and an awesome baby shower!

It was a sports themed party - which I was really excited about. Melissa and Brianne are two of the most creative people I know, and they did such an amazing job theming this party. They didn't miss a beat!



This was one of my favorite parts. I loved the scoreboard!


Even the Cupcakes were amazing! Each one had a baby on it covered in a sports blanket. There were baseball, basketball, football and soccer blankets:


Everyone was so generous. We got so many amazing gifts:


There were lots of games too! This is a pic of the boys doing a beer chugging contest out of sippy cups:


Josh looked great in his Daddy-to-be medal:


And I was rockin' the preggo belly again! I'm about 32 weeks pregnant here:


It was such a great day and I had a blast. Thanks to everyone who made it so great!

Only 10 Weeks left! As of yesterday, I am 30 Weeks pregnant! I can’t believe how fast everything is moving. This pregnancy is just flying by (of course, we’ll see if I’m still saying that in about 6 weeks).

Heartburn is currently taking over my life. I have a prescription for Zantac to help, but it’s not a cure-all and I’m still miserable on some days. Sleeping is also getting tougher. Maybe it’s a good thing that Josh is out of town this week (a week of training in Charleston) so he can get a good nights rest without me tossing & turning all night.

Baby is now the size of a squash and I’m betting that he’s over 3lbs now.


Current symptoms:
~ Did I mention heartburn?
~ When was the last time I stayed asleep for more than 3 hours? (I know, I know, my body is just preparing me for the getting-up-several-times-a-night with the baby)
~ My feet & ankles get swollen once in a while. It’s not an everyday thing, but sometimes I’ll look down and go, “holy crap my feet are frickin’ huge!” Then I go on a water binge and put my feet up in the pregnancy throne. (Have you seen the pregnancy throne? It’s just what I call the best chair in the world!)


We’re also getting all our baby gear here and put together. Here is the Travel System (stroller/car seat):



And here is the Pack ‘n Play:


Oh, and here is a funny belly pic from a couple days ago (so I was almost 30 Weeks):


I’m getting more and more excited every day!

Today I woke up to my 3rd Trimester/7th Month! I am officially 28 Weeks pregnant, which means only 12 Weeks/84 days to go! According to my reading he should weigh about 2 ¼ lbs by now, but I have an Ultrasound tomorrow where they usually guest mate the size. We’ll see if he’s on track.

He should be over 14 inches long by now, and he’s blinking away right now with his eyelash growing eyes! I also read that his hair should be thickening, which I’m sure there is a lot of if there is any truth to the old wives-tale of major heartburn = hairy baby!


I know I am getting closer because my regular OB appointments have moved from every 4 weeks to every 2! I’ve also been given homework. I have to do baby’s daily ‘kick counts.’ I have not experienced Braxton Hicks at all, but I think I’ve been feeling hiccups a lot lately. They are tiny little jumps that seem to be evenly spaced. They’re not strong enough for Josh to feel yet, though.

I’ve been washing all the baby clothes we’ve gotten so far and starting to organize the baby’s closet. Once I get my office all organized (which is taking FOREVER), it will be time for Josh to start putting together the crib and everything else. I’m getting so excited!

Baby gets an upgrade from the crown-to-rump measurement and moves along to head-to-toe. So all of the sudden he seems much bigger! The average size for right now is 15 inches and over 2 pounds! Baby is also quite the listener. Not only can he hear our voices, but by now he can start to recognize them!

I went to the OB for a regular check-up last Thursday. Baby’s heart rate is 158 and my belly measurements were “perfect.”

This weekend held my-first-ever-kind-of-almost Mother’s Day! I got some really sweet cards and some amazing gifts! Mom & Bob got me a beautiful charm bracelet that I LOVE, and Josh bought me a new video camera for when the baby comes!

Here is me on Mother’s Day (27.5 Weeks):


We spend Mother’s Day afternoon at Sarah & Coda’s Baby Shower. Here is a pic of the preggo girls! (I am 27.5 weeks & Sarah is 33 weeks):


They had lots of games too...and Josh rocked them! Here is the bobbing for pacifiers:

I get daily emails from ‘What to expect’ (the makers of the book What to Expect When You’re Expecting) and today’s title was ‘Your New Navel.’ Have I mentioned my irrational fear of my belly button popping out? Josh thinks I’m crazy. Of all the things to be nervous about during pregnancy/labor/childbirth/parenthood, I pick the protruding navel as my obsession. No, my belly button has not made the great escape yet, but it’s working on it. It is taunting me daily!

I did feel something several days ago that may have been hiccups, but I’m not sure. The little ‘kicks’ were a little to perfectly timed and even to be regular baby-moving-around stuff. But, I’m not sure. I bet I’ll find out soon and be sick of hiccups in no time!

Other Current Symptoms:
~The puff-factor. On Friday night, I could hardly get my wedding ring on and off, but by the next day it was loose as ever! Talk about extreme body changes overnight!
~The sudden light-headed spell or dizziness. I could be sitting down in a relaxing chair and suddenly feel like I’m falling over!
~Bleeding gums. Yes, I am a victim to the calcium thief.
~Heartburn…oh the heartburn!!!
~Sleep is starting to evade me. I was enjoying the last few months of being able to sleep in, but now I am out of bed earlier and earlier. Maybe my body is getting ready for those early morning feedings.

I guess I could mention something about what’s going on with baby this week too. Baby is about the size of an eggplant this week. I’d buy one and take some pictures, but getting Josh to eat it would be nearly impossible, so what’s the point? :)


Baby’s eyes are forming this week and he’ll be blinking soon (not that there’s much to see where he is right now)!


Only a few days away from Week 27...it’s all happening so fast!

Last night, Josh & I participated in the Relay for Life. Our team has been fundraising for the last month and half and according to the website, we raised almost $1,000! The event lasted from 6pm - 6am the following morning, but Josh & I were not planning on being there over night. I don’t think I’m in any condition to stay up all night long. I’ve got a fetus to keep healthy! But we did go for about 6 hours.


Tyler was our team’s Mr. Relay and took the ‘More Birthdays’ theme to heart. He was a big ol’ birthday cake - with huge knockers! And let me tell you…he rocked it!


There were so many things going on. There were games, food, and one of my favorites - glow necklaces! (and the answer is yes, I bought one)


A few hours in there was also a cake eating contest. I don’t know if you know this about my husband, but he is a Campion pie eating contest participant. The jaw unhinges and he swallows the pie before you know what’s happening. I wasn’t sure he’d do the cake contest, because he’s not a huge fan of cake. But he, Green & Jones decided to go up against each other. It was great!

Preparing…


And they’re off…


He pulled the unhinged jaw trick and won the day!


I am so proud!


Don't they look a bit miserable after all that cake?


I had purchased a luminary for Grandma Vi. The silent walk around the track for the people on the luminaries got to the emotional pregnant girl a bit, but I had my hubby there with me. PS, about a week & a half ago was the 1 year anniversary of loosing Grandma Vi. I still love and miss you so much Grandma!


It was a fun night. I hope next year is even better!

This past week, I went to Moline for my Baby Shower! It was so much fun and I’m so happy I got to do it. Colleen, Aunt Liz & Mama threw me a shower on Sat, Apr 24 at Liz’s house (same place as my bridal shower). I got to dress up and (attempt to) look really cute all knocked up!

Everything had a little boy theme. Even the cupcakes were blue with little booties on them!


My Mama made a poster too. See little Josh on the left and little Anika on the right?


We even had a real-life prop - Colleen’s 9 week old daughter Allie Jo. (PS, doesn’t Colleen look amazing for just popping out a kid 9 weeks ago?)


So much of my family was there. Here is Grandma Gisele, Mama, Grandma Cathie, Me, Aunt Liz, Colleen & Cindy:


And here’s Mama’s side of the family. Aunt Liz, Grandma Gisele, Mama, Grandma Cathie & me.


I got so much cute stuff! Everything from a Diaper Genie, wipe warmer, cute little boy clothes, a crib, and much, much more!


And here is my and my amazing best friend. Also, mother of 3, so she already gets lots of phone calls with me going, "What does this mean???" I'm sure those calls will only become more frequent after there is a little man in my arms. Thank God I have her!


Here is the view of Pregnant Anika = 25 ½ Weeks


A HUGE thanks to everyone that came, everyone that sent good wishes who couldn't be there, to Aunt Liz who provided the wonderful setting and great sandwiches, and to my Mama & best friend Colleen who make every occasion so much better. I love you all!