35 weeks!
30 Sep 2011 3 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: 3rd trimester, Me, pregnancy
What’s going on this week:
Your baby doesn’t have much room to maneuver now that he’s over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it’s so snug in your womb, he isn’t likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he’ll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.
My Update:
Due Date: November 4, 2011 – today is the magical ’35 weeks along / 35 days to go’ mark.
Weight Gain: +22 lbs from pre-preg weight.
Symptoms: Same as last week! And I’m noticing that my feet are tending to swell up just a* bit* by the end of the day.
Cravings/Aversions: Nothing but the ice chewing.
Sleep: Waking up a lot to pee and change positions. This belly is heavy!
I am loving: Washing all the tiny baby blankets and clothes!
I miss: Not having to rock back and forth to gain momentum before launching myself off the couch/bed/chair, etc….
Movement: Still the same – he’s a mover and a shaker.
Nursery progress: I’ve been adding little touches here and there. And I still want to add a side table next to the glider, and a small bookshelf, and some pictures on the walls. All in good time! I’ve also started packing the baby’s bag for taking to the birth center when delivery time arrives. So far in it, he’s got a hat, socks, 2 blankets, some mittens, a newborn outfit and a 0-3 mos outfit, his baby book (for foot prints). The birth center will have some stuff we can use – a throw away hat for when he is all gunky and some diapers, but mostly, he doesn’t need that much stuff! Now I just need to work on packing up MY bag.
Exercise: Blah.
Looking forward to: Seeing Scott’s face when this baby is born. I have imagined how he will react, but I guess no imagining will be like the real thing!
Belly Shot: (later)
34 weeks!
28 Sep 2011 Comments Off on 34 weeks!
in Uncategorized Tags: 3rd trimester, Me, pregnancy
What’s going on this week:
Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she’s born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you’ve been nervous about preterm labor, you’ll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.
My Update:
Due Date: November 4, 2011 – (since I’m late updating this week, as of today, I’m actually 34w5d, so only 37 days to go!)
Weight Gain: +22 lbs from pre-preg weight.
Symptoms: Stretch marks. Snoring. Fatigue. Achey hips and back. Pregnancy is glamorous!
Cravings/Aversions: No change. Although I did have my very first bout of pregnancy heartburn the other night in the middle of the night. No fun.
Sleep: OK. The snoring is tough on Scott, and I’m having to get up about 3 or 4 times a night to pee, and sitting up in bed is kind of painful, so I have to sit on the edge for a minute before actually standing up, but I still fall asleep really easily, so overall, I can’t complain.
I am loving: That the nursery is pretty much DONE! Except for some small decorative details, all the major components are completed. WHEW!!
I miss: Family. It was a crazy, hectic weekend with lots of visitors, and while I’m glad to get back to a normal routine, I miss everyone, too. Lisa, Ada, Mom, Dad, Ali, Grace, Meredith and Tripp all came to town for the baby shower and Karen and Jim drove up for the day. I am so lucky to have such great family.
Movement: Good – I think that one night this weekend, he flipped – I noticed I could feel hiccups high on my right side, but by the next day, I felt them way down low again, so maybe he just needed a quick change of scenery? At my midwife appt yesterday, she did a lot of feeling around (it was painful, in case you were wondering – so much so that she made my uterus contract a couple of times, which, thankfully didn’t hurt) and was pretty positive he was head down again, so that was good.
Nursery progress: See above = DONE! There will be a separate post soon with pictures and details.
Exercise: Nothing specific to speak of. This weekend was very active, though, so now I’m recuperating and trying to take it easy.
Looking forward to: Ummm….with all the visiting and showers over, I’m kind of at a loss for something to look forward to. Maybe having this baby?
Belly Shot:
33 weeks!
16 Sep 2011 4 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: 3rd trimester, Me, pregnancy
What’s going on this week:
This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He’s rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren’t fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don’t entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.
My Update:
Due Date: November 4, 2011 – 49 days to go! (Whoa. That’s not a lot of time.)
Weight Gain: +21 lbs from pre-preg weight.
Symptoms: I don’t think it is necessarily a pregnancy symptom, but I’ve been sick this week – some kind of cold or something. I’m finally feeling better -thankfully it was mostly short-lived. But it does seem to explain the sudden increase in snoring that I mentioned last week. One night this week, Scott actually had to go sleep in the guest room to get away. Sorry dude. I think it’s been better the last couple of nights, though!
Cravings/Aversions: Nothing in particular – this has been a boring heading, really. I still like pretty much everything I normally liked.
Sleep: Well, now that I am not quite as congested, a bit better. Monday and Tuesday night were rough, but we’re on the upswing now!
I am loving: How awesome Scott has been through this whole pregnancy. I have not wanted for anything, (I mean, you know, since I just SUFFER through life, usually.) and he’s been very attentive and involved. Caving to my whims and pretty much just pampering me and the baby.
I miss: Alright – I’ll admit it. Red wine. I’d really like some. Totally looking forward to having a guilt-free glass (or 2) once this baby arrives. (And, (see above re: pampering) Scott managed to score a bottle of the amazing red wine that we had at our wedding dinner that we all loved (especially Shane!) and that I managed to spill a glass of on the white tablecloth. We’re going to crack that sucker open post-delivery as a treat. I’ve been anticipating it for months.
Movement: Still really impressive – I feel like he is actually moving more lately! I thought he would start kind of slowing down and chilling out as he got more cramped in there, but he’s stayed really active. He always seems to know when I am reading (since I rest my Kindle on my belly) and he always starts giving good thumps right where it is pressing into his space. This behavior does not bode well for him letting me have some reading down-time after he’s out of the belly.
Nursery progress: OK…we have some progress! The old carpet is all gone, Scott drilled about a kazillion screws into the existing plywood floorboards and there is not one single squeaking spot left in that room. He’s leveled out the unevenness of the plywood, and the next step is laying down the new flooring boards.
Exercise: Eh…being sick kind of trumped exercising this week. Not being able to breathe very well, due to nasal congestion combined with baby pushing on my lungs was just not a combination I wanted to mess with.
Looking forward to: Only one week until the baby shower and all the family visiting! I’ll get to snuggle some babies and have some good visiting time.
Belly Shot:
Check-up Check-In
13 Sep 2011 2 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: 3rd trimester, Home Improvements, Me, pregnancy
I had my 32 week appt today and all was well. It was a very uneventful visit, so that’s good – everything looked fine and my BP was a little high again, but since I seem to show a pattern of one visit high, the next visit normal, they aren’t concerned. I don’t have any swelling or headaches, and no protein in my urine, so no other signs that there is any problem. I got praised for my excellent weight gain, and told that I am very healthy! I love passing tests. Sandra, the midwife, was able to feel that the baby was still head down, and she was able to pick up a butt, a head and an arm during her poking around. And while she was checking his heart rate, he gave a couple of good kicks that made the doppler unit bounce, and she was able to tell that when he kicked his heart rate went up, which is exactly what you want to happen. It indicates he’s got good oxygen flow. I go back in 2 weeks for the next visit…
Other than that, not a lot to report on, so this is just a quick update post.
(Although I did manage to get the new baseboards and the clothing rod for the closet painted this weekend (outside, with very good ventilation), and Scott tore off all the old baseboards and pulled up the tack strip, so now he just needs to secure the existing plywood boards down tighter to eliminate the squeaking, and we’re on to new floor installation!)
32w4d
31 weeks!
02 Sep 2011 2 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: 3rd trimester, Me, pregnancy
What’s going on this week:
This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He’s probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby’s kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.
My Update:
Due Date: November 4, 2011 – 63 days to go!
Weight Gain: +19 lbs from pre-preg weight.
Symptoms: Can’t think of any for this week!
Cravings/Aversions: Nothing. Please feed me.
Sleep: Still good, amazingly enough. Some nights I am aware of every time I have to adjust and change position, but other nights I sleep like rock, so it all balances out.
I am loving: All the smiles I get in public…people are finally starting to ask me about when I’m due, what I’m having, etc. Everyone seems to love a pregnant belly!
I miss: Not much.
Movement: The movement has changed recently…much more fluid and smooth movements…I can very often feel the curve of a butt or a back pressing out against the front of my stomach, and sometimes something harder and more defined, like a knee or a foot. And then just as soon as I can feel it, he shifts and the landscape changes again.
Nursery progress: No change this week. The next steps are: clear out the last remaining things of Scott’s out of the room, then paint touch ups to the walls, and then, once that is done, crib assembly, and dresser assembly (once we buy it, that is) and all the rest of the set up and organizing and arranging.
Exercise: I went for a swim this week….the pool was totally empty for the whole hour I was there, and it was wonderful! I swam laps, and it was nice because I felt like I got my heart-rate up, and got to really work out all my muscles with some cardio, but it wasn’t jarring at all, so it was the best of both worlds. I’m definitely planning on doing that some more. And since it seems like we will have an endless summer, I don’t have to worry about the weather changing and ruining my plans. Scott and I have also walked several more times this week, as well. Those walks usually last for and hour or so, and they wear us out!
Looking forward to: My first ever baby shower tomorrow! It’s so crazy to think about…I’ve been to my fair share of baby showers in my life, and it’s a bit hard to think that this one is for Scott and I , and OUR baby.
Belly Shot:
30 weeks! It’s a milestone!
26 Aug 2011 3 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: 3rd trimester, Me, pregnancy
What’s going on this week:
Your baby’s about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it’s not very keen; even after she’s born, she’ll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she’ll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)
My Update:
Due Date: November 4, 2011 – 70 days to go! (in other words, exactly 10 weeks…wonder if he’ll come sooner or later?)
Weight Gain: +16 lbs from pre-preg weight.
Symptoms: I can pretty much pee on command. Even if I just went. I can go again. And I think I had my first Braxton Hicks contraction! Scott and I were out walking one evening and my whole belly got very tight and then after about 15-20 seconds it started to relax again. That’s the only one I think I’ve had so far….at least that I’ve noticed.
Cravings/Aversions: Still crushed ice. And the other night, just as we were laying down to sleep I wanted orange juice really bad. I didn’t get up and get it though, because drinking OJ right before laying down sounds like a recipe for heartburn if you ask me, and I’ve managed to avoid that uncomfortable symptom completely, so far – no need to tempt fate.
Sleep: OK….I notice that on Thursday nights, after we’ve gone to our childbirth class, and talked and discussed a lot of baby-related things for a couple of hours, (both in the class and then Scott and I by ourselves at dinner afterwards) my mind is buzzing, and I fall asleep fine, but tend to wake up after a couple of hours and have trouble turning my brain off. Thankfully we’ve only got one more childbirth class left, and so I expect that after that, my normal sleep habits will resume.
I am loving: Working from home has been great so far. Especially since we’ve been having record breaking heat day in and day out….not having to go out in it every single day has been so nice. I’m feeling very lucky!
I miss: Being able to take a full breath without really concentrating on it. This baby is definitely getting bigger and sometimes he is positioned in such a way that I can barely catchy my breath if I am sitting or all all scrunched up. It’s a really strange sensation.
Movement: Still good! Lots of kicks, and I *think* he’s still head down, considering where I feel the hardest and most frequent kicks (off to my far right side).
Nursery progress: No change this week.
Exercise: We branched out and went for a bike ride this week instead of walking. As Scott said about 3/4 of the way through, “Try to enjoy this ride, because it’s your last one.” I think he was feeling pretty nervous about my bike riding abilities while pregnant and was envisioning a bad crash and towards the end of the ride was fully convinced it was a bad idea to begin with. I don’t have that great of a track record with bike riding, but it was a pretty easy ride and I did fine. The worst part was kind of being hunched over on the bike…the belly doesn’t smush like it used to, so that was kind of uncomfortable. All in all, I’m not upset to not get back on the bike until after this kiddo is born. We’ll stick with walking , or the stationary recumbent bike that’s in the air conditioning.
Looking forward to: Still the Houston baby shower! And on this Sunday I’m having a girls day out that should be a blast!
Belly Shot:
Happenings
25 Aug 2011 Comments Off on Happenings
in Uncategorized Tags: Domestic Bliss, Home Improvements, Me
So, not a lot has been going on baby-wise this week, and I noticed the other day that I had some pictures on my phone that I thought might be worth sharing, at the same time I caught everyone up on the weekend recap.
This past weekend Scott and I got to spend a lot of quality time together. We started off on Friday night by deciding to go out to eat and then to a movie. But there wasn’t really much showing at the theater that we were interested in seeing, except ‘The Help,’ which I had planned on just going to see by myself one day since I considered it a chick-flick and didn’t think Scott would be interested. I loved the book so much, that I was really anticipating the movie coming out, but nervous that it wouldn’t live up. But… I had heard from friends that the movie was well done and a good representation of the book so I was hopeful! Anyhow, lacking anything else that sparked our interest, we just decided to go out to eat and then come back home and watch a movie here, so we went ahead and got ready to go. But when I came downstairs, there were 2 tickets to ‘The Help’ printed out and ready to go! Yay! So we had a fine time out to dinner, wandering around Barnes and Noble to kill some time, and then heading to the movie. MMMMmmm..Coke and Reese’s Pieces.
(Side note: The movie was very good. I was quite happy with it, and even Scott liked it a lot. Of course, there was a lot of stuff left out, and the characters can’t be quite as developed as they were in the book, which is understandable. There’s only so much info you can fit into a 2.5 hour movie. But overall, they did a great job with it. I even dreamed about those characters that night – and they were all knocking around in my head for day or two after, as well. Kind of like getting to see, and visit with, old friends, but then having to say goodbye again. They stick with you for a while!)
And then on Saturday, we had planned to drive out to this gas station in Circleville (which is seriously a map-dot town about 20-30 minutes away from Georgetown) for lunch – Scott had a recommendation for fantastic hamburgers at a gas station there, from one of his co-workers, so we decided to be brave and check it out. I really wish I would have snapped a picture or two of this place, but there was no need to draw anymore attention to ourselves. I’m pretty sure they all knew we were ‘not from around those parts.’ It literally was an old, run-down gas station, kind of combined with an antique junk store, and it seriously looked like a perfect movie set for a scene where some hapless folks from out-of-town are driving through, and stop in for directions, never to be seen again. Obviously we made it out fine, and the burgers were quite good, but the place…well, I wish you all could have been there.
After lunch we drove around Taylor, Texas and Granger, Texas just for the heck of it. Mostly checking out the old, abandoned downtown areas and all the really cool old industrial buildings that Scott would love to get his hands on. And we stopped at this one really old historic home that was for sale in Granger and peeked in the windows and walked all around it, until we noticed some indicators that maybe someone actually still lived in it, so we got back in the car and took off before we got busted for being peeping toms.
Some shaved ice for me, and coffee for Scott, on the way home, and we were happy. I can’t really remember what happened on Sunday, so it must not have been too exciting, so we’ll just skip over it.
On to the random pictures!
So, Mom and I found this picture when I was in FL, and I loved it so much that I took a picture of it just so I could have it. It’s of me and Lisa and I really would love to know why I’m looking at her so suspiciously. She says she was probably pinching me under the towel. Also, be amazed, because Mom still has that towel in her possession.
Here is the finished china cabinet project! Which really wasn’t a ‘project’ at all – it was just me unpacking all the china and putting it in the cabinet, but it took a while…so…project! It turned out that every single piece fit just fine and looks quite nice, if I do say so myself. It is a full 12 place settings, with more plates for each setting than I really know what to do with, a coffee pot with sugar and creamer vessels, gravy boat with its own saucer, serving platters and a covered vegetable dish and an uncovered….other vegetable dish?
I’m glad it’s done…hopefully the dishes will see some use, finally, during the upcoming holidays.
And just because the cats don’t get enough airtime here, a gratuitous picture of Bodhi in one of his latest favorite sleeping spots.
29w6d
Straight A Student
18 Aug 2011 2 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: 3rd trimester, Me, pregnancy
Well, to cut right to the chase, I aced both my glucose tolerance test and the BP re-check.
The glucose tolerance results came back perfect – my glucose was 81 (and they want it to be under 140), I’m not anemic, and my hemoglobin was behaving just right, as well. Yay! Cookies and desserts for everyone! Well, everyone that took a glucose test and passed it, that is.
And despite being worried about it for most of the day, my BP was 118/63 when I went in for my quick re-check. Heather, my midwife, was very pleased, and said to keep doing what I’ve been doing. So, whew.
And, that’s about all the updates I’ve got for you today.
So, here, have a picture of my belly, in all its glory.
28w6d
For the good of the baby….
16 Aug 2011 1 Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: 3rd trimester, Me, pregnancy
This was my breakfast yesterday…before my blood draw to check for gestational diabetes. It was a hard job, but it was my responsibility to do my best. With Scott’s encouragement of “you’d better pour the rest of that syrup on that pancake”, I was successful. I should have the results back tomorrow.
The rest of my check up was fine, except that my blood pressure was high again. So, I’m on an increased protein diet (100 grams a day!), extra hydration and lots of taking it easy and I go back on Thursday for them to recheck me. I’m hoping that it was just that I was a tad anxious about the glucose test (not that I could do anything about it one way or the other…I just want everything to be fine and to be free of the concern of it, you know?) and that by Thursday my blood pressure numbers will be back to an acceptable range.
Other than that pesky BP, my urine checked out fine, weight gain was good, and the baby’s heartbeat sounds perfect. Also, I noticed this past week that I started feeling what I am pretty sure are baby hiccups! I can feel them really low down by my pelvic bone, so I was *hoping* that meant the baby was now head down. (he’s been pretty much transverse as far as they can tell at each appointment so far.) The midwife agreed that she thought he was in the head down position while she did all the palpating of my belly, so that’s good! I know that he will probably change his alignment a time or two again between now and delivery, but at least I now know he knows HOW to get into the right position when the time comes.
28w4d
27 and (bonus!) 28 weeks!
14 Aug 2011 3 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: 2nd trimester, 3rd trimester, Family Fun, Me, pregnancy, Working Out
Since I was out of town last week when I would normally post the weekly update, you get both weeks 27 and 28 rolled into one this time. You’re welcome.
Here we go!
What’s going on this week (27):
This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She’s sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby’s brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don’t bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.
What’s going on this week (28):
By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She’s also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.
My Update:
Due Date: November 4, 2011 – as of today, 82 days to go! (Wow. That sounds…short.) Also, we’ve now entered the 3rd trimester!
Weight Gain: +15 lbs from pre-preg weight.
Symptoms: My belly really has made some impressive leaps and bounds in the last few weeks. It shocks me when I catch a side glimpse of myself in the mirror…but I still love the way I look! With the bigger size, comes a more noticeable ‘waddle,’ as they call it. My feet are turning out as I walk and my goodness, it just feels so much better that way!
Cravings/Aversions: Lisa and Meredith were right – the ice chewing/crunching is seriously addictive. That’s what I want all the time. A cold drink with crushed ice for constant chewing. I know it’s bad for my teeth, and outside of pregnancy I don’t usually do it, so I’m not beating myself up for it for these few months, when it makes me so happy right now!
Sleep: Not bad…I’m waking up about 2 times a night to pee, on average, which is annoying, but I was expecting it, so it’s bearable. Plus, I am really lucky to have the ability to fall right back asleep with almost no effort, so it doesn’t seem to disrupt me too much, overall. However, the maneuvering from one side to the other in bed is getting to be more and more challenging as the belly gets bigger and bigger. It involves some heavy breathing and usually a pause in the midst of all the shifting to sort of catch my breath, before settling back down. That part I could do without, if we’re being completely honest. And, seriously, I would really, really love to sleep on my stomach. Sometimes in the middle of the night, while I’m doing my flopping around from right to left and back again, I glare at Scott for a minute, when he is peacefully sacked out flat on his stomach.
I am loving: My last ‘baby-free’ trip to see my parents was great! Mom and I did lots of shopping, and we all did lots of eating. And even squeezed in a short beach day. The flights were nice and easy, and I met another pregnant girl in the Houston airport during my layover and we walked and talked together for a bit. All in all, a good success.
I miss: Mom and Dad. The beach. Sleeping on my stomach. I think that about covers it.
Movement: Excellent! The trip to Jacksonville seemed to be the trigger time for more constant and active movement. He seems to go to town with the kicking the most when I lay down in bed at night, or when Scott and I settle in to watch a movie or TV.
Nursery progress: No change since the last update, what with me being out of town and all. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks, I’ll get the nail holes in the walls spackled and covered and we can move on from there.
Exercise: Since I am home now when Scott gets home from work each day, we’ve gone out walking around the neighborhood some of the evenings, which I love…last night we went a bit farther than normal, and I think it might have been too much. I took a couple of sit-down breaks during the walk when I felt like I needed too, but after we were back home my hips and back were aching, and it felt like a little sciatica might have been kicking in. I feel better today, if just a little tired, so I think it’s just a matter of getting used to how this extra weight feels on my body and keeping on exercising so I can build up my strength.
Looking forward to: Oddly enough, my GTT (glucose tolerance test) on Monday morning. Most OB/GYNs have pregnant ladies come into the office, drink this super sugary glucose drink concoction and then wait for a hour and draw their blood to check for gestational diabetes. My midwives, however, are the most awesome people ever, and they disagree with this method, as it can tend to give inaccurate results, and feel that a much more realistic testing method is to have me eat a big breakfast of (and she listed all this stuff specifically, so you’d better believe I was taking very careful notes since I am a rule-follower): pancakes (with syrup!), a glass of juice, eggs, potatoes of some sort, toast and a breakfast meat (sausage/bacon, etc). Um…YES, PLEASE! Then 2 hours from the time I finish eating, I have my appointment for them to draw my blood to see how my body handles all those sugars. As you can well imagine, Scott was very put-off by the fact that he would just have to go in late to work that day in order to go out and have a huge breakfast with me. It’s for my health! And the baby’s heath! For science! Pregnancy is hard on the dudes, I tell ya.
Belly Shot:
OK – two weeks worth of belly, just for you guys!
27 weeks
28 weeks