36 Weeks

Week: 36

Baby: 19-22 inches and 6.5 pounds! He is the size of a watermelon!

Gender: Boy

Measurements:  This post is slightly delayed because I was waiting for the actual ultrasound measurements.  Many will be surprised that he is measuring at 38 weeks (I’m 36 and 5 days today) and 7 pounds 10 ounces (plus or minus a pound) based on the ultrasound!  Our ultrasound tech said he was in no way a small baby J Yay!  I was elated to hear this because I still look pretty small but I knew he must be big!      

Fashion Choices:  This question is getting redundant.  Same as before but now that it is warming up, I don’t have many short sleeve shirts to squeeze into.  I can’t justify buying more maternity shirts that I might only be able to wear for a few weeks (or less).  

Movement:  Baby is head down!! I am so relieved!  I had talked myself into a c-section, so it had kind of grown on me; scheduled, no labor, planned… But really, I couldn’t be happier that I get to go the natural route as originally planned.

Symptoms:  I see why expectant moms say “I’m done” at this point in their pregnancy.  He likes to get his foot up under my ribs and keep me up at all hours of the night trying to get comfortable.  In between periods of discomfort, I’m getting out of bed to use the bathroom and chug water (almost 2 liters at night alone).   My nausea is back with a vengeance and I am having a hard time pushing through as I did in the first trimester.  The combination of discomfort and exhaustion has my reserves pretty well depleted.  I broke down and got a prescription for anti-nausea meds.  I am hoping it will get me through these last weeks.  

Cravings: Mr. Misty, Starburst.

Aversions:  Any smells, good or bad; just makes my stomach turn.

Work:  11 shifts left!

Labor:  My body is definitely warming up to have this baby.  My doctor said he is very low in my pelvis and my contractions are becoming more frequent.  He could come anytime J

This Month:  Nursery is done, baby laundry is done, bag is packed!  I had a wonderful baby shower with fantastic food and company!  

Can’t Wait!: For Liam to get here!!

Count Down:  Day 300 of pregnancy has come and gone.  3 weeks left as of this Friday!

32 Weeks

Week: 32

Baby: 19 inches and 4.5 pounds! A little (big) honeydew!

Gender: Boy

Measurements:  He is measuring one week big according to the measuring tape over the belly button test!  I am hopeful that this means he will be a healthy, robust little boy (and that he will be here by his due date).  My growing belly keeps me aware that we will be welcoming our son into our lives pretty soon!

Fashion Choices:  I am happy to report that I have yet to purchase any maternity jeans!  Motherhood Maternity was having a sale on their jeans, and I was tempted to buy some cute colored skinny’s, but I resisted, knowing that I would much rather have colored skinny’s that fit AFTER pregnancy.  I’m holding out, but I don’t know how much longer my jeans will…    

Movement:  He is moving a TON!  The movement has escalated from gentle jabs to stomach-morphing-through-clothes pressure.  He is definitely putting his whole 4.5 pounds into it.  At our most recent check up, the doctor found him to be in the breech position.  She told me we shouldn’t “worry” until 36 weeks and to assume the “bottom’s up” position as often as possible.  You all may appreciate that this post is being written in the modified child’s pose/squat yoga position otherwise know as…. Well, you know J     

Symptoms:  Oh my gosh!  I have restless leg syndrome SO BAD!  When I try to lie down and rest at night, whether in bed or on the couch, I CANNOT keep my legs still and it is making me (and Ian) CRAZY!  This is a hidden symptom of pregnancy that not many people talk about!  I am also having trouble sleeping at night.  I can’t seem to get comfortable, regardless of how many pillows I have to adjust and reposition to my comfort; I’ve also become (I hate to admit) an avid “drooler!”  I’ve started sleeping with a towel on my pillow; it has gotten that bad!  I also have the usual indigestion and shortness of breath, but they remind me daily that I am growing a baby! 

Cravings: Frozen yogurt and berries, but I enjoy these things every other day too.

Aversions:  Crowded spaces…. Back up people!  You’re taking my fresh air!

Work:  Going well.  Scheduled to work up until my due date!

Labor:  My Braxton-Hicks contractions have picked up!  I notice that they are more frequent when my bladder is full or when I have been standing in one position for a long period of time.  We took a labor class and got a lot of good tips on making it through the stages of labor.  I have been closely studying these knowing that they will come in handy in the coming weeks!

This Month:  Busy, busy, busy pretty much sums it up!  We are registered for our impending baby shower; the nursery is really coming together thanks to Ian and my in-laws; we have been tossing around baby names; lots of practice in our childbirth education classes.  We are ready for this baby!

Can’t Wait!  Baby shower this Saturday!  I am so excited!!  My sister, Michelle, is coming in from Seattle and my mom’s family is coming in from Utah and Missouri!  I feel so important J.  

Count Down:  8 WEEKS left!  Time is flying!!

28 Weeks

Hi all!  I am far delayed in this post!  There are a list of excuses that I have as to why I am tardy:

1. We painted the nursery and I took down my picture frame

2.  Ian was going to take a picture somewhere but we couldn't decide

3. Since we couldn't decide, we just didn't take a picture

4.  Kristin came for a visit.

Please forgive me and read on to hear about the past few weeks.

Week: 28

Baby: Measuring 17 inches and weighing in at 2.9 lbs!  His weight has almost doubled since last month.

Gender: Boy

Measurements: Okay, I’m going to say it…. I have officially hit the 20 pound weight gain mark!  Ahh!  I have NEVER seen those numbers on the scale and its starting to scare me a little.  Clearly, I won’t be on the lower end of the weight gain recommendations with 12 weeks to go, but I hope that means I will have a good sized baby in April J

Fashion Choices:  I am having lots of fun wearing the maternity shirts I got for Christmas and started to collect.  Somehow, it makes the pregnancy feel more official.  Thankfully, I am still in my normal jeans.  Maternity jeans are on the horizon I guess, but I am holding out for as long as possible. 

Movement:  He is starting to pack a punch!  His movements are visible through my shirt and it makes me laugh to see my belly contort and deform to his movements.  He is especially active after I eat something sweet (he takes after me).  I asked my OB when she would be able to feel his body structures and position – she says by 32 weeks!

Symptoms:  Nausea is looong gone; tiredness is creeping back in.  I am feeling a lot of stretching in my lower abdomen as expected, and some lower back ache at the end of the day, but my joy dilutes any discomfort I may have.  I feel great!

Cravings: Nothing really.  But I will say, if I see something that I want i.e. cake, I WILL eat it.  Hmmm, this could, in some way, be related to the weight gain….

Aversions:  Nothing to be noted that is out of the ordinary.

Work:  Still there.  I am working until labor contractions start (I say this now).

Labor:  My Braxton-Hicks contractions have started, but are intermittent and unpredictable.

This Month:  We have been busy this month getting the nursery ready.  Our large purchase was the crib.  This was the only piece of furniture that we had to buy for the nursery, so we decided to go against our better judgment and buy it from Pottery Barn.  We justified the higher price tag with higher quality and years of use.  It was TOTALLY worth it.  The crib is beautiful and sturdy and exactly what we wanted!  We picked out the colors for the walls using the Sherwin-Williams app on my phone (I highly recommend this to anyone who is painting a room and needs coordinating color suggestions!)  Ian and Marsha (mom-in-law) did a BEAUTIFUL job painting!  We chose a royal blue with a silvery grey that give off a calming affect in the room and I am proud to report it has been cleared by the interior designer of the family – thank you Kristin!  Now, its time to move on to a “theme” and start shopping for beddingJ    

Can’t Wait!:  Ian and I are going to Phoenix the first weekend in February to get ideas for our registry.  It will be nice to get our hands on the baby stuff and see it in person.  We also went to our first parenting class, not much to report there, but we do have our labor class coming up in a few weeks and that should be fun! 

Count Down:  84 days left!  It has gone so fast!