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!

24 Weeks

Week: 24

Baby: Measuring at 9 inches! Weight at 1.7 lbs!  The size of an eggplant. 

Gender: Boy

Measurements: Pregnancy belly!  People are just starting to ask if

I am expecting; part of me wants to say “no” just to see them squirm J but I am finding to much pleasure in saying “yes!”   My belly button is getting more shallow, but still an innie at this point.  I have been experiencing “growing pains” in this last week… It is probably all the holiday feasting I have been partaking in!

Fashion Choices:  For the most part, I am still wearing most of my pre-pregnancy clothes.  I have added a few maternity staples to my wardrobe – stretchy tops and leggings, and I am surprised at how comfortably they are.  I can definitely tell that my jeans are more restricting, so I find myself reaching for the leggings more often.  I am fortunate that they are in style again this season (and that Ian likes them too)!  I can still wear the majority of my scrubs thanks to elastic waist bands and loose styling, but I have been trying to decide what to do once I’m too big.  I’m thinking of just wearing maternity tops with scrub pants and a scrub jacket over the top.  This will keep me from having to buy pricey maternity scrubs that I will only wear for a few months.      

Movement: He is a little jumping bean!  My doctor doesn’t ask me to do kick counting (this probably would have made me neurotic) but to keep track of his patterns and report any decreases in movement.  He moves first thing in the morning, after each meal and when I lie down at night.  I am starting to be able to differentiate the jab of an arm or leg and the roundness of his head or back/bum.  I can’t help but smile each time I feel him, it is such an amazing thing!  It is hard to describe, but when he moves, it is such a private thing because only I feel it and only I know.  Ian is feeling his movements when we are together and has taken to talking to him and advising him on the outside world; so much fun!

Symptoms:  No sickness for 4+ weeks!  I really have been feeling wonderful at this stage of my pregnancy.  I look pregnant, I feel good, I have energy.  It couldn’t be better! 

Cravings: None to report.

Aversions:  Smells at work; but any normal person would be made nauseous by poop, yeast in folds, lack of personal hygiene type smells right? 

Work:  Going swell.

Labor:  Nothing yet.  I have been cramping recently, but it is hard to tell if it is all the rich food I have been eating or if it is related to pregnancy.

This Month:  I can’t believe that I am entering the seventh month of pregnancy!  The holidays have come and gone and we were able to spend some valuable time with friends and family.  Ian and I keep saying we have so much to be grateful for this holiday season.  We both have our health; we have two dogs that bring us laughter (and frustration at times); we are expecting a baby boy; we have friends and family to share in the joy.  I don’t know if I have ever been happier. 

Can’t Wait!:  To start the nursery!  We finally settled on a crib and placed the order so now we need to get the bunk beds out of the nursery so we can start on the first phase of getting ready for baby!  We hope to paint his room the first part of January and slowly collect the other things that we will need before spring.  He is going to be here before we know it!

Count Down:  To our pregnancy/birthing/parenting classes!  I’m such a nerd J

20 Weeks

Week: 20

Baby: Measuring at 7 inches! Weight at 11oz.  The size of a banana. 

Gender Prediction: I’m feeling girl……. I was WAY off.  We’re having a BOY! 

Measurements: Full-on baby bump!  So much fun!

Fashion Choices:  I plan to wear my clothes as long as I can.  I’m not sure if this is denial/refusal to admit I might actually grow out of my current wardrobe or the fact that maternity clothes aren’t cheap and commonly unflattering.   

Movement: Yes, definitely a yes!  I just felt him with my hands this morning and can’t wait for the moment Ian can steal a feel too!  He moves a lot in the early morning hours, and more recently, I have felt him during random times of the day.  I love having this reassurance that my baby is still growing J

Symptoms:  I will say with caution that my vomiting has subsided.  The nausea has almost completely gone, but occasionally pops up with certain “triggers” such as smelling food, talk of sputum, looking at food on Pinterest…  My low back is starting to feel sore at the end of the day and I get an occasional sciatica twinge with position changes.  Really, it could be worse!

Cravings: I am waiting for something to just jump out at me that say’s “EAT ME NOW” but this has yet to happen.

Aversions:  Reading recipes, looking at food. 

Work:  I’m still going strong!  I also have a New Grad nurse I can use as a slave for the next few months (no, not really Bridget)…

Labor:  I was able to see a REAL LIVE BIRTH!  It has changed me (for the better) and I visualize each day that mine will go as smoothly.

This week (or should I say month):  We found out we were having a boy.  I was in pure shock as the ultrasound tech wrote “BOY” on the screen and said “Congratulations, you’re having a boy!”  I had to make her double check.  She asked Ian and I before she started what we thought and we said simultaneously boy/girl respectively.  Ian was right!  And he was so overjoyed he yelled “YES” and threw his arms in the air as if he made a winning touchdown.  I want to remember that day forever.  We were most happy to hear he was healthy, and then that he was a he.  Also, Grant and Kristin had their precious baby boy.  They named him Emmett Jones Holdsworth.  He came out at 8lbs1oz and sweet as pie.  I love him so much already!

Can’t Wait!:  I love the holiday season and I look forward to putting out our decorations and hosting family.  It’s the most wonderful time of the year to be pregnant; lots of homemade treats and drinking hot cocoa snuggled under a blanket.  I hope that the Christmas Season finds everyone happy and healthy.

Count Down:  Not counting down to anything right now, just enjoying every moment of this pregnancy!

16 Weeks

Week: 16

Baby: Measuring at 4.5 inches

Gender Prediction: I’m feeling girl 

Measurements: The belly is out!  It is noticeable in my regular clothes and looks more pregnant than fat!

Fashion Choices:  Wearing regular clothes and using a hair tie through my button hole and looped around my button to keep my pants up J Cheap! 

Movement: I think so…. Maybe…. First thing in the morning, but I can’t be sure yet.

Symptoms:  Still nauseous and vomiting at random times.  I’m really trying hard to have snacks on me at all times, but in nursing, it’s not smart to carry an apple around in your pocket.  And, I’m in the habit of fewer, larger meals because that’s what I have time for at work, but I’m working on it.  Also, the sight of blood makes me sick, which is so inconvenient considering that I deal with it on a daily basis…

Cravings: Ooooo, fresh fruit, particularly berries.  And anything frozen and sweet! Yum!

Aversions:  Still leftovers… 

Work:  The same.

Labor:  Not me!

This week:  Grant and Kristin made it home!  It is so great to have them back!  Ian and I were down in Phoenix for the weekend (my excuse for the late post) to help them unpack their three bedroom plus basement house into ONE small storage unit and ONE small bedroom.  It like a life size jigsaw puzzle at the storage, not to mention their bedroom;  Let’s just call it the Master/Nursery Suite. 

Can’t Wait!:  Baby Holdsworth is putting on his last few fat rolls in-uteruo, so he could be here any day!  We hear he has a full head of hair; it won’t be long until we see for ourselves!    

Count Down:  To our Anatomy Ultrasound!  We get to see the baby again, and if we’re lucky, if it’s a HE or SHE!  It’s not until the Monday after Thanksgiving, but believe me, it is on the calendar!

12 Weeks

Week: 12

Baby: Measuring at 3 inches

Gender Prediction: Changes daily (calling him “he” but still feeling it’s a girl…) 

Measurements: I am up a few pounds and starting to have a little belly!  Although, it can be hidden in my regular clothes/scrubs.

Fashion Choices:  Still in my regular clothes and kind of getting excited to pull out the sweaters and boots. 

Movement: None

Symptoms:  Oh my goodness!  Has the nausea and vomiting reared it ugly head the last two weeks!  I have spent a few mornings and afternoons with the toilet.  I am feeling especially confused about this since I am nearing the end of the first trimester and was hoping for a little reprieve.

Cravings: Same goes for salty, but I feel like I can’t get enough fresh fruit, especially berries.  I could eat a carton of raspberries at every meal.

Aversions:  Leftovers….. Get those things far away from me! 

Work:  It’s hard to tell, but I think smells and sights at work are making me sick.  For example, I had to empty a drain bulb that was draining infected blood/fluid out of a persons wound and I was vomiting 10 minuets later.  Also, sputum (rust colored, thick, large lugie) made my stomach turn over!  Unavoidable as a nurse I suppose.

Labor:  Plenty of time to think about this…

This week:  I went up to visit my sister, Michelle, in Seattle and we had a blast!  It was purely a girls trip!  We ate where Urban Spoon told us to (mostly pastries and Chinese), we walked all over the city, we talked about the great places that were perfect for a romantic date, we watched movies in her studio apartment, we slept in, and we shopped in maternity sections!  It was a great way to say “have some fun before the REAL fun begins!” 

Can’t Wait!:  GRANT AND KRISTIN ARE COMING BACK TO AZ!!  Yay!  I am beside myself excited to have them close since their baby boy is due to arrive November 22^nd.  Let’s put our hands together for Kristin: packing an entire house, moving/driving across country, selling a house, temporarily (meaning, until their house sells) living with the in-laws, and a husband changing jobs at 36 WEEKS PREGNANT!  That’s saint territory if you ask me!   

Count Down:  To a real baby bump!