We took advantage of a frosty, sunny fall morning.
Here is what we came up with.
Showing posts with label baby cooking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby cooking. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Fall Maternity Pics
My husband's talents never cease to amaze me. *Sigh*
We took advantage of a frosty, sunny fall morning.
Here is what we came up with.
We took advantage of a frosty, sunny fall morning.
Here is what we came up with.
Friday, November 18, 2011
37 & 38 Weeks
We turned full term last week! Yay! It is really crazy to be this far along. This whole pregnancy I have thought she would arrive late, but now that we are so close to the due date, I can't get it out of my head that in reality she could come at anytime.
These past couple weeks have been really fun. We had a shower a couple of weeks ago, so we had goodies to wash, put away, and put together from that. We have been picking up odds and ends to make ourselves feel "ready," and we even packed the little girl's bag to take with us when the time comes. We are still both a little indifferent on packing our bags because it seems pretty straight forward and may even be a good activity for me when I am in early labor. We will see. Now that I have all this free time on my hands, I wouldn't be surprised if the pile for my bag started to grow.
BabyCenter tells us that she could be around 6 1/3 pounds and measures around 19 inches. Last week at our appointment, the midwife estimated about five pounds. We have an appointment tomorrow so we will again get to see what they think.
I have been getting more frequent Braxton Hicks--none painful. Overall I feel good bodywise, nothing too sore or achy. I get tired pretty quick and my heartburn is still in full force even though I think she is a little bit lower.
Eating is a little better now that I am home more and can stay on top of not getting too hungry. I can usually figure out something that sounds good. Frozen spinach always sounds good! The midwife isn't worried about my eating though or the fact that I still get sick sometimes because I am definitely gaining a healthy amount of weight.
It is so crazy how strongly I can feel her hiccups now and I love when she stretches and I can feel her on both sides of my stomach. As of last week they still think she is head down.
We finished our last birth class last night. We finished a little early since we were the only couple and each class went pretty quickly. It was nice to have the one on one time with the instructor and be able to ask whatever, whenever we wanted.
I am a little sad not to be cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year as I have the past two years, however, I'm pretty sure my 9 1/2 month pregnant body would be a little tired. It will be nice to just relax that day and enjoy Ben's 4 day weekend.
These past couple weeks have been really fun. We had a shower a couple of weeks ago, so we had goodies to wash, put away, and put together from that. We have been picking up odds and ends to make ourselves feel "ready," and we even packed the little girl's bag to take with us when the time comes. We are still both a little indifferent on packing our bags because it seems pretty straight forward and may even be a good activity for me when I am in early labor. We will see. Now that I have all this free time on my hands, I wouldn't be surprised if the pile for my bag started to grow.
BabyCenter tells us that she could be around 6 1/3 pounds and measures around 19 inches. Last week at our appointment, the midwife estimated about five pounds. We have an appointment tomorrow so we will again get to see what they think.
I have been getting more frequent Braxton Hicks--none painful. Overall I feel good bodywise, nothing too sore or achy. I get tired pretty quick and my heartburn is still in full force even though I think she is a little bit lower.
Eating is a little better now that I am home more and can stay on top of not getting too hungry. I can usually figure out something that sounds good. Frozen spinach always sounds good! The midwife isn't worried about my eating though or the fact that I still get sick sometimes because I am definitely gaining a healthy amount of weight.
It is so crazy how strongly I can feel her hiccups now and I love when she stretches and I can feel her on both sides of my stomach. As of last week they still think she is head down.
We finished our last birth class last night. We finished a little early since we were the only couple and each class went pretty quickly. It was nice to have the one on one time with the instructor and be able to ask whatever, whenever we wanted.
I am a little sad not to be cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year as I have the past two years, however, I'm pretty sure my 9 1/2 month pregnant body would be a little tired. It will be nice to just relax that day and enjoy Ben's 4 day weekend.
And a bare belly pic for ya!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
35 Weeks
I thought I would do a survey since I haven't in a long time!
Size of little miss? Babycenter says that she could be over 18 inches by now. I had my appointment with the midwife last night and she estimated the weight to be around 4 1/2 or 5 pounds. Babycenter says to pick up a honeydew melon to compare the weight.
Maternity Clothes? Pants definitely need to be maternity or stretch pants. I am wearing regular dresses and some regular shirts.
Weight Gain? 34 pounds. The midwives are happy with this weight gain.
Stretch Marks? None yet. I have been putting on the Palmer's stretch mark lotion daily.
Gender? Precious little girl!
Movement? She moves a lot but the movement has begun to feel differently because she is running out of room I think. It is more big movements than the little jabs I used to feel. Fine by me; it's wonderful to know she is growing in there!
Sleep? Not so great lately. I have been sleeping sitting up and when I go to turn over, I wake up. I wake up because of heartburn. I toss and turn to get comfortable again. I have taken naps during the day the past couple of days.
Food Cravings? None lately.
What I Miss? Feeling "normal." Can't wait to be able to eat like a normal person again instead of nothing ever sounding good to eat.
Symptoms? Braxton Hicks, tired, nausea, achy back, heart burn
Best Moment of the Week? Visiting our friends' sweet new baby girls, one is almost 6 weeks old and one was 6 days old when we met her, and realizing that it won't be too long until our girl is in our arms! Also, my girlfriends are putting on a baby shower for me this weekend that I am so excited for!
Monday, October 24, 2011
33 Weeks
33 weeks brought with it our appointment with our midwife. So great to hear her heartbeat again as well as hearing that all my vitals are great, my weight gain is looking good and that it appears she is making her way toward the head down position. She also gave us some handouts regarding when to actually call the midwife if we are in labor, a list of supplies to bring to the birth center and a list of pediatricians. Of course I have read tidbits on this information in different places but having it actually come from the midwife made our impending milestone seem that much more real.
Week 33 also continues with the heartburn. I slept sitting up the whole night last night. I was tempted to come out to our recliner chair but it makes me sad to think of not sleeping in my own bed!
I am happy to report that I still don't have any stretch marks. I really hope I didn't just jinx myself with that statement.
I had my first shower with family and family friends this weekend. It was so much fun and nice to be surrounded by loving people who are all excited to welcome this sweet girl. As I was sorting through our gifts this morning I think the whole ordeal sort of hit me. We are really close to having a baby. Sorting through clothes and blankets and deciding it's time to start the washing process made it all seem very real.
The only thing I can really say I am missing these days is life without heartburn. It just feels constant and gives me a constant unsettled feeling. If asked before I was pregnant how I thought my eating habits would be when I got pregnant--I would have answered with a resounding, "I can't wait to eat anything and everything all the time!" {I mean, that's a bit of an exaggeration but I thought I would have no actual problem with eating.} However, this pregnancy has brought with it an inability to come up with food that sounds good and actually feel satisfied when I eat it. Major bummer. I love to eat. Which I talk about here, here, and here.
BabyCenter tells us this week that she is just over four pounds and around 17 inches long. She is continuing to lose her alien look and look more like a newborn. Also, her skeleton is hardening.
Isn't my husband so lucky that this is how beautiful I look on a Saturday night?! Yikes!
Week 33 also continues with the heartburn. I slept sitting up the whole night last night. I was tempted to come out to our recliner chair but it makes me sad to think of not sleeping in my own bed!
I am happy to report that I still don't have any stretch marks. I really hope I didn't just jinx myself with that statement.
I had my first shower with family and family friends this weekend. It was so much fun and nice to be surrounded by loving people who are all excited to welcome this sweet girl. As I was sorting through our gifts this morning I think the whole ordeal sort of hit me. We are really close to having a baby. Sorting through clothes and blankets and deciding it's time to start the washing process made it all seem very real.
The only thing I can really say I am missing these days is life without heartburn. It just feels constant and gives me a constant unsettled feeling. If asked before I was pregnant how I thought my eating habits would be when I got pregnant--I would have answered with a resounding, "I can't wait to eat anything and everything all the time!" {I mean, that's a bit of an exaggeration but I thought I would have no actual problem with eating.} However, this pregnancy has brought with it an inability to come up with food that sounds good and actually feel satisfied when I eat it. Major bummer. I love to eat. Which I talk about here, here, and here.
BabyCenter tells us this week that she is just over four pounds and around 17 inches long. She is continuing to lose her alien look and look more like a newborn. Also, her skeleton is hardening.
Isn't my husband so lucky that this is how beautiful I look on a Saturday night?! Yikes!
Diaper cake by my mom
My cute mom. Thanks for the wonderful shower, Mom!
Handmade blanket, so adorable.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
31 & 32 Weeks
I am getting a little lazy in my weekly posts. I'm not sure why. I made the comment to Ben the other night that we are getting lazy in our picture taking as well.
BabyCenter estimates she is around 3.75 pounds and around 16.7 inches long. She is gaining about a 1/2 pound a week. Seems like a lot! It also says she has fingernails, toenails and hair and her skin in becoming soft and smooth while getting ready for birth.
With these past couple of weeks, the heartburn has really ramped up again. Despite my efforts in taking my Zantac and eating Tums in between Zantac doses, it still burns. I am going to try to find some Papaya enzymes this week as recommended by a couple people. I have also resorted to sleeping sitting up. Not uncomfortable but not really ideal. And I always seem to slide right back down during my sleep, bringing on the heartburn and waking me up.
I am definitely happy to get to the end of the work week. I am tired, achy and ready for a few days off, for sure. I understand that it is okay to rest when I get off work and that usually gets the sometimes crampiness to go away, my hips to stop aching, however it is still a hard transition. I am used to getting off work and getting things done. Not laying low. So I have been trying to transition into taking things a little slower, getting things done mostly on my days off, and trying to get to bed as early as I can because 4:15am comes early. I am not ready to stop working. I don't just want to sit around waiting for her to come but in the next couple of weeks I may be looking to give up some hours. Just trying to listen to my body. And the baby. Oh, Lord it's already starting.
On an appetite note, I have really been trying to make an effort at eating more frequently. It seems to help with me not feeling nauseous as often. The only thing that is hard about this is that nothing really sounds good to eat so it is hard to think of things every couple hours that I want to eat. But on days that I can I feel a whole lot better. I think I had my actual first craving yesterday where an actual food came to mind and I went to the store to get it. Artichokes. I wanted steamed artichokes. However, I didn't get them because I thought that it was seriously the biggest ripoff in the store. I mean I haven't bought them in a long time but $3.99/artichoke seemed a little ridiculous for these tiny heads that I would have scarfed down in a couple of minutes. Oh well, maybe next time.
She is moving a lot. They are bigger movements, which is fun. I am having a hard time identifying body parts so I am hoping they will help me out at my appointment this week. I don't think she is head down yet so I guess I will find that out as well.
My belly button looks more and more funny by the day. It is pretty much flush with the rest of my stomach as opposed to my usual innie. We will see how the next couple of weeks go and where the button decides to end up.
Within the next couple of weeks I think I am getting maternity pictures. I have a customer that expressed to me that she needs a new model. So we will see if she is asking for money or not {we haven't really discussed details} and decide whether we will do it.
BabyCenter estimates she is around 3.75 pounds and around 16.7 inches long. She is gaining about a 1/2 pound a week. Seems like a lot! It also says she has fingernails, toenails and hair and her skin in becoming soft and smooth while getting ready for birth.
With these past couple of weeks, the heartburn has really ramped up again. Despite my efforts in taking my Zantac and eating Tums in between Zantac doses, it still burns. I am going to try to find some Papaya enzymes this week as recommended by a couple people. I have also resorted to sleeping sitting up. Not uncomfortable but not really ideal. And I always seem to slide right back down during my sleep, bringing on the heartburn and waking me up.
I am definitely happy to get to the end of the work week. I am tired, achy and ready for a few days off, for sure. I understand that it is okay to rest when I get off work and that usually gets the sometimes crampiness to go away, my hips to stop aching, however it is still a hard transition. I am used to getting off work and getting things done. Not laying low. So I have been trying to transition into taking things a little slower, getting things done mostly on my days off, and trying to get to bed as early as I can because 4:15am comes early. I am not ready to stop working. I don't just want to sit around waiting for her to come but in the next couple of weeks I may be looking to give up some hours. Just trying to listen to my body. And the baby. Oh, Lord it's already starting.
On an appetite note, I have really been trying to make an effort at eating more frequently. It seems to help with me not feeling nauseous as often. The only thing that is hard about this is that nothing really sounds good to eat so it is hard to think of things every couple hours that I want to eat. But on days that I can I feel a whole lot better. I think I had my actual first craving yesterday where an actual food came to mind and I went to the store to get it. Artichokes. I wanted steamed artichokes. However, I didn't get them because I thought that it was seriously the biggest ripoff in the store. I mean I haven't bought them in a long time but $3.99/artichoke seemed a little ridiculous for these tiny heads that I would have scarfed down in a couple of minutes. Oh well, maybe next time.
She is moving a lot. They are bigger movements, which is fun. I am having a hard time identifying body parts so I am hoping they will help me out at my appointment this week. I don't think she is head down yet so I guess I will find that out as well.
My belly button looks more and more funny by the day. It is pretty much flush with the rest of my stomach as opposed to my usual innie. We will see how the next couple of weeks go and where the button decides to end up.
Within the next couple of weeks I think I am getting maternity pictures. I have a customer that expressed to me that she needs a new model. So we will see if she is asking for money or not {we haven't really discussed details} and decide whether we will do it.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
30 Weeks
Is that really a three and a zero? Yes it is. For some reason, all of a sudden, I feel like 30 weeks is pretty far along. I mean, that's only about 10 more weeks to go. 10 weeks?! So exciting! This week has been pretty good. I am pretty tired on Fridays by the end of the work week. This past Sunday I had picked up an extra shift and I will just say my patience isn't as good on the weekends as it is during my regular shifts. Go figure.
I started writing in a little notebook that I am going to carry with me because I cannot remember anything. Whether it be grocery list items, the ongoing list of "things to do before baby arrives," questions for the midwife--seriously, anything.
Case in point, I made a list of three items to go to the store the other day and forgot one item. Honestly, I don't think it gets any worse than that.
Hopefully my notebook helps.
Baby Center tells us that she is just over fifteen and a half inches long and almost three pounds. It also talks about her amniotic fluid decreasing as she gets bigger and the development of her eyesight still progressing. Her movement is definitely changing everyday. She feels more like a little human in there trying to poke out. Sometimes it feels like there is an earthquake going on in my belly. It is quite entertaining.
I got another pair of maternity jeans at Target on sale which was a nice find. They fit great and look a little different than the other ones so that is nice. I generally wear jeans quite often so I figured it would be hard if I only had one pair. Tops I am enjoying tend to be of the looser nature or of stretchy fabrics.
Sleep is actually pretty good this week. I kind of have a little routine of waking up about three or four hours after falling asleep, getting up, taking some Tums, using the bathroom and going to get a little glass of apple juice and then falling right back to sleep. I think it helps me to actually get out of bed to fall back to sleep rather than tossing and turning to find a comfy position. At my massage last week she had a body pillow for me to use and that just might be on my list of things to pick up this week. I think my "two pillow trick" of one between my legs and one up by my body just isn't quite cutting it anymore.
I have been making a little progress on some wall decor for the nursery which is exciting. I found some great frames on sale and then some scrap book paper on sale as well so I can't wait to show the frame collage when it's done.
I have been eating ice cream like crazy it feels like. I want it all the time. It seems to settle well no matter what {which is more than I can say for a lot of food} and it sometimes even chases away the awful heartburn. I even had some with my breakfast the other day. Shhh, don't tell Ben!
We went on a date night last night which was really nice. I have had a gift certificate to use for a few months but the restaurant is about an hour away. We decided we didn't really have big plans so we made the trek. Have to take advantage of the alone time while we can before the lil' peanut arrives!
I started writing in a little notebook that I am going to carry with me because I cannot remember anything. Whether it be grocery list items, the ongoing list of "things to do before baby arrives," questions for the midwife--seriously, anything.
Case in point, I made a list of three items to go to the store the other day and forgot one item. Honestly, I don't think it gets any worse than that.
Hopefully my notebook helps.
Baby Center tells us that she is just over fifteen and a half inches long and almost three pounds. It also talks about her amniotic fluid decreasing as she gets bigger and the development of her eyesight still progressing. Her movement is definitely changing everyday. She feels more like a little human in there trying to poke out. Sometimes it feels like there is an earthquake going on in my belly. It is quite entertaining.
I got another pair of maternity jeans at Target on sale which was a nice find. They fit great and look a little different than the other ones so that is nice. I generally wear jeans quite often so I figured it would be hard if I only had one pair. Tops I am enjoying tend to be of the looser nature or of stretchy fabrics.
Sleep is actually pretty good this week. I kind of have a little routine of waking up about three or four hours after falling asleep, getting up, taking some Tums, using the bathroom and going to get a little glass of apple juice and then falling right back to sleep. I think it helps me to actually get out of bed to fall back to sleep rather than tossing and turning to find a comfy position. At my massage last week she had a body pillow for me to use and that just might be on my list of things to pick up this week. I think my "two pillow trick" of one between my legs and one up by my body just isn't quite cutting it anymore.
I have been making a little progress on some wall decor for the nursery which is exciting. I found some great frames on sale and then some scrap book paper on sale as well so I can't wait to show the frame collage when it's done.
I have been eating ice cream like crazy it feels like. I want it all the time. It seems to settle well no matter what {which is more than I can say for a lot of food} and it sometimes even chases away the awful heartburn. I even had some with my breakfast the other day. Shhh, don't tell Ben!
We went on a date night last night which was really nice. I have had a gift certificate to use for a few months but the restaurant is about an hour away. We decided we didn't really have big plans so we made the trek. Have to take advantage of the alone time while we can before the lil' peanut arrives!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
28 and 29 Weeks
Into the third trimester we are. Can't believe it. Last week I had my glucose screening and everything came out great. The test in itself is obviously not great, however, the results were good and that's all that matters. Ben came with me and sat through the two hour test which was obviously very nice.
This week BabyCenter tells us that she is approximately 2 1/2 pounds and around 15 inches long. In the third trimester, muscles and lungs are continuing to mature and the brain continues to grow and develop.
Over the past few days I have really been feeling some round ligament pain in my belly. It feels like a big bruise and can even be tender to touch at times. Not too comfortable. I can also feel now when the Braxton Hicks are coming on my feeling a tightening. Still no pain associated with those though.
I have gotten a couple of homemade gifts from some customers which is really sweet. It's fun to see everyone get so excited over a baby especially people whom I only know through work.
I am so comfortable when I wear my maternity jeans and my friend let me borrow some of her tops. It really is amazing how much more comfortable clothes that are designed for a pregnant body are!
Sleep is kind of hit and miss these days. Some nights are good and some nights I wake up a lot. I still only use the bathroom a couple of times a night but I am getting tired of side-sleeping. It is better when I put two pillows end to end and use them like a body pillow. More support.
I got a prenatal massage on Monday and it was wonderful So relaxing, I really didn't want it to end at an hour!
Her movement seems like it's changing everyday. I am feeling her in different spots that I had been previously. At our appointment last week, Darlene pointed out where he head was so sometimes I feel her head poking out one side of my belly while her feet kick on the other. It's pretty amazing. I can also feel her movements against or effecting my bladder sometimes. That is a weird feeling.
Three of my close friends had had their babies in the last couple of weeks. It is so fun to see all the new babies and hear everyone's experiences. It is pretty crazy how everyone's experience can be so different but the outcome is the same--darling babies!
All in all, the past couple of weeks have gone by pretty quickly which I kind of anticipate for the next couple also.
This week BabyCenter tells us that she is approximately 2 1/2 pounds and around 15 inches long. In the third trimester, muscles and lungs are continuing to mature and the brain continues to grow and develop.
Over the past few days I have really been feeling some round ligament pain in my belly. It feels like a big bruise and can even be tender to touch at times. Not too comfortable. I can also feel now when the Braxton Hicks are coming on my feeling a tightening. Still no pain associated with those though.
I have gotten a couple of homemade gifts from some customers which is really sweet. It's fun to see everyone get so excited over a baby especially people whom I only know through work.
I am so comfortable when I wear my maternity jeans and my friend let me borrow some of her tops. It really is amazing how much more comfortable clothes that are designed for a pregnant body are!
Sleep is kind of hit and miss these days. Some nights are good and some nights I wake up a lot. I still only use the bathroom a couple of times a night but I am getting tired of side-sleeping. It is better when I put two pillows end to end and use them like a body pillow. More support.
I got a prenatal massage on Monday and it was wonderful So relaxing, I really didn't want it to end at an hour!
Her movement seems like it's changing everyday. I am feeling her in different spots that I had been previously. At our appointment last week, Darlene pointed out where he head was so sometimes I feel her head poking out one side of my belly while her feet kick on the other. It's pretty amazing. I can also feel her movements against or effecting my bladder sometimes. That is a weird feeling.
Three of my close friends had had their babies in the last couple of weeks. It is so fun to see all the new babies and hear everyone's experiences. It is pretty crazy how everyone's experience can be so different but the outcome is the same--darling babies!
All in all, the past couple of weeks have gone by pretty quickly which I kind of anticipate for the next couple also.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Why do I Let Others Ruffle my Feathers?
So in my very professional line of work, I deal with A-LOT of people on a daily basis. I never really took that into account when I got pregnant. The fact that all day, every day I hear the same comments about being pregnant.
"How are you feeling?"
"You look so small."
"You look great."
"When are you due?"
"How long are you going to work for?"
"Oh, when I had my baby...{insert very detailed accounts of every woman's birth story}"
Don't get me wrong, obviously these are really normal questions to ask a pregnant lady but hearing the same thing all day, every day gets a little repetitive. Even my co-worker who is no where near pregnant is beginning to feel my pain. I mean she even went so far as to post this on my Facebook:
I am not a Negative Nelly, I promise, the days and comments are just a little redundant.
"How are you feeling?"
"You look so small."
"You look great."
"When are you due?"
"How long are you going to work for?"
"Oh, when I had my baby...{insert very detailed accounts of every woman's birth story}"
Don't get me wrong, obviously these are really normal questions to ask a pregnant lady but hearing the same thing all day, every day gets a little repetitive. Even my co-worker who is no where near pregnant is beginning to feel my pain. I mean she even went so far as to post this on my Facebook:
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So, the point of my story today.
A lady pulls up, orders her drink and asks when my baby is due. The rest of the conversation goes like this.
Me: December 6th.
Negative Nelly Customer (NNC): Oh are you delivering over at {local hospital}?
Me: No, actually I am going to the Birth Center over on {street name}.
NNC: Is this your first?
Me: Yes.
NNC: {With a sideways glance and a slight eyeroll} Oook. {Pause} I deliver babies at the hospital. All I can say is you better practice.
Me: {Thinking to myself, Practice what, I've never had a baby before} What do you mean?
NNC: I mean just practice.
Me: Yeah, I think if I get myself in the mindset and stay positive, I can do it {have a natural birth}.
NNC: Well, just practice. And is it a husband or boyfriend?
Me: {WTF, lady, first of all I don't think that's your business, but I will be polite because you're my customer.} Husband.
NNC: Well, just be prepared because he may not react like you expect either. They freak out sometimes and just go hide in a corner.
Me: {Where did this broad come from?!} Any other advice? {Did I seriously just ask that?}
NNC: Just stay active. In the end a lot of women just become couch potatoes.
Me: Well I don't plan on that.
NNC: Well it just gets really hard toward the end and your hips hurt really bad and it is really hard to walk around. So just stay active.
Me: Well, have a nice day.
Ok. I don't know if it's just me but is she for real?! I just don't think there was a way for her to be less encouraging. And she delivers babies?! I didn't clarify whether she is a doctor or nurse but either way I am very, and I repeat, very glad she ain't deliverin' my baby. I have had some mixed responses on the whole natural childbirth decision but, I am sorry, I just think it's downright rude to tsk tsk a woman's decision on her birth. Just because I'm not planning for an epidural does not mean that I roll my eyes and down a woman that wants one. That's the beauty of it, we all have options and the opportunity to make our own decisions. I just hate that women feel the need to pit themselves against each other sometimes. Whether it be over differing opinions on childbirth or jealousy issues. Either way, we should encourage and celebrate each other.
I hate to say it, but if I see that woman again, I may not be able to hold my tongue as well as I did today. Those italicized words above may come out of my mouth.
Anyway, guess that's my rant for the day.
**Again, I in no way, shape or form have anything against hospitals, doctors or nurses. I know they play an integral part in our well-being. I do not have anything against women who choose to have pain medication during childbirth. To each their own. I have made my decision according to what I feel is right for me.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
What I'm Loving Wednesday
I know I'm a little late to chime in today but I am linking up over at this kind of love again. It's definitely fun to focus on all the loves we can have in a week!
I am obsessing loving my maternity jeans I got yesterday. Seriously the most comfortable pants I have ever owned.
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{Click the Source links for the recipes}
I am loving that I am finally getting to see The Help tomorrow.
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What do you love this week? Go ahead and link up!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
27 Weeks
Wow, seriously feels like I just wrote the post of 26 weeks! Well, I guess I was a little late on that one so I guess that makes sense. Anyhow, almost into my third trimester and it feels like the daily growth of the belly has begun.
Baby Center gave us a little bit of weird information this week. It said if our baby was born right now, her lungs would most likely function with a lot of medical help. Which I guess is just to tell us how developed her lungs are but also how far they have to go to be fully developed. Stay put, little girl! Is all we have to say about that! It also says she is weighing it, on average, at almost two pounds and measures about fourteen and a half inches long when fully extended. Growing so quickly but still so tiny.
I think I have been experiencing a few Braxton Hicks this week. My uterus gets very tight, which feels really weird, but I have no pain at all. Also in the past couple of days I have felt some leg aching. When I stand still for too long, I get an ache down my legs. As long as I move around a little bit, it goes away. I have also been feeling a faint, rhythmic movement which I had a hunch of what it could be and Baby Center confirmed that it is most likely hiccups. So cute!
I don't know why but I have simply no motivation to buy any "maternity" clothes. I am running out of regular clothes that fit me mostly because shirts or tank tops I have are getting too short with the growing bump and obviously any normal waistline pants I have haven't fit for a few weeks now. I walked in Target today and thought I may buy a pair of maternity jeans but I just looked at them and walked away. I think maybe today it is because it is about eighty degrees outside and the thought of wearing jeans is unappealing to me. I will give it a couple more weeks and most likely give in and buy the darn jeans. Heck, it's Washington, it will probably be rainy and cold by next week!
Seems like we are moving right along on nursery progress and I can't wait to post some pictures of some of the updates. I can't decide if I want to post in stages or just one final reveal. Which will obviously be a couple of months. I am trying to save little projects for a month or so from now so that when I start "nesting" I will have some stuff to do. As well as ferociously cleaning the house I guess. Or so I have been told is what happens. I am really excited about the furniture we just put in her room so there may be pictures of that next week.
We are headed out of town today and I am so excited for a few days of rest and relaxation at the beach!
Baby Center gave us a little bit of weird information this week. It said if our baby was born right now, her lungs would most likely function with a lot of medical help. Which I guess is just to tell us how developed her lungs are but also how far they have to go to be fully developed. Stay put, little girl! Is all we have to say about that! It also says she is weighing it, on average, at almost two pounds and measures about fourteen and a half inches long when fully extended. Growing so quickly but still so tiny.
I think I have been experiencing a few Braxton Hicks this week. My uterus gets very tight, which feels really weird, but I have no pain at all. Also in the past couple of days I have felt some leg aching. When I stand still for too long, I get an ache down my legs. As long as I move around a little bit, it goes away. I have also been feeling a faint, rhythmic movement which I had a hunch of what it could be and Baby Center confirmed that it is most likely hiccups. So cute!
I don't know why but I have simply no motivation to buy any "maternity" clothes. I am running out of regular clothes that fit me mostly because shirts or tank tops I have are getting too short with the growing bump and obviously any normal waistline pants I have haven't fit for a few weeks now. I walked in Target today and thought I may buy a pair of maternity jeans but I just looked at them and walked away. I think maybe today it is because it is about eighty degrees outside and the thought of wearing jeans is unappealing to me. I will give it a couple more weeks and most likely give in and buy the darn jeans. Heck, it's Washington, it will probably be rainy and cold by next week!
Seems like we are moving right along on nursery progress and I can't wait to post some pictures of some of the updates. I can't decide if I want to post in stages or just one final reveal. Which will obviously be a couple of months. I am trying to save little projects for a month or so from now so that when I start "nesting" I will have some stuff to do. As well as ferociously cleaning the house I guess. Or so I have been told is what happens. I am really excited about the furniture we just put in her room so there may be pictures of that next week.
We are headed out of town today and I am so excited for a few days of rest and relaxation at the beach!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
A Few Thoughts on Being Pregnant...
It's funny how you go through your life and you always have pictures in your head of what certain events or times in your life will be like. Well, at least I do. I envisioned my college experience, what fabulous career I may get, who I would fall in love with and ultimately marry. And how my pregnancy would go if that day came. I don't think anything is the way I pictured it because who in the world's life is ever what they picture?!
I think it took us a few months longer to get pregnant than either of us pictured. Which is just fine and I know that it happened when it was supposed to.
I assumed I would just have this huge belly right from the start. I don't know why I think that. I think it's because you always notice pregnant women when they are close to the end and do have big bellies so it's like I just assumed that's what it's always like. I did start to learn with some friends though that it doesn't always "pop" until later. I still have people very surprised at how far along I am. I am learning to be okay with that and embrace the fact that I am almost in my third trimester and overall still pretty comfortable.
I assumed that I would be hungry all the time and have all these weird cravings and just eat and eat and eat. Not the case. I would say, overall, that my stomach has been pretty unsettled the whole time. There was a little morning sickness in the beginning. Then when that subsided, I still could never think of anything that sounded good to eat. It also seemed and still seems like sometimes that I have a small window of when to eat and when it will settle. Not too often. For instance, yesterday I was feeling pretty good all day until we sat down to eat dinner. I felt sick. I did eat dinner but only because I knew I should not because I wanted to. And let me tell you, if you haven't already gathered from reading my blog, this girl likes to eat. I'm hoping in the next trimester I will have more of an appetite.
I didn't realize how "in my own head" I would be all the time. I think Ben might take it as, and me as well sometimes, me being moody but really I just feel so overly consumed by this little life growing inside of me that it is a lot of what I think about all day long. From how we will care for her, to how the birth will go, to how I am processing everything and then to how I am coming across to others. I have noticed it at work, too. Most customers know that I am pregnant so some days they will ask if I am "ok" because I may be being quiet but really I think I am just "in my own head." I keep putting that in quotes because a friend described that as the way she felt and I completely understood what she meant when she said it.
I have read about women and the bodily functions going a little awry here and there but I don't think anyone quite gets that until its their body. I will just leave it at that.
I never imagined I would have such an involved, caring and loving husband. Seriously, he is the best. I also really appreciate the fact that he is not smothering. It is like we have just been on the same wavelength and that he knows when I need some extra attention and knows when I am fine doing things by myself. Perfection, I tell ya.
There have been many predictable situations of this pregnancy and many unpredictable ones. I think it is so interesting that no pregnancy is the same. Even for the same woman. That is also an interesting thing to me--so many women go through labor and have babies but no one can tell me what it's going to be like for me. I just have to prepare in my own head, with Ben, reading books and stay positive.
I think it took us a few months longer to get pregnant than either of us pictured. Which is just fine and I know that it happened when it was supposed to.
I assumed I would just have this huge belly right from the start. I don't know why I think that. I think it's because you always notice pregnant women when they are close to the end and do have big bellies so it's like I just assumed that's what it's always like. I did start to learn with some friends though that it doesn't always "pop" until later. I still have people very surprised at how far along I am. I am learning to be okay with that and embrace the fact that I am almost in my third trimester and overall still pretty comfortable.
I assumed that I would be hungry all the time and have all these weird cravings and just eat and eat and eat. Not the case. I would say, overall, that my stomach has been pretty unsettled the whole time. There was a little morning sickness in the beginning. Then when that subsided, I still could never think of anything that sounded good to eat. It also seemed and still seems like sometimes that I have a small window of when to eat and when it will settle. Not too often. For instance, yesterday I was feeling pretty good all day until we sat down to eat dinner. I felt sick. I did eat dinner but only because I knew I should not because I wanted to. And let me tell you, if you haven't already gathered from reading my blog, this girl likes to eat. I'm hoping in the next trimester I will have more of an appetite.
I didn't realize how "in my own head" I would be all the time. I think Ben might take it as, and me as well sometimes, me being moody but really I just feel so overly consumed by this little life growing inside of me that it is a lot of what I think about all day long. From how we will care for her, to how the birth will go, to how I am processing everything and then to how I am coming across to others. I have noticed it at work, too. Most customers know that I am pregnant so some days they will ask if I am "ok" because I may be being quiet but really I think I am just "in my own head." I keep putting that in quotes because a friend described that as the way she felt and I completely understood what she meant when she said it.
I have read about women and the bodily functions going a little awry here and there but I don't think anyone quite gets that until its their body. I will just leave it at that.
I never imagined I would have such an involved, caring and loving husband. Seriously, he is the best. I also really appreciate the fact that he is not smothering. It is like we have just been on the same wavelength and that he knows when I need some extra attention and knows when I am fine doing things by myself. Perfection, I tell ya.
There have been many predictable situations of this pregnancy and many unpredictable ones. I think it is so interesting that no pregnancy is the same. Even for the same woman. That is also an interesting thing to me--so many women go through labor and have babies but no one can tell me what it's going to be like for me. I just have to prepare in my own head, with Ben, reading books and stay positive.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
26 Weeks
Twenty six weeks of pregnancy gone by. This week has been a little bit rougher than the previous few. I have been sick a little bit more than I had been. I haven't really figured out a rhyme or reason yet so right now I am just kind of taking it one day at a time. Making the most out of the days I feel good and trying to lay low when I don't feel well.
I really have a sweet tooth lately which is a little out of the norm for me. I usually like sweets but right now it feels like I am craving them. Whether it be ice cream, sweet cantaloupe, a doughnut, chocolate, you name it. Trying not to indulge in all of the cravings.
We are going the cloth diapering route and my mom and dad got us some diapers which came in the mail the other day. They are so cute and I can't wait to wrap her little bum in them! They also got us the diaper sprayer that will connect to the toilet to spray off the you-know-what.
Ben also began painting the dresser/changing table and a side table we will put in the room by the chair. We picked out the color last weekend and were a little nervous at first that it may come out to "neon" looking. When I got home from work yesterday and saw the first coat of paint on the furniture, I was so happy. It looked perfect and I can't wait to get it in the room.
Baby Center tells us that the nerves in her ears are more sensitive these days so she can hear us better. That is good because her dad often talks to my belly. She is also inhaling amniotic fluid which is essential to the development of her lungs. She is also, on average, about a pound and two thirds and measuring about fourteen inches long. That measurement makes sense because I can sometimes feel her on both sides of my belly at the same time. Very entertaining!
I had a weight jump at my last appointment which was nice to hear. Good to know I am on pace. My appetite is still kind of hit or miss. Sometimes I feel like I can eat a lot and other times I have a few bites and am full.
We are looking forward to a weekend getaway next weekend. We are headed out of town with our group of friends and down to the Oregon coast. It may be the last "getaway" before baby comes!
I really have a sweet tooth lately which is a little out of the norm for me. I usually like sweets but right now it feels like I am craving them. Whether it be ice cream, sweet cantaloupe, a doughnut, chocolate, you name it. Trying not to indulge in all of the cravings.
We are going the cloth diapering route and my mom and dad got us some diapers which came in the mail the other day. They are so cute and I can't wait to wrap her little bum in them! They also got us the diaper sprayer that will connect to the toilet to spray off the you-know-what.
Ben also began painting the dresser/changing table and a side table we will put in the room by the chair. We picked out the color last weekend and were a little nervous at first that it may come out to "neon" looking. When I got home from work yesterday and saw the first coat of paint on the furniture, I was so happy. It looked perfect and I can't wait to get it in the room.
Baby Center tells us that the nerves in her ears are more sensitive these days so she can hear us better. That is good because her dad often talks to my belly. She is also inhaling amniotic fluid which is essential to the development of her lungs. She is also, on average, about a pound and two thirds and measuring about fourteen inches long. That measurement makes sense because I can sometimes feel her on both sides of my belly at the same time. Very entertaining!
I had a weight jump at my last appointment which was nice to hear. Good to know I am on pace. My appetite is still kind of hit or miss. Sometimes I feel like I can eat a lot and other times I have a few bites and am full.
We are looking forward to a weekend getaway next weekend. We are headed out of town with our group of friends and down to the Oregon coast. It may be the last "getaway" before baby comes!
Friday, August 26, 2011
25 Weeks
I don't know why these weeks keep going faster and faster. With every passing week we just get more and more excited to meet our girl.
I have been feeling good for the most part. I was hesitant to be taking more than one Zantac per day but the midwife okay-ed two per day. Hopefully that brings some more relief because, boy, it gets out of control!
She is still moving around more and more so that's always fun. It was mostly in the morning and evening but now if I sit in the afternoons and relax for a bit she will start dancing around then too.
My parents got us our stroller and a couple of weeks ago we did end up picking up the crib from my cousin. The baby's room is coming together more and more each week it seems.
We had some friends over for a BBQ last weekend and one of the couples had a baby boy in June. It was really sweet seeing how good our pup Holly was with him. We were obviously a little more restrained with her because it was someone else's baby than we will be with ours. The baby was laying on the grass on a blanket and she would just go right up and lay right next to the blanket and look at him. It was really sweet.
We saw the midwife this week and everything seems to be moving right along. we scheduled out 3 more appointments and that will put us into the appointments every two weeks. It's so crazy that we are just 3 weeks away from the third trimester.
The other night after our appointment we went across the street to eat some Mexican food and boy oh boy did that not settle well with me at all. I was up all night and missed work yesterday. Not too fun. I think I may need to tone down the seasonings and spices on my food a little bit to give the tummy a little break. I have always been heavy on the seasoning and spice and it still sounds good during pregnancy but may not be the best idea for now.
Here is this week's picture. Weird posture for me because Ben told me to "elongate." Not a great look.
I have been feeling good for the most part. I was hesitant to be taking more than one Zantac per day but the midwife okay-ed two per day. Hopefully that brings some more relief because, boy, it gets out of control!
She is still moving around more and more so that's always fun. It was mostly in the morning and evening but now if I sit in the afternoons and relax for a bit she will start dancing around then too.
My parents got us our stroller and a couple of weeks ago we did end up picking up the crib from my cousin. The baby's room is coming together more and more each week it seems.
We had some friends over for a BBQ last weekend and one of the couples had a baby boy in June. It was really sweet seeing how good our pup Holly was with him. We were obviously a little more restrained with her because it was someone else's baby than we will be with ours. The baby was laying on the grass on a blanket and she would just go right up and lay right next to the blanket and look at him. It was really sweet.
We saw the midwife this week and everything seems to be moving right along. we scheduled out 3 more appointments and that will put us into the appointments every two weeks. It's so crazy that we are just 3 weeks away from the third trimester.
The other night after our appointment we went across the street to eat some Mexican food and boy oh boy did that not settle well with me at all. I was up all night and missed work yesterday. Not too fun. I think I may need to tone down the seasonings and spices on my food a little bit to give the tummy a little break. I have always been heavy on the seasoning and spice and it still sounds good during pregnancy but may not be the best idea for now.
Here is this week's picture. Weird posture for me because Ben told me to "elongate." Not a great look.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
23 Weeks
Here we are at 23 weeks. I feel like over the past week my belly has grown although I keep getting comments about how small it is. As my pregnant, or previously pregnant friends tell me, people are just downright honest when it comes to seeing a pregnant belly and what they say. So even though it bothers me a little bit sometimes about the belly being "small" I just have to take it with a grain of salt and know that everyone grows at different paces and no two pregnancies are the same. I can't explain why it bothers me--maybe because I feel like I want my belly to grow, I don't want people to think I am unhealthy or not taking care of my baby. Anyway, just a little vent I guess.
BabyCenter tells me that she is more than eleven inches long and weighs just over a pound. It also suggests that I dance more since her sense of movement is well developed. If anyone has seen me dance, I think she would be mocking my moves from the womb!
I definitely feel her more in the morning and evening when I am still. I think me moving around during the day rocks her to sleep.
I wore my B Band to work today but it was feeling a little tight. I folded it down and that helped but maybe its only the stretchy clothes from here on out. I don't know if I will ever quite feel like maternity pants are comfy because I just really don't like anything tight on my tummy.
No really strong cravings this week. I think it may be due to the heartburn. I feel like it gets to the point of almost making me feel like I will vomit. No bueno.
We got our pack and play and our crib bedding last week. I am so, so happy that I love the crib bedding. I kept finding "the one" online and then of course changing my mind. I definitely thought it would come and not be the "right" color and I would change my mind a few times and send it back, etc. However, Hub and I both love it and I am so excited to start some projects to play off the colors. We put together the pack and play the other night and the instructions were awful. Hub said that putting together baby items must be the test for if the marriage can withstand a baby or if our patience can!
I think we will be able to go pick up our very lightly used crib from my cousin this weekend and I am co-hosting a baby shower at our house for my friend's baby boy on Sunday.
BabyCenter tells me that she is more than eleven inches long and weighs just over a pound. It also suggests that I dance more since her sense of movement is well developed. If anyone has seen me dance, I think she would be mocking my moves from the womb!
I definitely feel her more in the morning and evening when I am still. I think me moving around during the day rocks her to sleep.
I wore my B Band to work today but it was feeling a little tight. I folded it down and that helped but maybe its only the stretchy clothes from here on out. I don't know if I will ever quite feel like maternity pants are comfy because I just really don't like anything tight on my tummy.
No really strong cravings this week. I think it may be due to the heartburn. I feel like it gets to the point of almost making me feel like I will vomit. No bueno.
We got our pack and play and our crib bedding last week. I am so, so happy that I love the crib bedding. I kept finding "the one" online and then of course changing my mind. I definitely thought it would come and not be the "right" color and I would change my mind a few times and send it back, etc. However, Hub and I both love it and I am so excited to start some projects to play off the colors. We put together the pack and play the other night and the instructions were awful. Hub said that putting together baby items must be the test for if the marriage can withstand a baby or if our patience can!
I think we will be able to go pick up our very lightly used crib from my cousin this weekend and I am co-hosting a baby shower at our house for my friend's baby boy on Sunday.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
22 Weeks
Well at a little over halfway it sure feels like the weeks are starting to fly by. I am feeling pretty good this week and feeling movements more and more. We were actually watching my belly receive some little jabs the other day. Baby Center says that she is about eleven inches long and almost a pound. She is also looking more and more like a newborn as opposed to an alien, I am assuming.
Our carpet in the bedrooms got installed on Monday so that is exciting. Also, our pack and play came that same day and when Hub shut the door to the room for the night he admitted to feeling a little nervous due to some baby paraphernalia actually being in her room and it starting to morph into a "baby room" as opposed to a spare bedroom.
I have still just been wearing my regular clothes, of the looser and stretchy variety, but getting more comments and questions as to whether I am pregnant. I have yet to say no and make someone feel bad. I did get a knock off Bella Band at Target because I was getting a little tired of wearing stretch pants and gaucho pants everyday. Hub said he wants one so he can leave his pants unbuttoned also. Sorry, Hub, only for the pregnant lady!
I am still loving spicy food. I finally got some Zantac for my heartburn which was okayed by the midwife and it is working wonders! Love, love, love! I still have a hard time figuring out what to eat while I'm at work because it generally has to be cold food. I am a little tired of yogurt, cereal, fruit, etc.
We are headed a few hours east this weekend to spend some time at a friend's family cabin on a lake. I can't wait to relax and float around in the water and be in some warm weather. I also can't wait to see our friend who is also pregnant and due at the beginning of September. So fun having pregnant friends!
Holy moly. Please disregard this ridiculous fake smile, or whatever the look on my face is. My husband forced me into this picture on my way from having fallen asleep on the couch to bed. Awesome. But, in keeping with full disclosure here, I don't want to miss a week of the growing bump.
Our carpet in the bedrooms got installed on Monday so that is exciting. Also, our pack and play came that same day and when Hub shut the door to the room for the night he admitted to feeling a little nervous due to some baby paraphernalia actually being in her room and it starting to morph into a "baby room" as opposed to a spare bedroom.
I have still just been wearing my regular clothes, of the looser and stretchy variety, but getting more comments and questions as to whether I am pregnant. I have yet to say no and make someone feel bad. I did get a knock off Bella Band at Target because I was getting a little tired of wearing stretch pants and gaucho pants everyday. Hub said he wants one so he can leave his pants unbuttoned also. Sorry, Hub, only for the pregnant lady!
I am still loving spicy food. I finally got some Zantac for my heartburn which was okayed by the midwife and it is working wonders! Love, love, love! I still have a hard time figuring out what to eat while I'm at work because it generally has to be cold food. I am a little tired of yogurt, cereal, fruit, etc.
We are headed a few hours east this weekend to spend some time at a friend's family cabin on a lake. I can't wait to relax and float around in the water and be in some warm weather. I also can't wait to see our friend who is also pregnant and due at the beginning of September. So fun having pregnant friends!
Holy moly. Please disregard this ridiculous fake smile, or whatever the look on my face is. My husband forced me into this picture on my way from having fallen asleep on the couch to bed. Awesome. But, in keeping with full disclosure here, I don't want to miss a week of the growing bump.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
20 and 21 Weeks
Of course, leave it to me the World's Best Blogger to not post on my 20 week update. I mean 20 weeks of pregnancy is kind of a big deal. Halfway there. Ca-razy!
Last week I began to get more and more heartburn. Like everyday, multiple times a day. However on the upside, I am feeling the little bambino moving around more. On an up upside, Hub felt her move the other night. I had felt her on the outside a couple of times but he hadn't and was getting frustrated. He came home from work one evening and I was feeling her so I told him to come over. We both sat on the couch motionless and at the exact same time we looked at each other because we felt her! It was amazing and I could tell he was so excited. Now if only it would happen more, little girl, quit being stubborn like your parents!
We had our 20 week appointment yesterday even though we are at 21 now. Everything was normal. My blood pressure was a little bit up from last time which is good because it was so low before. It was so crazy to hear how much louder her heartbeat gets every time we get to hear it and it's so clear now. I have gained 7 pounds total which the midwife seemed fine with however I do feel like I am growing more now and I have a bigger appetite. Which is kind a bummer with the heartburn.
We have been working on our registries and actually received our first gift from Hub's parents yesterday. Our car seat. We can officially bring our baby home with us. It's been so nice having Hub be the decisive one because I can look at things for hours and hours and find a million things I like and never know how to decide on anything. He is logical and reads reviews and compares prices and takes me to the store to see and touch and then we can decide easily. I knew there was a reason I married him. His decisiveness.
So basically that's what's going on in that area of our lives. Being excited. Getting things ready. Making progress on the room, carpet is coming next Monday. And daily talk of what actually having a baby will be like. Nothing short of amazing I'm sure.
Last week I began to get more and more heartburn. Like everyday, multiple times a day. However on the upside, I am feeling the little bambino moving around more. On an up upside, Hub felt her move the other night. I had felt her on the outside a couple of times but he hadn't and was getting frustrated. He came home from work one evening and I was feeling her so I told him to come over. We both sat on the couch motionless and at the exact same time we looked at each other because we felt her! It was amazing and I could tell he was so excited. Now if only it would happen more, little girl, quit being stubborn like your parents!
We had our 20 week appointment yesterday even though we are at 21 now. Everything was normal. My blood pressure was a little bit up from last time which is good because it was so low before. It was so crazy to hear how much louder her heartbeat gets every time we get to hear it and it's so clear now. I have gained 7 pounds total which the midwife seemed fine with however I do feel like I am growing more now and I have a bigger appetite. Which is kind a bummer with the heartburn.
We have been working on our registries and actually received our first gift from Hub's parents yesterday. Our car seat. We can officially bring our baby home with us. It's been so nice having Hub be the decisive one because I can look at things for hours and hours and find a million things I like and never know how to decide on anything. He is logical and reads reviews and compares prices and takes me to the store to see and touch and then we can decide easily. I knew there was a reason I married him. His decisiveness.
So basically that's what's going on in that area of our lives. Being excited. Getting things ready. Making progress on the room, carpet is coming next Monday. And daily talk of what actually having a baby will be like. Nothing short of amazing I'm sure.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
19 Weeks
So I decided to ditch the "survey" type posts that I have done for the past few weeks and just talk about how I am feeling and what's going on with the babe.
Oh, we had our ultrasound last night.
As of this week, I have been having a little more heartburn than usual and been feeling some round ligament pain. It feels like period cramps to me but not quite as severe. Not unbearable but not totally pleasant. I have also had the pleasure of feeling some movement. I guess I didn't really know what people meant or what the books meant but "flutters" or "similar to gas" but now I do and I can tell when it's her. I love it.
The ultrasound tech was so nice and really seemed to enjoy her job. I think it helps that she has a 20 month old granddaughter whom she is "smitten with." Her words. She told us that our baby, according to the formula they apply, weighs about 10 ounces. Wow, not even a pound yet. She sure has some growin' to do in the next four to five months!
It was so sweet to see Hub's reaction and his excitement through the whole appointment. His eyes were just glued to the screen and there were definitely some teary eyes for both of us. My parents got to come in after they told us the sex because we wanted it to be just the two of us to hear that. We then spoke to Hub's parents on the computer when we got home and they were so excited as well. Hub has two brothers, as I'm sure I have mentioned, so a girl in the family is a nice change of pace, I think.
All in all, we had a great evening and I think are still running on a high from actually getting to call our baby "her" and "she."
Oh, we had our ultrasound last night.
Please meet our daughter! It was so amazing to see her moving around in there and just be able to watch her for over an hour. She was a little stubborn at the end and wasn't giving us a good view of her tailbone so we got to sit for a little bit longer. It's just really amazing to think that there is a little person swimming around in there. I think the most mind blowing aspect was that on the screen she looked so big but then looking at the measurements, it was all in centimeters!! Teeny tiny!
As of this week, I have been having a little more heartburn than usual and been feeling some round ligament pain. It feels like period cramps to me but not quite as severe. Not unbearable but not totally pleasant. I have also had the pleasure of feeling some movement. I guess I didn't really know what people meant or what the books meant but "flutters" or "similar to gas" but now I do and I can tell when it's her. I love it.
The ultrasound tech was so nice and really seemed to enjoy her job. I think it helps that she has a 20 month old granddaughter whom she is "smitten with." Her words. She told us that our baby, according to the formula they apply, weighs about 10 ounces. Wow, not even a pound yet. She sure has some growin' to do in the next four to five months!
It was so sweet to see Hub's reaction and his excitement through the whole appointment. His eyes were just glued to the screen and there were definitely some teary eyes for both of us. My parents got to come in after they told us the sex because we wanted it to be just the two of us to hear that. We then spoke to Hub's parents on the computer when we got home and they were so excited as well. Hub has two brothers, as I'm sure I have mentioned, so a girl in the family is a nice change of pace, I think.
All in all, we had a great evening and I think are still running on a high from actually getting to call our baby "her" and "she."
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
18 Weeks
How Far Along: 18 weeks
Size of baby: around 7 ounces and 5 1/2 inches long
Total Weight Gain: 3ish pounds?
Maternity Clothes: No maternity clothes yet but I am definitely favoring the stretchy parts of my wardrobe.
Gender: We will hopefully find out in our ultrasound next week!
Movement: Still waiting!
Sleep: Sleep is okay. I have figured out I am more comfortable when I put a pillow behind my back while on my side or between my legs.
What I miss: Nothing right now.
Cravings: Nothing in particular but if I think of something I have to have it. I am also really liking spicy food!
Symptoms: Not so great memory still and a little clumsy lately. Hormones going crazy maybe?
What I’m looking forward to:
Seeing our baby on the ultrasound next week, picking out new carpet and co-hosting a baby shower for my friend this weekend. It is always fun to have pregnant friends!
**Sidenote: I have had two people in the last two days ask if I was pregnant. I was surprised they would ask because I feel like people are usually a little nervous to ask that question but they are people I see fairly often and obviously they felt comfortable enough to ask so I was totally fine with it and even more excited that people are starting to notice!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Heading Down the Midwife Path
Being a woman it's not like I had never considered labor or having a baby before I got pregnant. I had thought about it. With having friends that had babies, just being curious and in the past year or so of knowing we would want to get pregnant soon, it had been on my mind.
Fast forward to this:
Fast forward to this:
and it was time to seriously start thinking about options. I made an appointment with a doctor that my friend and a few acquaintances had gone to.
I had watched part of the movie "The Business of Being Born" and while I realize that a lot of documentaries have a biased opinion, a lot of the points they made hit home with me. We went to our appointment with Dr. N excited to see our baby on an ultrasound and assuming that this would be our provider. I had for a while thinking if/when I delivered that I would want a natural birth and he did mention something about induction if we went a week past the due date but I figured these would be subjects we could discuss at a later date. We left the appointment happy with him, comfortable and with a couple more appointments scheduled.
A girl that I graduated high school with's mother has a birth center just a few blocks from the hospital where we had planned to deliver. The thought just wouldn't leave my mind. One day, my mom and I were out to lunch and I looked across the street and there was the birth center. I didn't know exactly where it was but then I did! My mom and I walked across the street just to take a peek inside and K, the girl I graduated with, was working and was happy to give us a quick tour, was so excited for me and very inviting. I set up a meeting with the senior midwife, her mom, for Hub and I to go in and ask some questions. He was a little apprehensive about the whole idea but said he was more than happy to go see what it was about if I was really curious. I felt that if we didn't check it out, it might always bother me and I might always wonder what could have been.
At our meeting, D, the midwife, answered so many of our questions, explained the differences in care between the midwives and doctors and made us feel so comfortable right away. We like the close to non-existent percentages of cesarean sections, the fact that they dodn't even administer epidurals, and a very low transfer rate to the hospital. The rooms are just like bedrooms in a home, are spacious and have huge bathtubs. I can eat during labor, walk around or do pretty much whatever we feel comfortable with. We left there with a great feeling and said we would take a couple of days to think about our options. Hub's response when we walked out of the birth center, "Okay, I am missing something here. Why doesn't everyone go there to have their babies instead of the hospital?"
I smiled and replied, "Because we are supposed to have babies in a hospital."
We went home and watched a documentary together called "Pregnant in America." This documentary followed a couple who was pregnant on a journey to find out why the US handles pregnancy they way they do and even compared it to that of pregnancies in other countries where the majority of births are at home. Hub and I went back and forth. And back and forth. And back. And forth. Would we feel safe at the birth center? How would we create a birth plan for the hospital where we didn't feel like we had to battle hospital staff? If we went to the birth center, what if I got to a point where I felt I needed drugs? Were we weird for even considering a different option than a hospital?
We went around and around but a few days later I called and canceled my appointments with the OB/GYN and made an appointment with the midwife. We were 100% sure of our decision and were very excited about it. We came to the conclusions that as far as we can tell I have a normal pregnancy and am a healthy woman. Therefore, I don't need to be treated in a hospital. The midwife explained to us that if at anytime we see something differently, she has no hesitation in going to the hospital during labor or sending us there for prenatal care if she sees fit. We like the idea of an experienced pair {over 1200 natural births between the two midwives} providing our prenatal care and attending our birth. They will know so many tricks and trades of natural births that many OBs don't because they don't see as many natural births. By a long shot.
I want to clarify the fact that I am not some crazy person who thinks hospitals are el diablo. They are obviously very important places that provide very important care to many patients. Also, if you have had your baby in a hospital or will have your baby in a hospital, I have absolutely nothing against you. Many women, including my best friend, feel very safe and comfortable in a hospital. Also, many deliveries require being in a hospital and I understand that. Hub and I also probably would have considered the birth center for a lot longer or have decided against it altogether if it had been further away from a hospital. It is literally five minutes.
So, there we have it. Our decision process on how we decided not to deliver in a hospital. We have been very happy about our care up until now and are excited about what the future of care holds there for us.
If this is relevant to you, did you or will you deliver in a hospital? Have you ever thought of an alternate route? Do you think I'm crazy?! :) {you don't have to be honest on that last question...}
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
17 Weeks
How Far Along: 17 weeks
Size of baby: Around 5 ounces and 5 inches long
Total Weight Gain: around 2 pounds
Maternity Clothes: No maternity clothes yet but I am definitely favoring the stretchy parts of my wardrobe.
Gender: Don't know yet but we will find out!
Movement: No movement yet, still a little early for this first time momma!
Sleep: Sleep is hit and miss. I can have one really good night and then a few bad nights of tossing and turning and can't get comfortable. This past weekend when we were out of town I did not get good sleep at all and then being back home Monday, I got the best night of sleep I have had in a while and slept straight through to my alarm. It was glorious!
What I miss: Nothing right now.
Cravings: Nothing in particular but if I think of something I have to have it. I am also really liking spicy food!
Symptoms: Still some dry heaving in the mornings. I get up pretty early so it is hard to shove food down my throat right away. My memory is basically shot. I usually have a pretty good memory bit these days it feels like I forget everything! Hub thinks it's pretty amusing because he is usually the forgetful type! :)
What I’m looking forward to:
Since Hub has a 4 day weekend this weekend, we are excited to actually make some headway on cleaning out our back bedrooms and starting on some projects for the baby's room. Some new paint, a new light fixture and we will see how much more we can accomplish!
I guess without further adieu, I will post my first "bump" pictures. Since I haven't posted them from the beginning I thought I would post one from early on and one from now. Please excuse the lack of make-up and somewhat wet hair. These are usually taken after my shower in the evening.
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