Memorial Day Fun....

Or rather memorial weekend fun!  My parents were in town for the extended weekend to enjoy their little grandson and enjoy they did!  Look at all the fun we had...

We snoozed on grandpa...

We laughed at the baby in the mirror with gramma

We manipulated grandpa with our pouty lip

We kept trying to manipulate grandpa with our lips

We made granpa feel better with a cute laugh

We explored new toys

All in all it was a fantastic weekend even if we (Noah and I) were getting sick (you can see how red his poor eyes were in the pics).

38 weeks...

How far along are you? 38 weeks

Total Weight gain/loss? Welp...the water retention is setting in....I'm well over 35lbs total now...but a vast majority is water at least lately.  My hands and feet are almost always swollen:(

Stretch marks? Nopers

Baby Movement? Yes, he never seems to stop moving these days.

Best moment this week? Spending the weekend with our families all down here at our house just hanging out.  We got to have the shower that I missed due to the snow and just all in all had a nice time catching up with everyone.

Labor Progress?  Still 70% effaced but no dilation.  The doc said he'd wish my cervix would cooperate - so do I ...I'm not looking forward to what they have to do to make it cooperate!

Food Cravings? None really....not all the hungry these days..

Belly button in or out? Still in....think it may stay that way...should have known, it was a cavern

Milestones?  Induction is scheduled...March 2 and we're now supposed to be on bedrest to keep my rising BP at bay (means I'll likely need to avoid conversations with specific co-workers too)
 
Weekly Wisdom?  Nothing this week really....everyone has a different reaction to how big you are:) I think it's hilarious!

Dropped yet? I don't think so...

37 weeks...

So, lots of excitement around here!  Lots of preparation and progress and SNOW!   First the excitement - I don't know if it's the snow or what but my BP was high at my last dr's appt.  Combined with the swelling in my feet the doc wanted to see me again on Thursday for another BP check.  There's not protein yet but because of the other two factors they want to keep an eye on it.  Of course we're expecting another 14 inches of snow thru wed so who knows if I'll be able to get out to the docs.

Preparation related, we made great progress in the kitchen - tile is in and grouted!  Need to switch the outlets, cover them and then paint.  All great progress.

We also had nursery progress - i finished little mans mobile.  I have to find a way to take a pic of it and share...it's too cute!  I also scored a glider today at BRU (details below - great deal!) and bought his mattress, second car seat base, changing pad for the changing table, some covers, more sheets and other various nursery accessories.  Wow - it's getting close:)

And 90% of this progress was thanks to the SNOW!  All 34 freakin inches of it!



How far along are you? 37 weeks....Full term!

Total Weight gain/loss? I actually looked at my chart at the docs yesterday and if I take what they have I'm still under 35 lbs!! 

Stretch marks? Nopers

Baby Movement? Well little man gave us a bit of a scare with a quite day at the height of the snow storm - little monkey!  No movement all day even with poking and prodding...then the snow plows came thru and that's when he decides to start his gymnastics!  He's back in business these days though and literally trying to stretch and kick his way out of the belly!


Best moment this week? Well, lots going on both baby and non baby related!  We managed to get the kitchen "finished" by installing and grouting the backsplash.  Then baby related just getting him to wake up and start kicking me was easily the worst and best moments of the week.  I also scored a glider today at a super discount (was $360 and got it for $236 before my 20% off coupon and $100 worth of gift cards!) plus, Uncle Jordan has a car now and can come do his nursery mural!  Yay!


Labor Progress?  70% effaced but no dilation.  The doc said there's little chance I'll dilate on my own since there's some scar tissue from a previous procedure.  I guess it can happen any day now:)

Food Cravings? Broccoli and Cheese soup - finally made some last night!

Belly button in or out? Still in....think it may stay that way...should have known, it was a cavern

Milestones?  Full Terms!
 
Weekly Wisdom?  Dont leave things to the last min!  This last dr's appt kicked my butt in to gear and made me realize that if they decided to hospitalize me or send me to L&D, I'd be in trouble!


I really need a bag over my head in this one....the head cold I managed to catch somewhere has turned my nose and lip area beet red (and sore to boot!)

36 weeks...

So my appt yesterday was a wee bit eventful for two reasons but not really:)  First, the last few days I'd been leaking a bit and couldn't decide if it was little mans strategic spot right on top of my bladder of if it was amniotic fluid. Thankfully I'm just peeing myself (hehe...sorry, TMI) and not actually going into labor (he still has a week before he's full term!)

Second, when I see them I normally have a few min in the waiting room to relax before they take me back for my BP and weight check. This time round I walked in, used the restroom and walked back for my BP.  No real rest after I climbed the 2 flights of stairs it was to their office.  This caused my BP to be much higher than it normally is and of course set off all kinds of alarms.  When i told the nurse that I just climbed the stairs she calmed down and said that we'd try again after my exam.  Thankfully everything went back to normal (120/80 which is well in range for me) and they let me go home:)

How far along are you? 36 weeks...just a month or so to go.  Doc said that if he's not here by 41 weeks (March 9) they'll talk induction.

Total Weight gain/loss? By the docs scale I'm up 35 lbs - eeek!  Although, no one at the office seems concerned anymore.

Stretch marks? Nopers

Baby Movement? Party time goes in spurts now.  He's rocking around 8am for 30 min and then takes an hour break and then starts rocking again.  This happens pretty frequently and he definitely has a pattern now.  I can almost guarantee that I'll have a party in my belly at 10, 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10 generally (then i go to sleep so I don't feel him much).

Best moment this week?  Okay, not best moment but moment none the less - getting my tooth pulled! Ack!

Labor Progress?  None - locked up like Fort Knox!  Doc said I'm softening a bit but no real progress yet.  Which is okay according to her since I'm not even term yet.

Food Cravings? Strawberries!

Belly button in or out? Still in....think it may stay that way...should have known, it was a cavern

Milestones?  1 week to full term! We had our birthing class and DH actually watched a birth video without vomiting or passing out.  I'm sooo proud of him (we did have one gal rush out of the room looking a little green..)
 
Weekly Wisdom?  A watched pot never boils...right?  Now the countdown begins and of course these will be the longest few weeks of my life I'm sure (aside from the many many 2ww's while we were TTC).  I'm trying to not think too much about it and focus on 1. getting the rest of the baby's stuff together  2. Getting things rounded out at work so I can leave without worry  3.  Enjoying the last few weeks with him in my belly  4.  Enjoying the last few weeks as a couple and preparing to be a family.

35/35 !!!

Wow!  My mom reminded me last night that I've made it to the 35/35 mark!  That's 35 weeks pregnant and 35 days to go!  Wow! This is flying by!  I don't know if I'm really growing tummy wise, guess we'll have to look at the pics to see but I know that the edema is starting to set in pretty bad, but only on my right side - so weird!

How far along are you? 35 Weeks! 35 days to go!!!

Total Weight gain/loss? We'll find out on Wed officially but it's creeped up a bit due to the water retention.

Stretch marks? Nopers

Baby Movement? See the video from earlier this week...he was throwing a party in there!!!  

Best moment this week?  Catching his grooving on video...that was so much fun!


Food Cravings? Strawberries!

Belly button in or out? Still in....think it may stay that way...should have known, it was a cavern

Milestones?  All of his body parts are formed and what not.  Now it's just time to put on weight.  We checked out a pediatrician today - not sure I like him.  He's kinda creepy...
 
Weekly Wisdom?  Not a lot to impart this week...:)

Baby Boxing...

So little man was on a roll today...he doesn't seem to like when I sit fully up right in my chair at work and started kick boxing in my bellah for over an hour today.  It was a little tricky getting it on tape because he seemed to know I was filming him and would stop.

Excuse the bare belly one - that was my first attempt at videoing him and found that he was much more responsive with the shirt down (guess he can sense the cold?).  It was fun to have him respond to me when I'd rub over my belly...i'd rub and he'd shift/kick in response.

34...24...14 comparison...

14, 24, and 34 weeks respectively...haha...and I thought I was starting to get big around 24 weeks...hehe...silly girl!

34 weeks...

How far along are you? 34 Weeks! (~6 weeks to go!)

Total Weight gain/loss? Holding steady so far....under 30lbs I think....water retention is starting so I'm trying to weigh myself first thing in the AM:)

Stretch marks? Nope:) Although I have this dark line jutting out from the side of my belly button, trying to figure out if it's just part of the Linea Negra or a stretchie starting...regardless I've been coco buttering the heck out of it!

Baby Movement? you can tell it's getting tight in there because when he moves i feel it everywhere - not just at the top of my belly like normal.  He's stretching and what not and for the most part feels like he's trying to bust out

Best moment this week? The most fabu baby shower ever to be had! 50+ friends and family gathered to shower little man with love and gifts.  I couldn't have asked for anything better - we're soooo fortunate.  Momma did a fantastic job planning and had a lot of help from Caty, my aunts and grandmas!

Food Cravings? Hard to say since I'm hungry all the time:)  So I guess the answer is...anything and everything?

Belly button in or out? It's hanging in there.  There's still some innie to it but I can't imagine that will last a whole lot longer.

Milestones?   We have more for the nursery due to the shower - now to organize it and get it into his closets!
 
Weekly Wisdom?  Wow...so many this week....1. hammer + fingernail = pain (see other blog posts)  2.  Baby wipes baby wipes baby wipes (and maybe some witch hazel)  3.  Yes, having to pee every 10 min is a PIA but so is having sausage fingers, toes, and ankles - drink up!  4.  Get maternity pics done - I know some folks say that they never want to see themselves that fat again but I dont know, maybe it's the photo junkie in me but I want to remember this time and having a maternity photo session is the perfect way to do it!


Still feels like I haven't really grown that much, he's sitting high under my ribs and generally off to one side or the other

Maternity Photos...

A few days before Christmas my friend Kim at Good Things to Come Photography came over to my parents house for a quick maternity photo session!  I can't say enough great things about her and her photos:)  She's been a great friend for many many years and I was soooo happy to have her doing our shoot!  She has amazing talent and I could not wait to see the pics she took...well, she made me wait to see the photos until my shower because she had something special planned!

At the shower this past weekend she presented me with a  BEAUTIFUL photo album that everyone at the shower signed with words of advice and what not....the album itself made my cry but once I had all the signatures in it I cried even harder:)  I can't get over how much I love it!  It was by far and away my favorite gift that day (sorry folks - I'm a photography junky..this had my heart the moment I saw it:) )

I'll post a few select shots here but you can also go out to Picasa to see the full set.  I'm soooooo happy with how they turned out and even happier with the album that she had printed...

Don't forget to check out Kim's website and Facebook page and if you're in the Pittsburgh area and are in need of a photographer don't hesitate to look her up!!

33 Weeks...

How far along are you? 33 Weeks!

Total Weight gain/loss? Holding steady so far....under 30lbs:)

Stretch marks? Nope:)

Baby Movement? I had this odd feeling like he was doing spirit fingers right over my hip bones....odd...

Best moment this week? Getting the closet system in and organizing his room!

Food Cravings? Nothing really again - just hungry all the time and trying to find healthy snacks vs. junk

Belly button in or out? Yea, just needs to give it up already..it's half in and half out

Milestones?   Making progress on the name game.  We don't have anything picked out yet but we at least have whittled our long list down to a short one.  Sorry folks, we're not sharing until after he's born - you'll just have to be surprised!
 
Weekly Wisdom?  There's no shame in calling the doc when you're not sure if you're having braxton hicks or real contractions.  Being a first time mom, we have no idea what we're supposed to feel.

32 weeks...

So it's been smooth sailing this month! So much so that the doc said that I dont have to come back for 3 weeks (instead of the normal 2).  However, from that point out we'll be down to weekly's with internals - woohoo! Little man is really grooving in there but still likes to sit up high under my ribs which is not always the most comfy spot but he seems to like it.

We have a full month on tap for Jan - Mommy group lunches, Baby Shower, In-Laws visit, birthing class, CPR class you name it!  At some point my bro should be down too to do the baby's mural (and I'll finally get the closet system installed).  Things are starting to come together! I can't believe this little one will be here in approximately 8 weeks!


How far along are you? 32 Weeks!

Total Weight gain/loss? According to the scale at the doc I'm up .5 lbs to something like 28lbs total.  The doc i saw yesterday was happy with that.  He's more concerned with the overall weight gain that month to month.  So far I'm doing just fine he says - I like this doc!

Stretch marks? Nope:)

Baby Movement? He's head down according to the doc which explains the odd mass under my ribs - his bum! He's taken to jumping jacks the past few days where he'll punch my hip and then kick opposite rib at the same time

Best moment this week? Knowing for sure that I slowed the tide that was my weight and that the doc is actually okay with where I am!


Food Cravings? Well until today it was thankfully just water....super thirsty but today it was Pez - 7 sleeves of Pez!  Now that it's gone from my house I hope to not go thru that again - but it tasted sooo good!!

Belly button in or out? Yea, just needs to give it up already..it's half in and half out

Milestones? Odd one but progress/milestone just the same - got the closet cleaned out and painted, just need to get the shelves up.  As for big foot in there he's starting to put on white fat (?) and is working on developing his senses more fully. 
 
Weekly Wisdom?  The tingling in your hands is likely carpel tunnel induced by pregnancy...get used to it but don't spaz too much as it is supposed to go away after the baby is born.  I feel like my hands are always asleep now!

Looking a little rough:)

31 weeks...

How far along are you? 31 Weeks!

Total Weight gain/loss? Well, even after way too many cookies and fantastic food over the holidays, I'm still at the same weight based on my home scale! 

Stretch marks? Nope:)

Baby Movement? I think he's flipped as the kicks have moved from high to down low.  He needs to flip back soon! 

Best moment this week? Sharing with the families over the holidays and having the little man kick on demand for just about everyone.

Food Cravings? Nothing really.  I always really want sweets but have been good at keeping those to a minimum.

Belly button in or out? Yea, still in but just barely.  I really don't think it's going anywhere any time soon unless little man has an enormous growth spurt.

Milestones? Nothing big the week really.  Little man is in for a growth spurt over the next few weeks (at least according to the bump.com)  He's something like 3.5 lbs now (4 navel oranges!)
 
Weekly Wisdom?   Pepcid is your friend...

30 Weeks...

How far along are you? 30 Weeks!

Total Weight gain/loss? Well, hoping my home scale is right and if so, I'm managed to hold back the tsunami that was my weight:) Depending on clothing etc...I'm either exactly the same as last week or down a lb or two!  I'm sure that it has to do with me putting a stop to the gallon of apple juice every few days and my wicked Panera Broccoli and Cheese soup craving (that I indulged way too many times in one week prior to the weight explosion) or the fact that we can now cook at home rather than eat out every meal....whatever it was, I'll keep it up and my my docs happy:)

Stretch marks? Nope:)

Baby Movement? He's in a rolly polly phase right now....not a ton of hard kicks but rather lots of rolls and pushes.  I think I can actually feel body parts now too....like a few nights ago when i layed down, the right side of my belly was deflated while the left side had a huge lump.  I started to feel around and figured out that it was little man just hanging out over there...not sure if I've got a head or a butt up top but based on the movements and his little kicks I'm betting it's his butt.


Best moment this week? Being able to sit back and just watch my belly groove on it's own.  I love putting my hand down and feeling him move underneath it


Food Cravings? Thankfully nothing big this week....again alot of it has to do with what I see around me and on TV.

Belly button in or out? I don't think it will ever flatten out completely.  It will likely pop from an innie to an outtie in the next few weeks.

Milestones? Hitting 30 weeks! I only have ~10 weeks left in this pregnancy.  I can still remember when I was only 10 weeks in and couldn't believe that I had a full 30 weeks left to go...now that's flip flopped and I'm really ready for him to get here soon!
 
Weekly Wisdom?   I'm wisdom-less this week!

Okay, looking really rugged today....caught the hubby's cold:(

Homemade maternity shots...

So, our friend Kim at Good Things to Come Photography is going to do a full set of maternity shots with us this coming week but DH has the photo bug too and wanted to try his hand at a few shots.  I'd just gotten back from a meeting and as such had done my hair and make-up so I obliged!

He took about 100 shots and I picked the few that I liked the most and played with them in Lightroom.  They're heavily processed but I like them that way:)

Beware - these are bare belly shots and I'm just now realizing how big that bare belly is getting! Yikes!:)

Enjoy:

Now I can't wait to see what Kim will do (and to be able to include DH in a few of the shots!).

Shot at 29 weeks even...

29 Weeks...

How far along are you? 29 Weeks

Total Weight gain/loss? I'm actually keeping track now on my home scale and have been watching my sugar intake so hopefully I can quell the tide that is my weight these days!

Stretch marks? Nope:)

Baby Movement? Yup, we played a game of kick the remote the other day.  I'd put it on my belly and he'd kick it off:) 

Best moment this week? Best moment has to be sunday night when DH started talking to my belly and made the little man move!


Food Cravings? Still sweets which is hard because it's likely the source of my recent weight gain.

Belly button in or out? There's a tiny innie lip left, after a big meal or if I push my gut out it's just about disappears and becomes flat!

Milestones? Crib is together and the car seat is here.  We have our birthing class and CPR class scheduled and my shower:)  Plus we have our maternity pics scheduled (thanks Kim!)   Holy cow - we're having a baby in like 2 or so months!
 
Weekly Wisdom?   Don't worry about what your hubs says when you bring 4 more pillows to bed than you normally do.  Anything to help you get comfy is fair game at this point!

I'll even indulge you folks with a frontal shot:)

28 weeks...

How far along are you? 28 Weeks

Total Weight gain/loss? um...the cream cheese caught up with me!  There was a significant jump in the dr's scale which invoked a bit of scolding from both the nurse and the doc.  All in all I'm still only about 25 or 26 odd lbs up total (counting my shoes and sweater which are like 2 lbs combined! haha).  Doc said if I can keep it to 1/2 lb/week from here on out he'll get off my case...haha...my apple juice addiction may prevent that.

Stretch marks? Nope:)

Baby Movement? Lots - I can sit here with my hand on my belly and feel him moving back and forth. 

Best moment this week? Passing my glucose tolerance test - no 3hr for me!!!

Food Cravings? Anything sweet - mostly Nerds and tangy/sugary things like that.  For once I'm not at all wanting chocolate - that's a travesty!

Belly button in or out? There's a tiny innie lip left, after a big meal or if I push my gut out it's just about disappears and becomes flat!

Milestones? Sames as my best moment - passing my GD test.  Oh and dropping securely into the third trimester!
 
Weekly Wisdom?   Stop and take time to savor the little things - like little one kicking or flipping around in there.  Try and mark that memory in your head because soon enough he'll be here and you'll miss those little private moments between the two of you (of course to be replaces with a whole new set of moments but still...it's going to be different) 


This weeks pics - at different zoom levels:)

27 weeks....

How far along are you? 27 Weeks

Total Weight gain/loss? so the Wii Fit told me I'm obese with a BMI of 25 haha...I wish I could tell it I was pregnant.  If it was right, I'm up 25 odd lbs (but in my defense, that was after turkey day which adds an unnecessary 10 lbs to anyone's scale!)

Stretch marks? Nope:)

Baby Movement? This week it's been more rolling and shifting positions more than anything.  He really doesn't like it when I lean forward when I'm sitting.

Best moment this week? Spending the holidays with the family and marveling in the amazement that is my little nephews.


Food Cravings? Creme Cheese - I ate about a block of it over the holiday - oi!

Belly button in or out? Still in but barely

Milestones? Well, depending on what book you look at, I'm moving into my third trimester now.  Little man will start to really pack on the pounds at something like .5lbs a week now!  He's the size of an eggplant!
 
Weekly Wisdom?   Avoid water, spicy food, bending over, orange juice, tomato based foods or sitting idle after a large meal if you want to avoid acid reflux!  Rolaids soft chews or Pepcid will be your new best friend

A little bit of growth...

So...um yea.. there's been a bit of growth:) The progression below is 14,20,and 26 weeks respectively. Not a huge change between 14 and 20 - mostly bloat changes but 20 to 26 - whoa!