32 Weeks!

Are we there yet?

Nope, still 8 weeks to go!  I seem to be lacking a lot of energy these days.  It's not even that I'm tired, but more that it's just so much effort to move around too much, that I'd rather not.  But, I'm trying to take one day at a time, because I know that this will pass, and it's all worth it!  I photographed a wedding on Saturday with my sister, and as much as I love photography, I'm glad it's the last one I'll be doing before the baby comes!  I know he's little, but carrying him around all day gets tiring!  Sometimes I'll joke around with Steve, and tell him since I had Zane with me all day today, he can take a turn tomorrow - too bad it doesn't really work like that!

So this past week, I met with the cardiologist, had an EKG and a echo cardiogram, and wore a heart monitor everyday.  I will get to meet with the Dr. again this week to see if they were able to figure out what's going on with my heart.  I have a feeling that they're just going to tell me it's normal, but it's hard to believe that my heart rate being in the 120-160s every morning is normal!  Then again, I feel like I don't even know what normal is anymore when it comes to my body!

I got my compression stockings this week, so I've been trying to wear them everyday.  They're a little tricky to get on and off, but hopefully will prevent much swelling or varicose veins!  I've also been trying to do more research about a variety of things - one of them being circumcision.  I decided to watch a video of the procedure being done, and I ended up crying through the entire thing!  It's something that Steve and I have agreed upon doing, but it still breaks my heart!  I know the baby was probably crying just because he was scared, because they did use a local anesthetic, but I still didn't like it :(

Zane should measure about 16.5 inches, and weigh almost 4 pounds by now!  The most important thing that's going on right now is that he's growing!  Putting on more fat and weight everyday, which is smoothing out his skin, and plumping him up!  He's sleeping a lot - about 90% of the day, which explains why I don't feel him as much now, especially since he's starting to get a little cramped in there I'm sure!

Here's me at 32 weeks:

How far along?  32 Weeks

Maternity clothes?  Yup

Total Weight Gain:   Apparently I gained 4 pounds this week - oops, all well, lol - that puts me 2 pounds above where I started pre-pregnancy.  

Sleep:  Getting more difficult each week - so hard to stay comfortable!  

Best moment this week:  Steve was reading Dr. Suess to Zane, and he was kicking like crazy!  I just sat there watching my belly move around and laughing!  Also, I started to be able to feel him get the hiccups this week - it happened a few times - it's a strange feeling, but it amuses me to picture him hiccuping!

Miss Anything?  I miss a lot of things - but it's all worth it to be able to see this boy in just a couple months!

Movement:  He's been a little less active this week during the day, but he makes up for it at night :)

Food cravings:  Ice cream :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Ugh - my super nose has been driving me crazy!  I smell everything, and it's never a good smell!

Any other symptoms?  Heartburn, backache, fatigue, heart palpitations

Have you started to show yet:  Yup!

Gender prediction:  It's a boy!

Labor Signs:  I actually felt my first braxton hicks contractions Sunday night - I'm thinking it might be because I didn't drink enough water that day.  Most people say it should feel like tightening, and not so painful, but let me tell you, these were painful!  It happened 3 times, a few minutes apart, then stopped.  Man, if those were any indication of real contractions, I'm in trouble!

Belly Button in or out?  In

Wedding rings on or off?  On

Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy!  

Looking forward to:  My baby shower on Saturday!  Can't wait to see you all there!!!!

31 Weeks!

The second week in 2014 has gone by, and it's really made me sit back and reflect a little.  I can't believe it was only 2 1/2 years ago that I met Steve, and now, we're happier than ever and about to have a baby!  I'm so excited for this year, even though I'm nervous about some things (like finances of course!).  But I feel sooooo blessed by God to be given such an incredible husband who spends everyday trying to take care of and please me, and this little baby boy, who I just can't wait to meet!  I think the thing that drives me crazy the most is not knowing when he's coming, and not knowing what he's going to look like - one of life's great surprises!

Here's an attempt at a self-timed picture of us this week lol

I had an appointment with my midwife this week.  Everything looks fine.  The one thing I thought was odd was that I measured again at 29 weeks, the same as 2 weeks ago.  She's not concerned though, says it's completely normal to measure up to 3 weeks ahead or behind.  It sure feels like he's growing a lot!  I talked to her about how I've been having heart palpitations, sometimes a few times a day.  It feels like my heart just starts racing, and it's usually when I'm just doing my normal business of the day.  She said it could be normal, but she is going to set me up with a Cardio consult just in case.

I got some bad leg cramps this week, one of them that ended up hurting for 4 days afterwards.  I started making sure to eat 2 bananas a day, and make sure I'm having plenty of calcium too, which seems to be helping.

Steve designed our baby shower invitation!  I love it!  I'm trying to hand them out, but it's hard to see everyone, so if I haven't gotten it to you, please consider yourself invited!  It's graciously being hosted by my Stepmom (Pam), my sisters (Amanda and Alisa), and my friends, India and Freya Pickett.

Zane should measure about 16 inches this week, and weigh about 3 1/3 pounds!  Now that's he's getting so long, his growth will more likely be seen in his weight over the next few weeks.  His irises can now dilate and contract in response to light.  His skin should no longer be translucent, but instead have the newborn-pink glow.  

Here's me at 31 weeks:

How far along?  31 Weeks

Maternity clothes?  Yes, they are so comfy!

Total Weight Gain:  Actually lost 2 pounds this week, which astounds me seeing as I feel like all I do is eat and sleep.  So down 2 pounds from pre-pregnancy weight.

Sleep:  Leg cramps, getting up to pee every couple hours, trying to get comfortable, trying to breathe, lol - sleep is fun

Best moment this week:  Even though it's not the most fun, sometimes Zane wakes me up in the middle of the night, and I have a hard time getting back to sleep for about an hour or so, while he's bouncing off the walls.  So usually, I either play on my phone or read a book, but honestly, I still find it amazing to feel him moving around so much, I love it!

Miss Anything?  Caffeine - wish I had more energy this week!

Movement:  Such an active little boy!  

Food cravings:  Orange juice

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Not really this week

Any other symptoms?  Heartburn, heart palpitations, fatigue, cramps, being uncomfortable all the time lol

Have you started to show yet:  Yes!

Gender prediction:  Boy! 

Labor Signs:  Nope!

Belly Button in or out?   In

Wedding rings on or off?  On, no swelling yet!

Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy!  Counting down the days until I get to meet the little guy!

Looking forward to:  My baby shower!

30 Weeks!

Woo-hoo!  3/4 of the way there!

Happy New Year everyone!  Steve and I celebrated with dinner and games at our church community group, then we were in bed by 10 :)  It's been another week of crazy weather - frigid cold temps below 0 and lots of ice that I try not to fall down on!

I'm finding it more and more difficult to do my everyday tasks.  Just trying to pick up a room will get me out of breath in a few minutes!  I've slowed down a lot while walking around, especially later in the day.  I've really focused on trying to get Zane's nursery cleaned and his clothes organized.  It's getting there, very slowly!  We have a lot of 6-9 months, but still need quite a bit in the 0-3 months size.  Of course, if anyone knows me well enough, you know that I created a Word document with each size and how many types of each article of clothing!  Zane has been very active this week - sometimes constantly moving throughout the day!  He always kicks me when I lean over or if I'm sitting and leaning forward, as if to say, "stop squishing me!".  Sometimes I poke him back ;)  I also started working on my birth plan, as my midwife suggested.  I feel really good about it right now - I feel empowered that I've done so much research and I may have some say in how the birth goes, even though I understand that it doesn't always work out the way that you hope or plan.

Zane should be about 15.5 inches long this week, and weigh about 3 pounds - boy he's growing fast!  His grip should be strong enough by now to grasp a finger, and he's now surrounded by about a pint and a half of amniotic fluid.  Now that he's able to regulate his own body temperature, he's also starting to lose the lanugo, or the fine hair, that has covered his body up until now.

Here's me at 30 weeks, along with our pet Ball Python, Houdini:

How far along?  30 Weeks

Maternity clothes?  Pretty much all I wear

Total Weight Gain:  I gained about 1.5 pounds this week - putting me at exactly where I was pre-pregnancy!

Sleep:  Up a few times during the night to either use the bathroom, adjust pillows, or move the fan around since I get really hot at night.  This week, the colder weather has made us put our heat up higher, and since we have radiators, it makes our bedroom very very dry.  Even with a humidifier in the room, I've been waking up with sinus headaches because my sinuses are so dry :(

Best moment this week:  Starting a new year with my amazing husband knowing that our little family will be growing this year :)

Miss Anything?  I would love a cold turkey sandwich right about now lol

Movement:  Very very active boy this week!

Food cravings:  Fruity Pebbles lol

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Smell of bacon cooking still makes me gag

Any other symptoms?  Heartburn, fatigue, cramps, being uncomfortable lol

Have you started to show yet:  I guess you could say that!

Gender prediction:  All boy!

Labor Signs:  Not yet

Belly Button in or out?  In

Wedding rings on or off?  On - no swelling yet

Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy!

Looking forward to:  I can't think of anything in particular going on this week - I guess I'm always looking forward to my appointments with my midwife because I like making sure that everything is going well.

29 Weeks!

Merry Christmas!  This last week has sure been interesting!  Last Monday we lost power after my sister and I watched a huge branch heavy with ice fall and knock out a few power lines in front of my house. Steve and I stayed at the apartment that night, and it wasn't too bad, but it got very cold the next day.  We ended up taking Houdini and spending the night before Christmas at my Amanda and Josh's apartment - it was small and cozy, but warm!  When we came back to our place on Christmas day, our power was back on.  We cooked whatever we could find in our cupboards and went over to my Dad's place - they still had no power, only a generator running the wood stove.  We still had a good time though!  Friday afternoon, we headed down to Connecticut to visit Steve's family.  On our way, we picked up a huge box of clothes that Steve's brother, James, sent us from Carter's - we're so blessed to have most of what we need for clothes for Zane!  Steve's parents also got us the bassinet we've been wanting.  We set it up at his parent's house, and I can't wait to put a little baby in it!!  It's hard to believe that at this time next year, we'll have a 9 month baby to celebrate Christmas with!  

I did have an appointment with my midwife this week.  She said my blood pressure was just a tad high, but nothing to be concerned about.  I was 28 weeks and 5 days at my appointment, and I measured at 29 weeks - so right on target!  She prescribed me some medical compression stockings.  I told her I haven't experienced any swelling yet, but she said that with working on my feet all day, it would prevent swelling and varicose veins.  My appointments will now be every 2 weeks instead of 4 - getting closer!

Zane should be weighing about 2.5 pounds this week, and measure just over 15 inches!  By this week, his brain can now control his body temperature!  His eyes can now move in the sockets, and his muscles and lungs are continuing to mature.  

Here's me at 29 weeks:

By the way, did anyone notice that I wrote the wrong fruit/vegetable on last week's board?!  I had already used eggplant a few weeks prior - oops :)

How far along?  29 Weeks

Maternity clothes?  Yup!  I've almost given up on wearing anything else.

Total Weight Gain:  Gained about a 1/2 pound this week, leaving me at 1.5 pounds down from pre-pregnancy

Sleep:  Leg cramps are off an on, I'll be fine for a few days, and they I'll have a bad night.  Getting comfortable is sometimes tricky, mostly because my hips have been hurting quite a bit at night.  

Best moment this week:  Spending Christmas with Steve - I can't believe I ever lived without him!

Miss Anything?  Not having to be careful about what I'm eating.  Having more energy to do things.  

Movement:  Pretty normal - feeling kicks and jabs sporadically throughout the day.  It's fun to watch my belly move on the outside lol

Food cravings:  Ramen noodles with tunafish - yum!

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Same stuff

Any other symptoms?  I seem to be having a harder time doing just about anything - walking, getting off the couch, picking something off the floor, you name it.  Everything has become a bit more of a challenge!  

Have you started to show yet:  Popping more and more every day!

Gender prediction:  It's a boy!

Labor Signs:  Nope

Belly Button in or out?  In

Wedding rings on or off?  On

Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy :)  I love this time of year - even with all the craziness with the ice storm and all

Looking forward to:  Starting a new year!  It's been such an amazing year, and I can't wait for next year to be even better!