Day 6 with the cutest baby on the block

I read over my birth story and I realize I left out a lot of details, but they're all minor ones. I don't think I'll go back and add anything. The physical part isn't important. It's true what they say: you forget the pain almost right away. After he was born, I immediately thought, I never want to go through this again. But I definitely would. The healing process has been going well and I'm looking forward to the day I have no more pain. The doctor did make a cut as Jack's head was coming out. I also got a small hemorrhoid. I feel better every day though and it's really not all that bad.

Jack was born with a small birth defect. He has an extra digit on each hand. The nurse said it's fairly common and easy to remedy and it doesn't hurt him. I'm waiting for his insurance card and then we'll go to a surgeon who will tie off the extra digits. It should be easy to do and the sooner it gets done, the better.



Jack was born 7 pounds, 14 ounces, went down to 7, 10 by Friday morning and was 7, 2 Saturday at the docs office. Monday morning a nurse came to the house and he was back up to 7 pounds, 11 ounces! He's been nursing well which makes me extremely happy. It takes a lot of work but it's also very natural and rewarding. I feel closer to him and I wouldn't give it up for anything.

I filed down his nails today but I'm really nervous to actually cut them. There's hardly anything there to cut so for now I'll keep using the emory board. I also gave him his first sponge bath Sunday night. I'll be glad when his cord stump falls off so I won't have to be so cautious about it. It's all a learning experience for both of us. Overall, it's going very well and better than I expected. I didn't expect to feel this way. I almost don't remember life before Jack came into it. I'm sure part of that is due to the fact that it's just been him and I since Sunday morning and we're getting to know each other quite well! As I type this (one-handed), he's snuggling up to me sleeping and cooing sweetly. I love him so much and couldn't be happier.

Jack's Birth Story

On Wednesday, December 23, I arrived at the hospital a bit before 9 and anxiously waited. I was brought back to a delivery room and saw the nurse for the first time around 9:30am. The Pitocin was started and I saw the doctor a little after 10. He checked me and I was 2.25 centimeters dilated. He broke my water at that time. Jack's dad, Sidney, was there as well as 2 girlfriends of mine, Deanna and Theresa. I was in labor for about 4 hours when the girls went to get lunch. My contractions got a lot stronger and closer together. the nurse came in to check me and I was close to 4 centimeters dilated. She said that it would get a lot worse and that it could be another 6 hours to get to 10 centimeters! I was doing ok and could go longer, but 6 hours?? The contractions were taking a lot out of me and I was afraid I wouldn't have the energy to push when it came time. And because I had been induced and was hooked up to monitors and an IV, I wasn't able to use the tub like I had planned and none of the positions I tried out were working. I asked about getting something other than an epidural but my only option was a drug administered via my IV that would make both me and baby drowsy. His cry wouldn't be as strong at birth and I definitely didn't want that. So I gave in to the epidural.

I was nervous to get the epidural but actually it wasn't bad. I had made the decision to get it and it was already in and working by the time my friends got back from lunch. I'm glad I decided to get it.

I don't remember the time, but I went from 5 centimeters to 8 pretty quickly, then it stalled a bit getting to 10. I think it was between 7:30 and 8 when it was time to start pushing. I expected pushing to be easier. I've heard it feels good to push because your body wants to, but it was exhausting and uncomfortable during the first 20-30 minutes. Then I developed a fever so the nurse had to give me medicine to bring it down. While it worked, I had to stop pushing. I was feeling the contractions and the urge to push despite the epidural, and it was extremely painful to not push. At one point I started crying pretty hard because it was getting painful and very difficult to get through. I had to go for about 25 minutes without pushing. Finally I was able to start pushing again, and this time it was a huge relief. It was getting a lot more intense and I needed to push. I wanted to get it over with, so I really tried to push as hard as I could with each contraction. The doctor came in at one time and when he didn't leave, I knew it was getting close. Sidney and Deanna were holding my legs and could see the head and they were tearing up. I told them they weren't allowed to cry because I would cry and I needed to focus on pushing. Finally the doc said that he would come out with the next contraction. It was all a bit surreal. I felt the head come out and then the rest of him. It is seriously the weirdest thing that I have ever felt. Before I knew it he was out and on my chest. My friend had to tell me to open my eyes and look down. The doctor did say that I was a good pusher and I think I actively pushed for an hour to hour and 1/2. That doesn't include the 25 min. break I had to take.

They quickly took him away to clean and check him while the doctor finished with me. It all happened so fast and it didn't seem real. After much anticipation, I finally got to hold my baby boy and I cried. It's a very intense and emotional experience and not what I expected. You cannot possibly begin to understand what it's like by reading a book or hearing other stories. You have to go through it to truly know.

The hospital stay was overwhelming. I got maybe 2 hours of sleep during the 2 days I was there. I was eager to go home but also nervous. We were released on Christmas morning and home by noon. The first day at home was ok but the second day was much better. He's been sleeping for longer periods and nursing well. I'm just trying to take each day as it comes and enjoy this time at home with him. I can't stop staring at him, kissing him, and snuggling up to him. He's so little and precious and I love him so much!

Baby Jack has arrived!

Just a quick update: Baby Jack Edward was born on 12-23-09 at 9:21pm. He weighed in at 7 pounds, 14 ounces and 20 inches long. We are home and doing well, just exhausted! I will post more info and pictures when I can. Merry Christmas!

One last update

I'm 2 centimeters dilated!!! The doctor could feel the baby's head and the water bag. He said it'll be easy to break the water which he will do first thing in the morning. He's confident it'll go well. I'm so excited! :) Stay tuned for baby pics!

39 weeks- quick update

I saw the doctor on Tuesday and he said that I am more swollen than what is normal. He doesn't feel comfortable letting me go past next week so they scheduled my delivery for next Wednesday at 9am! I see him again on Tuesday then head to the hospital Wednesday morning. I'm having a baby next week!! Most likely I'll be in the hospital or going home on Christmas day, but that is fine with me. It's better than me going past my due date and being miserable. And what a great Christmas present! If anything else happens between now and then, I'll post another update. Otherwise, stay tuned for adorable baby pictures!

38 weeks

There's still nothing happening. I've gotten to the point where I just want this baby to hurry up and be born!! I see the doctor tomorrow and if he gives me the option to schedule an induction for next week then I think I'm going to take it. I had a scare last week and ended up going to the doctor's twice on Thursday. Everything is fine, but I was feeling decreased movement and they had me come in to check everything out. I actually felt no movement whatsoever all of Thrusday morning, even after drinking orange juice and eating breakfast. I haven't called the office to even ask a quiestion this entire time so I feel like I'm entitled to at least one minor "freak out" at the end of this journey.

Here I am at 38 weeks. Hopefully this will be my last picture!



And here is the first snow, on December 5. It all melted the next day but it was beautiful!


Hopefully I'll get some news at my appoitment tomorrow and I'll post an update.

Nothing's happening!

So I saw the doc on Friday and he said that nothing is happening. But, after telling him about how my hands have been going numb every second, he decided it would be a good idea to test me for preeclampsia. They drew blood and gave me a huge container to collect my urine. All day today, for 24 hours, I have to collect my urine and transfer it to this container and bring it with me to my appoitment tomorrow. I don't know when I'll have the results, but the doc said this would be a reason to deliver. I don't have high blood pressure and I'm not too swollen, 2 of the major symptoms, but I guess he just wants to be sure which I'm fine with. I'm not even going to be seeing him tomorrow and might not see him until next week. I would really like to talk to him about inducing and how long we would have to wait before going that route. I'm 16 days away and nothing is happening yet! I really don't want to go past my due date, but I also want Jack to be ready and I want it to be natural. Inducing labor is generally more painful and lasts longer but if that's what we have to do, then let's do it!

37 weeks!

This baby is officially full term now. We've made it so far and now it's just a matter of waiting it out. I still haven't experienced any of the signs of labor. I know it happens differently for everyone but I'm looking for anything that can tell me I'm getting close! I have a doctor's appoitment tomorrow so I'll see what he has to say. I'm feeling ok; I just have a general feeling of discomfort. Also, my hands have been going numb. It's worse when I'm sleeping and when I'm at work. I've been trying to take frequent breaks but it's very annoying.

There's really nothing new going on. Jack should be ready for life on the outside now that he's full term. He's getting bigger too- about 6 pounds. He's gaining a few ounces each week. Basically all we can do now is wait. I thought he might make his appearance early in December, but now I'm thinking it'll be later. I'd love for him to be born next weekend or anytime the week of the 14th, but it's up to him! I kind of hate not knowing when it'll happen. I'm really hoping that I'm not still pregnant on Christmas! I'm just trying to take it day by day and go on as normal as possible. As long as he's healthy, that's all that matters now.

36 weeks!

I'm a few days behind but wanted to get in a quick update. I saw the nurse last Wednesday and at that time I hadn't started dilating yet. So far none of the "warning" signs of labor have happened. The nesting instinct and loss of mucus plug being the main ones. I have been having some contractions, but it's hard to tell if it's the real thing or just Braxton Hicks. I'm pretty sure I'll know when I'm in labor for real! I also think he's dropped but it's hard to tell how much. I'll be happy if he waits until next week but not too much later. I wish I could know the exact day it's going to happen but it's his call! But at this point, I'm as ready as I'm going to be.

He'll be considered full term on Thursday at 37 weeks which is exciting. He definitely shouldn't need to spend any time in the nicu and he will be at a healthy weight for sure! I see the doctor on Friday and we'll see if I've started dilating at all. I'm getting a little anxious!

35 weeks!

It seems a bit unreal to me that I am 35 weeks pregnant and in a few short weeks I will be having a baby. It's gone by so fast and I feel like I'm not completely ready. I'm definitely ready to have my body back and feel somewhat normal again in that regard, but I know my life will never be the same. But I'm really excited to meet Jack and start this new chapter of my life! My friend had her son last year at 35 weeks and everything went great so I really could have this baby at anytime now. Next Wednesday I see the nurse practitioner one last time for an internal exam and then I start seeing the doctor weekly.

Thanks to babycenter.com, here is how we're doing at 35 weeks:
How your baby's growing:
Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

How your life's changing:
Your uterus — which was entirely tucked away inside your pelvis when you conceived — now reaches up under your rib cage. If you could peek inside your womb, you'd see that there's more baby than amniotic fluid in there now. Your ballooning uterus is crowding your other internal organs, too, which is why you probably have to urinate more often and may be dealing with heartburn and other gastrointestinal distress. If you're not grappling with these annoyances, you're one of the lucky few.

And just so you know, I am experiencing these annoyances. I've been having heartburn a lot more frequently, but luckily not too severe. It is very uncomfortable though. It's getting harder to get up and down. Even just getting out of bed isn't easy with this huge belly! Overall I'm still doing well and feeling pretty good which I'm grateful for. I finally have all of his things washed and put away and yesterday I had the car seat installed. It's weird driving around with a car seat in the backseat! The only thing left is to meet with a pediatrician and then I'm all set. Everything is moving right along!

Picture!

I got a new picture that is much better than the one I posted on Thursday, so I thought I'd share.


Everything is good. I'm actually working for a bit today and then I hope to get things straightened up and organized at home. I plan on getting some much needed rest tomorrow and then everything starts all over again on Monday!

34 weeks!!

I'm 34 weeks! Only 6 weeks or 42 days to go! Can you believe it? I'm excited to see the doctor at 36 weeks to see how I'm progressing. I saw the doctor in May and every time I've gone since, I've seen the same nurse practitioner. I'll see the doc at 36 weeks and every week until I go into labor, but it's weird because I haven't developed a relationship with him at all. I'm not too worried about it though!

Courtesy of babycenter.com, here's how we're doing at 34 weeks:
How your baby's growing:
Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. His fat layers — which will help regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

How your life's changing:
By this week, fatigue has probably set in again, though maybe not with the same coma-like intensity of your first trimester. Your tiredness is perfectly understandable, given the physical strain you're under and the restless nights of frequent pee breaks and tossing and turning, while trying to get comfortable. Now's the time to slow down and save up your energy for labor day (and beyond). If you've been sitting or lying down for a long time, don't jump up too quickly. Blood can pool in your feet and legs, causing a temporary drop in your blood pressure when you get up that can make you feel dizzy.

Here's a new pic taken earlier today. I'm starting to look a bit rough!!

work, work, and more work

I realize I missed last week's update. I have been so busy with work and baby stuff that I just haven't had the time to really do much else. I'm actually busy working while I'm at work. Imagine that! I also unplugged my computer at home so pretty much the only time I'm on a computer is at work. My birthing class ended this past Sunday and I had my breastfeeding class Monday night. I am officially done with baby classes! My hospital bags are already packed, I'm registered with the hospital, and things are moving right along. I still have some things to do at home and I have to find and meet with a pediatrician, but that's pretty much it. Oh, and I also have to get the car seat installed which is a big thing. But I still have 6 weeks left and I feel ahead of the game. This past Saturday my dad and I put the crib together. Ok, he put it together while I watched and handed him whatever screwdriver he needed! It fits perfectly in the space and I love how much storage it has. I have to give a big thanks to my grandmother for buying it. Such a generous and unexpected gift! Here's a picture (not a very good one, but I will post a better one soon):


I love the attached changing table since there was no way I would be able to make room for a separate one. I don't even have room for a dresser, so this is absolutely great. The hamper can come out and be replaced with 2 shelves which I'm thinking of doing since I have the winnie the pooh hamper already. There are also 3 more shelves around the side which you can't see where I have put extra diapers and bath supplies. There is also a drawer under the crib which does not attach to anything, but is great for storing extra sheets and blankets. And yes, I am having a boy and the walls are purple. I was not able to get the room painted blue over the summer like I had hoped, but I don't think he'll mind too much! This weekend I'm going to wash another load or 2 of his stuff (he's not even here yet and I've done at least 5 or 6 loads of laundry!) and clean up so I'll post more pictures once I'm done. I have no idea how much longer I'll be able to do these things, so I gotta do what I can now while I still feel like it!

November???

I can't believe it's actually November. It's crazy! Time has really flown by and this pregnancy has gone by a lot faster than I expected it to. I went to the doctor's today for my routine check-up. His heart rate is in the 140's (can't remember the exact number!) and my blood pressure is 110/70. We went over the results from last weeks ultrasound and she did tell me that even though he's measuring 6 days ahead, my due date isn't changing. They don't change it this late in the game. She said they go by earlier measurements and that in the beginning, all babies grow at the same rate assuming nothing is wrong. That's how they measure the due date. Later on, the baby will grow at whatever pace and become whatever size works for them, same as outside the womb. Does all of that make sense? Basically I'm still due on December 24 and that's not going to change no matter what. He just may decide to come out a bit early. My uetrus is still measuring on track, it's just him that's a little bigger. I also found out that the measurements taken in utero can be wrong. I mean how can they accurately tell how much he weighs anyway? I don't get it but he's healthy and normal and everything looks good so I'm not worried!! I go back in 2 weeks and then I start going every week for pelvic exams and all that fun stuff. It's getting so close! I'm having a baby next month!!!

32 weeks!

So I had an ultrasound this morning and learned some interesting things while I was there. They said that at this point the baby is too big to do anything but get needed measurements, which they did and everything is good and normal. He is still a boy (thankfully!). She couldn't see his penis but did get me a picture of his scrotum. That'll be one to pull out in 20 years! He is 4.3 pounds which seems really big to me but the doctor says it's normal. However, his head is abnormally large! That doesn't make me feel good! His heartrate was 136 and he's growing steadily. I am measuring 6 days early though which makes my new due date 12/18. I'm not sure if that is specifically due to his size or if they factor in other things. I definitely hope he's a bit early because I'm already looking at having over an 8 pound baby if he only gains the 1/2 pound per week that he's supposed to. I'm just glad that he's doing ok and everything looks good.

According to babycenter.com, here's how we're doing at 32 weeks (although I'm technically now going to be 33 weeks tomorrow, I'm going to stick with the orignal schedule):
"How your baby's growing:
By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth.

How your life's changing:
To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.

You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor.

Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things."

I'll discuss how the CPR class went and how the birthing class is going a little later!

H1N1, baby shower, my birthday & 31 weeks!

A lot has been happening and I've been very busy. This past Tuesday I went to the docs for my regular check-up and got the H1N1 vaccine while I was there. I was nervous because I've never gotten a flu shot in my life and wasn't sure how my body would react to it, but I decided I'd rather have whatever side effects the vaccine would give me than risk getting the virus. So far, so good! I wasn't planning on getting the seasonal flu shot but now I'm considering it. Next Thursday I go for my 32 week ultrasound. I'm hoping they'll measure the baby and tell me if everything is on track. I don't want him getting too big which I'm worried about because of how much weight I'm gaining. Only 9 more weeks until my due date!

Last Saturday I had a Winnie the Pooh themed baby shower with some friends. There were about 13 of us there, hosted by my best friend Linda. My friend Catherine made an awesome diaper cake which I was not expecting and it was a complete surprise to me. I was blown away by everyone's generosity and thoughtfulness. I received a lot of diapers, at least 9 packs, and many needed items off my registry. It was a great party and I had lots of fun. I just didn't know that opening gifts could be so tiring!! Here are a few pics:





The amazing diaper cake! The great thing about these is that everything used to make it can be put to use, especially all those diapers!



Some of the girls I work with at Hallmark



High school friends- Linda (the hostess), me of course, Catherine (she made the diaper cake), and Jen.



Theresa won the "measure the belly" game!



One of the cute outfits I got. I love the monkey feet!



Just a funny picture, but look at how huge I look!!


Today is my 28th birthday and at my office we usually celebrate everyone's birthday. We only have about 10 people that work in our office so it's easy to get everyone together and celebrate. I did not want anything for myself and didn't know what to expect. Normally we all pitch in and buy one bigger gift but they did a birthday baby shower for me and each person bought me something. It was really unexpected. I got more great stuff for Jack and I've really been blown away by everyone's generosity. I can't thank everyone enough and I am very appreciative of everything that's been done for me. This baby will definitely have everything he needs and more thanks to wonderful friends and family!

I am also 31 weeks today and can't forget my weekly update. Courtesy of babycenter.com, here's what's going on this week:
How your baby's growing:
This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

How your life's changing:
Have you noticed the muscles in your uterus tightening now and then? Many women feel these random contractions — called Braxton Hicks contractions — in the second half of pregnancy. Often lasting about 30 seconds, they're irregular, and at this point, they should be infrequent and painless. Frequent contractions, on the other hand — even those that don't hurt — may be a sign of preterm labor. Call your practitioner immediately if you have more than four contractions in an hour or any other signs of preterm labor: an increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge (if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody — even if it's pink or just tinged with blood); abdominal pain or menstrual-like cramping; an increase in pressure in the pelvic area; or low back pain, especially if you didn't have it before.

My breasts may also start to leak any day which hasn't happened yet. The third trimester is definitely full of fun! I hope to get everything I've recently gotten washed and put away this weekend. I have a huge pile of laundry and I'll feel better once it's done. I also have my own laundry to do so we'll see how motivated I am! Saturday I'm taking an infant CPR class from 10-12 and then I'm coming in to work to try and get caught up on some stuff so I probably won't feel like doing anything when I get home. Sunday I have my first birthing class from 2-6. I'll be keeping pretty busy the next couple of weeks with work and classes but hopefully I'll be able to get some stuff done around the house in between it all.

Emotions running wild

A couple of days ago a friend of mine (who is due about 10 weeks after me) asked me if I was scared for labor. It's getting close and I've been thinking a lot about it and how my life is going to change. Surprisingly enough, I'm not really scared for labor at all even though I hope to have a natural drug-free birth. I know I'll be in pain and it won't be easy, but I also know that I can do this. I told her that I'm more scared for bringing him home and she said, "aww, that's the fun part." It made me think about the fears and anxieties that I have. I can't possibly be the only person who has been scared and nervous to bring home a new baby. I'm actualy looking forward to labor and giving birth and meeting him. I can't wait to hold him in my arms and kiss him and feel his little hand in mine. But I'm terrified of bringing him home. How will I know what to do and when to do it? My life will no longer be my own.

Just so you know, I'm not a person who is extremely fond of change and this is probably the biggest change a person could go through. My life changed the day the test said "pregnant" and I changed as a person but things will change even more when he gets here. It's overwhelming knowing that this tiny little person will be depending on me for everything and it's up to me to make sure he is healthy & happy. It doesn't help that I'll be doing it alone. I think that's where a lot of my anxiety comes from. I'll be a single working mom and that certainly won't be easy. When he needs to be fed and changed at 3am, I'll be the only one getting up to do it. I'll be the one taking him to doctor's appoitments. I'll be the one pumping breastmilk and making his bottles. I'll be the one taking him to and from daycare while working full time and still be responsible for getting up in the middle of the night to feed him. I'll be the one who gives him baths and cleans up after he has a poop explosion! It won't be easy and I guess I'm just worried that I won't be able to give him everything he needs. Ever since I can remember I've wanted to be a mom and I believe I was meant to be one. I already love him more than I could have ever imagined and I want to protect him and keep him safe. I can't wait to take him to the zoo and the aquarium and the beach. I can't wait to make him smile and laugh. I guess as the day gets closer, I'm just getting more nervous and anxious about how I'm going to handle the stresses of motherhood. Will I make the right choices and be the best mom I can be? I guess I'll learn as I go and do what I think is best. A friend recently told me that I have to be prepared to fail. Things aren't always going to be perfect. The baby will most likely roll off a given surface or I'll drop him. That's actually a really scary thought but I guess it's true. Things won't always go as planned and I have to be flexible. And the small things like how do I clip his little fingernails and how will I know what size diapers he should be wearing will all come with time & practice. Once he's here I'll be too busy staring at his little face and watching him grow to be scared. These fears will seem stupid to me but all I can think about now is him being here and how things are going to change. And I have to accept that they will change, mostly for the better, but no matter what everything will be ok.

30 weeks!

It's a little hard to believe I'm in the 30's now. I've been pregnant for 210 days and have 70 days left until my due date. It's crazy!

Here's the 30 week update courtesy of babycenter.com:
How your baby's growing:
Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and he weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

How your life's changing:
You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax, so your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being a bit off. Also, this relaxation of your ligaments can actually cause your feet to spread permanently, so you may have to invest in some new shoes in a bigger size.

Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and hormonal changes can result in a return of those emotional ups and downs. It's normal to worry about what your labor will be like or whether you'll be a good parent. But if you can't shake the blues or feel increasingly irritable or agitated, talk to your doctor or midwife. You may be among the 1 in 10 expectant women who battle depression during pregnancy. Also let your caregiver know if you're frequently nervous or anxious.

Another website talked about slowing down on your exercise program and trying to get as much sleep as possible. Unfortunately I haven't been doing too much exercising but I've noticed that it is getting harder to do everyday tasks. I get winded very easily and have to take frequent breaks. I can barely bend over and sometimes if I drop something, I don't even bother getting it! I'm really not looking forward to trying to get in and out of my small car come December and I'm not even attempting to wear sneakers. I don't want to even try tying them but also I have noticed some swelling in my ankles. I've been wearing my uggs or crocs everyday for the past few weeks now. I haven't slept well the last couple nights but I'm assuming that's because of the cold I have. Hopefully when it's gone I'll be able to get a couple nights of good sleep because I am exhausted! I was debating on when I should quit working at Hallmark and was waiting to see how I felt. I still feel ok working a 4 hour shift, but I want to give adequate notice and don't want to be stuck working longer than I'm able to. I think I'm going to make my last day the first week of November.

Saturday is my shower which I am extremely excited for! Then I go back to the doctor's next Tuesday and my birthday is next Thursday. Lots to look forward to!!

Doc update

I just wanted to give a quick update so tomorrow's post isn't 3 pages long! I went to the doctor's yesterday and good news- I passed the Glucose screening with flying colors! This means nothing to me, but they want the levels to be under 130 and mine was 90 something. My iron levels are good too. They expect it to go down and mine has, but I don't need an iron supplement. She also said that I was measuring at 30 weeks so a few days early I guess. That's fine by me!

I woke up on Saturday with a stuffy nose and sore throat. It wasn't anything big and I made it through my 6-hour work day just fine. It has progressively gotten worse though and last night I didn't sleep very well. Today has been a little bit better so I'm hopeful it's in the end stages. The nurse is having me come back next week for the H1N1 vaccine. She didn't want me to get it while I've got the sniffles. I've made the decision to go ahead and get it but I won't be getting the seasonal flu shot. I've never had a flu shot before so it worries me a little, but I think the effects of the H1N1 vaccine won't be as bad as the actual virus would be. I'll just have to take my chances with the seasonal flu.

More updates tomorrow!

29 weeks

Let's get right to it. According to Babyzone.com, here's how Jack is doing at 29 weeks:

"Your baby is filling out this week. He's adding fat to insulate his body for the day he leaves his cozy home. You can probably distinguish between feet and hands, head and bottom when your baby-to-be moves inside you. He takes practice breaths but won't breathe air until delivery.
Your baby's growth has begun to slow down now, but he will still gain approximately four pounds between now and birth. If he were born now, he would be able to breathe, but might tire easily and need assistance. His little eyes are sensitive to light.
How big is baby? At two pounds, 12 ounces and almost 10 and one-half inches (crown to rump), your little one is growing fast!"

What's happening with your body:
"As your baby-to-be grows bigger, you may find your pregnancy pains increasing. By the end of the day your back aches and your feet become swollen. Frequent potty breaks are probably becoming a nuisance as your wiggly baby presses down on your bladder."

I've heard that the second trimester is the best and you have the most energy and feel the best. I think that is true. I felt great all summer with little or no pains and a surprisingly good amount of energy. Now I'm exhausted and feeling a lot more discomforts. It's getting harder to be on my feet, getting up, and even sleeping isn't such a breeze. I was feeling very lucky that I was sleeping so good and was actually very comfortable. Well the leg cramps have started and my growing belly is making sleeping comfortably more difficult. I've also managed to be able to sleep through the night without getting up to use the bathroom. I go 2-3 times before bed and don't drink too much at night. I don't think it's going to continue for long though!! I still feel pretty good; mostly I'm just really tired and a little achy. Nothing to really complain too much about. I just need to take it easy and try going to bed earlier.

We went on the hospital tour last night. I thought it might be a waste of time, but it was actually very helpful. Now I know where to go when I'm in labor and I know what to expect. I feel like the hospital will support me in my attempts to have a natural, med-free delivery and they even have some tools available such as a jacuzzi tub and a birthing ball. One thing I definitely want is to have the baby in my room at all times and that is customary. They have private suites for all the moms and the babies only go to the nursery if you request it or there is a medical reason. Once you have delivered and are in the private room, you can have as many visitors as you like. I'll definitely want some privacy and time alone to bond with the baby and try breastfeeding for the first time, but I know a lot of people are excited and we'll be getting some visitors. I think I'll be nervous about anyone else holding the baby in the beginning, but I'm not going to be crazy and hold him hostage! But it's a good thing that I'm the mom and can demand to have him back! :)

Next week there will be lots of updates and pictures. I have a doc appoitment on Tuesday and Saturday is my shower. Yay!

Pictures!

Here are the 28 week pictures as promised!

28 weeks - third trimester!

I've officially started my third trimester. It kind of makes me go holy crap! Lately I haven't been wanting to do anything except sit in bed and be lazy. I still manage to move around and get stuff done, but it takes a lot more effort and willpower. I found a funny cartoon on babygaga.com that sums this up perfectly.


According to babycenter.com, here's what's happening with Jack this week:
How your baby's growing:
By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Not much is going on with me except that I'm experiencing more aches and cramps, he's kicking me like crazy, I'm getting bigger and more uncomfortable, and I've started having braxton hicks contractions. At least that's what I think it is! I've never been pregnant before so I'm not sure what they're supposed to feel like, but if I had to guess I'd say I've been having them. Overall I still feel pretty good but I am more tired and have less energy. I also want to eat everything all the time! I'm proud of myself though because I've held back a lot. I'm trying to stay under a 50 pound weight gain (thinking it may be between 40 and 45), but I can see how some women gain 60 or more. Luckily there's still housework to be done and I'm still working at Hallmark 1 night a week which puts me on my feet for a 4-hour shift. So I'm not being completely lazy which is good. Now that the weather is cooler I'm going to try to go for more walks even if it's just on the weekends.

I had my glucose test on Tuesday. I haven't gotten the results yet but I'm getting a little anxious. If I don't hear anything tomorrow then I'll give them a call on Monday. If I failed then I have to go back for the 3 hour test which would not be fun at all! I'd have to take a half day off of work and they take your blood once an hour for 3 hours! You just have to sit and wait in between and not eat anything! That would be torture. I'm not going to worry about it unless I actually have to do it. Keep your fingers crossed.

It's crazy that it's already October and also a little scary. Next Wednesday I take the hospital tour, 2 weeks to the baby shower, the week after that is my birthday, I have an infant CPR class on the 24th, and start my birthing classes on the 25th. And that's not even everything!! This month is going to go by in the blink of an eye and December 24 is really not that far away anymore. Yikes!!!

I'll post a 28 week picture this weekend.

27 weeks, 91 days to go!

Only one more week of the second trimester and then I start the final leg of this journey. I can't believe it! My due date is excatly 3 months from today.

Here's how Jack is doing at 27 weeks according to babycenter.com:
How your baby's growing:
"This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle."

Here's what's happening with mommy according to babygaga.com:
"And how's mom doing? You’ve worked hard, done your research, endured a plethora of joyless symptoms and would like nothing more than to have wonder-baby on the outside. Well, dig in for the final endurance round and say hello again to the familiar but not-so-lovable faces of fatigue and nausea. You guessed it, the dratted hormone factory is once again running at full-tilt (and causing rapid hair growth), sigh…. Your fatigue stems from several factors, including the proverbial weight gain, shortness of breath and of course, sleep deprivation.

Yes, ladies, you’ve finally reached the infamous “live-on-the-toilet” stage. Your feet are bigger, your breasts are bigger, your belly is bigger, even your baby is bigger—and something’s gotta give. Annoyingly, nature didn’t choose your butt and instead opted to compress your bladder, which is now being completely squashed by your-super-sized-baby... all day long. So your best shot is to just accept the fact you’re going to need to urinate every 10 minutes.

Of course breast tenderness is also very common at this phase as milk production is kicking in. Other thrilling third-trimester symptoms include more swelling (known as edema) and feeling like you live in a sweat factory as a result of increased basal body temperature. Thank your baby: this temperature increase stems from their body heat coupling with your own, which of course all adds up to one hot mama!"

I've been feeling really good and I'm going to stay positive, but I have heard that the third trimester is harder. Obviously I'm getting bigger and more uncomfortable, but I've been sleeping very well (knock on wood!) and I'm not looking forward to that ending yet. I also still have a lot to do around the house to make room for Jack and all of his things. I have a lot to clean, stuff to buy, things to put together...I hope I can muster up the energy to get it done! Luckily I don't need the crib right away so that can wait until after he's born. He's going to sleep with me in the beginning and he can take naps in the pack and play which will be in the living room. It would be nice to have the crib all set up and ready, but with the cost of it and the hassle of putting it together, I am ok with waiting until after he's here to get it. Except that'll mean I won't have a place to change him or store the diapers and wipes because the crib I'm getting has a changing table attached. Oh well, I'll figure it out somehow!

I've got my appoitment next week for the glucose screening. Yay, what fun that'll be! I just hope the orange drink I have to finish beforehand isn't too gross. Blech!

26 week picture

I've been having my dad take a picture every 2 weeks. He wasn't home last Thursday to take it so I posted my update without a picture, but I've got it now and wanted to share. It's actually 26 weeks & 3 days.


I feel like I look a lot bigger than I really am, but I am almost 7 months pregnant. I feel really good though which I'm so grateful for. I've heard it gets worse in the third trimester but I'm just going to stay positive and see how it goes.

26 weeks

Wow, it's hard to believe I've made it this far. I still feel like there's a ways to go, but it should be fairly smooth sailing from here on out. I feel like there is still a ton I need to do to get ready for Jack's arrival though. More clothes to wash, things to put away...basically just more cleaning and organizing. I have less motivation to do these things than I did before, but they still have to get done and I'll do what I can.

Here is what's happening with Jack in week 26 according to babygaga.com:
Fetal development in pregnancy week 26:
"At long last, your little swimmer can see the womb! Your miracle’s little eyelids have finally separated (they were fused closed previously) and they’re probably having their first moments of sight as you read this (or maybe it already happened while you were brushing your teeth or watching Oprah or something). In addition to seeing their little studio in your belly, they’ve recently acquired the ability to say “yes” and “no” in rudimentary sign language as they can now move their head back and forth. This is also the time where your little super star’s head hair is starting to grow! Also, their toenails have grown in and your little raisin continues to slowly pile up fat beneath their still-loose skin. Most importantly, brain tissue and neurons are all developing at a rapid pace, increasing their (genius-level?) brain activity and will continue to function at accelerated levels for the first seven to eight years of childhood!"

Nothing new is really happening with me. I'm just getting bigger and more uncomfortable as time goes on. Luckily I've been sleeping ok, which has surprised me but I won't complain! I know it won't last long. I still haven't decided if I'm going to take a birthing class. I'm reading a good book and people have said that as long as I do enough research, the classes won't be neccessary. I still feel like having the hands-on experience would be good though. I'm planning on trying for a med-free birth so I will need all the help I can get. I guess I need to make a decision sooner rather than later because spots fill up fast and I don't want to go any later than October.

I'm still researching circumcision. I've also been thinking a lot about my birth plan. I have very specific requests for both myself and Jack that I'm hoping the hospital staff will respect. For instance, I don't want any bottles or pacifiers of any kind given to Jack. Obviously things can't always go as planned and I am fully aware of that. But certain things are very important to me and I'm going to do what I can to make sure I get what I want. I'll post more about my birth plan and the experience I'm hoping for another day!

Double digits!!!

I feel like I've reached a milestone- I'm down into the double digits. Only 99 days left to go until my due date!! I see the doctor again in 2 weeks for my glucose screening which will test for gestational diabetes. I don't think I mentioned it before, but at my last visit I had gained 7 pounds in 4 weeks. Craziness! I've been trying to watch my portion sizes and snacking and this week I've been eating a lot more fruits and veggies. I also went for a walk Monday night after work and will try to do that a couple of times a week. I'm supposed to gain one pound per week now and with 14 weeks left, that's 14 pounds. That seems like a lot! But I definitely have to try to not gain more than 1 pound per week and I can't try for less either. I'm just going to try and be healthier and whatever happens happens. I hope to start running again soon after he's born so that should help shed these pounds. Plus breastfeeding is supposed to help and I plan on exclusively breastfeeding for the first 3 months.

Tomorrow I will post my regular weekly update. Something else that has been on my mind that I will post about later is circumcision. I am strongly against it because it is an unneccessary surgery but there are some health benefits. I just don't know if the pros outweigh the cons. I'm doing a lot of research before making a final decision, but for right now I'm leaning towards not doing it. I'll post more about what I've found out and what I decide.

25 weeks; only 105 days to go

In 6 days, the countdown will move into the double digits. Craziness! I have a feeling that November will be here in the blink of an eye which is a bit scary. I am so excited to be a mom and meet baby Jack but I am also extremely terrified!

As good as this pregnancy has been, I'm definitely getting to the point where I don't want to be pregnant anymore. I'm sure that will increase as I get into the third trimester and get even bigger. I've been lucky, but 9 months is a long time to carry around a human being. It's uncomfortable at times and it's getting harder and harder to do everyday activites. If I sit on the floor, it takes real effort for me to get back up. And the heartburn is getting worse and it's no fun at all! Some people have such horrible pregnancies that they don't think they will ever have another baby because of it. I would definitely like to be pregnant again in the way future. This pregnancy hasn't turned me against having more babies and I'm glad for that. All in all, I really can't complain. And the end result is definitely worth it. The discomforts are just becoming a bit annoying!

According to baby-gaga.com, here is how things are looking in week 25:
Fetal development in pregnancy week 25:
"Your little grower’s physical proportions are evening out at this point and most of their remaining development will largely be weight gain and lots and lots of nervous system development. The good news is: if your child is born premature now they’ll be more likely to survive without too much trauma as their lungs began to produce “surfactant” last week, which means their tiny respiratory system is getting stronger with each passing day. Yes, now’s a good time for a minor sigh of relief and a quick pat on the back. All that hard work and conscientious living is really getting your child prepared for a healthy delivery. Keep up the fabulous work mama! This week they’ll be scootching slowly out of the old breech position and start rotating (already!) into a better position for exit during their birth. Their head and feet are slowly rotating so that the head is pointed down towards the birth canal. Time is short (or really long, depending on who you ask)—just (still!) 14 weeks left before you can go back to being a single-resident human.

And how's mom doing?
Trimester two is finally almost over, which means you have that one final trimester of pregnancy to enjoy (and suffer through). You’re obviously carrying more weight now and your back is going to let you know. Don’t let this get you down or make you feel like a weakling—it all comes with the territory of being preggers. Try to practice good posture—it will alleviate some of the back fatigue as slouching is actually harder on your back. It’s also common for women to experience leg cramps during this period. Go ahead, strong arm someone who loves you into giving you a massage. Or if you're lucky enough to have the extra bucks, head to a spa that specializes in pregnancy massages and get the full-treatment.

You may have already noticed that your hair seems fuller, thicker, more plentiful and darker-- especially your body hair. There are two basic reasons for this: 1) you're shedding much less (head) hair than you usually do and 2) your body's hormones contribute to the way your body hair is growing right now. Not to worry, all the hairiness will return to normal after you've delivered your baby."

24 weeks!

I'm so happy to be 24 weeks along. Only 4 more weeks until I start my third trimester. It's going by so fast and I still have so much I want to get done. I still have 16 weeks left which seems like a long time and that's if I don't go into labor early. I know it'll fly by though, especially now that summer is over. I just want to be as prepared and ready as I can be.

Courtesy of babycenter.com, here is how Jack is developing at week 24:
How your baby's growing:
"Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon."

I read on another site that 50-70% of all babies who are born between 24 and 25 weeks survive. It's just reassuring to know that the closer I get, the stronger Jack is getting and the likelihood he can survive outside of the womb is growing significantly. I'm not worried and everything is normal, but it's still nice to know that he's getting bigger and healthier.

He has been kicking up a storm and I even started feeling hiccups this week. It's the strangest thing but also really neat! It may not be so neat come November when he's bigger and it keeps me up at night, but I'm enjoying it now. Everything has been going really good and I'm loving this experience. I feel really lucky that I've been feeling so good and there haven't been any complications.




My camera has a weird spot on it, but I love using the blocks to spell out his name. I saw other pictures like this and just had to do it. I'd love to do a photo shoot in a studio but can't justify spending the money. Especially when my dad takes good pictures for free!

23 weeks

Once again it's Thursday and time for my weekly update. Nothing exciting is going on except for the fact that Jack should now weigh just over a pound! And like I mentioned in my previous post, he is kicking up a storm now. I love it! So, according to babycenter.com, here it what's happening with the pregnancy:

How your baby's growing:
Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With his sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that he's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see him squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing him for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze him when he hears them outside the womb.

How your life's changing:
You may notice that your ankles and feet start to swell a bit in the coming weeks or months, especially at the end of the day or during the heat of summer. Sluggish circulation in your legs — coupled with changes in your blood chemistry that may cause some water retention — may result in swelling, also known as edema. Your body will get rid of the extra fluid after you have your baby, which is why you'll pee frequently and sweat a lot for a few days after delivery. In the meantime, lie on your left side or put your feet up when you can, stretch out your legs when you sit, and avoid sitting — or standing — in one place for long periods. Also, try to exercise regularly to increase circulation, and wear support stockings (put them on first thing in the morning) and roomy, comfortable shoes. You may be tempted to skimp on liquids to combat swelling, but you need to drink plenty of water because staying hydrated actually helps prevent fluid retention.

If anyone thinks my posts are hard to read because of the new layout and all the dots in the background, please let me know. I'm considering changing it because I think it might be a bit too much!

The Big Reveal

So you know it's a boy and I've decided it's time to reveal his name. There's no way I can keep it a secret and I don't really want to. Also it's set in stone because his name is printed on the baby shower invitations and my friend is embroidering his name on a quilt that she's making. So this little guy's name is.....drum roll please...
Jack Edward!
I have always liked the name Jack and wanted to use it if I had a son. I've been thinking about this for a few years now but obviously had no reason to come up with anything definite until now. I went through a ton of boys names but I wasn't in love with any of them. I really like the names Eli, Elijah, Ian, Micah, and others but just wasn't set on any of them. I just love the name Jack and it was also my grandfather's name so it has meaning behind it. I'm not naming him after my grandfather, but it does add some sentiment. To keep that going I decided on Edward because this is Sidney's fathers name and it flows very nicely with Jack. So he's got a little from both sides and will have a pretty strong name. I'm very happy with it and can't wait to meet my little Jack!

In other news, he's moving around a lot and I'm feeling so many little kicks! It's fairly frequent and so exciting!! I still can't see the movements yet but I know that'll happen any time now. If he moves while I'm at work or laying in bed, it isn't very convenient for me to try and watch for it so I need to take some time to just relax and watch the belly. I'm looking forward to others being able to see and feel the movement too.

Being pregnant is so different from what I imagined. I know everyone experiences it differently, but you really can't begin to understand how it feels until you go through it yourself. It's definitely way more uncomfortable than I ever thought it would be. I have to walk slowly up the stairs so I don't get too winded and out of breath. Bending down and even getting up is getting hard. All of this is coming from someone who has run a 10-mile race! But despite the discomforts, it's truly an amazing experience. I've already forgotten about the nausea I felt during the first trimester. Now I'm able to enjoy having a beautiful pregnant belly and feeling my baby move. It's incredible and I feel blessed to be able to experience it.

I also feel like my body has a purpose: keeping Jack alive and healthy. I'm very conscience of everything I do and eat. I can't say I always make the right choices, but I can't help the cravings! Some people hate that they can't wear their normal clothes and nothing fits. I love it! First of all, maternity clothes are super comfortable and can be very cute and secondly, me getting bigger means that Jack is getting bigger. I'm already feeling very protective and don't want anything to happen to him. I love being pregnant and love that I get to be a mom. I'm trying to enjoy every part of it because this may be the only child I'm meant to have. And before I know it, we'll be celebrating his first birthday. YIKES! One step at a time!

22 weeks (126 days to go!)

Another week has come and gone. I can't believe it's almost September! This is going to be a quick update. Courtesy of babycenter.com, here is what's happening with my pregnancy at 22 weeks:

How your baby's growing:
"At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily."

And here's what happening with me, courtesy of babygaga.com:

"And how's mom doing? Take a moment to think about this: your uterus has now stretched to such unholy proportions that it extends beyond your navel! The not-so-exciting part of this remarkable fact is that growth like this tends to leave stretch marks and can itch like nobody’s business. If it makes you feel any better, Don’t get suckered into buying really expensive creams that supposedly make stretch marks ‘magically disappear.'Stretch marks are scars on your skin and won’t disappear with a topical cream . But feel free to apply all the aloe-vera (and other anti-itch lotions) to alleviate the itching."





Thanks for the pictures, dad!

Punches and jabs and kicks, oh my!

I finally felt my first kicks last night!! I felt 2 distinct little jabs while I was laying in bed watching t.v. I only have one way to describe it. It's like the Atari game Pong. You have the bar on the bottom moving left to right and it "catches" the ball and bounces it into the bricks above. Well it's like there is a small rubber ball in my stomach and every so often it hits the wall and I feel it. I don't know if that makes sense or not, but that's how it feels to me! I know it'll get stronger and feel more like kicks as time goes on, but I'm happy with these little jabs until then. It's really amazing! It's also very reassuring to feel him moving around in there.

Lately I've been thinking about him being inside my stomach. I can't wait to meet him and see what he looks like and what his personality will be like. I can't wait to get to know him and spend time with him. But I also want to keep him safe and I feel like he's safe inside mommy's tummy. Part of me wishes I could keep him in there forever. I know other moms must feel this way at one time or another too. The happiest day of my life will be the day I hold him for the first time, but I'm also going to miss him being in my belly. I won't, however, miss the discomforts!!

Look for my weekly update tomorrow and I hope you like my new layout!

21 Weeks

Each week I'm amazed at how quickly Thursday comes and goes. I'm another week closer to meeting my son! Emotionally, mentally, physically, I am completely ready to hold him and take care of him and just be a mom. It's the financial part that has me a bit worried. I know it will be extremely difficuly to go back to work full time after spending 3 months at home with him, but I have to do it and I will. I'm researching daycares and will be going to visit them within the next couple of weeks. They're very expensive. Thank goodness I'm not having twins!! I'm not worried about getting all the things I'll need such as the crib, stroller, etc. I'm more concerned with the fact that I won't be working for 3 months and will still have bills to pay and in October I'm getting a new car so will be adding an additional expense to the mix. Also, health insurance is ridiculous and a huge chunk of change will be taken out of each paycheck for that. There's a lot I hadn't thought about, such as the increase in health insurance costs. Not to mention all the doctors appoitments in the first year. He has to go every week for the first month, then twice a month, then once a month for the rest of his first year. And that's assuming he doesn't get sick! The poor little guy is going to hate going to see the doctor! I know it will be hard, but I'm going to make it work and it'll all be worth it. I still have a little over 4 months but they are going to fly by!

On another note, here is a little bit about what is happening with my baby at 21 weeks according to babygaga.com:
"Your baby is now around three-quarters of a pound and nearly 11 inches long, they have fully formed eyelids and eyebrows at this point, what's more they're getting ready for another growth spurt-- this time to start packing on that cute baby fat. If you've noticed what seem like mild contractions, you're right! But not to worry, they're a far cry from what you're going to experience during labor."


Cartoon is courtesy of babygaga.com

Halfway there

Last Thursday marked the halfway point- 20 weeks. It's gone by a lot faster than I expected it would and I have a feeling the second half will go by even faster. I go to the doctor for a regular check-up tomorrow. The next big appoitment will be at 28 weeks. I'm curious to see how much weight I'm gaining though (don't want to gain too much) and I'll find out tomorrow. I am getting winded more easily as I get further along. I have to take frequent breaks and remind myself to drink water. Right now I'm basically just listening to what my body is telling me and trying not to overdo it.

I figured it'd be fun to give some facts on how the baby is progressing. Courtesy of babycenter.com, here is how the baby is doing at 20 weeks:
"Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)"

I'll try to update at least bi-weekly from now until the end. I also took a 20-week picture wearing the same shirt that I wore in a picture taken around 8 weeks. Quite a difference!

IT'S A BOY!!!

I am 18 weeks pregnant today and went to the doctor this morning. I found out that I am having a boy!! I'm so glad to finally know. These 6 weeks since my last appoitment went by faster than expected. I go back to my regular doctor tomorrow morning and hopefully I'll make my next ultrasound appoitment. I like having something to look forward to! It was really great to see the baby kicking and see all the body parts. She measured everything and said it all looks normal. He's 7 ounces and his heartrate was 158. I can't wait to meet and hold my little man!

Overall, I'm feeling really good and I'm just trying to get everything organized and cleaned. Next month I'll start thinking about my baby shower. Only 5 more months until I get to meet this little guy!

4 Months!

It's hard to believe I've been pregnant for 4 months now and have started my 5th month. This month has definitely been better than the last few. I'm still tired and not sleeping completely well, but I'm not constantly exhausted. I've been doing a lot around the house to prepare for the arrival of a new baby. I know I still have 5 months but it's going to go by fast. I also want to do as much as possible now while I actually have the energy and desire to do it. I don't think I'll be wanting to do as much come October. Besides, once I have my shower I'll have plenty to do with all the goodies I'll have! My mom is coming to visit next weekend and is bringing a few bags of stuff with her. I'll get everything she brings washed and put away in August. I've done so much already but there's still so much left to do! It's a little crazy which is why I've been doing what I can now.

I started feeling the baby move recently. It's amazing! Right now it's just flutters but I've learned to distinguish it from other feelings and it's wonderful to know my baby is in there moving around. I've been told that this is the month I will start to feel some actual kicking. That's so exciting and I can't wait!! I also find out the sex next week. So many exciting and wonderful things are happening and it's definitely becoming more and more real to me that in 5 short months I'm going to be a mommy!

Picture

I just wanted to post a quick pic. This was taken on the 4th of July when I was 15 weeks and 2 days. I'll be 4 months tomorrow (can't believe it!) and I'm going to try to get lots more pics as I get further along and bigger!

15 weeks!

It's hard to believe how fast the weeks are going by. I'm 15 weeks along today and we're in the month of July!! I'm looking forward to a 3-day weekend so I can get some stuff done and hopefully relax a little. I'm going to a cookout on the 4th at a friends house. They throw a party every year and it's a good time with good food so count me in! My dad is going up to NY for the family get together they have every year. I would love to go seeing as how I won't be making it up for Christmas this year, but I don't have any extra time off and driving up on Friday by myself and coming home on Sunday is way too exhausting! I'm also working next weekend so I definitely need to take advantage of the 3 days I'll have off.

It also works out that I'm staying at home because today when I was leaving for work, my car wouldn't start. Yesterday I noticed it sounded different when I started it and it was definitely weaker, but it ran fine. Well it wouldn't even start up this morning. I'm just glad the car is sitting at home instead of me being stranded somewhere. And I'm also glad that my dad had an appoitment at 10 and so he offered to drive me to work. I was only 10 minutes late and my dad should have arrived early for his appoitment. He's also picking me up; I'm waiting for him now! I'm not going to pay to have this car fixed; it just isn't worth it. I haven't decided if I should take the bus for a few weeks while working on getting rid of my car or if I should go and try to get a new one. I would end up having 2 cars that I'm paying insurance on though. I just made my final payment so I need to wait for the title before I can hand the car over and cancel the insurance. I really don't want to make 2 insurance payments but I also don't really want to take the bus, especially working 2 jobs. I don't know what I'll end up doing but at least I have a ride home tonight and a ride to the party on Saturday!!

On the pregnancy side, I'm feeling pretty good but I have been getting frequent headaches. Not too pretty but I'm dealing with them ok. I still don't feel like I'm getting enough sleep or at least rest, but I'm getting by. I'm starting to enjoy food a little bit more so that's a plus! I should start to feel the baby kick in the next couple of weeks. That'll be very exciting and I can't wait!

Happy 4th of July!!

2nd Trimester

I am 14 weeks today! I considered 13 weeks to be the start of my second trimester but depending on the source or who you ask, the second trimester starts at 12, 13, or 14 weeks. So now that I am 14 weeks I am officially in my second trimester! It's very exciting and hard to believe it went by that fast. I definitely feel a lot better but I'm still tired all the time and my back hurts more. I'm also going to the bathroom a lot more now. I'm not nauseous all the time like I was but I'm not able to get excited about food. I eat because I'm hungry and I know I need to, but nothing really tastes good or is very appealing. It stinks because I love food! I'm also not able to eat sweets too much. This may be the reason I haven't gained more weight. I expected to gain more since I'm no longer running but I've only gained maybe 10 pounds at the most. That's good for the 1st trimester. I'll post belly pics soon; there's a definite baby bump now! :)

My Christmas Miracle!

I am 12 weeks and 5 days pregnant! I had this ultrasound done last Thursday, June 11, and everything is looking good and progessing normally. I'm due on December 24 but very few babies are actually born on their due dates. I'm hoping to be home by Christmas but as long as I have a happy healthy baby, I'll be glad to spend Christmas in the hospital! I go back for my next appoitment on July 23 and that's when I'll find out the sex. I'm really excited to know what I'm having! I'm also feeling much better than I was and I'm grateful for that. I've gained weight but it just looks like I've been eating too much fast food and cake. I'll be glad when I actually look pregnant! I'm planning on going shopping soon for some new clothes though because all my pants are getting too tight! Hopefully I can find a few key items that'll work for multiple things. I really hate spending money on clothes I'll only be wearing for a few months. I guess it's all part of the experience! I'll do my best to update how we're doing and I'll definitely post when I find out whether or not it's a boy or a girl!