Baby A’s Week 25 Update

Baby Growth: This week Baby A is measuring around thirteen and a half inches and weighs around a pound and a half! I don't like this week's food comparison: rutabaga, ugghhh- gross and ugly, what in the world is that anyway???

He is starting to gain some fat and his wrinkled skin is beginning to smooth out. If we could see Baby A this week we would know his hair color; so exciting!!! I was born with a head full of hair and Brian was bald, so I can't wait to see what he will look like!

My Symptoms: I am having some serious gas! Like sometimes I can't control it...SO embarrassing!

The lower back pain is getting more intense at night and when I've been on my feet a lot. This week it woke me up two mornings hurting, so I took 2 Tylenol and went back to sleep. When I've called the doctor previously the first thing they say to do is take Tylenol and get off your feet...for pretty much everything! It's been working so far, and I think that it's because my belly is growing out so much my back muscles haven't been used to supporting more weight. Guess I should've been hitting the weights this whole time huh?!?

Weight: Gained another pound this week! The at home total is now 12 pounds. I've been smearing on Mother's Friend lotion religiously the past few weeks in hopes to not get stretch marks. I've heard it is hereditary, and I'm not sure if mom had any or not. Regardless, I've invested in several bottles of that lotion and will be putting it on just in case!

Maternity Clothes: My good friend Sarah gave me a bag full of clothes when I first found out I was pregnant and I was able to pull those out and start wearing them! She had some really cute stuff and I'm excited to have some variety in my new wardrobe. The most comfortable thing for me to wear are my maternity leggings. I'm not 100% sure if can wear them to work, but I have been rockin' them every Sunday to church!

Movement: This week I actually felt and saw him move slightly above my belly button. It felt like he was rolling over and scraped me with his arm or foot. It felt very different from his normal movements. I also think he has had the hiccups several times this week!

Sleep: This has not been very good this week. I can still only sleep on my left side and I get up two or three times in the night to pee. Just being up for a few minutes will help get the blood circulating on my left side so I can lay back down.  It feels so good to lay on my back, but I know that I’m not supposed to, so I never purposely do it.

 Cravings: Chocolate cake doughnuts from Dunkin Donuts, cheese pizza, and Coke. I had another cheeseburger this week and it wasn’t that good so I think I’m over it…thank goodness, I know my arteries will thank me later!

Best Pregnancy Moment This Week: I still LOVE feeling him move around and the further we get the more active he is. I talk to Maggie all the time about her “baby brother” because she is constantly smelling my belly, follows me everywhere I go, and sleeps in the floor beside me.  I hope she will adjust well to him.  I’ve always heard that Boxers are good with kids, and she is SO sweet I know she would never hurt him.  However, Brian plays rough with her and is always running through the house making her go wild!

Another great moment this week was when I was pulled out of church because my sister in law was labor!!! I flew home, freaking out the whole way…calling Brian and mom and texting Clay.  She was having contractions three minutes apart and she thought her water had broken.  We made it half way and Clay told us to wait because they were going to check her again in two hours. We ate at KFC and then came back home. The ended up sending her home; she followed up the next day and found out her water had not broken but she was four and a half centimeters and 70% thinned out! Hopefully we will have a baby in the next week!

I FINALLY found the fabric for Baby A’s nursery…

We are accenting with solid red minky dot and red fabric. I ADORE these fabrics and can’t wait to see what Miss Terry Jo comes up with for our sweet boy!

 

Questions/Concerns: I think I’m anemic. I have zero energy and it is really starting to bother me. I want to workout or at least walk for thirty minutes a few days a week, but by the time I get home from work I’m exhausted. I know there is a blood test they can do to check me so I’m going to talk to the doctor about it when I go back. I need some energy to get everything done and get myself back into better shape!

Goals: Drink less Coke. Finish the upstairs guest bedroom and organize the linen closet upstairs. Choose a name!!!

Baby A's Week 24 Update

Baby Growth: Our little man is growing fast, and so is his Mommy! I look like I swallowed a basketball! This week he is the size of an ear of corn. He is weighing in at just over a pound and is about a foot long.  His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop.

My Symptoms: I'm feeling really good! Several times throughout the day I will have light cramps and at night my lower back hurts.  Still waiting for some extra energy to get here because there is SO much to do right now!

Weight: According to my scale at home I've gained a pound this week.  Everyone keeps telling me how "small I am," and how "there's no way you are 6 months pregnant;" it's really annoying and kind of hurts my feelings. I'm eating pretty much whatever I want (within reason) and I stop eating when I feel full, like I've done for the past fours year of my life. I don't know if people just assumed I would be gi-normous or what?!?!

Maternity Clothes: My new best friends are my maternity pants! They are super comfortable and I feel like when I wear them it helps my stomach to look "more pregnant."  I bought a pair of khaki maternity pants this weekend and love them.  That should be all the pants I need for the remainder of the pregnancy. A lot of my shirts I can still wear, but I def have to wear a tank underneath.

Movement: Brian finally got to feel Baby A move! It was precious; I told him to just leave his hand on my belly and sure enought Baby A started kicking! We were both so excited and Brian started talking to him in this funny high pitch voice. Feeling him move has been my favorite part of being pregnant.  It's just the coolest thing ever and I'm in awe everytime I feel him kicking/punching.  This week I feel like he is turning flips in there because they are a lot stronger than usual. It's weird but sometimes I get so busy in my day that I forget I'm pregnant, and then I feel him move and it's such a sweet reminder that I have a baby boy growing inside me!

While I was doing my Bible study this morning before work I came across this verse and I teared up (which is pretty much the norm now...I cry about everything!) just thinking about how God specifically created Baby A for Him and that He chose me and Brian to be his parents...pretty amazing!

"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him."

Colossians 1:16

Sleep:Still sleeping pretty good, around 7.5-8 hours a night. It's really hard to get comfortable though and I usually am up twice to use the bathroom.

Cravings: Really the only thing I've craved this week is pasta with cream sauce. Nothing tastes great to me, which makes me sad because I normally don't eat the things I've been craving!

Best Pregnancy Moment This Week: Brian was on vacation this week so I took off on Tuesday and we went and registered at Babies R Us.  Because I like to be prepared (Brian says I'm a nerd) I asked a couple of my friends what they cannot live without for their babies. I printed, higlighted, and categorized the lists...ok maybe I am a nerd, but it was extremely helpful and the lady at Babies R Us was super impressed! We started at 11:15 and walked out of the store at 2:40; I was exhausted mentally and physically.  It was a lot of fun and a great memory for me and Brian, I'm so glad he was able to go; and he was VERY involved. 

There were two different options for the swing we wanted: lamb or bunny.  I wanted to get the lamb because it looked so soft and cute, but Brian was ALL ABOUT the bunny. He said "lambs are sissy!" My initial thought was "and bunny rabbits are SO masculine?!?!" I also wanted to say "Jesus was the 'Lamb of God,' but decided not to get all spiritual.  He always lets me choose everything for the house/baby so I decided to let him pick this time. Besides, the bunny is adorable too!

 

Questions/Concerns: I feel like I'm drinking too much Coke, it's the only thing that tastes good to me. I probably drink about 2 cups a day! I know that is too much so I'm going to chill out next week and add more water.

 

Goals: Choose bedding for nursery. Fill out paperwork for maternity leave at work. Eat at home more for dinner. WALK.

 

*Blogger is not allowing me to upload pictures for some reason, so check back later!

Baby A's Week 20-23 Update

I know 23 doesn't come after 19, but the past four weeks have been VERY busy around here! We finished and moved into our new house (post and pics to come), survived the stomach virus, and celebrated Christmas and New Years...WHEW! I didn't have time to blog at work and we were without Internet access at my moms and our new house for several weeks, so I'm going to pick up with week 23 and try my best to not miss anymore weekly updates!

Baby Growth: This week Baby A is measuring 11 inches and weighs just over a pound, similar to the size of a large mango! Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and he can hear the sound of my voice and other loud noises (i.e. Maggie and the vacuum cleaner).  I've been trying to be more mindful of things I talk about and say; mainly because the Lord has been convicting me about being more positive and having a "gentle and quiet spirit." I also want to make sure that our sweet baby is hearing his mommy and daddy's voices with love and kindness!

 

 

 

 

 

My Symptoms: The Sunday before Christmas I woke up with my stomach feeling unsettled. At first I thought it was because I had put on a clinic the night before at Outback, and then it hit me! I started vomiting around 8:30 a.m. and finally stopped around 9:15 p.m. Not to mention the continuous diarrhea that was going on as well. It was the sickest I have ever been, and pray I never feel that bad again. I must say, Brian took it like a champ! He did a great job making sure I was ok and had what I needed (cold rag, ice chips, and Tylenol).  It made me feel more confident about how he will be in the delivery room. 

 

Other than the stomach virus, the only other real pregnancy symptoms I've had are tiredness, low back pain, and what I think is round ligament pain/stretching. The gag reflex has subsided, hopefully for a long time!

 

Weight: At our 23 week appointment I had gained two pounds for a total of 10 pounds; I ended up losing four and a half pounds with the virus and couldn't eat anything at any of the Christmas gatherings. I'm sure it would have been way worse if I'd been my normal self.   Dr. Little assured me it was completely fine and that the baby would get whatever he needed from me as long as I was drinking plenty of fluids. I may be malnourished, but according to him, the baby pulls nutrients from my bones, blood, etc. to make sure he is healthy so it was ok that I wasn't eating or taking my vitamins.

 

My belly has for sure grown the past couple of weeks and I feel like I finally look pregnant! When I eat I can only eat small amounts because I get full so much faster. If I try to eat more I feel terrible immediately. My boobs are also growing...whoo-hoo! And my veins are very visible.  

 

 

 

Maternity Clothes: I wore my two pair of maternity jeans pretty much the entire Christmas break, and now that school has started back I'm into my black cords and khaki dress pants.  I would like to get one more pair of pants to get me through. As soon as I get home I change into sweat pants. Brian bought me my favorite brand for Christmas, Starter men's from Walmart- ghetto I know, but they are AMAZING! I wish there was a way to make them look a little dressy so I could wear them to work! I'm wearing most of my shirts still; they really make my belly noticeable and I love having people comment about me being pregnant. People sure do treat you differently when you are expecting!

 

Movement: We may have a wild child on our hands! He is moving all the time and I LOVE it! I've been trying so hard to get Brian to feel but everytime he puts his hand on my belly the baby stops...I think he's already being mischievous and playing tricks on his daddy! At our doctor's appointment, Dr. Little put the instrument on my stomach to hear the heartbeat and he immediately punched/kicked him. We all cracked up, it was like he was saying get that off of me! BTW he found the heartbeat immediately and said it sounded "perfect," what a blessing!

 

Sleep: The only complaint I have is that it's so hard/uncomfortable to roll over in bed.  I'm loving my body pillow and have had to add another pillow under my head because I start coughing at night.  I'm getting up at least once every night to pee, so I usually turn over then.  I feel way more comfortable laying on my left side, and wake up a lot on my back.

 

Cravings: Reese Cups, Coke, Sweet Tea, cheese pizza, grape kool aid, oranges, and date nut balls. I've been craving spinach dip and sausage balls too, but haven't had a chance to make any (or talk my mom into bringing me some)! I cannot stand the smell or taste of bacon or steaks right now. All the foods at Christmas looked awful to me; it was really sad because this girl loves some dressing, ham, and holiday desserts. Oh well, I guess I'm better off not having indulged!

 

Best Pregnancy Moment This Week: Brian and I bought Baby A's first lovie this week! It is SO adorable I know he is going to love it! It's also the inspiration for his nursery. The brand is Maison Chic and they sell the products in a local boutique.

 

They also have a head rest that I want for him, but were sold out after Christmas.

 

 

Brian works with some of the nicest most thoughtful people, and one of the sweet ladies gave us two gifts for Christmas. One gift was in a bag that said "To: Little Pat," her name is Pat and Brian told her that we were going to name the baby Little Pat! Brian wanted me to open it since he knows how much I LOVE Christmas and presents, and it was Baby A's first toy and outfit...I burst into tears when I opened it! There were three onesies: light blue, navy, and gray stripes and puppies with two pairs of matching pants- adorable! It was so thoughtful and really hit me that it won't be long before our son is wearing these clothes; so exciting! Thank you Miss Pat!

 

 

Questions/Concerns: My next appointment (3 weeks) is the test for gestational diabetes.  My sis-n-law failed hers the first time and had to do the three hour test! She said it was awful and I am really praying that I will pass the first one with flying colors. 

 

Even before we started trying to get pregnant I was certain that I wanted to do whatever I had to in order to deliver my babies naturally, without an epidural.  Huge needles freak me out and so does the thought of not being able to feel my lower half. I want to be able to walk around during and afterwards and I do NOT want a catheter (although Dr. Little assured me you do not have to have one with an epidural). My mom delivered both me and Clay with only two Tylenol and that has been inspiring for me to do so as well.  However, I am having anxiety about both ways.  I talked it over with Dr. Little and it alleviated some fears, but I'm still torn as to what I want to do.  One of my best friends had an epidural and it only worked on half her body, so she felt basically everything! I've heard that from multiple people, so to me it doesn't make a lot of sense to do it. But then others say all you feel is a little bit of pressure and it's over. I know everyone is different so I'm going to continue praying about it and researching. I really want to talk to my primary OBGYN too, as he has known me since I was 19 and would shoot me straight. 

 

Goals: Since I was so sick it's been hard to get down veggies, fruits, and water so I really want to up my intake of all three.  I need to start exercising, walking at least! Register at Babies R Us and Target. Pick out fabric and paint for the nursery. Read "Baby Wise" and "Happiest Baby on the Block."