I hope your Easter was enjoyable, fun, and even relaxing!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
38 Week Belly Bump
I am truly savoring my last few days as a pregnant woman; where this baby is all mine and my belly is beautifully round. Pregnancy is probably the best and most favorite time for me. It is the only time I am fully confident and comfortable in my own skin. To grow and birth another human being is just such an amazing thing.
How far along - 38 weeks according to the early ultrasounds. 39 weeks according to my cycle dates. It really could be ANY day now.
Weight gain - 18 lbs! This is now my highest gaining pregnancy! Most likely due to the fact that this is also my longest pregnancy... I predicted a 15-20lb gain so I'm right on!
Morning sickness/nausea - Will I jinx myself if I say this is the first pregnancy where I have not had ANY pregnancy induced nausea? I haven't thrown up once and am so grateful for that!
Movement - Sometimes it feels like a little alien in there trying to bust out! Activity level is great which is what a want after our scare the other night.
Contractions - Some days I get several in an hour's time and others, I barely notice any. Since we're at the "any day now" point, every contraction that comes I wonder to myself "Is this it?"
Pain - I still have pain in my pelvis and yesterday (Tuesday) I had pains in the lower half of my stomach. It was like a sharp throbbing pain that made it hard to do anything.
Sleep - I sleep just fine, it's the getting comfortable part that's difficult! Rolling over and getting out of bed are such a chore now!
Stretchmarks - Praise the Lord, I've made it through three pregnancies without any! *I should note that I did get a few during my first pregnancy on my boobs. They're mostly faded and I haven't gotten any more since then.*
Maternity clothes - Obviously this is a yes. I wear Gabe's shirts too because they are longer and fit over my tummy better than my own t-shirts.
Food cravings/aversions - No and no. I'll get cravings but they're never to the point where I *have* to have it.
Eating/drinking - No problems here.
Boy or Girl - We still don't know but we'll find out soon! (I still think it's a girl.)
Lowlights of the week - The scare we had on Sunday was no fun. Thankfully, everything is OK and the baby's movement is back to normal now.
Highlights of the week - We set up the birth pool to see its size and how it fits in the bedroom. It's very padded, quite tall for my short legs to step over the sides, and comfortable!
Anything to add - Just knowing that this may be my last Belly Bump update is very bittersweet. I'm trying to savoring these last few days and soak it all up. The impending labor is getting to my mind. It's almost all I think about and I have so many questions and wonder how it will all play out. I daydream about it and run tons of scenarios through my head all the time.
How far along - 38 weeks according to the early ultrasounds. 39 weeks according to my cycle dates. It really could be ANY day now.
Weight gain - 18 lbs! This is now my highest gaining pregnancy! Most likely due to the fact that this is also my longest pregnancy... I predicted a 15-20lb gain so I'm right on!
Morning sickness/nausea - Will I jinx myself if I say this is the first pregnancy where I have not had ANY pregnancy induced nausea? I haven't thrown up once and am so grateful for that!
Movement - Sometimes it feels like a little alien in there trying to bust out! Activity level is great which is what a want after our scare the other night.
Contractions - Some days I get several in an hour's time and others, I barely notice any. Since we're at the "any day now" point, every contraction that comes I wonder to myself "Is this it?"
Pain - I still have pain in my pelvis and yesterday (Tuesday) I had pains in the lower half of my stomach. It was like a sharp throbbing pain that made it hard to do anything.
Sleep - I sleep just fine, it's the getting comfortable part that's difficult! Rolling over and getting out of bed are such a chore now!
Stretchmarks - Praise the Lord, I've made it through three pregnancies without any! *I should note that I did get a few during my first pregnancy on my boobs. They're mostly faded and I haven't gotten any more since then.*
Maternity clothes - Obviously this is a yes. I wear Gabe's shirts too because they are longer and fit over my tummy better than my own t-shirts.
Food cravings/aversions - No and no. I'll get cravings but they're never to the point where I *have* to have it.
Eating/drinking - No problems here.
Boy or Girl - We still don't know but we'll find out soon! (I still think it's a girl.)
Lowlights of the week - The scare we had on Sunday was no fun. Thankfully, everything is OK and the baby's movement is back to normal now.
Highlights of the week - We set up the birth pool to see its size and how it fits in the bedroom. It's very padded, quite tall for my short legs to step over the sides, and comfortable!
Anything to add - Just knowing that this may be my last Belly Bump update is very bittersweet. I'm trying to savoring these last few days and soak it all up. The impending labor is getting to my mind. It's almost all I think about and I have so many questions and wonder how it will all play out. I daydream about it and run tons of scenarios through my head all the time.
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| 37 weeks |
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| 37 |
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| 38 weeks |
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| 38 weeks |
Monday, March 25, 2013
A Small Scare
I've been saying it in my weekly Belly Bump updates that this has been the most active baby. Well, I had full out belly rolls up until this past Sunday. (Sunday
also happened to be the first day I've been pregnant the longest (38wk
4days by my cycle dates))
I wasn't feeling the large movements at all and it felt more like a little push here or there. By 8pm, Gabe and I were worried because evenings have always been the most active time for the baby. We're talking 2-3 HOURS of almost continuous movements. And Sunday, there were NONE.
I tried to see if sugar, pushing my tummy, and such would work to wake him/her up and get some movements going. I ate a large amount of ice cream topped with lots of chocolate syrup... nothing. I drank a glass of Odwalla brand 100% juice... still nothing. Gabe and I tried pushing and poking the baby... and still nothing. That's when we really got concerned because the baby has always responded to Gabe's hands. I even got out a hand held back massager that vibrates and stuck it right where the baby's back and butt were but got nothing. I felt a little push here or there as if the baby had just moved slightly but nothing like previous days' movements have been like.
I tried calling my midwife at home... no answer. I tried the birth center... no answer. I tried her cell phone... no answer! Then I tried her backup midwife at her home AND cell... no answer! What is going on and why is no one available?!
I really did not want to have to go to the hospital so I tried the numbers to the midwives again. I finally got a hold of the back up midwife at 10:15 pm and she asked if I would like to come over and she could check me out. Of course I would!
I drove over and she asked a few questions, felt my stomach, and listened to the heart beat. Everything was OK! She could feel the baby move while feeling and the heart rate was in the 140s. WHEW! She asked if this was my first baby. LOL um, no. I told her today was actually the longest of my 3 pregnancies and she explained that near labor, the baby's head is engaged in my pelvis and the baby has little room to move (especially with my small body frame) making it difficult for the baby to have large movements. She assured me everything was OK and I felt so much better.
And go figure, as soon as I drove home, the baby decided to wake up and move and get the hiccups... making me feel a little silly for nearly panicking. I also couldn't help but think "How did I not know that?!". Oh well, the baby is doing great and I'm so thankful for that!
And another thing.... the baby's head is engaged and it's movements have become restricted.... Could labor be close?! I think so!
I wasn't feeling the large movements at all and it felt more like a little push here or there. By 8pm, Gabe and I were worried because evenings have always been the most active time for the baby. We're talking 2-3 HOURS of almost continuous movements. And Sunday, there were NONE.
I tried to see if sugar, pushing my tummy, and such would work to wake him/her up and get some movements going. I ate a large amount of ice cream topped with lots of chocolate syrup... nothing. I drank a glass of Odwalla brand 100% juice... still nothing. Gabe and I tried pushing and poking the baby... and still nothing. That's when we really got concerned because the baby has always responded to Gabe's hands. I even got out a hand held back massager that vibrates and stuck it right where the baby's back and butt were but got nothing. I felt a little push here or there as if the baby had just moved slightly but nothing like previous days' movements have been like.
I tried calling my midwife at home... no answer. I tried the birth center... no answer. I tried her cell phone... no answer! Then I tried her backup midwife at her home AND cell... no answer! What is going on and why is no one available?!
I really did not want to have to go to the hospital so I tried the numbers to the midwives again. I finally got a hold of the back up midwife at 10:15 pm and she asked if I would like to come over and she could check me out. Of course I would!
I drove over and she asked a few questions, felt my stomach, and listened to the heart beat. Everything was OK! She could feel the baby move while feeling and the heart rate was in the 140s. WHEW! She asked if this was my first baby. LOL um, no. I told her today was actually the longest of my 3 pregnancies and she explained that near labor, the baby's head is engaged in my pelvis and the baby has little room to move (especially with my small body frame) making it difficult for the baby to have large movements. She assured me everything was OK and I felt so much better.
And go figure, as soon as I drove home, the baby decided to wake up and move and get the hiccups... making me feel a little silly for nearly panicking. I also couldn't help but think "How did I not know that?!". Oh well, the baby is doing great and I'm so thankful for that!
And another thing.... the baby's head is engaged and it's movements have become restricted.... Could labor be close?! I think so!
Monday, March 18, 2013
My To-Do List
As prepared as I think we are, we really are not. Who am I kidding; is anyone ever really ready when the baby comes?
- Wash baby clothes - I did get boy and girl newborn clothes out today and picked some out of each to have washed and ready.
- Rearrange bedroom furniture - This needs to be done in order to make enough room for the birth pool to be in the bedroom with room to walk around it.
- Make laundry detergent - I've decided since we're using cloth diapers, making my own detergent would be better for sensitive baby skin, not to mention cheaper.
- Clean the house and get it baby ready - Let's face it... This may not happen.
- Do a month's worth of grocery shopping - I'm hoping to avoid having to send Gabe out to grab a few things because we all know what happens when husbands do the grocery shopping...
- Plan easy meals - I want meals that take minimal effort and are easy.
- Install car seat - I'd like to avoid spending 30 minutes trying to install it when we're supposed to be going somewhere.
- Make sure everything (cameras, phones, spare batteries) are charged and there are chargers easily accessible if needed.
- Have list of "Who to Call" when labor starts - or better yet, have a phone tree so we only need to make one phone call/text.
- Get a backup to pick up Alena in case I'm at home in labor
- And last but not least - RELAX! Remember that I CAN and WILL do it!
Thursday, March 14, 2013
36 Week Belly Bump
Say what?! How can I be this close to the end? This pregnancy has flown by and I have so many mixed feelings about it ending soon. On one hand, I love the thought of holding our sweet little baby. But on the other hand, I know I'm going to miss being pregnant. It seems like everyone I talk to asks the same question. "Are you ready to have that baby?" My response is always "Yes and no."
How far along - 36 weeks according to the early ultrasounds. 37 weeks according to my cycle dates. Technically speaking, in the medical world, I'm considered full term! To me, I believe full term is actually 38+ weeks and hope the baby stays in until at least then.
Weight gain - 16 lbs! Supposedly babies gain half a pound a week during the last month, so that should put me at an 18-20lb weight gain. I predicted a 15-20lb gain so I'm right on!
Morning sickness/nausea - Will I jinx myself if I say this is the first pregnancy where I have not had ANY pregnancy induced nausea? I haven't thrown up once and am so grateful for that!
Movement - So strong! The baby is still moving great and has a very active period of almost constant movement in the evening. We're talking FULL belly rolls and random body parts distorting the look of my stomach. (see photo below.) You can see the top of my belly is lopsided. That's a baby butt sticking out. :)
Contractions - If I'm active, I will have contractions. Something that puzzles me is that almost every time I go from sitting to standing, I get one. They are coming more frequently (still not time-able though) and some I actually have to stop what I'm doing to get through it.
Pain - I'm not exactly sure what this is but I have pain or rather an uncomfortable feeling inside my pelvic area that I can only think of as maybe my cervix changing. There will be no vaginal exams before labor so I won't know if that's it or not.
My pelvic and back pain (Oh the back pain!) is here to stay apparently.
Sleep - I've had to go back to using the pregnancy pillow because I would wake up with back and hip pain as a result of the position I would sleep in (I always seemed to end up on my back). With the pillow, it's helped relieve some of the pain and keeps me sleeping on my side.
I can usually manage to make it the whole night without going to the bathroom. That could also be because I'm too lazy to even attempt to get up as it takes so much effort just to get out of bed!
Stretchmarks - Praise the Lord, I've made it through three pregnancies without any! *I should note that I did get a few during my first pregnancy on my boobs. They're mostly faded and I haven't gotten any more since then.*
Maternity clothes - Obviously this is a yes. I wear Gabe's shirts too because they are longer and fit over my tummy better than my own t-shirts.
Food cravings/aversions - No and no. I'll get cravings but they're never to the point where I *have* to have it.
Eating/drinking - No problems here.
Boy or Girl - I am constantly calling this baby "she and her". Don't know if that's some sort of sign or what. I've had everyone (we're talking people I know and random strangers) tell me I look like I'm having a girl. Or it looks like a boy belly.
Lowlights of the week - The baby's movements are so strong (which is good!) but they hurt! It's in my ribs, bladder, lungs, all over. I think the baby is trying to bust out of my tummy!
Also the contractions. I don't mind them but this week Gabe has been out of town so it makes me nervous.
Highlights of the week - We had our home visit with the midwife last week and all was good. Unfortunately, the way our bedroom is setup, the birth pool won't fit so we have to rearrange the furniture. The car seat arrived in time and we'll be putting it in around week 39, or after the baby is here... we're obviously not in a rush. :)
Anything to add - Alena is getting more and more into the baby. She'll feel my tummy when the baby is active and squeal with delight!
I still need to get out clothes and the cloth diapers and get them washed and ready.
Pregnant waddle is out in full force!
How far along - 36 weeks according to the early ultrasounds. 37 weeks according to my cycle dates. Technically speaking, in the medical world, I'm considered full term! To me, I believe full term is actually 38+ weeks and hope the baby stays in until at least then.
Weight gain - 16 lbs! Supposedly babies gain half a pound a week during the last month, so that should put me at an 18-20lb weight gain. I predicted a 15-20lb gain so I'm right on!
Morning sickness/nausea - Will I jinx myself if I say this is the first pregnancy where I have not had ANY pregnancy induced nausea? I haven't thrown up once and am so grateful for that!
Movement - So strong! The baby is still moving great and has a very active period of almost constant movement in the evening. We're talking FULL belly rolls and random body parts distorting the look of my stomach. (see photo below.) You can see the top of my belly is lopsided. That's a baby butt sticking out. :)
Contractions - If I'm active, I will have contractions. Something that puzzles me is that almost every time I go from sitting to standing, I get one. They are coming more frequently (still not time-able though) and some I actually have to stop what I'm doing to get through it.
My pelvic and back pain (Oh the back pain!) is here to stay apparently.
Sleep - I've had to go back to using the pregnancy pillow because I would wake up with back and hip pain as a result of the position I would sleep in (I always seemed to end up on my back). With the pillow, it's helped relieve some of the pain and keeps me sleeping on my side.
I can usually manage to make it the whole night without going to the bathroom. That could also be because I'm too lazy to even attempt to get up as it takes so much effort just to get out of bed!
Stretchmarks - Praise the Lord, I've made it through three pregnancies without any! *I should note that I did get a few during my first pregnancy on my boobs. They're mostly faded and I haven't gotten any more since then.*
Maternity clothes - Obviously this is a yes. I wear Gabe's shirts too because they are longer and fit over my tummy better than my own t-shirts.
Food cravings/aversions - No and no. I'll get cravings but they're never to the point where I *have* to have it.
Eating/drinking - No problems here.
Boy or Girl - I am constantly calling this baby "she and her". Don't know if that's some sort of sign or what. I've had everyone (we're talking people I know and random strangers) tell me I look like I'm having a girl. Or it looks like a boy belly.
Lowlights of the week - The baby's movements are so strong (which is good!) but they hurt! It's in my ribs, bladder, lungs, all over. I think the baby is trying to bust out of my tummy!
Also the contractions. I don't mind them but this week Gabe has been out of town so it makes me nervous.
Highlights of the week - We had our home visit with the midwife last week and all was good. Unfortunately, the way our bedroom is setup, the birth pool won't fit so we have to rearrange the furniture. The car seat arrived in time and we'll be putting it in around week 39, or after the baby is here... we're obviously not in a rush. :)
Anything to add - Alena is getting more and more into the baby. She'll feel my tummy when the baby is active and squeal with delight!
I still need to get out clothes and the cloth diapers and get them washed and ready.
Pregnant waddle is out in full force!
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| 35 Weeks |
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| 35 |
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| 36 Weeks |
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| Take a look at all those veins! So much extra blood going through me. |
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| Notice the dark line down the middle of my tummy that many pregnant women get. |
Friday, March 8, 2013
Rodeo
Last weekend the rodeo was in town! It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining and it was really warm. We stayed for just over two hours and actually left before it was over because I didn't want to keep sitting on the hard bleachers in the direct sun and the kids were getting bored. I was hoping to see more bull riding. We got just a few minutes in the beginning, then it was all horse riding and calf roping. We still had a good time though.
Christian started getting cuddly and tried giving Alena kisses. lol She wasn't having it.
Christian started getting cuddly and tried giving Alena kisses. lol She wasn't having it.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
34 Week Belly Bump
How far along - 34 weeks Keep in mind that this is according to the early ultrasound date. If I go by my cycle dates (which is what the midwife goes by), I'm actually 35 weeks. Either week is fine since we will not be inducing and the baby will come when it comes.
Weight gain - 15 lbs! With just 6 (give or take) weeks left, the baby (and I) are putting on the pounds! I think the midwife will be happier when I see her next week because this is the biggest weight gain so far (3 lbs in two weeks). I predicted a 15-20lb gain so I'm right on!
Morning sickness/nausea - So far, so good. :)
Movement - ALL THE TIME! I think this baby loves being touched because if there is a hand (from Gabe, the kids, or myself) on or rubbing my belly, the baby will "come to the surface" and move around as if trying to get us to rub him/her all over. It's cute but Gabe likes to choose when we go to bed to do this and the baby will be moving like crazy as I'm trying to go to sleep.
Contractions - They are becoming more frequent and getting stronger (I've actually stopped what I was doing and thought "Ouch!"). It varies quite a bit and hasn't ever been regular enough to worry about or think about timing them though.
My pelvic pain is here to stay apparently (or at least until the baby is here).
The baby's movement is getting more painful the more crammed it gets in there. I can really feel my skin around my belly button stretching but that's OK because the baby is growing and healthy.
Sleep - I have more trouble getting comfortable but once I am, I pass out and am in a dead sleep for most of the night. Unfortunately, because of that, I wake up usually in an uncomfortable position that is causing me pain and really have to pee. I have a hard time rolling over (understandably so) and it causes pain in my pelvis. Poor Gabe, because I use him to shove myself up in bed so I can get up. He doesn't mind too much though. Right, hon?
Stretchmarks - Still none. Thank you God!
Maternity clothes - Obviously this is a yes. I wear Gabe's shirts too because they are longer and fit over my tummy better than my own t-shirts.
Food cravings/aversions - I get cravings but rarely act on it because that would involve going out to eat and we just cannot spend all that money. Not really any specific aversions.
Eating/drinking - I have been LOVING Oreos lately! And I'm always thirsty so I try to drink lots of water which means I'm always running to the bathroom.
Boy or Girl - I am constantly calling this baby "she and her". Don't know if that's some sort of sign or what.
Lowlights of the week - The baby's movements are so strong (which is good!) but they hurt! It's in my ribs, bladder, lungs, all over. I think the baby is trying to bust out of my tummy!
Highlights of the week - Gabe had some mix ups at work and is now not leaving for business trips in my last month of pregnancy! Slight downside though... we were counting on the four days of leave he would have earned and then taken off when the baby comes. We finally ordered the car seat! Shipping said two to four weeks so this baby definitely needs to stay in until that gets here!
Anything to add - I need to get out clothes and the cloth diapers and get them washed and ready. I can not for the life of me, walk like a normal person! Pregnant waddle is out in full force!
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| 33 weeks |
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| 33 weeks |
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| 34 weeks |
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| 34 weeks |
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