35 Weeks... 35 days till D Day

• How far along? 35 weeks.

• Total weight gain: +13 lbs

• Maternity clothes? Pretty much everything.  Even my non-maternity undershirt/tank tops are getting too small!

• Stretch marks? The teeny one on my belly button.  And a good inch long one on my thigh. Boo.

• Sleep: It’s hard to get comfortable at night.  Usually up once throughout the night to use the restroom – and then right back to sleep!  

• Best moment this week: The baby shower with my family.  It was so fun to celebrate Baby B. and spend the weekend with family.  My Mom and I also did some shopping for a couple gender specific outfits.  Naturally the first baby girl item I purchase is a ballet outfit/sleeper. J

• Miss Anything? Being comfortable, I still love the experience of being pregnant, but it’s getting difficult too.
• Movement: All.the.time.  When baby stretches out, it really hurts the ribs and hip bones!

• Food cravings: Water?

• Food aversions: The usual things I don’t like.

• Gender: I have no idea – but I’m thinking girl again now.

• Labor Signs: I can tell the baby’s head is low in my pelvis, but I can also tell they haven’t “dropped” yet. 

• Symptoms: Heartburn, back pain, swelling of my ankles and feet most recently. 

• Belly Button in or out? Out

• Wedding rings on or off? On, no swelling of the hands, just the feet.

• Looking forward to: A trip to the MN State Fair!!! I have dreamt about being pregnant and eating my way through the fair for years now!  Although I’m not looking forward to the heat or being on my feet for hours on end.  I’m also excited for a weekend at home to get some stuff done.  Oh, and our ultrasound on Friday – we should have an idea then if we’re scheduling a C-section in the next few weeks!

Our next ultrasound is Friday, so we’re still waiting to hear if we will go to full term or have this baby early (in about 2 weeks – EEK!).  While we don’t see “our” doctor on Friday, I have a general guideline for where the placenta needs to be to know what my Dr’s decision will be.  Regardless, we see our doctor next Tuesday, so the “official” decision will be made then.  Hopefully it will be obviously one way or the other come Friday, I don’t want to worry that it will be a natural delivery with a risk of complications.  We had to schedule a C-section consultation with the hospital we’re delivering at, and we’ll just cancel if it’s not necessary.  All these appointments between the clinic and the hospital are hard to keep track of! (Since we’ll have a different doctor delivering our baby than the one I’ve seen all along).

Birthing classes have are over.  (Tear).  We’ve learned SO MUCH.  I think the 6 week set up was perfect, and it was nice getting to know the other couples.  The breastfeeding class we took was informative but overwhelming.  I couldn’t help but be freaked out about the time commitment (and lack of all sleep) that seems necessary in order to breastfeed.  The class in general was good, but I can’t help but be anxious about what the first month or two will be like as we adapt to our new little one. 

The baby shower was fun.  It was just the aunts, cousins, my grandma, Mom and sister.  Everyone was very kind and generous and we’re definitely nearly stocked up for Baby B.  The next day we had a bridal shower for one of my cousins (from the same side of the family), so it was nice to spend the weekend with the family, and not just a few hours.

We got all the proofs for our maternity photos!  Kirsten from KME Photography did an EXCELLENT job!  I love a TON of them!  There are obviously some awkwardly posed ones (between Aaron and I, that’s normal!).  But overall, the photos look amazing.  It’s going to be hard to select just 25 (of the 140 she took!) to be put on a disc for us.  Once I get those 25 I’ll share – but we have to decide this weekend which ones those are. J  And she got them to us in just three days!  She had originally said it would probably take her 2 weeks. 

I’m anxious to spend the weekend getting stuff done, and (HOPEFULLY) finding out if we’re doing a c-section.

Bare belly shot - it's getting huge!

My Mom, Sister and I at the shower.  (With my adorable little Grandma in the background).

The shower attendees.  Aunts, cousins, Grandma, Sister and Mom.

34 Weeks - 6 (or less!) to go - EEK!

• How far along? 34 weeks.

• Total weight gain: +12 lbs

• Maternity clothes? Pretty much everything.  I have a few shirts and tank tops that work that are non-maternity.

• Stretch marks? The teeny one on my belly button.  And a good inch long one on my thigh. Boo.

• Sleep: Not great.  Baby moves a ton and keeps me awake, or waking to go to the bathroom.  If I sleep for 4-5 hours straight it’s a miracle.   

• Best moment this week: The surprise baby shower at work!  The office threw me a quick little shower – complete with cupcakes, punch and TONS of gifts.  It was really thoughtful and sweet.

• Miss Anything? Being comfortable, being able to bend over, my pants not rubbing on my large belly and making it sore, and the ability to sit up or get up easily.  I’m seriously starting to feel like a turtle on its back half the time.
• Movement: Never stops – I’m starting to recognize what a foot/butt/arm is when it’s moving around.

• Food cravings: Pizza and water.

• Food aversions: The usual things I don’t like.  I dreamt about tuna steaks last night (thanks Cyndy) and woke up gagging.

• Gender: I have no idea – but I’m thinking boy this week.

• Labor Signs: I can tell the baby’s head is low in my pelvis, but I can also tell they haven’t “dropped” yet.  

• Symptoms: Feeling huge?!, Tired all the time, crabby, sore back/hips.

• Belly Button in or out? Out

• Wedding rings on or off? On, luckily still no swelling.

• Looking forward to: Another baby shower this weekend, and having Labor Day weekend at home with the hubby to get stuff done!

Our next ultrasound is August 31^st, and so we really still don’t know if we will go to full term or have this baby early (in about 3 weeks – EEK!).  We have a bunch to get ready in the nursery, and I have a ton I feel like I need to do for work yet.  I can’t wait to have some time at home (in two weeks) to start getting this stuff ready.  Aaron and I both realized the other day that this is happening fast… and we’re both a little speechless at how much we have/want to get done before the babe’s arrival.  And really it could only be THREE WEEKS AWAY. 

Thank goodness we finally have names picked!  No sharing here – but if it’s a girl it will either have the initials (ARB or SRB) and if it’s a boy it will have (BTB, ATB or JTB).  We’ll see!

Birthing classes have been going GREAT.  We only have one left!  I’m actually really sad to think about it all ending.  I like being able to go every week and learn all this stuff.  I really feel like I know NOTHING about kids, babies, etc.  I’m not super into reading all these books on other people’s opinions on how to raise them.  But we’ve learned SO much in the birthing classes that it’s hard to imagine not going.  We also signed up for a breastfeeding class for next week.  Not sure how awkward this class could be, but it’s something else I know very little about.  I’ll miss having the other couples to talk to about what’s going on.  It’s nice that they are all at nearly the same point we are. 

Another baby shower this weekend – the last one until the baby arrives!  We have 2 (maybe 3) for afterwards.   I’m looking forward to time with my family.

In other news, school is about to start for Aaron. I’m so proud of him for going back, and he’ll be done in a few short months.  I know the next few months will be difficult for him to focus on schoolwork, being a new dad and all, but I have no doubt in his ability to do well.  Heck, he’s such a perfectionist that he gets frustrated when he doesn’t get 100%’s on everything he does!

Life is busy with weekends at the cabin, family birthdays, dinners with friends, work commitments and trying to get time together.  The next three weeks are booked solid – with absolutely no plans after that.  We’ve avoided making any commitments since we still don’t know when this kid is arriving.  I know the next few weeks will fly by, but if we have to wait it out the full 40 weeks, I’m sure those last few weeks will drag!

Maternity photos were last night– can’t wait to view the sneak peaks and get them back!  I’ll share as soon as they start coming in!

Maternity Photos - SNEAK PEAK!

Aaron, Vada and I had so much fun taking our photos last night with Kirsten from KME Photography.  And she even got a sneak peak up already for us!

While my smile looks a little goofy in one of them, I love the settings, coloring and way they've turned out.  I CAN NOT wait to see the rest.  And eventually have her photograph our little babe!!

We'll count these as my 34 week photos... and I'll post them all when we get them!

LOVE this one!

Naturally we had to get baby #1 in on the photos!  Vada was so good!

Love everything but the weird smirk on my face - oh well, the rest of the photo looks good!

33 Weeks

• How far along? 33 weeks.

• Total weight gain: +10.5 lbs

• Maternity clothes? Pretty much everything.  Regular shirts are too short, although I have a few that still work.

• Stretch marks? The teeny one on my belly button.  And I think I just found an inch long one on my thigh.  Boo.

• Sleep: What’s sleep?  The last few nights have been just miserable.  So uncomfortable trying to find a position that both baby and I like so I can sleep! 

• Best moment this week: Getting to see baby’s beautiful face again in our 3D ultrasound!  So cute!

• Miss Anything? Being comfortable.  The baby’s head is so low and in a funny position where I’m getting certain nerve endings pinched.  It’s creating a ton of pain/discomfort when sitting and I can’t sit one way for too long.

• Movement: Never stops

• Food cravings: Not much – struggling to eat too much.  I feel like my stomach is so squashed that as soon as I start to eat, I’m full.  If I eat much at all it feels like it’s all going to come back up.  I’ve been living on lots of small snacks.

• Food aversions: Nothing specific.

• Gender: I have no idea – but I’m thinking boy this week.

• Labor Signs: Had a contraction last night.  Just one – and woah did it hurt!

• Symptoms: Feeling huge?!, Tired all the time, crabby, sore back/hips.

• Belly Button in or out? Out

• Wedding rings on or off? On, luckily still no swelling.

• Looking forward to: August 31^st – next ultrasound.  

But trying to make an attempt at keeping this up to date - while at work.  Ha, oh and now we're already at week 34!

Blurry pic - but supporting the VIKINGS!

Vada wanted to be in the pic - and I thought it was cute she jumped in.  Plus a little peak at the not completely organized nursery.

 

No news... :-(

We had a very disappointing Friday.  After months of the unknown - C-section vs natural, 3-4 weeks early versus whenever baby B makes his/her arrival, and being told that our next appointment would be the deciding factor - the appointment didn't happen.

First we had our ultrasound that morning.  Baby is adorable!  Has big full lips still, and definitely is filling out and looking less alien-like and more baby-like!  Although I think we had the worst tech we've had yet (and we've had 7 ultrasounds!).  She didn't say anything, and the 40 minutes of near silence with small "Measuring the kidneys" or "Here's the profile" left me worried that something was wrong.  In the past the techs would tell me what they were measuring and say something positive about how everything looked good.  No feedback or conversation with this lady. 

After the ultrasound the Dr. on staff (not our regular one) came in to tell us the placenta hadn't moved, but she wasn't convinced it wouldn't yet.  She wanted to schedule ANOTHER ultrasound and continue to monitor it. While it's good news, it's annoying because I just want an answer.  If they've been watching it this long, and it still hasn't moved enough, I'm ready to just make the decision that it won't.  And what if it does move, but ends up not moving enough and is a risk/issue at birth?!  I know a c-section isn't most people's first choice, but now I'm worried to not have one and hurt the baby or myself in the process of going through labor.  Leaving the ultrasound, I was anxious to get our Doctor's opinion, not someones that has only viewed our chart that one time.

(Can you tell I'm still frazzled?)

So we waited the rest of the day to go to my 32 week appt with our Doctor.  Late afternoon, we check in, swing through the lab and get comfortable in the waiting room.  After a few minutes, our nurse comes out and apologizes that our Dr. had to run to the hospital for an emergency delivery, and we need to reschedule.  I was bummed, but obviously the other situation was much more important.  I was just disappointed we wouldn't get her opinion that day.  So now I wait, again. I'm going to see her tomorrow, but she's now double-booked for part of her day.  I hope she won't be too rushed to have this conversation with me.

The waiting continues....

How are we at 32 weeks already?!

How far along? 32 weeks.  

• Total weight gain: +10.5 lbs.

• Maternity clothes? This shouldn’t even be a question at this point.

• Stretch marks? Still just the teeny tiny one on the pierced belly button skin.  

• Sleep: I’ve been having the WEIRDEST dreams.  And waking up having to bolt to the bathroom!

• Best moment this week: Getting Friday off of work for our Dr. Appts. J

• Miss Anything?  Not being so large, my balance, easily being able to paint my toenails and the ease of being able to get up from sitting/laying on the couch or floor.

• Movement: ALL THE TIME.  It’s getting awfully uncomfortable at times.  I can literally feel the baby bouncing on my bladder at times, it’s such a weird sensation.   
• Food cravings: I’ve been eyeing up a recipe for homemade cinnamon rolls, just need a weekend day/morning to prepare them.

• Food aversions: Nothing specific

• Gender: Still unknown!

• Labor Signs: Nothing.

• Symptoms: Dizzyness has set in this week, along with being SUPER tired all the time. Other than that, just the typical aches and pains from standing too long.   

• Belly Button in or out? Out. 

• Wedding rings on or off? Still on, and still no signs of swelling.

• Looking forward to: Finding out what the scoop is for the c-section vs natural birth.   But I’m also stoked to get to spend an hour having an ultrasound.  Can’t wait to see our active little peanut!

It has been a rough week.  Some annoying things going on at work that makes me really excited to take a break from all of it in the next month or two.  Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my job and most of the people I work with.  *Most* being the key term.  Drama in the workplace gets old, like really really old.  I miss the days of working almost entirely with men.  Funny that I leave a female-heavy industry to work in the construction industry, and I have more drama-driven women to work with.

With that off my chest, I’m BEYOND excited and anxious to find out what our ultrasound and appointment with our physican holds.  I’m curious if the placenta has moved, if we’ll have split opinions between Dr.’s (we are seeing two different ones for the two appointments) and what the outcome will be.  After learning a ton in just a few weeks of our birthing classes, I think I can honestly say I’ll be okay with either option.  But I JUST.WANT.TO.KNOW.  I’m totally type A, and this unknown for the last 4 months is driving me crazy.  How do you plan dates for baby showers/maternity leave/finances/wrap up work projects/school stuff/daycare/life in general when you have the strong possibility of having a c-section 3-4 weeks early?!  Eek.  So excited to know – and to spend the weekend with my husband making all these decisions on things that we’ve been having to push off “until we knew” how/when our baby could arrive.

Am I over thinking this?  Or am I just this big of a “planner?”  This is our first, so I’m sure our anxiety over this is normal, right?!

Have a fabulous weekend all!  Update with the status of our babe’s arrival and photos for next week. 

31 weeks and a gigantic belly

How far along? 31 weeks.  

• Total weight gain: +10 lbs.

• Maternity clothes? Where did this belly come from? It’s gigantic!  Pants and mostly shirts need to be maternity.

• Stretch marks? Still just the teeny tiny one on the pierced belly button skin.  

• Sleep: Some nights I’m out for the whole night, but most nights I wake up every hour or two to the peanut moving around.

• Best moment this week: Finding some time to relax and get caught up on things at home. J

• Miss Anything?  Being able to bend over and not have to hang on to something in order to put on pants!  My balance is crappy!

• Movement: ALL THE TIME.  Makes me a little worried for how over-active this kid could be. 
• Food cravings: Nothing too particular

• Food aversions: Nothing specific

• Gender: Still a surprise

• Labor Signs: Nothing.

• Symptoms: Aches and pains.  I can’t stand too much in one day without a backache.  I get totally winded doing a flight of stairs too.  I’m really not feeling too bad, but I’m not used to being so limited.

• Belly Button in or out? Totally and completely out. 

• Wedding rings on or off? On, no swelling yet! Hopefully it stays that way, since we’ve already had a ton of uber hot days too.
• Looking forward to: Seeing our custom ordered nursery chair and getting more stuff decorated/organized in the nursery!

I don’t have a huge update – since I was so late posting my 30 week post.   So just a few new pictures. J

31 weeks - and getting BIG. (Bad lighting - but oh well)

Vada has been found nearly every morning sleeping under the crib.  Tried to capture her picture today as she was creeping back out.  I wonder if she'll continue to sleep in there when baby arrives.

The crib - with the bedding, sheets, crocheted blanket and teddy bear!