29 Weeks! 77 Days to Go!

Here's your 29 week update:

Baby's size: Your baby is growing rapidly now. This week she weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel.  Baby's energy is surging, thanks to white fat depositing beneath her skin. And since she's growing so fast (weight will triple by birth), things are getting kind of cramped in the womb. Get ready for some more kicks and jabs to the ribs.

  Baby's development: Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain. To meet her increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because her bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.


 
Best of the week: Chris' family hosting my 2nd baby shower! We had a blast!  Look for a post later with pictures!  Also, Chris calling Bella by name instead of calling her "that ol' baby". :)  Also, having our niece, Ayleiah, as me tons of questions about the baby. For example, I drank a lot of cold water over Thanksgiving and she asked me if the baby liked to swim in cold water. Haha!  AND counting Bella's kicks! She sure is active!

 

 

Worst of the week: Going to the bathroom 7 times in one night!  My foot swelling so much on Thanksgiving Day that I had to soak it in Epsom salt before I could walk to bed!

 

 

Side Effects: Still having a little trouble sleeping through the night

 

 

Cravings: Cookies!

  

Here are the updates on last week's goals:

• Go on "mommy walks" -- Can I count black Friday shopping?
• Start stretching
• Continue to go on walks and do prenatal work out video
• Write letters to Bella in my pregnancy journal
• Look for a baby book -- any ideas?
• Fill out my pregnancy album
• Read our new parent devotional
• Finish reading pregnancy book and BabyWise

Items not on list that I did accomplish this past week:

• Purchased a glider
• Purchased our baby bed in a bag
• Purchased Dreft to start on laundry
• Vacuumed nursery
• Disinfected items recently purchased
• Organized baby gifts in the nursery closet

To Do This Week:

• Last week's items that weren't accomplished
• Find curtains for the nursery
• Order baby bedding from Walmart
• Find clothes organizer that we can hang in Bella's closet (we won't have a dresser)
• Find a photographer for maternity and baby shots -- any ideas?
• Thank you notes for shower gifts
• Baby Laundry

Anticipating: My 30 week doctor's visit next Monday. Visiting with friends this weekend at Chris' best friend's wedding!

 

 

 

Welcome to My 3rd Trimester!

Today I am officially in my 3rd Trimester! Whoop Whoop!  84 days to go!

Here's your update:

Baby's size: 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.


Baby's development: 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.


Best of the week: Chris singing to Bella as we watched t.v.  Chris thanking God for Bella in our dinner prayers!  Being able to feel her move more and more!  Also, realizing that I don't have acid reflux! Whoo hoo!

Worst of the week: Occasional back pains. I am working on my posture! Sleeping is definitely more difficult. I can't seem to get comfortable.

Side Effects:  Potty breaks, restless nights (I can't wait to sleep on my back again)

Cravings: Sweets...good thing I had a pumpkin pie in the fridge!

Here are the updates on last week's goals:

• Go on "mommy walks" -- I went on 1 Mommy walk and did the prenatal cardio video once!
• Start stretching -- I did the stretching on the prenatal video once! 
• Preregister at the hospital -- Mailed it!
• Find a pediatrician -- Check!

This week's goals (same as last week):

• Continue to go on walks and do prenatal work out video
• Write in my pregnancy journal
• Look for a baby book -- any ideas?
• Fill out my pregnancy album
• Start our new parent devotional
• Finish reading pregnancy book and BabyWise

Anticipating: My second baby shower! This shower is being hosted by my mother-in-law and sister-in-law! I can't wait to see Chris' side of the family for Thanksgiving! Most of his relatives haven't seen me since we announced our pregnancy!

28 week picture:

We had to take the pictures inside since it was raining!

7 months! She's almost here!

Excited to be in my 3rd trimester

7 Month Check Up!

My doctor's visit was short and sweet! Although, I did get a little nervous because there were several EXTREMELY  pregnant ladies there.  I was concerned that I would see a labor in progress.

Weight gain: 10 lbs  -- I beg to differ b/c my scale at home says 7lbs but whatever!  The doc said my weight is fine and that's all that matters, I guess.

Blood Pressure: Great!  122/70

Iron: Bad News...I am lower than last time.  Normal is 12 and I was 10.3.  I have to get better about taking my iron pill!

Baby Movement: She should be moving at least 10 times every 3 hours

Heart Rate: "Sounds good" said the doctor!  She didn't give me the actual number, but at least I heard it.

Measurement of Tummy: Again, "Looks good" said the doctor. No specific measurements were given, but I am going to ask for them next time! The people have a right to know! :)

Doctor's suggestions: Continue to talk walks daily. Decide if we are going to do cord blood banking (and we aren't).  Register for birthing classes (but we are going to go rogue and not do them!)

Future Appointments: Every 2 weeks!!  The time is nearing!

27 weeks! 91 days to go!

Baby's size: 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.

 

Baby's development: 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.

 
Best of the week: Feeling Bella move constantly! Having friends and family rub my tummy!

 

Worst of the week: Again, frequent potty breaks! Acid Reflux has begun!

 

Side Effects: I'm starting to feel uncomfortable sitting on the couch, standing for a long time, or riding in the car.  Also, I am feeling a tightness in my throat occasionally. I think it is associated with acid reflux.

 

Cravings: Biscuits (especially those from Hardees)..although my husband refuses to give in to my cravings because he said they aren't from the baby..they are from me! :)

 

 Here are the updates on last week's goals:

• Go on "mommy walks" -- not yet, although I do plan on doing a prenatal video tonight!
• start stretching -- not yet
• preregister at the hospital -- form filled out, needs to be mailed
• schedule a hospital tour -- not yet
• decide whether or not we will take child birthing classes -- Done! We decided not to take the class
• send out thank you cards for recent baby gifts-- Done!
• decide on a brand of diapers -- Done! We are going with Pampers!

This week's goals-- Hopefully, I will do better this week!:

•  Finish last week's to-do items
• Vacuum nursery
• Write in my pregnancy journal
• Look for a baby book -- any ideas?
• Fill out my pregnancy album
• Start our new parent devotional
• Finish reading pregnancy book and BabyWise

 

Anticipating: Spending a weekend AT HOME with Chris!  These weekends are becoming few and far between.  We might try going to a movie..but I don't know if I will be able to sit without going to the bathroom at least twice! :)

27 week picture:

The table is hiding my growing tummy!

 

 

26 week update -- Only 98 days to go!!!

Baby's size: She's continuing to put on baby fat. She now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel.
Baby's development: The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. She may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. She's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of her lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when she's born and takes that first gulp of air.
Best of the week: Having someone finally rub my tummy other than Chris -- yes, that's right -- I like the tummy rubs!  Chris said we are going to start charging per rub! :)
 
Worst of the week: Sleep patterns are a little off. Some nights I sleep a lot, others not so much

Side Effects: Slight lower back pain, still having frequent trips to the potty!

Cravings: Mexican food -- which I got last night! Whoo hoo!

This week's goals: Go on "mommy walks", start stretching, preregister at the hospital, schedule a hospital tour, decide whether or not we will take child birthing classes, send out thank you cards for recent baby gifts, and decide on a brand of diapers! Lots to do!

Anticipating:  Debuting my semi-baby bump to friends and family this weekend in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham!

26 week picture:



That's right -- no bump picture this week! This is a picture of the "Grommy" aka Grumpy Mommy! :)



25 week update and 6 month doctor's visit

Baby's size: Head to heels, our baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga (a very large turnip), but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn.


Baby's development: She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.  She is learning to distinguish right side up from upside down!


Best of the week: Seeing Bella's lips, nose, ears, and all 4 chambers of her heart in Monday's ultrasound. Also, feeling her move more and more.  And being told by the doctor that her heartbeat is easy to find! 
 
Worst of the week: Stairs are becoming difficult..out...of..breath

Side Effects: Having trouble sleeping comfortably for more than a few hours

Cravings: Sweets

This week's goals: Go on "mommy walks" as Chris likes to call them!

Anticipating: Seeing all of my extended family this weekend at my cousin's wedding! Can't wait for Bella to hear all of that laughter!

Doctor's update: The glucola wasn't that bad. I should get my test results back in a few days to find out if I have gestational diabetes.  Blood pressure and weight were good, iron was low. I was put on an iron supplement that I have to take with lunch each day and given a list of foods to eat (the best source of iron is livers...yuck!) I was told to lay off calcium because it lowers your iron levels...very interesting stuff!  The best part: after my next visit in 3 weeks, I will be seeing the doctor every 2 weeks which means her due date is getting closer and closer!

6 month ultrasound

The doctors had us come back in because they weren't able to get a good luck at Bella Rose's heart at 5 months. However, when we went back in at 6 months -- everything looked great! The ultrasound tech said she was pouting her lips as if she were blowing us a kiss! So cute!

Here she is!

I love that her features are so clear! :)