Week 27

It is hard for me to fathom sometimes that at the end of this week I will officially be in the third trimester. That will mean only 3 more months until my little princess gets here. In approximately 91 days, I will be a mommy. Can I just say, WHOA!?

The recent growth spurt is making for cramped quarters in there for her. I can feel how she is taking up more room in my uterus with less wiggle room than before. It feels like she is even trying out new positions because I felt her up around my belly button several times yesterday. She has been so active since her little growth spurt. There are times that my entire belly just shakes. The little munchkin still prefers her usually spot for nightime, though - all balled up on the left side, which still makes me laugh everytime I see my wopped-sided belly. Yes, in addition to new belly shots, we still have not managed a pic of the wopped-sided belly either.

Things just seem busy lately. Last weekend, we traveled to Charlotte so me and Auntie Kim could shop for fabric for Mia's bedding. We were so successful at a place in Gastonia called Mary Jo's. The store is absolutely amazing and the women that work in there impressed me to no end with their mathematical skills WITHOUT a calculator or pen and paper! Clay started painting the nursery. He had a new plan for the paint scheme so there is one wall left to paint which he is going to finish this weekend. Once that it complete, we'll try to post a picture or two. It will just be a picture of an empty room with 3 pink walls and one mocha colored wall. Papa is buying the crib and that has not been ordered yet, nor has any of the other furniture that's going in there. Boy, we have a lot to do!

Here's what babycenter.com has to say about her progress for week 27:

How your baby's growing: Your baby is really starting to fill up your uterus. This week she weighs almost 2 pounds and is about 14.4 inches long with her legs extended. She can now open and close her eyes, and she sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. She may suck her fingers, and although her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if she were to be born prematurely. Chalk up any rhythmic movement 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 isn't bothersome to her, so enjoy the tickle. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. Wonder what she's thinking?

I know exactly what she's thinking - I can't wait to meet my mommy and daddy. :)

Sweet dreams

I had the sweetest dream last night about Mia. I was sleeping in my bed and woke up and part of my belly was uncovered from the sheet. My skin was almost transluscent and I could see her little hand balled up into a fist and pressing up against my belly like she was trying to get out. I could clearly see each tiny, precious finger. I pulled the sheet back to see my whole belly and there she was. I could see her entire body and her little noggin and her beautiful face. She had the sweetest eyes. It was so real, too. Three more months is just too long to wait sometimes!

Week 26

I have been rather cranky today and I'm not entirely sure why. Mia has been super active today and that makes me smile. She always makes me smile. I was driving back to work from lunch and she was hitting me in a spot that tickled and I just laughed. She's so sweet and loves her mommy and knows just what to do to help my mood. :)

Here progress so far, although I don't think much has changed except she's steadily growing bigger and stronger:

Your baby now weighs a little under 2 pounds and measures about 14 inches, from head to heel. The nerve pathways in her ears are developing, which means her response to sounds is growing more consistent. Her lungs are developing now, too, as she continues to take small breaths of amniotic fluid — good practice for when she's born and takes that first breath of air.

Since I still don't have any new belly pics to post, here is a diagram (courtesy of www.babycenter.com) of what she probably looks like right now.

Double digits!

As of today, there are 99 days until her due date. 99 DAYS!!!!!! It could be a little more and could be even less, really depends on her. I am getting so excited about how close it's getting. I think Mia recently went through a little growth spurt. Someone commented the other day on how she's "growing". Plus, my belly has really been itchy the last couple of days and up until now that really hasn't been an issue for me. Bring on the lotion!

We bought the paint for her room and hopefully we will get to start on that this Sunday. Our goal was to have the room painted by May so only a couple of weeks left. We decided to do the walls in all pink and the trim in a mocha brown. Then, we'll just need to put some furniture in there. It's going to look so pretty!

We don't have another doctor's appointment until May 5th. After that appointment we will start going every 2 weeks. It's all just so real now. :)

Week 25

Time is still flying by! Only 105 days until her due date. I think C and I are going to get the furniture moved out of the nursery this weekend and possibly even start painting. I'm getting very excited about getting her room all set up. Next weekend, we are headed to Charlotte to go fabric shopping for the bedding for her room.

Here's her development for this week:

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — doesn't sound like much, 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. Her hair is probably recognizable now (in color and texture), although both may change after she's born.

I think C is going to take some more belly pictures this weekend so I should be posting some of those soon. Have a great weekend!

News flash....

Today has been nothing but great news. I proposed a new work schedule to my boss and she was in total agreement with it. I am so psyched! I tried to figure out a way to go part-time and I just couldn't find a way to make that work at all. So, I proposed to my boss that I cut my work week from 40 hours to 36 hours. I will work in the office Wednesdays and Thursdays and half a day Friday. That works out to 20 hours total in the office. I will work the other 16 hours at home where I get to spend more time with my little sweet pea and still keep my full time status. I think it's going to work out very well and I am so completely happy about it.

Mia must be able to sense that happiness because she has been one active little booger this afternoon. If I didn't know any better I would swear she was practicing karate moves in there. She was all over the place and the movement was so strong. I just love her so much and I really cannot wait to meet her!

The other night, I laid down for bed and was going to do my nightly "feel" for her. I can feel her and see where she is best when I'm laying down in the bed. Well, I pulled up my shirt and there was this big lump on the left side of my belly. She was all balled up on one side and I couldn't help but laugh. She is definitely partial to the left side of my belly. I'm going to have to try to see if I can get a good picture of it because it's the funniest thing.

Also, my glucose test results came back just fine. I was a little worried because of all the fruit I have been eating lately. Makes me wonder if it's possible for one person to eat too much fruit. :)

Ahhh, vacation.

Woohoo! We are having a 4-day weekend in June and heading to the condo in Hilton Head. I can't wait! They have some great outlet stores we are going to check out for baby stuff, too. Yay! C is going to take some maternity pictures of me on the beach. Some in color and some in black and white. I've been seeing some great maternity pictures on the internet in black and white and I just love the way they look. I know he will be able to take some great ones as well. Talking about this makes me think about taking little Mia to HH for the very first time and seeing her on the beach, absolutely COVERED in sunscreen, and splashing in the water. She's gonna be so cute!

Week 24

Another week gone by. This is also the first week of the 6th month. We had a doctor's appointment this morning. My belly is measuring exactly 24 weeks and the doctor called her "smart" - as if we didn't already know that! My weight was about the same as last month. There may have been a 1/2 pound difference, but not a significant jump or drop which is good. Mia's heart rate was between 135 and 140. The doc found it right away and it was loud and fast. She's growing and getting bigger and closer to the surface now so I guess that makes it easier to find. She should be weighing just over a pound now and is about a foot long. Also, according to babycenter.com, her skin is thin, translucent, and wrinkled, her brain is growing rapidly, and her taste buds are developing. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily.

I also had the glucose screening test. I had to drink some orange liquid they gave me which tasted rather good. Then they drew some blood an hour later. I should get the result from that on Monday. It is to check for gestational diabetes. I have a feeling the test will come back normal.

We were disappointed to learn that they are not planning anymore ultrasounds. We were really hoping to at least get to see her once more before she's born. They don't usually plan another ultrasound after the 18 week one unless there is a problem, which we definitely don't want. I can so see why bozo Tom Cruise bought Katie Holmes her own ultrasound machine. If I had one, I'd be looking at her everyday! We're thinking about doing the 4D ultrasound. I'm going to look into whether or not there is a place in town that does 4D ultrasounds and see how much they are. I've heard a lot of talk about them and people getting them done. You're supposed to be able to see more features of the face and can get a better idea of what the baby looks like. I always thought they were a waste of money and wanted to wait to see her when she's born, but I dunno. We've been working so hard trying to save much and work things out so I can maybe just work part time and spend more time at home with Mia. I'd love to be able to not work at all but right now that just doesn't seem possible so I'll take what I can get!

First baseball game

I am carrying around one active little girl or she just really likes baseball. We went to a USC baseball game last night. She was so active that I could no longer concentrate on anything but her movement. I just wanted to unzip my jacket and just stare at my belly. I couldn't believe it. Usually, she gets active early in the evening and when I eat dinner. Then she'll settle down a little bit and then gets comfy for bed and that's it. She was non-stop last night. I just loved it.

I noticed a little swelling in me for the first time on Monday in my fingers and then again yesterday I could see a big difference around my ankles. I was really hoping to avoid any swelling at all. So, no coffee at all this morning and it's been replaced with water. I really am wanting a cup too...just for the taste. Also, going to try to watch the salt intake. Maybe that will help.

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow for week 24 checkup and a glucose test. Woohoo!

Week 23

With each passing week I am even more astonished how fast the time seems to be going. Then I realize I still have until the end of July and it seems so far away. I say that every week, don't I? :)

Her progress this week:

Baby is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound. Her skin is red and wrinkled. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare her for breathing. Loud noises heard often in utero — such as your dog barking or the roar of a vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze baby when she hears them outside the womb.

I have started to notice her awake times this week. She usually starts stirring around at 8:30 in the morning. Then again before and after lunch. Another session late in the afternoon and definitely during dinner. She likes the eating times like her mommy! :) So far, she is sleeping at night when I am sleeping. Yay!

We haven't really made any progress on the nursery. I am still searching for a fabric to use for the bedding. I just can't seem to find anything I like. C and I have a plan to get the furniture moved out of the room and have the room painted by May. Having an actual completion time as a goal is going to be more helpful for me. I'm getting really excited about getting the room painted and being able to order the crib.

Cravings and kicks

I was sitting at my desk at work on Tuesday afternoon and got an overwhelming craving for chocolate ice cream. It was the oddest thing. It wasn't odd that I craved chocolate or even chocolate ice cream but the fact that it was such a strong craving. I HAD to have it NO matter what! It was the first time I've had a craving like that so far. So, I had the chocolate ice cream that night after dinner. I was even trying to be a little good and bought Edy's slow churned and it was really pretty darn good to only have 120 calories and 4 grams of fat.

After my cup of yummy, delicious chocolate ice cream, I couldn't get the thought of another craving out of my head. Fruit has been a huge craving the last 5 months, but I've been on a banana kick this week. I swear I am getting about 3 pieces of fruit in every day. So, I've been eating a banana every day and for some reason I kept thinking about bananas and peanut butter together. Now, I've never had a banana and peanut butter sandwich in my entire life and had no idea what it tasted like, but for some reason I just had to have it. I thought about it and thought about it and finally decided to stop torturing myself and made one. It really wasn't even that good. It was like it was missing something like mayonnaise or something tangy. At least I stopped thinking about it. LOL!

In Mia news: I was typing at my computer today and she kicked me so hard, I could see my shirt move. It made me laugh. I just love her SOOOOOO much.

Week 22 Belly pics

Whoa! I don't realize how big I'm getting until I see it in a picture. :)
These were taken this past Sunday which makes me 22 weeks and 2 days.

Week 22

Week 22! 5 whole months! Can you believe it? I hardly can sometimes. Only 18 weeks to go and 126 days until her due date of July 28th. I still think she'll decide to introduce herself to us all on August 1st but we'll see. :)

She has been super active this week and I just love it. I can actually feel her moving when I'm standing up or walking now. Before I was just feeling her when I was sitting or lying flat on my back. I even felt her moving in the shower this morning. I need to get in the bathtub and see if I can hear her under water like my mommy used to do when she was pregnant with me.

I am getting so excited about meeting her. 18 weeks to go doesn't really sound like a long time but then again it seems like an eternity. Here's her development so far for this week's post:

Your baby now looks like a miniature newborn, checking in at 10.9 inches and almost 1 pound. Her skin will continue to appear wrinkled until she gains enough weight to fill it out, and the fine hair (lanugo) that covers her head and body is now visible. Her lips are becoming more distinct, and the first signs of teeth are appearing as buds beneath her gum line. Her eyes are developed, though the iris (the colored part of the eye) still lacks pigment. Eyelids and eyebrows are in place, and her pancreas, essential for hormone production, is developing steadily. Her brain is growing rapidly and will continue to grow for the next five years. Baby is about the size of a child’s Nerf football (head to rump).

Daddy is going to take some new belly pictures in the morning to post. Stay tuned!

Week 21

Here's an update on Mia's development this week:

Your baby is about 7½- 8 inches in length (crown-to-rump) and weighs close to 10½ ounces. Your baby's bones are growing harder, stronger and ossifying. Arm and leg movements will increase and become more coordinated now as the muscles strengthen. Your baby should be moving vigorously by now, with lots of amniotic fluid to provide plenty of room. Your baby is quite the little gymnast, busy with twists, turns, and forward summersaults! Baby’s sleep and wake cycle may be getting more predictable as the weeks progress. Your baby’s brain is growing at a very fast rate and the immune system is beginning to develop, as white blood cells are created.

She is moving a lot but it just never seems to be enough. :)

Go Cocks!

We went to the NIT game last night that USC played in with Papa H and RJ. It was actually the funniest and most entertaining basketball game that I've been too. Can't remember the exact score but the Gamecocks won by something like 20 points. During the timeouts the band played and Mia just seemed to love that. Everytime they started up she started moving and kicking. I guess she can hear outside noises now. She was pretty excited about the chocolate Dippin' Dots, too. :)

C cannot wait to be able to take her to football and basketball games. They are going to be so cute dressed up in their Carolina gear, off to see the Gamecocks play.

Exercise time

I think I have a little acrobat growing inside of me. Last night, while I was sleeping, Mia was so active. It didn't wake me up or anything, but I could sense it and feel it even while I was dreaming. She's been pretty active all day and moving even as I type this. I'm enjoying being pregnant and experiencing all of this - actually I love it - but her arrival seems so far away sometimes.

Daddy's girl

C felt Mia move last night! It was so exciting. I had just laid down in the bed and she started bumping and nudging me a little bit. I told C she was moving around. I hadn't felt her very much during the day. He put his hand on my belly and I felt her move and asked if he felt it. He did! Then, I swear, I think she actually kicked me. The feeling wasn't as subtle as it usually is and he really felt that one. It just made my day!

Week 20

We are halfway there! Had an appointment with the doctor this morning. Everything's fine and measuring like it's supposed to. Mia's heart rate was 148 today. The doctor said my weight was about right for the halfway point but measuring on the high end. I really need to start walking. :(

Here's some info on her development for this week:

Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. She's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom, and about 10 inches from head to heel. (For the first 20 weeks, we use measurements taken from the top of the baby's head to her bottom — known as the "crown to rump" measurement. After that, we use measurements from head to toe. This is because a baby's legs are curled up against her torso during the first half of pregnancy and are very hard to measure.)

Your baby is already starting to kick. And while you're feeling her first kicks, she's feeling all kinds of new sensations, too. Her touch receptors are now forming connections to the brain, and she's developing a sense of touch. Not to mention a sense of hearing. That's right, her inner ear, or cochlea, is developing. Believe it or not, your little one can now hear you speak.

A greasy white substance called vernix caseosa coats her entire body to protect her skin during its long submersion in amniotic fluid. Your baby is swallowing more, which is good practice for her digestive system. She's also producing meconium, a black, sticky substance that's the result of cell loss, digestive secretion, and swallowed amniotic fluid. This meconium will accumulate in her bowels, and you'll see it in her first messy diaper (although a few babies pass it in utero or during delivery).

My next appointment is scheduled for April 7th (Week 24). During this appointment I will have to take the glucose test to test for diabetes. They gave me some orange stuff to drink before the test and I can't eat or drink anything 4 hours prior to the test. Good thing the test is in the morning. :)

Can you feel me now?

I have been feeling little Mia's bumps and nudges all week. It is the neatest feeling in the whole world. Most of them are still very faint but they are there. I feel like I have been waiting an eternity to feel this! I only notice it when I am sitting down too. Now, I can't wait until C can feel them from the outside of my belly. I was sitting on the couch last night and said, "She's bumping me again." C came running over to see if he could feel and he couldn't. That's going to be so exciting for him when he finally can feel his daughter move. :)

Also, this week I have been running through my head some things I can do in order to stay home with the munchkin. Nothing I think up seems to be workable. I thought about selling my car and getting a cheaper one, but I wonder how much that would really save in the long run since I will be financing for longer than it would take to pay this car off. I thought about refinancing my car but I'm not sure that a bank will be able to get my monthly payment much lower to be able to make a difference. I thought about turning the home phone off since we both have cell phones, but little things like that don't seem to be enough for me to quit work altogether. I want to finish this stupid associate's degree but that student loan will just be one more bill to have to worry about. I know I'm making this way more difficult than it should be. I should just accept the fact that I'm going to have to work and start getting used to it now. It's going to be so hard to leave that beautiful little girl with a stranger while I go to a job that I find so boring. I guess that's life, huh?

Movement?

I think I felt Mia yesterday. I was sitting on the couch and rather than flutters or something like that, it felt more like little bumps in my belly. It was really sweet. Guess that was her birthday present to mommy! :)