Week 32

Posting this a couple of days early since we're off to Hilton Head. I've been doing very well. Feeling pretty good and getting lots of nice comments about how great I look. I think pregnancy really does suit me. :)

The swelling in my ankles and feet has increased over the last couple of weeks. I have been downing the water at a ridiculous rate but that doesn't seem to help too much. I think sitting at a desk all day and the heat are starting to take affect. In the last 2 weeks I have also developed carpal tunnel symptoms in my right wrist and hand. From my reading, that also appears to be due to increased fluids and swelling. Don't have much longer, though, and this little girl is so worth it. All in all, I really have not been too uncomfortable at all.

Nursery update: we went to pick up the armoire for Mia's room and it was not in stock so we had to order it. Delivery is supposed to take 7 to 10 days. We did find a nice glider on sale and GranE bought that for Mia's room. We were able to take something home with us, at least. It looks really nice sitting by the window. I'll get a picture posted when I get a chance. Still need to purchase the changing table/dresser, get a few decorative items and the bedding and we should be all set. It's all coming together nicely.

I think that's about it. If there is anything significant to report from the doctor's appointment today and I have time before we leave I'll post about it. Otherwise, have a spectacular rest of the week and weekend!

Week 31

Another week down. Not too much to report. Miss Mia has been moving around a good bit but compared to her usual activity, she's been fairly quiet. I think she's getting ready to go through another growth spurt. My little munchkin is getting so big. She should be about 16 inches long now and weigh a little more than 3 pounds. I can actually tell that she is head down right now. I discovered the other morning, after my shower, that I can tell exactly where she is by leaning backwards. I can see the outline of her tiny little body and narrow butt. It just made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. :)

My next doctor's appointment is next Wednesday and afterwards we are headed to Hilton Head! Ahhh.....we are really looking forward to this trip. The following weekend we have our childbirth class and our second shower. The next two weeks are going to be full of excitement! Come to think of it, I think my entire life will be full of excitement from now on. ;)

Have a great weekend!

Our first baby shower

Our first baby shower was great and so much more than we both expected! The generosity of my co-workers, friends, and our family was just overwhelming. Mia got a lot of beautiful clothes that she is going to look absolutely adorable in and many other nice items that she will need such as a stroller, tub, bath accessories, toys & books, blankets, gift cards. There was SO much! I'm looking forward to going through everything again.



Mommy got a very special gift as well from GranE. A beautiful charm bracelet with a little girl charm and a heart charm with Mia's name and birth year engraved on it. She is such a special little girl and is going to be very loved. She already is VERY loved. :)



Update on the doctors appointment this morning: My cervix is not effaced or dilated which is exactly how it's supposed to be, apparently. I do have 10 weeks left. I guess it is kinda early to be expecting any changes yet. :) Also, I did not look at the scale but when the doc got to that part he said, "You're doing great on your weight. Keep it up." I told him I was no longer looking at the scale and to please not tell me. He just laughed and said I was doing great. Great!

Here are some pics from the shower. I did not have my camera set correctly so the pics from my camera didn't turn out so well except for the bracelet picture. The pics posted of the shower are courtesy of Papa.

Week 30

Only 10 weeks left. 70 days until her due date. I'm getting more and more anxious to meet her. She's gone through another growth spurt and is getting big. She probably weighs about 3 pounds right now. My belly button is just about non-existant. I'm guessing it will completely "pop" in the next two weeks.

I have a doctor's appointment at 11:30 this morning and he is going to check my cervix. I'm excited about hearing "you're 50% effaced" or something that I really won't understand but I'll know it's something that is bringing me that much closer to labor. I will not be posting any updates about weight because I have decided that I will no longer be looking at the numbers on the scale. Since I am curious about the difference in weight before and after birth, I plan to weigh myself at home right before I leave for the hospital. Then, a few days after I'm home, I'm going to weigh myself again. I don't know why that interests me so much but it does.

Our first shower is at noon today. I am so excited. Clay is coming to it and so are most of the grandparents. Mia got an early gift yesterday because the lady is going out of town today and can't make the shower. She gave Mia 3 cute little summer outfits. One with a matching headband, another with ruffles and a matching hat, and the third in a pretty yellow and blue. We have a busy day ahead of us!

The weekend was nice and relaxing but it sure flew by entirely too fast. Clay and I took advantage of the weather on Saturday and went to a USC baseball game. Afterwards, we went to a shop to use a gift certificate we'd received as a wedding gift; stopped by Ben & Jerry's for some turtle soup; got to the farmer's market a little too late and instead of buying fruits and veggies we bought two plants for the back yard.

Sunday was nice. The weather was stormy off and on all day. We got hail at our house during two different boughts. It was odd looking out the window and finding a yard full of little balls of ice. We had a nice lunch at Wild Wings. Clay gave me a beautiful silver rocking horse charm and a card he made just for me. It was the sweetest card about how I am going to be a perfect mommy and Mia is going to be the most loved child in the whole world. I certainly can't argue with that last part.

Mommy's Day

I got my very first mommy's day card in the mail yesterday. It was from my very good friend, Donna, who lives in Charlotte and who I miss very much. It was the sweetest mom-to-be card about peanut butter kisses and pudgey fingers and naps in the lap. Wow, I can't believe I'm going to be someone's mommy soon. :)

Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful mothers out there.

Week 29

Here we are beginning a new pregnancy week. There are days that I can't believe I am so far along and then other days where 9 months seems like an eternity. Mia is so active and she has a daily routine of it. She makes me laugh a lot with her antics: dancing on my bladder, tapping her little foot (at least, that's what it feels like), making my whole belly shake. I got a foot in the ribs for the first time a few nights ago. She still gets balled up in her spot on the left side although she's growing so much it's not quite as noticeable as before. We really need to try to get a picture before it's completely impossible. I was also feeling around my belly the other morning and think I felt a tiny foot. It's still hard for me to tell what's what, so I'm just going to imagine that's what I was feeling. :)

I am so excited about her upcoming arrival. The nursery is all painted. Clay surprised me the other day and brought home the crib, mattress, and crib pads that Papa bought for Mia. I was going to post a picture of the crib after Clay put it together, but I decided to wait until the bedding is ready. Our first shower is next Friday and we have another one in June. Most of all, I am very anxious to hold her and kiss her. I can't wait to smell her baby smell.

Here is what babycenter.com has to say about her progress for this new week:

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to accommodate her brain — which is busy developing billions of neurons. With this rapid growth, it's no surprise that your baby's nutritional needs reach their peak during this trimester. To keep yourself and her well nourished, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamin C, folic acid, iron, and calcium. (About 200 milligrams of calcium is deposited in your baby's skeleton — which is now hardening — every day.)

I have been trying to get more protein and dairy in the last week. I've found that eating more protein is helping me feel full longer and I've noticed my snacking has reduced. After my appointment last Friday and the issue of weight, I think I am okay with it again. I get complimented a lot on how great I look while pregnant and I really should start to listen to that instead of letting it go in one ear and out the other. My clothes fit and I'm healthy so I really shouldn't be upset about the weight gain at all. I will have plenty of opportunity to get it off after she is here so I'm just not going to worry about it anymore and stop telling myself I'm fat. I love Clay's response to this when I say "I'm fat". He gets this very serious look on his face and tells me, "You are NOT fat! You are pregnant, baby." Then he gets this huge smile on his face as if the fact that I'm really going to have a baby becomes more of a reality. I couldn't ask for a better person to be married too. I firmly believe that this is the first time in my entire life that I can truly say I am completely happy.

Nursery - Step 1: Painting

Complete!

Week 28

We are officially in the third trimester! I had a doctor's appointment this morning. Mia was active, kicking the heartbeat monitor, and her heartbeat was a strong 152. I have gained a whopping 41 pounds so far and Dr. E said I needed to "watch the weight". I won't harp too much on that because I've been having to force myself all morning not to cry about it so that's all I have to say about that. Apparently, one person can eat too much fruit.

We got a lot of our questions answered today. I was happy to learn that they do not routinely do inductions or episiotomies; only if absolutely necessary. They definitely will not do another routine ultrasound unless there is a problem. If we wanted them to do one that wasn't medically necessary, insurance wouldn't pay for it and it would cost us around $300-$500. But he has no objections to the 4-D ultrasound which don't seem to cost as much as the regular...if we decide to do one. My blood pressure was good. Our appointments will now be every two weeks until 36 weeks. Then it will be once a week. Next appointment is May 19th at 11:30, right before our first shower. I am so excited about that baby shower.

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.