Baby J in 3D!

Craig and I had our 3D ultrasound scheduled for last night!

What an amazing experience! Can I just say that I LOVE technology! Being able to see our baby girl's face while she is in my belly was quite the experience!

Just as I was afraid of, Baby J wasn't as cooperative as we would have hoped she was going to be. She had her hand and the cord infront of her face, which was buried way down low near my hip bone (which we were unable to move out of the way! LOL) so we couldn't get any pictures head on. I have to say I am still pretty happy with the pictures we got.

The lady who did the ultrasound was SUPER nice. She tried and tried to get our baby girl to move, but she wasn't having it. We scheduled a follow up appointment and hopefully next time we can get some better shots.

Here is what we've got so far...

28 Weeks

The weeks just keep flying by, don't they?


That's ok by me. We still have lots of things to get done before Baby J arrives, but I can't wait to hold that little girl in my arms and finally see whose been kicking me for the last few months!

I am probably driving Craig crazy making him watch "A Baby Story" and "Bringing Home Baby" on TLC. I record them so we can watch about 5 episodes at a time! Yes, there are books and a million things to research online, but I think it's nice to be able to watch shows where people are dealing with the experience and are "in the moment"! The good, the bad and the ugly! I am hoping for mostly good for myself =)

I am super duper duper excited because we have our 3D ultrasound scheduled for TONIGHT! WOOOHOOOOO!!!! I can't wait to see our little girl's precious little face. Let's hope she cooperates and isn't to shy!

In other news, I am happy to report that the back of our house is attached again! LOL The studs have been stablized and the stucco has been replaced. Daddy and Grandpa fixed up our baby girls room! I am even MORE happy to report that Daddy was able to put up all of the molding and PAINTED! Our baby girl has a nursery! Now it's just time to fill that sucker up with furniture and other goodies! I am freaking thrilled! I will have to post some pics asap! I wasn't well prepared, was I?

Your pregnancy: 28 weeks

How your baby's growing:


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. 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.


How your life's changing:


You're in the home stretch! The third and final trimester starts this week. If you're like most women, you'll gain about 11 pounds this trimester.


At this point, you'll likely visit your doctor or midwife every two weeks. Then, at 36 weeks, you'll switch to weekly visits. Depending on your risk factors, your practitioner may recommend repeating blood tests for HIV and syphilis now, as well as doing cultures for chlamydia and gonorrhea, to be certain of your status before delivery. Also, if your glucose screening test result was high and you haven't yet had follow-up testing, you'll soon be given the 3-hour glucose tolerance test. And if the blood work done at your first prenatal visit showed that you're Rh negative, you'll get an injection of Rh immunoglobulin to prevent your body from developing antibodies that could attack your baby's blood. (If your baby is Rh positive, you'll receive another shot of Rh immunoglobulin after you give birth.)


Around this time, some women feel an unpleasant "creepy-crawly" sensation in their lower legs and an irresistible urge to move them while trying to relax or sleep. If this sensation is at least temporarily relieved when you move, you may have what's known as restless legs syndrome (RLS). No one knows for sure what causes RLS, but it's relatively common among expectant mothers. Try stretching or massaging your legs, and cut down on caffeine, which can make the symptoms worse. Ask your caregiver if you should try iron supplements, which can sometimes relieve RLS.


I was lucky enough to have another ultrasound at work (for fun!) and got to see our baby girl. It's amazing how much they change over the course of a few weeks! We could actually see her little eyes blinking and even her eyeballs looking around. I am sure there's not much to see in there, but it was really neat to watch her checking out her surroundings.

As far as how I am feeling… I am feeling great! As usual =) I am hoping/praying it stays that way. I would love to breeze through the rest of my pregnancy! The only thing I can halfway complain about (and it's not even really a complaint… it's to be expected) is that I am feeling more tired than usual lately. Right now the biggest challenge I face is trying to psych myself up to go to the gym. It's hard when you just want to go home and relax! I always feel better when I get a good work out in so I am defnitely going to keep it up as long as I can!

I am not having any RLS symtpoms (mentioned above) but I do get leg/foot cramps here and there. I could live without those, but if that's the worst I have to deal with, I will be happy!

I would also like to say that I HOPE I only gain 11lbs this trimester like it says in the weekly update above! LOL A girl can dream!

27 Week Bump!

Happy 3rd Tri!

And a special delivery from the Starbucks fairy!

Craigy-Poo surprised me... YUMMY!

27 Weeks! HELLO 3rd TRIMESTER!!! =)

I can't believe we have hit the 3rd trimester! We just have 13 short weeks to go.

I am happy to report the baby's room is finally under way! Craig and his dad took care of the mold/dry rot issues and our house is having the stucco (that was ripped off last week in order to fix the above mentioned) finished today.

Over the weekend Craig replaced the drywall in the baby's room and his dad taped/textured it the last day or two. As soon as Craiger puts up the moulding (chair rail and base) we can paint!

We decided to a chair rail and picked a color to go up top and a color to go on the bottom.

Here's what we picked…

April Blush (for the top)

Sparrow (for the bottom)

I think it's a pretty color combo and will go nicely with our baby girl's black, white and light pink theme!

I am freaking ecstatic because over the weekend we also picked out and picked UP our laminate flooring! I have been nagging Craig for months about this (go ahead… ask him!). Our carpet is horrible and disgusting. We picked out a beautiful laminate and even though it's sitting in our house still on boxes, I am happier than a pig in sh!t =)

Here's the flooring we picked…

I can't wait to show you a picture of it actually installed in our house!

I can't express to you how happy I am that everything is finally starting to get done.

There are lots of good things ahead. Next week is a big week for us… 3D ultrasound, our first child birthing class AND MY BABY SHOWER!!!!! I could sceam, I am so excited!

Your pregnancy: 27 weeks

How your baby's growing:

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. 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.

How your life's changing:

The second trimester is drawing to a close, but as your body gears up for the final lap, you may start noticing some new symptoms. Along with an aching back, for example, you may find that your leg muscles cramp up now and then. They're carrying extra weight, after all, and your expanding uterus is putting pressure on the veins that return blood from your legs to your heart as well as on the nerves leading from your trunk to your legs. Unfortunately, the cramps may get worse as your pregnancy progresses. Leg cramps are more common at night but can also happen during the day. When a cramp strikes, stretching the calf muscle should give you some relief. Straighten your leg and then gently flex your toes back toward your shin. Walking for a few minutes or massaging your calf sometimes helps, too.

It may be the furthest thing from your mind right now, but it's not too soon to think about family planning. You'll want to have made some decisions about postpartum birth control before your baby arrives. If you're considering a tubal ligation, be aware that most states require you to sign a consent form at least 30 days beforehand. So if you'd like the option of having the surgery during your postpartum hospital stay, don't wait too much longer to discuss it with your caregiver. (You can still change your mind later.)

I can tell you that I am definitely feeling some growth happening in my belly. I can feel myself making room for that baby girl to get bigger. The last couple days I can feel some stretching happening. I am just hoping and praying there are no stretch marks left behind from this! =) A girl can dream!

26 Weeks!

14 more to go! And, incase you didn't notice, the ticker at the bottom of my page is stating that I have 98 days to go! I made it… I am under the 100 day mark! HOLY COW! She's coming and she's coming fast!

I am happy to report we have "broken ground" on our home improvements. Thank goodness Craig and his dad are so handy! They are doing most the work themselves and then we will have the stucco done. Whew! I am so happy this project is started. The sooner it will be over and we can move on to the baby's room, floors and backyard stuff. Still so much to do and what seems like so little time. We will get it done!

Your pregnancy: 26 weeks

How your baby's growing:


The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.


How your life's changing:


Are you rushing around trying to get to childbirth classes and prepare your baby's room while still taking care of all your other daily tasks? Make sure that you also continue to eat well and get plenty of rest. Around this time, your blood pressure may be increasing slightly, although it's probably still lower than it was before you got pregnant. (Typically, blood pressure falls toward the end of the first trimester, and it tends to reach a low at about 22 to 24 weeks.)


If your lower back seems a little achy lately, you can thank both your growing uterus — which shifts your center of gravity, stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, and may be pressing on a nerve — as well as hormonal changes that loosen your joints and ligaments. Plus, the extra weight you're carrying means more work for your muscles and increased stress on your joints, which is why you may feel worse at the end of the day. Walking, standing, or sitting for long periods, as well as bending and lifting can all put a strain on your back. A warm bath or hot compress might bring relief. (Some women, though, find cool compresses more comforting.) Try to maintain good posture during the day, avoid activities that require bending and twisting at the same time, take frequent breaks when sitting or standing, and sleep on your side with one or both knees bent with a pillow between your legs, using another pillow (or wedge) to support your abdomen.


Here's a look at what the baby might look like inside me right now...

She's definitely starting to take up some "real estate" LOL

As I mentioned in my last update, we start our child birthing classes July 29th. I am excited for that. No rushing around here. I think we will need to schedule our hospital tour shortly after that.

I am still "on pins and needles" excited for our 3D ultrasound AND my baby shower! Good things ahead!

I have to say that my FAVORITE part of being pregnant is feeling my little girl moving, flipping, kicking and punching me from the inside. I never thought it could feel so good! Still can't get over how much I love her already. I can't imagine when I lay my eyes on her and hold her in my arms. I can't wait for Craig to lay eyes on his little princess either! OMG brings tears to my eyes! He's going to be the best daddy!

As for the aches and pains, I am having a few, but nothing to crazy. Nice to know it's all normal. I am carrying around a *few* extra pounds!
 
I had my monthly doctor appointment this morning. Everything looks good. He scheduled my glucose testing. I can go into the lab any day within the next week to have that done. Wish me luck!

Edited to add -
I PASSED THE GLUCOSE TEST! WOOHOO!!! No 3 hour test for me!
 
 

4th of July 2010 and a Special Anniversary!

As you may know (unless you are living under a rock) this past weekend we, as a country, celebrated the 4th of July!

I absolutely L O V E the 4th of July! Good friends, good food, tons of fun... what more could you as for?

We did the usual "block party" at my aunts house. This year there seemed to be so many more people. There were TONS of fireworks!

We celebrated my mom and my aunt's birthdays!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM AND KIM!!!!

We were lucky enough to have some family come in from out of town. My uncle Joe, his wife Nadia and their two kids were in town from Arizona! We don't get to see them nearly as much as we would like. It was nice to have them here for a few days =)))

Nadia and I

Joe and Joseph Jr.

Megan and Jordan

Joe and Nadia

 

 

The Long Family

The kiddos!

I feel so bad, I didn't get one picture of Jordan! I am waiting on Nadia to get me some of her pics from the 4th.

I also have to mention that Craig and I met on the 4th of July in 1998. We finally got together on the 4th (first "date" on the 5th) of July in 1999, SO we celebrated 11 years together over the long weekend! We didn't really do much to "celebrate", but I think 11 years deserved some recognition =)

The happy couple and Mommy and Daddy to be!

I feel so lucky to have found such a wonderful guy to spend my life with!

I can't wait to have his baby and be one little happy family! =)

That's enough mush for one day!

Holy Cow... 25 Weeks!

Woooohoooo! Happy 25 weeks pregnant to me! =) I can't believe we only have 15 weeks to go! Before we know it there will be 3 of us!


Your pregnancy: 25 weeks

How your baby's growing


Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, 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. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.


How your life's changing


Your baby's not the only one with more hair — your locks may look more full and lustrous than ever. It's not that you're growing more hair, but thanks to hormonal changes, the hair that you'd normally shed is sticking around longer than usual. Enjoy the fullness while you can — the extra hair will fall out after you give birth.


You may also notice that you can't move around as gracefully as before. Unless your caregiver has advised you otherwise, it's fine to continue to exercise, but follow a few safety rules: Don't work out when you're feeling overly tired and stop if you feel any pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Don't lie flat on your back and avoid contact sports as well as any exercise where you're apt to lose your balance. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and make time for both warm-up and cool-down periods.


When you have your glucose-screening test at 24 to 28 weeks, a second tube of blood may be taken at the same time to check for anemia. If blood tests show that you have iron-deficiency anemia (the most common type of anemia), your caregiver will probably recommend that you take an iron supplement.


Have you started thinking about baby names yet? Choosing a name is an important decision, but it should be a fun one, too. You may want to consider family history (Great Grandpa Zeb), favorite locations (Venice, where you honeymooned), or cherished literary or film characters (Greta, Meg, or Atticus, for example). Check out a couple of baby-name books to help you brainstorm, too.

I have to say, I still couldn’t be feeling any better! I'm so happy to be able to say that!

I'm still working out regularly… I think it's really helping keep my weight gain minimal. By minimal I mean I am not gaining as much as I think I would with the sweet tooth I have developed since being pregnant! I am up about 16lbs… at least. I think I am happy with that. I am shooting to keep my weight gain at 30lbs by the end of my pregnancy.

As for names… we have made an unpopular decision to keep the baby's name a secret until she arrives =) We are 99.9% sure we have her name all ready to go! You will have to stay tuned to find out! I can tell you that it ends in JOHNSON! He he! That's all!