Thursday, September 30, 2010

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

37 Weeks = FULL TERM!

Here we are... 37 weeks, which means we are FULL TERM! Hailey could come out whenever she wants from this point on and be just fine living outside of me.

I am on pins and needles and ready to meet her but if she wants to cook for a couple more weeks, I am ok with that =) I still have a few things to do before she gets here!

Your pregnancy: 37 weeks



How your baby's growing:

Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. (Some babies need a bit more time, though. So if you're planning to have a repeat c-section, for example, your practitioner will schedule it for no earlier than 39 weeks unless there's a medical reason to intervene earlier.)

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

How your life's changing:

Braxton Hicks contractions may be coming more frequently now and may last longer and be more uncomfortable. You might also notice an increase in vaginal discharge. If you see some "bloody show" (mucus tinged with a tiny amount of blood) in the toilet or in your undies, labor is probably a few days away — or less. (If you have heavier spotting or bleeding, call your caregiver immediately.) Also be sure to ask your caregiver about the results of your Group B strep culture. That way, if the result isn't yet on your chart when you get to the hospital or birth center, you'll be able to give the staff there a timely heads-up if you need antibiotics.

It may be harder than ever to get comfortable enough to sleep well at night. If you can, take it easy through the day — this may be your last chance to do so for quite a while. Keep monitoring your baby's movements, too, and let your caregiver know immediately if you notice a decrease. Though her quarters are getting cozy, she should still be as active as before.

I am noticing more discomfort... at night when I try to sleep mostly. Things are getting tight and they get even tighter when I lay down.

I have noticed a some BH contractions but really not many.

I had a doctor's appointment this morning and still have not progressed. Doesn't really matter. I could be dialted to 3 for weeks or not dialated at all and go into labor tomorrow. I guess it really doesn't matter if there is any "progress" or not.

I told the doctor that I am still working out about 4 days a week and he told me to keep it up until she "comes out" LOL He said that as long as I feel good, it's perfectly ok to keep up on my work outs =) That made me happy.

As I mentioned last week, I had my maternity photo shoot on Thursday. I don't have all of the pictures yet, but here's a little sneak peek...





I am not completely IN LOVE with any of the pics above, but I am pretty happy with them. I can't wait to see the rest. I hope there is at least one that I LOVE =) We did some cute poses with some "props" and I hope they turned out!



Friday, September 24, 2010

Freedom!

36 weeks and I am finally free from work! I am so happy to be off!

I have to say, I have been busier at home than I would have been at work. Today, I am pretty much exhausted!

I don't know if it's the fact that I am doing more physical things at home and still working out OR if the pregnancy is just starting to take its toll because Hailey is getting bigger and taking up more of my energy but I am freaking exhausted! Totally drained by the late afternoon.

What have we been up to, you ask?

As you know, my last day of work was Tuesday. Tuesday night Craig and I went to pick out paint for the living/dining room and had yummy Mongilian BBQ for dinner.

Wednesday rolled around and I went to the gym and had a doctor's appointment and we painted. Craig painted the living/dining area and I did some "arts and crafts" for Miss Hailey.

A couple of weeks ago we bought some letters to hang on the wall in the baby's room. I had Craig paint them black, which was cute but a little to masculine for my taste. I decided to brighten them up a bit. I'm far from being "crafty" but I am very happy with how my project turned out. 


On Thursday Craig had to actually WORK, so I was on my own. I had my maternity photo shoot... where I slipped on our new floor and fell right on my A$$! So embarassing but thank god my booty broke my fall! There's plenty of padding in that area!

After pictures I relaxed a little and made my way to the gym and later Craig and I had our hospital tour. Honestly, there wasn't much to see. We have seen the rooms before. They showed us labor and delivery and postpartum. There were no cute little babies to see in the nursery because they are all  being left with "mommy" during their stay.

Today (Friday), I went with my aunt and her kiddos to Roseville and didn't do any shopping... how did that even happen? My aunt got a few thingsf for the kids. I was most excited about lunch at my favorite place, PLUTOS! They have the best salads EVER!!!!! Oh. I lied... I did shop a little. I bought carmel corn from Popcornopolis. Best. Popcorn, Ever!

LOL Best salads and popcorn EVER all in one day! WOW!

Now Craiger is home from work and "resting" his eyes... which always leads to a nap and I am blogging!

Oh blogging... how I missed you!

As promised, here are some pictrures of our new floors! Please excuse the old couches... we need new ones... don't judge!


Ugh... things look a little plain... all that's missing in this picture is our clock. I need to decorate! We've only been here like 8 years... it's probably time.
Yes... I ALWAYS watch the Food Network!

Daisy loves the new floor!

Look who I found in the baby's room today...

ROXY! She's so funny. I always find Daisy laying around in Hailey's room, but never Roxy! All curled up in that little rug. So cute!

That's all I've got for now!


Wednesday, September 22, 2010

36 Weeks!!!!

36 weeks and I am OFF WORK! YAY!!!!! How sad is it that at this point I am most happy about not having to figure out what to wear to work every single day! LOL

I have a billion things to do at home while I am off, so hopefully I can get it all done and then maybe relax a little!

I am THRILLED to say that our laminate flooring is finally in! It looks amazing! I will post pics soon! Craig is still working on the finishing touches… base, painting, etc.

I have an appointment for tomorrow to have some maternity pictures done. I am crossing my fingers that they turn out half as good as I have seen of others. I am racking my brain trying to think of ideas for poses... and what to wear.

Your pregnancy: 36 weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

How your life's changing:

Now that your baby is taking up so much room, you may have trouble eating a normal-size meal. Smaller, more frequent meals are often easier to handle at this point. On the other hand, you may have less heartburn and have an easier time breathing when your baby starts to "drop" down into your pelvis. This process — called lightening — often happens a few weeks before labor if this is your first baby. (If you've given birth before, it probably won't happen before labor starts.) If your baby drops, you may also feel increased pressure in your lower abdomen, which may make walking increasingly uncomfortable, and you'll probably find that you have to pee even more frequently. If your baby is very low, you may feel lots of vaginal pressure and discomfort as well. Some women say it feels as though they're carrying a bowling ball between their legs!

You might also notice that your Braxton Hicks contractions are more frequent now. Be sure to review the signs of labor with your practitioner and find out when she wants to hear from you. As a general rule, if you're full-term, your pregnancy is uncomplicated, and your water hasn't broken, she'll probably have you wait to come in until you've been having contractions that last for about a minute each, coming every five minutes for an hour. Of course, you'll want to call right away if you notice a decrease in your baby's activity or think you're leaking amniotic fluid, or if you have any vaginal bleeding, fever, a severe or persistent headache, constant abdominal pain, or vision changes.

Lets just say I have NO trouble eating! I am used to eating smaller meals all day long so maybe that's why I am not having any issues in that department. I am hoping that any weight I am gaining is going straight to the baby… BUT she's not getting TOO big in there =) She still has to come out, you know!

I had an appointment this morning with my OB. Let's just say things are locked up tighter than Ft Knox! LOL No progress yet, which is ok with me because I have a lot to do before she decides come out and play!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

35/35 Milestone!

WOOOHOOOOOOO! 35 weeks! This is a milestone for me… 35 weeks = 35 days left on the ol' ticker. Of course, we all know Hailey could come whenever she wants but as of now 35 = 35!


Something else that's exciting is that I ONLY HAVE 6 MORE DAYS OF WORK LEFT! I am hoping and praying that Hailey stays IN until her due date (but not any later!) so I can have some time to get some things done around the house, maybe get a little REST and enjoy my last days of "me, myself and I". I am thinking Craig and I are going to need a date night or two also. I told Craig it's really important that once Hailey is here that we make time for the two of us. I know she is going to be our world and I am so excited, but I think its very important to get away and have some adult time once in awhile.

I cannot describe to you how happy I am that we are about to become parents. I can't wait to meet our baby girl. I have so many emotions going on right now. Happy, excited, scared, nervous, etc. I am feeling a little bit of everything, but it's all in the best way possible. Such anticipation! I am on pins and needles waiting to hold our baby and lay eyes on her for the first time. I am extra excited for Craig to see and hold her. I feel like I am probably a little more "bonded" with Hailey because she has been growing in my belly, but Craig has really only experienced feeling and seeing her move on the outside. I can't wait to see him seeing her for the first time. He's already in love… he's going to fall so much harder!

Your pregnancy: 35 weeks


How your baby's growing:

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

How your life's changing:

Your uterus — which was entirely tucked away inside your pelvis when you conceived — now reaches up under your rib cage. If you could peek inside your womb, you'd see that there's more baby than amniotic fluid in there now. Your ballooning uterus is crowding your other internal organs, too, which is why you probably have to urinate more often and may be dealing with heartburn and other gastrointestinal distress. If you're not grappling with these annoyances, you're one of the lucky few.

From here on out, you'll start seeing your practitioner every week.

This is also a good time to create a birth plan. Using our form will help you focus on specifics — like who'll be present, what pain management techniques you want to try, and where you want your baby to stay after you deliver. It will give you a starting point to discuss your preferences with your medical team. Childbirth is unpredictable, and chances are you won't follow your plan to the letter, but thinking about your choices ahead of time — and sharing your preferences with your caregiver — should take some of the anxiety out of the process.

My uterus is for sure right under my ribs! I am finally starting to feel "rib kicks" and they aren't pleasant! They sneak up on ya!

My weekly appointments start next week… 36 weeks! I can't believe I am already hitting 1/week appointments. I never thought the day would come.

As for a birth plan, we don't have one. Honestly, I feel like whatever is going to happen is going to happen, so why try to plan? All I can do is hope for the best as far as my labor and delivery go. I am hoping and praying it goes as easily as possible. There's really no way to tell!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

34 Weeks!

WOW… time is really ticking away. Part of me is SO excited for Hailey to hurry up and get here already and the other part wants time to slow down a bit… are we really ready?


Ready or not… she is coming when she decides it's time!

I wish I had some idea of when. There's really no way to tell. I am not having any progress quite yet, which is GOOD since it's too early. I keep hearing stories of people who are 3-4 weeks EARLY (that would mean I would have her in 2-3 weeks) OR those people who are 1-2 weeks LATE… ugh. If Miss Hailey is right on time, I will be ecstatic! October 18th would be a perfect birthday for her! Anytime she decides to come is just fine with me. I am just hoping for a little bit of "me time" and time to relax and prepare for her after I go on maternity leave.

Your pregnancy: 34 weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

How your life's changing:

By this week, fatigue has probably set in again, though maybe not with the same coma-like intensity of your first trimester. Your tiredness is perfectly understandable, given the physical strain you're under and the restless nights of frequent pee breaks and tossing and turning, while trying to get comfortable. Now's the time to slow down and save up your energy for labor day (and beyond). If you've been sitting or lying down for a long time, don't jump up too quickly. Blood can pool in your feet and legs, causing a temporary drop in your blood pressure when you get up that can make you feel dizzy.

If you notice itchy red bumps or welts on your belly and possibly your thighs and buttocks as well, you may have a condition called pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP for short). Up to one percent of pregnant women develop PUPPP, which is harmless but can be quite uncomfortable. See your practitioner so she can make sure it's not a more serious problem, provide treatment to make you more comfortable, and refer you to a dermatologist if necessary. Also be sure to call her if you feel intense itchiness all over your body, even if you don't have a rash. It could signal a liver problem.

Just got back from my 34 week OB appt! Everything is looking good and I am measuring right on schedule. Doctor seems to think I am going to have about an 8 1/2 lb-er! A girl can dream! I have this feeling Hailey is going to be huge but I will be MORE than happy if she is 8 1/2lbs! He also said the baby is positioned just right and her head is already down. Hopefully she stays that way!

Ohhhhhhh the fatigue! It's definitely setting in! I am sitting here trying to give myself a pep talk about going to the on my lunch hour… it's best to just get it out of the way early! No excuses!

Craig and I have an infant CPR class tonight… fun, fun!

Here's a 34 week bump pic for ya... Please excuse the fact that I took it myself w/ my phone... in a bathroom! LOL Classy... I know!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

33 Weeks and Counting...

The countdown has begun! I still have a *few* weeks until Hailey might decide to get here but just 12 more days of work! WOOOOHOOOOOOO! I am starting to feel like I need the time off! I still have a lot to do around the house before she gets here. I would love to organize some things and do some deep cleaning… NESTING anyone?


Your pregnancy: 33 weeks
How your baby's growing:

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

How your life's changing:

As your baby fills out even more of your belly, lots of things might start to change: Whereas before you were sashaying, you may find yourself waddling. Finding an easy position to sit in — let alone sleep — is becoming more of a challenge. And bumping into chairs and counters is par for the course.

You may be feeling some achiness and even numbness in your fingers, wrists, and hands. Like many other tissues in your body, those in your wrist can retain fluid, which can increase pressure in the carpal tunnel, a bony canal in your wrist. Nerves that run through this "tunnel" may end up pinched, creating numbness; tingling, shooting or burning pain; or a dull ache. Try wearing a splint to stabilize your wrist or propping your arm up with a pillow when you sleep. If your work requires repetitive hand movements (at a keyboard or on an assembly line, for instance), remember to stretch your hands when you take breaks — which should be frequently.

I am not waddling… yet… thank god =) but I do find myself bumping into things with my belly. He he… that sounds so funny but it does happen! I'm also feeling a lot of achiness in my pelvis, back, legs, etc. Not fun but nothing I can't handle as of yet. Being as that I sit at work all day long (boring!) I have trouble getting comfortable. Sounds crazy not being able to get comfortable in a sitting position but laying would be much better =) Not much I can do about that. I will just have to suck it up for the next 12 working days! Ahhh that's all the motivation I need.

Speaking of 12 working days to go, I have a ton of work to get done before then soooooooo TTYL!