29 Weeks

Fastest appointment EVER today.  The doctor wasn't even in the room long enough to sit down.  That's the way I like it!  And that's pretty much how it's going to be for the next 6 weeks or so.  I feel like I should be asking more questions when I go in.  Am I not reading enough information to prompt questions?  Or does that just mean that I'm reading the right stuff and all my questions are already answered?  I don't know.

I'm still measuring right on track and the little one was head down with her butt pushed into my belly button.  I know she'll probably change position again, but I hope she likes and remembers the one that she's currently in when it counts.  She is now about 2 1/2 pounds and 15 inches long, head to heel.  And that head is growing to house the big brains she's sure to have.  You know, 'cause J and I are such smarty pants!

The baby supplies are starting to role in.  It's so exciting to get packages in the mail!  And it's fun to see in person the stuff that I registered for online.  I've got the fabric for the crib bedding ordered, so once that gets in, I can get it sent off to my mom for her to complete.  I am so lucky to have such a talented mother!  I'm really excited to see the finished product.  And I'm looking forward to ordering all the little decorative things for the nursery.  I'll be sure to post pictures as we get stuff put up.  The forecast is calling for snow/ice/wintery mix (ha!), so it's possible we'll have plenty of time to do some organizing this weekend. :)

28 Week Belly

(I found out after I started this that some people consider 26 weeks, 6 days the start of the 3rd tri.  My books and things, however, have told me 28 weeks.  So, either way, I'm here.)  

Here we are.  The 3rd and final trimester.    How on Earth did this happen?  Ok, I know how this happened.  But how are we already in the homestretch?  It's amazing to me!  I feel that if this pregnancy had been riddled with morning sickness or hemorrhoids or back pain, I'd have a much different attitude.  This post would have probably started out more like, "Thank God I'm FINALLY in my LAST TRIMESTER!  Can I have this kid already?"

On to the babe.  At 28 weeks, the munchkin weighs in at about 2 1/4 pounds.  So, I can't blame too much of my weight gain on her.  From head to heels, she's roughly 14.8 inches long.  Her eyesight is developing and it's possible she can see the light that filters in through my belly.  And she now has eyelashes, which she's practicing to bat so that she can easily win her daddy over after birth (as if that's going to be a hard thing to do anyway!).  I'm actually hoping that she get's J's dark, curly lashes.  She's also continuing to pack on the pudge in preparation for living on the outside.

I haven't changed much in the last week.  Still breathing like an asthmatic, still getting the 'burn, still peeing every 5 minutes.  Good times!  This week, I'm going to bravely include a nekkid belly picture.  So, for all those who may be squemish or uncomfortable at the sight of a woman's abnormally large bare stomach, consider yourself warned.  Also, get over it!  There's a life forming in there! It's beautiful and magical! ;)

27 Weeks

Oh, Mylanta!  This is what my OB recommended today for my heartburn.  Let's hope it works because it's an ordeal choking that stuff down, cherry flavored or not.

Speaking of heartburn, today I had my gestational diabetes test along with my regular exam.  What does that have to do with heartburn, you ask?  Well, the delicious (sarcasm) orange beverage I had to drink this morning, promptly gave me a raging case of it.  And why is it called heartburn anyway?  Maybe it's just me, but the burning is more in my throat than my chest.  I think I'll refer to it as throatburn from now on.

So, other than the throatburn, all is well!  My iron was low, so my OB has requested that I take an iron supplement and discontinue my calcium supplement, as that can sometimes interfere with the absorption of iron.  I'm measuring perfectly at 27 weeks and baby's heartrate is at 146.  The doctor did some mushing of the belly and thinks that Baby Girl's got her head just under my ribcage.  This would explain why most of the movement I feel is on my lower right side.  Hopefully she will not fall in love with this position and will make the move to head down when needed to.  Mama doesn't want a C-section!

Next Thursday will mark the beginning of the 3rd trimester.  Eeek!  I'll have a more in depth post with a photo then.  We've also gotten all of our big nursery furniture, so I'll be updating at some point with a sneak peek. :)

I hope you all enjoy your weekend!

First Things First

Before I get to my quick baby-related update, I want to focus on one of the most (if not the most) important situations going on right now:  The nation of Haiti.

It is heartbreaking to see and hear about the devastation of this little country.  While I'm ashamed to admit that I am a "typical American" and don't know much about Haiti, my heart goes out to each and every person that has been affected.  Many times in the last couple of days I have wished that I was in a situation where I could travel there to help out.  But, even though I'm not, I want to do what I can.  It may not be much, but it's more than nothing.

I'll be making a monetary donation, but I also want to spread the word on how to get in on the action.  So, below are links to ways that you, too, can help.  Thoughts and strength to the people of Haiti.


Ree Drummond (thepioneerwoman.com) is giving away 2 $500 donations to a charity of your choice to aid in the relief efforts in Haiti.  All you have to do is leave a comment on her blog.  In addition to the giveway, she will be donating 10 cents for each comment left.  This is as easy as it gets, people.
http://thepioneerwoman.com/blog/2010/01/a_different_kind_of_giveaway/

And here are 6 other ways that you can help and show your support.
http://www.whatisleft.org/lookie_here/2010/01/six-ways-you-can-help-in-haiti.html

99

We are officially in the double digits, people!  I can't believe there are less than 100 days left in this pregnancy.  That's a little over 3 months!  I still feel like this whole adventure just started.

Is it possible to be ready and totally not ready at the same time?  I'm so anxious to meet our little girl.  But I've also really enjoyed being pregnant and I don't know if I'm prepared to not have her all to myself.  I have a feeling, though, that as the weeks continue to pass, I'll be more and more ready and less and less not ready.

One thing that's helped me realize how much I want to meet our baby is the little clothes!  We've gotten a few things from friends and family, and a coworker just unloaded a bunch of her daughter's old clothes to us.  Looking through them, I CAN NOT wait to use them!  I'm sure that novelty will wear off pretty quickly, but for now I'm going with it. :)

Welcome, 2010

Happy New Year, everyone!  Welcome to the next decade! 

Option B, kitteh.  Always Option B.

24 Weeks, 5 Days

I feel like I've been starting all my recent posts with an apology for being so slack.  I just haven't had much inspiration to write.  Sorry about that.  This picture was actually taken at 24 weeks (on the 24th!), but since I'm a terrible blogger, it's not getting posted until 25 weeks.  But, trust me, not much has changed in a week.  I'm probably going to start doing the quiz/belly picture once a month now.  Obviously, once a week was too tough for me.  :(

Anyhoo...back to the ever-growing kid.  At 25 weeks, the baby is now about 13 1/2 inches long, from head to heel, and weighs roughly a pound and a half.  Baby is now being compared to a rutabaga.  She's finally starting to put on some baby fat.  (It's about time I'm not the only one getting chubby.)  As she's filling out, her skin will become less prune-y looking and she'll begin to resemble what she'll look like when she's born.  Also, if we had a window into her little space in my belly, we'd be able to discern her hair color and texture.  It's things like that that I'm so excited to see...how J's and my genes have worked out in her.

As for me, I'm just getting bigger and less graceful.  Breathing is becoming harder and harder to do, especially at work where I'm having to get down on the floor and wrestle with wiggly dogs.  I can't even explain to you how embarrassing it is to become winded in front of a client after all I've done is hunched down to stick a thermometer in their animal's butt.  My scrubs hide my belly pretty well most days, so whenever this happens I have the urge to pull my shirt tight across my belly and say, "I'm pregnant, not grossly out of shape!  Please don't look at me like that!"  But I don't because that would make me look even crazier.

Also, my skin is out of control.  I feel as though I'm going through puberty again.  Except my skin was never this bad when I was actually going through puberty.  I'm following my dermatologist's recommendations, but it doesn't seem to be working.  So much for that pregnancy glow.  Or, maybe by "glow" they're referring to the increased oil production on my face.  Awesome.

How far along? 25 weeks

Total weight gain/loss:  I honestly have no idea.  I think 15 pounds?

Maternity clothes?  I can still fit into most of my pre-pregnancy tops (the longer ones anyway).  But my pre-pregnancy pants?  Oh hell no!  That ship has long ago sailed, my friends.

Sleep:  This week I have been asleep before 9:30 every night.  I'm fine during the day, but as soon as I sit down at night, I can not keep my eyes open.  I sleep hard, but I wake up numerous times to change position.  Amazingly, I still find myself waking up on my stomach.  I know I'm not that way for long, because I'm woken up by the baby kicking the crap out of me, probably because I'm squishing her.

Best moment this week:  Nothing too amazing has happened recently.  Baby Girl had a couple of lazy days last week where she wasn't moving much.  After her usual acrobats, this had me a little worried.  But by Saturday she was back to attacking my uterus. 

Movement:  She's gonna be a socca playa!

Gender:  Still a girl, as far as we know.

Labor Signs:  None 

Belly Button in or out?  In, but it's only a matter of time before that thing pops out like a turkey timer.

What I miss:  Not having the skin of a 13 year old.  This is seriously getting ridiculous.

What I am looking forward to:  Getting baby room furninture!

Milestones:  The looming 3rd trimester.  ACK!