33 Weeks- 45 Days to Go!

Baby now weighs as much as a pineapple!

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. Things are heating up inside as well: Baby may grow up to a full inch this week alone, and his brain is developing like crazy. Pretty soon, he'll be able to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing. Also, his bones are hardening, and he's started to keep his eyes open when he's awake.

How far along? 33 weeks 4 days
Pregnancy Symptoms: Everything you can possibly think of. And then quadruple it. And then let me complain about it some more. Swelling, exhaustion, inability to move, stuffy nose, bloody nose, brain cells have all died, inability to sleep more than 2 hours at a time, inability to concentrate or remember anything. There's also some type of gigantic alien moving around in my belly.
I Wish I'd Known...: That my nesting instinct is broken. The house is a mess and i really don't care. I'm sure as heck not going to get off my lazy butt and do anything about it! (Besides, that's what Jake is for)

Best moment this week: More anticipation! I have my work baby shower tomorrow and i'm sooo excited. Aunt Kim, Uncle Michael, and Cousin Michaela are visiting today and we're going out to dinner. Can't wait to see them!
Worst moment this week: At work a couple of days ago i suddenly started feeling light-headed and dizzy. I checked my blood pressure and it had gone up to 130/70 and my pulse was 102. Not crazy numbers, but i felt really weird. Like my heart was racing and i might pass out. I don't know what the heck happened but it wasn't fun! Blood pressure and heart rate have since returned to normal.

Movement: I think Ryan is starting to settle into a sleep cycle. He seems most active around 2-3am (yes i'm almost always still awake) and usually just goes nuts.
Food cravings: Nothing sounds good anymore. I haven't had a craving or particular interest in any foods this whole week.

What I miss: I want to sleep on my stomach soooo badly! I just know that if i could sleep like i used to, if even just for ONE night, that it would be the most awesome, rejuvenating, best sleep of my whole life. I have dreams about sleeping...
What I am looking forward to: The end of Summer! Not only will it be the end to all this awful humid hotness, but it will mean i will have my little baby Ryan! (Which also means no more swelling and giant bellies, but those are just bonuses)
In Other News:

   Baby Ryan is up to EIGHTEEN burgers now! We're approaching 5 pounds, which is the required weight before Peanut can go home from the hospital. He's still gaining over an ounce per day and in just two and a half short weeks he will be over 6 pounds...that's a lot of growing!
   I've been playing with some of the gadgets and baby gear to see how they work. When Amanda was over to watch the Bachelorette we decided to tackle the Pack 'N Play. I have since learned that it is actually just a Play, whoever thunk up the idea to Pack it is just plain crazy. After messing with it a time or two i've learned how to assemble it much faster now, and it will be the perfect bassinet for baby Ryan! And wouldn't you know? It just so happens that the only place that's big enough for a bassinet is Jake's side of the bed. What a strange coincidence... :P
  I'm so behind on my Thank You notes and i feel awful. I'm working on them, but to everyone THANK YOU!!! We've been reading your books for bedtime stories and Peanut always kicks during them.
  Sorry to keep complaining, but i'm hot and tired and miserable! I've had enough of the whole pregnancy thing. I just want to see my little Ryan! My belly button has popped out like the timer on a turkey...i'm done. Can someone make 40 weeks come sooner?

8 Months

Baby's now the size of a honeydew!

Baby’s senses are continuing to improve -- when light peeks in through your (extremely) stretched belly, those tiny eyelids and irises blink and dilate. And, baby can now recognize and react to simple songs… time to start practicing your lullabies! Growth (at least inside your womb) is starting to slow, and you may notice baby descend into your pelvis at the end of this month.

And for all you football fans: Ryan's nursery theme seems to show what's in store for your beloved Bulldogs. Read it and weep. :P

That Gator sure looks happy!!

32 Weeks- 52 Days to Go!

Baby now weighs as much as a large jicama!

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth. Ready or not, baby's getting ready to emerge. He's probably in the head-down position by now, with his bottom facing up. This is the comfiest way for his body to fit in your increasingly cramped womb and will make his eventual exit (only a few weeks away now!) much easier. (If he's still head-up, don't panic -- there's still time for a flip before birth.)

How far along? 32 weeks 4 days
Pregnancy Symptoms: Ok i lied. Peanut hasn't dropped yet (i don't think.) Or maybe he just climbed back up. Either way i can't breathe again and have to walk super slow. My coordination, clumsiness, and Tourettes are my most noticeable symptoms now. At work i drop bottles and paper at least every 2 minutes. Last week i was banned from touching anymore pill bottles because i'd already spilled so many, which then sets off my newly-developed Tourettes....i can't seem to stop cussing like a sailor and it's usually in conjunction with dropping or spilling something. Yesterday i went to pour some juice. I was pouring it on the counter for a good 5 seconds before i realized my cup was 2 inches to the right. I have the memory of a fruit fly. Tell me something now and i won't remember it in 30 seconds and will probably ask you 5 more times before i give up trying to keep it in my head. After my shower i was complaining how i suddenly had a red sore spot where my bra was cutting into me, yet it's wire-free so i couldn't figure out how. After 2 more days of wearing it i finally realized it was inside out...
I Wish I'd Known...: How ridiculously exhausted i would be in third trimester. Yes, i read that you get tired. But this goes way beyond that. Just walking up the stairs makes me feel like i need a nap. After a "long" day at my shower i could barely keep my eyes open. And all i did all day was sit in a chair! For some strange reason i'm still able to work a 10-11 hour shift without passing out. I'm more tired than pre-pregnancy when i get home but i usually don't pass out right away. Odd.

Best moment this week: An absolutely gorgeous and perfect baby shower! Ally did such an incredible job planning and hosting the shower. Ryan is so lucky to be surrounded by the best friends and family in the whole world. Ally had a really great idea of having people decorate birthday cards. They were soooo cute! Ryan also has a great start to his library. We've been reading bedtime stories every night, and i'm enjoying them immensely. He also received soooo many cute clothes. I think i have enough 0-6 month outfits to dress a little baby army :) It will be great though because i won't have to worry about doing laundry all the time. It took until almost midnight for Ally and Kristie to get everything arranged in the nursery and it looks SO cute!
Worst moment this week: I had my first pregnancy meltdown. I was stressed out about something minor (i don't even remember what--fruit fly memory) and i just started sobbing and couldn't stop. I realized how ridiculous and over-reactive it was but there was no stopping it. Jake had to calm me down. The past few days at work have stressed me out too. I'm worried this is my anxiety attacks returning.

Movement: I still feel wiggly movements throughout the day but still not many hard punches and kicks. Jake said that last night after i fell asleep Ryan was going nuts and spazzing out. It never woke me up though.
Food cravings: Still loving my fruit, but i'm now equally addicted to cream cheese fruit dip (which i think is what started my fruit cravings in the first place.)

What I miss: Ankles, feet and legs. I can no longer wear socks or shoes without leaving huge indentions in my swollen ankles. I'm also really going to miss all the customers being nice to me just because i'm pregnant...
What I am looking forward to: Next weekend is my work baby shower! I'm lucky to have the best friends and family but i am SO lucky that i also have the absolute best co-workers i could ever ask for. They are amazing and know how to throw some absolutely awesome parties. Can't wait!
In Other News:

   Baby Ryan is up to almost SIXTEEN burgers now! I can't believe he's already 4 pounds!! With less than 2 months to go i'm getting really excited and really nervous at the same time. Stress and anxiety are starting to get the better of me, and i hope that disappears soon.
   My 32 week checkup went really well. Peanut is still head-down and everything is looking good. Heart rate was 130, blood pressure 110/70, and the doctor said he's impressed with my weight gain...but i'm sure he says that to all the fat pregnant chicks. The doctor isn't too concerned with my swelling at the moment since my blood pressure is really good, but he said we'll have to keep an eye on it.

Baby Shower!

The most amazing day thanks to the most amazing gals in my life. Thank you all so very much!! Ryan is truly spoiled rotten :)

31 Weeks- 61 Days to Go!

Baby now weighs as much as four navel oranges!

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy. Baby's going through major brain and nerve development these days. His irises now react to light, and all five senses are in working order. (He won't pick up anything from his nose until after birth, though -- smell is transferred through air, not amniotic fluid.)

How far along? 31 weeks 2 days
Pregnancy Symptoms: I think Peanut dropped! It seems kind of early, but what do i know? A couple of nights ago he was wiggling around and moving a bunch. Ever since then his kicks and movements have been lower, and my belly seems to sit lower too. Usually when the baby drops you have some symptoms get better and some worse, which i've also noticed. Last night on our walk i wasn't panting while walking at a snail's pace...i could BREATHE. I didn't realize how much less lung capacity i had before, but it felt sooooo good to be able to exercise a little bit and take deep breaths. I was able to keep up with Jake and the hot air didn't make me feel smothered like it usually does. I can't wait for midnight walks with my baby....he can just sleep in the stroller, right? On the other hand I have to pee alllll the time again because Ryan must be sitting right on top of my bladder. It's back to the ridiculousness stage; sometimes every 30 minutes. The thigh-high compression hose came. They're too tight or too small, i can't decide which. I'll either exchange them for a bigger size or give up and just be extra puffy. Speaking of puffy, my face is now officially fat. It sucks, i was hoping to avoid that, but oh well.  All this swelling is frustrating, but at least i only have 8 weeks to go!

I Wish I'd Known...: That you feel drugged while you're pregnant. But in a good way! Everyone knows how much i worry and obsess about *every* little thing. First trimester was particularly awful. I was worried about miscarriage, genetic testing, heart rates, and pretty much anything else you could possibly imagine. But ever since second trimester i feel the complete opposite. Normally i would be obsessed with knowing everything i could about raising a baby, labor and delivery, things that could go wrong....but i'm (unnaturally) serene. No baby classes? No problem. I haven't read up or watched videos about the epidural or c-section procedures, watched baby shows, or have any but the vaguest idea of what labor and delivery will be like. I'm so *not* concerned about any of it that i figure: What happens, happens. Watching videos and going to classes isn't going to change anything and the majority of it is not something i have any control over anyway. Just wait 'til next month when i'm panicking that i don't know anything. :P
Best moment this week: The 3D ultrasound was AMAZING. I can't believe my little Peanut looks like a little man already. He's so big! When he's wiggling around he doesn't feel like he's already 3.5 pounds and 16 inches long. The tech said it looks like he has some hair, but i'd be pretty surprised since Jake and I were both peach-fuzz babies our whole first year. I can't wait to find out!
Worst moment this week: I've had an awesome week. I got to see my baby, go to Melissa's baby shower, and have a long weekend off. Other than the standard swelling and sleeping complaints i can't say anything bad.

Movement: He wiggles around all day now, but i think it's more movement and rolling rather than kicks. I think he's getting too big and too squished to do much kicking, because i rarely feel hard jabs anymore (and because my book tells me so).
Food cravings: This week i've been going nuts about fruit. I've never been a huge fruit eater. I enjoy it, but it's not something i'd have on hand all the time or eat every single day. Now i just can't get enough. And it's not just a banana for a snack. I want fruit with every meal! I had some cream cheese dip, apples, grapes, and strawberries left over from Melissa's shower. I ate them all by the next night...

What I miss: Being able to breathe at night. My stuffy nose has returned, but only when i'm lying down.
What I am looking forward to: Anticipation! After going to Melissa's baby shower this past weekend i've been anticipating mine like a kid waiting for Christmas. I can't wait to see everyone!!
In Other News:

   Ryan is now FOURTEEN burgers big and is headed for a growth spurt. How much bigger can this baby get?? According to my baby books he's gaining at least an ounce a day, but usually more.
   This weekend i went on the hunt for a bookshelf to hold all of our books and photo albums. I was lucky enough to find one on clearance and i got two for less than the price of one regular-priced bookshelf. They're very basic, but they're each 5 shelves and look great in our computer room. One of the bookcases is reserved for Ryan's new books, which he'll begin collecting on Saturday!

      Jake and i decided to trash the old wire shelves in Ryan's closet. We (and by "we" i mean Jake) filled in the gazillion holes in the wall and put on a fresh coat of paint. It already looks so much better. We're going to hang a single rod with a shelf above it, and use the canvas closet organizers and shelves from my registry to hold Ryan's growing pile of belongings. I can't wait to get it all finished and organized.

Dala Awaiting Ryan's Arrival

3D Ultrasound

I'm so glad i did it! Ryan is ginormous now, he looks like a real baby and everything! He was MUCH more cooperative than the he was at the gender ultrasound, and we got some pretty nice shots.  I didn't have to run around the parking lot or drink gallons of orange juice...which was really nice because i don't think i could have done either this time around. I really need to get a baby book going with all these pictures and things... Here are some of the many images we got. Enjoy!