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!

30 Weeks- 67 Days to Go!

Baby now weighs as much as a head of cabbage!

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and he weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.) As baby's skin smoothes out, his brain just keeps getting more wrinkled. All those grooves and indentations increase surface area, meaning more room for that oh-so-essential brain tissue. He's also adding some brawn -- his grip is now strong enough to grasp a finger.

How far along? 30 weeks 3 days

Pregnancy Symptoms: I got my maternity hose and they were *awful*. I actually ordered one size bigger so they wouldn't be too tight, but they totally were. I'm already clumsy and barely able to walk and when i tried to walk in the compression hose i waddled back and forth like a penguin. Plus the belly panel was tight on Ryan, he didn't care for it either. (Oh, and they really do take 30 minutes to get on when you can't even reach your feet where they're tightest--who the heck designed these things??) Anyhow, i returned those and ordered a pair or thigh-highs. I've been wearing plain old socks and swelling up like the goodyear blimp, so if the thigh-highs don't work i'll just stick with the comfy but puffy plan. I imagine i look like i feel---the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man (that's a Ghostbusters reference for you youngins') My back has started hurting lately, and my feet too. I'm lucky i'm just now getting those problems though; usually they show up a lot earlier. Being able to watch my belly go "bump, bump, BUMP" every night completely makes up for any bad side effects of pregnancy. It is such a cool experience, and i wouldn't trade it for the world. Perhaps for a pair of skinny jeans that i could fit into, but that's a totally different story. :P

I Wish I'd Known...: How much i'd love feeling baby kicks. Even if i'm having a crappy day it makes me smile.
Best moment this week: Seeing the fam for 4th of July. I had such a good time. I wish everyone still lived nearby, i miss our get-togethers and the family i can't see. Realizing i only have 2 months left. Time is flying by! I'm super excited about my upcoming showers and getting the nursery organized. Third trimester does have fun stuff!!
Worst moment this week: Swelling? I don't know, it's been a pretty darn good week. Oh wait! The day i had to go to the doctor AND the dentist. I hate hate hate dentist appointments. Luckily i know my dental tech well and we talked the whole time so it wasn't really bad at all.

Movement: At my doctor appointment i discovered that little Ryan is head down (yay!), his baby butt is on my left side and his feets are on my right side. This explains why the majority of kicks i feel are on my right.
Food cravings: I can't stop eating bad-for-me desserts. They're calling my name *every* night.

What I miss: Being able to sneeze and cough without peeing myself.
What I am looking forward to: I totally gave in at the last minute and decided to get a 3D ultrasound. I go first thing in the morning and will post pics this weekend. I tried really really really really hard to talk myself out of it, but then a bunch of little devils on my shoulder talked me back into it. And now i'm soooooo excited! I haven't seen Peanut in 12 weeks and can't wait to see how big he is now, and i've heard 3D is a really cool experience. I told Jake to bring his 3D glasses. :)
In Other News:

   Ryan has grown in size to TWELVE burgers and is continuing to chug right along. "As the kangaroo said when the lawnmower ran over it's tail...It's not long now!" Thanks Dad, for that little pearl of wisdom.
   I'm thinking those baby classes might not have been such a bad idea. I heard a lot of information about breastfeeding that i had no earthly idea about. I'm just going to be a bad mommy, however, because i still can't gather enough energy and interest to actually go to any classes. I *am* seriously looking for a "Babies for Dummies" type book that will just be my baby instruction manual. Any recommendations??

   Ryan has officially started his library. Mom got him Peter Rabbit, which was his very first bedtime story, and a book about visiting Grandmom. We read both last night. Aunt Wanda got him a counting monkeys book that we're going to read tonight. I can't wait to see everyone's favorite childhood books at the shower, i love bedtime stories! Books were one of my very favorite things growing up (i looked forward to the Scholastic Book order at school like it was Christmas) and i hope to pass that on to Ryan.

   This week was my 30 week checkup. Everything is looking fabulous with Peanut, and i'm.....well let's just say my body has gone to shit. :P Ryan is head down, which is really good because i don't want a c-section or breech birth. This time he's measuring on-time. I personally think measuring ahead of schedule would be best because i'm ready to be done already, but i guess it doesn't work that way. After taking the iron tablets for 2 weeks my levels have gone up from 9.7 last time to 10.5 this time. The doctor is pleased, but it still needs to increase some more. Blood pressure is holding steady at 114/70. And Peanut's little heart is thumping at a fast 137bpm. Things are looking good!

29 Weeks

Baby now weighs as much as a butternut squash!

Your baby is growing rapidly now. This week he weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to accommodate his developing brain--which is busy developing billions of neurons. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day. With this rapid growth, it's no surprise that your baby's nutritional needs reach their peak during this trimester. Baby's energy is surging, thanks to white fat depositing beneath his skin. And since he's growing so fast (weight will triple by birth), things are getting kind of cramped in the womb. What all this means for you: Get ready for some more kicks and jabs to the ribs.

How far along? 29 weeks 3 days

Pregnancy Symptoms: Ok seriously, do NOT ever have a summer pregnancy. Yesterday at work i didn't sit down for almost 8 hours. I've been wearing compression socks at work but they only go up to my knees. Anyway, when i got home from work and changed my clothes i had *huge* indentions where my socks were cutting into my skin and my legs were so swollen i had no knee. I've been dealing with the ankle thing for awhile but there has never ever been leg involvement. I had also gained FIVE POUNDS of water weight since that morning. After my mini-meltdown (i'm terrified of having to stop working and going on bedrest) i propped my feet up and got a good night's rest. This morning the water weight was gone (back down 5 pounds) and my legs are more or less back to normal swelliness. Now i'm on the hunt for some maternity compression pantyhose (so they don't cut off my circulation at the knee) because the compression socks were helping tremendously with my ankles. I've heard it takes 30 minutes just to get them on though...

I Wish I'd Known...: That Cheerios actually are an awesome meal choice. I haven't eaten them in decades but my last grocery trip i randomly decided to get a box. While on my search for more iron-rich foods i looked at the nutrition label. One cup of Cheerios is only 100 calories and gives me 50% of my iron and folic acid, plus a bunch of other good-for-you junk like fiber and stuff. Yes mom, i know this isn't the same as real oats, but for a midnight snack it's pretty tasty. And sorry Ally, but the honey-nut variety is only about half as nutritious. :(
Best moment this week: Getting so much accomplished! We now have a pediatrician, i've visited the hospital, i finished my registry, the invitations are in the mail, my new furniture is moved in and i can breathe a little sigh of relief.
Worst moment this week: I'm so freaking exhausted. Yes, i stay up way too late and that's my own fault. However, i can't sleep! Even on my days off when i can sleep in i still wake up tired because all night i'm tossing and turning and waking up over and over. I'm also starting to develop leg cramps and those are no fun at all.

Movement: Little Peanut can make a lot of movement when he wants to. Sometimes he doesn't stop for half an hour! One of those times was last night when it was bedtime, but feeling all the little movements and hiccups is comforting so i can't complain.
Food cravings: Fruits and sweets this week.

What I miss: Pre-pregnancy clothes. The only things that feel comfortable and fit now are t-shirts and jeans. On the other hand that makes my outfit planning pretty simple. Being able to wear flip flops or go barefoot all the time is a nice pregnant-in-the-summer perk too. Possibly the only perk to a summer pregnancy. :P
What I am looking forward to: July 4th! Not only will there be yummy foods, but i get the day off work!
In Other News:

   Ryan is a 10-burger baby now. He's getting so big! Things are starting to pick up pace. I'm entering the 30 week mark and there's not much more to go. I'm so ready not to be pregnant anymore, but i'm not at all prepared to have a little baby. Such conflicting emotions!
  This weekend we went on the hospital tour. It was interesting but not a whole lot of new information, i guess because i already knew where to go and what the rooms looked like from visiting Ally and Lucas there last year. It was Jake's first time, however. The big take-away he got from the whole thing? They serve Chick-fil-a sandwiches!! (I have to admit that was the most exciting part for me too.) It did make me feel a little better because the girl that was on the tour with us had no clue about even basic things. She's due in August so that kind of surprised me. I still haven't gained any interest in parenting classes....and haven't signed up for any. I hope i don't regret that later.

  We got our very first camcorder. It's so tiny! We've only played with it making little video clips of our fur babies, but it seems to be pretty nifty. Maybe one of these days i'll have enough energy to upload a little sample, but right now i'm just too lazy. I've also joined the darkside. I am officially an iPhone convert. Kristyn was lucky enough to find one of the new iPhone 4s and i got her 3G. I've never had a smart phone before and i will never, ever go back. I love it so much! I want to hug it and squeeze it and kiss it goodnight. Be prepared for text updates from the hospital!
  I have (mostly) finished my registry. It feels good to have it done and i feel like i learned a whole lot about baby products. All the research gave me a headache, but now i know what everything is and why i need it. I was *so* clueless when i first started. I ended up adding my Babies R Us registry to Amazon's Registry so that now i have an in-store registry for Babies R Us and Amazon is, of course, only online.
  A quick disclaimer about my belly pictures. The shirt i wear every week is a pre-pregnancy shirt and has decided it's done growing with my increasingly bigger belly. I'm going to attempt to still use it until the end so be prepared to see some serious stretching and quite possibly some bare belly. 30 weeks here i come!