2 months

Sleep
Holden started pulling out five hour sleep stretches after his six week growth spurt.  Then they started to drop down to four hours and then back to three.  He likes to be rocked to sleep.  I'm sure I've started a bad habit by rocking him all the time, but he's only going to be little once so I'm pretty ok with it.  He also lets out the best little belly laughs while he's sleeping and I'm so glad I don't miss those.

Eating
Holden maintained his good appetite this month.  He moved from 3 ounces bottles to 5 ounce bottles and continues to eat every 2 1/2 to 3 hours.  During his growth spurt from 6-7 weeks, it seemed like he was always hungry and would eat about every two hours.

Clothes
By the time Holden reached his two month birthday, he had already outgrown a few 0-3 month outfits.  He outgrew one of his swaddles by about 6 weeks, and his little legs were scrunched up in his Halo swaddle by the end of his 8th week.

Crying
The crying improved so much this last month!  He did cry quite a bit during his growth spurt, but that's to be expected I suppose.  Otherwise, he pretty much only cried when hungry or tired. Hallelujah!!

At six weeks, Holden started the new trick of sticking out his lower lip to let us know when he wasn't happy.

Health
Holden got his first cold this month.  He didn't have a runny nose but he sounded really congested.  He sounded the worst in the morning after getting up for the day.  He'd even cough a few times and learned how to clear his throat.

At his two month check-up, Holden weighed in at 13 lbs. 12 oz, (92nd percentile), was 23 1/4 inches long (66th percentile), and his head circumference was 16 1/4 inches (84th percentile).  Poor guy cried quite a bit during and after his three shots.  He did a good job of swallowing the oral vaccination though.

He's a strong little guy,  He gained quite a bit of head control over the month and rocks his tummy time.  This (blurry)picture was taken at seven weeks.

Likes
By the end of six weeks, Holden finally started to like his swing - when it's not swinging anyway.  He really prefers to sit it with just the seat vibration on.

He also likes to blow spit bubbles when he's just hanging out, so much so that he earned a new nickname of Bubbles from both David and me.

Some other likes include stretching out on the ottoman, listening to music, being naked, taking baths, putting his face in your armpit or crook of your arm while falling asleep/sleeping, and riding in the car.

He also likes to hang out with his daddy. :o)

Dislikes
Holden doesn't like having his coat put on, wearing hats, or being held like a baby when he's just hanging out (he thinks he's a big boy now and likes to sit up to look around).

Firsts/Milestones
- 1st Halloween

- 1st road trip on November 1st to meet his Great-Grandma Smith (25 days before her 102nd birthday)

- found his tongue around six weeks and loves to stick it out
- lots of cooing started around week seven
- some social smiles started in week four but they were much easier to come by starting in week five {unless the camera is on him....then most of the time he just likes to start at it ;o)}

Monthly Comparisons

1 month

It's so hard to believe that a whole month has already past since Holden's birth day!  It seems like just yesterday he was born but it also feels like he's always been with us.

Sleep
Holden was really pretty good to me his first month in this area with nighttime sleeping.  He would wake up every 2 1/2 to 3 hours to eat and fall back asleep pretty much as soon as he was finished eating, sometimes he'd be asleep before he was finished as he would drink the last of his bottle with eyes closed.  During the end of week 1 and into week 2 we were back in bed about 20 minutes after we got up.  I realized that he was refluxing after some bottles though so I started sitting up with him a half hour after he was finished to keep him in an upright position.  Even with that time factored in, the longest we're out of bed is an hour.

Daytime naps have ranged to little cat naps to five hours.  I wish he could pull off one of those five hour naps at night but so far we haven't been that lucky.

Eating
Well, this has been a frustrating area for me.  We went from trying to exclusively breastfeed to exclusively formula feeding in the span of Holden's first month.  As I learned, I just wasn't making enough milk to keep Holden full during his first week.  I tried to pump, and even with my best pumping sessions, I was only able to give Holden 1 one and a half ounce bottle per day.  As the days went on, I was only able to pump drops out during each session, so I gave up pumping altogether during week 4.  This is definitely not what I had planned/hoped for but I'm trying to see the positives (like not having to drag around a breast pump all the time) and am so thankful that there is an alternative like formula to keep him fed.

Trying to figure out formula has also been a little tricky.  He had been drinking Similac liquid supplement but his pediatrician told us to go ahead and pick a powder formula for him to start on.  He told us not to worry about mixing the old with the new as he was too little to have developed a taste preference.  Well, once we started on the new formula, things took a little turn.  He didn't tolerate the new formula very well.  He would scream after he ate and he went from not spitting up at all to huge spit ups every time he was burped.  The morning of day 2 of this, I called the doctor and we decided to mix the new formula with the old until his little tummy could handle the new stuff.  This made a huge difference and we're still doing this into month two.

During month one, Holden went from drinking one ounce at a feeding to three and a half ounces.

Clothes
As mentioned in his four week post, Holden moved into 0-3 month clothing at the end of his first month.  A lot of things are still a little baggy or too long, but he does have a few outfits that fit just right.

Crying
This has been the hardest part of his first month.  Somewhere in the end of week 2, Holden started bouts of crying that we can't figure out a reason for.  I realize that babies just cry for no reason sometimes, but when it's lasting into hour 2...3...4...it just breaks my heart to listen to him scream and not be able to help him.  This always results in tears on my part too and feeling like I'm a crappy mom and have no idea what I'm doing.

Health
At Holden's first doctor appointment, he was almost back up to his birth weight and got a good report from the doctor.  I would really like to know what his weight is at now but unfortunately we don't go back to see the doctor until month 2.  He has had a bit of a stuffy nose that I've been keeping an eye on but luckily it hasn't seemed to developed into a cold.

Likes
Holden really likes to lie on the ottoman or couch and stretch out, look around, and bicycle his legs (by himself, he's not a fan of me trying to help him).  He can spend about a half hour doing this until he's had enough.  He also likes to go for car rides with dad to calm down, going for walks (so thankful for a nice October!), and having his bottom patted while going to sleep.

Dislikes
So far, he's not really a big fan of the swing.  There's been a couple times where he's stayed in it longer than 10 minutes but otherwise he pretty much just yells at us when we put him in there.

4 weeks

-moved from newborn clothes to 0-3 (I know I put this for last week but I had it wrong)
-more vocal this week- he's starting to coo and has let out a couple little laughs while sleeping
-finally had his first real bath this week - his umbilical cord stump fell off around day 6-7 but it took quite awhile for his belly button to heal
-his baby acne really came out this week - hoping it doesn't stick around long

weeks 2 and 3

Well, the past couple weeks have flown by (hence the late post).  Here are a few things that have been happening.  

*Holden has his first check-up with Dr. Bien.  He was back up to 9 lbs.
*Went from drinking 1 oz. at each feeding to 2.5 oz. in one week.

*Went from drinking 2.5 oz. at each feeding to 3 oz.
*Started staying awake in longer stretches during the day.
*Moved into size 1 diapers this week.



And this is the problem with waiting to do the posts.....I can't remember much.  We're still having some ups and downs and days where I feel like I have no idea what the heck I'm doing. But, we're making it through and we're just as in love with him as ever.


A few nicknames he has "earned" in the first few weeks from me: Bubby, Bubs, Sweet Cheeks, Chubbers, Baby, and Baby Boy.  Dave pretty much just calls him Holden or Son.

mama update

I just wanted to write a few things down to help me remember what my first few weeks were like.

*I've realized that the one thing I would change from our hospital stay is that I wouldn't allow any visitors.  It's very hard to bond with your baby when you don't really get to hold him or spend one-on-one time with him his first day.  I think this is why it wasn't until the second night that all the emotions hit me....that's when I finally got to spend uninterrupted time with him.

*Recovery got remarkably easier as each week passed.  I could tell at the one week point that things weren't quite so sore, at two weeks I finally felt ready to take short walks, and by three weeks things were feeling pretty normal again.

*Hormones are a b*tch.  Holy cow.  I've cried more in the past three weeks than I think I've cried in the past three years combined.  Add in the sleep loss and I can pretty much cry about anything ....happy, sad, worried, etc.

*Lots of women told me that you forget about the pain of birth and I thought there was no way.  But, you really do forget about all the pain.  I told Dave that first night that Holden would definitely be our only child.  Now, I'm already talking about when we have our next one.

*Sleep loss does suck but there's really nothing like sitting in the middle of the night with your little one as he falls asleep in your arms (and cue hormones, getting teary eyed now).

*I lost all of my pregnancy weight plus another 14 pounds (total of 35 pounds) in the first two weeks after giving birth.  My thyroid medicine made my level drop way down after birth and I guess that makes the weight just fall right off.  I went in to have my level checked on October 10, and found out it was at 0.42.  At the beginning of my pregnancy, my level was at 3.2 and we worked to keep it around 2.5 during the rest of my pregnancy.

*Pumping has been a struggle for me.  My doctor prescribed me a medication that is suppose to help with milk supply but it gave me such bad diarrhea that sometimes I'd barely walk out of the bathroom before I'd have to go right back in.  So, no help there since I quit taking it after two days.  I'm now only able to pump about ten drops of milk out in a session so I'm about to the end of this journey.

*Almost all the swelling was gone around the three week mark.  I still have a little swelling left in my feet but I can get my regular shoes on again.

*David has been super amazing through all of this.  He's been my shoulder to cry on, added almost all my responsibilities to his own the first couple weeks, worked hard to take care of Holden and me, and been my voice of reason when I start to over analyze things.

week one

Dave and I were just talking about how we've never had a week go by so quickly in our lives.  We definitely had a roller coaster week, with the best high ever of meeting our sweet baby boy to the lowest low at our postnatal checkup just four days after he arrived.

Our first full day with Holden was full of visitors.  He got to meet his grandparents,aunt, uncles, cousin, and friends.

Our second night in the hospital, Holden and I sat up together for awhile as he tried to fall asleep.  Dave was sleeping so it was just him and I hanging out together and I had my "falling in love" moment with Holden.  I think everything had been such a blur up until that point that it was my first chance to just let it really sink in that he was here and he is ours.

We were discharged from the hospital around noon on Friday.  Friday and most of Saturday were pretty good.  Saturday afternoon hit and Holden just wasn't content.  He was pretty fussy off and on all afternoon.  That night was a rough one as he wanted to breastfeed most of the night.  No matter how long we tried to feed, he was just never happy.  Sunday morning was awful as he screamed most of the morning.  We knew that something just wasn't right and I told Dave I didn't think my milk was in.  We had a postpartum appointment at the hospital at 1 that afternoon.  I couldn't handle the screaming anymore so about 12:30 we packed up to head to the hospital.

Once at the hospital, I told the nurse that I didn't think my milk had come in yet because no matter how much Holden would feed, he wasn't happy with what he was getting.  She told me that it should have came in the day before and went about asking me questions about my recovery.  When we got to Holden's part of the appointment, she weighed him and saw that he weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. - almost a full pound less than his birth weight of 9 lbs. 2 oz.  I about died, I felt so bad that our baby had been starving for days.  I also had jaundice that had seemed to be getting worse as the days went by.  His poor little eyes were so yellow.  The nurse had me try to nurse to show her how he was latching on, and he was just so over trying to nurse by that time that he would barely latch on before he'd start screaming.  We reweighed him and he'd taken in 0.4 of an ounce of milk.  He pretty much passed out after that because he was so content from getting just that small amount of milk.  The nurse left to call his doctor to fill him in.  The doctor said he wanted us to supplement with formula until my milk came in.  He also had to have his bilirubin level checked since his jaundice looked worse.  The level came back at 14.9 which was borderline.  We scheduled an appointment for the next day to recheck his weight and bili level.  We left the hospital a little after 4 o'clock for an appointment that was suppose to take less than an hour.

The rest of the day was better for Holden as he actually got something in his little tummy to eat.  I, however, was a mess the rest of the day knowing that our baby had been starving for so long.  I still can't even talk about it without tears.

We went to the hospital the next day and had a much better visit.  His bilirubin level had dropped down to 11.4 and his weight was up 4 ounces.  I worked with a lactation consultant for awhile while at the hospital as we tried to figure out why my milk wasn't coming in and options moving forward with breastfeeding.  I decided that I would pump and give Holden whatever I could with a bottle and continue with the formula.

The rest of the week was much less eventful, thankfully, as we settled in to life with Holden.


family picture on Holden's 1 week birthday :o)

Holden's birth story

I had my last OB appointment on Monday, September 22.  Dave and I talked to the doctor about what our plan would be should baby not arrive by/on his due date.  We decided instead of waiting another week for baby to show up, the plan would be to check-in to the hospital on Sunday, September 28 at 9 pm to be induced.  The doctor then checked my cervix (hadn't dilated any further) and stripped my membranes to see if we could get Baby moving.

Around 1:30 am on Wednesday, September 24 (Baby's due date), I woke up and felt like I had a little fluid leaking.  I thought "well, I'm really pregnant so I think I might have just peed a little as I turned over."  I got up to go to the bathroom and couldn't really tell what it was so I went back to bed.  A little before 3:30, I had the same sensation with a little more fluid this time so I got up to the bathroom again.  I still couldn't tell for sure what it was so I went back to bed but decided to wake up Dave.  I told him I thought my water had broke.  He got out of bed quickly and he asked me how I knew, to which I said I didn't really know for sure.  I told him we should just go back to sleep until something more happened.  I decided to get up and check my hospital paperwork and saw that they want you to come in if you think your water broke.  I decided to just call the birthing center to see if they thought I should come in or not.  When I called, I told them that there hadn't been enough fluid leaked for me to tell what was really going on.  They told me to come on in and they would run a test to see if my water had broke or not.  I told Dave that we were heading to the hospital, so he started packing up the car as I got dressed.  For some reason, I decided I need to clean the toilet, clean up a few things in the kitchen, and put a few other things away before we left.  Once I was finished, we headed out for the hospital.

Dave drove us to the hospital, which is about a 4 minute drive from our place.  He parked the car and we entered through the emergency entrance.  On the way into the hospital, I had a big gush of fluid come out so then I knew we would be staying.  We checked-in with the receptionist, and as we were standing there, I had another big gush of fluid release.  We were directed up to the birthing center, where we were met by two nurses.  One of them directed us to room 1, where I changed into a gown and was hooked up to monitors.  One nurse did a swab test to make sure that it was my water that had broken.  The test came back about 15 minutes later with positive results that my water had broken.  The nurse started looking at my veins to see if she could find one to start an IV in.  She wasn't able to find anything so she decided to wait for someone else to look before they started poking.  A few minutes later, we were moved into a birthing suite.

Once we were in the birthing suite and I was all hooked up to the monitors again, they started looking for a vein again.  No one was able to find anything so they eventually called up the anesthesiologist so he could give it a try.  He dug around in both arms before finally getting a vein.  I was so glad that he was finally able to get in as I was just so over being poked at by that time.

Around 5:30 am, I was started on pitocin as my contractions weren't doing anything and I wasn't dilating any further.  Dave and I hung out for awhile, then started to make phone calls and send texts to tell people I was in labor.

I started to feel mild contractions a short time later and they intensified as the morning went on.  Around 11 am, the nurse checked my cervix and said I was at a 7.  I told her I was ready for the epidural.  I was so nervous to get the epidural that every time nurse anesthetist  touched my back to clean it/look for a good spot/etc., I would jump a little.  It really scared me that I would jump because I thought I'd be paralyzed for sure if I couldn't hold still.  It took a little while for the NA to find a good spot to put in the epidural and once they started putting it in, it felt like they were jabbing my hip with a knife.  I told them it hurt so they gave me another shot of Demerol and tried again.  This time they got in and it wasn't long before it kicked in and I was feeling good.

The nurse suggested that we try to sleep for awhile so that's what we did.  I woke up an hour or so later and laid in bed and shook.  At first I thought it was because I was cold, but then I realized it was because I was so nervous/scared about what was about to happen.

Around 1:30 pm, the nurse checked my cervix again and found I was fully dilated.  She took some time to tell me how to and show me where to push.  We did some practice pushes for awhile and then the nurse left to call my doctor.

Around 3:30 pm, I started pushing with the intention of getting baby delivered.  I pushed and pushed and got nowhere.  Baby was stuck behind my pelvic bone and I didn't think I would ever get him past it.  My epidural was doing the job of blocking the contraction pain but I could feel everything below the waist.  I started telling everyone that I couldn't do it anymore and my mind was so wrapped up in the pain that I had a hard time pushing with my all.  The nurse called my doctor again and she told them to top off my epidural.  It wasn't too long before the nurse anesthetist came in and added to my epidural.  Almost immediately most of the pain was gone and I felt like I could actually get baby out.  I was able to push whenever I had a contraction and was finally able to push Baby past my pelvic bone.  My doctor came in about 4:45pm.  The doctor had one of the nurse play tug-of-war with me with a blanket (she held the ends of the blanket and I held onto the "U" and I pulled) whenever I was pushing.  It helped quite a bit to have something to pull on besides my legs and Dave's shirt.  Around 6 pm, the epidural wore off again and I could feel everything.  The pain in my butt was unreal and that was what really hurt.  I felt like I'd been pushing forever and then all of a sudden I heard the doctor asked for a vacuum.  Apparently Baby decided to make a right hand turn before he exited so the doctor used a vacuum to get him out.  I think it took all of two minutes from the time she asked for the vacuum til the time he was delivered at 6:44 pm.

The doctor laid Holden on my chest immediately.  I can't remember what I said to him, but as soon as I said it, he turned his head to look up at me.  It was like he was thinking "hey, I know you!" :o)

The next thing I felt was the doctor pushing on my stomach and then the weird sensation of the placenta being delivered.  Then the next thing I knew, I was getting stitches.  I had second degree tearing so I received quite a few stitches, which I felt every stitch being placed.  I said "ouch" several times and the doctor would just say "yeah, it's a sensitive area".  I was so glad when she was all done.

Dave was right by my side through the whole thing, holding on to one of my legs.  While I was pregnant, we had talked about whether he would watch the delivery or not and he didn't think he would.  He ended up watching the whole thing and said that it was hard not to watch since everything was right there. ;o)

Holden

Holden was born on his due date, September 24, 2014, at 6:44 pm.  He weighed in at 9 pounds 2 ounces as was 20 1/2 inches long.  His head was 14 3/4 inches around and his chest measured in at 14 inches.

More pictures, birth story, and week 1 post to follow.

week 39

Baby’s size

Your baby now weighs as much as a mini watermelon. At this point, he has shed most of that white creamy substance called vernix and the fine, fur-like hair called lanugo that has covered his skin since the middle of your second trimester.

Baby's Length: 19.96 in.

Baby's Weight: 7.25 lbs.

**from parents.com

How I am feeling

I'm feeling pretty good for being almost full term.  

Just because I'm hoping this is my last post and want to remember things:  things are that are not so fun right now are putting on my pants and socks, bending over to get things (which I almost always drop again once I'm standing up so I have to bend over again), turning over in bed, standing up after sitting for awhile, standing up in the middle of the night with a full bladder, and trying to walk through random pains that shoot through my girl parts.

My hands have been really swollen the last couple days in the morning when I wake up, so much so that I can't really make a fist.  Most of the swelling goes down within an hour of waking up though.  My lower legs/feet/ankles are still super swollen.  I've now got dozens of what look like little water blisters on the top of my right foot to go along with the swelling.

My belly is pretty itchy most of the time which is new.  I've also noticed a very faint linea nigra has shown up in the last week or so.

My mind has been in a constant state of "oh my God, I'm not ready for labor" to "let's just get this over with already."  I fully intended to get an epidural so that eases my mind a little about the labor pains.

_______________________________

Instead of the other categories, I decided to write our predictions down to see how close either of us come.

My predictions

Arrival date: September 25

Time: 8:09 pm

Weight: 9lbs 2 oz

Length: 19 inches

Eye color: blue

Hair color: dark brown

Dave's predictions

Arrival date: September 27

Time: 3:33 am

Weight: 8lbs 8 oz

Length: 19 1/2 inches

Eye color: blue

Hair color: blonde

week 38

Baby’s size

Your baby is the length of a stalk of rhubarb. Connections are forming in her brain that will help her swallow and even sleep better once she's born.

Baby's Length: 19.61 in.

Baby's Weight: 6.80 lbs.

How I am feeling

Uffda.  I think I officially hit the wall Friday afternoon.  I came home from work and was just over everything.  I doesn't help that I'm getting a sinus infection or cold or something.  I had so many pains going on Saturday night that I thought we might be heading to the hospital in a few hours but eventually everything calmed down and I went to sleep.  I haven't had much for pain today other than feeling like Baby is trying to push his legs right out of my stomach and a few cervical zingers.  I'm just feeling really worn out, again because of whatever illness is trying to start.  

I'm hoping we make it through this next week before he decides to make his appearance.  Everything considered, this should be my last full week at school.

What do I miss

Not going there.

Gender

Boy

Food cravings/aversions

The acid reflux was really bad earlier this week so I've been trying to be extra cautious of what I'm eating.  

Highlights this week 

*Had another doctor appointment on Tuesday.  My blood pressure was higher (123/83, I think) but still doing ok.  The doctor checked me and I hadn't made any more progress dilating since last week.

*Knowing that it's just a matter of days until we get to meet Baby.

week 37

Baby’s size

Your baby is as long as stalk of Swiss chard. Because he's running out of room in your uterus, he mostly stretches and wiggles, instead of delivering big kicks.

Baby's Length: 19.13 in.

Baby's Weight: 6.30 lbs.

**from parents.com

How I am feeling

Oh boy. Well, I feel like I'm carrying a 10 pound baby around inside of me.  I notice that I'm really arching my back when walking, especially at the end of the day.  The tops of my feet are so swollen now that even my flip flops hurt my feet and leave marks so I'm out of shoes to wear.  I've had a lot of pressure "down there" and had so much on Friday that I was sure my water was going to break at school.  One of my co-workers told me I waddle now when walking, which I think is probably more noticeable when I'm having lots of pressure or at the end of the day.  Sleep is not the greatest and I still have acid come up when I lie on my right side (I try not to lie on that side but sometimes it's unavoidable).  Despite all of this, I feel a lot better than I thought I would at this stage.  It's really not all that bad but I'll be honest and say I'm ready for my body to go back to normal.

Mentally I'm at a tug-of-war with myself.  I'm so ready to be done and so excited to meet this little guy but I'm still pretty nervous about labor/delivery/recovery.  I'm also kind of hoping that he hangs on as close to his due date (September 24) as possible.  If we can make it that long, he won't have to start daycare until December which would save us from paying for two weeks of daycare in November when he'd only be there for one.  Obviously in the bigger picture, that's not that a big deal but it's just a thought in my mind.

What do I miss

Well, lots of things but we're so close to the end that I'm just focusing on Baby L.'s birthday.

Gender

Boy 

Food cravings/aversions

Still really trying to avoid foods that trigger my acid reflux but at this point it seems like most foods can make it flare up.  No real craving this week.

Highlights this week 

*My blood pressure is still really good.  It was 108/68 on my appointment on Tuesday.  The scale keeps creeping up though I'm guessing all the swelling isn't helping that.

*The doctor did another cervix check and found that I'm dilated to a 3.

*Being so close to the end!  It's crazy to think that at most, I probably only have 2 more of these, maybe 3, Sunday updates to write!

week 36

Baby’s size

Your baby is now the size of a canary melon, and her wrinkly suit of skin is filling out as she gets plumper.

Baby's Length: 18.66 in.

Baby's Weight: 5.78 lbs.

**from parents.com

How I am feeling

Not too bad.  My feet and ankles swelled up pretty bad all of a sudden this week so I made an appointment to see the doctor on Thursday.  

My doctor was full so I saw the CNP, who is actually the mom of one of my classmates whom I went all through school with.  She ran some tests to rule out preeclampsia and other issues and everything came back fine.  She wants me to come home at lunch time every day for an hour to put my feet up to help the swelling.  She also checked my cervix while I was there and said I was dilated to a full 2 and 75% effaced.

What do I miss

I'm just trying to keep my eye on the finish line right now.  I'm getting so excited to meet him and see what/who he looks like.  Definitely feeling ready to be done though.

Gender

Boy :o)

Food cravings/aversions

I'm just trying to stay away from anything acidic.  Even with the prescription, I've had a lot of acid lately.  I had acid come up twice last night while I was sleeping.  The second time, a bunch of it got stuck in the back of my throat.  Gross.

Highlights this week 

*Being another week closer to meeting this little guy.

*Dave installed the carseat base in my car today.

*My mom and dad came up on Saturday.  My mom has been buying clothes for quite awhile so we went through those and got them put away.  We also went to Walmart and picked up a few of the last items on our list.

week 35

Baby’s size

Your baby is the size of a honeydew melon. In preparation for birth, he is now upside down in your uterus.

Baby's Length: 18.19 in.

Baby's Weight: 5.25 lbs.

**from parents.com

How I am feeling

Earlier this week I was feeling good, just had the pelvic pain.  I went to a doctor appointment Friday afternoon and she did my first cervical check.  I've been cramping/contracting and spotting ever since.

What do I miss

I don't even know what all to write here this week.  I'm just not in a good mindset right now and my husband being a jerk (that's a very kind word considering what I'd really like to put) isn't helping that situation any.

Gender

Boy

Food cravings/aversions

nothing really this week

Highlights this week 

*My doctor appointment went well.  My blood pressure was still good (118/68). I was a little worried about  what it might read since my hands swelled up all of a sudden on Thursday and I'm not able to wear my wedding ring anymore.

*The doctor said I've dilated to about a 2. 

week 34

Baby’s size

Your baby is the size of a cantaloupe. Her bones are fully developed by now, and she's turning her head, pirouetting, and moving her body from side to side.

Baby's Length: 17.72 in.

Baby's Weight: 4.73 lbs.

**from parents.com

How I am feeling

Pretty much the same this week as last.  The maternity belt I ordered arrived Friday so I've had a couple days to try it out.  It does help relieve some of the pain in my pelvis and makes my back feel better, which I didn't even realize was hurting until I wore the belt for awhile.

What do I miss

feeling like myself....having more clothes to choose from (I did order a few shirts for school yesterday otherwise I was going to be wearing the same 5 shirts each week)

Gender

boy

Food cravings/aversions

I did have a few cravings this week that would come and go, all junk food....Fruit Loops, plain M&Ms, brownies

Highlights this week

*I got all of Baby's clothes washed and put away this week.

week 33

Baby’s size

Your baby is the size of a pineapple. Lanugo, the fine hair that covered her entire body and helped keep her warm as she developed, is starting to disappear, but there might still be patches of it on her shoulders and back.

Baby's Length: 17.20 in.

Baby's Weight: 4.23 lbs.

How I am feeling

Well, I guess I'll just say I'm feeling really pregnant.  I've had bad acid reflux, which my doctor gave me a prescription for on Friday so hopefully that will start helping soon.  The ligament pain has gotten worse.  I'm so thankful that it's just on the right side because walking is hard enough with the pain on just the one side.  I'm also thankful when the pain is on the right side and not straight down the middle of my pelvis.  I feel like the baby is squishing my pee tube {medical term ;o) }and that is super uncomfortable.  My doctor wants me to try a maternity belt to try to get the baby off my pelvis a bit.  I just need to get one ordered.  

What do I miss

I feel like a lot of things could go here right now but walking without pain definitely tops the list.

Gender

Boy :o)

Food cravings/aversions

I had a huge craving for my grandma's cut-out Christmas cookies yesterday.  I'm too lazy to make them right now though.

Highlights this week 

*Friday was a big day.  We took a tour of the birthing unit at the hospital, had another ultrasound, and a doctor appointment.

*The birthing unit is really nice and the nurses we met seemed very nice.  Being in the birthing suites peaked my anxiety a bit though.  I'm trying hard not to over think the whole labor/giving birth/recovery thing but right now that is the thought at the front of my mind most days.  I have to try hard to remember that we will finally get to meet our little guy at the end of all this this because anxiety takes over and all I can think about is what the pain will be like.

*This ultrasound was just so we could check the growth of the baby since my thyroid went crazy when I got pregnant.  He's a big guy.  His estimated weight was 5 lbs 4 oz, which is on the big side.  All his measurements were in the high 50th, 60th, or low 70th percentiles..... except for his head which measured at greater than 97th percentile.  Yikes.  His big head is what is causing the pelvis pain for me and adds to my worry about delivery.  The ultrasound tech was able to show us where baby has some hair growing on the back of his head so he may not come out a baldy. :o)

*My OB appointment went well.  My blood pressure was still good at 110/64.  I gained two pounds in the past two weeks (eek!) putting me at a 7 pound gain overall.  I have another appointment in two weeks, then we start with once a week appointments.

week 32

Baby’s size

Your baby is the size of a Napa cabbage. Because her taste buds are developed, she may acquire a preference for the foods you eat, which she samples when she swallows amniotic fluid.

Baby's Length: 16.69 in.

Baby's Weight: 3.75 lbs.

**from parents.com

How I am feeling

Earlier this week, baby liked to hang out really high and kick so that made the top of my belly really sore for a couple days.  My mom and I went shopping on Friday and that will definitely be my last shopping trip until after he arrives.  I was so sore from walking around so much.  I've had some round ligament pain in previous weeks but nothing like this.  At the end of our day, I had a hard time taking the first few steps when I'd get out of the car.  Oh, and getting up to go to the bathroom that night was not fun.  It was hard just to get up from bed and then I had to do an old lady shuffle to the bathroom because of the pain in the right side of my pelvis.  It was still pretty sore Saturday until Dave rubbed my feet with a golf ball.  That seemed to be the magic cure because as soon as he was done I could walk without any pain.  But, really, other than those two things I'm still feeling pretty good.  Sleep could be better but I don't see that improving for a long time.

What do I miss

being able to turn over in bed easily, it's starting to feel like a workout just to get turned over....

Gender

Boy :o)

Food cravings/aversions

Nothing really new here.  I did mention last week that I had more of a sweet tooth.  I don't think I've written it on here but pretty much since I've gotten pregnant, sweets are not all that appealing.  After I eat something sweet, it leaves a bad taste and film in my mouth.  It was worst in the first trimester but it's still hanging on.  So, even though I had a sweet tooth, it still wasn't all that tempting.

Highlights this week

 *Going through and sorting all of the baby shower gifts.  I got all the clothes sorted and ready to wash.  Everything else is in the nursery waiting for a permanent home.

*Spending the day with my mom on Friday.  We didn't get much bought but it's always good to spend time with her.

week 31

Baby’s size

Your baby is about as long as a bunch of leeks, and she will now gain as much as a half pound per week until she's born.

Baby's Length: 16.18 in.

Baby's Weight: 3.31 lbs.

**from parents.com

How I am feeling

Overall, I'm still feeling pretty good.  Sleep is probably my biggest issue right now.  Most nights it takes forever to fall asleep when I go to bed and then again when I get up to pee in the middle of the night.  I'm basically just not comfortable for very long at a time while I'm sleeping either.  I wake up every hour with hip pain so I turn over to the other side.  Our fitted sheet is never on all four corners when we wake up anymore from all my tossing and turning.

Baby is still going through this phase of not moving much hour after hour.  It makes me worry so much when I'm on hour 4.....5......6 of no movement.  I was about to call my doctor today when I decided to drink some orange juice to see if that'd get him moving.  Luckily it did so I didn't have to worry so much.  I told my mom I hope that just means that he's a calm baby. :o)

What do I miss

Sleeping on my stomach 

Gender

Boy :o)

Food cravings/aversions

I've had more of a sweet tooth the last week or so than I've had all my pregnancy.  

Highlights this week 

*I felt and recognized baby's hiccups for the first time this week.  I know I've felt it before but guess I never realized what it was before this week.

*My sister-in-law and niece hosted an amazing baby shower for us yesterday.  We received so many wonderful gifts.  Baby is very well loved already. :o)  I held it together during the shower but I laid in bed last night and cried....it was a little emotionally overwhelming (in a good way).

week 30

Baby’s size

Your baby is the size of a large cabbage. She has cycles of sleeping and waking. After 30 to 90 minutes of snoozing, she may give you a kick to let you know she's awake.

Baby's Length: 15.71 in.

Baby's Weight: 2.91 lbs.

**from parents.com

How I am feeling

Not my best week.  Mentally, I had a lot of ups and downs this past week.  No idea why this week was so much rougher but hopefully next week is better.  I felt crappy pretty most all day yesterday.  When I got out of bed, my stomach muscles were really sore in my lower belly and my stomach was really bloated feeling all day.  I felt like the baby gained 10 pounds overnight.  I even got the scale out to check if I had put on a bunch of weight, but no gain.  I told Dave that if I felt that bad for the next two months, it was going to be a long road.  Today hasn't been so bad, thankfully.

What do I miss

sleeping comfortably, not having to run to the bathroom every time I sneeze, not choking on my spit all the time

Gender

boy

Food cravings/aversions

No real craving or aversions this week.

Highlights this week

 *Not necessarily a highlight, but we attended a breastfeeding class Thursday night.  I didn't learn a whole lot of new information but it wasn't totally pointless either.  I did wish that the lactation consultant that was there had more "real world" points to offer than just "in a perfect world" situations.  For example, I asked a question about how many times I should expect to pump once I return to work and she answered with "it'd be best to stay home for 12 weeks."  Hmm...I wish, but can't make that happen.  In any case, I'd be returning to work so can you just answer my question, please?  She eventually answered, but not with a realistic answer considering my job.  I left feeling very happy that I'm not just a young, dumb girl having a baby though.  Wow.

*We bought a mattress for the crib today.  One more thing to check off the list.

week 29

Baby’s size

Your baby is the size of a large butternut squash. His skin is still wrinkly, but as fat accumulates, he will fill out.

Baby's Length: 15.2 in.

Baby's Weight: 2.54 lbs.

How I am feeling

This week was good.  I had some zinger pains go through the middle of my groin area on Friday that were new.  They were quick but made me double over and grab something whenever they'd hit.  So that was fun.  :o/  This morning Dave and I were grocery shopping and baby decided to give me a few hits or kicks to the bladder.  I seriously thought I was going to pee my pants in the middle of the store a few times.  Otherwise, things are good.  

What do I miss

Eating lunch meat....makes summertime meals so much easier when you can just make a sandwich!  

Gender

Boy

Food cravings/aversions

I've been craving Dr. Pepper lately.  I've been staying away from caffeine since getting pregnant, but did go get a can of Dr. Pepper today.  I had one last weekend too.  I figure one a week is probably ok.  Dr. Pepper is not something I normally enjoy but they taste so good right now!

Highlights this week 

*Passing my 3 hour glucose test!  Woohoo!!  It took two days to get my results due to my doctor and her nurse being out of the office.  It was a long two days waiting to find out what was going on.  The nurse said my fasting level was really good and the 3 draws after drinking the glucose drink were good too.  I was so relieved!

*I had my first dream with the baby in it.  The baby was a girl but at least it was human.  In all the dreams I've had up to this point (mainly in the first trimester), the baby has always been a puppy.  Usually a puppy that I'd neglected because I forgot I had it.  

*I did a little more sewing this week.  I made a pillow for the chair in the nursery.  It took quite awhile but it turned out just like I'd hoped it would.  I also made a changing pad cover that was super simple.  Just hoping that it actually fits the changing pad since I haven't bought it yet (I did look up the measurements on-line though).  I bought some cloth diapers to use for burp cloths last weekend so I embellished them a little too so they are cuter.  I felt pretty productive this week. :o)

week 28

Baby’s size

Your baby is the size of a kabocha squash, and she is beginning to open her eyes and blink.

Baby's Length: 14.80 in.

Baby's Weight: 2.22 lbs

How I am feeling

Well.....physically about the same.  I feel like my belly has grown quite a bit this week.  

I had a little breakdown on Thursday.  I went in for my glucose testing and my doctor wouldn't let me pass.  She requires a score of under 135 to pass and my level came back at 134.  Apparently 134 isn't under 135.  So, I had to schedule a 3 hour glucose test (will have done tomorrow, Monday, July 7) and to say I shed a few tears would be an understatement.  Half of them because I was pissed off and the other half because I'm scared to have my blood drawn 4 times in 3 hours (blood draws are not easy for me as my veins do not cooperate).  Right now I feel pretty ok about it and am just praying/hoping like crazy that I pass this one.

What do I miss

Not groaning every time I sit down or stand up, especially getting in and out of a car.  I notice myself doing this more and more. :o/

Gender

Boy

Food cravings/aversions

Well, today all I can think about is CherryBerry.  I think everyone I follow on Instagram and am friends with on Facebook posted about their frozen yogurt today.  Pretty sure I wouldn't want it at all if I were able to head out and get some (really hoping to pass that test tomorrow so I'm staying away from it).

Highlights this week 

*Well, one highlight from my doctor appointment was that my blood pressure is still holding strong.  At least there are no worries there for the time being.

*My thyroid level was good too.  So, I don't have to be tested for that again until after baby arrives.  

*The 4th of July was pretty awesome.  We spent it with Dave's parents and cousins.  The weather was amazing, which was especially great since we spent a few hours at Dave's cousin's softball tournament.

week 27

Baby’s size

Your baby is now the size of a cauliflower. At this point, he may be able to distinguish between your voice and your husband's or partner's voice.

Baby's Length: 14.41 in.

Baby's Weight: 1.93 lb.

from parents.com

How I am feeling

Overall, pretty good.  I had some pains in my pelvic area this week....mostly just really sore like I had been riding a bike for too long.  It makes getting up from sitting and taking those first few steps really hard and going from standing to sitting is painful too.  Basically it makes me feel like an 80 year old woman.  Some days it hurts really bad and others it doesn't hurt at all though so nothing that's too big of a deal.

Baby has days where he's super active and others where I start to wonder what's going on because he moves so little.  On his active days, he seems to like doing somersaults.  Sometimes he gets so wild that it takes my breath away for a second while he rolls around.  It's fun to feel and watch though.

What do I miss

Nothing out of the ordinary.....being able to sleep comfortably, move around easily, lift heavy things, drink caffeine.....

Gender

Boy

Food cravings/aversions

Nothing new

Highlights this week 

*This week marked my first week in the 3rd trimester.  I can't believe how fast everything seems to be going now.  

* This past Tuesday was exactly three months til my due date.  As I went to bed that night, I was thinking things like "Holy crap, we're having a baby!"  Apparently it's finally sunk in that I won't just be pregnant forever and we're going to have a baby with us shortly.

* Not necessarily a highlight, but holy cow the hormones have kicked in the past couple weeks.  I'm not normally much of a crier but man I'm sappy lately.

* Dave put the crib together over the weekend.  Love seeing it in there as I walk by!

* We ordered a chair for the nursery.