27 Week Update

Date: May 17, 2013

Next Doctor’s Appointment:  May 29, 2013… we now will be seeing the doctor every 2 weeks until the baby is born.

 Baby’s size:  Baby is the size of a squash!

How far along:  27 weeks!  Baby is 10 weeks from full term and has reached an 80% survival rate if she were to be born this week.

Total weight gain: +16 pounds.  Current weight: 126

Sleep:  I have the craziest, most detailed dreams! I sleep well, still, with a nest of three pillows surrounding me.  This week, I experienced my first tornado warning in TX.  An F4 tornado was near us and I heard tornado sirens for the first time in my life.  I’m not sure I slept very well that night.  People in my area were unharmed, but there were a few fatalities from the storm… praying for those people and their families… anyway, I had some really bad dreams the night of the tornado... I admit, I was scared.

Maternity Clothes:  No new maternity clothes.  I want to find a cute dress to wear to Kiley’s sister Kalena’s wedding as well as my baby shower.

 Food cravings:  Because I have been gaining weight more rapidly than I am supposed to for two weeks in a row, I really need to watch my sweets. Two pounds a week doesn't sound like much, but you're only supposed to gain half a pound to a pound per week. I am determined to get into my pre-baby body asap after our girl is born and it will be easier to do so if I stay fit during this pregnancy... not to mention, delivery is much easier for women who stay within a reasonable weight range.  I plan to post my postpartum body progress on my blog after the baby is born.  I want to keep myself motivated, hold myself accountable and hopefully inspire other moms to stay fit during pregnancy.  I have been having a scoop of peanut butter mixed with a scoop of nutella to curb my sweet tooth. It tastes like a Reese's cup and the protein in the peanut butter (I prefer reduced fat Jif) curbs my appetite for a little while. So far, it works.

 Food aversions: none

Symptoms I have: No new symptoms besides weight gain, growing pains and baby movement!  Baby girl was already head down at our 26 week appointment, which explains the increasing amount of pelvic floor pressure I feel… The doctor said I am carrying her really low which has been associated with a slightly early delivery but I will be ready whenever my daughter decides it is her birthday.

 Movement: I feel her multiple times a day and I love it when I do.

Belly Button: Total outie.

Gender:  girl

 Best moment of the week:  We made some big decisions this week as far as our future is concerned… It’s nice to have some decisions made so we can move ourselves on to bigger and better things! My cousins Nikki & Chad are having a baby just a couple months after me and we found out this week that they’re having a BOY!!! I am so thrilled for them and for my baby’s very first best friend!

What I miss:  Still miss the beach… oh, and laying on my belly. 

What I’m looking forward to: Getting the baby nursery set up at some point.  That will be fun!  

 Additional Details:  I have been pregnant for 189 days… wow! I am about to finish this school term off strong with straight A’s again! Only one more 8 week term until I have a 2 week break! 

26 Week Update

Date: May 10, 2013

Next Doctor’s Appointment:  May 15, 2013

 Baby’s size:  Baby is the size of a head of lettuce! She is about 15 inches from head to toe and weighs over 2 pounds.  She has doubled in weight since two weeks ago. Below is a video on baby's development during the 26th week.  She is opening and closing her eyes now!

How far along:  26 weeks!  This means we can be meeting her in as little as 11 weeks (full-term)!

Total weight gain: +14 pounds.  Current weight: 124

Sleep:  I can’t really complain.  I am able to fall asleep without a problem. 

Maternity Clothes:  No new maternity clothes… mostly wearing pre pregnancy clothes with the belly band as well as dresses.

 Food cravings: I haven’t had crawfish in a long time… also char broiled oysters sound amazing…
 

 Food aversions: none

Symptoms I have: No new symptoms besides weight gain, growing pains and baby movement!

 Movement: She is moving around so much.  I listen to music through my earbuds sometimes and I place one earbud on my tummy.  I have found that she loves Jack Johnson radio and Bob Marley radio on Pandora.  I think she just likes music, in general. We like jammin’ together!

Belly Button: Total outie.

Gender:  girl

 Best moment of the week:  Kiley and I go to the park almost every day to throw the frisbee for an hour or so.  I look forward to that time of day everyday now.

What I miss:  I am missing the beach.  I could truly spend all day everyday in the sunshine, salt water and sand… I can’t wait to take our daughter on vacations to the beach.  I think it’ll be her favorite place to visit, just like it is mine. 

What I’m looking forward to: I’m looking forward to the changes that will be happening in our lives over the next couple of months.  There are lots of exciting things on the horizon before our sweet baby arrives!

 Additional Details: This weekend is Mother’s Day and I am sad because I won’t get to spend it with my mama… I miss her so much.  I wish I could be with her to show her how special she is to me. I also just realized that this is my very first Mother’s Day… It is kind of strange to think that.   Mother’s Day makes me reflect.  I am so happy our daughter will get to know my mama and Kiley’s grandma (MeMom) – two amazing women who have had HUGE impacts on our lives.  On the other hand, I am sad that she will never know Kiley’s mom or my nana – two other amazing women who have been huge influences on the courses of our lives as well.  I really wish they were around to see they joy in our lives right now… they would be so proud of us.  I am way too emotional about it to even type about anymore. Happy Mother's day to all of the mamas and mamas to be this week!!!

25 Week Update

Date: May 3, 2013

Next Doctor’s Appointment:  May 20, 2013

 Baby’s size:  Baby is the size of a cauliflower!

 

How far along:  25 weeks!  This means we can be meeting her in as little as 12 weeks (when I am full-term)!

Total weight gain: +12 pounds.  Current weight: 122

Sleep:  I sleep well, but getting comfortable is getting a little more difficult.  I can feel pressure on my lungs when I am laying in certain positions. Her kicks never wake me up.  I wake up to pee a couple of times a night and just to switch from one side to another. 

Maternity Clothes:  Still wearing all of my pre-pregnancy clothes.  My shirts are getting a little short for my belly lol

 Food cravings: Still Slimfast protein shakes, fruit and I can always go for seafood... barbecue sounds good too!

 Food aversions: none... absolutely everything sounds good, usually! I don't get super full, ever, so it is getting difficult to decide when to stop eating! 

Symptoms I have: Just growing pains and fatigue. Feeling great and loving pregnancy more and more.

 Movement: I think it is so much fun when she turns around in there!  I can feel her body do the worm when she flips.  Kiley has gotten a few chances to feel her turn. We are so blessed and thankful every day for a healthy, growing baby girl.

Belly Button: My belly button is officially a 24/7 outie!

Gender: girl!

 Best moment of the week:  Still proud to be making it through school.  I am blessed to be able to get an education and I need to remind myself of that constantly when I get stressed out.  Online learning is challenging because I feel like I have to teach myself most of the material.  This experience has made me a much more disciplined learner.  My roomie, bestie and co-worker from CO, Tyler, came to stay with me for a couple of nights this week! It was such a treat to be able to see her.  I tell you all the time, I miss my CO fam so much.  It’s a complete joy whenever I get to spend time with them.

What I miss:  I will always miss Colorado & my family and best friends there.  I also miss raw sushi although, cali rolls and unagi are plenty to satisfy me.  I REALLY miss sleeping flat on my back and on my stomach.  I miss my abs and being able to do as intense of workouts as I could. haha this week is full of them! I am more than happy, though, to give these things up (and so much more) for my daughter. 

What I’m looking forward to: I’m looking forward to the changes that will be happening in our lives over the next couple of months.  There are lots of exciting things on the horizon before our sweet baby arrives!

 Additional Details: Although I miss CO, I am not complaining about being able to sit poolside in 80+ degree weather as Colorado continues to battle snow storms in MAY.  Nothing will ever beat those mountain views, though. Also, It seems like these updates are happening more frequently lately... It is crazy how fast time has flown by.  I can't say enough about how  much I have loved this pregnancy and the entire experience.  I love my baby and her daddy. I am so grateful.

24 Week Update

Date: April 26, 2013

Next Doctor’s Appointment:  May 20, 2013

Baby’s size:  Baby is the size of an eggplant! My "What to Expect When You're Expecting" book says my uterus is now the size of a soccer ball. My friend Natosha just reminded me that this week, baby has finally reached the point of viablity! This means her survival rate outside of the womb has jumped from 35% to (up to) 70%.  

How far along:  24 weeks!  Baby is gaining about 3 ounces a week in muscle and bone mass!

Total weight gain: +11 pounds.  Current weight: 121

Sleep:  Still sleeping well.  When I sit and do homework for long periods of time, I get restless but I should probably get up and stretch more often. 

Maternity Clothes:  No new maternity clothes. Mostly wearing all of my pre pregnancy clothes.

 Food cravings: I have been eating two apples a day, blackberries and strawberries.  If pineapple wasn’t so expensive, I’d probably eat it constantly.  I also still love my creamy chocolate slimfast shakes.

 Food aversions: none

Symptoms I have: Nothing new. I still get growing pains, feel like I can eat everything in sight sometimes, gaining weight and when it's hot outside, my feet, face and hands get kind of swollen (see weekly update photo above for swollen face).  I am doing my best to stay healthy.  Through it all, I really love pregnancy and I really love my little sugar.

 Movement: Our little girl is getting stronger and stronger.  I love feeling her move.

Belly Button: My belly button is starting to become an outie.  I love it.

Gender: girl

 Best moment of the week:  Kiley had an interview in CO this week, so although it was a short 1 day visit, it was still so nice to see everyone! 

What I miss:  I will always miss Colorado & my family and friends there.

What I’m looking forward to: Finishing school!

 Additional Details: I’ve been back on track with some new workouts.  I am on a mission to tone up my arms, legs and butt more so all I will have to really focus on after the baby is born is my abdominal area.  I plan to be in the best shape of my life after the baby is born so these last three months of pregnancy are no time to waste!

23 Week Update

Date: April 19, 2013

Next Doctor’s Appointment: May 15, 2013

 Baby’s size:  Baby is the size of a grapefruit!

How far along:  23 weeks!  Only 17 weeks until we meet our little sugar!

Total weight gain: +10 pounds.  Current weight: 120

Sleep:  I sleep well and her kicks never wake me up.  I wake up to pee 2 or 3 times a night and just to switch from one side to another. 

Maternity Clothes:  No new maternity clothes.  I am still able to wear my skinny jeans and all of my pre pregnancy shorts! *yay*

 Food cravings: Still loving fruit (PINEAPPLE with lemon juice) and slimfast protein shakes.

 Food aversions: none

Symptoms I have: Just growing pains and fatigue. Feeling great and loving pregnancy.

 Movement: This week was the first week I actually felt her kicking me while I was active.  I was shopping for groceries and it startled me when I felt her kicking me.  She usually waits until I’m sitting down.  She is getting bigger and stronger every day.  I am so blessed.

Belly Button: My belly button is starting to become an outie.  I love it.

Gender: girl

 Best moment of the week:  My best moments of the week have been completing my school work lately.  I never thought Managerial Accounting and International Business would be as challenging as they are for me! Thankfully, I have Mr. Finance guru Kiley to help me with my accounting.  I’m proud to still be achieving A’s on my assignments.  So far, so good! 

What I miss:  I will always miss Colorado & my family and friends there.

What I’m looking forward to: Going back to Colorado! Kiley has an interview in CO next week, so we will be going back for a couple of days.  I can’t wait! My sister and I (and hopefully mom, too) will be taking a day trip to Boulder for a girly day! I will definitely be snapping a lot of photos.

 Additional Details: Little girl's kicks tickle me sometimes! It is hilarious! It has happened three or four times as I lay down for bed.  I doesn't last long, but it makes me laugh.  This little sugar is a jokester just like her dad.

22 Week Update

Date: April 12, 2013

Next Doctor’s Appointment:  April 17, 2013

 Baby’s size:  Baby is the size of a papaya and weighs one whole pound! She is expected to gain another pound within the next four weeks!

 

How far along:  We are 22 weeks along! Only two weeks from viability.  Viability is known as premature birth survival and is said to be at 24 weeks of gestation.  In many hospitals, 24 weeks is the cutoff point for when doctors will use intensive medical intervention to attempt to save the life of a baby born prematurely.  Obviously, odds of survival increase as the pregnancy progresses.  After being (incorrectly) told at 5 weeks that I was miscarrying this baby (and having several very close friends and family experience such a tragic loss as miscarriage), I will be very excited to make it to 24 weeks pregnant.  I feel so blessed to have made it this far.  I love being pregnant and carrying a miracle of life inside me.  I love basing each decision I make off of the sweet innocent baby girl that I carry with me everywhere I go. 

Total weight gain: +9 pounds.  Current weight: 119

Sleep:  Sleep has been a little bit of an issue this week.  I noticed that a couple of nights, I couldn’t seem to get comfortable.  There are only two sleep positions for me now: Right side or left side.  I think the lack of options is what hinders me.  I now use three pillows for comfort at night (two of them, king size). 

Maternity Clothes:  I don’t think I will need many maternity items.  My belly is still growing, but my pants and shorts all fit well.  I am so happy it is warming up outside.  Summer is my favorite time of year! 

 Food cravings: Still loving fruit and slimfast shakes. 

 Food aversions: none

Symptoms I have: No new symptoms.  Feeling great and loving pregnancy. I did have an episode this week where I completely blacked out for a little bit.  I will be talking to the doctor about that during my appointment this week.  I am well hydrated and I do my best to take it easy with the physical activity, so as to keep my blood pressure steady.  I think it has something to do with my anemia.

 Movement: Some days, she is more active than others. I usually only feel her movement a few times a day for a few minutes. I love the active days!

Belly Button: starting to poke out a little

Gender: girl <3

 Best moment of the week:  The best moment this week was going back to Bossier/Shreveport to visit Kiley’s family.  I haven’t seen them in a few months, so it was really nice to catch up with everyone. 

What I miss:  I miss Colorado & my family and friends there.

What I’m looking forward to: Going back to Colorado! Kiley has an interview in CO later this month, so we will be going back for a short couple of days.  I am excited!

 Additional Details: I had to go in to the doctor’s office last week to run some lab work.  They just drew my blood to check up on me.  I found out that I am still anemic and I still have to take my iron supplements every day, but my levels are doing much better (yay!).  I am doing everything I can to make sure this baby comes into the world as nourished and healthy as possible. On a side note, everyone keeps asking if we have chosen a name.  The answer is no.  We haven’t decided. We want to find something that’s feminine, has a nice meaning behind it and is unique.