He's Here!

Check out who finally came out to play.

Enough Is Enough.

Wow. This pregnancy is going to last forever I have officially decided. Although, things are "moving" along so to speak. We won't go into details, but let's just say that all the "symptoms" I am experiencing point to the onset of labor within the next 48-72 hours. For the love of God I hope so. I am so uncomfortable, crampy, tired, swollen and more. It's terrible. I just want to get the ball rolling. Pregnancy has been so great up until about two weeks ago, but the last 3 days have by far been the most unpleasant. Contractions, cramps, back aches and more. I'm hanging, but everyday at work (and in life) is getting harder to get through. It's like the movie Groundhog Day. Everyday the alarm goes off, I crawl out of bed, I am still pregnant, I drag myself to work, I moan and groan, I come home, I moan and groan, I fall asleep (still pregnant) and we do it all over again the next day.

It will end eventually. I hope.

The First Hospital Visit.

Last night after dinner Doug and I got home and around 9:00 I was getting ready to hop in the shower when I "thought" my water had broke. Surprisingly we didn't panic. Instead I showered and we crawled into bed and that's when the contractions began. For a good three hours they were at first 12 minuets apart and a minuet each. Then they were 10 minuets apart also for a minuet each. At some point in the wee morning I fell asleep only to wake up still feeling "off". I decided to use a day and stay home just in case. Around 11:00 my husband convinced me to call the doctor because if it was my water that broke we obviously didn't have a lot of time to fool around. So needless to say I called my doctor, told her what I thought had happened, and off to the hospital she sent us.

Now you would think we would have just ran out the door, but no. Doug showered, got dressed, grabbed his iPod, I made the bed, did the dishes, got dressed, did my make-up, etc. I mean, just in case we came home with a new addition the last thing I wanted to see was a sink full of dinner dishes. Priorities. I know.

So about 30 minuets later we were in the car on our way. I must have asked Doug a dozen times "are you scared?" and he just kept saying "no, but you are". Well, yeah, I was. I was sweating and nervous. I was filled with anticipation and worries of what was to come.

So we arrive, walk in and into a room they send me. I undress and step into one of those really nice backless gowns - hospital gowns that is. The kind where my entire back end hangs out for the world to see. Snazzy. I hop into the bed and we wait. The first nurse comes in and takes my temp and blood pressure (which was through the roof thank to nerves). She then hooks me up to a monitor for the baby's heart (strong) and monitor for my contractions (still 10 minuets apart). Then a doctor comes in, asked me about 3,476 questions and leaves. Then another nurse comes in and takes a "sample" to see if my water had broke and to check dilation. Always fun by the way. Then yet another nurse comes in with an ultrasound machine to check the fluids surrounding the baby to make sure he is still floating around comfortably - and he was, which means that no, my water did not break.

Three hours later we were then discharged and told "see you in a few days". Great. In that moment my heart broke. I was so upset that we were not staying there for the long haul and that I wasn't going home with our little man. I also felt slightly silly. I can't believe I didn't know it was "time". I was reassured that everyone is different, it happens to more women than you can imagine, and better safe than sorry, etc etc. It was still hard.

It was an interesting day and it was filled with anticipation, fear, excitement, and a good dose of reality check. I'm hoping that we're back there soon. And not because I am 39 weeks and uncomfortable, but because I am so excited to meet the little man my husband and I created. It's going to be amazing and I can't wait to see his little face.

39 Weeks! Home Stretch!

Your baby's crown-to-rump length at this time is approximately 14.4 inches and the total length is approximately 21.5 inches. The average baby weighs a little more than 7 pounds now and is preparing for birth. You are probably as big as you are going to get and may be uncomfortable now. Most women gain between 25 and 35 pounds during their pregnancy. Your uterus is about 7-8 inches above your bellybutton now. Although your baby continues to grow and develop inside of your uterus, there is not much room for him to move about. All of your baby's organ systems are now complete and the lungs were the last to fully mature. If you are uncomfortable with your pregnancy at this time, you are not alone. Most women are ready to deliver their babies. It would be very unusual for you to not be uncomfortable at this time. Your uterus has grown a lot and now fills your entire pelvis and abdomen. Try not to ask your doctor to induce you, unless it is medically necessary. Your cervix is ripening in preparation for delivery and your bladder is under a lot of pressure. You may feel nervous about the upcoming labor. You will know when you are in labor because contractions will get worse when you move around and they will also get stronger and more frequent. Other signs of labor are the breaking of your water or a bloody show as the mucus that plugged your cervix becomes dislodged. Most of the lanugo on your baby should be gone by now. Your baby still may have some on his shoulders and in the creases of his body. Your baby's toenails have reached the end of his toes. The umbilical cord is about a half inch thick and may be wrapped around him. The umbilical cord still supplies the baby with nutrients that he needs. After delivery, your baby's umbilical cord will be clamped and cut. After it is cut, he will be an independent human being and must perform all of his body functions on his own. Your baby will get antibodies from your body that give his immune system a boost.

Tick Tock....

I'm still preggers everyone. I'm just having a hard time watching the clock. I know one day I will look back and kick myself for wanting to get pregnancy over with, but when you are in my shoes (or any other pregnant woman's shoes for that matter) you are just ready to go and the waiting game is enough to kill you.

5-7 Days.

That was my doctors latest prediction. We had another appointment yesterday and well, I have made zero progress. I'm still where I was last week, but according to the doctor I am at probably the furthest I will be until labor. She basically said it's going to hit me out of no where within the next 5-7 days. Again, that's her prediction. She did "loosen" things up to see if that would help, but with my luck this kid will hang on until August.

I guess we'll just wait and see.

I Still Don't See A Light At The End Of The Tunnel.

So, I'm still pregnant. I am 38 weeks today and going crazy. And I know you are saying "oh, take your time because he will be here when he gets here". This I know. Believe me, I know. But when you are 38 weeks pregnant, having contractions, 80% effaced, 2.5cm dilated, uncomfortable, swollen, hot, so on and so forth (minus quite a few other unpleasant things) you too would be losing your mind. And did I mention my doctor gave me hope at my last appointment that he would be here this week? So that makes it even harder because I sit here and watch the clock. Everyday at work I treat like my last so I go nuts trying to make sure everything is done, loose ends are tied up, etc. Then at home it's worse because I make sure I have everything in my bag, I make sure the house is clean, I make sure we have plenty of frozen sauce/food so we're not cooking when he arrives, etc. It awful. I am driving myself crazy because I know he will arrive on his own time, but I can't help but treat today like it's "the day".

Anyway, we have a doctor appointment today. Maybe a big one. My doctor is going to hopefully strip my membranes to help induce labor because he and I both are ready. So wish me luck. I'm really hoping that today is the day. But then again, he will come when he comes. So I guess I will just take it a day at a time as unappealing as that sounds to me right now.

I never was a patient person.

38 Weeks - Lord Help Me.

Your baby continues to grow this week and weighs about 6.8 pounds. His crown-to-rump length is still about 14 inches and total length is around 21 inches. Most women do not grow any larger during the last few weeks of their pregnancy. From the top of your uterus to your bellybutton is about 6.5 to 7 inches. You may be very uncomfortable now-you are almost there! Just before real labor contractions start, you might notice false labor contractions. These should not be confused with Braxton-Hicks contractions. False labor contractions can be as strong as real labor contractions, but do not get closer and may go away if you get up to walk around. Contractions help dilate the cervix and encourage your water to break. Your baby could be born any day now, but only 5% of mothers deliver on their actual due date! Over the last few weeks of pregnancy, your baby has been building up waste materials in the intestines. This waste material is known as meconium and is greenish-black in color. Meconium is made up of cells that your baby has shed, lanugo and other substances. Meconium is the first waste that your baby will pass after birth. However, sometimes babies pass meconium before delivery and are delivered with greenish-black waste covering their body. Special care must be taken when a baby passes meconium in the womb. If your baby is a boy, his testes should have descended into his scrotum by this time. When your baby boy is born, both of his testes should be in place. Approximately 1% of babies are born with undescended testes. Because an undescended testis can cause infertility issues and increase the risks of testicular cancer, your baby's doctor will examine both testes after birth. The baby's skull is not fully solid as the five bony plates, known as fontanels (little fountains), are still separate and can be pushed together. Birth may mold and elongate the fetal head, a safety precaution to reduce the skull's diameter for an easier birth, without damaging the fetal brain. After delivery, the baby's head returns to a rounded shape. Eyes have no tear ducts yet, they appear a few weeks after birth.

Suggestions.

I am taking suggestions from anyone and everyone. What will trigger labor? I am ready to have this baby and on Monday the doctor said she will "loosen things up" to see if we can get the party started. So, with that said is there anything that will help? Now I know you will say spicy food, walking, and doing what got me pregnant to start with...well, I've done it all. I will keep doing them as much as possible until I burst. But if there is anything else you recommend I am all ears. This girl is desperate.

Come On!

I am seriously going crazy. I want him here, now. I am having contractions off and on, nothing alarming but every single time I feel one I think "Ok, maybe this is it" and well, it's not. I keep waiting for my water to break or to start having contractions closer together, something to make me say "Ok, it's time". And nothing. I am having shooting pains (we won't talk about where exactly) and other miscellaneous pains that make me stop dead in my tracks and as quickly as they came they leave. Again, nothing. I am impatient. I am a preparer. And as most of you know I hate surprises and the fact that I cannot figure out when he will make his big arrival is driving me insane. And what's worse is with my luck this kid will hang on for the long haul. Lord help me if that is the case.

Doctor Update.

So we had another doctor visit yesterday. Keep in mind my last one was Thursday. So it was all of 3 days in between. You would think not much has changed. Wrong. I am now a full 2+ cm. dilated. I am 80% effaced and the baby is now engaged in the -1 stage. The doc said that she thinks I will have this baby next week. So with that said my next appointment is on Monday and my doc said that she will "loosen things up" by doing some membrane stripping to help speed up the labor process if he doesn't come on his own.

So boys and girls with that said it looks like I will be a mommy next week (or the following one at the latest). Needless to say I came home, packed up spare batteries, cameras, made Doug pack his bag, baby clothes and got everything in the back of my car. I programmed speed dials and phone numbers on our phones. We are ready to go - I hope.

I am so excited to meet this little guy. I can't sleep and I can't stop thinking about him. It's going to be a long next few days. Hurry up and get here Parker!

Baby-Moon 2009.

Last weekend the husband and I went to Tablerock lake just to get away. I'd like to call it a Baby-Moon. We hopped in the car, drove a few hours, stayed in a hotel and just relaxed. We of course did some shopping, eating and sight-seeing as well. It was much needed and felt so good to shut the world out and phones off for just a day. Enjoy some of the pictures I took along the way.

37 Weeks Down And 3 More To Go!

You are considered full-term now and your baby's final touches are being made. The crown-to-rump length of your baby is now 14 inches and the total length is around 21 inches. Your baby weighs approximately 6.5 pounds. Your uterus may be measuring about the same as it has been and is probably about 6.5 inches from the top of your bellybutton. This week your baby should engage into your pelvis. If this is not your first pregnancy, it may happen later. When your baby engages, his head drops down into your pelvis and you might feel a slight sensation called `lightening` as the pressure on your ribs eases. As your baby drops into the final position for delivery, you may experience a buzzing feeling and shooting pains in your groin and leg. Normally, you will be able to breathe and eat easier. However, your uterus pushes down harder on your bladder and you will have an increased urge to urinate more frequently. Even if your baby engages now, you still possibly feel his feet in your breastbone around week 40. Your baby is now fully mature and ready to be born. However, your baby is still growing and developing every day. Fat is still being laid down at a rate of a half ounce a day. If this is your first pregnancy, you can expect to deliver closer to 40 weeks or shortly thereafter. If this is not your first baby, you might go earlier than 40 weeks! Make sure that your bags are packed for the hospital and remember to preregister for admission. Your doctor may begin doing weekly pelvic exams to evaluate your cervical changes and progression. Your healthcare provider will make sure that you are not leaking amniotic fluid and will also examine your cervix to check for effacement and dilation. Before labor, your cervix is thick and 0% effaced. During labor your cervix thins out and right before delivery it will become very soft and 100% effaced. Research shows your baby can be affected by stress hormones. Make time to relax, to have fun, and to rest. Your baby has learned to coordinate sucking, swallowing and breathing so it can do all three when breastfeeding after birth. Babies practice shallow breathing before birth, using amniotic fluid.

Doctor Appointment.

So we had a doctor appointment yesterday. Well, things are going quickly needless to say. I am now 1.5cm dilated, thinning out significantly, and am now at the -2 stage. His head is down, he weighs about 6.5-7lbs and according to my doctor "will definitely be early" considering all the progress I have made in a week. Then we asked her if it was ok to go out of town this weekend. She looked at us like we had 6 heads and said "why would you do that?" Then went on to say that since we are only 3 hours away from home that if I were to go into labor it's a short enough ride that I would be able to get home and to the hospital in plenty of time.

With that said the hubby and I are headed to the lake this weekend to just get away. We're going to do some shopping, eating, and relaxing. I am looking forward to this little baby moon. At the same time since the doctor put the fear of God into me I will be taking my hospital bag and I will have you know the car seat has been properly installed by our local firefighters.

Wish us luck.

Baby Bump Pictures!

So last weekend my dear friend Pamela (PQ) gave my husband and me a gift that no amount words can ever explain. She ever so kindly offered to do my maternity session. So with her camera in hand we headed all over town taking advantage of the beautiful weather paired with the city's outstanding backdrops and vibrant colors. She was so nervous and afraid of "letting us down" but as you can see she went above and beyond. I knew she would do an outstanding job, but when I see these pictures I cannot help but to tear up and think about the amazing memories she has given to my husband and me. She has given us a gift that we will cherish for years to come. This is one of the most special times in our lives and for this gift we are forever grateful. PQ you did an outstanding job. You are a talented, gifted woman who should give herself more credit for the talent she possesses and who I believe captured a moment in our lives perfectly. Thank you again for your generosity. I'm so thankful to call you a friend. Here is a sample of just a few of the hundreds taken. Enjoy!

If you can, head over to PQ's blog and check out how seriously talented she is!

Yes everyone, this is my baby daddy.

Picture Day!

So my good friend Pamela is an amazing photographer. She doesn't do it professionally (yet) but she has a gift that I am so envious of. I have seen some of her work, and I see the passion she possesses and those two things combined makes her seriously talented. So when she said she would take some maternity pictures for my husband and me I was thrilled.

We met Pamela at Laumeier Sculpture park to start. We just walked around stopping at various spots, sculptures, and grassy hills. She snapped picture after picture always coming up with a new pose, idea or angle. Then on to Lafyette Square where brightly colored dooways, window frames and old brick provided inspiration. From there we went down to the riverfront in which we used old, worn down warehouses and broken windows for a backdrop. While on on the riverfront we headed over to the river walk trail and took advantage of the sea glass mosaics in bright blues and greens. And last but not least we made our last stop the infamous graffiti wall. It is this huge concrete wall covered from top to bottom in brightly colored graffiti for as far as the eye can see.

What an amazing day. We had gorgeous weather, sunshine and the company of our good friend Pamela who I will never be able to thank enough for capturing this time in the lives of both my husband and me. A truly incredible day. Thank you again PQ. I love you tons!

1 Hour Massage + 8 Months Pregnant = Heaven.

So for my birthday my husband, I mean Parker, got me a 1 hour mommy prenatal massage. So I instantly scheduled it and this past Saturday morning was my appointment.

It was pure heaven.

I laid down on my side on a warm, soft bed and hugged a huge body pillow and placed a fluffy pillow under my head. I instantly melted. For one hour I completely let go of life. I am fairly sure I fell asleep a few times and when I wasn't asleep I was thinking of a warm, tropical beach. For one hour I was in heaven. I really needed this massage and this alone time to just let go of everyday stress and noise.

It was the perfect gift.

Thank you baby, I mean Parker...

36 Weeks. SO Close!

By this week of pregnancy your baby's crown-to-rump length reaches about 13.5 inches and the total length is approximately 20.7 inches. Your baby weighs about 6 pounds now. The top of your uterus has moved further up under your ribs and is about 5.5 inches above your bellybutton. Your uterus has grown a lot in the past few weeks as your baby has gained weight. You may have gained about 30 pounds by now and it is common for your weight to stay about the same from this point onwards. Because the top of the uterus is high as it will be, breathing may be getting very uncomfortable at times. You might notice jabbing pains from your baby's kicks. However, within the next few weeks, your baby will drop into the birth canal and this will make breathing easier again. Most doctors like to see their patients weekly from now on to check for labor progression. Your prenatal classes are probably coming to an end and you should have already made a birth plan and discussed available options for pain control during pregnancy. Your baby's face has filled out significantly and looks smooth and plump. Because your baby has powerful sucking muscles and has had layers of fat forming for quite some time now, the cheeks have filled out like a newborn's. Your baby's skull is firm, but not hard. Every baby's head has the ability to give slightly so that there is room for her to fit down the birth canal during delivery. Some babies are born with cone shaped heads from the pressure of delivery, but this will go away after delivery. The amount of amniotic fluid is at its maximum amount now and your baby may not be moving as much as she had been. As long as you still feel her movements every day, there should be no cause for concern. The placenta is now one-sixth of the fetal weight.

Look What Daddy Did!

He put together the stroller! It's so flippin' cute and everything is coming together. It's so real it's almost scary...

Love Hurts.

Check out the kankles to prove it.

Project.

I just could not wait to put together something from my shower. So, I chose the swing from Aunt Combo and Uncle Steve Steve because it didn't require any tools.

I adore it.

Doctor Appointment.

Well, had a doctor appointment last night. Since I am 35 weeks along we did a Strep B test. Strep B is a bacteria that can be passed on to the baby during birth that can cause sepsis, pneumonia, or meningitis. With the right treatment it can be prevented with antibiotics during labor. I will know the test results next week, so fingers crossed.

Then it was time for her to check and see if am dilating and all that good stuff. Talk about an uncomfortable feeling. We won't go into details, but let's just say I felt violated. Well, the news there is that I am a fingertip dilated, my cervix is thinning and I am also at the -3 stage. Oh, and he is head down and positioned correctly (which of course will change a thousand times between now and the big day). How do I know his head is down? Well at one point my doctor says "Oh, and there's his head!" Seriously? You can feel that??? Anyway, she went on to say "Well, I don't think we have anything to worry about for at least another 2 weeks." So, he could come early, he could come right on time, he could come late, but all I know is that for another 2 weeks he probably won't make a surprise arrival. I, of course, would like him to hold out for the next 5 weeks to his due date, but I think he has wanted out for a long time now so I understand him wanting to make a grand entrance sooner rather than later.

Everything else is normal. My weight, belly measurements, blood pressure, etc are all right on track. I am the spitting image of a healthy pregnancy according to her.

Now we just wait...

Belly Shot.

I know it's been quite some time since I last posted a belly shot. So without further ado, here you go! This was taken last night - 35 weeks along.

35 Weeks!

Your baby now weighs over 5.5 pounds and its crown-to-rump length is approximately 13.2 inches. Your baby's total length is around 20.25 inches at this point. Your uterus is now 6 inches from the bellybutton and the average weight gain is approximately 24 to 29 pounds. Most pregnant women begin to feel cramped and heavy around this time and often become tired of being pregnant. Some women feel like they do not have to room to breathe or eat. You should eat small, but frequent, meals and rest as often as you can throughout the day. Your cervix will begin to dilate and efface within the next few weeks to make room for your baby's head to emerge from the birth canal. Your cervix needs to be 10 cm dilated in order to deliver your baby. This week of your pregnancy your baby's fingernails will have definitely reached the tips of his fingers. When your baby is born, his nails may look long and pointy. Your baby is less likely to scratch himself at this point because of the lack of room in the uterus. Fat deposition will still continue and your baby is getting chubbier and rounder. Your baby's shoulders are plump at this point. The baby begins to develop its own immune system.

School Days.

So yesterday was the Labor/Delivery/Childbirth Class at St. John's. The husband and I were up at 6:00, showered and on the road by 7:15 (of course, had to stop for a sausage egg mcmuffin). Anyway, we arrived with pillows and blankets in hand shortly before 8:00 and got comfortable for the long haul. There were only 5 other couples in the class besides us which was nice because it felt more personal, and when you are talking about labor, delivery and everything associated with pregnancy it's nice for the class to feel a little more 1-on-1 if you will.

Then there was out instructor Judy. She was amazing. She was older (I'd say 60's) and fantastic. She was/is a nurse and still currently works at St. John's. I tell you what, this woman knew everything! And what was even better was that we didn't feel like we were being taught from a textbook for 8 hours (you know, like back in high school). She threw in real life experiences both personal and work related. She was a ball of fire and I will recommend taking this class with her to anyone! I truly had a blast.

The class itself was amazing. I (we) learned SO much, honestly. You can read books until you are blue in the face, but this class was better than any book, any story a friend might tell you, etc. I cannot say enough how amazing this class is. And my husband, talk about an amazing coach! He will be incredible! Well, except the part in which we were shown a video of an actual delivery-he was a little squeamish. Anyway, we did breathing exercises in different positions to help us get through contractions and he was a rockstar. She highly promotes getting up and walking around for so many different reasons so we spent a good chunk of time sitting on exercise balls, walking, squatting, etc all while breathing through contractions. Then we got a tour of the NICU, Labor and Delivery, Recovery Rooms, so on and so forth. I am in love with that hospital! The best part was seeing the kitchen on the postpartum floor that was stocked with all the free ice cream and soda you could want!

Yesterday might have been long, but it will ALL be worth it. It really put my mind at ease about everything. To see and talk and have questions answered is really all this pregnant girl needed.

34 Weeks! 6 More To Go!

Your baby's crown-to-rump length this week is approximately 12.8 inches and the total length is around 19.8 inches at this time. Your baby now weighs almost 5 pounds. From your bellybutton, it is about 5.6 inches to the top of your uterus. Measurements of your uterus vary from woman to woman. You should not worry if you do not measure the exact same as your pregnancy friends or family members as long as you are growing appropriately. When your uterus grows and gets larger at an appropriate rate, it shows that your baby is growing well inside of your uterus. Braxton-Hicks contractions are going to get stronger and more frequent within the next few weeks. Braxton-Hicks contractions feel like a tightening at the top of your uterus that spreads down and then relaxes. Many women mistake Braxton-Hicks contractions for true labor contractions, but this is rarely the case. Braxton-Hicks contractions will diminish if you get up and walk around and they should not be painful. Your baby's hair continues to get longer and thicker. Your baby's hair color probably is not going to be the same color from birth onwards, so you should expect it to change in color. Your baby is shedding most of lanugo, but the amount of vernix caseosa is increasing. Your baby is taking calcium from you to lay down lots of bone. Continue to take your prenatal vitamins and drink milk to ensure that you receive enough calcium. If you were to deliver your baby now, it would probably be called a pre-term infant instead of premature. The only difference is in the maturity, particularly lung maturity. A pre-term baby is less likely to need intensive care because its lungs have developed. Doctors can test lung maturity with an amniocentesis that checks levels of surfactant. The baby now rests on your uterus and is no longer floating. Fingernails now reach over the finger tips and the baby can scratch itself.

Um...Wow. That's All I can Say...

Found this on a web page that I frequent. I have NO idea what to say besides SERIOUSLY????

"Invention Lets Women "Practice" Giving Birth With A Balloon"

An invention filed with the U.S. Patent Office allows pregnant women to partially insert a balloon in the vagina and push it out, in order to practice giving birth. According to the patent, when inflated in the vagina, the balloon tapers conically toward the waist, which "causes the orifice of the birth canal to dilate in a manner similar to that caused by the emerging head of a baby." Pregnant women can then "exercise by pushing the balloon out of the vagina in preparation for giving birth." Supposedly repeatedly birthing the balloon will make the real thing easier and less painful, but is better to just do it once and get it over with?

Doctor.

Had another doctor appointment yesterday. Everything is great. I did lose 2lbs though due to having a touch of the stomach flu the past few days. The doc said she was not worried about that. She would be more worried if I wasn't staying hydrated and I was losing weight for no apparent reason. Since I was sick though, she said, I'll pack that 2lbs back on in no time once my eating habits return. Woohoo!

Anyway, all is well. As usual, Parker was kicking up a storm and making it difficult to get his heartbeat, but have no fear I heard his heart and the doc said "strong as can be". Everything else is normal.

Less than 7 weeks to go!

I Cannot Tell A Lie.

I'm a registry stalker. Well, actually my husband is. Yesterday he yells up to me from the bottom of the stairs "Babe, come down when you get a second. You have to see something." So I stop folding clothes and make my way downstairs. It had to be good because my darling husband knows that it is no small feat for me these days to make numerous trips up and down those dreaded stairs. I find my husband sitting in front of our computer with our registry pulled up. "Look at all the stuff we're getting" he says as he scrolls down to the bottom of the screen. And there is was, plain as day, gifts flying off the shelves! We got our jogging stroller (which is probably my most wanted gift - I gotta drop this baby weight somehow), monitor, bumper, highchair, extra car seat base, Doug's daddy diaper bag and more! I am so excited! It's not about the gifts or the money, it's just the thought and kindness of others.

So if you're reading this my family of gift-givers, thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts. It really does mean so much to us to have the love and support that all of you give to each of us every single day.

Sweet Lord.

My baby is the size of a honeydew! Except for the fact that the last time I checked honeydews do not kick you so hard in the rib cage that you sit straight up out of a dead sleep.

33 Week Mile Marker!

Your baby weighs about 4.4 pounds at this point. The crown-to-rump length of your baby is approximately 12 inches and the total length is around 19.4 inches. Measuring from the top of your uterus to your bellybutton is 5.2 inches. Total weight gain at this point of pregnancy is usually 22 to 28 pounds. With the exception of crying, your baby is capable of doing everything that a newborn baby will do. Your baby is restricted now inside of the uterus, but still can kick and move. Your baby sleeps a lot of the time, just as newborn babies do. Your baby's eyes move in the manner of REM sleep and researchers believe that babies can dream vividly in uterus. When your baby is awake, she is listening, feeling and learning. There are billions of neurons in the brain that make trillions of connections. Your baby will probably have settled into the birth position by now and your caregiver can most likely tell which way your baby is presenting. If your baby were to be born now, the lungs would probably be strong enough to function properly, but your baby may still need extra care from specially trained doctors and nurses. During these last few weeks of pregnancy, most women experience an increased urge to urinate. The uterus puts a lot of pressure on the bladder and can send you to the restroom frequently. Your uterus has actually grown 500 times throughout your pregnancy! Red blood cell production catches up with the production of plasma and physiological anemia may begin to fade at this time. Your baby's eyes open during alert times and close during sleep. The eye color is usually blue, regardless of the permanent color as pigmentation is not fully developed. The final formation of eye pigmentation requires exposure to light and usually happens a few weeks after birth.

Diaper Bag!

I just checked on UPS.com and it says my diaper bag is "Delivered". I can't wait to get home! I wound up purchasing the JJ Cole Logic Bag. The bag that I am in love with. I know it's not the biggest of bags, and I know all you other mothers are just shaking your heads at me saying "this poor girl has NO clue" but hear me out. I bought this one with the intention of short trips. Things like to the doctor, or grocery store, etc. I obviously know this will not be an "all day" or "overnight" bag. In fact, I did register for another diaper bag for that reason alone. Actually, my husband registered for it. Anyway, the point I am trying to make is that I know this bag is not the biggest or most practical, but if it can hold me over for a couple of hours then I am thrilled. I refuse to lug a huge diaper bag around with me when I only need to go to the doctor or grocery store. There is just no need to have an entire bag packed full of so much junk that I cannot maneuver. That's just me though. I'll keep you posted!

Wish me luck!

56 Days!

That's all. 56 day till my due date. Insane!

Love Letter.

Dear Parker,

I want you to know that I adore the bond that I have formed with you. It is a special bond that only pregnancy can bring to a mother and child and I am so grateful for the experience. Even through the rougher days I want you to know that these are memories I will cherish for a lifetime. You have been such a good baby and I count my blessings every single day that I have you in my life. You have truly given my life so much meaning and direction that I will never be able to thank you enough. I am looking forward to finally meeting you and starting our lives together as a family.

I cannot wait for you to meet your daddy. He is already such a proud father. He falls more and more in love with you by the second. I want you to know that he is the best daddy in the entire world and that you two will be inseparable. He is going to teach you how to play hockey, take you fishing and teach you all about the helicopter he flies. He is going to be the man you will always look up to, respect and strive to be like. And you should know that he loves me very much and has always been so good to me. I can promise you that you will grow up in a house filled with more love and laughter than you ever thought possible.

You should also know that mommy and daddy are not perfect. We will make mistakes along the way, but if you can promise to be patient and understanding we will work through life as a family. There will also be times when we may not be the best of friends, but know that mommy and daddy will always have your best interests at heart. And no matter how upset any of us are, know that we love you and always will.

We promise to stand by your side through thick and thin and we promise to give you the best future we possibly can. Mommy and daddy are already working so hard to make sure that we can give you everything you deserve. You mean the world to us and we are looking forward to meeting you. We promise that from the moment our eyes meet we're going to love you more than anything in this world.

Thank you Parker for such an amazing experience. Thank you for coming into our lives. And thank you for already being the best thing to ever happen to us.

Love,
Mommy

Braxton Hicks. What A Pain!

I'm noticing what is commonly know as Braxton Hicks Contractions happening within my body. I never really noticed them until this weekend but when I did I felt some cramping and my belly getting very tight. Nothing I couldn't handle, but not exactly comfortable to say the least. Here is a little lesson on Braxton Hicks. Enjoy.

Pregnancy is a time of many changes, both physical and emotional. Now that you are pregnant you are probably noticing that a whole variety of different symptoms are taking their toll on your body, especially morning sickness, weight gain, and bladder problems. As you move along in your pregnancy, you may begin to feel strange contractions in your abdomen, like a tight band across your tummy. These contractions aren't actually labor pains, but instead are referred to as Braxton Hicks contractions, one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy.

What are Braxton Hicks Contractions? Depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy, you may have already experienced a number of Braxton Hicks contractions. That tightening that you feel from time to time in your uterus may feel like real labor, but it is actually a Braxton Hicks contraction. These contractions happen when your brain sends messages to your body to prepare for labor. In response, your body contracts the muscles in your uterus to help get ready for your baby's eventual arrival.

Named after the scientist who first discovered them, Braxton Hicks contractions are typically painless and short, lasting only a minute or two. They can occur throughout your pregnancy, but typically strengthen in the last trimester. They tend to occur irregularly, and though uncomfortable, they shouldn't drive you completely crazy.

Why do Women get Braxton Hicks Contractions During Pregnancy? Though it may not seem like it, there is actually a reason why women get Braxton Hicks contractions during pregnancy. Even though they are not real labor pains, Braxton Hicks contractions are actually helping you to prepare for labor. Often called "practice contractions," Braxton Hicks contractions help your uterus practice for your upcoming labor. They help to soften your cervix and exercise all the muscles that you will need to push your baby out. Without the help of Braxton Hicks contractions, labor would actually be much more difficult and painful.

When do Braxton Hicks Contractions Begin? Typically, you should start experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions around your 28th week. This being said, early Braxton Hicks contractions can start during the second month in some women. You may find that you don't even feel these contractions the first few times that they happen. If you were pregnant before, you may find that this time around your Braxton Hicks contractions are actually much stronger. Braxton Hicks contractions really begin to come on in the third trimester. They also tend to get more intense the closer you draw to your due date.

How do Braxton Hicks Contractions Feel? Braxton Hicks contractions feel differently for each woman. Some find that they are not bothered by these contractions, while others feel very uncomfortable. Typically, Braxton Hicks contractions are described as causing more discomfort than pain. Frequent Braxton Hicks contractions can also be uncomfortable, but not painful. However, strong Braxton Hicks contractions can occur as you approach the end of the third trimester. When you feel a Braxton Hicks contraction coming on, place your hand on your lower abdomen. Your stomach should feel rigid and hard because of the muscles that are tightening in your uterus. This should only last for a few minutes. You may feel some pain or discomfort in the center of your belly, which then radiates downwards.

What Triggers a Braxton Hicks Contraction? Braxton Hicks contractions often start as a result of specific triggers. Common triggers include:

Physical activity or exertion
Sexual intercourse
Dehydration
Touching your abdomen
Your baby moving inside your uterus

What's the Difference between Braxton Hicks Contractions and Labor? You may be worrying that you won't know the difference between a Braxton Hicks contraction and the real thing; well, you are not alone. Many women worry about recognizing the real signs of labor.

Keep these things in mind when you are unsure: Unlike real labor pains, Braxton Hicks won't increase in intensity. Labor pains will increase in frequency, occurring closer together. Braxton Hicks contractions will eventually go away on their own. Braxton Hicks contractions tend to be irregular, with no precise pattern to them. Real labor pains will have a definite pattern. Braxton Hicks contractions are not as painful as real labor pains.

Staying Comfortable with Braxton Hicks. Some women find that Braxton Hicks contractions are really uncomfortable. If your Braxton Hicks are bothering you, try some of these suggestions:

Drink lots of water.
Dehydration can make your muscles spasm, bringing on a contraction.
Avoid caffeine.
Practice your labor breathing techniques.
Rhythmic breathing will help to alleviate your discomfort.
Lie down on your left side when you have a contraction. This should help to ease the pain and keep you rested. Change the position you are in or switch activities for a while when you have a contraction. A slight change in movement sometimes make the contractions disappear.

32 Weeks Here We Come!

By week 32, your baby weighs nearly 4 pounds! The crown-to-rump length of your baby is approximately 11.7 inches and the total length is about 18.9 inches. Your uterus is now 5 inches above your bellybutton. Some doctors do not see their patients every other week until now. So, if you were going to the doctor monthly, you may begin going once every other week now. Sometimes the baby experiences REM sleep, an indication of dreaming. Now that your baby has grown so long and your uterus is higher, you might notice a new discomfort. Your baby is probably head-down and may occasionally stretch out and kick you in the ribs. The pressure on your rib cage can make you sore, especially if one of your baby's feet becomes caught. You can prevent this by sitting up straight as much as possible. Because your baby's demands for vitamins and minerals are higher than ever right now, you should continue to take your parental vitamins for the entire pregnancy. This week your baby's movements will peak. You should continue to monitor the fetal movements daily and address any concerns with your caregiver. The wrinkles in your baby's face are disappearing and fat is still being deposited throughout the baby's body. The body growth slows down from now on. Because of the lack of space in the uterus, the legs are drawn up in what is known as the fetal position. As a preparation for breastfeeding, your baby has learned to root for the breast. The baby will turn its head if touched on the cheek and open its mouth if the bottom lip is tickled. By this time the baby can also suck and swallow in a coordinated way.

A Wee Bit Too Fast For Me.

My husband and I were sitting in the doctor's office last night when I hear my husband start laughing uncontrollably. I look over and he is reading an article out of Pregnancy Magazine about strollers. Actually it was about one stroller, The Roddler.

"The Roddler—with fenders from the Kids Kustoms Tins for Tots charity—can reach speeds up to 200 miles per hour, but it will also do just fine on the daily cruise to Starbucks. Prices for custom strollers start at $1,700."

200 miles per hour? I had to re-read that part a dozen times before I could believe my eyes. 200 miles per hour!?! What in God's name would anyone do with a stroller that can reach speeds up to 200 miles per hour?

Doctor.

I just realized that I have not posted about any of my recent doctor appointments. I have one in about an hour, and have had a few in the last couple weeks or so. I am now going every two weeks, and after 1 or 2 more visits I will be going once a week (which means I am getting closer by the day). Parker is still "the most active baby" my doctor has ever seen and I could not agree more. My glucose screen came back normal, go me! At my last appointment I had only gained 1lb and my belly went from 27" to 29" in two weeks. I can only imagine what tonight's appointment will bring. My doctor said his heart sounds great and that I appear to be doing just fine.

Fingers crossed. The finish line is getting closer by the day.

Holy Cow!

My hips hurt so unbelievably bad right now.

That's all. Just some more moaning and groaning.

Freaking Out!

It happened yesterday. I'm in the car with my husband running errands when I turned to him, totally panic stricken, and said "I think we need to get stuff for the baby, I don't feel ready". I went on and on about how I don't know what to get, or what he will like, or what bottles to use, so on and so forth. When I was done ranting my husband said "Calm down baby, let's go buy him some stuff."

So off we went to Target and we bought a few packs of those hospital pacifiers that women rave about along with a bottle of baby bath wash, A&D ointment, a few packs of wipes, baby lotion, etc. It wasn't much, but it really put my mind at ease. I felt like we will have some stuff for when we arrive home from the hospital. Then we walked past the bottles and I felt the sweats coming on. I have zero clue on which bottles to use. There are glass, there are plastic, there are ones that need plastic drop-ins, there are cheap, mid-priced, and expensive. Baby Jesus I had no idea what to do. Needless to say we left that aisle and decided to cross the bottle bridge another day. I just cannot think about it. It's too much pressure and I figured people do this every single day, so I am sure my husband and I will figure it out eventually.

I know I am ready for him to get here, but there are times when I look around and I think to myself "what in God's name am I going to do when he gets here?" It's a vicious cycle my brain plays on me daily, it's awful. One second I'm totally ready, the next moment I am freaking out because the clock it rapidly ticking.

31 Weeks! Getting SO close!

Week 31You've just entered the single-digit countdown (only nine more weeks to go!). Make a list of what you'd like to do in these final weeks: See the new Oscar-worthy movie, hear your favorite local band, have lunch with a friend, go on a romantic date with your partner. Whatever it is, do it soon because baby is right around the corner! Your mind may not be anywhere near ready for your baby to arrive but your body is already making preparations. One of the ways it's getting ready is by "practicing" for labor in the form of Braxton Hicks contractions. Luckily, these are generally painless, although somewhat annoying as they can occur frequently (the middle of the night, during an important meeting, while you're trying to focus on Access Hollywood, etc). Braxton Hicks contractions feel like a sudden tightening of your uterus. This is just a little preview of what real contractions will feel like. They usually start to become noticeable around the eighth month and can become very strong by the end of your pregnancy. While you can't get rid of Braxton Hicks contractions, there are some things you can do to make yourself more comfortable, like gentle exercise (such as walking) or taking a warm, relaxing bath. Calgon, take me away. Your baby will continue to gain around ½ pound a week until shortly before birth (even though it may feel like a whole lot more with every step you take). Due to increasing space constraints, your baby's arms and legs stay drawn up close to the body now, known as the fetal position. Plus, your baby can now process information from all five senses. By now, your baby's lungs are the only system not fully mature. Her lungs need a little bit more time to before they can kick it in the outside world. Your baby weighs about 3½ pounds and measures a little over 16 inches.

Cage Fighter.

My husband and I joke daily about how we think this child is going to be a cage fighter. He is non-stop inside of me to the point that it wears me out! Every single doctor appointment we have had in the past few months the doctor has had to stop several times to laugh because according to her "he is the most active child she has come across in her entire career". It takes her typically 15 minuets to just get an interrupted heartbeat, and even then she has to guesstimate his bpm because at some point he will kick or move making her chase him around. It's a vicious game of cat and mouse.

People ask me all of the time "what does it feel like?" and to be honest it is an unexplainable feeling. I like to tell people that I feel as though I have swallowed a massage chair that was set to high. It is a kneading feeling that will start in one place and move across my entire belly to the opposite end (envision a lava lamp). I can see his elbow, hand, knee or foot poke up (similar to popping a tent) and literally move around my belly. I can even poke back and make him tuck that body part in. That to me is the strangest feeling. I can physically feel my child, I can move him around and position him to a spot that enables me to breathe easier. There are times when I can look down and see that one side of my belly is significantly larger than the other and I can tell he has found a spot to curl up in and sleep. Then there are times when he kicks like a firecracker. It not that he is doing much moving around so to speak, it's more like he is staying still and simply kicking his little heart out.

People say I will have my hands full, but I like to say that an active baby is a healthy baby. That's what really matters to me.

Pregnancy Brain.

I have noticed that throughout this entire pregnancy that I have a serious case of "pregnancy brain". I forget everything all the time. I have to put reminders on my phone, my blackberry, my 2 calendars at work, my calendar at home, on post-its around the house etc. If I need to remember to take something with me I typically plant it in front of our front door so I literally trip over it when I'm leaving. It's terrible. I have left my debit card places a few times, I have left my keys in places I didn't even know existed in my house, so on and so forth.

The kicker was today. I got up this morning, felt great, did my normal routine, sat down and ate breakfast, etc. Everything was going great until about 10 minuets ago when I kept itching at the collar on my dress. Then I look down and the tag is sticking out - in front! I have been at work 4 hours and have had my dress on backwards the entire time.

Unbelievable.

30 Weeks! Almost There!

You may feel as if you have been pregnant forever at this point. It might be hard to imagine being pregnant for another ten weeks, but your baby still has a lot of growing and developing to do! By this time, your baby's crown-to-rump length is a little over 10.8 inches and the total length of your baby is about 17 inches! Your baby weighs about 3 pounds now. Your uterus can be felt about 4 inches above your bellybutton. Your uterus, baby, placenta and the amount of fluid will get larger over the next ten weeks. You should be gaining about a pound a week at this time. Because you are getting larger, you are probably becoming slower and clumsier. You should try to be careful to avoid dangerous falls. Good posture when sitting and standing can help you feel better during your pregnancy. You also should be rolling over on your side to get up after lying down because your muscles have stretched to accommodate your growing uterus. Even though your baby is cushioned by the amniotic fluid, she can feel and respond to pain. Your baby now does "practice breathing" to get ready for life outside of your womb. If you have an ultrasound at this time, you will be able to see this. If your baby swallows amniotic fluid down the wrong passage, she will still get hiccups that are noticeable by you. If your baby were born at this time, she would be able to keep herself warm. The skin begins to smoothen as fat deposits accumulate underneath. The fat insulates and is an energy source.

Some Of The Best Gifts Yet!

Last night after yoga my friend Jenny says "these are for Parker" and hands me four children's books. Polar Bear Polar Bear What Do You Hear?, Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See?, Baby Bear Baby Bear What Do You See?, and Panda Bear Panda Bear What Do You See? I was so touched by the thought and generosity. These are gifts that I cannot wait to share with my child. I cannot wait to snuggle up with him in bed on a lazy Sunday morning and read these books to him. Those are the moments I want to share and the memories I want to look back on. It's not about fancy clothes or video games, it's about the moments between a mother, father and child that will be the ones that stay with me for a lifetime to come.

So Jenny, thank you for your kindness and generosity. It truly touched me deep down.

Is It True?

That during your third trimester you begin to feel like you did in your first? I am beginning to think so. Last night I went to bed at 8:30 and right now I am dragging my feet and doing whatever I can to keep my eyes open and it's only 3:30! I am not having any aversions to food etc, just really the whole exhaustion thing is kicking in again. I of course have swollen ankles and other problems, but man oh man I hope that being tired isn't making a comeback. If I closed my eyes right now I could sleep for days.

The Last Two Weeks.

Had my doctor appointment the other day. In two weeks I have gained one pound and my belly has grown two inches. Something tells me he is going to be a big boy.

Hip Pain?

So now I am experiencing hip pain and it hurts like a mother. I am waddling like a goose and moving around is getting increasingly more difficult and painful for that matter. Why do I have hip pain? That was my question as well. Read on.

Hip pain is a common and uncomfortable complaint of later pregnancy. Many women will experience hip pain during pregnancy, particularly during their last trimester.

Our bodies release hormones that help relax and soften the joints and muscles. This happens to help prepare your body for labor and delivery. Believe it or not release of such hormones occurs as early as the first trimester. Typically the release of hormones into the body however doesn't affect most women until they are further along in their pregnancy.

As your body and uterus continue to expand and grow, your posture may become more awkward. Your muscles and ligaments respond differently to the presence of relaxin in the body. Relaxin in the body helps the pelvis move around more easily in preparation for birth. Unfortunately it may also increase your susceptibility to injury and also result in some hip pain during pregnancy.

Squash Anyone?

So my baby is now the size of a squash. I find that hard to believe considering it looks like I have swallowed a soccerball.

29 Weeks! Getting Closer!

At this point in your pregnancy, your baby's crown-to-rump length is approximately 10.4 inches and the total length of your baby is around 16.7 inches. Your baby weighs about 2.7 pounds and continues to grow every day. If you measure from your bellybutton, your uterus is 3.5 to 4 inches above it. Total weight gain at this point is usually between 19 and 25 pounds. Babies that are born prematurely can be very tiny. Even a baby that is only a few weeks early can be very small. Your baby will grow rapidly from now until week 36, and then at a slower rate thereafter. Generally, boys weigh more than girls at birth. The average baby's birth weight at full term is 7 to 7.5 pounds. You might notice some leakage of colostrums from your breasts around this time. Colostrums is a sticky, watery substance that provides your baby's first food if you choose to breastfeed. Milk does not come in immediately after delivery and colostrums is high in calories and enough for your baby's first few days of life. Your baby is stimulating the production of colostrums. The baby's body is ensuring that there will be a readily available food supply after delivery. Your baby will continue to open and close his eyes in the womb and may be able to see silhouettes of objects or even people in the right amount of light. Your baby should be moving many times throughout the day. Some of your baby's movements will be predictable and if you notice a decrease in fetal movements, you should lie down and do a fetal kick count. You should feel your baby move approximately ten times in an hour. Research has shown that your baby is not only able to hear, but also able to recognize your own voice. This shows that your baby can already learn, remember and recognize.

Looking Forward...

To tonight. Leave work, run home, change, go to yoga, relax at yoga, chat with friends after yoga, run home, change, and meet up with a few friends for a birthday celebration! Jill if you are reading this, happy birthday to you! See you soon!

Yay Or Nay?

While browsing online for diaper bags I came across this little treat. It is exactly what I want. I have been searching for a gender friendly messenger style diaper bag to have for short trips to doctor appointments, grocery stores, or an afternoon at the park. BUT is it too small?? (Keep in mind I do have a large one that is perfect for longer/overnight trips etc). This one is called the Logic Bag and I adore it! And for 25.00-29.00 it's a steal. It also has a wide variety of colors. I am leaning twoard the colors black/black or the graphite/celery.

From the website:

With the logic carrying system, diaper bags no longer need to be bulky, one pouch storage bins. Specifically designed to fit your basic needs, this urban tote is a practical choice for every outing, every day.

• removable, insulated bottle holder

• large compartment for diapers and wipes

• coordinating changing pad included

• multiple pockets for small items

• quick release for easy on/off

• easily attaches to stroller

• unique design for both mom and dad

What are your thoughts???

Every Pregnant Girls Dream.

Is to walk into work and find these sitting in the kitchen.

More Random Stuff.

Now that I am in the 3rd trimester I thought I would let you in on some more random things going on in my pregnancy bubble.

My ankles are swollen every night. It's not awful, but it doesn't feel good. On the upside my husband rubs them for me nightly.

Getting up and down or really any sort of quick maneuvering is a thing of the past. Rolling over in bed. Getting in and out of a car. Getting up from the couch. It is all becoming increasingly harder and exhausting.

Every step I take is becoming more and more planned out. For instance I make sure I have everything before I even think about going downstairs. I run through a checklist. Keys? Wallet? Purse? Grocery list? Chapstick? so on and so forth. Otherwise it's a trip I have to make back up those dreadful stairs that I sooo do not want to make.

I cannot see anything past my bellybutton. My "girl part" is long gone. No clue where it went. And shaving. Ha! I'm lucky I can shave up to my knees at this point. What is worse is that I catch myself trying to move my baby bump in order to see what is going on down past the point of no return. No luck though. Shocking.

I can feel my child's body parts. The other night we were laying in bed and I was rubbing my belly when I felt a significant "bump". Turns out it was his arm. It was the most insane feeling. I can feel him all the time. Not just moving, but I can actually touch him and feel the difference between belly and baby.

My belly button is about to pop. It looks funny now and every single day I notice that is getting closer and closer to popping like a turkey timer.

I pee non-stop and it is getting worse. It is literally every 5 minuets depending on how much fluid intake I have had that day. Also, when I have to go I have to go. And there is no warning. I can be standing in the grocery aisle feeling fine when it will hit me like a freight train. I literally have to run to the bathroom while doing the "pee-pee dance" in hopes I do not wet myself.

I cannot sleep on my back. You know how books will say that moms-to-be should sleep on their back and how it will offer optimal comfort? Wrong! It is awful (for me). If I lie on my back all of that weight and pressure just pushes down on my abdomen and bladder making me more uncomfortable than I thought possible. I just shove a pillow under my side and snooze away.

I can pretty much eat all day now. The other day I had 1 bowl of cereal, a huge glass of oj, a ton of water, chicken noodle soup, 2 star crunches, a cupcake, some little snack sized candy bars, a dinner that consisted of steak, potatoes, green beans and corn, topped off with 2 Crunch ice cream bars and then I looked at my husband and said "PB&J sounds pretty good".

I cannot tie my shoes hardly anymore. When I do tie them I cannot lift my knee to my chest so the knot of the lace is either to the left or right side of my shoe. And my shoe is far from being secure.

If I am lying on my back and attempt to sit straight up my stomach will go from a basketball shape to more of a speed bump shape due to my muscles trying to hold everything in place.

I am still petrified of labor and that fear grows with each and every single passing day.

28 Weeks And Counting!

Your baby's crown-to-rump length is approximately 10 inches and the total length of your growing baby is around 15.75 inches. Your baby weighs about 2.4 pounds at this point. Your uterus is a little more than 3 inches above your bellybutton. Your weight gain at this time should be between 17 and 24 pounds. For several months, the umbilical cord has been the baby's lifeline to the mother. Nourishment is transferred from the mother's blood, through the placenta, and into the umbilical cord to the baby. If the mother ingests any toxic substances, such as drugs or alcohol, the baby receives these as well! You will probably begin visiting your caregiver once every two weeks. Week 28 is an important week for testing. You will probably be having your glucose tolerance test, an iron level test and if you are Rh negative, you should have an antibody test. The antibody test will determine if you and your baby will have any reactions to each other's blood differences. The glucose test will check for gestational diabetes. Your baby's brain continues to develop and is now forming the folds and grooves of a fully developed brain. The amount of tissues within the brain also continues to increase in large amounts. The hair that covers your baby's scalp is also getting longer. Your baby is now large enough for presentation to be determined and your doctor might be able to find out if your baby is at risk for being breech. If your baby is breech, don't panic. There is still time for the baby to rotate.

Getting Closer.

To finishing my diaper bag. I pinned the final pieces together last night after yoga, but by the time I pinned it all in place (and watched Grey's Anatomy) it was after 9:00pm and I decided it was too late to work on the bag. So hopefully I will wrap it up tonight (God willing) and have pictures for you by Monday. Fingers crossed people. This bag has almost caused the death of me (and others).

My Handyman Husband.

Came home yesterday and found that all the molding was hung in our bathroom. Not only was it hung, it was painted, nail holes filled, patches were patched and more. It looks amazing. There is a teenie tiny amount of paint touch-up, but it looks so incredible I cannot believe it! My husband rules all. Thanks baby!

Charly Horses.

I am getting them almost every single night and in my left leg only. It's awful. It wakes me up in the middle of the night our of a dead sleep and I have to jump out of bed and walk around the bedroom trying not to wake my husband. I wonder if they are common during pregnancy.

Doctor Update.

The doctor appointment went very well yesterday. All is good in the land of baby Reinholz. I have gained about 18lbs and am "right on track" according to my doc. I got tons of blood drawn again and should know the results in a couple of days so send good ju-ju my way. Then it was time to listen to Parker's heart. She glopped some cold gel on my tummy and went to town rolling all over the place. Parker wanted nothing to do with it. He kicked, did back flips, hiccuped and more. He would not hold still and there was no way of convincing him. Not to mention I had just drank a gallon of sugar so he was probably bouncing off the walls. My doc had to stop 3 different times to laugh. She looked at my tummy at one point and said "Parker, I just need 15 seconds!" Did she get it? Nope. You could hear his heart loud and clear, but it was in between a judo chop or flying karate kick. Needless to say he is healthy and the doc says I'll "have my hands full with him". That's fine by me. I'm just glad he's enjoying his home for now.

Bit Off More Than I Can Chew.

Well, I worked on my diaper bag for a little while last night. Everything was going great until the very end of step #7. The directions had me making pleats here and pleats there in order to for bottle pockets. Holy baby Jesus. Needless to say I might just have a diaper bag without bottle pockets. When I was finally done with this ring of pockets I looked at it and said "this should be interesting".

I'm thinking I might just put the rest of the bag together (minus the pockets) and call it a day. I think the bag will still be amazing and we registered for bottle zipper bags anyway to prevent spillage/leakage in the first place. So I can just toss those in my bag instead of having individual pockets. Right?

Does this make me a bad mother already?

My Husband.

If you can't tell from previous posts I am so in love with my husband. Today when I got home I could smell paint drifting up from the basement. He painted the glider that I sanded last night. He also took out a TON of junk that I piled up in heaping mess to the ceiling. And if that wasn't enough he hung some blinds in our kitchen, took down the Christmas lights and installed a new lock on one of our doors. He is amazing. He lets me kick up my swollen ankles or enjoy a night of just sewing etc and never bats an eye.

So baby, thank you for everything that you do. You are simply amazing and I adore you more and more with every single passing day.

Glucose Screening.

I am on my way to the doctor shortly to have blood work done in order to check my glucose levels. They gave me a bottle of liquid sugar basically and told me to drink it an hour prior to the appointment and to drink it within 5 minuets. The bottle didn't look all that scary and the doctor swore that it didn't taste bad.

She lied.

It was awful. I mean, yes it could have been worse, but seriously it was the opposite of good. I took one drink and thought to myself "how in the hell am I going to drink this in 5 minuets?" So I thought a straw would be better. Nope, I was wrong. So I sat at my desk, choked back the rising vomit and chugged that stuff like it was going out of style.

While I was reading it I saw the possible side effects. Things like vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and fainting were just a few. Stellar. Wish me luck.

Nesting.

I'm nesting like crazy!

Last night I sanded the glider down. I did not paint it for obvious reasons. I will leave that part up to my husband.

A few nights ago I bought wooden letters that spell "LOVE" to make a Valentine door decoration to hang on our front door. So I painted the letters red and let them dry. Last night I glued ribbon to the back of them in order to hold them together and now the ribbon is drying. I'm hoping to be able to hang them on the door come tomorrow if I get to decorate them tonight.

I even started sewing my diaper bag together! I got the inside pieces sewn together. Just as the last stitch was stitched I read the directions again and thought "oh my God, I was supposed to sew the outside pieces together first!" Then I read it again, and again, and again. My eyes were welling up because I thought I had just wrecked my entire project, but after about the 3,467 time of reading it, it turns out I followed the directions correctly to start with. Needless to say at that point I retired from my crafting for the night.

I have vowed to work on something every night for just a little while. No matter how big or small the project is. Wish me luck.

27 Weeks - Third Trimester Here We Come!

You are now in the third trimester, and last, of your pregnancy! Your baby's crown-to-rump length is about 9.6 inches and your baby's total length is approximately 15.3 inches! Your baby now weighs about 2 pounds 3 ounces and is going to grow rapidly during this last trimester! Your uterus is about 2.8 inches above your bellybutton. If your baby were born now, it would have an 85% chance of surviving. Even though your baby is still not fully developed, she would be well within the limits of premature viability. You still have approximately 13 weeks left of your pregnancy, and during this time your baby must continue to grow and develop.

27 Week Baby Bump.

I can't believe I am only 13 weeks away from being a mommy! It seems like yesterday I was learning how to tie my shoes, playing kickball, buying my first car, going to prom, graduating, moving out on my own, getting a job, walking down the aisle, saying I do, and watching two little lines show up and change our lives forever. Where does time go?

My First Project.

Doug's parents gave us a glider they had at their house that wasn't being used. It's a solid piece of furniture and nicer than most gliders we have seen out there. The best part, it was free. It had sort of a stiff fabric covering the cushions that were maroon with tiny flowers. So I went to Hobby Lobby and bought the most adorable fabric (that my hubby spotted) and sat down at my sewing machine and cranked out my first (of many) project. I must admit I think the new cushions turned out fantastic! I am so proud of myself.

Next step: Sand and paint/stain the oak wood to espresso in order to match the rest of the furniture in the nursery.

The Small Touches.

Not quite done, but here are some pictures of the nursery as we make progress on adding the final touches.

To the right of the puppy we will place the glider and nighstand.

Side view.

A little love note under the tree branch.

Shelving.

Little toys on top of the shelving.

Piggy bank.

Little iron rocking horse.

Helicopter piggy bank.

Little lamb.

Part of the mobile.

Doug's rocking horse that his grandfather made him.

I Can't Even See My Feet!

That's what I said last night in response to the yoga instructor telling us to have a seat, feet straight out in front of us and to touch our toes. I looked at my friend who is about 2 weeks further than me and said "I haven't seen my feet in 2 months, how in the hell am I going to touch my toes?"

Want a good laugh? This is how my night started out. I walk into the YMCA and ask where the mommy yoga is. A nice man says "right down that hall, first door on your left." So off I go. I'm a few minuets early so I just wait in the hallway for the class to begin. As time went on more and more women started showing up in serious workout gear and they were all skinny. I thought to myself "this can't be good". Now I am obviously pregnant. I am wearing yoga pants, sneakers and a long sleeve t-shirt that's a little snug making the baby bump very hard to miss. A woman stands next to me obviously waiting for the class to begin when she turns to me and says "so, you here for the ab workout too?" I looked at her, looked at my belly and said "I know I look like I am in need of a few crunches, but I'm actually waiting for the mommy yoga class". She laughed, turned slightly red and said "Oh, sorry, they switched classrooms and I just walked past a group of pregnant women upfront. I'm guessing that's where you would want to be". So off I went to the right classroom.

All in all though yoga was great! It was interesting though. I didn't think I would have been doing that much bending or stretching at 6 months pregnant. What was even funnier was that my friend and I were the furthest along in the class. So all these other girls (barely pregnant) were just breathing, stretching and touching their toes and here were were red in the face, sweating and worried about how we were going to pick ourselves up off the floor.

At one point we are down on all fours and were instructed to take one leg, reach it up behind us to the sky then sweep that leg down and into our chest and then cross it under our belly and in front of our bent knee and then to drop the bent knee so that leg was flat with your other leg underneath it and stretch your arms out as far in front of you as they could go. I wish I could have seen myself. It actually started to hurt in my hip area so the instructor brought over some small foam blocks and started putting them under various body parts to prop me up. I looked at my friend and I could tell she was struggling so I said "you have to get some of these block thingies." Needless to say she did and we survived.

I am looking forward to going because truthfully I like the bonding time with my baby. I also enjoyed the peace and quiet, but best of all we were taught how to position ourselves in order to relive discomfort. I know that will come in handy the next time my child decides to jam himself under my rib cage.

Mommy Yoga!

I start Mommy Yoga tonight and am so excited. I am even taking the class with an old gradeschool friend of mine who is only 2 weeks further along than me (she too is having a boy). I am looking forward to a little relaxation and "me" time more than anything.

Baby Reinholz Has A Name.

I just realized that I have not announced the name of baby Reinholz. We weren't keeping it a secret I promise. I guess I just never thought to use his name when talking about him. Strange!

Drumroll please.......

Parker Douglas Reinholz

We adore it. It's really the only name we could come up with that we agreed on. I was dead set against anything "traditional" (no offense to those of you out there). I just didn't want to have another Brian, Thomas, David, etc running around out there. And of course we didn't want anything "strange" either. I also have this weird thing about names being shortened to names ending with a Y. Like Thomas = Tommy, Tim = Timmy etc. I like names to be used in full. Like David is David and Michael is Michael. Although they don't bother me too much when they are shortened as long as you don't call Michael, Mikey I'm fine with that. I just picture my child being 30 and he's still being called Timmy. Drives me bonkers.

So I threw out the name Parker when we were leaving our 9 week ultrasound and that was it. It was like a lightbulb came on instantly. We could not come up with anything else that we felt topped it so we wrote it down in our baby book and that's that folks.

Parker Douglas. I can't wait to meet him.

My Latest Undertaking.

Santa (aka Doug) brought me a sewing machine for Christmas along with a book called Little Stitches for Little Ones by author/designer Amy Butler who I was turned on to thanks to Kristin. I used to sew back in the day, but dragging out my mom's sewing machine was a pain considering it was the first sewing machine ever made I'm fairly sure. Now I have a brand new machine to call my own. Now I'm a little rusty so instead of making something simple like stuffed blocks, or a blanket I jumped right into making a diaper bag. Amy Butler has a fantastic Modern Diaper Bag in her book (pictured above) and when I saw it my mouth started to water! It was better that anything I had seen and I just HAD to have it. How hard could it be?

So off to the fabric store we went. I picked up everything I needed. I found an adorable funky and retro fabric for the outside of the bag and a bit more simple fabric for the inside. Grabbed some other odds and ends and home I went. I was so excited to start my project.

I get home, set up my machine, thread the bobbins, etc. I was rockin' and rollin'. Then I decided I didn't really want to start my project until after my vacation because we had other things going on and I would much rather wait in order to give myself something to do when I get home from work during the week.

Fast forward to this week. Tuesday night I make my way down to my crafting area so excited to start my project. I open up the book and cut out the patterns and unravel the fabrics. Little did I know the most time-consuming part of the project was the actual cutting out of the patterns. I worked for 3 hours on Tuesday night alone just cutting out fabrics, fusible fabrics, fusible fleece and more. I thought I was done. Then I opened the book last night thinking I can't possibly have too much more to cut out. Wrong! Big Fat Wrong!! There was WAY more on the next page. But I hung in like a trooper, kept cutting till my hands bled (not really) and let out a huge sigh of relief when I was done. At that point I started ironing all the fusible fabric to the corresponding material and trimmed back excess fabric etc. I still have quite a bit to do, but I figure one more night of ironing I should be done. Then I can start the sewing machine and get crackin' on this project.

I truly underestimated what went into something like this. It's going to be so gratifying to have made my own and have it be one-of-a-kind, but there was a point last night when I thought to myself "I should have just bought one".

All in all though I am having a great time nesting and being creative. It's very me and I'm very much at home when I get to do these types of things.

Wish me luck!

Stage Fright.

I think little boy Reinholz has stage fright. He kicks non-stop, but when I finally waddle down to the 4th floor of our building so some of my friends can have a hands on experience he instantly stops. I'm talking cold turkey. Then I sit and wait and wait and wait and nothing. Then I waddle back up to my desk, sit down and within moments he is trying to kung-fu fight his way through my bellybutton. I don't get it.

He'll put on his show one day I'm sure.

26 Weeks Here We Come!

By this week, your baby's crown-to-rump length is approximately 9.2 inches. Remember, that is only from the top of his head to his bottom and does not include his leg measurements! Your baby weighs almost 2 pounds and is beginning to put on weight. Your uterus is about 2.5 inches above your bellybutton and you will continue to grow approximately 1 cm each week. If you have been eating a well-balanced diet, you probably have gained about 16-22 pounds so far. Because your baby has moved further up, you may get occasional pain underneath your ribs. After a month of having his eyelids sealed shut, your baby begins to open his eyes again this week. Your baby's eyes are almost completely developed. Your baby's eyes are blue in the womb and may change colors later in life. This is true for all races because the pupils do not have their final color until a few months after birth. However, some babies are born with darker or lighter shades of blue. Your growing baby will continue to put on layers of fat until he is born. He is still lean at this point of the pregnancy though. By the time your baby is born, he will assume the typical newborn's plumpness. Your baby's skin will still be wrinkled and red, but the fat continues to fill the skin out. Finger and toe nails continue to grow. Blood vessels start to develop in the lungs to prepare the baby for life outside the uterus. Your baby's blood circulation is completely functional. The umbilical cord system continues to grow and thicken as blood travels with considerable force through the body to nurture the baby. The placenta is now almost equal in size to the baby. Even though it is still way too soon for your baby to be born yet, the chance of survival without severe abnormalities is now 70% provided it is born in a hospital.

25 Weeks.

Your baby's crown-to-rump length is about 8.8 inches. Weight has increased to around 1.5 pounds and fat is still being deposited at a high rate. Your uterus has grown quite a bit bigger this week. The top of your uterus is between your bellybutton and your sternum. Your uterus is about the size of a soccer ball now! If your baby is delivered at this time, it would have a good chance of surviving. It is best for your baby to remain inside of you for the remainder of the pregnancy, but great advances have been made in the care of a premature baby. Ventilators, monitors and medications all help premature babies develop and grow outside of the womb. If your baby were born this early, he would probably have to spend several months in the hospital and would be more susceptible to infections and other complications. You can hear your baby's heartbeat with both a Doppler and a stethoscope at this time, and your partner may even be able to hear the heartbeat unaided if he puts his ear in the right position. Sex differentiation is being completed now. If you are expecting a baby boy, the testes start to descend into the scrotum. In baby girls, the vagina is hollowing out. Your baby is able to do more with their fingers now and can move his fingers to make a complete fist. As your baby becomes more dexterous, he will be able to touch and hold his feet. Babies also begin to prefer their left hand or right hand at this time. Because babies settle into routines of sleep and activity, you might begin to notice these patterns as well. Some women experience the most fetal movements while they are trying to rest.

Twins?

Last night at dinner my father-in-law (who I adore) looked at me and said "If I didn't know there was only one in there, I would think you were having twins." Then my mother-in-law (who I also adore) encouraged me to grab another piece of lasagna and said "That little boy is going to be a bruiser." They both insist that he is going to be a "big" boy which really does not help the fact that I am petrified of child labor.

Fyi. I have only gained 15lbs. It all came at once because the first trimester was a little "rough" to say the least. And it is all in my belly (and boobs). From behind and from straight on you cannot tell I am pregnant. Not to mention I am almost 6 months pregnant so I should be "filling out". Right?

I came home that night and asked Doug "Do I really look like I'm carrying a litter of children around in my uterus?"

I love my family. Thanks for the smiles and the weight complex. Ha!

Skinny.

Skinny jeans that is! Oh yeah! I found skinny jeans for knocked up girls! Praise baby Jesus. I have been hunting and I have seen them online, but that's something I would much rather buy in person when I can try them on for myself. Skinny jeans are the type of things that are really hit or miss, so I didn't want to waste the time with all the shipping etc. Plus, I really wanted them for Christmas and the holidays when we are out and about at gatherings etc. So here we are, wrapping up one last holiday gift when we pop into a maternity store. We are instantly greeted by a very nice man who says "What are you looking for today?" I said "Please tell me you have skinny jeans." "No, but we have all kinds of other name brands etc." So I get bummed out and Doug says to me "I think he thought you were asking him if they carried a certain brand." So Doug walks back in and asks the man if they carry skinny jeans, not a certain brand name. So anyway, he points me in the direction of a rack of jeans, but nothing that is "skinny". So I grab a boot cut pair of jeans thinking that was my best shot of something remotely close to skinny. While in the fitting room I see Doug's arm come in with a pair of jeans in hand. "Try these, they are skinny jeans!"

Sure enough, my husband found my now favorite pair of jeans. I am so excited that I own a pair and that all my boots fit over them and that I don't look like a whale!

Thanks babe for being the best shopper ever!

24 Weeks!

This week your baby's crown-to-rump length is around 8.4 inches and your baby will weigh approximately 1.2 pounds. Although it weighs a little over a pound at this point, your growing baby is still tiny. Your uterus can easily be felt 1.5 to 2 inches above your bellybutton. The fetus does not appear to have much room in the uterus anymore, but as your pregnancy progresses, space gets much tighter! Because your uterus is expanding and putting a great amount of pressure on your abdomen, you might get stretch marks. Your weight gain may also be taking a toll on your body at this point. Many pregnant women experience backaches, bladder problems, sore feet and fatigue that affect their daily routines. You might also have some nasal stuffiness or nosebleeds. Your baby's face is basically complete now. The fetus's eyes are close together on the front of his face and they are still shut. Your baby's ears have moved into their final position on the sides of his head. Where they are now is where they will be when your baby is born! Hair will continue to grow on his scalp and his eyelashes are well developed. Most of your baby's features look the same as they will at birth. Because your growing baby is getting plumper, he no longer has room in your tummy to do cartwheels and somersaults. You may sometimes get a stitch-like pain in your side from time to time. It's simply the muscles of the uterus stretching. The unborn child is covered with a fine, downy hair called lanugo. Its tender skin is protected by a waxy substance called vernix. Some of this substance may still be on the child's skin at birth at which time it will be quickly absorbed. The child practices breathing by inhaling (up to a liter/day) amniotic fluid into developing lungs.

Willy Wonka.

I just realized in this picture that I strongly resemble Violet Beauregarde the champion gum chewer from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

A big thanks to Pamela for snapping this beauty!

Hiccups?

Well, we had a doctor appointment yesterday and when the doc found our baby boy's heartbeat he had hiccups! It was hysterical to hear it. His heart would make a noise like swoosh...swoosh...swoosh.....then a hiccup......swoosh....swoosh....swoosh....then a hiccup. It was the sweetest thing I ever heard. It made me laugh and smile. He's doing great!

She then gave us the great news that I am right on target with everything. I have gained 15lbs (fairly certain that 10 of that is in my boobs) and that my tummy is measuring at the average growth. I had no complaints, no swelling, no personal or internal discomforts or concerns. So everything is just fine.

Next appointment: Glucose test. Good times.

Being Pregnant.

So I have read the books and never thought once that I would experience half the things the books talk about. But now I know that the books are telling the truth and that no matter how hard I try everything will happen to me. It has so far, why stop now? Here is just a little sample of the fun I have been having.

*I apologize in advance if there is anything in here that is too much information.

My nose constantly runs. What's even more annoying is that it is in the same spot in my left nostril and nothing will stop it.

Speaking of my nose. I also get bloody noses from time to time.

Speaking of blood. If I even get a tiny paper cut I bleed like no tomorrow. I was giving blood once during a doctor visit and that tiny little hole refused to stop gushing. The nurse just said "you have to love that mom-to-be blood".

The first trimester was rough. I never got sick, but there were days when I thought about making myself sick in hopes I would just feel better. And energy? What energy? I was in bed by 7:30 at the latest every single night (including weekends).

My belly and boobs seem to get bigger by the day. Luckily that's where all the weight has gone so far.

Speaking of boobs, due to increased blood circulation I now have an insane amount of bright blue veins covering the girls.

My hair grows like crazy. Not just on my head either. And when I do shave I pray to baby Jesus I do not take off a limb.

Prenatal pills taste funny.

I cannot walk up or down a flight of stairs without getting winded.

Forget shoe laces. I can hardly bend over as it is.

Heels are out of the question. I was clumsy before I got pregnant, imagine me now.

I pee non-stop. In fact my husband clocked me yesterday. I went 7 minuets before I had to pee again. Bladder control is truly a thing of the past. There are days I consider depends.

People are always telling me to be careful. Like I didn't know.

Laying on my side is becoming increasing difficult. I have to shove a pillow under my belly and it never fails that the instant I get comfortable I either have to pee or am no longer comfortable and need to re-adjust.

Dreams are stranger and more vivid every night.

Ah, maternity clothes. What is up with the belly band on just about everything?

I am finally to the point where I look pregnant instead of looking like I ate a 2lb burrito for lunch.

Headaches are awful. Imagine your normal headache and then multiply that by 100 and that's my average headache. The kicker: I can only take 2 Tylenol per day. Stellar.

People want to touch my belly all the time. Some people don't ask. Some people just mid-conversation will start rubbing my belly. I still have not figured out if I am o.k. with or not, but as of now I am not. It drives me nuts. It is an invasion of my personal space. Unless you are my husband, immediate family, close friends (or have permission) do not start rubbing my belly like a genie bottle unless you are wishing for a black eye.

I am noticing my back and hips are sore from time to time.

Being the designated driver ALL the time really is not that fun.

Being pregnant is a great excuse for just about everything. It even got me out of jury duty.

I am so in love with this child it's insane. I love him like crazy and I haven't even met him yet.

Getting in and out of cars is becoming more and more like an Olympic sport.

My memory is gone. It no longer exists. I am finding that I am forgetting things that I do every single day. Between misplacing my keys or forgetting to sign off on something I forget it.

People are SUPER nice to you when you are pregnant. It's amazing.

The baby kicks in the middle of the night a lot. Typically when I am falling asleep I will get a swift kick and be up the remainder of the night.

Right now is a great time in my pregnancy. No aversions to food. I have my energy back. And my belly looks like I have swallowed a volleyball. I still even have the "glow" which is nice because I know all of those things will soon go away and I will probably become a raging hormonal mess who just wants to "get this kid out of me".

I am not allowed to pick anything heavy up. I believe no more than 20lbs. I am also not supposed to demolish, throw away and re-organize my basement either, but I did anyway. I also threw my back out.

The thought of childbirth is horrifying. No really. It is. You can tell me over and over "women do this every single day and they are just fine". I don't want to hear it. I don't want to hear how "amazing" your labor was, or how "awful" your labor was. I just don't want to think about the fact that my "private area" is going to experience a pain like no other and then to top it off will be stretched out to the size of the black hole when all is said and done. To be honest I am still clinging on to hope that the stork will bring my baby in a nicely wrapped bassinet and place him on my front porch.

Registering for a baby is stressful. I spent 30 minuets staring at breast pumps and didn't even put anything on the registry. It's way more fun when it's for your wedding. When it's for your child it's stressful because you just don't know what's right. It's easy to match place setting and napkins, but picking out a car seat, forget it.

I'm officially nesting all the time. I am constantly coming up with "to do" lists or moving furniture, or trying to organize something. I have a list of projects I would like to do or things I would like to make before he gets here. And what's even worse is that I want to do everything now. Drives my husband nuts.

I don't really crave anything. The first trimester I could pretty much eat anything that was not Mexican or Chinese related. Although I do LOVE crasisns a lot right now as well as beef-a-roni, cereal, orange juice and neapolitan ice cream.

My hormones must be all over the place. Lately I feel like there are days I could scream and days I could cry and most of those days I do both of those things. Baby, I'm sorry for putting you through the ringer from time to time. Thanks for being wonderful, patient and kind.

When he kicks it makes me smile. It is the single most amazing feeling I have ever experienced. Words cannot even begin to explain.

In all honesty pregnancy is great. I truly have loved the good the bad and the ugly. I find it comical every single day when something new happens to me. It has been an interesting journey that I am so grateful to be on right now.

Getting Bigger!

He's the size of a papaya these days.

23 Weeks And Counting!

This week your baby's length, from crown-to-rump, is approximately 8 inches! Your growing baby has finally reached one pound. Your baby is about the size of a small baby doll and looks very human. The baby's face and body look similar to that of a newborn at this time. Your uterus can be found about 1.5 inches above your navel. Your total weight gain should be approximately 15 pounds at this time. You might notice some Braxton-Hicks contractions around this time. These contractions are not regular and they should not be painful. Braxton-Hicks contractions prepare your body for the upcoming labor and they will get stronger as your pregnancy progresses. You might be able to feel the contractions if you put your hand on your abdomen and your baby can probably feel the uterus gripping and massaging her. It will not harm your baby, so there is no need for concern. Fat is still being deposited at a rapid rate, but your baby still looks red and wrinkled. Skin is being produced at a higher rate than the fat is, so the skin hangs loosely. Your baby looks red because the skin is losing its transparency and pigment is beginning to form. You should be feeling your baby moving quite a bit throughout the day as she will kick and punch the uterus walls. Babies also run their hands along the umbilical cord and touch their body parts while they are in the womb. Your baby now can suck her thumb for real, where she was just sticking it in her mouth. Your baby will continue to swallow amniotic fluid and recycle it as urine. The liquids and sugars that the baby retracts from the fluid is a supplement to the nutrients that the placenta delivers. You might be able to feel small `jumps` inside of you when your baby gets the hiccups from swallowing fluid. The pancreas is developing and it will responsible for insulin production, to help break down sugars. Oily fish in your diet could help boost your baby's health. (Women who eat oily fish while pregnant have children with better visual development, a major study at Bristol University suggests.) As the baby continues to grow, it has less space to move around in the uterus. Bones, muscles and organs are growing steadily.

21 Week Belly Shot!

Ok, ok I know I'm slacking, but here is my 21 week belly shot. It seriously came out of no where one morning and it's sort of nice to look pregnant instead of looking like I am a 2lb burrito for lunch.

My Little Soccer Player!

Hey there baby! I just wanted to say that you are very active in mommy's belly! You are kicking up a storm these days and I just love it. Well, except when I'm sleeping and I am suddenly woken up by a swift kick to my bladder. All in all I cannot complain. I love feeling you move around inside of me. It makes me feel so good, like I am doing everything right. And it is probably one of the best feelings in the entire world and no words can even begin to explain it.

I cannot believe I get to meet you in 4 months! Daddy and I are so excited.

22 Weeks And Still Chugging Along.

Your baby's crown-to-rump length is approximately 7.6 inches and your growing baby weighs about 12.25 ounces now! Your uterus is about 2 cm above your bellybutton and you probably feel comfortably pregnant. Your growing tummy is not yet large enough to get in the way and you should still be able to bend over and sit without much trouble. You might be enjoying your pregnancy more than ever at this point if morning sickness was an issue in the early weeks. Your baby's body continues to grow and develop every day. The organ systems in your baby's body are becoming specialized for their particular functions. The fetal liver produces different enzymes than it will produce after delivery. The liver is responsible for breaking down billirubin, which is produced by the breaking down of blood cells. Because the life span of a fetal red blood cell is shorter than that of an adult, a fetus produces more billirubin than adults do. Billirubin passes from fetal blood to the placenta and then into your blood. Your liver helps get rid of fetal billirubin. A newborn baby that has high levels of billirubin may show signs of jaundice. Jaundiced babies have a yellowish tint to their eyes and skin and are often treated with phototherapy. Your baby's senses are developing daily. The fetus now has a full complement of neurons in the brain and is learning about her body and surroundings through touch. Touch is one of the first senses to mature and your baby may stroke its face or feel her arms and legs. Your blood volume has increased more to meet the demands of your pregnancy. Most of the increase is in the form of plasma, the liquid part of your blood. This has the ability to dilute your blood and give you physiological anemia, which occurs during pregnancy. The measure of blood dilution is called Hematocrit and the levels reach their lowest points this week. You should check with your doctor to make sure you are not developing more serious forms of anemia. Your baby now shows an extremely rapid brain growth (which lasts until five years after birth). The ovaries of female fetuses contain primitive egg cells, all of the eggs a woman will have for her entire life. The uterus of female fetuses is also fully formed.

My Little Monkey.

He's the size of a banana this week!

21 Weeks!

Your baby's blood circulation is completely functional. The umbilical cord system continues to grow and thicken as blood travels with considerable force through the body to nurture the baby. The placenta is now almost equal in size to the baby. Your baby will be getting much larger during the second half of your pregnancy. Your baby's crown-to-rump length at this time is 7.2 inches and she weighs approximately 10.5 ounces. Your growing baby is about the size of a large banana. You should be able to feel your uterus about a half of an inch above your navel. Your weight gain so far will be around 10 to 15 pounds. As your baby begins to lay down more fat, your weight will also increase. During the next 10 weeks, you will gain about half of the total gain for your entire pregnancy. Strangers can now tell that you are pregnant! You might notice an increase in appetite because you need 500 more calories a day to support your charged up metabolism. Your baby's different organs and systems are maturing. The fetal digestive system is functioning in a simple way and your baby can swallow amniotic fluid. After your baby swallows the amniotic fluid, she is able to absorb water and sugars from the fluid and then the waste is passed as far as the large bowel. Your baby swallows the amniotic fluid in order to prepare itself for life outside of the womb. Some babies consume as much as 17 ounces of amniotic fluid in a 24-hour period. Your baby already has a high number of red blood cells and the white blood cells are beginning to be produced. Taste buds are being formed on your baby's tongue this week also. Don't be surprised if your legs and feet become swollen throughout the day. You should try to get off of your feet some throughout the day and prop your legs up.

Melon Head!

Baby Reinholz is the size of a cantaloupe this week! Wow! We've come a long way baby!

20 Weeks - 1/2 Way There!

Congratulations! This week marks the half way point of your pregnancy. It has been 18 weeks since the date of conception and your baby's crown-to-rump length is 5.6 to 6.4 inches. The fetus weighs about 9 ounces and your belly definitely has an obvious bulge. Your waistline has expanded and is no longer visible. Your uterus has now moved up enough that it is pushing your abdomen outwards. The top of your uterus is even with or just below your navel. For the remainder of your pregnancy, the growing uterus puts pressure on your lungs, stomach and kidneys. This will make you feel short of breath, the need to urinate more frequently and can cause indigestion. The added pressure on your abdomen can also cause your bellybutton to protrude and cause an `outy` instead of an `inny`. Many pregnant women begin to notice stretch marks around this time as well. Your abdominal muscles are being stretched and pushed apart as your baby grows inside of you. Your baby's skin begins to thicken this week and will develop four layers. Your baby's sebaceous glands secrete a waxy substance called vernix caseosa. Your baby will be born with this wax and it will look like paste. The vernix caseosa is crucial because it protects the fetus' fragile skin from the continuous immersion in amniotic fluid. Lanugo hairs secure the vernix caseosa in place and it is thick around the eyebrows. Scalp hair and toenails are beginning to form at this point. Hair can also be seen on the upper lip and eyebrows. Around twenty weeks, most doctors will order a routine ultrasound to check the baby's development. Measurements will be taken and the sonogram technician will check to make sure there are no defects or abnormalities. Your ultrasound technician can also see how long your cervix is and can tell you approximately how much your baby weighs at this time. Most expectant women also find out the sex of their baby during this time! If your sonographer does not offer pictures, ask them for a copy of the photos.

Drumroll Please....

I am happy to announce that the bun in the oven is a boy! Yes kids, we have a boy!

Yesterday was such an emotional and exhausting day filled with nerves, anticipation, joy and tears. The ultrasound was incredible. By far the most amazing thing I have ever had the privilege to experience. He was moving around like crazy. The nurse said he is "so active that I can't keep up". His hands were waving everywhere. He was playing peek-a-boo, covering his ears, kicking, rolling around and more. I was in awe. It was like a reality show from my uterus. The great news is that he is 100% healthy. His heart is pumping like crazy, his major organs have formed perfectly and he is measuring 5 days earlier according to his weight.

We asked the nurse to please write the sex down on a piece of paper and place it in an envelope because we wanted to open it together over dinner. Talk about a long rest of the day. Knowing we were carrying around that envelope all day with the answer to the question "what are you having?" drove us both nuts.

We went to dinner later that night and after we ordered our drinks I pulled the tiny sealed envelope from my purse. I felt like there were a million tiny butterflies in my stomach as I opened it. And there it was, the answer written on a picture of the baby with his little private part circled, "BOY". I looked at Doug and I could tell in his eyes that he was just so happy. He was going to have a little him and the look on his face was priceless. His smile was from ear to ear and his big blue eyes were bigger than I have ever seen. In that very moment all in the world was good.

What a day! As tired as I was by the end of it I was so thrilled going to bed with the thought of how far Doug and I have come. We have been best friends for 15 years and I could not ask for a better partner to share my life with. Now this man will be the father of our child and what an amazing father he will be. He is already so in love with the little one that when he arrives I know the love will only grow.

I can't wait to meet our little boy! We are going to love him like crazy.

There's his arm.

There's his little hand.

His leg.

There he is sitting indian style. See his little legs crossed?

Another picture of his hand. He was waving them like crazy!

His feet.

His head from the top. See his eyes, nose and chin?

His profile. See his forehead, eye, nose, mouth and chin?

His whole body. From the right you see his head, little arm waving and belly.

Crazy For Mangos!

Nope, not my latest craving. It's how big baby Reinholz is right now.

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I Love Ya Tomorrow.

You're only a day away! Well kids, tomorrow is THE day! We find out ff baby Reinholz is a he or she and we are both SO excited. It's like Christmas when you were 5. I am so anxious for tomorrow's appointment to arrive that I can already tell you I will not be sleeping tonight. I'm still pulling for a girl though. Mostly because I saw the cutest pair of striped tights the other day and in my head I put the outfit together and it was SO cute. By far the best dressed baby ever in my mind. Ok, I'm rambling. More importantly tomorrow marks a big moment for Doug and me. Not only seeing our baby, hearing the heartbeat and finding out of it's a boy or girl, but we also will be doing lots of tests to make sure that baby is healthy which is the most important thing about tomorrow.

So everyone, fingers crossed real tight please. We need good ju-ju tomorrow.

Karate Kid Part II.

Doug was so bummed that he did not get to feel the baby kick the other night that since then he has been following me around with his hand on my belly (not really, but let's just say he is really anxious to feel him or her kick). So last night we're laying in bed talking and his hand is firmly placed on my belly awaiting a kick. So I started to tap my belly very lightly and I felt a tiny kick just below my belly button and below Doug's hand. So I said "hurry, down here!" Just as he got his hand where mine was the baby kicked. He got so quiet and looked at me and whispered "Oh wow, I felt it!"

All was good in the world in that moment.

19 Weeks!

Your baby's crown-to-rump length is 5.2 to 6 inches this week. Your baby weighs approximately 7 ounces and will increase its weight more than 15 times between now and birth! Most women can feel their uterus about a half of an inch below their bellybutton at this point of pregnancy. If you turn to the side, you can really tell that your body is changing! Most women have gained up to 14 pounds now and only 7 ounces of that is your baby! The placenta weighs about 6 ounces and the amniotic fluid that surrounds your baby weighs 11 ounces. Your breasts have increased in weight by 6 ounces each and the uterus has grown to 11 ounces! You may be gaining weight in places other than your abdomen and this may be affecting your posture and sleeping habits. One of the most amazing aspects of your baby's growth and development is that of the fetal brain. Your baby's brain is one of the first organs to appear. Your baby's oversized head shows the brain's importance in his development. Because the nerves that connect the muscles to the brain have grown into place, your baby's movements are consciously directed. Your baby's ears stand out from the sides of the head and the buds for your baby's permanent teeth appear. Your baby's arms and legs have reached their relative proportions and his feet are approximately one inch long.

Karate Kid!

The baby is kicking! Or, it was just a little while ago. I was bouncing around the house listening to the Plain White T's new song 1,2,3,4 and tapping my tummy when I felt something tap back. I looked down in total amazement. Could this be happening? So I laid on my bed, tapped my tummy to the beat of the song and I felt it again and again! It's like a tiny little karate kick on the other side of my belly button. Such an amazing feeling! I hope he/she keeps it up as much as possible because I cannot wait for Doug to feel it too!

Can You Swim When You're Pregnant?

That's the question my husband asked me a few days ago.

We're renting a house for the holidays and there is an indoor heated pool. The following conversation is based on a true story.

Husband: "Baby, can pregnant women swim?"

Loving Wife: "Of course. Why?"

Husband: "Well, won't water get "in there" and drown the baby?"

Loving Wife: "................."

Love you baby.

Doctor Appointment Number # 3.

Had my monthly check-up. All is just peachie! Got to hear your little heart beating away. It is probably the most amazing noise I have ever heard. That wooshing sound is all I need to make everything in the world right. Asked a few questions about my killer headaches. Apparently they are "common", "painful" and "frequent". Seriously? For the love of God, but hey, it's worth it! And we had blood taken for more tests. She stuck the needle in and within .5 seconds the entire vile was full. Then she took the needle out and my arm was spouting like a geyser. Got to love the increased blood flow that pregnancy brings. So baby Reinholz, you are doing "excellent" according to the doc. Music to mommy and daddy's ears!

Now this Tuesday is the "big reveal". More tests at the hospital, a fancy ultrasound, and we get to find out if you are a he or she! Can't wait!

8 Days!

The polls are open! We're taking bets! What will our bun in the oven be? We find out the sex of the baby in 8 days! Yes ma'am, 8 days and counting till I know if we will be calling my uterus "he" or "she". So place your bets and let us know what you think. Can't wait.

I vote girl!

Sweet What?

Yep, my baby is the size of a sweet potato. Hopefully a little more attractive though.

18 Weeks Preggers!

By week 18 of your pregnancy, your baby's crown-to-rump length is 5 to 5.5 inches long. Your baby continues to develop fat layers and weighs about 5.25 ounces. Your baby will continue to grow and develop, but the rapid growth will slow down for a little while. You will be able to feel your uterus just below your bellybutton. If you put your fingers sideways to measure, you can feel your uterus about two finger-widths below your bellybutton. At this point of your pregnancy, your uterus is approximately the size of a cantaloupe. Although weight gain varies from woman to woman, your total weight gain at this point should be 10 to 13 pounds. At this time if you had an ultrasound, heart abnormalities can be detected. If the ultrasound technician detects abnormalities, further ultrasound exams may be ordered to follow the baby's development. There is still space available in your uterus and your baby will be active for periods at a time. Your baby may sit cross legged or turn somersaults. Around this time, your baby becomes more sensitive to the outside world and shows her presence through powerful kicks and prods. The bones through which sound is passed to the inner ear have hardened and the parts of the brain that receives and processes nerve signals from the ears are developing. This means that your baby can hear now. Your baby will get used to familiar sounds, such as your heart beating, familiar voices, blood rushing through the umbilical cord and other daily routine sounds. Your baby will become startled if he hears a loud sound. If you have a stethoscope at home, you can now hear the baby's heartbeat yourself.

Aunt Mary Mo.

Over the weekend I had lunch with one of my single most best friends since college, Mary, or Mary Mo thanks to the name change I gave her one random day in our dorm. She is such an amazing person who I know I will always be able to count on no matter what. Months can go by without seeing each other (or hardly talking for that matter) and we will pick up right where we left off like we haven't missed a beat and she has never once held a grudge because 2 months have gone by since we last spoke. She is the type of friend that no matter what never misses a birthday, anniversary, holiday etc. She just understands the meaning of friendship and I count my blessings every single day that I know someone as amazing as her.

We had a stellar lunch (3 hour lunch) in which we got to catch-up on everything in life. We had such a great time and I hope that we can make it a point to do that more often, but like everyone else these days time seems to be at a loss and we have a hard time finding the common ground in which we can meet.

She even brought you a gift, baby Reinholz. A super soft and fuzzy blanket and sleeper set that I cannot wait to bundle you up in. She is so excited to meet you, but more importantly I am so excited for you to meet her. She will be someone very special in your life I'm sure.

So Mary Mo, thanks for a great day on Saturday. I really needed it! Thanks for the good gossip, the shared secrets and great laughs. You are one of the few that I get to do those things with. Just promise me you will not teach my child how to drink out of an apple juice jug.

Dear Baby...

I wish you would kick. Event just a tiny one, a flutter even. I read all about other girls who are feeling their baby move and how amazing it is and I am just so jealous. I know all in good time and I know I have nothing to worry about. I would just really love it if you would start practicing your cartwheels soon!

Love,
Mommy

Match Game!

My baby is the size of an onion this week. Onions make me cry and oddly enough so do my hormones.

17 Week Mile Marker.

Your baby's weight has doubled in two weeks and now weighs about 3.5 ounces! The crown-to-rump length of your growing baby is 4.4 to 4.8 inches. If you spread your hand out opened wide, you can see about how big your baby is. Your uterus is moving up and is now approximately 1.5 to 2 inches below your navel. You are showing more now and there is a noticeable swelling in your abdomen. At this point in your pregnancy, a 5 to 10 pound weight gain is normal. Other people can probably feel the difference in your lower abdomen if they were to rub your tummy. To be the most comfortable, you should be wearing maternity clothes or clothing that is too large for you. You may have felt your baby move already. However, you might not feel it move every day at this point. As your pregnancy progresses, movements become stronger and more frequent. Feeling your baby move can help reassure you that your baby is doing well. You might also notice that your gums or nose bleed occasionally. This is from the increased blood volume that puts pressure on small blood vessels and capillaries. Huge changes continue to take place within your developing baby. This week fat begins to form and will continue to do so until he is born. Fat is important to the body's heat production and metabolism. Right now, at 17 weeks, water makes up about 3 ounces and fat 0.018 ounces of your baby's body. In a baby at term, fat makes up about 5.25 pounds of the total average weight of 7.7 pounds. The placenta is continuing to grow at an amazing rate. The placenta will continue to develop in tandem with the fetus and it will weigh more than a pound at birth! By this week, the placenta is large and well established with a network of blood vessels that exchange nutrients and waste. The eyes are facing more forward. The ears are now close to their final position. Your baby is more flexible with ability to move head, mouth, lips, arms, wrists, hands, legs, feet, and toes. Fingerprints are forming now.

New Threads!

On Saturday morning the hubby and I got up to run some errands, one of which was trying to find some maternity clothes for me and the expanding belly. So we hit the mall and walked into a department store that was having all maternity 50% off until 1pm! Jackpot! AND if you spent over 50.00 you got an additional $15.00 off!

With that said here is what I got for the price of $150.00:

1 pair of sassy dark jeans
1 pair of super cute grey corduroys
1 pair of brown corduroys (again, super cute)
1 pair of light brown khakis (make my booty look good)
1 grey sweater with a big button at the top with short sleeves (wear a long sleeve shirt underneath)
1 black sweater similar to the grey one listed above
1 purple long sweater with short sleeves and cowl neck (will also pair with long sleeve shirt underneath)
2 long sleeved shirts
2 pair of shoes

I want to say that even though these are material things that now more than ever I am truly embracing the belly. Before I was uncomfortable in clothes that didn't fit and I was on this awkward fence trying to cope with the ever growing baby bump and now I see myself in a whole new light and it's truly beautiful.

Ba Rum Pum Pum Pum.

I feel like I have the Little Drummer Boy pounding away on my brain. I think it's my sinuses from all this lovely weather we have had lately. Hot, cold, warm, colder, hot, hot, freezing, warm, humid. Good lord. So my head is pounding, the sinuses are draining, my stomach is flip flopping and this is just not my day.

Nothing To Wear!

Until now! The hubby and I have 3 upcoming weddings and a few other things going on that I needed some new clothes (specifically dresses) to fit the ever expanding belly. And hubby if you are reading this I tried to call you to tell you I was buying these. I just hope they arrive in time and that they fit.

Match Game Week 16.

An avacado eh? Ironic how I just said no more Mexican.

Note To Self.

No more Mexican.

Week 16 And Counting.

At this point of your pregnancy, your baby is approximately 4.3 to 4.6 inches long and weighs 2.8 ounces. Not only is your baby growing, your uterus and placenta continue to grow to accommodate the growing baby inside of you! Just six weeks ago, your uterus weighed about 5 ounces. This week it now weighs 8.75 ounces! The amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby is increasing and there is about 7.5 ounces of fluid. You will easily be able to feel your uterus approximately three inches below your navel. Your milk glands start production at this time and this causes some tenderness and swelling in early pregnancy. Your veins will become more visible because there is an increased amount of blood flowing to the breasts. At this time, your baby is holding her head erect. Because her muscles are developing, she can make some faces now. Your baby is able to squint, frown and open its mouth. There is enough calcium in the bones that they will show up on an x-ray. Your baby's fingernails are well formed now and the legs are longer than the arms. Because your baby is moving well now, you may begin to feel his movements! Some women say that the early movements feel like gas bubbles or a slight flutter. If you have not yet felt the baby move, don't worry. Fetal movements are usually felt between the 16th and 20th week of pregnancy. Watch what you say... tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean the little one can now pick up your voice. Eyebrows, lashes and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming. And, if you're interested, an ultrasound might be able to determine gender.

Belly + Spicy Food = Bad News.

I tell my husband every single time DO NOT let me eat spicy food. So today at lunch I ordered buffalo chicken fingers. And guess what? I am now doubled over in pain and my stomach is making a noise similar to a volcano. Holy mother of baby Jesus it's painful. I LOVE spicy food, but apparently the baby does not and now I'm paying for it. Mark my words, never again.

Breaks My Heart!

If this Amy Coe rocker wasn't 400.00 I would own it today. I am in love I tell you. The best part is not only that it is a beautiful chocolate brown stain-resistant sued (which matches my room perfectly), but under the ottomans lid is storage. Perfect when you have your hands full, but need a burp cloth or pacifier. You wouldn't even have to get up! Talk about convenient!

Belly Limbo.

Last night the hubby got home around 1:00am from work and was coming out of the bathroom and of course I was getting up to go to the bathroom. So as he's coming out, I'm going in and he reaches around to hug me when he rubs my belly and says "wow, your belly is getting huge". Thanks babe.

I suppose it's not a big deal about the belly getting bigger. I mean, it's gonna happen right? It's just strange to have your body so out of wack. I love rubbing my teenie tiny baby bump don't get me wrong, but I think I'm still at the point where I am a little self conscience about it. If you didn't know I was pregnant you would probably think I had a really big lunch or something along those lines. I'm just not quite to the point where my belly is baby ya know? It's stuck in limbo right now. The place where clothes don't fit but you don't want to buy new clothes because you will only grow out of them so you just wear the same 4 shirts and same pair of jeans over and over. The place where you get home, peel out of your clothes and throw your husbands t-shirt and sweatpants on. That's where I am.

I'm looking forward to the belly getting bigger and all the fun things to come, but at the same time I don't want to rush through pregnancy. It's sort of like rushing through life. If you don't stop to enjoy it, you will miss it.

Mobile.

So about a week or so ago I came across this mobile on a DIY website and fell in love. It is super easy to make and I can already picture the bright, funky, retro fabrics I can use. I just think it is darling! Thank God for Santa Claus and the sewing machine he is going to bring me!

The Baby Bump.

Well kids, here ya go. I know it is beyond overdue, but now is better than never. And is it me, but does my 9 weeks look bigger than my 15 weeks? Ahh, pregnancy - a mysterious journey.

9 weeks.


15 weeks.

It's Like Puberty All Over Again!

I mean, seriously? I am 28 and I am breaking out like crazy. What's worse is that it is under the skin breakouts. Is that worse? I don't know. Either way it's driving me nuts. My face is producing more oil than I even like to think about. It's something that has never happened to me before. Not to brag, but I lucked out through the "difficult" stages in life. You know, puberty? Never had a problem like most 15 year olds. I mean, an occasional small blemish from time to time, but nothing that some Cover Girl couldn't cover up. And now, you could check your teeth in my shiny forehead! What's worse is that nothing is helping. I must wash my face 3 times a day, then follow up with a Noxzema cleansing pad until I cannot see anymore dirt on the pad. While I am in the shower I even use a scrubbing face wash to schlep off the dead skin. Yesterday I even broke out my face steamer and stuck my face in it for about 30 minuets, completely purging my pores of probably the last years worth of dirt. I woke up this morning and there were more. I guess I was expecting a miracle, but fell short of that. Luckily having a baby makes this break out totally worth it.

Play Ball!

This week my baby is the size of a softball. It's pretty crazy to think that something that size is inside of me, sucking its thumb and growing like a weed. I cannot wait to meet my little softball. It's going to be amazing.

15 Weeks And Counting!

Your baby's crown-to-rump length is approximately 4 inches and she now weighs approximately 1.75 ounces. Your baby is close to the size of a softball and you can easily tell that you are pregnant now! If you wear maternity clothes or a swimming suit, other people will be able to tell that you are pregnant also. You can probably feel your uterus about three to four inches below your bellybutton. Your baby is growing at an amazing rate and looking more like a human every day. Because your baby's skin is so thin, you are able to see blood vessels through the skin. Lanugo hair covers your baby's body, but it will be gone when your baby is born. The hair on the eyebrows and head continues to grow. Some babies are born with little or no hair and others have a head full of hair! If you have an ultrasound at this point, you might be able to see your baby sucking its thumb. Even though the eyes continue to move to the front of the face, they are still widely separated. Your baby's ears look like normal ears and continue to develop externally. The bones that have already formed continue to get harder and retain calcium. The baby is very mobile and flexible at this point. She can bend her arms at the elbows and wrists and she can also make a fist with her hands.

That Stuff's Cold!

You know, the gel the smear on your belly before hunting for the heartbeat? Man oh man, chilly!

Anyway, needless to say we heard the little ones heartbeat. It's loud, clear, strong and healthy! All great news you love to hear. It truly is such a feeling to hear that noise and know that your baby is doing just fine. It puts my entire mind at ease! The doc also told me the cramping I have had lately that has had me doubled over is totally normal. It's all the shifting, growing and ligaments stretching. Good times of course.

And I'll have you all know I have gained a total of 7lbs during these 14 weeks, so I am doing just peachie.

After the appointment I did buy some maternity jeans last night and I swear these things are amazing! I know I have more growing to do and they will fill out, but I tell you what they are a life saver. My old jeans were just cutting me in half and it was really causing some pains. But now, watch out world I can run a marathon in these bad boys.

4 weeks and counting until we know if the bun in the oven is a he or she! Can't wait.

Doctor Appointment Today!

Well, we're off to the doctor today for a regualr checkup. I will be weighed (which is always fun), have my ever expanding belly measured and then listen to my little ones heartbeat! I cannot wait. Plus, I'm probably going to complain to the doctor about how I feel like hell lately.

On the plus side, only 26 more weeks to go!

I Think It's Time...

I think I need maternity jeans. It pains me to have to bite the bullet, but it pains me even more to sit down.

Cute!

That's the only word I can think of when I see this painting! And for 30 bucks, I might just be calling it mine.

My Latest Swooning.

I saw a bird mobile over the weekend in Ohio (that was not for sale-of course) and fell in love. It was white faux antlers with invisible line and attached to each line was a tiny wooden flying white bird, probably 5-6 birds total at all different heights (similar to the picture-only the one in the picture is 140 bucks. Ouch!). Anyway, now I'm on the hunt for something similar and I'm starting to think I could probably make one (considering the local hobby shop has the materials).

What do you think? And if you know where I can find faux antlers and tiny white birds that would be great!

I Bought It!

The crib set you see below that is! I can't wait for the day it comes in. I feel like things are really coming together! I just can't imagine waiting until the last second to do everything. So needless to say I feel like now that we have the crib, crib set and mural ready to go that the room is pulling together. AND my incredible hubby put together the desk we bought from Ikea and it's just a matter of moving the computer from upstairs to downstairs. It's a huge weight off of my back!

Love It. Want It. Must Have It!

Spotted this crib set. I am in LOVE with it! I think it can totally go in the nursery because it's not really a "theme" so to speak. It's just little shapes of color. Plus the room is brown already and the bird on the branch I painted is brown, green and white (see post "we did it"). So I think this could work. Plus, we'll get other plain sheets etc to mix in. The hubby likes it, but we're going to look at it together tonight and hopefully order it. Did I mention that it is only 53.00 and it comes with a bumper, fitted sheet, dust ruffle and reversible quilt? What a steal!

Wish me luck!

P.S. That's our bed in the photo too! SO cute!

The Crib Of My Dreams...

It's in! A week early too! We're picking it up tonight! I cannot wait!

My Baby Is How Big?

The size of a fist! That's right, a fist! I can't believe it. Getting so big so fast.

14 Weeks Here We Come!

You are now in your second trimester! Your baby's crown to rump length is 3.2 to 4.5 inches long and he weighs approximately 1 ounce now. Your baby is about the size of the average fist. Now that you are into your second trimester, you may be starting the best part of your pregnancy. You will probably start to feel more energetic and you may get the `pregnancy glow`. Your uterus is beginning to swell week by week and you can follow its progress by locating the top of the uterus. The position of the top of the uterus will continue to gradually move up your abdomen, from beneath the pubic line to above your navel. Maternity clothes are probably necessary now. At this time, your baby's face is becoming more developed. The cheeks and bridge of his nose appear and the ears move from the sides of his neck to much higher on his head. The eyes continue to come closer together. A big development from this week onward is the development of lanugo. Lanugo is the fine hair that grows over almost your entire baby. The hairs grow in whirled patterns that follow the grain of his skin. These patterns later give way to your baby's fingerprints. The lanugo will be shed before birth and replaced by thicker, coarser hairs. Your baby's thyroid gland has matured and starts to produce hormones. If your baby is a boy, the prostate will appear and the ovaries descend from the abdomen into the pelvis in baby girls. The embryo`s soft cartilage is now being replaced with ` real` chalk bones. Your baby has eyebrows, but no eyelashes. Fine, light hair also begins to grow.

Ikea Or Bust!

That's right kids, we went to Ikea over the weekend. We were in Ohio and we heard through the grapevine that one was just built about 45 min away. So of course we just had to stop and see what kinds of stuff we could get our hands on.

We picked up lots of baby stuff. Stuffed animals, toys, blankets, nite lights, storage bins, etc. Tons of cute stuff that you won't see in Target. We of course got stuff for ourselves. We picked up a desk, some kitchen stuff and some other odd and ends. It was a great (and cheap) 2 hours spent at Ikea and I would make the trip all over again.

Stomach Pains.

Probably from the orange, yogurt, grapes, bowl of chili, banana twin, starcrunch, fudge round, yogurt and another banana twin I have already had since 9 this morning.

It's no wonder my jeans are snug.

The Match Game.

This week my baby is the size of a peach. It's strange to think about something of that size growing inside of me. It's only going to get bigger too!

13 Weeks Preggers.

My little peanut is getting bigger and bigger.

This is the last week of your first trimester and your baby weighs 14 to 20 grams. The crown-to-rump length of your growing baby is 2.6 to 3.1 inches. Your baby is now about the size of a peach. Fetal growth is amazing from now through about the 24th week of pregnancy. At this point of your pregnancy, there is a steady flow of pregnancy hormones in your bloodstream. Your body will adjust to the changes and morning sickness might stop and other early symptoms will begin to ease. Because the second trimester is approaching, feelings of anxiety or nervousness may also diminish. You have probably gained some weight by now. You are losing your waist and your clothing is probably fitting snugly. Tissue that will form your baby's bones is being laid down, especially around the head and limbs. The nose and chin are becoming more prominent. Your baby's eyelids meet and fuse together and they will not open again for nearly four months. The eyes started out on the side of your baby's head and they are now moving closer together on the face. The ears come to lie in their normal position on the sides of the head. The sockets for all twenty teeth are formed in the gums, and vocal cords are beginning to form.

We Got It!

Just got an email from the manufacturer of the baby crib my husband and I have been desperately stalking. The email said the crib was in stock! So I went to the website and ordered the crib. We are so excited becuase in approximately 10 days we will have the crib, and I'm hoping if I ask nicely my husband will assemble it.

Help Me Please!

My husband and I are dying to get our hands on this crib. It's the ONE I tell you! It is from walmart.com and it is called the Baby Mod Parklane 3-in-1 Espresso Crib. I have searched high and low online and nothing. Every single site seems to lead me right back to walmart.com. I even called a couple of local Wal-Mart's and nothing. They cannot tell me if other stores have it because you need a sku# and of course there are no sku#'s online. Go figure.

So if you can help me out I would be so grateful. I have the debit card in hand. I'll even send you a prize!

Grocery Shopping.

This morning I had to run by the grocery store on my way to work and figured I would just pick up some snacks. Here is what I left with:

2lbs of red grapes
10 Yoplait yogurts
1 make-it-yourself sandwich kit for lunch
1 box of banana twins

I'm definitely pregnant.

Bye Bye Bangin' Bod, Hello Baby Bump.

Last night the hubby and I were laying on the couch when he put his hand on my stomach to say hi to the baby. He looks up at me and says, "your stomach is getting really tight." Great. Looks like I am well on my way to getting my very own baby bump.

Baby Boom!

Just received news that friends of the hubby and I are pregnant with their first baby! It is so exciting! I love hearing great news like this. And the best part is that she is only 2 months or less behind me!! So it will be nice to have things in common, not to mention our babies will be the same age. I'm just so happy for the two of them!

So Jill and Ryan if you are reading this, congrats! We are so very happy for the both of you. And Jill, welcome to the club. You're going to love it!

Not A Good Day.

Pounding headache. Have had it since yesterday. Woke up at 1:15am to it still pounding. This is terrible. Apparently headaches are "common" with pregnancy. That's good to know.

12 Weeks.

Your baby's crown-to-rump length is almost 2.5 inches and she now weighs between 8 and 14 grams! In just three weeks, your baby's size has more than doubled and begins to look a lot more human. Even though you won't be able to feel your baby moving at this time, you can stimulate him and he will squint, open his mouth and move his fingers or toes. Your baby develops reflexes and the skin is very sensitive. The brain is fully formed, and the child can feel pain. The baby may even suck his thumb. The eyelids now cover the eyes, and will remain shut until the seventh month to protect the delicate optical nerve fibers.

We Did It!

Over the weekend I wanted to work on the bird mural in the baby's room. Well, it took me about 10 min to draw and about 2 hours to fill in with paint. Here it is! Let me know what you think! We adore it!

Please don't mind the mess. That bedroom is sort of a "catchall". I'm sure there will be better nursery pictures to post down the line.

Just Call Me Done.

Yesterday the hubby and I went to lunch. I wanted Bread Co., but it's packed at noon so you typically have to wait till about 1 or so to go. So we decided on Mexican. Bad idea. The food came and I took two bites and was done. I LOVE Mexican, but I guess I don't at the moment. So I filled up on guacamole and chips instead. I had a pounding headache and nausea the rest of the day. Then last night around 8:00 I was starving. So I ate a box of pizza rolls and frosted mini-wheat's. It's the only thing that sounded remotely appealing. Crawled into bed at 8:30 and called it a night.

Today I wake up with a headache and nausea. I didn't get one foot out the door when my allergies kicked in forcing about 15 sneezes and snot out of my nose. So then my head really started to pound and well the drainage didn't make my stomach feel any better. I wanted to crawl back into bed at this point.

Made it to work. Picked up 2 bagels from Bread Co., got to work, toasted them and slathered them in cream cheese. Also, a co-worker brought me a huge slice of cake. SO good!

I don't get it. All I know is that I am ready for my energy and normal eating habits to come back.

Let's Compare.

So, to give you a better idea of just how big my little one truly is I thought I would post pictures of objects that compare in size. This week it turns out my baby is the size of a large lime. Interesting.

11 Week Mile Marker.

Your baby continues to grow and is now approximately the size of a large lime! The crown-to-rump length of your developing child is 1.75 to 2.4 inches. The weight of the fetus is approximately 8 grams at this point. The growth of your baby is phenomenal now and your baby's length will double in the next three weeks. The head is grossly out of proportion and is almost half of the baby's length. This is the last week of the embryonic period. From now on, your baby will be called a fetus. Your baby's fingernails appear this week! External genitalia are beginning to show distinguishing features and the development of male or female will be complete in three weeks. The placenta's blood vessels increase to provide your baby with the nutrients and oxygen he needs for continued growth. Your baby's ears are gradually moving from the neck towards the sides of his head. Inside of your baby's abdomen, the intestines are developing. Because the intestines are so large, some of them project into the umbilical cord and they will return to the abdomen within the next week or two. At the size of a plumb, your baby is now able to swallow. The urinary system functions. The baby swallows and urinates the amniotic fluid and the fluid is continually replaced. The baby is kicking but the mother cannot feel it yet. All vital organs are formed and, for the most part, function normally. From now on, they will grow in size and efficiency. As a preparation for breastfeeding, your baby now has learned to swallow. Babies swallow amniotic fluid in the uterus.

Dreams Times Three.

First dream: Doug's dad had a dream that he was holding a little baby and that the baby was pulling on his glasses. He remembered looking into the eyes of the child and saying "Sweetie, be gentle with grandpa's glasses" He said in that moment it was all very vivid. A little girl with blond piggy tails sat on his lap, with a huge smile and big blue eyes.

Second dream: Doug had a dream that he too was holding a baby girl with blond piggy tails and big blue eyes.

Third dream: I was holding a baby (2 months maybe) and it was a little girl. I remember how much I loved her. In fact, I woke up with tears in my eyes it felt so real.

So, we're all convinced it's a girl now. About 7 more weeks and we'll know.

Talk About Bling!

I knew kids were expensive but are you kidding me? You can have this pacifier for the low, low price $17,000.00!

The Shakes.

I was sitting in a meeting this morning and it ran a little over on time. I didn't think anything of it until my palms started sweating and my body started to shake. I began to just feel awful and my stomach was doing flips. So by the grace of God the meeting wrapped up and I ran out of the office, not stopping to talk and hightailed it to McDonalds. I was first in line at the drive-thru so I had my fingers crossed it wouldn't take more than 2 min because I was beginning to think someone would have had to pick me up off of the ground. I got 2 chicken sandwiches and 1 large fry and before I even hit the highway I had devoured one sandwich. About 2 minuets later I had polished off the other sandwich. The frys needed salt so when I got back to the office I coated them with salt and practically shoved the entire box in my mouth. I'm not typically a pig, but man making a baby is hard work and I guess when I gotta eat then I gotta eat, NOW.

10 Weeks!

At this point of your pregnancy, the crown-to-rump length of your developing baby is 1.25 to 1.68 inches. It is now easier to tell how much the baby weighs since he is beginning to put on some weight. Your baby weighs approximately 5 grams and is the size of a small plum! The baby has grown an incredible amount during these past few weeks, but you still aren't showing too much yet. This week is somewhat of a landmark for your developing baby. By now, your baby's complete body plan is laid down. Your baby will continue to develop and grow for the remainder of the pregnancy. The fingers and toes have separated and the tail has disappeared now. Your baby has taste and tooth buds at this point, which will continue to develop. The brain will continue to grow at an amazing rate and nearly a quarter of a million new neurons are produced every minute! The embryonic heart is completely developed. External genitalia are not apparent until next week, but a male's testes will already be producing testosterone.

Picture Day.

Had our first doctor appointment on Saturday and I tell you what, if seeing the amazing things I saw doesn't make you feel better than I don't know what would. So we went to the doctors office and I was a nervous wreck. My blood pressure was sky high (but the nurse said that's normal on ultrasound day). Then I saw it. I saw my baby. My husband and I were in total awe. My husband just kept saying "Wow" and I teared up of course. There it was, plain as day - our baby. It was moving (dancing) around and you could see the heart beating (167bpm). It was the most incredible thing to see and hear. All was good in the world in that moment. Simply incredible.

Tired.

That's all. Just tired. Oh, and nauseous. Shocking.

Ugh.

Not a very good day today baby. I am SO tired, and feel SO nauseous and my allergies are flaring up so I am waiting to hear back from the doctor on what I can take to stop the sniffles. I never thought pregnancy would be so rough. Just the thought of food and eating makes me sick. And the cramps, holy oh dear baby Jesus. Wow. I just need to go home, flop on the couch, and catch some snooze. Today would be the perfect day for that. Just open up the house, let the cool air in and watch some trashy daytime t.v.

New Toy.

For mommy and daddy this time. We splurged on a new camera. We have a digital camera (you know, one of those trendy fits in your pocket cameras) and we hate it. I'm talking hate. We have not had good luck with it at all and it's to the point where I have stopped taking pictures all together which is awful because I love to take pictures. I took photography all through college and the whole 9 yards. I LOVE taking pictures. Anyway, so we decided with all the upcoming events (weddings, engagement parties, holidays, and of course the rapidly growing belly) that we need something to capture our memories. We looked and researched and came across this Sony and fell in love. It's incredible. It's not too big, it's not too small and it takes amazing, professional pictures without the bulk or price of a professional camera.

My Very First!

It's my very first wedding anniversary! It's been a year already, and boy what an amazing year. I have loved every single moment this past year has brought. The good, the bad, the ugly it has been great. I married the most amazing man and I count my blessings every single day. With each passing moment I fall more in love with this my husband and words will never be able to express the feelings I have for him. He has given my life meaning and has given me so many reasons to live my life to the fullest. He has filled my life with more happiness and love than I ever thought possible. What amazing year. I am looking forward to the long and happy road ahead of us.

9 Weeks!

What's new with my little one this week:

Although the baby is still very small, it is beginning to look more like a human being. Your baby's back is straightening out and the tail is shrinking. In proportion to the rest of his body, the head is large and remains curved forwards onto the chest. The head is erect and the neck is developing well. Even though your baby's eyes are well developed, they are covered by a membrane lid. The eyes will not begin to open and close for quite some time still. Your baby will begin to make tiny movements as the muscles start to develop. You will not be able to feel any of these early movements, but you might be able to see them during an ultrasound. The arms and hands are progressing faster than the legs and feet at this point. By this time of your baby's development, the hands have defined finger ridges and the tissue between them will die off to leave separate fingers. It is impossible to distinguish a male from a female at this time because external genitalia look very similar at this point.

7:00.

That's what time I went to bed last night. Seriously.

Shopping Spree.

Went to Kentucky last weekend to visit my family. Every single time I go we hit the mall and I wind up buying stuff. I don't know why, but I never do this at home (I promise) and I only do this when I go out of town. Anyway, this time I didn't buy for me, I bought for the little one. Check them out.

Tired and Hungry.

Ok, so I have zero energy (I'm forcing myself to hit the gym tonight though - maybe) and I am finding that I am eating the strangest things. Today for lunch I went home to eat Chef Boyardee beefaroni and pickles. Interesting combo. And I kept telling my husband how I wanted to stop at Qudoba or maybe pick up some chips and guacamole (which I'll pick up tonight). I'm also finding that I don't have cravings so to speak, it's more like when I see something I have to have it and that's it. Or if I think about different foods (like Chinese for instance) the taste of that food fills my mouth (I swear I can even smell it) and I instantly feel nauseous and that determines what I will be eating that night. It's almost like I can't decide till I'm in the moment. More than anything I just want my energy back and that's why I'm going to try really hard to hit the gym tonight. 1. it will help my energy level. and 2. it will help my waistline. I will be mortified if I go back to the doctor 2 weeks after my first appointment and I'm 10 pounds heavier.

Happy 8 Weeks!

Your baby is developing at an amazing rate during these early weeks. Eyelid folds and ears are forming. Your baby's eyes are still very wide apart on the sides of her head, but will eventually center themselves out. The tip of the nose is actually present at this time as well. On ultrasound you can see that the aortic and pulmonary valves of the heart are present. The tubes that lead from the throat to lungs are branching and your baby's torso is getting longer and beginning to straighten out. Just a few weeks ago, your baby's arms were tiny buds. Now the elbows are actually present and the arms and legs extend forward and have grown longer. Fingers and toes are becoming visible also.

Growing like a little weed!

No More Stressing!

Late last night I got a message from my doctor regarding my blood work results. Talk about having a knot in your stomach. Hearing the words "I have the results...." Anyway, she went on to tell me that everything is GREAT! That I am 110% healthy! She said I am at a great, healthy weight. My thyroid is working perfectly. My hcg levels are normal and my body is ready to carry a baby. My red blood cells are normal and there is no worry of my blood infecting the baby's blood. My white cell count is normal. My platelet count is normal. I am immune to measles, etc. I have no infections floating around my body.

Looks like all systems go! Whew!

Congrats!

Went to Steve and Ashley's last night (the baby will know them as Uncle Steve Steve and Aunt Combo one day though). They had bought us flowers and a balloon to tell us congrats on our future new addition! It was the sweetest thing!!! They already love you baby Reinholz. You are going to love them very much too I have a feeling. They are mommy and daddy's best friends and we are so grateful to have them in our lives.

Couldn't Resist!

Saw these at Baby Gap. Doug actually spotted them! How freakin' cute!!!

Clean Bill Of Health.

Had our first doctor appointment today. Just a typical visit. It was more like a physical though. Got to pee in a cup, get my boobs squeezed and had to give like 5 gallons of blood. Just another day. Did a rundown of the family tree and history of medical problems and we did just fine. The doctor said I am a "spitting image of health". Go me. The doctor told me the nausea will go away and I will eventually not be exhausted. That's the hardest part. I am literally in bed at 7:00 every night. It's terrible. I can be sitting at work and next thing you know I am looking around to make sure no one sees me putting my head down. Overall though, we passed with flying colors. We will know more in a couple of days when the blood test results come back and then again of course after our ultrasound.

Growing a baby is weird. And after yesterday it suddenly hit me that it's very real.

7 Weeks And Counting!

Happy 7 weeks baby Reinholz! Here's what's new with you!

Your baby's leg and arm buds are longer now and they have divided into segments where the hands and feet will be. The hands and feet also have an area where the fingers and toes will begin to form. At this point of your pregnancy, the heart is bulging from the body and it has divided into right and left chambers. The brain's hemispheres are continuing to grow and the air passages into the lungs are visible. Your baby's eyes are beginning to get pigment. The nose is developing and the beginning of the face can be seen. The baby's abdomen is developing quickly and the appendix and pancreas are already present. Your baby's digestive tract is beginning to form and the hindgut is present. The shape of the talk can still be seen, but it will fade in 3 or 4 weeks.

Today's The Day!

It's our first doctor appointment! I am so nervous and so excited I can't contain myself. I guess the doctor will take blood and talk a lot to mommy and daddy about what's going to happen and maybe even listen for your heartbeat! It's going to be a great day!

Pickles.

Ok, I ate 5 pickles tonight for dinner. It's the only thing that sounded even remotely good. And I have managed to lose 5 pounds! Probably