Fast Forward - Week 36

I had a doctor appointment on Friday and they officially have my due date as January 1 - true to the generic title of this blog. But I like January 7th better and really its nobody's decision but the baby's when it wants to come out. Anywho, that means I now visit the doctor every week. I have met all the doctors - 1 of the 8 I don't like at all, I have 1 favorite, and the rest are really nice and smart.
The doctor said everything looks good and the head is down. I had a day with almost no movement (scary) but the baby got the message we don't like that and has been squirming around ever since. It doesn't keep me up at night, although I have not been sleeping well lately. Hopefully this means its on the sleep at night schedule.
I have a feeling the next 24 days are going to fly by with getting ready for Christmas and finishing the final preparations for baby. This time of year is always fun, but this year is extra exciting!

34 weeks on Thanksgiving!

Oh my gosh - could this be right?!? The baby weighs around 5 lbs! He/she better save some room for turkey, pie, and oyster stew! The baby has cute, chubby fat and is regulating its own body temp. My body temp has been very warm during this pregnancy. Its a battle in the car - I'm constantly asking Chad to turn down the heat -Very uncharacteristic for me. I can't even button my coat anymore! The latest challenges: laying down, getting up, and putting shoes on. 150 was the magic number at the doctors today - I almost weigh 150 and the baby's heart rate was in the 150s.

I wasn't kidding when I said how much I like breakfast food. This is one of the 4 blueberry pancakes I had for dinner!

Favorite pregnancy products

I have made it 8 months with no stretch marks, which probably has nothing to do with this St. Ives lotion, but I still lather it on every day. I couldn't stand the smell of Palmers Coco Butter, so I chose St. Ives based on the smell and vitamin E.

My maternity wardrobe consists of 2 pairs of dress pants, 1 pair of jeans, and about 10 dresses. I was shopping with my sister this summer and looking at all the cute maxi dresses and thinking dresses would be really comfortable for a pregnant belly. But what was I going to wear in the winter? My sister had the brilliant idea of still wearing dresses- just with tights and boots for the colder weather. My under armor is so comfortable - leggings and a tank top. Throw a dress on top with a sweater and flat boots and you are all set to go!
My leotard

I look like a pregnant ballerina




















My friend Jenny sent me this really yummy tea. Thanks Jen - you are so thoughtful!

I have not had much trouble sleeping on my side. I have always been a stomach sleeper, so hugging this body pillow really helps. Rolling over is getting more difficult each day.

8 months

Have I mentioned it takes a long time to grow a baby? We are so excited - 8 weeks left!!!

Week 31

9 weeks left - that should get the shock reaction out of a few people! Yes, only 9....looking to 9 fun weeks of Thanksgiving, first snow, Christmas - it is probably 9 of the best weeks in the year! I love the atmosphere of the holidays downtown...Christmas shopping, white lights, Hollidazzle parade.

The baby is now around 3 lbs and 16 inches - no wonder I am feeling so much squirming! I just had some lentil soup for lunch and he/she really liked that! The babe is going through a big growth spurt gaining lots of fat. So for the health of my child I feel obligated to eat lots of icecream - banana cream pie blizzards and just about any flavor of Haagen Dazs.

I may have felt 2 Braxton-Hicks contractions. Not sure, but the past 2 nights I have had a 30 second cramping pain. Also the linea negra is making an apprearance down the middle of my belly.

I passed!

Well, I passed the glucose test. And then I passed out!
I went in at 8:00am to chug the "orange drink". I didn't think it was that bad. Then I saw the doctor - talked about H1N1 and a little about early signs of labor. She said the heartbeat is good and no cervix activity, so now we're on to bi-weekly visits.
So I am waiting in the lobby and feel really tired and hot. I get called back for the blood test-no big deal-I dont have a problem with needles. But I start to feel light headed and sweaty. I tell the nurse I feel like I'm going to pass out, so I put my head down, took deep breaths and she brought me an ice pack. I felt like I was sleeping hard for a long time, so I dont know how long I was out. Thankfully I was sitting in the lab chair the whole time. She brought me a juice box and I felt much better, but have been exhausted all day.

Here is some 28 week belly - still looks pretty low...is it a boy???

Week 27

I have not been very good about taking weekly belly pics, so I am making up for it by having a 27 week photo shoot so you can see the baby proof from all angles :)
Added bonus: the photo shoot was in our lovely green and gold bathroom - GO PACK!

Week 25

Only 15 weeks to go! I can't believe its only 15 now. I do feel like I have been pregnant for a long time - not because I don't like it, I'm just so excited and waiting 9 months is a long time! I still feel great - being pregnant has not been a burden at all and I feel very blessed for that.
Reading about what the babe is doing in there is the cutest thing ever! Its hands are now fully developed, although some of the nerve connections to the hands have a long way to go. Dexterity is improving. Your baby can make a fist and clasp objects placed in palm. Exploring the structures inside your uterus may have become baby's prime entertainment. Fascinated by the amount of tactile stimulation a fetus gives itself; it touches a hand to the face, one hand to the other hand, clasps its feet, touches its foot to its leg, its hand to its umbilical cord.

Baby's First....

FOOTBALL GAME!

We snuck our little bug into the first Gopher football game at the new TCF Stadium on campus. He/She was a part of history as one of the fans at the sold out game. It was a beautiful night and the excitement and energy gave me goosebumps! It was unbelievable to see the beautiful outdoor staduim filled with Maroon & Gold and MN fans filling the space that was an old parking lot when Chad and I were in college. Being from WI, football is not football unless it is outdoors so I didn't enjoy the Gopher games at the Metrodome when I was in college. We have supported the outdoor stadium movement from day one, watched as the Big Ten stadium was built, signed up for the season ticket waiting list and got tickets! We were so excited for the season to start!The game started with the Air Force F-16 flyover which was amazing seeing the planes come from the downtown skyline. The UofM football legendary history was honored with honorary captains which was really emotional - these men were so proud and happy to have a proper football field on campus again. And to top it off the Gophers even won! It was great to be back on campus, the nostalgic place where Chad and I met almost exactly 9 years ago. And this time with our first child going to its first of many football games :)

...BLESSING!

Our family got a special blessing on church on Sunday from Canon Richard who married us. Our little miracle is lucky to have lots of prayers to be a healthy baby :)

...And, better late then never.... 24 week belly pic

Week 19

I haven't posted in so long I forgot my password! I have A LOT of catching up to do, but I am starting fresh with a 19 week update - almost half way!

Here's whats goin on in there:

Vernix (a white cheese like protective material) forms on baby's skin with the lanugo, a soft hair covering the body. Your baby may hear your heart beating, your stomach rumbling or blood moving through the umbilical cord. He or she may even be startled by loud noises.Tiny air sacs called alveoli begin to form in lungs and the vocal chords are formed. Baby goes through the motions of crying but without air doesn't make a sound; yet. Your baby may have the same awake and sleep patterns of a newborn. Baby will have a favorite position for sleep and recognizable active and rest periods.Your baby measures about 6 inches crown to rump and weighs about 7 ounces. If it is a girl, she already has 6 million eggs! (This amount decreases to approximately one million by birth). We have an ultrasound this Thursday, but we are not finding out the gender so you will all have to wait to be surprised in January!

Belly pic - week 14

First sign of a bump?

Belly pic - Week 12

Taken in what is going to be the baby's room. Right now its the office/Valentine's room.

Belly pic - Week 10

Belly pic - Week 8

Off to the YMCA for a swim!

May 19th

We had our first ultrasound today! Chad and I both work downtown, so we were able to walk a few blocks over to the clinic on our lunch break. The technology was amazing and we were able to see our little tadpole and its heartbeat! They said based on its size and the forming of the head we were almost 7 weeks along - which puts my due date at January 7, 2010 (possible New Years Baby!) I have been feeling pretty good - really tired but I cannot complain. I stopped running, but still try to work out and walk at least 1 mile a day. Current cravings: strawberry anything, chicken noodle soup (NOT canned), burgers, sub sandwiches (I can't have deli meat), and of course other yummy things that all people love like ice cream and onion rings - so dont really think that counts as a craving!