Week 34 - 3 more weeks to go...

34 weeks: Measuring big!

Watch what you say! Your curious baby is listening in to your conversations at 34 weeks -- and might enjoy a lullaby or two -- so go ahead and sing to him. Some say that baby will recognize songs mom sings while he’s in the womb, and may even be more easily soothed by them if he’s used to them once he’s on the “outside.” At week 34, you might breathe a little easier, since baby may descend lower into your pelvis and give your lungs some space. (Ahh!) Of course, some babies don’t do this until the day they’re born, so we’re not making any guarantees. The pitfall of this descent, of course, is even more pressure on your bladder, so be prepared to make even more trips to the ladies room over the coming weeks.

Life Update:

So, I missed last week’s post because our world got a little shaky and a LOT snotty…

Landen’s daycare called around lunch time on Monday because he had a fever of 102.5. I went to pick him up and took him to the doctor. While at the doctor, Landen’s fever jumped to 104 and he decided to have a seizure. Not just any seizure, but one where he quit breathing and seized for 2 ½ minutes. The nurses and doctor got him on oxygen immediately (SUCH a blessing we were there when it happened), but it took between 6 and 7 minutes, after his seizure, for him to begin responding. As it turns out, after multiple tests, Landen had a fever virus and a cold. SO I stayed home with him on Tuesday and Wednesday while his fever remained… I just didn’t feel right leaving him with ANYONE while he was still at risk for seizing (both for his sake AND for the sake of said caretaker). Thursday my mom kept him. Friday we sent him on to daycare.

My sweet little boy, who needed to be held in an upright position in order for him to sleep with his cold, was super generous in that he shared his stinkin’ cold with mommy! So I, in my inability take anything for said cold, returned to work feeling icky and spent every spare second of time sleeping (intermittently switching sides for the snot to drain). ANYWAY, we are all better now and our house has a distinct odor of Lysol

Doctor’s Report:

I did NOT get the news I was hoping for… Brayden is still measuring big; I am carrying him VERY low; I am having fairly regular, strong contractions – not dilated yet (good news, I suppose); my blood pressure is up (150s-160s/90s-110s); and Brayden’s heart rate is up as a direct result of my BP being up. My doctor suggested that I stop working until Brayden is born… I explained that if I am not working, our family has no income… she gave in and agreed to let me continue working, as long as I limit it to no more than 4 hours/day and spent the rest of my day on a “modified bed rest” (aka LOTS of resting, “no strenuous anything, for any reason, at anytime, at all”). We are hoping that by my modified schedule and extra rest, that I can make it to 37 weeks (this COULD be a leap-year baby). In the mean time, I have no idea how we are possibly going to make ends meet.

Pregnancy Update:

1. How far along? 34 weeks  0 day
2. Total Weight Gain? 13 lbs
3. Fundal Height? 36 cm
4. Baby Heart Rate? 160s bpm – higher because my Blood Pressure is up and putting stress on his little heart.
5. Baby Bump?  I think the term “bump” no longer does it justice…. Mount Everest is more fitting.
6. Movement? Of course! The little (or big) wiggle worm is super confined, but he still manages to kick, punch, and bump all the time!
7. Cravings? Pepcid
8. Aversions? Almost anything… there’s really something to be said for your stomach being pushed up into your throat… eating just doesn’t sound good
9. Symptoms? Strong Contractions, Vomiting, Moody, CLUMSY, Pains (back, sciatic, leg, hip, neck, etc), Cramps (stomach, back, and into my thighs), Hands and feet swelling, Legs falling asleep, Headaches, TIRED, Forgetfulness,  Blurry Vision, Heartburn/Acid Reflux, and a few very unpleasant unmentionables
10. Sleep? Yeah, right.
11. Gender? Boy! Brayden Daniel Thomas
12. Belly button? In, but VERY shallow
13. What I miss? Being comfortable!  
14. What I’m looking forward to? Finishing some name art for Brayden… I WILL do this before he is born! No longer being pregnant!
15. Concerns? Unpaid maternity leave. My blood pressure. Being unable to work more than 4 hours/day…  because the fact that we can’t pay our bills with my full income (our ONLY income) isn’t enough stress, WHY NOT cut my pay in half as we lead up to an unpaid maternity leave!?!
16. Blessings? Keith, Landen, our family, and our friends! That I’ve made it this far into the pregnancy, and Brayden is still appearing to be healthy!

32 Weeks

32 weeks: Jicama (whatever THAT is)

32 weeks: By now, baby Brayden weighs 3.75 pounds and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in my uterus. I’m gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to Brayden. In fact, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth.

Life Update:

• Landen had his ear surgery!! The doctor said he was able to clean out a BUNCH of infection.
• I cannot keep ANYTHING in my hands… if it is droppable, IT WILL BE DROPPED!
• Baby brain has kicked into full gear! I keep getting words mixed-up (i.e. hotel v. hospital, pizza v. puzzle, etc)

Doctor’s Report:

This baby is going to be a whopper! He is ALREADY 5 lbs 10 oz, measuring 4 weeks ahead of schedule! My blood pressure is slowly rising and my doctor thinks I should consider working less hours. PLEASE pray regarding this decision!! Keith can’t have a job while he is in school and my working less will put a HUGE financial strain on our already dwindling bank account! She did say that with Brayden looking as healthy as he does, she MIGHT feel comfortable letting me go until 39 weeks. Brayden has hair that was visible on the Ultrasound… 1 cm long. His feet are 2 ½ inches long. Brayden currently weighs right about the same weight that Landen did when Landen was born… The doctor said he will continue to gain about a ½ lb per week until he is born! YIKES!

Pregnancy Update:

• How far along? 32 weeks  1 day
• Total Weight Gain? 10 lbs
• Fundal Height? I swear his legs are up in my throat sometimes… but the doctor says 34ish
• Baby Heart Rate? 137 bpm
• Baby Bump?  Absolutely
• Movement? He is moving and stretching and getting quite strong! He had the hiccups last night and every time he hiccupped, his head would hit me… (TMI WARNING: I felt like someone was thumping me in the crotch every couple of seconds)
• Cravings? Milkshakes, milk, water, juice, but not much in the way of solid foods…
• Aversions? I can’t put my finger on it…
• Symptoms? Contractions, Vomiting (no idea why, but I spent a good bit of my morning throwing-up today!), Moody (sorry…), CLUMSY, Pains (back, sciatic, leg, hip, neck, etc), Cramps (stomach, back, and into my thighs), Hands and feet beginning to swell, Legs falling asleep, Headaches, TIRED, Forgetfulness,  Blurry Vision, Heartburn/Acid Reflux, and a few very unpleasant unmentionables
• Sleep? Yeah, right.
• Gender? Boy! Brayden Daniel Thomas
• Belly button? In, but very shallow
• What I miss? Being comfortable!
• What I’m looking forward to? Finishing some name art for Brayden… I WILL do this before he is born! We have an OB tour on February 7^th; I’m excited to see the new OB building at my hospital!
• Concerns? Unpaid maternity leave. Possibly having to cut back my hours at work (less pay!). My blood pressure.

Blessings? Having a job. Keith. Landen. Family. Friends. Landen’s daycare. Seeing Brayden all huge and healthy on the ultrasound.

Pictures:



Here is his weight... if you look at the graph you can see he's chilling out around the 97th percentile





Side profile of his foot





Just FYI... if you know what it all means, it MIGHT be interesting to you





the pregnancy pose... 32 weeks





my very own arm rest/table top...





This picture didn't come out very well, but this is a comparison between my pregnancies...
Purple shirt is 32 weeks - Landen
Flowery shirt/dress is 32 weeks - Brayden



From the Mouths of Babes... and 31 weeks

Week 31: Watermelon (or Four Big Oranges)

31 weeks: Baby Brayden now weighs as much as four navel oranges (Length: over 16 inches, head to heel.) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy

 

Life Update: 

• Keith was talking to Brayden, aka my belly, last night and Landen decided he would too! Landen put his mouth against my belly and was yelling, “WA WAWA BAWA WAWAWA.” I was covered in drool by the end of Landen’s conversation, but it was possibly one of the funniest things I have ever experienced! I still don’t know if Landen has ANY idea that there is a baby in my belly. 
• We were able to get several things in the house ready for Brayden over the 3 day weekend:
• Pack-n-play
• Cradle (used to be Keith’s mom’s cradle)
• Baby book
• Bottles and slow-flow nipples
• Infant pacifiers
• Baby monitor
• Cleaned and sorted infant toys
• Replaced batteries 
• Landen is seeing all his old stuff (i.e. toys, bottles, pack-n-play, etc .) and thinks it’s all for him… he’s said “MINE” 16,871,846,741,684 times this weekend
• Landen is getting tubes in his ears on Friday! He woke up Sunday night with a nasty cough, so we took him to the doctor yesterday. The doctor said it wasn’t anything to prevent his surgery on Friday, but she gave him some medicine to make sure it doesn’t turn into anything… because dang-it WE ARE GETTING TUBES THIS FRIDAY come hell or high-water! Oh, and he has a double ear infection and he’s teething his two-year molars.
• Landen has become VERY talkative lately… VERY TALKATIVE! He will talk non-stop, but there is always a question of what he is actually saying… some words sound the same as others, some have a slight resemblance at one point of the actual word, and some words sound a little inappropriate…
• Football (easily confused with Momma) sounds remarkably like butt-hole… this we HAVE to work on ASAP!
• Gus (our cat) sounds like “cgusth”
• Cracker, tractor, doctor, play-dough, and door (I think he may be saying ‘the door’) sounds like “duh-doh”… and these can be all be confused with football and momma
• Bee (the buzzing creature), B (the letter), R (the letter… confused with B), and Wee (the exclamation) all sound like, “BEE”
• Boot, booboo, and poop sound like, “Boo” or “Poo” depending on the day
• Paci sounds like, "Bat-thee"
• Car, star, go, shoe, door, and dog sound like, “daw” (but can sound like “duh-doh”, too)
• Please, peas, tree, and piece sound like, “Peeethz”
• Papa sounds like, “bot-BAH”
• Puzzle-piece sounds like, “Buh-duh PEETHZ” (although it periodically gets additional syllables)
• Macaroni-n-cheese sounds like pure gibberish with “EETHZ” on the end
• Cat, hat, sock, and that sound like, “dat”
• Jacket sounds like, “dat-dat” which can be confused with daddy
• In addition to all of these, sometimes Landen will add “yo” to the end of words, just to keep you on your toes…Not to mention the constant sounds and combinations that he says in-between all his old and new words!
• Keith and I have been working on a puzzle that is so tricky and difficult! I LOVE puzzles, and I can usually fly through them… not this one! We have been working on it, little by little, for weeks now! (If you really know me, you would know that NEVER happens!) But it’s fun!
• Our church opened it's new building a couple weeks ago and it has been awesome! We are already bursting at the seams!
• My sweet friend Brooke cut my hair this weekend! It was great to see her and her precious daughter AND my hair hadn't been cut in close to a year... WAY overdue! It looks MUCH better!
• Landen is in the process of moving-up to the next class in daycare... they are letting him spend part of the day in his old class and part of the day in his new class. He seems to be loving it! It is SUCH a blessing that he is SO happy at his daycare!! 
• Apparently, last night Keith realized that we are about to be the parents of TWO children instead of just one... who knew!?

Pregnancy Update:

1. How far along? 31 weeks 0 day
2. Total Weight Gain? 7 lbs
3. Fundal Height? 31ish
4. Baby Heart Rate? 140s-150s
5. Baby Bump?  Absolutely
6. Movement? He is moving and stretching and getting quite strong! He had the hiccups last night and every time he hiccupped, his head would hit me… (TMI WARNING: I felt like someone was thumping me in the crotch every couple of seconds)
7. Cravings? Chocolate, milkshakes, milk...
8. Aversions? Meats, ONIONS, spicy stuff 
9. Symptoms? Contractions, Moody (sorry…), CLUMSY, Pains (back, sciatic, leg, hip, neck, etc), Cramps (stomach, back, and into my thighs), Hands and feet beginning to swell, Legs falling asleep, Headaches, TIRED, Forgetfulness,  Heartburn, and a few very unpleasant unmentionables
10. Sleep? Yeah, right.
11. Gender? Boy! Brayden Daniel Thomas
12. Belly button? In, but shallow
13. What I miss? Being comfortable!
14. What I’m looking forward to? Making some name art for Brayden
15. Concerns? Unpaid maternity leave.
16. Blessings? My blood pressure seems to be maintaining. Having a job. Keith. Landen. Family. Friends. Landen’s daycare.

Brayden is getting BIG and so am I! - Updated

Week 30: Large Cabbage

This week: Baby Brayden rivals a good-size cabbage in weight, tipping the scales this week at 3 pounds (<--- Actually 2 weeks ago he was weighing 3.5 lbs) (Length: about 15 3/4 inches, head to heel) . A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

Life Update:

Keith started back to school. Landen is attending daycare 5 days a week. Landen has an appointment tomorrow with a Pediatric ENT to schedule surgery for tubes in his ears. Keith bought a 20 bag of pinto beans while grocery shopping --> an attempt to be economical... so we MAY be buying stock in Beano or Gas-X in the very near future! I have approximately 7 more weeks of pregnancy! Oh, and ROLL TIDE!!!!!

Pregnancy Update:

1. How far along? 30 weeks 0 day 30 weeks 2 day
2. Total Weight Gain? I won’t know until Wednesday 7 lbs
3. Fundal Height? I won’t know until Wednesday 30 cm
4. Baby Heart Rate? I’m guessing it is probably still in the 140s in the 150's
5. Baby Bump?  YES! It is definitely getting in my way… but hey, if you need your table/counter wiped off, you just let me know I’ll be glad to wear your food/dust/flour/etc across my belly!
6. Movement? He is moving and getting quite strong!
7. Cravings? Pizza and Caesar salad dressing… still!
8. Aversions? Meats
9. Symptoms? Contractions, Pains (back, sciatic, leg, hip, neck, etc), Cramps (stomach, back, and into my thighs), Hands and feet beginning to swell, Legs falling asleep, Headaches, TIRED, Forgetfulness,  Heartburn, and a few unmentionables
10. Sleep? I wish I could get some decent sleep!! Between bathroom trips, contractions, uncomfortableness, and ridiculous dreams… it’s practically a lost cause. Seriously, my dreams seem to be combining every awkward moment in my life and every argument I’ve ever had with any unknowns I currently have in my life... what the heck!?!
11. Gender? Boy! Brayden Daniel Thomas
12. Belly button? In, but shallow
13. What I miss? Being able to adjust the seat in my car, Energy, Sleep, Mobility, Laying down without getting heartburn, Seeing the stairs as I am descending/ascending, etc
14. What I’m looking forward to? bedtime
15. Concerns? Unpaid maternity leave. Retaking this stupid blood sugar test… I REALLY don’t want to have gestational diabetes!!!!!!! And I really don’t want to show my face in the doctor’s office lab again after puking EVERYWHERE on my 1^st attempt at the 3 hour glucose test last week!!

**NOTE** I was looking at my pregnancy journal from when I was expecting Landen. I failed the 1^st glucose test (the 1 hour one) with Landen, too. To pass it, your blood sugar level has to be under 140 – with Landen, mine was 167 and with Brayden it was 173. Hopefully, with the levels being so similar, I will pass this 3 hour test tomorrow and be in the clear!! I just need to keep the syrup in my tummy long enough to actually take the test!

Well, I had to stay the FULL time to take the Glucose test because in hour 2 my blood sugar went UP!? I still don't understand that! Ultimately, I now know that I DO NOT have gestational diabetes!! WOOHOO!! And, as far as showing my face in the office again, everyone was really nice and even let me lay down in a dark room with my very own trash can... just.in.case.

16. Blessings? My blood pressure seems to be maintaining. Having a job. Keith. Landen. Family. Friends. Landen’s daycare. Normal blood sugar!
17. Pictures:




Landen with my Grandmother (90 yr old)... I wish she were looking at the camera.

 



Sweet little package :)





Our little family of 3 1/2





Thought this would be a cute picture, but every time I try to post it on here it shows up sideways... whatever.





He finally got the concept of toys being in the stocking



Landen getting opening his "Big Boy Bed" (toddler bed)

Week 29: Brayden Daniel

This sweet baby FINALLY HAS A NAME!!! Brayden Daniel Thomas!

Pregnancy Update:

1. How far along? 29 weeks 3 day
2. Total Weight Gain? 3 lbs
3. Fundal Height? 30 cm
4. Baby Heart Rate? 140s bpm
5. Baby Bump?  I’m carrying him LOW
6. Movement? Definitely feeling him move all the time and he's getting MUCH STRONGER!
7. Cravings? Ceaser Salad dressing with pizza... just go with it.
8. Aversions? Meats
9. Symptoms? Pains (back, sciatic, leg, hip, neck, etc), Cramps (stomach, back, and into my thighs), Legs falling asleep, Braxton Hicks, Congested, Headaches, TIRED, Forgetfulness,  Heartburn, and a few unmentionables
10. Sleep? no so great...
11. Gender? Boy! 
12. Belly button? In but rather shallow
13. What I miss? Energy, feeling safe climbing (and descending stairs), sleep, easy mobility, lying down without getting heartburn, etc
14. What I’m looking forward to? Making a name plate for Brayden!
15. Concerns? Maternity leave (or lack thereof). Finances while I'm out on my non-maternity leave. Retaking this stupid blood sugar test, AGAIN… definitely threw-up all over the doctor's office Wednesday morning in my attempt at the 3 hour glucose test! Now I have to do it all again this coming Wednesday.... ugh!
16. Blessings? My blood pressure maintaining. My job. Keith. Landen. Family. Friends.

The post Christmas post

Week 28: Chinese cabbage or Pumpkin

This week: Baby is the size of a Chinese cabbage By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

28 Week Doctor’s Report:

-          My blood pressure was 102/64 this morning!! I am officially in my 3^rd trimester.

-          I failed my 1 hour glucose test, so I have to go back next week for the 3 hour glucose test… YUCK!

-          Peanut is measuring 31 wks 0 days… his head circumference is 32 weeks!!! This is not a good trend, but it’s great that he isn’t measuring too small – a common occurrence for women with chronic hypertension

-          I am now on the every two week doctor appointment plan, but I will continue with the every four week ultrasounds

Life Update:

Christmas was draining nervewracking different this year...

• My sister had her baby on December 23rd... both mom and baby are absolutely beautiful and healthy!
• We didn't get to visit my sister because my doctor doesn't want me travelling, I STILL feel aweful that I couldn't be there for her!! She was SO supportive when I was having Landen, and I don't think I can ever relay how much I appreciated that!
• My parents, obviously, went to be with my sister so Christmas with my side of the family was postponed... no big deal!
• Landen had a high fever on Christmas Eve and had a Febrile Seizure... THAT was one of the most terrifying things I have ever experienced. We called 911 and he was taked to the ER.
• We got home around midnight Christmas Eve... Santa was still able to visit despite the late night :D
• Christmas morning was fun (despite Landen not feeling well), we watched Landen open his gifts from Santa and then we went over to Meemaw's house (Keith's mom) for Christmas with the Thomas family.
• Landen was still running a fever on Christmas day, so we were keeping him on tylenol and motrin constantly. By mid afternoon, the fever wasn't responding very well to the medicine so we stripped him down to the diaper and periodically put a wet rag on his neck to cool him down.
• By 7pm Landen's fever hit 105.3*F with cold compresses on his groin, neck, and arm pits... so we head back to the ER! Luckily, he didn't have another seizure!
• The ER Conclusion? AN EAR INFECTION!?!?!! What is this madness!?! SO, he got a Rocefin shot at the ER, he got a 2nd Rocefin shot Monday at the pediatrician, and he got a 3rd Rocefin shot yesterday at the pediatrician. He seems to be feeling  a little better now... still running a fever, but not a high one.
• The pediatrician is contacting an ENT for us so we can hopefully get rid of this dang ear infection!
• Keith has a cold, or something of the sort...

Pregnancy Update:

1. How far along? 28 weeks 1 day
2. Total Weight Gain? 3 lbs
3. Fundal Height? 28 cm
4. Baby Heart Rate? 140s bpm
5. Baby Bump?  I’m still carrying him low
6. Movement? Definitely feeling him move all the time!
7. Cravings? Peppermint chocolate chip milkshake (Chik-fil-A)  and my mom’s Christmas Eve dinner (we didn’t get to celebrate Christmas with them yet so I’m looking forward to that this weekend)
8. Aversions? Meats
9. Symptoms? Pains (back, sciatic, leg, hip, neck, etc), Cramps (stomach, back, and into my thighs), Legs falling asleep, Congested, Headaches, TIRED, Forgetfulness,  Heartburn, and a few unmentionables
10. Sleep? If I could JUST GET COMFORTABLE and have normal dreams without waking 25 times to pee or switch sides!
11. Gender? Boy! He’s still a nameless child
12. Belly button? In but rather shallow
13. What I miss? Energy, sleep, easy mobility, lying down without getting heartburn, etc
14. What I’m looking forward to? Naming this baby! Celebrating Christmas with my parents!
15. Concerns? Maternity leave (or lack thereof). Retaking this stupid blood sugar test… I REALLY don’t want to have gestational diabetes!!!!!!!
16. Blessings? My sister had her baby – Haleigh Rae on December 23 at 8:30pm – she weighed 7 lbs 12 oz and was 19 in long – they both are doing great! My blood pressure maintaining. Having a job. Keith. Landen. Family. Friends.
17. Picture:

Peanut... facing the right with his mouth open

Peanut = Cauliflower

Week 27: Cauliflower

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Life Update:

1. Keith and I have been sick! --> we’ve had walking pneumonia
2. Landen has a never ending ear infection --> I kid you not, he has had an ear infection since sometime in October
3. Gus, our cat, attempted suicide --> he ate a ribbon, which formed a ball in his stomach, that caused constant vomiting and an inability to eat or drink, which led us to the vet, ultimately forcing the vet to do emergency surgery, and our bank account plummeted! Pictures are below... in Exhibit A
4. Though my Christmas tree decorating skills are limited, I did manage to make a decent looking star for our tree topper. Pictures are below... in Exhibit B
5. After SEVERAL attempts at ornament decorating, my one and only tree worthy (and picture worthy) ornament is the Snow Family. Pictures are below... in Exhibit C.
6. Landen had his 18 month check up. I cannot believe he is 1 ½  years old! His measurements crack me up though. Weight: 23½ pounds (10%-25%) Height: 32 ½ inches ( 50% ) Head Circumference: 19 ½ (90%) I mean, it's a good thing we have the ability to see him in person or via camera. otherwise he would come off as a bean pole with a pumpkin for a head... I made a picture, but I cannot get it to load, but I feel confident that anyone can imagine the pumpkin headed beanpole child. 

Pregnancy Update:

1. How far along? 27 weeks 0 day
2. Total weight gain? -2 lbs (due entirely to my being sick)
3. Fundal height? I have no idea
4. Baby bump? Absolutely
5. Maternity Clothes? Yep! I do wish I had more winter maternity clothes… With Landen being born in June, I didn’t have a need for sleeves during that pregnancy
6. Movement? Definitely feeling him move all the time!
7. Cravings? Cookie dough
8. Aversions? Meats and onions
9. Symptoms? Pains (back, sciatic, leg, hip, neck, etc), Cramps (stomach, back, and into my thighs), Legs falling asleep, Headaches, TIRED, Forgetfulness, Cranky, Heartburn, and a few unmentionables
10. Sleep? If I could JUST GET COMFORTABLE and have normal dreams without waking 25 times to pee or switch sides!
11. Gender? Boy! He’s a nameless child… Keith and I have been talking the past couple days about a name… so far we agree that we don’t want a name that will be shortened (i.e. Jeffery – Jeff) and we don’t want to call him by his middle name… that’s as far as we have made it
12. Belly button? In but rather shallow
13. What I miss? Energy, sleep, easy mobility, lying down without getting heartburn, etc
14. What I’m looking forward to? Naming this baby! Christmas!
15. Concerns? Maternity leave (or lack thereof). Holiday stress.
16. Blessings? My blood pressure maintaining. Having a job. Keith. Landen. Family. Friends. Landen’s daycare <-- especially last week when Keith and I were so sick!
17. Pictures:
• Exhibit A: Cat + Ribbon = Surgically scarred cat



The ribbon



The cat (with shaved leg for IV)



The end result (FYI he is laying on his left side with head away from camera)



• Exhibit B: Felt star - 5 felt pieces (cut into squares) + 1 button + needle and yellow thread =




The felt star I made for our Christmas tree


• Exhibit C: The one, and ONLY, presentable ornament I was able to make for our Christmas tree - Snow Family

Year



Daddy snowman (Keith) and Landen snowkid





Momma snowwoman (Me) and Daddy snowman (Keith) 



Peanut is the size of a Rutabaga

Week 25: Rutabaga

Your baby rivals the average rutabaga in weight -- about 1 1/2 pounds. (Length: 13 1/2 inches, head to heel.) Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

Life Update:

1. Landen woke up this morning with goop & crust covering his eyes… Geez! If it’s not one thing, it’s another!
2. I started Physical Therapy last week. I really like my PT, Donna Goodwin. Last night was my 2^nd time going there, and my 1^st time actually doing anything.  As it turns out, I’m a little sore today, but not bad. I hope this helps to make my fibro and my pregnancy pains more manageable.
3. Keith finishes his finals this week! WOOHOO!
4. My sister’s baby shower is this weekend! I’m super excited about it, and about giving her the gifts I’ve made for her… I’ll post pictures next week.
5. I was in desparate need of caffeine yesterday towards the end of the work day. I went to the Pepsi machine in our break room, and got myself a Coke (it’s weird that the Pepsi machine has Coke and Diet Coke). I didn’t have exact change, so after pushing the Coke button the machine gave me my change… only it wasn’t American money – The machine gave me Canadian change! I guess that’s Pepsi’s way of getting me back for wanting Coke products!
6. We had a get-together with Keith’s brothers and dad this weekend. It was fun to grill out and play games with everyone.
7. I had such a great time at the Chi O reunion!

Pregnancy Update:

1. How far along? 25 weeks 1 day
2. Total weight gain? 1 lbs (I think)
3. Fundal height? 26 ½
4. Baby bump? Absolutely
5. Maternity Clothes? Exclusively wearing maternity clothes… PLUS my Maternity/SI Lock support belt, which, despite the fact that it is NOT flattering AT ALL, really seems to help!
6. Movement? Yep, it’s not to the point of being really painful, so I enjoy watching my belly move and jump. I realize that at this point I should be noticing some kind of pattern, but this kid seems to be a bit of a free spirit. There is no pattern, no established downtime; he is wiggly all the time – at random times.
7. Cravings?  Yep, and almost all of my cravings this week have been unhealthy! Aside from milk, I have been dying for nutty-buddy bars, Christmas tree cakes, brownies, cinnamon rolls, caramel, etc. Come on kid, don’t you want some veggies?!
8. Aversions? Meats, onions, spiciness of any kind, and sandwiches
9. Symptoms? Pains (back, sciatic, leg, hip, neck, etc), Cramps (stomach, back, and into my thighs), Legs falling asleep, Headaches, TIRED, Forgetfulness, Cranky, Heartburn, and a few unmentionables
10. Sleep? If I could JUST GET COMFORTABLE and have normal dreams without waking 25 times to pee
11. Gender? Boy! And still a nameless child… we really are going to work on that!
12. Belly button? In
13. What I miss? Energy, sleep, easy mobility, lying down without getting heartburn, etc
14. What I’m looking forward to? Naming this baby! Seeing my sister and throwing her baby shower! Christmas!
15. Concerns? Landen having pinkeye. Maternity leave (or lack thereof).
16. Blessings? Being able to feel Peanut move – knowing he is doing fine! My blood pressure maintaining. Having a job. Keith. Landen. Family. Friends. Landen’s daycare.

Peanut = Ear of Corn

Week 24: Ear of Corn

Your baby has caught up with an ear of corn in size and gained about 1/4 pound since last week. (Length: a foot.)

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Doctor’s Report: Peanut weighs just over 1 ½ lbs and is just over 1 ft long. His head is down; pushing into my cervix (pleasant… I KNOW!). He is measuring about 1 – 1 ½ weeks ahead. Because I am carrying him SO LOW and his head is way down in my pelvic floor, I have to start wearing a support belt. Hopefully, this will make me a little more comfortable and have fewer contractions. With all the pelvic and sciatic pain, my doctor wants me to go see a physical therapist. My blood pressure was good this time! She is hoping I can make it 3 more months (to the end of February)… we shall see.

Life Update:

• Thanksgiving was great! We had awesome food, Landen played with his 6 yr old cousin for HOURS!
•  Landen decided to be more talkative than ever… Dictionary of Landen:
•  “Pea” = please, green, tree, pink, peas, and beans
• “Bawwh” = ball
• “Bouw” = brown
• “OHWWOW” = yellow, anything exciting/surprising/different, or if he falls down
• “Ay” (pronounced like Hey without the H) = hey, peak-a-boo, anytime he finds something he was looking for, cat appears
• “Uh oooh” = when he falls, drops something, can’t find something, or someone/something/cat disappears
• “Up” = cup, or if he wants up or down
• “Yea or Yesh” = yes
• “Yea ya ya ya” = when he is very excited about getting or agreeing to something
• “That” accompanied by a pointing finger = anything he wants, sees, or wants others to see
• "Oh" = orange
• "Bwuh" = black 
• "Behw" = bear
• We put our Christmas tree up! This is the first Christmas tree we have ever had, so we had to get ornaments and I attempted to make some…. FYI making ornaments is a nightmare great. I am terrible at it!!! How is it that I can be SO artsy in so many areas but NOT ornament decorating!?! Anyway, I am still working on the ornaments; I managed to make 1 that was tree worthy. Landen helped Keith hang all the ornaments. When we turned the tree lights on, Landen just stood there pointing at the tree saying, “OHWOW WOW OOOH WOW,” and then he tried to run over the tree with his push car… stinker.
• Landen started daycare (aka school) on Monday. He seemed to enjoy it and was quite a happy kid when he got home. When I was driving him to daycare this morning, I asked him if he wanted to go to “school” and he said, “Yea!” while passionately nodding his head up and down. Once we got there and I took him to his class, he turned and waved bye to me… His contentment with going to daycare makes me feel SO much better about him going!
• Landen face planted off his toy horse yesterday and busted his lip... AGAIN!
• Keith is sick. He starts finals tomorrow. Not a fun combination.
• This weekend is going to be super busy! We are having a Chi Omega reunion all weekend, our small group is doing a service project for the men at the Foundry on Sunday, Keith’s dad wants all of Keith’s brothers (& wives/fiancés/girlfriends and Landen) to get together on Sunday, Keith has finals next week and will be studying all weekend, and I know there is more but I can’t remember it all…

Pregnancy Stuff:

1. How far along? 24 weeks 1 days
2. Weight gain? 0 lbs (I broke even after Thanksgiving meals)
3. Baby bump? Obviously
4. Maternity clothes? AND a maternity/SI support belt
5. Movement? YES! And he is getting stronger
6. Cravings? Chocolate, pizza, balsamic vinegarette, nutty-buddy bars, Christmas tree cakes, and MILK
7. Aversions? onions, bell peppers, meats...
8. Symptoms? Back pain, pelvic pressure, sciatic pain, headaches, stomach cramps/contractions, tired, legs falling asleep, and some other not so pleasant things.
9. Sleep? It’s not great. My dreams are just plain NUTS!
10. Gender? Boy
11. Belly button? In
12. What I miss? Sleep, being able to reach stuff under my desk, laying on the floor and letting Landen crawling all over me, getting comfortable, laying on my stomach.
13. What I'm looking forward to? Naming this child!
14. Concerns? My sister having her baby and me not being allowed to travel there for her. Maternity leave (or lack thereof).  Missing work to go to all my doctor’s appointments AND to physical therapy appointments… ugh! Why can’t they work hours that I DON’T have to be at work!?
15. Blessings? Family. Friends. Small Group. My job. Keith. Landen. Peanut. Blood pressure maintaining. Daycare being a good experience for Landen.
16. Pictures:




Profile





Profile... hand on face





Kicking the mess out of me... straight legged kicking



Thanksgiving and a Mango, again?

Week 23: Mango, again?!?

Developing this week: Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb. See your baby at 23 weeks gestation.

P.S. I thought Peanut was the size of a mango at 19 weeks... hum... i definitely don't think he is shrinking!

Life Update:

• Ok, so you remember how about a month ago Landen had a double ear infection? Yeah, it's back. DARNIT! The doctor worked him in to her schedule today, and he is now on a different kind of antibiotics than he was last time.... cross your fingers that this one works!
• It's THANKSGIVING WEEK!! WOOHOO!! Lots of really good food! Two days off work PAID!! Spending time with family!!! AHH!! I am so excited!!
• Landen just up and starting doing all the motions for the Itsy Bitsy Spider, right out of nowhere! He is such a fun kid!
• I stood up for myself when this construction worker who comments DAILY on my pregnancy and told him to stop! (he says crap like, "man you have GOT to be having AT LEAST quadruplets" "That is going to be a HUGE baby" "Are you sure you're not PAST your due date already" and other things that make a little more than an emotional trainwreck)
• We (Keith & I) have our very first Christmas tree --> donation from my parents in hopes of cleaning out their storage room... whatever! :)
• We are going to put up the Christmas tree over the break and make our very own ornaments... it's cheap AND personal AND fun AND Landen can help!
• We through in the towel and registered Landen for Daycare.... ugh.. He starts in 1 week.
• Since I have to work M, T, and W this week, I am looking forward to a few things that come with that:
• Less traffic on I-65 -- if you live close by and understand the enormity of the road construction combined with idiotic drivers you will appreciate this too!
• awesome parking spots in the parking deck at work!
• the possibility of my precious husband doing some house work while I'm at work... :)
• and getting paid ;)

Pregnancy Stuff:

1. How far along? 23 weeks 0 days
2. Weight gain? Probably not even CLOSE to what it will be by next week! Thank you Thanksgiving dinner! :)
3. Baby bump? I COULD be confused with a theif trying to steal a turkey... note to self: stay out of the grocery store!
4. Maternity clothes? What else would I be wearing? nevermind. don't. answer. that.
5. Movement? YES! There really isn't a pattern.... it's pretty much around the clock
6. Cravings? Chocolate milkshakes, those little Poppers that Arby's USED to have (but apparently don't anymore), salad with balsamic vinegarette, nutty-buddy bars, MILK
7. Aversions? onions, bell peppers, meats...
8. Symptoms? Back pain, sciatic pain, headaches, stomach cramps/contractions, etc
9. Sleep? Not so much! Between all that is listed in #8, Peanut's 24/7 cardio routine, and Landen having an ear infection... sleep would be MUCH appreciated!
10. Gender? Boy
11. Belly button? Still in... it never poked out when I was pregnant with Landen, so it will be interesting to see what it does this time around.
12. What I miss? Sleep, being able to reach stuff under my desk, laying on the floor and letting Landen crawling all over me, etc.
13. What I'm looking forward to? Naming this child! Thanksgiving. Putting up Christmas stuff for the first time. Christmas. Time with Keith and Landen!
14. Concerns? Landen going to daycare. My sister having her baby and me not being allowed to travel there for her. Maternity leave (or lack there of).
15. Blessings? Family. Friends. Small Group. My job. Keith. Landen. Peanut.