Belly bean and sweet little things...

Week 39

2014-03-16T21:58:00.000-07:00

Week 39 and I am feeling REALLY pregnant. My lower back is constantly aching, my legs feel restless, my body feels so tight and not flexible, and I've got some rather uncomfortable pelvic pressure going on. However, even though I'm not at all comfortable, I have been sleeping pretty sound and I've also had some unusually strange amounts of energy because of it ...cleaning like crazy and trying to get everything organized, stocked, and prepared for our return home with our new addition! Ryan has been clinging to my side and very much needing my attention, which (thankfully since I am done with school classes) I have been devoting just to him! He knows these last several days are going to be his chance to soak up as much mommy-time as he can. We've been spending time making some art together and just relaxing to the TV. He is so excited to become a big brother though...he has his own little countdown going until the baby is here! :)

And I spent a little time this weekend trying to make the baby's room a bit more welcoming! Some pictures of the progress...

Week 38

2014-03-13T23:19:00.002-07:00

This is getting kind of crazy...these are maternity clothes I am growing out of! And look at that double chin forming! I'm at 40lbs weight gain and I am definitely feeling it. I had a Dr appointment today and everything still sounds and looks great. Baby has been trying to move around as much as possible, but it's not really possible. When it moves I can feel it up in my ribs and down in my pelvis at the same time. I was feeling minor contractions pretty frequently last week, but haven't felt any in the past few days. My lower back is definitely tired of carrying all this weight though, that's for sure! The Dr said it's about time to make sure we have our overnight bags packed, gas in the car, and the carseat ready! Tomorrow is my last day of class for this quarter, so I made it! I feel so relieved that I get to spend some time really relaxing (maybe) before the baby arrives. I think Sean and I are going to finish setting up the nursery this weekend, so I'll post some pictures :)

Week 37

2014-03-04T20:36:00.001-08:00

I can't believe we only have a couple weeks left! Oh, and it finally happened...stretch marks. Ugh. I thought I was going to be lucky, but this past week I noticed a few little ones right below my belly button, which by the way has stretched rather wide. I am going to Dr appointments every week now, we're still doing great, and I've gained 37lbs so far.

Below is a picture of me at 37 weeks pregnant with Ryan, where I had only gained a total of 16lbs!

Lately I have been feeling like every time I stand up, the baby is going to just come right out. I definitely get the sense that my body is preparing for delivery. I am pretty much uncomfortable in every position except on my hands and knees or (strangely) squatting. I tried to play "Just Dance" on our Wii a few nights ago with Ryan and he couldn't stop laughing...I'm sure it looked pretty ridiculous...I put myself on bed rest for the rest of the night after that though. I've also been in serious "nesting" mode feeling the need to sweep, mop, and vacuum every day. Because Sean wasn't home yesterday evening to stop me, I seriously dragged the vacuum cleaner out to my car and cleaned it in the dark. It has to be ready for the baby's 1st car ride home! Ryan and I put together the stroller and car seat this past weekend and he practiced belting in on his teddy bear, he is going to be such a good brother!

Week 36

2014-02-23T17:42:00.002-08:00

So, I am wearing a full outfit of maternity clothes! I remember trying on these pants when I was only a few months along and couldn't imagine being able to fill them out...it's unbelievable how far my belly has stretched (eek!) And I can't believe we only have about 4 weeks left to go! We've been slowly spending our time unpacking into the new house and I am so anxious for it all to be done already! I just want to practice my pregnancy yoga DVD and stretch out my body, but there are boxes and stuff everywhere! I am so thankful Sean massaged my lower back last night until his thumbs were on fire. My body has been feeling so irritable... I am uncomfortable sitting, I am uncomfortable standing, and walking...if only I could manage the day laying on my side, that'd be nice, until I have to heave myself over to my other side because my leg has fallen asleep from holding the weight of my belly (a rather exhausting maneuver). Once we get finished putting together the rest of the house, we get to set up the baby nursery! So excited for that part. And our little sweetheart Ryan sorted through his books and has set aside a pretty good pile of books and DVDs he thinks the baby would like to have. :)

Week 35

2014-02-14T17:07:00.002-08:00

Yikes, can you imagine this stomach growing any larger?? I definitely waddle when I walk and found myself short of breath and heart pounding just from the walk from my car to the Dr.'s office yesterday. I've been feeling so much pelvic pressure and lower back pain so the Dr performed a vaginal exam to make sure my cervix wasn't softening or dilating. It's still firm and not dilated at all, which is good, but the baby's head was engaged meaning it was pushing right against my cervix...that would explain the constant pressure I'm feeling! The Dr. said I shouldn't be working anymore until after delivery and need to spend a little more time off my feet...can't complain too much with that! I'm still at 32lbs weight gain and baby is kicking and trying to squirm around as much as possible. Sean and I went to what was supposed to be a labor preparation class yesterday, but ended up being a 2nd trimester fetal development class instead...lame. I was looking forward to some advice on breathing techniques, etc. and hoping Sean could pick up on coaching tips. They gave us a small gift, probably because they were afraid this here pregnant lady would be angry for showing up for nothing...the baby's 1st sweater! A rather hideous highlighter yellow with cute little dinosaur buttons.

We will be spending the weekend mostly packing and moving in to the new house so look out for our updated address soon!

Gearin' up for baby!

2014-02-08T16:26:00.002-08:00

Since our baby's big debut is approaching, I figured I should probably grab a few essential items for bringing baby home. Our friends here in Santa Fe will be throwing us a post-baby shower, but it's time to start collecting in the mean time! I picked up some newborn diapers, long sleeve onesies, and a couple pacifiers...what am I forgetting?? I will be breast feeding so we shouldn't have to worry about bottles for the first few weeks and I think I've got a box of Ryan's hand-me-down blankies somewhere, or did I give those away? It's been almost 8 years since I've had a newborn on my hands, let's see if I can remember how this goes! Suggestions, advice, and support are all welcome! Don't hesitate to give us a phone call or send an email.

Sudden craving for some thai tea...I wonder if Sean will stop in this restaurant and pick one up for me on his way home...I can be hopeful I guess!

Wheee! thanks Mom for the carseat and stroller!

Week 33

2014-02-06T15:36:00.000-08:00

It has been a busy and eventful week for me!

So, I've already received two comments on my belly at two separate occasions that my belly looks like it has changed shape. It's exciting for me to hear that because that means baby is coming soon! We are so anxious for our little sweethearts arrival, we can hardly stand it.

We also finally found a house to move into and will start doing that soon, hopefully we can get settled into the new place before the baby is born! I've been spending probably a bit too much time daydreaming about the nursery when I should be focusing on school work...this quarter is coming to an end and I should hopefully manage to get all my finals in just days before our expected due date. I had a Dr. appointment today and all is looking good. I have gained 32lbs and felt my first contractions last night while laying in bed, eek! It just felt like a mild, yet sharp cramping that tightened my entire pelvic area and then released, and then happened again a few times. I don't remember feeling any contractions while I was pregnant with Ryan, in fact, after my water broke with him and we arrived at the hospital the Dr had asked if I had felt any contractions yet, which I hadn't until they hooked me up to the monitor and informed me that I was having a contraction at that moment. I feel like my pregnancy and delivery with Ryan was such a breeze and I already know this time around is going to be so different and I will get to experience what it really feels like to most mothers to give birth!

Aside from that, I've been trying to spend any spare time I get with Ryan and Ceres. I know that my time with them will be stretched in the first few weeks after the baby is born, so I'm trying to take advantage now. Below are some pictures of our 2hr hike the other day. (Mom, don't worry, I'll try to stay out of the mountains for the next several weeks until the baby arrives haha) My friend caught a rather embarassing, yet memorable photo of me hiking at 8 months pregnant.

Yes, that is a fanny pack...

Playing follow the leader

Ceres and her friends!

Week 32

2014-01-28T19:34:00.004-08:00

So I suppose I will post from here on out according to the estimated due date of March 20th, which will put us at 32 weeks this week! I have my next appointment on Thursday and I'll be meeting our new Dr. who will be with us for the rest of our pregnancy. My Dr. who had been with us up to this point was also pregnant and is out on maternity leave now... I'm a little anxious that she won't be with us through to the end and we'll have to establish a relationship with the new Dr., but I'm sure it won't make too much of a difference. The relieving part about being estimated at 32 weeks instead of 30 is that our baby is now more of an average size according to expected development and we won't necessarily be needing to plan for a C section delivery anymore. (Before, we were being told that the baby seemed pretty big and it would be safer to deliver through C section) Sean and I have been going back and forth on names, unable to really decide or agree on anything, when it comes to boys names...I've been trying to focus on schoolwork each evening and ignore my tendency to spend hours browsing through name lists! Any name suggestions for us to consider?

As I write, the baby is kicking and squirming away, must be trying to get comfortable! We are both at a point of dealing with uncomfortable, cramped space! It is rather fascinating to see my belly morph and move around.

Oh, and last little bit of updates... I think I may have pulled a groin muscle 2 days ago. It is so uncomfortable and painful in that region. Or my pelvic area is just struggling to carry the weight that I'm still not done putting on yet!

So far this week...

2014-01-20T23:10:00.000-08:00

Saturday breakfast date with Mommy! Ryan and I walked up the street to a local cafe where we not only ordered some delicious belgian waffles, we also got to play with toys provided and admire children's art on the walls...how could it get any better than that?

Now the walk home was a different story... let's just say I couldn't quite make it to the front door before my bladder decided I needed to just go. Ugh, the not so enjoyable details of pregnancy! Ryan wasn't sure if he should laugh or not, I think he was just stunned.

Sunday dinner ... I had to do it! I have been craving cinnamon rolls ever since Christmas break and I finally gave in and just cooked up a tray and enjoyed them, mostly to myself, with a glass of chocolate milk. The best part...no regrets!

Monday morning ultrasound! Super exciting for us to get another sneak peek at our little baby! Sean seriously almost gave in and insisted on knowing if it was a boy or girl, but I somehow resisted the urge and we are still waiting to be surprised. It was the cutest ultrasound visit ever...baby was being so photogenic and we got to see it yawning and sticking its tongue out. Watching the baby was just so sweet and I am now even more anxious than ever to meet her/him! We were told again that our expected due date should be March 20th instead of April 3rd. The technology of the ultrasound really is the more accurate way to determine the due date as opposed to my menstrual cycle which we initially based it on. We will have to discuss with our Dr. next week what we should actually be expecting, because now baby could be coming a lot sooner than we've been anxiously waiting for! Baby is measuring at 32 weeks development, an average size at this stage, weighing in at 3lbs right now and the heart rate was about 136 beats per minute. I will be posting another belly picture in a couple days!

Profile of cute little face with the arm up (fist is in front of forehead)

Week 29

2014-01-16T19:39:00.000-08:00

I feel like baby is taking over! I really can't imagine another 2 months of putting on weight...oof! We went to our Dr. appointment this past Tuesday and we are progressing perfectly! I have gained 29lbs so far and am expecting probably another 15lbs. I did the glucose tolerance test where I had to chug a delicious (not really) lemon-lime flavored sugar water in about a minute so they could test for diabetes. Despite my constant sweet cravings, I was well below the normal level. My iron levels also look great and oh yeah, I had to get a shot in my butt cheek! It was my Rhogam shot for being RH negative blood type. All in all, the Dr. called me a "poster child" because everything was perfect! And then Sean said she probably tells everyone that.... haha oh well, I just feel very lucky to be having such a healthy and risk-free pregnancy. I just have to continue meditating through my lower back pain...

Week 28

2014-01-11T22:57:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Ryan, my lovely photographer

Well, we've made it to week 28, the start of our 3rd trimester! I am starting to get impatient and very anxious to meet our sweet little baby! It has been a bit more challenging lately to enjoy being pregnant because I just feel so uncomfortable, heavy, and out of balance. Sleeping at night is the worst with pillows shoved into every crevice of my body and it takes so much effort to roll over or readjust myself. Oh, and I've recently experienced what it is like to have heartburn and it is absolutely awful! Sean said he will get me a small container of Tums that I can carry in my purse...it is that bad. Other than those minor inconveniences, I am still doing great! The baby kicks and moves around all the time, especially when I eat something sweet and delicious. We have our next appointment on Tuesday and I am excited to hear about our progress.

Week 27

2014-01-03T21:24:00.001-08:00

Why is it that all my pregnancy cravings have to be sweets?! This afternoon, I would've given anything to have a plate full of homemade chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, peanut butter cookies...ANY cookies!...but, I had to settle for a handful of peanut butter m&m's and chocolate covered pomegranate yummies, which were pretty tasty anyhow. Despite my sugar rush, I managed to go out and buy a new toothbrush, spend 4 1/2 hours at work, take Ryan and Ceres to the doggy park, and achieve my goal of 10,000 steps today! Woo! I'd say I deserve those cookies...

Week 26

2014-01-01T13:18:00.003-08:00

Hopefully with this new year of starting fresh and staying on top of things, I will remember to post on time each week! Here's another late post...

Ryan and I spent Christmas week with my mom and brother in Clearwater, Florida! It was nice to get away from the bitter cold of Santa Fe for a while and just relax. My lower back pain seemed to disappear for the week, which was a nice relief for me, however my sugar and sweets intake increased...oops! My mom and brother blame me for the extra pounds they put on while spending time with me and this hungry little belly bean. Oh, how I wish I could eat warm, fluffy cinnamon rolls for breakfast, lunch, and dinner...but I've got a new year's resolution in mind to limit myself to only one sweet per day and commit to my pregnancy fitness workout DVD at least 5 times a week. Seems I have gained about another pound or two in the last week, for a total of about 27lbs so far. Considering I am supposed to gain a pound a week from here on out, I'm trying to be mindful of my poor back and legs that have to carry all this weight for the next 3 months!

The baby is still kicking around like crazy all day long and seems to like to stretch up into my ribs from time to time. I've also began to notice a little waddle in my step, which makes me feel really pregnant! All in all, I am still doing great and enjoying this wonderful blessing.

Happy New Year to all!

Week 25

2013-12-23T17:24:00.002-08:00

I think all I really have to say about this week is....my back hurts. I really can't imagine another 3 months of getting bigger and carrying even more weight....eesh. This picture is also a little funny because my photographer (Sean) took it at a bit of an angle so I feel like it looks like I'm tilting forward from the weight of my belly.

Mine and Ryan's flight to Florida to visit my mom and Aaron was rescheduled from today to tomorrow and so with the house clean, packing done, and no other plans for the day, I was able to lay in bed for a 3 hour nap and it was SO wonderful!

Week 23/24

2013-12-17T21:01:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I missed posting for the past 2 weeks! This picture is our 24 week picture and sometime this week I will have to try to post our 25 week picture.

I went to a Dr. appointment this morning and we are still doing great! I have gained a total of 25 lbs so far and luckily, still no stretch marks! (I hope I didn't just jinx myself) When our Dr. took measurements she confirmed again that our baby is a big one, but developing at a perfect and normal rate. Each time she pressed on my belly the baby kicked her and it was moving all around when she was trying to listen to the heartbeat. I can see the kicks through my skin on my belly now, it is so interesting. I also had my blood drawn today to check if my blood/immune system has formed any antibodies against the baby's. I am RH negative blood type and basically my immune system doesn't recognize that I am growing a sweet little baby and it thinks it needs to attack any protein found on blood cells. At my next appointment I will receive a Rhogam shot, which will stop my immune system from thinking it needs to attack. It sounds scarier than it actually is (with today's knowledge and technology).

The past few weeks have been real busy as I have finished another quarter at school and with the holiday coming up, but I've been feeling great! It's been a little difficult getting comfortable sleeping at night because this big belly is just in the way. I can't sleep on my back and so I rotate from side to side throughout the night, but I have to stuff all the pillows between my legs and behind me and my knees always end up in Sean's back. I have also been experiencing some unpleasant lower back pain and would love a personal masseuse, oh wait, that's what Sean's for right? ;) Which by the way, he has been a wonderful partner throughout our little belly bean adventure. Sometimes though, I think it's just because he is scared to see what happens if you upset a pregnant lady...

Week 22

2013-12-01T18:06:00.000-08:00

A little late posting this week's picture, but here we are at 22 weeks! With this cold weather, I think I'll just stay in sweat pants every day...I'm pregnant, why not? The baby has been moving and kicking around so much and Ryan got to feel a strong little kick the other day, he was so excited!

This past week we've been enjoying our snow here in Santa Fe, mostly Sean and Ryan, Ceres and I stick together trying to find ways to stay warm. And we had some friends over for a delicious Thanksgiving.

Week 21

2013-11-22T18:18:00.000-08:00

I met with our Dr. this past week and come to find out we are not further along, but right where initially predicted with due date of April 3rd. When we got the ultrasound done last week it was at a different clinic and the Dr. there thought that we were further along because of the size of the baby, but based on my menstrual cycle and how my uterus is measuring, we are at exactly 21 weeks. So, we just have a big baby! Our baby is in the 97th percentile, meaning that it's bigger than 97% of babies at this stage of development...sounds crazy huh? Our Dr. said everything looks great though and not to worry, some babies are just bigger than others. I have also gained 18lbs so far. When I was pregnant with Ryan, I only gained a total of 16lbs by the end of pregnancy...if I am supposed to gain about 1lb a week from here on out, I predict I will gain about a good healthy 40lbs.
And I am still feeling little kicks and punches all throughout the day, maybe we have another little karate kid on our hands!

Week 20/21

2013-11-14T15:37:00.001-08:00

Head looking down

Baby's face and body. Even though it's a little creepy looking, I can see a small smile on that face!

The foot right before it kicked :)

Little feets!

The arrow points to the hand, showing the forearm, bent elbow, up to the shoulder

Well, we had our ultrasound appointment yesterday! We even pulled Ryan out of school for it...he had been asking about all of our appointments and how they can see the baby, so we thought it would be fun for him to experience it. Everything is looking good, all symmetrical and growing the way it should be. We have an active little baby! It was kicking and squirming throughout most of the ultrasound, which made it difficult for the Dr. to get the pictures she needed. She was only able to catch one picture of the face, which wasn't even clear enough for her to see the nose and mouth, little stubborn. It was really cute to see the tiny feet kicking while I was also feeling them! AND we discovered that the baby is actually measuring up to the development of 21 weeks along, putting our expected due date at March 26th, rather than April 3rd. We're moving along!

Week 19

2013-11-11T17:35:00.002-08:00

Maybe it's the outfit or maybe we had a little growth spurt...but I am wearing a maternity shirt (thanks Mom!) for the first time. I am still wearing my regular pants though, probably only for a bit longer. This Wednesday is our ultrasound appointment and I am so excited! We will be able to see the baby and how much it has grown since the sesame seed we saw on our very first ultrasound appointment. Apparently our little bean is now about the size of a mango. I felt the first kick a week or so ago, but haven't felt it again yet besides the fluttery movements every once in a while. Our last appointment I had only gained 8 lbs so far, let's see how much I've gained now since my appetite has picked up. And I've had the first person come up and ask to rub my belly...baby is already getting so much love!

Week 18

2013-11-05T13:58:00.000-08:00

I am definitely starting to eat like I'm pregnant now. Potato pancakes with sour cream and maple syrup was my dinner request to Sean the other night and he made it of course... chicken tenders with maple syrup...I don't usually like maple syrup at all but it seems to taste good on everything now! Oh, and I have to document this sandwich I made because it was oddly delicious...sourdough bread with a crab and cream cheese spread, kalamata olives, and mustard. Besides those strange, yet delicious combos I have also felt the need to put lemon or lime juice on/in everything I consume.

Week 17

2013-10-21T19:13:00.000-07:00

Well we went to our Dr appointment today and we're moving along just great. I was hoping to get an ultrasound done, but we will finally be able to do that in 3 weeks! I have gained a total of 8 pounds so far and the baby's heartbeat still sounds nice and strong. Ryan was a little upset with us because we reminded him that we are waiting until the baby is born to find out if it's a boy or girl and he is too impatient now. He can't wait until he finds out if he's going to have a sister or brother and his fingers are crossed for a sister! I've been struggling to find pants to wear lately...maternity pants are too big and my regular pants are too small. I bought this handy black stretchy waistband today that helps keep my unbuttoned (and unzipped) pants up, but I'll see how long it lasts before I'm back into sweatpants again!

Week 16

2013-10-16T20:56:00.000-07:00

I'm starting to really feel pregnant now! This stretchy skirt has been my favorite and pretty much only comfortable thing to wear besides yoga pants. And I'm only 4 months along, oh boy.

Lately I've been feeling like I'm surrounded by mess and clutter, like nothing is ever clean enough! I am probably driving my boys crazy by how obsessive I've been about cleaning and organizing the house. Even my boss at work has been giving me a hard time about throwing things away or cleaning them up before we are done using them...oops! I like to think about it in the way one of my teachers mentioned...when a woman is pregnant, her body is naturally going through a cleansing, preparing for the baby and getting rid of all the unnecessary and unwanted "stuff" (internally and externally).

Oh, and I can't seem to stop smiling at and wishing I could snuggle every baby I see...that's nothing new though!

Week 15

2013-10-13T22:37:00.001-07:00

I might actually do my hair one of these days...

I've been feeling great lately and it's really sweet that Ryan has been talking to my tummy, he's making sure the baby knows who he is. He is going to be a great big brother!

I am really looking forward to our Dr appt next week! I'm curious how much weight I've gained because I have been eating so much at dinners! And I've had such a sweet tooth for cinnamon rolls and raspberry flavored things. Oh, and I might have felt a little flutter of movement in my tummy the other day, but I could've imagined it.

2nd trimester is definitely more fun than the 1st!

Week 14

2013-10-08T19:58:00.000-07:00

Well, I did it again and forgot to take a belly pic at the start of week 14, so this is closer to our 15th week, but I'll post again in a few days. Now that school has started for me again, I've been so busy and not finding much time for anything else amongst our daily routine, but I was doing some reading yesterday and learned that our little bean should be about the size of a navel orange now! It's wild to think that when we found out about our little one it was just the size of a sesame seed. I'm hoping we will get an ultrasound picture at our next appointment this month...I was looking at ultrasound pictures at 14 weeks on google images and it's so cute to see an actual baby in there. Our first ultrasound was so early that all we could see was a little tadpole figure with a flashing heartbeat. My newest motivation is to do 20 minutes of stretching and exercise every day!! I stepped on the scale and it seems as though I may have gained a possible 5lbs... or 8lbs or so...nothing confirmed until the actual Dr appointment though when I can use the "real" scale!

Week 13

2013-10-01T20:45:00.001-07:00

I look at this picture and wonder how the heck am I only 13 weeks?! I prefer saying 4 months, even though we are only starting our 4th month, it sounds longer than "weeks" to me and makes a little more sense considering the size of my belly. I've been so tired lately and by the looks of my bedhead hair, it's pretty obvious. Other than spending every spare second on the couch or in bed, I have been feeling great!

Oh, and Sean, Ryan, and I officially decided that we are going to wait until the baby is born to find out if it's a boy or a girl!