33 Weeks

Shower number 2! This Little Man themed shower was throw by two of Jessica's best pals from vet school - and it was a book theme! They put mustaches on the lemonade glasses, had little mustache cupcakes, and even bowtie pasta salad. Molly and Ashley made stickers for the inside of the books saying "This book was given to you by ____".

We had a good time eating and drinking and socializing and got quite the collection of bed time stories! I can't wait to hold him in my arms and rock him to sleep while reading fun stories. Or to tell him to pick one and he comes running into our room in his footed jammies with three. Odd how most of the stories center around puppies and/or farm animals...silly vet students :) I love those girls! Now we need to figure out a book shelf situation...

How far along: 33 weeks

Total weight gain: I think most of the weight I've gained is in my feet - pictures next week of those bad boys

Maternity clothes: Si

Symptoms: Nothing much new - the swelling is the yuckiest part

Stretch marks: None additional

Sleep: More please

Best moment of this week: The book shower - duh!

What's new this week: 17+ inches and 4+ pounds! My goodness! Our weekly email is telling us all about the fontanels and suture lines in the babies head and talking about how he may come out with a conehead. Better bring a baby hat! He can tell the difference between night and day but those 3am bathroom trips and subsequent baby movement parties are leading me to think otherwise! I wonder what's going on in that little munchkin head of his!

Miss anything: Comfort. I greatly miss being comfortable. But it's going to get worse...

Movement: All day, every day

Food cravings: Watermelon please! Chilly cold watermelon and chilly cold beverages - water and milk

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nah

Have you started to show yet: The belly gets bigger and bigger

Gender: My tiny little man :)

Labor signs: None

Belly button in or out: Still rocking the halvsie belly button

Wedding rings on or off: Off. That may be what I miss the most

Happy or moody most of the time: Trying to stay level headed and not be a nightmare pregnant wife

Looking forward to: The BEACH this weekend!!!!!

32 Weeks

Our first Mother's Day! ...well sort of. Ok, not really. Let's see, what did we do this very busy week!?

On Saturday, we drove to Tarboro to visit the mothers over there and had a lovely lunch with Grandma Betty and Mama D (Jess' mom Donna). They were very sweet and got us a card. And who doesn't love Olive Garden!? We tootled around the mall for a little bit and inevitably ended up in the baby section.

Then we went to Jessica's sister's graduation party from nursing school. Yay! Another new nurse in the world! Now, I've heard a lot of chatter about a pig pickin'. But I've never actually been to one. I can't say that anymore! Jess' dad got a whole hog and cooked it up on the biggest BBQ I've every seen. For those of you who don't live in NC, by "big" I mean tow behind a truck big. It was really, really delish!

Sunday we went to my mom's house for traditional Mother's Day omelets. My mom was very pregnant with my sister during her first Mother's Day and (as the story goes) my dad didn't do anything for that special day. Well, like any good hormonal preggo, she wanted a little recognition as she was waddling around with this baby in her belly...so she cried. The next year, with a one year old, my dad got up early to make her breakfast in bed. He did it up right with an omelet and other yummy b-fast foods and surprised her. Well, she went out to the kitchen to do something and there was the GIANT mess of egg shells, extra chopped up veggies, and other random omelet fixin's. She thought it was the funniest thing ever so that's how the tradition begun. My brother was the cutest little chef on the block. He made a menu and some "order tickets" and then had 4 omelets going at once. So cute.

Jessica did get me a card and wrote some sappy stuff about our new adventures as moms and all sorts of mushy stuff. She's so stinkin' sweet I can't even stand it.

Oh! And we have a pediatrician! I'm not sure if I wrote about that before but it is pretty awesome to check that bad boy off the list. Because we're having the baby at a birth center, they aren't going to do the circumcision. The peds office will do that for us (we've found that a lot don't seem to) AND they have a lactation consultant team on staff. Yay again!! They take our insurance and they're right around the corner. And have a nurse triage line for us crazy first time mommers!

OH! And we've settled on some things for the bathroom. Yeah, yeah, yeah, he's an infant and doesn't give two toots about the bathroom - but I do. And Jess does. We spent some of our Target dollars from the baby shower on a shower curtain, some towels, a rug, and a toothbrush holder. Yeah, yeah, yeah, toothbrush holder - I know. But it was SO cute!! It was an octopus - I blame it on Jess. She couldn't resist. It's not done but he won't need it for a long while.

How far along: 32 weeks

Total weight gain: 19.8 lbs

Maternity clothes: All maternity clothes, all the time

Symptoms: Feeling pretty ok most of the time, heartburn, swelling, the usual...

Stretch marks: I found the first one. On my boob. And I'm NOT happy about it. Trying to remember they're going to nourish my little sprout and provide him with all sorts of nutrients and antibodies and yummy calories and we'll bond and snuggle and all of that...ok, I guess one stretch mark isn't the end of the world

Sleep: Up two times in the night for the bathroom, it's getting old

Best moment of this week: Getting home and settling down after our busy, busy weekend!

What's new this week: 16.7 inches and almost 4 pounds! They say he's getting bigger - yes, I did catch wind of that. Snug as a bug in a rug in there! Still practicing breathing, working on all five senses, and listening to our voices - better start reading him books!

Miss anything: My shoes. I miss being able to fit into shoes.

Movement: Loving me some baby rolls!!

Food cravings: Watermelon is baaaaaack!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Have you started to show yet: Couldn't hide it if i tried

Gender: Still a little dude

Labor signs: Some Braxton Hicks here and there but nothing serious - I'm feeling a late June arrival for some reason. Wishful thinking??

Belly button in or out: Top half out, bottom half in. Whacked the top half on the laundry basket and that did not go so well!

Wedding rings on or off: Off

Happy or moody most of the time: Does heartburny count as an emotion?

Looking forward to: The BEACH next next weekend!

31 weeks

This was a big week for us! Saturday, G-ma...aka Mama D...aka Jess' mom Donna...threw us a baby shower in Tarboro. There was a great turn out, some cute games, and an adorable cake. And then they showered us in baby gear! I didn't think it was all going to fit in the car! Jess and I had so much fun laughing and "awwwwww-ing" at all the tiny clothes and socks. That baby is set up for life! Well, the first year anyway.


How far along: 31

Total weight gain:

Maternity clothes: I tried on a non maternity shirt a few days ago, that fit last week...it don't fit no mo

Symptoms: rocking and rolling in there! Approaching the feet in the ribs stage

Stretch marks: none

Sleep: this weekend was bad for sleep. Whomp whomp. Two leg cramps, then I had to go potty, then the second I stood up...wham, heartburn.

Best moment of this week: the baby shower!

What's new this week: He's about 16 inches and 3 1/2 pounds. His little downy coat of baby hair is starting to slough off and his bones are busy hardening and preparing to support him after life on the outside. He's still learning how to breath and is busy practicing. Nine more weeks to go!

Miss anything: not particularly

Movement: Big rolls and knees/feet poking out of the belly

Food cravings: Nothing too interesting this week

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Have you started to show yet: Oh yes

Gender: Boy!

Labor signs: Nope!

Belly button in or out: Level with my belly

Wedding rings on or off: off

Happy or moody most of the time: Doing pretty ok, I think

Looking forward to: seeing that sweet face. I really just can't wait til he's in my arms for good

30 Weeks

30 weeks


Thirties!!!! The home stretch - 3/4 of the way there! Goodness.

So we had two options for maternity pictures. Option one was to do them at almost 31 weeks, in early May, when the belly is a good size but not huge, and the weather is mild. Or option two 35 weeks...in June, in North Carolina, with a big ole belly, and cankles. Well, guess what got my vote?

Here's a smattering of the best of the best:

How far along: 30!

Total weight gain: no weigh in this week

Maternity clothes: yup

Symptoms: Big ole preggo belly

Stretch marks: None

Sleep: One of these days I'll get all the sleep I want...oh wait, newborns don't really let that happen huh?

Best moment of this week: Baby pics

What's new this week: 15.7 inches long, about 3 pounds, with a pint and a half of amniotic fluid (now there's an interesting thought). Apparently his eyes are at 20/400 vision...I don't even know what that means.

Miss anything: Being comfortable

Movement: All day, every day

Food cravings: No

Anything making you queasy or sick: No

Have you started to show yet: Oh yes

Gender: Boy

Labor signs: None

Belly button in or out: Still in, barely

Wedding rings on or off: Off

Happy or moody most of the time: Meh, depends on the day

Looking forward to: Baby shower!

29 weeks

Last of the TWENTIES!!!  Wow!  I can't believe it's finally here.  Seems like just yesterday I was saying that I'm at the half way mark.  

Since we've only had one ultrasound (ok two ultrasounds but one was when he was a tiny grain of rice)...that the Grandma's weren't exactly invited to, we wanted to do something fun with them.  We surprised, well sort of surprised, them with a trip to Prenatal Peek.  It's a place that does ultrasound for entertainment - not really medical, more for funsies.  Auntie Casie, Grandma Candy, Grandpa John, Grandma Donna, and the greats - Betty and Herman, were in attendance.  

When she got started, all the baby wanted to show us was his package.  A true boy!  Maybe a foot here and there but mostly just the testicles... Excellent.  Definitely still a boy.  His face was completely smashed just about as low as you can go without crowning.  She sent me off to get some OJ (ok she said soda but I went with OJ...AND a chocolate chip cookie) and wake the little lad up and maybe get his face to turn a little bit.  It worked!  We came back about 45 minutes later and SUCCESS!  He turned his little face and we got some good pictures.  Warning...some apparently think 4D is creepy.  And apparently the technology is creepy, not the baby.

In the second photo, we can see his profile with his little lips and nose.  His nose is touching the placenta.  Also, right at his chin, is his umbilical cord.  Don't get tricky in there with that cord Mister!  For most of the scan, his head/neck was extended, like he was trying to look up - or down?  He needs to work on the tuck in the next 6 weeks so he doesn't come out face first!  

I can't wait to see those little lips in real life and kiss those chubby little cheekers.  Every time I see these pictures I can't believe this little munchkin is growing and growing.  I can't believe what a crazy this process it is and how much I love him.

How far along:  29 weeks (and 6 days today...truly the last of the 20's)

Total weight gain: Depends on the scale, depends on the day

Maternity clothes: I got new scrub pants this weekend but still fit into my old tops - it was awesome.  Need more scrub pants!  Thanks Walmart

Symptoms:  How about baby back flips?

Stretch marks: None :)

Sleep:  So sleep is my nemesis lately.  It takes me forever to fall asleep.  When I do, it's very light that the slightest move from the dog wakes me up.  Then I become aware of my bladder.  Then by the time I get back from the bathroom, I'm pretty much awake.  Then it takes me forever to fall asleep.  Then, then, then... Whomp whomp.  I'd like a day where I can sleep past 5:45am please.

Best moment of this week: Seeing his little tiny face 

What's new this week: Two and a half pounds and 15 inches - my little butternut squash is growing away.  Apparently women gain an average of 11 pounds during the third trimester.  Yikes.  His brain, lungs, and bones are developing and developing, preparing for life on the outside.  Pretty soon, he'll start packing on the chunky baby pounds!  And NESTING!!  This mama is a nesting fool!

Miss anything: Seeing my feet?  Sleeping like a rock?

Movement:  All day every day!  It's been funny to see, ...er, feel...how his kicks have changed and moved through the pregnancy.  From those first tiny flutters really down low to the big sweeping heel to the rib - it's just nuts.

Food cravings:  None.  But the Thai quinoa salad stuff Jess just made was AWESOME!!  I'd like to swim in it please.

Anything making you queasy or sick: No 

Have you started to show yet: Yeah, just a little.  I'm wondering how much bigger I'm actually going to get.  I'm a little scared....

Gender:  Definitely a boy.  Seriously, a boy.  I'd show you pictures but I hear you can't put naked baby pictures on the internet or people start to judge you.

Labor signs: None - but he's in position.  At least 6 more weeks buddy!

Belly button in or out:  Any day now the pop will pop

Wedding rings on or off: Off

Happy or moody most of the time: Days off work?  Good.  Days of work?  Not great

Looking forward to: Staring into those eyes in real life.  And the first baby shower this weekend!!

28 weeks

Twenty-eight weeks was a huge milestone for me!  Back in the fall, I planned a trip to California to visit family and friends, but more importantly, to celebrate my Grandma's 90th birthday!  When I booked the ticket, I thought "Oh geeze, 28 weeks is so far away, end of April, I've got tiiiiiime".  NOPE!  That sure did come up fast!  I don't know how the time is flying as fast as it is but to almost be out of the 20's is amazing.  

Mom and Dad flew out on Wednesday, Mike (my brother) and I headed out on Thursday, and Casie (my sister) and Mike (brother in law) came out Friday.  

Thursday started off with a trip to the birth center for my gestational diabetes test and to gather my records...juuuuust in case anything happened whilst on the road.  The diabetis (thank you Wilford Brimly) test wasn't as bad as everyone plays it off to be.  Don't get me wrong, delicious is NOT a word I would use to describe the drink, but it didn't make me want to toss my cookies.  (I still haven't heard from the BC about the outcome but they did say that no news is good news!)  The flight on Thursday night was uneventful.  Mikey was a big help and very patient with the preggo.  Although, I wasn't a nightmare preggo flying so I think I made it a little easy on him - in my opinion!  AND I brought snacks so how can he get mad with that!?  

By the time we landed in LA, I had drank over a liter of water...and peed out only maybe 1/2 cup.  In 6 hours.  My flip flops barely fit and by the time we got to the car, there were some good size flip flop dents in the top of my feet.  Yuck.  The swelling continued in the feet and cankle region for the entire trip.  Somehow, magically, the fluid managed to ease up a little bit on the flight home.  Yay!!  I think I got a preview of my summer...whomp whomp.

Close up of the fluff...it was bad

So, Grandma only knew that Mom and Dad were headed out so it was a big surprise when the grandkids came in.

She was so cute!  She touched my belly and said "Oh honey!!  I never thought I'd see you this way!"  That made the swollen feet worth it :) 

And she couldn't get over how tall Mikey was!

And then Casie and Mike showed up!  That look says it ALL! 

Later that night, after visiting with Grammy Bear for a little while, I headed over to see some CA friends from back in the day.  They've all had kids and it's fun to see them as moms and meet their kiddos.  Four friends, seven kids!  And a surprise baby shower!  I was very surprised and touched by their thoughtfulness and generosity.  

Best buddies (I secretly hope they get married some day)

Serious string cheese conversation going on over here

The best part (well aside from the cake...and presents...and all the wine) about this picture is that Janet MADE all of that!  Table, bench, shelves, the whole thing!!  Can she please come and Janet my house?

The next day was THE birthday party!  It was the first time that all of Grandma's 6 kids were together in 10 years.  TEN YEARS!  A daughter from North Carolina, a son from New Mexico, another from Texas, and three more from California.

She's so cute :) 

                          

The grandkids in attendance 

 Theeeeeeen, after the party (and a preggo nap on the porch swing) the fam went to the beach for some sunset viewing - and maybe a milkshake on the pier.  

All that's missing is my little wifey!

My fave :)  I love that belly

How far along:  At the time of the CA trip, 28 weeks and 2 days

Total weight gain: 15.8lbs

Maternity clothes: That striped dress is non-maternity!  Jess said - "well, it's maternity when you're wearing it"

Symptoms: LOTS of super fun kicks

Stretch marks: None

Sleep:  Still need more

Best moment of this week: Surprising Grandma, of course!

What's new this week: This week he's weighing in around 2 1/4 lbs and almost 15 inches.  I think most of the inches are getting jabbed into my left rib!  He's blinking and apparently has some eye lashes!  He can also see light if it were to flash on my belly - kind of tempting to shine a flashlight on the belly but I don't want to blind the poor guy!

Miss anything: That week, I missed normal shoes

Movement: TONS

Food cravings: None

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing much

Have you started to show yet: Can youuuuu see the belly bump?

Gender: Still a boy?

Labor signs: None

Belly button in or out: Almost flush with the rest of the belly

Wedding rings on or off: Off 

Happy or moody most of the time: I'm trying really hard to be happy but sometimes I am a crabby patty

Looking forward to: Getting rid of some of that fluid!