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!