31 Weeks: Pineapple

How big is baby: Baby is the size of a pineapple this week 15.2-16.7 inches and 2.5-3.8 lbs.  

Stretch marks: No.

Sleep:  Waking up multiple times per night now.  Usually only getting up to go to the bathroom once at night during the week.  My hips are starting to bother me again.  And it's getting harder to roll over.    

Diet/Cravings/Aversions:  Still fruit and more fruit.  Sweets are now added to the mix.  Brownies, cookies, you name it.

Exercise:  Walking, YMCA. 

Gender: We'll find out in October!  

Movement: All the time.  Some movements are getting a little painful.  I'll take it though :)  

The belly:  Definitely there.

What I'm spazzing about:  Nothing really this week.

What I'm loving:  Feeling baby move all the time.  And still feeling pretty good myself too.

Symptoms:  Sore hips at night.  Heartburn...mostly just reflux right now.  Terrible back pain at work.  Numb patch at the top of my uterus.

What I'm looking forward to:  Organizing the nursery this weekend.  I know, what's wrong with me.  I just really like to organize! :)  And I have my last shower in one week!  I get to see so many people I haven't seen in forever so I'm really excited!!  My BFF and I are having breakfast on Friday too, and I can't wait :)       

Best moment of the week:  Knowing everything is a-ok with baby today at my doctor's appointment.  Baby has a good, strong heartbeat.  And I had my work shower on Tuesday.  Everyone was so incredibly generous.  I really am so lucky!

I now have an unexpected u/s scheduled at my next appointment in two weeks.  I'm measuring about a week behind.  My doctor said that based on all of the textbooks, that's perfectly ok. But their office is super conservative and likes to do a growth u/s if the patient measures 1cm or more behind (I'm at 1cm).  She said that she's betting everything will be perfectly fine and I should just look at it as another chance to see baby before the big day.  Surprisingly, I'm not really worried at all.  Just anxious to take another sneak peak at baby :) I know, who is this person???  I usually freak out about everything!  

Wedding and a Shower

Time is just seriously flying by.  Sometimes I wish I could just slow it down so that I have more time to blog, get things done around the house, work, etc.  Lately, there just isn't enough time in a day or a week.  It's so crazy to think this pregnancy has just about 9 weeks left.  NINE weeks.  Unfortunately, this is the most busy time of year for me at work which is making my stress level higher than I'd like.  I'm doing my best to remember what's most important, but it's hard for me to not get something done.  Which means I'm probably doing too much sometimes whether it be working longer hours or getting things done around the house.  Aaron does a good job of reminding me to rest and to take it easy.

But, that's not the point of this post :)  A week ago, we went back to Rockford for my cousin's wedding and our first shower.  Both were so much fun!  

My grandpa really enjoyed talking to his guy about the car!

Our table numbers were on the back of these pieces of wood.  Such a great idea!

My mom and aunt enjoying themselves too much :)

My Aunt Linda and I :)

My Aunt Cathy and I :)

Our shower invite from the Taylor/Menke shower

I realized we really need to work on more photos at our next shower.
This was the only one of us two!

Tomorrow is my work shower.  I can't wait :)  And this weekend is Labor Day which means an extra long weekend.  Aaron is heading back to Rockford for part of the weekend to see a few of his high school friends so Wally and I will be catching up on some of my DVR shows :)

Day Care Frustration

I think I've mentioned on here before, but I am very fortunate in that I will get six months maternity leave when this little baby arrives.  It's no where near all paid, but we've been saving for quite a while in anticipation for this pregnancy.  I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity to spend so much time at home with our new little one.

With that said, having that much time off opens a whole new can of worms with daycare.  Most places have a waiting list, but they can't tell you what that list will look like in May 2013.  Some places don't even have openings until next August, one year from now.  We have a very small radius where we are looking.  My husband works south of where we live and I work north.  He'll do the drop off and I'll do the pickup so we need a central location.  I had a good list of 4-5 places.  Two were immediately knocked off because of their August 2013 timing.

We visited a center last week.  The director was very nice and very friendly.  She took a huge chunk of her morning showing us around and answering all of our questions.  We got to meet and talk with some of the caregivers in the infant room.  We left feeling great.  Right now they have two openings for the fall, but she obviously doesn't know what it will look like come May.

Today we were supposed to visit the place I used to go to pick up a little girl I babysat for.  Both times I've talked to the director on the phone, I was not impressed.  She was rude and very short with me.  I called last week to schedule a visit and was told to just stop in whenever and someone could answer my questions.  So we came in today at the time that was suggested.  The director couldn't meet with us because a caregiver had called in sick and she had to help in the infant room.  And wow was she not happy.  I got the impression that she hated her job and was bothered by having to take care of the kids.  I understand it's not her everyday job, but I would think that you should like kids even if you are just the director.  We poked our heads into the baby room just to see the setup while we were there, and she didn't say one word to us.  Not even hi.  I explained we were just popping in and we'd leave shortly.  She still didn't say anything.  I can appreciate being frazzled.  But I would never treat clients like that.  I just left with a really bad impression.  Aaron suggested I call tomorrow to talk with her and see how she is before completely writing them off.

We have one more visit tomorrow morning.  Our neighbor takes their child to preschool there and the lady (his teacher) is also the director.  She has been so nice every time I've talked with her.  They have no waiting list whatsoever.  Right now, they don't have any infants, but will have two in the fall.  This also makes me a little leery having our child be one of so few.  We'll see what our visit tomorrow brings.

I know it will all get figured out.  I just don't like leaving something so important left open ended at the moment.

30 Weeks: Cucumber

How big is baby: Baby is the size of a cucumber this week 15.2-16.7 inches and 2.5-3.8 lbs.  The fruit/veggie sizes really confuse me sometimes.  I mean, a cumber seems smaller to me than a squash.  But I guess there is a difference in length.

Stretch marks: No.

Sleep:  Waking up multiple times per night now.  Usually only getting up to go to the bathroom once at night during the week.  I can at least fall back to sleep right away though so far.    

Diet/Cravings/Aversions:  Still fruit and more fruit.  

Exercise:  Walking, YMCA. 

Gender: We'll find out in October!  

Movement: All the time.  Lately, the movements have been less tap, tap-ish and more like the baby moves a limb, hits my stomach, and then slides the limb along the inside of my stomach.  I feel like I'm going to see a footprint or hand print when it happens.  

The belly:  Definitely there.

What I'm spazzing about:  Nothing really this week.

What I'm loving:  Having almost everything crossed off our list.  And only having 10 weeks left!  Well, probably more assuming I go late.  But still 10 weeks just seems crazy close!

Symptoms:  Sore hips at night.  Heartburn...mostly just reflux right now.  Terrible back pain at work.  And most recently, I've been noticing a small numb spot at the top of my uterus.  I called the nurse today and she assured me it's normal.  It has something to do with my nerve endings stretching.  I've also been noticing more cramping particularly when working out.  I've felt good on the elliptical.  But one day while walking Wally, I really didn't think I'd make it home.  The doctor told me to ease up a little and see if that stops it.  If not, she said it might be time to give it up until after the baby is born since top priority right now is to keep this baby cooking for 10 more weeks.  I went for walks since and felt great so maybe I just was dehydrated that day or was walking a little too fast.

What I'm looking forward to:  I have my work shower next Monday.  And in less than 3 weeks, we have my shower with my side.  I have it on my list this week to organize the nursery in it's end position and to start organizing our shower items (what needs to be washed, etc.).       

Best moment of the week:  It was a crazy week/weekend with getting ready to go to Rockford this past weekend.  My cousin's wedding was very nice.  And our first shower was perfect.  My mother-in-law really did a great job of putting it together.  And everyone was so generous with gifts.  Baby T feels so loved already! 

Worst moment of the week....Aaron lost his wedding ring :(  He had a golf outing on Friday, and he never wears it golfing, so he put it in his pocket (not the best idea which he realizes).  At some point it fell out and it's no where to be found.  He feels HORRIBLE.  Thankfully, he bought the cheapest ring they had when we were buying it 4 years ago.  So it's not about the money at all.  The ring did mean a lot though sentiment-wise.  It was blessed at our wedding...etc.  Now we just have to get to the store to get him a new ring.

29 Weeks: Acorn Squash

How big is baby: Baby is the size of an acorn squash this week (15.2-16.7 in and 2.5-3.8 lbs).    

Weight gain/loss: 22 lbs from last appoitment.  I'll get weighed again this Thursday.      

Stretch marks: No.

Sleep:  I've been more alert all night lately.  I'm exhausted all day, and then just don't sleep so great all night.  

Diet/Cravings/Aversions:  Do I even need to write it?  Watermelon.  

Exercise:  Walking outside and going to the YMCA.  

Gender: We'll find out in October!  

Movement: Some kicks have started getting a little uncomfortable.  I wouldn't say painful, just definitely not pleasant.  The kicks are definitely way more pronounced from the outside too.  If anyone were watching my stomach, they'd get quite the show.      

The belly:  It's there!  I can also now feel body parts if I feel different parts of my stomach gently.  I had Aaron do it too.  We were both very intrigued.  We have no idea what we are feeling (head, butt, leg, etc.), but it's definitely baby!  Aaron told me I shouldn't do it too often in fear that I may poke our child's eye out :)  Don't worry, I'm not pushing that hard!

What I'm spazzing about:  Lately, I've been starting to worry about preterm labor.  I know, I worry too much.  And just this week my newest fear, Aaron not being at the hospital with me.  Our neighbor just had her second, and her husband didn't make it!  Thankfully, her parents were there, but still.  I guess his phone had died so she couldn't reach him.  She had lost my number to get a hold of me, and by the time friends came over, her husband had ran an errand to the hardware store.  I rushed out when we saw him pull back in the driveway to tell him he needed to get to the hospital asap (I didn't know at that point that she had already delivered).  He was 15 minutes too late. 

One, I absolutely HATE hospitals.  I just hate them.  I seem to cry every time I have to go.  They make me incredibly nervous.  Two, we have no family even remotely near us which means, I'd be stuck there by myself for much longer than I care to think about.  And three, which is the most obvious answer, I'd really like my husband to be there :)  Aaron has been instructed multiple times that his phone must be charged and attached to him at all times.  I know it's a little premature right now, but it makes me feel better :)

What I'm loving:  We picked up our glider this weekend.  We also made a trip to IKEA and got a few more things for the nursery and guest room/office.  The etsy prints are ordered as well.  I promise to post pictures once things are actually done...and we are close!

Symptoms:  Still more heartburn.  Some cramping later on at night.  I'm guessing this has to do with water intake and being busy all day.  Braxton Hicks some nights.

What I'm looking forward to:  This weekend for our first shower and seeing my family for a family wedding!          

Best moment of the week:  Getting more for the nursery!

28 Weeks: Eggplant

27 Weeks

28 Weeks

I am so terrible at updating lately...sorry...two pictures in one week.

How big is baby: Baby is the size of an eggplant this week (13.6-14.8 in and 1.5-2.5 lbs).  We're measuring in pounds now! :)        

Weight gain/loss:  22 lbs at my last appointment.  The doctor said I should gain about 1/2 lb per week from here on out.  We'll see how that goes.  That just doesn't seem like very much based on where I'm at now, but the doctor said that some women gain more early on so we'll see.    

Stretch marks: No.

Sleep:  Good some times and not so great others.  I've had a lot of trouble falling asleep lately.  My hip pain has gotten better though which is good.  

Diet/Cravings/Aversions:  Watermelon...and I had to go over an entire week without it.  But don't worry.  I have one for this week and I've had my fair share already.  

Exercise:  Walking outside and going to the YMCA more often.  

Gender: We'll find out in October!  

Movement: I've definitely noticed a pattern.  I feel the baby more often on the weekends for sure.  I think baby must just be bored with what I do at work :)      

The belly:  My mom thinks I definitely look bigger from when I saw her two weeks ago.  I guess I don't feel that much bigger, but I guess she'd know since she doesn't see me every day :)

What I'm spazzing about:  Nothing really this week.

What I'm loving:  Enjoying the cooler weather!  Feeling the baby kick more often.  And getting more items crossed off our list. 

Symptoms:  Sore hips at night.  Still more heartburn.  My thyroid is also apparently a little out of sorts.  They moved my dosage down to 88 mcg (from 100) so hopefully that does the trick.  The nurse said it wasn't anything to be concerned about, they just want to try and get it at a better level.

What I'm looking forward to:  Our first shower is in less than two weeks.  And we also have a family wedding that weekend so it will be nice to see every one!          

Best moment of the week:  Having a good doctor's appointment on Thursday.  And now we go every two weeks.  That just seems crazy!