Monday, March 28, 2011

And another week down....30 weeks

I feel like I have reached a milestone!  30 weeks means less than 10 to go. 

As if the quickly approaching due date isn't proof enough that Dominic will be here in no time....we have started to receive baby gifts in the mail.  We have the most generous family and friends and feel blessed that they want to help us get ready for the big day. 

Last Wednesday was my birthday and my last monthly OB appointment.  My next one will be in 3 weeks (April 12) and then every 2 weeks after that.  The appointment went really well.  The doctor told me that the baby is already head down and ready to rock.  He must take after his Mama when it comes to getting prepared for big events. :)  We plan, plan, plan ahead.  His heartbeat was around 155 bpm and I am measuring right on track for my due date.  All is running smoothly.

How far along?  30 weeks (and 3 days)

Baby’s Size: 15.7 inches


Baby’s Weight: 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage)

Weight gain/loss:  Up 14 lbs total....went to the doctor last Wednesday and they confirmed it.


Sleep: Sleeping a little better as long as I have at least 30 pillows :)  I seriously need to be completely surrounded at this point

Symptoms: The frequent Braxton Hicks contractions have started to show the outline of the little one.  It is amazing to me that I can already see the shape of his body and identify body parts (kinda...I am of course just guessing)

Labor signs?: Nope. 

Movement?: Daily

Belly button in or out?: In

Food cravings/aversions: Add Sloppy Joes and Mac and Cheese to the list 

Sunday, March 20, 2011

29 Weeks

Even though the third trimester has brought back some of the less desirable symptoms from the beginning of pregnancy, I am starting to realize just how blessed I am.  I feel pretty good considering I am carrying around a 2 1/2 pound chuck roast in my belly....better than others I have talked to.

I have an amazing husband that has been spoiling me for weeks now.  He has offically given up his prized recliner and regularly turns the other cheek when my hormones take over and I start yelling at him for no reason.  I am a lucky lucky girl.

How far along?  29 weeks

Baby’s Size: 15 inches


Baby’s Weight: 2 1/2 pounds (the size of a butternut squash)

Weight gain/loss:  Starting to wonder if there is something wrong with my scale.  It says I have not gained anymore weight.  10-11 pounds total so far.  I go to the doctor next Wednesday so we shall see if their scale reads the same.


Maternity clothes?  Of course....even starting to grow out of some of my smaller pieces now

Sleep: Goes both ways.  I have found that if I stop drinking water around 6:30 I don't get up to use the bathroom as often during the night.  This helps me sleep a little better.  Also, the more active I am during the day the better I sleep at night.

Symptoms: Belly aches.  I have had a couple of days when I thought my ribs would bust open too.  Heartburn still going strong and I am more tired and cranky than during the second trimester.

Labor signs?: Nope.  Braxton Hicks are still frequent, but not worrisome.

Movement?: Daily...usually most active in the late morning into afternoon

Belly button in or out?: In! Although I think my days are numbered

What I miss: Wine and beer....I could use either after a long day at work

Food cravings/aversions: Craving french toast...I have had it twice for dinner this week.
More sweets than salty foods. 

What I'm looking forward to: Maternity Leave!!  I am meeting with the benefits department on Monday and have not been able to stop thinking about how wonderful it is going to be to spend so much time at home with the new addition.

Me at 29 weeks

Friday, March 18, 2011

I have felt better....

Yesterday was the most miserable day of my pregnancy so far.  I felt like little Dominic had flipped up into my rib cage and was squishing my stomach (even more than he usually does).  I had to force myself to eat lunch and just had an apple and ham and cheese sandwich for dinner.  My belly was tight and crampy and it was difficult to move around.

Luckily this morning brought much needed relief.  I am feeling human again and hope it lasts through the weekend.  I am planning on taking some belly shots this weekend....I realized earlier that I haven't taken any for three weeks now.  I can't seem to notice much of a change, but I am sure I will feel differently when I have photographic evidence of the growing belly.

My Amazon coupon addiction is still going strong.  I had a dentist appointment on Wednesday and when I was in the waiting room I noticed several parenting magazines on the table.  I was THAT lady and feverishly flipped through each one searching for the bright green coupons.  I got my hands on 2 and already had one in my bag.  When I was finished with the little episode I looked up and realized a teenage boy had been watching me.  I was only slightly embarrassed because he has NO IDEA how much diapers cost these days.

When I got home I used the coupons to buy my last (I have offically been banned by my husband) economy size box of diapers.  I went with Huggies size 1-2 in stead of Pampers this time in an effort to keep a nice selection in the nursery.  So....drumroll please....I got 192 diapers for $9!!  I feel like my thriftiness deserves some kind of reward. :)

Kicking and flipping has picked up a bit in the last couple of days.  I have been trying to pay attention to when he is the most active, and it seems to be in the late morning into the afternoon.  Luckily he doesn't keep me up at night.  I am hoping this trend keeps up once he arrives, but am well aware that this is wishful thinking.

I am amazed at how quickly things are moving along.  I find it hard to believe that I only have 2 1/2 months to go. 

Monday, March 14, 2011

Dreaded Shot Day

So this morning has been a rough one.  I have been so anxious about getting the dreaded RhoGAM shot and today was finally the day. 

My first complaint is how horribly inconvenient it is to get the damn thing.  My doctor wrote me a perscription and gave me this informational sheet listing 3 different hospitals I could go to to get it done. 

The first is relatively close to my house and work....but only allows you to come in between 9am and 11am.  WHO CAN DO THAT!?  No one with a job! 

The second is rediculously far from my house and work so it was out of the question. 

The last was in the middle and opened at 7am.  I woke up early and drove 20 minutes in the opposite direction from work just to be told that because I have never been to that hospital they needed to verify my blood type again....which my doctor did not include on the script.   So....they sent me away.  SERIOUSLY?!  I don't understand why they can't take my doctor's word for it that I have a negative blood type.  That IS the only reason someone would need this shot.

Now I have to get my doctor to call in and ask for the blood screen and the RhoGAM shot and go back to the hospital this afternoon.  AWESOME!

Ok.....I have taken a few deep breathes and am feeling a little better.

On a lighter note....I think I experienced my first REAL craving last night.  My husband and I have a whole fridge full of wonderful leftovers from his birthday weekend, but I decided that I could not live without french toast for dinner last night.  At first I thought...Not wierd, that is just what I want to eat....but now that I am talking about I realize I want it AGAIN for dinner tonight.  DEFINETLY a craving!

Dominic has started to slow down with the kicks lately, I have read that it is normal to have a decrease in fetal movement around 28 weeks.  I still feel him every now and then so I am not worried, but not nearly as often as I have in weeks past. Maybe he has been napping :) 

Sunday, March 13, 2011

28 weeks

How far along? 28 weeks

Baby’s Size: 14.8 inches (the size of a Chinese cabbage)


Baby’s Weight: 2.25 pounds and growing an ounce a day

Development: He can open and close his eyes now, although it is a reflex at this point and not intentional

Weight gain/loss: Still no weight gain this week.  Holding pretty steady at 10 lbs total....maybe 11 if I jump on the scale at the end of the day.

Maternity clothes?  Offically grown out of my PJ pants....good thing the husband has a few I can steal

Sleep: Eh, I haven't really been a good sleeper, still waking up every few to pee.  I am also still struggling with side sleeping.  My hips and sides are OVER being pregnant.

Best moment this week?  I received an invitation to one of my baby showers!!  I am so exicted, not only for the shower, but that I am that close to meeting baby Dominic

Symptoms: Still dealing with heartburn ALL THE TIME.  Fatique and crankiness is starting to return.

Labor signs?: No...just continuing to have Braxton Hicks

Movement?: Yes, more in the morning and early afternoon. 

Belly button in or out?:  Still in....but starting to flatten out

Food cravings/aversions: Not much of an appitite....still getting full really fast, making eatting far less enjoyable

What I'm looking forward to:  My doctor's appointment on the 23rd.  I have a ton of questions this time

 

Friday, March 11, 2011

Welcome to the 3rd Trimester

So, while I am thrilled to be 2/3 of the way through this pregnancy, things are starting to take a turn for the worst.  My heartburn now laughs at the Zantac I take twice a day.  I never thought having heartburn could be so miserable.  I also am starting to feel like a marshmallow.  It gets harder and harder to move around every day.  No swelling yet, but I am sure it is coming soon.  I am also getting my first trimester fatigue back.  I am exhausted by 3pm and need a nap by the time I get home. 


Enough complaining....this is a happy time :)


Dominic is moving around like crazy these days....but I haven't felt hiccups yet.  I have read that hiccups are very common from this point forward.  I also read that, with substatial medical attention, he could live on his own now.  It makes me feel better to know that as each Friday passes he is getting more and more able to live outside the womb.  Hard to believe that I am far enough along for that to be true.


I go in for my RhoGAM shot on Monday and I am not looking forward to that.  For those of you that don't know, it is a shot that is required for women who have a negative blood type.  Without it, my body will build up antibodies against positive blood types that could be potentially harmful during future pregnancies.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Sunday.....home at last

The state DECA conference was a success....11 winner overall.  It was a fun weekend but I didn't slow down for a minute.  For the first time since finding out I was expecting, I really FELT pregnant.  I was exhausted, slow moving and out of breath for much of the trip.  The exitement of watching my students go on stage made it all worth it though. :) 

Here is this weeks survey

How far along?  27 weeks

Baby’s Size:14 1/2 inches (the size of a head of cauliflower)

Baby’s Weight: 2 pounds.....holy moley!!


Development: He is sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes and maybe even sucking his thumb

Weight gain/loss:  None this week

Sleep: Getting a little better as I expore different place to sleep around the house :)  I have found that I very much enjoy the couch.

Best moment this week?  Friday morning when I officially entered the last leg of the race (the 3rd trimester)

Symptoms:  Just feeling bigger.....ALOT bigger

Labor signs?: No...be Braxton Hicks are still a regular occurance

Movement?: All the time

Belly button in or out?: Still In!

What I miss: Going several hours without having to pee.

Food cravings/aversions: None this week

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

And it's only Tuesday...

I have not been feeling great for the last couple of days.  I have been experiencing what I think is Round Ligament Pain....better known as growing pains :) I guess my belly is about to have a growth spurt. 

As the end of my second trimester approaches, I am starting to feel like this whole "baby thing" is really happening.  Not that I have been in denial, but realizing that I have less than 100 days before he is here is a little intimidating.  I am anxious for his arrival, but a little scared that I won't be ready.  I have done all I can to get ready, so I am finding comfort in that.  Here is what I have accomplished so far this week.....

*I think I found a pediatrician.  I looked up the Top Doctors 2011 from both the Washingtonian and Northern Virginia Magazine and found an office I was impressed with.  Several of the doctors from the practice were on the list and they have great office hours (including weekends) and two locations that are both pretty convenient.  I was also very impressed with how informative their website was.  I was telling one of my students about it and to my surprise...it was HER pediatrician!  She said she loved it so that made me feel even better.  I am going to schedule an interview with them some time soon.
Virginia Pediatric Group

*I scheduled a hospital tour, breastfeeding class and baby basics class for both me and my husband in April.  I chose not to take a childbirth class....I am of the mind that it is going to happen whether I go to a class that freaks me out or not. :)  I am confident that my doctors and the nurses on staff will do an excellent job keeping me calm and on track.  If not......well, I will just have to roll with the punches.

*The crib mattress and bedding have both come in, so his room is livable.  We plan to hang a new ceiling fan in the room and decide on what to put on the walls sometime this month.  We are also considering setting up a college fund soon as well.  I looked it up and college 18 years from now is expected to cost over $200,000!!!  Time to start saving now!!!