34 Weeks

How far along? 34 weeks - 42 more days to go

Size: Cantaloupe

Maternity clothes? Same

Symptoms: Just third trimester stuff - tired, uncomfortable, foggy brain, lots of lower abdominal pressure
Sleep: Sleep is great these days and I don't really wake up unless my hips hurt from staying on one side to long.
 
Best moment this week: Lots of things - prenatal massage, chiropractor adjustments, and lots of yoga. The nursery rocker arrived and we are very happy with it - looks so pretty in there. We also attended an Infant and Toddler CPR class last night which was informative. 

Worst moment of the week: Feeling claustrophobic

Miss anything? Being able to move around comfortably. I hit the 20lb weight gain mark and am feeling it. Heavy legs, heavy belly, sleepy all the time.

Movement: Lots of it - baby boy is really strong these days and doesn't take many breaks from jerking around in there.

Food cravings: Nothing in particular, but everything at once. One minute I feel like a burrito and the next I want a coconut popsicle.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Being full
Have you started to show yet: Huge

Labor signs: Still having regular Braxton Hicks 

Belly Button in or out? Flat

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Pretty moody since I am uncomfortable, but I am most definitely happy overall. 

Looking forward to: Tomorrow morning we are taking Cooper to his first puppy social - I am excited to see him play with other dogs. Then we are going to meet our friends' twin babies. They were born about four weeks ago and I can't wait to meet them.
We have a doctors appointment on Monday look forward to seeing if the doctor can tell whether or not baby has changed positions.
Next weekend we have our childbirth class - ahhh. Getting close.

Baby A, size of a cantaloupe

What's the baby up to?

• Baby is approximately 18 inches long and weighs about 5.25 pounds.
• Your child has now an excellent chance of survival outside the womb.
• Fat accumulations plumps up the arms and legs this week.
• Eyes opened when awake and closed when sleeping.
• The fingernails are now completely formed.

Even babies born earlier than this could survive outside the womb with hospital support although the risk of complications would be high. Your baby may have already turned to a head down position in preparation for birth. 
The skull bones are still pretty flexible and not completely joined to help to ease exit out of the narrow birth canal. Fat accumulations plumps up the arms and legs this week. The baby's skin is also becoming less wrinkled. Braxton Hicks contractions may be getting more numerous and stronger (yes).

Baby Shower

Last weekend was my baby shower and it was so fun! 
The theme was mustaches and the decorations couldn't have been cuter. Baby A received a lot of nice items (baseball outfits were definitely a theme!) and we came home with lots of homemade onesies, thanks to a onesie painting station that was set up outside.

 

Spot for Baby A

Hilarious mustaches on pictures throughout the house

 

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Homemade quilt from Grandma A

High school friends

Thank you Amy, Allison, Kaila, and Quincey for such a nice shower!

Unpacked and ready to organize

Nursery DIY

Robert and I started looking at nursery decor right around the time we moved into the new place. I wanted something that didn't scream "baby!" but still had a softness to it. After looking at several places and not really liking anything, I chose to make some of my own decor! While Robert was in Vegas last month, I hunkered down for the weekend and got crafty :)
I chose to make some wall art, decorative poofs, and a mobile.

The wall art and mobile have not been hung yet, since we don't have all of the furniture in place. We still need to purchase the rocker and want to make sure everything works before hammering nails into the walls.
I am really happy with how everything has turned out so far and can't wait make more stuff!

Crib

The crib arrived last week and we love it!  

Robert and my dad got to work putting it together while my mom and I watched :) It came together rather quickly and we love the way it looks - thank you boys for setting it up and thank you Oma and Opa for the gift! 

20 Weeks (5 months)

How far along? 20 weeks -can't believe I am halfway through this pregnancy.
Size: Cantaloupe (what!)
Maternity clothes? I picked up a new pair of maternity jeans, blouse, and tee at Gap last Sunday. I wish I purchased a few more pairs of jeans in different colors because they are so comfortable. 

Symptoms: Lower back pain, swelling, itchy belly and fullness <-- sexy, I know. This week I have been stressed about all of the items on our to-do list(s). We still need to purchase and assemble big ticket items for the nursery, as well as, sign up for childbirth classes (some places have wait lists). Once we get those checked off I think I will feel better.
Sleep: Just okay - not bad, but I am sleeping less. I'm thinking the daylight savings might have thrown me off a bit.
Best moment this week: Purchasing and assembling the dresser. I love how it looks and so happy to have one large nursery item completed. 

Worst moment of the week: Probably the swelling - it only last for a couple days but was uncomfortable.
Miss anything? Moving around is becoming more and more challenging since I no longer have a waist. I miss being able to get out of my car and bed with ease - now I've got this rolling move going on. I know it's only going to get harder, but I already feel like a baby beluga at night when I am getting in and out of bed.
Movement: All the time - he/she has been moving around more often and I am loving it. After I drink my green juice in the morning, he/she goes crazy in there.
Food cravings: Nothing in particular
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really - although I haven't tried eating salads
Have you started to show yet: Yes - on three separate occasions at work I was asked and congratulated. My yoga teacher asked me if I could still see my toes and when I told her yes, she laughed telling me to "just wait" <-- I get a lot of that. 

My Gender prediction: We asked Kenya to see what she thought..

Kenya agrees with Auntie Kaila on girl!
Labor signs: No  
Belly Button in or out? In, but Robert informed me the other night that it's changing shape - he thinks it will pop soon :o 
Wedding rings on or off? On 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: This weekend and finding out the sex on Monday!

Baby A, size of a cantaloupe!

What's the baby up to?

• Baby now weighes about 11 ounces and is roughly 7 inches long (10 inches from head to toe).
• The baby can hear and recognize the mother's voice.
• The toenails and fingernails are growing.
• The growth of hair on the rest of the body has started.
• The skin is getting thicker.
• The heart can now be heard with a stethoscope.

Your baby may react to loud sounds. Baby can actually hear noises outside of the womb. Familiar voices, music, and sounds that baby becomes accustomed to during their development stages often are calming after birth (hi, baby!). This is an important time for sensory development since nerve cells serving each of the senses; taste, smell, hearing, sight, and touch are now developing into their specialized area of the brain. 
Your baby now weighes about 11 ounces and at 10 inches crown to heel they are filling up more and more of the womb (almost a $5 footlong). Though still small and fragile, the baby is growing rapidly and could possibly survive if born at this stage.

Nursery Dresser

Even though we don't know if the baby is a boy or girl, we've had nursery ideas picked out for awhile now (colors work for boy or girl). This weekend we purchased and assembled the dresser!

Realizing it was going to be a long afternoon

Not your room anymore, Kenya

Progress

The top piece of the dresser had a small crack, so at this point we chose to divide and conquer. I finished building the drawers while Robert exchanged the broken piece and picked up dinner.

After hours of work, I was screwing in the last piece and realized I was missing one screw. Thank god Robert was still at the store and grabbed one to bring home. As soon as he walked in he found the "missing" screw in the shag rug. My brain was seriously fried at this point and I am not surprised I missed it (even after combing the rug 241896 times).

Robert surprised me with a little sparkling cider to toast the long - but productive- day. So sweet!

18 Weeks

How far along? 18 weeks 
Size: Bell pepper (or sweet potato, or large mango - depending on what site you read) 
Maternity clothes? A few maternity shirts and the same pants. This weekend I would like to pick up more shirts since I definitely need them at this point. I wore a regular sweater to work earlier in the week and looked lumpy and frumpy. Before I got pregnant I envisioned wearing a lot of pieces in my closet that I thought would work - but they just don't fit right (even loose tops that I thought I could belt). Dresses are comfortable since I don't have to worry about pulling up pants or adjusting my shirt - so happy it's almost spring!

Before work on Tuesday (17.5 weeks)

Symptoms: Lots of growing this week. I feel round ligament pain throughout the day and night which is uncomfortable, but reassuring. My balance and coordination seems to be off and I am the clumsiest person right now, it's ridiculous. I dropped by phone, twisted my ankle, and fell straight into my car all in about 3 seconds yesterday (haha). If I saw someone do the things I've been doing I would think they have an issue going on! I can't even get dressed in the morning without almost falling over or running into a door. Also, I get short of breath and fuller faster. Lots of changes this week and overall a little more uncomfortable than past weeks!

Nursery-to-be

Sleep: I have been having the strangest dreams this week. When I wake up I feel like I can remember at least three weird dreams from the night. The baby in my dreams is a girl. Also, the round ligament pain has been uncomfortable and wakes me up occasionally. I wake up sore and assured that there is a baby growing in there.
Best moment this week: Settling into our new space - we love it so far! On Sunday we sorted through a bunch of boxes and threw out things we didn't want to save anymore. I can't stand having stuff laying around that we don't use and it feels nice to be clutter free. I still have a few items to hang on the walls.
 
Worst moment of the week: Can moving be the best and worst thing? I hate actually picking stuff up and moving it - hah!
Have you told family and friends: Yes! I am getting strange looks at work - but still, no one who doesn't know has commented :)
Miss anything? On Friday when I was moving by myself, I wanted a margarita. I wouldn't say I miss alcohol on the regular (or at all, really), but after a hard/tired day this mama wanted a break.
Movement: Yes! All day Tuesday I had been feeling like there was something going on in there and attributed it to the baby going through a growth spurt (which he/she is). Around 9pm I lay on the ground to stretch out and immediately I felt kicks/punches on my left side! Robert put his hand on my stomach and he felt them as well. I was shocked since I didn't think he would be able to feel them yet, but he definitely did. Around 3:30am (Wednesday) I woke up to him/her rolling around in there. It felt like somersaults, but I have no idea what he/she was doing! Since then he/she has been doing flips on the daily.

Wonder what she knows

Food cravings: Nothing specific
Anything making you queasy or sick: Spinach/mixed greens
Have you started to show yet: Yes! I am now waking up with a big bump. It still gets bigger in the afternoons - but I no longer wake up wondering where my baby went. 

My Gender prediction: With all of these girl dreams I am beginning to question my initial thoughts on a boy. I cannot wait to find out!
Labor signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! I have my moody times - but I would say it's more emotional (not angry or anything). Sensitive pregnant girl over here.
Looking forward to: My birthday this weekend - Robert's  parents are coming up on Saturday for a visit. Also, Robert invited a few close friends to Menlo for a birthday brunch on Sunday. Can't wait!

Baby A, size of a bell pepper

What's the baby up to? 

• The fetus is now 6 inches long and weighs 7 ounces.
• They can hear sounds and may be startled by loud noises.
• Recognizable active and rest periods.

Tiny air sacs called alveoli begin to form in lungs and the vocal chords are formed. Baby goes through the motions of crying but without air doesn't make a sound; yet (aww). 
Your baby may have the same awake and sleep patterns of a newborn. Baby will have a favorite position for sleep and recognizable active and rest periods (growing quick!).