A Week of Thanks

In honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, I've decided to post a week's worth of thanks.  Hope you enjoy:)

Tonight, I'm thankful that one year ago today, I took a pregnancy test and it came back positive.

Our Peanut was on her way, and at that moment, I was the only one who knew it.  Now I can't believe that she's about to be four months old.  Amazing how the time flies...

I'm oh-so-thankful for our baby girl and her big brother, that precious boy who makes me smile every day.

39 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 39 Weeks

Size of Baby: Baby Girl probably weighs between seven and eight pounds.

Baby's Developmental Milestones: Her skin has lost its pinkish hue and appears more white.  Her brain is still rapidly growing.

Total Weight Gain: 49 lbs.

Movement: Yes, but every time she squirms, I feel like my belly may pop!

Sleep: If I can manage to stay cool enough, and I wear my wrist braces (see below), I can sleep well.  But it's definitely getting trickier and trickier...

What I miss: Being smaller.  And sleeping on my stomach!

Cravings: I haven't really been craving anything specific, but I've been eating like crazy.  And my sweet tooth might be a tad bit bigger than it was through the rest of the pregnancy (if I'm being honest).

Symptoms: More frequently occurring Braxton Hicks contractions.  Very swollen and sore hands.  I'm lucky enough to have developed pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel syndrome (hence the wrist braces) which causes my arms to go numb throughout the day and increasingly so at night.  I haven't been quite as hormonal this week, but I've been nesting like crazy.  Changing lightbulbs, reorganizing cabinets, vacuuming, disinfecting, cleaning out...insanity around these parts, but I just can't help it!

Best Pregnancy Moment this Week: Packing Baby Girl's hospital bag and getting to listen to Peanut's heartbeat - which once again caused a doctor to say, "Ooohh, she's a wild one."  Yes, that's what they tell me.  Almost every time I go, in fact.  We'll see what tomorrow's appointment brings!

38 Weeks

(While I'd love to be one of those confident women who rock the bikini while pregnant, I just can't do it. So this is my swimsuit for the time being.  Lovely, I know.)

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 38 weeks

Size of Baby: Baby Girl probably weighs almost seven pounds at this point.

Baby's Developmental Milestones: She's continuing to add on fat that will make those newborn pictures extra adorable with rolls.  She's also shedding some body hair and the waxy covering that's protected her in the womb thus far.

Total Weight Gain: 47 1/2 pounds - I think I'm going to match my weight gain with Jack after all...especially if Baby Girl is on time and/or late.

Movement: She's still squirming, but she must be crowded!

Sleep: I get up almost every night at 4 and then I can usually fall back to sleep until Jack wakes up...nothing like getting ready for those nighttime feedings:)

What I miss: Just being comfortable...

Cravings: Hmm...I've been eating like crazy in the last week.  It's actually pretty comical - which probably has something to do with the weight gain.  I haven't really been that picky, but I'm still loving fruit and sweets.  Together.  Ice cream sundaes with strawberries, bananas, and blueberries, some hot fudge and caramel.  Perfection.

Symptoms: I still can't quite cool off and just this week I've been very hormonal.  Super emotional and easily weepy about my time with just Jack.  Achy joints.

Best Pregnancy Moment this Week: Just getting all of the finishing touches done in the baby's room...I've got everything I think I need, and all I have to do is pack for the hospital.  

And because I just love this little man so much...

Today he couldn't decide if he wanted to be "Spectacular Spiderman" or Buzz.  So he just wore both, one right on top of the other!

37 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 37 weeks (and 1 day)

Size of Baby: If Peanut is about the size of an average newborn, she weighs about 6 1/2 pounds.

Baby's Developmental Milestones: Baby Girl is practicing her breathing skills by inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid.  She's also sucking her thumb, blinking, and rolling from side to side (and I can tell when she does)!

Total Weight Gain: 44 pounds

Movement: Definitely still a wiggle-worm.  Still feeling elbows and knees shift across the belly every day.

Sleep: I'm still sleeping, just not as well.  I roll from one side to the other all night, interrupted by bathroom breaks and the urge to organize in the middle of the night

What I miss: Wearing my wedding rings.  That's right - my fingers are so swollen that I had to pull them off (not an easy task) after the doctor suggested I do it before they may have to cut them off.  The good news is that even though my feet and ankles really hurt, I still don't have cankles:)

Cravings: Lemonade, puff pastries, and mango.

Symptoms: Still having Braxton Hicks contractions and all the other symptoms that go along with being nine months pregnant!

Best Pregnancy Moment this Week: Getting a whole bunch of girly goodies for the baby from Brad's parents and Aunt Jessica - thank you again!  Reaching the full-term point (although, I have to admit, I'm a tad bit confused.  I got an email from the hospital today, and it made it sound like 38 weeks was full term, so who actually knows?).  Having a great doctor's appointment today where I got to hear Peanut's heartbeat and get a little hope that maybe the doctor that delivered Jack will also get to deliver his sister.    I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

36 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 36 weeks (and 1 day)

Size of Baby: Peanut weighs about six pounds and is probably about 20 inches long.

Baby's Developmental Milestones: At this point, all of Baby Girl's systems are a go, and her digestive system will kick into gear as soon as she arrives.

Total Weight Gain: 42 1/2 lbs. - I'm still holding out hope that my weight gain won't match what it was when I was pregnant with Jack.

Maternity Clothes: It's so much easier to get dressed in the morning now that I don't have to go to work every day:)

Movement: Yes, but not as much.  I think she's running out of room!  I'm pretty sure she's had the hiccups twice this week though...

Sleep: I haven't been sleeping as well.  I get way too hot at night (so much so that I've considered sleeping on the basement couch) and I have to get up every 2-3 hours to go to the bathroom.  And getting up in itself is a task because I have to roll off the bed in the least graceful way you could imagine.

What I miss: Having Jack sit on my lap easily...

Cravings: Cereal and lemonade.

Symptoms: Braxton Hicks and a few headaches here and there.  Constant trips to the bathroom.  Feeling like a furnace.  Achy legs and feet...but nothing that isn't totally worth it!

Best Pregnancy Moment this Week: A box of girly photo props that I ordered for Peanut's newborn photos came this week, and when I opened it up and saw the adorably feminine blankets and hats, I have to admit, I squealed with delight.

35 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 35 Weeks

Size of Baby: Peanut weighs about five and a half pounds and is continuing to gain weight steadily until she's born.

Baby's Developmental Milestones: Fetal brain development is the most important developmental milestone going on these days.

Total Weight Gain: 39 1/2 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: You know it's a bad sign when the jammies you bought for the time being, and especially for the hospital, are starting to feel too snug:(

Movement: Still moving around and still crazy to watch.  My whole stomach shifts form when I relax in the evening.

Sleep: I've slept pretty well this week.  Still getting up a couple of times, but it's not too bad.

What I miss: Clothes that fit well and look cute all at the same time:)

Cravings: I really haven't craved anything this week.

Symptoms: Braxton Hicks contractions...which seem much stronger than they should be!  I didn't have them with Jack, so I don't really know what to expect, but they're pretty powerful when they happen.

Best Pregnancy Moment this Week: The surprise baby shower that the girls at work threw for me - I got some of the cutest things for our baby girl.

34 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 34 weeks (and 1 day)

Size of Baby: Peanut weighs about five pounds, although the doctor mentioned that my belly is measuring a little small, like around 31 or 32 weeks so maybe she weighs a little less.  Jack was 7 1/2 pounds when he was born, so we'll see...
Baby's Developmental Milestones: Most likely, her fingernails have reached her fingertips at this point.
Total Weight Gain: 38 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: My maternity clothes are starting to feel too small - not a good feeling.  Just four more days of work before summer break, and then the clothing issue won't be so stressful!

Movement: She's busy, busy, busy...especially late in the evening and in the middle of the night.
Sleep: I'm not sleeping as well as I was.  I'm having to get up more than once a night to go to the bathroom, and once I'm up, I can't shut my brain off long enough to fall back to sleep.  Constant running to do lists.  And if I do fall back asleep, crazy, crazy dreams.
What I miss: Being smaller.
Cravings: Peaches and watermelon.
Symptoms: Braxton Hicks contractions like crazy...actually paying attention now to see if there are more than four an hour.  The doctor thinks she's now head down and causing lots of pressure.  I'm still feeling very warm.  And obviously huge.
Best Pregnancy Moment this Week: I got to hear Peanut's heartbeat this afternoon at my doctor's appointment:)  Also, her diaper bag arrived with her monogram, and it's so precious and girly.

33 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 33 weeks (and 3 days)

Size of Baby: Peanut weighs about four and a half pounds and could possibly have grown another inch.
Baby's Developmental Milestones: At 33 weeks, the amniotic fluid has maxed out, and there is likely more baby than fluid in the belly.  She closes her eyes when sleeping and opens them when she's awake.  She can also now differentiate between night and day since light can filter through the belly.  Her immune system is growing strong, and antibodies are being passed from me to her to help protect her from germs once she's born.
Total Weight Gain: As of today, I've gained 36.5 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: This week I bought some new jammies, thinking ahead for my hospital stay.  I haven't been so comfy lately in my pajamas, and so my new pants without an elastic waist and a yoga band are fabulous!

Movement: Not as much this week because I think she's running out of room, but when she does move, it's pretty strong.
Sleep: I'm still sleeping really well!
What I miss: Being able to snuggle real close with Jack.  This morning when he cuddled up in bed next to me, he said, "Mama, there's no room for Jack."  Poor thing...
Cravings: Fruit - I'm convinced that the reason I've gained less weight this time around is due to the fact that I've been eating fruit and veggies like they're going out of style.  With Jack, I ate lots of cookies.  And cake.  And pudding.
Symptoms: My body temperature is way up.  My shins and calves feel very tight, and my feet still hurt on most days.  Several people have commented that they think the baby has dropped and that they think she may be early.  We'll see...we'd like to make it to 37 weeks at the very least!
Best Pregnancy Moment this Week: I bought the baby a little onesie with a tutu attached to it, and I gave it to Jack to show to Daddy.  When Jack walked up to Daddy with it, and Daddy asked who it was for, Jack said, "{insert baby girl's name} Bear," in his sweetest voice.  It was the cutest thing ever, and our hearts just melted.

32 Weeks

{for comparison purposes - 8 months pregnant with Jack}

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 32 weeks (and 1 day) = 8 months!

Size of Baby: Peanut weighs just about four pounds and is topping out at about 19 inches.
Baby's Developmental Milestones: She's busy practicing her survival skills, such as kicking, sucking, breathing, and swallowing.  Her skin is also becoming less and less transparent and more and more opaque as she continues to gain weight.
Total Weight Gain: I held steady this week at 35 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: My clothes are almost strictly maternity clothes at this point...and some of those are a little snug!

Movement: Yep - and the doctor confirmed today that she's definitely got her head up by my rib cage, her feet on my bladder, and her knees in my belly button:)  No worries though - the doctor said there's still plenty of time for her to flip herself around!
Sleep: I'm so thankful that I can sleep even when she's wiggling around.  As soon as I lay down at night, she's on the go:)
What I miss: Walking without waddling.
Cravings: Cereal and fruit.  Salad.  Really any foods that are cold!
Symptoms: My feet are killing me, and now I'm in a state of being perpetually too hot.  During training this week, I asked the room full of teachers if they thought the room was too warm so that I could have the temperature adjusted if anyone was uncomfortable.  Come to find out, they were all freezing to death, and I was the only one sweating like a madman.  In fact, one person was actually using a sweater as a blanket she was so cold.  Nope, not me! 
Best Pregnancy Moment this Week: I got to hear Baby Girl's heartbeat this afternoon at my appointment.  And yesterday, while putting together puzzles, Jack looked at me and said, "Maybe {insert Baby Girl's name here} will like to do puzzles with me, Mama.  Yeah, that would be fun!  I think she will." Melted this mama's heart...

31 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 31 Weeks (and 3 days)

Size of Baby: Peanut still weighs a little over three pounds (and has about 3-5 more pounds to go!) and is about 18 inches long.
Baby's Developmental Milestones: She is using all five senses and is beginning to develop patterns of longer stretches of rest and then some wakefulness.
Total Weight Gain: 35 pounds

Maternity Clothes: My clothes are almost strictly maternity clothes at this point...

Movement: She's very active:)  I'm pretty sure that she's sitting facing out with her knees in my belly button region.  I can feel knees glide across the belly constantly...  (In looking at a picture just now, it could be that she's head down and those are her elbows I'm feeling...)
Sleep: I'm still sleeping great, thank goodness!
What I miss: It hasn't changed - I'm desperately wanting a Mountain Dew from Taco Bell or Arby's.
Cravings: Cereal and fruit.
Symptoms: Although I've clearly been gaining weight, I'm not eating a ton.  I just haven't been super-hungry, and I think it's just because I'm running out of room.  I often find myself short of breath - today when I was training teachers, I could hear myself gasping for air and had to explain that something was crowding my lungs a bit:)  Lately, my feet have been killing me.  My legs are sore too, especially my shins and my calves.  I think it's time to cash in another one of my maternity massage gift certificates!  
Best Pregnancy Moment this Week: Starting to work on the nursery for our precious baby girl.  I'll do a blog post soon to share our progress...

30 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 30 Weeks (and 3 days)

Size of Baby: Peanut weighs a little over three pounds and will be gaining about 1/2 a pound each week for the next seven weeks.
Baby's Developmental Milestones: Baby's brain is growing and developing those characteristic grooves and wrinkles.  She can regulate her own body temperature now, so she'll be busy shedding her downy body hair that's been keeping her cozy.
Total Weight Gain: 32 pounds

Maternity Clothes: My clothes are almost strictly maternity clothes at this point...

Movement: Baby Girl is still a wiggle-worm, although she gave us quite a scare on Sunday when she didn't move around for most of the day.  After a quick trip to the hospital, we were assured that Baby is perfectly happy and healthy.  Maybe she was hiding or sleepy, but since our visit, she hasn't stopped letting me know she's there, and that's perfectly wonderful with me.
Sleep: I'm still sleeping really well.  Funny story - the nurse called last week and asked if I was feeling sluggish.  I laughed and explained that yes, indeed - I do feel sluggish, but I'm pregnant and have a nearly-three year old boy to chase after.  Apparently, my iron was really low, so now I'm on an iron supplement on top of my prenatal vitamins.  At least they aren't the size of horse pills.
What I miss: Honestly - Mountain Dew.  Badly.
Cravings: Hmmm...I haven't really had any cravings this week.
Symptoms: My hair and nails are growing like weeds.  The leg cramps that I'd avoided so well returned last Friday morning at 2:47 am.  I had them almost every night when I was pregnant with Jack, but this time around I was doing really well.  I would catch myself stretching a certain way and be able to prevent the cramp, but I must have been sound asleep.  Sure enough - searing pain in my calf.  My yelps actually woke Brad up, and it took me awhile to get back to sleep.  Luckily, it's only happened once, so keep your fingers crossed.
Best Pregnancy Moment this Week: The reassuring graph that Peanut's heartbeat made as soon as they attached the fetal heart monitor to my belly Sunday night.  We were so worried, and what a sigh of relief...

29 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 29 Weeks

Size of Baby: Peanut is about 17 inches long (very close to the length she'll probably be at birth) and weighs almost three pounds.
Baby's Developmental Milestones: Her wrinkled skin is smoothing out as she's gaining more fat:)  From now until she's born, she'll most likely double - and possibly triple - her weight.  
Total Weight Gain: I'm still at thirty pounds for weight gain:)

Maternity Clothes: Yes, but even some of those are starting to fit more snuggly than before...

Movement: Like crazy...and constant.  I'm not sure she sleeps, to be honest (it's actually making me quite nervous).  I feel like she's much more "on the go" than Jack was at this stage...
Sleep: I don't think there's ever been a time when I couldn't sleep, honestly...
What I miss: Nothing currently...
Cravings: Salad and fruit.  I'm feeling very healthy!
Symptoms: My belly is still itchy:(  The oil I thought was doing the trick actually caused a slight rash, so I had to discontinue its use!  
Best Pregnancy Moment this Week: Getting to hear Baby Girl's heartbeat at my appointment last week - a healthy 152 bpm.

28 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 28 weeks (and 1 day) - and so begins our third trimester!

Size of Baby: Peanut is about 16 inches long from head to toe and weighs about 2 1/2 pounds.
Baby's Developmental Milestones: Most likely, our baby girl is settling into the proper position for birth (which may apparently explain the pain in my rear end, literally).  She can also blink her eyes and may already be dreaming.  I wonder if she dreams about what I may look like the way I dream about her...
Total Weight Gain: I've officially gained thirty pounds.  The good news is that I only have 12 weeks to go, and I'm still 25 pounds away from matching my weight gain when I was pregnant with Jack.  I'm not saying that it's impossible, but I'm feeling like it's pretty unlikely, and that is making me very happy:)

Maternity Clothes: Yep.  And did you know that they make Spanx for pregnant people?  True story.  I love them because it makes me comfortable enough to wear dresses as the weather is getting warmer.

Movement: So much!  And now I'm not the only person who can see the belly move either:)
Sleep: While the body pillow helps with the comfort level, I keep getting so hot at night that I can't make it through the whole night with the body pillow.  I'm sure July is going to be wonderful in that respect:)
What I miss: Bending over easily.  Being able to eat Mexican food more.
Cravings: They've sort of tamed down this week.  I can't really think of anything I've been craving.
Symptoms: The baby belly is very itchy, but some cocoa butter oil seems to be helping with that.  I already mentioned the pain in my rear end:)  I also think the nesting mode is setting in because I've been getting things done like crazy around here!
Best Pregnancy Moment this Week: Definitely NOT the glucose test I have to take tomorrow morning. Probably the fact that Peanut's brother openly acknowledged the fact that his old bedroom is in fact "Baby Girl's" bedroom all on his own.  

27 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 27 weeks (and 1 day)

Size of Baby: Peanut is about 15 inches long from head to toe and weighs a little over two pounds.
Baby's Developmental Milestones: This is the last week of our second trimester together, and by now she can probably recognize my voice and maybe Brad and Jack's.
Total Weight Gain: I'm going to say 28 1/2 pounds because I couldn't possibly have gained 4 1/2 pounds in one week, right?  My scale must be broken. 

Maternity Clothes: Yes - but it's finally warmer outside and I can start wearing some of my spring/summer maternity clothes, which I happen to think are much cuter.
Gender: All girl:)
Movement: As we speak.  And not just little thumps anymore, but shifting of body parts.  The belly is moving like crazy these days!
Sleep: The body pillow is helping, but I've had a couple of nights where my legs hurt so much it's hard to fall asleep.  And I'm definitely having to get up at least once, maybe twice to go to the bathroom.
What I miss: Going several hours without having to go potty.  I'm at the point where I can no longer avoid public restrooms if I choose to.
Cravings: Klondike Peanut Butter Cup Bars, smoothies, and milkshakes.  Might have something to do with my scale problem...
Symptoms: I'm just a little achy, but nothing that isn't totally worth it!
Best Pregnancy Moment this Week: Her little baby body shifting is pretty amazing.