30 Weeks

30 weeks...10 weeks to go...63 days until due date!  We could not be more excited.  Although, I love having the baby close to me and knowing that it is safe and protected exactly where it is at.  I am sure you are all thinking that I am going to be "that" mom...at work we call them helicopter moms!  In the beginning, I may be the overprotective mom that will worry about everything.  Isn't that normal for any new mom who has never gone through this? 

The baby weighs about 3 pounds (1.4kg). He/she will gain about half a pound a week until week 38.  I am actually surprised about this because I can hardly fit anything in my stomach these days.  I take about 5-6 bites of food and  I am full.  I try to eat more frequently but  smaller meals. Baby is getting fatter and beginning to control its own body temperature.  Eyebrows and eyelashes are fully developed, and hair on the head is getting thicker. Head and body are now proportioned like a newborn.

Hands are now fully formed and fingernails are growing. If we have a girl I am so excited to paint those fingernails and toes...she will definitely be a princess!  Eyelids are opening and closing, and will often make rapid eye movements - a sign they could be dreaming. My dreams are also getting more real and frequent. 

Pregnancy Happenings:

• The baby and I were on our own this week.  Dan was gone to Ankeny for Radon Mitigation training.  We got a lot done last week...nesting was in full force again!  I went through all of Dan's t-shirts and work clothes.  Needless to say it was a great week to do this, Dan couldn't hold on to anything that he doesn't wear.  I am sure I will be accused of throwing away the favorite T-shirt :)
• I also learned that I need to SLOW down.  I can not do everything that I could do when I wasn't pregnant.  My mom gave me the "motherly" speech that I need to be off my feet for the next 10 weeks. I do plan on slowing down, but I feel like I have so much to do and little time to get it all done!
• I have started to slow down with my walking.  I can tell that I can't do the 2.5-3 miles anymore or I go much slower.  Dan has been a pretty good walking partner and is up for walking 1-2 miles will me a few times a week.  My neighbor, Amy, has also been a great walking partner and I can ask her lots of questions about having a baby.  She has had two so she is full of good information.
• Our first baby gift came in the mail today...Thanks Mom & Dad!  We got the BOB Revolution SE.   I am excited to use the stroller this summer!

Looking Forward to...

• Dan coming home on Friday.
• Doctor's Appointment on Friday.
• Baby class on Saturday.

Thanking God for Spring and the beautiful weather that is slowing coming!  I love waking up hearing the birds singing and smelling the freshness of the air.  This reminds me that the time for baby is coming closer!  Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow!

29 Weeks

Time is flying...I can't believe I am going to be out of the twenties next week!  Those of you who are reading this in Iowa and South Dakota, I am sure you are feeling as though winter is never going to end and time is standing still. 

Here is a little bit about what is happening to the baby during week 29...
You’re probably already getting a little preview of baby’s personality, the more your feel the baby move. I just have to laugh when I read this.  YES...this baby has an active personality and really likes orange juice and peanut butter sandwiches.   At 29 weeks, the baby is not just moving a lot, s/he is also plumping up. And as s/he continues to put pressure on your digestive system, you’re going to feel the effects: acid reflex, hips are sore after I walk, and I am running to the bathroom about 30 times a day.

I continue to feel great!  I seem to have a lot of energy during the day but towards 8:00/8:30pm I am ready for bed.  I continue to wake up a few times during the night to go to the bathroom and typically I am up for the day around 4:30/5:00am.  Mostly due to the baby being awake and deciding to have a gymnastics lesson for the day!  I have started to eat smaller meals more often due to the fact that the baby is getting bigger and I can't fit all the nutrition that the baby needs in 3 meals.  My stomach feels so tight and I am not sure it can grow any more...I have 11 more weeks to go!

Week 29 happenings:

• Pack n' play came in the mail.  Dan is going to have to figure that one out!  I also received a few smaller items I ordered online -- sling, car seat cover, and nursing cover.  My shopping has gone down tremendously since the previous weeks. I only have a few more items on my list...YAY! Dan may be more excited than I am about that!
• Maternity clothes are a must!  I am done wearing my regular pants with the belly band.  It is just way to uncomfortable. I have purchased a few maternity dresses and they are very comfortable. I am anxious for the weather to get nice so I can wear them! I did not buy a lot of pants thinking I will be further along during spring time.  I am starting to think I need to wear a sign to work saying "Yes, I wore these pants earlier this week but I did wash them!"
• I am still wearing my wedding ring and overall I don't have a lot of swelling..yet!  My ankles get a little swollen if I am on them a lot but I can still wear my regular shoes, boots, and tennis shoes.  Swelling hasn't really been an issue.
• Dan has been studying a lot this past week for a  radon test he needs to take on Saturday.  We are going to be traveling to Council Bluffs for Dan to take the test.  He will be getting his certification for radon mitigation. 

Looking forward to: 

• Baby class on the 27th.  We are taking a day long class in Sioux Falls from 9:00am-4:00pm.
• Finalizing daycare plans the last week of April.  We have two appointments to meet with daycare providers.
• Not looking forward to this but this coming week, Dan will be gone to Ankeny to finish out his radon mitigation certification by attending class all week :(
• Scheduling maternity pictures for the middle of May...if spring comes!

Week 27/28

Hello third trimester...I can't believe how fast our pregnancy has gone!  At the same time, I have to remember that I have 78 days to go. That is kind of a lot, right?  These past few weeks have been busy getting ready for the baby.  I am bound and determined to have everything in place and ready to go by May 15th. 

Week 27th:  At 13.6 to 14.8 inches and 1.5 to 2.5 pounds, the baby is not just getting bigger, he/she is getting smarter.  At 27 weeks, baby is breathing (it’s amniotic fluid, not air, but it still counts) and even showing brain activity. The baby is practicing inhaling and exhaling with his/her rapidly developing lungs.  Baby's showing brain activity! And his/her brain will keep on getting more complex in the weeks to come.

Week 27 Highlights...

• Passed my glucose test!  That is a huge relief. 
• My uterus is measuring one centimeter bigger (every centimeter reflects a week).  I was measuring at 28 weeks when I was 27 weeks.  This also confirms that I really do not think July 1st is my official due date, but I know the baby will come when he/she is ready :)
• Speaking of my uterus, the baby is moving so much, which I love!  My stomach is now forming weird shapes and shifts from side to side.  One thing that I have noticed which I am not 100% sure is true but I am going to write about it anyway.  I am pretty sure the baby has inherited something from me that I can feel almost on a daily basis.  You are really tired, so you lay down to sleep.  Your muscles get so relaxed that you end up jerking or twitching right when you are about to slip into a deep sleep.  Yep, I think that baby has the same thing.  Frequently, my stomach will do this big twitch that you can see through my clothes and then the baby will be really quiet.  I think the baby moves so much (wild child) and then gets so tired that it twitches right before he/she falls asleep again.  It really makes me laugh when it happens.  For me, I jerk so much that I wake myself up sometimes.  I am pretty sure I inherited this from my mom so I am convinced I passed this on to our baby.
• Emotional...ask Dan!  I can tell the tears come a little quicker than normal.  I also have found myself crying when I watch a T.V. show that involves having a baby or some sentimental event.  I almost feel as though I am not myself when this happens.  It is kind of crazy.
• Nesting is is in full force.  Dan just mentioned to me that we have had a lot of trash the past few weeks.  Yes, this is true.  I am in throwing mode.  If we haven't used it in the last 6 months, it is gone!  I am waiting for the day when Dan asks me where something is and I have to say that I threw it away! 

Week 28...Officially starting my third trimester! 

 Week 28:  Putting on layers of fat, the baby now weighs in around 1.5 to 2.5 pounds and measures about 13.6 to 14.8 inches. The exciting part about week 28 is that if the baby would for some reason decide to deliver we have made it to 80% viability.  From a development standpoint, the baby has everything needed to survive outside the womb.  The next 12 weeks will be focused on gaining weight and getting smarter -- learning how to suck, breath more comfortable, and other smaller motions.  I am so excited that we have made it to this point, and pray that the baby will stay where he/she is at for at least 10-12 more weeks.

Week 28 Highlights...

• Shopping...I have gone to town that past few weeks getting everything ready for the baby!  It is amazing how much you need just to feel comfortable bringing the baby home.  Here is a little overview of the shopping spree this past week.  Overall, the house is filling up and it is starting to look like a baby will be living in this house.
• Sheets for the crib.  I went with tan and white poke-a-dots and then a solid tan color.  I thought I would start with three and then when I pick out the gender specific bedding we will get two more sheets.  I hope that is enough as I read you may go through a lot. 
• Nursing...WOW!  I need to keep in mind that in the long run you do save a lot of money nursing and it is better for the baby if you can nurse.  However, I didn't realize everything you need just to be able to successfully and painlessly nurse.  I think my brother's read this blog so sorry about the next comment...put your blinders on :)  Nursing bras are NOT cute!  If anyone has advice let me know.
• I also bought new comfy clothes for the hospital.  I bought a few nursing tops and comfy pants to take so I don't have to wear a hospital gown after the baby is born.  I also bought a summer dress to wear home from the hospital.
• We bought a few little items -- 2 bottles and 2 pacifiers.  I found these glass bottles online that I really liked and when I need to use bottles I plan on using glass vs. plastic. However, I am really planning on nursing and would rather not have to use bottles until I get closer to the date that I will be going back to work.  Also, my plan is not to use pacifiers, just a personal preference, but I thought by the time I don't have them in the house I will want them. 
• We bought a pack n' play that has a bassinet feature and changing table feature.  I plan on using this in our bedroom until the baby gets a little older to lay in the crib.  Did I mention we also bought our crib and dresser! 
• Nursery...I made a decision on the color!  We went with a taupe color that in certain lights it looks tan and with other lighting it looks more grey.  We finished up painting the room this past week.  Once the baby is born I/we plan on painting stripes on one of the wall to match the bedding.  We also started putting the shelves and hanging rods in the babies closet.  We still need to finish putting trim around the edges, buy a new ceiling fan, and blinds for the windows. 
• Bags are packed and ready to go...not quite but pretty close.  I have to wash a few of the outfits and blankets that I bought for the hospital but then my bag is packed and ready to go.  I also have a list of items that need to be gathered last minute and that is hanging up in my bathroom...most of the items are toiletries (blow dryer, make up, etc.).  I keep asking Dan is he is going to pack a bag and he keeps giving me funny looks.  I assume that he will grab everything last minute and end up wearing the same clothes the entire time we are at the hospital...makes me laugh :)  We plan a little bit different!
• Nesting...I was at it again this week!  I cleaned all the cupboards in my kitchen and my pantry.  They are ready for my mom, otherwise Dan may not eat for three weeks after we get home from the hospital!  Did you know that spices only last 6-8 months then they may loose their flavor?  I learned that one early morning when most people are sound to sleep..oh the joys of being pregnant with a wild child!  Needless to say that was my motivation to start cleaning my cupboards and throwing things out. 

This past week we also had a horrible ice/snow/wind storm, which I am sure many of you experienced!  In Sioux Center, we had a lot of trees and limbs down due to the ice and snow.   I think it looked like a tornado came through our neighborhood but the houses were were untouched. Tuesday night I laid away just hearing limbs swaying in the wind and come crashing to the ground.  We have a few big trees on the south side of our house and I was just praying they would not come crashing down on us.  We had one branch that was weighed down to the point that it was scraping the top of our roof, that is what mostly kept me up.  On Thursday morning we had a tree split in our backyard and fall towards the house.  Thankfully it just skimmed the house and there was no damage.  Overall, it was a lot of clean up but we are thankful that there was no real damage!  We pray that everyone came safely through the storm as well!

Tree in our backyard on Tuesday night before the wind came..27 week and 2 days into week 28 

 

Backyard before the wind.  Take note of the tree on the left side of the picture

 

Thursday after the ice and snow...the tree (left side of the picture above) the split and fell toward our house.

The ice on the trees down the boulevard...it was kind of scary driving down our road on Wednesday and Thursday.  You never knew if a branch or ice was going to fall on your car.  Thankfully I watched the branches fall in the rear view mirror.