34 Weeks

34 weeks...6 weeks to go...42 days.  I feel as though I am going to be a broken record for the next 6 weeks.  I can't believe how fast this pregnancy has gone and the limited amount of time we have until the baby arrives! 

Here is a little of what the baby is up to... Your curious baby is listening in to your conversations at 34 weeks.  I have already said ear muffs to the baby a few times...oops! The baby might enjoy a lullaby or two. Some say that baby will recognize songs mom sings while he’s in the womb, and may even be more easily soothed by them if he/she is use to them once he/she is on the “outside.” I  changed up our night routine.  We read a book, a bible story, and sing one song.  I hope I don't sound like a broken record to our baby as I sing "Jesus Loves Me" and "This Little  Light of Mine" almost every time.  I need to start thinking of some new songs! 

Here are a few of my favorite pics from our maternity session....I am excited to get the rest of them.  A co-worker of mine took these pictures for us.  She does photography on the side but as you can see she does a great job!  It was fun working with her.  She also met Dan's expectations as he only wanted to take pictures for 1 hour!  Thank you Lori Van Beek Photography!



lvbphotophraphy

 

lvbphotophraphy

 

lvbphotophraphy

 

lvbphotophraphy

 

lvbphotophraphy

 

lvbphotophraphy

 

lvbphotophraphy

 

 

 

33 weeks

33 weeks...7 weeks to go...49 days to go!  Happy Mother's Day to all mother's and mother's-to-be.  What a special week for us to recognize our mother's.  I think about everything I have learned from my mother and can not imagine going through this pregnancy with out her.  She taught me a lot about what it means to be a mother.  At the time, I never knew this, but my mother sacrificed a lot of her wants to ensure that I was able to participate in events growing up, clothes that I wanted to wear, and  trips I wanted to go on.  Do you notice the trend...I wanted all these things and my mother gave up her wants in order for me to have mine.  I learned from my mom how to be healthy, exercise on a regular basis, laugh a lot, set goals for yourself, don't settle for average, and stand up for what you believe.  I pray that God will grant me the patience and love for my child the same way my mom has loved me the past 29 years.

This past weekend, my mom and I got to spend the weekend in Minneapolis shopping.  It was a lot of fun!  In the beginning, it felt as though we were walking around in circles at the Mall of America.  Once we got our directions straight, we ended up at the stores that we wanted to specifically get to.  Before we left, my dad said to us that all us girls need is "The Loft" and "Victoria Secret" and we would be good to go.  We walked into the Mall of America and guess what two stores are right next to each other and close to our entrance..."The Loft" and "VS".  We had a little laugh about that.  Also, we both ended up with purchases from each store...success!  Before we left, my mom mentioned to me that she was a little nervous about having a pregnant girl under her watch.  She did a great job!   She made sure that I sat down with every opportunity possible.  She also made sure that I ate and stayed hydrated.  We had a lot of fun and it felt as though we shopped until we dropped.  My feet were tired by the end of the day!

Dan and I also had maternity pictures taken this week. I promised Dan that pictures would not take longer than an hour and we just made it, one hour exactly.  He was a pretty good sport about everything! We took a few pictures that may have been a little "artsy" for him but he stuck with it and posed the way he was asked to pose.  He also was a good sport at carrying the bag of props!  I am excited to see the final pictures!  If I like them I may provide a "sneak peek" later.

Pregnancy Happenings:

• Body Temperature:  Most woman complain about being hot or warmer during their pregnancy.  However, I have not experienced this yet.  I think maybe my temperature has increased to the point where I am more at a "normal" rate.  I don't have to use my heater at work as often.  With the weather being so nice out, we sleep with the windows open and the fan on and I don't get cold.  We can ride in our vehicles and Dan doesn't need to keep his window open because he isn't sweating due to the heat being on full blast. 
• Reading:  We have added a few new books to our collection.  The baby moves a lot when both Dan and I read, but I like listening to Dan read to the baby best.  It is a special time for our little family!
• Corduroy
• Goodnight Moon
• Curious George
• Ferdinand the Bull
• Little Bear 
• Tiredness:  I am starting to feel like third trimester sleepiness.  The baby and I still have Orange Juice and Cheerios dates at 4:30am, but I am ready to go back to bed by 6:30am. Did I mention that is the time I am up to get ready for work.  I use to feel as though I had a ton of energy but this past week, I am definitely slowing down.  Dan has a few nights where I am sleeping on the couch by 8:00pm or earlier. 
• Hypnobirthing:  I started reading about  Hypnobirthing.  I know some of you may think that is a little "granola" or "hippie" of me.  I am actually enjoying the read!  The book talks about how it is best for mom to go into birthing with positive thoughts about the process.  For example, instead of thinking about contractions, call them surges; focus only on the contraction at the time, and don't think about the one that is coming after.  I am only part-way through the book but the author claims that if you use the techniques she mentions, moms can have a natural (no drugs) birth.  I am not saying that I am opposed to having an epidural.  Trust me, I am not looking to be a hero.  At the same time, I want to try to experience birth as much as I can take.  If that means I have an epidural then that is what happens and if not, that is just as good. 
• Did I mention, I have my birth plan written out!  Surprise...Surprise...I have a few details listed out!  My disclaimer is that all the details start with "if possible".  At the end of the day my goal is to have a healthy baby and secondly healthy mom.  I talked with my doctor about this as well.  I am going into delivery with a lot of unknowns and for me to put strict and specific "dos and don'ts" does not make sense for me when ultimately everything is in God's hands. 

 

 

32 Weeks

32 weeks...8 weeks to go...56 days until due date!  It is hard to imagine that we have a July due date and the weather is still cold outside.  Crazy huh!  The baby continues to move a lot.  I think my stomach is lopsided more often than nice and rounded.  This has to do with all the moving and rolling that is happening.  It really is a wonderful experience and I am just in awe that God created the woman's body to be able to carry this beautiful miracle. 

At week 32, baby weighs in at about 2.5 to 3.8 pounds and measures about 15.2 to 16.7 inches. The baby likely to be in the head-down position now, getting ready for his/her descent -- the journey down the birth canal.  Intensity might be building in the symptoms department, as heartburn and contractions intensify around week 32.


We had an exciting week this week.  We had our final ultrasound, at least planned ultrasound.  If you don't remember back at 20 weeks, it was discovered that I have a low lying placenta.  If my placenta did not move by 32 weeks, I would more than likely have schedule a c-section.  I have been praying for 12 weeks that my placenta is moving up as my uterus is growing.  We found out on Wednesday that my placenta had moved over 2.5 centimeters and I will be able to have a vaginal delivery.  Thank you God for answered prayers! 

The baby is weighing around 4.51lbs...WOW!  I am a little nervous that I will be delivering a 10lb baby.  I don't think I can do that especially the first time!  However, we are very thankful that the baby is healthy and growing.  The doctor said that the baby may have gone through a growth spurt and may slow down now.  The baby is right at the 62%ile for weight.  We did not get a messurement for height but based on baby's movement and Dan's genes, I have a feeling our baby will be really LONG!  I was also surprised about the weight because I lost 3lbs from my last visit.  My doctor was not so concerned with that because of the weight of the baby.  Also, I am measuring 2 days early.  I know that isn't a lot of time but I still think this baby will be a June baby and not July.  At the same time, I am prepared to be pregnant until July 8th.  When it comes down to it, God will delivery this baby in His time.  I just need to be patient.

This week was also special because I had a friend of mine come to town, Valerie Hubers.  She was a co-worker of mine at  Interstates for 5 years.  Her and her husband moved to Montana two years ago and she was in town for her sister's graduation from Dordt.  Valerie is known more for being my friend than a previous co-worker.  The most exciting thing about her visit is that she is 28 weeks along.  We got pedicures on Friday afternoon and went to dinner with another previous co-worker on Friday evening.  Needless to say we talked "baby" for hours.  It was so fun to see her and talk about what we have been going through with our pregnancies. 

 

This week, Dan took some time to put together the pack n' play.   We plan on using the pack n' play for the first few months the baby is here.  It has a bassinet and we plan on putting it in our bedroom. 

How is the nursery coming along?  We are still waiting on a few contractors to come and finish a few things in our house so our crib is not up yet.  I am getting antsy and I am disappointed that my May 15th deadline is not going to be met.  Once the construction is done, I will be one busy mama trying to get everything ready for the baby's room. 

 

 

31 Weeks

31 weeks...9 weeks...59 days until D-Day! 

The baby and I survived the week without Dan and were quite excited to have him home!  The baby may have missed Dan more than me because I am pretty sure Dan LOVES my belly!  He is always touching it even in public, which really isn't his style.  He has been reading to the baby as well.  The baby moves quite a bit when Dan starts talking.  The other night we played the flashlight game with the baby.  Dan put a flashlight on my stomach and the baby moved with the flashlight.  We had to stop soon after we started because the baby was moving so much and making my ribs and pelvis sore.  I think we have a pretty smart little baby in there (not a bias opinion at all..haha)! 

At week 31, baby's about 15.2 to 16.7 inches long and weighs about 2.5 to 3.8 pounds. The baby is also going through major brain, nerve and eye development. Baby's irises even react to light. All five of his/her senses are now in working order! Plus, baby's body temperature is now partially being regulated by parts of her brain. Baby's bones, with the exception of the skull, are hardening too. 
I completely agree with this because sometimes it feels like bone on bone digging into the right side of my pelvis.  I can't imagine that being comfortable.  The baby has been hugging my right side pretty tightly.  Sometimes I think his/her feet wrap around my side and are close to go around my back.  I can imagine that this child is really long (inherited the height from their father).   When I think the butt is way on one side, I feel a kick on the complete left side.  The next weeks will be interesting to see how the baby gets comfortable as he/she grows. 

We attended baby class on Saturday.  We signed up for the one time all day session.  It was a lot of information and interesting information at times.  I really enjoyed the tour of the Sanford birthing area.  We will end up in three rooms by the time the baby is born.  Our first stop will be Triage.  This is where they will determine if I am actually in labor and need to be admitted to the delivery room.  The delivery room will be the next room where we will be in.  This is were all the "action" will take place.  I am a little nervous and anxious about the time that we may have to spend in this room.  We will see what God has planned for Dan, the baby, and I.  Once the baby is born we will be transferred to postpartum.  These rooms look like a five star hotel.  Dan is most excited about the "all-you-can-eat" bistro on this floor.  I was very impressed with the level of security the hospital has in all three areas.  Overall, it was a successful class.  Dan had many "ah ha" moments, which we laughed about. 
One specific moment was when the instructor was talking about "nesting".  I wasn't aware that Dan didn't know what this was, but when the instructor was saying that pregnant women will be cleaning and cleaning a ton before the baby is born.  Dan felt as though he learned something new and took it upon himself to blurt out load "That is what you have been doing the past few days"?  Everyone laughed and I about peed in my pants...for real!