33 and 34 weeks!

Do you see the title? Only 6 more weeks until Hunter is due and I am in disbelief that the time has flown by so quickly! Of course, he can come early or late, I am selfishly hoping that he comes a little early because I am just so ready to meet our little man, but my very first prediction was that he is going to be super comfy in there and come late! 

My doctor thinks that he will come early if I choose to go back to work, and she is SHOCKED that I want to go back! I told her, "I am bored, so bored; want/need the paychecks; want to be able to say good-bye to my kids if I have to leave again; and if I can get one more good week in at work to clean out cabinets for the poor souls who are going to clean up my room for the summer, I'll be happy"..... She thinks that the activity is what put me into pre-term labor, so I have been thinking of little ways to be a tiny bit less active during the day. Teaching kindergarten is NOT sitting behind a desk. It is a day full of 15 minute increments; when the kids are working independently I am around the room checking on progress, up and down kneeling because my students are 3 feet tall, walking to various places around the school all day means a pretty good trek (kinder is in the very back of the school)... it is more physical that one may tend to think! Don't get me wrong, I know that I'm not stacking boxes, but I am definitely moving all day!!

So tomorrow I will be 34 weeks, which is technically eight and a half months along, but don't tell people that because then they think I am going to pop in the next two weeks! I still have 6 weeks, people!! By the time I am back at work, I will be 35 weeks, and just a couple weeks shy of full-term!

Things have started to change a little now that I have reached an all time high (weight-wise). Here is what is going on with Hunter and I:

• I have not gained any weight these past two weeks, wahoo!! My belly also is STILL measuring 39 inches, but I know that it depends on his position. When the doctor measures the fundal height it is right on track every week. So far, I have only gained 16 pound with this pregnancy, and I am hoping to keep under 20 for the entire pregnancy. Cross your fingers!

• I have heart burn pretty much all day. Straight up water gives me heartburn. No fun! I have gone through countless bottles of Tums, and need to have them with me at all times! I wish I could think of a better way to explain it, but it seems to be a volcanic eruption of heartburn when I have it. It literally shoots up my esophagus and will wake me up with a jolt!

• I have to pee almost once every thirty minutes during the day, and about 3 times at night. The other night I woke up to go, by the time I got comfortable enough in bed to try to sleep, I had to go again.

• Still no stretch marks.... another time I am going to ask you to cross your fingers for me that I can make it to the end! I have been using a variety of things on my belly, mostly just what I have laying around. At first, I was serious and bought MammaMio belly butter stuff specifically for pregnancy stretch marks, yada yada, then I ran out, but had just purchased Shea Butter from Bath Junkie and used that religiously every day until that ran out a few weeks ago. I had some Cocoa Butter, but truly cannot stand that smell so changed it up after a few days. Now I am using baby oil, and have been surprised to find that the itching is pretty much all gone, my skin doesn't seem so pink/irritated/stretched looking, and my skin doesn't feel oily all day like I predicted it would!

• Sleeping is not really comparable to before.... I am on bed rest, so I get in at least one really good nap a day. I can also sleep in because I am not expected at work, so if I wake up for a while in the middle of the night, it doesn't bother me like it did before. Prior to bed rest, I would wake up, not be able to sleep, and then worry about it so much that I for sure couldn't sleep. Now, if I can't fall back asleep, I will try for about thirty minutes then get up and watch a recorded show, eat something, read, etc. and after a couple of hours I am ready for bed again!

• My sense of smell is at an all time high, and along with that come waves of nausea. I haven't thrown up yet, but one night my husband, sister-in-law, and her husband decided to cook some crawfish. I don't eat them, think they are disgusting, and can't stand to look at them when people are eating them in large quantities....like that night. I am allowed to do one 'thing' a day, so this day I chose to sit at my sister-in-law's house while they all ate crawfish. Before they were cooked, we walked over to the cooler and we all peered inside because apparently these were massive crawfish. As soon as the cooler lid was lifted, I got this overwhelming fish smell and almost fell over trying to get away from it. Everyone else? Sicking their head in the cooler to try to figure out what I was smelling.... and they still said that they couldn't smell a hint of fishiness. Watching them get eaten is what brought on the nausea...

• Hunter should weigh about 5 pounds. Crazy. Some full term babies are born at that size! I got the steroid shots so his lungs would have been more mature if he had been born this week. Since he wasn't, I have heard that the shot only works for about a week, but now that we are close to 35 weeks, his lungs should be able to do what they need on their own if her were to be born. 

• He doesn't like bed rest any more than I do. He rolls around all day long. Not kidding.... All. Day. Long. My belly looks like the ocean, with his movements making it roll around in waves of motion. I don't get many little kicks anymore, I get him sticking out his feet for about 10 seconds at a time and then you can slowly see that section sink back down. Last night at a dinner table with about 10 people, someone asked if he was kicking. I said, "Yes, actually he has been moving all night", all 20 eyes stared at my belly for about minute in awe of it rolling around. I like that they were able to see it because lots of times, Hunter will move and by the time I say something to someone who has been wanting to see/feel him kick, he will get settled in. They were surprised to hear that he does that ALL DAY. When was working, I think that he was getting rocked to sleep. Now that I am inactive pretty much all day, he is probably more bored! I also think that it is just one more way that he is like his dad.... impatient and incapable of sitting still!

I think that is pretty much it! I went to the doctor on Friday, we are doing weekly appointments since my pre-term labor scare, and everything is going as it should! The only thing left I have to be tested for is Group B Strep, which I originally thought was a blood test so I was NOT looking forward to that. Now that I know it is not a blood test and I know what really goes on.... I am looking forward to it even less. All for Hunter, right?

23 Weeks

I kind of like being a little bit behind on these weekly updates, because that reminds me just how fast the time is flying. Luckily, I work, and this makes my weeks zoom by! I have decided that I am going to work for as long as possible before giving birth, if I just sat at home all day waiting for labor to start then I would drive myself crazy! This is or course as long as I can healthily do so! I have a feeling that this little guy will be more than comfortable in there, just call it a hunch!

I am 23 weeks, and feeling great! The only negative things that I have to write about is that I am having some terrible heartburn. The only thing that kind of gets me excited about that is the Old Wive's Tale that having lots of heartburn means lots of hair on your little one's head. I would love to get a peek at what color of hair he will have! Also, I cannot say that this is truly pregnancy related because I have been getting heartburn since junior high school, AND I am about 99% sure that I suffered some major acid reflux as an infant. Apparently I cried nonstop and spit up SUPER often. I like hearing stories about how when I would get pictures taken they would have to basically cover me up in between photos so that I wouldn't ruin my clothes in between! 

The only other thing that has really only happened once, but it was last night so it is fresh in my mind. I had some super pregnancy insomnia, and I hated it. I had to leave work early because I was basically a zombie. My eyes were all puffy and burning and trying so hard to close just for a minute. I have had some nights where I get up to use the bathroom and then can't fall asleep for an hour or two, but I couldn't even fall asleep until past 2:00! Then, I woke up around 4, fell asleep about 5, alarm went off at 6, accidentally turned it off, woke with a startle with hubby's alarm, had 10 minutes to get ready, and showed up just in time to tutor a student. Good morning? Yeah, right.

Ok, enough negatives! I really have been feeling great! Tim and I were just joking about how if I am sick as a dog for our next one we'll know for sure what we are having, haha! 

Hunter has been super active, although there was a day or two when I didn't feel him moving much, but I checked the heartbeat with the doppler and all was good. Early on, we could visibly see that he liked to squish into either one side or another, but for the past week or so, I am seeing that pattern again. Check this out from tonight:

Baby on the right side

I felt some wiggles and about 30 minutes later....

Baby on the left side

Seriously, should I buy a leash right now? You now this kid is going to need one!   

He is also super low. Like, he kicks so low that I am going to make a special note to ask the doctor about it. Privately low, if you get my drift. You can also tell this in my bump, too. It is all below the belly button! Maybe this means I won't get that outtie? 

I weighed myself this morning and have gained 6 pounds. Not too shabby! I will weigh myself every Monday morning when I turn the next week and get an accurate weight on myself... same scale, same time of day, etc. 

I think that's about it, I am exhausted! Going to do some laundry, and then go to bed early!

20 weeks! Halfway There, People!!

Oh. My. Goodness. 

So, I feel like a lot has changed now that I have hit the 20 week mark. Let's see...

• Every day that passes is now on the downhill side of this ride.
• I can feel movement, but even better.... I can see movement. No lie, even Tim has seen it!
• If something were to go wrong at this point, it would not be considered a miscarriage, but a stillborn. Not that the title matters, and I pray every night that Hunter continues to grow healthily (is that a word?). 

Here are the stats:

How far along? 20 Weeks, 2 day2

Total weight gain: 1 pound, I am going off morning weight from 20 weeks and 2 days 

Maternity clothes? Yes, I am loving my maternity leggings (Thanks, mom!!), and I am still able to wear my jeans with the belly band or a maternity tank top. I bought it  from Target, it is the same brand as the belly band I use, I think it's called B.E. Band.... It is long enough to cover everything, kinda tight but stretchy, and ruched along the sides so it doesn't look funny.

I am also looking forward to my burthday and our trip to New Orleans for the Superbowl Party!


Belly Button in or out? in, but getting wide and more open. It used to be all wrinkly in there, and now it is smooth because it is so stretched out! That is totally fine with me, though, I think a forced 'outie' will be weird!

Wedding rings on or off? on, they fit totally fine, maybe because its kind of cold?

Happy or Moody most of the time: so very happy, but I did get a touch moody with Tim the other night!

Looking forward to: getting the furniture, 2 weeks down, 10 to go!! This may turn into a baby furniture countdown, lol!


Stretch marks? I don't think so. I have always had a few on my hip/back area, I gained some weight in high school and lost it fast in college. I was putting on my cream this morning and may have noticed a couple more, but I'm not sure :(

Sleep: Not the best... I wake up every night to pee and can't fall back to sleep. I have also started getting uncomfortable. I like to sleep tight in a ball, but if I do that then I get this pinching feeling like I am squishing the poor guy!

Best moment this week: Getting to see and feel him move! I makes me giggle when he really gets kicking! It was also really cool that Tim has been able to see and feel him move this week, too!

Miss Anything? Sleeping normal. My brain, I joke with my kids that the baby is stealing my brains whenever I forget a word or call them the wrong name!

Movement: Yes! The past few days it has been all day, but I haven't felt him today:( Going to check his heartbeat when I get home from work, haha!

Food cravings: Not too bad, I have had the urge to really get organized with meals, though. I made a menu book using something I found on Pinterest. I think this may be early nesting!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Getting too hungry. If I am kinda hungry, and I go to feed the dogs, the dog food usually makes me sick.

Gender: Boy! Hunter Ryan 

Labor Signs: Nope

Symptoms: Nothing really, other than my bump is getting bigger! Still having some leg cramps, and I have definitely started nesting! I totally cleaned and organized the closet a couple of weeks ago, and this weekend I cleaned and organized the pantry. This is keeping me occupied because I can't get the nursery ready!

19 Weeks!

Almost halfway there, people! I can't believe that I am almost at the downhill side of this journey! We have been hard at work on little Hunter's nursery, but we are kind of at a stand still until we have a baby shower or get the furniture. It's true! I don't want to purchase too many more items until we see what we get for my birthday and baby showers. I can't start putting away his clothes until we have drawers. We can't hang anything on walls until we have the furniture set out. Even if we got the bedding set, we can't put it in until we get the crib. And it will be hard to hang anything on the walls until the furniture is placed so that we know exactly where to hang it. Oh well! I have so many things to look forward to in the coming months, that I think the time will fly. We have already waited one week for furniture, so only 11 more to go!


Here are some Week 19 pregnancy stats:

How far along? 19 Weeks, 1 day

Total weight gain: 1 pound!! Finally!!

Maternity clothes? mostly yoga pants and maternity leggings with long tunic tops or t-shirts with the yoga pants. Once school starts back, it will be interesting to see what I wear...

Stretch marks? no. Thank you Mamma Mio cream, keep up the good work!

Sleep: sleep is still just ok, still getting up a time or two to pee. I also have been getting about one Charley Horse a week which KILLS, and when I wake up in the morning my left hip aches for a few hours because I sleep on it all night! Maybe a maternity pillow won't be so bad....

Best moment this week: Getting the nursery crown moulding up and painted!

Miss Anything? I got a prenatal massage, but had to lay on my side the whole time. I miss being able to lay on my stomach and back for a massage, I think I could have relaxed even more! Also, I miss hot baths :(

Movement: I am 99.9% sure that I have felt movement, I described it on a May 2012 mom's forum and they said that the feeling I described is a great description for what theirs felt like at first. It felt like a few super strong pulse thumps. Also, tonight I laid down and got out the doppler to listen to his heartbeat and noticed that my belly was flattened on one side and poofed way up on the other. I found the heartbeat on the poofed up side! I got up to get my camera to take a picture, and then laid down and poked that side of my belly to see if I could feel movements, but nothing. During the getting up, trying to take a picture, and pushing to feel movements, he moved over to the center of my belly. It flattened back out, and I could find the heartbeat right under my belly button! While I didn't feel any movement, I definitely saw it by the different belly shapes!

Food cravings: still liking fruity snacks like Gushers!

Anything making you queasy or sick: not this week!

Gender: Boy! Hunter Ryan 

Labor Signs: Nope

Symptoms: Nothing really, other than my bump is getting bigger! I guess the leg cramps as well. 

Belly Button in or out? in, but getting wide and more open. It used to be all wrinkly in there, and now it is smooth because it is so stretched out!

Wedding rings on or off? on, they fit totally fine, maybe because its kind of cold?

Happy or Moody most of the time: so very happy, but sometimes a touch moody!

Looking forward to: getting the furniture, 1 week down, 11 to go!!

A Bump For New Year's

Here is a quick picture of my New Year's Eve bump:

I DID wear tights when we went out, but when we got home I took them off, and then wanted a picture and didn't want to put them back on. To see the whole ensemble.... click here.

18 weeks

How far along? 18 Weeks, 1 day

Total weight gain: still 0 pounds

Maternity clothes? mostly my regular clothes with a few maternity items mixed in. Jeans need to be unbuttoned and some pairs also unzipped with the help of a belly band. I got a couple of pairs of maternity leggings for Christmas.... LOVE them!!

Stretch marks? no. Thank you Mamma Mio cream, keep up the good work!

Sleep: sleep is still just ok, still getting up a time or two to pee

Best moment this week: purchasing our nursery furniture! Sad that it will take 3 months :(

Miss Anything? feeling normal. I have been feeling just yucky this week- that gaggy feeling, and upset tummy feeling every day this week!

Movement: I STILL have not felt anything yet, but I have heard that is is normal to have to wait until 20-23 weeks. I am still a little early I guess.

Food cravings: This week I have been craving turkey and gravy. My mom said she was making it for Christmas and when the day finally came, her food did not disappoint!

Anything making you queasy or sick: meat in general still, I can't eat too much and can't cook it. Also, anything that smells too strong makes me feel a little sick as well, even if it is a good smell!

Gender: Boy! Hunter Ryan 

Labor Signs: Nope

Symptoms: Heartburn sometimes, hunger a lot, and gagging and dry heaving if I get too hungry. I also got a terrible Charley Horse in my calf two days ago and it STILL hurts. I have heard this is common in pregnancy.

Belly Button in or out? in, but getting wider, it's definitely weird!

Wedding rings on or off? on, they fit totally fine, maybe because its kind of cold?

Happy or Moody most of the time: so very happy, but sometimes a touch moody!

Looking forward to: Our next doctor's appointment at 19 weeks, I am hoping they will do the anatomy scan!

Loving the Bump!

Latest bump!

Here I am at 15 weeks and 1 day. We only have 6 days until our gender scan and we are beyond ready! Even Tim is counting down the days!!

I'm not sure if it's any bigger then than the 12 week bump, but I love seeing it in the mirror. I feel like I am looking right at our baby!

Bump-it for Turkey Day!

I got dressed in the morning for the kindergarten Turkey Day celebration in something that used to be something that seemed to make me look thin. So, now that the weather had gotten a little cooler so I figured I would hide the bloat. Boy way I wrong! Here is what happened when I got dressed!

I had a bloaty/pooch before, but this is undeniable, haha! I love it!