35/35!!!!

Here is the info from baby center.com for week 35: Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that she's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew). Because it's so snug in your womb, she isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times she kicks should remain about the same. Her kidneys are fully developed now, and her liver can process some waste products. Most of her basic physical development is now complete — she'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Wow!!! 35 weeks pregnant and 35 days to go! And boy do I feel 35 weeks pregnant, I think I am getting hit with all the pregnancy uncomfortableness at once! My back is always killing me, I am so tired, constant bathroom trips, and the heartburn....but I love feeling her kicks and movements and cherish being pregnant! Here is the 35 week bump pic...I felt HUGE that day!

Neal and the doggies enjoying the first and last day we used our inflatable pool in the backyard, Tucker jumped in it the next day and popped it!

Kandace helped me get organized earlier this week, we got Blakely's clothes folded and put away and organized the dresser, but still lots to do....trying to decide on some nursery decor which is hard to do on bedrest. I have my work shower next week, so after that we will pick up anything else we need and then we should be ready...whatever that means! haha!

Here are some of her folded clothes in the drawers....

-Mrs.

34 weeks!

Here is the info from babycenter.com: Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which she'll need to regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well.

I am excited to be at this point, things are getting a tab bit more uncomfortable but not too bad, just getting up a lot during the night and moving a little slower.... I love being pregnant and feeling her move around! But, I am also started to get really excited about meeting her and holding her and just generally loving on her!!!! I feel like we still have quite a bit to do, going to take the car seat to get installed next week and put some finishing touches on her room and get it ORGANIZED, also we need to get our bags backed for the hospital!

-Mrs.

Bump pics, Nursery update and labor class!

So, we started our labor and delivery class last week, 1 down, 3 more to go! It was good and I think it will be helpful. Neal was sitting next to me nodding his head along with everything the instructor said that he agreed with...haha! Here he is on our way out the door, I was so excited to get out!!!! The best part of the class is at the end when we get on our blankets and pillows and Neal has to give me a back massage while the instructor does the relaxation part of the class! So great!

Here is a bump pic from last night! Getting bigger...
and here is Neal's bump pic....

Our newest addition to the baby's room, drapes!!! Still need to get the tie backs up but we love them, thanks Mom!

Bed rest is going okay...all of our appointment have been great! Baby is growing and doing well, 5.5 lbs. at the last growth ultrasound and she had hair!!! Can't wait to get those bows in her hair.
At my dr's appt yesterday, we discussed scheduling an induction for 39 weeks if she has not arrived by then, so should know that date in the next two weeks. I can't believe that she will be here in approx. 5 weeks!!!!

-Mrs.

Week 33!!!

Here is the info from thebump.com for week 33: Baby’s senses are continuing to improve -- when light peeks in through your (extremely) stretched belly, those tiny eyelids and irises blink and dilate. And, baby can now recognize and react to simple songs… time to start practicing your lullabies! Growth (at least inside your womb) is starting to slow.

and here is the info from babycenter.com (I thought that they have a bit more info): This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. She's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and her skeleton is hardening. The bones in her skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for her to fit through the birth canal.

Here we are on Mother's Day 2009! and Tucker wanted to join in...haha! We had brunch at our place with my family and then Neal went to dinner later that day with his family...it was a nice day. Neal got me an inflatable swimming pool to use in the backyard the next couple of months, it will perfect!

• We start our labor class tonight, I am so excited for two reasons: I get out of the house (dr. approved) and I have been looking forward to doing this with Neal ever since we found out we were expecting!

• Bed rest is going okay..still feeling so lucky to have such a wonderful support group around us! I just feel like "what happened to my life?" Everything has changed and I have to depend on Neal so much more...to go to the grocery store, pick out Mother's Day cards (he did a great job!) and help around the house. He has been so amazing and I reminded every day how lucky I am. I have realized that we truly are partners for life through the good and bad and have seen first hand his amazing ability to step up during this trying time! He stays focused on the positives which really helps me!!! I love you sweetie! Someone want to pick up a card for him from me...haha!

-Mrs.

32 week bump pic!

• Here is the belated and much anticipated 32 week bump pic, my first on bed rest! haha! So bed rest is going well, everyone has been so thoughtful and helpful, from bring food and yummies to books, dvd's, flowers and the list goes on...I am so grateful to have such wonderful family and friends!!!!

• My first NST was Friday and it was good, baby was doing exactly what she should be doing...I guess I was having some contractions but everything checked out okay, just need to drink more water...

• I have so many things that I am disappointed about not being able to go and do anymore...but one of the things that was bothering me the most for some reason was not being able to go my parents pool and relax in the water...and be weightless...so I am going to have Neal pick up an inflatable pool at Target and you will be able to find me there most June days...haha! Feel free to come join me at my daily pool party!

-Mrs.

32 weeks and bedrest!

Here is the info from babycenter.com for week 32:

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

No bump picture for this week yet, Neal is on call tonight and I forgot to have my mom take one when she was here tonight...I will get one tomorrow! So, my first day of bed rest was okay, I cried most of the morning but I started to feel a bit better this afternoon...it has just been a really difficult adjustment for me. I feel so useless and like I should be doing more and I want to do more...

I have 2 NST's (Non-Stress test) every week and then monthly BPP, here is the info on those...

NST: The test involves attaching one belt to the mother’s abdomen to measure fetal heart rate and another belt to measure contractions. Movement, heart rate and “reactivity” of heart rate to movement is measured for 20-30 minutes. If the baby does not move, it does not necessarily indicate that there is a problem; the baby could just be asleep. A nurse may use a small “buzzer” to wake the baby for the remainder of the test.

BPP: The ultrasound portion of the test is like any other obstetrical ultrasound performed during pregnancy and is performed by a qualified ultrasound technician who is usually overseen by a perinatologist. The ultrasound may take up to an hour, and the technician will watch for a variety of signs that are important in measuring the health of your baby.

Usually, five specific fetal attributes are studied and “scored” during the BPP:

-Breathing

-Movement

-Muscle Tone

-Heart Rate

-Amniotic Fluid


Hopefully if those are all okay and our baby girl is developing/growing just right and my blood pressure goes down I will talk with my OB at my next visit about returning to work maybe 2-3 days a week and just sitting at my desk and driving straight there and home. I don't know if she will consider it or not but I figure it is worth a shot!

-Mrs.

Baby Shower II & new nursery pics!

Here are some pictures from a beautiful baby shower that my high school girlfriends held for me...the food was yummy and there were little bird nests around...it was perfect and so nice to see everyone!

A BUMBO...yeah!
A cute little RL polo!

A picture frame and mat for her footprint and hand print from Grandma Karel.

A precious bow holder from her talented Aunt Kandace! Everyone kept saying what a great aunt Kandace is going to make and I could not agree more!

A cute outfit from Grandma Anson!

Me and the beautiful hostesses!

Her room with the chandelier....so serene and beautiful! I want to spend all my time in there. It even motivated me to clean it, not a speck of dust in there right now! Don't know how long that will last...

A close up....we love it!

Belly Pic from after the shower!

Neal got some exciting in the mail, his permanent license. He is legit now!!!!

-Mrs.