38 weeks

Tueday I was 38 weeks which means the baby could come at anytime. We have the hospital bag packed and it is funny to think back to the bag we had for Micah's birth. It was probably at least twice the size we have packed now. I guess by the third time we have learned what we actually need and use while at the hospital. Though we have also learned that there will always be something different and something we weren't expecting.

At 38 weeks of a pregnancy that has been harder then the other two (though still easy compared to some) I am wondering if this baby boy will come early unlike the other two who were late. I have tried to by ready with all the practical necessesities for awhile knowing full well there will always be some project I wanted to complete that I didn't get to. At this point most the projects are ones that are sitting down which is good because at this point I can't be on my feet long. Thankfully for the most part I am still sleeping well. I'm usually just up once for the bathroom. I have had some insomina once back in bed, just wide awake unable to get back to sleep. Most nights I just stay in bed, one night I did take advange of the time and was up sewing in the middle of the night. Haha.

I am going to the doctor once a week and everything is looking good. This week I measuredat 38cm, last week was 39cm. The baby is definitely moving around and effecting those measurements a bit. He has dropped lower but not quite all the way down. My blood pressure is still great and the baby's heart rate is where it should be. At this point I have gained about 26 pounds. The next appointment is in a couple days and I always look forward to hearing the baby's heart and hearing him move around. I certainly feel him move!

34 Weeks

Week 34 and I am definitely feeling pregnant now. Everything is much harder to do. My energy level is decreasing too,  mainly because it takes so much energy to accomplish anything. Nesting has certainly begun, I've been anxious to get all the baby things ready and making a variety of things for the baby. As well as preparing the house and completing projects before the arrival. At my doctor's appointment I was measuring at 35cm and have gained about 24 pounds. The baby was doing well, he was moving around so his heart rate was at 155. I will go back in two weeks and then will be in every week. We are nearing the end, which is so crazy.

30 Weeks

Week 30 is here (now week 31). Even though it isn't officially a milestone other then now I go to the doctor every two weeks, I always feel like I have reached some sort of benchmark. I am still feeling pretty good. Sleeping is getting more uncomfortable but I haven't had to consistently get up to use the bathroom during that night, which is so nice. I am still experiencing SI joint pain, but it is manageable and a blessing that the really painful days are few and far between. Praying that that continues. Everything was still looking good at my doctor appointment. My weight gain seems to be about the same so far as the other kids, I've gained 23 pounds. Though I was measuring a little bigger, I measured at 32cm, typically you measure in centimeters as you are in weeks. Nothing of concern at this point. I am starting to feel limits in what I can do now because of my size and energy. But I try not to use being pregnant as an excuse to not do things and remain active. And speaking of active this boy seems to be pretty active, especially in the evenings. He moves around a lot and not just kicking but the arms and head or perhaps it is his hands up by his face. Either way I will feel him moving all around. It can be uncomfortable at times but it does make me look forward to seeing those movements when he arrives. 

23 Weeks

Over half way, time never does seem to slow down. Everything is looking really good with the baby. At my appointment this last week his heart rate was 150. I was measuring at 23cm and I've gained about 17 pounds. I do feel the baby move around, mostly when I am laying down in bed. Perhaps that is because I am not sitting still long enough during the day to notice his movements. I am feeling good being in the second trimester where your energy is mostly back and you're not too huge to make all moving around difficult. I have been having some pain in my hip/pelvis, my PT (aka my sister) says it is in the area of the SI joint. I pretty much feel it all the time and at times more acutely. This is a first for pregnancy pain for me, I'm just praying it doesn't get worse as the baby gets bigger.

18 weeks

Here I am at 18 weeks, now that I'm actually 19 weeks along (but I'm probably one of the few counting). My energy has finally returned! I still do get tired and have my days where there is not much in me. But at least I don't feel like I am about to fall asleep at any point. It is quite nice to be able to feel like I can accomplish more in the day, or at least try to accomplish more.The baby is growing and so is my belly, I can only wear maternity pants now and can only wear a few of my regular shirts. We found out at my last doctor's appointment that we are having a BOY!! Micah is excited but also not surprised he has been saying it is a boy all long and that his name is Denny. I'm not sure where that came from, we know no one named Denny. Jane points to my belly when we talk about baby but who knows how much she actually understands. We are excited to know what we are having and that he is growing well. Now we have the challenge of deciding on a name.

13 Weeks

Wow we have already made it through the first trimester. The biggest thing I noticed about the first trimester for this pregnancy is how tired I have been. I have felt like I could just fall asleep any time of the day and by the evening there is nothing left. I am still waiting for my energy to turn that supposedly does in the second trimester. I have also had to be much more diligent about eating every couple hours otherwise I will feel nauseous. Plus I have been more sensitive to what I eat, many things don't sound or smell very good. Overall though I am blessed with relatively easy pregnancy and even though I've had a few more challenges so far it has still been great.  

40 and a Half Weeks

 

Well we have made it past 40 weeks now, and that half a week certainly impacts me. Overall I am doing good but I definitely have those times of being very uncomfortable. My activity level is lower, it is hard and uncomfortable (sometime painful) to move around. I am looking forward to having energy back and the ability to move easier.

Yesterday I had a doctors appointment and I'm still doing good. I have gained a bit more weight and my blood pressure it still great (thanks to some great genes). I measured at 42cm because the baby is up a bit higher and not dropped down as low in the pelvis like she usually would at this point. That is neither a good or bad thing, I think she has been moving up and down some all along. I am 3cm dilated and 50% effaced, last week I was 2cm and also 50% effaced. So some progress but not much. I will be going into the hospital on Monday for monitoring to make sure everything looks good to continue to wait. The Farmer and I are not big proponents of inducing so we would rather wait for when I go into labor on my own. There does come a point when we would need to be concerned about the health of the placenta. But I am praying we will be having a baby soon and we won't even need to go to the hospital on Monday. We totally trust God's timing and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our little girl.

As usual here is the comparison.

38 Weeks

Phew! Now at 38 weeks I am really feeling it. I have been walking with a friend a couple times a week and it is getting slower and harder. Hopefully she doesn't mind. But even just moving around about my day is hard. I feel bad for the lack of energy and ability to move and play with Micah now. I have to keep remembering that I will be back to "normal" soon. And soon is, well, coming soon. Two weeks from the due date! (less then that now) I can't believe we have reached this point already!! Ready or not she is coming. Though there are many things I still would like to get done I am excited to meet our little girl.

I was thinking the other night about being prepared. I don't think there is ever a way to fully be prepared for a baby. But I question should I even been? Where would my moment by moment, day by day need for the Lord be then? He is the one who prepares me and equips me. I can try with all my humanly effort to get ready to welcome a new life to this world, though I will not succeed, I will still stumble in many ways when she is here. The way to be prepared then would be ready to trust and lean on God for the strength, wisdom and endurance needed. I pray that I will ready in that way when He chooses to to bring our daughter into the world.

As for the doctor report, everything looks good. Blood pressure is great, baby's heart rate is where it should be, I measured at 39cm and I have gained about 30 pounds. I am definitely feeling those 30 pounds in my hips and back. Below is the comparison to 38 weeks with Micah.
 

25 Weeks

Week 25, we are moving quite along. I might be 25 weeks but I bend over and waddle around like I'm 30 weeks along. This could be a long summer.

I had a check up last week and I am measuring big so far. Typically you measure the same number in centimeters as you are weeks, so I should have measured at 24cm. Well I was 26cm. Which two centimeters doesn't seem like a lot but looking at the pictures I am most definitely bigger. Whether that means this little lady is going to be bigger or I'm just doing growing earlier we will wait and see. I have gained about 18 pounds which last time at 25 weeks I had gained 13 pounds. Yikes that is quite a bit more. Oh well I don't feel pudgy.

This little lady moves around quite a bit, more the Micah I think. There have been times she moves my tummy. And it seems she has found my bladder to be a good punching/kicking bag. Not looking forward to that as she gets bigger. A bathroom must never be too far a way. Over all I feel pretty good, just tired. So far with these two pregnancies I have been pretty blessed to have minimal symptoms. Hopefully it will stay that way.

Here is the comparison photo, left is Micah, right is the little lady.

39 Weeks

39 weeks and a few days now.



My bags are packed and I'm ready to go.....whenever you would like to come baby boy.

The weight gain has now reached a new level, 30 pounds. I officially weigh more then C. At least I'll be on the quickest weight loss plan soon. At my doctor's appointment this week I was measuring at 39cm. I was 1.5cm dilated, 75% effaced and the baby is moving down into the pelvis. So the dilation isn't moving along yet. But I'm okay with that. You could sit at 3cm for days or even weeks. Or you could go from 6cm to 9cm within 30 minutes. I am getting contractions, nothing regular or too strong yet.

The week the baby's heart rate was low we had additional monitoring and testing. Everything came back great. So the doctor no longer saw the need for extra monitoring. Since then the baby's heart rate has continued to do well. Yay!



For curious minds......M

I will say no more.

I Wonder

So what will he look like? I'm told from the ultrasounds that he has my nose. I'm not sure, most baby noses look similar. He definitely has the potential of having red hair. I obviously did when I was younger and there is red hair within the Rice family. I wonder if he will be like a lot of the Rice kids and not have much hair for a while. For eyes, I don't know what is dominant, I have blue and C has hazel. I know brown is dominant, but would blue be dominant over hazel, or hazel over blue...hmmm? There have not been any estimates as to his size. If what C and I were born at have any bearing he could be big. I was a little of 8 pounds and C was around 10 pounds. I do wonder what he will look like, lucky for me I don't have too long to wait, less then a week from the due date.

37 Weeks and His Room

Yea! His room is done. Everything is washed and put away, diapers in the drawer. The room is ready for him, whether I am ready is a whole different story. The bedding is great. Thanks Mom! The curtains we just added some of the fabric from the bedding to the bottom. The right hand picture that is above the changing table/dresser will have his initial above it, once his name is decided. No we don't have a name yet. We do have a few picked out but I don't think we will be able to decided until we meet him. The three pictures over the crib I painted with some help from the cricut and C. I am happy with how the room turned out. Now just waiting for the little one that will make the room perfect.

Now I am a few days over 37 weeks. At my appointment my blood pressure is still good, and I'm measuring perfect at 37 cm. In the exam room the doctor was listening to the baby's heart rate with the doppler fetal monitor at one point it dropped lower then he would like. So I was put on an electronic fetal monitor for awhile. The baby's heart rate dropped a little low one other time and the rate wasn't reacting the way the doctor wanted. Then we were set over to the hospital for a biometric ultrasound. This was to check the heart rate more, the amniotic fluid levels, placenta, umbilical cord and a few other things. The bonus for this was we got to see him again and the tech printed us out a few pictures too.

My doctor wanted us back at the hospital the next morning to monitor more. This time the baby was perfect. His heart rate was where it should be, and the rate responded well when I had a contraction. But my doctor doesn't want to dismiss the few times the baby's heart rate dipped, so I will be back at the hospital on Friday to monitor, as well as my usual appointment next week in the doctor's office and one more time next week at the office. Depending on how the baby is doing we will determine if we need to continue with the extra monitoring. Counting I haven't gone into labor yet. :) As much as I could worry about all this God has given us both a great peace. We trust that God knows what is happening, and has him protected. Plus we know our son will come when he is ready and at the exact time God planned.

I Have Become One of Them

It happened last night. Around eight o'clock I was in sweat pants, relaxing. C asked if I would like to run over with him to get gas in the car. Sure I said, the gas station isn't far. I grabbed my smoothie from the freezer that I had gotten from Costco earlier, put my slippers on (who needs shoes when you're just getting gas), and got in the car.

C started to drive home, instead of turning on Cooley he went straight into Lowes' parking lot.

Me: Um...I'm not really dressed for going into a store. showing my slippers

C: Oh
That's okay, you're pregnant.

So here I am walking through Lowes, wearing slippers, drinking a smoothie and a huge belly. I never liked it when people wore slippers out to a store, or church (I really have seen this). Here I have now become one of those people that where slippers in public. I tried to walk into the store with confidence, hey I am pregnant and all. But I just hoped the whole time people wouldn't look down and notice the slippers. Maybe the belly will distract them enough.

But then, oh then. I see another pregnant woman. Just to rub it in that I look like a slob she is wearing a really cute tunic with leggings and great sandals. To top it off she is just as pregnant as I am and I don't just see her once in the store. We see her at least three times. Just get me out of here. Back where I belong, sitting on the couch, that I can't get up from.

8 Months

Baaaa!! 8 months!!?! Can I really just be a month away from having a baby. Yikes! But first what has happened since July 17th. Well, my fingers started to swell enough that I took off my ring. I was mostly worried that I would wait too long and then wouldn't be able to get it off at all. C and I went and bought a fake ring for me to wear when I'm out, I don't what to get "those" looks.

Baby Wild has started to get the hiccups quite frequently. An unfortunate trait he got from me. Now he seems to be more on his side with his legs towards my left. His little legs and feet push out often. But his body still pushes up on my right side too. I'm starting to get contractions at least once an hour. They don't bother me though, I can just feel my stomach getting tight.

I had a doctors appointment yesterday. I now have gained 28 pounds, haven't passed C yet. My blood pressure is still doing great 94/60. And I measured at 35.5cm. I will be going into the doctors every week now. I remember when the told me the last month I will start coming in once a week and that seemed so far away. Hard to believe we are at that point. I'm sure it will make these last few weeks go quicker.

I had a wonderful shower on the 31st with my family and old roommates. I am blessed by all of them!
My parents came this last weekend. It was great to have them here and help get a few more things ready for our baby. It was strange when we said goodbye, because the next time I see them it will be with the baby. All I can think is weird. I know it is now almost half way through August, but in my mind I still think it is July. Or maybe it is me just wishing it was still July. I am anxious and really excited to meet our boy. But there is still so much I want to get done before he gets here. Starting to mentally prepare to be okay if I don't meet all those goals.

Also, been getting back into couponing after the hiatus from when C was gone. It has taken awhile to rebuild my coupon supply, get the motivation back, and fit it back into my weekly routine. Here is the latest trip to Rite Aid.After a mail in rebate, and UP rewards (money off on your next purchase) and coupons I paid $3.90. Please ignore the eggs, these were bought out of laziness necessity. So take out the eggs and I paid $2.61 for everything else

Here I am with the still ever growing belly at 35 weeks. I still don't feel as big as I look in the pictures. Though it is getting harder to get in and out of bed, off the couch, moving around etc.

32 Weeks

Less than two months?! I feel like there is still so much to do to. So many things to get ready before this little guy gets here. But he is doing well. He moves around quite a bit, especially first thing in the morning and at night. He seems to like the right side of my belly. C says it is because my stomach is on the left side. There are many times my belly is lopsided to the right side. It looks funny. But my organs and lower ribs on the right side are getting a little sore from his constant pressure and kicking. I do enjoy getting to feel him when he is sticking out, whether it is his body or a limb. When he really gets moving my whole belly shakes. Makes me curious what this movements are going to look like when he is here.

When I look at those pictures I am surprised. I really don't feel like my stomach is that big. But looking at the pictures, wow, my belly is really sticking out. The boy is growing. :)

We have painted his room now. And just today my Mom finished sewing the bumper and skirt for the crib!! Can't wait to get those in the room. Things will really start to come together then. In painting the room, we (by we I mean C) first had to paint the ceiling. It was originally the same color as the walls, so it would have looked weird not to paint it. The walls are now green and a pale creamy yellow. Pictures will come later.


This is what I looked like when keeping C company while he painted. I did edge some, though not enough to say I really contributed, (but I can think I did right?). The mask worked great, couldn't smell a thing. But it did leave lovely marks on my face that took awhile to go away.

29 Weeks

At 29 weeks....

I now weigh more than I ever have, I've gained 20 pounds.

My blood pressure is still doing great, 98/60 at my appointment today.

I measure 29cm.

I feel like I have to pee all the time. Sometimes I will go, walk out to the front, sit down and feel like I have to go, again.

I am starting to understand the true meaning of back pain

The baby moves around all the time, sometimes moving my whole belly. He is most active first thing in the morning and at night.

Sometimes I can feel body parts. Usually I can't tell if it is his head or rump. One time I felt either a foot, shoulder, knee or something that was small and somewhat round.

Can pretty much only wear maternity clothes now.

I now go to the doctor every two weeks.

I can definitely tell now when he is on my bladder, occasionally hitting it and making me really feel like I have to go.

I am getting tired of having to use public restrooms but "holding it" is no longer an option.

Sleeping is starting to get more uncomfortable (think back pain).

Baby Carriers

There are a variety of designs out for baby carriers. It makes it hard to decide. These are three of the different types.


This is the Moby Wrap, cost around $40.
Pros:
Variety of ways you can carry baby
Price isn't too high
When baby is really young I can keep him snuggled close

Cons:
I've always thought with slings how easily a baby could not be getting enough oxygen
Seems like I would be wearing a whole other shirt, making me all the more warmer
Could be complicated/time consuming getting me and baby all wrapped up



The Ergo, cost around $105
Pros:
Love that it has a waist band, so baby's weight is there instead of all on your shoulders
Can do front, back and side carrying
Pocket would be nice to be able to put just a few things in
Can be used baby to toddler

Cons:
Price, would also have to buy a newborn insert costing about $38
Baby can only face in



The Baby Bjorn, cost varies Pro:
Baby can face in or out
Popular, so easy to find at a consignment store in great condition

Con:
Weight of baby is all on your shoulders
Lots of snaps and straps, easy once you know it, but still


Now which to choose.....


We did go to Babies-R-Us today and found a carrier where baby can face in or our and there is a waist strap. Maybe that is our answer.

Design Inspiration

I already had ideas in my head of various design schemes for the room. Most of which were bolder colors, more boy than baby. But then I saw this blanket at Target. I really liked the color combination. Plus once we bought the chair with light blue cushions that sealed the deal.

Plus seriously how cute is that elephant? One of my circut cartridges' has various animals (including an elephant), so now I need to decide how I want to use that in the room. Right now I'm set on finding a crib and dresser to use a changing table before much the design comes together. Lots of ideas though, but nothing decided. I also need to take a trip to the fabric store to find some fabric that would work with this color scheme.

Here are a few more of the things from the line at Target (thanks Jackie!).



In other news, I no longer have a belly button. It is not an innie or an outie, just flat.

The Buying Begins

If you didn't notice in the week 25 pictures let me point it out. See that stretchy band...yep, I did it. I bought maternity jeans. And you know what, they are much more comfortable. I still wear my regular jeans with the belly bands though. Maybe I'll only have to buy one pair of maternity jeans, (fingers crossed).

First piece of furniture for the baby's room! We went around to a few garage sales the first weekend we were back in Bend and found this chair. It is in really good shape, construction looks good and all the cushions are removable (read easier to clean or recover in the future). The price was good too. We couldn't walk away from it, so the first color of the baby's room has been determined.

Since then I saw this blanket at Target that I love the color scheme of. It is light blue, green, brown and yellow. Sounds like a lot of colors, I know, but some of those will just be accent colors. At first I was thinking of designing the baby's room with stronger colors, not so "baby" but I really liked these colors together. It also had this really cute elephant, which I envision some cricut animals decorating the space. :) Pictures to come.

Now the stock piling has also begun. With sales and coupons we got these at about ten cents per diaper. I'm happy with that price but I hope to get that lower with better sales. As of now I think I have enough newborn diapers as long as we don't have a really small baby that is slow to put on weight. Now on to wipes....

25 Weeks

Well almost 25 and half weeks now. There is definitely a baby in there. It has been fun talking about him as a boy, referring to him as our son. I feel him moving around every day. Some days much more then others. He seems to be the most active when I'm sitting or (naturally) when I'm in bed trying to sleep. When he really kicks you can see my belly move. Very weird but neat as well.

I am still sleeping pretty well. Only some nights do I need to get up to go to the bathroom. I do flop back and forth from side to side, trying not to sleep on my back unless my right side is elevated. Luckily the moving around doesn't bother me too much yet, hopefully it isn't bothering C.

I have gained about 13 pounds, which I'm pleased, seems like a good amount for about to be starting the third trimester. Plus for me, I'll be the most pregnant during the months we are all most naturally active and eating better. If it was during winter months I'm sure I would be eating way too many holiday cookies. Though every couple hours I do get hungry. At meals I can't eat as much, which I'm sure this will increase as my baby boy gets bigger. Right now I'm just trying not to get in the mind set of I'm eating for two. Yes I need to eat more calories but not twice as much.