What's up with baby in week 27: baby has hit the 2lb mark! She is starting to get wrinkled skin due to being in the 'swimming pool' 24-7, but she is also developing her looks. Once she is born, the wrinkles will go away as she fills out into her chubby baby form.
What's up with mom: mom is now in the third trimester! My due date will be here in just 13 weeks from today. I am happy to report that I have been gaining a typical amount of weight during my pregnancy and it's pretty much all in the belly (and some in the boobs)! My pre-pregnancy weight was about 130 and I'm now at about 142-145. I suppose I look pretty good for being 6 months pregnant and I feel pretty good too.
I had my first occurrence of heart burn this week. But I think that's my fault for eating sausage pizza. Sausage has always been a bit unsettling to my digestive system.
I also finally got going on the baby registry. I tool some wise advice and brought along my friend who has two young kids. She has pretty much tried out all the stuff on the market. During our shopping outing, she said, you need this and you don't need that and I gladly scanned items to fill out my registry.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Week 26 - Baby Hearing
What's up with baby in week 26: I've been wondering for a while what the baby can hear in the uterus. I found some info online. It turns out that the baby can hear quite a bit actually (and I assumed the uterus was a quiet, peaceful place). The baby can hear my heartbeat, digestion, and other body function noises. The baby can also hear noises outside my body. If they are loud or sudden, she might even 'jump' at the sound. One website even said that the uterus allows some light in, so that the baby can sense lightness and darkness to some extent. Wow.
What's up with mom: mom is starting to have trouble sleeping. I really shouldn't sleep on my back or side anymore so finding a comfortable position is getting harder as my belly gets bigger. Plus, I think I am waking up in the middle of the night (3am usually) as a result of some biological urge...either to go to the bathroom or get a drink of water or because I'm hungry. I am not really sure if I want to be be eating a snack in the middle of the night or not. I have lately been eating a cracker or two that I keep by my bed. Then again, it could be just the dog waking me up. He seems to have the same needs...and often gets a cracker too :)
What's up with mom: mom is starting to have trouble sleeping. I really shouldn't sleep on my back or side anymore so finding a comfortable position is getting harder as my belly gets bigger. Plus, I think I am waking up in the middle of the night (3am usually) as a result of some biological urge...either to go to the bathroom or get a drink of water or because I'm hungry. I am not really sure if I want to be be eating a snack in the middle of the night or not. I have lately been eating a cracker or two that I keep by my bed. Then again, it could be just the dog waking me up. He seems to have the same needs...and often gets a cracker too :)
Week 25 - Nursery Planning
Last week was week 25. Now that the holidays are past, my husband and I are ready to focus on planning for the nursery. We've started to look at cribs and I have a date planned with a friend to go shop for my registry.
What's up with baby in week 25: the baby weights about 1 lb, 9 oz. The bones are continuing their ossification process, meaning they are becoming harder. Other systems continue to mature.
What's up with mom: mom really looks pregnant these days. Everyone comments on how they can really see my belly now. For the first time today, someone gave up his seat on the train. And this is Chicago in the winter, so he must have been pretty confident that even under my winter coat, that was a pregnant belly sticking out!
But getting back to the nursery planning. I bought the book: Baby Bargains (from the same authors as Bridal Bargains). And it won't be long before my husband begins his exhaustive investigation of consumer reports and online reviews of some of the more important baby items to identify the best purchases...crib, car seat, stroller. We have rave reviews from our family about the Pack and play, so I see one of those in our future. We also have a business friend that is willing to give us their crib - so that is really great.
What's up with baby in week 25: the baby weights about 1 lb, 9 oz. The bones are continuing their ossification process, meaning they are becoming harder. Other systems continue to mature.
What's up with mom: mom really looks pregnant these days. Everyone comments on how they can really see my belly now. For the first time today, someone gave up his seat on the train. And this is Chicago in the winter, so he must have been pretty confident that even under my winter coat, that was a pregnant belly sticking out!
But getting back to the nursery planning. I bought the book: Baby Bargains (from the same authors as Bridal Bargains). And it won't be long before my husband begins his exhaustive investigation of consumer reports and online reviews of some of the more important baby items to identify the best purchases...crib, car seat, stroller. We have rave reviews from our family about the Pack and play, so I see one of those in our future. We also have a business friend that is willing to give us their crib - so that is really great.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Week 24 - 3D Ultrasound
I've caught my posts back up to real time. Today we had another doctor's visit. I have to admit we think we've hit the doctor goldmine. We've had an ultrasound on 100% of our visits. Every 4 weeks I've gotten to hear the baby's heartbeat. The last two visits were Level II ultrasounds where they spent a good 15 minutes or more doing structural assessments, showing us the brain, the spinal cord, the beating 4 chambered heart, the arm bones, the leg bones, the stomach, the kidneys, the facial bone structures.
But this week takes the cake. This week, the technician went and got a 3D ultrasound wand and we got to see our baby girl in the same clarity you'd get if you shot a slightly blurry black and white video. We got to see her face just the way it looks right now. Her eyes were closed and she kept moving her hands and arms up in front of her face. At first we thought she was shy, but then I think she flipped us the bird. Really. I have a still picture the lab tech printed out where it looks like she is holding up her middle finger while the rest of her fingers are curled down. It's pretty funny. She better not give us that kind of attitude when she's born.
What's up with baby in week 24: the baby is pretty much completely formed at this point. She weights 1lb 6oz. If she were born today she would have some chance of survival with very special care, but would be spend many weeks in the hospital. She is almost a foot long. Maybe I'll nick-name her coney dog for a while.
What's up with mom: I am working on my posture. The section of my torso in the front, right below my breasts often feels tight or sore. Especially if I am slouching forward. So I've tried to sit with my torso in a more correct, shoulders back posture to stretch this area out and give it as much room as possible. The baby isn't up into this area yet, but some organs must be pushing up there as the baby and uterus grow. The baby's head is up and to my left side and she is facing across my body with her feet on my lower right side. I can certainly tell where her feet are...I feel them in that area when she is awake and kicking around.
But this week takes the cake. This week, the technician went and got a 3D ultrasound wand and we got to see our baby girl in the same clarity you'd get if you shot a slightly blurry black and white video. We got to see her face just the way it looks right now. Her eyes were closed and she kept moving her hands and arms up in front of her face. At first we thought she was shy, but then I think she flipped us the bird. Really. I have a still picture the lab tech printed out where it looks like she is holding up her middle finger while the rest of her fingers are curled down. It's pretty funny. She better not give us that kind of attitude when she's born.
What's up with baby in week 24: the baby is pretty much completely formed at this point. She weights 1lb 6oz. If she were born today she would have some chance of survival with very special care, but would be spend many weeks in the hospital. She is almost a foot long. Maybe I'll nick-name her coney dog for a while.
What's up with mom: I am working on my posture. The section of my torso in the front, right below my breasts often feels tight or sore. Especially if I am slouching forward. So I've tried to sit with my torso in a more correct, shoulders back posture to stretch this area out and give it as much room as possible. The baby isn't up into this area yet, but some organs must be pushing up there as the baby and uterus grow. The baby's head is up and to my left side and she is facing across my body with her feet on my lower right side. I can certainly tell where her feet are...I feel them in that area when she is awake and kicking around.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Week 23 - Merry Christmas
Week 23 brought about more air travel as my husband and I flew to visit his parents in Oklahoma. No getting sick on this trip!
What's up with baby girl in week 23: she continues to grow and I can tell because my belly is growing too. The uterus is practicing contractions (Braxton Hicks contractions - slight tensing of the uterine muscles) but I can't feel them. The baby is not affected by them either.
What's up with mom: mom is still really psyched to be having a girl. My husband and I got some beautiful baby gifts from our family for Christmas. We also shopped for some baby things on our own for the first time. We picked up some large butterflies to hang on the wall and butterfly curtains to decorate the baby's room (a theme is born!). I visited a local baby/kids store and bought my first baby clothes (for my baby anyway). I picked out two pink outfits and a onesie that has a horse on it and says "Well bred". Appropriate humor from Oklahoma. Once we are back home and the holidays are over, it will be time to work on a baby registry and pick out some furniture for the nursery.
What's up with baby girl in week 23: she continues to grow and I can tell because my belly is growing too. The uterus is practicing contractions (Braxton Hicks contractions - slight tensing of the uterine muscles) but I can't feel them. The baby is not affected by them either.
What's up with mom: mom is still really psyched to be having a girl. My husband and I got some beautiful baby gifts from our family for Christmas. We also shopped for some baby things on our own for the first time. We picked up some large butterflies to hang on the wall and butterfly curtains to decorate the baby's room (a theme is born!). I visited a local baby/kids store and bought my first baby clothes (for my baby anyway). I picked out two pink outfits and a onesie that has a horse on it and says "Well bred". Appropriate humor from Oklahoma. Once we are back home and the holidays are over, it will be time to work on a baby registry and pick out some furniture for the nursery.
Week 22 - Party Pooped
What's up with baby girl in week 22: she has hit the one pound mark and has developed eyebrows (which I will show her how to pluck correctly in her teenage years).
What's up with mom: mom is feeling much better. The nausea is 99% gone and I feel like I have more energy (but still not my pre-pregnancy energy levels). I notice I get winded easily when I exert physical effort such as climbing several flights of stairs or walking briskly for several blocks. My husband and I hosted a party and I really became aware of how tired I can get now that my body is supporting another person. After cleaning the house and prepping food all day, by the time the party started to get in high gear at 8PM, I had to go sit on the couch. Good thing I had my husband for help...he is now the mover of all things heavy or up high. It's a big help for hosting a party.
What's up with mom: mom is feeling much better. The nausea is 99% gone and I feel like I have more energy (but still not my pre-pregnancy energy levels). I notice I get winded easily when I exert physical effort such as climbing several flights of stairs or walking briskly for several blocks. My husband and I hosted a party and I really became aware of how tired I can get now that my body is supporting another person. After cleaning the house and prepping food all day, by the time the party started to get in high gear at 8PM, I had to go sit on the couch. Good thing I had my husband for help...he is now the mover of all things heavy or up high. It's a big help for hosting a party.
Week 21 - Love Old Navy Maternity
Week 21 really happened in the middle of December.
What's up with baby girl in week 21: she's happy to be a girl. I've done some more shopping and she's been super jazzed about that...continuing to bop around freely in the amniotic fluid. I can't always tell what position she is in, but due to where the blows come from, she is still pretty mobile, maybe mostly in a breech position. She isn't expected to move to a head down position until later in the third trimester.
What's up with mom: more maternity clothes shopping from Old Navy. Hands down the best quality to cost ratio. I was able to get multiple version of some essential items...2 pairs of nicer pants for work; 3 pairs of jeans (ok, also for work - I love my job), 3 sweaters and 4 long sleeve t-shirts. All for about the same cost as 5 items at the fancy-schmancy maternity boutique.
I also love borrowing. I have two friends who have gone before me in the baby making department. They both loaned me some great maternity items. One friend had stocked up on a 'office' wardrobe, so I will be looking more professional in my office job than I had planned. That is a big help. I am not sure if there would have been (there might still be) a point in the pregnancy when I give up and start wearing sweatpants to work, but the loaner wardrobes might stave that off.
What's up with baby girl in week 21: she's happy to be a girl. I've done some more shopping and she's been super jazzed about that...continuing to bop around freely in the amniotic fluid. I can't always tell what position she is in, but due to where the blows come from, she is still pretty mobile, maybe mostly in a breech position. She isn't expected to move to a head down position until later in the third trimester.
What's up with mom: more maternity clothes shopping from Old Navy. Hands down the best quality to cost ratio. I was able to get multiple version of some essential items...2 pairs of nicer pants for work; 3 pairs of jeans (ok, also for work - I love my job), 3 sweaters and 4 long sleeve t-shirts. All for about the same cost as 5 items at the fancy-schmancy maternity boutique.
I also love borrowing. I have two friends who have gone before me in the baby making department. They both loaned me some great maternity items. One friend had stocked up on a 'office' wardrobe, so I will be looking more professional in my office job than I had planned. That is a big help. I am not sure if there would have been (there might still be) a point in the pregnancy when I give up and start wearing sweatpants to work, but the loaner wardrobes might stave that off.
Week 20 - It's a Girl!
Woo Hoo! We went to the doctor this week and found out we're having a girl. Exact date of the big news (sorry, still catching up to real time) December 6. This also marks the halfway point of the pregnancy.
What's up with the baby in week 20: now that we know she is a girl, we also know that her ovaries are forming primitive egg cells. She also has teeth buds forming under her gums. At 20 weeks, she is covered with laguno hair, a fine layer of hair over her whole body. The baby weighs 10 ounces and is about 10 inches in length.
What's up with mom: mom is so happy to be having a baby girl. Despite the more difficult challenge of finding the perfect girl name (for some reason boy names had been coming to me), I am super happy to be having a girl. I was secretly looking forward to decorating the baby's room with girly things. All my girlfriends in the city are so excited that I'll be having a girl...they are going to have so much fun cooing over the pink outfits and thinking about how young is too young to have a designer handbag and wear lip gloss.
When asked if he was hoping for a boy or a girl, my husband indicated that he hadn't been hoping one way or the other and that he is very happy to be expecting a girl. I think he will be a wonderful father to 'daddy's little girl', so I'm really looking forward to it.
What's up with the baby in week 20: now that we know she is a girl, we also know that her ovaries are forming primitive egg cells. She also has teeth buds forming under her gums. At 20 weeks, she is covered with laguno hair, a fine layer of hair over her whole body. The baby weighs 10 ounces and is about 10 inches in length.
What's up with mom: mom is so happy to be having a baby girl. Despite the more difficult challenge of finding the perfect girl name (for some reason boy names had been coming to me), I am super happy to be having a girl. I was secretly looking forward to decorating the baby's room with girly things. All my girlfriends in the city are so excited that I'll be having a girl...they are going to have so much fun cooing over the pink outfits and thinking about how young is too young to have a designer handbag and wear lip gloss.
When asked if he was hoping for a boy or a girl, my husband indicated that he hadn't been hoping one way or the other and that he is very happy to be expecting a girl. I think he will be a wonderful father to 'daddy's little girl', so I'm really looking forward to it.
Week 19 - Sleep Changes
What's up with baby in week 19: the baby weighs 8 ounces this week and has developed its own sleep cycles. Apparently, its sleep cycles aren't in sync with mine because sometimes when I lay down to go to bed, the baby can be pretty active and keep me awake.
What's up with mom: for a few weeks now the pregnancy books I've been reading strongly suggest that I need to change my sleeping position. I am really used to sleeping on my stomach, but I also find that laying flat on my back is comfortable. Apparently those are bad positions for the baby at this point in the pregnancy. Stomach sleeping could put undue pressure on the baby and laying flat on the back causes the uterus to lie directly on the major ateries that supply blood to the baby and my lower extremeties. So I've started to try and sleep on my side. I still wake up on my stomach or back from time to time, but I'm working on it.
I certainly can feel the baby move now. I almost don't know how to describe the feeling. The whole sensation of my belly changes when the baby is moving. The kicks or punches feel similar to strong digestive rumblings. Some are so strong that my husband has felt the baby move with his hand on my lower stomach. It's such an amaxing experience to share together. I had thought that he'd have to wait until much later in the pregnancy to feel movement, and that for a while it would just be my own private experience with the baby, but lucky for us, the baby wants dad to be getting involved with the fun early.
What's up with mom: for a few weeks now the pregnancy books I've been reading strongly suggest that I need to change my sleeping position. I am really used to sleeping on my stomach, but I also find that laying flat on my back is comfortable. Apparently those are bad positions for the baby at this point in the pregnancy. Stomach sleeping could put undue pressure on the baby and laying flat on the back causes the uterus to lie directly on the major ateries that supply blood to the baby and my lower extremeties. So I've started to try and sleep on my side. I still wake up on my stomach or back from time to time, but I'm working on it.
I certainly can feel the baby move now. I almost don't know how to describe the feeling. The whole sensation of my belly changes when the baby is moving. The kicks or punches feel similar to strong digestive rumblings. Some are so strong that my husband has felt the baby move with his hand on my lower stomach. It's such an amaxing experience to share together. I had thought that he'd have to wait until much later in the pregnancy to feel movement, and that for a while it would just be my own private experience with the baby, but lucky for us, the baby wants dad to be getting involved with the fun early.
Week 18 - Baby Testing the Dog
Still playing catch up to real time. Week 18 for me was Thanksgiving Day Nov 23.
What's up with baby in week 18: baby is up to 8 inches in length and 7 ounces in weight. The baby has developed the pads on his/her fingers and toes and is even beginning to form fingerprints.
What's up with mom: mmm turkey. Nothing better than being pregnant for the holidays. Not that anything stopped me in years past, but I can eat anything I want and people let me get in line first. I was very happy to spend the holiday with my parents and brother's family who haven't seen me since I started to show. My brother's family brought their 6 month old baby girl with them, so it was some good time for practice with a baby...for me and for our dog. We had an idea that our adopted greyhound would be ok with kids, but we though we'd put him to the test. He passed. Our niece played with him on the floor and he let her touch and pet and pull on him without so much as a disgrunteled look or growl.
What's up with baby in week 18: baby is up to 8 inches in length and 7 ounces in weight. The baby has developed the pads on his/her fingers and toes and is even beginning to form fingerprints.
What's up with mom: mmm turkey. Nothing better than being pregnant for the holidays. Not that anything stopped me in years past, but I can eat anything I want and people let me get in line first. I was very happy to spend the holiday with my parents and brother's family who haven't seen me since I started to show. My brother's family brought their 6 month old baby girl with them, so it was some good time for practice with a baby...for me and for our dog. We had an idea that our adopted greyhound would be ok with kids, but we though we'd put him to the test. He passed. Our niece played with him on the floor and he let her touch and pet and pull on him without so much as a disgrunteled look or growl.
Week 17 - Babymoon in Prague
What's up with baby in week 17: the baby is now developing fat deposits under the skin to help keep it warm when it is born. Loud sounds can now be heard by the baby. One pregnancy website even said that really loud and sudden noises can startle the baby.
What's up with mom: last week my husband and I took what we are calling a 'Babymoon'. We took a 4 day trip to Prague in the Czech Republic. It was my second trip there and my husband's first. We wanted to get in some world travel before the little one arrives. I suspect after baby is born, we will take most of our trips to visit family. On a side note, when we want to splurge for a nice hotel in a foreign destination we look for a Leading Small Hotel... www.leadingsmallhotelsoftheworld.com
The trip to Prague also reminded me that I'm not over the nausea yet. I had two fun experiences while traveling. At the end of our trip, as the car driver was taking us from the hotel to the airport and I had to ask him to pull over so I could be sick. Nothing like puking along the side of the Prague interstate. I was ok all the the way back to Chicago until we landed at OHare. The plane taxied around so much to get to our gate that I got carsick (I guess that's what you'd call it) and threw up in an airsick bag. Once I realized how great the airsick bags were, I stocked up on a few from nearby seats and now carry one with me at all times.
What's up with mom: last week my husband and I took what we are calling a 'Babymoon'. We took a 4 day trip to Prague in the Czech Republic. It was my second trip there and my husband's first. We wanted to get in some world travel before the little one arrives. I suspect after baby is born, we will take most of our trips to visit family. On a side note, when we want to splurge for a nice hotel in a foreign destination we look for a Leading Small Hotel... www.leadingsmallhotelsoftheworld.com
The trip to Prague also reminded me that I'm not over the nausea yet. I had two fun experiences while traveling. At the end of our trip, as the car driver was taking us from the hotel to the airport and I had to ask him to pull over so I could be sick. Nothing like puking along the side of the Prague interstate. I was ok all the the way back to Chicago until we landed at OHare. The plane taxied around so much to get to our gate that I got carsick (I guess that's what you'd call it) and threw up in an airsick bag. Once I realized how great the airsick bags were, I stocked up on a few from nearby seats and now carry one with me at all times.
Week 16 - Movement?
What's up with baby in week 16: this week marks month 4. The baby has fully developed fingernails and empties it's bladder every 40-45 minutes. Sounds like a reall person , despite weighing only 3 ounces - amazing!
What's up with mom: I read that I could start to feel the baby moving inside me this week, so I've been trying to detect any changes down there. Women who have had a previous baby can often feel their baby move this early since they know what to look for. I asked a few moms in my office what it felt like to them and I got some really interesting responses. Some said it really feels like gas bubbles, so it's hard to tell sometimes, especially if you are having a gassy pregnancy (oh great!). One mom told me it was like the concept of flicking a computer screen or window with an index finger...almost like the baby was trying to communicate "Hey there. Hey there. Can you feel me in here."
What's up with mom: I read that I could start to feel the baby moving inside me this week, so I've been trying to detect any changes down there. Women who have had a previous baby can often feel their baby move this early since they know what to look for. I asked a few moms in my office what it felt like to them and I got some really interesting responses. Some said it really feels like gas bubbles, so it's hard to tell sometimes, especially if you are having a gassy pregnancy (oh great!). One mom told me it was like the concept of flicking a computer screen or window with an index finger...almost like the baby was trying to communicate "Hey there. Hey there. Can you feel me in here."
Week 15 - Shopping
What's up with baby in week 15: by this week my baby might be sucking his/her thumb. I can't wait to see the next ultrasound to find out if this is true.
What's up with mom: clothes are starting to get tighter. I'm ready to look pregnant, but really I just look like I have a tiny 'pooch' tummy. I couldn't resist the urge to shop for maternity clothes. I dragged a friend out with me to brave one of the Chicago maternity boutiques. I had prepared myself for the shock of how expensive maternity clothes can be, but I hadn't done a good enought job. I had sticker shock. I suppose part of it is my own fault for shopping at Filene's Basement and TJMaxx all the time. I did grab a few items off the sale rack but splurged on a $38 tank-top that says Due in April. Then we popped into Urban Outfitters on the walk home. I had taken some cues from Lucky magazine that current fashion trends might favor pregnant women. I scored big time. Urban has so many tops that were cut with empire waists and lots of material. Plus I got this great long sweater that has two zippers, so I can zip it up from the bottom as the belly gets larger. It's quite warm and cute.
What's up with mom: clothes are starting to get tighter. I'm ready to look pregnant, but really I just look like I have a tiny 'pooch' tummy. I couldn't resist the urge to shop for maternity clothes. I dragged a friend out with me to brave one of the Chicago maternity boutiques. I had prepared myself for the shock of how expensive maternity clothes can be, but I hadn't done a good enought job. I had sticker shock. I suppose part of it is my own fault for shopping at Filene's Basement and TJMaxx all the time. I did grab a few items off the sale rack but splurged on a $38 tank-top that says Due in April. Then we popped into Urban Outfitters on the walk home. I had taken some cues from Lucky magazine that current fashion trends might favor pregnant women. I scored big time. Urban has so many tops that were cut with empire waists and lots of material. Plus I got this great long sweater that has two zippers, so I can zip it up from the bottom as the belly gets larger. It's quite warm and cute.
Week 14 - Linea Negra
What's up with baby in week 14: the baby is about 5 inches long this week. New functions for the baby include urinating into the amniotic fluid. The baby also 'breathes' the amniotic fluid in and out (which sounds really gross since it has pee in it). I read on a pregnancy website that doctors aren't sure where amniotic fluid is produced. And we thought they knew everything ;)
What's up with mom: mom is starting to see that hint of a brown line from the belly button down to the pubic bone. It's called a linea negra. I am not really sure what causes it, other than to add it to the list of strange things that happen to my body thanks to changing hormones. My uterus is about the size of a grapefuit.
What's up with mom: mom is starting to see that hint of a brown line from the belly button down to the pubic bone. It's called a linea negra. I am not really sure what causes it, other than to add it to the list of strange things that happen to my body thanks to changing hormones. My uterus is about the size of a grapefuit.
Time to Catch Up
Ooops. I managed to get 10 weeks behind in postings. I'll try to play catch up in the next few days with shorter posts about each of the weeks and what I remember of them. Happy New Year!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)