39th Week

Well the stork arrived and brought me the most wonderful gift.

Bryce Anthony Fritz

Born 11/12/13 @ 18:59
8lbs 14oz, and 22.5" long

Stay tuned for an update...my hands are a little full at the moment while I figure out this "mommy" thing.  :)

Thanks to all of you for your support!!!

38th Week

Another week has passed… welcome Week 39  (I’m nervous and excited!)

I wonder if this will be my last weekly pregnant photo?

Week 38 was a busy one in terms of medical appointments.  At my weekly OB check-up, my BP was once again elevated so Dr. A sent me to the Queensway Birthing Centre for some tests and blood work.  I was hooked up to a fetal monitor where I listened to Bryce’s heart rate for the duration of my visit.  It ranged from 134 when he was quiet to 180 when he was moving around.  I was also attached to a “contraction” monitor and had 4 episodes of painless “uterine activity” in 20 minutes.  After speaking with the on duty physician, she had me come back 2 days later for follow-up tests.  Apparently one of the blood test results came back with a high result (indicating my Kidney’s are stressed) but they were not concerned enough to keep or induce me.  Dr. A. also had me book an ultrasound for Dec. 20^th (just in case I go past my due date).  She will then schedule an induction.  (I can’t imagine waiting another 2 weeks!!)

This week was full of pampering.  I figure it might be a long time before I can get back to a spa in the coming months.  So I had a pedicure done (thanks to “Daddy"),  and painted my toenails BLUE in anticipation of the arrival of our baby boy!  I also managed to get my hair cut and add some highlights to freshen up my tired look.  

These last couple of weeks have been the longest I think.  I’m always on high alert for any little “sign” that labour is imminent.  I have been feeling a little crampy for probably 5 days now but nothing has come of it.  Secretly I hope that means I’m dilating a tiny bit so that I will have less work to do on the actual day! 

What’s happening with Baby this week? “Only two more weeks (or plus two more, max) before your baby makes his or her appearance. And what an adorable appearance that will be! Your little one isn't so little anymore — weighing in at close to seven pounds and hitting the height charts at the 21-inch mark (or less). As you prepare (best you can) for baby's ETA, he or she is also getting ready, big time. Vernix and lanugo continue to shed from your baby's body into the amniotic fluid. Your baby swallows that amniotic fluid (yum yum?) and some of it winds up in his or her intestines where it — along with other shed cells, bile, and other waste products (triple yum) — will turn into your baby's first bowel movement (meconium) and perhaps your first diaper change.  Your baby's lungs continue to mature as more and more surfactant is secreted (remember — it helps prevent the lungs from sticking to each other when your baby begins to breathe…definitely a good thing).  At 38 weeks pregnant, all systems are go!

7 days to go…plus or minus!  Yikes!!

37th Week

13 days to go?!  That gives me butterflies in my tummy!!!

Had my weekly check-up with the Doctor and she finally "wrote" me off one day shy of 38weeks.  Apparently because my BP has been elevated x 2 weeks, and with the swelling in my legs and feet, plus the higher than average weight gain (fluid) plus some other symptoms...she is concerned about Pre-eclampsia.  She has arranged an appointment at the Queensway Carleton Birthing Centre for today (Friday Dec 2nd) to have blood work drawn and run other test to determine the next course of action.  Perhaps they will recommend induction which I'm not keen on....but whatever is necessary for the safety of all.

My workplace seemed shocked that I was leaving even though they've had 8+ months to prepare.  In fact as I was leaving at 11am on my last day...they were STILL trying to task me with projects.  It was so ridiculous, I had to laugh.  I'm sure they think that I will be logging on to work from home...which I did actually do yesterday.  But that was just a one time thing...;)

While I'm still in awe over my body's ability to allow my tummy to stretch so much....I also can't believe how much my legs have swollen.  Even after a night with them "elevated" I still end up with pitted dents from where my other knee was resting.  A deep enough dent that I could use it as a bowl!  lol   Obviously just a temporary condition...but amazing what the body goes through during pregnancy.  And even more amazing that we all go back to normal....well sort of!! :)

What's happening with baby this week? "If you haven't yet delivered, you've reached the calm before the storm. You're probably monitoring your body for those first Early Labor symptoms and wondering what you've forgotten. Your smooshed-up baby is weighing in at around 6.3 lbs and 19 inches (with boys somewhat heavier and longer than girls). As far as their internal organs go, your adorable baby has reached "term" - a medical term that means your sweet little bun is birth-ready and labor is welcome and normal at this point. Despite being physically ready to land on planet Earth, your baby's immune system is quite weak and will continue to be that way for their first years of life.  Thankfully, your breast milk (aka "boob medicine") protects your child via protective antibodies that are present in your milk."

He could come any day!!  How exciting!! :)

36th Week

Cheeks are getting pretty chubby! :)

Well I've reached the end of the produce line...and am now a Watermelon!  (Yup, that feels just about right! Ugh!)

Thank you to all who attended my Baby shower this past weekend.  I was very touched that you would  all take time out of your busy schedules to help me celebrate this blessing.  The food, decorations, company, and laughter made for a fantastic afternoon. I was spoiled by all of your gifts and love…and am touched to have such amazing people in my life.  On a side note…congrats to Nanny F. who obviously has an eye for guesstimating a waistline.  BTW the measurement was 42.5”. Eeek!

I had my weekly Doctor’s appointment and everything is status quo.  I did gain 5lbs of fluid in a week, which has caused my ankles and hands to swell…and my BP was a little elevated. But according to the Doctor, “that’s normal with carrying such a big boy” and there is no reason not to continue working.  So back to work I go.  “Daddy” says he’s coming with me next week to fight my battle but I don’t know if he’s truly prepared for unsympathetic Dr. A!!  :s

Well I’ve begun ‘nesting’ which is a good sign.  I just can’t seem to get the house clean enough.  I’m sure Baby Bryce will be really impressed that I pledged the kitchen cupboards, detailed the fridge and freezer, and organized my junk drawer!! :p  Next is the Tupperware cupboard, the pantry, and my sock drawer!!

I definitely have a crazy pregnancy waddle going on.  I try to walk like a normal person…but that ends up looking even more ridiculous!  My body feels likes a rusty old tin man.  I’m so stiff and slow, and getting out of bed in the morning is like an olympic sport.  There’s the set-up, the agonizing roll over and the dismount. Then a hush falls over the room to see if I stick the landing.  Which I usually do…but on shaky legs.  The problem is my Sacro-Iliac joint.  It’s the spot right near the dimple on your lower back above your buttocks!  For me it’s the left side and every step sends shooting pain down my leg.  I had problems there before from running (over-training) and saw a Physiotherapist and Chiropractor.  Nothing really helped but rest and ice.  I suppose delivering this big bambino would help too! 

What’s happening with Baby this week? “Congratulations! Although he may have a few more weeks to go, your baby is considered full term at the end of the 36th week. The only organ that still needs some time to mature is the lungs. While you may be ready to be NOT pregnant, remember that every day your baby spends in the womb increases his chance of the prevention of breathing difficulties. This week, your baby may drop further into the birth canal in preparation for delivery. This makes breathing a lot easier for you, but walking becomes more difficult. You may be startled when your baby stretches into your ribs and bangs his head against your cervix. He is surely beginning to run out of room in those cramped quarters. The average size of babies in the 36th week is 19 inches long and 5 ¾ pounds in weight. Your baby is gaining more fat every day, and may be even forming those cute dimples around his elbows and knees. His gums are very rigid, and he will be ready to nurse or bottle-feed when he is born.”

18 days to go?!  I can't wait to meet the little guy!!  

35th Week

Goodbye 35 weeks...so much closer now to meeting our little boy!

35 weeks

16 weeks

I thought it would be neat to do
a side by side since I put this
pink shirt on recently and
realized that - much like my
belly - it has stretched to
maximum capacity! 

My Paramedic Partner Jenn threw me a baby shower this past weekend.  (Wow that sounds strange. Never in a million years did I think I would ever have a 'Baby Shower'! ) She decorated with blue and white streamers/balloons, and had lots of yummy food prepared.  And of course I was spoiled with gifts!   Being the center of attention makes me uncomfortable so opening presents has always been a difficult thing to do. I guess there is no avoiding 'being the center of attention' in the delivery room as I receive the biggest and best gift of my life! One of the guests brought her newborn baby.  When my turn came to snuggle him, I think there was a little jealousy from within as Bryce became extra squirmy!  It is very surreal to know I have the same little sweet package tucked inside my belly!

I also had a Doctor's appointment on  Monday. (I see her every week now)  Everything is looking good although I'm still measuring ahead at 39 weeks!  I tactfully broached the subject of medical leave as the long work week, and rush hour commute is getting to be a bit much. Not to mention the constant insomnia, and general discomfort.  Anyway, her reply was "you are too healthy for medical leave and I have no concerns at this point.  We'll just take it week by week"!  Then she went on to say, after I gave her a copy of the U/S report, "Oh he IS a big boy....you're going to have to push for 24 hours!"  Really nice thing to say!! What does that do to a moms thought process?  We are suggestible, especially at times when a person who has "authority" says something.  How many moms are psyched out of birthing their babies the way their body knows how to, when that seed of doubt is planted by their health care provider!?  I guess I just need to remind myself that my body will grow the perfect size baby for ME! 

What's happening with baby this week? "At 35 weeks, the average baby weighs about five and a half pounds now and measures about 18-20 inches long. The bun is almost done! This week of pregnancy, your baby is going to be concentrating on weight gain, to fill out his arms and legs into those plump little limbs we all know and love on babies. Besides looking cute, the layers of fat will also help regulate his body temperature. You may feel less kicking and more twisting and wriggling, as he is running out of room to move around in there. He may have turned to the head down position in preparation for delivery. Your little one is now sleeping through regular periods of REM and deep sleep at week 35. He is also experiencing active and quiet wakefulness where he continues to explore the environment around him. Pretty soon, he'll be a newborn! Have you been practicing "Goodnight Moon"? Your baby's hearing is fully developed and he is ready for a good story and a song."

27 days to go...I can't wait!!  As much as I loved being pregnant, I'm ready to carry him in my arms instead of my tummy!!

34th Week

I've been pregnant for 246 days!  Only 34 more to go!!

I can see why many women choose to have their babies at home.  In Hospitals, babies are subjected to a myriad of tests, procedures, prophylactic antibiotic ointments, and injections before they are even 24 hours old! Many of which are done purely because "That's what we've always done"!  For example, did you know that babies are  given a 1.0mg Vit K shot ~ 6 hours after they are born.  Like many medical procedures, it has been done routinely since the 1940's whether baby needs it or not.  (Vit K is used by the body for clotting) Now there are some instances where babies are high risk for bleeding and/or are born with disorders that affect their clotting ability…which certainly warrants "supplementation".  However I do not agree that all babies are born "deficient" in this vitamin. Who decided what level a newborn should have.  (Besides one wonders how God would overlook something that significant…OR how all babies born previous to 1940 survived without this injection.) Anyway…what really makes me nervous is that the shot contains 20,000 times the newborn's natural level of Vitamin K which is a fat soluble vitamin and is therefore stored in the body, not excreted.  Many opponents to this procedure refer to research that links high Vitamin K administration with childhood leukemia.  The reason being is that cellular division, which is still rapidly occurring in the early days of life, depends on precise amounts of Vitamin K.  BUT there is an alternative that most doctor's "forget" to suggest.  And that is gradual supplementation through breast milk. To do or not to do?! Do the risks outweigh the benefits?   That will most likely be my most difficult first parenting decision!

Did any of you catch the show “Life before Birth” that aired on Thursday night? (Discovery Channel)  It took us on a fascinating journey from pre-conception, through all the trimesters, and finally to birth.  They used computer graphics to take us inside the womb for a very interesting perspective.  It really opened my eyes to the miracle that is life.  I think we sometimes take the process for granted because it is so common, but after watching this program and seeing all the odds that are overcome for conception to even take place…it really is the most incredible event!  To watch some clips, check out the link below.

http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/discovery-promo-curiosity-life-before-birth.html

So I had my ultrasound today.  It was very exciting to see him again...and he is definitely a HIM!  There was no mistaking the anatomy this time!  And good news....he is in the right position.  The U/S tech said his head is down, his back is curved against my tummy, bum is up to the right, and his feet are tucked under my rib cage. He is very cramped for space now...and that is because they estimated his weight at 7lbs!  I still have ~5 WEEKS to go!?!  Gulp!  After taking other measurements, she said I can expect him to be about 9lbs at delivery  Ummm...hello epidural?!  That puts him in the 95th percentile which I was initially very proud of.  I mean Baby Bryce scored 95% on his very first test.  That was until "Daddy" reminded me that 95th percentile means only 5 babies out of 100 are born larger!!  Here is an Ultrasound picture of his chubby face.  It was difficult to get a great shot due to his position and size.

-

What's happening with baby this week? "Besides looking like a newborn at 34 weeks of pregnancy, your baby is acting like a newborn as well. His eyes open when he’s awake and close when he is sleeping. His sleeping cycles are the same now as they will be when he is born. He has learned to blink and can see better when a bright light is shined on your stomach. He recognizes voice and sound patterns from the outside world and is most comforted by the sound of your voice. He weighs about 4 ¾ pounds now (OR NOT) and is about 18 inches long. His fingernails have reached the end of his fingertips at week 34 of pregnancy and he may even scratch his face before he is born. His fat layers are growing every week to fill up that wrinkly skin and he may have already turned into the head down position for labor. Your baby’s central nervous system is still maturing, and his lungs are almost fully ready to breathe air. If your baby is born this week, he has a 99% chance of survival outside of the womb, pretty darn good odds." 

As Red Green (and "Daddy") says...."Remember, I'm pulling for you. We're all in this together!"

33rd Week

Goodbye week 33…

Well we spent all of last Saturday in “Baby School”.  There was a lot of information covered and “Daddy” said he learned a lot.  For me, having a medical background, most of it was a review in terms of interventions, drugs, stages of labour  etc– but I learned some breathing techniques and non-medicated comfort measures.  There was even a birthing video and I’m proud of “Daddy” for staying upright in his chair!! 

 

I also had a Doctor’s appointment this week.  I must say that she doesn’t have a very good bedside manner.  She is personable…but only runs office hours once a week.  Which means I usually spend an hour waiting for my appointment (along with 50 other women) and then get about 3 mins of her attention.  This week she took the usual measurements.  Belly is 36cm (up from 34) so still slightly ahead but I am really carrying mostly out front.  (And maybe a little extra bit on my behind!) My BP was great, no obvious swelling yet, and baby’s heart rate was about 146. Because we are doing well, it looks like I will continue to work indefinitely until this baby says otherwise! 

While I was there, I asked her to check if the baby had turned yet.  I have been feeling a lot of pressure down below and a lot of grinding, kicking up under my right ribcage...so I figured he was in position.  However, when she palpated my tummy she was quite puzzled as to which was head and which was bum.  She did say he is laying diagonally across my belly (right to left) so not totally vertical yet.  Anyway, she ordered another ultrasound which is scheduled for next Friday just to check his position. We’re excited to sneak another peek at Baby Bean!!  We haven’t seen him since 20 weeks!!

Nursery is coming along…and pretty much ready.  Although Baby won’t see much of it for the first several months as he’ll be “bunking” with us.  The original valance that came with the crib set was too narrow for the window  so I ordered a second one and hung them both. (Instead of making one from the bumper pad) I also had to order a custom blind because the window (as with all my windows) is not a standard size!  The rocking chair is also ready to be placed in its corner…where it will be put to good use on many a sleepless night!!

What’s happening with baby this week? “For all the weight and bulk you’re lugging around these days, you’d think your little champ would weigh more than a mere 4 pounds! But once you add in the placenta, amniotic fluid, and extra blood, you've got at least 10 pounds of baby and their life-support gear smooshed up against your organs! In terms of appearance, your sweet lil' looker is getting cuter and pudgier every day as they pile on that adorable baby fat. And as you know all too well, your womb kick-boxer is getting stronger with every passing day. Heck, it’s even possible to observe a well-placed belly-wobbling kick just by watching your belly! Despite their obviously increasing strength, your bigger-by-the-day baby will actually start dropping their rate of movement in the last few weeks, no thanks to their restricted womb space."

41 days left...time is flying by!!

32nd Week

A produce change...finally! Only one more to go.

I made the mistake of watching a natural, un-medicated birth on You Tube.  (People will put just about anything on You Tube...sheesh!)  It was her second delivery which surprised me when I still saw her writhing in pain and screaming.  It made me cry. I don't know why I do that to myself.  Same with all the TLC shows that I foolishly watch like "A Baby Story", or "One born every minute"!  I do so in an attempt to prepare myself for what to expect but in reality I just end up in tears and terrified.  Now thanks to the shows, I worry about shoulder dystocia and a myriad of other complications.   Sigh!  Sometimes ignorance IS bliss..

A family member referred back to an earlier blog I wrote in terms of the name we chose, and asked what we meant by it being "significant".  And while the name was already chosen BEFORE we researched its meaning, we were surprised to see how closely it mimics "Daddy's" philosophy and work ethic.  Perhaps we should rename "Daddy" Bryce Sr.?! :)

  

"This is the first and dominant impression the name Bryce conjures up in most people. Powerful, a conqueror, devours the weak and rules the strong. The name Bryce reflects money and power. He is a carnivore, a winner at all cost. Bryce has the power and potential to achieve great things. Whatever the enterprise, he strives to be the best and most successful in his field. Extremely competitive and not afraid of challenges or challengers. A visionary, a realist, and a planner. Discipline and perseverance. Dynamic and efficient. Rewards the faithful and hardworking employee, but has no tolerance for the incompetent. Bryce understands the balance between giving and taking, generosity and greed."

As I'm writing this at work (on my lunch break) I decided to take inventory of what's under my desk - a snapshot  of my snacking habits I guess!  There is a green skittle, a Cheerio, a "bead" from a candy necklace, 2 hickory sticks, something that looks like a piece of strawberry...and a penny!  There is also a questionable large dark stain on the carpet which I'd rather not identify!

Before I knew your name,
Before I saw your chin and your nose,
Before I counted your fingers and toes,
I asked heaven for someone as wonderful as you,
And every prayer and wish came true.
I dreamed of you...
Before I knew your name.

What's happening with baby this week? "Your baby is almost 4 pounds now, and measures about 17 inches long. He is starting to fit his home really well, soon to run out of space in there. Don't worry; he'll find a way to fit, maybe even into your ribs. Since he is growing larger, you may start to feel a decrease in movement as he runs out of room to do somersaults. Your baby's organs are all functioning well, with the exception of the lungs. His lungs are growing stronger every day, but it will be a few more weeks until they are fully developed.  His five senses of sight, touch, hearing, taste, and smell are now well developed, and he is practicing using these right now. He is even dreaming; as studies show that babies have periods of REM sleep in a dream state starting at about 8 months in utero. Maybe he's dreaming of your voice..."

Have I mentioned I can't believe I'm going to be a mommy in....49 days!!!  (probably once or twice eh?)

31st Week

53 days to go?!? How is that possible?! I remember writing on my 12th week blog  "…only 194 days to go!!"  

Not much to report this week...just been really busy at work.  It seems that suddenly everyone realizes I'll be going off on Maternity leave soon so everything has become a priority to get done.  Argh!

I had an OB appointment on Tuesday.  I haven't seen her for 5 weeks due to a scheduling conflict.  She took the usual measurements and said the baby is growing like a weed.  In fact, I'm measuring 2-3 weeks ahead which means I think he's gonna be a BIG boy!  (AND I've already gained 30lbs…with 8weeks to go! :s  (Who set the 25lb-35lb weight gain rule anyways?!?) She said not to worry - she won't let me go overdue.  She also told me I'm anemic, which accounts for my shortness of breath, dizziness, and fatigue. Just not making enough red blood cells for both of us.  Therefore, I have been put on iron pills which might take about a month before I see any improvement.  Going forward, my appointments will now be every 2 weeks. 

One of the girls from the "preggers" club at work gave birth this week.  A 9lb baby boy!  And she was tiny...but her belly was enormous!  That restored my faith that I can do this…as she did and lived to tell the tale!  We also had a new pregger join the club.  So wide eyed and naive…just like we all were at her stage (13 weeks).  Now us old timer, third trimester girls will have to take her under our wing (our giant jiggly wing) and show her the ropes.  :)

 

What’s happening with baby this week? “As far as growth goes, your baby's still on a roll, measuring an impressive 18 inches and weighing in at more than three pounds. At 31 weeks, you can still expect your baby to gain at least three to five pounds, possibly more, before you two meet. Your baby's brain is working overtime these days, developing faster than ever.   Connections between individual nerve cells are growing at a frenetic clip, and your baby can now perceive information from all five senses. Sure, your baby can't smell anything right now, but that's only because he or she is still submerged in amniotic fluid and needs to be breathing air to get a whiff of anything. Lucky for you - and your baby - yours will be one of the very first scents your baby breathes in, a scent that will quickly become his or her very favorite. So what's your little dove doing all day while you're busy feathering your nest for his or her arrival? Making faces, hiccupping, swallowing, breathing, pedaling with little hands and feet along your uterine wall, and even sucking his or her thumb. In fact, some babies suck their thumbs so vigorously while in the womb that they're born with a callus on their thumb.”

The countdown is on to mommy-hood.  I still can't believe I've been blessed with this gift.....

30th Week

...and I thought black was supposed to be slimming?!        

30 weeks and still a winter squash...or a head of lettuce as per "What to Expect when you're Expecting".

Well, these Braxton Hicks are occurring with alarming frequency.  I know that it's a normal process...practice contractions so to speak.  But anytime I have to tackle a set of stairs or walk any distance, they feel like they come back to back.  I'm sure I gave a few people a scare at the grocery store the other night, when I stopped dead in my tracks in the cereal aisle and grabbed my belly.  I was waiting for the intercom announcement "standby for clean up in aisle 2"!  :p  Apparently being dehydrated is one cause of frequent BH so I will try to increase my water intake.  And of course I will mention to my OB on Tuesday - perhaps she will tell me I shouldn't walk anymore!? lol

Need some pics in the frames and the rocking chair.

I finally purchased a crib!   I actually bought it at Walmart of all places. I'd been looking for a long time and never really saw anything I liked within my budget.  (And let's be realistic...why spend $400+ on a crib that will eventually become riddled with little teething tooth marks!) It was a great price, and a good name brand (Storkcraft).   It will eventually convert from a crib, to a toddler bed with safety rail, then a day bed, and finally into a full size. The whole process was an excellent demonstration of physics. Loading it onto my cart required leverage (as there was no one in sight to assist...plus I'm stubborn and hate asking for help). Gravity was used to get it into the car as I literally pushed it off the cart and hoped it landed squarely in my rear hatchback, and unloading at home demonstrated the principle of friction as I dragged it from the driveway to my door.  Once inside I carted it piece by piece up the stairs - where there is a will, there is a way!  It assembled quickly and easily...although I do have some extra bolts!! (Which I'm hoping are supposed to be used for the conversions?!)  And yes Mother, I already got in trouble for doing it alone!!

Oh and is it just hormonal me?  Or does this sneaky pampers commercial get you too?  I'd like to think that my emotions have been on an even keel this last trimester (poor AF had to walk on eggshells for the first 6 months as I would cry at the drop of a hat)  but then out of nowhere, this commercial comes on and I'm a sobbing mess again!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxbRdxbBROI

What's happening with Baby this week? "Woohoo! You can finally see the finish line now that you're in the final quarter of the race!!! Whether you felt like your pregnancy's been flying by or slower than a snail scaling Everest, you've arrived in your thirtieth week and your baby's cookin' beautifully! In animal news: the fine lanugo hair that covers their little monkey-like body will start falling off this week in preparation for the big day.  Still, don't be too shocked if your baby is hairier than you'd anticipated. Some babies keep their lanugo after birth - which is totally normal, and it will fall off eventually. Checking in on the fat factory: your little porker is getting even cuter with increasingly pudgy arms and legs, thanks to their ever-growing layers of subcutaneous brown fat. In terms of numbers, your big ol' baby should be weighing in at around 3 pounds 12 ounces (or more!) and be nearly 17.5 inches long! Keep up the good work you two!"

61 days to go.... (Eeeek!)

29th Week

 29 weeks?!  Where has the time gone.  It seems like only yesterday that I was counting the "teen" weeks!

Well, Baby is definitely running out of room. What used to be gentle kicks and twitches have now been replaced by grinding elbows and knees! (2 mins in the penalty box for elbowing!!) I think he is still laying across my abdomen because most of the "kicks" are to my sides.  He is actually supposed to flip "head down" soon.  I guess as they run out of room laying sideways, they naturally gravitate towards a "head down" position for more space. That will be when the "rib kicking" starts. Let's just hope he doesn't turn head up instead!

I attended my first pre-natal Yoga class this week.  Conveniently, I have a yoga studio literally 3 blocks from home and had attended classes there previously.  However, up until now they didn't have anything for "preggers" so I called the owner to inquire.  Turns out they couldn't find a trained instructor until just recently.  Better late than never I guess, although I think it would have been more beneficial to start at an earlier stage.  There were only 4 of us, 2 who were obviously pregnant, and 2 who barely had a bump.  The other girl and I were certainly struggling to get into and out of certain poses with our cumbersome bellies in the way.  I think for fairness...the instructor and the "little bellied" girls should have had to strap on a beach ball.

I'm pretty sure I felt Baby Beans' hiccups for the first time on Monday Oct. 3rd.  Coincidently, I had just been reading an online forum about hiccups and thought to myself that it was odd I hadn't felt any.  Well that same day, I felt this odd rhythmic twitching, underneath all the regular rolling and kicking.  Too cute.  Poor Beanie Boo!

The crib bedding arrived...and I think the internet pictures didn't do it justice.  Much more vibrant with its deep chocolate browns, rusty reds, creams, and blues.  Also, it has so many different textures with faux suede, and corduroy...I love it!  Although as I was telling my Mother, the matching mobile plays the wonkiest version of Rock-a-Bye baby I've ever heard. Maybe I didn't wind it up enough but as is, it doesn't sound too "soothing". :s  And as I suggested in my last blog, I disassembled the bumper pad. (Don't know why they even include them in crib sets anymore when they're associated with SIDS!)  Anyway, there is a ton a fabric that will be perfect for constructing a new valance (that will fit my large window) and throw pillows.  I can't wait to buy the crib so I can put it all together!!

What's happening with baby this week? " This week your baby weighs in at 2.6 pounds, (which will double or probably even triple before birth), and measures at about 16 inches. Hard to believe it now, as you probably feel like you are already at maximum capacity. The baby's head is in proportion, and the head is growing along with all the brain expansion. Don't worry, the flexible structure of the skull allows for that big noggin to pass through during birth. (Let's hope!!) The brain is controlling breathing and maintaining body temperature, although not perfectly. Even newborns have problems keeping their body temperature in check, thus you need to be careful not to overdress or allow them to get too chilled. Sensory awareness continues to be more and more sophisticated, and baby probably already has some taste and odour preferences and dislikes as well. Baby will be moving to a head-down position in the next few weeks most likely, however some babies will pop back and forth making it a guessing game until the end."

Only 70 days to go....Excited and nervous!!

28th Week

Yay I’m a squash!!!  Yikes…we’re getting into some pretty big produce now.  Gulp! 

So we’re back from our Babymoom in the Bahamas.  A gorgeous spot!  While the weather  didn’t cooperate (thanks to tropical storm Ophelia) we still had a great time just being together with no agenda or stress.  The resort was pretty crowded, and I actually saw a few baby bumps. However, I didn’t see any “Bare” baby bumps on the beach...just mine...which I ended up sunburning!  (My belly is just a touch closer to the sun than the rest of me I guess!) 

After much online searching, I settled on a crib set...even though I don’t even actually have a crib yet. :s I really didn’t want anything too cutsie which is a difficult task in regards to anything baby related.  At one point, Mom and I were looking at fabric to make our own custom creation but that didn’t seem to be any easier.  So, I found one that feels kind of vintage/cottage with its muted tones, stripes and plaids.  I think it will look nice with the slate blue paint and dark wood furniture.  It’s a 6 piece set, with a bumper, dust ruffle, fitted sheet, quilt, valance and diaper stacker. (I also bought the matching mobile) Probably won’t use the bumper  pad in the crib, but will make throw pillows out of it instead. (One for the rocking chair that Mom and Dad are generously refinishing/re-upholstering) Of course the set could only be found in the States and the taxes, duty, and shipping cost nearly as much as the bedding.  But a small price to pay for the place that Bryce will lay his head every night.

I finally had to go get new uniform shirts for work.  (Yes, even though I’m not on the road, they still makes us dress as medics including steel toe work boots everyday…which my swollen feet/ankles really appreciate!) The shirt was becoming a safety hazard to myself and those around me.  We were all sitting around with safety glasses on waiting for the lower buttons to pop.  In fact...there was even a "pool" to see how far they would fly!  lol  Oh and the replacement “maternity” shirts are just so lovely.  I think my Mother would refer to them as  “hatching jackets”.  But the good news is, if I’m ever stranded somewhere, I have my very own wearable tent!!  Just squat down, pull my head and arms inside, and I’m well protected from the elements!!! 

What’s happening with baby this week? “In the beginning of the seventh month, your baby is really looking like, well, a baby! His head hair is growing long, if he is so genetically inclined. His eyebrows and eyelashes are distinct and his eyes are completely formed. If you were to look inside, you would see him blink, grimace, and squint. His body is starting to plump up as his muscles and bones have grown and developed. Fat will soon begin to accumulate as well. While your baby would need constant medical attention if born now, his lungs are capable of breathing. Your baby is now 2.2 pounds in weight and about 15 inches long.  As your baby runs out of room, you will really feel his twists, turns, and kicks. He is going to be more and more cramped in the coming weeks, and you will notice your baby making waves across your belly.

Only 74 more days to go....

27th Week

Still an eggplant?  Come on!  I don't even like eggplant!!  Another website used cauliflower as a size comparison for this week.

Well because I am a very loved and very spoiled girl, "Daddy" is taking us on a 4 day Babymoon this weekend. A tropical paradise for sunshine and relaxation which I think we could both use before the excitement of December!  To keep you guessing on our destination, I'll only say that there is a drink named after the island...with the word Mama in it.  It's a place that I have ALWAYS wanted to go. A "Water Babies" dream!  (I just hope with my big white belly, that no one thinks I'm a beached aquatic mammal...and tries to return me to the sea!!)

I've been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions for the last couple of weeks.  Probably only 1 or 2 every couple of days.  It's painless but I can definitely feel a "tensing".  It's as if there is a drawstring through my tummy and somebody tugs on it for 30 secs or so...AND my abdomen gets rock hard!!  It's a little scary-stops me in my tracks. (Even though I know they're harmless and just preparing me for labour.)

I FINALLY heard Baby's heartbeat at home using an iPhone application "My Baby's Beat".  Yup..there's an App for that!!  :)   You can even hear the "whooshing" of the placenta (which matches my heartbeat) in the background!  Very cool.  Take a listen.

What's happening with Baby this week? "Most babies this age, yours included, still like to snuggle in a slightly curled position inside the uterus (thus the term "fetal position"). Even so, beginning at this stage, your baby's length will be measured from top of head to toe — which makes your baby nearly a full 15 inches now. And at just over two pounds, he or she has doubled in weight from four weeks ago.
 
Your baby's auditory development (hearing) is progressing as the network of nerves to the ears matures. And even though the sounds your baby hears are muffled (thanks to the creamy coating of vernix covering those ears), he or she may recognize both yours and your partner's voices.  So this might be a good time to read and even sing to your baby (or rather, your belly) — and a good chance to start boning up on those nursery rhymes and lullabies you'll need to be repeating (and repeating) pretty soon. And while you're at it, here's another way to have some family fun. If your partner presses his ear to your belly, he might be able to hear the baby's heartbeat.
 
Your baby's taste buds are very developed now too (with more taste buds than he or she will ever have outside the womb, actually). Need a taste test? If you eat some spicy food (you hot mama, you), your baby will be able to taste the difference in the amniotic fluid (but keep in mind that you'll have different mealtimes, with your baby's coming about two hours after yours). Some babies will even respond to that spicy kick by hiccupping. And although hiccups (which feel like belly spasms to you) may seem like they're disturbing to your baby, he or she isn't stressed at all. It's just one more sensation that babies need to get used to."

Only 84 days to go.....

26th Week

I'm still an Eggplant...honestly?! Sigh.  Well here is a picture anyways! (which is a little blurry but then so am I these days!)  :)

Anyone ever wonder where the saying "barefoot and pregnant" came from??   Well apparently not only does your belly swell during pregnancy, but so do your feet!  Women from financially restricted backgrounds could not afford to buy new shoes when their feet would swell, so they would just walk around without shoes or slippers hoping for the return of their normal shoe size after delivery. However, this increase in foot size is generally permanent. Our feet get bigger because pregnancy hormones cause all the ligaments in our body to  loosen...to accommodate our growing size.  Good thing I don't have a closet full of Jimmy Choo's or Manolo Blahnik's to replace!!!

I had another Doctor's appointment this week where I learned that I've gained 20lbs!  Gulp!  It's water weight....I swear!  My belly (fundal height) was also measured again.  At each prenatal visit, the doctor measures this height as an indication of whether the baby is growing normally. (It's the distance between the pubic bone and the top of the uterus). About mid pregnancy, the measurement of the fundal height should correspond to the number of weeks of the pregnancy. (+ or - 2cm) For example, at 27 weeks of pregnancy, the fundus should measure 27 centimeters. At 26 weeks 5 days, mine was measuring 29cm!  Oops. She didn't seem concerned though and even said "your baby is really growing well!"   I seem to be carrying all out front...like a torpedo belly...which may play a part in measuring bigger. (At least that's what I'll tell myself)  It has nothing to do with "Mr Cravings" who reappeared after a short absence and brought me delicious Butter Tarts today.  (Which I consumed with pure gluttony!) :s 

We've been talking about taking a "Babymoon"  It's apparently a hot trend in pregnancy... a clever take on a honeymoon. A babymoon has the same goal and that is to provide you and your partner some special time together. Many hotels even offer babymoon packages with pampering in mind. Some packages include mini-fridges stocked with pickles and ice cream, or a couple's massage with a pregnancy-trained masseuse. I think a little weekend away together would be a lovely chance to relax before our lives change (for the better) forever! :)

Last night while laying in bed, Bryce was extra squirmy!  I tried to capture some of it on film.  Take a look.

What's happening with baby this week? "Baby continues to make breathing movements, but there is no air in his lungs yet. Hands are active and muscle coordination is such that he can get a thumb into the mouth. Thumb sucking calms the baby and strengthens the cheek and jaw muscles. The fetal brain scan will show response to touch. Touching and playing with the baby is possible now, as they may respond to your touch through your belly wall. Brain growth continues with brain wave activity for the visual and auditory systems starting to develop. Baby is probably very active in the womb, as the most active weeks are typically between weeks 24 and 28. You may begin feeling your belly tighten and relax at odd moments or irregular intervals. These are Braxton Hicks contractions. They are painless and help the uterus prepare for the birth. Many babies have developed a predictable routine for sleep and active periods. The end of week 26 marks the end of month six, which is the last month of the second trimester".

Hello 3rd trimester...nice to meet you!  Please be kind and do not give me special gifts of aches, pains, swelling, varicose veins, stretch marks and other goodies associated with later stage pregnancy!  Thank you!

  

25th Week

Still an eggplant...although another website used a Cucumber as a "length" comparison for this week.

Epidural without guilt? Turns out the epidural debate is as hot as the Breastfeeding debate.  Ask a handful of women and you're bound to cause a heated discussion.  I was speaking with two medics yesterday who are just back from Maternity leave. They praised the epidural saying it allowed them to "enjoy the experience more because they weren't distracted by the pain."  But then speaking to others, they say that the pain is PART of the experience and warned me that the risks of an epidural outweighed the benefits including;    lowering baby's heart rate,  stalling labour, nerve damage AND allergic reaction.  Some will even go so far as to say that the endorphins released from the pain of childbirth, help you to bond with your child faster!  On the other hand, some say that the risk of tearing is less with an epidural because you are more relaxed!?  Up until this point I always just expected I would go natural, as my Mother and Sister have done.  I thought that I wouldn't truly "experience" the birth without the pain.  But if I'm so focused on the pain, I may actually MISS the experience!?  Perhaps I'm just getting cold feet as the delivery date approaches!! :s  I guess I can always leave the option on the table and take it one contraction at a time!

Have you heard of baby sign language?  The theory is that we are all  born with an instinctive need to communicate but speech requires motor skill that babies only master after a year +.  Studies show that while infants may lack these skills, they do have the ability to understand and use 'language" before they can actually 'speak'.  Babies who are taught to sign have the ability to communicate when they are tired, thirsty, hungry, or even when they want another story read.  Research has shown that babies who sign are less frustrated since they have a way of expressing their wants and needs.  BUT will this cause a delay in actual speech??  The same research says NO.  Amazingly, babies who are taught a few simple signs not only speak earlier than non-signers but have larger vocabularies and become better readers.  It has to do with stimulating more synapses of the brain.  Signing babies even have IQ's that are 10-12 points higher.  When you think about it, babies instinctively "sign" already.  For example, without being taught, a baby will raise his arms to be picked up.  The key is to emphasize the word verbally while also making the sign.  Now apparently this technique can't be used until the child is around 7 months but it would be fascinating to "communicate" with your child before they even utter their first word!  The problem I foresee is that unless everyone in contact with your child knows the signs, you are going to have one very frustrated 7 month old on your hands.  One who thinks some grown-ups aren't very smart!! :)

What's happening with baby this week? "Your little grower's physical proportions are pretty much birth-ready and most of their remaining development will largely be weight gain and a ton of nervous system development. The good news is: if your child were to be born premature, they'd likely survive without much trauma as their lungs started producing "surfactant" last week, which means their tiny respiratory system is getting stronger with each passing day. Yes, now's a good time for a minor sigh of relief and a quick pat on the back. All that hard work and conscientious living is really getting your child prepared for a healthy delivery. In mobile-fetus news: your baby should be scootching slowly out of the breech position (head upright, with their butt-n-legs down by your pelvis) and start rotating around for a head-first exit through the birth canal. If all goes well, and your little womb hi-jacker isn't a contrary one, they'll be locked-n-loaded in the next few weeks! Time is short (or really long, depending on who you ask) - just (still!) 14 weeks left before you can go back to being a single-resident human...with one tiny brand-spankin' new family member!"

 14 weeks left?!  I'm not ready yet!!! Gulp!

24th Week

Now I’m an eggplant!!  

There have been some “fun” things happening to me these last couple of weeks.  I have the joy of experiencing very annoying, "wake you from the dead",  leg cramps in the middle of the night.  It's like someone has stuck your leg in a vice while you weren’t looking!  From all that I've read…there is no definitive reason why.  Some say it's has to do with the extra blood volume, or even dehydration.  The only solutions I've found are to, eat a banana, drink a glass of milk, or take a calcium/magnesium supplement.  Another fun change is that my belly button has decided it needed a change and turned itself inside out.  Well, half of it is out and the other is still contemplating.  Let me tell you, that's a weird look. :s And as a result, I have finally had to remove my belly button ring.  I guess we all have to grow up someday! 

We've decided to share the name(s) we've chosen. It will be Bryce Anthony.  (Let's really hope the Ultrasound tech didn't make a mistake in their gender identification)  It's a name that "Daddy" has wanted for a long time…even before he ever imagined having a baby.  Its meaning is significant to us and we hope it will translate into a successful, happy life for little Bryce. 

  

We made our first real baby purchase this week.  A Stroller/car seat combo. I can tell you I never thought in a million years that I would EVER get to buy a stroller or car seat.  (This pregnancy is still very surreal!)  And it wasn't an easy decision with all the options out there!  After many days of searching online, I happened to come across the Britax brand.  It got amazing reviews for safety, comfort,  and ease of use.   I'm very excited for it to arrive next week.  I wonder if Maddie Dog will let me push her around in it for practice! What would the neighbours think?!  Lol

What’s happening with Baby this week?  “It's another week full of exciting developments for your magical growing baby! Just take a look at the checklist for this week: 1) ears: done; 2) fingernails: done; 3) (if you have a boy) testicles: taking their 3-4 day trip from the abdominal wall to the scrotum; and 4) lungs walls: secreting "surfactant". What's surfactant? It's basically what it sounds like: a surface-activated fat that helps your baby's little lungs inflate (where inflate = fill with air not get more expensive for no understandable reason). In the meantime, your submerged baby is still breathing in their amniotic fluid (and a bit of pee), preparing and rehearsing their lungs for an oxygen-filled life outside the womb. By the end of this week, your wee womb-squatter will be weighing in at a whopping 2 lbs and 14 inches long. All this new weight means your tiny baby is actually starting to fill out their skin, but they're not anywhere near their adorable fat-baby potential. Most of the fetal "filling out" is coming up in that long awaited (and slightly dreaded?) third trimester. Woo-hoo! Get ready!”

Only about 100 more days to go.....

23rd Week

**Ammendment...NOT an eggplant yet.  Still a papaya...so no new picture this week.

So I painted the Nursery this week…it's a light grey-blue.  Don't worry Mom!!  I stood on a very sturdy piano bench…not a rickety old chair, or overturned laundry hamper!  AND the paint had zero VOC's with no odour.  I took lots of breaks, had the window wide open, and a fan to circulate the air!! 

I don't plan on doing a 'cutsie' decorating theme. I’ll save that for when he's older and likes dinosaurs, race cars or monster trucks.  I'll probably just stick with dark brown furniture and a blue/white colour palette.  I have yet to find a crib bedding set  that I really like so thought perhaps I would sew one myself?!   There are lots of patterns on the internet and I would only really need a dust ruffle and fitted sheet.  Not really keen on bumper pads or heavy blankets…they’re a suffocation risk and pretty much just for decoration anyways.

Baby’s kicking is steadily increasing.  I have on occasion, filmed my tummy while the "Riverdance" is taking place.  The movements are not captured very well with the camera…but they certainly are in person.  I’ve been warned that the best is yet to come though when you get a full belly shift later, as baby moves from one side to the other.

I have finally had a dream about Baby Bean.  I mean I've had dreams before about the pregnancy...but this time I actually saw his little face.  And I know that every parent thinks THEIR baby is the cutest...but he was pretty darn cute.  For some reason, he was born on September 4th.  (Hope that's not an omen) Someone just presented him to me all dressed in denim overalls and a little ball cap. (If only it were that easy)  The bad part of the dream was that Daddy kept dropping him.  Well not dropping him really, but setting him down on things that he would fall off of!  Like stools and counters! Just before I woke up, Baby (who could apparently speak at a week old) asked me if I could just hold him for awhile!   Poor thing!  (Better than a dream that a pregnant co-worker had...where the baby was growing on the outside of her body!!)

Still trying desperately to hear the heartbeat with my stethoscope.  I press so hard that I leave little red circles on my tummy!  I end up looking like I have a bad case of ringworm!! Even the "What to expect when you're expecting" website says the heartbeat should be audible to Daddy just by pressing his ear to my belly!  I did hear (and record) the "whoosh-whoosh" of the placenta though. Perhaps its placement is muffling the heartbeat?!

What’s happening with baby this week? “Your baby does a regular 'workout' inside your womb. He or she turns from side to side and head over heels. Thanks to a fully developed inner ear, which controls balance, your baby may have a sense of whether he or she is upside-down or right side up in the womb. Skin pigment is now forming. The fetus is now proportioned like a newborn except it is a thinner version of a newborn baby since its baby fat has not developed much yet. The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily. Baby has begun producing insulin, important for the breakdown of sugars. If born now, your baby would have a 20% chance of survival, the odds going up with each passing day. By this week, your baby weighs approximately 1.3 pounds and his crown to heel length is 11.5 inches.

Only 16 weeks to go..yikes!!  :)

22nd Week

I'm a sweet Papaya this week!! Actually I think I'll be a papaya for a couple of weeks now.  We're running out of produce!!

I finally got the IPS testing results back and everything looks fine.  There are no concerns with the nuchal measurement or blood results as per the Doctor.  That's a relief!!  This month's doctor visit also went well.  My tummy was measured and growing right on schedule, my Blood Pressure was fine and so was Baby's heartbeat.  I again addressed my concerns over my fatigue and hair loss so she gave me a requisition to have my Thyroid tested, as well as my Iron level checked. I have to wait a few weeks to have this blood work done as she also wants to do the standard glucose challenge screening which is typically scheduled between weeks 24-28.

I have begun to notice a dark line forming on my belly.  It's called Linea Negra (Latin for black line) Everybody has this line but it darkens during pregnancy thanks to  hormones. In a non-pregnant state it's called the Linea Alba. The name means white line and it is composed mostly of collagen connective tissue. It is formed by the fusion of the abdominal muscles. Some people believe that the linea negra foretells the gender of their baby, thanks to centuries of old wives' tales. The story goes that a linea negra that runs up past the belly button, to the lower part of the sternum means that you will have a boy, and a linea negra that stops at the belly button means you're having a girl.  (Mine goes all the way up!)

We've decided not to do the 3D/4D ultrasound.  We figure it's one thing to have a 15 minute ultrasound done when it provides useful medical information, such as due date or indications of malformations.  But to take the risk and have a 30-45 minute ultrasound for entertainment purposes only is not medically responsible. And there are risks contrary to public opinion. "Ultrasound is a form of energy-sound waves vibrating at approximately a hundred times the frequency of normal sound-and the waves can affect tissue in a variety of ways. Heat is one effect. One study found that the temperature of brain tissue can rise 4 degrees during the procedure. In addition, although ultrasound itself does not produce audible noise, secondary vibrations can produce noises as loud as 100 decibels in utero. Other effects, still poorly understood, include tiny bubbles in tissue (a process known as cavitation), sheering forces within tissues, induced flows within fluids, and creation of minute quantities of toxic chemicals."  Long story short...we'd rather wait another 4 months to see his little 3 dimensional face in person than take a risk no matter how small.

What's happening with baby this week? "At 22 weeks pregnant, your baby has finally broken the one-pound mark, and is 11 inches long (crown to heel) This week, your sweetie is making more sense of the world as he develops the sense of touch. In fact, your little one's grip is quite developed by now and since there's nothing else to grab in utero, he may sometimes hold on tight to that umbilical cord (don't worry - it's tough enough to handle it). The sense of sight is also getting more developed. Your fetus can now perceive light and dark much better than before (even with those fused eyelids). But remember unless you're shining a flashlight over your belly it'll be mostly dark for your baby inside that cozy womb of yours. Moving up from the eyes, the eyelashes and eyebrows are well formed now and even more hair is sprouting atop that cute little head. You'd be quite surprised though if you could see your little one up close...hair at this stage of fetal development has no pigment, so it's bright white."

118 days to go...

21st Week

I'm a spaghetti squash this week. Gulp!  That's getting a little big!!! :s  What happened to the days of being an Olive??  Would be much easier to deliver!!  Kangaroos have the right idea...they're born the size of a peanut and finish growing in Mama's pouch!  Anybody know how I can make a complaint to the "Evolution Department"?!

"Daddy" finally felt tiny kicks on Monday Aug 8th at 22:30hrs. (21w4d) He described them just as I had...like muscle twitches.  He'd been trying to catch them for a couple of days but they would always stop as soon as he placed his hand on my tummy. The kicks were hard enough to make my belly move!! He caught four of them back to back, on the lower right side.  A pretty exciting time since now he has a chance to feel the connection that I'VE been feeling since the wiggling started at 14weeks.  He is a very active little guy right now.  Mostly in the evening and at bedtime, and sporadically throughout the day.   He seems to have a preference for kicking my bladder!  "Daddy" likes to remind me that baby is currently only 1/7th his final weight and that the kicks are only going to get worse!  I don't mind.  It's a constant reassurance that Baby is doing well.  I did however, read a medical journal that outlined the dangers of fetal movement and tangled umbilical cords in utero.  Why do I do that to myself!?!  Argh! (I need to be medicated!!)

I've decided on a Birthing class to attend.  It's given by the hospital I will deliver at and recommended to take between 30-34 weeks. I have the choice of attending 1 full day or 4 weekly classes.  The curriculum looks fairly detailed and hopefully it doesn't traumatize "Daddy" too much.  But better to be "desensitized" slowly than thrown right into the fire!!   (Stay tuned for that update!!)

What's happening with Baby this week? "By the end of this week, your little one will measure 10 ½ inches long and weigh about ¾ pound. His skin has changed from being translucent to opaque as the skin cells grow and stretch in preparation for the fat deposits, which will soon form under baby's skin. Your baby's tongue is now fully formed and he is strengthening his muscles with movement. His bones are hardening nicely and his movements are much more coordinated now. He may be doing some gymnastics inside you at this very minute. Back flips and somersaults are entirely possible, and they are great practice for his leg and arm muscles. Swallowing is becoming a steady activity with baby. After he takes in amniotic fluid, his body absorbs the water in the liquid, with the waste moving on into his large bowel. The digestive system is already at work! As your baby grows, his wake and sleep cycles begin to form. Your activity level and eating patterns are normally what rules his, as he can now hear all that goes on around him. And when you eat and drink, he eats and drinks. It is now that you start to find out if you have a night owl or an early bird. (I think we have a night owl!)

We're gonna have a baby in 4 months..Amazing!!!

20th Week

I'm a banana?!

I've been working on a "Birth Plan" this week. Apparently it's a good idea to outline your wishes to the hospital staff prior to labour/delivery.  I found a template that I used as a guide and ended up with a very detailed  plan.  It outlines everything from who I would like in the room, to post-care for baby. (And everything in between.) However having witnessed many births, I know that  the best laid plan may NOT be the one you get to follow.  Obviously I will need to be very flexible but "The Plan" gives me an illusion of having some semblance of control. (Type A personality!!)

I finally bought some Bella Bands since I'm too big for my britches.  For those of you who don't know what they are, they are basically stretchy bands of fabric that allow you to wear your pre-pregnancy pants/shorts/skirts unbuttoned and un-zippered without them falling down.  By using the Bella Band, I can get longer wear out of my now very tight clothes instead of spending a fortune on Maternity wear.  Unfortunately other parts of me have grown besides my waist and the Bella Band doesn't accommodate a bigger bum!

I've started to feel little kicks more often this week...some even on the outside.  It's kind of like when your leg muscle has a spasm and you can feel the little "twinges" or "pops" under the skin. It's such a strange sensation! It makes me laugh.  He's very active in the morning when I'm sitting at work, and then again at night time when I'm tucked into bed.  (Except when Daddy puts his hand on my belly...then Baby Bean plays shy!)

What's happening with Baby this week? "Twenty weeks is the halfway point to holding your baby in your arms. Your baby is now about 10 inches long from head to toe and weighs 10 ½ ounces, almost a pound! Over the next few weeks the baby will move so much that it may be hard to sleep.  This will continue until it gets very crowded for the baby. Baby's brain is developing very quickly.  Nerve cells that have already developed are making complex connections, and sensory perception development peaks this week. Little boy's testes will begin dropping from the pelvis into the scrotum. The skeleton is getting harder and the hands are getting stronger.  Babies will blink more now and the lunago (fine hair that covers the body) is very thick around the head, neck and face.  Hair on the scalp is growing as well.

Can't believe how fast the time is going by. Only 4.5 months to go!!

19th Week

I'm a Mango this week!!!

I bought Baby his first book this week.  It's called "Oh Baby, the places you'll go!" by Dr. Seuss.  The inside cover reads "Exciting discoveries have been made about how much learning goes on while a baby is still in its mother's womb.  Here is an introduction to the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss - for doting parents-to-be to read aloud to their adorable babies-to be."  There was actually a study done in the early 80's involving Dr. Seuss's "The Cat in the Hat" which was read aloud to babies in the womb, twice a day, during the final 6 weeks of pregnancy. After birth, it was proven that babies responded positively to recordings of their mother's voice reading the same story  vs. hearing their mother reading a different story.  Which proves that not only is there auditory perception in utero but also memory of auditory experiences.

I've also been reading (not aloud) a book called "Brain Rules for Baby - How to raise a smart and happy child from Zero to Five".  It's very interesting and actually speaks of the aforementioned Dr. Seuss research study.  Currently I'm focusing on the pregnancy section of the book which talks about the positive and negative impacts you can have on your pregnancy (and Baby's intelligence) through weight, nutrition, exercise and stress.  It's definitely educational and  will be a valuable reference book after he arrives.

So you're all probably waiting for the announcement.  Well really, I've already spilled the beans in reference throughout this blog.  Did you catch it? Yup, we're having a BOY!! (Well they said 95% sure. He was in some crazy face down yoga pose during the scan but we could all see something that surely resembled a boy bit!) Otherwise the scan was great. Organs, limbs, spine all intact. Measurements good. And he was moving a lot, flexing his arms and wiggling about. At one point he reached out and grabbed onto his foot.   Adorable!!   We are so relieved that all is well and thrilled to welcome a little boy!!  Now Daddy better REALLY hide the car keys!!

What's happening with our Baby Boy this week? "At 19 weeks pregnant, your baby may be as long as 6.5 inches and could weigh up to 8.5 ounces. Your baby is comparable in size to a coconut that has had the outer-shell removed! Your little one's growth won't stop anytime soon. On the contrary, from pregnancy week 19 until you give birth, your baby is going to increase in size by more than 15 times. This week, your baby is starting to produce vernix - a white sticky substance that covers your baby's skin to protect it from its watery environment. (Remember your baby is living in a sea of amniotic fluid for 40 weeks.) The vernix will keep your baby's skin looking soft and supple. During pregnancy week 19, your little one's brain is in the process of forming pockets that specialize in smell, taste, hearing, vision, and even touch. Your baby can hear your voice at 19 weeks of gestation. Fetal ear development has matured to the point that your baby's outer ears can pick up noises from outside the womb, including your voice and even your partner's voice. Your baby's fingerprint are also developing. The pads on the fingers have ridged patterns that will eventually become your child's unique ID. "

I'll leave you this week with some words from Dr. Suess

"...so now as my voice burble-ups in your ear-

with a bump thumpy sound that is not very clear-

the words I am saying, you hear in your heart,

and know that I wish you the very best start.

It's a scrumptulous world and it's ready to greet you.

And as for myself...well...I can't wait to meet you!

18th Week

Hello Sweet Potato!  Another week..another comparison to some gnarly piece of produce.

Had my first "when are you due" asked by a stranger.  So I must look pregnant now and not just chubby.  Or perhaps it was because I was rubbing my belly like a Buddha!  Speaking of chubby, I've already gained 10lbs! Now I'm no math whiz but if Baby only weighs 7 ounces...where did the rest go?!  :s

Had my second OB/GYN appointment.  Things are moving along as they should be. The highlight was again hearing the little heartbeat.  This time I was prepared and actually recorded it. (See link) With such infrequent movements at this early stage, it's very reassuring to hear that baby is still in there!!!  I actually thought I might have felt "real" kicks (and not just little flutters) on Saturday July 16th.  There were 3 distinct taps in the same spot just to the right of my belly button.  It hasn't happened since, so perhaps it was just a little muscle spasm. I'm sure I will be feeling little kicks soon enough.

Here are some fun facts I found for Baby Bean;

*             Your baby will start kindergarten in 2017.

*             Be old enough to drive a car in 2027. (Lock up the keys Daddy!)

*             Finish high school in 2030.

*             Graduate from college with the class of 2034.  (I'll be 61!!!!)

I still haven`t found myself with any strange food cravings…but I`m pretty hungry all the time.  In fact most nights I wake up starving.  I've managed to fend off the midnight refrigerator raids for now.  There is another  old wives tale that correlates a profound increase in appetite with carrying a boy!?  Guess we'll know soon enough, as long as Baby isn't camera shy on July 28th.  (Stay tuned for the announcement!)

What's happening with baby this week? "In the 18th week, the baby's crown to rump length will be around 6 inches long and the weight will be about 7 ounces. There is still a lot of space in the uterus and the baby will be active with periods of rest from time to time. Your baby might somersault or sit cross legged at this stage. The baby will become more sensitive to sound as the bones which pass the sound to the inner ear harden. The part of the brain that sends and receives nerve signals from the ears are also developing now so the baby reacts to loud sounds by kicking or prodding. The baby will get used to familiar sounds such as the beating of your heart, familiar voices in your surroundings, and other daily routine sounds like doorbells and dog’s barking. (Shssssh Maddie!)  If you have a stethoscope at home you can check the baby's heartbeat by yourself.  (Still can’t hear it) The baby is busy flexing its arms and legs and you might notice the movements more clearly now. A protective layer called myelin begins to form around the nerves which will continue for a year after the birth."

Almost half way there...time is flying by!!