26 Weeks

The furniture is arranged!  I love it!  I went out to lunch with some girlfriends on Saturday and by the time I got home, M had put the legs on the dresser and had one more panel to attach to the crib!  Of course that last panel was the most difficult to attach so the air was a little blue in our house but it's together and it's so beautiful!  Here is the set:

It's very boy.  Now we need the mattress and I can get the whole crib put together.  Yay!  I just walk in that room now and can't wait for him to be in there.  The little outfits we have already and few toys are in there too and I just like to look at them.

And my mother in law, AKA Nana, brought over the fabric she found for the shades she's making for the nursery.  It's perfect!  They are going to look great!  I can't wait to get everything all together.  Pictures of the nursery will come then.

26 week update:

Baby now weighs about one and two thirds pounds and is 14 inches long - as long as a hothouse cucumber.

from babycenter.com

I definitely feel like he is getting longer in there.  Sometimes he stretches out and his movements are starting to get uncomfortable. 

Anyway, his ears are becoming more sensitive to sound and can probably hear M and I chatting with each other now.  (Hmm, hopefully he didn't pick up on M's vulgar language while putting his crib together).  He is breathing in amniotic fluid which is promoting the development of his lungs.  It also says that if your baby is a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum which will take about two to three days.  Hah.  I thought I saw those at the ultrasound.  Clearly not.


How I'm feeling: Heartburn and acid reflux are raging.

His kicks are starting to get slightly painful.  Not too bad but they are not feeling good right now.  And he moves a lot.

Pregnancy notes: I think I need to have one of those car beeper things attached to my belly so that I know when I'm getting too close to something.  I've hit my belly on things a lot like the edge of the kitchen sink.  And I still think I can fit through narrow openings.  Yeah, I can't.

A co-worker this week said to me "You're looking more like a Mommy now. "  That is infinitely better than "you're bigger" or "you're going to have a big baby."

Food cravings and notes: Tums.

I can eat spinach again!  I had some the other night with roasted tomatoes and chicken and it was delicious.  Yay!

I wanted some Mexican too so M was out and called to see what I wanted for dinner and I said Mexican.  He stopped and got take out.  It was delicious.  I had a chicken chalupa.

Doctor's Visit: None but I did have a dental appointment.  I loathe the dentist.  But no cavities!

25 Weeks

So the original baby furniture has been cancelled.  Apparently, the furniture was sitting 35 miles away from our house for five days and no one bothered to call us to set up a delivery.  By the time we finally called to see where the heck it was, the delivery people said they couldn't get it to us until the following week which is ridiculous.  So we got frustrated and cancelled the order. 

But we found other furniture and it's probably better!  We went to the Baby and Kids Furniture Warehouse.  M went first without me and put a hold on a set he really liked that was on clearance.  He told me to go down and check it out and I was a little peeved only because I wanted this to be something we did together and me being the mom, I just wanted to be part of the decision and I am hormonal.  Anyway, I went to the store, looked at the furniture he put a hold on and I hated it.  I mean, I had a pretty strong reaction and almost wanted to cry.  I walked around the store and saw ones I liked much much better.  We ended up going back together that night and we found a beautiful set that cost even less than the one on clearance M put on hold.  HA!  Never under estimate the power of a professional shopper and a Mama Bear.  We get it done, Peeps.  And because it's a local store, no delivery!  M and his buddy picked it up on Sunday and they delivered it to our house.  Thanks, N!  (I was going to put the acronym for Best Man as N was M's best man but thought better of that initial combination. hehe).  And now it's in the nursery.  It's not all together yet but it's there and that's what counts.  I can't wait to get the crib together.  It should be interesting.

We also visited the second center.  We liked it but we honestly liked KinderCare better.  I realize that at child care, you are pooped on, puked on, snotted on, and all around spewed on by something all day and you're not dressing for a black tie affair.  But at this second center, the Director who gave us the tour was in jeans, a hoodie, and flip flops.  I'm sorry, but if you are meeting with prospective parents, make a little bit of an effort.  The employees at KinderCare were dressed much nicer but still baby-friendly.   I'm a snob, I know.  The cost of both were pretty comparable.  The big factors for possibly choosing KinderCare over the other place are: KinderCare opens at 6:30am, the other at 7am.  KinderCare is open later in the evening with no extra charge if you're late.  KinderCare provides formula and jarred food (if you choose to have them give your kid this stuff), the other doesn't.  KinderCare seemed more willing to accommodate cloth diapers.  Some of these are small but the fact that KinderCare opens a half hour earlier is HUGE for us.  We still have some time to decide but it's really difficult.

At 25 weeks:

Baby is about 13.5 inches and  about 1.5lbs - the size of a rutabaga.  Didn't we already have a turnip?  Isn't that the same thing?  I guess a turnip is smaller.

from babycenter.com

He is now gaining some baby fat and his wrinkled skin is starting to smooth out as a result.  His hair is starting to grow too and if you could see it, you might be able to see what color his hair is!  I've had dreams of a blond haired, blue eyed boy just like M so it will be interesting to see if this dream comes true!

It says for me this week that my hair will seem thicker and more lustrous.  I'm not sure if I've noticed that but it did say to expect that extra hair to fall out after giving birth.  I lose so much hair as it is in the shower that it's a wonder I'm not bald.


How I'm feeling: This baby has kicked it into high gear.  Tons of movement and I can now see when he sticks a foot or something out.  And the belly jumps and flickers when he kicks are pretty cool.

Gas bubbles/pain plus a kicking baby do not a pleasant feeling make.

Heartburn.

I think I'm walking funny.

Pregnancy notes: If the belly button pops out, I'm duct taping that sucker down.

My belly popped wicked bad this week.  There isn't much room for this belly to expand to the sides so it's going to be straight out in front of me.  It's going to look pretty freakish the further along I get.  It's going to stick so far out.  It also didn't help that a co-worker looked at me and said "You're going to have a big baby."  Thanks for telling me I look huge and thanks for scaring me.  My body can't handle a big baby.

I finished the crocheted blanket!  I am so excited I finished and can't wait to wrap him up in it.

Food cravings and notes:  We went out to dinner with another couple at one of our favorite restaurants L'Andana and had a delicious Italian meal of:

Appetizers: fried calamari with a tomato brodo and lemon aioli, Parmesan truffle fries
My meal: Rigatoni Bolognese
Dessert: M and I split a chocolate hazelnut tart

Mama and Baby were very happy after this meal.

Doctor's Visit: None

24 Weeks

M and I took this week off from work to get some things ready for the baby.  We got the glider and put it together and cleared out the rest of the room that will be his nursery.  Still waiting on the furniture - hopefully soon.  And hopefully it won't be too difficult to put together.

And look at the most adorable outfit I have ever seen in my entire life:

I saw it in the store, picked up, gasped loudly, and held it up to M.  We both had to have it.  He is going to be such a little gentleman!

We also visited day cares which was very informative.  Our first stop was the local KinderCare in town.  We were actually pretty impressed and would feel comfortable sending our baby there.  I have heard that staff turn around can be high at KinderCare and of course, this was the ONE question I forgot to ask.  But I emailed the Director the next day with the question and one infant teacher has been there for three years and the other one has been there for eight years.  That was good news.  M thought to ask about what happens if there's an "incident" (his exact word).  Looking out and protecting the little guy already.  I did like the teacher we met today in the infant room and the Director and Assistant Director of the Center were both extremely pleasant and helpful.  We liked how all the different age groups were in separate rooms and they would give us a report at the end of every day with nap times, feeding times, and diaper contents.  These are things I want to know.  Yes, I want the 411 on his daily poo.  And those entering the baby room wore booties over their shoes and every child is assigned their own crib that no other child would go in.  We also like that very much.  I am curious though - to any of my readers out there, have you had any experience with KinderCare?  How did you like it?


M and I are snots.  We visited one in home day care and as soon as we pulled up, we were immediately put off.  I hate being rude or judgmental but the yard was messy, the house was right next to the big power lines, we had to walk through the garage to get into the day care space and once inside, we were still highly unimpressed.  The space was old and in need of paint and repair.  All kids are in one space, toddlers and infants (which we did not like at all) and she basically said she has a preschool program but no real schedule.  Um, then how do you do preschool lessons?  There is no report at the end of the day of how the baby did and one of the first things she said to us when we walked in was that the kids didn't get a nap yesterday so this morning, she put them in front of the TV while they ate breakfast.  I know my baby won't be in these situations for a long time but I find that inappropriate.  The woman was very nice but it was not the place for our son.  We had another appointment with an in home and we decided to do a drive by the day before and we saw the house and neighborhood and said nope, cancelling that one.  This is our child we're talking about and we will not just leave him anywhere.

Another center visit/tour scheduled for tomorrow.


24 week stats:  Baby is still just over one pound, gaining four ounces from last week and is almost a foot long, like an ear of corn!

From babycenter.com

His brain is growing steadily and he is forming taste buds.  Mmm, amniotic fluid.  His lungs are continuing to develop and cells that produce surfactant so that his air sacs in his lungs will inflate once he's born. 

Mama information - apparently this week my uterus is now the size of a soccer ball.  Uh, yeah. 

How I'm feeling: Feeling bigger by the day.  But it was nice to go out earlier in the week and have the sales girl at the maternity store and the dog groomer both tell me that I look great and could hardly tell I was already that far along.  They could have been full of it but it made this fatty-feeler smile a little.

Pregnancy notes: Where oh where did my belly button go?  Oh where oh where can it be??

Mama and baby had a bonding moment the other night.  He was sticking his foot out to the side and I put my hand on it and pushed it back in a little.  He kicked me back!  So I left my hand there and he kept kicking my hand for several minutes.  I was all smiles.

Food cravings and notes: I needed something healthy like salad.  So I ate some.  And I found pasteurized feta cheese!!

Doctor's Visit: Regularly scheduled appointment.

23 Weeks

Child care searching is hard.  It is so difficult to think about leaving your child with someone you don't know.  And then there's also the cost.  Let me tell you about that.

We have contacted several in-home day cares and several centers.  The in-homes are much more affordable than the centers so this is probably the way we will go.  The only thing is the one's I've contacted already say they won't have space in September.  Boo.  But back to the centers.  Not surprisingly, most do not put their rates on their websites.  They want you to call them, tour them, and get sucked into all the pretty things that happen at their facilities.  All I wanted was the price.  When I finally got it after this whole schpeel, I almost laughed in their faces.  No joke, the cost is more than my mortgage for some.  For what?  It's infant care.  How much do you really have to do?  Slap a clean diaper on it's bum a couple times a day, feed it, hold it, and watch it sleep and call it a day.  Maybe there's some vomit clean up somewhere between all of that but really?  You need to bankrupt people for that?  I can do it for free and just as well.

I have taken advantage of the people over in the Work-Life Center at my work and they've started conducting a search for me too.  They'll make phone calls, check availability, prices, and give me license records and complaint histories.  Nice to have someone else doing all this for me.  They found me several more and I have contacted all of them to set up tours.  Hopefully we'll be able to find one that fits our needs and our budget.

My little sports star is now just over a pound and just over 11 inches long - about the size of a large mango.

The baby can now feel my movements more and I can start seeing his movements through my belly.  Which I have!  It's a little freaky and sometimes his little foot is sticking out and that's just weird looking.  Blood vessels in the lungs are developing to prepare for breathing and baby can hear even better now.  That means Maddux's barks shouldn't startle him once he's here.  There will be plenty of him getting used to that since the dog barks quite often.

It also says I could start to see swelling in my feet, ankles, and hands.  Knock on wood, none of that.  My wedding rings still fit perfectly and I can I take them on and off very easily.


How I'm feeling: A little scare at the beginning of the week but we're good.  Some pain though which I'm going to need to pretty much just deal with until he's born.

His feet are down really low in my abdomen and he's pushing on my bladder.  I can feel his feet when I push on the lower portion of my belly and sometimes he'll move them for a little bit but he's starting to make me sore.  He's a stubborn one and clearly just found a comfy spot and doesn't want to move.  Going to be like his Daddy.  Just what I need, two of them.  Really, I'm one lucky lady with the men in my life - Maddux included.

I also think that the Braxton Hicks contractions have started.  I am having tightening and pain in my lower abdomen every so often but they go away pretty quickly.

Pregnancy notes: My belly is starting to do that heinous jiggle when I laugh.

Sometimes I think I can hear him kick.  No?  Just me?  Okay.

We ordered the nursery furniture and it's already being shipped!  There is a crib, bureau, and dresser/changer combo.  It's beautiful and I can't wait for it to arrive.  M and I are taking next week off and we are going to set it all up (and visit the aforementioned day cares if we can).  We also ordered the glider too.  I feel like nesting!

Randomness - I do not understand nude pregnancy photos.  No one wants to see that.  I don't even want to see myself in the mirror let alone have a permanent photo made.  And then to share it publicly.  Eww.

Me trying to put my socks on is a sight to be seen.

Food cravings and notes: M's birthday was this past week and we had cheesecake. Enough said.

Doctor's Visit: Unscheduled visit at the beginning of the week due to abdominal pain and a small lump.  They did check me for preterm labor but my cervix is still closed up tight so that is very good (TMI, I know).  Me and baby are okay.  I did have another ultrasound so I got to see the little guy again.  Both mommy and baby are measuring perfectly.  And, he's still a boy.

22 Weeks

I wrote before about my biggest fear of labor and delivery.  I am now having irrational and bad thoughts about the actually going into labor part.  Where will I be?  What if I'm at home, alone, and my water breaks and the baby comes out while I'm crying in my house with the dog watching in confusion and horror?  What if it happens at home, during rush hour, and we don't make it to the hospital and M has to deliver the baby in the car in the breakdown lane of 93?  Or we get escorted by the police to the hospital?  What if my water breaks in the car?  Or while in bed all over the mattress?  That's gotta be a huge mess.  What if I go into labor, not realize it, and wait too long to call the doctor and go to the hospital?  I don't want to be the crazy that calls the doctor with the slightest pain but what if I don't and that really was labor?  What if I get to the hospital and it's too late to get the epidural?!  AHH!

Clearly I am afraid I won't make it to the hospital where I can get the drugs.  Best scenario - I am induced.  No worries about going into labor, not getting the drugs, and there is a planned date.  That's another thing about me.  I am a control freak and this pregnancy is something I cannot control and it's throwing me all out of whack.  I do not like the feeling of not being in control or not having a plan.  If I have a scheduled induction, I would have a plan and a date and this would comfort me.  I'm sort of banking on the fact that I am small and there really will come a point where there is just no more room for the baby and he will need to come out.  I've read places where it's so much better to go naturally or it's selfish on the mother's part to go this route and I say damn right.  I've carried this baby for nine months, endured the nausea, fatigue, bloating, gastric unmentionables, stretching skin, weight gain, countless punches and kicks to the abdomen, shortness of breath, dizziness, near fainting, food aversions, heartburn, indigestion, acid reflux, and back pain.  I believe I've earned the right to tell somebody to get this baby out of me.  I would never want this earlier than was medically safe for the baby so relax people, but if the baby is full grown, check me in!  Get him out.

I realize the odds of me delivering this baby in my own home or in the car are extremely low but it's all I can think of lately.  Now that I am more than half way there and each week that goes by is one more closer to birthing this baby, I am getting nervous.  That's only natural, I suppose.

But I am also extremely excited to go into labor because that means I will be able to finally see, smell, and hold my son in my arms.  I cannot wait for that day.

Baby at 22 weeks is now almost one pound in weight and 11 inches long - about the length of a spaghetti squash!

Eyes, lips, and eyebrows are more distinct and tiny tooth buds are developing beneath his gums.  His eyes have formed but the irises of the eyes still do not have color yet.  Fine hair called lanugo covers his body and he has deep wrinkles until he gets enough fat to flatten out those wrinkles!  His pancreas is also developing steadily.


How I'm feeling: Mentally and emotionally, I am freaking out.  I am scared, nervous, excited, happy, anxious, and overwhelmed.  Physically, I'm feeling pretty good.  There was some more heartburn this week.

Pregnancy notes: I find myself rubbing my belly way more than I ever thought I would.

The belly button is gone.

I don't need drama.

18 more weeks!

Food cravings and notes: I was unchaperoned and unsupervised.  I went to the grocery store and bought ice cream, jimmies, Doritos, and Stouffer's Mac and Cheese.  I was embarrassed, disgusted, and indifferent all at the same time.  A pregnant girl should not be allowed in a grocery store by herself.  Note: I did not eat all of these things that same night.

Doctor's Visit: None