Wednesday, January 26, 2011

25 weeks---size of an eggplant!

   As slow as this seems to be going, I can't believe I'm at 25 weeks (which is almost 30 weeks, which is almost 40 weeks... ahhhh!). Baby is about the size of an eggplant for the next few weeks, meaning she's between 13.6 and 14.8 inches in length and 1.5 to 2.2 pounds in weight. I can't believe she's still got about another 6-7 pounds to gain.

   With all the bouncing around (and belly moving), I think I'm still in disbelief that there's a baby in there sometimes. It seems so real some days and not on other days. I do have to say, I have come to enjoy watching the little bumps and prods show through my stomach when she's dancing around. It was way too creepy at first, but now I really love watching her. I had a dream the other night that I was watching my belly with some friends and we saw the Cupcake stick her little arm or foot out and then I could feel her do a few somesaults (which I haven't been able to decipher the difference in real life yet), which made me laugh uncontrollably. I do have to say that I've been feeling her move a little closer to my ribs in the last few weeks and that makes me nervous. I know quite a few friends who have mentioned the oh-so-fun-and-comfortable feeling of having baby snuggle up and kick you in the ribs. Ugh.

   I still don't really have anything to complain about, in all reality. It really has been a pretty easy pregnancy so far. The last week or so, my hips will hurt occassionally. I'm sure it has to do with the hormone Relaxin that loosens your joints in preparation for labor (or maybe just the fact that she's gaining weight and the extra stress isn't welcomed by my hips. And she's only about a pound and half right now... oh man!). My feet were really extra sore one night, but I think it's because I spent about 3 hours in the kitchen baking cupcakes. Still no swelling in my ankles, feet or wrists yet.

   One of my best friends is coming up on her 9-month mark and I'm so excited for her! Little Icen is going to be so cute and have a ton of family and friends that love him! I can't believe we're both going to have babies soon. Another friend is also due around the same time (about a week ahead) and little Dawson is already so handsome! They went in for another ultrasound and had some 3D images taken. What a cutie!

Monday, January 17, 2011

24 weeks---6 months!

   I feel like the "bump" has grown a lot in the last few days, but I don't think it really has. It seems like my belly button is losing ground and going to be flat pretty soon. I've finally gained about 15 pounds! Still have energy and am able to get some gym workouts and dog walks in. I'm enjoying it and know it's only going to last a few more months before I get too big and uncomfortable.

    I've woken up a few times around 5 in the morning (way earlier than I need to be up) either hungry or just unable to sleep. Guess I need to start eating a bit more before going to bed and try to keep a better sleep schedule. I haven't been overly tired lately (except for this morning. Ugh, it was terrible. I could not get out of bed and go to yoga to save my life. I didn't get very much sleep a night or two before, though), but I'd rather keep it that way as opposed to being exhausted and trying to figure out sleep issues.

    I have the option of doing the blood glucose test in a few weeks (to check for high blood sugar/gestational diabetes), but I'm going to decline. The only testing I've done so far was some blood work around 6 weeks and the ultrasound around 20 weeks. Everything has been fine so far and some of the tests don't really conclude anything (they just put you on high alert which is the last thing you need while pregnant), so I'm not going to stress about it. I believe that when you're pregnant, your body is going to be a little haywire anyway, your blood sugar is going to fluctuate and unless you're having symptoms, exercise and a healthy diet are the way to go. My midwives leave the decisions up to me (no doctor pressuring me into unwanted options, yay!) and I feel confident in the choices I've made so far.

    If you haven't seen this site yet, check it out. I discovered it a few months ago and still get a laugh from the photos: http://www.pregnantchicken.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/2010/12/10/awkward-pregnancy-photos.html  Awkward pregnancy photos!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

23 weeks---size of a papaya (still)

   Baby will be about the size of a papaya until about week 25 (month 6) where she'll be about the size of an eggplant for a few weeks, then a squash, honeydew and finally, watermelon! So right now, she's still between 10.5 and 11.8 inches in length and weighs about 12.7-20.8 ounces (just around a pound).

   This week, the little cupcake's face should be fully formed, with the exception of fat deposits under the skin. The website I reference mentions that I may be feeling or looking swollen in the wrists and ankles because of the increased blood flow from the last few months, but so far, I don't notice a difference. Hooray!

   Nothing too major or new this week, but we did make it to IKEA to buy a crib. It's all set up in our second bedroom/office/animal room and ready for baby! It's kind of a tease to have it up so early. Every time I see it, I get excited and want her here already!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

22 weeks (5 1/2 months)---size of a papaya!

   At this point, Cupcake is about 10.5 to 11.8 inches long and weighs anywhere between 12.7 to 20.8 ounces. She's definitely getting bigger and I'm feeling her move around a lot more! I can't believe she has about another 6-8 pounds to gain and is about half the length of what she'll be at birth. I don't have that much room, where is she going to fit?! Out, out, out is where she'll be since I barely have room for myself.

   Chris was finally able to feel her moving around! With our work schedules, we don't always go to bed at the same time, so when I'd be able to feel her moving from the outside, we'd be in separate rooms (he'd be asleep) or he wouldn't be home. But finally, a little more than halfway through the pregnancy (and a few weeks after I was able to feel her move), the stars lined up. He was surprised and excited to experience it! Ayla was having a little dance party the other night when I went to lay down, so I grabbed his hand (he barely woke up) and placed it on my stomach. He made a little comment about it and then went right back to sleep. I mentioned it to him a day or two after and he didn't remember it at all, haha

   I took a bath a few nights ago to unwind from a few long days at work and was amazed and very creeped out that I could see her moving beneath my skin! The first time I saw it, it was really creepy because I didn't feel her moving. She got a few kicks in that I both saw and felt, but the rolling and seeing the skin ripple without feeling her move was... oh man. I thought I was in a horror movie. I've been told it's only going to get creepier as she gets bigger and stronger. I can't imagine.

   We're slowly accumulating more and more baby things. I got a supportive belly band from a friend at work to use when I get bigger and two breast pumps (one manual, one automatic) from a friend in my Bunco group. And I can't help buying just a few clothes here and there (they're on sale AND have little cupcake designs? How can I say no?!), especially when baby shopping for Omi's little Icen! We moved the little pink loveseat/fold out bed from the second bedroom/office/animal room to make room for the crib we're going to pick up soon (we found one we like at IKEA). Chris moved the glider into the room as well and we're both enjoying it (as well as the cats from time to time).







   I think I'm going to have the baby shower in March sometime. I found some cute invites and some plates/napkins with (what else) cupcake designs. You know, it really worked out that the Cupcake is going to be a girl, because there are no little boy clothes with cupcakes. The "cupcake theme" is developing itself quite well! :) 

   Okay, here's the 22 week/  5 1/2 month picture! I'll get a non-headless shot soon, I promise.