38 Weeks...He Arrived! Graysen's Birth Story: Part 1

Sorry bloggy friends for being absent. I have been a little preoccupied with an amazing early birthday present! Graysen Harold was born when I was 38 weeks exactly. He weighed 6lbs 6oz and was 17.5in. The labor and delivery went very well...it was after that that things took a turn for the worse! We are all home and doing very well now! He grew an inch and a half in the 6 days he's been alive and he continues to be a content and happy baby!

Graysen's Birth Story
Part 1

CAUTION

If you are pregnant for the first time or have never been pregnant, read with caution and know that this is NOT how a normal labor and delivery goes. I had a very rare and serious thing happen after he was born and almost lost my life. Thankfully, the doctors at the birth center are AMAZING and I'm here today to tell you my story!

It all started on Monday, May 14th at 4:30pm in the doctor's office for my 38th week appointment. Actually...I should probably back up a couple weeks and explain what was happening in our life. We were doing a ton of landscaping, getting ready for a graduation that we were hosting on May 18th, school at this time of the year is very hectic and everyday life was going on. Basically, I was VERY ACTIVE.

Ok...back to the doctor. He told me that I was dilated to 5cm, 50% effaced and baby was at 0 station. He said it wouldn't be long...

I looked at him and said, "REALLY??? I'll make it through Friday though right? I am having a graduation at my house!" He said...I don't think so! I didn't really think anything too much of it...I didn't imagine that things would go as fast as they did after that!

I went home after running to Hancock Fabrics to get some foam to make a mattress for the cradle that I had when I was baby that is in our living room. I called Tim, who was coaching softball 30 minutes away in an area with no reception. He didn't answer and so I waited and waited for him to finally call me back. I told him what the doctor had said and he came home right away. To be safe...he put towels and garbage bags under the sheet on my side of the bed just in case my water broke in the middle of the night. He did not want our new mattress ruined! :/

I had contractions that evening that were a little closer than normal. I had been having them for months though and they weren't anything that I couldn't continue to do my normal activities. The birth center nurse said to try and get some sleep and see what progresses. I continued to have contractions all night but evidently fell asleep in the middle of timing them because I woke up at 6 to get ready for school with the cell phone underneath me...timer still going!

I took a shower, got dressed and continued to get ready for the day. My kindergartners were going on a field trip and taking a train ride, but I was going to be teaching 1st grade. The doctor said awhile ago that she didn't think I should ride the train so close to my due date and so far away from the hospital so the 1st grade teacher and I were going to switch classes for the day. Everything seemed normal. My back hurt slightly but that was about it. Then...as I was just about to walk out the door, I decided that I should probably use the bathroom. That's when it happened! There was the bloody show!

I called the birth center and they said to come in right away to get checked. The birth center is 45 minutes away, but I knew I didn't have to hurry. It was the first baby and they never come very fast! I called school and told them that Tim and I would not be there. Tim called my mom to come in and sub for him and then he went to drop off his lesson plans and books to her while I called our Doula. Finally...Tim and I were on the road on our way to the hospital. Of course...there was construction, but we got through without having to stop and all of the big equipment moved for us because Tim yelled out the window that I was in labor. The contractions were now coming more frequently, but still it was virtually painless. I had had menstrual cramps that were worse.

We arrived at the hospital around 9am. They checked me and the doctor said that I was dilated to 6cm and 65% effaced. I was going to be admitted. Our Doula, Juanita met us at the hospital shortly after that. I did a lot of walking the halls and positions to try to move baby downward. (He was at 0 Station on Monday and the stubborn little thing decided to go backwards and was -3 Station on Tuesday morning.) I was still feeling really good at this point...I even ordered lunch from Room Service! A turkey sandwich was LONG overdue!! I was so excited to eat lunch meat! 

Still feeling pretty good.Contractions are coming, but nothing very painful. Mmmm Goldfish Crackers to go with my sandwich for lunch! 

Monitoring Contractions...nothing too extreme yet. 

Still feeling good for the most part. Excited to get this show on the road. They had to monitor his heart rate and my contractions for 15 minutes every hour. 

Contractions are getting stronger and closer together, but my water still hadn't broken yet. 

At around 1pm, the doctor came in to check me. I was at 7cm and 75% effaced. He said that he wanted to break my water. I really didn't want to do that. He said he would give me until 3:30 to see if things started progressing more. He also said that if we lived in Rochester, he would send me home and wait for my water to break or things to really pick up, but since we live 45 minutes away from the hospital and things were moving very fast in the beginning, he didn't want to risk me not being able to get back to the hospital. We agreed that at 3:30pm, if things didn't pick up, he could break my water. 

Needless to say...3:30 came and my water hadn't broke on its own yet.

The doctor decided to then and there break my water...

Part 2 coming soon...

38 Week Dr. Appointment

Well, had my 38 week appointment today and the doctor said things are really progressing. I'm already dilated to 5cm, 50% effaced and his head is at 0 Station! Half way there already! 

He asked about contractions and yes, I've been having them, but honestly, I've had menstrual cramps that were worse.  

We are hosting a graduation at our house on Friday and the doctor doesn't seem to think I'll be there or maybe I'll go during. I really hope he either comes tonight or tomorrow morning and I can be home on Thursday, or... he waits until Saturday. Either way, he's coming soon! 

We are so excited! Now...to get to work so I can get some things done for school seeing as I won't be there much longer! 

37 Weeks...FULL TERM!

I'm now considered FULL TERM!!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Sorry for being a little absent lately. Things are getting very uncomfortable around here and we are eagerly getting things ready for Graysen's arrival among other things like hosting a Graduation at our house this weekend, getting Kindergarten in order for their Graduation and all of those end of the school year things that need to get done early just in case I go before school gets out. 

How Far Along: 37 Weeks 4 Days

Total Weight Gain: 35 lbs approx. I lost 1/2 a lb when at my last appointment but I go again tomorrow, so...we'll see!

Milestones: Baby is considered FULL TERM! He's developed his most crucial functions!

Baby Is The Size Of: a Winter Melon!

Sleep:Well, it's been a little better this week, but only because we have been frantically trying to get our house ready inside and out for the Graduation that we are hosting on Friday. Landscaping, being outside and teaching Kindergarten all day can really tire a pregnant lady out! Still not comfortable though and leg/hip/knee pain is STILL THERE!

Best Moment This Week: Reaching Full Term and getting the landscaping basically finished. 

Miss Anything?: Right now I miss my non-pregnant body more than ever! I am so uncomfortable and sore. I just want to be able to do the normal daily activities again like the dishes! That sounds crazy, but at work yesterday at the golf course, I was cleaning up the kitchen after serving a meal to 50 firefighters and my belly is too big so it bumps into the counter and I'm not tall enough for it to be over the counter so reaching into the sink to do dishes was a pain...and I mean downright painful! 

Movement?:Still movement but it hurts so bad when he does. His foot has been jabbed up into my ribs on the left side now for awhile and it has been excruciatingly painful all week!  

Food Cravings: No cravings. Food actually doesn't even sound good lately. My appetite has been very poor.

Things That Make Me Queasy: I wish I could say no queasiness, but I've been sick to my stomach all week. (Especially when I'm having a contraction!)

Gender: BOY

Labor Signs: Right now, I'm not sure if the contractions are Braxton's or not. I am having a ton of pain in my pubic area and something is definitely opening up down there. I'm having sharp pains "up there" when having a contraction now. Low back pain and cramping are now happening a lot, not to mention the contractions are all over my uterus now, top, bottom, sides... Baby has dropped, but I still am not comfortable. Being short leaves no room for him to move which makes me unable to move as well! 

Symptoms: I have reached the point, where waddling is a must. A week ago even, movement was pretty good. All of a sudden, I'm in a ton of pain all the time, I'm unable to move, swelling is increasing and I'm ready to be done! I used to be able to say that I felt great most of the time, and just after a long day, I would be sore and tired, but I wake up sore now. I still have quite a bit of energy, but it's not really so much energy as nesting. 

Inny or Outy: Out!

Wedding Band On or Off: Off and this week, I'm not sure if I could put it on if I wanted to! My right hand is more swollen than the left, but I'm definitely retaining more water now. 

Mood Most Of The Time: Overall, I'm very happy, but I'm also anxious to get everything in order for Graduation this weekend, the end of the year at school and Graysen's arrival. I'm actually eager for Graysen's arrival more than anxious. My dad would quickly correct me or ask me to clarify. I know you are reading this Dad thinking..."Are you really anxious or are you eager? There is a difference!" 

Looking Forward To: Graduation on Friday and Graysen's arrival! (Hopefully in that order!)

Here is what we've been working on at our house. The fence isn't quite done yet, but it's close. We needed to get the landscaping done first so we Tim and Tom didn't have to work around the fence to rebuild the sidewalk and flower beds. We didn't take any good before pictures, which I realized when it was almost done, so you'll just have to look at the after and know that it was a "JUNGLE" of lilies and hostas before! I'm so happy with the results!

This is the south side of our house in the front. The building on the left is our neighbor's garage. Our property goes all the way up to their garage. You can see that the fence is almost complete. A panel and a gate are all that's needed on this side. Plus cutting down the posts, but that's it. We redid the sidewalk going into the backyard, so the guys didn't want to finish the fence until that's done. This area was literally covered in lilies and hostas. We transplanted the hostas so that they made more sense and added a rose tree and hydrangeas...my favorite flower in the whole world!

This is along the south side of our house. This area was full of blue bells that were probably 80 years old or more. They were there when my dad grew up here. (This was my dad's childhood home.) My grandma planted them many many moons ago. Her birthday would have been May 1st. She would have been 105 years old and my grandpa would have been 119 years on the 7th. I tried desperately to save some because I have fond memories of picking them when I was little and knowing spring was here because the blue bells were out at Grandma's. The ones I transplanted did not survive. I have a couple pictures of them so that will have to do. Who knows...they are so hearty that they may even pop up through the new rock next year.

Here is another view of the south side of the porch. These flowers all remind me of Dr. Seuss, especially the pink ones. I didn't take a close up picture of those, but they have a little patch of grass and then these pink flowers that look like Trufulla Trees popping up.

Our new newly redone sidewalk to the back yard. The fence will be put up across here soon and we will have a gate leading to the backyard. We have to replace a couple tiles though because the packer cracked a couple. Oh well...at least it was just 4 and not all 52! There were also blue bells in this area along the side of the house. 

Hydrangeas!! I love them! They were our wedding flowers!

Here is a picture of the back of our garage. This was also a mess. It was supposed to be covered in red mulch from the previous owners but that was basically gone and plants were again planted in very random places. We took some out, moved some and added the rock. We also extended it to the fence for a finished look. That empty space was on purpose since we are planning on adding a door from the garage to the backyard in that spot next summer. The guy that added on the garage didn't put a door to the backyard. 

Another picture but includes more of the fence. Still need to cut off the tops of the fence posts.

Here is back of our house. 

This is the north side of the house and the garage. This area was a little smaller and we brought it out to the end of the driveway and fence. We moved a couple plants around here too and added a rose bush. Our hydrangeas on this side are a little slow going this year. They were coming along great with the very early warm weather and then had a setback when we had unexpected frost...They'll make it, they'll just be late. 

I should have taken a picture of the whole house from across the street, but maybe in the next post. But...that's what we have been working on frantically for the last couple weeks!

36 Weeks and... Another Shower!

How Far Along: 36 Weeks 4 Days

Total Weight Gain: 35 lbs approx. 

Milestones: Baby's getting closer and closer to breathing on his own and his liver and kidneys are in working order. His circulatory system and immune system are good to go as well!

Baby Is The Size Of: a Honeydew Melon!

Sleep:Sleep still stinks. Last night was a good night, but I'm not sure why. Besides getting up to pee all the time and trying to find a comfortable position, my mind won't shut off! I know it will only be in like 2 hour chunks, but at least sleep will be more comfortable after he comes!

Best Moment This Week: My wonderful friend Cassie, threw a kick-ass baby shower for me with the help of a few other friends. I have the best friends ever!!! I'll put pictures at the bottom!

Miss Anything?: I still miss coffee, lunch meat and being able to bend over/sit/walk/sleep/etc with ease!! Things are getting very uncomfortable!

Movement?:He's moving a lot. It's different though and really hurts when he does. It's more like he's adjusting himself and it's big turns instead of kicks. 

Food Cravings: No cravings...did make Auntie Anne's Pretzels today from scratch. Those were one of my cravings in the beginning. Still love them!!

Things That Make Me Queasy: No queasiness overall!

Gender: BOY

Labor Signs: No real labor signs. We have an appointment tomorrow and they'll be checking to see if I'm dilated yet. I can feel him moving lower and lower and I'm having stronger Braxton Hicks contractions. I am also having a lot of pelvic pain/pressure. 

Symptoms: Name a symptom and I have it. Heartburn, indigestion, aches, pains, pelvic pain/pressure, sore legs and feet, mild swelling, shortness of breathe...the other night, the stabbing heartburn was back. I'm not sure if it has something to do with the position I was sleeping or not, but again, it shot me out of bed and was a constant stabbing for about an hour. :( I'll be glad to be done with that!

Inny or Outy: Out!

Wedding Band On or Off:  Off, but I can still wear it. It just bugs me since it's tighter than it used to be.  

Mood Most Of The Time: Happy, anxious, nervous, excited...I'm every emotion rolled into one right now. I'm so ready for him to be here, but still trying to get the last minute things in order since he could come any day now. 

Looking Forward To: Graysen being here and our landscaping done!!!

I said I would post pictures of my last shower, 

so...here they are. 

I love these girls! College roommates!

Cassie made some scrumptious food!

Gracie made it too!

Another college roomie!

Opening presents begins...

This is an awesome book that my friend, Heidi gave us. It actually flashes like a real camera!

More books! Everyone brought a book instead of a card! Love that!

One of two Boppys!

Our baby carrier!

"The Poky Little Puppy"...a true classic! One of my favorites as a child. Lindsi even gave an "antique" copy! 

Hmmm...awesome wrapping Lindsey! This took a lot of physics she informed us! :) 

Yay!! A Bumbo!  

Cassie commented at this time that baby things have the dumbest names..."Boppy, Bumbo, Tiddliwinks..."

Bad picture but shows my excitement over everything! I love my friends!

Thanks for a great shower Cass!

I have the best friends...EVER!

35 Weeks!

How Far Along: 35 Weeks 4 Days

Total Weight Gain: 35 lbs approx. 

Milestones: Baby's hearing is fully developed and his testes are fully descended!

Baby Is The Size Of: a Butternut Squash

Sleep: Sleep is awful. I cannot get comfortable...jumbo pillow or no pillow. I just want to sleep on my back!!!!!!!! I've also been up thinking/stressing about some other things lately which doesn't help! I seems like when I get up to use the bathroom around 3am that I never go back to sleep. My mind/body won't let me!

Best Moment This Week: Getting to have lunch with a great friend who is also pregnant! Tim also fixed the closet door in the nursery so it stays shut and hung up the hook rack. I also bought a super adorable lion hat for him to wear in his newborn pictures!

Miss Anything?: Still miss my non-pregnant body right now. I love my pregnant body and how amazing the whole thing is, but I want to be able to bend over and pick things up. I want to be able to walk up the stairs or get in and out of bed without getting winded. 4 1/2 weeks left!

Movement?:Movement has slowed down a little. He still moves a lot but it's so tight in there and he's making his way down for his big reveal. When he does move, it's more like he's turning over or adjusting instead of kicking and frankly, it kind of hurts. Sometimes he ''tickles'' under my belly. That's a weird feeling. 

Food Cravings: Still no cravings and still hard to eat big meals. I can't weight for the pressure to be off my stomach/ribs/lungs/intestines.... 

Things That Make Me Queasy: No queasiness overall!

Gender: BOY

Labor Signs: No true labor signs necessarily, but having contractions daily and can feel my pelvic bone stretching and getting ready. I think I may be slowly losing my mucus plug as well. For some of you that may seem like TMI, but it's funny how being pregnant, you find yourself using words like perineum and mucus plug/discharge etc. without hesitation!! :/

Symptoms: Basically, my body is ready to be done with being pregnant! Shortness of breath,aches, pains, tiredness, I have it all! I guess I can't complain too much, because it could be worse, but I'm ready for him to be here and to not feel like this anymore!  

Inny or Outy: Out!

Wedding Band On or Off:  Off, but I can still wear it. It just bugs me since it's tighter than it used to be.  

Mood Most Of The Time: Happy overall. This was a long week. My emotions are obviously a little more sensitive than normal and I had my moments of weakness this week. Little things are a big deal lately and this is a very stressful time of the year at school. I'm just trying to relax and take things one day at a time...though I am trying to get ahead and things ready in case I do go into labor and have to have a sub come in at any given moment!

Looking Forward To: Graysen being here and my shower on Saturday!

34 Weeks!

How Far Along: 34 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 34 lbs approx. 

Milestones: Baby is recognizing songs and urinating a PINT a day!

Baby Is The Size Of: a Durian Fruit

Sleep: Sleep is still not my favorite time. It's great when I get sleep, but getting comfortable is nearly impossible now!

Best Moment This Week: Having 2 showers, getting the nursery finished, and putting things away!!

Miss Anything?: I miss knowing what a non-pregnant body feels like. I miss being able to walk up the stairs...hell...just walk across the room without getting winded and having to pee...again! 

Movement?:Still tons of movement. It's more regular movement and it's still uncomfortable when he turns over. 

Food Cravings: No cravings. It's actually hard to eat sometimes now because my stomach is squished even more than it was!   

Things That Make Me Queasy: No queasiness overall!

Gender: BOY

Labor Signs: Still  Braxton Hicks daily basically. My uterus is just an overachiever I guess! :) 

Symptoms: Well, I am having a lot of hip/tailbone pain lately. I think the extra weight is really putting pressure on things. Heartburn and indigestion are a daily thing. My pubic bone is still really sore and I don't even want to separate my legs to walk at the end of the day. Overall, I feel really good I guess considering I'm 8 1/2 months pregnant! Sitting is very uncomfortable so standing is really my preference!  

Inny or Outy: Out!

Wedding Band On or Off:  Off, but I can still wear it. It just bugs me since it's tighter than it used to be.  

Mood Most Of The Time: Mainly happy. I'm excited for Graysen's arrival but anxious for all of the things that still need to get done. Most of them are not baby things either! 

Looking Forward To: Graysen being here!! 

33 Weeks!

How Far Along: 33 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 31 lbs approx. 

Milestones: Baby's bones are hardening and he is going through MAJOR brain development!

Baby Is The Size Of: a Honeydew Melon

Sleep: Sleep is still pretty crappy. it's what I look forward to since I'm wiped out at the end of the day, but I also dread it because it's so painful! My ribs hurt, my sciatic hurts, I get heartburn and turning over/changing positions is like a marathon event! Not to mention...crazy dreams again!

Best Moment This Week: Getting my 31 bags so I could get the hospital bags packed and getting the phone call that our glider cushions are done! Picking them up tomorrow and I can't wait! One more thing to get for the nursery and then I'll post pictures! :) 

Miss Anything?: I miss knowing what a non-pregnant body feels like. I miss being able to walk up the stairs...hell...just walk across the room without getting winded and having to pee...again! 

Movement?: Lots and lots of movement! It's very cramped so all of his turning is painful sometimes. It will be weird in a few weeks to not feel that anymore...I'm going to miss it, but I'm so excited to have him here moving on the outside!! 

Food Cravings: No cravings. It's actually hard to eat sometimes now because my stomach is squished even more than it was!   

Things That Make Me Queasy: I wish I could say no queasiness still, but queasiness is coming back again at night and right away in the morning! 

Gender: BOY

Labor Signs: Still some Braxton Hicks. I keep telling myself that it's just getting ready for the real deal! Practice makes perfect...RIGHT?????

Symptoms: Where do I start?? Rib pain, stretching pain, sciatic pain, pelvic bone pain, Braxton Hicks, slight swelling in my feet :(, heartburn, shortness of breath, frequent trips to the bathroom...I'm definitely feeling 8 months pregnant now!! That surge of energy I had is slowly wearing away! 

Inny or Outy: It's basically out. Sometimes it's flat and sometimes it's half out but basically...out!

Wedding Band On or Off:  It's off, but not because I can't wear it. It drives me crazy that it is slightly tighter and my claustrophobia sets in and I have a small panic attack. It's just easier to leave it off.  

Mood Most Of The Time: Happy overall. I do get crabby though at night...I'm exhausted and sore. My poor husband gets the brunt of it, but he handles it well! He knows it's just the pregnancy talking! :) 

Looking Forward To: The upcoming showers and continuing to get things ready for Graysen's arrival!

32 Weeks!

HAPPY EASTER! 

Our little Easter Bunny is hopping away in Mommy's tummy. It's getting very crowded in there! 

How Far Along: 32 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 30 lbs approx. 

Milestones: Baby is head down and getting ready for the big descent! 

Baby Is The Size Of: a Squash OR a little bunny (since it's Easter!) 

Sleep: Sleep SUCKS! I know I said it was ok last week but my sciatic has been KILLING me at night. I have to change positions often and then it doesn't help. Getting out of bed in the middle of the night to pee is a major chore too! 

Best Moment This Week: Going to the Dr, listening to his little heartbeat and making our next few appointments! We are almost to the every week appointments! 

Miss Anything?: I miss being able to move without getting out of breath and to not have my stomach hurt. I think it's getting squished even more and so there is a lot of pressure being put on it. 

Movement?: TONS of movement. Not so much kicking anymore because it's very tight quarters in there! You can see my belly go crazy and alien like and he shifts around it there!

Food Cravings: No cravings. It's actually hard to eat sometimes now because my stomach is squished even more than it was!   

Things That Make Me Queasy: I wish I could say no queasiness still, but queasiness is coming back again at night! :( 

Gender: BOY

Labor Signs: Still having Braxton Hicks. No real labor though and they are nothing that hold me back from anything. 

Symptoms: Still having stretching pains, heartburn and pelvic pains. It also hurts when he moves sometimes. A LOT OF SCIATIC PAIN! I think he is sitting on a nerve! 

Inny or Outy: It's basically out. Sometimes it's flat and sometimes it's half out but basically...out!

Wedding Band On or Off:  It's off, but not because I can't wear it. It drives me crazy that it is slightly tighter and my claustrophobia sets in and I have a small panic attack. It's just easier to leave it off.  

Mood Most Of The Time: Extremely happy! During this pregnancy, I find myself laughing at things that aren't really THAT funny, but I'm laughing so hard, I'm crying and ALMOST peeing my pants! These pictures of funny cats were one of the things that made me really laugh hard!
Cats With Invisible Things

Looking Forward To: The upcoming showers and continuing to get things ready for Graysen's arrival!

31 Weeks

Hey bloggy friends! Sorry that I have not been good at posting lately. Things have been very busy around here with the end of the quarter at school, workshops, grant writing and much more! I promise to be better at posting now. Here is the week 31 blog! I will have nursery, baby bag/hospital bag and more this week!

How Far Along: 31 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 30 lbs approx. 

Milestones: All five senses are in working order and his eyes are reacting to light now!

Baby Is The Size Of: a Pineapple

Sleep: Sleep has been good. I have been getting hip pain though on the right side. 

Best Moment This Week: We met with our Doula, Juanita today and that went GREAT! I am so excited to have her be a part of this! Our good friends Marit and Aaron also had their beautiful baby boy, John on Thursday. We are so excited for them! 

Miss Anything?: I miss being able to bend over to pick things up, put my socks on, sit on the couch, get dressed, etc...all with ease! I can still do these things but it is a chore!! My ever growing stomach is really starting to get in the way!

Movement?: Lots and lots of movements and hiccups! He tried to sit up the other night, I SWEAR! I was sitting on the couch and all of a sudden my stomach went alien like and the middle was like a cone! Tim and I were laughing so hard...he wouldn't move either. I think he was planking a couple days ago too. I could feel him pushing out on both sides and my stomach looked like football or rugby ball instead of a basketball! I think it's getting VERY cramped in there!

Food Cravings: No cravings. I have been eating a lot of oriental chicken salads with romaine lettuce from our local restaurant though lately.  

Things That Make Me Queasy: No queasiness! :) 

Gender: BOY

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks some... Nothing serious or strong, but my uterus is definitely getting those muscles ready for the real deal!

Symptoms: LOTS and LOTS of stretching!! I'm short of breathe and have a lot of heartburn too. Things are getting crowded in there. I am peeing constantly. I also found out that I have Strep B which popped up in my urine at the last appointment. Today is the last day on medication for that. Hopefully it will clear up now and I won't have to have an IV during delivery. I am very prone to Strep so it was no surprise that I would have Strep B too. Then of course, because of the antibiotics...I got a yeast infection. I know...a little too much info for some of you but hey...pregnant woman are prone to them as am I normally! Oh the joys of womanhood/pregnancy!

Inny or Outy: It's basically out. Sometimes it's flat and sometimes it's half out but basically...out!

Wedding Band On or Off:  It's off, but not because I can't wear it. It drives me crazy that it is slightly tighter and my claustrophobia sets in and I have a small panic attack. It's just easier to leave it off.  

Mood Most Of The Time: Very happy most of the time. A little stressed lately, but it's not because of the baby. We are excited to get things in order and ready for him to be here!

Looking Forward To: Finishing the nursery (only a couple things to go) and the upcoming showers!

Another fun thing that I want to share is a picture of me along with two other good friends/fellow teachers at school. We are all/were pregnant now. Like I said earlier, Marit already had her baby on Thursday, March 29 so it's just me and Jodie left! Jodie is due May 25. 

From left to right: Marit, Jodie and Me! 

29 Weeks!

How Far Along: 29 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 29 lbs

Milestones: Baby is gaining more and more fat. He weighs in somewhere between 2.5 and 3.5lbs and measures between 15 and 17 inches long! 

Baby Is The Size Of: an Acorn Squash

Sleep: Sleep has been really good this week. I really want to sleep on my back though and am getting very sick of sleeping on my side.  

Best Moment This Week: It was a VERY exciting week at the Ostrom household! Our stroller/car seat travel system came. We just need to get it in the car now! The instruction manual is like a novel! Our gDiapers came! I can't wait to see his little butt in them! Also...our childbirth educator agreed to be our Doula!  

Miss Anything?: I miss sleeping on my back, being able to bend over and pick things up off the floor, walking without being winded, coffee, and being able to go to the closet in the morning and just get dressed! It's a chore and NOTHING FITS!!

Movement?: Lots and lots of movements and hiccups! 

Food Cravings: Still not really having any cravings. Still really like Grape Whole Fruit Bars. I have really like vanilla yogurt with raspberries and granola lately too. 

Things That Make Me Queasy: Not really queasy anymore. Sometimes my stomach is a little upset in the morning when I need to eat, but that's about it. My stomach hurts when I'm sitting sometimes too, like on the couch, because it's so squished now!

Gender: BOY

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks daily! Nothing serious or strong, but my uterus is definitely getting those muscles ready for the real deal!

Symptoms: Still having lots of heartburn and stretching. Braxton Hicks contractions are daily, but not strong. I'm peeing all of the time and winded when I walk a ways! I'm really congested lately and not sure if it's allergies from this gorgeous spring weather we are having very early, or pregnancy, or a cold! 

Inny or Outy: Flat, flat, flat. It pops out now and then but mostly it's flat. 

Wedding Band On or Off:  It's off, but not because I can't wear it. It drives me crazy that it is slightly tighter and my claustrophobia sets in and I have a small panic attack. It's just easier to leave it off.  

Mood Most Of The Time: I've been very happy lately. It's getting very close now so my emotions are a mix of excited, nervous, anxious and overwhelmed all at the same time, but mostly....we are super excited for Graysen to be here!

Looking Forward To: Finishing the nursery, talking with our Doula and the upcoming showers!

28 Weeks!

How Far Along: 28 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 27 lbs

Milestones: Baby's lungs are mature enough to survive on his own most likely and he is gaining more and more fat!

Baby Is The Size Of: a Rutabaga

Sleep: Sleep overall is good. Last night, I was awaken suddenly by stabbing chest pains and couldn't get my breathe. I wasn't sure at first what was going on. I thought the baby was crushing an organ or putting pressure on my lung or my heart. He may have been but for the next 45 minutes, I was up with sudden shooting pains up my back and chest that would knock me to the floor. I think it was just really bad heartburn, but we'll see. I got heartburn before I was pregnant, but this was unlike any other pain I've had. It was scary, especially being pregnant! The doctor put me on an antacid daily to see if that helps. I seem to get heartburn no matter what I eat.  

Best Moment This Week: Continuing to work on the nursery. We got it painted, decals up, crib is put together...just need the finishing touches! We also had our Labor/Delivery Class which was so enlightening. Check the earlier post about Doulas for more on the class. 

Miss Anything?:I miss sleeping on my back! I miss being able to walk up the stairs and not be winded. I miss lunch meat still! I really miss not having all of these aches and pains and heartburn. I miss being able to put my socks on with ease and bending over to pick something up and not feeling like my stomach is being scrunched!

Movement?: Lots and lots of movements and hiccups! 

Food Cravings: Not really craving anything. Ice water and grape flavored frozen Whole Fruit Bars taste really good!

Things That Make Me Queasy: Nothing is really making me queasy anymore...knock on wood! The morning sickness as subsided to make room for heartburn, backaches, Braxton Hicks and other aches/pains! :/

Gender: BOY

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks daily! Nothing serious or strong, but my uterus is definitely getting those muscles ready for the real deal!

Symptoms: Lots of indigestion and heartburn. It doesn't matter what I eat, bland or not, it's coming back up! Braxton Hicks, side aches, leg cramps and hip pains at night now and then. Acne again...ugh! Overall, I'm feeling pretty good, despite all those things I mentioned. My belly is getting bigger by the day, even though I'm not really gaining a whole lot of weight anymore, but it's definitely stretching and stretching. No stretch marks yet, so hopefully that means I won't have any. 

Inny or Outy: Flat, flat, flat. It pops out now and then but mostly it's flat. 

Wedding Band On or Off:  It's off, but not because I can't wear it. It drives me crazy that it is slightly tighter and my claustrophobia sets in and I have a small panic attack. It's just easier to leave it off.  

Mood Most Of The Time: I'm happy most of the time. We all have our moments, but mood-wise in general, I think I have been a pretty easy going pregnant woman! My husband may beg to differ! 

Looking Forward To: Finishing the nursery and his quilt. 

27 Weeks!

How Far Along: 27 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 25 lbs (I had the stomach flu this week so I lost a couple pounds.)

Milestones: Baby has brain activity and is breathing (amniotic fluid, not air yet) with his newly developed lungs!

Baby Is The Size Of: a Cauliflower

Sleep: Sleep is pretty good. It was a rough past couple nights because I had the stomach flu, but overall...it's ok. Still some hip pains and it feels like my pubic bone is splitting in two when I change positions. 

Best Moment This Week: Quilting Graysen's baby quilt on the long arm machine. Just need to bind it. I'll post pictures when it's done. It was nice to have a 2 hour late start this morning at school too. 

Miss Anything?:I miss being able to bend over without being in pain and not able to breathe. I miss being able to sit on the couch at eat at the coffee table. It's too low to bend over. I miss being able to have a drink. I miss eating without heartburn and indigestion. I miss being able to just sit without my ribs/sides/back hurting.   

Movement?: A lot of movement is going on. He is hiccuping now and my stomach goes crazy when that happens. It's fun to see him and feel him move at the same time. 

Food Cravings: Still really liking Mexican food! Not really craving anything anymore. Water and fruit taste good right now. I made raspberry pancakes the other night and they were so good!!

Things That Make Me Queasy: I had the stomach flu this week. That was HORRIBLE. Everything I tried to eat made me throw up. Having the flu while almost 7 months pregnant is awful. It hurts to cough let alone throw up violently. I was bawling over the toilet as Tim was rubbing my back. My sides hurt so bad!

Gender: BOY

Labor Signs: Still some Braxton Hicks every now and then. We are going to our Labor and Delivery Class this weekend so we'll get see what we are in for when they really do start coming!

Symptoms:Indigestion, heartburn, leg cramps now and then, slight swelling in my hands when I wake up and lots of pressure in my stomach. He is putting a lot of pressure on my bladder as well which is forcing me to visit the bathroom every 20 minutes at least! 

Inny or Outy: Flat, flat, flat. It pops out now and then but mostly it's flat. 

Wedding Band On or Off:  I can still wear it but I took it off because of some minor swelling in the mornings. I am claustrophobic and it freaks me out thinking I might not be able to get it off. It still spins and goes on easily though.  

Mood Most Of The Time: Mainly happy...I'm moody at times though. Just ask Tim. I can tell the hormones are starting to rage again. Little things annoy me more than normal. :) 

Looking Forward To: Our Labor and Delivery Class...maybe I shouldn't be, but I am. Starting to paint the nursery. It's almost cleaned out! I'm also excited to finish Graysen's baby quilt.