Baby Bag for the Hospital

Hey bloggers! Here is a look inside the Baby Bag for the Hospital. There are still a couple things to put in yet and my bag is not packed. When it is though, I will post pictures. I also have just a couple finishing touches to put on the nursery as well so when those are done, I can post the final result! :) 

1- Sleep sack from Grandma Armstrong for those possibly cold days/nights

2 - Sleep and play with hat to stay cozy and warm

3 - Multiple onsies with matching hats, socks, and mittens 

We'll be there 2 days and you never know with babies how many they'll go through!

4 - Coming home outfit with hat, socks, and mittens

5 - Newborn Diaper, Wipes, and Ointment

Yes, they will have these, but they are in the bag anyway. Also, we are going to be using these awesomely adorable cloth diapers, but for the first couple days (when the "black stuff" comes out) we'll be using disposables as to not "ruin" the cloth ones. Also, someone has given us quite a few newborn disposables.

6 - Diaper Bag to hold it all

7 - Birth Plan

This is VERY IMPORTANT! We have multiple copies in the diaper bag, my bag, our Doula has one, as does the hospital. This will just ensure that everyone is on the same page when things get crazy!

8 - NOT PICTURED: A couple receiving blankets and the quilt I made

(Pictures of the quilt will be uploaded soon also now that it's FINALLY finished!)

9 - NOT PICTURED: Boppy Pillow, bottles (just in case) 

  

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!

Things you should NEVER say to a pregnant woman! EVER!

Ok...I may be slightly emotionally sensitive right now, but some people are just plain stupid when it comes to talking to a pregnant woman! I mean..it's like they lost their filter for any tact and even though they may not mean to come off rude, their comments are just plain ridiculous!

Here are a few of my "favorites" so far!

"Wow...You are HUGE!" Ok...I realize that my belly is getting bigger, along with other parts of me I'm sorry to say, BUT...it takes all I have to bite my tongue and not say something like, "I'm 7 months pregnant...what's your excuse?" HUGE is not a word a pregnant woman EVER wants to hear! Try something like "I'm so excited for you and love seeing the baby's growing progress!" 

"Oh...you're pregnant? I was thinking you were looking a little more 'built'!" Alright, even if you were thinking that I may have gained weight and didn't want to ask if I was pregnant, (Thank you for not asking, because unless you know FOR SURE...NEVER ask a woman if she is pregnant or when she is due!!) please don't tell me that you thought I was getting a little more 'built'! (I had gained 5lbs at this time by the way!)

"TUMMY TOUCHING" - I'm not opposed to tummy touching at all! I'm a kindergarten teacher and am being 'touched' all day long. Doing it without asking...another story! It seems to always be drunk men. My husband and I had a wildlife banquet and yep...2 drunk men, who we knew but still...touched/rubbed without asking! We were at a bar/restaurant eating supper and yep, you guess it...2 more drunk men that night! PLEASE ask before touching! I don't go around rubbing your belly!!!

"You think you're not sleeping now..." No shit! And before you jump to conclusions...I feel great right now and I'm sleeping great thanks! Obviously baby's are up every couple hours and anyone that THINKS they will be getting MORE sleep after they have a baby is just an idiot! 

"Your life is going to change!" Again...NO SHIT SHERLOCK! Thank you for stating the obvious!

"I was in labor for _____ hours and it SUCKED! Just you wait!!" No pregnant woman wants to hear your horror story about labor and delivery, especially a newbie! No one goes into labor/delivery thinking it will be a walk in the park. No pain...no gain! I just don't need to hear a long story about yours unless I ask. 

"Why would you ever want to do that??" Such as cloth diapers...I'm pretty sure that women used cloth diapers for many many years before disposables came along and if we want to take the extra time to wash, clean, etc...what do you care? You aren't going to have to do it! Sorry if we want to be nice to Mother Nature and use cloth diapers at home. We aren't completely against disposables and plan to use them now and then. I'm not judging you for using disposables!! 

"Good luck with that!!!" (said sarcastically) This is what we usually get when we say that we want to have a natural childbirth with no drugs. It's usually followed by said labor horror story mentioned earlier. Excuse me...woman have been having babies that way for 100s and 1000s of years! Instead, congratulate me and encourage me to give it my best effort. I'm a strong woman that can take more than you know!

"I bet your husband's excited you're having a boy!" Yes he is, but he would be just as excited if we were having a girl. We want a healthy baby and he was actually leaning towards a girl. 

"My friend's sister's cousin had a baby that was born with ________" (insert horrible disorder here) We actually DID have a genetic disorder scare and had to go in for a Type 2 ultrasound and genetic counseling. Our baby boy had brain cysts that they found at our 19 week ultrasound. You wouldn't believe the people that told us horror stories about friend's/relative's babies that had the same thing and died or a similar disorder or a disorder that had nothing to do with our baby and our situation. NO ONE wants to hear those stories when they are going through something like that. Be sympathetic and pray for us. Everything turned out fine and the cysts cleared themselves up by the way. 

"It's ok to have a beer/glass of wine! I did and my baby turned out fine!" That's great for you! I'll work on being the best/healthiest mom I can! Thanks though!

Ok, it may be my raging hormones lately, but again...that comes with pregnancy and DON'T point out to a pregnant woman that her hormones must be raging, but some people need to STOP AND THINK before they speak. Pretty sure, whenever talking to a pregnant woman, you should say how great she looks pregnant and how glowing she is, even if she isn't and she is crabby and moody! LIE THROUGH YOUR TEETH! They are already on a wild emotional roller coaster where they are excited and proud to be growing this human being inside of them one minute to feeling like a big fat blob the next. Their body is changing and I think they know that more that anyone! BE SENSITIVE and remember...if you don't have anything nice to say...KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT! Ok, I'll get off my soap box for today. Blame today's blog post on my raging hormones! :) 

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. 

Nursery Sneak Peak

Here is a Sneak Peak at our nursery. We started out having a Map/Eclectic World Traveler themed nursery, but it's ending up more like an African Safari/Indiana Jones theme but I LOVE IT!!

Here are some before/during pictures. The after pictures will hopefully be posted soon!

Here is bad view, but peak into the room that WAS a catch all for the junk that we didn't have any other place for. It all got cleared out to make room for BABY!!

 Here is the room cleared out and freshly painted. It looks so much bigger without a queen sized bed and a bunch of random stuff!! 

 Here is another "before" view of the room. There was a queen sized bed in here, but we took that out before these pictures were taken. It looks like a lot of work ahead...

 Here is the same view of the room but all of the crap is cleared out and the paint it done! Thanks to my parents, who came over while Tim and I were at work to paint! Tim just had to finish up a bit when he got home. 

 Here is a picture of the same spot, but the crib is up, (filled with some more stuff for the nursery) and decals are on the wall.  There will be a huge 55" x 35" antique map hanging on the slant above his crib and seafoam/aqua paper lanterns hanging over his changing table which is just to the left of the picture as an abstract globe mobile. 

 One last "before picture". I just noticed that our dog, Shadow, is mysteriously in this picture, snooping around at all of the baby stuff! 

 The same corner "after". I absolutely LOVE this giraffe decal! There will be a glider in this corner at well but the cushions are getting recovered to match the room. 

 Here is a foot stool that will be used in the room. I got it from my "sisters" and "surrogate mom" as a shower gift. It works perfectly in this room!  

Last but not least...I had to add a picture of Tim putting the crib together. We were a great team and it actually didn't take very long. Only one swear word muttered by me and not over the crib. Tim accidentally pinched my finger in the crib when he was trying to catch himself from falling over. He has the WORST balance. I love the crib too! It is so much prettier in person than the pictures show. I can't wait for Graysen to get to rest his precious little head in it!

To Doula or Not to Doula???? That is the question!

This weekend Tim and I attended our Weekend Childbirth Class. It was very enlightening and I/we feel much more prepared. Not saying we are totally prepared because no one really is, but we are a lot more confident in the birthing experience. Our question now...Doula or no Doula?? 

For those of you that don't know what a Doula is, Doula means Woman's Servant and she comes and assists in the childbirth process. They make sure that Mom and Baby are as comfortable as they can be and that the labor/delivery process is exactly or as close to exactly what you would like. They aid in comfort measures and provide emotional support. 

When a Doula is present during/after the birthing process: 

• tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications
• reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction
• reduces mothers’ requests for pain medication and epidurals
• reduces cesarean sections by up to 26%
• improves the mother’s satisfaction with her birth experience
• reduces postpartum depression
• improves breastfeeding success
• reduces the length of hospital stays
• builds mother’s self confidence in the postpartum period

We know that we want to try very hard to not use any drugs during labor and to have a natural vaginal birth. I feel very confident in my ability to do this. I am strong and woman have been doing it for hundreds of years! It's what your body was made to do. At last resort, if something should happen, we are not opposed to a C-Section. If we need it, we need it but we want to try every other method before we just at an epidural. I want our baby to come out alert and ready to breastfeed. 

The childbirth educators, who are also Doulas, reassured us that if you can make it to 7 centimeters during the Transition Stage of labor, you can do it the rest of the way. The worst is most likely over. I've never had a baby, but I have been in labor and had my cervix opened and dilated.  I had to get an IUD and since my cervix had never been opened, they had to dilate me and induce me to open it manually. That was AWFUL but I drove myself home having contractions!!! I know that actual childbirth is going to be even more intense but I have faith that I can do it! I really want to try. I will have a WONDERFUL coach who is also my best friend helping me through it. 

An amazing thing about the Birth Center, where we are having Graysen is that we CAN make it our own experience. We plan to bring in relaxing/meditating music, aromatherapy, soft lighting and use the whirlpool tub/shower. They have labor balls, beds that move into all sorts of positions and not to mention that they delivered 900 babies last year alone!! We are in great hands! 

Our only question is...do we get a Doula or not?? They usually make two house visits before hand to go over what you want and the experience you want to have, are there when you go into labor and stay through the birth. They will stay for a couple hours if you want and they will assist with lactation right away as many of them are also lactation consultants. They usually make a home visit sometime within the first month after baby is born to check up and what not. There are several reputable/licensed Doula's in SE MN...we are just debating on whether we will use one. 

Leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts. Did you use one? Do you know someone who did? Do you wish you had used one?? HELP!!!!

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. 

26 Weeks!

How Far Along: 26 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 26 lbs...YIKES!

Milestones: Baby's eyes are forming and will soon be blinking. His eyelashes are already formed and ready to bat! 

Baby Is The Size Of: a Head of Lettuce

Sleep: Sleep is better but not great. I have been snoring still according to Tim. I have a lot of heartburn and night and get up to use the bathroom a lot!! I can't complain though because it could be so much worse!

Best Moment This Week: Getting paint for the nursery along with some new/gently used clothes for him! Had a Dr. appointment and found out Graysen is growing and doing well! Having a night away with my husband! Oh...and Chuck and Julie! :) 

Miss Anything?:Oh goodness, where to start. I miss being able to sit on the couch and eat off the coffee table without my ribs in excruciating pain. (Guess it's not all bad...I should use the table anyway!) I miss being able to bend down to pick up something without grunting and it taking an immense amount of effort. Good thing Kindergartners love to help!!    

Movement?: Still a ton of movement. I'm pretty sure he's having a party in there and we weren't invited! We are seeing his movements on the outside now!

Food Cravings: Still really liking Mexican food! Not really craving anything anymore but DID get a fried bologna sandwich last night which was AAAAAMAZING!!!!!!!!

Things That Make Me Queasy: The queasiness had subsided, but this last week, I'm not sure if it was a bug or my morning/all day sickness coming back. Today was better so fingers crossed that it was just a little bug! 

Gender: BOY

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks contractions are happening now and then but nothing to worry about. Dr. says my cervix is still closed tightly and as long as they are not consistent and progressively stronger, they are fine! Just practicing for the real deal!

Symptoms: Indigestion/heartburn after eating. Doesn't matter what it is...I get heartburn! Tums are in my purse at all times. Lots of rib pain. I think my uterus is growing up instead of out. Also, it feels like my pubic bone is splitting in two. Dr. says that it basically is! Great!!! :/

Inny or Outy: Flat. It pops out sometimes depending on the position I'm laying in. Belly buttons gross Tim out and the other night as we were laying there WATCHING him move, my belly button was half-way out and Tim put his hand on it to cover it so he couldn't see it. It made me laugh and he freaked out because when I laughed it made it pop in and out on his hand, which made me laugh more. You had to be there but it was hilarious to watch a grown man freak out about a belly button! :) One more reason I love him!!!! 

Wedding Band On or Off:  I could still wear it but took it off because it was getting tight at times. It was just easier to leave it off. I'm claustrophobic and the tight feeling was freaking me out a little. 

Mood Most Of The Time: Happy for the most part. I can tell my hormones are starting to kick in again though. 

Looking Forward To: Getting the nursery ready! I'll post pictures as we go. Marit and I are quilting our baby quilts on Sunday. I can't wait to have that done too! Also...baby showers are coming to starting to help plan those is exciting as well! 

My thoughts on almost being a half a year pregnant...

Wow...I can't believe that in a week, I'll have been pregnant for a half a year! I remember vividly that morning that I took the pregnancy test that almost instantly read PREGNANT! We new that we were going to start trying to have a baby right away after we got married. I have endometriosis and the doctor said that we should start right away because it may take a long time...if at all! Well...as you can see...it didn't take long at all! We got married July 16, had my IUD out August 26, and conceived on September 15. We decided to do the ovulation tests and by golly, they work!

My first trimester fears consisted of things like...

"What will it feel like to be pregnant?" 

"Can we really afford a baby right now?" 

"What will happen to my body?"

"Am I going to be THIS sick the WHOLE 40 weeks?"

Most of those have subsided. The fears/questions have changed to things like...

"Will we have everything we need when he gets here in 15 weeks or less?"

"What will we do about insurance?" 

"Will I ever sleep again...I'm already not sleeping now!"

"Still...can we really afford this baby?" 

"Our life is going to change so much...!"
"Are we going to be good parents? We 'raise' kids all day, but this is our own!" 

I guess you're never REALLY ready to have a baby. You just do it! 

I can't wait to meet Graysen and see the 'alien' that's been punching and kicking me in the ribs/crotch all day long...the little person that's been growing inside of me for all of these months. 

After our scare with his brain cysts, we are so grateful to be delivering a healthy baby boy! It really makes you appreciate everything once you go through something like that.

 We live by the motto, "If we're handed it...we can handle it!" 

This pregnancy has been a roller coaster of emotions and the best ride of my life! I can't wait to see where it takes us. I am so excited to be a mommy!

25 Weeks!

How Far Along: 25 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 24 lbs

Milestones: Baby has a new sense of equilibrium and knows what's up...and down! He's also gaining more fat and hair. 

Baby Is The Size Of: an Eggplant 

Sleep: Sleep is so so. Lot's of tossing and turning. I keep Tim awake with my pregnancy snoring. Apparently now that my sinuses are enlarged and swollen from pregnancy...I snore! Hopefully that will go away! 

Best Moment This Week: Getting to SEE Graysen kick on the outside! I had to stare a long time, but yep...there it was...saw him give a punch/jab/kick. We also got the crib this week!! Now the room needs to get painted so we can set it up!!

Miss Anything?: I miss being able to sit for a period of time without my rib being in excruciating pain! I also miss being able to go more than 1 hour without peeing! The bathroom is my new favorite spot!  

Movement?: Lots and lots of movement!! Even SEEING the movements now!

Food Cravings: Not really any cravings anymore. I think he's going to like spicy/Mexican food. I was craving mini tacos and Chipotle for awhile. A lot of people think browning hamburger was gross while pregnant, but I didn't mind it...it usually meant I was going to get to eat tacos or burritos! :) 

Things That Make Me Queasy: Raw meat, Onions, Pledge, Our dog's smelly gas!

Gender: BOY

Labor Signs: Maybe some Braxton Hicks but nothing serious or alarming. 

Symptoms: A lot of indigestion! I am getting bigger every day!! You'll see from the picture. I didn't do a 24 week so it seems like a lot from weeks 23 to 25. I have slight swelling in my hands/feet, especially in the morning. That dreaded brown line on my belly appeared this week as well! Morning sickness is back!!!! Not bad, but slightly nauseous when I wake up lately!

Inny or Outy: Pretty flat now. 

Wedding Band On or Off:  On though it's getting tighter. I had it off for a couple days. 

Mood Most Of The Time: Most of the time, I'm happy. I had a little freak out last night over nothing. Just cried for like 30 minutes. Overall though, I'm ecstatic! We are seeing Graysen move, I'm feeling better, for the most part...morning sickness is back though. Slightly nauseous  in the mornings when I first get up. 

Looking Forward To: Getting the nursery ready! I'll post pictures as we go. Also getting to go away on a mini vacation with my hubby and his cousin and wife for Tim's birthday. A 3 day weekend is definitely what the doctor ordered!

23 Weeks!!

How Far Along: 23 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 20 lbs

Milestones: Baby's face is fully formed...just needs some fat to fill it in and he is listening to our voices, my heartbeat and the dog barking! 

Baby Is The Size Of: a Pomegranate

Sleep: Sleep is pretty good. I feel like there is an ocean between me and Tim. Our new bed is great and my Leachco Back & Belly Pillow is wonderful too. I'm still getting some hip pain when I'm sleeping, but overall....sleep is ok, not the best I've had, but not the worst...YET!

Best Moment This Week: Getting fabric for the nursery. I LOVE Hancock Fabric! (Especially when I can get $20/yard drapery fabric for $5! We are doing an "Eclectic World Traveler" theme for the nursery. I got some great fabrics for a quilt also. I will post pictures later in the week. 

Miss Anything?: I miss being able to put my socks on with ease. My ribs miss not being squished up into my lungs/throat!! I miss being able to sneeze/laugh/bowl without the fear of peeing my pants!!

Movement?: He is very, very active! Lately he likes to kick/punch me in the right rib. He'll then somersault over and kick me in the crotch! That's a great feeling...especially when I'm trying to teach 23 5&6 year olds!

Food Cravings: Toast with cream cheese, Auntie Anne's pretzels, Lunch Meat, Cookies & Cream Ice Cream, Cinnamon anything! Cinnamon Rolls, Cinnabon Cereal, Granny Smith Apples. My cravings have pretty much subsided but these things still taste really good right now!

Things That Make Me Queasy: Raw meat, Onions, Pledge, Our dog's smelly gas!

Gender: BOY

Labor Signs: I think I had a Braxton Hicks contraction last week but nothing serious. 

Symptoms: Well I'm having a ton of indigestion/heartburn lately. My ribs feel like they are in my throat and it almost takes my breath away to bend over already. Overall, my symptoms are pretty good. I'm definitely showing and I think my belly is getting bigger every single day!

Inny or Outy: Belly Button is getting flatter but still in slightly.

Wedding Band On or Off:  On though it's getting tighter. 

Mood Most Of The Time: Happy most of the time. I had a little freak out the other day thinking about not being ready and not having anything. We went and picked up some clothes and are starting the nursery (which I'm super excited about) so I'm feeling more at ease. A friend told me the other day..."I felt like a demon took over my body at times when I was pregnant!" Well put Jen! Sometimes...You aren't sure what you're freaking out about or why you are so emotional!! Overall...very happy!! 

Looking Forward To: Getting the nursery ready! I'll post pictures as we go.