38 Week Bumpdate

How Far Along: 38 weeks

Total Weight Gain:  20 lbs (or 35 from my lowest low)

Baby Size: Pumpkin (Average size: 18.9-20.9 inches, 6.2-9.2 lb.)

Baby might have an inch or so of hair already.

Her head is now about the same circumference as her abdomen. 

Maternity Clothes:  Comfort is key nowadays.  We are making it just fine - I stay in pajamas most of the day, which I'm sure Neil loves.  Ah what a glamorous wife he has ;)

Gender: We are having a Girl! 

Movement: Movement seems to have slowed down some.  I still feel her quite often throughout the day, but she is more sluggish than before.  Hardly any sharp kicks, just lazy rolls (and hiccups).  She is running out of room!

 

Sleep: Sleep is a little more uncomfortable.  My stomach is so big that when I lay on my side, it curves in where my waist used to be (aligned with my rib cage), and then bumps back up an inch or two where the baby is.  I guess there isn't any room for her to press down into the bed, so she gets hoisted up into the air!  So there is the stomach bumping, and the night time bathroom visits (about 2 per night), the weird dreams, & random cramps and aches - usually in my stomach.  I also can't roll over without a lot of conscious effort, so anytime my body is tired of laying in one position, I wake up automatically to hoist myself over to the other side!  I will enjoy sleeping on my stomach again one day :)

Cravings: I've started craving fruit again - big time.  Strawberries, bananas, pineapple, peaches - they all sound delicious!  I want some fruit salad!  I read this week that pineapple can help induce labor, but that it contains so little of whatever causes the inducement, that you would need to eat about 7 whole pineapples before it affected you :)

Other crazy symptoms: Before I was pregnant, I had no idea how much your core muscles just don't function like they used to when you are pregnant.  Its so hard to get up off the couch or out of bed.  I always assumed, when observing pregnant women in the past, that it was due to the amount of weight they had gained, and the big ball of a belly, that prevented them from leaning forward to stand up easily.  Now I know that your stomach just doesn't work!  I have to use my arms and legs and rocking motions to swing myself up!

I've started having a bit of swelling.  If you didn't know what my feet used to look like, you probably wouldn't notice, but I sure do.  They tingle at the end of the day, and my shoes are even tighter than last week.  It seems like my left side swells a little more than my right.  I used to have visible tendons on the top of my feet and now they are just puffed right over.

Best Moments this week:  

I went to the Dr yesterday and he said everything is looking great!  He confirmed that I am 80-90% effaced (my cervix has thinned way down), and the baby's head is very low already, so all that is left is dilation.  He said this should help my labor to go faster (who knows how much faster) because a lot of the work that some people do in labor is effacement - and I've already got that done!  Hurray!

We took a few more maternity pictures, this time at a local park.  I can't believe how talented Neil is with a camera!  Many of the people who saw them assumed that we had a professional do them.  I said, yes - my professional husband took them :)

Neil's parents are coming up tonight to be here for the big day!  I can hardly believe it is almost time!  It seems so surreal.  Neil and I fluctuate between extreme excitement and extreme nervousness.  Say a prayer for us if you think of it :)

And just for fun - here is a little side by side of my pregnancy progression: 15 weeks, 28 and 38 weeks!

15 Weeks

28 Weeks

38 Weeks

There is a chance this could be my last bumpdate!  Neil and I are tentatively expecting the baby to come on Tuesday (Oct 30th) for three *scientific* reasons:

1. There is a full moon on Monday
2. Karen's baby this summer was born about 5 days early, so we may be a couple days early
3. Neil said most 1st time moms go into labor in the 39th week.

So we shall see!  We may just as likely be 2 weeks late as 3 days early, but we're trying to be prepared either way :)

37 Week Bumpdate

How Far Along: 37 weeks

 

 

Total Weight Gain:  20 lbs (or 35 from my lowest low) - I gained 3 lbs this week!  I actually squeaked about the big change while standing on the scale in front of the nurse, and she and I both watched as the number jumped even higher!  She laughed and said - you shouldn't have said anything! 

Baby Size: Winter Melon (Average size: 18.9-20.9 inches, 6.2-9.2 lb.)

 

Get excited. At 37 weeks, your baby has reached full term. That means she’s developed his most crucial functions. Of course, she’ll get even healthier and stronger over the next few weeks, so don’t get too impatient. Around week 37, many moms-to-be find themselves organizing cupboards and scrubbing their floors. That’s the nesting instinct kicking in as your body senses baby will be here shortly. It also might be your brain’s way of making sure you’re prepared for just about anything, so you can feel like you have an extra edge on this whole new parent thing.

Maternity Clothes:  My shoes aren't fitting well anymore.  My feet don't really look swollen and the Dr. always says I'm looking good swelling wise.  It feels like my feet are a size bigger, or maybe just wider.  It doesn't bother me most the time, since I'm barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen ;) but Sunday mornings are a bit of a challenge.

 

Gender: We are having a Girl! Still! lol  I sometimes feel worried that the ultrasounds were deceiving and we will actually end up with a boy - wouldn't that be a big adjustment!?!

 

Movement: She is still hiccuping all the time!  Only now she does it with her back against my belly making them humongous and body jolting!  I have also been able to feel little body parts more prominently than before, like a sharp little heel or knee pressing out.  Neil can even recognize them from the outside.

 

Sleep: Sleep has been going good.  I have been getting up about 2 times a night now.  Thank goodness for our motion sensor nightlight in the bathroom.  It would be terrible to have to turn on the bright light and fully wake up each time!

Cravings: Still craving sweets but I'm trying to get control. 

 

Other crazy symptoms: The gallbladder pain hasn't bothered me at all this week, so I wonder if it was just some rich food. What he said about bruised organs makes total sense.  I have been trying to sit up so straight to give that area a rest and I think it has been helping my other aches as well.  I haven't had much issues with muscle cramping.  A few times in the morning when I stretch my calves or feet act like they kinda want to cramp, but I quickly relax and so far so good.

 

Best Moments this week:  Time is going by so fast!  Its hard to keep up with what is happening when.  This month is pastor appreciation month, and our senior group at church took all the pastors out to lunch Tuesday.  This was the first time I've been able to go - since I'm usually at work.  It is such a blessing to have a loving church family!

 

Neil and I took some maternity pictures - at the cemetery of all places!  They have some beautiful old trees there, grassy areas and a pretty white gazebo.

 

Neil and I are continuing to cross things off our to-do list, slowly but surely!

36 Week Bumpdate

How Far Along: 36 weeks

 

Total Weight Gain:  17 lbs (or 32 from my lowest low) - no gain this week!  I made up for my 2 lbs last week I guess

Baby Size: Honeydew (Average size: 17.2-18.7 inches, 4.2-5.8 lb) 

• She's getting closer and closer to being able to breathe on her own.
• Her skin is getting smooth and soft and her gums are rigid.
• Her liver and kidneys are in working order.
• Circulation and immune systems are basically good to go, too.

Maternity Clothes:  This week I refashioned a sweater into a cardigan!  I love it so much and wear it quite often.

 

Gender: We are having a Girl! 

 

Movement: My poor baby is running out of room!  She simultaneously pushes on all sides of my belly!  She is getting so strong :)

 

Sleep: The sleeping part is fine, and I get to go to sleep and wake up when I want to most days which is super helpful to my tired old body.  I can't imagine having to go to work at this point - I think I would be worthless by the end of the day.  As it is I'm about out of energy after 8:00 and usually just sit on the couch until I fall asleep or go to bed!

Cravings: Never in the whole pregnancy have I craved sweets like I do right now.  I bought and ate a whole bag of peanut M&M's in no time flat.  That is in addition to my ovaltine and icecream.  I better watch out - now is an easy time to pack on the pounds - and I sure don't want to when I'm so close to being done!

 

Other crazy symptoms: I've been having some weird pain - usually in the middle of the night - that feels like my organs are being crushed by a tight band around my stomach just below my ribs.  I thought it might be braxton hicks, but the muscles aren't tight at all during the pain.  Then I thought it could be heartburn, but why would that start after 5 hours of sleep?  I talked to my dr about it and he said it was either just that my organs are bruised from being pinched between my ribs and the baby, or it could be my gallbladder!  I do think I have some bruising, but that doesn't describe the intenseness of the pain - its like I'm going to pass out!  And it only lasts for 5 minutes or so, and then fades away.  I guess gallbladder issues range in severity, so we will reassess after the pregnancy.  He said it could just be that I ate some rich food that night and caused my gallbladder to act up, or it could be a more permanent problem requiring surgery, but we wouldn't do surgery until after the pregnancy!  Talk about freak me out!  I think he was just listing worse case scenarios, so he said just keep an eye on it for now.

 

Best Moments this week:  

I was pretty bummed after my dr's apt - I'm not sure what got me upset - it wasn't really the gallbladder thing, I think it was just a bunch of small things added together and pregnancy moodiness.  Anyway, when Neil came home from work he surprised me with some beautiful mums and two little pumpkins!  I put them on the porch and they make me happy everyday :)

 

35 Week Bumpdate

How Far Along: 35 weeks

 

Total Weight Gain:  17 lbs (or 32 from my lowest low)

Baby Size: Coconut (Average size: 17.2-18.7 inches, 4.2-5.8 lb)

 

My uterus has grown about 1,000 times its original size

Her hearing is fully developed, and she responds best to high-pitched noises 

Maternity Clothes:  I got some awesome maternity jeans from my sister.  They fit so great and look just like normal jeans!  I love having sisters.  Thanks Lisa!

 

Gender: We are having a Girl! 

 

Movement: Lots of kicking and hiccuping still.  She is getting so big that the hiccups feel like big pops, usually down on my left side above my hip.  The kicking is very much up in my ribs, and sometimes it feels like she is just feeling around with her toes - pinching all my organs!

At the end of the day, or when I'm not feeling well, its easy to get a little irritated at the continuous kicking, but truly it is such a blessing to feel her move all the time, and not have to worry about our little sweetie.

 

Sleep: I've been getting plenty of sleep lately.  I got my flu shot this week, so last night I couldn't sleep on my right side at all.  My hip and shoulder were complaining when I got up this morning, but most nights I wake up feeling good.

Cravings: This week I've been craving fruit and chocolate.  Not necessarily together.  I'm glad to have some crisp apples back in the house, and I also bought peaches, perfectly ripe bananas and some dried dates (very sweet!).

 

Other crazy symptoms: Lots of Braxton Hicks.  They were pretty intense for about 3 days in a row, just tight tension in my stomach muscles, almost continuously.  So the contractions themselves were not painful, but the frequency and duration made them very uncomfortable, and it left me quite sore.  Finally I told my sister and she said I wasn't drinking enough water (not surprising, being me - Neil and my Mom are probably rolling their eyes reading this).  So I started chugging water and lo and behold things are SOO much better.  Thanks Karen for the tip!  

 

Best Moments this week:  

I went to the Dr yesterday and he said I'm dilated to a one, and I thought he said 80% effaced, but maybe he meant 20% effaced, 80% to go.  Anyway, he said that doesn't mean I'm about to go into labor or anything, but its just a really good sign for a 1st pregnancy that the baby is in the right position and everything is working properly!  Yea! I am so thankful for my Dr.  I trust him so much and feel so confident in his opinion.

Neil took me on a date Friday - dinner and a movie!  I guess we better stock up on those while we can!  

Neil's parents bought a house in OKC!  We are so excited to have them so close.  Hadley will be a frequent visitor at Gran and Granna's, as well as Grandma and Grandpa's!  What a blessed little girl :)

34 Week Bumpdate

How Far Along: 34 weeks

Total Weight Gain:  15 lbs (or 30 from my lowest low)

Baby Size: Butternut Squash (Average size: 17.2-18.7 inches, 4.2-5.8 lb)

Maternity Clothes: Things are going good clothing wise.  I'm getting a chance to be a little creative here as I get bigger and bigger and the last few weeks of summer are still hanging on.

Gender: We are having a Girl! 

 

Movement: One night when a lot of kicking was happening, Neil tried to sneak over to feel her move.  He put just his fingertips lightly on my belly, since she seems to know when he comes and usually stops kicking.  Sure enough, she knew he was near and got real still.  We laid there a while hoping she would start back up again, but she didn't.  The Neil said, "Hadley, do you want me to play you some 'Sweet Baby James'?"  She immediately kicked a big kick - Yes!  Neil hopped right up and turned on James Taylor.  She kicked and kicked the whole time the song was on.  I guess we have a James Taylor girl :)

 

Sleep: Sleep has been going good.  I did wake up with a major side cramp the other day.  I was sure I was going into labor!  As I rolled out of bed in the morning, I must have tweaked a nerve or something.  Intense pain shot through my side and back!  I hopped up and started frantically pacing the room.  Nothing I did seemed to help!  I was starting to feel faint - the pain was so intense!  I thought about calling for Neil, but he was soaking wet in the shower.  I could just picture me calling for him and him freaking out and rushing to save me - water flying everywhere.

I wisely decided that their wasn't much Neil could do to help me, and it would only result in him freaking out (and possibly slipping and dying on his way out of the shower), and then dripping all over me as I moaned in pain! lol 

I remembered from our Labor and Delivery class that getting on your hands and knees can help relieve back pain during labor.  So I jumped to the floor to try that method, and in my haste I hit my head on the bed frame - ouch! 

Finally I decided the best I had felt was when I was in bed, so I crawled back in there and got my body twisted around so I stretched those side muscles and miraculously the pain stopped! 

Cravings: Just the old standbys - Ovaltine, Ice Cream and Cereal.

Other crazy symptoms: Other than muscle spasms ;) not much is new!  Surprisingly I'm sleeping well, and not having much swelling (if any).  I have noticed more Braxton Hicks Contractions this week - my whole stomach just gets so tight!

 

Best Moments this week: We took our last two pregnancy classes, Labor and Delivery and a Breastfeeding class.  They were both so helpful and very informative.  We can't wait for our girl to get here!

 

Neil's friends Marcus and Christine came to visit us for the weekend.  We had such a good time - the nature reserve, Andy's, games and more! 

 

Our church threw us a wonderful baby shower!  There were soo many people there - Neil and I were overwhelmed!  Hadley is one blessed little girl.  Now that all our showers are over, we can start going through our registry to see what else we will need before the baby comes.  We only have two weeks till our self imposed deadline of having everything ready :)

33 Week Bumpdate

How Far Along: 33 weeks

Total Weight Gain:  13 lbs (or 28 from my lowest low)

Baby Size: Durian Fruit (Average size: 17.2-18.7 inches, 4.2-5.8 lb)

I don't know what that is - here is a picture!

• She's keeping her eyes open while awake.
• She's also starting to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing.
• Her bones are hardening.
• And she's going through (more) major brain development -- that's one smart baby!

Maternity Clothes: I can't believe we are officially in the 9th month!  It feels so surreal.  Two more weeks and it will be October!  This baby will be here before we know it!  I'm going to try to make it the rest of the pregnancy without buying more clothes, because after all, we only have such a short time left!

Gender: We are having a Girl! 

Movement: Sunday morning during church my stomach started going wild again!  It was rolling with waves of kicks and bouncing back and fourth (apparently she liked the sermon!).  I didn't attempt to get Neil's attention this week, but just enjoyed my belly and giggled to myself.  He heard me giggling and looked over.  "Woah! Holy Cow!" were his next words!  So we both stared at my belly.  Then the guy sitting on the other side of me heard Neil's exclamations and looked over!  He was equally as shocked!  So we all three stared at Hadley's kicks and wiggles for about 2 minutes!  What a strong girl :)

Sleep: Been sleeping good.  I really missed my maternity pillow while I was in OKC.  I would say I would have to start traveling with it, but we shouldn't be going out of town again before the baby comes.  Plus I think it would fill up half the car by itself!

Cravings: I have really been enjoying some sweet crisp apples lately.  I mix up peanut butter and honey and dip the apple slices in.  It is so good!  And pretty healthy too :)

Other crazy symptoms: Is there such a thing as pregnancy allergies?  I think I am allergic to ragweed, but I never have been before.  Very weird.

Best Moments this week: 

We went to OKC to visit my family for the last time before the baby comes (ICan'tBelieveIt!).  We had such a wonderful trip.  My mom helped save me from a quilt crisis and my sisters got to see Hadley move/feel her hiccuping!

My sisters threw me a glorious shower with all my friends from OKC.  It was Ice Cream Sundae themed and we had so much fun!  Every little detail was perfect from the ice cream and millions of toppings, to the crystal candy bowls, ice cream cone decorations, hair bow making station and a little clothes line to hang the baby clothes on after they were opened for all to see!  I'll share some pictures once I get them :)

We had our first class at the hospital - BabySense.  It was really good and covered a lot of topics from diapering to bathing, car seats and infant safety.  Next week we have a couple more classes.  Hope we will be prepared for at least some of the things living with a baby will bring!

I finished my stencil!  FINALLY!

32 Week Bumpdate

How Far Along: 32 weeks

Total Weight Gain:  12 lbs (or 27 from my lowest low)

Baby Size: Squash (Average size: 15.2-16.7 inches, 2.5-3.8 lb.)

Maternity Clothes: Its starting to feel a little like fall! Its fun to pull out long sleeved shirts and jeans and experience some of my maternity clothes that were too warm before :)

Gender: We are having a Girl! 

Movement: Movin' and a groovin'.  Don't know why I just wrote that.  Sunday at church she started moving like a shark under water and I could see my whole belly moving!  I tried to descretely tap Neil's arm to get his attention, because if she knows that I know that she is kicking, she will stop!  Also if she knows daddy is looking she will stop!  What a silly.  So I tap tap tapped on Neil's arm and he didn't notice.  So I tried again -

Tap tap tap.
nothing.

TAP TAP TAP.
Nothing! 

By the time I finally got his attention, she had stopped moving - boo!

Sleep: Sleep is going well.  My dreams have calmed down some.  I did dream the other night that we had the baby and brought her home.  For some reason we left her in her car seat to sleep through the night.  When I woke up the next morning, I realized that I had slept through the night and not heard her cry even once.  So then I was in a panic, thinking I had slept through her crying and she was distraught.  I went over to the car seat to check on her, and she was just sitting there happy as can be, looking right at me!

Cravings: I've been eating a LOT of cereal lately.  Its just so good and crunchy and milky and easy :)

Other crazy symptoms: I can tell I have to go to the bathroom more than I did before.  I still only have to get up once each night, which is pretty lucky I think.  My sister said she was getting up 4+ times a night at the end!
 

Best Moments this week: 
My friends gave me the best surprise on Saturday!  They tricked me into thinking I was just going to lunch with Amanda and Abi, but actually all my friends were waiting for me at the cutest little restaurant!  It was all decorated shabby chic and my friends got me purple flowers and cake pops that match the nursery colors :)  They overwhelmed me with presents and love and I am so thankful to have them in my life - my Missouri family!

I've been sewing up a storm.  I made some burp clothes and attempted to do another rag quilt (my mom will have to bail me out of this one - oops!)  I also made some little toys and I have hopes of making some paci clips.

The women's group at church started this week!  I am looking forward to spending some time with some wonderful ladies :)


We went to the doctor and he said everything is looking just great!  I mentioned that she has been hiccuping a lot and he said that hiccups are a really good sign of brain development and then he said "I think God gives baby's hiccups to test out their little diaphragm and make sure everything is working right before they are born and need to use it to breath".  I was overwhelmed!  How lucky we are to have a good christian doctor - who isn't afraid to talk about God and acknowledge that he is the one that creates life!