We have a full-term baby!

My 9 month belly shots :P



How far along? 37w5d Full-term is 37 weeks. It is such a blessing to be this pregnant!

Total weight gain: I think I was +40 the other day. Sigh

Appointments: Had my 37 week appt last week. A teeny bit more progress - 2 cm/80%/-1. Also found out my GBS was negative.

How big is baby? baby is now considered full term, even though your due date is still three weeks away. If you go into labor now, her lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. She weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long.

Maternity clothes: Actually, went out for a walk in pre-pg work-out clothes! Felt very proud.

Stretch marks: I don't think I've gotten any more

Sleep: Last night I slept sooo soundly after playing volleyball for 2 hours at the in-laws

Movement: Poor girl is out of wiggle room.

Food cravings: Not really...I've actually had decreased appetite

Food aversions: No

Belly button: Still a shallow innie

Symptoms: A ton of contractions. I actually thought my water broke the other day. I soaked through two pairs of undies in just a couple of hourse. The doc told me to come in...here's what happened.

On the way to the hospital, I starting throwing up and had to stop at McDonald's to have diarrhea. Not enjoyable, but it made me think that I could actually be in labor.

When I got to the hospital, the hooked me up to the monitors. Contrax were still very irregular, HB was steady. The nurse did the strip test for amniotic fluid and checked me. She said I was very soft, but closed. I told her that at my appt on Tuesday I had been 2cm dilated already. She said that was impossible. I blame her fat fingers. But anyway...

The fluid come back negative - I wasn't leaking. Turns out I have a yeast infection! Ewww. The nurse asked if I have been uncomfortable down there. I was like, "Well yes...I've been uncomfortable for months!" She said that I should be thankful that I'm not in labor since it would be extra uncomfortable to push the baby out with such a bad infection.

The doc sent me home.

Since then I have lost some bits of mucus plug. It really feels like my body is getting ready!

What I'm looking forward to: Going into labor! I feel so ready

Weekly Wisdom: Accept help. My mom and sister came over to help clean the other day...having a clean house has really helped me relax!

Weekly joy: Being full-term. I love hearing the doc say I'm ready to go any minute!

36 weeks = 9 months = almost there!

This pic is me at 35.5 weeks and my friend at 33 weeks at her shower. I can't wait for our "twin" girls to be born!

How far along? 36 weeks - holy cow! Sorry I missed 35 - opps!

Total weight gain: Do you really want to know? I'm up 39 lb!

Appointments: So, besides the technician being a "B", the sonogram went well! Baby is measuring a few days ahead and my fluid levels are normal. The tech refused to let us see the baby's face and gender. So I guess we just have to hope she'll be cute and hope she's a girl! I also had my 36 week appointment yesterday. They did the Group B Strep swab and an internal exam. I am 1-2 cm dilated, 80% effaced and baby's head is at -1 station. I didn't expect any progress, but I am so glad my body is preparing for labor!

How big is baby? baby is gaining about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy hair that covered her body, as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Next week, your baby will be considered full-term. Most likely she's in a head-down position, but if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an external cephalic version, where she'll try to turn your baby by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

Maternity clothes: Still wearing the ones that fit! It's amazing to me how many of my clothes are too small!

Stretch marks: The couple on my underbelly have gotten wider and more scary looking. Luckily I can only see them in the mirror

Sleep: I wish I could sleep better. I am only sleeping MAYBE three hours at a time now, with bathroom breaks in between

Movement: On most days, this baby doesn't like to stay still. She loves hanging out in my ribs!

Food cravings: Just random small things. Like last night at 2 am, I had to go down stairs for some Diet Sprite. I couldn't sleep until I got some!

Food aversions: Not really - but a lot of food that I normally like doesn't appeal to me right now.

Belly button: Still a shallow innie

Symptoms: I feel like everyday I feel a little bit worse...I'm trying to be a trooper, though...

What I'm looking forward to: Giving birth. I've actually been studying up on natural childbirth. I can't wait to see what my body can do.

Weekly Wisdom: When you feel emotional and have to cry, just let it out!

Weekly joy: Matthew has been so sweet, doing so many little things to take care of me. I really appreciate the small stuff he does! Also, I hit a "big" milestone 35/35 last week. When you are 35 weeks pregnant, there are only 35 days left to go! I can't believe we are under a month now!!!

How far along? 34w5d - late again :)

Total weight gain: Don't know - don't wanna care!

New question - Appointments: I thought I would add this since I'm going to be going to the doc a lot now! At my appt on Thursday, I was still measuring 1 weeks behind (3 appt in a row!), heartbeat was perfect at 150, and baby was still breech. I have a sonogram scheduled for Thursday to measure baby's size and check presentation.

How big is baby? Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which she'll need to regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.





Maternity clothes: Yes, definitely. I'm going to be looking into buying more scrubs pants - I only have 1 pair that I can say actually fits!

Stretch marks: A few on the underbelly and a few "stretch dots" on my hips...very annoying!

Sleep: I wake at least once every night. I wonder when I will actually have a good nights sleep again. Probably not for a looooong time!

Movement: I don't feel many kicks anymore, mainly just squirming and hiccups. The other day I didn't feel anything for about 8 hours. It made me very nervous, but after I laid down on the couch and daddy talked to my belly, she started moving. I don't like being scared like that!

Food cravings: The other night it was apple juice, yesterday it was lemonade. Weird!

Food aversions: Not really

Belly button: Still a shallow innie

Symptoms: I hate the heartburn the most out of any sx right now... I HATE it...and live off Tums!

What I'm looking forward to: Seeing baby girl on Thursday! I'm hoping for a great profile shot and a confirmation that she is indeed a girl!

Weekly Wisdom: Sleep as much as possible!

Weekly joy: We asked my sister and her fiance to be Felicity's Godparents :) I ordered our strollers - one travel system and a jogging stroller! I can't wait for them to arrive!

33 weeks!

How far along? 33w5d - I wish I hadn't gotten into the habit of doing this 5 days late! I'll try to be on time with 34 weeks, even though that won't be much of an update!

Total weight gain: I didn't weigh myself this morning. I'm considering stopping all together, as it is hard to see the numbers climbing. Baby is healthy, I'm healthy - who cares about the number on the scale?

How big is baby? baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. She's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and her skeleton is hardening. The bones in her skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.


Maternity clothes: Some are too small or too short now. It's so weird to think about outgrowing maternity clothes! I'm determined not to buy any more!

Stretch marks: A couple more small ones on my underbelly. They aren't totally scary though...maybe I'll be brave enough to post a pic at some point!

Sleep: I sleep better when M is not in the bed, but then I miss him so much! Catch 22

Movement: It is starting to feel like she is running out of room!

Food cravings: Not really

Food aversions: Not really

Belly button: Only the tip of my pinky fits in now. I don't think it will pop though

Symptoms: I don't think there have really been any "new" sx. One annoying thing is that when I sit for any length of time, my hips get very stiff, so when I get up to walk, I can barely move!

What I'm looking forward to: At the last couple of appts my belly has been measuring small. I can't wait to get measured again on Thursday. I can't wait to see if Baby and I have been growing! I feel like my stomach has had a growth spurt, but we'll see

Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy the little kicks while they are still little!

Weekly joy: Mother's Day was yesterday and it was wonderful to finally be acknowledged as a Mother!

Maternity Photos

Oh my, I love our maternity photos! We used our wedding photographer, who we love working with! We spent about an hour this morning with her at the Manassas Battlefield, which is were we had our engagement pictures done also. Such a great time, and I'm thrilled with how they turned out. Check out Debbie's website, MoonShadow Photography.

Here's a sampling of some of my favorite shots!

How far along? 32w5d

Total weight gain: Up another lb...steady

How big is baby? By now, baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb.




Maternity clothes: Yep

Stretch marks: Haven't really changed...just a few on the underside and a couple of purple dots on my hips

Sleep: Depends. I definitely don't get enough!

Movement: I love watching the baby move. I could do without her pushing on my lungs, though!

Food cravings: Not really

Food aversions: Not really

Belly button: Shallow, but an innie

Symptoms: The swelling is not fun! I've started wearing Ted hose to work. Boo :(

What I'm looking forward to: Putting all the baby gear into the nursery

Weekly Wisdom: Put your feet up as much as humanly possible

Weekly joy: Matthew put the furniture into the nursery today!!! I love looking in there!

31 weeks and late again!

How far along? 31w5d

Total weight gain: Still gaining a lb a week

How big is baby? This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.




Maternity clothes: Certainly. I am starting to worry about my scrubs. I've been getting away with drawstring pants and bigger tops, but it's just not cutting it anymore. Not sure what I'll wear to work once these clothes don't fit!

Stretch marks: No change to my few little ones

Sleep: I've actually been sleeping better since Matthew moved a mattress on the floor!

Movement: I love watching my whole stomach move! I can also feel actual body parts a lot. I think her butt is parked on my left side

Food cravings: Not really

Food aversions: Not really

Belly button: Shallow, but an innie

Symptoms: Waking up in the middle of the night with heartburn is not pleasant. I could do without the swollen feet and legs, too!

What I'm looking forward to: Seeing her face...I keep trying to imagine what she will look like

Weekly Wisdom: Sleep alone :P

Weekly joy: Sorting through all our baby gifts. It definitely makes everything seem more real!

30 weeks - a little late :-D

How far along? 30w5d

Total weight gain: I think about 31lb

How big is baby? Baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)





Maternity clothes: Yes - except the dress I wore to my baby shower was a non-maternity maxi dress. I felt fabulous wearing "normal" clothes!

Stretch marks: Just the same little ones that haven't changed or gotten any bigger

Sleep: Matthew announced this morning that he is moving out of our bed for now. I guess my tossing and turning is keeping both of us awake :(

Movement: I lots of rolls and jabbing knees and elbows now. I read that at 30 weeks the baby is sleeping 95% of the time. I think 95% seems high, but she does seem to have mellowed out a bit

Food cravings: Not really

Food aversions: Not really

Belly button: Still an innie!

Symptoms: The heartburn and swollen feet are the worst

What I'm looking forward to: Working on the nursery some more - I can't wait to have it done.

Weekly Wisdom: Put your feet up as often as possible, even if they aren't swollen

Weekly joy: My baby shower! Once I get some pics I will dedicate a post to it!

29 Weeks

How far along? 29 weeks

Total weight gain: +1 - still gaining steadily, but safely. I have to keep reminding myself this is for the baby and is a-ok!

How big is baby? Baby is growing rapidly now. This week she weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is getting bigger to accommodate his growing brain — which is busy developing billions of neurons. Every day, about 200 milligrams of calcium is deposited in your baby's skeleton, which is now hardening. With this rapid growth, it's no surprise that your baby's nutritional needs reach their peak during this trimester.






Maternity clothes: 100%

Stretch marks: I found a few small ones on my hips last week :( So far they have stayed small and light.

Sleep: Some nights are great, some nights I barely sleep.

Movement: She's a very active girl!

Food cravings: I woke up in the middle of the night the other day and HAD TO HAVE Sierra Mist. An hour later I woke up and HAD TO HAVE m&ms. I felt like I was being controlled by food!

Food aversions: Red meat isn't as gross as it used to be!

Belly button: Still in.

Symptoms: The swelling has definitely been the worst symptom this week. I even took off my rings :(

What I'm looking forward to: Being able to poop again! LOL

Weekly Wisdom: Drinks LOTS of water (same as last week)

Weekly joy: Eating Easter candy!!!

Easter Belly