38 Weeks

Weekly Survey

How far along?: 38 weeks

(You guessed it...same top, different day! 

Please note the red necklace to go with the blue top - I mixed it up for the KU game!!)

Total weight gain/loss: + 38 pounds (I guess staying under 40 is my new goal!)

Sleep: This was my worst week yet because I've had some trouble going back to sleep once I wake up. On Friday, I woke up at 3:11, went the restroom, tried to sleep until 4, got up, ate some oatmeal, played on the computer, and then went to the gym at 5 for BodyPump. The other nights, I tried to just rest in bed and hope that it counted a little bit toward sleep. I hope I get in at least one more good night before he is here, but I'm not counting on it!

Best moment(s) this week: Washing baby clothes, blankets, burp cloths, etc.!! I really don't mind doing laundry, and I've come to find out that I LOVE washing baby stuff: ) Everything is SO soft and tiny - I can't believe he'll be so small!

Movement: Now that his movements have changed, I have to try not to freak myself out all of the time because I don't feel him as much as I used to. I guess that it isn't that I don't feel him as much as I used to...it is just that it feels a lot different. It is more like he is stretching and shifting - MUCH less of the punching, kicking, etc. If I start to worry, I can usually just stop moving for a while, and he'll let me know he's still in there; ) He is DEFINITELY out of room!

Symptoms: HUGE and becoming a little bit more uncomfortable!

Maternity clothes?: ALWAYS.

Food cravings: Cottage cheese!! I went through three containers this week - and the third had to be picked up in the middle of the week when I ran out of the first two!

Food aversions: Nope.

Healthy eating?: I did okay. I feel like I ate a ton of dairy this week - cottage cheese, Laughing Cow cheese, cheese sticks...

Exercise: I only made it to one BodyPump class, but I did get in all my cardio + I did cardio instead of Pump on one day. I have to sign up in advance for the BodyPump classes, and several of the ones I usually go to were already full! I went Friday morning (when I couldn't sleep), and I felt great all day!

Gender: B.O.Y.

Labor signs: Hmmm. Feeling a little achy...but I think that is more of an 8-and-a-half months pregnant sign. The baby feels heavy, so I'm still thinking that he has dropped.

Belly button in or out?: Flatish...and stretched out. Gross.

What I miss: Running! The weather has been AWESOME lately, and I'm definitely craving a 6-mile run! This winter has been SO mild, and I'm sure runners are taking advantage of it! Can't wait to hit the pavement with Natalie this spring!!! I need to start looking at races...

What I'm looking forward to: Alright...I'll say it...BABY!!! I'm can't wait to meet him and to see Nick be a daddy: )

Weekly wisdom: It is okay to wear the same outfit over and over again if that is what is comfortable; )

Milestones: Baby made his first trip to Allen Fieldhouse! I could feel him squirming throughout the game. Rock Chalk! 

What I'm Smiling About This Week V. 24

- I had a nice chat with Mom, Grandpa, and Grandma on Sunday. It is always nice to visit for a few minutes!

- Natalie and I had time for a LONG walk on Sunday!


- I love the AMAZING weather!! Callie has been soaking up the sun; ) 

- All of our latest purchases have arrived, and I think we're all set for baby. I still need to finish the artwork for the nursery walls, but everything else is ready to go.

- I'm overwhelmed with everyone's support and kind words! Julia calls regularly to leave me encouraging words, and Krista sent a "you-can-do-it" card and left a long voicemail full of support. The girls on the listserv constantly ask for updates, and it feels good to know that so many people are excited for this little guy to arrive!


- I'm SO close to feeling comfortable about leaving work. I have the major parts of my job finished, and I just have a few odds and ends to take care of this week! Almost there...

Maternity Photos

Last Sunday (37 weeks/1 day), Claire took some maternity pics for us! She did an awesome job, and we are SO thankful that she was willing to help us out! Here are a few of my favorites...

Hmmm. The video is fuzzy, so I guess I'll post a few as well...

37 Weeks

Weekly Survey

How far along?: 37 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: + 36.5 pounds (My weight at the doctor's office was actually a little less than last week.)

Sleep: I have been pretty lucky until this point, but things seemed to have taken a bit of a turn. I've now had several nights where I think I only really slept three or four hours total! Boo. Miraculously, I'm still productive at the gym and at work...but I'm EXHAUSTED at the end of the day.

Best moment(s) this week: I ordered the last few things we think we need right away (e.g., waterproof pads, breast pump), and Nick's parents picked up the Pack N Play sheets for us! We also organized the nursery furniture! Sneak peek...

Movement: Feet to the ribs and lots of side-to-side wiggling! 

Symptoms: HUGE, hard belly! I constantly get comments that my belly looks like a basketball!

Maternity clothes?: Duh. Lots of tights and dresses this week!

Food cravings: Crackers!

Food aversions: Nope.

Healthy eating?: I did okay. I feel like all I want to do at work is eat. Luckily, it is all healthy...I just eat all day long!

Exercise: I got in all my cardio and weight sessions - including two BodyPump classes! I hope the one on Friday wasn't my last class!!!

Gender: Baby boy!

Labor signs: My doctor did a new pelvic exam on Wednesday, and I was 1 cm dilated. I don't know if it really counts as a "labor sign," but she said it is a good place to start!

Belly button in or out?: Flat and stretched out!

What I miss: Hmmmm. I can't think of anything. I do miss having a clean kitchen table. Does that count!?! Ha. I keep piling paperwork, coupons, etc. on it, so it hasn't been cleared off in days: (

What I'm looking forward to: Finishing the baby's room and wrapping things up at work! SO close...

Weekly wisdom: Find a nursing top WAY before you need it - even if you don't buy it. I'm having a terrible time even finding any to try on! I've only found them at Target and Wal-Mart, and these stores don't have much of a selection. I ordered some bras/tanks online over the weekend, so hopefully something will work! (Anybody have a suggestion?)

Milestones: Nick installed the car seat! We have the installation inspection on Friday. One step closer to bringing the little guy home!

What I'm Smiling About This Week V. 23


- I had a great Monday! Natalie and I had time for a nice long walk, and I had a good visit with Mom, Grandpa, and Grandma at Brandon Woods.


- Nick's 31st birthday was on Tuesday. Butch and Judy took us to LongHorn Steakhouse - yummy! I had chicken, but I will DEFINITELY get a steak next time we're there!

N + L

(I look tired!)

J + B

- On Wednesday, I had El Mezcal and Orange Leaf with Emma, my former student and friend. It was great to hear about her life at KSU and to eat some delish food!


- I started washing baby clothes, and they smell so good: ) For the most part, I don't mind doing laundry - but I especially like doing baby laundry!


- Callie has been acting out here and there, but sometimes she is SO sweet. On Saturday night, Nick and I watched Columbiana, and Callie chewed on her bone at the end of our bed. She is only allowed on the bed when her special quilt is covering our bedspread. When she finished her bone, she scooted up to put her head on the baby.

- Jerod Nieder, my friend from high school, was in a bad accident - which does NOT make me smile! What does make me smile is the attitude he has about his recovery and the number of people he has rallying around him! We went to his benefit on Saturday, and there were hundreds of people there. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers! Love you, buddy!

36 Weeks

Weekly Survey

How far along?: 36 weeks

(Feel free to make fun of my outfit.

I wear this top most of every weekend and to work every other week.)

Total weight gain/loss: + 36 pounds (over the target weight-gain range...at least I'll be close, right!?!)  

Sleep: I'm waking up a lot, but I usually can go back to sleep without too much trouble. I did have some trouble a few nights ago: I was WIDE AWAKE from 2:30 until 4:30. I had some cereal, read for a while, tried to force my eyes shut...all without much luck. Luckily, I went to bed before 10 and didn't get out of bed until after 8 (it was a weekend!), so being awake for 2 hours in the middle of the night could have been much worse!

Best moment(s) this week: Spending time with family: ) Although Nick and I didn't take much time off, our families were in town for over a week. This gave us some time to visit in the evenings: )

Movement: Lots of feet to the ribs! He also shifts back-and-forth and side-to-side quite a bit. For several weeks the doctor has said that the baby is head down, so I really just feel him wiggling and pushing off of my insides - weird, I know.

Symptoms: HUGE, basketball-like belly - and frequent trips to the restroom!

Maternity clothes?: Duh. The weather has been uncharacteristically warm, so I've been wearing tights and dresses A LOT.

Food cravings: Based on my pile of recyclables...I'm still craving cottage cheese. I go through two containers/week and would definitely go through three if I bought that many!

Food aversions: Not really...

Healthy eating?: Better - but I definitely still took advantage of the holiday treats, family dinners, etc.

Exercise: Somehow I'm still exercising! I think I'm about done with BodyPump - because I'm having trouble leaning over to pick the bar up from the ground. HA! I look kind of ridiculous, but it really feels so good! Moving feels good, lifting feels good - sitting in one place all day does not! Even if I don't do BodyPump, I hope to continue to do something. I do hate that it is so cold/dark in the morning and dark before I get home from work. I'd much rather walk outside than on the treadmill!

Gender: Little dude!!

Labor signs: Nope. 

Belly button in or out?: Flat and kind of stretched out...gross.

What I miss: Hmmm. I know I've probably said this before, but I miss being able to hang out with Nick past 10 p.m. It makes me sad how short our weekend time feels when I fal asleep shortly after we start hanging out!

What I'm looking forward to: Installing the bases for the car seat! We scheduled our car seat inspections, so now we just need to get them all strapped in.

Weekly wisdom: If I did everything over again, I would finish the nursery by 30 weeks. It is exhausting to work in there now - but it looks so cute! Updated pics coming soon...

Milestones: We had our preadmission appointment at the hospital! When it is time to go, we just head that way, and they'll be waiting for us. Being in the "Family Birthing Center" and meeting with a nurse/filling out paperwork (We even filled out paperwork for how we want our names to appear in the Lawrence Journal-World!) really made things feel real!

What I'm Smiling About This Week V. 22


- Everything! Ha! I'm really having trouble with specifics because time if kind of running together. I have been feeling really happy, so I guess that is good: )


- We had a busy Christmas day! We spent Christmas morning at Nick parents' house. We ate WAY TOO MUCH for breakfast, opened presents, and had a delicious meal (made by Nick and Jenny!). We took a mini-nap on the couch, and I snapped this sweet pic of Nick with his hand on my belly...

We went to my parents' house for the afternoon. We opened presents, had some appetizers, and talked with Grandmom and Granddad. We went back to Nick's parents' house for Christmas night. We ate TONS of snacks and play Apples to Apples. Ryan can read now, so games are even more fun!


- On Monday, we spent time with my family. Aunt Diane, Uncle Paul, and Hayley came in town from Wichita, so we all went to lunch at Freddy's. We played a game and visited at Grandpa's until Nick and I had to leave to get ready for the work week.


- Lisa and Mom came over on Wednesday. We made a no-sew crib skirt with this tutorial (pics coming soon!!) and talked about some of Lisa's wedding plans! So fun: )


- On Thursday, I went to Mom and Dad's for family dinner. Nick didn't come with me because they had family dinner at their house, too! We had spaghetti - YUM - and chocolate sundaes: )


- On Friday, I went to Mom and Dad's for lunch. Mom made some terrific grilled cheese sandwiches to go with our tomato soup; ) I visited for an hour or so (and wanted to take a nap!), and then it was time to say goodbye to Lisa: ( I cried - as usual - as we said our goodbyes, and she reassured me that I will "do great" when it is time to have this baby! (Miss you, Sis! Can't wait to see you in March when I won't have to work!!!)


- On Saturday, I had lunch with a friend I hadn't seen in a while. It was great to catch up! Then, I finished returning all of the duplicates from the baby showers and used some coupons at Penney's, Kohl's, and Target. I still need to make a list of what we're missing for the baby, but it feels so good to be done with returns! After errands, Nick and I went to his parents' house for New Year's Eve. We got rowdy (a.k.a. fell asleep on the couch!) around 9:30. I didn't see the ball drop, and I didn't get a kiss at midnight; ( I did find out that my grandpa rang in the new year at a party that didn't start until 9...and he stayed until after 1 a.m.!! Grandpa = rock star!

35 Weeks

Weekly Survey

How far along?: 35 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: + 34 pounds (one more pound until I hit the high end of recommended weight gain - yikes!) 

Sleep: Not enough - but only because it has been so busy this week!

Best moment(s) this week: Seeing the baby on Monday: ) The ultrasound pics aren't very good - especially on here because I took pictures of the pictures - but we could see him really well during the exam. The technician estimated that he was 5 pounds, 2 ounces. She looked at the placenta first, and it has moved up (which is good! That is why we had one more ultrasound!). She showed us many different angles and parts which was reassuring! We could see his profile and little lips, and we could see him swallowing. We saw his four-chamber heart, his two kidneys, his little feet and hands, his spine (which is now too big to be seen in one shot!), his brain, and...his hair! Yep, that's right, he has hair! It looks like he may have a mullet because he has long hair in the back and not much on top - ha! 

This is supposed to be his profile,

but you can't really tell: (

Movement: I can feel his feet up against the right side of my ribs most of the day. He seems to stretch and move a little bit, but I'm pretty sure he ran out of room to do the crazy twists and turns I once felt! I also feel him hiccup every other day or so, and my sisters have both felt that, too!

Symptoms: HUGE and tired!

Maternity clothes?: A MUST. The drying rack is always filled with maternity clothes as I move them through the rotation. Thank goodness for scarves and other accessories!

Stretch marks?: I don't think so.

Food cravings: Nope.

Food aversions: Nope.

Healthy eating?: Nope: ( As I anticipated, this was a rough week. I ate WAY too much and had WAY too many sweets. I'm a little scared to step on the scale later in the week when it all catches up to me!

Exercise: I was about 20 minutes short of my usual work outs - not bad for a holiday week. I got in both BodyPump sessions, so that was good. I can pretty much only walk for cardio now (because I HATE the way my belly sits on my legs when I ride the bike - ha!), so that is getting a little old. I didn't really run this week. I probably could have, but I did a couple of prenatal DVDs for a change of pace.

Gender: Still a boy: ) 

I can't tell you what any of it means, but supposedly this pic proves it! 

Labor signs: No - but I'm getting nervous. People have started asking me less about what the baby's name will be and more about whether or not I've had any contractions.

Belly button in or out?: Flat or out!

What I miss: Being able to sit comfortably for long periods of time! I'm not much of a sitter anyway, but I'm finding it increasingly more difficult to sit in one place. I end up hunching over, and I think it squishes the baby!

What I'm looking forward to: Finishing up our to-do lists!

Weekly wisdom: The holidays make pregnancy FLY by! I can't believe we have about a month to go!!!

Milestones: I'm now far enough along that I can deliver at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. If babies in Lawrence want to come too early, the mom is sent to a hospital with a NICU. As long as things go well, we'll be at LMH.

What I'm Smiling About This Week V. 21

- I had dinner with Mom and the sisters on Tuesday, and then we sorted baby clothes at my house. It was fun to visit and to show them all of his cute stuff: )

- I took the day off on Friday to hang out with Mom and the sisters! We went ALL OVER Kansas City. We spent some time on the Plaza and then we went to the One Nineteen shopping center. It was a little chilly, but we had a good time: )

Mom and Me

The Sisters

Ha!

Worn out!

- Nick and I spent Christmas Eve at my parents' house. We had some yummy lasagna, homemade caesar salad, eggplant parmesan, bread, and pumpkin pie - YUMMY!

L and L

Mom and Grandpa looking up his favorite book from childhood - 
Peter and Anneli's Journey to the Moon

Parents-to-be!

- I wanted to give Dad his gift from Baby A on Christmas Eve, and Dad said he had a gift for Baby A, too. He went to get it...and the package looked similar to the package I had for him. We opened them up, and they were the same - copies of Mr. Pine's Mixed-Up Signs! A few weeks ago, Dad told me about his favorite book (this one!), and apparently we had the same thought. I wanted to surprise him so that he'd have a copy at his house to read to the baby. Well...he wanted the baby to have his own copy! Now there will be a copy at each house - perfect! - and a great story: ) Thanks, Dad!

34 Weeks

Weekly Survey

How far along?: 34 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: + 33 pounds

Sleep: I'm sleeping pretty well! I wake up a lot to go to the restroom, but I'm still falling asleep without too much trouble. I think I've been pretty lucky in the sleep department!

Best moment(s) this week: We had a doctor's appointment on Wednesday. The doctor said I'm measuring just right and that the baby's heartbeat sounds good, too! Also, Lisa is home for the holidays - woooooo woooooo!

Movement: Yes! The movement now is almost jarring - no more little kicks and wiggles! The movements I feel are more like he is squished in there without much room to move around. Sometimes there will be a hard spot where I think there must be a little hand or foot. When I press on it a little bit, the hand/foot moves away! He also moves a lot when I slouch. I think I'm squishing him, and he's trying to let me know!!! 

Symptoms: I.AM.HUGE. I feel like my belly is multiplying in size. I'm still pretty comfortable, but I'm finding it harder and harder to do normal things like get off the couch, get out of bed, reach the bottom shelf of the fridge, etc. I guess I just can't bend at the waist (what waist!?!) anymore. It is kind of a amazing to be WAY over the most I have ever weighed...and know that I could grow for another 6+ weeks with baby growing 1/2 a pound or so a week!?! Mix in the holidays, and HUGE may have a new definition!

Maternity clothes?: Normal clothes are not really an option! As you can see in my photo from this week, I have been rocking my Old Navy top a lot! Nick told me he really likes the color on me, so that makes me feel good at least: ) 

Stretch marks?: Not that I can see - ha! I wouldn't be surprised if there are some on my belly already or if I get some on my sides in the next few weeks!

Food cravings: Not really...

Food aversions: Not at all...

Healthy eating?: Healthy eating is definitely getting harder and harder with the holidays! It seems like there are more and more treats at work, and I have a hard time resisting! Before I getting pregnant, I could easily skip the treats, but I think my willpower is lower now because I already weigh so much. That's bad, isn't it!?! This week will be rough as well: Monday - work holiday party, Tuesday - lunch meeting (I might bring my own food!), Thursday - reading team lunch at Free State; Lisa's wedding shower for dinner; Saturday - Christmas Eve; Sunday - Christmas!! I'll have to make sure I pack a lot of healthy snacks to much on throughout the day and try to make good choices at all the gatherings!

Exercise: I got in all of my normal workouts, and I'm still feeling good! This week I had many comments from people at the gym. People have been so supportive, and it has been so motivating to have people tell me that I inspire them or that I look like I must be feeling well: ) 

Gender: BOY - I hope he is still a boy because we sure do have a lot of "boy" clothes and toys these days!

Labor signs: No: )

Belly button in or out?: Flat and stretched - SO weird.

What I miss: Having energy! I do feel pretty well, but I'm EXHAUSTED at night again. I'm hoping the baby will wait at least a couple of weeks after Christmas before making his appearance so that I have some time to  get some non-holiday-related things done after the work day!

What I'm looking forward to: We have an ultrasound on Monday morning!! I hope the little guy is doing okay in there!! 

Weekly wisdom: Exercise! I'm confident that exercising during my pregnancy has helped me feel so good. I'm worried about these busy days around the holidays because I know that sleep is more important than making sure I get all of my workouts in. We'll see...

Milestones: I think I have felt him hiccuping a few times this week! I've always heard that pregnant women can feel their babies hicupping, but I didn't know what to expect. Such a weird feeling!

What I'm Smiling About This Week V. 20

- Natalie and I got in 2 runs this week! We met Sunday and Thursday for an hour on the treadmill. I still ran a little bit both days, but I'm only running at 5.8 for a few minutes at a time. I spend most of the time walking at 3.8. SO good to chat with a good friend: )


- After missing my visit to Brandon Woods last week, I was happy to make it this week! Mom joined me, and we had a nice visit with G and G!


- I'm managing to keep my head above water - barely - at work. I'm trying to make progress without stressing out too much. I'm determined to get some big tasks done before the end of the year and to have my maternity plans in much better shape. They have been done for months, but they lack specificity. Since I'm getting closer to my due date, I think I need to be a little more specific!


- Krista had a scary day at work - involving a fireball a few feet away from her - and I'm VERY thankful that she is okay!!! "Ozzy" needs his Auntie Krista!


- Nick = amazing; )


- We are stocking the fridge with some frozen entrees again. We have taco chicken chili, pizza casserole, pulled pork, and pot roast right now. They're not the healthiest meals ever, but it is nice to have some delicious meals ready to go!


- I finished the thank you notes for one of my showers!