Third Trimester

38 weeks and 4 days

Symptoms: Same as before. I felt great until a few days ago (about 38 weeks). Now, I am completely ready for baby to come out. 

Doctor Appointments: I am down to weekly appointments. Baby has been head down for the past couple weeks, so that is excellent news! The doctor also mentioned baby is about 7 pounds - estimating by feel, so not sure how accurate.

Sleep: Few and far between, but I do fall asleep fast! Though, I certainly feel like a turtle on its back when getting out of bed, which is often with baby cuddling with my bladder. 

Movement: Baby is still quite the acrobat and loves to move and dance. The movements are definitely visible if you stare at my belly long enough!

Food Cravings: Less root beer now. I really wanted hot dogs, so tonight we had some. I am also chowing down on watermelon like its my job, but I did that last summer too :)

Things That Happened: 

- Older cousin Ariel was born! 

- Both Andrew and I celebrated our birthdays. For mine, we went out to dinner and I got delicious pot roast. For Andrew's birthday, I'm pretty sure he put down flooring. 

- Had a wonderful family and friends tea party baby shower. It was so great and so many people were able to come out even though the weather was less than ideal. This baby is so incredibly loved. 

- Had a work shower, which was also awesome. I mean, they had a make-your-own-sundae bar. Perfect!!

- We took birthing classes, a breastfeeding class, and infant CPR. 

- Mostly, we have just been setting up the nursery. It is mostly done, but requires some organization as most of baby's things are still in the basement. We ordered our glider today, so hopefully that comes in fast. A new post with picture of our updated bedroom and baby's room will be coming soon with before and after pictures!

- Andrew had a dream of baby. Amma (Andrew's mom) was holding baby and Andrew asked if he could hold baby since he hadn't yet (aww!). Then, baby started crying and he asked how baby was doing and baby said in a cute little voice "Good". He asked again and baby said the same thing, then he asked if baby knew more words and it said "No". Haha! Also, apparently baby was blonde, but he couldn't tell the gender. 

- I made James take some photos of Andrew and I for maternity pictures and I edited some. I can't wait to print some of them out and hang them in the house somewhere! In these pictures, I am 35 weeks, 6 days. 

Dr. Baby (baby's in utero name, if I haven't mentioned it), we are ready for you! Anytime you want to join us, we will be over the moon anxious and excited. I can't wait to see what you look like and to hold your little body outside of mine. 

Second Trimester - Part 2

Second Trimester - Weeks 21 - 25

26 Weeks

Symptoms: I am feeling great! My gag reflex has calmed down, but since I feel great, I get a little over zealous and then I have some ligament pains and I remember I need to take it easy. I think walking the dog every day has really, really helped me. I am definitely slow when walking, but moving helps keep the stretching pain away and makes me feel good as I haven't gained too much weight - just the right amount.

Doctor Appointments: We had one last week with our doctor, who is transitioning to a new position within Beth Israel, so I don't think she'll deliver the baby. Baby's heartbeat was 155 this time and didn't move around too much when trying to find the heartbeat, unlike previous appointments. Shortly after, baby was back to kicking away :)

Sleep: It has been going OK. A few weeks ago, I bought a Snoogle (a giant pillow that goes around me) and it has been GREAT to sleep with. Highly recommended. I plan on trying to use it as a breastfeeding pillow as well. So, I have that pillow around my back and neck, then lean the pregnancy wedge my mother-in-law gave me for Christmas under my belly and I sleep great until I have to pee. Lately, I wake up to pee and am wide awake, which is unfortunate, but then I am so tired the next night, I fall back asleep. It is a vicious cycle.

Movement: Oh my goodness. Baby doesn't stop moving. Baby moves especially when I am hungry, about 30 minutes after I have eaten, if I wake up, and if I lie down. This baby is never going to sleep.

Food cravings: They seem to have disappeared. Though, I wouldn't mind some chocolate covered strawberries...

Things that happened:

- We went to the Azores! It was a pretty good week, full of traveling and adventure (my favorite type of vacation!). There were a few hiccups, but it was a great time and we ended up missing the first huge blizzard of 2015. I'm going to try and make a separate Azore post with pictures and more details. 

22 weeks in the Azores

- We got home, terrified we would not be able to get into our driveway, but our neighbor was so gracious and cleared the snow in both driveways. That was the best present!

- During our vacation week, Andrew felt baby kick for the first time! Now, my belly shakes and you can see a bump if you are looking. Creepy, I know.

- Since that first snowstorm we missed, there have been several others (at least 2 others that shut down my work). It feels like Andrew has been shoveling non-stop for weeks. 

- We officially started working on baby's room. Don't worry! I took before shots and there will most definitely be a before, during, and after post - love those! 

- Last weekend was Valentine's day, so we went out for lunch and did some errands before it started snowing. I wore my cute not-very-wintery jacket and we had our first public recognition of baby in the grocery store line! She said she thinks it is a girl because I am apparently carrying low. 

- And just like that, we are in the third trimester! I am so excited to meet this little baby, but not yet. You still have some cooking left to do little babe (and we still have a lot to do!).

Week 20

No picture, mostly because I have been a slob this weekend, but quick update!

We had a doctor appointment on Tuesday and we heard your heartbeat again. It was around 145/150. Everything is still going well and we got another packet of info (my favorite!). We get to sign up for classes soon!

I felt you kick with my hand outside of my stomach for the most definitive first time. In fact, today I had your hardest kick! It is hard to get daddy to feel you kick yet since you are so sporadic. He'll feel it soon enough though.

On Friday, you go on your third airplane ride, so the next update will probably be in 2 weeks and include (hopefully) beautiful photos of the Azores. Keep kicking strong and happy little one!

Second Trimester - Part 1

Second Trimester - Weeks 13 through 19

20 weeks

Symptoms: Most of the first trimester normal symptoms have gone away. I still have a strong gag reflex and can't brush my teeth after eating - learned that the hard way on Christmas. The only thing that has appeared is lower stomach ligament pain from my growing uterus. It is uncomfortable, but totally manageable. 

Doctor Appointments: We are on the one-doctor-visit-a-month schedule (until the third trimester), so we had basic checkups and everything is going well. On December 30th, we went for our big ultrasound and got to see organs and bones and facial outlines! It was incredible. Baby stayed facing inwards, so we weren't able to get a good look directly at its face. It was moving and grooving though. Apparently, baby loooves bagels with cream cheese.

Sleep: Sleep is going pretty well, but I feel it is getting worse. It is hard to stay on your side! I am surrounded by pillows though, so that is comfy :)

Movement: I started feeling movement at 18 weeks and continue to feel it squirming inside. It is so cool and usually when I stretch in the morning, baby stretches and turns with me.

Food cravings: Earlier on I would eat about 2 pickles a day. I wouldn't say I was craving them, I just really liked them and they were available. I also love root beer right now. I think I had my first craving (not intense, like I need-it-now just a when-we-can-please-can-we-have-this) for pizza - specifically Jon's pizza in Clinton. So, this week we got some pizza at a local pizza shop and it was just what the baby ordered. Now I could go for some root beer and pizza...

Things that happened: This has been a busy few weeks with the holidays!
- Thanksgiving was technically in these weeks, but I was still feeling pretty meh (but definitely on the upswing).
- I had jury duty and was afraid I wouldn't feel the greatest, but Andrew was the sweetest husband and went out before I had to leave and got me a coolatta, a muffin, and filled my gas tank. How sweet is that?! Needless to say, I felt fine the whole day. I got put on a case (the last one to be picked!), then the defendant took the plea. I was a little disappointed, but only had to miss one day of work.
- Kaylee had her baby shower. It was great to see family and meet Ben's family too! I had a great day and I hope Kay felt loved and special because she is. She really, really is. <3
- Throughout this time, Moose had to keep going back and forth to the vet for a tract infection that just wouldn't go away. She is still on medicine, but we are hoping this is the last for Moose's sake and our wallet's! ;)
- Christmas! It was great to have a break from work and hang out with Andrew and our families. We went to see the Hobbit part 3 with my mom, Ben, and Kay. We celebrated on Christmas day with both sides of the family and the next day we went to Maine. Jon and Kristi stayed with us for a few days and it was great to see them. We went to one of the best weddings I've ever been to - Sheli and Festus, but then we locked Kay and Ben out, so we had to go home and get the dog. Emily fail.
- Developed a baby bump! I would say it started around 17/18 weeks.
- We bought our first baby item (a stroller) and we picked out names for both a boy or a girl (we think - we could meet baby and decide on something totally different!). We are being evil and not finding out the gender or revealing names, so what are you even reading this for? Haha!

Now, I am all caught up. As of today, I am halfway(ish) through cooking this baby! During the first trimester I thought it wouldn't end, but now, everything is flying by. Baby, your dad and I are SO excited to officially meet you and get to know you. I apologize in advance for all the things we mess up on, but just know we messed up trying our best and out of love for you. Your brother or sister will get the better end of the stick. That's just how it goes, but you'll always be the one that made us parents.

Someone thought I had a treat in my hand... turns out, just a camera remote 

First Trimester

First trimester -- Weeks 1 through 12

One of the only pictures of me within this time period.
I was only a few weeks pregnant and just got some new clothes. 

Finding out: I had a sneaking suspicion I was pregnant, but wasn't sure if I was being too excited. The day before I actually took the test we went out for Chinese food with our friend Erik and got fortune cookies, but we were too stuffed to eat them. The next day, I woke up and decided I should just take the test. It was about 8:30am and Andrew was just waking up. I went into our bedroom, tears rolling down my cheeks, and told him I was pregnant! He was half asleep, so it really caught him by surprise, but then he grabbed me up onto the bed and we talked about how exciting the news was! Then, I went to a bridal shower for Sheli and a photoshoot in a pumpkin field. Pretty sure Andrew just paced around the house all day. ;)

Later that week I opened the fortune cookie and it said "You have been given special blessings". Indeed, fortune cookie, we have. 

Symptoms: I was nauseous pretty much all the time, but especially if I hadn't eaten. However, I wasn't too hungry either and only ate small portions. I only threw up 4 times (three of those being the week of Thanksgiving - week 13), but after not puking for 8 years, it was nerve wracking to actually do it. I did NOT like potatoes - specifically homefries. The hormones made me very itchy all over, but especially my upper back. I felt pretty bloated often too. The part Andrew loved the most was the fact that the clock hit 9pm (or 8... or 7...) and I would be asleep on the couch. I was tiiiired. Overall, not the worst, but I definitely did not feel the best. 

Doctor Appointments: Our first doctor appointment was October 30th. I asked the nurse who brought us into the room if we would get an ultrasound and she said she didn't think so, however after the NP went over everything and our medical history, she took us for a quick scan. It was awesome! We got to see the baby as a blob with a beating heart. We were having a wonderful moment, then Andrew said "Hey, it's not twins!" and I belly laughed causing the ultrasound to skip. That husband of mine, always making me laugh, even at inopportune times. 

Movement: None felt yet.

Things that happened: I photographed a wedding (whew! That was A LOT of work). We traveled to Indiana to visit Uncle Jon. We told family.

I know this is a little late, but I do want to document the whole thing to remember, so here it is. I'll try to be more current as weeks go on. :)