40 Week Survey

Here we are! 40 Weeks and what will hopefully be my LAST pregnancy survey! For this little guy at least! ;-)

The 40 Week Survey

How far along?: 39 weeks and 6 days! One day to go! Haha!

Total weight gain: 41 pounds. I think it's because my mom has been feeding me so much this week! ;-) But hey, that's really not a bad weight gain for my body type!

How big is baby?: Big? Haha! I don't know but if he gained an ounce a day, from my last ultrasound, then he'd weigh 8 pounds and 2 ounces! I'm hoping he comes out somewhere around 7 1/2 pounds!

Maternity clothes?: Today I wore a dress to work, when I normally never do. It was that hot! Like I said last week, I don't exactly have many hot weather maternity clothes!

Stretch marks?: Nope! HOORAY!!!

Sleep: Not horrible, but not great. Last night was the worst. I got up about 4 times to go to the bathroom and had a contraction every time I got up. It was interesting and I was sure hoping that I was going in to labor... turns out I was not!


Best moment this week: Knowing that he could be here at ANY minute! Also, we had a great doctors appointment in Midland because they said baby boy looked healthy and everything was great on the fetal monitor!

Movement: Still moving like crazy... even though I don't see how he has any room!

Food cravings: My mom made me chocolate chip cookie dough and it was AMAAAZING!

Gender: Sweet, sweet, sweet baby boy!

Labor Signs: I've had contractions on and off all week, but nothing that I can count or keep track of. I also of course had my membranes stripped, so "things" happened Monday night which I won't go into details, but it was a sign that labor is on the way! haha...

Belly Button in or out?: The top started to poke out again. Lovely, just lovely.

What I miss: Not having to question every single pain... "Am I having contractions?", "Should I count this?!"

What I am looking forward to: Meeting my son!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy your last bit of freedom before your baby gets here! I have been loving spending time with my hubby in the evenings! However, we are super ready to meet our little one!

Milestones: So, you're 40 weeks pregnant and wondering "where is Baby?" Not to worry. Only five percent of women deliver on their actual due dates. You're not over-due for another two weeks. It's hard to wait, isn't it? As your body prepares for delivery, you may notice more frequent rounds of Braxton Hicks contractions during which your abdomen tightens and relaxes. You'll also experience times of more intense contractions that may or may not become regular. During your office visit, your healthcare provider will tell you if your cervix is thinning and opening as it prepares for childbirth.

Happy to be 40 weeks!

Hellllo belly!

Final Fun(?) Facts:
- Hips: 39"
- Breasts: 39"
- Waist at belly button: 42"
- Current weight: 155!

39 Week Survey

A little late... but I've been busy preparing for baby!

The 39 Week Survey

How far along?: 38 weeks and 6 days! Only one more week!

Total weight gain: 39 pounds! Seems like I'll meet my goal of only gaining 40!

How big is baby?: On ultrasound he is 7 pounds 8 ounces... that's a big baby! =)

Maternity clothes?: The puzzle this week was finding shorts. See, all of my maternity clothes are for winter pretty much, so when it hit 90 this week I was a little hot!

Stretch marks?: No.. could I really make it all the way without them?! Please, yes!

Sleep: Rough. I wake up at least twice a night to go to the bathroom, and then my back has been hurting so it's very hard to get comfortable. Then, little boy decides it's the most appropriate time to wake up and dance around riiiighhht when I'm trying to fall asleep! So kind of him!

Best moment this week: Seeing and hearing that our little guy was nice and healthy via ultrasound and fetal monitor... and my mom is now here!!!!!!

Movement: He could probably win awards for 'Baby who moved the most in utero", haha!

Food cravings: Mini chips-a-hoy cookies... yum.

Gender: Sure do hope he comes out as a boy, hehe... he has a lot of boy clothes and what not!

Labor Signs: I was having contractions that I couldn't feel while at the doctor on Tuesday. Only reason I knew was because they showed up on the monitor! Other than that I had one contraction that I felt on Thursday night and then while walking on Saturday I felt two contractions but they went away when we returned to the house and I sat down. My body is definitely getting ready... it's just taking a while!

Belly Button in or out?: No change. Still just kinda flat!

What I miss: Not wondering "was that a contraction or am I just uncomfortable"? And not worrying about my blood pressure.

What I am looking forward to: OUR BABY'S ARRIVAL!!! One more week until my due date!

Weekly Wisdom: When your doc tells you to take it easy, listen to him. Otherwise your mommy will get mad at you! ;-) hehe...

Milestones: One week to go—although doctors already consider you full-term, so you could have your baby anytime. With your uterus stretched tight to hold your full-sized baby, he has little room to move around. With the lack of space, you may notice your baby isn't kicking as much. Your little one isn't the only one who's scrunched—your internal organs have less room too. Breathing will become more labored as your lungs have less space, and your stomach has less room too, so you should expect to eat several smaller meals throughout the day. Many women lose their mucus plug a week or two before delivery (though for others it doesn't happen until right before delivery). If the mucus is pink or streaked with blood, it is known as the bloody show and usually means labor will begin within the next day. (Hasn't happened yet!!!)

Someone's face is growing!

Sorry that it's a little washed out!

38 Week Survey

The 38 Week Survey

How far along?: 37 weeks and 6 days! Only two weeks to go! HOORAY!

Total weight gain: 37 pounds! Not too shabby for only two weeks to go!

How big is baby?: Probably around 7 pounds or so. We'll know for sure on Tuesday!

Maternity clothes?: Why of course... This week I had trouble because even my stretchy pants are getting tight and uncomfortable! I come home and put PJ's on, haha.

Stretch marks?: No.. could I really make it all the way without them?! Please, yes!

Sleep: These past few nights were a bit better. I made myself get into bed by 10pm or earlier so that I could turn the lights out at 10pm. Then I only got up once around midnight and slept straight until 7. Maybe my body is telling me that I need all of the sleep I can get because something's about to happen!

Best moment this week: Deciding on our birth plan and how we want labor to go, or how we'd like to see labor go. Also, we put the car seat in the Jeep and I've definitely noticed that he's dropped! I eat a ton more, and he's been pushing hard on my pelvis and sciatic nerve.

Movement: He's still quite the mover. Tonight I sat at the kitchen counter and Andrea, Britni and Granny all got to feel him move around like crazy. Britni was a tad freaked out by some of his more pronounced movements, hehe..

Food cravings: No not really! I did eat a TON of oreos in the past few days though!

Gender: The sweetest, most cute, adorable baby boy in the whole wide world!

Labor Signs: I was afraid that something was happening on Wednesday, but as I mentioned it turned out to be nothing. Hoping to start feeling something soon!

Belly Button in or out?: You know, it used to stick out and now I guess since he's dropped down there is more of an indention at my belly button. It's still flat as can be, but just not trying to pop out anymore!

What I miss: Unlimited soda. haha.... I am a Dr Pepper gal, that's for darn sure, and I would LOVE to drink a huge glass whenever I wanted, but I have limited my caffeine intake all pregnancy. I still drink about 12oz of soda a day, sometimes none in a day, so I still definitely get my "fix", but just not as much as I'd like, haha!

What I am looking forward to: Tuesday! Our ultrasound in Midland which will tell us how big baby is, make sure he's still in the right positions, and if for some reason he's stopped growing because of the placenta problem, then we'll be scheduled to deliver. It's driving me crazy to not know yet!

Weekly Wisdom: Create a birth plan with your spouse or your "coach" as they say in our birthing class. Talking about what you'd like to have happen beforehand is going to make things so much easier... or at least that is what I am telling myself! I really hope we are able to stick to our birth plan! I've also been walking every evening, or when we get home before dark that is, and it has definitely made me feel better!

Milestones: You're at a milestone: 38 weeks marks full term pregnancy status! The pain of backaches and leg cramps are swallowed up by excitement about your baby's impending arrival. You may experience false contractions off and on throughout the day. Inside your body, your cervix is readying for delivery. You may notice clear to white vaginal discharge, sometimes streaked with blood, as your cervix thins (or effaces).

In honor of the Big 12 semifinal game!

Definitely dropped, huh?!

Fun(?) Facts:
- Waist at belly button: 42" (an inch in a week? Yeah, he's definitely lower!)
- Current weight:  150.6 pounds

37 Week Survey

The 37 Week Survey

How far along?: 36 weeks and 6 days! Full-Term TOMORROW!

Total weight gain: 36 pounds... only 4 more pounds before I hit what my target max was/is!

How big is baby?: A little over 6 pounds now! What a little chunk! ;-) I'm hoping he's about a 7 1/2 pound baby! Wishful thinking?

Maternity clothes?: Yup. I'm beginning to wonder what I'll wear post-pregnancy now that I'm so used to stretchy waisted pants, hehe...

Stretch marks?: Nope! ...Commence Celebrating!!!

Sleep: Horrible. I wake up on average 3 times every night. Between having to pee, leg cramps, not being able to get comfortable, and then my spoiled animals, sleep is very difficult! Last night was THE worst. I made poor Darren turn the A/C on... I could not get comfortable no matter what I tried, and I was out of breath from moving around so much! Sad, huh? Plus, I had to pee three times. Not fun.

Best moment this week: The calendar turning over to March!! That means that little boy will be here THIS month (hopefully!!!!)! Plus we celebrated Darren's 27th Birthday last night! Both of my brothers reminded him that this was his last one without a kid, haha! ;-) We're almost all the way ready for little boy too which is a great feeling!

Movement: I think I have bruised ribs and a bruised belly button. No lie. haha... Ok, maybe a slight exaggeration. Last night though I really did think my left ribs were bruised. They were pretty tender. I thought the movements slowed down when they were bigger! Guess not! That's ok because I very much appreciate his movements!

Food cravings: I think I was pretty good this week. The only thing might have been that I wanted a hot chocolate from Starbucks after our Childbirth class, and NATURALLY, since Midland sucks, they couldn't make any drinks because their R/O water wasn't working or some bologna like that.

Gender: I just bought him a little baseball outfit that says "Future All Star"! Maybe he'll take after Uncle Ross!

Labor Signs: Still none. No contractions that I know of!

Belly Button in or out?: No change. Just sticking out slightly!

What I miss: Not getting dirty on my belly area! Apparently my belly gets in the way, and I forget or something! I'll lean against a counter, or while I'm washing dishes lean against the sink, and bam... dirty belly. hehe. Darren thinks it's funny!

What I am looking forward to: FULL TERM TOMORROW!!!! I also can't wait until our appointment at Dr. Blanco's to see how big little boy is, and my mommy will be here in two weeks!

Weekly Wisdom: I know it may sound crazy, but plan for the unexpected. I keep thinking, "Wow, tomorrow I will be full term, and little boy could come at any time!". Therefor we will be putting in the car seat, packing our hospital bag and diaper bag, and making all of those other plans that are required when you're having a baby!

Milestones: At 37 weeks, your baby's body is developed enough to survive outside the womb. His lungs, now filled with amniotic fluid, are ready to take his first breaths of air. His eyelids flutter open and shut preparing for their first view of you! This baby is just about done growing inside you. That means it could be anytime now!

Excuse the work look!

Lucky to still be relatively small!

Fun(?) Facts:
- Waist at belly button: 41"
- Current weight:  149.6 pounds

36 Week Survey

The 36 Week Survey

How far along?: 35 weeks and 6 days!

Total weight gain: 34 pounds.... I'm hoping to not exceed 40 pounds, but we'll see!

How big is baby?: About 6 pounds... one website compared the baby to a cantaloupe, hehe!

Maternity clothes?: Ahhh... yes. Even some medium t-shirts are looking tight!

Stretch marks?: Still none! Although we won't talk about my linea negra!

Sleep: I think God is trying to prepare me for baby. Or maybe my animals have some 6th sense where they are trying to do the same. The past week I have gotten up about 3 times per night. Once at 1:30am-ish, 3:30am-ish, and 5:30am-ish... then the alarm goes off quarter to 7. So, needless to say, I'm ready for those every 2 hour feedings! Just maybe not the staying awake for an hour during!

Best moment this week: Taking our maternity pictures with the amazing Britni! Seriously, our cousin is only 17 years old (just turned!) and she is a very talented photographer and photo-editor. Can't wait to share them! =) Also, getting the crib together and the nursery more put together with my dad and Maggie! It was so great to have them for a short visit!

Movement: I admit, I don't even do my kick counts. There is no need. He moves SO much! I really think he's starting to stretch out his arms about once every hour because I seriously get some sharp little elbows to the belly. Too low to be his feet, so they are definitely elbows! Yesterday I got kicked, HARD, in the ribs. That was not nice of baby boy!

Food cravings: This week's theme... ice cream! I bought ice cream for when my dad and Maggie came and I have had a bowl almost every night. Plus, after our birthing class on Monday I made Darren take me to Baskin Robbins. Those people probably KNEW it was a pregnancy craving!

Gender: Future Momma's Boy! ;-)

Labor Signs: None.... I'm beginning to wonder how to prepare myself for when contractions start. Besides leg cramps nothing in my pregnancy has been painful... so this should be interesting!

Belly Button in or out?: Still just hanging out at a flat-y! We won't talk about how much my belly button ring holes have stretched... =( Stupid college girl mistake! I only had that thing in for about a year! It's been out for almost 4 years and yet it's stretching like crazy. Boo.

What I miss: Uninterrupted sleep. I guess I should get used to that! hehe...

What I am looking forward to: March!!!!! Our due date month! There is only a month to go! I can't believe it!

Weekly Wisdom: Don't procrastinate your childbirth classes, if you're going to take them. You'll only look like the world's biggest procrastinator when you have to introduce yourself and say your due date in front of the whole class, who are all due in May or end of April. Oops! ;-) Guilty as charged!

Milestones: I think I'm starting to swell. I take my socks off and they leave imprints on my legs. Also, I can't get my wedding ring off. Oops! I bet if I tried hard enough I could, but I just don't care! From babycenter: Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of his first bowel movement. At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.)

Still no growth.. hmm.

I feel rounder!

Sneak peak of the nursery!!!

 Fun(?) Facts:
- Waist at belly button: Still 40 1/2"
- Current weight: 147.8 pounds

35 Week Survey

The 35 Week Survey

How far along?: 34 weeks and 6 days!

Total weight gain: 32 pounds... I just don't know where it's going!

How big is baby?: Supposedly somewhere around 5 1/2 pounds.. holy moly... and anywhere between 19 and 22 inches. Basically he's fully grown, just gaining fat! (And so is Mommy.... hehe)

Maternity clothes?: Yes, in fact, I wore some regular shorts the other day and they made me laugh so hard. They were WAY below my belly so that they would fit (these were even those stretchy sophie shorts). All non-maternity t-shirts have to be mediums or else they don't cover my belly! ;-) It gives Darren a good laugh!

Stretch marks?: NOPE!!! And I asked my mom this weekend and she said that she didn't get any either! Isn't it supposed to be hereditary or something? Or at least you're more predisposed to get them if your mom got them? Either way, I still don't have them!

Sleep: Last night I got up around 2:30 because I thought I was going to pee the bed! haha... Note to self: Don't guzzle water right before bed! Other than that I think I am finally getting in to a comfort routine where I wedge myself up against a million pillows and it seems to work. Ha!


Best moment this week: My baby shower... having my mom here and doing fun baby stuff with her... seeing friends and family! 

Movement: Definitely. He's a mover! He likes to move at night..... almost all night. I think he has his days and nights backwards, which I've heard women say happened to them. Great! =/ However, I like it when he moves! The coolest thing is that Darren can seriously solicit a movement from little guy... he will put his hand on my belly and play around a little and baby will play back! It's so crazy! If there is ever a time when he hasn't moved in a while then I make Darren get a movement to make sure he's still doing ok! ;-) It's funny!

Food cravings: I bought yet another box of the persian rolls today. Seriously. Those things are like crack.

Gender: I cannot wait to meet our baby boy!!!!!!!! He has so many cute things now from the shower and I can't wait for him to get to use it all!

Labor Signs: Still none... not even a hint of a braxton hicks contraction. I don't quite understand it, but I'll take it!!!

Belly Button in or out?: No change. Still out no top but no turkey timer! Hooray!!!!

What I miss: My mommy!!! Having her here was so amazing. I can't wait til she comes back when the baby is born! 

What I am looking forward to: My dad is coming to help put together the crib and finish up a bunch of other nursery details! I can't wait to get it all together and ready for baby!

Weekly Wisdom: This is just a funny one since I can't come up with anything better... but, DON'T eat Mexican food if you've been suffering from bad pregnancy induced heartburn. That's just dumb. It'll only hurt you. ::Note to self: take own advice!:: Now for a real one... time to start packing the hospital bag! Since little guy could essentially decide to come at any time (let's hope not) then we need to be prepared ahead of time! Don't wait until it's too late to get all of your ducks in a row! I bought a new duffel bag today so that it can be packed and ready to go!

Milestones: Well, I'm supposed to be having a bunch of braxton hicks contractions, but they're not here... so here's what else they have to say! Kidneys are fully developed now and the liver can process waste! Almost all physical developments are complete so now it's just time to put on some more weight! There is now more baby than amniotic fluid, so that's why his movements HURT. Mommy also has to pee ALL of the time because there is no room for my bladder anymore, and little boy likes to push against it!

No growth this week!

Where is the weight going? hehe

Had to get one with my Pearly-Pearl!

34 Week Survey

Late because I was busy having a WONDERFUL weekend with my mom and Gramma. I had such a wonderful baby shower too! So, pretend this was Friday! 


The 34 Week Survey

How far along?: 33 weeks and 6 days!

Total weight gain:  30.4 pounds... hehe... and still have 6 weeks to go!

How big is baby?: At our appointment Wednesday he was 4 pounds 11 ounces!

Maternity clothes?: Duh.... by this point who wouldn't be wearing maternity clothes?!

Stretch marks?: Still none!!!!!!! Can you tell I'm excited?!

Sleep: Still difficult. Between peeing and not being very comfortable it's not very fun. I figure I'm getting myself used to being up in the middle of the night! ;-)

Best moment this week: Seeing our little guy again and hearing that he is doing AWESOME in the growth department!

Movement: His favorite time to move around (a lot) is at night, mostly right when I'm trying to go to sleep! He's also been stretching a lot lately and I can feel body parts, I swear! Such as elbows, feet, etc.... It's crazy how hard my stomach gets when he's stretching!

Food cravings: Not really! Just like my food still! ;-)

Gender: One precious little boy!

Labor Signs: None yet! I hope he hangs out at least another 4 weeks!

Belly Button in or out?: Getting a little more poked out, but not bad. However, my belly button ring holes are now stretching like crazy and look horrible. Great.

What I miss: Not feeling tired.... not feeling overwhelmed...

What I am looking forward to: Starting our child birth classes, and finishing up the nursery! Hopefully we'll have it almost all the way done by next weekend!

Weekly Wisdom: Take everything one day at a time. Realize that God will take care of you and will provide you with everything that you need!

Milestones: From babycenter: Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. His fat layers — which will help regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling her out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his 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. 

Starting to gain weight in other areas... like my face!

6 weeks to go! Hooray!

Fun(?) Facts:
- Current weight: 144!!

33 Week Survey

The 33 Week Survey

How far along?: 32 weeks and 6 days! 50 days to go!

Total weight gain:  29 pounds... seems ok to me! I figured I'd gain around 40 since I was underweight to start.

How big is baby?: Around 4 1/2 pounds, and somewhere between 17 and 19 inches long. I guess babies don't grow much longer from here on out, but now's time to put on the fat pounds!

Maternity clothes?: This week was tough as it was literally FREEZING every day. So I wore the same leggings, same pants, same boots, and lucked out enough to have 4 heavy sweaters to rotate through. Ah, the power of layers!

Stretch marks?: Still none... woo hoooo!!!!

Sleep: Very difficult. I get up about 3 times in the night to pee, and little  boy likes to move the most at night, so he keeps me up somewhat. Plus still battling leg cramps and heartburn. I gave up on the idea of only sleeping on my left side, you know, to help circulation, because I couldn't stay in one position all night!

Best moment this week: Darren's "play date" with Clayton, hehe.... Daddy got to feel him move a LOT, and strong movements at that, and he loved it... which naturally I loved!

Movement: Active. Active. Active. See my previous post! ;-)

Food cravings: I found these breakfast pastries at Walmart called "Persian Rolls". They're kinda like cinnamon rolls meets honey buns and they are HEAVENLY. I love them. However, this week when I went to buy a package this MAMMOTH of a lady cuts in front of me and takes the last box. I nearly had a throw down in the bakery section. hahaha... ok, not really, but she did take them and I did get really upset!

Gender: Sweet sweet boy!

Labor Signs: Nope! Not even fake labor..

Belly Button in or out?: Hey, I'm just glad it's not totally sticking out!

What I miss: Uninterrupted sleep. I guess I should get used to this, huh?

What I am looking forward to: My shower is less than a week away, which means my MOM is coming! Eek! So excited! She's going to help me with my art projects for the nursery! Also, we go to Dr. Blanco again on Wednesday and I'm interested to see how little guy's growth is progresing since I didn't gain much weight these past two weeks.

Weekly Wisdom: Plan your childbirth classes far in advance. Hehe... I procrastinated, or well, just thought it would fall together a little better than it did, but anyway, our classes start Feb 21st and go through March 28th. Haha, a little past my due date, but that's ok! ;-)

Milestones: His immune system is now developed! Hooray! That means if he had to come out now then he wouldn't get sick as easy! He's acting more and more like an actual infant. He swallows, opens and closes his eyes, and is practicing breathing (which explains all of the hiccups!). He is supposed to be moving less, but we all know that's a joke! ;-) His taste buds are also working now, which is crazy! So, I bet you he likes persian rolls too!

 Fun(?) Facts:
- Waist at belly button: Almost 40 1/2"
- Current weight: 142 and some!

32 Week Survey

The 32 Week Survey

How far along?: 31 weeks and 6 days!

Total weight gain:  No change since last week... still 28 pounds.

How big is baby?: About 4 pounds and somewhere around 18 inches!

Maternity clothes?: Yuppers, most definitely! I really wish I had more pairs of pants! Also, sadly... I had to buy new undies. Lol.... Had to go up to a size medium! Shock and dismay! ;-) Hey, it was a good excuse to shop VS!

Stretch marks?: Still none... hooray!

Sleep: Not much has changed since last week. Sleep is still difficult. Can't get comfortable, have to pee, and have heartburn. We did however get a new mattress and it is heavenly.... but still doesn't quite help the fact that my belly is big!

Best moment this week: Seeing the nursery completely painted and cleaned up! It's starting to take shape! We have moved the glider, rug, and dresser in... now for the crib and hutch!

Movement: Duh. He's a mover and a shaker alright! ;-) Sometimes these movements realllly hurt Mommy, but I'm still glad that he moves a lot... makes me feel better!

Food cravings: Grandma bought these mint fudge cookies that taste JUST like Thin Mints from the Girl Scouts... only these are $2 as opposed to $4 a box! They are awesome and I can't stop eating them!

Gender: I saw this on a shirt and it made me laugh... "The future Mr. Right" hehe...

Labor Signs: Still none. I'll take that as a good thing!

Belly Button in or out?: At least it stopped it's progress on the trying to stick out deal!

What I miss: Not having back pain. Ouchies.... Oh, and snuggling with my hubby all the time. Stupid million pillows. Cristina suggested switching sides, so we'll see how that works out!

What I am looking forward to: Sadly right now all I can think about is whether or not he's going to continue to grow normally or if this placenta business is going to make him slow down. So, I'm looking forward to our next visit to Dr. Blanco for a good ultrasound!

Weekly Wisdom: I may have said this before, but don't over-do it. Luckily I have a great job, and an awesome husband, so help is easy to come by. The other day I tried to do too much and just ended up hurting my back even worse, making my ankles slightly swollen, and draining myself of all potential "extra" energy. So, take breaks.... remember you're pregnant, even if you think you're a super hero!

Milestones: Baby is gearing up for d-day by sleeping more! He should be having sleep cycles of 20 to 40 minutes long. He's also putting on a lot of fat! Bulking up! His skeleton is also hardening up, expect for the head of course. Momma has way more blood circulating than ever before, which explains why I am so thirsty and must drink so much water! Also, my stomach is out of room so I eat smaller meals, more often.

Ignore the stylin' outfit.. I was baking and didn't want to get dirty!

I'm still-a-growin'!

  *No changes in measurements this week, surprisingly!

31 Week Survey

The 31 Week Survey

How far along?: 30 weeks and 6 days! Only 9 weeks to go!

Total weight gain:  28 pounds... how did that happen so fast?!

How big is baby?: 3 1/2 pounds, which would explain mommy's recent weight gain, and still holding strong somewhere around 17 or 18 inches long!

Maternity clothes?: All day every day! Even pj's are becoming a thing of trouble... I now wear all of Darren's clothes when lounging around the house!

Stretch marks?: Still no! Wow!

Sleep: Difficult. It's hard to get comfortable, and then the heartburn is sometimes unbearable! I promise I don't eat right before bed either, and I stay elevated after I eat.. but it's just killer some nights! Plus the leg cramps, and the fact that little boy likes to dance when I lay down. But, that's ok! It's all good!

Best moment this week: Our 3D/4D Ultrasound that we had! It was so amazing to see our little guy and really get a chance to bond with him! Oh I just can't wait to meet him!

Movement: There is almost no need for me to do my kick counts. It's almost comical how much he moves sometimes! Definitely an active baby! Even in the ultrasound we got a chance to see how much he moved!

Food cravings: Hmm, I don't think so. Well, I did want breakfast for dinner this evening, haha, because the strawberry jelly just looked so good!

Gender: Precious little baby boy!

Labor Signs: Negative! I asked my doctor if it was normal for me to not be having any braxton hicks and he said that some women just don't get any! I am definitely one that has not had hardly any contractions what so ever!

Belly Button in or out?: Belly button? What belly button?! ;-)

What I miss: I'm gonna have to go with the no heartburn thing, again! Seriously.... tums help, but not that much. Pretty much my only savior is to have a bowl of cereal before bed. Or just drink milk in general.

What I am looking forward to: Finishing up the nursery! Hutch is ordered and shipped, so just waiting on it to get here. The room is about half painted, and we're hopefully going to find a rug this weekend!

Weekly Wisdom: Realize that not every pregnancy is the same. Some women are bigger, smaller, have different symptoms, etc... don't google yourself crazy because you may be a-typical. I believe I am much smaller than most women, and I've not had hardly any bad symptoms.... but that's ok! It seems as if God is throwing me a bone on this one! ;-)

Milestones: Baby boy can open and close his eyes, and apparently stick out his tongue and yawn! As seen in our 3D/4D ultrasound! haha! From babycenter:  Though you may feel like Baby kicks your ribs all the time now, he's actually spending the vast majority of his time sleeping. Gaining all that fat is tiring work! Baby's experience rapid eye movement (REM) sleep as well as deep sleep! He also experiences another state of consciousness: an undefined sleep-like state that is unlike an infant's or grownup's and comes from the immature state of his brain. As his lungs continue to mature, his chances of surviving outside the womb get better every day (though if he was born this week he could fit into a large man's hand). It's good that he's sleeping, even if you're not, as the baby is heading into a period of tremendous internal and external growth.

Growing like a weed! haha

Possibly the smallest 31 weeks pregnant lady!

 Fun(?) Facts:
- Breasts: 39"
- Waist at belly button: Almost 39"
- Hips: 38 1/2"
- Current weight: 141.6 - I can't believe it!

30 Week Survey

The 30 Week Survey

How far along?: 29 weeks and 5 days!

Total weight gain:  25 big 'ole pounds!

How big is baby?:About 3 pounds, 17 inches, and the size of a butternut squash!

Maternity clothes?: This week the maternity clothes were coupled with scarves, leggings under my pants, and heavy jackets! It was cooollllddd!

Stretch marks?: Still none, woo hoo!

Sleep: Still having my daily wake up calls to go pee. Little boy hasn't really kept me awake though, so that's good! I am starting to get realllly tired again. Like right now, I should be sleeping!

Best moment this week: Seeing our baby boy! At one point we could see him hiccuping, and I could feel it! It was so neat! Also, it was great to hear that he is doing well growth wise... what a relief so far!

Movement: All the time! It makes mommy happy because then I don't have to worry! ;-)

Food cravings: Hi, my name is Kristen, and I am addicted to Reeses. Oh wait, that was pre-pregnancy! hehe... but still, loving my candy!

Gender: Cute cute cute cute baby boy!

Labor Signs: Nope, thank goodness!!!

Belly Button in or out?: The top pokes out, and it's hard to even tell there was a hole there at one point in time!

What I miss: Not being short of breath. The other night it freaked me out! Tonight I was leaning over and apparently by leaning over I made even less room for my lungs, so got a little light headed. Oye.

What I am looking forward to: Painting the baby's room! We're going to start tomorrow, but it'll be a process! Everything upstairs needs kilz before we can paint. Not fun!

Weekly Wisdom: Don't forget about your hubby! It's usually all about the momma during this stage, but the daddy is usually doing a lot of the manual labor, while momma handles the real labor. haha! My hubby has been so amazing and helped so much around the house, so it's always great to remind him how much it means to me!

Milestones:Wow. 10 Weeks to go! Next week will be single digits! Now for some baby info! This week and the weeks to come, baby is busy plumping up. He's laying down two kinds of fat beneath his skin: brown adipose to generate body heat and white adipose that is an energy source and helps infants maintain their body temperature. By the end of the week baby will have made about 2 ounces of fat, which is about 3.5% of his body weight. By the time he's born fat will account for 15% of his body weight, which means a major growth spurt is coming! While the baby is still kicking and jabbing like crazy, he's already settled in to his head down position! Bone marrow has taken over the production of red blood cells, and his brain has been growing like crazy! He'll be so smart!

Not much change measurement wise. Like Pearl's nose?

Where did the weight gain go? hehe

Daddy wanted in a picture! ;-)

Fun(?) Facts:
- Waist at belly button: Still 38"
- Weight at start of pregnancy: 113.6
- Current Weight: 138.6 - yowza!

29 Week Survey

The 29 Week Survey

How far along?: 28 weeks 4 days!

Total weight gain:  23 and a bit! Holding steady this week!

How big is baby?: At our Midland appointment on Monday, baby boy weighed 2 pounds 6 ounces! So, I bet he's gained at least an ounce by now! He's also around 17 inches long already!

Maternity clothes?: Suprisingly I love maternity pants, much more than regular pants with the bella band. So I wear the same couple of pairs of jeans, and wash often, haha!

Stretch marks?: Nope! ::Knock on wood::

Sleep: Getting more difficult! My belly finally mostly fits on my pillow, so that helps, but little boy likes to wake up around 4am, and I usually have to pee anyway around then. Plus, it seems as if every night I am on the verge of a leg cramp. I have to stretch out my leg really fast or else it hurts like crazy!

Best moment this week: Seeing our baby boy! At one point we could see him hiccuping, and I could feel it! It was so neat! Also, it was great to hear that he is doing well growth wise... what a relief so far!

Movement: Oh my goodness! All of the docs/nurses/techs always comment on how much he moves. At night I can always watch my belly dance! And then the hiccups... so cute and so funny!

Food cravings: We were watching the food network and they did a short bit on how fruity pebbles were made... so naturally I had to go buy some fruity pebbles the next day when we were in town! ;-) They looked so good!

Gender: Daddy's future hunting buddy! Which, yes, could be a girl, hehe, but in our case he's alllll boy!

Labor Signs: Nothing this week! Not even any possible contractions!

Belly Button in or out?: Still trying to poke out at the top... oye.

What I miss: Not having heartburn. Man is it getting old! My whole life I've lived without heartburn, probably because I don't eat spicy foods... but now it's here EVERY day, regardless of what I eat... and in full force! Milk does help it though, thank goodness.

What I am looking forward to: Shopping this weekend! Also, we bought the paint for the nursery, and hopefully my dad's going to get to come and help us paint!

Weekly Wisdom: When your doctor tells you to drink a million gallons of water per day, listen to them, or else you're going to get in trouble! I had to do that lovely urine analysis and I only filled about 1/4 of what I should have.. oops! So, I got reprimanded! hehe..

Milestones: Little boy is head down! Hooray! Which means that I am getting more and more kicks to the ribs, lungs, kidneys, you name it! He's supposedly running out of room but he's still squirming like crazy, and still manages to kick and poke at his momma all day! Organ and Nerve development are complete, so now baby boy is focusing his energy, or well, my energy, on making fat! In momma's news... we're now to the point of going to the doctor every two weeks! Wow! Time has flown by and our little one will be here in 80 days or so!

Not much of a change from last week, even though I feel bigger!

I swear I look bigger in person, haha!

28 Week Survey

Late again, big surprise. But that's ok because yesterday was New Year's Eve! Happy Year of our baby's birth! Aka, Happy 2011! This is bound to be an amazing year for us, and I can't wait to get it started!


The 28 Week Survey

How far along?: 27 weeks and 5 days! (On Friday I was!)

Total weight gain:  20 some odd pounds... I believe it's around 25. ;-)

How big is baby?: About 2 1/4 pounds, and 15 inches. Again, more precise measurements to come Monday!

Maternity clothes?: Most definitely! Keep buying more and more just to make it through!

Stretch marks?: Still no and I am super surprised!

Sleep: Not bad, but not great. I wake up about once per night to go to the bathroom, and when I do little boy decides that he needs to wake up too...

Best moment this week: Celebrating the new year with my amazing hubby and family, and knowing it'll be our baby's birth year now!

Movement: All the time. He's quite the athlete. However, he is stage shy, and doesn't like to perform for anyone but me and Darren. Little turd is already stubborn!

Food cravings: None really! I have been enjoying a bowl of honey nut cherrios every night though! ;-)

Gender: Mommy's little cowboy!

Labor Signs: I think I might have had a braxton hicks contraction, but it's so hard to tell what I'm supposed to be looking for. The other night my uterus was definitely tight and hurt, so I laid down and it went away.... dunno what it was!

Belly Button in or out?: Sticking out now, just at the top... oh joy.

What I miss: Having an ample selection of clothes that fit and look cute. I have a great selection from Cristina, but it still seems as if I am always wearing the same things over and over! hehe.. I'm such a girl... I like selection!

What I am looking forward to: Monday is our ultrasound, and we'll be buying paint this week to start on the nursery! Woo hoo! It's about time! Plus this weekend we're going shopping at Lone Star Baby while we're in Dallas for a wedding, so hopefully we can find some good stuff that we need!

Weekly Wisdom: If you're tired... sleep. Don't try to push yourself too hard! I really need to start listening to my own advice!

Milestones: Hello Third Trimester!!! Baby boy can now smell, crazy. Also, I'll start going to the doctor more often now, both to Midland for our ultrasounds, and Big Spring to our regular OB. Little boy is still growing like a weed and can now blink! Also, his lungs have reached the point of maturity, so it would probably be ok if he was to show up early, but we'll make sure he stays in there about 12 more weeks!

Starting to look a little rough.. I think my face is growing!

Not so pretty, but that's ok!

Fun(?) Facts:
- Waist at belly button: 38", growing every week!

27 Week Survey

So, do I at least get a pass because it was Christmas when I was supposed to be doing my survey? Please? hehe... sorry again, here's a survey as if it were Friday!


The 27 Week Survey

How far along?: 26 weeks and 5 days!

Total weight gain:  23 pounds! Yowza!

How big is baby?: 2 pounds and almost 15 inches long! We'll get more precise measurements soon!

Maternity clothes?: Oh yes! And I got a bunch of great new ones for Christmas!

Stretch marks?: Nope! I'm beginning to think I might luck out! We'll see!

Sleep: Doing ok. Little boy did wake me up around 6am one day. I swear he was using me as a punching bag!

Best moment this week: Midnight Mass. Little boy was dancing away! I think he really liked the music and me singing! I'm going to try to start singing to him more often and see if he reacts! It was really neat, but I was pretty sure if the guy next to me saw my belly dancing around like it was that he'd think I had an alien growing inside of me! They were pretty profound movements!

Movement: Read above! Oh, and my father-in-law got to feel him kick! It was hilarious because it totally freaked him out! He hadn't even felt his own kiddos move around, or not that he could remember, so it was neat for him to get to feel his grandson!

Food cravings: Donuts. Mmmmm.... Shipleys!

Gender: The future star of the A&M baseball or football team! ;-) hehe....

Labor Signs: Negative!

Belly Button in or out?: The top of it has started to poke out... haha! I'm not quite ready for the day when it all pokes out!

What I miss: Not getting leg cramps. I woke up in the middle of the night with a horrible cramp. I woke Darren up and probably scared him to death because I was almost in tears. My calf was sore for 3 days after that one! It was funny though because I had just read that leg cramps were normal around this stage, and then, BAM, they hit me!

What I am looking forward to: Our big ultrasound in Midland next week. I'm ready to see if anything's changed with my placenta, and make sure that baby boy is still growing a-ok! Also, we're starting to plan my baby shower! Woo hoo!!!!

Weekly Wisdom: Realize that it will soon no longer be all about you, but all about baby! hehe... we got a good laugh out of the fact that our little guy almost got more Christmas presents than we did! ;-) He's spoiled already! Everyone just loves him to pieces!

Milestones: From my babycenter info: He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of funtioning, with a lot of medical help, if he was born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movement to a case of baby hiccups! Baby boy now has a distinct and recognizable profile!

I'm in shape! ROUND is a shape! ;-)

Still showing the belly... just for grins!

Showing off my awesome shirt that my brother and his girlfriend got me! 

 Fun(?) Facts:
- Breasts: 39"
- Waist at belly button: 37 1/2"
- Current weight: 136.4 - holy cow, as Ross would say! ;-)

26 Week Survey

The 26 Week Survey

How far along?: 25 weeks and 6 days! Now less than 100 days to go!

Total weight gain:  We're up to 22 pounds!

How big is baby?: Over 14 inches long and close to 2 pounds!

Maternity clothes?: Yes, yes, and yes! I may need to invest in more maternity camisoles... layering is nice when it's cold!

Stretch marks?: Still none... yet!

Sleep: It was so nice to be in our own bed... now if I could get the belly comfy! It won't quite fit onto the maternity pillow yet, but it kinda hurts to just have it without a pillow underneath.

Best moment this week: Seeing my belly dance when little boy was moving around! It was really weird yet really cool!

Movement: He's a kicker alright! Oh, and a squirmer!

Food cravings: Hmm, don't think so! I just like to eat! ;-)

Gender: A sweet, sweet little boy!

Labor Signs: Negative!

Belly Button in or out?: Darren made fun of it today because there is hardly even a belly button there anymore!

What I miss: This week? Nothing!

What I am looking forward to: Christmas with our families next week! I love Christmas time! Wish Clayton was with us to celebrate, but I'm sure he'll be kicking me all the time reminding me of his presence!

Weekly Wisdom: Spend time with your significant other, alone! And no, I don't necessarily mean in that department! We are quickly realizing that there are less than 100 days left of just "us". Although that is awesome and exciting, we know we won't have any more quiet nights, lazy Saturday mornings, or well, alone time!

Milestones: Less than 100 days to go!!!! Double digits! From babycenter: Around the end of this week, or early next week, baby's eyelids will open for the first time! That doesn't mean that he can see very well. Human babies are born myopic, able to see only about eight inches in front of them (just enough t, at birth, look at your face, though even that is a bit blurry at first) and better able to distinguish black and white than color. He's completely covered in vernix now, that white sticky substance that keeps him from getting waterlogged in there! He continues to pummel your intestines (NO JOKE!!!)  and you may also feel him hicupping - a lot. As his lungs prepare to breathe air, he's inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid!

I should really learn to turn my face better, Darren says my face is not as fat as it looks!

Whoa, momma!

25 Week Survey

I know, you're not surprised.... another weekly survey after the week has come and gone. Yeah, give me a break! I had a good reason this week! I was busy surprising my mom for her 50th Birthday in Vegas! Yes, I know, there's no way my momma can be that old, she's too pretty! ;-) We love you, Nana! hehe... So, here's the survey, as if I did it on Friday. You should be used to that by now!

The 25 Week Survey

How far along?: 24 weeks and 6 days!

Total weight gain:  Close to 20 pounds... now that's scary!

How big is baby?: 13 1/2 inches, and about a pound and a half! So that means momma has gained 18 and baby the rest, haha! Think loaf of bread! =)

Maternity clothes?: Almost full time! And by that I mean that I only have 2 remaining pairs of regular jeans that the rubber band trick will work on, and t-shirts are now too short. Darn!

Stretch marks?: Still none... yet!

Sleep: Better, but it would have been nice to be in my own bed! We traveled too much this week!

Best moment this week: Seeing my family! None of them had seen me since we found out we were pregnant, so that was really awesome!

Movement: Oh yes, except, do not ask him to preform on command... he's stubborn already! He kicked me hard all the way across the new bridge to get past the Hoover Dam, and let me tell you - that was not fun!

Food cravings: Chocolate. At the IA show I had to buy a cookie and a candy bar (on separate occasions of course, to satisfy my sweet tooth!)

Gender: An awesome little boy!

Labor Signs: Negative!

Belly Button in or out?: It's now visible through shirts.... NOT COOL!

What I miss: Having more time! We are almost 2/3 of the way done with this pregnancy and yet there is so much to do!

What I am looking forward to: Dr. appointment!!!! Hehe...

Weekly Wisdom: Invest in a good camera! We just bought a little canon that was on super sale at Target and it works pretty great, but we definitely want a nice one so that we can take some good shots of little boy at home without paying a photographer!

Milestones: I look pregnant.... ALL OF THE TIME. haha! That's a milestone for me! It took a while to get here! Also, I had my first round ligament pains.... and let me tell you they are not fun! I really need to learn to sit down more often when we are walking around a bunch or else I really start to hurt! Here's the babycenter info: He's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out, and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair - and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture. In the next few weeks his nostrils will open and he'll start practice breathing even more. Small air sacs are developing in his lungs. He can hear even better now, so you can try to hook up the headphones and play your favorite music! (You think he'll like country or Christmas music?!?!)

Unfortunately this was taken in our hotel room so it's not the best, but it will do!

Fun(?) Facts:
- Waist at belly button: 37"
- Current weight: 133.4 (are you serious?!?!?!)

24 Week Survey

The 24 Week Survey

How far along?: 23 weeks and 6 days! HELLO VIABILITY!

Total weight gain:  About 16 pounds!

How big is baby?: Around a foot long, and a whopping pound and a half! Think ear of corn, hehe..

Maternity clothes?: Yuppers! Even my rubber band trick is starting to fail me. Some jeans just simply can't be worn anymore! And some tops are way too short!

Stretch marks?: Still none... I've been checking!

Sleep: He woke me up twice this week in the middle of the night. And then during my nap today he wouldn't stop kicking me so that I could rest, hehe!

Best moment this week: We got our bedding in that Nana (my mom) and Papa Steve (my step-dad) got us! It's awesome and we can't wait to start decorating! Oh, I also got a super cute dress for $9 at Target!

Movement: Anytime I sit still.... like now!

Food cravings: I really wanted my cream cheese chicken enchilladas, so I made them! And they were yuuuumy!

Gender: A precious baby boy!

Labor Signs: Negative!

Belly Button in or out?: Barely an innie.... like, BARELY!

What I miss: Not feeling overwhelmed. Right now I keep thinking of all of the stuff we have to buy/get done/etc before baby boy is here, and it's daunting!

What I am looking forward to: Thinking a little far in advance, but my baby shower! We're trying to pick a date right now!

Weekly Wisdom: Start a savings account when you're like 5 years old for your potential future children. haha! Babies are expensive! Trying to have a baby is expensive! Doctors appointments are expensive! Oye!

Milestones: Your baby is now so fully formed that he would be capable of living outside the womb if an emergency arose. His lungs, though still very immature, could breathe air if need be. Though the brain is much more formed now, the cerebral cortex--the place in the brain responsible for the most sophisticated mental activity (thoughts, consciousness, memory, language)--is not yet functional. The complex human brain, which makes us so different from other primates and mammals, takes much longer to come out of the embryonic stage than any other part of the fetus. In fact, a baby's brain will not be fully formed until after cooking for nine months in the womb and living outside the womb for about a year, during which time it will nearly triple in size!

Looking plump!

Ok, still showing the bare belly for you all... for now!

Fun(?) Facts:
- Hips: 36"
- Breasts: 38", pretty sure I mis-measured last week.
- Waist at belly button: 36" and a little
- Current weight: 129.3