Another Ultrasound

I had another doctor appointment yesterday, with an ultrasound! We found out that the baby is in the “head down” position, and facing the right way…yay! We also learned that she weighs about 5lb 14oz already, and she’s basically in the 50^th percentile as far as size at this point (basically perfect…haha.) It was interesting having an ultrasound this far along because it was much more difficult to read the pictures on the screen. Because she’s so big, they couldn’t really get the full body on the screen, so we were looking at different parts the whole time, and if not for the ultrasound tech, I would have had no idea what I was looking at. She was definitely moving a lot though, and I’m even more amazed that we’re going to meet this little girl in about 30 days hopefully!! Everything else went smoothly as well…her heart rate was 134, my blood pressure was normal, etc. I also had the Group B strep test, and I’ll find out the results next week.

I started to pack my bag for the hospital last night. I actually went to the store and got some things I’m guessing I’ll be needing (like nursing tops and bras, etc.) My bag is mostly ready to go…but I’m still working on finding a “going home” outfit for the baby. We probably have something, but I’m going to work on that this week. I’m also putting together a list of people we’ll want to contact so they know when I’m having the baby. Anyway, I’m feeling pretty good about everything right now – I’m happy that both the baby and I seem to be pretty healthy, and I'm excited to be in the last month!

35 Weeks

I only have 34 more days left until my due date! It seems like it's really getting close now. I had a doctor appointment this past Monday, and now I'm going every week! Everything went well at my last appointment, but my doctor still wasn't sure how the baby is positioned, so I'm scheduled for an ultrasound this upcoming Monday, to determine if the baby is "head down" (hopefully she is!!)

I'm mostly feeling good, but I'm definitely noticing how big I'm getting (I posted some pictures below...my stomach is huge!!) I'm also realizing that there is definitely a baby in there, because I feel body parts poking at me several times a day. My stomach will also be lopsided sometimes, which is just so strange. The good thing is that up until this point, most of my weight gain has primarily been in my stomach...my arms, legs, and face have been "relatively" unaffected. However, this week I am starting to notice a little more swelling, especially in my feet and calves. I'm told this is normal, but I still don't like it. I'm still going to the gym to lift and do the elliptical machine. I'm hoping this helps, but I still feel a little out of control at this point. Luckily I have less than 5 weeks to go!

This week, RAV (where I work) held a "surprise" baby shower for me! Thanks to my friend Marissa, who mostly helped plan it, it was very nice...we had food from Olive Garden, and the office went in on a gift card and a few other small gifts for me. Marissa's mom also made some homemade choclate favors for me! There was also a "baby poll" created for me at work, where people can guess my due date, the size of the baby, and what she'll look like. Most of my coworkers think I'll go late (after the 23rd of Feb) - which I'm hoping if I do go late, that's it's only by a day or two. Here is a picture of myself and a balloon at the shower, and the cake.

This weekend, I'm going to my friend Kristen's baby shower in Erie! She's due a month after me, so I'm looking forward to comparing our "baby bump" progress. After that, we're gonna see some other friends, Chris and Liz Vecenie, and their little son Gabriel, who's about 7 months! I'm looking forward to a nice weekend, and my ultrasound on Monday. Hopefully I'll post something soon after that! Here are my 35 week pictures!!

34 Weeks Tomorrow

I’ve been meaning to update my blog for several days, but haven’t been able to get around to it. I’ve had a busy January so far. Work has just been crazy…there are a lot of changes going on at my company right now, and January is normally busy because of the nature of my job to complete “year-end” processes in January.  Back in the fall, I anticipated January being kind of tough, and so far it has been…anyway…

At my doctor appointment last week, we listened to the baby’s heart rate (low 140’s), got my blood pressure (normal), and they took my uterus measurement (if that’s what it’s called?). Apparently, I was measuring “small” which is slightly ridiculous, because my weight gain is fine – around 23 lb, and I feel huge.  I’ve read that my measurement in centimeters should match the current week of my pregnancy. My measurement was about 30 cm, and I was 32 weeks and 5 days on the day of my appt (so I guess I should have been closer to 32 cm.)  My doctor felt my stomach to see the baby’s position and let me know she thought the baby was in a transverse position – horizontally with the head on my right and the feet on my left. She said that’s probably normal for 32-33 weeks, but the baby should start to get in the head-down position soon. She also mentioned that when the baby is in that position, it is normal to measure smaller than when it’s in a vertical position.  She said that at my next appointment (on Monday) she’ll try to see how the position is again, and if I’m still measuring small, we may do an ultrasound to confirm the positioning. However, today, I feel like the baby may have moved into a different position.  She was under my ribs, and was making it difficult to move, and bend, but it seems like she’s not under my ribs so much today.  I’m really not sure how she’s positioned though, but I know she’s moving around a lot everywhere!!  I know that’s a good sign!

We had our Childbirth Preparation class at the hospital on Saturday.  It went well, but we didn’t learn as much as I thought we might. I’ve been doing a lot of reading, and talking to friends who’ve had babies, so I feel like I’m as prepared as I’m gonna be (even though I’m sure I still don’t really know what’s going to happen.)  It was nice to tour the birthing center at the hospital and see the rooms. All of the rooms are labor, delivery, and recovery, so we don’t have to move once we get there. The rooms seemed pretty nice and big, and I just feel more comfortable knowing where I’m going and learning about the process.

I took some pictures of myself this weekend – I’m definitely feeling bigger!! I’m still working out, but it’s more just to keep myself moving, as opposed to really getting in shape or anything. Tonight I was able to do a little lifting and then the elliptical machine for 15 minutes.  When I go to the gym now, I feel  like people are staring at me because I’m pregnant, but Travis just tells me they are so impressed that I’m there (isn’t he awesome!!)  Here are the pictures!

Happy New Year!

It's been a little while since I've been able to post, but it's been a busy few weeks. I've been off work since December 22nd, and it's been so nice to relax (most of the time...except for today...but I'll get to that later.) Travis and I went to Edinboro for Christmas to spend time with my family, and it was great to just relax and watch movies most of the time. My mom and I also made curtains for the baby's room while we were there.  Now that the holidays are over, I feel like my pregnancy is really getting near the end. It's crazy (and exciting) to think that I'll be having a baby NEXT MONTH!!

Travis was off from work a few days more than me, and he actually spent some time organizing the things in the nursery, and especially the closet. Then this weekend, we went out and got the last few "big" furniture items for the room. We purchased a bookshelf from Target, and a glider and ottoman from Wayside Furniture (a local furniture store in Akron.) I've updated the "nursery' section of my blog with pictures of the bookshelf, glider and ottoman, curtains, and....my favorite...the chandelier!!

Ok...you may notice in the pictures that the chandelier is not actually on. We spent a large portion of today working on that (we had to run and add the wiring ourselves because there wasn't a fixture in the middle of the ceiling, or a switch.) However, after several hours we had to give up. We may try again (I keep trying to google it, and also read wiring books), or we may just hire an electrician...we'll see if it gets too frustrating. It was exhausting for me because I kept running up and down the stairs (from the basement to the second floor) to switch the break on, then off, then on, then off. Each time I went upstairs, I was out of breath and tired.  Travis was trying different "switch" options each time...we got close one time - the chandelier did turn on once when we plugged a hairdryer into an outlet and turned it on (don't ask or try to understand...we don't know!) In the meantime, I think it looks beautiful even when it isn't lit!

As far as this week goes, I have my 32 week doctor appointment tomorrow morning, and on Saturday, Travis and I are taking our "Childbirth Preparation" course! I'm kind of excited for the course, and hoping to learn some things. I don't know if Travis is feeling the same...but I think he'll be ok. 

Anyway, check out the nursery pictures, and I'll be sure to add pictures of myself soon!