Birth Story

August Koen was born on 09/08/09 at 12:45 PM after 9.5 hours of labor and 15 minutes of pushing. He weighed in at 9 lbs, 8 oz and was 20 inches long. Here's how it went...

I woke up at about 3:15 to crazy kicks from the baby with DH poking and prodding back. DH said they were playing. I rolled out of bed to pee and immediately felt a gush of liquid. Of course I thought, "My water is broken!" but I didn't say anything until I confirmed. I remember lamely saying, "Guess what? My water just broke." and within seconds DH was out of bed with his fists in the air and a huge grin on his face.

I sat and kind of shivered in shocked silence while I took everything in. My water was broken and the baby was coming - one day after labor day, one day before 09/09/09 (my due date) but at 40 weeks exactly. I asked DH to wash my PJ pants because for whatever reason I felt the intense need to continue wearing them, but obviously didn't want to sit in amniotic fluid.

DH went to make me some food (whole wheat pasta and veggies) and wash my pants while I snacked on some string cheese and texted my buddy group buddy so she could get the prayer chain going. I was planning on eating and then laying down to try to sleep, as I had only slept for four hours at that point. My body, however, had a different idea.

Shortly after my water broke, I had my first contraction. It seemed a little more intense than the Braxton Hicks contractions I had felt for weeks leading up to the birth, but it wasn't much more than a pinch. We waited a bit, and after about 15 minutes another contraction came, with another 8 minutes after that. I think at that point I started feeling them in my back, which told me that all my crawling around hadn't done much to turn my posterior baby.

After those first few, my contractions started coming at about 2 minutes apart. We were confused by the regularity of them, as we had expected them to start further apart and gradually reach that type of closeness when labor was well under way. I labored with them at 2 minutes apart for about an hour and then decided to call the midwife at about 5 AM. I was hoping to be able to wait until at least 6, but the fact that they were so close together made us think that we should at least let her know what's up.

The midwife told me to get in the shower for about 20 minutes. If they slowed down, I should stay home. If they stayed 2 minutes apart, we should leave for her house, where the birth would take place. We then called our families to let them know that that was the plan and that we might be heading to the midwife's shortly.

When I got in the shower, I experienced immediate pain relief from the pressure and warmth of the water. I directed it toward my back, where most of the pain was centered, and found myself having to breath through contractions. In the 30 or so minutes I spent in the shower, the contractions stayed regular at 2 minutes apart, lasting around 1 minute each. We called the midwife again and let her know that we would be leaving shortly. I think it was around now that I threw up for the first time...

This is the only time I remembered feeling even remotely panicked, simply because I wanted to make sure we had everything. I quickly snapped a photo of my belly, as I was due for my 40 week picture anyway, while DH gathered all our things. I ended up leaving the house in PJ pants and a nursing bra instead of the gown I had planned to wear, which I was totally fine with. The coolness of the early morning felt so nice. I had a contraction by the car and then hopped in to head off to the midwife's.

The drive to the midwife's house was surreal and fun, although car contractions were not that great. Because it was so early (about 6 AM) the streets were pretty much bare. However, at one point, we almost got into a head-on collision (in the middle of a contraction) on a narrow street. Thankfully, both cars were moving slowly.

When we arrived at the midwife's, I had a few contractions, still 2 minutes apart. During the contractions, I would bend over and hold onto the arms of a chair while swaying my hips from side to side. I found that this movement relieved the most pressure and pain. I threw up again about then, which actually made me feel better.

After a couple contractions, our midwife checked me...It was about 6:20 at this point. I readied myself for hearing that I was 3 or 4 cm dilated. She said, "I can still feel the bag of waters bulging, which is good. Seems like you're about 6 to 7 centimeters dilated!" If I hadn't been, you know, in labor, I would've jumped up and down and done a little dance. I was so excited! All those Braxton Hicks had been doing something!

I had a couple more contractions and asked if I could get in the shower, remembering how much it had helped at home. The midwife reminded me that her shower wasn't available (she was having it replaced) but said I could get in her hot tub out on her deck. This sounded AMAZING, so I quickly agreed. I changed into one of her labor gowns and headed outside. The sun was just beginning to rise as I got into the tub. Instantly upon submersion, my pain was cut in half. It felt unbelievable.

Soon after I got into the tub, my mom arrived dressed in her boss' (a dentist) mask, gloves and coat. It gave me quite the giggle that only ended as another contraction hit. I found myself singing through contractions while I floated and moved in the tub. I'm sure I looked like quite the hippie. ;) I sang Lisa Hannigan's version of Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues, Bret Dennen'sDesert Sunrise, and a few other random songs.

While I was in the tub, DH's sister, mom and dad all arrived and sat on the deck and chatted. It was so nice to have them all there visiting while I labored. I was very much in my own little world, but I loved being able to tune in and out of their conversation. We got to enjoy the sunrise and watch the city brighten up. It was beautiful. My midwife cut some roses from her garden and placed them where I could see them. It was just so nice!

By about 8:30 I had a couple of back-to-back contractions, which weren't very fun. The pain was still tolerable, although I had changed to a weird hands and knees position in the tub and would move in kind of a snake-like motion while breathing at certain points in the movement. Having a "strict" way to move each time really helped me deal with the pain, although as I said, they weren't too bad then. I also kept reminding myself that I was already 7 cm dilated and each contraction I experienced was one less contraction until I was done and holding my baby!

I realized I had to throw up again and reached for where I thought the bucket was, not remembering that we had moved it when I got out of the tub to pee (which I was unable to do almost the entire labor). I started saying "Bucket, bucket" thinking people would catch on pretty quickly. However, everyone thought I was saying "F*** it" and stood in shocked silence for a moment until I said "bucket" louder and someone realized it just in time. We all got a good laugh out of that one.

At about 10, my midwife said she would like to break my water and check me again. We waited for a contraction to end, I dried off a bit and we headed inside. My sister in law had told me that having my water broken would feel great, so I was excited. My midwife broke part of the sac and quite a lot of liquid came out, which surprised me as I thought my water had pretty much broken at home. She said I was about 8 cm along, which I was glad about because I had progressed, but I obviously wished I was more dilated than that. I also didn't feel the relief mySIL had said I would feel having my water broken, which disappointed me. Then, my midwife said she was going to finish breaking my water, but had to do it during a contraction, which sounded like it was going to suck. I braced myself, and it sucked for sure, but when she finished breaking my water it felt soooooooooooooooooo good! It even made a trickling sound as it came out, which was endlessly amusing to me. What I didn't realize was that she "had" to do it during a contraction because she was turning the baby into an anterior position!

(Also, the amniotic fluid had some meconium in it, which scared me at first, but the midwife assured me that it was nothing to worry about.)

I decided that I didn't want to get back into the tub because it was starting to make my skin feel weird (I had been in there for about 4 hours) and I didn't want to get up to walk. The first contraction after my water was broken was way more painful and I didn't feel like I could move. My midwife got me a hot water bottle for my back, which helped a ton. I sat on her birthing bed and started another "regimen" for moving and breathing through my contractions. I started bouncing my feet up and down, alternating from right to left, while I beat the bed with my right hand and squeezed someone else's hand with my left hand. I would draw in a deep breath at the beginning of the contraction and the hum a weird tune until the contraction was over. Apparently it sounded like a war chant and/or an old Irish song.

My contractions at this point got the most painful. I realized, though, that the peak of the pain only lasted for a moment or two. So, when it got to be the most painful, I just waited for it to begin to taper off. I also started dozing in between contractions.

Around 11:30 my midwife checked me again and said that I only had about three quarters of a centimeter to go! This was obviously fantastic news. At about noon I started feeling like I wanted to push and started doing some lame pushes, but I wasn't in a very good position for pushing - I was reclining on the birthing bed. My midwife suggested that I try to sit on the toilet as that can sometimes enhance the urge to push. I really didn't want to, as I had tried it earlier and it made my back pain even worse, but I knew that I wanted to be done and if sitting on the toilet would make it happen faster, I would try it.

I sat down and immediately jumped back up because the pain in my back was so terrible. My I had a contraction standing up, which wasn't much better. Then, my midwife had me sit down again and put the hot water bottle behind me, which helped soooo much. I found that almost immediately the urge to push was overwhelming. I did a couple lame pushes until my midwife said "hold your breath and push as long as possible." That was all I needed.

I started to feel the baby move down, which felt so surreal and cool. It didn't hurt at all (aside from the contraction pain, of course) and I was able to concentrate on feeling the progression. My midwife told me to let her know if I felt a burning sensation, which I started to feel only a little bit after. I asked her if I should stop pushing and she said to go with it unless the burning became more. After one more push I could feel him begin to crown, so she had me walk back into the birthing room and lie down on my left side.

I continued to push and she held up a mirror so I could see him crown. I also reached down and touched his head, which was surprisingly smooshy. Right after that, I felt myself tear "up front" and started to freak out a little bit. I didn't realize it, but it happened right as the biggest part of his head was coming through - the most difficult part! I kind of whined, "I can't do it!" which cracked everyone up, as I had gotten to this point almost without complaint, and waited until the last possible minute to kind of lose it. Everyone (and I mean everyone) said, "Yes you can!" and with another push or two his head came out.

DH let out a loud and excited cry of "It's out!" and the midwife told him to quiet down in case she had to talk to me. I thought it was funny because everyone is always telling DH to quiet down. Another push and the shoulders came, and then I felt the rest of him slide on out. It feltsoooooooooo weird to be able to feel him leave my body. It was really cool! DH immediately yelled "It's a boy!" and I burst into tears saying, "I have a son, we have a son! Is he ok??" My midwife put him on my chest where he looked up at me...I had never seen a face so sweet. The midwife assured me that he was wonderful and I got to hold and cuddle my son for the first time. My DH mentioned that "he looks just like me!" which is hilarious because everyone now says that Gus looks like his mama.

We waited for the cord to stop pulsing and then DH cut it. Soon after, I delivered the placenta, which was easier than I thought it would be. I think it only took a push or two. That also felt amazing - I didn't realize it would make a difference, but it sure did!

After all was said and done, my midwife told me that I tore on both sides of my labia, which required stitches. Other than that, though, Gus and I were both in great condition. DH and I headed home with him at about 6 PM. Now my sweet boy is 8 days old, and he is the most wonderful little baby I could ever imagine.

40 Weeks

My 40 week post is a bit late, due to the fact that I was busy having my baby that day! August Koen is here, and he is the most wonderful little guy. I already find it hard to remember what it was like without him. Why would I want to, though?

39 Weeks

I am due NEXT WEDNESDAY! I was really hoping someone would ask me when I'm due while I was out and about so I could say "next week!" but they didn't. Lame of them.

I ate a semi-spicy Thai lunch and walked around Target, semi-hoping something would happen, but nothing did. However, I did get some more baby essentials using my 10% off coupon, so that was nice.

After my organizing, vacuuming and baseboard-cleaning yesterday, my body has told me "enough." So, I am doing my best to listen to my body and rest as much as possible. As someone pointed out to me on Facebook, today could be my last day to save up some energy! After a full week of almost non-stop cleaning, I think it's time for me to focus on letting my body relax and rejuvenate.

How I'm Feeling

Good mood, exhausted body. I'm having more/stronger Braxton Hicks contractions and some random pains every now and again. Also, I've noticed that first trimester-like hormones are back, complete with nausea and mood swings.

Oh, also, I'm craving milk like CRAZY!

What Bean's Doing

(taken from baby-gaga.com)

Whether you give birth tomorrow or next week, it's pretty much all the same for your baby, who is now truly R-E-A-D-Y to face the big bright world outside of your womb. Speaking of wombs, your body is priming up for the big moment and hopefully, you're as prepared mentally as you can be. Your baby is well stocked up on fat, all their organs have put on the finishing touches. Here's hoping your child is already in the birthing position and basically just "hanging out" waiting for that elusive moment when all sysytems synchronize in your body to trigger the labor process.

38 Weeks

14 days to go until my EDD! I am now on official maternity leave and loving every moment of it. Yesterday, I realized that I could do whatever I felt like. It made me pretty giddy. I am trying to use this time wisely as I know this freedom will be over when Bean gets here and won't return until Jacob and I are empty nesters!

This week is filled with plans to clean, organize and prepare. I am trying to complete at least one room per day, making sure to rest whenever I feel the need. Yesterday was kitchen day with various bouts of organizing and picking up around the house. Today, I'm tackling the living room, both bathrooms and the dining area. Sadly, this morning wasn't too productive, mostly due to the fact that I ate an entire La Cabana breakfast burrito and then spent the next hour being super full.

My good internet buddy went into labor the night before last and after a loooooong labor had her sweet baby girl! Well, I hope she's had her baby girl - haven't received confirmation yet. However, she texted at 9.5 cm, so I'm thinking that means baby is here. I am so thrilled for her! I remember finding out she was pregnant only a couple weeks before I got my own positive. It's been such a cool journey to share with her. Congratulations to her & hubby, and welcome to her sweet little babe!

How I'm Feeling

As usual, good! I'm still sleeping very well at night (got 10 hours last night!) and, aside from the random pains and such, I feel great. Very much looking forward to cooler weather, though...Pregnancy is HOT!

What Bean's Doing

(taken from baby-gaga.com)

As you know, you've arrived at the final leg of your pregnancy journey, and if you're still carrying your little love around, they've just about reached their birth weight (somewhere between 6 to 8 pounds is average depending on whether they're a boy or girl). There really isn't a lot to report on baby this week, so lets do a quick recount of where we're at: all internal organ systems are pretty much ready for the outside world, they've got their meconium stockpile building up (their first black baby poo), lots of healthy baby fat, a rapidly developing brain (that'll keep growing with them for years to come), and they've more or less reached official baby status-- all they need to do is "head out" and say hello to the rest of the world and especially their ready-to-pop momma.

37 Weeks

I am officially full term. This milestone comes with extra excitement, nervousness and a true nesting instinct. Unfortunately, I was sad to find out that the nesting instinct doesn't really come with energy. While I feel compelled to clean and organize, my body continues aching and becoming more and more exhausted. Hopefully it'll get easier next week - my first week of maternity leave!

I realized the other day that I'm really going to miss being pregnant. I can't wait to meet Bean and have him or her here, and I know that I'm ready to sleep on my stomach again, but I know I will miss feeling kicks and rolls, always having my baby near me, etc. It's such an amazing time. I've already found myself looking forward to the next time I get to be pregnant...Watch out, Jacob!

Today, I found out that a HUGE prayer was answered! As most of you know, I tried to work out a part time from home position with my current employer, which was shot down. However, a co-worker of mine took interest in the fact that I would not be returning, and she fought for me to continue writing for my company's blog! It's an even better situation than a part time from home position would've been - my hours are 100% flexible (aside from deadlines, of course) and I'll be able to supplement our income working only a few hours a week. I am SO happy about it!

How I'm Feeling

Tired and sore, but really good other than that. Since the baby dropped, I've been able to breathe easier and I don't get heartburn anymore, which is fabulous. Most of the time I'm just feeling anxious about getting everything ready before the baby decides to come! After a crazy night of cleaning, laundry and baking (aka super nesting) I had some frequent and fairly strong Braxton Hicks contractions. Instead of wanting to rest to make them go away, they just made me want to clean more in case I went into labor!

What Bean's Doing

(taken from baby-gaga.com)

It’s the calm before the storm. Changes in your baby's weight have leveled off with only a few ounces of fat added this week. At this point your baby should weigh in at around 7 lbs and 20 inches (with boys somewhat heavier and longer than girls). Happily, as far as internal organs go, they are now developed enough to function in the outside world although the oh-so-important immune system is still developing and will continue to do so after birth. With a large boost of antibodies provided by breast milk when nursing begins. Fighting infection and staying healthy should be well within their physical capacity when your little fighter is born.

36 Weeks

My due date is four weeks from today. FOUR WEEKS. 28 days. I'm full term in only one week. How is that even possible? (I mean, I know how it came to be and how it really has been almost 40 weeks since I saw those two little lines, but...It's just so surreal to be here!)

I THINK my nesting instinct is kicking in for real. What no one tells you is that your nesting instinct is really just panic when you realize all the stuff that you want to get done before your baby comes. Bean's room is an absolute disaster area, but it's easily fixed with a couple loads of laundry and some quick organizing.

My to-do list is coming along nicely. Hopefully Jacob does his stuff this weekend. If that happens, all we'll have to do is my cleaning section, get the car seats installed and pack our bags for the birth! I feel really good about where we are regarding the to-do list, which is a really nice way to feel!

Lastly, today I have had bouts of extreme hunger every two hours. I'll eat a normal amount of food and then two hours later, it'll feel like I haven't had anything to eat for hours and hours! It is bizarre and slightly exhausting. I wonder what it means?

How I'm Feeling

As usual, I'm feeling pretty good! Having a few more aches and pains. I actually experienced my first pregnancy-related back pain only yesterday. I think I got really lucky with that one! I feel like I have a lot of energy most of the time, but crash REALLY hard when I run out of said energy. So, I'm trying to find a good balance that will help me utilize the energy well without overdoing it.

My Braxton-Hicks contractions are becoming stronger, although it seems as if the frequency has gone down a little bit. I had a couple days of semi-frequent BH contractions, but I figured out that they only happened when I sat a certain way, so I stopped doing that and it seemed to help. It's weird to actually be able to feel the contractions now, although they're not painful at all. I can also tell that Bean has really dropped. I'm going to ask Nora if s/he is "engaged" or not, because I think s/he is, but I obviously am not the expert. Our next appointment is this Thursday, and then we'll see her every Thursday after that until Bean comes!

What Bean's Doing

(taken from babycenter.com and womenshealthcaretopics.com)

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her 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 her first bowel movement.

---

Your baby is still working on putting on weight during pregnancy week 36. While that may not seem very exciting, keep in mind this is his primary job from now until delivery. Round babies are healthy babies. This is probably the one time in your baby's life they can put on pounds with wild abandon. If you were to peak inside your womb, you'd probably see your baby giddy with glee.

Did you know that some researchers believe your baby actually releases a signal to trigger labor? There are actually several different theories. Some believe that when your baby's brain is completely mature it sends a signal to the fetal adrenal glands. These glands then start to secrete the hormone cortisol, which may alter the metabolism of estrogen and progesterone, resulting in labor.

Other researchers have postulated that the fetal lungs secrete signals indicating they are mature, as well as enzymes that result in the release of prostaglandins, which help the cervix ripen and help the uterus to contract. This is highly likely as the body does release prostaglandins around the time of birth.

Other Interesting Stuff

(taken from childbirthconnection.com)

By the end of the 36th week of pregnancy, the enlarged uterus almost fills the abdominal cavity, despite the fact that the cavity is greatly expanded by the stretching of its front and side walls. The well-developed, plump baby, in the membranous sac within the uterus, lies wholly within the abdominal cavity, with the abdominal muscles supporting much of its weight. During this week, the fundus is at the tip of the xiphoid cartilage of the breastbone, which is shown pushed forward. The liver, transverse colon, stomach, and spleen (which is behind the upper portion of the stomach) are crowded into the vault of the abdominal cavity. The small intestines are crowded above, behind, and to the sides of the uterus. The diaphragm is pressed upward, reducing the vertical diameter of the chest cavity sometimes as much as 4 centimeters; to compensate, the space on the side, front, and back of this cavity increases. The capacity of the chest cavity is not diminished. This displacement of the diaphragm changes the position of the heart, and the increased blood volume may cause the heart to dilate slightly.

Although there is an increase in the amount of blood pumped from the heart per minute and in the amount of air respired per minute, the change in the position of the heart and the upward pressure of the diaphragm probably account for the difficult breathing and the smothered feeling you may experience during this week. The crowding of the stomach and intestines contributes to the discomfort after eating.

35 Weeks

I am pretty much brainless these days, so this post will probably be short, sweet and completely convoluted.

It appears as if I will not be returning to my job in any way, shape or form after the baby is born. It is really weird to think that after 2.5 years of working for a place, I just won't be working for them anymore. I feel at peace about it, though, and am doing my best to trust in the Lord regarding our finances. There are a few things I plan to pursue that would make a little money and allow me to work from home, so hopefully a couple of those pan out.

Only two weeks until I'm full term! I would love for Bean to wait until September to make his or her debut (I don't really want an August baby, mostly because I like the name August for a boy), but I definitely wouldn't be upset if it happened before that. I am so ready to meet this baby!

Prayer request: my iron levels are still quite a bit lower than we want them to be by the time I deliver. Because my due date is so close, I am starting to worry that my iron levels will still be very low, which could lead to major complications. Prayers that my body will absorb the massive amounts of iron I am taking would be very much appreciated!

How I'm Feeling

Aside from being super tired, WAY emotional and practically brain dead, I am doing well. My body is impressing me every day by being almost entirely pain-free. I've been having a lot of Braxton-Hicks contractions, which makes me excited about the fact that it's almost time to meet my son or daughter! I just hope and pray that nothing happens before I'm 27 weeks.

What Bean's Doing

(taken from pregnancyhut.com)

The baby is growing fast and measures around 18 inches long with a weight of around 5 ½ to 6 pounds. The majority of the baby’s growth is complete by the 35th week. The development of the baby’s kidneys is complete and the liver is beginning to produce waste. The baby will have less space in the body to move; however its kickboxing routine that you might be counting at a specific period of the day will remain the same. If you have not started bonding with your baby this is a good time to start as the baby’s hearing faculty is fully developed by now. Do not feel awkward while chatting in baby talk as experts say that newborns pay close attention to high pitched tones. 99% of the babies born in the 35th week can survive outside the womb without any problems. The baby’s central nervous system is still developing but the lungs are mostly fully developed. Most of the protective tissues and hair tend to disappear but some of it might remain as a scaly coating. Tiny vellus hair grows in the next few weeks. Your baby is getting plump and the fat deposits begin to form which add fullness to the baby’s arms and legs.

34 Weeks

Feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment, so this'll probably be a short one.

I got some lame news about my post-baby work situation. I was hoping that my current company would agree to a part time from home position for after I have Bean. Because of some really, really, really sucky circumstances (other employees being extremely selfish and insane, basically) it looks like that's not going to happen. I would be glad to be rid of work, but when I work I get money, which helps quite a bit. So, now I'm trying to figure out what to do. Prayers for guidance and peace would be really appreciated!

In happier news, my second baby shower is this weekend, and I am so, so, SO excited!

Also, tonight is our last birthing class at the Breastfeeding Support Center. I've really enjoyed the classes and learned a few things. Mostly, I've liked watching the birthing videos and learning all the different birthing positions.

On Monday, we had to squeeze ice cubes for a full minute to get a VERY vague idea of what a contraction will be like. The first time through, the instructors tried to be distracting while the TV was on and the lights were all on. I found myself laughing and not really paying attention to the pain and cold from the ice cube. Jacob pretended to be a space shuttle in order to cope with the ice cube. The second time around, they made a relaxing atmosphere with nice music, our "birth partners" massaging our shoulders or somesuch, etc. I actually found that the relaxing one was harder for me because all I had to focus on was the ice cube! It was very interesting, although I honestly don't think it'll do very much to prepare me for labor.

How I'm Feeling

Physically, I'm doing pretty dang well. Still getting heartburn, shortness of breath and all that stuff, but my pelvic pain has let up, which is AWESOME! I'm really trying to be good about walking every day, but I suck at it...A lot. Perhaps I should make a rule that I can't have dessert until after I walk. That would certainly get me motivated.

What Bean's Doing

(taken from baby-gaga.com)

Your amazing baby is on the move! They’ve been riding fairly high in your stretched-out womb till now (while kindly compressing your poor internal organs), but now they’re planning on making the big move to your pelvis this week. If you haven’t noticed it already, you’ll be feeling the weight shift that signals that your baby is most likely out of breech position, with their head now resting on your pubic bone. In liver news: although not quite fully formed, your little miracle’s liver is now capable of processing a certain amount of waste. In general, most of your child’s prenatal physical development is pretty much up to snuff and ready for the outside world. Naturally, further weight gain is expected—so you’re still not at maximum capacity despite probably feeling like you definitely are maxed out.

Also, I read elsewhere that Bean is no longer floating in the aminotic fluid and is instead resting against my uterus.

33 Weeks

Spent the weekend at a campground for Jacob's family reunion. It was fun, hot and tiring! Thankfully, we had an air conditioned trailer (with toilet) to lounge in when necessary, but I did get my fair share of heat and sun. Luckily, no sunburn! It was really nice to see the few members of his family that I actually knew, plus meet many more, including a bunch of people from Switzerland.

We attended our first birthing class last night, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I knew most of the info, but I did learn a couple new things. We got to learn and practice some birthing positions, learned some stretches and exercises, breathing techniques and various other things. We also got to make collages. Still not sure what that was all about, but it was fun! At our next class, we get to see our first video of a real birth. It'll be interesting to see what everyone's reaction is...Jacob and I have both been at actual births and watched The Business of Being Born together, so I can't really imagine being too shocked.

How I'm Feeling

Right now, I'm in an awful mood, probably due to the fact that I had a terrible night of sleep. I've experienced pain in my pelvis/hips for a while now. It goes from ok to terrible to ok again, so I haven't done much about it. Last night, though, I literally couldn't move without yelping due to the pain. So, I tried sleeping sitting up, which resulted in me not sleeping and also tweaking my neck. Bean decided this was a good time to up the movement, so while not sleeping and dealing with pain in my neck, hips and pelvis, I also experienced the most painful jabs Bean could muster up. I was able to kind of enjoy Bean's movements, though, because they were SO strong and I could feel so many body parts. All in all, it was a night I do not wish to recreate any time soon.

Yesterday, though, I experienced such elation and joy and excitement that I could hardly live with myself. You can call me Mrs. Mood Swing, I suppose. Or Mrs. Grumpy If I Don't Sleep Enough.

What Bean's Doing

(taken from baby-gaga.com)

For all the weight and bulk you’re lugging around these days, you’d think your little champ should weigh much more than a mere 5 lbs and measly 17 inches in height, but nope, that’s about the average size for a baby in its thirty-third week. In terms of appearances, they’re getting cuter and pudgier every minute as they pile on the baby fat for those adorable little wrist rolls and chubby toes. And as we’re sure you’ve already noticed they’re getting stronger with every passing day. Nowadays, it’s possible to observe a well-placed kick just by watching your belly—but you already knew that didn’t you? Although they’re getting stronger, your bigger-by-the-day baby is losing space to move around, so the actual rate of movement will drop off in the last few weeks, despite that powerful drop-kick they’ve been working on. Hey, did you know you’ll continue feeling their movements even during labor?

Just For Fun

I stole this from Tiffany...

How far along? 33 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Around 30 pounds, I think.
Stretch marks? I am a walking stretch mark.
Sleep: Goes from glorious to awful. Last night was awful.
Best moment this week: Listening to music with Bean last night. S/he likes Lisa Hannigan and Damien Rice.
Food cravings: Shrimp, anything lemon, baby carrots.
Gender: Only God knows!
Labor Signs: Some Braxton-Hicks, which I don't think really count as labor signs.
Belly Button in or out? It fluctuates from sticking WAY out to sticking out only a bit. Depends on where Bean's laying.
What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach, being free of pelvic pain.
What I am looking forward to: Crossing the last item off my baby to-do list and, of course, meeting the baby!
Weekly Wisdom: Water is wonderful. Also, seriously put your feet up any time you can.
Milestones: Bean is the weight of a pineapple!

32 Weeks

8 months along. 56 days until my due date. 29 work days until my maternity leave. 0 days until I start to FREAK OUT! I'm going to have a freaking BABY! Is that not the coolest thing you've ever heard of? I know it's the coolest thing I've ever heard of.

Last Saturday was my first baby shower, and it was AMAZING! I felt so blessed and loved by all the people who came to celebrate Bean. Thank you to Joanna for putting together such a wonderful shower, and thank you to everyone who came and showered us!

How I'm Feeling

Excited, nervous, anxious, stressed, elated...The list goes on. The stress comes only from work, where I have 29 days to keep up with my daily tasks, update all the content SOP docs, train the new copywriter, and write ahead for our blog so our other blog writer(s) don't get overloaded. That is a LOT of stuff to accomplish in a month, I'll tell you what. Physically, I am feeling about the same - very tired, pretty sore, battling heartburn most of the time. However, I am glad to have gone a week without getting an illness of some sort, and I am sleeping better, which is obviously wonderful.

What Bean's Doing

(taken from baby-gaga.com)

In the latest womb reports, your amazing baby has now developed sensitivity to temperature! This means you’ll probably get a swift kick if you put a hot pad on your ginormous belly. For the Elton John lovers out there-- yes, baby’s got blue eyes. At this point, all babies do, although depending on their chromosomal disposition, this could easily change after birth (or even between now and labor), but for the time being, blue it is. Thanks to their recently matured lungs and a remarkably strong immune system, over 90% of babies born in their 32nd week, survive premature births. So it’s pretty much a done deal. Even if your little monkey’s planning on heading out early, their survival odds are in everyone’s favor. Time to celebrate (no, no, wait until after the birth to crack open the champagne!) We’re talking baby-showers and alcohol-free punch!

31 Weeks

I am completely scatterbrained today. I also feel exceptionally anxious and full of nerves. I don' know what my problem is. My brain is very much, "YOU HAVE SO MUCH TO DO! DO IT ALL NOW! ALL AT ONCE!" and then I just end up sitting here with like 7 projects open, accomplishing nothing. Bleh.

This Saturday is the first of TWO baby showers that some of my favorite people are throwing me. I am so blessed! I am really, really excited about the whole experience. Plus cake.

The time is drawing near for the beginning of my maternity leave. (Actually, that's one of the things I'm juggling today - choosing a start date and all that.) The date I am looking at is just over six weeks away. SIX WEEKS?! Is this some sort of joke?! Soon we will be starting our birthing classes, then a breastfeeding class, and then it'll be time to cross the really surreal things off our baby to-do list, like installing the car seats and washing all the baby clothes. It is so exciting, so unbelievable, and tends to cause ridiculous amounts of butterflies to flit around in my stomach while Bean dances away.

How I'm Feeling

Well, aside from all that up there, I am feeling (physically) both great and not-so-great. I can still do my makeup while sitting on the floor and can stand up all by myself, but for some reason rolling over in bed is basically the equivalent of climbing Everest with a panda bear riding on my torso. My aches and pains seem pretty balanced for now, so I'm praying that the balance lasts.

What Bean's Doing

(taken from baby-gaga.com)

Your not-so-little-one is just a bit closer to their birth weight and height at around 4 pounds and 17 inches. With each added layer of baby fat, your baby's skin starts to look more and more like it will when they finally get to see the light of day. The heavy news: you can expect your miracle-gro muffin to gain about a half a pound of weight per week from now until about two weeks before birth. Great. That's just what you needed. Even more weight to carry around!

Your baby's still-developing immune system has gained substantial strength over the past few weeks getting them in full gear to face our disease-ridden world o’ wonders. Obviously, a large majority of your child’s immune strength will be derived from exposure to breast milk as well as the outside elements. Their cute little noggin’ (which could already be covered with luscious locks or just purty peach fuzz), is still soft because the skull bones have not yet fused together. As much as that sounds a little too vulnerable, their “skull softness” allows for a much smoother passage through the birth canal during labor—something both you and your little swimmer will appreciate when it’s finally time to “go!” Also, some babies will have that “soft spot” on their head for up to one year after birth.

Cravings

• Caramel frap from Starbucks
• Chocolate covered strawberries (which my mom somehow KNEW and brought me some!!!)
• Lemon bars
• Round Table pizza
• Twizzlers
• a dessert I used to order from Macaroni Grill. It's called like "Zamboni" or something. Or is that the giant truck that smoothes the ice at a skating rink?

30 Weeks

10 weeks to go! (Or 7 until I am considered full term.) This is really it...It truly seemed like this time would never come, but here it is!

This past Sunday we attended Jacob's parent's church's grand opening of their new building. The building is GORGEOUS, and the service was fantastic. It was so neat to see the finished product of something that had been going on for so long.

I am getting prego pics taken by the glorious Betsey this Friday. I can't wait! I am trying to find inspiration through other maternity photos, plus decide what I'm going to wear. I'll post some of the pictures here when I can.

How I'm Feeling

Tired and clumsy! I lose my balance when I stand up - it's ridiculous. Also, I drop EVERYTHING, which has made me extremely scared of our super sharp kitchen knives. (I almost dropped the huge butcher knife on my foot earlier this week.) My body is still fighting the pesky cold Jacob and I both came down with last week, so I think that is contributing to the tiredness and all that. I am getting super excited, though, and have big, productive plans for this weekend.

What Bean's Doing

(taken from parentsconnect.com)

Big news for baby's brain this week: It's starting to wrinkle and fold and looks like something that grew in the back of your fridge. This is due to the rapid growth of your little genius's brain cells. Other highlights this week:

Fingernails and toenails are finally finished—causing his or her parents great fear and anguish the first time they try to cut those little daggers (it gets easier, we promise)! Plus, the bone marrow is completely in charge of red-blood-cell production now. Trust us, this is a good thing.

Baby is starting to shed his lanugo—the downy hair that was covering his skin. Now that he's chubbier and better able to regulate his body temp, he doesn't need to sport a fur coat 24/7.

"I spy an umbilical cord and the inside of my mom's uterus!" When your baby is awake, his eyes are now wide open and he's whittling away the hours looking around, checking out his rather dark, limited environs.

Your baby hasn't gained much weight or height this week, as most of his energy's been channeled to the brain. He weighs about 3 pounds and is approximately 15.5 inches long, about the size of London, not the city, Britney Spears' Yorkie terrier. Of course your baby is less hairy and way cuter!

Cravings

• Lemon bars
• Chicken and dumplings
• Crepes

29 Weeks

WOW. Next week will begin the countdown. At the beginning it totally seemed like I'd never get to this point. Now, I look back, and it has truly flown by. Time is so weird.

Our friends Tim and Elaine welcomed their new daughter Daphne yesterday...Or the night before yesterday, I'm not sure. I am DYING to see pictures. Congratulations, Tim and Elaine, and welcome baby Daphne Grace!

Jacob's first father's day was fun. We cooked corned beef, cabbage and carrots, and my mom cooked some yummy potatoes. I also baked a ridiculous amount of chocolate chip cookies. Jacob's dad came over, as did Beth, Seth and the boys. We ate lots of food and then, after everyone left, I crashed. I think I went to bed at like 8:30. It was a great day, though!

How I'm Feeling

For the most part I feel pretty great. My short time of having energy is coming to a close, though. I'm still able to stay up later (10:30ish) but mornings are KILLING me. The aches and pains are becoming more frequent as well, which has been fairly annoying. I don't really like making pained noises every time I move, but that's just the way it is, I guess.

What Bean's Doing

(taken from babycenter.com)

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

(I also read that, in the correct light, Bean is able to see shadows/silhouettes. Crazy!)

Cravings

• Popcorn
• Quesadillas
• Pina Colada Icees

28 Weeks

Thought this was weird - according to my buddy group ticker:

2 months 22 days until Bean is due!

2 years 2 months and 2 days since Leanna and Jacob tied the knot!

No matter who you ask, I am officially in my third trimester. THAT IS WEIRD. It really hit me last night. 12 weeks until my due date. Very, very soon, we will have a little baby in our house. A little baby that is OURS. I can hardly even put it into words. Needless to say I am pretty emotional today. It's just so huge and amazing.

We got to see my brother and sister in law yesterday. It was awesome! Larissa is about a month behind me pregnancy-wise, which has been really cool. We took some cute pictures - I'll try to get them posted here soon.

How I'm Feeling

My energy levels are definitely declining, but my desire to be productive is on the rise! I find myself compelled to tidy up and to exercise - two things I did NOT enjoy until a couple days ago. Sadly, my body is not as good at being active as it once was, and I find myself pushing too hard and ending up in pain. So, I'm trying to take it slowly and remind myself that even though it feels like I'm not working hard enough, I am!

I finally had a truly uncomfortable morning with intense abdominal pain. (Nothing to worry about! Nora said it was probably just trapped gas. Attractive, no?) I've sailed through so easily until this point in time that I have a hard time being annoyed that this morning sucked so much, though.

Oh, also (TMI warning, boys look away), I am producing colostrum! It is bizarre. That is all I'll say about that.

What Bean's Doing

I got some majorly different info from a few different sites, so I'm just going to throw up the highlights this week.

• Bean has eyelashes
• The folds and creases of the brain are forming
• Hair is growing longer and thicker
• Fat is piling up and smoothing the baby's skin out
• Bean measures anywhere between 14.5 to 16 inches long
• Bean weighs anywhere from 2 to 4 pounds
• The baby is in the process of flipping into a good, head down birthing position (hopefully)

Cravings

• Tacos (I have decided that tacos are my favorite food)
• Cotton candy (this happened after EVERYTHING smelled like cotton candy to me for about a day)
• Coffee/espresso drinks

27 Weeks

According to some, this week marks the beginning of my third trimester. However, I've also heard that trimester 3 doesn't start until week 28. So, who knows. Either way, it's getting really close to my due date!

Next Monday, my brother and sister in law are coming to visit. I am super crazy excited to see them and take prego pics with Larissa! Although, she is a tiny and cute prego. I could probably eat her for lunch.

Also, I think I finally felt Bean have hiccups! It doesn't feel like hiccups, though - it feels like Bean is having a seizure. I asked around, though, and that was the answer I got. Plus all the prego websites say that hiccups usually start around now. The other suggestions I got for the weird shaky sensations are that Bean is dreaming, stretching or just jittery because his/her nervous system is still underdeveloped.

How I'm Feeling

Still pretty fabulous, although it seems as if my few weeks of energy are coming to an end already. I don't know if I'm tired from Donner Lake, tired from coming down with a pesky cold, tired from anemia or tired from basic pregnancy. Whatever it is, it's there. Thankfully, I am still sleeping well!

What Bean's Doing

(taken from pregnancyhut.com)

The baby is about 14.5 inches long and weighs over two pounds by now. The baby’s skin is wrinkled by floating in water and will remain this way until a few weeks after the baby is born as the skin slowly stretches out. The retina develops normal layers which later help in the reception of light images. These layers receive light and images and transmit the information to the brain for interpretation. The membrane that used to cover your baby’s eyes will separate at this stage to form eyelids. A new visual discovery begins for the baby and the baby’s eyes are mostly blue at this stage which will change into their true color some time after birth. The baby also develops a waking and sleeping pattern which might not be the same as your cycle. Some experts believe that the baby begins to dream by the 28th week. No one knows what they dream about but the brain remains active and the characteristic grooves on the brain surface start appearing with the development of more brain tissues. You might experience the baby hiccupping quite frequently now as the baby’s lungs are maturing and the baby is learning to breathe normally.

Cravings

• Brownies/chocolate (TJ had to stop on the way to Donner to get me brownies - they were AMAZING!)
• Corned beef
• Cake
• Other stuff that I can't remember, but it was probably sugary and bad for me...

A Glimpse Into a Tired, Pregnant Mind

(Yes, mom, minds can be pregnant.)

First, you need to know: The Sims 3 came out on Tuesday. I have been playing it pretty much ever since. One of my Sims aspires to be a chef, and so I spend a lot of time making her cook and read new recipes. One of the recipes she's able to learn is ambrosia. The word/food has stuck in my head for the past couple days, because I think it's funny that The Sims people included a mythical meal in their game. This isn't out of the ordinary; just one of the things I like so much about The Sims.

This morning, "FashionAmbrosia" added me on Twitter. This put the word ambrosia into my head again, which made me think of The Sims, and then made me think of Monk and Mr. Monk's brother. Although Monk's brother is actually named Ambrose, my tired, pregnant mind remembered it as Ambrosia, and I thought it odd that the writers would give Adrian's brother a weird, food name.

This is where it gets silly. For some reason, my tired, pregnant (and hungry, as always) mind thought, "Hm, I wonder if there are any good food names for our baby?" ("Food baby" anyone?) "After all, the Monk writers thought it was a great idea to use a food name for one of their characters, so it must be genius! Let me think..." What cracked me up was the first "name" that popped into mind, and the fact that I didn't think it was crazy right away. It was, of course, something I have been craving every day for weeks. "Bread pudding..." I thought. It sat there for a moment. I then realized the absolutely insane things I was letting myself think, and came here to tell you all about it.

The end.

26 Weeks

My pregnancy brain is in full force today, so forgive me if I forget something cool or say something stupid.

We are heading to Donner Lake this weekend, and I am so excited! I just checked out the weather and it is going to be COLD. I can't wait. :D Also, more exciting news...The Sims 3 came out today! My beloved husband is going to pick it up for me so I can play tonight. YAY!

Bean is currently rolling around my stomach. It's such an odd sensation. Even though I'm used to it now, it is still amazing every time I stop to think about it. I do love feeling Bean from the inside, but I still think it's super cool to feel the movements with my hands.

How I'm Feeling
Quite well! I am beginning to feel more aches and pains, especially in the middle of the night, but they're not too bad. I have developed a little waddle that cracks me up when I notice it. I'm still sleeping soundly (thank God!) and eating like it's my job. Bean is a hungry baby!

What Bean's Doing
(taken from baby-gaga.com)

At long last, your little swimmer can see the womb! Your miracle’s little eyelids have finally separated (they were fused closed previously) and they’re probably having their first moments of sight as you read this (or maybe it already happened while you were brushing your teeth or watching Oprah or something). In addition to seeing their little studio in your belly, they’ve recently acquired the ability to say “yes” and “no” in rudimentary sign language as they can now move their head back and forth. This is also the time where your little super star’s head hair is starting to grow! A cute little cowlick or two may be springing into position right now, getting ready for years of cute-but-stubborn bed-head. Also, their toenails have grown in and you little raisin continues to slowly pile up fat beneath their still-loose skin. Most importantly, brain tissue and neurons are all developing at a rapid pace, increasing their (genius-level?) brain activity and will continue to function at accelerated levels for the first seven to eight years of childhood!

(I also read that the placenta is getting to be as big as the baby. That is SCARY to think about!)

Cravings

• Breakfast burrito!
• Rice Krispies
• Brownies
• Spaghetti with bread and butter or Jacob's amazing garlic bread

Belly Pictures

Finally, I am getting belly pictures up here so non-Facebookers can see them. These are weeks 4-24. Also, FYI, I am NOT having twins, so no cute, "There's two babies in there!" comments because I am not that giant, thank you very much.

(Btw, you can click the image to make it bigger.)

25 Weeks

Only 15 weeks until 09/09/09. I really feel as if someone has pushed fast forward. I had to calm myself by making a checklist, which actually helped a lot. It always makes me feel better to see everything written out and in order. 

We registered on Saturday. I found it to be a lot of fun. I think Jacob started out enjoying it, but it got more and more tiresome as the day wore on. His poor ankle was killing him by the time we were done. We still have a couple items to research/purchase, but, for the most part, it's all set! We also set up the baby's crib and bassinet and put them in "The Bean Pod" with the changing table and dresser. It is so weird to have baby furniture in there! It totally looks like a baby's room and, for whatever reason, it is totally surreal, even though I am obviously aware that there is a baby on the way. It makes me super excited to finish decorating the room. I think it's going to end up looking very cute!

Our friends are meeting their twin girls tonight. The situation surrounding the delivery isn't ideal, but the result is wonderful - two new baby girls that will change their parents lives more and more every day! I am really excited for them, but anxiously awaiting the call/text/email that will say everything went well and both girls are strong and healthy.

How I'm Feeling

I think I may have the beginnigs of third trimester morning sickness. It could just be a fluke, though. My taste/scent senses have become heightened again and I have waves of nausea that pretty much suck my will. I'm still sleeping really well, although I've started to experience pain in my hips that wake me up several times a night. Luckily, I'm able to go right back to sleep. I am totally embracing this nesting thing, especially knowing that it's going to get hotter and I'm going to get bigger. I have a huge list of things I'd like to get done in the house before the baby arrives, but I'm trying to remember that I can only do so much, and that it's more important for me to rest than it is for me to wipe down all the baseboards.

What Bean's Doing

(taken from baby-gaga.com and babycenter.com)

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

Your little grower’s physical proportions are evening out at this point and most of their remaining development will largely be weight gain and lots and lots of nervous system development. The good news is: if your child is born premature now they’ll be more likely to survive without too much trauma as their lungs began to produce “surfactant” last week, which means their tiny respiratory system is getting stronger with each passing day. Yes, now’s a good time for a minor sigh of relief and a quick pat on the back. All that hard work and conscientious living is really getting your child prepared for a healthy delivery. Keep up the fabulous work mama! This week they’ll be scootching slowly out of the old breech position and start rotating (already!) into a better position for exit during their birth. Their head and feet are slowly rotating so that the head is pointed down towards the birth canal. Time is short (or really long, depending on who you ask)—just (still!) 14 weeks left before you can go back to being a single-resident human.

Cravings 

• Pretzels
• Hot dogs
• Cherries
• Top Ramen
• Cake (strawberry cake with my favorite frosting)
• Peanut butter cookies (thanks to my mom)
• Strawberry ice cream (thanks to my mom again)

24 Weeks

...or six months! Wow. I'm really getting up there! This past week, I've experienced a much-needed boost in my energy, which I've been waiting for since the beginning of trimester two. I hope it lasts a while, because I need to get things organized and clean before I balloon up!

Bean has been moving more and more with stronger kicks and more pronounced "swishy" movements. Jacob even got to feel Bean's little body wiggling around the other day. I think that's the coolest feeling - when you can apply just a bit of pressure and feel a head or back or butt or even a little arm. It's truly amazing and I love it!

This week marks Bean's viability - if Bean were to be born super ultra early, there's a chance that, with the proper medical such and such, he or she could survive. Obviously we would like for Bean to stay comfy until September, but it gives a little extra peace of mind knowing that if something were to happen, Bean would have a chance.

The nursery got painted on Saturday and it looks absolutely fabulous! I will try to figure out how to post some pictures on here so all the non-Facebookers can see the results. It's a lively avocado green shade, which actually makes it sound a lot uglier than it is. Basically, it's perfect and we love it. My friend at work has christened it The Bean Pod, which I think is adorable. Soon, we will get the furniture set up and have a real nursery! Just thinking about it gives me butterflies.

Also, we are planning on hopefully registering this weekend, which I am also excited about. I've already made my checklist, but I have been polling the moms I know about odd must-have items. If you have any suggestions for things that you would've never thought to buy/register for, but found to be a life-saver, let me know! I'm thinking things like delicates laundry bags to wash tiny socks in, etc.

How I'm Feeling

Well, great! With the added energy and the excitement of Bean's due date getting closer, I just spend most of my time with my mind going 1,000 miles a minute. Thoughts of, "I'm going to be a mommy!" and "Which monitor should we register for?" and "There's a baby INSIDE OF ME RIGHT NOW!" swim around in my noggin pretty much 24/7, with brief moments of, "What am I going to eat for breakfast/lunch/dinner/snack time/dessert?" thrown in.

What Bean's Doing

(taken from baby-gaga.com)

This is another big week for your magical growing baby! Just take a look at the checklist for this week: 1) ears: done; 2) fingernails: done; 3) (if you have a boy) testicles: taking their 3-4 day trip from the abdominal wall to the scrotum; and 4) lungs walls: secreting “surfactant”. What’s that? Well, surfactant is sort of what it sounds like: a surface-activated fat whose main purpose is to assist the your baby's little lungs during inflation (as in, filling with air, not getting more expensive). Just in case you’re curious, your submerged baby is still breathing in amniotic fluid, preparing and rehearsing the lungs an oxygen-filled life outside the womb. By the end of this week, your child will be weighing around 2 lbs and 14 inches long. Your cutie-patootie may even be a little more plump, but isn't anywhere near their full baby-fatted cute-self. Most of the “filling out” is coming up in that long awaited (and slightly dreaded?) third trimester. Woo-hoo! Get ready!

Cravings

• Crumpets (again)
• Carl's Jr. hash browns (still)
• Crepes with berries and fresh whipped cream (thanks to my hubby)
• Charlotte's chocolate chip bread pudding (HEAVEN)
• Charlotte's manicotti
• My mom's three cheese roll-ups

23 Weeks

Exciting news - Jacob and I have finally settled on a green for Bean's room! We went from elaborate (Totoro mural) to simple (green) but could NOT agree on a shade of green that we both liked. Thankfully, over the weekend, we found one, and now I can't wait to get Bean's room all set up! Thanks to Seth and Beth, we pretty much have all the furniture we need for the nursery, so literally as soon as we can paint we can have the room set up!

My "first" Mother's Day weekend was wonderful. I received sweet cards from my dear husband and mom, as well as fun presents, including the CUTEST "first year" baby book ever.

I stuck headphones on my belly this week. Bean didn't like most of the stuff I played, but so far Phish, Jason Mraz, Lisa Hannigan and Rachmaninoff have recieved responses. I definitely get the best response from Bean when I sing, though. I don't know if that means s/he likes it or hates it, but I like the kicking, so I'll continue...

How I'm Feeling

Hungry. Yes, all the time. For example, today's breakfast included a bowl of Raisin Bran, and english muffin with cream cheese and a peach fruit cup. All of that, and I'm just barely full. Jacob is generally quite impressed with how much I'm able to eat. I don't blame him - it's impressive! 

My body's currently fighting off a flu bug that my friend came down with over the weekend. I spent Saturday with her, and then Sunday she got super crazy sick. I definitely don't feel flu-like, but my body is certainly doing SOMETHING. I think it's just my immune system keeping Bean and me healthy.

What Bean's Doing

(taken from babycenter.com)

Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

Cravings 

• Baked potatoes
• Corn on the cob
• Twizzlers
• Eggo waffles with syrup
• CARL'S JR. HASH BROWNS!!!

22 Weeks

I am currently reclining on the couch, watching Gilmore Girls and feeling Bean dance in my belly. Nice way to spend the evening, no? Bean's movements have become stronger, more pronounced and more regular, and it's been SO very fun. I seriously LOVE it.

How I'm Feeling
Pretty great. Feeling extra tired this week, which I'm hoping is not anemia related. I think it's just Bean growing like a champ. I'm still sleeping perfectly, eating my weight in food during every meal and trying to stay at least somewhat active.

What Bean's Doing
(taken from baby-gaga.com)

The grow must go on! No wonder you’re getting so big, you’re now housing a wonder-baby who weighs nearly a pound and measures nearly a foot in length. Their perfect little pancreas is now further developed and they’ve also started producing their own hormones! Your baby's future in the circus as a world-famous tight-rope-walker is secure: their inner ear is now developed to the point that they have their own sense of balance. Lucky for your little explorer, balance also promotes physical dexterity, which has them actively feeling out their surroundings where skin, body parts, and the resident umbilical cord are the big sensory experiences. Your foot-long baby, is looking a bit like an oversized raisin right now as more and more wrinkles are showing up each week. Not to worry, all that excessive wrinkling is just their skin’s way of planning ahead for the time when they’ll start piling on that irresistible baby chub.

(Also, Bean has eyelids, eyebrows and fingernails!)

Cravings

• Crumpets (what in the world?)
• Cinnamon rolls
• Coconut ice cream
  

21 Weeks

Woah! This one sneaked up on me somehow. It took me until almost 3:00 in the afternoon to remember that today is my update day. 21 weeks!

I got to go meet my former co-worker's baby today. He is simply precious, and holding him made me so anxious for Bean to get here. I've never been totally crazy about the newborn phase. Something about their fragility scared me. Now, though, I plan to cherish those first few days and weeks. Seeing a brand new baby like that is just so incredible.

One thing that surprised me a bit was the trip to the hospital in general. Being there made me feel so thankful that I am able to have a home birth. Before I married Jacob, met Seth and Beth and researched home birth, I never even gave it a thought. Now, though, the image of my laboring and delivering in a hospital seems SO weird and undesirable. Thank you God, that we live in a place where I have a safe, comfortable alternative to the hospital!

How I'm Feeling
Aside from straining my back over the weekend, I'm feeling pretty good. However, I ran out of my iron supplement yesterday and the result is my feeling TOTALLY anemic. I didn't realize how much the iron helped until it was gone. Today I am super crazy tired, I've been fighting dizzy spells and all sorts of other nonsense. It's definitely a motivator to keep on top of my Floradix and to make sure I have a replacement when my bottle is getting low.

What Bean's Doing
(taken from baby-gaga.com)

Your beautiful little miracle-gro baby will be putting on a full ounce and a half this week (and weighing up to 16.5 ounces), but that’s just the beginning! Within the next five weeks, they’ll really be packin’ it on! For now, we’re pleased to report the addition of rapid eye movement (REM) a key component to any healthy baby’s sleep schedule. While in the dermatology department: their thin soft skin is very red, rather translucent, and a bit wrinkled. Not to worry, it’s not a premature aging disease. It's just their clever little body setting them up with extra space that will smooth out once your little one starts packing on the baby-fat. That won’t be for a few more weeks, though. So for the time being, your munchkin is still a little lean mean growing machine! The beginnings of what is commonly called “brown fat” is just starting to fill in to help your baby retain some body heat, which is crucial as they’re not yet capable of regulating their own body temperature.

(Also, babycenter says that Bean is about 10.5 inches from head to toe and is sporting brand new eyebrows and lids.)

Cravings

• Baked treats, specifically brownies and cinnamon rolls (indulged)
  
• Corned beef (indulged)
• Strawberry belts (this one has been killing me - NOT indulged)
• In-N-Out (indulged)
  
• Fruit, specifically mandarin oranges (semi-indulged)
• Lucky Charms (NOT indulged)...Also, when I started craving it, the following words spilled forth from my lips, "I would have sex with someone for Lucky Charms right now. But, only if I could just lay there because my back hurts." Then I proceeded to laugh for about 10 minutes.
  

Twenty Weeks

HALFWAY THERE! I can't believe I'm at the halfway point already. It seems like it's taken both an eternity and an instant to get to this point. Now I really feel the pressure to start planning, decorating, cleaning, organizing, etc. We're going to meet our baby so soon!

How I'm Feeling
I'm feeling really good on a day to day basis, but this whole anemia thing is really starting to wear on me. Last time I was tested, my levels had dropped even more, and I'm now at the almost-scary point. I'm feeling it more, too, as far as feeling tired, lightheaded, short of breath and stupid. Hopefully we'll know more facts in the next couple days and be able to target the reason my body isn't absorbing any iron. Prayers are appreciated!

Iron update: Nora called and gave me some good news. My hemoglobin tested at 10.9, which is a tiny, but real, step in the right direction. (I tested at 10.8 the first couple times.) So, I am VERY thankful for the news and hopeful that we can continue to raise my levels. Praise the Lord!

What Bean's Doing
(taken from baby-gaga.com)

This week you're carrying about 10.5 inches and 10.5 ounces of solid baby-miracle-goodness! Their little delicate bones continue to ossify and toughen while their itsy bitsy finger and toe pads are finishing up. Your little monkey now has teeth buds, although they’re hidden beneath the gum line. And finally! Their limbs have reached their relative proportions—no more alien baby! Their cute pink lips are more defined, and might be helping out in a bit of prenatal thumb-sucking. If you have a little boy, then their tiny testes are descending, though they have not yet passed the abdominal wall. What’s more, eyelashes and eyebrows are also visible. At this point, your little one really looks like a miniature baby—and we do mean miniature as your little swimmer currently weighs a mere eighth of their final birth weight. With half the pregnancy behind you, the most significant gains are yet to come!

Cravings

This is going to sound very silly...I KNOW I've had pretty insane cravings this past week, but my prego brain can't remember any of them! How ridiculous is that?

Nineteen Weeks

...and our second anniversary! Two years ago right this very moment, I was hanging out with my bridesmaids, mom and friend-turned-stylist in a hotel suite, chomping on strawberries while my dear husband carted food to the reception hall. 2.5 hours later, I was walking down the aisle to marry the most wonderful man I could ever imagine. God has truly blessed us!

How I'm Feeling
Pretty much amazing, actually! My glasses have eradicated my headaches and most of my neck aches. It's AMAZING to actually feel normal in the evening. I'm still going to bed pretty early and it takes A LOT Of time to catch up if I stay up super late one night. Like, staying up until midnight on a Friday will have me falling asleep at 8:30 every night for about a week. It's out of control.

Also, I'm REALLY stupid lately. So, that's been interesting.

What Bean's Doing
(taken from babycenter.com)

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

(Also, another site told me that this week is when most people start measuring the baby from head to toe rather than head to booty because the baby's legs are now straight enough. This means that Bean is probably around 10 inches in length from head to toe!)

Cravings

• Corned beef...
• Corned beef!
• Beef that is corned

Eighteen Weeks

Edited to say: someone asked me why I keep changing my profile picture. I change it every week so that it corresponds with Bean. For instance, this week's picture is an 18 week baby sucking his/her thumb in the womb! End edit.

Bean is a punk! For four days I tried to get my mom and Jacob to feel Bean's kicks from the outside. They never could. Then, last night, Bean FINALLY let Jacob feel a kick. I'm annoyed that Nana (my mom) didn't get to feel one; however I am super excited to share the kicks with my hubby. He's felt one and seen one so far. I feel so selfish getting to feel the baby all the time. Although, it's not really selfish when you don't have a choice!

How I'm Feeling
Pretty good these days. I'm back to eating for 12 and sleeping for 84. I dealt with a little head cold over the weekend, but I seem to be recovering quickly enough. Today is my first "real" test with my new eyeglasses. Although I wore them to work in yesterday, I don't think it was a good test day as I was working from home. If I don't get a headache today, it'll be the first time in months!

According to one of these baby sites, my belly button should be popping out soon. Also, it's going to get harder to breathe as Bean pushes up against my lungs. Sounds FUN!

What Bean's Doing
(taken from i-am-pregnant.com)

By week 18 of your pregnancy, your baby's crown-to-rump length is 5 to 5.5 inches long. Your baby continues to develop fat layers and weighs about 5.25 ounces. Your baby will continue to grow and develop, but the rapid growth will slow down for a little while. You will be able to feel your uterus just below your bellybutton. If you put your fingers sideways to measure, you can feel your uterus about two finger-widths below your bellybutton. At this point of your pregnancy, your uterus is approximately the size of a cantaloupe. Although weight gain varies from woman to woman, your total weight gain at this point should be 10 to 13 pounds. There is still space available in your uterus and your baby will be active for periods at a time. Your baby may sit cross legged or turn somersaults.

Around this time, your baby becomes more sensitive to the outside world and shows her presence through powerful kicks and prods. The bones through which sound is passed to the inner ear have hardened and the parts of the brain that receives and processes nerve signals from the ears are developing. This means that your baby can hear now. Your baby will get used to familiar sounds, such as your heart beating, familiar voices, blood rushing through the umbilical cord and other daily routine sounds. Your baby will become startled if he hears a loud sound.

Cravings

• Steamed whole milk (with extra foam)
  
• Corned beef (I've had it three times in the past month...It's STILL not enough!)
• Chocolate chip cookies
  

Seventeen Weeks

Bean is growing! Want to know how I can tell? I felt kicks from the outside! Yesterday, I got three taps to the hand, and this morning I felt some wiggles and taps. Also, Bean will be at one side of my belly kicking away, then it'll be still for a moment, then I feel kicks on the other side! It is the coolest thing in the world, ever.

Also, I found out that my good friend (1.5 weeks ahead of me pregnancy-wise) is having a little girl! I am just so overjoyed! Thank heaven for little girls. :D

How I'm Feeling
Better and better all the time. Still getting headaches and I'm pretty tired all the time, but I have way more energy now and my hormones are definitely more balanced. Plus, the headaches may go away. I went to the eye doctor and I am apparently borderline nearsighted, so I'm getting some rose colored glasses to help while I'm at work. Yes, rose colored glasses...It's hilarious!

What Bean's Doing
(taken from babygaga.com)

Don't be too shocked but... your baby is EVEN bigger than it was last week, not to mention getting cuter, and smarter every day! As you’ve come to expect, there’s no shortage of growth and development this week: your fantastic little bean stalk has added yet another half inch to their overall height-- making them nearly half a foot long! Their little limbs have reached (or are within one week of) their relative proportions, and will continue to grow evenly with the rest of the body after this week. Reactive listening has begun for your baby, even though their ears are not yet structurally complete or fully functional. Meanwhile, different parts of their astonishingly complex brain are developing to process your little one’s hearing and other senses, (you know, sight, smell, taste and touch). Mind boggling factoid of the week: if you’re having going to have a little girl, her ovaries have already produced millions of primordial egg cells, which, within a few weeks, will develop into actual eggs! Phew… just wait till she’s a teenager eh?

Cravings

Short and sweet: BACON. I want bacon. Heaps of it. For breakfast, I would like bacon and bacon with a side of bacon.

(Also, some cranberry juice cocktail to wash down all that delicious BACON!)

Sixteen Weeks

After feeling the baby move for the first time the Sunday before last, I was dying for it to happen again. Finally, somewhere between 2:00 and 4:00 this morning (while I was awake, watching silly TV) Bean kicked me quite a few times! I was thrilled and figured it would take another week or so to feel anything again. Instead, Bean decided to kick me some more this morning! It's soooo amazing. I LOVE feeling those little taps and being reminded that our little baby is in there, swimming around and (as I read this morning) making faces!

How I'm Feeling
I'm still getting headaches, but they are lessening in severity and length, which is lovely. They are, to me, obviously related to being at work. Whether it's due to straining my eyes or straining my neck, I'm not sure. I am getting my eyes checked on Friday (as is Jacob) so hopefully that'll help narrow it down. The only new lame thing is heartburn EVERY time I eat or drink something other than water. But, if that's the worst it gets for the rest of the pregnancy...I am SO ok with that.

I am now experiencing increased peeing (for the first time in my life I am waking up in the middle of the night just to pee - INSANE), it's getting harder to sleep through the night and I am having THE craziest dreams. Last night, I woke up with my heart POUNDING from a "nightmare" that consisted of Jacob spilling powdered sugar on the kitchen floor, then someone jumping up behind me and going "Blarghrgarghrag" and then that person turning into a giant turkey with a picture of Elaine from Seinfeld taped to the side of it and running away. Out of control.

What Bean's Doing
(taken from babycenter.com)

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

Also, momswhothink.com says: Your baby can hold his or her head erect, and the development of facial muscles allows for a variety of expressions, such as squinting and frowning.

AWESOME!

Cravings

Not as many as last time...

• Chili
• Cheesy bread from Papa Murphy's
  
• Pasta salad
• BBQ food (hot dogs, watermelon, lemonade...I crave these all at once)
• Baked treats (cookies, brownies, cake, etc.)
• Egg salad sandwich
  

Fifteen Weeks

Sunday morning: I think I felt Bean move! At first, I convinced myself that it wasn't the baby, since it was SO quick and it's so early. However, after talking to my boss (who had a baby in November) and Beth (Jacob's sister)...It sounds like it was Bean! I am so excited at the thought and I am dying for it to happen again. It felt like a quick flutter or like when your eye twitches...only in my uterus. Hooray!

Also, happy Saint Patrick's Day! St. Patty's is one of my very favorite holidays. I LOVE the food, I look good in green (or orange) and I'm proud to be Irish. Our delish corned beef and cabbage dinner will be on Thursday at the Carlson's, but we get to feast on one of my prego cravings tonight - pulled pork sandwiches! Woohoo!

How I'm Feeling
I am feeling weird! I spend 10 minutes feeling great, then I get a killer headache, then I feel good again, then I am EXHAUSTED, then I feel good, then another headache...It's impossible to keep up! Plus, my emotions are REALLY enjoying a nice roller coaster ride. However, I am not nauseous all day and I managed to avoid morning sickness this morning although I was VERY close to a disaster, so I think after all is said and done, I am truly feeling better. Bean is growing like a weed, too! I have quite the belly these days.

What Bean's Doing
(taken from babygaga.com)

Your nearly four-inch long gymnast is happily mobile inside your womb and if you're really lucky, you’ll notice a point when your sneezing, coughing or laughing results in a little kick here or a poke there. Still, many women don't feel anything until the 17th week or later. Although the poking and kicking isn't very charming during sleeping hours, it’s a good sign as it means your baby is actually reacting to outside events. Yay! You’ve got yourself one active healthy baby! Their little elbows and knees are bending more freely this week and their little legs are finally growing longer than their arms and getting pumped up for prenatal Richard Simmons. Many of their major organ systems are increasing in capacity—particularly that amazing tiny heart and complex circulation system, which is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood per day, and will increase to a very impressive 200 quarts per day by the end of the pregnancy. As far as hair goes, we’ve got some new scalp patterns beginning to develop on the head, although actual head hair is not yet present.

New Section: Cravings

I decided to add a cravings section for two reasons. The first is that I actually do want to keep track of the weird things I crave so that for future pregnancies, I can compare because I'm weird like that. The second reason is that I love talking about food.

• Pulled pork sandwiches (from Fat Daddy's, or made by Charlotte!)
• Tamales from Guadalajara
• Mustard
• Homemade hamburgers (which is REALLY, really, REALLY weird as I normally spend my time hating burgers)
• Fresh fruit like peaches, pears, plums, apricots, nectarines, mangoes, etc.
• Jacob's garlic bread
• Something that I have just named Kelly Goulash - it consists of yellow rice, chipotle sausage and chicken. I put green olives in mine, too
  

Fourteen Weeks

Alright, you guys. No matter who you ask, I am officially in my second trimester! I am SO excited to feel the baby move soon.

My body decided it would be fun to celebrate my fourteenth week of pregnancy by giving me an encore round of morning sickness. It was short, though, so it truly wasn't that bad.

This time change thing is killer this year. I went to sleep extra early last night (to my body, it was 8:30) but it didn't seem to help very much. I hope my internal clock gets adjusted soon!

I am currently EXTREMELY excited about...breakfast burritos! There's a place in town that makes the most delicious breakfast burritos EVER. They are a big hit at my office. Unfortunately, though, since the office moved, we rarely get them because the restaurant is so far away now. So, tomorrow, I get to work from home for about an hour and go pick some up on the way to the office. Hooray! Prego cravings win!

How I'm Feeling
Aside from my freak sickness this morning, I feel pretty good most of the time. I have been dealing with headaches almost every afternoon/evening. They seem to be completely tension-related, so Jacob rubs my neck for me so I don't have to take Tylenol. I would like to see a chiropractor for some treatment, but I need to check the insurance first.

My next midwife appointment is next week on St. Patrick's Day! I am hoping we get to hear the heartbeat again and that Nora will test my iron and tell me I can lower my dosage of Floradix. Prayers appreciated!

What Bean's Doing
(taken from babycenter.com)

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

---

Also, I read on another site that Bean's vocal chords and, uh, privates are fully developed. We have a little girl or boy! ;)