my lil' sweet pea

tell me this wouldn't be the cutest thing ever!?!?

week 27 - I'm a survivor, I'm gonna make it

Fetal development in pregnancy week 27:
Your not-so-tiny-anymore brilliant baby(about 2 pounds and 14.5 inches long!) is slowly rotating in preparation to “head out.” Obviously, this doesn’t happen overnight, but when you start to feel an unfamiliar pressure on your cervix, you’ll know you’ve got a fully flipped baby locked and loaded for the countdown to their birthday! Even now, at the beginning of the third trimester, their little lungs are already capable of breathing air while the pulmonary vascular system can provide sufficient gas exchange and the central nervous system can generally regulate rhythmic breathing as well as their basal body temperature. For what it’s worth, at this point in a healthy pregnancy a premature child (with intensive care) could easily win on the show: “Survivor: The Early Years.”


And how's mom doing? You’ve worked hard, done your research, endured a plethora of joyless symptoms and would like nothing more than to have wonder-baby on the outside. Well, dig in for the final endurance round and say hello again to the familiar but not-so-lovable faces of fatigue and nausea. You guessed it, the dratted hormone factory is onceagain running at full-tilt (and causing rapid hair growth), sigh…. Your (“yaaaawn”) fatigue stems from several factors, including the proverbial weight gain, shortness of breath and of course, sleep deprivation. (See week 29 for tips on how to alleviate fatigue!).

Yes, ladies, you’ve finally reached the infamous “live-on-the-toilet” stage. Your feet are bigger, your breasts are bigger, your belly is bigger, even your baby is bigger—and something’s gotta give. Annoyingly, nature didn’t choose your butt and instead opted to compress your bladder, which is now being completely squashed by your-super-sized-baby... all day long. So your best shot is to just accept the fact you’re going to need to urinate every 10 minutes (and if you manage to go longer, thank the good lord).

Of course breast tenderness is also very common at this phase as milk production is kicking in. Other thrilling third-trimester symptoms include more swelling (known as edema) and feeling like you live in a sweat factory as a result of increased basal body temperature. Thank your baby: this temperature increase stems from their body heat coupling with your own, which of course all adds up to one hot mama!

Just in case you don’t have enough things to stress out about: we’d like to remind you the third trimester is really a time to kick your baby-on-the-outside preparations into high gear: baby-proof the home or apartment, buy a car-seat, get a stroller, dress up the nursery and plan a space for diapering, keep mulling over possible names, and try to enjoy this time… when you’re not nauseous, constipated, running to the toilet, or just plain wiped out. (And don’t forget to get your sleep, be active, and eat well! Phewee! we're tired just thinking about what you're going through!)

And here I am, growing....

this is a must see

my trip

Isn't it beautiful?

and the deer just come into their yard to graze, it's so neat!

This is a terrible picture of me, but there are five generations in my mom's family alive. Of course, she's not, but there are still five generations represented, in this pic I'm the 4th, and my baby is the 5th, cool huh? My great-grandma on the end, is 93!

I came home to this...

My baby's room...

I don't know if I should laugh or cry or rejoice. I'm pretty sure this is a good thing. Jeremy seemed satisfied with his doings. Ugh. It's a start, it is definiately a start.
And I can imagine, he had ALOT of fun doing it. I mean what man doesn't enjoy beating down a wall? Umph.

Stay connected HOPEFULLY we can start soon, hopefully....

26 weeks...eye see you!

Fetal development in pregnancy week 26:
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 your 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!

And how's mom doing? This is the final week of your second trimester. We won't go on and on about the joys of constipation, but if you’re curious why you’ve got to put up with this much-less-than-fun blockage, it’s basically because you’re producing higher levels of progesterone, which relaxes muscle tissue throughout your entire body, including the G.I. tract and ultimately slows digestion down… waaaay down. Not to fear, there are plenty of natural remedies for the joys of constipation, including: increasing your standard fiber intake with fruits and veggies, oatmeal, or whole grains (such as millet, rye and wheat). Another way to get things moving "down there" is to get yourself moving! If you haven’t been very active, try putting some time in walking or swimming. Increasing your general activity levels often inspires a bowel movement without requiring a suppository. Many women also experience restless and jittery legs during the second half of pregnancy. It’s a common condition known as Restless Leg Syndrome (or RLS—not a very creative name). Cutting out caffeine, stretching your calf muscles slowly, and some nice and deep muscle massages are generally effective ways to help deal with RLS.

And the belly!

I'm home!!!

I had a WONDERFUL time in with my family in the great Northwest! Oregon is a beautiful part of the country.
I didn't realize I had the account blocked to look at pics of the wedding, I'll undo that and repost a link.
And I have some updating to do =)

pregnancy whoa

I'm really haven't spoken much on the pregnancy front here on my pregnancy blog for quite some time. It really has turned into more of a personal blog. I have several posts that I have written and just haven't published because they aren't complete yet!

I wanted this to be a way I could document the ups and downs of my pregnancy, so I could remember as much as possible. We all know my memory fails me at times. And I'm sure that as times passes and the baby comes I'll remember even less!

But truly I have felt really good. I decided at the onset that this is not a curse, but a blessing, a blessing I thank God for everyday.


Here I am, open and honest on the pregnancy front:
*The one thing negative that I have experienced and I feel like I can truly say this is the HORRIBLE leg cramps! I get these great cramps AT NIGHT. I got a charlie horse in my right calf two nights ago and it still hurts. I must confess that when I was doing yoga, they weren't near as bad, I need to get back into it.
*I have learned that water is your most valuable resource never go without a gallon a day, seriously!
*I haven't noticed any swelling.
*My weight gained fluctuates quite a bit, but on my heaviest day thus far, I've gained a total of 12 lbs. (But I'm going to grandma's that could change REAL quick!)
*My hair is thicker, I don't think I've lost a hair in approximately 3 or 4 weeks! That's a miracle for me! (People told me this would happen, but I doubted them!)
*Finger nails are longer (Another thing I doubted!)
*I have the most clear skin I've ever had =)
*I have not a stretch mark in sight
*I can still see my toes, if I lean out a bit, but come on, it's hard for you too sometimes, just admit it!?!
*I had some crazy headaches around 17-20 weeks but I'm headache prone and it was really hot in my house, that makes a big difference
*I'm normally cold-blooded, I do get hotter easier. We were riding in the car and I had my a/c blasting and Jeremy was cold, I felt great!
*I love chocolate milk, and always have, but I'm sure, just positive that if I would cut that out of my diet, I would be better for it, but I just can't. It's my chocolate fix!
*I haven't noticed any weird cravings - I just love food, and hate to cook it!

That's about all I can dote on for now. I have observed that life is different. I'm not just heavier, I'm pregnant. Rolling out of bed is different. Sitting up in the night is different. Bending over is different. It's just different. And I need to be careful of that. I have the natural born tendency to push myself as hard as I can and I'm learning not to so much. The baby lets me know that isn't cool!

I'm loving it thus far and can't believe I only have 15 more weeks!

the happy couple

Click this link to view them!
More to come!

so much to catch up on!

Over the weekend my lil bro got married to the love of his life Miranda. It was a beautiful simple wedding down in Oklahoma and we had a great time, pics to come!
While we were down in the city area, we decided to do some shopping for the baby, and it was a success. We were able to start our registery at Babies-r-Us, which was nearly a suicide attempt being a weekend, but we survived. Jeremy was awesome, he really didn't complain at all! He did make a comment that being in a store with more than 50% pregnant women felt very hormonal. It was also cute, he said he learned something. When I tell I say we have an accident, he is not to just go out to the car and bring in a diaper, he needs to bring the WHOLE bag =) He said some poor guy is learning that the hard way! He decided it would be a good job for him to scope out the video/baby monitoring systems to see what would be the best for us. He came back sorta urgent and said, babe, what trimester are you? (He's never asked that before, I didn't even think he knew what trimesters were!) I said the end of my 2nd, why? He took me over to a section that I just HAD to see, and in your early 3rd trimester you can use this awesome machine to hear the baby move and the heartbeat and talk to the baby through a 'special' microphone. He was stoked. We bought it. He was easy to please! We haven't tried it yet, maybe tonight.

I have alot of housework to catch up on and then I'm headed out to my grandparents for a week to spend some much needed R&R, I'm really looking forward to it.

25 weeks...turn it around, and around

Fetal development in pregnancy week 25:
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.


And how's mom doing? Trimester two is finally almost over, which means you have that one final trimester of pregnancy to enjoy (and suffer through). You could celebrate this landmark passage by purchasing some piece of clothing designed to make your curvy body look as gorgeous and classy as possible...and don't let the price tag stop you, this is an act of self-love not book-keeping. But before you max out your credit card, remember: you’re only going to get larger, so buy smart. Speaking of larger, you’re obviously carrying more weight now and your back is going to let you know. Don’t let this get you down or make you feel like a weakling—it all comes with the territory of being preggers. Try to practice good posture—it will alleviate some of the back fatigue as slouching is actually harder on your back. It’s also common for women to experience leg cramps during this period. Go ahead, strong arm someone who loves you into giving you a massage. Or if you're lucky enough to have the extra bucks, head to a spa that specializes in pregnancy massages and get the full-treatment.

You may have already noticed that your hair seems fuller, thicker, more plentiful and darker-- especially your body hair. There are two basic reasons for this: 1) you're shedding much less (head) hair than you usually do and 2) your body's hormones contribute to the way your body hair is growing right now. Not to worry, all the hairiness will return to normal after you've delivered your baby.

look what I bought...

24 weeks and growing! Breathe baby, breathe!

Wow, I'm 6 months pregnant and 24 weeks, it is so awesome =)

Fetal development in pregnancy week 24:
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!


And how's mom doing? Your little one is moving (spinning, kicking, pirouetting, shimmying, and maybe even doing a bit of the Can-Can) so much these days that if you invite your friends and/or family to touch your belly there’s a good chance they’ll get a milder sample of what you’ve been experiencing . You’ve may have experienced the oddity that is strangers who feel a protruding pregnant belly is public property and a silent invitation for belly touching. We recommend taking the belly-touching calmly and if it really offends you, just say something like: “I just fell in a large vat of anthrax.” Or perhaps something a little less aggressive, like, “Please, at the very least, ask me before touching my body.” Still, there are many women who enjoy sharing this touching ritual with others. Find your comfort zone and good luck with the rest.

Scary stuff you should be aware of: The danger of getting preeclampsia (a.k.a. Toxemia) during pregnancy is significantly higher and is characterized by significant swelling of the hands and face, excessive weight gain, blurry vision with severe headaches or abdominal pain. Obviously, swelling is common during pregnancy, but should be monitored closely, and sudden ongoing swelling to the hands and face could be a concern. Talk with your physician for more information. Preeclampsia can also be diagnosed by high blood pressure and the presence of certain proteins in your urine. Again, high blood pressure alone does not mean you are affected, but it might be something you and your physician will want to/need to monitor throughout your pregnancy. Preeclampsia can prevent the placenta from receiving enough blood, thus depriving your baby of essential nutrients and lower oxygen levels, possibly resulting in low birth weights and other problems. There are several websites dedicated to preeclampsia education such as: http://www.preeclampsia.org/.

And my growing belly!

a good happy 4th =)

We had a successful 4th of July and that means it was good and we were happy!
We really didn't make any plans it was sort of a last minute "oh, yeah, it's 4th of July weekend" sort of thing. We really wanted to go to the lake and camp overnight, but Jeremy had to work nights, so that was out. We decided to just go out there during the day and eat lunch, let Jake swim, then do some fishing. Despite the fact that I was absolutely exhausted and couldn't get out of bed, we made it, finally found the picnic table and Jeremy cooked our lunch.

It was delicious!



And what camping cookout would be complete without some smores?!? They are my favorite, I love 'em =)


Jake the swimmer


Jeremy's 'big' fish!

After our journey home from the lake, we went over to Alfred and Shirley's for a barbque and then out to the baseball game to catch some fireworks, it was fun!

back from dr

I had a good visit with the dr. He said I'm growing right on schedule. It was simple and brief. He measured my belly and we heard the heartbeat - 150 bpm. He asked if I feel the baby, and it was so fun to be able to tell him about it. They cultured me for strep throat because I'm not feeling well and my throat is sore, which came back negative. He said my leg cramps were normal, and that lovly kicked-in-the-crotch-feeling, well, it's normal too! Oy.
So, I'm normal, baby's good, he thought the baby maybe weighs around a 1 lb and as a total, I've gained 11 lbs. My next appt is Tuesday, August 5th, and they will be testing me for gestational diabetes. We're just moving right along!

Gender Prediction Quizzes

So, yesterday I fumbled across some gender prediction quizes through google. I thought it would be a fun and interesting experience. So, while flipping through a good 10 to 15 questions, I was taking them very seriously and my conversation with Jeremy went something like this:
M: Babe, would you say my belly is a basketball or watermelon?
J: Uh...
M: Well, is it popping out or spreading out?
J: Your going wide.
M: What?!? I don't want to. Do I look the best I've ever looked or worse?
J: I'm not sure I would the best you've ever looked.
M: Babe, how can you say that?
J: I really don't think you should ask those kind of questions if you don't want the truth!
M: {{umph}}
So, after spending 15 minutes seriously contemplating every question and getting stomped by Jeremy, I received this answer:

Cute....

Almost every year now for the past 20 years at our church, we have had a patriotic musical that is presented to the entire community and surrounding areas. It's just awesome, truly it is. I have grown up with a great sense of pride in being an American and a deep respect for the men and women who serve and protect our country; and I believe I owe this in great party to our Liberty presentation. This is program is first class, all the way around. The choir practices at least twice a week for 6 months leading up to the night of the program. We have the military and awesome video presentations along with a 60 voice choir singing about Patrotism, Praise, and Prayer. I love being in America. Here is a picture of Jeremy and I last night after the program.