41 weeks!!! 4-21-11

I really didn't think this would happen, but I am 41 weeks pregnant!! The last few weeks have been really difficult waiting, but tomorrow the waiting ends! I am being induced tomorrow morning at 8am. I didn't want to have to be induced, but by now I'm just ready to see my baby girl and hope everything goes well :)

I'm a little nervous, but not too bad, more excited and ready than anything :) I guess its kind of nice I'll be in the hospital over the weekend, so Joel won't have to take time off work (he'll have all of next week off though) and people can come visit on Saturday/Sunday. It will be strange being in the hospital on Easter, but we will definately remember it :) I'll have to bring her Easter dress with me to take a few pics of her first Easter in the hospital.

It's pretty crazy that this journey is at the very end, 9 long months of anticipation is about to be fulfilled; my daughter will be here and a new journey will begin! My world is about to be turned upside down, but I think I'm ready :)

I appreciate all your prayers!!

38 weeks!! (3-31-11)

This very well could be my last blog before the baby is born! :) Tomorrow is my last day of work, and I'm ready to get the show on the road :) I feel huge, nothing fits and I just want to hold that sweet girl in my arms!

I'm more excited than nervous, people ask if I'm nervous, and I say not really. I know labor is not going to be a picnic, it's going to hurt and be exhausting, but almost every woman does it, and I'm ready too. Or maybe reality just hasn't hit yet ;) sometimes I look in the mirror and still can't believe that I am pregnant. I'm going to have a baby. I'm going to be a mom. It's so crazy to think about! But I know when the contractions begin and when she is finally in my arms, it will all be real!

Had a doctor's appt yesterday, everything is good and I'm dilated 2 cm! That doesn't really indicate anything, as I could go in tonight, or it could be another 2 weeks before I dilate any more.

Not really anything else to write about I guess...just waiting for when this baby girl decides to show her face to the world :)



How Big is the Baby at 38 Weeks Pregnant?
At 38 weeks pregnant your baby is rapidly approaching 6.3 pounds, and the length will remain about 19 to 20 inches from now until birth.

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby is still focusing on putting on weight. Did you know that after delivery, your healthcare team will conduct an Apgar test on your baby? Many parents become obsessed with the Apgar score their child receives after birth, so it is worth a mention or two.

The Apgar score is simply a way that your doctor can evaluate the overall condition of your newborn immediately after birth. This score may sometimes be helpful for evaluations that occur later.

An Apgar evaluation is given one minute after birth and then again after five minutes of birth. Your doctor or nurse will make note of the following things:

• Your baby's color after birth (bluish or pink).
• Your baby's respiration.
• Your newborn baby's heart rate.
• Your newborn baby's muscle tone.
• Your baby's reflexes.

The one minute score reflects how easily your baby handled the birthing process. A high score generally indicates that your baby will do well in the postpartum period. A low score might indicate that your baby requires observation or further tests to make sure that everything is ok.

The second test is given to measure how well your baby is handling his new environment outside the womb.

Your baby is given a score based on the following parameters:

• Color - 2 points for pink body, 1 point for close to pink with blue arms or legs, 0 for blue or pale coloring all over.
• Respiratory - 2 points for a strong cry, 1 point for a slow or weak cry, 0 points for no crying.
• Heart Rate - 2 points for heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute, 1 point for a heartbeat under 100 beats per minute, 0 points for no heart beat.
• Muscle Tone-- 2 points for vigorous movement, 1 point for small flexing of the limbs, 0 points if the baby is still.
• Reflexes - 2 points if your baby cries during the test, 1 if your baby makes a little bit of a fuss, 0 if your baby doesn't make any noise during this exam.

Generally a high score, or a score between 8 and 10, means that your baby is in very good condition. A lower score might necessitate some further testing.

36 weeks! (3-17-11)

Less than a month to go!!! Only 4 weeks...its so hard to believe I was saying down to single digit weeks 5 weeks ago! I am so incredibly excited and ready to be DONE with pregnancy! I know I will miss feeling her move around inside me, which makes me smile so much, but I know it will be ever better to hold her in my arms and kiss her sweet little face!

Yesterday as I was driving to work, it kind of just hit me. "I'm going to have a daughter. I'm going to be a mom." It's such a crazy feeling, scary and exciting at the same time!

My final shower was last Saturday with my dad's family, it was so much fun, all my aunts are so crazy fun and I wish I saw them more! I got lots of nice gifts and I think we have everything we need, for her arrival anyways. Monday night we went to Target and bought the last few things we needed and ordered an extra carseat base and my breast pump online which came in the mail yesterday. I still need to do some of her laundry and pack my hospital bag, but other than that, I'm ready!!



How Big is the Baby at 36 Weeks Pregnant?
By 36 weeks pregnant, your baby is now 5.9 pounds and about 18.6 inches or longer! Your little one will soon enter the ranks of heavyweight champs as you continue your pregnancy week by week and you approach delivery!

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby is still working on putting on weight during pregnancy week 36. While that may not seem very exciting, keep in mind that this is his primary job from now until delivery. This is probably the one time in your baby's life where he they can put on pounds with wild abandon.

Did you know that some researchers believe your baby actually releases a signal to trigger labor? There are several 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.

Your Growth and Development
You may think you simply can't get any bigger at 36 weeks, but don't forget you still have four weeks of growing left! Some women may even have a little bit more!

The capacity of the uterus and abdomen to stretch during pregnancy is truly a remarkable phenomenon. At no other time will the body transform at such a rapid rate than during pregnancy. Amazingly that, while it takes nine months for the uterus to stretch to many times its normal size (from the size of a small pear to beign able to hold a seven pound baby), by your six week checkup your uterus will already be back to its normal pre-pregnancy size already.

35 weeks! 3-10-11

Wow the last 2 weeks have just flown by! My website business has been pretty slow the last year or so and then all of sudden I have like 4 new projects! Definitely making the evenings pass by! Work has been quite busy too and the weeks are just flying by :) Only 5 more til my little munchkin girl is here!

I had a baby shower for Joel's side of the family on Sunday. It was beautiful and great to see his extended family that I rarely ever see. I got so many nice gifts too! One more shower for my dad's family this Saturday then I'll be done with showers for life(for me anyway)! We are pretty much set, just need to buy a few more things. Our apartment is SO crowded, I'm really looking forward to moving in July!

Went to the doctor twice this week, on Monday for ANOTHER (3rd) UTI and Wednesday for my regular checkup. Doctor says she is head down and measuring on track :) I was hoping she may be a little bit ahead and come early, but oh well ;) She will come when she's ready! Hopefully not late though! Next appt is in 2 weeks, pelvis exam :( then will be going every week until she's born.

How Big is the Baby at 35 Weeks Pregnant?
Wow! By pregnancy week 35, your baby probably weighs more than 5.3 pounds and is 18.2 inches long!

Your Growth and Development
By pregnancy week 35, your baby is still working diligently on gaining more fat to keep her safe and warm in the first weeks after delivery. Your baby's suckle reflexes should be well developed now. If born prematurely at pregnancy week 35, most babies will still be able to breastfeed with little trouble.

Your Growth and Development
Your uterus at 35 weeks pregnant is a whopping 6 inches above your belly button. You may have gained close to 30 pounds by 35 weeks.

33 weeks! (2-24-11)

7 weeks to goooo! 7 isn't a bad number at all :) I still have quite a bit to do before the baby comes, and 7 weeks sounds close enough that its not forever away, but enough time for me to prepare :)

This past Sunday was my 1st baby shower! It was wonderful and so great to see my mom's family and friends and received so many cute gifts! The only thing I would change was the weather! A nice snow storm came in just a few hours before the shower started and it snowed and snowed and snowed! We had a decent turnout though and everyone made it there and home safely :)

Monday was our 2nd birthing class and we watched a birth video. I never saw one in school so it was my first and a little scary to be honest! But I feel like I know more what to expect now and feel more prepared. I got teary when they put the baby on her chest and I know I'm going to bawl when they put my sweet girl on mine :)

Wednesday was Dr. appt, all is well except I gained too much weight, 6 pounds in 2 weeks ha! So I guess I have to lay off the cookies a bit ;)

How Big is the Baby at 33 Weeks Pregnant?
By pregnancy week 33, your baby weighs 4.2 pounds and may be 17.2 inches long!

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby is busy concentrating on weight gain during week 33 and throughout the remainder of your pregnancy. Your amniotic fluid may be at its highest level this week. Your baby's brain is busy maturing and increasing in size, and your baby's skin will soon start changing from red to pink as fat begins to accumulate beneath its surface.

32 weeks! (2-17-11)

The last 2 weeks have flown by, I hope the next 8 do the same! :) This past Monday (Valentine's day!) we started our birthing class! I'm really glad we decided to do them, I learned so much and feel so much more prepared after only 1 week. We have 2 more Monday night classes. My first shower is this Sunday as well! I have no idea where everything is going to go in our little one bedroom apartment, but we will figure something out! Everything seems to be coming together and getting closer! There IS an end to this pregnancy :) I'm trying to enjoy it while it lasts I guess, but I'm just so excited to see my baby girl!!






How Big is the Baby at 32 Weeks Pregnant?
Your baby continues to put on weight each week of your pregnancy. At 32 weeks your baby weighs 3.7 pounds and measures about 16.7 inches long.

Your Baby's Growth and Development
By 32 weeks pregnant, your baby's fingernails have grown long enough that they reach the tip of his fingers. Some babies will have settled into their labor position - with head down, chin tucked into chest, and bottom up. Your baby may even be smiling. At 32 weeks of pregnancy, it is not uncommon for unborn babies to smile, sticking out their tongues, and even make faces.

At this stage of pregnancy, your baby's face is much more rounded and adorable!

30 weeks! (2-3-11)

Wow 30 weeks today!! Seems like I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel :) Only 10 more weeks to go! I looked in the mirror this morning and went "Woah! I'm getting huge!!" I can't image how ginormous I'll feel at 40 weeks! I'm definitely looking forward to this load be taken off :)

I got a cold last week Tuesday and I think I'm FINALLY over it! Not fun because there isn't much you can take being pregnant and I had bad sinus headaches 4 days in a row and couldn't do much about it!

I got a diaper bag last week, my registry is done and my first shower is only 17 days away :) This is finally starting to feel real! In about 10 weeks, I'm going to be a mom! It's a pretty crazy feeling, but definitely exciting :)



Week 30

How Big is the Baby at 30 Weeks Pregnant?
By 30 weeks pregnant, your baby weighs 2.9 pounds and is just about 15.7 inches long!

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby is continuing to grow and develop at 30 weeks, filling out your uterus more and more every day. You have probably noticed an arm or leg moving across your belly at one time or another. Many parents have a lot of fun playing "guess the body part" as their unborn baby moves inside the mom's belly. This game is even more interesting as your pregnancy continues week by week. A hard round lump is likely either the head or your baby's bottom, whereas a longer flat surface may be your baby's back. Your healthcare provider may be able to help you identify your baby's bumps and lumps at your next prenatal visit.

The volume of amniotic fluid in your belly will slowly start to decrease as your baby starts to take up more and more space.