Week 30: Squash

"Baby’s energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. (Have those kicks and jabs to the ribs tipped you off yet?) Baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though -- as you’ve also probably noticed -- they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments."

How far along? 30wks & 6 days!

Maternity clothes? Full time maternity clothes but I can still fit into a few non-maternity (stretchy) things.

Stretch marks? No stretch marks and I'm applying Earth Mama Angel Baby Lotion in the morning and Weleda Pregnancy Body Oil at night.

Sleep? What's that? I'm up and awake every morning at 5am...please don't make this a habit baby.

Best moment this week? Hearing that all is well (my bp has been consistently perfect and my blood test came back normal) at my midwife appt on Thursday...bring on the home birth!

Movement? I could watch my stomach all day - it is so strange to think that my baby boy is inside of my right now!!

Food cravings? I could go for some ice cream but I'm being good.

Gender? It's a Boy!!

Labor signs? Nope.

What I miss? Sleeping on my right side (I can't lay on it for more than a minute now without it hurting).

What I'm looking forward to? Finishing up our never ending nursery!!!!!!

Weekly Wisdom: Swimming has to be the best invention ever for a pregnant lady!

Milestones: I'll be in the single digits tomorrow - 9 ish more weeks to go!

Emotions: I'm making a conscious effort to not get stressed out - it just isn't worth it.

30 weeks & 6 days pregnant

Blood Pressure

My blood pressure was still slightly elevated yesterday morning when I had it checked at the fire department (they were super nice there btw), but I was also rushing around and sleep deprived. I should mention that my blood pressure level is definitely not something that an OB would be concerned with but my midwives are overly cautious, which is one of the main reasons why I picked them. They wouldn’t chance having a home birth at the cost of my health or my baby’s health. I spent most of yesterday just completely chilling out and resting (well, resting as best as I can rest - I always need to be doing something) and my friend's husband (who is a police officer/medic) took my blood pressure last night and it was back to normal. He left one of his electronic blood pressure cuffs with me (yay for not having to go to the fire department daily) and my blood pressure was still normal this morning! Looks like I’m getting the hang of this chilling out thing. I really think that my elevated blood pressure was due to stress – I need to be completely stress free for the next 10ish weeks. The pain in my side has decreased but I can still feel my muscles stretching in that area so maybe the baby is having a growth spurt? I get my blood results on Tuesday, let’s hope that everything comes back normal.

30 weeks & 1 day pregnant

Good News & Not So Good News

Yesterday I had an appointment with my midwives and I have good news and some not so good news. Let's start with the good news, you know the glucose test that I had been stressing about for the past 7 months? Well, I passed with flying colors! My blood sugar level was at 90 and it needed to be under 130. I have been trying to stay active and eat well because I'm at risk for diabetes with my family history so it obviously paid off.

As for the not so good news, my blood pressure was slightly elevated and in the home birth world this is a red flag. At previous visits my blood pressure has been consistently perfect so this was not something I expected. I'm definitely the type of person who internalizes stress and boy have I been feeling the stress this week, this might be why my blood pressure is elevated. I typically handle stress much better (I'm a family counselor - I deal with stressful situations on a daily basis) but I think I just have too much on my plate right now and I need to learn how to just shrug off the things that I can't control instead of dwelling on them. Ready for more bad news? Lately I've been experiencing a dull aching pain in my right side. It could just be stretching or round ligament pain but my midwives wanted to play it safe and ordered blood work to test my kidney/liver levels.

I have a follow up appointment with them next Thursday and in the meantime I need to stop by our local fire department everyday to get my blood pressure taken (who knew that they offered that service) and I also need to stay away from processed foods (which I've been trying to do anyway). They encouraged me to swim for exercise now that the temps are rising and walking outside is no longer feasible. They also want me to take it easy and ordered Mr. Baby Fever to take over all of our household chores, which I will happily do. So basically I need to majorly de-stress, get more sleep, continue to eat well and get in some swimming. Wish me luck, I feel like crying at the thought of not having my home birth and I of course above all want my baby to be healthy.

30 weeks pregnant

Week 29: Squash

"Baby’s energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. (Have those kicks and jabs to the ribs tipped you off yet?) Baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though -- as you’ve also probably noticed -- they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments."

How far along? 29wks & 6 days!

Maternity clothes? I tried on a few non-maternity outfits at Anthro last week...haha that was funny and a good way to make a pregnant lady very sad. I thought one shirt actually looked good on me but when I modeled it for DH he commented, "Are you sure that's maternity, it looks pretty tight". Gee thanks hunny!

Stretch marks? No stretch marks and I'm applying Earth Mama Angel Baby Lotion in the morning and Weleda Pregnancy Body Oil at night.

Sleep? I'm only comfortable sleeping on my left side, which isn't very comfortable to do the entire night. This baby is on a schedule already - he wakes me up most nights at midnight, 3am and 6am. Have I mentioned that I miss sleep?

Best moment this week? Our baby shower was last Saturday and it was fabulous - my parents did such a great job with everything and we got lots of great stuff!

Movement? Some days he punches me so hard that I feel like he's going to break out of my stomach.

Food cravings? Give me meat!

Gender? It's a Boy!!

Labor signs? Nope.

What I miss? SLEEP!!

What I'm looking forward to? Finishing up our never ending nursery and passing my glucose test today!!

Weekly Wisdom: I'm not feeling very wise this week.

Milestones: OMG only 10 weeks left after tomorrow!!

Emotions: Boy has this week been STRESSFUL. I'm launching a new website/blog and there has been major drama with the designer so I'm now starting from scratch with a new designer.

29 weeks & 6 days pregnant

I've always wanted an indoor pool...

I just ordered my birthing pool and I just had to laugh a little at the fact that this blow up pool will be in the middle of my living room. It seems absurd but when I compare this setting with a delivery room setting, the fishy pool wins! I’m not sure if I’ll actually be delivering in it but I definitely want to labor in it.



28 weeks & 5 days pregnant

27 Weeks: Still An Eggplant

"Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes."

How far along? 27wks & 6 days!

Maternity clothes? I'm in them pretty much full time now besides a few stretchy non-maternity shirts. A good friend recently had a baby boy and gave me all of her maternity clothes!

Stretch marks? No stretch marks and I'm applying Earth Mama Angel Baby Lotion in the morning and Weleda Pregnancy Body Oil at night.

Sleep? I'm only comfortable sleeping on my left side, which isn't very comfortable to do the entire night. This baby is on a schedule already - he wakes me up most nights at midnight, 3am and 6am.

Best moment this week? Reaching the 3rd trimester and celebrating my 1st Mother's Day!

Movement? Baby is still moving like crazy, my absolute FAVORITE thing about pregnancy (even if he wakes me up every 3 hours)!!

Food cravings? Pretty much everything I eat gives me heartburn. This week I have been craving beef, which is beyond strange because I haven't had beef since I was a child!!

Gender? It's a Boy!!

Labor signs? Nope.

What I miss? I miss my sleep!

What I'm looking forward to? Finishing up our nursery and PASSING my glucose test! Oh and tomorrow we're purchasing our birthing pool and the rest of our home birth supplies!

Weekly Wisdom: Grunting or sighing while bending down will gain you sympathy from your DH ;-)

Milestones: Hello 3rd trimester!!

Emotions: I'm seriously lacking in the patience department at the moment.

27 weeks & 6 days pregnant

My First Mother's Day

Image from Dear Baby

I hope all of the mothers (mothers-to-be, mothers of angel babies, mothers of 4 legged friends) out there had a wonderful Mother's Day! I know there is some debate (in forums and other places) about whether or not pregnant women are in fact mothers but my definition of a mother is someone who thinks about her child before she thinks about herself. I'm grateful to have a mother who has done just that - sacrificed and thought of my needs first. For the past 27 weeks I have tried to follow my mother's example by thinking of my growing baby boy before I even get out of bed in the morning. I think about what food he needs to grow into a healthy baby before I eat and *try* to stay away from junk. I choke down a protein shake every morning just for him (trust me, there is no amount of money in the world that would make me do this just for myself). I get in my nightly walks with Mr. Designs by Vanessa even when I feel like a 90 year old lady who needs a hip replacement (another pregnancy perk). Before he was even conceived I thought of him on a daily basis and started taking prenatals, started working out and cut out caffeine to help get my body prepared for him. So yes, I very much consider myself a mother. Every time I feel him kick or I hear his heartbeat at my midwives office, I feel like a mother.

Mr. Designs by Vanessa gave me a very sweet 1st Mother's Day Card signed from our baby. I won't embarrass him by sharing what he wrote in the card but let's just say that it was tear inducing sweet. Ok, one tiny little excerpt: That tiny kick you feel today will be our baby boy saying, "Happy Mother's Day, Mommy!" and " I love you and can't wait to meet you face-to-face and cheek-to-cheek in a few short weeks from now". Isn't my hubby nauseatingly cute?! He also got me a very thoughtful keepsake box from Willow Tree featuring a mother and a son, I can't wait to put our baby's first curl in there! He definitely made my 1st Mother's Day special and I look forward to next year when our baby is out here to celebrate with us.

I hope someone made you feel special on Mother's Day!

27 weeks & 4 days pregnant