33 weeks!

It's been an eventful week! I went to Cooperstown on Saturday with my parents and sisters. We took Dad to the National Baseball Hall of Fame as our Fathers Day present. It was a great time and we all had a blast. Lots of laughs as Mom posed lovingly with a picture of Derek Jeter. My feet weren't very pleased with me by the end of the day though - cankles and sausage toes! As of today I finally have something resembling ankles again! We had a great family day at Moreau on Sunday celebrating all my nieces/nephews birthdays. The weather really didn't look like it was going to cooperate, but we went forward with it anyway and the rain held off and we even had bits of sun throughout the afternoon! Even though we were missing some members, it was a great time with most of the family there. So nice to get in the water too, and it was actually a nice temperature this time!

The little guy seems to be trying to make his exit through my abdomen wall. He's been pushing outward so much lately, it's so crazy to watch and feel of course! I still can't figure out which limbs are protruding. I thought I might be able to figure it out but when I saw his feet next to his head in the ultrasound last week I gave up trying to figure it out. He's just too much of a contortionist!

I pushed myself a little too hard yesterday but at least my efforts were rewarded. I really wanted an aquatic source of relief without having to mooch off people all the time (and to those I have mooched off of - THANK YOU). So I took it upon myself after completing 3 loads of laundry and cleaning the laundry room to actually clean out our hot tub. We had drained it at the beginning of the summer since I didn't think I was allowed to use it. I asked the midwife at my last appointment and she said as long as the water is under 100 degrees it's fine. It had to be drained anyway, we hadn't used it since the ice storm and it was all gross inside. So I drained it completely, scrubbed it out and refilled it. Made me really sore, but made me enjoy it all that much more when Jack and I soaked in the 96 degree water and caught an episode of the Office on the laptop later that night.

We had our first childbirth prep class at Seton Health last night. Jack was still skeptical about their necessity but I knew it wasn't so much instructional as it was informative - letting you know about all your pain management options, and letting you know all of what you can expect. Our class consists of 12 couples, almost all of which are expecting boys! I was a little nervous about finishing up the class only 2 weeks before I'm due, but there are 2 couples in the class that are due before me! Last night's session included the ladies making a list of physical changes they've noticed and the guys making a list of all the emotional/psychological changes they've noticed in their women. I was proud that Jack's contribution to the guy list was that he noticed that I'm so very happy. The nurse who leads the class then went through the items and explained why we're experiencing them. Not surprising that a lot of them are just caused by hormones. She also covered some anatomy while explaining symptoms, and we both learned some new things. We finished off with a relaxation exercise. I was willing to have an open mind, but Jack knew me and knew I wouldn't really get into it so as the instructor was starting to gently lay the groundwork for a scenario to focus on with the plinky planky music in the background and I closed my eyes, Jack pinched my arm. He started to giggle and made me chuckle, and I closed my eyes again. Then he poked me. So much for having an open mind about it. I lost it. The rest of the class is all relaxed and quiet so I'm trying not to distract them, but holding in the laughter was SO hard. I had tears streaming down my face. But all in all we found the first class beneficial.

32 weeks!

Had an appointment yesterday and got to meet the midwife Kelly. She was able squeeze and squish around and find the baby's head! She gave me some homework... just a few info packs on pain management, and I'm sure we'll learn a lot more when we start our childbirth classes next week.

We had an ultrasound this morning! We got some great peaks of the little guy's face. He's big enough now that he doesn't really fit into a profile picture. Based on the ultrasound measurements he's about 4lbs 6oz already!

It's been a hot week this past week... summer finally hit! I'm so grateful for people with pools - was able to get into one Saturday, Sunday and Monday! Definitely getting good use of the maternity bathing suit! The little guy has been performing some gymnastic feats in the womb. As far as I can tell he's staying head-down, which is good, but somehow he's still rolling all over the place and throwing elbows in the process! He's also had a bunch of hiccups this last week! My navel is starting to protrude, as are little guy's limbs. Cravings? Pop Tarts! I already finished the box and I just bought it 2 days ago :-/ Has to be name brand too, the off brand just doesn't look as good.

31 weeks!

I'm still feeling pretty well, although aches and joint pain are really settling in lately to the point of hindering my activities. Getting in the water helps a lot, so thanks to everyone who has been accommodating me in that regard! Sleeping is getting pretty ridiculous at night too. I bought a new body pillow but it hasn't completely taken the place of the old beaten up one so I've been using both... and occasionally an additional pillow under my feet. Whatever it takes to get to sleep! I'm pretty much surrounded by pillows and Jack is probably dangling over the edge to get away from all the fluff! General tiredness is setting in too. I wear out pretty easily, and it's getting pathetic. On Monday a trip out to Target, Aldi, and Hannaford wiped me out and I had to take a nap when I got home! I'm really looking forward to the nesting stage... for the sake of my house. I'm pretty sure Jack is looking forward to me hitting that stage too. I've gotten way too accustomed to watching dust bunnies float by and dishes pile up in the sink. I've decided as of yesterday though, to tackle one room at a time - top to bottom. That way I don't wear myself out and it doesn't seem as daunting a task. So the bathroom was yesterday, our bedroom was today. Does the kitchen/dining room/living room all count as one since they're all open to each other? Oh man, all this cleaning talk has inspired me to do more. Maybe I have hit nesting!

Nothing really new with the little guy. He's still on the move a lot and it's still fun to watch. Occasionally a little uncomfortable but still fun! We'll get to see him again at what should be our last ultrasound next Wednesday.

In other unrelated news, I would like to shout out a congratulations to my sister-in-law who got engaged last Thursday! We're very excited for Regan and Strom and couldn't be happier for them. We also ask everyone to pray for Strom's safety as he gets deployed to Afghanistan at the end of this month.

30 weeks!

3/4 of the way there! Had an appointment with a different midwife this morning - Linda, and she was so sweet! I still have to meet two of the others since they rotate at this practice and you don't know who will end up on call when you go into labor! The belly measured perfectly today - 30cm at 30 weeks. Good heart rate of 144, good blood pressure on my part. My glucose and iron levels checked out fine from the screening and bloodwork I had done at my last appointment.

As for the little guy - TONS of movement. Not just kicks and punches anymore, but feeling arms move across the entire length of my belly, feeling what must be feet push out under my ribs, feeling limbs cross over each other as he shifts positions. Not just feeling all this, but seeing a lot of it too. Haven't actually seen the outline of a foot or elbow or anything, but I've seen a bump move around, or I'll watch my belly get rocked around. It doesn't get old.

It's crazy how the reality of it all hits you in waves, or at least it's done that to me. First it was seeing 2 lines on that stick after however many times of seeing just 1. That took a whole day to absorb. Then it was the first ultrasound - totally surreal, but there was actual evidence in front of me of this little one. I didn't really suffer from morning sickness or anything in the first trimester so the next wave of reality hit when the bump started to grow. Then feeling little flutters, transitioning into kicks. Then there was registering, and starting to make purchases - this is the actual stuff that baby boy will be using! Now it's beyond the light flutters and kicks, and into movement of arms and legs, stretching, spazzing and soccer punts! I'm thinking next will probably be setting up the nursery, and then finally meeting the little guy! Can't wait!

29 weeks!

Wow, what a little bundle of energy this little guy has turned into! He's finally tickling the ribs, especially when I'm leaning over. Just today some of his kicks turned into slight discomfort. He's an active one, and just today I called him a tasmanian devil because he was going berserk in there! It's still really fun to watch and I'm still able to sleep through it as far as I can tell. Some joint discomfort is starting to set in, and standing for long periods can get pretty painful. So swimming at my sister's house has been relief to not only the heat, but also to the joints! My hands swelled enough over the weekend (probably from hours of chopping food!) that I had to ice them for a while on Sunday to get my wedding ring off... it hasn't gone back on yet! I realize this is a common problem, but I hope people don't mistake me for an unwed mother for the next few months!

Haven't succumbed to any cravings this week that I can remember, but I've been jonesing for some cinnamon buns.

I guess that's just about all pregnancy-related to report from the last week! Another doctor appointment next Wednesday, so maybe more to say then!

28 weeks!

Not a whole lot has changed. My Braxton Hicks contractions are by no means regular, but are growing more frequent than before - 10-15 a day that I notice. The little guy is getting stronger, not just feeling kicks but feeling him stick out body parts now! I haven't been able to identify which limbs he's moving or poking with, but hopefully I'll be able to soon! Jack thinks it's his rear he keeps sticking out, so he's mooning us! I think it might be knees - it's just feels so hard sometimes! On Sunday I relaxed out on the deck while Jack went fishing with a friend. Baby boy was especially busy that day and I had a lot of fun just watching my belly get rocked around by his movements inside!

I've finally gotten some use out of my maternity bathing suit! It's been such a crummy summer here with tons of rain and not a lot of heat. At least I haven't been too uncomfortable. Well Saturday was just too nice to stay at home, so Jack and I packed up and headed north about 30 minutes to Moreau State Park. Seems to be the closest place to swim without leeching off family or friends. We had a great time, and the weather was beautiful. The water is still a bit cold so we only went in once, literally inching our way in for quite a while! As we were making our 20 minute entrance into the water Jack came to the realization that it was baby boy's first time "swimming" - but wait, no. That's pretty much all he's doing at this point! We saw so many parents with young kids there, and are very much looking forward to taking him to swim next summer! Monday was another beautiful day and my sister Ginger was gracious enough to let me bum the use of her pool! It felt sooooooooooo good. Perfect temp, perfect day out and very quiet and serene on her farm... aside from the dog bossing the horses around.

Finally had a crazy craving this week. Donuts - 3 kinds in particular: glazed, jelly filled, and of course good ol' boston creme. Jack made an attempt at helping me walk the healthy road and perhaps just choosing one or two but they were all of equal persuasion to me. We happened to be waiting to pick up our Papa John's pizza when the craving hit so I said I should be fine for the evening with just the pizza. Well sweet husband that he is ran out this morning to buy the 3 donuts and left them in the kitchen for me and wrote "Love you!" on the bag. What an awesome discovery this morning, and the best breakfast I've had in quite a while!!

Tiffany May

I'm an aunt again! This makes #12 :) Tiffany May Crossway was born at 7:48 this morning by c-section. She's 7lbs 1oz and 18.5 inches... a little one indeed! Her blood sugar was low this morning and her temperature was a little low, but she was back with her mom by noon. Beth looked and sounded great, despite her claim that this was the roughest c-section yet (her 4th). Her baby cousin was dancing all day... must have been excited to meet her! Jack and I went over this evening to meet her and congratulate Beth and Doug. She looks SO MUCH like her siblings, and I got to see many Kimmy expressions while we were there. She's so alert and had her eyes open the whole time. Although she can't focus just yet her eyes will follow you, and it looks like she is looking right at you even though you probably appear as a gelatinous monster! Baby Boy continued his dancing while I was holding her and I think he bumped her from underneath a few times. He's just so excited to high five her for real! Beth and I used to bump bellies to make them high five. Well little buddy, only 12ish more weeks until you can!

We forgot our camera but took one pic with a cell phone and got another texted to us, and Mom and Dad took a bunch earlier today. So here's a small sampling: