Memorial Day

Even though Zach didn't really want to go to the pool today, he took me because he thought that it would help with my back pain. And also, at the beginning of the pregnancy he had promised that he would take me on hot days since my body temperature is like 20 degrees hotter. AND it's Memorial Day, so why not? Right? :-)

I thought that being in the water would make me feel like I was floating and 25 pounds lighter. I didn't feel any different, but it WAS very refreshing to be in the water. I did feel 25 pounds heavier when I climbed up the ladder out of the pool and stood. It was really strange haha! Anyway, hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day and thanks to those who gave us our freedom!

Getting the nursery together

Last night I went pretty crazy unpacking all of the baby shower gifts from their boxes and gift bags. Once I started, I couldn't stop and before I knew it, it was 10 p.m. and everything was away. We don't have our dresser or anything yet, so a lot of the stuff is in a temporary place but for now it works and boy did it feel good!! The crib was delivered so we just spent the last few hours re-arranging and putting together the crib. Thanks to my wonderful husband for getting it together with only one knick in the wood! We are still waiting on the bedding and some other things to arrive. Here are some photos from the evening!

33 weeks

Oh boy look at that! I was too lazy tonight to run upstairs and put on a tank top, so you get bare belly this time! I'm getting tired. I've been working overtime at work lately. Between going in super early and being more pregnant, I am completely exhausted. I am starting to have lots of lower back pain from my spine being forced to curve forward, which is also causing a waddle. My feet ache so bad every day like I've been standing for eight hours, when in fact, I've actually been sitting for nearly eight hours. How does that work? Haha. The doctors said the ligaments in your body loosen during pregnancy, including in your feet which causes them to spread out a bit and I guess get sore. Zach doesn't like to rub my feet :-( I'm thinking about going to get a pregnancy massage this weekend. That sounds like a fantastic plan!

Baby is still moving around a ton. Actually, it's almost constant unless I'm moving around, and even then he is sometimes dancing around. I wonder what he's doing in there?

Zach and I have picked a name that we've decided to try calling baby for a little while to kind of test it out and see how it feels. For now, we'll keep it to ourselves :-)

Update from babycenter.com:

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (think a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance). These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

Highlights from the baby shower

I can only say thank you from the bottom of my heart to my mom, Aunt Bon, sister Mandy and mother-in-law Sharon for throwing me the best baby shower ever. It was perfect and I couldn't have asked for anything more. Here are a few photos from the day.

And we're back... 32 weeks

We got back on Tuesday from Pennsylvania from some time with family and my baby shower (which was wonderful!). It's always hard to come back and leave family and friends and especially go back to a job that I don't love. It takes me a day or two to get back into the swing of things. I will post an update about the shower with some photos soon!

Here is the 32 week update from babycenter.com:

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

Anyone have any idea what a jicama is?? I don't!! :-)

We had another doctor's appointment yesterday. The doctor always says that our baby has a happy heartbeat, so that's good! I also only gained 3 pounds in the last 3 weeks versus the 7 or so I gained in the 4 weeks prior..I was nervous about that because I don't want to gain too much weight, so this was nice to find out! Next appointment in another 3 weeks, then probably once a week for the rest of the pregnancy...getting close!!

Look for a baby shower update soon!

31 weeks - long weekend home!

From Babycenter.com:

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

In about three and a half hours Zach and I will be on the road to PA!! Yay! I'm so excited. My shower is Saturday and we are going to be in Pa for four days! There are lots of things to do and lots of people to see, so it will be a fun filled weekend! I'm already sad that we have to come back here, but I'm trying not to think about that until I have to!

Lots of people are really excited to see the baby bump and it will be nice to spend some time at home again. My back pain is pretty awful today (the baby sits right on my sciatic nerve sometimes) so I'm hoping this first part of the drive isn't too bad.

See some of you soon!!! :-)

30.5 weeks

Measured 42 inches around! How many inches do you think my belly will be by the time the baby is ready to come?

30.4 weeks Mother's Day 2011

I wasn't sure if Mother's Day counted for me this year, but I have received so many happy mother to be day wishes from everyone that I guess it does! Zach and I went to dinner earlier tonight and here is a picture of me when we took a stroll around the lake at the mall.

I think I look awful, but I guess sometimes that's just the way a pregnant womans feels later during the pregnancy. It's a good belly shot though.

Here is the 30 week update from babycenter.com:

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

On Wednesday we start our travels back to PA for my baby shower this weekend. I'm really excited for it and I can't wait to see everyone! :-)