34 Weeks

 Week 34 Complete

How far along? 34 Weeks 2 days. Oh my word you guys. We made it. If I were to go into labor now, I would not have to have a steroid shot to strengthen Adler's lungs. WE MADE IT! Next major milestone.... 36 weeks. And then he is welcome to join us on the outside at any time.

Baby is the size of: A savoy cabbage and weighs about 5 lbs and is about 18 inches long.

What did the baby develop: His lungs, brain, and central nervous system keep rapidly developing, and all, but his lungs have reached their final stage of development on the inside. He is using my immune system to help build his own. The vernix (slippery white coating) that will help Skishy move through the birth canal, is covering his body as he gets closer to delivery day. He is also peeing up to a pint a day, and preparing that tarry meconium for his first poop.

Gender: Sweet baby boy, Adler James

How many:1 little squishy

Showing a bump: Yep. It is here to stay.

Maternity clothes: Everything I wear now either was originally maternity, or is now maternity because I have stretched it out.

Stretch marks: Nope.

Sleep: I have still been sleeping pretty well, but I figured out that I have to start out on the couch because my legs are a little restless and I don't want to wake Thomas. As soon as I wake up the first time though I head back into bed and can finish out the night there. Funny little pregnancy things. :) Oh and I pretty much only sleep on my left side now.

Movement: When ever I am not up and about a ton. He moves the most through out my work day, when my abdomen gets crunched and my ribs hit him, when I lay down to go to bed at night, and when I drink cold or eat spicy things.

Best moment this week: My sweet WA baby shower. Let's not talk about how/why I was 20 minutes late. And getting so much done in the basement with my dad's help.We seriously have the best village!

Miss anything: The Gyft clinic (where we did all our IVF/FET rounds) closed this week. There are so many emotions that go with that! The Gyft clinic has been by our side through our entire getting pregnant process that it is weird for that chapter to be closed. Seriously so sad! What do we do if we need them again?!
Medical Help:  Daily Vitamins - Prenatal, fish oil, Vitamin D, Probiotic, Calcium/Magnesium, and electrolyte supplement
Emotionally Feeling: So blessed by all the love!

Belly button in or out: In

Food cravings: Nope.

Anything making you queasy or sick:Teeth brushing still equals gagging.

Symptoms/Side effects: Linea nigrea, going to the bathroom more often, but not constipated any more, eating smaller meals, braxton hicks, my little gum thing, mid back aches, needing more naps, smells, nesting. Crazy nesting urges.

Wedding ring off or on: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Laura visiting this week and a extra day off on Monday to get things done around the house!
Things they don't fully tell you about pregnancy: I have always heard about the nesting urge, but seriously.... No one can describe it. I just want my house to be organized and in order!! It is a legit urge especially the closer you get to your due date.And indescribable.

34 Weeks! Sometimes I cannot believe this has happened/is happening!!

Had the sweetest Adventure themed baby shower here in WA.

All of the beautiful people that loved on us.

And of course our yearly apple picking, tree climbing, cider squeezing adventure. 40 gallons of apples later....

And naturally we want this press now! 3 gallons in about 15 minutes. Can't wait to try the cider post pregnancy!

OK, has anyone used a postpartum girdle? Can you tell me how it worked for you? And which one did you use? I have heard great things about them and want to know your experiences!

33 Weeks

 Week 33 Complete

How far along? 33 weeks and 2 days.

Baby is the size of: A Cauliflower blossom, an oven mit,  at 17-19 in long and 4-6 lbs! Still adding a half a pound a week.

What did the baby develop: He is beginning to keep his eyes open while he is awake, so he can see all of the lovely sights of the uterus! Skishy’s bones are still forming, and relatively soft, but they keep hardening, and his brain is developing further and further every day. He is so close to being ready!

Gender: Sweet baby boy, Adler James

How many:1 little squishy

Showing a bump: Yep. It is here to stay.

Maternity clothes: Pretty much everything.

Stretch marks: Nope.

Sleep: Lavender Lotion! Seriously, my best friend. Helps me sleep so well.

Movement: I am finally feeling him in my ribs this past week! And I think it was last week, but I started to feel him hiccup too! He is moving like crazy.

Best moment this week:Spent the weekend getting projects done and then my dad came to visit

Miss anything: Still just prepping the house for him to join us. Little by little it is all getting done. Also canned our pizza sauce for the year on the hottest recorded day this year. Because I am crazy like that.
Medical Help:  Daily Vitamins - Prenatal, fish oil, Vitamin D, Probiotic, Calcium/Magnesium, and electrolyte supplement
Emotionally Feeling: Great! Life is beautiful.

Belly button in or out: In

Food cravings: More. Definitely hungry more often because I can't eat as big of meals.

Anything making you queasy or sick: The darn teeth brushing still makes me gag.

Symptoms/Side effects: A large stomach. And everything from last week.

Wedding ring off or on: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Met with my doula last night and my midwife today with Thomas so that all of us are on the same page with what to expect. As far as we can be anyway since clearly. :) And also looking forward to officially finishing the basement. 99% of the way anyway. We are getting there!
Things they don't tell you about pregnancy: I got nothing today.

33 weeks along!

Just call us Johnny Appleseed. Because our tree literally grew 1 apple for us.

Question of the week: Getting Thomas something that records life so that he can be the dad behind the video camera as I am the mom behind the actual camera.. He does not have a smart phone or a digital camera. We want something actually dedicated to filming stuff. What are your thoughts? In this day and age is the Go Pro our best bet??

And ask him about being the first dad to have a go pro on during birth. He wants it so bad!

32 Weeks

 Week 32 Complete

How far along? 32 Weeks and 3 days 8 weeks left!!

Baby is the size of: A Florida Pomelo or a Naked-tailed Armadillo at 18 in and 4 pounds.

What did the baby develop: Adler has a full coating of peach fuzz and his skin is filling out with the ounces he is gaining. He has a full set of fingernails and toenails. He is sucking on his thumb to help with coordination, and is practicing breathing and is swimming too. And he should be staying head down soon.

Gender: Sweet baby boy, Adler James

How many:1 little squishy

Showing a bump: Yep. It is here to stay.

Maternity clothes: If it wasn't already maternity clothes, it has been turned into maternity clothes by now if I am still wearing them.

Stretch marks: Nope

Sleep: My stomach is now large enough that gravity does its job. When I lay sideways my stomach shifts down and I have found to sleep most comfortably, I need a small pillow supporting it. I had a rough night one night last week, but with a little Young Living Lavender lotion on my back the last 2 nights, I have been sleeping better then ever! Definitely keeping that nightly routine.

Movement: Pretty often during the day and peaking from 6-7 at night.

Best moment this week: The second sweet baby shower thrown by my sister in law and mother in law. Loved seeing the other half of our family and friends! Thankful we have no more trips planned and I get to just settle down and nest!

Miss anything: I am starting to get the uncomfortable feeling from time to time and I don't know why. Guess it is just a pregnancy thing.
Medical Help:  Daily Vitamins - Prenatal, fish oil, Vitamin D, Probiotic, Calcium/Magnesium, and electrolyte supplement
Emotionally Feeling: Happy as a clam.

Belly button in or out: In

Food cravings: None at the moment.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still with the teeth brushing.

Symptoms/Side effects: Linea nigrea, going to the bathroom more often, but not constipated any more, eating smaller meals, braxton hicks, my little gum thing, mid back aches, needing more naps.

Wedding ring off or on: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Getting a few more things done around the house this weekend!
Things they don't tell you about pregnancy: They tell you about nesting, but they can't really describe it. It is real. As I sit at work all I can think about is wanting to be home cleaning and organizing. So weird.

32 weeks! Only 2 months left!

My sister in law and mother in law. The ladies who threw this sweet

Sweet friends and family who came to love on us!

 Such sweet decorations that I can use for his room too!

And for the question of the week...
How much clothing do I need for each stage/age up until 1 year? Jammies and out and about clothing?
What are the best places to get deals both new and used?
Best brands for long and lean vs solid?
Tell me all your shopping secrets for baby clothes!

31 Weeks

 Week 31 Complete

How far along? 31 weeks and 2 days. Monday it was 7 months along!

Baby is the size of: A head of lettuce weighing 3.5 lbs and about 17.5 in long! 

What did the baby develop: His senses are now intact, he is piling on that baby fat, his immune system keeps going strong, his brain, nerves, and lungs continue to develop, and he is growing more flexible in his neck and joints.

Gender: Sweet baby boy, Adler James

How many:1 little squishy

Showing a bump: Yep and I can see him moving through my shirts more and I can see Braxton hicks when they are happening!

Maternity clothes: 80%, I still have some skirts I can wear for work.

Stretch marks: Not yet

Sleep: Still 90% good. I think the Braxton hicks episode over the last few days made it a little harder to sleep.

Movement: He moves quite a bit. Hasn't kept me awake and definitely moves the most between 5 and 7pm.

Best moment this week: The sweet baby shower that my family threw me in Southern California. It makes me want to cry happy tears even now thinking about all the love for this sweet boy.
And the fact that Adler's aunt bought him his coming home outfit.
And he had hiccups that I felt for the first time ever yesterday! (Aug 9th)

Miss anything: I unintentionally was a little too busy and didn't drink enough water this weekend and the Braxton hicks (pre-contractions) decided to kick it into gear. We are talking normally I have 1 an hour and I was having 1 every 10 minutes and every time I moved. Nothing a laying flat on my back for a day and downing a ton of water couldn't fix! But I can guarantee I won't get dehydrated like that again.
And when I lean forward, I can feel my stomach on my legs now. It still isn't resting there when I sit up straight yet though.
Medical Help:  Daily Vitamins - Prenatal, fish oil, Vitamin D, Probiotic, Calcium/Magnesium, and electrolyte supplement
Emotionally Feeling: So very blessed.

Belly button in or out: In

Food cravings: Watermelon again. It always goes back to not being able to get enough liquids in me!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really.

Symptoms/Side effects: Braxton hicks, eyes (I know Kaitlynn, I know), smells, sleeping on my side, eating less at each meal, going to the bathroom often, my little pregnancy gum tumor, major nesting urges (that I don't have time yet to make happen).

Wedding ring off or on: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: The baby shower in the Bay area with Thomas' family this weekend. I seriously feel a wee bit spoiled with all this baby love!
Things they don't tell you about pregnancy: The fact that you know you are pregnant and yet you can forget all at the same time.

31 Weeks and going strong!

Most of the wonderful people that loved on me at my Southern California shower last Saturday.

Everyone playing a fun guessing game.

There were so many beautiful gifts, but this was one I was waiting for so I could organize! Yay burp cloth holder!

Question of the week: Have any of you had your placenta made into a tincture or encapsulated? If you did, I would love to hear what your results have been when you used them.

If you don't know what I am talking about, let me know and I would love to explain!

30 Weeks

 Week 30 Complete

How far along? 30 Weeks 2 Day, 3/4ths of the way done my friends!

Baby is the size of: A cantaloupe weighing 3.5 lbs and 17 inches long!

What did the baby develop: His lanugo (fur) is falling off because he is gaining fat to keep him warm. He will be adding a pound a week from now on! His eyes are still developing. They are in the correct place, but his vision is still poor. He should start moving into birthing position (head down).

Gender: Sweet baby boy, Adler James

How many: 1 little squishy

Showing a bump: Yep. It is here to stay, although I still hid it with my sweatshirt last weekend. :)

Maternity clothes: 75%, I still have some pants and skirts I can wear for work.

Stretch marks: Nope!

Sleep: Mostly great. Last night those restless legs kicked in though!

Movement: I can now feel him move at the same time on both sides of my stomach. A first since normally I only feel him in the right lower portion of my stomach. Non stop during the day. Not so much at night yet though.

Best moment this week: Listening to his actual heart beat through the side of my stomach, where as normally we have heard it through the amniotic fluid. Such a beautiful thing! And he is already head down! Yay! Stay that way sweet boy!

Miss anything: We finished the basement 90% last week! Pictures to come. And then we went camping. It was so much fun to spend a week with Thomas and I can't wait for the month off that we get together when Adler joins our family!!
Medical Help:  Daily Vitamins - Prenatal, fish oil, Vitamin D, Probiotic, Calcium/Magnesium, and electrolyte supplement
Emotionally Feeling: Happy the basement is done! Excited to meet him. Thankful with each week that gets me closer to him being safe!

Belly button in or out: In, but my belly button is starting to slightly bulge on one side.

Food cravings: Not this week.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Strong perfume/cologne.

Symptoms/Side effects: My eye site has definitely changed a little bit. And my ability to smell crazy things is back. So if I ask you not to put perfume or cologne on when you come visit me, that is why. And I have heard that it stays around after birth. So I might just make it a rule that people are not allowed to wear strong scents when visiting Adler the first few months. Whew it is strong! And I now have just random aches and pains in my entire midsection. I still don't feel that big, but my whole midsection is rearranged and apparently not loving it!

Wedding ring off or on: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: My first baby shower in Southern California this weekend. We are so blessed to be able to celebrate this little guy with all of you!
Things they don't tell you about pregnancy: The random aches and pains that come later on. I thought I would always know why something hurt, but I can't quite figure out some of these. Other then the fact that my guts are all squished out of place. :)

I cannot believe I am 30 weeks!

Our staycation included projects like this that have been in my head way too long, but finally came true!

And then we ended the week camping. It was slightly harder to get out of the tent, but I still could!

Question of the week!

Tell me about your first days home from the hospital. What were the things that no one told you? The way that you had no idea you would love this baby? Or how it was hard to connect right away? How your body healed after the birthing part? How you anticipated breastfeeding would be and was or wasn't?