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?

29 Weeks

 Week 29 Complete

How far along? 29 Weeks 1 Day

Baby is the size of: A hawaiian pineapple, a barbie convertible, new england cottontail rabbit at 16 inches tall and 3 pounds!

What did the baby develop: He is packing on the fat and his muscles and lungs are still maturing.

Gender: Sweet baby boy, Adler James

How many:1 little squishy

Showing a bump: Yep. And you can't deny I am pregnant now. I am in the stage where you don't have to question if I am pregnant or not. 

Maternity clothes: 90%, I still have some skirts I can wear for work.

Stretch marks: Nope! Putting my regiment on to hopefully keep my skin pliable and stretch mark free!

Sleep: Until last night, I would have said still good! But it was so hot that I didn't sleep well. Hopefully tonight will be better, but overall I am still doing well.

Movement: Non stop during the day. Not so much at night to wake me up though. It is so much fun to chat with him and include him in our daily lives already!

Best moment this week: Starting the work to finish our basement so that I can start on his room! Thomas and I seriously have been giggling all week. It is so much fun to just enjoy this time just the two of us preparing for him!

Miss anything: I forgot to tell you about seeing the dentist to get my teeth cleaned last week. My dental hygentist and I are 4 days apart. So it is so fun to catch up with her every 3 months and walk this road with her!
Also, pregnancy does weird things to your gums. Because my blood volume has doubled being in the 3rd trimester, my gums bleed way more. And the dental hygentist found what is the start of a pregnancy tumor on my gums. That sounds horrible, but basically it is inflamed tissue. It is not cancerous and will go away after pregnancy stops. And there is nothing I can keep doing other then brushing and flossing. Not a big deal, but I had never heard of it before pregnancy! Our bodies are weird while pregnant. :)
Medical Help:  Daily Vitamins - Prenatal, fish oil, Vitamin D, Probiotic, Calcium/Magnesium, and electrolyte supplement
Emotionally Feeling: Exited to meet this little boy! 

Belly button in or out: In

Food cravings: Any type of melon! 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Eating too much and then bending to get anything is not so comfortable. 

Symptoms/Side effects: My newest symptoms are both acid reflux, although it feels more like food just backing up my throat and not so much the burning. I have had to eat smaller meals because there just isn't as much room! Although I just read that it could be because of the hormones that my body is producing to get ready for labor and birth. Also the way the birth class teacher described braxton hicks, I realized I have been having them for months! And I am definitely having some difficulty getting off certain low seats. Still have the line nigra, frequent bathroom breaks, but less leg cramps and headaches this week for sure!

Wedding ring off or on: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Going to camping with friends this weekend and just relaxing after the week of working on finishing the basement!
Things they don't tell you about pregnancy: That I feel like my normal self so much that I forget I am pregnant at times. But then I can't fit in the same places or rolling to get out of bed isn't quite the same. But overall I am still able to do everything completely normally!

It is legit!

I haven't posted a hand pic in a while! Can you believe how big he is getting?!

Full on basement construction this week! I will post a separate post showing the progress!

We also decided that since we are on vacation, we are going to go out to dinner every night this week at a new place in Tacoma that we have never been too. I will do a separate post on those places as well!

After dinner tonight we ran to the store and Thomas was so excited to find this MASSIVE can of Fosters. He just had to have it. 

So question of the week... Tell me about your moment right after birth. The first look at your babe, the sigh of relief that the labor was done, the birthing the placenta, the simple joy of what you just accomplished.

28 Weeks

Week 28 Complete

How far along? 28 weeks and 3 day

Baby is the size of: A coconut, 16 inches and 2.5 pounds

What did the baby develop: Adler's adrenal glands are now secreting androgen. Skishy’s wrinkles are starting to disappear as he packs on an increasing amount of fat, which will aid him in regulating his body temperature. Something he needs to survive on the outside. He is also dreaming, coughing, and practicing breathing.

Gender: Sweet baby boy, Adler James

How many:1 little squishy

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

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

Stretch marks: Nope

Sleep: Still doing fine unless my room gets a little too toasty.

Movement: Non stop during the day. Not so much at night yet though.

Best moment this week: Finally finding out the results of my gestational diabetes test on Thursday. Definitely not diabetic. The normal range is between 70-130 mg/dL and I was at 105. Oh and I am not anemic either. Hooray!

Miss anything: My dad came up to visit this week last minute. Life has been crazy busy, but the stolen moments together have still been good.
Medical Help:  Daily Vitamins - Prenatal, fish oil, Vitamin D, Probiotic, Calcium/Magnesium, and electrolyte supplement
Emotionally Feeling: Perfect about Adler, a little stressed with too many things going on. Looking forward to our week vacation.

Belly button in or out: In

Food cravings: Watermelon 100% of the time. Beloved hydrating watermelon.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Other then the glucose test when I wasn't downing water? Nope.

Symptoms/Side effects: A sore mid back from the extra weight from my bump, linea nigra, constant visits to the restroom, headaches when I don't stay hydrated, calf and foot cramps.

Wedding ring off or on: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Our week of vacation next week to finish the basement!
Things they don't tell you about pregnancy: That no matter what, people make funny comments. And, people cannot describe to you how those comments will affect you. I have discovered that I feel the need to defend how small my bump is at this time with a statement about how long my torso is. And can I tell you that it is super awkward when people tell me they were how big I am at 6 months when they were only 3 months? I defend and say, we are all so different. I have been very careful what I say to pregnant people, but I can guarantee that I will only ever tell people they look beautiful or cute from here on out!

28 Weeks!

Thomas has been grilling up a storm! And there is the framing for our garage concrete behind us.

And a spread for a friends baby shower. Beautiful when 4 people contribute. Love friends!

Question of the week: We have been loving our birth classes because we have learned things about Thomas and I am how we are going to be during labor. Creating level expectations is huge for me to having the best in any event including labor. So... along those lines, what are the things that you guys used that helped in labor? Photos to focus on, music that you adored, counting through the contractions, etc. I would love to hear all of your ideas of what helped you the most so that maybe I can steal some! :)

27 Weeks

 Week 27 Complete

How far along? 27 weeks, 3 days

Baby is the size of: A bunch of bananas, about 15" and weighs over 2 pounds.

What did the baby develop: Mainly all his growth and progression is in his brain because his organ's are all pretty much developed. His brain is starting to control his lungs and regulate his body temperature. He is sleeping and waking in intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and he recognizes our voices! My amniotic volume is also cut in half so we will see his movements more! He also apparently hiccups, but I haven't figured out when exactly that is yet.

Gender: Sweet baby boy, Adler James

How many:1 little squishy

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

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

Stretch marks: Nope

Sleep: Yep. Definitely starting to get tired more again. It is amazing how different each trimester is and how almost immediately to the day, things kick in. I slept almost 12 hours on Sunday night.

Movement: Non stop during the day. Not so much at night yet though.

Best moment this week: Finally popping. Literally from last week to this week, I feel like I really popped. Adler wants to make his presence know in the world apparently.

Miss anything: I had my monthly appointment on Monday after my Gestational Diabetes test in the morning. All is well in our little world. My stomach is measuring at 27 cm which is right on track with me being at 27 weeks. First time she measured my stomach. Also, his heart beat is strong and my blood pressure and pulse are perfect.
And I got my rhogam shot. Lets talk about that, because most people don't know what that is. If your blood type is negative, then if you do not get the shot and have a baby, your body will produce antibodies if your baby has a positive blood type and it can stop you from ever carrying a baby to term again. You get the shot once before 28 weeks and then if he has a positive blood type that will be tested after he is born from cord blood, then I will get it again.
And I also had the warning signs for preeclampsia conversation with Neva my midwife. Looking for vision disturbances along with a headache and excess bloating.
Medical Help:  Daily Vitamins - Prenatal, fish oil, Vitamin D, Probiotic, Calcium/Magnesium, and electrolyte supplement
Emotionally Feeling: Great, although so busy!

Belly button in or out: In

Food cravings: Watermelon!!! I seriously go to sleep thinking about it and wake up thinking about it. I have been drinking so much water, but even then I still feel dehydrated. So watermelon does the trick for me. I may or may not have eaten a entire half of a watermelon the other day. A full size one, not a personal size one. Good thing it is all liquid and increasing my water intake drastically!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Sugar in the morning.

Symptoms/Side effects: Smells are so strong again ( I think I am going to have a no perfume in my house rule after he is born), minor back aches if I sit funny, headaches from not being able to get enough water in, linea nigra, calf cramps, and I am a little more tired then normal again. I am also a bit hungrier then normal.

Wedding ring off or on: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Hosting a friend's baby shower this weekend.
Things they don't tell you about pregnancy: That you can be 6 months pregnant and hide your stomach with jeans and a hoodie. No joke, I did that accidentally on Monday.

And lets talk about the gestational diabetes test.I have heard so many bad things about it, that honestly it freaked me out because I don't do sugar in the morning well. I also don't like processed foods with crap in them and so there is that. My midwife suggested the lemon lime because it does not have any of the food dyes in it. That first sip was a surprise. Not terrible. I can do this. Half way through the drink, I was watching my 5 minutes tick by. Well I downed it in my allotted 5 minutes and the gal told me my time to come back 1 hour later.

I had forgotten my water, so I literally sat by the drinking fountain and took sips every few minutes. I did get a little headache from it, but the water helped tremendously. I went back at 9:38 to get my blood drawn. I then went to the car and downed my hard boiled egg and nuts to get protein back in my body. Overall, I felt ok the rest of the day. I am so thankful that I had talked about it so much because if I had not been over prepared, I know that the amount of sugar that early in the morning would have wrecked me for the rest of the day! But all is well.

27 weeks along

Took the test. Still don't know the results. Hopefully soon! Although the assumption is it was negative or I would have received a phone call.

Breaking ground on the garage! Thomas is seriously so excited about it.

It was a big Monday! Along with the test and the garage breaking ground, our new dishwasher also came in. Our old one broke about 2 months ago and Thomas was about at his wits end from all the hand washing.

Tacoma Peeps - Favorite pediatrician. Both with and without a more natural approach? I have a list from my midwife, but I am excited to hear from you all too!


Everyone - What are the things that you want to make sure are important to your pediatrician? I never need a regular doctor and don't even know where to begin!

26 Weeks

 Week 26 Complete

How far along? 26 weeks 2 days, first week of my 3rd trimester! And last Sunday was 99 days left! And 6 weeks tomorrow!

Baby is the size of: A butternut squash, a large zucchini, or a kale leaf, 2 lbs and 14 inches long.

What did the baby develop: He is adding on layers of fat to regulate his own temperature. His eyes are starting to open, blink, and his eye lashes are grown. He is borrowing my antibodies to make his own immune system. All 5 senses are fully developed. Most of Skishy’s bodily systems and functions are now intact, and most of the rest of his development purely revolves around putting on height and weight.

Gender: Sweet baby boy, Adler James

How many:1 little squishy

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

Maternity clothes: 75%, I still have some pants and skirts I can wear for work. Apparently my bump should grow 1/2" a week from here on out though, so I am not expecting these to last long.

Stretch marks: Nope

Sleep: Still doing pretty well. Averaging 2-3 wake ups a night. If I only wake up once I know I have slept hard!!

Movement: Non stop during the day and very active in the evenings when I stop moving around. Not so much at night yet though. He definitely pushes straight out the front now so that I can feel my stomach very taught where he is. Just so neat, unless I have to go to the bathroom which is often. Then not as neat. ;)

Best moment this week:Visiting my sister Clara and her hubby Drew. Clara was even able to feel Adler move around!

Miss anything:I have realized that when I sit for a long time at work, when I get up to walk to the bathroom, my initial walk is a bit of a waddle. I have to consciously think about walking normal. Kinda makes me laugh. I am not big enough to waddle! Must be my hips shifting.
Also, we walked so much this weekend that I woke up Sunday with my abdomen tightening on the right side where Adler hangs out. So I treated it like contractions. Tons of water and relaxed for a few days. Took a day or 2, but now I am back to normal!
And we started our birthing classes last Thursday.Will fill you in more on those next week.
Medical Help:  Daily Vitamins - Prenatal, fish oil, Vitamin D, Probiotic, Calcium/Magnesium, and electrolyte supplement
Emotionally Feeling: Thankful for Thomas and who he is.

Belly button in or out: In

Food cravings: Ice cream. Even though it doesn't sit well, the rich creaminess just sounds amazing in the heat! Oh and watermelon. Helps with the dehydration.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Anything other then straight protein in the morning is no bueno.

Symptoms/Side effects: Linea Nigrea, tender gums, skin stuff multiplying, sore back when I don't sit right, calf/foot cramps when I don't get enough water.

Wedding ring off or on: On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Next Tuesday. Then I will have taken (and passed, because lets just claim it) my gestational diabetes test. It's the most dreaded part of pregnancy for me. Not because I don't think I will pass, but because I don't want to feel like crap the rest of the day after drinking that crazy sugar drink in the morning! I have a plan though! I will tell you how it goes.
Things they don't tell you about pregnancy: That everyone looks at your face and then down at your stomach. I know that I said that before, but it still floors me. Also, even though I don't feel big, the extra little weight definitely puts a different strain on my back.

Not perfectly stomach form fitting, but I really do feel my bump has grown!

Awesome weekend with Clara and her hubby Drew in Portland.

Next question. I know some of you don't carry a diaper bag, but for those that do.... What are the necessaries for the diaper bag? I am still all about simplicity, but is anything more needed then diapers, wipes, a wet bag, and an extra onesie?