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Family Friday: 36 Weeks

Warning: Family Friday posts are an open and honest update of our pregnancy.  There will be references to lady parts, internal organs, and bodily functions.  There will also be photos of baby bumps and ultrasounds.  If any of this bothers you, please stop reading now.

36 Weeks

THE BABY:
 -  is packing on about an ounce of weight a day!
 -  should weigh about 6 lbs and be close to her birth length
 -  is getting closer to being able to breathe on her own


WEIGHT:  + 20.5 pounds total.  I gained one pound this week.

BODY:  My waist is now at +8 inches, my lower belly is now at +7 inches, and my hips are still at +2 inches.  My belly definitely grew this week and is feeling HUGE!  Suddenly all the tops I've been wearing are too short which means my wardrobe has greatly diminished :/  Thank goodness I only have 4 weeks left!  I wonder daily how much bigger my belly is going to get...

THE GOOD:  1) Movement.  Although it can be uncomfortable, I still look forward to feeling Baby G moving and stretching.  2) No Stretchmarks.  Still none (knock on wood) and hopefully it stays that way despite my belly being stretched to the max!

THE BAD:  1) Heartburn.  I've never had so much heartburn in my life, but I'm glad it's still mild enough to be fixed with Tums.  2)  Braxton Hicks.  These are sporadic uterine contractions often called "practice contractions."  I've actually been feeling this occasional tightening since the end of the first trimester so my uterus has been getting plenty of practice for the big day!  Now that my belly is so large, they're getting a little uncomfortable.

FOOD:  This week I had a head cold that thankfully only lasted a few days.  My amazing husband made me a huge pot of chicken noodle soup that really hit the spot :)  It was certainly my favorite thing to eat this week!

EXERCISE:  I went to my favorite Power Pump class twice this week, riding my bicycle to and from the gym.  I feel surprisingly good working out and I'm thankful that I'm still able to!

OTHER NOTES:  I must say that we are blessed to live in the most amazing neighborhood full of wonderful people :)  Last weekend, my neighbors threw me a baby shower!  It had an "Afternoon Tea Party" theme and was so sweet!  Living so far from our families, I am so incredibly grateful to be surrounded by such caring people and so glad that Baby G will spend her first years growing up here.



*******
"In giving birth to our babies, we may find that we
give birth to new possibilities within ourselves."
~Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn

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Happiness is...








*******
"My heart is, and always will be, yours."
~Jane Austen
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Family Friday: 35 Weeks

Warning: Family Friday posts are an open and honest update of our pregnancy.  There will be references to lady parts, internal organs, and bodily functions.  There will also be photos of baby bumps and ultrasounds.  If any of this bothers you, please stop reading now.


35 Weeks
Only 5 weeks (35 days) left!

THE BABY:
 -  is over 18 inches long
 -  is just about done developing (lungs are the last thing)... now she just has to put on weight!
 -  has coordinated reflexes now
 -  responds to sound, light, and touch


WEIGHT:  +19.5 pounds total.  I only gained a 1/2 pound this week.  I originally thought that I'd top out close to thirty pounds but my weight gain has surprisingly slowed down this last trimester.

BODY:  No changes in measurements this week.  My waist is still at +7.5 inches, my lower belly is still at +6.5 inches, and my hips are still at +2 inches.

THE GOOD:  1) Movement.  Baby G has some days when she doesn't seem to stop wiggling and other days when she seems to mostly sleep.  I never get tired of feeling her move around.  2) No headaches this week!

THE BAD:  1) Heartburn.  I'm thankful that Tums can fix this daily issue.  2) Sleep.  This is hit and miss.  Some nights I sleep great and other nights I feel like I barely slept at all.

FOOD:  I'm starting to try out recipes that I can freeze and stock my freezer with for after Baby G arrives.  The slow cooker is one of my favorite kitchen appliances that I'll be using often.  You can take most slow cooker recipes and put all ingredients (including raw meat) in a gallon zip lock freezer bag and freeze.  To make the meal, simply put the frozen block of ingredients into the slow cooker and add an extra hour to the cook time.  If you use the slow cooker liner bags, there is virtually no clean up afterwards.  How easy is that?

EXERCISE:  This was a fantastic week for exercise!  For a while there I was really worried that I was finished exercising for the remainder of the pregnancy because of fatigue and back pack, but thankfully the pain is gone and my ability to exercise has returned!  I went to the gym three times this week: twice for the Power Pump class and once to do weights and the elliptical machine.  I have to tone it down in Power Pump by using the lightest weights and skipping the ab work, but it is still an amazing workout.  I hope I have a few (or many) more active weeks left :)

OTHER NOTES:  Only 5 weeks to go... are we ready yet?  Not quite, but we're getting there.  We did finally buy a carseat so we can at least get Baby G home :)  We went with a Chicco Keyfit 30 and also got the Chicco Keyfit Caddy Stroller, which is super light and a snap to use.  We also have the Bob Revolution SE stroller which I can't wait to use, especially when I can start jogging again!  We bought a glider rocker for the nursery, ordered a dresser (which will double as a changing table), and will pick up the crib and mattress we want soon.  We have an array of newborn and 0-3 month clothing, some newborn diapers, and a ginormous supply of baby wipes (thanks to our new Costco membership).  We just about have all the basic necessities, but there is still a lot more to get.  It's amazing how much stuff these itty bitty babies need!

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"People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one."
~Leo Burke
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Family Friday: 34 weeks

Warning: Family Friday posts are an open and honest update of our pregnancy.  There will be references to lady parts, internal organs, and bodily functions.  There will also be photos of baby bumps and ultrasounds.  If any of this bothers you, please stop reading now.

34 Weeks

THE BABY:
 -  is almost 18 inches long and weighs over 4 pounds
 -  is beginning to develop her own immune system
 -  is stretching and kicking to keep her muscles active
 -  is recognizing and reacting to familiar things


WEIGHT:  +19 pounds total.  That's a one pound gain this week.

BODY:  My waist is now at +7.5 inches, my lower belly is still at +6.5 inches, and my hips are still at +2 inches.  My belly feels huge and is still growing by the day!

THE GOOD:  1) Movement.  There is so much movement that I sometimes wonder what Baby G is doing in there!  It's fun when I can actually tell what body part I'm feeling.  I can pat her bottom or play with her foot and she'll squirm around or kick me!  I can actually interact with her now which makes me all the more aware that "Oh my goodness, there is really a baby in there!"

THE BAD:  1) Aches and pains.  I had one bad headache that lasted for two days this week.  I also get random sharp pains in my back, legs, and hips occasionally, but thankfully they only last a few seconds.  2) Heartburn.  Enough said.  3) Baby Hiccups.  These are starting to get annoying.  She is in a head-down position so all I feel is rhythmic bumping near my butt... such a weird feeling!

FOOD:  Trying to eat healthy and following most food with a couple Tums :/

EXERCISE:  Yesterday a friend and I rode our bicycles to the Hickam fitness center which turned out to be closed so we continued on to the Pearl Harbor fitness center (access to multiple gyms is a great benefit of being on a joint base).  We ended up doing a 5 mile round trip on our bicycles.  At the gym we did some weight machines and ellipticals.  This was my first trip back to the gym for over a month and it felt amazing to work my muscles again!  Next week we'll be hitting up the Power Pump classes :)

OTHER NOTES:  Yesterday I posted about finishing the curtains in Baby G's room and how I found the inspiration for decorating.  As I said in that post, I'm not a fan of cartoony baby decorations or extra frilly girly things.  I want to make the room a sophisticated, feminine, and tranquil space... at least until Baby G has her own opinions and can help me redecorate :)  The artwork and curtains from our old guest room were the catalysts that sent me on a mission to find coordinating fabrics, ribbons, paints, etc.    The color scheme is pale turquoise, off-white, and dark brown.  Here's a peek:


*******
"Giving birth should be your greatest achievement not your greatest fear."
~Jane Weideman


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Grommets

I just finished my first project for Baby G's room and I'm thrilled with the finished product!  That first project was finishing/fixing the curtains by adding grommets to the top.  I haven't revealed anything about Baby G's nursery yet, so let me back up:

I always knew how I would decorate a baby boy's nursery but when we found out that Baby G was a girl, I drew a blank.  I searched the internet for bedding sets that I liked and decorating ideas but nothing appealed to me.  I'm not a fan of cartoony baby decorations or extra frilly girly things.  Besides the fact that all bedding sets came with a crib skirt, a bumper, and a quilt.  It's not recommended to even use a bumper or quilt in a crib now, so I didn't see the point of purchasing an entire set!  When I realized that all I needed was a crib skirt and curtains... inspiration finally struck :)

We had a guest room in our house in Georgia that I loved.  I have decided to use the curtains, artwork, and color scheme in Baby G's nursery to make it a sophisticated, feminine, and tranquil space.  At least until she's old enough to decide that hot pink is her favorite color and wants to redecorate :)

The windows in our house are just a bit wider than standard so the curtains didn't cover the entire window.  Luckily I was able to easily unstitch the pleats at the top which extended the width just enough.  However, that made the simple clips at the top look too small and insignificant and the curtains were just a bit too long.

Walking through a local craft store recently, I spotted curtain grommets in the sewing section.  I never realized these were something that I could purchase and install myself!  Of course the only craft store chain on this island is extremely limited and only had one color available.  Thank goodness for Amazon!  I ordered 2 packs of the color I wanted (champagne) and each pack was $6 cheaper than in the craft store!  Have I ever mentioned that the prices in Hawaii are outrageous?

The grommets were super easy to install, look fantastic, and solved the length issue without having to hem the curtains.  If and when I make my own curtains someday, I will be using grommets like these again.  They are plastic but it's hard to tell once they are installed and hanging up.


The grommets come in packs of 8 and I used one pack per curtain.  I spaced the grommets about 4 inches apart, 1 inch down from the top.  The two halves of the grommet simply snap together.  They are easily pried apart if you need to remove or readjust them.


The grommets come with a template to draw a circle.  You cut the circle out, position half of the grommet beneath the fabric and then snap the top piece into place.  These curtains are a medium-weight  fabric and lined so I had to press the grommet halves against the floor with my palm to snap them together.  All in all, this was a very easy project to do with great results!


"Before and After" pictures... big improvement!




Future projects for the nursery include making a crib skirt, a custom name art piece for the wall, and a memory ribbon board for the wall.

*******
“Think left and think right and think low and think high.
Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try.”
~Dr. Seuss

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Family Friday: 33 Weeks

Warning: Family Friday posts are an open and honest update of our pregnancy.  There will be references to lady parts, internal organs, and bodily functions.  There will also be photos of baby bumps and ultrasounds.  If any of this bothers you, please stop reading now.

33 Weeks

THE BABY:
 -  is over 17 inches long from head to heel
 -  keeps her eyes open and looks around when she's awake
 -  has pupils that now constrict and dilate in response to light
 -  has hardened bones except for her skull which needs to stay soft and pliable for delivery


WEIGHT:  + 18 pounds total.  Another one pound gain this week.

BODY:  My waist is still at +6.5 inches, my lower belly is now at +6.5 inches, and my hips are still at +2 inches.  Last weekend Baby G repositioned herself back over to my left side which is so much more comfortable for me!  After a few weeks of going to the chiropractor, I'm happy to say that my back pain is now minimal and doesn't affect my daily life anymore.  However, I've been having muscle and ligament pains under my belly for weeks now (mostly in the afternoons/evenings) but this week was particularly miserable.  Thankfully, my chiropractor had a suggestion that works wonders!  SpiderTech Kineseology Tape is a non-medicated cotton tape that is water-resistant, breathable, and stays on for days.  Strips of this tape on each side of my lower belly (running from my pelvic bones up toward my belly button, see it in the photo above?) gives my ligaments just enough support to combat the fatigue and pain.  I was skeptical at first but I am amazed at the difference it makes!

THE GOOD:  1) Movement.  Although it can be uncomfortable at times, Johnnie and I really do enjoy watching and feeling my belly undulate with Baby G's powerful kicks and stretches.  2) Bedtime Stories.  Johnnie has been borrowing children's books from the library and reading them to Baby G every night.  It is the sweetest thing ever!  Baby G wiggles around while listening to his voice.  I know this will help her to recognize her daddy when she's born :)

THE BAD:  1) Heartburn. This is frequent but is expected in the last trimester.  2) Afternoon Slump.  My energy is actually good in the mornings and decent in the evenings, but every afternoon I feel completely drained and need a nap.

FOOD:  Bread and pasta seem to be giving me the most heartburn lately.  This is awful since bread is my all-time favorite food!  Especially since I just found this One Hour Rolls recipe via Pinterest that is amazing.  I made the dough in my bread machine and then baked the rolls in the oven - so easy and seriously delish!

EXERCISE:  Still keeping things easy this week with yoga stretches and sitting on my exercise ball daily.  I've been feeling more energy returning in the past few days (especially since the back and ligament pains are all under control now) so actually I went on a few walks this week and rode my bicycle for a bit.

OTHER NOTES:  What a busy week!  I had a chiropractor appointment, a doctor's appointment, we had two birthing classes, and we attended a marriage enrichment day at Johnnie's workplace.  At the doctor's appointment, I found out that my uterus is measuring exactly what it should be for how far along I am (yay!) and that Baby G's strong heartbeat is loudest below my belly button which means that she is in fact in a head-down position.  I only have 7 weeks to go so the doctor scheduled ALL of my final appointments... the end is closing in!

Johnnie snapped this photo of me at the hospital to show me that I don't look pregnant from behind :)


The birthing classes at our hospital were 3.5 hours each and packed full of discussion, slideshows, photographs, illustrations, and videos.  I've been present for two births now (my sister-in-law and my best friend) so I know what to expect and actually have very little anxiety about going through the process myself.  Johnnie, on the other hand, was seeing some graphic birthing photos and videos for the first time.  Based on his reaction, I'm sure that he'll handle the real deal like a true champ and be an amazing coach to have next to me in the delivery room :)


*******
"Having a baby is like falling in love again,
both with your husband and your child." 
~Tina Brown
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Family Friday: 32 Weeks

Warning: Family Friday posts are an open and honest update of our pregnancy.  There will be references to lady parts, internal organs, and bodily functions.  There will also be photos of baby bumps and ultrasounds.  If any of this bothers you, please stop reading now.

32 Weeks

THE BABY:
 -  is plumping up with body fat, therefore her skin is becoming soft and smooth
 -  should weigh almost 4 pounds
 -  can now move her head from side to side


WEIGHT:  +17 lbs.  The pound from last week stuck around and another added to it this week.

BODY:  No change in measurements this week, which seems to happen every other week.  My waist is still at +6.5 inches, my lower belly is still at +6 inches, and my hips are still at +2 inches.  

THE GOOD:  1) Movement.  This is always a good thing because it lets me know that Baby G is doing well in there.  2) No headaches for over a week now... yay!

THE BAD:  1) Discomfort.  Baby G was in the same position on the left side for weeks and suddenly on Tuesday night she decided to completely flip over to the right side.  This is not comfortable for me.  2) Sleep.  Baby G's new position makes me nauseous and crampy if I stay in one spot for too long so I've been tossing and turning every night.  I also wake up sweating at times and freezing at others, despite the fact that the temperature in the room doesn't change.   3) "Lightning Crotch"  Baby G is still kicking me in my lady parts and at times that shocking pain almost brings me to my knees!

FOOD:  Same old things.  I should be glad that I don't have any crazy cravings or extreme food aversions.  Those things would only make life more complicated.

EXERCISE:  I do some stretching yoga poses daily and sit on my exercise ball daily as well.  That's about all I've done this week!  This has been a uncomfortable and exhausting week since Baby G moved and I'm not sleeping well.  I feel like my body just needs to rest and grow a baby right now.  Hopefully next week, I can get some more activity in.

OTHER NOTES:  This week I stopped in a new T.J.Maxx store that recently opened downtown.  On an island of extra high prices, this store is paradise :)  I bought Baby G a few little outfits and managed to find a couple tops that fit my big belly.  Then I stood looking at and drooling over the women's workout clothes for a while.  There was an awesome selection of sports bras, tanks, shorts and running skirts of all colors.  It made me a bit sad... I miss running, I miss hard workouts, I miss wearing cute workout clothes, and I miss my small chest and narrower hips.  Don't get me wrong, I'm very proud and grateful that my body is able to grow a baby inside of it and I really don't want Baby G to come early (hoping for an October baby).  But I am starting to look forward to the end, to no longer being pregnant, to having my body back, and to actually see and hold this baby girl that we made :)

*******
"There is only one beautiful child in the world, and every mother has it."
~Chinese Proverb
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