38 weeks

The baby has been having lots of hiccups lately! I mean we have felt them before, but now it seems like it is every other night for 5-10 minutes or so! The little munchkin is drinking too much amniotic fluid!! It's too funny though!

At 38 weeks the baby has plumped up, 6 pounds 8 ounces and about 19 1/2 inches long. Baby C has a firm grasp, which we'll soon be able to test when we hold that little hand for the first time! The organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb!

This weeks picture...and don't forget to vote in the pool!(Stats from 3/5 appt: 2cm/ 70% effaced/ -2 station)

It's March!!!!

Baby is due this month..craziness!

37 weeks (Check out the baby pool)

Another week, another doctors appointment and everything is looking good. We got to see the little stinker again...still head down and kicking my ribs. The ultrasound showed plenty of fluid this time, so we are good on that front.

From the looks of the poll a majority of you think Baby Crayon is a girl. How come? Is it a gut feeling? Symptoms? Way I'm carrying? Or do you just want us to have a girl? We are just curious to see how you all came up with your guess, even if you think it's a boy. I found a website that lets you put in your guess about the baby, everything from due date, sex, height, weight and time. So put in your guesses and we'll see who is the closest! By the way, you get dinged big time for the wrong sex.

This week the baby is considered full term, meaning if the baby arrived now the lungs should be fully matured and ready to adjust to the outside world even if we are still 3 weeks from our due date. This week the little one weighs about 6 1/3 pounds and is about 19 inches from head to heel. Here is the picture from this week:

(Stats from 2/26 appt: 1-2 cm/ 70% effaced/ -3 station)

Hope y'all had a great Mardi Gras!

We had a group over for some good food and LSU basketball yesterday! We had a great time and hope y'all did too!

36 weeks...in the home stretch

We finished up our classes last week and now officially know everything there is to know about babies...ha, ya right! We did get to practice CPR on little tiny baby dummies. Hopefully, we will never have to use those skills and if we do I hope we can remember them! But our last class was on breastfeeding...I know Scott found it highly entertaining! Overall, I thought it was an informative class and that we got some good info out of it and even made some friends!

We had another ultrasound on Thursday to check on the size (although not 100% accurate, it can be off as much as 10% in either direction) and position of the baby. The baby was weighing about 5 pounds 15 ounces and was still head down. They noted again that my fluid was a little on the lower side, so the Dr. said to keep up that water intake and they are going to check the fluid at my next appointment again. I promise I'm drinking tons of water!!! Here are some pictures, I know they can be a little hard to make out though.

This is a profile shot...baby is looking up with the forehead on the right.

This is a 3D profile shot...can you see the eye, nose, mouth and hand?

I did my first load of baby laundry last night! That was exciting...all the little socks and onesies in my dryer. I know from here on out it will probably be more of a chore, but the first time was pretty entertaining. Here is the photo update from this week.

Hair?!?

Just about 30 days to go! This is certainly starting to feel real. The due date is March 19th and the proximity is revealing itself all over the place. Walking through Target, we're seeing St. Patrick's Day shirts. Movie release dates are right around our due date. I'm taking loan applications at work that won't close until AFTER the baby is here. I have a fantasy baseball draft scheduled already in late March. You get the point...the baby is coming, and coming SOON!

Allyson had an ultrasound last week and it appears that the baby has hair. Now I, along with Brent, Matt and Casey, was bald until I was a year old or so. Allyson, on the other hand, had "Something About Mary" hair. Sorry if you don't get the reference, but she had a ton of hair, and it stood straight up. Pretty nuts that the Doc can point out hair on an ultrasound.

At 35 weeks the baby is about 18 inches long and weighs about 5 1/4 pounds, pick up a honeydew. The kidneys are fully developed now, and the liver can process some waste products. Most of the basic physical development is now complete — the baby will spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Here is the bump from this week.

Feet up, rest and tons of water!

***I should warn you now that this may be a little TMI and if you don't like hearing about girly parts then maybe you should skip the beginning of this post. Okay, I warned you.***

This week was a little eventful for us. Saturday and Sunday I had a bit of bleeding and we saw the OB on Monday to try and figure out what was going on. She did a pelvic exam and my cervix (I warned you about the girly parts) was bleeding; when she touched it with a q-tip, when I coughed, basically for no reason. She also did a quick ultrasound and the baby looked great, head down, and moving around. It was so cute to be able to see little toes and fingers. Anyways, when she was doing the ultrasound she noticed that the amniotic fluid was a little on the lower side although completely unrelated to the bleeding. They prescribed some medication, took me out of work for the week and wanted me to rest and have my feet up. She has me drinking double the amount of water...I seriously think I may float away!

We went back in to see the Doc today and the good news is that there hasn't been any further bleeding and the cervix seems to have bounced back into shape. Also, the amniotic fluid volume has increased so my guzzling of water like it was going out of style was actually for more than extra trips to the bathroom. So all in all things are fine, but it was scary for a few days there. I'll be back at work tomorrow.

At 34 weeks the baby weighs about 4 3/4 pounds, like a cantaloupe, and is almost 18 inches long. The fat layers — which will help regulate the body temperature once the baby is born — are filling out, making the little one rounder. The skin is also smoother than ever. The central nervous system is maturing and the lungs are continuing to mature as well.

33 weeks

Here we are at 33 weeks with 7 weeks left...how did that happen already? Time sure does fly!!

This week at pre-natal class, Scott had to change a baby doll's diaper and then swaddle the baby. He did a great job considering he has never changed a diaper in his life, but a real baby wiggles, cries, and pees on you and the doll definitely didn't do that!! Oh, and this diaper didn't have poop in it either!!! But it was nice for him to get some "practice"!

This week the baby weights a little over 4 pounds, about the weight of a pineapple, and has passed 17 inches. The baby can now tell the difference between night and day (of course that ability will miraculously disappear once he/she born and up all night screaming).

Nothing too exciting this week, here is the updated pic.

32 weeks

Sorry...we are a little late on the update for 32 weeks.

We had our final shower on Saturday and we had a great time. The little one got even more stuff and we are so grateful to everyone! Thanks so much to Debbie and Stacie for putting on a great event and all the hardwork that went into planning everything! Again we don't have a lot of pictures on our camera, but you get the idea.

The guys racing to drink beer out of a baby bottle.

At 32 weeks the baby is about the size of a jicama weighing 3.75 pounds and measuring about 16.7 inches long. Little pumpkin now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). The baby's skin is becoming soft and smooth as he/she plumps up in preparation for birth.

Here is the belly pic from this week.

Baby Shower, Prenatal Yoga, and 31 weeks...Oh my!

Last Saturday was my first baby shower. It was a lot of fun and we got tons of good stuff for the little one. Thanks to everyone that made it out...it meant so much to have you all there! And a special thanks to Anna for hosting/planning and to Erika and Kelly for helping with the planning and decor! I would post more pictures, but I'm still waiting on someone ::cough::my Mom::cough:: to send me them because I didn't get too many on my camera.

Thanks again ladies!

This week in Baby University we got to tour the maternity floor. We got to see where everything will be going down and see the ins and outs of how they do things there. It was nice to get a little preview so we don't feel completely lost when we go in. If you're interested at all you can see some of it here. Let's just say we are hoping for a private post-partum room!!

Yesterday was my first prenatal yoga class...Anna and I are taking it through the city parks and rec department! It was a nice class, lots of stretching and stuff, but hopefully it picks up. It was a little too slow-going for me and I was hoping for a bit more of a workout.

And at 31 weeks the baby is about the size of four navel oranges...measuring over 16 inches long and about 3.3 pounds. From this week on, the baby will continue to gain about 1/2 of a pound per week until shortly before birth. Due to increasing space constraints, the little one's arms and legs stay drawn up close to the body now. The baby can now process information from all five senses and the only system that is not fully mature is the lungs. But we are getting closer!

Here is a picture of the bump this week:

30 weeks down...10 to go!

So here we are at 30 weeks. Things are definitely starting to feel more real. We started our pre-natal education class, AKA Baby University, this week and I think that is helping to make things move along. I'm sure Scott thought the class was boring, but I bet you he learned some stuff he didn't know before. Although, I'm pretty sure he could have gone without seeing the good ole video they showed us. Yikes!!

The baby is now about 15.7 inches long and weighs almost 3 pounds, like a head of cabbage. The little fingernails and toenails are finally finished growing, I'm afraid to even think about cutting them for the first time. Baby is also starting to shed the lanugo—the downy hair that was covering the skin. Now that the little one is chubbier and better able to regulate body temp, he/she doesn't need to sport a fur coat 24/7.

Speaking of fur coats, we were trying out our new high chair and used Rocky as a guinea pig. This is not animal abuse, I'm sure he thoroughly enjoyed testing things out for us! Doesn't he look so cute!And here is the bump update for this week:And my shower is tomorrow and I am excited and looking forward to that. Hopefully I will have some pictures to post!

Happy New Year!

Scott and I hope everyone had a fun and safe New Year! We hope 2009 brings much happiness, health and prosperity!! Can you believe that it is already 2009?

The little pumpkin has been punching, kicking, and rolling around in there lately. The movement has definitely increased. I guess he/she is getting a little more squished! It still kind of catches me off guard sometimes but it is such a great feeling! And Scott is feeling them more frequently too!!

At 29 weeks the baby is about 2 1/2 pounds, about the size of a butternut squash, and a little over 15 inches long from head to heel. Baby's brain can now control breathing and body temperature...the little one can also cough, and the sucking abilities have been perfected.

I have a regular check-up appointment tomorrow and then I start going in every 2 weeks. Can you believe that we are already at 29 weeks...just 11 weeks left. Seems kind of crazy!

Merry Christmas!!

Scott and I hope you all had a great Christmas with your family and friends! And that you got everything you wished for!!

In the last week Scott was able to see my stomach move with the little one kicking away in there. And of course he has gotten to feel more kicks! It really is so cool to see.

At 28 weeks the baby is now about the size of an eggplant, weighing 2 1/4 pounds and almost 15 inches from head to toe. The little one can blink his/her eyes, which now sport lashes. With eyesight developing, Baby C may be able to see the light that filters in through my belly. The eyes have color now, too. Although, it may not be the color he/she ultimately ends up with.

Here is the most recent picture taken Christmas morning.

Bring on the brownies!!

I passed the 3 hour test...no gestational diabetes for me! Out of the 4 blood draws, 2 have to be elevated to be diagnosed as gestational diabetes. The OB's office said none of the draws were elevated and I am in the clear! Woohooo! So where are those brownies?!

Today we are officially in the 3rd trimester. Can you believe it? The little stinker is going to be here before we know it. At 27 weeks the baby is about 14 1/2 inches long and weighs almost 2 pounds, about the weight of a head of cauliflower. Baby's done a lot of growing over the past few months. His/Her length has more than doubled in the past 15 weeks! And that's not the only thing growing—baby's brain tissue and neurons are all developing at a rapid pace. Baby's brain waves are now firing away just like those of a newborn baby.

I have also been able to see my stomach move from the outside. It is a pretty weird thing to see, but very cool! Scott hasn't seen it yet, he has either been sleeping or still at work when I have noticed it. Hopefully he will get to see it soon!

Really? Only one point?!

The crossed fingers apparently didn't do the trick. I didn't pass my 1 hour Glucose test by 1 whopping point. I went in yesterday for the dreaded 3 hour test. Yes, it is as bad as it sounds; sitting in a lab room for 3 hours and getting blood drawn 4 times from my poor little veins. I mean that might sound like fun for you, however, I assure you it was not my cup of tea. So let's just try and keep everything crossed that I pass this test with flying colors. I'll let you know when I hear something!

Wait a minute...98 days?!?

See that ticker over on the right hand side of the screen? ----->

It says that we only have 98 days left....that can't be right. We are in double digits here and I just talked about how slow we seemed to be moving. Hmmm...I guess we have some things to get done before the little one arrives.

I went in today for my glucose screening test. It tests for gestational diabetes and basically consists of drinking a really sweet, flat Sprite-like drink and then getting blood drawn an hour later. Hopefully I pass and don't have to worry about it. If I don't pass I would have to go back for the 3 hour test and that just sounds like no fun. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

At 26 weeks, the little peanut now weighs about 1 2/3 pounds and is about 14 inches long, or about the length of an English hothouse cucumber. The network of nerves in the baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. The baby may be able to hear mine and Scott's voices and all of that yelling at the Saints!

Here is the latest installment of the bump. It is definitely getting bigger!

25 weeks

25 weeks...on some days it seems like this pregnancy is flying by and then there are others where it seems like we have been at the same week for months. Today is one of those days...I could have sworn that last week was 25 weeks, but nope, no such luck. Right now it seems like we are moving at a snail's pace. On the other hand, when you think that we only have 15 weeks left it seems really close!

We had a regular OB appointment today. Nothing too exciting going on...but we did get to hear the heartbeat again. It is still such a great sound! I did ask the Dr. about the baby being so low and he wasn't all that concerned. Just told us some warning signs to look out for and if we started to notice any of them, to let them know. So it appears we are moving right along.

The little one is now about the size of an average rutabaga...about 1 1/2 pounds and 13 1/2 inches long. Who even uses rutabagas anymore?! The baby is trading in the long and lean look for some baby fat and the wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out.

Not a whole lot going on, but I will leave you with the most recent belly pic.
Scott wanted me to mention that if we have a boy, the name Jarrett has been eliminated. Obviously this is due to the play of a certain LSU Quarterback. You just can't have 7 interceptions returned to the house and be honored with a namesake. Maybe we'll have to reconsider JaMarcus? He was pretty good.

My new best friend...and kicks!

I have two words for you...Elastic. Waist. I mean, seriously, why can't women wear elastic waisted pants year round, pregnant or not?!? These have got to be the most comfortable jeans I have ever remembered wearing. I think I may wear these maternity clothes forever...so don't ask to see my waist band when my child is 2 or anything.
But in far more exciting news than my love affair with elastic....Scott felt the baby move last night! I think he walked over expecting the usual; put hand on belly, wait for a few minutes, and feel nothing, move hand away feeling defeated. For some reason the baby doesn't like to preform on command. Last night, however, I felt a few taps, kicks or punches and called him over. I didn't even have to say "feel that?", he felt the one swift kick before I even said anything. He seemed so excited and wanted to feel more, but the baby was done for the evening. Yay for feeling something though!

This week the baby is about the size of a mango and about 11 1/2 inches long. Fat production is in overdrive and the baby will double in weight over the next 4 weeks. The little one is also starting to pick up noises from the outside world...so the baby will be used to Rocky's ferocious bark once he/she gets here!

22 weeks

Today was my birthday and I can't remember having this nice of a present before. I had my 22 week ultrasound today and seeing the baby move around, sucking "his/her" thumb and swallowing was such an amazing thing to see. It is incredible what you can see...all the fingers, feet, heart chambers, bladder, stomach, etc. Although, the little one was still being a stinker and is down really low so the Dr. had a hard time once again with the head measurements and such.The baby is measuring in at 1lb 1oz and measuring a little ahead at an estimated due date of March 14, but they aren't changing my due date from the 19th. The little one is the length of a spaghetti squash at this point and is starting to look more like a miniature newborn. Baby's little tooth buds are already developing beneath the gums...getting those chompers ready!

I'm finally starting to look a little pregnant as opposed to someone who maybe hasn't been hitting the gym :/ Today was my first day wearing maternity pants so I felt a little more legit!

Election Day!

Obama or McCain?