Week 32

We're baaaack!!!! After a two-hour delay, we arrived back in Buffalo at 11:30pm on Friday. The 20-something degree weather was NO comparison to 80-something degree weather we were having in Florida.

We had a GREAT time. We got to visit with Aunt Margy, Uncle Tom, Matthew, & Alexis (Dan & Katharine's kiddos), Mara & Jackson, Gen, Tim, and even Dan (he was in overnight). We did a LOT of walking, basked in the sun, swam as much as we could to keep cool, and ate ate ate (when I was feeling well).

I did end up feeling better by Thursday and Friday. Of course, just in time to go home. I knew I was feeling better when I woke up in the middle of the night hungry and needed to eat as soon as I got up in the morning. I didn't realize I would miss eating as much as I did.

I received many ooos and ahhs with my belly sticking out. Along with those ooos and ahhs came many predictions. In the end it was even - as many boy predictions as girl predictions. Dan even bet $100 it will be a boy - we'll see!!!

On Saturday we got right back to work. We ended up finally purchasing a crib, a mattress, rails (to convert the bed to a toddler bed and then full-size bed some day), and a dresser.

This was a very drawn out process that tested both Todd and me. I'm not sure why it ended up being so difficult. Maybe because we were trying to find furniture that our child would tolerate for the next 18 years of his/her life - not too fancy in case we have a boy, not too masculine if it's a girl, simple lines, not too dark, not too light - ahhhh!!!! We were able to leave the store with the crib and mattress (you know...just in case). However, we will pick up the dresser once Todd's parents come back from Florida.

We also hit Pottery Barn Baby and decided on bedding, curtains, and other room decor that we could put on a registry in addition to our Babies R Us registry. It feels good to finally be making some final decisions in preparation for a shower put on by my kindergarten teammates on March 12th, a shower Todd's mom and sister-in-law, Kim, are throwing on March 22nd, and then a shower my cousins, Alex and Wendy, are hosting on April 5th. We're so excited and so lucky to have this many people to share this exciting time with!!!

On Sunday Todd and I built/assembled the crib. It definitely took two of us to interpret and follow the directions. Of course, it couldn't be built without running into a small hitch. But it wasn't anything we couldn't handle using our free Black & Decker version of the 'Dremel.' The next step is to clear out the room, put the mattress, bedding, and frame in storage downstairs. And then we'll need to paint the room and start putting it together.

We'll keep you up to date on the building of the baby's room!


Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• The baby is up to 3.75 pounds now and is 16.7 inches long.
• You might notice s/he's not moving around as much now. Don't worry! S/he is fine -- just running short on room. S/he still has plenty of growing to do though, believe it or not!
• All five senses are working. Your little one is fascinated and practicing testing these out as much as possible!
• Toenails are completely formed even though s/he may not be quite ready for a French manicure.
• Hair on your infant's head continues to grow in.
• Brain scans have shown that babies have periods of dream sleep (REM) starting around the eight month. What do you suppose the baby is dreaming about?
  
  
  (pictures from Pregnancy.org)

Week 31

Weight: 129 lbs. (+ 16 lbs)
Fundal height: 30 cm (determined by measuring from the top of the pubic bone the top of the uterus (called the fundus) which is quite a bit above the belly button right now)

Had an appointment (on Valentine's Day) where we got to meet with another one of the midwives, Elaine Clutterbuck. At this time we received the necessary info just in case something should happen in Florida - keep your fingers crossed! Believe it or not, it was my last 'once a month' appointment as I will now be going every 2 weeks for the next month. Come April, I will need to go every week until delivery.

On Saturday we left for Marco Island, FL to stay with Gram. The flight was pretty good, although the baby wouldn't stop moving. I wonder if the baby can feel the changes in pressure at all? It was SOOOOO nice to arrive to sunny and 84 degree weather. This is exactly what we needed!!

Unfortunately, I'm actually not feeling that great. I almost feel as though I am in the first trimester again. I'm feeling nauseated and quite picky about what I can/want to eat. Of course, this is making Gram worry so I did call the midwife today. She said what I expected - to stay hydrated and call with any pre-labor signs (I LOVE the fact that when I call I am able to speak directly to a midwife immediately. This would NEVER have happened with my former obstetricians). Let's hope either I am battling a minor stomach bug and/or the discomforts of traveling and being pregnant in very warm weather. Now I understand what my mom said about making sure I stay cool.

We are scheduled to fly back Friday which seems too soon. However, it will give us the weekend before it is time to go back to work for my last five weeks. I will let you know on Monday how the rest of our week went!

Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• The rate of physical growth slows down just a bit, but even though she doesn't get much longer, she will gain a lot of weight the rest of the pregnancy.
• Fat continues accumulating. This layer of fat turns her skin from red to the rosy pink she will have as a newborn.
• Calcium, phosphorus and iron are being stored and his bones are growing and hardening.
• The baby is 16.2 inches long and weighs 3.3 pounds.
• His/her brain enters another period of rapid growth, producing hundreds of billions of new nerve cells! Amazing!
• S/he may move to the rhythm of music. Studies with heart rates show that she also prefers some types of music to others -- already!
• Lungs are the only major organ left to complete development. Remember, that while you may be anxious to meet your little one that these last few weeks can be vital - with each day increasing your baby's ability to breathe on her own.

(pictures from Pregnancy.org)

Week 30

Ten weeks...can we believe it? Ten weeks...that's a marking period away!

I spent this past weekend keeping Todd company while he recouperated from a good ol' winter cold. He actually took Thursday and Friday off from work and then needed Saturday and Sunday to rest. He went back to work on Monday but not without a headache. He took many a naps, watched Band of Brothers marathon, and spent three nights on the couch.

Luckily, I have gotten away with staying healthy so far. Although I did have to remind him to please cover his mouth when he coughed. It took some explaining for him to understand that if I were to get sick I do not have the luxury of taking the drugs he was able to to stay comfortable.

In the meantime, my mom and I went to Mimi Maternity to get summer clothing for me to wear while Todd and I are in Marco Island next week. We were able to pick up enough clothes to last me the week. However, the big debate is whether to buy a maternity swimsuit or stick with my two-piece. The under 40 crowd tends to favor the two-piece option. They say, "Tan that belly. It's not like it's a beer gut." The over 40 crowd is not sure they are ready to see a pregnant woman's belly. I guess it will ultimately depend on if Old Navy has swimsuits because I've already checked at Target and Mimi Maternity with no luck.

However, before going shopping we went to White's Furniture to look at furniture (for the third time). This is turning out to be more of a pain than pleasure (smile). We can't exactly find a set we both love. But our inability to find a set we both like is stalling our purchase of other items like a glider (which I hear I'll need/want ASAP for feeding).

I have my 30 week appointment with a midwife on Thursday. My next appointment will be in four weeks, then I move to appointments every 2 weeks for my 8th month, and then during my last month every week until the baby arrives.

We've also scheduled our birthing class for Saturday, March 8th. I'm hoping that since we have decided to have a doula (Cindy) attend our birth that she will be able to fill us in on anything we forget or missed with it only being a one day class. Are there any other classes we should be taking beforehand too?

I won't be able to write next week since we'll be away - hopefully baking in some warm sun. In the meantime, send good vibes to Sacramento, CA as DJ will be taking his Acupuncture Board Exams on Wednesday - Good Luck Deej!!!!!


Baby Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• Your baby is nearly three pounds now.
• His/her head is getting larger to accommodate a period of rapid brain growth. Don't forget to continue to "teach" your baby in the womb by exposing to music, literature, and simply talking to him/her.
• A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him/her. As s/he grows and fills your uterus, the amount of amniotic fluid will decrease.
• S/he spends more and more time practicing opening and closing eyelids. His/her eyes can move from side to side, following a light source. S/he may even reach out to touch the light.
• Early lanugo is beginning to disappear that served to protect your baby's skin from the water in the womb. Your little one's own hair may begin to appear.
• Toenails are entering their final growth stage.
• Bone marrow is now in charge of red blood cell production. These red blood cells will continue to service your child's body by transporting oxygen and removing the wastes (carbon monoxide and other gases).
• Your baby has the capability now to produce tears -- yes, within the womb.
• By the end of this week, your baby is now 15.7 inches long and weighs 2.91 pounds.

(pictures from Pregnancy.org)

Week 29

For the past three days I feel as if I haven't stopped growing. Todd even made a comment today asking if I had grown since yesterday. My stomach feels like it is at full capacity for my skin, but I know I'll be proven wrong in the next 11 weeks. Can you believe it??? We're 11 weeks away - yikes!!!

Spent my wind day last week putting together a registry. There's just SO much to choose from. Good thing I have a bunch of friends and family who already have children so they were able to give me their two cents on a bunch of products.

Went to go see the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra's Tribute to the Doors on Saturday with Mom and Dad Rassman and Jeff and Kim. It was a great concert! It was also nice to see a bunch of young people at a BPO event for once. I couldn't tell if the baby liked it or not, but s/he did not stop moving the entire concert!!

Well I need to stop procrastinating and begin/finish my purchase requsitions by Friday. Ta ta for now!!


Baby Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• Your baby's head is in proportion with body now. He appears more like a newborn each and every day!
• Fat continues to accumulate under the skin -- only now preparing for entering the *real world*.
• Your baby's brain can control primitive breathing and body temperatures.
• His/her eyes can move in their sockets. Soon he will be able to follow a blinking light.
• Your baby is increasingly sensitive to changes in light, sound, taste, and smell! Various studies show that your baby may indicate preferences (or disdain) for particular tastes or odors at this stage
• S/he is also moving from side to side, but probably still is head up. In the next few weeks, s/he will move to the head down birthing position. At times you may feel as if he is performing somersaults for a circus act!
• His/her length is now approximately 15.2 inches and weight is 2.54 pounds.

(pictures from Pregnancy.org)