Baby Bump Week 31

Week Thirty-one:
Baby:
Baby Size: 16.25 inches 

Baby Weight: just over 3.3 lb.

This week your baby is gaining more weight as baby fat is filling in underneath the skin.  Your baby's color is also becoming less red and more pink in color.

By now your baby's irises can dilate and respond to changes in light.

What they say my body should be doing and feeling:

As you prepare yourself for your coming baby, your breasts are also working hard to prepare for your hungry baby.  It's common to have some discharge or leaking of colostrum.  Many woman find comfort by going up a bra size and using nursing pads to prevent unexpected leaks.

Some woman are just now experiencing their uterus practice for labor, Braxton Hicks contractions, which feel like sporadic uterine contractions.  It can be difficult to distinguish Braxton Hicks contractions from signs of preterm labor.  If you are unsure and your contractions become longer, more intense and more frequent, call your practitioner immediately.

How I feel: 

Besides the constant upper right pain and being tired all the time, I'm good.

I did have to buy a bigger bra though.  I can't believe how big these things are getting.

Week 31 Covered

Week 31 uncovered

Week 31 Front view

Some extra shots trying to get Josh to take some good pics 

Left: my love for baby Bo

Right: My happy face while I'm trying to get Josh to take "good" pics of me and my belly

Scary

So I have had a lot of upper right pain, and have put it off as normal pregnancy pain.  However, the last couple of days the pain has been non stop and to the point of making me cry it has hurt so much.  While talking to my midwife yesterday she said it could be my gallbladder and if the pain consists to go in.

I just thought I could suck it up, but all day at work I couldn't even sit at my desk because it hurt so much.  So back to the doctor I went, but this time to my regular doctor.  She said she wanted me to get an ultra sound ASAP because it could be my gallbladder or my appendix if it is either one of those that would mean no travel and surgery.  Lets just say I almost started crying right there.  One Josh and I are really excited to see his family, and two SURGERY!

Well we couldn't get in to the ultrasound until 7:00pm (which turned out to be more like 8:00pm)

Well the good news is we got to see baby Bo, and the tech didn't think he saw anything we should worry about except that he thinks that Bo is using my gallbladder as a kicking bag. We will find out for sure tomorrow, but most likely it's just Bo. I guess I'll just have to suck it up and hope she finds a new place to put her feet.

2 more months 2 more months....

Week 31 Midwife Appointment baby #1

Today was a very boring appointment

We checked my cervix to see if I have dilated at all so we can travel to Iowa for Thanksgiving.
(No worries, can't wait to head to Ames on Wed. night)

Then we talked about what kind of birth I want, and I told her that I think I would really like to do a water birth.  She said that would be great, but I would have to go to Regions because Abbott was going to start water births Jan. 1st but they have pushed it back.   I may reconsider the water birth or the hospital I'm not sure yet.  Josh and I have a lot of talking to do.

I also talked to her about a pediatrician at our clinic and she recommended 2, but said that she thinks that I would like one of them more then the other.  She thinks our personalities would match better.

Now for housekeeping: 
Week 31

Blood Pressure: 100/60

Baby's heart beat: 152

Fundal Height: 29 cm

Total Weight gain: 31 lbs. 

( I gained 7 lbs in 3 weeks that is the most so far in a short amount of time)

Cookies and Babies

Cookie Baking Day

We had our annual Theis Cookie baking day this past weekend, and we all had a wonderful time.  We use to make all of our cookies in one day and then Grandma would ship a care package to each of her children near and far just in time for Christmas.  However as the grandchildren started to get older and Grandma had more and more difficulty making all those cookies, we started a new tradition.  A cookie exchange and we would make the traditional Theis cookie on cookie baking day (Moose Turds).  We also now spend most of it talking and drinking instead of making cookies.  I would say by far this is one of my favorite traditions, especially since we are no longer able to get together for the holidays. 

This year the following Minnesota Theis women were able to attend:

Nancy (my mom), Me (of course), Angela, Marilyn, Holly, Heather, Missy, Steph, Eden, Eva, Kathy, Becky, and Lisa

Making the Moose turd centers

Dunking the Moose Turds in Chocolate

Thanks Lisa for all the helpful delivery advice, and I don't think I will look at a fish scooper the same again.

Baby Shower

Sunday was my baby shower I had a great time and was so excited to see all of my family and friends that were able to make it, despite the icy roads. I missed pictures with my sister-in-law Angela and her mom, and our family friend Patty.  However, I did get some great pictures with the rest of the people that were able to come.  Thank you everyone that was unable to make it, and Thank you for all of you who sent me well wishes on this most surreal day.  It is still amazing to me that so many of my family and friends continue to be so generous and supportive of all of the life changes that Josh and I have gone through.  We love you all!

My aunt Dottie, Cousins Wendy, Jannelle and Maddie hosted the shower for me.  (they did such a great time planning and hosting the wonderful event.)

My niece Sophia was able to make it and she is very excited to have a new baby girl cousin.  (it will be the only other Theis girl in Minnesota)

3 generations (4 if you count Bo)

My Aunt Kathy and Two Cousins Lisa & Becky

My Cousin Holly

My amazing Godmother Jan

One of my Best Friends with her mom and her adorable girls (Emma & Sara)

My sister-in-law Jody with her mom and my "so happy" neice

My cousin Holly My aunt Marilyn (the adorable green monkey), my cousin Heather and Eva

Baby Bump Week 30

Week Thirty:
Baby:
Baby Size: 15.7 inches / Cabbage
Baby Weight: just over 2.75 lb.

As your baby continues to practice breathing you may notice a bout of hiccups.  Many mom's have described this feeling as a series of small twitches.

What they say my body should be doing and feeling:

With only 10 weeks to go you may wonder how much more your uterus will grow.  By this time you may have gained anywhere from 25-35 pounds, depending on your pre-pregnancy weight, and you will continue to gain weight, and you will continue to gain about a pound a week.

And for many women, as your due date approaches, it's a common and very normal time to feel more emotional than usual.  You'll experience more frequent mood swings, and very likely some anxiety over the coming baby and the new responsibilities that lie ahead.

How I feel: 
Heart Burn! It really sucks!

Sleep!  What's that? (I think she is getting me ready for when she comes)
Pee!  Ten times a day
Emotions!  Off the chart, I cry at least once a day for what reason who knows.  Poor Josh, he often doesn't know what to do, and I never know what to tell him.
Movement!  All the time it's great except when she kicks my diaphragm (I like breathing)
Fear! Everything! Will we get the house?, Will I go into labor early? Will the delivery go well, Will I get postpartum because of my anxiety?, Will I be a good mom? Will I get everything done for work before I go on maternity leave?
Joy! Despite all of the fear, I can't wait to meet baby Bo!

Week 30 Covered

Week 30 Uncovered

Week 30 Front view

 

 

 

Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow

OK OK I know it is Wed and I am writing about last weekend's snow, but I have been busy dang you.  

 Sat. morning we got up and checked out the lovely snow that was coming down with all it's greatness.

  

Josh and I thought about how much we love snow but how little we wanted to drive in it to go get our nephew.

We were really looking forward to spending the whole day with just him . So we headed out  to pick up the little man ( what is normally a 20 min drive which took us an hour).  

After getting Ash we headed to the airport museum to meet his boy scouts troop.  (Which turns out was cancelled due to all the snow.)  

Oh well, at least we still have the whole day with Ash. 

Champps here we come! Lunch and watch the Hawkie game.  

We decided to go to BabiesRUs and get a pregnancy pillow.  I got the Snoogle.  I have no idea why I waited this long to get one it is the best thing ever invented. Every pregnant woman should have one.

 Then we headed to Borders to get Ash a new book,  long story short when we were ready to check out the power went out.  

Off to Target we go. 

Which turned out to be great because we ended up getting all of our Cleveland nieces and nephews presents (with the help of Ash) done.  

Then home for a night of hanging out and bonding time.  

Oh wait Josh decided he need to go get something, so Ash and I snuggled in and waited for Josh to get back.  30 min later I get a call "Honey the belt came off the van can you come get me."- Josh  "I can't you have Ash's booster seat.  I'll call someone, you call AAA to get it towed."-Me  4 hours later the tow truck came and by that time Ash and I were ready for bed.  Poor Josh did not get to spend very much time with Ash and he was really disappointed.

Let's start a new day tomorrow.

Sunday turned out to be much better, Curtis and Angela came to get Ash around noon, and  we didn't leave the house once.

Baby Bump Week 29

Week Twenty-Nine:
Baby:
Baby Size: 15.25 inches / Butternut squash
Baby Weight: just over 2.5 lb.

Over the next three months your baby is in for a major growth spurt.  Because of this, you may have noticed smaller movement inside your belly.  This is due to the increasingly cramped space.

More importantly, you should still notice fetal movement and it's a good idea to monitor the frequency.  You can do this by lying down in a quiet place.  It's often recommended to do this after dinner when many babies are more responsive, generally between 7pm and midnight.  

What they say my body should be doing and feeling:

Your third trimester will bring back some of the fatigue you felt in the first trimester.  Your body is working extra hard to carry oxygen and nutrients to your baby and your diaphragm will be pushed up by your still expanding uterus, causing your to feel short of breath.  Fortunately, your baby will become very active and you can start to feel your baby's kicks each day.

How I'm feeling:
Breathing what is that?  I sound like a horse on a regular basis, and I can feel baby Bo kicking my diaphragm on a regular basis.  I enjoy finally feeling her move, but I would love it if she would kick somewhere else.  This way I could continue to breath when I am just sitting still.  I have been sleeping better, but it still takes me a very very long time to get comfortable, so I can finally fall asleep.
 

Week 29 Covered

Week 29 Uncovered

 

Week 29 Front

A New Home

For the last month Josh and I have been looking for a new place to live.  We HATE our apartment and really do not want baby Bo to ever even see this apartment.  We have been working with our realtor Ann Anderson and have looked at over 30 houses.  We went as far north at Brooklyn Park, but determined that we love Richfield, and we want to stay here.  So we had narrowed it down to 5 potential homes, and asked our parents to come and look at them.  Deep down Josh and I knew which one we really wanted, but were happy to hear that our parents agreed.  I don't want to jinks it by telling you which one, but I will tell you that we will be making an offer on it today.  Wish us luck!  Pray that they accept the offer we want them to, our financing goes through, and that we will be in our new home before the end of the year.

Baby Bump Week 28

Third Trimester
Week Twenty-Eight:
Baby:
Baby Size: 14.8 inches / Chinese Cabbage
Baby Weight: just over 2.25 lb.

Your baby's brain has developed more tissue and had formed groves on the surface.  It's likely your baby has developed a more regular sleep schedule in 20 to 30 minute intervals.

What they say my body should be doing and feeling:

Welcome to your third trimester! This is a common time to find out your your baby is positioned (presented) whether it's head first, feet first (breech) or sideways.  Even still, in the next month your baby is moving positions.
This trimester you will likely increase your prenatal visits to every 2 weeks to ensure your pregnancy is progressing smoothly. (I will not be going in for 3 weeks, then she is going to check if I have dilated at all to ensure that I can travel down to Iowa for Thanksgiving.)

How I'm feeling:

Tired!   

 I continue to wake up to go to the bathroom and can't fall back asleep.  Oh how I would love to get a whole nights sleep because know that once Bo arrives this will not happen again for a very long time.  I guess life is just preparing me for what is to come.  I am officially starting to feel big, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to roll over, and get up from sitting.  I am also so thankful that I am flexible because there is no way I would get my socks and shoes on if I wasn't.  I also looked up what happens to your organs when you are pregnant and I found this diagram on someones blog Mother internal organs during pregnancy

The process of what women go through during pregnancy continues to amaze me and remind me I knew nothing about being pregnant.  I have such a different perspective on how I will approach my sex ed. class from here on out. 

Week 28 Covered

Week 28 Uncovered

Week 28 Front view

 

Week 28 Midwife Appoitment Baby #1

I took my blood glucose test this time, and I am still waiting to get the results.  Not to worried though.

This was a very uneventful appointment.  We talked about my concerns about not loving being pregnant, but being very excited for baby Bo to come.  She told me that this is normal and that there are a lot of people that don't love it. The most heart warming thing she said was that your children choose us to be their parents we don't choose them.  Have I told you how much I love my midwife lately. Then we listened to her heart beat and she kept kicking the monitor so it through off her numbers.  Silly girl.  We also figured out that she is face down, so her feet are right by my lungs.  

Now for housekeeping: 
Week 28
Blood Pressure: 98/60
Baby's heart beat: 152
Weight gain: 21 lbs.

Results of  Blood Glucose Test:
Glucose: 66 (SR 70-129)
Grams of Glucose: 50gm
Hemoglobin: 11.6 (SR 12-16.0 g/dl)
Platelets: 243 (SR 150-450 k/ul)