May Baby

So last week was a bit stressful and I didn't really feel like updating until I knew how this week would go.  I went in for an appointment and we ended up having to do an ultrasound because I was measuring too small.  Doc said everything looked "okay" but if I measured small again this week, they'd have to do tests and stuff.  He was worried about me leaking amniotic fluid, in which case, Baby W* would've had to come out even sooner!  I measured perfectly this week, though, so hopefully it'll be smooth sailing these last two weeks.
I say two weeks, but really I'm hoping for Baby W* to be early (any time starting this weekend would be fab, so if you could please get on that...)

Because I don't know what I'm doing and I'm a procrastinator, I just barely went and met with two different pediatricians this last week.  One on Thursday, and LAW got to go, and another one yesterday, where I had to go by my lonesome.  One has a subspecialty and was head of a huge research program for a number of years, but there's some bad reviews on Google.  Still, we liked him well enough.  The other has partners that came highly recommended but they aren't taking new patients.  One of our friends takes her son to him, though, and she really likes him.  No subspecialties, though.  LAW said that from the way I described the second doctor, I may be more inclined to go to the first one, which I think may be accurate. haha.  so we'll see who I write down when the moment comes!
LAW had to go to TX for the night yesterday, and said I was not allowed to go into labor while he was gone.  I guess Baby W* agreed!

Nothing has really gone on with my body that would suggest an earlier arrival, though I keep looking for hints or changes that clue me in.  It's alright, though.  It gives us time to finish preparing for his arrival.  Speaking of which, his room is almost complete.  I can't wait until it's totally done so I can post pictures, but it's looking pretty awesome.  I'm really proud of myself =] I get to pick up the last three elephant drawings I had framed at Michael's and then we'll hang those up along with the shelves I need to mount the monitor and decorations along with the humidifier and then we will be good to go!
My mom gets here next Wednesday, too.  That can only mean one thing: AMAZING FOOD... :D
I haven't really been cooking much lately.  Or deep cleaning, for that matter.  It's hard to feel motivated when my joints feel like they're 30x bigger than they normally are.  I do get random spurs of things I *have* to get done that minute, like washing all of the pacies and bottles this morning, for instance, or the day I took out all of the Britax equipment and put it together (and I haaaaate putting together things like that). But for the most part, I just want to lay in bed and keep my feet and hands elevated. haha.  Braxton Hicks don't help in the matter, either.  I don't even feel guilty, though.  I know rest is going to be extremely limited soon, so I'm doing my best to enjoy it while I still can. Plus, the furbabies are enjoying the extra cuddle days they've been getting these last few weeks.

I had a lady come by yesterday, too, to check out a few props I have for a newborn photoshoot she'll be doing for us when Baby W* arrives.  She asked way too many questions about my delivery method choice and I wanted to be rude but I was polite and nice instead.  People are way too nosy for their own good.  Even my mama bear has been running into people who know me and questioned on all sorts of aspects of my life. Ridiculous. hahaha.

Anyway, that's all for today.  I hope everyone is having an amazing month of May. Don't forget that Mother's Day is coming up, so spoil your moms rotten this weekend! xox

mid-week 35

mid-week 36

I'll add week 37 later ;)

Due Date: He will be here on or before May 21st!

How far along? 37w2d

Symptoms: random nesting spurs, swollen joints/extremities, some nausea is back, movements, heartburn, you know.. the standard.

This week, Baby is the size of: apparently, a winter melon. 

Total weight gain: +30

Gender: 'ello, Boy!

Food cravings: I craved adding bananas to my milkshakes and granola/yogurt breakfasts.. I hate bananas, so I think it's more of a potassium thing.

Anything making you queasy or sick: nothing specifically, just suffering from bad heartburn no matter what I eat.

Maternity clothes? yupppp

Sleep: I miss it so much =/

Movement: moving as I type this =]

Stretch marks? hey I finally saw some the other day!  but they are not as bad as I thought they'd be.  they're on my lower abdomen.  It's cool, I earned those stripes ;]

Wedding rings on or off? off :(

Swelling? Shrek feet and hands!

Belly Button in or out? in

Labor Signs: nope!

Happy or Moody most of the time: hormonal.

Best moment this week: the room actually looks like it's coming together.

What I miss: energy

Looking forward to: my mom coming here next week! and hopefully Baby W* being here sooner rather than later!

T minus four weeks until Baby W*s arrival!

So I guess I'm about.. umm.. a few months overdue on an update?  hahaha.

Sorry family & friends... it's just been really busy these last few months.  LAW finally got home March 8, we hit the road on the 9th, got to AZ on the 10th, flew to TN on the 11th, spent two or three days in East TN, then about 4 or 5 in Memphis, then back to AZ, but not before I accidentally got our dates wrong on when we were coming home, so we drove 4 hrs to the airport in Nashville for a flight that wasn't happening until the following day. Woops.  No worries, just pregnancy brain.  Totally counts, right? :)  Or maybe it was my plan all along, I mean, I do love me some Nashville.  AND they were filming "Nashville" on Broadway the day we were there but I totally missed the action and didn't see any of the cast when they left the venue they were filming at.. dang it.  

Anyway, TN was great.  We spent time with LAW's grandparents, mom, youngest sister and her family the first few days, then headed to Memphis for a shower thrown by LAW's stepmom/dad.  So thankful to have them in my life.

AZ was super nice, too.  I don't miss the weather, but I love seeing my parents and of course, my friends, too.  It's too bad my oldest brother lives in Hawaii now.. well, not for him, but for me. haha.  and my other siblings had just gone to Hawaii to visit him, so they didn't make it to the shower. Oh well! My sister will be out here in June, so that's something to look forward to!

LAW bought a new truck while we were down there, and we got the settlement for the one that was stolen.  All in all, it ended up working out for the best.  I still wish I would've gotten my mamamobile but maybe next time thieves decide to break into my house, they'll steal my car instead. hahah.

AZ shower was a lot of fun. I'm super happy that so many people were able to make it.  the food afterwards was totally worth the wait, and I wish I would've gotten pictures of the cake - it was the cutest cake ever.

Sidenote: hey, awkward moment when someone walks into your parents' house and doesn't say a single word to you the entire time they are there, including when they leave hours later.  You're cool, person.  

Baby W*s family and friends sure do love him - thankful for all the gifts he got while we were away from home.  Kinda sucky about coming home though and realizing a few packages were MIA...  I think we got it all sorted out, though... I sent out thank you cards to everyone we received gifts from, so if you sent something and didn't receive a thank-you note back, please let us know, your gift may be MIA as well =/

After about a month of traveling "home" it was super nice getting back to my own bed/house.  Anyone that knows me knows I love roadtrips - 12 hours straight? piece of cake.  Not this time.  Splitting the drive between two days was hardly bearable. I'm still amazed at the exhaustion that comes with doing nothing other than growing a human being inside you.  Sounds so cliche, but it's unbelievably true.  

These last few weeks have been spent trying to get the nursery put together, and with that, trying to put everything else in place, too.  Now that LAW is back, there's way more stuff, and some stuff he wants put elsewhere.. ahhhh the pleasures of cohabitation and post-deployment. haha

Baby W*s BPM had been steady 150s until this last appt, it was in the 130s.  Dr P said it's totally normal, esp with those stupid braxton hicks.  ehh.  He did the 35-week check-up, too. OUCH.  but there wasn't any progress, besides him being head down and ready to party.  Either way, May 21 will be here before I know it.  I guess we will see if he wants to be here earlier than a week ahead of schedule.. and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.. haha.

I can't believe how swollen my feet get whenever I stand longer than an hour or two.. they seriously looked like Shrek feet when it first happened.  I couldn't stop looking at them and laughing.  I knew my hands had swollen up a few weeks ago (my ring doesn't fit anymore. boooo!) but they totally hurt recently, too.  Such is life I guess!

I get to go and meet a potential pediatrician on May 2nd, came highly recommended by Dr P.. hopefully dude is legit!

Nothing else to update for now.. hence the lack of updates lately... I feel like I'm hearing the same stuff at every appointment. Sad that I haven't seen Baby W* since FOREVER ago and won't until he's here!  I can't wait to meet him ♥

Welp, until next time!!! xox

Due Date: due last week of May, but scheduled for the 21st =]

How far along? 35w1d

Symptoms: holy heartburn, belly lovin', insomnia, party rockin' in my belly.

This week, Baby is the size of: a melon maybe?  

Total weight gain: +27

Gender: 'ello, Boy!

Food cravings: does wine count? :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: I still don't like scrambled eggs.. and tums are my bffs lately

Maternity clothes? yupppp

Sleep: I miss it so much =/

Movement: he bulges out all the time. except when I want someone to see. then he disappears into my hips.

Stretch marks? I thought I'd gotten some on my lower boobage, but LAW says it's just my veins. so nope. shocking!

Wedding rings on or off? off :(

Swelling? Shrek feet and hands!

Belly Button in or out? in

Labor Signs: nope!

Happy or Moody most of the time: hormonal describes it rather well.

Best moment this week: I got most of the bedding for the nursery, so I'm super stoked about it!!!

What I miss: my mom's cooking. and her spoiling me for having a big belly. ;)

Looking forward to: meeting Baby W* - so close yet so far away!!!

Keeping up with Baby

Man, oh man.  When I first turned this blog into an "update-on-baby" blog, I really thought I would stick to weekly updates even if they were short.. but I've definitely been slacking lately, going from two weeks to a whole month with no updates. My baddddd.
The good thing is I did update since my last major doctor appt, since I sent all the pictures and DVD overseas to LAW and wouldn't be able to share anything otherwise. haha
I'm now in my third and final trimester. How cool is that?!

Baby is doing great.  I went in for a check-up on Valentine's Day.  Fitting, since I got to hear his heartbeat and he was my Valentine this year! He had a healthy 150 BPM and sounded great.  Doc measured my baby bump and it measured perfectly at 25"  I told him about my concern with all these people who keep making me think I'm too little and his response was, "Well, my numbers don't lie, they were probably just too big."  This is why I love Dr. P.

On that note... vent of the day:  Dear people who feel like they need to offer their opinions on things they have not been asked to offer an opinion on.. STOP.  I cannot believe how rude some women are, especially in relation to the size of my belly.  I find myself in constant situations where I get snarly remarks about how I'm not really as far along as I say I am because there's just no way.  Or questions if I'm healthy. And then there's the negativity, too.  If I'm happy/excited about a certain part of pregnancy, someone immediately jumps in to say "well, wait until this happens, then you won't like it so much" or if I'm complaining about something it's, "well you'll miss it when this other thing comes along"  Or people who are not even related to me who think they have any say whatsoever in the naming or delivery method of my child.  Really?!?! hahahaha! Thank you, Know-it-all, for all your assistance. I'll be sure to NOT ask your opinion since you're going to give it to me anyway. /endrant

I finally had some cleaning ladies come in last week and help me straighten out the place.  I can breathe again.  There's still some little piles around pretty much every room that I need to go through and discard or find a home for the stuff, but it makes such a difference to finally have everything off the floor and clean.  Huge shout out to Pam for recommending them to me.  Next up is picking a shade of grey for the Nursery and finally having someone come in and paint that room back to normal.  Have I mentioned what a crapshow that room is right now?  It's like the Easter bunny threw up in there with all those pastels that the previous owners mixed in.  There's pink and green and yellow all around the walls, ceiling, closet doors, and panelling.  omgggg.
I can't wait to turn that room into my perfect nursery!

Now that baby has gotten a little bigger, his movements aren't just punches and kicks, and holy cow that feels strange.. I feel like I can literally tell when his entire body is shifting, and that is some strange feeling!  Elevated muscle spasms. That's the best way I can describe it.  It's super neat, and I feel incredibly blessed to be able to experience this for myself.  I live with this constant reminder of what I was told couldn't or shouldn't be, and seeing it happen is a constant miracle to me.

I'm excited about the countdown to LAW finally being in the "I can see the light at the end of the tunnel" portion of this deployment.  It will be a really busy time with things coming up in AZ and TN and then settling back into real life here once our mini-vacation ends.  Post-deployments always need some adjustment periods.  It's hard to be away from each other and as much as you miss each other, all of a sudden be under the same roof and adapt to each other's habits again. Especially when they'll be drastically changed in just a few more months.  For the better, obviously. Or something like that. haha :)

I'm so grateful for a handful of people who have continuously checked up on me/my pregnancy/life without LAW these last six months, especially my FIL who calls continuously just to let me know they're thinking of me.  I think it's the support of those few who have really made a difference in helping me get through the loneliness of living in a new town with zero family and only a few good friends.  Thank goodness for my furbabies!

I hope everyone is enjoying this Lent season and I can't wait to see a lot of you this coming month. xox

One last sidenote:  HUGE congrats to two of my favorite people, one in Arizona (Janelle) and one in Mexico (Montse) for their beautiful baby boys born earlier this month!  I can't wait to meet them both!!! xox

this was 24 weeks

26 weeks

there he is!

Here's a video I had uploaded for LAW.  It's the first time I was able to catch Baby moving around the belly, though it's a bit hard to tell!

Due Date: last week of May 2013

How far along? 26w 1d

Symptoms: dang heartburn finally caught up to me. Never experienced it until now!  Movements, ligament stretches, kicks towards the ribcage, etc

This week, Baby is the size of: a lettuce! haha

Total weight gain: +10

Gender: 'ello, Boy!

Food cravings: veggies.

Anything making you queasy or sick: everything is making me get heartburn as of late

Maternity clothes? omg yes.  anyone who refuses to wear maternity clothes is crazy. Most comfy pants and tanks I've ever worn!

Sleep: insomnia kicks my butt most nights, other nights it's just hard to get comfy so I wake up about ten times a night to adjust my position

Movement: He very well could be the youngest UFC fighter in the history of UFC.

Stretch marks? not yet, I know they're coming though.

Wedding rings on or off? on

Swelling? Nope

Belly Button in or out? in

Labor Signs: definitely not.

Happy or Moody most of the time: normal :)

Best moment this week: I'm always amused when he kicks or punches where ever I rest my hand. I think he loves me :)

What I miss: LAW

Looking forward to: March. It will be such a good time to see so many family members and friends.

Baby you don't know what it's like to love somebody the way I love you

Just like that, twenty-two weeks rolls around.  Blessed.  That's how I continuously feel throughout this whole pregnancy.  I wouldn't trade the horrible first three months for anything in the world.  In fact, I can't wait to do it again. haha :)

Finally went in for my last appointment with the specialist, where we did final measurements and got to see a little bit of 3D Baby W*
The first matter in question was the gender.  Turns out... drum rollllllll.... just kidding, I already said on FB and IG that it's indeed a boy!  I'm so excited.  I've always wanted a boy, especially as the first born. There were a few minutes after first learning of the gender, though, that I got sad and wished for a little girl, too, but man!  Boys are just fun little adventures. And I'll have someone to keep a close eye when/if the girl finally comes later on. I think that's a great deal!
So they did some measurements, including the cervical one due to the surgery I had before and the risks that follow, but so far everything looks great and I "graduated" back to a regular OB full time and I'm technically no longer considered "high risk" for this pregnancy. HOORAY!!!!  The only bad part about that is that Dr. P does NOT have as cool/hi-tech equipment as Dr. C, but I'll settle in exchange for those great news!
Baby W* likes to keep his cute little hands near his face.  I noticed that's a trend with him any time we try to peek.  He keeps one covering his eyes, and the other near his mouth.  He was also playing with the chord and had it right in front of his face for the majority of the appointment, so it caused some images to be really blurry because the UC was in the way, but that's okay!  He's such a ham already.  You know what he wasn't shy about though?  Showing us his parts.  I think he wanted to make sure I had no doubt left.. probably more like he wanted to make sure my MAMA BEAR didn't, because I think she and Papa Bear still held out hope for a girl. haha! But yup, he had his legs spread wide open for us to peek several times!
The best part is that since he's still deployed, I had LAW on skype, and even if he wasn't able to see everything as clearly as I was seeing it, the tech was amazing enough to give me a DVD of the appointment to send to him.  So sweet.  LAW also got to hear the heart beat for the first time ever.  She measured it three times during our appt.  The first one was 156 BPM, then 148, then 144 or so.  I think maybe he was dozing off towards the end there.

I finally went back to physical therapy (knees) this week, and they hadn't seen me since Dec 14th, so the first thing I was told was "woah! there he is!"  I think that means my bump is officially noticeable. haha =]

Nothing else has been going on, he still kicks and punches on a pretty regular schedule, and it's amazing to feel him/see the movements taking place.  I'm excited to continue to watch him grow these next 18 weeks and finally meet him at the end of May! Meanwhile, I'm really looking forward to getting back to AZ and possibly TN for baby showers courtesy of my Mama Bear and my Memphis MIL! Hopefully if we can make it out to TN we can go see LAW's mom and grandparents in Kodak, so long as LAW drives ;)

I'll leave you with some pictures to hold you (me) over until next time.

22 weeks!

all of Baby W*'s measurements as of 01.22.2013

Thank you, Auntie Em, for Baby W*'s first books, and in Spanish!!

Due Date: last week of May 2013

How far along? 22w 3d

Symptoms: growing/itchy belly, movements, etc

This week, Baby is the size of: well, he's 1 lb 2 oz

Total weight gain: +5 lbs

Gender: 'ello, Boy!

Food cravings: nothing, really. just whatever I'm in the mood for that day :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: say no to scrambled eggs!

Maternity clothes? nope, just leggings and sweaters right now

Sleep: it's alright when I'm not worried about the break-in!

Movement: I think he's going to like jungle gyms.

Stretch marks? nothing new yet

Wedding rings on or off? on

Swelling? Nope

Belly Button in or out? in

Labor Signs: definitely not.

Happy or Moody most of the time: normal :)

Best moment this week: seeing Baby W* on the 22nd!

What I miss: LAW

Looking forward to: MM being home and getting to see adorable Michael, girls night tonight at a Spa with Misty and her girlfriends :) getting motivation to clean after the thieves, and maybe SF next week to meet up with my SSIL and SMIL. Love them!

2013 and its hiccups...

Wow, so much to write, so little motivation. haha!

I should've updated right around New Year's Day, but then I received a phone call that totally changed my plans for the next (?) weeks.

I hit nineteen weeks that Monday - not much to update on that week.  This pregnancy has gotten a lot easier these last few weeks, so it's only logical that I'd get bad news of our house instead!  I still can't believe someone broke into our place and stole LAW's car... Like he said, who steals a Versa?!?!  At least they didn't touch his '67 Mustang.  I know that would've broken his heart.  They stole his handgun, as well, and that just makes me upset.  People like that don't need any more weapons laying around.  I get to go home today and assess the damage, including trying to figure out what all is missing/stolen - if it wasn't for the doctor appointments that I already pushed back a couple of weeks, I would have stayed in Arizona a whole lot longer.  Bummer!

I left Memphis on the 7th (Week 20, HALF WAY POINT!!!) and went back to my parents' in AZ for another week.  It's always nice being there, as much as I hate the State.  I love being around my family and close friends.  On that note, to everyone who made time to see me while I was there, love you guys!  Thanks for being great!

Baby W* has been moving so incredibly much these last few weeks.  I find myself starring at my belly for hours at a time.  He's mostly active in the morning and at night, around the same time I get nausea if I do at all.  I definitely find myself needing to eat every four hours still, but I can only eat small portions at a time.  Still, whatever keeps the nausea away will work for me!  I also felt Baby W* hiccup'ing at least once already, but it was very quick. I kept getting what felt like spasms in my belly.. turns out, that's what it was. It was really funny.  He either loves or hates daddy's voice, too, because I put on some songs on that I have on my phone and placed it on my belly for Baby to hear.  He kept kicking and punching where ever I placed the phone.  I think he was rocking out.  I hope Baby has daddy's voice and not mine. haha

Between weeks 20 and 21 is when I finally saw a real belly pop out.  I can no longer say it looks like I drank too much.. haha :)

I have a doctor's appointment with my OB on the 17th, and my 3D ultrasound on the 22nd, so hopefully Baby W* is still a "he" and we can confirm all those small details so I can get around to ordering his bedding and decorating the nursery.


I'm not sure if I'll be able to update next week, I really hope I do, but with all the anxiety surrounding the break-in right now, I'm trying to take things in as slowly as possible.

Thanks to everyone who is keeping up with Baby W* and has called/texted/emailed to check on Baby's progress when they don't see many news on my end.  We love you all and can't wait to show Baby how many amazing people will be surrounding him as he grows up. xox



Week 19










             
Week 20











Week 21

My sister wanted to see pictures of the bare belly.. so here's two I took this morning.

Side profile







Until next time ♥

Due Date: last week of May 2013

How far along? 21 weeks - 19 weeks to go!

Symptoms: I still get nausea in the mornings and at night, but it isn't every day any more, which is great.  The belly keeps growing, there's ligament stretching still going on (ouch!), etc!

This week, Baby is the size of: i think as long as a carrot. yikes that's long!

Total weight gain: I really have no idea.  I'll know tomorrow. Maybe I'll update that on here. haha

Gender: still 90 something percent it's a boy, will have confirmation by the 22nd at the latest! =]

Food cravings: none lately, mama bear did an excellent job at fulfilling all my cravings while I was home with her!

Anything making you queasy or sick: still don't want scrambled eggs. barf.

Maternity clothes? nope, just leggings and sweaters right now

Sleep: can't sleep on my back anymore, and sometimes Baby W* wakes me up from the kicks and punches. haha

Movement: more than I thought he'd be moving, that's for sure.

Stretch marks? nothing new yet

Wedding rings on or off? on

Swelling? Nope

Belly Button in or out? in

Labor Signs: definitely not.

Happy or Moody most of the time: I get really moody if I'm hungry, and it happens in seconds. haha

Best moment this week: when Baby W* reacted to LAW's voice in the songs I was playing for him

What I miss: LAW

Looking forward to: 3D pictures on the 22nd, LAW coming home this Spring, Baby Shower in AZ on the 23rd or 24th of March (still deciding..) =]