Caroline is here!

My sweet baby Caroline is here! She was born just a few days early... I was induced due to high blood pressure. I was really disappointed because I really wanted to go naturally and was worried how I'd do with the Pitocin. But thanks to an amazing husband and a fairly quick labor, I was able to do it! I had her within 6 hours of them starting the Pitocin. I ended up with a 3rd degree tear which still hurts a lot, but things are going really well! I'll have to elaborate on the whole birth story later... right now I just want to spend every moment with my precious daughter.

I'm so thankful to have my precious little girl here safe in my arms.

39 weeks

How far along: 39 weeks

Total weight gain: 40 lbs still. no gain this week

How much does baby weigh: 6-7-8... ? hopefully not too big!

Maternity clothes: yup, still wearing them

Stretch marks: none :)

Sleep: okay off & on. getting to sleep has been the biggest challenge since this baby is a night owl and is still squirming at midnight.

Best moment this week: being done with working full time!

Movement: lots of it. I think this little one is running out of room!

Food cravings: none

Belly button in or out: if the baby is positioned just so, it's an outie now!

What I miss: being busy (I'm sure I won't miss that for long)

What I'm looking forward to: having my baby!

A May Baby it is...

I'm feeling much better... now I'm just ready to have my baby in my arms! I know I need to be patient since it could still be another 2+ weeks away. I've been trying to stay really active (1 hour work-outs at the gym and lots of walking). I'm running out of things to do around the house (at least the things that I somewhat want to do).
I'm glad May is finally here, though! This is your month Little One!

Feeling sick

I've been nauseated and have had diarrhea for almost 24 hours now. I started out cramping a lot after my internal at my appointment yesterday and have just felt awful since then. I was up all night in the bathroom. I'm still really hoping this may be a pre-labor sign, but I'm not having many contractions and would prefer to feel better when I have this baby! I'm exhausted right now and have just layed around on the couch watching TV and trying to eat something. I'm hoping I feel better and have a baby soon!

38 weeks

How far along: 38 weeks

Total weight gain: 40 lbs! I think a lot of this is water weight.

How much does baby weigh: ~6 lbs

Maternity clothes: I live in my pj pants as much as possible now since my maternity jeans are too tight!

Stretch marks: none :)

Sleep: I sleep like a baby.... I wake up every couple of hours!

Best moment this week: finding a baby book finally!

Movement: painful at times! This baby has some pointy feet or knees or something!

Food cravings: nothing stands out

Belly button in or out: just slightly out

What I miss: the space my bladder once had

What I'm looking forward to: time to get things done at home this week (I'm working minimal hours for the next couple of weeks) and of course this baby being born!

Full Term!

This week, I had my first internal check at the OB... I'm already 2 cm dilated & 50% effaced! This doesn't necessarily mean anything, but I'm glad my body is doing something!

How far along: 37 weeks

Total weight gain: 37 lbs... I'm still gaining at a rate of ~2 lbs a week!

How much does baby weigh: ~6 lbs

Maternity clothes: Too tight now. :(

Stretch marks: none

Sleep: it's been a bad week for sleep, but I think it's because I'm really starting to worry about having everything ready for baby.

Best moment this week: getting the car seat installed finally! One of the only must do items before the baby is here.

Movement: the baby is confirmed to be head down and still prefers hanging on the my right side & kicking me on my left.

Food cravings: slushies again for some reason. The other day, I went to the nearby gas station and all they had were pepsi & mnt dew slushies! I was so bummed!

Belly button in or out: usually peaking out

What I miss: having more clothes to wear

What I'm looking forward to: this baby being here in my arms safe & sound!

36 weeks

How far along: 36 weeks

Total weight gain: 35 lbs and I'm so swollen now.

How much does baby weigh: 5+ lbs

Maternity clothes: I broke down and got a new one at Gap

Stretch marks: none

Sleep: off/on

Best moment this week: seeing my mom this week!

Movement: hopefully starting to move into position

Food cravings: nothing stands out

Belly button in or out: more out that in these days

What I miss: not feeling so swollen

What I'm looking forward to: finishing baby laundry

35 weeks!

How far along: 35 weeks

Total weight gain: 33 lbs (big jump recently... I'm trying to watch it)

How much does baby weigh: ~5+ lbs

Maternity clothes: I'm starting to outgrow the first few shirts I bought... yikes!

Stretch marks: none still, but my belly has been getting very itchy lately

Sleep: off/on

Best moment this week: BRU registry completion trip (saved $250 and have everything we need!)

Movement: sometimes baby's movements are getting to be a little painful!

Food cravings: I've been enjoying Easter candy this week... not such a great idea

Belly button in or out: more out that in these days

What I miss: my energy level

What I'm looking forward to: getting the car seat installed soon. For some reason, having the car seat makes it feel more and more real & close to time!

Boy or Girl?

I'm getting so curious if my little one is a boy or a girl. I can't wait to meet him or her! Here are some old wive's tales put to the test:

Sleep Position: Prefer sleeping on your left side: boy. Right side: girl. I probably sleep more on my left side, but that may just be because I know that's better for the baby. BOY

Extreme nausea means you are having a daughter. I had bad nausea in the first trimester. GIRL

Dry hands: boy. Soft hands: girl. This one is quite conditional. I'm a nurse and wash my hands a zillion times a day, so they tend to be dry a lot of the time. BOY

Craving citrus: girl. Not really. BOY

Acne: girl. My skin has gotten better with pregnancy! BOY

Clumsy during pregnancy: boy. Graceful: girl. If I had to choose one I'd say clumsy. BOY

Face weight gain: girl. Yeah, I've had multiple comments about gaining weight in my face. GIRL

Craving salt during pregnancy: boy. Craving sweets: girl. Sweets. GIRL

Pregnancy mood swings: girl. These haven't been too bad, DH even says so. BOY

Carrying baby low: boy. Carrying baby high: girl. I've been told I'm carrying high, even though I feel like I'm carrying low, but I'll go with what other people are saying. GIRL

Carrying baby in front: boy. Weight spaced all around middle: girl. Middle. GIRL

Model Your Hands: "Show me your hands." If you would hold your hands palms up it's a girl. Down? You're having a boy. Up. GIRL

Even and Odd Numbers: If your age and year of conception are both even or odd, it's girl. One even, one odd means a boy. GIRL

Baby's Heartbeat: If the baby's heart beats more than 150 times per minute, you're pregnant with a girl. Less than 150, it's a boy. I can't answer this one... It's usually right around 150 and has been both above and below.

Stress Test: A child tends to be of the same sex as the parent who is less stressed at the time of conception. DH tends to always be more stressed than me. GIRL

Dream Meanings: If you dream about having a girl while pregnant, you will wind up having a boy and vice versa. I can't answer this one either. I've had both girl and boy dreams.

Breast Size: If your right breast is larger than the left while pregnant, you are having a girl. If the left is larger, it's a baby boy. Left side is always larger. BOY

So the final tally is: Girl 8, Boy 7. Hmmmm.... we'll see in about another month!

2 years ago today.... and 6 more weeks

Today feels a little bittersweet. While I'm celebrating only 6 more weeks to meet my little one, I'm also remembering my angel baby I lost 2 years ago today.

How far along: 34 weeks

Total weight gain: 29 lbs

How much does baby weigh: ~5? lbs
Maternity clothes: I starting to get tired of them now

Stretch marks: none... am I in the clear or might I still get them?

Sleep: better this week (but not tonight)

Best moment this week: getting our stroller! I'm so excited to use it!

Movement: tons! I hope this baby is still head down!
Food cravings: slurpies

Belly button in or out: in-between

What I miss: my angel baby today...

What I'm looking forward to: having my precious little one safe in my arms
34 week belly shot!

33 weeks! Time is flying!

How far along: 33 weeks

Total weight gain: 27 lbs

How much does baby weigh: ~4 lbs

Maternity clothes: I'm outgrowing my maternity jeans! Yikes!

Stretch marks: none still, but my belly is getting really itchy

Sleep: due to a bad head cold this week... not so good

Best moment this week: a good, uneventful OB apt

Movement: baby is kicking me hard enough to make me flinch now! grow baby, grow!

Food cravings: clementines

Belly button in or out: in-between

What I miss: some of my clothes... but not too much

What I'm looking forward to: finding out if this little one is a boy or a girl! I'm not liking calling my child an "it"

32 weeks

How far along: 32 weeks

Total weight gain: 25 lbs

How much does baby weigh: 3+ lbs

Maternity clothes: I still have a few clothes that I fit in that aren't maternity... but not too many more

Stretch marks: none

Sleep: not much, but it's been a really busy week!

Best moment this week: my first shower!

Movement: you can see baby hiccuping!

Food cravings: nothing that stands out this week

Belly button in or out: in-between

What I miss: my family

What I'm looking forward to: putting more of the nursery together now that we have some baby stuff to put in it!

Confession

I often wake up in the middle of the night and have to get up and drink something (juice or cold water) so I can feel the baby move. Even if I'm exhausted, I freak out and have the overwhelming need to know my baby is okay. Good little baby starts dancing every time for me! :)

31 weeks

How far along: 31 weeks

Total weight gain: 22 lbs

How much does baby weigh: ~ 3 lbs

Maternity clothes: wishing I had a cute dress to wear at my shower, but don't want to spend the money!

Stretch marks: none

Sleep: better this week amazingly!

Best moment this week: getting to see my little one on an unexpected ultrasound (my OB wanted to check growth)

Movement: lots

Food cravings: ice cream

Belly button in or out: in-between

What I miss: not being tired all of the time

What I'm looking forward to: seeing my family this weekend!

30 weeks... 3/4 the way there!

How far along: 30 weeks

Total weight gain: 20 lbs

How much does baby weigh: almost 3 lbs

Maternity clothes: everyday

Stretch marks: nope

Sleep: no sleep here

Best moment this week: first stranger comment about my belly! (2 this week)

Movement: I'm growing an Olympian in there!

Food cravings: frozen grapes

Belly button in or out: in-between

What I miss: caffeine

What I'm looking forward to: getting the nursery closer to ready

29 weeks

How far along: 29 weeks

Total weight gain: 19 lbs

How much does baby weigh: ~2.5 lbs lbs

Maternity clothes: frustrated with needing to buy new clothes that I will only wear for 2 1/2 more months

Stretch marks: still none!

Sleep: still a problem, but I got a good hour nap in today

Best moment this week: first childbirth class!

Movement: lots and still loving it!

Food cravings: special K cereal

Belly button in or out: in-between

What I miss: sleeping

What I'm looking forward to: another childbirth class next week!

Our first childbirth class was even better than I had hoped. I knew some would be a repeat for me since I'm a nurse and learned OB stuff in school, but they spent a lot of time on labor coping skills which I found to be exactly what I wanted. I learned that I will really need to move through labor and DH will be a great support and distraction.

On my size: I am continuously getting comments on how small I am... even from my OB. I did measure a little small at my last appointment and am really hoping this baby is growing okay. I do have a long torso, so I think I may just not appear as big. I've gained the right amount of weight, so I'm hopeful baby is growing alright.

Belly Pic! 28w3d

Belly Pic from today! 28 weeks, 3 days!

28 weeks

How far along: 28 weeks

Total weight gain: 17 lbs

How much does baby weigh: 2-2.5 lbs lbs

Maternity clothes: found a cute top for $6!

Stretch marks: nope

Sleep: well, I'm doing this at 2am...

Best moment this week: having a good, uneventful appointmnent

Movement: I'm feeling jabs and full body moves... so amazing!

Food cravings: girl scout cookies!

Belly button in or out: still in that in-between stage

What I miss: not having heartburn every day

What I'm looking forward to: 1st childbirth class this week!

27 weeks

How far along: 27 weeks

Total weight gain: 15 lbs (I think another 2 lbs this week!)

How much does baby weigh: 2 lbs

Maternity clothes: still wearing them!

Stretch marks: nope

Sleep: nope

Best moment this week: "popping" and everyone finally noticing I'm pregnant!

Movement: flipping and flopping

Food cravings: lemonade

Belly button in or out: getting close to out

What I miss: sleep

What I'm looking forward to: another appointment this week. Hoping our LO's heart sounds good this time!

26 weeks

How far along: 26 weeks

Total weight gain: 13 lbs

How much does baby weigh: babycenter says 1.75 lbs

Maternity clothes: got 3 new tops at Old Navy yesterday

Stretch marks: nope

Sleep: I'm getting used to waking up every hour or two.

Best moment this week: every moment I feel this little one squirm!

Movement: lots and very grateful for it!

Food cravings: fruit snacks

Belly button in or out: in

What I miss: nothing right now...

What I'm looking forward to: getting the nursery to the point where I can start sitting in my rocking chair to read my baby books

26 week 2 day belly shot

25 weeks

How far along: 25 weeks

Total weight gain: 12 lbs... no weight gain this week

How much does baby weigh: babycenter says 1.5 lbs already!

Maternity clothes: I just picked up some maternity work-out pants at Target (I've been feeling fat in my regular ones)

Stretch marks: nope

Sleep: I'm not sure I'll ever be able to sleep well again!

Best moment this week: Making lots of progress with the nursery

Movement: yup! he or she is still kicking away, particularly any time I stop moving.

Food cravings: I've been eating tons of cereal lately.

Belly button in or out: still counts as an innie

What I miss: my mom right now. It would be nice to have family close by to help me get ready for this little one.

What I'm looking forward to: my friend's baby shower this weekend

Insomnia and worry

I cannot sleep anymore. It's not that I'm overly uncomfortable. I think I'm just stressed and worried. I worry a lot about the baby and if it's little heart is okay. I worry that I'm doing something wrong and will hurt him or her. I worry that DH won't bond with our child. I worry that I'm not eating healthy enough and that all of my worry is unhealthy.

I'm taking today to relax, nap, try not to worry as much. I'm just enjoying every little kick I can get out of my little one!

V-day! 24 weeks

How far along: 24 weeks

Total weight gain: 12 pounds- yikes!

How much does baby weigh: I think about a pound now?

Maternity clothes: I need more now... time for another shopping spree

Stretch marks: nope

Sleep: I have to be very careful not to lie on my back now (baby's not getting good blood flow when I do), so I'm not sleeping much anymore.

Best moment this week: Finally getting DH to register with me!

Movement: lots... keep 'em coming kid! I need the reassurance

Food cravings: chocolate

Belly button in or out: In, but it's starting to peek out

What I miss: being able to sleep

What I'm looking forward to: Having this baby here safe and sound.