Only 9 weeks to go! Almost 31 weeks, wrong side up

Dear Baby Rose,

You seem to be growing and have been a lot more active lately.  I have had some allergy and head cold issues in the last week or two. That made sleeping very difficult last week.  I even ended up taking some Tylenol and sudafed to help ease my symptoms.  I am still dealing with a lot of drainage.  You were VERY active when I was taking those medications.  I appreciated the knowledge that you were doing well.

I had an appointment with our normal midwife Jill Dolberg on Tuesday of last week.  You are growing well.  My tummy is on target at 30 cm.  The last time we went you were laying across my belly.  Now you might be sitting with your head up, which is no good! You are supposed to be head down.  If you don't turn by 36 weeks we will have to do some exercises to get you to turn.  If that doesn't work we will do an aversion where they will push on my tummy to try and get you to move. We might also have to do a cesarean if you never end up turning.  I just want you to be safe, and stay in there until you are ready to come out! It gives me a lot of peace to know that you would be alright even if you were born now.  Baby Rhys (my best friend Shea's baby) was born in Ireland on August 26th.  He was 31 weeks along.  He is doing very well now.



The weekend

This last weekend your Noni came to town.  She is working on a quilt for you.  We went and found some more fabrics for the quilt.  It will have some fabrics from the wedding ring quilt that she made for your dad and I when we got married.  We went to a few garage sales, and the International Quilting Study Center at UNL.  We had some frozen yogurt at Kelly's yogurt too.

Exercising and Aches/Pains

I have been doing pretty well walking around your neighborhood 4-5 times three times a week.  I usually try to do the 5 unless I start having pain.  Some days my back is very sore.  It seems to be better if I did my walking in the morning.  My ribs have been quite sore.  My weight is about 149 pounds right now.  Definitely the most I have ever weighed! My face and arms are pretty much the same.  I have some fluid/fat in my legs, and hips. They have definitely grown.

Movement and Patterns

I read somewhere that you are awake for an hour, then sleep for an hour at this stage.  I think that is true.  If I wake up in the night it can be hard to get back to sleep if you are during one of your waking times.  There is always an active time in the afternoons before and after lunch.  I don't feel as many kicks now.   It is mostly just your head poking up through my tummy sometimes.

Conclusion

Only 65 days until you get here! I am so excited to meet you.  I am still worried that I don't know what life will be like.  But I know we will love you and find a new normal.  Your daddy went on a motor cycle trip last week.  I made him write a letter to you in case something happened to him. Thank the Lord, he safely returned.  He is in Fort Worth this week for training.  He has one more trip before you come.  He is going to a friend's wedding in St. Louis the week of your baby shower.  After that, we will be ready for you!

Love you Baby Rose!

Mommy

24 weeks and health weight gain

Hi Baby Rose!

You have been moving pretty consistently lately.  I still can't feel it on the outside that often.  It happened a few times last night as I was getting to sleep.  But I didn't want to wake up your daddy, as he has to get up very early each day at 3:30 am!

Weight Gain

In the last few months I have gained a bit too much weight.  I guess I was enjoying fruits and desserts a bit too much.  I am now 24 weeks along, and I have gained 19 pounds! That is a bit too much.  I am supposed to be more at 12 pounds gained perhaps.  For example, the momma below from a blog that I read called the Daily Garnish has only gained 16 - 17 pounds and she is 27 weeks!

Swelling

I have started to have some issues with swelling. I have felt a "heaviness" in my legs and the skin felt tight in the evenings for awhile now. I thought it could be the feeling of swelling, but my ankles etc didn't look big or anything. At home I have a standing desk and stood up for four hours doing work for an accounting class I am taking. Apparently that was a bad idea! I could literally feel the fluid shaking around as I walked down to bed.  I am trying to drink more water today, and will make sure to elevate my feet on a larger pillow while I sleep tonight.  I am really hoping I don't have to start wearing tight hose!

Exercise

I am still able to work out consistently.  Last week we were in Liberal the first part of the week.  I walked a few times when we first arrived.  It certainly was not the 3 miles I am used to.  I worked out on Sunday after we got back and did 3.5 or more miles and then did some work with weights, and some front and side planks.  I also did a bit of running at 4.6.

This has been a busy week, so I was not able to work out again until this morning.  I was only able to do 1.7 miles in 25 minutes.  Maybe I can work out again tomorrow! It's just hard to get up in the morning at 6 or 6:30.  I was actually able to run a bit on the treadmill this morning.  I was only at 4.6, but it felt good.

Midwife

I had an appointment on Monday with our Midwife Jill Dolberg.  Apparently my tummy is right at 23 centimeters, so I am right on track.  Your heart beat is slowing down as you get bigger like it's supposed to.  I got to hold a model of you at their office.  You're getting big little girl!  Next month I have go to for the one hour glucose test to be sure I do not have gestational diabetes.  I will really be praying that I don't!

We are so thankful that this has been an uneventful pregnancy and that you are growing and healthy.  My best friend Shea in Ireland has had a very difficult pregnancy.  She is only 2 weeks ahead of me, and is already leaking amniotic fluid. We are praying all goes well for her and the baby. 

Love you!

Mommy

19 weeks (almost 5 months)

Hi Kuti!

Your dad and I went to the doctor on Friday and got to hear your heartbeat on Friday.  Your head is down very low in my pelvis on the left side.   I think all of you is on the left.  The left side of my belly seems to be a bit bigger! I have taken a few pictures to show where you are now!  We also got to hold a model baby that is the size you are now.  You're getting bigger! It takes two hands now to hold you :).

It's getting pretty hot outside now.  Your dad and I actually sleep in the guest room in the basement when it gets hot like this.  We've been thinking about where you'll sleep down here.  The basement is also our movie room where we have a big screen on the wall to watch TV and movies.  I think your pack-n-play crib will fit in just fine down here.

I am ready to feel you move! I know I will have quite a few months where you will probably make me feel uncomfortable with all of your movement. But right now, I can't wait to know that you're in there and moving around!

With the hot weather I have been drinking less tea.  I have had a soda here and there.  Now caffeine really affects me.  I had half a cup of coffee yesterday and it kept me up all night! So, no more coffee until November for me.

I am also super excited to find out whether you are a girl or boy! I do love surprises.  But I just cannot wait another 5 months to find out.  I need to mentally prepare either way.   We are having a sonogram to check all of your internal structures on July 9th.  We will as the person doing the sonogram to write on two cards whether you are a girl or boy.  We are heading down to Liberal to see your grandparents on July 12th.  So we will take one card to Cupcakes & More in Lincoln to have them do gender reveal cupcakes to take with us! I am so excited.

You can hear us now! Apparently by 19 weeks your ears are fully formed.  I have started trying to pray aloud and talk to you more.  I talked to your dad's mom today, you'll call her Ummachi, and she reminded me to read bible verses to you.  I'll have to do that tonight.

Jazz in June

Last Tuesday was Jazz in June in Lincoln.  I really enjoyed going to all of the concerts last year.  I missed the first two in June due to weather and Pistol's dental surgery.  Your dad and I have planned to go this coming Tuesday.  I am hoping to take you along next year!  You will be seven months old! I hope that you'll enjoy being outside and listening to jazz.

Exercising

Exercising has been going well.  For the last month or two I have been doing 3+ miles at least three times a week.  I started out running during commercials.  I started to feel some odd pains and it was a bit uncomfortable.  So I cut out the running.  Now I just walk 3 miles.  I have gained about 10 pounds now.  I am only supposed to gain another 4 over the next 8 weeks.

How many Weeks are in a Trimester?

First Trimester: Starts with the first day of your last menstrual period  and ends with the last day of the 13th week thereafter.

Second Trimester: Starts at the beginning of the 14th week and lasts through the 27th week of pregnancy.

Third Trimester: Starts at the beginning of the 28th week and ends with labor.  We will be in the third trimester on August 22!

From here.

Health Weight Gain

I am now 19 weeks in.  So that would be a max of 4.5 pounds in the first trimester (through thirteen weeks), then 1 pound over each of the last six weeks would be 6 pounds.  So I am potentially at the higher side of the range having already gained 10 pounds.  Hopefully I can keep the weight gain in check!

Healthy Weight Gain by Trimester

First trimester: 1 pound per month ~ (about 4lb) in the first three months.
Second trimester: 1 pound per week for the next three months ~ (12 - 14lb) in total.
Third trimester: around 1 pound per week ~ (12lb) over the last three months.
From here.

I can't wait to meet you Kuti!