New Years Baby Bumpdate: Week 36

36w3d

What's up with Baby this week? Little girl is rehearsing for her big debut - inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, sucking her thumb, blinking and turning from side to side!

Symptoms? This week hasn't been too bad, but there was one night (36w2d) that had me tossing and turning because my hips were killing me throughout the night!  Heartburn is still a killer, also - I literally felt like I drank acid the other day at work, coughing up a storm and struggling to make it through the afternoon.

Gender? Baby girl.

Excited For? My final ultrasound (today!) to see how big this little lady is looking.

Maternity Clothes? Have switched over to casual tops with scrub bottoms almost exclusively, and the only non-maternity I can get away with outside of work is some sweaters, yoga pants, sweats, and big t-shirts to sleep in.

Sleep? The hip pain was a killer for my sleep, but luckily it only started waking me up early morning and wasn't keeping me up all night.

Movement? This past weekend was one of her most active.  She was moving and grooving all weekend long.

Belly Button Status? I don't know that I'd call it in anymore, it's more...flush with the belly at this point.  I don't think it's going to be popping.

Missing Anything? My own clothes and shoes!!  I knew your feet could swell during pregnancy, and even grow, but I didn't expect to not be able to wear my favorite boots (or any of my boots, for that matter) this winter.  I had a minor meltdown (maybe I cried about it, whatever) when I realized there was no way they were getting on these feet.  It's strange because my feet don't really look swollen, but apparently they are.

Milestones?

36w2d Handsome Husband spent some time playing with Baby M through my belly.  They were poking at each other for nearly 30 minutes, and it was so fun to watch his face light up.  That night made HH more excited than ever, and he's been mentioning how much he can't wait for our little doll's arrival ever since.

Cravings? All types of fruit!

Weight Gain? My doctor says up 30 pounds, which officially makes me scared.  30 was what I was hoping not to pass, but with four weeks left until my due date, that is going to be impossible (obviously).

My, how I've grown!

New Years Baby Bumpdate: Week 35

 
35 weeks on Thanksgiving Day

What's up with Baby this week? Baby is six pounds this week, and up to 20 inches long!  She has formed all her soft bones and cartilage, to protect her through the journey she's gearing up to make her way out of there!

Symptoms? General aches and pains that make it hard to move, and are much much worse at night is all I've really been dealing with this week.  Also, I'm not sure that I've mentioned it, but I completely fell victim to tiger stripes (awful stretch marks).  It's embarassing and incredibly ugly, and something I had really hoped to avoid.  Unfortunately, there is not much (read: nothing) I can do about it, and I'll have to live with them forever.  Hoping my baby girl will make me forget about how ugly they look by how pretty she is!

Gender? Lady.

Excited For? Hitting full-term next week (remember these Bumpdates are a week behind) and my final ultrasound to try and get a peak at how big this baby might be!

Maternity Clothes? Have switched over to casual tops with scrub bottoms almost exclusively, and the only non-maternity I can get away with outside of work is some sweaters, yoga pants, sweats, and big t-shirts to sleep in.

Sleep? Sleep is okay, my bathroom breaks have actually decreased, but I think that has more to do with my water intake decreasing a bit recently (shame on me) than anything else.

Movement? She definitely feels a little more cramped in there, as big kicks are few and far between nowadays, but she wiggles and squirms all the time, still.

Belly Button Status? I don't know that I'd call it in anymore, it's more...flush with the belly at this point.  I don't think it's going to be popping.

Missing Anything? Beer.  And also, not feeling like I got hit by a truck by 7pm every day.

Milestones?

35w Baby's first Thanksgiving (in utero)!  If this little girl wants to surprise me and make her first Christmas in 2013 instead of 2014, I will be more than happy!

Cravings? Apples are back.

Weight Gain? My doctor says up 30 pounds, which officially makes me scared.  30 was what I was hoping not to pass, but with four weeks left until my due date, that is going to be impossible (obviously).

My, how I've grown!

Wow, I miss feeling like I felt in my Week 15 picture - sexy and confident!

New Years Baby Bumpdate: Week 34

Happy Thanksgiving, Stress Case readers!  Hope you're having a lovely day filled with family, friends, and lots of good food!

Would you believe it if I told you I managed to forget to take a bumpdate picture this week?  Not proud, let me tell you!  This really not great photo of me at a cooking class with the ladies from HH's family last weekend will have to suffice.  As you can see, the bump is really getting large and in charge.

with MIL Red and Cousin Study Buddy

What's up with Baby this week? Baby girl is about 20 inches tall, and is pretty maxed out on height.  She will still steadily gain weight until she arrives, and currently weighs as much as 5.5 pounds!

Symptoms? My lovely new groin pain is alive and well, especially at night.

Gender? Girl.

Excited For? More progress on Baby M's nursery!  I've also started washing her clothes, and am looking forward to finishing those up and looking at drawers full (okay okay, like half way full, baby girl isn't that much of a diva).  I am also looking forward to a little crafting and present wrapping day at my Gardening Mom's house over the holiday weekend! 

Maternity Clothes? Have switched over to casual tops with scrub bottoms almost exclusively, and the only non-maternity I can get away with outside of work is some sweaters, yoga pants, sweats, and big t-shirts to sleep in.

Sleep? Sleeping okay, but lots of waking up for bathroom breaks and some pains in the middle of the night that are waking me up.

Movement? I think she has moved positions recently, because I feel her pushing very far over to the side, whereas before it was mainly in the middle.  Who knows how this little girl is hanging out in there!

Belly Button Status? I don't know that I'd call it in anymore, it's more...flush with the belly at this point.

Missing Anything? Easily being able to pick things up from the floor, and sleeping on my stomach and back.

Milestones?

34w2d Started doing baby laundry for the first time!  It is way more fun to wash these teeny pink and frilly clothes and blankets than it is to wash my own!

Cravings? Nothing special this week.

Weight Gain? My doctor says up 26 pounds. Which isn't so bad except for that I am terrified that I am going to be gaining a pound a week at this rate and I've still got 7 weeks left!

New Years Baby: Week 33

33w2d

 

What's up with Baby this week? Little one is 5 pounds, and could be as long as 20 inches!  Her fingernails are full grown now, and will be ready for a trim almost as soon as she makes her appearance!

Symptoms? I've been having a new mysterious pain in the ... groin area?  My OB says it's from the baby pushing down, and that it's completely normal.  But it is rough, especially at night.  Heartburn is still a nightmare.

Gender? Little lady.

Excited For? Thanksgiving!  I'm not a huge Thanksgiving dinner fan, but I love the warm fuzzy feeling that the holiday brings!  I am also attending a fun cooking class with some ladies in HH's family on Sunday I am looking forward to.

Maternity Clothes? Have switched over to casual tops with scrub bottoms about 50% of the time at work, because my tops are getting a little too snug.

Sleep? Not getting great sleep the past week.  It is incredibly painful every time I turn over, and I get up at least twice a night to hit the little girls' room.

Movement? Little miss has active days and slower days, but I feel her every day and I can't wait to meet this little kicker.

Belly Button Status? I don't know that I'd call it in anymore, it's more...flush with the belly at this point.

Missing Anything? My clothes, high heels and being able to bend over at the waist.

Milestones?

33w2d My second and final lovely baby shower thrown by Best Friend Cute Apartment!

Cravings? Craving water all the time, and ice!  I'd still eat a few apples a day if I ever bought enough.

Weight Gain? My doctor says up 26 pounds. Which isn't so bad except for that I am terrified that I am going to be gaining a pound a week at this rate and I've still got 7 weeks left!

My how I've grown!

New Years Baby: Week 32

32w2d

What's up with Baby this week? Baby is gaining weight at the rate of almost a half a pound per week, and could gain an inch in length this week alone!  With so much baby in there, amniotic fluid is maxed out, so her pokes and jabs can feel pretty sharp these days.

Symptoms? Back pain seems to start nearly every day around lunch time, and lasts until the next morning.  The belly has felt a little sore all week, too.

Gender? Girly girl.

Excited For? Seeing how our maternity photos turned out, and my second baby shower with some fabulous girls this weekend!

Maternity Clothes? Have switched over to casual tops with scrub bottoms about 50% of the time at work, because my tops are getting a little too snug.  Rocked a pre-pregnancy dress (in the 32 week photo above!) and felt pretty good about it!

Sleep? Getting comfortable is way harder than staying asleep, but the 2-3 bathroom breaks a night are not doing wonders for my REM sleep, I'll tell you that.

Movement? Little miss has active days and slower days, but I feel her every day and I can't wait to meet this little kicker.

Belly Button Status? I don't know that I'd call it in anymore, it's more...flush with the belly at this point.

Missing Anything? Cocktails, and not dreading walking up and down stairs.

Milestones?

32w1d The first person other than Handsome Husband was able to feel baby girl kick from the outside - lucky Mother-in-Law Red.

32w4d We spent some time with a photographer capturing this happy time in our life - maternity photos done!

Cravings? Still loving apples.

Weight Gain? My doctor says up 24 pounds. Which isn't so bad except for that I am terrified that I am going to be gaining a pound a week at this rate and I've still got 7 weeks left!

My how I've grown!

New Years Baby: Week 31

 
31w3d

What's up with Baby this week? Baby is doing lots of practicing this week - from swallowing and breathing to kicking and sucking!

Symptoms? What am I not feeling this week?  I'm exhausted, my back is killing me by noon every day and doesn't let up until I wake up the next morning, and sitting up in bed is getting to be a whole production.

Gender? Lady.

Excited For? Getting lots of baby items last weekend, and taking our maternity photos this weekend!

Maternity Clothes? Almost exclusively maternity outside of work, though I do still wear some pre-pregnancy jeans with a belly band because I never managed to find a good pair of maternity skinny jeans.

Sleep? Sleep is going okay, but lying in bed is not nearly as comfortable as it used to be.  Often times my Handsome Husband is wondering what all the commotion is when I'm simply trying to move positions in bed.

Movement? More movement some days than other, but she is most active in the evenings.  She has taken to what feels like pushing from the inside.  Not kicking, not adjusting, but pushing.  Maybe she's trying to make more room!

Belly Button Status? I don't know that I'd call it in anymore, it's more...flush with the belly at this point.

Missing Anything? Lying on my stomach in bed, and not feeling like a whale.

Milestones?

31w2d Did a lot of baby shopping, much to the unhappiness of my bank account (and maybe my husband).  I picked up the swing I'd been longing for, some cute swaddles for little miss, and my first nursing bra!

Cravings? Nothing really this week.  There was one night I would have killed for a bagel.

Weight Gain? My doctor says up 24 pounds. Which isn't so bad except for that I am terrified that I am going to be gaining a pound a week at this rate and I've still got 8 weeks left!

My how I've grown!

New Years Baby: Week 30

 
30w3d

 

What's up with Baby this week? Little lady measures about 18 inches long, and is almost as long as she'll be when she's born!  She is sleeping in longer stretches now, and I can notice defined sleep and wake patterns by her movement.

Symptoms? Heartburn is still a killer, and my belly has been aching a bit this week.  Think it's just getting sore from getting so stretched out!

Gender? Girlfriend.

Excited For? Making more progress on the nursery, buying the rest of the "big" items we need, our maternity photos in a week, and my second baby shower in two weeks!

Maternity Clothes? Almost exclusively maternity outside of work, and still managing to make my non-maternity scrubs work, but will need to make some changes on that front shortly.

Sleep? Sleeping great, still!  The only problem is I can't make it through the night without one or two bathroom breaks, and it never seems to fail that the last one of the night happens just 30-45 minutes before I need to be up for work, really stealing that last little bit of sleep from me each night.

Movement? Lots of it, but she seems to be doing a lot more adjusting and moving her position than kicking and punching now!

Belly Button Status? I don't know that I'd call it in anymore, it's more...flush with the belly at this point.

Missing Anything? Sleeping on my back and stomach!

Milestones?

30w3d Had my first baby shower with family and family friends, and was so touched and grateful for the generous gifts from everyone!

30w4d Baby girl's dresser arrived, and Handsome Husband was quick to get it upstairs to her room and all ready to be filled with diaper goodies and clothes!

 

Cravings? Fruit still!

Weight Gain? My doctor says up 17 pounds. I'm skeptical. And terrified.

My how I've grown!

New Years Baby: Week 29

29w1d

What's up with Baby this week? Baby girl weighs over three pounds now and she'll be gaining a half a pound per week for the next seven weeks!  Little one is starting to regulate her own temperature, which means she'll start shedding lanugo (the body hair that's been keeping her warm until now).

Symptoms? General discomfort, and getting sore after a busy day.  I was on my feet a lot last Friday and Saturday, and by Sunday I felt like I had done major workouts and run a marathon.

Gender? Baby girl.

Excited For? My first baby shower in just days!

Maternity Clothes? I made a bunch of maternity clothes purchases I'm very excited about over the past week!  What can I say, Old Navy and Zulily were calling my name!  I still need to figure out outfits for my second baby shower, our maternity photos, and upcoming holiday events.

Sleep? It takes me a little while to get comfortable, but still sleeping through the night except for bathroom breaks.  Handsome Husband was out of town one night, and I must admit I slept like a baby when I could spread out across the entire bed.

Movement? Little miss has been very active over the past week or so.  I'm relishing it now, because I hear it will slow down a bit as she starts running out of room.

Belly Button Status? I don't know that I'd call it in anymore, it's more...flush with the belly at this point.

Missing Anything? Cocktails, dancing without feeling like a freak, my old clothes, wearing heels, and not feeling like the elephant (literally) in the room at some events.  Guess I'm missing a lot this week!

Milestones?

29w5d Ordered the last big piece of furniture for her room - her dresser/changer!  So excited to get it, put it together watch HH put it together, and start decorating!

29w5d Received the invitation for my second baby shower!  Getting these invitations and gearing up for these loving events make everything seem so much more real!

Cravings? Craving fruit all.  the.  time.

Weight Gain? My doctor says up 17 pounds. I'm skeptical. And terrified.

My how I've grown!

New Years Baby: Week 28

28w3d

What's up with Baby this week? Little one is nearly three pounds, and measures 17 inches long!  She is almost to her birth length, but will be filling out a bit more until then.  In fact, over the next 11 weeks, she'll more than double, and maybe even triple, her weight!

Symptoms? Some round ligament pains this week, and heartburn as usual.

Gender? Lady.

Excited For? My first baby shower in like a week and a half!  Also, finally making some progress on the nursery and finalizing furniture decisions.

Maternity Clothes? Scrub tops are getting to be a little uncomfortable.  At this point, thinking of switching to t-shirts instead of splurging for a maternity scrub top and looking like a tent.  I purchased some more maternity clothes for outside of work, and I think but for some special outfits I might be good for the rest of the pregnancy!

Sleep? Sleep has been getting a little more uncomfortable, but still doing okay.

Movement? Lots and lots of movement.  Little ones all the time, and fun big kicks sometimes.

Belly Button Status? I don't know that I'd call it in anymore, it's more...flush with the belly at this point.

Missing Anything? I want some damn sushi.

Milestones?

27w3d We played our little lady some country music, and by the feeling of her kicks, she either really liked it, or really didn't.  I'm hoping for the former!

27w4d Made some major progress on the nursery by getting our glider and ottoman ordered, thanks for my very generous parents!

Cravings? Watermelon.  Just ask Best Cousin, I practically ate an entire

Weight Gain? My doctor says up 17 pounds. I'm skeptical. And terrified.

My how I've grown!

New Years Baby: Week 27

 27w3d

 

What's up with Baby this week? Baby girl is now 2.5 pounds, and almost 16 inches long!  She is perfecting even more skills this week, including blinking, coughing, sucking, hiccuping, and taking practice breaths.  Her sleep now includes the REM phase, which means she could be dreaming already!  Wonder what she's dreaming about?

Symptoms? Heartburn has come back with a vengeance this week, so that's been not so fun.  I noticed after being out and on my feet all day on Saturday that my whole body was very sore.  Thinking it's time to slow down a bit.

Gender? Baby girl.

Excited For? My first baby shower in less than 3 weeks!

Maternity Clothes? Still rocking lots of non-maternity, and wondering if I might make the whole pregnancy without buying a single pair of maternity scrubs.  My sweet Gardening Mom bought me a pretty new dress for my first baby shower over the weekend, and I'm so excited to wear it - it is ridiculously comfortable!

Sleep? Sleep has been getting a little more uncomfortable, but still doing okay.

Movement? All the time.  I'm getting a little sad thinking she'll be running out of room and I won't be feeling her quite as much soon.

Belly Button Status? In, but getting very shallow.

Missing Anything? I want some damn sushi.

Milestones?

27w2d Officially bought the first thing to hang on the walls of our little girl's nursery!  I've been looking everywhere for weeks, but was so glad to find a little something over the weekend.

27w4d One of the more depressing milestones of this pregnancy, I found my first teensy tiny stretch mark.

Cravings? Apples.  All.  the.  time.

Weight Gain? My doctor says up 17 pounds. I'm skeptical. And terrified.

My how I've grown!

New Years Baby: Week 26

26w2d

 

Photo taken at a black tie party for Handsome Hub's work.  I totally failed, and forgot to take a photo with our nice camera before heading to event, so iPhone photo it is!

What's up with Baby this week? Baby gets measured from head to toe starting now, and she is about fifteen inches long!  (That's like, really long!)  Little girl is starting to recognize voices this week - do you know me yet, little lady? 

Symptoms? Noticed some swollen feet, but to be fair, I was also wearing heels for a few hours before hand.  Other than that, and just getting increasingly uncomfortable in one position over time, this is a good week!

Gender? Lady.

Excited For? My first baby shower this month!!  And doing some work on the nursery, which looks the same as it did two months ago...

Maternity Clothes? Same as last week - non-maternity scrubs, probably 75% maternity outside of work.  I definitely need to do some maternity shopping soon. 

Sleep? Still sleeping like a rock, but not loving the wake up calls for the bathroom.

Movement? Last weekend was the most movement I've felt this pregnancy.  My little doll was bouncing all around, I actually watched my belly for five minutes as she put on a little show.  It is the best feeling, and I know it will be something I miss when she is on the outside.

Belly Button Status? In, but getting very shallow.  Also very weird feeling.

Missing Anything? I was definitely definitely missing champagne this weekend.

Milestones?

26w Some consider 26 weeks to be the start of the 3rd trimester!  It seems to be pretty across the board between 26-28 weeks, so I'm not officially considering myself there yet, but we're so close!

Cravings? There was one day I had to have a cheeseburger for lunch.  Thankfully the grill at work obliged me!

Weight Gain? My doctor says up 14 pounds. I'm skeptical. And terrified.

My how I've grown!

 

And a few extra pictures from our party last weekend:

Best Cousin, who now works at the company HH does!

New Years Baby: Week 25

25w3d

 

What's up with Baby this week? Baby girl weighs a full two pounds, and is 9+ inches from crown to booty!  Her eyes are starting to open for the first time this week.

Symptoms? Lots of nerve pain in my right hip, butt cheek, and down the leg.  Worse when sitting on a squishy surface (like a couch or bed, go figure), but the other day it was a pain even when walking!

Gender? Baby girl.

Excited For? September being almost over!  This was the month I thought was going to go by so slow, but to my surprise, it has flown like the rest of the months seem to!  October brings some cooler weather (hopefully!), my first baby shower, and some Halloween fun!

Maternity Clothes? Same as last week - non-maternity scrubs, mostly maternity outside of work.  I'll be rocking a non-maternity gown at a black-tie event this weekend, and for that?  I'm proud!

Sleep? Going pretty well, still.  Hoping my sleepthroughanything habits last the entire time!

Movement? Feeling her all the time.  Last weekend I had a lot of anxiety because she was barely moving all weekend.  To be honest, I even asked a friend to ask his OBGYN Dad if I should be worried (Dr. R, if by some chance you ever happen upon this blog - thank you for your kindness and consideration in answering my hormonal question!!).  There was no reason to fear, because she is back to dancing all day.

Belly Button Status? In, but getting shallow.

Missing Anything? My clothes.

Milestones?

25w1d Baby girl attends her second concert in-utero, this time she got to groove to Panic! at the Disco and Fall Out Boy!

25w3d We tested the theory that our little lady's eyes are opening in there by shining a flashlight on my belly.  What do you know, she kicked me right away in response!  It's so fun to play a little game with her!

Cravings? I needed some Chinese food this week - and not just any Chinese.  HH's least favorite.  Guess he loves me more than he hates the food though, cause he was a doll and went and bought me those rice noodles I was craving!

Weight Gain? My doctor says up 14 pounds. I'm skeptical. And terrified.

My how I've grown!

New Years Baby Bumpdate: Week 24, Six Months Pregnant!

24w

What's up with Baby this week? Baby's skin is getting pinker, as her capillaries start filling with blood, which helps her lungs to develop!  Her little nostrils (on her cute little nose we saw on the ultrasound this week!) are starting to open, and she is starting to practice taking breaths.

Symptoms? Right hip pain - I think it's nerve pain, as it reminds me of the torture I felt a few years back when I had a pinched nerve.  Anything for my baby girl, but it would be cool is this subsided a little bit!

Gender? Lady.

Excited For? Cousin Study Buddy informing me that invitations for my first baby shower will be going out first week of October.  Hello, that is like around the corner!  So excited!  We also reserved our newborn photographer, and have chosen our maternity photographer - more things to be ridiculously excited for!

Maternity Clothes? I'm pretty impressed that I'm still fitting in about half of my scrub pants, and think they might make it the entire pregnancy!  Tops, however, are getting a bit short, and I'll need to switch to T-shirts and only my looser and longer tops soon.  Outside of work?  Wearing almost all maternity out, but squeezing my hiney into non-maternity at home more often.

Sleep? After a few days of being woken up by doggy licks (we were pet sitting for Cute Apartment while she headed to Vegas for the weekend with her beau), I am back to sleeping like a rock!

Movement? Love feeling her kick all the time.  Handsome Husband has now been able to feel her pretty consistently from the outside, and he even saw my belly bounce with one of her kicks!

Belly Button Status? Still in, but defintely

Missing Anything? Beer.  Wine.  Vodka.  Do you see a trend?

Milestones?
24w I'm 6 months pregnant!

24w3d HH feels his first strong for sure that's little baby girl kick from the outside, while at Cousin Ronomon and Tutor Girl's house!

24w5d I played a little game poking my belly and feeling her kick me in response, and a few minutes later HH sees my belly bounce for the first time from one of her swift kicks.

Cravings? Lucky Charms!

Weight Gain? My doctor says up 14 pounds.  I'm skeptical.  And terrified.

Bonus front view of the belly!

Pony looks way cuter from the front, also.

My how I've grown!