Belly Progression!

I made most of this before I had Logan. I finally sat down and finished it today!

40 Weeks!

Surprise!

I'm still pregnant!

We have just been hanging out and waiting for something to happen. So far? Nothing!

We had our 40 week doctor appointment yesterday.

I had lost a pound and my blood pressure was perfect!

The doctor said it could be any time! So we will just keep waiting.

posted from Bloggeroid

39 Weeks!

I'm sliding in here with a late-in-the-day 39 week post!

We went to the doctor yesterday and have another appointment scheduled for next Tuesday, May 8. 

I wonder if we will go to that one...?

In my last several posts about pregnancy I kept saying "any day now," but I didn't really mean it. I think I just meant that if he had come at that point it would have been 100% ok.

I still really don't feel like "any day." I personally feel like nothing will happen until Monday at the earliest. That's not to say I'm not paying attention to every little cramp and ache. ;)

The fact that I will very soon have a tiny little baby that we made and that we will be completely in charge of still does not seem real. I don't think it will until his squirmy, wet body is placed in my arms.

I keep trying to picture that moment, but I can't quite bring it into focus. 

Anyone that knows me personally is probably aware that more than anything (right after having a healthy baby) I want to have a natural delivery. It is pretty obvious that my doctor is very pro-induction. Which, why wouldn't he be!? There is no guessing, no middle of the night, he can fit it right into his schedule.

However, I reeeeally want to go into labor naturally too.

I want God and Logan to decide, "Ok, it's birthday!" 

(and I want to avoid those pitocin contractions! C'mon, let's give a first-timer a chance here!)

At our appointment yesterday I asked ol Doc Fuller how long he would let a woman go past her due date before she would have to be induced. He twisted his face around and said only a few days! Then launched into a speech about placentas and due dates.

He wanted to set a tentative induction date, for just in case. Which I was fine with. 

Until he picked the 10th.

Um, excuse me?

Can I have a little bit of time here???

At first I didn't say anything, I just sat there under my thin white sheet thinking, I better get something going soon, eh?

But as we were standing waiting to make our next appointment, he walked up and I made myself so proud!

I actually asked if we could push it back a few days!

And since the 10th was on a Thursday, and Mondays are his surgery days, it got pushed all the way to the 15th! So, surely he will decide to come before then.

I don't think of myself as much of a boat-rocker, so standing up to my doctor about what I wanted felt really amazing. It also helped that I was a) actually standing up and b) fully clothed.

So no matter what, in two weeks our little man will be here. 

38 Weeks!

Hello there! Still pregnant here!

I may regret saying this, but I am not tired of being pregnant yet.

Do you have to be completely sick of pregnancy before your baby will come?

I hope not.

While I am not fed-up with pregnancy, I am ready to meet our little man.

Helloooooo baby!
and weird faceless me... :-/

Everything is ready. Every stitch of fabric is washed. Our bags are packed. We have already pre-registered at the hospital. The diapers are prepped, folded, and waiting.

I would like to make a wet-bag for the diaper bag, using this tutorial. But like my mom said, an empty bread sack will do. ;)

My plan is to post our completed (yay!) nursery tour here tomorrow. Now we all must pray that technology is on my side!

Everything I mentioned last week still goes for this week, popping, cramping, diet-o-tums, tired....

At this point, my only new symptoms will be labor, right? 

Bring it. I'm ready.

Celebrate the Earth!

There is a wonderful place in Little Rock called Heifer International. They do so many great things in other countries and right here at home. You can read all about them here, on their website.

This Saturday they hosted the Arkansas Earth Day Festival!

I had been looking forward to this day for several months. I can't even remember how I found this event. (Somewhere on the wonderful world wide web.) I actually didn't know that there was an Earth Day festival. I just knew that I was going to attend The Great Cloth Diaper Change!

It was a great event that informed people about the world of cloth diapering. The event took place at 305 changing stations in 16 countries! They broke their own Guinness World Record from last year, and next year I am going to be a part of breaking this years record!

A few facts:

Cost comparison: 

The text above is a little hard to read, here is what it says:

*Reusable diaper costs include diapers, cloth wipes, detergent, and out personal laundry costs, including electricity and water.

Disposable Diaper costs include diapers and wipes. Other products such as diaper pails, trash bags, and diaper creams are not included.

Costs are based on local stores and prices may vary in your area.

The great change occurred at 11:30 am. All of the Mamas (and a few Daddys!) held up their cloth diapers first

and their cloth covered bottoms after!

It was so amazing to see so many cloth diapering parents in my local area! I had no idea there were so many families that used cloth diapers around here. It is hard to describe how excited and emotional I felt at the sight. I may or may not have teared up a little bit, but shh, we don't need to share that information!

As soon as we arrived we discovered that the diapering event was a part of the larger event. So while we were there we joined in on the rest of the fun!

The Mustard Seed Club (I couldn't find a link for them) was giving away patio gardens! Since we live in a small apartment and have only a small patio, this was perfect. I "dug" right in! Now we have chives and basil growing on our patio. 

While we were hanging around the cloth diaper booth, a woman approached me and told me that there was going to be henna belly painting over at the Birth Works tent.

After we saw all of the bottoms get covered in cloth, we found the booth and I was the first to get my belly painted!

Here I am being filmed for the Fox 16 news! You can watch the clip here. 

At first it was a little strange to have my belly exposed in public, but after my Mama told me to "own it," and all of the doulas told me what a beautiful pregnant belly I have, it felt pretty good.

I am so glad that I stepped outside of my comfort zone. It was such a fun experience, and I got to talk to the doulas a little about natural childbirth, my doctor, and my hospital. They were some awesome women.

Now I have a sweet henna tattoo to enjoy while we continue to wait for Logan to make his arrival.

I am so glad my personal photographer was there to take pictures. I was able to enjoy the day and just know that there would be great pictures to remember it by later. Thanks Mama!

37 Weeks!

37 weeks. 

Say it with me... Thirty seven.

Thir-ty sev-en.

That is full term you guys!

He could come at any time, and be considered FULL TERM.

Although, lets not switch from watching the calendar to watching the clock just yet. I am sure we still have weeks to go.

However, I can feel my body getting ready. Every time I stand up something in my pelvis region makes a pop or a crack. I have also been having menstrual like cramps every day for about a week now.

Tums are my new best friend these days. At least I know I'm not calcium deficient! 

It seems as though I don't even have to eat anything to have acid reflux, but it's not too terrible.

As far as energy goes, I am right back to the first trimester. I am TIRED! Naps are a must! Thank goodness I have the time. 


Also, HELLO pregnancy brain! Tonight I tossed a very special-to-me cook book that my mom MADE for me right into the kitchen trash while I was cleaning up. What in the heck!? Thank goodness I noticed!!!

I think I need a baby sitter for the next three weeks. Haha.

Doctor appointment tomorrow.

Also, be sure to check back here tomorrow for a post that I spent more than ten minutes on!

36 Weeks! (and one day)

I am officially 9 months pregnant now! 

It really is strange that pregnancy is so commonly thought of as 9 months, but really it is 10!

Logan is busy, busy growing! He is about 6 pounds now and gaining an ounce a day!

At my doctor appointment on Tuesday we found out that he is definitely head down and that his head is very low. I still haven't dropped though. And I'm ok with that! My due date is still several weeks away!

It would actually be so perfect if Logan was one of the 5% of babies born on their due dates. That way Matt would already have the four days following off from work! (He gets a four day weekend once a month.) So, I'll have to work on that perfect delivery date. ;)

These were both taken yesterday morning while I was getting ready for work.

This was my first outfit choice, but I quickly realized it was a no go!

Take two:

If you want to see better pictures of me that WEREN'T taken with a phone, you can go here or here.

Last night I felt like I was having constant Braxton Hicks! It was crazy how they just didn't stop! I am still having them today, but nothing like last night. Our bodies are so amazing! Mine is gearing up for labor, and knows just how to do it! (I feel like I am exclamation point crazy today! But it's just so exciting!!! Haha.)

Last week I mentioned that we had everything except two items. We now have those items also! We have also completed our cloth diaper stash! I plan on doing a post on it as soon as I have the few diapers I left in Texas when we were visiting family. I tested a couple out on my 6 month old niece. It was so wonderful to actually see them in action on a real live baby!

His nursery is still somewhat chaotic, but it is slowly coming together. As soon as everything has a place and I get his bedding washed and made I will be posting a nursery tour also.

Next week I will probably pack our hospital bags and share what we packed here as well.

Tomorrow is my last day of work, so I will soon have plenty of time to get things done. I have several craft projects in mind as well. Hopefully with all of my extra time I will actually post more here before I have a baby and no more free time!

35 Weeks!

Today's magic number is 35! 

35 weeks have gone by and 35 days are left!

I decided to be candid today and take my belly picture in my dog shaving clothes. 

I thought it was really funny at the time, as you can see. Haha. 

The pregnancy brain has kicked in 100%. Last night I bought a baby shower gift for a friend. I meant to send a picture of said gift to a mutual friend, but instead I sent it to her! I couldn't believe I did that!

Today I planned on going to Walgreen's to take Matt his lunch, and buy two items. Prenatal vitamins... and something else.

I ended up buying prenatal vitamins and a clearanced package of jelly beans.

I don't think those were the other thing... but they were a great source of vitamin C!

Today I did Logan's first load of laundry! It was the most fun load of laundry I have ever done!

Now it is all folded and put away in his drawers. I can't wait to have a little body to put in all of these clothes!

WooHoo! Baby time is getting close!

33 Weeks!

The weeks fly by so fast that I feel like I don't have much to say on these posts!

Last night I had an emotional hormonal moment. I had been in a weird mood over the evening, and as I was standing in the bathroom about to take a shower before bed I just started crying. I leaned against the door facing and cried for a little bit. Then Matt came into the room, and he held me while I just let it all out. He asked me what was wrong, and I tried my hardest to come up with an answer, but there simply wasn't one. There wasn't anything wrong, really. My hormones have just been getting crazier as we near the end of this pregnancy journey. 


After I got my tears out, I stood in the shower feeling sorry for myself for no particular reason. Who knows what my issue was, but I am sure I needed a good cry. This morning my mood was back to normal, and I went about my day as usual. So, no one start worrying about me, I am still doing great!

As far as symptoms go, everything is still the same from last week's post. Nothing new or unusual. I did forget to come back and update how much I had gained from my last dr. appointment. Three pounds! I was so excited/proud of myself. However, I feel like I have gain three more since! 
My dr. told me then to keep the rest of my gain to under 10 pounds. I have kind of been stressing about that since the appointment. As of last Thursday I had gained 25 pounds total. And while I reeeallly don't want to gain 35 pounds (!!!!) and weigh XXX pounds (!!!!) I also don't want to be stressing about gaining weight if that is what my baby needs. So, I am going to continue to eat healthy and stay active and whatever I gain, I will gain. There is no need to stress about it or try to "diet" while I am growing a baby! He may be 10 pounds when he gets here, and have needed me to gain that weight! 
I mean, I suppose the dr. knows what he is talking about... but whenever he talks about gaining too much weight he says things like "that will be the part that will be hard to get off." So, really it is about me not being a fatty afterward... I have really digressed here.... I hope you know what I am trying to say. Let me know your opinions in the comments. 


Sorry for this whacky week update! It is more of an emotional update than a physical one. But rest assured, little Logan and I are still doing great! :-)

32 Weeks!

Another week has come and gone! I am now 32 weeks pregnant! 

I had another shower on Sunday! It was a "Cutie" theme. You know, those adorable little oranges?

For some reason the pictures in my collage decided to go all grainy on me. Grr. (you can click on them and see a non-grainy version, weird)

It was so wonderful to see friends that I don't get to see very often. Thank you to all who came! And especially to Ashley for throwing the shower!

In last weeks post I bragged about how great I have been feeling. Only a few hours after posting that I started having some acid reflux! I have had it and heartburn a few times this week, but nothing too severe. I think Logan is just starting to squish all of my organs in there!

Speaking of Logan, he is almost 17 inches long and getting close to 4 pounds! He will be in the process of gaining half of his birth weight over the next several weeks. Keep growing, little man!

The coolest thing happened this week! I saw online that at this stage it is possible to hear the baby's heartbeat from outside my belly. I told Matt about this, and, with his ear pressed to my belly, he heard Logan's heartbeat! We compared what he was hearing with my pulse, and decided that it was definitely Logan and not me. How cool is that!?

There are so many fun quirks to pregnancy. I have noticed lately that a new fun one for me is that my armpits are extra pigmented. Haha, so, if I wear anything sleeveless I am flashing my dark armpits around. So glamorous! Sorry, no pics. ;)

My new place to sit has recently become the floor in front of the couch. Something about the way the cushions on the couch give really hurts my back. The only issue with sitting on the floor is... you guessed it, getting UP from the floor! The best way to do this is to roll to my hands and knees, then up to my knees, then stand from there. While I was going through my stand-up process last night I started thinking about pregnancy in a broad sense. No one can teach you to be pregnant. It is something you learn along the way. But doesn't it seem as though every woman is an expert on her own pregnancy by the end, and really at each stage? Just an interesting thought I had.

I have a Dr. appointment tomorrow. Can't wait to see what he says about my weight gain! I think it has been an appropriate amount. I think I have gained around 4 pounds since the last visit, but I don't 100% trust my scales. 

Hopefully I will pop in tomorrow to let you know what he says!

Ta-ta!

31 Weeks!

The new story this week is Braxton Hicks! My belly gets super hard and tight any time I bend over or have any type of strain. Getting up off the couch, picking something up off the floor, bending over to get clothes out of the washing machine, putting on shoes, you name it! They don't hurt at all, they are just a reminder that my body is getting ready for something important! 

Other than the BH, and the usual foot and back pain, I am still feeling great! I have decided that I really love being pregnant. I realized yesterday that I feel healthier now than I did before I was pregnant. (as long as you don't count things like getting up out of the floor, etc. haha.)

Can you tell I washed the mirror before this? ^^^

Logan is getting stronger every day! His kicks, jabs and rolls cannot be missed these days! It seems as though he is moving all of the time. I felt definite hiccups for the first time last night. They lasted a long time, too! He is over 16 inches long now and weighs about 3.3 pounds. Over the next few weeks he is really going to start plumping up to prepare for the big outside world!

Matt and I had a discussion last night about how we are getting anxious to see what he looks like. Matt says that most newborns look like old men. Which I can see, but I think he has no idea about what is coming. I cannot wait to see him hold Logan. Maybe I have no idea of the emotions that are coming either. But I am ready for them. 

After this weekend Logan's room is about 99% ready for him. There are only a few things that we really need (changing pad, breast pump, ??). Technically we don't need a changing pad, but for some reason not having one yet is bothering me. Weird. I also have a couple more decorating projects that I want to finish. After that we will be down to washing clothes, sheets, and making the bed! We aren't really that ready? Are we!? Wow! 

In regards to last week's post, I was informed that it came across rather angry. I did not mean for it to be that way! I will admit, it became a bit rant-ish. However, no one has made me mad recently. My main point was supposed to be, "These are things that I am passionate about, even if I do not discuss them very often or openly." I just got stuck on the "why I don't discuss them" part a little too long. :-/ My bad. 

30 Weeks!

I can't believe I am actually in the 30s! What a milestone. 10 weeks to go! (or you know, 7 or 11 or 12...)

Yesterday I talked to my boss about shortening my hours at work. I made it clear that I am by no means ready to quit working, but by the last hour or two of my shifts my feet and back are letting me know they are not happy! My heels are in such sad shape. I see a pedicure somewhere in my future. Probably the best pedicure EVER! I finally managed to remove the sad, chipped red polish from my toes a few weeks ago, but they have been bare ever since. Luckily it is winter (almost spring! yee!) and no one really sees my toes. 

I decided to switch it up and face the opposite direction for my belly pic this week. I really don't feel like my belly has changed in size any from last week. 

I have found that I have not been very outspoken about a lot of my opinions during this pregnancy. Mostly, because I do not want to/feel the need to defend my decisions. Or I don't feel like listening to their (insert inappropriate adjective here) comments. 

Despite that, I am very dedicated to my decisions. Fortunately I have a strong support system (husband, mom, sister, etc) that stands behind me. 

I am very committed to breastfeeding.

I am very committed to cloth diapering.

and I am very dedicated to attempting a natural birth. 

None of these are anything radical, but people do have their comments, and they do not feel compelled to hold them in! I will not be swayed by any naysayers. I do not wish to hear your opinions about why my decisions are bad/wrong/too hard/not going to last/or any other negative thing. Those are your opinions, and they have nothing to do with mine. 

I didn't mean for this to turn into a rant about what others may say. I simply wanted to convey how committed I am to my decisions. I know none of the three I listed will be easy, but I do have reasons for choosing them. I feel confident in my ability to carry out each one of them. 

Now, as far as a natural birth is concerned. I know that at times there are circumstances that make a natural birth impossible. If any of those things should occur during my labor we will most certainly make the decision that is best for our baby. My support team is of the utmost importance when it comes to my birth plan. I have had many conversations with each of them. I have also been doing tons and tons of research. Call me crazy if you will, but I am actually looking forward to the labor and birth process. (yes, i know it hurts) (here i go defending myself again!)

Ok, I have rambled/ranted long enough! I am going to leave you with a short clip of some belly movement! The first 10 seconds are the best. Enjoy!

28 Weeks

28 weeks... 12 to go.

I had a doctor appointment to day. All is going well. My Dr. says that my overall weight gain is good, but apparently I made too big of a jump from my last visit to this one. He told me that I have to cut out all sugar and salt. Then he told me that he knows that this is impossible, but to try. Overall I have gained 22 pounds. 10 of them in the last four weeks. :-/

He also told us that he thinks Logan will be a long baby, around 21 inches. 

Not much else new to report. I am hoping to post a nursery update soon. So, stick around for that.

27 Weeks

The weeks certainly are flying by! I forgot to take belly pics earlier, so I decided to go ahead and snap some in my jammies!

Any bigger than last week? I can't decide! I guess I probably am. 

The back pain is still the biggest thing these days. I have had back issues since middle school, so it makes sense that 15-20 pounds heaver with loose ligaments that I would be hurting. Even the recliner isn't working for me anymore. BUT the best news of the week is that I have an appointment at the chiropractor on Friday! I am very excited. This dr. specializes in prenatal chiropractics. I have read a lot about the many benefits of seeing a chiropractor during your pregnancy. I think this will be a great thing!

We also signed up for a childbirth class at our hospital! It is an all day thing on St. Patrick's Day. (Thank goodness I have a green maternity shirt. ;) ) I am so excited about this class. I cannot wait to see what all we learn. Matt is wondering what they will find to talk about in eight hours. Haha, I think there is a lot more involved in labor and delivery than he realizes. It is almost time for him to read the labor chapter in What to Expect. My coach needs to be informed, right!?

Hehe, belly!


Tomorrow is the first day of my THIRD trimester! And three months until my due date!

Not much else new has happened this week. I am STILL trying to finish painting the dresser for Logan's room. It needs one more coat and the seal. It keeps raining on my days off! Here's hoping for a sunny Friday, even though the forecast says rain. I am so ready to get it inside and fill the drawers with his baby clothes!

26 Weeks!

I have done a terrible job at taking and posting regular belly pics. Luckily I had a few saved on my phone. Hopefully over the next 14 weeks I will be able to remember to take and post weekly belly pics and general pregnancy updates. 

I won't try to recap my entire pregnancy, so I will just jump in with this week. My newest symptom is back pain. I have found the best place to sit in our apartment is in the recliner. It supports me better than the couch or bed. I would not be surprised if I ended up sleeping there towards the end. The past few nights have been fitful sleep. Sleep a little, rearrange. Sleep a little, rearrange. Get up and potty. Repeat. 

As far as heartburn goes, I hadn't had any until I told my sister-in-law (who is also pregnant and is struggling with heartburn) that I hadn't had any. Then, of course, I woke up that very night with it! Haha, oh the irony. I was awake for two hours debating whether the jalapenos in my frito pie were worth it or not. (they probably were, yum!) Since then I have only had mild heartburn a time or two. KNOCK ON WOOD! Here's hoping it stays that way. 

I had my glucose test last week. It wasn't too bad. We haven't heard back from that, so I am going to assume no news = good news.

Even though all pregnancy "symptoms" are really complaints, I am absolutely loving being pregnant. All of the symptoms/complaints are 100% worth it. Feeling a sweet little baby bumping around inside of me is such an amazing feeling. I am enjoying feeling him get stronger and stronger as the days go by. 

And now, some belly pictures!

(^^^today^^^)

Lately I have been thinking about labor, a LOT! It is a pretty large event looming in my future! I have read all of the labor and delivery chapters in my two pregnancy books. I think I may go to the library and check out another book to read. It really is one of those things that you really don't know what it will be like until you have experienced it. I am nervous and excited all at the same time. 

I am sure at some point in time I will blog about something besides pregnancy and baby stuff. But probably not for a while! That is what is consuming my life and this blog is about my life. So settle in for the long haul or skedaddle! 

14 weeks to go!

Week 13 of My First Pregnancy

I figured it was high time I post some belly pictures on the blog. People keep asking me if I am showing yet, and my answer has been no. But after taking, and especially editing, these pictures, by golly, I think I am showing! Maybe not really to a stranger, but definitely to someone who knows me!

What luck that I wore the exact same color for these pictures. Oops! I suppose it is a good fall color. The 12 week picture was taken in the afternoon, and the 13 week picture was taken tonight. I need to try to remember to take a belly picture in the morning hours, because I do get bigger as the day goes by.

Tonight we did a little maternity shopping. I got a belly band that everyone seems to be talking about.

This is the belly band over a pair of my regular jeans that I have been using a pony tail holder to keep closed. The belly band works much better! I don't have to worry about them coming undone, and it hides the bumps of the unfastened jeans.

Same, but from the front.

I also got a pair of maternity jeans! I love them!

One of the best side effects of pregnancy so far is thicker, stronger hair!

Here is an awkward picture of my back as proof.

Some of my other side effects are stuffy nose, headaches, and nausea. The nausea is finally starting to subside. I just have to remember to eat more often. The hair on my legs seems to be growing crazy fast! It is also nice and hairy around my belly button. I am tempted to shave or pluck, but I am controlling myself. I know it will go away after the baby comes, and shaving or plucking would just make it worse. 

I have been sitting here trying to think of my other pregnancy symptoms and I am coming up blank. Which reminded me, pregnancy brain. It is real and I have it. 

Think my face is "filling out" any?

p.s. when I asked Matt what I was forgetting he said "irritability." Thanks babe...