Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Week 24- Baby Boy Ear of Corn


How your baby's growing: Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.
How your life's changing: In the past few weeks, the top of your uterus has risen above your belly button and is now about the size of a soccer ball.Most women have a glucose screening test (also called a glucose challenge test or GCT) between now and 28 weeks (Mine is October 21). This test checks for gestational diabetes, a pregnancy-related high-blood-sugar condition. Untreated diabetes increases your risk of having a difficult vaginal delivery or needing a cesarean section because it causes your baby to grow too large, especially in his upper body. It also raises your baby's odds for other complications like low blood sugar right after birth. A positive result on your GCT doesn't mean you have gestational diabetes, but it does mean that you'll need to take the glucose tolerance test (GTT) to find out for sure.
Baby: Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you. He is now about the size of an ear of corn; measuring 12 inches long and weighing a little over 1 pound. In the coming weeks, your baby will continue to grow and mature a fast rate, gaining about 6 ounces of weight a week.
His brain is growing rapidly and his taste buds are developing. He is pretty lean at 24 weeks, but he'll soon be putting on some "baby fat" to fill out his frame and his wrinkled skin. He has begun to develop white blood cells. These cells are responsible for fighting off disease and infection.
His lungs develop branches this week and his inner ear is completely developed. In fact, he has basic control over all of his senses: hearing, touch, taste, smell and vision!


It's officially month 6!

Pin It!

Sunday, September 27, 2009

sticks and stones

i wish that old saying was true in my life- but it isn't. I don't have nerves of steel. I can't just ignore what people say, or don't say. i can't just let someone be so rude to me, and just pretend it never happened. it hurts me. it's ridiculous, but every stranger who is rude to me, hurts me. you don't know me, i never did anything to you, and you have no right to act this way to me. i'm pregnant which = horomonal and emotional. i don't need to come home from work and cry in my car for 20 minutes b\c some moron that I'm never going to see again yelled at me for something I didn't even do, or refused to even acknowledge my existence as a human being.

how about a little human kindess? Pin It!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Good Buys, Hello!

Unfortunately, Dave & I are not rich. We had planned to be, but it hasn't worked out that way for us yet. Especially since we moved up here 4 months ago, found out we were pregnant a week after we moved up here, have yet to sell or rent our house in Atlanta, and I was unable to find work that was comparable to my fabulous job in Atlanta.

Having a baby is stressful enough, having a baby and paying a mortgage on an empty house 700+ miles away, while living with your in laws in their spare bedroom while the rest of your stuff sits in storage and you're trying to get rid of said empty house so you can move out of in laws house and into new house in 9 months is even more stressful.

Needless to say, we need all the bargains we can get. It started when I read Baby Bargains. I finished this book- all 600 pages in a little over a week, obsessively underlining and earmarking pages of what would be safest and most cost-efficient for Us + Baby. As we registered, I carried the book with me and un-earmarked as husband scanned things in. We discussed what things we felt like we should buy ourselves, what things we could buy used and off we went. We've done pretty good so far.

1. Maternity Clothes- most women can spend upwards of $500-$600 on clothes they will only wear for a few months. I first hit up Goodwill this summer looking for bargains and picked up some cute tops, then husband got me a $50 gift card to Motherhood- which I saved for fall clothes since I knew i'd spend the majority of my pregnancy in freezing temperatures! Then I hit the jackpot- a friend of ours from my parents church had just given birth in May, and she had tons of maternity clothes- would I like them?! OF COURSE! When my parents came to visit in August they lugged w\ them 2 black garbage bags full of summer/fall/winter maternity clothes w\ about 10 pairs of pants. Needless to say, I'm set. I may add a few things in here and there, but I'm pretty much good to go. On top of this, we've spent maybe $100 on our own- Savings of $400-$500!!

2. Glider Rocker- Let me just say those things are expensive. They can run up to $1,200 at PBK! I don't think so. Even a glider rocker at Target or Walmart can run up to $350- I'm sorry, but I'm saving my $350 for a Medela Pump In Style (or so I hope)... I hit up Craig's List to look for a rocker, and I found a pretty sweet deal- $50! Even better- it was in pretty much new condition, and it came with an ottoman. It looks unused! We'll just say I saved $200-$300!

Here's our awesome like-new glider rocker!




3. Amby Baby Motion Bed- My friend Brittany told me about this bed, and then I read about it in the Baby Bargains book. They recommended that it was something you can buy used, so I figured, of course! The Amby Bed is awesome. It's a hanging hammock that's womb-like to help your newborn sleep, plus the positioning also is supposed to help with colic, and reflux. A little side note about how awesome the Amby is supposed to be- it's sold out for the next 20 days on their website. I really wanted this bed for our baby, the cost- packages start at $237. I've been searching on Craig's List for an Amby for a while- Craig's List tip- if you can, wait. Things will go down in price. We had been watching an Amby for a while, and once it went down in price, we sprang on it- made an offer $20 lower, and scored! So Monday night we drove into the city and picked up our Amby for $120!! Savings- $140!
Here's the Amby Bed! Can't wait until we have a house to set it up in!!
(photo removed)
Those are just the beginning of my baby bargains (I hope)!! Pin It!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Week 23- Baby Boy Large Mango (b\c I think we were a mango at least 6 weeks ago)...


How your baby's growing: Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With his sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that he's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see him squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing him for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze him when he hears them outside the womb.

from BabyCenter

Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you. He is now about the size of a mango, measuring 11 inches long and weighing about 1 pound. In the coming weeks, your baby will continue to grow and mature at a fast rate, gaining about 6 ounces of weight a week. By week 23, the blood vessels in his lungs, important for breathing outside the womb, are developing. His lips are becoming more distinct and his eyes continue to develop, though they still lack color. Also, by this week, the bones in his middle ear start to harden. His skin is still wrinkled but the pigments that will give his skin color are currently being deposited.

from PlanningFamily

Good Buys coming later Pin It!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Of course I need new _______, I'm pregnant...

I don't need an excuse to shop, and pregnancy hasn't been any different. Although I have promised my husband I wouldn't buy anymore underwear or bras, and that I wouldn't buy any shoes b\c it's likely my feet would swell (I must have been drugged when I agreed to this)- I never agreed not to buy anything else. Although I must admit- I have been a lucky pregnant woman b\c I received 2 garbage bags stuffed to the brim with maternity clothes- and stylish maternity clothes at that. Liz Lange, Ann Taylor Loft, Duo, Oh, Baby!, and some of my favorites- Gap. Between that treasure trove, a few very picky selections made at Goodwill and some purchases of my own- I'm finishing up summer, and ready to roll right into winter (i can't wait to wear the sweaters that she sent). All I need is a few cute winter dresses, and more than likely a coat- which is sad because I own 7 winter coats, but it does give me an excuse to get the coat I don't have- a grey coat! I think I'm going to have to renege on my promise not to buy shoes though- I just don't think heels are going to work for me in the end of my pregnancy, so of course I need flat boots. Yes, I did just say I don't want to wear heels, but I love the peep toe booties- I first saw a pair I wanted last fall at Forever 21, and I should've snatched them up, because I can't find anything that looks similar to them that is Forever 21-affordable.

Along with coloring my hair, I also bought new makeup and I've been very excited about that. When I was selling mk, I loved the day/night solution and tinted moisturizer, but I have used up my reserves, and I'm done w\ selling mk. Unless I can find another consultant who will give me a consultants discount, I'm done w\ it! So I've been venturing out into the makeup world for a first time in a loooong time. I'm happy to say that I finally broke down and bought a primer, and some new foundation, and so far, I'm impressed. I think I finally have that pregnancy "glow" that everyone talks about! My husband should really just take away any forms of credit or debit cards, cash & checks. Pin It!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

bye bye greys

So the whole routine of glancing at my hair and seeing something shiny glistening from the roots that isn't blonde was getting a little old. From the tiny grey hairs that were only about an inch long, to those that were full-length- they had spread on my scalp like wildfire. I feel like I'm too young to have grey hair anyway- and I had them prior to becoming pregnant, but pregnancy seems to make my scalp a breeding ground for greys. They've probably at least doubled since becoming pregnant. Here I've been waiting for my hair to grow longer, stronger, more luxurious, and it's growing- in grey. I finally reached my breaking point the other night, when I had just spent the previous night pulling out several greys and there were even more! I decided I was going to color my hair. I did all the research and found that it was safe to color, and off I went. It was fairly easy, just stinky! I now appear to be grey-free, and that I can live with! Anything that makes a pregnant woman look/feel better I'm all for! Pin It!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Week 22- Baby Boy Spaghetti Squash



How your baby's growing:At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.




Then you have me at week 22! Pin It!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

on the move!

well, I can no longer say that I haven't felt baby move! baby is moving all over the place now, and I love it! it usually comes and goes, and sometimes only lasts for a few seconds, but it's a very awesome feeling! even more exciting, daddy finally got to get in on the baby moving action last night! i have told him several times that I have felt movement, but when he's placed his hand on my belly, baby has stopped moving! he finally got to share in the movement this morning around 5:30! Dave had gotten up to go to the bathroom, and had left the door open a little wider than he should have. Eleanor was sleeping right up under me, and Mr. Famous was sleeping in his usual spot on the floor wrapped in our comforter. Eleanor must have noticed the door was open a little and she started moving around, in turn Mr. Famous got up, and before I could roll myself over and leap from bed, both dogs darted out the door and down the stairs. I jumped from bed to try to stop them, but was too late. Poor Dave had to chase them downstairs and wrangle them back upstairs. The point of all this is to say that my sudden movements must've woken baby up from a pleasant slumber because he started moving like crazy. We were both laying there just tossing and turning, so when baby started really moving, I told him to put his hand on my belly, and he felt baby move too! It was a wonderful moment to share, regardless of the fact that it was nearly 6 am! Pin It!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Week 21- Baby Boy Carrot


How your baby's growing: Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like he's practicing martial arts as his initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to his activity as you get to know him better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now.

from BabyCenter

Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you. He now measures 7 inches long and can weigh up to 10 ounces. In the coming weeks, your baby will continue to grow and mature at a fast rate. The hair on his scalp is more visible and by week 21 he has probably developed eyelashes and eyebrows! He is waking and sleeping in regular intervals, which you might be able to tell from his movements. He is also swallowing amniotic fluid to help his digestive system mature for life in the "outside world". His intestines also start slowly relaxing and contracting this week. Notice any small, repetitive movements in your abdomen? Those might be his first case of the hiccups! Usually, these movements occur for a few minutes at a time. As your baby grows larger, these movements will feel stronger. And remember, all babies are different, some hiccup multiple times a day, and others, only once in awhile.

from PlanningFamily


We are actually a little farther behind than this I'm thinking. At my appointment I was measuring at about 19 weeks which could be the reason I had yet to feel any movements. I did however feel my first "kicks" on Wednesday or Thursday, but any movements since have been sporatic. I'm still having some cravings, but any adversions are pretty much gone. Still craving the same stuff- foods with tomato-based sauces- pizza, pasta, etc. I told Dave I should've known I was having a boy with all the pizza I had been eating, and with all I had been eating in general!

Last week was a very emotional week for me. We had our anniversary Tuesday and we found out the sex on Wednesday. The rest of the week didn't go very well for me. I was very emotional and spent a lot of time crying. I told Dave I felt we didn't have anything left to look forward to - no trips planned, no more baby milestones (until birth, of course), no big holidays. The weekend came though, and my horomones seemed to even out- all seems back to normal for now. Pin It!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

It's a BOY!

My 20 week ultrasound appointment was yesterday, and as confirmed 100% by the ultrasound tech. we have a boy! This should bring much relief to all McFadden's as Dave is the only male McFadden under 30, so now there is a new heir. I would put photos up, but my scanner refuses to work. We'll have to see what I can do to remedy that.

Can I admit I wasn't thrilled for about 10 minutes? Ok, I wasn't thrilled for about 10 minutes. I had my heart set on a girl, I was sure it was a girl. People said I had a " girl belly", the heartbeat was super fast @ all my appointments- which usually means girl. I just wanted a girl. I figured I would be right. I thought for sure when I looked at the initial picture that it was a girl, and then "IT" showed up in the picture, and it was not hiding. 100% Boy is what the tech labeled the picture. I have to admit, I felt sad, and then when the tech left the room to get the Dr. I broke down...

Me: "but i wanted it to be a girl, I don't want a boy"
Dave: "Mel, you said you weren't going to do this"
Me: "I know, but I really thought it was going to be a girl"
Dave: "it's our baby, it's going to be great no matter what"
Me: "i feel like such a jerk and an idiot, don't tell anyone I was so upset" (slaps my own face as to "slap me out of it")
Dave: "everything's going to be fine, we can have all the girls you want after this"
Me: "but you're the only boy in your family, we're destined to have a girl first"
Dave: "no, my grandparents had 3 boys & a girl, my uncle had 4 girls, and my dad had 3 girls and a boy, it probably skips a generation"
Me: "I'm going to be just like my grandmother and have 4 boys"
Dave: "no, you're not"
Me: "it's all because I bought that shirt at Old Navy Monday"
Dave: "you bought that shirt?! i told you to wait"
Me: "but it was so cute, and they were almost all gone
Dave: "oh, Mel"
Me: "really, I'm happy, we have a perfectly healthy little boy"

So I got on the phone yesterday and called a billion people- doubled our used phone minutes (thankfully we have plenty) and the more I talked to people and told them, the more I was absolutely thrilled! By 2pm, I was in full baby mode! I tried to pick out bedding, we talked a little about names- very exciting stuff. We still have a ways to go, but it just seems so much more real now! We couldn't be any happier! It definitely makes me less patient b\c I'm ready for January to be here now, but I'm going to try to savor my last 4 months and make the most of every day until our little boy makes his arrival! Pin It!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

week 20- baby banana, b-a-n-a-n-a-s

You're at the halfway mark - congratulations! Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (The way your baby is measured changes now.) He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also now producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (although some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

How your life's changing: Congratulations! You've hit the halfway mark in your pregnancy. The top of your uterus is about level with your belly button, and you've likely gained around 10 pounds (I HAVE)! Expect to gain another pound or so each week from now on. (If you started your pregnancy underweight, you may need to gain a bit more; if you were overweight, perhaps a bit less.)

Babycenter.com

20 Weeks- Half way! Wow!!

And tomorrow, we find out the flavor of baby!! Pin It!

Happy Anniversary/Week 20!

More on week 20 to come later...

It's our 2nd anniversary! The cotton anniversary! I can't believe Dave & I have been married for 2 years already, although we have been together for at least forever. Sometimes I think of this baby, and are we ready for it?! That may be a ridiculous question to ask now, but I'm hoping everyone who is having their first child feels this way! Dave & I have been together 7+ years, and out of all that time, we have only lived in the same vicinity as each other for just 2 of those years. My time with him is very valuable. I guess a good way to put it, as a friend put things once, is that I'm very jealous of my time with him. Am I willing to share my time with my husband with our baby. I know the answer is yes, but it's hard to imagine how life will change- it won't be so easy to just "get away" to the beach, the store, anywhere! Watching movies or tv may be a thing of the past- just getting a conversation in may be hard to begin with. Now I'm probably over-dramatizing things just a bit, but it's still something I think of. By our next anniversary, the baby will be almost 9 months old, and that does make things a little easier. Like I said, I think I'm making this out to be harder than it really will be. We're so excited, and we're so blessed, and we're so ready for our lives to change for the better! It's funny b\c we are very lucky- it didn't take us very long to get pregnant. We started talking about it at the end of 2008. I was tired of taking the pill, so I stopped taking it, and then we waited a couple months before we actually started trying. I used an online "ovulation calendar/predictor" although I didn't know how accurate they were and we just went by that. I had my annual appointment w\ my midwife on May 8th, the day before we moved, and I had told her I wasn't sure things were working out, but little did I know I was already pregnant!

This 2nd year of marriage has held many ups and downs for us, and i will hold onto all of them and remember our joys and struggles and look forward to all the joy that is sure to come with this 3rd year of marriage! Although everything may not be exactly the way I had planned it to be, I can positively say that the best is yet to come! Pin It!