22 months

it's so hard to believe that ian will be 2 in just 2 short months.  every month is a cause for celebration, and he just becomes more of a joy every day (tantrums and all). 

there haven't been a lot of changes from last month other than adding new words to his vocabulary every day.  he's always saying something that you didn't know he could say (pepperoni, coffee) and picking up new words that he hears you say.  his big phrase this past month has been "you're silly."  he loves to say it to you and then just bust into laughter. 

with more words, comes more memorization.  he's really into singing songs.  it isn't shocking to be riding in the car and hear him singing along to mumford & sons or even rhianna.  i guess you only need to hear something once or twice before you really know it. 

he's really playing with all his toys now.  riding on his ride along toys, playing with blocks, and his new favorite- cars.  he loves carrying his cars everywhere he goes. 

we moved, and he has taken to our house quite well.  the first week or so was a little trying, but he's all settled in now.  he actually has room to run around and play and can just run up & down the halls and do as he pleases- now if we could unpack those last few boxes and keep him out of those!  since we're in a room that's on the same level as everything in the house, we've started room time.  it's an hour of the day where i put ian in his room with music, a small snack and a drink and a few toys and he plays on his own.  it's perfect for me to get work done, and it helps him to play on his own.  it was a struggle at first- in the beginning we couldn't even get through 10 minutes b\c he wailed the whole time, but now he really enjoys himself and i get a few things done without worrying about him being right underneath me so we can spend the rest of the day together. 

i'm still looking into a 1 day a week program- i may have found something- but it's not close to here and would be out of my way for going to my office.  there is actually a church very close to our house that offers a program, but ian misses the cut off date for being 3 by 5 days.  :(

he's definitely grown this month- we had to pack the 6-12 month pj's away, and we've even had to pack away a couple pairs of the 12 month pants.  i did go through his clothes from last winter though and i pulled his 12 month stuff all back out- we'll see what he can still wear as time goes on!

11 months

ian turned 11 months old on december 20. wow.  just one more month, and i won't have a baby anymore- i'll have a toddler. 

ian still hasn't gotten any new teeth- but it looks like he is working on at least 4 on the top.  all the signs are there- diaper rash, insane amounts of drool..  just waiting on the teeth. 

this has been a big month for ian as far as milestones!  ian did show us that he can crawl on his hands and knees- but still army crawls 99.9% of the time.  a few weeks ago i went to get him up from a nap and he was kneeling in his crib- so we lowered the mattress.  2 days after that, i went in and found him standing in his crib, so we lowered the mattress all the way.  now he's constantly standing in the crib, pulling up on furniture, will take "steps" if you're holding his hand, and tries to pull himself off the ground once on his feet.  i can't believe all this has happened in a just a few short weeks.  i know that cruising and standing and walking are right around the corner!  of course, this has brought lots of falls- poor kid seems to have bruises all the time now..

ian is still eating well, and eating more and more table foods.  we're moving towards more independent eating!  he is down to nursing only 3 times a day, has 1 bottle a day, and 3 meals a day.  we've introduced only a few more fruits and veggies- as there aren't many left (most of the ones that are have to wait until after he is 1 year).  i think the only thing we've introduced since is cantaloupe.  while we were at my mom & dad's we did jarred baby food for convenience, but he really didn't seem to care for a lot of it- i can't blame him- i tasted some of it - blech!  

we celebrated thanksgiving w\ dave's family the weekend before thanksgiving since dave's sister was going to be having a baby the week of thanksgiving.  then we headed to ft. wayne to have thanksgiving w\ dave's grandmother.  it was nice b\c we got to see a lot of dave's cousins.  i also did my first black friday- ian had no clue i was even gone! 

ian has gotten better about clapping- he just claps at random intervals and anytime you say "yay" plus he has started waving and saying "bye" and blowing kisses.  he also is now saying "uh oh" if he drops something (and he is dropping things all the time- mostly on purpose)...  he is changing so much- i just can't believe he'll be a year old!  ::sigh::

6 months

i cannot believe it has been half a year since my life was completely flipped upside-down and changed- all for the better.  6 months of just absolute heaven.  waking up every day to see my sweet baby's face.  being so frustrated sometimes with motherhood- yet longing to be near him.  it's also been 7 months since i've had a pedicure.  seriously.

not much has changed from last month it seems.  ian is a "whopping" 14 lbs, 11 oz.  which puts him in the measly 10th percentile in weight.  he's 26 1\2" or 2'2", which puts him in the 50th percentile in height.

he's still grabbing everything in sight, with his favorites still being cell phones and remotes (we bought him a baby cell phone), and his new favorites being the computer and my glasses, hair or earrings.

he shows no interest whatsoever in sitting up.  he would rather just lay on his belly and "skydive."  i seriously think he'll crawl first.  we'll see.

we took another trip to atlanta.  let's just say i hope to fly next time because 15 hours in the car w\ baby & husband- while they are 2 of my favorite people- is just not all that fun.  plus, we might as well fly while he's free...

ian is jabbering like crazy still, but no words yet.  dave and i say "mama" to him every day, and he can make the "maaa" sound back.  it's really cute though, when you say "mama" to him, he just gets the biggest smile on his face.

remember when i said @ 5 months we had started teething.  we are still waiting for the aforementioned tooth to come in.  and my child has built a resistance to all things related to pain relief.  i want the tooth to come in for relief purposes, but i will miss that gummy smile.

ian started eating solids this week.  not much to report.  he isn't really thrilled by them.  i'm guessing this is the norm when starting with food?  he just looks really confused when you try to feed him.

we are in a wonder week.  everyone says this is probably the worst one.  i think i'm past the point where i wallow in my bed all day crying in my pj's because my baby cries all day.  because if i wasn't- that's how i would've spent this week.  naps have gone to hell, and to get from bedtime to actually being asleep can take 2 hours. 

everyone really just wants to see pictures, right?  let's do some comparing.

wow.  i can't believe he's gotten so big/was ever that tiny!

6 months!

week 15

here are the haps from week 14-15 (april 28-may 5).

call me crazy!  we took another trip (do we ever stop?).  ian and i packed up and went with grammie and aunt skippy to ft. wayne, indiana- home of great gma king and the vera bradley outlet sale. my poor son.  we woke very early to make it to the sale by the 8 am opening.  last year we arrived at 8 and walked right in.  this time we arrived at 8 and had to stand in line for an hour and a half just to get in.  and it was cold.  and i dressed my son in a shorts jumper with no shoes.  awesome.  luckily we had blankets so we bundled him up and he fell asleep until we got inside.  can i just say that it's more difficult to purse shop pushing a stroller and carrying a baby on your body while carrying a plastic garbage bag full of purses...  i also wasn't as impressed with this years' wares. and all the idiots who arrived at 4am to stand in line took the good stuff x5.  they really need to lower the $2500 limit because those people are just reselling that stuff.  if you don't believe me- go check ebay right now.  but ian did really well.  he didn't fuss once!  i did pretty well too, until we were on our way out the door and some old bag looked me right in the face and said, "poor baby."  really lady?  have you not seen the other 800 babies/children in this arena. 

we went back the next morning as well, but ian stayed home with his great grammie and uncle nick.  it wasn't as bad except that women were clawing at each other to get large duffel bags.  that's when we decided those b's were crazy and called it a sale.  i did at least come away with a new diaper bag!  btw, this year's sale had 63,000 compared to last year's 60,000.  ridic.

so we spent the rest of the weekend with family.  all the cousins were over for dinner friday night.  we got to see ian's newborn pictures as well, and they're really good (i'll share later).  we decided to keep ian on central time in order to prevent any confusion (and 6 am wake ups) when we got back home.  it worked!

back at home we've had a lazy week- just catching up on sleep.  ian seems to be getting bigger, and i seem to be getting smaller!  my hair is also falling out like crazy now.  i may be bald by the end of the summer!  oh, hormones.  thank you for returning to your regularly scheduled programming.

what's new this week- grasping.  ian has already been grabbing and holding our hands (and anything else) for quite some time, but now he's grasping with a purpose.  this week he grabbed his ducky toy, held onto it for a while, and was actually able to pull it and make it vibrate without our help!!  he's also drooling more than usual and trying to put everything into his mouth!  i feel teeth are just around the corner!  as i previously mentioned our crib was just recalled so we are trying to reassess the moving ian to his own room situation... and we were so close.

well, it looks like we have another exciting week ahead of us!  mother's day is sunday, and husband's birthday is monday!

so sleepy

and fast asleep

Week 40- Baby Boy Small Pumpkin

How your baby's growing:
It's hard to say for sure how big your baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long. His skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason your baby's noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary

How your life's changing:
After months of anticipation, your due date rolls around, and... you're still pregnant. It's a frustrating, but common, situation in which to find yourself. You may not be as late as you think, especially if you're relying solely on a due date calculated from the day of your last period because sometimes women ovulate later than expected. Even with reliable dating, some women have prolonged pregnancies for no apparent reason.

You still have a couple of weeks before you'll be considered "post-term." But to be sure your baby is still thriving, your practitioner will schedule you for testing to keep an eye on her if your pregnancy continues.

You may have a biophysical profile (BPP), which consists of an ultrasound to look at your baby's overall movements, breathing movements (movement of her chest muscles and diaphragm), and muscle tone (whether she opens and closes her hand or extends and then flexes her limbs), as well as the amount of amniotic fluid that surrounds her (important because it's a reflection of how well the placenta is supporting your baby).

Fetal heart rate monitoring (called a nonstress test or NST) will generally be done as well — by itself or as part of the BPP. Or, you may have what's known as a modified BPP, which consists of an NST and an ultrasound to assess the amount of amniotic fluid.

If the fetal testing isn't reassuring — the amniotic fluid level is too low, for example — you'll be induced. If there's a serious, urgent problem, you may have an immediate c-section.

Your practitioner will also check your cervix to see if it's "ripening." Its position, how soft it is, how effaced (thinned out) it is, and how dilated (open) it is can all affect when and how your labor is induced. If you don't go into labor on your own, you'll be induced, usually sometime between 41 and 42 weeks.


from BabyCenter

Baby: Congratulations! You've reached what will most likely be the final week in your pregnancy (if you haven't delivered already!) Your baby has probably reached his birth weight by this week in your pregnancy. Most babies weigh somewhere between 6-8 pounds when they are born. Boys are usually longer and heavier than girls.

Not much has changed from last week, all his internal organs are ready to support him in the outside world, he's developed healthy amounts of baby fat over the past week and his immune system is developing and will continue to develop after he is born.

Mom: How are you feeling? It's almost time to meet your little one. Your bags are probably packed and are ready to go, the nursery is all set, you have the car seat installed and your baby's first outfit is selected. You've been patient for nine whole months and the time is almost here!

When you finally do go into labor, it's important to stay calm. Usually, there is no need to rush to the hospital. For most women, labor typically lasts around 13 hours. So take some extra time to make sure you have everything you need and drive safely. You may even prefer to stay in your own home while your contractions are still far apart. When you first contact your healthcare provider, he or she should be able to tell you when it's the appropriate time for you to head to the hospital.

Labor – Labor is typically broken down into three stages and begins when you start to have regular contractions and ends when you pass the placenta.

First Stage – When the contractions start to pick up you are in the active phase of the first stage labor. Between this active phase and the next phase, known as Transition, you will want to get to the hospital or place where you plan to give birth. During the transition phase, your contractions will start occurring closer together.

Second Stage – This is the stage where you give birth to your baby! Your contractions will occur closer together and will feel stronger. You will either feel the need to push, or if you have received medication for pain, you may not, and will be directed on what to do. You will reach the end of the second stage when you have delivered your baby!

Third Stage – Anywhere up to an hour after giving birth, you will be told to give another push in order to get the placenta out. However, you will probably be preoccupied by the new baby in your arms!

from: PlanningFamily

Week 39- Baby Boy Mini Watermelon

How your baby's growing: Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

How your life's changing: At each of your now-weekly visits, your caregiver will do an abdominal exam to check your baby's growth and position. She might also do an internal exam to see whether your cervix has started ripening: softening, effacing (thinning out), and dilating (opening). But even armed with this information, there's still no way for your caregiver to predict exactly when your baby is coming. If you go past your due date, your caregiver will schedule you for fetal testing (usually a sonogram) after 40 weeks to ensure that it's safe to continue the pregnancy. If you don't go into labor on your own, most practitioners will induce labor when you're between one and two weeks overdue — or sooner if there's an indication that the risk of waiting is greater than the risks of delivering your baby without further delay.While you're waiting, it's important to continue to pay attention to your baby's movements and let your caregiver know right away if they seem to decrease. Your baby should remain active right up to delivery, and a noticeable slowdown in activity could be a sign of a problem. Also call if you think your water may have broken. Membranes rupture before the beginning of labor in about 8 percent of term pregnancies. Sometimes there's a big gush of fluid, but sometimes there's only a small gush or a slow leak. (Don't try to make the diagnosis yourself. Call even if you only suspect you have a leak.) If you rupture your membranes and don't start contractions on your own, you'll be induced.

from BabyCenter

Baby: Congratulations! You've reached the final weeks in your pregnancy (if you haven't delivered already!) (I haven't, thanks for reminding me). Your baby has probably reached his birth weight by now. Most babies weigh somewhere between 6-8 pounds when they are born. Boys are usually longer and heavier than girls. Not much has changed from last week, all his internal organs are ready to support him in the outside world, he's developed healthy amounts of baby fat over the past week, his immune system is developing and will continue to develop after he is born.

Mom
How are you feeling? It's almost time for delivery! You may have been preparing for delivery for months now, but do you know about the changes that will take place in your body after delivery?

The Baby Blues – This is the happiest time of your life, right? This is what you've been waiting for...so why do you feel so sad? You may have heard people mention, "The Baby Blues" which refers to a state of heightened emotion after you give birth in which you may cry more easily than is usual for you or you may have trouble sleeping, you may feel irritable, sad or on edge. More than 80% of women report feeling blue immediately after birth so, if you feel this way, you aren't alone and you're not a bad person, a weak person, a bad mother or any other negative thing you could possibly tell yourself.

from PlanningFamily

We're back in the melon aisle, I see. It's crazy how baby has grown. All the way from a blueberry at our very first appointment to a 7 lb mini watermelon! WOW! Tomorrow is our 39 week appointment, and we will be meeting the midwife at our practice for the first time. As I've nervously said before, Dr. Uma is off taking her board exam this week. I'm guessing nothing has changed b\c I really don't feel any different, but we'll see for sure tomorrow. We're also working on getting our belly pictures scheduled. Should be able to do them sometime this week. Nothing like waiting until the last minute. At least we're packed, have our carseat in place (although we're still trying to get it checked) and have baby's room set up.

I'll let you know how tomorrow goes!!

Week 38- Baby Boy Leek

How your baby's growing: Your baby has really plumped up. He weighs about 6.8 pounds and he's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). He has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold his hand for the first time! His organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb. Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If he's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If he's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time he's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after he's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

How your life's changing: For many women, the next couple of weeks are a waiting game. Use this time to prepare your baby's nursery or to take care of necessary tasks you may not get around to for a while after your baby's born. Take naps, catch up on your reading, and spend uninterrupted time with your partner while you can. Some swelling in your feet and ankles is normal during these last weeks, but call your practitioner without delay if you notice excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, any swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, or have a sudden weight gain. Also let her know immediately if have severe or persistent headaches; visual changes (such as double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, light sensitivity, or a temporary loss of vision), intense upper abdominal pain or tenderness, or nausea and vomiting. These are symptoms of a serious condition called preeclampsia.

from BabyCenter

Baby: Congratulations! You've reached the final weeks in your pregnancy (if you haven't delivered already!) Your baby has probably reached his birth weight now. Most babies weigh somewhere between 6-8 pounds when they are born. Boys are usually longer and heavier than girls. All his internal organs are ready to support him in the outside world. He has also developed healthy amounts of baby fat over the past week and his immune system is developing and will continue to develop after he is born. His fingernails and toenails have reached the end of his fingers and toes and might even need a trim after he is born!

Mom: How are you feeling? Have you noticed any electrical tingles in your legs and inside of your vagina? These tingles are caused by your baby hitting nerves as he settles down into your pelvic area. Have you noticed any sharp, shooting pains? The baby is probably resting on your sciatic nerve. The best thing to do is try to get some rest and put your feet up!

You may also have been experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions for weeks now, but how do you know when it's time to call your healthcare provider? If there is a change in the frequency of contractions, it's probably a good idea to call. You might also notice some brown, pink, or red discharge signaling the fact that you have lost your mucus plug, and your water may also break. These are all signs that labor is starting and it's a good idea to let your partner and your healthcare provider know that it's time!

Preparing for the Big Day. So...your bags are packed, you probably feel huge and want to get this show on the road. Many women find it helpful to mentally rehearse for the big day. You may want to set aside some time to review your breathing and relaxation techniques to help you manage the pain of labor.

Tired of rehearsing? Try doing something to distract you, like making some mix CD's! Many hospitals allow you to listen to your own music during labor. There's no way to tell how long your labor is going to be and if you're there for 6 , 12 or 20 hours, chances are you don't want to listen to the same CD on repeat! Load up your MP3 player or burn some CD's. It's a great way to pass the time and take your mind off backaches, tingles in your legs and intensifying contractions.

from Planning Family

Well, we went to the Dr. today. No dialation still (although i was dialated half a cm a few weeks ago), but I am "shortened" a bit. Also, i am measuring less than I was last time I was in. My doctor is taking her board exam next week, so I will be seeing another of the ladies in the practice. I just hope baby will decide to hold out until his due date now. We won't see my Dr. again until my due date- if he makes it that long, I'm hoping she'll just go ahead & take him. She did tell me though that she won't let me go longer than a week past.

We had our hospital tour last night. The hospital has been open for 3 weeks, is running smoothly, and is pretty much awesome. We have child birthing classes this weekend- which is an advantage to not being induced. I guess I'll now know what to do! I can't say Dave is as thrilled as I am, but whatever!

That's all the news for now!

Week 37- Baby Boy Swiss Chard

How your baby's growing: Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away.Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

How your life's changing: Braxton Hicks contractions may be coming more frequently now and may last longer and be more uncomfortable. You might also notice an increase in vaginal discharge. If you see some "bloody show" (mucus tinged with a tiny amount of blood) in the toilet or in your undies, labor is probably a few days away — or less. (If you have heavier spotting or bleeding, call your caregiver immediately.) Also be sure to ask your caregiver about the results of your Group B strep culture. That way, if the result isn't yet on your chart when you get to the hospital or birth center, you'll be able to give the staff there a timely heads-up if you need antibiotics. It may be harder than ever to get comfortable enough to sleep well at night. If you can, take it easy through the day — this may be your last chance to do so for quite a while. Keep monitoring your baby's movements, too, and let your caregiver know immediately if you notice a decrease. Though her quarters are getting cozy, she should still be as active as before.While you're sleeping, you're likely to have some intense dreams. Anxiety both about labor and about becoming a parent can fuel a lot of strange flights of unconscious fancy.

from: Baby Center

Baby: Congratulations! Your baby is now considered full term. Most babies weigh 7 pounds by week 37 and measure around 20 inches. Remember, by this point in a pregnancy there tends to be variability between babies, some weighing more than others. Boys, for example, are typically heavier and longer than girls. If your baby were to be born this week, all of his internal organs would be developed enough to function outside of your body. Also, from week 37 on, your baby will only be adding a few ounces of fat to his frame each week.

Mom: How are you feeling? Are you getting anxious? If this is your first pregnancy, keep in mind you could be anywhere from two days to two weeks late! And if this isn't your first pregnancy, you are probably well aware that most women don't deliver on their predicted due date. Most women, however, do deliver either a few days before or after their due date.

from PlanningFamily

We were disappointed today to find out that we would not be induced. Our lung maturity test came back as negative for the 2nd test (although mature for the first test). We were told I could come in today to start the induction with steroids, but when Dr. Barthel called this morning, she that Dr. Duval, the perinatologist, told her it was too risky. Needless to say today has been a big let down. Not only is our baby boy not coming today, but I have to go back to work for who knows how long, my family drove hundreds of miles through the night, and now baby isn't going to be here, and our insurance issue (which was our main reason for induction). So, I guess we'll wait it out like most people do when expecting a baby.

So I guess I'll see you again next week- or sooner.

Week 36- Baby Boy Crenshaw Melon

Baby is on a melon theme lately...

How your baby's growing: Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of his first bowel movement. At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely he's in a head-down position. But if he isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating him from the outside of your belly.

How your life is changing: Now that your baby is taking up so much room, you may have trouble eating a normal-size meal. Smaller, more frequent meals are often easier to handle at this point. On the other hand, you may have less heartburn and have an easier time breathing when your baby starts to "drop" down into your pelvis. This process — called lightening — often happens a few weeks before labor if this is your first baby. (If you've given birth before, it probably won't happen before labor starts.) If your baby drops, you may also feel increased pressure in your lower abdomen, which may make walking increasingly uncomfortable, and you'll probably find that you have to pee even more frequently. If your baby is very low, you may feel lots of vaginal pressure and discomfort as well. Some women say it feels as though they're carrying a bowling ball between their legs!You might also notice that your Braxton Hicks contractions are more frequent now. Be sure to review the signs of labor with your practitioner and find out when she wants to hear from you. As a general rule, if you're full-term, your pregnancy is uncomplicated, and your water hasn't broken, she'll probably have you wait to come in until you've been having contractions that last for about a minute each, coming every five minutes for an hour. Of course, you'll want to call right away if you notice a decrease in your baby's activity or think you're leaking amniotic fluid, or if you have any vaginal bleeding, fever, a severe or persistent headache, constant abdominal pain, or vision changes. Even if you're enjoying an uncomplicated pregnancy, it's best to avoid flying (or any travel far from home) during your final month because you can go into labor at any time. In fact, some airlines won't let women on board who are due to deliver within 30 days of the flight.

from BabyCenter

Baby: Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you, measuring over 17 inches long, and weighing about 6lbs! During week 36, your baby's most important job is to keep putting on weight. Actually, that's his primary job from now until delivery. You probably have another 4 weeks to go until delivery, especially if this is your first pregnancy, but "Full Term" refers to the period between 37-41 weeks, so your baby could be coming any time now! Your due date is probably a good guideline to determine when your little one is coming. Even though few women deliver on their actual due date, many women deliver in the days just before or after.

Mom
How are you feeling? You are probably seeing your healthcare provider every week now. It is common at this point in your pregnancy for your doctor to screen for Group B Strep.

What is Group B Strep? Practitioners often screen for Group B Strep because it is the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborns. It can cause pneumonia and meningitis. Group B Strep is a bacterial infection that may be found in a pregnant women's vagina or rectum. 15%-40% of all healthy adult women carry these bacteria in their vagina or lower intestines. It is possible for a mother to pass Group B Strep onto her baby during delivery. Therefore, every woman should be tested between 35-37 weeks. This is done with a vaginal and rectal swab. If a mother tests positive, she should be treated with antibiotics in labor to prevent the spread of Group B Strep to her baby.

Have you bought a crib? If you haven't yet bought a crib, you may be wondering what you should look for. Luckily, cribs manufactured after 1991 and purchased in the United States must meet established safety regulations. It may be helpful to look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association's Certified Seal. JPMA developed an extensive certification program to help guide parents towards juvenile products that are built with safety in mind. In order for a product to become Juvenile Products Manufacturer Certified, the product must be tested for compliance with The American Society for Testing and Materials' published standards. If the product passes the tests, JPMA allows the manufacturer to label it with their certified seal. This certification should be easy to find, it will be displayed on the product's packaging.

1 week to go!

Week 35- Baby Boy Honeydew Melon

How your baby's growing: Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.
How your life's changing: Your uterus — which was entirely tucked away inside your pelvis when you conceived — now reaches up under your rib cage. If you could peek inside your womb, you'd see that there's more baby than amniotic fluid in there now. Your ballooning uterus is crowding your other internal organs, too, which is why you probably have to urinate more often and may be dealing with heartburn and other gastrointestinal distress. If you're not grappling with these annoyances, you're one of the lucky few.
From here on out, you'll start seeing your practitioner every week. Sometime between now and 37 weeks, she'll do a check for bacteria called Group B streptococci (GBS). GBS is usually harmless in adults, but if you have it and pass it on to your baby during birth, it can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia, meningitis, or a blood infection. Because 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women have the bacteria and don't know it, it's vital to be screened. (The bacteria come and go on their own — that's why you weren't screened earlier in pregnancy.) If you're a GBS carrier, you'll get IV antibiotics during labor, which will greatly reduce your baby's risk of infection.
This is also a good time to create a birth plan. Using our form will help you focus on specifics — like who'll be present, what pain management techniques you want to try, and where you want your baby to stay after you deliver. It will give you a starting point to discuss your preferences with your medical team. Childbirth is unpredictable, and chances are you won't follow your plan to the letter, but thinking about your choices ahead of time — and sharing your preferences with your caregiver — should take some of the anxiety out of the process.
from: BabyCenter
Baby: Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you, now measuring about 18 inches long, and weighing about 6lbs! If you have been noticing that you need more bathroom breaks than usual, it may be due to the fact that your baby has "dropped". As your due date grows near, your little one will settle deeper in your pelvis. This reduces pressure on your rib cage, allowing you more room to expand your diaphragm, but now there may be more pressure on your bladder. By week 35, your baby's kidneys are completely developed. His liver is also beginning to produce waste. In fact, a majority of his growth is already done. However, you should expect him to put on some more weight over the next few weeks. As space is at a premium, you may not feel as much tossing and turning inside of you, but you will definitely feel some healthy punches and kicks.
Mom: How are you feeling? At week 35, you should be seeing your healthcare provider at least once a week. You may have been experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions over the past couple of weeks, so you may be wondering how you can tell when it's the real thing. Regular uterine contractions are the strongest indication that you are officially in labor! These contractions can feel like menstrual cramps or even lower back pain and in early labor they can be 20-30 minutes apart. Over time however, the time between contractions will begin to decrease. It's time to call your healthcare provider when they are consistently 5 minutes apart. If your water breaks, it may be another sign that you are going into labor. You may have heard the term before, but what does it actually mean? The amniotic sac surrounding your baby is filled with fluid, when it ruptures, the fluid leaks from your vagina. It may come out in a large gush, but for a lot of women, it isn't that dramatic. Some women only notice a small trickle. In either case, it's time to call your doctor, midwife, or doula!
from: PlanningFamily

Week 33- Baby Boy Pineapple

How your baby's growing: This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

How your life's changing: As your baby fills out even more of your belly, lots of things might start to change: Whereas before you were sashaying, you may find yourself waddling. Finding an easy position to sit in — let alone sleep — is becoming more of a challenge. And bumping into chairs and counters is par for the course. You may be feeling some achiness and even numbness in your fingers, wrists and hands. Like many other tissues in your body, those in your wrist can retain fluid, which can increase pressure in the carpal tunnel, a bony canal in your wrist. Nerves that run through this "tunnel" may end up pinched, creating numbness; tingling, shooting or burning pain; or a dull ache. Try wearing a splint to stabilize your wrist or propping your arm up with a pillow when you sleep. If your work requires repetitive hand movements (at a keyboard or on an assembly line, for instance), remember to stretch your hands when you take breaks — which should be frequently.

from BabyCenter

Baby: Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you. Measuring 17 inches long, he weighs 5lbs. And from this week, until 2 weeks before birth, he will gain about a half pound of weight every week. The bones in his skull are formed, but aren't fused. They actually don't fuse entirely until early adulthood, allowing room for his brain to grow through childhood. Because they aren't fused, the bones in his skull will be able to overlap, helping him to fit through the birth canal during delivery.

Mom: How are you feeling? You are probably gaining about a pound a week and everything might feel swollen, but you're almost there! You've almost made it! Just a few more weeks and you will be rocking your little one to sleep. Though it's common to feel swollen at this point in your pregnancy, remember to contact your health care provider if you experience sudden swelling, as this may be a sign of labor.

From PlanningFamily

We had a Dr's appointment yesterday. Baby is still measuring perfectly and the heartbeat is strong. 4 weeks until my induction!!

Week 32- Baby Boy Jicama/Small Watermelon

How your baby's growing: By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth.

How your life's changing: To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor. Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things.

from BabyCenter

Baby: Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you. Measuring 16.5 inches long, he now weights over 4 pounds! And from this week, until 2 weeks before birth, he will gain about a half pound every week. He is sleeping approximately 90 to 95 percent of the day. Most of his wrinkles are disappearing, especially on his face, as more fat is deposited under his skin. His hair is becoming thicker with each passing week and you may even be able to see it on an ultrasound! He will also begin to settle in the head-down position, as his birth is fast approaching.

Mom: How are you feeling? Have you been feeling like you are now waddling instead of walking? This is a good thing! This week your body is producing a hormone called relaxin that loosens and relaxes your pelvis, allowing for more mobility during pregnancy. It is also responsible for this new method of locomotion!

from: Planning Family

Your Baby's Development This Week: Your baby is spending quite a bit of his time practicing the skills he'll need after birth, such as sucking, swallowing, and breathing. Other changes include:
• Your baby weighs about 4 pounds and is almost 11-1/2 inches long, or the length of a small watermelon.
• You might notice a change in your baby's movements this week, as he becomes more crowded in your uterus. Kicks and movements might seem less powerful.
• Your baby's skin is no longer see-through. It looks more like yours.

from StrongMoms

Week 29- Baby Boy Butternut Squash

How your baby's growing: Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

How your life's changing: Your baby's very active now. Your practitioner may ask you to spend some time each day counting kicks and will give you specific instructions on how to do this. Let her know if you ever notice a decrease in activity. You may need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby's condition. Some old friends — heartburn and constipation — may take center stage now. The pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation, coupled with the crowding in your abdomen, slows digestion, which in turn can cause gas and heartburn — especially after a big meal — and contribute to constipation as well. To prevent constipation, eat a high-fiber diet, drink plenty of water, and get some regular exercise.Some women get something called "supine hypotensive syndrome" during pregnancy, where laying flat on your back causes a change in heart rate and blood pressure that makes you feel dizzy until you change position. You might note that you feel lightheaded if you stand up too quickly, too. To avoid "the spins" lie on your side rather than your back, and move slowly as you go from lying down to sitting and then standing.

from: BabyCenter

Baby: Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you. Measuring 15 inches long, he weighs 2 1/2 lbs. For the first time, his head is in proportion with the rest of his body! By 29 weeks, his brain can control his body's temperature. His eyes can move in his sockets and his muscles and lungs continue to mature. His bone marrow is now producing red blood cells and fat continues to develop under his skin.

from: Planning Family

Here is a picture of me from last night- 28 weeks, 6 days (close enough)

Week 28- Baby Boy Chinese Cabbage

How your baby's growing: By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

How your life's changing: You're in the home stretch! The third and final trimester starts this week. If you're like most women, you'll gain about 11 pounds this trimester. At this point, you'll likely visit your doctor every two weeks. Then, at 36 weeks, you'll switch to weekly visits. Also, if your glucose screening test result was high and you haven't yet had follow-up testing, you'll soon be given the 3-hour glucose tolerance test. Around this time, some women feel an unpleasant "creepy-crawly" sensation in their lower legs and an irresistible urge to move them while trying to relax or sleep. If this sensation is at least temporarily relieved when you move, you may have what's known as restless legs syndrome (RLS). No one knows for sure what causes RLS, but it's relatively common among expectant mothers. Try stretching or massaging your legs, and cut down on caffeine, which can make the symptoms worse. Ask your caregiver if you should try iron supplements, which can sometimes relieve RLS.

From: BabyCenter

Baby: Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you. Measuring 14.8 inches long, he weighs 2 1/4 lbs. He will continue to gain body fat in the coming weeks to prepare him for life outside of your womb. At 28 weeks, your baby can recognize your voice! His eyes continue to develop this week and his brain is developing millions of neurons. The hair on his head continues to grow. Muscle tone in her body steadily develops, and even though his lungs are now capable of breathing air, it would be difficult for him if he were born now.

Mom: Congratulations! You made it to the third trimester! How are you feeling? The average weight gain by week 28 is 17-24 lbs. Don't worry if yours is a little more or less. If you have any concerns, as always, speak to your healthcare provider. In your last trimester, you should be seeing your healthcare provider every two weeks so there should be plenty of opportunities to raise any concerns that you might have. In fact, it's a good idea to keep a pad and pen with you to jot down any questions. Having a list of questions at your appointment is a great way to make sure all of your concerns are addressed. If any high-risk situations are detected on a routine visit, like preeclampsia, Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH), gestational diabetes or placenta previa, you may be asked to visit your physician more often. Are you thinking of using a Birth Plan? No matter what kind of birth you are planning, a written birth plan, or a written statement about you and your partner's preferences for your labor and birth, may be a good idea.
Bringing a copy of this plan with you to the hospital is a simple way to inform the people who will come in to contact with you of your preferences for the birth. There is no "one way" or "correct" way to compose a birth plan. Some can be several pages long, and address every aspect of the birth; other mothers simply compose a short paragraph.

From Planning Family

Week 26- Baby Boy English Hothouse Cucumber/Chuck Roast

How your baby's growing: The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

How your life's changing: If your lower back seems a little achy lately, you can thank both your growing uterus — which shifts your center of gravity, stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, and may be pressing on a nerve — as well as hormonal changes that loosen your joints and ligaments. Plus, the extra weight you're carrying means more work for your muscles and increased stress on your joints, which is why you may feel worse at the end of the day. Walking, standing, or sitting for long periods, as well as bending and lifting can all put a strain on your back. A warm bath or hot compress might bring relief. (Some women, though, find cool compresses more comforting.) Try to maintain good posture during the day, avoid activities that require bending and twisting at the same time, take frequent breaks when sitting or standing, and sleep on your side with one or both knees bent with a pillow between your legs, using another pillow (or wedge) to support your abdomen.

from BabyCenter

Baby: Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you. Measuring 14 inches long, he weighs just less than 2 lbs! His lungs continue to develop and he is taking small breaths of amniotic fluid inside your womb. These small breaths are getting him in shape for his first breath of fresh air. His veins are visible through histransparent skin but soon that will change as his skin begins to turn opaque. The nerve pathways are becoming more and more developed, making him more responsive to sound. Don't be surprised if you feel him jump inside you if he is startled by a sudden noise. If you're having a boy, his testicles are descending into his scrotum this week.

Mom: How are you feeling? If you are feeling short of breath this week, don't worry, this is common. Your uterus may be pressing on your rib cage, making it harder for your lungs to fully expand. How's your back? It's possible that your back might be feeling a little achy. Again, you can attribute this partially to your hormones. By 26 weeks, your pregnancy hormones are loosening up your joints and ligaments. Your changing center of gravity is also to blame. Have you picked a name? Picking a name can be quite a challenge, especially if you and your partner have different ideas of the perfect name. Need inspiration, revisit some of your favorite movies and films or find out your grandparents' middle names. Just one thing that's important to keep in mind...initials. Peter Owen O'Connell is a great name, but his initials could be troublesome when he reaches elementary school!

From PlanningFamily

Week 25- Baby Boy Rutabaga

How your baby's growing: Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you. Measuring 13 1/2 inches long, he weighs approximately 1 1/2 lbs. In the coming weeks, your baby will continue to grow and mature a fast rate, gaining some baby fat and filling out his long, lean frame. As he gains weight, his skin begins to become less wrinkled and he begins to look more and more like a newborn. Also, his skin is finally gaining some color. His hands are fully developed by this week, fingerprints and all! And at 25 weeks, the structure of the spine is beginning to form.

How your life's changing: Your baby's not the only one with more hair — your locks may look more full and lustrous than ever. It's not that you're growing more hair, but thanks to hormonal changes, the hair that you'd normally shed is sticking around longer than usual. Enjoy the fullness while you can — the extra hair will fall out after you give birth.You may also notice that you can't move around as gracefully as before. When you have your glucose-screening test at 24 to 28 weeks, a second tube of blood may be taken at the same time to check for anemia. If blood tests show that you have iron-deficiency anemia (the most common type of anemia), your caregiver will probably recommend that you take an iron supplement.

Mom: How are you feeling? Only two weeks to go until your third trimester! Soon, you'll be seeing your caregiver about every two weeks. Feeling hot? You may notice that you feel more hot and sweaty than usual. Though added weight could be contributing to this, it's mostly due to your increased blood supply and the fact that your lungs are now doing 50% more work than they are used to! Because you are sweating a bit more now, it's important to avoid dehydration. Be sure to drink approximately 8 glasses of water a day, 10 is better. Drinking more will also help combat any swelling you are experiencing. It's probably a good idea to dress in breathable fabrics, even if it's winter, to help wick excess moisture away from your body. Remember, you can always layer your breathable fabrics if you are scared you won't be warm enough.

from: BabyCenter & Planning Family

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.

from BabyCenter

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!

from Planning Family

It's officially month 6!

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!

week 19- baby mango/heirloom tomato

How your baby's growing:Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

As always from BabyCenter

Almost halfway there! 1 week and 1 day until our next ultrasound!

Week 18- Baby Bell Pepper (you choose the color)

How your baby's growing:Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

From BabyCenter