8 Weeks: Chunks!

2 things have happened so far at 8.5 weeks...

*Piper has chunked up. (Chunky thighs, double chin, big ol' belly)  This makes me feel pretty good milk wise. I am a reliable source of life-giving nutrition!!! Power to my milk!

*Piper has begun sleeping 11-5:30 everynight.  I am pleased. My boobs are not.  The past couple nights we learned that Piper will put herself to sleep for good if we do not.  If I don't feed her by 10:40, she will inevitably zonk out so cold that I literally can't do anything to wake her. It's pretty funny...except for the full boob thing.

Also, I think it's important to note that Piper is the reverse-child. For instance, it seems that some babies aren't into having their diapers changed...well, Piper LOVES it.  Other kids don't seem keen on baths...Piper, obsessed. And it seems that babies aren't always the biggest fan of throwing up...Piper not only thinks it's calming and great, but she also LOVES having her mouth wiped by a burp rag.  Other than that, she's pretty fussy. Sitting on a play mat, and doing pretty much anything has about a 5 minute time limit.  A.D.D in the house!

PS. It's also possible that I've mixed her up with a dog.  Maybe babies like all of the above things too...but dogs, dogs definitely don't...making her the reverse-dog.

So excited for the holidays with our little chunky monkey!
xoxo
L

7 weeks.

Piper is getting happier!!!

Maybe it's because she can burp now. Or maybe she's just maturing and deciding that "hey! life is short!" but either way, it's freaking awesome.  She still has fits every day, but they are no longer all day every day.  Turns out she is capable of sitting in a swing, laying on a play mat and engaging in tummy time without flipping out. 

AND she has slept 11pm-5am a few days this week including the past 2 nights.  We're making strides here.

Now for some pics.

I feel that the below picture describes weeks 2.5 - 6 accurately:

And now for our chiller, much more sophisticated 7 week picture:

Happy Piper = Happy Mommy:)

Week 6

Piper officially loves waking up. It is her favorite time of day. She is ALL smiles.

As for the battling of boobs...it's still happening. I've been pumping and giving a bottle every now and then and think that could be the problem.  I'm going to go the rest of the week with no bottle and see what happens.

And as for the boob PAIN, it's getting better. Basically, I accept bad latches and therefore will constantly be punished.  Luckily the milk blister and clogged duct seem better, so I'm just dealing with soreness, which I can handle. 

Every day I get more used to Piper and recognizing her needs. I feel like maybe, just maybe, I might get the hang of this whole motherhood thing!

Week 5

Week 5 so far means a few things:

Piper smiles (THANK GOD.  Her smile could literally make me do anything. I'm in LOVE with it).

Piper also starts to battle her food source (me).  She pulls off, gets fussy and becomes inconsolable at certain feedings.  Today (5 weeks/5 days) is the fifth day of this happening, so it's been all week long.  She still roots around like she wants to eat, but then gets super upset and freaks out.  It is not awesome and really hard to understand.  Is she getting enough milk, too much milk or does she need to burp, etc?  No clue because nothing is consistent.

Oh, and my boobs still hurt.  AAAAHHH. Can't wait for that to end.  Some nights the pain is deep which scares me a little, but I think I'll ride it out this week and see where I end up.  I only just gave up the nipple shield a week or so ago, so who knows.

Tomorrow she will be 6 weeks old and even though we have a pretty high maintenance baby, I'm so happy and in love with her little smush face.  She's the best:)

xoxo
L

My Newborn: Some notes on the first 4 weeks.

Weeks 1 & 2 - Piper slept A LOT these weeks...mostly during the day, of course.  But I would guess she slept about 18 hours each day.  She was also fine with being put in her pink rock-and-play while I did stuff around the house or entertained visitors.  

Also, she was sleeping SO much (like PASSED OUT after 4 minutes of feeding) that she wasn't gaining enough weight at all.  This meant I had to start waking her up every 2 hours on the dot to feed.  From this, we created a little growth spurting monster (albeit a screaming and adorable one).

Week 3 - Piper gets colicky.  Most of week 3 was spent "shh"ing Piper, swinging Piper and basically trying to get our sleepy baby back.  She was WAY hungry this week.  Every hour to 2 hours max, she just wanted to eat, eat, eat...and then scream and finally sleep.  At night time, she would get one good chunk of sleeping in and then a smaller one following.  Ex, 4 hours (feed for an hour) then 2 hours.

Week 4 - The screaming continues and the sleep dwindles.  We buy Babybliss gripe water, Hyland Colic tablets and gas drops while I debate nixing completely my already low dairy intake.  Poor Piper has trouble with gas and it totally sucks for everyone.  She still sleeps one larger chunk at night, but it's shorter now and the second chunk is always almost only an hour.  

Very few things calm her at this point.  The vibrating chair, rock and play, and swing don't work for more than 10 minutes and neither does swinging in my arms, burping, babybliss, etc when she is upset. Feeding almost always makes her the happiest and walking around in the sling would be in second with the stroller/car coming in at a close third. 

On the plus side, she seems to be a little more interactive now.  She stares widely at us and practices facial expressions at certain moments during the day.  It is the cutest thing I've ever experienced:)

Week 4/3 days - Hyland colic tablets made Piper let out the LOUDEST, craziest burp I've ever heard. I honestly thought she was vomiting (which was scary).  However, she must have felt so much better afterwards because she slept pretty well.  So far, Hyland Colic Tablets are the best remedy we've found so far...

OH...and I've given up the nipple shield.  She isn't loving the transition, as she sometimes pulls away to scream bloody murder (which never happened before) but I'm going to stick with it and see what happens.

She changes so much every day, it's hard to keep track of everything!

Having a newborn means...

Blowing your nose with your left hand...when you're a righty.  Because you only know how to hold your baby in your right arm. Baby 1, face 0. What a mess.

Holding in pee WAY longer than you ever thought possible because SOMEONE decides to finally fall asleep after hours of grouchiness and you'd rather wet the couch than cause her to stir.

And apologizing to your dog a lot.  Because oh my God, how good was life before, right Remy?

Piper Marie's Birth Story

Here goes nothing!

BIRTH:
I went in to my doctor's office at 41 weeks and 1 day (Tuesday), knowing that she would bring up talk of an induction.  I did not, however, expect her to say that she took the liberty of putting me on the induction list at the hospital for that Friday.  I was a little shocked because I know she isn't super into inductions, but I also realized I was running out of time.  She believes that having the baby out by 42 weeks is best, and I trusted her opinion (still do).  While we waited to have my fluids checked (and membranes scraped - ew), I thought about it and decided that I'd give the baby Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to make a move, but if she hadn't come by then...I'd like to start my induction Thursday night instead of Friday. 

Alas, no move was made.  Le bebe looooved le womb.

Thursday night approached and upon calling the hospital, Jeff and I were told to arrive around 8:30pm.  Turns out that we were in for a serious amount of waiting (which in my opinion, is why inductions suck).  Lots of active deliveries were going on around me, so it wasn't until Midnight that I finally received Cervedil (sp?).  AND even though I'm super against medicine and only took 1.5 pills (not including prenatals) this entire pregnancy, I took an Ambien.  The hospital atmosphere had me anxious and I wanted to get some sleep to let this whole effacing thing begin. 

Since I've never taken an Ambien before, I zonked out immediately.  However...it was not for long.  Three hours and 30 minutes later, I was awoken to an INTENSE back contraction.  Then, another.  They weren't regular, but they also weren't stopping.  I could doze between them, but sleep was not going to happen.  From 3:30am to 8am, I went in and out of consciousness, timing my contractions.  By 8am, they were regular and becoming increasingly more PAINFUL.  Like, really really painful. 

From 8am-11:30am, I entered a period of time known as HELL, brought to you by back labor.  The last hour of which had my contractions coupling one on top of the other.  The pain was excruciating (I really cannot stress that enough).  Each contraction felt as if both of my legs were being pulled in separate directions and splitting me up my spine.  I was miserable.  Jeff applied as much pressure as he could muster to my hips and I attempted to walk around and bend over on all fours.  I would say that applying pressure was the ONLY thing that somewhat helped.  And a wet rag to my forehead.  Even so, I'd say this only relieved about 5 percent of the pain.

At 11:30, I asked my nurse for the epidural.  So much for no medicine!  They checked me and I was just over 3cm dilated and 80 percent effaced.  I wasn't as far along as they would have liked, but my nurse saw the pain I was in and called my doctor with the request.  Even just waiting the next 45 minutes for the anesthesiologist to arrive and stick me was brutal.  I didn't realize how long it would take! I didn't get checked again, but I would have to assume I was at least 4cm when I finally got the epidural at 12:15pm.

Twenty minutes later, they started me on pitocin (boooo).  Then, it was quiet time.  Ahhhh.  Unlike most people though, I couldn't sleep or really rest much.  I felt like someone being stalked in the woods (by my contractions).  I just kept waiting for them to come out and attack me. Paranoid, much?  Yes, yes I was.

My next check occurred around 3:30pm.  9.5 cm dilated and 100% effaced!  YAY...we had made it!

To be honest, I don't know why I waited 2 full hours to push, but that's what happened. Transition period? Not sure.  Either way, my doctor showed up around 5ish, broke my water...discovered that we had a meconium issue (baby had passed her first bowel movement in the womb due to being 11 days late, most likely).  And so when my contractions became unbearable once again and I had the urge to either poop or have a baby, I told my nurse and decided to do the latter.

I would describe pushing as CRAZY.  As in...I felt like a crazy person.  For the first 30 minutes, I was SOOOO hopeful.  "You got it! That's it! Wooo! Great push!"  After that came my skepticism.  Why was everyone telling me that I was "SO CLOSE" if I wasn't.  Where was the baby?!!?!

For the last half hour, I went to a very mind-boggling cave-lady place where I decided that I NEEDED TO HAVE THE BABY NOW OR I WOULD DIE.  It seems dramatic, but when you're grabbing you're legs (with the assistance of a nurse and a husband), sweat pouring from your face, back, chest and arms, and pushing with every last bit of energy...cave lady is the ONLY place to go.  I didn't scream much, but I could never describe the thoughts in my head during that time.  They are what schizophrenia is made of.

Alas, with one final push at 7:13pm, Piper Marie came screaming into this world.  She was rushed over to the table next to me to make sure that the meconium thing wasn't an issue (it wasn't - Thank God).  Once it was decided that all was okay (after only 2 or 3 minutes), Piper was set on my chest and we both sobbed and told eachother that we loved one another and waited SO long for this moment (I hope she was thinking that stuff, at least!).  And for the record, Jeff sobbed too:)

I wish that I could say my birth story ended right there with Piper on my chest, but it didn't. 

AFTER BIRTH:
During the whole "after birth" portion of my delivery, I felt myself lose a lot of blood.  Like I actually felt it.  Gross. Piper was on my chest.  My doctor was fast at work in my nether regions.  And suddenly I saw the room closing in on me.  I was blacking out.  It was NOT a good thing.  Piper was handed to Jeff, another IV was stuck in my one free arm and things started happening fast.  I hated it. People flew to my side, doing 'things' (not sure exactly what) and I told them that I was fine and I thought I was...until about 30 minutes later when I was going to be transported to my real hospital room and I started to black out again. 

I figured that I was spent physically from labor, emotionally from meeting the new human I'd spent years creating, and mentally from no sleep the night before.  I was wrong.  I had in fact lost a lot of blood.  They made me stay to be monitored until 10pm-ish.  After which, Jeff, Piper and I were FINALLY able to spend time, the three of us, in our room.  

Unfortunately, I had yet another episode while trying to go to the bathroom and at 11:45, about 3 thousand people bombarded me again with an EKG and loads more tests.  Once they left, Jeff and I closed our eyes...until someone came in to tell me that the doctor wanted to come back and perform a D&C on me.  She felt that my placenta was "hard" when she was removing it (due to it's old age) and worried that a piece was left inside.  This would make it impossible for my uterus to contract down normally and would explain all the bleeding.

After an awful lot of crying, I went in to surgery at 1am and woke up in recovery at 4am.  My throat killed (from the breathing tube), my body killed, I was SO emotionally exhausted from sobbing over not wanting a blood transfusion or to give my daughter to the nursery where they would have to give her formula.  I was SPENT.  

When it was all said and done, I did not get a transfusion, but my hemoglobin had dropped to a 7.8, which is seriously low.  Going up the stairs, showering, picking up Piper are all things that completely wind me.  It will take a few weeks to get back to 100 percent and even though it sounds horrendous, I actually had a good time at the hospital.  I loved my nurses, I loved learning about Piper through them, I loved having a lactation consultant on tap, I loved our free romantic room service-esque meal and FREE MASSAGE which I took full advantage of and most of all, I loved getting acclimated to our family of THREE, all within the comfort of the hospital walls.  It truly was a positive experience.

--Piper is now fast asleep on my lap.  I love this little girl so much.  I can't believe we made her. She is us. We are her. And even though it took a long while to get to this day, we made it. Right on time.

xoxo
L

Getting the hang of breastfeeding.

Our beauty.

2 week check up

Today was Piper's 2 week doctor appointment. (Is it possible that I have a two week old?!) and it turns out that our little girl is not gaining enough weight.

She was born weighing 7lb, 11oz.  By the time we left the hospital, she was 7.3.  Four days after, 7.5 and today (2 weeks later) 7lb 8oz.

We have a weight check on Monday, so until then, I am going to feed her religiously. Every hour or 2 on the dot! Hopefully it works...I really don't want someone telling us that our baby needs formula:/

I'll keep you posted!

Xoxo

L

Introducing...

Little Miss Piper Marie Thompson!!!!

After a semi-eventful induction 11 days post due date, Piper Marie was born on October 18th at 7:13pm weighing 7lb, 11oz and measuring 21 inches long.  She is PERFECT!

41 Weeks...

I cannot tell you how badly I want to be done with taking these weekly belly pictures.  AAAAH.  I should have just gotten induced to be done with them!

Feeling:  Meh. So-so. Indifferent. Strange.  Like I'm never going to have a baby.  I'm not trying to be dramatic, but I really do feel like it's never going to happen some how.  I know that is impossible...but still.

Everyone was SO anxious/excited about my impending labor.  My phone was always ringing/buzzing with "Baby?!?!" texts and calls for days leading up to my due date and even after.  Then, when it kept not happening, it was kinda like...okay, this is boring.  What is going on?!!??!?!  Why is my daughter boycotting the real world?!?!?!  

Symptoms:
 -Acne.
-Hair seems to be falling out more.
-BAD hip/sciatica pain during the night. I've gone to the chiro a bunch for it, but I think I need to lose like 10 pounds of baby asap to get any real relief.
-leg cramps.
-Itchy belly.
-Period cramps in my back. Especially after sitting in a hard chair.
-Contractions in my back.
-STILL 1cm dilated/50% effaced. AAAAH.

Weight: Same as before. I'm sure I'll be 31 by the end of the week.
 
What I Miss: Painless sleep. I barely sleep now, so if it were at least pain-free, that would be nice.  Oh, and some pumpkin spice caffeine drinks.
 
Doctor Appointment: Today. (41w/1d)...I'm still 1cm dilated/50%effaced. Fluid levels went from a 7.5 last Thursday to a 6.8 (or around there) today.

Also, I had my membranes sweeped.

The doctor took the liberty of putting me on the induction schedule for this Friday morning and since I trust her completely, I understood that it is time.  The baby is in position, but she simply isn't budging.  

I asked to have it switched to Thursday night because I'd like to be well rested and I know that I will not sleep a wink Thursday night if I know it's coming in the AM.  This way, I can have restless sleep Wednesday night and then nap all day Thursday before going in.  

SO bummed that I didn't go into spontaneous labor, but honestly, this baby needs to exit my body now. Being 10/11 days past my due date is enough.  And since I know the day that we put the embryos inside (bc of IVF), it isn't like my dating is messed up.  Oh well, we tried!  It's time to meet her now! 

Looking Forward To:  Meeting my little belly lover.

xoxo
L 

Post 40 Week Ultrasound

Since le bebe decided to surpass le due date, we were told by my doctor to set up an ultrasound appointment for 40.5 weeks.  I was anxious to see the baby once again since my 28 week u/s was the last sighting and made the appointment for 40 weeks and 3days.  

Before going in, I asked my doctor what the "AFI" fluid levels would mean and she explained that anything above a 5 is "good" and that a 2 is getting into a danger-zone where the baby could possibly not have enough fluid surrounding her.   She also said that if I wanted an induction, I could schedule one if my fluids were 5cm or less.  Seeing that ALL I want is for my silly baby to pick her birthday, I was hoping for over 5cm of fluid.   

Oh, and I also spoke to my ultrasound tech BFF about the levels, who confirmed 5cm - 25cm is 'safe' on the AFI scale.  

Overall, the appointment was a success.  

Le bebe had 7.5cm of fluid surrounding her and was measuring at 7lb 12oz (give or take a pound).  

The u/s tech even asked if I wanted her to flip on the 3D ultrasound and I said, "YES PLEASE!"  which turned out to be pretty hilarious.  I've never seen a more squished up baby in my life and probably never will.  Her head is so far into my pelvis that all we could see were a smushed up chin and lips, slightly covered by a knee (ouch).  It wasn't exactly the best picture, but we knew that we'd be seeing her soon enough (in theory, right?).

So...now we wait.  It is currently 40 weeks, 5 days with Tuesday being my next doctor appointment. AAAAAH.  

xoxo
L

Preggo Sissy Photo-shoot

My older (and only) sister is pregnant with me! She is due in February with her 2nd and I'm due...3 days ago. However, I believe these pictures were taken at 20 & 39 weeks pregnant. Hooray for babies living within our bellies!

We really should have taken more pictures of this insane and momentous occasion, but for the past 22 weeks she has barely been showing and we have been pretty lackluster picture-takers (I'm so disappointed in us!!!).  Anyway, here are a few from our block-party that I actually kinda like:)

Let the dueling bellies begin...

40 weeks...D-day has cometh...and goneth.

Well, yesterday was my due date.  Looks like I'll officially be a part of the average first time moms that go "late"...yay!  I read something that said first time mom's not looking to be induced go into labor at 41w/1day on average.  So, maybe that will be my fate! WHO KNOWS!!! Certainly not me!

Feeling: I feel a little anxious.  Anxious to meet her and anxious to know if I'll go into labor naturally before 42 weeks.  I am SO good at dealing with the unknown. Mwah ah ah.

I feel like time flies naturally, so I'm not completely impatient.  I know she'll get here...at some point.  I am not wanting an induction as of yet because I think it's pretty normal to go past 40 weeks.

Symptoms:

  -Acne is finally on the mend! Only took 30 weeks.
- Itchy belly.
- Period cramps.
- BH contractions.  I had at least 8-10 that were SUPER painful.
- Pressure.
- STILL 1cm dilated/50% effaced. Booooring.

Weight: As of 40 weeks/1 day, I am up 2 pounds for a grand total of 30 pounds.  Probably overdid it on the cake and ice cream this week.
 
What I Miss: Can't think of anything other than sleeping better.  I switch sides every hour at least and every time it kills my lower back.  I think the belly is officially too huge.
 
Doctor Appointment: Today. (40w/1d)...1cm dilated/50%effaced.  I have an appt for this coming Thursday to check my fluid levels.  Hopefully all will be well!

Looking Forward To:  meeting the baby and seeing what name we pick...STILL have no clue on that.

xoxo
L 

39 weeks!

Okay, so I officially believe that I'll be pregnant until this wedding I'm in on Friday is over (39w/4days). THANK GOD.  The anxiety of it has been killing me (and my skin - helloooo teenage acne outburst).

Feeling: Better.  If I actually wrote this post on time (Monday), I would have said differently...but right now I feel okay.  The anxiety of being in this wedding/not knowing when labor will hit has been keeping me up every single night.  But as of today, I think I'll make it...at least until the rehearsal dinner tomorrow night.  So, yay!  I made it!  Standing in heels all day is a little nerve-wracking, but I'm just going to pretend that this is all normal. Mind over matter!


Symptoms:

-HUGE belly. 
-Acne has moved to my face
- Itchy belly has gotten itchier
- Still getting period cramps in my back.
-Feeling pressure...even though I am not any more dilated.

Weight: up 1 this week. 28 pounds gained...looks like I'll hit the 30 mark.
 
What I Miss: Standing up for long periods of time without feeling tired. Walking up a hill without feeling winded.  Bending over easily.  Sleeping on my back all night.
 
Doctor Appointment: Yesterday. Still dilated 1cm/50% effaced. I've been taking my primrose like crazy, but I think that the baby is going to come when she comes because I've been SOOO insanely active for the past 3 weeks and nothing.

Tricks that haven't worked:
-2 prenatal massages using specific labor-inducing pressure points
-ankle massage every night starting at 37 weeks
-walking at least 2 miles every day
-spicy food
...AND everything you can think of...besides castor oil.

Looking Forward To: 
xoxo
L 

38 Weeks.

Oh hey. I'm just over here still being pregnant. 

On the one hand, YAY!  On the other hand, WHEN?!?!?!? TELL ME WHEN!  I'm not good at the whole 'surprise' aspect.

Feeling:  Oddly shaped.  A women in a store today said, "Wow, you look really LOW."  So, I guess my feeling weird-looking is not without merit. 

  Also, my belly button has become an MC Escher painting.  It LOOKS 3D, but I'm pretty sure it's flat. I can't really tell. It's a mind game.

I'm also starting to freak out minorly about being in my friends wedding next Friday.  Chances are good that all will be fine and that I'll still be preggo, but what if I'm not?  I am going to insane in my dress no matter what, so I guess I should just be okay with it.  I have no control over it anyway:)

Symptoms:

-HARD belly.  As I type, it's kind of painfully hard.  Not sure what that is about.
-Acne still lives on.
- Itchy belly.
- Still have heartburn.
- Still getting period cramps throughout the day. 
-Feeling pressure every now and then.  And the same zappy feelings. 

Weight: up 1. 27 pounders.
 
What I Miss: crossing my legs with ease.
 
Doctor Appointment: Yesterday. Dilated 1cm/50% effaced. Need more primrose oil!!!

Also, the doctor said that le bebe is measuring to be in the high 7lb range! BIG BABY ALERT!

Looking Forward To:  Le bebe. And my friends wedding next Friday:)
 
xoxo
L 

37 Weeks. Full-freakin-term.

We did it!  Full term is HERE!  Up until this point, I think everyone is like, "I feel like I'm about to have this baby TODAY...I'll probably go early."  

From this point on, everyone pretty much figures they're staying pregnant til 40 weeks.  I can't even imagine going into labor. I'm so used to being pregnant at this point. 

Feeling:  Pretty good. Becoming a wee bit afraid of labor.  This is really going to hurt, isn't it? Crap.

We leave tomorrow for our mini-babymoon and I'm excited. The hubs and I are notoriously terrible at relaxing, so we'll see how this goes.  (We're the kind of people who actually got bored on our honeymoon and couldn't wait to come home. Whhaaaat?!)  I think that since I'm incapable of running around/bending over comfortably/dressing myself easily, I may actually be okay with a few days of laying around, swimming, hiking and reading.  Plus our room has a fireplace on the deck which will be perfect in this weather.

And, I think I may even have a glass of wine or champagne. We'll see.  I keep saying I will and then don't.  Oh well!
 
Symptoms:

-Acne is still progressively getting way better. What does it MEAN?! 
- Itchy belly.
- Still have heartburn on some nights.
- still getting period cramps throughout the day. 
-Feeling pressure every now and then.  And some zappy feelings.  Not sure what those are.
-swollen feet all day/everyday at work last week. 
-Movements have been less the past few days. NOT fun.

Weight: 0. 26 pounds total.
 
What I Miss: Nothing. Other than thinner thighs.
 
Doctor Appointment: Today! No dilation. Baby is still dropped...what is she doing down there?!

Looking Forward To:  Babymoon!  And then the Comedy Cellar on Friday. I can't wait to laugh the baby out!
 
xoxo
L 

Pregnancy Brain #100

Just ran all over the house, upstairs, downstairs, EVERYWHERE, panicking that I would miss my train to work bc i was looking for my phone.  My Mom, who has been driving me, raced inside to help and low and behold found it....

IN MY BACK POCKET!

Aaaaah! Baby brain is still lurking! No wonder it sounded nearby wherever I went.

36 weeks!

Baby got back!  I literally think I felt my baby have a Hulk moment last night.  She feels suddenly bigger than before...or maybe the rest of my body is just getting weak and tired of carrying this big old belly.

Feeling:  super!  It is my last week of work and we finally took a birthing class. Go us. Whoop whoop.  I actually thought the teacher was really helpful.  The breathing exercises and labor positions seemed to click with me, so let's see if they help during the real deal.  I'm skeptical:)
 
Symptoms:

-Acne is the best it's been.
- ITCHY belly
-Heartburn.
-Belly button is hanging on by a thread.
-Still peeing more
-Period cramps throughout the day. 
-Feeling a little pressure too.

Weight: Up 2; 26 lbs total
 
What I Miss: Nada!
 
Doctor Appointment: Manana!  I have to do some test for a bacteria.

Looking Forward To:  Babymoon!
 
xoxo
L 

35 Weeks.

Whoop whoop. Le bebe is about 5.25lbs, 18 inches and HUGE.  Seriously.  At my appointment this morning, the doctor showed me her back, her butt, her neck (which leads down to my pelvis since she has dropped), arms and leggies.  She's EVERYWHERE.

Feeling: like labor is around the corner. My job ends at the end of next week and in a way, I'm actually kinda sad. I've liked working, maintaining some normalcy in my life and I've liked keeping my mind off of the pending birth because it has actually made me feel really laid back about this whole experience.

I also met with my practices midwife today during our checkup and discussed our birth plan.  Basically, my plan is to go au natural with the option of an epidural.  I want to know when my times' up for making that decision and be allowed to make that decision then...not right now while I'm not feeling any sort of discomfort.  I don't want to be induced and I don't want a c-section.  That is my wish list. 

And since things NEVER go the way I plan, I assume the opposite of all that I want will happen.  Only time will tell! I'm not too worried about it:)

 
Symptoms:

-Acne has left most places but moved to my neck, which is super sexy.
-Still having itchy belly spells.
-HEARTBURN.
-Belly button is STILL chillin.
-Peeing more
-Period cramps in my back on some nights.  Since I have a retroverted uterus, this could be my version of braxton hicks.

Weight: Up 1; 24 lbs total
 
What I Miss: Well, I don't miss this stuff per se, but I'd like to sip a blueberry beer, peach mimosa or fruity cocktail. OH, and I do miss waterslides, hot tubs and rollercoasters. Beeg time.
 
Doctor Appointment: 36 weeks. I'm weekly now!

Looking Forward To:  Our friends moving down the street this weekend and inching closer to our mini-babymoon!
 
xoxo
L 

34 weeks.

Baby girl is about 4.73 pounds, and she certainly feels like it! Le bebe and le belly are feeling heavier by the day. Pork up, little one!

Feeling: at the moment...heartburn.

Thought it was gone, but it came back and it's BAD.

Other than that, I'm feeling tired. I went to a best friends' bachelorette party Saturday and wore HEELS, which is just crazy. Overall, it was a really good day, but even with me sitting down as much as possible, it left me exhausted.  Also, it was kinda funny when a guy bought the group shots and I couldn't take mine...then proceeded to stand up and reveal my massive belly as I exited.  I felt like I was on some sort of prank show. Who goes to a bar with a baby belly!?
 
Symptoms:

-Acne.
-itchy belly!
-some upper middle ab cramping/pain. Not very painful, but something is happening there. Hoping it isn't my muscles splitting!
-HEARTBURN
-Belly button is STILL sticking around.
-tired for about 2 hours in the afternoon after lunch.

Weight: Up 2; 23 lbs total
 
What I Miss: Still face wash and a cocktail.
 
Doctor Appointment: 35 weeks. 

Looking Forward To:  A relaxing week ahead. Fall weather. Winding down my job.  And of course our babymoon at 37 weeks. Cannot WAIT for that:)
 
xoxo
L 

33 Weeks!

Big News of the Day - Had a doctor appointment this morning and found out that le bebe had dropped!  She has been head down for a looooooong time, but the doctor said that her head is officially in the locked and loaded position.  Pretty early according to most online research, but I just feel like she'll stay in there for a little while.  At least 4 more weeks...right?  Eek!

 

33!

Blammo.

optical illusion. What belly?

Feeling: Different since she has dropped.  I even had a singular contraction the other night.  It's all just a reminder that this is, in fact happening.

This past weekend was perfect though.  The weather was the perfect mix of Fall and Summer. The ocean was warm (sort of...it was 70ish) and I just felt soooo nice and relaxed.  It was an amazing summer weekend with the family.

Since dropping the most noticeable changes are:
-peeing a lot more frequently
-no more daily heartburn
-weird round belly feeling...it hurts to bend over more.
-crossing legs = way harder

Symptoms:

-Feet are a little swollen
-Back stopped hurting at night and now hurts a little during the day after sitting too long.
-Leg cramps have gotten better, but foot cramps are still there.
-Skin is TERRIBLE.  What a surprise.
-Bellybutton is still chillin.
-some cramps.
-I feel her EVERYWHERE now.  To the right, to the left, at my ribs, in my pelvis.
-A contraction!!!! It felt like period cramps...

Weight: Up 1.5 pound. 21.5 pounds.
 
What I Miss: Bending over.  Crossing my legs.

Doctor Appointment: 35 weeks. 

Looking Forward To:  My friends Bachelorette party this weekend.  Think I'll get into the club? Haha. It's going to be really embarrassing, I'm sure.
 
xoxo
L 

Beachy weekend!

Our Long Beach Island weekend has been so amazing.  It's been the perfect LAST hurrah at the shore since we won't make it back before le bebe. Breezy weather, ice cream cones, peach pie, long walks and a bubbling baby belly.

Remy does not approve of stopping at rest stops on the Parkway.

Jeff meets a gull friend.

Grandma and Ben sharing a bagel = BFF status.

Morning walk for our coffees at Pearl Street Market.

Strawberry shortcake from Carmens...no complaints.

Same goes for the cookie cup of ice cream!

The parents of moi.

Posing with le bebe in front of someone else's old garage.

Front-ish view.

Oscar was smart.

Afternoon beach walk.

Remy dealing with le bebe. Poor pup.