Good Night All!!!

Well, here we are. My last night at home with Justin and I as the only two around, and it went so fast. Probably a indication of what is to come from here on out.

I am so completely overwhelmed with emotions that I have been on the verge of tears for hours. I have a feeling when I finally lie down to sleep, I will be a mess. I am of course nervous, but more anxious as to what is to come.

I may not post for a while, but thanks to all for all the kind words, love, support, and prayers. This blog has been very cathartic and rewarding as I was dealing with all the ups and downs of pregnancy and my changing life.

I can not wait for everyone to

Publish Post

meet Annaleigh Hayden Powell. She is going to be our world, and already has been for 9 months.

Thanks and see you all soon!

My final weekend.....

Well, here we are at our final weekend on our own. Justin is working this weekend, but we are going to spend one more afternoon and night together by ourselves on Sunday. It is very surreal to know that in two days our child will forever be a part of this home. My parents came over yesterday and are staying until tomorrow morning. Justin is at work right now, but will be off tonight.

I went to get the fetal non-stress test yesterday and the little one looked great. It would stop registering her heartbeat for a few seconds every now and then, because she did not like the monitor on her at all. She kept trying to move away from it. I am glad we went into L&D yesterday for that, because the nurse gave us a ton of information about what the process was going to be. She also told us to get there at 5 AM instead of 6, because they will need the extra time. They are all super nice up there and really made me feel better about the C-section stuff. Now I just need to talk to the anesthesiologist about what we are doing, either the spinal or the combination spinal/epidural.

Justin and I are getting more and more excited about holding her. Justin said he just can't wait to rock her. He is so excited. I do hate that I may not get to hold her right away because of the spinal, but with the baby being breech, I really do not have much of a choice. I am also starting to get really nervous about the surgery aspect of having my baby, but I know that people do it all the time and I have nothing to worry about. It just happens to be my first major surgery ever.....no pressure. I also know it is going to totally be worth it to see my little angel and hold her.

Well off to continue watch my brother and dad rock out on Guitar Hero World Tour. I will be back for a final post for a while tomorrow. I imagine I will not be sleeping much tomorrow night.

5 days to go!!!

Well I can not believe we are here. My last weekly update post. I go in on Monday morning at 6AM for pre-op my 7:30 AM C-section. Just in case though, I have to get a fetal monitor test on Friday AM while he is doing another C-section since I did not get two sonos this week. He said it should be fine, but in case the baby is in some distress, we will have the C-section Friday. I don't think that will happen, but just in case I am not allowed to eat or drink after 12 on Thursday or Sunday. No fun for me!!!

Today was also my last day at the office for 12 weeks. As awesome as it was, I was surprisingly sad to say bye to everyone for that many weeks. I really do like my job and the people I work with ALOT. They have been so awesome and supportive over these 9 months. My office was so barren. It almost felt like I was quitting, but I know I am not. It was kind of weird to turn off my computer and light and empty my office of stuff I wanted to take home. Strange I know. Probably just being stupid!!

Also, my mom and dad and brother are here in Dallas!!! Mom got the go-ahead from the doc on Monday to fly, and she was here by 10 PM that night. Jarrett and dad left yesterday AM for an 18 hr drive and got in at midnight last night. I was so worried they would not make it in time for the birth, but knowing they are here is a huge relief. I can't wait for Annaleigh to meet ALL her grandparents, uncles, and aunt.

Well here is what the little one is doing this week. I was 38 weeks preggers as of yesterday.

38 WEEKS!!!!

How your baby's growing:

Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her 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 she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she'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 she'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.)

37 week gigantic belly!

Look at how huge I am!

37 weeks!!

I am few days behind but on Tuesday I passed the 37 week mark. Crazy!! I can not believe it. I was supposed to see the doc on Wednesday but he had some major emergency with one of his patients so they decided to go ahead and cancel my appointment until Tuesday the 23rd. According to the sonos I had last week, I am not showing sides of any dilating, so I guess he felt he could wait to see me. I have a sono on Monday and see the doc on Tuesday and those should be my last appointments until we deliver on the 29th!

Here is what is going on this week!

How your baby's growing:

Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, her 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.

36 weeks (almost 37). Almost there.

It is hard to believe that on Monday I will only be two weeks away from seeing my little princess.

Went to the doc twice last week again. She is growing great now. In less than a month she has gained almost 2 1/2 pounds. She now weighs 6 lb 4 oz. I saw some chubby cheeks and the tech noted her full head of hair (almost half an inch!) I can not wait to see if it is blond or brown. Justin was a blond as a child :o). She is still breech, but a new kind of breech. Now she is footling breach (feet down) so now she stomps on my bladder. What that means is if my water breaks I need to get the L&D immediately. There is a higher risk of cord prolapse where the cord can come first and be pinched off. Very rare, but dangerous.

The C-Sections has been tentatively scheduled for the 29th unless things start progressing and it needs to happen sooner. Either way....we are super close.

The house is coming together. I really need to pack my overnight bag ASAP. I do not want to leave it up to the man to be responsible for my clothes!!

Besides that here is what happened to my little Annaleigh on Week 36.

36 weeks!!

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her 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 her 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 she's in a head-down position. But if she 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 her from the outside of your belly.

35 weeks pregnant

Not much to add today. Went to the doc yesterday. She is nearly five pounds now. She gained 1 pound in the last two weeks. They are very pleased with her rate of growth. Everything else looks good. I go in the morning for another sono, but it should be pretty cut and dry.

Doc did inform me that I lose my breath suddenly because her head and all extremities are pushing into my lungs. Her butt is sitting directly on my bladder. He then told me "Congratulations..." I was like thanks....

Below is what the little princess is up to right now (besides causing discomfort in my ribs!)

35 weeks pregnant

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that she'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, she isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times she kicks should remain about the same. Her kidneys are fully developed now, and her liver can process some waste products. Most of her basic physical development is now complete — she'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

PIcs of the mostly complete baby room

Tonight my mother-in-law brought in the rest of the stuff for the room. Crib is up, bedding is on, curtains are up. The letters above the bed were hand-painted by Janet. She also made the picture above the changing table herself. She is so super-creative!!! Everyone has been such a help on the room. All it really needs is a baby. We just need to work on getting the clothes hung up and the closet and bathroom organized. We are getting so close to having a perfectly ready house for the baby.

34 weeks and a delivery date

Went to the doc again Monday and Wednesday as I passed the 34 week barrier.

At both appointment my fluid levels went up even more. I am at a big bad 15 now. They have almost doubled since they first started checking it regularly. However, I still have to keep up the appointments....

While at the doctor we asked him about a more solid delivery date since the fluids have gone up. He said he was thinking the 23rd. Justin and I were pretty adamant on it being after Christmas, for the baby's birthday sake and so I am not in the hospital on Christmas. He said that was fine and we have it scheduled for the 29th. Of course this all hinges on if she does not plan on making an early appearance. He also confirmed our suspicion, that I will be needing a C-section. He said we can try to move her if we like, but in my case it is very unlikely to be successful as she has stayed in the exact same position the entire pregnancy. He said this usually means there is something obstructing her movement. Since we trust his judgment, we are going to see if she does it on her own, but it looks like once I actually go into labor or on the 29th I will be getting a C-section. He made us both laugh though. He said "you know why you do not need to be worried - because I am great at C-Sections. I will give you a good one!" I really do love my doctor. He has a way of calming me down and making me very comfortable with all that has been going on.

So I pretty much have 31 days left until the baby gets here if she waits until then. Crazy. I am going to do everything in my power to make sure I do not force an early delivery.

As of Tuesday I was 34 weeks preggers. Below is what was going on (as well as a picture of my big old self)

34 WEEKS!

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

Found my crib!!!!

Boy does UPS stink!!!!

A very sweet woman knocked on my door are 9:30 AM. My package was delivered to her house. She was not able to lift it or bring it, but got it in her house yesterday. I asked where in the neighborhood she was. She lives in a different city and neighborhood over 2 miles away. The street names do not even look alike or are similar in any way. The driver screwed up something terrible. I think UPS may hear from my husband and I this afternoon.

This woman is definitely getting a thank you note and gift card. I am glad there are still some very honest people in this world.

So I get my crib in a few hours!!!

My crib may have been stolen

So I was looking so forward to getting my crib all day. I had a long, hard day at work, and all I thought about was getting to put it together and work on the room tomorrow.

It was supposed to be delivered this afternoon. Justin left the house after his lunch break at 4:45 pm. I got home at 7. It was "delivered" at 5:30 pm on the front porch. Except when I got here, it is nowhere to be found. I think in the hour and half it was on the front porch, it was stolen. The company we bought it from did not require a signature.

I called UPS and they said I have to call the shipper and they have to put a trace on it and the require a signature (I guess when they ship it again). Of course the company's phone lines are closed for the weekend.

So, if this was stolen, to whomever has my little girls crib, thanks for taking away something I spent weeks researching and all the overtime I worked the last few weeks to pay for it. You are a true winner.

So here is to emotional pregnant meltdown #5 or 6 of the the last 8 months!

33 Weeks Pregnant (and doctor update)

I am now 33 weeks pregnant (as of yesterday). It is hard to believe that I will be holding my little angel no later than 7 weeks from now.

My doctor appointments this week:

Monday - specialist - My fluid level went up a little more since Monday last week. I was a strong 10 on Monday. My mother-in-law came with us to this one as she was my ride to work. Annaleigh is still measuring small, but he said that is because she fell behind a while back and will be smaller than average. She is 3 lbs 12 oz right now, but should gain 1/3 to 1/2 pounds every week from here on out. Oh, and she is still breech,

Wed- sono with my OB's technician. My fluid levels were even higher today. A good 11 1/2. Yeah! She said to keep doing what I am doing as it seems to be working. Apparently that is drinking ridiculous amounts of water. The tech also gave us some great pictures for the album. My little one is still butt down with her head right below my belly button and her feet directly above her head by my ribs. So apparently she is likely kneeing me and head- butting me. Maybe I have a little soccer player in there. Justin and I looked at her leg and foot and Justin said "her foot looks big". I laughed, because I was thinking the same thing. The tech said, I do not like to say big anything. She said she prefers "normal". It is just big. We got a good pic of it. I hope to post it soon. She is obviously a Gresham based on her foot size.

Below is what is going on in Week 33 as well as a Week 33 belly picture. The waddling is very noticeable now.....

33 Weeks!!


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. She's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and her skeleton is hardening. The bones in her skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for her 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 her brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

Most recent update

Went back to my OB today. I have scheduled my sonos with him for the rest of the pregnancy. He said the 9-10 amnio fluid number is good if it stays at that rate. He said I need to be prepared to go on bed rest at any time, but said he can give me 2-3 days warning to clean my office out and hand off my work.

I also need to be prepared, worst case scenario, that I might need to go into the hospital if my fluid levels drop and stay there for two days at a time until the fluid levels go up. If they do not go up after hospital stays they may need to do an early delivery. Obviously the hospital stuff is a worst case scenario. I am at the mercy of my amniotic fluid levels.

In other news, my fundal measurements went up over 4 cm in one week. Now I am measuring exactly at 32 weeks, right on target. I was over 3 weeks behind on my belly measurements a week ago. I also gained 5 pounds since last week. Hopefully things are turning the corner.

We also asked about my delivery date and he said that he does not imagine I will make it past 38 weeks. Guess what 38 weeks is. Christmas Eve. Yep, that stinks.....

In essence, I need to be ready to have Annaleigh in 4-5 weeks. I can also start trying exercises at home to try and make her flip out of the breech position. He said we will discuss making her move at 37 weeks. So, it is just a waiting game.

I feel so much better about everything after my appointment today. My doctor has a way of making me feel better and more comfortable with what is going on with my baby and body. I still need to take care and be patient, but it looks like our little girl will be in my arms in less than 6 weeks.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers

Doctor Update and 32 weeks!

I went back to the specialist this morning to check on the fluid levels. I was hoping for this miraculous climb in numbers after drinking the most ridiculous amount of water ever.....but I was not so lucky. It only went up to a 9. I was a 8 last week. So all that water and I did not improve that much. He could not measure growth because it had only been a week and they need two weeks to get really accurate numbers. Annaleigh still looks great at the sonograms, but there are some concerns about the fluid levels. Normal range is 5-25 so I am in the normal, but low end of normal. He told me to keep drinking a ton of water, rest as much as possible, and also start counting fetal movement. I can guarantee that this little one moves 5-7 times an hour. She is also still breech! I am getting closer and closer to a scheduled C-section....

I meet with my OB tomorrow to go over the results. I plan on asking him what this means for delivery date, bed rest potential, etc. I have a feeling it is time to start planning on an earlier delivery than planned. I also am going to talk to HR at my office once I get these answers about all the maternity leave issues. And then start planning on handing over my work at the office. I am informing my bosses no more overtime after today. (have not done a ton, but it stops now). I also want to get a estimate on when he thinks it will happen, so I can make sure mom, dad, and Jarrett are here to meet the new addition to the family.

Overall, what this all means is that my specialist wants me to have two sonograms a week for the rest of the pregnancy. (I am sure my insurance is loving this!) He wants me to go once with the specialist on Mondays and once with my OB on Wednesdays to chart and keep tabs on my fluid levels. I am sure my doc also wants to watch my fundal measurements. If that stops growing it will just be watching her on the growth chart and make sure that she is still packing on the pounds...(sound familiar Lindsay)

On a funny note, the doc did something different. He put this stick on my stomach and said it would tickle. It buzzed/vibrated across my belly and Annaleigh did not like it. She moved and kicked, like "it is 8 AM, what are you doing?" He was looking at her reaction, etc.

The doc reassures me that things are okay now, she looks great and they are just being cautious. It is good to know that I am such good hands. My OB and Specialist are amazing and are so wonderful in taking care of me and my little princess.

So, I will send another update tomorrow, but after that I may only send one a week as necessary based on these appointment. Keep Justin and I (and Annaleigh) in your prayers and thoughts to stay strong and healthy. When she gets here it will be worth all this quality time with my docs. (who are becoming my new best friends - HA)

32 week!

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, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

Busy week!

Long time no write!!!

Sorry it took so long to write but I have had a very busy and adventurous week. Last Tuesday I hit the 31 week mark. That morning I had a follow-up with my specialist and a regular appointment the next day with my OB. I did not receive the greatest news....

My amnio fluid levels were somewhat low according to the sono, so I was ordered to drink a ton of water to try and get the levels back up. Usually it is due to dehydration, but I had also gotten this terrible cold, which might effect it. If the levels do not go up, something else is wrong. I go back tomorrow AM to see if they improved, and if they did not, then I will discuss what is going on with my OB on Wed. She is also still a very breech baby. I have two more week tomorrow for her to move and then my doctor and I will discuss my options, which I imagine is a c-section.
Then I had my regular check-up with my OB and something else is going on. My uterus (fundal measurements) have more or less stalled. Due to this with the low amnio level I have been qualified as a high risk pregnancy with a risk to deliver early. He said my measurement could improve if my fluid levels go up. This may be the reason she has not flipped as well. Not as much to flip in. Also, my BH contractions have been hurting and those may improve. In other words, I need to get my fluid levels up.
I guess my biggest fear at this point is going on bedrest (other than early delivery). If that is the case, then I will lose up to half of my maternity leave to sitting on my butt. Also, my mom and dad may not be here if they have to deliver early. I need her to cook some more!!!

For the fun news....I had my first shower on Wed. after work. The ladies at my office threw the most amazing gorgeous shower. I got such incredible stuff. I am truly blessed to work with such an amazing group of people. Annaleigh is going to be the most stylish baby in town!

As the week progressed I learned that I gave my husband, my mother-in-law, and a co-worker my cold. Aren't I nice. Bad thing is they are all still terribly sick and I got over mine in two days. I think maybe the vitamins and he constant water flushed it out of my system. I feel so bad about getting everyone sick. Over the weekend I rested and tried to get some well-needed rest. Like the doctor wanted me to. I hope that work is not so nutty this week so I can do the same throughout the week.

Well, I go back to the doc in the morning and I will get an update on here by Wednesday at the latest. Hopefully it is really good news. Please pray for my little one, as well as my uterus and fluid levels. I need it to get bigger and full of more fluids!

Below was the 31 week update and I will post the 32 week update tomorrow.

31 weeks!

How your baby's growing:

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. She weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. She can turn her head from side to side, and her arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath her skin. She's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

Working on Annaleigh's nursery!

So my in-laws came over this morning and Justin and I worked with them until he had to go to work. Then, I tried to help as much as possible after he left, but my feet and legs have been so swollen I had to keep taking breaks. Joe and Janet are amazing and put this all together. Janet has such a creative eye. I can not wait to get the crib and accessories in there, including some pretty brown curtains to bring out the brown in the bedding. It feels so much more real the more stuff like this we do.

The pictures do not do the room justice as it is a lot darker in the pics. The striped wall is the main wall when you walk in the room. The chair rail and pink/green combo is on the other three walls. Thanks Joe and Justin for adding the chair rail. It makes the room gorgeous!

Hope the pictures can show you all how awesome Annaleigh's room will be!

BABY ROOM: Before....


After the first color and taping....


Joe adding the chair rail.


Adding the stripes to the wall where the crib will be.


BABY ROOM AFTER- I really Love this room. We will start accessorizing soon....brown curtain, crib and bedding. Here we come!

30 week belly pic.

This is me at 30 weeks and three days....can we say enormous.....

10 weeks left!!!

It is hard to imagine, but we are at the 30 week mark. I have an appointment next week with the specialist to confirm her growth. We are taking a video tape this time to get an awesome video. She is also moving so much right now. I actually think she may have moved out of breech, but we will find out next week.

Update for the week:

30 WEEKS!

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

A mid-week entry

Well, it seems like time is just flying by. I can not believe Annaleigh will be here in less than three months. It almost shocking to know how close I am. The more she kicks and moves the more reality sits in that I am going to be a mother soon: something I have been dreaming of since Justin and I got married. As scary as it is, the thought of holding her in my arms is amazing.

Justin and I get to spend a whole weekend together! I am super pumped. I think we are going to do some fun stuff this weekend. I have a gift card to Galleria I have not used from Christmas last year. I think I am going to try and find a cute maternity outfit that I can wear to my showers and church. If not, I am sure I can find something else to buy!--Not that hard. We are also going to possibly work on the baby room stuff. I really need to get going on that! Then of course my crummy A&M football team plays on Saturday night, but I have to watch because you have to stick with them through thick and thin....and it is definitely thin. At least they showed a great fight in the first half of the Tech game last week.

I really just plan on enjoying these few weekends I have with Justin left as much as possible, for they will not be the same for much longer.

Everyone take care and talk to you all next week.

Jillian

29 weeks

Nothing new to report here. Since I last wrote, I have just been going to work and resting when possible. I had a very small weight gain over the two weeks when I saw the doctor last Wed. (1.5 pounds), so I have not felt like I was expanding so much this week.

I did go shopping on Sunday to grab a couple more maternity shirts as I am starting to have the baby bump run up against the shirts I had bought a couple months ago. I just hate spending money on something I will only wear for 3 months! They are pretty cute shirts though. :o).

Annaleigh has been kicking and moving a lot more this past week. I even think she is starting to push on my stomach instead of just giving it a swift judo chop. She seems to just be squirming alot more. I think she may have moved a little because the sciatica has not been as bad the last few days. Yesterday I was walking almost completely normally. It was an awesome day. Even if it only lasts a few days, it is totally worth it.

I am in countdown mode for something besides this baby though.....
The Mavs tip-off is in 9 days! I have tickets to the season opener against Houston with my cousin Bobby, whom I went to the games with in the mid 80's at Reunion Arena. Awww...the good old days. I also just got a couple tickets to a preseason game on Thursday, but I have to find someone to go with me as my dear, sweet, wonderful husband does not like basketball. What a freak!

On that note, here is what is going on with Annaleigh this week.

29 Weeks!

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.

Third Trimester Here I Come....

Well I only officially have 12 more weeks until I am blessed by the presence of my little angel. It is hard to believe it has gone so fast.

I went to the doctor today for an update and checkup and based on the specialist visit last week, he has decided not to change my due date. Her expected date of arrival is still January 6th. As I thought, all my pains and feelings are all normal, or nothing can be done for it at all. He also said I did pass a kidney stone based on what I took to him. It is likely I have passed some smaller ones after it. That explains the intense bladder pain for two weeks.

On an awesome note, my cousin had her baby this week on Monday. She is gorgeous from what I have seen on the pictures. I hope to meet her in person soon!

Besides that, below is what is happening this week. After reading, you will find what we have decided to name our little angel.

28 weeks!

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 her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.



and her name is.....


Annaleigh Hayden Powell.

(We might change the spelling a little on the first name if we come up with something better.)

The last two weeks and 27 weeks!

Well, it is hard to believe but I am 27 weeks preggers. I have a feeling the next 13 weeks will go very very fast. Sorry it has been so long for a post. The last few weeks have been pretty tough for me. Sorry if this is too long!!

After the last appointment, I went back a week later and he checked on me to make sure everything was progressing.

The bladder pain had slowly improved every day, with one bad night last Tuesday. It still hurt, but I was not doubled over anymore. He said the bladder pain was something I may still have to deal with it. In fact, I think I passed a kidney stone yesterday morning and I have had literally no bladder pain since. That would explain alot...

I also had noticed that I was getting a bad shooting pain in my back that was coming down my leg. After my appointment last week, the doctor told me I have sciatica, otherwise known as a sciatic nerve pinch. Either it is just happening from the weight shift or our little girl is laying on my sciatic nerve. If anyone has been "blessed" with that, let me say I am so sorry. This is horrendous. It has gotten worse every day and I am now limping/waddling like a 9 month pregnant person. Unfortunately, there is literally nothing I can do for it. I am going to try and get a pregnancy massage to help alleviate the pain in the next week.

At the doctor appointment he was taking his normal measurements of my belly and was concerned about my measurements in conjunction with the baby's size. He said some girls just do not measure well and he figured that is what is wrong with me. Problem is, my due date is all over the map. So they set me up for an appointment for a perinatal specialist. He said if it was not the measurement issues, it was one of three other things. 1. Justin and I make small babies 2. The placenta was not getting enough nutrients to the baby or 3. there was unknown disease or genetic disorder. He was pretty sure it was the measurement issue or 1.

Of course, I was understandably anxious and concerned about the visit with the specialist. He was going to take a high-risk sonogram, which is the fancy, clear, detailed sonogram where he can take great detailed measurements and look for any abnormalities. Well, that appointment was yesterday, and I will start with the fact, that our little girl is just fine. She is measuring a tiny bit on the small side, but nothing to be concerned about. He said everything looked good and just to come back in a month to make sure she is still on path for average growth. For the cool stuff. You can take a videotape to get a video of the sono, but of course no one told me that. So I was very sad not to have a video. The details were amazing. She was so amazingly clear and beautiful. I could see the pad of a foot, her lips, tibia, and her confirmed "girl" parts. When he panned over her face she yawned soooo big. It was the most incredible thing. When we go back in a month, we are definitely taking a video tape to get a recording. I got an awesome profile shot that I will upload at a later date.

So in short, she looks good, but we just have to keep an eye on her. When I go in for my regular checkup on Wednesday next week, I will hopefully get a confirmed due date.


Justin said I needed to write something nice about him today, so I guess I will. :o) Through all this Justin has been so wonderful. He has rubbed my back, made me dinner, cleaned the house, let me cry on his shoulder with tears due to hormones, pain or worry, and all other various ways to try and make me feel better. We also noticed last week that we started dating 9 years ago. It does not even feel like it has been that long. I am so blessed to have him in my life and can not wait for us to be parents.

I also more or less finished doing my registry last night. Thank goodness for Internet registries!

Thanks everyone for reading my small novel. Hopefully, it will be a little calmer the next few weeks.

P.S. - We have finalized the little angels name....does anyone want to know ?!?!?!

Well below is the update on what is happening during week 27!


Week 27!

How your baby's growing:

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

25 weeks belly picture!

Oh my! This belly is getting bigger by the day! 15 weeks to go.

Additional and hopefully final doctor update for the week!

Update:

On Tuesday night I was in so much pain I almost went to the ER. Cramping, back spasms, and extreme bladder pain. I was in tears on the way home, so I called my doctor. He reassured me that these symptoms are not uncommon, but if I was really uncomfortable and worried to go to the ER. Well, I got through the night and headed up to work on Wed (I always feel much better in the morning). Around 10 he called and told me to come in and get a sonogram to be safe and then he would see me. I got there and had my sono. She is doing great and apparently I am the only one that is not doing so good.

Well after that I was waiting to see him. I was forced in so I waited about 2 1/2 hrs to see the doc. While I was waiting they decided I needed to do my glucose test. YUCK!!! On top of that, I had not eaten lunch yet, so I got light headed, shaky and had a hot flash. I ate some crackers really fast and the nurses weren't happy, but I was about to pass out. Well he talked to me and this is what he thinks all this pain is.

As my body is preparing for a child, the tendons and ligaments around my pelvis are loosening, thanks to the hormone relaxin (seriously). Some people have menstrual type cramps from it, some back pains, some minimal pains, some none at all, and some with pretty severe pain, including bladder pain. Guess where I fall.... So he gave me an antibiotic to make sure I have no infection and some Tylenol with codeine to take before bed. Unfortunately it is too strong to take at work (even though it might make it more fun!) so I just have to deal with the pain. He said eventually the pain will subside, and if it does not in two weeks he is sending me to a specialist to make sure there is nothing more major going on. Also, he said if the Tylenol works, it is likely just some inflammation. Well, the Tylenol is working. I took it last night before bed and I did not want to go to sleep because it is the first time in over a week I was not hurting. Oh well. Also, at the sonogram, we discovered the baby is frank breech, which means her little booty is sitting on my birth canal with her knees and legs straight over her head. The doc said that will also make me a lot more uncomfortable. If she does not move on her own, we will deal with that later.

Say prayers and think positive thoughts that this is just a temporary setback so I can hold a beautiful baby girl in my arms. It is totally worth it!

I will be adding some pics of me and my ever growing belly today too! I hope to add the sono pics soon.

Thanks for all the support! Love you guys!

Continued Doctor Update and 25 weeks!

So, I will start with the somewhat good news. The second infection we all thought I had is not there. I went to the doc yesterday AM and they cultured my samples and there is no infection and there never was. Yeah! Bad News: It still feels like I have one and there is not a treatment to help the pain right this minute. I have to live with the pain of this one, without meds. So we have narrowed it down to two things (I am hoping for 1).

1. The antibiotics I was on for the sinus infection have inflamed my uterus and bladder to the point of feeling like I have an infection and I just need to let everything calm down. I have stopped the meds and we will see what happens....

2. It is the baby laying or adding just the right pressure on my bladder or nerves for the bladder causing the intense pain. If this is the case, I will be finding out when I go to my next OB appointment on Friday and there may not be much he can do about it....I can not even imagine dealing with this for 15 more weeks. Justin is supposed to have a little "chat" soon with his daughter about keeping mommy in discomfort all day :o)

I will update everyone when we know what is going on here.....

On a positive note, I am 15 weeks away from this little girl arriving. And boy is she letting me know she is here. Constant movement and kicking now. Here is what is going on this week.

25 weeks

How your baby's growing:

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

Further update

Well, this was not a great week on my end. I have not felt well at all and it is taking much longer to get better than I had planned. On Tuesday, they confirmed a sinus infection and got me some antibiotics. That has more or less cleared up.

Then on Thursday I noticed that I was getting the symptoms of every girls' favorite kind of infection. Needless to say, I was already on antibiotics, so the treatment has not changed. However, I still am feeling bad.....I have downed two jugs of cranberry juice and have been limited to Tylenol only. I do feel better, but not by much. I am calling the doc in the morning to see if there needs to be a change in the antibiotic. I am still able to do some stuff around the house, but I mostly want to watch TV or relax. I am just worn out enough.

Yesterday we had to take Justin to urgent care because he got a stomach bug in the middle of the night and we all think it was a small bout of food poisoning. He had not slept 5 total minutes on Friday night, so he slept some during the day on Saturday. He is feeling better, but now we just need to get me going.

With all this, our little girl is still doing fine. She is kicking and moving like nothing is wrong. Except that the cranberry juice is so sugary I am making her very hyper this weekend! Sorry little one :o)

Hopefully I will get an answer from the doc tomorrow and we can determine what to do next.

Things are not awful, but could better. So for all you girls out there, any suggestions for helping with my discomfort would be greatly appreciated!

Doctor Update

I just got back from the doctor. I have a stupid sinus infection. I am likely not going into the office today, so I can rest and take it easy (Dr. orders). I am far enough along in the pregnancy to take some antibiotics so I should be feeling much better tomorrow.

24 Week Update

Well I had a more or less uneventful week last week. Just went to work and hung around the house. On Saturday I was waiting for Ike to strike my house. Before Ike rolled through Dallas, I went to my cousin Lindsay's shower. She is due in just a few weeks and she looks great. She had some adorable stuff!! I was definitely taking notes for some ideas :o) After that I got home and watched the edge of the storm roll in. It was not that bad, escept that the tree we finally got the builder to replace 5 days earlier was looking as if it was about to uproot. In fact the two trees across the street did. Luckily, it did not! Outside of that our neighborhood was very lucky as the storm went a little farther east.

I have had a lot of friends displaced by this or without power. To all my Houston buddies and my Galveston friend, I am sending positive thoughts and prayers your way. Keep safe!!

I worked hard on the house Sunday after I woke up not feeling well. It is starting to come together. Of course I was exhausted after that. Yesterday I thought my allergies were bad, but I think it may be more than that. I was not able to sleep hardly at all. I feel like I have a cold bordering on a sinus infection. What hurts is my ears. They are throbbing. I just made an appointment to see my doctor. I am miserable. Hopefully they can do something for me....

On the baby news:

She moves more and more every day. Justin got to feel a good hard judo kick two days ago. He was suprised by how hard it was. I know I will get a little tired of it later, but it is fun and reassuring to have her moving around.

Here is what is going on this week.

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts her at just over a pound. Since she's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), she cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon start to plump up. Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her 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 she hits the outside world. Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

23 weeks!

Well, one more week down. As I mentioned previously, Justin and I got to spend 3 whole days together. I took Monday off and we spent some quality time together. We need to enjoy these days while we can!!

We had a really productive weekend. We worked on the house on Saturday to get ready to work on the nursery. We still have a lot to do, but we are getting there. At 4 we watched the A&M game, as it was actually on TV. On Sunday we both went to church and I started feeling really bad. My hips and back muscles had a constant dull pain. So we watched some movies and the Cowboys game. I was very uncomfortable all day. On Monday Justin and I ate a late breakfast at a cute cafe in Downtown Wylie and then we went and began the baby registry process. It is so completely overwhelming how much stuff there is.....Justin and I had a hard time just knowing where to begin. Thank goodness for online registry maintenance. I have a feeling we will be adding/deleting as we get an idea what the heck we are doing :o). After that we went to a late afternoon movie, and we were one of 4 people in the theater. After Justin's parents got home from their trip we went to dinner. It was a really fun 3 day weekend with the hubby. We do not get to do this very often.

On the baby front:

Last Wed, I went for my full physical exam and got some good news. I am not forced to have a c-section or does he see any delivery issues due to my spinal and hip alignment. In fact he said "you have room for two." I told him, he was insane. I think the big thing was my weight gain. They did not say anything, but I gained almost gained 5 pounds in two weeks.....I am supposed to gain 1 pound a week. I imagine if I have another month (or two weeks like that) I will be hearing about that from the doc.

One other thing. She is kicking and moving like crazy now. Justin can feel her all the time now. I believe I do have a very active baby....that could be fun later.

This is the update for the week - Week 23.

How your baby's growing:

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

The best family and friends in the world (and week 22)

Well, I had a nice week this past week. Work was productive and just busy enough to make the days go fast. I spent a lot of time with my in-laws this week, mostly my mother-in-law and Justin's aunt Susan (as well as a close family friend Pam).

One day this past week Janet and Justin met myself and Pam for lunch downtown. Ironically, Pam and I work in the same building downtown. We had really yummy Mexican food in Uptown. Then on Saturday I had a girl's day out.. I slept in late and around noon, Susan and Janet and I saw Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 and then got deluxe pedicures. I almost fell asleep in the chair. It was awesome. Then I cam home and Justin and spent some quality time together.

On Sunday morning I was not feeling all that well, but started feeling better that afternoon. I went to buy a maternity swim suit as nothing fits anymore ans then hung out at the in-laws pool and the whole family went to dinner. Justin's brother, Jeff, is about to go to Hawaii for four months (jealous anyone?!?!?) so everyone went to dinner, except for Justin, because he was at work.

Today I did absolutely nothing. I had grand plans to work on the house, yet nothing happened. Justin and I are both off Saturday-Monday next week so I think we are going to spend nice time together, but also work on the house and baby stuff. I am going to take a day off to spend time together. We may go register one day that weekend. That will be a lot of fun!

Tomorrow is the 22 week mark, and I have been feeling extremely pregnant as of late. I am "rolling" out of bed more often then sitting up. I making a minimum of 2-3 bathroom visits a night. Mobility is beginning to suffer. But most importantly, I am feeling the baby kick more regularly and I feel her move around alot. It is an absolutely amazing feeling. I am so blessed to be experiencing this. It was always a huge fear of mine that I would not be able to conceive a child, so to know that this is real is incredible. Justin has felt her kick once and now he is checking all the time. It is so cute!!! He is so excited to be a daddy.

I have a dr appointment Wednesday and it should be a big one as he is going to check on the possibility of natural child birth and making sure that everything is progressing nicely in terms of delivery needs. In honor of tomorrow, below is the 22 week update on my princess:

22 weeks!!

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.

Last week or so.....

So the last week or so has been eventful. I have seen a couple of old friends, ironically, both from the DC area. Both were my bridesmaids. We had a great time visiting each of them. I also found out I get to be bridesmaid. I can not wait!! The wedding is in June so I will have 4 1/2 months to get back into pre-baby shape. That is great gym motivation if I ever heard of one!

Outside of that, nothing crazy has happened. I go to the doctor in a week for another check up. Work is the same.

I did get some baby freebies the last week or so. I got a stroller and changing table from a friend from work and our dear family friends gave me very cute baby girl clothes (as well as maternity pants I can wear to work). I think Justin and I are narrowed in on a crib and bedding. We hope to register and start picking out all the fun baby stuff in a couple of weeks. It is nice to start getting an image of bringing our little girl home and the idea of Justin and I experiencing the joy of being parents together.

Speaking of Justin I realize how lucky I am more and more every day. He has been such an amazing husband the last 5 years and is only more so now taking care of me. After 9 years together I love him more every day. I see how amazing a father he is going to be every time he talks about his little girl. I can not wait to see his princess have him wrapped around his finger....because all us girls do it.

In terms of my little one, this is what she is up to this week.

21 weeks!!

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.

HALFWAY THERE!

This is me at the halfway point - 20 weeks. It is amazing how big I am getting already. Oh well, the doctor said I am on target in terms of my weight and belly size. It just feels like I am getting very big very quickly.

Stinking with the updates!!

Good afternoon all. So I have been really stinking with updates like the last week or two.

I have been feeling really well as of late, but the heartburn has been more prominent. I feel our little girl everyone now and then, but not on a regular basis.

I am almost 20 weeks (tomorrow!). Halfway tomorrow. Time is flying by.

I believe the nesting phase has hit. I cleaned all weekend and had dinner on the table when Justin got off work (and those that know me understand that is impressive). I am hoping to go through a couple of boxes tonight and start knocking part of the unpacking out, so we can set up the nursery.

We have also been name hunting. I have some ideas that are pretty amazing. I am falling in love with one name, but I want to make sure that I like it later, so Justin and I are seeing if we like the way it sounds later.

In honor of the 20 week milestone tomorrow, this is what my little one will be doing this next week.

20 WEEKS:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)

He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

These are the few good pics the sonogram technician could get because of her constant activity. Still, it is absolutely amazing to see. I can not believe that I am going to be a mother. It is a dream come true.

Doctor's Appointment

I am officially WRONG on my predictions. After 10 minutes at the sonogram.....she finally snapped one solid picture of my little GIRL! She was moving like crazy. My tech said she was shocked at how much she was moving. The technician acted like she had not seen a baby move that much in a while. She even accused me of drinking coffee before the appointment. I had a glass of OJ and that is it! It looked like she was dancing and doing somersaults. I am afraid she is going to be a mover which I will be having some rough nights. :o)

I will post sonogram pics later.

Newest picture.

This is the newest baby bump pic. I will be posting tonight about the 18 week mark today. Tomorrow expect a post revealing the gender. I find out at 8:50 AM. I am so excited!!!

Talk to you all later tonight.

Weekly Update

I am officially 17 weeks. I have been so tired the last week and a half. I feel like I did the first trimester. It is miserable. Hopefully this will pass. I leave to go out of town Friday morning for work. I am going to help out at a trial in East Texas from Friday - Monday. Should be good experience and good money!

I am one week from the fun sonogram. Then Justin and I can start arguing over baby names and nursery decorations. I have also felt the baby move a few more times in the last week, but it is still very faint. I can not wait to feel it more. It is a reassuring feeling.

In the meantime, below is my 17 week update. I will post a belly pic over the next few days. I really feel like I have "popped" in the last couple of weeks.

17 week update:

This is what our little one is up to this week......

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

Look for the belly pic to come!

These are the newest additions to the baby and my wardrobe. All Aggie related of course from my recent trip to College Station. The booties are for the trip home from the hospital and the shirt is the first true maternity shirt I have bought. I am saving for the football season.

Week in Review and 16 weeks!

Hello everyone. This past week was a lot of fun. I went to College Station and stayed with my dear friends Larry and Lauren and their adorable little boy, Ethan, while I went to a wedding. After the wedding of my former coworker in Caldwell, I just took it easy and hung out with my friends. While I was there I bought a couple of baby/maternity things for myself. I will post pictures of them tonight. They are awesome!!

I think I may have felt the baby move on Saturday, but it is kind of hard to tell. It felt like a stomach rumble localized in one small section of my belly. Also, it lasted only a second. It was surprising enough for me to stop mid sentence.

Only two weeks until the big gender sonogram. I hope he/she makes her presence known that day. This is the only time in our child's young life that it will be okay to be very free. Other than that day, I expect a very proper baby, even in the womb!

On an entertainment note, I saw The Dark Knight last night. It is incredible. I loved it. One of the better movies I have seen in a really long time. I was on the edge of my seat almost the entire time. The joker as the villains was one of the best villains I have ever seen in a movie. Bravo to that film.

Below is today's 16 week update. The time is just flying by. I hope to post a new belly pic as well next week. There is no doubt that I am pregnant now.

How your baby's growing:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

15 week update

Yesterday I crossed the 15 week mark. Nothing significant going on except that I am being told by many that I have "popped" in the last week or two. I must say that I agree. There is definitely no doubt that I am pregnant by looking at me anymore.

I am going out of town this weekend for the second wedding in two weekends. I am going to an old co-worker's wedding in Caldwell (outside of College Station) so I am going to get to see some old friends this weekend. It will be very nice to see them all. However, another wedding means time to squeeze into a dress that was not meant for someone who's belly is rounding out. But I do not see the need in buying a new dress this early. I am doing everything in my power to not by maternity clothes yet, but I may not be able to hold off much longer.

Below is the week 15 update (only 3 weeks until my big ultrasound!!):

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

This is the beginning of the baby bump! It was taken at night so it is a little larger at night than during the rest of the day. Either way, baby is making his/her presence known!

14 weeks!

14 week update!!! Here is what is going on with my little one.

Welcome to the second trimester! This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

Countdown to sonogram/Doctor update!!

I went to the doctor this afternoon. Still no physical exam (fine with me). After my terrible excema for the last 4 months, I can start taking steroid cream once a day in ten days. I am very excited about that.

I also asked the doctor about nursing with my Rheumatoid Arthritis considering it is an auto-immune disease. He is pretty sure it will be fine, but the doctor is going to research it to be safe.

I was worried about my weight gain, because last month when I was there, I had gained 7 pounds in a week. I was pretty sure it was water retention, and I got confirmation of that today. I have actually lost 2 pounds since last month. So I believe that water weight has now turned into baby weight.

For the best news of all. I get a sonogram on August 6 and I get to find out if I am having a little boy or a little girl. I heard the heartbeat again and it was a strong 147 bpm.

Things are progressing very nicely and I look forward to the second trimester!

So I am a little behind.....

So sorry about the long time between updates!!!!

Last weekend (Saturday the 28th) Justin and I went to the Harbor at Rockwall to celebrate 5 years marriage. We went to The Melting Pot and had a wonderful dinner. Then we stayed at the Hilton on the Harbor and overlooked the lake for a nice evening. The next morning we got up and just spent the day relaxing. We watched his brother Jeff's cat for the weekend while he was in California with my in-laws.

On Tuesday, we celebrated Justin's 28th birthday. Nothing fancy, just went to dinner with his brother Jacob to Chili's and then had a small cake. His birthday part with his family is tonight since they are all back in town. It should be fun.

Yesterday I went to a large acreage of Justin's extended family for the Fourth of July. It was beautiful out there. There was crawfish and sausage and potatoes. Wonderful food and wonderful family. Then we all shot firecrackers (I held sparklers!)

On my health:

On Friday the 27th I went to doctor for this extreme paint in my foot. I was informed that I have plantar fasciitis. That could be a problem when my feet swell and get painful. I have to get that healed up sooner than later.

I have my first physical exam with my OB on Monday. I can not wait to hear the heartbeat again and see how everything is progressing. I am afraid he is going to yell at me for gaining too much weight!

My 13th week was on Tuesday July 1st (Justin's Bday) Here is the update for that week.

How your baby's growing:

Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.

Very uneventful week

Good afternoon all!

Well, I am having a very uneventful week. Work has been steady. Justin and I have worked on the house a little, and I am just resting up. Last Saturday, my beautiful, glowing cousin Lindsay and her husband Ross came over for dinner. And the women beat the boys in spades-because we are the best! Lindsay is expecting a girl at the end of October. It is really fun going through pregnancy together.

As uneventful as my work week has been so far, the baby has been very busy! (see update below). I have grand plans to clean up this blog more and add pictures soon, as I feel that I am beginning to show.

On a personal note: Justin and I are celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary on Saturday. I can not believe that we met 9 years ago at The Abbott's annual July 4th party after we all graduated from High School. I look back and feel that we are so blessed to have met and grow together at an age when so many couples grow apart. If you had told me at the age of 18 I was going to meet my future husband and be married by 22 with a child on the way at 27, I would have laughed in your face. More proof, that my "plan" was not God's plan. I look so forward to enjoying the new stage of our life as a married couple with a beautiful child on January 6, 2009.

12 Week update:

How your baby's growing:

The most dramatic development this week: Reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over two inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

Hope to have more updates on a regular basis!

11 Week Update.

On the home front: Still working on slowly unpacking some boxes. It is just a lot of work to go. I was hoping to get many things done this past weekend, but that did not happen!

On the baby front: 11 weeks today! So I have decided not to get the genetic testing. I did research and it is very invasive, so I did not feel that it is not worth the miscarriage risk. Besides that, the exhaustion is fading a little bit. Now the new big issue is, I am hungry ALL THE TIME. I can not eat enough in one sitting, so I am trying to find "filling, healthy snacks". Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I plan on trying to find a way to add our sonogram picture and a few other pictures so you can all see this.

In case you wanted to know, this is what the baby is doing this week, development wise:

Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. His/Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden.

She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.

Heard a heartbeat!

On the baby front:

That was the most calming, wonderful sound. Made all my fears about the pregnancy to date fall to ever so small levels. After such a worrisome beginning to the pregnancy, seeing and then hearing the heart is a wonderful feeling. The doctor officially signed me off as "risk of miscarriage - small". In fact, I do not have to go see him for a month, which after seeing him every week or two weeks since May is a relief.

I am supposed to set up a test with the doctor that screens for down syndrome and other genetic defects. I have to do that in the next three weeks. Kind of scary, but they said if I bring a VHS tape I will get a video of the baby. Pretty Cool! I will be scheduling that tomorrow.


On the home front:

I have been too dang tired to try and even pretend to work on the house. So there is nothing going on at the house!!!!