36 Weeks

How far along? 36 Weeks

Total weight gain: Bleh! Up 2 lbs from last week, now at 36 total.
Maternity clothes? Not in this pic. We'll call it casual pic day. Can you tell i'm wiped out? Already changed into my jammies = Aaron's shirt & men's XXL fleece sweat pants. I got new glasses today though, you like??
Stretch marks? Ugh too many.
Sleep: Sleep issssssss okay. Not bad, just lots of tossing & turning & bathroom running. And every time i move my hip pops & hurts. I am having trouble shutting my mind down though these days.
Best moment this week: Seeing Octaveus at Fridays ultrasound. We got more pics of our baby boy. Now to see him in person very soon!
Miss Anything? In a nutshell, everything.
Movement: Still lots of movement & hiccups. Even though he's head down & out of room, he sure manages to roll around and squirm from side to side. He was posterior at today's appointment, but that can change with him at any moment.
Food cravings: Still no, but we seem to have been eating homemade fruit salad with fresh mint & citris honey sauce with almost every meal lately.
Anything making you queasy or sick: The usual as usual.
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: Little contractions & some cramping. Still dialaited to 2cm. No progress from last week. Boo!
Symptoms: Such pain in my hips! And in my back. Contractions, leg cramps, SOOOO tired!
Belly Button in or out? Flat as a pancake.
Wedding rings on or off? On part time.
Happy or Moody most of the time: So anxious. And SO done being pregnant.
Looking forward to: Having a baby! I know i know, he still needs 2 weeks to finish cooking. But isn't the 2 weeks up yet? 16 days people! The countdown is on.

So a bit of bummer news, i found out that on the ultrasound this past Friday, it showed baby boy still has hydronephrosis. Don't ask me to pronounce that. This condition had shown up on the previous ultrasounds but they were earlier on and the docs had hoped that condition would have cleared on it's own by now. It not a SERIOUS condition, and it's something that can and will very likely still clear on its own once baby is born. BUT it does mean that we will have to look in to it more, starting with an ultrasound of his kidneys right after he's first born. So both of my children are needing ultrasounds on their kidney's. Apparently i can't grow them healthy ones. What this condition means though is basically it's "dilatation of the renal (kidney) pelvis. It's transient in most cases (meaning it will clear on its own) but if it doesn't it can lead to occasional urinary tract obstruction (UTI's) and or vesicoureteral reflux (reflux of the kidney's) . Which is what i have, and i have survived obviously, and am fairly healthy. So that's the latest update! Emelyne is still doing good, back to her normal self. She is VERY ready to meet her brother! She's getting impatient like me. Ha!

35 Weeks

How far along? 35 Weeks

Total weight gain: 34 lbs. I just gained 1 pound over the last 2 weeks according to docs scale, but according to my home scale i actually lost 2 lbs.
Maternity clothes? oh yes! and nice hospital socks as you can see in the pic. ha!
Stretch marks? uh-huh uh-huh uh-huh uh-huh
Sleep: not so much. but that is mostly due to all the issues w\ Emelyne.
Best moment this week: Realizing that in 1-3 weeks i will have a BABY! It sounds weird, but it just kinda hit me.
Miss Anything? breathing, sitting & laying normally. Sleeping on my stomach. i could go on and on.
Movement: Still lots of movement. I will use the word PRESSURE. Every time i sit down it's like he instantly squirms up under my ribs, ouch!
Food cravings: Nope, but i've eaten an entire carton of strawberries 3 nights in a row, and i plan on doing it again tonight. But that's just cause there's been a good sale on them at the grocery store this week!
Anything making you queasy or sick: oh just the usual.
Gender: sweet baby boy
Labor Signs: contractions! still braxton hicks, but they're getting stronger & more frequent.
Symptoms: immobility! hip pain, back pain, i do look a tish swollen in the face here (thanks for making me aware mom ;) ) waddleing SOMETIMES! , tired, tired, TIRED!
Belly Button in or out? oh it's questionable right now.
Wedding rings on or off? on part time
Happy or Moody most of the time: Too tired to be either. Let's say anxious sums up the week pretty well.
Looking forward to: meeting our sweet baby of course! And no longer being pregnant!

So, as i've said before, i always post this at the end of my week. So even though this says "35 weeks" i'm actually 36 weeks now. Today was my doc appt, i go weekly now. I am dialated to a 2 already! But that could mean nothing. Baby is head down but we are still having an ultrasound on Friday to get a better look at things, make sure the partial previa from earlier is completely cleared away. They did go ahead and schedule me for an induction for Friday March 1st. That day would work out really well for everybody, Aaron doesn't usually work Fridays & it'd be easier for family traveling. BUT honestly my gut feeling tells me i won't make it that far. I, of course could be totally wrong. And i'm not counting on going early, and i don't really want to go early...i just....have a feeling. So that sums it up for that baby. Onto my next baby...

As some of you know, this past week (starting on Saturday) Emelyne started fevering VERY high. 106 + temp. This has absolutly been the scariest, toughest, longest, worriesome, most tiring few days of Aaron & I's lives. We've been back & forth to the doctor 3 times since Sunday. Emelyne would do better for a period of time and then spike a fever again. The first time we went to the doc was Sunday night and they initially found nothing wrong with her, BUT went ahead and perscribed a antibiotic anyway in case strep culture or urine culture came back positive. Monday morning, after one of the worst nights of our life, we went back into doc and while we were there the urine culture came back positive for UTI. But because of the extremely high temps the doc actually thinks it's a kidney infection or more to do with her kidneys, maybe the same problem that i have. So they want to start with an ultrasound of her kidneys to determine if there's a problem. That will be sometime in March, we haven't heard an official date yet. Anyway, Monday she did good in the morning and then again about 430 spiked up to 107.4 and stayed above 105 for a couple hours. Finally about 7pm it broke and came down to normal. Overnight Monday she did great again and all day Tuesday kept it down. At this point we thought all was going well and then again last night at about 530 she shot back up to 104. We called doc again thinking it was time to be admitted to the hospital, but we were able to get the fever down with-in an hour and were advise if we could keep it down overnight, we should bring her in the morning and they'd give her a shot of Rocephin, which is the equivelant of a weeks worth of anti-biotics in one shot, basically what they'd give her through iv's if they put her in the hospital. So, that in itself was terribly traumatic because she HATES shots, and it was so high of a dosage they had to split it into 2 shots and do one in each leg. They also put a numbing agent in so her legs wouldn't be sore but then for the first hour afterward or so she couldn't walk! By this afternoon she bounced back to normal! Normal energy, appetite, normal smile! And so far a normal temp again for a good half of the day. Hopefully the worst is behind us. I'd be just fine never going through this again. It's hard to explain it all in writing, the seriousness & urgency of it all. But for those of you who have gone through health crisies, especially those of you with children that have had them, there is just nothing worse or scarier in the world! The docs were even surprised she never ended up seizuring, especailly considering how many times she fevered over 105 and how long it stayed up that high. Her little body would shake and she'd hold her breath...so awful! I know some of you have already been updated on this somewhat, and thanks to everyone for their prayers & support. We have such great family & friends! And as my friend Maria commented, this ordeal certainly made this last week fly by as far as the pregnancy goes! Hopefully only good news to come from here on out!

Baby stuff!

So, i've been promising for a while to take "before" pics of the nursery in progress. I finally took some today, but let me assure you we, (well, 99% Aaron) has done a LOT of work already.

So as you can see we don't really "finish" one task before starting another. There's places that still need to be insulated, some parts of walls are already sheet-rocked. All the lights and outlets are in now. There's a partial frame built around some of the pipes on the ceiling...keep in mind that this room, on EVERY wall from filled with shelves or cabinets from top to bottom. So it's been completely gutted which in itself was a huge job. Aaron put in 4 recessed lights and 2 outlets. And we still have quite a ways to go....as you can see.

 Now, onto the fun stuff! In the case that the room isn't done before baby boy arrives, i have set up his dresser\changing station. So though he doesn't have a place to sleep set up yet, we will have a place to change diapers! And a pic of some of the cutie patootie clothes i can't wait to put him in...

 These are just a couple of the pom poms that will make up the "mobile" above the crib. We have a LOT more to make!

And these are a few of the baby blankets from my mom & aunt Brittany! The two pieces on the bottom right are both cribs sheets.

My unbelievably beatuiful fully packed & ready to go diaper bag...

And lastly the "take home" outfit (for now) and my favorite baby blanket, also made my mom. Love!

34 weeks

How far along? 34 Weeks

Total weight gain: 35 lbs now. No weight loss this week.
Maternity clothes? Maternity & XL or XXL!
Stretch marks? They certainly didn't disappear from last week...
Sleep: Bleh! Could be worse but could surely be better. Again, trying to turn from side to side...like trying to flip a beeched whale. Oh, and the leg cramps have returned, i think i kinda freaked Aaron out a couple times when he awoke to me hovering against the wall to stretch them out.
Best moment this week: Is there a best moment? Really??? I am sooooo stinking uncomfortable 24\7 now. Stressed about getting everything done and not feeling well enough to work on it. I'm just happy another week has passed.
Miss Anything? Sitting anywhere in any position. I want to scream from the back pain lately, it doesn't matter what i do it HURTS!
Movement: In general the movement has subsided a bit until the last 2 days. Still some hiccups. I will say last night baby actually scared me. I laid down to go to bed and it felt like he literally FREAKED out trying to jump around or something. It was a bit weird. I actually started talking to him telling him to calm down!
Food cravings: None
Anything making you queasy or sick: Toothpaste! Ish, we have 3 different kinds and no matter which kind i use, when i brush in the morning it literally makes me feel sick for hours afterward. It's SO gross!
Gender: All boy!
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: The usual braxton hicks upon exertion. SO much rib pain & pressure still, and i know it won't go away or get any better until after the kiddo has arrived. Extreme mid back pain on my right side, bad bad bad. Leg cramps.
Belly Button in or out? Still an innie.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Let's be honest. I'm done! Getting very impatient.
Looking forward to: Besides the obvious of babies arrival, i'm excited to take maternity photos this week! Hopefully i will be able to do a post and showcase them next week!!

33 Weeks

How far along? 33 Weeks

Total weight gain: 34 pounds (going back to my calculations from 4 weeks, only 29lbs by docs calculations) Know what that means??? I lost a pound over the last week. Seriously.Cried.Tears.Of.Joy! My doc didn't but at this point she's not concerned.
Maternity clothes? The top in this pic is not maternity, but the pants i'm wearing which you can't see are.
Stretch marks? Uhm, this question is now devestating to me...i found new, fresh new ones. Both of my sides look like they've been punctured. I have 4 purpleish red spots on both sides now. Not good.
Sleep: Eeeehh. It's going that well.
Best moment this week: Finding out i lost a pound at my docs visit yesterday. She just didn't seem to share my grand enthusiasum though.
Miss Anything? Not having back pain 24\7.
Movement: Still the usual movements & hiccups. 
Food cravings: Nope
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing new
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: No, and hopefully i won't end up going in to labor on my own. Considering the situation, my doc did agree to induce me IF\once i make it to 39 weeks. No official date yet, but i'm hoping for March 1st.
Symptoms: Sooo much back & hip pain still. The chiro has been a favorite friend of mine of late but because i'm finally getting treated for my back it seems to be worse at the moment until i start holding my adjustments. A lot of rib discomfort this week. He seems to really by pushing his way up at the moment and my ribs are suffering for it. Even my doc made the comment that i have just run out of room already. Hard to imagine that he's still going to grow so much yet! Ouch! Not many braxton hicks this week. A couple sharp low abdomen pains.
Belly Button in or out? We may just make it all the way while still an innie...
Wedding rings on or off? On, most of the day.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy but SO anxious & antsy. Because it's so close now i just want him here NOW. But there's still so much to do.
Looking forward to: Getting more work done on the babes room. A bit of progress is being made. I keep promising myself every day that i will take pics before we make too much progress, but that hasn't happened yet. We did get the dresser all set up & loaded up & all the clothes and diapers put away! That was so much fun but made it worse for me wanting him to be here now. I have so many cute things to put him in!

32 Weeks

How far along? 32 Weeks
Total weight gain: you know what?? Still at 34 lbs. I've gained NOTHING over the past week. I feel i could cry i'm so happy!
Maternity clothes? Yes. But the shirt in this pic is not maternity. (I don't know why i always feel the need to point these things out, but i do. So there.)
Stretch marks? Yes.
Sleep: Okay, at this point i feel like sleep has gone out the window. I can't count anymore how many times i'm awake at night, trying to flip over from side to side. Do you all know how HUGE of an ordeal that is? Just to turn over? I have a hunch i've even been interrupting Aaron's sleep because i haven't heard him snore for an entire week. Poor guy. No wait, poor us!
Best moment this week: Just happy to be sloooowly making progress on a lot of different things, including the babe's room. I think i've about successfully gone thru 90% of every drawer & closet in the house, EVERY drawer! Organize, throw away, organize, throw away, repeat repeat. I.LOVE.IT!
Miss Anything? Let's just go for the whole sha-bang and say i miss it all. I remember getting to this point with Emelyne, when i honestly can't remember what it feels like to be normal. In any way, shape or form. Normalacy, what IS it???
Movement: Still yes, constant. It's more of him turning from side to side i think. No real jabs. He likes to try to settle under either of my rib cages but i usually refuse to let him and push on his little squishy butt til he moves down. And he pretty consistently gets the hiccups twice a day at about the same time.
Food cravings: Nope
Anything making you queasy or sick: What doesn't some days? I still feel nausea about 40% of the day.
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: SO.MUCH hip & mid back pain! Some rib pain, still some cramps, still some braxton hicks.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy but getting anxious!
Looking forward to: Lining up some maternity pics! It's about that time, and the time will soon pass. I better get on that.


So as you can see, Emelyne wanted to get in on the pic this week, though she looks less than thrilled about it, it was her choice. I honestly can't believe i am in my 33rd week now, it has gone by so SLOW. Yep i said slow. But even so, it's crazy that we are to this point already, and in anywhere from 5-7 weeks we will be a family of 4. (Only 4 weeks if he comes as early as Emelyne, let's hope that doesn't happen. Yikes!) I definitely feel the panic setting in. There is SO much to do and SO little time now. And half the days i don't feel well enough to do much of anything other than maintain a semi-clean house, let alone anything extra. And now most every week has a day filled up with some kind of appointment which requires a trek in to Bismarck that takes up most of the day. Sure the world will not fall apart if not everything gets done, realistically i know that. But for those of you who really know me, you know that it is NOT an option to not get everything done in time. So think happy, positive thoughts for me! We're counting down, 48 days or less people!!!

31 Weeks

How far along? 31 Weeks 

Total weight gain: 30 & 34 lbs. I'm posting two weights this week because: the 30 lbs is what i've gained according to my doctor since my first visit at 11 weeks, 34 lbs according to me when i weighed myself the day i found out i was pregnant at 4 weeks. I saw the doc yesterday, and going by their scale, i've only gained 1 lb over the last 4 weeks. Ya-HOOOO!
Maternity clothes? The usual yes, but in this pic the only maternity clothes i'm wearing are the pants. Granted there was absolutly NO way i would've even attempted to button my blazer closed.
Stretch marks? Yes
Sleep: Sleep is still iffy. I sleep okay but get up at least twice a night. I also roll over multiple times because of sore hips. And generally when i do wake up i get REALLY crabby because Aaron has been snoring REALLY bad lately. I'm fine once i'm up in the morning for good but usually surprised that Aaron doesn't have any bruises on him. Ha!
Best moment this week: Again i will say, this question would be so much easier if it was "Worst moment of the week" but i will have to go with yesterday when i found out i'd only gained 1 pound in 4 weeks. I'm still SO psyched about that!!
Miss Anything? Being able to literally just walk without getting out of breath. My pulse was running high yesterday and i'm sure it was because of getting out of the waiting room chair and having to trek down the hallway to the doc's room. That's enough to make me feel like i could use an oxygen mask for a while.
Movement: Of course, i think it's more him shifting around to get comfortable rather than kicking. And still getting the hiccups a couple times a day.
Food cravings: Nope
Anything making you queasy or sick: Yes! Protein powder. I discovered this the other day while doing dishes and dumping out a half un-used shaker bottle of protein powder drink of Aaron's. I stood at the sink for a bit gagging. (sorry Sara) It was beyond nasty.
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: So much rib pain\pressure! Neither baby or mommy can get confortable anymore. Braxton hicks contractions still. Breathlessness, lots of hip\low back pain, and one spot behind my right shoulder blade. (Chiropracter here i come on Tuesday!)
Belly Button in or out? Still an innie, unless he's really pushing out around my belly button.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happily counting down the days! 54 days!!!!
Looking forward to: Still hoping for progress on the nursery, it's becoming a very sore upsetting subject. I'm to the point of seeing the doc every 2 weeks now, so that's exciting and going to make it fly by even faster! Now looking forward to my ultrasound which is scheduled for Friday Feb 8th. On my to-do list over the next 2 weeks is to get my hospital bag packed along with the diaper bag, and that is something i do look forward to!