Week 35 Appt. Update

I didn't expect this appointment to be anything eventful but it turned out to be kind of exciting. During the exam, the doctor thought she might be a little small for being so close to D-Day, which of course got me a little anxious. He ordered a sonogram just to be sure everything was progressing normally and, even if she was small, that she was growing properly. Of course, this would be the day that the sonogram tech was booked with back-to-back appointments but they worked me in and we got a good look at little Brianna. Only, she's not so little! The sonogram estimate puts her at 6 1/4 pounds already! She's also measuring 36 weeks, 1 day, which is almost a week ahead of where we are based on my original due date. Everything looked and measured just fine as well so that put my mind at ease. The coolest part of it all was I got to see her yawn! She had her little face turned just right as they were measuring her head, she opened her little mouth and treated her mommy to the biggest, cutest yawn I've ever seen! We got a picture of it so I thought I'd share it with everyone. I personally don't think she's going to wait until February to make her arrival but we'll see how the next few weeks progress.


As for me, I'm holding steady on weight gain as this was the second week in a row with no change. Everything else is healthy and normal so its just a waiting game from here on out. I think that hospital bag I've got a list made for needs to actually get packed though. Its crazy to think that she could be here soon! Also, here's this week's installment of belly pics.

Love you all,
Lucretia

Nursery Updates

Since today was Justin's day off, we went to work on getting a few more things done in the nursery. All that's left in order for it to be complete is putting up 26 (yes, we counted) more circles, finishing the bee trails and painting, then hanging, the two shelves that will go to the right of her crib. My mom's also making curtains for the window to match the bedding. All Brianna's bedding, blankets and clothes are washed and waiting for her as well. Here's a couple pictures of how the nursery's shaping up. We're pretty excited about how its turning out! Hopefully, Justin's next day off will be as productive and we can get everything finished up.

34 Week Update

So, here's the latest belly pic for all of you out there who are interested in seeing just how much bigger I can get before I pop! I'm beginning to wonder myself but there's still 5 weeks to go before we find out. I was looking back at pictures from week 13 and its a reality check to see just how much I've changed over the last several months. Right now though, I'm dreaming of the day when I fit into my normal jeans again instead of the ones with the ever expandable stretch belly panel and tops that don't tie in back, have "ruching" on the sides or those wonderful elastic empire waistlines. As cute as today's maternity clothes are, they just don't compare to all the adorable clothes I see every time I visit Justin at the store. I've been promised a shopping spree once I'm back to my normal size and I simply can't wait for that day to come.

That said, I had my prenatal check-up this morning and I'm very proud of the fact I've only gained 22 pounds to date! Hopefully, that means getting into those new jeans I've got my eye on will be a bit easier. As for Miss Brianna, she measured right on track for 34 weeks in terms of her size. Here's the weekly update from Baby Gaga on what the last week has been like for her...

Your amazing baby is on the move! They’ve been riding fairly high in your stretched-out womb till now (while kindly compressing your poor internal organs), but now they’re planning on making the big move to your pelvis this week. If you haven’t noticed it already, you’ll be feeling the weight shift that signals that your baby is most likely out of breech position, with their head now resting on your pubic bone. In liver news: although not quite fully formed, your little miracle’s liver is now capable of processing a certain amount of waste. In general, most of your child’s prenatal physical development is pretty much up to snuff and ready for the outside world. Naturally, further weight gain is expected—so you’re still not at maximum capacity despite probably feeling like you definitely are maxed out.

I can definitely say that I think she's staring to drop based on where I feel her head and arms when they move. But, that doesn't mean my ribs are getting a break from her little feet, nor is it getting any easier to take a deep breath. Justin keeps asking if I'm okay because I sigh a lot but I remind him that I'm just trying to get a little extra air. Poor guy, he's probably thinking he's said or done something wrong.

That's it till next week. We're on weekly appointments now so I'll be seeing a lot of my doctor between now and D-Day.
Love you all,
Lucretia

The Furniture Has Arrived!

Lonestar Baby delivered Brianna's furniture this morning and while the final placement isn't quite determined, we wanted to share a few pictures with you of what it looks like in the room and how the bedding looks.








There's still work to be done on finishing the details, but having the furniture in there makes it feel even more real. I can't wait to get the rocker ordered and in place and all the bedding washed and on her crib! Just a few more weeks to go ...

Love you all,
Lucretia

33 Weeks

For everyone that's been asking how big I've gotten now, here's a picture from today to show you. I'm starting to feel a bit huge and I know, with 7 weeks to go, that's only going to get worse. But anyway, here I am ... be kind with any comments please!

Justin's been joking he's going to paint two dots above my belly button and call me a bowling ball, which I don't find particularly funny but he seems to think it is. I'm just thankful I don't have any stretch marks yet so hoping it stays that way!

Also, here's the weekly update from baby-gaga.com in case you're wondering what week 33 is like for Brianna.

For all the weight and bulk you’re lugging around these days, you’d think your little champ should weigh much more than a mere 5 lbs and measly 17 inches in height, but nope, that’s about the average size for a baby in its thirty-third week. In terms of appearances, they’re getting cuter and pudgier every minute as they pile on the baby fat for those adorable little wrist rolls and chubby toes. And as we’re sure you’ve already noticed they’re getting stronger with every passing day. Nowadays, it’s possible to observe a well-placed kick just by watching your belly—but you already knew that didn’t you? Although they’re getting stronger, your bigger-by-the-day baby is losing space to move around, so the actual rate of movement will drop off in the last few weeks, despite that powerful drop-kick they’ve been working on.

The only change from last week is the return of my dear friend Heartburn. If the old wives tale is true that the more severe the heartburn, the more hair baby has when born, she's predicted to have a lot of hair at the rate I'm going right now. The only way I can fall asleep is propped up on a couple pillows and I still wake up in the middle of the night & grab the bottle of Tums that now sits by the bed. This is one pregnany joy I won't miss after she's born!

Later -
Lucretia

Week 32 Appt. Update

Yesterday was our week 32 appointment and everything's progessing normally and on schedule still. Mom and Brianna are both healthy, gaining weight and getting ready for the big day. Its hard to believe that we're in the single digits now in our countdown to her arrival with just over 7 weeks to go. She's definately head down and ready to go though, which means her little feet have found my ribs ... she seems to think that's a lot of fun. Here's the week 32 update from babycenter.com for those that want to know how Brianna's growing:

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds 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.

Today's a pretty active day for her. I find myself sitting at work, watching the various ways she makes my belly move and wondering just how much farther my skin can give when she decides to stretch her legs out. My mom informed me last night I was much the same way as a baby so I guess I'm getting what I deserve in some respect. She was kind enough to remind me that paybacks are hell ... thanks Mom!

Justin's putting the final touches on the nursery this week since the furniture's being delivered next week. Once its all set up, we'll take more pictures so everyone can see the final nursery. I'm excited to have it all together and waiting for her. In the meantime, we're making lists of what to take to the hospital, washing up all her clothes, blankets and bedding, continuing our classes and enjoying our last few weeks together before life changes.

Week 32 Update

Its been awhile since I've posted any updates so thought I'd take a moment and do so. We're now at the start of Week 32 and there's a few new words and concepts that have entered my vocabulary recently.

1) Braxton Hicks: Yep, there's been a few times I've stopped in the middle of doing something to feel this strange tightening sensation that everyone assures me is Braxton Hicks. Since there's nothing else to go along with it, I've also been assured that its normal and everything's fine. It does freak me out a bit because it reminds me of what's coming in about 8 weeks and I'm not ready to think to much about that.

2) Baby Hiccups: She doesn't get them every day, or if she does, I don't feel them but when she does, you can tell. She had them the other night during dinner and Justin could see her little head, or I assume it was her head, making my belly move with every one. They must be uncomfortable for her because she starts squirming around & doesn't quit until they go away.

3) Insomnia: Okay, I've had this before when I wasn't pregnant and it wasn't fun then. Its even less fun now since all I can do is lay there, be uncomfortable, listen to the dog snore and think of all kinds of things that only cross your mind when its 3:00 am. Other than the couple nights a week when this happens, I sleep though the night unless something (aka the cat or dog) wakes me up. Then, its a battle to waddle my way to the bathroom and back, get comfortable again and try to fall back asleep.

We started our prenatal classes last Thursday and part of the class included a tour of the hospital. We're delivering at Dallas Medical City and I have to say, I was happy to see that all the labor & delivery rooms, as well as post partum rooms, were private. I really wasn't too excited about the thought of sharing a room with another new mom. Justin got his fill of the whole labor & delivery process during the class, which I think was more than he was bargining for as he appeared to tune out half way through. Can't say that I really blame him ...

Next week is Baby Care ... I'm hoping for some funny stories out of that class to share with you all!

Later-
Lucretia