Weekly Update

Weekly Update

34 Weeks

December 13, 2012

My baby bump at 34 weeks from the side:

And from the front:

Total Weight Gain: I am up a total of 14.5 lbs. (I gained about 4.5 lbs this week. Aaahhhhhh!!!)

Movement:  I am still surprised at how much room Cullen still must have to move around.  I am still feeling his wiggles and kicks all day.  (Or maybe he is really squished and is just trying to make more room.)  He was really moving in church on Sunday.  Mom and I were mesmerized by my rolling belly.  Sorry to everyone we distracted with our giggles! 

Boy or Girl? Boy!!!

Food Cravings: Corey and I finally went to Outback to get a Bloomin’ Onion.  It was so yummy!  And one night Corey made a late night McDonald’s run to get me an M&M McFlurry and some fries.  He is such a good hubby!

How I’m Feeling: I’ve finally gotten over the cold from last week.  But, back pain seems to have set in permanently.  Sitting at a desk all day is torture.  I just want to lay down, but it is difficult to get any work done that way.  My feet have started to swell every afternoon too.  The swelling usually goes down as soon as I can get home and put my feet up, but I am not a fan of sausage toes and cankles. 🙁

Also, I am running out of clothes that fit.  The support bands on my pants are too tight and my shirts are too short.  I wish yoga pants and over-sized t-shirts were socially acceptable work attire.  Only five more weeks of work before Cullen gets here though, so I can probably make it.

Overall though, I still feel great.  No major complaints.  This pregnancy has been a breeze so far, and I have loved every minute of it.

Size of Baby: Pineapple (19 – 22 in, 4.9 lbs) 

Baby’s Development:  Baby could be as tall as 20 inches right now and about five pounds!  That growth is the only big change this week.  Also, baby’s fingernails now reach the end of the fingertips and may even curl over the tip.

Best Part of this Week: We had our Childbirth Preparation class at the hospital last Monday.  Corey and I really learned a lot and feel a lot more confident about labor and delivery.  I can do this.

Also, it always makes my day when I overhear people talking about my belly.  At home depot this weekend, I heard a couple of ladies talking about how pregnant I am and how good I look.  One day at work this week, I passed a couple of students in the hall and heard one say “Aww, look at her cute belly.”  Every pregnant woman should get to hear things like that.  Makes me feel great, especially on days when I feel like a whale!

What I’m Looking Forward To: We have our last class this week.  We will have a chance to learn and practice different pain management techniques for labor and delivery.  I am excited about being so close to needing to use what we are learning!

I also have another shower on Sunday!  I am super excited about spending time with friends and family (and of course seeing lots of cute baby things!)

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Weekly Update

33 Weeks

December 5, 2012

My baby bump at 33 weeks from the side:

And from the front:

Total Weight Gain: I am up a total of 10 lbs. (I gained about 1 lb this week.)

Movement:  Cullen’s movements have been about the same for the past couple of weeks.  He moves all the time!

Boy or Girl? Boy!!!

Food Cravings: Nothing at all.  Everything is yummy!

How I’m Feeling: Great other than this cold I have been fighting for about a week.  Being sick while pregnant is absolutely no fun…there’s not much I can take to feel better.  Needless to say, not much baby prep got done this weekend.  I have a lot of catching up to do.  I am starting to feel better though, so now I only have to deal with the typical aches and pains of being pregnant. 🙂

Size of Baby: Honeydew (19 in, 4.5 lbs) 

Baby’s Development:  At this stage, baby could have grown a full inch or more this week alone.  Weight gain can range from a third more growth to full doubling before his big debut.  If we could see inside, we’d see our baby acting more like a baby, with his eyes closing during sleep and opening while awake.  And more light is penetrating the womb, helping baby differentiate between day and night.  And baby has reached an important milestone now: the development of his own immune system that will be able to provide protection from mild infections.

Best Part of this Week: Saturday was my birthday!  Corey and I had maternity pictures taken, which was so much fun.  I can’t wait to see them!  Then we had dinner at my parents’ house.  My mom always makes the best birthday dinners! 

What I’m Looking Forward To: We had our Childbirth Preparation class at the hospital last night.  I am looking forward to the second part of the class next Wednesday.  All of this preparation makes me feel like we are really getting close to meeting our little boy!

Weekly Update

32 Weeks

November 28, 2012

My baby bump at 32 weeks from the side:

And from the front:

Total Weight Gain: I am up a total of 9 lbs. (I gained about 1/2 lb this week.)

Movement:  It definitely feels like Cullen is running out of room.  He is constantly squirming like he is trying to make space and can’t get comfortable.  He is now finally letting other people feel him move too…as opposed to the way he used to get still as soon as someone put their hand on my belly.

Boy or Girl? Boy!!!

Food Cravings: Sweets.  Probably not a good thing.

How I’m Feeling: Pregnant.  That pretty much sums it up.  I’ve had lots of heartburn, hip pain, and am just uncomfortable in general.  Nothing worse that what is to be expected for the third trimester though.  I feel like this pregnancy has been a breeze so far though, so no complaints. 🙂

Size of Baby: Head of Lettuce (19 in, 3.9 lbs) 

Baby’s Development:  This week baby weighs almost four pounds and could be up to 19 inches long from head to toe.  Most likely baby has settled into the head-down, bottoms-up position in preparation for birth.  (Cullen was at our last ultrasound at 29 weeks…based on his movements, I am pretty sure he still is.)  At this point, baby’s digestive system is all set and ready to go.  And because he is accumulating more fat, baby’s skin is finally turning opaque, looking more and more like a newborn.  

Best Part of this Week: So many fun things this week…I had a shower at work, Thursday was Thanksgiving, and Friday we got our Christmas tree and got it decorated!  I still have a few more Christmas decorations to put up, but I am glad it is starting to look like Christmas in our house.  It is definitely one of my favorite times of the year!

What I’m Looking Forward To: Is it too early to say Christmas?  I love this time of year.  I love decorating, listening to Christmas music, wrapping presents, and spending time with family.  I can’t wait until Cullen’s first Christmas next year!

Weekly Update

31 Weeks

November 20, 2012

My baby bump at 31 weeks from the side:

And from the front:

Total Weight Gain: I am up a total of 8 1/2 lbs. (I gained about 2 lbs this week.)

Movement:  Cullen is still moving all the time!  He pushes on my hip bones, kicks my ribs, and it feels like he is trying to escape through my belly button.  Sometimes his kicks can be a little painful, but I still love it!  I am going to miss all of his wiggles, kicks, and punches.

Boy or Girl? Boy!!!

Food Cravings: Junk food.  Definitely not the things I should be eating.

How I’m Feeling: I still have some days that are really good and some days where I feel really pregnant.  Bending over and getting out of a chair are getting very difficult.  And my belly starts to feel very heavy if I’m up and moving around for a while.  I do a lot more sitting and resting these days.  Only 9 more weeks though…I’m sure I can make it.

Size of Baby: Head of Lettuce (18 in, 3.2 lbs) 

Baby’s Development:  Baby’s brain is working overtime these days, developing faster than ever.  Connections between individual nerve cells are growing at a frenetic clip, and baby can now perceive information from all five senses.  So what is baby doing all day?  Making faces, hiccupping,  swallowing, breathing, pedaling with little hands and feet, and even sucking his thumb.

Best Part of this Week: Corey and I went to a ‘Caring for Your Baby’ class at the hospital this past week.  It was fun to watch Corey practice changing a diaper, burping a baby, and giving a sponge bath.  He is going to be such a great daddy!

Also,  we had a shower on Sunday with some of mom’s family.  I loved getting to see everyone and enjoy all the yummy shower food and cake!  And Cullen got lots of really cute things.  His nursery is filling up fast!

What I’m Looking Forward To: This is going to be a good week.  I have a shower at work, Thanksgiving, and we get to decorate for Christmas on Friday.  Yay!!!

Weekly Update

30 Weeks

November 11, 2012

My baby bump at 30 weeks from the side:

And from the front:

Total Weight Gain: I am up a total of 6 1/2 lbs. (I gained about 2 1/2 lbs this week.)

Movement:  Still feeling lots of movement.  And a lot of the kicks and punches these days are a little painful. I feel like his feet are constantly stuck in my ribs…not so much fun.

I also felt his little hiccups for the first time this week!  (I am pretty sure it was hiccups anyway.)  I loved it!

Boy or Girl? Definitely a boy!  Confirmed again by our ultrasound this week.

Food Cravings: No cravings, but I only want sweets.  I definitely have no desire to eat healthy.

How I’m Feeling: Still feeling great, but I am definitely feeling pregnant these days.  I underestimate the amount of space I need to maneuver around furniture. I am constantly hitting my belly on things.  I have also gotten to the point where if I drop something, it usually stays on the floor.  I can still shave my legs and paint my toenails, but doing so has gotten infinitely more difficult.  I just have to laugh at myself sometimes.

Size of Baby: Butternut Squash (17 in, 3.1 lbs) 

Baby’s Development:  Baby’s height and weight haven’t changed much in the past week, but the big news is baby’s brain gain.  Until now, the surface of his brain was smooth.  Now, his brain is taking on those characteristic grooves and indentations.  The reason for this change?  Those wrinkles allow for an increase amount of brain tissue – a necessary change as baby prepares for life outside of the womb.  Another big change: Baby’s bone marrow has taken over production of red blood cells.  This is an important step, because it means he is better able to thrive on his own once born.

Best Part of this Week: The 3D/4D ultrasound.  I love every change I get to see Cullen!

What I’m Looking Forward To: My second shower is Sunday.  I love a chance to hang out with family I don’t get to see all that often.  And what better reason to do so than to celebrate the newest family member!

Weekly Update

29 Weeks

November 7, 2012

My baby bump at 29 weeks from the side:

And from the front:

Total Weight Gain: I gained another 1 1/2 lbs this week.  Finally growing steadily.

Movement:  I think our little boy is starting to run out of room in there.  His movements feel more like stretches instead of kicks and punches.

Boy or Girl? Boy!

Food Cravings: Nothing in particular.  I’m just hungry all the time now.

How I’m Feeling: I am starting to feel a little more uncomfortable lately.  Cullen has made his way up under my ribs and some body part is constantly poking them or trying to push them out of the way…not so much fun for me.  I am also having a more difficult time getting comfortable when it’s time to go to sleep.  All of that is to be expected at this point though, so no real complaints.  

Size of Baby: Cabbage (17 in, 2.9 lbs) 

Baby’s Development:  Baby’s wrinkled skin is smoothing out as more fat is deposited under the skin surface.  This new fat serves as an energy source.  That explains why baby feels so energized!  Space is at a premium, so jabs and pokes are now mostly from elbows and knees. Those kicks will be more vigorous than before (and also less erratic) because baby is stronger and excitedly responding to all sorts of stimuli.  Also this week, the buds for permanent teeth are forming under baby’s gums.

Best Part of this Week: We got the nursery painted and the crib assembled!  I also had my 28 week appointment this week.  I had the glucose test this time…not so much fun, but I passed!  It was a great week overall!

What I’m Looking Forward To: Corey and I will get to see our little boy again this week!  We are going Thursday for a 3D/4D ultrasound.

Weekly Update

28 Weeks

October 29, 2012

My baby bump at 28 weeks from the side:

And from the front:

Total Weight Gain: I gained about 2 1/2 lbs this week.  I think I ate too much cake.

Movement:  Cullen is one active little guy. His kicks are super strong and all over the place.

Boy or Girl? Boy!

Food Cravings: Nothing in particular.  I’m just hungry all the time now.

How I’m Feeling: Still good overall.  I have found that my back and hips are hurting more lately.  My afternoon commute is no fun at all…sitting in one spot in bumper to bumper traffic is killer on my hips.  And I am hungry all the time now.  I definitely feel like I am trying to eat for two, or three or four.  I have gotten some looks from Corey this week when I keep going to the fridge and pantry before dinner.  (This new habit probably explains my sudden weight gain.)

And in case you haven’t done the math, I only have about 12 weeks left before our little boy gets here.  That is crazy!  Time is flying by.  And we still have a ton to do!

Size of Baby: Head of Cauliflower (16 in, 2.5 lbs) 

Baby’s Development:  By now, baby has added blinking to his growing bag of tricks.  Other impressive new talents include coughing, more intense sucking, and perhaps most important, better breathing.

Best Part of this Week: Mom and I went apple picking again this week.  It was fun to get out in the orchard again and pick the few apples left.  And we, of course, got to enjoy some yummy apple cider doughnuts!

What I’m Looking Forward To: My first shower is next Sunday!  I am so excited!

Weekly Update

27 Weeks

October 23, 2012

My baby bump at 27 weeks from the side:

And from the front:

Total Weight Gain: No change in weight this week.  Still at pre-pregnancy weight.

Movement:  Cullen’s little kicks keep getting stronger!  Sometimes he catches me by surprise with a sudden kick to my side or a sudden flurry of movements.

Boy or Girl? Boy!

Food Cravings: I still would like a Bloomin’ Onion…maybe this weekend.

How I’m Feeling: I feel great except for the cold I have developed over the last week.  Being sick while pregnant is no fun.  Tylenol, Sudafed, and Halls are just not cutting it.  I’m sure some honey & whiskey or just a shot of rock & rye would clear things right up…no such luck right now though.

Size of Baby: Cucumber (15 in, 2.2 lbs)  Really?  Never in my life have I seen a cucumber that long.  Where are they finding these fruits & veggies?

Baby’s Development:  Baby is now being measured from head to toe, which makes him nearly a full 15 inches now.  And at just over 2 pounds, he has doubled in weight from four weeks ago.  Baby’s auditory development is progressing as the network of nerves to the ears matures.  Even though the sounds he hears are muffled, he may recognize both his Mommy and Daddy’s voices.  Time to start singing and reading to him!  Baby’s taste buds are very developed now too, giving him the ability to taste differences in what I eat.

Best Part of this Week: Corey and I went thrift shopping for some things for the nursery this weekend.  We only ended up getting a lamp that we will repaint for the nursery, but we had a blast looking at baby things all over downtown Simpsonville.

What I’m Looking Forward To: Showers, finishing the nursery, and childbirth classes.  I feel like these next three months are going to fly by!

Weekly Update

26 Weeks

October 16, 2012

My baby bump at 26 weeks from the side:

And from the front:

Total Weight Gain: I gained 2 pounds this week.  Maybe I should cut back on the pasta. 🙂  At least I’m back up to my pre-pregnancy weight!

Movement:  I didn’t think I would, but I still get excited every time I feel Cullen move.  I am going to miss feeling those little kicks and wiggles when I have to share him with the world.

Boy or Girl? Boy!

Food Cravings: I have decided that I have not really been having any cravings; I just want to eat what I hear other people talking about.  And I would really like a Bloomin’ Onion.  Somebody needs to convince Corey to take me to Outback soon!

How I’m Feeling: It seems to change every day.  One day I will hardly feel pregnant at all with no limitations.  The next day I can feel like a beached whale and can’t get off the couch.  It is amazing how much I miss the little bit of core strength I used to have.  Sometimes I will wake up feeling great after a restful night sleep, and other mornings I wake up feeling like I just finished running a marathon and slept on a concrete floor.  Not that I know what running a marathon feels like, but I can imagine.   

Size of Baby: Eggplant (9 in, 2 lbs)  

Baby’s Development:  Baby’s eyes are beginning to open.  Unfortunately, he doesn’t have much of a view right now.  His brain wave activity is kicking in at this stage too.  Not only can he hear noises, but he can now also respond to them with an increase in pulse rate or activity.

Best Part of this Week: We started painting the nursery on Saturday!  (And by ‘we’ I mean Corey and my parents.)  

What I’m Looking Forward To: Showers, finishing the nursery, and childbirth classes.  I feel like these next three months are going to fly by!

Weekly Update

25 Weeks

October 8, 2012

My baby bump at 25 weeks from the side:

And from the front:

Total Weight Gain: I gained about .5 lbs this past week.  That means I’m only 2 lbs less than pre-pregnancy.

Movement:  Cullen is moving all over the place.  Sometimes I feel like he is kicking me in the bladder and the ribs at the same time

Boy or Girl? A sweet little Boy!!!

Food Cravings: Nothing this week.

How I’m Feeling: Very large! Haha…I do feel like I am growing very quickly these days.  I feel pretty much the same as last week.  Great over all with some minor hip and back pain.  I love being pregnant though!

Size of Baby: Eggplant (9 in, 1.7 lbs)  

Baby’s Development:  At nine inches and more than a pound and a half in weight, baby is taller than two juice boxes stacked one on top of the other, and almost as heavy as four of those little juice boxes.  At this point, Baby’s skin is turning pinker because of capillaries forming under the skin.  Blood vessels are also developing in Baby’s lungs, bringing them one step closer to full maturity.  Baby’s nostrils have also started to open, allowing him to begin taking practice breaths.

Best Part of this Week: Both grandma’s got to feel Cullen kick for the first time this past week.  I love it!!!

What I’m Looking Forward To: Painting Cullen’s nursery and finishing his quilt.  Hopefully we can get those two things done in the next week or so.