Hello Baby: Week 36

How far along: 36 weeks! 

Gender: BOY!!

Weight gain: 20ish.

Maternity clothes: Yes and no. Same old bigger clothes, stretchy pants, and t-shirts.. my t-shirts are getting too short though! and my pants are getting a little annoying but it is in the calves and ankle area not the waist like you would think. I've swelled up a little and its just enough for me to notice when I wear skinny jeans. 

Stretch marks: Yup!

Belly button in or out: Innie. I think it's going to stay that way, but we will see.   

Sleep: Mainly just restless legs this week and WEIRD dreams. most of them I don't remember details by the time I wake up but they leave me feeling weird. One night I had all these dreams and in every single one of them I remember feeling anxious and ready for labor to start. I kept thinking it was going to start. It was really weird. I guess I need to stop reading about labor and delivery. Knowing that I am almost full term has me on edge because I really could go into labor at any minute. I probably won't but you never know with these things!

Best moment this week: It was a very relaxed week. We had our 36 week appointment on Wednesday and did the non-stress test. It was really cool to be hooked up and hear the baby's heartbeat for 20 minutes and to see what his heart rate was. It is amazing to just hear this little guys heartbeat and feel him moving inside of me. Now the negative to this appointment was that while sitting there (They had me sitting with my legs up and I felt like my back was at a weird angle) my heart rate was getting high. I started feeling really hot and light headed. Now if I am being honest I feel hot most of the time these days.. especially at the doctors office and at church. I feel that they keep those places really warm. When the nurse came to check on me I told her how I was feeling so they started checking me out seeing how my oxygen levels were and my heart rate. It was at 140 just sitting there so she told the doctor that he might want to check that out. About 15 minutes later after doing all the normal check up stuff for my appointment and talking to the doctor about baby and delivery he checked my heart rate again. It was still high at about 140 so he had the nurse do an EKG. While that was happening my heart rate jumped from 140 to 170 (which that is not normal. Usually you are at 140 when working out moderately and then 170 would be working out doing something really intense) So he decided it would be best if I go to a specialist to get it checked out since labor is a strenuous activity. I actually know that I have a pretty high heart rate. When I would work out, before being pregnant, it would spike just walking. So I figured it would be good to figure out if there is anything really going on or if I just have a high heart rate. After going to the specialist she said it looks okay, just have a high heart rate, and that pregnancy is probably just affecting it. She isn't too worried about it for delivery, which is really nice to hear. I am going to go back in three months to just check it out again, once my hormones are back to normal.  That definitely made this week a little more interesting! But all is good so we aren't too worried. We are now going to Dr's appointments once a week so they can keep track of me and baby. 

Miss anything: This week it is probably having my clothes fit normally. I am starting to have a lot harder time getting dressed and being comfy in my clothes. But I only have 4 weeks left so I really feel like buying more clothes that are specific for maternity just wouldn't be worth it. 

Movement: Lots and lots of movement. During the non-stress test I kept track of how often I felt him move and the doctor said he is a very active baby, and he really was at that time. He really does move a lot. I felt him get the hiccups this week. I had never felt him have them before but I was so sure of it this week. It was really rhythmic and close together. It was weird how low it was because I usually am feeling him up in my ribs and his head is low and in my pelvic bone so the hiccups were low too. It was a really cool feeling knowing he was getting hiccups. 

Cravings: I feel like I have been wanting a lot of sweets this week. I always want dessert of some sort. I was also craving pizza again which surprises me. Sometimes it sounds really good and other times it sounds horrible. I also woke up in the middle of the night really wanting twizzlers or red vines! Haha

Queasy or sick: Same stuff as last week. I feel that my acid reflux is getting worse. Not only have I been taking a pill twice a day but tums are starting to be needed often. 

Looking forward to: Finishing his quilt and working on other projects. I am ready to just start conquering the to do list and getting everything done! Now that I am not sick I feel much more ready and able to get things done! I really hope this week I can finish his quilt, and I hope that it turns out good. It's the first quilt like this that I have done so I'm crossing my fingers it turns out alright. 

36 Weeks! 

Let the count down begin! Can't wait to officially meet you and see your cute face, little guy!! 

love,alex 

Hello Baby: Week 35

How far along: 35 weeks! AH only 5 more to go! 

Gender: BOY!!

Weight gain: I think I am around 18ish.

Maternity clothes: Yes and no. Same old bigger clothes, stretchy pants, and t-shirts. 

Stretch marks: Yea, I'm just not gonna think about it. ha

Belly button in or out: Innie. I think it's going to stay that way, but we will see.   

Sleep: Restless legs, waking up sweaty, feeling lots of anxiety while trying to fall asleep, who knew that sleeping while pregnant was so difficult? I didn't see that one coming. Although I am still getting lots of sleep, it is rough. I have really enjoyed taking naps in the middle of the day.  

Best moment this week: It was a really chill week. Nothing much happened around here. I have just been trying to get over my cold. It seems to want to stick around for longer than necessary. It has been nice just relaxing and hanging out with Andrew. I feel lazy a lot of the time but I know that in one month I will want this time back so I need to enjoy it while it lasts. Saturday we went and registered at Target. It was fun and overwhelming. I have been looking at lists and researching what we need so I had an idea but then actually going and registering seemed to really click how much a baby really needs and costs. AH, let's try not to think about the expenses. It was really fun picking things out with Andrew though. I love seeing what he likes and getting his perspective on things. We like the same stuff most of the time and then there is the rare time we don't and it's whoever really cares more, which we take turns doing. haha. Registering also got me excited to just have baby here and needing to use all of that stuff. It started feeling more real, like we actually NEED some of this stuff in the coming month. Up until now we haven't needed any of it so it didn't feel real. Well now its starting to hit me.  

Miss anything: Not being so hot! It has been nice since it is winter but it is rough sometimes. Especially at night. I can't imagine being pregnant in the summer! I feel that I would explode. 

Movement: He is officially in my ribs. kicking and punching all the time. Sometimes I have to get up and move around because it just starts hurting so much. He is also putting a lot of pressure on my lungs which makes it really hard to breath. I am constantly feeling out of breath. Walking around and stretching out helps with that too. When I am sitting it is really prominent how much he is in my ribs and how little space my lungs have to expand. 

Cravings: This week I have definitely been craving chocolate and salad/veggies. What a funny combo! I also really wanted salsa the other night! we got some and it has been very satisfying. Since I have been craving salad a sweet pork salad from costa vida or cafe rio has sounded amazing. I decided I just need to buy the meat so I can make it and have left overs! I just love that stuff SO MUCH! and water. I crave/need water, 24/7. I always have a water bottle with me and drink a ton! I hate how often I have to go fill it up and then have to pee. But I can't get enough water. I'm going to say thats a good thing though! 

Queasy or sick: Acid reflux, headaches, achy, pelvic pressure, most of the normal stuff. Nothing too horrible. I am so grateful for that. I have been getting really strong back pains every once in a while. I'm not sure if it's baby pressing on something thats then hitting a nerve or what. Usually if I go pee it will go away shortly after, so I am assuming that space is running out and he pushes on something to make me feel that way. I have been having basic back pain in general so it's not too crazy. I have wondered if I have felt Braxton Hicks contractions. I feel like I would really know if they were or not but I'm new to this so who knows. I just feel tightening in the belly. It's uncomfortable but not painful so I thought just maybe it could be. 

Looking forward to: No more cold.. still. We have our 36 week appointment this week. I think we are doing a stress test to see how the baby is doing. I'm excited for that. It is nice to get the reassurance that he is doing well. I'm also excited to start getting all of his things ready. We just have boxes and bags of stuff we had and have been given for him so I am excited to start organizing it and getting his room ready for him. 

34 Week bump!

I obviously did not do too good on taking pictures this week. Here is to the next week and hopefully I will do better. I'm also working on baby's quilt. Hopefully I will get some good progress done on it this week. Keep growing strong and healthy little guy. We will see you soon! eeek

love, alex 

Hello Baby: Week 34

How far along: 34 weeks! Getting so close. 

Gender: BOY!!

Weight gain: I think I am around 18-20 lbs.  

Maternity clothes: Yes and no.. ha I have been wearing lots of leggings and t-shirts/ any loose shirts I have. I haven't bought any real maternity shirts but I did get some maternity pants that always want to fall down. (Does that mean my butt is too small? because my hips are definitely big enough.) I also got a simple grey dress that is maternity. It is really comfy and will be nice even after baby comes. 

Stretch marks: Yup. I'm a zebra. let's just laugh about it. haha

Belly button in or out: Innie. I'm wondering if it will pop before he comes.  

Sleep: It's getting rough. Lots of tossing and turning, trying to get comfy, especially in the early hours of the morning. My legs get so restless, they wake me up in the morning and are usually the reason I get out of bed. I have to go walk around, eat breakfast, and then a few times I have just gone back to bed. Especially this week because I have a cold. 

Best moment this week: Since I haven't posted in a month I will say Christmas vacation was the best. It was a lot of fun being in California. We went and saw Wicked at the Pantages Theater. I LOVED it. I love seeing plays and this one did not disappoint! It was magical. The lady who played the wicked witch had an incredible voice! and the lady who played Glenda was hilarious. It was definitely a highlight of the trip! Christmas day was so nice, spending time with family and getting and giving gifts. I love when we find a good gift and give it to someone and get to see their reaction. 

Miss anything: Not aching so much. Although my sciatic pain isn't happening as much, I have had some hip and leg pain. I feel like my hips are expanding, getting ready for labor! AH it's a weird feeling but makes me feel ready for baby to come. I also have a ton of pelvic pressure which is equally as weird. 

Movement: Lots and lots of movement. He is right up in my ribs and I feel him move to the side then the front then to the other side and back again. Sitting definitely makes it more prominent. It is pretty crazy feeling and watching him move. Usually around midnight and whenever I wake up to go to the bathroom he starts moving a lot. He definitely has his days and nights mixed up already. Oh boy. we will have to work on that.  

Cravings: Chocolate, sometimes pizza, and smoothies but that might be more for the smooth creamy and cold feeling it has. I feel like I am also wanting more fruits and veggies too. I am wanting a salad more often which NEVER happens! Crazy. 

Queasy or sick: Still acid reflux, headaches, and achy all over it seems. I have had a cold the past few days. It has made me not productive at all. But it is nice that I can just rest up and try to get over it as quickly as possible. 

Looking forward to: Getting over my cold! Ha I feel like I will then want to get more done. I want to start making all my projects for baby and getting all of his stuff put together! I feel like he is coming so soon but I also feel like it is far away. I think once February hits I will really feel like it is soon, and it will be!  

The bump and a puppy. 

We went to a Clipper game while in California. 

I love basketball.

31 Weeks!

32 Weeks! 

We were traveling week 33, and I am sick week 34 

so I thought it was the perfect time to do a silhouette picture. 

Ryder got to meet Santa Clause! 

This is how we spent our New Years Eve. It was perfect. 

I can't believe it is already 2015. I can't believe that baby will be here so soon. But I can't wait to meet him. This is going to be a year full of change. I can't wait to see all that it brings. 

love,alex

p.s- I think a good resolution for me is to take more meaningful and creative pictures. I know with baby I will be taking a ton more photos but I would like to take more of just everything around me, life, the everyday things.