New Year's Day will mark 36 weeks of pregnancy!
Baby Z and I had a checkup today, our first of what will be weekly visits from here on out. Today I had some additional screenings and we talked a little bit about what's in store for the next few weeks.
I'm happy to report that Baby Z is getting ready to make her grand debut into the world. Each week from now on I'll have the option to have our baby's progress checked, and this week, we were informed that progress has indeed begun. It's fun to have this information, but I've been warned not to place too much stock in it. I could walk around for several weeks in this stage of "progress", or we could have a baby tomorrow. I'm guessing the former is (much) more likely.
The midwife did some checking on Baby Girl's position, and she has definitely settled into the head down position. She probably won't be making any dramatic changes in her positioning from here on out, so we're happy to have her in an ideal position for her birth. Our midwife also estimated that she weighs about 5 pounds right now. Little peanut! It's estimated that she'll gain about a half a pound a week until she's born. All of these weight guesses are just that - guesses- but it's still fun to imagine what she will look like and how big (or little!) she'll be.
I'm still feeling really good. Tired, BIG, and irritable at times, but overall, very good. Right around 4 weeks to go!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas! 35 weeks down with ~ 35 days to go!
Christmas day marks week 35 of pregnancy, with right around 35 days to go!
We're at home for Christmas this year, relishing a few days without school, work, and of course - our last days alone together before we become parents. While we're a bit sad that we won't see family during the holidays this year, we know that we'll see everyone very soon when little Miss Z arrives. And really? She's far more exciting than us, so we'd rather that people save up their visits for her debut.
There's not a lot of new development to report these days. Baby Z is fully cooked, and from here on out she is just adding weight to her little body in preparation for life in the outside world. She is definitely getting bigger - and so am I. I have felt really good these past few weeks, with minimal aches and pains. I just feel big. It's hard to stand up, get out of the car, roll over in bed in the middle of the night, and to maneuver in and out of small spaces. I am also exhausted pretty much all the time. I take a nap almost every day, yet still sleep 8 or 9 hours (or more...) at night. I suppose when you take out the time that I spend getting up to use the bathroom and the time spent trying to find a comfortable non baby-squishy way to sleep, I can probably deduct an hour or two of actual sleep time from that total. I'm also told that I snore like a lumberjack, which I know makes sleeping rough for EZ. He's been very sweet about all of the snoring and tossing and turning, saying it's just all part of the experience.
Also part of the bargain, it seems, is crabbiness. I don't have anything at all to be crabby about - quite to the contrary, actually. I am one darn lucky girl. But I find myself not quite so chipper lately. I'm trying hard to not be too demanding or grumpy, but I am finding it hard when the little things - like putting on socks and getting up and down stairs - are getting harder and harder. I'm hoping this little quirk is temporary and that I find myself in better spirits soon, if for no other reason than for the sake of my loved ones - who are probably not finding me so lovable lately.
If you're at all curious about how the body makes room for a baby, I found this link to be quite interesting. It's an interactive tool from the Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago) that lets you watch the scrunching of internal organs as pregnancy progresses. Click away! Squish some organs! Fun times.
Here's a cross section of what Baby Z might look like right now...
Yep, she's crammed right in there. Oof.
The Z family wishes you all a peaceful, safe, and Merry Christmas!
We're at home for Christmas this year, relishing a few days without school, work, and of course - our last days alone together before we become parents. While we're a bit sad that we won't see family during the holidays this year, we know that we'll see everyone very soon when little Miss Z arrives. And really? She's far more exciting than us, so we'd rather that people save up their visits for her debut.
There's not a lot of new development to report these days. Baby Z is fully cooked, and from here on out she is just adding weight to her little body in preparation for life in the outside world. She is definitely getting bigger - and so am I. I have felt really good these past few weeks, with minimal aches and pains. I just feel big. It's hard to stand up, get out of the car, roll over in bed in the middle of the night, and to maneuver in and out of small spaces. I am also exhausted pretty much all the time. I take a nap almost every day, yet still sleep 8 or 9 hours (or more...) at night. I suppose when you take out the time that I spend getting up to use the bathroom and the time spent trying to find a comfortable non baby-squishy way to sleep, I can probably deduct an hour or two of actual sleep time from that total. I'm also told that I snore like a lumberjack, which I know makes sleeping rough for EZ. He's been very sweet about all of the snoring and tossing and turning, saying it's just all part of the experience.
Also part of the bargain, it seems, is crabbiness. I don't have anything at all to be crabby about - quite to the contrary, actually. I am one darn lucky girl. But I find myself not quite so chipper lately. I'm trying hard to not be too demanding or grumpy, but I am finding it hard when the little things - like putting on socks and getting up and down stairs - are getting harder and harder. I'm hoping this little quirk is temporary and that I find myself in better spirits soon, if for no other reason than for the sake of my loved ones - who are probably not finding me so lovable lately.
If you're at all curious about how the body makes room for a baby, I found this link to be quite interesting. It's an interactive tool from the Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago) that lets you watch the scrunching of internal organs as pregnancy progresses. Click away! Squish some organs! Fun times.
Here's a cross section of what Baby Z might look like right now...
Yep, she's crammed right in there. Oof.
The Z family wishes you all a peaceful, safe, and Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
34 weeks
Let's just get it out of the way up front: (about) SIX WEEKS UNTIL BABY! Ohmygosh. We're going to have a baby in our house soon. This little wiggly person is actually going to come out and live with us! Sometimes we've got our heads wrapped around this whole baby thing, and other times....not so much.
Baby Z and I have all of our checkups scheduled up to and through a week past her due date. I made the comment to the scheduling staff that I hope not to need the final appointment or two, and the woman said to me, "you might only need your next appointment! Any time after the new year, you're good to go!" At this point I dissolved into a state of sheer panic. This is not a New Year's baby. This is an End of January baby! Of course as long as this baby is healthy and ready for the outside world, we will be thrilled whenever she arrives. But "any time after the new year" is just so soon.
Now that the reality of having an outside baby is sinking in, I'm also starting to realize that hey! I'm not going to be pregnant forever! Sometime soon after this baby is born, I'll be able to put on my own pants and shoes without massive effort! I won't feel winded walking up three stairs anymore! Okay, well....maybe I will feel winded, but when the baby's born it will be because I'm out of shape, not because a little girl is crowding my lungs.
Here's this week's Baby Z development update:
Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cataloupe) 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.
The puppies let me know that they're feeling left out of Baby Z's blog posts, and Rocco insisted that he be included today.
Here's our girl with her big brother.
Wally couldn't sit still enough to be in the picture, but he sends his greetings as well.
Baby Z and I have all of our checkups scheduled up to and through a week past her due date. I made the comment to the scheduling staff that I hope not to need the final appointment or two, and the woman said to me, "you might only need your next appointment! Any time after the new year, you're good to go!" At this point I dissolved into a state of sheer panic. This is not a New Year's baby. This is an End of January baby! Of course as long as this baby is healthy and ready for the outside world, we will be thrilled whenever she arrives. But "any time after the new year" is just so soon.
Now that the reality of having an outside baby is sinking in, I'm also starting to realize that hey! I'm not going to be pregnant forever! Sometime soon after this baby is born, I'll be able to put on my own pants and shoes without massive effort! I won't feel winded walking up three stairs anymore! Okay, well....maybe I will feel winded, but when the baby's born it will be because I'm out of shape, not because a little girl is crowding my lungs.
Here's this week's Baby Z development update:
Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cataloupe) 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.
The puppies let me know that they're feeling left out of Baby Z's blog posts, and Rocco insisted that he be included today.
Here's our girl with her big brother.
Wally couldn't sit still enough to be in the picture, but he sends his greetings as well.
Friday, December 11, 2009
33 weeks down, 7 (ish) to go!
Today Baby Z and I had a checkup and everything looks great! Our girl is a feisty one. She kicks and wiggles whenever the midwife tries to listen to her heartbeat, and she kicks whenever someone presses down on her cozy little home. It's quite funny to watch her little legs pop up and kick during our screenings.
Today was especially fun because the midwife took Dad's hands and had him feel where our little girl is positioned. He was able to feel her head, her back, and her little tush. Her feet are exactly where I thought they were, and her leg stretches are the source of the weird pressure I keep feeling on the right side of my belly. I keep thinking that I feel a foot protruding ever-so-slightly with the pressure, and it turns out that's exactly what I'm feeling! We have ourselves quite the little wiggle worm.
While I'm feeling like a big, giant house these days, I am feeling really, really good. No more aches and pains, and most importantly, baby girl seems content staying away from my sciatic nerve- for this week at least. Good girl! All of the awkwardness and difficulty sleeping are now only due to size and not pain. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will continue to feel this good in the upcoming weeks.
Speaking of sleeping, I awoke the other night with a start after feeling someone kick me in the belly. Rocco - the lucky pooch - was sleeping on the bed with us that night, but I was confused as he normally sleeps down by our feet. The moment I felt the kicks, I thought to myself, "Rocco! What the heck?" It was so sharp and pronounced - two little feet delivering a sharp jab to my tummy. Guess what? Not Rocco at all! It was the baby! I am completely fascinated with her movements and continue to be amazed at how strong she is.
Speaking of big, strong babies... it seems that MY big-ness is becoming more pronounced lately as well. I used a self checkout kiosk at the grocery store earlier this week, and once I had scanned and bagged up my items, I prepared to pay. The machine kept telling me, "foreign object in bagging area." The store was a crazy rush and people were starting to get upset with me for not moving along more swiftly. I tried everything - moving the grocery bags, setting them on the floor- but nothing helped. "Foreign object in bagging area. Remove object to continue." GAH! Finally a store employee walked over and said to me, "you need to stand back from the scanner." I responded, "if I stand back any further, I won't be able to touch the buttons on the screen!" No sooner had the words come out of my mouth than a realization came over me. The "helpful" employee walked away and the machine said again, "foreign object in bagging area." My belly, budled up in a warm winter coat, was just a few inches from the counter and the scanner. I stepped to the side and sure enough...the computer asked me to insert payment. I had to stand waaaaay to the side, careful not to trip the scanner, and reach ever-so-carefully to push the "credit" button on the screen. Problem solved. Oh, wow. Sigh.
The "foreign object" and I wish you a happy Friday and a warm, relaxing weekend.
Today was especially fun because the midwife took Dad's hands and had him feel where our little girl is positioned. He was able to feel her head, her back, and her little tush. Her feet are exactly where I thought they were, and her leg stretches are the source of the weird pressure I keep feeling on the right side of my belly. I keep thinking that I feel a foot protruding ever-so-slightly with the pressure, and it turns out that's exactly what I'm feeling! We have ourselves quite the little wiggle worm.
While I'm feeling like a big, giant house these days, I am feeling really, really good. No more aches and pains, and most importantly, baby girl seems content staying away from my sciatic nerve- for this week at least. Good girl! All of the awkwardness and difficulty sleeping are now only due to size and not pain. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will continue to feel this good in the upcoming weeks.
Speaking of sleeping, I awoke the other night with a start after feeling someone kick me in the belly. Rocco - the lucky pooch - was sleeping on the bed with us that night, but I was confused as he normally sleeps down by our feet. The moment I felt the kicks, I thought to myself, "Rocco! What the heck?" It was so sharp and pronounced - two little feet delivering a sharp jab to my tummy. Guess what? Not Rocco at all! It was the baby! I am completely fascinated with her movements and continue to be amazed at how strong she is.
Speaking of big, strong babies... it seems that MY big-ness is becoming more pronounced lately as well. I used a self checkout kiosk at the grocery store earlier this week, and once I had scanned and bagged up my items, I prepared to pay. The machine kept telling me, "foreign object in bagging area." The store was a crazy rush and people were starting to get upset with me for not moving along more swiftly. I tried everything - moving the grocery bags, setting them on the floor- but nothing helped. "Foreign object in bagging area. Remove object to continue." GAH! Finally a store employee walked over and said to me, "you need to stand back from the scanner." I responded, "if I stand back any further, I won't be able to touch the buttons on the screen!" No sooner had the words come out of my mouth than a realization came over me. The "helpful" employee walked away and the machine said again, "foreign object in bagging area." My belly, budled up in a warm winter coat, was just a few inches from the counter and the scanner. I stepped to the side and sure enough...the computer asked me to insert payment. I had to stand waaaaay to the side, careful not to trip the scanner, and reach ever-so-carefully to push the "credit" button on the screen. Problem solved. Oh, wow. Sigh.
The "foreign object" and I wish you a happy Friday and a warm, relaxing weekend.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
32 weeks
THIRTY TWO WEEKS! I swear it was just a few days ago that I was 19 weeks pregnant and we found out that our little one is a girl. Where on earth has the time gone? And is it really only 8 weeks until my due date? I'm starting to get to things on the calendar that I can't commit to because, oh...I might be having a baby. It is so strange to be in meetings and say, "I may or may not be there that day..." or "I will be out on maternity leave." Everything is getting really real. I know I say that every week, but every week it is more and more real. Especially when I look in the mirror and see someone resembling this here character...
After feeling very uncomfortable for a few weeks, I'm actually feeling really good the past few days. Our girl must have changed positions because she's not sitting on the same nerve that was causing me so much pain for so many weeks. I'm savoring each day without pain, because I know that our baby will only get bigger (as will I...) and that with that will come new physical challenges.
Our baby girl is as busy as ever. She's rolling and kicking and punching, and we can almost always see her moving around from the outside. The puppies are even able to enjoy her antics from time to time. I don't know how much they connect the movement in my belly with someone growing in there, but they certainly take notice. Wally seems fascinated whereas Rocco usually seems annoyed by being kicked. Ah, fun for everyone. :)
I'm told that our girl has fingernails, toenails, and even hair on her head now. She's fattening up for birth, adding about a half a pound a week from now until she's born. Keep cooking, little one!
After feeling very uncomfortable for a few weeks, I'm actually feeling really good the past few days. Our girl must have changed positions because she's not sitting on the same nerve that was causing me so much pain for so many weeks. I'm savoring each day without pain, because I know that our baby will only get bigger (as will I...) and that with that will come new physical challenges.Our baby girl is as busy as ever. She's rolling and kicking and punching, and we can almost always see her moving around from the outside. The puppies are even able to enjoy her antics from time to time. I don't know how much they connect the movement in my belly with someone growing in there, but they certainly take notice. Wally seems fascinated whereas Rocco usually seems annoyed by being kicked. Ah, fun for everyone. :)
I'm told that our girl has fingernails, toenails, and even hair on her head now. She's fattening up for birth, adding about a half a pound a week from now until she's born. Keep cooking, little one!
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