34 weeks

How far along: 34 weeks

size of baby: a butternut squash (I believe it)

Gender: baby boy

Weight gain: I'm thinking maybe 12 pounds at this point. I'm meeting the doctor who will deliver me on Friday and will know for sure then.

Maternity clothes: oh yes

Stretch marks: noticing some new ones around my belly button

Belly button in or out: very shallow and sensitive

Sleep: Still having crazy dreams and waking up once or twice to use the bathroom. I'm making more sound effects when I get out of bed.

Best moment this week: Since my last update I passed my 3 hour glucose challenge, my parents came to visit, we had Peyton's 3rd birthday party, finished a 3 session childbirth review class, went to Morgantown to house hunt and we're under contract for our first home!

Worst moment this week: flying to West Virginia 2 weeks ago was pretty uncomfortable, but worth it to find our house.
Miss anything: my belly not bumping into everything...

Movement: Tons! You can see it through my clothes. It sometimes takes my breath away.

Cravings or aversions: I'm eating pretty much everything that bugged me at the beginning of this pregnancy now. Dinner never really sounds good. I'd rather have a power bar or bowl of cereal.

Symptoms: back and sciatic nerve pain and calf cramps a few nights a week

Looking forward to: Meeting Dr. Gil on Friday, Josh having some time off, and working on my massive checklist before the move.

This picture cracks me up. I went to the mall with a friend and her 2 boys the other day. We saw that the Easter bunny was there and decided to say hello. Her boys had no problem sitting by him, but this is where Peyton chose to stand. "Keep your distance, Bunny." lol

28 weeks

Ninja Turtle Peyton and me

How far along: 28 weeks and 4 days

size of baby: an eggplant

Gender: baby boy!

Weight gain: I'm thinking 11 lbs, but will know for sure at my next Dr. appointment on Tuesday.

Maternity clothes: all the time...still trying to wear old t-shirts when I lounge around the house and I look kind of silly.

Stretch marks: staying the same

Belly button in or out: starting to get flat

Sleep: It's ok. Still waking up with P. When I roll from side to side, it's getting more difficult.

Best moment this week: Going to Madison, WI for Josh's STEP 3 exam. P and I got to swim, shop at a nice mall, visit the Children's museum, and try some fun restaurants. It was a fun little family trip...even though Josh had a 2-day test that was 8 hours each day.

Worst moment this week: P had croup that lasted almost 2 weeks. I hated hearing my little man cough and struggle to breathe. He's finally doing better now. The good news is we have a nebulizer now in case any of us needs a breathing treatment.
Miss anything: nothing really at the moment. Warmer weather would be nice.

Movement: He's a ninja! Especially when I'm laying down. I forgot how cool it feels.

Cravings or aversions: Sweet tooth...

Symptoms: still feeling a few Braxton Hicks each day. I've just started having a little sciatic nerve pain, ouch!

Looking forward to: my glucose test next week! (NOT, fingers crossed that I don't have to do the 3-hour test as well) But it will be nice to check on baby. I get to take Peyton to a sibling's class on March 17 which will be fun.

22 weeks

Gym selfie! Determined to stay fit this pregnancy.

How far along: 22 weeks

size of baby: a papaya

Gender: baby boy! (still undecided on name...)

Weight gain: 9 lbs...As mentioned in a previous post, too much Chic-fil-a and Tex Mex while in Texas lol.

Maternity clothes: oh yeah

Stretch marks: staying the same

Belly button in or out: getting very stretched out

Sleep: pretty good, with the exception of P waking up in the night

Best moment this week: the anatomy scan on Monday. I loved every minute, even though it took over an hour since he was so active.

Worst moment this week: After I dropped Peyton off at preschool, I almost slipped while walking back to my car. Luckily I grabbed my door handle in time. Still not used to the weather up here.
Miss anything: I've decided that I miss having a glass of wine every now and then.

Movement: lots more than the previous update! He's getting stronger.

Cravings or aversions: nothing new. Now that I'm back in MN, I've cooked some of our favorite dishes and it's been fine.

Symptoms: some stomach tightening if I push myself too much with cleaning or carrying Peyton. My Dr. said to listen to my body and drink lots of water.

Looking forward to: getting back into a routine and buying a few essentials for the new baby

hello, sweet baby! (from anatomy scan on 1/20)

20 weeks: Halfway there and an appearance from my future nephew!

Due in late May/early June: Elijah Aaron and baby Russell #2!

How far along: 20 weeks

size of baby: a banana

Gender: baby boy! (I *think* it's between 2 names, hopefully we can share soon!)

Weight gain: 2 lbs...haven't stepped on the scale for a few days

Maternity clothes: yes, with the exception of  my black stretchy skinny jeans

Stretch marks: I've been using this cream twice a day. I feel like my old stretch marks are itching and you can feel the indentions.

Belly button in or out: starting to look less deep

Sleep: hit or miss, still having crazy dreams

Best moment this week: Seeing Peyton play with his uncles and Josh's parents, and getting to see my sister-in-law Chelsey and her baby bump! We're due 6 days apart and both of us are having boys. They're going to be best buds!

Worst moment this week: nothing really
Miss anything: my husband! We'll be back in Minnesota next Friday. So thankful that he let me have this long trip to Texas before baby comes.

Movement: a little each day, but it's very faint. I know his kicks will only get stronger.

Cravings or aversions: chex mix sounded awesome the other day and the smell of spinach cooking made me nauseous

Symptoms: Itchy stomach and back pain

Looking forward to: Soaking up my last few days in Texas. They weather in MN is looking brutal. I've also been reading Baby Wise and I'm excited so far. I hope we can help this baby be a better sleeper.

18 weeks

How far along: 18 weeks

size of baby: a sweet potato

Gender: baby boy! (his name still isn't final yet...)

Weight gain: 2 lbs (waiting to see what Christmas treats/meals do...one of the cons of being pregnant during this time of year)

Maternity clothes: mainly maternity shirts, with leggings or Denizen jeans from Target

Stretch marks: It looks like my old ones from P are "brightening" or something...YIKES! I read on a blog that this cream works well, so I just ordered some from Amazon.

Belly button in or out: starting to look less deep

Sleep: crazy dreams, seriously it feels like "work" to be sleeping...hoping to get more sleep now that I'm in Texas and my Mom will help with night duty. P is getting up most nights around 3 am with bad dreams.

Best moment this week: Seeing family and friends, and eating Tex Mex. I love Lupe Tortilla! 

Worst moment this week: the most difficult day was flying to Texas with a toddler in tow. I felt like the little engine that could. I kept thinking "If I can just make it to this point..." The shuttle from Rochester to Minneapolis dropped us off on the curb in the 19° weather. (with snow, ice, etc.) I had to work quickly to get the car seat out of the shuttle and latched into the travel cart, get P strapped in, and then drag him and our two suitcases (totaling 80 pounds) into the airport. Whew!
Miss anything: having clear thoughts (can't stand pregnancy brain)

Movement: feeling him kick a few times a day

Cravings or aversions: I told my sister the other day that I was craving a day after Thanksgiving sandwich lol. I don't really have any aversions at the moment. I have a super sense of smell and I can't stand it sometimes. (Yes, man sitting front of me on the plane, I smelled you passing gas and applying your Carmex every 2 minutes.)

Symptoms: My back has been sore and I've been more emotional. The song "Mary Did You Know?" came on the radio and I started crying. The line "when you kissed your little baby, you've kissed the face of God." AHHH!! I get goose bumps when I think about it.

Looking forward to: Christmas, of course! Peyton is SO into it this year. Can't wait!

16 weeks with baby #2

 

How far along: 16 weeks 2 days

size of baby: an avocado

Gender: a sweet boy!

Weight gain: 2 lbs 

Maternity clothes: Some, but I mainly wear comfy leggings and stretch jeans from Target. I went ahead and unpacked all of my maternity clothes and put away my summer clothes.

Stretch marks: no, but I got them towards the end with P

Belly button in or out: no change

Sleep: up a lot to go to the restroom or to switch sides with my Preggle pillow

Best moment this week: finding out what baby #2 is

Worst moment this week:  Sorry for the TMI, but peeing when I cough or sneeze :( Ahh! Josh thinks it's hilarious. I follow another mama's blog and she had the same thing happen to her!

Miss anything: sleeping on my stomach

Movement: maybe some flutters? Not sure.

Cravings or aversions: Carbs always sound good to me. I'm currently grossed out by sweet potatoes, mushrooms, and the smell of raw meat cooking. 

Symptoms: fullness/soreness in my lower stomach, sore chest, some mood swings (sorry Joshie!)

Looking forward to: Finalizing a name and listening to baby's hearbeat. I got this pocket doppler in the mail and I love it! Peyton is really into it as well.

He wanted to lay by me while we did the gender scan. So cute :)

blue cake pop! (and God bless America! He love his flag.)

Our elf, "Christmas" joined in the celebration!

The crib is up!

On January 22 my parents came in town for a 3D/4D ultrasound and to deliver Peyton's crib!

26.5 week shot under the sign that we got in Savannah, GA



Here he is!





We can't really decide who he looks like. Plus since he was only 26.5 weeks, he still has some chubbing up to do. Later that weekend my Mom text me this picture of me the day I was born. Maybe he has my nose?



After the ultrasound we put up the crib. It wasn't too bad, there were just a few phases to getting the job done.



Brody, of course, was a huge help



My Mom...we're debating between calling her Lulu or Lolly



Proud papa



My Dad...he wants Peyton to call him Pop



Sneak preview of the finished product...