Week 29

What is Baby Up to This Week?:

• Kind of a boring week. She's getting fatter and moving a lot!
• Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. 
• Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain.

Weight Gain: +14 total

Gender: Girl!

Name: Lenora (Nora) Quinn

Sitting down!

Symptoms:

• Lots of trouble sleeping
• Mood swings
• Back pain
• Very tired
• Feet swelling

Swelling: MY FEET! Now that the weather is warming up, my feet are getting so swollen at night. They hurt :(

Sleep: Still sucks. I'm hot at night, swollen, and out of breath if I roll over :(

Movement: She's rolling around or at least shifting around in there. It's a very weird feeling! Hiccups sometimes too

Food Cravings: Milkshakes!

Food Aversions: None specifically!

Rings On or Off?: I take my rings off at night because I hate the feeling of pulling a ring off a swollen finger.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Closing on our house this week hopefully! We picked out samples of everything from paint to hardwood. We're ready to do this!

She's growing so fast!

What I Miss: Sleeping well, Not feeling so swollen, WINE

What I'm Loving: Feeling her kick and move around in response to noises. Makes me laugh

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks have been better this week.

Belly Button: In and I don't think it will pop out!

Next Drs Appointment: Uhm... I don't remember, actually. The week of Mother's Day, I think! I have one more monthly appointment and then we go every two weeks.

Best Moment of the Week: Today! Spending time with my family eating good food was amazing. Then hearing the hilarious things Evelyn was saying. She's not even 3 and she was dancing around to Taylor Swift singing into her princess wand and yelling "THIS IS MY FAVORITE SONG!" Made my day!

Before bed!

11 more weeks!

29 Week Ultrasound!

Just a warning: There are LOTS of pictures in this post! :D

Well, we were supposed to get a 3D ultrasound today, but Miss Nora had an agenda all of her own. Bryan, my two sisters, my mom, Evelyn, and my grandma all came to see her chubby little cheeks, but Nora has Mommy's attitude!

We got to see her face for a couple of minutes on the 3D while she was cooperating and she has my nose! Bryan's is a straight down slope while mine has a little bulb on the end :) She has chubby cheeks and she even yawned for us! Other than those couple minutes, she had her chin tucked down so all we got to see was the top of her head. We tried jostling my belly, eating a candy bar, drinking cold water, and I even emptied my bladder to give her some more room... but she just wanted to tuck that sweet little face down.

She gave us the option of 1) leaving with nothing and paying nothing because she wasn't cooperating or  2) get a 2D "Gender Ultrasound". They only perform the 3D until Week 30 so we would only have one more week to reschedule... and I have a very busy week next week... plus my family was all there to see her TODAY! We chose to get the 2D ultrasound for some more pictures of her to take with us.

We were happy with our decision... and if she wants to be a little booger, then she can be a little booger. She IS my daughter after all!

Profile of Lenora. Look at those big lips!

Front view of her face. Her little hands hardly ever left her face! This isn't the 3D we wanted, but this picture is close enough :D The white line in the middle is her nose (if that helps!) and the round thing at the top is her fist.

Nana got Nora some cool things today!

For Our Warm Summer

Ultrasound Picture Frame

Nora's First Piggy Bank!

Then we got home and had a photo shoot. I'm pretty sure I have a sinus infection so I'm not feeling all that great. Simple tank top and yoga pants taking goofy pictures in the bathroom. Real classy!

11 Weeks Left To Go!

Photo Bomb!

She's definitely growing!

Hahaha My Belly is Definitely Bigger!

I feel like I make this face a lot!

I will post my 29 week update as usual, but I wanted to add this one in here! Being pregnant sure is TOUGH on my body, but I would do it again in a second. Seeing her helped me really think I'm going to miss being pregnant and feeling her moving around. Also, seeing that she has my nose really made things REAL! I helped make her and she is a part of me. Ugh. We love her so much already... and so does the rest of her family!

Week 28

Wooo! Hello, Third Trimester! Even though it might have started last week... it doesn't matter! We have 12 weeks left :) Waiting for the results of my glucose test... should be getting the results back today.

What is Baby Up to This Week?:

• She's measuring just under 15 inches long and she weighs approximately 2 1/4 lbs
• At 28 weeks, she can recognize my voice! 
• Her eyes continue to develop this week, and her brain is developing millions of neurons. 
• The hair on her head continues to grow. 
• Muscle tone in her body steadily develops, and even though her lungs are now capable of breathing air, it would be difficult for her if he were born now.
• Otherwise healthy babies born this week have a 90 percent chance of survival without physical or neurological impairment — and the odds improve with each passing week.
• Her brain waves are also starting to show differences during sleep. These sleep cycles will become clearer and more distinct as she gets closer to her due date.

Weight Gain: +14 total. I gained 5 pounds last month and my doctor looked at me like I was a pig! I told her I've been drinking a gallon of water a day, eating very healthy, taking walks, and even keeping a food journal! She said, "Well, maybe she's just going to be a big girl". Gee, thanks. What more does she want from me?

Gender: Girl!

Name: Lenora (Nora) Quinn

Symptoms:

• Lots of trouble sleeping
• Mood swings
• Back pain
• Very tired

28 Weeks

Swelling: Not too much, but I try to make sure I rest if we're active

Sleep: Sucks. I have a wedge on one side of me and a pillow on the other side... in a queen sized bed, there isn't much room for both of us. I toss and turn all night :(

Movement:

• She rolls and kicks all the time. Sometimes when I'm sleeping on my side, I'll feel her rub an elbow or something allllllll the way down my side. It feels SO weird. 
• When the doctor went to take her heartbeat, she knew exactly where she was from how my belly was laying. 
• When I get up in the middle of the night, as long as it's just to the bathroom and back, she'll stay asleep... but if I start talking to Bryan, she wakes up and starts kicking like crazy! Sometimes I just whisper so she won't wake up... it's hard to fall back asleep when she's having a party in there.

Food Cravings: After drinking so much water and eating healthy all day... when I get home all I want is sweet, spicy, fatty, salty foods and pop! I try to eat healthy, but good lord I feel like I'm going to turn into a vegetable and float away

Food Aversions: None specifically!

Rings On or Off?: I take my rings off at night because I hate the feeling of pulling a ring off a swollen finger.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Getting some news about our house and our 3D ultrasound next week! My grandma has been talking about them since I got pregnant so I decided I wanted her to be a part of the experience! My sisters, mom, and grandma along with Bryan are coming along for our 1 hour session. I hope she cooperates and shows us her chubby little face!


What I Miss: Sleeping, being in control of my moods, wine, having energy, having more than 5 shirts to wear

What I'm Loving: Feeling her kick like crazy. She's getting so big. I also love it when people touch my belly. I haven't had strangers do it, so it's only been family and close friends.

Labor Signs: I talked to the doctor about the BH and she said as long as they're not timeable, they're fine. She also said I might be one of those people who need MORE than a gallon of water a day. Good lord...

Belly Button: In and I don't think it will pop out!

Next Drs Appointment: Uhm... I don't remember, actually. The week of Mother's Day, I think! I have one more monthly appointment and then we go every two weeks.

Best Moment of the Week: Emily's middle school talent show. She and her friends sang Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" accapella. They were so good and Nora loved them too!

Kind of blurry, but I was in a hurry to get out the door!

28 Weeks

Lots of Things on My Mind!

This will probably just be a "dump out" of all my thoughts today. I have SO MANY things going on and it's hard to not feel overwhelmed most days.

Well, it must be third trimester because I'm not sleeping at night anymore. Between the dreams and getting up to use the bathroom, sleep was hard enough to come by. Now, if Bryan wakes up and I talk to him, Nora wakes up and has a dance party. Also, I'm not sure if it's just normal stretching or BH, but my belly HURTS at night. I feel all crampy and nauseous. Then that comes with lower back pain. I was almost in tears last because of back pain so Bryan rolled a tennis ball up and down my lower back. I'm going to ask my doctor about it today at my appointment because I still feel sick and cramped up. When I start feeling like this, I'm usually laying or sitting down... so it's not because I need to rest... and I've been drinking my gallon of water so it's not dehydration! Ugh... it IS uncomfortable though.

Nora is stretching now! It's not all kicks and punches. I feel her stretching her body out inside me. It's a crazy and sometimes uncomfortable feeling, but it's comforting to know she's getting big enough to be running out of room. Last night she was going crazy, kicking and punching me. I would tell her to "Quit it, please! I need you to sleep because I'm SO tired!". She'd stop and listen... and then back to dance party.. -_-

This month is the calm before the storm! I have my 1 hour glucose test and 28 week appointment today, my sister's talent show (and Bryan's interview!) tomorrow, and our 3D ultrasound is set up for next week. Other than that, I've been trying my best to stay on top of this house stuff. We paid for the appraisal over a week ago and she still doesn't have an update for us. Also, she needs a quote for homeowners insurance. I talked with an agent Thursday afternoon... said she'd call me back with a quote... and it's Wednesday and we still don't have an answer. I called yesterday and she was out of the office. Come on, people... I need to move into this house!

Next month we're supposed to close May 3rd (we'll see if that happens), get the house scrubbed clean, paint, and get flooring in so we can be moved in by May 31st. We still have to look into getting a moving truck, recruiting family and friends to help us move, and uhh... we still have to pack! Our labor classes start next month 2.5 hours a week for 6 weeks, I have a breastfeeding class, and more doctors appointments.

June we will hopefully be moved in to our new house so I can finish Nora's room. That's one of my top priorities when it comes to the house. Our baby shower is June 2nd (which I don't have to plan for, but it still stresses me out for some reason!). I still don't have bedding picked out or even paint for the nursery! We will also be finishing up our labor classes in June and I'll be working my last day of work.

Then July is when our monkey should be here. I find myself worrying about EVERYTHING.

• Should we try to stock up on formula? We've been buying different brands and types just in case she doesn't take well to something. My mom keeps telling me "You don't know what she will like! Stop buying it!" but how will we know what she likes unless she tries it? Also.. I'd MUCH rather buy formula now when we're both working than have to struggle to buy formula when we're broke
• Do I want to try to breastfeed? I don't know anyone in my day-to-day life that does. That might seem like a dumb reason to NOT bf, but I mean, everyone around me formula fed. I'm going to feel awkward when people come by to visit or when we go out places. I'm trying to not overthink this because who knows if I even CAN bf.
• Who do I want in the delivery room? Should my family be there when I'm laboring and then leave when things get ugly? Do I want my mom to be there with Bryan when Nora comes into this world? There are so many things to think about.

I'm just so exhausted... and it's exhausting to think it will only get even more exhausting from here. I have to admit, I'm sure it will feel SO NICE to have time off of work, to have a new house for our family to grow up in, and have a nice quiet summer to ourselves. I just have to keep remembering to take life one step at a time. It doesn't do anyone any good to get overwhelmed with the future. I will plan what I can and the rest... the rest will come.

Week 27

Last week of My Second Trimester!

Woohoo! Homestretch, Here We Come!

What is Baby Up to This Week?:

• The Bump says Nora is between 13.6 to 14.8 inches long and 1.5 to 2.5 pounds, she's not just getting bigger, she's getting smarter. (I love that last part!)
• She's practicing inhaling and exhaling with her rapidly developing lungs.
• It's official: Baby's showing brain activity! And her brain will keep on getting more complex. (This seems weird to me. She didn't have brain activity before?)

What the heck is a rutabaga?

Weight Gain: Well, a month ago I was up 9 pounds. I've been drinking a gallon of water a day and eating all kinds of healthy foods. For breakfast I eat a peanut butter bagel (I'm SO HUNGRY in the morning), cottage cheese with pineapples and Ritz crackers for a snack, and then for lunch I have been eating turkey, mozzarella cheese, and spinach on a whole grain low-carb wrap with italian dressing. I mean, seriously... if she gets on me for gaining weight next week, I don't know what else to do.

Gender: Girl!

Name: Lenora (Nora) Quinn

Symptoms: 

• Heartburn has been so much better now that I have been taking that "one a day" generic Zantac pill. I got a bottle of 65 for just over $3 at Target. Life saver. Once in a while if the food is especially spicy, I'll take 2 Tums and the heartburn is instantly gone. Such a relief
• Achey hips, back, and feet
• Braxton Hicks sometimes that is accompanied with back pain. I'm REALLY hoping this doesn't mean I'll be likely to have back labor
• Very tired from the time I wake up to the time I fall asleep

Swelling: At the end of the day my ankles, feet, and hands are slightly swollen. It's nothing too bad though. As soon as I sit down and put my feet up, I'm back to feeling better.

Sleep: Sleep has been wonderful. I've been told I tend to snore a lot... I think that's a combination of nasal congestion, not being able to breathe as easy because my lungs are cramped, and being exhausted. I fall asleep most nights around 8:30 or 9pm and I'm OUT. I've been trying to cut down on water at night so I don't get up to use the bathroom as often, but I find myself still getting up 2-3 times and being incredibly thirsty... so who knows?

Movement: Little girl is definitely growing and getting strong. She has been kicking pretty darn hard. She gets crazy at night and sometimes after I eat, her kicks make me sick. Last night I lifted my shirt while I was laying on the couch and Bryan watched her kick like a madwoman! I was happy that he got to see my belly twitch. Since her eyes are supposed to be opened, he shined a flashlight on my belly and she went nuts!

Food Cravings: None really!

Food Aversions: Morning sickness is 95% gone. It still comes back once in a while when I'm hungry.

Rings On or Off?: On during the day, off when I go to sleep

What I'm Looking Forward To: Getting all of this stuff with the house done. While looking at my calendar this week I realized we have SUCH a BUSY BUSY next few months. We have our regular doctor's appointments, a 3D ultrasound on 3/24, 6 weeks of childbirth classes at the hospital, the baby shower, closing date on our house is 5/3, and then we have moving, setting up the nursery, and so much more. I'm ready to just SETTLE DOWN.

Comfy!

What I Miss: Not peeing my pants, and fitting into clothes

What I'm Loving: The fact that Bryan can see her moving now! I also love talking about Nora and imagining what she will be like. I love my growing belly and I love showing it off :)

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks, but they're not as bad as last week.

Belly Button: In and I don't think it will pop out!

Next Drs Appointment: April 17th for the 28 week appointment and glucose test!

Best Moment of the Week: When Bryan got to see Nora kick from the outside. Love it :)

Gettin Bigger!

Tired and Ready for the Weekend!

Week 26

How Big is Baby: 

•  She's still growing in the 13.6- to 14.8-inch and 1.5- to 2.5-pound range!
• Her eyes are forming, and they will soon start to open.
• And her eyelashes are now grown, too.
• She's getting her immune system ready for life on the outside by soaking up your antibodies.
• She's taking breaths, too. They're of amniotic fluid, not air, but it's still good practice.
• The nerve pathways are becoming more and more developed, making her more responsive to sound. She might startle now and comfort herself by sucking her thumb :)

Holy Moly.... I can't believe how big she is!

Weight Gain: +9 pounds (but we'll see what happens at my next appointment!) I've been drinking a ton of water and trying to make healthier decisions when it comes to breakfast, lunch, and snacks. I've been eating more peanut butter, mixed nuts, yogurt, fruit, and not quite a gallon but I drink about 90+ ounces a day. Dinner comes and sometimes we eat crap, but there's only so much healthy food I can eat! I do try, but I'm not going to make myself miserable by depriving myself of food if I want it!

Gender: Girl!

Name: Lenora (Nora) Quinn

Symptoms: Lots of symptoms have come up this week!

• Exhausted
• Hip and lower back pain at night
• Crazy mood swings- Crying a lot because I'm angry, happy, sad, you name it
• Even though I drink a gallon of water during the day, I'm still dehydrated in the middle of the night
• EXTREME heartburn :( We bought some better tasting TUMS and some Prilosec OTC. The heartburn is so awful sometimes that I just lay sitting up in bed wimpering. Bleh... lava guts!

Sleep: I've been so tired, but once I'm asleep, I toss and turn all night. I've been sleeping with a pillow under my hips to relieve some pressure. LOTS of crazy dreams too!

Movement: I've been able to feel lots of jabs, kicks, and punches... but now she's big enough for me to feel her sitting in new positions. Sometimes she finds a new place to sleep and I can feel her little body trying to poke out of my skin! Sometimes it really hurts!

Food Cravings: None really!

Food Aversions: Morning sickness is 95% gone. It still comes back once in a while when I'm hungry.

Rings On or Off?: On during the day, off when I go to sleep

What I'm Looking Forward To: The baby shower and moving into our new house!

What I Miss: Sleeping on my back and belly, not so many aches and pains

What I'm Loving: Everyone knowing I'm pregnant and her kicking like crazy! I also love talking to her :)

Week 26 and feeling my big girl grow!

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks! For some reason I thought BH were tightening of the belly on the outside, but when I looked them up, I found out they sometimes feel like cramps. I've been getting them on and off for the past couple weeks. The other night they were so bad they woke me up :( I think that might have to do with the fact that I'm so thirsty in the middle of the night.

Belly Button: In and I don't think it will pop out!

Next Drs Appointment: April 17th for the 28 week appointment and glucose test!

Best Moment of the Week:

 Going to Chuck E Cheese with Evelyn! She had such a good time :)

Goofy faces with my sisters

All of us squished in the photo booth!

Bryan and I also went to the Michigan City Outlet Mall because it was 66 degrees! We went a little crazy in the Carter's store :)

Little socks!

My mom LOVES mice so we had to get this. I love it :)

$8!

Zebra outfit :)

The zebra onesie

I love elephants :)

The elephant onesie

The elephant sleeper

Bows :)

Grandpa's Sweetheart :)

She loves her daddy already!

Week 25

How Big is Baby: 

• She measures between 13.6 inches to 14.8 inches and weighs between 1.5 to 2.5 pounds! She's definitely getting bigger! 
• As she gains weight, her skin begins to become less wrinkled and she begins to look more, and more like a newborn. 
• Also, her skin is finally gaining some color. 
• Her hands are fully developed by this week, fingerprints and all! 
• The structure of the spine is beginning to form (33 rings, 150 joints, and 1000 ligaments)
• Her nervous system is rapidly developing, and she's enjoying her new sense of equilibrium, knowing which way is up and which is down. 
• She's growing more hair too! 

Weight Gain: +9 pounds

Gender: Girl!

Name: Lenora (Nora) Quinn

Symptoms: Swollen feet and fingers and heartburn! Other than that, I've been feeling pretty good!

Sleep: I've been REALLY tired still! I've been sleeping well, but I always feel tired

Movement: She moves all the time. It amazes me that she sleeps 12 hours a day. Feels like she sleeps 2! She's been kicking pretty hard. She must be growing and gaining weight!

Food Cravings: None really!

Food Aversions: Everything makes me sick when I'm hungry

Rings On or Off?: On during the day, off when I go to sleep

What I'm Looking Forward To: The baby shower :)

What I Miss: Not getting winded after walking 20 feet

What I'm Loving: Everyone knowing I'm pregnant and her kicking like crazy!

Labor Signs: Nope, not even BH. Probably thanks to all of this dang water I've been drinking

Belly Button: In and I don't think it will pop out!

Next Drs Appointment: April 17th for the 28 week appointment and glucose test!

Best Moment of the Week: Our vacation! We stayed at the Dana Hotel and Spa in downtown Chicago in a corner suite with floor to ceiling windows instead of walls. We had a rainfall shower head in the shower and big fluffy robes :) We got 1 hour massages in the hotel, ate at the Rainforest Cafe and the Hard Rock Cafe, and went to the Adler Planetarium and the Art Institute. We stayed 3 nights and 4 days... and it was wonderful! Picture time!

Our view from bed

Big ole belly!

Bryan and I at the planetarium

First pregnant lady on the moon!

Rainforest Cafe

Bean!

24 Weeks

Week 24 is viability week! Big milestone!


How Big is Baby:

• She ranges from 10.5-to-11.8-inches and she weighs between 12.7 to 20.8 ounces
• Her see-through skin is gradually becoming more opaque.
• And it's got a new pink glow, thanks to the small capillaries that have recently formed.
• She will be gaining about 6 ounces of weight a week from now on!
• Her lungs develop branches this week, and her inner ear is completely developed. In fact, she has basic control over all of her senses: hearing, touch, taste, smell, and vision!

Weight Gain: +9 pounds

Gender: Girl!

Name: Lenora (Nora) Quinn

Symptoms:

• Still tired
• Swollen hands and feet
• Still sick every morning
• A UTI! I told my doctor my bladder feels like it cramps up after I pee so she told me to give another sample.. a mild UTI. Good thing I had my appointment that day or I probably would have never thought about it until it got really bad! I'm on antibiotics and told to up my water intake

Sleep: I have been sleeping like a rock these past few nights, snoring and everything. I've been exhausted! I still have crazy, and sometimes terrifying dreams that keep me awake for a while. Chill out, preggo brain!

Movement: I feel her moving all the time now and I know when she's sleeping! Her kicks have been a lot stronger this week. She gets crazy around bedtime and Bryan gets to feel all of her crazy exercising.

Food Cravings:None this week really except... I could always eat Taco Bell

Food Aversions: Everything makes me sick when I'm hungry

Rings On or Off?: On during the day, off when I go to sleep

What I'm Looking Forward To: Our vacation to Chicago next week. I'm looking forward to taking lots of pictures for Nora's scrapbook and enjoying some time away with Bryan. I'm also pretty excited about my prenatal massage! I'm going to go get a pedicure today and maybe a haircut while I'm at it :)

What I Miss: Not drinking a gallon of water a day

What I'm Loving:Knowing Lenora is getting bigger because she is kicking harder! I also love this big belly ( except when I'm trying to tie my shoes, bend over to pick something up, etc). I'm also loving how excited Bryan gets when he feels her kick. He's going to be such a good daddy

Work Bathroom

Labor Signs: Nope, not even BH. Probably thanks to all of this dang water I've been drinking

Belly Button: In and I don't think it will pop out!

Next Drs Appointment: April 17th for the 28 week appointment and glucose test!

Best Moment of the Week: Seeing Ashley, Andrew, and Brody a couple times this week. He's getting so big and I'm missing it! I also really enjoyed bringing my parents along to see the house we've been looking at. We sign our papers Monday with the mortgage lady before we leave for our trip!

24 Weeks

24 Weeks