The Stingeries

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Week 35

How far along: 35 weeks, 5 days

Size of Baby S: 18 in, 5.25 lbs

Fruit/vegetable comparison (according to Baby Center): honeydew melon

Total weight gain: 22.5 lbs

Sleep: Good still. Usually getting up once to pee and hard to stay on my left side the whole night (my back is still pretty comfortable to lay on). I also think I fell asleep on my wrist funny because I woke up with it hurting on Thursday. :-/

Movement: Lots! Still hiccups every now and then and still a lot of movement from her backside shifting left to right, but her head has stayed down thankfully.

Unglamorous body changes: I seem to be popping a lot this week... Just in regular movements and kind of all over. I also went to the chiro and she said my middle back was a little tight, but not bad still for how far along I am. My lower back on the right side only started to hurt a bit, but Jason massaged it and it's great now. So all-in-all, I really can't complain still!

I was also noticeably swollen this morning and had a little trouble getting my rings off. I plan to increase my water intake and hope that the swelling doesn't continue!

Maternity Clothes? Yep! Although I am still rocking the non-maternity stretchy t-shirt and lululemon pants for my weekly photos. :-)

Showing: Yes!

Food cravings: Nothing in particular, but I was hungry this week! I seemed to be eating constantly!

What I miss: Working out and walking without feeling so out of shape. Jason and I went for a nice walk Sunday afternoon and I kept having braxton hicks contractions and had to stop a few times to rest. I told Jason I didn't understand why this was happening. He told me I'm 35 weeks pregnant. Thanks sweetie. But shouldn't I be able to walk to go for a walk without any of that happening?! :-/

Anything making you queasy: Nope. Have I ever answered yes to this one?!

Strange experiences: Madison's movements are definitely different. I feel like she's running out of space in there and so sometimes her kicks hurt and I feel like she's constantly all over the place! I got a sharp foot in the right side too this week that I know was a foot because I distinctly felt her leg when I reached to touch my side reactively.

Milestones: Madison is likely not doing somersaults, but still moving a lot (confirmed!). Her kidneys are developed and her liver can process some waste product. Most of her physical development is finished and the next few weeks she's concentrating on putting on weight.

Best moment this week: Having our last ultrasound! Madi cooperated better this time and actually gave us pictures of her face (and only covered her chin with her arm). We got to see her eyes flutter open and cosed and see her spine and ribs and heart beating strong and sound.

The doctor said that everything is looking good and she's doing well. Her measurements shows she's around 2.6 kg (5.72 lbs) and the doctor said to expect her to gain about another kilo (2.2 lbs) before she arrives. (Note- I know these measurements aren't super accurate or a good estimate for weight, but it was still cool!)

Looking forward to: Our hospital tour this week! We plan to finalize our birth plan and post the differences after we get that done.

We have next Friday, May 17 and Monday, May 21 off for Norwegian holidays. Jason and I are going away for the weekend as our last "single" getaway before Madison arrives!

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Week 34

How far along: 34 weeks, 5 days

Size of Baby S: 18 in, 4.75 lbs

Fruit/vegetable comparison (according to Baby Center): cantaloup

Total weight gain: 22 lbs. Apparently I like to gain a lot of weight every other week!

Sleep: Good. Forcing myself to sleep on my left side, but sometimes still realizing I am on my back (it's not an uncomfortable position yet). Consistently sleeping with the boppy wedge pillow now to help get comfortable.

Movement: Lots! She's squirming around in there and a couple of times her movements have actually been pretty uncomfortable!

Unglamorous body changes: Getting huge! I am afraid my belly button might pop out. :-/ I definitely had a noticeable growth spurt this week as the space left in my belly button decreased quite a bit.

Maternity Clothes? Yes. I still have a few tops and dresses that I can wear that aren't maternity, but the majority of my outfits have been maternity clothes.

Showing: Yes! I'm apparently to the point now where there's no doubt I am pregnant and people feel okay asking when I'm due and how long I'm taking off, etc. I've had more people ask this week than ever before.

Food cravings: Nothing really.

What I miss: Nothing this week. I indulged in a small glass of red wine at dinner with friends last night. It was delicious! :-)

Anything making you queasy: Nope.

Strange experiences: A couple of gals that are a few weeks ahead of me had their babies this week! It's so crazy to think that they have met their babies now and we could be in the same place in just a few more weeks!

Milestones: Madison is getting rounder and her skin is getting smoother. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to maure as well. Babies who are born early (between 34-37 weeks before they are technically at full term) are generally healthy with no major problems after a couple days in a neonatal unit. Comforting to know I guess, but we are not mentally ready for her to arrive yet, haha!

Best moment this week: Revealing Madison's nursery and the surprise shower my Bible study ladies threw for us!

We also had our 34 week appointment with the midwife on Tuesday. We got to hear her strong and steady heartbeat (always a joy!). She is measuring perfectly and the midwife said I am looking great - good skin, healthy size/weight, and minimal swelling. Madison has her head down and while there is still room for her to wiggle side to side and possibly flip around, the chances of that happening are very small. The midwife expects that she will stay head down so now we just have to encourage her to settle with her back on the left side (optimal fetal position) before she engages.

We have an appointment with the ob-gyn in two weeks so we can do one more ultrasound to see our baby girl before she's born! Then I will start seeing the midwife every week after that until Madison arrives.

Looking forward to: Reviewing all of the information we got at our birth class last weekend and starting to put together our birth plan for Madison. The course we took was really good and it was especially useful to find out what's "normal" for Norway compared to our expectations for what was/is "normal" in the States. I'm working on a blog post that highlights some of the differences and answers some of the questions people have asked me about how things will happen here. Hopefully I'll finish that and the birth plan this weekend!

Friday, May 3, 2013

Surprise Baby Shower

Last week was our final lesson in the 10-week Beth Moore study we've been doing on Paul. There was some discussion about possibly postponing our final lesson to this week because one of the ladies couldn't attend. I was in favor of that plan as well because we had stuff going on every night last week (including the birth course that weekend) and I was physically exhausted.

When the decision was made to still review the lesson last week I literally cried to Jason that I was tired and didn't understand why it couldn't be moved to this week when everyone had said that they were fine moving it. Little did I know I would find this week why we still had the final lesson the previous week (and then feel a little sheepish for getting so upset)...

...the ladies in my Bible study threw me a surprise baby shower!! I am still in awe and amazement at the love and support we have received by everyone around us. Madison is one lucky little gal who a lot of people are looking forward to meeting!

The ladies had some delicous food prepared and some amazing desserts! I'm a sucker for buttercream icing. Mmmm. :-)