Cankles

Yes, my calfs and ankles are the same width leaving me with the infamous cankles. My feet are so freaking fat that my flip-flops leave indents.

I'm 40 weeks pregnant and I'm freaking DONE. I want this baby out NOW. Most of you who know me would agree that I am not the most patient person at the best of times and everyone knows that I'm a planner. This pregnancy thing is really trying on my patience.

I know, technically, baby isn't due until tomorrow. Well that is according to my doctors piece of paper wheel thing that magically calculates your due date based on your last period and an "average" cycle of 28 days... Whereas I on the other hand, despite not having a PhD, happen to know that my due date was April 22nd. How do I know this? I know when my baby was conceived.

And please folks, save me all the nonsense about baby coming when she is ready, the statistics about due date innacuracies and all other comments that only serve to frustrate me further.

Kyle and I have been walking for miles everyday, I've been eating pineapples and spicy foods, and I spend hours at night bouncing on the stupid birthing ball trying to get this baby out but NOTHING is happening. No need to suggest castor oil either... that's not happening.

So here is a letter to my daughter.

Dear Baby - this is your mother. Please accept this notice of eviction. Your mother is uncomfortably huge and irritable. There is so much more room out here in the world for you to move around in. Your clothes are all washed and put away in your new bedroom and your basinette is set up beside mom's bed with fluffy pink blankets. Dad is anxious to meet you and so are Gus-Gus and Roxy. It's time now, so please, get the hell out. Love mom.

I don't feel like posting the weekly updates anymore. This weeks wasn't even a picture of a fetus in a belly, it was a fricking newborn. So anyhow, incase you can't tell... i'm bitchy today. I think I'll have a nap and maybe wake up in a better mood. And when she finally does make an appearance, I'll be sure to put up some pics for you guys!

~Preggo

33, 34, 35 weeks...

Ya, ya i know... bad blogger I am. Sorry....

It's been another 3 weeks, putting me just past 35 weeks now. It's unbelievable that we could be holding our little girl anytime now (hopefully sooner than later... yes, i'm already becoming impatient!)

My sister threw my baby shower last weekend, which was awesome. We got so many beautiful and useful gifts and are now fully stocked up with diapers! Thank you so much to everybody that came and brought such lovely gifts for Kyle, Emma and I.

I've been sleeping alot, I guess storing up sleep for when she finally arrives, and keeping busy with reading and doing baby laundry (have you seen her closet? It's more stacked than mine!)

I'm tired of being sore, having heartburn, feeling massive and wearing the same clothes over and over again. Anyhow, today when Kyle was at work I set up a little home studio with my tripod and camera on self-timer mode and took my own maternity pics! Here are a few... not too bad considering I did them myself... it's kinda difficult to take your own pics =) (not too sure why they are so blurry on this site.. )

And here's the last 3 weekly updates....

33 WEEKS

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood

34 WEEKS

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which she'll need to 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.

35 WEEKS

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

~Preggo

32 weeks!!

8 more weeks.. 56 more days...

Not much new over here. Still having issues with back and crotch pain, and I'll likely be off work now until my maternity leave is over. Sounds nice hey? Lying around and doing nothing for a few months? Ya, that's what I thought too... but now it's been a month and I've discovered that there is an extreme lack of entertaining day-time TV on, and there are only so many movies to watch. At least I don't have to get up at 5am everyday, though it wouldn't be that bad considering I don't really sleep much anymore.



Anyhow, we started our prenatal class a few weeks ago. This week we got to learn all about what to expect during labor, when to go to the hospital etc. etc. Rather than educating me and preparing me for what is inevitably going to come (birth) the class just scared the living shit out of me. I almost got up and left on 3 occassions as I thought I was on the verge of having a panic attack. Poor Kyle! He's going to have to deal with me when the time comes, and I have a feeling I'm not going to cope very well. I'm working on it though, and I know millions of women have given birth and survived (and even had another baby after that) so logically, I am aware that I should be okay. Just like logically, I know that a one-inch spider can't kill me and a bee won't sting me unless I scare it, but I still run and scream everytime I see one. The logic is there, but I can't control my fear. I wonder if they give ativan when in labor? Highly unlikely.



Despite my overwhelming fears of giving birth, I am still ridiculously excited to meet our little girl. I can't wait to see her, and hold her, and take her home!

Here's the weekly update.

"By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb."

It's funny that our bean is being compared to a different kind of fruit or vegetable everyweek. What is a jicama anyhow?

~Preggo

28, 29, 30, and now 31 weeks (eek!)

You will have to forgive me for neglecting my baby blog.. I have been a very sore and sick mama these days :(

I will preface this by saying that once you become pregnant there is no such thing as too much information anymore. It all started a few weeks ago when I began experiencing what can only be described as agonizing "crotch" pain. If I walked more than a block it felt like a sword was being shoved up my crotch and twisted in 360 degree revolutions. If I sat in a chair for more than 20 minutes my back would start to spasm and shoot pain down my butt and legs. The only thing that provided any relief was lying on my side with a pillow between my legs.

I've been off work since than and had some blood pressure issues, assumably due to the pain. It's gotten better since I've become a serious couch potato but it still flares up if I push myself too hard. It's more difficult than you would imagine - lying on the couch all day, that is. Especially when baby is going to arrive so soon and all I want to do is NEST!

Anyhow.. ya, that's basically all that's new with me.

My darling husband went nuts one weekend and painted and finished the nursery... it's so cute and really makes it feel so much more real. I'll have to put up some pics when I get a chance.

Well.. here are the last 4 weekly updates. It's insane to think that there are only 63 days left.

28 WEEKS...

"By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese Cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world."

29 WEEKS

"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. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day."

30 WEEKS

"Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)"

31 WEEKS

"This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy."

~Preggo

27 Weeks - The 3rd Trimester!!!

Yay, I can't believe I'm in the 3rd trimester already!


It's been a busy week... went to the doctor on Monday, had a meeting with our insurance guy on Tuesday and started a pre-natal fitness course last night with Kelly... Oh, and 9 hours of work everyday + a 2.5 hour commute. Needless to say, I'm pretty fricking tired. But the end is in sight, although I realize "the end" also doesn't involve much sleep...


I'm starting to plan when I'm going off work, and I'm thinking April 4th will be my last day. That means I only have 10 more weeks of work left! With flex days, I only have 45 working days left!

It feels funny calling baby "bean" now that I know she is a girl. For some reason, "bean" seems more masculine to me... However, we have to call her something and we don't have a name picked out yet, so for now, bean it is.

Oh, and even when we do pick a name out... we won't be sharing it until she's born. We've decided to maintain some element of surprise with the birth, and we also want to minimize the amount of unsolicited feedback regarding our name selection. We are, however, open to suggestions or ideas because we're having a difficult time choosing, so feel free to leave your ideas in the comments section!

Here's the weekly status report..

Your baby is really starting to get big. This week your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14.4 inches long with his legs extended. He now sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. He may suck his fingers, and although his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if he were born prematurely. Chalk up any rhythmic movement you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on

~Preggo

26 Weeks and into the double digits!!

Only 98 days to go... I really can't believe it.

Things are starting to feel very REAL these days. Before it was just kind of an idea, an exciting idea, and I chose not to think about labor and childbirth and how much my life is going to change in just an instant when the baby bean is born. But now, as I get closer and closer to D-day I'm starting to freak out. Labor/Child birth is one of my biggest fears. I don't know if I will be able to handle it. I'm scared shitless of having an epidural and not being able to feel my legs. I really don't want to have a C-section. I just want to have my baby in my arms but not deal with the whole birthing process. Oh, and I'm already becoming a paranoid mess about my little girl and I still have 3 months to go. I constantly feel like I might go into labor at any minute and am analyzing every twinge and pain (which there are many of). I'll probably be one of those ladies thats in the hospital every day thinking it's time to go.

Anyhow, I think I'm just having one of those days! Must release the raging pregnancy hormones somewhere.

Kyle and I are contemplating attending a pre-natal course on labor/delivery and newborn care, so maybe that will help.

Well, here is the weekly status report for our baby girl.

Your baby now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber), from head to heel. Her weight will more than triple between now and birth as she rapidly puts on baby fat. She'll need that fat to help adjust to colder temperatures outside the womb and as a source of energy and calories in the first days of life. It's not uncommon for newborns, especially those who are breastfed, to lose weight (sometimes as much as 10 percent of their birth weight) in the first week after birth.

~Preggo

Womb with a view...

Best day ever.

We're having a GIRL!! Here are 2 of the pics, there are tons more and a movie of the ultrasound too, which I will attempt to learn how to put up here.

We are very happy and after the ultrasound we went directly to the mall to get some pretty pink dresses =)

~Preggo

25 Weeks!!

Another week gone by!

I had my first experience with the dreaded pregnancy leg cramp last night. OMG. I woke up at 2:30 am SCREAMING, I was like "HELP ME! HELP ME!" Kyle freaked out, he thought I was in labor or something!! Umm, I need to find out how to prevent that, I can't deal with that on a regular basis.

Baby bean is moving around all the time now and my belly grows bigger by the day. I love feeling him/her in there doing somersaults and karate moves!

Kyle and I are going to find out whether or baby bean is a girl or a boy on SATURDAY!!!

We weren't going to find out originally, we thought we wanted a surprise. However, this pregnancy seems to be taking a lifetime and we just can't wait any longer. Besides, with my shopaholic tendencies knowing the sex will make my life a lot easier. I'm just too much of a planner to not know!

So we are booked for a 4D Ultrasound at UC Baby on Saturday at noon and I can't even tell you how excited we are. It's like Christmas all over again, except maybe better!

Here's the weekly update

Head to heels, your baby now measures 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for a more rounded one. As your baby gains weight, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more like a mini newborn. His hair is probably recognizable now in color and texture, although both may change after he's born.

~Preggo

Stroller & Carseat - Check!

Shopping for a stroller is more difficult than shopping for a car. I swear, there are more makes and models out there than you could even imagine. It's absolutely overwhelming and unbelievable some of the things you can get.

There are strollers, travel-systems, jogging strollers, bassinet type strollers and many more. Amongst those you can get strollers with air-filled tires (something I originally wanted) rather than the cheap plastic tires, height adjustable handle bars, one-hand folding mechanisms etc. They come in so many colors, weights, sizes etc. Just trust me, it's crazy!

Anyhow, Kyle and I, being the cheap and unadventerous type that we are, decided to go with a Graco Quattro Tour. Here it is:

The carseat has a base in the car that you unattach the carseat from and click it into the stroller so when you go to the store and the baby bean is sleeping you don't have to wake him/her up. Pretty cool I think. It folds down easily and will fit in the trunk of my car just fine. Oh, and it's pretty cute. We got it on sale for $100 off, we paid $299.

I just couldn't justify spending $900 on one of these alien transport looking things:

Or even better, one of these for $1200!

Don't get me wrong, if you can afford it, good on you. We certainly couldn't.

If I had all the money in the world, I would have a selection of strollers in a stroller garage outside my mansion. Maybe for the next bean....

~Preggo

22, 23, and now 24 weeks!!!

I have no excuse. I stink at updating my blog.

I did, however, manage to fall down a flight of slippery concrete stairs on December 19th while christmas shopping on my lunch break and landed myself in the ER for a few hours. I'm fine, and more importantly, so is my bean. I had a nasty bruise on my back for a few weeks there but i'm doing much better now.

Christmas was great. I was spoiled this year, more than any other, which was nice. Kyle and I are looking forward to spoiling our little bean next christmas =)

New Year's was as much fun as it can be for a pregnant person. I drank fake beers while sitting around and watching all my friends get gooned. Surprisingly, I made it to midnight, and Kyle and I left the party at 12:15!

Well, here are the last 3 weekly bean status reports. Sorry for the delay =)

22 WEEKS

Your baby now looks like a miniature newborn, checking in at 10.9 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound. Her skin will continue to appear wrinkled until she gains enough weight to fill it out, and the fine hair (lanugo) that covers her head and body is now visible. Her lips are becoming more distinct, and the first signs of teeth are appearing as buds beneath her gum line. Her eyes are developed, though the iris (the colored part of the eye) still lacks pigment. Eyelids and eyebrows are in place, and her pancreas, essential for hormone production, is developing steadily.

23 WEEKS

Your baby is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango). His skin is red and wrinkled. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare him for breathing. He can swallow, but he normally won't pass his first stool (called meconium) until after birth. Loud noises heard often in utero — such as your dog barking or the roar of a vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze your baby when he hears them outside the womb.

24 WEEKS

Your baby's growing steadily, gaining about a quarter of a pound since last week, when she was just over a pound. Since she's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), that makes a pretty lean figure, but her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon put on more baby fat. Your baby's skin is thin, translucent, and wrinkled, her brain is growing rapidly, and her taste buds are developing. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance **that helps the air sacs inflate easily.

~Preggo