32 week update

Well... Had a little hiccup in the smooth sailing this week. I've had a tiny bit of bleeding, and while we originally thought it was nothing, turns out its a little something that needs closer monitoring.

Today we had an ultrasound and non stress test, and everything looks ok. Baby is moving and growing. I've got a small subchorionic bleed on the placenta, so I have to have weekly NSTs and follow up to make sure it's resolving and baby is gaining weight. Good news is that for now I get to stop taking my daily lovenox shot, which is to prevent clotting. No more shots for 2 weeks at least! 

It was kind of fun to see her little face today. Once again she had a foot by her face, which she has had almost every ultrasound. They estimated her weight at 4 pounds 1 ounce. I'm just feeling frustrated because I'm already anxious enough, I don't need anything extra to worry about. Hopefully after a few more weeks of doctor appointments we'll see the bleeding resolve and all will be well.

And in other news we had a great camping trip this weekend with our good friends from Seattle and Leavenworth. Josie had a grand time, and it was so good to spend time with Julie and Alia. 

This is my favorite maternity shirt. I wear it practically every day :)

And, just for fun... The sisters and their bellies. Maria on the left at 39 weeks, me on the right at 32. Can't wait to meet her little mystery bug!

31 weeks

Pregnancy stats (I'm totally stealing this format from another pregnant friend because I love her updates):

Symptoms: my sciatica is back on the right. I had a few better weeks and now I'm limping around again and really have to watch the lifting and ending because its quite painful.

My blood pressure is creeping up, so I am on weekly checks for that. With the blood pressure comes some lovely swelling, especially in the heat.

Speaking of heat, I'm hot all the time. Second hot summer in a row being pregnant... This year I'm not as worried about the AC bill and if its hot, I'm turning it on.

Weight gain: 23 pounds so far.

Cravings: iced tea, Arnold Palmer, iced coffee!! I'm hungry a lot, but seem to be experiencing am effect similar to that of a  Gastric bypass patient; there's no space for food, so I'm instantly full, then quickly hungry again. Annoying.

Movement: Hiccups, all the time. More rolling, fewer jabs. It must be getting tight in there.

Emotions: feeling intermittently more joyous and nesting a lot, also feeling anxiety and impatience. I really want the baby stuff ready!! I have washed a couple loads of clothes/diapers/blankets etc, but I only have one small dresser to put it in. I need to get some containers and shelves, put up a crib, etc. I want to look at it, have it motivate me and bolster me through the last weeks. I need a positive focus point. I want to visualize a happy ending! The pic below shows where we are with the baby space... 

Gemma's birthday coming up has me feeling a lot of renewed grief, and that is hard to balance. We are working on some prayer flags and ideas for a little birthday remembrance celebration. It's really nice to spend time working on something for her. 

29 weeks

29 weeks pregnant with baby sis.

I've gained 20 pounds, and I'm feeling it! I'm a bit achy all over, especially back and legs at the end of the day. My ribs are beginning to creak a bit as she moves up under there and takes up more space.

I have been strengthening my intentions to enjoy and treasure these last weeks of pregnancy. It's been a very scary ride, and now that we're feeling a bit more confident that our baby is healthy and well, I want to enjoy the experience of carrying her as much as I can. I want to take more pictures and make more time to just rest and just be. I want to celebrate her with friends. I want to feel calm and happy and really soak up the experience, because I know that even though it feels like forever, soon this part will be over.

Soon I will start to organize and sort the baby stuff I already have, and get her space ready in our room. I really love that kind of baby nesting time, so making things cute will be fun.

Also just for fun, a picture of Josie in her flower girl outfit from this evening at David Crouse's wedding. She took her job very seriously, and made very sure she was walking exactly where she was supposed to. It was super sweet.

24 weeks at the beach

24 weeks... it's kind of a big deal. One more milestone down.
Here's some belly action and boogie boarding from our weekend in Seaside with my Seattle besties this weekend.

Fishy baby at 20 weeks

20 weeks, halfway... Sort of. I feel like I've been pregnant for a hundred years, hopefully a busy summer will speed along the next 4.5 months. 

Overall I feel pretty good, except for some sciatica on the right side, which has me limping around like I have been severely wounded in the right buttock. 

Baby is wiggly, lots of little fishy movements in there. Still not strong enough to feel from the outside, though.

       We have a name list a mile long, and although we have some time I feel pressed to narrow it down. I want to know her name. Some of my favorite choices are a little out there, and I love them all. I may ask for input at some point but I'm a little hesitant, I'm not really looking for criticism. We'll see. 

20 weeks

I didn't even bother to change out of pajamas for this portrait.

My first knitting project for fishy baby girl.

Josie is dressed and ready for a busy day on the prairie.

Josie playing with self portrait mode on the phone camera.