Baby Grace - 25 weeks

I had my 25 week appointment last Friday and my OB said everything was looking great. My blood pressure was good, weight is rapidly increasing and Grace's heartbeat was strong. Up to this point I haven't had much to complain about with this pregnancy.....until Saturday. In the middle of cooking breakfast on Saturday morning, I leaned over to get something out of the frig and there was a familiar shock in my back. Turns out I pulled a muscle, which also happened when I was pregnant with H, and it is making putting on/off pants and shoes really painful. On top of that, I have some really painful varicose veins. Did any of you ladies have this issue when you were pregnant? I will continue to be shocked and amazed at the bizarre things our bodies do when growing another human. Third trimester here I come!!!

Big Changes in 2013

In September, the day before my 34th birthday, I got a surprise birthday gift......

So that was then.....

and this is now.......20 weeks later.
Oh and by the way
It's a GIRL!

Remember when I was pregnant?

I started reminiscing on my pregnancy today and remembered I made this week by week collage.

I loved being pregnant

......for about 35 weeks {I could have done without those last 4}.

39 Weeks......the Grand Finale!

Harrison Dean Duvall
Born August 3rd @ 9:20am
8lbs 6oz - 19inches
❤❤❤

A HUGE Thank You

The belly could not be contained this week and requested to make an appearance in the buff.
Seriously folks.....get a load of that belly button!!
I'm pleased to say that this photo was taken after Jody returned from taking the Bar, which means it was a pretty successful week.
Jody feels like he was well prepared for the test + I didn't have a baby = WINNERS!
Below is my last status update before Harrison's arrival......crazy!

How far along? 

38 weeks

Total weight gain?

40lbs

Baby boy weighs?

Not sure but the Dr. thinks Harrison will be an 8 pounder come Wednesday.

We shall soon see if she is correct :)

Stretch marks?

No stretch marks but I've acquired several new moles......just what I needed.

Sleep?

After 36 weeks of wonderful sleep things took a turn for the worse at week 37.  I know it's a helpless situation when my pillow nest brings me no comfort. 

Middle of the night potty breaks?

Another evil of week 37.....now that I'm waking up more, I'm also peeing more.

Best moment this week?

This might be labeled "Best moment of the past 3 years"......Jody completed the WA Bar!

Movement?

Harrison is squirming around but nothing big.  I'm guessing he's probably run out of room.

Food cravings?

Beer.....is that a food?

Belly button in/out?

You can clearly see from the photo that it is out.

What I miss?

The list is so very long these days......at the top of the list would be easily getting out of the bed & being able to breath.

Best purchase this week?

Huge granny panties and a frame for Jody's Diploma 

Looking forward to?

Enjoying the next few days with my husband before we become a family of 3.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Not sure if I mentioned this, but my mother-in-law was kind enough to come stay with me while Jody was in Seattle taking his big test.  We had such a lovely week, which included a lot of relaxing, lunches out and purchasing several pairs of big underwear for after my surgery.  Jill also came along for my Pre-Op & Anesthesia appointments to be my 2nd set of ears.  Thank you so much Jill!!!  Looking forward to you coming back next week for Harrison's birth.

So I guess we're gonna do this......

If anyone wants to know where I'm at on

August 3rd around 9:00ish

......I'll be having a baby!

no biggie

Cankles & Stuff

This is what I'm sporting these days.......

How far along? 

36 weeks

Total weight gain?

36lbs

Baby boy weighs?

A little over 6.5 lbs

Stretch marks?

I think I just might make it to the end of this pregnancy with no stretch marks.....wahoo!

High Five skin!!!!

Sleep?

I'm happy to say that I'm still sleeping really well.  

Have I mentioned that I LOVE my pregnancy pillow. 

Middle of the night potty breaks?

Only 1 middle of the night potty break but I've had some embarrassing bladder moments

(Not quite ready to talk about that yet)

Best moment this week?

Getting Harrison's room organized and purchasing some much needed baby items

Movement?

Lots of full body movements and kicks to the bladder

Food cravings?

Frozen yogurt

Belly button in/out?

out

What I miss?

Being able to wear any other shoes besides my birks.....as you can see above I have a bit of swelling going on.  I had complete shoe envy, during my appointment today, when my doctor walked in wearing the most beautiful animal print Tori Burch wedges.

Best purchase this week?

Ergo baby carrier!  

Looking forward to?

Delivering this big boy in 3 weeks!  

Harrison was still breech at my appointment today so my Dr. scheduled my C-section for August 3rd.

Our big boy

Look at that belly!!!!

I had an ultrasound last Friday and it looks like Harrison is currently weighing in at about 6.5 lbs.  We were really hoping to get some good 4D pics of our big boy but poor kiddos face was smashed against my uterus.  I was worried about him being uncomfortable, but the tech assured me he was nice and cozy.  Jody and I weren't that surprised about Harrison's size, but we were a little shocked to find out he is currently breech.  There is definitely a chance that he will turn, but if not I will have a c-section at 39 weeks.  Either way, he is going to be here soon and it's freaking me out!  From this point on I will see my doctor once a week, which has sent me into a manic nesting phase.  I spent a large portion of the day Sunday purchasing a mattress and organizing Harrison's room.  I also spent my lunch break today ordering a glider and several other must have items.  I'm looking forward to setting up a permanent nursery in Seattle, but I'm happy with our little temporary space here in Springfield.

A sneak peek.....

I can't wait to see the entire album!!!!

willowbeephotography

Bump Comparison

 

33 Weeks & Flintstone Feet



How far along? 

33 weeks

Total weight gain?

Wait for it......35lbs!! I gained 4lbs since my last appointment.

Baby boy weighs?

According to Baby Center he should be around 4lbs but I found out at my latest appointment that I now measure 3 weeks ahead of schedule.....what the what!!!  That would put my womb monster at 36 weeks and weighing almost 6 lbs.

Stretch marks?

Still no stretch marks but lots of little spider veins.  Will those go away???

Sleep?

Fatigue has set in and I'm reverting back to some 1st trimester habits.  Monday I took a "nap" from 7:00-9:30 pm and was back asleep by 10:30.  My sleep during the night is still pretty enjoyable......thanks to my pillow nest.
Middle of the night potty breaks?

My bladder has really surprised me and still only wakes me up once a night. 

Best moment this week?

Finding out I get to have another ultrasound {keep reading}

Movement?

He likes to stick his little hiney up high and then give me a good kick to the rib

Food cravings?

Obviously everything since I'm rapidly expanding

Belly button in/out?

out

What I miss?

call me crazy......I miss running

Best quote of the week?

A mentally handicap gentleman at the baseball game asked me when I was going to have my baby.  I explained to him that I still had 8 weeks.  As he walked away he turned and yelled {in front of the entire hot dog line}......."OUCH!! That's gonna hurt!"  I agreed with him.

Best purchase this week?

Gizeh Birks for my swollen feet. 

Looking forward to?

Maternity photos on Saturday!  We have been trying to take them for the past 2 weeks.  Hopefully this weekend the weather will be perfect!

UPDATE:  At my appointment on Monday Harrison was still measuring REALLY big, 3 weeks to be exact.  My doctor suggested we have an ultrasound at my next appointment to see what might be causing me to measure off the charts.  More than likely he's still sitting really high or I have an abnormal amount of amniotic fluid, but we shall see in 2 weeks.  I'm praying that everything is ok and honestly can't wait to see his sweet little face.

  

32 Weeks

After 31 weeks of experiencing few typical pregnancy symptoms, week 32 was full of unexpected surprises.....

• swollen ankles
• middle of the night bloody nose
• backache
• fatigue

and one last thing....

• I coughed really hard and wet my pants

These next 8 weeks should be entertaining.

31 Weeks of Uterus Expansion

While recovering from a week of vacation and Jody's graduation, I totally neglected week 30 of my pregnancy.  Well....it was either that or I was still in shock from my 10lb weight gain.  Luckily, at this week's appointment I only gained 1lb and didn't have to make up excuses as to why I was expanding at such rapid speed. 

This week also marks my move into the single digit club before Harrison arrives.  Jody and I find ourselves frequently reminding one another that we are having a baby......and he will be here soon!  Holy Moses.....9 weeks!

Little Pillow Nest

This, ladies & gents, is the best thing that's happened to sleep in the past 31 weeks.  Yes it takes up over 1/2 our queen size bed, but a certain husband just knew it would help me catch some Z's.  Seriously, Jody surprised me with this large jewel last Friday and I've slept better than I have in 5 weeks.  The only exception is that I've been having a lot of nightmares lately, which this pillow doesn't help.  My latest dream involved a very kind co-worker of mine being attacked by a wolf as I watched from the safety of a company truck.......sad.  

 In growing baby news, I had a Dr.'s appointment yesterday and my belly is measuring 2 weeks ahead of schedule.  This could mean 1 of 2 things.....1. My little womb renter may turn in his keys ahead of schedule, or 2. He's gonna be a BIG boy!!  At this point I'm rooting for option #2.  I'm not opposed to him coming early as long as we have an agreement that July 26-28 are blackout dates.  

One last thing--Jody and I went to our first child birth class this evening.  The class confirmed that my uterus is a pretty incredible muscle and that we can make it through a birthing video without laughing like we're in middle school.  Because of this great accomplishment, we treated ourselves to ice cream.  Good night!

Hello 3rd Trimester

This is what I look like when I'm heading to the gym.....no wonder everyone stares at me.

1. How far along? 29 weeks
2. Total weight gain? This is a hard number to type......30lbs.....Yikes!!!
3. Baby boy weighs? Approx. 3lbs 
4. Stretch marks? Still no stretch marks
5. Sleep? I'm waking up more during the night to change positions but still sleeping pretty well.  Jody ordered me a HUGE pregnancy pillow and I'm hoping it will help.
6. Middle of the night potty breaks? I'm still only getting up once but it's not every night.  I try really hard to not drink much an hour or so before bed and it seems to work.  
7. Best moment this week? 3 day weekend!!!
8. Movement? He moves his entire body these days instead of random punches.  
9. Food cravings? No specific cravings......it all sounds good these days
10. Belly button in/out? The top portion of my belly button is out and the remaining is still flush
11. What I miss: Diet Coke and being about to comfortably tie my shoes
12. Best baby item of the week: Our Crib....it's A-MAZING
13. Looking forward to? This Saturday.....my co-workers are throwing me a baby shower

What's better than 1 pregnant woman?

2 pregnant sister-in-laws
❤❤❤

What an amazing week!

Jody & I spent last week on vaca with our families, Duvalls & Warrens, at the Oregon coast.  We filled our days with lots of food, cards, ping pong and playing with our nieces.  The week concluded with Jody's graduation from Law School and receiving his JD degree.  I'm spending tonight lounging on the couch but will post more later this week.

*Thank you to my cousin Heather for being the family photographer and capturing all the fun*

A letter to my womb-fruit

Dear Harrison,
Today you have been renting a room in my womb for 27 weeks and, according to all that movement, you must be doing some renovations.  I'm not complaining though......I enjoy all your hard work.

This week the interweb says you are 2 lbs, 14.5 inches and growing hair.  I'm curious if you're going to have a head full of black hair or if you'll surprise us all and come out as a ginger.  We've decided that we'll keep you even if you are a red head :)

This past Sunday was Mother's Day and the first time I ever got to stand up as a MOM in church.  It was a pretty emotional moment, not because I was standing up as a mother, but because I remembered those few years of wanting nothing more than to be part of those women.  I prayed that morning for all the moms and Grandmas, but especially for those whose moms are no longer here and for those who are still waiting to be moms.

On Saturday our family starts to come into town to celebrate your dad graduating from law school.  I'm beyond excited and I can't wait to see your dad get his JD diploma.  Just a heads up that everyone is going to expect a big performance from you.......no pressure!

Love Love
Mama

26.5 Weeks and a little crafting

Holy belly!!  I'm convinced that I've grown substantially in the past week and a half.  This has been confirmed by the influx of comments I have received from the random public and the number on the scale.  Yikes! 

Since Jody has been busy studying for his LAST finals of law school, I took a little time to work on a craft project for Harrison's room.  My co-worker & friend, Lyric, found these adorable state pillows on etsy but $50 was a bit steep.  We decided to break out the felt and our sewing machines and make our own pillows for a fraction of the price......easy peezy!  

I even made a pillow for our soon to be home......good thing my heart has plenty of room to love, yet another, state.
 

24 Weeks

1. How far along? 24 weeks
2. Total weight gain? My guess is 20lbs but I'll let ya know after my appointment
3. Baby boy weighs? See above (not the 20lbs part but the after the appointment part)
4. Stretch marks? guess what? I still have cellulite....no stretch marks
5. Sleep? I'm starting to wake up a couple times at night to change positions.....which then makes me have to pee.  It's a vicious cycle.
6. Middle of the night potty breaks? Still only 1 and I fight through the additional urges to get up
7. Best moment this week? Sunshine.....3 days this week
8. Movement? He continues to try and punch his way out
9. Food cravings? grits from Cafe 440 & hamburgers
10. Belly button in/out? flush with the rest of my tummy
11. What I miss: spicy tuna rolls & sleeping on my stomach
12. Best quote of the week: "Hey there mama bear" - I enjoy that so much better than "You're bigger than my daughter due in June"
13. Best baby item of the week: See post below....yeah Chicco
14. Looking forward to? THE WEEKEND.....going away party for friends, Oregon Law Review Banquet, Easter Sunday service and brunch with the Millstein.