40 Weeks Pregnant

40 Weeks Pregnant

(I went into labor Saturday at 12am, so technically when i was going to bed friday night on my due date! We had our little boy Sunday at 12:03 am July 21st 2013. I didnt get a chance to post my 40 week update since I was in labor late that night... so here it is: )

Sno on the go with my sissys and nephew and niece (they were so sweet to keep me preoccupied that last week when i was getting so frustrated from being in pain from back labor all night and no sleep). Those last few weeks of pregnancy are no joke!

Pregnant belly. Baby bump 40 weeks

40 weeks pregnant

Did lots of walking, relaxing, distracting (did anything and everything to make myself think i was actually helping the process along, as well as distracted myself to try to avoid thinking about how much pain i was in).

How far along: 40 Weeks pregnant, 10 months ! 

(depending on how you track your pregnancy, some women go by 9 months, but most dr's and books and online sites go by every 4 weeks you are in a new month, which puts me in my 10th month)! 

Weight Gain:  21 lbs (lost 2 lbs or had swelling last week)

Stretch Marks: none

Belly Button: OUT

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On

Movement: active still! And his movements hurt! he is so big now that its uncomfortable.

Feeling: oh boy was this a rough week! i had 4 nights straight of excruciating back labor. It would start usually around 12am (sometimes 8pm) and last all night until 7-10am the next morning. It honestly felt like screw drivers were digging into my back, hips, and thighs. It wouldn't fade or come in waves it was mostly constant but would have waves of intensity where all i could do was moan in pain and get on all fours or in the bath tub. Id get frequent braxton hicks in my tummy every 5 minutes or so (sometimes 7 mins and sometimes every 3 minutes). I was exhausted every morning to say the least. i started losing hope that labor would ever progress on its own and thought maybe id have to be induced. i just couldn't understand why my body would start and stop. 

Cravings: Not really craving anything, lost my appetite.

Symptoms:  The same for all the normal symptoms but definitely more pre labor symptoms (see below). Im still eating spicy foods, late at night, and big meals and havent had  a problem with heart burn yet. Getting up to go to the restroom WAY more now (every hour).

Pre labor signs:  

The Dr. Checked me this last monday (39weeks +3 days) and i was 70% effaced still, now 1 1/2 centimeters dilated, and baby was still at station -2.  Ive been losing more plug (been happening for 3 weeks or so now). The cramping on and off at random times during the day has continued but more frequent now a days (feels like menstrual cramps with a bach ache). I get braxton hicks all day long at random times. I still have the shooting pain in my hips (randomly) KILLS!. Back labor at night as i described above...the worst thing ive ever gone through (4 days straight, no sleep, tremendous amount of pain with no pain relief).  

Missing: sleep!!! 

Looking Forward to: LABOR! our little bundle of love

Sleep:  no sleep. literally, i mean NONE.

Exercise: no weight training. cardio 3 days this week at the gym but mostly trying to just do light walking.  i took thursday and friday off and didnt even walk..as its my due date i wanted to save all the strength i have for labor, especially since im not sleeping at all 

Count down: Full Term! He is ready as he can be!  I am full term and ready for him!

38 Weeks Pregnant

38 Weeks Pregnant

Pregnancy Update:

Its our baby's birthday month!!! As well as mine and my husbands birthday month! Woohoo for July!

38 week Baby bump picture 

 38 weeks baby belly picture

How to dress the bump photo.  I've had several people ask about how to dress the bump with regular clothes, since i dont really wear maternity clothes i've used a lot of maxi skirts, dresses, longer tops, or layering tops, as well as leggings with shirts.  My bump isnt extremely huge so its easy to fit into my old shirts (not all of them fit, a lot of them show my belly and i have to keep pulling them down).  I've made due with my old wardrobe working for the most part. I bought like 8 maxi skirts in the second trimester because i knew theyd be comfortable for summer, so i rotate between those as well as wearing dresses and leggings. Im not into jeans right now like i was in the first and beginning of second trimester because its just too hot now. I like things that are less restricting. Comfort is key but you can still look cute and be comfortable. All the maxi dresses and skirts ive purchased i can wear when im not pregnant (i still bought a size small).

Maternity style

Fourth of July was this past Thursday! It was so much fun! I love the 4th, being at the beach, bbqing, swimming, and being with family and friends is a blast! We went swimming at the pool earlier in the day and then headed down to San Clemente to watch the fire works from the pier with a bunch of our closest friends. The fire works are so beautiful there because they are right on the water so you can see a reflection of what you see in the sky, its absolutely breathtaking! 

It was fun to feel my litte guy moving all over the place when the fire works went off. I cant wait to watch his cute face next year when hes a year old on the 4th of july and fire works are going off for the first time in front of him. 

Started trying to get things going this week with labor... i started to walk uphill on the treadmill for 10-15 minutes after the precore.  I have also started to go on walks with my hubby around our home to see if that helps the baby drop or helps dilate me at all. I have a dr. appointment today to check in!

More fourth of july fun!

Hubs holding the baby bump during fire works

 We went to Watermarc in Laguna Beach for dinner for my brother in laws birthday. It was a pretty yummy restaurant and we all left super full! But not too full to skip out on dessert.. whenever we are in laguna for dinner its a MUST to stop at the famous Gilato shop called Gilato Paradiso. SO YUM! Happy birthday Hunty, i love you!

 My husband cuts hair for a living and gave me a nice healthy chop this weekend. I needed it! As you can see in the pictures below (before my trim) i was in desperate need of some fixing up. I also got my hair colored this week. Im getting ready to meet my new little man! I've been growing out my bangs since October (when i got pregnant!) so i wouldnt let him trim those, im waiting until they are longer to do anything with them (EVERY INCH COUNTS, ahhaha, us ladies known how that is).
If you are ever in orange county make an appointment with my hubby!

This week was my best friends birthday, shes so beautiful inside and out and I am so blessed to have her in my life.  Shes the beaut on the top left hugging the bump.  We celebrated at a mexican restaurant in capo beach called El Patio.

 Heres my other bestie's baby, her name is Jane and she is absolutely adorable. Whenever she sees me she kisses my belly and gives me lots of hugs. I am in love. Shes to die for.

 And of course cant leave without a photo of all the gals. We didnt need one with the men. lol.

How far along: 38 Weeks pregnant, 10 months ! (and now +3 days...i was a little late on blogging this week!)

(depending on how you track your pregnancy, some women go by 9 months, but most dr's and books and online sites go by every 4 weeks you are in a new month, which puts me in my 10th month)! 

Weight Gain: 22 lbs (didnt gain anything this week so far)

Stretch Marks: none

Belly Button: OUT

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On

Movement: active still! Im shocked how this little dude moves so much when he has barely any room left and is supposedly around 7 lbs and 19-22 inches!

Feeling: Im feeling good, just really impatient! This week it hit me right when i turned 38 weeks its like a switch went off and now that I know hes healthy to come and greet the world, its like all i can think about is wanting him in our arms! I think its also the anticipating of knowing he can come ANY day.. knowing that makes every day feel like a waiting game.. you cant take your mind off of it when every day your getting practice contractions that could turn into the real deal! Im so excited and praying for patience, if im not patient this will be a looooooong next few days.  I hope he comes early but he could end up being late to arrive like my sisters baby... so fingers crossed!

Cravings: None. Ive had no appetite. its so hard to find something that sounds good to eat lately.  I've had subway probably 4 times this week because i havent felt like cooking and its still fresh and i can fill my sandwhich with tons of veggies.  Its sucky because i cant eat the meat due to nitrates (which are a NO NO for pregnant women). So i get a veggie sanwhich with pepper jack cheese. I hardly notice there isnt any meat on it because i load it up with so many flavor filled veggies.  Im sure my husband is missing my cooking this week, but he understands, ive been pooped and more focused on going into labor, walking, and resting. 

Symptoms:  The same for all the normal symptoms but definitely more pre labor symptoms (see below). Im still eating spicy foods, late at night, and big meals and havent had  a problem with heart burn yet. I have a numbness on my right upper rib under my right breast still (mostly while sitting). 

Pre labor signs:  

The Dr. Checked me last monday and i was 70% effaced, 1/2 centimeter dilated, and baby was still at station -2.  I have a dr. appointment today so hoping for more progress with all the pain ive been having all week! I lost some of my plug on the 4th, and then twice on the 7th.  I have been having killer cramping off and on that feels like menstrual cramps (however, one day it felt like labor because the cramps were soooo awful i had to sit down but they eased up after 15 minutes).  I have had braxton hicks that are never ending! On saturday i went a full day with braxton hicks contractions (3-5 mins and 5-7 mins apart) from 1pm until i woke up the following morning and then they were gone. It was false labor, i knew i wasnt in labor because they didnt increase in intensity and were not painful. They were tightening my tummy every couple minutes and lasting 50-1.30 seconds so it was making me a little bit nauseas. I've tried all sorts of inducing natural methods: walking, sex, squats, resting, bouncing on the birthing ball to open the pelvis, warm baths, amongst other things. Nothings really worked to bring on labor, however it could be helping move my body along for when it is ready.  I get crazy sharp shooting pain in my hips randomly that literally stops me in my tracks. It lasts only a couple seconds and goes away and then for the next minute or so ill continue feeling a couple more and then they just stop. I believe its my pelvis opening and my hips widening for the baby to move down for labor.  

Missing: getting good sleep! Oh man has this week been rough with sleep. Its hot and i get up like 4 times to use the restroom and then my mind is wide awake wondering if my water is going to break or if the cramping i wake up to is labor.. which keeps me up and makes it difficult to fall back asleep.  One night this week i was convinced id wake up in labor so every hour my brain was waking up, it was awful. Im trying to relax more and just tell myself not to think about it, but its really hard when your body is giving you so many signals every day that today could be the day. grr.

Looking Forward to: LABOR. i may regret this when it begins but i CANNNNNNNT wait!

Sleep:  i mentioned sleep aready above (under "Missing").

Exercise: still doing it, this week I didnt do any weights at all. I was tired and let myself have a nice holiday off and was thinking i might go into labor and need to save my energy and strength. I've been doing more walking than anything. I still went to the gym 5 days  for cardio (skipped two days, skipped the 4th of july because it was a holiday and skipped saturday because i thought i was in labor).  

Count down: im FULL TERM !!!!He can come any day now safely! I am due in 11 days! We will see when he wants to come and meet us!

36 Weeks Pregnancy Update

36 Weeks Pregnant

9 Months

36 week baby bump

36 week baby bump

Fun in the sun, Summer is officially here! Playing with my little boys cousins (my nephews and nieces)

Corona Del Mar, loving these littles <3

This week I was brave and thought "i might as well try on my pre prego skinny jeans before i go into labor and never know if they still fit".. I hadnt wore jeans in months because its been so hot, i've mostly stuck to skirts, dresses and leggings, so i had no clue if theyd fit still.  So happy to say at 9 months pregnant they still fit and even button! Wooohoo!

How far along: 36 Weeks pregnant (and two days now), 9 Months pregnant 

Weight Gain: 21 lbs (not sure if i had a little water weight or what but went down -.4 lbs so im about 21 [20.8] They say you can lose weight right before labor, towards the end, so I guess we'll see next week if i gain or lose or stay the same)

Stretch Marks: none

Belly Button: OUT

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On

Movement: VERY VEERY active still! The nurse keeps telling me each week that he will be less active once he has less room to move around, but this little guys somehow finds a way to still be a crazy ninja in there day and night.

Feeling: Really good. I got a bad sun burn at the beach thanks to my moms "NEW ORGANIC " sunscreen that didnt do any screening or protecting whatsoever! OUCH! Thats been very uncomfortable the last day and a half.  Getting a little but more uncomfortable and realizing im limited in what i can do these days with a big ol' belly. 

Cravings: chocolate here and there. Fresh food, healthy food. nothing new really

Symptoms:  Im still eating spicy foods, late at night, and big meals and havent had too much of a problem with heart burn yet. I have a numbness on my right upper rib under my right breast still (mostly while sitting). Sleepy around 3pm, then i get a second wind later in the evening. 

Pre labor signs:  

The Dr. Checked me this week (ill have weekly check ups starting now) and I was 60% effaced, and baby is at station -2. This means his head is down in my pelvis! I wasnt dialted yet, so we will see what happens at our next dr.'s visit.   My hips are achy at different times of the day.  I have had cramps in my lower abdomen almost every day now..they feel like menstrual cramps (mostly in the morning or while working out).  I also have had this pinching, sharp, tickly feeling in my cervix area still (the nurse said this is the baby on my nerves around the cervix). I get this pinching feeling often.  We did the B Strep test and will get our results monday.

Missing: feeling in control of what my bodies going through... with all these weird painful symptoms, feeling uncomfortable, and having the worst sun burn ive ever had to date, its hard for me to just relax and wait this out. Im starting to get really anxious about when hes going to come. 

Looking Forward to: Our next dr's visit (to check progression) and labor! AHHH i cant believe ill be full term in 5 days! He can come safely any time after that. My brain is just now starting to acknowledge whats about to happen! pregnancy will be over soon and our sweet little angel will forever be ours.

Sleep: its the same. I wake up at least 2 times for bathroom trips. (2-3 most nights now). My shoulders and hips hurt so i usually end up on my back (BAD, but i cant help it).

Exercise: still doing it, as hard as it is now (with having to pee every 15-20 mins, cramps, and that leg heaviness that comes and goes), i know i will happy i did after so i push myself to do it.  This week I did 2 light weight training days, and 5 days of cardio. I am so relaxed and dont put pressure on myself to have an intense work out, i just want to keep movement a part of my routine....and now i see it as helping the baby move down further in my pelvis and helping labor progress (which has definitely helped motivate me this week, as ive been more and more tired in the afternoons).

Update: I took care of the baby insurance. We installed the base and carseat into my hubbys car (still need to get it checked to make sure it was done correctly as well as install the other base into my car). We cleaned our home together (but we'll have to keep doing this every week to maintain and make sure its ready for out little boy). We finished all of his laundry, packed our hospital bags, and my car is just about clean and ready to go (did a couple recalls i had on my car), i just need to clean out the trunk a little more.  

Count down: FULL TERM IN 5 DAYS!!!! Due in 3 weeks and 5 days (or less, i hope!)! Which means he could come safely any time between 5 days and 4 weeks from now! 

When i first found out i was pregnant i measured right where my belly button is and i was 27" ... I measured again at 30 weeks(+3 days) and i was 34 1/2 inches. I measured again at 32 weeks (+4 days) and i was 35 1/2 inches, i measured at 34 wks (+2 days) i was 35 1/2 still, at 35 weeks i was 36 inches, and at 36 weeks i was 36 1/2 inches right at the widest part of the belly button area. Its neat to watch how quickly the belly grows during the last trimester.. i wish i had measured weekly the entire pregnancy but i forgot.

34 Weeks Pregnant Update

34 Weeks Pregnancy Update:

Oh my goodness..this belly has POPPED!!! 

Pretty neat comparison: 4 weeks, 24 weeks, and 34 weeks pregnant!

Its fun to find comfy and cute clothes to dress the bump, but im definitely excited to one day soon be able to just throw something on and not have to worry about it being uncomfortable, hot, or show my belly. 

How far along: 34 weeks! 8.5 Months Pregnant!

Weight Gain: 20 lbs (he had a growth spurt this week...hence the HUGE BUMP)

Stretch Marks: none

Belly Button: OUT

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On

Movement: ALL THE TIME! He is starting to kick or elbow or knee my sides (not sure which body part of his it is but its something pointy!) and ill feel a little foot or something sticking out of my left side about a half an inch (You can even see it poking out).. pretty neat!

Feeling: Really good! im waiting for the week that I feel miserable and am dying to get this little guy out.. hasnt happened yet but people keep telling me its going to come! So far my comfortability level is about the same. Its hard to bend down, and my lungs are squished so it makes it tough to get a deep breath in (sometimes i feel light headed or like im going to pass out/nauseas from lack of oxygen)

Mood: really happy. extremely grateful. enjoying every moment

Cravings: chocolate. sweets! Ive been loving trader joe's dark chocolate covered pretzle thins, and cookie dough! Yum!

Symptoms: same... a little acid reflux (burning in my throat) but not really that intense, and hasnt led to that dreaded heart burn a lot of mommies talk about. Im still eating spicy foods, late at night, and big meals and havent had too much of a problem yet. (crossing my fingers!). Hungrier lately, maybe hes just getting nice and plump! They say the last trimester is when you really need to up your caloric intake. I  dont track or count calories so I am just eating whenever im hungry and trying (as best as  pregnant woman can) to eat healthy for the most part. I've also been getting leg cramps (charlie horses) in my calf when im sleeping, ill wake up from stretching my calf because of the pain (this is a common complaint of a lot of preggos).

Missing: muscle tone. when youre pregnant because of water weight, lose ligaments (due to hormones), and added cushion,keeping muscle tone up is a challenge. I stil have muscle, but im definitely softer than im used to.

Looking Forward to: Our next dr's visit. Its not this monday but the following. Maybe we will be able to check if im effaced or dialated at all? Im also really looking forward to going on maternity leave (just one week left of work!). Although i have a couple clients ill be doing phone sessions/skype with most likely here and there.

Sleep: its the same. I wake up at least 2 times for bathroom trips.

Exercise: still going strong. Im just taking it one day at a time. This week I did 2 light weight training days, and 6 days of moderate cardio.

33 Week Pregnancy Update

33 Week Pregnancy UPdate

Baby bump

Belly comparison, from 13 weeks, to 23 weeks, to 33 weeks!

Most normal length shirts show a little of the belly so I have to constantly tug on them and pull them down. But im making due for now and not going to buy any maternity clothes.

Front view

How far along: 33 weeks! 8 Months Pregnant!

Weight Gain: just about 19 lbs gained (18.8 lbs)

Stretch Marks: none

Belly Button: OUT

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On

Movement: ALL THE TIME! I love feeling him moving around in there, it never ever gets old! His movements are so crazy to watch from the outside. Some of them are starting to hurt when his little feet feel like they are trying to stretch outside of my skin!

Feeling: Really good still. I have had a few more days this week of feeling really tired and an afternoon nap is always calling my name, although i never take naps.  I should probably start to!

Mood: really happy. I love pregnancy still. I know this will most likely change in the next couple weeks as i get even more uncomfortable but so far this journey has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I am so so happy to have this great joy and blessing growing inside of me and get to share that with my husband and family/friends.

Symptoms: same as last week (one day when i had a little heart burn but nothing too bad, didnt even take a tum).  Newest symptom is being out of breathe... my lungs are squished and and i have moments when i just cant seem to get enough air and almost feel nauseas, hot sweats, and like im going to pass out. I havent had any trouble with not being able to breathe during cardio (which i find interesting) but lifting light weights is becoming a challenge due to lack of oxygen.

Missing: a flat tummy.. its summer so thats probably why

Looking Forward to: meeting our little man

Sleep: its the same. I wake up at least 2 times for bathroom trips still.

Exercise: still going strong. I am tired and get that darn leg heaviness in my right leg so its getting more difficult but still able to keep it up one day at a time (:  This week so far ive done 4 days of cardio and 1 day of light weights ( ill probably do cardio today or tomorrow, so lets just say 5 days).

UPdate: Our Dr.'s visit went amazingly!  The ultrasound was a nice long one, we check out all of our little guys oregons, his weight, his height, and my amniotic fluid. On Tuesday he was measuring 4.5 lbs, we were told he has realllllly long legs (thank you daddy), and my amniotic fluid is 14 (they like it to be anywhere between 10 and 20, so im right in the middle. which is great). The baby's heart rate was perfect, his four chambers in his heart are healthy, his kidneys, lungs, diaphragm, bones (in his arms and legs), his brain, and his bladder all looked PERFECT according to the ultrasound technician and the Dr.  YAAAAY! AMEN PRAISE JESUS! THank you Father for a healthy baby! Oh and his weiner is still there (:

They said i probably slowed down in weight gain because i have a small frame and am a small person, so im going to do my best not to worry from now on (: 

I'd like to add something special:  I just wanted to say how blessed I have felt these past few months to carry this beautiful angel in my womb. I anticipated pregnancy would be much harder to cope with all of the changes and my bodys transformation. I really feel grateful for a healthy little boy and to be able to conceive and carry a baby 9 whole months.  I feel beautiful and have embraced all that my body has become to sustain this little mans life and continue to keep him safe and healthy. I never knew what it would be like to be pregnant, what itd feel like, or how id cope with all of the changes... and i believe i had a negative outlook on how hard itd be.. so going into this i didnt really know what to expect but i can say now that this is truly the best experience of my life, its given me a whole new purpose, a new reason to wake up and have joy each day and treat myself well because im nurturing my son through doing so. I feel connected to God, our creator, in such a wonderful way, as well as my husband who created this tiny person with me.  I cannot wait to meet our son and experience what its like to become a mother.  So to all you pregnant women out there I hope that you take every day as a gift, knowing that some women who cant carry a child would trade places with you any day, and this truly is the most wonderful joy that God has given us with our spouse.  We have made a life with our soul mate and with our Lord.. thats pretty spectacular!

Count down:  FULL TERM IN LESS THAN 4 WEEKS! Due in less than 7!!