37 Weeks-- Full Term!

Thought I'd do a little comparison! On the left me today: 8/23/12 at 37 weeks! On the right me in Jan 2012 at about 6-7 weeks pregnant-- I am wearing the same exact shirt!


 How far along? 37 weeks! yay! Full Term!
Total weight gain: 22#!
Maternity clothes? All the time!
Stretch marks? Nothing!
Sleep: still getting up to use the bathroom 2-3x/night-- i think its prep for when the baby arrives! really no low back pain or anything!
Best moment this week: by far, see our little baby again!! even if it was just little parts of him-- at our 36 week appointment our OB just did a quick sonogram to check his position, amniotic fluid, and she gave us a estimate of his weight! she said it wasnt too accurate of a measurement because his head was so far down in my pelvis (estimated weight at 7# 11oz +/- 1#) - which was another good sign - he is in position! His gender was also reconfirmed - all of his parts looked so big compared to our 18 week ultrasound, it was awesome! He was wiggling around a ton and she said he had lots of amniotic fluid surrounding him!
Miss Anything? sleeping through the night (which won't make a difference anyways!), being able to run errands and clean around the house without having to a take a break, and i still would love to have a beer!
Movement: calming down again as of this week, alot of the movement is felt in the pelvis (deep! right by my bladder- fun!) 
Food cravings: still love all types of fruits, mangos, pears, peaches, watermelon
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: Slightly worsening braxton hicks - not really painful, but difficult to stand up straight and breathe when they happen - they seem like the are getting earlier and earlier-- i used to be able to work up until 4PM or so then it would start and I'd just work through them, now its more like 1 or 2 PM - ufta! not sure how a full week of work will go next week - at least I am off from the hospital floor!
Symptoms: same as last time! - braxton hicks, deep pelvic pressure, lots and lots of tightening! finally starting to have a little swelling in my ankles, and fingers-- especially my finger joints seem stiff in the AM-  no pain though!
Belly Button in or out? still in but deformed!
Wedding rings on or off? still off! not going to change it!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Pretty dang happy and relieved I made it to 37 weeks and worked full time the entire time! Getting more and more anxious as his due date is approaching!
Looking forward to: Still - Well the basement is now primed and painted!!! the mess is almost done down there, now Tim is just starting to put up stone around  our fireplace, then the carpet-- then the big stuff is done!!! I 'm hoping those two things will be done before baby boy makes his arrival! BUT still mostly looking forward to meeting our baby!

Tim and I are enjoying our last month together and we are finding it hard to believe that in about 20 days we will be parents! We are scared, anxious and overall VERY excited! We pulled our book from our childbirth class yesterday and practiced all the different breathing techniques-- even timed some of them!! The car seat was fitted and checked by health and human services, hospital bags are packed, all we really need to do is a little more deep cleaning around the house and we are set to go! Here are a few more maternity shots-- we just loved them all! But the first ones I posted are the favorites! It was awesome deal- 5 free 8x10's, and 2 free 11x14's - when i added up what the photos would have cost if they werent free, they were more than the session itself! The same photographer will be doing our infant photos too! We were thrilled with how great they turned out! 

Maternity Shots!

35.5 weeks!

How far along? 35.5 weeks-- 36 on Thursday!
Total weight gain: at my 34 week appointment it was exactly 20#, I think it will be much more at my next one!
Maternity clothes? All the time!
Stretch marks? Nothing!
Sleep: getting worse-- so when I said pregnancy was a breeze- that was up to 35 weeks~ probably up 2-3x/night now with alot more pelvic pressure, he must be getting into position!
Best moment this week: finishing the nursery! feeling him roll around a ton still! hearing a nice strong heart beat at my last DR visit as well as testing strep B negative ha! And lastly, having an awesome time with Tim taking maternity photos- we had so much fun laughing and goofing off, it was a good stress relieve after an intense DR appointment!
Miss Anything? WELL, at my last appointment I was put on a 10# lifting restriction for work, SO I miss not having to worry about what I lift or how I treat patients at work, and lately I have been having more Braxton Hicks throughout the day which really tends to mess with my concentration at work!!
Movement: he is back to being just as active as before but I think his movements are more painful now because he is getting so big for my belly!
Food cravings: nice bowl of ice cream-- every night! peppermint bon bon!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: Its starting...well I think so--now that I am starting to dilate a bit I have noticed alot more of those practice  contractions- sometimes they take my breath away and i feel like i cant breathe! 
Symptoms: oh yes, lots of them, pelvic pressure, braxton hicks, numbness and tingling when I sleep over L LE- only when I am on my left side, more and more pressure-- everywhere!
Belly Button in or out? still in
Wedding rings on or off? decided to take them off for this week-- it was getting to be a challenging to take my ring off, so I took it off right after maternity photos and have a cheaper Lia Sofia ring on that was always too big! Plus my patient told me they had to cut her wedding ring off--  I dont want any of that to happen!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy this week, last week I was feeling really anxious and almost scared when I heard my MD wanted me to take it easy or take a few weeks off work because of me dilating! I had no idea, I was feeling great with minimal symptoms, now after hearing that, Ive had a few more contractions! As long as he stays in til 37 weeks I'd be happy!
Looking forward to: Still - Tim finishng the basement so I organize the rest of the house-not sure if this will happen now that I am supposed to take it easy -- Tim being home for 2 weeks now! And seeing our maternity photos tomorrow...lastly - meeting our little guy in about a MONTH! (or sooner :) 


Well its been quite the crazy last few weeks around here! Tim and I put the finishing touches (the awesome decals) on the nursery walls so now it is all ready! I might add a shelf or two for photos, but his room is ready!! After that we had our 34 week appointment last Monday and I went in feeling just great, BP was awesome 116/80, weight right on track, measuring at 35 weeks (4-5 days ahead) and I mentioned a few Braxton Hicks contractions to her -- and then I had the wonderful pelvic exam where I began feeling very anxious-- she said I was starting to dilate and my cervix was softening!!! Then she said, WOW he is putting a lot of pressure on your pelvis! I was thinking, not yet!!!! So, she gave me the option of taking a few weeks off work to relax since my job is pretty physical or trying a lifting restrictions of 10# til I hit 37 weeks-- I took option B! Its pretty tough at work realizing if someones leg, head, etc weighs greater than 10# but I am working on it! Plus its hard to alter some of the treatments I do! It was also pretty difficult having a pretty awesome pregnancy and hearing that, but as I was talking to a lot of other mom's they have said the same, they were dilated 1-2 cm for 4-5 weeks before labor began so that made me more comfortable!  Tim and I also had maternity photos scheduled for that day and had a blast taking those, I thought they were more fun than engagement photos-- we will see how they look tomorrow!! We also had breastfeeding class we went to last Wednesday (it was only us and another couple who was due on the same exact day!) It was pretty nice having the instructor one on one time to ask her a ton of questions, Tim and I both were able to practice on little babies, it was pretty cute to see him trying to burp the baby! We also  couldn't believe all the benefits, and I will be giving it my best try at breast feeding and then pumping when I return to work after 12 weeks!  We also found out our insurance will cover our pump with an MD prescription! Hope it works! I also finished packing my hospital bag for me and the baby, washed/cleaned all his toys, and boiled all the pacifiers! I would like to clean the house a little more, but all the necessities are bought and ready (except the pump) - we are ready when he is ready (hopefully after 37 weeks!) :)

  A little glimpse of our nursery decor that we put up last week! I love it!

 Fighting sioux mittens and cute little boy shoes!

Getting the bookshelf all organized-- I think we are ready whenever he is ready!

33 Weeks!

How far along? 33 weeks!
Total weight gain: 19-20#!
Maternity clothes? All the time!
Stretch marks? Looks like those won't be showing up! Must be good genes!
Sleep: not too bad still! I had to switch sides of the bed with Tim-- now that I have done that, minimal to no hip pain which is awesome-- still waking 1x/night just to use the bathroom!
Best moment this week: oh man! so many great moments! All of my friends/coworkers in Hutch having a baby shower for me, my mom and sister coming down for the shower and to help me get a little more organized, my recent DR. appointment and hearing I am exactly where I am supposed to be, and finished organizing the nursery-- just a few things left to put on the walls and we are done!
Miss Anything? being able sleep throughout the night without having to use the bathroom!!!AND now missing my old clothes and being able to do more activity without feeling short of breath!
Movement: a little less movement now this week, I think hes starting to get a little cramped up in there!
Food cravings: not many cravings these days- back to my normal diet!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: No- but have noticed a little more braxton- hicks contractions, now those are fun!
Symptoms: braxton hicks contractions increasing a bit, but thats about it!
Belly Button in or out? still in, but you can see it through my shirts!
Wedding rings on or off? On, getting a little tight in the mornings now!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy that I will be able to meet our little guy in less than 7 weeks and now I feel much more organized so that is a relief! But anxious for the whole giving birth part ;)
Looking forward to: a hopefully relaxing August now that we have ALMOST everything ready, Tim finishng the basement so I organize the rest of the house-- this nesting stuff is real, I feel like I have never wanted everything so organized before in my life!! Kind of nice!!





I ve been slacking a bit on updating my blog but again, I have been BUSY!!! A little recap of whats been happening! My Hutchinson friends/coworkers threw me another baby shower this past week- it was amazing, with tons of awesome food, gifts, games, friends and fun times! My mom and sister came down for this shower as well, and also helped me get a little more organized and figure out what else I needed prior to our little ones arrival! I took a day off work and we went into the cities for a day and did some shopping-- we got a steal at the Goodwill in Minnetonka, a brand new Baby Einstein jumper/exercsaucer for half the selling price!! We also had lunch at PF Changs and just enjoyed a nice day!

Tim and I were all set up to take maternity photos last friday but our photographer had to have emergency back surgery! So now we are rescheduled for 2 weeks from now, wondering how big I'lll be then!

We also found another amazing deal on one of my september baby groups- apparently Kmart had advertised big packs of diapers accidentally at 5.99 (instead of 15.99) for like 86-92 diapers! Holy cow! We do not have a Kmart here, but Walmart was able to match the price a few different times- Tim and I stocked up on 9 boxes of diapers, then the manager decided it was enough and took away our ad we were price matching- too funny!! I think Kmart has retracted the add now, but we saved a TON of money! Tim has been working non stop on the basement and now has it all mudded and taped, now time to sand! Once the basement is finished we can finally get the basement a little more organized, right now its a disaster zone and I get a little overwhelmed when I go down there! I had to work this past weekend, so we stuck around Hutch and for saturday night we decided to have a little date night and we were quite productive- we made 8 total frozen crock pot meals (found on Pinterest!) so now we will have a few meals all ready once our little guy makes his arrival!

putting together our bouncy seat we got from my mom! 

 A preview of some of the nursery decor!

Hutchinson Shower from Friends/Coworkers!

 Mom and Sister came all the way to Hutch for the shower!

 numb! all kinds of dove chocolates with cute little stamps they attached!

 The beautiful blanket my mom made!

 Not the greatest photo of me, but one of my coworkers, Erin, bought the baby 3 Sioux shirts!!! I was super excited!!!

 All the ladies that came to my Hutchinson Shower! I am so lucky to have such great friends and coworkers!!!

 The hostess of the shower- Marisa!                                                   Belly shot with Amy!

Fourth of July and...30 Weeks!

How far along? 30 Weeks

Total weight gain: 17-18# UFTA!
Maternity clothes? All the time!
Stretch marks? Still none-- hoping Im lucky! 
Sleep: pretty good! less and less hip pain now! which is weird! But now this week is the first week I've had to get up 1x/night to go pee!
Best moment this week: Spending time at the lake with my family, having a nice long 5 day weekend, awesome baby shower from a few weekends ago,  feeling the baby hiccup, and passing the glucose test with flying colors! 
Miss Anything? using bug spray! being able to be out in the heat and not feeling overly hot, having drinks on the pontoon, and waterskiing since every fourth of july I make sure to water ski, but I GUESS I had to hold back this year!
Movement: sometimes he won't stop moving for a good 5 minutes! I think his feet may be up by my ribs, because he sure loves to kick up there! he loves to move all around, I think he gets it from his dad!
Food cravings: not many cravings these days- back to my normal diet!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: hmmm no real symptoms of pain or issues for the the last few weeks,  this pregnancy has been a breeze so far!
Belly Button in or out? maybe it won't ever come all the way out!
Wedding rings on or off? On, sliding off and on really nice still!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, but getting anxious and having crazy dreams that I won't have everything ready, everything is really setting in this week, I feel like there is still so much to get done!
Looking forward to: having the baby room all organized, seems like have too many clothes to organize, and my sister and mom coming to Hutch for a few days when my coworkers are throwing me a shower in mid- July! 

Tim and I have been busy, busy busy! So much has gone on in the last few weeks, here is just a little recap of the last week:

We celebrated my dad's 62nd birthday at the lake on July 1st-- Tim and I made breakfast that morning- one eyed jacks!  We also went fishing, swimming at a sand bar which was awesome to feel so light in the water,  relaxed in the sun,  lit off fire works, had some bad weather and hail storm come through, and just enjoyed being with family!

Trying to be creative and make a 62 out of bread and egg!

 We got to hang out with my two adorable nephews a ton! Logan loves the fourth of july and the national anthem!

And little Carter - he is so sweet! We are both the 2nd child and I swear we have a special bond! :) He smiles at his auntie all the time! 

 Pregnant and drinking a non-alcoholic bloody mary/ceaser! 

 Happy Birthday to my amazing Dad! With the cake Cass and I make every year for his birthday!

 My brother in law Tony brought down some awesome fireworks, Logan is quite the fire bug as well!

 My dad taught me how to drive the pontoon-- really easy, still not sure if I could park it though!

 Tim golfing with all the hail we had!

 Fenton and Herbie our fishing partners!

 The biggest catch of the day!

28 Weeks and Baby Shower!

Quick update! At around 28 weeks, my sister Cassidy through me a wonderful family baby shower in Grand Forks! She is so creative, everything from the cake, diaper cake and train, baby fruit bowl, food, to the games and all the cute decorations! We had an awesome time and I am so lucky to have such a wonderful family! Here are a few photos from the fun weekend we had!

 Measuring the belly! Aunt Rita won this one, everyone else measured it too big! Not one person was too small! :) 

 The Fantastic Hostess of the Shower, my sister Cassidy!

MMM - red velvet cake pops and almond cake! So good!

 Im joined in on the shower halfway through! New high chair from Grandma Wendy!

 The awesome baby fruit bowl! So cute!

 Baby Play Mat from Cassidy!

Tim enjoying himself with the diaper wreath my Aunt made!

My best friend Lexi even made up to our family shower!

 Some of my relatives that came! It was so awesome to everyone!

Airplane diaper cake!