34 weeks!

I'm headed to babysit some precious little younger boys but I wanted to quickly do the 34 week update from babycenter.com. Enjoy!

 

Your pregnancy: 34 weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe)...

...and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help 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 (Praise the Lord!). 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.

How your life's changing:

By this week, fatigue has probably set in again, though maybe not with the same coma-like intensity of your first trimester. Your tiredness is perfectly understandable, given the physical strain you're under and the restless nights of frequent pee breaks and tossing and turning, while trying to get comfortable. Now's the time to slow down and save up your energy for labor day (and beyond). If you've been sitting or lying down for a long time, don't jump up too quickly. Blood can pool in your feet and legs, causing a temporary drop in your blood pressure when you get up that can make you feel dizzy.

If you notice itchy red bumps or welts on your belly and possibly your thighs and buttocks as well, you may have a condition called pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP for short). Up to one percent of pregnant women develop PUPPP, which is harmless but can be quite uncomfortable (Haven't noticed anything like this yet & I hope I don't). See your practitioner so she can make sure it's not a more serious problem, provide treatment to make you more comfortable, and refer you to a dermatologist if necessary. Also be sure to call her if you feel intense itchiness all over your body, even if you don't have a rash. It could signal a liver problem.

Breastfeeding 101

Hey everyone! Today I am so very fortunate to have a guest blogger to tell us all about breastfeeding! I plan to breastfeed Kynlee once she arrives but I really didn't know too much about it. Jessica, from The Southern Belle Baby, fills us in on the good, the bad, and the ugly with breastfeeding... and I'm so glad she did! I've been a follower of her blog for a while now and I just love to read her posts! Click here to see her blog!

Thanks again, Jessica!

When you think of breast feeding, maybe you envision a mother cuddling a sweet baby to her chest, an effortless exchange of milk underway. Well, that's a nice thought. Because in the beginning, that is generally NOT what happens. At this point, I have breast fed my son, Knox, for six months, and yes, that is generally how our nursing sessions go (when he's not biting my nipple or sucking on the side of my boob), but let me tell you that in the beginning, things are different. 

Before I even got pregnant, I knew that if I was able, I would breast feed. It was something I felt passionately about and really wanted to do. I knew all about the health benefits, the bonding aspect, ease of preparation (ie NONE), cost savings and secretly I was really excited to get big boobs (goodbye, A cup!). On our third day in the hospital (Knox spent some time in the NICU) my milk came in. And holy cow, did it come in. My boobs were gigantic. It looked like I had just gotten porn star-worthy implants, I had gone from the B cup I had attained during pregnancy to at least a DD overnight. Oh my gosh, how they hurt. They were engorged, which is what happens when your milk comes in for the first time, so don't be surprised when you wake up with rock hard cantaloupes on your chest. (Don't worry, it goes down in a few days).

After dealing with a the mega boobs for a few days, onto the next issue: latching on. Knox was the laziest eater ever, he required constant stimulation to stay awake and focused on his job. Of course, he could barely fit his tiny mouth around my giant knockers, but eventually the job got done. It would probably take an hour per nursing session, so I was tired chick only going two hours between feedings. After a few weeks, he got the hang of things and got much more efficient. Now, it only takes 10 minutes.
Let down is another thing that I didn't really understand before it happened to me. You don't just pull the baby to your chest and the milk is there. It has to let down, first. For me, let down feels like pins and needles, not overly painful or anything, but I can feel it. Then, the milk is a-coming, and if there isn't a baby's mouth over the top of the exit, it's going to go somewhere: generally, EVERYWHERE. My boobs sprayed like a super soaker (and they still do), and there's another fact you may not be aware of- I kind of figured human nipples had one hole, like on bottle nipples. Uh, nope. When your milk sprays, it goes in five different directions because there are multiple milk openings on the top of the nipple. Hence the need to buy some absorbent breast pads- your shirts will thank you.
Despite the sore boobs, leaking nipples and other "negatives," breast feeding is one of the most rewarding and amazing things I have ever done. Looking down at my sweet little guy while he eats is still such a sweet sight, even months into the journey. And things DO get easier. The first few weeks are tough, and I absolutely recommend to everyone to utilize the knowledge of a lactation consultant. My hospital had two on staff and I visited multiple times until I "got" it. Eventually, things settled down- my boobs returned to a human size, my nipples didn't feel like they had been rubbed raw (get Lansinoh lanolin for those things... trust me) and nursing became the joy it is today. Hang in there- it's worth it!

- Jessica
The Southern Belle Baby Blog
www.thesouthernbellebaby.com

33 weeks

Hey everyone! I have a lot to catch you up on, but unfortunately it will have to wait because I have fallen behind on my school work due to a hospital visit this week! No worries, baby is fine and I will be doing a special post on that in the next few days. Also, I will have a guest blogger this week telling us the good, the bad, and the ugly on breastfeeding! More to come on both of those.
For now, it's time for the weekly update from babycenter.com.

33 weeks:

How your baby's growing:

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds...(Kynlee already weighed this much last week)

(heft a pineapple)

...and has passed the 17-inch mark. She's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and her skeleton is hardening. The bones in her skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for her to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance). These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as her brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

How your life's changing:

As your baby fills out even more of your belly, lots of things might start to change: Whereas before you were sashaying, you may find yourself waddling (definitely!). Finding an easy position to sit in — let alone sleep — is becoming more of a challenge (and then getting out of bed is another challenge in itself). And bumping into chairs and counters is par for the course (the clumsiness has consumed me...).

You may be feeling some achiness and even numbness in your fingers, wrists, and hands. Like many other tissues in your body, those in your wrist can retain fluid, which can increase pressure in the carpal tunnel, a bony canal in your wrist. Nerves that run through this "tunnel" may end up pinched, creating numbness; tingling, shooting or burning pain; or a dull ache. Try wearing a splint to stabilize your wrist or propping your arm up with a pillow when you sleep. If your work requires repetitive hand movements (at a keyboard or on an assembly line, for instance), remember to stretch your hands when you take breaks — which should be frequently.

Many women are still feeling sexy at this stage (they are???) — and their partners often agree. You may need to make some adjustments, but for most women, sex during pregnancy is fine right up until their water breaks or their labor starts.

32 week appt.

Today we had our 32 week appointment with the doctor. I saw the 3rd doctor in the practice who is the other female. She was nice and a lot better than the last [male] doctor I had to see, but still.... she wasn't MY doctor! :)

I was excited that from here on out I would should be able to see my own doctor since I have completed the "meet and greet" with the other two. No such luck. My next appointment, in 2 weeks, just happens to be the week that my doc is going on vacation! :(

I sucked it up and agreed to meet with the same [female] doctor that I saw today. 

But anyway.. back to the appointment. 

Everything seems to be fine with our little girl!

We didn't get an ultrasound today but should get one either next appointment or the one after to confirm that she is no longer breech. 

My vitals were all good and Kynlee's heartbeat was 144 bpm, which is where it generally stays...give or take a few. 

Now, here comes the pregnancy brain moment. 

I asked the nurse if I could use the bathroom to give my urine sample before the weight/vitals were done because I simply couldn't hold it any longer. 

The urine sample is something I'm used to and it is done at every appointment that I've been to since I've been pregnant. 

So, I go into the bathroom...grab the marker and write my name on the cup... and then I sat the cup down. BIG MISTAKE.

I was so caught up in how full my bladder was that I completely forgot to catch a sample until there was no more urine to be caught! 

(Haha, sorry if this is grossing some of you out... but I think other moms-to-be can appreciate this!)

Luckily, I had a drink from Sonic with me and I was able to sip on that for the rest of the time. After the doctor came in and checked me, I was finally able to provide a urine sample (which turned out to be fine) and they also did a finger prick (also fine). 

And that sums up my 32 week appointment!

In other news, we bought a brand new dishwasher today for a grand total of $66.00 out-of-pocket!!! We had some gift cards saved up from Christmas and were able to use those today. I have been fine washing dishes by hand since we got rid of the old dishwasher, since it's just my hubby and I, but now with the new baby coming...that means lots of bottles and parts that go with bottles... and I am not going to want to wash all of those by hand! So there ya go... that's why we got a new dishwasher. :)

Hope you all have a great rest of the week!

32 weeks

As of yesterday I am 32 weeks! I can't believe that we only have around 8 weeks until our little one arrives! Yesterday I had my very first baby shower and got some ADORABLE things! I plan to do a separate post on that soon.

Here's the weekly babycenter.com update for this week:

Your pregnancy: 32 weeks

How your baby's growing:

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (Kynlee is 4.3 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. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

How your life's changing:

To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.

You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor.

Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things.

Struggling...

I've come to realize that many women absolutely LOVE being pregnant and do not have a negative comment about it. Being pregnant comes easy for them. 

Well I'm here to say that this isn't the case for me.

Please don't get me wrong. I truly love being pregnant. 

The pros outweigh the cons, but there ARE cons.

Feeling the kicks, Seeing my stomach move in random ways/shapes, and hearing our baby's heartbeat... these are all things that make me feel completely blessed.

I know that God is the creator of this miracle inside of me that I often prayed for, although I didn't realize my prayers would be answered so soon. 

What a Mighty God He is!

That being said... I'm 32 weeks pregnant, extremely hormonal and I'm ready to vent.

Being pregnant is HARD. 

I feel like I am constantly complaining about neck aches, back aches, swollen ankles/hands/everything on my body for that matter. Getting out of bed - something that used to be a simple task - is even hard these days and requires great maneuvering skills.  I now have an overactive bladder and by the time I walk out of the bathroom my bladder feels full again.

I do not sleep good at night even though I'm constantly exhausted.
And the HEAT... don't even get me started on this HOT SOUTH GEORGIA WEATHER.
I break a sweat just turning on the A/C! It's ridiculous!

My mood swings are more often than not, and I am so thankful that my sweet husband and family puts up with them. Lately things will come out of my mouth and even I realize how hateful they sound- and have to immediately apologize. It's the hormones talking, not me!

I'm telling ya... these hormones are no joke and are way worse than the hormones/mood swings associated with PMS.  

All in all, I do not like this whiny, complaining person I've become.

I'm just ready to meet our daughter.

I know that once she gets here all of those "negative" things will seem even more minuscule than they do right now.

Until then... I'm going to try to stay positive. :)

Less than 60 days to go!

According to my baby countdown we have less than 60 days to go before we meet our precious Kynlee (give or take a few days, of course)!!!

How exciting and nerve-racking all at the same time!

I shared in an earlier post what the crib bedding looks like but just incase you forgot, here it is again:

I also want to share the other accessories that go with it that will help complete our nursery theme!

Diaper stacker:

Toy/Stuffed Animal Bag (that ties onto the front of crib):

Lamp shade:

Window Valance:

There are also some other little knick-knacks that will go in the nursery. 

We plan to use black furniture (crib, changing table, chest-of-drawers, etc).

We already have a set of chest-of-drawers that are wooden so we are just going to paint it black & make the knobs the same color pink used in the crib bedding, with [possibly] white polka dots on them.

What do you all think?

Next post I want to share our travel system pattern!