28 Weeks

How far along? 28 Weeks

Total Weight Gain? +21 at Dr. appt

Maternity Clothes? Yes!  and I SCORED some awesome second hand ones from a high school friend.  I am loving my new wardrobe!  It is so much more comfortable and puts me at ease knowing my clothes actually fit and look good on me.

Stretch Marks? no

Sleep: I have become narcoleptic.  I fall asleep on the couch, I go to bed early, and wake up late.  I have been exhausted, BUT other than my trips to the bathroom,  have been sleeping like a champ.  I asked Alex for advice thinking he had some quick food ideas of vitamin ideas I could try quick at school.  His answer, not what I expected, thought it did give me a good laugh!

Best Moment this Week: Literally playing with Nolan.  On Saturday, I was outside reading.  I was dog-sitting for a friend, and their dog was MUCH happier outside so outside is where we all went (me and the 3 dogs).  I was happily reading  and I set my book on my stomach to check on the dogs.  When my book started moving!  I know babies kick to the feel of something infringing upon their space so I lifted the book up-revealing sunlight.  He kicked that.  Hmmmm, I had just read they are beginning to see light and such at this point so I put the book over me-not touching, but making a shadow.  He kicked the shadow. Then I lifted it for sun, he kicked again!  I played peek-a-boo with him!  Of course he stopped before I could catch it on film.

Miss Anything? jogging or getting anywhere fast.  My sciatic is doing pretty good as long as I keep a steady paced, sure footed, walk.  If I have to jog, I move to unevenly, have to brace myself for a blow on the legs or sudden dart across the sidewalk by Badger, it hurts.  

Movement: TONS--and the times are getting predictable.  He likes to move after school (when I sit for the first time most days), and 9:30/10 when I am laying down.

Food Craving? I got the snow-biz I have been wanting for 2 years.  Alex promised me when we moved back to Wisconsin and it was down the road we could go.  Well the whole time we lived in Kimberly (5 months short of the 2 years), we NEVER went.  We were driving by on our way to Monday dinner and I put my foot down and said I didn't care what was for dessert at his parents, I was getting snow-biz on the way home (and still eating their dessert of course).  MMMMMM that Tiger's Blood was everything I dreamed it to be (and the lemon marang pie and scotcharoo with M&Ms I ended up eating for dessert because I couldn't pick between the two was delicious, too)

Anything making you queasy or sick? no

Bellybutton in our out? out

Wedding Rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time? Getting a little more emotional and more easily set off than before.  Sorry, everyone!

Looking forward to? Doctor's Appointment on Tuesday (rhogamm shot), Graduation on Tuesday as well, Dress Fitting for Amy's Wedding on Wednesday, last day of 4k Thursday, Last day of school Friday!  Crazy busy week!

Labor Signs? Those braxton hicks are getting frequent but I can almost directly correlate them to needing to drink more water or needing to go to the bathroom.....so I get one I drink more water, I get one I have to go to the bathroom, I get one I drink more water, I get one I have to go to the bathroom.....

Anything Else? I am pretty sure besides some very minor details the nursery is pretty much finished!

27 Weeks, Hellloooo Third Trimester

How far along? 27 Weeks, yay third trimester!  It has gone so fast!

Total Weight Gain? +21lbs at the doctor 

Maternity Clothes? yes! pjs now consist of Alex's shirts.  

Stretch Marks? not yet.  Not a fan of cellulite though.  Anyone have home remedies that are safe to use while pregnant?  

Sleep: getting tougher, but still getting a decent amount.  Alex is so awesome always getting up to take care of the dogs so I can get more sleep in.  Also, as I fall onto my back in the middle of the night, Alex will push me back onto my side and shove the pregnancy wedge behind me to keep me on my back.  He is so amazing.

Best Moment this Week: I got some AWESOME rummage sale finds including Nolan's first Halloween, Thanksgiving, and one of his Christmas outfits.  He is going to be one sharp dressed man!

Miss Anything? Walking normal.  I really wish my nerve didnt hurt so much.  Setting up to borrow a belly belt to see if that helps.  If that doesn't, I am going to call my doctor to see how he feels about me going to the chiropractor.  I know chiropractors work on pregnant women all the time, but I just want to be sure my doctor is ok with it in my specific case.

Movement: He is a lean, mean, moving machine!  He specifically moves on my right.  He has been kicking my right side, my actual side, for a few days now.  He is balled up behind my right rib pushing it outwards (so it feels).  

Food Craving? I decided popcorn and M&Ms were for dinner on Wednesday.  They were delicious.  

Anything making you queasy or sick? Well, the dog vomit didn't go very well, but I was the only one home and it needed to be cleaned.  I did pretty good considering.....

Bellybutton in our out? out.  Tuesday, it was yellow. Why, I have no idea.  Wednesday it was normal.  Really strange right?!?

Wedding Rings on or off? On, but now that it is FINALLY warming up, I am swelling a little bit.  I can still get the rings on and off, but I am hoping swelling doesn't get much worse because I really dont want to have to take them off!

Happy or Moody most of the time? I have been happy most of the time.  

Looking forward to? Third Trimester.  I love my job I really, really do, but third trimester means summer vacation and I am ready.  I am excited for my shower, for my body growing, for baby growing, and eventually meeting him!

Labor Signs? Braxton hicks (or what I think is Braxton hicks--so my "stomach tightening") is getting more frequent.  It is doing better now that I am doing better at hydrating myself, but after the City Wide Rummage Sale, I was getting concerned.  I didn't drink a lot because there wasn't a lot of bathroom access, but then I got the tightening.  So I started drinking more water, and then I had to go to the bathroom and when I have to go to the bathroom it tightens again.  Doomed if I do, doomed if I don't....but hydrated is still probably best and like I said since I have been drinking more I have been having less.  

26 Weeks

How far along? 26 weeks

Total Weight Gain? 21 lbs (oops)

Maternity Clothes? yes

Stretch Marks? no

Sleep: getting harder.  Apparently I was moaning in my sleep the other night keeping Alex up.  I feel bad that I am keeping him up and his sleep is also suffering.  I guess it is just practice for the both of us. 

Best Moment this Week: Lots of moments this week!

*Celebrating my FIRST Mother's day.  Alex bought me the most amazing necklace of mother and child.  I absolutely love it.  The best part? Alex states, "it can hang right by your heart."  Awwwww I have the best husband.  


*Hearing Nolan's heartbeat beating a strong 146 bpm and finding 
out I passed my glucose test!  

**Also, ALL MY 4K STUDENTS PASSED THEIR PALS (Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening) assessments! I think I had a very advanced class this year, but I would like to think it had something to do with me.  Either way, I am so very proud of them and all they have learned this year!  Yay Class of 2026 (yes, its true!)

*Found out Alex and I are going to be aunt and uncle to a Chew BOY in October!  Two little boys 6 weeks apart.   

Miss Anything? sleeping comfortably and bending comfortably.  Oh, and not waddling down the halls at school.  My darn sciatic nerve!

Movement: Tons of movement in there!  I am just starting to feel those rolls people talk about where some joint on his body goes from one side to the other and you can feel it drag all the way.

Food Craving? No, but hours after finding out I passed my glucose test, mint girl scout cookies in Cool Whip sounded delicious.  So, I ate it-half a roll.  So good.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Doing pretty good now.

Bellybutton in our out? out

Wedding Rings on or off? On, but swelling is starting.  I am hoping to keep them on though!  If not, I will need to buy one of those cheap rings to put on as a wedding ring substitute. There is just something about teaching in a Catholic School pregnant with out one that makes me feel awkward.  

Happy or Moody most of the time? Doing pretty good.  I do get crabby over smaller stuff though.

Looking forward to? Being in 3rd trimester.  I know it is going to be tough, but I am so excited to know I am making that far, giving him a safe place to grow for this long, and making it closer and closer to the due date knowing it makes him have the best odds as possible.  

Anything Else? I have been having quite a bit of pain with my sciatic nerve.  It is sometimes to the point, that I can't use my left leg.  The problem, my left leg is the opposite side of Nolan likes to hang out in.  I have little to no torso because of my scoliosis, so he is in my rib and hip...at the same time.  To relieve pain in my rib, I need to lean left, to lean left hurts my butt/leg/sciatica.  I basically just hobble around.  I know all these are common pregnancy symptoms, it just makes me nervous because I still have a whole trimester to go!  I hope and pray for strength to keep being strong and keep him in there.  The plus side, I have 4 weeks of school to go so I can relax and hopefully rest and stay strong.  

My necklace for Mother's Day. I love it (and the man who gave it to me) so very much!

25 Weeks

How far along? 25 weeks

Total Weight Gain? +17 but I am sure more, I just don't weigh myself at home-my scale isn't  reliable.  Dr. is Tuesday.

Maternity Clothes? Yes, my T-shirts are pretty much stretched now. I made my St. Ed one work for my last field trip today, but I am pretty sure it is even stretchier shirts, maternity shirts, or Alex's shirts from here on out.

Stretch Marks? nope, but cellulite on my hips :(

Sleep: Starting to get tough again.  It takes a bit to roll over and pillows are needed under my belly or I wake up with the pulling pain under my sternum.  

Best Moment this Week: My little girl that feels my belly every day FINALLY got to feel him move!  She was so excited!  Her eyes are just as I imagined they would be!

Miss Anything? Being more independent.  It is weird having to ask for help with things. 
Also, sitting normal.  I have been getting a pain in my right rib lately that is quite painful.  I have to lean to the left to help ease it.  It is now common to see me at the lunch table at work leaning, at while I am driving, and sitting on the couch......

Movement: Lots, all the time.  Loving it!  None has hurt....yet.

Food Craving? No, but I did buy eclairs from Pick N Save today because I remembered loving them and decided I needed them after dinner.  WORTH IT!

Anything making you queasy or sick? I lost my breakfast granola bar between home and the field trip this morning.  We had a field trip to the planetarium today and an empty stomach and prenatal vitamin plus moving starry sky, didn't go so well.  It felt like the times I drink way to much tequila.  (I actually made that comment to the parent chaperone sitting in front of me and he laughed--and agreed!)

Bellybutton in our out? I think we can say out now!

Wedding Rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time? Pretty happy. The weather today (70* YAY) made.my.day.  I cannot explain the happiness the warm weather brought me.  I loved eating at the patio table, grilling out, and just being outside BAREFOOT!  

Looking forward to? Dr. appt on Tuesday. I have finally accumulated a list of questions I would like to ask and I would like to know the answers.  I would also like to hear Nolan again.  I am also looking forward to *hopefully* finding out my glucose test is fine.  

Labor Signs? No, but I am getting the occasional braxton hicks still.  Thank goodness they are only one contraction at a time and they are occasional so that the doctor said they are not of concern.  Also, glad they dont hurt!

Anything Else? I have got my craft on and made Nolan's letters for above his crib (and photo props).  Alex really helped with the process and I cannot tell you how proud that made me!  He did such a good job looking though scrapbook paper, telling me when things were crooked, etc.  I loved  having that time with Alex and how invested he was in making Nolan's nursery look how HE pictured.  It was a wonderful time between the two of us.

Badger is still eating all of my things, which apparently includes all of the free samples we got when we registered.  "No Badger, I didn't need the sample wipes, breast milk bags, nursing pads, or the actual registry paperwork or crib directions for that matter.  Oh, and while you are at it, go ahead and chew the corner off of one of his board books and the new scrapbook--in one morning."  Looks like somebody is back to sleeping in his kennel in the AM.

I thought I would post some pictures of the nursery.  It is really coming along, but still has work to do.  Some furniture is moved due to the fact the changing table is where my chalkboard is and I didn't want to have to ask for help moving it each week so it is in it's temporary home.  

24 Weeks

How far along? 24 Weeks 

Total Weight Gain: +14ish

Maternity Clothes? I can still fit into most of my clothes, but they are not necessarily the best fit.  I should be wearing a little more maternity clothes, but I hate paying for them.  I am hoping to find some at the rummage sales coming up.

Stretch Marks? no. Now, cellulite, that is another story.

Sleep: doing pretty good, but I do need 3-4 pillows.  Getting out a bed is starting to take a couple swings and a couple grunts to get out.

Best Moment this Week: I laid on the floor and let my kindergarteners feel the baby kick. Their faces were AMAZING.  I loved watching their enthusiasm and eyes light up.  I cant wait for the one little girl in my 4k class who checks my my belly at least 2 times a day with wide, anticipating eyes to feel him kick.  I know it would make her day.  Soon I am sure!

Miss Anything? Bending with out grunting, simply being able to bend at the waist.

Movement: There is a lot of movement, but at times I can't remember the last time I felt him move so I get nervous.  Because he moves so much at times it is weird when it takes him a little while.  Alex always rolls his eyes, and tells me to just roll on my back and wait.  Then I do, he moves, and all is right with the world.  Alex loves to feel him move, so though he may think I am crazy when I get nervous, I know my moving to my back and waiting in anticipation also makes him smile because then he gets a turn to feel him.  

Food Craving? none really

Anything making you queasy or sick? One little boy in my 4k class who shall remain nameless NEEDS to stop sucking the snot in his head and making a gagging noise rather than coughing or I  WILL throw up on him.  I have not resorted to telling him that the boogers will hurt his brain if he does that and sternly point to the tissue box.  He slumps his shoulders and goes, but not with out gagging me first.  ugh.

Bellybutton in or out? If it is not considered out yet today, it is considered a change from innie to flush with the belly.  It is weird to feel so I find myself running my hand across it randomly through out the day.

Wedding Rings on or off?  on

Happy or Moody most of the time? Mostly happy, but when the sheets did not match up with the quilts (they came to far up on the bed) because Alex always untucks it from the bottom of the bed and I couldn't bend to fix it, I MAY have thrown a little temper tantrum.  

Looking forward to: As of now, I actually look forward to my doctor appointments.  I like to hear his heartbeat, talk to the doctor and be assured every thing is ok.  I am also looking forward to the city wide rummage sale to get more clothes and feel like his room is pretty much ready.  

Anything Else?  Apparently I am already at the point where at each appointment I have new tests, the appointments are getting closer together, and I am really starting to believe this show is getting on the road!  I have my glucose test in 2 weeks, my rhogam shot 2 weeks after that and holy cow we are third trimester and done with school!

4, 14 and 24 weeks
  Amazing what changes in 10 weeks.