32 Weeks

How far along? 32 weeks

Total Weight Gain? +24

Maternity Clothes? Yes, all the time. I needed a button up shirt for my hair at Amy's wedding...so I borrowed Alex's! It fit to well for my liking, but was kinda cute too.

Stretch Marks? No new developments

Sleep: doing pretty good, though some nights I need to get up and make a list of things for the next day so I can sleep.

Best Moment this Week: seeing Amy get married--and actually being allowed to be there!  It was really great to celebrate with Amy and see how in love she really is with Kert!

I also enjoyed celebrating our 3 year anniversary.  Alex had to work his usual Wednesday 2-10 so we celebrated by sleeping in, lounging around, and then a romantic lunch at Tanner's Bar and Grill.  We exchanged our Leather gifts (traditional gift for 3 years) and Alex tells me a little surprise is yet to come in the mail....he spoils me so much!  I love that man so very much!!!

Miss Anything? I want to nest without having to worry about contractions. I want to scrub the counters without getting winded.  I want the piece of mind that I will not go into labor with every move I make.

Movement: still not as strong as it used to be, but still there. Now it is more of the I push his foot out of my sternum and he puts it in a rib. I get him out of a rib and it's back in my sternum. It's a game...to him. ;)  We had an ultrasound at our appointment this week to check on the heart spot, his growth, and his breathing motions.  It took half an hour because he would.not.stop.moving.  Apparently my mom's pumpkin cake for breakfast-straight from the pan with a fork-wasn't the best choice.

Food Craving? I just love food, but hate cooking.

Anything making you queasy or sick? 8am and I are not best friends but the vanilla wafers on the nightstand are helping greatly!!

Bellybutton in our out? Out

Wedding Rings on or off? Still hanging on.

Happy or Moody most of the time? I'll go with 50/50 this month. ;)

Looking forward to? Each week I am happy to make it another week.  I look forward to him growing and each doctor appointment telling me we are still hanging in there.

Labor Signs? I am still contracting, but they are getting further apart...but each week they are getting stronger and longer.  They are just getting to the point that I am uncomfortable (but not yet in pain) from them.  They don't typically go unnoticed like they were weeks ago.

Anything Else?  Doctor Update:
As mentioned, we had an ultrasound this week to check for the spot on his heart.  The spot is still there, but since it did not indicate Downs Syndrome it is not something we are going to worry about.  Dr. says it is not something he is going to worry about and it is not something even our pediatrician will worry about.  It will not affect the functionality of the heart and should cause no problems in his future.  He made some really great faces on his ultrasound as well-and yes, that is his foot by his face.

We also measured that he is working on and developing the breathing motion.  He is making the breathing motion at the correct rate for this point in his development.  His size looks well as well.  He scored an 8/8 on his ultrasound this week.

We were able to measure that I am having contractions and I had my biggest one yet, but only one in the time we were there.  My cervix is still closed, and long so not progressing towards labor yet.  He is VERY low...basically as low as possible.  He is head butting me in the cervix.  How on Earth he is tucked all the way down there but still has his foot by his face is beyond me!

 Basically, we got all good news at this appointment.  We have one again next week! 

31 Weeks

How far along? 31 weeks. Yay for making it to 31 weeks!

Total Weight Gain? +24

Maternity Clothes? yes, please!

Stretch Marks? I found 2.  They are on my hip.  I will lotion them like crazy and hope they go away.

Sleep: I have been so tired.  I have been waking up more, but still able to get sleep.  Being on break is really allowing me to get the rest I need (or think I need).

Best Moment this Week: My baby shower!  It was so wonderful to celebrate Nolan coming into this world with family and friends!  We are really  loved seeing everyone and everyone was so generous.  We are so thankful to all of our family and friends who love and support us and helped make the shower happen!

Miss Anything? nothing new....

Movement: I got a little nervous this week when Nolan was not moving like he used to.  He still passed his kick counts, but it just wasn't as strong or often as it used to be.  It is focused on my right as that is the way he is facing  but every now and then he pushes "back" into my left side.  Dr. says as long as he is passing kick counts we are ok. Since mentioning it to the doctors, I have felt more movement as well, which is a nice relief.

Food Craving? none

Anything making you queasy or sick? 8am.  I take my meds at 7 am (and have been for almost 2 weeks now) and apparently this week 8am brings nausea like crazy.  It wakes me up.  I ran downstairs and ate in time once, didn't make it and threw my guts one once, and now crackers live on my nightstand...again.

Bellybutton in our out? out

Wedding Rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time? getting more and more emotional.  I am starting to freak out on Alex who has been nothing but amazing for doing things I know are out of his way and greatly appreciated.  I wish I could control it, I feel so bad he is working so hard and I am just mad all the time!

Looking forward to? At this point, each week and I am looking forward to another week.

Labor Signs? Still those pesky contractions--they are getting a little stronger to the point that I notice them now.  I can get pretty uncomfortable, but sitting down and taking a break relieves that.

Anything Else? Doctor says I am still contracting.  We are doing weekly visits and getting fetal fibronectin tests.  So far the cervix is still closed and long, though he is still low.   I am still nervous a lot, I really want to keep him in there, but doctor jokes that with all these tests, Alex and I are just getting quality time together and then he is going to end up being over due!  Next weeks agenda: an ultra sound of the heart (to check on his calcium spot that was still present a couple weeks ago), another feta fibronectin test, and being hooked up to the contraction monitors.  We are just going week by week in what I am allowed to do and participate in.  I have not been put on bed rest, but continue to try and rest as much as I can. Finally, I AM ALLOWED TO GO TO AMY'S WEDDING THIS WEEKEND.  I need to have a chair at the end of the aisle and I have to "avoid all polka's" but I get to go!

30 Weeks!

How far along? 30 Weeks-- I love love love seeing the 3 in front. We are getting close and closer to a healthy time for Nolan to grace us with his presence.  

Total Weight Gain? +20

Maternity Clothes? yes.

Stretch Marks? no

Sleep: I can't get enough!  I have no problem sleeping at night, and I wake up at the same time every night to go to the bathroom. I then wake up at 7 to take my meds, and then back to sleep.  Loving that I am on summer break so I can get the rest I crave.

Best Moment this Week: My surprise shower from my coworkers!  It was so incredibly sweet and I appreciate them so very much!  The nursery is really coming together.  I am so fortunate to have the co-workers I do.  They were so incredibly supportive last week and every one of them volunteered to help me finish up my room for summer vacation and put it back together for next year in about 6 weeks.  Seeing the love and support I have in my life is really great.

Miss Anything? Being able to do what I want, when I want.  I don't have to plan ahead when to pack my meds, where the bathrooms are, how much rest I can get in between, etc.  I was always a very active person and on the go, but now I just have to be more conscious.  I am doing much better at figuring it out though.

Movement: He is still moving quite a bit.  I haven't felt a painful kick as much as slow pokes that pertrude out of my stomach that I slowly push back and a lot of rolls and swimming. 

Food Craving? Target Cherry Icee.  I was able to wait 2 days for it, but I did get it!

Anything making you queasy or sick? I have been getting nauseous in the morning, but it can be cured with eating.  I just stop what I am doing and go eat and I have been fine.

Bellybutton in our out? out

Wedding Rings on or off? on, but I swell occasionally that I take it off, put in on my necklace, and then put them back on when the swelling subsides.

Happy or Moody most of the time? getting more emotional.  

Looking forward to? My Baby Shower! I cannot wait to celebrate Nolan with my family and friends!

Labor Signs? Still having contractions, but they are much fewer and a further apart.  

Anything Else? I have developed an interesting symptom....I think from my meds.  I started on Tuesday.  You know when you feel you are blushing-your cheeks feel hot and you look in  a mirror and your cheeks are red?  Well, my legs have been blushing!  My shins get hot, I look down, and my legs look sunburned!  It has happened a couple times, so we mentioned it to my doctor.

We also had a Doctor's appointment today.  Doctor said that I am still having contractions, though they are less frequent.  I asked him if Nolan was measuring ok because people keep telling me I am small for 30 weeks.  Upon checking my cervix he discovered Nolan is SUPER low already, which makes the way I am carrying look small.  He did an ultrasound just to be sure.  The ultrasound had him measuring at 47%, which it can't get closer to perfect than that.  According to his measurements, he weighs 3 lbs 7 oz.  He is head down pelvis but is facing my right side so not completely locked and loaded, yet.  They are measuring for movement and breathing as well, both of which he passed.  I am still not dilated at all which is great.   I have to go to weekly appointments still and they are going to continue to test my fibronectin to see if labor is close.  I get to find out on Tuesday if I get to stand up in my college friend, Amy's, wedding in Milwaukee.  I hope he lets me go!  I promise to sit in a chair at the end of the aisle!  I am still not on bedrest, but I am asked to modify my activity and take a lot of rests.  Good thing it is summer break!

Just for cuteness sake, here is a picture of badger asleep on my belly--a paw on each side and his head resting on my belly.  He is hugging his human brother!  Pudge is never far behind resting on my feet.  I am getting good a this resting thing!

ps: the air is still not on so it is close to 75* in the house so that is why belly is hanging out.

Surprise Shower/End of Year Party photos:

Kris, our gym teacher, also works in a bakery and she made the cookies

29 Weeks, the LONGEST week EVER

This post is very long.  I am doing the quick answer to the questions before the long story.  Below those, you will find the story of the longest week of my life... 

How far along? 29 Weeks

Total Weight Gain? +26

Maternity Clothes? yes

Stretch Marks? no

Sleep: Good.  I just have to remember to push the fluids earlier in the day or I am up all.night.long.  Also, hospital beds suck (see the long story below)

Best Moment this Week: Nolan having a strong heartbeat through everything we went through.

Maternity photos.  EllieFay Photography & Design did AMAZING!  We have 10 preview photos and I love them all!  I cant wait to see all of them!

Miss Anything? Not worrying about every single thing that happens.

Movement: He never stops. I don't get a lot of actual kicks so it doesn't hurt, but he does move a lot.  I almost get sea sick he moves so much.  I love it.  I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Food Craving? no

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?  I was very moody this week.  Understandably so, see below.

Looking forward to? Relaxing on my modified rest.  I am officially on summer vacation and I am supposed to rest so that is what I am going to do.  My baby shower is next weekend so I plan on resting up so that I can make it to that!

Labor Signs? Yes, unfortunately.  Read below for the long drawn out story of my crazy week.

Anything Else? 

     Tuesday was graduation day.  I had prepped for graduation for 3 weeks.  I love graduation.  I love hearing them sing, I love showing them off to their own parents, I love thanking the parents for a great year, and I love the closure it brings to the school year.  
     Tuesday was also my doctor's appointment-a normal 15 minute doctor's appointment.  So Alex picked me up from school and I grabbed my cell phone and my water bottle and left.  At the appointment it started normal.  They weighed me, took blood pressure, and then asked if anything new has been happening.  I mentioned that I had been having what I thought was braxton hicks and wasn't sure if that was normal or not (or if I was even right).  The nurse said she would tell doctor.  Doctor came in with a monitor to look to see if anything was registering.  They hooked me up to the machine and it revealed I was not only having contractions, I was having them every 3-5 minutes.  He checked my cervix and there was NO dialation.  They did a fetal fibromectin test.  This is apparently a protein that is released withing 2 weeks of labor.  They also did a Strep B test in case I went into labor.  They then decided I was going to have to go to Theda Care Hospital in Neenah (half an hour away) because they have a NICU and the hospital my clinic is located in did not.  They wanted me by a NICU if worse came to worse.  
      I broke down and cried and cried.  I was going to miss graduation.  I was devastated.  The nurse came in to take me to get my blood work done (before my Rhogamm shot because I am O- to make sure I wasn't exposed to any antibodies).  They saw how upset I was and had the lab tech come to me rather than me go there and not have to walk through the waiting room crying.  They then gave me my Rhogamm and then sent us on our way to the hospital.  I still couldn't get over that I was going to miss graduation.  I had been feeling the exact same way for weeks now (pretty sure 2-3 weeks), and I just knew things were fine.  I hated that I was missing graduation for a precaution.
      We arrived at the hospital and I was relatively calm.  I went to check in and they checked me in immediately because my doctor had called ahead.  Apparently, when I started crying again, they reassured me that they knew I was missing graduation but all would be ok.  When they called ahead to tell the doctor I was coming they also shared I was crying about graduation.  Poor Donna, my aide had an hour's notice she was running the whole thing!  
    When the kind lady brought me to my room, she handed me a gown to change into.  That's when it hit me, I am in the hospital because something is wrong.  As I am dressing in my gown, I am crying, "I just want to go home"  I repeated it over and over.  Alex just sat there and held me while I cried.  He tucked me in bed, promised he was not going ANYWHERE, and pulled the recliner in the room as close as it could go.  
     They hooked me up to the machines to monitor my contractions and Nolan's heartbeat.  They also came in to do an ultra-sound to check cervical length and make sure it wasn't coning (closed when he checked but opening where babies head was).  Doctor came from our clinic to check on me and my tests.  Fetal Fibromectin came back negative (good news), cervix was closed inside and outside (good news), and contractions were slowing while laying in bed.  He found some bacteria in my urine (bad news).  I was prescribed medication-Procardia- to control the contractions, an antibiotic for the possible UTI, and he said was was staying overnight to continue monitoring.  I just heard all the good news of tests being good and getting meds, why did I have to stay!?!  

     By the time I had truly missed graduation, I was rather calm, but I just wanted to go home.  They continued to monitor through the night, Alex was a champ and NEVER left my side.  Mark and Katy (Alex's parents) came and took our dogs for the night.  In the morning, everything checked out so they ok'd me to go home.  I was still to be off of work Thursday (because it was a fully day of school with students all day).  I could go back Friday because it was a half day. 
     Nolan was a champ through it all.  He was very active, playing with the monitors and kicking them, kicking me like crazy and doing some crazy barrel roll.  His heart rate never dipped, he never showed a sign of weakness.  Nolan is doing so wonderful I am so proud of him already! 
   
     I forgot my first dose of meds on my own because I went to sleep at 9pm and I needed them at 10.  I then had contractions in the morning, so I had to lay low.  I rested all morning and set alarms to take my meds.  It is really helping to just take the meds when the alarm goes off. 
     Thursday morning, I was going to go into school for an hour, sit in a chair, and say goodbye to my 4k students.  Well, I was all ready to go, to show up at 10am like I told my aide, Donna, I would.  I was about 2 miles from home when a woman who was in the left turn only lane decided she needed to be in the left straight lane--my lane.  I was slowing to the yellow light and she was already stopped when she decided to switch lanes...so we were NOT  going fast by any means...but contact was made.  We made it into the bank parking lot, I called Alex then the Police.  I then had to make the dreaded call to work: "I am on my way, I am perfectly fine, I just had a minor, minor, minor car accident."  I didn't want them to worry I was late because I had more contraction problems so I had to tell them what was going on.  After exchanging information on the police report, we are ok to go.  I got in the car and continued to go to work.  I decided I had to call my mom and tell her what happened because the 2 miles from home I was was on the road to her work and only 2 blocks from her work.  I didn't want someone to say something along the lines of they saw me with the cops, etc when they came into the store before I could tell her.  I look at the clock. Great, 15 minutes to say good bye to my students I spent an entire year with!  I got there, I was able to sit, hug, and promise to send them a picture when baby comes IN AUGUST.  

Thursday had a happy ending. EllieFay Photography & Design took our pictures and they turned out so nice!!  Check Ellie out on Facebook, follow her page!  

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!