38 Week Belly Post

Two weeks and counting! Or will it be sooner? I feel like a ticking time bomb!

We have seen some progress since last week and are eagerly awaiting your arrival.  At this weeks doctor appointment we found out that I am 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced, which means you are working to make your grand appearance! My belly is measuring 40 centimeters and the doctor thinks you weigh around 7 pounds.  From all accounts it looks like you are ready to come out into the world! I have now gained a total of 23 pounds.
Every time I get up to go to the restroom in the middle of the night, Daddy and I both wonder if my water will break! Every twinge and new little pain makes me wonder if today will be the day we get to meet you.  I am still having lots of pressure and lower back aches but I am also having achy thighs and some sharp pains in my pelvis.  I still take lots and  lots of bathroom breaks but am sleeping well in between.
Your family is set to come up to Pennsylvania for your birth but are on standby in case you come early! Daddy's parents are scheduled to arrive Thursday, June 29th and Ma was supposed to fly in Tuesday, July 3rd but decided to change her ticket to arrive on Wednesday, June 27th.  Aunt Lisha is still crossing her fingers you decide to come early and share her birthday on June 26th!
Whatever date we finally get to meet you on, we are ready! Your nursery is set up, hospital bags are packed, car seat is installed...all we need is you! We love you and will continue to count the days until you are in our arms!

37 Week Belly Post

You are officially a Full Term baby girl, which means I am a Full Term pregnant lady!  I have to admit that I am feeling like I am have run out of room- my tummy has reached maximum capacity!
Some new fun things are going on in there:
You are growing- I can feel you move both down in my pelvis but also up in my ribs (so much for easier breathing), poor girl you must be squashed!
Along with your growth comes more bathroom breaks for mama! I am getting up about every hour and a half to use the restroom at night.
I seem to be more tired than I have been in the past few months.  I am also having low back pain, my hips and tailbone seem sore and I am having pressure and slight cramping in the lower part of my tummy.  All these feelings are completely normal and you are completely worth the discomfort!
You have been getting the hiccups about once a day, sometimes twice. This has been going on for almost two weeks.  They feel like little muscle convulsions and last for a few minutes.  Ma taught me a trick to rid myself of hiccups and once you are big enough I will teach you!
My tummy seems to grow everyday and daddy asks if you "are going to come shooting out" almost nightly.  I think we both just can't believe our baby is in there!

Daddy and I went to our second Birth Class, we still have 2 more but I think we get more excited to for you to come with each thing we learn.  We have a little birthing plan in mind and are just giggly over the thought of seeing your precious face! I am still loving every minute (even the sleepy ones, even the uncomfortable ones, even the painful ones) of this pregnancy but am looking more forward than ever to meet you!

9 Month Belly Post

36 Week Status:

Symptoms- There have been a few major changes over the last two weeks! I am still feeling lots of low pressure in my pelvis and going to the restroom like crazy.  I have also noticed my hip joints seem to be loosening up making them a little achy. My mid to lower back has been sore for the first time and I am sure that is due to my lack of Pilates and also how HUGE my tummy has gotten!  I have also been feeling some random cramping and contractions but mainly when I am walking.  I am still sleeping like a baby and have noticed my energy level has gone down slightly.  Daddy, Lola and I took a road trip to Boston, Cape Cod, and New York.  We did lots of walking and both my ankles swelled up daily- especially my right one- but went down as soon as I elevated them. Daddy has also been taking care of me by giving my feet an awesome and much needed massage. In the last few days you seem to have shifted even further down and off of whatever you were on that was causing my right ankle to swell...no more swelling! I still feel like the luckiest mommy in the world to feel so good at 9 months pregnant! Having you in my tummy is worth any little aches and pains I have experienced!

Cravings- There really hasn't been a change in our diet- just still loving the sweet treats! I am noticing a decrease in my appetite though.

Weight Gain- I have gained 2 more pounds in the last two weeks, making a grand total of 19 pounds!

Maternity Clothes- Nothing has changed in the way of clothing- just still being creative and making what I have work!

New Happenings- All the contractions and pressure made me realize you could come any day so I have gotten pretty serious about preparing for your arrival.  The nursery is all set up, your clothes are washed, hospital bag is almost packed... just a few more items to cross off my list! Daddy and I also start our Birthing Classes this week.  We will go to 4 classes that are 2 hours each to help prepare for your arrival day.
Daddy has played his favorite Elvis songs for you a few times hoping you will appreciate the King as much as he does! He puts speakers up to my tummy and blares songs like Only Fools Rush In, Jail House Rock, and Heartbreak Hotel.  He also has a theme song for us, Home Is Wherever I'm With You by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes.  He also plays that song to you in my belly.
You and my belly are getting so big Daddy asks daily if my skin is going to rip open! He doesn't think I will make it another 4 weeks...we will see!
Ma, CiCi and Boss have their trips planned.  CiCi and Boss will get here on June 29th and Ma will come on July 3rd.  They are crossing their fingers you will not decide to come early since plane tickets have been bought!

Daddy and I were laying in bed a few nights ago and I asked him on a scale of 1 to 10 how excited he was for you to get here and he said, without hesitation, 10!! I couldn't agree more!
We love you!!

A Pittsburgh Shower!

Saturday, May12th we had yet another shower to celebrate you! This shower was special because it was a joint shower honoring both Niki Olson's baby and you.  The shower was at Jennifer Curry's home outside under a tent- the weather made for the perfect setting!

There were a handful of guests who came to shower you with love.  The decorations were adorable, with bright colors, fresh flowers and lanterns lining the tent.  The food was delicious but the cake was absolutely to die for!

Showering you with love and gifts is what happened this day! You got lots of essential items like a high chair and car seat base.  You were also given your first piece of jewelry from Jen Curry- a beautiful gold and diamond bangle bracelet.  I am sure you will have many pieces to come but this one is definitely very special!

The sweet hostesses for this shower were:
Jennifer Curry and Katie Whitco

8 Month Belly Post

34 Week Status:

Symptoms- The weather has been really pretty here the last month so Daddy and I have been taking Lola on lots of hikes and walks.  All 3 of us look forward to our time outside- Lola to play and hunt, daddy and me to be in nature getting some exercise.  I have to admit going up all those steep hills has been difficult since I can't take a full breath!  I have to stop often to get a drink of water and fill my lungs with as much air as will fit.  Daddy has a new nick name for me... Mini Tank! I am sleeping much better and even though I get up to use the restroom twice a night I always fall right back to sleep.  Turning over in bed has become more of a challenge with you on top of my tummy- a simple roll is now a three point turn!  I am continuously surprised by the energy I have and just how wonderful I feel.  I am also shocked when I catch a glimpse of my profile- I never imagined my tummy could be so big!

Cravings- Our meals are still very healthy, as I am trying to pack as many vitamins and nutrients into your developing body as possible! I am getting more and more lax on sweet treats...daddy and I have ice cream about once a week but sometimes we get it twice! On Cinco de Mayo we ate Frozen Yogurt twice in ONE day!! I was never a sweet lover but being pregnant with you sure has turned me into one.

Weight Gain- At my doctors appointment on Tuesday, May 29th I gained another 3 pounds for a total of 17 pounds.

Maternity Clothes- I bought two new super comfy Maxi Dresses from Old Navy to add to my small maternity clothes collection.  I am still able to wear my pants with the belly band strapped around you and have been able to be creative with my pre-pregnancy tops!

New Happenings- I woke up Tuesday, May 22nd with a new sensation.  I felt lots of pressure in my pelvic region.  Aunt Acacia asked me if I was able to breath easier or take more air into my lungs.  I realized I could! She said you must have moved down some which was causing the pressure.  She must have been right because since that day the number of times I use the restroom at night has increased to 3 and during the day it sometimes feels like you are karate kicking my bladder!


I still find myself counting the days until you get here and just can't wait to hold your precious body in my arms! I love you!!

Hattie Jayne's Baby Shower!

Your shower was on April 28, 2012 at noon.  Laura Crudup opened her home to allow the shower to take place there.  It was a beautiful Spring day in Texas so the weather could not have been prettier.  I was kept in the dark about the party details and I was blown away! I cried for the first 5 minutes I was there- the decorations were so beautiful and I was overwhelmed with joy to see all of my friends and family! The hostesses truly went above and beyond without a detail spared to celebrate you!

The whole day was so special.  Your initials and name were everywhere, pink found it's way into every inch of the shower, the food was specially picked out with all of my favorites (humus, chicken kabobs, Laura's homemade Pimento Cheese, and cake pops galore!

You received some some special gifts, including an elephant quilt made by Nana, a hand painted tray Laura made for your changing table, Ma gave me a baby food maker so all your meals will be the healthiest they can possibly be, a sweet teddy bear Jenna picked out and dressed then placed your heartbeat in it's paw, LOADS of personalized clothes and some really sweet books!

You truly are blessed to have so many people who love you already and are just counting the days until you come into the world!

The Hostess for this shower were:
Aunt Acacia, Aunt Alisha, Aunt Jayne Ann, Alexandra Mitchell, Bonni Taylor, Brittany Winston, Emily Winfrey, Ginny Turnbow, Hillary Bintliff, Jaclyn Garrett, Katie Goetz, Lauren Bredthauer, Lindsay Yanaway, Sarah Castillo, and Whitney Knouse.  

7 Month Belly Post

30 Week Status:

Symptoms- I took my last Pilates class this week.  Some of the movements are finally getting too hard for you and me and we would need to take a private class to modify correctly.  Up to this point we have been going to Pilates twice a week and walking with Daddy a few days when the sun comes out. You continue to grow and grow! I can tell just how big you now by breathing, or not being able to breathe! You seem to be taking all my lung space so I can't take a full breath! But you are welcome to take all the space you need to continue to grow, I don't mind sharing! I am getting up more frequently to use the rest room during the night too.  A good nights sleep really depends on the night- some nights I sleep like a baby and some nights I lay awake and think about you! I am still feeling wonderful and love being pregnant with you!

Cravings- I don't seem to be hungry often and if I eat a big dinner I am really uncomfortable all night.  I have been eating lots of smoothies, both fruit and green smoothies which I look forward to daily!  I am still allowing us a little treat a week but am definitely wanting them more often!

Weight Gain- At my Doctor appointment on Thursday, April 26th I gained another 3 pounds for a grand total of 14 pounds.  Judging by the size of my belly all that extra weight this week went to you!

Maternity Clothes- I am staying strong with my current wardrobe! I did buy a beautiful pink dress for your Baby Shower!

New Happenings- I have had a few dreams about you this past month.  The silliest dream was about you, my belly button, and your hands! I had a dream that you kept sticking your little hands out of my belly button and I would just push them back in.  I kept thinking how small they were because they looked like Barbie Doll hands!
You seem to really like my right side- if I lay on my right side, your hands or feet find their way into my right ribs.  I can also feel a body part that is pretty constantly on the right side of my abdomen above my belly button.  It fits perfectly into the palm of my hand and since the Doctor always finds your heartbeat in my lower abdomen on the left side, I am pretty sure it's your little bottom! I like to pat and rub your little bottom and just imagine what it will be like when you are outside of my tummy.  I wonder if this will comfort you when you are crying?

It's hard to believe but only 10 weeks until our eyes will meet. Until then I will continue to soak up every pregnant moment and dream about how wonderful our lives will be with you in the world!