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!

6 Month Belly Post

26 Week Stats:

Symptoms- I really can't get enough of you being in my tummy! I have loved every experience I have had while being pregnant with you.  Some of those experiences are more fun than others but regardless they are all new and are just a reminder that I have a sweet angel growing inside me.  Some of the not-so-fun experiences are the occasional heartburn. I have never had heartburn until I got pregnant with you and that sensation is painful but nothing that can't be fixed with Tums.  Daddy probably doesn't enjoy this next "experience" but I have had gas more frequently.  In the past, I have had to suffer because of Daddy and now the tables are turned! Other than those two symptoms, I am not experiencing anything negative.  I am still going to Pilates twice a week and now that the weather is nice, Daddy and I are taking lots of walks and hikes! I notice while I work out that you get your own workout inside my tummy! About half the time you are sleeping and resting up but then you wake up and start flipping and kicking.  After all that activity you seem to wear yourself out and then take a nap to get your energy back!

Cravings- I have wanted chocolate more frequently these days.  I allow us to have a few sweet treats a week but nothing too major- maybe Frozen Yogurt (our favorite is vanilla with strawberries and hot chocolate fudge) or a few pieces of chocolate here and there.  Other than that little sweet tooth I do not seem to crave anything.  My major focus with eating is getting 7 servings of fruits and vegetables each day and making sure you get enough protein and water.  With all these healthy foods I have eaten over the past 6 1/2 months I am really hoping you grow up loving your greens!

Weight Gain- I went to my 26 week check-up on Thursday 2/29/12 and so far I have gained a total of 11 pounds.  My doctor is still happy with this number due to my below average height!

Maternity Clothes- I am still have two pairs of non-maternity jeans I wear, only with the Belly Band, of course.   I also purchased a pair of maternity jeans with the full tummy panel and even though they look silly without a shirt, they are so comfy! I still have lots of tops that I can wear so I haven't had to buy much...yet!

New Happenings- You seem to be on a sleep schedule.  You are active in the morning, after lunch, and just before bed - other times you seem to be sleeping. I sit at my desk in the morning and watch my tummy move with your movements, I see it bump out as you kick or punch.  I could sit all day and watch your sweet movements! Your kicks and punches are not painful yet, just fun! I know you are higher up in my abdomen because I feel your little flutters closer up to my ribs now- mainly on my right side. I am also having more vivid dreams at night that don't seem to make any sense.  They are not about you or really anyone in particular, just dreams I remember very well when I wake up.  

The countdown is on! 14 more weeks until we get to meet our precious baby girl!!!

Daddy's Birthday

Your Daddy turned 29 on  March 26th so we celebrated the event with our friends, Amanda and John,  in Washington, DC.  We drove the four hours on Friday afternoon and enjoyed the city for the weekend- we shopped, ate, attended the Cherry Blossom Festival, and ate some more! It was a wonderful weekend. His actual birthday was on Monday, which was when he was allowed to open his gifts.  He even had a special gift from his baby girl!

He was so excited to have a gift from you and loved the UT shirts!

Ranch Baby Shower

The weekend of February 23-25 I went to Jaclyn's ranch to spend the weekend with my girlfriends from UT.  While we were there they wanted to celebrate you and decided to have a Ranch Baby Shower! The event was so special- they had plenty of pink inspired food, decorations and gifts!  Each of my friends even designed and made a special onesie for you.
They are all so excited for you to arrive and were absolutely thrilled to get to see you in my tummy- Jaclyn even got to feel you move! Just like everyone else, they are already in love with you. I keep thinking God for the sweet blessing he has given me and your daddy and for all the love our family and friends have for you.  You truly are one blessed little angel!

5 Month Belly Post

22 Week Stats:

Symptoms- Over the past month my belly has really popped out! There is absolutely no question that you are in my tummy.  I even have strangers asking about you! I go through different sleeping patterns where some nights I am totally conked out and some nights I can't ever go to sleep. I am still going to Pilates twice a week and all my instructors are just certain you will come into this world knowing your way around the studio! I am feeling really great and love having you in my tummy.

Cravings- MILK! I drink at least one glass a day and when I want a special treat I drink CHOCOLATE milk!

Weight Gain- At my doctor appointment on March 1st, I gained another 3 pounds making a grand total of about 10 pounds.  The doctor is happy with both our weight, so I am too!

Maternity Clothes- I am still wearing the B-Band with my pants but I did purchase a few maternity tops and a pair of maternity Pilates pants. For the most part I can wear the shirts and dresses I already have hanging in my closet.

New Happenings- Your daddy and I decided on your name - Hattie Jayne Wolsey! After hearing the name Hattie, I fell in love and to me the deal was done.  Daddy thought about it for a few weeks and agreed it was perfect! I learned that both Ma and Dandy had a Great Aunt Hattie, which makes your name all that more special to me.  We also named you after your sweet Auntie Jaynie Annie!
We started working on decorating your room!  I picked out your furniture and bedding and am patiently waiting for them to arrive so we can put your room together!
Daddy can also feel you move now! He started to feel your little flutters and some bigger kicks around week 20.  We love to feel you moving around in my tummy and imagine what you are up to; are you stretching? turning? doing karate? gymnastics? Whatever you are doing in there I get excited every time I feel your sweet movements.

A Baby Girl!

This weekend was very special for us.  We found out on Friday, February 10th that you are a baby girl! Cici and Boss flew into Pittsburgh on Thursday afternoon to help us celebrate.  We had our first sonogram on Friday afternoon and immediately fell in love with your sweet face! You were putting on a show for mommy and daddy.  You were moving, kicking, stretching, opening your mouth, and turning flips the entire time- we loved seeing all that action!

We asked the sonogramist not to tell us if you were a boy or a girl but instead to write it down.  We met two friends from work, Jenn and Katie, and handed the paper over to them.  They filled a big box with pink balloons and met us at a park.  It was so special for us to open the box and see all the beautiful pink balloons fly into the sky telling us we are blessed with a baby girl!

4 Month Belly Post

17 Week Stats:

Cravings- NONE at the time but about a month ago there were two weeks where I couldn't get enough citrus. Your Daddy, on the other hand, has been craving chocolate gelato and pickles like it's going out of style.  Due to a few extra pounds, he forced himself to kick the cravings!

Hair / Nails- My hair and nails both seem thinner than they were before I got pregnant but they seem to grow at about the same pace. 

Headaches- I had a dull ache in my forehead and eyebrows just about every afternoon from 12-14 weeks.

Baking Soda Test-  We did the baking soda test this week and it said you are a girl.

Baby's Heartbeat- We have heard your heartbeat 2 times.  The first time your heartbeat was 174/min and the second time is was 164/min.  The Doctor says you have a strong and healthy heart! 

The Bump- Though I see a noticeable difference in my tummy, my baby bump is not that big yet. You seemed to grow lots this week and all the sudden everyone else can now tell you are in my belly!

Chinese Gender Chart- The chart says you are a boy.

Heartburn- I started getting heartburn at about 16 weeks.  No matter how uncomfortable heartburn is, you are worth every second!

Weight Gain- I weigh the exact amount I did at my last Doctor appointment, so officially still 6 pounds.

Movement- I have been feeling you move since week 15 - just little flutters here and there but Daddy hasn't gotten to feel you yet, hopefully soon!

Daddy and I go to the Doctor in two weeks to get a sonogram and to find out if you are a boy or a girl.  I am not sure if we are more excited to see you for the first time or find out what you are, but either way, we are counting the days! 

We love you more with each passing minute!

12 Weeks

Christmas this year was an especially joyful celebration, all because of you! You even got a few gifts even though you weren't here yet to open them.  You have now been in my tummy for 12 weeks and others are starting to be able to see you!

Pregnancy Stats at 12 Weeks:
Symptoms- My major symptom has been feeling tired and out of energy.  This week I got my energy back and now feel like Superwoman.  The other major symptom I have had is an unusual gag reflex when I brush my teeth, which is still hanging around.

Cravings- Up to this week I have not had any but now you and I cannot seem to get enough citrus! I eat a few oranges and grapefruits each day and ask for extra lemon in my water.
  
Weight Gain- At my 14 week appointment the doctor said I have gained 6 pounds so I have gained back the 5 pounds I lost earlier and added 1 extra pound.

Maternity Cloths- I have not bought any yet but Aunt Lisha did give me the belly band.  This little devise came in handy once when I wore low cut jeans and couldn't button my pants around you.


We rang in the New Year in Palm Springs with Daddy's family for Auntie Jaynie Annies wedding to Uncle Blake.  I have a feeling '2012 is the going to be the best year yet since we get to meet you!