Cotton Babies

Final Pregnancy Comments

Today is my first day of maternity leave. While I am due in 6 days, I am taking today to relax. The past few weeks have been interesting. Here is a rundown: two weeks ago I had a wicked cold. It was horrible. I was miserable, and then also 9 months pregnant. I am so glad that week is over. Last week was much better. I have had about a gazillion Braxton-Hicks contractions, and they are both painful and confusing. I think I finally have gotten a grip on them in the past week. I probably should be counting them more, but I get them so often (and they are always fake), that I have just started ignoring them. This week, I have actually felt pretty great.

This past weekend, Brandon and I went and walked all of Animal Kingdom. It was such a beautiful day, and all of the animals were out. While the walking did not induce labor, I am so glad to have such a fabulous husband. He has been really supportive, and there is a lot of laughter in our house. I think both of us are trying to enjoy this process as much as possible. He has listened patiently while I vented frustrations (like asking myself if these contractions are real), and he puts a hand on my belly to relax baby whenever I ask.

Speaking of his activeness, It is actually quite funny. A couple of weeks ago, he was pushing against me so hard I asked Brandon to push back because it hurt. The baby decided that this was a fun game, and punched Brandon back. It was hilarious. He is extremely awake from 3-6ish in the afternoon, and you can just see my entire belly move. I can’t recognize feet or hands or anything like that (some people tell me I would), but if I ignore the pain of him hitting things in my body that make me jump, he squirms and wiggles and everything. He also doesn’t like the feel of contractions too much, and so he pushes and stretches after a contraction. I must be black and blue in there. Brandon and I both get a kick out of my reactions. My “ow!”’s are not contractions, they are when he hits something funny. I am not sure if Brandon is just doing all of this to humor me, I know he is much more excited to actually see a baby.

This past Friday my coworkers threw me a small shower. It was really sweet. The other new moms took great care of me.

In regards to nesting, I am not sure if I am nesting more, or just my regular obsessive pregnant self. I am organized enough that the meet the baby party envelopes are labeled and organized, with all of the wording already in the computer. We just need to add the name, height, and weight, and click print. The house is pretty clean.

The family is certainly ready. Soon to be Aunt Melissa calls me every day now. It used to be a couple of times a week, but in the past week or so, it is every day. It is so appreciated, and I hope she realizes that. All four parents are acting like 4 soon to be grandparents. They also make Brandon and I laugh. They are trying to give me all of the old-wives tales, be supportive, and be antsy at the same time. So, I keep hearing about their schedules, excitement, and that Brandon and I should be having lots of “Whoopee.” It is a good thing we have such a great relationship with our parents, or there is the possibility it would drive the two of us crazy. Instead, I just feel swamped with love, and so grateful that we have a family that not only gets along with each other, but also is truly excited for us. This baby will be so loved.

My dad was here two weeks ago for a convention, and it was so nice to spend time with him. My mom came in last weekend, just because. I love my parents. Mom, Brandon, and I did nothing too interesting. We shopped, chilled, and ate dinner. But, it was fabulous.

Now, a waiting game. Today is our last doctor’s appointment. We are going to be talking about inducing. We shall see, but I should be a mommy soon. I keep going from excited, to nervous, to just numb of emotions. I probably sound like every other new mommy-to-be. I keep trying to say to myself what is happening, and I can’t seem to get it though my head. I think I have to see my baby at this point for it to really hit.

Lastly, while we have kept the name a secret, I really like it. About a week ago, he went from “Kermit” to “blank” in my mind. Unless you ask my students at school, and then he goes by “Twee-gee,” “Fabio,” and Uncle Joey has named him, “TyRONE.” I hope that I still love the name once I see his face, but I am pretty sure I will. Brandon and I think the name is perfect, so now we just need a baby to go with it!

36 weeks picture

This was taken a few days ago.

35.5 weeks

Well, we are almost there! We have started our weekly checkups, and everything is still good. As of Wednesday, he was 5 pounds, 3 ounces according to the ultrasound. We don't have any ultrasound pictures, because he is already positioned, therefore he is facing down and my back. He actually kept using his hands to block the ultrasound camera, so we have no clue what his face looks like. Oh well, we will see soon enough. We are glad that he is properly positioned. I am getting more and more uncomfortable, but still doing pretty good. Having lots of contractions, but the doctor says they are normal and good.
I am having a hard time seeing what is the end of the tunnel is. I am just trying to get through each day with a positive attitude and not falling asleep. I can't seem to realize that I will be a mommy in a few weeks.

32 weeks update

Well, we had a big few days for the baby. We officially have a pediatrician, and had our 32 week appointment. Everything is still fine, strong heartbeat. Brandon and I are getting excited, knowing that we are so close. I am having Braxton Hicks contractions, but the doctor says they are normal. Winter break has started, which is very relaxing. We have a big family reunion next week for Grandma’s 80th birthday. That should be fun. Movements are getting more violent. But, all is well. Getting ready to be a mommy. Starting to get a little antsy and a little nervous, but still mostly excited.

32 weeks picture

Boating at Downtown Disney.

Baby Pool

This is just something fun that Brandon and I are doing...if anyone is interested, go to http://www.expectnet.com/games/Diamondbaby and enter a guess of when you think the baby will be born!

30 week checkup

Had a checkup yesterday, everything is still very healthy. The heartbeat was 146, which is right in the middle of normal, and I am growing at a good rate. I am still feeing good most of the time, and am really getting ready now. Our hospital bag was packed last weekend, and we have preregistered for the hospital. We are getting everything set up. I don't think it has hit me yet that we are actually going to have a baby soon. It still seems like this thing that is going to happen way in the future, but our due date is coming up fast. We are both really excited. Brandon said that it hit him when he took really teeny socks out of the dryer. Just excited about life and all of the wonderful upcoming things that we will be doing throughout the next few months.

29 weeks belly pictures

28 weeks

Wow! I haven't written in a while. Things are pretty great. I am having minor pregnancy issues, and my main "pregnancy emotion" is elation. I am really happy most of the time. We are getting really excited for the baby. We had a celebration during Thanksgiving, and got so many useful and cute things. It is so awesome that we have baby clothes in our house. I will start to try to write more. My belly is getting bigger, but I am carrying well. It just looks like a bump in the front. The nursery is painted, and it looks so beautiful. We started childbirth classes. We are really starting to get ready. The week of during Thanksgiving was greatly needed, I got to just focus on myself, my family, and relax a bunch. Life is pretty good. I will add a belly picture soon. Kermit kicks and moves all of the time now. He doesn't like to kick his father, but he loved to kick his Grandma (Bonnie, he was calm for Adela).

Election Night - 25 weeks

He we are, taking pictures with our son and Mickey Mouse. We are heading to Disney again when I am really pregnant, so we can take pictures with my growing belly. He is definitely kicking. Mom felt him. Things are going to start happening soon, we have an appointment with the pediatrician (to interview), our childbirth classes start soon, and some of our friends are coming to paint and assemble furniture for our nursery.
We have been working on the meet the baby party. We have such a list! It is going to be so much fun, and this baby will be so loved.
Bris is also tentatively arranged. We have chosen the Mohel.
The stress level is high tonight, watching the election. Trying to stay calm. Just saw someone beam (hologram) onto CNN. Our baby is being born into such a technologically advanced society.

New Belly Pics

I am about 23 weeks in the purple, closer to 24 weeks in the pink. I apologize for my very funny face in the purple pic.

23 weeks and getting excited!

Things are going rather well. The baby is kicking, and just started kicking strong enough for Brandon to feel him. I love it. I find it so fascinating. My belly still looks small, but since the doctor said that everything is ok, I am going to trust him. Brandon was away this weekend at USY convention, and I missed him terribly. I felt so silly, but it’s true. Indy was also very jumpy, and barked at any chance she got at the empty door. I am afraid of putting money into the economy right now. Our financial adviser recommends a Roth in the name of the child, as opposed to a 529, so he would not be penalized if we decided the money was going towards something that is not education (say-he gets a full scholarship or something, and we saved more than he needs). So, as much as I love the freshmanfund.com idea, I am not sure we are going to go through with that. The more I listen to the news, the more I think we may just put the money into a new savings account for a few years, or under the mattress.

I am feeling pretty good physically. Last week, I was elated for two full days. I was so happy I was probably scary to be around. This week, I am calmer, but still content. I am extremely excited about all of the upcoming stuff…Thanksgiving, nursery building, and February. I am greatly looking forward to being a mom. I know that my life will change drastically, but I think I am going to love it. I think I am going to get closer with my husband, and I think he is going to be a great daddy. This child will be very loved by many people, and it is a beautiful thing.

Perfect!

We just had a doctor's appointment today, and he said that everything looks perfect. What a great word! I gained a couple of pounds, and he was not concerned about my weight. He said that the baby is the right height and weight (was 11 ounces 2 weeks ago for the ultrasound). He could not easily see the spine, so we are having another ultrasound to see the spine, when the baby is positioned differently. His heartbeat was 162, which is also perfect. Yay!

20 weeks, 5 days Belly Pictures

20 weeks update

Hello! I have a few things to update everyone on. First, I am definitely feeling the baby. He has started kicking, and was really active for the first time during the vice-presidential debate. It is an awesome feeling. I am feeling pretty good. Brandon and I have been working on a name, now that the baby is definitely a boy. Brandon has become really excited. I think that when he saw our son moving during the ultrasound, everything clicked for him. He has shown the ultrasound picture to the entire world, he is so proud. I am so glad that he is enjoying the process as well.

I had the weirdest reaction to the ultrasound. As soon as I heard the sex of the baby, it hit me that this was real, and I got really overwhelmed and emotional. Now, a couple of days later, I am thrilled and calm again and happy, but it was a very weird response for me. Brandon took me to Babies’R’Us to help me get excited, and to look specifically at boys clothes. When I saw the Superman pajamas, my heart melted.

The bris is going to be interesting. Now that Brandon is Principal of our Religious School, and we have gotten to know people at two schools, synagogue, and still have our family and Cooper City family, this may be a very large bris. What a blessing, that we and this baby are so loved, that this is an exciting time for so many people.

In regards to the ultrasound, everything is completely healthy. In regards to how I am feeling, I am completely textbook. So, we are moving right along. I am getting really excited. We are going to work on the nursery around Thanksgiving. We have a couple of friends (Lauren, Steve, Chad, and Kat) that are going to drive up and help us paint and assemble (well, Steve will assemble, and we will just all be in awe at him making a crib). I am looking forward to the rest of the process, because I think the next few months are the exciting ones for a pregnancy. That is, until February, when we actually have our end result and have a baby!

20 weeks ultrasound pictures

It's a boy!!!!

18 weeks, 4 days Belly Picture

Brandon was not home, so I just took the picture in the mirror. Great advise from my friend Rachael.

I am definitely starting to pop. Belly hurts, but it feels like it is getting bigger by the minute. I may start updating the picture more often, because it seems to be changing so fast. It is very exciting.

We ordered our crib today! Ahh, the adventure of the crib. But, we got the one we wanted in the color we wanted. Thanks, Grandma!

8 days until we find out the sex of the baby. People at work are speculating, they think it is a girl based on the way I am carrying. We shall see!

No cravings yet, but I am still enjoying cheese, as well as apple juice.

Oh, and I apologize if I offend anyone, but pre-third trimester & pre-breastfeeding, I am officially (yes, I was measured by a professional) a DDDD, which is equivalent to a G. The letter G, as in Gorilla. I wonder if I am going to get to the middle of the alphabet. My goodness.

Still have a cold, but am better than last week. Just to give major props to myself, I am handling school, Youth Groups, Religious School, being pregnant, researching and preparing for the baby, a cold (which my ears are still so clogged my equalibrium is off), emotions about my Grandpa Mike, and making sure my family is ok, and I am still cool, calm, and collected. I am not really stressing out. I am just making sure I am doing what I can, but not too much that I stress myself out. I guess I have figured out what is really important.
Brandon has also found relaxation this week in the new "Star Wars-Unleashed" Video game for the Wii. I am so glad that he found a way to de-stress, I don't think he has taken an hour off in a month and a half. If the baby can hear already, we are already prepping Kermit to be a nerd, he/she is listing to Star Wars music within weeks after their ears developed.

18.5 Weeks

I had a pretty rough week, I had a really bad cold. I was extremely miserable, but am feeling a lot better. I still have a lot of food aversions, but feel like I am getting more protein into my diet and am doing pretty good with my eating habits, especially with all of my food challenges.


We started getting some of our stuff delivered from Amazon.com this week. We have gotten the $250 worth of diapers, and now actually have a couple of baby things in our house. So exciting!


Also, there is a newish website, www.freshmanfund.com, which we are now really excited about. It is basically a 529 college program registry. This way, instead of people feeling forced to buy baby toys, they have the option of donating towards our child's education. We are still working out the details, but I believe that you can even use your credit card and directly put money into the 529, in any amount. I believe that is Awesome! We are going to be looking into which 529 we would like to open in the next couple of weeks, and then will register for the www.freshmanfund.com to link it directly to the 529. I will keep you all updated.


Last but definitely not least, I am feeling some funky stuff going on in my belly today. I am trying not to get too excited, it could just be gas (he he) but I am hopeful that this is the first evidence of me feeling the baby. As far as I have been told, a couple of weeks after I can feel the baby, Brandon can feel the baby. Cool, huh?