Baby Shower Pictures

Here are links to the pictures of the shower:

Pictures from my camera & Tina

Pictures from Chris

Hopefully these work as the server was acting up earlier.

Baby Scrapbook...

The baby scrapbook album that Chris, Sharon & my friends helped to put together is up at Chris' website. here's the direct link:

http://www.d1008413.domain.com/applications/Gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album31

Christmas in January (Baby Shower Recap)...

The past few days have been nothing but busy. And everytime I try to take some time out of my lunch to write my thoughts about the shower, something comes up.

Let me start by saying I want to thank some people that helped make Sunday so special.
Alyson & Mom - for throwing the best baby shower EVER. Thank you again, I couldn't have asked for a nicer day.
Jeanne - for all your help you did with invites, favors & moral support
Chris - for being the "official" shower photographer
Kerri - the best "gift from" list writer - EVER. I have no idea how you got all the items you did and with the details you did (I'm hiring you in the future)
Dan's Mom & Carolyn - for the cutest cake. It was super cute!
Fran - for not letting me stand in trash
Tina & Elise - for taking so many pictures
Tammy - for being our very own Bob Barker
Ann - for organizing the gifts & bringing some home

Of course this is not the official thank you (those are in progress) but I just wanted to publicly thank you all.

Our baby shower was this past Sunday (January 28th) and it was so much fun and special all at the same time. It wasn't a surprise as I don't do surprises. Plus, why would you want to surprise a pregnant woman?? She may burst into tears, get pissed off, or fall down from the shock. It's better to forgo the surprise element and let her be surprised by the gifts. Okay, that's my opinion anyway.

There were 48 people there - and they were all people who mean alot to us and have always shown us their love & support. This was no different. Each and every person helped to "spoil" this child, but it's spoiled with love and not spoiled rotten which is such a nicer route.
I went to mass before the shower since I was in the neighborhood - and it's always so nice to go to St Marks. It's like my own personal focal place. I'm always relaxed there, even if there is a new priest who gives a 15 minute homily and then there are 3 announcements at the end of mass followed by the priest speaking to the congregation in Vietnamese. I know Patience is a virtue and I was in Church - but I'm telling you I was so antsy that I was going to hell because I had no patience. It's always on the days where you have somewhere to be.

I got to the shower a bit before 1p. There were about a 12 people already there so at least I didn't have to walk into a room full of people staring at me. The first half hour was just some mingling and saying Hi to everyone coming in. Then we had lunch and it was then starting to get quiet so I played EMCEE for the first small game "Guess how many mints in the baby bottle". Alyson & my mom also chose to play Baby Bingo to help keep people entertained during opening gifts. My friend Tammy volunteered to be our own Bob Barker for Bingo and it took a lot longer than I thought to get a winner (and we had 3!)

I started to open presents but I told myself that I would go quickly yet show the items because I did not want people to be bored just sitting there. And since the stack of presents were HUGE, I knew I'd be there forever if I took my time. I also tried to add some witty banter every now & then for amusement. See, Alyson I did get funny.

All of the presents were amazing, thoughtful and definitely needed for first time parents. So many people were so thoughtful to make handmade quilts or blankets. And a couple of those blankets, I'd like to take for myself, they're so warm & cozy. We are really lucky & blessed because we got so many wonderful gifts that we'll actually use. Or so I've been told. And it's amazing that the amount of duplicate gifts is a bare minimum. One thing that surprised me was the fact that we didn't get bottles or diapers, but if that's the only thing I'll have to pick up then we really are lucky!

I don't know what my favorite present is because I opened so many wonderful presents. And I'm not just saying that because you're all reading this, but I really would struggle to pick a favorite. Although the scrapbook album is fantastic and my Grover stuffed animal from Nancy is something I've picked up every night once I get home.

It was a very special day. I'm bummed my grandmother couldn't have been there but it's completely understandable. Plus, she would have had the one gift that would have made me cry, so without that it was a cry-free zone.

I unwrapped in record time because again, I really didn't want people to be bored. It's amazing that we got through them all so quickly. But I think what's more amazing is the fact that Dan was able to get 90% of the gifts, if not more, into his car. And he drives an Altima. Ann took home the stroller, carseat & swing, but we were able to take everything else home. He put some things in my car, but they were very small items and I still had PLENTY of room. Once we got it all into the house, it looked like babiesRus threw up in our living room. It was a lot of stuff, but neatly piled around the room. It wasn't until I started to take things out of bags & boxes to organize it that Dan got overwhelmed due to the clutter.

But you can bet that I had the living room spotless by the time we went to bed. Most things were actually put away too. If you didn't think I'd be able to do it - then you don't know me at all. I'm good, I'm damn good and I thrive on organizing! The only items that did not have a home in his room were shoes, hats, bibs & the little rattles & toys. Of course we still have some larger items that are still in boxes because there really is no need to take them out just yet and have them take up even more room. But overall, everything is put away.

And that's where Christmas in January comes into play. Every night has felt like Christmas Eve to me, but Christmas Eve in reverse. All the presents are opened, I know what's there, but I still can't sleep and just want to go play!

And there is your recap on our fantastic shower - it's lengthy but I tried not to go into every detail.

32 Week Journal...

Sorry this post is so late, but we had a company meeting that took up the majority of the day

How far along? 32 wks today - I can't believe 8 Months. I really feel like I was just 3 months along and getting anxious to tell people. Now we're at a point where we're on his schedule. He'll be here before you know it!
Total weight gain/loss: ~4 lbs over my ideal target (it's all belly & breasts) , but it's probably more now
Maternity Clothes: I do not want to buy another item of Maternity clothes
"Morning" Sickness: N/A
Signs of Pregnancy: Braxton Hicks Contractions
Stretch Marks: Now I know what a "true" pregnancy stretch mark looks like. I developed one on my belly. It's completely different than the little white marks I've always had.
Sleep: I still wake up 2-3 times a night but I think I'm getting used to being uncomfortable
Best moment this week: *Our Baby Shower (details to follow), hearing his heartbeat multiple times this week as well as hiccups, getting the furniture assembled
Worst moment this week: * Cleaning on Saturday gave me oddly-feeling braxton hicks contractions
Movement: Continuing the Fetal Kick Count, he's gone thru a few days where he's quiet for a bit which makes me wonder and then he goes into a kicking spree - must be that sleeping like a baby thing he does.
Gender prediction: No guessing anymore - it's a BOY - Alexander Christopher
Labor Pains: Braxton Hicks Contractions
Belly Button in or out? Still in
Wedding rings on or off? On, still loose
What I'm going to miss/What I can't wait for:
Miss: His kicking & talking to him
Can't wait: To finish his nursery & putting away shower gifts
Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy your shower - I know I did!
Milestones/Fun Moments:
*Oue Baby Shower
*Getting Furniture assembled & in the room
*Setting up appointments with daycare & pediatricans
What we need to do:
*Meetings with daycare & pediatrican
*Install light fixtures
*Assemble pack & play & stroller/carseat
*Organize clothes
*Figure out what is left we need to get

32 Week Growth...

How your baby's growing: By now, your baby probably weighs almost 4 pounds and is almost 17 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. She has tiny toenails now, and her fingernails have grown in, too. Some babies have a head of hair already; others have only peach fuzz.

This week is a milestone of sorts: Babies born after this time tend to do well even if they are premature. Nearly 10 percent of babies are born before week 37, when they officially come to term. At 32 weeks, all major organs are functioning except the lungs, which may need further time to develop. But your little one doesn't exactly look like a rosy cherub--she weighs about 3 pounds, and her thin, wrinkly skin hasn't filled out with the layers of fat that develop later. Luckily, in many cases, all she'll need is some time in an environmentally controlled isolette to become the chubby angel you imagined.

Baby's appearance is changing rapidly during this week. Most of the wrinkles are disappearing from your baby's face, and there may be a lot of hair on her head. In fact, as the lanugo hair on her body begins to fall off, the hair on her head is growing even faster. By week 32, some babies already have a thick head of hair, while others have only a few strands.
Baby is now about four pounds and about 15.5 inches long, an incredible increase of almost two pounds from last month.
In other developmental news this week, Baby:
*Will have completely formed fingernails and toenails.
*Will be able to turn her head from side to side.
*Has organs that continue to mature.
*Has sucking muscles that have matured, and will enable her to latch on and breastfeed once she arrives. (A good sucking pattern is also a sign of good brain and muscle development.)
*Will begin dreaming during sleep toward the end of the eighth month, according to brain scans. Due to her impressive brain development, her sleep will now include both REM and non-REM sleep stages. (REM stands for "rapid eye movement," the dreaming stage of sleep.)

How your life's changing: Your blood volume (the plasma plus red blood cells) is now about 40 to 50 percent greater than before you became pregnant to accommodate the needs of you and your baby. (This extra amount also helps make up for any blood you'll lose when giving birth.) You're also gaining a pound a week now, and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and adding pressure on your abdomen, you may be dealing with heartburn more often or feeling a little short of breath. To help with shortness of breath, try eating smaller quantities more often (rather than three daily feasts) and sleeping propped up. Those smaller meals should help with the heartburn, too.As your baby grows, the increasing concentration of weight in your growing belly causes a change in your posture and a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, your abdominal muscles are stretching, hormones are making your ligaments more lax, and your growing uterus may even press on some nerves. All of this can contribute to low back pain and possibly to some pain in your buttocks and thighs as well. Let your caregiver know if you have severe pain or feel numbness or tingling in your legs.

You've probably gained about three to four pounds this month. Don't be alarmed — gaining a pound a week is quite normal during the last trimester, because your baby's demand for nourishment increases as she experiences the final growth spurt before birth.
As the skin on your belly expands, you may notice numb spots or highly sensitive areas on your upper abdomen or rib cage. This is because as your skin stretches, the nerve fibers in it stretch, too. This can create extremely sensitive or insensitive areas on the skin, but this sensation will cease once Baby arrives.

Those are Braxton Hicks contractions — irregular practice contractions that can be first felt around mid-pregnancy and increase in frequency and strength as your pregnancy progresses. Many novice moms-to-be don't notice them as much (or feel them as intensely) as those who are pregnant for the second time, but even first timers are aware of them occasionally. As you get closer to term, they'll become stronger (beginning at the top of your uterus and spreading downward), longer (lasting 15 to 30 seconds or as long as two minutes), and even a little painful.

Two Months...

Today is the 2 month marker. Only 2 months left. I don't know about you, but this time has flown by!

I truly can't get over how fast this has all gone by and I have a strong feeling that the remainder of time we have will only go by faster! We have a few events from now and the big day that will help pass the time. Not only that but both my birthday & Dan's birthday is also within the next two months, so we have those to look forward to as well.

Another plus is that our shower is this weekend (so exciting!) so we'll be in a constant state of assembly. The closer we get to the shower, the more excited I am. More than anything to see friends & family who mean the most to us. Plus, some people coming I haven't seen in a bit so it'll just be so nice to see them again. Plus, who doesn't love seeing cute baby things. It's my assumption (and we know what that could mean) is that people like baby showers more than wedding shower because baby stuff is so much cuter & fun to play with than a blender or a set of towels. I also know that Alyson & my mom worked their butt off for this so they're just as excited. It promises to be a good time - as long as I don't break into hives from the attention. I have a tendency to do that.

Another thing that has been fun this week is that I have been able to hear his heartbeat everynight this week, which leads me to believe that he's getting bigger with less room to hide. Last night his heartrate was averaging 132-135 bpm, which is right in the range of 120-150. Then I also heard him have a serious bout of hiccups. I couldn't hear the actual breath, but the way he was moving so close together and the noises I did hear, sounded like the poor little thing had the hiccups. Let's hope he doesn't have them like his mother - because those are loud & painful.

Few other things before I publish this post...
First things first - I want to congratulate Amanda who had her precious little baby, Ellery, 9 days early. She's very cute & looks o' so little. Congratulations Amanda & John!

Secondly, for those loyal readers who tune in first thing Monday morning, I can't promise that I will have the entries ready to go. It depends on how productive I feel Sunday night after the shower and getting things inside. Plus, we have a quarterly meeting at work which is held offsite so I'll be gone for the majority of the day. I will get one up as soon as possible. Hey, maybe I'll even try to post it before the shower. But don't hold me to that...

Just wanted to extend my good thoughts & prayers to my grandfather who had a procedure today to check out his heart and may need surgery. You're on my mind, Papa and I'll continue to thinks good thoughts that everything is successful! Love you.

31 Week Journal...

How far along? 31 wks today
Total weight gain/loss: ~4 lbs over my ideal target (it's all belly & breasts)
Maternity Clothes: This hasn't changed at all - it's a mixture of both maternity & non-maternity shirts & sweaters, but the pants are mainly maternity for comfort sake
"Morning" Sickness: N/A
Signs of Pregnancy: Braxton Hicks Contractions,
Stretch Marks: Yup - hips & lower back (they've always been there)
Sleep: I still wake up 2-3 times a night and my back & arms are not comfortable due to sleeping on my sides.
Best moment this week: *Putting Alexander's clothes in his closet, talking to him and having him respond by movement
*Having the carpet installed
Worst moment this week: *Learning that a lot of daycare centers in our area are full which makes this harder to find a place
*The Patriots loss to the Colts as well as New Orleans
Movement: Continuing the Fetal Kick Count and he's a very good boy. He never makes me wait the full hour for 10 movements, he averages 10 movements in 25 minutes.
Gender prediction: No guessing anymore - it's a BOY - Alexander Christopher
Labor Pains: just Braxton Hicks Contractions
Belly Button in or out? It hasn't changed in a week
Wedding rings on or off? On, still loose
What I'm going to miss/What I can't wait for:
Miss: A good night sleep, feeling his movements & talking to him
Can't wait: To get the furniture assembled so I can work on the other stuff in the nursery, our shower, to sleep on my back, our shower this weekend
Weekly Wisdom: *Try to go to bed early & take pictures of your progression
*Find your doctor & daycare center as early as possible
*Vasoline in the nose has helped with nosebleeds & cuts inside the nose (thank goodness because that was painful)
Milestones/Fun Moments:
*I've been taking my iron pill every day and it hasn't made me sick which is what the nurse said is highly likely - so that's good.
*I assembled our bassinet that my Mom gave to us. It's very cute - I've already found myself staring at it. Thanks Mom! I just need to figure out the mobile...
*Alexander and I had a 30 minute conversation the other night about my hopes & thoughts for him and everytime I said something funny or insightful he would poke me.
*The carpet was installed in Alexander's room so now we need to get in gear and set up the furniture
*Shopping with Alyson yesterday for an outfit for the shower

What we need to do:
*Find a daycare
*Find a pediatrican
*Set up his furniture (finish the rooms upstairs)

31 Week Growth...

How your baby's growing: This week, your baby measures about 16 inches long. He weighs a little over 3 pounds and is headed for a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and he's beginning to accumulate a layer of fat underneath his skin in preparation for life as a newborn. As a result, his arms, legs, and body are filling out.

He's entering a growth spurt. For the next eight weeks, he'll gain weight faster than he increases in length, at the rate of about half a pound a week. The bigger he gets, the harder it will be to "see" him on ultrasound and get a good estimate of his size--the margin of error increases to 15 percent by the end of the third trimester. But he's definitely growing fast, and you'll notice that his kicks will start to feel more like squirming as he runs out of room to roam.

This week marks some major changes for your baby's eyes. Most notably, the iris in your baby's eyes will become pigmented. However, no matter what color eyes your baby is born with (most are born with dark blue-brown or blue-gray eyes) the color almost always changes after birth. In fact, your baby's true eye color won't appear for six to nine months after delivery, because the final eye pigmentation occurs in response to the strong light of the outside world.
By the end of this week, Baby will weigh about 3.5 pounds and will be about 14.5 inches long. From now on, your baby's weight gain will exceed her growth in length.
Each day brings new developments inside the womb:
*Baby's eyes are now usually open during waking, and are closed at naptimes.
*Baby's lungs and digestive tract are continuing to develop.
*As you near the end of the second trimester, your baby will begin to settle head-down into your pelvis. However, some babies don't make this journey until late in the last trimester, and about four percent of babies don’t make the switch, remaining in a breech position at delivery.

How your life's changing:
You may have noticed some leaking of colostrum, or "premilk," from your breasts lately. Some expectant moms experience this leaking, others don't; either way, it's perfectly normal and you can rest assured that your body is doing what it's meant to do. If you're leaking, you may want to tuck some nursing pads in your bra to protect your clothes. And if you plan to breastfeed, you might also want to pick up a nursing bra. If your current bra is too snug, go ahead and wear the nursing bra now. Have you noticed the muscles in your uterus tightening now and then? Some women feel these random contractions — called Braxton Hicks contractions — in the second half of pregnancy. Lasting from 30 to 60 seconds, they're nonrhythmic and irregular and, at this point in your pregnancy, they should be infrequent and not painful. (When you're within a few weeks of your due date, it's normal for Braxton Hicks contractions to become more frequent and even somewhat painful; in fact, they're often called "false labor" because sometimes it can be hard to tell them from the real thing.) Until 37 weeks, though, your baby is still premature. So if you're getting frequent contractions (even if they don't hurt), it may be a sign of preterm labor. Call your practitioner immediately if you have an increase or change in vaginal discharge (especially if it's watery, mucus-like, or pink or tinged with blood), abdominal pain or menstrual-like cramping, more than four contractions in an hour, an increase in pressure in the pelvic area, or low back pain, especially if you didn't have it before.

You'll need additional stores of iron during the third trimester to help build your baby's oxygen supply. The best sources are dark green, leafy vegetables, as well as lean red meat, dried beans, and dried fruits. It's also important to drink at least eight glasses of fluids--milk, fruit juice, water, and decaffeinated coffee or tea--each day. Fluids are essential for building new cells, maintaining increased blood volume, and (believe it or not) decreasing water retention.

Some aches and pains are fairly common in and around your 31st week of pregnancy.
As Baby grows bigger each day, your abdomen swells. It may begin to ache, along with your rib cage and pelvis, from excess weight. (Your total pregnancy weight gain by this time should be somewhere between 21 and 27 pounds.)
You may also be experiencing additional swelling in your legs around this time. Try to lie on your left side when sleeping or resting. Loose-fitting clothing is also a good idea, so that you don't restrict blood flow in your arms and legs. Tight clothing at the waist, knees, ankles, shoulders, elbows or wrists can all cause problems. When sitting, you may want to tuck your legs to the side instead of in a crossed position, because the way you sit can affect your circulation. Crossing your legs at the knee or at the ankle restricts blood flow to your legs.
Additionally, you may experience even more heartburn this week as your uterus presses against your internal organs. Remember, heartburn can be relieved by remaining upright after eating, and by eating smaller, more frequent meals.

Dr. Appt Update...

We had our 30 wk Dr Appt today. It was a very quick one, which means that everything is progressing well.

I saw Dr. E again today, I really like her. My weight & bloodpressure were checked and are fine. Dr. E is happy with my progress on the weight & how my bloodpressure has been but personally I'd like to be 3 lbs lower just so I'd be right on target. But if the Dr. is happy then I should be okay with it. Plus, it really is all in my belly & chest, nothing else is swollen or bigger. In fact, I had someone yesterday not believe that I was 7 months pregnant. They said if you looked at me directly, they would never know and from the side they thought I was 5/6 months. I'll take that as a compliment.

She asked about the Stress Test and I explained what happened. She laughed and said "I guess she just wanted to err on the side of caution, but everything looks great". She explained that the results from my glucose test also looked really good and there was nothing to be concerned about there. We listened to his heartbeat (approx 148) and then she measured my belly. She says I'm growing right on target.

She told me that for my nosebleeds & dry nose to rub some vasoline inside a few times a day so we'll see how that works.

Overall a great appointment. My next appointment is with Dr. J (the one who called for the NST, so I'll know to keep movement conversations to a minimum) as Dr. E is on call that whole week. I wonder if I can find out who is going to be on call in March - but then again I don't know if he's going to show up when expected.

Guessing Game...

With only 10 weeks to go - it's your time to post your guess of when Alexander will arrive & the details that go along with it (date of birth, time, weight, length)

Enter your Guess

To all who read this blog (posters or not), please take a moment and enter your guess!

Thank you Angela for making me aware of this little guessing game!

Introducing...

**Devil Spawn**

We have a new addition to our family. No, it's not a puppy or the baby making his arrival alot earlier than expected. It's the new persona Dan has created for me during labor. He has even included a physical image to go along with his mental impression. Luckily, it's quite funny otherwise I think I would be unhappy with the visual.

This all started in the final session of our birthing class. Our instructor was explaining to labor partners to look for the signals of when to rub and when to back off but to never take it personally. Dan chuckled under his breath and said "that's going to be you", but he didn't elaborate. Later we were watching the "infamous" video and the mom-to-be was calm one moment while her husband was rubbing her back, the next minute she just looked at him and said "don't rub me". That's when Dan leaned over and said "right there - that will be you". He got a chuckle out of it. As we were practicing some more breathing at the end, he was massaging my hands and would fick the ends of my fingernails. I kept flicking back and finally said "don't do that". He reminded me that was what he meant.

As we were driving home, I asked him to elaborate and he said I'm going to be completely uncontrollable. I told him I didn't agree and then he clarified. Not uncontrollable but completely opinionated where one minute things will be fine and then the next minute I'll look at him and say "don't do that". He said because I'm so head strong and need to have control of things that he thinks I'll be a bit psycho. Okay, he didn't say psycho, but close enough and then when he did his physical interpretation, one would definitely think psycho.

Now I'll give him that he probably has a pretty accurate description of me in the sense of wanting to be in control of my body and the senses around me as well as wanting to know what's going on around me. And I am opinionated and stubborn when I get something in my head that I know is right for me - I don't change easily.

I just hope that I'm not the devil spawn that Dan's expecting but a lesser version of the psycho person!

Anyway, the rest of the class went very well. We took a tour of the Birthing & Maternity Unit in the morning which was very helpful to see where to go, what will happen where, and try to place ourselves in the room. At first Dan was freaked out thinking that the room we give birth in is the same room we stay in after the baby is born and thinking it was gross for people to be in there. I explained that there's a birthing room and then you're moved to our own maternity room, that made him feel better. We got to see 2 newborns who were in with the nurses being monitored. They were so little and one of them had an insane amount of hair! It was really a lot of fun for me.
Then we discussed Ceasaran Births, the reasons why, what happens, episotime's, and epidurals & different pain options. Then we discussed that each couple should create a birth plan so they're wishes are put in writing. I've already started one but obviously want to go over it with Dan. After lunch, we watched the video which, as I mentioned before, wasn't nearly as gory or horrible as people tell you. Some parts were humorous but it was nice to see how she was able to go through each contraction and then relax herself during the breaks. I, of course, cried when the baby was born, but by looking around the room I wasn't the only female crying.

We met a very nice couple, Tammy & Joe, who are due March 9th. We exchanged information so we'll be able to stay in touch and share with each other what we're going through.

Terry, as we were on tour Dan & I were on the lookout for you but alas, just other nurses who were not you. He kept asking "is that her, what about her?" It was cute.

30 Week Journal...

I can't believe we've reached the 30 week mark, give or take 10 weeks. This time really has flown by. I feel as if it was just last month that Dan & I had gone to the Red Sox game and I told him at dinner that I was pregnant. There's only so much time left and still so much to do. I do feel as if we're going to start to venture into time-crunch area, but I know us - we'll get it done.

How far along? 30 wks today
Total weight gain/loss: I'm above my personal target by only 2 1/2 pounds so I'm okay with where I'm am - plus it's all in my belly.
Maternity Clothes: This hasn't changed at all - it's a mixture of both maternity & non-maternity shirts & sweaters, but the pants are mainly maternity for comfort sake
"Morning" Sickness: Knock on wood - nothing
Signs of Pregnancy: Back aching, bloody noses, dry skin, occassional Braxton-Hicks Contraction, and feeling my stomach stretch (that's an uncomfortable sensation as though you just had the largest Thanksgiving meal in your life and can't digest it)
Stretch Marks: a couple on my hip
Sleep: Sleep continues to be the same - it's not comfortable and I find that even if I have to go the bathroom or not, I'm waking up every 3 hours. Is it my body trying to get me ready for a feeding schedule? I bought another pregnancy pillow so I'm hoping that will help.
Best moment this week:
*Alexander continuing to move frequently
*Listening to his heartbeat right after reading him a book
*Attending the final session of our Childbirth Class (we got a tour of the Birthing Unit & Maternity Unit)
Worst moment this week:
*Don't think I had a bad moment this week, besides the annoying pregnancy symptoms
Movement: Continuing the Fetal Kick Count and he's a very good boy. He never makes me wait the full hour for 10 movements.
Gender prediction: No guessing anymore - it's a BOY - Alexander Christopher
Labor Pains: None
Belly Button in or out? Still in, but it's much smaller
Wedding rings on or off? On, still loose
What I'm going to miss/What I can't wait for:
Miss: Feeling his different movements, listening to his heartbeat, & reading to Alexander
Can't wait: I can't believe our shower is only 2 weeks away - I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone, especially people I haven't seen in a while. I can't wait to be able to see my shamrock tattoo again, funny what we miss when we can't see it. I also can't wait to sleep on my back!
Weekly Wisdom:
*Take photos of your growing belly, right down your thoughts so you can remember what it was like, walk when you can, and it's never too late to practice some breathing that helps you relax
Milestones/Fun Moments:
*Dan painted the new closet in our room so it really looks as if it's been there the whole time - he should be quite proud of the work he did.
*We finished our Childbirth class (and for the record that video we saw was not nearly as gory or frightening as some people tell you)
*We got 2 different quotes on carpet for Alexander's room
*We looked at bookcases & I also picked up a base lamp for his room

30 Week Growth...

How your baby's growing: Your baby's a bit more than 15 1/2 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds. A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and fills out your uterus. Her eyes open and close, she's able to distinguish between light and dark, and she can even follow a light source back and forth. Once she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have a visual acuity of only 20/400 — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. ("Normal" vision in adults is 20/20.)

By this week, your baby's senses are developed to the point where she can taste, touch, see, and hear what's going on around her. She'll also react to stimuli--for instance, if you poke your belly, she may kick or hit back at the spot you've touched. It's exciting to interact with your baby even before she's born. Try rubbing your belly and talking gently to her when she kicks--you may find that you're already able to calm her down.

and about 14 inches in length. She’s also filling out a bit as she continues to gain weight, and these layers of fat help her to appear less wrinkled.

As practice for breathing after birth, your baby is mimicking breathing movements by repeatedly moving her diaphragm in a rhythmic way. This can trigger hiccups if she inadvertently inhales amniotic fluid. A pint and a half of amniotic fluid now surrounds your baby, but that volume decreases as she gets bigger and has less room in your uterus.

Here's what else is happening this week:
*Baby's head continues to grow, and brain growth speeds up even more.
*Baby's hearing is improving; nearly all babies can react (by movement) to sound by this week.

How your life's changing: You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having any trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsy, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, your balance is off and your joints are loosened, thanks to pregnancy hormones. Those loose joints can actually cause your feet to grow a shoe size --permanently.

Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and your hormones may result in a revisit of those ups and downs you felt in the first few months. It's normal to worry about what your labor will be like or whether you'll be a good parent, but if you can't shake the blues or feel increasingly anxious or irritable, talk to your doctor or midwife. You may be among the 10 percent of expectant women who battle mild to moderate depression during their pregnancies.
And if you think you might like some kind of pain relief for labor and delivery, now's a good time to look into your options.

As you grow rounder, you'll find that everyone has an opinion about your pregnancy. You'll hear old wives' tales about gender (if you're carrying low, it's a boy; high, it's a girl), sex (intercourse can cause premature labor), childbirth (pain-relief drugs will harm the baby), and much more. While it's hard to ignore these unsolicited opinions, use your judgment to sort out the myths from the facts. And of course, speak to your health-care professional if you have any real concerns.

At this point, you should be gaining about a pound a week. Since the average weight gain during pregnancy is between 25 to 30 pounds, you may still have about five pounds to go.

By now, you might be dreaming more vividly—these dreams may be related to your concerns about the new baby, your parenting ability (especially if this is your first child) and how life will be changing for your family. It's also normal to have recurrent dreams about childbirth or unexpected experiences with Baby. If you're finding it hard to sleep at night, try taking a catnap during the day to make up for it. If you work during the day, find a break room or safe, quiet place where you can get a little rest.

Look at Him Grow...

I became aware of this new feature through my scrapping gals, Christine & Brittany and I wanted to try it out! Thanks Ladies!

Follow up to Dr. Appt...

I called my Doctor's office today to follow up on my appointment from last Thursday.

Overall, a very good phone call. My results from the glucose test came back normal, however my iron is a bit low. Low iron is completely normal during pregnancy; Nurse K told me that I need to take an iron supplement once a day.

I also inquired about the appointment schedule if I should be coming in every 2 weeks yet and she said "most definitely, we're now at the every 2 weeks timetable". That made me feel much better that I wasn't imagining that conversation with Dr. E during the 25th week appointment. Nurse K scheduled an appointment with Dr. E for next week, and the following appointment is already scheduled.

So all is well...

Childbirth Classes...

Is it next Sunday yet?

Sunday morning was our first session in our childbirth class and the second session is next Sunday. It made me excited to be in the place where Alexander will be born. Yes, I know South Shore is not right down the street...we'll be fine. I'm not at all worried. Don't feel the need to tell us that it's a long distance, we already know and you're only going to add to any potential worry or concern that Dan has. Our childbirth teacher told us that the less worry & anxiety we have about the labor will put us in a better mental place - so no comments on distance!

Dan's thought about the class was "it's a lot of muck & guck & goo but very informative"

Originally, I was really worried yet eager to see how Dan would react and handle all of the information. We all know Dan can be entertaining, and he also doesn't do well when they talk of injecting me or the baby with this or that. I thought that he would be squeamish or goofy. He was none of that (except for one small moment of squirming), I have to say that he did so well I am so proud at how he did. His reaction is contributing to the fact of wanting to go finish the class & I am no longer anxious as to how he'll do during the actual labor. He'll be fantastic, no worries.

He may be a bit neurotic driving to the hospital, but once we get there, he'll be amazing. The only part that I'm worried about is the epidural part, but that's where Alyson will come in to play.

For a 4 1/2 hour class, I feel we covered alot of information. We discussed the different stages of labor, what to expect during each of them, the different techniques to work through them, and what both the mother & the labor partner can do. We ended the day with breathing techniques as well as relaxation techniques. I feel that if we spend 20 minutes a couple times a week practicing them, than we'll do quite well.

The funniest part of the day was when we went around the room and introduced ourselves. Dan explained that we have probably the furthest drive and that he's a Yankee fan. I did mention I was a Red Sox Fan but the best part, for Dan, was that there were 3 other Yankee fans in the room so he was in his element. But quite ironic that 4 people in the class were from NJ & Yankee fans.

There was one moment that I thought we were going to lose it and burst out laughing. When we got onto the floor to work on breathing techniques, someone passed gas and it was quite loud. The couple next to me started to laugh uncontrollably, yet quiet. I originally thought Dan didn't hear it and was happy because I thought that if he did, that he would no doubt start laughing to which I'd laugh right along with him. But I asked him after class, and he said he did but kept focusing on what we were supposed to do - whew!

Next week we have more techniques to learn, the infamous "video", and a tour of the Maternity ward. It's all so exciting! I'm really looking forward to the tour and more techniques.

29 Week Journal...

How far along? 29 wks today (I can't believe how fast this is going by...I think I'm going to miss being pregnant. Well being pregnant if I could get a comfortable night sleep)
Total weight gain/loss: Still only 3 lbs above where I'd like to be, but the doctor says that that's hardly something to worry about because it's all in my belly
Maternity Clothes: Mixture of both maternity & non-maternity shirts & sweaters, but the pants are mainly maternity for comfort sake
"Morning" Sickness: Still quite lucky
Signs of Pregnancy: Back aching, bloody noses, dry skin, occassional Braxton-Hicks Contraction, and recently feeling my stomach stretch
Stretch Marks: a couple on my hip
Sleep: I'm still not sleeping well, but this past week, the times I am sleeping feels to be a bit more solid. I'm not comfortable on my sides and love sleeping on my back, so I try to really minimize the time. I have propped myself up with pillows so I'm not lying flat.
Best moment this week:
*Listening to Alexander's heartbeat for 20 minutes & feeling him move
*Dr Appt check-in - everything is going well (despite the doctor deciding what she wanted to listen to). My blood pressure, growth & weight are very good and his heartrate is perfect.
*Attending the first session of our Chilbirth Class (update to follow...)
Worst moment this week: Not having the doctor listen to me and sending me for a Non-Stress Test (NST) when nothing was wrong. But the positive side is that I did get to spend 20 minutes just listening to his heartbeat and marking his movements - there's nothing wrong with that.
Movement: Started monitoring Fetal Kick Count (10 movements in 1 hour, twice a day) and he well surpasses that. He usually gets to 10+ within 30 minutes, plus he's active throughout the day as well. I think he sleeping time is at night.
Gender prediction: No guessing anymore - it's a BOY - Alexander Christopher
Labor Pains: None
Belly Button in or out? It's still in, but much smaller each week
Wedding rings on or off? On - still a bit loose
What I'm going to miss/What I can't wait for:
Miss: Kicks, movements, listening to his heartbeat, setting up the nursery, reading to Alexander
Can't wait: Our Shower (only 3 weeks away), to see what he looks like, to experience labor, to sleep on my back
Weekly Wisdom:
*Try to attend a childbirth class if you get the chance, it helps put things in perspective and it allows you to know things that can/may take place which can take out the worry & fear.
*Walk and/or stretch so that you can help prepare your body - plus, it just makes the symptoms less annoying
Milestones/Fun Moments:
*Began the new year of which we'll have our first child and become parents
*28 Week Appt complete with a NST
*Listening to his heartbeat for 20 minutes
*Attending our first session Childbirth class
*Started our birth plan & To Do List

29th Week Growth...

How your baby's growing: Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to accommodate his brain — which is busy developing billions of neurons. With this rapid growth, it's no surprise that your baby's nutritional needs reach their peak during this trimester. To keep yourself and him well nourished, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamin C, folic acid, iron, and calcium. (About 200 milligrams of calcium is deposited in your baby's skeleton — which is now hardening — every day.)

For the past six weeks or so, your baby has been listening to your voice (along with the voices of your partner, older children, and anyone else who's been talking to your belly). Speaking to your baby is not only a key part of prenatal bonding, but may also form the basis of language development. Babies who have been spoken to in utero recognize and turn to familiar voices immediately after birth. There may also be links between prenatal stimulation and the development of speech and IQ. Conversely, studies have shown that songbirds hatched from the nests of silent foster parents don't sing.

Now that organ and nerve development is almost complete, your baby will start gaining weight very quickly this week — mostly in the form of body fat. This fat will provide insulation for Baby and will fill out most of the wrinkles in her skin, making her look like a plump, healthy baby.
In addition, Baby's brain continues its important developmental work this week. In fact, it is growing so quickly now, it may cause her flexible skull bones to swell slightly. The folds and fissures of the brain continue to develop, allowing room for important interconnections between nerve cells. During this week, brain wave patterns begin to look like those of a full-term baby.
By this time, your baby may weigh just under three pounds and is a bit less than 14 inches long.
Other important developments in the 29th week include:
*Baby will begin to produce prolactin, a hormone that will help your body produce colostrum. (Colostrum is the first breastmilk you’ll produce and is filled with nutrients and immunity-enhancers.)
*Insistent kicking action will occur as Baby's muscles develop. Later in this trimester, these movements will slow down as Baby gets bigger and the uterus gets more cramped.
*Baby's skeleton will continue to harden.
*Baby's lungs will continue to mature.
*Baby's downy lanugo hair will begin to shed into the amniotic fluid. She may still have some on her body at birth, but this will fall off in the first week or so.
*Toenails will continue to grow.
*Retinas will continue to develop.

How your life's changing:
You should be able to feel your baby's movements strongly now. Pay attention to the kicks and nudges, and let your practitioner know if you ever notice a decrease in activity. She may ask you to do fetal kick counts to make sure everything's okay.Some old friends — heartburn and constipation — may take center stage again. The pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation, coupled with the crowding in your abdomen, slows your digestive process, which can cause gas, especially after a big meal. Another problem you can credit to your growing uterus (and constipation) is hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids — which are simply swollen blood vessels in your rectal area — are very common during pregnancy and usually clear up soon after delivery. If they're itchy or painful, try soaking in a sitz bath and applying a hot pad or cold compresses medicated with a little witch hazel to the affected area. Also avoid sitting or standing for long stretches.
Talk with your practitioner before using any over-the counter remedies during pregnancy, and let her know if you have any rectal bleeding. To prevent constipation, eat a high-fiber diet, drink plenty of water, and get some regular exercise.A small number of women get something called "supine hypotensive syndrome" during pregnancy. When they lie on their backs, they get a change in heart rate and blood pressure that makes them feel dizzy until they change position. You might note that you get dizzy if you stand up too quickly, too. To avoid getting the spins, move slowly as you go from lying down to sitting and then standing.

Most parents-to-be attend childbirth classes sometime during the third trimester. The concept behind these classes is that you will be more relaxed and confident during labor if you're well prepared. These classes are also a great way to meet other expectant parents and make contacts for baby playgroups.
Most hospitals and birthing centers offer childbirth classes; your midwife or obstetrician can also recommend classes in your area. Look for an experienced and personable educator with good references, a small class size, and a variety of teaching aids such as lectures, tours of the birthing facility, and videos of a variety of birth experiences. It's often tempting to skip video night, which can be a little too graphic for comfort. But you'll find that the videos are quite reassuring, if only because they take the mystery out of the childbirth procedure and show you that the results--those beautiful babies--are well worth the effort.

Your overall weight gain by this week should be between 19 and 25 pounds, and your diet becomes even more important as your baby's nutritional needs peak. To keep Baby on track, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamin C, folic acid, iron, and calcium (about 200 milligrams of calcium is deposited in your baby's skeleton every day).
Because Baby's brain is developing so fast now, adequate protein intake is essential. Dairy products, meat, fish, chicken, beans and tofu are good protein sources.
The normal side effects of pregnancy may peak now—itchy skin (a result of hormones and stretching skin), hemorrhoids, breathlessness, fatigue, aching muscles, heartburn and leg cramps. Leg cramps occur, usually at night, in the second or third trimester. While their exact cause is unknown, they may be linked to fatigue, pressure of the uterus on the nerves in the legs, and by inadequate calcium intake.

28 Week Belly & Silhoutte...

Here are some quick shots of the growing belly and another silhoutte drawing done by daddy! These were taken on Monday January 1st, 2007 - when we hit our 28 Week mark. Pardon the expression, it was late after a day of cleaning...



Here's the 2nd drawing Dan did of my growing belly at 28 Weeks. I'm not exactly sure what we'll do with them, but they're so much fun to have & see the changes.

This is a picture of the comparsion between Week 20 (on the right) & Week 28 - definitely some growth!

The Next Phase...

Move over holidays, Operation: Baby Alexander is taking over.

Now that the holidays have come and gone, it's now time to switch gears to baby organizing. And January is going to be quite a busy month in that department.

We have our childbirth class which is two sessions during the first half of January, then we have our shower on January 28th, and of course we still have to finish his room. We have to order & have installed carpet, assemble the furniture, hang curtains, put up his shelves & wall hangings, and get a new light fixture. There's also the matter of finishing Dan's closet in our room.

I'm getting excited with the thought of finishing his room and putting away his wardrobe, and putting the finishing details on his room.

I'm looking forward to January because that means we're one step closer to Alexander's arrival and as someone who doesn't like surpries, I'm getting antsy. But, this is one surprise, I'm definitely okay to wait until the time is right!

I think I'm pregnant...

Over the past 12 hours, I have definitely felt as though I may be pregnant. Shhhhhh...

Obviously, I know I'm pregnant and it's no longer a secret but man, today was the first day all pregnancy where I "felt" pregnant. I felt my stomach stretch throughout the entire day, I was uncomfortable in my own skin, I was hot, I was having trouble breathing.

Ahh the wonderment & joys of pregnancy.

I have to say that I've been blessed if today was the first day of "feeling" pregnant. I hope it was a fluke thing and it doesn't last the remaining months. Otherwise, Dan may want to stay at Steve's place - for his own sanity & safety. (Just kidding)

But in happier news, I believe I found the coming home outfit for Alexander. As soon as I saw it, I fell in love with it. And the best part is I already have a one-piece & newborn hat that will match it *perfectly*

Isn't it precious? It looks so warm & cozy that I want one for myself, even though I'm positive I wouldn't look nearly as cute as he will.

Dr Appt Update...

Today was my 28 wk appointment along with my glucose test. The glucose test is where one has to drink this orange "drink" & then they draw blood to test my blood for sugar levels & gestational diabetes. You have to time it correctly otherwise you have to do the test again. You have to drink the orange "drink" within 10 minutes and then from the time you finish, you have to make sure that you have your blood drawn an hour after.
The drink wasn't necessarily has bad as I anticipated. I anticpated drinking soda-like syrup but it was like drinking orange soda with a different after-taste. The first few minutes were fine, but it was sugary. Then as I was finishing up, I didn't feel that great. I was getting a headache and felt as if I had an entire 2 liter bottle of soda.
I got to my doctor's office with 10 minutes before 11am which was when I had to have my blood drawn, and when the technician called me in, that part was the easiest of the day.

I'm called in for my appointment with the doctor (this time I saw Dr. J as Dr. E was on vacation this week). The nurse checks blood pressure & weight which are both good, no complaints. I sit on the table and wait for the doctor. She comes in about 15 minutes later (why they schedule times is beyond me). She says that she's happy with my weight & blood pressure. She measures my belly and says that the measurement is perfect for 28 weeks. I ask if she can tell where his head is and she feels around and says that how he's positioned makes it difficult to tell. She listens to his heartbeat and says he's around 140s which is fantastic.

She asks how I've been feeling and how the baby is. And this is where the appointment began the LONG phase. I told her, conversationally - not in panic-mode, that I've noticed that the baby's movement pattern has seemed to changed from being very active at night to being very active during the day. He even kicked as she was listening to his heartbeat. I told her that he's still active just not necessarily at night. So she looked at me and said "well we need to send you to Biocare for a Non-Stress Test". I explained that he is still active, but she said that the NST (non-stress test) will only take 20 minutes. She wrote it on my sheet so now there's no turning back. She told me to come back in 4 weeks. And then we were done. Umm, okay. I asked about 4 weeks because Dr E told me every 2 now. Dr. J said "no 4 is good because everything looks great". Ummmmmm...

I'm now at checkout and we schedule the next appointment for 32 weeks. I still feel as though it should be every 2 weeks - Dr E said it would be and every book, article, or online says it would be every 2 weeks beginning with week 28. I think I'll call the office on Monday when Dr. E is back and play "dumb". I digress. The woman then calls Biocare to tell them that she's sending me over for a NST for decreased fetal movement. They put her on hold (afterall, it's now lunch time). I explained to the woman that there is no decreased fetal movement just a change in pattern and she said that the doctor ordered it so now there's nothing that we can do.

They ask what I had for breakfast, I replied with oatmeal and milk. She then sends me over to Biocare after telling me that it's going to be a wait. Yeah, I figured with it well being into the lunch hour and all...

I check in at Biocare and the nurse asks me about decreased fetal movement and when the last time I felt the baby move. I explained to her that I was merely telling the doctor about what I believed to be a change in his moving pattern but he's still quite active, in fact he was kicking up a storm as I was telling the nurse. She asked about the oatmeal, and I explained that the baby is moving quite often. And then she finally gets it and asks which doctor ordered the NST and I tell her Dr. J. She nods her head and tells me to take a seat. I was annoyed with having to wait but I did keep thinking that well at least I'll get to spend 20+ minutes just listening to Alexander without being worried that something was wrong.

(Mom - remember how you were hearing a heartbeat when you guys were in the waiting room at Biocare, well that would have been me today...)

They finally call me in and I have to explain the whole situation again to the technician. At first she seemed really annoyed that I was interrupting her lunch. I told her that I told many people that he's quite active so I didn't think this was a huge necessity. She strapped me up to the machine and told me to recline back. She put the monitors on and once she found his heartbeat she handed me a clicker that I was to push every time I felt him move. The rule of fetal movement is that you should do a fetal kick count 2-3 times a day and look for 10 movements in an hour. Keep that in mind: 10 movements in 1 hour.

She left me to relax in the chair and listen to the baby's heartbeat. This picture on the right is one I took with my phone looking down on my belly. I did it fairly quickly because I didn't want to get in trouble. I was getting hungry because afterall I couldn't eat or drink anything since 10am and it's now past lunch time, so I was suprised that he was as active as he was without food. But, oh was he active. She came in to check on me a couple times and commented that he was an active baby. Yes, I know! :) Watching the screen, I would say that his heartbeat averages anywhere from 140-145 and it sounds very strong & consistent (as shown on the left). With 10 minutes left, she came in again to check on me and said that everything looks great but I still have 10 or so minutes to go. By this point, I'm so relaxed that the heartbeat is putting me to sleep as I recline. I looked at the slip coming out of the machine and decided to count how many movements there were.

Any guesses??? C'mon - anyone???

Yup - our active little baby had 50 (FIFTY) movements in 20 minutes. And what was the target, right - 10 movements in One hour. Yeah, I don't think our little baby has any problems moving. She came in at the end and looked at the markers, and she said with a little chuckle well just remember that any comments you make about movement, you'll find yourself right here in this chair. I'll have to remember that.

It wasn't a bad thing to sit there and listen to him at all, and it was very nice and peaceful. But I think if the doctor just listened to what I said rather than immediately making a decision, we could have saved everyone some time today. I ended up spending a good portion at the doctor's office when it should have been a very quick check in. Oh well - I just look at it as quality time with the baby.

We'll see what (& when) the next appointment brings... but all in all things are GREAT.

Happy 2007...

Another year as come & gone, and it's now time to ring in a new year. Seeing as how I'm one person that doesn't really make resolutions, I'm more under the belief that trying to be a better person and living your life to the best of your ability are just things that you should try to do anyway.

This coming year will bring new challenges, and fun moments. Not only this year, but this month alone has a lot of things going on! We have our childbirth classes, my Grandfather's Memorial dinner, and then our baby shower on January 28th. I'm quite looking forward to all of the changes that we're about to go through. Plus I've waited over half of my life to be a Mom, so I really can't wait for the new little bundle to arrive.

This past weekend rounded out the 2006 Holiday Season and it was jam-packed - which is what I felt 2006 was. So at least we're consistent. Pack up the Holidays, bring on the baby. At least that's been my internal motto since Sunday.

On Sunday (New Years Eve), I started to clean the house and gather Christmas decorations to make it easier to switch from Christmas gear to 'normal'. We also had plans to go over friend's house for dinner. It was very, very, very hard to actually get up the motivation to shower & go to their house, but Dan REALLY wanted to go. However, I had warned Dan ahead of time that I probably wouldn't make it til midnight, so we were there for a few hours and then headed home. We got home around 11pm, with just enough time to take some traditional New Years Eve pictures, watch Dick Clark (poor guy), and toast the New Year and then I headed to bed. Dan was sweet and got me some sparkling cider while he had a mini bottle of champagne to toast. It was a nice New Years Eve - able to see friends, but still able to be home & in my pjs for midnight! Then yesterday was the day from Productivity! I cleaned the majority of our house, did all the laundry, put away all the decorations, and our house looks & feels normal again. But it was such a NICE feeling to not have to leave the house!

Here is the link to the rest of our mellow New Years Eve pictures:
New Year Eve

I hope everyone had a very nice, safe & relaxing New Years Eve - and that the upcoming year is a great one for you!

(I apologize if this is redundant for some...)

28 Week Journal...

How far along? 28 wks today
Total weight gain/loss: 22.6 lbs which is only approximately 3 lbs above where the target was so I'm not that far off at all.
Maternity Clothes: Mixture of both maternity & non-maternity shirts & sweaters, but the pants are mainly maternity for comfort sake
"Morning" Sickness: Nothing in a long time - I'm very lucky
Signs of Pregnancy: My back is now constantly in a state of "ache", Lack of sleep, dry skin, nose congestion & bloody noses, occassional Braxton Hicks contractions, the sciatica has gone away (fingers crossed)
Stretch Marks: a couple on my hip
Sleep: I don't sleep well at all - I'm always waking up a few times a night due to being uncomfortable but if this is my only complaint than we're doing VERY WELL!
Best moment this week:*Another Christmas has come & gone and this is the last time we will be just a couple. *Alexander continues to move and he's definitely started to develop patterns.
Worst moment this week:*Sleeping & the nosebleeds
Movement: He has patterns, but definitely moves quite often
Gender prediction: No guessing anymore - it's a BOY - Alexander Christopher
Labor Pains: No Labor pains, but I am experiencing Braxton Hicks Contractions randomly - Dan, you should post your Braxton Hicks joke.
Belly Button in or out? It's still an innie and I'm surprised it hasn't popped out yet, but it is getting smaller
Wedding rings on or off? On - still a bit loose
Weekly Wisdom: *
Milestones/Fun Moments: Visiting Family & Friends on Christmas Eve, Christmas, Spaulding Family Christmas & ringing in New Years Eve

28 Week Growth...

How your baby's growing:
By this week, your baby weighs a little over 2 pounds and measures about 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can open her eyes — which now sport lashes — and she'll turn her head toward a continuous, bright light from the outside. Her fat layers are beginning to form, too, as she gets ready for life outside the womb.

It's a busy time for your little one. His movements will increase from now until around week 32, when he'll start running out of room to roam. (He'll keep moving after that, but it will feel more like wiggling compared to the sharp kicks you may be experiencing now.) He's also growing strong--and long! He measures about 14 inches from head to toe, and weighs roughly 3 pounds. Your doctor will keep track of his growth by placing her hands on your belly to measure the size of your uterus, also known as fundal height.

This week marks an important milestone for Baby's brain development. Until now, the surface of your baby's developing brain was smooth. During this week, Baby's brain begins to form its characteristic grooves and indentations, allowing the brain’s surface to expand while it develops within Baby's tiny skull.
At about two pounds four ounces and 13.8 inches from head to toe, your baby has certainly come a long way!
Other important developmental advances continue as well:
*Baby will continue to add layers of fat under her skin, and will get plumper with each passing day.
*Hair on Baby's head will continue to grow.
*A boy's testes are usually completely descended into the scrotum by this point.
*Baby's lungs are now capable of breathing air.

How your life's changing:
You're in the home stretch! The third trimester starts this week and lasts until 40 weeks. If you're like most women, you'll gain about 11 pounds this trimester.

You've mastered morning sickness and gotten off the hormonal roller coaster, but now the physical symptoms of pregnancy are taking their toll. And no wonder--your uterus, which normally weighs about 2 ounces and holds less than half an ounce of liquid, has expanded to house your baby, the placenta, and a quart of amniotic fluid. Most of the symptoms of late pregnancy are related to uterine enlargement, including back pain, swelling of the feet and ankles, varicose veins, high blood pressure, heartburn, hemorrhoids, itchy skin, and reflux.

By week 28, your uterus is about three inches above your belly button. Your weight gain may range from about 17 to 24 pounds.
Starting now, you'll probably be visiting your doctor every other week instead of every month. At your next appointment, your doctor may be able to tell you how your baby is positioned in the womb.
Ideally, soon you will feel her settle with her head pointed down toward your cervix — a sensation called "lightening." If you feel the baby's head pushing against your cervix, he or she is probably in the proper head-first position for delivery. Babies in a head-up or breech position during labor may need to be delivered by cesarean section if the doctor can't turn them around.
However, don't be alarmed at a breech presentation at this point – it's not that unusual for Baby to be in a breech position at this point. She still has two months to change position, which most babies do.

Do your legs feel creepy-crawly at night? Tingling in your lower legs and an irresistible urge to move them is known as restless legs syndrome (RLS), and it can make it hard to relax when you're settling in. No one knows what causes RLS, but it's common among pregnant women. Try cutting down on caffeine, which can make the symptoms worse, and massage your calves when they feel tense. Some studies also show that taking iron supplements helps ease your discomfort. At this point, you may visit your doctor or midwife every two weeks; then, at 36 weeks, you'll switch to weekly visits. Depending upon your risk factors, your practitioner may recommend repeating blood tests for HIV and syphilis, plus cultures for chlamydia and gonorrhea during your third trimester, to be certain of your status before delivery. (Identifying and treating these infections is crucial for your health and your baby's.) And if the blood work done at your first prenatal visit showed that you're Rh negative, you'll receive an injection of Rh immunoglobulin to prevent your body from developing antibodies that could attack your baby's blood. (No worries, I'm not Rh negative). If your baby's biological father is also Rh negative, the shot isn't necessary, but most practitioners will do it routinely rather than test the father. (You'll receive another shot of Rh immunoglobulin after you give birth if your baby is Rh positive.)