The 35:35 of pregnancy!

Pics taken at 35 weeks

1. How far along? 35 wks (this means I am 35 weeks and have 35 days left to go!!)
2. Maternity clothes? maternity clothing
3. Stretch marks?still none, feeling very lucky
4. Sleep?hmm, well, let's just say that I have some knots in my back and they prevent me form getting comfy...then I just tend to wake up at 5:30 for no reason...it's all good though, I look at is as preparation for when baby girl arrives...there probably will be little to no sleep!
5. Best moment last week?  Multiple baby showers!  I will have to post on this when I get a chance and get things nestled into her room...but each of our works and also a friends/family one that was planned out!
6. Movement?still alien baby...maybe even worse if possible...it's is crazy when I lay on my side on the couch and look down...I literally think I see the outline of her foot push up and then graze my belly, then disappear...hopefully these are just her love kicks and not saying something like "mommy, I hate that Cinnabon you just fed me!"
7. Symptoms? linea negra,swelling in ankles and some in hands -->getting harder to wear my rings :(, Braxton Hicks are back in effect, back issues (hoping a massage on Saturday will fix this!)
8. Gender? Baby girl...Kensington!!
9. Labor signs? other than my Braxton Hicks...no real labor signs
10. Belly button in/out? Out...
11. What I miss?  seeing my feet while standing and looking down, laying around comfortably, being able to give myself a pedicure, shaving my legs with ease (when you get that big belly in the way, it makes things a lot harder!)
12. Looking forward to? getting to see family again this coming weekend as we celebrate my cousin's sons' 1st birthday!  Oh and little Matthew is THE cutest!!  Can't wait to spoil him!
13. What's going on with Baby A? (from www.thebump.com)

Growing, growing, growing. Yup, baby and you. You’ve reached 35 weeks, and your uterus has grown about 1,000 times its original size, a number that might sound exaggerated to everyone else -- but to you it probably feels more like a million. You can expect to gain about a half-pound a week before birth, and baby’s beefing up, too. At 35 weeks, some moms-to-be feel like they have a ton of stuff left to do before baby’s arrival. Others can barely wait for baby to make his debut. Either way, try not to stress. Baby will show up when he’s ready, and he won’t care if you haven’t checked every little detail off your list.

Your baby's the size of a butternut squash! 

He's about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. From here on out, he won't get much longer, but he's plumping up. He's now about 4.2 to 5.8 pounds, and he'll put on a pound or more of baby fat before birth.

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your baby at 35 weeks

• Now, his hearing is fully developed, and he responds best to high-pitched noises.
• If it's a boy, his testes have probably fully descended.

34 weeks! Getting closer!!

Pics taken at 34 weeks

1. How far along? 34 wks
2. Maternity clothes? maternity clothing
3. Stretch marks? not one, thankfully!
4. Sleep? with being sick ALL last week, a few problems, but only since I was sick...couldn't breathe and was coughing...
5. Best moment last week?having hubby cuddle me and rub my back when I had a mini-melt down on Sunday morning...I was feeling horrible and he made me feel like everything would be ok...he is the bestest!
6. Movement? not as many big jabs and kicks (I am sure she is running out of room)...but more the "alien in my belly" look as she maneuvers around and I feel like I can see her every movement!
7. Symptoms? since I was mostly laying around all last week, not as many issues....linea negra,
8. Gender? Baby girl...Kensington!!
9. Labor signs? not yet...
10. Belly button in/out? Out...
11. What I miss?being well...nothing like being a sick preggo lady...I can't really take any meds or prefer to not take anything since I don't want her to get the effects either...so I have been sturggling with a cold for a week now...SOOOO much rest, oj, water and healthy foods like soups and stuff...I am getting there...s.l.o.w.l.y....
12. Looking forward to? THE BABY SHOWER!!!  This coming Saturday with a bunch of friends and family!  Should be really fun since we are having a co-ed shower!  Hubby gets to enjoy all the fun too!
13. What's going on with Baby A? (from www.thebump.com)

your baby at 34 weeks

• He's recognizing and reacting to simple songs, if you're singing them. (If you're not, start! He may find them soothing after birth.)
• He's also urinating about a pint a day.

Endless Support

Since this baby girl is coming in less than 2 months now, hubby and I have been through 3 out of 5 of our Lamaze classes.

I will have to say that being in a class vs. seeing/reading about what actually goes on is quite a difference

I think I have learned SO much in just 3 classes that I could tackle the world if need be...it's that serious!  The preparedness that we BOTH feel is immeasurable.  I can think back to before classes and we were both pretty set on me having to get an epidural for pain...but, after going through 3 classes and hearing about the natural laboring/birthing processes, we are both changed minds.

That's right, we are trying our best for a low intervention birth!

(holy cow, did I really just write that?!?)

It may seem crazy to some, but after learning that my body truly knows what to do and when to do it, and living through painful menstrual cramps, playing vball for ~3 hours with a broken finger, and countless other painful moments in life...I think my body can handle this.  The main reason I know/am confident in this is...

my amazing husband.

He told me last night as class was letting out that he has no doubt in his mind that we can do this naturally and without any help from medications.

That's right..."WE".

This birthing process is not all on me, hubby has been learning every trick in the book in order to keep me focused, calm, and as relaxed as possible on the whole process...and he has been so supportive thus far.  It really puts my mind at ease knowing that he backs me 100%...nothing better than having a supportive partner seeing this process through with you...

It might also be nice that my Lamaze instructor exclaimed "You plan to do a low intervention birth, right?" last night as we stayed behind to get a few questions answered...she said after taking one look at my long, lean, slender body (minus that baby bump exploding off the front of me) and she knows I have played Division I volleyball and endured through so much with that...she also has 100% belief in us making it through a natural, low intervention birth as well.  And she has been a doula, Lamaze instructor for over 25 years!

I guess I should trust in those around me as well as the thoughts in my own head, since I feel the same way too!

At the same time, I am not completely rejecting anything and know that I need to keep a clear, open mind about this process in case something happens to go awry and it is necessary to stray from our plan for a low intervention birth...I think in doing this and keeping my mind open to all the "tools in my hospital bag", that the entire process will be an amazing journey.

Still, I can't wait to hold sweet baby Kensington on my chest after delivery and see her sweet face!

Only 7 weeks left...33 weeks officially!

Pics taken at 33 weeks

1. How far along? 33 wks
2. Maternity clothes? maternity clothing
3. Stretch marks? still no :)
4. Sleep?no problems here...I will swear it's the wonderful Tempur pedic pillow my sister-in-law got me!
5. Best moment last week? spending this past long weekend doing NOTHING (well, until Monday when hubby was working and I washed clothing ALL day and got the house cleaned up)
6. Movement?  she moves so much/all the time that I would almost swear she is taking 5 hour energy shots or Red Bull for all that energy!
7. Symptoms? linea negra, upper back pain,  pelvic pressure,some swelling although not as bad as before
8. Gender? Baby girl...Kensington!!
9. Labor signs? not yet...
10. Belly button in/out? Out...yea, it's way out
11. What I miss? this may sound weird, but wearing socks with my shoes...I have slip ons and boots that I wear, but to prevent/minimize swelling I have to forgo the socks that now cut off circulation to my feet...yowza!
12. Looking forward to?infant/child CPR class on Thursday night...one more thing to better prepare us for parenthood and any possible crazy mishaps that may occur
13. What's going on with Baby A? (from www.thebump.com)

Baby's now the size of a honeydew!
Things are heating up inside as well: Baby may grow up to a full inch this week alone, and his brain is developing like crazy. Pretty soon, he'll be able to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing. Also, his bones are hardening, and he's started to keep his eyes open when he's awake.

32 weeks, 8 more weeks to go!

Pics taken at 32 weeks, 1 day

1. How far along? 32 wks, 1 day
2. Maternity clothes? maternity clothing
3. Stretch marks? still no :)
4. Sleep? sleeping peacefully still!
5. Best moment last week? starting lamaze class and learning so much and also going to Baltimore this past weekend and having a bunch of friends actually feel Kensington kicking/punching away!
6. Movement? almost all the time!Still getting hiccups every once in a while
7. Symptoms? linea negra, upper back pain, dreams, pelvic pressure, Braxton Hicks contractions...AND we have started to have swelling in my feet and sometimes hands after long days at work... :(
8. Gender? Baby girl...Kensington!!
9. Labor signs? nothing!
10. Belly button in/out?  it's out there!
11. What I miss?  Being able to go about my day and not have to prop my feet up or take it easy to reduce/eliminate swelling
12. Looking forward to? Lamaze class...hospital tour...actually getting our stroller and car seat from the store we purchased from back before Christmas!
13. What's going on with Baby A? (from www.thebump.com)

your baby at 32 weeks

• She's getting ready for her descent -- she's likely in the head-down position now.
• And she's probably feeling a even more cramped.

 

Baltimore Trip!

A couple we know lives in Baltimore now and we went up for a visit with some other friends this passed weekend.  Lucky for us, the weather was warmer and more bearable as we walked the streets!

(especially for me since my winter coat no longer zips up the front!)

My husband and I arrived around 9 Friday night and stayed up talking and catching up with our friends til almost 2 am!  The next morning after a lovely pumpkin pancake breakfast we headed off in search of some cute shops...and naturally went into a baby store.  They had the cutest clothes and shoes and bows...I had to leave before I got caught up in all of it!

We made it to lunch at a Mexican place which had awesome chips and salsa.  I ordered a burrito which was pretty great too!  Stuffed, we walked around some more and made it back to relax and refresh before our other friends arrived.

Once the rest of the gang arrived we headed out to get more of a feel of Baltimore and went through a market that sold Berger cookies.  Now, my first though when I heard "burger" was a meat cookie...not too appealing...but these bad boys were a rich fudgy chocolate slathered on a cookie that wasn't too sweet to balance it all out...it.was.amazing!

If I could have bought a ton of them, I may have eaten them til I was sick...
That's how good they were!

We also stopped in at a bar for a drink or two (well, water for me) and to chit chat some more before we headed back to the apartment and got ready for our dinner reservation...at Sticky Rice!!  I love sushi and hadn't had any since my birthday, so this was a treat!

We hopped over to a bar afterwards and finally made it back to the apartment for Cranium and other games...I hit the hay around 1am, but apparently most others were up much later!

The morning was a slow start for all as we crept outta bed around 11:30...another amazing breakfast, packing and on the road around 2pm to head home.

We had such a great time and I can't wait for another trip!

 walking the streets

BABY SHOES IN CUTE BOXES!

The couple who hosted us

Erin!

Couple friends all being in love...so cute!

Gotcha Ben!

 Boys...being boys!

Striking a pose...

We love Baltimore!

House Projects before the New Year

With a week off from work for both my husband and I, we dove into some house projects we had been meaning to get done before baby girl arrives!

We ended up tiling and re-painting our guest bathroom and adding some light fixtures to 3 different ceiling fans to add more lighting to those rooms.

I will say that the bathroom turned out wonderfully and we are both really thrilled with the end product!

Here are some before and after shots...what do you think?

BEFORE...

DURING...

AFTER...

New Year and resolution

This New Year was very low key compared to past celebrations.

We went out to dinner with a few friends at a Thai restaurant we had never been to before...The food was phenomenal, and I would definitely go back.  Luckily I had leftovers since my stomach can't hold as much as it used to with this baby girl taking up more room each day!

We then all strolled down the street to see the lights, sounds and crazy people walking around.  It was nuts!  We headed back towards our cars and our friends decided to get some dessert for later at Sweet Frog.  If you have never been to one of these places, you must try!  So many flavors and every possible topping...delicious!

My husband and I headed back home to watch some tv and wait up for the New Year to roll in...I wasn't sure I would make it-but I did!

Got my New Year's kiss and then passed out in bed...

I am such a party animal!

Christmas Celebrations

I always love Christmastime spent with family.

My husband and I always have multiple Christmas celebrations, one with my family, one with his and occasionally one of our own :)

This year we had a mini-celebration with his family earlier on since his sister and her boyfriend were in town from London!  We were both SO excited they were able to come back over since they had just been here for Thanksgiving!!  That was present enough for me :)

It was nice to see them trim the tree and decorate and then to sit around and hang out with one another.  I was thrilled to get a wonderful tempurpedic pillow...this thing puts me to sleep and keeps me asleep!  I can't say enough good things about it, but for a 7+month pregnant woman, this thing is amazing!

We then bustled over to Massanutten to meet up with my family at a house my parents found and rented for the weekend.  Getting to see my sister's kids is always fun.  They are exploding with energy and luckily my husband is always willing to help waste some of it and keep them occupied.  I can really tell they love their uncle :)

We had planned to go to the indoor water park and spent much of one day there.  I spent most of my time on the lazy river and the pool part, just sitting and relaxing.  It was very nice!  Of course I did miss not being able to go on the slides and tube rides, and of course the adult hot tub which was really hot (according to my mom).

The next day was Christmas and my husband and I may have been first awake around 5:45...actually he woke me up and was so excited.  Did I mention how adorable he is?

We had to wait til almost 7:30 for the kids to get up and outta bed and creep downstairs to see what Santa had brought.  They were both really cute and barely awake as they gazed upon to gifts.

We spent the rest of the morning opening gifts and looking through stockings and saying thanks for all the wonderful things.  Then it was on to cooking!  We had a wonderful meal that filled us all up and gave us tons of energy for the afternoon-which was good since we went to the arcade.  We were going to go tubing down the slopes, but it had been SO warm, that we figured it wasn't worth it-plus the kids (and us adults) always enjoy the arcade.

We wrapped things up Monday morning and headed back home where my husband and I went to his parents house to spend more time with his family, especially since his sister and her boyfriend were leaving out on Wednesday.

We planned to go to the movies to see the Sherlock Holmes movie Monday evening and went to Cinebistro-really loved the movie!

His sister and her boyfriend stayed the night with us and ended up finishing up the tiling work in our guest bathroom the next morning before the Harlequins rugby game came on...their favorite team!

It was fun to watch rugby and to get to learn more of the rules and afterwards they headed back home.

All in all, I would say we had a very nice Christmas!

I Promise to Catch up...

...sometime in the near future!

Life has been crazy with the Christmas Holiday, New Year and getting back to work...not to mention a bunch of house projects and getting things decided about day care and pediatricians and the like...not to mention starting Lamaze class and other baby preparatory things!

So, I haven't been totally ignoring my blog

I LOVE my blog and being able to write things and express, especially so I can look back on it and remember all the good, bad and in between.

So, eventually I will get to posting about Christmas, New Year, house projects and everything else going on...

But, don't hold your breath...we are travelling this weekend and time before then is pretty short.

Hope everyone had a great new year, I know I enjoyed mine (and stayed up to kiss the hubby too!!) and kicking in my belly Kensi has been good so far this year...still can't wait for March to get here!

31 weeks 1 day...9 weeks/62 days to go!!

Pics taken at 31 weeks, 1 day

1. How far along? 31 wks, 1 day
2. Maternity clothes? maternity clothing
3. Stretch marks? still no :)
4. Sleep? sleeping peacefully still!
5. Best moment last week? can I just say the whole week...being able to spend time off from work with my husband and do house projects or watch tv all day...glorious!
6. Movement? still crazy in there, more hiccups too
7. Symptoms? linea negra, upper back pain, crazy dreams, pelvic pressure, first Braxton Hicks contractions
8. Gender? Baby girl...Kensington!!
9. Labor signs? nothing!
10. Belly button in/out?who am I kidding, it's out there!
11. What I miss?being off from work...first day back today, so I did have Monday off too which was nice!
12. Looking forward to?we start Lamaze class TONIGHT!  Excited to see other pregnant women and learn more about what is going on with me and this baby girl!
13. What's going on with Baby A? (from www.thebump.com)

your baby at 31 weeks

• He's going through major brain and nerve development.
• Eye development, too. His irises now react to light!
• All five of his senses are in working order.