Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

4.29.2009

He's getting Squashed!

Baby’s energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. (Have those kicks and jabs to the ribs tipped you off yet?) Baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though -- as you’ve also probably noticed -- they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments.

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) 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 make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

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I know I'm a few days late updating, sorry Mom. You can quite harassing me now!

Anyway, 29 weeks. Baby is approximately the size of a squash and he's growing fast meaning he is starting to feel squashed in there. He has been really active lately and I feel him rolling around more than I feel actual kicks. Some of them are starting to hurt a little too!

We ordered our crib last weekend and we are going with Jimmy's mom to get the dresser this weekend, so two big purchases have check marks, yea!!! We're pretty much done registering I think. Well I am, I did it all online. I want to take Jimmy with me this weekend to do a walk through at the store to get any little extras. We've registered for most things at Target and a few little things at Babies R Us. It's amazing how much these little people require...

I think Jace scared Jimmy this morning. He had his arm around my belly when we were laying in bed and Jace was wiggling around. I didn't say anything because I was waiting for him to react and it took him a while. Jace kicked REALLY hard and Jimmy goes, "Was that him?" I was like no, my stomach just has convulsions... Yea it was him! He was like, "Wow, that's weird." Yea, tell me about it! He's such a dork.

Anyway, I am apparently having 3 baby showers! I was only planning on two, one work and one family/friend, but I realize the family/friend list was getting a little out of control. Then a friend called and offered to throw one, so now I get to have one work, one friend, and one family. Friend shower will be on 5/30, Family shower will be on 6/6, and I can't remember what day we talked about doing the work one...

Anywho, here is this week's pic. I was informed this morning that it's time to go shopping... apparently my maternity clothes are getting too tight... And if one more person tells me that I look like I'm ready to pop I'm going to punch them. I have two more months people! I am a short little person, I have a small little torso... he has no where to go but out. Leave me and my big stomach alone!!!

4.22.2009

The Waver

When we first moved to the Valley in December of 2005, Jimmy and I both got jobs in the East Valley. Problem was, we lived in the Northwest Valley. This led to a fun/long/tedious commute. Part of this commute takes us through Sun City. Sun City is a community in which you have to be 55+ to live in. It's a cute and quaint community that often looks like it is straight out of the 1960s. Driving through Sun City is often slow and tedious but The Waver makes up for it.

I noticed The Waver probably within the first week of our daily commute over three years ago. He seemed so out of place. The Waver is a little old man. Probably at least in his late 70s. He runs (well, run is probably not the right word, but he's walking as quickly as his little legs will take him) down the same side of Olive Road at the same time every morning. And he waves at EVERY SINGLE car that passes him. He always has a smile on his face and looks into every single car.

I think The Waver is an amazing man. Not only is he still jogging when his little body looks like it takes so much effort, but he sees value in acknowledging every single car he passes. It's like he makes his own day better by knowing he has said hi to each person he passed.

Every time I see The Waver I can't help but smile. I wave back. Not sure how many people give him that acknowledgment back, but I like to.

I can only hope that when I'm that age I am still able and motivated enough to drag my butt out of bed, get dressed and run down the side of the road waving at everyone I see. It makes me realize how special that little acknowledgment can make someone feel.

So to you all... I'm waving!

Love you!

4.20.2009

He has a name!

Your baby has started blinking and dreaming while you may be dreaming that the pain in your derriere will disappear!
The good news is your baby is settling into the proper position for birth, with his head facing downward (toward your body's nearest exit!). The potentially painful news is his head — plus the weight of your uterus — may now be sitting on your sciatic nerve, which runs through the lower part of your back, buttocks, and legs. This common condition (called sciatica) can cause sharp, shooting pain and/or tingling or numbness, starting in your rear end and radiating down the backs of your legs. The best thing to do for sciatica? Take it easy — and hope your baby changes position sooner rather than later. And speaking of your little work in progress, he's now about 2.5 pounds and almost 16 inches long. He's busy adding new skills such as blinking to an already impressive repertoire of tricks like coughing, sucking, hiccuping, and taking practice breaths. Your baby's sleep now includes the REM (rapid eye movement) phase — and that means he could be dreaming already (what do you suppose he's dreaming about?). Though his lungs are nearly fully mature (so both of you might breathe a little easier if he were born now), your baby still has plenty of growing to do.

So, I think we are firm on a name. Not that it's really been a debate, but Jimmy is so nonchalant about most things it's been hard to get any type of solid commitment. We were talking to my Mom on Skype on Friday and she asks if we've decided and he kind of does his shrug. And she says, "well, I like Jace." And he looks slightly caught of guard and says, "Jace?" Like he has NEVER heard me mention this as a nickname option. And I kind of give him the side stink eye (because OBVIOUSLY he never listens to me). Mom goes on, "Yea, Jace, like James Scott combined..." And Jimmy goes, "Huh." And since then he's been walking around telling people like it was his brilliant idea. But just for the record, Jace was MY idea and has been rolling around in my head for the last oh... 9 months or so. So boo on my husband for not listening to me, but yea for a name! James Scott... otherwise known as Jace.

So, 28 weeks... settling in to the home stretch. It seems like it's starting to drag but speed by all at the same time. It's a very weird feeling. Jace is rolling around and moving like crazy. Sleeping in is obviously not his idea of fun as he wakes me up at the butt crack of dawn to have a little dance party in my tummy. Not that I don't love it. It's the most bizarre thing I've ever seen/felt.

We went on the hospital tour this weekend. It was fine. I think most facilities are pretty much the same. The rooms seem nice enough and they are all single rooms, so that is nice. The maternity wing is pretty much totally seperate from the rest of the hospital, seperate entrance, everything. It's in the middle of Sun City which lends to the volunteer staff being very "wise" and making for a slow and slightly painful tour, but it was fine. The RN in the post-partum unit we toured looks right at me after her little speil and says, "I'll be seeing some of you very soon, won't I? What about 3 weeks?" I look right at her and say, "No, more like 3 months..." She looked slightly uncomfortable. I don't think I'm that big, but what do I know...

Jimmy's Dad and Suzie have been AWESOME and decided to buy us our crib. This is the one I'm 99% sure we're going with (in this color, Ebony):

Anyway, here is another comparison of the belly from 17-24-28 weeks. It's getting out there!

4.13.2009


This video inspires me. I kind of "know" one of the women in it and she shared it with me today...

I often comtemplate the role of God in my life. I definitely see myself as a spiritual person, but I find myself being a critic of organized religion as a whole. I've been burned a lot by members of organizations who are supposed to be serving God. They've always come across to me as having a holier than though attitude and have sometimes been very judgemental. I also disagree with some of the "requirements" that go along with belonging to a church.

With that said, I think I could use a little more guidance in my life. I want to make sure that the message of God (whoever he or she may be) is not lost on me in my everyday life. I think I will begin looking into some churches near me to see if I can find one that doesn't impose a lot of these "requirements" on me. If I can find one with accepting members who will not judge. I feel like only good can come from finding a church to belong to. We'll see how it goes, but it's been something I've been chewing on for a while.

2/3 DONE!

Week 27:

Puffy? That's to be expected — about 75 percent of soon-to-be moms experience edema (mild swelling of the hands, feet, and ankles) around this point in pregnancy. That's because fluids build up in your body tissues thanks (or no thanks) to increased blood flow and uterine pressure on the vena cava (the large vein that cycles blood from your lower limbs to your heart). So while you may have a hard time squeezing into shoes or getting your rings on (or off), keep in mind that the puff factor is completely normal and temporary. As for baby, it's time to trade in the old crown-to-rump measurement for a new head-to-toe standard (that's 15 inches this week — more than a foot long!). His weight is creeping up the charts as well, coming in at just over two pounds. More big news: Your baby may recognize your voice by now, so feel free to serenade your belly.

He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother him, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Yea, we are 2/3 of the way there people! Wow. It's crazy to think about the end product in all of this. You realize that there is a baby, but I don't think you really REALIZE that there is a baby. Don't know if that makes sense, but it's the best way I can describe it. For me, I'm feeling pretty good. Noticing some mild swelling, but nothing major. My appetite is CONSTANT, but eating large meals is out. My stomach is getting crowded with all that baby in there and I can't eat all that much at once, which means I have to eat a little pretty much constantly. You should see my lunchbox with my daily snacks... it's pretty funny.

Baby is rolling around and moving like crazy. He had a few lazy days last week, but I think it was a growth spurt. The last few days he's been going nuts. You are starting to be able to tell where he is just by looking at my stomach as he sticks his back or butt up and it makes my stomach look all lopsided. Jimmy and I need to get on the ball here soon. I'm thinking next weekend will be a baby weekend. We are going on our hospital tour this coming Saturday and will most likely be signing up for classes through the hospital then. From there I think we will be heading to some baby stores to get serious about registering and picking out the essentials. Jimmy's Dad told us this weekend that they need to know what crib we want as they would like to buy it for us. :) That will help SO SO SO MUCH! So that makes me excited. And hopefully knowing that that is one cost we won't have to cover, Jimmy will be a bit more excited to take all of it in. He sees the prices and any sense of excitement he had goes away. He's such a boy.

Anyway, here is this week's belly pic. Since I can't hold my hand still, it came out a bit artistic, don't ya think...

She's BAAAACK...

LT has been on hiatus for quite a while. She has returned. I walked in this morning and as I sat here waiting for my computer to boot up what do I hear... only the famous LT coming from the other end of the hall... Oh joy!

4.09.2009

I just may explode...

It's been a while since I've had a coworker worth nicknaming and sharing on here. Today I will be introducing you all to CB (short for Crazy Biatch). I contemplated a few other nicknames, but she makes me want to curse so this was the most fitting for the moment. Here's her story. She's our office accountant... late-50s, uber conservative religious lady who LOVES horses. She's divorced and bitter and odd. Normally her oddness is fine and you take it with a grain of salt. The last few days, she's been driving me NUTS and I've honestly thought about stabbing her in the face with a pen, but I digress. Violence really isn't my forte and what good would I be doing my unborn child if I had to give birth in the state pen... so, for now I will put my pen down and vent online.

Most of my anger comes from the fact that I have to teach Accounting 101 to a certified CPA. That just seems wrong, right? I think so. I mean, I know I'm smart, but COME ON! Here's the story. We reconcile our division budget each month. Not rocket science. So I reconciled January with no issues, had to make some transfers, no biggie. Monday I got the reconcilation report from accounting for February. (Yes, I just got it the first week in April... but that's a whole other issue) On this report are two credits. One for $8 and one for $15. Yes, my world is CRASHING down over $23... The issue lies in the fact that I wasn't charged for these on the January report, so I shouldn't be getting a credit. Without boring you with the ridiculousness, it took two days and multiple conversations for me to explain to our ACCOUNTANT that you can't credit me for something I was never charged for and expect me to be able to reconcile the budget correctly. End of story, not complicated, right? Au contraire... it was complicated... and ridiculous... and took her about 800 years to comprehend. I'm thinking of mentioning she may consider retiring, but I might get smacked...

As I'm entering her cube for one of the above said Accounting 101 conversations yesterday, this crazy biatch has the nerve to start the following conversation with me:
CB: You're looking really big lately.
Me: Yea, that's what happens when you're pregnant.
CB: How far along are you now?
Me: Almost 27 weeks.
CB: How much weight have you gained?
Me: That's not a nice thing to ask anyone, much less a pregnant lady...
CB: Why?
Me: Because...
CB: So, your Dr. must have told you you've gained too much.
Me: What? Why?
CB: Well, you obviously don't want to talk about it so it must mean you've gained too much.
Me: No, my Dr. says I'm right on track but thanks.
Me: Can we figure this accounting stuff out now and stop talking about how fat you think I am.
CB: Ok.

Who the EFF has the nerve to have this conversation? She freaking kills me. I can't even comprehend her line of thought. Again, violence was considered.

And this morning. I received a stack of new invoices from our ad agency yesterday. Process is to make sure accounting touches everything before we do anything with it. Accountability, right? What if I were to take a stack of invoices and lose them... not something I want hanging over my head. Rather have someone out there who knows I have the invoices who can follow up if they aren't processed in a timely manner, etc. Well, accounting is apparently too busy (aka lazy) to do their job and they don't want to code the invoices accordingly, therefore CB claims they can't do anything with them until I code them. I still give them to her first before I code them so she knows they've been received. Every month we have the SAME conversation about this. It goes no where.

I freaking hate you right now CB. I recommend not speaking to me for the next week or so. Or forever. That might be better. For your saftey.

4.08.2009

Getting there...

26 Weeks.
The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

So what's going on with me this week... I'm eating lots of fruit. Trying to get veggies in there too, but you know how I am. I'm LOVING apple juice right now. And strawberries, but those are usually accompanied by vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup... yum! Physically I feel pretty good. Still having problems with my eyes. It's really, really annoying and makes me realize glasses would have been a better investment this year than the year supply of contacts... oh well. Hind sight is 20/20... haha. Sleeping is becoming a serious challenge and I am limited to my sides and have to rotate numerous times each night because it starts to hurt my hip and shoulders. Ah, the joys. I wake Jimmy up and he gets grumpy about it... :)

I think we've got a shower date set for the shower my mother in law is throwing me here in Phoenix. I'm pretty sure it will be the first Saturday in June. Ah! I need to get Jimmy on the ball so we can get serious about registering and about buying the big stuff like furniture, stroller, and all that good fun expensive stuff we need. Our arsenal is still limited to the bouncer we got which is set up and ready to go by the way. :)

Anyway, here is this week's pic. 26 Weeks on the dot.

4.06.2009

And the countdown begins...

As of today, I have

99

days left.

Holy Moly!

4.03.2009

Another dream to analyze...

I've told you all about my interesting dreams before. I have another one to add to the list.

Last night I had a dream that I was pulling out my teeth. It was gross or anything, I was just sitting on the floor indian style wiggling my tooth until it came loose and then examining it. Not sure for what. It was a lot weird and when I woke up, I was a little freaked out.

I decided to look into what this may mean and this is what I found (I've bolded what is relevant to my current thought process(es)):

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Teeth dreams and specifically teeth falling out are among the most common dream themes.

Whether your teeth start to crumble and decay of their own accord, or whether you touch them slightly and have them feel loose in your mouth, we have all had this dream at some time or another.

However your teeth make their exit, there is always a feeling of helplessness and powerlessness that accompanies the loss of your smile.

So how do you interpret your teeth falling out in dreams?

Our teeth are such an integral part of our lives.

Not only do they allow us to eat, but they are also linked to feelings of attractiveness.
How many times have you heard somebody say, “Oh she has really nice teeth” or “great smile”.

Needless to say the idea of loosing them is pretty terrifying.

Indications of what these dreams mean can be found in how you feel while you are having the dream.

If a general feeling of loss of control accompanies your dream, of feeling helpless and anxious, then this could mean that you feel helpless and not in control of a waking life situation.
You could feel fearful and afraid of change. Is there a situation where you feel this way in your waking life?

If your dream is accompanied by feelings of humiliation and of being embarrassed then these dreams are an overly exaggerated way of presenting your anxiety about looking bad in a waking life scenario.

Ask yourself if there is any situation in your waking life in which you feel like you will humiliate yourself or feel embarrassed about?

Do you cover up your mouth in your dream?
If so, what are you trying to hide for fear of embarrassment in waking life?

Teeth are often one of the first places that signs of aging or malnutrition are seen. Thus, teeth dreams could also relate to feelings of inadequacy in being able to nourish and support yourself. Are you taking good care of yourself and your body's needs?

Teeth dreams may also indicate anxiety and insecurities about abandonment. Do any of your close relationships leave you feeling insecure and abandoned?

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So here is my psychoanalysis of what this means to me...

feelings of attractiveness: I've been feeling a lot less attractive lately. I know pregnancy is beautiful and all, but watching your feet and hands and FACE swell, doesn't make you feel to great. I'm having a really hard time with how much rounder my face is getting and it doesn't seem to be slowing down, rounder and rounder by the day. And after seeing my weight on the scale at the dr. last week, I've been a bit self conscious. Deep down I know it is all part of pregnancy and I should relish in the joy of it and I do for the most part, but you still can't help but be vain in some aspects. I know I will have control back over my body and can worry about all this once the little man is here, but still...

You could feel fearful and afraid of change: Change is a scary thing for a lot of people and I am certainly not the exception. I am so excited to bring this life into the world and can't wait until I get to meet him. It's not even really the change that I am scared of. It is more the fear of the unknown. Will I be a good Mom? Can we really afford this? Will he be a good baby? I'm a planner and not having a definite plan makes me uneasy and anxious. And come on, let's be honest, having a kid is SCARY. It's a whole heck of a lot of responsibility that one cannot plan for. I hate not being able to plan...

anxiety about looking bad: I'm anxious about looking bad physically. I'm anxious about not being able to get back my prepregnancy self. I'm anxious about looking bad as a parent to outsiders because I've never done this before. Let's face it, I'm anxious about just about everything right now!

inadequacy in being able to nourish and support yourself: Jimmy and I have been in housing limbo for the last few months and given that situation, we were basically unable to go grocery shopping as we didn't know when we would be ready to move and didn't want to stock the fridge and then have to up and transport it all or throw it away. So we've been eating REALLY badly. It's been a matter of convenience and healthy food is not "convenient." Now that we finally have the housing situation mostly straightened out, I'm trying to get back into the "normal" swing of things as far as eating healthy.

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I don't know if any of these "meanings" are true or not, but it gives a lot of pointed meaning to my nasty little dream. I thought it was an interesting tie and figured I'd share. :)

25 Weeks

Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.


This is late. I was 25 weeks as of Tuesday, but life has been a bit hectic the last few weeks, so I'm posting now instead!

My little man is still super active, rolling around and throwing out kicks and punches. I'm loving every minute of it! I got my first baby gift off my registry. Someone was out poking around and must have stumbled on it since I haven't given it out to anyone yet. Thanks Jess and Steve! They got him this boppy bouncer: How am I feeling this week? Something weird is going on with my eyes. Basically, they have decided after 6 years that they hate contacts and are going to revolt everytime I wear them. So, I'm wearing glasses most days and force the contacts in a few days a week to see if my eyes have forgiven them yet. No luck to date. And the swelling has officially started. My feet get pretty swollen by the end of the day and my wedding ring is starting to get tight. I'm already eyeing some fun fake baubles at Kohl's... $15 for a JLo-esque obnoxiously large fake diamond. Woo! I'm leaning toward something like this: When else would I splurge on something like this? And we don't want people to give me the funny looks for walking around all knocked up without a ring on, so I need something to replace my wedding ring once the fingers get too big, right... :)

Anyway, here is this week's pic taken at 25 weeks, 2 days. There is no denying this baby anymore...

4.02.2009

Do the men in your life need this?

Help the men in your life stay on track and know when to not mess with you.

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Here is their info blurb:

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For women, this is a great way to give people in your life a heads-up of when you might be feeling a bit irritable without having an awkward conversation.

What's more, we will not only keep you informed, but will give you some free advice on what to do about it. With PMSBuddy.com, there is no reason to ever be blindsided by PMS again.

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What an interesting concept. And FYI, there are 863 PMSBuddy.com members starting PMS today... are you one of them?