Hump Day Bump Report

Well, I'm still here and pregnant!  And to tell you the truth, I wonder if this baby is going to be born in June, rather than May, like My Farmer and I always thought...  Oh well, like we say, the baby will come when the baby is ready.  Here is this week's Hump Day Bump Report:

• How far along?  38 Weeks Down - 2 Weeks To Go!

• Baby size:  Pumpkin

• Baby milestone:  The baby may have an inch or more of hair at this point.

• How did your doctor's appointment go this week?  Are you dilated?  My appointment went well.  Things are looking good and I have started dilating!  Granted I was only less than 1 cm dilated but hey, at least it is a start!

• How is the "to do" list coming along?  I think I pretty much have everything bought that I wanted to buy.  Now I just need to do some baby laundry, set up the bassinet, install the car seat and pack the hospital bag.  

• How is the "nesting" going?  Besides what I mentioned for the "to do" list, I also want to put together a few more freezer meals, as well as probably get some pantry ingredients for quick-fix meals.  I also in general just want to do some more laundry for the entire household and clean My Farmer's and my bedroom.

• Any swelling now?  I shouldn't have said anything a couple weeks ago - I have started getting a little swelling in my feet and fingers.  All I have to say is thank goodness it is nice enough to wear sandals and I'm thankful my wedding ring still fits!

• Any crazy or unexpected pregnancy symptoms?  This was unexpected for me, I have had a few mornings where I have woken up with a charley horse in one of my legs.  One morning it was so bad I couldn't sit up to massage it or get up to stand on it, so I had to wake up My Farmer to help me - probably not the best thing, initially he thought it was "time"!  He sure got moving right away but as soon as I said I needed him to massage my charley horse in my calf, he calmed down and went back into half-way asleep mode.

• Are you planning on doing anything fun to destress before the baby arrives?  I got a pedicure before my doctor's appointment earlier this week and if we can't be in the field tomorrow, My Farmer and I are going to go to the movies and have a little date - just the two of us.  So part of me really wants it to be too wet to be in the field so we can go on a date but then the farmer in me knows that if we can be, it'd be best if we could actually be in the field.

• Emotions:  Still feeling good and pretty easy going.  I got pretty active working on my to do list and nesting last week but after my appointment and finding out I was less than 1 cm dialated I have eased back on getting things done, which is too bad, because I really need to get things done still.

Don't forget to place your bets on my blog's facebook page if you think MP will be a boy or a girl and when you think MP will arrive!  And if you missed it, check out last week's Hump Day Bump Report.

Hump Day Bump Report

LP and I on Mother's Day
(By the time we took a photo he didn't want to look at the camera but
he said he would give me a kiss for a photo instead.
I couldn't complain, I can always take a kiss from my little boy.)

Another week down, another week to go?  I guess we'll see!  When My Farmer and I first found out we were pregnant I thought how graduation parties might be interesting to attend  this year and this weekend is graduation in our community.  So how does this make me feel?  Well, first, I feel like I need to get several things done and second, that I'm feeling pretty good and have no worries about going into labor during the graduation parties.  I'm sure all the seniors' parties we're invited to are happy to hear that!  Here's this week's Hump Day Bump Report:

• How far along?  37 Weeks Down - 3 To Go!

• Baby size:  Winter Melon

• Baby milestone:  The baby is practicing some skills such as inhaling, exhaling, sucking, gripping and blinking.

• How did your doctor's appointment go this week?  Are you dilated?  My doctor's appointment went well this week.  Not too much has changed.  Things are on track and all final tests they ran this week turned out well.  And I wasn't dilated!  I thought for sure I'd be 1 cm or something but nothing - I guess this means the baby isn't quite ready to start making its way.

• Are you ready for MP to come?  Are you ready to be done being pregnant?  I have always had the mind set that the baby will come, when the baby is ready to come.  And in reality, I'm not ready for MP to arrive yet!  I have some things I want to purchase, clean, make, do, etc. before the baby arrives.  But like I said, when the baby arrives, is when the baby arrives and whatever I don't get to, I don't get to.  It will all work out just fine.  As for am I ready to be done being pregnant - I actually don't mind being pregnant.  Part of me can't believe I'm approaching my finals weeks of this pregnancy but then part of me thinks about when we first found out we were pregnant and that seems like a long time ago!

• Have you done more "nesting" in the last week?  Not really and I should have...  This week I do feel like I'm more in a "nesting" mood.  Hopefully my "to do" list dwindles this week!

• Are you in pain since you're at the end of your pregnancy?  I was asked this question earlier this week and I asked what they meant.  They said that pregnant women they know complain how they are just in more pain at the end of the pregnancy.  The only thing I can think of is that they're complaining about is the pregnant "waddle".  Which I have to admit, I think I'm starting to waddle and I know it does take me longer to go from sitting to standing then it use to.

• Are you still able to sleep alright?  I'm sleeping alright.  Sometimes it takes me awhile to get comfortable at the beginning but for the most part I sleep alright.

• What are some things you want to get done before MP arrives?  I need to get laundry caught up on, I need to go through baby things, oh - I should probably get my hospital bag packed, and I still need to buy some baby things...  Plus just my normal to do list items.  Oh, and I want to get a pedicure next week after my doctor appointment - just a little pampering for myself!

• Emotions:  I'm feeling good and at ease.  Even though I have many things I want to get done before the baby arrives, I have a pretty laid back attitude about it all.

Don't forget to place your bets on my blog's facebook page if you think MP will be a boy or a girl and when you think MP will arrive!  Also, don't forget to leave a comment or message me with a question you want answered for next week's Hump Day Bump Report!

If you missed it, check out last week's Hump Day Bump Report.

Hump Day Bump Report

Another week closer and I'm so excited!  I was hoping that my doctor's appointment yesterday was going to be more than just a little check-up but sounds like if I had went one day later, I would have been checked to see if I was dilated, but since I wasn't a full 36 weeks yet, it didn't happen.  Oh well - next week!  Here's this week's Hump Day Bump Report:

• How far along?  36 Weeks Down - 4 Weeks To Go!

• Baby size:  Honeydew Melon

• Baby milestone:  The baby's liver and kidneys are in working order.

• Have you started "nesting"?  Yesterday I bought some newborn diapers to have on hand but I still need to do a full "baby run."  I haven't started making lots of meals or washing baby clothes, but I do have to say that in the last couple of days I've been better at knocking things off of my to do list.  I'm not sure if that is because I am starting to "nest" or if it is just because I told myself I needed to be more productive during the day...

• Have you been having any heartburn?  Not really.  LP had a full head of hair when he was born with minimal heartburn during the pregnancy, and it'd be fun if MP had hair too.  Baby hair is so cute and soft!

• Have you been having any ankle and foot swelling?  I don't think so - I can still wear my cowboy boots so I say I'm good still!

• Does LP understand what is happening?  I get asked this a lot.  Does any two year old really understand what a new baby means before the baby actually arrives?  We have been reading big brother books so hopefully that will help.  And we talk about the baby - he'll point to the baby in my stomach and give the baby kisses by kissing my stomach.  But does he really understand what it all means - probably not.

• How do you think LP will do once the baby arrives?  I think he will be a good big brother.  He is a big helper around the house now and is a very curious and inquisitive toddler.  I think that will only continue after the baby arrives.  And in the past when LP has been around newborns he is either not interested or affectionate.  So hopefully he'll be affectionate towards his baby brother or sister.

• Do you have a "coming home" outfit picked out for the baby?  Not yet but I do have going through newborn clothes on my to do list.  I'm not too worried or concerned about picking out a "coming home" outfit though.  We had to change LP out of his "coming home" outfit before we even left the hospital because he ended up having an accident in it.  (He ended up actually coming home in a hospital bodysuit.)

• Emotions:  I'm simply happy.  I also am proud that I have been more productive lately.  It is about time, because I feel like since March I have fallen behind staying on top of things because I was so fatigued.

The bets are starting to roll in on my blog's facebook page - what is your bet?  Do you think we'll be having a boy or a girl?  And when do you think MP is going to arrive?  Place your bet and keep your eye out for the next month for the results (well hopefully in the next month)!  So far the girl bets have a slight edge over the boy bets!

Hump Day (+ 1 Day) Bump Report

LP and I having a PJ Day on this Snow Day

So this week I purposely waited to do my Hump Report because I was suppose to have a doctor's appointment this morning (and part of me thinks I may have started dilating so I was hoping to share that information).  Anyways, due to the snow, my appointment was cancelled.  So, here is my Hump Day (+ 1 Day) Bump Report (with no doctor appointment report included...):

• How far along?  35 Weeks Down - 5 Weeks To Go!

• Baby size:  Coconut

• Baby milestone:  The baby's hearing is fully developed and the baby responds best to high-pitched noises.

• Other fun factoid:  At 35 Weeks, a woman's uterus has grown 1,000 times its original size.  Isn't that crazy to think about???

• Do you think you're going to have a boy or a girl?  I've always been pretty even and haven't had a feeling one way or the other, but in my most recent baby dream I had a baby boy.  So part of me thinks that maybe I'll have another boy.  This pregnancy has been very similar to LP's but I know in the end, that doesn't mean jack-squat...  I'm prepared and ready for either a boy or a girl.

• Do you have baby names ready to go?  About a week ago My Farmer and I actually sat down and talked and worked through baby names.  Our list probably has six names for each boy and girl and we'll work on whittling down the list to just two or three before we get to the hospital.

• How are your Braxton Hicks contractions?  In the last several days my Braxton Hicks contractions have been getting stronger and more frequent.  I take that as signs the baby is continuing to get ready for its arrival!

• Do you have your hospital bag ready to go?  No.  And I probably won't at least for another couple of weeks...  That might be pushed up depending on how my doctor's appointment goes!

• Food cravings:  Diet Coke.  I am usually pretty particular about pop and usually never drink dark colas, but for some reason here lately I've been craving Diet Coke (or Diet Caffeine Free Coke if available).

• Emotions:  I've always been hoping and praying that the baby is going to come a little early, and I do have to say that I really do feel like the baby will be here by the end of the month.  So that makes me excited!  I can't wait for my rescheduled doctor's appointment!

I think it is officially time to start taking bets on when the baby will arrive and if it'll be a boy or girl!  Go on to my blog's facebook page to mark your guess!

Hump Day Bump Report

Mom and LP are getting excited for the arrival of MP in less than 2 months

The most common question I have been getting recently is in general, how am I doing?  I respond by saying that I'm doing well and that I am starting to feel more pregnant as the days go on.  So what does that really mean?  Well, it means that I want to sit down more and then whenever I get up I have to go to the bathroom...  And I'm generally more tired so I'm trying to sleep as much as possible now because I know how at the end of the first couple of months you wonder if you'll ever sleep all the way through the night again!  Here are ten questions to let you know how my pregnancy is going?

• How far along?  32 weeks down - 8 weeks to go!

• Baby size:  Squash

• Baby milestone:  By this time most babies are "head down" - getting prepared for their arrival.  (I don't know how long it has been, but MP has been "head down" for a few weeks now.)

• Are you having heartburn?  No heartburn for me yet but I guess we'll see.  They say if you have heartburn your baby will have hair.  LP was born with a full head of hair and I'm hoping MP does too!

• Do you think you're "counting down" for the baby's arrival to early?  I've been asked this in the last week and my response is simply no.  We had fertility issues before we got pregnant with LP so when we found out we were pregnant with him I was instantly attached and felt a connection.  With MP's pregnancy we thought we were going to have to go through some infertility treatments again but then were surprised during the month we were going to have tests ran that we were pregnant again!  So a combination of being surprised and then already having one little guy that we love so much it just took me longer to get connected to MP.  But now I am connected and in love and am excited for the arrival of MP!  Counting down is just a way to celebrate!  (Also, it is hard to not know how far along you are when you visit the doctor every other week...)

• Man you are big!  Are you sure you aren't having twins?  This is another question I have been asked lately and I know of others that are pregnant right now that have been asked it too.  No - I am not having twins.  And I guess I don't think I'm that big.  I've gained 13 pounds so far during this pregnancy which pretty much equals the baby and the fluids around the baby.  Sometimes I wonder if people forget how big you actually get during pregnancy.  Also, I wonder since women use to wear loose clothing that covered themselves up like muumuus and now maternity clothes are in line with current fashion and kind of show off the baby bump, if that adds to the questions???  Overall, if you see a pregnant woman - don't ask her this!

• Have you bought anything new for the baby?  Still no.  I have ideas on what I want to get and need to get - I just need to shop for them!

• Are you going to give a sibling gift from MP to LP?  Yes!  This is something else I need to buy sometime too...  There is a tractor back-pack at the local kids store that LP loves to carry with him whenever we go there and then is almost in tears when we leave and I tell him it has to stay, so I'm planning on getting him the back pack, a big brother book and a new tractor from MP.  Also, I'm planning on taking LP shopping sometime for something for MP.

• Do you have MP's room ready to go?  No, but that is kind of on hold for now.  Check out my Wordless Wednesday photo to guess why...

• Emotions:  I'm starting to think that I really need to get my shopping list of needs done because in the last week we have known two sets of parents that had their babies arrive unexpectantly 4-5 weeks early! While yes, I'm hoping that MP arrives a little early, I'm hoping he or she doesn't arrive that early!  But I guess this is God's way of reminding all of us that he makes the plans, not us or medical professionals...

So, it looks like I need to go shopping, what do you recommend to be on my shopping list?

Hump Day Bump Report

LP kissing the MP baby bump

Another week down and less than two months to go!  I had a doctor appointment earlier today and all was well.  The baby's heart beat was at 154, which is where it usually is, and my weight gained stayed even from my last appointment a couple weeks ago.  Here are ten questions to let you know how my pregnancy is going:

• How far along?  31 weeks down - 9 to go!

• Baby size:  Pineapple

• Baby milestone:  All of the baby's five senses are working and major brain and nerve development is happening.

• Share a little of your birth plan:  We're planning on letting the baby come when the baby is ready to come.  Also, I plan on probably just taking some pain medications and not an epidural.  With LP's labor, it happened so fast I didn't have the chance to even have any pain medications at all - he arrived 24 minutes after we checked into the hospital!  It'd be nice if MP came just as fast!

• Are you going to do anything different this time during your hospital stay then you did with LP's?  I'm planning on bringing books to read to MP right away.  LP loves being read to and reading himself, so I want to start reading to the baby in the hospital.  Also, I am going to try to sleep as much as possible.  With LP I didn't want to miss anything and was busy talking with lots of people either in person, on the phone, through social media, etc.  This time I think I'll try to simply rest more.

• Talking birth plans, what is your plan for LP while you're in the hospital?  Luckily for me, my Mom is a professor and doesn't have any summer classes or programs close to the due date, so she is planning on coming up to our place to help with LP.  I'm thinking I'll probably have LP visit the hospital once or twice a day.

• Have you been having any Braxton Hicks contractions yet?  Yes, I just started having some Braxton Hicks contractions in the last week.  I had them with LP too and I just figure that they mean my body is preparing for MP to arrive!

• How's sleeping going?  It has been going okay.  Sometimes it takes me awhile to get comfortable and for that, I'm thankful I have a body pillow!

• Food Cravings:  Nothing too much again.  I'd say my appetite is pretty minimal.  If anything I've just been making sure I've been drinking plenty of water.

• Emotions:  Pretty happy go lucky.  Other than that, I feel like I'm a little behind working on some things because I can get fatigued in the morning and afternoon and then at night it can be hard to find ambition...

What questions do you have for me about my pregnancy or about being pregnant for the second time?

Hump Day Bump Report

Whop! Whop!  30 weeks!  That means I'm 75% done with the pregnancy and MP will be making his/her debut in just a couple of months.  Here are ten questions to let you know how my pregnancy is going:

• How far along?  30 weeks down - 10 to go!

• Baby size:  Cucumber

• Baby milestone:  The baby is strong enough to grasp a finger!

• How are doctor appointments going?  I'm at the point now that I visit the doctor every other week.  This also means that I have appointments with the other OB/GYNs on staff besides my doctor, because at my hospital, whoever is on call is the one who delivers your baby.  I had an appointment at the end of last week with another doctor and he told me that he thought the baby would come early.  He actually thought my due date was wrong, so that is always good to hear that the baby just might come early!

• What is the best thing about being pregnant?  The best part is probably not feeling that guilty falling into temptations of food cravings.

• What is the worst thing about being pregnant?  For me it is the feeling of being fatigue and the hormone changes.  I don't know why, but for some reason both with LP's pregnancy and now MP's, my body reacts to hormone changes by growing skin tags.  Not a fun thing but I guess things could be worst.

• Have you been having any weird baby dreams?  I haven't had a weird baby dream since the very beginning.  I take that as meaning that I am pretty comfortable, calm and cool about this pregnancy, labor and life after baby.  I think during LP's pregnancy I did have some weird baby dreams but that was probably because there was more of an unknown and probably a little anxiety.

• Do you have any swelling?  Not too bad.  I can feel a little swelling in my fingers, but I'm still able to wear my wedding ring.  And as for my ankles, they're still good - I can still wear my cowboy boots with ease!

• Food cravings:  Nothing too crazy again.  If anything I'd say Reese's peanut butter eggs - but that could just be because I have Easter candy in the house...

• Emotions:  I guess you could say that I am feeling busy lately.  I don't know if it is because I'd rather sleep, than work on my to do list, or if it is because I simply just have a lot going on.

What questions do you have for me about my pregnancy or about being pregnant for the second time?

Hump Day Bump Report

My winter exercise routine - leg presses with LP

This is week 29 and I do have to say that I'm definitely starting to feel like I'm in the final trimester.  Here are ten questions to let you know how my pregnancy is going:

• How far along?  29 weeks down - 11 to go!

• Baby size:  Acorn Squash

• Baby milestone:  The baby is growing white fat deposits under its skin which is giving the baby a surge in energy

• Due date story:  So... when we first got pregnant and had our first ultrasound the baby was moving so much they could never get a good reading/measurement, so my doctor gave me the due date of May 24th according to my cycle calendar.  The following month my doctor checked MP again and thought the baby wasn't that far along to have a due date of May 24th and he switched my due date to June 6th.  Then at my mid-point ultra sound the baby was measuring at May 30th for a due date.  So... officially my due date is June 6th but I've been telling everyone Memorial Day.  The baby is measuring a little big so maybe MP will follow suit of it's brother and come early (LP came 10 days early)!  A girl can hope right?

• Any new feelings since entering the Third Trimester? Not to get too personal, but I got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom for the first time last night - that made me feel like I officially entered the third trimester.  And MP just seems a lot more active which is probably because the baby is getting bigger and things are starting to get more "cramped" inside the womb.

• How is it being pregnant with a toddler?  To tell you the truth I was a little worried about my energy level, since it seems like when you're pregnant and when you have a new born you can be tired often but so far I think I've managed fairly well keeping up with a toddler.  I do have to say that now when LP coughs he'll run to the bathroom and cough over the waste basket...

• How are the baby names coming along?  My Farmer and I haven't talked baby names in awhile so we should probably get back at it.  We have names that we like for both a boy and a girl but right now I like our girl names more than our boy names.  And no, we aren't telling anyone any of our ideas.

• Are you going to take any professional maternity photos?  No, I guess I've never really gotten into the maternity photos but we did have two-year old photos of LP taken at the beginning of the month, so our family photos kind of show me pregnant in them.

• Food cravings:  Nothing too crazy this past week - but I do enjoy having something sweet for dessert!

• Emotions:  I think I'm feeling pretty good and am overall pretty happy-go-lucky.  I do feel like things have been busy lately and that time is flying by.  I swear it was just the other day I couldn't believe it was March and now it is March 20th!  (But I don't think it is only pregnant women feeling that way!)

What questions do you have for me about this pregnancy or about being pregnant for the second time?

Hump Day Bump Report

I'm now 28 weeks pregnant and officially in the third and final trimester!  Yesterday I had my glucose test and I'm happy to report that I passed!  I have to admit, I was nervous about the idea of being gestational diabetic.  Even though I'm not, just getting nervous about the test reminds me I still need to watch what I'm eating.  Here are ten questions to let you know how my pregnancy is going:

• How far along?  28 weeks down - 12 to go!

• Baby size:  Eggplant

• Baby milestone:  Baby is breathing and showing signs of brain activity

• How does this pregnancy compare to LP's:  The pregnancies have been very similar.  I had minimal morning sickness with both and have felt pretty good the entire time.  I would have to say that MP is moving a little more than LP did.

• How do you think your parenting style will change with two kids in the house?  I think I'll probably be a little more laid back but I'm still planning on keeping a routine and schedule - I think that helped LP be a good baby and toddler (and everyone that knows me, knows I love to be scheduled!)

• Are you going to have a baby shower for MP?  I know some people have a baby shower for kids after the first-born but I am not going to.  I'm planning on getting a couple new things on my own for this baby, but other than that, the baby will use hand-me-downs and I'm excited for garage sale season this summer!

• Have you bought any new maternity clothes?  Not yet, but I probably will this spring, because I'll need some short-sleeve options.  LP was a winter baby so all of my maternity clothes from the first time around have worked well so far this winter.

• What is your favorite pregnancy book?  "Babywise" - I'm not sure it is a pregnancy book but it is a parenting book for sure.  I've continued using the "Babywise" series throughout LP's development and am currently starting to read "Pottywise"

• Food cravings:  Mug cakes - I have fallen in love with making my own individual coffee cake in the morning and if I'm craving something sweet at night I make my own chocolate chip cookie or chocolate cake

• Emotions:  Relieved and happy (that I'm not gestational diabetic).

Thank you to My Farmer for having way too much fun taking pictures for me!

Hump Day Bump Report

LP and I at my doctor's appointment today
(Looks like I should have taken his stocking cap off sooner than I did...)

I'm currently 27 weeks pregnant and I had my last "monthly" check-up today.  It is crazy to think that now I start seeing the doctor every other week!  Realizing that today makes me think about how fast this baby really be here.  Here are ten questions to let you know how my pregnancy is going:

• How far along?  27 weeks down - 13 weeks to go

• Baby size:  Head of Cauliflower

• Baby milestone:  Baby is showing brain activity

• Weight gained in pregnancy:  I'm up 9 lbs so far, which I feel is pretty good

• Labor signs:  None yet but my doctor said I could start getting Braxton Hicks, which I had for probably a couple months prior to LP's birth

• How did you find out you were pregnant?  I took a home pregnancy test the day after a bachelorette party...  The test showed that I was pregnant so I called the doctor's office first thing on Monday morning and got in that week to double check

• What was your first reaction?  I immediately tried figuring out when the due date would be.  I guess it is the farmer in me but I found out I was pregnant during fall harvest and I checked to see if the baby would come after spring planting (which hopefully the baby will come after planting and before field work)

• Have you bought anything for the baby yet?  No I haven't but I have a couple things I'd like to get that I just need to sit down and actually order online - I have my eye on a fold and go bassinet that I think will be a good asset with a busy toddler to also take care of

• Food cravings:  Milk, milk and milk - I think I'm drinking two gallons myself a week!

• Emotions:  I do have to admit I got emotional today about something I really didn't need too - I think my pregnancy hormones got the best of me...

Hump Day Bump Report

It is hard to believe that I am already 26 weeks pregnant!  At the very beginning of the pregnancy I thought it was taking a long time but now that our baby, MP, will be here Memorial Day/June-ish, I feel like time is starting to fly by!  Here are ten questions to let you know how my pregnancy is going:

How far along?  26 weeks or 14 weeks to go - whichever way you want to look at it

Baby Size:  Head of Lettuce

Baby Milestone:  Baby's eyes will open soon, eye lashes are now grown

Gender:  We'll see when MP arrives (we're the "surprise" type of people, or should I say I at least am...  My Farmer wanted to find out so I told him he could, he just couldn't tell anyone, and he decided he couldn't handle that pressure!)

Feelings on Gender:  My Farmer believes it is a girl and I don't have a feeling one way or the other.  I feel like both MP and LP's pregnancy have been very similar so far but I know that doesn't mean anything

Maternity Clothes:  Mixing and matching - pants are exclusively maternity, even though some are big, and I wear both maternity and regular shirts

Sleep:  I just got out my body pillow to help me sleep better, other than that I can make it all night without getting up.  I do have to admit I have went back to my old habits of staying up late and sleeping in that I was trying to stop at the beginning of the year.

Movement:  MP has "active" periods daily where I and others can feel the baby move

Food Cravings:  A Fighting Burrito from Ames (too bad that is an hour away) and warm chocolate cake or brownies with ice cream

Emotions:  I think I'm pretty much the same - enjoying life and having a good time

Thank you to My Farmer for having way too much fun taking pictures for me!