33 Weeks - But Whose Counting...

Tommy and one of my aunts were talking on Facebook. He told her we have a little over 50 days left. I told him it just sounds better to say 7 more weeks!

According to the book, the baby is putting on weight rapidly now. She's averaging about half a pound a week. The book estimates her size around 4.5 pounds. We'll know more for sure in 2 weeks with the last ultrasound. The book also says she may grow a full inch this week alone. I could be carrying Shaquil O'Neal!

It said that the amniotic fluid level is maxed out right now with super chunk in there. That's why I feel her moving around so much. Less fluid to cushion the karate blows. Antibodies are being passed from me to her right now in an effort to get her immune system started.

When I think she might grow an inch just this week it's pretty amazing. The whole experience has been crazy, but that really blows my mind.

We had another childbirth class on Tuesday. The teacher played some rap song about childbirth. Yes, you heard me right. She played a rap song. She was serious about it too. I couldn't stop laughing. The class wasn't so bad. It was all about early labor positioning and partner support. Tommy had to spend much of the two hours rubbing my back. I'm not complaining.

Roxie had a spa day today. We dropped her off for a haircut and a much needed bath. As I get bigger, it gets harder to bathe her and she isn't complaining about that either! Tommy has it good. Neither one of the women in his life is complaining!!

32 Weeks and Counting

I never thought I would be one of those pregnant people that just wanted the baby to hurry up and get here. I've turned into that woman. I always thought those people were crazy because after the baby is born the real work begins. But... I am so tired of being pregnant, and I want to see what she looks like. So, I'm eating my words. Erin Grace, hurry up and get here!!!

Week 32 - The book says she's rolling along at about 4 pounds and is about 19 inches long. The last few weeks in there are about practice. She will be practicing outside survival skills like swallowing, breathing, kicking and sucking. Also, her skin is no longer see-through. As more fat accumulates under the skin, she'll start looking a little more human! (I am looking especially human these days!!)

We had our first (of 4) Prepared Childbirth Classes on Tuesday. It was okay. We learned some things and then heard and disregarded a lot of things. There are some kooky ideas out there about childbirth. To each his own. The Mizes will have a nice safe hospital birth with drugs and doctors. Someone else can take the stand for women's rights and give birth at home squatting in a bathtub with a doula and a midwife and nothing but a leather strap to bite down on. I don't need to be a hero!

Jimmy Buffett concert was last night. It was great as always. It really is a lot of fun to see so many thousands of people all dressed up in crazy Parrothead gear singing and dancing to every song. There is such a mix of types and age of people. I just sat there and watched people for the longest time. My "Future Parrothead" t-shirt was a huge success. I got lots of compliments and comments. The people behind us took my picture and the lady told me I needed to start making and selling them.

32 Weeks and Counting

I never thought I would be one of those pregnant people that just wanted the baby to hurry up and get here. I've turned into that woman. I always thought those people were crazy because after the baby is born the real work begins. But... I am so tired of being pregnant, and I want to see what she looks like. So, I'm eating my words. Erin Grace, hurry up and get here!!!

Week 32 - The book says she's rolling along at about 4 pounds and is about 19 inches long. The last few weeks in there are about practice. She will be practicing outside survival skills like swallowing, breathing, kicking and sucking. Also, her skin is no longer see-through. As more fat accumulates under the skin, she'll start looking a little more human! (I am looking especially human these days!!)

We had our first (of 4) Prepared Childbirth Classes on Tuesday. It was okay. We learned some things and then heard and disregarded a lot of things. There are some kooky ideas out there about childbirth. To each his own. The Mizes will have a nice safe hospital birth with drugs and doctors. Someone else can take the stand for women's rights and give birth at home squatting in a bathtub with a doula and a midwife and nothing but a leather strap to bite down on. I don't need to be a hero!

Jimmy Buffett concert was last night. It was great as always. It really is a lot of fun to see so many thousands of people all dressed up in crazy Parrothead gear singing and dancing to every song. There is such a mix of types and age of people. I just sat there and watched people for the longest time. My "Future Parrothead" t-shirt was a huge success. I got lots of compliments and comments. The people behind us took my picture and the lady told me I needed to start making and selling them.

What's Up Doc?

Had another doctor's visit today. All went well. The baby's heartbeat was 131 and when he did the tape measure thing on my belly, I'm about a week and a half ahead on the chart. He said that didn't mean much at this stage.

Our next appointment is 3 weeks from now. (Memorial Day interfered with scheduling.) They'll be doing another ultrasound on that appointment. It should be the last ultrasound. I'm kind of sad that it will be our last glimpse of the baby before the big day. I've gotten used to being able to see her on a regular basis. We'll have a better idea of her birth weight at that time. The closer it gets, the more nervous I get about birthing an amazon bowling ball baby. I really don't want a C-section, but I also don't want her to go 10 lbs!

My blood pressure was still good. He said it wasn't as "beautiful" as it was 2 weeks ago, but still well within range. I've had minor swelling but he said he wasn't concerned about that unless I get swelling and high blood pressure. The Braxton Hicks contractions were normal.

The insomnia is in full swing. I just don't sleep much. It's very depressing and kinda has me down. I'm just so tired. The lack of sleep makes me more stressed and irritable. I know part of it is to be expected, but this has been going on since December. Well meaning people tell me that it's just my body getting ready for when the baby is here. Seriously, if I hear that again I'm going to run away. Two to three hours of sleep a night on average for 5 months will wear on anyone! At least when the baby gets here, I'll have help. Right now, it's just me, the computer, my book and bad TV every night. Sorry to complain, just really tired today.

All in all, an uneventful appointment. That's just the way we like them!! Will keep you posted.

What Was That???

Had my first Braxton Hicks contraction on my way to work yesterday. (Well, the first I've been able to feel.) I called Steph on the way to work to see if it was what I thought. She confirmed it!

I called Tommy and gave him a minor heart attack. He was freaking. After I calmed him down and told him it was normal he was okay. The book says it's like "practice labor". It was more of a discomfort then pain. It happened a couple more times yesterday, but hasn't happened again since.

It's getting closer...

Future Parrothead - Week 31

I had this t-shirt made to wear to the Jimmy Buffett concert next week. This time next week we'll be wasting away again in Margaritaville! Woo Hoo! The t-shirt seemed a bit more becoming then a coconut bra and a grass skirt at this stage!

Week 31 - The book says the baby is 3 plus pounds this week. Liar. She was 3.5 three weeks ago. I am guessing she's going at least 4 lbs by now! She's approaching her birth length now. She'll continue to gain weight, but will not grow much more in length. Her brain is continuing to develop. She's processing information, tracking light, and perceiving signals from all 5 senses. She spends most of the day sleeping according to the book. Funny, to me it feels like she's jumping on a trampoline in there!

I was laying in bed the other day and rubbed my tummy. It was hard as a rock on the right side. As it turns out, that's her preferred side and she's quickly running out of room in there. You could feel the outline of her back/side. It was pretty cool. I told Tommy about it and he felt it but it creeped him out a little.

I've started the process at work for taking the baby time off and then the extra time I'm going to take after she's born. If all goes according to plan, I'll be off for 14 weeks (or 16 weeks if I have to have a C-section). It sounds like a lot of time right now, but I'm sure it will fly by. There are a lot of HR hoops to jump thru and forms to fill out. It will be worth it in the end. It's just hard for me because I don't know the "when" in all of this. They want forms filled out with times and dates, but that isn't within my control!! And this is not easy for a control freak!

A Lot to Learn

Well, I paid for our classes today at Memorial Hermann. I signed us up for 3 exciting baby classes!! Woo Hoo!!

Next week we start off with Prepared Childbirth. It's 4 weeks long. (Yes, 4 long weeks!) Tuesday nights for 3 hours a night. I've gone back and forth on whether or not we should go to this class. My plan is to get the epidural as soon as they'll allow it and then let nature take it's course from there relatively pain free. I think this is kind of a tree hugger natural childbirth kind of thing/class. I know they speak on a lot of different things, so I know we'll get something out of it. In the back of my mind I keep thinking about what happens if I can't get the drugs??? I at least want to be a little prepared.

From there we have the Newborn Care class. Since neither one of us knows squat about taking care of a baby this class was a must. I'm sure Tommy isn't looking forward to playing with dolls in this class, but everyone that took it swears it was great. They all learned to swaddle their babies like cattle wranglers. So, we're in.

We also have a breastfeeding class. I need all the help and information I can get on this. I think Tommy is just looking forward to the show and tell portion of this class :)

Those two classes are for a couple of hours on one night each. Neither one of us is looking forward to it, but I do think we'll get something out of it. Tommy is going simply to humor me and keep me happy. He hasn't been complaining about it, but I can tell you he'd rather be in a 1000 different places then a childbirth or breastfeeding class! This is where I tell the world that I married a great guy. That was easy, I married a great guy, and it's the truth!

A Very Happy Mother's Day

I had a great Mother's Day today. I know I don't officially belong to the club yet, but they let me sneak a membership in. (At least membership perks anyway!)

Yesterday was spent in Centerville at Tommy's parent's house. Mom and Daddy went with us. Mark, Steph, Jake and Luke were there and so was Steph's mom and brother. We had a great day. Very relaxed, just visiting and eating. (Two things I do very well with!)

I woke up this morning knowing we were going to brunch. What I didn't know is that the Mother's Day fairy had been to our house. Tommy bought me a Flip Video. I had been wanting to get one before our "big day". So sweet! I love it. As you can see, I was playing around with it earlier. For those of you who don't know what it is...It's a handheld HD video recorder about the size of a cell phone. It plugs directly into your computer with a USB port for easy uploading.

Look for more videos of Erin and Roxie to come in the future. It's just so darn easy to use!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mommas out there!

Week 30 - The Home Stretch(marks)

Tomorrow is Week 30. It's crazy to think that we only have about 2 1/2 months to go. It seems to have taken forever to get here. We have done so much to get ready but there still seems to be so much more to be done! We were going over the "lists" tonight. The suggestions for essential things to have for newborn babies and also for packing for the hospital. They recommended packing at the beginning of Month 8 because anything can happen when labor is concerned. I said that's just two weeks away and Tommy said no it isn't. Yes Babe, it is!

Week 30- The baby is about 17 inches long. The book says she's weighing about 3 pounds, but our little chunky monkey passed that up weeks ago! This week the baby's brain is starting to look like a brain. It's getting those characteristic grooves and wrinkles. Her brain is starting to function as a brain. It's taken over temperature regulation. The heat supply will start to "burn" off that baby hair that they have in the womb. With any luck, she'll burn it all off and won't come out looking like a werewolf.

Everyone asks me how I'm feeling. I can look them in the eye and tell them I think I've had a pretty good pregnancy (even with my "advanced" age!) We have the placenta scare in the beginning, but we've been very lucky. I get really, really tired now and I stay hot, but I think that is all to be expected. I don't sleep at night, so of course I'm sleepy during the day! I hate to see our a/c bill this month. Tommy has told me a couple of times that it's much colder downstairs where I am. He comes down the stairs and says there is a cold front about half way down.

Speaking of tired...going to bed now, and yes, it is just 8:01! Now if I could just sleep when I get there...

Showered with Love

Erin's Baby Shower was Saturday. I just now stopped long enough to update the blog. I've been washing, organizing and putting things away since then!

It was such a fabulous day. Amy, Stephanie and Allison did such a good job. I just can't tell you how special they made the day. Everything was so nice, and pink of course! We had a great turn out and we go so many presents. This child will not go naked for one second of the first year of her life! It warms my heart to think of how much love and support we have.

Tonight we put the bassinet together. It took about an hour and there were a million different pieces, but we got it done and the job didn't end in tears or cursing. Always a good sign with the home projects :)