Our baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and s/he weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him/her, but that volume will decrease as s/he gets bigger and takes up more room in my uterus. His/her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after s/he's born, s/he'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When s/he does open them, s/he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means s/he can only make out objects a few inches from his/her face.
How my life is changing:
I think it is more about how my body is changing. My belly is getting huge and I think it is actually growing by the day. Still feeling very lethargic and exhausted, but I can rally when I have to just pay for it the next day. We had a doctor’s appointment with Dr. Buerchner this week and all is going good. She did confirm the hugeness when I had to stand on the scale…yikes 142. That means I have gained a total of 16 pounds so far and I am entering a time when I could gain close to a pound a week. I think at my next visit I am going to have to ask her how quickly I can put my running shoes back on after delivery. Some exciting things this week is we met Senator John McCain at a fundraiser our friends Aaron and Stacy got us into. The Senator told me I looked beautiful after we took photos with him and he signed our book. So who knows Peanut might just have had his or her photo taken with our future President…how cool is that!
2008-05-23
Our Peanut at Week 29
How our baby is growing:
Our little peanut now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) over 15 inches long from head to heel. His/her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his/her head is growing bigger to make room for his/her developing brain…I believe this as I am getting bigger by the day! To meet his/her increasing nutritional demands, I'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. Peanut’s little bones are soaking up tons of calcium right now too…which explains the cravings for milk again. This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in our baby's hardening skeleton each day. Isn’t this crazy I better really keep up with my calcium supplements and daily glass of milk. Peanut is also starting to get very strong these days. I am noticing the karate kicks are getting stronger and sometimes startle me as I am not expecting to get jabbed in the rib or side.
How my life is changing:
Things are still really good with me except the constant exhaustion which is really bad for work as I am just not very productive. It isn’t even that I want the nap, but I am physically tired and can’t seem to get motivated to do much. I know not good especially with a new boss. The other thing is I am seriously feeling like a pregnant lady as I can’t get out of chairs very easily; my feet kill me after standing for long periods of time…well not even that long.
I also celebrated my first pre-mother’s day. It was so unexpected, but I received flowers from my brother, some yummy soap from my sister Kristen and wonderful cards from Grandma Shari and my loving hubby. It was a very special day to spend with family and exciting to know that next year I will have really earned the honor to celebrate mother’s day with all my moms.
2008-05-07
Our Peanut at Week 28
How our baby is growing:
At this week, our Peanut weighs two pounds and nine ounces (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures about 14.8 inches from the top of his/her head to his/her heels. S/he can blink his/her eyes, which now sport lashes. With his/her eyesight developing, s/he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. During our Ultrasound this week we saw Peanut stick out his/her tongue and open and close his/her cute little mouth. It was amazing to see how much Peanut has developed in the last 6 weeks. Peanut has beautiful full lips and kind of a wider little nose, so we are thinking that Peanut has Dad's nose. Heart rate is at 142 beats per minute so this is good and everything else is looking great. S/he's also developing billions of neurons in his/her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.
How my life is changing:
So I guess I am in the home stretch now! The third and final trimester starts this week. It all seems to have gone by so fast and now little Peanut will be here before we know it!
Nothing too new for me just feel like I am getting bigger by the day which there is probably some truth to that since Peanut is supposed to be doing a lot of growing in the next couple of months. I am getting a reoccurring rash on my arm and my belly is really itchy. Not sure what this is from, but I will ask in my doctor's appointment next week. And very tired these days; I could seriously take a nap every day now, but with work it makes it a little difficult to do this. Peanut is still really active and it is fun to watch him or her doing little kicks and stretching throughout the day. I really enjoy this and have noticed the most movement in the evening an hour or so after dinner. He or she really gets going then. I hope this isn't an indication that Peanut will be a night owl like his or her Dad.
2008-05-06
Our Peanut at Week 27
How our baby is growing:
This week our baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14.4 inches long with his/her legs extended. S/he can now open and close his/her eyes, and s/he sleeps and wakes at regular intervals...got the awake part down. S/he may be sucking his/her fingers, and although his/her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if s/he were to be born prematurely. I am starting to feel little rhythmic movements which is probably a case of baby hiccups, that is apparently very common from here on out. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and isn't bothersome at all. With more brain tissue developing, our baby’s brain is very active now. I wonder what Peanut thinking?
How my life is changing:
My body is gearing up for the final lap, and I am starting to notice some new symptoms. The typical pregnancy waddle, tiredness, leg cramps in the middle of the night and a shrinking bladder and stomach. Good news, I just had my glucose test to see if I was at risk of gestational diabetes and all is normal. They did find that my iron is fairly low, so I am now taking an additional iron supplement. Unfortunately, I thought this would help with my tiredness, but my good friend Dr. Reena says no such luck. I guess tiredness just comes with the territory. Especially when traveling…I just took an overnight trip to Las Vegas for a customer dinner and boy was I pooped. All in all I am feeling really good and the babies room is coming along. Just got a dresser this weekend and I am coming up with some other good safari decorating ideas with help from Auntie Kristen
