6 Weeks to Go – and a whole lot of things to do!

I am 34 weeks pregnant today.  It seems like I’ve been pregnant forever… and yet, in some ways, the time has flown by.  That’s one of the inevitable time paradoxes.  Someone said to me recently that once you have kids, the days are long but the years are fast.  I can see that.  It’s already the end of April 2010, and I’m still getting used to writing 2010 on my notes.

I’ve got some pretty big events planned for May, and I can’t wait!  This Saturday, my wonderful family is coming over to decorate the nursery!  We’re going to paint the walls and the trim, hang curtains and shelves and pictures, arrange the furniture, and sew little extras on the curtains and bedding.  I will probably be doing the sewing – not the painting.  Though, it’s very very strange to be a position where I can’t do it all myself.  I’m usually the one up on the ladder with the power drill in my hand!  I’ll just have to leave that in the capable hands of my cousin Melanie.  Once the nursery is done, I know that I’ll feel a lot more comfortable with the idea of the baby getting here.  I do feel a little more prepared as I finally have some clothes, basic hygiene items, a few blankets and the all important crib.  There are a few more things to get, but I don’t feel quite so unprepared as I did a month ago.

Then, on Sunday I’m going to get a few professional maternity pictures taken.  I never thought that I would, but there’s a wonderful photographer who will be taking some special newborn pictures of our little girl and she volunteered to throw in some maternity pictures on the CD.  Very generous if anyone knows anything at all about the pricing of professional photography today.  Not the studio/JC Penney’s photography, but the freelance artist kind.  Most likely we’ll only get a very few of these kind of pictures throughout the years, but this is one of those times that I really really wanted them.  Maybe one day I’ll learn enough to take some myself!

May also holds a few more classes… Infant CPR, Infant Care and B-feeding.  And the packing of the bags. And the washing of the baby clothes.  And the writing of the Medical Power of Attorney document (just in case), and lots and lots of praying.  6 weeks is really not that much time, and yet – it kind of is.  6 more weeks of life as we know it, and then the great unknown

As for how I’m feeling – I’m still doing really well, not having a hard time getting around yet, starting to get some sleep again with the aid of a patient husband who doesn’t mind me tossing and turning and using all the pillows to get comfortable, and life is pretty normal.  My back’s been bugging me a little, but it’s to be expected.  The baby should be weighing in at about 5-ish pounds about now, and the amazing thing is, should she come this early, she should be able to live pretty easily – all major organs and functions are developed, and all she needs is a little more time to get stronger.  Though I’m not so sure how strong I want her to get – her rolling and pushing and kicking is getting pretty strong, and the occasional foot in the ribs is less than amusing.  Still, it’s good to know she’s a happy little camper in there, nestling in and getting comfy.   OK, enough about all that…

I have taken a few more belly pictures, so here they are!  (PS – just had a check-up, everything is looking good for baby and me!).  I’ll be taking Week 34 pictures sometime today – if I do my hair – or tomorrow.  And I’ll post them when I get around to it.  I think I’d better make promises I can keep!

28 Weeks

30 Weeks - and a bigger belly

32 Weeks - and still growing!

Week 28

I have been trying to take photos on the actual day that marks each new month… and not succeeding.  I did take my picture on Monday, and then when I tried to upload it, I couldn’t find it on any of our memory cards!  Very frustrating!  So, in lieu of a precise date, I’m using the “week of” method.

I couldn’t believe that with all my focus on each month/milestone, I missed week 24 – I jumped from 20 to 26, and a baby bump showed up in the middle of those 6 weeks.  Thank goodness for moms!  She had a picture taken at 24 weeks!  That will be coming soon, so the pictures won’t be in order, but at least they’re up.

It’s hard to believe that I’m in the home stretch.  2 more months and I get to meet my baby girl!  And I’m working my way through the “to do” list.  I meet 2 pediatricians and take a baby class this month, next month we’ll do the nursery, and I’ll have my baby shower!  (Just in case you’re interested, I registered at Babys-r-us and Target).  It was fun registering with Dermot.  We went last Monday, I gave him the zap gun and we went around zapping fun things like a stroller, baby bath, and bibs with slogans like “If you think I’m a looker, you should see my dad”.  Then I came home, got online, and did the not so fun but oh so very necessary items.

OK, here’s the pictures – and there are a ton of them because I’m trying to catch up. First the baby, then me.

20 Weeks – the all important girl/boy question answered – it’s a girl!

Baby’s feet are one of my favorite things!

Our first view of our little baby girl’s face.  Her head is on the right, and you can see her profile, and sweet little nose.  Her belly and ribs are on the left.

Her 28 week profile – 2 months older and starting to fill out.

I love, love, love this picture – criss crossed legs – and those feet that keep kicking me!

OK… time for the really cool picture.  You can actually see her face in this picture.

Her Face – 28 weeks

OK – this is what you’re seeing.  It’s kind of like she’s peeking out with eyes closed. Her face is on the right. Her eyes are closed and in shadow, her nose is smooshed, and her lips/chin are in shadow.  The other two white circles are her arms/hands – smooshed as well.

~~~

And now here’s me – at the end of a lovely day, no make-up, no hair touch-ups, so it’s a good picture of what I really look like

In my 28th Week

7 Months. 2 Months to go. Due June 7.

The promised photos

So, the baby belly finally showed up!  Of course, I’ve had trouble buttoning my pants for a while, but now there’s no hiding – even if I wanted to.

Just taken last night – 27 weeks.

Weeks 16 – 24: Officially 6 months!

This week I am officially 2/3 of the way through.  Everyone says that the first trimester is the slowest, and then things just speed up from there.  Yep.  That’s about right.  I counted every day, almost every hour until I reached the magical week 14 – when you’re considered more “safe”.  And then, somewhere around December, January I forgot to stop counting!  And I realized this week that I have officially reached the six month benchmark.

So… I thought I had better catch up with the pictures.  Here’s week 16 & week 20, and week 24 will be coming along fairly soon.

We had a doctor’s appointment on Monday, and I’m happy to say that everything looks good for both of us.  I’ve not gained a lot of weight, but my stomach is measuring fine, her heartbeat is strong and fast, and the doctor didn’t seem to be worried.  I’ll have another appointment in a month, and I get one more set of ultrasound pictures.  The last ones were absolutely amazing (yet another picture to post this week!)  I can see her little profile and foot and hand.

She’s been moving around pretty well, wakes up, kicks and squirms, and then goes back to sleep.  Last week sometime, I was laying in bed reading and started feeling her stretch and kick, out of curiosity I put down the book and sure enough, I could see little bumps and movements on my tummy.  I haven’t showed Dermot yet, because it’s not often she’s that strong and active, but it’s reassuring and exciting and a little scary to realize how very real this all is.

Last bit of news, and then my next post will have the ultrasound and 6 month pictures… we’ve finally, finally started the nursery!  It’s all planned, now we just have to get moving – there’s not a whole lot to do, just some painting and little bit of shopping and sewing, but I’m feeling like I’m actually moving ahead with the neccessary preparations.

In other words, life is very very good!

My teeny tiny baby bump... not much of one yet.

5 Months! and a little bit bigger.

Accountability, Recipes and Names

So, I’ve been reading, and I have discovered that by this age, babies can taste the amniotic fluid as they practice breathing.  Amniotic fluid acquires the taste of the food that mommy has been eating.  Which means, if you want to influence your child to eat her veggies… eat yours now.  If you want to avoid a sweet tooth, knock off the sweets.  So, that’s what I’m doing.  As of Friday (after I get back from San Francisco, never start a resolution during a vacation!) I’m off caffeine and sweets.  The added benefit is that hopefully I’ll find it easier to get back to normal after the little one is born.  I’m telling you this so that I have a bit of accountability and help during this time of sweet deprivation.

Also, I’m looking for some good, healthy, crock pot recipes.  It’s part of my new not-eating-out-and-finding-time-to-exercise plan that I have started.

Finally… I wouldn’t mind some name help.  Dermot and I have a pretty strict list of criteria, and finding something to fit isn’t very easy!  1-has to be a girl name, not gender neutral.  2-can’t have a very strange spelling.  3-can’t be too unique/odd/different.  4-when said in a Limerick/Island accent, it can’t be too hideous.  5-can not be in the top 10-20 names for the past 2 years in either America or Ireland.  So far we’ve only come up with Tara or Samantha.  And I’m starting to feel a bit stuck.  Thanks!

Big Announcements!

I have two wonderful developments in this bizarre journey of pregnancy…

At week 20, I am pleased to announcement that I am now feeling the baby move!  Yep.  Kicks, flutters, rolls, and little taps have been going on for the past 2 weeks (since Week 18).

The second is that we have found out that we’re going to have a little baby girl!  We went in for our ultrasound appointment on Monday the 18th and got to see her little head and hands waving around, and tiny foot, and clear evidence of her femininity.  So, onwards towards frills and lace and all those kinds of fun things!  As for names… that’ll be a bit of a challenge, but I’m sure we’ll find the right one.

As for me… the pants are getting tighter, and the belly is starting to show a little bit, but not enough so’d you’d notice.  And I think I’m ok with that – it sure beats having it in the way!  I’m still peeing every hour on the hour, but other than that, all systems are A-ok.  The new job is going well, I actually have energy at the end of the day and the 10 minute commute is more amazing than I can say!  Life is so good at the moment, I can not help but feel like I am one of the most blessed women on earth.

12 Weeks!

Well, I’ve made it through the third month… only 6 left to go!  I’m starting to feel so much better!  I still don’t have as much energy as normal, but the extreme fatigue is gone, and I’m finally getting some work done – at CCS and at home!  Poor Dermot, I know he was getting tired of the stacks of dishes and unmade bed!  And I am starting to see some changes in my body… still, I can button my pants and fit into all my clothes.  I have gained exactly the amount of weight I should, and am continuing to take my prenatals, so that part’s covered.  I’ve decided to sit back, relax, and not be impatient.  After all, this is the very last chance that Dermot & I have as just us two.

Second Trimester Started!

I am officially 13 weeks pregnant and in my second trimester.  It’s hard to believe because I don’t really look or feel all that different, except that I finally have most of my energy back.  Thank goodness.  I was starting to get worried!  As for other news… I have heard the baby’s heartbeat, strong at 170 bpm and have had no problems yet.  Except for the amazing fatigue, I’ve been pretty lucky so far!

Ten Week Update

I am now 10 weeks and would love to report that there have been some changes, but there haven’t really been any.  I’m still pretty tired most of the time, though the past few days have been better.  By the end of the day, I’m completely bloated!  But nothing else feels very different, which is pretty normal, I’m sure.  I keep hoping that I’ll be getting that little baby  bump early, but don’t expect to see anything until the end of the year.  Still, I’ll keep posting monthly pictures!  The 12 week is coming up soon.

On the other hand, I can’t stop thinking about the baby.  I keep thinking about life, how it’s going to change, wondering if it’s a girl or boy, trying to decide whether I like the name Tara or Grace better.  At first, I was liking Grace, but after a bit of research, I’ve discovered that for 2009, it’s in the top 10 most popular names in Ireland and the UK.  Then last night I started thinking about how I like the idea of an Irish name, and Tara is the name of the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland.  So, now I’m leaning toward Tara.

Silly to be thinking of it at 10 weeks, but as I have been thinking about baby names since I was about 5, it’s not too surprising.  I just am so excited to be here, starting a family, and moving on to the next step of our lives!  Now, if only I could just get a little energy back!

Keep us in your prayers, especially for the baby’s health.  Thanks!

The Heartbeat

We saw the baby’s heartbeat on October 19  in my first ultrasound.  It’s not easy to tell what the picture looks like, but amazing thing is that there definitely is something in there!  And the heart was fluttering like crazy.  According to most research, the chances of a miscarriage after seeing the heartbeat goes down to less than 5%.  I have until the end of November before we’re in the “safe zone”, but I’m not concerned.  I know that this little one will greet the world soon.  Oh, and we have a due date of early June.