Our Baby Girl: Week 28

I have mentioned before that I joined a site for pregnant ladies and moms.  Besides a little drama (pregnant ladies can definitely have that) I have really enjoyed the site.  I get to ask any questions I may have and share my experience with those who are first timers. It is nice to talk with ladies all over the world about being pregnant and raising kids. I learned that other countries get maternity leave for a year - so jealous!  Even though I would probably get a little stir crazy.  It seems pretty mixed with ladies who are SAHM (stay at home moms) and working moms.  So debates can come up to why people do which one.  For the most part the ladies are very understanding that each person's situation is different and what is right for one person is not necessarily the best choice for someone else.  I will still go back to work after my maternity leave with baby girl, unless something drastically changes.  The situation has worked so well for Colin and we did not miss any milestones with him (that seems to be a big reason some ladies choose to stay home).   We were there the first time he walked, we saw him smile, laugh, etc.  We also introduced all of his food first.  If he smiled for her (daycare lady) first, she was good about not telling us and that works for me. I do know that Colin is going to be a independent, self-sufficient boy and I think that will serve him well in school and life.  I am hoping the same situation will prove to have the same impact on our baby girl. 

My appetite is doing well!  The last few days I feel like my stomach is completely empty every half and hour.  So, I have been stocking up on little snacks (fruits, veggies, etc) which is working great.  I have gained 9 lbs!  One of the nurses at my OB's office thinks that my total will be around 15.  I can definitely deal with that.  My stomach has definitely grown in the last week and has become a little more uncomfortable.  I am feeling it when I bend down and when I need to pick up Colin.  Will is getting on my case anytime I do stuff like that now.  As you can see in my picture, I have been stealing Will's shirts since they are bigger than mine and a little more comfortable for the weekends.  I am trying not to buy too many maternity clothes and have been very lucky so far that a lot of my clothes still work. I think I have bought two pairs of pants and two shirts maternity (all on sale). I love the belly band such a great invention.  It allows me to still wear my normal work pants (I can just leave them unbuttoned).  I do wear a lot of dresses lately.  I want it to warm up so I can do so more often.  I am tired of winter, I want spring!

Ooh, we got the rug for baby girl's room yesterday!  So excited!  I am waiting on a few other things then hopefully I can take pictures to post.

A Day with Mama

Last Monday, Colin and I spent the day home together. We had so much fun and the holiday was perfect timing for us to catch up after my trip.  We had Colin's favorite breakfast, pancakes and yogurt and then watched his current favorite show (Animal Mechanicals) together.  He was so cuddly - I loved it!  Then we did a belated Valentine's art project that we are going to send to Grammie and Grandma Liz (I need to still do that!).   Next we played some games in his playroom before lunch.  Colin knows that lunch means "quiet time" comes next so he tries to stall.  He actually slept for a very long time.  Then we started dinner for when daddy got off work.  Mainly, I just wanted to share some pictures of our day together.  I had such a great time playing Colin's games with him.



Playing Colin's version of Connect 4




Playing with his bat cave




Colin put together the puzzle (mostly) all on his own.



κοριτσάκι : Week 27

"Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence." - Aristotle

I am still a little behind on my blogs, but I am home so no I can play catch up.  I am currently 28 weeks but here is my 27 week update.  The title "κοριτσάκι" or koritsáki means "baby girl" in Greek and since my 27th week was spent in the beautiful country of Greece I thought it was fitting.  This was a dream come true for me and again, like Italy, was so neat to share this experience with my baby girl, even though she was still in the womb. 

She still moved quite a bit while traveling.  My bed was not as comfy at this hotel but luckily I have not hit a point of my body getting really uncomfortable yet.  I am getting a little tired of sleeping on my side but I can deal with that.  The ladies that we worked with made me feel good by being so shocked that I was this far along and so small.  The director actually did not know I was pregnant until the third day.  She was amazed that I hid it, even though I was wearing clothes that were definitely showing my baby bump.  The day she noticed (and made me blush) I was wearing a dress and for some reason dresses make me look bigger.  I can tell that my belly has grown since I left home 2 weeks ago.

I really got my exercising in by all the walking I did.  I really enjoyed exploring the harbor that we were staying near.  Such a beautiful area.  I am definitely taking it easy once I get home. 

Baby girl seemed to enjoy all the food.  We had Greek salad (yes I did enjoy some cheese but I limited the amount), we had baklava, tzatziki and pita, gyro, Greek yogurt with honey and fruit (delicious) and I even had some fish that was caught locally.  I never did find my hummus but I will get into that in my traveling blog.  This was my last trip until after baby girl gets here.  Traveling really wore me out so I am not complaining.  I am excited for the uninterrupted time to spend getting the house all fixed.  Will, Colin and Bill painted the nursery and Colin's room while I was gone.  They turned out so cute!  Pictures to come. 

First Lady for Breastfeeding

Found an interesting article that I wanted to share with all of my baby mamas! 

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2011/02/14/michelle-obama-to-promote-breast-feeding-as-irs-gives-tax-breaks/

La Nostra Bambina: Week 26

My pictures are not so great for week 26, but I took them in my hotel with my phone and it was probably too dark.  I am also a little behind because now I am 27 weeks getting closer to 28!  Crazy!  I spent my whole 26th week of my pregnancy in the wonderful and beautiful country of Italy, which explains my title for this blog.  La Nostra Bambina means "our little girl".  I am excited to have shared this trip with my little baby, even if she does not know it and obviously will not remember it.  It is a special experience for me as a mom.  Plus, she benefited from the amazing cuizine.  I thoroughly enjoyed the food. Delizioso! Italy is a pregnant lady's dream come true.  I even had to try a few sips of wine (less than a quarter of a glass)...I mean you cannot go to Italy and not at least try the red wine.  No worries to anyone who might think that you should have no alcohol while pregnant.  My doctor says "everything in moderation".  So a few sips is not going to hurt my baby girl. I will go into more details about the food in my traveling blog and the wine I brought home for Will and I (once baby girl has made her introduction).

It was nice being in an area where I can wear clothes that show I actually have a baby bump.  It has been to cold back home so wearing my jacket no one can tell that I am pregnant.  People still had to ask and were surprised when I told them how far along I was but the belly definitely has grown since I left home. 

Baby has become a little mover since being "on the road".  She has been kicking a lot more and doing little flips.  I also started experiencing Braxton Hicks a lot since I left home.  I am guessing it is due to being tired and I probably need to drink more water.  They would happen while I was training - annoying!  I thought it interesting that very few women experience Braxton Hicks when pregnant with there first.  My doctor said that it is extremely rare.  I did not have them with Colin but have been with baby girl.  Not so much until I started traveling this time.

Italy was a great place for providing motivation for exercising!  I walked a lot and was able to just enjoy the scenery.  People were so friendly and the language is one that you can pick up pretty easy.  Well more to come about Italy in my traveling blog.  I am a little behind but I will get to it eventually and post pictures.

Just a few pictures of Colin I took on my phone before I left.  He was helping daddy clear our front path.  So cute.

Ciao, la mia bella amici e familiari!

(Bye, my beautiful friends and family)

Our Baby Girl: Week 25

Our Little Gymnast

This has been such a busy week with school, work and life in general.  Little girl is doing great though!  Her lack of movement causes stress at times but that is just because her big brother was the complete opposite so it is not what I am used to.  My doctor (whom I love to death) is wanting us to become more familiar with baby girl's movements and habits.  Since Colin's lack of movement is how we knew he needed to be induced a week early.  So, now after each meal I lay on my side and count how many movements (any movement) I feel in 5 minutes.  There should be 10.  If there is not 10 then I have to wait an hour and make sure there is some additional movement.  I also need to keep track of when I feel movements throughout the day.  I have learned a lot.  She actually moves more than I thought but they are move like spins rather then kicks.  I will not complain about her not being a kicker!  Even though she did get a really good kick to my ribcage last night while Will and I had a date night (we went to Bonefish - delicious).  The kick actually made me feel a little sick, thankfully it was at the end of the meal.  So, Little Bean (well now she is too big to be called that) has been referred to as "a little gymnast" each ultrasound that we have had.  She apparently likes to flip and keeps her feet curled up by her head.  I have also learned that she usually flips at least once an hour and is active after meals or if I wait to long between meals (she likes food).  She also likes to be the MOST active at 3 am.   Not cool...but I like the reassurance by her movement so all is forgiven. 

My doctor is also paying closer attention this pregnancy because of my placenta issues with Colin, which is part of why he was induced. Apparently, I had with Colin what they call a "smokers placenta" even though I was not a smoker. This means that my placenta looked old due to the blood vessels being calcified and partially obstructed, which means it was not doing all it should for Colin. With a "smokers placenta" you have to worry about placental abruption which is when the placenta separates from the uterus wall during the time the baby still needs nutrients and oxygen. This can also lead to bleeding, premature birth and fetal distress among other things. Not to be a downer, but any prayers that my placenta stays "young" are appreciated!!


On a more positive side: I am feeling great!  Still tired but what can you do.  I do not really have strange cravings...even though Will would say that eating a pickle and then having a cookie right after qualifies as a weird eating habit.  I also have to have my glass of orange juice every morning, which I love since normally I can not handle the acidic drink in the morning at all.  My normally sensitive stomach has become an iron stomach when pregnant.  I can drink milk, eat breakfast, etc.  I love it!  My belly has really been showing lately!  I am thrilled!  I am still low on my weight gain but my doctor does not seem worried because I have been eating so much.