To Do

This is for my own sake. It kind of hit recently that we have to start thinking about a lot of these things, so I'm trying to get my mind focused on them. This pregnancy has been different in that we aren't consumed by all things baby - we are a little preoccupied! But I do believe September is creeping up on us which means I have some things I need to get done.

(I know by only blogging about pregnancy I have narrowed down my readership to about 3 people; perhaps one day I will blog about more than that!)

To Do List

-Finish Elliot's room (buy bookcase, buy lamp, make up top bunk, move in his clothes/books/toys, get shelving for closet)
-Move Elliot to new room - 2 weeks & counting!

-Get out baby clothes, burp rags, etc. & wash
-Wash newborn diapers
-Raise crib & attach mobile
-Fill out hospital pre-admittance paperwork (planning on doing this at my 34 wk appt)
-Pack hospital bag (around 36 weeks) including getting postpartum supplies ready
-Put together pack-n-play in bedroom
-Put together swing & bouncer
-Install infant carseat
-Check/replace necessary newborn supplies: pacis, bottles/nipples, pump parts, et

-Buy Elliot a big brother gift from Jack to give him at the hospitalc.

Week 31

Fruit/Veggie

Four navel oranges (weight)

Size

Over 16 inches, 3.3 lbs

Baby Changes (Source: BabyCenter.com.)

He is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, & his arms, legs & body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin.

Best Moment this Week

I had a mini baby shower last weekend with a small group of friends. My first shower was big, & I really enjoyed it, but this was fun in a different way; we all just sat around & talked & laughed & ate food. We obviously don't need much stuff this time around, but I appreciate that my friends gave me an opportunity to celebrate Jack & I feel blessed by them.

Gender

BOY! Jack Wesley.

Movement

During the day things are pretty much the same, but at night I am aware of how much bigger Jack is getting, when I'm laying still trying to sleep & he is wiggling. He also has moved back down quite a bit - I'm not struggling with lung room anymore like I was a couple of weeks ago.

Food Craving

Still not really loving food much. For the most part, I'm pretty sick of it. I did have a delicious egg salad sandwich this weekend at Bird Bakery (if you SA folk haven't been there yet, go try it!).

Sleep

I'm sleeping okay. Having a little trouble falling asleep, but I have gone back to taking an hour(ish) long nap every day - I just have a hard time staying somewhat energetic (& not super grumpy) if I don't.

What I am looking forward to

One of my best friends, Haley, is coming in town Friday & we get to hang out all day! I have missed her friendship since they moved to Houston but whenever we see them, we are able to fall right back where we left off.

Symptoms

Fatigue, back pain, hip pain, stomach issues, Braxton Hicks.

Week 30

Fruit/Veggie

Head of cabbage

Size

About 15.7 inches, almost 3 lbs

Baby Changes (Source: BabyCenter.com.)

His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision.

Best Moment this Week

I've been able to check a lot of things off the to-do list this week, which has been really nice. Otherwise, honestly, it's been a rough week! Mainly just due to pregnancy - I haven't had a ton of patience for things so I find myself easily frustrated, annoyed, disappointed, etc. Oh, pregnancy hormones! So lovely.

Gender

BOY! Jack Wesley.

Movement

He's pretty consistent these days - I feel body parts pushing out at the top of my stomach a lot during the day, but he's still overall pretty chill, & so far doesn't really kick, just squirms & stretches, which is like Elliot was.

Food Craving

Blech. This week I have turned a corner & food just sounds gross a lot of the time. I feel like I eat the same old things over & over. My stomach has easily been upset this week too with no obvious reason. I know I dealt with this in the last trimester with Elliot too, just not sure if it'll stick around or not.

Sleep

I'm sleeping a little better this week than I have the past couple of weeks. I still find myself uncomfortable at times, but I'm OUT otherwise. I'm waking up 3-4 times a night to go to the bathroom, & I realized I look pretty ridiculous crawling out of bed & walking to the bathroom - with the back pain, stomach cramping from the instant movement, & my left eye that always feels dry as sandpaper when I wake up (weird), I probably look similar to a seasick pirate.

What I am looking forward to

The past couple of days, I have realized I'm really looking forward to wearing jeans again - the non-maternity kind. Silly, but that is the one kind of clothing I really miss when I'm pregnant.

Symptoms

Fatigue, back pain, upset stomach, shortness of breath, knee pain.

Week 29

Fruit/Veggie

Butternut squash (weight)

Size

Over 15 inches, 2.5 lbs

Baby Changes (Source: BabyCenter.com.)

His muscles & lungs are continuing to mature, & his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in his hardening skeleton each day.

Best Moment this Week

Ummm... I'm kind of having a hard time remembering much of the past week. Josh has had to work a lot lately, which has been rough because some days he doesn't make it home until after Elliot is in bed, which means I get no break. But, the Lord has been gracious & has given Elliot & I some good days so I'm not completely exhausted by the end of the day.

We have had a really productive weekend so far... yesterday Josh took Elliot to a store so I went out (by myself!! I slowly walked the aisles of Target :) ) & ended up buying bedding for the bunk beds - check that off the list! We have made some progress on cleaning out Elliot's new room as well, & Josh closed up the hole that a pesky squirrel has used to get into our attic. We're heading out to run some errands this afternoon. I'm thankful for a relaxing but productive weekend at home!

Gender

BOY! Jack Wesley.

Movement

Jack's movement has slowed back down. About a month ago he had ramped it up a bit during his growth spurt, but now he is pretty chill again. My midwives believe his head is down, which is a new experience for me since Elliot was breech until week 35 & just kept moving & flipping all around until then. Jack seems very comfortable as he is, which is nice!

Food Craving

I have been enjoying peaches & nectarines lately, yum. I have been craving the chocolate chip macaroon cookies that we had in Rhode Island... I will probably make them soon. I will say the cravings have not been very intense the past couple of weeks.

Sleep

It's been harder to fall asleep at night, so I have nixed the super-naps & have attempted to take short, 30 minute naps instead. I'm still exhausted when I wake up in the morning. I wake more during the night now due to being uncomfortable - lower back pain, hip pain, & shoulder pain.

What I am looking forward to

I know, boring, but - still looking forward to getting Elliot's room done & all his stuff moved over so I can bust out the baby stuff again. Some of my friends are throwing me a small shower with some church friends next weekend, so I'm looking forward to that too!

Symptoms

Fatigue, back/shoulder/hip pain, shortness of breath, less stomach room.

Week 28

Fruit/Veggie

Chinese cabbage (weight)

Size

Almost 15 inches, 2.25 lbs

Baby Changes (Source: BabyCenter.com.)

He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through the womb.

Best Moment this Week

Sunday was Josh's birthday, & we got to go to our old church in Midland since we were there for the weekend. On the ride home, Elliot was unexpectedly content (after a few recent longer car rides that were not so pleasant) & Josh & I were able to have a lot of good conversation. It was just all in all a good day together!

Gender

BOY! Jack Wesley.

Movement

Jack, over the past month or so, has moved up (can't remember if I have mentioned that or not yet), I believe much higher than Elliot ever hung out. It's getting harder to breathe, & I almost have to sit up completely to be (slightly) comfortable. I can tell when he moves lower too - it's like this weird sinking feeling & all of a sudden I have more space for my lungs & stomach.

Food Craving

I got my desired Oscar's Super Burrito this weekend - yum! Also had Rosa's for the third time in a week. :) (Gotta get my fill while I can!) Now, I want a burger. Gotta make that happen soon...

Sleep

I am EXHAUSTED when I wake up. It's SO hard to get out of bed. I still sleep pretty hard when I'm out, so that's good. But it just doesn't seem to be enough.

What I am looking forward to

The past couple of days, I have just wanted Jack to be here already! So, there's that. We are picking up the bunk bed this weekend so we'll hopefully get going more on Elliot's room.

Symptoms

Fatigue, shortness of breath, back pain (now sometimes not just when I sit or lay down, but when I'm walking around - I believe it's my slipped disk acting up, I remember it from last time too)

Week 27

Fruit/Veggie

Head of Cauliflower (weight)

Size

14 1/2 inches, almost 2 lbs

Baby Changes (Source: BabyCenter.com.)

He's sleeping & waking at regular intervals, opening & closing his eyes, & perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, his brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning - with a lot of medical help - if he were born now.

Best Moment this Week

I got to eat Rosa's! Yes that is superficial, but it was delicious. Time for them to head south to San Antonio! I also got my glucose test out of the way & had a good appointment; my midwife believes that Jack is head down which is great. He can still turn obviously, but it's good to know he can get there - Elliot had me worried until 35 weeks that he'd be stuck breech!

Gender

BOY! Jack Wesley.

Movement

Jack's feet were on the right side of my stomach for several days in a row - I felt one poking out a few times. He seems quite squirmy, & gives a few kicks & jabs every now & then, though they aren't painful yet.

Food Craving

Mexican food, which I got three times last weekend! ha. But eating Rosa's made me think about my favorite bean & cheese burrito ever, from Oscar's Super Burrito... I used to have them in high school all the time. SO GOOD.

Sleep

Sleep just isn't great anymore. As soon as I can situate my hips, my upper back & shoulders start hurting. When I wake up to turn over, I realize I have to go to the bathroom. I wake up in the mornings feeling like I haven't rested well, still very tired & could easily spend a couple more hours in bed. Naps used to be really nice, but now I feel as though I barely fall asleep by the time Elliot wakes up, even though I'm pretty sure I do sleep. I guess good sleep is gone for a while!

What I am looking forward to

Continuing to work on Elliot's big boy room. We sold a good chunk of the guest room furniture, but there is a lot of stuff from the closet & the drawers in there that needs to be put away somewhere else, so we're going to have to get creative with making space elsewhere. It'll be nice once his room is done & I can pull out all the baby stuff (clothes, newborn diapers, etc.) for the nursery again.

Symptoms

Fatigue (lots), back pain, shoulder pain, cramping during my workout.

Week 26

Fruit/Veggie

English Hothouse Cucumber

Size

14 inches, 1.75 lbs

Baby Changes (Source: BabyCenter.com.)

He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat.

Best Moment this Week

It's going to sound really lame, but Sunday night Josh & I got into a "clean out" mood & we got rid of a LOT of stuff. I cleaned out some things from Elliot's bathroom that we didn't need, & Josh got rid of a lot of clothes & shoes. I took several bags of stuff to Goodwill the next day, & gave some away to people through this online group called Freecycle. I love getting rid of things! I can't explain it, but I don't like to have things lying around the house that we don't use, & we definitely need to be making space right now as everything in the guest room will get shifted to other places. It's a step in the right direction!

Gender

BOY! Jack Wesley.

Movement

Jack is still moving around a lot more now. I can't quite tell how he's positioned yet, but he's taking up a good amount of space in there.

Food Craving

Still loving those CHERRIES! Yumm.

Sleep

Sleep is going downhill pretty fast. I have a hard time getting comfortable - my lower back hurts, & then my shoulders start to hurt since I can't straighten them out while laying down. Napping is getting harder. But, once I'm out at night, I'm out for good (minus potty breaks).

What I am looking forward to

Getting Elliot's big boy room ready! We just found some bunk beds on craigslist that we like. I have been looking for over a month & haven't seen anything we wanted. We will pick them up in a couple of weeks, so I need to get rid of the guest room furniture & get things cleared out in there!

Symptoms

Fatigue, back pain, water retention, starting to have Braxton Hicks contractions a bit, especially when working out - definitely having to slow it down now. I feel the third trimester coming on, for sure!