Dear Baby Ben,
Wow, your time to enter this world is quickly approaching, although I think your dad thinks the time is passing slower and slower. We are both so ready for you to be here but want you to only come out when you are ready. I am 36 weeks along and you are fully developed. Your lungs just still have some more growing up to do before you can come out. So now we just wait for the day to come when you will arrive.
I have LoVeD being pregnant. It is quite a miracle to have a human life growing inside of me. Before we got pregnant with you I there were many things I wondered about regarding how it would feel to be pregnant. My guesses were way off! I never knew how much I would feel you move. The first time your dad and I really felt you kick was when I was 18 weeks and 1 day along. It was pretty magical. From that point on your movements were little flutters or just soft jabs but nothing too powerful. Now and for the past few weeks your movements have been so different. You are running out of room in there and your movements are now more wiggles, turns, slides, rubs, and from time to time really powerful kicks. Your head is and has been in the down position for a while now (good boy!) My bladder is really feeling it since you are getting heavier and heavier. That is a good thing though because we know you are growing into a healthy boy. I also never knew how differently I would be treated during pregnancy. People stare at my belly a lot. People touch my belly a lot....don't worry I haven't let any strangers touch my belly! Everyone just loves you so much already that all they talk to me about is you!
I absolutely love to feel you move. I can feel you a lot and now I can tell where your tushie is, your back, and your feet. You were playing with your dad the other night while we were in bed. As soon as I laid down you stuck your foot straight up - I thought it might just push it's way right out of my belly button - your dad kept rubbing your feet and you would move and kick him back. The smile on his face was priceless. He can't wait to have you here to play with. I have slowed down on my drinking of Sprites and Sierra Mists. I feel bad because every time I drink one you get the hiccups. That is another thing I underestimated before being pregnant. I had always heard you could feel your baby having the hiccups inside of you but never knew how distinct they would be. My whole belly jumps now when you have them which is at least once a day now!
My body is busy preparing for your arrival. I am having fake "practice" contractions that help me get ready for you. Soon your dad and I will be playing the guessing game to decide if they are real or fake contractions. These next 4 weeks will be interesting! We both think you are going to be early but you come whenever you are ready - no pressure!
Ben, I will certainly miss being pregnant with you. Every day I go into your room and fidget around with more stuff just to keep busy. I guess they call it "nesting." I will miss your movements inside of me and I will miss your dad putting his hand on my belly to feel you and the smile you put on his face when he does get to play with you. I will miss putting my hands on my belly all the time to feel your butt or to feel your feet. Usually they move at the same time so I put both hands there to enjoy the life inside of me. I will miss Lucy and Mickey putting their heads on my belly and Lucy looking at me with a funny look when she feels you move. They definitely know something is going on with me and will absolutely love you when they find out a new baby is coming home! Even thought it drives me nuts sometimes, I will miss the way people talk to my belly - especially your Grandma Marcia...she uses her high pitched voice when she talks to you and all I can picture is you covering your ears in there! I will miss alone time with your dad but look forward to having someone else to share our life with.
Even though there are many things I will miss, having you here will greatly outweigh all of those. We are SO eXcItEd! Your dad and I have tried for a very long time to grow our family. It started out as the two of us, then came Lucy to make three, then came Mickey to make four and it stayed that way for a long time. The time waiting to grow our family has caused us much heartache but it all makes sense now. this whole time we weren't able to get pregnant it was because we were waiting for you. It was always meant to be you and I wished I would have trusted that more. A quote I have heard is that "Faith in God means trust in his timing." I feel that more than ever now. It was never about having a child. It was always about having you. You are worth the wait, my dear. We love you so much already and everyone around us loves you too. So your dad and I will continue to wait for your arrival...you can feel free to come anytime after next Wednesday because you will be full term by then and it will be safe for you to enter the world. Boy, we can't wait to meet you. Even though we feel like we already know you, meeting you in person is just going to be quite a moment. I love the way you make your dad light up when he feels you now and I love the way I feel when you move - but I can't wait to see the looks on your dad's face when he gets to see you in person and I can't wait to feel your movements and hear your cries after you have arrived. I think our hearts may just melt right there in the delivery room.
Keep growing strong. We'll see you soon.
Love,
Mom
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
31 weeks
Far Along: 31 weeks
Fruit or Veggie of the week: The weight of 4 oranges.
Size of Baby: 17 inches, 3 and a half pounds
Total Weight Gain/Loss: I didn't want to look at the scale this week. My thighs are telling it all!
Movement: Wow, all the time!
Stretchmarks: Still doing okay.
Sleep: Well, I am still getting up in the middle of the night and can't fall back asleep for a few hours. At least I have Lucy to entertain me. She always comes out to the living room with me and falls asleep out there. Too cute. :)
What I miss: A turkey sandwich would be nice!
Cravings: Fruit, fruit, fruit! I can't get enough of it this week.
Symptoms: Well, my belly looks like Santa Claus so ya I look pregnant!
Best Moment this Week: Our first baby shower! My mom did such a nice job with the Jackson shower. It was at Cascades Manor House and it went really well. I was exhausted after it though. That is a lot of work...good work. We were so blessed with beautiful gifts. Kind of an overwhelming amount of support.
Labor Signs: Nope
Belly Button in or out: Still just chillin' in between in and out.
Looking forward to: Well, I am going to change this up....not looking forward to going back to work from Christmas break. It will help the last bit of pregnancy to go by a little faster though.
Week 31 belly picture:
Fruit or Veggie of the week: The weight of 4 oranges.
Size of Baby: 17 inches, 3 and a half pounds
Total Weight Gain/Loss: I didn't want to look at the scale this week. My thighs are telling it all!
Movement: Wow, all the time!
Stretchmarks: Still doing okay.
Sleep: Well, I am still getting up in the middle of the night and can't fall back asleep for a few hours. At least I have Lucy to entertain me. She always comes out to the living room with me and falls asleep out there. Too cute. :)
What I miss: A turkey sandwich would be nice!
Cravings: Fruit, fruit, fruit! I can't get enough of it this week.
Symptoms: Well, my belly looks like Santa Claus so ya I look pregnant!
Best Moment this Week: Our first baby shower! My mom did such a nice job with the Jackson shower. It was at Cascades Manor House and it went really well. I was exhausted after it though. That is a lot of work...good work. We were so blessed with beautiful gifts. Kind of an overwhelming amount of support.
Labor Signs: Nope
Belly Button in or out: Still just chillin' in between in and out.
Looking forward to: Well, I am going to change this up....not looking forward to going back to work from Christmas break. It will help the last bit of pregnancy to go by a little faster though.
Week 31 belly picture:
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
30 weeks
Far Along: 30 weeks
Fruit or Veggie of the week: Cabbage
Size of Baby: 17 inches, 3 and a half pounds
Total Weight Gain/Loss: After the holidays we have gained about 30 pounds.
Gender: Benny Boo is a boy. :)
Movement: Holy cow this kid is strong. The movements have been different this week because it is not just jabbing/kicking movements. I can actually feel his heel rubbing against my uterus from the inside and outside. Truly amazing. He has been getting the hiccups about once a day. Poor lil' guy gets the hiccups every time I drink a little bit of Sprite.
Stretchmarks: Putting lotion on my belly daily must be helping because we are doing good with this.
Sleep: What is that? Just kidding! This winter break has my sleep schedule all screwed up. I have been taking naps daily but staying up late, sometimes getting up in the middle of the night...very irregular!
What I miss: Even though there are some things I miss, they are minimal compared to all of the things I have gained.
Cravings: Oranges are still a must. I have eaten 1-2 oranges every day. My palette is still needing spicy stuff. Good thing the heartburn has been okay this week.
Symptoms: Unnecessary crying...over stupid stuff. Swelling is still okay unless I wear above the ankle socks.
Best Moment this Week: My mom, Barbi, and I made some sugar scrub for the baby shower. It turned out really well.
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out: Stuck in the middle. :)
Looking forward to: Breastfeeding/prenantal classes this week. The more I know the better I feel.
Fruit or Veggie of the week: Cabbage
Size of Baby: 17 inches, 3 and a half pounds
Total Weight Gain/Loss: After the holidays we have gained about 30 pounds.
Gender: Benny Boo is a boy. :)
Movement: Holy cow this kid is strong. The movements have been different this week because it is not just jabbing/kicking movements. I can actually feel his heel rubbing against my uterus from the inside and outside. Truly amazing. He has been getting the hiccups about once a day. Poor lil' guy gets the hiccups every time I drink a little bit of Sprite.
Stretchmarks: Putting lotion on my belly daily must be helping because we are doing good with this.
Sleep: What is that? Just kidding! This winter break has my sleep schedule all screwed up. I have been taking naps daily but staying up late, sometimes getting up in the middle of the night...very irregular!
What I miss: Even though there are some things I miss, they are minimal compared to all of the things I have gained.
Cravings: Oranges are still a must. I have eaten 1-2 oranges every day. My palette is still needing spicy stuff. Good thing the heartburn has been okay this week.
Symptoms: Unnecessary crying...over stupid stuff. Swelling is still okay unless I wear above the ankle socks.
Best Moment this Week: My mom, Barbi, and I made some sugar scrub for the baby shower. It turned out really well.
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out: Stuck in the middle. :)
Looking forward to: Breastfeeding/prenantal classes this week. The more I know the better I feel.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
29 Weeks
Far Along: 29 weeks
Fruit or Veggie of the week: Butternut Squash (one of my favorite vegetables!)
Size of Baby: 15 - 16 inches, 2.5 - 3 lbs (no wonder why my bladder feels like a boulder is sitting on top of it!)
Total Weight Gain/Loss: I have not stepped on a scale this week and with Christmas this weekend I am going to try to be careful to not blow up like a whale. :) 'Tis the season!
Gender: Boy :)
Movement: A lot of it! He is getting so much stronger. It is beyond awesome to put my hand on my belly and feel his little foot reach out and kick me.
Stretchmarks: Still not a problem. :)
Sleep: Crazy!!!!! This is the main thing I am struggling with lately but in all reality it is just preparing me for motherhood. Sleeping on my side is causing my hips to hurt in the morning or maybe it is just my body expanding for our sweet one to come out. Christmas break is right around the corner so hopefully I can rest up then.
What I miss: Walking in front of my husband! Everywhere we go it seems as though I am always two steps ahead of Chad and constantly bug him to keep up. (I get this fast paced walking from my mother!) Now, the tables have turned and I am the one that can't keep up with him!
Cravings: Nothing special this week.
Symptoms: Still mild swelling with socks so I do my best to go without and have even been wearing slippers at work. Hormones are a little wacky...
Best Moment this Week: Shannon got to feel Ben move! We were at the Howard's family Christmas gathering and he kicked her twice. She said it felt like a hiccup. :)
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out: Still stuck in the middle of in or out.
Looking forward to: Christmas break! And Christmas this weekend, of course! Chad and I both have two weeks off from school. Yay!
Random Updates:
- I have been prepping stuff for my classroom for my maternity leave. Thankfully, I have some third grade girls that are all about helping, so they are saving me a lot of work!
29 week belly:
Fruit or Veggie of the week: Butternut Squash (one of my favorite vegetables!)
Size of Baby: 15 - 16 inches, 2.5 - 3 lbs (no wonder why my bladder feels like a boulder is sitting on top of it!)
Total Weight Gain/Loss: I have not stepped on a scale this week and with Christmas this weekend I am going to try to be careful to not blow up like a whale. :) 'Tis the season!
Gender: Boy :)
Movement: A lot of it! He is getting so much stronger. It is beyond awesome to put my hand on my belly and feel his little foot reach out and kick me.
Stretchmarks: Still not a problem. :)
Sleep: Crazy!!!!! This is the main thing I am struggling with lately but in all reality it is just preparing me for motherhood. Sleeping on my side is causing my hips to hurt in the morning or maybe it is just my body expanding for our sweet one to come out. Christmas break is right around the corner so hopefully I can rest up then.
What I miss: Walking in front of my husband! Everywhere we go it seems as though I am always two steps ahead of Chad and constantly bug him to keep up. (I get this fast paced walking from my mother!) Now, the tables have turned and I am the one that can't keep up with him!
Cravings: Nothing special this week.
Symptoms: Still mild swelling with socks so I do my best to go without and have even been wearing slippers at work. Hormones are a little wacky...
Best Moment this Week: Shannon got to feel Ben move! We were at the Howard's family Christmas gathering and he kicked her twice. She said it felt like a hiccup. :)
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out: Still stuck in the middle of in or out.
Looking forward to: Christmas break! And Christmas this weekend, of course! Chad and I both have two weeks off from school. Yay!
Random Updates:
- I have been prepping stuff for my classroom for my maternity leave. Thankfully, I have some third grade girls that are all about helping, so they are saving me a lot of work!
29 week belly:
Friday, December 16, 2011
28 weeks
Far Along: 28 weeks
Fruit or Veggie of the week: Chinese cabbage
Size of Baby: 13.6-14.8 inches, 1.5-2.5 lbs
Total Weight Gain/Loss: 25 pounds...I think I have gained all of my weight in my boobs. Man they are excessively large!
Gender: Boy :)
Movement: All the time! I feel him so frequently and just can't get enough of it. I love to turn over at night and feel my belly all lopsided. He is such a gentle boy at times but at others he really feels like he is getting stronger. My hands are glued to my belly. Feeling him from the inside and the outside is pretty magical.
Stretchmarks: Doing good with this.
Sleep: This week I have been sleeping really hard at night but wake up often to turn over or to go to the bathroom. Chad says he catches me snoring.
What I miss: My energy. I wish I could say I don't miss that but I have been feeling like I can't keep up like I used to. This is totally okay but at work I am used to being on the go and now all I want to do is teach from sitting in chair!
Cravings: Oranges, orange juice, and pancakes are still a must.
Symptoms: Mild swelling when I wear socks, calf pain when I go on my tiptoes to shut the kitchen blinds, and back pain still. This one spot in my back has been giving me such a hard time. I did set up an appointment for physical therapy in a few weeks. Hopefully that will help.
Best Moment this Week: My mom painted the tree in Ben's room. The leaves aren't done yet but all of the trunk work and branches are complete. It looks beautiful. What a gift to her grandson!
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out: Kind of in between the two. I feel like it could just pop the entire way at any moment.
Looking forward to: Christmas! Let the festivities begin! I am looking forward to spending this Christmas pregnant - what a gift.
Random Updates:
- This week's check up appointment went well. Brandi answered a lot of questions and is soooo calm. All three of our midwives have an awesome calming presence....just what I need!
- I started my iron supplements yesterday. Yummy! Ben is worth it though.
28 week belly:
Here is a picture of the tree my mom is painting on the wall.....I can't wait until we add the leaves on it!
Fruit or Veggie of the week: Chinese cabbage
Size of Baby: 13.6-14.8 inches, 1.5-2.5 lbs
Total Weight Gain/Loss: 25 pounds...I think I have gained all of my weight in my boobs. Man they are excessively large!
Gender: Boy :)
Movement: All the time! I feel him so frequently and just can't get enough of it. I love to turn over at night and feel my belly all lopsided. He is such a gentle boy at times but at others he really feels like he is getting stronger. My hands are glued to my belly. Feeling him from the inside and the outside is pretty magical.
Stretchmarks: Doing good with this.
Sleep: This week I have been sleeping really hard at night but wake up often to turn over or to go to the bathroom. Chad says he catches me snoring.
What I miss: My energy. I wish I could say I don't miss that but I have been feeling like I can't keep up like I used to. This is totally okay but at work I am used to being on the go and now all I want to do is teach from sitting in chair!
Cravings: Oranges, orange juice, and pancakes are still a must.
Symptoms: Mild swelling when I wear socks, calf pain when I go on my tiptoes to shut the kitchen blinds, and back pain still. This one spot in my back has been giving me such a hard time. I did set up an appointment for physical therapy in a few weeks. Hopefully that will help.
Best Moment this Week: My mom painted the tree in Ben's room. The leaves aren't done yet but all of the trunk work and branches are complete. It looks beautiful. What a gift to her grandson!
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out: Kind of in between the two. I feel like it could just pop the entire way at any moment.
Looking forward to: Christmas! Let the festivities begin! I am looking forward to spending this Christmas pregnant - what a gift.
Random Updates:
- This week's check up appointment went well. Brandi answered a lot of questions and is soooo calm. All three of our midwives have an awesome calming presence....just what I need!
- I started my iron supplements yesterday. Yummy! Ben is worth it though.
28 week belly:
Here is a picture of the tree my mom is painting on the wall.....I can't wait until we add the leaves on it!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
27 weeks
Today starts the first day of the last week of my second trimester. The second trimester has been really good to me. I haven't really had much sickness except some heartburn here and there. The second trimester revealed that we are having a BOY! I started to feel Benjamin Miles kicking at 18 weeks on the nose and he hasn't let up since (that is a good thing.) I can now tell when he turns, kicks, punches, has the hiccups, does somersaults, or just needs my hand on our belly for attention. It is hard to believe the second trimester is almost over. With every ending comes a beginning...the third trimester will be welcomed with open arms next week.
Far Along: 27 weeks
Fruit or Veggie of the week: Cauliflower or Eggplant (we are using a few different sites to track this.)
Size of Baby: 13.6-14.8 inches, 1.5-2.5 lbs
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Somewhere between 20-25 pounds. Thanksgiving weekend didn't help much!
Gender: Beautiful Boy
Movement: A lot of it! I probably feel him every few hours. He is most active first thing when I wake up, around lunch time, and then at night after 8pm when I am sitting quietly. Last night I had my hands on my belly and they were bouncing up and down. That was pretty awesome. He is definitely getting stronger every day. I love waking up in the morning to a lop sided belly and Chad and I can both feel his little rump. Good Morning!
Stretchmarks: Not more than usual.
Sleep: Inconsistent. I usually wake up at least once in the night to go to the bathroom and a few times to roll or turn over. I have been sick this week though so mucus and congestion have been keeping me up too.
What I miss: Lunch meat. I can deal with that.
Cravings: Pancakes. It was Mexican foods for a while but then heartburn told me to cool out on that. Chips and salsa are still a must have in the house. Oranges have also been a go to snack the past few weeks.
Symptoms: Minor feet swelling when I wear socks. Lower back pain.
Best Moment this Week: I have been really sick this week and actually took today off of work. Chest congestion, mucus, runny nose, stuffed up nose, itchy ears....Ben is learning what my cough sounds like. I got maternity pajamas for my birthday - now I won't feel so frumpy around the house at night. I also bought a new pair of tennis shoes with some birthday money - these were more than needed. Thanks to both of our moms for these items! Grandma Kelley and Grandpa Denny got to feel Ben kick for the first time. I am glad he cooperated.
Random Updates:
-Had to buy a new size of maternity pants this week. Still growing and my thighs want to rip the seams of my other size. This is the first size jump though.
-We passed our glucola screen. That was good news. My iron level is low though so I was prescribed supplements.
27 week belly:
Far Along: 27 weeks
Fruit or Veggie of the week: Cauliflower or Eggplant (we are using a few different sites to track this.)
Size of Baby: 13.6-14.8 inches, 1.5-2.5 lbs
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Somewhere between 20-25 pounds. Thanksgiving weekend didn't help much!
Gender: Beautiful Boy
Movement: A lot of it! I probably feel him every few hours. He is most active first thing when I wake up, around lunch time, and then at night after 8pm when I am sitting quietly. Last night I had my hands on my belly and they were bouncing up and down. That was pretty awesome. He is definitely getting stronger every day. I love waking up in the morning to a lop sided belly and Chad and I can both feel his little rump. Good Morning!
Stretchmarks: Not more than usual.
Sleep: Inconsistent. I usually wake up at least once in the night to go to the bathroom and a few times to roll or turn over. I have been sick this week though so mucus and congestion have been keeping me up too.
What I miss: Lunch meat. I can deal with that.
Cravings: Pancakes. It was Mexican foods for a while but then heartburn told me to cool out on that. Chips and salsa are still a must have in the house. Oranges have also been a go to snack the past few weeks.
Symptoms: Minor feet swelling when I wear socks. Lower back pain.
Best Moment this Week: I have been really sick this week and actually took today off of work. Chest congestion, mucus, runny nose, stuffed up nose, itchy ears....Ben is learning what my cough sounds like. I got maternity pajamas for my birthday - now I won't feel so frumpy around the house at night. I also bought a new pair of tennis shoes with some birthday money - these were more than needed. Thanks to both of our moms for these items! Grandma Kelley and Grandpa Denny got to feel Ben kick for the first time. I am glad he cooperated.
Random Updates:
-Had to buy a new size of maternity pants this week. Still growing and my thighs want to rip the seams of my other size. This is the first size jump though.
-We passed our glucola screen. That was good news. My iron level is low though so I was prescribed supplements.
27 week belly:
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