Live.Laugh.Love

Week 29 (June 29 - July 5)

This has been a very eventful week! I had my check-up this week and everything is fine. Blood pressure, good. Weight gain, good. Heart beat, good. Now that I have reached my third trimester (eek!) I will have check-ups with the doctor every two weeks. Oh my goodness. I only have ten weeks to go!

I think I just had a little panic attack. Things to do, things to do!!!

And we have finally decided on a name. Drum roll please...

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

I have liked the name Eden since before we were even pregnant. It brings to mind a beautiful and tranquil garden. Zoë means lively. This time we are going with peaceful and serene. Bonus? It is not on the top 100 baby names, which I love. Michelle is after my Dad. We were oscillating between Michelle and Michaela, but Eden Michelle sounds more threatening for when she gets in trouble. Hehehe. :)

Would you believe that we also got the Zoë seal of approval on the name? I think it was meant to be. She vetoed every other name with threw at her. Now she calls the baby both Burp and Eden. Nice.

Eden is growing and moving like crazy. I have been saying that for weeks, and I don't anticipate that stopping any time soon. What has changed is that I can feel her little feet and hands moving across my belly. It is the coolest and most bizarre feeling. It's like she is checking out her surroundings. Or trying to escape. Who knows.

Cravings: Cookies (still). That is not helping the ol' scale.

Aversions: Nothing of note

Baby Eden:
The baby's head is in proportion with body now. She appears more like a newborn each and every day! Fat continues to accumulate under the skin -- only now preparing for entering the *real world*. The baby's brain can control primitive breathing and body temperatures. Her eyes can move in their sockets. Soon she will be able to follow a blinking light. (Nice for her since Zoë likes shining a flash light on my tummy.) The baby is increasingly sensitive to changes in light, sound, taste, and smell! Various studies show that the baby may indicate preferences (or disdain) for particular tastes or odors at this stage. She is also moving from side to side, but probably still is head up. In the next few weeks, she will move to the head down birthing position. Her length is now approximately 15.2 inches (38.6cm) and weight is 2.54 pounds (1153gm). 

Week 28 (June 22 - June 28)

Today I fully realize the unfortunate timing of this pregnancy. Being über pregnant through the summer is going to be miserable if today is any indication. UGH. I am so uncomfortable. Right now I am sitting in the recliner with my feet propped up with a pillow (Zoë is on the couch with her feet propped up too. LOL!) and the fan blowing on me. It is 80 degrees by the fan and 90 upstairs in our bedroom. I knew this was coming. The first thing most people say to me when they find out my due date is, "Oh you are going to be pregnant all summer. I'm sorry." Yeah, thanks.

"I'm meelllllllllttttiiiiiiing!" (Said in my best wicked witch voice.)

Tomorrow is supposed to be 90. I am seriously considering booking a hotel room. A hotel room with A/C. I take back everything I have said about Kelly's crazy intolerance to heat. I now think he is perfectly sane. Of course I am a hormonal pregnant lady so together I'm sure we are completely insane. Either way, it is HOT! And my feet are swollen. That little bit of loveliness started today. I think it's the heat. Bleck.

Other than that I really do feel good. Sunday marks the start of the third trimester. Otherwise known as the incredible expanding Maegan. The baby is already moving around like crazy and making my stomach lurch back and forth and she is only two pounds. Give her a month and she might just tip me over. LOL! I am still feeling a bit frustrated about my limited activities. The round ligament pain I was having after bending down and planting flowers for twenty minutes just about killed me off on Friday. Come on! It's not like I was lifting bags of bark and spreading it like Kel. Just planting meazly flowers. Geez!

Oh, on a side note, Zoë has now decided that the baby's name is Burp. You like? No? Kelly and I aren't really fans either. I thought that only little boys were supposed to be amused by burping and farting. Apparently not.

Cravings: Sandwiches (Classic turkey from Quizno's specifically) and cookies

Aversions: None

Baby Birr:
Eyebrows and eyelashes are now very noticeable! Hair on the baby's head is growing longer. (I wonder if she will be born with a full head of hair like Zoë?) The eyes are completely formed now. The baby's body is getting plump and rounded. Most of that increase is muscle tissue and bone. Fat will be added during the third trimester. Muscle tone is improving. (Yep, you can actually see that happening. LOL!) Lungs are capable of breathing now. She can recognize ours voices now and will often calm to it later on! The baby weighs in now at 2.2 pounds (1005gm) and is 14.8 inches (37.6cm).

Weeks 26 and 27 (June 8 - June 21)

Good news, no more round ligament pains! Until today that is. It turns out I was right and holding/carrying Zoë is the source of the strain. I was holding her today for about ten minutes at Home Depot and the pain is back with a vengeance. Poo. On the plus side, now that I know for sure what is causing it I can stop.

In other news, the baby is moving like crazy. And she is strong enough now that my stomach is moving constantly. It makes me smile all the time. My stomach lurches all over the place. LOL! Of course when Kelly and Zoë try to feel the baby move do you think she will cooperate? 98% of the time the answer is no.

Zoë has decided that the baby should be named Burp instead of Lucy. Lovely. I think we'll veto that one as well. We still don't have a name for this little one picked out. We liked Jillian but the name means "Bearded Youth." What the heck is that supposed to mean? We can't exactly name her that. Imagine the introductions..."This is our daughter Zoë, it means lively. And this is out daughter Jillian, the little bearded child." Um, no.

Cravings: None

Aversions: None

Baby Birr:
To support the fetus's growing body, the spine is getting stronger and more supple. Though no longer than the span of the average adult hand, it is now made up of 150 joints, 33 rings, and some 1,000 ligaments. Air sacs in the lungs form now. Lungs begin to secrete a greasy substance called surfactant. Without surfactant the fetal lungs would stick together and couldn't expand after the baby is born. Although they've been sealed shut for the last few months, the baby's eyes are opening and beginning to blink this week. Retinas begin to form. Brain wave activity for hearing and sight begins to be detectable. Fetal brain scans show response to touch. Her brain continues its rapid growth. Response to sound grows more consistent toward the end of the seventh month, when the network of nerves to the ear is complete. The baby's hearing continues to develop, he or she may start to recognize our voices. Lungs continue to grow and prepare for functioning outside of the womb. Each day in the womb greatly increases survival rates! She also continues to take small breaths and although she's only breathing in water and not air, it's still good practice for when she's born. Eyelids are now open more. The baby can distinguish between light and dark. Retinas have formed. Your baby will grow over an inch this week alone! You may suspect this phenominal growth rate repeats in the preteen years! Average size is now 14.4 inches (36.6cm) and 1.9 pound (875gm).  

Week 25 (June 1 - June 7)

I had my glucose test this week and all is well which means no more blood draws until this little one arrives. Woo Hoo! Getting my blood drawn doesn't really bother me, but I wouldn't call it a fun experience, you know? Plus, this is Zoë's last week of preschool so I'd imagine that she is going to be coming to my check-ups with me this summer. She would freak out if she saw something sucking out my blood. LOL! My next check-up is in a month and then they move to every two weeks which means my due date is getting closer. ACK! I am excited, don't get me wrong, but then Kelly says things like "the girls" and I freak out just a little. We are going to have TWO kids. ACK!

I am most definitely starting to feel pregnant. It always happens around six and a half months. That is when you move from the cute pregnant to "Woah! Look at that stomach!" pregnant. Yep. I am having an increasingly hard time bending down and the round ligament pain is killing me. It is not as bad as last week, but if I do anything strenuous at all (even light vacuuming) I have to sit and rest because of the pain. Lame, lame, lame. I think my days of carrying Zoë are numbered. I am not one to just sit around so this is driving me nuts. There are things to be done! Flowers to be planted! Good grief. And I'm tired all the time, even when I go to bed early. I miss my Enviga. Mmmmm, Green Tea Enviga.....

Cravings: Nothing, but I am hungry constantly.

Aversions: Nothing.

Baby Birr:
The structures of the spine begin to form -- joints, ligaments and rings. These will protect the all important spinal cord which serves as the information transmitter for the baby's body. Blood vessels of the lungs develop. The baby's nostrils begin to open. There is a study out of Belfast that suggests babies at this stage have the capability of scent preferences. The nerves around the mouth and lip area are showing more sensitivity now. When baby is rooting for food later on, these will be valuable! Her swallowing reflexes are developing. Dexterity is improving. The baby can make a fist and would clasp objects placed in palm. She has now obtained an approximate length of 13.6 inches (34.6cm) and weighs 1.46 pound (660gm).  

Weeks 23 & 24 (May 18 - May 31)

First up, the latest belly shot. I took monthly shots with Zoë and that seemed to work pretty well, so I am doing that again this time around. It is much easier to see the difference in the ever growing tummy. :)

Lots has been happening the last two weeks, none of which I am terribly thrilled with. Granted, none of them are medically threatening, just obnoxious. One, I woke up a week ago with spider/varicose veins on my legs. WTH? That is only suppose to happen to old ladies. You can bet that as soon as this little one arrives in the world I am having those little suckers lasered. Dang. I am too young for this! Two, round ligament pain. OUCH! I fully expect my stomach to pop out at any moment. Any amount of stretching or leaning has me holding my stomach and doubling over. Yowza. Laughing is also bad. Kel and I were watching Ron White last weekend and I was laughing so hard that I was crying...both from the comedy and the round ligament pain because I couldn't stop laughing.

Other than that I feel really good. I am pretty tired but that is because Miss Zoë has been getting up at the crack of dawn (literally) since we moved her into her new room. The mini blinds do almost nothing to block the sunlight. Thankfully her new curtains should be arriving any day. Then maybe I can sleep past 6am again. Ugh. I do believe that nesting has started, but who doesn't like nesting?! Organizing and cleaning? Sounds like a good time to me, pregnant or not.

The nursery is well on it's way. It was painted a lovely soft pink last week to coordinate with this adorable bedding set. The bedding should arrive this week, but we aren't planning on putting the crib back in the nursery until August, so the room is pretty much on hold for a few months. (And I can focus on decorating Zoë's new big girl room. Love it.)

No, we still don't have any names for the baby. We keep tossing out suggestions, all of which Zoë vetos with "No. I don't like that name. It's not a pretty name. I like Lucy."

Cravings: Wine, beer...any liquor really. No, I am not drinking it.

Aversions: Greasy food

Baby "Lucy"

Proportions of the body are now quite similar to a newborn although thinner since she hasn't begun to form body fat. Bones located in the middle ear harden. The baby is able to hear. The eyes are formed, though the iris still lacks pigmentation.The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily. She has begun producing insulin, important for the breakdown of sugars. The baby gained about 6 ounces this week (24). The weight is in muscle, bone mass and organs. Her body begins to fill out with her appearance increasingly becoming more like a newborn. Taste buds begin to form. If I drinks something strange or bitter, baby may be observed showing her distaste. Little creases have appeared on her palms. The muscular coordination of her hands has improved as she sucks his thumb. Over the next seven days the sweat glands will be forming in the skin. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily. This week (24) your baby is officially considered viable. She weighs 1.3 pound (600gm) and is 11.8 inches (30cm) long -- almost the length of a ruler!  

Weeks Twenty One & Two (May 4 - May 17)

These last few weeks have been great. Zoë and I flew down to California a week ago to visit my Dad and Victoria while Kelly was in Romania and I did just fine. Although I must say, take off when you are pregnant is a very strange sensation. You know that feeling of being pushed back into your seat just before lift off? Well that happens to the baby too. Crazy pressure. Not bad pressure like the baby is trying to come out or anything, just disconcerting.

I had my monthly check-up on Tuesday. Nothing exciting to report there. I know it is necessary to be checked out each month, but really it takes five minutes. Check blood pressure: 104/60. Listen to heart beat. Ask any questions. Done. Next month I have my glucose test so I get to fast for eight hours then drink a yummy orange drink so that they can check my blood sugar. Good times.

Weight gain: Thus far I have gained about eighteen pounds. The doctor says I am right where I should be. Glad to hear it, and considering how much I gained with Zoë, eighteen pounds is awesome. That being said I am shooting for a 25-30 pound total gain so I am trying to avoid sweets and snack on healthy foods like baby carrots or fruit of some sort.

Zoë and I did a bit of shopping this week. She has a grand time picking out clothes for "Mommy's big tummy" and loved wearing the detachable tummy in the store. This weekend has been HOT and I needed some summer attire. I found the most comfortable maternity shirt ever and bought it in three colors. They are not terribly fancy but they are very Mommy friendly. As much as I like the more detailed tanks and wrap around shirts, these are much more conducive to summertime fun with a toddler. And I love the ruched sides. It is a bit more girly and will be less tent like when I am one hundred weeks pregnant this summer. Since the shirts are rather plain I am going to buy some cute pendants to go with them. I found these thanks to my friend Heather. Aren't they fabulous? I love Etsy. It is pure crafty goodness. You can't beat that.

Zoë continues to call the baby Lucy. Baby Lucy to be exact. Kelly and I still have no names that we are in love with. We have been telling Zoë the baby names we come up with as they pop in our heads and thus far every time she has said, "No. I don't like that name. I like Baby Lucy. It's pretty." All I can say is that I wish I were as passionate about a name as she was.

Kelly and Zoë both felt the baby kick for the first time this week. She is definitely getting stronger. Usually she will be kicking up a storm and when I call Kelly and Zoë over she stops moving. Little stinker! She has a knack for kicking right at the Baby Plus when I am wearing it. Apparently she is trying to get the knocking to stop. LOL!

Cravings: None

Aversions: None

Baby "Lucy":
The baby weighs close to a pound at this point! She can now hear our conversations more clearly than before. When we talk, read, or sing, she can hear us. Studies have found that newborns will suck more vigorously when read to from a book they heard frequently in utero. Eyelids and eyebrows are fully formed. Fingernails have grown to the end of the fingers. The baby's brain has entered a stage of rapid growth, especially in what's called the germinal matrix. This structure deep in the middle of the brain serves as a kind of factory for brain cells and disappears shortly before birth. But the brain's amazing expansion program continues until around the five birthday. With some help from mom, baby's liver is starting to break down bilirubin, a substance produced by red blood cells. Length is 10.94 inches (27.8cm); weight is nearly 1 pound (430gm).

Week Twenty (April 27 - May 3)

This was a very exciting week. We found out that we are having another little girl. Zoë is just beyond excited, I can't even tell you. She is insisting that the baby's name is Lucy. She even calls her Baby Lucy. Right now Kelly and I don't have a single name to recommend so you never know, come September 10th if we still haven't come up with anything it could be Lucy. ;) I wouldn't hold my breath though. I Love Lucy pops into my head every time I hear that name.

Now for some ultrasound pictures. The doctor took LOTS of them. He even printed an extra copy of the baby's face for Zoë, which she carries around. The top right picture is of the baby's heart. That and everything else in her little body look perfectly healthy and normal.

I will end with a cute Zoë story. The other night Kel and I were giving her a bath and I was saying that the baby was kicking me because I was squishing her when I leaned over. Zoë got a horrified look on her face and started crying. Not just a few tears, full on hysterical crying and told me that I was naughty and that I couldn't squish the baby. Awwwww. How cute is that?! She is going to be such a good big sister. I explained to her that it doesn't hurt the baby, she just gets a little bit cramped when I bend over. It didn't seem to matter though. She tells me pretty much every day that I can't squish her baby sister and that I need to tell the baby I am sorry for squishing her.

Cravings: Nothing

Aversions: Nothing

Baby Birr:

The rapid growth stage is about over. While things have slowed down, this next stage is vital to survival. The baby's heart grows stronger. Her legs are reaching their relative size. With the increase muscle develop occurring as well, I will start feeling much more than tiny flutter kicks soon! Immunities are being transferred from me to the baby now. These immune cells will protect her from viruses I've already had for up to six months after birth! The nerve cells for taste, smell, hearing, seeing, and touch are now developing in specialized areas of the brain. Production slows down as existing nerve cells grow larger and make more complex connections. The baby may startle in reaction to loud sounds. Amazingly, she can actually hear noises outside of the womb. Familiar voices, music, and sounds that baby becomes accustomed to during her development stages often are calming after birth. Her uterus is starting to develop. She has approximately six million eggs in her ovaries. About one million will remain at birth. The baby is about 6.46 inches (16.4cm) and weighs around 10.58 ounces (300g).

An Announcement

I went in for my 20 week ultrasound today and the doctor confirmed that we are indeed having a girl. Woo Hoo! (Good thing, because we would have had a mighty gay little boy with Zoë dressing him up like a princess all the time. Seriously. She has already been asking me if the baby can dress up like a princess with her.) The baby is perfectly healthy and measuring accurately. All good news.

Now aren't you glad you stopped by the ol' blog today? This is TOP SECRET BLOG NEWS. Aside from my mother, who has been hounding and calling me relentlessly, we aren't calling anyone else to tell them about the baby until next week. I figure, you care enough to stop by and see what is going on. You deserve a little bit of privileged information.

One other little tidbit, Zoë currently wants to name the baby Lucy (who happens to be a friend of hers from school.) We haven't actually decided on any baby names yet, or even if we are going to tell anyone the name before the birth.

That is all for now! I am off to start looking for nursery decor. Can't wait. Poor Kelly is going to start twitching as soon as he reads that I'm sure. ;)

Week Nineteen (April 20 - April 26)

The baby has been moving around constantly this week, mostly to tell me to stop squishing it. I am starting to find it more difficult to be on the ground playing with Zoë. The baby does not like me bending over...especially during bath time. He/she lets me know about it. Ouch! And add holding Zoë to the list. She tries to sit on my tummy (thus squishing the baby). Ouch again! I see more piggy back rides in Miss Zoë's future.

Baby squishing aside, I am feeling good! I tragically unfortunately discovered two teeny stretch marks above my belly button yesterday while Zoë was inspecting my tummy. I am not pleased. (See how I edited that for my family friend blog?) I never got stretch marks on my stomach with Zoë and mistakenly assumed I wouldn't this time either. UGH! Ever since the terrible discovery I have been putting lotion on like an insane person. The best I can hope for now is prevention-prevention-prevention. Dr. Oz said there is nothing you can do about stretch marks and that the creams are a load of poo. Frankly, I believe him. I've tried the creams and they don't do diddly.

Edited to add: It has been brought to my attention that it has been a while since I posted a belly shot. Wish granted. Here I am at 19.5 weeks.

Cravings: None

Aversions: Greasy/fast food

Baby Birr:
The baby has the same awake and sleep patterns of a newborn. He/she has a favorite position for sleep and recognizable active and rest periods. Throughout baby's body, nerves are being coated with a fatty substance called myelin, which insulates the nerves so that impulses can flow smoothly. Scalp hair becomes apparent this week. It has sprouted and continues to grow. The milk teeth buds have already developed and over the next few days the buds for the permanent teeth will begin to form behind the milk teeth. The baby is swallowing amniotic fluid and his or her kidneys are making urine. (Good to know?) The baby is around 6.02 inches (15.3cm) and 8.47 ounces (240gm)

Week Eighteen (April 13th - April 19th)

Week Eighteen marked the beginning of my Baby Plus regime. For one hour each morning and one hour each night I strap that little thumping contraption on to my belly in the hopes that it will make the baby smarter. I did the same thing with Zoë. Do you think it worked? I don't know if it was the Baby Plus or some pretty awesome genetics from her Daddy, but she is one smart little cookie. (A little too smart sometimes.) The Baby Plus drives Kelly absolutely bananas, but I don't even notice it anymore. To me it is like white noise. The baby certainly hears it though and squirms around the entire time the Baby Plus is on.

The baby is moving around all the time now and the kicks/squirms are starting to get stronger. The baby also seems to have very strong opinions about how I position myself when I am laying down. No more back sleeping for me. My belly button is starting to turn into a flat-y instead of an in-y, but the rest of me is staying the right proportions (for now) thank goodness.

I went to the doctor for my monthly check-up and all is well. My blood work came back yesterday, and again all was well. When I got to my appointment they reminded me that I had a massage scheduled after my appointment. Sweet. I totally forgot about that. Did I mention that there are massage therapists on staff just for the expectant mommies? Yep, my OB rocks. So from now on I get a massage each time I go see the doctor. Life is rough. Hehehe. Oh, and Dr. Avendano was also able to schedule my C-Section, so barring any early labor (knock on wood) the baby will be arriving on September 10th. We have to check into the hospital at 5:30am. Ugh. I am not looking forward to that, but I suppose I might as well get used to being up at that hour anyway.

Cravings: Nothing noteworthy

Aversions: Nothing noteworthy

Baby Birr:
Vernix (a white cheese-like protective material) formed on the baby's skin with the lanugo (soft, lightly pigmented hair covering the body and limbs); both serving to protect the baby's skin during the months in water. Tiny air sacs called alveoli begin to form in lungs. The baby will be putting these lungs to good use in just a few months! The vocal chords are formed. The baby goes through the motions of crying but without air but doesn't make a sound. Features of the baby's heart, including ventricles and chambers, should be visible during an ultrasound. The baby measures about 5.59 inches (14.2cm) this week and weighs about 6.7 ounces (190gm).