Baby #2: Week 34

May 29, 2011 

How far along: 34 weeks  

Baby's size: Honeydew Melon (Month 8: weeks 33-36 -- Average size: 17.2-18.7 in and 4.2-5.8 lb.)

Symptoms (otherwise known as Mommy C's Weekly Complaints):  

• Somehow I ended up with Braxton Hicks that include back pain.  I know they are BH because they go away when I lie down.  I am hoping that this doesn't mean that I will have back labor.
• Still happening: peeing all the time, leg cramps, being more tired, and having a hard time bending over.

Total Weight Gain:
Looks like I have fully recovered from all the "ick" and my weight bounced back up.   Not bad though for 34 weeks!
Total weight gain= +9 pounds  

Maternity clothes: Bought a couple new shirts that aren't really my style, but at least they cover my belly.  Of course, they were summer shirts and then it got cold again here.

Best moment this week:  Having my mom here and watching her play with Superman.
  
Movement: Lots of movements and they make me kind of nauseous when I am walking and he decides to change his position.

Food cravings:  Water

Gender:  BOY!!!


Labor signs: more Braxton Hicks this week...with back pain (as mentioned above).  I didn't feel these contractions with Superman so it is weird that they are so noticeable to me.  With Superman I had a lot of cramping during the last 6-8 weeks and so far I have only had that once.  I am fascinated that these symptoms are so different. 


What I miss: My mom!  She left yesterday.  Thank goodness she will be back in just a month to help.  


What I'm looking forward to:  Feeling prepared for the new baby.  I have a few projects that I would like to see get done so that I can relax a little bit. 
 
Weekly Wisdom (aka what I learned this week): My mom had told me this before, but mentioned it again while she was here this time.  It is amazing how much more information parents today have compared to our parents.  She says that women just didn't talk with each other about their experiences.  I am grateful to live in time where I get to share my story and here about other women's stories. 


Milestones: Ruled out a planned c-section!  I had some injuries due to delivering Superman that ended up healing on their own.  Had they not done so, it would have been the recommendation of the 2 doctors I was consulting that I have a c-section.  However, they both believe that I am not at a greater risk for it happening again so I get to do a vaginal birth.  


Emotions:  Doing well. 


Exercise:
Boot Camp: Wednesday  (1 hour 15 minutes each each day)
Pregnancy Water Aerobics: none (1 hour each) 
Total exercise time:  1 hour 15 minutes (hoping to get back into things this week)

Till next week!

Outdoor Adventures: The Zoo

Check out the Oregon Zoo here.

Continuing our outdoor adventures today and we are headed to the zoo! 

I didn't have a zoo close to my home when I was growing up.  This means that I only visited a zoo maybe 5-7 times as a kid.  I had no idea what I was missing.

First off, if you live close to a zoo, I highly recommend getting a membership.  I also recommend getting the type that allows you to bring in one free guest because then you can always invite a friend along and they aren't having to fork over money to join you.  Even if you don't choose that level of membership, being a member allows you the freedom to spend as little or as much time as you want there and many times includes a lot of other perks (ex. free parking and free/discounted admission to other events).  I love being able to spend an hour or two at the zoo and then leave without feeling like I have wasted my money. 

So you may be thinking to yourself, "Don't you just look at the animals when you go to the zoo?" and you would be partially right.  At 16 months Superman has favorite animals to go watch.  He loves the fish, polar bears, birds, and otters.    He is not a fan of the animals that are farther away from him or that just stand there when we look at them.

But there is more to the zoo than this.  Our zoo has a petting area that is definitely Superman's favorite part right now.  He loves talking with the goats, saying "baa" to the cows (haven't gotten him to moo yet), and toddle around from one animal to another.   Sure you have to take the time to clean up after you are done with this area, but given the amount of entertainment it brings both my son and I, I say that it is totally worth it.

Another great activity at the zoo is a picnic!  I had no idea that most zoos allow you to bring in your own food and if your zoo is like ours, there are plenty of spots to sit down and enjoy it.  Our particular zoo has an amphitheater that is perfect for laying out a blanket and enjoying a snack or lunch.  

**Beware of the school groups at the end of the school year.  It can get really nutty!  I spoke to one of the employees at our zoo and they recommend coming before 10am or after 2pm to avoid them.**

Activities for the zoo: 

• Looking at the animals
• Petting animals
• Having a picnic (many zoos allow you to bring in outside food)
• Practicing animal sounds
• Summer Camps (for older kids)

Baby #2: Week 33

May 16, 2011 

How far along: 33 weeks  

Baby's size: Honeydew Melon (Month 8: weeks 33-36 -- Average size: 17.2-18.7 in and 4.2-5.8 lb.) or Pineapple (for week 33)

Symptoms (otherwise known as Mommy C's complaints):  

•  I have started to get leg cramps.  Nothing like I had with Superman yet, but enough to make me cautious when my legs start to ache.  
• I am peeing ALL.THE.TIME.  A trip to the store includes 2 stops at the restroom, not including having to go before I leave the house and immediately when I get home.  
• Bending over is even more uncomfortable this week.  I haven't been able to do it very easily for some time, but I had forgotten how painful it can be.  
• I am get tired much more quickly and have less energy to start each day with. 

Total Weight Gain:
Total weight gain= +5 pounds  

Maternity clothes:  Do they have "end of pregnancy" maternity clothes that fit bigger bellies?  I swear half of my shirts don't cover my entire belly anymore.   

Best moment this week:  His movements have gotten so much bigger and watching it is crazy.  My stomach gets all deformed when he is stretching out.  We didn't experience this with Superman because of the anterior placenta so I love that we have a special experience just with him. 
  
Movement: see above 

Food cravings: Milk, milk, and more milk. 

Gender:  BOY!!!


Labor signs: nope


What I miss:  I think I said this last week, but being able to bend over without pain is something I had forgotten to appreciate. 


What I'm looking forward to:  My mom will be here on Tuesday!!!!!!!!!  I haven't seen her in about a year (not counting skype).  I am looking forward to spending some time with her now before the baby gets here (she will be back around the time of my due date). 
 
Weekly Wisdom (aka what I learned this week): I visited a friend today that had a baby a couple weeks ago.  I had seriously forgotten how tiny a newborn can be. I look forward to holding our little tiny baby when he is ready. 


Milestones: No milestones this week.


Emotions:  Doing well. 


Exercise:
Boot Camp: Wednesday  (1 hour 15 minutes each each day)
Pregnancy Water Aerobics: none (1 hour each) 
Total exercise time:  1 hour 15 minutes (hoping to get back into things this week)

Till next week!

Outdoor Adventures: Your Yard

Now that Spring has decided to finally reach the Northwest, Superman and I are spending more and more time outside.  Superman loves being outside so much that I usually end up carrying him kicking and screaming when it is time to come back inside.  In order to not get bored, I have tried to create a collection of different outdoor adventures and I thought it would be a great idea to share them with all of you!  So here is part one of the Outdoor Adventures series.  Today we are starting with the activities that you can do without leaving your own property!

Outdoor Adventures...In Your Yard

It doesn't take much.  Find some chalk, a few balls, a bucket or two, and a shovel and you have a happy toddler.  We spend our time in the front yard right now.  Superman can draw with chalk on the driveway, dig in the plant beds, and kick the ball around in the street (we live at the end of a dead end, but I am ALWAYS in the street with him just in case).  We were just given this basketball hoop as well.

We are in the process of making our backyard a bit more kid friendly (right now it dominated by our dogs).  My hope is to have half the yard reserved for just the human family members (thanks to a fence).  We will put most of the toys I mentioned above back there along with this water table, this picnic table, and this baby pool that are currently taking up space in my garage. 

Activities for your yard: 

• Drawing with chalk
• Bubbles
• Digging
• Planting flowers or tending to a garden...yes, your toddler can help!
• Sports (basketball, soccer, etc.)
• Water table
• Sandbox
• Eating snack/meals on a picnic table
• Swimming in a baby pool
• More options for a bit more money: 
• Play in an outdoor playhouse 
• Play on an outdoor climber

Did I miss anything?  What are the favorite activities for you and your toddler when you are outside playing?

Baby #2: Week 32

 
May 16, 2011 

How far along: 32 weeks  

Baby's size: Squash (Month 7 - week 29-32) 

Symptoms:  Huge belly that seems to get bigger every day, I am peeing so frequently that I should just camp out in there, and I am hungry all the time....except for when I am not, but then I feel over stuffed.  Of course this just comes with the territory as I approach the last portion of my pregnancy so I am getting used to it. 

Total Weight Gain:
So I lost some weight when I was sick.  When I went to the doctor's office on Monday I was down 3 pounds.  I am guessing that since I was sick that weight will come back quickly.  It will be interesting to see where I end up at my next appointment (May 23rd).
Total weight gain= +5 pounds  

Maternity clothes:  Yes

Best moment this week:Not pregnancy related, but it has been nice having my husband's family with us.

Movement: Absolutely!

Food cravings: OJ and water

Gender:  BOY!!!

Labor signs: nope

What I miss:  Being able to stand up (after sitting or laying down) and not have to immediately pee.  I also miss being able to bend over without discomfort.

What I'm looking forward to:  Seeing my actual ob at the next appointment.  Because I try and have my appointment at the same time each time on Mondays, the last two appointments were with the midwife and nurse practitioner.  While it normally isn't a big deal, I have some questions that only my ob can answer for me regarding delivery.  

Weekly Wisdom (aka what I learned this week): Not a wise woman this week.   

Milestones: No milestones this week.

Emotions:  We had my husband's grandmother's memorial service yesterday.  I have found myself missing those who will never know this baby.  

Exercise:
Boot Camp: Friday  (1 hour 15 minutes each each day)
Pregnancy Water Aerobics: none (1 hour each) 
Total exercise time:  1 hour 15 minutes  (With family here, my priority is spending time with them. I hope to get back to a routine beginning Wednesday). 

Till next week!

Baby #2: Week 31

 
May 8, 2011 

How far along: 31 weeks  

Baby's size: Squash (Month 7 - week 29-32) 

Symptoms: I have a baby in my ribs.  He likes to move from this position to one where his bottom is stuck up in the air (picture a sleeping baby with his butt in the air and that is pretty much what it feels like) pushing my skin to stretch farther than it probably should.  Other than that, I have to pee a lot and I have begun to waddle.   

Total Weight Gain:
Total weight gain= +8 pounds  

Maternity clothes:  Yes

Best moment this week:  Not pregnancy related- we went to dinner at Wildwood in NW Portland.  It was an amazing dinner!!

Movement: Absolutely!

Food cravings: nothing really- I have been drinking a lot of tea and hot cider to help with my cough though.

Gender:  BOY!!!

Labor signs: nope

What I miss: Breathing without the use of an inhaler every 4 hours. 

What I'm looking forward to:  Feeling better. 

Weekly Wisdom (aka what I learned this week): Go to the doctor when you are sick.  There are meds that can help sometimes and it is worth asking the doctor for help.   

Milestones: No milestones this week.

Emotions:  Doing pretty well. 

Exercise:
Boot Camp: Wednesday and Friday  (1 hour 15 minutes each each day)
Pregnancy Water Aerobics: none (1 hour each) 
Total exercise time:  2 hours 30 minutes...progress!

Till next week!

Baby #2: Week 30

April 30, 2011 
Okay, so really it is May 5th, but I have been sick and blogging really hasn't been a priority.  I swear it should be impossible for pregnant women to get sick.  First I got a stomach flu and then I got the cold that both my son and husband had (and I thought had magically skipped me, but instead it just decided to get me while I was down).   I am now stuck with a cough that seems to get magically (and horribly) worse in the evening which means that I am lucky to get 5-6 hours of sleep a night (not straight, total).  I have taken Benedryl, Sudafed, and Robitusin and it doesn't help.  I have drank hot tea, sat over a humidifier, taken a hot shower, and used my neti pot and none of it seems to even make it slightly better 5 minutes later.  I finally decided to head to the doctor this morning and so glad that I did.   I have bronchitis with RAD (which basically has asthma like symptoms).  So I have new meds to try and my fingers are crossed.  I need some sleep!  Okay, done with my rant....onto the regular post.

How far along: 30 weeks  

Baby's size: Squash (Month 7 - week 29-32) 

Symptoms: Well...this week sucked.  See above.  So I have no idea what symptoms I had this week. 

Total Weight Gain: At one point this week I stepped on the scale and I had lost 7 pounds.  I have gained most of that back since then, but that might give you a better clue on my week.

Total weight gain= +8 pounds  

Maternity clothes:  Yes

Best moment this week:  There was no best moment this week...I just wanted it over.   I did have a birthday, but didn't celebrate it till this week.  

Movement: Absolutely!

Food cravings: nothing

Gender:  BOY!!!

Labor signs: nope

What I miss: Being able to take meds that help me feel better. 

What I'm looking forward to:  Feeling better. 

Weekly Wisdom (aka what I learned this week): Don't get sick when you are pregnant.  

Milestones: 10 weeks to go

Emotions:  Doing pretty well. 

Exercise:
Boot Camp: None!  (1 hour 15 minutes each each day)
Pregnancy Water Aerobics: none (1 hour each) 
Total exercise time:  none....yeah

Till next week!