34 - 36 Weeks - Baby 2

Pregnancy Update May 30, 2014

How far along: 36 Weeks.  Due June 28, 2014.

Size of baby: 18.75 inches, 5.75lbs. The size of a crenshaw melon.

What developed this past week: His organs should be nearly complete - kidneys are developed and liver is functional... he's just packing on the pounds now!

Weight Gain: 30 lbs.  

Maternity clothes: Definitely.

Gender: Another sweet boy, whom I can't wait to meet!  

Movement: Moves all the time! Hiccups probably 1-2 times a week too.

Sleep/Symptoms: Sleeping well - Can't complain! I wake up more because of my husbands snoring, or Bryson's moving, not the need to pee or an overactive pregnancy brain... 

I did have another migraine in week 35... almost passed out at work. Went home after my vision came back and felt much better after a nap.

Another new-ish symptom I have frequently is the blood rush down my legs. This child is apparently heavy enough now to pinch a nerve or cut off blood supply, then when he moves or I move, it feels almost like I'm peeing myself because it's a warm rush down my inner thigh! lol  That's super fun at work....

What I miss: Not having Braxton Hicks contractions. They are starting to get much more frequent AND more painful. Seems anything, or nothing, can bring them on. Sometimes I have to stop moving and wait for it to pass, other times I can keep going.

Cravings: I don't turn much away... 

Best moment this week: Doctor visits weekly now and another ultrasound!

Baby did a LITTLE better this time - only put his HAND in front of his face, not his foot... lol Again, we had to shake him up and I turned on my side just to get a quick picture without his hand!

He was still upper 30th percentile, but as long as he is not under 20%, he's OK.
Had my Group B strep test done at my 35 week appointment. I had GBS with Bryson, so we'll see how it comes back this time!

Bryson Update: Bryson has a new artistic talent... coloring!... on walls!
It's a dinosaur!! "ROAR!!" B says...

Worst part about this is that it's not at our house... Maybe he was showing off for Emma, but I'm SO glad Aunt Jessy was totally cool about this work of art being drawn on her dining room wall! Apparently crayon comes off paint with magic eraser! I'm sure that piece of knowledge will come in handy at my house soon too!
And I love the below picture because it just looks like the epitome of the awkward first kiss where no one knows what to do with their hands... or where to look! HAHAHA
These kids are so loving, it's adorable :)

On Mother's Day, Bryson, Daddy, and I went to the zoo for the first time this year! B had a BLAST! It's so fun to watch him recognize animals and make their noises. As soon as we came around the corner to the monkeys, he started saying "EE EE EE!" and making their sign. He also loved the zebras, jaguar, giraffe, etc. 

We also went on family vacation this week. Too many pics to include in this post...

34 Weeks

Pregnancy Update October 15, 2012

How far along: 34 weeks! 42 days left... 

Size of baby: 17.75 inches, 4.75 lbs. - An "Average Cantaloupe" (Actually, Bryson weighed in at about 4.25lbs a week and a half ago, so potentially he could be up to 5lbs by now?)

What developed this past week: The waxy protective coating, called vernix, is becoming much thicker this week as the lanugo (fine hair covering his body) continues to shed and may be almost gone by now. His central nervous system and lungs are maturing enough that if he was born, he would likely be fine (with a risk for a short stay in the NICU).

Weight Gain: 29.6 lbs. Somehow I managed to stay about the same as last week. They say you only need about 30 pounds (depending on your starting weight), so I'm hoping to not gain too much more in the coming 6 weeks.

Maternity clothes: All maternity. Got a few new shirts from my sister for my birthday! :) Including the one I'm wearing in the above pics! 

Gender: HE'S ALL BOY! "Bryson Nicholas"
(Bryson means "smart", Nicholas means "winner" or "victory of the people")

Movement: Friday night at dinner, I was telling Caleb how I now picture Bryson's little fully-formed body parts when I feel them moving in me... makes me smile to think about his precious little feet, knees, hands, and squishy tooshy :)...  a couple hours later, we're watching tv together when I feel a JAB in my ribs! Made me nearly jump out of my skin! Then, Bryson had the audacity to do it over and over again! lol Sometimes he'd be moving around already, and other times, the kick came with no forewarning! I started laughing and told Bryson that I was going to take back what I said about his little feet being so precious! :) I ended up keeping my hand over my right ribs in an attempt to guard them from the pain! A few times, he kicked and then slid his foot down my ribs, so the ENTIRE right side of my ribs, from the middle to my side, got to feel that lovely sensation. What a stinker!

Sleep: I did my best to make sure I got enough sleep while in NYC. I didn't do too badly! It's easy to turn down the offer to go out for a drink when you can't drink anyway! :) While others stayed out until midnight or later, I'd be back in my room by 10:30-11. Funny part was that I didn't even miss it because I was so happy to get 7-8 hours of sleep! :) Priorities, people! lol

What I miss: My back not hurting when I sit for long periods of time - especially noticeable this week when I was stuck sitting in conferences and meetings. At work, my back definitely hurts, but I can get up and walk around a lot more often to keep my muscles loose and my rib cage expanded.

Cravings: Nothing.

Best moment this week: Getting our maternity pictures taken! I'm so excited to see how they come out! Hoping a few weeks from now to have at least some samples to share!

Also, My SILs came over for the afternoon on Sunday to help organize and clean our nursery and all the baby clothes & stuff! What a blessing to have family around to help out! I would not have half as much done yet without them! Thank you girls!!

Once the nursery is done, I'll have to take pics and show off every one's hard work!

What I am looking forward to: This week we have another Newborn Care Class about safety. And this weekend, I have a few things to look forward to:
- More maternity pics - done by my aspiring photographer SIL, Kristen! Sure to be FANTASTIC!
- More work done in the nursery.
- And seeing my brother's girlfriend, Laci, whom I haven't seen in TOO long!