Category: Family

Merfbaby is 31 weeks!

Weighing around 3.3 lbs! And he’s getting ready for a big growth spurt.

How I’m Feeling: Really good. Merfman asked me today how I was doing and I said that I think compared to other women at 31 weeks I’ve got it easy :) I don’t feel huge or swollen, so that’s a plus. I had a emotional meltdown last Friday. It started over something small and then blew up, and I finally came out with “I’m scared.” Yep. That was it. I’m worried about the baby. It’s hard feeling so helpless to control anything to do with the baby. I can only take care of me, the rest is in God’s hands. I had a good ugly cry all over Merfman’s shoulder and we talked it out. I think that’s only the 2nd meltdown I’ve had the whole pregnancy, remember this? So I like to think I’ve spared him a whole bunch of crazy.

Belly/Weight: Up 2lbs at this week’s doctor appointment. I’m at a total of 28. Belly is getting more pointed looking? And throughout the day when he’s moving around it takes on odd shapes. Dr said he’s head down low and I feel his back and butt pushing out on my tummy a few times a day. It’s so strange to look down and see him all on one side.

Life Changes: It’s starting to feel “real” now. I know the end of my pregnancy is coming and the next phase will start soon enough. I don’t feel “done” with being pregnant. I feel like physically I’m not ready for Merfbaby to come, since we still have some work to do on the nursery. Emotionally, I don’t think we’ll ever feel ready. We’ll just take that one step at a time. That’s been my biggest prayer for Merfman and I during this pregnancy, that we would be strengthened as husband and wife and start to be shaped to become parents.

Movement: He’s pushing out with his butt/back more and more. I can feel him roll from one side of my tummy to the other. When the Dr was using the tool on my tummy to hear his heart he kicked her hand a good 5 times. He’s quick to let me know if he doesn’t like the way I’m laying. If I switch sides at night and pause on my back he kicks or if I roll to a new side he’ll kick too.

Sleep: Like a rock. Merfman got home after midnight last night and I was out. He gave me a kiss goodnight and I mumbled to respond. I couldn’t form words and told him this morning I remember him coming home like it was a dream. I’m thankful I’ve been sleeping so well. I wake up at least once a night for a potty break and I don’t even question it. I roll out of bed the moment I’m awake, do my thing and get back in bed. I figure the sooner I take my potty break the sooner I can get back to sleep.

Cravings: Berries and fruit. Since all the berries are in season and so much cheaper at the store I’m stocking up big time! I really like having some ice cream after dinner with some berries too :)

Exercise: Prenatal workouts. I found a few other videos on YouTube that I like so I do those after work when I get home. They are 3rd trimester workouts so there’s lots of sitting on exercise balls and leg/back work to help get things strong for labor. Maybe that’s another reason why I’ve been sleeping so well?

Favorite Pregnancy Moment this week: Talking to a co-worker who’s wife had their baby last week. I like hearing about different birth stories. I know each one is different but it’s interesting to know what other people go through. It’s so awesome to see how happy he is talking about his wife and son. Makes me all mushy inside :)

On My Mind: We made a lot of progress clearing out the nursery last weekend, tomorrow we’re going to pick out a paint color and Momma-son and I are going to Hobby Lobby (my first time!) to buy fabric and things. I’m excited. My first babyshower is next weekend too :)

Merfbaby is 30 weeks!

Only 10ish weeks to go! Ah! It feels like the weeks are going faster now!

How I’m Feeling: Good, a little tired still but staying active seems to help. Sometimes I wish I could take afternoon naps though ;)

Belly/Weight: It’s getting harder to dress the belly since it’s getting bigger each week. Not sure about weight, I have a Dr appointment on Tuesday. I weighted myself for the first time outside the doctor’s office this week when I was at the gym and I was up 2 lbs from my last appointment a few weeks ago.

Life Changes: It was nice to be celebrated a little for my first pre-mother’s day. I spent the whole weekend in the kitchen cooking and got a few gifts from family and some text messages wishing me a happy mother’s day. Seem’s crazy to think this time next year I’ll be a mom to a full on baby.

Movement: Lot’s of rolling and pushing around going on in there. Sometimes I look down and see my tummy in a funny shape. He’s always letting me know when he doesn’t like the way I’m laying down. If I switch sides in the middle of the night he’ll kick like crazy until I switch back.

Sleep: I’ve slept a lot better this week. Kelly’s snoring is much better so I haven’t had to wear my ear plugs as much which is nice.

Cravings: Lots of fruit and frozen yogurt. I had it twice this week :)

Exercise: Walking. Prenatal Yoga. Swimming. I found some YouTube videos of a few prenatal yoga sessions I like.  Since he’s getting bigger I feel like I need to sit up more and stretch so he and I both have enough room. Especially in the morning’s I’m breathless and I need to take some deep breaths.

Favorite Pregnancy Moment this week:  Thinking more and more about him coming. Merfman and I have talked a few times about what we think his personality will be like. And who’s traits he’s going to get. I really hope he get’s Merfman’s social skills, he’s always able to make friends and talk with anyone. Oh, and we ALMOST thought we had to name him this week! I bought tickets for a trip to NJ (wedding time, whoo!) in November and the site kept asking for a full legal name for Merfbaby. Uh? It seems odd to have to name him for reals before he’s here. So we’ll add him to the flight later. It’s no charge since he’ll be sitting in our lap so it’s not a biggie. We also took a tour of the hospital, it’s starting to feel real now. The rooms are all very nice and they explained where I’ll labor and deliver and then what room I’ll be in for recovery. We’re planning to labor at home for as long as we feel comfortable since the hospital is less than a block and a half from our house.

On My Mind:  The nursery. We don’t really have anything ready for Merfbaby. Well, except for an awesome kitchen sink for him to splash in ;) We’re hoping to make some progress on the nursery this weekend. I have my baby shower’s coming up in a few weeks which is exciting too.

Merfbaby is 29 weeks!

About 2 1/2 pounds and a little over 15 inches long.

How I’m Feeling: Hello 3rd Trimester sleepies! Sometimes I’m so sleepy and fatigued at work, boo. I try to take an afternoon walk when it’s hitting me the hardest so that’s helping. I’m a little out of breath sometimes, I think he’s pushing around in there and taking up extra space around my lungs? I take deep breath’s often.

Belly/Weight: Still no tummy stretch marks, yay! My belly button hasn’t totally popped but it’s really flat. I wonder if it really will pop? My Mom said that it doesn’t always happen. Not sure on the weight, I’ll find out at my next Dr appointment.

Life Changes: The La Leche League meeting last week was helpful, and I’m planning to read a book about breastfeeding. I just need to get to the library to check out the one I want. On a vain note…my hair is out of control. I need a haircut so badly. I’ve had more bad hair-days than good lately :( I realized this morning when I was trying to tame my mane that I haven’t had it cut since before Christmas. Yikes. It’s full and pretty, but there’s way too much of it. I don’t want to chop it all off since I may like being able to pull it back into a bun during labor and post baby. But, it’s really tempting to go back to a shorter cut.

Movement: He wasn’t super active on Tuesday but yesterday and today he’s bouncing around in there! Last night he did the craziest flip when I laid down for bed and it made me laugh. He’s getting bigger in there so I’m sure there less room for stretching. I feel lots of pushing and pressure.

Sleep: We’ve been going to bed around 8pm or 9pm most nights this week and I’m still not wanting to pull myself out of bed for a morning gym session. Ugh. My sleep is broken up with rolling over and potty breaks so it’s not solid sleep, but it’s deep and I’ve had some crazy dreams. I justify sleeping in a little by thinking that this will be that last few weeks of my life when I’ll be able to ;)

Cravings: Fruit. Scones are sounding really yummy too. I’ve seen a few recipes I’ve wanted to try. Might have to get some baking done :)

Exercise: More walking. I try to get some walking done in the afternoon around the neighborhood by our office. It was raining and grey earlier this week but the weather is much nicer now. I really want to get back into the pool next week and get some swimming in. That really is my favorite way to exercise but I haven’t made it to the pool gym in several weeks. We’ve been busy around the house and running errands on the weekend so I’m getting lots of time on my feet too. Don’t worry, I take breaks ;)

Favorite Pregnancy Moment this week:  Not totally Pregnancy related, but Merfman and I have been able to enjoy a few dinners together in our new kitchen, at our island bar top! It’s so nice to sit at a table, eat and have a conversation about our days. Makes it feel like we’re normal people who work regular jobs!

On My Mind: More nesting projects. We’re hopefully 100% done with the kitchen after this weekend so we can start working on the nursery. I’ve been working on cleaning out closets and getting things donated. I hate how it always looks worse before it gets better. Pulling everything out and then sorting it before putting it back is always crazy. I’ll be so happy to start putting the nursery together.