The Eleanor Update: week 11

Breastfeeding: It was a pretty good week, I did cut back on pumping and skipped 3 days, so it took a little longer to pump Monday.  

My right breast will do this thing were it will leak randomly for a few days and then be good for a week or two.  I can't predict it at all.

Eleanor: I'm trying to get more of a sleep routine started. Usually after she nurses around 8 or 9 pm I put her in a sleep sack and put her in the rock n play.  It might take her  little while to fall asleep, but she usually doesn't cry.

The day time naps are still unpredictable.  Some days she will nap for 2 hours (although she stirs often during that time), and some days she will be crying after 45 minutes.   As long as it's not a scream, I will leave her there. I usually do have her nap in the crib and she does pretty well with it.  I make sure she's in sleep sack because I think that helps her feel a little more cozy in the big crib. 

She's still obsessed with her hands.  Even if I do swaddle her with them in, she will bust them out.  I've woken up in the middle of the night to the sound of her sucking on them.  If she's not sucking on them she's staring at them.  

She's pretty smiley in the mornings, and while still sporadic she's laughing a little more now.  She almost always has a big smile for Rob when he get's home and he loves it.  I think it's pretty adorable too.  Girl loves her daddy! 

I've noticed her pants are beginning to get short again and her jammies are getting snug.  Time to move up to the next size already?  Her onesies are still fine though. 

Me:  Still doing alright, ready to get back in shape and tone up my stomach a little, but at the same time lacking motivation. And what little free time I get I don't want to spend it working out.  My weight is within 5 pounds of pre-pregnancy and has been for a while. 

The restless legs still happen sometimes, usually when I've been sitting nursing her. 

~38 Week Update~

It's my birthday (and my dads!) today!

How far along:  38 weeks

Baby Size:  

Weight:  It was up again.  It's right around the 35 lbs gained mark.

Symptoms:   

• Restless legs.  Rob told me I was annoying him the other day because it was 10:45 and I wouldn't sit down and relax.  I just couldn't sit.
• Itchy belly
• Insomnia
• Nauseousness 

Maternity Clothes:  If it doesn't have a stretchy waist I'm not fitting into it. Or I just don't to wear it.  Anything tighter I can't stand.  I wore yoga pants to the grocery store the other day.  It was 7 on a Sunday night.  Rob didn't want me to, but I'm nine months pregnant and don't care.  I saw a few people I knew actually.  But no one better say anything to me for wanting to be comfortable :)

Sleep:  I have developed this wierd sleep thing.  As if my sleep wasn't already messed up enough, I will get up, go to the bathroom, go back to sleep and then wake up 10 minutes later.  I can fall back asleep the second time, but it's annoying.

Cravings/Food Aversions:  

Yummy Jonamac Michigan Apples!

Belly Button: I don't think it popped out, but it's flat. 

Rings on or off: Off.  I feel like an unmarried underage (because I look young) mother most of the time.  If I'm with Rob than it's not so bad.

Gender:  Girl

Name:  Eleanor Rose

Movement: I've said before I think it's hilarious when she moves my stomach.  She did it a few days ago and I laughed.  Rob looked over and saw it.  I thought he had seen the alien-esqe movements, but I guess not.  The look on his face was awesome. It was like a disgusted, oh my word, what was that look.  

Stretch Marks: All over, but I don't think I've developed any new ones in the last week. 

Best moment: Not related to her, but celebrating my birthday and my sister in laws on Saturday

Looking forward to:  Meeting her

Nervous about: Money, being on my own with a newborn

What I miss:  

• Bending over.  I need one of those little grabber picker upper things. 
• Sleeping
• Walking without pain

Labor signs: So many braxton hicks

Appointments:  Later this afternoon

Misc. I have some sort of bladder infection or Uti.  I started to have pain when I peed on Sunday night.  It was very sudden and so I called yesterday and had my urine tested and the doctor called in a antibiotic prescription (which turns my pee orange like a pumpkin).  I saw the lab results this morning and my white blood cell count is really high (the normal range is 0-5, mine was 41).  Dr. google says that means an infection.  Obviously. So I'll follow up with that at my appointment this afternoon and see what they say. 

36 Week Update

How far along:  36 weeks

Baby Size: 

Weight:  It was back up this week.  Gained 2lbs, total of just under 35.

Symptoms:   

• The restless legs was really bad this week. Like up for hours in the middle of the night bad.  I even stopped drinking caffeinated pop because I think that triggers it, but it didn't make a difference.
• Sciatic nerve pain.  It was awful over the weekend.  I couldn't stand up, sit down (although once I sat down it was okay), or really walk without limping.  Tylenol and the heating pad were my friends. 
• I have been so grumpy lately.  I don't have patience at all.  And really it's just with Rob.  But I've decided not to use pregnancy as an excuse and I'm going to be a happier person.  Read why here

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Maternity Clothes:  I bought a couple of tank tops on clearance at Kohl's.

Sleep:  I had a few 2 1/2 hour stretches Friday and Saturday night.  That was nice.

Cravings/Food Aversions:  Chocolate

Belly Button: It's kind of out

Rings on or off: Off.  Occasionally my wedding ring will fit, but I've given up on it.

Gender:  Girl

Name:   Eleanor Rose

Movement: Yes, I feel her all over.

Stretch Marks: Yep.  Stomach, hips, back. 

Best moment:  I don't really have a specific moment.  We were with family on Sunday and it was kind of crazy to realize that the next time we would see most of them would be after the baby is born. 

Looking forward to:  We have the hospital tour tomorrow. 

Nervous about: For the first time I'm actually starting to get nervous about the actual labor process.

What I miss:  Walking without pain


Labor signs: Just lots of BH.

Appointments:  Down to weekly appointments.  I have one this Thursday.  Last week I made 5 appointments.  I'm really hoping I don't need the last one since it is after my due date.  

Misc.  At my appointment last week I hadn't really made any progress in terms of dilation etc...  I know that things can change really quickly so I'm trying not to be bummed. 

We have almost everything that we need.  I realized the other day I didn't have burp clothes and then in a moment of brilliance realized I had plenty of receiving blankets I could use instead.  Money saved! 

And I'm pretty sure I passed the Group B Strep test.  My results were posted online and it said 'not isolated' which I wasn't sure what it meant until I asked my birth month board and they said it was a negative!

35 Weeks!!!

How far along: 35 weeks!


Baby Size: 

Weight:  Shockingly, I lost a pound this week. Take that weight gain!

Symptoms:   

• My feet decided to start swelling up this week.  Rocking the cankels.
• Restless legs/arms
• Lot's of bathroom trips (on a might be an overshare note, I have been having to poop a lot lately; like twice a day)

• Crazy dreams
• I am ALWAYS out of breath. It took me like 20 minutes to make the bed the other day. 

Maternity Clothes:  I have a few non-maternity skirts I can wear still.  I have only a few tops that don't let my belly hang out.

Sleep:  Up every hour to 2 hours all night long.

Cravings/Food Aversions:  I kind of have a thing for cold oreo's (not frozen, but from the fridge)

Belly Button: Flat to out.

Rings on or off:  Just wearing the wedding band. 

Gender:  Girl

Name:  Eleanor Rose

Movement: Yep, and it's starting to hurt sometimes.  I have no idea how she is positioned because I feel movement all over. 

Stretch Marks:  Yep, lots of them.  I thought I was good because of genetics, but nope. Rob even notices a change in the color of them.  He says they look shiny.  I can't see them unless I'm looking in a mirror so I'll take his word on it. 

Best moment: My best friend was in town over the weekend.  We had our 10 year class reunion and then my church baby shower was on Sunday. 

Looking forward to:  Meeting her!  

Nervous about: 

• Somehow needing a c-section.  
• Recovery time, Rob won't get time off of work, I think he will probably be there with me in the hospital, but that's it.  I'll be on my own. 
• Finances

What I miss:  Walking without being out of breath and in pain, bending over, being comfortable, the occasional glass of wine


Labor signs: Lots of Braxton-Hicks.  

Appointments:  This Friday I have the GB test.

Misc. We took a Infant first aid/cpr class last night.  I think it was really good for Rob.  I knew a lot of the first aid/basic safety stuff, but the cpr stuff was great for me.  I haven't been certified (and this was not a certification class) in probably 6 years, so having that refresher really helped me. 

Bonus Picture!

32 weeks down, 8 to go!

How far along:  32 weeks

Baby Size: 

Weight:   I hit the 30lb mark this week. 

Symptoms:   Just once I would love to make it through a day without crying.  

Maternity Clothes:  Pretty much only them.

Sleep:  The restless leg thing got really bad this week, and with the girl moving so much I can't sleep.  4 hours is the new normal.

I tried the unisom and it worked last night.  I was still up a few times, but was able to fall back asleep each time.

Cravings/Food Aversions:   Pizza again this week.

Belly Button:  It's doing a half in/half out sort of thing

Rings on or off: On when I am out of the house.  Off when I'm home, but I don't usually wear them at home. 

Gender:  Girl

Name:  Eleanor Rose

Movement: Girl must think she's a gymnast or something.  I've had a few that are actually painful. 

Stretch Marks: I have some on my left hip. 

Best moment: My first baby shower was on Sunday. 

Looking forward to:  Meeting her

Nervous about:  Money

What I miss:  Bending over.


Labor signs: Not yet

Appointments:  I had an appointment last week. The nurse was finishing up taking my blood pressure when my doctor peeked in and said he had to go to the hospital for a c-section (he was the on-call).  I was actually annoyed because I knew that the appointment would have only taken a few minutes, but instead I had to wait 20 minutes for the nurse practitioner to come in, just to check the heart and measure me.  Baby measured right on track at 31 weeks and the heartrate was in the 140's which is where it usually is. 

Misc:  I have been trying to walk, but failing horribly.  I am super slow (like unde 2mph) and can usually only go 1/2 mile before I have to stop.  I just walk up and down my neighborhood so I'm never very far away from the house.  I need to take a few short walks everyday to get it in. 

30 weeks (3/4 done)

How far along:  30 weeks.  75% of the way done.  Crazy!


Baby Size: 

Weight:  Apparently my scale has to be broken.  How is it possible I gained 3.5lbs in one week? That puts me up 26 + pounds total.  I'm going to hit the 40 mark and push the 50 pound mark at this rate.

Symptoms: 

•  Restless legs/arms.  Not just at night.  During the day too.  I tried calling my ob and primary doctor and they didn't offer me much.  I've had a few people give me suggestions though. 
• The nausea came back recently, ugh. 
• I've been having this pain lately in my back and butt.  I figured out over the weekend it's probably the sciatica nerve.   
• Hair loss
• Dry skin

Maternity Clothes:  I bought another pair of shorts to sleep in, and then in the heat last week I decided to just sleep in my t-shirt and now I hate sleeping in shorts/pants.  And I went to put on a few tops that I got last month that I haven't even worn yet yesterday.  They don't fit.  At least they are maternity/nursing tanks so I can and will still use them.

Sleep:  Due to the whole restless leg/arm thing I get a few hours a night.  A 2 hour stretch used to be good.  I'm up now every hour-hour and a half.  In my desperation for sleep one night I raided the medicine cabinet and found vicks vapor rub and put that on my legs.  It worked (although it feels weird when it kicks in), so I've been trying it the last few nights.  That plus a tylenol for back pain and tums and my second dose of iron pills has become my nightly routine. 
This is how I feel most nights, but I still don't sleep.



Cravings/Food Aversions:   Still having dairy issues

Belly Button:  I think it's kind of poking out a little at the top. 

Rings on or off: Still on, but I don't wear them much. 

Gender:  Girl

Name:  Eleanor Rose

Movement: I'm still not feeling much movement when I'm up and moving around, but I'm not worried since she moves often enough when I'm sitting down. 

Stretch Marks: I still haven't noticed any. 

Best moment: I washed the newborn clothes and the 0-3 pajamas and got all excited that I'm going to have a kid wear these. And my sister in law gave me some sleep sacks/swaddles for her too!

Looking forward to:  Next week I'm down to single digit weeks!

Nervous about:  Finances, losing the baby weight (I know that it's way to early to be thinking about it)

What I miss:  Sleeping on my right side.


Labor signs: Not yet

Appointments:  Next week I have a checkup.  Normally it would have been this week, but my ob is on vacation so it's not until almost 32 weeks.  Then they go to every other week, and at some point (I think 36 weeks) every week.  So really I probably only have 5 or 6 more left before she get's here. 

Misc. 

I was talking to Rob last night about how we only have 10 weeks left and if she comes early even less time.  I was born at 35 weeks so while I don't think that will happen (but what do I really know?) we could have a baby in 5 (ish ) weeks. 

Double Digits & 26 Week Update

How far along: 26 weeks and am now down to double digits (today is 98 days until due date).

Uh what?

Baby Size:  A scallion in length (appx. 14 inches)

Weight:  I'm getting to the point I don't even want to share.  This week I thought I was doing well.  And then the scale was up 2 1/2 lbs.  I'm up 20.  I'm nervous at this point I'm going to hit 50 lbs, which at this rate is possible.   

I think part of it is from pop.  I used to drink diet, but switched to regular pop, which obviously has calories.

I know some will say not to worry about it, but I know I don't need to gain that much.

Though honestly I feel like I got a lot bigger in this last week so they weight gain shouldn't surprise me really.  Before the gain was more gradual and this week it was all like hello!  Maybe it's because I'm really starting to feel the aches and pains that I feel that way.

Symptoms:   

• Lot's of hip pain when I stand up or walk
• Back pain
• Peeing a lot, day and night
• Restless legs/arms
• Skin tags, I've noticed a few

Maternity Clothes:  Rob bought me some maternity clothes at Burlington on Friday.  I got 6 new tops, a pair of casual shorts (like yoga style) and a pair of jean shorts and it only cost around $70.  I fully planned on buying them myself, but he got his card out and told me he would get it.  Major points for him!

I want to get another maxi dress (which is sometimes tough for me to find because I'm short), and a few misc things, but I'm okay on tops probably.  Who knows though, because I hear just when you think you can't get any bigger you do.

And I bought a pair of shorts to sleep in at Target the other day.  I bought non-maternity in a large.  I only got one pair because I thought I had a pair at home that worked.  When I tried them on last night I realized that pair is only going to work for another week or two.

Sleep:  Still in 2 hour stretches.  I'm really contemplating taking unisom.

Cravings/Food Aversions:  I had the milk issue for a while, but over the weekend I think it switched to all dairy and I am not okay with that.   All summer with no ice cream.  Nuh-uh!

Belly Button:  In

Rings on or off: On

Gender:  Girl

Name:  Eleanor Rose

Movement: She's picked up again her frequency and strength.  Less of the rolling, butterfly feeling and more thumps and pokes.  Feeling her move makes me smile.  I'm that cheesy pregnant lady now. 

Stretch Marks: I haven't seen any yet. 

Best moment: My best friend visiting.  She even brought some super cute outfits for baby. Rob even said he really liked one, and he doesn't really get excited about them.  Saying he thought it was cute is excited for him.
And we got our registry done.
And Rob put up the wall plaques and decals.

Looking forward to:  Baby showers, hearing the heartbeat again.

What I miss:  Sleep is a given.  I miss being able to eat whatever and not worrying or wondering if I would feel sick from it.


Labor signs: I didn't notice any BH contractions this week.  My goal is 39 weeks. 

Appointments:  28 week checkup in 2 weeks. 

Misc.  I've been saving money and not really buying stuff for the baby.  I did buy a pack of wipes for under $2 the other day and some totes for her out of control clothes.  It's been a few weeks since I bought anything for her though.  

The only thing I really spend money on though is groceries (including medicine, toiletries etc..).  I'm really starting to worry about finances and how we are going to make this all work in the fall.  Before when I wasn't working it was only a full month (with a month of sporadic days as well).  I'll be done working end of August, and ideally would like to not have to work until after the holidays, which would make it four months of not working.

Plus naturally bills go up in the winter.  More heating costs, more electricity etc....

I'm really hoping I can breastfeed because at least it's free. I know it's better for the baby and that's another reason, but my biggest reason is it's free.  Is that really bad of me to think money over her well being first?

(Side note:  Google reader is going away next week.  If you follow my blog that way, there is an easy fix.  On the right side bar at the top you can find a rectangle icon that says 'follow this blog'.  Click that and it will direct you to blog lovin where you can follow.  You will have to sign up if you haven't already)

25 weeks

How far along:  25 weeks

Baby Size:  Cauliflower

Weight:  up another 2lbs this week.  Total 16.5, Waaah!

Symptoms:   

• I was doing okay with the restless arms/legs for most of the week and then it started up again Sunday night.  Ugh.
• Getting lots of pain in the back, hips and butt. 

Maternity Clothes:  I'm pretty sure I need new bra's again, and new underwear.  I guess my butt grew.

Sleep:  I had a couple of 3 hour stretches this last week.  I went back to work last week so I have been exhausted.

Cravings/Food Aversions:  

• Enjoying pb&j's, but I am out of the homemade jelly I made last year.  I didn't make a lot, but I forgot how yummy it was.  Store bought can't compare.  Luckily strawberry season is starting and  I plan on making lots. Or at least that is the plan.
• Milk has become a problem with the acid reflux so I can't really drink it anymore. 

Belly Button:  It's getting shallow, but still got a ways to go.  Maybe it will pop out after all. 

Rings on or off: They are starting to get a little snug

Gender:  Girl

Name:  Eleanor Rose

Movement: She was really quiet over the weekend, and I got nervous.  Finally I got a few thumps Sunday night.  Not much, but enough to make me feel better. 

Stretch Marks: I haven't seen any. 

Best moment:  Father's day and spending time with our dad's

Looking forward to:  My best friend will be in town this weekend!  And Rob and I are going to register this weekend.

What I miss:  Sleeping next to Rob.  We sleep in seperate rooms most nights.  I get it, but I like having him next to me.


Labor signs: Some braxton hicks this last week

Appointments:  July 9

Misc.  I passed the glucose test, but my hemogloblin levels came back low so I am on an iron supplement now. Oh and it makes my poop black. Kind of worried me the first time, and the second.  Dr. google to the rescue.  Haha.

I tried organizing baby girl's clothes.  I realized Carter brand 3 month is basically the same as their nb which is good in the sense that I don't really need anymore pants in the 0-3 month range.  Or at least I think so.  I need a lot of tops or onesies in that size range, but I think I'm okay on pajama's and bottoms.  I'm okay on newborn as well.  
The last bag of clothes we got had a adorable jean mini skirt in it.  I'm loving it and can't wait to put it on her.  Rob thinks it will not be appropriate.  So I said "Fine I'll just change her before you get home before work", to which he responded that I'm already teaching her defiance.  Whatever!  :)  She's gonna look super cute in it.