Week 34

Highlights
Size of baby: a honeydew melon.  She could be as tall as 20 inches and weigh in at about 5 pounds. 
What baby is up to: She's recognizing and reacting to simple songs, which we all know that she's only getting a few words of each song, because of my wonderful voice and remembrance of the lyrics!! She's also urinating about a pint a day, which would explain why I am going more and more often too.  Her fingernails have grown to probably reach the tip of her tiny little fingers by now.

Week 33

Highlights
Size of baby: she is the size of a honeydew melon.  She should  weigh about 4.2 to 5.8 pounds and measure about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. And she may grow up to a full inch this week!  She is averaging about a pound a week now. 
What baby is up to: She's keeping her eyes open while awake.  She's also starting to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing.  Her bones are hardening and she's going through (more) major brain development-- to make her one smart baby!  Her pokes and kicks are "harder" and much more easier to see and feel.  There is not as much amniotic fluid between the baby and me, so less cushion for the blows.  Antibodies are also being passed from me to her so that she can continue to develop her own immune system.  These antibodies will come in handy to help protect her from all of those playground germs.

Week 32

Highlights
Size of baby: still a squash, but should be weighing in at around 4 pounds and about 19 inches long. 
What baby is up to: She is still growing daily and is busy prepping for her debut!  She is practicing all her skills that she needs in order to survive outside of the womb, from swallowing and breathing to kicking ans sucking.  she has been able to suck on her thumb for a while now.  Another big change this week is that her skin is no longer see-through.  As more and more fat accumulates under the skin, it's finally opaque. She's also getting ready for her descent -- she's likely in the head-down position now.  And she's probably feeling a even more cramped.

I've still been feeling pretty good.  The fatigue has started to set back in.  I am finding that it is very easy for me to fall asleep, even when in the middle of conversation with Josh.  I am waking up more and more throughout the night to go to the bathroom.  She is moving ALL of the time and it is amazing to feel it. :) 

Week 31

Highlights
Size of baby: still a squash, but getting bigger.  She is almost 18 inches long and weighing in at more than 3 pounds. 
What baby is up to:  She's going through major brain and nerve development.  She is developing her brain connection.  She is able to put that complex web of brain connection to good use- she is already processing information, tracking light, and perceiving signals from all five senses.  Eye development, too. Her irises now react to light!  All five of his senses are in working order.  She is also sleeping more, and she stays asleep during the night, so hopefully this will stay true for when she is actually here. 

As she is growing so much bigger inside of me I have been able to feel every little thing she does.  I have gotten a few elbows or legs pushed up under my ribs, which makes it hard to breathe.  There have been a few times that I haven't been able to catch my breathe.  Lying down and pushing on my stomach to push her down has helped.  It did not help with Josh's nerves when I told him I couldn't catch my breathe.  We started taking Lamaze classes on Monday nights.  These have been informative and more than just breathing techniques which is what I thought that was all it was going to be about.  There are 4 other couples in the class and it is interesting to hear their concerns and the questions that they have.  Everyone seems to be so scared of birth and what's going to happen and Josh and I look at each other like "what's the big deal?"  I know we say that now and I'm sure that it will all change when we are actually going through it, but you just do what you have to do.  I don't want to go into thinking about being scared.  I want to enjoy-as much as possible this whole experience.  The classes have been very helpful I think for the dads of the class to really let them know what role they play in the labor and ways they can help the moms out.  I know that makes me feel better that Josh has a specific role and I don't have to worry about him as much. 

Week 30

Highlights
Size of baby: a squash.  She is around 17 inches long and weighing in at about 3 to 3.8 pounds. 
What baby is up to: Her skin is getting smoother, but her brain is getting wrinklier -- to make way for all that essential brain tissue. Due to the fact that her brain is starting to develop she is now able to take on tasks such as temperature regulation.  She is also starting to shed langugo, the downy, soft hair that has been keeping her warm to this point.  She's now strong enough to grasp a finger!
I've started to experience some heartburn; which seems, as I've been told, to mean that she will have a lot of hair.  This doesn't surprise me due to the fact that Josh and I both had a head full of hair and as is started to grow it was locks of curls.  I'm hoping that she will have curly, ringlet hair.  So I can put lots of pretty bows in her hair!!  Sleeping through the night is getting harder and harder and less and less comfortable. 

This past weekend I was given a wonderful baby shower by some of my best friends in Greenville.  We had a great time and the girls really got me some great things for Mackenzie.   She is going to be one lucky girl that has a fabulous extended family and great "aunts" that are going to treat her so well.... and did I mention spoil her all of the time! 

Week 29

Highlights
Size of baby: She is now the size of a squash.  Baby already measures about 15.2 to 17 inches long. Right now, she weighs about 2.5 to 3.8 pounds but she's still got a ways to go, she will triple in weight before she is born.
What baby is up to: She's getting a little cramped in there, since she's growing so fast. She's been giving out a lot of jabs and kicks. She's growing white fat deposits under her skin, and her energy is surging because of it.  A subtle twitch might be baby hiccupping.  She has been doing a lot of moving around all over the place.  I have been feeling really good and still enjoying being pregnant.

Week 28

Highlights
Size: still the size of an eggplant, but weighing in at about 2 1/2 pounds and about 16 inches long.
What baby is up to: She's starting to develop more fat, so her wrinkly skin will start to get smoother.  Her lungs are mature enough that she'd probably survive if she was born now, but we would like her to stay in for the long haul.  She is starting to blink.  Due to the REM (rapid eye movement) sleep she is getting, she may be dreaming!  She is still working on coughing, sucking, hiccupping, and practices taking breaths. I have still been feeling really good.  It just takes me a little longer to get comfortable when I am trying to go to sleep.  I still haven't had any major or weird cravings yet.

Week 27

Highlights
Size: an eggplant
What baby is up to: She's practicing inhaling and exhaling with her rapidly developing lungs.  It's official: Baby's showing brain activity! And her brain will keep on getting more complex.  She's grown to be at least 15 inches in length.  She is weighing just over 2 pounds.  She has more taste buds now than she will have at birth, or ever for that matter.  Which means she can taste the difference in the amniotic fluid when I eat different foods and she may also react to it.  She might respond to spicy foods by hiccupping or kicking when they get that spicy kick.  As this week has gone by I have still been feeling really good, except for the cold I had at the beginning of the week.  My kids at school have been coughing and sneezing all over the place.  Needless to say we have used lots of hand washing, hand sanitzer, and lysol wipes in the classroom.  I have had some issuses of sleeping through the night and finding a comfortable way of sitting or laying around to watch TV.  Josh has been really supportive and helpful to try and help me get comfortable.  He sometimes gives in to my cravings for foods that I should not be eating and is willing to go pick something up for me.  I am getting excited for my upcoming baby showers that my friends and family are throwing for me in the next couple of weeks!

Week 26

Highlights
Size: an eggplant
What baby is up to: Her eyes are forming, and his eyes will soon start to open.    Her eyelashes are now grown, too.  She's getting her immune system ready for life on the outside by soaking up your antibodies.  She's taking breaths, too. They're of amniotic fluid, not air, but it's still good practice.  She should be about 2 pounds in weight and should measure in at about 13-14 inches.  When she notices a bright light or loud noise, she should start to move as a reaction.  She is moving more and more each day.  I have noticed that after eating and certain parts of the day she has become more active.  I have been able to see my shirt move at times when she is moving! Everything is still progressing along greatly and I am feeling wonderful.  So far so good.

Week 25

Highlights:
Size: an eggplant
What baby is up to: She's enjoying her new sense of equilibrium -- she now knows which way is up and which is down.  She's growing more fat and more hair too!  She is growing by leaps and bounds.  Average baby is almost 9 inches in length and more than 1 1/2 pounds in weight.  Capillaries are forming under the skin and filling with blood.  By this time air sacs are lined with capillaries that will develop in her lungs, getting them ready for that first breath of fresh air.  The lungs are not ready for prime time breathing yet- and they have a lot of maturing left to do before they will be.  Her nostrils, which have been plugged up until now, are starting to open up this week.  This enables her to begin practicing taking "breaths."  Her vocal cords are functioning now, leading to occasional hiccups. 

I have still been feeling really good.  I can feel her move all the time, especially after I have eaten something.  I haven't had any major cravings, but I have noticed that I am not a huge fan of BBQ chicken.  Sleeping is starting to become an issue.  Between getting woken up in the middle of the night with Cooper, and trying to keep myself from sleeping on my back, and all the things that are running through my mind is making it difficult to sleep through the night. 

Week 24

Highlights
Size: Papaya or size of a standard letter.
What baby is up to: Her see-through skin is gradually becoming more opaque, and it's got a new pink glow, due to the small capillaries that have recently formed.  Her weekly weight gain is now about 6 ounces.  Much of that weight is coming from accumulating baby fat, as well as from growing organs, bones, and muscle.  By now, her tiny face is almost fully formed, with a complete with a full set of eyelashes and eyebrows and a good sprinkling of hair on her head, (which I think she will have a full head of hair and rather curly when it all grows out). Her hair is snow white right now since there is no pigment in her hair just yet.

Week 23

Highlights
Size: Papaya
What baby is up to: She's forming little nipples, her face is fully formed now (she just needs a little extra fat to fill it out), she's listening to my voice and my heartbeat, and even to loud sounds like cars honking and dogs barking.  Her skin is developing over her body and is saggy, due to the fact that the skin grows faster than it develops and there's not much fat to fill that skin out yet.  This week she will begin to pack on the pounds.  Once all the fat deposit are made she won't be as transparent.  Now the organs and bones can still be seen through the skin.  I still have a lot of energy and I am feeling really good!

Week 22

Highlights
Size: a papaya
What baby is up to: She now has more developed eyes and lips, looking more like a newborn.  She's sleeping in cycles-about 12 to 14 hours per day.  Baby is weighing about a pound and length nearly 8 inches.  She is developing senses, including touch, sight, hearing, and taste. She might be grabbing onto the umbilical cord, she is able to perceive light and dark.  She can hear my voice, Josh's voice, my heartbeat, the sound of my blood whooshing as it circulating through my body, my stomach growling (which doesn't happen very often anymore since I feel like I am always eating), Cooper barking, and other loud noises around.  She is tasting pretty much everything I eat, so I'm trying to mix it up a lot to give her some variety!

The past week I got the common cold from my kiddos at school, so I got in a few days earlier to see my doctor and got an antibiotic to take to relieve the cold.  He checked me and the baby and said everything is moving great! I am growing and she is too!   He is very pleased with our progress.  Other than that I have been feeling really good and still have enough energy to get through the day.  I have had a few mood swings here and there, but they are to be expected-right.

I went to Wilmington to visit my family and while there I got the chance to register for baby items.  Josh and I picked out a few things here and there, but nothing is like being able to register with your mom, who else is better to tell you what works and what doesn't. 

Week 21

Highlights
Size: a banana
What baby is up to:  Her digestive system is prepping for the outside world.  Her amniotic fluid differs from day to day depending on what I eat.  Her arms and legs are finally proportional, neurons are now connected between the brain and muscles, and cartilage throughout the body is turning into bone.  She's already got a lifetime's supply of eggs in her womb.

Week 20

This week was another first!  I felt my first flutters (it's when the baby moves)!!  We had gone to Josh's 10 year high school reunion and then to a restaurant afterwards.  I was sitting there and all of a sudden I felt something, a really indescribable feeling in my lower stomach and then I felt it again.  I told Josh that I think I just felt the baby move and he was like "where, I want to feel."  He put his hand to my stomach, but I didn't feel it again that night.  On Sunday night I was laying in bed and Josh was downstairs watching football and I felt her move again!  This time she was going crazy.  I put my hand on my stomach and could feel her move, so I called for Josh to come upstairs quickly so he could feel.  I also called my mom to let her know too.  As I was on the phone and Josh had his hand on my stomach we both could feel her move.  It was an awkward, amazing feeling that we could share.  Since that night I have been able to feel her move everyday.  She moves in the morning around 9:00-10:30 especially while I am teaching reading groups.  She already likes listening to me read!! She moves again in the early afternoon around 2:00 and then again when I lay down for bed.  This has been pretty consistent every day around the same time.  I have been feeling great still, but I am starting to get a sore throat (but I think that's from teaching all day-talking and the weather changing.)  On the other hand we have had friends over with a baby and Cooper is extremely excited and jumpy, which worries us.  We are going to look into training for him closer to our due date. 

Highlights:
Size: a cantaloupe
What baby is up to: She's got working taste buds. Now, she's gulping down several ounces of amniotic fluid each day -- that's significantly more than before.

Week 19

Today was the big day, we found out what we are having.  IT'S A GIRL!!!  We are both so excited.  Both of our parents were able to come to the doctor's appointment with us.  Josh, my mom, and I thought we were having a girl, while his mom and the dad's thought we were having a boy.  Not all of the parents were able to come into the ultrasound room at the same time, so the moms and Josh came in first then the dads came in.  It was an amazing experience to be able to share with our parents.  The ultrasound tec took lots of pictures and showed us all the different parts of the baby; like the four chambers of the heart, spine, leg bones, arm bones, heartbeat, measured the head, and measured from head to foot.  We then meet with the doctor and he says everything is moving along greatly!

Highlights

Size: From the ultrasound she is 10 ounces and 5 inches long. She is the size of a mango.

What the baby is up to: She is developing a protective coating over her skin, called vernix caseosa. It's greasy and white and you may see some of it at her birth. Working on her five senses. Nerve cells for her sense of taste, hearing, sight and smell are developing in her brain.

Week 18

Highlights
Size: a sweet potato
What baby is up to:  Baby is yawning, hiccuping, sucking and swallowing.  Also twisting, rolling, punching and kicking, too -- and he/she's big enough that I might be able to feel her/him doing it!

Week 17

Highlights
Size: an onion
What baby is up to: Fetus' rubbery cartilage is now turning to bone. And he/she's growing some meat on those bones -- putting on some fat. He/she's growing a stronger, thicker umbilical cord, too.

Week 16

Highlights

Size: an avocado

What baby is up to: Fetus is listening to your voice, thanks to tiny bones forming in her/his ears. Fetus is growing hair, lashes and eyebrows. And he/she's forming taste buds.

Week 15

This week I had my second doctor's appointment.  Everything is moving along greatly.  We heard the baby's heartbeat and it was going a mile a minute! The next time we go we get to find out what we are having!!  September 1st will be the big day!
Highlights
Size: a navel orange
What baby is up to: Fetus is squirming a ton! Possibly might even be hiccuping in there. Fetus is making lots of progress:  joints and limbs can all move now.
Total weight gain: 5 pounds

Week 14

Highlights
Size: a lemon
What baby is up to: My fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling,  making urine, and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys, and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over her/his body for warmth.
Sleep: I have had trouble sleeping through the night.  I'm trying not to sleep on my back, but it has been very challenging.
Cravings: I've not yet had any crazy cravings.  I'm really enjoying eating nachos and seem to want those more than normal. 

Week 13

Highlights
Size: a peach
What baby is up to: Fetus is forming teeth and vocal cords. Baby is approaching normal proportions, with his head now only one third the size of his body. And intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to baby's tummy.

Week 12

This week not much has changed.

Highlights:
Size of baby: a plum
What baby is up to: As I move into the second trimester, baby shifts into the growth and maturation stage. After weeks in the critical development stage, almost all of her systems are fully formed.

Week 11

At our first doctors appointment we found out that we were 11 weeks pregnant.  Which was farther along than we thought. 

Highlights:
Size of baby: a lime
How I'm feeling: I have been feeling better with my nausea.  I haven't gotten sick, but food just doesn't seem to be of interest.
What baby is up to:  Your fetus currently enjoys a 1:1 ratio between body and head, and has skin so transparent that blood vessels show right through. But, fingers and toes are no longer webbed, and hair follicles, tooth buds and nail beds are forming -- setting up a significantly more attractive future.

First doctor's appointment

July 7, 2011, we had our first doctor's appointment.  It was very exciting to finally be able to go to the doctor to find out exactly how far a long I am and when our due date is.  First in the doctor we meet our doctor and he was wonderful.  He made us feel very relaxed and answered any and all of the questions that we had.  Then I had to have blood work done and then we got to go have our ultrasound.  IT WAS AMAZING!!! Josh and I were not expecting to see what we saw.  We could see the entire baby; head, body, arms, and legs.  We were both overjoyed!  We were given pictures of the baby and were so excited the rest of the day.

The New Beginnings

So I can finally get the blog up and running.  I have been trying to find a USB cord so I can upload my pictures into the blog.  Now I finally have one and here I go.

The first few weeks

Josh and I are expecting our first child.  We couldn't be more excited!! This is something that both of us have wanted, but came to us a little earlier than expected.  We found out that we were expecting on June 12, 2011.  I had already missed my May cycle and hadn't been feeling "normal."  I think in the back of my head I knew I was pregnant, but taking the test would verify it for both of us. We went to the Greenville hospital to see one of Josh's friends' baby and decided to just go ahead a take the pregnancy test.   So when we got home the first thing I did was take the test and within less than a minute the test came back positive!! I was in shock but extremely excited at the same time.  When I showed Josh all he could say was "really, really."  I think he was feeling the same thing I was, a little bit of shock, but overwhelmed with excitement! We wanted to be extremely sure, so the next morning I took the other test and it came back positive also!  The first people we called were our parents and they were THRILLED to say the least!  We wanted to wait a little while to tell our friends, just to make sure everything was going right. 

The start of the journey

So this is the first blog that I have ever done.  Hopefully it will get better as time goes on.  I will try to keep you as up to date as possible.