40 Weeks Pregnant

40 Weeks Pregnant

(I went into labor Saturday at 12am, so technically when i was going to bed friday night on my due date! We had our little boy Sunday at 12:03 am July 21st 2013. I didnt get a chance to post my 40 week update since I was in labor late that night... so here it is: )

Sno on the go with my sissys and nephew and niece (they were so sweet to keep me preoccupied that last week when i was getting so frustrated from being in pain from back labor all night and no sleep). Those last few weeks of pregnancy are no joke!

Pregnant belly. Baby bump 40 weeks

40 weeks pregnant

Did lots of walking, relaxing, distracting (did anything and everything to make myself think i was actually helping the process along, as well as distracted myself to try to avoid thinking about how much pain i was in).

How far along: 40 Weeks pregnant, 10 months ! 

(depending on how you track your pregnancy, some women go by 9 months, but most dr's and books and online sites go by every 4 weeks you are in a new month, which puts me in my 10th month)! 

Weight Gain:  21 lbs (lost 2 lbs or had swelling last week)

Stretch Marks: none

Belly Button: OUT

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On

Movement: active still! And his movements hurt! he is so big now that its uncomfortable.

Feeling: oh boy was this a rough week! i had 4 nights straight of excruciating back labor. It would start usually around 12am (sometimes 8pm) and last all night until 7-10am the next morning. It honestly felt like screw drivers were digging into my back, hips, and thighs. It wouldn't fade or come in waves it was mostly constant but would have waves of intensity where all i could do was moan in pain and get on all fours or in the bath tub. Id get frequent braxton hicks in my tummy every 5 minutes or so (sometimes 7 mins and sometimes every 3 minutes). I was exhausted every morning to say the least. i started losing hope that labor would ever progress on its own and thought maybe id have to be induced. i just couldn't understand why my body would start and stop. 

Cravings: Not really craving anything, lost my appetite.

Symptoms:  The same for all the normal symptoms but definitely more pre labor symptoms (see below). Im still eating spicy foods, late at night, and big meals and havent had  a problem with heart burn yet. Getting up to go to the restroom WAY more now (every hour).

Pre labor signs:  

The Dr. Checked me this last monday (39weeks +3 days) and i was 70% effaced still, now 1 1/2 centimeters dilated, and baby was still at station -2.  Ive been losing more plug (been happening for 3 weeks or so now). The cramping on and off at random times during the day has continued but more frequent now a days (feels like menstrual cramps with a bach ache). I get braxton hicks all day long at random times. I still have the shooting pain in my hips (randomly) KILLS!. Back labor at night as i described above...the worst thing ive ever gone through (4 days straight, no sleep, tremendous amount of pain with no pain relief).  

Missing: sleep!!! 

Looking Forward to: LABOR! our little bundle of love

Sleep:  no sleep. literally, i mean NONE.

Exercise: no weight training. cardio 3 days this week at the gym but mostly trying to just do light walking.  i took thursday and friday off and didnt even walk..as its my due date i wanted to save all the strength i have for labor, especially since im not sleeping at all 

Count down: Full Term! He is ready as he can be!  I am full term and ready for him!

Maternity Photoshoot: Celebrating Our First Baby

Maternity Photoshoot: Celebrating Our First Baby

My sister Kelsey is an amazing Orange County Photographer (link here). She shoots weddings, engagment photos, maternit, infant shoots, family photos, senior portraits, etc. She is an incredibly gifted woman and I am so thankful that she is not only talented, but she has such a giving heart and always offers to shoot us and capture such special treasured moments in our lives.

We wanted to take maternity photos to remember our very first pregnancy and capture this journey on footage! We are so pleased with how the photos turned out. There were so many to choose from but heres a couple just to share with you:

Get the look: 

A lot of you have emailed me or commented below for the details on where I purchased these looks. I have included the exact floral dress below, a couple similar cream dresses, the exact fringe crocheted top im wearing, and a couple maxi skirts that would look cute to complete the look. I also shared some similar inexpensive shoe options and a hat for the floral number. HOpe this helps!

XO

Dillard's Tops · Full Tilt Teen Girls' Tops · Charlotte Russe Tanks

35 Weeks Pregnant

35 Weeks Pregnant

Baby bump at 35 weeks

Comparison of the baby belly at 5 weeks, 25 weeks, and 35 weeks pregnant

Front view of the prego belly

How far along: 35 Weeks pregnant, almost 9 Months Pregnant (one week away)!

Weight Gain: 21 lbs (gained +.9 lbs this week)

Stretch Marks: none

Belly Button: OUT

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On

Movement: Yes still very very active.. during the day and especially at night. Sometimes his movement hurt.

Feeling: Really good still!!! So grateful to have had such an easy pregnancy thus far.

Mood: really happy still. extremely grateful. enjoying every moment of being pregnant and appreciating our family of two for this last month.. then we'll be a family of three!

Cravings: chocolate. chocolate. chocolate. Its bizarre but the only sweets i want now is chocolate.  I also sort of craved a burger this week (i satisfied this craving by having a bite of my hubbies one night at dinner, i had chiptole prawn tacos instead).

Symptoms: Still a little acid reflux (burning in my throat) but not really that intense, and hasnt led to that dreaded heart burn a lot of mommies talk about. Im still eating spicy foods, late at night, and big meals and havent had too much of a problem yet. I have a numbness on my right upper rib under my right breast. I read this is common for a lot of moms and its just my uterus pressing up against my other organs  cramming them.  It can also be your skin streching but i dont think thats the case with me, it doesnt feel tight up there just yet, theres still room. The belly is growing by the DAY! Im getting BIGGG! Especially after meals.  Im hungry in the mornings especially now.  

Pre labor signs:  I have had cramps in my lower abdomen (on the right side only by my hip) twice this week while doing cardio (not braxton hicks, not contractions).  It sort of feels like its stretching, like a pulled muscle (but it doesnt feel like round ligament pain).  I also have had this pinching, sharp, tickly feeling in my cervix area (kind of feels like scratching almost). I've had that three days in a row this week. Its getting harder to walk, each step i take i have the urge to pee (its not going away even after i do use the restroom). So i think his head is going lower and lower.

Missing: being small, i feel huge! But im just enjoying it and trying not to think about how difficult its getting to find something i feel like wearing that also fits!, it will all be over and we'll have our little boy in our arms soon enough!

Looking Forward to: Our next dr's visit. Its on monday. Maybe we will be able to check if im effaced or dialated at all? We shall see!

Sleep: its the same. I wake up at least 2 times for bathroom trips. (2-3 most nights now). I drink a ton of water at night, this is probably part of the blame. I aim for over 8 glasses a day. I'd like to hit 12 but most of the time I reach 10.

Exercise: still going strong. . This week I did 2 light weight training days, and 6 days of moderate cardio. With the urge to pee, crampy feelings two days this week, and that numb heavy leg pain in my right leg it is definitely getting harder to push myself to complete a good work out but im sticking to it until my body tells me otherwise. I've slowed down a lot during cardio, I take as many breaks as needed, and during weights i've gone down a couple lbs the last few weeks. 

Update: Im on maternity leave, its official!!!! So this week my to do list is to: have carseat installed (make an appointment with fire department to show us the correct safe way).  Pack and collect all things for the hospital bag for myself, baby, and my husband.  Clean the house (deep clean).  Wash all of the babies clothes. Purchase his glider and dresser. Start planning meals i can cook and freeze for the first 2 weeks after hes here (most women dont feel like cooking or have the time to those first few weeks).  Get my car recalls done (doing that today).  Get my husbands car cleaned out as well as my trunk. Make sure all insurance stuff is taken care of for me and the baby. Those are my "musts" this week.

Count down: FULL TERM IN 2 WEEKS!!!! Due in 5! Which means he could come safely any time between 2-5 weeks from now!

34 Weeks Pregnant Update

34 Weeks Pregnancy Update:

Oh my goodness..this belly has POPPED!!! 

Pretty neat comparison: 4 weeks, 24 weeks, and 34 weeks pregnant!

Its fun to find comfy and cute clothes to dress the bump, but im definitely excited to one day soon be able to just throw something on and not have to worry about it being uncomfortable, hot, or show my belly. 

How far along: 34 weeks! 8.5 Months Pregnant!

Weight Gain: 20 lbs (he had a growth spurt this week...hence the HUGE BUMP)

Stretch Marks: none

Belly Button: OUT

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On

Movement: ALL THE TIME! He is starting to kick or elbow or knee my sides (not sure which body part of his it is but its something pointy!) and ill feel a little foot or something sticking out of my left side about a half an inch (You can even see it poking out).. pretty neat!

Feeling: Really good! im waiting for the week that I feel miserable and am dying to get this little guy out.. hasnt happened yet but people keep telling me its going to come! So far my comfortability level is about the same. Its hard to bend down, and my lungs are squished so it makes it tough to get a deep breath in (sometimes i feel light headed or like im going to pass out/nauseas from lack of oxygen)

Mood: really happy. extremely grateful. enjoying every moment

Cravings: chocolate. sweets! Ive been loving trader joe's dark chocolate covered pretzle thins, and cookie dough! Yum!

Symptoms: same... a little acid reflux (burning in my throat) but not really that intense, and hasnt led to that dreaded heart burn a lot of mommies talk about. Im still eating spicy foods, late at night, and big meals and havent had too much of a problem yet. (crossing my fingers!). Hungrier lately, maybe hes just getting nice and plump! They say the last trimester is when you really need to up your caloric intake. I  dont track or count calories so I am just eating whenever im hungry and trying (as best as  pregnant woman can) to eat healthy for the most part. I've also been getting leg cramps (charlie horses) in my calf when im sleeping, ill wake up from stretching my calf because of the pain (this is a common complaint of a lot of preggos).

Missing: muscle tone. when youre pregnant because of water weight, lose ligaments (due to hormones), and added cushion,keeping muscle tone up is a challenge. I stil have muscle, but im definitely softer than im used to.

Looking Forward to: Our next dr's visit. Its not this monday but the following. Maybe we will be able to check if im effaced or dialated at all? Im also really looking forward to going on maternity leave (just one week left of work!). Although i have a couple clients ill be doing phone sessions/skype with most likely here and there.

Sleep: its the same. I wake up at least 2 times for bathroom trips.

Exercise: still going strong. Im just taking it one day at a time. This week I did 2 light weight training days, and 6 days of moderate cardio.

25, 26, and 27 Weeks Pregnant

25, 26, and 27 Weeks Pregnant Update:

Week by Week belly comparison, its amazing how big the baby gets towards the end.. im excited to see what this belly will look like in 10 more weeks (at 37 weeks!)

{dont mind the backwards 7...}

27 weeks baby bump (sick with the flu.. dont mind the pjs and bed head) 7 Months pregnant, welcome to the third trimester!!

27 weeks baby bump (sick with the flu.. dont mind the pjs and bed head)

25 Week baby bump

25 week Baby bump 

I didnt get a shot of my belly at 26 weeks, we were busy and I think I forgot, by the time i remembered i was already 26 wks and 4 days, big difference with this little guys growth spurts hes been going through.

How far along:  Currently 27 weeks pregnant

Symptoms: I've been feeling pretty good still.  Im a little more tired at night than i was a couple weeks ago. I have noticed that numb/heavy feeling in my right leg when i work out is creeping its way back in these last couple weeks as well (Dr. says its just the increased blood volume in my body and maybe the babys weight on my pelvic region?).  Im still hungry often and need to eat every 3 hours.  I have been trying my best to make sure im getting enough fluids and forcing down water especially at the end of the day.. which leads to me waking up more frequently at night to run to the bathroom (3 times per night is the norm).  

Weight gain: so far i've gained a healthy 15 lbs.  The baby himself is on average 2.5 lbs at this stage.  Its interesting to learn about where all the weight goes when you are pregnant, for those of you who don't know here is a break down: 

Where Does My Pregnancy Weight Gain Go?

A normal weight gain of 25 -35 pounds (28 to 40 pounds for women considered underweight, only 15 to 25 pounds for those overweight), over a10 month pregnancy is expected.Where does it all go? Location Average Weight (in pounds) Fetus 7.5 Placenta 1.5 Amniotic Fluid 2.0 Uterus 2.0 Breasts 1-2 Blood 3.0 Water 3.5 Fat 7.5 Research has found women tend to retain the weight they have gained during pregnancy when most of that weight gain was experienced during the first trimester. On average, a woman should only gain about three to six pounds in the first trimester (12 weeks). After that a gain of one pound per week is recommended, or about 24 pounds. Now, how long does it take to lose the weight gained during a normal pregnancy? At birth a woman will lose on average 10 1/2 pounds. This weight is represented by the new baby, placenta, and amniotic fluid. During the first three to six weeks postpartum, weight gained in the uterus, blood, and extra water stores will diminish. Weight gained in the breasts and as body fat will diminish during the same postpartum time depending on whether or not you breastfeed. In my first trimester I gained around 4 lbs. I was on the border of underweight and average for my body mass index (BMI) pre pregnancy according to different pregnancy websites and books that help you calculate how much is a healthy weight to gain month by month.  When you begin the second trimester you are supposed to gain about 1 lb per week. Each trimester is a little over 13 weeks... And in the third trimester again on average you should be gaining about 1 lb per week.  So far im on track for a healthy weight gain, my Dr. has always been pleased with how we are doing (: Sleep: My sleep is pretty much the same as it has been. I wake up a lot for bathroom breaks as well as to switch sides because my shoulders get sour sleeping on them all night.  I have the pregnancy pillow now (thanks to my sister kelsey), which helps me fall asleep but not stay asleep.  I know its only going to get worse in this last trimester so im not complaining about what im getting right now. Wedding Rings: On Cravings: Peanut butter, and SUGAR.. i currently have a major sweet tooth, im cravings all things chocolate and loving vanilla frozen yogurt w/ cookies or chocolate covered pretzles from trader joes.  I try to eat fruit with chocolate or something for dessert.. this way im getting a little nutritional value out of it for my little guy. Movement: He is still a mover.. not as much as he use to, i think hes slowly running out of room week by week.  He has his moments though when he will just go wild, and then he falls back asleep. I feel a lot of little movements in my pelic area so im wondering if thats where his legs are or maybe his hands? Belly Button: OUT! Its definitely out there, and you can see it in almost everything i wear. .. but i think its cute and so does my hubby ( ; Excited for: Doing a 4D ultrasound in a few weeks probably. Im trying to decide on when we should do it.. I am so eager to see him but I dont want to go too soon when he isnt plump and has those oh so cute chubby cheeks! Im also so excited that both of our baby showers are coming up in a couple weeks! And a maternity shoot my sister (kelsey steindler photography: www.kelseysteindler.blogspot.com) who is an amazing photographer, will be shooting them! Thats coming up next week! Missing: not really anything lately.. im really loving being pregnant right now. Im at that fun stage when people can tell im pregnant and everyone gets so happy to see my little bump! It brings me joy and im just so grateful for this life growing inside of me.. its really made me so happy to think about. Exercise: I havent been exercising as much as id like to lately because i've been sick and also tired (probably because my body is fighting off this bug).  Its tough to work out when i get that numb/heavy leg cramp as well.  OH and i had a big juice drink from Mothers market before i worked out the other day (trying to avoid getting sick) and i literally had to stop 3 times to go to the bathroom in just a 30 minute time frame while trying to do some cardio.  Normally i take 1-2 bathroom breaks in an hour at the gym.  Im proud of myself for sticking with a routine though, as hard as some days are, im continuing to try to stay healhty and active for me and this little boy. Stretch Marks: None so far.. I have been using mama mio body butter and oil, bio oil, coconut oil, and Palmers cocoa butter throughout my pregnancy at different periods. I apply one of these or a combination 2 times a day (morning and night). How big is baby: The size of a cauliflower! Babies on average are 2.5 lbs and 15 inches at this stage. At our 21 week appointment (our last ultrasound) he was measuring a couple weeks ahead..BIG! So im wondering if hes slowed down or if hes still a big baby.. we wont know until our last ultrasound with our Dr. around late 30's. Or if we do a 4D scan somewhere we can try to find out how big he is.  {By this first week of the third trimester, your baby looks similar to what he or she will look like at birth, except thinner and smaller. The lungs, liver, and immune system still need to fully mature, but if born now, your baby would have a very good chance of surviving.} Feeling: Great overall.. i was really emotional around 25-26 weeks though. I definitely had my first week where i felt "pregnant" emotionally... the littlest thing would bring me to tears.. and im not typically a crier.

23 & 24 Weeks Pregnant Update

Pregnancy Update: 23 & 24 Weeks Pregnant

Hubby and I on the fairy headed to balboa island fun zone, day date <3

 23 Weeks pregnant

24 Weeks Pregnant (6 MONTHS)

Good Friday with our families

24 Weeks belly update

How far along: 23 & 24 weeks pregnant

Symptoms:  that funny line is moving up my belly slowly but surely! Still feeling good.. a little swelling this week in my thighs bum and lower back, my belly is definitely noticeable, belly button is out at the top, still fit in my normal clothes but having to get creative with shirts that now show the bottom of my tummy (lol), getting braxton hicks daily, and he is wild as ever! He moves constantly! We have an active boy on our hands. I can see him moving from outside my belly which is pretty neat to witness and my husband gets to feel him pretty much every day as well. This trimester has been so much fun, it seems real now that there is a little person in there with a fun personality..we cant wait to meet him and smother him with love and affection!

Cravings: Chocolate chocolate chocolate. The citrus phase has gone and now all i want is cookies, chocolate covered pretzels, and chocolate anything!

Wedding Rings: on

Belly button: out

Exercise:  Still going strong with the usual routine

Sleep: lately sleep has been worse, I think my back is starting to hurt even more which makes me really uncomfortable at night. I really hate sleeping on my side and find myself rolling onto my back throughout the night, which in turn kills me in the morning.  My husband has been waking up really early for work now and that wakes me up and its hard to go back to sleep.  Im going to invest in a pregnancy pillow soon, my hubbys hands are getting sore from all these back rubs (LOL) i need a new remedy!

Maternity Clothes: So far i've purchased 5 maxi skirts (non maternity), a couple dresses, a couple shirts, 1 pair of leggings, some work out shorts that arent too tight for my tummy, bigger sports bras to support the growing lady parts, and my sister got me maternity jeans for christmas and im borrowing my other sisters maternity jeans.  The rest of my clothes are my normal clothes that im trying to make due with.  I know as my belly gets bigger i may have to find some other options.

Excited for: My baby showers on May 5th and May 11th as well as our preparation for child birth classes. I dont know why but im so excited for labor... of course to meet our little one but also just to experience what God created our bodies for.  Its just a bizarre part of being a woman i suppose.

Missing: I really missed sushi tonight.  I miss my pre prego body, seeing so many cute summer outfits and people getting in shape for summer is not fun when you are only going to get bigger and bigger and not be able to wear anything cute for several months...but i know its all worth it!

We can't wait to meet our little baby boy! Im getting so eager!

EXCITING NEWS!!

We are PREGNANT! Yep, we are having a BABY!

The news came just as shockingly to us one early November morning..

I journaled that week just so I could savor the moment and remember it forever, ever since then I have periodically been journaling to keep track of this FIRST TIME EVER PREGNANCY (for us)! Heres what I jotted down:

When I first found out I was pregnant I was in complete SHOCK. I don’t think I’ve really ever been in shock in that way. I was shocked when I got into Pepperdine, shocked when i got into grad school. Shocked when Taylor proposed, but nothing NOTHING compares to this. In that very moment, I couldn't even understand what THIS MEANT?

I was terrified. I thought, “my husband is going to hate me”. "Im ruining OUR plans",  "we haven't prepared". I don’t know how I blamed myself, when it definitely takes two to make a baby.  I guess I let the enemy take over... fear filled my thoughts instantly. I leaned my head against the bathroom wall and prayed. I prayed for protection, I didn’t really have words but I knew the Holy Spirit knew what I needed, and I remember praying for my husbands reaction for when I walked out the bathroom door to go break the exciting/terrifying news. 

I came out and starting BALLING.  I was overwhelmed with all sorts of emotions, as well hormonal i'm sure. I called for him in a quivering voice.."baaabe". He came rushing toward me and held me in his arms the moment he saw I was crying. “Whats wrong, whats wrong. Babe talk to me,” he said frantically.  I couldn’t say anything. I was in shock.  The words eventually came out after what seemed like forever, “I think im pregnant”.  "What do you mean? How? How do you know?" He didn’t understand, so I led him to look at the two tests, clear as day, on the counter. I burst into even more tears, anticipating his reaction.  He remained completely calm. He took me by my hands and sat me on the floor. As I cried tears of fear and worry, he held my hands in his, looked me in the eyes, and said ever so calmly, ”when I married you, I had every intention of being the father of your children.. yes, we didn’t plan for this right at this moment but God did and we need to accept that and be grateful for this blessing. I want you to be excited. Im going to do everything I can to protect you and take care of you”.  Talk about PERFECT.  Husband, yes, you are perfection. I am such a blessed lady.

      "You’re just saying this cuz im crying and emotional?” 

       "No Tess, I mean it. I feel completely at peace. This is Gods plan.  Lets go to the store and get another test, a digital one, so we know for sure and we can take it from there". 

 We ate breakfast, I calmed down and then we got into the car to go to the store.  After we picked up the digital test he pulled up to our house and told me ”when you go inside I want you to take the test, and whatever the results are I want you to be happy, don’t look back, just look forward knowing God has  plan and we can be excited, He's got us hunny.”  

"PREGNANT". No doubt about it. It showed up within seconds on the digital test.  At this point I was so thrilled to see that I was.  We smiled, hugged, kissed, were tearful (this time, happy excited tears of joy).  We went back to the store, got prenatal vitamins, iron, and body butter..  We walked over to barnes & noble and picked up “what to expect when you’re expecting”.  We wanted to look forward and be excited! No more tears, no more not trusting the Lord.  My husband was my rock that day. He always is. He keeps me grounded, he reminds me to believe in God and believe His plans are far greater than ours.  Together we threw our plans to the wind and gave them to Him.   Together we realized kids have always been what we want, it just wasn't the timing we thought our first baby would come by.  But its also not the timing of two parents who have been trying for a baby for 5 years and have yet to conceive.  So let me just say how grateful we are. We know this is by far the biggest blessing God has ever given us in our marriage and we couldn't be more thrilled.  We haven't looked back since that split second that I allowed the enemy to flood my mind with fear. 

We spent the rest of the afternoon thinking of fun things like baby names, and talked about what our future would be like from now on.  We knew everything was going to change.  I started to get more and more excited as the day went on.  The days following were surreal..is this really happening.. all the pregnancy symptoms came on FULL FORCE.  Waking up 3-4 times a night to pee.  Exhausted and could barely walk, let alone work out.  HUNGRY all the time, even right after i had eaten. I researched every vitamin and had to stop taking most things.  Morning sickness came at around 5 1/2 weeks. I was and am in complete protective mommy mode. 

I was not ready for this. Nor did I think I could be a mom any time soon, but the moment you find out you are pregnant you truly do become a mom. I think its different for men, I think they need to feel the baby move or see it before they understand how real this is.  We started reading all about the changes our baby goes through weekly as it grows, as well as what mommy goes through each week.  We pray morning and night with our hands on our new famiy member. Its nuts, and happened so quickly but we both feel at peace now and feel so so so very thankful for this precious gift of life.

Ive been reading baby blogs... I have become a mommy-blog-aholic! I read so many blogs now all about pregnancy, what they went through, and find it soothing to be amongst women who have experienced exactly what I am experiencing. I find it so facinating! So I have decided to blog, as often as I can. This way other pregnant women can relate and read my story, just as I read other's and feel more sane along this crazy journey. AND, I will have a neat diary of my entire pregnancy to look back on one day. 

So here it goes..

<3



I hope our story of fear, excitement, love, laughter, and hope can be inspiring to someone else.