09.27.09
11 weeks to go!
Wow! The time is flying now. I am 29 weeks pregnant today!
Kaden weighs about 2.5 pounds and measures a tad more than 15 inches. Basically, he is the size of a butternut squash!
I had a doctor appointment on Friday, and the doctor said my stomach is measuring well. Just like I guessed, I have gained exactly 20 pounds. I have been getting sick a little bit, because I don’t digest my food very well. I don’t know what else to do besides just deal with it. It doesn’t matter if I eat bad or good, my stomach is just not digesting like it used to. I’m trying some over the counter meds for indigestion, so we’ll see if that makes a difference.
I had to drink this real sugary juice at the doctor and wait for an hour to get my blood drawn. This glucose screening will determine if I have gestational diabetes, which is common in pregnancy. With gestational diabetes, the glucose stays in the blood instead of moving into your cells and converting into energy. Let’s hope I don’t have it. I should get the results at my next visit, in less than 2 weeks.
Other than that, I have a list of things to do over the next few weeks, including registering at the hospital where I plan to give birth, finish my registry for the baby shower and decorate the nursery. The crib and dresser we ordered should arrive any day now.
Before I go, I have to share a place I am really excited to visit. It’s a spa and wellness center specifically for moms-to-be, but it also offers post-natal treatments. It’s called Belly Bliss, and you bet your bottom I have already made appointments to get some much needed relaxation! A friend referred me to Belly Bliss, which was recently opened by her OB’s wife. Kyle will be out of town this weekend, so I booked a “me” day and plan to get a massage and facial! Even better, this place is literally just down the street from my house. It sells products and offers classes, like pre and post natal yoga. I think I am going to be a frequent visitor. I will share my experience on my next blog!
09.23.09
I miss…
I miss walking fast. I waddle. I am short, and I need to keep up! I just miss walking with ease. I never imagined 20 extra pounds would shift my balance and stride so much.
I miss getting in and out of bed easily. It’s so difficult now, and I have to roll off the bed!
I miss eating certain foods. I want a tomato. I love tomatoes, but now they give me really bad indigestion. I can’t have lemonade either, or anything acidic. Argh!
I miss wearing really cute strappy heels. My feet won’t even look a stiletto in the face. It’s flats and flip flops from here on out.
I miss clear skin. I don’t know who said women glow during pregnancy, unless they were talking about the shiny pimples you develop.
I miss shaving my legs in a snap. It’s no easy feat to reach my fat ankles over my bulging belly.
And, I miss the simplicity of it all. When you’re pregnant, you question everything. You proceed with caution. You are on high alert. I imagine that doesn’t change after having the baby, because then you are always protecting them. Right now, I’m just protecting me. It’s kind of tiresome.
But, you know what? I may miss all of these things now, but it’s only temporary. In no time, I will be able to sprint, shave and eat whatever I want again. It’s an incredible journey to be so aware of every change I am going through. It really makes me appreciate my body.
By the way, I think pregnant woman should be given stock in Rolaids. If I had a dime for every one I’ve had to pop, I might be able to send Kaden to college!
09.21.09
Kaden Christian… 28 weeks!
Kyle and I have chosen our son’s name. He will be Kaden Christian Zuelke. Christian is Kyle’s middle name and just seemed the perfect fit for Kaden. And, Kaden… well… we both just really liked it!
With that big decision behind us, we can start looking forward to the final months of pregnancy. I am now officially in my third trimester! That is a big milestone for me, as you all know I’ve had it a little rough. I know I am in for some uncomfortable weeks ahead, but right now, I’ll enjoy the somewhat good days I have been having.
At 28 weeks, Kaden weighs 2.25 pounds and measures about 14.8 inches. In the produce category, he is about the size of a chinese cabbage.
Other significant developments: babies at this stage are just starting to blink their eyes and grow eyelashes! As for me, I am expected to gain about 11 pounds this final stretch, which would be about a pound per week. I haven’t put on much weight in the last month or so, but I imagine I will rack it up here at the end. So far, I have gained about 20 pounds. I am well within my goal and hoping to stay on track. That makes me happy!
I have a doctor appointment this Friday, in which I will do some more blood work to make sure I have not developed gestational diabetes. It will also be the start of more frequent doctor visits.
At this point, there isn’t a whole lot more to report. Kyle put our new stroller together last night and we have the infant car seat to match. Soon, we’ll be able to get the furniture together for the nursery, and then I will have to decorate. We’re slowly organizing, and I am waiting for that so-called “nesting” to set in. So far… I have no desire to organize anything!
Still lots to do… and I can imagine these last 12 weeks are going to fly by!
09.13.09
Getting closer…
At 27 weeks pregnant (91 days to go), I am just one week away from my third trimester. That means the end is in sight! It also means I probably have some of my toughest weeks ahead.
It’s amazing how fast the baby is growing now. He weighs almost 2 pounds and is supposedly about 14.5 inches long! You must be wondering what food I can compare him to this week. Well, Baby Z is about the size of a head of cauliflower.
The baby's size could be compared to a head of cauliflower
Other interesting notes about the baby’s progress. He is sleeping and waking at regular intervals. I can usually predict when he’ll be awake and moving about. And, I can sure tell when he is snoozing. Supposedly, babies at this point can actually open and close their eyes and suck their thumbs!
I’m also feeling some relief today. We finally got the crib and dresser ordered for the nursery. That was an overwhelming task. It was hard for me because most places these days don’t carry the actual furniture in their stores. Everything is through catalog or online. I am a visual person, so it helps me to see what the furniture actually looks like put together. I didn’t want to settle for picking something online and then not liking it when it was delivered.
Thankfully, there is a store in town that has lots of floor models. My mom, sister and I went shopping yesterday and I found the furniture I really liked. Our order will come in at the end of the month.
Below is a picture of the crib and dresser we got. We did not get the hutch. The great thing about this set is that it will convert into a toddler bed and then a full size bed when we’re ready.
Shopping for a baby is overwhelming, for me. How do you know what is essential? There are so many things you need to get started, but how much of it will you really use? Registering for baby items is not like registering for your wedding!
Needless to say, I am thankful this order is complete, and we can move onto other things. Now I’m spending time building a registry and looking for nursery decor. I’ve got 13 weeks to figure it out!
09.09.09
Weekend of family & fun
Labor day weekend was anything but labor. It was all fun for the Zuelkes.
It began on Friday with the arrival of Kyle’s dad and his sister and her family. Not much happened on Friday evening as everyone was just getting into town after a long drive into town.
Saturday, we were up and at ‘em at 5:30 am and out the door by 6:30. We drove out to Lake Mead and rented a boat for the day. The weather was perfect! We found a great cove to dock the boat and swim. The water was so warm! I pretty much lounged in the same floatie all day! And, we pulled the boat out a couple of times to let everyone take turns skiing and tubing. Not me of course!
Our niece Emily tubing
Kyle and our nephew, Nick
Heather and our nephew, Ben
One of the coolest moments of our day, was seeing a family or herd of Bighorn sheep. Kyle counted nine of them. They walked past our site a few times.
Bighorn Sheep
By the time we got home from the lake, we were fried. Everyone was so tired. Kyle cooked a quick meal, and I think the house was asleep by 8:00!
On Sunday, Kyle, his dad, sister and brother-in-law went biking on a trail not far from the house. I stayed home with the kids and got food ready for pool day. When the gang got home, we headed over to Mark and Michelle’s. The kids immediately jumped into the pool! They swam all day and of course, there was pool volleyball.
Pool volleyball
I think everyone was exhausted by Monday. I know I was. Kyle is still recuperating! Everyone took off by lunch time and the house is quiet again.
09.08.09
Week 26. It’s worth it, right?
I hate to say it, but I am sick of hearing, “It will all be worth it.” I know it will. But, life stinks right now, and I am living in the NOW. Not 3 months from now.
Oh sure. My sciatic nerve pain has gotten better. But, of course, my body has produced a new ailment. Afterall, it’s me. Nothing comes easy for me. Kyle warned me I would be that person. The one who has everything that COULD happen during pregnancy, actually happen. I didn’t want to believe it. For once, I was going to get through something with flying colors. Kyle also tells me I jinx everything. So, I guess I should have known I would jinx myself on that one.
Enter last week. I went to bed a few hours after having grilled salmon and a salad for dinner. I was settling in to a nice, night’s sleep when I woke up to vomit! Yes, vomit. It appears now that every time I lay down, I throw up. What’s up with that? So now, I have to sleep sitting up. Three pillows propped up against my headboard, and me. Oh yeah, that’s comfortable. NOT!
It doesn’t matter what I do, nothing helps. I eat early. I take Rolaids. I drink milk or cold water. I even tried the home remedy of a teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar. Nothing gives. Guess I’ll spend the next 3 months sleeping like a mummy. The doctor tells me this is happening because as the baby grows, there is less room; therefore it’s taking a lot longer for my food to break down and digest.
On to the good stuff. We are just over 26 weeks along, which means time is closing in. I had a doctor appointment last week. Doing great on the weight gain. Way on target for my goal. I have to go back in about 2.5 weeks to drink some liquid that will tell me if I have gestational diabetes. After that, I believe I will start going to the OB every two weeks until my eighth month, in which I will then have to go weekly.
Baby Zuelke is all over the place. I feel him kick high and low and sometimes in both places all at once! He is more active than ever and at all times of the day now. I read somewhere that any day now he will get the hiccups, because he is just now starting to open his mouth and breathe in air and fluid.
This is about the size of our baby this week. The size of an English Hothouse Cucumber. That means he is about 14 inches long and weighs anywhere between 1 2/3 – 1.5 pounds.
Baby Z is the size of an English hothouse cucumber!
With about 98 days to go, I am starting to freak out about it all. Labor scares me. Feeding a crying baby scares me. Everything scares me. Can I handle this? I can barely handle being pregnant. What have I done??? If I ever needed reassurance it’s right now. I have decided to definitely sign Kyle and I up for birthing classes to calm my nerves. I know it’s hokey, but I need someone to hand-hold me. Oh goodness… reality is setting in!
