Preggo Saturday

Baby Progress:

Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you. Measuring just under 15 inches long, he weighs approximately 2 1/4 lbs. He will continue to gain body fat in the coming weeks to prepare him for life outside of your womb.

At 28 weeks, your baby can recognize your voice! His eyes continue to develop this week and his brain is developing millions of neurons. The hair on his head continues to grow. Muscle tone in his body steadily develops, and even though his lungs are now capable of breathing air, it would be difficult for him if he were born now.



My Progress:

How far along? 28 1/2 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: +15 lbs.
How much does baby weigh? 1.5 lbs as of last u/s
Symptoms: Pregnancy brain, no energy, frequent headaches, shortness of breath, occasional aches!
Maternity clothes? Pretty much everything.
Stretch marks? I don't think I really want to answer this question anymore!
Sleep: In spite of waking every 2 hours to visit the restroom, okay.
Best moment this week: making it to my 3rd trimester!
Food cravings: Smores and Sprite!
Food aversions: chicken!
Gender: boy! Klayton Matthew!
Labor signs: way to early for this.
Belly Button - in or out? flattening.
What I miss: being able to breathe normal!
What I am looking forward to: seeing Klayton again on Monday and touring the birth place.
Milestones: 3rd trimester, just 12 more weeks!

The End is Almost Here

The end is in sight-I think! Haha! Wednesday was the first day of the last weeks of pregnancy! I am now officially 28 weeks pregnant and therefore, in my third trimester! But, don't get me wrong I am still SO excited to be pregnant, its just now I am so excited to know that in a short time I will meet my Klayton Matthew!
The beginning of my pregnancy seems like forever ago; but when I really stop and think about it, it feels as if it were just yesterday that we were announcing my pregnancy. In the beginning there were all sorts of milestones to look forward to: the third month, feeling baby's first flutters or as I like to call them 'love taps', discovering baby's gender! Now there is only one more milestone in my mind to reach-the birth!
Giving birth is a pretty big milestone if you ask me! It is a milestone that makes me extremely excited about the result it brings-me, holding my precious baby in my arms and hearing his first cry! Wow! I just know in my mind these next 12 weeks are going to drag by,which seems funny because the pregnancies of my friends seem to be flying by faster than my own pregnancy! So, please October hurry along and introduce me to my Klayton Bear!

Work in Progress

Please be patient, I am trying to redo my blog page...my old design disappeared. Sad. And then my computer isn't cooperating...the page will match one day soon! Thanks!

Stolen Survey

I love talking about my pregnancy and as you know I try to post a weekly update about my pregnancy! Okay, and I will admit I randomly mention my pregnancy in other posts throughout the week! I can't help it! I just love being pregnant and am already so in love with my Klayton Bear! My friend Lindsay posted this survery on her blog and gave permission to those of us who would like to, to steal-I'm stealing it! And, really the truth be told, I was planning on stealing it before you even gave me permission! Haha! I just thought it would be fun to do a different kind of survery!

About the mommy:

Name: Kendra

Age: 28

Is this the first child?: Yes

About the daddy:

Name: Joseph

Age: 30 (will be 31 once Klayton arrives)

Is this the first child?: most definitely!

Finding out:

What day did you find out you were pregnant?: February 22nd, 2010

How did you feel when you found out?: Shocked, surprised…the one month I didn’t think it would even be a possibility is when we found out!

Who was with you?: Joseph

How did the daddy react?: Happy; but hesitant since he didn’t know how accurate home pregnancy tests were.

Telling the grandparents:

How did your parents react?: My mom was so excited! We called her at work and she told me that she had a feeling! My dad was very excited as well!

How did his parents react?: They were excited.

How often do they call to check on you?: My mom checks on me daily and his mom checks on me often.

About the pregnancy:

When is your due date?: October 20th!

How far along are you right now?: 27 ½ weeks! Wednesday begins my 3rd trimester! Yay!

Have you had an ultra sound?: Lots of them! At least 5 and will probably have at least 2 more!

Have you heard the heartbeat?: Yes, once a month and sometimes twice a month! Its one of my favorite sounds!

Sex of the baby: BOY! Klayton Matthew!

What do you want. Boy or Girl?: Hmmm... a boy! Haha! I want my Klayton Matthew! To be honest we didn’t really care-we just wanted a baby and were thrilled to be pregnant!

Do you know what you are having now?: Yes!

Are you happy with what you are having?: Very much so!

About the birth:
Who is going to be with you?: My husband and my mom!

Are you going to video tape it?: Who really wants to see that, well my mom wants to; but since she will be there I don’t think a video tape is necessary and sorry mom; but if for some reason you are not there-I am not video taping.

Natural or medicated?: I would like to use Fetanyl; but I’m keeping my mind open to an epidural if it comes down to it.

Do you think you will have a c-section?: I was recently cleared to have a ‘normal’ delivery and I am choosing to trust that God will allow me NOT to have a c-section.

Do you think you will cry when you first hold your baby?: Yes, in fact I warned my husband of this very fact the other day!

Do you know what you will say to the baby when you first hold it?: I don’t know if I will be able to speak….

Are you scared about the labor?: Nerves are definitely settling in….

Names:

Do you have a name picked out?: Klayton Matthew

Is your baby going to be named after anyone?: No.

Did the daddy help pick the name?: I came up with his first name and daddy came up with his middle name! Klayton will share my initials!

Other random questions:

Have you felt the baby move?: Yes! I love feeling his ‘love taps’!

What was your first symptom?: I don’t think that needs to be discussed in a public forum! My friends that are girls can ask me that question in private! Haha!

Will you have godparents?: I don’t think so.

What is the babys room theme?: Sports! What else would you expect?!

Are you ready to be a mommy?: I think I am! Is Klayton ready for me to be his mommy should be the question! Is he ready to deal with a paranoid and over protective mother!

Up All Night!

Well, I actually did it-I stayed up all night! I went to my friend Deanna's all night scraping party, my husband was convinced I would be asleep at 2 a.m! I proved him wrong-I didn't go to sleep until 7 this morning when my friend Danielle dropped me off from the party! I had so much fun and it was great to spend time with my girlfriends! I didn't get a ton of scrapping done, just 2 pages; but the laughs and conversation was worth so many memories!
I was getting pretty concerned about the lack of love taps coming from Klayton in my belly. Saturday, he was moving and pushing my belly and then suddenly he has been quiet. When he does move its been so subtle and quick that I have a hard time picking up on it-which makes for a nervous mama! I wanna feel my baby move! Last night, at the party, I thought I had felt him move and told my friend Jessica. Jessica, wanted to feel him-so, I let her touch my belly and the little stinker didn't do a thing! So, she started poking and rubbing my belly all in an effort to feel my little man and all her poking and rubbing paid off because we realized he must be a night owl baby! Literally every hour to hour and a half I was able to feel Klayton move! I've felt him today some; but nothing like last night-I just wish he would be that active during the day! Someone told me, that when he decides to make his appeareance in this world that it will probably be during the night because that is when he is most active! I almost have a gut feeling that they are right!
At church tonight I was talking to a midwife about how Klayton only has a 2 vessel cord and we were talking about birth weight. I have heard that its common for baby to follow our genes and be born at least around my weight...I weighed approximately 9 lbs 2 oz when I was born and she informed me that I needed to consider my husband to and he was 8 1/2 lbs when he was born. So, I have been wondering am I going to have a big baby? I've been kind of hoping for a 7 lb baby...she told me that it could very well be! Very rarely are 2 vessel cord babies born weighing more than 7 lbs! So, we will see!
Next week, I go in for my glucose test and from there I begin seeing my doctor every other week! Its hard to believe that I will be in my 3rd trimester! Time seems to be passing quickly, yet at the same time the days seem to drag and October seems out of reach! So, please October hurry up and get here!
Well, I think the weariness from my all nighter is beginning to settle in and my pillow is calling my name and I think I will be obedient to the pillow and pillow my head for the night!

Hands

One of the greatest expressions or examples of love was displayed when Christ spread His hands and was nailed to the cross to pay for the penalty of our sins, so that we may have eternal life. What an amazing example to show us how to love with our hands!
I've been thinking about Joseph's hands lately and how they are becoming the hands of a father. I look back to January 4th, 2008 when we joined hands as husband and wife. Since that day his hands have held mine many times. His hands have also wiped away my tears and held me as I cried out with a desire to have a baby in my tummy. Now his hands touch my belly as he tells our baby boy that his daddy loves him, his hands hold mine as he offers words of comfort whenever there is a concern for Klayton. I now look forward to the day when Joseph's hands will hold Klayton for the first time. I love holding the hand of my husband...
How do your hands express love?

10 on Tuesday

1. Tonight my friend Deanna, is hosting an all night scrapbook party! My husband thinks I will be out like a light by 2-oh ye of little faith! We will see; but he is probably right. After all, when we tried to do our own all nighter we only made it to 1 in the morning.
2. Yesterday we spent the afternoon in Sioux City, IA with my parents shopping! While shopping we found some jean overalls for Klayton!
3. We still have boxes to be unpacked from our move. Were getting close, it's just that my energy wanes very quickly these days.
4. Tomorrow I will be 27 weeks-the final week of my 2nd trimester! Yay!
5. Joseph has been diligently making phone calls in an effort to book meetings for us from January to April-Klayton will become quite the little traveler in his young life!
6. We signed up to take a tour of the birth place! I'm excited and will probably enjoy the tour until they show me the stirups on the hospital bed-just looking at those things makes me sick to my stomach.
7. So much to do today. I probably should be cleaning my kitchen, vacuuming my living room, doing laundry or cleaning the bathroom; but here I am...blogging about the things that need to be done.
8. Klayton has become very quiet in my belly the last couple of days. I don't like that I want to feel him move for that reassurance that he is okay. I call this, a symptom of the 1st time pregnant woman!
9. I'm thinking about applying for an online writing job...I have always wanted to be a writer, so we will see what I decide to do.
10. As I complete my tasks for the day and get rested up for my all nighter! I will be hoping that all my readers have a happy Tuesday!

Preggo Friday...on Saturday?!

Baby Progress:

Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you. Measuring about 14 inches long, he weighs just less than 2 lbs!

His lungs continue to develop and he is taking small breaths of amniotic fluid inside your womb. These small breaths are getting him in shape for his first breath of fresh air.

His veins are visible through his transparent skin but soon that will change as his skin begins to turn opaque.

The nerve pathways are becoming more and more developed, making him more responsive to sound. Don't be surprised if you feel him jump inside you if he is startled by a sudden noise.

My Progress:

How far along? 26 1/2 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: +12 lbs.
How much does baby weigh? 1.5 lbs as of last u/s
Symptoms: Pregnancy brain, no energy, frequent headaches, shortness of breath, occasional aches, very hungry and snacky!
Maternity clothes? Pretty much everything.
Stretch marks? I don't think I really want to answer this question anymore!
Sleep: Great!
Best moment this week: watching my belly move!
Food cravings: A&W Root Beer!
Food aversions: chicken!
Gender: boy! Klayton Matthew!
Labor signs: way to early for this.
Belly Button - in or out? flattening.
What I miss: being able to breathe normal!
What I am looking forward to: seeing Klayton again on August 2nd-hopefully I will get another 3d pic!
Milestones: nearing the end of my 2nd trimester!

Friends Don't Let Friends Be Preggo Alone

I have always thought it would be fun to be pregnant at the same time as a friend! And while I am the only one in my group of friends that is expecting in October, I am still finding it fun to have pregnant friends! I am also finding it fun knowing that my baby boy will be here two/three months sooner than their babies! At this point I can hardly wait for October to arrive-I don't know what I would do if I had to wait longer than that!
Diana, she is due December 14th and I think she is having a boy!

Danielle, she is due December 21st and I think she is having a girl!

I just need my other close prego friend, Lindsay to drive up here to good old SD and have a picture taken with me! She is due January 5th and I don't have any guesses as of yet as to what I think she is having!
I am so excited for all my friends-I'm excited for me to! And I just have to say it, one last time, October will be here before December/January-praise the Lord!!! lol!

Wedded Wednesday

This past Friday, Joseph surprised me and celebrated our 3rd year engagement anniversary! Yes, he actually does remember the day, July 9th, 2007 that he asked me to marry him and I obviously said yes since we have now been married for two and a half years and have a baby on the way! Joseph took me to Olive Garden for soup and salad, gave me 2 dozen white roses-which are my favorite, a huge thing of Trident Cinnamon gum-the only gum I can chew because it doesn't have aspartame and a funny card! It was special and it makes me feel special that my husband remembers days like that and chooses to celebrate them!

But, anyway this past Friday really got me thinking about that special day three years ago and about some young girls at my church that are recently engaged and planning their own weddings! Its so exciting, when the one you have been waiting for finally asks you to share their lives with you-there is a whole new chapter waiting to be written and everything is just perfect...all you can see is the perfection of it all! What a wonderful feeling! I sometimes wish we could keep that feeling forever wouldn't that be great?
But, even though the time of engagement, planning the wedding and going on the honeymoon is great...I am glad that I am where I am at now! It was fun being wooed; but now watching couples go through that stage-it kind of nauseates me, maybe its pregnancy thats doing it to me! Nonetheless, I am thankful for that day three years ago when my best friend asked me to spend my life with him...I am thankful for January 4th, 2008 when I made a vow...I am thankful for February 22nd, 2010 when we realized God would be blessing us with a child and I am thankful for all the days inbetween!

10 on Tuesday

So, before I begin my regular post-I want to tell you about something my baby boy did to me last night. While watching television with Joseph I was lounging on our loveseat resting my arm on my belly as I played a game on Joseph’s phone. Apparently, Klayton did not want me to be using his ‘home” as an arm rest. How do I know this? Well, my baby boy moved my arm…I don’t know if he was kicking or punching; but I felt a swift movement that caused my arm to slightly come off of my belly! After about a minute of laughing at what had just happened, I decided to put my arm back and see what he would do. He gave me some quick taps; but nothing like the first one that caused my arm to move. Maybe he realized that I had found it funny-the opposite reaction of what he was probably going for and decided that he knew my arm was back where it didn’t belong; but he would let it remain!
Today for 10 on Tuesday, I thought it would be fun to do a list of things I am learning as a pregnant woman!

1. The bathroom should be your address.
2. Walking up stairs is a workout.
3. Bath tubs are not meant for the use of pregnant woman.
4. It is still possible to sweat…glisten…perspire-even with a fan blowing directly on you.
5. A craving cannot be substituted or ignored.
6. Just because you liked a certain food or beverage before pregnancy it does not mean you still do.
7. Everyone has advice on what you should or should not do or on what you should and should not eat.
8. They say 9 months; but the truth be told you are really considered to be pregnant for 10 months.
9. Cocoa butter doesn’t always work for stretch marks.
10. Feeling your baby’s love taps is one of the greatest feelings ever!

Things My Husband Won't Allow This Pregnant Lady To Do

I am not allowed to:
1. Carry milk jugs.
2. Walk up and down the stairs in my heels.
3. Use chemicals to clean with.
4. Lift.
5. Stretch to reach for things.
6. Bend over excessively.
7. Stand on a chair.

Yes, I am being serious with this list. Sometimes I find it silly; but I have a husband who loves me and wants to take care of me and Klayton! After all, according to Joseph he's letting me borrow Klayton; but when Klayton meets the world he belongs to Joseph! (and yes my husband knows I'm posting this list)

Preggo Update

Baby Progress:

Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you. Measuring about 13 1/2 inches long, he weighs approximately 1 1/2 lbs. In the coming weeks, your baby will continue to grow and mature at a fast rate, gaining some baby fat and filling out his long, lean frame.

As he gains weight, his skin begins to become less wrinkled and he begins to look more and more like a newborn. Also, his skin is finally gaining some color. His hands are fully developed by this week, fingerprints and all! And at 25 weeks, the structure of the spine is beginning to form.

My Progress:

How far along? 25 1/2 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: +12 lbs.
How much does baby weigh? 1.5 lbs
Symptoms: Pregnancy brain, no energy, frequent headaches, shortness of breath, occasional aches, very hungry and snacky!
Maternity clothes? Pretty much everything.
Stretch marks? I don't think I really want to answer this question anymore!
Sleep: Great!
Best moment this week: hearing Klayton's heart beat!
Food cravings: A&W Root Beer!
Food aversions: chicken!
Gender: boy! Klayton Matthew!
Labor signs: way to early for this.
Belly Button - in or out? flattening.
What I miss: Cherry Coke-though I must admit I can drink caffeine; but its my goal to make it through with very little caffeine and if I give in to the cherry coke, I will fall very fast!
What I am looking forward to: seeing Klayton again on August 2nd-hopefully I will get another 3d pic!
Milestones: Cleared to see the specialist once a month rather than every other week!

**Okay, can I just say now that I know I am cleared to have a regular birth if possible and I do realize that there is always a chance for a caesarean...I am very nervous! Not nervous enough to want a caesarean! Yes, I realize that I still have many weeks left to think about this and I probably shouldn't even be giving it a 2nd thought...I mean look at how many woman go through birth again and again-obviously all that pain must be worth it?! I know it will be worth it to me when they put Klayton in my arms for the 1st time! Its just that nerves are already settling in...just means I need to keep praying for grace from God during that time.

Pictures

I just thought it would be fun to post some random pictures from this past weekend! I never seem to post pictures; but here you go!

This was at the Japanese Gardens, I would like to go back here and get some nice maternity pictures taken!


I was a little excited to be parking in this spot!

Made in the USA-Happy Independence Day!

Time Disappears So Quickly

Wow, it's been a crazy busy few weeks for me and I'm looking for some sweet relief; but don't know that I wil find it anytime soon. Two weeks ago it was off to Minnesota for a Sunday meeting. We arrived on Saturday and left for home on Sunday night, which was great since I experienced my first real sickness of pregnancy in the night. I'm grateful that was the first and hopefully the last and only sick experience of pregnancy! That Monday, it was filled with many errands, final packing, a final look at our townhouse, cleaning and who really knows what else! Tuesday, we signed our lease and with the help of my dad, sister and a couple of friends we spent the day moving and cleaning our old apartment! Needless, to say we were grateful when our boxes were all moved; but then a little daunted to see the task of unpacking that laid ahead. That Wednesday, we had a visit with the specialist-which really was the highlight of my week! It really was a great visit, I was cleared to have a delivery without a caesarean if all goes well and I'm cleared for once a month visits to monitor Klayton's growth-his belly no longer measures in the 10 percentile, it is still measuring tiny; but there is growth! While there I was able to have a 3d ultrasound and see the cutest baby boy ever! Friday, a friend from Michigan arrived for a visit and was here until this past Tuesday morning. We enjoyed our Independence Day weekend with him, stayed busy; but enjoyed some down time as well. Whew!
Today I went to my regular doctor for my 25 week checkup. Everything looks great and we loved hearing Klayton's heart beat! I go back in 3 weeks for my glucose test! And after that I begin going every other week which is really crazy to think about. It seems like October is forever in the distance; but yet it's really not! Next month we take our birth class, hopefully take a tour of the birth place, maybe sneak in a feeding class for me and 2 baby showers...little details that signal 15 weeks is really not that much longer! So, October please hurry!
I love our new townhome! It is so quiet and pleasant-no little girl running in the hallway screaming profanities and pouring coke on herself in front of our doorway! Sweet peace! There's still unpacking to do and decorating! I really want to add a new touch of decor, like a shelf in our living room, new rugs for the bathroom, trash cans for the bathroom; but it all takes money. It would be nice if someone would plant a money tree in my backyard!