All is great! It was a very quick appointment: urine sample, weight, blood pressure, baby heartbeat, measurement of my tummy, any questions, done!
Weight: almost gained 30 lbs. so far (29 lbs). I guess I'll be around 35 lbs. gained?? We'll see!
Blood pressure: great!
Eli's heartbeat: 155
Tummy: measuring fine and on track
So, all is good, go again in 2 weeks, and again in 2 weeks, and then every week starting at 36 weeks. Getting closer!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Saturday, June 23, 2007
32 weeks....
...and I love the fact that I still feel great! I'm noticing that I am more tired, more like I was in the beginning, and it's harder to get out of bed in the morning. I still have my "pee and flip" schedule at night, which I guess I'm pretty used to by now! Eli is funny because whichever side I sleep on he seems to scooch his way to the other side and then I have a huge lump sticking out. He's funny....
I have my 32 week doc appointment on Tuesday and will meet another doc in the practice. I hopefully can meet all of them since I won't know who will be on call when I deliver. Also, tomorrow we meet the in home daycare provider that lives around the corner and hopefully will confirm her as our daycare provider. She literally lives around the corner, so it's great!! ALSO, our "Baby Basics" class is on Wednesday night. Then in July we begin our "Breastfeeding" and "Childbirth" classes. Lastly, we go on our hospital tour on July 2nd, so that should be neat. We're getting closer!!
Here's my 32 week picture:

Goodness....I look so pale!
Here's a close up of my flat belly button that is slowing beginning to pop....also of my very visible veins...hope this doesn't gross anyone out!!
This one is funny...I was trying to show my slowing popping belly button.

Here is a look down...what I see everyday! The cute monkey rug is what we have in front of Eli's crib.
Here is what babycenter has to say:
"How your baby's growing: By now, your baby is just shy of 4 pounds and is nearly 17 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.
How your life's changing: To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.
You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor.
Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things."
Baby pic:
Have a great weekend/week!
P.S. Happy Birthday, Holly!!!
I have my 32 week doc appointment on Tuesday and will meet another doc in the practice. I hopefully can meet all of them since I won't know who will be on call when I deliver. Also, tomorrow we meet the in home daycare provider that lives around the corner and hopefully will confirm her as our daycare provider. She literally lives around the corner, so it's great!! ALSO, our "Baby Basics" class is on Wednesday night. Then in July we begin our "Breastfeeding" and "Childbirth" classes. Lastly, we go on our hospital tour on July 2nd, so that should be neat. We're getting closer!!
Here's my 32 week picture:

Goodness....I look so pale!
Here's a close up of my flat belly button that is slowing beginning to pop....also of my very visible veins...hope this doesn't gross anyone out!!
This one is funny...I was trying to show my slowing popping belly button.
Here is a look down...what I see everyday! The cute monkey rug is what we have in front of Eli's crib.
Here is what babycenter has to say:
"How your baby's growing: By now, your baby is just shy of 4 pounds and is nearly 17 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.
How your life's changing: To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.
You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor.
Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things."
Baby pic:
Have a great weekend/week!P.S. Happy Birthday, Holly!!!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
31 weeks
Saturday was 31 weeks....about 9 more to go!! I really am starting to think more about labor and delivery. It is a little frightening, just thinking about when he'll decide to come, where (hopefully I will be at home and not at work or somewhere like that), and how much pain I will go through. We will learn more in our child birth classes and through talking with my doctor, but I do know I am NOT against pain management. My hope is that I can get a good epidural so I can still feel when to push and be aware to enjoy the experience, but still have my pain managed. I know myself and if I am in too much pain, I won't enjoy it as much. I DON'T want to take drugs that will make me too groggy and out of it where I won't even know what's going on. So, hopefully this will be the case!
I'm still feeling really great and feel so lucky to continue to feel this way. I'm getting bigger and bigger and my belly button is almost popped, but not quite. He still is really active and likes to dance on my bladder at least once a day and occasionally decides to push up on my ribs, which is really fun. I get up every 2 hours at night to pee, change sides, and usually feel him move around a couple of those times. I'm really used to it now, so it seems to be on schedule: midnight, 2am, 4am, 6am. My feet/ankles are swelling more, due to the heat, I think, so that will probably continue. It's not unbearable, though, especially because I only wear flip flops/sandals now anyway.
Here is what babycenter has to say:
How your baby's growing: This week, your baby measures about 16 inches long. He weighs a little over 3 pounds and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.
How your life's changing: Have you noticed the muscles in your uterus tightening now and then? Many women feel these random contractions — called Braxton Hicks contractions — in the second half of pregnancy. Often lasting about 30 seconds, they're irregular, and at this point, they should be infrequent and painless. Frequent contractions, on the other hand — even those that don't hurt — may be a sign of preterm labor. Call your practitioner immediately if you have more than four contractions in an hour or any other signs of preterm labor: an increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge (if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody — even if it's pink or just tinged with blood); abdominal pain or menstrual-like cramping; an increase in pressure in the pelvic area; or low back pain, especially if you didn't have it before.
You may have noticed some leaking of colostrum, or "premilk," from your breasts lately. If so, try tucking some nursing pads into your bra to protect your clothes. (And if not, it's certainly nothing to worry about; your breasts are making colostrum all the same, even if you don't see any.) If your current bra is too snug, you might also want to pick up a nursing bra. Choose a nursing bra at least one cup size bigger than you need now. When your milk comes in you'll be grateful for that extra room!
If you're having a boy, you and your partner will want to take some time to think about whether or not to have your baby circumcised. Find out the pros and cons, and what the procedure involves."
I think I have had some Braxton Hicks contractions, but not many. Mostly, Eli likes to move around and press his head, butt, back, whatever against my tummy and you can see one side sticking out more than the other and it is hard as a rock! Circumcision is a topic Eric & I have discussed. Haven't come to a final decision, but we probably will end up doing it. I think I'll leave it up to Eric since he would know more than me!! It's kinda a hard decision!!
31 week baby pic:
Have a great week!!
I'm still feeling really great and feel so lucky to continue to feel this way. I'm getting bigger and bigger and my belly button is almost popped, but not quite. He still is really active and likes to dance on my bladder at least once a day and occasionally decides to push up on my ribs, which is really fun. I get up every 2 hours at night to pee, change sides, and usually feel him move around a couple of those times. I'm really used to it now, so it seems to be on schedule: midnight, 2am, 4am, 6am. My feet/ankles are swelling more, due to the heat, I think, so that will probably continue. It's not unbearable, though, especially because I only wear flip flops/sandals now anyway.
Here is what babycenter has to say:
How your baby's growing: This week, your baby measures about 16 inches long. He weighs a little over 3 pounds and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.
How your life's changing: Have you noticed the muscles in your uterus tightening now and then? Many women feel these random contractions — called Braxton Hicks contractions — in the second half of pregnancy. Often lasting about 30 seconds, they're irregular, and at this point, they should be infrequent and painless. Frequent contractions, on the other hand — even those that don't hurt — may be a sign of preterm labor. Call your practitioner immediately if you have more than four contractions in an hour or any other signs of preterm labor: an increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge (if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody — even if it's pink or just tinged with blood); abdominal pain or menstrual-like cramping; an increase in pressure in the pelvic area; or low back pain, especially if you didn't have it before.
You may have noticed some leaking of colostrum, or "premilk," from your breasts lately. If so, try tucking some nursing pads into your bra to protect your clothes. (And if not, it's certainly nothing to worry about; your breasts are making colostrum all the same, even if you don't see any.) If your current bra is too snug, you might also want to pick up a nursing bra. Choose a nursing bra at least one cup size bigger than you need now. When your milk comes in you'll be grateful for that extra room!
If you're having a boy, you and your partner will want to take some time to think about whether or not to have your baby circumcised. Find out the pros and cons, and what the procedure involves."
I think I have had some Braxton Hicks contractions, but not many. Mostly, Eli likes to move around and press his head, butt, back, whatever against my tummy and you can see one side sticking out more than the other and it is hard as a rock! Circumcision is a topic Eric & I have discussed. Haven't come to a final decision, but we probably will end up doing it. I think I'll leave it up to Eric since he would know more than me!! It's kinda a hard decision!!
31 week baby pic:
Have a great week!!
Father's Day Weekend
Another great weekend-I'm having so many I'm going to expect them every weekend!! Friday night my dad came down and then Saturday my sisters and their significant others also came. Saturday we had a little dent in the weekend when my car overheated and we had to wait about an hour and a half for the tow truck and my grandpa got lost trying to find us. But, I'm glad it happened when I was with Eric & my dad as it would have been really bad on my way to work!!! We found out the radiator is bad and the thermostat needs replacing. We had just had it in for the 90,000 check up so they somehow missed it and are giving us a deal of some sort. We'll find out Monday what that really means....
Anyway, Saturday we all went to the Royals game to celebrate Father's Day. My brother-in-law's parents and my in-laws met us at the game so all together there were 12 of us. We sat in the shade on the top level and it was really fun! I was sure to drink a lot of water and get up and walk around several times, so it was just fine. The Royals lost, but what can you do!! Elijah's first baseball game was at 31 weeks in utero! I think he especially liked the bomber flyer overs and fireworks!!
Today we all went to Mom & Dad Clarkson's for a wonderful lunch: beef stroganoff, green bean casserole, and salad. Oh, and banana pudding for dessert. My brother-in-law and niece also attended, so it was great to have everyone together. We gave each grandpa a onesie to keep at their house that said "My Grandpa digs me", and the Royals game tickets from the day before. I bought Eric a gift set of Royals attire for little Eli, a rattle in the shape of a baseball, and a picture frame that says "Daddy's little sport" that he can put on his desk at work. It was just a baseball weekend!! After lunch my dad left and then we all decided it was time to swim. This was the first time being in a pool while pregnant and it was really great. I'm sure I'll want to spend more time in the pool over the next couple of months!! Mom & Dad Clarkson and Uncle Blake bought us a charcoal grill with all the accessories for Father's/Mother's-day-belated Day!! We were really surprised and thankful. Now we can grill out!!! Also, my dad bought us our travel system from Babies R Us, so that was fun. Thanks grandma and grandpas!! Elijah is very lucky!!
Here are a few pictures of the weekend but I am waiting for my sisters to email me more. For some reason, we aren't too good at taking "people" pictures, mostly landscape (Eric's specialty), so I'll post more when I get them.

Holly showing off her ticket (her hubby Chris on the left and his dad on the right, Jim)
Our view
The Bidney/Clarkson/Hettinger clan: (top) Holly, Philo-Holly's mother-in-law, Mom & Dad (Grandma & Grandpa) Clarkson, (bottom) top of my dad's head ;), Jim-Holly's father-in-law, & Chris (hiding behind Jim)
Love the lemon ice!!
Holly & Chris
Holly & Phil (her mother-in-law)
Sarah & Stephanie
It was Military Appreciation Day so they had military equipment such as this helicopter, it was HUGE !!
Beautiful fountains at the K!
Anyway, Saturday we all went to the Royals game to celebrate Father's Day. My brother-in-law's parents and my in-laws met us at the game so all together there were 12 of us. We sat in the shade on the top level and it was really fun! I was sure to drink a lot of water and get up and walk around several times, so it was just fine. The Royals lost, but what can you do!! Elijah's first baseball game was at 31 weeks in utero! I think he especially liked the bomber flyer overs and fireworks!!
Today we all went to Mom & Dad Clarkson's for a wonderful lunch: beef stroganoff, green bean casserole, and salad. Oh, and banana pudding for dessert. My brother-in-law and niece also attended, so it was great to have everyone together. We gave each grandpa a onesie to keep at their house that said "My Grandpa digs me", and the Royals game tickets from the day before. I bought Eric a gift set of Royals attire for little Eli, a rattle in the shape of a baseball, and a picture frame that says "Daddy's little sport" that he can put on his desk at work. It was just a baseball weekend!! After lunch my dad left and then we all decided it was time to swim. This was the first time being in a pool while pregnant and it was really great. I'm sure I'll want to spend more time in the pool over the next couple of months!! Mom & Dad Clarkson and Uncle Blake bought us a charcoal grill with all the accessories for Father's/Mother's-day-belated Day!! We were really surprised and thankful. Now we can grill out!!! Also, my dad bought us our travel system from Babies R Us, so that was fun. Thanks grandma and grandpas!! Elijah is very lucky!!
Here are a few pictures of the weekend but I am waiting for my sisters to email me more. For some reason, we aren't too good at taking "people" pictures, mostly landscape (Eric's specialty), so I'll post more when I get them.

Holly showing off her ticket (her hubby Chris on the left and his dad on the right, Jim)
Our view
The Bidney/Clarkson/Hettinger clan: (top) Holly, Philo-Holly's mother-in-law, Mom & Dad (Grandma & Grandpa) Clarkson, (bottom) top of my dad's head ;), Jim-Holly's father-in-law, & Chris (hiding behind Jim)
Love the lemon ice!!
Holly & Chris
Holly & Phil (her mother-in-law)
Sarah & Stephanie
It was Military Appreciation Day so they had military equipment such as this helicopter, it was HUGE !!
Beautiful fountains at the K!Monday, June 11, 2007
Eli's first baby shower
On Saturday, Holly (my sister), Mom Clarkson and Vadsana (my good friend), threw me a baby shower! It was a lot of fun and I didn't know who RSVP'd so it was a surprise each time someone came in the door! Thanks again to the hostesses, it was really appreciated! I know Eli will enjoy all the wonderful gifts, as will his parents.
The theme was a jungle theme, like our nursery, and the cake was too cute with little jungle animals on it. We played several games and opened gifts, which seemed to take an hour just for the gifts!! The games were cute: match the jungle animal to it's family name and baby item scrabble. Sammie (my niece) had everyone guess how many M & M's were in a baby bottle and guess what, I won!! It was from my years to doing guessing with my kids as a teacher. Mom Clarkson made adorable favors for everyone to take home: miniature baby bottles with M & M's and a sack with "smell good" stuff in it to put in your drawer. It was all very fun and it was great to see everyone! Below are some pictures:

Look at the cute table!!
Mom Clarkson putting on my "Mom to be-it's a boy" ribbon

Almost ready to play some games!
Social work buddies Aundrea & Cheryl- hadn't seen them in a year!!
Vadsana & Kerri (& Rowan)
My mom & sister Holly during gift opening
Gift opening
And more....
And more...
And more....
And more!!
Elijah thanks everyone for all of his gifts and for coming to support his mommy!!
The theme was a jungle theme, like our nursery, and the cake was too cute with little jungle animals on it. We played several games and opened gifts, which seemed to take an hour just for the gifts!! The games were cute: match the jungle animal to it's family name and baby item scrabble. Sammie (my niece) had everyone guess how many M & M's were in a baby bottle and guess what, I won!! It was from my years to doing guessing with my kids as a teacher. Mom Clarkson made adorable favors for everyone to take home: miniature baby bottles with M & M's and a sack with "smell good" stuff in it to put in your drawer. It was all very fun and it was great to see everyone! Below are some pictures:

Look at the cute table!!
Mom Clarkson putting on my "Mom to be-it's a boy" ribbon
Almost ready to play some games!
Social work buddies Aundrea & Cheryl- hadn't seen them in a year!!
Vadsana & Kerri (& Rowan)
My mom & sister Holly during gift opening
Gift opening
And more....
And more...
And more....
And more!!Elijah thanks everyone for all of his gifts and for coming to support his mommy!!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
30 weeks!
Yesterday was 30 weeks, amazingly only 10 to go (or about ;). I will post info about 30 weeks and my belly pic and then later this evening, or tomorrow (see how tired I am), I'll post about my awesome shower I had on Saturday!! It was definitely an Eli weekend!!
30 week belly pic:

Here is what babycenter has to say:
How your baby's growing: Your baby's a bit more than 15 1/2 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds. A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and fills out your uterus. Her eyes open and close, she's able to distinguish between light and dark, and she can even follow a light source back and forth. Once she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have a visual acuity of only 20/400 — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. ("Normal" vision in adults is 20/20.)
How your life's changing: You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having any trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsy, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, your balance is off and your joints are loosened, thanks to pregnancy hormones. Those loose joints can actually cause your feet to grow a shoe size --permanently.
Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and your hormones may result in a revisit of those ups and downs you felt in the first few months. It's normal to worry about what your labor will be like or whether you'll be a good parent, but if you can't shake the blues or feel increasingly anxious or irritable, talk to your doctor or midwife. You may be among the 10 percent of expectant women who battle mild to moderate depression during their pregnancies.
And if you think you might like some kind of pain relief for labor and delivery, now's a good time to look into your options."
When I start to see my new doctor this week, I plan to talk to her about labor/delivery. We start our childbirth classes in July so that should be helpful. Still feeling great and continue to love it all!!
30 week belly pic:

Here is what babycenter has to say:
How your baby's growing: Your baby's a bit more than 15 1/2 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds. A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and fills out your uterus. Her eyes open and close, she's able to distinguish between light and dark, and she can even follow a light source back and forth. Once she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have a visual acuity of only 20/400 — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. ("Normal" vision in adults is 20/20.)
How your life's changing: You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having any trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsy, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, your balance is off and your joints are loosened, thanks to pregnancy hormones. Those loose joints can actually cause your feet to grow a shoe size --permanently.
Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and your hormones may result in a revisit of those ups and downs you felt in the first few months. It's normal to worry about what your labor will be like or whether you'll be a good parent, but if you can't shake the blues or feel increasingly anxious or irritable, talk to your doctor or midwife. You may be among the 10 percent of expectant women who battle mild to moderate depression during their pregnancies.
And if you think you might like some kind of pain relief for labor and delivery, now's a good time to look into your options."
When I start to see my new doctor this week, I plan to talk to her about labor/delivery. We start our childbirth classes in July so that should be helpful. Still feeling great and continue to love it all!!
Saturday, June 9, 2007
3D Sonogram!
Hello all! I am going to do a couple different posts because SO much has gone on this weekend! First of all, we had our 3D sonogram today, which was truly amazing!! We have about 40 or so pictures, so I won't post them all, just some favorites. He looks great and everything looks normal!
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