My last belly shot

Being that tomorrow, it's been one week since my sudden C-section, I realized that my birthday belly shot of me PG with Kyla was my last belly shot. In our rush to get to the hospital to get the baby out, we completely blanked on taking one last picture of my baby belly. This makes me very sad. I'm so very sad that it was so damn difficult to even GET PG, and now I'm sad that I wasn't able to savor every last minute of my PG with Kyla. Yes, I was miserable with her inside me the last few days, but I was still thankful and blessed to be able to feel her inside me. I just keep walking around tonight, saying "I can't believe it's been a week tomorrow, I can't believe it". Wow.

I'm almost angry (*or is it jealousy?*) that she isn't inside me, growing and developing on a more "typical" track. I now know the feeling that I've heard about from other moms of "preemies", but wasn't able to relate to before. But I know I'm also very blessed that she is here and alive and although she's having issues eating, she is breathing on her own and has a stabilized temperature, along with no infections. So many ups and downs in the past week here in our home. I just wish Post-Partum hormones weren't so damn hard to deal with. I think I could've watered our lawn with the amount of tears I've been shedding since I had to leave our angel girl in the hospital on Saturday.

Here is my last belly shot - and here is Keifer from that same weekend, showing off HER baby belly that Daddy helped her create.

35 weeks on my 35th birthday!

Growing, growing.......

Happy birthday to ME, tomorrow (Sunday!)

Here I am in my 35 1/2 week PG glory (on my 35th birthday!)--- loving every second that my girl is inside me thriving away, but also wishing she was being much nicer to mama than she has been lately.

I've been spotting since Wednesday night (late) off and on. It comes and goes. Apparently, this can happen when your cervix starts to stretch and dilate, and blood vessels pop. This never happened with Keifer's PG, so it was worrisome to me initially, but now *eh* -oh well. I also have been crampy - like AF cramps- off and on - and am having MUCH more difficulty walking at this early stage of the game. It literally takes me a minute to motor through the action of getting up and moving, and then I move like a slug!

I have been lying around all weekend, as it seems the more I move, the more I cramp and spot. So.....with only 3 weeks left of work and 8 days left of kids, the question remains: will I make it?

For my birthday, CJ and I were lucky to have my parents in town since Thursday night to help with Keifer. Last night, we had some burgers at Red Robin (thanks to my free coupon for MY cheeseburger), and tonight, they watched K while CJ and I had a low key date.

Imagine this: there I was at Red Robin, hitting the bathroom for the 50th time of the day, and realized I was spotting yet again. I get my mom, and there we are, in the big stall, examining my "spotting" to figure out: was it red or pink? Ahhhh , being PG - you lose all sense of modesty! LOL

CJ and I enjoyed dinner tonight at Red Slobster (the cheese biscuits are my downfall) and we went to see the new Star Trek movie. We've been hearing such rave reviews about it, we decided why not. I'm sooooooo not a "trekkie" fan, but found it was enjoyable. Not the best movie out there, in my opinion, but enjoyable enough, and it was nice to spend time relaxing with my sweet hubby, kicked back, snacking, and holding hands :)

My parents took Keifer on her favorite excursion while we were on our date: shopping! Then, they had dinner out and picked up a birthday cake for mama. Apparently Keifer told my mom that it's HER birthday, not mama's, so we'll see how she does when it's time for me to blow my candles out tomorrow on the yummy cake!

As for my PG, Babycenter.com tells me: How your baby's growing:Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

34 weeks and growing

...and growing and growing.....

Ouch, is what I want to say. Ouch ouch ouch. Kyla decided last weekend to start playing on my sciatic nerve, as I said before, but she's been off and on of it all week. Well, the weekend is when she seems to want to be on it. I spent yesterday (Saturday) hobbling around, whining all day (to CJ's delight! LOL), and praying she'd move. *sigh*. She did a bit, but we shall see for how long. I had my 34 week appointment this week w/Addie, and after she measured my tummy with the tape measure, she mentioned my belly is a "tich bigger than expected". Oh yeah, she's a big baby already :)

We didn't rent a Doppler to listen to Kyla's heartbeat this PG, but I wish we had. Hearing that little galloping sound is so musical to my ears. I always just beam when the doctors listen to it. Kyla's heart beat this week was around 148.

Thirty four weeks and feeling huge, but people tell me from the back, they can't tell I'm PG! YAY! I hope that is the case after I deliver Kyla!

Babycenter. com tells me: Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.See what your baby looks like this week.

31 weeks......but who is counting?

Seven weeks from tomorrow (Thursday) I'll be checking in for my scheduled Csection, unless baby Kyla decides to make her debut early. Oye. I'm feeling large and in charge as usual, but people around me who went through the PG with Keifer with me, say differently. They ALL say I'm not even close to as big as I was with Keifer. I feel like I am bigger, so who knows. It's all relative in the end.
I do have a really hard time bending down - my knees are aching and don't want to cooperate in helping lift my body up! My feet are always sore, though because I'm watching my sodium intake, not as swollen YET as the first time around.
Keifer is still insistent that she has a baby inside HER tummy, so Lord knows what will happen with her when the REAL baby Kyla arrives into her world.

Babycenter.com tells us: This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) 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.See what your baby looks like this week.

Here are some pictures of my large 31 week belly. It was really warm last Friday, so I had this tank top on and broke down and put on the maternity shorts that I had borrowed from a friend. The "over the belly" panel shorts. I cringed putting them on, but as I stood up, I realized they were SOOOOO comfortable, that I just may live in them in the hot weather until Kyla arrives! LOL.I also warned CJ that I'll be wearing the pictured tank top A LOT this summer, as it is very stretchy and gives ample coverage, so be warned, readers!

28 weeks - we're in the final trimester! *gulp*

How did this happen? How did 2/3 of my PG go by this fast and I barely even knew it? Well, my body has known it, but seriously, I'm starting to get REALLY sad that pretty soon, Kyla will be outside of my body and I 'll have to share her with everyone!

I am 28 weeks and counting. Unbelievable. I finally got a prescription for the nasty heartburn that has been killing me. It's for ulcers, actually, and has taken a few days to actually kick in. I tell you, I was miserable. I pity anyone who suffers from acid reflux/indigestion on a daily basis. Oye.

Keifer has taken to wanting to do "something" with my belly when she sees it. I have no idea if she's imitating the doctor listening with the doppler and measuring my belly growth, but her new thing is to use her pretend spices or a plastic half of green pepper and put it/them on my belly for a second. Then, she'll rush back to her play kitchen, "rub" the green pepper in the fry pan on her stove, and come back and push the pepper on my belly again. Today, she took out her oven mitt and used that a few times as well. I'm not exactly sure what her objective is. LOL. When I try to put my shirt down and move, she says "no no, mama, sit down" and pulls my shirt back up. Hmm.

Kyla continues to practice her swimming and flipping skills, and last night, as my mom and I sat down together to watch some DVR'ed shows, I had her feel Kyla. Kyla was really low, on my right side, right above my pubic bone. I am not sure if it was a foot or a knee or an elbow, but whatever body part it was, it was hard and moving a LOT. It almost grossed me out- to feel it move so much whenever one of us touched her! And.....she will respond to my voice *ahhhh!*. When she is quiet, and I want to feel her, I touch my belly and say "Kyla, it's Mommy", and she'll do a little flip for me!

Babycenter.com tells me: By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.See what your baby looks like this week.

Here are the standard belly shots. As you can see, I'm as big as a house again. I'm not sure how I expanded so FAST, but I did. I think Kyla will be a big girl like her big sissy!

I know, I know. It doesnt' get any hotter than this. Pat Benatar called and wondered if I'd be in her Love is a Battlefield video. But, these splints are HOT! LOL. I wear them at night for my carpal tunnel (that isn't as bad as it was with Keifer). Keifer calls them my "owies". She'll get them from my nightstand, hand one to me and say, "here, mama, owies".

25 weeks PG!

For comparison sake: here is my 26 week belly from Keifer's PG. I think I look like I have more of "just a belly" this time, vs. the first go-round. :)

Twenty five weeks are here and gone already. I'm feeling more lumber some, and experiencing some twingy cramping in the lower abdomen area where I'm stretching. Kyla is as active as ever inside me, especially after I eat! :) A girl after my own heart. I've been craving grapefruit and citrus (oranges) this time around, as well as my raspberry sherbet.
K is insistent when I ask her to show me mama's baby in my belly that SHE has a baby in HER belly. Every time I show her my belly, she lifts her shirt, and pats her belly: "my baby". Ahh, she's in for a rude awakening in a few months!

Babycenter.com tells me: How your baby's growing: Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.See what's going on in your uterus this week.

24 weeks and cooking.....

Last weekend, my friends Peggy and Alicia from high school came down to visit. It was so much fun, but a far cry from what we used to do the last time we really used to" hang out" together: aka: getting together well after 9PM to drink and go bar hopping and dancing. *sigh*. Those were fun days, but now, Alicia has 2 adorable boys, and Pegs in on her way to baby #1, after a struggle to get PG! I think we were all passed out cold, sleeping, before 9 PM even hit! LOL.

Pegs is 20 (well, 21 now) weeks PG with a BOY and I was 23 1/2 weeks PG with baby girl Kyla. We had our mandatory "belly pose" picture taken together. Shopping for baby items with her was just such a joy! I'm so excited to meet baby Gibby someday, not that far off in the future.....

As for me, well, I'm feeling larger and more "in charge" Ha ha. No, really.I feel large. Having a REALLY hard time eating and drinking anything the past week or so due to nasty heartburn. I had heard about heartburn, but Keifer never really gave me the bad kind. Kyla: it's a different story. I almost threw up from the pain associated with it the other night. Tums are my new pals. And breathing, well, she must be kicking up near my ribs already, because already I'm having a hard time catching my breath! I walked the puppies around the loop the other day and was huffing and puffing like crazy. But, I'll take it! She is so worth it!

Babycenter.com tells me: Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Halfway mark: The belly pics

Twenty weeks and growing! Hard to believe I've reached the halfway mark and it's literally been a blur to me!
I've been feeling so much better, and even took a yoga class the other night. It wasn't as 'smooth' as I had hoped it would be, but I was able to do some one legged balancing poses, so I was proud of myself for that!

What babycenter.com tells us: Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).See what your baby looks like this week.

Here I am , sporting the bella band *aka sleeve at Motherhood* (thanks, Karri & Suzanne!) I still can't wear maternity pants without them getting loose and falling off me. I can wear 2 pair of regular pants still, and my other jeans fit well under the bella bands, and zip about halfway up with the band on. Popping, but not TOO bad, or so I thought....
My belly at 20 weeks after a Chinese dinner !

the belly button is starting to spread!

And here are my 20 week belly pictures from my PG with Keifer!

Here I THOUGHT I wasn't getting that big, then suddenly I POPPED out! I guess I wasn't as big at 20 weeks with Keifer as I remembered myself being! (maybe it's the whole "getting used" to the idea of actually gaining this much weight that isn't as bad this time? Hmmm....)
The bump isn't as noticeable THEN!

PG update: 16 weeks and growing

I feel so bad that during this PG, I've been slacking in the update department. With Keifer, I had posts all. the.time about how I was growing, how big the growing babe was, and picture upon picture of my growing belly. People probably thought I was nuts. I hate to sound so cliche, but it is true: having an older sibling and being PG is a whole different experience. My time is devoted to Keifer unless she is sleeping, and the pictures are fewer, as well as the updates, as I just don't have the same opportunities to post about it. It's not to say I'm not thinking about this baby constantly: I am! We are still so excited that I am even able to say I'm PG again!

With Keifer, I never felt her moving until after the 20 week mark. This time, I swear I was feeling flutters around 12 weeks and the past few nights, while sitting and resting, I have felt little bubbles/flutters of movement. Today, CJ and I saw a movie, and I swear I felt a small, little kick almost! It feels like this baby is sitting right on top of my bladder (lower than K was) as I am always needing to pee, and I can actually feel the little bugger's energy right on top of my pubic bone. Nutso, but OH so cool!

The sickness and the tireds are starting to slow down for me; I have to say, I'm starting to feel a bit more human again. During our Mexico trip, I didn't feel sick at all (makes me wonder if stress has anything to do with morning/all day sickness? hmmm). All the fresh fruit in Mexico helped with with constipation, and it's not AS bad as it was before, since we've been home. I'm feeling less exhaustion overall, but when given the opportunity to sleep, I do. This AM, I slept in until 10:30 and on New Years Day I took a 3 1/2 hour nap. Sleep is wonderful.

Babycenter.com tells me:
How your baby's growing:Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.See what your baby looks like this week.

The top of your uterus is about halfway between your pubic bone and your navel, and the round ligaments that support it are thickening and stretching as it grows. You're probably feeling a whole lot better as you settle into pregnancy, too. Less nausea, fewer mood swings, and "glowing" skin contribute to an overall sense of well-being.Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling your baby move. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, many don't feel their baby move until about 18 weeks or more. (And if this is your first baby, don't be too impatient — you may not be aware of your baby's movements until 20 weeks or so.) The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll grow stronger and you'll be able to feel them much more frequently.

K investigating my belly button, as usual

In Mexico: some evidence in my clothes of something growing under there

9 weeks PG

Nine weeks PG. Nine weeks! Where did the time go? It seems as though when I was PG with Keifer, I counted the seconds of the day and imagined every little change that was occurring within her. Now, she keeps me too busy to stop to think about what exactly is going on with Soup baby #2. Sometimes I feel guilty, but then I realize I'm too busy to even feel guilt!

Babycenter.com tells me:

How your baby's growing:Your new resident is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. Her eyes are fully formed, but her eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. She has tiny earlobes, and her mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that your baby's basic physiology is in place, she's poised for rapid weight gain.

I had my first official OB appointment with my beloved Addie yesterday. She gave me not one, but two hugs within the long visit. She was thrilled for CJ and I. We went over all the specifics of the PG, and because they saw a blood clot in our last ultrasound, she wheeled in the portable ultrasound machine, and we got to see Soup baby #2, swimming around inside me. Addie had a hard time getting an accurate measure of the baby,which was a tich nerve wracking, but all looked OK. The blood clot is diminishing in size, thank goodness.

Addie also prescribed some Zofran for me, to help with the sick feeling that seems to be my forever friend. I just hate feeling sick. Tired: I can handle. Sick, not so much.

As for weight, I'd only gained one pound since my last scale check, which made me feel good, especially since my big plans to work out have fallen to the wayside the past few weeks. I'm hoping to get back in the saddle soon here.

As for my delivery plans, because Keifer was such an involved birth process that ended up in a C-section, we discussed my options. Most likely, at this point in time, I will elect for a repeat C-section, just because of my extreme fear of going through what I did with her (getting stuck after laboring all morning, throwing up every time I moved, the pain the pain oh yes, the pain). She thought that sounded reasonable, and said most of the time, C-sections can be scheduled a week prior to the due date, which would be perfect for me. I end my job (teaching) the end of the first week of June, and our soup baby would be arriving the second week. Let's hope and pray for a remaining healthy PG.

On to the pictures........ I took my first few early last PG, but here is a 10 week picture comparison

Me doing "the pose" with my belly (this time, it'll be pink PJ pants; with Keifer, it was my blue pants) Keifer sees mommy doing some funny things and wants to investigate, then sees mom has her belly button out! Keifer decides (on her own, mind you, we have a ham girl, you know) to show us HER belly, too
What a funny girl! Two bellies: one with a baby, one that resembles a Buddha
Mama loves her sweet girl SOOOOO much! *smooch*