30 Weeks

Yesterday marked 30 weeks already (yes, I missed last week's post...it got busy)!  Only 10 to go...sounds so crazy!  We had an appointment today.  Lincoln got to come with me again and did most the talking as usual.  He is convinced one of these times we go the baby is coming, but hopefully not for a while.  He's got some growing to do yet!  Lincoln helped our doctor find baby's heartbeat again.  This week it's thumping away in the 130s.  I did lose a pound over the past couple weeks...probably due to the fact we moved this week and it was crazy busy (a definite understatement).  Did I mention moving while pregnant is exhausting!?  I measured one week ahead at 31 weeks and she felt like baby's head is down, finally!

This week, baby is the size of a large cabbage...

Baby bump this week (a little blurry):

How far along: 30 weeks
Total weight gain: 11 pounds
Maternity clothes? Mostly maternity
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Sleeping pretty well when I get to :)
Cravings: Nothing out of the ordinary lately
Pregnancy symptoms this week: Low back pain!  May have over-down it while moving...
What I miss: A cold Mt. Dew when I'm exhausted at night...oh and bending over without a belly in the way
Belly button: Mostly in
General mood: Anxious but exhausted
Embarrassing cry of the week: Too busy to cry I think
Excited for: Picking a name...we have it narrowed down to three we both really like.  I have no idea how we'll decide!

 



Moving!

We have (im)patiently waiting for this for a looong time.  We have wanted to be in a house for some time now but never felt the timing was right in the midst of school and not knowing exactly where we wanted to settle down.  A couple months ago we finally started our house hunt and fell in love with a house.  We saw several other to compare but just kept coming back to this house.  Our parents gave their stamp of approval and we made an offer April 20.  A few short hours later, some negotiating, and an accepted offer...we unofficially became homeowners!  Exactly a month later, May 20, we got a call from our relator that we close on Thursday...this Thursday, as in May 23.  We never thought it'd happen this fast and still can't believe we get possession in a couple days.  We are SO excited! 

There are so many things we look forward to with this house: our own backward, a swing set, a shed, a finished and updated basement, playroom for the boys, 3 main floor bedrooms, very little updating, our own laundry, a driveway, and all appliances included...score!

But with moving comes the exhausting task of sorting and packing.  I enjoyed the first couple days of it...going through everything, sorting, pitching, donating, organizing and packing.  Then it became monotonous and exhausting.  I feel like I'm making a bigger mess!  I've learned to live in chaos for the time being...  And now with a closing date a couple weeks sooner than planned, we won't have to "live with it" long!  After painting a few bedrooms and the main floor bathroom, we will be moving moving moving!!  Couldn't be more excited :)  Pictures to come...

On Graduation...

Over 2 1/2 years ago I applied for the Physical Therapist Assistant program at WITCC in Sioux City.  I knew this was what I wanted to do and then was the time (kind of like the now or never mentality), but I still had so many doubts: two more years seemed like a long time, two years of little to no hours at work, school with a little one at home, commuting, and the list went on and on.  I remember sitting through the first day of class, going over syllabi and hearing the expectations of us in this program for the next 2 years.  I think our professors tried scaring us all away.  I went home with knots in my stomach continuing to doubt my decision...but decided to give it all I had and see where I ended up.

Fast forward 2 years and I found myself walking across the stage at my graduation.  I can't believe how fast it went.  It was definitely an intense, demanding, and sometimes overwhelming couple years but I couldn't be happier with the choice I made and what I gained.  These two years brought many late nights at the library, too many lattes (who am I kidding, too many lattes...no such thing), hundreds of notecards, many new friendships, hard work, and an incredible support system!  

Friday night marked graduation from the PTA program and on to the next chapter.  The next 6 weeks will be spent studying endlessly for the PTA national board exams, which I will take on July 10.  Good thoughts and prayers are welcome as I have heard the "horror" stories from these lovely exams!

7 of the 11 of us who graduated from the program...we started with 24!

Walking at graduation

The two men in my life who put up with me the nights before exams, treated me to ice cream after exams, and encouraged me along the way!  Hearing Lincoln tell me "good job, Mommy" after graduation made my heart melt.  Love these boys!

 My amazing parents who supported me along the way and always helping out when I needed a break, needed Lincoln picked up at daycare, and needed to hear those simple words of encouragement!

 My sisters and I...so lucky to have them and so happy they shared this night with me!

 He was a trooper!

 

 



28 Weeks

This week we had another prenatal visit.  This was the appointment I got to drink the glucose mixture and get blood drawn.  Unless we hear back from them, we are going to assume all labs were normal for gestational diabetes.  I also got a Rogam shot this week as I am O- blood type.  This is standard for me during pregnancy so my body doesn't "fight off" this baby should he have a positive blood type.  Nothing like a nice shot in the bottom at 8 in the morning :)  Baby had a strong HR in the 140s, and no new concerns!  We are unsure at this time if baby flipped and is finally head down or if he's still hanging out breech.  This appointment also marked the last 4-week check-up...we now start going every 2 weeks (holy smokes!). 

This week, baby is the size of a Chinese cabbage...

 

Baby bump this week:



How far along: 28 weeks (only 12 to go!)
Total weight gain: 12 pounds
Maternity clothes? Mostly maternity now (thankful my sister was pregnant last summer and shared some cute stuff with me..)
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Still getting up about once a night to use the bathroom, but can otherwise sleep comfortably
Cravings: A sweet tooth for sure, have to practice self-control :)
Pregnancy symptoms this week: Other than continual frequent trips to the bathroom, nothing else comes to mind this week...no Charlie horses (phew)!
What I miss: Lunch meat.  I never knew I loved lunch meat so much than when I can't have it...and a Mt. Dew.
Belly button: Mostly in
General mood: Happy, excited, anxious...but still not "ready"
Embarrassing cry of the week: I think I was generally weepy this week, it was a bit ridiculous
Excited for: The nursery...paint colors picked, fabric purchased to make crib sheets, and a few décor pieces have arrived (Etsy is addicting and equally dangerous)



27 Weeks

Another post...several days late (oops)!  All is well, we have another appointment coming up this week and will learn more about baby!

 

This week, baby is the size of a cauliflower...

 Baby bump this week:

How far along: 27 weeks
Total weight gain: Will find out in a couple days...eek!
Maternity clothes? Maternity bottoms (except for sweat pants!) and mostly "normal" tops with some maternity as well
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: I get up about once to use the bathroom...happens to be about 3:15 AM
Cravings: Maraschino cherries- I don't even buy them or I would eat the whole jar...in one sitting
Pregnancy symptoms this week: Frequent trips to the bathroom
What I miss: What I wouldn't do for a cold Subway sub...
Belly button: In
General mood: Happy, excited, anxious
Embarrassing cry of the week: I wanted Italian food...Troy didn't (yeah, it was that bad)
Excited for: Will he have hair!?

26 Weeks (a little late)

Another week passes by, still wondering where time has gone.  Maybe it has something to do with the fact we've been crazy busy between clinicals (only 4 days left!), trying to prepare for board exams, a trip to Texas, a busy 3 year old, and all the other day to day "stuff"...oh and buying a house- more to come on that exciting adventure!  Besides time running away too quickly, 26 weeks brings very little change or exciting news in this pregnancy...

This week, baby is the size of a scallion:

Baby bump this week:



How far along: 26 weeks

Total weight gain: 8(ish) pounds
Maternity clothes? Mostly maternity bottoms and some tops...I discovered leggings this week- why the heck have I not worn these more before!?
Stretch marks? Not yet
Sleep: Between early early flights this week and more early mornings while in Texas, not much!
Cravings: Maraschino cherries
Pregnancy symptoms this week: More Charlie horses...
What I miss: Being in Texas, a cold margarita with the awesome authentic Mexican (BUT so worth it)
Belly button: In
General mood: Happy, content
Movement: Are my insides bruised yet?
Embarrassing cry of the week: Honoring the serviceman at Sea World before Shamu show
Excited for: Holding my sweet babe, introducing him to his big brother :)