Pregnancy Tracker - 29 weeks

Well here we are at 29 weeks, meaning I have 10 more to go until the scheduled c-section.  Just a little over 2 months left.  Eek!!  I seriously need to get moving on getting her room fully put together.  Seems like I got a serious head-start on it, and then got busy with other stuff.  Looks like I need to make some goals.  No big changes from last week - though I think we have informally settled on a name.  The kicks are becoming quite stronger - a few have actually been painful.  Speaking of pain, my back pain has kicked into high gear. More pillows have made their way into our bed, and my wedge pillow will make its journey to my work chair tomorrow.  I have officially reached the point where I'm sick of being pregnant.  :(  It's not cute or fun anymore - it's just uncomfortable ALL.THE.TIME.  I'm ready for April, and spring weather, and a chubby baby girl!

Here's what babycenter.com says about the pregnancy at 29 weeks.

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain. To meet her increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because her bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

Goal Accomplished

Many months ago, I decided to submit some of my scenic pictures to a local magazine.  They often feature local photographers' scenic photos on their cover, and I figured, hey, why not?  So I compiled a disc of some of my favorite scenic shots and submitted them to the editor after a few meetings.  The magazine I chose isn't one that tons of people know about, nor is it high in circulation in all the "hot spots".  It does, however, go out to every attorney and law firm in the state of Idaho, and it's a publication I read every time it comes through our office door. 

A month ago, I got a call from the editor, advising me that they had chosen one of my Redfish Lake pictures to be featured on the cover.  While it certainly isn't my favorite scenic picture, I was still beyond flattered to have a picture chosen among all the other extremely talented folks that are featured on a monthly basis on the cover of The Advocate.  And while this wasn't exactly a specific goal of mine for my photography business, the exposure certainly won't hurt!  I can now say my work has been published and I have been a featured photographer on a state-wide publication.  Go me!

My Little Fish

I apologize for the lateness of this post - it was supposed to be up earlier, but due to date night tonight, it got a little delayed.

As I mentioned a while back, swimming has resumed.  It's the most magical place for a pregnant woman.  Even though we really go there for Carter, I secretly get more excited than he does at the mere mention of the pool.  ;)  Lately, he's been advancing really well.  I'm so proud of him!  We were able to track down some pool noodles from a high school friend of mine (since NOWHERE in town has them in stock right now).  Carter does so well with the swimming basics when he has these noodles with him.

 For the time being, we are working on kicking.  And let me tell you, that kid motors around the pool like you would not believe.

  I snapped the pictures from this post in a matter of about one minute and then put the camera away.  He was doing so well and I wanted to be in the water with him.  Eric is far more comfortable letting Carter get a few feet away, but this mama's nerved and heart aren't that strong, lol!

And he always has the biggest smile on his face because he knows he is doing so well.  Like I said, I am SO proud of my little guy!

 That smile makes life worth it.

Project 2011: Through His Eyes Part 5

Here we are, another week into this project.  I tried to have Carter bring out the camera as he was helping me do various things around the house, which turned into more meal prep than anything. So excuse the quantity of food pictures, lol!

 This jeep was his pick at Winco last week.  He usually gets to pick one car from the random crap aisle, IF he's being good.  He's usually quite the helper, so this week, he did get to pick out his Hot Wheels.

 Forgive the fact that this one is sideways - I think there are two in this post. I didn't have time to go flip them around. But this was at dinner one night. He tried to take a picture of me, but ended up with picture after picture of just the top of the table. So I grabbed one of him and we carried on with the meal.

 This was when I was doing dishes - apparently he wanted to document this? ;)

 We grabbed some more Play-Doh at the store this week.  His supply was low.

 And apparently he took a picture of pictures - I was updating my portfolio for the upcoming busy season!

 Saturday morning, we had cinnamon rolls before I had to run off to multiple consults. These were obviously fresh out of the oven.

 We also played a lot with his Glow Station - such a fun toy!

Here is the other sideways picture. I hate this alien.  Hate it.  Carter got it at the circus last year, and has decided it's a girl. It makes the most awful noise and I wish I could just deflate the stupid thing and throw it away. However, it did please me that he put her in time-out Saturday evening. ;)

 And he also grabbed a picture when we were making oatmeal raisin cookies Saturday night - while the alien was in time-out.

Some Facts about C-Sections

I came upon this article today and thought to share the link.  It's a very accurate article (though clearly some of the people who commented on the article don't agree).  Just remember, every woman and every birth is different.  However, I do have to say that based on my first c-section, reading about these items definitely bring back memories.

http://pregnant.thebump.com/pregnancy/child-labor-delivery/articles/the-truth-about-c-section-delivery-and-recovery.aspx

Pregnancy Tracker - 28 weeks

Has it seriously been a week since I posted the 27 week update?  I feel like it's been 1.5 days.  This last week has flown by! 

We had a routine check-up earlier this week, which included the glucose blood draw.  The blood draw was quite painful, as they all have been this pregnancy.  I think I just have crappy veins.  We also sat down with my doctor to make a final decision on vbac versus c-section.  I know it's not a shocker, but yes, I opted for the repeat c-section.  If you don't agree with it, I frankly don't care.  I'm not asking for opinions on the subject anymore. 

We also discussed the difference in the anesthesia I had with Carter versus what I will be having this time.  Since I was in full-blown labor with Carter, I had an epidural.  An epidural means they insert a catheter with the needle to keep the drugs flowing, simply because no one ever knows how long labor is going to last.  With a planned c-section, I will be given a spinal instead of an epidural. No catheter - just a one-time shot of the anesthetic, which my doc tells me will last approximately 2 hours.  More than enough time for the c-section procedure.  However, the thought of meeting up with that needle AGAIN, with no adrenaline of labor in my system, has me understandably FREAKED out.  And my doc assured me that I will have a chance to meet with the anesthesiologist beforehand to discuss my concerns (fears) and hopefully they will put them at ease.  Uh, doesn't change the size of the needle, now does it?  No-sir-ee.  But this is the choice I have made and this is what comes along with it.

I also thought we would all be sitting down with our calendars to pick out the baby's birth date.  No.  Didn't happen like that.  I forgot the minor detail of having to schedule an OR at the hospital, so I was really put off when the doc said the nurse would call over, get a date/time, and call me with said date/time.  In a way, I guess I'm glad it happened that way because I really didn't want to PICK my own child's birth date.  And when it came down to it, I didn't pick it.  Sure, it seems quite impersonal, but again, it is what it is.  So we have our date (with the needle......see, I just can't let it go) and will plan accordingly.

Also, NO, we have not picked a name yet.  My grandmother and mother are giving it their best effort to tease, guilt, manipulate, guess, corner the name out of us.  ;)  Ain't happening.  (1) we seriously do NOT have a name picked from the list.  (2) trust me, I won't let my child remain nameless forever.  (3) it's a fun secret for Eric and I to share.  I will tell you this:  I have run the three potential names through Carter and he doesn't like them.  He wants the baby's name to be Tiki.  Like Tiki Torch.  Good thing I have VETO power!

Here's what babycenter.com has to say about the pregnancy at 28 weeks:

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.

You're in the home stretch! The third and final trimester starts this week (crap! I didn't even realize that). If you're like most women, you'll gain about 11 pounds this trimester.  (Yeah, let the big weight gain begin.  I gained 40 pounds total with Carter. I have been determined to gain less than that with this baby, simply because it's not necessary. I think I have gained 10 pounds total, so far.  So I'm definitely on track to gain much less than with Carter.)