32 weeks

So I've been a bit of a slacker and haven't taken my belly shots during the last few weeks.  Sue me.  Here is my 32 week pregnancy update and belly pics:

How far along: 32 weeks

How big is baby: My last ultrasound was a little over a week ago (31 weeks).  The primary purpose of the ultrasound was to obtain 3d/4d pics (see prior post), so the tech did not give me much in the way of measurements.  However, he did tell me that Ryder was not quite 3.5 pounds at the point.  I'm thinking by now that he probably weighs 4 pounds or close to it.  I can't say I'm surprised.  I feel like I'm carrying something ginormous in my belly.

Total weight gain:  Don't ask.  No longer a good question.  I'll be very lucky if I can keep my weight gain under 30 pounds (which was my original goal).  I'm still shooting for it but it's pretty much a losing battle at this point.

Belly button; Stretch Marks: The belly pictures (see below) will speak for themselves.  I'd still call myself and "innie"... sort of.  My belly button pretty much looks like a shallow crater at this point.  The outside rim sticks out, but there is still a shallow hole in the middle.  It's ugly (at least in my opinion).  I still don't have stretch marks (yay!), but as you can see from the picture, I've developed a "linea negra," which is the technical name for the weirdo line that runs vertically down my belly.  Luckily this line disappears once the baby is born.  Gross.

Last Dr's Appt: My 31 week appointment with Dr. Bradford was pretty uneventful.  Blake left after the 3d/4d ultrasound, and my mom stayed for the appointment part.  My mom and I are both impressed with Dr. B.  She takes time to explains things and is very no-nonsense.  We discussed pain management (I'm all for an epidural, by the way) and labor options.  Dr. B also checked out my swelling, as my hands and feet are at least slightly swollen on a daily basis now.  Because my blood pressure and urine look fine and I don't have any other troubling symptoms, the doctor isn't worried about the swelling for now.  I just need to work on drinking more water, cutting my salt intake, and elevating my feet at the end of the day.  I pretty much suck at all of those things.  My bad.


How am I feeling: I feel very, very pregnant.  I guess I've reached that point in the pregnancy where you start to wonder how in the world you still have 8(ish) weeks left.  Ryder moves around like crazy.  I no longer feel sweet little kicks.  Instead, he feels like he is rolling around and pushing.  And when I say pushing, I mean pushing.  Sometimes his movements are uncomfortable.  It's okay though... I still love it.  As mentioned above, the swelling also sucks.  My fingers feel like tight little sausages and my shoes are tighter.  Acid reflux is still an issue but mainly just at night.   When I wake up to pee (no less than 40 times a night), I also wake up with horrible reflux.  I keep Tums in my bedside drawer just for this reason.  Sleep has also become somewhat of a novelty.  I just don't feel fully rested in the morning.  And finally, I need to bitch a little bit about how hard it is to move around.  It's so awkward and difficult to get in and out of the car... or off the couch... or out of bed.  And I'm still trying to be good and take lots of walks (with Blake or my favorite neighbors- the Strong family), but I definitely feel lots of pressure and discomfort during the walks.  I'm also still doing pilates twice a week (GO ME!), but it's getting to be quite the challenge. 


Mood Swings and Food Cravings:  Sweets.  I crave sweets.

Milestones: I felt Ryder's first detectable case of the hiccups exactly a week ago (October 23rd --> 31 weeks and 2 days pregnant).  I've felt hiccups about 3 times since then.  It's cool and a little bit annoying at the same time.  It's really neat and exciting... but it kind of gets a little old after a few minutes.  It's just this rhythmic tap, tap, tap over and over again.  If I had to decide, I'd definitely say the sweet outweighs the annoying :)

What I'm looking forward to:  I had my 2nd baby shower and it was so much fun!  I had been looking forward to it ever since the first one was over.  I'll do a separate blog post on the shower once I get some pictures.  But it was absolutely fabulous!

I don't really know what else I'm looking forward to...  I guess I have to admit that I am sort of looking forward to meeting little Ryder now that it is getting closer.  I'm also looking forward to Thanksgiving (totally my favorite holiday).

This is my first "Full Frontal" picture.  It's kind of embarassing, but I figure I'll be glad that I documented these things when I'm looking back at this blog 6 months or a year from now.

Ryder Dylan in 3d/4d

How cool are these?

 3d/4d ultrasound pics at 30 weeks, 6 days:

Sweet smile and a thumbs up

"Look at me - I'm a contortionist!  I can almost get my foot in my mouth."

"Hi mom and Dad!"

Baby Shower #1

My first baby shower took place on Sunday, October 9th (2-4pm) at sweet, super-pregnant Emily's house.  I was almost 30 weeks pregnant.  I had been looking forward to the shower for weeks, and it totally lived up to my expectations (plus some).  My amazing hostesses did an awesome job.  The decorations were adorable.  It was especially fun to see "Ryder" banners and other monogrammed items.  It hadn't been all that long since we chose a name, so it still gives me a little thrill to see his name on things.

I owe major favors to Gara (another hostess) as we was kind enough to put her photog skills to use.  She took lots of fun pictures during the shower.  Here is a sampling of some of my favorites:

BFF Marcia (one of the hostesses) made this precious diaper wreath

Dark chocolate fondue fountain = My hostesses really know me

The beauty on the left is Amanda.  The beauty in her arms is Maryn Hill (Gara's beh-beh).

Love seeing Ryder's initials because it reminds me that he is named after the greatly-loved and missed R.D. Moses

No explanation necessary...

Shock resulting from uber-tiny newborn onesie. 

Ryder's first monogrammed gift - thanks Megan G.!

Chatting it up with my mama, Megan G. and Sara E.

Family (cousin Whitney, sis-in-law Lauren, and cousin Ellen)

Towering over my mother in big heels.  Why am I still wearing heels at 29/30 weeks pregnant?  I do not know.

Pregnant chicas.  Emily (far left) only remained this way for 4 days after the shower.  Then she welcomed Abigail Jane into the world.  Rachel is also due on Dec. 23rd.  Our boys will be life-long buddies.  Marcia is due a mere 10 weeks after us and is also having a little dude.  Go team blue!

I am forever grateful to have such amazing friends.  These are my hostesses and I love them.

29 Week Pregnancy Update

General Pregnancy Update:

How far along: 29 weeks

How big is baby: I had an ultrasound yesterday at my 29 week appointment (it was originally supposed to be a 28 week appointment, but they canceled my Monday appointment and moved it to Thursday).  Ryder weighs 2.5 pounds and is 54% for size.  His body, limbs, etc. are all measuring right on track but his noggin is a little on the large size (just what every pregnant lady wants to hear, right?).  I hope it simply means that he has a larger than average brain and will be absolutely brilliant.

Total weight gain:  I gained way more weight than I would have liked over the past 5 weeks (since my last appointment).  Damnit. 

Belly button; Stretch Marks: No update here.  No news is good news.  Stay away evil stretchies!

Last Dr's Appt: Dr. Bradford is generally quite pleased with the progress of my pregnancy and Ryder's development.  The purpose of the ultrasound yesterday was to re-check Ryder's heart and development since he had some calcium deposits on his heart at the 20 week anatomy scan.  Unfortunately, the deposits are still there.  However, this was not a surprise.  At my 20 week appointmnet Dr. Bradford warned me that they probably would not go away.  Rather, they just like to check to make sure that the baby is growing properly.  He is.  Thus, I must continue to steer clear from Google (online research re: minor fetal abnormalities = very, very bad idea) and pray that I'm carrying a strong, healthy little boy.  There is a 99% chance that the calcium deposits mean nothing.  Those are pretty good odds.

Although I was sorely disappointed with my weight gain, Dr. Bradford is pleased as punch.  She says I'm right on track.  She also says that I'll soon be forced to give up large meals and naturally start to graze instead (i.e. Ryder is taking up so much room that my stomach will no longer be able to hold large quantities of food all at once).  I hope this is true so that I can quit shoveling my face.  I'm hungry all the time and as of today, can still ingest large quantities in a single sitting.  So I look forward to a natural appetite suppressant.

How am I feeling: Everything about my pregnancy is pretty textbook at this point. I have typical third trimester symptoms, but they are manageable. I have acid reflux and aches and pains. I also tire quickly. I have to get up to pee 2-3 times per night, but for now, I'm still able to fall right back to sleep.

The only relatively new symptom that has developed = raging hormones.  Lots of preggo ladies experience this symptom early on in pregnancy, and for some, it lasts the whole time.  I didn't notice much of a change for the first 26 weeks of pregnancy, but suddenly, I'm an emotional basketcase.  I can cry at the drop of a hat.  The littlest thing can make me sad, weepy or depressed.

Mood Swings and Food Cravings:  No new cravings.  See above re: mood swings.

Milestones: Can't think of anything of significance to report today.

What I'm looking forward to: Baby shower #1 is the day after tomorrow... I can't freaking wait!  There was a bit of a scare this week.  Emily's doctor wanted to induce her (due to low platelets), so my hostesses were going to have to scramble to find a new shower location.  Much discussion (via email) was had and a back-up plan was hatched.  My hostesses were going to contact all guests to let them know of the change in venue.  However, come Tuesday afternoon, we found out that one of Emily's other doctors would not sign off on the quasi-early induction.  So no venue change was necessary.  Phew!  Emily's little girl is a drama queen already.  Can't wait to meet her within the next week or two! 

On a separate note, I look forward to *hopefully* getting a 3d/4d sonogram on October 20th.  I was supposed to get one yesterday.  Since I already needed a regular ultrasound to check Ryder's heart, it made sense to go ahead and do the just-for-fun 3d/4d sono at the same time. It was a BIG FAT FAIL.  Ryder was squished down into my pelvis and the tech couldn't get any 3d/4d shots of his face.  My only option is to try again later to see if he has switched positions.  I was very, VERY bummed. 

By the way, stubborn calcium deposits + failed 3d/4d ultrasound + nasty weight gain + raging hormones = big fat crocodile tears in Dr. Bradford's exam room.  Dr. Bradford walked in the room, saw me crying, and immediately turned to Blake and said "what did you do to her?"  It was funny.  Dr. Bradford must see plenty of sobbing, uber-hormonal pregnant patients, as she was not in the least disturbed by my inappropriate display of emotions.

28 Weeks

I can't believe it is October.  If it is October, that means that the next month is November, which is followed by December.  Ryder will arrive in December (barring very unforeseen circumstances). 

Last night, Blake and I went to Dallas to enjoy a shabbat dinner at Marcia and Seth's house.  A good time was had by all.  Dinner was delicious and I brought my chocolate chip cookie dough dip dessert, which seemed to be a hit.  By the end of the meal, Marcia and I were both complaining that we had over-stuffed ourselves and triggered some unpleasant acid reflux.  Like I said, a good time was had by all.

Here is a picture of Marcia (almost 18 week) and me (28 weeks).  Personally, I think that it looks like my belly is going to eat Marcia's belly (pac-man style).  Maybe Ryder is just showing off since he'll probably be a shrimp compared to Baby Kaufman (if Baby Kaufman is a boy, that is) once these kiddos arrive.  After all, we don't exactly have tall genes to pass along to him.

This morning, I made it through my pilates class (just barely), and my mom and I headed to North East Mall to do some shopping.  I wanted to find something cute to wear to my baby shower(s).  Fort Worth's maternity selection borders on pathetic.  So off we went to Destination Maternity.  It sucked.  It looked like a dump-hole for reject items from Pea in the Pod and Motherhood Maternity.  Needless to say, we were disappointed. 

My mom and I decided to be aggressive and spontaneous.  We hopped in the car and re-routed ourselves to Dallas.  We headed straight to Pickles and Ice Cream at Preston Center in Dallas.  It was much, MUCH better.  Lots of cute dresses to choose from.  The stuff there is pricier, but the selection is great, the store is well-organized and aesthetically pleasing and the girls that worked there were super helpful.  I promised myself (in advance) that I'd just choose one dress, but low and behold, I left with two.  They are cute and I am satisfied.

AND, the icing on the cake (quasi-literally):  Pickles and Icecream just happens to be directly across the road from Sprinkles Cupcakes.  My mom and I decided we needed to indulge in a well-deserved, post-shopping cupcake.  Delish:

And my 28 week belly pics: