Today, Monday Jan. 13th, is the beginning of week 27 and was also our midwife appointment. We analyzed and discussed in great detail the possibility of Bean's earliest predicted due date of April 9th. Pearl said since my earliest sonogram was done at week 18 that it was a bit late for due date predicting. Up to week 13, all babies run a very similar growth rate, so if Bean was measuring bigger at that time, then an earlier due date would have been more concrete. Josh and I are not small people and do not have petite genes in our family (I think his grandmother and that's it) so Bean's sonogram measurements, which are 2 weeks ahead of schedule, are more about genetics than accelerated growth rate and early due date. Pearl also double and triple checked my July tracking information for conception possibilities, etc. and feels very confident that April 20th is the best due date. Josh's sister just pointed out that there is a full moon for April 15th or 16th so... I guess we won't be too surprised if Bean arrives then!
Some Fun Facts About Week 27:
Baby is about 2 pounds and 15 inches tall which is about 1 inch taller than a Barbie doll. Baby is almost fully developed, even down to her eyelashes and his immune system is developing quickly.
Symptoms:
I keep reading about what I might be experiencing, such a laundry list of possibilities: swelling of hands and/or feet, round ligament pain, skin discoloration or hyperpigmentation, heartburn, occasional headaches or dizziness, hearty appetite, leg cramps, varicose veins...
I'm so grateful and want to say right now I realize I'm in the 2nd trimester and I'm only 6 months, but I'm really loving my pregnancy. I read that stretch marks and varicose veins are largely hereditary and if this is true then I am a lucky lady as I confirmed with my Mom she didn't have either, yay! I have very infrequent heartburn and notice bleeding gums when I brush (helps when I eat more coconut oil), but nothing else! My belly button is on it's way to becoming an out-e but not yet and also inevitable is the darkening of my linea alba, the line that runs down the center of your abdomen to the top of your pubic bone. I am also fearing the temporary increase in clumsiness!! I'm a tad on the clumsy side as it is... and read that I will drop more things in my last trimester than in my lifetime, lol. Awesome. Josh is still the leader on broken wine glasses for now. I try to remember to stretch my legs out every night so I haven't dealt with any leg cramps yet. I also need to give a shout out to my amazing chiropractor, Dr. Brett Jones at Alive Chiropractic. I. Love. Him. I have had very minor lower back pain considering I've put nearly 25 pounds on the front of my stomach and have dealt with chronic low back pain for nearly a decade. He is experienced in the Webster method for pregnancy and I swear it's made my pregnancy that much more wonderful. He's also available for a house call when I go into labor, how fantastic is that?!
Jan 13, 2014
Jan 5, 2014
Maternal History
I want to clarify the history of my engagement ring because I think it's really cool :)
It was the engagement ring of my mother's great grandpa's sister, Grace. Or my mom's mom's dad's sister. Or my grandmother's mother's aunt. I think all those work and I've got that right. Aunt Grace didn't have any children so the ring was first passed down her niece and namesake, my Nana's mother. Then passed down to my Nana, then my Mom and now to me. What I find extra special is that I'm the first to receive the ring as an engagement ring since the original owner, my great-great-aunt Grace in 1870 (best estimated year). Let's hope we have a girl at some point so I can continue to pass it down the maternal side of our family tree!
It was the engagement ring of my mother's great grandpa's sister, Grace. Or my mom's mom's dad's sister. Or my grandmother's mother's aunt. I think all those work and I've got that right. Aunt Grace didn't have any children so the ring was first passed down her niece and namesake, my Nana's mother. Then passed down to my Nana, then my Mom and now to me. What I find extra special is that I'm the first to receive the ring as an engagement ring since the original owner, my great-great-aunt Grace in 1870 (best estimated year). Let's hope we have a girl at some point so I can continue to pass it down the maternal side of our family tree!
Jan 1, 2014
Christmas 2013
Josh and I had a laid back Christmas Eve this year. We went out for breakfast, to the movies and I made chili and sour cream cornbread for dinner and also my favorite rum cake for Christmas Day. After stuffing ourselves all day we went to bed and planned on leaving the next morning for Sacramento to enjoy the day with Josh's Aunt and Uncle, cousins and brothers.
Sadly, sometime in the middle of my slumber I was awoken not the clatter of eight tiny reindeer but by severe stomach cramping which led to hours and hours of no sleep and many trips to the bathroom. Josh was very supportive so he didn't get much sleep either. Around 8am I drank a smoothie and we sat snuggled in bed making sure I was on the mend and talked about us, the baby and how life isn't always perfect or easy. Josh felt this was the perfect segue to continue with his original plan for Christmas morning so he leaned over and came back with a little blue velvet box, opened it up and proposed! I love that he didn't wait for everything to be "perfect", it speaks volumes to me of how we both view life. I was also shocked to see the ring! I love that he went and asked my Mom for the family ring he knew I'd been trying on for the last decade and she got to share in the surprise, it meant so much to me! I successfully rallied and we made it to Uncle Dave & Aunt Nida's place in plenty of time to enjoy the day. I got to chat with our cousin Abi who is due with her first just a few weeks after us! She is half my size so I had to squat down in our picture together so my baby bump wasn't smothering her face, ha! Growing up, Josh's grandpa met a new grand-baby every year for 9 years (Josh's siblings and cousins are all 1 year apart) and he thought that was exciting... 2014 is going to bring him 2 great grand-babies (potentially more) and 4 weddings! Abi and Josh's cousin Trevor are engaged, not sure of the wedding date, Josh's sister Beth and Philip are planning for this summer, Josh and I also unsure of specific plans, and we just found out Christmas Day that his cousin Kirsten and her fiance Zach got engaged earlier in December! That evening we drove up to Josh's Mom's house and caught up with Jake and Carli who weren't able to make it to Sacramento due to Carli still in recovery from major dental surgery. Nate and Heather and baby Declan also came over for a few after their long day, this was a 4th stop for them so I was surprised they were still going! We had a nice breakfast morning with Cheryl & Leon then left to go visit Sally, Azure, baby Eden at Kevin's mom's house for a few and then stopped by Josh's Dad's place as well for a quick visit. It was a busy 2 days, but I'm always grateful to be part this family, especially when mine are so far away.
Sadly, sometime in the middle of my slumber I was awoken not the clatter of eight tiny reindeer but by severe stomach cramping which led to hours and hours of no sleep and many trips to the bathroom. Josh was very supportive so he didn't get much sleep either. Around 8am I drank a smoothie and we sat snuggled in bed making sure I was on the mend and talked about us, the baby and how life isn't always perfect or easy. Josh felt this was the perfect segue to continue with his original plan for Christmas morning so he leaned over and came back with a little blue velvet box, opened it up and proposed! I love that he didn't wait for everything to be "perfect", it speaks volumes to me of how we both view life. I was also shocked to see the ring! I love that he went and asked my Mom for the family ring he knew I'd been trying on for the last decade and she got to share in the surprise, it meant so much to me! I successfully rallied and we made it to Uncle Dave & Aunt Nida's place in plenty of time to enjoy the day. I got to chat with our cousin Abi who is due with her first just a few weeks after us! She is half my size so I had to squat down in our picture together so my baby bump wasn't smothering her face, ha! Growing up, Josh's grandpa met a new grand-baby every year for 9 years (Josh's siblings and cousins are all 1 year apart) and he thought that was exciting... 2014 is going to bring him 2 great grand-babies (potentially more) and 4 weddings! Abi and Josh's cousin Trevor are engaged, not sure of the wedding date, Josh's sister Beth and Philip are planning for this summer, Josh and I also unsure of specific plans, and we just found out Christmas Day that his cousin Kirsten and her fiance Zach got engaged earlier in December! That evening we drove up to Josh's Mom's house and caught up with Jake and Carli who weren't able to make it to Sacramento due to Carli still in recovery from major dental surgery. Nate and Heather and baby Declan also came over for a few after their long day, this was a 4th stop for them so I was surprised they were still going! We had a nice breakfast morning with Cheryl & Leon then left to go visit Sally, Azure, baby Eden at Kevin's mom's house for a few and then stopped by Josh's Dad's place as well for a quick visit. It was a busy 2 days, but I'm always grateful to be part this family, especially when mine are so far away.
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| 12/25/13 Xmas Morning! |
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| Christmas Day 2013 |
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| Cousin-in-Laws and future Mommies! |
Dec 15, 2013
Some More Fun Facts
Today marks the first day of week 23:
My Symptoms:
Good news, I have NOT noticed any swelling of the hands, feet or ankles yet. I hear sitting or standing for long periods doesn't do you much good so thankfully my active job of moving around with kids might be helping! Not to mention I've always been good about drinking lots of water and that helps too. Other pregnancy symptoms include an annoying red, acne-rash-like spot just to the right of my nose that goes down towards my mouth. Has been there the entire pregnancy! I've tried several different natural remedies, I don't wear foundation or powder and the rest of my face is acne free. Frustrating, but I'm aware things could be worse. I have to file my nails once a week - NEVER have I had to file my nails. They have always grown so slow and are thin and usually tear off when they get "long". Sleep... I was very sad at first to lose my good sleep and hearing people laugh that this was preparing me for what lack of sleep I will soon experience did not help. I'd rather keep sleeping good until that day comes! :) Anyway I seem to be getting more used to my new sleep, but if you see Josh with a black eye it's because I am hormonal and he was snoring too loud.
How your baby's growing:
Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about the size of a large mango) you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.
My Symptoms:
Good news, I have NOT noticed any swelling of the hands, feet or ankles yet. I hear sitting or standing for long periods doesn't do you much good so thankfully my active job of moving around with kids might be helping! Not to mention I've always been good about drinking lots of water and that helps too. Other pregnancy symptoms include an annoying red, acne-rash-like spot just to the right of my nose that goes down towards my mouth. Has been there the entire pregnancy! I've tried several different natural remedies, I don't wear foundation or powder and the rest of my face is acne free. Frustrating, but I'm aware things could be worse. I have to file my nails once a week - NEVER have I had to file my nails. They have always grown so slow and are thin and usually tear off when they get "long". Sleep... I was very sad at first to lose my good sleep and hearing people laugh that this was preparing me for what lack of sleep I will soon experience did not help. I'd rather keep sleeping good until that day comes! :) Anyway I seem to be getting more used to my new sleep, but if you see Josh with a black eye it's because I am hormonal and he was snoring too loud.
Dec 14, 2013
Thanksgiving in Pioneer
I was not very good about taking photos at Thanksgiving this year - too busy just enjoying everybody I guess! :) Dad & Donna flew into Oakland earlier that week and then the four of us plus Indie and our bags and our food managed to fit in my Fit. Barely, ha! We drove up to Josh's mom's house in Pioneer, CA for a relaxing day of food and family. Josh's brothers both came, Jake with Carli and Nathan and his wife Heather with Declan who is almost always laughing. Beth and Philip spent the day with Josh's Dad in Sutter Creek and Sarah lives in NY so they were both missed.
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| Declan Arcadis Hill - age 1 year |
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| Setting up for the feast! |
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| Me & Josh - Baby Bean 21 weeks |
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| Donna, Dad, Me & Josh (Indie showing his backside) |
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| Jake & Carli |
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| Me, Cheryl (Josh's Mom) & Josh |
Favorite Things To Date
By FAR my favorite thing is feeling Baby Bean bump and thump around right now :) I feel him a bit in the morning and different moments throughout the day, but like clockwork, when I lie down to go to bed he starts his most active routine for about 10 minutes. The other night I laid there feeling him and then he stopped. I said something out loud to him and got a big old thud in response that made me laugh out loud!
Another favorite thing that I'm trying to enjoy every minute of is my belly bump. I realize this is going to start to take on a life of it's own and I will not be so pleased. For now it's quite enjoyable and after a lifetime of worrying about my muffin top, the only part of my body I've ever disliked, I finally get to have it all pooch out and for a beautiful purpose, ha!
I am so very happy to have been loaned the pregnancy wedge pillow from Amy Morgan. I would have had no idea about this and it's wonderful. Small and easy to shift around when you change positions as well as pack for traveling and so supportive and yet I don't even realize it's there. Our cousin Abi is due 2 weeks later than me and I told her about it. She just received it and right before a trip to San Diego. I'm hoping she finds it as helpful as I do. I also have the boppy pregnancy pillow which doesn't work for my belly yet, I think it will once I'm bigger. For now it's great for between my knees and using behind my back for sitting up in bed to read.
Food: I'm still not in the hungry hippo phase yet, but there are a few things I get in my head on that I feel I must have soon: Decaf coffee, fresh croissants, Zacharey's Stuffed Pizza (spinach and mushroom with pepperoni on top), Chipotle's veggie bowl and little treats to satisfy my sugar craving here and there. To be honest, I'm not sure this is a whole lot different than when I'm not pregnant, I just don't go actively pursuing them as I do now.
And Josh and I joke about having a girl and naming her Clementine because I eat them constantly! There is always one or two rolling around my purse.
Two of my favorite books right now:
Another favorite thing that I'm trying to enjoy every minute of is my belly bump. I realize this is going to start to take on a life of it's own and I will not be so pleased. For now it's quite enjoyable and after a lifetime of worrying about my muffin top, the only part of my body I've ever disliked, I finally get to have it all pooch out and for a beautiful purpose, ha!
I am so very happy to have been loaned the pregnancy wedge pillow from Amy Morgan. I would have had no idea about this and it's wonderful. Small and easy to shift around when you change positions as well as pack for traveling and so supportive and yet I don't even realize it's there. Our cousin Abi is due 2 weeks later than me and I told her about it. She just received it and right before a trip to San Diego. I'm hoping she finds it as helpful as I do. I also have the boppy pregnancy pillow which doesn't work for my belly yet, I think it will once I'm bigger. For now it's great for between my knees and using behind my back for sitting up in bed to read.
Food: I'm still not in the hungry hippo phase yet, but there are a few things I get in my head on that I feel I must have soon: Decaf coffee, fresh croissants, Zacharey's Stuffed Pizza (spinach and mushroom with pepperoni on top), Chipotle's veggie bowl and little treats to satisfy my sugar craving here and there. To be honest, I'm not sure this is a whole lot different than when I'm not pregnant, I just don't go actively pursuing them as I do now.
And Josh and I joke about having a girl and naming her Clementine because I eat them constantly! There is always one or two rolling around my purse.
Two of my favorite books right now:
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| http://www.amazon.com/Nourishing-Traditions-Book-Baby-Child/dp/0982338317 |
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| http://www.amazon.com/Other-Baby-Book-Natural-Approach/dp/1475185421/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387053190&sr=1-1&keywords=the+other+baby+book |
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