34 weeks

I have been extremely lazy lately which may be why I haven't written.  And by lately, I mean the last couple of weeks or so! Tyler and I don't do much here in El Paso (I feel like every time I venture out in El Paso I get super bad road rage). We really can't stand El Paso and we think it's the worst place ever. Sorry to be so negative and some people love El Paso, but it's just not for us and no border town would be for me and Tyler. Anyway, besides the horrible place that is El Paso, we don't go many places and even going out to dinner I have no motivation to put on fancy clothes, do my hair (as in straighten), or put on makeup. I am not sure why, but it's just like I don't care! haha. I also may not have written because there is much excitement here in the Anderson household!

So, here is a small update for you....

How far along? 34 weeks 2 days

Size of Baby A? large cantaloupe {19 to 22in, 5.5 lbs}

Maternity Clothes? yoga pants and maternity tops have become my staples. and some t shirts i own. 

Weight Gain? Ugh.... up 19-20lbs from my starting weight. went to the doctor today and ended up seeing the PA b/c my doctor was running behind (it's okay with me b/c I really like her), but she said that was totally okay and my belly is measuring perfect. 

Gender? girly girl!

Sleep? what's that? seriously i sleep okay throughout the night, but my best sleep seems to be between 5:30-9am. i thought i was sleeping in and being lazy, but i realized that i was actually getting good sleep in that time. 

Movement? all day. every day and thank goodness :) tyler saw her the other night and could see a arm or leg poking out of my stomach. i love it. and i often laugh...she's making me laugh already! she moves a lot right after i eat then about an hour or so afterwards she's quiet.. she must like to nap after eating ;) 

Cravings? peanut butter crackers; ice cream (sugar free yogurt); and well, anything really... just really hungry!

What I miss? still a glass of chard. iced coffee.   

Symptoms? congestion. usual aches and pains of getting around with a pregnant belly. - same and getting up off the couch or out of bed feels like i moved a mountain. 

Best moment of the week? my doctors appointment today. hearing her heartbeat, hearing her say that she sounds perfect, and the PA telling me my weight is just fine! 

31 weeks

Hello!

I have not written in a while, but we have been out of town and then as soon as we got back I had work, dentists appointments, and we started our birthing class at the hospital!

We went home to Columbia for a week with a quick trip to Charleston thrown in for a babymoon. We really love visiting Charleston after all Tyler has a condo there and lived there for a few years. We stayed on my Dad's boat which would usually be okay except being 29 weeks pregnant and Charleston going from cool spring-y weather to rain to normal summer weather {HOT} it got a little uncomfortable. I had the a/c down so low in the boat Tyler woke up freezing! But, anyway we were able to eat our favorite place....

Oak Steakhouse. We enjoy their oysters rockefeller {THE BEST} and my husband was sweet enough to ask for our reservation on the third floor near a window! Please excuse my hair... it's difficult to get ready on a boat. Also, we got caught in a normal Charleston summer shower for about 30 minutes. But overall it was a great dinner and I highly recommend trying out Oak next time you're in Charleston. Then, I have heard Tyler talk about Kaminsky's plenty of times and we were supposed to go on our honeymoon, but for some reason didn't get by there. Well, even though I have to watch my sugars, how could you deny a pregnant lady some good dessert? I had figured that we had done so much walking in downtown Charleston from the car to Oak to Kaminsky's and back that I would be fine okay. It was totally worth it! 

The next day it had turned HOT! I guess the rain brought it in and so we got some breakfast at our favorite breakfast spot, The Marina Variety Store, and headed to the Charleston Harbor Marina pool {the Variety Store is not at the Charleston Harbor Marina where we stayed} and decided what was next. We decided that it may be a good idea to see some beach before we left the coast since that's not possible out here in the desert! So, we went back to the boat and got ready to hit Sullivan's Island. It was already lunch time by the time we made it to the island and we tried Poe's. Ehhh. I maybe was supposed to get a hamburger there, but considering how hot it was outside eating something so heavy didn't sound great. I had a buffalo shrimp salad {it was nothing to write home about}. But the atmosphere there was pretty cool! We didn't stay at the beach very long and headed back home after about 30 minutes. HAHA. It was hot and I am just not into tanning while pregnant. We headed back to the pool then back to the boat where Tyler had a few beers on the back. I took a shower and laid down for a nap rest. All in all it was a great babymoon and I couldn't have asked for anything better and I got lucky because I am pretty sure I got all my walking done in those two days for the whole week! 

Back in Columbia it was family every day. It was good for Tyler to see all his family since I had been in Columbia a few weeks before. Our schedule was packed every single day and we didn't stop, but that was okay. We were also able to bring home all the items I had received from the baby shower. And, our nursery is finally coming together and I would say is pretty much together except for a few odds and ends. Molly could go home now, but we definitely do not want that! We are prepared though! 

As I said before we started our birthing class last week, took a pediatrician Q&A class, and had an ultrasound. Last week was a nice welcome back from vacation. Now, we just wait and prepare for baby!

At our ultrasound, all went well... she's measuring right on track! 

How far along? 31 weeks 2 days

Size of Baby A? bunch of asparagus; 16.2 inches and 3.3 lbs {But Molly is weighing 3 lbs 10 oz according to our u/s}

Maternity Clothes? maternity jeans. larger size dresses. pre-pregnancy tops still work {kinda}

Weight Gain? 15.6 lbs{not happy about this but I am blaming all the good food in Columbia and Charleston}

Gender? girly girl!

Sleep? ehhh. if sleeping and waking every hour or every other hour counts. at least i am sleeping. i am a natural side sleeper so being uncomfortable hasn't really hit me yet. but i just wake up often. i guess it's better than not sleeping at all.. huh?

Movement? a lot. she seems to be calm while i am active, up, and walking around. but it's so comforting. i love every time i feel it. there have been no painful jabs except maybe a few times when she hits a specific nerve! 

Cravings? peanut butter crackers. waffles or pancakes with syrup {i try to stick with whole grain or whole wheat and sugar free syrup}. still ice cream! 

What I miss? still a glass of chard. iced coffee. pasta.  

Symptoms? congestion. usual aches and pains of getting around with a pregnant belly. 

Best moment of the week? well it's been a few weeks so Charleston and seeing our sweet girl on the big screen! 

Hello Third Trimester!

Well, I welcomed the third trimester on Saturday. I got a little cocky when I worked last week and everyone asked how I was feeling {a day before my 28th week} - I told everyone I felt great and sometimes I even forgot I was pregnant! Well, I jinxed myself because the next few days I felt sore all over. My uterine contractions feel like dull cramps {menstrual cramps for those who know what I'm talking about}. Those are probably the most uncomfortable. Then sometimes I'll get like a weird side cramp. I compare it to how it feels when you are running and you get a 'stitch in your side' I got a few times and I assume she is probably putting her weight on that one side and hitting a nerve- how dare her!

Sleep... sleep is another story. I love it! I even nap during the day, but only for an hour so I can sleep okay at  night and get to sleep at a decent hour. Well, sleep at night is ALWAYS interrupted which is okay and I am used to because even before pregnancy I would wake up to use the restroom {I was never sure if I needed to go or just thought it was a good idea}. But, getting back to sleep at night is getting harder. I have to get comfortable and I go to bed and the apartment feels like it's at a comfortable temperature- but I wake up SO HOT. I also feel like all my senses are heightened in the middle of the night trying to go back to sleep. I have never been one to 'be afraid of the dark', but I always peek into the living room on my way to bathroom {this pregnancy would be easier in a home of our own because the house we buy MUST have bathroom access from my bedroom} anyway, I am afraid I am going to see something? Not sure. Last week Tyler couldn't sleep, got up to eat a snack, and turned on the tv. Well, I almost had a heart attack because he has NEVER done that since we've been married and I freaked out. I was sure we had a squatter or a ghost. Then, as I am trying to fall back asleep I will have to feel like I need to pee at least two more times. Trust me, it's an ordeal and Tyler is just lucky he is not awake to notice my tossing, turning, and get ups. Also, Riley had a UTI last week so I feel every jump off the bed and assume she needs to be taken out so she doesn't pee in the apartment like last week! Oh, did I mention my nose gets really really really stuffy at night and if I don't get up in the middle of the night to blow my nose my mouth ends up open and I get horrible dry mouth.

But, compared to other people's pregnancy's I feel bleeds that these are my only complaints. If I get cramps, I drink water and lay down. No big deal.

Went to the doctor today! Today was the first day I went to the doctor and came out feeling so confident about my pregnancy. For the first 28 weeks I was so worried something bad was going to happen. But, he checked my sugar {I test them twice a week- two times a day} log and he said they looked great. I just have to continue doing what I am doing and I do not need a gestational diabetes test! Woohoo! That was music to my ears. I wouldn't say that I don't have it because I still have to check my sugars twice a week or at random, but I don't have to feel restricted to a diet. I check my sugars at random to see what makes my sugars go high. I know that sweet tea probably isn't a good idea- just something I've got to cut out for the next 12 weeks which, may be hard for this southern girl, but totally worth it. I know {and have stayed away this whole pregnancy} that I can't have pasta or white bread {sometimes I do if I don't have a choice}. Dr. Gluck said he was 'really happy' with how things were going, my weight gain is fine, I am measuring good, my blood pressure was normal {111/71}, and I told him about me and Tyler's drive to Columbia and he said 'be safe' I should have no problems just make sure I get out and walk around. Ahhhh... music to my ears. Now my only worry is to make sure I feel her move every day. About once or twice a week she will have a lazy day, but that usually follows a day when she is super active. I read that you should start to feel a pattern, but seriously- she has no pattern. When falling asleep at night sometimes she goes crazy, but sometimes I think she falls asleep before me! It will be interesting to see what her sleeping patterns are once she arrives. She also will start to kick when I lay on my left side {that's usually how I fall asleep} and I can't tell if she is saying goodnight or please don't lay like that {sometimes I am like halfway on my side and stomach}. I feel like she has her own personality already.

In two weeks I go in for a ultrasound and in four weeks I go in for another check-up. Time is flying by....

I also must mention a friend of mine who was only 6 weeks ahead of me, but pregnant with boy and girl twins had her sweet babies last night. I am so overcome with joy for her and the two new additions to the Hoffman family. BabieS and Mom are doing well and I know she is over the moon that they are here. Congrats Laura! Can't wait to see more pictures of Abigail and George! I am going to miss your belly pictures, but look forward to blog updates of life with twins!

I can't wait to get Columbia this weekend and our babymoon  in Charleston!

How far along? 28 weeks 4 days

Size of Baby A? iceberg lettuce; 14.8 inches; 2.2 lbs

Maternity Clothes? maternity jeans, my normal tops, and cotton dresses all around- same...although some tops just aren't working anymore and i've had my fair share of breakdowns getting dressed!

Weight Gain? 12.2 same as last week!

Gender? all things *PINK*

Sleep? well... see above!

Movement? a lot and anytime day or night! some lazy days!

Cravings? lately ice cream- not sure how that would affect my sugars ;) 

What I miss? a glass of chard on the porch. 

Symptoms? stuffy nose. cramps. 'side stitch' 

Best moment of the week? no gestational diabetes test- keep doing what i'm doing. 

27 weeks 3 days and hormones

Hello All!

I've been back in El Paso for a week since going to Columbia. It was so good to get home. Tyler and I will go back to Columbia next week {as long as is well at my appointment on Wednesday.} I see no reason why it wouldn't! I made Tyler go up to our grocery store pharmacy yesterday to check my blood pressure. It was higher than normal, but not high. I realized I was so nervous while taking it we walked around the grocery store a bit and I tried again- it went back to normal! Pregnancy has now caused me an irrational fear of the blood pressure monitor! I get very anxious. Even though I eat right, walk every day {thank goodness for Riley- she holds me accountable for my walks}, and have kept my weight gain slow I still get nervous!

But I will do everything I can to make sure my BP stays normal and I see no reason why it shouldn't! So Tyler can get home to visit Columbia and Charleston! I can't wait for our 'babymoon' in Charleston. I am not sure why I have this fear, but I naturally always worry about the worst. This pregnancy hasn't helped, either. I can do all I can to take care of myself, but in the end it's all left to one person and I am sure HE has a big plan for our growing family!

On the other hand, my poor husband. I am sure when he decided to marry me he didn't imagine that my hormones would cause me to be such a mean momma-to-be (basically a b*tch). Or, I have never been much of a crier and I cry at the drop of a hate these days. Lately, if my husband eats the wrong way or doesn't put things in the sink correctly... I become crazy. I feel so bad for him, but I am lucky he is very understanding of my changes and there is only 3 more months! I will definitely try to be more conscience of the way I react. Poor guy. Before I was pregnant you could have piled the dishes all over the kitchen and I wouldn't have cared. But, if this is the worst part of my pregnancy- then I consider us beyond lucky!

My shower in Columbia went great and I was overwhelmed with the support and gifts that we received. We really racked up! We could pretty much bring a baby home today if we had too. Well, we are picking up all the gifts when we are in Columbia. We also got the pack 'n play this weekend. So, all that's left are little things here and there. I have no pictures of the shower because I left the disc at home in Columbia, but I'll get those on as soon as I get to Columbia.

And last but not least, now that it's summer and holidays are all around... I am missing the beach, lake, and an ice cold adult beverage. Right now when my husband has a beer.. I am loving the smell of it. So strange! I want to go to the pool, but I am afraid I'll get bored without a cold one in my hand ;) j/k

Oh yeah, Tyler felt a kick the other night. I think he though it would feel like a small little foot kicking, but mine feel more like a thump in my belly!

How far along? 27 weeks 3 days

Size of Baby A? cauliflower;  14.4 inches; weighing 2 lbs.  

Maternity Clothes? maternity jeans, my normal tops, and cotton dresses all around

Weight Gain? 12.2- a little disappointed in myself. i think i gained a lot in columbia, but how can you avoid grouchos and lizards? 

Gender? GIRLY GIRL!

Sleep? falling asleep fine for the most part, BUT getting up ALL night to use the restroom! ahh! not looking forward to when i am too uncomfortable to sleep! 

Movement? she has picked up movement lately. she has had lazy days, but i notice her lazy days are the days AFTER i am active. like i got home tuesday...worked wednesday and i am pretty sure she slept all day thursday! she scared me! 

Cravings? no real cravings. just hungry. hungry ALL the time. 

What I miss? columbia. alcohol. south carolina. 

Symptoms? frequent urination. stuffy  nose. i will also often wake up and my hand has fallen asleep! - SAME except when i wake up with the stuff nose it causes my mouth to get SO DRY because I guess I sleep with my mouth open because i cant breath! 

Best moment of the week? well, last week being home and all the shower gifts :) 

25 Weeks

Hello All!

I just got home from my doctors appointment with Dr. Gluck, my normal OB. Just a check up and listen to the heartbeat and measuring my tummy! He probably dreads my appointments because over the four weeks between my appointments I keep a list of questions on my notepad on my phone! But I am sure he's had more anal patients than me!

Heartbeat was good {at least I assume because he didn't say anything} and my bump is measuring at exactly 25 weeks which is good! I told him I was flying home tomorrow and he gave me my medical records to take with me should anything happen. Overall it was a boring normal appointment which is good... exactly what I want. I always enjoy my doctors appointments because it gives me peace of mind. I am a worrier by nature and going to hear her heartbeat and Dr. Gluck telling me everything looks good is comforting.

No news here! Tyler and I went to go see Jerrod Nieman on Saturday and had a good time. Molly is moving a lot especially at night. Some nights {like last night} she will literally keep me up all night because I think she uses my bladder as a punching bag! But, I welcome every single kick, punch, and movement. I'll stay up all night just to feel them. It's the most comforting feeling in the world.

I leave for Columbia tomorrow and I absolutely can't wait! I have a baby shower on Saturday. It's a little early, but I do live 1600 miles away and I wanted to fly when I was still comfortable. I also can't wait to see family and eat... Groucho's and Lizard's Thicket are calling my name! I will miss Tyler and Riley, though!

How far along? 25 weeks 2 days

Size of Baby A? zucchini;  13.6 inches; weighing 1.5 lbs.  

Maternity Clothes? maternity jeans. some maternity tops if i am wearing leggings. lots and lots of comfy dresses that are not maternity.

Weight Gain? 9.4 lbs- my weight fluctuates between a pound or so. 

Gender? all pink... Molly Bess Anderson!

Sleep? still sleeping just fine. noticing its getting a little harder for me to get comfortable and having to get to pee all night!

Movement? morning and night! mostly when i am resting.

Cravings? i have been craving hamburgers the past week or so. which, if you know me know that's strange! i do not eat a lot of red meat!

What I miss? i did miss having a beer this weekend at the concert. but it's worth it. i only think about it if i am out with tyler somewhere. other than that i kind of like being pregnant!

Symptoms? frequent urination. stuffy  nose. i will also often wake up and my hand has fallen asleep! 

Best moment of the week? hearing her heartbeat is always the best!!

23 weeks!

Hello All!

I have been waiting to blog until this second ultrasound for get confirmation that she is definitely a girl since we got conflicting information a few weeks ago! We had a second ultrasound so we could see her lips, spine, and brain since we were unable to see those things last time. Everything, from what the ultrasound tech said, looks good! We can't express enough how much we don't care boy or girl we just want a healthy and happy baby! We were also waiting to say her name (or at least I was) until I knew for sure it was a girl. I didn't really have any other reason to keep calling her Baby A! We are thrilled and good thing we are still team pink because we have started on her nursery and made very good progress!

We found the two small end tables at the yard sales on Ft. Bliss two weeks ago. Tyler refinished and painted them. They look great! He did such a good job. I wish I could find more furniture for him to refinish :) We have the Pottery Barn bedding, but I have taken out the bumpers, for now. And, the wall art? It's from Hobby Lobby for a few bucks! So happy with them! I think this side of the room is finished.. for now. 

Molly Bess Anderson is her name and this is her changing table and we found the white letters and again my crafty husband spray painted them pink and hung them on the wall- so happy with how it turned out. We weren't making her nursery super homey and a lot of the stuff will not return to Columbia with us so we didn't want to get too attached. 

The no sew (that's my kind of language) window valance idea I got from my sweet friend (who is expecting twins this summer!). It cost us all of $7! And, while I intended to do the whole thing... I forgot how much I lack patience and crafti-ness. Tyler ended up doing most of it... again... greatest Dad/Husband ever! 

Other than the nursery and finding out Molly is doing just fine, we are preparing for a long (and hot) summer! In two weeks I will be on my way to Columbia for my baby shower and to visit with family. I am super excited, but also sad to leave Tyler and Riley. Riley and I spend most days together while Tyler is at work so, we have pretty much become best friends.....

I am always taking her picture because I just think she does the cutest things (even though I am sure it's normal dog behavior). So, when Molly gets here you can prepare yourself for picture overload!!!

We have also decided to visit Columbia in June when Tyler takes block leave and right now we are being too cheap to buy plane tickets because they are just so expensive. We don't mind the road trip at all, anymore, but I will be 29 weeks going and 30 weeks coming back. My doctor said I was all good and we will just have to stop every few hours so I can get out and stretch my legs. Which, is nothing new to us since we do have a dog (another reason I don't want to fly--I would HATE to  board Riley here without anyone we know living here), So, I think Tyler has made a plan to make sure I am comfortable in the front seat and we will make our way to Columbia. This is to see family and make a trip to Charleston. We won't have a lot of time and Charleston will be our 'babymoon.' So, we may not get to see anyone but family while we are home! We will be back at Christmas though with a new addition :) 

That's it for now... Riley and I need to take our walk before it gets to hot for her (and me). 

How far along? 23 weeks 3 days

Size of Baby A? Pomegranate; 11.4 inches; weighing 1 lb.  

Maternity Clothes? maternity jeans. that's it. i still can wear pre pregnancy tops and all regular dresses that i have bought a size larger or already owned. 

Weight Gain? 8.4 lbs- my weight fluctuates between a pound or so. 

Gender? all pink... Molly Bess Anderson!

Sleep? this past weekend i had some trouble sleeping because she moved ALL night long and I had to pee ALL night long. i barely slept and worked all weekend. but the last two nights i have been knocked out and slept 11pm-9am. Oops! 

Movement? not strong kicks but definitely movement. enough to keep me up. she is active at night and in the morning. hope that changes!

Cravings? nothing in particular except raisin bread for breakfast with some butter! 

What I miss? columbia. nothing really to do with pregnancy. i am enjoying it :)---> Same!! 

Symptoms? constant need to pee at night. congestion. thats about it. 

Best moment of the week? seeing sweet Molly on the big screen this week (last time their tv wasn't working :( ) 

21 weeks!

Hello All,

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted! It wasn't that I have been busy in fact just the opposite, but I haven't really had anything exciting to write about!

I went in about a week and a half ago to the doctor because I was having some pains in the upper part of my stomach. Turns out everything is okay, but it was just heartburn. How embarrassing, but I have never felt heartburn that low. Usually I feel it higher in my chest! But, she did an ultrasound to check everything out and she said looks like a girl. So, hopefully no more surprises! I do get another one in two weeks because baby girl wouldn't show her lips or spine in her last one.

We sure hope girl because we went  I went to the Carter's outlet {Tyler was getting our watches fixed} and got a few girly things! I was so excited....

Next up... Her bedding arrived from Pottery Barn that my Mom and Grandmother ordered. When Riley and I returned from our walk, which might I add we do very often AND Riley has lost 14 lbs in the last year!! Woohoo!

There is still a lot of work to do to her nursery and I need to get the bed skirt just right because it's a little long. But, overall I am so excited about the first pieces of her nursery. 

How far along? 21 weeks 2 days

Size of Baby A? Carrot, 10.5in, 10.5oz 

Maternity Clothes? really just maternity jeans and a few maternity tops to wear with my leggings. other than that i have a ton of cotton dresses that work!

Weight Gain? 6.8 lbs

Gender? GIRL!

Sleep? not as sleepy during the day anymore, but sleeping just fine!

Movement? flutters all the time and i think i felt a kick last night-- it was a weird feeling so i'll be looking out for it again!

Cravings? nothing in particular. sweets again. yikes!

What I miss? columbia. nothing really to do with pregnancy. i am enjoying it :)

Symptoms? headaches, headaches, headaches

Best moment of the week? the crib bedding coming!!