Almost 34 weeks

Time is flying by and I am getting bigger by the minute it seems. I must say, you are making daily life so difficult. My back aches, my knees hurt, and I am all around uncomfortable. Typing is hard because there is no feeling in my fingers and pain in my wrists. Not to mention, it is super hot outside. Being pregnant is apparently not something I am good at! It probably doesn't help that I am "AMA"- Advanced Maternal Age. This might have been easier 10 years ago.

Tomorrow you will be 34 weeks. In 3 weeks, you are considered full term. Daddy and I took childbirth prep classes this past Friday and Saturday. I think it freaked me out a little bit. I was glad to get a tour of where I will be having you, but it was scary to learn about all the pain that goes along with it. I hope you don't come so fast that I won't be allowed medication. Your mom thinks pain medicine is a beautiful thing, and I look forward to using it.

I can tell your are growing. Your feet or other limbs are in my ribs. It is hard to breathe. My right foot swells like no other. Check it out:

You are making me so queasy again. Man, I am complaining a lot, but this is just how it is. I feel bad because your brothers are not in school and want to do things, but I often do not feel well enough to go places. Torrin broke his arm a few weeks ago so he can't go to the pool, so that helps ease the guilt a little bit. I want them to have a good summer and I feel bad.

Daddy and I went to Hawaii. Thankfully Daddy got us upgraded to first class so that helped me a little bit. I still swelled. While in Hawaii I could not do much being so uncomfortable, but we did manage to see a good portion of the island. We did go in the pool, in the lazy river and in the saltwater lagoon. The feeling of weightlessness was fantastic. Hawaii was beautiful! Here is a picture of me at 31 weeks:

On June 10th, Nana, Aunt Denise and Aunt Noelle threw you a baby shower. About 28 people came and we got so many things! I was worried you did not have any clothes, but now I am thinking you have too many. Everyone but Nana, Aunt Denise and Aunt Noelle got you 3 month stuff so I had to exchange some of it for bigger sizes. Probably should have exchanged some more but I got into washing it all so that is not going to happen. I will post some pictures of the shower sometime....we can hope. 

I have been feeling overwhelmed with all the things that need to be done for your room. There is nothing on the walls, some clothes are washed, your stroller is put together, but I feel like your room is a total disaster. I don't have a baby book for you and I am scared I am not going to be ready for you. I hope you enjoy sleep as much as I do. To top it all off, today I ironed some of your bedding. I was not thinking and touched the iron to a place I shouldn't have. Now it is ruined but with the mattress on top, no one will see it. Whoopsie. 

We are so thankful for your Nana and Papa. They have given you so much! Nana took me to Babies R Us and got us some more things off the registry. Grandpa and Grandma have been very generous as well. You are so lucky to have so many people love you!

People keep telling me I am huge. They ask if I am due any day now, if there are twins, etc. It is frustrating. I know I am big-do I need to hear it every day? I will be curious to see when you arrive!

30 Weeks

I always think of lots of things to write about as the days go by, but when I take the time to sit down and type, I can't really think of anything. Must be this pregnancy brain thing. I put our dog's measuring spoon somewhere but could not find it anywhere. I eventually found it in your brother's pool bag. Not sure what it was doing in there. I also lost the medicine Mickey needs for his allergies. No clue where that went. It has been a trying time remembering things!

I went to the doctor the other day and I heard your heartbeat again. I was worried you were not moving all that much but the doctor said if you move at least 12 times a day, you are fine. You definitely move 12 or more times a day. Usually when I am trying to sleep or do nothing. This past weekend I was in a lot of pain. I felt like I had been kicked in the ribs. I called the doctors office. They did not have any idea what it could be since there were no other symptoms. Just pain. Perhaps you put your foot in my rib? It was really bad all weekend but it got better as the days went by. It still hurts, but not nearly like it did over the weekend.

The newest thing you have are the hiccups. I felt them for the first time when I was out to dinner with my friends. They all have kids so I asked what I was feeling and they said it was the hiccups. In a week, you have had them 4 times. It is a funny feeling!

Some old pregnancy symptoms have returned. Heartburn and nausea being two of them. I hate it! I am also still swelling and still annoyed at how many people tell me that! Daddy and I go to Hawaii on Monday (well, you are coming along as well) and I am really hoping I do ok on the long flight. This is the last airplane trip for a long time! It is hard to believe you will be here in two months. Please be a good baby and enjoy sleep. That would be great.

Still have not had a chance to do a picture with the board lately. Here are some pictures of me at Aunt Megan and Uncle Tyler's wedding 2 weeks ago. Note to self: Dancing to Footloose at 28 weeks pregnant was not the best idea.

You have started to respond to loud noises as well. The other night Daddy and I went to see the Super Heroes movie, The Avengers. I know Daddy loves Super Heroes and I am sure you will too, but that kind of movie is so not my thing. It was very loud and I had never felt you move more! Every time there was a loud noise, you kicked or punched me. I am also starting to feel you flip. Let's just hope you are in the right position when it is time to come into this world.

Daddy has been helping out a lot around the house and that has been a big relief. I appreciate the help so much! Cleaning is getting harder and harder so I need to let go of the fact that the floors needs to be clean all the time. At least the laundry is getting done, and the main things are clean.

Your baby shower is coming up soon. We have already received some nice presents from people. Grandpa and Grandma got you your stroller and the extra base for Daddy's car. Yesterday the video monitored came and it was also from them. It was a nice surprise!  Nana and Papa buy you things all the time too! You have a new high chair ready for when you can use it, a good supply of diapers, clothes, bedding, etc. You are lucky to have so many people that love you!

We are not able to have another ultrasound until we are 36 weeks along. Daddy and I wish we could see where you are at!  The doctors office charges $500 or more. We thought about going back to the 4D place to see how you have grown but I am not sure if we will do that. I can't wait to see what you look like!

I am starting to get more and more anxiety about your arrival. Will I know when it is time to go to the hospital? How will delivery be? What kind of baby will you be? So many questions. We might take a birthing class to calm some of my fears but I am not sure about that either. I just hope you are a happy and healthy baby!

28 Weeks

Your mother is not normally someone who is filled with anger, but lately, anger is a common emotion. I can't even begin to tell you how frustrating it is when complete strangers tell me I am HUGE. Yesterday I went to get a massage and the lady asked, "Are you SURE you are not having twins?" Yes but thanks for pointing it out. My clothes are not fitting and I really do not want to buy more things since there are only 2.5 months left. Finding something to wear for your Aunt Megan's wedding this weekend was a challenge. I bought lots of things and then returned them all. I felt like a circus tent.

Two weeks ago I went to your Aunt Noelle's house to work on my scrapbook. When I got home there was a note on the counter:

When we went to Disneyland in January, Daddy bought me a Mickey Mouse doll and a Minnie Mouse doll. Both were embroidered with Baby Forrest 2012 on it. He got me one of each because we did not know if you were a boy or a girl. The note was telling me to go check on Baby Forrest-aka: Mickey Mouse doll.

While I was gone, Daddy, Camden, Torrin, Nana, Papa and your cousin Mikaya put together your room for me. It was a nice surprise. Here is a pic of the before:

Here are some pics of the after. Nothing is on the walls yet, you still need curtains, and I need to wash the bedding and put it all together.

I need to get a chair for me to nurse you in. It is weighing heavily on my mind because they are pricey! I was uncertain about the color of your room. It is growing on me. When Camden saw it he said, "Oooooh, is that Robin's Egg Blue?" Too funny. 

Your brothers are taking more of an interest of you. Camden talks to you by name, and the other day when I said you were kicking me, Torrin yelled, "Stop kicking my stepmom!" Camden always wants to feel you move but whenever he touches my belly, you stop. The other night I had Daddy push on my belly and you kicked. I was expecting a sweet moment but he thought it was weird :) It is weird feeling you kick me but it lets me know you are doing ok. 

You don't move as much as most babies so I told the doctor that when I went in on Friday for my blood test. She had me get hooked up to the monitors in a big comfy chair:

Every time I felt you move, I had to hit a button. For awhile you weren't doing much, but then they gave me some juice and you moved a little more. They said everything was fine. That same day I had my gestational diabetes test and was certain I had it, but they just called and I don't! I don't know if I have ever been so happy to have passed a test before!

This weekend Daddy, Camden and Torrin decided to put together your stroller and car seat.

Daddy was pretty proud of himself when it was completed:

It's nice to know that is finished. It is also so great that we are getting things from people like a Bumbo seat and a bathtub. This way we don't have to buy those things!

Lately I have been very uncomfortable. I wasn't sleeping well so my doctor gave me Ambien which is a gift from Heaven! Seriously amazing. She said it is safe so lets hope she knows what she is talking about! My sciatic pain is bad, I can't breathe all that well and the Carpal Tunnel is so severe, they want me to go see a hand surgeon. I can't feel my fingers and there are just sharp shooting pains up and down my arms and in my wrists. I really hope this goes away after you arrive.

It is hard to believe there are only 12 more weeks to go. I wish I could have an ultrasound so I know what you look like now, but they won't do that unless there is something wrong.

Tomorrow Daddy and I are off to Hilton Head South Carolina for Aunt Megan's wedding weekend. Be kind to me :)

26 Weeks

Just a few minutes ago, I saw you move in my belly on the outside for the first time. It was strange but also really cool! I finally decided to sit down and put my feet up, and I look down and see my belly moving! 

You have been a lot more active. I am not sure what exactly you are hitting me with. The last time we went to the doctor, your feet were on the right side of my belly. I don't feel anything there, I only feel it  about two inches below my belly button. Is that your arm? A leg? I am not sure. 

I am having lots of not so fun side effects from the pregnancy. I now have to wear wrist guards all the time to help with the numbness I feel in my fingers and hands. I may have already written that. My sciatica is bad and the worst thing is I am having a terrible time breathing. Not being able to breathe makes it hard for me to sleep. I think I got a total of 2 hours last night. 

Daddy and I went to Philadelphia and New Jersey last week. There are certain foods you can only get back East and every time I had one of those foods, you started moving around like crazy. Daddy said it is because you didn't like those foods but I think it is because you loved them!  

While there, we stopped by the Liberty Bell. Here I am at 25 weeks pregnant:

I am amazed at how many people tell me how big I am. The lady at Walgreens asked me when I was due. I told her, and she replied, "Are you sure you are not having twins? You are huge!"  Last night I was at a store to check out diaper bags and the sales associate said, "You must be having your baby any day now. Look how swollen you are!" Do people really need to point those things out to me? I do think I am bigger than most people but there is nothing I can do. 

While in Philly we got to see your Great Aunt Lorraine and your second and third cousins. We all went to  dinner and they got you lots of nice presents. I need to take pictures of the gifts! Here is a picture of all of us:

More to come when there is more to report!

24 Weeks

It is hard to believe that I am 6 months pregnant already! Sure, I look it but time has gone by really fast.

We went to the doctor today. I told her about my fingers and hands being numb. Apparently I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as a result of the pregnancy. I have to wear wrist braces all day and night. I will need to go to Target to purchase them. I just keep getting more and more attractive!

Speaking of attractive, look at what my feet did while we were on the plane back from Germany:

It took a few days for that to go down!

Anyway, back to the doctors appointment. I told the doctor that I was not feeling you move yet. I said I thought the bubble I feel in my belly might be you but I wasn't 100% sure. When she went to listen to your heartbeat, she pushed the doppler into my belly and she asked "Did you feel that? Because I just did!" You gave me two big kicks as if to say, "Get out of my space Doc!" It was nice to confirm your movement. So all those other times I felt those "bubbles"-I am pretty sure it was you! Crazy to think the first time I felt you was in Switzerland on the way up the mountain! Last night I think you also gave me a huge kick while I was sitting on the couch. You are finally making your presence known!

23 Weeks

We have been very busy! You had your first trip to Europe (in my belly though) We went when you were 22 weeks. I have not taken a picture with the sign but here is one from that week.  This is Daddy and me at the Matterhorn in Switzerland. We had great weather and we loved Switzerland. Hopefully some day you will get to see it!

I did surprisingly well on the trip. The long flights were uncomfortable but when I had to go the bathroom, the other passengers saw I was pregnant and let me go ahead of them. That was a plus! 

Yesterday was Easter. Here is a picture of Daddy, your brothers and me. I am 23 weeks now and I am feeling quite huge!

It is amazing how different I feel with the added weight on my body. I am having a hard time breathing, my sciatica is so painful, I have heel pain now. I struggle to be comfortable at night too. I would enjoy a full night of uninterrupted sleep but I guess you are getting me ready for your arrival. 

I do not think I have felt you move yet. While on the train to the top of the mountains in Zermatt, Switzerland I felt like a little bubble popped in my belly. I feel this every day now, in the same spot. Last night I felt it a ton so I am thinking maybe it is you! I am going to the doctor tomorrow to hear your heartbeat. 

I will update more after tomorrow!

20 Weeks

The weekend before your 20 week appointment, Daddy and I went to Babies R Us and registered-or attempted to register. There is so much stuff you are supposed to have and/or need-it was overwhelming! Of course I had to take pictures of the event:

Daddy scanning the first item which is part of your bedding!

 Me scanning the mobile we want for your crib.

Daddy loves his Camaro. He parked it away from all the other cars at Babies R Us :)

At least we decided on your bedding. It is called "In the Forest" and although it isn't spelled exactly like our last name, it is close. It has great colors and we really like it. Here is some of it:

I went today to look at paint colors but for someone who can't make up her mind, it is a tough decision. I am leaning towards green since there is so much blue in the house, but Daddy likes the blue color so I am not sure. We will see! The painters are coming on April 12th. It will be nice to get your room set up soon!

On Thursday we went to the doctor for your 20 week ultrasound. Normally this is when people find out what they are having but we were there to measure all of you, make sure nothing is wrong, and confirm you are still a boy. Nana and Papa came with Daddy and me. I was excited for them to see you!

You are definitely still a boy, and proud of it! When we went in the person doing the ultrasound informed me I have two placentas. This could explain why I don't feel you yet. I looked online to see about this and for some people it means there was a twin that did not make it. I don't think that is what happened since they have always only heard your heart beat and not another one. It could just be a freak thing. It is good to know!  You are symmetrical, your heart looks good, you have two arms and two legs, two kidneys, and everything else looks good. Here are some pictures of you!

Your two arms:

I like how she typed in "Boy Parts." I wonder if that is the technical term these days. I love your little foot sticking out.

Your face. You don't have much skin on you yet so it looks a little skeletal. 

Your cute little profile. I think it looks like you are blowing a bubble!

Now a picture of me at 20 weeks. It says you are the size of a banana! Your brothers thought that was hilarious. I guess I need to get the pink flowers off of your board since you are a boy. 

That was on St. Patrick's Day. I was in line at a store when the lady in front of me (who had WAY more than 20 items in the express lane) said she loved my shirt and asked me where I got it. I thanked her for the compliment (although it does not excuse the over 20 items thing) and told her it is maternity.

Speaking of maternity clothes, I think I might just wear them for the rest of my life. Expandable waists, comfy fabrics, long shirts that cover my bottom....I am in heaven. Elastic is a beautiful thing.

Nothing in my pregnancy has really changed in awhile. I am getting up every 2 hours at night and it isn't always to go to the bathroom. Perhaps you are getting me prepared for all the times you will wake me up after you are here. I would love one night of uninterrupted sleep. The thing is, I am exhausted but I lay there until 12 or 1am and then fall asleep. It is not fun. My sciatica is driving me nuts. It wakes me up because it hurts so bad. I can only assume it will get worse. I have had a lot of cramping but apparently it is round ligament pain from my belly growing. You started giving me heartburn, congestion and a daily bloody nose. All so much fun. Don't forget the never ending acne.

As for cravings, I am still wanting Skittles and lemonade. Another new one is White American Cheese. I am not supposed to have soft cheeses, but you seem to be ok so I am eating it. I also love regular Coke. Especially from McDonalds. It is going to be hard saying goodbye to it after you are here. It took me years to go to Diet Soda and now that I am having regular, I realize just how much I missed it. Oh, and I also crave Sonic grape slushes. Daddy came home from work today with a large one for me. Yum!

I am still on the hunt for a good glider. The prices of them stress me out. I feel like we should have another baby after you to justify the costs of some of these things. Nana and Papa have been great. Every time they come over, they bring you an outfit or diapers. That is a huge help! Grandpa and Susan said they would get Daddy and me something special. I thought that was very sweet as well! It is nice to have so many wonderful people around us!