Snowflake is here!

Benjamin Lynn (Lynn is Kev's grandpa's name, as well as Kev's middle name)
Date: 12.10.11 (Grandpa J's birthday!)
Time: 4:03 pm
Weight: 8 lbs 6 oz (2 lbs 2 oz bigger than Colin was)
Length: 21 1/4 inches
Head circumference: 14 in

He looks a lot like Colin did...just a chunkier version!

He was born in the water just an hour after we arrived at the hospital. He's doing so great--nursing and sleeping like he was born to do it. :)

More details...and pictures...to come!

40 weeks

40 weeks Snowflake vs. 40 weeks--oh wait--nope.


How far along? 40 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +36 lbs (uh...chocolate is tasty!)
Size: Pumpkin, or 20 inches and 7.5 lbs.
Baby Development: Baby is developmentally ready to come out. What more can you say? Now we wait for the physically ready part :)
Best moments this week: Hanging out with work friends last Friday.
Movement: Slower, and more like nudges than jabs and kicks.
Food cravings: None
Food aversions: Nothing anymore.
What I miss: Not having round ligament pain, not feeling like my pelvis bone is going to bust, alcohol, a more flexible wardrobe, deli meat, orange juice, not feeling like I have to pee every time I stand up, sleeping on my back, not sweating in my sleep.
Stretch marks?: None that I can see.
Maternity clothes?: I wear maternity pants and a mix of maternity/non-maternity shirts.
Sleep?: Sweaty, but good. Except last night. I woke up at 3:45 and kept wondering, "am I going to go into labor? When am I going to go into labor?" Needless to say, I didn't sleep the rest of the night.
Belly button?: Flat, and slightly out
What are you looking forward to this week?: Isn't it obvious? Having a baby!! I'm getting very uncomfortable at the end of the work day. It's not fun getting ready for a sub every single afternoon.

Stomach virus. Oh joy.

You know that post I wrote on Saturday? Well, Colin was kind enough to share his stomach virus with me. So here I am at home taking it easy and hoping it doesn't last too long. I'm trying to keep fluids down (semi-successfully) and keeping an eye on Snowflake's movements.

When I said I didn't want to go into work today, this is not what I had in mind.

No news is...

boring, isn't it?

I'm in a lot of pain today. Hopefully that means that Snowflake is making steady progress downward. I went to Walmart and Kwik Trip for my Saturday supply/grocery run. I put my cankles in the air for awhile. We set up the Christmas tree.

I also made Colin's bed (this is hard to do when 39w2d pregnant) after his all night puke fest last night . He couldn't even keep a sip of water down. Kevin and I jumped out of bed at least a dozen times to catch puke in a bucket and clean up messes. We went through 2 sets of sheets and 2 pairs of pajamas. This afternoon he watched Rudolph 2.5 times, Frosty 1 time, and an episode of Curious George. It's 3:30 and he finally ate something today--a half of a banana. He's asking to go outside now, which is obviously a good sign. Too bad he can't go out though. Because the snow has just started to fall.

If snowflake were born on a snowy day, that'd be about perfect right?

Fast forward to 8 pm: I went back to Walmart tonight and walked the aisles for an hour. I had quite a few Braxton Hicks contractions and a few pains, but nothing major. I did get a few looks while doing laps though :)

Appointment

Notice: Not a midwife appointment. She was in a delivery. Quite sad, but at least it just reminds me that when it's my turn, she'll be there for me too!

So I saw a doctor. Stats:
Baby's HB: 148 bpm
Belly: 39 weeks
BP: good
Cervix: 1 cm dilated, 50% effaced
Station: still high
Cankles: OMG, the cankles. The doctor asked me if I was sure I didn't twist it. I think I'd know if I did, thankyouverymuch.

She said it's unlikely Snowflake will be born this weekend. Depressing.

Perhaps I can prove her wrong. There's snow coming tomorrow. Crazier things have happened.

And the difference between a doctor and a midwife regarding being GBS+:
Midwife: "Don't worry about it....It's your right to deny the antibiotic...If you don't have time for it, it will be okay...If your labor is fast again, the chances of baby getting sick are very low..."
Doctor: "Be your own advocate. Tell those nurses you're GBS+ so you can get that antibiotic."

::shakes head:: Oh Doctor, how little you know about me. Give me back my Midwife, please.

39 weeks

39 weeks Snowflake vs. 39 weeks Colin
How far along? 39 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +33 lbs
Size: Mini watermelon, or 20 inches and over 7 lbs.
Baby Development: "Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth...The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath." (From babycenter.com)
Best moments this week: When I left work today, I felt at ease knowing I'd done pretty much everything I wanted to get done before I leave.
Movement: Slower, and more like nudges than jabs and kicks.
Food cravings: None
Food aversions: Nothing anymore. Although I can't eat too many sweets or I feel like throwing up.
What I miss: Not having round ligament pain, not feeling like my pelvis bone is going to bust, alcohol, a more flexible wardrobe, deli meat, orange juice, not feeling like I have to pee every time I stand up, sleeping on my back.
Stretch marks?: None that I can see.
Maternity clothes?: I wear maternity pants and a mix of maternity/non-maternity shirts.
Sleep?: Sweaty, but good. I got rid of that pesky body pillow and I'm a much happier person :)
Belly button?: Flat, and slightly out
What are you looking forward to this week?: Isn't it obvious? Having a baby!! I'm getting very uncomfortable at the end of the work day. Today I made a stack of copies from a tall stool I parked in front of the copy machine.

Tomorrow afternoon and evening I'm going to recreate then night before Colin was born. I am going to leave school telling myself it was my last day and I'm done. I have a midwife appointment, then I'm going to my co-worker's house (different one than last time). I'm going to eat a brownie, drink an orange pop, and bounce on her exercise ball. Then I'm going to go home and eat some pizza. Then that night I will wake up with contractions. :) Things will be a little different since I'm bringing Colin along to my friend's house and I won't be staying out until 8:30 like I did last time. But it will be close enough!

So with that, wish me luck that it really happens. A 12-3-11 birthday sounds pretty fun.

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...

I packed tonight. But I don't feel like I have a lot in that suitcase of mine. I'm trying to think of other things I need.

I'm not packing things "to do" because I don't think I'll have much time to watch a movie or play cards while in labor.

I have my grippy slipper socks.
I have my comfortable pants I may not end up wearing at all.
I have my "coming home" outfit.
I have my toiletries (except my brush which hopefully I'll remember when it's time to go!).
I have my nursing pads (I didn't bring them last time and I needed them).
My phone and camera are charging.
The Boppy is sitting on top of the bag.
My pump is accessible to Kevin if he needs to bring it to the hospital.
What else do I need to bring?

The baby's bag is full of clothing options--boy, girl, neutral, sleepers, shirt/pants. I have the fleece snowsuit and the blanket.

My going-to-the-hospital outfit is laid out next to the bed.

Although I'm still holding out hope for one last chiropractor appointment tomorrow, I guess you could say I'm ready.

Midwife appointment

BP: 100/60
Baby's HB: 130s
Belly measurement: 38 cm
Cervix: 1 cm dilated

Midwife asked me when I was having the baby and I said somewhere between next Wednesday and Saturday. Although I would love to fit in my last chiropractor appointment, which is on Thursday.

38 weeks

Happy Thanksgiving!
38 weeks Snowflake vs. 38 weeks Colin
How far along? 38 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Holding steady at +32 lbs
Size: Leek, or over 19.5 inches and 6.8 lbs.
Baby Development: "She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb." (From babycenter.com)
Best moments this week: I signed up a piano student for my January session, and potentially 1-3 more (a set of triplets!). I'd really like to get another group of 5 started. We went out to dinner at Famous Dave's last night, using a gift card. It was our last dinner out as a family of 3. I also really enjoyed that chiropractor appointment.
Movement: All the time. Stretching, yoga, booty shakes, you name it. I feel a little foot or knee or something pushing out all the time. I like to play with the foot/knee and move it around :)
Food cravings: None
Food aversions: Nothing anymore. Although I can't eat too many sweets or I feel like throwing up.
What I miss: Not having round ligament pain, not feeling like my pelvis bone is going to bust, alcohol, a more flexible wardrobe, deli meat, orange juice, not feeling like I have to pee every time I stand up.
Stretch marks?: None that I can see.
Maternity clothes?: I wear maternity pants and a mix of maternity/non-maternity shirts.
Sleep?: Sweaty, but good as long as I keep my body pillow doubled up between my legs and I don't have to get up to attend to Colin's requests (water, potty) in the middle of the night.
Belly button?: Flat
What are you looking forward to this week?: The long weekend, spending some time getting ready for Snowflake, and my midwife appointment tomorrow. I'm anxious to see if there has been any progress.

Please remember to make a guess in the poll. If I have any say in Snowflake's arrival, you only have about a week left!

Midwife appointment

BP: Good
Baby's HR: 144 bpm
Belly measurement: 37 cm
Official (office scale) weight: Same as last week.
Cervix: I decided not to get checked.

Midwife said not to worry about the GBS being positive. Hopefully my labor will be quick again, and the less time the baby spends down there, the less chance s/he will contract it. They can always test the baby for it after birth and treat it then. She seemed not to be worried about it at all, so I won't be either.

She asked me if I've packed my bags yet. I said no. She said to tell her when I have so she can be ready.

37 weeks

37 weeks Snowflake vs. 37 weeks Colin
How far along? 37 weeks (Hellooooo full term!)
Total weight gain/loss: +32 lbs. (honestly, I don't think I've been subtracting right for awhile. My weight has been the same for a few weeks now).
Size: Swiss chard, or just over 19 inches and 6 1/3 lbs.
Baby Development: "Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb...Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz." (From babycenter.com)
Best moment this week: My long term sub came on Tues and Wed this week, so that's off the checklist of to-dos. She feels comfortable with everything, and is ready whenever she needs to be!
Movement: All the time. Stretching, yoga, booty shakes, you name it. I feel a little foot or knee or something pushing out all the time. I've noticed most of the poking movements are on my right side now instead of both sides. Maybe that means Snowflake is all bundled up in there now instead of straddling my stomach.
Food cravings: None
Food aversions: Nothing anymore. Although I can't eat too many sweets or I feel like throwing up.
What I miss: Not having round ligament pain, not feeling like my pelvis bone is going to bust, not snissing, alcohol, a more flexible wardrobe, deli meat,
Stretch marks?: None. I do believe my linea nigra has appeared, but it's pretty light.
Maternity clothes?: I wear maternity pants and a mix of maternity/non-maternity shirts.
Sleep?: Sweaty, but good as long as I keep my body pillow doubled up between my legs and I don't have to get up to attend to Colin's requests (water, potty) in the middle of the night.
Belly button?: Flat
What are you looking forward to this week?: My Midwife appointment tomorrow. I don't think I'm going to have her check me unless she thinks I've dropped. I might also nest around home and school.

Speaking of midwife, my stinkin' Group B Strep test came back positive again. Ugh. I'll chat with Midwife tomorrow to see what my options are. I don't mind getting the penicillin IV, I just don't know if it's in Snowflake's time schedule this time around. And I hated wearing the IV (with nothing attached to it) in the tub because the tape lost its stickiness in the water and got in the way.

In case you're wondering, I have not packed a bag yet. I may throw a few things in for Snowflake this weekend, because that's super fun, but I'm not quite ready to "be ready."

Midwife appointment

36 week check up! From here on out, I have weekly appointments. Holy furballs.

BP: Good
Belly measurement: Right on track
Baby's heartrate: 128-130 bpm
Baby's position: head down, legs wrapped around my stomach.
Cervix: Closed and getting soft

Midwife says she's in denial about how close I am to the end. Me too. I can't believe in just a few weeks we'll have a baby to snuggle and love on (even if it is in the wee hours). Plus also? This is going to sound kinda...weird...but only those who are patients of Midwife know this. I'm going to miss seeing her so often. ::sniff::

Midwife also asked me how I was feeling about being almost done. I told her I was just going through a list of all the stuff I have to do before the baby comes. She said that usually for second time moms, after all of the "to dos" are done that's when it all happens. I told her I had a lot to do so it won't be happenin' for awhile!

Next weekend I'll start packing up the hospital bag and all that good stuff. Until then, I have to focus on getting my classroom and my sub ready! I feel so disorganized, but slowly I'm making some progress.

And the countdown begins...

35 weeks

35 weeks Snowflake vs. 35 weeks Colin
How far along? 35 weeks = 35 days left to go!
Total weight gain/loss: +29 lbs.
Size: Honeydew, or 18 inches and 5.25 lbs.

Baby Development: "Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight." (From babycenter.com)

Best moment this week: Browsing the cloth diaper store with my mom and friends and seeing/holding baby Mason. I also washed some prefolds and baby blankets. That was pretty exciting.
Movement: Lots and lots of movement these days. Mostly in the form of stretching.
Food cravings: None really.
Food aversions: Nothing anymore. Although I can't eat too many sweets or I feel like throwing up.
What I miss: Not having round ligament pain, not snissing, alcohol, a more flexible wardrobe, deli meat, being able to walk at the end of the day
Stretch marks?: None. I do believe my linea nigra has appeared, but it's pretty light.
Maternity clothes?: I wear maternity pants and a mix of maternity/non-maternity shirts.
Sleep?: Sweaty, but good.
Belly button?: More flat than out.
What are you looking forward to this week?: My chiropractor appointment on Tuesday will be heavenly and much needed :) I have really started to slow down this week. There must be a wall at 35 weeks. Some nights I just need to crash on the couch and ignore the dishes and the laundry and all that boring stuff.

Check out my new polls to the right. Take a guess and win bragging rights :) Last time around, my cousin Kelly won the expectnet poll. December 10 is not the real due date. It's a little bit after the real due date. I'm ridiculous like that.

34 weeks

34 weeks, 3 days Snowflake vs. 34 weeks Colin
How far along? 34 weeks 3 days
Total weight gain/loss: +28 lbs.
Size: Cantaloupe, or almost 18 inches and 4.75 lbs.

Baby Development: "Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies." (From babycenter.com)

Best moment this week: My midwife appointment and the reassurance I got during it. I also got to hang out with my mom, Stephie, Brooke, Laura, and baby Mason. We went to the cloth diaper store. It was fun to touch all sorts of different cloth diapers :)
Movement: Lots and lots of movement these days. This week I also felt hiccups for the first time.
Food cravings: None really.
Food aversions: Nothing anymore.
What I miss: Not having round ligament pain, not snissing, alcohol, a more flexible wardrobe, deli meat.
Stretch marks?: None. I do believe my linea nigra has appeared, but it's pretty light.
Maternity clothes?: I wear maternity pants and a mix of maternity/non-maternity shirts.
Sleep?: Better than last week, thank goodness.
Belly button?: More flat than out.
What are you looking forward to this week?: Uh...not much going on this week..

Midwife appointment = Reassurance about the past

At my midwife appointment today, everything went swimmingly. BP, heart rate, belly measurement were all good. I lost a few pounds from last time, but baby is measuring beautifully. Midwife thinks the baby is head down with his/her legs splayed on either side of my belly. I'm not sure what's going on in there, but this kid is so active. I think there may be some Tai Chi sessions going on in my belly. Next appointment I get my cervix checked and that darn GBS test done.

I handed Midwife my water birth consent form and my "birth plan" (which wasn't very detailed at all!). She asked me if I had any questions, and I asked her the question I have been dying to ask her for the past 2.5 years: Why didn't Kevin get to cut Colin's umbilical cord? It was in our plan and it didn't happen. Ultimately, it doesn't matter whether he did or not, but because he didn't, it made me think something was wrong with Colin when he was born and nobody told me about it. All I remember is Colin coming out and a flurry of hands, and me seeing him, guessing he was a boy just by what he looked like because I couldn't see between his legs. I remember not hearing him cry, him being gray, and him being taken away. I was lifted out of the tub by Midwife and Kevin and got on the bed to deliver the placenta. First time mom thoughts running through my head, I thought something was wrong with him. I didn't get to hold him for more than 10 seconds after he was born.

Her answer? She seems to truly remember his birth. Which, in my book, adds to her amazingness. She said the nurse that was there that night (and she knew specifically what nurse it was) had never assisted at a water birth before. So when he was born, she kind of panicked because it was unfamiliar to her. So the nurse (?) cut the cord and whisked him away. When the umbilical cord is still attached, babies are still receiving oxygen from their mothers, so they look up at the world and don't necessarily cry.

Midwife told me that in the past 2.5 years, she has changed how she does water births. In speaking with a nurse about how she felt about water births, the nurse shared that water birth moms don't get to hold their babies for very long after they are born. Realizing she was right, Midwife now lets moms hold their baby as they get out of the tub and onto the bed. The cord isn't cut until after mom is on the bed. This sounds so much more comforting and "serene," as Midwife called it, than the whisk-away and the "wait, what just happened?" that I experienced with Colin. I am so excited to be able to hug and smooch on the baby right away for an extended period.

And hopefully this time Kevin will be able to cut the cord. Although he doesn't express any desire either way to cut it or not, I know he'll feel important doing it. And if he doesn't want to, that's okay too. But at least it sounds like he'll be able to do it now.

I seriously can't express how much knowing that absolutely nothing went wrong when Colin was born makes me feel. And the fact that, barring special circumstances, this time will be different. Huge sigh of relief.

33 weeks

Before we start...I feel like I'm writing these weekly updates every other day. I just finished writing the 32 week update, didn't I?

Without further ado...
33 weeks Snowflake vs. 33 weeks Colin
How far along? 33 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +27 lbs.
Size: Pineapple, or 17+ inches and 4+ lbs.

Baby Development: "He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.." (From babycenter.com)

Best moment this week: I told Colin I had a tummy ache and that I was just going to rest on the couch for awhile. He said, "Okay, Mama. I rub your back. I make you feel better." So he did. I lay on the couch and he sat behind me and gave me the cutest little back rub. And you know what? I felt better.
Movement: Snowflake apparently has a bicycle inside there, and s/he pedals it around a lot. I've been feeling Braxton Hicks contractions when I get active.
Food cravings: None really.
Food aversions: Nothing anymore.
What I miss: Not having round ligament pain, not snissing, alcohol, a more flexible wardrobe.
Stretch marks?: None. I do believe my linea nigra has appeared, but it's pretty light.
Maternity clothes?: I wear maternity pants and a mix of maternity/non-maternity shirts.
Sleep?: Between the round ligament pain, tendonitis in my hip flexors, night sweats, stuffy nose, times when Colin wakes up, and when Snowflakes's awake and moving around, I'm not getting enough quality sleep. I'm exhausted. Even if I go to bed an hour early, it doesn't help.
Gender?: We'll let you know in December!
Belly button?: More flat than out.
What are you looking forward to this week?: Midwife appointment next Wednesday (we're at the every other week appointments now!), and the freakin' weekend. It has been a long week with conferences and whatnot.

32 weeks

32 weeks Snowflake vs. 32 weeks Colin
How far along? 32 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +27 lbs. (Ok, I admit I was lazy and in denial and I hadn't weighed myself for a few weeks)

Size: Jicama, or 16.7 inches and 3.75 lbs.
Baby Development: "You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth." (From babycenter.com)

Best moment this week: Snuggling up with Colin in his big boy bed reading books to him at night. I also scored an awesome cloth diaper deal today. I got 10 diapers for $50! :D

Movement: Snowflake apparently has a bicycle inside there, and s/he pedals it around a lot. I've been feeling Braxton Hicks contractions when I get active.

Food cravings: None really.

Food aversions: Nothing anymore.

What I miss: Not having round ligament pain, alcohol, a more flexible wardrobe.

Stretch marks?: None. But I do believe my linea nigra has appeared, but it's pretty light.
Maternity clothes?: I wear maternity pants and a mix of maternity/non-maternity shirts.
Sleep?: I sleep as well as Colin sleeps. I have to use my body pillow between my legs to get comfortable now.
Gender?: We'll let you know in December!
Belly button?: More flat than out.
What are you looking forward to this week?: Midwife appointment tomorrow, and getting parent teacher conferences over with! It's not that I don't enjoy them, because I don't actually mind them at all. It's just that I don't get home until at least 7:45 that makes it tough.

31 weeks

31 weeks Snowflake vs. 31 weeks ColinSomeday I'll dress cute. Today was Spartan Spirit day, so I wore my red and black (which is soooo messed up if you're from Rochester).
How far along? 31 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +22 lbs.

Size: 4 naval oranges/Cabbage, or 16 inches and 3.3 lbs.
Baby Development: "Your baby is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy." (From babycenter.com)

Best moment this week: We went on a family bike ride a few times this week. I pulled the Burley and Kevin actually filled his tires. Good times. I've also taken full advantage of snuggles from Colin this week.

Movement: Snowflake apparently has a bicycle inside there, and s/he pedals it around a lot. I've been feeling Braxton Hicks contractions when I get active.

Food cravings: None really.

Food aversions: Nothing anymore.

What I miss: Not having round ligament pain, alcohol, a more flexible wardrobe.

Stretch marks?: None.
Maternity clothes?: I wear maternity pants and a mix of maternity/non-maternity shirts.
Sleep?: I sleep as well as Colin sleeps. I have to use my body pillow between my legs to get comfortable now.
Gender?: We'll let you know in December!
Belly button?: More flat than out.
What are you looking forward to this week?: Our 5th anniversary is tomorrow :) To celebrate, we're going to IKEA to get Colin's big boy bed and then we're going out to lunch at either the Olive Garden or Chilis (we're spending gift cards from Christmas). Then we're finishing up Colin's big boy room and moving him in it if he's ready. Really romantic, but whatevs.

29 weeks

29 weeks Snowflake vs. 29 weeks Colin
Uh...I accidentally deleted the covered belly picture from my camera. So you only get a bare belly shot this week ;)
How far along? 29 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +22 lbs.

Size: Butternut Squash, or a little over 15 inches and 2.5 lbs.

Baby Development: "His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his 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." (From babycenter.com)

Best moment this week: Grocery shopping. Why, you say? Because I spent $91 at Aldi for not one but TWO WEEKS worth of groceries. The groceries were not a bunch of processed, boxed meals. They included 6 fresh chicken breasts, fresh chicken tenderloins, and 1.5 lbs of ribs. I still have a bit of money left over to buy more milk, bananas, and whatever else might come along this week. I had another best moment, and that will be in my next post.

Movement: I feel his/her little feetsies kicking me and his/her butt pushing all the time. I love feeling him/her move :)
Food cravings: I crave nothing in particular.

Food aversions: Nothing anymore really, but I DON'T crave rich sweets like cupcakes and brownies like I did with Colin.
What I miss: Not snissing, not having round ligament pain, alcohol, being able to bend over to pick stuff up off the floor without feeling pain.

Stretch marks?: None.
Maternity clothes?: I wear maternity pants and a mix of maternity/non-maternity shirts.
Sleep?: I sleep as well as Colin sleeps.
Gender?: We'll let you know in December!
Belly button?: Outie

What are you looking forward to this week?: Starting piano lessons on Thursday, and a doctor's appointment on Tuesday.

Hello Again! Post 2: Midwife appointment

"Wha? Post 2? Confused." You say? To make up for lost time, I'm posting more than once today :) So go back to the previous post, and there you will find the usual weekly update.

So...I had a midwife appointment today. I took a half day off (morning) of work for it, because it was the glucose test appointment. The glucola drink was larger, grosser (which I realize isn't a word), and flatter than I remember it being. The lab tech assured me it was the same as before. She was definitely wrong.

Weight was okay, blood pressure was great, heartbeat was 137 bpm (Colin's was 136 bpm at this point). Baby is still head down with feet to my right. I asked my midwife if there was any way to avoid getting Group B Strep this time around, and she said no. It took 2 nurses about an hour to get an IV in my arm last time, and that was uber annoying so I'd like to avoid that if I can. But I guess it's out of my control.

Since my midwife's cool like that, she said she was going to skip the cervical check since I didn't have any pre-term labor problems with Colin :) YES!

I have an appointment a month from now, and then I start the every-other-week appointments. Seriously, this pregnancy has flown by. Before I know it, I'll be all snuggled up with a baby in a warm house during the cold winter :)

After my appointment, I had some time to kill so I went to Caribou for a Hot Apple Blast and Bruegger's for a sundried tomato bagel with a slice of muenster cheese. Then I was off to Kohl's to use my $10 free card to buy some fleece jammies for Colin to wear since it has been so cold at night. After I browsed at TJMaxx and Target, I headed back to work. I was not feeling well at all the rest of the afternoon, but I made it through the day.