Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Belly Cast

We finally did the belly cast today. We don't have many pictures of it. Let me tell you...it was messy. It's not as clean and easy looking as it is on TV or in magazines! But we had fun doing it!! Obviously I haven't decorated it yet. I'm going to wait until Baby M arrives so I can personalize it and decorate according to his/her gender. Funny enough the cast makes you look bigger than you really are. I've had fun putting it back on after it dried and there's still some room. Maybe it molds to how big you're going to get???


Monday, January 30, 2006

Our 11th Prenatal Appointment

Currently: 36 weeks

WOW..11th appt already. I feel like we've been living at the Dr's office! Everything went well. My gestational diabetes is under control. Baby is still growing a tad bit ahead of schedule and my weight has been slowly creeping up. I gained another 1/2 lb. It seems like it's been about a half a pound a week! Baby M decided to kick and move while the Dr was checking its heartbeat. Going from side to side on my stomach. It's kinda funny and scary at the same time whenever he/she does that. Suddenly my stomach will be uneven.

Dr. Phillips was impressed at the fact that I've done so well. I think I've done ok, but believe me...I have many aches and pains that I felt I couldn't handle. He assured me the Braxton Hicks contractions would be coming more frequently. He's happy I didn't swell in the hands or feet. He says I'm still considered "high risk" because of my blood pressure...but I've been a good high risk pregnant lady cause my blood pressure has been under control. YAY!

He also told us that he suggested to Kevin to start his leave anywhere between Feb 21st and Feb 27th to be safe. He said if it happens sooner, then it happens sooner. Oh my gosh..that was a reality check huh? The baby's position hasn't completely dropped.....but is lower than before. So Dr. Phillips said the baby is on its way down. He also measured and said he feels like the baby is still growing a little bit ahead of schedule. Our last ultrasound on Feb. 7th will confirm everything. *WHEW*

Thursday, January 26, 2006

I've become an Insomniac

So I think I've officially turned into an insomniac. The past week or so I haven't been able to sleep. I go to bed around 9pm or 10pm, then wake up at 2:30am as if I had slept all through the night. When I wake up I'm fairly well rested...even though it's early in the morning. I try to lay in bed and fall back asleep, but it never works. So I end up going downstairs so I don't wake Kevin. I clean house, do laundry, go on the computer, watch tv and scrapbook in the wee hours of the morning. What is wrong with me!? I know it has a lot to do with being sick right now, as well as an uncomfortable pregnant lady. Weirdest thing is no matter how tired I get through the day....I still don't end up taking a nap. I sure I can get a good night's sleep soon. Is my body preparing me for NO SLEEP? With only 5 more weeks to go..who knows when I'll ever get the sleep I need again!!!

The good thing is I've been able to update the website more often, finish the pregnancy journey scrapbook I started and start the baby scrapbook. The few things I know I won't have much time for after Baby M arrives.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Our bags are PACKED!

With all the contractions I've been having lately Kevin thought it would be good to get our bags packed. So we're all ready! I've got my bag packed as well as the baby's bag. I've also got our birth plan printed and ready! It's becoming more and more real!!!

Monday, January 23, 2006

35 weeks and counting....

Currently: 35 weeks Weight gained this week: 1/2 lb

We've reached 35 weeks today....and boy...I'm really starting to feel more pregnant everyday! The waddling is starting because of the aches in the hips, the Braxton Hick's contractions are more and more everyday and the baby movement is unbelieveable! Aside from being 35 weeks pregnant....I've been sick for the past week and a half w/strep throat and a bad cold. Between running a fever, coughing, sniffling and a stuffy nose....I have the pregnancy aches and pains right along with it. Gee whiz....I'm definitely and 35 weeks and counting!!!!
Kevin made a comment the other day and said, "Wow....5 weeks or less and we'll have a baby!" It's amazing just thinking about it!! We're scared, nervous and excited.


Tuesday, January 10, 2006

A busy day for baby....

....as well as Mommy and Daddy!

Grandma and Grandpa McMaster arrived yesterday to stay in Arizona for a few days.
We started off the morning with our monthly ultrasound. Bright and early, we went to the imaging center to get Baby's 32 week ultrasound. After 52 pictures and images of the Baby, we got to peek around at several closeup images of Baby M's face. Baby was bashful at times and decided to cover its face w/its feet and arms. The technician says I'm now measuring at 33 1/2 weeks rather than 32 weeks. And baby is weighing 4lbs 10oz. I'm predicting a February Baby!!!



Later in the afternoon, Vicki (a photographer)came to the house for our "maternity" photo shoot w/Kevin and I. It was so fun. Baby kept kicking and moving while we were taking pictures. The pictures came out great. I've never taken such initimate, "revealing" types of pictures before. Kevin and I took some fun ones as well. Here's a sneak peek of our favorite shots:



Then at night we had our 2nd night of our childbirth preparation class. Labor, contractions, pushing, things to look out for..etc was the topics of the night. 2 more weeks of these classes.

Monday, January 9, 2006

Our 10th Prenatal Appointment - 32 weeks

Currently: 32 weeks
Another Dr. appt with Dr. Phillips. I went for my routine check up. Measurements, weight, questions..etc. Everything was fine. I've gained another l lb and 1/2 an inch in my waist! YAY! Baby's heartbeat and measurements were great. With about 7 more weeks of the pregnancy to go I will have to start seeing my Dr every week. They will do stress tests on the baby and do some monitoring. Other than that, my blood pressure is great and the only concern is monitoring my blood sugar levels.
We're almost to the end!!!


Wednesday, January 4, 2006

Childbirth Preparation Class

Lastnight was our first night of our "childbirth preparation class". This is no longer called, "Lamaze class". It was an interesting 2 hours. There were at least 15 other couples all within 29 wks - 37 wks. We did everything from watching a birth movie, practiced breathing exercises, talked about what changes our bodies are going through...etc. Kevin (along with the other men in the class) didn't seem to take the childbirth movie too well. I agree it was pretty gruesome seeing it. I guess that's the good thing with women is they're doing it, not seeing it. 3 more weeks of this class...hopefully Kevin will be a bit more relaxed about labor and delivery by the time our baby comes!


31 weeks



Monday, January 2, 2006

Our New Years Celebration

We started off our New Years Eve morning driving from Phoenix to Temecula/Murrieta at 4am (our time). We arrived at The Alkassawat Home, hung out and relaxed. We all went to dinner at TGIF's for New Years eve and fell asleep by 8pm! I woke up at midnight and kissed Kevin, said "Happy New Year" to him and the baby and went back to bed. That's the New Year's Eve of a pregnant lady! LOL
Thanks to Nick and Noemi for putting up with us for the weekend!