SNEAK PEAK: Audrey's Nursery

...a work in progress...

Head Down, Bottoms Up!

28 days left.
Oh.my.gosh.
We are down to DAYS!!!

Actually...we have a few running "Due Dates".

Wednesday, September 23rd. The first date our doctor told us in the 8week ultrasound (which is what we've been sticking to).

Tuesday, September 22nd. The date written in my medical chart based on that first ultrasound. (I could have heard wrong, but hubs heard the same thing.)

Friday, September 25th. The due date, based on my BIG 20 week ultrasound. (Although, the first ultrasound is usually more accurate since baby's will grow at their own pace, but all start the same size. So earlier on the variance in size is slim.)

In reality our official due date is probably 9/22/09. But since I started this blog based on 9/23/09... pics are on Wednesdays and that little Baby Ticker on the right is based on that date too.....that's what we're sticking with. For now.

*****

Audrey Marie is gaining about an ounce a day, weighs almost 6lbs (like a crenshaw melon), and is about 18.5 inches. She's starting to lose some of that baby fuzz, as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy stuff that protected her skin for the past 36 weeks.

Next time you're at the the grocery store, pick up a 6 pound melon. And take a moment of silence for my aching hips and back. haha. For those of you who don't know what the heck a crenshaw melon looks like (myself included):

And, as of now....our good little girl is HEAD DOWN! :) There's always time for her to flip, but hopefully she'll stay right where she needs to be.

Baby Bump - 36 Weeks

Countdown: 5 Weeks to Go!

35 weeks have flown by! In 5 weeks...possibly less...but no more than 7...we'll have a daugher. What an amazing thought.

Audrey is already about 18 inches long and is around 5 1/4 pounds...think honeydew. She doesn't have much room to do somersaults anymore, but you can bet she's finding room to kick and wiggle around.

Have I dropped? Is she head down? Heck if I know. haha. I have a feeling if she's not head down yet, then she's getting there, because her hiccups are at the lower part of my belly now...and about 99% of her kicks are at the top right. I've been getting some major leg spasms once or day or so...and my hips are starting to feel the pressure......so that could be a sign that she's getting ready to drop or has already started? Your guess is as good as mine. If I remember correctly (which is highly unlikely these days)...but I think the doc will check at my appointment next week. I'll keep ya posted.

This weekend we'll be putting things together (swing, bouncer, carseat) and packing our hospital bags. And, if my body can keep up....hopefully I'll get some of Audrey's laundry washed and ready.

Onto the bump:

[Sorry the picture is so BIG. My editor is acting up. When I make it smaller, it gets too pixalated]

Baby Bump - 35 Weeks

Happy Hump-Bump Day - 34 Weeks!

I still cannot believe how fast this pregnancy has progressed. Only 6 weeks left. Seriously!? It seems so close.....I can see the end of the pregnancy and the beginning of our life with our daughter. But I've realized that even though the weeks lessen, and D-Day gets closer... the days start to seem longer. I'm sure it's a combination of the anticipation of meeting our little sweet pea and my body getting more uncomfortable.

Audrey is now about 4 3/4 pounds, similar to the average size of a cantaloupe. (No wonder my hip bone and back are hurting!) And she's almost 18 inches long. But...if she's anything like her mama (who was 19 inches at birth), I'm sure her length growth will start to slow. :) Her central nervous system and lungs are still maturing, so we need her to stay in my belly for at least another 4 weeks minimum. (6 max would be great though!) The good news is that babies born between 34 & 37 weeks generally tend to do pretty well, aside from a brief stay in the NICU. Audrey Marie, listen to your mama....please stay put for a lil while longer!

As the end of my last trimester approaches, I often find myself reflecting on being pregnant. I didn't anticipate feeling this natural growing a body inside my own. All of the kicks & jabs, feeling tired, occasional hormones (and tears), the hunger pangs and bloating, the additional weight and pressure on my body...I never thought I'd be so happy to endure all of these symptoms. And, I certainly didn't think I'd be able to listen to what my body needs...without the guilt. Or at least less guilt. (Ladies, you know what I'm talking about...you know, when you have a long day at work, or just feel mentally or physically exhausted.....but feel guilty for not cleaning/cooking/going to the gym/etc?!) Well, since I've been pregnant...I feel less guilty when I need to listen to my body and take it slow. Because, really, if I'M run down...she's going to feel the effects. It's also helps to have such supportive and helpful husband who picks up the slack. (And also encourages R&R with movie nights and trips to Maggie Moos Ice Creamery...our fav).

Onto the every growing bump!

Baby Bump - 34 Weeks

Crazy Hormone Induced Dreams

Ever since I can remember, I've been a sleep walker and I sleep "see things".

I've never been one who has interesting dreams on a regular basis though. Never the cool dreams about flying or doing something courageous. Sure, they're in color. But aside from that--they are boring and unrealistic. My "home" in my dreams is not my real home; my "friends" are rarely my real friends. In fact-I cannot remember half of my dreams.

But since I was younger, whenever I'm stressed...mentally or physically exhausted... I do strange things. It all started when I was going to take my first trip away from my parents...and continues now into my twenty-eighth year of life. When I was younger, it usually consisted of me getting out of bed and walking out of my room/house/hotel and looking for something or someone. Although these days, I'm not so much of an escape artist as I am a hallucinater. Yep. I see things: spiders hanging down from the ceiling, bugs or mice on the ground, people. My dear, sweet husband knows the crazy look in my eyes now, and can ring me in and get me back to sleep in seconds.

Enter pregnancy hormones.

Scary Dream #1
One of my first pregnancy dreams, I "woke up" in a panic. Sat straight up and searched around for the baby. Charlie had crawled to the top of the bed and was having trouble getting comfortable...and was scratching around in the sheets and blankets. Apparently this was where Audrey was supposed to be sleeping.

"Where is she!?" I screamed.
Chris woke and looked at me, puzzled, "Who?"
"The baby!" Where is she!?" I couldn't fathom why he was remaining so calm.

This is the moment Chris probably realized his wife was in the running for the loony bin...again. What he said or did is slightly a blur, but I remember becoming acutely aware that I was dreaming and baby was safely in my belly. Even though I knew I was dreaming, I couldn't shake the feelings and was so sad. Darn hormones win.

Scary Dream #2
Sometimes (in real life) Audrey shows us just how little room she has in my uterus. She'll drag her knee or elbow across my belly...and you can see it poking out. Or she'll kick really hard and repeatedly, and I'm convinced I can feel her little foot pushing on my belly. It's crazy to be able to make out the body part (or at least think I can tell what it is).

Well, last night my dreams (and hormones) took this idea a little too far. In dreamland, Audrey was pushing my belly...kicking at first...and then nudging with her baby fist. THEN... apparently my skin became very pliable and I could SEE the details of her hand -- my stomach forming around her as she reached for me!! WHAT THE HECK?? I was so scared, but so amazed at the same time as she tried to hold my finger.

But thinking about this dream now...with sunlight & reason at at the forefront of my mind...and I am completely freaked out! **chills**

Hormones, please have mercy!

And....please, please....don't let my daughter be as crazy as me!!

33 Week Bump

Okay, here we are...33 weeks into this pregnancy and 7 weeks remaining. Still cannot believe how fast it's passing by! People ask how I'm feeling these days. Although are quite a few things slowing me down lately, we have so much to be grateful for that I cannot complain. (Well, I can't complain too much).

Audrey is just over 4 pounds...imagine a nice, ripe pineapple. Her length is passing 17 inches now and she's starting to lose that wrinkled, alien look. She's moving more than ever and getting stronger, too. (Is it possible to be internally bruised? Cuz I definitely have sensitive spots in my belly!) Kick me as much as you'd like, baby girl......just keep healthy, and don't try to come meet us too early! But not too late either! :)

Onto the bump...

Baby Bump - 33 Weeks

Ode to Charlie

We brought our "fur-baby" home in December 2006 soon after we got back from our honeymoon. Little tiny Charlie was 8 weeks old, 3lbs, and most definitely the cutest puppy ever. (Modesty??) He's a cocker spaniel and bichon frise mix. They call him a Cock-a-chon; I endearingly call him our furry mutt. :)

Charlie - around 2 months old

Charlie - around 2 months old

Although Chuck's life will be forever changed when Audrey joins our family, we think he'll adjust fine. At that point, he'll be just about 3years old. He's had plenty of practice with kids, including our nephews, niece, and plenty of neighborhood kids, too. Honestly, I don't think Charlie will pay our daughter too much attention...until she is able to roll the ball for him! (One track mind. Seriously.)

Charlie - 2 years old

People are often saying to us, "Poor Charlie will be ignored when you have your baby" or "You'll forget all about him" etc. We have no doubt that having a baby will change all aspects our lives...including the time given to the Chuck-meister. And we know those first few weeks months will kick our butts and Charlie will have to do with a lil less attention. But we also know that this attention-craving, ball obsessed, cheese-lovin fur-ball will always be an important part of our lives......and we won't neglect him. We'll incorporate him into our evolving family. How could you not love this pup??

Here are a couple clips of our "practice baby" for your amusement: