Dear Baby - 37 Weeks

37w

Dear Baby,

One of the first things I said when I woke up this morning (after discussing my echoing flatulence in the middle of the night with your dad) was, "Okay BL. You are free to come any day now. You are starting to really hurt mom. Make it snappy!" or something like that. That's right BL, you are full term today and welcomed by medical professionals everywhere to make your appearance whenever you so choose (although some of them are evil and would love to see you stay inside and torture me for another 3-4 weeks). I have no idea how much you weigh, or how long you are because all of my sources, including the REAL ones like THE DOCTOR are conflicting. It's a guessing game now!

It's amazing that when I look at the normal websites that I check to reference for my posts, I notice that the tickers that were once at a measly 8 weeks and seemed like they would never near the end, are finally running out of things to tell me. I suspect that if I make it past 40 weeks the articles will just read, "Overdue, huh? That must really suck. Like, bad. Good luck pushing that ham out of your ass!" and then my computer starts making a ticking noise and proceeds to shut down and refuse to ever turn on again. A sign of the Apocalypse for sure.

When we venture out, we scare people, BL. I get all kinds of looks now and people seem to run away from us because HOT DAMN they don't want to be the one caught delivering a baby in Blockbuster. I guess that me stopping by the new release section to grab my stomach and wince because you are using my bladder for a trampoline doesn't help.

People also love to make predictions at this point in the game just by looking at you. I have gotten "You'll go tomorrow" to "Yeah, I don't think you are going to have him anytime soon". It's really easy to distinguish the nice people from the sadists right now. Har har. People also love to turn themselves into medical professionals at this point as well. I didn't know that there was a college somewhere handing out medical degrees! Must.find.college.

"You are having back pain? You will for sure go into labor tonight." No, I have a BABY pushing on my SPINE.
"You feel like vacuuming? You're nesting! I bet you go into labor within the next couple days!" Actually, I was eating crackers for a snack and now there are crumbs all over the carpet. This is fun!

I am kidding, BL. Sort of. People are being really really nice to us and it is reassuring knowing that everyone cares so much. Of course I am guilty of making predictions for others as well. It's just fun! And if you are right, Publisher's Clearing House is sure to stop by your house and hand you a check for 10 billion dollars. I'll explain who those people are to you later.

Come out soon okay? We really want to meet you! 3 weeks left until your official due date.

Dear Baby - 36 Weeks

36w

Dear Baby,

We made it! Month nine is officially here and we only have 28 days left to go! I think I am more excited about this than anyone because although I am not working anymore, each day is becoming a challenge. Sleeping is hit or miss and I actually ended up on the couch for the first time two days ago. My hips hurt pretty bad and my back of course is struggling to support you. I may sound like I am complaining, and I am a little bit, but I know this is all worth it because I will get to meet you in less than a month!

Most of the baby websites are clocking you in at a hefty 6 pounds this week, but I am guessing that based on where the doctor measured you 2 weeks ago, you are more like 5.5. You are now most likely at your final length which can be anywhere from 17-20+ inches long (give or take). Since your dad and I are on the small side, I am guessing that when it comes to height, you will be too. Unless you caught some of the tall genes that seem to pop up here and there. You have been getting hiccups about 3 times a day for the past couple weeks and you remain super active most of the time.

Most mornings, you are curled up in a little ball nice and tight (probably from all of my flipping while I sleep) and then by nighttime, you stretch out making my belly appear a little wider. Either way, you are so big now and I think you and I are really starting to make people nervous. When we go out in public, there is always at least one person that asks me if I am due that day, or plan to give birth tomorrow. As much as I want to be snarky and tell them that yes, I totally planned it out so that I could give birth beside the voting booth or the check-out line, I refrain. I give my best smile and tell them that, "No, I still have a little under a month to go".

4 weeks to be exact!

She recovered them!

35w 5d

I was delighted to get an email from Melissa Reynolds yesterday letting me know that she found my maternity session as well as most of the other sessions she was missing. She is still looking for more pregnant girls to do some maternity sessions with her (details on her blog) and make sure you check out her website- she does wonderful work and I am so excited to have her come photograph Mason when he gets here. So without further ado, here are three of the proofs that she has up on her blog:

Kudos to my gorgeous husband for being such a good sport and posing for a couple shots with me. He had a big part in this as well, so it was only fitting!

Torpedo Belleh Rages On

35w 1d

Stretch mark city. Still just staying in the hip area. Praise Jeebus.

Photo Update

I got an email from the photographer this morning saying her external hard drive is not being recognized by her computer. It had all of last month's sessions on it! Poor thing! So, there will be no photos. Boo. I am bummed, but I can't imagine how she feels losing all that work!

So I will definitely take and post a new belly photo today, sorry guys!

Dear Baby - Week 34

34w

Dear Baby,

ZzzzzzZzzzZZzz....WHAT? ::wipes drool:: Oh, hi baby. You see, you are making it very hard for mommy to sleep lately with all of your sudden weight gain and disco parties. Yeah, I am aware that I already did a whiny post yesterday about all of my 'ailments', but last night was super-fun considering my hips feel like they might fall off. Then you would have a no-hip mom and that would make for awkward conversation. I find myself becoming less and less fun these days and more and more cynical and "mumbly". Zzzzz ::snore::

Hey! Good morning baby, how are you today? This week, according to the emails that flood my inbox on a daily basis, you weigh close to 5 pounds and are somewhere around 18 inches long. I can believe it since the kicks, punches and rolls are really hurting now - I know I have said they hurt in the past, but NO REALLY they kill now. Especially the kicks and what feels like lobster claw pinches around what is surely my cervix. This gives me what feels like period cramps, sometimes throws me into a Braxton-Hicks contraction, and always makes my back hurt. The emails tell me that your fluid is at a max and there is most likely more baby then fluid now, which is why all of the movement is more noticeable, especially on the outside. I mean, anything that can take your dad's eyes away from The Office re-runs for a couple minutes MUST be pretty spectacular. We are really getting a kick (pun intended) out of watching you "throw bows" and knees and feet, butt and head all over my abdomen. Speaking of that fruit smuggling stomach, check this shit out:
Here I am at week 29:

And here I am this week (week 34):

BOMBS AWAY! TORPEDO BELLEH!!! Lock up your kids and call the National Guard!
Oh yeah, and did you notice? Can you see the fun scribbles I have now? Yes, those red marks on my hips, yes those are STRETCH MARKS. Dun dun dunnnnn. Good thing is I don't have them anywhere on the front of the belly. Yet. The only thing showing up there are veins as blue as the sky. I am pretty proud that I made it 33-ish (I noticed these last week) weeks without any stretch marks. AND I am pretty damn proud that I can still wear my wedding rings.

And just for fun, because all of the emails are tell me you are like a cantaloupe this week, this is what mom my looks like with her shirt down (I can hear that! Stop it with the sighs of relief Internet!):

6 more weeks until I stop comparing you to fruit. 3 more weeks until you can "legally" come out. I would prefer the latter.

Dear Baby - 31 Weeks

31w

Dear Baby,

I have a feeling time is going to start to really fly by now. Our first shower is this weekend and that of course means that B-Day is getting closer and closer since people will be giving us gifts to make your arrival much easier. You are actually going to have to leave your happy home soon and make your way into the milder-than-usual Ohio summer. I know I have said this before, but you really picked a great year to be born. A lot of people will try to tell you otherwise Baby Luc, but don't listen to them. Pay no attention to the gas prices, milk prices, war or the HUGE let downs that are Cleveland sports. Instead, focus on the impending presidential election (hey, since I have been born only 3 families have controlled the White House, boring!), new square milk jugs, Olympics, people being forced to be more efficient and green and the possibility that the Browns could be better than last year (which actually wasn't that bad of a season anyways).

I always try to look on the positive side of things, since we tend to surround ourselves with negativity on a daily basis (the root of many problems) and you have helped me with that so much this year. You are so innocent (or so I think, ninja baby) and nonjudgmental and even though I know that won't last forever, I hope you can hang on to at least a little bit of that. You are also getting BIG. As usual. You should be nearing 4 pounds and 17 inches and will be putting on close to half a pound a week until week 38. That would put you right at 7.5 pounds (the average). Of course the OB is keeping a close eye on this since I have GD. Neither the doctor OR I would like you to get too much bigger. As your dad always tells me, I am a tiny little person (or I was).

Your new loves are Coldplay (you dance to the new album when I play it for you) and A Baby Story on TLC. For some reason, every time I watch that show, you go nuts. Do you know what's going on? Do you get excited because you will get to do that soon? Or is it the babies crying? I guess I will never know! Your movements are slowing down a little, which could either be from the lack of sugar in the foods I now eat, or the fact that you are probably running out of room in there. I am already missing your every half hour disco parties.

Self-portrait this week - how did I do? Gotta love camera timers! Notice anything different about this photo? I'll give you a hint - look around my neck/shoulder area.

9 more weeks little monkey boy!

Dear Baby - 29 Weeks

29 Weeks

Dear Baby,

Ouch. For real. What are you doing in there? You better come out with an in-womb-homemade dagger set, or some serious nun chucks because I don't think it's possible for a 2.6 pound, 16 inch little boy to cause that much discomfort and movement. Wow. Your dad and I (and some others) are convinced that you are perhaps super intelligent, growing at Jack-like rates or are incredibly bored and just haven't quite figured how to get out yet. (Please don't do this. You need to cook longer) I'm serious BL, people can see you move from the outside from across a room. You're such a little show-off!

This past week was a challenge for us, as we were used for a human pin cushion since Friday and you went on two separate sugar-induced highs from the lovely glucose drink. Good news though - I passed the 3-hour glucose test and all is fine and dandy in the world of sugar consumption and gestational diabetes. I have also began my twice-monthly appointments, and you know what that means - we are almost there. I will go at 30, 32, 34 and 36 weeks THEN I will start once-a-week appointments until you decide to come out and play. Time is flying by and with showers starting soon, and the impending births of all of your little friends, I know you will be here in no time. We cannot wait to meet you and see what all the in-womb fuss was about.

You are demanding more calcium from me, which explains my constant milk/cheese/yogurt cravings, so that your bones can continue to get stronger (you know, because the hard elbows and knees protruding from my stomach weren't enough). Your brain is also growing larger, so that means that your head is too. Perfect.

Your dad and I were having fun looking at the progression of my belly shots last night and I was making fun of myself for thinking I was SO HUGE at 12 weeks. Pfft. I was SKINNY. I have gotten bigger from last week and I know it will continue to happen as you grow. I am sure I will look back at this week's picture towards the end and laugh that I had no clue just how huge I was capable of getting. But the good news is that there are no noticeable stretch marks yet (that I can see) and that I am still wearing my wedding rings. I also have been noticing that infamous dark line making it's presence known under my belly button.

Only 11 more weeks until we can begin teaching you how to clean up cat puke at 6am.

Dear Baby - 28 Weeks

28w

Dear Baby,

Moo. That's right, moo. Evidently you are producing androgen and estrogen now that will stimulate my breast milk to come in. I haven't sprung a leak yet, but I suspect it will happen at a very inopportune time - like while I am out to eat, with a client, or when I finally get to meet Barack Obama. So this whole edema thing, it keeps happening every other week. So strange. From what I can tell, it has NOTHING to do with the weather but more to do with your position. So do me a favor little one, move your ass off of whatever you are sitting on and let some fluid and blood flow in and out of my legs. Was that a no that I just heard? Okay then, I will have the masseuse help me out in that department tonight. Yes, internets, I am bragging. But this will surely make you feel sorry for me:

If the hugeness of the State Puff feet don't make you sad, the state of my toenails and leftover burnt skin surely will.

Besides playing with my organs and causing me to swell all of the time, you now enjoy running your elbows up and down my insides. You only do this when I go to bed and I lay on my left side. I must say, it the weirdest feeling EVER. Are you doing baby yoga in there? I suspect that you are. That or you are practicing your form for free-throws and using my ribs as a target. I know I sound like I am complaining little one, but I am not. I know I will miss feeling you inside of me when you transition to an outside baby but it is SO DAMN WEIRD. You are for sure my little wiggle worm. Binx is not impressed as he is the original baby, or OB (kinda like OG):

You now weigh about 2.5 pounds and are 15.75 inches long! AND guess what? We made it to the third trimester OFFICIALLY. The final countdown has begun (cue the music). You continue to put on fat, make red blood cells, and your eyesight may be good enough to detect light filtering through the womb. I don't really run around with my belly out so much, so I am not sure if you have witnessed this yet. I thought about this fact last night though, and decided it was time to start doing bare-belly shots for that added shocking effect. Look! No stretch marks so far:

Do you like my hot pj shorts baby? Well get used to them, because in 12 weeks you will be seeing a lot more of them!

Dear Baby - 26 weeks

26w

Dear Baby,

You recently opened your eyes and can now see your cozy little home (for the next 3 months anyways) although I am not sure it is very bright in there. Hopefully you have a good imagination. This past week was a big one for your dad and I. It is so weird to see a crib and blue walls every time we walk past your room. I can't wait for you to see it. See?! Because you can see now! Hopefully your eyes will turn out better than your parent's eyes. If not, don't worry - there have been huge strides made in the style of glasses since your dad was little. I am still hoping that you do get your dad's beautiful blue eyes. I know I will be in major trouble if you do though. How will I ever tell you no?

I was watching a show on Discovery Health two nights ago about a woman who gave birth to her quads at 25 or 26 weeks and they were all a little bit smaller than you are right now (being multiples of course) weighing in at under 2 pounds each (you should be a solid 2 pounds by now and 14 inches long). I couldn't stop thinking that you are that size right now, inside of me. You look like a baby. Wow. This is all becoming a little too real now. I washed what clothes you have so far and put them in the dresser and I couldn't stop thinking about how small they are. I was having a little bit too much fun imagining you in them.

I am having some issues with swelling in my feet and ankles, especially on the right side. I really started to notice it last night and though it isn't severe, it is a little scary. I elevated my feet and even after only being on my feet for 20 minutes this morning, the swelling was back. I did some online research and found that it could be worse on the right side because of your positioning. I do plan on calling into the doctor today just to be safe. I have been sleeping so much better (besides when your dad elbows me in the back) and I would give my energy level a 7 on a 10 point scale right now. The weather so far has been wonderful for a pregnant women in Ohio. I am dreading when Summer does decide to come though, since it will most likely be 65 one day and 90 the next. Can't wait!

It's been a while (3 weeks actually) since we took a belly shot, but here it is! I don't feel that much bigger than I was 3 weeks ago, so I added the 23 week belly shot at the bottom for comparison.

26 weeks above, 23 weeks below.


Alright, 14 weeks to go wiggle worm!

Fruit Smuggler

23w

Cantaloupe? Watermelon? You decide.

The US Has Issued a Code Orange Belly Button Alert

20w 6d

Time for a Belly Button Watch 2008 update. I want to introduce you to my, er, the United State's new code system for Belly Button Alerts:

Code Blue - Normal, not even pregnant
Code Green - Just pregnant, still an innie
Code Yellow - Starting to become shallow
Code Orange - Completely flush with the rest of the belly skin
Code Red - Full-on outie.

Ladies and gents of the internets, we are now at a full code ORANGE, I repeat a full code ORANGE. The in-depth description for a full code orange is as follows: Belly button is completely flush with the rest of the stomach skin. It no longer looks like a cut piece of a hot dog, but a smashed piece of a cut hot dog. The top portion of the belly button now protrudes a small amount out further than the rest of the belly button. Full disgust of husband is now complete. He will start giving you strange looks and is almost afraid of said belly button. He will hesitate when you demand that he feels it, YOU MUST FEEL THIS!

Image of code orange (please ignore the nasty scar of my youth):

Typical response of person attached to code orange belly button:

I hope that your meals for the rest of the week have not been ruined.

Details, Details

20w 2d

What a crazy two days it has been! Yesterday was very fun but very tiring. We had both sides of our family over last night to reveal the news and then a family issue to attend to early today. I know you are all waiting so patiently to hear about the appointment, right?

We got up early yesterday morning and headed for the doctor. To our delight, the ultrasound was first and it was so fun. Of course Paul screamed, "I just saw a wiener!" as soon as the ultrasound tech (UT) turned the thing on. The UT quickly replied with, "Come on. I have been doing this for a long time. I think I can save the best for last!". She then informed him that what he saw was the umbilical cord. Indeed it was, this time. She checked all of the boring yet important stuff out first - ovaries, uterus, placenta, fluid levels, etc. Then she began the fun stuff. We looked at his brain, organs, blood flow, heart (a mighty 150 bpm, how's that for old wives tales?), fingers (10!), toes (10!), bones, etc. He was very active as usual and tried sucking on his thumb a couple times, only to settle for some quick drinks of amniotic fluid. Yum.

After looking over all of his PERFECT little pieces-parts, it was time for the moment of truth. Paul happened to be looking at my stomach to see where the UT had the wand and he heard the UT and I start letting out cries of joy. "There it is! Oh, that is FOR SURE a boy!", said the UT. Paul snapped his head back to the screen and stood up to give out some Tiger Wood-ish punches. The best part was that once we found the penis, Baby Boy Luc immediately started playing with it. So typical. In the end, we walked out of the ultrasound room with 14 pictures total. Here are some of my favorites:

Later that evening, our families came over for food and a special cake cutting. I had filled a cake with blue filling and my dad (the birthday boy) was to cut into it so that everyone could FINALLY see what the baby was. Once he cut into it the first time and pulled out the cutter to make his next cut, it was all over. There was a streak of blue on the cake cutter and everyone knew right away! Mission accomplished.

We are so excited about this little boy and so in love with him already. He is already showing his little personality and lets me know when he likes or dislikes what I am doing. So cute! We cannot wait to meet him! Let the name debating begin!

20 weeks!

Surprise! A Saturday Post!

19w2d

Dear Baby - 18 Weeks

18w

Dear Baby,

I have a feeling you are a ninja. Or an acrobat. You sure have been kicking the hell out of me this week, which I love to feel because I know you are happy in there (or unhappy about what I just fed you). You always kick me after I eat and are especially active in the morning (like now). I am calling you a ninja because one minute you will kick me way down low, then the minute it will be up higher towards my belly button. Sometimes it's in the middle. I imagine you doing flips and roundhouse kicks in there, or maybe some karate chops? Enjoy your space now little one because you are growing by leaps and bounds (6 inches long and 7 ounces this week) and will be running out of room soon.

This week your skin is being covered by vernix, or as I like to call it... BIRTH LUBE! I know it is to protect your soft skin, but it will also help with delivery. Momma likey. You can fully hear me now and your ears are in the proper position. I have been trying to cut back on the trucker-talk and have been using letters instead of words to communicate my frustration. For example, F, B, GD, OPP? Kidding. I know you are probably sick of hearing your dad and I say, "And Gary, on the kick drum, come come. Come come Gary, on the kick drum...". You are probably all like, "Who is Gary?". Some day I will sit down and watch The Breakup with you and it will all make sense.

I have definitely seen a slow down in my movements. I have learned that if I take my time getting up, walking, rolling over and bending down, I will not get those pains I have been talking about. I am also suffering from the "Dropsies". I read that the ligaments in pregnant women's hands will loosen for some strange reason. When I try to hold onto anything that is somewhat light, I usually drop it. Then I have to pick it up, slowly. This has thrown my whole day off. I need to get up earlier.

Guess what? Chicken butt. No really, guess what? We are going to Cincinnati this weekend to hang out with your auntie Anne. Guess what else? We are going to the aquarium, they have penguins there. Also, Anne lives close to Ohio's only IKEA. AND she said she would make us a smoothie. Are you as excited as I am?

2 more weeks until the BIG ultrasound and 22 more weeks until I show you what a Wii is.

Dear Baby - 17 Weeks

17w

Dear Baby-

Some very amazing things have been happening this past week. I am sure this is just the start. I have been feeling you more and more as you grow stronger. I am beginning to learn about the person you already are each and every day. For example, last night while I was cooking, you were kicking me. It was really the first time I could actually feel you kick me when I wasn't laying or sitting completely still. I went to take a breather on the couch beside your dad and he decided to try and feel you. I had to be really still, pretty much hold my breath, and he had to push in on my stomach, but he felt you. The look on his face was the sweetest thing ever. He was so happy. I know how frustrating this must have been getting for him. I am getting to have all the fun.

I am also realizing that it is pretty easy to tell the difference between gas bubbles and your soccer practice sessions since my stomach and intestines are getting pretty high in my abdomen now. My belly has really popped this week and on Easter I resembled quite the egg. I am amazed at how different my body looks now, but I must say, I have never looked better (well, minus the break-out this past week, my fault though). I also had a dream this past week that you were a girl. This confused me. The entire time through this pregnancy I have been getting very strong boy vibes. Now I have this dream. What am I supposed to think? I am all mess up now. Either way, we will love you so much. But I must warn you: If you are a girl, be prepared to like sports.

You are continuing to get so big! You are now over 5 inches and weigh 5 ounces - the size of an onion, or turnip and the weight of a 3 cup Tupperware container with a staple remover, highlighter and 3 pens in it. No, I don't know how I came up with that. No, I FOR SURE didn't weigh all that stuff on the postal scale just now. You are starting to get that cute baby fat this week and are practicing reactive listening. I sure hope you like the Peanut Butter Jelly Time song and would like to apologize for my singing skills. My goal this weekend is to put a mix tape together on my iPod for you, and find some good headphones to drown out the sound of my horrible singing.
Here's me at 16w 5d, but we'll use it for the 17 week photo since nothing has changed in two days. Also, I apologize for the picture quality, must teach Paul about focus and lighting.


Countdowns: 3 weeks until gender discovery and 23 weeks until I meet you!

A St. Patty's Day Picture Post

15w 4d

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Have a green one for me!
I haven't done a picture post in a while, and when I look at other people's blogs these are typically my favorite kinds of post. Here it goes, with narration.

First of all, I kind of woke up pregnant this weekend. I promise the belly shots will start zooming out a little, but Paul is still having trouble balancing. I am not exactly sure when it happened, but here is a picture from yesterday at 15w 3d:You can compare to the last belly picture here.
I ordered some spring-y maternity clothes yesterday online since Old Navy only has their maternity line on the web. Here's what I got:


We went and looked at cribs on Saturday and thank goodness we did. Of course we want one of the most popular cribs out there and delivery won't probably happen until late May or early June (perfect timing actually). We chose the Munire Urban line. It got an A in my bible aka Baby Bargains and converts into a toddler then full size bed. It is tres chic:

I also ordered a diaper bag (I promise this is the last baby related purchase) from Pottery Barn Kids. We had a leftover gift card from the wedding and since there really isn't anything we need for the house, I decided to go ahead and use it. It has really good ratings, converts into a backpack and is daddy friendly as well:

I also have my eye on this bag (a more stylish mommy-only bag for those shorter trips), but will not be purchasing it:
In other news, only 30 more days until we find out what the Baby Luc is, so get your votes in now! Looks like boy is still in the lead with 20 votes and 7 people think it is a girl. Also, congrats to the Golden Flashes for securing a spot in the brackets by beating Akron on Saturday - did we have any doubt?!

Belly and Presents!

13w 2d

Hey look, a Saturday post! I thought it was only fair that I post today since I missed out on yesterday. Paul is doing okay, he is in a lot of pain, but I keep feeding him the pain killers. I have been busy all morning shoveling and cleaning the house and I am in need of a nap now! A couple days ago, we got a package in the mail and I wanted to make sure I gave a shout out to Aaron, Ann, Lauren and Ben for the cute gift! Once the baby comes, I can use this to make an impression of his hand and make an ornament (when he's sleeping of course). So, thank you guys so much - we love it and can't wait to use it!
An of course, the 13 week belly picture. If anything, I think it may have gotten smaller since the bloat is finally going away. Compare for yourself! It's a little close because I had to take this one by myself (it's a little hard for Paul to balance on one leg and take a picture).
Okay. Everyone have a wonderful weekend and I'll be back Monday!

As promised

11w6d

Here is the official 12w and first ever released to the internet, belly shot. Keep in mind I just ate dinner, but it is not much bigger than when I wake up in the morning. I will try to post new belly shots every week but if I don't, don't hate mmkay?
Also, you'll notice I didn't do a Wordy Wednesday today. I can't really think of an out of the ordinary word that pertains to where I am in this pregnancy right now. If there is anything I write about that leaves you scratching your head, leave a comment and let me know! Also, please know that to leave comments, you DO NOT have to have a blogspot or Google account. You can also use a Yahoo account like I do. So I expect more comments!!

And to leave you this evening, a new shot of Mr. Binx. He is quite the model.