First Bath

A few nights ago Ben and I gave Barrett his first bath. Barrett was a little squirmy and very slippery, so it was definitely a two person job! I wasn't able to take too many pictures, yet the few I got are precious! Enjoy! 

Barrett Benjamin Spitzley

Barrett Benjamin Spitzley
Born: Sept. 8, 2006 at 2:38 pm
Weight: 8 lbs. 7 oz.
Length: 21 inches

Barrett Benjamin Spitzley is Here!!

Okay, okay so I know many of you have been patiently waiting for a post... First let me explain the pictures. The first one is me squatting outside under a full moon (as many of you suggested I do), of course I didn't really do squats, but it was all in good fun. This was around 10 pm. Low and behold at 2 am I woke up with painful contractions. Does the full moon really cause women to go into labor?!? I was due any second, but there was a full moon...hmm.... :) Anyway, the next pictures are right after delivery and in the recovery room. I'll post pictures of just Barrett in another post (I can only post so many pictures at one time).

So here's how it all happened. I woke up at 2 am with painful contractions. Yet, I have been stuck timing contractions before so I tried waiting these out in bed. They were so painful though that laying down was not a relief. I read somewhere that if you're laying down, get up and walk around. If the contractions go away then they are false labor pains. So I got up, got a drink of water and they were still there. So I showered and blow dried my hair (yet all the while these contractions were very painful). After that I decided to start timing them (it was now 3:15 am or so). The contractions ranged anywhere from 2-5 minutes and lasted about 60 seconds each time. After an hour I got tired of timing them and decided that I should wake Ben up so he could get ready to go to the hospital (on the way to the bedroom I had to stop walking during a contraction and knew it was the real deal). So around 4:30 am I woke Ben up. I was scheduled for an appointment at 10 am that day so Ben's first response to being woken up was "Can't it wait until your appointment?". Granted he was partially asleep, but I replied "Um, no". After all of our discussions about feeling like we were going to be pregnant forever and wouldn't it be nice if I had to wake Ben up to go the hospital, the day had finally arrived and it seemed surreal. I decided that I should call Jocelyn (at 4:30 am)also since she would be my second coach (she wanted me to call when we were thinking we needed to head to the hospital so that she could get things arranged at home with Gwen and other things). Anyway, Ben and I loaded up and headed to the hospital. We arrived around 6 am and that had me gown up and wait in a Triage room. They examined me and found that I was only 3 cm dilated. They decided to wait an hour and check me again to see if I had dilated anymore. So again they examined me and I was in their words "alittle more than 3" the next time. So they kept me hooked up to a machine that watched the contractions and they seemed to want to keep us waiting. I guess there was discussion about whether or not to admit us. 3 cm is borderline for admittance, yet I was overdue so they thought they shoudl admit me...they debated for a long time. During this time was when my water broke (9:30 am). Luckily I was in a hospital gown on a hospital bed (meaning no mess at my house!). That whole process is weird and very gross, but it is all natural so you have to deal with it, right?!? It felt like a balloon popping inside and then a lot of water came pouring out. After this we called in a nurse. She was so casual about the whole thing, checked that it was clear fluid (which it was) and examined me again. Her response was "Well, now that your water has broken, the contractions will become more uncomfortable". Mind you that I was already having a difficult time with each on, so this was not good news for me. Boy was she right, because no sooner were her words out of her mouth and I had another contraction. It was 1,000 times worse than the ones I had before that. They seemed to happen one on top of another and they are so indescribably painful!!! They had to admit us now (they won't let you leave once your water has broken) and I was only at 3 cm dilated. They quickly had me get onto a wheel chair so they could take us to our delivery room. At this point I was asking for the epidural like crazy and saying that I was "in hell". I literally felt like I was losing my mind. Come to find out later that my contractions were long meaning they built slowly and came down slowly after peaking (meaning they were painful for longer). Each second felt like an eternity and the epidural was heaven. Although I thought that the epidural was immediate (it's not), they said that I would have to go through a few more contractions with pain (AHGGG!). I somehow got through those and was finally able to feel "normal" again. About this time Jocelyn arrived (11 am-ish) and the doctors examined me again. They said that I was now 6-7 cm dilated. I was happy to hear that, yet I was thinking about how fast that seemed to be. Around 9:30 am when my water broke I was only 3 cm and now I was 6-7 cm. Wow! After that Ben went and got himself and Jocelyn lunch and they casually ate while thinking that they would have a long day of waiting. Boy were they wrong...soon after they finished lunch (around 1 pm) the nurse examined me again and asked "Are you ready to have a baby?". I said "wait, what did you say?" and Ben and Joss looked shocked! Ben came over to me and was very emotional and sweet. He just kept saying how much he loved me and giving me kisses on the cheek. It was a special moment. Meanwhile, the nurse was setting everything up and getting ready to go. Soon after, I started the whole pushing process. No one really ever told me about this part. There is a lot of pushing hard and waiting for contractions to build. So you push maybe three times during a contraction and then wait a few minutes for the next one, then you do it again. It felt like I was doing a lot of work for nothing, but soon enough the nurse pulled out a mirror for me to watch delivery with and we all began to see the first signs of the head. This gave me motivation with each push and really helped with the delivery. I did keep asking "how much longer" and "is it working". It was so exhausting. With every waiting period, I woudld watch the head reverse and it got frustrating. When the head was in the pelvic area, there was so much pressure and pain that I felt like I couldn't do it any longer. I know that there is no choice in that matter, but I really felt like I had to quit...it was so hard. About this time was when the doctor arrived (it had been about an hour and a half) and the head was almost out. At this point was when I pushed a lot more with each contraction because I didn't want to wait for another one. I remember pushing with all my might and watching the head come out. The doctor suctioned the nose and mouth and then asked me to give her another push. So I did and then I felt sort of a plopping/slipping out of the baby. It was a weird but wonderful feeling. Then they just put him on my belly and wiped him off. They left him there for quite a while (which was wonderful) while the doctor worked on stitching me up (I tore a little bit). The nurse then took the baby to stamp his feet and hands and do other newborn tests. We shortly after got him back and got to stare at his new eyes. It was a wonderful moment.

There is much more to share, yet I feel like I've written enough for one day. I'll quickly post more pictures of Barrett and then I'll be off for the day. 

Full Moon

Well, as Monica mentioned there is a full moon tonight. I have heard from several people that the full moon can actually cause a woman to go into labor. I looked into it a little more and this is what I found out:

"The theory is that the moon's gravitational pull effects the amniotic fluid in much the same way as it effects the water in the sea, rivers and even the water that's otherwise found in our bodies.
As a woman's body prepares for natural childbirth, the amniotic sac becomes distended so the point where it will easily burst if put under pressure. Under normal circumstances, the pressure of labor contractions bursts the sac. During a full moon, the pressure caused by the moon's effect on the water inside the sac can cause the same things to happen, but without the accompanying contractions.
When this happens, natural childbirth doesn't always move forward and with no other signs of labor present, the obstetrician may decide to induce the birth. During my own study of this phenomenon I found that of 8 women whose births started with the water breaking at full moon, 5 of them had no accompanying contractions." - http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Moons-Effect-on-Natural-Childbirth&id=70253

Yet other references say that this is all a myth and that there is actually no connection between the two (labor and full moon). So I guess that means that we'll just have to wait and see. My next doctor's appointment is tomorrow. I will be completing a stress test and checking to see that the baby is still doing okay. I'm pretty sure that I will set up an induction date tomorrow if I have yet to go into labor. I'll post as soon as I know anything.

Today's my due date...

but I guess it's not in the plans for me to have this baby today. I've read that only 5 % of women actually have their babies on their due dates anyway, so I shouldn't get too down on myself. I really thought that I would have this baby early, especially after all the days of contractions and cramping. It gets so hard day after day of pain with no results. Yesterday I spent much of the day in pain, yet nothing happened in the end. I cried. My instincts are telling me that the day is coming (well, obviously, right?!?) based on pains and aches that I am feeling. At this point the baby is ready to go. It just keeps adding weight (and adding stretch marks to my belly!), so the sooner this baby arrives the better! :) The stretch marks aren't that big of deal, really, since it will all be worth it in the end, it's just something I'm dealing with. I even have stretch marks around my belly button! :( Overall, I'm feeling okay. I am extremely uncomfortable (as many of you already know), so I have been staying in a lot and not wanting visitors. I've been a recluse and waiting for this baby to get here so I can finally feel normal again and see visitors. It will be an exciting time! 

Feeling the blues

I just thought that I should post again since so many of you are eager to know what is going on. I'm still having several contractions throughout the day, but again...nothing substantial. One exciting thing is that I "passed the plug" last night. I'm surprised it hasn't happened earlier since I am already dilated to 2 cm, but you never know I guess. As some of you know this doesn't mean a whole lot. Labor could be within the next 24 hours or it could be weeks away. It's something, but it doesn't give us much more information.

My day at work today was exhausting and I think it made my cold worse. The cold has progressed to my chest! :( I feel miserable. I think I need to go lay down now. I'll keep you posted as best I can...

Here's the update...

Okay, so the appointment was a little discouraging, but my sister keeps telling me to think positively. It is so difficult to keep thinking that way when I keep going through all this pain for hardly any progress! The doctor says that I am 2 cm dilated, still 50% effaced and the head is high (not a good thing when it comes to labor). She was able to "strip the membranes" somewhat. She tried with all her might (and believe me it felt like it too) to do the best she could. I don't know. It's not the news I wanted to hear, but there is nothing I can do about it. Maybe things will still happen soon, but I scheduled an appointment for next week (at that point I will be 3 days overdue). I sure do hope the baby comes soon though, because I am so tired of being so uncomfortable. The next two days I have to be up at school so that should help take my mind off of things. Sorry ladies, not such exciting news, at least I did dilate some more, right?!? I'll keep you posted!

To top it off...

I am sick! :( It has been lingering now for a few days, but last night and this morning it stuck. My head feels so stuffed up from my ears to my nose...ugh. I can't believe this...I have my appointment in an hour and if I do go into labor soon I'll most likely have this cold during that time. This means that the baby is probably sick too! I'll see what the doctor says. I'll post again later today after the appointment. Wish me luck!!

Still Pregnant!

Well, I thought I had better post again since it is becoming so close to "labor day". The few times I've called people this weekend they thought that I was calling them to tell them that I was at the hospital or that I had the baby. I guess my calls will be coming to a stop from now until then. I don't want to get people all excited for nothing.

As for the pregnancy, I again would like to say how uncomfortable I am. My hands are the most annoying things right now...super swollen and tingly. Ugh! Walking around too much is difficult, also. Friday night (well I guess it would have been early Saturday morning) I was up again from 2-5 am counting contraction (which were stronger this time with more back pain and cramping), yet again they subsided. I am getting very annoyed with those false contraction. I even showered and dried my hair this time. I was so close to believing that it was the real thing! :( Since then I have had some Braxton Hick's contractions, yet nothing amounting to anything. My next appointment is tomorrow, so I will know more then.

This past weekend was an emotional one, but it brought the family together which was nice. Saturday (August 26th) marked the 10 year Anniversary since my mother's passing. My mother's family all came into town that day and we went to the grave to share our thoughts and memories. We all cried and opened up to each other in such a meaningful way. I loved hearing all the great stories. My mother was such an amazing woman and she touched so many people's lives.

After we went to the grave, we went to dinner in town. We were able to catch up on events and share the love some more. It was a nice time. Then, we drove over to see the tree that is dedicated to my mother. It is a great looking tree right on the river. There's a plaque that makes note of the dedication underneath it, as well. After all of these events, my immediate family all went back to my father's house and we stayed up talking and sharing old family pictures until about midnight. I loved this time and we need to do it more often! :)

The Nursery is Finally Finished!!

Yesterday our bookcase came in (we ordered it two weeks ago) and so I was able to go pick it up. Ben put it in the room and then I was able to finalize some last minute organizational stuff. We are both in love with the room and are very happy with how it turned out. A nice personal touch are the scupltures on the wall (the lion and the elephant) which my father made. I love them!

Today I had my 38-week prenatal appointment and I had my first cervical check. The doctor told me that I am currently 1 cm dialated and I am 50% effaced. The head is engaged (which is a good thing) and the cervix is soft (also a good thing). All in all, what does this mean? Well, actually not a whole lot. The doctor did say that it is a good sign that my body is doing something, but as far as labor approaching it means nothing. She said that if I don't go into labor by my next appointment (which is Tuesday morning) then at that time the doctor will "strip the membranes". She told me that 50% of women begin labor within 24 hours of this happening. That's exciting to hear! :) I know that I should enjoy these last days without a baby because a baby changes everything, but I am to the point of such uncomfortableness (is that a word?!?). Three of my fingertips are now numb and tingly, I can't sleep, I have cramping and countless other aches and pains. The sleepless nights with a baby sound like a blessing right now! :) 

38 Weeks

Here's a picture of me at 38 weeks pregnant. My next doctor's appointment is tomorrow and I actually can't wait. I will be examined for the first time to see if there is any progress and any hints towards labor coming soon. I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high, but I've been having so much cramping, aches, and pains that I feel like there may actually be some progress. Keep your fingers crossed! :) 

Date Night

Ben and I went on a date last night! It was so nice, especially since it will probably be the last one for awhile. :) We first headed off to test drive some vehicles (which was so much fun!). Then we went to dinner at Logan's Roadhouse and then we went to a movie. We saw "Talladega Nights" with Will Ferrell. It was a great night (although some contractions started near the end of the movie) and I'm so happy that we had that alone time together. Later that night at home, Ben was talking to the baby and saying how excited he is to meet him or her. It was adorable! :) I can't wait to meet this little one either. We're ready, baby! 

False Alarm

So yesterday was an interesting day to say the least. I went to school and worked in my classroom all day and then headed home. When I got home all I wanted to do was rest. I need to add that I have mentioned several times to different people that labor can start at any time, but it needs to hold off until all of my school stuff is taken care of (which it now was). Anyway, as soon as I sat down I got a contraction, which I thought was another Braxton Hicks (false labor), so I brushed it off. Then as time passed I noticed that I was getting an awful lot of these Brackton Hicks contractions, so I decided that I'd better start timing these things, because it could be the real deal. As the hour progressed I was getting a contraction every 3-7 minutes and they ranged anywhere from 1.5 minutes to 3 minutes. I tried drinking a lot of water, changing positions, I even took a warm shower, all the methods mentioned to relieve these false labor contractions. Nothing was working. I was still talking through them, sometimes walking was uncomfortable though. Needless to say, I quite timing them, because I have heard that women can go through pre-labor for hours and soon enough I didn't notice them anymore. I had a few contractions through the night, but nothing substantial. I haven't had any so far this morning, but that definitely put us through the ringer. I guess we have to be prepared for anything. Labor could be today, but it could be two weeks from now...you never know. All I know is that it is getting close and my body is certainly getting itself ready! :)

Full Term & Ready to Go!!

Wow, I look sleepy in this picture (currently at 37 weeks and 2 days)!! My sleep has been poor recently. Last night I woke up every two hours to go to the bathroom!! Ugh! My hands continue to swell to unreal proportions. Ben has been really supportive and keeps telling me that we're almost there and that I have been doing such a good job throughout this entire pregnancy. He's been a sweetheart. :)

I went to the doctor yesterday and everything looks great. I have been cramping a lot recently and they asked me if I wanted to be checked to see if I had started to dialate, but we all agreed to wait until next week. The doctor again said that the baby was head down and then measured my belly (which she measured at 39!!!) and estimated the weight currently to be around 7.5 lbs!!! She thinks that if I deliver in 2 weeks that the baby will probably be around 8 or 9 lbs.!! Whoa! All she kept saying yesterday was "You have a good size baby in there". My test for Group B Strep came back negative (which is a good thing) and that is the last test I need to do. Now I am in what everyone calls the "waiting game". Ben and I both agree that we are ready to meet this little person and so we'd be okay if it happened at any time. I know that I am ready to also get my body (and my hands) back to normal.

Today I am going in to school to finalize my long term sub plans and get my classroom ready. I was up there a couple other times and I think that today will be the last day that I need to go up there. I just want to get all my school stuff finished so that I don't have to worry about it any more and I can just focus on the upcoming labor & delivery & meeting baby.

This is an exciting time. I'll keep you posted on things to come! 

Almost Full Term!!!

I had my 36 week check-up today and everything continues to be great! Yay! The belly is actually measuring at 37 (I think I may have already mentioned this, but the belly should measure the same as how many weeks pregnant you are) and the baby is in a head down position. I did gain 3 more pounds...ugh...and I have some stretch marks showing up on the underside of my belly (Ben told me that because I can't see them unless I use a mirror). You can sort of see them in the picture...nasty things aren't they?!? My feet are swollen slightly, but my hands have become the problem recently. My right hand is so swollen (a lot more than my left hand) and now the tip of the middle finger on my right hand is constantly numb and tingly! I asked the doctor about it today and she told me that it was just the result of some pinching of nerves and that it is nothing to worry about. It is such an annoying thing though. It feels weird just to type this entry!! As for everything else pregnancy related I feel great. Sleep is getting more and more difficult, but during the day I am fine. The baby still moves quite a bit (less kicking and more slow movements across the belly) and it's now getting to the point that many movements are uncomfortable. I sometimes have to push back to make it feel better. Oh, and one thing that I almost forgot, the braxton hicks contractions have really been underway recently!! They do not feel good at all (the belly hardens up and then I feel cramping and pressure near the lower part of my belly). The doctor says that it's an amazing thing, the body, because it knows what to do and it's getting itself ready. These "false labor" contractions wake me up sometimes at night and sometimes I have several in an hour. Yuck! And to top it off, I'm pretty sure that they're only going to start coming more often! It's all part of the excitement though, right?!?
As for everything else, I have been really busy this week (which is good because it takes my mind off of the waiting). I actually spent some time this week in my classroom trying to get things ready for my maternity leave (I am taking 9 weeks off) and I met some friends (Rachel and Destinee) for dinner. It was so nice to see those girls and catch up on things. I also had dinner at my dad's Monday & Tuesday night (Katrina made a great dinner and then there were leftovers the next night...bonus!!). Then yesterday Katrina and I went to Main Dish Kitchen where we made 7 meals to store in the freezer. This way when the baby is here all I have to do is get a meal out of the freezer and cook it. There is no chopping veggies, mixing ingredients, or washing of big dishes. Yeah! I love the idea and they even has a "New Mom" promotion going on right now, so I'll definitely be going back when the baby is here. And finally this week I started packing for the hospital. I have one bag for the labor part and then a larger bag for the postpartum period. I still have some finishing to do, but at least I'm somewhat ready. :)
This weekend Ben and I are heading to his grandma's to spend some time at the lake. Ben has a guy day planned (with friends from high school) on Saturday, so I'll be flying solo that day (hey, at least I'll be able to swim and lounge in the sun) and then Sunday Randy and Kristen are coming to visit us at the lake. It should be a great, relaxing weekend! I don't have too many of those left, so I am trying to enjoy it while I can. 

35 weeks pregnant, 35 days to go!

I'm a little over a month away from my due date! Yea! I am ready to not be pregnant anymore and definitely ready to meet this little person! The home-stretch is here, yet I am finding that I am busier than ever. I have been very lucky in that I have been able to enjoy this summer with no work and no school, but it is finanlly catching up with me. I have to make sure the nursery is ready (when it is I'll post pics) and I have to get together my long-term sub plans (I will be taking 9 weeks off). I'm finding that the sub thing is going to be a lot of work, but I keep telling myself "take it one step at a time". I know I'll be fine if I pace myself and don't procrastinate.

As for baby action, the baby is still kicking all the time. It often will move and hit my right leg nerve (which feels very uncomfortable) and it is going into my rib cage on the left side sending me sharp pains. All the organs are developed now and are finalizing for birth. The baby is over 18 inches long and a little over 5 pounds! Yup, this is definitely why I have difficulty sleeping at night (well, besides the constant running to the bathroom). I have started to experience some swelling of my ankles and feet, some days are better than others. My hands have been swollen for awhile now, but they seem to get worse and worse every day. They always feel tight and I have officially lost the ability to snap my fingers! :( I am told that they will go back to normal after delivery...let's keep our fingers crossed!

And on a final note, last weekend Ben and I spent time at his Grandma Lewis' place on the lake. Ben's family and neighbors got together (thrown by Aunt Sandy) and had a baby shower for Amanda and me. It was so nice to feel all the love. The weather was great Friday night and Saturday, but the day of the shower (Sunday), it poured and poured. It did clear up late afternoon, so I was able to get one last swim in before we had to head for home. It passed through my head that this may be the last time I go swimming before the baby arrives. Wow, how time is really flying! 

34-week Check-up

Yesterday I had my 34-week check-up and everything looks great! I have now officially passed the 200 lb. marker (boo...) and that means that I have gained about 20 lbs. so far. I am told that it is a good, healthy weight gain so I guess I should be happy with that. The most important thing right now is the baby, so if I need to gain some weight for the baby then I can do that! :) As far as everything else, the doctor said things are perfect (belly measurement, blood pressure, etc.). I did have some concerns when I went in though. Recently I had an elevated heart rate (which was difficult to bring down) and some cramping, yet the doctor said these things are very normal and common. The high heart rate was due to the fact that I was trying to do too much after I got out of the shower and the cramping is just my body getting ready for labor. It is a relief to hear good news. My next appointment is in two weeks and then after that I go in every week. I'm in the home stretch now, that's for sure! :)

Enjoying Summer

A few weeks ago Ben decided that he needed to try out the newly dug pond, so he grabbed his snorkel gear and dove in. He seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself, but eventually ditched the snorkel gear because he said it was too difficult to see when he stirred up the water. He also said that it was hard to walk in the water due to the fact that the bottom is currently made of clay (next summer we hope to put in some sand). He had a great time though and said that I needed to try it, too, yet I am still very hesitant on that. Maybe next summer.

Yesterday we had our 32-week doctors appointment where we met with a Nurse Practioner (the picture of me is at 32 weeks) and discussed various important topics related to labor, post partum concerns/needs, breastfeeding, etc. It was great to talk about these things and Ben and I both felt some relief afterwards. The NP was able to figure out how the baby was positioned currently, which was very exciting. All my lab tests are great (she was impressed with my high level of iron! yeah!) and she said that everything is going smoothly. Like my sister said, I hope that this doesn't mean labor is going to be the opposite...keep your fingers crossed!! I didn't gain any weight in the last three weeks (so I am still below the 200 lbs. marker) and they didn't seem concerned about that. My belly now measures 33 inches (they say it should measure the same as the amount of weeks pregnant you are) and the baby kicks all the time. I have a feeling that this baby is going to be awake often and give Ben and me a difficult time at night, but we'll have to wait and see. :)

Last night Ben and I went to see The Steve Miller Band at the Common Ground Festival. It was so much fun! We have Common Cards which mean that we have a pass all week long, so we're going to also see Poison, Styx, the Bangles, Cinderella, Ted Nugent, and possibly some others. It will be a great week and one that we probably won't be able to do again in the near future. We're certainly enjoying these last moments as a twosome! :) 

Baby Shower @ Cabin

Over the Forth of July weekend my family threw Ben and me a baby shower! It was wonderful and everyone was so kind. In the picture I was 30 weeks pregnant and definitely showing a very pregnant belly! :) It was a great weekend with family (earlier in the weekend we spent time with Ben's family, also). We ended the weekend with a fireworks show in Breckenridge. It was a nice long weekend (5 days) and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. 

Good Times

This past weekend my sister threw me a baby shower at my house. It was so wonderful to visit with my family and friends!! :) Everyone made me feel very special and loved. The nursery is coming along nicely now, but we still need a bookcase to fit all the books we received! The baby will be so smart!

As for baby news, I am currently 30 weeks along (10 more weeks to go). The baby weighs approximately 3 pounds and is about 16 inches long. Sleep is becoming difficult for me now, so I think I need to locate a few more pillows. The lack of sleep must be good practice for when the baby gets here. :) 

Test Results Update

I just realized that I haven't updated you about the recent test results for gestational diabetes and anemia. I found out earlier this week that I was negative for both (meaning that I do not have either). This is great news!! The doctor was even surprised that I didn't have anemia, because it is so common in pregnant women. It's a huge relief though because I heard that the pills they put you on when you have it cause constipation (even worse than it already is)! Yuck! Also during my appointment they found high amounts of protein in my urine and they said that it could be a sign of preeclampsia, so they sent me to get another urinalysis a few days later. I also got those test results in and I am negative for that, too. I am very relieved about that since my sister recently had that and I know how she suffered. I guess the doctors are still running another test to check for infection, but I was told that I was looking okay since the initial test came back negative. I am not too worried about it. That's it for now. I go back to the doctor in about two weeks to meet with a nurse practitioner and we will discuss a great deal of topics ranging from when to go to the hospital to infant feeding. It will be very informative and an eye opener to the reality of things. And on a final note, Ben and I start our prenatal classes this Wednesday, so hopefully we can start to get a feel for what is in store for us. I am excited to get those underway! Tomorrow is another baby shower (my sister is throwing it for me at my home) and I cannot wait to see all my family and friends. I will post pictures as soon as I can.

3rd Trimester...here I come

I am currently 27 weeks 6 days and officially entering the third trimester! Wow, the second trimester really flew by!! School wrapped up last week and summer break is now upon me. I have a conference every day this week though, so I do not really feel like I am on break yet. I was also suppose to begin grad classes this week, but they have postponed the start of classes until August (it is a two-year program that will continue throughout the school year). So beginning next week I will have plenty of time to clean the house for the upcoming shower (june 25th) and prepare for the arrival of the little one. I can't wait to have the time, yet I fear that the summer will feel very long.
As for the development of the baby, it currently weighs approximately 2.5 pounds and is almost 15 inches long!! The baby can now open and close its eyes (which now have lashes) and it kicks a lot!! As for the doctor appointments, I had to drink the glucose drink today (and get my blood drawn...this tests for gestational diabetes) and I had more blood drawn to test for anemia. I will find out the results on Monday. The doctor also wanted me to start the "kick count", which is where I have to see how long it takes for the baby to kick 10 times (it needs to be in two hours otherwise you need to go to the hospital immediately). After the Monday appointment then I move on to having appointments every two weeks. I'll be spending my summer in the doctor's office, that's for sure!! :)
And on a final note, I had to take my wedding ring off. My hands are now too swollen for the ring to fit comfortably, so I am now sporting it on a gold necklace. It still feels weird not wearing it, but I guess it's just something that comes with pregnancy...swollen joints. 

Memorial Day Weekend

This past weekend Ben and I spent time in Greenville and up north at my family cottage. It was a great time with family and many got to feel the baby kick for the first time (the picture is of my brother and sister feeling the baby kick). It was exciting!! The weather was hot, so much of the time I spent in the water (either floating on a tube or playing deck tennis). It was wonderful and I felt refreshed by the end of the long weekend.

School ends in a week, so I have been busy finishing up things there. The students are definitely ready for summer and are restless. I am ready for summer, yet I still need to finalize my summer grad courses. One is supposed to start next week, but I haven't heard any news about that, so I have some phone calls to make.

As far as baby things go, my next doctor's appointment is June 14th. A few days before this I have to drink the glucose drink to test for gestational diabetes and they will also test for anemia. Ugh! More blood must be taken! So much blood is taken in this entire process! After this appointment, I will move on to having appointments every two weeks (this is when I begin the third trimester). At the end of the month, Ben and I begin our Prenatal classes, also.

Finally, my co-workers recently threw me a baby shower and then the following week my students threw me a baby shower. It was so much fun having all the people show all their excitment for this baby. Everyone definitely made me feel special. It was great! :)

Landscaping Update

So our landscaping is coming along nicely. Ben has been hard at work hunting and digging for rocks to border our burm. He claims that if he can pick up the rock then it is too small. :) We've also purchased many loads of top soil and gravel to help fill in the areas that need it. So today Ben is out on the tractor moving dirt and smoothing things out. Yesterday when he went and got the tractor (which he borrowed from the farm) he was so giddy and excited to get to work. What a man! :)
Yesterday, while Ben was working the land, Andrea stopped by. I showed her around the yard and then we went to dinner. We had great conversation and after dinner she got to feel the baby kick! She is the first person, besides Ben, to feel the baby kick!! It was so exciting! It was great to catch up with her and I can't wait until she moves back to Michigan (which the move date is now set at June 13th). Yeah!
This weekend is Memorial Day weekend and today Ben and I are heading up to his grandma's cottage in Greenville. Then Saturday evening we are heading up to Lewiston to visit with my family. My family (well, except Grandpa Bob and Grandma JoJo) hasn't seen me since before we knew we were excpecting! They will be so shocked to see how I've changed since then! I'll definitely take pictures this weekend and post them when I can!! 

"Lake" Progress

Here are a few pictures of how our pond looks today. The recent rain has definitely helped fill it in!! It is a little murky right now, but we're hoping that this will settle within the next few weeks. Now we have to work on planting grass and bringing in sand for the beach area. The pond has been a great addition, Koda definitely thinks so!! :) She's already been swimming several times! Ben also enjoys it, from the several deer tracks that are visible all around the pond to the big burm that he gets to ride the quad on. He's outside working the land and making our yard beautiful as we speak. We are all loving life! :) 

23 Weeks

It has been awhile since I last posted a belly shot, so here you go. I definitely have a preggo belly now!!! Strangers now notice the belly and I am already being told that it looks like a basketball and that it is all belly. I'm glad to hear that! :) I hope they're right. No stretch marks on the belly, yet, but they say that they can start to show up any week now, if they are going to show up.

As for the development of the baby, the baby currently weighs just over a pound and is more than 11 inches long. Blood vessels are developing in the lungs to prepare the baby for breathing and the baby can now swallow (hiccups are common in babies so those could begin to happen also). Eyelids, eyebrows, and eyes are in place and developed as well as the baby's lips and teeth buds (which are underneath the gums). It is all such a miracle!!

In a final note, I have been feeling the baby move/kick for about 5 weeks now, but just last week Ben was able to finally get a feel!!! Yea!! He keeps trying to feel more movements, but the movements are still unpredictable (although it does move a lot more often...I just don't know quite when it will happen). I am excited for the movements to get more noticeable to everyone else so that others can feel the movements, too. Last night I laid down on the couch and I felt the entire baby on my left side and then I had to gently push it back in the middle...it was wild!! I hear from others that this definitely gets more and more noticeable...I can't wait! 

Puerta Vallarta

Our trip to Puerta Vallarta was great!!! It went by too fast (like most vacations do), but we sure had a lot of fun while we were there. The weather was perfect everyday and my belly even seemed to become pregnant looking while we were there!! We got down there on Wednesday and still had time to get some sun, which was nice. Then on Thursday, Ben and Jeff went on the Canopy Tour (rip-cording through the jungle), while the rest of us did some little shopping and got some more sun. Friday we all went on a snorkeling trip to the Mariatas Islands. On the way to the islands, Ben, Renee and I all got sick (no fun...). When we finally reached the islands, Ben seemed to recover pretty well and managed to go snorkeling with the group, but Renee and I stayed back. The water was pretty rough looking, so I thought that I would not have the energy to snorkel in that kind of situation. I don't think I missed much. We took some great photos on this island, too, which will be great to hang on the wall. Saturday, the group (excluding myself) went to downtown Puerta Vallarta to do some shopping and sightseeing. I stayed behind (my ankles were swollen from the two previous days) and laid out in the sun!! I loved the relaxation! Sunday we spent the entire day traveling home. We travelled with Jeff and Renee and at our connector flight in Dallas, we had to go through customs. We were very short on time and just made it to our flight. We lost Jeff and Renee at customs, so Ben got on the plane and tried to stall putting his luggage up and I got us all food and tried to stall the plane some more...to no avail. They were even calling "Britta Spitzley...Last call" and told me that my friends were not going to make the flight...ugh! So needless to say I felt horrible about this, but I guess the Owen's got on a later flight (though having to wait 4-5 more hours in Dallas...sorry guys). So that was a crazy event to end the trip. Overall, the food was excellent and the company was better!! We will definitely need to do another trip in the future.