Evan, Aidan, Bella & Sophia » August 2008 Journal Entries » AboutMyBaby - online baby scrapbooks, photo albums, videos, birth and pregnancy announcements

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Thu, Aug 28, 2008 3:52 PM
I met with Evan and Aidan's preschool teachers today. Aidan will go back with Miss Kim (who the boys had last year) and Evan will go with Miss Jennifer. I am really glad they decided to keep Aidan with Miss Kim. Aidan does better with people he knows, and he definitely remembers Miss Kim and her assistant Miss Lisa. So that is a huge relief. Evan is friends with the world, so he will do just fine being with a new teacher and new classroom. Both boys will ride the bus this year. I am nervous about that, but I know they will do just fine. They love school busses!

The boys will start school on Tuesday, September 2, 2008. So this is the last weekend before school. I know how much they love school, so I am glad they are going back. They made so much progress in organization, behavior and language development after just attending January 08 - May 08.

I can't believe they will be 4 years old soon. It's just so hard to believe!

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Thu, Aug 28, 2008 8:02 AM
31 WEEKS!
Your baby's total length is 18.9 inches (42cm) and she is perfectly formed! She measures about 11.6 inches (29cm) from crown to rump. All she has to do is fill out more. Your baby weighs almost 4 pounds (1800g). If she were to be born now, she would still need to be incubated as she has insufficient fat stores to keep it warm.

Your baby can distinguish between light and dark.

Your baby can hear the outside world quite well now, and can also hear the sounds of your heartbeat, your digestion and the blood rushing in the umbilical cord. The pitch of women's voices are in the range babies are most able to hear over all the internal background noise. Your baby is already familiar with your voice and will be able to recognize it after birth.

My pregnant body:
Your uterus now extends to about 5 inches (12cm) above your belly button. You probably continue to feel tired and may sometimes feel dizzy. You feel your baby's kicking regularly. Your baby is probably in the head down position by now and is long enough that his legs can reach your ribs. The pressure of your baby's legs can make your ribcage sore. Taking care to sit or stand straight may alleviate this discomfort somewhat. You may feel short of breath, have heartburn, round ligament pain, a stuffy nose and other pregnancy symptoms. Your pelvic joints may have expanded for the birth and this may cause some discomfort. You may feel a desire to "nest" which may make you want to bake, clean and get things in order around your home.

(PS. Sophie is "frank breech" with her feet over her head. She is definitely NOT head down!)

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Wed, Aug 27, 2008 2:16 PM
Sophie's delivery date is scheduled!
10/10/08!!!

EEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dr. Brady just called and delivered the news.

I am not ready for that! I think I was dumbfounded.

I said, "My amnio is 10/10?"
He said, "No, your delivery is 10/10."

(Note: I will have an amnio the day prior to check for lung maturity and if lungs are not mature, I will get steroids & push the delivery out 48 hours).

WHAT?

That is just barely over 6 weeks left!

That means my 8 weeks of maternity leave will be up on 12/5 and I will have to come back to work 2 weeks before our Christmas shut-down close starts at the end of 12/19.

I would MUCH rather push my delivery out just 1 more week, return to work on 12/12 and only have to work 1 week until Christmas close! (We get paid from 12/22 through January 2 for Christmas close).

I'll talk to Dr. Brady at my next appt. on 9/8, but for now, her delivery is set for 10/10/08!

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Jodi: That is my daughter's first birthday! I hope everything goes well. I am so excited for you!

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Mon, Aug 25, 2008 12:00 PM
Today I had my 30 1/2 week Perinatology appt with Dr. Coppage. Dr. Coppage is the Perinatologist who delivered Bella. This is the last time I will see her, as she is due to deliver her baby any day now. I wished her well!

I can't believe it. 6-7 more weeks to go and that's it!!!!! We scheduled the rest of my appts. through delivery. Now I have to go twice a week to Good Sam Hospital for Non-Stress Tests and Amniotic Fluid Index (ultrasounds).

My chart is now on Dr. Brady's desk awaiting him to schedule my c-section. I will find out the date on 9/8 when I see him next.

So basically starting 9/15 I will live at the Hospital. I have twice weekly NSTs and AFIs beginning that date, and another Level 2 Ultrasound. I can't believe this pregnancy is so close to the end. Wow.

Appts:

9/8 - 8:30 am Dr. Brady (Perinatologist appt)
9/15 - 11 am Level 2 Ultrasound
9/15 - 11:30 am Non-Stress Test & Amniotic Fluid Index (Ultrasound)
9/18 - 11:30 am Non-Stress Test & Amniotic Fluid Index (Ultrasound)
9/22 - 11:30 am Non-Stress Test & Amniotic Fluid Index (Ultrasound)
9/23 - 9:15 am Dr. Brady (Perinatologist appt)
9/25 - 11:30 am Non-Stress Test & Amniotic Fluid Index (Ultrasound)
9/29 - 11:30 am Non-Stress Test & Amniotic Fluid Index (Ultrasound)
10/2 - 11:30 am Non-Stress Test & Amniotic Fluid Index (Ultrasound)
10/6 - 11:30 am Non-Stress Test & Amniotic Fluid Index (Ultrasound)
10/9 - 11:30 am Non-Stress Test & Amniotic Fluid Index (Ultrasound)
10/13 - 11:30 am Non-Stress Test & Amniotic Fluid Index (Ultrasound)
10/16 - 11:30 am Non-Stress Test & Amniotic Fluid Index (Ultrasound)

That last one MAY be cancelled, as my c/section will be between 10/14-10/17.

Oh and I gained 1 lb. Two weeks ago I had lost 1 lb, so I guess I'm even now. Dr. Coppage said my weight is awesome! My blood pressure is low/good and there is a trace of protein in my urine.

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Fri, Aug 22, 2008 10:24 PM
Bella,
Happy 2nd Birthday, my precious girl. You have no idea the sunshine you have brought into my (our) lives. You have turned into this beautiful, spunky little toddler with a facial expression and phrase for absolutely everything. You are the sweetest thing that has ever been in my life, however, you also have the quickest temper I have ever seen. My life (our lives) are forever changed with you in it. I am very lucky to call you my daughter and feel so blessed that God gave you to me, in my life. Thank you God for my children - all of them.

You are still so attached to me, and me to you. I don't ever want that to change.

Happy Birthday my sweet Iziu, my Bella. I love you more than I can ever say. You are my baby girl.

Wszystkiego najlepszego z okazji urodzin, Izabella.

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Thu, Aug 21, 2008 8:18 AM
30 WEEKS!
Your baby now weighs about 3.5 lbs (1600g) and measures about 18 inches (40cm) in total and about 11.2 inches (28cm) from crown to rump.

Your baby's increasing size means that she has less room to move around in your uterus.

Your baby could already be moving into the head-down position.

Your baby's lungs are maturing and their lining, which prevents air sacs from collapsing, is growing. This lung development means that your baby would have a much greater chance of survival if he were born prematurely.

About 16 fluid ounces of blood are flowing through the wall of your uterus to the site of the placenta, though your blood never mixes with your baby's blood. It is separated by the placental barrier which is a very thin wall. Water, nutrients and waste are exchanged across this barrier at a rate of 0.3 fluid ounces per second.

Your baby swallows amniotic fluid and urinates.

Your baby's ears are sufficiently developed to hear and recognize your voice, the voices of other family members as well as familiar musical tunes.

My Pregnant Body:
You feel your baby moving about regularly and this may cause you to feel bonded with him. You don't need to worry though if you do not already feel bonded with your baby. For some women, the baby still seems abstract when it is inside. You may bond rapidly or gradually after the birth.

Fatigue will probably continue and you may feel breathless after physical activity.

Colostrum may be leaking from your breasts. However, this does not occur for all women and in no way indicates that there will be a problem breastfeeding if colostrum is not present before birth.

You may have trouble sleeping for various reasons: it may be difficult to find a comfortable position, you may have to urinate frequently during the night, baby's activity can prevent you from sleeping and you may be feeling anxious.

Your back probably aches since the muscles and ligaments that support it have begun to relax and loosen in preparation for labor.

You may have also developed some varicose veins.

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Thu, Aug 14, 2008 9:08 AM
29 WEEKS!

Your baby now weighs about 3 lbs (1400g), measures about 10.8 (27cm) inches from crown to rump and measures about 17 inches (38cm) from head to toe.

Your baby is probably aware of your Braxton Hicks contractions, which you experience regularly, even when you do not notice them.

By this time, your baby is very active and you feel its movements frequently.

Your baby is still practicing breathing movements which have now become rhythmic.

Sometimes your baby gets the hiccups when she accidentally swallows amniotic fluid the wrong way.

She is getting fatter and plumper. On an ultrasound, you can see your baby's activities quite easily.

Your baby has periods of rest and periods of activity now. Your baby is probably most active when you are trying to rest.

MY PREGNANT BODY:
Your uterus has now risen to about 4 inches above your bellybutton. Backache probably continues and you are probably feeling increasingly fatigued. This may be exacerbated since you may also have trouble sleeping. Whenever possible, try to put your feet up. Extra pillows will probably help you to find a comfortable sleeping position.

You may be constipated; your nose may be stuffed; and you may have the occasional nosebleed. You may also have trouble breathing as your enlarged uterus crowds your lungs. You may at times feel faint and dizzy. You probably feel huge, but you'll get bigger still!

Some women take great pleasure in their changing form while others feel it is a nuisance. If you are among the latter, you can take comfort in knowing that it is temporary, that your partner and others probably find you especially beautiful, that you are as close as you can be to your baby and that your body is providing him with all he needs.

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Wed, Aug 13, 2008 9:05 AM
Sophie's nursery is finished! Slawek took off work this week (vacation) to get her nursery done, and restain the deck for Bella's birthday party coming up. Sophie's nursery looks fabulous! Slawek painted the room a pretty sage/leafy green color. The curtains were hung and are adorable! They have these huge, funky/fun flowers on them and are embroidered around them. They are GORGEOUS. The crib is up, the changing table in place. It's soooo pretty! I love it. I can't wait for her quilt and bedding to arrive. All the matching wall accessories shipped yesterday, but not the quilt/sheets, darnit. I hope it ships today! :)

Once I get everything in (the bedding, etc), I will take tons of pics, including pics of Bella's room with her new quilt and butterfly/flower decorations for her sheers/drapes that match her bedding. I am so impressed with how the new quilt really ties in the dark green carpet with the pink walls. It's perfect!

Oh and I spent 3 hours on our bedroom last night. I didn't go to bed until 11 pm and I was EXHAUSTED. I stripped all the beds down, washed all the mattress pads, sheets, and then rearranged my closet, shoes, vacuumed everything, got 2 bags of clothes to give to Goodwill together and rearranged all my drawers. My room is spiffy now! :)

I guess you could say I am MEGA nesting?!?!? ROFL!

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Thu, Aug 7, 2008 9:33 AM
28 WEEKS!!!!!!!
(Survival at this point if Sophie were born is the same as a full term baby! WOO HOO!)

Your baby now weighs about 2.7 lbs (1.2kg), measures about 10.4 inches (26cm) from crown to rump, and is around 16.7 inches (42cm) long. He is plumper and rounder, and his head and body are beginning to be in proportion.

Your baby now uses all of his senses. He can see, taste, recognize touch and the sound of your voice.

She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

During the last trimester, your baby will receive antibodies from you through your placenta that will provide immunity from many diseases.

Your baby's adrenal glands are producing androgen-like substances. Androgens are normally male sex hormones, but in late pregnancy, when they reach the placenta they are turned into estrogen which in turn stimulates the production of prolactin in your body. Prolactin is the hormone needed for milk production. In this exchange, your baby is beginning to stimulate milk production in your breasts so that when he is born there will be food waiting for him.

My body this week:
Your breasts may be leaking colostrum as your baby stimulates the production of the hormone prolactin. If you are not leaking colostrum, there is no need to worry at all about having a good supply of milk to feed your baby. Not everyone will leak colostrum before birth.

Your balance may be affected by your enlarged abdomen so you should be especially careful to avoid falling.

You may be feeling pressure on your diaphragm, liver, stomach and intestines as they are displaced by your growing baby.

Your total weight gain by this point is likely between 19 and 25 lbs (8.55 and 11.25kg).

As your uterus puts pressure on your internal organs, including your bladder, you probably have to go to the bathroom more frequently.

Around this time, some women feel an unpleasant "creepy-crawly" sensation in their lower legs and an irresistible urge to move them while trying to relax or sleep. If this sensation is at least temporarily relieved when you move, you may have what's known as restless legs syndrome (RLS). No one knows for sure what causes RLS, but it's relatively common among expectant mothers. Try stretching or massaging your legs, and cut down on caffeine, which can make the symptoms worse. Ask your caregiver if you should try iron supplements, which can sometimes relieve RLS.

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