oh right, third trimester

27 weeks, Disney World

Dear baby boy,

The funny thing about this pregnancy is for awhile, I kind of forgot I was pregnant. But the big belly, sharp kicks and rolls, fiery heartburn and ridiculously gross congestion are a constant reminder now.

We've entered our third trimester together now. We've crossed all those big milestones that I didn't write about like 12 weeks of progesterone supplements, early ultrasounds for reassurance, making sure all your parts and pieces were in the right places, finding out you had boy parts, finding a new doctor, and the dreaded glucose test. We've graduated to semi-monthly appointments now and soon will be registering at the hospital.

22 weeks

Your big brother is excited to meet you, though he's pretty sure you're living in his belly. Despite your in utero status, he's given you piggyback rides, taken you to Disney World, read you books, had you help him find hidden pictures in his Highlights magazine and help him eat snacks. He tucks you in by lifting up my shirt and tucking a blanket around my roundness.

24 weeks, 4 days

This pregnancy has been admittedly less fun but much faster than the first time around. My body feels it more, and I'm less thrilled about the expanding belly/thighs/butt/face. I've found winter pregnancy to be much more challenging for me than summer pregnancy. Probably less swelling but lots more indoor time and more battles with my limited pants selection.That doesn't mean we're anything but overjoyed to meet you in a few months. If this last year taught me anything, it's how lucky I feel to be able to expand our family.

So even though your crib is in a box upstairs somewhere, your clothes and diapers are still neatly (ha) packed in plastic bins in the attic and the new stuff we need is waiting to be bought from my Amazon wish list, we're ready for you to make our family of four complete.

Keeping growing in there little man.

Love you to the moon and back,

Mama

one month

Sweet Henry,

You're one month old! The first month of your life has been both the fastest and longest month of my life.

We're figuring this all out together. You have decided schedules are for the birds. Sometimes you bless us with four hours of sleep at a time, and sometimes you're up every 90 minutes during the night. But however long it is, you sleep best on mom or dad's chest. You make the most adorable sighing noises when sleeping that melt my heart.

You love to eat, especially during the evening when you'd prefer to just eat continuously for hours.  You've gained weight and gotten those cute little brestfed baby rolls and chubby, kissable cheeks. You are still so small though that your 0-3 month clothing is too big.

You love your daddy's off-key, random singing and only he can swaddle you to your liking.

This month you attended your first K-State football game and made it through almost all four quarters of a really boring game. You went to church for the first time and joined mom and dad on several bagel dates on Saturday mornings. We've gone for walks in the neighborhood in your beloved Moby wrap, read your black and white book and had tummy time, which you adore, with your blue dog.

You hate your car seat and frantically cry every time you're in it longer than a few minutes.You are not a fan of evenings and demand we walk around with you for hours and hours. You've started taking medicine to help your little tummy, which hopefully will give you some relief. We'll do whatever you need, but if you want to give us a little break, I promise I'll let you sleep on my chest for hours.

There are days when it's really hard, and when we both cry. But there is not a day that goes by that I am not completely and totally in love with you.

Love,
Mama

34 weeks

Baby boy,

We're down to crunch time..literally. You're the size of a cantaloupe and moving around like a mad man though I have no idea how considering your cramped home. You respond to daddy's voice with kicks and rolls, which is my new favorite thing.

I went to the doctor last week and talked about how things in my belly seem different. LOTS of pressure really low, no more heartburn, more tired, more fluids and stronger Braxton Hicks. So our midwife did a little pushing on my stomach and found your head waaaay down in my pelvis. I'm probably dilated a bit, too, but we decided to wait for the 35-week appointment to check. She thinks we'll be meeting you sooner than our due date, though!

This news made us very excited and frenzied. My only request is that you hang on for at least July 30. Then at least your lungs will be fully cooked and our midwife will be in town for good. Daddy would really like you to come on that day because he'd win $50. Plus, I think his heart might burst if he has to wait any longer to meet you.

Your mother is remarkably more tired (and considerably more forgetful) this week. After running two errands Saturday morning, I slept for three hours. When grocery shopping Sunday, we had to stop multiple times mid-aisle to wait for a stronger practice contraction or groin pain to pass. Sleep is elusive most nights as I either wake up sweating and have to put cold washcloths over my face or my hip joints and legs hurt ache enough to wake me up. It's all good though because each ache is one step closer to meeting you.

We love you,
Mama

33 weeks

Baby,

You're about the weight of a pineapple- pushing four pounds. Your skeleton is hardening except for the bones in your skull which will stay soft so you can enter the world. You could grow a full inch this week, and your bubble of fluid has maxed out which explains the sharper feeling of movement.

Your mother has perfected the waddle as you continue to put more pressure lower in her abdomen. We seem to be entering that point in pregnancy when the symptoms are less popular to talk about. Most of them involve some type of blood or fluid. I am very hungry but unfortunately have lost the love of eating. I swear I've been re-piped and all my food goes down to some imaginary box that sits on my lungs. Though according to the scale at home I've put on at least three pounds in two weeks. Apparently my eating habits are unrelated to weight gain. We've started to have to pee a lot more now, especially when standing up after a couple hours of sitting.

I've been having nightly dreams about you - mostly regarding your entrance into the world. None scary but often weird like giving birth in an apartment above the airport. My belly is like a huge basketball and sometimes I have to put my hands on top of it during meetings so people aren't distracted by the rolling waves or bulges.

Now that we've made our final trip to Minnesota, we're entering our nesting phase. This week we have a doctor's appointment to ask a bunch of questions post-childbirth class (where's my valet parking, dangit?), preparing to pack the hospital bag (I finally bought my tiny shampoo, success!) and filling out a ton of paperwork.

You'll be considered full-term in four weeks. FOUR.

Must go make more lists.

Love you,
Mama

32 weeks

Baby boy,

Now we're less than two months to go. You're just shy of four pounds and 16-19 inches long, depending which book you read - let's just say you're big and running out of room. You're rolling around in there and your feet are in my ribs. My stomach bulges out on one side as you change positions. Your head is in just the right spot so that when I stand up after sitting for awhile I feel electric shock like pain, my right leg goes numb and I have to pee like I haven't peed in days. Braxton Hicks are getting a lot more frequent. Guess we're both practicing for the big day.

The family started a betting pool on your name. We have had that one nailed down from the day we found out you were a boy. We have two middle names that we are trying to decide between but either way, I think you'll have a strong name.

At our appointment last week you had the hiccups during the heartbeat check. This was on of my top five moments of pregnancy. My heart just melted, and I cannot wait to meet you!

This week you'll travel to Minnesota to see family. You were there before, when you were the size of a little pea. All your mother asks is that you do not do anything silly while on the airplane. Just keep your sweet self right where you are for at least five more weeks.

Love you much.
Mama

31 weeks

Baby boy,

You're getting bigger - seems to be a pattern every week eh? You're getting pretty close to your birth length but you have another 3-5 pounds to pack on before you make your exit.

Mama was feeling pretty good until the last 48 hours. After sleeping 11 hours on Saturday night, I slept four hours on Sunday night - making for a not so happy Monday. You see, my hips hurt. And my back. And my ankles and wrists. My hands are swollen. My legs are super sore and cramp several times in the night, usually when I am getting up to pee, which is now quite frequently. I hoping it was just overdoing it Saturday with six hours of errands, planting flowers, walking and a bit of theater and that normalcy will return. Monday night was much better so here's hoping. I'm trying to consider it training for life when you're on the outside wanting my attention when I used to sleep.

I've been having way more vivid dreams. Sunday night I dreamt over and over about a conversation I had at church about how I didn't need to get swaddling blankets (except for the very thin ones) because you'll be a heat of the summer baby. After waking up sweating at least five times thinking about it, I got up at 4:15 a.m. to delete them from our registry. Seriously, your mother might be going crazy.

We bought some things for your nursery followed by an hour of random crafting. Daddy painted your new shelf and I painted little blocks in our nursery colors. This weekend we hit another big milestone when we attend childbirth class. Considering how we both have non-feelings about the whole process of your entry into the world, I hope this doesn't rattle our nerves.

We're in the single-digit week countdown now! Can't wait to meet you face to face.

Mama

30 weeks

Dear baby boy,

Gulp! How did we get here? 30? Babies are born in the 30s. You could be BORN in the 30s, however statistically unlikely. You're pushing 16 inches and three pounds, about the size of a cabbage. Now you'll be gaining half a pound a week. You're learning to regulate your own body temperature, if only your mother could learn to do the same. Your brain is growing and starting to look fully formed - and obviously super brilliant. Did you know your intelligence genes come from your mother? You lucky boy...

My maternity book says, "these days you may feel as if you've got a flamethrower in your chest." Fact. Also accurate - lack of sleep, more middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks, bleeding gums and return of fatigue and moodiness. I'm also nesting and find it extremely satisfying to scrub the interior of my car, wash the mini-blinds and clean out the filing cabinets at work. How that last one benefits you, I'm not sure. But the euphoria that it's all happening so soon and those little feet bulging near my belly button will soon be on the outside is making everything lots of fun.

We had our first baby shower this weekend. It was perfect and seeing those teeny tiny cloth diapers sent a shock of excitement into me! Or maybe you moved your head on my nerve again - either one. I promise that despite the fact you don't have a crib put together, no bottles and only a few clothes we will figure it all out before you arrive.

Love, love, LOVE you.
Mama

29 weeks

 
Baby boy,

We're in the last week of the 20s. Wow, time sure does fly. You're the size of a butternut squash this week - close to three pounds and 15 inches long. You're going to double, almost triple, your weight in the next 11 weeks.  I don't understand where all that is going to go but I suppose those maternity clothes that seem baggy right now will be a distant memory.

We're both going to gain the most weight in the next few months. I'm not feeling any hungrier really, though. If anything, I have less of an appetite. Last week you sat on my sciatic nerve for a day. Ouch, little man. We can more or less figure out where your head and feet are now, and we poke and prod you every night getting you to respond to our touch. Daddy thinks we're annoying you. I think we're just playing. Either way, I figure you'll get me back over the next six months.

I've been feeling great. Heartburn has subsided as long as I eat small, protein-rich meals, and I'm much more energetic thanks to iron pills. When I first found out about you, everyone kept talking about how a third trimester in the heat of summer would be a challenge. I love the 100-degree Kansas heat so I didn't blink an eye at a large belly and the rising mercury. Let's just say after a weekend of 96-degrees, I now understand.

I can't believe in 11 weeks you'll be with us wherever we go!

Love you,
Mama

28 weeks

Baby boy,

You're the size of an eggplant this week or about 16 inches and over two pounds. You're brain is continuing to develop rapidly (that's my boy!), and you're putting on fat. So much that you've doubled in weight in the last month. Your head is down near the exit as you start to get ready for your birthday.

Mama is exhausted. Partially from normal pregnancy and partially from pregnancy-induced anemia. I need more iron to make the 50 percent more blood I've made. You need iron, too, and frankly I don't have enough to go around. Also new this week is consistent heartburn after eating - well, anything. This weekend I had a pudding cup and water which brought on surprising discomfort. Add watermelon, veggies, crackers, yogurt, noodles and apples to that list. This is by far my least favorite pregnancy symptom.

We've started to be able to discern the bulges in my stomach as distinct feet or knees.You respond to poking or even just a hand hiding the light. It makes us so anxious to meet you! You met your great grandma this week, too. She's very excited to meet you on the outside but that didn't stop her from showering you with kisses already. You're going to love her.

I can't believe how close we are to becoming a family of three. We can't wait.

Much love,
Mama

27 weeks

Dear baby boy,

We're now less than three months til we get to see your beautiful face! You're about 15 inches long and over two pounds. Your brain is in high gear, and you're opening and closing your eyes.You are very very active, now switching to rolling around more than sharp kicking. Sometimes we can feel your foot or hand and as we press down, you'll pull it away. Daddy tells people he holds your hand each night. I'm starting to realize how much I'm going to miss feeling you kick.

Mama is tired and requires more lower back rubs from daddy. The belly is getting huge and a little bit more difficult to manage. You must be sitting on your mama's stomach because bouts of nausea, dizziness and loss of appetite rule the day. I have gotten well acquainted once again with my coworker's floor. It's a little first trimester deja vu and frankly, I am not a fan.

We are working on our Bradley Method books and doing crazy things like pelvic rocking, squatting and butterfly exercises. We're doing everything we can to make sure we at least set ourselves up for what's best for you from day one.

We finished painting your dresser, and you've got a brand new white door (pictures soon). Tomorrow we get to hear your heartbeat again and find out what position you've landed in this time around. Here's hoping your head is finding its way toward the exit door. We'll also do our glucose test. Sorry in advance for the lightning shock of sugar you'll experience.

Love you, and welcome to the home stretch!
Mama

26 weeks

{24 weeks. moving week}

{26 weeks, painted nursery!}

Dear baby boy,

We're going to call this the last week of our second trimester. The books say anything from 26 weeks to 28, so we're splitting the difference and calling this one complete at 27 because we're ready to get this show on the road! In this second tri, you changed from a blob to a viable human being. This week you have more sensitive ears and can hear daddy and I talk. Just remember, mama is very hormonal and daddy is patient. Even when I get VERY upset that he's tapping his pen against his teeth AGAIN.

You're getting more baby fat and are now the length of a cucumber. You're approaching two pounds, and swallowing a lot of amniotic fluid to practice breathing - I think it's giving you the hiccups! Your mama LOVES feeling those little rhythmic bounces. If I could, I would give you a cup of water to drink backward from... they say it works.

Your mama is always out of breath. One trip to the ground floor of my work building and I am huffing and puffing. I've been getting Braxton Hicks contractions. Just a few a day but I am sure it's squeezing you tight. My stomach gets rock hard, and I feel pressure but no pain. A minute later, it goes away. That's just practice for when you decide to make your exit, which our due date is only 98 days away. Gulp!

We painted your nursery this weekend with the help of grandma and grandpa. We LOVE the color and know you'll be happy there. I promise we'll have a place for you to sleep by the time you get here.

Love you,
Mama

25 weeks

Baby boy,

We've been together 25 weeks now. Your hair has a color this week if we could see you. I'm guessing dark brown, though. You're about a pound and a half and can now fully make a fist. Trust me, I didn't need a book to tell me that. Little by little you're getting ready for the outside world.

Your mama is a mess. I swear you're sucking away my brain cells because I have forgotten how to do the following: spell common words, remember where my keys are, speak using the correct words and bring a fork directly to my mouth without spilling all over my shirt. It's like my brain has a veil around it where thoughts take double the time to process. My nickname of "the brain" is proving to be ironic.

Your favorite time to kick right now is bedtime. And it's not gentle anymore. Sometimes you are punching and kicking at the same time which makes my stomach look like a roller coaster. I'm getting more exhausted and sitting down for awhile makes me realize there just isn't enough room between my ribs and waist for everything.

We moved to a new house this weekend. Daddy did SO much work since you and I were under strict orders to take it easy. We cleaned instead. And cleaned, and cleaned, and cleaned. And now we have two finals and unpacking to do.

I'm dizzy on random days now, and the tiredness is starting to creep back in though moving, finishing papers and finals and other things might be contributing to that. I can't eat as much anymore without feeling sick so it's back to itty bitty snacks frequently. And my body temperature has become a yo-yo and your always cold mama is frequently ON FIRE for no reason. I'm finally starting to look and feel pregnant. And crazy.

Love you, my little kicker.
Mama

24 weeks

 

Dear baby boy,

You're a foot long now (mm...Subway) and have reached the age of viability. If you chose to exit today (something I do not recommend) you'd be a real little person! Your brain is growing quickly and your lungs are starting to develop to prepare for breathing in the outside world. Lungs, wow. That's usually the last thing that develops so your mama is feeling a bit apprehensive about how quickly this is all going.

You are still kicking up a storm, and this morning you jumped at the sound of daddy's alarm going off. We celebrated Easter this weekend and you got the cutest baby-powder smelling elephant from your grandma and grandpa. And then to further spoil you, our friends Andrew and Laura got you adorable baseball outfits and a teeny little jacket. Neighbor Eleanor gave you little car bibs and two sleepers with green frogs. Spoiled already, I tell ya!

Your mama's uterus is the size of a soccer ball, which I find a bit alarming. Our bout with dizziness seems to have ended with my self-diagnosed anemia and subsequent self-treatment. Taking calcium pills and prenatals in the same swallow = no iron absorption. The books tell me I should be having joint pain, ugly veins, stretch marks, itchy palms, headaches and leg cramps. Other than a few days with fairly uncomfortable back pain, I really have minimal complaints.

This week we move to a new house, finish classes, study for finals, set up new house, go to a Twins game, and you know, work. Hang on, in two weeks we'll be lounging around, stress-free.

Love you little one,

Mama

23 weeks

Dear baby boy,

You're 23 weeks, and we're starting our sixth month together (sixth, what?!) After two weeks of uncontrollable hunger, we seem to be back to a normal, more sane level of growth. Your lungs are preparing to start breathing and sounds like Mac's barking or the cats' whining for food are starting to become familiar.

We're packing for our big move to a little house so the only books left for our nightly readings are "I'll Love You Forever," "God Made You," and a book about Martin Luther King Jr. Family, religion and culture! We saw a little baby baptized at church this weekend, and your mama was full of tears. Although everything including discovering we are out of chocolate milk makes me cry, it was emotional to imagine you being baptized at Christmas time.

Your mom is feeling like she's quadrupled in size in the last three weeks and is not looking forward to Wednesday's appointment where the damage will be assessed. Daddy found a stretch mark this weekend but I can't find it today so we're going to count that one as a fluke.

This week is busy for us, little one. We've got packing, studying and Eastering to do.

Love you,
Mama

22 weeks

Good morning baby boy,

You're cruising along, now the length of a ruler  - the size of a spaghetti squash or football. You're just getting bigger in there and developing all the little details that are going to make you you.

You've been exercising those strong legs and arms, kicking so hard we can see you move from the outside of my tummy. Grandma and Grandpa even felt you kick this weekend. You're starting to react to sounds and when we walked into church this Sunday, you seemed to be dancing to the loud music.

Mama is doing great. The bump is now noticeable and starting to attract hands. A few nights ago I woke up withering in pain from calf cramps. I'm told it's normal. But jumping out of bed five times screaming "help, help!" wasn't so fun.

Daddy says I've got the glow, and we're really enjoying feeling you every night jumping around. Daddy read a book to you this weekend, and we'll keep doing that every night for the rest of your life until you protest. Four months til we get to meet you, little man. We're WAY excited.

Love you,
Mama

21 weeks

Hello my little kicker,

You're a busy, busy boy! I'm not sure what you're practicing for in there - baseball, soccer, gymnastics, karate chop specialist? Either way, you are definitely letting me know you're alive and well. I've started feeling you consistently throughout the day except for your afternoon nap, and you seem to kick the hardest just when your mom is ready to sleep. Probably great foreshadowing...

Daddy felt you for the first time last week. He's super excited and loves to put his hand on my tummy when you're kicking hard. Sometimes I think you show off when you know he's there. We even saw you bust out near my belly button just by watching my stomach for a second.

Life has been pretty crazy in our world. You took your first international trip, which involved a lot of heat, climbing ancient temples, cave tubing, howling at monkeys, swimming and many glasses of watermelon juice. Pretty good right? Plus the people of Belize really took care of us. First we got green mango as most women crave it. Though I have no idea why because it was lip-puckering sour. Sorry about that. Then we got a coconut macheted open for us for the healthy water inside. Anything for you, my dear.

You're the size of a carrot or large banana in length. You'll get your taste buds this week, and you'll continue to swallow a lot of amniotic fluid. Your mama is getting big fast it seems but feeling great. Other than the challenge of getting dressed every morning, we're cruising right along. Couldn't complain if we tried.

Love you to pieces,

Mama

20 weeks

Oh little boy, 

We'll be celebrating our halfway point together in Belize. Halfway! Can you believe it?

Your 20-week update is kind of unflattering so I'll breeze through it. Your body, now the length of a banana and the size of a small melon, is producing meconium, a black gooey substance having to do with digestion. There are some other things going on with your testicles but that seems rather inappropriate to discuss in public. So we'll leave it at that.

Your mama is feeling really awesome - sometimes to the point of feeling drugged. At least that's what I am blaming for the absentmindedness and the fact I forget things like my own email address. 

Last week we found out you're breech, which is totally fine for now. Enjoy not hanging upside down. But anytime you feel like you might want to give my pelvis a break and flip around, I'd be ever so grateful. Sitting is my least favorite but most common activity these days. And the fact my midsection is separating and expanding seems rather science fiction and quite painful. As long as meeting you at the end is the reward, I'll stick it out :)

We love you so much little boy. We're praying that the second half of this pregnancy is just as wonderful and uneventful as the first.

Love, 

Mama

19 weeks

Good morning sweet boy,

We've been together 19 weeks now. You're six inches long - the size of a mango or a large softball. I don't think I could even pick out a mango at the grocery store. You have your five senses now, and all of your body parts are finally in the right proportions. Your kidneys are functioning, and you're getting hair on your little head. Now that all your parts are in place, you'll be getting longer and heavier.

Your mama is sick with a cold which is even less fun when I can't take my usual drugs. Instead we've been taking really long naps together. Daddy reminds us to get our sleep and keeps bringing water and good food. I can't wait for you to meet him - we're so lucky.

I love feeling you everyday. Mid morning you always say hello and let me know you're ready for a snack (you seem to prefer apples). Around dinner time, you say hi again and now sometimes even as we're heading to bed. Daddy can't feel you yet but the kicks are getting stronger and more defined so I know it'll be soon.

Tomorrow we'll get to see you again and with our luck, get another adjusted due date. We're praying that all the right pieces are in all the right places.

Keep growing little buddy. Love you,

Mama

18 weeks

Baby boy,

You've been going through a growth spurt, and are now the size of a sweet potato or seven ounces. You are super active especially after I eat an apple or drink cold water or milk. Sometimes it's little flutters, other times more obvious kicks or punches. It's a nice reminder that you're there.

Your little ears are starting to be able to hear your soon-to-be world. You've been hearing our voices, Mac's barking, and probably a lot of NPR. We're going to start reading to you soon. Just remember, books are fun! Unless you have to read 11 of them in eight weeks for grad school. Then, and only then, can you declare them  un-fun.

I've been going through some changes this week. My hips, thighs and lower back are increasingly sore, and I've had to start sleeping on folded up blankets. I wish I would just sleep in a tub of warm cotton balls. Last night we had a little scare, but all seems to be back to normal this morning. I've been SO hungry though I am feeling skinny again as I have switched to all maternity pants. Sweet relief. We found $7 Gap maternity jeans this past weekend - WIN!

I am running out of breath more often again, especially when daddy tries to wrestle with me. I'm sorry your parents are so weird.

I promise this week will be less stressful, and I will remember to drink more water. Less than two weeks and you'll travel internationally for the first time!

Love you so much,
Mama

four months done, more food needed

Hello there little boy,

We're 17 weeks, for real this time. You are doubling in size, and I am STARVING. Not just sorta hungry. S-T-A-R-V-I-N-G. Probably similar to how you'll eat as a teenager. I have had a pretty normal appetite the last four months, but the last three days, my appetite has exploded. Like, I've never been this hungry in my entire life. I've read it's normal, and that it will ebb and flow as you go through growth spurts. Luckily, we're headed to the grocery store tonight because those taco baked potatoes and waffle with peanut butter did nothing for me last night.

My hips, thighs and pelvis area are getting ready for your arrival but that means I've had trouble falling asleep because it feels like my pelvis is getting the flu. You've probably heard me whining to daddy about this. Don't pick up any bad habits, otherwise I'll have to buy one of those ridiculous "No Whining Allowed" signs.

You've been kicking me every so often. Or maybe it's punching. Or rolling over. Or chest bumping. Regardless, I know you're there in a teeny tiny way. Especially when I drink a gulp of cold water. Everybody has been trying to guess your name and daddy always has to talk slowly so he doesn't let it slip.

What's that? You want some chocolate soy milk at the grocery store tonight? Not a problem, little man.

Love you so very much,
Mama