34w4d today!!!

We had such a great appointment this week! Our doctor was very informative and confirmed what we suspected that "Yes, Dakota is head down & ready to go!!" So that is why I have been having different symptoms than I was before. My blood pressure was great; baby girls heart rate and size is perfect; urine test came up perfect- the doctor even said "keep doing what you're doing!" Yay!! We also found out that our due date is actually Feb. 5th instead of Feb 8th- so we jumped 3 days! She said its because the actual ultrasound gives you a date and thats what they were working with, not with my last pd. She also said that this coming Tuesday the 4th will be the sonogram where they measure the weight and height of the baby so thats exciting too!! 

Lucas and I went today to Southampton Hospital, where Dakota will be born, to tour the maternity unit- How great!!! They were very informative and showed me through every part of the unit, including the nursery and the private recovery rooms! 

They also had me drop off my pre-admission papers and had me sign consent forms so that I don't have to sign them when I get there to deliver! Its getting close now guys!!! Down to the wire now, the doctor even asked us yesterday if we have a car seat and bassinet! Sure do, we are so ready for this little girl!! Now all we need are clear roads for a safe trip to the hospital!!

Okay guys, thats it for now! Here are some belly pics- next Tuesday I should have some sonogram photos for you too!!

Happy New Year everyone! See you next week!

Little miss has dropped!!

Your Pregnancy: Week 34

No, it's not (just) the lack of sleep that's making your vision fuzzy. Pregnancy hormones and fluid buildup can affect your eyes' curvature and tear production, making them extra-itchy and sensitive. No matter what your vision's like, take a look toward the light -- less than two months to go!

Baby's now the size of a honeydew!
Baby can recognize and react to simple songs...time to start practicing your lullabies! In fact, baby will recognize frequently sung tunes after birth and probably find them soothing. Less cute news: She now urinates about one pint per day. Get the diapers ready!

33 weeks today & 49 days to go!

So it has been a busy week, between shopping and Lucas being back and forth I have been keeping myself busy to say the least!! My mom and I also cleaned out a dresser here so that it can serve as a dresser for Dakotas clothes and even more exciting, Lucas has basically finished the nursery and much to my surprise- it will be done very soon!! He has gotten rid of the desk we had in there, the queen size bed and a bunch of stuff we didn't need! He rearranged everything and all we need to do is decorate & make it look pretty now! He is too sweet and he knows it has been bothering me that it wasn't done so it really made me emotional when I didn't expect to see pictures of it almost done when he came to visit this weekend!! 

We also picked out and bought Dakotas cat seat and we were so excited to bring it home- it is one of the necessary items and it makes us feel so much closer to her!! Not too long now!!

Not much else has been going on really, Lucas will be coming back tomorrow morning until Christmas day and then he has to go back for work on the 26th & he will be turning around soon after to come back. He is trying to spend as much time here with me before he can't [which he won't be able to much in January and who knows when Dakota will make her appearance!!]- My hip is getting better and better by the day- I have cheated a tiny bit and tried to walk on it and its not as painful as it used to be. I hope to be walking by new years- wish me luck!! My next appointment with the OB is next Tuesday so I will have more of an update then...So for now I will give you some info on the peanut and belly pics! Merry Christmas everyone- enjoy time with your families because thats what means the most! Love you all!!

Your Pregnancy: Week 33

You are one hot mama -- literally. A 20 percent metabolic rate increase throughout pregnancy can leave you begging for a cool breeze no matter what the weather is like. Distract yourself with an exercise in blind identification. Try to distinguish between baby's feet, fists, knees, and elbows -- all doing some major pushing and nudging inside of you.

Baby's now the size of a honeydew!
Things are heating up inside as well: Baby may grow up to a full inch this week alone, and his brain is developing like crazy. Pretty soon, he'll be able to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing. Also, his bones are hardening, and he's started to keep his eyes open when he's awake.

32 weeks and 8 months!! Finally an update!!

Sorry its been so long, just has been a long 2 weeks, as you can imagine!! So since I posted last, I found out that I did indeed fracture my hip. I am not allowed to bare weight on it for another 4 weeks so Lucas and I have decided for me to deliver here on Long Island- where my parents are here to take care of me & to help when Dakota is here! Lucas has been driving back and forth to visit for the weekends and will be here for Christmas which is such a relief!! As for Dakota, she is a little firecracker!! She is moving, jumping, tumbling, and much much more!!
I had my 32 week OB appointment today- My blood pressure and sugar and protein were perfect!! Babys heart rate is at 146 which is right on, and everything measured perfectly! They set me up for an appointment today for 2 weeks from now and then after that appointment I will see them every week- a sign that we are getting A LOT closer!!!! Yay!! Cant believe I am 8 months pregnant!! How time flies! :) So nothing more to update for now.. Just a little information about the baby & mommy and then some belly pics of course!!

Your Pregnancy: Week 32

Your baby weighs about 4 pounds and is about fifteen to seventeen inches tall. Photographs of babies in utero at this stage show their skin becoming less translucent and pinker, as layers of fat are deposited under the skin. Her skeleton is rapidly ossifying (turning from cartilage into solid bone), which means that kicks will become visible through your shirt as the trimester progresses. Well-placed kicks under your ribs can take your breath away!

Was that a contraction? Yup, but it's just for practice. Those strengthening Braxton Hicks contractions are just your body's way of prepping for the real deal. (If you feel more than four in an hour or have discharge, call the doc.) Farther north, your nipples are getting darker and (yes, it's possible) bigger -- all the better for baby to see (and latch onto) in a few short months.

Baby's now the size of a squash!

Ready or not, baby's getting ready to emerge. She's probably in the head-down position by now, with her bottom facing up. This is the comfiest way for her body to fit in your increasingly cramped womb and will make her eventual exit (only a few months away now!) much easier. (If she's still head-up, don't panic -- there's still time for a flip before birth.)

Hospital visit 29w3d

Happy black Friday! Not!! I haven't been around cuz I slipped and fell @ 1am yesterday. Had the baby monitered on the OB floor of the hospital from 11am-3pm & she's perfect- I however am not. I landed on my left hip and can't bare weight on it. They couldn't do anything for me at the hospital for it because I can't get any xray or MRI so i'm hoping one of these days I'll wake up and be able to walk- until then we are on long island and Lucas and my mom & dad are taking good care of me.

29 weeks today- 7 months total!!

Here we are- in our 7th month! We have 11 weeks or less left until she is here and we can't wait!!
Not much has gone on in the past week or so, I have been laying low because of my pelvis/hips & because of the difficulty I have just walking now. We had a great appointment on Thursday. First of all, Dakota is growing perfectly and right on schedule! Her heart beat was at 152 and her movements have been normal, as always! I was tested for Gestational Diabetes (glucose tolerance test) and they told me not to worry if I don't get a call on Monday so YAY- no diabetes to worry about! ( only worried because my side of the family has a history of it)

I also received a referral from my OB for a physical therapist, which I had an appointment for today. The physical therapist told me that there is no actual "separation" of my Symphysis, however it is inflamed and irritated. He said he couldn't do much, however he told me to ice my hips/groin 4 times daily and gave a stretch to do 2x per day. He said without an x-ray or MRI he really couldn't tell me much. So I am looking into an acupuncturist and/or chiropractor (but they aren't covered under our insurance) so I will have to tough it out and pay out of pocket.... Keep your fingers crossed for me so I can get some pain relief! Now enough about that!
Time for the big 3D ultrasound pics!! She was too funny and both Lucas and I laughed so much and were so amazed by her! She was punching me and kicking me the whole time, and she was in the most uncomfortable position ever! She had her legs crossed and up near her face and her arms were holding her legs! At one point I thought she was sucking her thumb and Lucas had to point out, "No, thats still her knee babe- shes got her knee in her mouth!!" Lol So I will be sharing a few of our favorite pics from that and also some bonus pics beside belly  pics :)
So Happy Thanksgiving everyone, enjoy the food (I know I will!)& family. Enjoy and i'll see you all next week!!

So peaceful in there!

I love this shot, it is just a perfect blend between Lucas and I <3

Smiling for the camera :)

What a little angel!

See! Shes Crazy!!

She was kicking or punching (can't tell which) when I was taking this picture, 

thats why my hand was so low :)

Front view, had to get in the mirror so I'm on my tippy toes- ouch!

Aww! Too cute!

Your Pregnancy: Week 29

Thanks to your ever-expanding uterus, it's time to welcome back the constant bathroom dashes. And try your best to forget about any emerging varicose veins -- they might be ugly, but they're harmless and should fade after delivery. Until then, avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time and make sure to get some exercise (it'll boost your circulation).

Baby's now the size of a squash!
Baby's energy is surging, thanks to white fat depositing beneath his skin. And since he's growing so fast (weight will triple by birth), things are getting kind of cramped in the womb. What all this means for you: Get ready for some more kicks and jabs to the ribs.

3rd Trimester!! 28 Weeks!

So here we are! In the 3rd and FINAL TRIMESTER!! Not much going on this past week- went to the doctors on monday morning and they did not resolve anything I was going for... All they wanted to do was give me Tylenol with Codine and I declined... but I see my OB on Thursday for my 28wk checkup, glucose screening and also for our big 3D ultrasound!! So hopefully they will have some answers for me as to what I should do about this horrible pain! So not much else going on, just doing some much needed winter cleaning- We still need to get the queen size bed out of the nursery and put a futon in there to expand our space so we can sort some things out- also going to take the desk out of there (not sure where to put it though?) but that will leave us with enough room to fit everything we need in there!! I have been feeling baby girl hiccup A LOT lately, and she loves just rolling around in there like a little goober!
Lucas treated me to a MUCH NEEDED pedicure the other night, so of course that was great for me!! However I went to bed in the worst amount of pain from my sciatica, and woke up with it this morning so I'm trying to take it easy and make the best of it until I speak to my doctor on Thursday! I took a few extra pictures today because I was so late with last weeks post and I didn't have much of a "belly pic" so without further ado, here are the pics from this week! & last week
Enjoy and I will have en extra post in here on Thursday night with our 3D pictures of our princess!!!

 

Your Baby in Week 28 of Pregnancy

Your baby is settling into the proper position for birth, with his head facing downward (toward your body's nearest exit!). Your little work in progress is now about 2.5 pounds and almost 16 inches long. He's busy adding new skills such as blinking to an already impressive repertoire of tricks like coughing, sucking, hiccuping, and taking practice breaths. Your baby's sleep now includes the REM (rapid eye movement) phase — and that means he could be dreaming already (what do you suppose he's dreaming about?).

Your Body in Week 28 of Pregnancy

While it's good news that your baby is settling into the right position for childbirth (since you're now entering the third trimester), the potentially painful news is his head — plus the weight of your uterus — may now be sitting on your sciatic nerve, which runs through the lower part of your back, buttocks, and legs. This common condition (called sciatica) can cause sharp, shooting pain and/or tingling or numbness, starting in your rear end and radiating down the backs of your legs. The best thing to do for sciatica (and the rest of your week 28 aches and woes)? Take it easy — and hope your baby changes position sooner rather than later.

27 weeks 4 days!

I know, I know i'm late! Not much to report from this week. Lucas turned 22 on Thursday so we had a surprise party for him on Wednesday and it was very successful- We all had such a great time and Lucas was so surprised! Thanks to Bobbie and Lee for hosting and cooking, and thank you to Kaila and Cory for making the cake! The final surprise from the party was me painting my belly for Lucas so here it is!

So besides that the baby girl has been just perfect! Moving more than ever and responding to our voices, various sounds and my movements. I went to the Dr's yesterday and her heart rate was at 137 which is great!  This is the first time that her heart rate was so loud and profound that the Dr didn't have to recount or search for a better spot! 

So as many of you may know, I have had problems with pressure which I went to the Dr for about 2 weeks ago and they told me this was just a part of pregnancy and " It'll just get worse, before it gets better" So I just sucked it up and dealt with it! My symptoms were and are:

 When I get up from a sitting position I have to move very slowly and carefully because there is so much pressure. When I am rolling over in bed I get an excruciating pain in my groin and it actually makes me CRY! Trying to get in and out of the car is a struggle and so is climbing the stairs! So Thursday night, Lucas and I were walking through Walmart when I heard a cracking and popping sound coming from my hips and it suddenly got a lot harder to walk! So as you can imagine this is my last straw... So I called the Dr and they told me to come right in- The Dr examined me and he set off exactly what he suspected it was- Its called Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction

1. What it is: Symphysis pubic dysfunction, or SPD, is one of those weird pregnancy conditions that sounds bizarre and well, kind of is. It means the ligaments that normally keep your pelvic bone aligned become too relaxed and stretchy. This, in turn, can make the pelvic joint — aka the Symphysis pubis — unstable, causing some pretty strange sensations and sometimes pain. 
2.  What causes SPD during pregnancy: The culprit behind SPD is the aptly named hormone relaxin. Its mission is to make your ligaments stretchy so your baby can ease his or her way into the world. But sometimes relaxin does its job too well, making ligaments too loose too soon (way before baby is ready to come out), and that causes instability (and unfortunately, pain) in the pelvic joint. 

So... to make a long story short, My Dr ordered me to be on bed rest until Monday when I will see the orthopedic bone and joint therapist where they will further evaluate me and figure out a care plan for my treatment! I'm just so glad that they finally believe me and are getting me help! Thats it for now! I will update about my appointment on Tuesday for my 28 week post!
Thanks for reading!!

Got a sudden pain in your rear? That's just baby, settling into place for his upcoming debut. His head might be pressing on your sciatic nerve, which can cause pain and numbness down the backs of your legs. Don't worry -- it'll ease up soon after labor. For now, your aching back deserves a pat. You've reached trimester three! Baby's now the size of an eggplant! Baby's lungs are going through some major developments these days, which (combined with the opening of previously plugged nostrils) means he's now able to practice inhaling and exhaling. The lack of air in your womb means every "breath" is filled with amniotic fluid, but hey -- it's progress.

26 weeks!!

So I'm officially less than 100 days to my due date!!! We had our friend Nicole stay with us this weekend and we went up to Hunter to North-South lake, and on our way there it started to snow for the first time of the year!! So to commemorate our 100 day mark we took a few pictures together to share with everyone! Then that night of course was halloween so we went to a little party and had some pictures taken of us there too! So needless to say, we have a ton of pics to share this week!
Nothing much has changed with the peanut except of course for the fact that shes getting bigger and bigger!! I've started feeling her changing positions a lot lately... I hope shes not as uncomfortable as I am! Hehe! And elbows and knees-or at least thats what they feel like.. have been poking me a lot! Feels so funny but I LOVE feeling her... I already know I'm going to miss it when shes here, but having her will be much better!

Your Pregnancy: Week 26

Don't panic if your uterus suddenly starts tightening and relaxing -- Braxton Hicks contractions often begin around this time. They're simply your body's way of practicing and preparing for labor. (If the contractions are regular or particularly painful, call your doc just to be sure it's not the real thing.)

 

 

Baby's now the size of an eggplant!
Baby's soaking up your antibodies, getting her immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and she'll soon be practicing the blink...perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.

 

And last but not least... 26 week belly pics!!

& comparisons!!18 to 20 to 23 to 26

There you go!! Enjoy reading and I'll update you next week!!