Baby #2: Week 38!

Week 38

Baby Changes: Your baby has really plumped up. He weighs about 6.8 pounds and he's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). He has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold his hand for the first time! His organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb. Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You many not be able to tell right away. If he's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If he's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time he's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain pigment in the months after he's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue.  (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

Best moment this week: definitely Saturday! I got to get a massage, manicure, and pedicure at La Bella Belly Spa in Rockwall and then that night Casey & I went to the staff Christmas party at Patti Womack's house where I stuffed myself with lots of delicious food and had a great time talking with friends! :)

Gender: Boy! Dayton Lee Coats 

Movement: a lot less at the beginning of the week, but seems to be more active the last couple of days!

Food cravings: Besides ice, the other night we were all talking about steak at CG and afterwards I was craving meat so Casey went to Sonic and got some food for me at 9:45pm :) Sweet husband :)

What I am looking forward to: having him!!!!!

Symptoms: Oh my gosh…this week has gotten bad people. I am having a lot of pain down low and lots of pressure, too. I have basically limped around the last couple of days. It feels like someone is grabbing me by the tops of my legs and trying to pull me apart like a wishbone. I did NOT have this feeling with Sawyer and I even hear some "popping" when I sit down or move - like bones popping. It is awful and it hurts! It is really bad at night when I am laying in bed a try to turn over to my other side. Apparently there is something called Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction where the hormone called Relaxin can allow your ligaments to get too stretchy and too lose too soon. I think I may have this. It is an odd feeling and very disconcerting to say the least. I go to the doctor again tomorrow and plan to ask all about it! I am also still having to use the bathroom constantly and have acid reflux. Hey, at least my back doesn't hurt!!

Doctor's appointment: On Monday (12/17) I was dilated to 3cm still and he said I was 80% effaced and that the baby's head was "fully engaged" (no joke, I can tell!). My blood pressure was only 112/76 and Dayton's heart rate was 140. I hadn't gained a pound this week so I am still at 26 pounds for the entire pregnancy (quite proud of myself for this, although I didn't really do anything to prevent gaining too much weight). I plan to ask to weigh before and after I have the baby (if I can remember). :) I'm at 144 lbs now. I bet I hit 145, at least, haha. The doctor said "could be anytime" and almost seemed like he thought he wouldn't see before my next appointment which is tomorrow (only 3 days later due to the holidays), but it looks like he'll be wrong. :( I'll be 39 weeks tomorrow and he's willing to induce at that point, but we're still gonna hold out. Kind of not liking that anymore, but oh well. :) I think it's best to try to let him come on his own since there is nothing wrong with either of us (no health problems that create a reason to induce), and I want to try to do this without an epidural, but I know the likelihood of me succeeding with that goal will go way down if I'm given Pitocin (because that makes the contractions way harder, and mine aren't so bad -- or at least they weren't with Sawyer!).

If you think about it, you can say a little prayer for me & Dayton: that he would be completely healthy; that labor would be smooth and no complications; that Sawyer would adjust well; (and if you're feeling extra prayerful that he would come soon and we'd be home by Christmas ;)

TO DO:

1. finish Christmas shopping (only have a FEW items left to go)
2. wrap remainder of Christmas presents
3. write my last couple of thank you cards 
4. hang the bookshelves in the nursery (they have arrived!)
5. pack my hospital bag
6. pack a few presents for Sawyer to give to her at the hospital
7. finish up my schoolwork: 2 papers due 12/12/12
8. take my defensive driving paperwork to the courthouse as soon as it arrives in the mail
9. wash Dayton's newborn clothes
10. charge the video camera/camera
11. write in Dayton's baby book
12. get both cars washed/cleaned out
13. install car seats/infant car seat

Here's my 38 week picture taken at 38 weeks, 2 days. 

 And for some reason this angle/side looks smaller :)

Hurry up, Dayton!!!

Baby #2: Week 37!

The weeks are ticking by and baby Dayton is already full-term!

Week 37

Baby Changes: Your baby is now considered "full term" even though your due date is 3 weeks away. If you go into labor now his lungs will  likely be mature enough to adjust to life outside the womb. Some babies need a bit more time, though.

Your baby weighs around 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. Don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blondes or red-heads, and fair-headed couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes! And then of course some babies sport on peach fuzz. 

Best moment this week: This has been a fun week! I had my last day at my internship on Friday, pokeno with the girls on Friday night, CG party at Charlie & Ginni's on Saturday night, my doctor appointment on Monday (with some good news!), and then our 4th annual time to go looking at Christmas lights with the Rickersons on Monday night!

Gender: Boy! I still can't wrap my mind around having a boy. I feel like such a girl mom.

Movement: his movement has slowed wayyyy down. I guess there's just not enough room! The doctor told me to count to make sure there are at least 10 different, distinct movements within my first 2 hours of being awake each morning. 

Food Cravings: funny story…I've been craving ice like crazy and that's a sign of anemia (so is low blood pressure and fatigue and I've been having both) so I started taking more of my prenatal vitamins hoping to up my iron. Well, last week my friend Kristin and her family came over for dinner and she saw my gummy prenatal vitamins sitting on the counter. She was like "hey, I use those, too! Did you know they don't have iron in them?" I about freaked out. She showed me on the label where it said they don't contain iron because they are gummy and children may want to eat them (too much iron is really dangerous in children). UGH! So this entire pregnancy I've been anemic and also not taking any iron. The next day I went to the store and got an Iron supplement and have been taking it everyday. I've still been craving ice though…but maybe not as much? It's hard to tell. I'm not worried about how it will affect the baby though because I took the same vitamins my entire pregnancy with Sawyer and she's fine, although I never craved ice with her.

What I am looking forward to: checking things off of my to do list and then just having him!! :)

Symptoms: I have a multitude of "symptoms": acid reflux (it's pretty much a constant companion now), having to use the bathroom religiously (at night & during the day), craving and eating lots of ice, lots of pressure and pain down low.

Doctor's appointment: At my 37 week, 4 day doctor's appointment I was dilated to 3cm already! Woohoo! He wasn't going to examine me at all, but last week I had contractions off and on for several hours and have been cramping this week as well so he decided to go ahead and check, and sure enough progress had been made! My blood pressure was 127/74 (again the highest it's ever been, but still considered good and low). Dayton's heart rate was 130, so that's slowed down some. I had gained 2 pounds in 1 week, now weighing 144 lbs total. I have only gained 26 pounds so far this pregnancy which astounds me since I gained 33 with Sawyer and I'm only 5 days out from when I had her at this point. (I started at 115 with her and got to about 148). I started off 3 pounds heavier this pregnancy, but it looks like I might end it lighter! That would be nice! I already have some plans for losing this baby weight quick (breastfeeding + running/lifting = a winning combination!).

TO DO:

1. finish Christmas shopping (only have a FEW items left to get)
2. wrap remainder of Christmas presents
3. write my last couple of thank you cards (I didn't write thank you cards with Sawyer until after she was born, ha!)
4. hang the bookshelves in the nursery when they arrive
5. pack my hospital bag
6. wrap/pack a few presents for Sawyer to give to her while we are in the hospital
7. finish up my school work (have 2 papers due today at 4:30pm on 12/12/12)
8. take my defensive driving paperwork to the courthouse as soon as it arrives in the mail
9. wash Dayton's newborn clothes
10. charge the video camera/camera
11. write in Dayton's baby book
12. get both cars washed/cleaned out
13. install car seat base/infant car seat (this is so much easier now that I've done it before…last time it seemed like SUCH a task, haha!)

I'm pretty much done with all things major…his room is complete (minus the bookshelves). His pack-n-play napper/bassinet is put together and next to me in our bedroom (thanks to Casey!), the pets are in new homes, and I'm not nearly as concerned about having all his clothes washed in "baby-safe detergent." Things are just simpler the second time around and I feel more relaxed (besides being nervous about having 2 kids under 20 months!) ;)

Here is my 37 week picture! Last time I wore this with Sawyer at 38 weeks so you can kind of compare HERE :)

It won't be too much longer now!! :)

Baby #2: Weeks 35 & 36!

I'm behind again, but I've got good reason….I've been busy :) 

Week 35

Baby Changes: Your baby doesn't have much more room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete--he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight!

Best moment this week: girls' night seeing Breaking Dawn part 2! It was nice to get out and spend some time having fun with my girlfriends! Casey & I also had a date night! We went to Gloria's for dinner and then to see Lincoln at the Harbor - very good movie! This was our first date night alone in more than a month so it was nice to get to relax together! My mom even kept Sawyer overnight so the next day I got to sleep in before picking her up for church! Woohoo!

Gender: He's still a boy! I got a sonogram this week at my doctor's appointment and the doctor confirmed for me, again, that he is a boy. Just checkin' ;)

Movement: still a kicker!!!

Food cravings: ICE! It's so weird, but I have been eating ice like the refrigerator is about to break down. 

What I am looking forward to: Getting the collage up in the nursery!

Symptoms: acid reflux is still the devil and so is getting up over and over at night to use the bathroom.

35 week picture!

Week 36

Baby Changes: Your baby is still packing on the pounds--at the rate of about an ounce a day! He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, which will form the contents of his first bowel movement. 
At the end of the week your baby will be considered full-term.  (Full term is 37-42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 weeks are post-term). 
According to my doctor, Dayton is already in the head-down position. 

Best moment this week: Going to 3 different Thanksgiving celebrations! We went to my mom's side at my Momma Sheila's house on the morning of Thanksigiving and then to my dad's side at my cousin Cindy's house that afternoon. Saturday we went to Casey's mom's side at his grandmother's house! We had good food and fun at all :) Also, I took Sawyer to her first little girl Christmas party - she decorated cookies, did a book exchange, and played. She had so much fun (and so did I)!

Gender: Boy! Dayton Lee Coats!

Movement: movements have slowed to kicks instead of crazy all over the place changes, but he is still way more active than Sawyer ever was!

Food cravings: ICE just about beats all other cravings. It's weird.

What I am looking forward to: having the baby?! I feel like most everything has come together! The nursery only lacks minor details and the pack-n-play bassinet is put together in our room! I'm ready!!

Symptoms: ACID REFLUX, grrrr. Also, one night this week I got up SIX times to use the bathroom. You've got to be kidding me!

At my 36 week, 4 day appointment my blood pressure was 120/80 and  I had gained 1 lb in the last 2 weeks, now weighing in at 142 lbs. Dayton's heart rate was 145. I was not dilated or effaced at all, which was kind of a bummer since I was at my 36 week appointment with Sawyer (at 36 weeks with her I was 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced already!). Everything is still going well and both Dayton and I are still healthy as horses!

My 36 week picture!

Baby #2: Weeks 32-34!

I know, I know, I'm way behind. But I'm catching up now! Life has been super busy the last 3 weeks plus I am getting some serious 3rd trimester fatigue that I did NOT experience with Sawyer. Stinks for sure! So, all of my energy is put into school, work, Casey, Sawyer, and the house! Little energy left for blogging…and it doesn't seem like it would take much, but by the end of the day sometimes I think I could do little more than just lay on the couch. Even my fingers are tired :)

Week 32

Baby Changes: By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

Best moment this week: Taking Sawyer to trunk-or-treat and trick-or-treating! She was such a cute little cupcake! :) I got a free pedicure at La Bella Belly this week, too! :) Also, I got to spend a fun night with the girls for Laura's bachelorette party!

Gender: He's a boy! ;)

Movement: He's still a mover!

Food cravings: cookies, apples (that's kind of new, I know!), milk, Dr Pepper…

What I am looking forward to: Putting up the wall in the nursery!!!

Symptoms: acid reflux!!! UGH! Having to use the bathroom several times a night! :(

*At my 32 week, 4 day doctor's appointment my blood pressure was 108/60, and I had gained 5 lbs in 2 weeks (now totaling 138 lbs). Dayton's heart rate was 150 bpm.

Week 33

Baby Changes: This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

Best moment this week: spending time with friends at Laura's wedding and having lunch with Rachel & Lauren! :) Also had a dr appt…no sonogram, but we talked a little more about "the end" which is always exciting! I've started going every 2 weeks, which I'm not crazy about, but hopefully he'll come a little early and that will be 1 or 2 less doctor appointments ;)

Gender: Boy! Dayton!

Movement: A kicker for sure! Sometimes it hurts really bad! Haha.

Food cravings: Dr Pepper, milk, cookies ;)

What I am looking forward to: picking up the cushions for the glider/ottoman (I got an old one for $25 and had it reupholstered for only $30! Score!).

Symptoms: The acid reflux is getting SO bad. It's awful!

Here's my 33 week picture!

Week 34

Baby Changes: Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

Best moment this week: getting the nursery wayyyy closer to finished! I will post pics as soon as it is completely done, which will probably be sometime in early December. (Hopefully!) :) So far I love it!

Gender: Dayton is a boy!

Movement: I can tell he is running out of room, but he still manages his way around in there in order to kick me in the ribs or something ;) Sometimes it is painful! I do NOT like the feeling when he hits one of my bones. Feels weird! He moves WAY more than Sawyer. It's crazy!

Food cravings: Cheetos. Haha!

What I am looking forward to: last touches on the nursery!

Symptoms: ACID REFLUX IS THE DEVIL. And also I'm really tired now. It's just hit me this week like a ton of bricks. AND waking up several times a night to use the restroom doesn't help ;)

*At my 34 week, 4 day doctor's appointment my blood pressure was 118/70, I had gained 3 lbs in 2 weeks (now totalling 141 lbs) and I got a sonogram! Dayton's heart rate was 140 bpm. Everything looked good! 

34 week picture!

Only 6 weeks (or less) left!!!

Baby #2 Week: 31!

Week 31

Baby Changes: This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

Best moment this week: My baby shower!! My wonderful hostesses, Ginni, Alycia, & Kristen planned a wonderful and super cute shower for Dayton & I! It was full of cute decorations and yummy food! I got many generous gifts from our family & friends! :)

Gender: Boy! Dayton Lee Coats :)

Movement: Dayton kicks me all day and all night ;)

Food cravings: Some days I'll randomly crave meat…some days I'll randomly crave something "fresh"… some days I just want chocolate ;)

What I am looking forward to: next week Casey & Charlie are putting up the board and batten on the nursery wall - can't wait to seen how it turns out!!

Symptoms: acid reflux is getting worse ;( It even happens when I'm sitting up now, so that's a bummer! Back pain has actually gotten a little better and some nights I sleep almost all the way through without having to use the bathroom, but other nights I get up 4-5 times!!! I really love waking up in the morning and knowing that I only got up once, haha. Makes me feel better rested. 

At my last doctor's appointment (Monday, October 22nd) my blood pressure 110/68 and I had lost 1lb. in the last 2 weeks now weighing 133lbs. Dayton's heart rate was 138. 

Here's my 31 week picture!

Baby #2: Week 30!

Week 30 - can't believe there's only 10 official weeks left! If Dayton shows up as early as Sawyer then there's only 8 weeks left! AHHH!

Baby Changes: Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and he weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

Best moment this week: My mom took me shopping for some pretty, winter maternity clothes! I wasn't this big in the winter when I was pregnant with Sawyer so many of my shirts just weren't going to cut it. Some of them were already too small. Now I have something cute to wear to my outdoor October baby shower & my friend Laura's outdoor November wedding:)

Gender: Boy!! Dayton :)

Movement: he moves constantly and feels huge!

Food cravings: actually been craving some meat these days, haha

What I am looking forward to: my baby shower is next weekend, but I'm also looking forward to getting stuff put up in the nursery! :)

Symptoms: not getting much sleep at night due to general discomfort, acid reflux, & back pain

Here is my 30 week belly pic! :)

Baby #2: Weeks 26, 27, 28, & 29!

Yep, I know, I'm a whole month behind, but I refuse to give up ;) Here are weeks 26-29 of my pregnancy with….

Dayton Lee Coats

Week 26

Baby Changes: The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

Best moment this week: Lots of good moments this week: 1) I came home from my internship this week and Casey had painted the nursery!! YAY! 2) Going to Rachel's baby shower this week and seeing her open up cute little boy presents:) 3) Going to Jill's shower for baby Julia from Ethiopia! 4) Starting my weekly women's Bible Study from Beth Moore over James!

Gender: It's a boy!

Movement: This boy is a little kicker for sure.

Food cravings: I crave caffeine like a crazy person.

What I am looking forward to: ordering the crib!

Symptoms: relentless back pain. :(

Week 27

Baby Changes: This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Best moment this week: Several good moments this week again… :) 1) Plano Balloon Festival with Sawyer & Casey! 2) Laura's bridal shower with my mom and friends! 3) Getting fabric for the glider & ottoman with my mom, Sawyer, Ginni, & Mathis :)

Gender: Boy :)

Movement: I'm growing a soccer player or a boxer in my belly.

Food cravings: Starbucks, Dr Pepper, McDonalds iced mochas…chocolate ;)

What I am looking forward to: we ordered the crib and are waiting to get it in the mail!!

Symptoms: back pain to the max.

Week 28

Baby Changes: By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Best moment this week: I got a prenatal massage from my friend Kristen!! It was amazing and really helped with the back pain ;) Casey preached, and we also got to see Mathis dedicated at church.

Gender: Boy! We officially decided on the name DAYTON LEE COATS ;)

Movement: Dayton is a mover! I think he likes sitting on my bladder, too. ;)

Food cravings: caffeine and chocolate

What I am looking forward to: putting the crib together!!

Symptoms: acid reflux is hitting an all-time high…TUMS are still by my bed and still having some back pain.

Week 29

Baby Changes: Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

Best moment this week: Casey put the crib together!! YAY! We also went away with Casey's fam for the weekend for our 5th annual cabin trip in Oklahoma - we always have a fun time:) On Monday Casey took the day off and we cleaned out the garage and part of Dayton's closet…still a lot more to go in there, though! BUT while cleaning out the garage I found our engagement video that I had lost 5 1/2 years ago!!! We watched it and I cried. :)  I also had my 28 week appt this week and heard Dayton's heart beat at 138 BPM and my BP was 100/60 (still good!). I gained 7 lbs this month, oops! Overall gained 17 lbs for the pregnancy now weighing 134 lbs. 

Gender: Boy! Dayton Lee

Movement: This baby boy wants to keep me awake at night and definitely lets me know when it's morning…I lay on my side and hug a pillow and can actually feel him kicking the pillow! Haha. 

Food cravings: like I've said many times before, Starbucks, Dr Pepper, etc. Wish I didn't!

What I am looking forward to: continuing to work on the nursery…we're slowly making progress :) Also, I am getting a fancy 3D/4D sonogram at La Bella Belly on Saturday - a gift from Casey's parents! YAY! :)

Symptoms: back pain & acid reflux

Here is my 29 week belly pic…I didn't take one for weeks 26-28. Oops!

Baby #2 Weeks 24 & 25

I have been so bad at blogging lately. You'd think I'd have a lot of time since I stay at home, but that's just not the case. I have been soooo busy!!! My only true day off during the week (from school or keeping kids) is Tuesday and lately Tuesdays have been packed full! And the weekends have been no better. They are always busy, busy, busy. Anyway, here are 2 weeks worth of pregnancy :)

Week 24  

Baby Changes: Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Best moment this week: We went to the 1st A&M SEC game in College Station and had a blast!! :) Someone with 4 season tickets offered 2 of them to us! We were ecstatic, and very thankful! :)

Gender: It's a boy!! :)

Movement: all the time!!!!

Food cravings: Caffeine sadly…Dr Pepper, Starbucks frappuccinos, you name it.

What I am looking forward to: painting the nursery!

Symptoms: back pain:(    *didn't get a pregnant belly pic this week…

Week 25   

Baby Changes: Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more 
hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

Best moment this week: had a date night with Casey! We went to Saltgrass (we had a gift card!!) and had an awesome dinner/dessert and then went to Target to register for the baby! Mimi & Poppy kept Sawyer at our house and we had a nice evening out. It was refreshing! :)

Gender: It's still a boy! (Although I haven't had another sonogram since finding out, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it was accurate;)

Movement: He moves all the time -- day & night!

Food cravings: Seriously not joking about always wanting a frappuccino…It just tastes and sounds so good all the time… :) (I get decaf though:)

What I am looking forward to: last week when I was away on my internship Casey surprised me by painting the nursery! It needs one more coat, but I was so happy to come home and see it painted! :) We still have lots more to do in there, but we are almost completely done with the dresser, too, and then we'll put it in there! Woohoo! :)

Symptoms: back pain, acid reflux (Tums are my bedside friend)

Pregnant belly: I had my 24 week doctor appointment and glucose test this week (still haven't heard back from that so I am assuming I passed!) and I gained another 3-4 pounds this month (now at 128 I believe). My blood pressure was still low and baby's heartbeat was strong. I go again on October 8th and then begin my every 2 week appointments. Can't believe it's that time already!

Here's my 25 week picture!

Baby #2: Week 23

Week 23 

Baby Changes: Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With his sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that he's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as large as a mango), you may be able to see him squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing him for entry to the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now--such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner--probably won't faze him when he hears them outside the womb. 

Best moment this week: Is it sad that one of my most favorite things to do this week was get my hair done?! I hadn't gotten it done since April 3rd so I went a full 5 months and MAN! did it need it. I had split ends two inches long and roots about 3 inches, haha. My hair started growing so fast since I found out I was pregnant/taking prenatal vitamins and I don't like to get it done during the first half of pregnancy (fumes are not good to breathe during that time) so I waited until now, and whew am I loving my shorter blonder hair! :) We also got together to eat dinner with Casey's entire family and his sister, Stephanie, gave me a ton of baby boy clothes so it's been fun going through them and hanging them up in his closet. :) ALSO, Sawyer & I got to go on a fun lunch date with Ginni & Mathis this week, as well as dinner at her house with Alycia, and then a fun double date with the Rickersons on Saturday AND they came over on Sunday night - This has definitely been the week of Ginni! :) Haha! But it's great because I went so long with her being on bed rest and then having a baby so we missed them a lot :) We also registered at Babies R Us the other day and it was so different looking at boy stuff as opposed to girl stuff! I'll admit it's not quite as fun, but it's also kind of nice to not need as much. :) Today (Labor Day) Casey & I have been finally preparing baby boy's nursery! Woo too! We have primed the dresser and drawers and have bought paint for his room. We still have to do the final color on the dress (to be a surprise;). I'm so excited to see how it turns out! :)

Gender: It's a boy!!

Movement: I think he moves non-stop. Seriously. Haha!

Food cravings: still Dr Pepper unfortunately. I really need to kick the habit.

What I am looking forward to: finishing the dresser and painting the room! :) Woohoo! (Can you tell I'm excited we finally got started?!)

Pregnant belly: Definitely feeling bigger. I sometimes feel as big/out of breath/unable to do things as I did with Sawyer in the last few weeks. I am not sure if that is normal, but Sawyer's pregnancy was for sure easier on me. Could one year of aging make that much difference? I'm still only 26!

Symptoms: I'm currently battling a pretty bad sore throat - I'm sure that's got nothing to do with being pregnant though. :)

Here's 23 weeks pregnant me! :)

Baby #2: Week 22

Week 22 

Baby Changes: At 11 inches (the length of spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, my baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises still lack pigment. He now has fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas--essential for the production of some important hormones--is developing steadily.

Best moment this week: This was actually a pretty rough week with a trip to the ER for Sawyer (and almost a 2nd trip as well!), but for 1 hour on Saturday I got to experience an amazing prenatal massage from La Bella Belly in Rockwall. Casey surprised me on Thursday with flowers, a card, and a gift card to get a massage and I couldn't wait to use it! :)

Gender: BOY! :) Seriously hoping to be able to announce a name soon…people have been asking a lot lately and I feel like we have "The Name," but am just waiting on Casey to agree/make up his mind/give in/nail it down. :)

Movement: This little boy kicks and moves and squirms almost all day and night. Sometimes its difficult to fall asleep because that seems to be his favorite position for kicking me :)

Food cravings: Ugh, Dr Pepper. I just can't help myself!!!

What I am looking forward to: I am *hoping* to do something anything in the nursery or for the nursery this week.

Pregnant belly: I have gotten to the point now where I look at my belly in the mirror and think "how is it going to get bigger than this?!" It already feels and looks like it will pop. Haha!

Symptoms: fatigue (although that's probably just due to lack of sleep with Sawyer being sick), backaches still, but have gotten better!

My 22 week picture at the end of a long day. :)