35 weeks

This week the growing continues and the little guy's kickboxing routine inside of me also continues. He's about 5 1/2 lbs now and anywhere from 17-20 inches. From now on, he'll gain weight mostly as his height/length slows. The books this week said that he's about the size of a roasting chicken...which is what Joe and I ate tonight for dinner...huh. weird.

The books said that at this point his kidneys are fully developed and his liver is processing waste now. Mostly everything from toenails to hair on the head is done growing. At this point if Ryder is born, he has a 99% chance of survival. So I say...let's go! well, not quite yet. But I'll take 3 weeks from now instead of 5 weeks. that sounds sooo much better.

I am looking forward to this weekend: TWO showers!! I have one with all my girlfriends on Saturday and then on Sunday I have my shower with Joe's side of the family. Very exciting :)

Updated baby bump pics

So I had my 34 week doctor's appointment this week. Dr. Craemer said my belly is measuring right where it should for 34 weeks and the heart beat sounds good so I was happy about that. I was even more happy about only gaining 2 lbs over the last three weeks!!!! Sorry to Joe, but my horrendous eating habits will continue for another 6 weeks :) I have my next appointment in two more weeks (at 36 weeks) and from then on out I will be going weekly. It's also exciting because next appt I will start my cervix checks to see if I'm starting to dilate/efface!!! It's getting so close...

8 1/2 months

8 1/2 month bare belly shot...the growing continues!

34 weeks

8 and 1/2 months this week...only 6 to go! (or hopefully a couple less) This week in our books it says that Ryder should be about 5 to 5 1/2 lbs and is about 17 inches or so. He's getting to be so big--and I feel it, that's for sure :) The books also said that this week his little testes should be almost all the way descended out of his abdomen, and his finger nails should be grown all the way to the end of his fingers almost.

I have my 34 week doctors appointment on Wednesday, so I'll be giving you all an update later this week on that appointment as well as putting up some new belly bump shots!

Baby Shower #1

Today I had my first baby shower with my side of the family. It was so fun and we got so many great gifts! It was super fun to bring them all home and I showed them all to Joe. We put them all away in their spots (my favorite part--nesting I believe that's called...). Joe and I even assembled all the stuff that needed to be assembled and there was no arguing even because I think he was even having fun ;)

When I get some pictures from the shower, I will scan them into the computer and post a few so everyone can see a couple shots of the games we played, who was there, etc. Thanks to everyone who was there and helped make it such a fun day :)

***Dont forget to place your "Baby Bet" down below. If you can't figure out how to post a comment (this website makes it rather difficult) then just email me the 'stats' and I can post them under your name for you***

33 weeks

7 more weeks to go, people!! It's going to be a very long AND short 7 weeks I think. (maybe more on the long side though...). I'm getting so antsy. A high school friend just had her baby yesterday and I can honestly say I'm thoroughly jealous! And those rib shots that sometimes take my breath away can really only get stronger in the next 7 weeks too. That should be super. So let's pray for a fast few weeks---not only will it be good for me but also good for everyone else because then most of this snow should be melted by then too (maybe).

I'm also getting very excited for the shower with my side of the family in two days. I can't wait to see everyone, eat "shower food", and see all the little baby stuff :) I will have to write a little post later on how the shower was.

As for doing our weekly readings when Joe got home last night, we find it funny that each week now basically is short and sweet: the baby is getting fat. That's about it. haha! Ryder should be around 4 1/2 lbs and about 16 inches or so. The average baby gains about half a pound per week from here on out. And apparently mom will gain about a pound (or more if I start water retaining) from here on out. yay for that. So basically Ryder is just getting chubby and finishing developing his lungs from here on out.

Boo the snow...

I am SO sick of the snow! With Joe out of town for work till Wednesday, I was seriously wondering what I was going to do about the foot of snow on my driveway. Certainly as a big fat pregnant lady, it would be a bad idea to try to shovel my way out on my own. But if anyone knows me well enough, you know that I would definitely try and attempt this on my own anyways....but I am a blessed girl and have such wonderful family members: I had offers from not only my father-in-law but also my own mother who said they would personally come down themselves and shovel for me. Thankfully my neighbors are awesome and came over and snow plowed my driveway without me even having to ask. One came in the late afternoon and did it and another one came later at night and re-did it. I think the problem lies here: we have no snowblower. solution: next year, we will definitely get one, not just talk about getting one.

Anyways, with Joe being out of town, we won't be doing our "weekly readings" until Wednesday night. So look for an updated status post later this week on what's going on. I also am supposed to have a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning. This will NOT be happening, as the traffic will be ridiculous (sorry to all of you who have to drive through it tomorrow morning!). Instead I am going to continue being a bum and stay in my PJs and by the time I have to go to work tomorrow night, the roads should be better and the snow should be done. Just two nights of work and then I am so excited for four days off of work! Going out to dinner on Friday for Joe's dad's birthday, I have my first baby shower on Saturday with my side of the family, and then brunch at Redstone on Sunday for Valentine's day :) yay for a GREAT weekend to look forward to!!!

A BABY BET

Post your answers to the poll questions (found on the left hand column of the blog under the "baby counter") under the comment section for this blog post. We'll see who is closest to the right due date and weight/length. (you will win nothing but pride...and maybe a free babysitting night so Joe and I can go out sometime..haha!)

My guess is that Ryder will come on 4/3, he will be 8lbs 1 oz, and will be 19 inches long. (I have NO clue, but that's my guess!)

8 months!

This week I am 8 months...only TWO left to go :) I can't believe the "baby countdown" is now in the 50's for days left till the due date. That's insane. But welcomed as I am stretching/fattening/can't breath/can't sleep...and I still have two months left!! I do complain a lot (just ask Joe), but really I do love being pregnant overall....as long as a mentally block out the first trimester that is of course. But really 2nd trimester was great and even though I'm getting uncomfortable, can't sleep etc, I really truly do love being pregnant. It's such an experience. In a good way that is.

Joe and I finished our lamaze/childbirth classes this week. We're graduates now and apparently experts on being parents. Just kidding. They showed this breastfeeding video in class and Joe got to see a LOT of different boobs of all shapes and varieties, so that was interesting ;) We also were showed things like 'how to bathe a baby' or 'how to swaddle a baby'. Good for brushing up on for me and good for Joe to see for the first time as well.

Anyways, I posted a few pictures below of the 8th month belly shot. I actually did a bare belly one for once. I know not everyone is comfortable looking at a big bare belly. So if that's the case...well, just don't look!

8 month belly shot

8th month 'bare' belly shot

( And yes, this is the best face shot of me in the world. It's a thing of beauty really....haha)