1 year ago

About 1 year ago... we were looking for our first home...and found out we were pregnant!

One year later, living in a great home in a great neighborhood... with a great little guy!

38 Weeks

Eli should be nice and chubby right now. Average babies weigh about 6.8 pounds and measure over 19 1/2 inches long. Our appointment this week went well. Eli's heart continues to beat at a strong and steady pace. I have started to dilate and was at 1 cm on Monday.

Some people think this boy is coming early... I thought so at first... But, I think this guy has a good thing going and is going to stay in there as long as he is able. He is the product of two very stubborn people and I am sure he will be the same.

My brain cells are gone... long gone! Sleeping? Either I am sleeping very hard for a very short period of time (along with severe drooling and wall-shaking snoring) or I am just laying there... thinking about sleeping. The majority of my day is spent in the bathroom, walking to the bathroom, or thinking about going to the bathroom.

My phone is ringing off the hook with friends and family checking in... it means so much to us that so many people are as excited about this baby as we are! Thanks for all the love, everyone!

37 Weeks

37 Weeks

Flash back to 27 Weeks

Here we are...full term! If the little man decides to make his big arrival... all would be fine. So bring on the spicy foods, Raspberry Leaf Tea, and all the other suggestions we hear that get things going! I am so ready!

Average babies at this stage weigh about 5 1/2 - 6 1/3 pounds and measure a bit over 19 inches, head to heel. My fundal measurement remained at 34-weeks at our appointment on Monday (same measurement as last week). The doctor explained that his head is so low that it isn't included in the measurement at all.

My fingers feel like stuffed sausages, my knuckles are no where to be found, I am rocking the Jan Brady Walk and when I attempt to get out of bed....I look like a turtle stuck on its back! While this isn't my ideal sort of existance; I am going to be a mother in a matter of days!!! I can't wait!

36 Weeks/9 Months

36 weeks/9 Months

Flashback to 26 weeks

Eli is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. Average babies at this stage weigh between 5 to 6 pounds and are more than 18 1/2 inches long. At the end of this week, he will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.)

We had our weekly doctor appointment on Monday and everything continues to go well. I asked Dr. Ye for her professional estimate for Eli's weight and she said about 5 lbs (just an estimate). My fundal measurement (measurement of my stomach) is about 2 weeks smaller than average, but Dr. Ye said it isn't anything to be concerned about. I am not dilated at all, which is good as he should stay in there at least a couple more weeks.

If you haven't already, please add your predictions below for when Eli will arrive and how big he will be! The winner gets to be the first baby-sitter!

35 Weeks

Eli is now estimated to be over 18 inches long and tipping the scales at about 5 1/4 pounds. 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 (about 1 ounce per day).

He is still head down as he was 2 weeks ago. I have had some major pelvic pressure (ouch!) which is a sign of "dropping" or "lightning". Most first time moms "drop" between 34-36 weeks. It doesn't mean that he is coming early...just that I will be waddling until he arrives!

34 Weeks/8.5 Months

Eli now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and is almost 18 inches long (both estimates). His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. If he were to be born between now and 37 weeks (full term), he would maybe need to stay an extra day in the hospital for observation. Only 3 weeks until we are considered "Full term" and 6 weeks until we are "Due"!

It’s quite amazing how fast time has passed. Sometimes it feels like I have been pregnant forever, then other times it feels like it has not been anywhere near long enough to be giving birth in just 6 weeks!

Nick is doing well. I think he is beyond ready for the little guy's arrival! He has been so wonderful throughout everything, but I am not surprised... he is the best!

P.S. You like my pink pajama pants?

33 Weeks

Welcome to Week 33... This week my fingers have retained some water (see fat fingers in photo above) ... the doctor said this is completely normal as my blood pressure remains low (thank you Mom & Grandma Delores!).

This week Eli weighs a little over 4 pounds and has passed the 17-inch mark (this is of course an estimate). He continues to give me strong jabs in the ribs, hips and on my sides. The doctor confirmed today that he is head down and that his feet are in my right rib. Only 7 weeks to go until Due-Date-Day and 4 weeks to go until he will be considered "Full term". Whoa!

32 Weeks/8 Months

This week Nick and I started our Birthing Class at the Hospital. It runs for 6 weeks on Tuesday nights... Basically we will be covering everything... The laboring process, discussing cesareans, pain management and options, relaxation techniques, etc. Everything rookies need to know!

I am feeling great and Eli seems to be enjoying himself as well. By now, he should weigh around 3.75 pounds and may be about 17 inches long. He will gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for his big arrival. He continues to give me strong jabs here and there. One of his favorite things to do is punch me in my left hip and kick me in my right rib... at the same time! I am thinking this guy might be a little on the long side... I guess we will find in a matter of weeks!

Month of the Honey Dew Melon

31 Weeks

We had our 30-week check up on Monday...we are measuring right on the mark. Our Doctor estimates Baby Boy is weighing between 2.5 to 3 lbs. His heart rate remains steady and strong... Speaking of strong, lastnight I was laying in bed and all of a sudden POW! Eli kicked the hardest he has ever kicked; it completely startled me! It startled me so much I gasped outloud... startling Nick! He only weighs about 3 lbs right now... what is it going to be like when he is 5 lbs? ... 6lbs?.... I am scared!

30 Weeks

I believe that the "nesting" has kicked into full gear. I just can't organize and clean enough...and I thoroughly enjoy it!

The Nursery is ready for baby! It is absolutely my favorite room. I can't wait for the day I open the door to a chubby little baby smiling back at me!

The view as you walk in...

The changing table...

The embroidery on the bedding

29 Weeks

We had our 7-month appointment on Monday....wow! Eli's heart rate was steady and strong. The doctor spoke to me about contractions and to start paying attention to that. Holy crap! That means we are getting close! I have no idea what a contraction feels like, so she explained it to me... We start our birthing class the last Tuesday of this month which goes through the end of October. It will cover the entire birthing experience. It will be good for both of us Rookies!

27 Weeks

At 27 weeks along, we only have 13 weeks to go.... whoa! My feet swelled up when I was in Chicago last weekend (ish!). Claire said her feet swelled from a flight while she was pregnant as well... I know they will not get back to normal until the little guy arrives...but it sure is embarrassing having these gigantic feet!

Next Wednesday we are having a second ultrasound...the woman that did our first ultrasound was Miss Crabby-pants U.S.A.! She told us (in her strong Russian accent) that our baby was moving around too much, making it difficult for her to do the measurements! Seriously?! I assumed someone in her position would understand that you can't tell a baby in the womb to hold still for a minute. When it was all over, I asked her if she was able to determine the gender and with her back to us she said, "yea, it's a boy." In my mind, I played it out that the person would say, "Congratulations! It's a boy!" or at least say it with some enthusiasm. So, they offered us a special ultrasound so we can just watch him move around and get some more pictures of him! Yay!

Nick is playing in a National Softball Championship this weekend in Bismarck, ND. I opted to stay home as Grandma Jean is coming up to keep me company and we will play with Claire, Hailey & Jacob!

26 Weeks

So, here we are... 6 1/2 months along. Everything is going wonderfully!

Eli is moving all the time... Nick thinks he is practicing his batting swing...

25 Weeks

Where did the summer go? It is already mid-August!

My cousin, Claire, and her family moved back to Minnesota! It will be so much fun to have them near so Eli can play with his cousins, Hailey & Jacob!

Nick's family welcomed, Baby Luke, this week. Luke is the son of Nick's brother, Chris, and his girlfriend, Pam. We are very excited that Baby Eli will have another cousin to play with!

We had our 6 month check up this week and everything is going well. We just realized lastnight that we only have 15 weeks to go....wowsers!

24 Weeks/6 Months

Holy Smokes! 6 months! The time has gone by so fast! One good thing about being pregnant in the summer is that summers go by so fast! I have really enjoyed being pregnant, but I am getting excited to meet the little guy!

This afternoon we are heading to Willmar for my friend Jenny's wedding. Then on Saturday, we will be heading back home for another wedding. Nick's co-worker and hockey buddy is getting married. His soon-to-be wife, Megan, is actually starting a daycare! Once we found that out, we were all over her to make arrangements! We were so excited that someone we know and trust would be watching our baby. They also live pretty close to us...funny how things work out!

Month of the Eggplant

23 Weeks

So...the basement didn't get primed last weekend. We decided it would be best not to paint on such hot weekends...and I just didn't feel like it. I did clear out the Nursery and got it ready for all the baby stuff! We picked out a paint color, which we will do maybe next month or so. While Nick was playing softball, I got the crib unpacked for Nick to assemble later. But as I looked at the directions, I thought that I could do it...so I did! I was suprised how easy it was so assemble. It made me a bit nervous how easy it was, so I had Nick look it over when he got home and it was all good. (Shocked myself!) It is kind of fun to look in there and see the crib all set up....so cute!

21/22 Weeks

Nick has another softball tournament this weekend. While Nick is playing softball, I will be at home painting...I am going to prime the entire basement. Unfortunately, I am going to have to paint over the lovely paint job the owner before us did...I will post pictures later so you can see just how lovely it was/is.


Still feeling great... I am starting to get into the nesting mode. There have been nights were Nick comes home and I am running around organizing things. Then there are nights when he comes home and I am sound asleep! We have been using the Nursery as the "Catch all" room since we moved in...but I am getting antsy about organizing it and ready for baby!

UPDATE: No priming was accomplished this weekend. We decided we will save painting for when it is cooler out...

Month of the Papaya

New Due Date

I have been told not to count on your due date...but our due date has been moved to November 27th (Originally Dec. 5th) which means we are 21 weeks instead of 20 this week. Baby Eli is measuring at 14 oz. Healthy boy!

20 Weeks

Thursday was obviously a big day for us! We are still gushing with excitement about our little boy!

As I have mentioned before, he is quite a mover. It makes it so fun for me. I continue to feel great and am enjoying the entire experience very much!

This weekend I was in Willmar for my 10 year High School reunion! It was great to see so many faces I haven't seen in so long! I managed to stay up until midnight two nights in a row...needless to say I will be taking a nice nap this afternoon.

Week of the Cantaloupe

Week 19

The pants are getting REALLY snug.... but I think I can go another few weeks. I am hoping the 2 pairs I can squeeze into last me until the end of July when I have a free weekend to shop.... I just can't do the hair tie thing....I worry my shirt will ride up and then people will see my pants wide open with my undies exposed to all! Not good! Feeling good... I am becoming more familiar with the baby's movements. Sometimes on my drive to work in the mornings I notice it.... then from 10-Noon and in the afternoons in my commute 4-5-ish. The feeling is still very faint....but noticible. This weekend we will be at the North Shore with Nick's family. I am looking forward to lots of play and nice weather! Next week is the big week...Ultrasound! I am so excited to get to see our baby moving around!

Week of the Mango