4 weeks to go!

Well, I had my first official 'one week appointment' today. That is correct, I will now see my midwife every week until 'd-day'. You know...now that I think about it, I don't know if everyone is familiar with what exactly a 'midwife' is, but I have certainly had a great deal of people ask me about her or have 'midwife related' questions.

My midwife is part of a formal OBGYN office called Craig Ranch. She is on staff among 4 OB's their. Basically, a midwife can do everything that an OB does, except perform C-sections. Therefore, if I need a c-section delivery, one of the OB's will perform that. Otherwise, all of my appointments and attention have been similar. Where a midwife is more beneficial than an OB is that she gives us more time an attention during our appointments. Additionally, she will be in the delivery room once I am 5cm dilated, whereas an OB doesn't typically show up until you are ready to push at 10cm. Midwives, also, traditionally like to avoid to much 'medical intervention' as possible (c-sections, fetal monitoring, episiotomy, ect..) Oh, also...if I had used the 'OB's' at my office, I wouldn't have been certain of who was performing the delivery (on call style), while my midwife does all her patients deliveries.

So....you are wanting to hear the details? Today my belly measured exactly '36 weeks, I have gained 25 lbs, and my blood pressure is normal. My midwife said that I am having a very great, healthy, and 'textbook' pregnancy. AL-SO.....I am 70% effaced and 1/2 a cm dilated. So, I suppose I am starting to make progress in that department, but Eli isn't exactly going to be showing up tonight.

Speaking of Eli.....is a 'mover and a shaker'! Man oh man...he is still as active as ever! This little guy is using up all of the floor plan in my belly that he can. He moves, kicks, punches, and flips daily (makes my belly looking like a Jell-O mold). Due to his overactive hic-cup schedule, I can always identify where his abdomen is inside my belly. And, nearly ever single hic-cup session is experienced in a different location. Therefore, I can tell that he continues to flip from side to side inside me. My midwife did say that he is still head down...but clearly not 'engaged'.

So, when is Eli going to make his big debut? Know one really knows...not even a guess. On one hand I get the impression that he is going to come on his due date just to try to stay as 'text book' as possible. However, he is having so much fun moving around, that when he runs out of space he might just be ready to 'get the heck out'! Although...I can tell you this. When he finally does enter our great big wide world he might finally be able to get a nights rest. I swear he will be thinking "finally, some peace and quiet". Poor little guy has been having to battle with my VERY active stomach! I can hear my stomach growling and making noises very clearly from the outside, I can only imagine that it sounds like an Ozzie Osborn concert inside the womb. I just can't imagine anything phasing him 'noise wise' when he finally arrives...if he can still hear, that is.

The birth plan: This really could be its own post, and I am sure it will get more attention later on. But, I will say one tid bit before I go. My 'birth plan' is pretty simple....and at this point 'anything goes'. I am currently telling myself that I would like to a least try a 'medication free' labor, however I am not married to that idea one bit. By all means, if I am in extreme pain....then I am going to get an epidural! Basically, I am just going to play it by ear. Also, if I have to have a c-section (for whatever medical necessary reason)...then 'so be it'. Again, I am not married to any one notion of how Eli needs to enter this world. I have been told that you can not have expectations with labor, and to be open to anything. Additionally, if you are dedicated to one idea then you are setting yourself up for possible dissapointment. So, I say these things for one reason....as you all hear how Eli makes his debut, be happy and pleased with whatever happens. Stay positive, that is what I will be doing. Labor is good....epidurals are good....and c-sections are good, but Eli making it into this world safely is GREAT! :)

What...? 30 weeks!?!

Yes, the big 3-0! The number is huge, I can't believe I am here. I guess when I first found out I was preggo I just assumed that 30 was basically the end. However, I am aware that I am so close to end, but it still seems so far away. Perhaps it is because we are still living in 2009, and Eli won't be born until 'well into 2010'! I know...I know, I'm being sarcastic (doesn't read real well).

Still though, I think the transition of 2009 to 2010 has given me this real false reality of having more time than I expect. Additionally, I have been scheduling my work calendar out, and I feel like I still have an eternity of work days and weeks left. Trust me, if you want life to feel like a slow crawl, just add work to the picture. However, after the holidays come and go I think I will be in for the shock of my life.

So, what is life like in the 30's? Well, my back freaking hurts! Yes! I think I need to go see a chiropractor. I have always had underlying 'issues' that have been stirred up like a bunch of hot coals on a simmering fire. Also, maternity tops and jackets are nearly a MUST at this point. I can't quite get away with my regular tops like I used to. Sleeping has also become more difficult so I have turned to my new love...'The Snoogle'. It is everything you would want a pregnancy pillow to be, and it has been so much more rewarding than I could ever have anticipated.

My progress? Well, I am visiting my midwife every two weeks, and things are progressing well. My stomach is measuring right on par with where it should be (30 cm). My weight? ugh..... yes, I hate to discuss, but I am +20lbs. They say that I am right where I should, and will most likely finish out with +25 to +32 total weight gain. Eli? Who the heck knows...ha ha! He is moving all over the place. He was breech a few weeks ago, but my midwife thinks that he is in the right place, now (he still has time to figure out how he is going to settle down). I swear that I feel kicks coming from all over my belly, so I assume that he is doing flips and turns inside. He is still kicking and moving like crazy.

Keith? He is doing good. As of this week, he got a new job!! Yay! He has been working so hard on the interview process for the last month or two, and jumped through a TON of hoops to make it through all of their tests, ect. He starts on January 4th, and we couldn't be happier. I know he will do fantastic! Also, Keith has been quite the 'teachers pet' in all of our baby classes. Keith is extremely responsive, interactive, and accurate. The teacher loves him and I think he is a wonderful-involved partner/coach! (He has also started reading to Eli at night...so cute!)

The rest? Keith and I have been attending weekly 'birthing classes' and spent this last weekend in baby CPR. All of the classes have been very wonderful and informative. We have learned how to conduct baby cpr, how to give Eli a bath, and all of the fun little details most first time parents don't know about. In our birthing class we have been learning breathing exercises, pain distractors, and comfortable birthing positions. We are also learning all of the 'nitty gritty' of the birth process (in all of its graphic nature), and a lot of information on medicines and procedures. (Yes, I have had moments of anxiety and fear at several points during this class...perhaps it will be another post, ha ha).

Well, I guess I had more updates than I realized. Not a whole lot of pictures to include this time, but I will leave you with my latest 30 week belly shot (absent of make-up). Oh, FYI...my belly button has not popped yet. I have 'the world's deepest belly button'. Keith and I have an inside bet on its eventual outcome (Keith= Pop, Leigh = Not Pop). You can bet that I will keep you updated on its progress..

25 Weeks (updates and lots of pictures)

Hey hey! I feel like it has been forever since I posted a blog, sorry. I am sure most of you know that Keith and I went on our official 'Baby Moon' last week to San Francisco and Carmel. In addition to the baby moon, it was a birthday celebration of my big 2-9. Don't worry, the next blog post I publish will have details and pictures from our trip. But, I can say that it was really wonderful! This post is really to play catch up with everything we have had going on.

Movements:

Eli is in full swing right now, literally. I am going to assume that he has set up some swing apparatus in my belly and practices his Cirque Du Soleil around the clock. Ok, well, not 'seriously', but he is moving all the time. I hear that they are most 'active' during this time because they have the most room to move around (due to the expanded uterus), not to mention we have the ability to now feel all of those movements. However, in a few more weeks it is going to start becoming a little cramped and less roomy for him to practice his karate in.

Like usual, I feel him mostly when I am laying down or a little bit more spread out. I don't know why, but when I am sitting upright it is a little more difficult to feel him. However, that certainly isn't the case all of the time.

Every single time he moves it makes me happy. I usually smile or just take a moment to appreciate the 'action'. The only shame in the situation, is there is no way possible to 'capture' the feeling. You can't take a picture, video tape, or DVR the moment...you know? Wouldn't that be great if we had a permanent DVR/TiVo that we could record and replay some of our favorite moments? This would certainly be one of them. Not to mention, it is pretty difficult to describe, as well. I suppose down the road when I am trying my hardest to remember the feeling, I will just have to imagine my stomach or bladder growing legs and moving around.

The Nursery:

Things are really starting to pick up on the nursery front, yay!! My mom is all ready to go on the bedding, and all of the fabrics have been picked out. I think she is going to get started soon, and we will have pictures posted shortly after that. There still isn't a huge rush, as she has a few more months to be on the safe side. But, I am really excited, and can't wait to show everyone the finished product!

Also, before we left for California I had got started on some artwork for Eli's room, and just finished it last night. I had designed some pieces that went with the bedding and 'offical monkey' theme of his room. If you didn't know, I have been collecting monkeys for years, and have more than an ample amount to decorate a room (or a castle). Here are the pictures of what I have done, and keep in mind that I still am working on three pieces that will spell out his name to go over the crib. I also went ahead and threw in a few more photos for you. One of them is a great shelf that we got from my mom, and Keith painted to match the color scheme. There is also a picture included of a cute little sock monkey jack-in-the-box we picked up (too freaking cute, and matches perfectly!)

And...one more visual treat, of my monkeys....can you tell what is strange in the picture? It is like the scene out of E.T., is it not? And yes, this is how I found her one night when I couldn't find her around the house.

The Belly, or should I say 'Whoa Nelly'?!?

I have no clue what happened! Seriously, I must have 'popped'! Check out the 'Pregnant Ladybug' pictures, and I was 23 weeks, and suddenly in 2 weeks Eli has made himself known! I could tell in Cali that I was starting to have a more pronounced 'shape', but not like this...geez! I am still getting used to the idea, ha ha. Also, my belly button (World Record holder for deepest belly button in the continental United States), has still maintained it's depth and glory. Yes, I have this obnoxious canyon in the middle of my growing belly just to become enough of an eye sore to prevent a nice 'rounded look'. Oh, well....I have still got several more months, so we will see how things go from here.

I'm Pregnant!

No duh...huh? Well, I just had to share, because I am starting the 'full swing' of pregnancy. I know, I know....I have a far way to go. I just thought that I would report 'from the trenches' that this is, by far, the most pregnant I have felt so far. Heck, I would go as far as to say that I feel like I have finally joined the elite club.

Why do you ask? Well, for several reasons:

A) My belly is starting to arrive! After 21 weeks of waiting, it finally started to arrive last week. I am 22 weeks now, and I don't exactly look like that. However, there is certainly a belly, and it is very identifiable in tight t-shirts or tanks (you guys know how much I love the skimpy outfits j/k).

B) Eli is kicking and moving a lot more frequently. I feel him everyday, and often, multiple times. It happens often enough that I have taken on the '...there's Eli' attitude. It is the neatest feeling, because it is like have a big secret. When I am in a work meeting and he is kicking up a storm, I think to myself 'no one else in the room has any clue that I have a baby that is break dancing in my belly right now'. You can imagine how much more fun it has made boring work functions.

C) I had an 'alien moment'. Ok, I haven't seen the "elbow glide across my belly", yet. But, I actually saw Eli move inside my stomach last night, and that was a crazy feeling!! I was checking his heart rate yesterday for fun, when he took the "get up off me" attitude, and started kicking it away. Soon, I was seeing the monitor bouncing up and down, so I put it down. Then, after intently staring at my stomach (yes, it can make you go cross eyed)...I saw the little guy kick up my belly with a foot or one of his monster claws. :) I have to admit it reminded me of the ending scene in Space Balls....anyone know what I am talking about?

D) Keith felt Eli kick! It happened last week, and a few times since then. Keith anxiously grabs my growing belly, in hopes of catching a feel.

E) I have a complicated stomach (what in the world does that mean?). Well, it's complicated! ha ha...ok, clarification. Whenever I eat an average size meal (that any normal person could consume), I feel like I have just ate Thanksgiving dinner. Seriously, it sucks! I have to have 'child like portion control', which is nearly impossible. Clearly I am not very good at it, because I am stuffed all day long. So, Eli has started to rent out 'food space' in my belly. Also, I think I have experienced my first spell of heartburn...or is it indigestion? I don't know for sure, but it was uncomfortable.

F) I have to go to the bathroom all the time! It is bizarre, because I don't remember consuming that much water or beverages....but somehow it remembers me. I don't usually have to use the restroom at all during the night, and now find myself taking frequent trips to the potty.

Well, I will finish the post out now, and leave you with some updated belly shots. Also, I will give you the teaser that I have picked out my Halloween costume! I didn't pick out anything that was 'preggo specific', because I don't have the belly for it. But, I believe my costume will do a fair job of showing off my figure.

20 Week appointment

Well, the 20 week appointment finally came! We are over half way to Eli's birthday...can you believe it!?! God, I just remember how far away it seemed in the beginning. Heck, 12 weeks felt like an eternity. I also remember trying to imagine what it was going to be like to finally find out the sex of our baby. But, surprise, surprise...we found out early! I can't believe we got lucky and found out at 16 weeks. Heck, to be honest we really had a 90% certainty Eli was a boy at 12 weeks. We were certainly part of the lucky crowd that didn't have to wait. I think I would have been clawing paint off the walls in anticipation before the appointment (although, I love surprises...believe it or not).

So, everything is looking good..great, actually! We had our ultrasound first thing, followed by the follow-up 20 weeks appointment where we ask a bunch of questions. I have gained a total of 8lbs so far (take that for what you want). I still don't have a belly 'really'. Yes, you can easily see a pooch, and depending what I am wearing..you will see more of it than other times. However, I suspect that I am still looking like I am about 14-15 or so weeks preggo? I'll post pics and you can be the judge.

The ultrasound went well, and Eli didn't have the hic-cups! He was active at times, but not uncooperative. There was a moment where I swear he looked like he was running in place. Also, the technician took close-ups of his hands and feet. Can I just tell you, our baby some how managed to obtain orangutan hands from somewhere deep inside Keith and I's family trees... ha ha...they are huge! Check out the picture.

I swear we aren't naming him after Eli Manning, but if his hand remain in this proportion to his body he could conceivably be a quarter back or perhaps something else that requires your hands to be the size of a poodle. :) Seriously though, everything on him looks good. He weighs 12oz, and was approximately the size of a coke can during the appointment. According to the research, he is about to hit a big growth

spurt in the next few weeks. I anticipate this growth spurt will also bring on a spontaneous belly and weight gain, on my end. Although, I am thinking that the Braum's double dip ice cream cones and chocolate cake might also help contribute to that arena, as well.

I do have to add. After the appointment Keith and I did go get our flu shots. It kind of became a mad dash to see who still had the vaccines available, but we finally found them at Tom Thumb. Now, we just twiddle our thumbs and wait for the Swine flu shot. We also made a quick stop by the store to get something in celebration for Eli's Pre-20 week birthday. Opting out of the clothes options, we went with this really cute pair of shoes...aren't they precious!

And speaking of shoes...the 'kicking front' is still seeing minimal action. I certainly will feel him ever so often (nearly everyday). However, Keith has still yet to feel the little guy in action. This all goes back to where everything is located inside my belly. Eli has a perma-buffer preventing me (and Keith) from getting the full force of his blows. But, as always, I promise to update you when things change.

Movements

I am sure a lot of you have been waiting for this. I mean 'babies first kick' is one of those huge moments you are supposed to remember and journal about. Well, I guess it is not nearly has glorious, in reality. Mostly because us 'first timers' don't realize for several weeks that we are actually being kicked. Sorry for the let down. But, I am hoping the first time that Keith feels him move with will one of those momentous occasion.

I will go ahead and put in the record books that Eli's first kick, was actually a 'first punch'. I mentioned the story in a previous post about the ultrasound. We had gone in for our 16 week follow-up ultrasound. In addition to his hic-cups, Eli was moving all around. All of a sudden he just straight arm punched me! It was the funniest thing...he looked like a puppet. I do remember feeling the 'slightest' little tap, and I realized it was him. So, with the sense of sight, I was able to hone in on my sense of touch. It was a hilarious moment that I really wish we had on camera...maybe next ultrasound we will video!

After that ultrasound I have noticed little bitty movements or taps. Sometimes it feels like rain drops, and sometimes it feels like gas (sorry if that is too much information). I have tried to get Keith to see if he can feel, but Eli is still being pretty exclusive to me. I suspect it will be another few weeks before Keith gets to join in the fun. (Too much information warning) The doctor said that the placenta is actually in the front of my abdomen. Therefore, Eli could be doing jumping jacks behind it, but the placenta is acting like a barrier. So, it may have taken longer to feel him, or his kicks/punches are not quite as pronounced. (A lot of mommy friends have told me there will be a day it is 'not so cute anymore' and down right painful. Hopefully the handy-dandy placenta will help shield some of the discomfort).

There have been a few cool moments, oh, and a 'bad mother moment' (which I can't believe I am being so candid) :). I'll start with the bad. I have been waking up at 4am and not sleeping well. So, yesterday while at IHOP I treated myself to an iced coffee (For the record, I drink caffeine about a few times a month in very limited amounts). Well, I asked the server for some water which she never brought me...so before long I was downing my coffee as a 'thirst quencher'. Before I knew it I nearly drank the whole thing. Yikes! I felt awful all day, and started researching caffeine/pregnancy intake levels. The conclusion is that Eli will be fine, however he was seeming to move around A LOT more yesterday than usual. Poor kid is probably coming down from his caffeine high today.

So, for the cool moments. They usually come at night or in the morning when I lay on my back and pay real close attention to him to see what I can feel. One morning I swore he kicked so hard that my fingers moved (but that could be in my head). However, yesterday it was really neat. I was feeling around my belly when I discovered a hardness towards the top of the uterus. I thought to myself "man, my stomach is really getting hard"....suddenly, at that moment the hard-mass moved! It was Eli! I just thought that was so cool, because I had 'touched' him! It had to have been his little head or back that I touched. It was one of the first times that I realized he was REALLY inside, it was almost like getting to meet him.

From this experience, I have had an Epiphany (if you want to call it that). Keith ultimately describes my thought best with the phrase "big fish in a small pond vs. small fish in a big pond". Forgive me if I have a hard time explaining. Basically, I have given Eli a personality already. Just his little movement yesterday of 'Get off me!' made me realize that he is inside 'ruling the roost'. I have turned him into a little man with a big attitude, 'doing his thing' inside my belly. But, once he actually gets here and is in the real world...suddenly he becomes this helpless, innocent little newborn baby. You follow what I mean? :) I just thought that was neat though to make the comparison of perception vs. reality. Granted, it won't be long before he gets back to a sassy or funny attitude, but I was just entertained with comparisons.