Tuesday, February 24, 2009

27 weeks

Your pregnancy: 27 weeks


How your baby's growing:

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.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

The second trimester is drawing to a close, but as your body gears up for the final lap, you may start noticing some new symptoms. Along with an aching back, for example, you may find that your leg muscles cramp up now and then. They're carrying extra weight, after all, and your expanding uterus is putting pressure on the veins that return blood from your legs to your heart as well as on the nerves leading from your trunk to your legs. Unfortunately, the cramps may get worse as your pregnancy progresses. Leg cramps are more common at night but can also happen during the day. When a cramp strikes, stretching the calf muscle should give you some relief. Straighten your leg and then gently flex your toes back toward your shin. Walking for a few minutes or massaging your calf sometimes helps, too.

Time...

Wow! It feels like time is flying by and I've been so busy! I can't believe tomorrow is already Wednesday! We had a great weekend filled with getting stuff done around the house, getting homework completed and going to class and attending a couple of jewelry parties in St. Louis including this one! :) I've been swamped at work because we have conferences coming up this week and I also had a conference to attend today. Whew....I need a break! Thank goodness spring break is in about a month! These next couple of months are going to fly by too and we have so many upcoming events that I am looking forward too! I still can't believe it is about 90 days until we meet our little guy! Here's the newest belly pic and you can also head over to our pregnancy blog and photo a day blog linked on the right to see some updates! Happy Tuesday!

Monday, February 23, 2009

27 week belly picture


He is growing in there!

Glucose

Today was the glucose test and overall it wasn't too bad! I hope I pass because I really don't want to drink any more of it. I got a lot of grading done while I was waiting for that hour to pass and the needle to take the blood didn't hurt too bad! ;) I'll let ya know how I do...

Friday, February 20, 2009

Because....

...we all could use a laugh! Happy TGIF!

  • A Mother passing by her son's bedroom was astonished to see that his bed was nicely made and everything was picked up. Then she saw an envelope, propped up prominently on the pillow that was addressed to 'Mom'. With the worst premonition she opened the envelope with trembling hands and read the letter.

  • Dear Mom, It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with Dad and you. I have been finding real passion with Stacy and she is so nice. But I knew you would not approve of her because of all her piercing, tattoos, tight motorcycle clothes and the fact that she is much older than I am. But it's not only the passion...... Mom she's pregnant. Stacy said that we will be very happy. She owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter. We share a dream of having many more children. Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone. We'll be growing it for ourselves and trading it with the other people that live nearby for cocaine and ecstasy. In the meantime we will pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so Stacy can get better. She deserves it. Don't worry Mom. I'm 15 and I know how to take care of myself. Someday I'm sure that we will be back to visit so that you can get to know your grandchildren. Love, Your Son Jon
  • P.S. Mom, none of the above is true. I'm over at Tommy's house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than the report card that's in my center desk drawer. I love you.
  • Call me when it's safe to come home

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

26 week belly

Went to the doctor again today and his little heartbeat was 154 beats per minute. I also have to go in and take the glucose test this week, so I might do that Thursday after school...we'll see. I heard the drink isn't very good! I am 2 pounds away from my starting weight and man...can you tell! :) My belly seemed to get much bigger from last week, but at least we know he is growing in there!

No title today...

What a fabulous weekend we had. Mike and I were both off and we got lots accomplished. Mike started putting together some of the baby furniture, we bought a new dresser for the guest bedroom and cleaned out my Arbonne cabinet. The house is clean and I'm wishing the weekend was still going on! :) We only have a 4 day work week this week (3 if you count that today is already over!) and parent teacher conferences are next week. That means this is our last conference for the year and spring is around the corner! I headed to the doctor this morning and our little guy's heartbeat was 154 and I am about 2 lbs from my starting weight before getting sick. I can't believe I am 6.5 months! Time is going so fast! Excuse the picture...I seriously look like I swallowed a ball...maybe it's just the shirt! ha! I can't belive the difference in my stomach...it doesn't look this big in the morning, but the evening, man...it seems to grow in just a few short hours!!!

Monday, February 16, 2009

26 weeks

Your pregnancy: 26 weeks


How your baby's growing:

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.


How your life's changing:

Are you rushing around trying to get to childbirth classes and prepare your baby's room while still taking care of all your other daily tasks? Make sure that you also continue to eat well and get plenty of rest. Around this time, your blood pressure may be increasing slightly, although it's probably still lower than it was before you got pregnant. (Typically, blood pressure falls toward the end of the first trimester, and it tends to reach a low at about 22 to 24 weeks.)

Preeclampsia — a serious disorder characterized by high blood pressure and protein in your urine — most often shows up after 37 weeks, but it can happen earlier so it's important to be aware of the warning signs of this condition. Call your caregiver if you have swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, more than slight swelling of your hands, excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, or rapid weight gain (more than 4 pounds in a week). With more severe preeclampsia, you may experience other symptoms. Let your caregiver know immediately if you have a severe or persistent headache, vision changes (including double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, sensitivity to light, or temporary loss of vision), intense pain or tenderness in your upper abdomen, or vomiting.

If your lower back seems a little achy lately, you can thank both your growing uterus — which shifts your center of gravity, stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, and may be pressing on a nerve — as well as hormonal changes that loosen your joints and ligaments. Plus, the extra weight you're carrying means more work for your muscles and increased stress on your joints, which is why you may feel worse at the end of the day. Walking, standing, or sitting for long periods, as well as bending and lifting can all put a strain on your back. A warm bath or hot compress might bring relief. (Some women, though, find cool compresses more comforting.) Try to maintain good posture during the day, avoid activities that require bending and twisting at the same time, take frequent breaks when sitting or standing, and sleep on your side with one or both knees bent with a pillow between your legs, using another pillow (or wedge) to support your abdomen.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Hearts

Happy Heart Day!!!!

100

100 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

valentine's day

Got this from Heather and thought I'd join in the fun!
Valentine's Day Meme
  • What are your middle names? James/Michelle
  • How long have you been together? 6 1/2 years
  • How long did you know each other before you started dating? Uh...we had met twice before dating and it was probably less than a week between hanging out and starting to date.
  • Who asked who out? Mike asked me out.
  • Whose siblings do you see the most? probably about the same.
  • Do you have any children together? One on the way.
  • What about pets? Jack boy :)
  • Did you go to the same school? nope.
  • Who is the most sensitive?That'd be me.
  • Where do you eat out most as a couple? probably Applebees or TGIFridays.
  • Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple? Portland to visit the Morrisons (we flew) and New York City for a friends wedding (we drove).
  • Who has the craziest exes? neither of us really...
  • Who has the worst temper? He.
  • Who does the cooking? Both.
  • Who is more social? definitely me.
  • Who is the neat freak? It may have been him when we were dating and first married, but I've worn him down!
  • Who is the most stubborn? probably me. :)
  • Who hogs the bed? Mike likes to come over to my "side", so I'd say him.
  • Who wakes up earlier? Definitely me.
  • Where was your first date? Our real first date was to the movies to see Windtalkers and out to eat at Applebees.
  • Who has the bigger family? Definitely me.
  • Do you get flowers often? No, but I don't like getting them all the time because then when I do get them it makes it all the more special!
  • How long did it take to get serious? Um...pretty quickly considering we were engaged less than 2 months of meeting each other and married 4 months after that.
  • Who eats more? Usually him, but with me being pregnant I eat more often, so it evens out.
  • Who sings better? Definitely Mike.
  • Who does the laundry? Mike does on his days off and I usually put away
  • Who’s better with the computer? Mike for sure.
  • Who drives when you are together? Him.
  • Who picks where you go to dinner? Usually me, especially now with all the different cravings I'm having.
  • Who is the first one to admit when they’re wrong? I'd say we tie on this one...He would probably say him though!
  • Who wears the pants in the relationship? We both make a good team and like wearing pants! :)
  • Who has more tattoos? tie...we both have none.
  • Who cries more? That'd be me.
  • Who eats more sweets? That'd probably be Mike...

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Teaser

We had a teaser of spring weather yesterday and it was amazing! We've had a busy, but great week of school so far and yesterday we had a kickball game against another 5th grade class. This was our first time this year doing that and it was so fun. The kids had a blast and they loved seeing me be pitcher and trying to get them out! :) A couple of kids even said "Mrs. Laughlin you are really athletic even with that baby in there!" I about died laughing! It was too cute! Today though...not so much spring weather! It's cold and rainy and dreary...not so much fun. I can't wait for spring time. I'm so done with cold, wet weather!

25 weeks

Top 10 week 25

Top Ten: Week 25

  1. Baby is the size of: a rutabaga! :) He is about a pound and a half and 13 1/ 2 inches! It seems lately he has just gotten so much more bigger. My stomach feels way bigger this week!
  2. Week 25 High: Feeling this little guy kick and move. He is constantly moving and it is the best feeling in the world. I am also loving that this week I got to play kickball with my class and didn't feel bad or sick afterwards! ;)
  3. Week 25 Low: the number of times that I have to get up each night to use the bathroom. It is at least 4-5 times each night and during the day it seems like every half hour! I know this is normal but during the day it's hard to do while you are teaching! At least I know I'm hydrated!
  4. Kicking/Moving: Our little man is moving and kicking tons! He is most active in the morning from about 5:30-7 am and then in the evening around 5:30-7 pm. I think he is hungry during those times!!!! It is so fun to be able to feel him move/turn/kick and it is even better that Mike can feel him too! I think we have a soccer player in our future!
  5. Favorite thing this week: My favorite thing this week is knowing that our little guy is growing! My belly button is getting ready to pop! :) I love being able to just sit and think of all of the changes that are going to occur in our life and I am so blessed to have all of these wonderful friends and family who can't wait to meet our little man.
  6. Foods I love: hot fudge sundaes, turkey sandwiches on french bread with colby jack cheese, mustard and a little mayo. I am also loving cheez-itz and oatmeal sqaures cereal!
  7. Foods I hate: cheesburgers and anything that smells bad! :)
  8. New Development: back pain and leg swelling...technically I guess this started last week but man, I feel really old! ;) It is hard to move and I know it is going to get worse! I still can't believe how quickly I get tired...
  9. Thoughts: I can't believe how fast time is flying by! I am almost 26 weeks and almost under 100 days to go! Wowzers!!!! We have our first shower the first weekend in March and we are almost ready to paint the room (hopefully in the next couple of weeks). All of the furniture is in and as soon as the room is painted, we'll (ahem...Mike) will start putting it together!
  10. Dr. appointment: Our next appointment is next Tuesday to check and see my back and leg swelling. I'm not really sure what is going to happen since the pain is about the same, but we'll see. I think I will also be doing the gestational diabetes test soon too.

Monday, February 9, 2009

I {heart} faces silly kids!

This is my beautiful niece being silly! I love it! Head on over to i {heart} faces to see all the entries!

i {heart} faces

This week's theme for I {heart} faces is silly...and I believe this pictures of my hubby and brother in law fits the "silly" theme! ha! :) Head on over...there are a ton a silly pics!

25 weeks

Your pregnancy: 25 weeks


How your baby's growing

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.

See what's going on in your uterus this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing

Your baby's not the only one with more hair — your locks may look more full and lustrous than ever. It's not that you're growing more hair, but thanks to hormonal changes, the hair that you'd normally shed is sticking around longer than usual. Enjoy the fullness while you can — the extra hair will fall out after you give birth.

You may also notice that you can't move around as gracefully as before. Unless your caregiver has advised you otherwise, it's fine to continue to exercise, but follow a few safety rules: Don't work out when you're feeling overly tired and stop if you feel any pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Don't lie flat on your back and avoid contact sports as well as any exercise where you're apt to lose your balance. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and make time for both warm-up and cool-down periods.

When you have your glucose-screening test at 24 to 28 weeks, a second tube of blood may be taken at the same time to check for anemia. If blood tests show that you have iron-deficiency anemia (the most common type of anemia), your caregiver will probably recommend that you take an iron supplement.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

This little piggy...


went wee...wee...wee...all the way home! :) This is our piggy bank for our little boy! I am in love with it! I really like that it has a donate section because it's never too early to start teaching them the importance of this. We are so grateful for all we've been given!

BTW: This is the website where I got him!

Is it over already?

Wow! I can't believe how fast this weekend flew by! We even had Friday off of school...

  • Friday: We had a teacher work day and I was able to stay home, get some grading done and start getting prepared for teacher conferences at the end of the month. Mike was off too which was a bonus! We watched a couple of movies, Fireproof and Traitor, went to a great lunch at Applebees and got some things done around the house. We met up with our friend, Biz for dinner at his house and called it a night around 9...I just can't stay up anymore! ;)
  • Saturday: We had our childbirth in a day class. We learned lots of things and were on information overload! It was very informative for both Mike and I and we are glad we went and got it done in 1 day instead of 5 nights for 2 hours each night. After class, Mike and I came home, I took a nap, and after getting up we made dinner, chicken parmesan, and then we watched Appaloosa.
  • Sunday: We went to late service this morning, heard a great message and then saw Kyle and Melanie and baby Marek driving home, so we all stopped at Chipotle for lunch. It's been awhile since we saw them and it was great to catch up! We need to do it more often, but of course busy schedules always get in the way. We then picked up the rest of our baby furniture and brought that home. I can't wait to decide on a paint color and put the furniture together!!!! :) Mike has to work tonight and I'm going to watch the grammy awards, do some laundry and score reading assessments! :) I hope you had a great weekend!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Sadness

Losing a family pet is one of the hardest things to get over...today our 2nd family dog, Kix, was put to sleep. :( We have had her since 1993 and she was almost 16 years old. She was having more seizures and her heart was getting weaker so my dad and grandma went to put her down after the vet. appointment today. She was really a great dog. We named her Kix B. Merritt (since we are a huge soccer family, it stands for Kix Butt!). I feel very sad but can't imagine what my Grandma is feeling. Since growing up and going to college and moving away, Kix kind of became her dog and they were inseperable. I just feel so bad...at least Kix is in a better place even though we are hurting here. She is now with Nugget and Gracie in a better place...

Kelli and me with Nugget
Our Gracie girl...
I am picturing them all running without pain, chasing their tails, and eating all the bones they want...We love you...

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Virtues

2 of the greatest virtues in life...patience and wisdom!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

i {heart} faces

This week at i {heart} faces is "The Eyes Have It". This is the one I entered! :) I love it!

{i heart faces}

Head on over to iHeartFaces and see all of the amazing photos! I entered Jack in the I love faces-pet section!! :)

25

Mandy tagged me with the 25 things you may or may not know about me. I've posted this on facebook already so it was easy to just copy over here! :) Enjoy some of the random things!

  1. I love taking pictures of sunrises and sunsets...
  2. Needs my glasses to see things far away...everything is blurry! Tried contacts but hated them.
  3. Has had 9 surgeries...my lower legs 5x, back 1x, knees 2x, and laproscopic 1x
  4. Has played sports since I was 3 years old...hence the numbers of surgeries. My body won't hardly let me do anything now. :(
  5. In elementary school I would have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a reese's peanut butter cup every day for lunch....for 6 years!
  6. When I read books, I usually read them in one day. I usually can't stop once I start a book...weird, I know!
  7. My favorite holiday is Christmas but I LOVE birthdays, especially when I get to send people birthday wishes with a card, note, or email and I love surprise parties!
  8. After 5 years of trying to have a baby and going through infertility, my hubby and I are so excited and blessed to be having a baby in May!
  9. I talk to my mom at least once a day sometimes just to say hi. Usually its on my drive home
  10. Love traveling with my hubby anywhere
  11. I crack my knuckles way too much and it drives a lot of people insane when they hear it. I can crack 1 finger 3 different ways.
  12. Love to do crafty things!
  13. Addicted to LOST, Grey's, SVU, Office, and Scrubs
  14. I don't like cold weather! Two of my final college choices were Marquette (freezing!) and Florida International....love the warm weather! Go fiu!
  15. Values friendship and hates when people are upset with me.
  16. Loves dogs but can't stand getting slobbered by them!
  17. I love anything related to trivia! If I could watch jeopardy every day, I would.
  18. I can be very stubborn and love to be right.
  19. Has way too many tennis shoes
  20. I want to take my husband to Kenya. When we first met, he was supposed to go back for his 2nd trip, but then he met me and didn't go! awww...
  21. When I was little I used to eat Cheetos Puffs dipped in ketchup...yuck!
  22. Loves singing in the car but won't sing in front of anyone (except Mike sometimes).
  23. I love to make things for people but find that I rarely have the time.
  24. Hates scary movies or anything related to scariness! No haunted houses for me...
  25. Loves orange candy or anything in an orange flavor...orange starburst, orange skittles, orange tums! ha! :)

Dr. Appt. 24 weeks

We didn't get an ultrasound this morning, but we did hear his heartbeat; 147 beats per minute! :) I have gained 1 pound from my last appointment...still not up to my starting weight, but I know I'll get there! ;) My back and legs have been hurting/swelling so I have some exercises that I need to do and he wants me to go back in 2 weeks to check and see if they are helping.

Monday, February 2, 2009

so fun...

This little guy is most active at 3 am and 8 pm. I am sitting here typing my grad school paper and seriously I can feel him move/kick every other second. It makes me smile every time! He kicks hard! :) Looks like he is going to be a soccer player like his mom and dad! Tomorrow is our 24 week appointment! :)

Tagged

Mandy tagged me for the 4th photo of my 4th folder...so here it is! :) My fourth folder is our wedding folder and this is one of my favorite pictures from that day! It brings back great memories of sharing that day with family and friends...Here's to many more anniversaries! I tag... Nicole at The Rameyers (Mike's cousin) Amanda at Indy Laughlins Michelle at Haner Happenings and Becky at The Four Fullers

24 weeks

Feb. randomness

I can't believe it is already Feb. It seems time is really flying by lately and I have a feeling that the time from now until our little one arrives is going to be even faster! We had a pretty relaxing weekend. I had class Sat., hung out and watched the Superbowl game Sun, and Mike had to work...blah, blah, blah. Nothing much is really going on...hence the lack of "real" blog posts! :) I've been busy with grad school work and sleeping! I've been so tired and can't seem to get enough sleep...hopefully that will change soon, but probably not! I hope your Feb. is off to a great start!

24 weeks

Your pregnancy: 24 weeks


How your baby's growing:

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.

See what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

In the past few weeks, the top of your uterus has risen above your belly button and is now about the size of a soccer ball.

Most women have a glucose screening test (also called a glucose challenge test or GCT) between now and 28 weeks. This test checks for gestational diabetes, a pregnancy-related high-blood-sugar condition. Untreated diabetes increases your risk of having a difficult vaginal delivery or needing a cesarean section because it causes your baby to grow too large, especially in his upper body. It also raises your baby's odds for other complications like low blood sugar right after birth. A positive result on your GCT doesn't mean you have gestational diabetes, but it does mean that you'll need to take the glucose tolerance test (GTT) to find out for sure.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Honestly...

Do you watch the Superbowl for the game or for the commercials?!