29 Week Update (I know it's late...)

I'm writing this really late... later than any other week update. I'll be 30 weeks in 30 minutes...

So this past week I have actually been able to sleep!! Thank goodness! It has been a struggle sleeping since I have found that every so often I wake up on my back. Don't worry, I use a million pillows to prop myself up, but it's something that has been happening to me. 

One annoying thing, when I wake up in the morning and hop out of bed my feet are instantly killing me! It's like I've been on my feet for days straight in bad shoes. Eventually it does get better as I move, so I just might be stiff but still annoying. 

Speaking of feet, I have been starting to swell more. I can tell the days that I'm busy and don't have time to sit for a bit that I swell more. So I've been trying to take it easy and rest more through the day. 

We live in Southern California and the summer heat mixed with my ever-changing hormones has been getting the best of me. I feel like I'm always hot and sweaty! I have never experienced this kind of heat and I usually love the summer. Now, I'm trying to find anything that I can be comfortable in and be in as much AC as possible!

As for my weight, I have gained a total of 14 pounds so far. My doctor says I'm on track for my weight and not to worry!

I did pass my glucose test! And trust me, I celebrated with chocolate cake!

Until next time,

Kandi

27 Week Update

It's the last week of my second trimester....

I have made it, well basically, two thirds of the way.

I only have 13 more weeks or 90 more days till my due date.

I'm still not getting much sleep. My doctor says it's normal, all hormones, and told me to get used to it. Friends and family say it's the worst part of pregnancy. I will go all day, maybe have a nap or rest, and then not be able to fall asleep till around 2 am.

I have kept with my normal bedtime routine but it's been no help. I've tried warm baths. I've really tried it all. I will try to fall asleep around 10pm with my husband. I end up just laying there and having every thought race through my head. I will be exhausted and ready for bed, then all the sudden by wide awake. So I just get out of bed and so something until I can fall asleep. I'll do laundry, paperwork, pick up the house, you get my drift.

I've also been having sweaty feet and clammy hands. Eww, I know. All I have to thank is hormones.

We have finished most of our shopping for Jack. I placed a big order on Target.com for some of the last things we need. I know I'm early, but I'm a planner and like things done early. I have been setting things up in the nursery, but I'm excited to get the final things in the room and start organizing the room. I love the initial organization of a room and cannot wait to have his room ready and waiting!

I have began swelling more. I notice my ankles and my feet are swollen by the end of the day. I try to stop a couple times during the day and put up my feet, but life doesn't always work that way. I've now noticed that my hand are starting to swell if the dangle too long. I end up holding my arms like a T-Rex, looking a little ridiculous, but it helps! I've found that not many of my shoes (I miss my Keds) fit or are comfortable too long. At least I can still wear flip flops!

Now, my biggest issue and something I've put off for a while, my left hip. I talked a little bit about it in my 17 week update but basically I have a bad hip. I've been told since I was 19 that I would need a c-section (that's still up in the air) and could have issues whenever I got pregnant. As a precaution when I got pregnant my doctor gave me Tylenol+Codeine to take as needed for my hip pain but it just gave me the dry heaves. My doctor then gave me an anti-nausea medicine to take with the Tylenol+Codeine but that made me feel horrible and I couldn't get off the couch. I was then given Tramadol around 20 weeks which I have been taking every night to help with the pain.

At my last appointment my doctor offered me stronger pain meds, which I declined because I would like to go as long as I can before adding too much medication into my system. But, when I got back for my next appointment in two weeks I will be asking for it. I am having more pain and it's to the point to where I get so uncomfortable that I just want to cry. I have a high pain tolerance so it takes quite a bit to make me get to this point. I have so much pressure between my legs, pressure onto my hip joint from Jack moving and growing, and horrible lower back pain. My hips have widened quite a bit and I still have more to go as my ligaments loosen to prepare for birth.

I'm hoping to make it as far as I can with being as active as I can during my last trimester of my pregnancy. My biggest fear has been bed rest because I would go stir crazy!

25 Week Update

This week has been a whole lot of not sleeping. I'm not sure if will get better. I've been trying everything possible to sleep. It seems like my mind just won't turn off even though my body is tired.

Since the weather is slowly getting more "summer like" I have noticed the beginning of feet swelling. More like my ankles get huge and hurt. I try to sit and elevate them but that doesn't always seem to help.

My hot flashes have gone from at night only to daytime too. I usually love hot weather, I would rather be warm then cold. Now I'm starting to hate it! I live in minimal, comfy clothing to stay comfortable. The blower motor (what blows the AC) went out in my Jeep, so my amazing husband is replacing that for me this weekend!

My skin seems to be more dry and itchy then before. I just keep slathering on lotion and drinking lots of water. I know hormones aren't helping, but it's sure annoying!

We spent Father's Day at a car show and I had to get a picture with my Baby Daddy. You can even see my belly starting to poke out!

Zero, our husky mix, has always been all about David. He really doesn't care for me unless David is gone and he wants something. Now, he's starting to get super excited when I come home and follow me around the house more. I've read that dogs can sense you body changing and the baby, so I'm starting to think thats whats going on. 

He's even cuddled with my belly and been super confused when he gets kicked. He keeps coming back for more kicks in the face, so I just hope he falls in love with Jack like we are.

Until next time,

Kandi

Our Baby Shower

I choose to have my baby shower earlier than the norm. It seems most have their show around 32 weeks pregnant and I'm almost 25 weeks. 

I choose to have my shower early mainly because I have been told to prepare for bed rest and how for the best. This is all because of my hip, yes the one I always reference. I have been told since I was about 19 years old that I would be on bedrest quite a bit through pregnancy and have a c-section. So, I wanted to have my shower to be able to enjoy it! I am slowly having issues with my hip, but nothing to stop me from having fun any time soon!

Second reason I choose to have my shower early, to have time to finish preparing for little man's arrival and not feel stressed with a time crunch. Remember, I like to be prepared!

So, now that we have that out of the way, here's how I did my shower!

I did plan most of this my self but had lots of help from my best friend, Katey! 

I choose to keep it very simple. I wanted this so there wasn't a rush, it was fun and relaxing, people got to visit, and I didn't stress over things.

We had the shower at my parents house since they have lots of room. It ended up being almost 90*F! A lot warmer than planned but at least it was nice!

I did ask for books over cards in the invitation. I loved the idea that our family and close friends could pick their favorite book and we could read it Jack (name post coming soon!) as he grew up. 

In keeping things simple, I kept the "games" simple too! We had more stations of things to do instead of lots of games:

• Sign the onesie - just like a guestbook
• Guess the due date
• How many M&M's in the bottle?
• Decorate the bibs
• Don't say baby!
• Advice cards
• Prediction of size cards
• Guess the side of mom's belly

For food, I once again kept things simple. I forgot to get a picture of the table covered in food, so just imagine! We did water and lemonade for drinks. I had chips, pretzels, and some different dips out first. We then got three trays of sandwiches from our local grocery store to save us time and the mess of making them. And after, I had cupcakes from my favorite bakery and a variety of different cookies.

At the very end of the day, I finally remembered to snap a few more pictures! I was able to get a good photo of David and I from our big day. He's not a picture fan, so I take what I can get!

And of course a belly shot! I found my dress at Target on sale! I was planning to get this dress anyway, it's cotton, comfy, and can be used after being pregnant. And my Birkenstocks, not that glamours but what are comfortable to wear now.

And I couldn't forget a picture with Katey! I couldn't have done this without her!

The only thing I would have done differently: taken more photos! I forgot to get one with my parents and even my roommates from college! But I'm thankful for what we do have!

I haven't shared what I got as far as presents so I don't brag. I will be showing more photos of the nursery here soon and show off a bit of what we got!

Until next time,

Kandi

23 Week Update!

Here we are, 23 weeks!! We have about 17 weeks or 119 days to go till we meet our little guy!

This past week my symptoms are getting real. I have stretch marks that are visible already. I knew I would get some since I did growing up, but these are noticeable. My chest has gone up two sizes already, so I have some there. I have noticed a few on my inner thighs and outer hips too. I just keep putting Bio-Oil and Cetephil Body Cream all over my body. What happens will happen, I just didn't think I would so soon.

My congestion has decreased some this week. I'm not dying from not being able to breathe. Being able to breath through your nose is an amazing thing!

I have been so hot when sleeping lately! I have taken our comforter off the bed and just have a light blanket. Besides our ceiling fan and the window open, I've added another fan. I have always been a cold sleeper, but I guess not now!

My feet are starting to swell. My left hip has issues can cause my whole leg to swell but now its getting worse. And my right leg is starting to join the party.

My arches fell around week 16 and I got a pair of Birkenstocks to help. They have been amazing but I'm noticing that my sneakers aren't fitting anymore now. I wore basic Keds all the time, but now they are too tight in width and my Nike's are starting to get too tight after wearing them for a few hours. I'm lucky we are in southern California so I can wear sandals all the time, but sometimes you need closed-toe shoes, so I'm gonna need to go shopping...

I have slowly been gaining weight as I should! I began at 152 lbs and now at 159 lbs. All the baby books I've read says I should gain about a pound a week so we are on the right track!

This past week a stranger asked if I was pregnant! My first time! I said yes, and of course received some unsolicited advice, but it was a nice feeling! People keep saying he's starting to pop out!

Until next time,

Kandi

I'm late... 21 Week Update

This past week I have been exhausted. I worked everyday and still managed the house (even though I should have let it go a bit... I wouldn't have cared). 

We have been blessed and I have been able to work part time so far this pregnancy. I was so exhausted, nauseous, and had so many headaches during the first trimester that I didn't know if I could handle the work load I had before. I started part time around 11 weeks and its been manageable for me.

But, I'm still waiting for my energy to come back like all the pregnancy books and apps say... it really hasn't come yet. I'm still tired and get exhausted easy. I've tried all sorts of things to get energy, but thank goodness for the one cup of coffee I drink a day. I always chug water as much as I can, the constant trips to the bathroom keeps me up and moving.

Speaking of coffee, I cannot wait for the day that I can drink three cups with out worrying. As soon as we found out we were expecting I cut down my caffeine intake immediately. I was a 3-5 cup of caffeine type of person... Now with only one cup in the morning because I need it, I function as well I can. I like a little french vanilla creamer and whipped cream in it. It helps keep the heartburn down and tastes good. I know I could switch to tea, but I think coffee if more of a placebo so I just drink it.

I haven't updated about my cravings and adversities lately, but the truth is they haven't really changed. Fruit always sounds good and I can eat Mexican food until my heartburn is killing me. Every so often something sweet sounds good, so I'll have a cookie or something. I do like ice cream. I have a little almost every night. 

I have finally gained some weight. I was 152 at 9 weeks and lost almost 10 pounds by the time I was 13 week. I'm finally up to 155 at 21 weeks. The doctor said I'm doing good and don't need to stress about gaining weight. I'm not going to lie, it's been hard thinking I need to gain weight after trying to loose some. But I'm up for anything that will ensure we will have a healthy baby.

I haven been congested. And it's not been fun. My normal crazy seasonal allergies are mixed with the hormonal pregnancy congestion are having fun with my body. Hot showers, a cool mis humidifier, an essential oil diffuser, and trying to sleep propped up... anything that could help.

But, I have felt our little guy kick! And kick a lot! When we had our anatomy ultrasound at 20 weeks I felt him kick as the tech pushed on him and tried to get him to cooperate. I had been assuming he was higher than he was, but no, he was able bladder level. Once I knew what it felt like for him to kick, he hasn't stopped kicking! Being more aware of his movement, I can tell that he likes his room. He's not a fan when I have a full bladder, when I have eaten a bigger meal or when we are pushing on him. He likes to kick hard and catch me off guard. I notice him the most when I sit down to relax or when falling asleep. 

Well, onto next week!

Until next time,

Kandi

We are HALFWAY! 20 week update

We have made it half way!!! We are officially halfway through this pregnancy!

I seriuously cannot believe we are already here. I know everyone says it, but time has flown by. But this past week felt like it was moving so slow! I was super anxious and excited since we were having the big ultrasound, and I got no sleep!

Sleep has been one of my biggest struggles this pregnancy. I never though I would have issues sleeping early on. I knew it was coming, but I assumed that's when your large and in charge. Not my case at all! I can't sleep on my stomach (my favorite) but I can't sleep on my sides either. Sleeping on my sides puts too much pressure on my hips. My left hip is all messed up and I have trouble with it. I have finally found a position I can get some sleep: the recliner... Basically I used all our extra pillows to make a fake recliner in bed. No pressure on my hips but it does make it a little hard to get in out of the bed for the middle of the night bathroom trips.

Sleeping in the the recliner position also helps with my lovely congestion. I had no clue "pregnancy rhinitis" was a real symptom. I naturally was blessed with bas sinuses, so it's hit me hard. I sleep with a cool mist humidifier and essential oil defuser all night. 

Last night I had to everything I could to get sleep. Four to Six-ish hours a night does not cut it for me right now. I took a nice long lavender and epsom salt bath while drinking tea, rubbed some lavender lotion on my arms and chest, and put lavender essential oil on the back of my neck and the bottoms of my feet. Between all of this and being exhausted, I finally got a good night of sleep!!!

When we took our weekly bump shot Zero was in play mode. But it really looks like he's trying to play with baby boy!

Finally, the ultrasound. I had been looking forward to this ultrasound for weeks! We had it originally scheduled for Tuesday, but last minute they had an emergency situation and had to reschedule. Luckily it was only for the next day. But when you mix no sleep, how excited I was and the fun pregnancy hormones, I totally broke down and bawled my eyes out. Yes I was a little excited but thankful we only had to wait 24 more hours. Not that mattered to my hormones, but at least I was able to get a small nap out of the brake down.

Once we finally got to have the ultrasound our little man would not cooperate at all! He was super stubborn and wouldn't take his hands off from his face (first picture below). The tech was pushing all over my stomach trying to get him to more and help us get a good profile picture, but no luck (second photo below). 

I had been a little concerned that I hadn't really left him move. Before bed I usually lay with my hands on my belly just waiting to feel him. I was starting to get a little worried that something might be wrong. Well, turns out he was just way low! He is laying between my hips in my lower abdomen. He's actually below the bump I have! Now that we know where he is it makes perfect sense! I have tons of pressure in my lower abs and it feels like your trying to maneuver over a full bladder all the time. Now I know my kid is just hanging low and comfortable. I'm waiting till our appointment with the doctor next week to see if I should be worried about him so low.

But the best thing about knowing where he is: I can feel him kick and move. I've been curious why I get the funny fluttering feelings inside near my lower abs and hips. I've always passed it off as gas but now I know he's there! Last night I was relaxing in our recliner (my favorite spot to sit now) and felt a hard poke in my lower abs!!!! I'm guessing he was adjusting to comfortable! 

Until next time,

Kandi