31 Weeks Along.....

Holy Cow only 9 more weeks until our expected due date.....I think I just had a panic attack!!

All About Baby Brayden This Week.....
Baby Brayden now weighs approximately 3.5 pounds, measures just over 16 inches from head to heel, and is getting used to the world of light and dark by opening and closing his eyes. Hiss facial muscles continue to strengthen, and Brayden can make different expressions. His lungs are nearly mature; however, these last few weeks are crucial to healthy and complete lung development. Some of the amniotic fluid has to be removed at this point to make room for the growing baby so in essence that would mean you have about half as much fluid as you did about a month ago. Less fluid means less cushion and so you are likely to feel Brayden’s kicks and movements more intensely. However Brayden’s movements are going to be less drastic and dramatic from this point on. Brayden is rehearsing at intervals by breathing in amniotic fluid and expelling it. You can tell that bones and muscles are continuing to grow along with his organs and brain. If you haven't already been talking to your baby, now is the time to start. Until now, he interpreted sounds as vibrations. But this week he can hear actual sounds and will begin to recognize your voice or the music you play.

How far along? 31 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: gained 27 lbs
Maternity clothes? is there anything else at this point?
Stretch marks? none yet & I am keeping my fingers crossed that none pop up!
Sleep: I am having such a hard time getting a good nights sleep; i have tried different sleep positions & even tried to sleep on the sofa but no matter where I am I can't sleep more than 3-4 hours & then I am wide awake!!
Best moment this week: Filling out our pre-admission forms for the hospital....he is going to be here so soon!!
Movement: I feel him so often & his movements are getting stronger!
Food cravings: chocolate...chocolate...chocolate.
Gender: BOY
Labor Signs: braxton hicks
Belly Button in or out? half out - half in..the weirdest thing to look at!
What I miss: sleep
What I am looking forward to: picking up my new mommy mobile on Wednesday!!
Weekly Wisdom: Don't wish away the moments you have with your baby right now....they are so precious!
Milestones: buying a new family car with enough room for Brayden & the pups!

Why Am I Awake At 5:30 On A Sunday Morning???

That would be because I woke up thirsty as hell.....we went to dinner last night & had Japanese hibachi which is so good but loaded with salt & I am paying for it now. We are supposed to head up to the lake today if the weather is nice so I need to guzzle some water & hope this swelling goes down a bit!! What was I thinking??

30 Weeks Appt. Today

Today Brayden & I had our 30 week check up & I didn't realize that it was such a big appointment; there was no ultrasound & we didn't find anything major out but we got all kinds of paperwork to fill out & go over for his impending birth & that made me so happy. I have filled out our Pre-Admission Form for the hospital & faxed it over to them so I should be receiving a letter in the mail soon letting me know that we are all set & then my mid-wife let me know that it is not time to bring in our birth plan so that we can go over it in great detail & make sure that everyone is on the same page & so that they can get it over to the hospital as well. Today was a very wonderful appointment for me & it just made me feel very comfortable & safe with my midwife & the hospital; it was all just very exciting & oh my goodness Brayden will be here soon & we are not ready at all......my weekend to do list just got even longer. I did get to hear his little heartbeat & I have to say that it is such a wonderful sound....it makes me cry every time!!

Here are pictures of me from today....we are having the slowest day at work & I got bored!!

Thank God It Is Friday.....

I am feeling better today but that is only because I went home early from work yesterday & actually rested, but now I feel like I have wasted so much time.....I mean I could have been cleaning & doing laundry NOT just laying around being lazy. I never really get sick & am an "on the go" woman so not doing something productive really drives me crazy. The good thing is that we have a 3 day weekend so I have plenty of time to get home today & make up for my "sick" time. I know that we are going to head up to the lake on Sunday & Monday if the weather permits us too so that just leaves me tonight & tomorrow to get my whole To Do List done; I know that it can be done but I don't want to push myself & start feeling bad again.........I guess I am going to have to learn to slow down one of these days; maybe next week I will learn that lesson!

****REAL QUICK VENT**** When I got home yesterday afternoon I noticed that there was a UPS sticker on the door & I was happy about that because that ment we would know when they would come back again to pick up the damaged dresser they delivered the other day from BRU. I took the sticker off the door & walked into the house & then noticed there was a note on it saying "someone needs to be here at the next attempt to help put box back on truck"....ARE THEY KIDDING ME?? First of all they got it off the truck just fine & they are going to get it back on the truck without the help of Lance or I. How ballsy of them to request something like that; not to mention we both have to work & if I was there I couldn't help lift a damn heavy box anyway & also, it is not our fault that they (UPS) damaged the damn thing in the first place. All I have to say is they are coming next Tuesday to pick it up & it will be sitting on our front porch where they left it before & they better take it even though we aren't there!!

Brayden & I have our 30 week check up today (Lance has to work so he can't make the appointment) & I can't wait to hear his heartbeat; I was sitting in his room talking to him last night & he was kicking & moving around in there like he understood me. It was a wonderful moment!! Anyway, I have a ton of questions for the doctor today since we are getting closer & also because I have been under the weather. I have written them down so I don't forget anything but lets hope that I don't forget the list on my desk when I leave to go!! Brayden doesn't even know how I worry about him & I hope that when he finally arrives that I can hide that from him just a bit because I am sure that I will NEVER stop worrying about our precious little miracle!!

My Summer Cold.....

So, I went to the doctor yesterday afternoon (my regular doctor) to get my throat & ear looked at and thankfully it is just a summer cold that has made my throat & ear sore & ache, both hurt pretty badly this morning but will hopefully start feeling better now that i have my "Magic Mouthwash". That's right I was given a prescription for "Magic Mouthwash" & it is supposed to help with the pain & kill the bacteria/germs that are in my throat making it sore. It has a really nasty taste & makes me almost throw up but it is all that I can have to help so I am gargling with it 4-6 times a day & am praying that I feel better before the 3 days weekend arrives.

What I Love About Southern Women....

I am not feeling well today (started yesterday with a sore throat & ear ache & was worse when I woke up this morning) so I called the advise nurse at Kaiser just to be on the safe side & see if they thought I needed to come in & the nurse that called me back was so sweet!! She was "sweetie" this & "honey" that & "baby doll I think that it would be best for you & that precious little one if you come in today ...just to be on the safe side"; she made me want to just find her & have her take care of me today :) Anyway I have to go in this afternoon for them to check & make sure that it is just a cold & not something more; hopefully the prescription will just be rest & sleep....which I would love to do right now!!

DAMN, DAMN, DAMN.....

Lance got home & started to take open the box the dresser was in & he said that he had a feeling it was going to be messed up & GUESS WHAT.......it is!! So we called customer service & they have to schedule UPS to come pick up this huge box in my living room (& they don't know when that will be) & then it has to be reordered....& guess what it is not in stock again so lord knows how long it will take to get here this time!! This is so frustrating; I guess the good thing is that I got Brayden's room cleaned up & as organized as I could while I was waiting for Lance to get home last night so he could put it in there; I just hope it doesn't take another 2 months to get here!!

It's Here, It's Here.....

It is finally here!! I was pulling in our driveway this evening & noticed a big box sitting by or front door...it is Brayden's dresser; after 2 months it is finally here & I am so excited. I tried to see if I could scoot it in the house but it was a no go, so I text Lance to let him know that it was here & he calls me right away & says "Mitzi, I know that you are NOT going to try to move it right??". He knows me so well!! I have just finished cleaning up the whole room & now I am just wait for Lance to get home so that he can bring it in!!! I am so excited that it is finally here & his bedroom suite is finally complete....now we can really get down to business & finish decorating!!

I Love My Husband SO Much.....

Every week I send Lance (as well as the rest of the family) the update on Baby Brayden via email so that they know what is new for the upcoming week & this is the email that Lance sent back to Brayden & I. It brought tears to my eyes!!

This is what I sent to everyone......Brayden now weighs around 3 pounds and is about 16 inches from head to heel. An ultrasound image may show Brayden yawning or even sucking his thumb, and you may also notice that Brayden does not move at all during your Braxton Hicks contractions. This is because your muscles tighten and constrict his movement. By now Brayden is probably more used to Braxton Hicks than you are! Your little one is starting to look more like a chubby little baby, growing plumper and cuter every day. His hair is growing thicker on the scalp, and those lashes are lengthening. The hands and feet are now fully formed and baby's head and body are closer to normal proportions. Overall, Brayden is beginning to look similar to how he will look at birth--just tinier. To prepare for his big entrance, Brayden is now starting to control his own body temperature! Brayden's eyelids are now open; its eyelashes and eyebrows are visible as well.

This is Lance's response............
That made a tear come to my eye knowing that you are growing so rapidly and ready to come home. Buddy have mommy read this to you its from Daddy. Mommy really enjoyed me writing her stuff so this is what I am feeling in my heart at this moment. We both can't wait to meet you.

I am not going to be the best,
I am not going to be the worst.
I'll love you even after my time is up,
I will look upon you and your mother with God.
I'll always try to block the pain and sorrow this
ole world can bear. I'll be both your and your mothers protector and provider.
When its your time to become that man, I'll teach you all I know and learned.
We will even learn new things together. This I promise to you Brayden.
I am not going to be the best,I am not going to be the worst.
But I will be the best friend you'll ever know.

I can't wait to meet you son I love you.

Dad

I love you baby doll I will call u in a bit.

Love,
Me

30 Weeks Along......DAMN!!

I am getting more & more excited/nervous with each day that passes & with each woman on the Bump that goes into labor, makes it to their scheduled c-section date or gets induced. It is so amazing to be able to be apart of so many new little lives being brought into the world. Well today I am 30 weeks along & I feel as though Brayden is growing by the minute & I LOVE IT!!

All About Baby Brayden This Week.....
Brayden now weighs around 3 pounds and is about 16 inches from head to heel. An ultrasound image may show Brayden yawning or even sucking his thumb, and you may also notice that Brayden does not move at all during your Braxton Hicks contractions. This is because your muscles tighten and constrict his movement. By now Brayden is probably more used to Braxton Hicks than you are! Your little one is starting to look more like a chubby little baby, growing plumper and cuter every day. His hair is growing thicker on the scalp, and those lashes are lengthening. The hands and feet are now fully formed and baby's head and body are closer to normal proportions. Overall, Brayden is beginning to look similar to how he will look at birth--just tinier. To prepare for his big entrance, Brayden is now starting to control his own body temperature! Brayden's eyelids are now open; its eyelashes and eyebrows are visible as well.

How far along? 30 weeks today
Total weight gain/loss: I have gained 23 lbs
Maternity clothes? yep
Stretch marks? none yet
Sleep: I am sleeping less & less the bigger I get
Best moment this week: We picked out Brayden's bedding & can't wait to see his room come together
Movement: all the time
Food cravings: they have kind of gone away.....I just want to eat whatever is in front of my face
Gender: BOY
Labor Signs: braxton hicks
Belly Button in or out? half in & half poking out
What I miss: sex with my wonderful husband
What I am looking forward to: I have a doctors appt. this Friday & am excited to hear Brayden's heartbeat!!
Weekly Wisdom: take everything one day at a time.....everything will come together so there is no need to stress
Milestones: picking out Brayden's bedding....it took us forever to decide what we were going to do in the nursery

29 Week Photos & Weekend Review

So these pictures have made me realize the fact that my face is getting bigger....fatter....I just love it!!
We had a really nice weekend over all. Lance was off Friday, Saturday & Sunday & that only happens once a month so I always love it. Friday we just relaxed at home with dinner & movies; Lance made tacos (YUMMY..) & we watched "Taken" & the beginning of "Benjamin Button" but by the time we were half way through the 2nd movie I was sleeping so we finished it on Saturday afternoon. Lance had to go get his allergy shot Saturday morning so I went out & ran errands. When we both got back to the house we just relaxed & took a nap & then had to get ready for our friends 41st birthday party....it was a lot of fun.



Then on Sunday we ran errands, went to the mall & then picked up Brayden's mattress, changing table pad & decided on his crib bedding. Hope fully his dresser will arrive this week & when it does I will be able to clean up his room & take pictures of his room almost all done....HOPEFULLY!! Sunday night we had dinner with my MIL & Mr. & Mrs. Paul & I had the best Salmon that I have had in quite a while & we ate at Longhorn.....I usually eat steak but have not really been in the mood for red meat; especially when I would have to eat it well done & I like my filet to be medium rare. It was a wonderful day, Lance & I laughed & giggled all day & we haven't had a day like that in quite some time! Hopefully the up coming holiday weekend will be nice & sunny & we can go enjoy the lake...God knows I need some sun on this pale body!!

I Hate Mondays.....

I am soooo very tired...very, very tired & I don't really know what the deal is. Yes I am pregnant but we took it easy this weekend so I thought that I would feel better today & I actually feel worse. I know that I didn't get a good nights sleep last night but that is nothing new & I haven't eaten anything with too much salt or anything that was too heavy so WHY do I feel this way??

*****sidenote*****I did this silly website thing that shows what Brayden is going to look like!! See what you think......http://www.makemebabies.com/b/bid/baby_6_237825

Happy The Weekend Is Finally Here....

I am so happy that it is Friday & that Lance is off all weekend....he gets one 3 day weekend a month & it is nice to see him when I am actually coherent, usually he gets home around 8:30pm & I am either sleeping or half asleep waiting for him. He says that he is going to get the shelves hung in Brayden's room today & also get some stuff to help organize our bathroom with Brayden's bathing stuff.....he says that he is going to get this stuff done today while I am working & I hope that he does....I love to walk in to the house & see new stuff for our little boy. I am still struggling with the crying stuff & am hoping that it will soon pass & my mood will improve, although watching shows like Grey's Anatomy last night didn't help much at all.

Our weekend agenda looks to be pretty relaxing so far, we have a friends birthday party tomorrow night & then hopefully we can have a relaxing day at the lake on Sunday if the weather holds.....this pale body really needs some sun :)

More Baby Shower Pictures

Here are a few more pictures from my wonderful baby shower this past weekend!!

My Mom, sisters & I the night they got into town!
My SIL & MIL had these wonderful magnets & favors made for the shower!
I loved the cake & took home the part with the baby to freeze it & I will use it again for Brayden's 1st Birthday.
This is me!!

Emotional Rollercoaster.....

I have had a tearful past few days & really just want my emotions to get under control...I know that won't be happening any time soon but a girl can dream can't she?? Actually I guess I can't even dream if I am not getting any good sleep....I was up a 3am this morning......it is getting earlier & earlier every darn day! I think that everything is finally hitting me about Brayden's birth & my impending motherhood & I am really nervous, scared, excited & so many other emotions & I need Lance to be there for me through all of these emotions & lately he just hasn't been. His work is going through some major crap (he works for Chrysler, so enough said)....but still. I just need him right now & he is not there for me; he didn't even ask about Brayden once yesterday & that really got to me. He asked how I was feeling since I had the worst nights sleep so far the night before but never once asked about his son. I am trying not to over react about the whole situation since I know the stress of his job is really high right now but (especially today) but why is he not doing the same for me?? I know that he can tell that I have been down the past few days but he just can't seem to get over his own inner stress to console his pregnant wife......blah, blah, blah!! Anyway, I am just going to hope that the news announcement from Chrysler today doesn't affect his job & that we can have a great weekend together since he is off Friday, Saturday & Sunday which only happens once a month!!