37 weeks

At 37 weeks...
*Birthing classes are complete and our birth plan written!
*My feet officially have swollen out of most of my new shoes and I bought an ugly pair with velcro adjustable straps to wear to work!
*The doctor said that my cervix is thinning and you are in a good pelvic position...basically any day now it's just a waiting game!  What have the last 9 months been?
*We are all anxious to meet you!  Not a day goes by that someone does not comment on waiting to see what you look like...I hope you are healthy and the rest will just be wonderful.
*Your Aunt Kalla is anxious for your arrival and has big plans for getting me to go into labor if I haven't already by the time she gets here!
*YOUR NURSERY IS FINISHED and I am in a big time nesting mood...I cleaned the bathroom at 7:30 am one morning!

36 weeks

At 36 weeks...
*You began dropping...and I was able to remember what it felt like to breathe again.
*I had my first "check" at the doctor's office, now that I go every week...nothing happening (good to hear because it's early, disappointing because I want you to be here!)
*We had another ultrasound to check your positioning and size.  You are in perfect head's down position and estimate weight if I carry to 40 weeks...8-8.5 pounds.  Your head is measuring on the big side and arms/legs on the short side.  Your daddy saw your face and even agreed this time that you have his nose.  Plus the tech showed us all the hair follicles on your head!
*Sleep is a struggle.  I am just so big and uncomfortable that it is a struggle to get comfortable and feel good.  Plus all the potty breaks are getting to be too much!
*My favorite part of 36 weeks?...photos with Aunt Sara, who as always, did an AMAZING JOB!  Below is just a quick preview!

35 weeks

 

At 35 weeks...

*I am exhausted...back, legs, feet, chest...everything is achy and sore...but I keep reminding myself it is all for you My Mia!

*I installed the car seat in my car!  This means I had to clean the car, per your daddy's request, and that was no small task!  But I did it and I love driving everyday and seeing your seat in the car...it's a good reminder that the end of pregnancy is near and the beginning of our time together is close!

*Birthing classes have continued and your daddy is doing great.  He will be an amazing partner during delivery (as long as your Aunt Sara is there to help too!)

*You are great at letting me sleep at night for the most part...but you give me no peace during the day...moving and squirming everywhere!

*I finished making your bibs and matching burp clothes...and I love them!

10 hand-sewn bibs

10 coordinating burp clothes

34 weeks

At 34 weeks...
*According to the doctor I gained 6 pounds in the last two weeks, but I had only gained 2 through the last 4 and I have definitely become more swollen in the last few weeks
*You are still measuring a week ahead...I'm hoping this means you want to come early
*My next dr. appointment they will begin checking for progress...hopefully you will be moving in the right direction
*Everyone says that I am carrying all baby...while I find this extremely nice, I don;t feel it...I feel you in my legs, backs, arms, feet....I feel that you have just taken over my whole body...but in all honesty I wouldn't want it any other way!

33 weeks

At 33 weeks...
*Birthing classes continue...Daddy and I are finding a good groove and talking about what we both want
*I visited your brand new cousin Kynlee and we got to see Caidan and Kloe.  I wanted to hold the baby a lot, but you moving around and me not feeling the most comfortable made this difficult at times.  Your Aunt Kalla is anxiously awaiting the call to come down and meet you.
*Sleep is becoming harder and harder...I am constantly up every 2 hours to pee, then I have to toss and turn to find a comfortable position...what works one time may be excruciating the next.

32 weeks

At 32 weeks...
*You are now measuring just 1 week ahead...getting back to schedule!
*Your daddy and I had our first birthing class...we are now feeling more and more ready for you to come.
*I began washing all your bottles and kitchen things...such a little person has SO many things!
*I finished some personalized, handmade embellished onesies just for YOU!

Close up of embellishments

All the embellished onesies!

31 weeks

 At 31 weeks...
*I love you, but boy am I ready to be done with this pregnancy!
*We had a shower with all of our Compass peeps and got some great new things to help with preparing for your upcoming arrival!
*Your cousin Kynlee Elaine was born on June 27!  If all goes as planned you will only be 8 weeks apart and I hope the best of friends!
*Your movements are much more aggressive now and I can see my belly move as you punch/chop/kick/flip...whatever it is you decide.

For fun...look below to see me wearing the same shirt at 18 weeks...my, oh my, how things have changed!

18 weeks

30 weeks

At 30 weeks...
*I can truly say that I am uncomfortable!  9 more weeks seems like an eternity.
*At the last doctor's appointment you measured 2 weeks ahead.  She said not to worry and we will see what happens at the next appointment.
*I have carpel tunnel in my right hand/fingers.  Some days are better than others, some days I can barely move my fingers.
*Final preparations for you my sweet Mia are full force...from laundry, to bottle washing, to cleaning and organizing...you are the focus of everything I do.

28 weeks

At 28 weeks...
*We went swimming for the first time since being pregnant.  Being in the water felt great, being in a swimsuit...not so great.
*By the end of the day my feet, back, and legs HURT!  I waddle around the apartment.  When I lay down or sit, I have to hold onto something to get back up.
*Sleeping has become a bit more difficult...even with sleeping on my side, I feel a lot of pressure and it makes me toss and turn until either I fall asleep or magically find a comfortable position.
*She is a mover!  And now that she is growing, not all of her movements are pleasant to feel.  She likes to sit low which makes me feel as if I have to pee all the time!

27 weeks

At 27 weeks...
*We finished the 2nd trimester!!!
*Bending over hurts, so it's more like squatting with a lean!
*Daddy got to feel you move!  In the past when I have tried to get him to feel you you just stop.  This week you were "doing gymnastics" and I put his hand there and you kept going.  It has now become a nightly ritual for him to get to feel you move.  He loves it!  I love that he gets to feel you move, but could we choose something a little calmer than gymnastics?

26 weeks

At 26 weeks...
*According to the doctor you are measuring perfectly.  Though the student could not work the scale and told me I had gained 8 pounds in 4 weeks...I ignored her.
*We passed the glucose test, clean bill of health!
*You are a mover.  Bedtime has become a bit uncomfortable as it takes a while to get situated,

25 weeks & a baby shower!

At 25 weeks...
*You are a mover and groover, but when your daddy tries to feel, you become stubborn & stop!
*We had our first baby shower!  Mommy's work friends and our family gave us a lot of gifts...though some people gave us pink!
*Your Aunt Sara planned an amazing shower and we had lots of fun!

The table decor...baby pics of mommy & daddy included

Opening gifts...your Gigi & Grandma P. thought buying me pink was hilarious!

Mommy's work friends...Miranda, Jilly, MJ, & Callie, plus Denise

The food...OJ, muffins, fruit skewers, DEVILED EGGS!

More baby pics of mommy & daddy

24 weeks

At 24 weeks...
*I feel you move a lot.  Thumps, bumps, kicks, and pokes...you Mia Elizabeth Laren are quite a mover.  I can appreciate, though that you are pretty calm while I sleep...it's much appreciated!
*I feel huge!  The heat makes me uncomfortable and we are just into spring...this will be a hot summer!

23 weeks

At 23 weeks...
*I can feel you move quite a bit...tumbling and rolling all around.
*You discovered that my ribs are perfect punching bags and that my bladder makes a great trampoline!  Luckily you do this during the day and we have established quite a good routine at sleeping, only waking for potty breaks.
*Last night I saw my stomach move.  I felt this "itch" and went to rub it, only to see a little poking coming from my stomach...too bad your daddy wasn't home to see it too!
*I've slowly been able to eat fried foods again...yeah for bacon!
*Nesting is starting to set in...though conquering the mess in your room is slow to progress!

22 weeks

At 22 weeks...
*People have made comments that I am popping.  This makes me happy to know that you are growing, but I also struggle with that this makes me look big...For you Mia, I would do anything!
*First shower invites went out to family and close friends!
*Still no definite kicks, but the pressure...you love to squish my sides and curl up in my ribs...neither of which are that comfortable!
*Sleeping is becoming uncomfortable...getting up to pee constantly (6 times in one night!) to just finding a position that is comfortable (most feel as if my stomach is being squished by an elephant!)

21 weeks

At 21 weeks...
*You found my ribs and it was not pleasant.  Both times it happened as I was shopping at Meijer...is there something you have against Meijer?
*You are Mia!  It is so nice to have a name for you instead of calling you both.  I think in the week since finding out, we have grown even more in love with the idea of who you may be...though I know we will probably be in for a big surprise!
*I came to the realization that I have some body image issues with the pregnancy.  I don't mind gaining the weight...I actually get excited to see what the doctor says (I have only gained 10 pounds so far.)  What I struggle with is all the changes...I knew they would come but I did not think it would be this fast or drastic...from my boobs, to my stomach, to my skin...I don't feel that any place is normal.  Now this does not mean I do not love my baby, it means that I have issues that I have never had to deal with that I have to get over it.  The scary part...no doubt in my mind, I would do it all again!

19 weeks

At 19 weeks...
*I've begun to feel you...though those flutters they say happen feel like constant somersaults in my stomach.
*LEG CRAMPS are evil!  Then to follow those up I have had a constant charlie horse in my calf for 4 days.  ARG!
*Saturday I was bored so I did some "window shopping" on the computer for cute outfit ideas!  Your daddy was not a fan of most of the things I picked.
*We went bowling for Seth's birthday on Saturday and bowling with my belly in the way was a challenge (but I won!)
*One more week until we find out if we will be bring home Mia or Xander!  Either way I am thrilled, but I will be happy to not have to call you by both names anymore!

18 Weeks

At 18 weeks...
*I experienced my first leg cramp while sleeping and it hurt like no other!
*I am exhausted...who knew something the size of a bell pepper could drain me.
*When talking to you I call you Mia or Xander...can't wait until I know who you are (April 12 will not be here soon enough)!
*Your Aunt Sara took her first mini belly shot photo shoot!  I love this photo of me telling you how much I love you already, no matter how uncomfortable or weird I feel...it doesn't change that you are the best thing to ever happen to your daddy and I!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo by Sara Green

Let's compare...
To the left, my belly at 16 weeks...a little bulge
To the right, my belly at 18 weeks...more rounded...who knew two weeks could change so much!

17 weeks

At 17 weeks...
*I am patiently awaiting getting to feel you move (I have had a few indications that I may have felt it, but not sure)
*Completed my first handmade project for your room (so cute!)
*Felt a lot of feelings about what is happening to my body, I love you, but it's emotional to see what is happening to my body
*Have started sorting some of your baby items and can't wait to wash it all and organize it!

16 weeks

At 16 weeks...
*Once again I got to hear your heartbeat (though Daddy missed this appointment)
*You continue to suck all my energy, for a morning person this has made getting up each day extremely difficult
*I bought bathing suits for this summer...maternity suits are no fun!
*April 12...we find out if we will be bringing home our baby girl or baby boy!