Our New Baby

The baby is due July 1st, 2009.  I’ll update this page from time to time.

11.26.08 I heard from the lab that my blood analysis and urine analysis are normal.  That means I am not iron-deficient and I don’t have any infections.  I’m feeling good most of the time.  At the grocery store I was walking past the raw chicken and raw pork section and I dry heaved.  Supposedly it’s part of a woman’s genetic memory code to react that way to raw meat in order to avoid food poisoning during pregnancy.

12.06.08 I took a photo of my baby bump at 10 weeks and 3 days.  We had a very large dinner last night at the company holiday party, so that might be part of why it looks so “developed” at this point.  I’m loving this new sweater!

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12.18.2008 I had my 12 week appointment this morning and everything looks good.  The midwife found the baby’s heartbeat and the rate was measured at 160 beats per minute.  I learned about a trend in group-centered prenatal care, “centering pregnancy,” that is now being offered in our area, but chose the traditional individual appointments because I want to be able to take my son along.  In group-centered care there wouldn’t be enough space for children or spouses.  It sounds like a neat idea for first time mothers because of the discussions that would arise.  I am on the last notch of my belt and barely squeezing into my jeans.  I’ve gained about 8 pounds so far.  I will have to start wearing maternity pants, or at least pants with elastic waists soon.

01.02.2009 At 14 weeks and 3 days I felt the baby’s thumps for the first time.

01.14.2009 I had my 16 week appointment in the morning.  I’ve gained about 10 pounds so far.  The baby’s heartbeat was 150 beats per minute and the size of the baby’s body was normal.  Surprisingly, I am still wearing regular jeans at this point.  The ultrasound will be in another four weeks.  Through Facebook I found out that two of my friends from high school are also due this summer.

01.29.2009 At 18 weeks I felt my uterus cramp and become rock-hard for a couple of minutes.  My husband and I could see the outline of our baby because my stomach was contracted so tightly.  It was like something out of a science fiction movie.  I am getting larger, but still fitting into my regular jeans.  Here is a picture of the bump:

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02.16.2009 We went to the ultrasound appointment this morning.  I was surprised to find out that this baby is a girl.  I had assumed that since I felt so good (no morning sickness) it was a boy.  My husband and I have a much easier time agreeing on names for girls, so that’s comforting.

03.05.2009 At 23 weeks, I have gained about 18 pounds.  My son and I watched a home water birth on TLC today, and I answered his many questions about what was happening.

03.16.2009 I feel so heavy!  I have probably gained 22 pounds already!  I had an appointment today, and everything was normal.  Both of my children went with me and were very impressed by the sound of the baby’s heartbeat.  I need to drink more water and not do so much housework.  For my next appointment I have to drink that ridiculously sweet orange soda for the glucose tolerance test.

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bump at 24 weeks

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03.24.2009 Only 100 days to go! I started a prenatal fitness class today. I’ll go to class twice a week for the next 8 weeks. I’m hoping to get in shape for another natural birth. The look on my husband’s face was really funny when I let him know there were only 100 days left in my pregnancy.

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bump at 25 weeks

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04.26.2009 I wore a maternity jean skirt to the arboretum today. It is so comfortable!

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baby bump on April 26

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06.01.2009 We are now at 30 days to go! I have gained a total of 32 pounds. The midwife that I saw at my appointment a week ago said she doesn’t think this baby will be quite as big as my other two. She said she estimates that the baby will weigh less than 8 pounds. That seems right to me too. I still feel how very active she is. I am trying to settle my stomach with Kefir. I have been feeling bad for about a week (intestinal trouble and heartburn).

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06.16.2009 I haven’t had any more heartburn or digestive problems and I’m feeling good. I much prefer sitting in a hard chair to lying down on a bed. When I lie down I feel a lot of pressure on my hips and I wake up several times every night because of the pain. My husband thinks that our baby will be born before her due date, but I have no reason to think that. We have some diapers and clothes ready, but we are preoccupied thinking about our house.

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06.21.2009 Father’s Day and the First Day of Summer (39 weeks)

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Father's Day baby bump photo

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07.04.2009 Our baby was born at 5:19 in the morning, after a very fast and scary labor. She weighed 7 pounds and 13 ounces and spent the first two hours of her life nursing. I recovered quickly and was ready to go home the next day.

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our new baby

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61 Responses
  1. 2008 November 23

    WHAT A THRILL! I’m so very thrilled. I can’t tell you. I’ve been having the “wanting to be pregnant again” feeling for about a year now. I guess it is normal to feel that way when the youngest becomes more independent, etc. But at my age, there will be no more. So now I get to “share” your joy and happiness! Well, the sick part ain’t much fun but oh the joy of a baby. Sending you and your family the biggest and best vibes of happiness and well being!

  2. 2008 November 25

    WOW!!! I can’t wait for updates. :)

  3. 2008 November 26

    OH!!!!!! I have been so blog-deficient!!!! My goodness, what joyful news!!!! Congratulations, dear! Yippeee!!

  4. 2008 November 28

    Sarah is due on June 10th but I am telling everyone it’s June 9th because that is my birthday. Sarah has been off meat. She doesn’t even really see it raw but she doesn’t feel like eating much of it. I didn’t realize that was why. I will tell her. She did have a minor strep infection and had to take antibiotics. I hope it is gone when they test her again. I am a strep carrier which means I can have strep but no symptoms. If the strep shows up again I will have to be tested too.

    Are you getting any morning sickness? I hope not. I’ll keep checking to see how you are doing.

  5. 2008 December 6

    Thanks, CG! Your enthusiasm is very appreciated!!!

    Randomability, my next appointment is on the 18th, so hopefully I will have good news about hearing the baby’s heartbeat and other updates.

    Goldie, thanks so much!

    Joan, that’s about 3 weeks before me. I don’t have morning sickness. I just feel nauseous several times a day, but it’s getting better. I’m taking a lot of naps to deal with the feeling of being sick.

  6. 2008 December 7

    YAY! I am so excited for you guys. I hope you have lots of fun being pregnant! :)

  7. 2008 December 11

    Thanks, Kristin!!! I am really hoping to start to feel those goldfish-like movements in the next couple of weeks! It’s so exciting.

  8. 2008 December 11

    I can not find this post with out a link!!! I don’t know why.

    Anyways, congratulations on your pregnancy! I will live vicariously through you! I loved being pregnant and have actually thought about being a surrogate for couples. Keep us updated on the progress :D Are you going to find out the gender?

  9. 2008 December 11

    Chris, it’s because I made a page instead of a post. We will attempt to find out the gender, but that won’t be until February. Thanks for expressing your support!

  10. 2008 December 14

    How did I miss this? We’re both pregnant at the same time! Honestly, even as strangers, we live a very strange similar life! Got some time to finally catch up on your great posts!

  11. 2008 December 19

    Congratulations, my daughter-in-law is also due on July 1st. :)

    • 2008 December 21

      Liza, that’s awesome! Thanks for letting me know. Congratulations!!!

      Thank you, bookbabie! How cool that your daughter-in-law and I have the same due date.

  12. 2008 December 22

    This has got to be one of the best “self pics” I’ve ever seen! What a beautiful sight! Are the kids getting excited now that you are showing? Blessings to you and your beautiful family!

  13. 2008 December 22

    The group setting would also be great for single moms too. With each pregnancy, were you in maternity clothes sooner than before? Also, how is the physical characteristics compared to either of your pregnancies? Do you feel that you are having a girl or a boy?

  14. 2008 December 24

    Thank you, CG!!! Yes, they like the way my body is changing and they are always touching me. LOL, even more now than before. My daughter asks me everyday, “So, how is the baby doing?”

    Randomability, when I was pregnant with my daughter I threw up about 5 times a week, usually at night. But when I was pregnant with my son, I felt a little sick yet managed not to throw up. That’s what is happening this time too. Sometimes I feel nauseous, but I don’t actually get sick. I’ve had about the same rate of expansion with all of them. I showed early even when it was my first time. I don’t know how to perceive the gender of the baby. I’ll just wait for the ultrasound! :) I gave my maternity clothes to a friend. I need to call her and see if she still has them. Is that impolite?

  15. 2008 December 25

    Go ahead! If we lived closer to each other, I’d give you my clothes!!

    These were my physical differences in pregnancies:

    Hair growth: Grew quickly with son and my hair all but stopped growing with my daughter.

    skin: Was pretty clear with my son and felt like a teenager always breaking out with my daughter.

    This was the surest sign for me… With my son, I was pretty dry ad didn’t have any discharge. With my daughter, I could have used pantyliners.

  16. 2009 January 6
    Susannah permalink

    I’m so excited for you!!

    My sister will be starting some low fertility treatments soon, after having a miscarriage last year so all the good news of friends being pregnant and having healthy children is encouraging! It’s exciting and scary at the same time. My husband and I have not been successful in trying on our own, so I’m due for an appointment this year. Maybe 2009 is the year for babies!

  17. 2009 January 7

    Thinking about you today and praying for you. :-)

  18. 2009 January 7

    Feeling the baby move! How exciting!!

  19. 2009 January 9

    awww, how fun! was it a thump or a flutter? What week are you now?
    I felt it earlier with my second than I did my first.

  20. 2009 January 9

    never mind, I looked at the top & my questions were answered… still excited for you!!!

  21. 2009 January 10

    How’s the baby making going?

  22. 2009 January 10

    And no, that’s not impolite to ask your friend for the clothes back

  23. 2009 January 17

    Cheers for still being able to wear your regular jeans!

  24. 2009 January 23

    It is going so fast! Thanks for the updates! Some dear friends just found out they will be grandparents in Aug. Babies everywhere..YEAH!

  25. 2009 January 29

    I talked to my friend about borrowing some maternity clothes. She said she has some for me, but most are capri pants which won’t be comfortable until summertime. I feel the baby moving a lot. Must be a really squirmy baby. I just watched a show last night “I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant” and was amazed to learn how some women don’t feel or see their babies moving around. Quite a contrast to my personal experience.

  26. 2009 January 29

    I didn’t find this page until today, or I would have been here much sooner.

    Your bump is perfect. (And I LOVE your sweater!)

    From my experience, the babies that kicked the most in utero were the quietest ones outside the womb. My oldest son used to kick me so hard he could knock a book off my stomach, and once he was born, he was the quietest, most gentle baby. My fourth hardly kicked at all, preferring to swim, instead, and he hasn’t slowed down a day since his birth. (My girls followed similar patterns.)

    I’m so happy you’re healthy. I can’t wait to read more updates. :)

  27. 2009 January 29

    Cool baby bump. It’s fun to see the progression of photo’s, especially with the same sweater on.

  28. 2009 January 29

    Kemi, welcome to my baby-making page. :D It is hard to find, especially if you’re used to seeing posts through a reader. But I didn’t want to write post after post about the baby in case that would get annoying, so I decided to add to this page instead.

    Randomability, thanks. I thought it might work better to have the same sweater on for comparison. Plus so many of my other shirts have grease spots right on the bump since I keep dropping food on myself. Ha ha.

  29. 2009 January 29

    I’m glad everything is going smoothly! I have to agree with everyone- what cute pregnant tummy you have! :)

  30. 2009 February 16

    We just found out that the baby is a girl!

  31. 2009 February 16

    A girl! :) That will be nice for your son, in that maybe being the only boy will negate the “middle child” thing that happens.

    Very exciting news! I’m happy for you. I’m hoping we will get a girl somewhere in the mix. My hubby wants all boys.

  32. 2009 February 17

    How exciting!! do you still have some of your daughters clothes and such?

  33. 2009 February 19

    Thanks, Kristin! Why does your husband want all boys?

    Randomability, we don’t have much! We’ve given away things as they grow out of them because of lack of storage space.

  34. 2009 February 20

    Thanks for stopping by my blog the other day. I have been slow about updating lately, so I promise it will get better soon! It looks like I’m due 8 days after you, but with a boy. I can’t wait to follow your progress here!

  35. 2009 February 20

    Congratulations, another girl….nice girl, boy, girl…glad you are in good health and all is well.

  36. 2009 February 23
    rosiemolinary permalink

    I’m enjoying these updates. Are the kids excited about having a little sister?

    I’m excited for all of you! And I love the new header picture. It’s beautiful and the spirit of it is perfect!

    • 2009 March 5

      They are both going to be such good siblings. And I have a strong feeling that their relationship will be stronger because of having a baby sister in common. Thanks for the compliment about the blog’s header. A friend of my parents took that picture last September.

  37. 2009 February 27

    I’m not sure exactly why he wants all boys… He grew up with just boys, so I think he thinks boys are easier. But I am rooting for at least one girl someday!

    • 2009 March 29

      In my experience so far, boys are much easier because of how much emotional stress I project onto my daughter. My son has a comparatively carefree life. It’s something I am aware of. I wonder if that’s what your husband means by boys being easier to raise.

  38. 2009 March 2

    I’d send you some girl clothes but I’ve only had boys myself!
    So excited for you!

  39. 2009 March 23

    Awwww… look at your baby tummy! It’s so sweet!

    Your hand positioned on your stomach looks so maternal and protective! I love that photo. It perfectly captures the essence of motherhood and pregnancy. (Or vice-versa.)

  40. 2009 March 24
    Susan permalink

    OH that horrid orange drink! That one used to make me want to heave. Fortunately, my tests would come back normal….my last ob/gyn was VERY conveniently situated 2 blocks from Krispy Kreme…that was my treat for not throwing a fit at the doctors office when they made me step on the scale.

  41. 2009 March 28

    What kind of prenatal fitness class? I did Yoga and LOVED it!

    • 2009 March 29

      My class has yoga some days. There’s a variety of things included like STEP, resistance bands, and moving around in the deep end of the pool. I like it and I’m so glad I signed up. It’s my first fitness class ever, so I was apprehensive about being out of shape. So far I’ve not felt overwhelmed. You know how your body becomes more flexible during pregnancy? It’s interesting to see.

  42. 2009 April 13
    fancydancer permalink

    How very beautiful…..

  43. 2009 April 13

    You and my daughter-in-law are looking great! I need to update her photos too:)

    • 2009 April 13

      I’m huge now! I need to put up another photo. I’ve already gained 30 pounds and I’m waddling around like a penguin.

  44. 2009 April 14

    Good luck with the glucose drink. I hope that goes well. This makes me excited for the future. Keep up the good work, get your rest and drink your fluids.

  45. 2009 May 10

    Happy Mother’s Day!

  46. 2009 May 10

    Happy Mother’s Day ☺

  47. 2009 May 13

    LOVE the baby bump! ♥ Can’t wait for the updates.

  48. 2009 June 1

    Oh wow, I haven’t been to this part of my blog in a long time. The countdown is at 30 days! I am okay, but have a stomach virus or something that makes my intestines cramp for the last week. That’s no fun. And I miss the prenatal fitness class. I am not moving around enough and stretching without that motivation. I wake up every morning with painful cramps in my feet and calves.

  49. 2009 June 3

    Sorry to hear about the discomfort. I hope you find ways to get moving around. You both need it. Take care.

  50. 2009 June 5

    I cannot believe you are sooo close! I know it goes by slowly for YOU, but for US~well, seems like YESTERDAY! I hope you’ll share your birth story…. (((((HUGS))))) sandi

    • 2009 June 29

      I will share the birth story, Sandi! I’m hoping for a natural birth at the hospital assisted by a midwife.

  51. 2009 June 19

    Thinking of you! Deb

    • 2009 June 19

      Thanks, Deb. I’m still hanging in there, but I get comments from strangers about how much time is left. I guess my belly is pretty big and people are fascinated by that.

  52. 2009 June 27

    I love your father’s day picture! You are lovely pregnant :)

    • 2009 June 29

      Thanks, Kristin! There are just a few days left, I assume. I had hopes to get some last minute pregnancy photos or even sketches and I wish there were a photographer I trusted to do it! I volunteered as a (nude) model at an art studio, but they didn’t call me back.

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