27 Weeks - Baby Westerholm

There are just some days where I feel every bit of *insert number* weeks pregnant, and today is one of those days! I'm ready for summer! I'm ready to kick my feet up and relax and I feel myself getting lazier by the second. There are only 7 days left of school, and I have a four day weekend coming up...bring it!

Good news: glucose test came back with good results. No gestational diabetes! 

Although my ankles are swelling badly almost daily, my blood pressure continues to be good. At the doctor it was 128 over 80 and has continued to hover around the same since.  My doctor has continued to encourage me to drink water, put my feet up, and wear compression hose. She says we'll continue to monitor my blood pressure closely in case any changes occur.

The third trimester begins next week and I'm sure things will zip by in no time. (They already have!) This past weekend, with the help of Mark & Sharon, we got the crib put together and the dresser moved into the nursery. The crib and dresser are gorgeous and I can't wait to share pictures!

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along:

27 Weeks

Due Date:
August 17, 2015

Next Appointment:
May 27, 2015

Movement:

Yes, often. This baby is ACTIVE!

Sleep:

Good now that I have my pregnancy pillow!

What I Miss:

Fitting comfortably in my clothes.
Caffeine

Cravings:

Something sweet & cold at night (Icees or "freeze pops")

Symptoms:

Swollen ankles

26 Weeks - Baby Westerholm

I can hardly believe that we're almost to the third trimester! This week was uneventful until Mother's Day. We were pretty busy trying to go in 3 different directions to wish our mothers a happy day on Sunday and I had also had a busy Friday (field trip to the zoo) and Saturday.

My ankles were the most swollen they've been my entire pregnancy (left)! Look at my poor, chubby toes! By the end of the day, I couldn't wear my sandals any more.

On Monday, I took off of work to get my glucose test done and was also able to make an appointment with my brother-in-law, a chiropractor, to get my feet and ankles taped for the second time (right). 

The tape is supposed to help lift my skin enough that it improves circulation in my feet to prevent build up of fluid which causes swelling. He also used ultrasound on my feet, which is supposed to help the inflammation. I haven't had swollen feet since - just a slight swelling in my ankles still. 

I haven't received any results from my glucose test yet, but I'm hoping to get a report when we go to the doctor tomorrow.

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along:

26 Weeks

Due Date:
August 17, 2015

Next Appointment:
May 13, 2015

Movement:

Yes, often. This baby is ACTIVE!

Sleep:

Good now that I have my pregnancy pillow!

What I Miss:

Fitting comfortably in my clothes.
Caffeine

Cravings:

Something sweet & cold at night (Icees or "freeze pops")

Symptoms:

Swollen ankles

25 Weeks - Baby Westerholm

Another week has flown by! The bump is still growing, and this baby is more and more active every day it seems. Sunday night in particular, Baby Westerholm was moving ALL around and you could just see my belly moving. I think there were definitely punches being thrown and kicks being kicked!

This past weekend our nursery furniture came in! Yay!!!

It's sitting in our garage for now until we have the nursery all emptied out. We hope to empty it out this upcoming weekend, but it's been a slow process so far. We're trying to go through things instead of just shuffling it all around. I've quickly remembered that we have a lot of stuff!

What you see me wearing in this picture has turned into my daily school uniform. Since my ankles are swelling, I have asked my principal for permission to break dress code and wear tennis shoes daily and that's exactly what I do. Jeans + a colored tee + tennis shoes. I think this is that "glamorous" part of pregnancy so many speak of!

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along:

25 Weeks

Due Date:
August 17, 2015

Next Appointment:
May 13, 2015

Movement:

Yes, often. This baby is ACTIVE!

Sleep:

Good now that I have my pregnancy pillow!

What I Miss:

Fitting comfortably in my clothes.
Caffeine

Cravings:

Something sweet & cold at night (Icees or "freeze pops")

Symptoms:

Swollen ankles

24 Weeks - Baby Westerholm

We're officially 24 weeks pregnant today! We had an appointment, and all went well. We got to hear the heartbeat and also learned that our baby is viable now. Should we experience an early birth, we have greater odds in our favor. Please say prayers, though, that this is not something we face! (And, no, there are no indications that this should be of concern.)

According to my pregnancy app, Baby Westerholm is somewhere around 1 1/2 pounds already and just two weeks ago was only 14 ounces!

Dr. Kirchner wants me to get my glucose test done in the next couple of weeks. I hear it's no fun, but I'm ready to get it off of my checklist! 

This past weekend was exciting for us...we purchased a crib and dresser for the nursery!!!

We originally planned on using McKenna's crib, but learned it was a drop-side crib and didn't have the assembly instructions, both of which are big no-nos. We've had people tell us it would be ok, but we agreed we're just not willing to take the risk. I think our budding parental instincts just screamed no!

The new nursery furniture should be ready for pick-up within the next couple of weeks. I absolutely can't wait to see it in the room. Things are about to get real really quickly! 

This past week I experienced more back pain again. After the second night of it, I asked Brandon to take me to the Motherhood store. I'm the new proud of owner of a $60 (!!!) pregnancy pillow.

I never thought in my conservative Dave-Ramsey-like mind that I would buy a $60 pregnancy pillow, but it's one of the best investments so far. I have a feeling my desire to cuddle with it will only grow right along with my belly!

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along:

24 Weeks

Due Date:
August 17, 2015

Next Appointment:
May 13, 2015

Movement:

Yes, often. This baby is ACTIVE!

Sleep:

Experiencing back pain

What I Miss:

Fitting comfortably in my clothes.
Caffeine

Cravings:

Something sweet at night

Symptoms:

Swollen ankles
Back Pain

22-23 Weeks - Baby Westerholm

Confused? 22-23 weeks? So were we! 

We had an appointment on Monday, April 13. During our appointment the doctor said, "You're 22 weeks today!" I had always noted that with each appointment, they had me measured 5 days ahead of my due date.

I could tell that one due date, August 17, was based off of dates I had given the doctor and the other, August 21, was based off of measurements given to us during a sonogram. I had always assumed that August 21 was most accurate, but turns out it's not.

Our due date is officially August 17, 2015! (So, I've doubled-up on my picture for this week.)

For starters, after publishing my 21 Weeks post last week, Brandon felt the baby moving for the first time! I could have sworn this child was doing flips inside of me. We even saw my belly move. It was the craziest, most exciting thing!

On Monday, our appointment was pretty eventful! We met with Dr. Kirchner, got our due date straightened out, then spoke about my swollen ankles. Her advice was as expected: drink water and put your feet up. She also recommended compression hose.

Then, we met with the sonogram tech who showed us all sorts of incredible shots of Baby Westerholm! I've included them below with labels.

And, most exciting, and unexpected...a 3D shot!!!

During our sonogram, we also talked about genetic abnormalities. We initially chose not to do any genetic testing because our doctor said our risk was low and detection was possible via sonogram, and we also knew we wouldn't change the outcome of our pregnancy.

Courtney, our sonogram tech, was so helpful. She showed us the heart and all its chambers. It was doing its job, therefore eliminating about 70% of possible heart defects (heartbeat: 144). We also saw Baby Westerholm swallowing - could see the tongue and all! - and his/her FULL belly! Courtney checked many other things, including the kidneys, which she said were functioning well.

It was all a good sign that fluids were entering/exiting Baby Westerholm! Yay!

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along:

22-23 Weeks

Due Date:
August 17, 2015

Next Appointment:
April 27, 2015

Movement:

Yes - often after meals. This baby is ACTIVE!

Sleep:

Sleeping well most nights. One night this past week I had really bad back pain, no Tylenol, and was unable to sleep well. It hasn't happened since.

What I Miss:

Fitting comfortably in my clothes.
Caffeine

Cravings:

Food in general. I'm back on my kick of wanting to eat constantly.

Symptoms:

Swollen ankles
Back Pain

21 Weeks - Baby Westerholm

I'm really looking forward to this week! Tomorrow is our "20 Week Appointment," even though we're in week 22 already. We have an appointment with the doctor, but will also be getting a sonogram with the sonogram tech. Here's to hoping there's no gender reveal! 

This week I haven't had too many changes, though my crazy dreams have slowed down a bit. I'm sure I'm dreaming each night, but this week I didn't remember them quite as vividly as I have in the past, which has made me feel like I'm sleeping better at night.

One slightly more significant change this week has been in my ankles. They've been swelling. Yes, already. I was shocked to experience that this soon in the pregnancy. I had always thought that was something women often faced later, but apparently I was wrong! 

Yes, I have been trying to sit down more during the day.

Yes, I have been drinking as much water as possible.

And, yes, I have been putting my feet up in the evenings.

I'm going to be sure to mention it to my doctor tomorrow, though I have a feeling she'll ask me questions about the above 3 statements. Out of all those things, the toughest for me is drinking enough water. I'm not trying to be selfish when I say this...I get that this isn't all about me right now, but it's hard for me to do that.

I prefer ice-cold water, and some kind of flavoring - lemon, lime, or even a drink mix. I'm not sure that putting anything in my water will help/hinder things, but I'm going to get it clarified to help myself stay hydrated.

I also plan on going to see my brother-in-law, a chiropractor, as he has advised getting my ankles taped to help. I forget exactly how it will help, but I'm sure he'll explain it to me all over again when I see him!

For now, here's the belly...

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along:

21 Weeks

Due Date:
August 21, 2015

Next Appointment:
April 13, 2015

Movement:

Yes - often after meals.

Sleep:

Not waking up as frequently; I'm back to good sleep!

What I Miss:

Fitting comfortably in my clothes.
Caffeine

Cravings:

Food in general. I'm back on my kick of wanting to eat constantly.

Symptoms:

Vivid dreams
Swollen ankles

20 Weeks - Baby Westerholm

Week 20 has come and gone and we're halfway through our pregnancy! When I think about it that way, it seems to have flown by. I still remember sharing the news of our pregnancy, and that was two whole months ago. Wow!

Our next appointment is scheduled for April 13, where we'll have our (late) 20 Week Sonogram and a regular appointment with the doctor. I know that soon I will have to take my glucose test, too. 

This week I've continued to feel more movement from the baby. Baby Westerholm is particularly active after I eat because I often notice movement when I'm sitting at my small group table with kids in my classroom after lunch and when I'm sitting on the couch in the evenings after dinner. (And, yes, I'm pretty certain it's not gas! I've had people ask, so I'll answer before you even have to ask.)

On Friday, I'm pretty certain I felt Baby Westerholm when I put my hand on my belly. I could tell the baby was active, so I pressed my hand into my lower stomach and could have sworn I felt the baby pushing against my stomach, kicking, moving, or whatever he/she may have been doing! Who knows if that's what I felt, but I'd like to think it was!

I've said this often , but there are mornings where I wake up and think, 'Woah! Hello, baby belly!' It seems like it gets so much bigger overnight!

At this point, I'm still amazed at how many people reach out and touch my belly. I'm not bothered by it - at all, in fact - it makes me happy that people are so excited for us that they feel the need to touch, but still surprised at how many people I don't even know that well that just go for it.

I've heard from many others that this gets worse the further you get along and that I'll eventually reach a point where I'm tired of people touching my belly. I guess I'll let you know in about mid-July when it's hot and I'm very pregnant, and quite possibly just want to be left alone!

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along:

20 Weeks

Due Date:
August 21, 2015

Next Appointment:
April 13, 2015

Movement:

Yes

Sleep:

Waking up frequently, but still feeling well rested.

What I Miss:

Fitting comfortably in my clothes.
Caffeine

Cravings:

Food in general. I'm back on my kick of wanting to eat constantly.

Symptoms:

Vivid dreams