31 Weeks - Baby Westerholm

Well, we survived two birthing classes last week! 

I'll admit that my anxiety was pretty much at a high listening to all of the details. I'm a thinker and when I have too much time to analyze something, the anticipation of it will drive me crazy.

I sat and recorded the new questions I had for my doctor during the classes and fought back the tears with a caramel sundae afterward on both days. Ice cream fixes a lot these days!

Time is flying by so very quickly! I've had many people ask me about whether or not I'm going back to teaching. The answer: yes.

As much as I love the idea of being a stay-at-home mom, I really need to try balancing both worlds because I also love being a teacher and I think it fills a big part of my heart! 

Brandon and I have also come so far after taking the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class. We've met many of our financial goals, and are still working on some. If I continue to work, that will, of course, aide us in our efforts. So, I'm going back with plans of continuing to teach, but in the back of my mind I know I have other options in the future.

This week I plan on starting to put together some of the materials that I'm gathering for my longterm sub. The plan - for now, if it fits with God's plan for the delivery and health of our baby and myself - is for me to be out of school for seven weeks total. That's one week of inservice and the first six weeks of school.

Please say prayers for me in that area, too! The less anxiety I have about not being there for my kids, the more I'll enjoy my 7 weeks with our sweet little one! 

For now, only 14 more days until our next sonogram! I can't WAIT to see Baby Westerholm!!!

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along:

31 Weeks

Due Date:
August 17, 2015

Next Appointment:
June 29, 2015

Movement:

Yes, often. This baby is ACTIVE!

Sleep:

I've really had a hard time getting to sleep and staying asleep in the past week. I'm uncomfortable, hot, and wide awake at the most inconvenient times.

What I Miss:

Fitting comfortably in my clothes
Sleeping well at night
Caffeine

Cravings:

Food. I want to eat everything again!
Sprite, or anything other than water.
Something cold because I'm HOT. Always.

Symptoms:

Swollen ankles

30 Weeks - Baby Westerholm

Well hello there Week THIRTY!!!

Now we're at about 9-10 weeks until we meet Baby Westerholm (who is still nameless if it's a girl). When I was a little girl, I always had names in mind. I would name each one of my baby dolls about 5 times over. I thought naming my baby would be the easiest and most fun thing I'd do!

Turns out it's much more complicated than I thought and that the daddy does have a say after all! 

The nursery is coming together in some ways. We've finally decided on a color scheme to go with - navy and mustard yellow/gold. My mentor teacher at Navarro made me the sweetest banner for the nursery in those colors and now I'm desperately searching for the perfect bedding to match.

What? I did that backwards? Don't act surprised! I picked our nursery colors from scrapbook paper and patterns; the rest should just follow suit! (And, yes, Brandon had a say in the colors. He's picky about things that are "too girly," in case this wee one is a boy! I already asked for permission to turn the gold into a glittery gold if we have a girl. It was a yes! I hope you heard me squeal from wherever you're reading this.)

For now, here's the crib! It has a matching dresser, as well. It is beautiful! These colors are pretty much spot on with what you see in person.

And, it literally still looks the same. I promise I'm not just holding back! 

I'm not panicking about the nursery because we plan on keeping Baby Westerholm in a bassinet in our room for a little while. The nursery is a transition that will take place later. I'd like to have it done, but there's no sense in rushing it if we haven't found the perfect pieces for it yet.

On the agenda this week: doctor's appointment and birthing classes!

I'm both excited and nervous about them. It's another one of those "this is REAL moments." 

Please continue to keep us in your prayers for continued health for the baby and both of us and for a smooth delivery when the baby is healthy and ready!

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along:

30 Weeks

Due Date:
August 17, 2015

Next Appointment:
June 10, 2015

Movement:

Yes, often. This baby is ACTIVE!

Sleep:

Some nights I struggle to fall asleep because I can't get comfortable, but most nights I sleep really well once I get there! 

What I Miss:

Fitting comfortably in my clothes.
Caffeine

Cravings:

Food. I want to eat everything again!
Sprite, or anything other than water.
Something cold because I'm HOT. Always.

Symptoms:

Swollen ankles

29 Weeks - Baby Westerholm

It's our last week in the 20-somethings of this pregnancy! 

We discussed so much with our doctor at our last appointment. I asked about inductions and c-sections specifically. Dr. Kirchner informed us that she likes to induce on the 39 week of pregnancy if there are no signs of me going into labor on my own (which we'll start checking for around 35 weeks). She believes this is safest for mommy and baby.

I was relieved to hear her say that a c-section is the last thing that she wants to do, but she's of course willing to do it - and will - if it means keeping us safe. She says her motto is, "Healthy mom, healthy baby." You got it!

I briefly discussed epidurals with her, as well. I plan on getting one. I have some anxiety about this because, as I've mentioned before, I'm slightly terrified of needles. I'm pretty good though when it comes to working my way through it if it's something that needs to happen, so I know I'll pull it together when the time comes. There's just a lot of time to think about it between now and then!

If we were to induce in the 39th week, that would put us in the week of August 10. That's only ten weeks away. Less time than the 1st trimester. Seventy days. Not even three months. Basically, not long!  

Next on the agenda: sign up for birthing classes. It's getting real, y'all! More and more every week! 

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along:

29 Weeks

Due Date:
August 17, 2015

Next Appointment:
June 10, 2015

Movement:

Yes, often. This baby is ACTIVE!

Sleep:

Some nights I struggle to fall asleep because I can't get comfortable, but most nights I sleep really well once I get there! 

What I Miss:

Fitting comfortably in my clothes.
Caffeine

Cravings:

Food. I want to eat everything again!
Sprite, or anything other than water.

Symptoms:

Swollen ankles

28 Weeks - Baby Westerholm

It's officially the third trimester!!!

It sounds really strange to be able to say, "I'm 7 months pregnant," but it's true. Time is passing so, so quickly. We have our next appointment tomorrow and I plan on speaking to my doctor a little bit more about her/our birth plan. I know it's only June (almost), but that means August is not that far away.

In the mean time, we're desperately trying to agree on a girl's name. Yes, we originally thought we had, but - to no surprise - I second guessed our first and second choices and we're back at square one. 

Perhaps it's a boy, then? Who knows!

I often have people ask me, "Well what do you think the baby is?"

Y'all, I have NO CLUE. Initially I thought girl, then I slowly convinced myself that it might be a boy. Now I'm just thoroughly confused and all I know is that it's a baby. I'm satisfied with that. 

I know this is a cliche, but all I honestly hope for is a healthy baby. I've experienced far too much to wish or hope for anything else. 

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along:

28 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:

Food. I want to eat everything again!

Symptoms:

Swollen ankles

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