28 Weeks

I still have a nagging cough that has gotten better, but is lingering for way too long. It's really zapping my energy and I have been such a sloth at work. I was called off work yesterday since the census appeared low on Sunday. Unfortunately, they called me Monday morning and asked if I wanted to work as their census had picked up. I e-mailed Kristen Sunday night forewarning her that I was called off and more than likely would take the day off since I wasn't feeling well to work a full day. After sleeping in until 10:30 a.m., I officially called off sick. And I'm glad I did as I was still hacking up a lung and felt really tired.

I feel better today, but am still trying to recover from this cough and congestion.

How Far Along: 28 weeks and only 12 more to go!!
Total Weight Gain: 24 lbs. and counting. Goal: 35 lbs. max
Maternity Clothes: Only clothing I can wear besides my husband's clothes.
Sleep: Not too bad despite this icky cough. Pretty restful, though husband's alarm clock was going off at 5:30 a.m. which he didn't hear since he was already up and in the living room.
Best Moment of the Week: Passing my glucose test with flying colors.

Movement: 20 kicks per hour.
Food Craving: Chocolate, carbonated drinks.
Food Aversions: None!
Morning Sickness: Felt a little nauseous today, but think it was more lightheadedness...
Gender: It's a boy!
Labor Signs: Not for 12 weeks, + or - 1 weeks.
Belly Button: Still an innie! But trying to poke out.
What I Miss: Not coughing.
What I'm Looking Forward To: For this coughing to stop and for maternity leave.
Weekly Wisdom: Don't push yourself too hard....it's ok not to work until you give birth!
Milestones: Starting my 7th month and starting the 3rd trimester tomorrow.

28th Week MD Appointment

Here's my belly at the end of 27 Weeks. I've got a pointy belly!

I had my doctor's appointment today. I have to start counting the baby's kicks. He's been getting pretty active between six and eight o'clock in the evening, at least for the past two days. In an hour, he's moved around in my belly about twenty times!

Baby boy is doing well. His heart rate is 135 bpm, regular and is growing well per fundal height. Also, he likes taking red blood cells away from me as my hematocrit was low. Normally, I was at 38% and have dropped to 30%. So, the doctor gave me a prescription for iron pills.

Despite being anemic, I do not have gestational diabetes. Yay! So far, the pregnancy is progressing well. I can't believe I'll be entering the third trimester soon. It has gone by so fast!

And we still have so much to do!!! Move to a two bedroom apartment, find a pediatrician, find a part-time daycare center, child prep classes.....and the list goes on and on.

It looks like we'll be staying in San Diego for at least another year as Chuck got a pretty good raise at work. And we were so looking forward to heading home to Seattle! Oh well, there is always next year....

All Better!

I had a restless sleep last night with my throat nagging me, but when I woke up, it felt much better! I'm just resting, drinking a lot of lemon tea and catching up on my knitting. I don't feel as exhausted as I did yesterday and believe I'll be ready for work tomorrow.

27 Weeks Pregnant

I thank my husband whose immune system is crappy for giving me his sore throat. He's been sick for 2 weeks now and I thought I'd be resistant to his nasty bacteria. My immune system is normally strong and if I weren't pregnant, I wouldn't of catch his icky germs. I usually get sick about once a year and usually fend off my husband's colds. I think he gets sicker more frequently than me. But being pregnant and thus, more immunocompromised, I woke up early this morning with a very sore throat. I was also very very tired. Despite being pregnant, this was abnormal for me as I haven't really felt very tired. I hesitantly called off work. And boy, am I glad I did! I don't think I could be at work being sick. I think being pregnant makes it much worse.

After I called in sick, I immediately went to bed and slept until 11 a.m. I really just wanted to stay in bed, but the baby was kicking me and telling me to go make something to eat. So I made pancakes, fruit and hot tea. Since then, I have been laying on my side on the couch just resting and cursing my sick husband for making me sick. But I have had a chance to catch up on knitting the baby's diaper covers. Besides taking a shower and getting water to drink, I have been on the couch exhausted because of this measly sore throat. Luckily, I don't have to work tomorrow and have another day to recuperate. Hopefully, this will pass by tomorrow.

In the meantime, here's an old picture of me in Seattle. I was 25 weeks pregnant. I am definitely a bit bigger now....it's crazy how much bigger you can get in 2 weeks. I'll get a more recent picture taken tonight if I can drag my butt out of this couch.

How Far Along: 27 weeks and only 13 more to go!!
Total Weight Gain: 21 lbs.
Maternity Clothes: Definitely!
Sleep: Crappy last night as I felt my throat getting sore.
Best Moment of the Week: Passing my 90 day review at work and still having that job!
Movement: He's getting stronger!
Food Craving: Soft cheese...thank god for pasteurization!
Food Aversions: I think I've gotten over my chicken aversion.
Morning Sickness: I felt a little nauseous this morning, but think it's because I'm sick sick.
Gender: It's a boy!
Labor Signs: Not for 13 weeks, + or - 1 weeks.
Belly Button: Still an innie!
What I Miss: Seattle! I really miss my parents, my sister and friends in Seattle. Oh how I yearn to be back home closer to family....
What I'm Looking Forward To: For this sore throat and tiredness to be gone and to pass my glucose test.
Weekly Wisdom: It's ok to ask for help....don't try to lift heavy things by yourself!
Milestones: Not being too depressed once I got back to San Diego, not buying any baby clothing, and being less skittish driving on the freeway.

26 Weeks

I am back in San Diego. I really miss Seattle, but it's good to see my HB again. I had a great time hanging out with friends and family in Seattle, but I was a bit lonely without my sidekick. I wish my visit to Seattle ended on a good note, but it was harried and stressful!

Last Wednesday, I got into a car accident on I-5. I was driving southbound to visit my parents when a car on my left tried to merge into my lane. I hit the brakes because I thought they were going to hit me and I lost control of the car on the wet pavement. I ended up hitting the concrete barrier dividing the freeway, mostly on the front passenger side, and damaging my parents' fender. Luckily, I didn't hit too hard; avoiding hitting my belly on the steering wheel, deploying the air bag or jamming the seat belt into my abdomen.

Once the firemen were able to tape the fender to the car, I was able to drive myself to the St. Joe's Hospital in Tacoma. They admitted me to the Labor and Delivery and monitored baby boy Rust for 4 hours. I'm so fortunate that the accident wasn't as worse as it was and the baby wasn't showing any distress at all. His heart was beating in the 140s and he was really annoyed at the fetal monitor as he was kicking it a lot!

On Monday, my OB wanted to see me and concluded, after a very very short visit, that the baby was doing well. I was hoping for another ultrasound, but she said it wasn't needed. She also said I probably wouldn't have another one since my pregnancy was so normal. I was a bit disappointed, at not getting another ultrasound, that is. I really want to see him again!! But glad that all is doing well and continues to do well....knock on wood. I have my glucose test this week and hope it goes well.

Work is getting a bit trying, especially with heavier patients as my baby bump has grown over the last 2 weeks. I'm a bit more tired and a bit more achy in the SI joint after working. Hopefully, I'll be able to work until June! It's uncertain at this point.

How Far Along: 26 weeks and only 14 more to go!!
Total Weight Gain: 19 lbs. If I gain 1 lb. a week, I'll be at the max. range of recommended weight gain.
Maternity Clothes: Definitely!
Sleep: Interrupted, getting up more frequently to pee and the baby's kicking is waking me up at times too.
Best Moment of the Week: Seeing my HB again.
Movement: Sometimes I wake up because he's kicking me.
Food Craving: Lemonade, fudgsicles, chocolates.
Food Aversions: Not much really.
Morning Sickness: Nope!
Gender: My baby boy.
Labor Signs: Not for 14 weeks, + or - 1 weeks.
Belly Button: Still an innie!
What I Miss: Sushi, prosciutto and beef jerky.
What I'm Looking Forward To: End of the work week.
Weekly Wisdom: Babies are resilient.
Milestones: Surviving a car accident and baby being okay.

Crib Mobile

I bought the cutest crib mobile at Tottini in Seattle. Since our future bedding set (haven't purchased it yet) is all about planes, trains and automobiles; this mobile definitely fit that them.

I found the mobile while searching the Tottini's website. It is made by Flensted Mobiles, a family business in Denmark on the island of Funen. This is where Hans Christian Andersen was born.

25 Weeks

I have been in Seattle for a week now and it has gone by too fast! I have been pretty busy running around getting my Seattle fix before heading back to San Diego. I have enjoyed, in no particular order:

1. Sam's Sushi, their tempura udon is tasty. Jennifer said that their sushi is really fresh and so it a place I'll have to return to once I can eat raw seafood again.
2. Cupcake Royale
3. Grabbing coffee with Hilleri and shopping for baby clothing at Childish Things and Rising Stars.
4. More baby shopping and window shopping at The University Village.
5. Dinner with my former co-workers at Anthony's Woodfire Grill in Everett.
6. Thuan making a wonderful homemade dinner and catching up on life.
7. Having lunch with Jennifer at Steelhead Diner who is participating in the Dine Around Seattle. We had a delicious 3-course meal for $15. Afterwards, we walked around Pike Place Market and bought strawberries. I found a very cute children's store, Boston Street Children's Everything Store, in Post Alley. They have the cutest clothes and couldn't resist buying another pair of Zutano's booties. I held firm and didn't buy any clothing, though I was tempted too! We just have too much now.
8. Dinner at the new Maritime Pacific Brewing Co. location with Kurt. It is still as busy as ever and I really was sad that I couldn't have a pint of Jolly Roger!
9. And of course, the baby shower! Thanks for all that came and celebrated the upcoming arrival of baby boy Rust. He is now equipped with a whole wardrobe! As well as toys, bottles, etc. I will now have two suitcases packed to max capacity and may be over the 50 lb. weight limit!

While I was in Olympia, I found a really helpful store that specializes in cloth diapering called Simple Cloth. There are now more choices in cloth diapers and they were really helpful in talking through all the different systems. Chuck and I have decided to try our hand in laundering our own cloth diapers. Actually, Chuck urged me to try to launder our own as I was happily content with a diaper service. But you do save a lot more money washing your own diapers. Initially, cloth diapers are pretty expensive as you have to buy the supplies upfront; but thereafter, you're all set and all you have to do is wash them. I almost have all the supplies, just a dozen more pre-folds and couple more covers; and then we should be set until the baby is around 5-6 months old to get the next size up. After that, it should cover him until he's potty trained. So, it's really cost beneficial. Plus, it gives me an excuse to knit wool diaper covers!

I have really missed Seattle and glad to have a couple of weeks here to enjoy myself. But home is where the heart is and my heart is in back in San Diego. So though I will miss Seattle immensely, I can't wait to be back home with my HB.

And now for the 25 Weeks Baby Post:

How Far Along: 25 weeks and only 15 more to go!! It's going by so so fast.
Total Weight Gain: Maybe 19 lbs.? I haven't weighed myself since I've left San Diego, but with the way I'm eating in Seattle, I'm pretty sure I've gained a good 2-3 lbs. Maybe more?!
Maternity Clothes: Yes. I couldn't find a cute maternity dress at Village Maternity, but I borrowed one of my sister's empire dresses that is quite stretchy and it looked really cute!
Sleep: Since I'm not working, I've been going to bed at 3 a.m. because I have too much on my mind and getting up at 9-10 a.m. I will need to break habit of this as I return to work on Monday!
Best Moment of the Week: Being in Seattle and hanging out with family/friends.
Movement: He likes to kick when I start eating and very active boy at night time. As I write this at 11:57 p.m. he is kicking me every which way in my stomach!
Food Craving: Anything and everything, except chicken. Haven't eaten it since I've been in Seattle! Craving seafood since I'm in the Pacific Northwest and looking forward to Ray's Cafe on Friday.
Food Aversions: Chicken.
Morning Sickness: Nope!
Gender: Active baby boy.
Labor Signs: Not for 15 weeks, + or - 2 weeks.
Belly Button: Still an innie!
What I Miss: Sushi, sushi, sushi! And a strong strong martini :)
What I'm Looking Forward To: Seeing my HB on Saturday and cuddling with him because I miss him too much.
Weekly Wisdom: There is such thing as too much clothing!
Milestones: Resisting the urge to buy more baby clothing and going a week without being with HB.

24 Weeks

I am finally home in Washington State! My flight was delayed an hour and a half for mechanical problems. Alaska Airlines was really apologetic and actually serving free beer and wine. Bummer! I could of used a glass of wine. Anyways, we got into Seattle around 11 p.m. and didn't make it to bed until around 1 a.m. So I'm tired! I wish my body could sleep in, but the baby was kicking me to wake up and feed him. And so I'm in Olympia for one night before heading up north home to Seattle. I'm excited to have some relaxation time and be home, but I already miss my honey bunney!

How Far Along: 24 weeks
Total Weight Gain: 17 lbs. + or - 2 lbs. I didn't weigh myself before I left for Seattle and my parents don't have a scale. I'm hoping for just 18 lbs. as I just want to gain 1 lb. a week for a total weight gain of 35 lbs.
Maternity Clothes: Definitely! Still looking for a cute maternity dress. Think I'll be hitting up Village Maternity while I'm here.
Sleep: I get about 6-7 hours. Still able to sleep well for the most part, but have had days where I get up once or twice to pee. HB and I will have to switch sides of the bed...again! He gave me his side so I could sleep on my left, but now it's getting harder to crawl out of bed to pee as my side of the bed is blocked by the baby's crib (in the box) and misc. baby items.
Best Moment of the Week: To finally be home in Seattle.
Movement: Very frequently throughout the day. And we can see it too! It's funny that he kicks when I start eating. He wants his food!!!
Food Craving: Filipino food! Haven't had any yet except for some bread for breakfast.
Food Aversions: Not many, I have been tolerating chicken a bit better.
Morning Sickness: Nope! Though I did feel a little nauseous on the plane last night, but it passed quickly...probably motion sickness.
Gender: Baby boy!
Labor Signs: Not for 16 weeks, + or - 2 weeks.
Belly Button: Still an innie, but I see it poking out.
What I Miss: Alcoholic drinks, deli meats, caffeine, sushi.
What I'm Looking Forward To: Seeing friends and family while I'm home.
Weekly Wisdom: There's no place like home.
Milestones: Making it safely home to Seattle.