February 18th, 2008

12:29 pm: 23 weeks, 1 day
We saw the baby bumping around in my belly this weekend! Richard still hasn't felt it with his hand, but it was exciting that he got to see it. Little Darwin must be getting so big!

The baby furniture is going to be delivered sometime on Wednesday. I can't wait! We also ordered a new coffee table and end table and they will be delivered on Saturday. I am so excited to see the nursery all arranged and ready for Darwin!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

February 19th, 2008

03:42 am: 23 weeks, 2 days
Your daddy felt you moving! Just about 15 minutes ago, I felt you kicking me in the side and I laid my hand there and felt it very clearly, so I woke your dad up and asked for his hand and laid it where you were kicking. You gave Daddy three BIG kicks! Daddy asked Mommy, "Are you sure that isn't indigestion?" I answered, "Do you usually feel indigestion on the outside?" He laughed, realizing that he was definitely feeling YOU! What a good boy!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

February 20th, 2008

07:21 pm: 23 weeks, 3 days
We got the furniture this morning and assembled it when we got home from work. I made the crib with all of the bedding and Richard put up the mobile. I put the hamper out and hung the diaper stacker on the dresser. I also got the changing pad cover put on and the changing pad is now secured to the dresser top. We still need to do the wall hangings and curtains, but it looks really good already. I am thrilled!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

February 25th, 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

February 26th, 2008

07:46 pm: 24 weeks, 2 days
I am so exhausted! I have not been sleeping well. I get up to pee three or four times a night, get up to drink three or four times a night, get up to eat once, roll over about 25 times, and wake up from numb arms or painful hips or a hurting back several times. Sleeping just doesn't work for me anymore.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

February 27th, 2008

06:51 am: 24 weeks, 3 days
I was scared last night. I had severe pain in my left side accompanied by cramping in my cervix and I couldn't really tell exactly where the pain was coming from. Richard helped me to bed and I started crying because I was so afraid that Darwin might come early. I don't know what labor feels like, but I was able to calm myself down because I'm pretty sure it isn't usually mostly on one side. I got to sleep and woke at 3am with the pain still there and just as bad. Now it is a little better, but I'm staying home and calling my doctor just in case. I'm pretty sure at this point that it is probably round ligament pain, but I had NO IDEA that stretching could hurt so bad. It felt like a pinched nerve going straight through my left lower abdomen into my back. It was about an 8 in severity on a scale to 10. Now I'd place it around a 5 - much more manageable. I'm still concerned and I want to know what's going on just to settle my mind.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

February 29th, 2008

04:36 pm: 24 weeks, 5 days
I am feeling much better today. My urinalysis showed no signs of infection, but I think that either I was getting an infection that wasn't showing up yet or it was kidney stones. I just can't believe that stretching would hurt so bad, especially in that particular spot. Staci said that stretching usually hurts in the abdominal floor, which is totally what I have experienced up until this week. This was NOT stretching. But it's better now, so as long as it stays better and Darwin keeps on squirming, I'm happy.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 2nd, 2008

07:31 pm: 25 weeks
Only two weeks until my third trimester! I have been having some pretty nasty indigestion and acid reflux, but overall I'm doing really well. Darwin was awake almost all day long yesterday and was wriggling all over the place. I think he wore himself out because he's been resting a lot today.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 3rd, 2008

09:48 pm: 25 weeks, 1 day
I've been having a lot of Braxton Hicks today. Ever since around 4pm I've had roughly four or five per hour. It has gotten less frequent over the last hour. For a while there I was timing them even though they don't hurt. I just wanted to make sure everything is okay. Darwin is kicking like crazy and seems to be totally unaware of the clenching and unclenching my stomach has been going through. I'm staying calm and relaxing. The literature I have read says that as long as it isn't more than five per hour and doesn't get more frequent, I have nothing to worry about.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 4th, 2008

06:12 pm: 25 weeks, 2 days
There have been only one or two contractions all day today, so nothing to worry about!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 6th, 2008

10:15 pm: 25 weeks, 4 days
I am going to buy maternity or nursing bras this weekend. I am feeling so heavy in my chest that I really need better support. I don't feel like I'm much bigger, but I do have a couple of stretch marks on my breasts and I have had to start hooking my bra on the last notch instead of the middle one.

Darwin is doing good. He's been pretty quiet this evening, so he'll probably be up a lot tonight. He's such a perfect little guy. I love every little squiggle he makes, even if it does wake me up at 3am.

I'm having more Braxton Hicks. They tend to happen in the late afternoon and through the evening. I'm having two or three an hour tonight. It isn't as much as it was a couple of nights ago. I guess my body is getting lots of practice in before Darwin comes.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 9th, 2008

09:09 pm: 26 weeks
Only one week until the start of my third trimester! I am so excited! This month went by very quickly. It seems like my last checkup was only a week ago and yet here it is coming up again this Friday. I believe that the doctor said last time that after this checkup I will begin going every two weeks. I think that will make it seem to go even faster. Plus, in April we have plans every weekend, so that will go quickly. I have a feeling March and April will fly by and May will be one of the longest months of my life! I am so excited to meet my baby Darwin!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 11th, 2008

05:00 pm: 26 weeks, 2 days
I did not post the specifics of my busy month in April. Here is what is going on...

April 5th - 9am to 12:30pm, Childbirthing Class
April 5th - 1pm to 2pm, Tour of Birthing Rooms
April 12th - 9am to 12:30pm, Childbirthing Class
April 19th - 1pm - 4pm, Breastfeeding Class
April 26th - BABY SHOWER!

I am so excited for all of this to happen! I adore my little guy and I want to get every duck in a row possible in the time I have before he decides to emerge. I want everything to be as planned as possible.

I have been trying to get a birthing plan together, but I don't think I will know for sure how I want things until after my childbirthing classes. I have so many questions about anesthesia and alternative birthing positions and various other things. I will be relieved to have more information and be able to make an informed decision on these topics.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 13th, 2008

05:31 pm: 26 weeks, 4 days
My feet and lower calves are starting to swell significantly. Elastic at the top of my work socks and the velcro straps on my shoes show up as large indentations by the end of the day. I need to keep drinking plenty of water to keep it under control.

Darwin is back to being an active little guy. Last week he was very restful, but this week he's partying down! My gestational diabetes test is in the morning. I hope it goes well...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 14th, 2008

09:37 am: 26 weeks, 5 days
I had a prenatal checkup this morning. I gained 9 lbs since last month! I guess I was making up for only gaining 1 lb last month. My gestational diabetes test was this morning. I hope I pass!

Darwin is doing great. He is the right size and his heart rate is good. The doctor told me to cut back on my sugar intake to reduce the swelling. So I guess the mini Snickers I've been eating throughout the day need to stop... And the Klondike bars... And the Hagen Daaz... And the mini muffins... And the soda... And the Hostess snacks... Okay, so basically everything I eat.