sneak peek of newborn photos!

more pictures

at the hospital the day after coming home, getting tested for jaundice

naked baby

Dad and Landon getting ready to leave the hospital

Landon after his second bath

"I'm cold mommy!"

After his second bath

Landon's first bath with Mommy and Daddy

Birth Story

I've been meaning to put this up for a while but with a new addition to the family and all, I haven't had the time! Here is Landon's birth story (warning: may be slightly graphic in some parts):

On September 6th (Labor Day) Dan, my mom and I spent the day trying to make me go into labor. I woke up at about 8:30 am that day and we were busy the whole day. I went to Target, ate pineapple, got a foot massage from Dan (trying to hit pressure points) and laughed all day. At about 9:30pm I posted on facebook "Labor Day did not produce labor" and started getting ready for bed. As I climbed into bed at 10:20 pm I felt a strange cramping feeling and then it went away and I felt some wetness. I looked over at Dan and told him that I though my water broke, who in turn called me a liar. I told him I was serious and waddled into the bathroom (there was no running at this point in my pregnancy), as soon as I sat down a bunch more came out. That's when I told Dan it wasn't a drill. He got very excited and as I jumped in the shower, he went to tell my mom in the other room (who called Dan a liar. lol) We all got ready to go, dealt with the dogs and jumped in the car.
On the way to the hospital (about a 30-40 min drive) I was having some minor contractions. We arrived at the hospital arround 11:45pm and had the valet take our car (yeah our hospital is awesome). We went back to triage where they checked to see if it was actually amniotic fluid and take my vitals. They confirmed that it was amniotic fluid and admitted me. They then checked my progress and said I was only 1cm and about 50% effaced (same as at my last doctor's appointment), which meant when I got into labor and delivery they would have to give me pitocin to jump start my labor.
At 1:30 am on September 7th, they wheeled me up to labor and delivery. I got all hooked up and started waiting for the contractions to hit. At this point we all started getting a bit loopy due to a lack of sleep. My mom and Dan were cracking jokes the whole time. At 2:40 am they started my pitocin since I wasn't making any progress on my own. At one point my mom had to run back to the house because we had set our alarm clocks and we were worried they would make the dogs bark when they went off, plus we had forgotten a few things. While she was gone the contractions started getting worse. I couldn't talk through them and they were coming one on top of another. I was just sitting quietly and breathing through them so I don't think Dan knew how bad they really were. Especially since, at one point, he looked at me from a chair over the laptop screen he was on and said "I think I'm going to watch a movie on the Netflix." I told him that he better shut the computer now and stop enjoying it so much because I was hurting! lol I didn't expect him to be hurting but I didn't want him sitting back and relaxing either!
At about 3:20 am I couldn't take the contractions anymore (the pitocin was making them much stronger, and they had already upped it once) and asked for the epidural. They said he would be there within 5-10 minutes, however that time frame went by and no epidural. The nurse came in and said the doctor's phone wasn't working so they were going to have to search the floor for him. He finally came in about 30 minutes after I had asked for the epidural. He was very nice and told me what to expect the whole time. It wasn't as bad as I expected it to be but it was hard staying perfectly still through contractions. So my epidural was finally in place at 4:00 am.
It worked great, my right side was numb immediately and my left side was numb after I was tilted to the left a bit. We decided this would be a good time to get some rest since I was still only 3 cm dialated. Dan had no trouble passing out, but I was having to lay at a tilt at all times (can't be flat on your back when pregnant) and nurses kept coming in every 1/2 hour or so to check on me so I got no sleep.
At about 8:00 am, I was checked again and was told that I was only 4 cm and 90% effaced so they were going to up the pitocin again. At this point, I thought we'd be there forever. At 9:00 am, I was just about to fall asleep and I noticed the heart rate monitor for Landon slowed down. Just as I was about to hit the nurse button to have them check they come bustling in. Landon's heart rate dropped from the 150's to the 90's for about 3 minutes. They had me shift to my other side, which then made his heart rate go back up. They said that my contractions were literally one on top of the other and very intense (thank goodness for the epidural) and it probably caused him stress.
I was told that if Landon wasn't born by 10:20 am (12 hours after my water breaking) that they would have to put me on antibiotics to prevent any chance at infections. So the nurse came in at that point and started checking monitors and getting my antibiotics hooked up. I mentioned to her that I was feeling some pressure in my bottom and she said that was normal since the baby was moving down, but at this point I would probably only be 6-7 cm based on the time frame from the last time I was checked. She said she would check me though if I wanted. I told her we could wait, but as she was hooking up my antibiotics I felt even more pressure and decided to have her check me. Thank goodness I did! At 10:45 am she felt around and said "Oh my! The baby's head is right there! You are 9 1/2 - 10 cm and ready to push! Let me call the doctor." So in only 2 hours I went from 4cm to 10cm, which was quick since it was supposed to be about an hour per centimeter.
I closed my legs back up in hopes of holding him in until at least the doctor came. The nurse told me to let her know if I needed to push, but I decided to let Landon labor down as much as he could on his own. The doctor arrived and got her gear on and broke down the bed. When she looked down below she said she could already see the head and asked Dan and my mom if they wanted to see this head full of hair. Dan originally didn't want to but he said his curiousity got the best of him and he decided to look and said it was crazy but awesome. My mom and Dan both said it was like watching a car accident, you didn't want to look at first but then you can't look away! lol Dan was an awesome labor coach, he had one of my legs with one arm and the back of my shoulders with his other arm while I was pushing (the nurse had my other leg). He encouraged me the whole time! After only about 4 or 5 series of pushes (about 10 minutes) Landon was born at 11:19 am. Dan cut the cord and they placed Landon on my chest. I had tears streaming down my face and Dan was bawling.
After a few minutes they took Landon over to get cleaned off and weighed, so my mom and Dan followed him while I got stitched up (2nd degree tearing). My mom got a bunch of pictures of Dan with Landon while they were cleaning him off. They then weighed him (6 lbs 10 oz) and measured him (21 inches). We were shocked at how small he was since EVERYONE, including doctors anticipated that he would be big. Thank goodness that he wasn't any bigger though, I don't know if my body could've taken it!
After about 2 hours we were transfered up to recovery with our bundle of joy! We are so in love with our little man!

Pictures of Delivery

More info soon, but here are pictures!

Final Nursery Pics!

38 weeks

So today I'm 38 weeks and SO ready to be done! I'm REALLY uncomfortable all the time. If I stand for too long my ankles hurt and if I sit or lay down for too long my hips and back hurt. It will all be worth it, I know I know, but right now stinks! Good thing this Friday is my last day at work!
I had my 38 week doctor's appointment yesterday. He said that I haven't made any progress since last week (boo!) and is looking for a reason to induce me since he knows I'm uncomfortable, but won't do it unless my body is making at least some progress on it's own. He said that if he were to induce me with where I am now (only about 1 cm and 50% effaced) I could be in labor for days and still end up with a c-section because my body just really wasn't ready. So this week I will be trying all the methods to get things moving that are out there: walking, eating spicy food, drinking different kinds of tea, eating pineapple, etc.
My mom comes in on Sunday so we'll definitely kick it up a notch after she gets here. She'll be here for 3 weeks and I'd prefer the majority of the time is with baby and not with me still being pregnant.

Here are my 38 week belly pictures. It looks like he's dropped a BIT but the doctor said he hasn't dropped completely.

Here is what is going on with Landon and I this week:

Your baby has really plumped up. He weighs about 6.8 pounds and he's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). He has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold his hand for the first time! His organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If he's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If he's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time he's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after he's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

For many women, the next couple of weeks are a waiting game. Use this time to prepare your baby's nursery or to take care of necessary tasks you may not get around to for a while after your baby's born. Take naps, catch up on your reading, and spend uninterrupted time with your partner while you can.

Some swelling in your feet and ankles is normal during these last weeks, but call your practitioner without delay if you notice excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, any swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, or have a sudden weight gain. Also let her know immediately if have severe or persistent headaches; visual changes (such as double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, light sensitivity, or a temporary loss of vision), intense upper abdominal pain or tenderness, or nausea and vomiting. These are symptoms of a serious condition called preeclampsia.

37 weeks - Full Term!

So I am officially full term today! This means that if Landon were to come any time after today they wouldn't stop labor.

School for students started yesterday and it's been interesting. It's nice to be back to work (and getting a paycheck) but it's also tough when carrying around all this extra weight in the front! My feet were killing me yesterday by the end of the day and my stomach was really tight (probably from standing for so long and my muscles having to work overtime). I know I need to be here for at least another week or two, but it's getting tough!

I had a doctors appointment yesterday and everything looked good. The doctor said I was about 1 cm and 50% effaced, which really isn't much but it's something. We talked about the c-section idea and how me having one may make the recovery longer than if someone else had a c-section (due to them cutting muscles and my low muscle tone). So we discussed the idea of an induction at about 39 weeks. That way I'd have a better chance of getting him out (because from now on all he's doing is putting on weight and getting bigger). So hopefully we'll get this confirmed at my appointment next week :)

Here are my 37 week belly pictures:

And here is what is going on with Landon and I this week:

Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. (Some babies need a bit more time, though. So if you're planning to have a repeat c-section, for example, your practitioner will schedule it for no earlier than 39 weeks unless there's a medical reason to intervene earlier.)
Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

Braxton Hicks contractions may be coming more frequently now and may last longer and be more uncomfortable. You might also notice an increase in vaginal discharge. If you see some "bloody show" (mucus tinged with a tiny amount of blood) in the toilet or in your undies, labor is probably a few days away — or less. (If you have heavier spotting or bleeding, call your caregiver immediately.) Also be sure to ask your caregiver about the results of your Group B strep culture. That way, if the result isn't yet on your chart when you get to the hospital or birth center, you'll be able to give the staff there a timely heads-up if you need antibiotics.

It may be harder than ever to get comfortable enough to sleep well at night. If you can, take it easy through the day — this may be your last chance to do so for quite a while. Keep monitoring your baby's movements, too, and let your caregiver know immediately if you notice a decrease. Though his quarters are getting cozy, he should still be as active as before.

While you're sleeping, you're likely to have some intense dreams. Anxiety both about labor and about becoming a parent can fuel a lot of strange flights of unconscious fancy.

36 weeks

So we are down to less than a month left! We are very excited and very ready. Honestly, if we weren't in the financial situation that we are in, I probably wouldn't be going back to work. I'm already worn out at the end of the day and the students aren't even there yet! After school today Dan and I went grocery shopping and we got home and my feet were sore (but I can't really see them). I sat down and looked at my feet and they were a bit swollen. I guess I'll have to stay off my feet a bit more. Below is a pic of my swollen feet. They may not look too bad to some, but I have REALLY narrow and skinny feet and ankles, you can notice it the most in the ankles.


We had a doctor's appointment on Monday. They did an ultrasound and saw that Landon is no longer breech, but head down. This is good news, however I'm still worried about whether my body can handle a regular birth with my hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hypotonia (low muscle tone). The doctor said that if I get to 39 weeks and I want a c-section he is more than willing. So we are in the process of deciding. I thinking about telling him that if Landon hasn't come on his own by September 8th then we will do a c-section on September 8th. I figure that if he comes by then I might be good weight and size-wise to have him the regualar way. However, if I have to wait until 40 weeks or more than I'm worried his size plus my medical conditions will make it tough.
They also estimated his weight at about 6 lbs and 3 oz at the 36 week mark. They say that just a little under 6 lbs is normal for that time, so he isn't that far off. However, they measured his femur again (they won't estimate height, but it gives them a slight idea of how long he'll be). They measured it twice and took an average and said that it was measuring at about 38 1/2 weeks and he's only 36 weeks... so it sounds like we are looking at long and skinny :)
I've been back at work this week for preplanning. Next week the students come back and I'll be with them for 2 weeks. My last day is going to be September 3rd and I'll be taking 12 weeks under FMLA. However, if Dan gets laid off that time, I may be going back to work after only 6-8 weeks due to financial strain (no paid maternity leave here).
Below are my 36 week belly pictures (I definitely have a serious waddle going on now!):

Here is what is going on with Landon and I this week:
Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement. At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely he's in a head-down position.

Now that your baby is taking up so much room, you may have trouble eating a normal-size meal. Smaller, more frequent meals are often easier to handle at this point. On the other hand, you may have less heartburn and have an easier time breathing when your baby starts to "drop" down into your pelvis. This process — called lightening — often happens a few weeks before labor if this is your first baby. (If you've given birth before, it probably won't happen before labor starts.) If your baby drops, you may also feel increased pressure in your lower abdomen, which may make walking increasingly uncomfortable, and you'll probably find that you have to pee even more frequently. If your baby is very low, you may feel lots of vaginal pressure and discomfort as well. Some women say it feels as though they're carrying a bowling ball between their legs! You might also notice that your Braxton Hicks contractions are more frequent now. Be sure to review the signs of labor with your practitioner and find out when she wants to hear from you. As a general rule, if you're full-term, your pregnancy is uncomplicated, and your water hasn't broken, she'll probably have you wait to come in until you've been having contractions that last for about a minute each, coming every five minutes for an hour. Of course, you'll want to call right away if you notice a decrease in your baby's activity or think you're leaking amniotic fluid, or if you have any vaginal bleeding, fever, a severe or persistent headache, constant abdominal pain, or vision changes. Even if you're enjoying an uncomplicated pregnancy, it's best to avoid flying (or any travel far from home) during your final month because you can go into labor at any time. In fact, some airlines won't let women on board who are due to deliver within 30 days of the flight.

35 weeks

35 weeks down, 5 to go! I'm starting to get very uncomfortable no matter what I do. Standing, sitting, lying down... all uncomfortable. Yesterday, Dan and I went to Sam's Club to get toilet paper and dog food and I was waddling more than usual (I had been setting up my classroom all day and was sore). Dan started waddling next to me and cracking up! I told him to knock it off but he said that he was trying to make me feel more comfortable by not being the only person waddling through the store (I'm pretty sure he was just making fun of me!). So he continued through the whole store, punk.

Last Thursday we had a bit of a false alarm as well. I was feeling really crampy (like it was that time of the month) and I was having more Braxton Hicks contractions then normal. I decided to call the doctor to be sure and they told me to come in just in case. Turns out I had let myself get dehydrated (We had done a bunch of running around the day before, and when I thought about it later I hadn't drank as much water as normal) and I had a UTI. The doctor also checked me (which was REALLY fun, lol) and said that I was only about a 1/2 cm dilated (which is nothing). So I was perscribed something for the UTI and told to drink more water and at least 1 gatorade a day. She also mentioned that she thinks that Landon is head down, based on when she checked me and where she found his heartbeat. We have our 36 week appointment on Monday and we are getting an ultrasound, so we'll see then!

Here are my 35 week belly pics:

Here is what is going on with Landon and I this week:

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.
Your uterus — which was entirely tucked away inside your pelvis when you conceived — now reaches up under your rib cage. If you could peek inside your womb, you'd see that there's more baby than amniotic fluid in there now. Your ballooning uterus is crowding your other internal organs, too, which is why you probably have to urinate more often and may be dealing with heartburn and other gastrointestinal distress. If you're not grappling with these annoyances, you're one of the lucky few.

34 weeks

So today I'm 34 weeks, meaning I technically have 6 weeks until my due date. However, some things have changed about our little guy's arrival. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and discussed with the doctor that Landon is still breech. He said that at my 36 week appointment they will do an ultrasound to check and then schedule a c-section for 39 weeks if he is still breech. They would do it a week early so that I don't go in to labor on my own and then have to have an emergency c-section. I asked him what the chances were of flipping (because I already feel like he has no room in there) and he said very slim. He's almost out of room and his umbilical cord is near his head (always in the way during ultrasounds) so a lot of times these 2 things will keep them from flipping over.
So we are looking at the week of September 6th! I can't believe he will be here so soon! Not only have we had the 9 months of anticipation but there is also the 2 years of trying before that as well, so it kind of felt like this day may never come... and now it's right around the corner! We are VERY excited!
We also got some more good news today, Dan is going back to work!! Ok, it may not be for a long time, but it's for at least 2-3 weeks. This is great news since he makes more than twice what unemployment is. He knows of a job coming up on September 1st at Disney that a few of his buddies are going to be on so they are all trying to get him set up for that one too. Fingers crossed! Dan's going to continue working at the nightclub on Friday and Saturday nights through the first short job, but if he gets on to the Disney job then he'll probably quit. It would be just too much otherwise. However, he's planning on keeping his post of Craigslist to help people with moves and try to schedule them for weekends or after work. I'm worried he's going to over work himself but I know he wants to provide and try to make up for the 3 months he's been laid off. Hopefully it all works out for the best!

Below are my 34 week belly pictures (my belly button is almost flush with my stomach. I don't think I'm going to get an outie but it's probably going to end up flat!)
Here is what is going on with Landon and I this week:
Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. His fat layers — which will help regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.
By this week, fatigue has probably set in again, though maybe not with the same coma-like intensity of your first trimester. Your tiredness is perfectly understandable, given the physical strain you're under and the restless nights of frequent pee breaks and tossing and turning, while trying to get comfortable. Now's the time to slow down and save up your energy for labor day (and beyond). If you've been sitting or lying down for a long time, don't jump up too quickly. Blood can pool in your feet and legs, causing a temporary drop in your blood pressure when you get up that can make you feel dizzy.

33 weeks

Only 7 more weeks to go! Or less! That's less than 50 days! Holy crapola! So not much has gone on this week. We had a prenatal breastfeeding class at the hospital last week and a basic infant care class a couple of days ago which gave us good information. While at the hospital sirens started going off saying "Code Red" and everyone in the room stated to panic a bit. Come to find out Code Red is a fire but it was in a small contained area of the hospital so we were fine. Nothing like 20 or so pregnant women getting slightly panicked though!

Dan still isn't back to work but we are hoping it happens soon, espeically with my maternity leave coming up. I had a substitute all lined up for my classroom when I go out and she recently backed out for another position. So now myself and the secretary are scrambling a bit to find someone to cover for me. Fingers are crossed that I can find someone good on short notice!

When it comes to the pregnancy I'm just getting more and more uncomfortable. Sleeping is rough, my hips and lower back (especially near my tailbone) hurt all the time. Rolling over in bed is such an ordeal that I literally dread it, but if I stay then my hips get even more sore. I know Landon needs more baking time, but I'm ready to get this show on the road! Lol

Below are my 33 week belly pictures and then what is going on with Landon and I this week:

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.
You may be feeling some achiness and even numbness in your fingers, wrists, and hands. Like many other tissues in your body, those in your wrist can retain fluid, which can increase pressure in the carpal tunnel, a bony canal in your wrist. Nerves that run through this "tunnel" may end up pinched, creating numbness; tingling, shooting or burning pain; or a dull ache. Try wearing a splint to stabilize your wrist or propping your arm up with a pillow when you sleep. If your work requires repetitive hand movements (at a keyboard or on an assembly line, for instance), remember to stretch your hands when you take breaks — which should be frequently.

32 weeks

So only 8 weeks left to go! Had a doctor's appointment yesterday and everything went well. I only put on 1/2 a pound in the last 2 weeks putting my total to 16 lbs, not too bad! Also discussed Landon being breech still with the doctor. He told us that if he is still breech at 36 weeks than we will schedule a c-section from there. After 36 weeks the chances of him turning are lower due to him having very little room. I'm a little bummed since we just had our Prepartation for Birth class on Sunday and I was really hoping for a natural birth (with an epidural). Oh well, as long as he is safe and healthy! Here are my 32 week belly pictures.

Here is what is going on with Landon and I this week:

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth.
To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor. Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things.

31 week ultrasound pics

So today we went for an elective ultrasound to see baby Landon. It was great, even though Landon was VERY stubborn. He kept on holding his hand in front of his face! I have tons of pics with his hand in the way, but these are some that are better. The woman doesn't do measurements since it's elective but said he looked like a big boy. He is currently butt down, with is bottom down under my left hip, his legs up along my left side and his head just above my belly button. He's pretty much sitting in a V-shape. The description of each pic is above it.

Showing how long his legs are, this is just his femur. So from the knee to the foot takes up the whole screen!

His cute face, I know it looks like he has a black eye, but it's just a shadow

If you look close, you can see some fuzz coming off his head which they said is his hair

Has a little smile

Side view

That think across his face is his arm
Showing his heartbeat at 145 bpm

hand near the face again

lol, still a boy!

These are 2 different videos, the one on the left is of him moving around a bit and the one on the right shows his abdomen in 2D real quick as he has the hiccups

31 weeks

31 down and 9 more to go! Or less! Not much has been going on lately, just taking it easy. Dan and I went to Target, Walmart and Babies R Us today to get a few more things that we needed with giftcards that we had. We're getting very excited!

Tomorrow we are going for an elective ultrasound. Our doctor said they probably won't do another one, so we are going to get a 3D/4D one done that will show us if Landon is still breech, if he is still a he, and what our cute little guy looks like! I'll post some pictures tomorrow since they are giving me a CD with all the pics.

The doctor thinks that Landon is head down now and I'm beginning to think so too since when he gets the hiccups I feel like they are in my nether regions! Supposedly if he's head down though I'd be feeling kicks in my ribs and the highest up I feel kicks is about 1-2 inches above my belly button. I think that I'm carrying low though and having a long torso gives little guy some more room in there.

This Sunday we also go for our Preperation for Birth class at the hospital. It's an all day thing, but hopefully we'll get some good information.

Here are my 31 week pictures:

Here is Callie trying out our Boppy Pillow:

And here is what is going on with Landon and I this week:

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

Have you noticed the muscles in your uterus tightening now and then? Many women feel these random contractions — called Braxton Hicks contractions — in the second half of pregnancy. Often lasting about 30 seconds, they're irregular, and at this point, they should be infrequent and painless. Frequent contractions, on the other hand — even those that don't hurt — may be a sign of preterm labor. Call your practitioner immediately if you have more than four contractions in an hour or any other signs of preterm labor: an increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge (if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody — even if it's pink or just tinged with blood); abdominal pain or menstrual-like cramping; an increase in pressure in the pelvic area; or low back pain, especially if you didn't have it before.