Belly business: 35 weeks

How far along: 35 weeks
The size of BT: She should be over 18 inches long and weigh between 5 1/4-1/2 pounds, or about the weight of a honeydew melon. We know that Brooke was 5 lbs over a week ago so she's right on her way! These last few weeks are just gaining her weight! Everything else should be ready to go!
Cravings: Not much, and honestly it's hard for me to eat much in one sitting because I am running out of room!
Symptoms: Heartburn has set back in along with occasional ankle swelling and some lower back pain. And being super tired, but that is nothing new!
Maternity wear: Same as before...
Shake that booty(movement): I have found that B is very active in the later afternoon/night time but also in the morning if I am sitting down. She is very forceful in her movements and this week was under my right rib and also dancing on my bladder at the same time!

So this weekend is Christmas and my wonderful hubby got me a prenatal massage at Natural Alternatives. I cannot wait to use it! Chris tries his best to massage my back/hips at home when they help and he does a good job (he's learning!) but he thought this would be even better for me--what a sweet surprise! I still have not packed my hospital bag yet but we did unpack the carrier from the box and plan to install the bases sometime this week. Also on our to-do list is to build the swing! I still need to decide on shelving/bookcase for the nursery but other than that it's ready too! I can't believe in 5 weeks or so we will have our little one!!
Ok, so I wrote this post in the early afternoon, but by night we were at my parents for Christmas and dinner/games. I had been having the occasional BH contractions but around 6 or so they started in increase in frequency. My OB had said if I have more than 4 in an hour, to call in. Well, I was having more like 3 within 10 minute periods, if not more. They still were only lasting less than 20 seconds but I was not comfortable with as many as I was having. I laid down, drank plenty of water (like I always do) but nothing seemed to help. After dinner, Dad told me I needed to call the OB on call and at that point I started to get a little scared. Luckily, Dr Yang was on call and she called me back and after I described them to her, she told me they did not sound like labor contractions (which I didn't think they were) and to drink more water and take a hot bath. So while the rest of the Schmid family was downstairs playing mexican dominoes, I was up in the jacuzzi tub trying to relax. Luckily, the warm bath really helped as they immediately slowed down. I was actually able to stand up after my bath and not contract, which was a nice change. Not sure what set them off since I was pretty lazy all day with Christmas stuff, but it was not a fun night! Chris told me he thought it was God giving me a little kick in the butt to start getting ready for B's arrival...so today (Monday) I packed our bags and we are going to install the car seat this week! I pray she stays put for 5 more weeks!!

Enjoy some Christmas pics!

Brooke's letter

Brooke,

I can’t believe that in five weeks or so you will make your grand entrance into this world and our little family of three (including your big brother Willie!) will become four! It seems like just yesterday your Dad and I were finding out we were pregnant and beginning a period of waiting, preparing and praying. We have wanted you for so long and it hasn’t been an easy road at times but there is not a single day or moment I would trade. It all makes you even more of a miracle than you already are! I cannot imagine that I will love you more than I already do but I know the instant that I see your sweet face even more love will come from somewhere! I love feeling you move inside of my belly as it is a constant reminder that you are always with me. I cannot wait for you to get here and spend my time with you, watching you grow and play and show us your personality. I have prayed for you every day of my pregnancy; for your safety, growth, and development and I cannot wait to pray for you every day once you are here for whatever your current needs may be. Stay nice and warm and snuggled up in me for the next few weeks and when you are ready to come meet your Mommy, Daddy, and Willie, (and the rest of your family and friends!) we will be anxiously awaiting your arrival!

Much love,

Mommy and Daddy

December 23, 2011

Belly business: 34 weeks

How far along: 34 weeks! 6 to go!
The size of BT: Well, I don't have to rely on the weekly email to tell us how big Brooke is getting because we had our ultrasound this past Friday. And she weighs...drumroll please....5 pounds! Holy cow! When Dr. Yang said at my last visit she thought Brooke would be on the smaller side, I wasn't expecting to hear that she's already measuring at 5 pounds! If I deliver close to my due date and she gains the half a pound per week that usually occurs, we're looking at somewhere close to 8 pounds! I was 7 lbs, 11.5 oz and typically babies are close to their mother's birthweight, so I guess we are right on track! She also scored an 8 out of 8 on her biophysical profile, which is perfect! Just means she is growing just as she should and all measurements are right!
Cravings: Anything peppermint, but I think that's just the season because I am like this every holiday season!
Symptoms: Other than the usual tiredness, nothing new. Still some lower back pain (which Chris has gotten to practice his massage techniques!) and waking up super early every morning and not being able to go back to sleep.
Maternity wear: Same as before, not buying anything else! I have bought a few nursing bras and "sleeping bras" so we'll see how those work out!
Shake that booty(movement): Love to see my tummy "roll" and she is moving from one side to the other...it's like a wave!

Also at our ultrasound, we got to see her practice swallowing and breathing! Very fun and cool to see! Her little tongue kept on going in and out of her mouth! Too cute! We were still not able to get a good view of her face because she is so low in my pelvis and there was not alot of amniotic fluid around her face, making it hard to get a good view. My fluid levels are at a 10 which is good, I was worried they would be low for some reason! Her weight is in the 42%-ile and her head is at the 60%-ile. At least her head isn't any bigger...Chris had a big head as a baby and kid so I pray she doesn't take after her daddy on that trait! We are on to weekly visits to Dr. Yang until she bumps us to bi-weekly near the end!

Belly business: 33 weeks

How far along: 33 weeks and counting!
The size of BT: Brooke should weigh close to 4 pounds this week, or about the weight of a pineapple--that's a heavy pineapple if you ask me! She should also be at least 17 inches long...we'll see about that though considering mom and dad are both short! These last few weeks she's just adding to her weight, everything is done developing!
Cravings: Finally got my Chick-fil-a peppermint chocolate milkshake this weekend and I have to say it was very yummy! Not that I want one every day, but it was a nice treat!
Symptoms: I'm even more tired now than last week it feels...between work which has been slammed with sick season and Brooke sucking all my energy out, by the time I get home I'm dead! Chris has been great, especially this week, with helping out around the house and with dinner, dishes, etc! I'm very lucky to have such a helpful hubby! =)
Maternity wear: Same, no change here! I did purchase a "nightgown" for the hospital this weekend though!
Shake that booty(movement): I'd read that their movement starts to slow down as there's less room to acutually move, but that hasn't happened yet! She's still as active as can be, though her movements are more forceful and at times not comfortable!

We finally had some time this weekend to really work in the nursery and inventory everything we had gotten from showers and decide what we had duplicates of and what we really still needed. With coupons in hand, we set off for Babies R Us to do a little exchanging and were able to get our carrier seat and stroller! Yay! While it is still in the box (I'm not ready to open it just yet!) we do have something to bring Brooke home in as well as a cleaned out crib! I spent most of Saturday afternoon working in the nursery as far as organizing clothes, drawers, etc. Now we need to figure out what to put on the walls and where! I also ordered this rug from PB teen and hope it looks right...I am tired of rug shopping! Still need to figure out some sort of ottoman/foot rest for my super comfy chair and some sort of bookshelf too!

This Friday we get to see her on ultrasound...can't wait!! Here's an updated pic, along with my new haircut =)

Belly Business: 32 weeks

How far along: 32 weeks...8 weeks to go! AH!
The size of BT: Brooke should weigh about 3.75 pounds, or the equivalent of a jicama (?!) Not really sure what that is, but it's what the weekly email says! She should also be growing real hair and her fingernails and toenails should be there by now too! And, as I mentioned last week, her weight should be continuing to add on as the weeks go by!
Cravings: Nothing really...still want to try the Chick-fil-a peppermint milkshake but otherwise no real cravings!
Symptoms: I am continuing to stay tired more and more, which is frustrating because I feel like I have so much to get done between getting the christmas tree lit and decorated, nursery organized and christmas shopping! It's hard to get stuff done these days!
Maternity wear: Nothing really new here...not planning to buy anything else either! I've found leggings and dresses are comfortable or my scrub pants to work =)
Shake that booty(movement): Still moving alot, although the books say that may decrease some as she runs out of room to move! As of now we don't have that problem however...she's still super active!

I had an appointment last Friday with my OB and all is well! Brooke's heart rate was 147 and she/we are measuring a little small. My OB was perfectly fine with this because I'm petite and she thinks B will be a small baby. As long as she is healthy I am fine if she is on the smaller side...will be easier for me =) I had not gained any weight from two weeks ago either, which she was also fine with! Apparently I'd had a "good" weight gain in the month prior so again, nothing to worry about!

I had another wonderful shower today, hosted by Mom's friends. We are so blessed to have such great friends! However, with all the gifts we've gotten in the past few weeks, the nursery now looks like a tornado hit it! I wish I had the energy to get in there and start sorting and organizing! We did pick up my chair this past weekend and I absolutely love it! (Thanks Mom!)

I'll post pics from the shower when I get them uploaded and edited =)

Belly business: 31 weeks

How far along: 31 weeks and counting!
The size of BT: This week Brooke should be about 16 inches long, although I'm not so sure on that given how short her mommy and daddy are! Weight should be about 3.3 pounds, or the equivalent of carrying 4 navel oranges. Over the next weeks her weight should continue to add on and make her nice and healthy for delivery!
Cravings: With this past week being Thanksgiving, I've been thinking alot about the corn pudding we make every year. Not sure if its a pregnancy craving or just a Thanksgiving craving! Either way I was excited to eat it!
Symptoms: My right hip/groin area is still swollen and I've got a pretty big vein popping out in my groin. Lovely! Still tired but I expect that from here on out! I've also started having a few mornings of really early awakening (as in 4-5 AM) and being unable to fall back asleep. Very frustrating because of course it happens on days I don't have to be up as early! I'm still resting well at night however, just propped up with pillows on each side of me !
Maternity wear: Still fit into my pre-preg dresses with leggings so that's the look I've been going for at church and work! I think I can hold out and not buy anything else that's truly maternity! I do need to start looking for a few nursing gowns however...
Shake that booty(movement): Oh my does this baby move! I thought she'd be running out of room by now but she hasn't yet! She is all over the place and my tummy makes some weird shapes!

With this past week being Thanksgiving, we were able to head up to Louisville to hang out with the KY family and take maternity pics on Saturday and have a baby shower on Sunday. It was a quick up and back trip but well worth it...so far I've only seen one pic from our photo shoot but Megan did a great job and we had so much fun! The shower was fun too--just to see everyone and catch up!

We are continuing our childbirth classes at the hospital and only have one more left...yay! This week focused some on pain management, etc and really made me realize I need to figure out what my goals are for labor/birth! And, I need to start at least organizing my hospital bag and getting whatever I need to take with me when the time comes! Hopefully it won't be for a bit but I need to at least think about what I need to get!

I'm still doing my daily workouts at the gym on the elliptical but have completely given up road running. I'm finding it's harder to get up in the am and I have less energy sometimes on the elliptical but I have no problem just being slower!

Here's my weekly belly shot and a few pics from KY...the boys had to play a game where they diapered and dressed a doll then had to un-do it...it was Chris' first time "diapering" a baby and it was pretty entertaining! =)