1st Week of Maternity Leave!

Maternity leave has been awesome!

On Sunday, I put together my "To Do" list for Monday. Unrealistically, I had about 15 items on it and realized that there was no way I was going to get it all done. The Monday list quickly turned into a weekly list that kept growing.

Monday was full of errands, non-stress test at Redwood City and many things around the house. I was tired by the end of the day.

Tuesday was my first doctor's appointment at Santa Clara with Dr. Miller, a Perinatologist that I was referred to by my doctor at Redwood City when we informed her that Jared and I decided to deliver at Santa Clara. The number one reason to deliver at Santa Clara was that they were very well known for their NICU. Because I have diabetes, and there could be complications with the baby because of it, we decided that would be the best place for us to deliver. It's also less than 2 years old, very nice, spacious and has no shared rooms. I met with Dr. Miller and he seems to be specialist on high risk pregnancies. The appointment went well and I have my next appointment on August 4th. It looks like we'll be playing it by ear on how far along I'll go before being induced if needed. All looks good with the baby and myself so he would rather me go into labor on my own if possible.

On Wednesday, I had my last doctor's appointment with my OB/GYN at Redwood City. Dr. Carlson is great and it was a bit hard to leave her care, but I believe delivering at Santa Clara would be best. Oh, before I forget, I took an Aqua class at 24 Hour Fitness in the morning and absolutely loved it. It was a great way to have low-impact exercise with resistance and buoyancy.

On Thursday, I was back at RWC for another non-stress test and baby passed and did very well. I had some protein and glucose leaking into my urine, so it's something we're all going to be watching moving forward.

Friday started with another great Aqua class at the gym! I love that class! It was also a NON-Kaiser day which was nice since I had been at Kaiser the last 4 days in a row.

Each day was full of lots of errands and I realized (with the recommendations of many people) I needed to schedule in REST and Relaxation time. Too bad I need to schedule into my calendar...craziness. Just want to get a lot of things done before the baby comes.

Well, the week is over and the weekend is going to start soon!!!!

36 Weeks......and counting!

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her 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 she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

See what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

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.

Eating in "Start collecting take-out and delivery menus from local restaurants. You won't have time to cook in the early weeks after giving birth. Even restaurants without a visible take-out business will usually accommodate a to-go order (especially if it's for a new mom!)." — Kristina

Surprising Facts: The stages of labor

For first-time moms, labor takes an average of 15 hours, though it's not uncommon to last more than 20. (For women who've previously had a vaginal birth, it takes eight hours, on average.) The process of labor and birth is divided into three main stages. Here are the highlights on how childbirth progresses:

First stage The first stage begins when you start having contractions that progressively dilate and efface your cervix and it ends when your cervix is fully dilated. This stage is divided into two phases, early and active labor.

It can be tricky to determine exactly when early labor starts. That's because early labor contractions are sometimes hard to distinguish from the inefficient Braxton Hicks contractions that you may have been feeling for some time.

Unless there are complications or your midwife or doctor has advised you otherwise, expect to sit out most of your early labor at home. (Be sure, though, to check in with your caregiver to make certain.)

Early labor ends when your cervix is about 4 centimeters dilated and your progress starts to speed up. At this point, you enter what's known as the active phase of labor. Your contractions become more frequent, longer, and stronger.

The last part of the active phase — when your cervix dilates from 8 to 10 centimeters — is called the transition period because it marks the transition to the second stage of labor. This is the most intense part of the first stage, with contractions that are usually very strong, coming about every two and a half to three minutes and lasting a minute or more.

Second stage Once your cervix is fully dilated, the second stage of labor begins: the final descent and birth of your baby. This is the "pushing" stage of labor, and it can last anywhere from minutes to a few hours. (It's likely to be quicker if you've previously given birth vaginally.)

Your baby's head will continue to advance with each push until it "crowns" — the term used to describe the time when the widest part of your baby's head is finally visible. After your baby's head comes out, your midwife or doctor will suction his mouth and nose, and feel around his neck for the umbilical cord. His head then turns to the side as his shoulders rotate inside the pelvis to get into position for their exit. With the next contraction, you'll be coached to push as his shoulders deliver, one at a time, followed by the rest of his body.

You may feel a wide range of emotions now: euphoria, awe, pride, disbelief, excitement (to name a few), and, of course, intense relief that it's all over. Exhausted as you may be, you'll also probably feel a burst of energy, and any thoughts of sleep will vanish for the time being.

Stage three The final stage of labor begins immediately after the birth of your baby and ends with the delivery of your placenta. The contractions in the third stage are relatively mild.

Get a more detailed account of what happens during each stage of labor.

This Week's Activity:

Create a grapevine. Make a list of all the people you want to hear about your baby's birth — with their phone numbers or e-mail addresses — and pass this along to a friend who can spread the news. That way, when you're ready for others to know, all you have to do is make one call. Include at least one person from work on the list, so they can spread the word there.

Maternity Leave has officially started!

Yes, it's here and I'm so happy! It's nice to let go of some of the work stress. I know some of it will be with me for a little while, but slowly and surely, it'll widdle away and I can relax and concentrate on the baby!

Yay!!!

40% for her weight

Today, Jared and I had our 35 week doctor's appointment. The doctor informed us that the UltraSound on Monday was great.

Whenever mom has gestational diabetes, they are afraid that the baby will be too big or too small. Our little girl is in the 40% range for her gestational age. Under 10% is when they get worried. The other concern the doctors have is that the baby's head circumference is too big or too small and that their shoulders are too big fit through the birth canal causing problems or force an emergency c-section. In our case, the baby's head circumference is measuring on target at 35 weeks and her shoulders are measuring at 34 weeks which is exactly what we want.

As for the 40%, we asked exactly what that meant. The doctor told us she is likely right around the 5 pound range. I found that surprising since the placenta, fluid and larger uterus weigh a certain amount of weight and with the baby at about 5 pounds, you'd think that I'd weigh at least 6-8 pounds more. On the contrary, I've lost about 11-13 pounds since I first got pregnant and have gained maybe 3-5 back. I guess maybe I've lost more weight than I thought.

The weight loss has been a concern of mine from the beginning, but I ask at every appointment if this is okay and the doctor consistently says, I'm fine.

Well, that's it for now.....thanks for reading!

Breached No More!!!!

A week ago, the doctor did an UltraSound and informed us that our little girl was breached (head up). I'll be honest...I was pretty stressed out and work stress didn't help either.

Well....things have changed for the better!

Today, baby girl had her non-stress test (NST)and she passed with flying colors. We have NST's twice a week.

Afterward, we had our 35 week UltraSound. The one thing that concerned me the most was the current position of our little girl. Low and behold, the tech said she was most definitely head down and no longer breached. THANK GOD!!! Music to my ears! That's what we've been praying for!

Thank you to everyone for your encouragement, tips, advice and most of all...prayers!

What a wonderful day full of great news!

35 Weeks....35 days to go...but really no more than 28 days to go!

Your pregnancy: 35 weeks

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

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.See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.
How your life's changing: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.

From here on out, you'll start seeing your practitioner every week. Sometime between now and 37 weeks, she'll do a vaginal and rectal culture to check for bacteria called Group B streptococci (GBS). (Don't worry — the swab is the size of a regular cotton swab, and it won't hurt at all.) GBS is usually harmless in adults, but if you have it and pass it on to your baby during birth, it can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia, meningitis, or a blood infection. Because 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women have the bacteria and don't know it, it's vital to be screened. (The bacteria come and go on their own — that's why you weren't screened earlier in pregnancy.) If you're a GBS carrier, you'll get IV antibiotics during labor, which will greatly reduce your baby's risk of infection.This is also a good time to create a birth plan. Using our form will help you focus on specifics — like who'll be present, what pain management techniques you want to try, and where you want your baby to stay after you deliver. It will give you a starting point to discuss your preferences with your medical team. Childbirth is unpredictable, and chances are you won't follow your plan to the letter, but thinking about your choices ahead of time — and sharing your preferences with your caregiver — should take some of the anxiety out of the process.

Prep early for those first weeks "To streamline a chore like filling out birth announcements, address and stamp your envelopes now while you're still in control of your time." — Laura
3 Questions About...Arriving at the hospital

Q1.How can I prepare for my arrival at the hospital?Long before you go into labor, you and your partner should map out the most direct route to the hospital or birth center. Find out where to park, keeping in mind that you'll be leaving your car for at least 24 hours. Ask the hospital staff where you should enter if you arrive after-hours. Most hospitals offer tours of the obstetrical floor at designated times. Taking advantage of these tours will give you a chance to do a dry run before the big day.

Q2.What should I do when I get to the hospital?If you've preregistered, you should follow the instructions you've been given, which probably include breezing right by the front desk and going directly to the maternity ward. If you haven't preregistered, you can probably still head directly to the maternity ward. There's usually a check-in desk once you get there. The staff there will help you deal with any necessary paperwork.A nurse may lead you directly to a birthing room and pair you with a labor and delivery nurse. If it's not clear that you're in active labor or need to be admitted for other reasons, she'll most likely bring you to an exam room first. Your caregiver will evaluate you there to see if you're ready to be admitted.The nurse will ask you for a urine sample and have you change your clothes. Then she'll check your vital signs and ask when your contractions started and how far apart they are, whether your water's broken, and whether you've had any vaginal bleeding. She'll also want to know if your baby's been moving, if you've recently had anything to eat or drink, and how you're coping with the pain.Your caregiver will check the frequency and duration of your contractions as well as your baby's heart rate. Then she'll perform an abdominal and vaginal exam. If it looks like you're not in labor or are still in early labor— and everything is okay with you and your baby — you'll probably be sent home until your labor is further along. Otherwise, you'll be admitted.

Q3.What will happen once I'm admitted?The nurse or your caregiver may ask if you have a birth plan. Even if you don't have a written plan, share your needs and preferences with the staff, including your feelings about using pain medication during labor.Then you'll have blood drawn (to find out your blood type among other things) and an IV may be started. You'll definitely need an IV to get antibiotics if you test positive for Group B strep, for hydration if you can't keep fluids down, if you want a spinal or an epidural, if you need oxytocin (Pitocin), or if you have any health problems or pregnancy complications.Your nurse or caregiver should also orient you, showing you where everything is in your room and where your partner can get ice for you. Don't be shy about requesting things you might need, like a rocking chair, a cool washcloth, or another blanket, or asking any lingering questions you might have. And if you're going to have continuous electronic fetal monitoring and are interested in how it works, ask her to explain which lines on the strip show your contractions and which show the heartbeat, and let her know if you'd prefer the volume on the machine to be turned up or down.
Talk to your caregiver about preregistering at the hospital. If you prepare the paperwork now, you won't have to worry about it on the big day.

Did you let nature take its course or did you try to plan your baby's birth for a particular day, month, or season?

This Week's Activity:

Prepare food to eat after your baby's born. If you cook, start doubling recipes and freezing half. You and your partner will be too exhausted to cook in the first weeks after you bring your baby home and you'll be thrilled to have healthy meals you can heat up fast. If you don't cook, go around your neighborhood and pick up all the takeout and delivery menus you can find. You'll be grateful for all the options at your fingertips.

34 Week Doctor's Appointment and NST

We had our 34 week doctor's appointment today. Looks like our little girl is breached (head up and feet down) and seems to be pretty comfortable that way. If she doesn't turn 180 degrees, looks like a c-section is inevitable. Hoping for a normal birth, but if c-section is best for the baby, c-section it is.

We also had our NST (Non Stress Test) and baby girl passed with flying colors just as she has twice a week for the last couple weeks!

Week 34 - July 6, 2009

Your pregnancy: 34 weeks

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her 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.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

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.

This Week's Activity:

Make a labor contingency plan. You may go into labor early or have a complication that requires you to be in the hospital longer than you anticipated. Give at least one friend or neighbor the keys to your house in case you need something and can't get home. Line up people to do the following on a moment's notice:
• Take care of children
• Drive older children to and from school and to any afterschool activities
• Feed the dog, water the plants, get the mail
• Fill in for you at work or any other obligations

Happy 4th of July!!!

We had a great time with Kilo friends at the practice site celebrating the 4th of July! Awesome food, great fellowship, fun times watching everyone of the water whether it was swimming, on a Stand Up Paddleboard, a raft or OC2!!! And to finish off the awesome 4th of July with a great fireworks show right above the channel not too far away from us. Thanks everyone, it was fun to hang out with all of you!!!!

Jared took tons of photos....we'll post those soon!

Sleep....

I'm realizing that my body needs more and more sleep the further along we are into this pregnancy. Going to bed between midnight and 1am is not going to cut it anymore. I'm going to have to fight staying up even if my body wants to because I certainly feel it in the morning when I want to just go back to sleep rather than get up for work.

The heat heat hasn't been too bad this week compared to the weekend, but I constantly look around the condo and realize that there is still so much to do. Jared mentioned that we don't have to get it all done before the baby comes, but I know in my project planning brain, that I would rather do as much as we can beforehand because when our little one graces us with her presence, everything we still need to get done just won't. It'll be 100x harder to finish things.

Until next time....

33 Weeks

Your pregnancy: 33 weeks

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

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.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

As your baby fills out even more of your belly, lots of things might start to change: Whereas before you were sashaying, you may find yourself waddling. Finding an easy position to sit in — let alone sleep — is becoming more of a challenge. And bumping into chairs and counters is par for the course.

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.

Many women are still feeling sexy at this stage — and their partners often agree. You may need to make some adjustments, but for most women, sex during pregnancy is fine right up until their water breaks or their labor starts.

Bored with pregnancy? Try this! "Every time I start to get bored with my pregnancy, I lie down and rub my belly. Sure enough, my baby starts to kick, and I think about how wonderful it will be when I'm able to hold him." — Barbara

3 Questions About... Monitoring your baby's movements

Q1.

How often should I feel movements?

Your baby should be moving as frequently as she has for the last month or so. Every baby has her own pattern of activity and there's no correct one. As long as you don't notice any major changes in your baby's activity level, chances are she's doing just fine.

Q2.

Do I need to keep track of my baby's kicks?

For an added sense of security, many practitioners recommend that after 28 weeks, you formally monitor your baby's movements at least once or twice a day. There are lots of different ways to do these "kick counts," so check with your caregiver about how she wants you to track your baby's movements. Here's one common approach: Choose a time of day when your baby tends to be active. (Ideally, you'll want to do the counts at roughly the same time each day.) Sit quietly or lie on your side so you won't get distracted. Time how long it takes for you to feel ten distinct movements — kicks, twitches, and whole body movements all count. You should feel at least ten movements within two hours. (Don't worry; it probably won't take that long. Sometimes you'll feel ten kicks within the first ten minutes.) If you don't feel ten movements in two hours, stop counting and call your midwife or doctor.

Q3.

What should I do if I think my baby's movements have slowed down or changed?

Let your practitioner know right away if you notice a slowdown of your baby's movements. A decrease in fetal movement may signal a problem, and you'll need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby.

This Week's Activity:

Wash your baby's clothing and bedding. You know all those adorable outfits you bought or received at your baby shower? You should wash anything that will go near your baby's skin to remove any irritants in the fabrics. The gentlest detergents are those designed for babies and those that are labeled hypoallergenic or good for sensitive skin.

Hot, Hot, Hot....

It was a scorching weekend and of course, it's the weekend we decide to not go to Monterey (the coast with likely cooler weather) to make it a work weekend. Well, we made the best of it all and worked on the middle/baby room and the condo for as long as we could each day. We're purging, purging, purging....donating, donating, donating and trying to get as much out of the condo that we don't need as quickly as possible to make space for baby items. We'll be picking up the crib, glider and ottoman very soon and needed to make space.

That's pretty much the name of the game these days....get rid of as much as possible. We're even working on freeing up as much space as possible small storage spaces in the carport area so that we can store some of the baby items that only need to be in the car and any other items that the baby won't be able to use yet. Keeps us from having to move things from the condo on the 2nd floor to the car and back and forth.

Despite the heat, we've been able to get a lot done, but we still have a lot to do. We still need to figure out where some things will go that we need to keep, we need more space or of course, get rid of more stuff. :(

The one thing that has helped us cool down and relax a bit has been to take a dip in the pool at night. It's been nice to just cool off, relax and get a tiny bit of exercise in all at the same time!

On to another week and then a long weekend due to the 4th of July holiday! Yay!!!

Maternity Leave is coming SOON!!!!! :D

It's approaching so fast.....now that we know we won't go past 39 weeks, I'm planning on starting maternity leave during the week of July 13th.

That's coming up so fast!

Can't wait!!!

Whoohoooooo!!!!

32 Week Doctor's Appointment and Delivery Date

This past Monday, Jared and I went to our 32 week doctor's appointment w/ Dr. Kari Carlson. We talked about the normal items, she measured me and I'm right on target. I'm measuring 32 weeks despite the fact that I felt small the last several months. My belly is growing though, so I consider the last several months and now a HUGE blessing!

We asked her if she had an idea of when we would deliver. She promptly told us that I would definitely NOT go past 39 weeks which is August 10th due to my gestational diabetes. We talked a bit more on how early she thinks we may deliver and she mentioned 36 weeks, but 37 is even better.

So, what does this mean? Well, I guess it means that depending on how my blood sugars go, how my July 13th UltraSound goes as well as my NST's and doctor's appointments, our baby girl can be here anytime between July 20th - August 10th. Hopefully later than earlier is my hope, but really praying for healthy baby, mommy and delivery!!!

NST (Non Stress Tests)

My non-stress tests (NST's) started this week. First one was on Monday and the second one was today. I'll have these twice a week through the month of July. What is an NST you might ask? My description is about 30-40 minutes of sitting in a chair and relaxing, not thinking about anything. I almost want to fall asleep, it's that peaceful and I probably need the rest. What happens is that I am hooked up to two monitors. The first monitor is to track the baby's heartbeat. The second is to track if I have any contractions and if so, how does the baby react. So far, no contractions and the baby's heartbeat has been fine. What's funny is that our little one is constantly moving around all day and all night long.....except for when we're on this monitor for the NST's. The monitor plays the baby's heartbeat sound and I'm thinking that maybe the baby hears it, but I really have no idea if it's true. For some reason, I sit in that chair, get hooked up to the monitors and baby typically stays still. Go figure! Oh, I forgot to mention, I'm also given a little trigger button to press anytime I feel the baby move....that's where track the baby's movement compared to what I feel.

All in all, the NST's are going well.

32 Weeks.......

How your baby's growing:

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, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

See what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

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.

Get support from your partner "Sleeping is getting difficult. The only way I can get any rest is to lie with my back to my husband as he cradles my body. The support from him and a pillow between my legs is the best help." —Anonymous

Decision Guide: Who should be in the labor room with you?

Childbirth is an intensely personal experience, as is your decision whether to have additional family members, friends, or labor coaches in the birthing room with you. Here are some things to keep in mind as you prepare your guest list:

• There's no one right decision. In a recent BabyCenter poll, 44 percent of expectant moms said they preferred to have no one but their partner and medical staff in the room when they gave birth, while 37 percent said they brought an additional relative along and 16 percent requested to have a friend present. Only 3 percent of respondents asked for a doula or labor coach in the birthing room.

• Some husbands or partners may be confused about their role in the birth or reluctant to participate if others are present. If you bring outside relatives or coaches in, make sure your partner is on board with the plan.

• You may be under pressure from mothers or mothers-in-law who are eager to be present for the birth of their grandchild — regardless of your wishes to keep the experience private. If you want to be alone with your partner, don't be afraid to enlist hospital staff for support in carrying out your wishes and keeping relatives out of the delivery room.

• Labor and delivery nurses come and go according to their shifts, so if you'd like to be attended continuously by one person, a private labor coach or doula is a good option. In fact, some research shows that women attended by labor assistants have shorter labors, fewer labor complications, and healthier newborns. You should also give serious thought to having a doula present if you're set on having a drug-free birth.

This Week's Activity:

Start lining up helpers. Your friends and family will want to pitch in after your baby's born, but many new moms are too overwhelmed to direct household help. How to prepare now:
• If anyone offers to help during the newborn weeks, write down their name and number.
• Select one friend to set up a schedule so that all the friends who wish to help are given a date on which they can bring you a meal.
• Create a master grocery list so you can hand it off to a friend.
• Create a childcare or ride schedule for older children.
• Line up a friend or neighbor to take out your garbage, walk your dog or feed your pets.

Happy Father's Day to all

And especially to my dad Reg and to Mary Lou's dad Gregory. We thank you for everything that you are.

Today I got my first Father's Day gift....our little girl's first pictures!

Love the dimple!

Thank you Babe for such a wonderful "first" fathers day.

Jared

31 Weeks, 63 days to go...

How your baby's growing:

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.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

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.

You may have noticed some leaking of colostrum, or "premilk," from your breasts lately. If so, try tucking some nursing pads into your bra to protect your clothes. (And if not, it's certainly nothing to worry about; your breasts are making colostrum all the same, even if you don't see any.) If your current bra is too snug, you might also want to pick up a nursing bra. Choose a nursing bra at least one cup size bigger than you need now. When your milk comes in you'll be grateful for that extra room!

If you're having a boy, you and your partner will want to take some time to think about whether or not to have your baby circumcised. Find out the pros and cons from your doctor, and what the procedure involves.

Choosing a focal point "I'm 31 weeks along, and at my childbirth classes they've been telling us to concentrate on a focal point during labor. Anything from a picture to a crack in the wall or ceiling can work, so long as it helps Mom relax and distracts her from the pain." — Anonymous

This Week's Activity:

You don't need to pack your bag yet, but start making a list of items to bring to the hospital. Besides a change of clothes and a toothbrush, some items to include:
• A photograph or object to focus on during labor
• Snacks to keep your energy up and gum or mints for bad breath
• Cozy socks and slippers
• Your favorite pillow
• Some light reading material
• A nursing nightie and nursing bra
• A going-home outfit for your baby
• A camera or camcorder, fresh batteries, and film, if necessary

7 1/2 months, 70 Days to go, 30 Weeks!!!

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax, so your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being a bit off. Also, this relaxation of your ligaments can actually cause your feet to spread permanently, so you may have to invest in some new shoes in a bigger size.

Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and hormonal changes can result in a return of those emotional ups and downs. It's normal to worry about what your labor will be like or whether you'll be a good parent. But if you can't shake the blues or feel increasingly irritable or agitated, talk to your doctor or midwife. You may be among the 1 in 10 expectant women who battle depression during pregnancy. Also let your caregiver know if you're frequently nervous or anxious.

Searching for a pediatrician "I realized that finding a good pediatrician would be at least as important as finding a good doctor or midwife, so I started my search early. I asked my midwife and her assistant, the workers, administrators and mothers at two daycare centers, and my local hospital's referral center for recommendations. The two practitioners whose names came up most often were the ones I interviewed." —Anonymous

This Week's Activity:

Assemble any baby gear This is the perfect job for your partner or a friend who wants to help. Cribs, bassinets, and strollers are notoriously tricky to put together, especially when you're sleep deprived, so get started now. Swings, mobiles, and monitors can all require batteries, so make sure you have enough on hand. Tip: Consider getting rechargeable batteries and a battery charger.

Mom and Holly head home

After a month of having my mother out here visiting and a week with Holy, both have headed back to Colorado.

Strange how things go as now I am the only one left here in Califorina as Aimee and Holly have decided to live in Colorado after graduating from Biola. They both are looking forward to life after college and establishing themselves and both Mary Lou and I wish them the best.

Thanks Mom for all your help around the chaos known as our house the past few weeks. We truly appreciate your help and insight. Hopefully next time the house will be in order and all you will have to concentrate on is spoiling your grandaughter.

Next up is to finish the flooring, telecon wiring, purging of stuff in the baby room, and getting the room ready to go for our new arrival in August!

-Jared

Progress being made!

This is a test

Aimee and Holly Koopman Graduate from Biola University

We're all very proud of Aimee and Holly for graduating from Biola University.

CONGRATS Aimee and Holly!!!

We're very proud of you!

SoCal Coed Baby Shower

Special THANKS to our families for hosting our baby shower in SoCal. Jared and I had a great time with family and friends.

The afternoon started out with some fun, fellowship and food as we started out the festivities with tons of good eats. The decor was nice and the the day turned out to be perfect, not the typical SoCal heat. We then moved on to games and opening of gifts....tons of fun!

THANKS everyone for showering us with wonderful gifts and your presence, it meant a lot to us.

29 Weeks and the countdown begins....

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain. To meet her increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because her bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

Your baby's very active now. Your practitioner may ask you to spend some time each day counting kicks and will give you specific instructions on how to do this. Let her know if you ever notice a decrease in activity. You may need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby's condition.

Some old friends — heartburn and constipation — may take center stage now. The pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation, coupled with the crowding in your abdomen, slows digestion, which in turn can cause gas and heartburn — especially after a big meal — and contribute to constipation as well.

Your growing uterus may also be contributing to hemorrhoids. These swollen blood vessels in your rectal area are common during pregnancy and usually clear up in the weeks after giving birth. If they're itchy or painful, try soaking in a sitz bath or applying cold compresses medicated with witch hazel to the affected area. Also avoid sitting or standing for long stretches. Talk with your practitioner before using any over-the counter remedies during pregnancy, and let her know if you have any rectal bleeding. To prevent constipation, eat a high-fiber diet, drink plenty of water, and get some regular exercise.

Some women get something called "supine hypotensive syndrome" during pregnancy, where laying flat on your back causes a change in heart rate and blood pressure that makes you feel dizzy until you change position. You might note that you feel lightheaded if you stand up too quickly, too. To avoid "the spins" lie on your side rather than your back, and move slowly as you go from lying down to sitting and then standing.

This Week's Activity:

Run some vital errands now. Here are some things you'll need in the first few weeks when it's almost impossible to go shopping:

• Diapers and wipes.
• Baby care items such as nail clippers, a thermometer, a bulb syringe, and a pacifier.
• Baby-friendly laundry detergent.
• Sanitary pads for you. (You'll bleed for a few weeks after delivery.)
• Thank-you cards and stamps.
• Paper towels and paper plates for easy cleanup after meals.