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.

Back home again!

We had a great time down in southern california....but it is nice to be back home again. 

And now to finish the home renovation project before the baby comes!

3rd Trimester - 28 Weeks

How your baby's growing:

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

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:

You're in the home stretch! The third and final trimester starts this week. If you're like most women, you'll gain about 11 pounds this trimester.

At this point, you'll likely visit your doctor or midwife every two weeks. Then, at 36 weeks, you'll switch to weekly visits. Depending on your risk factors, your practitioner may recommend repeating blood tests for HIV and syphilis now, as well as doing cultures for chlamydia and gonorrhea, to be certain of your status before delivery. Also, if your glucose screening test result was high and you haven't yet had follow-up testing, you'll soon be given the 3-hour glucose tolerance test. And if the blood work done at your first prenatal visit showed that you're Rh negative, you'll get an injection of Rh immunoglobulin to prevent your body from developing antibodies that could attack your baby's blood. (If your baby is Rh positive, you'll receive another shot of Rh immunoglobulin after you give birth.)

Around this time, some women feel an unpleasant "creepy-crawly" sensation in their lower legs and an irresistible urge to move them while trying to relax or sleep. If this sensation is at least temporarily relieved when you move, you may have what's known as restless legs syndrome (RLS). No one knows for sure what causes RLS, but it's relatively common among expectant mothers. Try stretching or massaging your legs, and cut down on caffeine, which can make the symptoms worse. Ask your caregiver if you should try iron supplements, which can sometimes relieve RLS.

This Week's Activity:

Choose a doctor for your baby. Get names of pediatricians or family practitioners from friends, co-workers, neighbors, or your pregnancy caregiver. Make sure the doctor accepts your health insurance, keeps hours that work with your schedule, and has an office that's convenient for you. If you can, schedule face-to-face interviews with your top candidates. If it seems too early to be thinking about this, consider that your baby will have his first doctor's visit shortly after birth.

Memorial Day Weekend

What a whirlwind of activities these last several days. On Friday morning, we left the bay area just a little before 3am. We got to my mom's house at 9am only to have breakfast and run errands for the upcoming days. We finally got to bed late that evening after making about 100 lumpias....which was worth it because we got to enjoy them the following day.

On Saturday, we woke up bright and early for Aimee and Holly's college graduation from Biola University. After that, we headed over to my mom's house to start the graduation party.

On Sunday, mine and Jared's family threw us a baby shower. It was a blast to see family in friends we haven't seen in a long time.

On Monday, we finally got to sleep in a bit and relax before we checked into the Peacock Suites in Anaheim where we'll be staying til Friday. We enjoyed dinner and ice cream at the Garden Walk and then ended the night in the pool.

Tomorrow.....we're off to Disneyland!!!!! Whoohooooo!!!

Have a great week everyone!

Thanks Ladies Poker Group!!!!

My ladies poker group threw Debra and I a baby shower this past weekend. It was a blast. Thanks ladies for awesome food (as always), great conversation and thoughtful gifts for baby girl Koopman! Here are some pics from the afternoon....

I'm tired....

Well, I'm a few days from my 3rd trimester and I'm starting to feel it. Today was a big realization that I'm going to need to start slowing down. It's also a time that I need to figure out when I'll be on maternity leave.

Any suggestions?

Anyway...I really need to take care of myself and do everything I can to make sure the baby is happy and healthy in my tummy.

I was a bit concerned about the weight loss of 11-12 lbs., but my doctor reassures me that baby and I are doing okay. I've gained a couple back, but I've been told that I'll see it all back in the 3rd trimester.

All in all, I feel blessed to have a safe pregnancy with minimal effects. Thank God!!!

That's it for now...just wanted to share.

27 Weeks....

How your baby's growing:

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

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:

The second trimester is drawing to a close, but as your body gears up for the final lap, you may start noticing some new symptoms. Along with an aching back, for example, you may find that your leg muscles cramp up now and then. They're carrying extra weight, after all, and your expanding uterus is putting pressure on the veins that return blood from your legs to your heart as well as on the nerves leading from your trunk to your legs. Unfortunately, the cramps may get worse as your pregnancy progresses. Leg cramps are more common at night but can also happen during the day. When a cramp strikes, stretching the calf muscle should give you some relief. Straighten your leg and then gently flex your toes back toward your shin. Walking for a few minutes or massaging your calf sometimes helps, too.

It may be the furthest thing from your mind right now, but it's not too soon to think about family planning. You'll want to have made some decisions about postpartum birth control before your baby arrives. If you're considering a tubal ligation, be aware that most states require you to sign a consent form at least 30 days beforehand. So if you'd like the option of having the surgery during your postpartum hospital stay, don't wait too much longer to discuss it with your caregiver. (You can still change your mind later.)

Just add heat and stir....

Of course the weekend we attempt to do some household renovations, our place becomes an oven.

We are making progress...The carpet is cut, the tack strips are pulled and we are working on removing the carpet padding staples. We are also trying to fix the "squeaky" subfloor as we go to eliminate those annoying sounds.

Mom has been a trooper doing what she can to help.

Mary Lou is supervising since she is unable to help with the heavy stuff.

Yesterday Mary Lou had a baby shower with the "Lady's poker group" and brought home some wonderful baby items. We also found a great deal at the Lullaby Lane warehouse sale on a dresser/changing table, which we are picking up today. We needed to borrow a friend's truck in order to bring it home.

We have learned that the heat is causing us to wear out quickly so progress is slow, but steady. We will have new flooring installed soon I promise!

-Jared

Spring Cleaning and more!

Piles, Dust, Storage bins, Boxes of new flooring, allergies....

All over the place. Crazy times in the Koopman house. We are purging room by room clearing out everything we don't need anymore to make space for incoming baby things.

We also decided to replace the carpeting with wood laminate flooring in the living room, kitchen and hallway. While we are excited that the flooring was delivered quickly, we now have a pile of flooring boxes in our living room.

The next step is to remove the carpeting and get the subfloors prepared and ready for the new flooring.

Mom has been a big help in the purging process.

All for the baby!

98 Days To Go - 26 Weeks

How your baby's growing:

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

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:

Are you rushing around trying to get to childbirth classes and prepare your baby's room while still taking care of all your other daily tasks? Make sure that you also continue to eat well and get plenty of rest. Around this time, your blood pressure may be increasing slightly, although it's probably still lower than it was before you got pregnant. (Typically, blood pressure falls toward the end of the first trimester, and it tends to reach a low at about 22 to 24 weeks.)

Preeclampsia — a serious disorder characterized by high blood pressure and protein in your urine — most often shows up after 37 weeks, but it can happen earlier so it's important to be aware of the warning signs of this condition. Call your caregiver if you have swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, more than slight swelling of your hands, excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, or rapid weight gain (more than 4 pounds in a week). With more severe preeclampsia, you may experience other symptoms. Let your caregiver know immediately if you have a severe or persistent headache, vision changes (including double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, sensitivity to light, or temporary loss of vision), intense pain or tenderness in your upper abdomen, or vomiting.

If your lower back seems a little achy lately, you can thank both your growing uterus — which shifts your center of gravity, stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, and may be pressing on a nerve — as well as hormonal changes that loosen your joints and ligaments. Plus, the extra weight you're carrying means more work for your muscles and increased stress on your joints, which is why you may feel worse at the end of the day. Walking, standing, or sitting for long periods, as well as bending and lifting can all put a strain on your back. A warm bath or hot compress might bring relief. (Some women, though, find cool compresses more comforting.) Try to maintain good posture during the day, avoid activities that require bending and twisting at the same time, take frequent breaks when sitting or standing, and sleep on your side with one or both knees bent with a pillow between your legs, using another pillow (or wedge) to support your abdomen.