35 weeks

Saturday we celebrated Mother's Day with my mom.  We had a lovely lunch at the Kemah Boardwalk and got frozen yogurt. YUM!

Sunday, Dale and the boys SPOILED me with coffee and breakfast in bed!  Dale took the kids out for a few hours so I could get a nap in.  After a nice hot shower and bath, the boys came home with a beautiful gift--a locket in the shape of a book with two pictures inside.  I felt so loved!!  I couldn't decide if I wanted burgers or Indian for dinner but decided burgers would be easier.  We went to Bernie's Burger Bus and I felt like I won the food lottery because their special for the night was Indian style burgers! Ha! Best of all worlds!

With only a few weeks of school left, I have been letting my students explore the OCEAN! We have had so much fun learning about different ocean animals each day.  This is what teaching should be everyday! They have had so much fun researching, writing, and learning more about ocean animals.  Letting them have independence to create their ocean projects has also allowed me time to pack my classroom--which is bittersweet. 

Thursday, was Teach for America's Alumni Induction.  It was very inspiring to connect with friends I haven't seen in a while and learn about the work that has been done across Houston. The boys also came and had fun dancing to the music!

9 more days of school.  Baby can arrive anywhere between the next 2-6 weeks.  We are officially in the final countdown!

35 weeks w/Quinn

                                                                35 Weeks w/Kannon

Week: 35 weeks 5 days
Estimated baby size: winter melon
Total Weight Gain: +20 pounds 
Symptoms:
THIRSTY. Hip pain, restless nights, LOTS OF MOVEMENT, emotional ups and downs!!!
Cravings: CHOCOLATE!!! Seriously, it is an uncontrollable urge!

What is baby doing? Amniotic fluid: The amount of amniotic fluid surrounding your baby has peaked and will start to diminish now.

Fat: Your baby will spend the next few weeks putting on weight at the rate of about an ounce a day.

34 Weeks

 Epic playground at the stadium!

 Home-run! The train is moving!

We started off the week with an Astros game! We had so much fun! The boys love going to Minute Maid field, especially when there is a home-run and the train goes!

We have 13 days of school left!!!  EEK!!! This week was IOWA testing which was exhausting! My poor students had hours of testing everyday this week, by Friday we were all zombies!  I have started packing up my classroom and have printed and laid out everything I need to teach for the next 13 days.  

I had a midwife appointment on Tuesday and we went over final details as we approach the end of my pregnancy.  We filed the birth certificate information, ordered a birth kit, and are finalizing a list of supplies for baby.  I spoke with the midwife about my fears of being overdue as Kannon and Clark were both overdue (Clark was almost 2 weeks late!). But she reassured me that there are lots of options that they will try before recommending a hospital-induction, so I felt a great sense of relief!  Baby is measuring great but the little sucker is laying sideways right now which explains my EXTREME back-pain right now!  My midwife gave me some exercises to encourage baby to flip.  Our next appointment will be at HOME! She will be coming to our house to make sure we have all the supplies we need and do the final lab work.  This pregnancy has just flown by! 

Week: 34 weeks 5 days
Estimated baby size: cantaloupe
Total Weight Gain: +20 pounds 
Symptoms:
THIRSTY. Hip pain, restless nights, LOTS OF MOVEMENT, emotional ups and downs!!!
Cravings: Clementines, black beans, milk, cereal.

What is baby doing? Fat: Your baby's layers of fat are filling out. She'll need them to regulate her body temperature once she's born.

Lungs: Your baby's lungs are well developed now. About 99 percent of babies born at this stage can survive outside the womb, and most have no major long-term problems.

33 Weeks

In Sedona, Dale is FREEZING because its 42 degrees....me, I'm sweating!

Dale and I headed to Phoenix, AZ for a kid-less trip to a friend's wedding.  I am so glad we took the trip because it was the first time in 3 years that Dale and I got some quality (AKA more than one-night) away from the boys.  We had so much fun!!!  

We stayed at my Aunt Leah's house and were greeted with delicious steaks and fresh veggies from her garden.  We stayed up late and made smores over a patio fire.  Saturday, we slept in, had breakfast, took a nap, and ate at a cute pub called, Spoke and Wheel.  We went to the wedding in Gilbert, AZ (about an hour from my aunt's) and it was beautiful!  Sunday, we woke up early and drove to Sedona, AZ.  Dale had never been there before and I really wanted him to see the beautiful red rocks.  We drove up Oak Creek Canyon (where I have many childhood memories of swimming and hiking) and into Flagstaff, AZ (my birthplace!!).  We ate at Flagstaff Brewing Company and got the best cup of coffee at Flagstaff Coffee Company. The weather was very cold--poor Dale froze to death while my pregnant self continued to sweat buckets even at 42 degrees! Sunday, we watched "The Substitute" with my aunt and uncle and visited.  Monday, we slept in, said goodbye and headed out for one more kid-free lunch at Pizzeria Bianco in downtown Heritage Square.  The pizza was so GOOD!!!!  We had enough time before our flight, so we decided to see "50 Shades of Grey" before heading to airport.  The movie was terrible.  I loved the books but the movie was a horrible, chopped up version, that skipped some of the best parts of the book--oh well.  We had such a nice time, talking (uninterrupted) and sleeping (again, uninterrupted!) and it was the perfect little baby-moon before #3 arrives.  Oddly enough, we realized on our trip that the last time we had a kid-free weekend like this was in Phoenix in June 2011 when I was doing institute for Teach For America. Go Phoenix! 

 My Aunt Leah and I

 There was fresh SNOW in Flagstaff!!!

 At the top of Oak Creek Canyon, about 12 miles from Flagstaff.

 From Sedona, AZ

 Melissa and Paul's wedding, her dress was stunning!!

Getting bigger every day!!! Wedding attire :)

Work this week was mainly busy getting ready for Iowa Test of Basic Skills testing for next week.  I did have a chance to observe at my new school, Parker, and was so impressed!!!!  It is going to be such a different environment from Wesley and I couldn't be more excited to make the transition!! 

Pregnancy this week is back to normal.  I've been monitoring my blood pressure with the school nurse and it is back to normal again!  I'm feeling really uncomfortable now, especially at night, and am getting anxious to be done!!  I have a midwife appointment and chiropractor appointment (HELPS SO MUCH!!!) on Tuesday.  We will also have one more ultrasound done around 36 weeks just to make sure baby is still growing properly and low-risk for a midwife-attended birth.  

At Tlaquepaque in Sedona! 

Week: 33 weeks 5 days
Estimated baby size: durian fruit
Total Weight Gain: +18 pounds 
Symptoms:
THIRSTY. Hip pain, restless nights, LOTS OF MOVEMENT, emotional ups and downs!!!
Cravings: Clementines, black beans, milk, cereal.

What is baby doing? Skin: Your baby's skin is becoming less red and wrinkled.

Skull: Your baby's skull is quite pliable and not completely joined. This will help him ease out of your relatively narrow birth canal.

32 Weeks

We went a visited my mom in Columbus, TX again on Saturday.  We always love visiting and exploring new places.  We found a great General-General Store which was completely off-the-grid with solar panels and a variety of plants.  I found some great succulents to add to my collection of house plants.

Work was stressful because of testing.  The kids were cranky with no recess and excessive testing.  By Thursday, I was passing out candy to keep the kids focused.  The stress must have gotten to me because I started having frequent Braxton Hicks contractions and my blood pressure was elevated at my midwife appointment.  She gave me strict orders to keep my feet up and RELAX! Which was good timing, Dale and I are headed to Phoenix for a weekend without the boys to attend a friends wedding.  I am so looking forward to sleeping and relaxing!!!  We got to listen to the baby and found out he is head down, measuring 33 weeks, with a strong heartbeat!

 32 weeks

Date: 04/25/15
Week: 32 weeks 5 days
Estimated baby size: honeydew
Total Weight Gain: +18 pounds 
Symptoms:
THIRSTY. Hip pain, restless nights, LOTS OF MOVEMENT, emotional ups and downs, and leg cramps!!!
Cravings: Clementines, black beans, milk, cereal.

What is baby doing?Hair: Some babies have a full head of hair by this point; others have only peach fuzz.Toenail: Your baby's fingernails and toenails have now grown in.Uterus: With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and putting pressure on your abdomen, you may be dealing with heartburn more often or feeling a little short of breath.

31 Weeks

This week was fairly uneventful.  We are preparing for Spring testing at school which creates panic, anxiety, chaos, and fear in many of us school teachers and students!  Friday, I went to my uncle's company picnic and had a blast watching the boys jump in bounce houses, get their faces painted and make balloon animals.  We stayed the night at their house because of severe weather that left our neighborhood flooded.  Fortunately, it was just street flooding and few houses were affected.  We lost a few tree branches but nothing that damaged the house.  Just a reminder to us to BE PREPARED! Texas weather changes quickly!  Here were some photos of our neighborhood during the flood.  http://www.khou.com/picture-gallery/weather/2015/04/18/dozens-of-vehicles-flooded-as-storms-move-through-houston/25980773/

Date: 04/18/15
Week: 31 weeks 5 days
Estimated baby size: pineapple
Total Weight Gain: +18 pounds 
Symptoms:
THIRSTY. Hip pain, restless nights, LOTS OF MOVEMENT, emotional ups and downs, and leg cramps!!!
Cravings: Clementines, black beans, milk, cereal.

What is baby doing? Fat: Your baby is accumulating a layer of fat under his skin. As a result, his legs, arms, and torso are filling out.

30 Weeks

This week was busy as I spent my afternoons in trainings or driving to the chiropractor to fix this hip pain. The chiropractor is helping which is great news.  I am able to get in and out of bed easier and am sleeping much more comfortably. I ended up having to leave work early on Wednesday because Kannon's mouth broke out into a bunch of canker sores.  Poor guy still isn't feeling better :(  This week marks the beginning of our single-week countdown!!

 

Date: 04/11/15
Week: 30 weeks 5 days
Estimated baby size: cabbage
Total Weight Gain: +15 pounds 
Symptoms:
THIRSTY. Hip pain, restless nights, LOTS OF MOVEMENT, emotional ups and downs, and leg cramps!!!
Cravings: Clementines, black beans, milk, cereal.

What is baby doing?  Your baby is able to distinguish between light and dark. At birth, her vision will be about 20/400, which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. Baby is measuring over 15 inches and close to 3 lbs this week.

29 Weeks

This week was pretty miserable.  I am still sneezing and stuffed up--although it may be allergies.  My hips hurt, I got my first leg cramp which was so bad it caused my muscles to stay sore for days.  I am tired.  Yep, its the 3rd trimester!  

I saw the midwife on Friday.  Baby is measuring at 31 weeks, is currently lying sideways in my belly, and he has a nice strong heartbeat.  She mentioned that I passed my glucose test with very low numbers (my fasting was 69 and one hour was 99 and 2 hour was 75) so to be sure that I am eating protein every few hours because I was borderline hypoglycemic.  She also encouraged me to take Rolaids at night for leg cramps and calcium boost and continue filling up on iron and protein.  She also encouraged some different stretches and motions to get baby to turn.  We took a sneak peak of baby on the ultrasound and he looks perfect!

After my midwife appointment, I headed to chiropractor for the first time.  The chiropractor was wonderful and said my hips probably have a lot wear because of being a teacher, standing for long times, third pregnancy, etc.  She was very thorough and did 10 minutes of soft tissue massage before adjusting me and then put me on a special table with massage rollers for 10 minutes.  It was a very relaxing experience and I slept so HARD last night without any hip pain.  I will definitely be going back!

The boys and I checked out some bluebonnets today and cleaned the house.  We also finished planting our herb garden. We are growing basil, oregano, thyme, cilantro, tarragon, and mint.  We also planted a tomato, blueberry, and strawberry plant.  I love having fresh herbs around!!! Tomorrow, we are going to my aunt's house for Easter brunch and egg hunt!

I can't see my feet anymore...

Date: 04/4/15
Week: 29 weeks 5 days
Estimated baby size: a butternut squash
Total Weight Gain: +14 pounds 
Symptoms:
THIRSTY. Hip pain, restless nights, LOTS OF MOVEMENT and horrible heart burn!!!
Cravings: Clementines, black beans, milk, cereal.

What is baby doing? Bone: Your baby's skeleton -- which is now hardening -- receives about 200 milligrams of calcium a day.

Head: Your baby's head is growing bigger to accommodate his brain, which is busy developing billions of neurons.