30 Weeks and Counting...

Well, a lot of things have happened over the last week. Brandon surprised me with planning a trip to Cathedral Caverns on Valentine's Day. I love doing new things and enjoying nature. The cave was bigger than I thought it would be. We really enjoyed ourselves. I got to play with my camera settings -- trying to get good photos in low lighting. By the end of the cave tour, which took about 2 hours, I was getting fairly good. You can click on the photos below and they will enlarge. The photo in the lower right hand corner of this first group is a reflection of the cave in water. It took several tries to capture it.

The cave opening was impressive. The top photo is of the roof or ceiling of the cave entrance.

I am finally posting a belly photo. This was taken yesterday when I was exactly 30 weeks. So far, I have gained 25.4 lbs, and my waist has increased 9 inches. Miles is really starting to grow now. This morning when I woke up it was hard to get out of bed because he had stretched across my belly and was in between my ribs and hips on both sides -- it is surprising how much flexibility you loose when you can't bend at your hips because there is a baby in the way.

I made Brandon take a family photo with the CPR baby we received on Tuesday in the Parenting class. I am really glad they let us keep him. It is amazing how much force you need to put on the baby's sternum during CPR. They suggested that you offer to let baby sitters and family members try it out, so they can get familiar with the procedures. I am really glad we are taking the class because we have learned a lot in two classes.

On Wednesday evening, I took an art class at the Burrit Museum. We were supposed to paint Kandinsky's Circles. They use acrylic paint so it is non-toxic and no fumes to worry about. The clean up is soap and water. I really enjoyed the class. They supplied all the stuff, and all I had to do was show up and 2 1/2 hours later I had a "work or art" to bring home. I got a little carried away with my circles. It really doesn't look much like Kandinsky's or the art teacher's. Mine has a lot more "swirllies". I am going to try to make it back to one more class before Miles is born. The class is called My Spirited Art. You can visit the website if you are interested in going (http://www.myspiritedart.com/).

28-Week Appointment

I went to the doctor today to have my 28-week appointment. The results of the gestational diabetes test and my thyroid check were fine. They said they are both in the perfect range. I am so glad to have the last set of tests out of the way. Miles's heart was beating 154 beats per minute (this is a compromise -- I think the technician said 153 but Brandon heard 155 hence 154 since we forgot to check before leaving). The doctor says that I have gained 22 pounds so far. When I weighed and measured this morning, I had gained 26 pounds and my waist is now 36.5 inches (total increase = 8.5 inches). Miles is really moving around. I am feeling less kicks and thumps and more turning over and twisting. My belly button is pretty much flat or protruding now.

I am feeling really good so far. I really haven't had any swelling. My lower back occasionally aches but nothing unbearable. Brandon still hears about it, though.

Brandon informed me yesterday that my brain is shrinking according to his father-oriented pregnancy book he is currently reading. I looked it up on-line today and it seems that there was a study done back in 1997 by the doctors at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London. Their research suggested that the brains of pregnant women appear to shrink during late pregnancy which offers an explanation for cognitive problems some women experience. They say it can take up to 6 months to regain the brain volumne prior to pregnancy. They suggested that women don't lose brain cells just cell volumne. Well, given my mental state as of late, I believe it. I have forgotten the most basic things. I can't seem to read baking instructions correctly. It doesn't take much to confuse me these days.

I started painting wall letters yesterday to hang in Miles's room. I hope to finish tonight. Each letter is about 10 or 12 inches in height. I got two out of five letters done with some prep work done on the other three letters. I decided to use several colors from his crib blanket (each letter painted a different color) and decorate them similar to the quilted letters of the crib blanket. I tried not to be too aggresive in decorating them since it doesn't take much to make me want to throw something through a window if it isn't working out the way I want it -- I am sure Brandon is crossing his fingers hoping that they meet my standards. I'll post a picture of them when I finish -- hopefully, they won't be broken into a billion pieces.

We can't wait until the furniture comes in. We have been hesitant to put anything on the walls since the furniture isn't here. I have an idea of how I want the room to look, but I haven't got a clue how to make that idea a reality. I am hoping once the furniture comes in it will spring me into action.

I will try to post a photo of the my belly profile this week. I know I am behind on posting photos.

I hope everyone is doing well.

4D Ultrasound Photos

We had our 4D ultrasound today, and Miles cooperated. He was constantly moving, kicking, and yawning. The technician said she never had to chase a baby so much. Here are a few of the photos. They are a little more blurred than I expected. I think it is because he was moving around so much. But we were happy to see him so active. He kicked me several times in the video. Oh yeah, it is definitely a boy -- now I am convinced -- [See photo of legs for confirmation].


These photos were in chronological order from left to right, top to bottom. Also, I think if you click on the photos they should get larger.

These photos are of his hands, feet, and legs.

I am currently 27 weeks and 6 days, so I am well into my third trimester. My weight has increased dramatically over the last few days. I have gained 23 pounds so far. My waist has increased 7.5 inches. I am still feeling good. Although, by the end of the day, I feel pretty tired and at max belly capacity. My belly button now officially sticks out definitely after meals and usually after 5 o'clock. Miles gets the hiccups every evening when I go to bed, however, besides that, I sleep pretty well. He doesn't keep me up. I think he sleeps along with me at night. I run around too much during the day for him to sleep too much.

Tonight is our last birthing class. It is the big one with the birthing video and the tour of the hospital and the nusery. Brandon and I start our parenting class next Tuesday.

I should be posting again soon. My next doctor's appointment is Monday February 9th. This is the big one where I get the results for the gestational diabetes test. In order to prepare for the test tomorrow, I get to eat a large candy bar and drink a soda in 15 minutes then get my blood taken within 45 minutes after finishing the sweets. I think my sweets of choice are going to be a snickers bar and a sunkist orange soda.

I hope everything is going well for everyone... wish me luck on the diabetes test.