Weekly Survey - 30 Weeks!

{My Baby Boy belly is a-growing!} {This quote... LOVE IT! It is so true!}

How far along?: 30 weeks!!

This week, Baby E is the size of a: CUCUMBER!!!

Maternity clothes?: Oh goodness, yes! My belly is getting big... that's for sure!

Total weight gain/loss: Still gaining, folks... that's all you really need to know! Hoping that just means that we have a healthy and happy baby boy in there! :)

Stretch marks?: Not yet. I'm sure they will pop up at some point!

Sleep: Sleep has still been pretty great! There have been some restless nights due to horrible heartburn and some aches.

Best moment this week: Soooooo many things!!! To start... well, this should have been posted several weeks ago, but I PASSED MY GLUCOSE TEST!!! YAYYYY!!! I was so happy about that! Also, we had our first baby shower over the weekend! So much fun!! Mark, Baby Boy E and myself are so blessed by such amazing family and friends! We can't thank everyone enough!! We had our pre-admissions appointment this past week, so we were happy to get that completed! It definitely started to make things more real for me! Another exciting moment this week was that we got our maternity pictures scheduled for May 17th... woohooo!!!

{Another great moment this week was receiving my breast pump in the mail!! woohooo!!! Thank goodness for awesome insurance!}

{We participated in Take Your Child to Work Day this year! Loved it!!}

 

Movement: Yup! Getting stronger (and painful at times!) and I'm still loving it!! He has even had the hiccups (now, that's a weird feeling!)!

Food cravings: Nothing specific really.

Anything making you queasy or sick?: My heartburn has been so brutal lately that it has made me nauseas! Ugh!! So, unfortunately, I have started to have some tummy issues. I can't complain too much, because up until this point, I have really had the easiest pregnancy. It's not miserable and we are pushing through, but it's just not fun!

{Thanks to my awesome friend and co-worker, Maggie, for some ginger candy that are now in rotation with my tums!}



Have you started to show yet?: Oh yes!

Labor signs?: Nope! Thank goodness!

Belly button in or out?: Still in.

Wedding rings on or off?: I broke down and took them off this past week! Such a sad, sad day! Whenever I have a "moment" (where I'm all crazy, hormonal, and emotional), Mark just calms me down and tells me everything will be just fine! Thank goodness for a supportive and loving husband! I don't know what I would do without him!!!!

Happy or moody most of the time?: HAPPY!

Symptoms: The normal stuff, horrible heartburn, and starting to get some nausea!

What I miss: All the usual that I keep saying!

What I'm looking forward to: Childbirth classes at the hospital (and tour of The Birthing Place), baby showers, maternity pictures, and the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!! hahaha! :)

Milestones: (Based on a pregnancy app) Your baby is becoming discriminate! Try testing voices and music to see which ones your baby likes better. More importantly however is the fact that your baby's bone marrow is now producing red blood cells. The lungs are active and ready to take in the first breath of oxygen. All of that fuzzy lanugo that covered the body is beginning to disappear. Most newborns are still born with a whitish lining which helps them pass through the birth canal. Toe and fingernails are now complete, and may even need to be clipped right after delivery to make sure they don't scratch themselves. Your baby will react to your touch on the outside of your belly. If you baby is in an uncomfortable position, try gently nudging and chances are your baby will move.

Weekly wisdom: Honestly, I don't have any GREAT insight this week! So, just remember to get lots of rest when you can and STAY HYDRATED!!!

We love you, Baby E!! We are in the homestretch now, little man! Keep growing in there! We can't wait to meet you! Love you so much (to the moon and back!!)! *Love, Momma and Daddy*

And... you all know how I love me some progress pics, so I have included some updated ones! Then, the bottom picture is all of my weekly pics thus far (minus the 30 week pic!)! Enjoy! haha!

 

Weekly Survey - 29 Weeks!

{Baby Boy E belly (HOLY BELLY!!) at 29 weeks!!}

How far along?: 29 weeks!!!

This week, Baby E is the size of an: ACORN SQUASH!

Maternity clothes?: Oh yes! I'm, basically, wearing the same clothes on a rotation each week! HA! Trying to change it up some, but not really wanting to spend a bunch of money on maternity clothes! So, there's that for ya! hahaha!

Total weight gain/loss: With the size of my belly this week, I'm pretty sure I have gained some crazy weight!! haha!!

Stretch marks?: Not yet! I'm sure it's going to happen, so I'm just waiting! :)

Sleep: Pretty good, for the most part. I have definitely been having some nights that haven't been super, but that's expected.

Best moment this week: Had a super productive weekend! We got our guest bathroom painted, did some yard work (well, my amazing hubby did!), and have been doing some serious cleaning around the house! Mark asked if all this productiveness and cleaning was the beginning of my nesting mode??! hmmmmm... he may be on to something there! Also, had a great time celebrating Easter with family!!

{After a long, productive day, this was a MUST for my feet!!}

{Happy and Blessed Easter from The Ernst Family!}

{Baby Boy E is already being spoiled by his Grandparents!! Such sweet Easter baskets from his Grandparents! Love it! He is one lucky little guy!}

 

Movement: Yup, in intervals (when he's not sleeping!)! Movements are definitely getting stronger (and sometimes a tad bit painful!).

Food cravings: Nothing specific, really! Just food... alllllll the time!! Eating is kind of my thing now... it's what I do!!!! Bahahaha!!! ;)

Anything making you queasy or sick?: Other than too much sugar, nope!

Have you started to show yet?: Uhhhh, yes!! Please see above pictures!

Labor signs?: Nope!

Belly button in or out?: In still... I'm sure it's just a matter of time with that, as well!

Wedding rings on or off?: On, for now. Going to attempt to get them off in the next couple of days! Sad!!!! :(

Happy or moody most of the time?: HAPPY!!! I have so much to be thankful for... don't have time to be moody! Ain't nobody got time for that! ha!

Symptoms: The same! Crazy heartburn... ugh! Also, I'm starting to get that tired, prego feet, hips, and back feeling after long days!

What I miss: Just things that I obviously took for granted... such as, picking things up off the floor, tying my shoes (thank goodness for the warmer weather and FLIP FLOPS!), having enough space to sit in a booth at a restaurant (my belly now touches the table! ha!! Darn those people that thought it would be a good idea to attach the table to the wall... what the heck were you thinking???!), etc. Yes, I know it's going to get worse, but I'm going to go ahead and start complaining about it now! Thank you for understanding! haha!

What I'm looking forward to: First baby shower this weekend!! So excited to spend time with some of my amazing family and friends! Just feeling so blessed!!! Mark and I have such amazing support and we couldn't be more grateful!! Love you all!

Milestones: (Based on a pregnancy app) Your baby is breathing! Not air of course, but they are able to expand their lungs and take in amniotic fluid, building up the muscles they will need to take their actual first breath (BTW, it's not that far away now!). Your baby is learning to maintain body temperatures, which right now stay snugly around 101 degrees. Your little one has also developed the senses of hearing, smell, taste and is making some hysterical facial expressions in utero. With plenty of room to move about, chances are your baby is very active (especially after you eat!)!

Weekly wisdom: Stay hydrated!!!! Drink plenty of water!!

Weekly Survey - 28 Weeks!

{Baby Boy E belly at 28 weeks!! Growing, growing, growing!} 

How far along?: 28 weeks (entering the 7th month!!)!! Hello, THIRD TRIMESTER!!! Oh my goodness, I can't believe it!!

{Not letting my toes out of my sight just yet!! ha!}

 

This week, Baby E is the size of an: EGGPLANT!!

Maternity clothes?: Yup! Trying to decide what I'm going to wear for showers and maternity pictures! I think I might have it narrowed down! Woohooo!! :)

Total weight gain/loss: According to my nurse and doctor, I didn't gain any weight this month! Not real sure how I managed to pulled that off, because according to pictures, we are growing like crazy!! hahaha. But, the doctor said I'm still on target, so that's good to hear! I fully expected to hear that I gained waaaayyyyyy too much weight this month! I told Mark that it also probably means that at my next appointment, the doctor will say I gained like 15 lbs. for this next month!

Stretch marks?: Not yet! Just waiting for it to happen!

Sleep: Sleep has been pretty great lately! Only a few restless nights with weird and vivid dreams and minor aches! I owe a lot of my great night's of sleep to exercise! I'm still sticking with it - it's not as rigorous as it used to be, but it sure feels like it! Pregnancy exercise is HARD!!!

{One of my regular workouts these days (when I'm not too tired!)!}

Best moment this week: Loving all the signs of Spring and warmer weather! Not so much loving the cold and SNOW today... ugh!!! Crazy Kansas weather!

{Lovin' the Spring blooms!!}

{Received an awesome surprise, in the mail, from my amazing cousin, Kate! She made this precious little football hat for our little man! We love it and can't wait for him to wear it - especially for KSU Wildcat gamedays! Daddy will probably say for KU gamedays! hehehe... Thank you, so much, Kate!!!}

 

Movement: Yup... and more in intervals now! His jabs are definitely getting stronger too! OUCH! hahaha. I'm still loving it! :)

Food cravings: EVERYTHING!! Definitely some healthier cravings lately! I'm also getting to the point where I have to eat smaller portions, which in turn means I'm eating more often! I feel like all I do is eat now! Mark and I get a good laugh out of this... everytime he turns around, I'm saying that I'm starving or I have food in my mouth! Ha!!

{Enough said.}

 

Anything making you queasy or sick?: Not really! Too much caffeine or too many sweets tends to upset my tummy!

Have you started to show yet?: ABSOLUTELY!!! So much, in fact, that complete strangers are asking when I'm due - so, it's either super obvious that I'm pregnant or people are just really ballsy (sorry for the language, mom (and little man, if you read this someday!)!)! hahaha.

Labor signs?: No, thank goodness!

Belly button in or out?: Currently it is still in.

Wedding rings on or off?: Still on.

Happy or moody most of the time?: Happy, as long as I'm not exhausted or hungry (or HANGRY!)!

Symptoms: Same as before! Still disliking this heartburn! Also, starting to get more and more uncomfortable at times. But really, so far, I have had such a great pregnancy - I don't have a whole lot to complain about!

What I miss: All the same things that I have been saying up to this point!

What I'm looking forward to: So many things! Maternity pictures (still working on scheduling these!), baby showers, baby classes, new car purchase (yayyyy!!), and continuing to work in the nursery!

Milestones: (Based on a pregnancy app) Your baby still has a lot of growing to do! Your baby's energy is concentrated on gaining subcutaneous fat and muscle tone. Now that your baby can open it's eyes, your baby will also learn to blink this week. The bone structure is strong enough now to support the tiny body, but the bones are still soft and pliable. They will not ossify (harden) completely until around 4 years of age. The joints have not yet completely fused, which ensures that your baby stays flexible for delivery. Believe it or not, sometime during this week - your baby is also developing their first stool. This is called meconium and will stay in the digestive tract until after delivery. Diapers, here we come!! ha!!

Weekly wisdom: Do not procrastinate! I'm trying to stay on top of things and it feels great when I do (and overwhelming when I don't!)! Just my advice for the week! :)

**Still waiting to hear about my Glucose test that I took on Thursday! I'm hoping that no news is good news! :) I'll probably call later today just to check on it!

We love you, so much, Little Man! Keep baking and growing in there! *Big hugs and kisses, from Momma and Daddy!*

Weekly Survey - 27 Weeks!

{Baby Boy E belly at 27 weeks! Love it!}

 

{As you all know... I'm a sucker for progress pics! Same shirt at 19, 23, and 27 weeks! The bump is bumpin', for sure!}

 

How far along?: 27 Weeks!!! Holy cow... already??! Ugh... cow wasn't the best choice in words there! hahaha! :)

This week, Baby E is the size of a: RUTABAGA!!

Maternity clothes?: Yup... thank goodness for them! It's getting to the point where I can't even imagine ever fitting into non-maternity clothes again! I know I will, but it's all just so crazy! It's amazing and crazy what a mother's body can do!

Total weight gain/loss: Gaining, gaining, gaining! HAHA!

Stretch marks?: Not yet, but it's just a matter of time!

Sleep: Still sleeping pretty great! Really can't complain! Little man has started sleeping in intervals! I have started feeling him wake up in the night (nudging me!)! Still a very comforting feeling!

Best moment this week: Just having a relaxing week! Haven't hit "nesting" mode yet, but my husband can't wait for me to! hahaha! I'm not going to lie, it will be nice to have some more energy to be really productive! Right now, however, I'm just enjoying the rest and calm! I'm also enjoying the weather being slightly warmer and still being able to get out and walk! Even though I had to throw in the towel with running, I'm not going to give up my walking!  

{Enjoying some nice Spring weather and getting some exercise in!}

Movement: All the time! So awesome!!! It's starting to get stronger, so some of the jabs are a little painful, but so worth it! I love feeling him move around!

Food cravings: Cravings have actually been a little healthier this week! Don't get me wrong, I still have A LOT of unhealthy moments, but it's nice to not crave grease and salt allllll the time! hahaha!

{Some of our healthy cravings this week: Greek yogurt with granola and raspberries, carrots and ranch, and Annie's cheddar bunnies - not SUPER healthy, but could be way worse, right?!}

Anything making you queasy or sick?: Pssshhhh... nope! Not having food in my mouth... hahaha!

Have you started to show yet?: Absolutely!!

Labor signs?: Nope, thank goodness!

Belly button in or out?: In still. 

Wedding rings on or off?: On still, but getting closer to removing them. Sad!

Happy or moody most of the time?: HAPPY!!

Symptoms: Starting to have more back pain and some pressure in the lower abdomen. Nothing too terrible... just beginning to become more uncomfortable at times!

What I miss: Running and hard workouts! It's totally worth it, but I would be lying if I said I didn't miss it! I just keep telling myself that I will be back to it before too terribly long, so to just enjoy the time off!

What I'm looking forward to: Doing more decorating in the nursery and baby showers!! First one is coming up on April 26th! Yayyyy! So fun!

Milestones: (Based on a pregnancy app) Your baby is moving more than ever, taking advantage of still having extra space to turn somersaults inside the womb. The eyelids, which have been fused together, will start to unattach this week. Once they do, your baby can open its eyes in utero and SEE! Adding to your baby's charm are eyebrows and eyelashes. While your baby's eyes are now pigmented, the color will not be finalized until after delivery. Your little one is still very interested in gaining weight and will become pudgier every day. The lungs are also preparing to breathe air, although it will take several more weeks before your baby will be able to do so unassisted. The hands, while completely functional at this point, still do not know how to let go or release, and your baby may be holding its feet, arms or the unbilical cord in the uterine environment.

Weekly wisdom: Gaining weight is necessary in pregnancy. Far too many women boast about the amount of weight they did or did not gain. If you are sensitive to how much you are gaining, then ask your doctor to keep it a secret (even from you, unless it is a concern!!). Also, ignore those mothers who seem proud that they only gained 10 pounds or something riciculous (YES... we ALL want to give those women a high five... in the face... with a chair!!!)!! haha! But, we just have to ignore them! Leave it to your doctor to tell you when there is a concern! You should be focusing on the happy moments, staying healthy, and appreciating the amazing things your body is doing right now!

Please say some prayers for me this week... Thursday is my glucose test! I'm nervous, but I'm focused on really wanting to pass this thing! Thank you, in advance, for your thoughts and prayers! P.S. Thank you, to all of our family and friends, for continuing to support us along this wonderful journey!

Keep growing, our sweet babe! We love you, so much, already! We can't wait to meet you, but right now... just keep tucked away and continue to bake! *Hugs and Kisses! from, Momma and Daddy*

Weekly Survey - 26 Weeks!

(Baby Boy E belly at 26 weeks!! Holy belly... it sure is growing!)

 

How far along?: 26 weeks!! Starting to get uncomfortable at times!

This week, Baby E is the size of a: HEAD OF LETTUCE!! Growing, for sure!



Maternity clothes?: Oh goodness yes! However, I would LOVE to just live in my sweats all day long... too bad I can't talk my boss into that! hahaha! :)

Total weight gain/loss: There is no loss involved in this equation, folks! Numbers are rising!! :)

Stretch marks?: Not yet, but I feel like I should be getting them at any point! YIKES!

Sleep: Been sleeping pretty well! I'm having a difficult time staying motivated to exercise! I'm trying to stick with it though, because I think it could really assist me in the sleep department too!

Best moment this week: So many great moments this week, actually! First off, Baby E's nursery is coming together! Painting is all finished, the perfect rocker/ glider is in there (thanks to some great friends, Carli and Scott Niebuhr!), and furniture has been delivered and set up! Next up, tackling the closet - wanting a new closet organization system! Yayyy! After that, all this nursery needs is some supplies, decor, and a sweet little man!! Also, I started doing some baby laundry this past weekend... LOVE it! Another great moment this week (was more funny than anything!): I provided some teenage-ish boys with an awkward and embarrassing moment on my walk (on Sunday morning)! As they were driving by, from behind me, they decided to honk and whistle. As they passed and turned back to look at my reaction, they seemed to notice my prego belly! Needless to say, their eyes got huge and they snapped their heads around with a quickness! That'll teach them to stop honking at strangers! Idiots!! However, apparently, I've still got it from the back (or maybe that's just wishful thinking!)! Bahahaha! Mark and I got a nice little giggle out of that!! :) Finally, I'm still loving feeling our little peanut moving around in my belly... the movements are definitely getting stronger!

(The rocker/ glider and furniture set up in the nursery! Still lots to be done and will post updated pictures as they happen! I'm loving it so far!!!)

(Serious heart-melting moment while doing laundry the other day! Cuteness overload! Matching Daddy and Baby polos! LOVE it!)



(LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the smell of baby laundry (aka Dreft!)!!)

 

Movement: Absolutely! Every movement is getting stronger! Mark actually got a nice big karate kick to the hand the other night!!! I'm still loving watching my belly move! It just makes me laugh! So weird, yet so amazing!

Food cravings: Nothing specific! Definitely starting to not be able to eat as much. I'm trying to teach myself to stop, so that I'm not miserable after every meal.

Anything making you queasy or sick?: Nope.

Have you started to show yet?: Um, did you see the picture at the top of this post??! haha! Yup, I'm sporting a nice belly now! hehe.

Labor signs?: No.

Belly button in or out?: Still in. I'm thinking it's just a waiting game at this point! ha!

Wedding rings on or off?: On, for now!

Happy or moody most of the time?: Happy, unless you really upset me... then, watch out! hahaha. Just kidding!

Symptoms: Same as before!

What I miss: Running! I think I'm actually approaching the end of running until after our little man gets here. It's definitely sad, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Plus, it is getting uncomfortable and I don't feel like going out and spending money on a maternity belt. I'll just stick to walking and other exercising! I'll get back to it soon enough, right?! Also, when I get back to it, this momma will have a cute little running buddy to keep her company! Yayyy! Can't wait!

What I'm looking forward to: Doing more work in the nursery and baby showers!! So fun!

Milestones: (Based on a pregnancy app) Your belly is now the size of a big soccer ball. All of this weight and pressure on the front side of your body is no doubt causing you aches and pains. You have probably gained somewhere around the 20 pound mark (but who's counting). Continue to eat healthily. Your body still needs at least an extra 300 calories per day to keep up with the demands of the baby. Also, any sudden jerking movements in your stomach that you may feel are simply the result of your baby having hiccups. (I definitely think our little man has had the hiccups at least a couple of times already! He has also been very irritated with them... which is very understandable, if they are anything like his Daddy's hiccups! Intense!!!) Your baby now has the brain capacity of a newborn. They will spend the next few months perfecting their brain functions as the brain continues to grow inside. In fact, half of your baby's expelled energy will go to brain development from now until delivery. Lung function is still very premature, but is improving as more and more surfactant is being produced. Your baby is also putting on weight every day, and may gain anywhere from a half ounce to ounce per week. Remember, it isn't the quantity of food you eat that helps them gain weight, but the quality! :)

Weekly wisdom: Start thinking about maternity leave from work! Also, start thinking about those birthing classes, first-timers! My weekly wisdom is not great this week... sorry!!