1 Month

1 month old!

December 14, 2011

• This is one happy baby
• We get big smiles just after she wakes up and during diaper changes
• She likes baths...just not the getting out part.
• She's had a case of baby acne and cradle cap but neither seem to bother her.
• She had not gained all her weight back by her 2 week appointment so Dr. A told us we HAD to feed every 3 hours day and night.  The day part was not a problem as she seems to nurse constantly during the day.  It was a little harder waking up for the night feedings...for mama and baby.
• When she went back to see Dr. A at 1 month she was were she should be so he told us to keep doing what we were doing...which, to be honest, was not always nursing every 3 hours at night :)
• Her first outing was to a Thanksgiving potluck at Daddy's office.  She did really well until she had a dirty diaper, then she realized she was hungry, then mommy and daddy realized they had forgotten the pacifier and then all hell broke lose.
• She quite the little sucker.  She will suck on her fists, her paci, or anything else that is close to her mouth. 
• Sometimes she likes her swing and sometimes she doesn't. 
• She likes to be in someones arms...usually mommy's.
• Towards the end of the month we started giving her bottle at night and she seems to sleep better and longer after her bottle.
• It's a good thing she got lots of clothes because we change the often throughout the day...the hineys seem to need replacing often :)
• She's not a huge fan of tummy time but she is getting really good at holding her head up.  She gets the most practice from being up on mommy and daddy's shoulder.
• Her hair as stayed a light brown and is just now starting to thin out.  Her eyes have turned more brown.
• Everyone says she looks like me and after looking back at a few pictures of myself I agree but she definetly has daddy's length. 
• Some of her newborn sized sleepers are getting too short but she hasn't filled them out in the chest and tummy yet.
• She makes some very funny faces when she's waking up.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from her first month



Her first snow December 5th.  Don't worry, we weren't out but for maybe 2 or 3 minutes :)

Cheering on our Pokes for the Bedlam Game December 3rd

Yay!  It's almost Christmas! November 29th

Sweet baby face November 19th

Funny baby face November 19th

Big sister Rylee comes to meet Lydia for the first time...she wasn't too sure what to think; especially when the crying started. November 17th

Lydia's Birth Story

What a crazy yet incredibly blessed month it has been!  When I last left you all it was 2 days after my due date.  I was already off work for my maternity leave and Levi and I were spending the week hanging out, taking walks, and doing other various waiting-for-baby-to-come things.  On Friday of that week we went to the doctor to see what the final decision would be.  That decision was that I would be induced on Monday morning if nothing had happened yet.  So here my friends is the story:

Sunday November 13, 2011:

6:00 pm~ We checked into the hospital.  My doctor wanted me to come in early to "prepare" me for induction. (At the risk of a little TMI) She gave me something (don't remember the name) to soften my cervix.  She also told us there was a slight possibility that it could send me into labor but that it didn't happen very often.  Levi and I got settled into my hospital room and had a pretty quiet evening to ourselves...other than our super sweet nurses of course.  Contractions started almost right away but they weren't too strong.

11:00 pm~ I was given some mild pain meds for my contractions to help me sleep

Monday November 14, 2011

3:00 am~ The anesthesiologist was down the hall with another patient so they asked if I wanted to go ahead and start my epidural drip while he was there.  I decided we might as well since he was there.  I really think doing this is was got things really rolling.  I think it got my body to finally relax enough to start the labor process.

5:00 am~ I was dilated to 3 cm.  (Keep in mind no pitocin had been started yet)

7:30 am~ The doctor came in to break my water and start pitocin.  I was dilated to 4 cm.
8:30 am~ Dilated to 6 cm.
8:45 am~ Lydia was not liking my contractions and her heart rate was dropping so they started me on oxygen.  I ended up having to stay on it until I was ready to push.  That was not pleasant.
10:00 am~ Dilated to 9 cm.
11:10 am~ Time to push!  I started on a couple of "practice pushes" and not much was happening so we took a break.  I'm not exactly sure when I started pushing again.
12:00 pm~ Realized that Lydia was face up (which would explain why the pushing was working).  Gave her some time to turn herself over but she never did.
12:40 pm~ Dr.H came in and turned Lydia face down.  I'm pretty sure that by this time my first bag of epidural drip had worn off and the second booster dose they gave me was starting to wear off.  By the end of pushing I could feel everything. 
1:56 pm~ Happy Birthday Lydia Jean Sleeper!  She came into the world healthy with all her fingers and toes!  She did have her cord wrapped around her neck but it was not a big deal. 

After that nothing else got written down so I'm not exactly sure when things happened.  I'm not even sure I know everything that did happen :).  I was moved into my new room sometime around 3 or 4 I think.  We stayed in the hospital until Wednesday when we went to stay with my mom and step-dad for a couple days before we were off to Midland on Saturday.  What a wild ride it has been but I cannot wait to see what is to come.

We do believe, we do believe...

After my doctors appointment yesterday we went to the airport for Chinese food. Here is Levi's fortune: "affirm it, visualize it, believe it, and it will actualize itself."

Official Name Change...

Little Miss has officially been renamed Little Miss Stubborn.  Actually I shouldn't say that because I know it's not just her that is being stubborn; apparently my body it being stubborn too. I went back to the doctor today and after checking her movement and heart rate she checked my progress...or lack there of.  There has been no change since last week.  I am still dilated to 1cm and not thinned as much as she wants.  Have I mentioned that yesterday was my due date?  Yeah.  My doctor is a pretty firm believer in not inducing right away and I agree with her.  She said that waiting a week after the due date will most likely give me enough time to go into labor by myself. So, we are set to induce next Monday the 14th if Little Miss hasn't arrived yet.  I will go back to the doctor on Friday to see if everything is on track and make sure there is progress.  Depending on what we find she will decide if I need to go in Sunday night or Monday morning.  Until then, we just keep waiting...and waiting.  


I also feel that my last week of work should be documented as it was a pretty crazy week.  It started out on Monday with Halloween.  That's always a crazy day for a teacher.  Then Tuesday we got a new Principal at school- plus all the sugared up kids from the night before.  Wednesday we had district walk-throughs (where the Superintendent and some of the other higher-ups from Admin come and observe my teaching, then give me a rating that basically goes on my permanent record-all in about 15 minutes).  I did really well on that I must say.  Even with STILL sugared up kids.  Thursday and Friday were filled with finishing up sub plans and everything that goes with finishing up a 6 weeks.  May not sound like much but gracious, was it a crazy busy week.  And that doesn't even count the evening field trip to the college basketball game that I skipped out on to go to a baby class.  


Not much else to report.  I can't give you an update on what Little Miss is doing this week because, well, babycenter.com doesn't go past 40 weeks. :)


Until Friday!

Weeks 38, 39 & 40!

At least that's where I think we are....all I know is that I AM READY!  My due date is in 9 days and yet it still seems like a lifetime away.  Levi has been put on "only drop-offs" at work meaning he won't have any over night trips so he will able to get to Angelo if he needs to.  We have bags packed and today will consist of going to Midland one last time to do some more work on Little Miss' room and the apartment (and to celebrate her daddy's birthday), as it will probably be the last time I walk in that door without a small one in my arms.  I'm also hoping to maybe get some meals in the freezer for us.  I'm not even sure what else needs to be done...I guess we'll find out when it already needed to be done :)  I'm not so ready on the school front though.  I feel like I've been working 12 hours a day on school work (probably because I HAVE been) and there is still quite a bit to do.  How is one supposed to get several weeks ahead when she can't even stay caught up with every day!  Sheesh!  Oh well, what gets done will get done and what doesn't, I know my very capable sub and coworkers can handle.  I'm still a little freaked out to let loose of my control for so long though. 

Last weekend Levi was able to come home for Saturday to attend another baby shower with me.  A friend of his mom threw us a wonderful shower filled with yummy food, beautiful decorations and lots of people .  (including some very special out of town guests- one of whom I'm pretty sure was so confident that Lydia was coming Saturday that she jinxed me!  Just kidding, I love you D.A.)  The Little One is very blessed to be coming into a family with such amazing friends and family.  
 
Even though I've been going to the doctor every week for a month now they are very uneventful.  As is stood last Tuesday at my appointment L's head was "maybe a little bit further down" but not officially dropped.  I'm not effaced or dilated at all.  The braxton-hicks contractions continue without any predictability or consistency.  So we continue to wait and we'll see what next Tuesday brings.

Week 38
Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.
Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)
(we had this discussion last weekend and we are betting on brown eyes and brownish/blond hair.  Levi's eyes are a hazel color and mine are brown.  Levi was born with dark hair that turned bright blond and then back to brown and I was born with a lightish brown that turned a little blonder and then brown again)

Week 39
Your baby's waiting to greet the world! She continues to build a layer of fat to help control her body temperature after birth, but it's likely she already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of her skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.
(bring on the chubby cheeks!)

Week 40
It's hard to say for sure how big your baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long. His skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason your baby's noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary.
(how perfect- a little pumpkin for my November baby.  Levi was 7lbs 7 oz and I was 7lbs 6 oz.  We were both the same length- either 20in or 21in I don't remember.)

Week 36 & 37

Well let's see...what's been going on? Last weekend  I got to go to spend the weekend in Midland with Levi.  We got the crib set up and some of her room put together.

 

We also got to go to part of the Midland Air Show.  Levi's company was having a cookout in their building which was across the airport from the main air show area.  It was nice because we got to see the planes but didn't have to mess with the crowds...and we got to eat free food!  Anyway, the coolest part was when there was an F-16 fly over that was really loud and right after they went over Lydia went crazy inside my belly.  There was no doubt she heard it and was wondering what was going on. 

Then this last week I went with my mom and mother-in-law to the JBF sale here in San Angelo.  JBF stands for Just Between Friends and it is a HUGE consignment sale.  We ended up getting LOTS of clothes, an extra car seat base, a pack 'n' play (for MIL) and a couple of toys (for MIL).  We had to wait 45 minutes in line to get in but I'd say it was worth it. 

The doctor's appointments are still going good.  Every time I go (which is weekly now) she says I am still right on track and that Little Miss' head is down but I'm not dilated at all yet.  I'll go again tomorrow so we shall see if anything has changed.  Here is me at 37 weeks.

Week 36
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.

Week 37
Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, her lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. (Some babies need a bit more time, though. So if you're planning to have a repeat c-section, for example, your practitioner will schedule it for no earlier than 39 weeks unless there's a medical reason to intervene earlier.)
Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

Weeks 33, 34, & 35

WOW!  I'd say I'm a tad bit behind.  School has been crazy busy this year.  I can't seem to get anything done at school (even though I'm constantly working on something) and end up bringing home way too much work.  You know it's bad when things start piling up at home and you're not even the one doing the cooking and cleaning!   I was hoping to be further ahead of things by now but that's not the case. 

Last weekend we got Levi and all of our stuff moved into the apartment in Midland.  Friday afternoon Levi and my sister's husband got all the boxes unloaded out of storage and into the Uhaul.  Then Saturday morning Levi and I left for Midland with Levi in the Uhaul and me in Levi's truck.  My sister and nephew left a little later in my car and Levi's brother and my sister's husband left in the plane.  We all ended up getting into Midland about the same time; just in time to get our keys, grab some lunch and be ready to watch the movers unload the truck.  (We are in a 2nd floor apartment so Levi decided to get movers).  After the movers were done the guys went and got us another storage unit (yes, we have that much STUFF) and my sister and I unloaded most of the kitchen boxes.  Then brother, sister, bro-in-law and nephew all loaded up in the plane and came back leaving Levi and me with all the rest of the unpacking to do.  So what did we do...well we went to dinner and rented a movie naturally.  By the time I headed home Sunday evening we had accomplished quite a bit.  Sadly none of that included doing anything in Lydia's room except using it for a stacking boxes place. 

This weekend was just as busy but quite a bit more enjoyable.  Little Miss and I were VERY spoiled with a beautiful baby shower.  It was a garden tea party theme and it was SO great to have so many friends and family share in this special time with us.  I will hopefully get some pictures up soon.  They are currently on several different people's cameras. 

Overall I've been feeling pretty well.  Before this past week I had been feeling the best I had since the beginning.  This past week though, I started feeling really tired and sometimes achy.  A couple of days my back was really killing me.  It all just kinda comes and goes.  And a new development today is possible Braxton-Hicks contractions.  I feel just a little twinge every now and then but nothing serious enough to worry about yet.  We will have to keep an eye on it and see what happens.  I go back to the doctor on Tuesday and then every week from here on out.

Here are Little Miss's goings-on for the last two weeks and the one coming up.
Week 33
This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. She's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and her skeleton is hardening. The bones in her skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for her 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 her brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.


Week 34
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.


Week 35
Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that she'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, she isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times she kicks should remain about the same. Her kidneys are fully developed now, and her liver can process some waste products. Most of her basic physical development is now complete — she'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Weeks 31 and 32

Well it's not a wonderful pic (I guess because it came off a phone?) but this is at almost 32 weeks. 

Not a whole lot to report this time.  School is in full swing for Levi and me both.  Let is about to start his last week of training and I am about to start my 4th week of school.  I've started going to the doctor every 2 weeks and each one has been good.  My weight is still good and my belly has been measuring about 2 cm bigger each time.  I asked this last time about a couple of bruises that appeared out of nowhere and won't go away.  Turns out they are probably varicose veins but that's not really a huge deal.  I also asked about eventually inducing so that we can be sure Levi will be in town and she said not a problem as long as I'm already dilated some.  That makes me feel better about Levi being in another town during my last few weeks. 

Here's what Little Miss has been up to:

Week 31: This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. She weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. She can turn her head from side to side, and her arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath her skin. She'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.  (The past few mornings she's been rip-roaring and ready to go as soon as I wake up!)

Week 32: 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.

Week 29 and 30

Let me start off by saying that I apologize for being late on week 29.  But in my defense it was the first week of school, the last week to get all of our house cleared out, and the second week without my hubby.  It was CRAZY to say the least!  I was not ready for school to start in that my room was not really ready, my plans were not really ready, nor was my brain or body really ready.  I did have some AMAZING help in the house department though.  My mom and mom-in-law spent an entire day finishing up the packing and cleaning in the house while my dad-in-law and then bro-in-law made several trips to the storage unit...all while I was at school.  I'm still not ready for school to start; not sure I'll ever be ready. 

I did go to the doctor again this week.  She said my weight, glucose test, iron levels and belly size (30 cm) all looked really good.  I also mentioned that my heartburn was getting worse so she wanted me to do some blood work for a liver scan.  Apparently there is some liver condition that can develop at this stage in pregnancy and one of the symptoms is increased heartburn.  That's all she really told me about it because she said she didn't want to scare me and we would talk about it if that turned out to be the case.  My doctor's office goes by the "no news is good news" policy and I have not heard anything yet so I'm guessing I'm good.  I have also noticed a little bit of swelling in my feet at the end of the day but I'm sure that is due to more being on my feet than usual.  Little Miss has still been quite active and switching from sitting high to sitting low day by day. 

Week 29 (last week)
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 his 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.

Week 30 (this week)
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.)

I'm sure there are all kinds of things I am forgetting to tell you all but...until next time!

Weeks 27 & 28 and Another Move

Well this has been a crazy week.  Well actually the past few weeks have been a bit nuts.  Where to start?...  Let's see; the last week of July Levi was called by an aviation company in Midland to do a contract trip for them.  That was a Monday.  Wednesday of that week they called again to see if he would come interview for a job.  Thursday he went to the interview where they offered on the spot and he accepted on the spot.  Friday we went back to do paper work and check out the town.  Now all we had to do was figure out all the logistics.  Because of several factors we decided that I will stay in here and teach the whole year (minus my 12 + 2 bonus weeks of maternity leave) while living with my mom and step-dad.  Levi will go on to Midland and will come back when he can.  Once all of his training and stuff if finished he will be on a 4 week on/ 1 week off schedule.  It's going to be a long year but we will make it work.  The job is an awesome opportunity with incredible benefits and though we do have to move at least it's only about 2 hours away.  Plus both of my grandmothers live in Odessa so family already travels that way pretty often. 

So, the past few weeks have been filled with a hurried start to a move, Levi still working for his current employer (he did 2 long trips in the past 2 weeks), and me trying to get my classroom back in order because in case you've forgotten it's BACK TO SCHOOL TIME!  Only my busiest time of year.  On top of all that being preggo with no motivation and when it does come I'm so scared I'm going to over-do it, I feel like I get nothing done.  I feel like we don't have time to get it all done as it is much less for me to be laid up on the couch for a day or two because I pulled a muscle or something.  I am SO grateful that we have amazing family and friends who are more than willing to help out.  We are packing up this weekend and Levi and his brother are moving as much of the big stuff as they can into storage while I am packing up the stuff I will need at my mom's.  We don't have to be out of the house until the end of the month so we will have time to come in and pack up the smaller stuff later.  And did I mention that is RAINING on this moving day?  The second day of rain we've gotten in like a million years.  But, listen, I don't mind one single bit holding off the loading of the trailer for a couple hours if it means we are getting rain. 

Now on to more exciting stuff!  Last Wednesday I had my 3D sonogram!  It was AMAZING!  There really are no other words for it.  The ultrasound tech had to first get some regular pictures of all of Lydia's body parts and get some of her measurements and then we got to the good stuff.  By the way, she is now measuring 5 days early but still they have not changed my due date.  Anyway, the good stuff- we got to see Little Miss in all her cuteness.  Her nose, her little lips, her cheekies, her hands and her little feet crossed politely at the ankle.  We were supposed to get pictures and a video but they had gotten a new machine and I think the tech thought she was taking still pictures but what we actually got was 2 or 3 second videos and a running video of the whole thing.  Because I have no spare time to try to figure out how to splice a video and all that jazz I just played the videos on the computer and paused where I wanted, took a picture of the screen with my terrible camera on my phone and that is what you will see below.  They are not wonderful but you can see them just fine.

I will try to eventually get better quality pictures but I just couldn't wait to show her off!  She's the one I feel bouncing around inside of me all the time!  Simply amazing.

Here is one of the videos.  I've never done a video on blogger and my laptop needs a flash update so I have no idea if this is going to work.  This is my favorite video because it's like she waves at us at the end.  Oh my goodness I love her so!

Everything else at the appointment went well.  I did my glucose test and I have not heard anything back but my doctor uses the no news is good news policy when it comes to test results so I guess it's good news.  My appetite has pretty much completely returned.  I'm not so picky when it comes to what I feel like eating.  I know that is a huge relief on Levi who never knew what was safe to cook for dinner.  Overall I am feeling pretty good- like they say I'm supposed to in the 2nd trimester, although I am about to start my 3rd.  Oh well, I'll take it when I get it.  She is still kicking like crazy and getting stronger all the time.  It's gotten quite amusing on a couple of occasions to just sit and watch my belly move.

Week 27

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. (I'm wondering how true this is for Lydia) 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. (I'm pretty sure she's had a few bouts of these) Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Week 28 (starts Monday the 15th)
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.

Until next time friends!

Week 26

Not much new to report this week.  Other than being super emotional a couple of days ago, everything is about the same.  The closer school gets the more tired I get and I think it just from THINKING about  the dreaded "back to school".  I can't even imagine what it's going to be like when I actually start working in my room and planning lessons and trying to mold the minds of 15-20 seven and eight year olds.  Sunday I think it was, I had quite the combination of lack of sleep and crazy hormones and I think I cried about 5 times for not real reason.  Yeesh.  Levi is good at handling these moments....he says "are we crying about this?" and then we both just start laughing.

Here's Lydia's goings on:
The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. She may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. She's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of her lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when she's born and takes that first gulp of air. And she's continuing to put on baby fat. She now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel.

Check-up

Just got back from the doctor and she had all good things to say! 

• Lydia's heartbeat is good...can't remember what it was :)
• my belly measured at 26 cm...don't really know what significance that has other than proof that she's growing
• I start my appointments every 2 weeks now which means...
• ...I only have to wait 2 more weeks to see Lydia again!
• Next appointment will be the 3D sono (YAY) and my glucose test (eww)

Belly Pics

 Ok, so here are the few belly pics that I have.  Since I started out being pregnant with a bit of a non-baby belly :), I decided to wait to take pics until I actually felt like I looked pregnant.  That was at 15 weeks and the plan was to then take a picture every 5 weeks.  I let 20 weeks slip by me so I didn't get another until last week.  So, with no further adieu...belly pics:

15 weeks



23 weeks

25 weeks

and of course Rylee needed to be in one (25 weeks)

PS~ It's a coincidence that I'm wearing the same shirt, I didn't do that purpose.  Also I added a pic of Rylee picking names to this post if you want to check it out.

Week 25

So I started the previous post and it got a little non-pregnancy related so I decided to make this one a whole new one.  Since I last posted I've been to a beautiful (but hot) wedding, a four day trip to Grapevine with co-workers, a very boring (but mandatory) workshop, a funeral and a great lunch with an old friend.  I think my lazy summer days are officially over.  Some things I have NOT done: worked on Lydia's room, read much more of my pregnancy books or even thought about school stuff. 

As far as how I'm feeling I'm pretty much the same.  I go back to the doctor on Wednesday but it's going to be a "boring one".  No ultrasound or anything fun like that.  We will get to find out if the next appointment (around 29 or 30 weeks) will be the 3D ultrasound.  I'm excited for that one of course because I HATE waiting to long in between to see her.  Levi said yesterday that I should just invest in an ultrasound machine and walk around with it hooked up all the time.  How I wish I really could do that!  I'm also excited to another ultrasound just to get a measurement on this kid.  I sometimes feel her very high and very low at the same time and I'm wondering how she can already be taking up so much space!  I'm not sure she realizes that that's all the space she gets and she's going to have to stay in there a while longer.  Mommy is not big enough to have a Daddy sized baby inside her! 

Speaking of Daddy; he FINALLY got to feel Lydia kicking the other night.  He thought he might have felt it a couple of weeks ago but this time he was sure.  She's been a little stinker in that I can feel her moving almost constantly but as soon as Levi puts his hand on my belly to feel her she stops.  Ornery little thing (something else I think she's gotten from her daddy). 

I know I promised belly pics but....you have to wait longer.  Sorry!  I did take a couple while I was all dolled up for the wedding last weekend but Levi ended up having to work and because I was taking the pictures myself they didn't come out very well.  I was going to post them anyway but then I remembered that the laptop I am on doesn't have a card reader and I'm going to have Levi take the "official 25 week" picture tomorrow anyway so I will post them then.  I double promise :)

Here's Lydia's progress this week:
Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

Until next time!

Bonus Post :)

Well today has been a different kind of day.  I have a lot of different thoughts going through my head about a lot of different things.  The Bradford Family lost a very well respected co-worker last week and today was her service.  I really didn't get a chance to work closely with her but I knew enough about her to know that she loved and fought for her students.  As cliche as it sounds she will truly be missed by all who knew her.  So here I am standing in the cemetery listening to what a life this woman (who has 2 daughters) lived as I'm feeling my own little lady flip around in my belly wondering if and praying that Levi and I have what it takes to raise her to be the kind of person that people will one day speak just as wonderfully about.  All of this leads me to think about being the kind of mom that has the strength to see her baby hooked up to all sorts of machines and in some cases having to leave that baby in the hospital to go home without him.  This has been happening all to often as of late and it takes a special and strong woman to be able to do that.  Not that we have any indication that this could/would happen to me but I'm just not sure I could do it.  Maybe it's some sort of motherhood bond or something, I don't know but I just really feel for these women.  Then of course, all of THIS leads me to thinking about what it takes to actually be that kind of woman- the character and integrity it takes.  I don't feel that lately I've had this type of character.  I feel like I've been very cranky, a gossiper, and even rude.  As the new school year starts I am going to try really hard to keep my attitude positive and my comments to myself.  (And yes, I'm expecting you co-workers to hold me to this- that's why I'm saying it "out loud").  Well this is all getting a bit heavy (and I have not even gotten to the fact that I got back to school in 3 weeks) so I'll leave you with this...I have recently found out about 2 other fellow mommies-to-be and that just makes me happy.  There are going to be lots of babies around Lydia's age and while some of them are FAR too far away, I hope she can make some life-long, well rounded, good friends.

Weeks 23 & 24

Sorry for the delay folks...I've been busy-ish.  I've had something going on almost every morning this week and by the afternoon I'm pooped.  Also, I will be leaving Sunday for a 4 day math conference in Grapevine so I will be busy for the first part of next week so I just decided to combine this week and next (weeks 23 & 24).  Let's see...how I've been this week. 
Well at the end of last week I got "morning" sick again (twice) for the first time in probably over a month.  It also happened to be the day I had to go to a mandatory workshop of sorts for school...hmm....seems like last time I got sick was while school was still in....could I be on to something ;)  No just kidding, I'm fairly certain it was from lack of sleep and lack of anti-nausea meds for that day.  Other than all of that fun, things have been going pretty well. 
Lydia has been moving quite a bit.  Her most active times are 9-11am and 9-11pm.  I could have sworn she was doing gymnastics on the uneven bars the other day!  She actually moved a paper that was resting on my belly the other night; it really kinda startled me!  She is just now getting to the point where she will respond to me or Daddy poking on my belly. 
Last Saturday Levi and I went to a "Combo Baby Class".  It was actually three classes rolled into one (Baby Basics, Safety, and Preparing for Delivery).  It was actually pretty interesting.  There was some things I learned and some things I already knew.  We have a D.A.D (Dad Attends Delivery) and a breastfeeding class still coming up.  Those should be interesting as well. 
We've gotten the crib bedding in, ordered the crib, and picked out paint colors for Lydia's room.  We are also looking into options for a dresser (hopefully more on that later).  Her closet is also filling up quickly. :)  I really hope she doesn't mind having bows on her head otherwise we're in trouble.  She's got lots already and I have a feeling there will be more.  Not to mention all the cute little outfits to go with them.
Here is what she's up to this week and next :
Week 23:
Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.
Week 24:
Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts her at just over a pound. Since she's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), she cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon start to plump up. Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she hits the outside world. Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

I realize as I write this post it was kinda boring...anything anyone wants to know that I'm not answering?

22 weeks

Well Happy late 4th of July!  We had a good weekend filled with family, fun, good food, and a little bit of scariness.  For the past several years my mom's side of the family has celebrated Christmas during the summer simply because it is easier for more people to be able to come.  We do a tree, traditional Christmas dinner and gifts.  It's really a lot of fun.  That's where the family, fun, and good food was.  The little bit of scariness was when Levi and I had to head to the ER with a sharp pain in my lower abdomen.  I had sneezed early that morning (Saturday) and apparently pulled a muscle.  (Pathetic, I know)  Anyway, the pain was almost immediate but really just a nuisance (yes, I had to look up how to spell that).  As the day went on it got a little worse and a little worse.  While we were out at the lake for our Christmas we went outside to take a family picture in which I had to walk down and then back up a hill.  I'm pretty sure that's what did me in.  We came back in to do the tree/gifts and I just couldn't get comfortable in the chair and I was in tears.  My mom went and talked to my aunt who is a nurse and they told me it was time to go to the ER just to be safe.  So off we went.  At this point I was in A LOT of pain and honestly really scared.  (I have these really scary birth stories in the back of my head -both have turned out wonderfully -but still scary)  We got there and they wheeled me back and got me hooked up to the machines that monitor Lydia's heartbeat and contractions.  Her heartbeat was very good and I was not having any contractions.  They asked me about a billion questions (which we decided later was good to get them out of the way because they would have to ask me them at some time anyway).  The nurse that was working with me was wonderful and very helpful and informative.  Turns out she is also the mother of a friend I did my student teaching with.  After almost 2 hours of monitoring and questions they told me to go home, take some Tylenol, and lay down.  They said I would probably hurt for a few days but there wasn't really anything else that could be done.  I was bummed that we had to miss the rest of the Christmas weekend and I learned that I don't like having to have people do things for me.  I also learned that if I were to ever get put on bed rest I just might go CRAZY.  One day on the couch and 4 movies later I was bored and restless out of my mind.  Yesterday was a bit better because I was able to get up and walk around.  We had already planned to spend the day with Levi's parents for the 4th so we decided I could lay around over there just like I could do here at home.  I did take it easy but was able to do a little bit of cooking, swimming and of course firework watching. 

In other news, my last doctors appointment went well.  Not much to report except that she told me I could start taking Zantac to try to prevent my heartburn rather than treating it with Tums.  Umm..hello, Zantac is my new best friend!  Also, my appetite is FINALLY coming back and the nausea is continuing to subside.  Things are looking up and I am really trying to stay positive about all the things going on.  I know there are women all over the world who would love to have annoying symptoms if it only meant that their little one was on the way.  I am reminded of this every time Lydia starts doing gymnastics in my belly :)

Here's what else she is up to this week:
At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and she's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath her gums. Her eyes have formed, but her irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers her body and the deep wrinkles on her skin, which she'll sport until she adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside her belly, her pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.


Until next time!

****EDIT****
I forgot to mention that I had my first "we have a baby" dream.  It was a weird complicated dream but the main thing I remember is that the baby had dark hair (like Levi's) and super chubby cheeks! 

21 weeks!

The most important thing to to report is that BABY HAS A NAME!!!  Here is how the naming went.  Once we decided on the two we liked the most (and we both agreed that we would be happy with either one) we let people (and one very spoiled dog) start blind picking.  Our choices were Lydia Grace and Lylah Jean.  So I wrote each first name and each middle name on a piece of paper and folded them up.  First the picker had to pick (blindly) between Lydia and Lylah and then between Grace and Jean.  Whichever two names got the most picks is what her name would be (knowing that we could get several different combinations).  We decided that this way she would get the name she was "meant to have" rather than the name more people liked.  I should also point out that Grace is Levi's grandmother's name and Jean is my grandmother's middle and my dad's middle name.  Also Levi's dad and brother both have Eugene as a middle name so it fits on both sides.  I know you are dying to know what we ended up with so.....drum roll....Lydia Jean will be the newest member of our family.  I am so excited to have a name!

It's hard to tell but this is Rylee participating in the name pick.  I put down the slips of paper with identical treats on them and we waited to see which one she picked.

I am also excited to have bedding for her to sleep in!  We do not have the actual crib yet but we have decided on which one we will have.  I think I posted the picture in the last blog.  So picture that crib with this bedding...

I think it will look a lot different with a lighter colored crib.  I've come up with some other ideas but nothing much has come from them yet. 

This past weekend I did some (read: A LOT) of shopping with my mom and sisters in the Dallas area and got some good maternity clothes that are good for summer but will also work well for back-to-school.  And of course Lydia got lots of new clothes :)

I go back to the doctor tomorrow so we shall see what she says.  I guess I should have waited to post until I get back but oh well, I'll update if need be.

Here's what Lydia is doing this week:
Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. (mommy note: umm..YES, they are almost feel-able from the outside) You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well. (daddy note: Hey! That's my daughter you're talking about! ;)  )

Until next time!

20 weeks!

We're half way there!  I cannot belive how time is flying.  Not much new to report with me.  I'm still having good days and bad days, though I feel like the good days are coming more and more.  The heat is killing me and I'm SO thankful I'm not "huge" yet because I know that would be so much more miserable. 


Baby still nameless.  Here are our thoughts on names.  We have it narrowed down to 2 that we both like and both first names go nicely with both middle names.  We needed help deciding on which names to use but we didn't want other people picking a name based on what THEY liked best.  We want her name to "meant to be".  So, we put each name on a piece of paper and have been letting friends and family pick a piece of paper without knowing what actual name they were picking.  We feel that whatever she is meant to be named will get picked the most.  Agree or not, that's the plan.  As of right now we have a pretty clear winner for this first name but the middle names are tied.    Not sure how we are going fix that.


She has been moving like crazy.  I've felt her everyday since the first time.  She seems really low but I don't know how low she really is.  I'm anxious for the day Levi can feel her too!


I think I have decided on a theme for her room.  It's kinda hard to explain but I'm thinking of a shabby-chic/grarden/old farm house look.  I've found a crib that I like that has a distressed look to it and I know it will be easy to fix other furniture to "match".  The bedding is ordered and I'm excited to see it in person!  I will post pictures when it comes in. 

Here is the crib.  I actually saw this crib on a friend's blog and thought it was cute.  Then I saw the actual crib in a little boutique here in town and thought it was cute.  It wasn't until I got a broushure and saw this picture that I relized it was the same crib from the blog! 


Here is how Baby S is doing this week (it's kinda a boring one this week...sorry):
Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. She's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against her torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of her head to her bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, she's measured from head to toe.)
She's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for her digestive system. She's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in her bowels, and you'll see it in her first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

Where We are Today

So, if you haven't heard by now WE'RE HAVING A BABY!  Baby Sleeper will be joining our family in the flesh in November and we could not be more excited.  I am already 19 weeks along so there is much to catch up on.  If you know me, you know I'm a "just give me the facts" kind of girl and what better way to do that than with....bullets, of course!  So here is where we stand as of today on the baby front (again, in no particular order):

• Baby Sleeper is a nameless little girl
• We have it narrowed down to 2 names.  My number 1 is Levi's number 2 and his number 1 is my number 2.  We have a plan though :)
• Just this week I have been starting to feel her move...sometimes quite a bit.
• We found out we were pregnant in the beginning of March.  I took a HPT on Thursday morning the 3rd and was +, another on Friday morning and it was also + (duh, right!) so I called the Dr. at my conference time on Friday.  They told me to come in on Monday for blood work and by Wednesday they were calling to tell me "Yep, you're pregnant!"
• I have been getting "morning" sick since the week after Spring Break.  It is definitely getting better but I still have days where I don't feel like getting off the couch for fear of standing up and not making it to the bathroom.  Like if I just don't move everything will stay put.
• But I also have great days when I can go all day without getting sick (or having to take my Rx nausea meds).
• I've started on some registries, with the help of many mommies, but they are all still works in progress.  Hopefully I will be all finished (at least like 99%) before school starts because I know there will be no time or energy to do it after.
• I have some ideas on how to decorate her room...though it is a bit tricky because all my ideas look better with painted walls and as we are in a rent house we can't paint...though I am thinking about trying to sweet talk the owners :)
• We have been reading to her every night for about a week now.  I went to the library and checked out some good books and I also went up to school and stole my favorite books out of my classroom library.
• We, and everyone else who knows her, are still wondering how Rylee will react when Baby comes home and takes the place of center of attention.  It will be interesting that's for sure.
• I've found a number of great websites but I think the one I like best is www.babycenter.com.  Here is what they say is going on with Baby this week:
• Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.
  Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

Until next time friends!  I will be trying to post at least every week with updates on how Baby is growing.  Stay tuned!

Changes...they are a comin'....

...and many have come and gone!  We are coming up on a year since my last post and that my friends is unacceptable.  With our biggest change coming I have committed myself to being better about updating.  So for a quick update on the past year here are some catch up bullets (in no particular order):

• the school year has come and gone.  I had a pretty good class this year.  In place of the discipline problems of the past I had about 4 kiddos that needed me a little more than the rest and in the end I think we got them all worked out.
• Rylee turned a whole year old!  She has been such a delight to us.  She can give the silliest, meanest, and sweetest faces in the matter of minutes.  She had a little birthday party with puppy cupcakes and ice cream.
• Levi has been traveling all over for work; Vegas, Bahamas, New Orleans.  He has also been doing some flying for and with another sweet couple and they have been a real blessing to us.  And of course when the storms roll in, he cloud seeds.
• and of course our BIG change is that we are adding a new member to our family!  Baby Sleeper will be here in November so be prepared for this blog to be all baby all the time starting very shortly!

Stay tuned for more Sleeper family news, updates and pictures!