To my son on his 1st birthday

Dear Dylan,
I can not believe how quickly a year has passed. I feel like it was just yesterday that your daddy and I found out we were pregnant. I had wanted a baby for what seemed like forever and felt so blessed to finally experience the joys of being pregnant and the miracle of life. Was I scared? Absolutely. But only of the giving birth part...not about actually being pregnant. I pretty much loved every minute of it as you will see when reading week by week what my pregnancy was like with you.

I wondered every day what color eyes you would have, what color hair you would have, would you look like daddy, would you look like me, would you love me as much as I love you, would I be a good mother? Your daddy and I still to this day are completely blown away by the miracle of YOU! You lived for a full 9 months inside my belly and grew from the size of a sesame seed to the size of a small watermelon. Can you believe that? It is an absolute miracle that I can never truly explain. All I know is that I am so very blessed to have had a healthy, such wonderful son like you. You are by far the best thing that has happened to daddy and I. We love you more than I could ever put into words.

You have made me want to become the best mom I possibly can be. I was there the day you smiled for the first time, the first time you rolled over and the first time you giggled. I will always be there for you, no matter what. I am such a proud mommy. You have come so far and learned so much in your first year of life and I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to see what comes next or to hear you say "mommy" or to hear you tell me you love me. I PROMISE I will cry the first time you say "I love you mommy."

I love you my sweet baby Dylan. You are our little baby boy, our little "junior", our little "murph", our little blueberry.

With all my love,
Mommy

Little Blueberry's Arrival

Well hellooooo....so sorry it has taken me oh so long to write Dylan's arrival blog entry. I can't believe how much time you think you're going to have compared to how much time you ACTUALLY have for yourself to do things like email, cook, clean and write blog entries. However, little Murph is resting so peacefully next to me right now and I'm finally feeling like myself again and into a semi-routine here at home.

Well, Dylan finally arrived on Friday, February 6th at 9:38 PM. He weighed 8 lbs 9 oz and was 22 1/2 inches long! The delivery went well, but not as I had anticipated or wanted...(does it ever go how you want it to go)? What I mean by that is that I had figured I'd be at the hospital for the majority of my labor. NOPE...I was home with Aaron fighting through the bulk of my contractions on our own. Here's the story...we went into the hospital Friday morning at 2 am after me having started contractions Thursday morning at 2 am. The bad contractions didn't start until about 7 pm on Thursday night, but by 11 pm they were horrible and by 2 am on our way to the hospital I was crying during them. So we get to the hospital, they hook me up to the monitors and tell me that YES I am having contractions but they are not close enough together and I was yet dilated AT ALL. I couldn't believe it. They actually told me that they thought I was having false labor. How could that be I thought...I'm 3 days late, I'm crying during my contractions, can't talk during them and am barrelled over in pain???? So Aaron and I make our way back home. I honestly can't believe I survived the night. I was having contractions every 6 minutes or so, cried during every one of them while gripping onto either Aaron's hand or the bed post. It was torture. But the nurse told me not to call or go in until my contractions were 4 minutes apart and had been for 2 hours. YEAH RIGHT! by noon on Friday I thought I was going to have the baby at my house. The pain was now moving down my back and I couldn't stand, yet the nurse still thought I was having back labor. She actually had me go into the doctor's office vs. the hospital?? really? yes. When I got to the doctor's office the nurse said "maybe you really are in labor?" YOU THINK? I was so upset. The doctor checked me and I was finally dilated, 4 cm to be exact. I got down to the hospital about 3 pm, had the epidural about 5 pm when I was about 6 cm dilated and had my water broken by the doctor right after. Once I had the epidural it was smooth sailing until 9 cm came. I then started feeling the contractions quite a bit and baby's heart beat started dropping. I won't get into too much detail because everything went fine and Dylan is here and healthy but there were a few scares and the pushing portion was just not what I thought. I didn't think I'd have to push so hard and quickly, but I did because they needed to get Dylan out. The umbilical cord was around his neck which was making his heartbeat drop :( so sad. But all is good. He's here and he's perfect! My mom, sisters and Aaron were all in the room. Yes, I know...we're a close family! They witnessed the whole thing. Aaron was absolutely amazing and did so good. He didn't freak out or get grossed out by anything. I was shocked. Not to mention I was getting sick the entire time I was pushing and he still didn't get sick :) haha. Our time in the hospital was much needed and Aaron stayed with me the entire time.

So overall, things are going very well. Definitely a complete adjustment, but each week gets better and better. He is growing so quickly and every day seems to change or do something new. Aaron and I are doing great! Aaron really adores Dylan and loves being a daddy. Herbie is also loving having a little brother. Surprisingly, Herbie is really good with him and always wants to cuddle with Dylan. Probably because he's oh so snuggly and warm. Dylan is now 6 weeks old! I promise not to wait so long before I write again. YES...I hope to write every month and keep you all posted on what new things Dylan is doing and will also post a new picture every month. Those of you not close by I'm sure will appreciate that!

Love to you all, Ali, Aaron, Dylan and Herbie

40 Weeks +1

Ok...I figured I'd write now and let you all know how today's appointment went vs. making you wait until Friday. I can't believe I forgot to ask the doctor how big my belly was measuring, but I did. I had way too much other stuff on my mind. Like why the heck I am still not dilated at all? Anyways, so all the usual stuff was fine (sugar, blood pressure, etc) and I gained 1/2 lb this week (probably the 1/2 lb that the baby gained). My doctor doesn't feel the need to let me go any later than next Wednesday if I haven't gone into labor by then. So...unless I go into labor on my own, Tuesday they'll do another ultrasound at 3 pm to ensure this baby isn't measuring too large. She thinks at that point he'll be about 10 lbs, assuming the ultrasound is accurate (plus or minus a little). Unless he's measuring astronomically large (which is anything larger than 10) she will let me go natural and only opt for a c-section if there are complications during labor or the baby just isn't making his way down. She likes to give everyone the chance to have a natural delivery whenever possible...which is fine by me, but I have to tell you all that I'm scared...scared to deliver that big of a baby naturally. Then Aaron and I will go back to the hospital Tuesday evening to have my cervix "ripened." Sorry everyone. I know that is a lot of information. What that means is that because my cervix is showing very little signs of being ready, they need to help get it ready through medications before actually inducing me on Wednesday morning. If they were to induce me on Wednesday morning without having "ripened" my cervix it would make for a very long and intense labor. Does all that make sense? Probably not...it didn't really to me. I just figure the doctor knows what she's talking about. Am I sad, scared, excited, happy, anxious? Yes, all of the above. I of course want to go on my own, which I still may. Maybe my original guess of 2/8 REALLY will come true!

Week 40

Well, I've made it to week 40, but our official due date is Tuesday the 3rd. I really hope I'm not writing another blog entry next Friday with the title Week 41 - yikes! I just want to meet the little guy and see who/what he looks like. Our doctors appt was on Wednesday this week and went well. Blood pressure and sugar are good, no weight gain this week, but my belly gained another 2 cm....now measuring 43 cm (3 cm large). I still am not dilated at all (although I know that can mean absolutely nothing) - boooo and the doctor was actually very nervous about the baby's size. She was actually throwing out numbers like 10-11 lbs. WHAT? So she decided to have an ultrasound done to get a better idea of the baby's weight...baby Katz is weighing in at a hefty 8 lbs 15 oz already. I know that estimate can be off, so I'm hoping they over estimated there. PLUS, he's still not here yet, so he's continuing to grow. Anyways, we'll see what she says on Wednesday if we still haven't gone into labor. Another bit of exciting news...today was my last day in the office for awhile. I'll work from home until he arrives, but it'll be nice knowing that I don't have to rush in the morning to get to work the week I'm due and can relax with my feet up doing work. So what else can I tell you??? What do you all want to know? How about you all just pray for me that I don't have to deliver a 10 lb baby :) ha. Until next week...will it be another mom picture? or will it be a baby picture?

Week 39

As promised here are a couple pictures of the baby's room thus far. We still have more to do, like put things on the walls, paint the toy box, book rack and side table that my dad built for us, but for now it's looking good. Cute huh! Our appt went well this week. Still not really much to report. My cervix is still closed, I'm 50% effaced, I gained 1 lb this week, blood pressure and sugar level is good and my belly is now measuring 2 cm large. Basically she said I should be measuring 39 cm (because I'm 39 weeks) but I'm measuring 41 cm. They don't get concerned unless it's mor or less than 2 cm, so we'll see where we are next week. As far as Aaron and I are concerned, we're both doing good. Keeping busy and trying to get more and more crossed off the "to do" list before baby gets here but of course resting as much as possible. I wish I could sleep more and be more comfortable when sleeping, but I've come to the realization that that's just not going to happen. But it's all worth it. I have to tell you, sometimes I honestly forget I'm pregnant and will look down at my still growing belly and think "holy crap...I could go into labor any second." It's a very very surreal feeling. I'm still feeling so many different feelings...I'm scared, I'm excited, I'm nervous, I'm anxious, but mostly I honestly just can't wait to see what/who he looks like. I know his features will change everyday for quite awhile but I really am just so excited to see him. Yeah!!! Oh, and I have to congratulate my girlfriend Liz and her husband Kevin. They had their baby (a girl - it was a surprise) on 1/18 and she is absolutely adorable. She was the last of my 3 girlfriends that were pregnant along with me to have her baby...it really is MY turn now! ahhhhhhhh. Let's see if I make it to a week 40 post :)

Week 38

Well, just a little over two weeks to go till my due date. However, if my initial prediction is accurate we'll have our little baby Katz on 2/8. Or maybe even later...maybe a Valentines Day baby? The doctor seems to think we're in it for the long haul though. My cervix is still completely closed :( but the baby is still in position. Who knows...I could go into labor tonight or 3 weeks from now. We'll let baby Katz call the shots on this one! The doctor also seems to think this little guy isn't going to be so little. She's predicting that he's mid 7's right now and that by the time I actually have him he'll be about 9 lbs. OUCH!!! Again...we shall see. I did gain 2.5 lbs this week though and I swear he's going to rip through my skin if he takes up anymore room in there. My sugar and blood pressure were great and my belly is measuring actually 1 cm large. She laughed at the shape of my belly today. She can't believe how "all belly" I am and laughed at the fact that when I laid down to have her measure me he must have pushed his back straight out because my belly looked like the cone heads :) haha. Anyways, I'm of course excited to meet baby Katz, but nervous at the same time and more anxious than anything. I sooooo badly want to see what he looks like, but want to throw up when I think about what my body is going to go through to meet him. ahhhhhh! Every woman must go through this at some point right? I know it'll all be ok, but WOW...what a thing to think about. Next appt is Thursday. We'll see what she says then.

Week 37

Wow, is the countdown on or what? 3 weeks remaining, or so we hope...I think :) However this past week I've definitely starting feeling him move his way down, or he was today at least. I tell ya, I think he was head butting me down there. Funny, but uncomfortable. And his little feet keep getting lodged into my ribs. I know it's good that I can feel him moving in there but it really is very uncomfortable lately...especially when sleeping. I can only lay on my left side and am barely getting any sleep at all. I know that's what I need to get used to, but I was really hoping for some sleep these last few weeks. We had our 37 week appt this week. Nothing new. Blood pressure, weight and baby's heartbeat are still looking great and NOPE, no dilation yet. I must say...these last few weeks are like nothing I've experienced before. I can't seem to think of much else besides the baby. What is he going to weigh? What and who is he going to look like? Is he going to have a lot of hair or none at all? We are both SO excited (obviously), but at the same time I'm having a lot of anxiety about the labor and delivery part of this whole thing. I know it's normal, but hopefully some of that anxiety will turn into pure excitement over the next few weeks. Our next appt is Friday of next week, we'll see if there's any progression, however if given the choice I may opt not to have the internal check done. NOT so comfortable. Sorry...again, that may have been a little too much information :) If you look close enough at my belly there appears to be a shadow on my left side...I honestly think that was the baby pushing on my side. Not to mention if you look close enough you can see the bright blue veins I have running all over my belly. It's crazy! Well...enjoy and we'll write again next week.

Week 36

Sorry...I know I'm posting this a couple days later than normal, but Aaron and I have been busy...not really, just catching up on things we won't be able to do as easy soon enough...like going to see a few movies, having dinner with friends, etc, etc. So I'm nearing the end of week 36 and start week 37 on Tuesday. Our next doctors appt is on Thursday which I'm very excited for. I know it won't be all that comfortable (since they'll be checking my cervix), but at least I'll learn something new about baby Katz. Last weeks appointment went fine, I've gained 3 lbs in the past 3 weeks (I'm up to 17 lbs), my blood pressure was great, but my sugar level was high?? Strange. Then over the past few days I started having blurred vision spells. I had one really bad one on new years eve, then another the next day, so I called my doctor on Friday. I had to go into the doctors immediately to have them check my blood pressure and sugar. Everything was fine. ugh! Who knows. But I am having other new "wonderful" things happen to me. I know I've told you all this before, but my bladder is OUT OF CONTROL. I pee all the time and sometimes it's so uncomfortable (because the baby is on my bladder) that I just want to cry. I've also been getting lovely shooting pains downstairs :) haha...I'm not laughing at the pain, I'm laughing at what I called it. Anyways, all is good. Can't wait to write and tell you where we're at next week.

Week 35

Holy Moly...this is the end of our 8th month, next week we'll be in the home stretch. Yikes. I'll have to start posting some pics of the baby's room so far for you all to see. It's a work in progress, but it'll get there. We need some things on the wall and some curtains, but it's looking very cute. We've actually decided to put up a chair rail and do the bottom portion white as it's looking a little too blue in baby Katz's nursery. And my dad is making a couple pieces for the baby's room, a small side table and a toy box...I can't wait until it's all done :) yeah. So big news...our friends had their baby girl on Monday. Emma Elizabeth, she's absolutely beautiful and such a little peanut. She'll soon have a friend to play with, and only 6 weeks apart or so. Let's see...what else...oh yeah, yesterday was Christmas. Merry Christmas! It was very very nice. We spent the day with my family and all our nieces and nephews...it was crazy to think that this will be our very last Christmas without baby Katz. Next year we'll be unwrapping gifts with our almost 1 year old son. WOW. Also, on Christmas morning I woke up with another braxton hicks contraction. It was crazy. Aaron couldn't believe how awkward my belly looked and how hard it was. It was pretty uncomfortable for the minute that it lasted and so weird to look at. We have our next doctors appointment on Monday which I'm actually looking forward to. I'm hoping they'll do something more than just check my weight and blood pressure. I want to hear something new!!!

week 34

Another week gone on the 40 week countdown. Crazy. So what can I tell you that's new this week. Not too much I guess. Baby has the hiccups as I write this blog entry and is stretching out the entire right side of my stomach. Can you believe that he is about 20" long right now (his full birth length). He'll only grow in weight from here on out, not height. It's absolutely amazing that a 20" long baby can fit inside this stomach right now. It just doesn't seem possible, but I guess that's why I feel him all day long. He must be stretching out constantly. Oh, and I had what I believe to be a braxton hicks contraction the other day. My stomach got soooooo tight. It was like someone was wrapping my belly in saran wrap. Not painful, just uncomfortable and it only lasted a couple minutes. And tonight I sit here...just me, the baby and Herbie in this treacherous snow storm. We're going to watch some type of holiday movie once I'm done typing, so I guess I better hurry up. Herbie is patiently waiting :) man, he's so cute. Oh, and that's why I'm in my PJ's taking pictures of my belly by myself. Something else you may all like (or maybe not) to know is that I have that dark line on my belly that some woman get when pregnant. It's not super dark, but it's there!!! Kinda strange. Our next doctors appointment isn't until the 29th. I'm kind of excited for it as I'm tired of simply getting weighed and my blood pressure taken. I really want them to do something else. Tell me something that I don't already know. Anyways, until next week...

Week 33

Well, not too much to say this week. Mom, dad and baby are all still doing and feeling well. We had our 33 week check up this week. Everything went great...so the doctor says. I have to tell you...the doctors at my practice are soooooo impersonal and are NOT giving me the attention I want our baby to have. I'm in and out (once they actually see me) in literally 4 minutes. A quick belly check, heart rate check and Q&A session if I have any. I know I should be greatful that everything is great and I'm in and out so quickly, but they're not even telling me what my belly is measuring or what the baby's heart rate is...just that it's looking great. ugh. So anyways...don't anyone get concerned (my doctor isn't in the least), but I only gained 2 lbs since my last visit 5 weeks ago....which are the 2 lbs our baby actually gained. I've gained 14 lbs to date. Let me tell you...I was VERY concerned when I got on the scale, but my doctor says we're doing just fine and that I should consider myself lucky and keep up the good work. I guess so right???? It made me feel a little better that she actually said my belly itself is measuring 1 cm large, so she wouldn't be surprised if we actually had an 8 lb/9lb baby. She said we're ALL baby in there and that's partially the reason I feel EVERY SINGLE little movement the baby makes. He goes crazy in there sometimes. It's actually uncomfortable at times, but still absolutely amazing. So anyways...things are going very well in the Katz household. We're looking forward to the holidays, seeing our friends and family and relaxing on our days off as much as possible. After the new year baby Katz could technically make his appearance at any time :) ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Week 32

Oh my goodness, is my bladder out of control or what. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I think I pee about 15-20x a day and 3 of them being during the midnight hours :( so obnoxious. And every time I cough, sneeze or laugh really hard I get super nervous that I'm just going to let it all go :) haha...I'm sure some of you just looooved that one! So only about 8 weeks left...can you believe it. After the holidays are gone it's really going to be right around the corner. Aaron and I are busy trying to get the baby's room organized along with trying to get our house baby ready...well actually people ready I guess. It's still slightly empty looking, but really getting there. We have our furniture in, we just need to get all the little odds and ends that really make it feel lived in. But quite honestly I'm really lagging on all that stuff and am totally ok with it. I'd much rather come home after work and relax vs. going out shopping after work for Christmas or house stuff. ugh. Well...enough about the house, more about the baby. He's still moving around like crazy. He's a little out of control I must say. His little feet and maybe hands keep getting lodged into my rib cage. It is sooooo uncomfortable. And the time of day when he's the most active is right around when I head to bed and about 4 am in the morning :( Please tell me that's not a sign as to what his schedule is going to be like when he makes his appearance?? Anyways...things are going great. We have our 33 week appointment next Thursday. We'll let you all know how that goes. Until next week...

31 weeks

OMG...we are ending week 31 and starting month 8 next week. I can't believe that in 2 months Aaron and I will have a teeny tiny person to take care of. How crazy is that? To think that Aaron and I will be responsible for the care of a 2 day old baby come February is simply insane to me. WOW!!! Any who...guess I better get used to the thought. It'll be here before we know it. So this week was a big one. This past Saturday was my baby shower, which was wonderful. Not only did we get a ton of great gifts for the baby, but it was SO GOOD to see everyone there. It had been a long time since I had seen many of my girlfriends, and the day just seemed to fly by way too quickly. Thank you all that were able to make it, Aaron and I really appreciate it! So let's see...what else? Well, yesterday was Thanksgiving and boy to Aaron and I have a lot to be thankful for...little baby Katz on the way and of course our beautiful new home. I kept thinking during dinner yesterday..."this is going to be the last thanksgiving dinner that I'm not worried about what our little one is doing." A scary, but wonderful feeling. So as you can see by my picture this week, I'm definitely getting bigger. Maybe still just in the belly, but definitely bigger. And don't worry about that small bruise on the side of my hip. I took a slight spill into my counter the other day. It completely caught me by surprise and I immediately started crying. It really didn't hurt THAT bad, but I think I was more scared than anything. Oh, and I think the baby has had the hiccups every single day since he started getting them and he's still moving around in there like a little gymnast. I was worried for a couple days there because he wasn't moving around as much as normal, but those days have passed. He's up to his old tricks :) ha ha. Well...until next week. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

Week 30

Lots going on this week! Last weekend was our birthing class, which was VERY informative. Not as graphic as I thought it might be, but probably more than Aaron thought :) haha! The labor nurse teaching the class went from signs of labor to postpartum (after the delivery) and bringing the baby home. She showed us 3 birthing videos and 1 csection video in which I cried like a baby each and every time the nurse brought the baby over to lay on the moms chest. Aaron learned ways in which he can help me through the laboring process, massage me and basically wait on me hand and foot :) We took the class with friends of ours, Liz and Kevin, which completely made the class all that much more fun. Then...for the first time this week the baby had the hiccups. 4x in 2 days! crazy. It ws so cute though. And what do I have today? MY SHOWER!!!!! Yeah. I'm so excited to see everyone there. There are going to be some people I haven't seen in over a year. And then next week we have our tour of the maternity unit in the hospital. It's all seeming very real now. ahhhhhh...Aaron and I are both very excited to start making the baby's room look like a real nursery. Right now it just kind of looks like a storage area with all the stuff laying around.

Week 29

Baby Katz and Mommy are doing great! I'm having indigestion and heart burn less and less, which is great. It was just figuring out what foods triggered it and staying away from them. It seems to be tomato based foods, coffee and chocolate. I'm also starting to sleep a little better. It's just figuring out what works for you I guess. So right now I'm sleeping with a pillow behind my back and under my belly/in between my legs. I tend to roll slightly on my back at night just leaning up against the pillow, but I gotta tell you...I don't think the baby likes that too much. He moves around like crazy when I'm anywhere near being on my back. Also, my bladder won't quit. I get up 3x a night to go to the bathroom and go all day at work it seems. It's so strange, but it'll come on all of a sudden...however, I think that's just the baby moving around in there and ending up pushing against my bladder. So the baby book says that little baby Katz could be as tall as 17 inches this week and up to 3 lbs. Amazing! Have I told you all what name we're thinking? Well right now the only name we can agree on is Dylan. Dylan what? We're not sure. We like Dylan Murphy, Dylan William, Dylan Michael, maybe even Dylan Aaron? We really have no idea. So Aaron is very very excited...wanna know why? Because we have birthing class this weekend :) Ha! Actually he is kind of looking forward to it, but I don't think he has any clue how graphic it's going to be. I already feel like it's right around the corner, but this is going to bring the reality of just how close we are to welcoming baby Katz into the world :) yeah!

Week 28

Well I am officially in my 3rd trimester (7th month)! Crazy huh. I can’t believe it. I don’t think I’ll ever be one of those pregnant mommies that say “just get this baby out of me.” I think it’s coming way too quick and to be quite honest with you all…I’m started to get a wee bit scared, OK a lot scared. Mainly of the actual labor and delivery. Anyways, we had our 28 week doctor’s appointment in which everything went very well. I had to drink the glucose drink to test for gestational diabetes…that came back negative, however my iron level was a bit low. Haven’t heard whether or not I need to do anything about that yet or not. Mom and baby are measuring just right and mommy has gained 12 lbs to date. Doctor says I’m right on target, so don’t anyone worry about only gaining 12 lbs so far. Baby’s heart rate was 128, which is normal, my blood pressure was normal and I got the flu shot, OH and Aaron got to hear the baby’s heartbeat for the first time. So sweet. So I guess that’s it for now…until next week…

Week 27

Anyone ever have indigestion? Well I hadn't until now. That's why I had no idea what it was until someone at work said (after me explaining to them that I want to vomit everynight when I lay down) that I may have indigestion. Apparently the tomato based foods that I'm eating aren't agreeing with me right now :( SO sad about that, since I mainly make foods that have crushed tomatos in them or pasta sauce or something. But that horrible feeling in my stomache/throat was keeping me up at night. And not only tomato based stuff, but coffee has been doing it to. Not sure what other foods won't agree with me, but I'll let you know. Also...not sure if those pains I mentioned I was having in my chest are actually heartburn? I have also never had heartburn before but people at work are saying maybe that's what that is? Who knows? All I know, is it is super duper uncomfortable and I hate it. I'm also not sleeping very well lately. Over the past week it just continues to get worse and worse. My hips are absolutely killing me. Not being able to sleep on your stomache or back is the pits. I'm trying a bunch of different pillow methods so pray for me that I'll find something that works. I really need to get my sleep at night. It's draining me and stressing me out. OK enough of all the bad news...how about some good news? Well look at the picture...isn't the baby bump getting even cuter? I gotta tell you...this baby can move. He kicks and squirms ALL day and night long. Aaron noticed my belly lopsided last night. It was so cute. I think his bum (not Aaron's) was completely pushed out to one side - maybe it was his head. That's not the first time that's happened, but the first time Aaron has actually seen it. Too cute. Well, we have our follow up doctors appt next week on Wednesday. That's where I have to do the sugar/diabetes test, get weighed again, probably will get the flu shot and hopefully get a lot of questions answered by my doctor. I'll fill you all in next week on what she has to say! Happy Halloween!

Week 26

Next time you're browsing through the meat department, pick up a 2 lb chuck roast. No, not for dinner, but to see just how big baby Katz is this week :) ha. That's how week 26 starts out in our "what to expect" book. Can you believe baby Katz is roughly 2 lbs this week and roughly 14" head to toe? I'm still not really sure just how this baby is fitting in my belly, but I'm sure he's nice and snug in there. He's still moving around like crazy in there and definitely getting stronger. Those little punches and kicks are harder on mommy and I can actually see my belly move a little. I did end up going out last weekend and buying a few more maternity things, but still need a few more. And not sure if I mentioned it last week, but I am noticing myself getting more tired lately. Aaron and I are always busy and on the go, I actually forget sometimes that I'm pregnant and need to relax and take it easy. But good news...our baby furniture (crib and dresser) are being delivered tomorrow and set up! Yeah. Now I just need the bedding to start pulling the room together. If any of you are following my registry. You'll notice I had to register for a different bedding set, but I like it just as much. Take a look...www.rhbabyandchild.com

Well...nothing much else is new this week! Until next week...

Week 25

It's groooowwwing....and I officially wore my first pair of "maternity" pants this week. Good stuff! Those things are comfortable. I'm still holding onto a lot of my regular pants and using the belly band though, but I do really need to go out and buy myself some maternity clothes. It's slim pickings lately. So not too much new since last week. We started washing and hanging some of the baby's clothing we received from family and friends. I can't get over how small some of those little onsies are! Unbelievable. Our baby furniture came in too! Yeah. Oh, one quick note...we cancelled the baby bedding that we registered for at Restoration Hardware. They discontinued one of the pieces so now I have to find a new one :( what a bummer. I'll keep you all posted as to where we register for our bedding. OH, actually, there are a couple new things to tell you all. My girlfriend who's also pregnant and I started prenatal yoga this week. We figured it would be a nice thing to do together and get our body stretching in the ways it needs to...haha. Aaron and I also signed up for a birthing class that we'll be taking in November. I'm actually very excited about it. I think it'll be a good reality for Aaron and I in terms of what the labor and delivery will be like. I feel like it's just around the corner and it's starting to freak me out. The only other thing I can tell you this week is that I'm starting to get these really uncomfortable pains in my belly button. I t feels like baby Katz is trying to poke through with a sharp pencil - OUCH!!! It lasts for about 15 minutes and then goes away. I'm also having a ton of pressure in my lower belly. Who knows...maybe it's the baby sitting on my bladder, but man it's a strange feeling. And the last thing I can tell you is that we've started looking into daycare and man oh man is it expensive. Absolutely unbelievable. We are taking a tour of 1 place next week and have a few more that we want to check out. Soooooo much to do before that little one arrives, but it's all good/fun stuff. Check back next week. I'll probably be twice as big as this week!

Week 23 & 24

I can not believe we're in our 6th month and ending week 24. Time is going by way too fast :( So as you can see, my belly is growing, maybe not quite as fast as it should be, but the doctor's don't seem worried. I will most likely be clothes shopping this weekend since the clothes fitting me these days are few and far between. Wearing the same pants all the time just doesn't seem right OR sanitary! ha. So Jamaica was fun. VERY relaxing - just what I needed. I wish I could have posted a picture or two from there but our camera broke on the 2nd day and I haven't received the pictures yet from my sister. I'll post one next week. It's cute - Aaron's in it too. And I swear, I WAS tan, but it's fading very fast. So let's see...what is new with baby Katz...well the book says he's outgrown the fruit stage and now get's measured in inches, so he's just over a foot long and weighs about 1.5 lbs! Aaron and I met with the fetal medicine specialist this morning. My OB wanted to triple check with him that I didn't need to take any precautions throughout the rest of the pregnancy. To be on the safe side and because it won't harm the baby he's putting me back on aspirin (a baby aspirin), once a day up until 36 weeks in case I go early and then immediately following the birth. Throughout pregnancy and right after is when it's common for woman (especially in my case) to develop blood clots, so he wants to reduce that risk with the aspirin. :( booooo. Otherwise, we're doing great and feeling great. Except for the chest pain I get at night. I think it's the weight of my growing breasts (not really that big though) that press together my ribs or something while laying on my side. It's really painful, but goes away as soon as I lay on my back...which is something I'm not supposed to do. My hips hurt too from having to lay on my side all night, but I'm ok with that...little baby Katz is too damn cute to care. Well...that's it for now. Miss you all!