To My 27th Year: Monthly Follow-Up

So much for posting even a few times through the Hopes and Plans link-up. This month has been crazy and I had intentions of blogging on Mondays, but the free time just didn't present itself. Due to that I decided that I want to commit to writing a follow up to my post To My 27th Year the first Monday of each month. I hope that I'm able to follow through for the whole year, so I can look back and see how I've done.  I'm already happy about my first month!  Since I'm linking up, go check out Amanda's blog Marry Mint :)

Here's to the September of my 27th year...

1. Use Less Technology - This is my most successful goal so far, but I failed to turn off my devices by 9pm.  I may have even reverted a little because my phone has been near me a bit more.  I haven't brought my phone into our bedroom though, so that's a win!  I'm going to try and have my phone off between 8:30-9pm and then once I get the hang of that I'll start limiting my iPad time.  I know it helps me wind down and relax at the end of the night, but I'm hoping to do a lot more crafting while we watch TV since Christmas is right around the corner!      

2. Bake My Little Heart Out - This month was not as good as last month for baking.  I did make the Pumpkin Banana Chocolate Chip muffins again.  I was able to pass some along to friends and bring them to a get-together with John's family, but a few still didn't get eaten.  I think it's safe to say I need to bench that recipe until next year.  My mom gave me a pumpkin cookie recipe that I might try this month.  I have all the ingredients currently so I have no excuse.  As far as the apples from last month I was able to share a lot of them with family and friends (my mom made applesauce), but I still haven't used any of mine.  The few that looked bad fed the squirrels outside if that counts :)  Maybe I'll make something fall-themed in the next few weeks and hand it out with our leftover Halloween candy.

3. Take Advantage of Snail Mail - We did well on this one too!  We've written to eight people so far on my list (some of them more than once).  We haven't had any art time recently but I hope to get some in this week.  He picked out some Thanksgiving crafts at Michaels, so I look forward to getting creative with those.  Kai has actually gotten some mail back from his letters to which is probably more fun for me than it is for him.  I'm also thinking about Christmas cards.  If I want to get them done it should probably be soon...  we'll see. 

4. No Picking - I don't know if this will be accomplished within my 27th year. Argh.

5. Church - No change :(  We were all planned and ready to go Saturday, but I was so sick.  I'm just going to keep praying that the opportunity to go is wide open and we don't have any other plans infringe on it or overlap with it.  Otherwise maybe we'll have to try and start going Sunday morning.  Kai and I are usually already up. Here's to November... 

6. See a Friend - This one we've done well on. I tag-teamed Ikea with our wonderful friend Anna who has a little gal named Emma, went for a walk with our friend Katie, saw my friend Amy whom I haven't seen for over a year, hung out with Michelle more than once and had two baby showers where I saw friends.  It was a wonderful month for friends!  I think this month my goal is to see one friend on a weekend/evening without Kai.  I rarely get time for myself and that sounds pretty wonderful. 

7. Go Walking/Exploring - We have gone on a couple walks, but we haven't explored anything new this month.  Kai did get to carve a pumpkin for the first time and loved it!  We went to the apple orchard again.  Last week we went home to be with my family for an overnight and Kai got to ride in the combine with Grandpa Dan and that was an adventure for him!  His favorite book currently is about trucks/tractors, so he loved it.

8. Sew/Craft:  This month I made some cloth diaper inserts for some covers I purchased and a baby hat.  I didn't complete too many projects, but I started a bunch.  I have some hand warmers and a neck warmer in the works for a friend's mom, a t-shirt quilt and some more baby hats in the works.  I finished the biggest, most wonderful project yesterday with my sister.  We made a bench for the completely not kid friendly brick hearth. My brother-in-law made the wooden part and my sister and I did the foam and fabric.  I LOVE how it turned out!  Here's the tutorial we used as inspiration! I'm hoping to craft a lot in the next two months for Christmas!

9. Savor - I'm working on it everyday.  Sometimes I just sit and watch Kai take the world in.  It's the best feeling ever.  I love it!

If you live in Minnesota, what fun places have you been with/without kids?  How do you allow yourself to savor?    

Thanks for reading!  I'll leave you with one of my favorite pictures from the last month.  Sorry if there's errors in this post as I'm finishing Kai is yelling "mama" from his crib so no proofreading for me (again this month!) :)

One Month!

Happy One Month to you baby boy!  It's been a struggle some days, but boy do I love you! 

Height & Weight:  He weighed 7lb 13oz at three weeks and 8lbs 6oz the day after one month.  He's a big, growing boy :)  We don't have to go back to the pediatrician until two months, so I'll have some measurements next month.

Health:  The first week of Kai's life he dealt with high levels of bilirubin in his blood.  Bilirubin is the product in the blood that makes the yellow part of bruises.  Since pushing took me and the babe so long and he came out sunnyside up he had a huge bruise on his head.  Older people are able to process bilirubin, but newborns are not because their livers are underdeveloped.  If it's not taken care of it can cause numerous problems neurologically.  With that said he had an eventful first week.  He had blood taken at the hospital and then each day for three days after we were home to check his levels.  Poor guy had so many marks on his heals.  His levels were so high he had to have a "bili" blanket.  Poor little guy!  He was a champ and didn't mind it.  We worked hard together feeding/eating/staying on the light and got him off of it within 24 hours!  The home health nurse said that's phenomenal. Other than that Kai is a healthy little man!

Kai hooked up to his "bili" blanket.

Sleep:  Kai usually wakes up twice per night every 2.5-4.5 hours.  He is already sleeping in his crib, seems to like it better than the basinet. Thankfully he did so well with the transition because it helps me sleep so much better!

Diet:  Kai is a milk recovery expert (John's nickname after watching Gold Rush).  He is a wonderful eater!  Breastfeeding has not been easy at all, but I'll write an entire post about that :)

Clothes:  He is still wearing all newborn clothing.  It's amazing how tiny the clothing is.  We have no socks that fit him, they are like bags on his feet.  John had to go out to Carter's to pick up a few more outfits because we didn't have enough items that fit him in the beginning.  He is getting bigger though, so I think we'll be moving up in sizes in a few weeks!

Baby Gear Love:  He loves laying in his play gym, listening to the music and looking at the animals. (We have this one.)  I'm very thankful for that gift.  I have been using some Lil' Joey's infant cloth diapers on and off.  A friend lent them to us and they've been great.  It's been a nice, gradual step into cloth diapers.  I can't wait to start using our other dipes :)

Likes:  Snuggling on daddy's warm chest, singing/listening/dancing to music with mommy, his brother Comet, going for walks and making noise.

Dislikes:  Napping in his crib, waiting for food and when his mom takes too long giving him a bath. 

Social:  Kai is smiling at us!  It's such a wonderful feeling!  It's great to see him recognize our voices too.  He knows my voice and his daddy's voice.  He turns his head in the direction of the voices he's hearing.  He's been trying to mimic John's facial expressions as well.      

Milestones: He's smiling.  He follows objects with his eyes.  He can move his head back and forth while on his stomach.  He eats, sleeps and poops, which is typical newborn behavior :)

Nicknames: Boomer, Kai Bo, Baby Boo Boo, Milk Recovery Expert

thirty-nine weeks.

Date/How Far Along: August 19, 2013 = 39 weeks and 2 days.  Five days until our Guess Date and no more than nineteen days until Baby Hammar is here! 

Size of baby:  Baby Averages at 39 Weeks: 18.9-20.9 inches long and 6.2-9.2 pounds.  The site I've been using gives the same averages from last week until forty weeks.  He'll come out soon enough and we'll know how big he is.  The midwife that I saw on Friday said she estimated he was somewhere around high 6 lb to low 7 lb.  I'm an completely happy with that! 

Sleep:  Sleep is different night to night.  Last night seemed really great, but it could've been because I was up at 6:15 and didn't nap.  I am still having to pee at least twice per night and it's getting harder to pull myself up to sitting from laying down.  All too soon I'll be up every 2-3 hours to feed him, so it's good I'm getting partly used to waking up now.     

Total Weight Gain:  I didn't gain any weight at my last appointment, so still I'm almost up thirty pounds total.  I have another appointment Thursday if we go that far, so we'll see then.  Apparently it's not unusual to lose weight right before delivery.   

Symptoms:  We were almost ready to start timing contractions last night.  We went for a walk and I had three strong surges, but still that would only put them about twenty minutes apart.  Our regular walking path is two miles and it now takes me an hour to waddle around the whole thing.  I started experiencing an extreme pressure in my pelvic area too.  I was scared and excited all at the same time.  During/after our walk my body continued to feel like I was getting my period.  I had a few contractions after I got home and John even commented that with one I was standing in the position he had read about (leaning on a chair a little hunched over).  We were so hopeful!  I took a bath and we both went to bed.  Nothing and now I'm sitting at work while Miss B is napping writing my 39 week blog.  So nothing yet.     

Movement:  He has slowed down during some parts of the day.  He usually naps after I have lunch, but he's very active after I eat supper.  He is still so strong and the movements lower in my abdomen are crazy hard.  In the tub last night it looked like I had an alien in my stomach or something.  It's such a miraculous event to watch for me.  It's probably one of the (only) things I'll miss about being pregnant :)

Maternity Clothes:  Yup.  It's a bummer too because some of the athletic clothes that I've been relying on are just plain too tight and uncomfortable now.  I finally started wearing a different pair of pants to yoga just last week because my Nike capris were getting too tight.  I guess I should be pretty happy I made it until 38.5 weeks in pre-pregnancy pants.  I'm still wearing pre-pregnancy yoga pants today too.  I'm hoping they shrink back down after he comes out because I love these ones.

Go-to eats:   I can't say I've had too many strong cravings.  I'm still remembering how good my salad was at Cheesecake Factory and on Saturday night John and I went to El Loro to eat spicy Mexican food to try and coax the baby out :)

Best moment/s of the week:  It was a slow/relaxing week.  My family came on Saturday to help us paint the exterior of our house (yes, at 39 weeks we painted the outside of our house), so it feels great to have that done.  I went on a walk with a friend on Friday and that was nice too.  Yesterday John and I did a lot of relaxing, which was so good for both of us.   

Hardest moment/s of the week:  I'm still sometimes discouraged with labor signs that seem to lead no wear.  Last night's episode of false labor was the hardest.  I just hope he's ready and he comes soon, even though it's just as likely that he comes the week after his due date.

Gender:  Our little boy will be here SO SOON!

What I wish people knew:  It's hard when people keep saying "He'll come when he's ready."  (Please don't feel bad if you've said this to me!)  I understand that logically, but it's very hard to find comfort in that when I feel as crummy as I do.  He will come when he's ready and I'll be happy when it's time!

What I’m looking forward to:  Having this baby!  (This category is not going to change until he comes!)

Milestones:  You are preparing for birth!  Bring it on babe!  I'm ready when you are, so is your daddy!

 

Week 22 and Week 38.5

To check out my growing bump click here :)

A Letter to My Little One

Dear Sweet Baby Boy,

You were wanted before you were ever conceived!  Your daddy and I have dreamed of having little ones of our own someday and we're so thankful to be so close to meeting you!  We will do our very best to care for you, teach you, laugh with you, cry with you and love you.  You are already so loved little guy, so loved!  I don't want you to ever forget that!

Just so you know, you have the most incredible big brother and I hope you grow up thinking that!  He is going to smother you with kisses and love.  We are pretty sure he'll be very protective of you and he will allow you to crawl all over him if you will share your toys.  He can't wait until you're big enough to play fetch and go on walks with him.  As you get older we know he will be able to teach you what love is.  He loves your daddy and I no matter what.  I'm sure you'll love seeing him when we come home from places because he's always excited to see us.  I know you're already used to his barking because you've heard it a lot while you've been living in your baby palace inside me.  We can't wait for you to meet Comet!  You will love him!  I hope you guys are best friends :)

The next person I want to tell you about is your daddy.  He is the best.  He is elated that you're coming, dubing you The Dragon Warrior from the beginning.  I'm sure you both will have many viewing parties of Kung Fu Panda, it's one of his favorites.  I hope you grow up thinking he's a superhero because he totally is.  He works really hard for our family and that's why I get to stay home with you after you come.  He is very smart and he'll teach you what he knows and learn with you the things he doesn't know.  There are times when he will have you laughing and not even remembering what you're laughing about.  He hopes that you like hockey as much as he does so you can share that bond, but I promise there's no pressure (well maybe a tiny bit).  He likes to rub my belly and talk to you and you always respond, so I know you know his voice.  He talks about how excited he is to snuggle you and show you new places and things.  As we were walking yesterday he was talking about babywearing you around our usual path.  You will always have a special place in his heart as his firstborn.  He can't wait to experience life through your eyes.  I bet you'll be just as handsome as he is!

Lastly, there's me, your momma.  I can't really begin to explain how it's been to carry you for the past 39 weeks.  You truly are a blessing to me and it has been a priviledge to help you grow.  I hope to continue to help you grow and to nurture you after you make your debut into the world.  It has been emotional to be pregnant, but I would never trade that for getting you in the end.  I love to feel you kick and move and respond to my voice or touch.  I can't wait to snuggle you in my arms.  I hope you love to snuggle and Comet will be thankful I'm not forcing him to snuggle all the time.  I can't wait to witness all your "firsts" from yawn to hiccups to words to steps to solid foods.  It's just so incredible to me that your daddy and I get to be there for all of your accomplishments and even your disappointments.  Please know that I will always love you no matter what.  I will promise to be always be in your corner even if it doesn't seem like it.  You are my firstborn.  I love you.

 
Sweet babe, remember that daddy and I will always love you no matter what.  We will be here for you to the best of our abilities.  We can't wait to watch you experience new things and grow to have preferences.  We want to love you and take care of you.  We thank God every day for you sweet boy and pray that you grow up knowing Him and following His plan for you.  Hope to meet you so soon!

Love, Momma   

thirty-eight weeks.

Date/How Far Along: August 12, 2013 = 38 weeks and 2 days.  Twelve days until our Guess Date and no more than twenty-six days until Baby Hammar is here! 

Size of baby:  Baby Averages at 38 Weeks: 18.9-20.9 inches long and 6.2-9.2 pounds.  The site I've been using gives the same averages from last week until forty weeks.  He'll come out soon enough and we'll know how big he is. 

Sleep:  I feel like I haven't had to pee quite as much in the past week.  I am usually up twice, but it's rarely over three times per night.  I'm having more trouble finding a comfortable position to sleep in at this point.  The bump is just hard to work around.  I took a few naps last week and that helped to give me a bit more energy, but it doesn't usually change the time I'm ready for bed. 

Total Weight Gain:  I was at 162.4 at my appointment last Friday, so almost 30 pounds totally.  I'm still not experiencing much if any water retention so that feels good.  The nurse I always see continually comments on my ankles.  I should really tell her thank you for the boost in my mood whenever I hear her compliments :) 

Symptoms:  I felt a little off yesterday.  I've been having more cramping that doesn't feel like contractions, but I'd like to think it's a sign of early labor.  I'm just ready to birth this little guy.  I still have regular stabbing pains in my groin area/pressure down there that feels like the baby might fall out, so that's pleasant especially out in public.  Thankfully I haven't had anyone ask what's wrong while I'm half squatting with my legs flexed in the middle of Cub foods.    

Movement:  It hasn't changed a bit as far as intensity.  He only slows down when he's napping.  I've been feeling more and more movement down lower in my pelvis though.  My whole family was over on Friday night for pizza and he decided to be really active for them which was so much fun.  They were surprised how strong he is.  Hannah and Caite didn't really take their hands off my stomach for a half hour, even Caleb and his girlfriend Jessi felt him.  I love when other people experience what I get to feel on a daily basis.  It'll be so much fun when my siblings have little ones of their own.  

Maternity Clothes: Nothing more to say that yup :) and I have no shame. 

Go-to eats:   I satisfied my Alfredo craving last week and it was delicious!  I haven't really wanted anything specific lately.  I've just eaten our normal foods.  I did take out some ravioli for supper tonight.  I've read that carbo-loading for labor and delivery just like I did for the marathon is a good idea, so I'll probably try to have a few extra Italian meals over the next few weeks.   

Best moment/s of the week:  Great yoga last Wednesday.  Spending Friday with my mom.  She cried at my midwife appointment when she heard his heartbeat :)  While we were at Target a lady with an eight week old and I got to exchange compliments.  It was reassuring to me to see that she honestly looked thin and great for two months postpartum!  The rest of my family joined us for supper at our house on Friday night and that was great.  We all got to meet Erin and Ryan's new pup Charlie.  Yesterday John and I had a wonderful, relaxing day together.  We had Cheesecake Factory for lunch and took Comet on a four mile walk.  It has been a great week! 

Hardest moment/s of the week:  Dealing with pre-labor symptoms that really seem to mean nothing as far as a timeline, but at least they mean we're moving in the right direction. 

Gender:  We're having ourselves a little man!

What I wish people knew:  We're still so thankful for support.  We're thankful for family and friends who we know will be there if we need anything after the babe is born.  We're lucky to have such an incredible support system. 

What I’m looking forward to:  Having this baby!  (This category is not going to change until he comes!)

Milestones:  You are preparing for birth!  Bring it on babe!  I'm ready when you are, so is your daddy!

   

To check out my growing bump click here :)

Mother's Day

Today is my first Mother's Day.  The first one that isn't just about my mom, my grandmas, my mother-in-law, it's about me too.  I'm included in the group of women who call themselves mommas. I'm not 100% sure about how I should feel, but I know I have emotions surrounding the day just like any other first for me in life.  I just read a blog I follow and she brought another great point into the mix.  (Feel free to check it out)  It might be just a day to some people, but espcially this year it's significant to me. 

Today will be fun.  We get to go to a Twins game and sit in the party deck because John's job rented it out for today's game.  I will never complain about free food and a free Twins game.  John said if I'm up for it we could maybe go get sushi later too (Second indulgence, check out this blog post :)  If John wakes up sometime soon we might even take the dog for a walk around my favorite path.  I want to remember the day, soak it in and enjoy. 

There is more to today than fun and relaxation and special treatment.  I get to be a momma.  The thought just sends warm fuzzies to my heart and it makes me free SO blessed.  I send prayers up everyday thanking God for creating my body to do the incredible task of making a child (Shoutout to John for his help. Couldn't have done it without him :).  I feel so lucky to feel this babe kick and squirm in his little baby palace everyday.  I am so thankful that it only took us a few months to conceive.  My heart aches for couples who have tried and tried.  In a few months I'll get to experience labor and delivery and this little guy is my finish line.  I've gotten awards and medals before, but this prize is be the most incredible.  My motherly instinct is already in full force.  I am very defensive when people try to tell me what will work best for this or that.  He's mine (ours) and he is already so loved.  I will do my best as his momma.  I know I'll make mistakes, but I will apologize for them and try my best to do better in the future.  He is my little love bug and I cannot wait to meet him.

So I want to send a Happy Mother's Day out to all the mommas out there, from those who are pregnant to those who have taken up grandmother duty :)  I pray for those who are trying and hope to one day experience their first Mother's Day.  I know I'll be thankful for taking this little time to reflect on what a wonderful blessing it is to be someone's mom. 

My momma and me.  Christmas 2012.

Our Twenty-Week Ultrasound

I had this on my list of events I wanted to blog about, but it's taken a while to process (still processing some parts).  It was such a fun day, well couple of days, but it went by so fast and I don't want to forget anything!

John took a half day and brought me Erbert and Gerberts for lunch.  I'd never had it before, but it was tasty!  Sometimes food brings such joy to my life.  It's the simple things I guess.  We ate lunch together while watching Hawaii Life, a new show on HGTV where people are buying properties in Hawaii.  With the nasty weather we've been having we had to escape somehow.

First we had our appointment with the midwife.  We were scheduled with Aszani this time.  I really like her, so I always like going in to see her.  We had to wait for a little while in the waiting room, so we were playing games on our phones and I was singing quietly along with the waiting room tunes.  John was laughing at me because I didn't know most of the words to the song that was playing.  We got called back and the nurse took my blood pressure and asked all the questions she usually does and gave me my 24 week packet with lots of info in it.  After she was finished we met with Aszani and heard the heartbeat.  She had a hard time finding it because the babe was so active.  She finally found it and said that it was around 140 bpm.  (Another sign it would be a boy.)  We finished by making our next appointments at reception and went over to the ultrasound building.  I had to walk slowly and probably had a bit of a waddle because I had to drink so much darn water and not pee before the ultrasound.

We got there twenty minutes early and actually sat in the waiting room thinking we might just find out if the babe was a boy or girl because we just couldn't wait until the next day.  Thankfully our ultrasound technician came out early, so we didn't have anymore time to think about it.  She asked us right away if we wanted to know the gender and we explained our plan to do a gender reveal cake.  She said that was very popular and we got started right away.  Looking at our baby on the screen gave me chills and I know I was a little teary because he (we waited until Saturday) looked so perfect.  His heart was beating so strong.  The baby wouldn't move around much while she was trying to get all the photos she needed.  She said he was nestled comfortably right between my pelvic bones.  It was so fun to look over at John just gazing at the screen.  He's already such a proud daddy.  He's going to be so wonderful for our little one.  The tech told us to look away a few times so she could try to figure out the sex.  At the end she came back with a white envelope that said "Gender :)" on it.   John said he talked to the tech while I was out of the room and she said that everything looked great and that the baby was right on track.  I have a phone app called My Chart and she said all the ultrasound results would be posted there, but probably not until the end of the next week.  She said he looked great so we had no worries!

We had a lazy time getting back home.  We went to Half Price Books and I found another Magic School Bus book.  I hope the baby likes them as much as I did as a kid.  After that we went to a cheese shop and got some great cheddars.  Target was our last stop to get cake supplies.  We picked up everything we thought Melissa might need to make our gender reveal cake.  We went home to pick up a pan and headed over to Mel's house to drop off the supplies.  We got Sawatdee for supper, one of our favorites.  I was giddy all night waiting to find out and so excited for the next day I woke up at 6am.  We had to try and relax until Melissa was ready for us to pick up the cake.  We finally went over there around 2pm and I had to hold it all the way home (about 1 hour and 15 minutes!)  John and I got to spend time relaxing with our families and then had pizza.  Finally it was time for the cake!  (Click here for a full post about finding out!) Baby Hammar is a boy and we are pumped :)

Fast forward a few days, to the Wednesday after.  My phone had died while I was at yoga and I hadn't plugged it in.  I made lunch and finally thought about charging it.  I turned it on and it had a message from a number I didn't recognize.  It was our midwife Aszani calling from her cell phone wanting to talk to me about the ultrasound results.  She said it was nothing to be alarmed about, but that we needed to talk.  I thought I should be in panic mode at this point, but I was oddly calm.  It was a weird calm though, stuck between feeling like I should panic and feeling emotionally shut down.  He's ours regardless of any "issues" he's facing.  I called her back and she told me about the presence of Bilateral Choroid Plexus Cysts in both hemispheres of his brain.  They are a very, very soft marker for Trisomy 18.  Note that there are NO other signs and everything else on the ultrasound looked fabulous.  I hate feeling on the spot and this was one of those times.  I didn't know what to say/ask and Aszani kept trying to reassure me that everything was most likely fine and that they just recommend doing a Level 2 ultrasound as a follow-up.  I got off the phone and called John.

We didn't want a Level 2 ultrasound at all, didn't even want another Level 1.  We wanted this pregnancy to be minimally invasive and we didn't want to take more precautions than necessary.  We wanted the baby to grow strong and healthy without lots of interventions.  I called Aszani back to ask if the Level 2 ultrasound would change the care the baby and I received.  She said no.  We could do a follow up Level 1 later on in the pregnancy to see if the cysts are still there, but even so it wouldn't change what they do for us.  It's important to say that in our research these cysts go away 99% of the time, some people live with them for their whole lives, some OBs aren't even telling pregnant mommas about them because it causes stress and worry for no reason.  I definitely worried for a few days about it, but have decided that worrying about it won't help our little guy.  He'll arrive cysts or no cysts and we'll will love him no matter what.  We plan to tell our midwives that we would prefer not to even do the follow-up Level 1 ultrasound if that is an option for us.  If it wouldn't change the care we'll get it makes no sense to put the baby through another one.  We'll just be praying this guy is as healthy as he can be.

Sorry this post got so lengthy.  I wanted it for my own record and maybe it will possibly help another new momma not to worry about this.  I'm sorry if it offended anyone as well that we don't want to do follow-up work.  We're making the decisions we feel are the best for our baby.  Thanks for reading!

Baby Hammar at 20 weeks, 6 days.

twenty-two weeks.

Date/How Far Along: April 22, 2013 = 22 weeks and 2 days.  Happy Earth Day!

Size of baby: Papaya. 

Sleep: I caved in a bought a Snoogle at Bed Bath and Beyond.  My favorite yoga teacher was raving about it at class and kept saying that even though it's expensive it is useful after pregnancy.  Her kids and husband use it now.  It is wonderful.  It honestly helps me get more restful sleep and my hips haven't been quite as sore when I wake up.  I move it from the couch to the bed everyday and John and Comet have even enjoyed it!  (Click here for photos :)

Total Weight Gain:  Maybe another pound since my midwife appointment.  I weighed myself this morning right after eating a big bowl of cereal though.  Who knows.

Symptoms:  The pinch in my back and general soreness.  I should probably add that I'm emotional most of the time.  Poor John, he's been so great in all of this.  I do feel bad when I'm crying and he just has to sit there until I'm done. 

Movement:  Oh so much!  He is very active in the morning, which John laughed is not a good thing for him.  I'm still so anxious for John to be able to feel him kicking.

Maternity Clothes: Mostly.  I can't remember the last time I wore regular jeans, maybe the end of March.  I am getting so much wear out of the maternity jeans and leggings I have.  It is just not fun to be uncomfortable, so I'm sticking to what feels good.  Thankfully so much of what is available for pregnant mommas is cute.

Go-to eats: Salad and cheese.  Pickles made a comeback this week.  

Best moment/s of the week:  There were so many great times this week!  My sister and her husband finally got to close on their house on Thursday and we're so happy for them.  We got to celebrate with El Loro on Thursday night.  They met a puppy yesterday that they are hoping to adopt, so we're crossing our fingers about that.  I got to try a new class at Blooma on Thursday and I was the only person that showed up due to weather, so it was just me and the teacher.  John and I got frozen yogurt and looked at baby clothes on Saturday.  When we got home from being out the mail had came and we got our first few cloth diapers!  I was excited!  (Here's the colors we got.)  Yesterday we had a picnic in the park while we played with Comet.  (Picnic included Cheetos, pickles, juice boxes and two Reese's eggs)  Such a wonderful week!

Hardest moment/s of the week:  The weather.  We got a ton of snow and it's the later part of April.  I can finally see the sun today, so I plan to enjoy it because there is supposedly more snow on the way.  Yuck.  Hearing there was something "not quite right" on the ultrasound.  Argh, modern medicine.  

Gender:  We're having a baby boy :)

What I wish people knew:  That sometimes I feel useless.  I know I'm making a baby and all, but I'm not supposed to use cleaning supplies, not supposed to lift, not supposed to reach, not supposed to paint, not supposed do this or that and blah, blah, blah. 

What I’m looking forward to:  I'm looking forward to a peaceful week and the possibility of a 60 degree day on Friday/Saturday.

Milestones:  You are developing sleep cycles.  You'll probably sleep between 12-14 hours a day.  I imagine that will be a little difficult for me once you're bigger and want to be awake at midnight or 3am.  I might not enjoy it then, but I look forward to it because that means we're getting closer to meeting you!

To check out my growing bump click here :)

twenty-one weeks.

Date/How Far Along: April 15, 2013 = 21 weeks and 2 days.

Size of baby: Pomegranate. (Erin you'll have to make a special trip over every Saturday to write for me :)

Sleep: The bump is continually protruding, so it is getting increasingly more difficult for me to sleep on my stomach.  I've taken to enjoying my left side mostly, but my left arm falls asleep, so I'm forced to roll over.  I'm thinking I'm in the market for a pregnancy pillow, but can't decide on which one. 

Total Weight Gain:  Total after 20 weeks and 6 days I had gained 10 pounds.  Puts me right where I need to be for the recommended weight gain.  I'm happy as long as the babe is getting what he needs.

Symptoms:  My abs have stopped being so sore, so the stretching that needed to take place must've happened.  My back still has a little pinch, but who knows if that's pregnancy related.  I'm overall doing great.  I can't complain!

Movement:  Lots.  Some days more than others.  At our ultrasound he was nestled right between my pelvic bones and didn't want to move much for the technician.  Hopefully he likes to snuggle once he's here too.

Maternity Clothes: Yup, nothing else is really that comfortable.  I can still fit into my regular t-shirts so that's fine, but I've been rocking my maternity leggings, maternity jeans or yoga pants.  I initially thought that most of my sweatpants would just stretch with me, but they actually hurt because they elastic is too tight.  Interesting tidbit of information I learned. 

Go-to eats: Salads.  I seriously can't get enough.  Cheese.  I was craving pickles the other day, but didn't actually eat any, so the feeling must have passed. 

Best moment/s of the week:  Our ultrasound and finding out that Baby Hammar is a boy.  It was so exciting to see the baby on the screen for 45 minutes.  I know I just stared in awe and I'm pretty sure I was a little teary.  I loved having John there too.  We got to see that everything was going well, that his heart was beating strong and he was growing.  Cutting the cake was a blast.  John is SO excited.  (Me too, but it was so cute to watch him.)  He was talking about how he's so excited to take him to Gopher hockey games once he gets older.  He is going to be such a great dad.  My heart just melted when he was talking about our boy.  So cute!  It was fun to watch my dad when we found out too.  He has four girls and one boy, so I'm pretty sure he is psyched for a grandson.  This babe is so lucky to be born into so much love!

Hardest moment/s of the week:  I had one day last week that was so emotional.  The day was hard then I spilled salad dressing everywhere (like on the walls and floor and everything), then I burnt my English muffin.  John came to the rescue, but later said he was having a hard time not bursting out with laughter.  It is hilarious now, but at the time I was not in too good of a mood.  I have also started to realize that I've gotten more uptight during this pregnancy (I was before too, not my proudest attribute), but I think it gets in the way of truly embracing the moment.  I'm going to work on it.  I need more dance parties, laughter and spontaneity in my life. 

Gender:  Baby Hammar is a boy.  Comet is going to have a little brother!  Click here for a more detailed post on how we found out :)

What I wish people knew:  My hormones are crazy, so cut me a little slack if I need it :) 

What I’m looking forward to:  My sister Erin and her husband Ryan are closing on their house on Thursday!  They've been waiting a while for this and I'm so happy for them to be able to own their own home.  It'll be a bit of a bummer because they're moving further away from us, but I'm excited anyway.  Erin is great at decorating so I'm sure their house will be so cute!

Milestones: The buds for your permanent teeth are forming and every as your growth slows all of your organs continue to develop.

To check out my growing bump click here :)

My Best Men and a Memory Log

My best men, John and Comet.  There could be another in my life, but we won't know until April.
Update 5.7.13:  Baby Hammar is a Boy!

I want to keep a list of activities/events/memories I do not want to forgot during this pregnancy.  This post is definetly for my own personal enjoyment/memory log, but feel free to read anyway :)

- John told me my baby belly is cute. 

- When we were at Motherhood Maternity last weekend John saw peepee teepees and had no idea what they were. We had a good laugh after I explained it. 

- This week (mid 15th) I finally stopped feeling exhausted. 

- Maternity clothes are really comfy, but can be crazy expensive so shop wisely.

- Remember that weight gain is a positive. 

- Cheese and romaine lettuce have been delicious. 

- The neighbors Allie and Rick are expecting three days before us. 

- Our friends Keri and Jeremy are expecting in June. 

- I've tried talking to the babe, but I feel silly. I won't quit trying.
- Coffee dates with Laura.  I'm going to miss her when she goes off to college.

- Being rubbed and loved on by Marley and Kendra.

- Lunch dates with Kate and Keri.

- Crazy dreams.  I've had one where John was no where to be found when I went into labor.  I had one where we decided to go on a dating show.  

- At week 15, day 4 I finally had some energy back!  I walked four miles that day.  My body was very upset, but I had the energy.

- Remember that pregnancy could be all about deprivation, but it's really about being safe and healthy.
- I love our family's excitment about the babe.
- I started sleeping with a pillow between my legs at 16 weeks.  I also feel like I am visibly pregnant now.
- Remembering to enjoy the time we have with Comet sans babe.  He's going to need some extra tlc once the babe arrives.
- I actually don't mind people touching my belly.  It might get old, but I especially find it endearing when it's a friend or family member.  I haven't had a stranger do it yet though.

Update 5.7.13:
-  Hearing, "You're showing, it's so cute."
-  Popped during week 18.
-  March 30: TSA agent asked if I was having a baby :)
-  March 30:  Babe's first movements.  Having a dance party in there during church.
-  When we found out we were having a boy, John talked about bringing him to Gopher games on the way home.  He's so excited.
-  April 28:  Daddy feels you for the first time.
-  You and I love reading books about dogs, especially Harry the Dirty Dog.
-  Your momma loves prenatal yoga.
-  Feeling so blessed and loved as friends and family ask if they can host baby showers for us.
-  May 5: We started painting the walls in your nursery.

Update 6.18.13:
-  May 7:  We had a howling party with Comet and the baby loved it.
-  May 11:  My mom, John's mom, Hannah and Cate felt him move.
-  May 15:  Marley raps Eminem for the babe.
-  May 29:  John thanked me for carrying our baby.
-  May 25 and June 1: Our first two baby showers.  SO much fun!  The babe got so many great and thoughtful gifts.  I loved seeing all the people who were able to attend as well.
-   May 30:  First Braxton-Hicks contraction.
-  Week of June 10:  We basically finished the nursery.
-  June 16:  Celebrating Father's Day
-  June 21:  The start of midwife appointments every two weeks instead of every month.

This will be a post that I continually add onto :)

For baby bump and baby related photos, click here!

My Sweet Family

Today is a special day at our house.  It is Comet's 2nd birthday and John and my 3rd anniversary.  I couldn't ask for a better family!  I love how I'm a plan everything to a T gal and God mixed my plans up because His were way better than mine :)  He's got a sense of humor, I'm sure of it.  I feel so blessed!

Comet

He's my boy.  I love him SO much!  I had never had an indoor dog until John and I decided to get him and I seriously didn't know what to think of it.  Now he sleeps in our bed and eats our food with us.  He's so spoiled.  I have yet to feel the love of having a child, but I think Comet resembles how I'll feel.  He listens to me when I need to talk to someone, especially when I don't want anyone to talk back to me, he takes me on walks, he tolerates the costumes that I buy for him and make him wear, he sings with me, he does tricks, he shakes when I get home because he's so excited, he barks are squirrels and loves to snuggle.  He is the best dog ever!  I wouldn't trade him for anything.

John

He's my man :)  I seriously wouldn't trade him for anything and truly believe God had a perfect match for me.  He's so handsome, he loves Jesus, he's hardworking, he keeps things in perspective for me, he loves me for me, he will someday be a great dad, he has a wonderful smile, his sense of humor cracks me up, he provides for me and Comet, he helps me with my homework, he laughs at my terrible jokes, he'll dance to rap music with me, he takes me on dates, he pursues me, he doesn't let me get away with saying "I'm fine", he pushes me to be my best, he doesn't let me quit, he lets me cry on his shoulder, he doesn't walk out when I get irrational, he is strong, he's SO smart, he strives to make me happy even if it means doing a stupid little dance or joke, he helped me train for a marathon, he's driven.  He is my hero, for real.  I love him more than anything.  I thank God for him everyday.  What a wonderful gift I've been given.