Update on our appointment today...

The doctors appointment went great! I met a new doctor today! she was very sweet. They are all very sweet there! I have had a cold lately and was a little worried about how I might react to it due to the fact that I am prone to get pneumonia. I had the doctor listen to my chest and make sure she didn't hear anything right now and she said she thinks everything is OK she didn't hear anything out of the ordinary so that is good to hear!

Ava's update...
She measured my belly and said we are right on schedule for size and everything. And that I have only gained 22 LBS so far. So that is good I thought for sure I was way past the 25 mark. But I only gained a pound in the last two weeks. But Ava will be gaining about 1/2LB a week for a while. So I am sure we will be passed that in no time! I am trying to eat really well and eat what is best for the baby to get the most out of what I eat. Most of the time I think just a burger sounds good but I know that is not what I need to be eating. So I try to resist some of the things that I really want while not totally depriving myself of everything I want!

We listened to Ava's heartbeat today! I love that they listen to it every time! It is such a reassuring thing to hear her heart beat! I always get nervous if they don't find it right away!!!!! But they usually do really fast! Its never a problem! Her heartbeat today was 135 so that is awesome she said it sounds really good. Last time we were there it was 125 which she said means that she was at a normal rate then as well. She said about 110 to 165 is normal for a baby! so we are always right in the middle! that is awesome! She is kicking me as usual! Always fun to feel!

Other than that we have our next appointment is December 11Th. I will be 33 weeks then!!! we are getting so close it is crazy to think that in about eight weeks we are going to be meeting our little girl for the first time! actually today is the 25Th so that is two months to the day from her due date!!!! WOW I can't believe how fast this has all gone by!

Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!

31 week appointment today...

today is our 31 week appointment! we are getting so close! i have my appointment at 3:45 today and hopefully it is a good and short one! they have been so far. We are on every two weeks for appointments now.

The last few weeks are going to be passing very quickly because we have a lot happening in the next few weeks.
Tomorrow is my last day of work before the thanksgiving break. Dez parents are coming in the day after thanksgiving to see us for the weekend. then two days after they leave my mom comes into town to visit and for the baby shower the next weekend. Then the weekend after that we fly to Texas to see my parents for a little holiday get together for the weekend and that is the last weekend i can travel! after that i will be 34 weeks and it was advised not to travel any further than an hour after i make it to the 34 week mark! which is fine by me i can use the rest on the weekends. I am still going strong at work. Working to make up for the time i will be off with the baby because i will get disability pay for the 6-8 weeks that i am off but i don't think that it will match my pay right now but it will be better than nothing. plus we don't base much off of what i bring home anymore because we would like for sooner than later that i get to be a stay at home mom. so hopefully that will happen soon! i really don't want her to be in daycare all the time. I want to be home with her. But we will do what we have to do!

I will update later with how my appointment goes! maybe tonight or tomorrow morning. We will see how tired i am. I am also about to go get my last name changed finally! the last times i have tried i always seem to pick a holiday and they are closed! so i double checked today! so praying the lines are not long then that will be a success today! HOPEFULLY!!!!

31 weeks! We are only 9 weeks away from our angel being in our arms!!!!

Ava's development in pregnancy week 31:Ava's in seventh month Your not-so-little-one is just a bit closer to their birth weight and height at around 4 pounds and 17 inches. With each added layer of baby fat, your baby's skin starts to look more and more like it will when they finally get to see the light of day. The heavy news: you can expect your miracle-gro muffin to gain about a half a pound of weight per week from now until about two weeks before birth. Great. That's just what you needed. Even more weight to carry around!

Your baby's still-developing immune system has gained substantial strength over the past few weeks getting them in full gear to face our disease-ridden world o’ wonders. Obviously, a large majority of your child’s immune strength will be derived from exposure to breast milk as well as the outside elements. Their cute little noggin’ (which could already be covered with luscious locks or just purty peach fuzz), is still soft because the skull bones have not yet fused together. As much as that sounds a little too vulnerable, their “skull softness” allows for a much smoother passage through the birth canal during labor—something both you and your little swimmer will appreciate when it’s finally time to “go!” Also, some babies will have that “soft spot” on their head for up to one year after birth.

We are down to 9 weeks! we are so excited! I have been getting more and more tired lately but not too much to complain about! We have put an air mattress in the living room because the couch has gotten very uncomfortable! so i have been laying on tha

t to watch tv and I am sure that Dez is enjoying being able to sit on the couch without me stretching out all over him!!

I have uploaded some pictures so i figure i will go ahead and post them now! We have not taken 31 weeks yet! i will get that up soon!

30 weeks... and growing! 10 weeks till we meet our Ava girl!

Ava's development in pregnancy week 30:

Ava's in seventh month The light is visible at the end of the tunnel! Your over sized self and amazing growing baby have finally reached the single digits (in terms of weeks till birth)! The fine lanugo hair that has been growing all over their little monkey-like body is going to start falling off this week in preparation for the big day. But don’t be shocked if they’re hairier than you’d anticipated, some babies keep their lanugo until after birth. Still, it’s not any cause to be concerned as it will fall off eventually. No surprises here: your little porker is getting even cuter with increasingly pudgy arms and legs this week thanks to the ever-growing layers of subcutaneous fat. In terms of numbers, your baby should be weighing in at around 3 pounds 12 ounces (or more!) and be nearly 16 inches long.


How your baby's growing:
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.)

We are so excited that we are down to 10 weeks till week 40 and possibly might be meeting out little angel sooner! But either way sooner or later we are just so happy to meet her whenever she does arrive!!! I feel like Her and I have a bond and she knows right where I put my hand on my tummy and she will just press up against it! she also does that for Dez! Its not so much a kick but just pushing up against where we are!

The other night I was asleep on the couch and Dez said that he could see her moving all around my tummy! I am glad that he gets to see her move! I feel like I get to enjoy it all and he just has to deal with me being tired and emotional all the time. but then when he gets to see something or feel something she does then I feel like he is amazed just as much as I am! I know that the most amazing part of all of this will be when he gets to hold his little girl for the first time! I think that will be the most defining time for him throughout this whole experience! I don't have much to complain about I feel like I Have been extremely lucky with being this far along. I am sure that it is not going to improve but I feel like I could feel way worse than I do! I am so happy that this so far has been a great pregnancy! Just hoping that it continues! I do feel myself getting more sleepy and have started taking iron pills at the request of the doctor. Just a few head aches here and there but not lasting long. Other than that just a little sore and getting a little hard to get up and down. But I am sure that is to be expected! Whenever I feel like complaining about anything I just look at the pictures of her and It seems to totally make me forget about all the discomfort I may be experiencing! or When she kicks and moves! those times just make me forget about any negative things that I have gone through so far!

We can't wait to see and hold our baby girl for the first time!!!!



I am posting the pictures again!!!!

What I can expect and a little insite for expecting dads...

While your second trimester may have lived up to its "honeymoon" reputation, your third trimester (28 to 40 weeks) may be slightly less pleasant. By the beginning of the third trimester, you may be feeling like you're ready to get this pregnancy over with! Due to a rapidly growing baby, your body is definitely being taken over — making nearly everything more difficult and uncomfortable.


Your Body
Weight Gain: Average weight gain up through the third trimester is between 25 to 35 pounds (11 to 16 kg). All that added weight you're carrying up front is causing pain and discomfort in back. Your back, hips and pelvis may ache at the end of the day, or constantly.
Swelling: Fluid retention and reduced circulation contribute to swelling of the face, hands, legs, ankles and feet. The fluid retention causes pressure on your nerves, which may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.


Breathlessness: Your growing uterus pushes up into your diaphragm, crowding your lungs. You may feel out of breath getting up out of your chair, walking up the stairs, even bending over to put on your shoes. As you near the end of your pregnancy, this may improve when the baby drops further into your pelvis.


Heartburn: The combination of a relaxed valve in your esophagus due to progesterone and your uterus pushing into your stomach is a recipe for heartburn. Some women get heartburn after eating or drinking anything during their third trimester.
Hair/Skin: Although you may be grateful for the new head of lucsiouly thick hair on your head, you may be cursing the new, not so luscious growth of hair in inappropriate places such as your face, chest and stomach. Your skin may be sprouting skin tags, as well as patchy, pigmented spots called melasma. If you didn't start getting stretch marks your second trimester, you'll likely be developing these angry red marks before the end of your pregnancy.


Bladder: You will most definitely be experiencing the urge to urinate frequently. You'll also find that your ability to hold a full bladder diminishes significantly in your third trimester. Learn how to cross your legs quickly when laughing, coughing or sneezing.
Breasts: Your breasts will have an added 1 to 3 pounds (453 g to 1.36 kg) of breast tissue to accommodate making milk after the baby is born. Colostrum, which is pre-milk, may begin leaking from your nipples in your third trimester.


Hemorrhoids: Increased pressure on your rectum coupled with a slow-moving digestive tract may result in hemorrhoids in your third trimester. Make sure that you're getting adequate fluids and fiber in your diet, and speak to your doctor about safe ways to treat constipation.
Sleeping: You're big, you're uncomfortable, you're hot, the list goes on. Sleep depravation during your third trimester is quite common — just think of it as preparation for a new baby. Most women find it uncomfortable to sleep on their sides, but because sleeping on your back can cause a drop in blood flow and oxygen to your baby, it is not advised. Experiment with several pillows to see which combination works to support your stomach and knees.


Braxton Hicks: These practice contractions are often mistaken for real labor. In reality, it's your uterus gearing up for the real deal, or a way for your body to tell you to slow down.


Anticipation
You're probably getting extremely antsy in anticipation of the arrival of your baby. If you haven't already done so, the third trimester is a good time to get your childbirth education classes done, prepare your birth plan and pack your hospital bag. You'll be seeing your doctor every two weeks at 32 weeks, then every week after 36 weeks. The baby will be moving a lot in the beginning of your third trimester, but this will taper off towards the end as things get more crowded in your uterus.


Early Signs of Labor
You'll find that your Braxton Hicks contractions may increase in your third trimester and may even get a little more intense. These are signs that you should slow down, take a little rest and drink some water. If you are feeling painful contractions that are becoming more regular, you may be in early labor. If these occur after 37 weeks, you're full term, but prior to this may be too early. Be sure to call your doctor if you experience early labor, or anything that may be of concern to you.

Keepsake ultrasound!!! so amazing!!!!!!

We got a call today saying that the last day we could get somewhat of a good picture of her would be today! I had an hour to get there and get des who works 20 minutes away from me!!! But we made it! it was so awesome! she did have her foot up by her head most of the time and she was grabbing at it with her hands and trying to suck on her fingers!!! it is amazing to watch her move around and open her eyes and smile and yawn she also stuck her tounge out a couple times!!!! here are the pictures!!!!!

Our appointment update... and we have picked a doctor for Ava

We had our 29-30 week appointment yesterday and it went very well! We heard her heart beat and everything looks good! We found out that with in the next week we need to have our 4D ultrasound or we will loose our window to get good pictures of our little angel who is quickly running out of room in my tummy! She measured my belly and said it looks right on with the size! I really want to have the 4D ultrasound it just seems so interesting and amazing to watch your baby before she is born and how they act.

We are now on appointments every two weeks!!! Getting closer! our next appointment is monday Nov. 24th!

We have also picked a pediatrician for Ava. I really liked the office and the doctor when I met her! Her name is Dr. Lynn Becks. She answered a bunch of my questions and more that I did not even think of! She will be checking in on Ava everyday that she is at the hospital after she is born! It was a very cute office and they had a lot to offer like a Saturday clinic (because most things happen on the weekend) a specialist that works closely with them! and a doctor on call 24 hours a day! all of their lab tests are done in house and the only thing they don't have is x-ray. But they do have a place to send her if she needs one! other than that we really just talked and she made me feel very comfortable about bringing Ava to her.

We are getting so close to the final 10 weeks!!!! Sunday is Ten weeks till we get to hold our Ava girl! Time is flying but yet sometimes seems to go so slow when I think about actually having her in our arms!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!!!

Tomorrow is 29-30 week appointment

Tomorrow we are going to have our 29-30 week appointment. Well that is what I am going to call it because I really have no idea what will go on at the appointment besides the fact that we are meeting one of the other doctors tomorrow. Dr. Warren so that we get to know all of the possible doctors that might deliver Ava if our doctor is not on call if i go into labor over a weekend or night time. I am glad that we will be meeting all possible doctors so that there will be no surpises the day of and I am also grateful that all the doctors will be farmiliar with us and know all the history of what is going on and everything about us so that she will not be surprised either.

I also have a pediactric appointment tomorrow to interview a doctor for Ava when she is born. I am hoping that I am comfortable with her. I really don't know what to expect. I loved my doctors when I was young and never had a bad exerience with them being rude or anything else and I really want to pick the right doctor for her! Its tough!

I will update on wed. after our appointment!!!!

hope everyone has a wonderful day!!

29 week update...

Ava's update!

She will not be 29 weeks till Sunday but I thought that I would go ahead and update for the weekend!


How your baby's growing:

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. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his 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.



Ava's development in pregnancy week 29:

Ava's in seventh month If you’ve been feeling butterflies moving around in your belly, it’s not just your run-of-the-mill pre-birth performance anxiety. No, it’s your amazing baby with a case of the hiccups: a fairly common occurrence at this point resulting from practicing breathing for their big birthday. In addition, to getting a round of butterfly-like hiccups, your little swimmer has arduously managed to accumulate enough baby fat to account for nearly 3.5% of their overall body weight. Yeah, compared to we adults, it’s not a lot, but when they’re little like that—it’s certainly a healthy (and warming) accomplishment in its way. Another fantastic accomplishment: your baby's spleen is now in charge of hematopoiesis—the 10 dollar name for the process involved in building up certain important blood components. Another fantastic-accomplishment: your little monkey has been peeing into their amniotic sac for a little while now (this is why potty training takes a while) and if you didn’t know, actually swallows it along with the rest of the amniotic fluid. Although the concept is nasty, their urine is sterile and as part of the amniotic fluid base, is replaced several times throughout the day. So if you didn’t know before, now you can tell people, that yes, you drank your own urine—you were still in the womb, but nonetheless, you’ve been there.


I actually started feeling a few of the hiccups around week 27-28 just a little! now I can really tell when she has them! It is amazing! The other night Dez and I just watched my belly move all around! We were just amazed at how much she was moving! I am thinking she was having a hard time getting comfortable sense her space is getting limited! We are about 11 weeks away from having our little girl in our arms and we can't wait! Time is going by fast but at the same time it is going by slow as well!

hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

This is a little out of order...

26 week picture...

this is a tad out of order but Dez had this on his phone too so I thought I would update it!

hope everyone has a wonderful day!!!

27 week Photo... More to come!!!

I had Dez send me the photo that he had on his phone yesterday and we still have to upload all the other ones from the past weeks...

28 weeks!!! Wre in the 3rd and final Trimester...

How baby Ava is growing:

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.


Ava's development in pregnancy week 28:


Ava in seventh month You know how you’ve been feeling a bit like a barn with legs? Well, that feeling won’t subside before… well, you know, when you finally give birth. For the time being, you’ve got yourself a baby in the business of collecting fat and lots of it! In spite of the dubious joys of being a human-barn, this baby fat business is very serious and you’ve got to put up with it because it’s going to keep your little porker warm and healthy after birth. Other good stuff from inside: their eyes are doing lots of blinking this week because they’re now able to respond to light and dark. Also, their industrious little bone marrow is now a major construction site for developing red blood cells, while their super-cute adrenal glands are actually producing androgen and estrogen—which will stimulate your hormones to begin milk production. Can you say, “Moo?”


We are in the final trimester and she is kicking all the time now! Our next doctors appointment is on November 11th not this tuesday but next tuesday!!! things have been great lately! I can feel myself loosing a little energy already but not bad yet! hopefully I will be able to keep up some energy for a little while longer! I have become more and more obsest with fruits... Any and all fruits... we have about 12 weeks left till Ava's Due date and we can't wait!!! We want to see her so bad!!!