40 weeks +

I am 40 weeks and 1 day. And although I always had a hunch he'd be later than the due date my doc predicted, my overwhelming urge to hold him has chipped away at my patience. Any time now... but when?

I am reminded of climbing Kilimanjaro last year. I make it a point to not ask "how much further" on large treks. It's futile. It will be what it is in the end. But after 5 hours of climbing I caved. It was the one and only time I did that and looked up with some expectation at our guide...are we close? He smiled and said not much further. He never said 15 minutes or 30 minutes or 90 minutes so really the question and answer were moot. It depended how fast we walked, if we took a break, if we took pictures. In short - we would arrive when we had arrived. Which brings me back to why I don't think it or ask it. And I smiled and trudged on. And in the end Uhuru peak wasn't "much further" with another 30 minutes or so of slow stepping at the top of Africa.

He'll arrive when he arrives. And yet I want to cave and blurt out with an expectation in my every cell - are we close?

The answer is yes.
Pole Pole.


While I enjoy my glam maternity shots - I think this photo captures the spirit of "me" a little more accurately. We've had warm sunny weather here in Seattle. It's been spectacular! Ben and I have been out walking...urging that downward momentum. Seattle sidewalks are notorious. The wet soil is always shifting, the area has experienced several earthquakes and it's just about as hilly here as in San Francisco. The old sidewalks near our home are the cracked, uneven cobbly kind threatening a large raspberrry with the pebble and cement mixture. I was walking, talking, and virtually bouncing in the Vitamin D and in my out of balance state I took a spill. Miraculously my walrus overweight imbalanced body became a shaolin warrior protecting the belly. However the knee took the hit. The baby is just fine. Probably didn't feel a thing except a mild adrenaline rush after it was over. My knee however has seen better days...

Full Term - 38 Weeks

38 Weeks and full term. We have less than 2 weeks until his due date (4/21/09), though I still have a hunch he will come after. He'll come now when he is ready.

Oh but we are ready to meet him! Both Ben and I are filled with excitement wondering who are you this little boy we already love beyond recognition. We can not wait to welcome you to the world.

He's growing...growing...and growing. Just look at the belly!!!

A big thank you to my friend Jenny who not only urged me to capture this very unique time with a few artistic maternity photos but also took these.

36 Weeks

I was a full 36 weeks on Tuesday and went in for my doc appointment.  I had the group B strep culture to see if I am a carrier, but will not receive my results back until next weeks appointment. I also had my first exam since the 2nd trimester and as I presumed I am not dilated nor effaced not even in the slightest.  He's still quite at home in my ever expanding belly.

I am starting to notice differences.  I am much more uncomfortable - getting my shoes on or in and out of a chair takes on a whole new feat of athleticism.  I was struck by the idea that about a year ago Ben and I hiked up Kilimanjaro and now 3 flights of stairs is enough to wind me and bring on Braxton Hicks contractions.   As you can see from the pictures - I am puffy.  My hands, feet and face get the brunt of the water retention.  This is something new just this week.   But all this little discomforts aside, I am filled with a joy that overwhelms it all.  Here in my 9th month I am happy.

With the help of my mom who made a special trip out here - we have most of the stuff we'd need set up.  We've transformed our spare bedroom into a little boy's room.  I think this has become one of Ben's favorite places in the house.   Thanks MOM!!!! :)

The boy is getting strong - and big which is awesome!  

Sometimes his kicks are enough to startle me or stop me in my tracks.  According to the statistical averages - he's weighing in somewhere around 6 lbs and is around 18-19 inches long!  Of course 

at this point in the journey his height and weight can vary quite a bit - each baby is unique!  He's just working on gaining weight and continuing fine tuning those lungs getting them ready to breathe air.  That first breath will be his biggest ever!

32 Weeks

Slumdog Millionaire wins best picture - walking away with 8 oscars.

According to the news the recession is still the biggest party in town.

Ken Griffey Jr. is making headlines in Seattle as he signs a deal to come back for his last year in baseball.

I am 32 weeks pregnant which is the beginning of month 8!

The single digit week count has begun! In the pregnancy adventure this is a BIG milestone!

First though I am elated to report that my sister had her baby - a little boy late last Friday night! I am the proud aunty of Vincent Edward Millard weighing in at a healthy 8lbs 11 oz. Unfortunately she had a very long and hard labor. After pushing for over 3 hours he entered the world healthy and happy via c-section. I requested a onesie that says "my cousin Vinny".

I am at that stage now where birth stories are making an impact because suddenly this part is becoming very real! We started childbirth classes last week. I think they will be helpful. But in the end my only expectation is to expect the unexpected. I have no such dreams of a glorious 2 hour labor that my mom had with me (though wouldn't it be dreamy). While it's good to have a loose plan, and have some knowledge, I feel it is better to be flexible and let it all happen. Because it's going to happen the way it does, not the way it's scripted. I think this is one of the clear benefits of being older or wiser. In the end one thing matters - a safe healthy birth. And for me his needs come first - but...this is true every day and has been since we looked at the 2 pink lines on the magic stick last fall.

I am feeling really good these days. But have some of usual culprits of late pregnancy. My back gets tight, I have some really strong heartburn as my stomach is being pushed up so far, and the obvious - the belly is getting large! One strange thing I've noticed lately is my lack of cravings or I think better put is my apathy towards all food groups. I still get hungry - but the odd thing is I usually wander around wondering what I am hungry for, nothing really looks horrible (except broccoli and salmon still) but the change is nothing really looks good either. No worries though - no matter what I do I still seem to have no trouble packing on the pounds! They come from nowhere.

I tried a pre-natal massage about a week and a half ago. At first it was hard to relax...which is not at all normal for me. I love massage and actually have been open to all sorts of body work for a long long time. The interesting thing was how vulnerable I felt. My body truly is not my own. And this sense of protection is so overwhelmingly strong. My body did eventually learn to accept this and then it felt great.

Our little pea pod is right track for 32 weeks.

What is going on inside the big belly?

I found out today at the doc he's turned and is now head down and she said he's likely to remain that way until delivery. Although this didn't surprise me because Ben and I thought we discovered his rump sticking out near the top now and it hasn't changed too much. And I am generally able to distinguish between a left hook and a roundhouse kick now :)

The big things now are lung development and weight. The lungs are the last organ to develop and he still has a few weeks before he would be able to breathe air on his own. And he's packing on the pounds! Otherwise he's quite busy....blinking, looking around, grabbing things, making faces, practicing his breathing, peeing and listening to everything around him. By the end of this he will weigh approximately 4 pounds and measure over 17 inches long.

28 Weeks - Welcome to the 3rd Trimester

Last week I went back for the 3 hour diabetes test. Why can't I just eat a stack of hotcakes drowned in syrup I was wondering as I downed the bright orange liquid trying hard to keep it from coming back up. I made a mental note - orange is the worst. About an hour into the test I was quite certain I was going to puke and the baby was going to claw his way out ala Alien. All that sugar on a fasting body made him turn summersalts! When it was over I was famished. I walked directly into the pharmacy for a snack. Something so I would be able to drive into work. I had to go right to meetings and lunch seemed lightyears away. The kind old pharmacist pointed out all the candy. I laughed and said since I was just tested for diabetes - I'd pass on the snicker bar - it didn't even look appealing. Almonds would save me.

But in the end....the 3 hours of time and my bruise were worth it.

I did pass the test!

It's now week 28 and the third trimster has begun! Another doctor appointment. I will go every 2 weeks from here to week 36. It was a non-eventful visit which generally are the good kind. Baby's heart is thumping along at about 155. We're both doing well. My blood pressure remains low (yay!) my weight is high (nay!) and overall I am feeling pretty good. There is less room now for my stomach and lungs so I find myself with heartburn and out of breath much more easily when walking. I can still see my toes - but just barely and I find putting on socks to be an athletic challenge now! It might be time for a pair of fleeced slip-ons :)

What's up with Mook?

He is probably weighing in around 2.5 pounds and measures 15-16 inches from head to toe.

Lance Armstrong nothing - Mookie only has about 2 to 3 percent body fat and his or her muscle tone is increasing.

Other development:
Brain tissue continues to grow and the folds and grooves of your baby's brain continue to develop and expand
The baby begins to dream
The eyes open and close
Eyebrows and eyelashes are present

26 weeks - The Glucose Test

I had a doctor appointment on Monday. I am 26 weeks so I had to take the 1 hour glucose test. I failed. Yikes! This means I have to have the 3 hour diabetes test and drink more of that disgusting syrup substance which makes the baby get wild sugar rush. I also found out I am anemic (low iron). What is going on? I am trying extra hard, taking a bunch of supplements - I don't even crave sweets like some women.

I felt an early sense of mommy failure as if I can't give the right things to our growing boy! Many gave me a pep talk and reminded me that actually many women fail the 1 hour test who go on to pass the full 3 hour test. My mom reminded me that in terms of feeling mommy failure this is nothing to the road ahead so don't go here now, there will be a day when the stakes are much higher. Thanks mom!!!! :) If it is diabetes it can be controlled and monitored to make sure we are both in good health for the 3rd trimester. As for the iron - more supplements - an iron supplement and vitamin C one to wash it down. Also I have to eat more iron rich sources so I am trying hard to increase my red meat intake. It's not easy. Not long ago, I used to be a vegetarian. After my trip around the world I ate meat selectively which meant I ate red meat less than occasionally. For me, even having meat in my diet seemed like a lot - enough at least.

Bring on the buffalo burger....

25 weeks

Well here we are at 25 weeks (approximately 6 1/2 months). I am now the incredible expanding woman! In the last month my belly has clearly taken on a new shape and form!!! I also seem to be experiencing growth all over...thighs, butt, upper arms. But that is a minor muiscance for me as I think about the baby growing. I can feel him wiggling around inside me now which is one of the coolest feelings in the world. He kicks, rolls, stretches, and I am sure he is dancing on my bladder from time to time. He is big enough and strong enough to feel through my belly now and Ben loves to feel him as well. From time to time we can see him poke the skin on my stomach. My cravings lately have been spaghetti and garlic bread or sometimes just garlic bread is good enough with tomato sauce. For the ex-vegetarian - a cheeseburger never tasted so good. Go figure! Spiced breads are also yummy like pumpkin and raisin.

All about the baby: At this point he weighs in at about 1.5 lbs and is approximately 13 1/2 inches long head to heel. He's still very thin but packing on fat now in a big way. He can now feel the sensation of touch which means he is actively exploring the world around him. The babe's nostrils open up which allows him to practice "breathing" amniotic fluid through his mouth and nose while the blood vessels in his lungs continue to help develop his lungs. His tastebuds are being fine-tuned; Ben says Mook is an ice cream man. His hands are fully developed by now and has his own fingerprint!