Blog Posts

BUMPDATE

3/5/2015

How far along? Thirty Seven Weeks, FULL TERM! I made it! and all the babes crucial functions are fully developed now. The next couple weeks are just about the babe layering on fat and getting stronger and healthier.
Baby Size? As big as a Winter Melon, I don't really understand these fruit comparisons.
Total weight gain? 24 lbs total, but the baby is putting on half a pound a week. Doc says the babe is weighing in around 6.6lbs.
Maternity clothes? Love my maternity yoga pants
Stretch Marks? None
Best moment this week? I had my final class with my birthing coach where we practiced pushing and breathing. I am feeling very prepared now. The next time I see her I will be in labor. I also had my 37 week doctor appointment and I am 1cm dialated so the doc is thinking no more than 12 days until we meet our lil goose. We met with my anesthesiologist and pre registered and she told me everything I can expect. We are ready to go. And the great news is the hospital is no longer under construction. It was completed last week. Whew! Now it's just waiting on her arrival.
Miss anything? Doing everyday normal things with ease, such as tying my shoes or shaving my legs. This is really the first week that these tasks have become really difficult.
Food cravings? I actually had a craving this week. Milk! I hate milk and was craving it after dinner one night. I have been drinking a glass before bed every night this week. I think cravings are just your bodies way of telling you that you are lacking some sort of vitamin, mineral, fat. I think my body/babe needs calcium because milk has never tasted so good.
Babe Movement? Lots of babe movement for now. I heard that when the movement starts to subside then you are about to go into labor. Its the babies way of reserving energy for the the long descent. Apparently this is one similarity that all moms reported before labor began. Decreased movement a day before.
Food aversions? None, loving all food right now.
Gender? Sophie Rose Velez
Labor signs? Contractions, menstrual cramping, lower backache, and sore lady parts which is weird but I think its from so much pressure going on down there.
Symptoms? Same as above, plus achey sore hips. It hurts to lay on my side too long when I am sleeping so I toss back and forth all night.
Sleep? Inconsistent but sleeping more than normal which I am loving. Everyone says to sleep as much as possible before the babe arrives because you will never get that much sleep again. For the rest of your life.
Belly button in or out? Innie
Wedding rings on or off? Same as last week, no more rings. I put them away in the safe because I don't want them to get cut off if I sporadically turn into a blowfish one day and go into labor.
Happy or moody? Very Happy
Looking forward to? This babes arrival.

The nurses at the hospital do a lot to help you bring your precious baby into this world. The least I can do for them is make a nice "Thank You" goody bag right. It puts them in a good mood for the day and hopefully gets you and your wee one a little extra attention if needed. I made 8 goody bags but I really have no clue how many nurses I will have. Surely no more than 8 but my philosophy is its better to have extra than to leave someone out. I purchased all the goodies at Costco in bulk. I also have a Birthing Coach who I plan on getting a little extra something for considering all her time and help. She has been amazing through this whole process and made me feel relaxed and confident. Last but not least, our awesome doc! The hubs wants to get him a nice bottle of whiskey. I hope that's appropriate.
Goodies:
EOS Lip Balm
Variety of Candy Bars
Bath and Body Works Mini Hand Sanitizer
Altoids

1 Comment

PADSICLES

3/3/2015

0 Comments

Today I made my padsicles. Also known as "Lifesavers" by the majority of veteran moms. I heard these are amazing for postpartum recovery so I of course am willing to try them. I am willing to try almost anything. They are a cold, soothing, healing pad for new mamas to use after a vaginal birth. Essentially, they are homemade cold packs for your extremely sore lady parts. I won't get into the details of postpartum recovery but lets just say I have heard it hurts! It hurts a lot! So these are supposed to make it bearable. You cover maternity or overnight pads with aloe gel, witch hazel, and lavender oil, and they help to heal faster and decrease the pain. Plus the cold soothes the burning. They are super easy to make and take about 20 minutes from your day. I made 10 pads total because I heard that you generally use anywhere from 10-12.
Supplies:

Thick Pads, Maternity or Overnight
Witch Hazel (I have read to get without alcohol but most moms say it doesn't matter so I just bought regular)
Aloe Vera Gel
Aluminum Foil
Lavender Essential Oil (I opted not to include this because I read it was mostly for smell, I am not one for putting smelly products down below)

Instructions:
1. Unwrap the pad, but do not detach the wrapper.
2. Spread Aloe Vera generously all over the pad.
3. Pour about a teaspoon of witch hazel down the middle of the pad.
4. If you want to add the lavender oil add a drop to pad for smell.
5. Wrap the pad in aluminum foil so it does not stick to itself.
6. Place in large freezer zip lock bag and freeze until use.

0 Comments

OFFICIALLY FULL TERM

3/2/2015

0 Comments

Thirty Seven Weeks today and so excited that I am OFFICIALLY FULL TERM!!! The countdown is on! 18 more days till her due date.

0 Comments

bUMPDATE

2/24/2015

0 Comments

How far along? Thirty Six Weeks
Baby Size? As big as a Honeydew
Total weight gain? 24 lbs, gained 2 pounds since I have been able to eat this week.
Maternity clothes? I hate wearing pants these days
Stretch Marks? None
Best moment this week? I got my first cervix check this week. I am not dilated or effaced yet but the baby is head down and face down. The doc thinks March 18-20th is when we can expect her. I really hope she isn't born on the 17th because I don't want her birthday to be a holiday (St. Patty's) and also that's my dads birthday. He of course is rooting for the 17th saying it will be the best birthday present ever.
Miss anything? I miss being in shape. Feeling out of breath at times and can be a little frustrating.
Food cravings? No cravings
Babe Movement? Still lots and lots of movement, it's more like she's always stretching and rolls from one side of my belly to the other.
Food aversions? None, loving all food right now.
Gender? Sophie Rose
Labor signs? Still having lots of contractions and started having menstrual like cramping in my lower back. The hubs has been giving me tennis ball massages every night and it really helps ease the pain. As well as warm epsom salt baths.
Symptoms? Contractions, feeling lots of pressure down there, menstrual cramps and still having "lightning crotch".
Sleep? One night I sleep great, but then the next night I lay wide awake. Very inconsistent sleep patterns.
Belly button in or out? Officially staying an innie, it never popped.
Wedding rings on or off? No more rings, I put them away in the safe because I don't want them to get cut off if I sporadically turn into a blowfish one day and go into labor.
Happy or moody? Happy and tired, ready to evict her at times.
Looking forward to? House of Cards being released. I am obsessed and ready to binge watch and take my mind off of the baby.

0 Comments

BUMPDATE

2/20/2015

0 Comments

How far along? Thirty Five Weeks
Baby Size? As big as a Coconut
Total weight gain? 22 lbs, still holding strong
Maternity clothes? Lots of comfy sweats this week
Stretch Marks? None
Best moment this week? Getting all my test results back from last weeks doctor visit and everything is perfect! I do need my Hepatitis B booster shot which the doc recommends I get a month or two after the babes born. He recommends that the hubs gets it as well. We also both got our Whooping Cough shots this week, packed our hospital bag, and hired a nanny. We are ready for this babes arrival.
Miss anything? Seeing my toes
Food cravings? No cravings
Babe Movement? SHE NEVER STOPS MOVING and her kicks are quite dangerous these days.
Food aversions? None
Gender? Sophie Rose
Labor signs? Lots and Lots of contractions. All day! Constantly. Apparently first time moms have contractions starting around one month before delivery and have lots of them because it is the bodies way of toning your uterus for birth. First time moms need lots of toning. Who knew!
Symptoms? Contractions, "lightning crotch" all the time when I walk (I have adapted the pregnancy waddle), and peeing every ten minutes. My acid reflux feels like it has started to get better. It definitely has not disappeared but it doesn't keep me up all night long as often as it did. I am wondering if she dropped since this symptom has subsided a little. I will find out on Wednesday at my doctor appointment when I have my first cervix check to see how far dilated and effaced I am. EEEkkk!
Sleep? I have slept pretty good this week. Thank God!
Belly button in or out? Officially staying an innie, it never popped.
Wedding rings on or off? No rings this week.
Happy or moody? Happy and ready to pop this puppy out!
Looking forward to? My next doctor appointment just to see how my body is progressing.

0 Comments

CHUBBY CHEEKS VELEZ

2/12/2015

0 Comments

BUMPDATE

2/11/2015

0 Comments

How far along? Thirty Four Weeks
Baby Size? As big as a Butternut Squash
Total weight gain? 22 lbs, I have only gained 1 pound on the past several weeks but apparently this is very normal since the baby is taking up all your space. There's not much room for food.
Maternity clothes? Love my comfy cozy maternity pants.
Stretch Marks? None
Best moment this week? Just got back from my 34 week checkup and she is weighing in at a big 5 pounds and 16 inches long. The doctor says that she has really chubby cheeks and lots and lots of hair. I am so relieved that she has hair because I haven't had any heartburn, but I was able to see the hair on the sonogram and it is about 2 inches long. Lots of bows in her future!
Miss anything? My energy, I am not feeling so energetic these days.
Food cravings? No cravings
Babe Movement? Always moving and she switches sides. She has rolled to the opposite side since our last appointment two weeks ago. She also gets the hiccups regularly and it shakes my whole belly.
Food aversions? None
Gender? Our chubby cheek little señorita!
Labor signs? The doctor noticed this morning that I was having contractions during my sonogram. He says this is completely normal and just my body getting ready for labor. They are small so nothing to be concerned about. He said I should start experiencing lots of pressure lower in my pelvis along with cramping this week which I have already started feeling.
Symptoms? Small contractions, cramps, frequent urination as the babe puts more pressure on my bladder, and acid reflux at night. The doctor recommended taking Tums before bed each night which I have already started doing.
Sleep? Very inconsistent. One night I can sleep through the night and its great! But then the next night I won't be able to sleep at all and will have to take naps during the day.
Belly button in or out? Innie!
Wedding rings on or off? Wedding bands on, but starting to get a little tight. I might stop wearing them soon because I do not want to have to get them cut off.
Happy or moody? Happy and nervous as my due date approaches.
Looking forward to? Hopefully finding a nanny this week for the babe.