33 Week Bumpdate

How far along? 33 weeks! 

Baby is the size of a: honeydew melon.

Total weight gain: about 24lbs. 

Stretch marks? A few on my sides and one on my boob, but they’re not a big deal.  

Maternity clothes? All the time or leggings/workout pants. 

Sleep: Still waking up once or twice to go pee but going back to sleep right after. 

Best moment this week: Celebrating Christmas and meeting with our doula 

Miss anything? Still missing that beer or glass of wine 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope. 

Gender: BOY!! 

Labor signs: None this week. 

Symptoms:  Pretty much the same as last week, nothing new or crazy. 

Belly button in or out? Out unless I’m laying down on my back. 

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Seeing our little guy again on the 11th and meeting him! 

We had our first prenatal appointment with our doula this week to go over our birth plan and talk about the pregnancy. We made some changes to the birth plan and we’ll meet again on January 18th to go over when to call her, what to pack and pain relief techniques. 

I’ve been drinking one cup of Red Raspberry Leaf tea every day since 32 weeks to prep my uterus and plan to up it around 36/37 weeks.  I’m really curious if it’ll make a difference in the effectiveness of my contractions and length of labor.  

We also bought more things to decorate Logan’s room this week and are pretty much done with his room except a mobile I want to make and getting curtains.  We’ll use Caleb’s crib mattress when Logan is ready to go in his room and get Caleb a full size mattress.  It’s funny how much more relaxed you are with prepping for baby number 2 and how you realize what’s a necessity and what’s not.  It’s still exciting, but you just feel more at ease and not in a rush to get things done.  

Alissha

32 Week Bumpdate

How far along? 32 weeks! 

Baby is the size of a: squash.

Total weight gain: 20.2 lbs, I’m pretty happy with that! 

Stretch marks? A few on my sides and one on my boob, but they’re not a big deal.  

Maternity clothes? All the time or leggings/workout pants. 

Sleep: Sleep has definitely gotten better this week, waking up once or twice to go pee but going back to sleep right after. 

Best moment this week: celebrating an early Christmas with the Benson side of the family.  It’s so crazy to think Logan will be 10 months old this time next year. 

Miss anything? Beer.... anything with alcohol.  Being pregnant with a toddler can be rough some days!

Food cravings: Nothing this week.  

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope. 

Gender: BOY!! 

Labor signs: None this week. 

Symptoms:  No crazy symptoms this week, Logan is treating me pretty well.  Lots of elbows or knees are poking out lately and I can tell he’s running out of space.  I’ve experienced some leg and foot cramps this week. 

Belly button in or out? Out unless I’m laying down on my back. 

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Christmas and meeting with our doula.

I had a prenatal appointment with my OB this week and everything went well.  He reassured me that Logan having one kidney shouldn’t impact my labor and delivery if everything else goes well.  I’ll go back in 2 weeks and then I believe every week after that.  We’re getting so close! 

Alissha

31 Week Bumpdate

How far along? 31 weeks! 

Baby is the size of a: pineapple. Most babies at this stage are roughly 18 inches long and 3.5lbs, but our little moose weighs about 4lbs 7oz and is measuring 2 weeks ahead! 

Total weight gain: I didn’t weigh myself this week. 

Stretch marks? A few on my sides and one on my boob, but they’re not a big deal.  Chris said they’re my trophies and I’ll proudly wear them because they are the result of two amazing boys.  

Maternity clothes? All the time or leggings/workout pants. 

Sleep: Sleep was okay this week; I got a sinus infection this week so being congested didn’t allow me to get good sleep. 

Best moment this week: We got to see Logan at our monthly ultrasound and he is so adorable. We are so excited to meet him in person.  

Miss anything? Beer.... anything with alcohol.  Being pregnant with a toddler can be rough some days!

Food cravings: Nothing this week.  

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope. 

Gender: BOY!! 

Labor signs: None this week. 

Symptoms:  No crazy symptoms this week, Logan is treating me pretty well.  I’m still getting lots of rolls and pushing body parts out on my belly.  He’s also been getting the hiccups multiple times a day. 

Belly button in or out? Out unless I’m laying down on my back. 

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Christmas and meeting with our doula.

I’ve had two NST’s so far and we’ve passed both.  I just sit on a chair for about 30 minutes and they monitor Logan’s heart and make sure there are good accelerations and decelerations showing he’s not in distress. I haven’t had any contractions during the NST’s which is good.  

We had our monthly ultrasound this week and Logan loved having his umbilical chord by his face.  He just looks so sweet and is measuring two weeks ahead! He is going to be a big boy and we’ll see if we make it to my due date. I think Logan will be born on February 7th, but we’ll see! 

We also had our maternity pictures this week and we’re slowly getting sneak peaks. So far we love how they’re turning out and can’t wait to see the rest of them!  Next week we meet with our doula to go over our birth plan and I can’t believe how close we’re getting to meeting our second son! 

Alissha

30 Week Bumpdate

How far along? 30 weeks! 

Baby is the size of a: cucumber... at least as long as one. He should be well over 3lbs by now

Total weight gain: According to my scale, I’ve lost a few ounces this week and I’m at 19.1lbs 

Stretch marks? A couple light ones popping up in the same area (on my sides) I got them with Caleb. Also just discovered one on my boob. 

Maternity clothes? All the time or leggings/workout pants. 

Sleep: Sleep is getting difficult these days. I have a hard time falling asleep and I’m getting up multiple times a night to go pee.  I’m dreading pulling out my big maternity pillow, but think it’s time so I can try to get some restful sleep. 

Best moment this week: This week was pretty uneventful considering our busy week last week. 

Miss anything? Beer.... anything with alcohol.  Being pregnant with a toddler can be rough some days!

Food cravings: cold glasses of milk with dinner have been hitting the spot lately and I haven’t been a consistent milk drinker since high school. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope. 

Gender: BOY!! 

Labor signs: some Braxton Hicks, but nothing else. 

Symptoms:  Heartburn has subsided this week, but I’m still gassy/burpy, always peeing. Logan still loves to push on my bladder and his movements are becoming more prominent.  Lots of rolls and pushing body parts out on my belly.  He’s also been getting the hiccups multiple times a day. 

Belly button in or out? It’s mostly out these days unless I’m laying down.  It never popped out with Caleb so it’s pretty interesting to see it as an outtie. 

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Christmas, maternity pictures and meeting with our doula.

Alissha

29 Week Bumpdate

How far along? 29 weeks! 

Baby is the size of an: acorn squash. 

Total weight gain: 19.6lbs 

Stretch marks? A couple light ones popping up in the same area I got them with Caleb. 

Maternity clothes? All the time or leggings/workout pants. 

Sleep: Still waking up at least once at night to go pee.  Some insomnia after getting up to use the restroom or not being able to fall asleep once Chris gets home from work. 

Best moment this week: Spending Thanksgiving with my mom and step dad in Arizona. 

Miss anything? Beer. 

Food cravings: None this week 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope. 

Gender: BOY!! 

Labor signs: I’ve had quite a few Braxton Hicks this week.

Symptoms:  Heartburn is becoming a daily/nightly occurrence, gassy/burpy, always peeing. Logan has enjoyed pushing on my bladder and making me feel like I need to pee every few minutes. 

Belly button in or out? Sometimes it sticks out a little and other times it’s flush with my belly. 

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Christmas, maternity pictures and meeting with our doula.

I had my kidney and bladder ultrasound at exactly 29 weeks and I have both of my kidneys! I wasn’t told anything else by the ultrasound tech, but I should get the full report in a few days.  I’m anticipating Chris has both of his too, but we’ll see later this week.  Next week I have my first NST and another OB appointment.  After that appointment, OB appointments will be every 2 weeks until about 37 weeks when I’ll be going weekly.  Logan is as active as ever and I’ve been feeling lots of elbows/knees pushing out, rolls and hiccups. 

Alissha

28 Week Bumpdate

How far along? 28 weeks! 

Baby is the size of an: eggplant 

Total weight gain: I didn’t weigh myself this week.  

Stretch marks? I’ve noticed a couple light ones popping up in the same area I got them with Caleb. 

Maternity clothes? All the time or leggings/workout pants. My sister in law is letting me borrow some long sleeve maternity tops and dresses to get me through the winter.

Sleep: Still waking up once or twice a night to go pee; staying up too late, but I haven’t been that tired at night. 

Best moment this week: We put Logan’s furniture together and some basket shelving up in Logan’s room, but we still have a ways to go before his room is done. 

Miss anything? Beer. 

Food cravings: None this week 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope. 

Gender: BOY!! 

Labor signs: None this week.

Symptoms:  Heartburn is becoming a daily/nightly occurrence, gassy/burpy, always peeing, but overall I feel pretty good.

Belly button in or out? Sometimes it sticks out a little and other times it’s flush with my belly. 

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: the holidays, maternity pictures and meeting with our doula.

I have all of my weekly NST’s scheduled starting at 30 weeks and going through 40 weeks.  Having all of these doctors appointments is overwhelming, but I’m thankful for the care and attention Logan is getting.  I have my kidney and bladder ultrasound scheduled for November 27th and I’m really curious if I have both kidneys.  

At my last OB appointment, my belly was measuring at 28 weeks and my nurse practitioner thinks I’ll have Logan before 40 weeks. As long as I go into labor naturally and not too early, I’m okay with not going the full 40 weeks.  The last thing I want is to be induced and I’ll fight that as much as I can if I go past my due date.  Overall, things are going really well with the pregnancy and I don’t have any major complaints! 

Alissha

27 Week Bumpdate

How far along? 27 weeks! 

Baby is the size of a: yellow turnip/cucumber.  About 15 inches long and well over 2lbs!

Total weight gain: 16.3 lbs 

Stretch marks? I’ve noticed a couple light ones popping up in the same area I got them with Caleb. 

Maternity clothes? All the time, or leggings/workout pants. I really need to get some more pants/tops for the winter but I have a hard time spending money on clothes I’ll only wear for a short time.

Sleep: Still waking up once or twice a night to go pee and I had a hard time falling back asleep after getting up to use the restroom. 

Best moment this week: We got to see Logan at our first follow up ultrasound this week! And we bought his crib and dresser that’ll get set up later this week! 

Miss anything? Beer. 

Food cravings: I haven’t really craved anything lately, I’ve just been hungry more often but getting full faster. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope. 

Gender: BOY!! 

Labor signs: None this week.

Symptoms:  Heartburn is becoming a daily/nightly occurrence, gassy/burpy, always peeing, but overall I feel pretty good.

Belly button in or out? Sometimes it sticks out a little and other times it’s flush with my belly. 

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: putting Logan’s furniture together in his room so I can start organizing a little bit more and my OB appt coming up. 

We got to see Logan at 27 weeks 1 day! Oh my gosh does he look like Caleb! He already has chubby little cheeks, Caleb’s nose and sweet little lips.  He’s measuring a whole week ahead and weighs 2.6lbs already! Based on my pregnancy apps, most babies range from 1.9lbs to 2.2lbs at 27 weeks, so Logan is definitely not having a problem gaining weight.  He’s head down which is good news since he was laying transverse at our last ultrasound and my last OB appointment.  I was suspecting he moved because I felt him hiccuping low in my abdomen the other night. 

Logan still looks great and my amniotic fluid is perfect.  His right kidney is functioning normally and there weren’t any other concerns during the ultrasound.  We got a really sweet picture of his face and after the ultrasound, we met with a genetic specialist.  The genetic specialist basically said Logan’s one kidney could be due to a fluke that just happened or it could be genetic.  She is going to put in for Chris and I to have renal ultrasounds to see if his one kidney could be genetic.  She offered an amniocentesis and blood screening to check for other genetic abnormalities, but the ones tested wouldn’t tell us why he has one kidney or any other disorders associated with one kidney, so we declined both.  I was concerned about a genetic disorder called Potters Sequence that’s more commonly associated with missing both kidneys, but can occur when the baby has one; however, the genetic specialist said that’s commonly due to low amniotic fluid and based on my fluid levels Logan isn’t at risk and to not worry about it. 

So, we’ll continue to have monthly ultrasounds to check his kidney/renal function and have additional testing done when he’s born to confirm or eliminate any other abnormalities. We think he’ll be just fine when he’s born and if any other concerns arise when he’s here, we’ll deal with them one at a time!

Alissha