Penelope is ONE month old!

You came home from the NICU at 35 weeks gestational, just in time for your 1 month birthday! The first few days were a little stressful, but I was so happy to have Gigi here to take care of me so I could take care of you! We love having you home because it means we got to spend even more time with you. We are keeping you on the NICU schedule for a couple of months – something both you and Dad and I are comfortable with. It’s nice to have a routine.

Adjusted Age: -0 month

Weight:  5lbs and 3 oz. (25-50%ile adjusted scale and  >2%ile term scale)

Length: 18.5 inches (50-75%ile adjusted scale and >2%ile term scale)

Head Circumference:  32.75 cm (~90%ile adjusted scale and 1%ile term scale)

Diaper Size:  You are still in preemie.

Clothing Size: Newborn, although they are a little big on you.

Diet: You are eating between 45 and 60mls every 3 hours. We are still working on breastfeeding.

Sleep: You are on a three hour feeding schedule (12am, 3am, 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, and 9pm). 

Sometimes you are awake a little after feedings but you mostly sleep – which is normal considering you are still supposed to be cooking for another month.

 Baby Gear Love: You love your swing!

Milestones/Firsts:  This was a month of firsts: no IV, no feeding tube, bottle feeding, breastfeeding, you name it!  Your muscles are getting stronger and you are starting to hold your head up on your own.

Likes:  Eating and sleeping. You like tummy time when you are laying on Mom or Dad’s chest.

Dislikes: Baths, dirty diapers, and diaper changes.

Things I Don’t Want to Forget: Some nights when I wake you up for your 3am feeding, I swear you have grown since I laid you down after your 12am feeding. 

We are so happy to have you home. We love you so much!

30 Weeks

Week 30 Highlights

 How far along: 30 weeks

30 weeks, 2 days

Size of baby: The size of a large cabbage and approximately 15.7 inches long and 3 lbs.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: + 5lbs.

How I'm Changing: My belly is constantly changing shapes depending on where baby girl is hanging out in there.

Maternity Clothes: Same as past weeks. When I'm just hanging around the house, I usually end up wearing Blake's shirts and zip-up hoodies and my sweatpants because it has been so cold and I want to be comfy! I am even out-growing his t-shirts! I've had to sort through his stash and find the few XLs he has. I've claimed them as my own for the next few weeks!

Gender: Girl

Movements: She is back to her active little self! I started movement counts last week, and I usually get to 10 movements in 15 minutes or so. I have noticed that the kicks are less frequent and I'm feeling more pushing like she's stretching.

Sleep: I'm waking up 1 to 3 times a night and I'm noticing it's usually around the same time. I tend to have one longish stretch that I can't get back to sleep. I think she's training me already! I have had some crazy nightmares (like wake-you-up-in-a-cold-sweat nightmares) this week, which was strange to me at first because I'm one who hardly ever remembers my dreams.

Symptoms: Meralgia Paresthetica (numbness/burning sensation in the outer upper left thigh) was intense this week! I woke up one night with the most severe burning sensation. It hurt so badly I wanted to scream but instead let out a stifled whimper (as to not wake up Blake) and tried my best to alleviate the pain. I did wake the poor guy up though. Since then the burning has really settled in, and I much preferred the numbness over the burning!. A hot shower hitting my thigh helps a little bit. For the most part, the upper right belly pain hasn't been as strong as last week. It usually only bothers me if she spends a lot of time chilling/stretching up there. Oh, the heart burn is back in full-force too.

How I'm feeling: Anxious!

30 weeks, 5 days

What I Miss: Being pain free. :)

Cravings: Still ice cold milk...and lots of it! It's so strange because I never really liked milk. We went through a whole gallon in 1 day. I don't even know who I am!

Best Moment(s) of the Week: Setting up the crib, our last Pacers game dinner/date night, ordering the glider, getting a box full of adorable baby clothes from my sister (our girl will be so stylish in her cousin's hand-me-downs!), hanging out with our friends...so many fun things this week!

What I am Looking Forward To: Seeing our girl on Friday! We have our last ultrasound...so crazy!

29 Weeks

Week 29 Highlights

 How far along: 29 weeks

29 weeks, 1 day

Size of baby: The size of a butternut squash and approximately 2 1/2 lbs and a tad over 15 inches long.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: + 5lbs.  I did have a big growth spurt last week...I hope that doesn't happen every week, or I'll probably get the stink eye from my doctor. I was just expressing my concerns to Blake about not gaining weight, and then I gained a bunch in one week.

How I'm Changing: Oh my! We went to Ikea this weekend and every time I caught my reflection in one of their big mirrors I was amazed at how big my belly was.

Maternity Clothes: Same as past weeks.

Gender: Girl

Movements: She is back to her active little self! I started movement counts this week, and I usually get to 10 movements in 15 minutes or so.

Sleep: Ehhh, I've been pretty tired at bedtime, but am back to waking up 1 to 2 times a night.

Symptoms: Meralgia Paresthetica (numbness/burning sensation in the outer upper left thigh) is still going strong and the pain in my upper right belly stops me in my tracks many times if I'm being especially active (walking and/or standing for a period of time is the worst!). My doctor said the belly pain is caused by my uterus putting pressure on veins, etc (so the same as the leg thing). My muscles there feel really wonky from the outside too - like they are ripping apart. :( Not fun.

How I'm feeling: I'm excited! Things are becoming real the closer we get to April.

What I Miss: Being pain free. :)

Cravings: Ice cold milk...and lots of it! It's so strange because I never really liked milk.

Best Moment(s) of the Week: Doctor's appointment - who doesn't love hearing the heartbeat! And our  date night at the ISO and our Ikea trip!

What I am Looking Forward To: I hope we can tackle some more nursery projects this weekend!  Also, spring. It's been so cold and snowy here. I'm over it.

28 Weeks

Week 28 Highlights

How far along: 28 weeks

28 weeks, 1 day

Size of baby: About the size of a large eggplant and approximately 2 1/4 lbs and 14.8 inches long.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Still down about 2lbs from my starting weight.I think the weight I have gained back from being so sick all went to my belly.

How I'm Changing: I noticed a big belly growth spurt this week. I felt like I woke up much bigger than when I went to sleep the night before. It was crazy!

Maternity Clothes: Same as past weeks.

Gender: Girl

Movements: Movements really slowed down this week. Of course it makes me super nervous, but it seems like it's pretty normal as babies really start growing each week and have less room to jump around.

Sleep: I had a hard time falling asleep this week - I was awake for hours! I'm not sure it was all pregnancy related though. Blake was gone all week for work and I don't ever sleep as soundly when he's away.

28 weeks, 4 days after the growth spurt.

Symptoms:  OMG! Hello to Meralgia Paresthetica (numbness/burning sensation in the outer upper left thigh). It freaked me out when all of a sudden my thigh was numb, but it appears to be pretty normal. My sister said she experienced it too. While not all that painful yet (I read it gets worse the bigger you get), it is pretty annoying. I've had some cramping/pain in my right upper belly.  Also, still lacking much of an appetite.

How I'm feeling: My back is getting worse, so I think it's time to make a chiropractor appointment. Also, all those little pains and now the numbness thing are getting old!

What I Miss: Being pain free. :)

Cravings: Nothing really specific this week. Grapefruit and string cheese are yummy.

Best Moment(s) of the Week: Starting the third trimester! I can't believe how quickly this pregnancy is progressing. She'll be here before we know it. Also, I was so happy to have Blake home!

What I am Looking Forward To: I got a few of my house projects done this week when Blake was gone and I have a few more to tackle before I let myself fully focus on the nursery. We are also going get some of the master bedroom done before she is born too. We have a busy three months ahead of us! A weekend trip to Ikea is in our near future I think. And my doctor's appointment tomorrow!

27 weeks

Week 27 Highlights

How far along: 27 weeks

Size of baby: About the size of a head of cauliflower and approximately 2 lbs and 14 1/2 inches long.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Still down about 2lbs from my starting weight.I think the weight I have gained back from being so sick all went to my belly.

How I'm Changing: I think things are about the same. I don't really have much of an appetite these days - which is a big bummer because I really love food! I was looking forward to not being so nauseous, and now that I'm not, I'm so disappointed that food doesn't have the same appeal anymore. I eat a few bites of things and then am done.

27 weeks, 1 day. Only 90 more days to go!

Maternity Clothes: Same as past weeks.

Gender: Girl

Movements: She likes to dance around in there!

Sleep: Sleep was pretty good this week.

Symptoms:  I'm actually feeling great this week!

How I'm feeling: I have little aches and pains, but the warm bath are really helping me relax. I'm really starting to feel the pressure to get things done before she arrives. I just need to do a little something every day so I don't overdo it and pay for being so active the next day.

What I Miss: Wearing heels and my cute winter sweaters. I love sweater weather! We were snowed in for a few days this week, and I missed out on helping to shovel... but I didn't really mind that I guess! :)

Cravings:  Brownies and grapefruit again! (Of course it would be brownies the week of my glucose test!)

Best Moment(s) of the Week: Hearing her little heart beat is the best things ever! I should post all the recordings on here in case something happens to my phone and I lose them. Better put that on my "to-do" list! I'm so happy I passed the glucose test - especially since so many of the things I want are sweet. I would be one grumpy preggo  if I couldn't indulge anymore. I also have to start iron supplements.

What I am Looking Forward To: I have some big projects planned for next week. I'm ready to tackle my list!

26 Weeks

Week 26 Highlights

26 weeks! Only 14 more weeks to go!

How far along: 26 weeks

Size of baby: A scallion - approximately 14 inches long and 1 2/3 lbs.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Still down about 2lbs from my starting weight.I think the weight I have gained back from being so sick all went to my belly.

How I'm Changing: I think things are about the same. I have noticed a little belly growth and rounding-out this week.

Maternity Clothes: Same as past weeks.

Gender: Girl

Movements: Still very active this week and I felt her hiccups!

Sleep: Sleep was pretty good this week.

Symptoms:  Heartburn, leg cramps, sore back - you know, the usual for pregnancy! I still have waves of nausea every day, but it is so much more manageable than before and doesn't last all day long.

How I'm feeling: I have little aches and pains, but the warm bath are really helping me relax.

What I Miss: Wearing heels and my cute winter sweaters. I love sweater weather!

Cravings: JJBLTs and brownies!

Best Moment(s) of the Week: Celebrating New Year's Eve!  Even though we are low-key people I so enjoy our normal tradition of junk food and board games. Of course my hair appointment! I always feel so fresh afterwards.

What I am Looking Forward To: I'm so happy to have some more energy! I'm excited to start organizing myself and tackling some projects before our little girl comes. My every other week doctor's appointments start next week too!

26 weeks, 2 days 

25 Weeks

I think the start of the New Year has made me a bit sentimental, as it often does to people. This has been an incredible year with so many blessings. Sometimes it's hard to believe we're actually pregnant with a healthy baby girl. After grieving two losses five months apart, there was a time when I thought this dream might not be possible for us. I had to work through so many emotions and prayers to be "ok" with that fate. I am so thankful for medicine that allows for me to carry a little one to full term. I'm thankful that the fear and uncertainly I felt looking at the positive pregnancy test the morning of our fifth wedding anniversary is finally and slowly subsisting as each day we move closer to her due date. I'm thankful to let go of my worry and to fully experience the joy. I am thankful I'm finally able to feel little kicks and jabs that let me know she's growing and developing like she should - something I thought I might never get the joy to feel. They are my reassurance.

25 weeks, 5 days

Week 25 Highlights

How far along: 25 weeks

Size of baby: A rutabaga. She is approximately 13 1/2 inches long and about 1 1/2lbs.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Still down about 2lbs from my starting weight.

How I'm Changing: I feel very front heavy. Sorry for the TMI, but it's amazing to me how the density of my breasts have changed. They feel so heavy, as does my big belly. Sometimes I catch Blake smirking at me, and I know it is because he is amazed by the changes my body are making to grown our little girl. The human body is pretty incredible. Getting used to that "there's something in there" feeling has been interesting. I have also noticed my belly moving up more than before. This is probably because my insides are still shifting around in there.

Maternity Clothes: Same as past weeks.

Gender: Girl

Movements: We have a very active girl on our hands! Her kicks are getting stronger each week. She doesn't like to cooperate though - when we were with Blake's family for Christmas, she decided to only kick my internal organs. We were all a little bummed because her grandma and auntie were looking forward to feeling her move.

Sleep: I am waking up several times a night to re-position to get more comfortable and up out of bed 1-2 times to use the bathroom and deal with occasional leg cramps.

Symptoms:  Heartburn, leg cramps, sore back - you know, the usual for pregnancy! I still have waves of nausea every day, but it is so much more manageable than before and doesn't last all day long.

How I'm feeling: There are days/nights I feel pretty uncomfortable - especially if I've been particularly active during the day. I've been taking hot baths most nights before bed to help relax my muscles. I'm just so happy to not be tossing my cookies all the time and finally being able to eat real food more consistently. I seem to have a bit more energy this week too.

What I Miss: Sleeping through the night. I really, really like my sleep. I think this is just a slow transition preparing me for years of lack of sleep. Looking back, I'm not sure how I survived and thrived in college on so little sleep. I guess I'll be revisiting that again!

Cravings: Jimmy John's JJBLT Seriously, I gave in twice this week (only two days apart) and they were soooooo yummy. I think it's the bread because a homemade BLT just wouldn't suffice.  This also marks my first non-sweet/non-sour craving.

Best Moment(s) of the Week: Celebrating Christmas! We received some very thoughtful gifts for baby girl. Painting the nursery!

What I am Looking Forward To: I know it's silly, but getting my hair done! I always feel so fresh afterwards. Plus my hairstylist is very close to delivering her sweet baby boy, Jack, and it'll be our last time to chat before she's off for a few weeks for her maternity leave.