Week 32

Wow! 8 weeks left to go before the arrival of our daughter. This week was a big week. I went to the doctor and I will now be seeing him every other week, instead of monthly. I had my baby shower over the weekend. I had so much fun and got so much cute stuff. I am so thankful for all the wonderful people in my life. I also had maternity pictures taken. I want to say a HUGE thank you to our friend Sharlla Brandwein for doing such an amazing job! Needless to say, the next 8 weeks will be filled with preparation for our little girl. Her nursery is soooo very close to be totally complete. I can't wait until it's all finished!

Just like you, your unborn baby will establish a daily routine. You'll notice at times your baby is active and wiggly, while at other times you can't feel her movements. Once your baby's born, she'll most likely continue with her in-utero pattern. Along with a routine, your baby has favorite positions too. A favorite of many unborn babies is to have their heads down, rumps up towards the ribs (conveniently, the perfect position for labor). Your unborn baby weighs around four pounds and stretches to over 11 and one-half inches in length (crown to rump). She is about the size of a jicama.

Week 31

How far along? 31 Weeks


Total weight gain/loss: +16 lb

Stretch marks? Blah!!

Sleep: I am getting up more often in the night and I now have to sleep at an angle and with 6 pillows.

Best moment this week: Getting maternity capris FINALLY!!!

Movement: Yep she is still a gymnast in my belly.

Food cravings: Chocolate milk

Labor Signs: I think I have had some contractions from time to time.

Belly Button in or out? Still in.
 Mark wants it to pop out cause he thinks it will be cute.

What I miss: Being able to go non-stop. I now have to take breaks every hour or so.


What I am looking forward to: My baby shower!!!!!

Weekly Wisdom: Keep tums with you at all times!!!!

Milestones: I can eat pickles again!

Your unborn baby's lungs continue to mature. As her lungs become more developed, the chances of her surviving if born prematurely increase. Her skin, which has been wrinkled, now becomes pink and smooth as fat cells fill out her body. Baby knows your voice. Singing to her, talking to her, and telling her all about the world she'll be joining soon is a great way for you and your partner to bond with Baby—and each other! Your baby's fingernails have grown and she may even need a manicure after she's born. Your unborn baby weighs around three pounds, eight ounces and stretches to around 11.2 inches (crown to rump). She is now about the size of a head a cabbage.

Week 30

30 weeks pregnant and I am feeling great!! I get more and more anxious every day to meet our daughter!

Your baby's face looks much like it will when she's born. She still needs to fill out more to get the characteristic chubby infant cheeks, but she's on her way. She can move her head, open her eyes, and make breathing movements through her open nostrils (although no air comes in). If your little one were born today, she'd have a good chance for survival at about three pounds and nearly 11 inches long (crown to rump). About the size of a chihuahua.

Week 29

How far along? 29 Weeks


Total weight gain/loss: +16 lb

Stretch marks? Yep, still there. Ugh!

Sleep: Sleeping pretty well these days, but I do have scheduled times that my little girl wakes me up.

Best moment this week: Mark being able to watch her move.

Movement: ALL THE TIME!!! I absolutely love feeling her move!

Food cravings: Nothing in particular this week, just food.

Gender: Still a beautiful baby girl.

Labor Signs: Nothing that I know of.

Belly Button in or out? In.


What I miss: My toes and having normal sized feet.


What I am looking forward to: Getting her nursery all set up and organized.

Weekly Wisdom: When you sleep...pillows, pillows and more pillows!

Milestones: Third Trimester has begun!!

Your baby is filling out this week. She's adding fat to insulate her body for the day she leaves her cozy home. You can probably distinguish between feet and hands, head and bottom when your baby-to-be moves inside you. She takes practice breaths but won't breathe air until delivery. Your baby's growth has begun to slow down now, but she will still gain approximately four pounds between now and birth. If she were born now, she would be able to breathe, but might tire easily and need assistance. Her little eyes are sensitive to light. At two pounds, 12 ounces and almost 10 and one-half inches (crown to ump), your little one is growing fast! She is about the size of butternut squash.

Week 28

Well I am officially in my 3rd trimester. I can't even believe how fast this is going. Our little bundle of joy should be arriving in about 11 weeks, which means it's crunch time! The nursery is coming along very nicely, (I will post pictures after my baby shower, I promise!) and I am feeling more and more prepared every day, well as prepared as you can be for something to totally change your life. My pregnancy has been so wonderful, and I couldn't be more thankful that God has blessed me with such an amazing and healthy pregnancy. I can't wait to meet our beautiful little miracle.

Your unborn baby's survival rate outside the womb increases as each week passes. If she didn't open his eyes last week, chances are she'll take her first peek this week. Your baby-to-be's skeleton and muscles are maturing quickly. This week she can turn her head from side to side. Most of the lanugo has disappeared at this point and your baby may have a full head of hair by now. Your Baby weighs in at around two pounds, seven ounces and stretches to 10 inches (crown to rump). About the size of a Chinese cabbage.

Week 27

How far along? 27 Weeks


Total weight gain/loss: +16 lb

Stretch marks? I don't want to talk about it.

Sleep: I sleep best from about 4am-7am, and I sleep really well on the couch

Best moment this week: Getting to feel her kick from the outside and watching my belly move.

Movement: She is in her prime moving time. The doctor told me that I will be feeling her the most from now until about 32 weeks.

Food cravings: Still Mac and Cheese

Gender: A beautiful baby girl.

Labor Signs: None this week.

Belly Button in or out? In.


What I miss: Rolling over in the middle of the night and it not taking 10 minutes to do so.


What I am looking forward to: For Mark to be able to feel her kick.

Weekly Wisdom: Pedicures are your friend!

Milestones: This is the last week of my 2nd trimester.

Your baby's lungs and brain are beginning to mature. Although she'd have a good chance of survival if she were born now, she could use a few more weeks of growing. Added layers of fat are continuing to form. These layers will help your baby regulate his temperature once outside the womb and help keep her warm. Your little one weights just over two pounds now and stretches out to a little over nine and one-half inches (crown to rump), which is about the size of an 8x10 picture frame.

Week 26, Less than 100 days to go!!!

I am 26 weeks pregnant and every day I get more and more excited to be a mom! What a journey. And it's one that is just beginning.

This week your baby-to-be opens her eyes for the first time. She'll open and shut her eyes as she gets used to her new ability. Your little one is still on the small side. Her body may look fully formed on the outside, but inside there's fine-tuning taking place, including her lungs and her brain. This week your baby's weight hovers around two pounds and her length reaches about nine inches (crown to rump) which is about the size of a box of Kleenex.

Week 25

How far along? 25 Weeks


Total weight gain/loss: +10 lb


Maternity clothes? I think I am gonna wear maternity clothes forever!! They are so comfortable!

Stretch marks? Ug!

Sleep: Depends on the night. Heartburn keeps me awake.

Best moment this week: Getting to see her again via ultrasound

Movement: I am pretty sure she has her own kick-boxing class in my belly.

Food cravings: Mac and Cheese

Gender: A beautiful baby girl.

Labor Signs: None this week.

Belly Button in or out? In.


What I miss: Being able to paint my toenails.


What I am looking forward to: For Mark to be able to feel her kick.

Weekly Wisdom: Don't hesitate to call your doctor if you need something, that is what they are there for.

Milestones: Feeling her move all the time.

Your baby-to-be's lungs are developing rapidly, although she'd probably need a little help breathing if she were born at this point. Her respiratory system continues to develop, her nostrils are open, and she can breathe—but she won't take her first breath of air until delivery day. Her reproductive organs are formed (in boys, the testes have descended). Her skin is translucent and wrinkled, and he can hear your stomach when it gurgles nd your voice when you sing. Your baby is becoming more aware of how she can move—she's wiggling her fingers and toes! Your baby has grown to about one pound, eight ounces and she's nearly nine inches long (crown to rump).

Week 24

Just a quick FYI: Heartburn is a killer!!!!!!!

Other than that things are still going really well. I had a doctor's appointment this week to check for gestational diabetes and I passed it!! I am so thankful for that!

I feel her move all the time! She is definitely an active baby. I love to feel her move inside me. It's a constant reminder of the awesomeness of God and how great He is, to allow me to carry and raise this little girl.

This rocking chair was mine from when I was little, so I refinished and painted it so Olivia can enjoy it. Here is the before and after.

I thought this picture put things more into perspective as far as how big she is inside me.

Your baby is filling out this week. Part of your weight gain goes straight to helping him gain weight, too. Since he's still on the scrawny side, his skin wrinkles on his body, but he looks like a miniature version of what you'll see on delivery day. His face has formed, ears are in place, and eyes are complete (although his lids are still closed). He has eyelashes, fingernails, and may be growing hair, too. Rapid eye movements (REM) are beginning, too. This week your baby weighs around one and one-half pounds and measures almost eight and one-half inches (crown to rump). She is about the size of an ear of corn.

Week 23

So here I am at 23 weeks pregnant. I am still enjoying every minute of it! Mark has informed me that I have started waddling. I didn't believe him, but then it just had to snow and I saw my footprints. Sadly, they are no longer in a straight line, they are side by side. Oh well, I guess it had to start some time. At least Mark thinks its cute. He is so supportive and I love him so much for that!

I had to have another ultrasound Monday, so they could get some more measurements. Some of these aren't as clear as the last ones, but I thought I would post them anyway. The doctor says everything looks great and that she is right on track. I have about 115 days left before we get to meet our little girl!

Here are her little arms and hands.

I think this one is so cute. She is in the fetal position.

This is her whole body.

This one they did in 3D. They wanted to get a view of her face, but she was being camera shy and wouldn't move her hands away from her face. Silly girl, she is going to have to get over that, because when she gets here, she will have A LOT more pictures taken of her.

Twenty-three weeks marks an important point for your unborn baby. Your baby-to-be is far enough along in her development that she could have a chance at survival outside the womb. According to the March of Dimes, of all babies born at 23 weeks, 25 to 35 percent survive. This number goes up considerably when you add just a couple weeks: babies born between 50 to 70 percent of all babies born at 24 to 25 weeks survive. And 90 percent of all babies born at 26 to 27 weeks survive. Although all of your baby-to-be's internal systems are in place, she needs more time for those intricate systems to mature. Your little one now about eight inches long (crown to rump) and weighs in at around one pound. Which is about the size of a papaya.

Week 22

We had a really great weekend. We were able to get Olivia's room all painted. (Pictures of the completed nursery coming soon!) We just need to get the chair rail put up and arrange the room. I can't wait to see it all put together. I know she will love it!

Your baby's brain is growing daily. Her senses are also starting develop. She can hear the sound of your heart along with your breathing. As she wiggles her fingers, she may touch her face or even suck her thumb. Her lungs are becoming more mature, and she even goes through the motions of breathing. She can also swallow, although she won't have her first real meal until delivery day. Your baby-to-be reaches about 7.6 inches in height (crown to rump) and weighs in at just over 12 ounces. Which is about the size of a spaghetti squash.

Week 21

This whole experience has been so wonderful. Some days I wake up and still can't believe that there is a little miracle growing inside me. I absolutely love being pregnant, but it's funny because some days I just want this to be over so I can meet her, and start teaching her about how much of a miracle she really is. I want to show her how much we love her and for her to understand how much God really wanted her to be here.

How far along? 21 weeks


Total weight gain/loss: +10 lb


Maternity clothes? Yes please!

Stretch marks? Still not too bad this week

Sleep: Some nights are good, some nights are not so good, but I LOVE NAPS!!!

Best moment this week: Finding out that we will be having a girl.

Movement: I am starting to feel her more and more. She is most active from 8pm-10:30pm.

Food cravings: Mayo, cheese and pickle sandwiches

Gender: It's a girl!!!!

Labor Signs: I think I have been having some Braxton Hicks contractions. I had three really bad cramps in a row the other night, each were 9 minutes apart. I am not diagnosing myself, but I am guessing that's what it was.

Belly Button in or out? In.


What I miss: Feeling full for a long period of time. I feel like I am hungary every 5 minutes.


What I am looking forward to: Getting started on the Nursery

Weekly Wisdom: It's okay to cry! Just let it out. Blame it on the hormones!

Milestones: She is moving around a lot more.

Your little one will begin to fill out over the next few weeks. Fat layers form throughout your unborn baby's body. These layers will eventually keep her warm and insulated once outside the womb. Soft hair, called lanugo, covers her body, too. Her eyelids are still closed, making her appear like she's sleeping, but frequent wiggles will let you know she's awake. You may also feel Baby hiccupping.Those jerky motions you feel in your belly are a result of little lungs practicing the important task of breathing. Your baby-to-be weighs in at around 10.5 ounces and stretches to about 7.2 inches (crown to rump). About the size of a phone receiver.

I love this picture! She looks so relaxed and has her ankles crossed like her daddy does.

It was so neat to watch her move on the ultrasound screen. She was such a wiggle worm. I guess eating a king size Reeses and apple juice was a little excessive. I am pretty sure she was having a sugar rush. At one point I saw her jump on the screen and I felt the jump at the same time. Mark and I are so happy that we will be raising a daughter. We are really looking forward to meeting our little princess!

By week 20, your baby-to-be is gearing up for the next phase in his development—filling out. Her organs are getting into their proper places. Her kidneys are now in position with their familiar bean shape. Her ovaries have reached their position. Her brain continues to form and grow. Her teeth are beginning to appear, and she can swallow. If you haven't been able to feel her move, chances are you'll be feeling her move more and more over the coming weeks. She's still just barely six inches long (crown to rump) and weighs around nine ounces. About the six of a 6in Subway sub.

Half way there!!!! 20 Weeks!

I can't even express how excited we are for this week! We have reached some big milestones. Today we will (hopefully, if little bit cooperates) find out if we will be raising a son or a daughter. I have heard tons of predictions and many people say that it will be a girl and only a few that it is a boy. I have had three dreams for a boy and three for a girl, so at this point I really don't have any strong feelings either way, I will be totally surprised! Whether it's a boy or a girl, I am so thankful for this little miracle growing inside of me. God has truly blessed us with this precious gift, and we will be forever grateful for that!

Week 19

How far along? 19 Weeks


Total weight gain/loss: +8 lb


Maternity clothes? Still very comfy!

Stretch marks? Not too bad.

Sleep: Not so much right now.

Best moment this week: I am feeling the baby move!!

Movement: Yep, mostly at night.

Food cravings: Mac and Cheese

Gender: Finding out on MONDAY!!!!!!

Labor Signs: None yet.

Belly Button in or out? In.


What I miss: Laying on my belly.


What I am looking forward to: Finding out the gender!!!! I am sooo excited. It's so close now!!

Weekly Wisdom: Not feeling very wise this week. Lol.

Milestones: Finally feeling the baby move.

Your unborn baby's organs continue to grow. His body is covered with lanugo—soft hairs and a sticky protective coating that keeps his skin from drying out in the amniotic fluid. Your baby is moving frequently, and by now you should be able to feel those movements. Your physician can hear your baby-to-be's heartbeat with a stethoscope placed on your abdomen. Baby is covered in vernix, a white, cheesy "cream" that protects her skin from the long bath in amniotic fluid. Preemies are covered in vernix at birth—"posties" have almost none. Your little one weighs in at around seven ounces and he's between five and six inches long (crown to rump) about the size of a mango.

Week 18

It's been a pretty exciting week. I am starting to feel the baby move. Really awesome feeling. I mostly feel it at night, which for us might be good if our baby is a night owl. I can only hope right?!!

At week 18, your baby-to-be's senses are maturing. She's able to hear sounds within her own comfortable environment, such as the sound of your heart beating, as well as external sounds, such as your voice. She may become more active for certain sounds, and you'll feel her movements. At this point in her development she's still small enough that she has plenty of room to wiggle. Your little one is about five ounces and five to six inches long (crown to rump) which is about the size of a plastic cup.

Week 17

How far along? 17 Weeks


Total weight gain/loss: +8 lb


Maternity clothes? Needing them more and more!

Stretch marks? Itchy

Sleep: Sleeping a lot better these days!

Best moment this week: We got to hear the heartbeat!!!!

Movement: I think I have felt movement, but I am not sure if it's the baby or not.

Food cravings: Pizza and Pickles

Gender: We will find out on Jan. 18

Labor Signs: None yet.

Belly Button in or out? In.


What I miss: Nothing this week


What I am looking forward to: Finding out what our baby is so we can start getting the nursery ready.

Weekly Wisdom: Make sure that there are tissues handy wherever you go!

Milestones: I can sleep again, I can sleep again!!!

Around this time your baby's ears pop from his head and Baby-to-be can now sense sounds. After all, he has plenty to listen to in utero! He's accustomed to the strong beating of your heart, blood rushing through your veins, and your stomach grumbling. He can also discern sounds outside the uterus, like your voice and music. Although, according to the Mayo Clinic, whether he can distinguish the sound of your voice versus other sounds is not yet clear. This week your little one weighs in at around five ounces and stretches to just over five inches (crown to rump). About the size of an onion.

Week 16

Week 16 has been one amazing week!!! We had a doctors appointment and got to hear the heartbeat for the first time! It was so awesome! It was a very VERY exciting experience! At the next doctors appointment we will find out what we are having. I can't wait!


By week 16, your baby-to-be's body is doing more to support itself. Her kidneys function and produce urine that then passes through the umbilical cord. Within her stomach, bile is secreted, although she relies on you for all of her nutrients. Her appearance changes as her scalp hair grows and may even have color. Her developing facial muscles make it possible for her to open and close her mouth, maybe even give you a smile or two. This week, your little one is around four inches long (crown to rump) and weighs in at nearly three ounces. About the size of an Avocado.