38 weeks

This will be my last post before Kai joins us in a few days.  I wanted to take a little time to reflect on some of the last minute things and some of my favorite memories about this journey.

I wont forget that Kai was a gift from Hawaii, and I guess you could say an early Christmas Miracle of 2011.  And I also wont forget that deep down I knew I was pregnant at Christmas.  I even remember meeting up with friends and not "drinking" because I thought I was PG.  I also even remember taking a pregnancy test before we spent New Years Eve in NYC.  I had called the doctor because it was really early and asked if they would do a blood test.  Which they did and informed me that unfortunately I would be able to spend New Years celebrating because I was not pregnant, and there was NO way it would not have been accurate.  Ha, I look back now and laugh at how from the beginning Kai has defied what everyone "says" is supposed to be!!!

Turns out I was pregnant and our journey began there.  It has been full of up's, down's, scary moments, joy, tears, fears, and complete awe.  And I although I am not sure we will ever do it again.. I would not trade a single moment of OUR experience.  Of course I am saying this before I give birth (so hopefully my feelings wont change after this week :)

Skip forward 9 months and Kai is still the same baby who is anything but typical.  Doctors say he is going to be small (5.2 lbs) and that we might have to adjust to what we thought would be our "Plan"

But in this last week Kevin and I have truly tried to take in every last minute and just let the joy of what has happened shine.

Last night Kevin read "Goodnight Moon" a book given to us by the Hess's as he layed on my belly feeling and listening to his son.  He said he could hear the heart beat along with other movements in my belly!  It makes my heart feel so much love to see the excitement and joy on Kevin's face about "his boy"

We have learned that Kai is very reactive to touch, and will respond to rubbing on one side or the other of my belly....needless to say we spend most nights testing this theory and then laughing at how far he sticks out his little butt and legs!  This by far has been my favorite part of pregnancy.

Here is a small recap of the 3rd trimester

Cravings: Peaches, Pineapple, BBQ, lots of fruit


Feelings: Anxiety about the baby being healthy. Still lots of kicks and rolls!! Sleeping is fitful, I wake every few hours.  Less energy, Lots of indigestion, Lots of pressure as he has dropped.

Funny Memories: Kevin talking to Kai and telling him stories.  Walking an empty stroller around the block with the dogs! I wanted to make sure they wouldn't freak out when I tried to walk them with the baby!  My OCD kicking into extreme force (I cleaned everything...even sticky notes at work!)  Enjoying our "last" moments of peace and quiet.  The calm before the storm.

Dreams: Snakes, Tigers (they are back), I had a dream one night that I gave birth to twins but each only had ONE EYE!!! When I told our neighbors the Hess's they found a hat that was symbolic of my dream. haha  I think Kevin might wear it in the delivery room just for comic relief.

Weight gain: I am toping the scales at 148.  This is a toal of 30 lbs overall since the beginning!



We have tied up every last loose end.  Bag's packed, day-care picked, outfits washed, house is clean... there is nothing more that I need than for our little boy to be in our arms healthy and strong!  We are excited and nervous (as any parent to be is) but we know that God is going to get us through this week.

September 6th Hurry up!!!!!!!!!

37 weeks

I have to say that after taking this picture and my doctors apt this week this board is in error.  I usually get the weight and size out of my "What to Expect" book.  And a typical baby would weight this much at 37 weeks.... but our little man is going to be anything from typical.

As I knew from the start.  It seems like nothing about this journey has been simple or planned, so this week would be no different.
We found out that baby Kai has not gained any weight in the last month and is only showing to be 5.2 lbs!!!  He has weighed this much on the ultrasounds since the beginning of August.  At first my doctor said it was no alarm and that he was just slowing down in growth which some babies do as they get close and run out of room.  But after a full month of no change in weight (when lets face it, this is the time they should be bulking up) the doctor has said its time for him to come out. 
So we now have a new induction date set for Thursday September 6th..  After switching family flights and finishing up my last day at work I have decided that it is probably best to finally take it easy.  Kevin and I have never been one to slow down and I can count the number of days we have been "lazy" this summer on one hand!  So I feel like its time to just relax and try to give Kai the best possible chance of growing big and strong over the next week before he joins us.

I would be lying if I was to say that I was not worried about him, his health, and what will come next.  But I have to trust that God knows the plan and is going to take care of our baby. 
I just want him to be healthy.  They said depending on how things go he might be in the hospital anywhere from a few days to a week or so.  We are hoping for the best and that we get to bring him home as soon as possible.

Kevin has officially put me on a protein diet and has instructed me to eat "everything in sight"!!!

As of my last doctors apt. I weighed 148.  I have gained a total of 30lbs in the last nine months.
It is neat because I was looking at my baby book and found out that my starting and ending weight is the exact same as my mothers was with me (only I came out weighing 6.8oz.)

So for now I am being monitored and watched to make sure that the baby stays active and his vitals are good, and until the 6th we are all sitting on pins and needles.

35 weeks

This is probably my favorite board picture thus far!  Kevin is usually the one behind the camera so to have him on the other side this week was fun.  And I feel like my belly looks big and round. haha
Hard to think we are getting so close.

This week was very busy.  I had my first episode of Braxton Hicks the other morning.  It was tight bands across the belly but more discomfort than anything. 

Also the doctor set our induction date for SEPTEMBER 10TH!!!!!  It is absolutely crazy to think that no matter what Kai will be with us then! 
Kevin and I have been talking a lot about what we think he will look like and how exciting it is getting.  On top of that at night he has been kicking and rolling around so much that everyone in the house can see it. haha

I think we are officially ready.  There is not a single thing I can think of that will make me more prepared/ ready.  We installed the car seat!  I think all my college education was leading me to that point.  It took us almost an hour. And at one point Kevin was ready to just use bungee cords but I insisted we actually install the seat based on the manual! ha
Needless to say, once it was in and set Kevin and I both said... oh, that's it?  As if it should have been that simple all along!

I also took a breast feeding class this week.  Very informative and I would highly recommend it to friends.
Bags are packed, date  is set and Mom and Dad are ready!!!  Now we are just waiting on you precious Kai.

33 weeks

Been feeling very exhausted this week.  The doctor put me on iron supplements to help make sure we are getting all the nutrients we need.  I also have been sleeping very poor.  Restless legs, big belly, stuffy nose.  The list goes on and on.

Oh and the crazy dreams about tigers chasing me are back! haha 

I am going to cook up some easy meals this week and freeze them.  It's the last real thing on my "to-do" list. 

From the beginning I have had a strong feeling that I will not make it the full 40 weeks.  I just have this feeling that I will go into labor early.  So because of that I think I have tried to be more prepared than most.  I am actually glad I have all the "major" things done.  With my energy decreasing, I really cant imagine trying to complete a nursery or having a baby shower at this stage.

Weight is 142 this week!

Kai is still kicking and they are getting stronger.  I have also noticed in the last few weeks that he gets hick-ups at night.

I think our dog's know the time is near.  They seem to be acting out lately.  They both have been getting into things they would normally never mess with (trash, purses, flowers), I feel like they are trying my patience already!
Dr. appointments are now weekly and we should have an "induction date" this week!  If Kai makes it to the date then we will be able to have some family here for his big arrival!

Kai's Nursery

Here are a few pictures of the nursery.  I was really pleased with how it turned out.  Lots of little details that are fun and totally represent the laid back nautical feel we wanted.  I didn't go for the traditional baby look, but let me tell you this room is exactly what I wanted.  Thanks Kevin for all your help and hard work!!!!!

31 weeks

Playing catchup now on the last few weeks.  We have been busy as usual.  I am coming to the conclusion that it may never slow down..even though my body is telling me to. 
We extended our back deck and added on double the space.  That was Kevin's one big project before the baby came.  I have been nesting like crazy.  I'm talkin, scrubbin floors, organizing, cleaning, at home and work.  The other day they were giving me a hard time at the office because I cleaned a sticky note! Haha


I thought it would be fun to post some of the cravings that have been constant throughout the pregnancy! 
Weight gain now is pretty heavy.  At 140 this week!  At the doctors apt. they said that the baby had already turned head down which is great news and that he is weighing in at 4.2 lbs!  Suddenly I am wondering if we are going to have a big boy on our hands!!!
Kevin is getting more and more excited.  I think we are both ready to actually see this little guy.  Although he makes feeling him quite easy now days.  He is VERY active and Kevin gets a kick out of trying to make him move.

30 weeks

Swollen ankles have been the theme of this week!  Seems like when we got back from Naples and immediately got into the third trimester things started to go down hill.  I dont know if it is just because we have been busy or what, but exhaustion has started to creep back up!  I notice that when I sit all day at work my ankles look like sausages! haha

I have also started to wake back up in the middle of the night again for restroom breaks.  I guess being on the downhill slope is harder that it looks!  I am steadily gaining weight.  At 30 weeks I am weighing 138 lbs. and the baby is almost 3 lbs!  Hmmm that does not sound like a very good ratio!!!  Good thing Kevin and I are walking in the evenings.

I took my Glucose test last week and passed so that is good.  In two more weeks I will start going for stress tests!  Wow, I cant believe we only have 10 weeks left to go. 

On a good note we have finished the baby nursery (picts to come soon), we got our cord blood kit, and have started to prepare for the last 2 months!  My "to-do" list is getting longer not shorter, but that is my OCD kicking in. I am trying not to get overwhelmed or think about all the things ahead.  For now, I am taking it one day at a time. 

So with that being said... I'm off to watch Kevin's fireworks show and eat some watermelon.  Happy 4th of July everyone!!!!