28 & 29 Week "Bumpdate" Third Trimester Begins!

The last two weeks have been a blast and also such a whirlwind! As the semester came to a close, our calendars were filled with Christmas parties, dance team & ballet Christmas performances, lots of shopping (mostly online this year), and preparing to meet our newest addition in March. It has been a fun and exciting time in our lives. Crazy we only have 11 more weeks (give or take) until we meet this precious little lady.

28 weeks! 

29 weeks! 

Audrey Grace is 15.2-16.7 inches long and weighs anywhere from 2.5-3.8 lbs and is growing rapidly everyday! She will double, even triple in weight as she packs on that precious little baby fat that is making her energy surge and will keep her warm once born. Her living space is getting a little crammed and it makes it easy to feel any kicks or jabs she makes! 

At our last prenatal appointment Audrey Grace measured right on track and my doctor said she may be around 7lb 8 oz when born, which is how much I weighed when I was born! One of my pregnancy apps compares the babies growth to games or toys. This week Audrey Grace is the size of a Barbie convertible! Beep beep! Better watch out! ;)

Favorite moment of the week: Getting to celebrate Christmas with Tyler, Robyn, John! Loved getting to visit and spend about a week with them. While we were there, some family & friends on Tylers side threw us our first baby shower for Audrey Grace. It was so much fun! We feel so grateful for the love & support as we prepare for her arrival. 

Movement:  I feel her move several times throughout the day and especially at night. I am feeling stronger movements and yesterday was the first time I could actually see her move just from watching my stomach! It was amazing to see her roll, kick and change positions. It's so fascinating! 

Cravings? Bagel bites and HOT CHOCOLATE! <3 

Sickness? No sickness-  Only occasional aches/pains. My feet have started to hurt a little bit & I continue to have mid back pain if sitting for too long! 

Labor signs: None, thank the Lord! 

Mood/energy: Feeling great. Energy level has been normal. Feeling some "nesting" symptoms coming on soon! 

Sleep: Only recently has it gotten harder to roll to my other side because of my belly! It takes more effort but still sleeping pretty well once I get comfy! 

Exercise: PiYo 2-3x a week.  (Pilates/yoga/strength training) and some hand weights. I was invited to co-lead a Piyo class while in Nebraska and it was really fun! I really enjoyed getting to meet another Piyo instructor and lead a class together. 

Diet/Weight: At my last appointment at 27 weeks I had gained 16lbs total which is great! Doctor said I will probably gain around 8-10lbs in the next 11 weeks as Audrey should nearly double/triple her weight before she makes her debut! 

Looking forward to: We are on our way to visit my family in Arkansas and all my siblings and new nephew will be there! I can't wait to hug and snuggle with him and get to hangout with my family! 

Thankful for: This stage of life! Really enjoying pregnancy and the excitement continues to build as we wait till her arrival! We will be busy setting up her crib, a beautiful new cradle and rocker/reclining chair from Tylers parents! Can't wait to decorate her room. :-) 

Feeling so blessed to be on this journey to parenthood with the man I love! This pregnancy has been an amazing experience and I can't believe in 11 short weeks (give or take) we will embark on a totally new adventure as parents. Not every day has been a walk in a winter wonderland, but every ache & pain is BEYOND worth it!!! We can't wait for our little precious heart to arrive. 

We are already in love with one of the best gifts God has given us! We can't wait to meet you Audrey Grace. March can't get here fast enough! 

26 & 27 Week "Bumpdate" & 2nd Trimester Review

26 Weeks

27 Weeks

WOW! Hard to believe I am done with the second trimester. Only one more to go! I am now 7 months pregnant and we are getting really excited as we inch closer to the due date (March 9th). Most of the time it seems that this pregnancy has flown by, but other times I just want to hold baby Audrey in my arms already! I know she will be here before we know it!

  

The second trimester has treated me well besides a few back aches and pains. Weeks 17/18 with round ligament pain was the worst- but once that subsided, I have felt really good! It is so amazing getting to experience this miracle taking place inside my body. God is truly knitting Audrey Grace together in my womb.

This week Audrey is around 2 lbs and 14.5 inches long with her legs extended- about the size of a rutabega. Haha!

 She is now sleeping and waking at regular intervals. In the previous weeks her eyes have been developing under fused eye lids, now she can open and close her eyes- although theres not much to see right now! She is showing increased brain activity and her brain is getting more complex everyday. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning - with a lot of medical help- if she were to be born now. 

Favorite moment of the week? Tyler surprising me with tickets to go see the Nutcracker in Springfield on my birthday. It had been a tradition when I was little to go see the Nutcracker with my dance teacher around Christmas time, but it had been such a long time since the last time I saw it. It was a really good ballet and the dancers were fabulous! 

Movement? One of my favorite things right now is getting to feel her kick and move inside of me all the time. I can tell she enjoys being on the right side of my stomach and is starting to go up close to my ribs on that side. Actually- as I was typing this blog post I felt the first kick to the ribs. It kinda hurt a little bit! 

Cravings? I could really eat some bagel bites right about now. Random, I know...

Sickness? Last week I caught a 24 hr stomach bug that was going around. Being sick while pregnant is no fun at all! But it didn't last long and I feel 100% now!

Gender: ALL GIRLLLLL

Labor signs: During week 26 I felt what I would describe as the onset of menstrual cramps- except very light and not very painful. They only lasted one morning and then went away. 

Mood/energy: Great! 

Sleep: Good for the most part. I sometimes wake up with hunger pains in the night and will get a glass of water or milk and a banana or something and go back to bed.

Exercise: Still teaching PiYo 2x a week. I am so glad that I have been able to continue teaching and feel so good getting to stretch and stay strong during this pregnancy. It has helped with my mood and energy levels as well.

Diet/weight: Will know total weight gain on my appointment this Thursday! 

Looking forward to: Seeing my girls on dance team perform their christmas routine at the game on Tuesday and at their assembly on Thursday! They have been working hard and I know they will do a great job! Tyler and I are also looking forward to being with family and friends over Christmas break! I especially can't wait to see my sister and little nephew Samuel! Also, Tyler's sweet friends and family are throwing us our first baby shower for Audrey Grace! We are really excited about that!

Prayer needs/ praises: Thankful for a healthy pregnancy thus far! Pray for continued good health for me and for Audrey as she is developing during this last trimester! 

Thankful for: God's provision of all that we need. While we feel emotionally ready for Audrey Grace to be here, we do not feel "physically" ready- as in, there is still a lot to do as we prepare her nursery and get the things we need (like lots of diapers, lol). But we are thankful that God always provides what we need in the right time and trusting Him as we prepare to be parents! I know Audrey is going to be SO loved and cared for- no doubt!

I'm excited to move into the third trimester as that means we are one step closer to holding Audrey Grace in our arms! 

xoxo,

Dorothy and Audrey Grace :) 

24 & 25 Week "Bumpdate"

24 weeks & 5 days pregnant! 

Baby Audrey is now around 10.5-11.8 inches and weighs about a pound and a half. She is the size of a cantaloupe- But even more sweet :-) Audrey Grace is beginning to exchange that long, lean look for some baby fat. Her wrinkled skin will smooth out and she will be able to regulate her own internal temperature. 

She is also growing more hair – and if we could see it, we would now be able to discern its color and texture! I can't wait to see what she looks like!

Bump: She is deciding to reveal herself more and more! I feel like I am about to have an outie belly button in a few weeks as she gets bigger. She is growing so quickly!

Favorite moment of the week: Definitely spending time with Tyler in Point Clear. We had an amazing relaxing time together exploring the resort, trying fun local restaurants & coffee shops, seeing the adorable downtown area, relaxing in the spa, staying up late watching Parenthood and getting to sleep in late, exploring a WWII museum and eating all the seafood we could handle! It was wonderful! 

Then we drove a few hours west to join my moms side of the family in New Orleans for thanksgiving. It was a ton of fun and definitely a thanksgiving for the books! There were 70+ relatives there, lots of yummy food, plenty of room for the kiddos to run around outside, a fishing pond, and since my cousin is an equine veterinarian and she was hosting, she had some beautiful horses and even gave the kids some pony rides. It was a great time with family! 

Miss anything? I just miss my sister and her new baby Samuel. Can't wait to see them at Christmas! 

Movement: TONS. This girl dances to the music. Seriously, she hears a song come on and usually I start to feel her move a lot more.   

Cravings? I'm really wanting some bagel bites right about now. 

Sickness? None!

Gender prediction: ITS A GIRL!

Labor signs: none.

Mood/energy: Very good

Sleep:

Diet/Weight: Weighed in at 136! So I am up 11lbs from pre-pregnancy weight. Doctor says I am doing great! 

Looking forward to: My birthday coming up Dec 8, fun Christmas parties, and seeing my family at Christmas! I am also looking forward to seeing my girls on the dance team perform their new Christmas dance they have been working on! Come out and see them perform at halftime during the first home basketball game Dec 15! 

Thankful for: My sweet husband who has been taking such amazing care of this Preggo wife :-) He is truly a rock star and it is so fun to experience this season together. I can't wait to see him as a father. Talk about melting this mamas heart!!! I know she will have him wrapped around her little finger too! 14 more weeks! 

Until next time,

Dorothy & Audrey Grace