Baby Belknap Weeks 29 and 30 Check in

Hello Everyone,

I went to the doctor on Monday, October 15th and had my monthly check up. I had to get a shot for being RH negative. It was painless and over quickly, thankfully! I gained one pound last week. According to my scale I am up 14 pounds! Whoo hoo! According to their scale at the Dr.'s office I am up 17 pounds. Now I start to go to the doctor every two weeks.

On Tuesday, October 16th, 2007 my girlfriend Laura (Neumann) Schleider had her first baby. It was a big surprise as they did not find out the sex of the baby. They had a girl, Claire Anne Schlieder. She weighs 7lbs, 4oz and was 19 1/2 inches. Congrats Laura and Brad.

We visited an in home daycare on Friday night. This woman was wonderful. The type of woman you would want to watch your kids hands down. The only problem is she has no openings, is about $100 more expensive per week then everyone else and has pretty limited hours. On Sunday morning we visited another in home day care. She was totally different than the woman we visited on Friday but we really liked her as well. She is open to watching Gabby part time but her hours are very limited and it probably won't work for us. We have set up to visit a church day care next week. We are just trying to visit as many places a possible to get a good idea of what is going to work best for us and Gabby.

On Saturday, October 20th, my labor and delivery nurse, Sonia tied the knot. She was a buff and beautiful bride. She is a married woman now and and ready to focus on our baby! Ha. Clearly it is all about us...Wait, did I mention she is going to see me naked. I think there is a code that you are not suppose to see your friends like this. Oh well...too late now. Right.

On Sunday, October 21, I felt Gabby having the hiccups for the first time. It latest about ten minutes and was so amazing to feel. She has been moving a lot lately as well. My clients noticed a difference in my belly from Monday to Wednesday. I feel too that I have changed a lot this week as far as the belly looks. Strange since I managed to loose a pound this week.
I have noticed this week that my level of being tired has picked up again. Which, really it has never fully gone away but I feel that I am requiring more sleep again. Which has proven to not be an easy task as I am extremely busy with work lately. Even having new clients calling wanting to get on my schedule regardless of me leaving soon on maternity leave.

Also, for the first time in the whole pregnancy I have noticed since Monday, October 22, I am getting up two to five times per night to go to the bathroom. I can't complain really but getting up at five am and going to the bathroom this many times a night do not go together. I have noticed as well that I am not able to fall asleep until about 11:30 or midnight. Ugh... I have noticed too that I feel some more pressure in my belly. Seems like my bladder is always full and even after going I still feel some pressure. Some random twinges here and there as well. I am now not being able to make it through most hours with clients without having to take a quick bathroom break. All these factors are not in my favor at the moment but I suppose my body is getting me ready for no sleep in the weeks to come after the baby arrives. The belly has been itchy this week as well. I have been trying to keep as much lotion on as possible to help minimize the itch.

We celebrated Halloween this weekend with some friends and went all out of course. The only way Jason would have it. Jason decided he would be the baby this year! We decided to dress baby Gabby up as a pumpkin for her first Halloween. My girlfriend, Natascha, came over and painted my stomach as a pumpkin. She is my go to girl for body painting as she painted my body with a tanner for my body building competition in 2002. This is true friendship here. Ha. So funny, since this was her first time actually painting on a live canvas. She did a great job and we had so much fun with it. Sadly most people at the party didn't even know I was pregnant. They just thought I had a pumpkin on my stomach. But as you all know this belly really has grown. I promise!

Yesterday, October 27th started week 30 for me. This means ten weeks left! Even though I managed to lose a pound last week I made up for it this week by gaining three pounds. So strange how the weight gain goes. I am up to 16 pounds total according to my scale. I did work out everyday this past week and ate very well. Okay, I have to admit I did enjoy a couple too many brownies at Angela's house the other night. It's not my fault, the Arieh's make the best brownies ever!

I have enclosed pictures of week 29 and 30. Along with our Halloween picture and one of baby, Claire Schleider. Along with the babycenter.com reports for week 29 and 30.

Thanks again to everyone for your continued support and words of wisdom. We are on the home stretch now.


All our love,

Julie and Jason


www.babycenter.com
Week 29: How your baby's growing:Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

Week 30: How your baby's growing:Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

Baby Belknap Week 28 Check in

Hello Everyone,

Seven months here were are! Three months to go. Why does it still seem so far away? I think I am going to be pregnant for the rest of my life. Well, if this is the case at least I won't have to go through labor right? Ha.

I actually noticed a couple of weeks ago the dark line coming in from my belly button down. Looks like someone drew on my stomach with a light brown marker. Even though I don't feel like my belly is that much bigger I can sure tell the difference in pressure she is putting on my bladder. I so enjoy feeling her moving around throughout the day. It has definitely become more prominent and frequent. Particularly at night and early mornings.

I am still on my hot tea and sugar free hot chocolate kick this week. The cheese craving has kicked up a little more this week as well. Yum. Cheese! I have felt really tired this week. I only managed to workout twice this week. Well, three times if you include walking on the beach in Daytona Friday. I just couldn't get motivated this week. Which is really the first time since the first trimester that I have been this tired.

I have gained one pound this week. My stomach is really starting to grow. Despite what Momma Sue says. We are in Florida for a baby shower Momma Sue is hosting for us. She thinks I still look the same. But, I know I am bigger, believe me. This week is the first week I really truly feel like I am looking pregnant all the time. Strange thing to say I know but it is how I feel. On Monday and Tuesday I noticed I was having a lot of shortness of breath. The rest of the week it was just random when I felt like I couldn't breath. I know it is to only get more intense as I grow. Also, my legs have been aching a little more and I have noticed more spider veins popping out. Ugh. Guess I just can't fight those genes any longer. That is why I am trying to wear those ugly and hot compression hose as much as I can.

I think that flying makes my belly get bigger. I don't know if this could really be but it seems that every time we fly my stomach grows. Random I know but even Jason thinks so. Jason got to feel a really good kick out of Gabby this week. I think this is the first time he has honestly felt her move in my belly. I think before he just was feeling my heartbeat. This week there was no mistaking her moving around. She is very busy in there right now being a mover and a shaker.

We had a great time at the baby shower and Gabby received several wonderful gifts. I tell you this girl is going to have no shortage of pink outfits to wear. How fun. They are so small and cute. I did realize that at least her clothes will be cute because once I have to start doing her hair I am going to be in some serious trouble. Just ask my friends Chrissy and Missy...they saw me in my early years when I needed the most help with fashion all the way around. Ha. As I mentioned last time I am back on track with being able to enjoy sugar. Got to have some ice cream cake while we were in Florida. Yum!

I have noticed sometimes when I stand or am trying to walk that I feel some pressure in my stomach area. My stomach will feel tight as well. I am not sure if this is her moving or if it is just my body getting ready for the fun yet to come. I really felt it tonight when we went for a walk.

I head to the doctor tomorrow for my monthly check in. Enclosed are the newest pictures of the bump and one with me and Jason's grandpa comparing who is more pregnant. Also is the babycenter.com report.

All our love,

Julie and Jason


Week 28 from www.babycenter.com
How your baby's growing: By this week, your baby weighs a little over 2 pounds and measures almost 15 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Baby Belknap Week 24,25,26 and 27 Check in

Hello Everyone,

Sorry it has been so long, the baby reports have gotten away from me cause I have been so tired. So, here is your month long report. I am going to do my best to keep it brief. Ha. Yea, right.
Week 23, I went to the doctor for my monthly check up on September 13 and passed the diabetes test. Whoo hoo. I was a little worried about having to drink that sugary drink but I did well. It did not make me sick, thankfully. Who knows, maybe this sugar aversion is really gone. Keep your fingers crossed. I got to hear Gabby's heartbeat again. It was beating at 36bpm. According to their scale I have gained 12 pounds, according to my scale I have gained 8. I am a girl after all so I am going to go with my scale! Ha. Either way the weight is finally starting to come on which is good. I am starting to officially have a bump. I have had people at the gym now starting to come up to me and ask when I am due. The doctor suggested that we start looking into day cares, pediatricians and getting signed up for breastfeeding classes. Guess we better get going. It seems like we have a lot of time on our side but I know the next couple of months will go by fast.

Jason started contacting some day cares this week and we have set up an appointment to go meet with a woman who does private day care. We are looking forward to meeting her and seeing what this whole daycare thing is all about. After seeing the private we plan to check out a bigger facility as well.

We had Gabby's furniture delivered on September 13th. A crib, mattress, and two dressers. The furniture looks great in her room. I am so glad Jason was able to be home when it was delivered because the man showed up by himself. Which doesn't work well when his other helper would have been me, and we have three stories of stairs to climb. Jason helped him bring in all the furniture and then while the delivery man put the crib together Jason brought in the dresser drawers and mattress. naturally he still charged us full price. So, I contacted the store we purchased the furniture to file a complaint. Since you all know I am the "Difficult Bride" I couldn't help myself. We felt that is was unfair for us to pay full price since Jason did most of the work. The manager was very nice and ended up giving us a $50 store credit. How great. I have been feeling Gabby moving a lot more these days. There are lots of little kicks going on still mainly on the left side of my abdomen. Guess she is already keeping herself in shape! Go Gabby Go!

Week 24, I am still holding at the same weight. Up 8lbs on my scale! I have been craving hot chocolate this week. Yum. I bought myself some sugar free hot chocolate to be able to indulge. I am still worrying that I am not going to be that much bigger by the baby shower this weekend. I am very hopeful to grow so no one is disappointed. We visited a daycare over the weekend and we weren't to impressed. The woman was very organized but I didn't feel very good about the whole situation. There just seemed to be something missing. So, Jason has already lined up two more interviews with other in home providers.
We went to IL this weekend for the Winckler Baby Shower/30th bday party for us. Even Momma Sue and Larry were able to join us. Friday night before the baby shower I swear my stomach started to grow. It was the strangest thing for sure. The shower was so amazing. It was so great to see and catch up with everyone. The weather was just beautiful on Saturday. We received so many wonderful gifts and great books for Gabby to enjoy. Thank you all for making the day so special for us both. Momma Sue and Larry both got to feel Gabby kicking in my stomach. How fun.Sugar clearly is not a problem any longer as I enjoyed several home made brownies and some Cinnamon rolls while I was home. Yum!

Week 25
Well, I managed to gain four pounds this week. Not sure how after all the eating we did in IL Ha. I have felt so bloated all week. I am sure it was because we ate so much "Winckler" style all weekend and I was off my water schedule. I couldn't even wear my rings Monday or Tuesday of this week. I was so short of breath and bloated on Wednesday night that I forced Jason to go for a twenty minute walk with me at 9pm. I slept a lot this week. I was so tired from the weekend in IL that I think my body was playing catch up. Despite being so tired, I did work out each day this past week. It feels so good to be back on my normal routine at least in that regard.

Week 26
I am holding constant at 12 pounds gained. I can tell this week that it is starting to be harder to get up and down off the ground. I am also experiencing more shortness of breath. Seems like later in the afternoons is when I feel most short of breath. I have also been feeling Gabby a lot. She has been so active this week. I have also experienced some round ligament pain in my stomach. My stomach has felt achy a couple of times this week. Guess this means more growth. I have been tired again this week. I fear I am going to be tired like this the rest of my life.
My newest craving this week is hot tea. This has been my biggest week of belly growth so far. Clients have said I grew so much from Tuesday till Friday. Crazy. I am starting to realize that I am bigger than I think. When I am trying to squeeze past something my stomach will hit and it just makes me laugh. Still holding constant is my pregnancy brain. Someone asked me this week what I miss the most? I would have to say that it is knowing that when I go into my closet that everything fits. I still find it hard to find something to wear to work each day. I am noticing my legs still being achy at night. I have been trying to wear my compression stocking but they are so hot. Our weather has not been below the 80's yet so I am trying to wait for it to cool down just a little so I can wear them more regularly. We purchased some of Gabby's bedding this week. This way we can start to get her room together. We were suppose to visit another daycare this week but the woman had to reschedule. So we will be doing that in a couple of weeks. We did contact one girl who may be able to be a nanny for us. She is not sure if she will be able to wait until March to help us. So the search continues for daycare.
Today starts week 27. I am holding still at 12 pounds gained. We are going today to get Gabby's stroller and car seat. How fun. We both also have massages. I can't wait. Thanks for sitting through this long one. I promise to be back on track with the weekly updates.

Julie and Jason.



I have included some pictures and the www.babycenter.com report for week 24,25,26, and 27.

Week 24
Your baby's growing steadily, gaining about a quarter of a pound since last week. Since she's almost a foot long, that makes for a pretty lean figure, but her body's filling out proportionally. Your baby's brain is growing rapidly, and her taste buds may be working now. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily. Your baby can hear more now, and you may even notice her startle at loud, sudden noises. But she's probably getting used to the regular noises she hears around the house, such as your dog barking or the roar of a vacuum cleaner.

Week 25
Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — doesn't sound like much, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for a more rounded one. As your baby gains weight, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more like a mini newborn. His hair is probably recognizable now in color and texture, although both may change after he's born.

Week 26
Your baby now weighs a little less than 2 pounds and measures about 14 inches. Her weight will more than triple between now and birth as she rapidly puts on baby fat. She'll need that fat to help adjust to colder temperatures outside the womb and as a source of energy and calories in the first days of life. It's not uncommon for newborns, especially those who are breastfed, to lose weight (sometimes as much as 10 percent of their birth weight) in the first week after birth. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

Week 27
This week your baby weighs almost 2 pounds and is about 14.4 inches long with his legs extended. He can now open and close his eyes, and he sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. He may suck his fingers, and although his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if he were to be born prematurely. Chalk up any rhythmic movement you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and isn't bothersome to him, so enjoy the tickle. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. Wonder what he's thinking?