Meeting the Pediatrician

During our 2nd Trimester the hubby and I started discussing what area of town we should have our pediatrician in. We were thinking that it would be best to have her go to someone in the city where my husband works because a lot of our family also live there in case we weren't able to take her. Elizabeth is going to go under my husbands insurance since it is way cheaper than mine so when we asked for a recommendation from his coworker she said she didn't like the doctors that she met in that town. She recommended a pediatrician in Houston. So about a month ago we asked my OB who she recommended  and she gave us the same recommendation as Joey's coworker.

They are a father/son practice and are right behind the hospital where we will be delivering. We met with them yesterday to see how we liked them before we chose and we absolutely fell in love with them. They are so nice and friendly and the son who is who we'd see the most even knew Joey's coworker's daughters name off the top of his head. That says something with all the patients that they see! They are open 6 days a week and you can call them 24 hours a day if you have an emergency and it doesn't go to an office voicemail instead it goes straight to their cell phones. He told us they have people that drive over an hour a way to bring their kids to see them.

He let us know that they come to the hospital when she is born to check on her and then to see how I'm doing and to discuss how things are going with breastfeeding. Then they see her at a week, 6 weeks, 8 weeks and then once a month after that. He told us that they always check to see how things are going at home and help us get her into a routine. He said he'll have her sleeping through the night between 6-8 weeks. We will see.

We really did enjoy meeting them and felt very comfortable after we left. So little Elizabeth now has her pediatrician all picked out and ready to go!

For those moms to be and already mothers out there, how do you go about picking your child's pediatrician?

Finally in the 30's!

How far along? 30 Weeks 2 Days (10 more weeks to go!)

Baby's size? From Baby Center: about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage).

Weight Gain? Total gain +21lbs as of 2 weeks ago. Will find out Wednesday what I'm currently at.

Maternity clothes? Oh yeah. I went shopping this weekend to buy my dresses for my 2 showers and I bought some nursing bras. I will say that wearing a bra is so uncomfortable for me right now with it leaving marks under the boobs from the wire. A little fact about me you might not want to know but when I went to get fitted for my bras I found out I am now a 41 E!!!!!!!!!! Yes an EEEEEE!!!! I've always been big chested and am usually around a 36-38 D. Now they have just gotten way to huge and no wonder they've been itching like crazy!

Stretch marks? Proud to say still none on the belly!

Belly button in or out? Still in

Sleep? I've been making sure not to drink a lot of water right before bed so I don't have to wake up and pee. Still tossing and turning a lot though. Wish I had a recliner chair I could sleep in to see if I would be
more comfortable.

Foods I am loving? I still want some cream cheese icing and I've also been craving popsicles which i actually bought this weekend at the grocery store!

Foods I am hating? I had a banana with breakfast this morning and that didn't sit very well.

Best moment this week? Feeling Miss Liz move around a lot more. The hubby actually got to feel it yesterday which was fantastic!

Symptoms? Getting hot a lot, swelling, itching, shortness of breath

Gender? a little girl named Elizabeth

What I miss? some  coffee!

Dr. Appointment: We meet with a peditrician tomorrow and then I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday.

Belly Pic:

The Clock is Ticking or Is it?

Time is a funny thing. One day it can seem to be going by really fast and then the very next day feels like its just dragging on. That's how I've been feeling lately with this whole pregnancy thing. One day I'm like I have less than 11 weeks to go and then days like today I'm like man I still have almost 10 weeks until Elizabeth is going to be here! There are things on my mind that I would like to go ahead and do like giving my notice for maternity leave but thats such a tricky thing that I think I should wait another month to see how things are going with the baby.

There are some weekends coming up that I will be busy at least one day so hopefully that will make time fly by a little faster. Here is what my weekend schedule looks like until my due date.

March 26-27: Getting hair done on Saturday and going to go shopping for my two shower dresses and some nursing bras. Free on Sunday.

April 2-3: Free all weekend as of now

April 9-10: My real life and blogger friend Valerie's baby shower on Saturday. Free on Sunday.

April 16-17: My 1st shower on Saturday. Free on Sunday.

April 23-24: The 23rd is Joey and I's 8 year dating anniversary and the 24th is our 1 year wedding anniversary and Easter this year. I would like to spend the night maybe in Galveston to celebrate and as a little babymoon vacation but with the way things are going with my job I'm not sure that's gonna be possible. We've also decided not to buy each other anniversary gifts which I'm kind of bummed about but we have a lot of expenses coming up with the new baby and my job is laying off some jobs and mine might be up in the air :(

April 30-May 1: Free on Saturday. Sunday is my 2nd shower

May 7-8: Saturday we take our maternity pics and Sunday is Mothers Day so we will be spending time with our moms.

Those next couple weekends we will be staying at home more than likely relaxing and getting final things ready before Elizabeth gets here. I could go into labor anytime during that period from 37-40 weeks.

I have to say I'm so ready to not be pregnant any more! Don't get me wrong for the most part it has been nice but I'm at that point where I'm getting really uncomfortable and its getting harder to breathe and don't forget the horrible 1st trimester I had. I have to give it up to the hubs though for being so supportive and loving through all of this! He really has changed during this pregnancy and its nice to see. We are just so ready for our baby girl to be here! Here's to time flying by!

Pregnancy: 29 Weeks

How far along? 29 Weeks 2 Days (11 more weeks to go!)

Baby's size? From Baby Center: weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel.

Weight Gain? Total gain +21lbs.

Maternity clothes? Bought a pair of jean capris and a couple of tops last week. Am going this weekend to pick out a couple of outfits for my showers and maternity pics!

Stretch marks? None on the belly yet

Belly button in or out? Still in

Sleep? I slept ok last night. Its going to sleep thats getting a little harder as I have been itching really bad lately and cant stop scratching. Turning over is getting harder and harder.

Foods I am loving? I really want some cream cheese icing!

Foods I am hating? Nothing at the moment

Best moment this week? attending our last childbirth class and registering for the hospital! Also picking out a dress for Liz to wear at her newborn pics.

Symptoms? Itching really bad on my boobs! I think maybe because they are getting bigger than they already are and maybe getting hotter.

Gender? Baby Girl

What I miss? Just feeling normal

Dr. Appointment: Appointment last week was good. Passed my glucose test!!!!!!!!!! Have next appointment next Wednesday.

Belly Pic:

28 Week Check-Up

Yesterday I had my 28 week check-up. I got to hear Liz' heartbeat which is still in the 150s and going strong and they measured my tummy. Everything is looking good! I also got my results from my glucose test which I was so nervous about but the doctor said I passed with flying colors!!!!!!!!! YAY that means I can continue eating all the sweets I want LOL.

I gained about 3lbs since my last appointment 2 weeks ago and am up a total of 21lbs! Gosh that needs to slow down! I still have 12 weeks left to go! I go back in 2 more weeks which means I only have 2 more 2 week appointments then I'm down to every week! I will get another ultrasound at 34 weeks and I can hardly wait to see how big my girl has gotten.

We have our last childbirth class this weekend and I can't wait to see my friend Val again!

Finally in 3rd Trimester!

 
How far along? 28 Weeks 2 Days (82 days to go!)

Baby's size? From Baby Center:  weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels

Weight Gain?  Total gain +18lbs.

Maternity clothes?  I went and bought a pair of maternity shorts this weekend because its starting to get a little warmer and i need some comfy clothes to wear on the weekend when we go out. I really need to buy some more jeans as I only have one pair that I dont like and I want some dresses.

Stretch marks? None on the belly yet

Belly button in or out? Still innie and now i'm starting to think it might not pop

Sleep? I sleep good when I nap but at night I do a lot of tossing and turning.

Foods I am loving? I'm not really craving anything at the moment but I really like milk

Foods I am hating? Meat in general

Best moment this week? attending our first childbirth class! We learned a lot and got a tour of the hospital. We have one more class this coming Sunday.

Symptoms? Not getting comfortable, carpel tunnel and add to that now some swelling in my feet

Gender? Miss Elizabeth Grace

What I miss? Getting up without needing help

Dr. Appointment: I have my next appointment on Wednesday and should receive my results from my glucose test.

Belly Pic:

Not great pic of my face and sorry you can see a little of my undies!

Wall Letters & Decorations

We finally put up Elizabeth's wall letters last night and added a little bit of decoration to it. I'm a little disappointed because we chose to do white letters because the other colors that were offered wouldn't match. Now that they are up you can't really see her name that well. It looks better in the room but I wanted it to stand out more. We got her name decal from WeeDecor where we got her tree from and we got the biggest size letters which cost us $100. I really wanted to do the wood letters but those are so expensive so we had to go with this. Here is a not so good pic that I took this morning and of some more wall decorations. I'm hoping that its just the lighting in her room and hopefully once we get a new light in there it will look way better.



Sorry you can't really see her name and it looks like its leaning but it doesnt look like that in person :(



This is on the wall behind her changing table

What's In A Name

I found this on Little Mrs. Married's blog & thought I'd join in!!

1. How did your parents decide on your name?


My mom had a baby doll named Heather when she was younger and always said if she had a daughter that's what she would name her. She passed down her middle name Ann to me.

2. Do your initials (first/middle/last) spell anything funny?

Well, before i was married, they spelled HAM. Yes HAM as in the ham that you eat! My best friend always and still does call me hami. Now that I'm married they spell HAL.


3. Did you take your middle name from childhood or did you drop your middle name & take your maiden name as your middle name? (Or if unmarried, what do you plan to do?)

I struggled with this so bad since my dad passed away in 2006. But I decided to keep my middle name and hopefully if we have a boy someday his middle name will be my maiden name.

4. Are you or will you name your children systematically? (ie, same first letter, same origin, etc)

No not at all!

5. Did you decide on baby names as a little girl? Did you stick to them or change your mind?

I don't remember ever picking out baby names when I was younger. Which I think helped now that I'm having kids because I think thats something you and your spouse should decide on together.

6. Does your family have any names that have been passed down through generations?

My dad was a Jr and then only the middle name Ann.

7. Do you look at the meaning of the name or just the name itself?

When we found out we were pregnant and looking at baby names I definitely looked at the meaning. My husband always knew what he wanted his daughters name to be so we picked that and then I helped pick the middle name. Her name Elizabeth means consecrated to God and her middle name Grace means grace.
If we had a boy his name would be Gabriel which means God is my Strength and his middle name/my maiden name Martin means Warlike.

 
8. Do you name pets with human names or pet names?

It depends on the pet. Our first cat we adopted I named him after my dad because I didn't like his name for a human's name but wanted to keep it a part of our lives so we named our cat Archie. Our second cat we named Chance so more of a pet name.

9. Are their any names that you have an affinity or dislike for based on a childhood experience/someone you once knew?

I hate the name Bobby because that was an exboyfriend of mine and not such a great experience.

10. What are some of your favorite names & why?

I don't really have any besides the names I picked for my children.

Pregnancy: Last Week of 2nd Trimester

How far along? 27 Weeks 3 Days (88 days to go!)

Baby's size? From Baby Center:  weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended.

Weight Gain?  Total gain +18lbs.

Maternity clothes?  I NEED MORE! I really need to go shopping. I have enough work clothes but i dont really have any casual clothes and cried over it this weekend!

Stretch marks? None on the belly yet

Belly button in or out? Still innie and now i'm starting to think it might not pop

Sleep? I sleep good when I nap but at night I do a lot of tossing and turning.

Foods I am loving? still toast with peanut butter and honey and milk

Foods I am hating? Meat in general

Best moment this week? feeling her move around more

Symptoms? Not getting comfortable, carpel tunnel and add to that now some swelling in my feet

Exercise? Non existent

Gender? A little girl named Elizabeth

What I miss? Feeling normal

Belly Pic:

Braxton Hicks at the Rodeo

Last night my sister and I went to see Sugarland at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo! For those that are not familiar with this the Rodeo is a once a year event that last 20 days and consists of livestock, carnival rides, amazing food and a concert each night! I try to go once a year. The food is really amazing! I love the jumbo corn dogs and fried twinkies! Yes fried twinkies! I first have to say that Sugarland put on an amazing show! I just love them! They are so corky and fun! I was singing the whole time.  Here are some pics of me and my lil sister!

Bad pic of me! I have to learn not to put my face over like that so I don't look like i have a double chin. Also sorry for the big boobs!

Unfortunately I was feeling a little uncomfortable and all that walking was killing me! I'm pretty sure I felt my first braxton hicks contractions. I have to say it was a little painful. It wasn't horrible but I would say on a scale of 1-10 it was a 2ish. When I got home last night my uterus hurt and it made it hard for me to turn over in the bed. Since I've never had a baby before I can't be sure that's what I was feeling but I hope so. You know I get so worried not knowing what I should worry and not worry about. Not knowing exactly what I'm feeling and if it warrants calling the doctor or not. How do you deal with that? How do you know what your body is going through if you've never felt it before?

Sweaty Armpits

So I have a new pregnancy symptom and its called sweaty armpits! I've never been a person who sweats a lot! Even when I work out. All of a sudden I have puddles under my arms and its sooooo embarrassing! I asked the doctor about it yesterday and she said its due to hormones and theres nothing I can do about it! I can't keep going around looking like this!

Anyone who is currently pregnant or have been pregnant has this happened to you? Are there any tips you can share? Please my armpits need your help!

Pregnancy: 26 Weeks

How far along? 26 Weeks 4 Days (Less than 100 days to go!)

Baby's size? From Baby Center: weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel.

Weight Gain? +4lbs since drs apt 2 weeks ago Total gain +18lbs.

Maternity clothes? Yeppers!

Stretch marks? Yes on my sides but none on the boobs or belly yet! I actually got complimented from the nurse today for not having any on my belly

Belly button in or out? Still innie but i'm interested to see if it will pop soon

Sleep? Sleep is hit or miss for me. Its getting harder to turn over and get comfortable

Foods I am loving? Toast with peanut butter and honey and milk

Foods I am hating? Orange juice is hit or miss with me right now

Best moment this week? Got to hear Liz' heartbeat at doctors appointment today and we ordered her letters for her wall!

Symptoms? Peeing more, not getting comfortable, carpel tunnel and add to that now some swelling in my feet

Exercise? I have so been lacking on this and its not good!
Gender? Our little girl

What I miss? Being able to bend down and put on my shoes without help.

Doctor's Visit: I had a doctors appointment today for my glucose test. The drink itself wasn't that bad. The bad part was not being able to eat until afterwards. I have been feeling a little light headed since then even though I ate something right after. I won't get my results till my next appointment so I'm keeping my fingers crossed everything comes back ok. While I was there they checked the heart beat and I got my belly measured for the 1st time! Everything is right where it should be and looking good! Go back in 2 more weeks!

Belly Pic: