Baby Bump: 35 weeks

Fruit comparison: At 35 weeks, Lexie is supposedly the size of a honeydew melon.

Sick or fabulous: Slightly uncomfortable is a better choice of words. With my belly continuing to "pop" more and more...it is getting more difficult to do things. Sleeping has become a bit of a chore. 

Weight gain: I am up to 19 pounds...and counting. At my last appointment, this past week, my doctor told me my weight gain was good...but that apparently she is measuring a little on the small side. I found that to be quite funny since I feel like my belly is growing by the minute.

Cravings: This week brought on the need for Nutter Butters. Yup...not sure why...but that was a daily snack for me. To balance out the Nutter Butters I also had a craving for fruit...that's good...right?

Looking forward to: Finishing up my "to-do" lists! I still need to finish up the final details for the nursery, get my hospital bag ready, buy diapers...yes, it is true, we do not have a single diaper in the house yet. Once that is done, then I can go into "crazy, pregnant, nesting mode" and do a deep clean of everything. :)

Name Update: Well...it is "official"...her name is Lexie Ann Lofgren! Yes, I may have had an emotional, crazy, hormonal, moment where I made Chad give a final answer. It is times like those...and others of course, too...that I really know that I married the right man. :) He is always so calm, lets me have my "moment" and then loves me for the crazy person I can sometimes be. He reassured me that yes, he likes the name...and that he has just been giving me a bad time this whole entire time.

Landry's thoughts: He is starting to get concerned about the size of my growing belly. :) Here is a conversation we had the other morning when I was getting dressed for work:

Landry...looking at my belly: "Um, Mama...what do you think is going to fit around that bad boy?"

Me: "Well...hopefully this shirt I am planning on wearing."

Landry: "Good luck with that!"

Baby Bump: 32/33 Weeks

Fruit comparison: Baby girl is the size of a jicama. Yup...doesn't everyone know how big that is? Since I will be 33 weeks tomorrow...she is or will be...the size of a pineapple.

Sick or fabulous: Still neither...a better description is tired and slightly "whale-like." Yes, I am getting winded pretty easily. I think the waddle has started. And there have been a few times when I have needed help getting up. Nothing like feeling like a turtle on it's back to make you feel super attractive.

Weight gain: So far 15 pounds. I am supposed to be gaining a pound a week...yippee. 

Yes, that should totally help with the "whale-like" feeling. :)

Cravings: Still haven't craved anything too crazy. The desire for bbq ribs did return...

unfortunately before the new Todd's BBQ opened...but I found a filler until that craving returns.

Looking forward to: Meeting our little girl! As we get closer to the end I am starting to get a bit impatient. I think the ever growing belly, increased Braxton Hicks contractions, fewer wardrobe options, increased trips to pee...or not pee, and the inability to lay on my stomach could be adding to my eagerness to have her here already. Add to it that I have my last day of work in sight...it all adds to the feeling of just wanting to be done already. :)

Due Date: Since I am talking about her arrival...it is exciting to know that we have the date for my c-section set. If she stays put...we will be meeting Baby Girl on March 5th!!!! Eeeek!!! I LOVE having a date set. Now I just hope that she is cooperative and stays put until then. ;)

Name Update: So the "name game" has been pretty interesting this time around. With Landry we had his name picked out before we even knew if we were having a boy or girl. This time choosing a name was a little but harder. Of course, Chad's friends...also my friends...gave us several suggestions...LaTonda, "L," and anything else that you could possibly add "La" to the beginning of. :) She already has the endearing nick-name of Lu-lu from one of our guy friends. One thing that has held things up is the fact that Chad has not wanted to decide on a name, "in case something better comes up." Those are his words. Plus, he has been enjoying the fact that it drives me absolutely insane to not have a name decided yet. So, I have just decided to call her by the name we have decided on for now. ;) Lexie Ann Lofgren will be joining our family before we know it. This is actually the first time I have written out her name...and I LOVE it. Eeeek!!! I have loved the name Lexie since I was in college...my boss had a daughter with the name, different spelling, and I just fell in love with it. Her middle name is from my mom. I really wanted both of our mom's names to be included in our children's names. Landry's middle name, Tigh, is Chad's mom's maiden name...and now our little girl will have the same middle name as my mom. 

Landry's thoughts: He is still so excited to be a big brother. He went with me on Monday to add to our registry and definitely had an opinion on what we should/shouldn't get for his little sister. I've said it before...and I'll say it again...he really is the sweetest about her. Here's to hoping it stays that way. :)

Baby Bump: 24/25 weeks

So...I have fallen a bit behind on my bump updates. This picture was taken at week 24...but now I am 25 weeks along...so this is a bit of combination post. :)

Fruit comparison: Baby girl is the size of a cantaloupe.

Boy or girl: Still a girl! :) Yesterday I had my first appointment with my actual doctor since our ultra-sound. I asked him if there was any chance that something could have been hiding, or if it looked pretty clear to be a girl. His words were: "Definitely a girl...no doubt." So, if it ends up being a boy...well...I guess it is a boy. ;)

Sick or fabulous: I think that it is safe to say that the nauseous feeling is gone. The exception is that this little girls is so incredibly active that she has actually made me nauseous on occasion.  She is CRAZY active!

Weight gain: As of my appointment yesterday, 8 pounds.

Cravings: Still sweets...and pizza...and what happens to strike my fancy. I may be known to stop by the donut shop on a weekly basis. It doesn't help that it is right by Landry's preschool. ;) 

I have a coworker who has expressed his "concern" over my sweet tooth...I think that since I have only gained 8 pounds...I am doing ok. :)

Looking forward to: Getting the nursery started...and finished. Yes, the nesting has kicked in full swing. I have been working on getting the room cleaned out and have been repainting furniture. I cannot wait to see some progress.

Other updates: We still do not have a final decision on her name. I have my name...and Landry loves it, Chad says he likes it...but he doesn't want to commit to a name yet...since another name could come up before she is born. :) I just scheduled the rest of my prenatal appointments...which there are only eight left. It is so crazy to think that after 8 appointments our little girl will be here!

Landry's thoughts: He continues to ask when it is time to, "cut my belly open and get the baby out." Lovely...I know. Just as lovely, the other night he asked if his sister might see the crack and just crawl out herself. I am assuming that by crack, he means my scar. Oh, if I only knew what was going on in that mind of his...or maybe I don't want to know. He is also starting to get a bit concerned about how big my belly is getting. I keep trying to tell him that it is only going to get bigger.

Baby Bump: 15 weeks

Here we are...15 weeks along!

Fruit comparison: Supposedly the baby is about the size of an apple this week.

Boy or girl: Still unknown...hopefully we will know in a few weeks :)

Sick or fabulous: Well...I'm not sure that I will ever feel "fabulous" this time around. Thankfully I am getting most of my energy back. It hasn't helped that I have spent about 30 hours over the past two weeks at school events/activities. But I feel that we are turning a corner. As far as nausea goes...not sure that will ever go away either. I know that I could be WAY worse...however...I am getting really tired of the random gagging. Anything and everything can bring it on...yay.

Weight gain: almost 5 pounds. People have been VERY kind saying, "You barely look pregnant"...I am not feeling the same way. Don't get me wrong...I love rubbing my belly...but in comparison to last time...I am feeling "large and in charge" for being this early on. As a result...I am pretty much living in maxi skirts. :)

Cravings: Anything and everything. Today...it was spinach dip from Save Mart and root beer. Yes, I did stop by Save Mart on the way home and grabbed some of both. :) Overall it has been baked goods, again. Although...a few weeks ago there was a night that I did actually eat a bowl of ice cream and followed it up with a few sweet pickles. Yum...I know.

Looking forward to: My next OB appointment in two weeks when they will schedule our ultrasound to find out if this baby is a boy or girl. :) Also...I'm not going to lie...with this heat, tailgates, and a wedding coming up...I am really looking forward to when I can have a nice, cold, adult beverage again.

Landry's thoughts: He is still super excited about being a big brother. He is also sticking to his belief that he is having a little sister. He likes to remind me that my belly is getting really big and that the baby "just keeps growing." He is very concerned at the moment that we don't have any baby food at the house for the baby. He is quite worried that the baby is going to be born and won't have any food to eat...because he ate it all when he was a baby. :)

***I want to share that I stole the idea of this list from a blog that I have fallen in love with...

Little Baby Garvin at littlebabygarvin.blogspot.com

She did this with both of her pregnancies and I loved that she had a quick little list of fun things to look back at...not to mention her adorable chalk board designs. :)

Bump It...chapter 4

Well, it is time for another "bump" update. It is kind of funny to me that some people are really interested in these updates. Most of the time I feel a bit ridiculous writing about what's going on...like anyone else really cares but us. Sure enough, though people are always asking when I am going to post another "bump" picture...I think it is even funnier when it is someone who sees me in person quite regularly...do they really need a photo? Hmmmm. So, here it is...37 weeks along...going strong...just waiting for our little one to make his big appearance!
I don't have a list of "ahas" this month but I think I have something a bit more entertaining. I work with a group of great teachers who are young, fun, and always up for some fun. This past week they threw me a baby shower and it was done with a cheer leading theme. As part o the theme, my coworkers had to re-write common cheers using baby words/ideas. So, I thought I would share a few of them with you:
"We've got stretch marks
Yes we do
We've got stretch marks
How 'bout you?"

"Clap your hands
Stomp your feet
An epidural can't be beat
Go Drugs, Go Drugs
Don't go natural!"

"You may be good at teaching
You may be good at dance
But when it comes to #2
You better change his pants!"

Oh, how I love the people I work with...they are the greatest!

Bump It...chapter 4

Well, we have hit the 33 week mark and things are still going well! Many of you know that a good friend of mine had her baby 6 weeks early, so...needless to say I have been a bit busy getting things ready just in case Landry decides to make an early appearance! Here is our most recent "bump" photo as well as my 5 "ahas" for this month!

Kristin's Top 5 Ahas:

1. Too prepared...never!

Chad has had a good time lately just laughing at me and some of my recent craziness. As I said, a friend of mine had her baby early and well, it has prompted me to start checking off the ol' to-do list. Yes, I have my hospital bag packed, the diaper bag packed, the "Baby Binder" ready to go...I'll explain more...and have washed his clothes, put them away and am now heading into nesting mode. I mean, heaven forbid this child come into the world and the junk drawer be disorganized! :o)
2. The "Baby Binder"
Those of you that know me pretty well know that I have a "touch" of OCD...can you sense the sarcasm? So, for our wedding I had the "Wedding Binder" with everything labeled, categorized, and ready to go. Well, having a baby is WAY more involved than a wedding so, of course, I have a "Baby Binder." Can you hear Chad chuckling at my craziness? In the binder I have contact information for my doctors as well as Landry's pediatrician, insurance info, our birth plan...which isn't really much of a plan at all...the "call" list of who needs to be called on the way to the hospital and after delivery...and of course a check-off list of things that need to be grabbed before we head out the door. Yes, I know that I am slightly crazy! :o)
3. Are you eating that?
We all know that there is the belief that pregnant women develop these wierd cravings for things like pickles and ice cream. Aside from my love for any sort of baked good, I haven't experienced any wierd cravings. What I have developed is an intense envy for ANYTHING that Chad might be eating. Poor guy...anything he happens to make to eat...I am all about it! I can not even be hungry, he will make something and all of a sudden...I have to have what he is having. So, he has gotten into the habit of always making a little extra for me just in case!
4. Emotional...no, not me!
I think it is safe to say that I have always been a bit emotional but wow...lately...anything can bring me to tears. The Olympics almost did me in. If someone won, I would tear up, if they fell, I would tear up, if the showed the Canadian landscape, I would tear up. Pretty much anything will bring it on...even simple t.v. commercials. I guess it is just another one of those things that comes with the package.
5. Sleeping on my stomach...oh how I miss thee!!!!!
Yes, I have always been a "stomach sleeper." Nothing is better then laying down, grabbing the pillow and letting your whole body rest. I have to say that I think this is something that miss the most. As much as I enjoy feeling Landry's movements and my ever growing belly...as much as that's possible...I cannot wait for the day when I can lay down on my stomach again!!!!!

Bump It...chapter 3

Well, look who's back on a roll! Yup, I am giving myself a bit of a pat on the back for getting back to my old, productive, self. Ahhh does it feel good!!!! Things are still going very smoothly here at the Lofgren household. I have shared with so many people that I feel so blessed to have had such a smooth and easy pregnancy. I know there are still three months to go, and I hate to jinx myself but so far, so good.

Here is the most recent "bump" picture. I am 28 weeks in this picture and as you can see...getting larger and larger!

So, I don't have a list of new "ahas" this month...but I think you will enjoy what I do have for you! Being a first grade teacher, I am blessed to spend my days surrounded by young minds that are always full of funny little tid-bits. One of the things that I love most about my job is being able to experience life through the eyes of a six or seven year old. It really is amazing to see how they view the world and to be reminded of all the simple joys in life that we so often take for granted. So, in honor of my first graders...here are some quotes they have shared with me during my pregnancy...enjoy!

1. When I showed my class the first ultrasound we had done one little girl said, "Oh, Mrs. Lofgren...that baby is so cute...like a little kitten...hopefully its not covered in fur though!"

2. One day after returning from lunch with a bottle of sparkling juice, "Mrs. Lofgren, are you drinking wine?" I of course responded, "No, actually this is a kind of juice...almost like an orange soda." The child then responded, "You do know that pregnant women are not allowed to drink caffeinated beverages...right?"

3. Once my belly started to show, I heard one child say to another one in my class, "I don't think Mrs. Lofgren can eat very many cookies now. Look at her stomach, there isn't enough room in there for them."

4. While celebrating my birthday in class one child shared, "Mrs. Lofgren...wouldn't it be so cool if your baby hatched today!?!"

And here is my favorite...

5. As he walked out of the classroom to go home, a little boy looked at my belly with big, wide, eyes and said, "Wow, Mrs. Lofgren...your stomach is getting HUGE!!!"

Bump It...chapter 2

I know that I am a bit late on this post but one of my new mottos is "better late than never"...right? As you can tell, my goal of posting a "bump" update once a month lasted...hmmm...the first month. So here I am with a belated bump update.

At this point I am about 27 weeks along and things are going smoothly. If you remember me writing about my love-hate relationship with my sciatic nerve...you will be happy to know that is now strictly a love relationship. I have been going to a chiropractor and let me tell you...Dr. Matt...you are a savior! I can actually walk, sit, roll-over, etc. without having the feeling that someone is stabbing me...ow how wonderful that is. So here is a list of my "Top 5 Aha's" for this month...by the way, since I am late in posting this, the below picture was taken at week 25! Kristin's Top 5 Aha's

1. Baked Goods Are Amazing! Let me jst say that there isn't a baked good that is safe in a room with me. Whether it be cookies, cake, cupcakes, rice krispy treats, donuts, muffins, etc...if it is a sweet, yummy little treat...back away...it is mine! I know that I will probably be paying for it later but, Dr. Mason keeps telling me I am doing great in regards to weight gain...so until then...watch your back baked goods!
2. Houston...We Have Our Hands Full! So, when Landry is born...if he is ANYTHING like he is in the womb...Chad and I could be in trouble. Like any other expecting mom, I could not WAIT to feel the first kick. Well, let me tell you...once he started...he never stopped! He loves to kick and punch and play around in there with all his might. I find myself sitting on the couch, staring at my belly, in awe of the fact that I can see feet and hands moving around on both sides of my belly...at the same time. Chad likes to say that he is practicing his basketball moves, my dad thinks he is practicing his quarterback skills and my mom is convinced he is warming up his left-handed pitching arm. All I know is that he has energy...and a lot of it!
3. If I Only Had A Brain! I had always heard friends talk about "pregnancy brain" but to be honest, I never really believed it. Well, now I am a true believer. There are so many times when I feel like I have completely lost it. I find myself forgetting things instantly, misplacing things, losing my words in mid-conversation and half-way completing a billion projects. I always been a fan of the "To-do list"...there is no greater feeling than being able to cross off the things you've accomplished. But now...I am dependent on the list...if I lose the list, I'm a gonner!
4. Patience...What Patience? enough said on that one!
5. Not Much of an Aha: As I have shared before...I am blessed with one amazing husband! When we first started dating I nicknamed Chad, "The Master of No Emotion." This being because he really doesn't show much emotion at times. He can tell you he is "really excited" about something, but his expression is the same as me saying that I have to go grocery shopping. One of the best things about him is that he has a way of doing these totally unexpected things that just make you go, "ahhhhhh." For example, the other day I opened our front door and found a package on the porch. It was from Amazon so I asked Chad what he had ordered. He "revealed" that even though Landry may have the same name as a famous Dallas Cowboys football coach...he was a 49er fan first and foremost. He pulled out this little hooded towel that had the 49er logo on it and "Little Niner Fan" below the logo. He was one proud daddy! I cannot say enough about how incredibly supportive, patient and understanding he has been during this whole process. Each day he I find something new to love about him and I cannot wait to see him in action as a dad!