33 Weeks

How far along? 33 weeks
How much does Baby weigh?: ~ 4.4 lbs.
How big is Baby? ~17 inches long
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Get up every 2 hours or so
Best moment this week: Seeing her respond to Jeff's pokes.
Movement: She's getting in her 10 kicks a day and much more. She feels more solid and I swear I can feel her fingers tapping or her toes wiggling sometimes.
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: No.
Belly Button in or out? Innie.
What I miss: Sleeping on my back, crossing my legs, a cold beer, being able to put my socks and shoes on without holding my breath, sleeping with just two pillows, my energy level
Milestones: 7 weeks left

Last Ultrasound

We had our last ultrasound this morning. That is, it will be our last as long as nothing unexpected comes up.

One of the first things the tech looked for was to confirm that Natalie was a girl. Yep, she's still a girl! No question. Natalie was head down and her head was REALLY low. So low that it was difficult getting a good face shot of her. Some quick little notes from the appt:

- Natalie measured at 3 lbs 12 oz., 50th percentile, with an estimated birth weight in the 7-8 pound range or low 8's.
- Her measurements placed her ETA at Nov. 29th, though my due date is still officially Dec. 8th
- She was measuring a little on the short side at 15 inches. Not short by much, though - the avg is about 15.7 for this time.
- Her second toe looked to me like it was just as long, if not longer, than her big toe. Cute!
- Since we didn't get a really good shot of her profile, it's hard to tell, but to me, it looked like she had a straight nose and Jeff's chiseled chin, and possibly chubby cheeks :)
- Doctor pointed out that she had a little bit of hair on her head already
- I started seeing my tummy move up and down, and not long after that the tech showed she had the hiccups! You could see her chest and stomach move with each one - so cute.
- She didn't move around a whole lot. The tech had me turn on to my side a few times to see if she could get her to start moving more. But, little Natalie must have been in nap-time mode. Though after about 20 or 30 minutes of poking and prodding, she did move a bit on the screen. I certainly felt her kicks then too.

I'll post pics when I can!

28 Weeks

How far along? 28 weeks
How much does Baby weigh?: ~ 2.25 lbs.
How big is Baby? 14.8 inches long
Maternity clothes? Yes. Though I'm starting to wear Jeff's t-shirts to sleep in.
Stretch marks? No new ones since 18 weeks
Sleep: Uncomfortable.
Best moment this week: 1)Feeling her move like crazy during church. When the choir was singing, I caught my belly moving from side to side as if she was swaying to the music. I still love seeing my belly poke out when she kicks. She tends to get shy though when Jeff wants to see it. 2)When the doctor told me my belly measured 1.5 weeks ahead :)
Movement: She was pretty quiet for a few days this week that made me a little paranoid. I had to give her a jolt of sugar or caffeine to make her move! I was bringing groceries in today and almost dropped the bags when I felt her do this tumble in my belly. Such a wonderful, but strange feeling! Surprises me when I'm not prepared for it!
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: No. Just a BH contraction.
Belly Button in or out? Innie. Though as Jeff said - "If your belly button was the tread on my tires, I'd be replacing it soon!"
What I miss: Sleeping on my back.
Milestones: 3rd trimester! 12 weeks left.

27 Weeks

How far along? 27 weeks
How much does Baby weigh?: ~ 2 lbs.
How big is Baby? 14.4 inches long
Maternity clothes? Yep
Stretch marks? No new ones since 18 weeks
Sleep: Intermittent. Get up several times a night. And now I'm getting these lovely hot flashes at night.
Best moment this week: She moved in a certain way that tickled - made me laugh out loud. Also, painting the nursery, getting the crib and dresser, and buying the carseat/stroller.
Movement: Her kicks are getting stronger and more frequent. She had a kicking spree from about 4-5 this morning. It was the first time where she did more than a few kicks/moves over night. Seemed to coincide with my hot flash.
Food cravings: Hot fudge sundae with nuts
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: no
Belly Button in or out? Innie
What I miss: sleeping thru the night (this is preparation, I know!)
Milestones: I seem to have reached the swelling phase and have to take off my ring in the afternoons. I think I'm going to invest in a wedding ring look-a-like from Kohls until my fingers return to normal. Oh, and I had the absolute worst case of heartburn this past weekend that I've ever had in my life. It was awful, but at the same time, reassuring to know I was feeling one of the normal symptoms.

24 Weeks

And by request..here is a 24 week belly pic. :)



And for comparison:



How far along? 24 weeks
How much does Baby weigh?: 1.3 pounds
How big is Baby? 11-12 inches long
Maternity clothes? Yep
Stretch marks? No new ones since 18 weeks
Sleep: Uncomfortable when on my back longer than 10 minutes or so. I sleep mostly on my sides.
Best moment this week: Seeing my belly poke out when she kicked! She must like Mexican food just like her momma. :)
Movement: She's been pretty quiet this past week - though she has moved every day. She's been more active since Jeff got home, which I thought was neat.
Food cravings: chocolate
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: no
Belly Button in or out? Innie
What I miss: Wearing more form fitting clothes..my maternity shirts are so long!
What I am looking forward to: Hearing the heartbeat at tomorrow's OB appt. And, seeing my belly ripple as she moves. I am curious when that will start.
Milestones: Week 24 is "Viability" week - when the baby has a chance of survival outside the womb.

21 Weeks

Baby's First Kicks

Jeff and I felt the baby's first kicks last Thursday night! It was so amazing! I have felt flutters before, but this was the first kick I felt. It so happened to be Jeff's first too. Jeff had his ear pressed against my belly, listening for the baby's heartbeat. He didn't hear the heartbeat, but after about 5 minutes, we felt this karate kick from the inside! I saw Jeff's head bounce up with the kick, and his eyes got as big as saucers. He was like "whoa!" and rubbed his forehead where she had kicked him. She did it again a few minutes later and this time the kick was stronger. So now every night before we go to sleep, we have tummy time - he lays his head on my belly and talks to her to see if she will move or kick.

Over the weekend, we went to KC for my high school reunion. We stayed with Mom and she got to feel the baby move too! It was more of a bounce than a kick, but she felt her - a few different times. I'm so glad baby became active right before our visit! So now, I feel her a lot. Last night Jeff was wanting to feel her kick again. I've gotten pretty good at knowing where the baby is when he presses his head on my tummy..after a few minutes she had moved b/c I could no longer feel that pressure or resistance. She had moved a little lower - I guess for more room!

20 Weeks

How far along? 20 weeks
How much does Baby weigh?: 10.5 ounces
How big is Baby? 6.5 inches (head to rump); 10 inches (head to heel)
Maternity clothes? Yes!
Stretch marks? No new ones since 18 weeks
Sleep: I've slept great this week. Last night I only had to get up once.
Best moment this week: Jeff's nightly ritual of putting his ear on my belly to listen for the heartbeat. He hasn't been able to yet, but it's possible around this time. He did hear a thump at the same time I felt her move - that was cool.
Movement: Not much. However, she's moved a few times and it's tickled.
Food cravings: Honey Nut Cheerios
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: no
Belly Button in or out? Innie
What I miss: Being able to take deep breaths. Some days are better than others.
What I am looking forward to: Hearing the heartbeat at tomorrow's OB appt.
Milestones: Pregnancy is halfway over!

It's a Girl!

Meet Baby T
Due Date: December 8, 2009
Age: 18 weeks
Sex: Girl!
Personality: Shy?



There has been much anticipation over the sex of Baby T. Would it be a boy, as Thompson tradition promises? Or would a roll of the dice change things?

According to a recent poll, 14 out of 22 people thought Baby T was going to be a girl. Turns out they were right! Even though Jeff and I have had this feeling for several weeks that this may be true, it still was (and is) a shock.

The moment our little girl popped up on that screen, our jaws just about hit the floor at how big she had gotten. She didn't even fit in one view this time. We would see parts of her at a time with the head the first thing we saw. They took a bunch of measurements, determined that she wasn't at risk for Spina Bifida or Down's. Her hands, at first, were up by her face and Jeff thought she was sucking her thumb at one point.



Here's her spine when she was facing down.



The technician didn't have any trouble determining the sex. Thankfully, Baby T cooperated!



Once baby girl spread out her legs (they were initially curled under her rump), she crossed her ankles for us. It was so cute. Here are some photos of her legs .. cue ZZ Top..



The tech had a difficult time getting a shot of her face. Every time she would find her face with the probe, Baby T would turn over and we would see the back of her head. I think she was a little camera shy! Finally, the tech was able to get this photo of her laying on her side, looking at the camera..



A 3D photo..She is facing to the right with her hands in front of her face. The umbilical cord is going from the belly, near her face, behind her head.



Her profile (laying on her back, facing the ceiling)..



And finally, my belly picture taken at 18 weeks, the day of the big ultrasound.

18 Weeks

Baby T's development this week:

They can hear sounds and may be startled by loud noises.
Recognizable active and rest periods.
The skin is building a protective wax layer (vernix).
Vernix (a white cheese like protective material) forms on baby's skin with the lanugo, a soft lightly pigmented hair covering the body and limbs, both help to protect your baby's skin during the months in water. Your baby may hear your heart beating, your stomach rumbling or blood moving through the umbilical cord. He or she may even be startled by loud noises.

Tiny air sacs called alveoli begin to form in lungs and the vocal chords are formed. Baby goes through the motions of crying but without air doesn't make a sound; yet.

Your baby may have the same awake and sleep patterns of a newborn. Baby will have a favorite position for sleep and recognizable active and rest periods.

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How far along? 18 weeks
How much does Baby weigh?: 7 ounces
How big is Baby? 5.5 inches
Maternity clothes? Yes, though I'm still able to wear pre-pregnancy t-shirts.
Stretch marks? I think I found my first from the pregnancy
Sleep: I have a boppy snuggle pillow that I've been using for a few weeks. Just last night I tried wedging another pillow under my back to stay propped on my side..not so comfy
Best moment this week: Seeing my belly take shape. :) And, hearing a lady "oooh and ahh" after my aerobics instructer announced I had a baby in my belly.
Movement: It's felt like he/she has rolled a few times. I had lots of movement a week ago, but has been kind of quiet lately.
Food cravings: Mexican food (doubt this is a pregnancy craving - must be my old tastes returning!)
Gender: Logic tells me boy. Gut says girl! We'll find out on July 9!
Labor Signs: no
Belly Button in or out? Innie
What I miss: my Mom
What I am looking forward to: Thursday's ultrasound!! Praying the baby cooperates and that he/she is healthy!
Milestones: Jeff being able to tell that I'm showing.