Week 29: "Butternut Squash"

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. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain. To meet her increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because her 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. (www.babycenter.com)

==============================

Bebita has been moving around lots these days. So much so that it keeps me awake at night sometimes. The past couple nights I've gotten very little sleep -- partially because it has been so warm in our apartment (we don't control our heat) and partly because Bebita thought it was play time. I guess she is preparing me for when she makes her debut. It makes me happy to feel her moving so consistently though.

Here is my 29 week belly pic.

We have lots of exciting things planned this month, which will make it go by fast. My parents are coming for New Years and staying until the following Tuesday. We have our first birthing class on January 5, which we will have once a week through the end of January. Teirney's parents are coming next weekend to help us paint the nursery. Our nursery furniture and bedding should be delivered sometime this month as well. I still feel overwhelmed when I think of everything that still needs to be done, but I'm sure it will all get done in time.

A couple of my friends from Foley are throwing a baby shower for me next weekend (January 11). They were so sweet to think of me. Here is the picture that was in the Evite they sent out. I feel so blessed to have such sweet friends!

My appointments with the midwife have switched to every two weeks instead of every four. It makes it feel all that more real. My next appointment is on Monday and since my mom will be here, I think she will come with me to hear the heartbeat.

Here's to hoping your New Year is filled with many blessings!

Christmas 2008

It's hard to believe Christmas has come and gone and New Years is right around the corner. Here are a few Christmas pictures from our time in Marshfield this past week. My two sisters, Jackie and Josie, came up. We were just missing my brother, Jeff, and sister, Amy. We hope to spend some time with them over New Years.

Week 28: "Chinese Cabbage"

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 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. (http://www.babycenter.com/)

==============================

Yay for the third and final trimester...I finally made it! This post is a little late in coming due to Christmas. We headed up to Marshfield on Tuesday night and we'll be here until Sunday. Here is my 28 week belly pic. I feel huge and yet I have three more months to go!

We had a good Christmas and look forward to the next few days with family. I had my 28 week appointment this past Monday as well as my glucose test. I passed!!! I was so excited to find out that I don't need to go on a GD diet during this pregnancy. My blood pressure was still good (120/78) and everything seems to be going great so far. They did, however, put me on an iron supplement because my iron was a little low. Anything below 11 they have to treat and I was a 10, so they weren't too worried, but they told me to take an iron supplement every three days or so. I have also gained a total of 9 pounds from my last appointment, which was 4 weeks ago. That was a bit alarming, but the midwife was not concerned. I'm just hoping that I don't gain too much weight in these last three months. Oh well, we'll see.

Bebita is getting bigger and stronger. I can feel her stretch all the way across my belly now and her kicks and rolls are much more evident and at times can be quite uncomfortable. The other day I literally thought she was going to try and come out of my belly button -- she was banging on it pretty hard. I love it though!

Well, I'm making this short because my sister is sitting here right now and it is pretty late. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Love you sweet, Bebita! Hope you enjoyed your first Christmas -- you sure acted like you did with all the kicks and rolls you were doing this morning.

Our Christmas Greeting!

Year-in-Review 2008

- Work, work, work, and School, school, school (January-May 2008)
- Teirney published article Fish on Morphine in Wisconsin Law Review (March 2008)
- Teirney accepted position at Gass Weber Mullins LLC in Milwaukee (April 2008)
- Remember the house we bought just last year that was on last year’s Christmas photo? Yeah, we put that up for sale. (May 2008)
- And accepted an offer on it 3 weeks later (May 2008)
- Teirney graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School (May 16, 2008)
- Teirney sworn in to practice law in Wisconsin at the Wisconsin Supreme Court (June 11, 2008)
- Took celebratory vacation to Boston and Cape Cod (June 21-29, 2008)
- Teirney moved to Milwaukee and slept on a friend’s couch during the first 3 weeks of his new job (July 7, 2008)
- Leah stayed behind to work and pack (July 2008)
- Found out our family will have a little addition around March 17, 2009 – yippee!!! (July 10, 2008)
- Leah’s last day at Foley & Lardner LLP (July 11, 2008)
- Officially moved into our new apartment in Milwaukee (July 25, 2008)
- Leah has morning sickness that lasts all day (July-October, 2008)
- Closed on our house in Cross Plains (August 28, 2008)
- Attended Brewer playoff games - thoroughly enjoyed the first one (October 4 and 5, 2008)
- Leah started feeling better (October 2008)
- Leah started volunteering at City on a Hill (October 21, 2008)
- Found out we’re having a baby girl (October 30, 2008)
- Teirney’s first out of state work trip to Miami (November 12-14, 2008)
- Marshfield for Thanksgiving (November 27-30)
- Leah expands her baking skills to include Christmas cookies in Marshfield
(November 30-December 6, 2008)
- Marshfield for Christmas (December 23-28, 2008)

We are so excited to meet our baby girl and look forward to all the exciting new adventures that will hold for us. We hope this greeting finds you and your family well and hope that our paths will cross again soon.

Until then…may God bless you and your family and may you all enjoy a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Love,

Teirney, Leah, and Baby Christenson

Week 27: "Cauliflower"

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. 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. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements 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 they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle. (http://www.babycenter.com/)

==============================

So from what I gather, third trimester technically starts at 28 weeks, which is next week. Some people say it starts at 27 weeks, so it can be very confusing. Either way, I'm practically there, but I guess I'll start celebrating next week. Here is my 27 week belly pic.

I've been getting lots of stares at my belly lately. We were at the mall the other week with my parents and my dad said he noticed all these women looking at my belly -- most likely because of my HUGE belly button! I still haven't gotten an official "stranger comment" (where a complete stranger starts talking to you out of the blue about your pregnancy). But what I have gotten are people saying things like "I assume you want the non-smoking section..." while eyeing my belly. It is really quite funny. What I wanted to say was, "no, I plan on smoking tonight." Just kidding.

Pregnancy has been such a fascinating journey. I sometimes find myself wanting to skip to the part where my baby is peacefully sleeping in my arms. But then I remember I need to live in the moment and try to treasure each and every day of having her inside me. So I'm trying to consciously remind myself of that. Especially because I know she won't always be "sleeping peacefully in my arms" -- she could be screaming in my arms. As I write this, she is kicking away...so cute!

Speaking of kicking, her kicks have gotten significantly stronger in the last week. It has even startled me at times -- I've literally jumped a couple times when she kicked and I wasn't expecting it. I wish I could take a peek inside from time to time to see what she is up to. I often wonder what she is actually doing. It's still a little hard to tell what position she is in. It's pretty roomy in there yet so she can move around quite a bit, but it would be fun to know for sure where her head, hands, and feet are.

With Christmas and the third trimester just around the corner, reality has begun to sink in that we will have a little baby to take care of in a few short months. As much as I have looked forward to the day I become a mommy (since I was 6 or so), I am all of a sudden petrified. We will be responsible to raise a little baby and she will be a teenager one day! We don't have a clue what we're doing. Oh my...so nerve-wracking! I guess we can only pray for wisdom, grace, and patience in the process. I also realized recently that Teirney and I will have been married for 7 years when Bebita is born, which means we've had 7 years to get into a groove of having no kids and doing whatever we want, whenever we want. Ah yes, that will all change. Life will be so different and yet we both look forward to it and will embrace the change. Ready or not, here she comes!

I feel like I'm making some progress in our apartment. I need to rearrange some closets to make room for some things we still have in boxes, but after that, we'll be ready to tackle the nursery. Yay! Probably just in time to move again. Well, not really, but we are keeping our eyes open for a house to buy. It would be hard to move right after we have Bebita, so I think we'll get our use out of the nursery for a bit before that happens.

Teirney has some depositions in Hudson Thursday and Friday, so I plan on going with him tomorrow night and staying at the hotel. Then we'll travel to the Cities on Friday afternoon to visit with Marah. It will be a fun and busy next couple weeks.

Since it's almost Midnight here, I really need to sign off...until next time.

Week 26: "Cucumber"

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. She may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. She's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when she's born and takes that first gulp of air. And she's continuing to put on baby fat. She now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. 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. (www.babycenter.com)

==============================

I am in complete disbelief as to how fast these weeks are going -- my third trimester is quickly approaching. Here is my 26 week belly pic -- not as good as last week since I'm back to propping the camera up and running to the wall -- it's quite a sight to see (my mom took last week's picture).

Aside from my lack of agility and some aches and pains, I'm feeling really good and I realize that this is probably the best I will feel in my pregnancy, so I should be stepping it up a notch to get lots done now while I feel this good. I was hoping we would be able to paint the nursery this month, but realistically I think it will be the first part of January. The crib and dresser should be delivered shortly thereafter. My goal is to have the nursery completely done in January, so that I'm not saving anything for February, since you never know what can happen.

Bebita has been such a good little girl -- she has her active days and then she has her quieter days. We have a game we like to play called "belly poke." When she is squirming around in there, I'll poke my belly where I feel some kicks and then she responds back...it's so cute! My belly is also starting to itch a lot more -- last week especially. Guess that's a good sign. Just hoping I'll be one of the lucky ones and not grow too fast at one time -- I'd love to avoid the stretch marks, but we'll see.

I'm trying to stay away from sugar as much as possible, but I was so bad last week. My mom and I did Christmas baking -- I think that says it all. I couldn't waste the broken cookies, so I had to eat them. Poor Bebita didn't know what hit her. And when her daddy found out, he was quick to give me a loving scolding -- he's going to be a protective daddy. My mom and I had such a good time though and I was so glad to have been able to spend the week with her. We did lots of Christmas decorating and since I'm not decorating our apartment this year, I was so glad I was able to get my "decorating fix" in there.

Good news! Yesterday I had my endocrinology appointment and the doctor said that I don't need to come back. My last two lab results had come back normal and he didn't see a reason for me to keep coming back to get it checked. He said to take note of any changes that may indicate my thyroid isn't working and if I notice anything to come in, but otherwise, no need to go back!!! Yay! He said he thought it could've just been a fluke that the August lab results came back abnormal...lets hope so.

One shocking truth at my appointment was my weight. Since my last appointment with the midwife only a week and a half ago, I had gained 6 pounds! Yes, 6 pounds in a week and half. That sounds like an awful lot to me. I realize everyone is different, but I'm hoping that it slows down in the next few weeks as I don't want to get "the talk" from my midwife. My next appointment is Christmas Eve morning -- I'll be 28 weeks. I'm scheduled to have the 1-hour glucose test that day as well. I'm praying I pass! If not, I'm on to the 3-hour test...ugh.

Teirney's work Christmas party is on Friday night and I will be meeting some of the attorneys he works with for the first time. The food options sound fantastic, so Bebita and I are looking forward to it very much.

Well, until next time, goodnight!

Dearest Bebita, we love you so much! "Baby it's cold outside..." so stay snug and warm inside for as long as possible - okay? You are our little treasure and we continue to pray for you daily. May God bless you!

Week 25: "Rutabaga"

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture. (www.babycenter.com)

==================================

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Ours was nice, but very busy. The Friday after Thanksgiving I left to go to the Cities with my parents for a cousin's wedding. It was great to be able to spend some quality time with some of my cousins I haven't seen in years. Teirney had stayed in Marshfield to spend the rest of the weekend with his family. I came back to Marshfield on Sunday and will stay through the rest of the week. Teirney went back to Milwaukee on Sunday. I feel so blessed that I'm not working and have been able to be flexible to do all this traveling. However, I miss Teirney very much, who says he also misses me...so sad! Everyone together now say, "awww, how cute!"

So I'm 25 weeks today! I'm continually amazed at how fast the weeks are flying by. Here is my 25 week belly pic (I have officially retired the gray tank top).

One of the biggest things that has replaced my morning sickness is my lack of sleep. Typically, that isn't supposed to get bad until later on in the pregnancy, but apparently Bebita wants me to be fully prepared for her arrival. I suspect lack of sleep will continue as long as I'm a parent. There was one night in the Cities that I didn't sleep the entire night until about 5:00 a.m.-6:30 a.m. Bebita was doing acrobats all night long (I think it was due to the hot chocolate I drank at 9:00 p.m. that night -- lesson learned). We spent the next day at the Mall of America...probably not the best idea in the world. But it was fun regardless of how tired I was, and at least I was able to sleep that night.

Another factor in my lack of sleep has been heartburn. I had it pretty bad early on in the first trimester and then it disappeared. It has officially reappeared in full force now. I'm able to take Tums and that has helped tremendously.

I feel extremely blessed and grateful that aside from the common aches and pains pregnancy brings, I have had no complications and Bebita seems to be growing healthy, which is the most important thing.

My mom and I have been doing some Christmas baking this week and I plan on helping putting up the Christmas tree with her later this week. I have decided not to decorate for Christmas at our apartment this year. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to decorate, especially for Christmas. But with the apartment still not completely in order and me being pregnant, I decided to give Teirney the best Christmas he's ever had...a Christmas with no decorations! He dreads the whole decorating process every year and since this will probably be the only year we can skip it, I figured there was no better time. So I'm glad I can get my "Christmas fix" at my parents house this year. I'm actually quite relieved I don't need to worry about it at our house.

Since it's late and I still need to say goodnight to my cute hubby, I should sign off.

Dear, sweet Bebita -- you are precious, you are a gift, and we are so grateful for your little life. I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving meal the other day. Stay healthy and strong -- and may God hold your little hand through your entire journey into this world. Please know your daddy loves you very much, even though you haven't heard his voice around too much these last couple weeks. We both love you so very, very much! Goodnight little angel!