The First Week

The first week in the life of Charlie has literally flown by.  Every day he changes so much and does new things that keep us on our toes.  He is eating like a champ, filling up his diapers good and sleeping enough at night that mom and dad are actually functioning members of society. We couldn't ask for a better little boy.

On Wednesday, Charlie was officially one week old. We celebrated this event by a trip to the pediatrician (followed by a McFlurry for momma).  Charlie is perfectly in proportion and is growing like a weed. He had lost 11ozs at the hospital before our release and by Wednesday he had gained it all back plus some.  This impressed his doc and made me feel a lot better about breastfeeding. It is crazy to look at him now and think that he had fit in my belly.

And because who doesn't love a before and after--- here I am on Wednesday of this week, exactly one week postpartum.

I do have quite a bit to go before I am back down to fighting weight, but even a little progress gives me hope! Once I am feeling a little bit more normal I intend to kick it into high gear. 

But really, who cares about pictures of just me--- I know what you all want, more pics of the babe.  I am happy to oblige and will even follow it up with another tale from our labor and delivery experience.

"Is that your baby?"- The first night that we spent in the hospital after Charles arrived was very stressful for us. We were so tired after being up for over 36 hours and our adrenaline had completely crashed.  At midnight the nurse came to get Charlie to get his weight and vitals checked. She brought him back shortly after and gave me a stern lecture on how important it was that he eat ASAP.  Yeah, lady, I know. But it is easier said than done when your less than 24 hour old baby has no interest in eating anything.  But, always one to do as I am told I continued to try and force my boob on the poor little guy.  

Hours (literally) later there was a silver lining when, thank the lord, the little guy turned his head and miraculously latched tight and started sucking away. I was relieved and excited that I had finally managed to get it right. My excitement was somewhat short lived.

Suddenly, loudly and abruptly, our room door swings open and in rushes our nurse, our tech, a second nurse, a security guard and a cop. Outside the door I could see another security guard and a couple additional nurses. There I am in my breast feeding glory, both breasts completely exposed and a baby hanging off of one suckling away oblivious to any oddities in the situation. The nurse made her way directly to me in the rocker and asked "is that your baby?"

Um, "Yes" I answered making no attempt at all to cover myself up. 

She then asked if she could check our security bands. I told her that she could, but there was no way in hell she was taking the baby off my chest because it had just taken two hours to get him to latch. Awkwardly she checked my band against his and confirmed that yes, it was my baby. She released the troops and told me that his electronic bracelet must have come loose and that it had triggered the "Stolen Baby" alarm. While I could only see those people sent to find the baby, the whole hospital had been put on lock down. Doors were all locked and no one could enter or leave. When she was telling me this I just started laughing... if it was going to happen to anyone I should have figured it would be us.

The Bump (tardy for the party)

Before I officially post the latest and greatest of my bump pictures, I want to take a second and give a big fat raspberry to all of the people who were convinced that I wouldn't make it to my due date. Nurses, ultra sound techs, friends, neighbors, and family had me feeling that maybe I would get to meet Little T before today.  As you will see by the giant protruding lump on my belly, we were wrong!

That's right folks, we have officially past our due date.  I feel that I am solely to blame for this occurrence.  Matthew is ALWAYS early. He lives by the motto that on-time is late. I, on the other hand, am often running to make it anywhere within a reasonable amount of time.  Even if I allot myself additional time I find ways to inevitably be flying through a door attempting to appear as if I might have come in at the time requested.  Given this information-- anyone want to change their Little T guess to girl? 

For being 40+ weeks pregnant I guess that I am feeling "good". I hurt. I'm tired. I'm restless. I'm blue. I'm impatient. I'm hungry. I'm hot. I'm swollen. But mostly, I am bored. I guess that the down side of being so prepared for Little T is that everything is already done! I almost with I would have left a few things until the last minute just so that I could have some form of amusement that doesn't involve people watching at walmart.

I guess that I have made things to cozy for Little T.  While I am happy that each day he or she will get bigger and stronger, I can't help but want my baby NOW!

The Bump

I may be just shy of 39 weeks pregnant... but I feel like I am running about 49 weeks pregnant.  I'm not going to lie, the novelty has definitely worn off of being pregnant.  Sleep- ha that's funny.  Sitting- yeah that isn't comfortable.  Laying down- no relief there.  Walking- only causes swollen feet, which requires laying down, which causes heartburn.  Bending- you are kidding me right?  So, let's get right to the point.  I want my baby and I want it NOW!  What little scrap of patience that God gave me has officially been depleted.

Oh, you didn't log on to read all about my current grievances?  Well what are you looking for?  Would a picture of my watermelon belly make this visit worth your while?  If so, feast your eyes on this creamy white skinned bumpy goodness:

I feel bad for all of my above complaints.  This whole pregnancy journey has been a joy and a blessing.  While some times have been more trying than others, and the past few days seem to be endless, I could not be happier with our progress. While I may feel like the goodyear blimp, I know that I am baking a beautiful baby that will make it all worth while.

I realize that I may be a bit of a drama queen with some of my complaints, but I think it is because I really can't wait to meet Little T. And I am sure that when our eyes meet for the first time I will forget all about how embarrassing it is to toot every time I cough or sneeze.

The Bump

37 weeks now.  Officially FULL TERM.  Holy. Crap. I'm gonna be somebody's mother.


From a scientific viewpoint, 37 weeks marks the date when baby is done cooking. Of course, full term is an estimate and also a range which lasts from 37 all the way to 42 (42!!!) weeks. So in all reality I have anywhere from hours to weeks before Little T will get the actual eviction notice.  Do I think that we will have Little T here soon?  Nope. Especially not if the little one takes after me. I am pretty much always running late.


So here is the bump--- you've seen it clothed in a few previous posts, but here it is naked again in all of its tight skinned glory.

Yes, those are my pre-pregnancy jeans.  Yes, I am starting to resemble a duck. Yes, you are correct if you are thinking that I look less comfortable than last week. And no, my belly button has yet to pop (although the top part is starting to pull suspiciously down and out like it is thinking about popping but wants to wait to see what move the rest of the button makes).

So in honor of our "full term" status I thought we'd mix it up with a little Q&A.

How far along are you? 37 weeks

Have you gained any weight? Funny you should ask!  Why yes, I have gained some weight.  And by some, I mean that I no longer consider the scale to be my friend (as if we ever were).  In fact, I am no longer speaking to the scale.  We are having a rough patch.  All though shockingly my doctor seems to think that I have gained exactly what she thought I would.

Are you wearing all maternity clothes? Surprisingly, no. I am still wearing regular tank tops and a slew of regular skirts and dresses.  Some are ones that I have already owned and some new.  Mainly I am hot all of the time, so dresses and skirts have been key.

Do you have any stretch marks? I don't really want to answer this question because I am fearful that I will jinx my current situation.  Maybe I can just say "to be determined'?

How are you sleeping? I generally sleep like a champ.  Last night I did have to get up twice to skip to the loo.  Usually I sleep through the night though.

What was you best moment this week? Well, another thing I don't want to really jinx, but you might as well know.  Little T has been hanging breech.  Yeah.  I know.  BUT I am fairly positive that against all odds Little T may have flipped on Friday.  I won't know for sure until Wednesday.  If Little T has not flipped we will have to have a version.  This would not be good news.

Have you been having lots of movement? This late in the game movement should be slowing down.  BUT, Little T doesn't play by the book.  I would say movement has increased by about 50% in the past week.

Have you had any cravings? Ice cream.  Mmmmm ice cream.

Well folks, that is about it for this bump for now.  I'll just leave you with one parting pic.

ALSO!!! I you have yet to make your guess on when Little T will be here, what the heck are you waiting for? Click HERE

The Bump

Have you noticed the lack of bump pictures lately?  Well, we Tals have been more than a little bit busy.  Between a wedding, finishing up the nursery and other top secret projects, free time does not come cheap at our house.  And when there is free time it generally involves me complaining about the fact that I suddenly feel truly pregnant.

Voila!  The bump!  Ok, so I really think it looks way larger in person.  Larger and lopsided.  There is either a butt, head or knee that has taken permanent residence in my upper right quadrant of the bump.  Even my doc is stumped at exactly what body part it is.  

And just for fun... here is another clothed shot of me and Little T.  And now that I am looking at it, white is definitely not slimming for the two of us and may be banned from this point on.

The Bump

31 Weeks down, 9(ish) to go.  I write in the "ish" because who really knows when this baby is going to come.  While some experts have said that they think I may go early, I know that their input is about as reliable as reading the leaves in my raspberry tea.  Regardless of how much time we have left, we have enjoyed 31 weeks of Little T growing in my previously little belly.

The last few weeks have literally flown by, so I thought we might want to take a look back before we look at the present.  Remember this?  Remember when I had abs, a waistline and an hour glass figure?

Grow, baby, grow!  Gone are the days of nipped waistlines and clingy low cut shirts.  I have replaced my hourglass figure with what I lovingly call "the duck".  Here we have the latest and greatest of the bump shots.  It looks like Little T has expanded the living quarters upwards.  I am finally starting to carry a bit higher, though I know it will be short lived.

The Bump

We are so close to 30 weeks that I can practically taste it.  And, I think that I practically look it as well.  The bump is still growing every day.  It surprises me some days when I will look in the mirror in the morning and then later that evening and see a totally different profile.

I am still able to wedge myself into my pre-pregnancy jeans.  Of course this is purely for photographic evidence that it is still possible--- I would have to be some sort of sadist to wear these all day.  Truth be told, I like wearing the same pants in each picture and all my prego jeans have waistbands that go as high as my bra.  So far *knock on wood everyone* we are stretch mark free, I still have a belly button that is concave and I still have some portion of my body that one might consider as passing for a waistline.  

While I am at 29 and a half weeks, Little T is on a totally different schedule.  When we went for our 3d ultrasound we learned that Little T's body is measuring about 2 and a half weeks ahead with a current weight of 3lbs and 8ozs.  Now, this is not an exact science for them to determine weight, but the head measurement is pretty darn accurate and shows a nice round head that is about the size that would be expected at 32 weeks.  Gulp.  That head is coming out of where?!?

For your viewing enjoyment, here is a picture of the bump how you would normally see it.  In other words, with a shirt on.

And finally, because I am a sucker for side by sides, here I am in one of my favorite shirts.  

The Bump

We are officially in the double digits now, gang!  Grow, Little T, Grow!  I think at this point it is safe to say that I have actually, genuinely, honestly popped my bump.  I have FINALLY had a stranger notice that I was pregnant.

The first stranger ID came at a most unlikely place.  I was scheduled to speak at a meeting in Las Vegas and attempting to get into the appropriate conference room at the MGM.  The door man/pseudo security ape had been told to not let any yellow badges into the room.  As I was being denied, I tried to reason with him that my coworker, who I was to meet in the room, and I were most definitely supposed to be there.  He apologized and explained that he had strict orders, but that he felt especially bad turning me away in my "condition".  While I think I would generally have had some sort of sharp retort on what exactly my "condition" had to do with anything, I was so excited that I had a positive ID as a pregnant woman that I could only smile.  Finally someone recognizes that I am carrying a child in this belly!  I did manage to sneak in "So, what you are telling me is that there is no room in the Inn?"

So, without further ado, except for maybe a dramatic drumroll if you please... The New and Improved BUMP!

Look at all of that Bumpy glory.  I am pleased to say that many others have now noticed all of my pregnant-ness great-ness as well. I have had a couple clients congratulate me and ask when I am due.  In general they are shocked when I say June, apparently although I have popped, I have a lot of catching up to do in the next 13 weeks.

Continuing in my tradition of demonstrating ways to manipulate the bump--- enter the ever forgiving black clothing trick. Something about black really makes me feel like a somewhat svelt person rather than the current zaftig person that I generally see in the mirror nowadays.  When I slip into a black top and black pants I can stare at myself head on in a mirror and see a pre-pregnancy Lauren complete with a waistline!  Exhibit A:

But, as soon as I turn to the side,  BAM! Exhibit B:

Bumps aside, I am more than happy to have a little free time coming up.  Between Vegas, Brain Game Championships and a bachelorette party, I was POOPED!

The Bump (better late than never)

We are looking square in the eye of the third trimester.  Yep, folks, that means only one more "mester" before we have this baby on the outside.  That being said, we did have a bit of a growth spurt this past week.  And voila....

At 25.85 weeks we are still carrying super low.  But luckily it is high enough that I still can button up my regular jeans.  I was even able to sit down and almost be comfortable after I took this picture.  Almost being the key word.  Nevertheless, being able to shimmy into these jeans gives me hope that some day I might have my body back.

I'd like to update more... but we have a flight to catch.

I just have one last picture.  I am so proud that I am finally able to rock some maternity clothes without looking like a frumpy mess.

The Bump

Here we are at 24 weeks!  It is hard to believe that we are almost to the third trimester.  Without much fanfare, here is my excuse for a bump this week:

Jeans are definitely getting tight--- When I sat down to edit the pics I had to unbutton them.  I am sorry to say that next week we most likely will have some different pair of pants, probably of the ever so fashionable maternity variety.

If you remember my previous trick of cradling the bump to make it look larger, you will appreciate trick #2. This trick involves putting your hands on your lower back and sticking your hips forward.  See!  I think that the hand placement really says, "oh my achin' back!"

Finally, I have one last bump demonstration.  This one is inspired by my Mimsy (my mom) who advised me not to post any bump pictures until my belly sticks out as far as my boobs.  I think my lack of bump embarrasses her. Well, Mimsy, we are pretty darn close!!! 

The Bump

Well folks, we are at about 22.5 weeks and chugging right along!  Baby is kicking more and more and I *think* that we are finally starting to show!  Now, I don't think that we are quite at the strangers noticing point, but the bump is looking more like bump and less like chub every day.

You'll notice that my non-maternity jeans are still in play (yee haw!), but for the most part I have transitioned over to maternity jeans and oh so comfy stretch pants.  Seriously, I never knew how liberating it could be to not have to button or zip your trousers.  I can still wear nearly all of my shirts, although many are way to short to cover both my bump and the stretchy waistband of my new favorite pants.

As an added bonus this week we have added a couple pictures for your enjoyment.  I have found that if I stand with my hands around my belly it adds some depth and actually makes the bump look a proper bump size.  Maybe I should always stand like this?

The Bump

Well here we are nearly halfway through our 20th week.  We are officially half baked and loving it.  I am a few days late in posting, but I am glad that I am because I think we might have had some bump changes in the past couple days.  Although in looking at the pictures I am not too sure!

Without further ado...

Now, I FEEL bigger.  I keep bumping into things with my belly and I definitely notice that my tummy is starting to round out instead of just looking globby.  But this picture makes me wonder if I am just making it up in my head.  I don't look any different than I did two weeks ago!

With that in mind, I would like to take a closer look at the progression since week 18.  I would throw up a side by side picture, but now that I am learning new web tricks I thought that this might be a more effective demonstration....