Mini Photoshoot

Today I did a little mini photoshoot with my best friend Misti. She did an awesome job! I have also done a professional shoot and those photos will be up soon too.

Week 27

6 months down today! One more week until I begin the 3rd trimester! This last week has been rough for me. School started and although I don't feel like I'm doing that much more than I have been throughout my entire pregnancy, my body thinks otherwise. On Wed. I started having some cramping and braxton hicks but it didn't seem too unusual from what I normally feel; I've had them throughout this entire pregnancy here and there. On Thursday they increased, starting at 11am and then became consistent about 10 min apart. I decided to go get checked just to be safe and by the time I checked into a hospital at 4pm they were about 3-4 min apart. They monitored me for an hr or so, checked me and said I wasn't dilating or effacing so they sent me home. It was definitely scary and a bit ironic because my mom was admitted at 26 weeks for B&H but she was dilating. She had Jessica and me at 28 weeks. Typically they tell you to return if you have 10 or more contractions in an hr but since I already was, they said return if I have 6 or more really painful contractions in an hr or if I start leaking amniotic fluid. They said I can continue my daily activities but I am making sure I take it easier... even before I was sitting most of the day. I felt some more last night while laying down but they weren't as consistent as they were Thursday. I may get them for a couple hrs then they go away. It makes me wonder what it would have been like if I was really working the entire time because I've really been doing bedrest without being told to since I found out I was pregnant. I'd still go do daily activities but nothing very strenuous. They said there should be no problems with me flying back but it will be interesting to see what my doctor says when I return to Korea.

On a more positive note, I have felt a lot more movement and it is different than I have felt before. She seems to have moved further up and I feel a lot more movements towards the top of my uterus now, especially when I rest my arms on the top of my stomach. I have felt more movements like ripples under my skin and more little movements and flutters instead of really big infrequent kicks like I was getting in Korea. My belly still expands throughout the day and by the night my belly button is starting to push out more. I still wonder when it will push out all the way and stay there.

According to babycenter.com, baby Lillian will be going through the following changes this week:

How your baby's growing:

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.

Week 26

I spent last weekend (July 10th) with my in-laws enjoying some time to relax before school starts. Monna surprised me with a baby shower from her knitting group and they made some adorable outfits! I spent this weekend (July 17) taking maternity photos and had a lot of fun. I can't wait to see how they turned out. Keep a look out at the baby shower on July 31st for them.

During this week, my books say baby Lillian opened her eyes! Until now her eyes were fused shut but she can now see light. They say if there is a loud noise near my belly it may make her move... I have been using a Winnie the Pooh as her music while I'm here and it doesn't seem to be as loud as her bunny that I left in Korea. She hasn't been moving as much with the Winnie as she did with her bunny.

According to babycenter.com, baby Lillian went through the following changes during week 26:

How your baby's growing:

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He'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 he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He 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.

Week 25

I am now back in the states and baby Lillian and I are both trying to adjust. I don't feel her kicking as much as I did in Korea; however, when I do it seems she is still on Korean time.

According to babycenter.com, baby Lillian went through the following changes during week 25:

How your baby's growing

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.

Week 24

This week, Greg has been putting his head on my stomach every evening to see if he can feel Miss Lillian kick him since the kicks are getting strong enough to see from the outside. It has been interesting, she moves towards him every time (although it does take a while, usually 2 plays of the bunny). The other night she moved very close to the surface of my tummy and we were able to feel her whole body, it was about the size of a large mango. It was quite weird to be able to feel her that way; I've always been able to tell where she's at by feeling a lump that goes away when I push on it but never her whole body. Miss Lillian is a little over 1 lb... made us realize how small Jessica and I really were when we were born. She is almost the same size Jessica was and it was clear she could fit in the palm of my hand. Lillian seems to have moved a bit the last week or so, although I still feel kicks at my bladder they are not nearly as frequent. Gravity does take it's toll walking around though... she always seems to be very very low when I walk up and down stairs.

I had a doctors appointment on Friday to do my glucose testing. It is normally done between 24 and 28 weeks; however, since I'd be in the states we tried to squeeze it in before I left. I tested negative for gestational diabetes and she said my hemoglobin levels were normal. This was the first time she measured my stomach. My doctor doesn't really explain things other than test results or if there is something she is concerned about.... so I don't know what my measurement was and if it's on track. Being in Korea with the humidity I balloon out... I thought she is just supposed to measure how big my uterus was but by the time I went in I was already ballooning out so it seemed like her measurement was more my uterus and my stomach. I'm eager to see if it will be as drastic in the states.

Last week Greg and I also met a doula. A doula is a little different than a midwife in that she does not actually deliver the baby or provide medical care. Rather, a doula would help me with breathing and be more of a support, she would also help me with breastfeeding since it is not a common thing here in Korea. With the newer generation, breastfeeding is becoming more popular but since it is still new most nurses give you very limited guidance. Unfortunately the doula would be more than our delivery! So we are not going that route. Instead we will have one of our mothers come out and I ordered Hypnobabies. Hypnobabies is a relaxation kit/home study that focuses on breathing and relaxation in an awake hypnotic state. Meeting with the doula has also got me thinking about what I want out of the birth experience. To me, the care I'd get at Severance is very similar to what I'd receive in the states; however, once you are admitted and are hooked up to fetal monitoring they typically give you something to increase/progress your contractions. So far I'd like to stay at home as long as possible since my movement will be much more limited once I'm admitted, I'd like a calm environment and I'd love to say I'd try without an epidural but I'm not sure I can. I know my doctor will begin asking me about all of these things when I return from the states.

According to What to Expect When You're Expecting she is gaining about 6 ounces per week. According to my last doctors appointment, I only gained a pound in 3 weeks so I'm right on track and my expanding belly is baby. She has hair but it does not have pigment yet and she now has eyelashes and eyebrows. According to babycenter.com, here is what will be happening with Miss Lillian this coming week:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.