35 weeks - Have A Very Merry Christmas!

Tonight's post is coming to you from the Brummel's.  Kiel is working an all nighter and I'm at my sister's watching the twins while Amy & Matt are at the Holiday Tournament with Henry.  Not that he notices they're there...he's been there since 9am...obsessed with sports!!!

I'm now the boring aunt who pops in a movie and says things like "Sorry Bevin, I can't sit on the floor and play with your doll house because it hurts my entire body" :-/  In my defense, I did play 2 games of memory before I broke out the tv and leap pad babysitters.  I promise I'll make up for it one of these days guys.

Anyways...we hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Christmas!  I got to enjoy 5 whole days off...it was officially a Christmas miracle!  And I'm pretty sure it went by faster then a regular 2 day weekend as usual.  As we already celebrated Christmas with the Russell's the weekend after Thanksgiving, we only had 4 celebrations this past week.

Kiel went to work Thursday morning at normal time and almost didn't make it home for our first Christmas with my dad Saturday night.  Washington area got hit a lot harder then Pontiac with the wind & snow so when he got asked to work overtime Thursday night of course he took it.  The weather got so bad, they ended up making them quit at 11:30pm, but Kiel wasn't able to drive home so he just slept at work and started bright and early Friday morning.  The weather did so much damage Kiel ended up working straight through from Friday morning to Saturday afternoon.  He finally made it home around 4pm and made it just in time for dinner at my sister's.

Sunday, we traveled to Earlville to my Grandma Farm's to spend the day with the Torman's.  So glad Grandma was feeling up to the get together - it's a lot of work getting us all in one place & feeding us!  My baby hormones got the best of me when she let me chose a piece of jewelery my Grandpa had given her (he passed away when I was 4).  She had 3 pieces left and my sister, cousin, and I are the 3 oldest granddaughters so we got to chose.  It was the perfect gift :-)  I didn't get many pictures these 2 days...too much going on I guess.

Monday, Kiel & I spent the majority of the day being lazy and then went to my mom's for Christmas Eve dinner with the Moore's & Rock's.  The kids stole the show here as usual.

  
And last, but certainly not least, we spent Christmas Day at Kiel's sister's with his parents, Aunt Nancy, and the ladies.  Grandma Lois hasn't been feeling her best so she was missed at Shilo's, but we got to visit her before we went home that night.  She's an avid reader of the blog...hope you're feeling better Lois! 

All-in-all, we had a great Christmas!  Kiel will tell you it's all a little overwhelming coming from a small family to a family the size of mine where we celebrate for days, but in the end it's hard to feel anything, but blessed.  Jase made out like a bandit and he's not even here!  I can't imagine what next year will be like.  He got lots of new outfits, pacifiers, diapers, bibs, and that sweet Harley Davidson "Rocking Horse" you can see above.  Kiel's mom also had Kiel's baptismal outfit/memorabilia and first pair of high tops & moccasins all ready for us to take home.

Since Kiel had to work and I didn't, I planned on spending Wednesday in bed or on the couch recuperating from all the running around and eating we had done over the past 4 days, but that darn nesting urge got the best of me and I ended up in Bloomington making some returns.  Jase needed a bookshelf of some sort for all those awesome books he received at the shower.

 

I can't wait to get the fabric drawers I ordered in for this - I still have a long way to go, but it's beginning to feel a little more organized!

And for all the women out there like me who aren't usually the ones putting together the big projects...this is the GREATEST tool EVER!  I'm tempted to go buy something else that has to be assembled just so I can use it again.   

I've been having the weird pregnancy dreams again.  Most of the time Jase is already here and either I'm constantly forgetting him at home and I have to call Kiel to go pick him up & bring him to me or we're trying to put together his toddler bed and he's only an infant.  When I wake up, I can't get over how real they seem.  

Everyone kept warning me about how uncomfortable I would get, but I guess I have just been so thankful to have felt so good I wasn't really taking it to heart.  But I'm learning now.  Every week I laugh at myself a little thinking about how big I thought I was the week before.  And every week I realize how much easier the week before really was.  When he stretches, I stretch...willingly or unwillingly.  Sleep comes in intervals and rolling over to get comfortable is becoming a real chore.  Kiel loves it!  He's still getting the hiccups at least twice a day, but it's been proving for some interesting show & tell since he's big enough now that with every hiccup other people can not only see my belly jumping but can sometimes also feel him.  I must add, no matter how uncomfortable I get, I have not gotten to the point where I'm wishing for pregnancy to be over.  Maybe it's a little anxiety thinking about becoming responsible for another human being, or the thought of missing feeling him kicking around in there, or just watching my belly resemble a jello mold, but part of me just isn't ready for this process to be over.  5 more weeks if I'm lucky!  

I'm proud to announce that while I ate everything and anything I could at all of our Christmas get togethers, I only gained a half a pound!  But, I can still tell baby boy is growing like a weed in there.  While I haven't put on much weight, my stomach is inching further and further away from me every day.  I can't imagine how cramped he is in there!

Your baby's the size of a coconut!

He's about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. From here on out, he won't get much longer, but he's plumping up. He's now about 4.2 to 5.8 pounds, and he'll put on a pound or more of baby fat before birth. 

• Now, his hearing is fully developed, and he responds best to high-pitched noises.
• If it's a boy, his testes have probably fully descended.

Please note, what this week says he should be weighing...he was measuring 5.13 lbs last week!  What am I going to do with this monster?

Now that Christmas is officially over, I'm excited to ring in 2013 probably from the comfort of my couch eating a blizzard.  It's going to be a big year!!!  Hope everyone has a safe NYE!   

-Nicole

34 weeks - Pontiac vs Peoria

It's hard to believe it's been 6 weeks since our last appointment in Peoria.  Again, I went in hoping we'd get some great pictures and a good report on the kidney size, but neither one of those things really happened.  Jase was fast asleep for the ultra sound and while being head down/face down is great for labor, it doesn't give the tech much to work with as far as sonogram pics go.  Sorry for the let down, but we didn't get one good picture of little man at 34 weeks.  He proved he has his father's "on my time" attitude as he woke up about 2 minutes after the ultra sound tech left the room :-/  The one pic we did get is of his foot touching his forehead lol how uncomfortable does that look?

His head is still measuring 2 weeks ahead and he's already up to 5 lbs 13 oz.  He should be gaining about a half a pound a week until his arrival so we're right on track for a big 8 pounder or a small 9 pounder...is there such thing as a small 9 pounder?  Sounds like I need to stop calling him "little" man!  I can definitely tell he's growing in there and making his way south.  The pressure I was experiencing in my tailbone has moved to my pelvic region and has been pretty constant for the past 3 or 4 days.  He's really getting heavy!!!   

Kidney results - just a refresher, kidneys should be between 6 & 7 mm in fetuses, but Dr Gross wasn't concerned as long as they stayed under 10 mm because he would still have a 90% chance of natural correction after birth.  The larger the kidneys grow the more likely the baby has a problem with an obstruction or reflux.  Last appointment we were safe at just under 10mm, but this visit his right kidney was 10mm and his left kidney had grown to 12mm.  There is still a chance his kidneys will correct themselves after birth, but it gets slimmer as his kidneys continue to get bigger.  We know his kidneys are still functioning properly because my amniotic fluid was a 20.09 which is on the high end of the 10-20 range they want you to be in.  In other words, he's kidneys are producing urine, we just don't know if some of it is backing up into his kidneys or if there is an obstruction in there slowing the flow and enlarging the kidneys.  And just to clarify, they're not measuring his kidneys in proportion to his body...they want them to be under 10 no matter how far along I am or how big he gets. 

When a baby's kidneys are large like Jase's, the pediatrician has to do an ultra sound on the baby immediately following birth to check size.  It's said that babies are often dehydrated after birth so when they run this test on his kidneys they could appear a normal size, but actually still be enlarged.  Most likely, they will ask to see him when he's a couple months old to recheck...they will then have a better idea of what the course of correction will be.  Unfortunately, Pontiac does not have the ability to perform this ultra sound so now the question is officially being posed of where I'm going to deliver. 

I'm going back to MFM in 3 weeks to double check one more time, but Dr Gross was not encouraging that his kidneys will have gotten any smaller or even stopped growing for that matter.  If there is no change or his kidneys get larger at my next MFM appointment, I will need to deliver in Peoria.  I'm not crushed to possibly not be delivering in Pontiac, but I will be disappointed to not have Dr Ingram be the one to deliver him.  Since we live about 65 miles from Peoria, Dr Gross will want to induce me at 39 weeks instead of taking the risk of me going on my own and being too far from the Peoria hospital to make it in time for delivery.  Being induced a week before my due date is a little nerve wracking, but I'd rather go that route then worry about delivering in Pontiac and have them immediately take Jase to Peoria and not be able to go with him.  In our last appointment, I felt like Dr Gross had one foot out the door the entire time because Jase's kidneys were at a safe number and he wasn't concerned, but this appointment he was sure to convey his feelings more seriously.  He has assured me this is something that can be corrected whether it happens naturally or with surgery down the road, but he made it very clear that we are no longer in the 90% range we were hoping to be in.  While I appreciate him recognizing the need to take a little more time talking to me this time, I wish the situation wasn't serious enough for him to have to do this.  So now, we wait.  Kind of sounds like we'll be having a January baby whether he's or we're ready or not!

29th Birthday - 12.14.2102

In lighter news, I turned 29 this past Friday....my last birthday without a child!  Kiel & Jase sent a huge vase full of lilies and roses to work, which I'm a complete sucker for!  I had lunch with my mom and sister and Friday night we had a long over due dinner with the Greskoviaks.  Saturday we spent the day returning a few duplicates from the shower and picking up some items we still needed before his arrival.  A very laid back birthday compared to what I'm used to but it was a memorable one all the same :-) 

     

 

Your baby's the size of a butternut squash!

At less than two months to go, he weighs in at about 4.2 pounds to 5.8 pounds and measures about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. 

• He's recognizing and reacting to simple songs, if you're singing them. (If you're not, start! He may find them soothing after birth.)
• He's also urinating about a pint a day.

Christmas shopping is finished and all the presents are wrapped!  Finally got some weather that makes it feel like December, but not sure I'll ever actually like winter.  Kiel is working overtime in this wind and sleet, hopefully it will calm down for the weekend and he won't have to miss any family get togethers.  In honor of the last post before Christmas, another tree pic.  I may not like winter, but I do love when the house is decorated for Christmas :-)

Merry Christmas!!

Love,
Kiel, Nicole, & Jase

33 weeks - Thank You Doesn't Seem Like Enough

Chevron cake by Deb Grief - Onesie & Bottle cookies by Grandma Pam

This weekend, my sister & Lindsey threw us an amazing baby shower!  They really out did themselves with all the special touches they brought to the decorating and games.  I couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate the upcoming arrival of our boy :)  Thank you for such an wonderful day! 

Notice the Chevron theme on the baby bingo cards & silverware ties :)  Can't wait to find out the winner of the baby pool!

It's nothing short of overwhelming to realize how many people already love this little boy and want to help us prepare for him.  The majority of our guests traveled from out of town...I'm not sure they'll ever understand how much it meant to us to have everyone there!

Kiel made an appearance at the end of the shower to say thank you to everyone and help us clean up and get all the gifts home.  We got a lot of really great pictures with everyone!

I sincerely feel if, heaven forbid, Jase should make his appearance tomorrow we would survive thanks to all of the wonderful gifts we received.  In addition to all of the necessities, we've also got an awesome library started thanks to all of our family & friends!  

Looks like we need to get a bookshelf!!!  

Plus some friends to keep him company lol  

My nesting urge has really kicked in so the way his room looked after the shower was a little nerve wracking

But I managed to leave it alone until Sunday so I could enjoy some time with a few girlfriends from college that stayed the night.  

We had a great time just hanging out at the house catching up...love when they visit.  The next morning, Suzy took some maternity pictures for us.  Kiel & I aren't really into the typical maternity pics, but I wanted to get a few good ones of us while I'm pregnant. In the few pictures I've seen, I think Suzy really captured what I was looking for.  I can't wait to see more!  Be sure to pay attention to what the sign on the bridge says :-)

 

You can check out the rest of Suzy's work on her facebook page or website

https://www.facebook.com/SDPhotographyandDesign?ref=ts&fref=ts

www.SDPhotographyandDesign.com

In other news, Jase's future bff was born this week.  Jack Garritt Henkel made his appearance on Wednesday 12-12-12 (my mom's birthday) at 12:21pm weighing in at 7lbs 7oz 21 inches.

Big brother Owen, Jack, and Jase are destined to be friends forever - their dad is Kiel's best friend, Evan.  These boys have no choice but to grow up loving hunting, arrowheads, and learning all the lines to both Grumpy Old Men movies.   

We just love him already!







7 weeks to go people!!!  Some updates....I've officially broken the 30 lb barrier :-/  Jase has been getting the hiccups almost every time I eat - I have no idea what that means, but it happens and I have to say, it's annoying.  I've started training the woman who is going to fill in for me during maternity leave at work - little weight off my shoulders there.  Let's hope I can keep my baby brain under control for the rest of the time I'm working.  Kiel hasn't been working much overtime, but his job is still going good.  He's got that nasty cold I had a few weeks ago...fingers crossed he gets over it quick I don't get it back!

Look for more sonogram pics in the next update!! 

 Your baby's the size of a durian!

He weighs about 4.2 to 5.8 pounds and measures about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. And he may grow up to a full inch this week -- amazing. 

• He's keeping his eyes open while awake.
• He's also starting to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing.
• His bones are hardening.
• And he going through (more) major brain development -- that's one smart baby!

Check out this online baby pool, Suzy created.  Place your bets on Jase's arrival date, time, weight, and length.  And for those of you who don't know...my nickname in college was "Big" since I was tallest of the 2 Nicole's - that's where the "big" reference comes from in the baby pool.  It also follows the theme that he might be a BIG baby!  

http://babybookie.com/pools/381-jase-big-pshak/bets/new

 -Nicole

32 weeks - All for Jase

Paint is finished & crib is up!

Thanks for painting Grandpa Gregg!

The grey is looking a little more blue (in person) then I expected and we still have some decorating to do, but once we get the orange in there, I think things will really come together.  Loving it so far!!!  I wasn't sure how I'd feel about all the different kinds of wood in the one room, but I'm actually really liking it.  I've been told you should mix your woods so Kiel turning down my idea of all white furniture hasn't been so bad after all.  I hate when he's right.  

 And a BIG thank you to Grammy Diane and Papa Mark for baby boy's beautiful crib!
And of course Kiel for putting it together :-)

Even got the crib sheets I ordered.

It's pretty weird to walk past the spare room and see a crib in there.  Every time I see it I laugh a little and think....so this is happening!??!!  Does everyone have this surreal feeling while getting ready for a baby or have I just not fully grasped what happens after those 40 weeks are up?   

On top of all of that excitement, we received a surprise gift from Colorado.  Thank you to the Kamis family for giving us our first baby item (boppy slip cover) with his name on it :-)  It's super soft & cuddly and I can't wait to use it!

Had a very standard Dr's appointment on Tuesday.  Heartbeat was 140 bpm as usual.  I attempted to record it, but my phone's audio quality isn't the best so it sounds more like static then anything.  Next check up is at 34 weeks, December 18th.  At 36 weeks we'll have another routine ultra sound at the hospital, but we're also getting that extra one on the 19th when we see Dr Gross in Peoria again.  Still a little anxious not knowing if his kidneys will have gotten even larger, but the bonus ultra sounds really make the MFM visits something to look forward to. 

I've started to have a little more trouble sleeping then usual.  Between the bathroom breaks, crazy dreams about everything that still needs to be done, and a little bit of restless leg syndrome I can't imagine what's keeping me up!!?!??!  I don't think it's helping Kiel's sleep patterns either - just another way mother nature prepares you for an infant I guess!

I've had quite a few moments of what seems to be sciatic nerve spasms.  Do you know that feeling when a twinge of pain catches you off guard and you're not sure whether to laugh or cry?  It has become part of my daily routine.  But in all honesty, for being 32 weeks pregnant...I'm very lucky.  I've had my first REAL bouts with morning sickness this trimester and all it consists of is feeling a little lightheaded a couple hours after I get up.  Puts anything I felt in the 1st trimester to shame and it's not even that bad.  If I can get a little fresh air it pretty much goes away and I'm good to go.  I have a lot more energy, but the extra weight seems to cancel that out on occasion.  It really feels like I'm carrying a bowling ball around in my shirt.  I've also really started to feel my body's limitations when it comes to lifting and household chores.  Carrying the laundry up & down the stairs is now Kiel's job.  And I think my days of scrubbing the kitchen & bathroom floors are on hold...oh darn!  It's seriously amazing how different all this extra weight and pressure makes you feel.  One day I felt like I could do everything on my own and the next, I'm not sure I can reach my feet to tie my shoes :-/  Definitely something I will not miss about pregnancy!

On the other hand...this is something I will miss...weekly belly pics.  For the record, the pics don't really do the size of the belly justice.  How silly was I to think I was big 10 weeks ago?

Your baby's the size of a squash!

Still growing, your baby weighs in at about 2.5 to 3.8 pounds and measures about 15.2 to 16.7 inches

• She's getting ready for her descent -- she's likely in the head-down position now.
• And she's probably feeling a even more cramped.

This is what I really look like with an entire squash in my belly LOL!

-Nicole

31 Weeks

I pretty much used up all my interesting news in the late update from last week so this one will be short & sweet.

I failed to get a picture of the baby's room before dad started painting, but you get the idea from the below.  It was actually the only room we didn't paint when Kiel moved in...weird.

First coat done.  Loving it!  One more coat and we'll be ready to get the crib set up :)

Still feeling those Braxton Hicks contractions randomly throughout the day.  They seem less frequent if I keep up with fluids and make sure I sit down and rest at night.  

Starting to feel him up in my ribs now which I knew was coming, but was just thinking the other day how I'm glad he's so low so I don't have to deal with that.  And then I got a little kick to the ribs like he was saying, "Hey mom, don't get so ahead of yourself."  I have to admit, it makes me laugh even though it's not the greatest feeling.  It's just so weird to think about what's going on in there. 

My book says I'll probably gain about a pound a week from here on out.  Gulp.  I'm already pushing 30 lbs...I could go without that extra 10.  BUT!  Anything for baby boy right??!??!?

Your baby's the size of a pineapple!

He's about 15.2 to 16.7 inches long and weighs about 2.5 to 3.8 pounds this month. He's getting so big, he's probably crowding your lungs. 

• He's going through major brain and nerve development.
• Eye development, too. His irises now react to light!
• All five of his senses are in working order.

Next check up with Dr Ingram is next Tuesday, December 4th.  Should be pretty routine.  It's really starting to go fast now!  Don't think I can say that enough! 

-Nicole

30 weeks - Happy Thanksgiving!

Week 30 update is a little late due to the hectic weekend. 

Thanksgiving was pretty laid back going to my mom's for lunch and Kiel's sister's for dinner.  LOTS of great food as always and I was not shy about eating for 2 :)  We sure do have a lot to be thankful for this year!! 

Proof not all the dead animals are in the house

Kiel had his first Black Friday experience Thursday night when Sears opened at 8pm.  With his hatred for crowded places, I was a little skeptical of how he was going to do, but he wasn't interested in the popular electronics so it wasn't really that bad.  He scored a tool chest and added to the start of his tool collection...which will be a big help when we're ready to open up that huge box & put that crib together!

While it seems crazy to most, Black Friday is something I have really gotten into the last couple of years.  I got up at 3:30am to meet Shilo in Bloomington at 5am so we could get the extra 25% off to the first 300 people at Gordman's when it opened. Glad I wasn't much later, because it took me about 20 minutes just to get into the store and there was only about 10 bags left when I finally got to the door.  Thankfully everything I went for was available so I'm half way done with Christmas shopping!  The 45 minutes I spent waiting in line to check out was totally worth it.  Black Friday made me very thankful to be having a boy.  I'm not sure I could afford to go shopping that day if this baby was a girl...luckily I got away only buying a few things for the little man and dang it they're cute! 

Hopefully that hat will fit his big bean!

My favorite BF purchase - Grey & White trunk for little man's room

 Saturday was another busy day celebrating the holidays.  My Grandpa Russell hasn't been feeling the greatest so the Russell Christmas got moved up a couple weeks.  While it seems very early to be starting Christmas parties, it was nice not to have to worry about ice storms in the middle of December.  We had a really great turn out, but were still missing quite a few.  Even though I'm there every year, the amount of people in our family is still a little shocking!  

Grandpa Ernie and all 11 kids!

16 Grandkids - missing at least 7

24 Great Grandkids + 1 and only Great Great Grandchild - missing at least 22

Santa visited like he does every year & what a difference a year has made for these 3!  Not a single tear!

The most timid, but she did it!

Talk to him about basketball & he'll be your bff

Aden actually RAN to sit on Santa's lap - finally figured out the present is worth it!

We finished Saturday up watching the Notre Dame game at The Henkel's in Fairbury.  Lena & Owen were much more entertaining then the game. 

                        Owen - Cheese!                                                                       Lena

First kiss caught on camera!

Daddy making sure Lena doesn't go in on the first date

Already being the gentleman

Notre Dame wins!

And last but not least, Sunday.  I managed to get the tree put up, most of the decorations out, and the presents I've already bought wrapped & under the tree.  Exhausted!  But so glad it's done!

And for Jase - he was probably in a food coma for the majority of the weekend, so he didn't seem to mind all the running around I did until today.  After a great start to this holiday season, this mama is S.O.R.E and ready for a nice relaxing evening on the couch.

Hello belly!  I didn't get to take my normal Thursday picture so 30 weeks was taken on Sunday, post holiday binge eating.  Yes, that's my belly button sticking out...it's like a bubble...really getting big!!!!!

Your baby's the size of a cucumber!

Your 15.2- to 16.7-inch, 2.5- to 3.8-pound baby continues to grow. 

• His skin is getting smoother.
• But his brain is getting wrinklier -- to make way for all that essential brain tissue.
• He's now strong enough to grasp a finger!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!  

- Nicole