Lexi, Pregnancy Updates

32 Weeks

peanutsmiles

Dear Little Peanut,

We’re quickly approaching the 32-week mark and I can’t believe it. All of the sudden this week you became more real. For the past 30 weeks I’ve been looking forward to your arrival, but it felt so far away, and now it’s within reaching distance. It’s crazy to think that you could be here in 8 weeks, that’s the same amount of time we had to wait from conception to our first doctor’s appointment when we saw your little heartbeat pumping up and down on the screen. And your heart has grown quite strong since that appointment 24 weeks ago. I’m reminded many times throughout the day just how real you are with all of your little movements.

In the past week or so, I’ve been able to distinguish and feel different parts of your body moving. I notice when the little hands are paddling you around inside and can feel your little feet pushing under my ribs as you stretch out. When you roll over, I can feel your knees pressing against my stomach and can anticipate when you’re going to move again. I’m pretty sure you are head down, and think I can feel your butt from time to time. I can also usually tell if you’re on the left side or the right side of my belly. Although your daddy feels your movements from the outside I really wish he could feel you moving on the inside and how wonderful it is to be reminded of you several times throughout the day. You’re just over 3 lbs. this week and about 17 inches long. Daddy and I haven’t been very good about taking regular pictures of you growing in my tummy, but we’ll try and get better these next couple of weeks.

Overall, I’m feeling pretty good. I still have a little bit of kidney pain but it isn’t too bad. Sleep hasn’t been awful either. My hip muscles get really tight from sleeping on my side, but I’ve been trying to stretch regularly and that helps. And usually, I only need to get up once a night to go to the bathroom. I feel beautiful carrying you around and am still below the expected weight gain, which I feel great about. I still think you are a boy, but Daddy is wavering a little and thinks you might be a girl. I have another Dr. appointment on Friday, and now they start occurring every 2 weeks for another month and then every week for the last month. I’m mentally preparing for you to arrive well past your due date, but I kind of feel like I’m ahead of schedule on many symptoms and that you might arrive early. Either way, we are very excited to meet you! I even practiced signing our family’s new names together.

Love, Mom

Lexi, Pregnancy Updates

29 Weeks

peanutsmiles

Dear Little Peanut,

It’s been awhile since I’ve written to you. Not a whole lot and a whole lot has been going on over the past month. You’ve been growing quiet a bit. You’re now 2.75 lbs and are 15.7 inches long. You’re now big enough that I can feel when you rotate inside of me and not just when your little hands and legs are moving around. Overall, I feel a lot more movement internally than can be felt externally. Daddy enjoys playing with you and greeting you. He loves putting his voice up to the belly and saying “Hey Belly, How’s it going in there?”

A couple of weeks ago he was talking to you with his head pressed against my belly and you kicked him right in the head, which made me laugh. He also thinks you or ‘Belly’ is the funniest thing ever—especially my belly button which is starting to change shape a little bit. It is still an ‘innie’ but its starting to flatten out.  Daddy is always asking, “What do you think is going through Little Peanut’s mind? Is it just like, quit shaking me Dad or does it think its awesome?” Other than that, Daddy has been very busy processing images from weddings and getting them wrapped up.

For me, things are a little slow at work so I’ve been busy reading about all sorts of things for your arrival. Over the past month, I registered for my baby showers to hopefully receive a lot of the gear we need for your arrival. It was very overwhelming experience as there are so many options and so many things out there that we probably don’t need. It was tricking trying to guess what we will need/what would be nice to have and what we don’t need. I read lots of reviews and asked friends advice so I’m feeling pretty good about my picks.

On our way to Grandma and Grandpa Bothwell’s house on afternoon, I made Daddy stop at ToysRUs to make sure they sold baby gear there and he saw this Tigger bath towel and he thought it was the coolest thing—so I added it to the registry for him, and sure enough it was the first thing that someone bought. He was pretty excited when I told him that and was thinking he had some pretty good taste.

We also went to Nicki and Ryan’s wedding reception a couple of weeks ago. It was so nice to go and attend as guests and not have to worry about taking pictures, but everyone there predicted that you were a girl—which was the first time that either of us had heard anyone say that you’re a girl. Hopefully we’ll know in about 10 weeks!

I’ve also spent the past couple months working on your room, even though there isn’t anything to show for it. I bought several lamps and picture frames and mirrors to hang on the wall, only to return most of them. We decided to put an overhead fan in with a dimmer instead of a lamp and miraculously, we found one pretty quickly that we both really liked. I also finally settled on some picture frames, how they were going to be arranged, and got them hung on the wall this past weekend. I also made a list of all the other house projects that I want to complete before you arrive so I’ll be busy the next couple of weeks getting stuff done (hopefully!). This weekend, Auntie Sheila comes home, so I’m very excited to see her and she is very excited to see you in the belly and feel you moving around!

Love, Mom

Lexi, Pregnancy Updates

26 Weeks

peanutsmiles

Dear Baby Peanut,

I finally got home yesterday after being gone for almost a week and a LONG journey home. After a 12+ hour shoot day in the heat, our flight was scheduled to leave at 6 am, plus we were over an hour away from the airport. Long story short, we had to get up at 3 am only to arrive to the gate at 5am to find out our flight had been canceled and the earliest one we could get on was 12pm. Exhausted pregnant woman who can barely sleep in a bed let alone the floor in an airport was not the best combination. However, the situation was redeemed by my wonderful boss tricking me into giving me his 1st class ticket home. I could NOT believe it and refused it several times but he insisted that he was doing it for you and not for me, so I couldn’t turn him down. What a standup guy! So lucky to work for such thoughtful and generous people.

By the time I finally got home, I was so excited to see Daddy, I barely even noticed all the work and progress he made while I was gone. He spent a lot of time organizing the garage and getting things off the floor and onto the wall and shelving system he built. He also surprised me by having the changing table painted and assembled in your nursery and cleaned out all of his artwork from your closet—slowly we’re getting ready for your arrival. Next on the list is to paint and assemble the circles on the wall, get a mirror, lamp and a nightstand and the nursery will be set.

You’re 26 weeks today, almost 2/3 of the way done. Supposedly, you’re 14 inches long and just a little less than 2 lbs. You continue to be kicking away. Sleeping has become very difficult. I have a hard time rolling around and you have most recently started to give me heartburn. Tomorrow we is my birthday and am so excited we get to listen to your little heart pitter-patter away.

IMG_0728-COLLAGELove, Mom

Lexi, Pregnancy Updates

Hot and humid!

peanutsmiles

Dear Baby Peanut,

Things have gotten much better in the past week. The pain is much more manageable—it comes and goes, mostly at night, but I haven’t had to take any pain medication for the past week so that’s a good sign. I pray it stays like until you arrive. Also, at the last minute I needed to cover a commercial shoot in Austin, Texas so I’ve been down in the hot and humidity for the past four days. It is SO hot- like over 100 Degrees hot plus humidity, not a good combo for a pregnant lady. I’m ready to go home and see Daddy. I miss him a lot! It’s my last trip before you’re here so you can say you’ve been to: Wisconsin, Illinois, New York, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska and Texas before you were even born. Sounds like you’re going to be the little traveler!

Love, Mom

Lexi, Pregnancy Updates

Belly Kicks at 25 weeks

peanutsmiles

Dear Baby Peanut,

You are a very active little baby! I was laying in bed trying to relax and read tonight and you were just kicking away. I kept seeing my belly move from your kicks. I took a video to show how strong and big you’re getting and to remember what it looks like when you’re moving around inside of me. I’m still amazed everyday that you are growing inside of me. It is so remarkable to think of everything happening (and feeling) inside as you grow and eventually make yourself ready to join your Dad and I.

Love, Mom

Lexi, Pregnancy Updates

Kidney Trouble

peanutsmiles

Dear Baby Peanut,

This past week has been a little scary, disappointing and painful. We headed to Vail for vacation and to photograph a wedding. We drove out and visited with cousin Lauren and then spent the night with Aunt Mary and Uncle Larry in Lincoln before making the rest of the drive the next day. When I woke up the following morning, I had some very uncomfortable pain in my back and side. Originally, I thought I slept funny or pulled a muscle. I kept rolling into different ways but the pain wouldn’t go away and was getting worse and I was beginning to feel nauseous. Eventually, I got sick and knew we needed to go to the Dr. We headed to the Urgent Care to get checked out and were then sent to the Emergency Room at the Hospital. The pain had steadily increased and was unbearable. I was worried about you and that I could have kidney stones or appendicitis. They checked you our right away and you were very active and had a strong heartbeat so they gave me some medication to help manage the pain. Eventually, we had an ultrasound done and learned my kidney was very enlarged and swollen. However, they weren’t able to determine anything without a CT scan so they released me with some very mild pain medication and told me to come back the next morning. It was pretty clear they didn’t know what was causing the pain or how to find out because I was pregnant, which was a little unnerving.

We proceeded to attend the rehersal dinner and not tell anyone what was going on because we didn’t want to worry anyone. I got sick twice throughout the evening because the pain was so excruciating. Never have I been in so much pain that I actually throw up. Although I was in a lot of pain, I felt I could manage it because you were healthy and maybe even a little prep for labor. The next morning, I felt decent so we began photographing the wedding and things were going pretty good until we headed to the top of the mountain, and I kind of fell apart. While Daddy was photography Nikki and Ryan, I was laying on the bathroom floor trying to feel better and hoping the pain would go away. The pain continued to get worse and I was pretty much incapable of doing anything. As soon as the ceremony was over, Daddy took me down the Gondola and to the condo to sleep off the pain. Thankfully, Micah was able to  help Daddy take a couple photos while he was taking care of me. The following morning, I was feeling OK so we spent it with Micah walking around Vail Village. I was in pain and had to take it easy but was able to keep food down for the whole day.

Originally, we were scheduled to stay a couple extra days, but I was still feeling crapy and wanted to go home and figure out what was causing all this pain. So we drove for 18 straight hours to get home. The Vail Doctors thought I had Kidney stones and had advised that I strain my pee in hope of catching the stones (and let me tell you it was always awkward coming out of a public restroom and having to rinse the strainer), Dr. G didn’t think I had kidney stones. She believed you were pushing on my ureter (tube between my kidney and bladder) as you were growing and essentially putting a kink in my tube causing urine to get trapped in my kidney. The next day we had another ultrasound, which campe back inconclusive of any diagnosis. Unless the pain got worse, I needed to muster through the pain. There was a good chance that it would go away as the pregnancy continued, but there was also a good chance it wouldn’t. In addition to pain, the medication I was taking made me very constipated. I hadn’t pooped in over 9 days. I was even given medicine that is supposed to clear you out and it did nothing. Praying things get better or it’s going to be a long four months.

Love, Mom

Lexi, Pregnancy Updates

Half way there!

peanutsmiles

Dear Baby Peanut,

Today was an exciting day for Daddy and I. We had our 20-week ultrasound (you’re really 21 weeks along but Dr. G was out of town last week). During the ultrasound they spent a lot of time looking at how you’re growing to make sure everything is happening the way it is supposed to and there aren’t any complications. So we essentially got to watch a video of you for an hour and look at all your cute little body parts. We got to look at your brain and all four chambers of your heart. We saw your kidneys, stomach, lungs and bladder. You were an active little bugger moving around a lot but we saw your tiny little feet and hands. It was so exciting to see your little hands and feet and know that is what I’m feeling when you’re moving around. You definitely have gotten much stronger as your kicks are more noticeable and stronger. As of today you weighed 1 lbs. and 2oz and the size of your head is in the 74% of other baby’s at this stage so you’re a big but very healthy baby as of now. All of your other measurements we’re very proportionate so that is great news! You did like to keep your hands in front of your face so we couldn’t get a good look at your face and it sort of looked like you may have been sucking your thumb but it was pretty hard to tell at this point still. Typically at this appointment we can find out if you are a boy or a girl, but we want to be surprised. However, Daddy thought he saw a thing or two on the screen that may have said you’re a boy. And I’ve always thought that so we’ll see in another 20 weeks!

You’ve also been given the nickname of baby peanut. Peanut is Daddy’s nickname for me, and he’s started referring to you as that baby peanut.

Love, Mom

12-07-31 3D Baby Sleeping 02 Lexi 20 week bump pics-2

Lexi 20 week bump pics

Lexi, Pregnancy Updates

We’ve got a kicker

peanutsmiles

Dear Baby,

We have been keeping ourselves busy while we’re getting ready for you. We photographed a wedding in Brainerd, shot an engagement session and celebrated the 4th of July. And holy smokes has it been HOT! It was over 100 degrees on the 4th of July. Daddy, and I didn’t do a whole lot; he worked on Grandma and Grandpa Bothwells backyard in the morning and then we just went home and hung out in the AC and watched a movie. We were going to grill some stakes and corn but it was so hot we weren’t even hungry. Grandma Bothwell and I bought all of the fabric for your room so now we just need to sew it all together. We also were able to pick up the rocking chair so things are slowly starting to come together.

You’re auntie Sheila also came into town this past weekend for Dan and Sheila’s wedding so we were able to go down on the river on Friday and then hang out with the rest of the group for dinner. It felt great to be out on the water and go swimming. It was a little windy so the ride was a little bumpy—but I don’t think it disturbed you too much.

As we were sitting at home talking about you and how big you are, we talked about how now is the time in pregnancy when I can start to feel movement, but I hadn’t felt anything yet. Sure enough, that evening, I’m sitting in bed looking on my phone and felt what I describe as food digesting or settling. I had heard that first movements feel like butterflies or gas so I paused and wondered if that was you moving and sure enough I felt four more defined movements that really felt like kicks and even saw my stomach flutter. It was such an incredible moment. I was so excited to be feeling you. I had a huge smile on my face. Daddy came over and put his hand on my belly trying to feel too but didn’t have any luck. Then he shook it up a bit trying to get you to move again but no luck. I was a little mad because I wanted to feel more movement and then he repositioned you so I couldn’t.

Two days later I felt more movement and it was becoming more discernible that it was definitely you moving and not just the pumping of the blood by the placenta. You continued to move throughout the day on Monday while I was at work and that evening. It is such an amazing feeling; I was determined for Daddy to feel it too. The tricky thing is you’re not very consistent and are moving in different places in my belly all the time. But finally, I felt you kick near the bottom of my belly a couple times in a row so I had Daddy put his hands there and he was able to feel you move too. His eyes just lit up feeling your life for the first time. We’ve been able to see it on the screen but for us to physically feel it makes everything so real.

You’re almost 20 weeks which is half way until we meet you. You’re about 6 ½ inches long. This past week, it also got too tight to button my pants, so I’ve been wearing my belly band over my pants to keep them up, but am going to go shopping with Tia this week to try and find some new maternity pants to wear.

Another funny story to share was as we were talking with Auntie Sheila and Uncle Steve about your progress, I informed them my uterus is the size of a cantaloupe, which was conveniently sitting on the table. We were all awestruck that there was something that large in me because it doesn’t look like it. Auntie Shelia thought the cantaloupe comparison was hilarious and told several of the cousins at the wedding, so they all proceeded to call me Cantaloupe throughout the wedding. Another unique experience that happened this weekend was people touching my belly. Almost all of the Bothwell’s came up and wanted to touch the little baby belly and it was so odd to have people coming up and rubbing my belly. This coming weekend we have another wedding to photograph and then have another doctors appointment in a couple of weeks. They do a full ultrasound and look at all your measurements and make sure you’re healthy and growing at a good rate. Can’t wait!

Love, Mom

Lexi, Pregnancy Updates

17 Weeks

peanutsmiles

Dear Baby,

This past week we went to the doctor for our 16 week visit. Everything went well, and I’m happy to report, I only gained one pound! It took awhile for the doctor to find your heartbeat because you were moving around so much. For some reason, I have a feeling this is going to be a pattern. From everything we’ve seen, you seem to be a very active little baby. I haven’t felt you move yet, but that should be happening in the next couple of weeks. Still no major cravings, just less self control—especially with sweets!I We also found out that you’re going to have another new friend, baby Senefelder is going to arrive about two months after you! My pants are starting to get pretty tight–especially when I sit down. I’m still wearing pre-pregnancy pants, but keeping them buttoned with a hair tie or the belly band.

Other news to report, last week Daddy surprised me by painting the nursery. Another item checked off the list. We also found a rocking chair for the room and should be getting it in a couple of weeks. Next step is to paint the changing table. Other than that, things have been pretty low key. I haven’t been traveling for awhile and we had the weekend off from weddings. Your cousins Ashley and Courtney slept over and we had a Harry Potter slumber party. We also were able to relax on Sunday by laying by the pool.

This weekend we’re headed to Brainard to shoot a wedding and then have an engagement session on Sunday so a busy weekend ahead! Also, just a cute little story to remember. Daddy was playing with my tummy the other day and flicking it and I go “What are you doing” and your Daddy responds, “We’re playing, would you leave us along”. It was very sweet and I think a little forshadowing to the future. Your Daddy is really just a big kid and he is going to have so much fun with you—I can’t wait to watch!

Love, Mom

Lexi, Pregnancy Updates

15 Weeks

peanutsmiles

Dear Baby,

It’s been awhile since I’ve written to you, mostly because sometimes I forget you’re there. I’ve been feeling pretty great these past couple of weeks—all of my clothes fit and I can still sleep on my belly so there isn’t a lot reminding me you’re there. At least like the first couple of weeks when I was sick and tired. Still no major cravings or anything, but do miss the occasional beer—more so when others around me are enjoying one. This week you are about 4 inches long and 2 ½ ounces, about the size of an apple. Your crib also arrived last week and we got it all set up and I’m ready to pain the room this week. I’m also planning on meeting with Grandma Bothwell to get all the details figured out on the bedding for your crib and hopefully she can get started on that soon! One of my favorite things right now is watching and hearing how excited your dad is for you to arrive. Everyday he asks how’s the little peanut doing? He also likes to kiss my belly or shake it. I usually tell him that probably gives you a headache and you probably don’t like it, but he likes you to move around and squirm from his movements. We go to the doctor again next week to check on you and make sure you’re doing well.

Love, Mom