Week 33 1/2 - Our little pineapple

It's odd...I can't believe how little and so much time I have left! The end of the third trimester...6 1/2 more weeks...45 days to go. Can you tell I'm ready? And again...I'm not!

Not too much has changed since my last post. I had another checkup this week and again the baby's heartrate has stayed pretty constant. It was in the 130-140 range. And I've gained another one or two pounds. I've finally caught up with my belly measurements and I'm right on schedule and measuring exactly at 32 weeks (which I was at the time). I'm not sure what that means but the doc said that was good! The baby is about the size of a pineapple, hopefully it won't have the prickly attitude ;)

We're just about done with our birth classes. I found out and saw more than I ever wanted to see! I don't think I need to explain the video that they show. I don't think Ry opened his eyes the entire 9 minutes it played. But there are images that are forever burned into my mind now. Like everyone says though, it all changes when it's your little one that's being placed in your arms. I can't believe that it's only a few more weeks till we'll see our little babe!

We're definitely ready for his/her arrival though. The nursery is finally all ready. The room was painted, furniture arrived, and there's a bit of decor up! The room turned out amazing and it was exactly what I had pictured. It's still missing a bit of "oomph" but that'll change once we know it's a boy or girl. Then we can put his/her name up on the walls, and we'll have more pictures to hang. Here are some pics!

As you walk in:


A view of the changing table and shelves:


The crib and rocking chair w/ottoman. Also Ry's old blankie and teddy from when he was a little one.


And the vast wardrobe that was generously bestowed upon him/her!


Ry and I also did some maternity pics to journal this point in our lives. I know that some people think they are cheesy but I loved how they turned out. It'll be great to look back upon see the progression, just like this blog. Here are a few of the teaser pics she sent me until I get the rest:





And finally, belly pics! Just when you think you've seen the worst. It's so funny to see how my belly moves when the little one is adjusting in there. My belly does a little wiggle from side to side. It looks like he/she is dancing in there, and definitely feels like it, especially when it's on my bladder!

I thought I'd switch it up and change the background up. I know you miss Ry's swim trunks in the background that didn't move for months ;P

Week 31 - The countdown begins

9

More

Weeks

I can't believe we have so little time left. I remember thinking in the beginning of the pregnancy how slow time was going by. Now, I'm in the single digits, and I'm nowhere near ready! At least that is how I feel.

We've made a lot of progress though. I think we've gotten almost everything we need to. The nursery is painted. The furniture is ready and just waiting to be delivered. It's slowly falling into place!

I just came back from the dr.'s. Everything fortunately looks great. The baby looks like it is about 3lbs (hoorah for no super huge babies!) and is in the head down position. The heartrate was in the 140's, which it has been pretty consistently. I am now down to bi-weekly appts, so I have another appt in two weeks and then I get an ultrasound in 4 weeks to measure the baby's growth. And then soon the little munchkin will be ready to join us! So if I don't get too lazy you might get more blog updates if you're lucky! I know...I can tell you're so excited!

Things are going well here in the McMahon house! We were so lucky and honored to have another shower thrown for us here in Arizona. Thanks Ed and Amy! It was amazing. Here are some pictures from the shower! I unfortunately didn't get to take many and any pictures of it setup beforehand (I'll blame it on pregnancy brain) but everyone had a great time!




And the worst of the worst. Belly shots!

The Countdown Begins - Week 27

Yikes! 13 more weeks! It sounds like a long time away but it feels like it's just flying right towards us. I know in the beginning I felt this pregnancy was going by so slow, but now that we're less than 3 months away...the night sweats...the nightmares...the insane appetite for cheesecake. Ooops, that last one was an issue before I even got pregnant. Is there a rehab for cheesecake addiction?

Things, fortunately, are going very well! I just had my glucose test last week. The doctors gave me this orange soda looking drink (which Ryan was tempted to try out for me) to drink and after one hour they do a blood draw. This way they'll be able to measure how fast my body is processing sugars. If I don't pass that means I have something called gestational diabetes, and I'll have to go on a crazy diet, where I'll actually have to eat VEGETABLES! The horrors! Can you imagine? For some reason in the past week or so I've gotten an intense craving for more sugary items, so hopefully that won't affect anything. I wasn't so great at passing tests in school, hopefully this one will be easier! I'll know my results sometime this week. So cross your fingers for me.

Ryan and I just came back from our shower in Illinois. We had such a great time! It was so great to see all our family and friends. Everyone was waaaaay to generous. Baby McBean is very lucky to have so many people that care for him or her, as are we. There was a onsie decoration area, and mixed with creative minds, we got a lot of great onsies! Two of the funny ones that stuck out. Both are by my sister and brother in law. I always knew they were a strange family ;P



And a personal fav ;)



Here are some more pics from the shower. It truly was a great time! We're fortunate to be having another shower down here in AZ this weekend. We're really looking forward to that as well! If there's food you know I'm there!!









I guess I should remember to include the information you guys really want to know, huh? I should probably mention the status on the baby, huh? Everything looks and sounds great! The heart rate was in the 140's. Seems that that has been pretty much the standard. The doctor also mentioned that I was measuring at 30 weeks!! I'm not sure what that means for me. I don't know if that means the baby is ahead of it's gestation date or if momma is just measuring big herself! I have a feeling as I get closer to the due date I'll start matching up a bit more. Otherwise we're having a big McMahon baby! I'll be having another ultrasound in 3 weeks so I'll be posting with more pics of the baby McBean.

And some gratutious belly shots. I think the shirt is getting a bit too small for me, makes me look bigger than I really am. Right?? Blame the shirt! (It's just so darn comfortable!)

Big Momma Coming Through - Week 24

24 weeks. WOW. I can't believe it's already been 24 weeks!

Yes, I know I've been slacking and it's been a while since the last blog update. So sorry. I know you all are hanging onto my every word :)

I just had an ultrasound last week. All is good with the little munchkin. Still no change in the gender update. It was pretty funny. The technician was starting to do the ultrasound and said something to the point of "so you're for the gender". You should have seen how fast Ryan reacted to that before she could even put the wand on my belly. I think he might have even scared her with his reaction!

The baby is developing right on schedule. Heart rate was 147 and weighs about 1 lb and 5 oz! So he/she is right on target. Of course the bean was being a little troublemaker and kept mooning us. Apparently he/she didn't want to be seen. I go back in another 6 weeks for another ultrasound and then another one around 38 weeks to measure the baby's size.

Let's see...what else. I'm feeling as big as a house. And the baby is kicking non stop! I think we have opposite schedule since he/she is sleeping during the day and kicks me awake and as I'm trying to get to bed. I can already tell this one is going to be a trouble maker.

So without further ado...

An updated pic of the munchkin:


And big momma:

20 weeks - It's A.....

Up close and personal:


BABY!

HA..did you really think I'd give it away?

Baby McBean's private areas are continuing to be hidden until he or she makes their presence known in a few months.

Not much else new to report. Still growing by freakishly large proportions.

We had our 19 week ultrasound about two weeks ago. The baby is at about 8 oz and everything looks good! The little munchkin has been kicking nonstop! I can tell the baby is going to be a little troublemaker just like his/her dad! The baby was moving around a lot and even sucking his/her thumb (see below)!

I cut off the picture above the "region" just in case someone saw something neither Ry, I, or the tech saw! (sorry it's so huge)


We went to IL this past weekend for a few days for Ry's cousin Jackie's wedding. We were able to see a lot of the family again which was really nice! Grandma McMahon has already started shopping for the little mcbean and my work also threw us a really great shower as well. The baby's wardrobe has already tripled in size! We received a lot of great stuff!

I saw this picture in the pregnancy tracker emails I get. I thought it was pretty funny. I'm sure there is a yoga position out there that matches this exactly!



And some belly pics, they're getting scarier!

Week 18 - Our Sweet Potato

Almost...halfway...there.

Wow. I can't believe it's 18 weeks already. Although I'm ready for it to be week 40.
I think that uncomfortable stage is starting. The backpain, the skin stretching, the uncontrollable gas. To the lady behind me at Bed, Bath and Beyond, I'm sorry. I'm kidding! At least about the lady at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Oh jeez. Should have left that last one out, huh? TMI.

Next week is the "big" appointment. Is it a girl? Is it a boy? That is, if we were going to find out what the sex was it would be the "big" appointment. Still a no go. But at least we'll get to see the little munchkin again! I'll be sure to post those u/s pictures next week.

According to the baby websites he/she/it is about 6 inches long and 7 oz! Around the size of a sweet potato (hence the clever title). I think there was a major growth spurt since the last time I wrote my last entry. I feel like I've blown up! With Ry gone the last week and a half I wasn't eating exactly home cooked meals. That would explain the almost 5 lb weight increase in JUST a week. I'm lucky I have the pregnancy excuse.

I can feel the little bean kicking more and even turning, especially when I eat hot food. Hey, this baby is half Indian, we have to start early! Get them used to those hot spices!

And now for your veiwing pleasure...or pain, the most recent belly pics:

16 weeks - Our little avocado!

Wow! Time sure is flying. I can't believe I'm at 16 weeks already. Almost at 4 months down, 5 more to go! The little mcbean is currently the size of an avocado (my favorite! Yes...I have a few favorites). So he or she is about 4 1/2 inches long and 3 oz. According to a few baby websites, he/she will be doubling weight and adding inches over the next three weeks!

I had another checkup this week. All is well! The baby's heartbeat ranged between 130 and 150. I've been thinking it's a girl for the past few weeks, but now I think I'm starting to change my mind again. Aaaargghh! The suspense! My next ultrasound is in 3 weeks. It's the "big one". The one where we could find out the gender. We'll see if Ry changes his mind at the last minute, but it's doubtful. He's actually been pretty strongminded about this.

Oh! And we felt the baby kick, from the outside, I mean! I thought I felt it on Monday but on Wednesday I knew for sure. It was a little "thump, thump" on the bottom of my belly. So he or she was either kicking, punching or headbutting me. Ry felt it too, unless he thought I was crazy, and just wanted to agree with me to avoid my horomonal wrath.

We, or I should say I, have decided on the nursery. We're going to do a light to medium tone green and do a bunch of stencils, maybe some moons and starts, on the wall in a light creme. Now it's just a matter of when we get started on it, but at least I feel a bit more motivated now since I know what I want.

Oh gosh, and how can I forget! Our little mcbean is going to have a new cousin, in addition to the wonderful cousins he already has! Congrats to Meghan, Chad and Owen! Hopefully they'll be best buds since they'll be so close in age!

And the most recent update of my ever increasing belly. Please excuse the crazy hair. It was almost bedtime:

Week 14 - See ya later 1st trimester!

Fatty McGee reporting.

No new updates. Still pregnant with a burgeoning belly...along with a few other areas that shall remain nameless at this time. I have entered my second trimester, however! So that is very exciting. 2/3 more to go!

I received the first trimester screening results and they came back normal! We seem to have a happy (they better be, or else!) and healthy child with ten toes and ten fingers, and private extremeties that shall remain hidden until we see the little mcbean in person! (So, you all can stop asking now. We'll never break! Well...maybe Ry will, he's never been good with surprises.)

According to my ticker I have going I'm at that inbetween stage where people don't know if I'm pregnant or if it's just a little extra pudge. Hopefully they'll think it's the first one unless they want to see a hormonal woman cry. The baby is about 5 inches now, so that's what...about the size of a chicken in a premium spicy chicken sandwhich from McDonald's, which would taste mighty fine at this moment. Ry...if you're reading this you should know what to bring home for dinner.

Otherwise, things are great! I see the doctor in about two weeks for another checkup. I'll get to hear the heartbeat again, which is always wonderful to hear! Ry has been wonderful about accomodating every single one of my cravings. Except KFC...maybe if I shed a few tears? I'm a bit sleep deprived as the insomnia has set in. Preparing me for when the baby comes, I suppose?

I've felt a few flutters and some weird feelings in my stomach that I think is the baby? But who knows, I could be totally wrong and have it be just really bad gas. I know...too much information you suppose? I'd like to think it's the baby though! The feelings alternate between little fizzles if that's a good way to describe it or like someone moving a minature rolling pin across an area of my belly. Again...it's very hard to describe it, but it's a very neat feeling!

So...I guess it's that time again. It's been a while since I posted some belly pictures. I've officially moved into maternity pants or anything with elastic as my hips don't fit into anything I used to wear. Avert your eyes if you must:

Week 12 - We've got pics!

We have some new pics!

I went for my first trimester screening last Thursday and they took a bunch of ultrasound pictures. We even got to see the 3D ultrasound of little McBean! That was very neat!

I can't believe how big he/she (yes....we're still not finding out the gender!) has gotten since our last ultrasound. That was only 4 weeks ago! From blob to baby! I forgot to ask how big the baby was measuring. I think it was at 2 cm or so.

The little munchkin is already putting on acts! When we first started mcbean was just laying there, relaxing. Hand behind his/her head and legs resting on it's wall! Looked just like his/her dad ;) Just kidding, Ry! Who am I kidding, you're probably not even reading this blog!

They had me cough to get it to move around, and as soon as I did, it did a little roll and mooned us. Already causing trouble! He/She did a few more kicks and then settled in again.

No belly shots this week. The camera is dead, and I'm too lazy to charge the battery. Hey! I'm pregnant, I'm allowed. I'm sure there is a running tally on how large my rear and stomach region have gotten so just imagine one or two more inches.

And baby mcbeans newest glamour shots! I know they're tiny, but if you click on them you can see them in more detail.

Chicken Nugget - 11 Weeks!

Sorry, it's been a while. I didn't have much to update until recently. Our little popcorn chicken has been upgraded to chicken nugget! He/She is about 1 1/2 inches in length right now, and weighing a quarter of an ounce!

I finally got to tell my family and it went great! At first my dad went on about not needing to get him anything, and my helped pull the first polo out of the box. Then they saw another shirt in there and pulled that one out. They both looked at me strange since there was no way my dad was fitting in a toddler size shirt. I nodded at them to keep looking at the box and there they saw the ultrasound picture! The look on my mom's face was priceless. She looked at me like I had two heads! They seemed to love how I surprised them! When I told my brother he was going to be an uncle, he looked at my sister right away and said congratulations to her, and I almost burst out laughing. She told him not to look at her! It finally clicked and he also was very excited. It was great seeing the reactions on both of our families' faces! Makes the pregnancy much more exciting.

I just had my first checkup after our first ultrasound. Everything is looking good. I'm still 11 weeks but measuring at 14 weeks. I'm praying this won't be a big baby! Heartrate was good and between 160-170! I'm feeling pretty good besides the lack of sleep, but I've got it good, I think! Ry could probably attest to a surge in hormones as well. As I've had my moments of not being too nice! But he forgives me, right Ry?

It's been pretty uneventful. So here is the obligatory belly shot! I think I'm seeing bump forming! I know my bum is getting bigger, that's for sure! That or a nice layer of insultation :)

Week 8 - Popcorn Chicken

Lots of new updates! Things are going very well!

Our Father's Day plan for Ry's dad turned out very well...kind of. We got to their house in the morning and decided to give him his present before everyone left for golf. As soon as Ry left the room everyone started to disperse! We had to gather everyone again in the kitchen, and I think as Ed opened the bag up he got excited seeing the Bears colors. He pulled it out, and I don't think he quite got it right away! Chad, Meghan and Owen were in town and I think everyone just assumed it was for him! So Ry had to say that it wasn't for Owen. He waited a few more seconds to see if it would register. Finally, Ry blurt out that it was for our kid! It was pretty funny seeing everyone's reaction after that.

We had our first appointment with my new ob doctor. I really like her. She's younger and seems very patient and knowledgeable. Her husband is also from IL! Other than the long wait the appointment went very well! I got blood tests done (more vials than I've ever given!) and the doctor checked everything out and let us know that everything looks good. Then it was onto the ultrasound! We got to see the little popcorn chicken (hence the title. We got on the topic of chicken and compared it to popcorn chicken size!- She said it was measuring at 1.2 cm) on the ultrasound and hear and see the heartbeat as well! It was so neat...and weird! I still can't believe there is actually a little tiny human being growing in my belly. They dated the baby between 7weeks and 5 days and 8 weeks. I think it's closer to the 8 week point, but what do I know! The heartrate was between 154 and 155. After looking at the size of the bean she estimated my due date as being January 31st!

We get three ultrasounds throughout the pregnancy. I think the next one is around 20 weeks, and when we can find out the gender. Ry doesn't want to know though, so I've agreed to let him get his way...this one time. I go back again on July 13th for another checkup and I'll get to hear the heartbeat again!

Otherwise, everything is going great! Still no major morning sickness, knock on wood! Just tired a lot!

Here are some ultrasound pics and another belly pic (*note - I had just eaten so I'm looking a little more plump than usual). The ultrasounds aren't the greatest. My bladder was full, so it kept covering the little bean!

Not the greatest pic. My bladder is kind of covering it. You can see the little +'s at the top and bottom of the baby.


The heartbeat!


And one of the better pics. Looks kind of like a little turtle!


And the pudge that is my belly:

Week 7 - Baby Got Back

Well, I'll be 7 weeks tommorow. At least I think I will! We're going to the doctor in a week and hopefully they'll be able to date the pregnancy and tell us how far along I really am.

Nothing much has happened in the last week. The nausea is still sticking around. The mornings are pretty bad, but by afternoon it has usually passed. I'm sure I've gained a few more pounds as well. I seriously think the baby is growing the wrong way because it's really only my butt and chest that keep growing :P (Hence the title;))The pants are slowly growing a bit tighter. I can't tell you how thankful I am for those elastic capri pants I have, as those are the only pants I've been wearing lately.

This is how I look so far, still not much to see except my love handles :P




I'm looking forward to this weekend since we're going to begin telling our close family. This weekend it's Ry's dad and his sister since we'll be seeing them this weekend. I wish we could tell his mom in person, but we'll have to do it over the phone. That's the one of the bad things about living so far away from family. When I go home in two weeks then I'll get to tell my parents. We'll be telling family, besides Ry's mom, via Father's Day gifts.

Here's how we'll tell our parents:

Ry's dad is a die hard Bears Fan, and what better way of telling him by including the Bears in it! I'll post next week on how it went, and hopefully include some pics of their reaction.



My dad is the hardest person to shop for! One thing I know he'll like is a polo shirt. So hopefully he'll get the hint when I buy a mini-me version of the same shirt :)

We're Pregnant!

Okay, maybe we're not pregnant, but I am! We have a little bean on the way! The baby is about 6 weeks right now.

Honestly, it was a total surprise! I hadn't been feeling well and went to the doctor. I ended up taking a blood test, and I received a wonderful call the next day! The nurse mentioned she had some interesting results, and it showed I was pregnant! I'm still in as much disbelief as I was the day I got the call.

I didn't want to tell Ryan over the phone, so I called him up and asked him to meet me for lunch. I ran out and got an I love Daddy bib, but when I met up with him he was on the phone, so I had to put my announcement on hold. When we finally sat down we were surrounded by people and it still didn't feel like it was the right moment! Unfortunately the setup to how I was going to tell him didn't end up working. He ended up asking me about my tests and I had to spill it then! It was so great watching the reaction on his face. Pure happiness! I wish I had caught that on camera.

So far no morning sickness (knock on wood!). I get tired pretty easily, and I get pretty nauseous when I don't eat very often. I try not to let that happen, since I like stuffing my face. The insomnia has started as well, but I guess that's just preparing me for when the baby comes, right? So far, it's been a great pregnancy.

Our next appointment is on June 18th (my sis' (deepa) birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEEPA!), and we'll get to hear the heartbeat for the first time! Hopefully I'll get a few pics of the ultrasound and I'll post those! I'll post my progression of belly pics. (not for the faint of heart ;) So far there isn't much to see. Just some nice bloating! HOT, right?! )

We haven't told our families just yet. I'm excited to see their reactions. We'll be telling Ry's side of the family around Father's day, and I'll tell my family about two weeks later when I go home to visit. It'll be a nice belated Father's Day and Birthday present for my dad, I hope! I'll let you know about their reaction when it comes around! The funny thing is...when I was back in IL a few weeks ago, I must have worn the wrong shirt because I looked pregnant! I had to point out to my mother that I was indeed just fat and not pregnant. But now that I look back, I was probably about 1 week pregnant. Mother's intuition? (Sorry Mom, I won't let you live that one down)

Thanks for reading our blog and watching the progression of our little Bean!
6weeks: