A Sweet Tender Moment

I'm writing this for fear that years down the road I will forget a moment that I desperately want to hold on to. My daughter has been teething and has not been taking long naps. I know she is tired and wants her Mommy. Today after one of her short afternoon naps I decided to get her and take her to the bed in her nursery. I let her nurse and there she fell back asleep in the warmth and stillness of the dim lit room and in my arms. We slept there for 40 minutes and she eventually fell asleep on her stomach. I stared at in amazement. Our daughter is wonderful, pure, innocent. She would wake up for a few moments only to happily coo and fall back asleep. I could tell that she was enjoying this time with Mommy as well. We could hear Daddy get ready for work outside and so we woke up and lied there smiling at each other. I called John in and we were able to have our goodbye kisses. It was a sweet moment.

Penelope's Birth Story

I cannot believe it’s been a week since welcoming our precious Penelope Rose into the world. It seems like it’s been years since the previous weekend—granted that weekend felt like an eternity, too. This is a long birth story…about as long as the weekend felt.

On Tuesday, September 15, I went in for an appointment with my midwife, Marie. My blood pressure was slightly higher than usually and a test indicated I had some proteins in my urine. My midwife was being cautious, wanting to rule out preeclampsia, and had me pick up a 24 hour urine test. She also sent me home with instructions to make an acupuncture appointment, and on what vitamins and supplements to take to lower my blood pressure. It was great fun….I came back on Thursday and my blood pressure was still slightly high, all we needed to wait for was the test results from the urine test. I immediately made an acupuncture appointment and unfortunately couldn’t get in until Monday. I was hoping that the supplements would lower my blood pressure enough to rule out concern for preeclampsia.

On Friday, September 18^th at 5:36pm I got a phone call from Marie with devastating news. My urine test had come back with concerning levels of proteins and I would have to go into the hospital to be induced…that night…I was shocked. I did not know what to say or how to take the news initially. I tried asking questions and then it sank in…I was going to have this baby tonight or tomorrow or very soon and I WAS NOT EMOTIONALLY READY!!! And this was NOT my plan. I know that birth plans are just that…plans. But I thought that I could at least have a say of where I wanted to give birth. I was so set on a waterbirth at home using Hypnobabies. I felt prepared and was excited at the thought of having a wonderful birth experience. I was excited to maybe wake up one morning and feel something happening. I was excited to spend the day with John, maybe taking a walk, make some brownies and dinner for my birth team, and work through my pressure waves (what Hypnobabies calls contractions) using hypnosis. I was excited to have a natural birth! But now all those hopes and all that excitement quickly faded into what I dreaded most—a hospital birth with Pitocin. Was I going to be able to make it without an epidural?? What if they decided on a c-section?? I had no idea what to expect besides what I heard about inductions…which was not all that positive.

I had to hang up on Marie to let the news sink in and to have a good cry. I called John; he could barely understand me but he thankfully was right off of work and was on his way. There are very few times that John panics but that drive home from Kent to Tacoma was one of those times. I called my parents, I called my sister, I called my sister in law, I called my mother in law, Shannon, to come over ASAP! I could NOT be alone. When Shannon came I just cried some more and tried to tell her what Marie told me. Honestly, the details and instructions of my conversation with Marie escaped my mind. We decided that I should take some time to calm down, talk it out, and start gathering my things to go to the hospital. Thankfully, I had started a hospital bag just in case but wasn’t finished with packing all the necessities. Shannon and I called Marie back and got the full details that we would be going in that night and that she had contacted Dr. Baghdadi who would be delivering Penelope and checking in on me. Finally, John came home. I could see the panic and worry on his face. I felt so bad. I told him we could take our time getting to the hospital. We were both able to take showers and mentally prepare ourselves (well as much as we could) for what the night had in store. I asked for a Priesthood blessing and John’s dad came over and helped administer one. By the time we left for the hospital there was a calm presence in us—we knew all three of us were going to be taken of.

After arriving at the hospital quite late, we got settled in and were told that I would have to be on monitors all night to check my blood pressure and to make sure baby was doing alright. I had two straps around my belly monitoring me. It was super uncomfortable but I was determined to be relaxed enough to lower my blood pressure. I had an amazing nurse, Steffanie, who was very encouraging. I had some high readings and some lower readings throughout the night and apparently some contractions. Steffanie asked if I had felt anything…nope. The on call doctor, Dr. Sam Davis, also came in to check me. He was super gentle, which I would later find out not everyone is. I don’t remember how much I was dilated, obviously not that much, but felt good about the prospect of going home.  I was told that Dr. Baghdadi would be checking up on me the next day and make the decision to either send me home or be induced.

Saturday morning came and we were able to eat some breakfast and relax before finding out the decision. Waiting for Dr. Baghdadi exercised our patience. By noon he came in and checked me. Oh my heavens it hurt like the dickens!!! And then he told me that I had very mild preeclampsia. He then proceeded to explain that if I was 29 weeks along then he would send me home and I would be on bedrest and monitored often. But..since I was 39 weeks exactly he  was going to give orders for me to be induced. Our hearts sank a little at the news and I began to shake a bit. I was so nervous about it! We were going to have a baby! They didn’t start me on pit right away (which I was so grateful for). Instead, they inserted cervidil which helps soften the cervix getting it ready for birth. We were going to see how far along I would be after about 12 hours.

Saturday night was a night of endless monitoring. By 6:30pm I was dilated to a 2.5 and 60% effaced. Some progress, but still no real distinguishable contractions. For the life of me I could not get comfortable. Any time I was comfortable the monitor would slip off or be moved just enough so they lost the reading on my blood pressure and baby’s. It was so annoying. One slight move and the next thing I know the nurse would be in telling me not to move and seem frustrated that she had to readjust the monitors…really?? Not move…haha..right. I wanted to be calm and use my hypnobabies techniques which had been helping thus far but just could not handle it any longer. Plus, I had a nurse, Natosha, that checked my cervix and it hurt so bad!! I was at my wits end and was not coping well with this huge change in plans. At 11:05pm I finally asked Natosha if there was any way I could just be off these monitors and be checked every couple hours. I needed sleep! She, of course, told me no. I was so upset, so so upset, and proceeded to have a panic attack. Thankfully, Shannon and John were right there to comfort me. Shannon immediately told John to give me a Priesthood blessing. Let me tell you they work!! The Spirit immediately filled that hospital room and I was able to calm down enough not to be in a panic state. The nurse was able to hook me up to a portable monitor so I could walk around and get my bearings. While roaming the halls I saw Steffanie and we were able to talk through what happened and she gave me a hug and told me I was doing amazing under the circumstances. She also reminded me that “healthy momma; healthy baby” was what really mattered. I’m not sure how I felt about that phrase in my situation but I just let them say it over and over again. I felt a lot better and when we went back to the room I was able to get some sleep. There was a change in nurses (by this time I’m losing track of who is caring for me), I don’t remember if it was the older spunkier lady who had me laughing a bit, or the sweet woman who was gentle and kind who I felt genuinely wanted what was best for me. Either way, from that point on I had amazing nurses in the delivery room.

On Sunday at 5am with a few hours of sleep I got checked. I had made some progress and was told I was having regular contractions but was not in active labor. I didn’t feel them! Yay Hypnobabies! At 9:01am I was dilated to a 4 and 70% effaced. It was Pitocin time; game time! I wasn’t sure what to expect with that stuff pumping through my body. Everything just built up from that point on. Thankfully, they started me off really slow. I know that sometimes hospitals won’t do that and they end up putting women on a big shot of pit first. Not like natural labor at all. But I felt like labor was building at a decent rate. We kept ourselves busy by playing cards and listening to hypnobabies tracks. We started to walk around a bit, did some positions on the birthing ball and in John’s arms to help me progress. At 1:12pm I was dilated to a 5.5 (really?!) and 80% effaced. I was calm and handling labor really well. I was able to get in the tub and that felt so good. Still at that point I felt very little pressure and absolutely no pain. I got out of the tub a short time later and laid down for a nap. When I woke up an hour or so later I really started to feel something! Holy pressure! I got back into that tub and by this point I had no clothes on. I was trying to guide my natural anesthesia downward by saying “peeeeeaaaaccce” and using lower moans.  I was in that tub until about 4:20 when I hit transformation (Hypnobabies term for transition) and my water broke. Things happened very quickly by that point.  At 4:55 I was dilated to a 10 and ready to push. I remember being in bed and the back of the bed was propped up so I could be in a somewhat upright position draped over. There was so much intense pressure and I really lost all sense of time and all the techniques I had practiced. Shannon guided me through the pressure waves as I held tightly on to John’s hand. I remember falling asleep between each wave and that felt soooo good. I also remember my swearing problem came out…one if the nurses asked if I wanted to be checked. I told them, “H*** no!!!” Then it came down to really pushing. I felt so unprepared and sad that we didn’t talk about the positions available to me in my state. I ended up resentfully on my back pushing. It didn’t feel good to push like I had read in so many stories. It was annoying! But I did it and even though I knew I was tearing I just pushed her out with all my might.

She was (IS!) so beautiful! We did it! I was elated and happy to have her on my chest. I was crying and laughing and just telling her how proud of her I was, and although we were not 100% sure Penelope was going to be her name it was what came out of my mouth and that confirmed it for us. She fed right away. Wow! What a latch! I remember saying how happy I was that she had hair and asking if she was actually a girl! Then the next thing I knew Dr. Baghdadi and the nurses around me started to sound very worried. They quickly had John cut the cord and I was told that I was hemorrhaging. Scariest moment of my life, also the most painful experience. As I was pushing my IV had popped out and I was no longer receiving Pitocin. I was screaming from the pain and wincing back. Dr. Baghdadi had to get everything out and my placenta was not coming out as one whole. He was also firmly asking for the pit IV over and over again. Where was it? Why weren’t the nurses putting it in?! The nurses kept pressing on my uterus trying to push everything out. I saw John across the room with Penny. I had never seen him look so scared. Shannon was trying to calm me down and communicate to me what the doctors wanted me to do. Finally the nurses were able to put an IV in me but I was still not wanting Dr. Baghdadi to touch me. He asked if I needed to be put on anesthesia because I was not calming down. Thankfully, a nurse explained to me that that would cause issues with breastfeeding. I knew that if I didn’t get the birth experience that I wanted I was determined to have a wonderful breastfeeding experience, especially because she fed so well a few moments ago. Just seconds after making the decision not to get anesthesia I was told that everything was slowing down and that the hemorrhaging was subsiding. Miracle. I did end up tearing but not much--I only had about 4 or 5 stitches. I was finally able to have Penelope back but I was shaking so bad. The next few minutes were just a blur as I gazed down at our beautiful daughter. She was perfect. 8 lbs 6 oz, 21 inches long. 10 toes, 10 fingers, big beautiful wandering eyes, my eyes. She had Daddy’s features, his nose, mouth, lips, cheeks, and even dimples! This was bliss.

What came next was pretty routine and standard. They had me clean up and put new sheets on the bed for me. I was super super thirsty and must have drunken 5 big jugs of water. I was able to eat some protein bars I had stashed away. I remember John’s family stopping by to see her but I was in no state of mind to have anyone come in the room and visit so they just saw Penelope through the door. Two or so hours later they moved me into the after delivery room (is that what they call it?) and on the way there they had me stop and they played a short version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star welcoming Penelope into the world. Also on the way there I saw a mom come in about to have twins. It was so special talking to her. We got settled into our new room and got ready for bed. I don’t think John or I slept well that night; we were still a bit shell shocked. As I was drifting into sleep I couldn’t help but think what just happened. I would start shaking and then I’d try using my hypnosis techniques and prayer to calm me down. John and I said a prayer thanking Heavenly Father for our new child and that everything was ok. This was the beginning of our family. The next day Steffanie came in to see us and she was just amazed at how I was able to give birth without an epidural and asked what essential oils I used throughout the night—Serenity and Past Tense. I thanked her profusely for being my nurse.   

The next day I woke up so hungry! I ordered a huge breakfast. Slowly nurses started coming in asking me a bunch of questions, what screenings would I get, shots, how is your pain level yada yada yada. It was an endless stream of nurses and there was definitely some communication errors. One nurse kept saying he and not she. Paper work I was supposed to fill out was not explained to me. I had a visit with the lactation consultant and felt that if I wasn’t successful today I might just have to resort to pumping and/or formula. I remember she was mainly focused on latch. Penelope has no trouble with latch. It’s all these positions that are super uncomfortable. (Laid back positions are the best and are way more natural for baby). We were told later that she had a bit of jaundice and that I would need to supplement. I felt that was not an option. What I later realized was that she just needed to be fed more and have a sun bath or two. At 8:00pm we were finally able to be discharged. It felt so odd to leave. It felt like we had been in the hospital for months. Fresh air felt incredible on our lungs. The drive home was surreal and we had no idea what that night would bring us. A rude awakening for sure!! Pun intended! She would not sleep in her pack n play. I have since relaxed a bit and have had her sleep on my chest. (I know! Terrible!...) but despite all the negativity I thank God for this opportunity to be a mother and for John to be a father. Penelope Rose Davis is well loved and she loves us. She was worth it.  

33 Weeks

Symptoms: Aching body. I over do it some days and I don't stop when I feel a little pain in my lower back...well...before I know it that pain is an even bigger pain. Not like a stabbing pain but a tense pain that prevents me from walking. So I spent Thursday in bed on the heating pad again, but thankfully this time around we have an air conditioner!! Thank you Aunt Laura!!! You are a life saver! I'm just getting to that point in pregnancy where being pregnant isn't all that it's cracked up to be but I find some humor in it as well. She's getting squished in there and lets me know it, too. She tells me she doesn't like me laying on my left side because she moves and squirms a lot when I do...so right side it is. She's also a little sly one because she only moves when I'm not looking. She will immediately stop when I look down at my belly. How does she know I'm looking!!?? We'll have to keep a watchful eye on her when she comes. Also...pregnancy brain is really starting to sink in. I forget the names of things all the time! I can picture it but, for instance, the word 'stroller' did not come to me until I pictured an image of a stroller for like 2 minutes.  

Cravings/Aversions: Those have kind of gone away. I don't really eat as healthy as I should all the time and I find it difficult to get the recommended amount of protein in my diet but I'm enjoying making dinners and experimenting with recipes. I made some fantastic chicken curry last night and I got a bread maker and was able to make some okay honey white bread. I think I have to manually time it, though, because the crust was a bit too crusty but the inside was fluffy and white. Not sure it will work with sandwich bread but I'll have to experiment with it. I miss my Bosch. I really should try and get it fixed. Plus with a Bosch you can make up to 4 loaves of bread, not just one! Also, I'm enjoying raw oatmeal with milk and brown sugar in the morning. Maybe I'm just too lazy to cook it. But it tastes really good and I like the chewiness of it.

Best Moment(s) of the Week: I already posted the picture on Facebook but getting more of the baby room done, finding a wingback chair for $5.99 at the Goodwill, and finding a Graco Duetsoothe Rocker and Swing for a way good deal on craigslist. Those things new cost $180!! I got it for $40. The lady I bought it from was this kind of eclectic old grandma who owns a sports convertible and she was just cracking me up the entire time we were trying to disassemble the swing so I could put it in my car. When we were having difficulty with a part she said, "swearing usually helps," and then goes on to say that she heard her little 2 year old grandson practice all different ways of saying "what the heck(the other word)" and was flabbergasted that he knew that phrase. Thinking he learned it from his dad she was sitting at the computer one day saying that phrase and it dawned on her that her grandson learned it from her!! Be careful what you say around kids! Anyways, besides a little bit of crustiness she was one of the nicest old ladies I have ever met.

Our little girl is getting bigger each day! John says some days I just pop out like crazy...thanks! I know my clothes tell me that and the stretch marks that are just now showing up tell me that, too. =) She is about the size of a durian...not sure what that is but we'll go with it.

• She's keeping her eyes open while awake.
• She's also starting to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing.
• Her bones are hardening.
• And she's going through (more) major brain development — that's one smart baby!

HAWAII next week! I'm much more calm about it then I was last week, thankfully. I'll just get a pedicure and enjoy the beach.

32 Weeks Debbie Downer Post

This is not a positive post but I just need to write it!

I know I just posted a few days ago about being 31 weeks but technically today is officially being 32 weeks pregnant. I have to be honest and say it's been a miserable week. It's been so hot and every effort to cool down the house without AC has been pointless and unfortunately the only food we have in the house right now requires some sort of heat to cook, unless you count pudding and cereal. I've also had some weird things happen to my back. For the past several days I've had this knot in my upper right shoulder blade area that makes it uncomfortable to turn my neck and do my yoga and sleep at night on top of all the normal things that make pregnancy and sleep uncomfortable. I got a birthing ball to help with my hypnobabies birthing program and I might have overused it my first day. I woke up in the middle of the night having to have John help me to get to the bathroom because I could not move. When he went to work and it was still super early I had to crawl to the bathroom. Might be needing a cane if that happens again... I did some hypnosis techniques that help with pain and that really helped me relax my muscles enough to get back to my bed and use the heating pad. (Heating pad in this heat, though, SUCKS!!!!) Thankfully the next day my lower back stiffness was gone but I've still got something in my upper back. Also...breathing is a joke. To make it cool enough to sleep in our bedroom we have to put the fan on..but that dries everything out in my throat and my nose which makes it vulnerable to bloody noses...so yay....

This whole staying at home thing kinda drives me insane, as well. Sure it was nice at the beginning of the summer to take a break because this year was so crazy with teaching (I am SO thankful it's over!) but when the only time I can do something is from 6-9am or super late at night because of the heat it makes it hard. I just end up sitting on the couch in a blob-like state binge watching on Lifetime movies and Netflix. I'm running out of appropriate shows to watch on Netflix. I've tried out a few recommended shows from friends or ones that are highly reviewed but they end up being inappropriate or way too violent. I want to practice my cello but that means sweating it out like crazy and I know it's a little too early and/or too late when it's not hot outside and inside. I really miss my cello!!!

So John's family and I are going to Hawaii in 14 days..I really want to be excited to go but I am not. I just don't want to be miserable like I am now and it's only more hot and humid and more $$$ spending there than it is here...and there is no AC in the house we're staying at there. I want to have a positive attitude about it but it's been very difficult for me. And I'm going to be honest..I don't have a lot of clothes that would be comfortable to wear there. I ordered 2 swimsuits off of ebay and I'm hoping they fit. I wish I could go without garments and just wear tank tops and shorts because that would feel amazing..but shorts are hard to find because Seibel girls, when we're pregnant, gain all our weight in our behinds and shorts either fit me in the waist and are too big in the bum area, or they fit me in the bum and are super unflattering and immodest. I also pray that she does not come early and in Hawaii because do you know how expensive that would be? So prayers for her to stay in...I think she will because there has not been any complications so far. A couple of positive things about Hawaii that I am looking forward to is the beach (it's literally right across the street from where we are staying) and a mani/pedi. I can't wait to get my toesies all cute!

Sooo. Symptoms this week include super poor attitude due to the heat and John working very late hours because his work has the inability to schedule deliveries appropriately.

Best Moment(s) of the Week:  Anytime spent with John has been the highlight of my week. Also finding out that our baby is facing the right position. That was a relief because I was super curious and worried about it.

Cravings/Averisions: I think chocolate chips give me heartburn...all the more reason to eat healthier but sadly that did not stop me from making chocolate chip banana bread today (and using the oven...why did I do that???)

Our Little Caterpie is as big as a squash

• She's in the head down position getting ready for descent
• She is also feeling more cramped...yeah...I feel that way too! 

31 Weeks

How time has flown! We finally found a place to live--this cute duplex in Tacoma. It's next to a middle school that has a track where I take my walks. It also has a fireplace! Way cool, huh? John and I have enjoyed building it into a home. The baby room is almost set up...I bought a crib and bookcase but I didn't realize the crib is a drop side. It is, though, made from a high quality wood with metal sliders and no plastic parts (which are the ones that created the recall and banning issues), so I really just have to decide if I want it. I can also not use the drop side and put the other side against the wall. The baby room is inspired by giraffes and lots of fun color (pink, light blue, teal, orange, green).

Symptoms: TIRED! Fatigue has set in and right now she likes to jam her bum and legs into my ribs...no big deal. And super weird dreams with frequent trips to the bathroom at night...all normal stuff. I went to the ENT and found out that it is not a nasal polyp but some other big scientificy word. But basically it will not go away at least until after I'm pregnant and if not then I have to get surgery to get it removed. JOOOOYYY!! But I found out that if I wear a nose expander thingy and a Breathe Right strip on my nose then I can at least breath through my nose for most of the night.

Cravings/Aversions: I LOVE SUGAR!!! But I try to limit myself..haha..as I'm eating snickerdoodles hot out of the oven right now. But John and I have found some good meals to get much needed protein in my diet. I normally gag down eggs but have found egg mcmuffins to be delicious. Also, a rice, bean, and kale dish that was super good. Last night, we made cauliflower pizza crust pizza. It was not that bad. The key to the crust is to make sure you ring out all the water in a cloth napkin or towel. I like being able to make my own food and use the kitchen again!

Best Moment(s) of the Week: Getting settled!!

Our Little Caterpie is the size of a pineapple (which I will be able to eat fresh pineapple IN Hawaii in just 18 days!)

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

Baby bump pic to come!!

28 Week Bump

28 Weeks

It's been just too crazy to write but that's not that great of an excuse since I spend most days sleeping. Can't believe, though, that I'm 28 weeks! When did I get so far along? Moving to Washington has not gone as expected; it's been a trial of patience and courage. I thought for sure by now we'd have a place to live but maybe I'm picky...maybe not. We did a ton of apartment searching in Kent and Auburn near John's work and places were either too expensive, way too small (1 bedroom where we probably wouldn't even fit our bed in the bedroom), or just icky at our price range. We did have one place lined up but it fell through due to way too crazy of a day. That was several weeks ago and they wanted an answer right away. That was the day that our tire blew out as John was headed to work and my phone broke. My in-laws and I were running around all day trying to get not only our car fixed but both of theirs as well. But, I'm kind of maybe a little glad we didn't get that place. I would not have been able to teach cello at all and it was seriously right next to the interstate. VERY LOUD! We've expanded our search to not only Kent and Auburn but other towns as well...it's been semi-successful. We found a duplex in Puyallup that was seriously trashed (the guy had a total breakdown and took an ax to the wall....)but had good bones. It would be ready in two weeks if they accept our application over another persons.. I personally think we would make better tenants and plus we can bring the Spirit into the home (not that that matters to a property management company but this place needed it). Thank goodness for the blessings of the Priesthood. Maybe I'm just looking for a diamond in the rough.

Symptoms: Sleepiness, I'm getting to that stage where sleeping is just uncomfortable. I toss and turn trying to find a position that's comfortable enough to drift off. I have found the source of my nosebleeds, too. I've had some pretty bad ones and I finally decided to follow my father-in-law's advice and put some petroleum jelly in my nose to keep it moist and not so dry. My nosebleeds were less frequent and some scabs dissipated. Turns out...I have a huge blockage in my nose...what looks to be a nasal polyp. Uh..nasty. Thankfully, I was able to go to Urgent Care and get an appointment with an ENT this week. They gave me some flonase and we'll see what the ENT says. It's so hard to breath sometimes and breathing through my mouth gets tiresome and annoying. I wake up in the middle of the night super thirsty on top of having to go to the bathroom...it's not pleasant. 

Cravings/Aversions: It's difficult to say because I've started to regulate my diet to guidelines my midwife and my birthing class has given me. It's so frickin hard to get 80 grams of protein in the day when you're not a big fan of eggs. It's getting better, though. I'm able to eat eggs as long as I have something with it.We found this Hawaiian restaurant that serves some dang good saimen--Hawaiian ramen. With egg it is delicious! Also, my mother in law makes good deviled eggs. YUM! I also like oatmeal with peanut butter, apples, and cinnamon, Cottage cheese is a favorite of mine, too. But nuts are so hard to eat, so are beans. I don't know if it was an aversion as much as it was just eating too much but chocolate has become harder to eat. It gives me a strange feeling in my stomach so I'm careful with how much I consume. But that doesn't stop me from eating too many sweets. =( 

Best Moment(s) of the Week: I've got to say this weekend was pretty fantastic, minus Fourth of July celebrations. I loved that John had 4 days off! It was so good to spend time with him, even though he spent a lot of that time finishing homework. His work schedule has been so crazy and he's worked some long hours. Good for income but he has been worn out. These past 4 days have given him a chance to recharge. The company is also thinking of putting him second in command! I knew he was good and stood a chance to get promoted but I didn't think it would be this soon. Let's hope everything works out. My husband works so hard. I am a proud wifey!

Our little girl is getting so big--so is my bump! I wish I had taken some pictures on the Fourth of July because I looked super cute in my red, white, and blue get up. I even curled my hair and did my nails and everything. But I spent the majority of the day feeling pretty crappy. She is now as big as an eggplant.

• She's starting to develop more fat, so her wrinkly skin will start to get smoother.
• Her lungs are mature enough that she'd probably survive if she was born now. Wow! But I'd like her to stay inside.

She kicks a lot and is very active! It's so neat. I have really got to take some pictures of my bump! I'll be sure to dress cute today and get a picture.