28 Weeks - 7 Months!

How Far Along: 28 Weeks (4/9/2012)

Sleep: The last few nights I haven't had my snoodle and I have felt that pain! I guess I rely heavily on that C-shaped pillow of softness!

Best Moment of this Week: Seeing all our family! We drove all over the midwest to see our family and it was amazing! We started on Thursday night by heading north to see the Meyers and Scott and Grace for dinner at the Pizza Ranch. Then Friday morning we headed south and went to Spencer, IA to see Valerie's parents (Jim and Harriet Johansen), we also saw Valerie's headstone in Sutherland, IA. Then we headed to Paulina, IA to see Rick's parents (Wes and Mavis Rehder). After that we headed to Carroll, IA to stay with Auntie Rachel and Stephanie for the weekend. Scott and Gracie headed down to spend the weekend there! Then on Easter Sunday we headed over to Lennox to see my mother's side of the family. Needless to say there was a lot of belly rubs, food, driving, and excitement. I am sure I will be taking naps all week to recover! 

Symptoms: Sore ribs and tight back. But it is all part of the daily occurrences! I am feeling good, just always feeling like a chiropractor would be handy!

Movement: More and more every day!

Belly Button: Not sure what to call it right now!

About Baby R: The baby's eyes are partially open now and it can blink!

Looking Forward to: We take our first Newborn Preparation class on Monday night! We signed up for a few of the classes at the hospital. I think Nick is most excited for the breastfeeding class! :) What a trooper!

About the Pictures: My sister Angela rules! When I asked her paint a bunny or an egg on my belly she didn't even hesitate or question it. She just grabbed some paint, brushes and went to work! It was amazing! And the pictures rule! It was definitely one of my favorite moments of being pregnant!

 

 

Valerie's headstone in Sutherland, IA. I Love You to the Moon and Back!

Stopping on one of the MANY winding roads through Iowa. They made a sign for me! How kind!

 

Easter Day Celebration!

27 Weeks - Third Trimester

How Far Along: 27 Weeks (4/2/2012) Rolling into the Third Trimester and we can't express how giddy and excited we are getting for Baby R's arrival!

Maternity Clothes: Gap Maternity Rules. Enough said.

Sleep: Well, the books/websites don't lie. Restless leg syndrome has set it. There are nights I just have to stand and shake my legs, stretch my legs and of course complain to Nick. Then they begin to feel better for a short while.

Best Moment this Week: SPRING BREAK! Oh my goodness, I need to rave for a moment. My mother came Sunday- Thursday and we were machines! We painted the nursery (oh so bright and fun). So now our WHOLE place is finally painted! Don't worry, I'll post up some before/after pics soon! My dad also came up for the day to help us pick up all our furniture! So yes, he hauled his truck and a trailed through Minneapolis traffic! But the furniture is beautiful! And I have my parents to thank for that! Uncle Darren is also phenomenal and bought us an amazing crib to match! We couldn't feel more blessed and I am certain Baby R will definitely appreciate the perfect set!

Symptoms: Heartburn still remains. Tums, Milk and Zantac are helping though! I am also getting pain in my lower ribs frequently. I have found that if I take deep breaths and sit up really straight it quickly goes away! So nothing major to complain about!

Movement: Oh yes! We just lay on the couch and watch Baby R move now. Nothing makes me smile more!

Belly Button: Flat as a Pancake!

About Baby R: It is practicing inhaling and exhaling with its rapidly developing lungs. Baby's also showing brain activity! And it's brain will keep on getting more complex. Bring on the Baby Einstein  music melodies!

Looking Forward To: Easter Weekend! We are going down to Sutherland to see Valerie's (Nick's mother) headstone that just got put in and visit her parents. Then we are off to Auntie Rachel's house for a few days. Lastly we will head to Lennox to see my side of the family. Lots of traveling, but totally worth it! Oh yes, and since lent will be over I finally get to veg out on nothing but Reese's Eggs, Oreos, Pepsi (only one!) and all other chocolate goodies! Oh my will baby be moving that day!

25 Weeks

How Far Along: 25 Weeks (3/19/12)

Maternity Clothes: Due to the INSANELY gorgeous weather lately, I have been living in dresses. I have a few maternity dresses, but I am also wearing my old dresses and just no longer tying them at my waist! I love versatile clothes!

Sleep: I got a Snoodle!! For those of you that don't know what this is, it is my latest cuddle buddy. I literally spoon this thing all night. It supports my back, my hips, my big belly...it rules and it makes me sleep much sounder!

Best Moment This Week: Well while most were out drinking green beer and sporting green gear this weekend. We were painting our living room green! And yes, that was my BEST moment this week. Not only that, but we finished painting the kitchen, living room and hallway!! I cannot tell you what a relief this is. All that is left is our nursery and that is on the To-Do for the last week in March! Nickolas gets HUGE props for staying in this weekend and helping out as I don't think that is what he envisioned for his St. Patty's Day Festivities!

Missing: Chocolate. I gave it up for lent and I am having some serious withdraws and cravings! Easter can't come soon enough!

Feeling Queasy or Sick: Still a little heartburn. My friend Caitlin (who just had the cutest little boy named Greyson!!) gave me some of her prescription medicine for heartburn, so that has helped! But if the old wives tale is true, this baby is going to have as much hair as I have now!

Movement:  Oh yes. Anything fruity makes this baby squirm quite a bit and every night it doesn't want to go to bed until 30 minutes after I do...I hope that isn't a sign for future bedtime plans!

Pains: My lower back has been awful lately. I ice it, heat it, rub it. Nothing really seems to help except laying on my back with my feet up. This is my usual nightly position while Nick and I watch TV.  Completely normal....right?!

Belly Button: Almost fully out now! So bizarre looking!

About Baby R: It's beginning to exchange it's long, lean look for some baby fat and it's starting to look more and more like a newborn. Baby R is also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture. Lastly, it's hands are now fully developed and brain and nerve endings are developed enough now so that baby can feel the sensation of touch!

Looking Forward To: Conferences being done and spring break beginning!!! Appointment on Monday!

23 Weeks!

How Far Along: 23 Weeks (3/5/2012). I am a little behind!

Maternity Clothes: LOVING Gap Maternity Yoga Pants. Tracee Ronke, if you are out there, I bow to you for the recommendation! These things are a must for any prego lady. And yes, I will sport them even after Baby R.

Sleep: Well I am sleeping much better than before. I finally found my comfort. It is surround and intertwined in 8 different pillows! Why didn't I think of that earlier?! But I have woken up with these awful leg cramps a few times. A co-worker told me to pop in some calcium pills so we'll see if that helps!

Best Moment This Week: Seeing Grace and Scott in Milwaukee for Scott's leap year birthday. Yup, my father-in-law is only 11 years old! Grace and I even got some much needed quality girl time! We also got news that my pregnant sister-in-law Rachel can be off of bed rest! Keep her in your prayers for a healthy remainder of her pregnancy!

Missing: Laying on my tummy and being able to do a sit up (or any abs for that matter)

Cravings: Fried Rice and Goldfish. But not together...that would be weird.

Feeling queasy or sick: Ugh...I guess I have this thing people call heartburn. It is awful and my sympathy to those who get it all the time. I now carry Tums Ultra Strength with me everywhere.

Movement: Oh yes! This baby is a mover! I lay in bed for 30 minutes every night just feeling my tummy. It is amazing and Nick is so happy he can finally feel Baby R too!

Symptoms: This week I have been experiencing a lot of pressure. I always have to go to the bathroom. It is seriously  outrageous! If you are curious I could tell you about all the different rest stops/gas stations from Mankato to Milwaukee if you're interested!

Gender Prediction: I still think girl. Nick still thinks boy. I will be doing all the old wives tales soon though! Those will tell us for sure!

Belly Button: inish...definitely on its way out!

About Baby R: Baby is 11 inches long and right over a pound! Fun Fact: Baby R is actually transparent right now! You can see it's organs and bones through it's skin! But once those fat deposits settle in, it'll become less transparent! Blood vessels in Baby's lungs are also developing to prepare for breathing the it's ears are already picking up on sounds!

Looking Forward To: My friend Ashley's birthday party and seeing my family this weekend! We are also painting so getting the living room all painted so it is pretty for Baby R!

21 Weeks

How Far Along? 21 Weeks (2/20/2012)

Sleep: Getting better! Or maybe I am getting used to not sleeping for a whole night! It seems the more pillows I can wrap around my body throughout the night, the more comfortable I am! 

Best Moment this Week: My Birthday AND Lily's Birthday! I had SUCH an amazing weekend! I can't stop smiling when I think of this weekend! There was shopping, dining out at Axel's Bonfire, movies, winning $70 at Mystic Lake, ridiculous gifts, and amazing time with our family and friends! Then to top it off, we are finally painting our house!! We (well mostly Nick) just finished the bathroom today and it makes me so happy! Seriously can't think of a time I have been this happy with everything in life! Feeling so blessed! 

Movement? YES! I can finally feel it! Sometimes Baby feels like gurgling and other times it feels like it is tickling in my tummy! It rules and I can't wait to feel it on the outside!

Food Cravings: Well, I had a weird craving for fried rice the other day. And anyone that knows me, knows I don't care for Asian food, but I guess I care for it now, because it tasted simply delicious! And my sister brought up these ridiculous cupcakes from Oh My Cupcakes, and Oh My Word, they were outrageous! They were even covered in edible glitter! But now that they are gone, I want more! 

Miss Anything: Caffeine! I know, I know. It is okay to have a little, but I am overcome with guilt every time I ask for pop! And once again, I know they are probably terrible for you anyways, but I miss my 5 Hour energy shots terribly! 

Wedding Rings On or Off: On

Mood: I am happy! Rarely itchy anymore (Thanks to my sister's idea of combining Neutrogena Body Oil and Lotion. Sounds disgusting, but my skin has never felt softer!) So no complaints from this momma!
About Baby: Well this week the baby is about 11 ounces and 7 inches long (the length of a large banana!) It can also suck on it's thumb and yawn! 

Pictures: Well Lily's birthday was on Sunday (February 19th) and mine was today! So we celebrated with birthday crowns, a puppy grooming session, painting the bathroom, and dessert (Doggie Oreos and the Last Birthday Cupcake...sad moment). Now it is time for Bachelor, Blankets, and cuddling!

We are having a....

How far Along: 5 Months! Halfway and Feeling Good! (2/13/2012)

Maternity Clothes: I am starting to fall in love! These clothes are the most comfortable things EVER! Since it is acceptable for guys to wear baggy jeans all the time, I think it should be acceptable for women to wear elastic pants all the time! I am still wearing a lot of my favorite jeans and pants, but just adding that belly band and Voila! I am in comfort land!

Stretch Marks: No and I will continue to cake on my Belly Butter so this doesn't happen!

Sleep: Well, I am fairly certain I will never sleep normal again. Poor Nickolas is such a light sleeper and every time I wake up to readjust, go to the bathroom, or complain, he wakes up right along with me. Lucky guy!

Best Moment This Week: We got to see Baby R last week (February 6th)! It was amazing and I was far too emotional! I just had no idea that that little baby was moving soooo much inside of me! The poor lady had a tough time getting pictures because baby was moving so much! It was incredible! This was the appointment where we could have found out what Baby R was. And....we decided to keep it a SECRET! Come on everyone, you know it will be much more fun that way!
Missing Anything: Well, not right now, since I can still have chocolate so I am not missing out on much this Valentine's Day! I got my hubby, my chocolate, and my body lotion! What more could a girl ask for!?
Looking Forward to: This weekend! My family and friends are coming up for my birthday! It will be great seeing everyone and being able to spend time with them for a whole weekend! 

Pictures: The picture were the best ones I could get from our ultrasound! But my favorite is the one where Baby is sucking it's thumb! I will admit I was a huge thumb sucker when I was younger so it was amazing to see it already it taking on my characteristics! Lucky baby! :)

18 Weeks

How far along? 18 Weeks (1/30/12)
Maternity clothes? I got spoiled this weekend and got quite a lot of cute maternity shirts and pants from my mother! I am still wearing my regular shirts, but using a tie to expand the waist of my pants. Very classy, I know!
Sleep: Lots of bathroom breaks throughout the night and I can’t seem to ever find a comfortable position for more than an hour. But I am discovering that naps are glorious!
Best moment this week: We had another appointment last week and got to hear baby’s heartbeat! A strong 150 bpm! I told him that it must be a girl then right?! Dr. Taylor just rolled his eyes at me and said, “Yes Ashley, it is definitely a girl. And it looks like you’re carrying low, so it must be a boy as well!” Well…it doesn’t hurt to believe in some wives’ tales!

Complaint of the Week: I am ALWAYS itchy/dry! I have never been such a lotion latherer in my life (mom and Angie you should be so proud of me)! But seriously, from belly butter, to Bath and Body Works Body Cream, I can never seem to have enough on to make the itching go away. I did get a humidifier this weekend and last night I did sleep fairly well! So hopefully this is just a slight phase in the pregnancy!
Miss Anything? My mother-in-law, Valerie. It was her birthday on Sunday and I know she is just so excited for us up there, but I would have loved to hear her excitement for our baby. To say she loved her grandbabies was an understatement. And I would have loved to go baby shopping with her, planning with her, and calling her to tell stories. But she is still helping out in heaven because she blessed Nickolas and I and my sister-in-law, Rachel and Ganna (due July 22^nd) by letting us both get pregnant at the same time! I know this was her way of making sure we are caring for each other!
Movement: Not yet…waiting anxiously for that moment!
Food cravings: Not really anything particular.
Have you started to show yet:  About a week ago was the first time others started commenting! It is so fun to actually be past that awful awkward stage of “is she pregnant or is she eating too many holiday sweets still?”

Gender: We could find out on February 6^th. Nick still insists he is going to find out. I insist that I won’t. So we will see how that pans out...
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Incredibly happy! Work rules, planning for the nursery is beyond fun, Nickolas is too sweet to me, my family is so excited and loving and so many of my close friends are expecting! Seriously, life it awesome!
Looking forward to: February 6^th appointment!  Can’t wait to see Baby R on a screen again!

4 Months!

 

How far along? 16 Weeks (1/16/2012)
Maternity clothes? sporting a lot of leggings lately, but mostly just wearing my own clothes for now.
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Turns out I fall asleep fast and hard lately, unfortunately, I wake up about 3x/night to go to the bathroom (hey ladies, I thought that was a first trimester and last trimester thing?!)
Best Moment this Week: I had a student give me a tummy hug and say "I love you," and then rub my belly. Pretty sure she was talking to Baby R. I haven't actually told my kinders that I am pregnant yet. I feel that some of them may literally need to see a tummy in order to comprehend. So I will share that news in February.  
Worst Moment This Week: I have been getting really intense migraines lately. This comes from the girl who never got any headaches. They are awful! Luckily, I usually just have to complain for a minute to Nickolas and he is rubbing or pressing the pressure points on my neck! Yay for being pregnant and spoiled! 
Miss Anything? Subway! No one ever told me I couldn't eat deli meat for 9 months! Well...when I come to think of it there is a lot that people forgot to tell me about being pregnant...
Movement: Not yet...Nickolas checks every night if he can feel anything. He swears he can. I will continue to let him believe that.
Food cravings: Not really cravings...just really liking my crackers and Peanut Butter and Gogo Squeez Applesauce! Yum!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Certain and random places smell funny to me (hotels, public bathrooms, parts of the grocery store)
Have you started to show yet: still just a little bump. It is very strange but some days I look like I am 5 months pregnant and others I look like I ate too much! What’s that about Baby R?! Just stay put please!
Gender prediction: Girl..,although I have been looking at Baby Boy stuff lately...not sure what that is about.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: Feeling more movement and buying things for the nursery! Eek! 
Next Appointment: Monday, January 23rd!
About the Picture: Nickolas actually got in on the action this time! He said he way I was holding the avocado was boring, so he showed me how it's done! And I ended up keeping the picture! Looks like our baby is in good hands.

14 Weeks

How far along? 14 Weeks (1/1/2012)
Maternity clothes? Got a few things for Christmas and I wore a cute black maternity number last night for New Years.
Sleep: Sleeping great and WAY too much. Going back to work is going to be rough!
Best moment this week: Celebrating Christmas with Nick's family at our home and Bringing in the New Year with Friends and Family! I even stayed up until 2:30 (hence me waking up at 11:30 today!)
Missing: Is it terrible to say Drinking?! I never really drank that much prior to being pregnant, but I have had to sit out through Halloween festivities, the Thanksgiving Baileys Drinks, Christmas Jello Shots, and New Years Mulled Wine and Margaritas, and my work party this week! Oh how I would just love a sip of my Baileys! :) 
Things I've Been Craving: Pizza Hut! Every time I see those commercials I begin to salivate from the idea of eating it. Luckily, I got to finally eat there this Friday night.
Have you started to show yet: Got a little belly growing!
Gender prediction: Girl! Nick wants to find out...I do not! I think I might win this battle :)
How am I feeling: Happy! I finally feel like myself again! Lots of energy and excitement!

About Baby Rehder: Our baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck its thumb! Crazy!
About the Pictures: Lily is showing her new trick to lets others know we are expecting. I call out "Where's the Baby" and she hits this pose and precedes to pat my belly. We've even gotten her to howl with excitement while patting the Baby R a few times. Yup, she is just as excited as we are! In the other picture we are just getting ready to go out for New Years! And let me say again...I stayed up until 2:30! Go me and my prego self! 

Merry Christmas from the Rehders!