My Pregnancy: Week 29

Baby's now the size of a butternut squash!

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel.  Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain.  To meet her increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron.  And because her bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice).  This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

This week has been a lot better than last, little girl.  I got over the initial shock of my diagnosis of gestational diabetes and started taking action.  I got myself registered to take a diabetes management course through the hospital (I go in tomorrow) so that I can start testing my glucose levels and get some other information.

I also took Granny D up on her offer to start walking with her (or another member of the family) each afternoon when I get off work.  It is blasted hot going at that time of the day, but I have already noticed a difference in my energy levels.

Finally, this diagnosis made me face my fears of a smelly kitchen and start cooking again.  I figured that until I get a set meal plan from the clinic, I would start off by limiting more carbs and nixing the refined sugars from my diet.  Having the motivation to cook also keeps me from laying on the couch all evening.  Overall I am feeling less intimidated by this diagnosis and more motivated than ever to ensure that I do everything I possibly can to give you a healthy start.

On a side note, a new pregnancy side effect has appeared in the last couple of weeks: my hands and feet are constantly warm.  Now, this may not seem odd or even pregnancy related unless you realize that my hands and feet are hardly ever warm.  In fact, they are usually freezing.  As such, I am even more aware of just how warm they are and it kinda bugs me.  But there is no accompanying swelling or other signs of it being a problem--just something different from my norm.

My Pregnancy: Week 28

Baby's now the size of a Chinese cabbage!

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels.  She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes.  With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters through your womb.  She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

This has been a bit of an emotional week for me.  Last Friday I went in to the lab for my 1 hour glucose test.  I was a little nervous about this test because I didn't really know what to expect.  Turns out I had a reason to be a little nervous because my test results came back high.  That meant I had to go in for another glucose test--the 3 hour one this time.  Basically I had to sit in the lab fasting for 3 hours while they drew my blood 4 different times.  Not fun.  

But even this didn't compare with the disappointment I felt when the test results still came back high.  I was officially diagnosed with gestational diabetes.  Next week I get to go to a diabetes clinic and learn how to test my levels so that I can monitor them 4 times a day for the rest of my pregnancy.  

Still, I know that there are worse things that can happen during pregnancy and am grateful that there are tests designed to catch these kinds of things early enough.  Granny D has volunteered to walk with me every day and dad has been re-evaluating the groceries he buys.  I am sure that everything will work out.

My Pregnancy: Week 27

Baby's now the size of a head of cauliflower!

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended.  She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers.  With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now.  While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning--with a lot of medical help--if she were to be born now.  Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on.  Each episode usually only lasts a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Not all that much to report on this week.  I have been working more on your nursery and am rather pleased with the results thus far.  So far we've got 2 wooden plaques, 3 picture frames, the cradle mattress, a cradle quilt (made by yours truly), a dresser, and a gilder.  Not bad, eh?

Yellowstone 2011

As mentioned previously, last weekend we made our way up for the annual gathering of Larsens in Yellowstone National Park.  As time progresses, family members grow older, and families expand, our Yellowstone vacation shifts.  This year was no different.

About a month before the Fourth, Grandma Larsen had major surgery.  While the surgery went well, none of us were sure what her recovery was going to be like and whether or not she would be able to make it to Yellowstone this year.  Then, just a week before the expected departure, Grandpa Larsen ended up in the hospital and was diagnosed with pneumonia and was put on antibiotics and oxygen.  They are both troopers though and wouldn't even consider not going to Yellowstone.  They did at least consent to get hotel rooms instead of camping though.

Two of the newest family members--Michelle and Abigail

My brother, drum major extraordinaire

Other family members were having other issues.  One family had a wedding the week before.  Another was trying to gather up all of its members from across three different states.  One didn't know how many would actually be coming until the day before they left.  My own family of 9 ended up having to take 4 cars to get everyone up there and back as needed.  Through it all though, we had everyone up there for a time except for one cousin who is currently serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Needless to say, we make up quite the clan these days.

Fourth Festivities Spectators

The youngest Cherry Pit Spitters

Our time in the park was spent mostly with individual families, meeting up with extended family as plans and timing would permit.  Much of the time was spent driving for Jason and I, since I wasn't exactly up for any long hikes being 6 months pregnant.  Being in Yellowstone is a very therapeutic experience for me.  It is a time to escape from the world and be surrounded by the pure beauty of the park as well as beloved family members.  I have no qualms about turning my cell phone off once we enter the park and leaving it off until we leave (not that I use it all that much anyway).  Other stresses and worries seem to melt away. We are able to make memories as individuals, families, and extended family.

Getting ready for lunch at the Old Faithful Inn

Feeling more and more pregnant each day

Some of the highlights from this year include: driving up with my cousin Alicia and her two little girls, my cousin Derek getting engaged, meeting the newest member of the Larsen clan--Abigail Dawn Larsen, enjoying lunch as a complete family at the Old Faithful Inn in honor of Grandma Larsen's 80th birthday, and having a wonderful baby shower with my supportive aunts, cousins, sisters, mother, and grandmother.

Enjoying the Mickey Mouse cupcakes at the baby shower

Grandma Larsen participating in the Baby Food Faceoff

No one is sure what the future of this tradition will be down the road, but I hope that my children will be able to go often enough with family to appreciate the beauty and serenity found there.

My Pregnancy: Week 26

Baby's now the size of an English cucumber!

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before.  She may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other.  She's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of her lungs.  These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when she's born and takes that first gulp of air.  And she's continuing to put on baby fat.  She now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches from head to heel.

This week marked my first experience camping while pregnant as we participated in the annual reunion in Yellowstone National Park.  Thanks to your grandparents (who let us stay in their trailer and fed us), it was a fairly pleasant experience.  The nights were a bit late for me, so I tended to crash earlier than the rest of the clan, but not before I enjoyed me some s'mores!  Judging from the increased intensity and frequency of your kicks, I'd say you rather enjoyed your time in Yellowstone too!

We also took some time to celebrate, well, you!  My cousin, Alicia, has wanted to throw me a baby shower since she first learned I was pregnant.  The only trouble was, she lives in Arizona!  So, we decided to take advantage of having the majority of the extended family present and had a Yellowstone baby shower.  There were games, presents, family, and yummy Mickey Mouse cupcakes.  We are so blessed to be part of such a supportive extended family!

I also went to the doctor again yesterday and everything is still right on track.  They've started measuring my belly now.  It is currently 26cm and is supposed to grow an average of 1cm per week!    I am also approaching the point where I will need to take the glucose test and got to bring home the orange goo to stick in my refrigerator for a week or so.  You were kicking while the doctor was trying to find your heartbeat and he said that if he could tell that baby was moving, I certainly must be able to.  He's right!  You are getting more and more active these days.