The Baldwin Experience: My Journey Through Life

Take a look at the new 28 week pictures (to enlarge click on the picture)! As you can see, a lot of my hair is gone! It was driving me nuts so I got rid of it! The good news is, they cut 12 inches so I was able to donate to Locks of Love! :-) Well, we're in the final stretch! Even though we still have roughly 12 weeks to go, it is fast approaching!! Today I go in for my glucose screening test and drink the bright orange Glucola I have heard so many wonderful things about. ;-) Exactly an hour after I drink the strange sugary liquid, they will test my blood to determine whether or not gestational diabetes is present. Bennett is CONSTANTLY moving and lately has enjoyed kicking me in the ribs on my right side ;-). It has been a great thing for Quinn because he can now regularly feel his son moving (starting at ~ 27 weeks)! According to Baby Center, "By this week, your baby weighs 2.25 pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. H...

Our hospital tour went well last week... We got to see where Bennett is going to be born, the nursery, etc. It makes it "REAL" now, and we are truly getting excited to meet our boy! I am still feeling great and am constantly told by my fabulous, ever-patient husband that I am not as "crazy" as his "Boys' Guide to Pregnancy" book told him I would be! ;-) We had an appointment on Monday and, even though most of the appointments now are in-and-out, I really enjoy my monthly progress report! :-) Bennett's heart rate has slowed to 128 (it gets slower and slower as the baby nears birth) and I've gained 15 lbs! Also, they confirmed that I am having Braxton Hicks contractions. Baby Center says "Braxton Hicks contractions are sporadic uterine contractions that start about 6 weeks into your pregnancy, although you won't be able to feel them that early. You probably won't start to notice them until sometime after mid-pregnancy, if you notice ...

It's been awhile since I've posted... Things seem to be getting busier as we get closer to the due date - I wonder why??! ;-) I am really embracing being pregnant. I am visibly pregnant now and don't just look like I'm eating too much, which is great ;-). If you've been pregnant, you know what I mean! In the first months (just over five, for me), you look more "husky" than pregnant... The "bump" isn't that distinguishable! However, that has changed and I find my belly irresistible; I just want to rub it all the time! Bennett moves around like my belly is a jungle gym and our tech for the "gender verification" ultrasound said he was moving so much he looked like he was at a rock concert! We recently took a trip to Miami... I had a voucher and a free ticket from work travel, so it was a very inexpensive trip. We thought it would be a good idea to have a "Babymoon". For those of you that are unfamiliar, here is Wikipedia'...

So, I think Bennett is mad at me... ;-) I have been feeling him move regularly for about the last week. I feel my stomach drop, then it gets tight, then it feels like he's rolling around in there! It's such a strange feeling - and a little different for everyone at first. A lot of people described it to me as popcorn popping, bubbles, riding a roller coaster... and many confuse it with gas pains initially! :-) It was difficult at first to identify, but now it's definite. This being said, I hardly felt him yesterday. Feeling a little concerned, last night in bed I started gently "prodding and poking" my belly. I was moving it all around trying to get a response... And all of a sudden, that all so familiar feeling - for an HOUR! And all day today I have been feeling him! Not a bad thing, I must say - quite the contrary... but that's why I say to be careful what you wish for!! ;-) A beautiful Michigan sunrise... I was a little late to work today so I could capt...

I attended my first prenatal yoga class yesterday - it was GREAT! There were eight of us total; three of us are due in the same week! There were a lot of poses and stretches that targeted the lower back and hips, which was awesome. I felt really close with baby and the women there... you know, classic "preggo camaraderie"! ;-) No, this isn't me... just a picture of some chick I found on the internet! ;-) I also pre-registered and scheduled a tour at the hospital for the end of January, and a birthing class that Quinn and I will both attend in March! It's all becoming so real, and exciting!!! My sister-in-law found out she's having a boy too!! :-) Congratulations, Kristin and Derek!

Our appointment went really well... I've gained just under 10 pounds, which they said is right on for 20 weeks. It was sooo neat to be able to see Bennett moving with Quinn. We saw the ventricles in his brain, his stomach, kidneys, heart... It was amazing! I think Quinn was shocked to see how big Bennett is getting (they think ~ 1 lb). And, speaking of - they bumped the due date from May 23 to May 14!! I am not sure how "accurate" it all is... I think it is just an estimate, but wow!! Tomorrow is a big day: it's my best friend's birthday, my prenatal yoga class starts, and my sister-in-law Kristin gets to find out the gender of her baby too!

So, I officially look pregnant!! :-) Although we already had an elective "gender verification" ultrasound, today is our official 20 week appointment. It is our last scheduled ultrasound and I am looking forward to Quinn being there and actually getting to look this time! ;-) Yesterday Quinn and I took our first trip to Babies 'R Us to register... It was honestly one of the worst shopping experiences of my life! I am not sure if any of you can relate, but just to "paint the picture": We got there and I was excited to be there. And why wouldn't I be? It was the first opportunity we would have together to look at all of the options available first-hand and see what items we want for our first baby. I have done my fair share of research on the "big" items, like car seats, pack and plays, cribs, strollers... but regarding many of the other options, it was "Greek to me"! Now, I am fairly certain that I am not the LAST first-time mother on this ...