A Birth Story: Calvin Davis

----------Short Version-------------

Water Broke at 4:20
Contractions started at 4:30, lasting 1 minute, about 4 minutes apart
Hospital Arrival - 5:50
Checked in at 6:15 and was at a 3, 100% effaced
By 8:45 I was at a 7.5 and +1 station
9:50ish I started pushing
Dr. Najima arrived at 10:00, 3 contractions later, our little Calvin was born!


----------Long Version--------------

Mr. Calvin Wixom Davis joined our little family on Wednesday July 23, 2014 at 10:15 pm-- 6 days early, weighing 8 lbs 5 oz (making me glad he came early) and 19.5 inches in length with a full head of brown hair.

Since my birthday-July 14th- I had been having mild cramping and back pain, making Robert and I hopeful that our little guy would come a little early. Everyday we would get more and more anxious, especially since I was already 3cm dilated, 90% effaced and he was at a 0 station. Every night Robert and I would look at each other, sigh, and say "no baby, but one day closer". I was walking or hiking everyday, bouncing on my yoga ball, eating pineapple, and trying just about every other "natural induction" technique. The week and a half before he came was like anxiously waiting for Christmas morning, but having no clue when Christmas would actually occur.

On Wednesday morning Robert and I decided to go for a 4 mile walk (the trail that we were running a week before). While we were walking I turned to Robert and said, " You know what? I am being a pretty big hypocrite when it comes to this whole birthing thing. One of the reasons I am so adamant about going through this birthing process with unnecessary medical intervention is because I have complete trust that my body knows exactly what it's doing, and it is a completely natural process that I was built to be capable of. I am so anxious for him to get here that I completely forgot that our little boy will come when he is completely ready and when my body is ready. So I just need to stop trying to "naturally induce" this process.".

The rest of our morning and afternoon was spent reading and watching Chopped. Around 4:15 I went to the bathroom and was surprised to find my mucus plug, which both my doctor and I were positive I had lost about 3 weeks prior. About 20 seconds later my water broke; at the time I had no idea it was my water breaking- I just thought I couldn't stop going to the bathroom, haha. I came out and told Robert what happened; on demand I had a terrible shooting pain through my back and what felt like the worst menstral cramp that had ever existed. We started timing them, which was difficult to do at first, and found that they were coming every 4 minutes and lasting 45 -60 seconds. After timing them for about 20 minutes, Robert and I figured it was go time, but were still trying to not get our hopes up. We had practiced relaxation techniques for the previous 8 months and I knew that during active labor I needed to keep myself distracted. We spent the next 45 minutes watching Parenthood, and by the end of the episode I was in Childs Pose because I couldn't stand up due to the back labor. At 5:35 a contraction came, Robert was rubbing my back and I looked at him and couldn't stop crying, we both knew it was time.

We got to the hospital, taking about 15 minutes to get from the car to the admittance desk because I couldn't walk. The nurse greeted us and asked me why were here. I was having a contraction at the time- I looked up at her (probably glaring) and told her I was there to have a baby! What did she want me to say? She found out I had only been in labor for a little over an hour and that we were first time parents and was ready to turn us away when Robert informed her that I thought my water had broken. She took us back at 6:15, I was at a 3 (still) but 100% effaced so she let us stay.

When the two nurses checked my blood pressure I was at 162/120. My blood pressure throughout the pregnancy has been 100/65, so I was shocked. They called my Dr. and she was worried about preeclampsia so they had to do blood tests; I have small veins, so 7 pokes in the arm, 3 collapsed veins, and 45 minutes later they finally had my blood and I was free to walk around, so I thought. Baby boy's heart still hadn't "responded" to the labor, meaning his heart rate hadn't gone up which it should have. They promised me that once his heart rate went up they would let me get off the bed. By 7:30 I ripped off my hospital gown and monitors and said something like "I can't take it anymore". They came back in and had to put the monitors back on and gave me a few different options if I really didn't want to stay connected, but it would entail putting an electronic monitor in baby's skull. I would have to stay still for more than 5 minutes and I wouldn't be able to shower (which is all I really wanted to do). After some talking, we opted out of that option and Robert kindly reminded me that it was just a monitor, not an IV (so it wasn't a huge deal) and I couldn't really walk anyway because the back labor was so bad.

By 8:45 my Dr. came and checked me (I didn't want unnecessary or frequent checking), and I was at 7.5 cm and a +1! I was in transition labor after only 4 hrs of labor and I was at the hardest part (so I had been told). I knew that I could do it. To be honest, I felt absolutely no difference in pain from active labor to transition labor. Robert was a wonderful coach and support. The back labor was the worst part and he was so wonderful do counter pressure during every.single.contraction. There wasn't a contraction that passed where he wasn't by my side, encouraging and helping me through. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that if it wasn't for Robert there is no way I would have progressed so quickly and gone through it all. At 9:30 I started having the urge to push and my nurses couldn't believe it. She checked and I was already at a 9.5 but it was uneven so she had me move from side to side so the contractions would even out the dilation. I was in my own little world, but I did notice that a nurse came in hesitantly (I had on my birth plan that I only wanted my Dr and necessary labor nurses in the room) and said she was there to set up the delivery table and then I heard the nurse calling Dr. Najima telling her she needed to get there ASAP. Was this really happening? I had barely been pushing. The nurses were guiding me through the pushing because the back labor made it difficult to push. Pushing was definitely the most difficult time for me. There were multiple times I looked at Robert and told him I couldn't do it anymore. I had been looking forward to the small break between Trasition and pushing and it didn't come. I was so worn out and tired I just kept saying over and over "Robert, I've been lied to! I just wanted to rest before I started pushing. I am just so tired!" Dr. Najima got there a 10:00 and within 3 contractions our little boy was in my arms. On the last contraction she said his head would come out and she would suction his nose and then with the next contrition his shoulders would come out, etc, etc. With the last contraction, on the first push his head started to come out, the second push his head came half way out, and Dr. Najima said "I just need one more big push and his head will be out". I gave one big last push and even though no one was quite ready for his fast debut (our Dr. didn't really have time to catch him securely, haha), our little boy was born!

The nurse handed me our little boy immediately and I could hardly believe that after nine months I was finally getting to hold this precious little boy. I took him, looked at Robert and immediately started crying; I am not sure if it was because I was holding our little boy or due to relief from the pain. The nurses let me hold him for the hour that it took Dr. Najima to stitch me all up before they took him to weight him, bathe him, etc.

Giving birth to Calvin without any medical intervention was by far the most difficult thing I have ever done, but I would do it all over again in a heart beat. It truly was one of the most spiritual experiences I have ever gone through. Everything from our birthing classes to birthing books, Robert was always 100% supportive; he knew how to help me relax so I could progress and what to or not to say to calm me down.  I would definitely say I fell in love all over again with him during those 6 hours. It was the perfect day, and we are just overjoyed with our new addition.

We love you Calvin Wixom Davis!

38 Weeks

So, here is the deal. According to my other pictures, this picture is technically taken at 39 weeks. Back when we first found out we were expecting the due date was July 22nd, and that is the date we had been counting off of. Then in the middle of my pregnancy they changed the date to July 29th! How lame is that? But since I am so close now and am seeing the doctor that will actually deliver the babe, she wants to base the delivery date around the 29th, meaning I have two more weeks instead of just one. I guess no matter what, the little man will come whenever he wants (please be soon!)

Cravings/Aversions: Since my last update things have pretty much stayed the same, except I can't really eat anything heavy or really substantial anymore. During the past two days just cold liquids sound good and anything else makes me feel queazy. Its like the first trimester all over again. 

Books: I finished up Your Best Birth and just barely finished reading The Official Lamaze Guide. To be honest, it was nothing new to me. It seemed a repeat of almost everything else I have read, but with more OB criticism (it was a bit extreme for my taste). I would say that for both Robert and I the best book we have read was The Bradley Method: A Husband Coached Childbirth. It was a really good book for the both of us, and for Robert to understand how he can be a part of the birth rather than just a bystander (the book and our class really helped with this). 

Excitement/Concerns: I think both Robert and I are just ready for this little boy to come! Yesterday I started feeling really, really crampy and nauseous and realized that I don't think I can continue to feel like that for another two weeks. So hopefully this all means he is on his way soon. As for excitement we have *almost* everything squared away for his arrival. We have his room done (all but the crib skirt and quilt), car seat, stroller, monitor, bassinet, crib set up, dresser painted, clothes and blankets washed, and diaper bag packed. We are just onto the waiting game now!

Exercise: Exercising has been great. On Saturday we went on a gorgeous 7 mile hike at Lake Tahoe, and up until yesterday and today (when walking seems to be a huge task) we have been running 4.5 miles a day. Hopefully tomorrow we can start running again! I can literally work this baby out. 

Baby: Baby boy (still to be named) is locked and loaded! At my doctors appointment last week I was 50% effaced and 1 cm dilated. Robert and I can't remember, but we are both pretty sure she said that he was at a -2 station. He is making his way, slowly but surely! The last two days I have eaten almost a whole pineapple, sat on a yoga ball practically the whole day, squatted and walked. We will see if any of these old wives tales actually work! :)

37 Weeks: Baby is coming THIS month

First of all, excuse the weird ombre effect on the picture above. For some reason every time I upload the picture to blogger the bottom of the picture turns blue and I have no clue as to why it is doing it. 

Now onto pregnancy stuff, I have officially gotten HUGE. I was feeling pretty cute and small still, until I put on this dress and it just seems to make me look, BIG.  I really do look like a beached whale (and feeling it, too). Sometime in the last three weeks people have stopped saying "what?! you are 8, almost 9 months pregnant? You are so tiny!" This boy of ours has gone through a growth spurt. Let's just hope it stops right about now :)

Cravings/Aversions: A week and a half ago we moved to Reno. We moved from a high of 72 to a high of 97, and Robert and I are feelings all sorts of hot. All of my cold cravings have intensified and I could eat Slurpees and Sonic slushes all day long (yay for moving somewhere with a Sonic AND 7-11). 

Books: Since moving to Reno the realization hit that we are having real live baby boy, and soon. All of the sudden I have this paranoia that I am not prepared enough to actually have this baby and the birth experience I would like. I picked up Your Best Birth at our new library here in Reno and have really enjoyed it. I have noticed that all natural birthing books are pretty similar, but I really like the authors personalities. They are the same producers of the highly controversial documentary "The Business of Being Born", but I feel like to book definately is not quite as biased as the documentary. PS, I LOVED Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. Highly recommended. 

Exercise: Robert and I moved from Rexburg to Reno about a week and a half ago, and there was a whole week that went by that neither of us exercised; I blame moving, trying to figure out a new routine, putting together a house, and furniture shopping on that. The last few days we have gone running and it has felt so good! We have these running trails in the hills/mountains behind our house that are absolutely beautiful. Since I don't have access to a gym quite yet, I have been running 3 days a week (about 15 miles a week) and doing Classical Stretch 3 days a week. Things are great!

Excitement/Concerns: Baby is coming this month! It feel pretty great to say that. We are slowly getting the nursery put together. It is pretty high stress knowing we have ~3 weeks to get everything together and looking lovely, but it is getting put together. We painted a dresser, got the crib put together, have a glider (still needs a slip cover). Now just for bedding and a few other things and we should be good to go. 

Baby: He is the length of romaine lettuce, which actually seems pretty small for being ~20 inches at 6.5 lbs! He still gains roughly an ounce a week but spends most of his time resting up for his big debut. 

A Rexburg Shower

This past Thursday, two of my wonderful friends here in Idaho, Holly and Camilla, threw me and the baby in my belly a shower! They made it a "shower" theme, and did such a good job with the decorations. Holly has a 6 week old baby, and she made those rain drops one handed. Now that is what I call impressive. It was even complete with a waffle bar….mmmm delicious. 

I had so many of my friends show up. During the past 2 1/2 years I have made wonderful friends living here, and it was so nice to have one last hurrah/girls night with them before we move {in FIVE days}. It was pretty much the perfect evening with friends. 

Did I mention that I also have a lot of pregnant friends? (And quite a few that just had babies). Well, I do and we all decided to take a lovely baby bump picture together. I am pretty sad that I won't get to see any of their cute babies in person. 

Thanks Holly and Camilla! It was a wonderful shower, and I am blessed to have such incredible people in my life. You guys are the best, and I will miss you. 

34 Weeks

Now that I am getting closer and closer to this little babe coming, I feel like the time is just rushing by. Just 6 short weeks till he gets here (hopefully), and 3 more weeks until I am considered full term. Although, it does seem like moons ago that we actually found out that we were expecting. 40 weeks is a really long time.  Now for some pregnancy updates!

Cravings/Aversions: Lately I am feeling much like I did in the first trimester  (btw, I never threw up in my first trimester). Sort of nauseous,big heavy meals don't sounds great, and only cold things sound appetizing (popsicles, juice, water, smoothies, string cheese). I really don't have any complaints though, its really not that bad. Just different!  

Books: I am still in the que for Hypnobirthing at the local library, which means I probably won't have time to read it before we move to Reno. I've realized lately that natural childbirth must be "coming back" full swing here in Rexburg, because every book on it at the library has a HUGE waiting list. Now that I am feeling more prepared for the actual labor part of this whole thing, I realized labor will inevitably lead to Robert and I becoming parents. I've read quite a few books on parenting so far (everything from attachment parenting to strict scheduling), but I decided to pick up another one that I had heard great things about, The Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. I am LOVING it so far. I feel like its a happy medium between Babywise and The Happiest Baby on the Block. It just fits both mine and Robert's personalities pretty well. 

Exercise: Our little boy completed his second race last saturday (the first was the Thanksgiving Day 5K when I was about 6 1/2 weeks) at the Temple 2 Temple Relay. It was a success and a lot of fun…mostly because our team got 2nd place overall. Races are always more fun when you win :). My exercise regimen has stayed the same, which really surprises me to be honest. I thought I would have had to decrease my mileage or something by now, but I still feel great running 20-25 miles a week. Lifting is still a lot of fun and something I look forward to! Surprisingly both my squat and my clean weight went up, which I wasn't trying to do. I was taking the weight off the bars and I realized it was more than my usual weight. Boom baby, boom. 

PS- my doctor is totally cool with my workout routine still and says everything looks wonderful for both my body and the baby's. (I've had quite a few overly concerned people confront me about this). 

Excitement/Concerns: Now that our move is getting closer I am a little bit concerned that this baby will come before we are ready for him to come. Once we move we only have a little under 4 weeks to set up the nursery (we luckily have a crib), get nursery furniture, get the strollers and carseat. I'd be okay with him coming like a week early, but if he comes any earlier I would probably have a panic attack while I was in labor. I also am having a baby shower this week with my wonderful friends here in Rexburg. 

Baby: Baby boy is just over 4 lbs and between 16-19 inches long. Most will grow about another inch before they are born-within the next week- and focus the rest of their energy gaining weight, roughly 3-4 more lbs before they are born!

32 Weeks

32 weeks! That means I have exactly 2 months to go. We move to Reno in 3.5 weeks and then baby boy comes 4.5 weeks after we move. It does feel like we have reached the final stretch here before this baby comes and it feels good, especially because I am feeling bigger and bigger by the day (which doesn't feel quite as good :)

Cravings/Aversions: Popsicles! Anything cold and icy sounds like perfection just about anytime of the day. I think this had been a general theme throughout my whole pregnancy, but it sure does feel like the last 3 weeks popsicles have definitely taken the top category in my daily dietary intake.....which probably isn't the best thing. I guess it's good that I already took my glucose tolerance test!

Books: I am just about done with  A Guide to Natural Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin and still have the same opinion I did last time I did an update. It's really interesting, but she is a total hippie cruncher (so don't read it if crunchers make you cringe). After I finish Ms. Gaskins book I was going to pick up HypnoBirthing. I don't know how much of it I will actually use, but I figure it's better to keep my mind open to birthing suggestions and see what fits best for Robert and I. 

Exercise: Exercise is still great. I can pretty much attribute me feeling so good at this point in time to my daily exercise. It helps keep my energy up and I always feel my best for the 3-4 hours post exercise. I am still lifting, but I do have to say my overhead squat struggles, a lot. I think it's a balance thing, but man oh man, let's just say I have never been embarrassed at the gym, and attempting (and failing) to do an overhead squat with my growing belly made me feel pretty embarrassed. Good news, though my power clean is still lookin' good (which I am so proud of because it took me so long to get up to my current weight and master the technique). 

Excitement/Concerns: Nothing too crazy has happened lately. This boy moves all the time, now. I don't really feel him kick anymore, it's more of just him moving around doing summersaults and just being active. It is very visible when he moves from the outside now, which is pretty cool but also just a little disturbing to watch your whole stomach move. 

Baby: Baby boy has and uses all 5 senses now. He is 3.5 lbs and roughly 18 inches long and will put on .25-.5 lbs per week (lets just hope its not more than that). His brain is continuing to make complex neurological connections that will help with his learning from now until long after birth. Let the learning begin!

30 weeks! The Final Countdown Begins

Hooray! We have finally reached 30 weeks, and the final countdown begins. I am 31 weeks tomorrow; I took this picture last tuesday (when I hit 30 weeks) but I am just getting bad at posting on time :) I am loving the fact that in just 5 short weeks this baby will be considered full term. 

Cravings/Aversions: Popsicles and ice cold water! Last week we bought Dryers Outshine fruit/veggie popsicles and they are delicious. I think Robert, my sister Natalie and I all agreed that the Tangerine Carrot was the best. It could be that this recent craving spurt is due to the finally warming weather and the fact that this little boy is all up in my diaphragm making breathing difficult and sitting down for meals increasingly more uncomfortable. Popsicles just always seem to hit the spot nowadays. 

Books: I finished The Bradley Method: A Husband Coached Childbirth last week and now Robert it reading it. LOVED IT. I have now moved onto A Guide to Natural Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin. If you guys don't know who Ina May Gaskin is, she is this total hippie midwife that runs The Farm Midwifery Center in Tennessee. You could consider her the queen of the natural birth/midwifery/spiritual birth realm. Anyway, she is a super interesting woman and I just really like what she has to say about birth. Interesting read! She brings up fascinating points about childbirth that I have appreciated. But in the long run, let's be honest, she should really reconsider her birthing center name. The Farm? Really? Because that doesn't make a pregnant woman feel like a cow.

Exercise: Everything is great in this area, per usual. Robert and I are both running the the Temple to Temple relay (it goes from the Rexburg Temple to the Idaho Falls Temple) with some of my little sisters friends next weekend. It will be baby Davis' first race and I am excited!!

Excitement/Concerns: A few weeks ago I passed my glucose tolerance test with flying colors. My doctor was really impressed, and it made me feel pretty good because going to the doctors and watching your weight go up is just plain depressing so it made me feel like I am still healthy and doing something right! As of late, I have gotten big enough that I can see this baby move from the outside. It's pretty entertaining and keeps me (and Robert) distracted when I may or may not be falling asleep in church.  

Baby: He is about the weight of a head of cabbage and is roughly the 16" in length. Starting in the 3rd trimester is when all babies start to vary in their hight and weight, so this is just a very rough average. He could be a lot bigger or smaller. I guess we will find out in 2 months. Robert can also hear his heart beat when he puts his ear on my belly. 

29 weeks+ my favorite birth video of all time

Every week I am most surely feeling more and more pregnant. It is safe to say that this little boy grew up as high as he possibly could (he was kicking my diaphragm a few weeks ago) , and is now starting to grow out. It is nice that I feel like I am looking pregnant during my third trimester! 

Cravings/Aversions: I feel like I could almost eliminate this category from my updates! It's pretty much been the same thing from the start: turkey, stuffing or cranberry sauce makes me want to gag, but pizza and anything liquid and cold sounds like heaven. Also, I don't know why, but salad bars have sounded amazing the last few weeks. 

Books: On Tuesday I got The Bradley Method: A Husband Coached Childbirth (finally!!!) and I have to say it has been my favorite book about birth that I have read. I am pretty much done with it, and now Robert gets to read it, since it is actually meant for husbands. I know it may sound odd, but between our child birth class and this book, Robert and I are really excited for the whole experience of birthing a child. On a different book note, if any of you want a quick and easy, but spectacular read, I would recommend the Legend trilogy. Robert and I are eating them up!

Exercise: I do have to say that exercising has gotten a little more difficult as of late, mostly because my muscles, especially lower body/legs, just feel different. I am still running about 20-25 (depending on my work schedule) miles per week and lifting just about every time I run. Now that I am showing, I definitely get strange looks when I am at the squatting rack; yes, it makes me feel self conscious sometimes but I have to remind myself that I know my body more than anyone else does, and lifting hasn't done anything but help me tremendously during this fun 9 months of my life :)

Excitement/Concerns: This baby and I finally have a doctor in Reno! It was an answer to many a prayers and relieved many concerns that we found a doctor to take us when I am 35 weeks, and who is pro natural child birth. It was something that was really important to me, especially since the midwife I wanted (there is only 1 in Reno that takes insurance!) was already booked to the max and couldn't take me on as a patient. On another note, during our last birthing class our teacher showed us this video: http://vimeo.com/78194797. It was by far one of the most beautiful birth videos I have ever seen (just watch the first 5 minutes). I love how you can clearly see when she is in active labor and then when she goes into transition and soon after she has the baby. Also, this video really tempted me towards a water birth.....but I decided that I would just use the tub for labor and not to give birth. Also, this birth took place at a birthing center inside of a hospital and it made me a tad but jealous of all those that live in Denver and have that option. Coolest birthing center, ever! 

Vegas Baby Shower

This past weekend I headed down to Vegas with a few of my sisters for my baby shower! All 5 of my sisters and my mom were kind enough to throw baby Davis and I a little shower. It was a beautiful weekend, and I was lucky enough to spend it with my whole family (minus a few husbands...including mine :). I was also able to see my nephew Darwin, who I don't usually get to see very often. Bonus, my sister-in-law also had her baby. It was a busy weekend!

The baby shower was a nautical themed baby shower, since I am going with a nautical/coastal theme for his room. It was a beautiful shower! My clever sister Melissa decided to do a building block decorating station instead of games and it was a hit! Now I have all these cute blocks for our little man. Also, my best friend came down from Provo! 

There were so many people there to support us in this new adventure of ours. Feeling blessed is pretty much an understatement at the moment. I loved seeing so many friends there, and how excited everyone was for this little man to enter into this crazy world of ours. So, thank you again!

27 weeks + Third Trimester!

I am officially in my third trimester and I couldn't be more excited about it! There is just something refreshing about the fact that I am in the home stretch. Sometime in the last two weeks I have really "popped" and most people actually could guess I am pregnant (if they knew me before hand). I am feeling pretty large and in charge. I am carrying this little guy pretty high, which is convenient in the fact that I have had no problems wearing all my normal jeans, but not so nice that he is already all up in my diaphragm and rib cage practicing his wrestling moves. You win some, and lose some. With all of that said, here are some updates:

Craving/Aversions: In the past two weeks I haven't really had any major cravings. There are some days that things sound good, and pizza usually always sounds good but nothing that I absolutely need. Sadly pesto and turkey still make me a little queazy, but it's not really anything to complain about. Funny enough, a week and a half ago was the first time I actually threw up this pregnancy. Let's just say I won't be eating Steak Rancheros from the taco bus anytime soon.

Books: Still nothing on my pregnancy bookshelf as of late. I am mostly (still) working on our birth plan and reading a whole lot of other non pregnancy related books. 

Exercise: I am still going strong with my daily work outs. I have noticed that my muscles seem off as of lately. I am not sure what it is exactly, but my leg muscles seem really tense all the time now. It's almost like I need a good long Classical Stretch session, but even that doesn't seem to help. It was a pregnancy side effect I wasn't expecting! When I was the TA for the Crossfit class on campus, we really emphasized doing third world squats. (If you don't know what it is, think of a 2 year old squatting down or someone going to the bathroom in a third world country. Most people in the western world squat down and come up on their toes instead of staying flat on their feet). I don't know why, but I had completely forgotten about doing them, until this morning when I was working out with my little sister. She was doing them while we were stretching and I realized that if anyone needs to be doing third world squats, it's a pregnant woman! So yes, I am adding 3rd world squats back into my routine in hopes that maybe it will help with these muscle cramps and birth :)

Concerns/Excitement: We have decided to move to Reno, and have a place to live! Sadly, I have called a few doctors there and most are pretty hesitant to take on a patient that is 35 weeks along. So, right now I am mostly concerned that I won't have a midwife or doctor to help deliver this baby. Worst case scenario, they said I would just go into the ER when I go into labor. Yes, it stresses me out a bit, but I figure it will work out. 

Baby: Our baby is the size of a green onion, weighing 2 lbs! He can open and close his eyes, suck his thumb and all of his movements are coordinated now. Apparently his brain is more sophisticated now than it was two weeks ago. All of this adds up to a very active little boy who I can feel very strongly, all the time. 

25 weeks

Well folks, I am in my sixth month of pregnancy. I was feeling pretty cute and small, until I put on this dress and took my 25 week picture. I feel like a beached whale, and I know I will only get much bigger from here. (At this point in time I am sure everyone who has had a baby and is reading this is probably thinking "oh sister, you have no idea about what it is to feel like a beached whale!") I was looking back at my 8 and 11 week pictures, thinking how I could go and slap my little naive self for ever complaining about my body. Good news though, I can still wear all of my jeans (buttoned)! It's just the tops that prove to be difficult now. Now that I have had my pregnancy rant for the post, here are the updates:

Cravings/Aversions: I feel like a broken record, but I am still all about my morning smoothies, especially my strawberry-protien-peanut butter-post-workout smoothie. But really folks, it's delicious. Bonus, next week we go to Vegas and I can finally get a Slurpee! Bring on summer. Along with smoothies, I seem to always be up for a Subway sandwich of some sort. I am still avoiding sugar and junk foods most days of the week (and completely for the first 10 days of every month) so this little guy doesn't come out just wanting sweets. Interesting fact, I learned that the wider range of foods I eat now usually effects what our boy will be willing to eat when he arrives (i.e., a less picky eater). 

Books: I currently don't have anything on my pregnancy book shelf. I have been in line to get A Husband Coached Childbirth: The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth but it seems to be a popular book here in Rexburg, because I have been on the library wait list for a few weeks. I have also been slowly putting together our birth plan so our birthing class teacher can review it. Tonight is our last class, and I am pretty sad it has been ending. I can not recommend the class enough! It has been the best thing for both Robert and I to help prepare. 

Exercise: Thankfully my slowly growing baby bump hasn't interfered with my work out routines at all, besides the excessive bath room breaks. I haven't had any weird pain or discomfort (besides my knee, but it's just a sign I am in dying need of new running shoes.....probably 200 miles late). The only adjustment I have had to make is the weight I use for my cross fit/olympic weight lifting. Front squats are definitely more challenging now that I have more weight on my front side than before, making balancing the bar more difficult. Today I also discovered that running puts this little boy to sleep! He seems to be having a party in my belly every hour of the day except for when I run and about 1-2 hours after. 

Concerns/Excitement: I am feeling this little man move all the time now. Anytime Robert puts his hand on my stomach little boy will kick/punch/summersault pretty hard in response. Robert likes to think of it like a high-five from the little man. 

Baby: Our little guy is the size of an ear of corn and weighs about 1.5 lbs, gaining just under a 1/2 lb per week. His brain is fully developed (it is identical to that of a newborns), and he can distinguish between my voice and Robert's voice. Fun fact, songs or noises that he hears frequently in the womb will calm him (due to recognition) when he is born! (Thank you "What to Expect When You're Expecting"). 

Hanes Baby Shower

I have definitely hit a new phase in life; first it was bridal shower and weddings galore, now all of the sudden my life has shifted gears and it's baby showering time! Really though, I have 1-2 baby showers every week beginning last week until the first week of May. I la la la love it! Maybe I love it so much more now because I am also expecting.

On Saturday I helped throw a baby shower for my friend Holly. She is welcoming her sweet baby girl in just 4 weeks, and we are all just so excited for her. We held it at my apartment, so it was a bit of a tight squeeze, but it was overall it was just so much fun having close friends there to celebrate Holly and her new stage in life!