26 July 2006

My Pregnancy at 28 Weeks

How your baby's growing: By this week, your baby weighs a little over 2 pounds and measures about 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can open her eyes — which now sport lashes — and she'll turn her head toward a continuous, bright light from the outside. Her fat layers are beginning to form, too, as she gets ready for life outside the womb.
• Note: Experts say every baby develops differently — even in the womb. This developmental information is designed to give you a general idea of how your baby is growing.

How your life's changing:
Do your legs feel creepy-crawly at night? Tingling in your lower legs and an irresistible urge to move them is known as restless legs syndrome (RLS), and it can make it hard to relax when you're settling in. No one knows what causes RLS, but it's common among pregnant women. Try cutting down on caffeine, which can make the symptoms worse, and massage your calves when they feel tense. Some studies also show that taking iron supplements helps ease your discomfort.

At this point, you may visit your doctor or midwife every two weeks; then, at 36 weeks, you'll switch to weekly visits. Depending upon your risk factors, your practitioner may recommend repeating blood tests for HIV and syphilis, plus cultures for chlamydia and gonorrhea during your third trimester, to be certain of your status before delivery. (Identifying and treating these infections is crucial for your health and your baby's.) And if the blood work done at your first prenatal visit showed that you're Rh negative, you'll receive an injection of Rh immunoglobulin to prevent your body from developing antibodies that could attack your baby's blood. If your baby's biological father is also Rh negative, the shot isn't necessary, but most practitioners will do it routinely rather than test the father. (You'll receive another shot of Rh immunoglobulin after you give birth if your baby is Rh positive.)
Source: Baby Center
*****

Time really flies, I'm past the halfway mark...and more anxious to meet baby J. Right now I'm checking out vaccination packages, possible pediatrician, baby massage classes and other things we need to prepare for when she finally arrives. I'm done reading books about pregnancy and now reading books about actually caring for a baby. I've finished reading The Everything Baby's First Year Book and now reading New Baby Care by Dr. Mirriam Stoppard. I know a lot of things we will experience with baby J may not be written in books nor will I remember each chapter I read but at least I now have an idea of what to expect.
Baby J is kicking stronger than ever and she keeps me up at night. I find myself having difficulty breathing sometimes because of her position inside my tummy. So I ask her nicely to shift...she does most of the time. I must admit I enjoy feeling her movements (when she's not cutting off my air supply that is...lol). Its nice that my husband get to share this experience too as she is most active at night.

24 July 2006

Two pricks

Since I'll be 28 weeks pregnant this week, I had my prenatal checkup and glucose screening test today. In preparation for this test I didn't eat anything after dinner last night. Glucose screening test (also called a glucose challenge test or GCT) between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy to check for gestational diabetes, a high blood sugar condition that some women get during pregnancy. For more info about GCT you can check it out here.
The nurse (which happens to be Pinay also, thank goodness) took a blood sample from my arm then made me drink the glucose solution. It tasted like orange soda, very sweet...made me want to throw up. She asked me to come back after two hours so she could take another blood sample again. Yup two pricks in one day...it wasn't really painful, I just don't like being poked with needles.
After that I went to see my OB, Baby J is doing really well. Her heartbeat is strong and she's as active as always. She's a little over one kilogram now. I'm concerned about baby J's size so I asked my OB if she's big for her age, thankfully her size is normal...not big. I don't have to watch my weight at the moment as my weight gain is normal.
I'm looking forward to my next prenatal checkup because I'm also scheduled for a 3D scan. I want to see baby J's face clearly.
Here's the latest ultrasound pic of baby J, I labelled it for better viewing...

That's our little one at almost 28 weeks. Another great pic, love the finger pointing up as she was sucking her thumb!

In scrapping news, I'm not part of Kimberly Geswain's CT. She creates sketches and fonts at oscraps.com and digiscrappin.biz go check out her stuff. Using a sketch is the easiest and fastest way to create layout,makes it more fun.

22 July 2006

Outie!



Credits:
Papers,Alpha,Index Card - Appleberry Pie Kit by Fee Jardine
Ribbon, Masking Tape - Sunshine and Lollipops Kit by Christy Lyle
Treasured Tag - Priceless Months Price Tags by Christy Lyle
Bulldog Clip, Hardware, Stitching - Little Black Dress Kit by Jan Crowley
Tag - Beautiful Me kit by Mindy Terasawa
Hatpin - A Day to Remember Kit by SDD Designers
Button - Baby Pinks Kit by Traci Sims
Actions: Chipboard and Torn Paper by Atomic Cupcake
Font: 1942

It took a lot of courage to post a pic of my belly here but this layout took me hours to design so I guess it deserves a post. Yup I'm an outie now, but hey no stretch marks yet so I'm not complaining :)

20 July 2006

A little bit of this...and that

I have been a busy bee lately. I'm cleaning/organizing our home for baby J's arrival. I tend to do a little each day so I won't get so tired afterwards. We will buy baby J's cot soon so I better make room for that. I still have lots to do, I hope I could finish on time. If you could look at the bottom of this blog (way way down) my ticker says I have about 90 days to go before baby J's arrival.

I'm 27 weeks pregnant now. I've been fortunate enough not to have swollen anything at the moment as well as back pains and leg cramps. One thing that's causing me real discomfort is my itching tummy. No signs of stretch marks yet but I can surely feel my skin stretching. Funny how when you tell people that you're having this tummy itch the only thing they will say is, "don't scratch it or you'll have stretch marks." Its easier said than done, I tell my husband until you could feel how I feel don't use that line on me! Honestly I try my best not to touch my tummy when its itching (like hell) but sometimes I'm weak. I also tell my husband that as long as baby J is okay I could handle this discomfort. Judging on the way she kicks and moves around I think she's doing well :) I like to look at my tummy when she's moving, I can see her moving from one side to another so sometimes my tummy looks a bit loop sided...lol. I swear its so cute. Ahh the simple joys of pregnancy, no itch or stretch marks can take that away from me...

16 July 2006

Christy Lyle's CT Call



Yup that's right, Christy Lyle's looking for talented scrappers out there to be part of her Creative Team. You can check out her designs at Sweet Shoppe Designs. She's not only a great designer but a nice gal as well. So what are you waiting for...APPLY NOW!

15 July 2006

Bits and Pieces

Thanks for the Mag Gina!!!! So love this, lots of great ideas for baby pages. I never saw this at bookshops I'm glad Gina got this for me :)Now I'm torn between doing a traditional (paper) or digital baby album for baby J. I love the look and feel of paper but I seem to be better in digital scrapbooking. I guess I should try taking some paper scrapbooking classes and see if I could improve :) Either way I'll be making an album for baby J. I'm so excited!

Here's some layouts I finished this week...

Credits:
Sunshine and Lollipops kit by Christy Lyle of sweet shoppe designs
Foam Alpha by Linda GB


Credits:
Orange background paper - Her Dayout Kit from Robin Carlton and Christy Lyle's Expecting Sweet Stuff Collection available at sweet shoppe designs
Floral background paper and Flowers- Sunshine and Lollipops kit by Christy Lyle
Checkered ribbon and Spiral clip- His Playtime Kit from Robin Carlton and Christy Lyle's Expecting Sweet Stuff Collection available at sweet shoppe designs
Denim Mini Book - by Christy Lyle of sweet shoppe designs
Price Tag - by Christy Lyle of sweet shoppe designs
screw- His Dayout Kit from Robin Carlton and Christy Lyle's Expecting Sweet Stuff Collection available at sweet shoppe designs

14 July 2006

Seven Years!

It's officially our anniversary! It's been seven years since my husband and I first met, yeah we still celebrate this day as if we're not yet married. Hope the day goes well...looking forward to our date :)

Here's the album cover of baby J's album...I'm so inspired right now, I hope to finish more layouts this weekend.



Credits:
ABC Baby Kit from Robin Carlton and Christy Lyle's Expecting Sweet Stuff Collection
Ribbon and Lace Trim - ABC Baby Kit from Robin Carlton and Christy Lyle's Expecting Sweet Stuff Collection
Rusty Label - Small Stuff Collection 1 by Ali Folendore
Stitching - Shabby Princess
Staples - Emma's Sundress by Michelle Coleman

13 July 2006

More baby layouts...

I have been busy designing baby J's ultrasound pics album and so far I've finished two more layouts. I had fun creating these pages! I will be using more or less the same papers and embellishment for this album with a little bit of this and that from other kits. I just love Robin Carlton and Christy Lyle's Expection Sweet Stuff Collection!

Credits:
ABC Baby Kit from Robin Carlton and Christy Lyle's Expecting Sweet Stuff Collection
Date tag - A Day to Remember Kit by Sweet Shoppe Designers
Tie - by Tie it Embellies by Jackie Eckles
Flowers - Hobo Flowers by Katie Pertiet
Staples - Emma's Sundress by Michelle Coleman
Masking Tape - Sunshine and Lollipops Kit by Christy Lyle available at SSD

12 July 2006

How are you?

I haven't been sleeping well lately. Baby J keeps me up at night. Nevermind that I have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night...but her kicks, not to subtle anymore. When she moves now sometimes it actually hurts a little. Nevertheless, I still enjoy feeling her move despite not having enough sleep.

This morning I was able to catch my tummy in action! I was able to videotape baby J being her usual self moving around my tummy. Now that I'm a little over 25 weeks I can literally see her move around my tummy. I was able to let hubby see it when he came home from lunch, it was so funny.

I love my husband! Seriously he's the best! He makes me breakfast for me every morning before he goes to work (I stay at home nowadays by the way). Its not a fancy breakfast, just cereals or a sandwich or oatmeal but I appreciate the gesture very much. You see he's not the most romantic person, he doesn't come up with elaborate surprises for me on our anniversary or anything like that but the little things he does more than make up for it. I can't wait to see what a great father he will become...

Oh its our anniversary this Friday...not our wedding anniversary but the day we first met. For us (or for me at least) its just as important as our wedding anniversary.

09 July 2006

No Layouts?

I haven't posted any of the layouts I designed the past week (baby stuff took over this blog...lol). I've been a busy scrapper, I just became one of Lauren Grier's punky girl and have been working on Robin Carlton and Christy Lyle's Expecting Sweet Stuff Collection .
Here's my current favorite layout...

Credits:
ABC Baby Kit from Robin Carlton and Christy Lyle's Expecting Sweet Stuff Collection
Date tag - A Day to Remember Kit by Sweet Shoppe Designers
Tie - by Tie it Embellies by Jackie Eckles
Flowers - Hobo Flowers by Katie Pertiet
Staples - Emma's Sundress by Michelle Coleman
Chipboard Alpha - Atomic Cupcake's Pristine Chipboard


I love this ultrasound pic of baby J so much I just have to scrap it. Now that I've started one, I think I'm gonna go ahead and scrap all her ultrasound pics.

Here's my layout using Lauren Grier's Vanessa Kit available at sweet shoppe designs

Credits:
Vanessa Kit by Lauren Grier of sweet shoppe designs
Lace by Kate Teague
Bookplate from Ali Folendore's Small Stuff Collection2


I have more layouts to show you but it will just flood this blog if I post it all in one go.Maybe next time...

07 July 2006

More baby stuff

This blog has been flooded with baby related stuff lately, please bear with this pregnant woman (I can't help it)...lol.
Its Friday night so hubby and I went out as usual. And when we saw Mothercare I knew we had to get in. The problem though is that I never go out of empty handed when we go there. Okay friends have been telling me not to buy too much baby clothes for two reasons: 1.) Babies grow up so fast 2.) People will give us these things when the baby arrives. I know it is true, but I can't help it. Those baby clothes are calling to me...lol. So I got myself (or baby J rather) four skirts with matching blouse. Its good that Mothercare is having a 30-50% discount right now (which means I might be tempted to go there again next week). Here's my loot...

Aren't they cute? I don't think the photo is very nice, I used my mobile phone camera to take this shot. I bought bigger sizes of clothes. Hubby picked the yellow blouse. Its so nice that he's interested in picking clothes for baby J too...usually when I shop for my clothes he pretty much just agrees with my choices, then again he always say that baby J will be Daddy's Girl :) I know hubby will be a hands-on father, though I don't think he's keen on changing nappies with poop...lol.

In other news, its my father's 46th birthday today...HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA!

04 July 2006

Retail Therapy

Its the last month of the Great Singapore Sale. Almost every store here are offering discounts or freebies. Being pregnant kinda sucks the fun out of shopping...for me that is. I enjoy shopping for baby J but walking inside a boutique which have clothes I can't wear is no fun. I'm done shopping for maternity clothes too...I think I have enough to last me throughout this pregnancy.
I'm very happy though with our latest purchase for baby J. We found a great buy at Takashimaya and bought it right away.

We'll be using Avent bottles for baby J so we got this Avent sterilizer too. The Avent bottle and food warmer and VIA gourmet set was a bonus. It would cost about $108 but we got it for $10 with the sterilizer and oh there's a pack of cotton wipes too. The other freebies we got from our purchase was Two feeding bottles (4oz and 9oz), 1 Via cup with lid(for milk/food storage) and adapter(for bottle feeding), Soother (for 0-3months), a Magic Cup and Sealing discs(for storage). I may not be able to shop for myself now but I still get a dose of retail therapy. I have to update my Baby Items List now...

02 July 2006

Is it really a girl?

"Yes it is." This is the answer we got from my OB during my last checkup. Yeah I had to ask her again...lol. Looks like we're really having a girl :) I've been too lazy to post here these past couple of days.Anyway I finally found the energy to blog.

I forgot to post Baby J's ultrasound pic last month so here it is. This is a half body pic (zoomed in a little). She was constantly moving (as always) but this gave a nice view of her head and hand.
Now here's her latest ultrasound pic. My OB always say that we have an active baby. It is really a joy watching her on that screen, constantly moving and bouncing around. I can always feel her but its different when I get to actually see her in action. At home I would always grab hubby's hand whenever I feel Baby J's moving, I want him to feel her too.

Now this is a great pic. I flipped the pic upside down for better viewing. My OB managed to take a shot of her face (left photo) and her opening her mouth (right photo). She's so cute. My husband says she seems to have my nose (I don't know if that's a good thing of not though...lol).
My next checkup is four weeks from now. This time I need to be tested for gestational diabetes. This means I have to come in the morning (my regular checkups are always in the evening so hubby could be there too), which means hubby won't be able to come with me. I hate it when they take blood from me (I've always hated being poked with needles). I would feel much better if he's around to hold my hand but I can't ask him to take time off from work (we're saving it for when the baby comes). Oh well...
When we got home from my checkup something weird happened... something leaked from my breasts. I didn't actually felt anything but noticed this round patch. I later found out from Aggie and from the internet that is was colostrum. I had about three leakage that night but didn't experience it again the next day. I didn't expect to see it this early but it wasn't uncommon for pregnant women. I hope this is a sign that I will have enough milk to breastfeed Baby J :)
Thanks to all the wonderful ladies who left me a message, here's my reply
Litzie: Thanks for the compliments on my LOs, touch naman ako :)
Nette: No leg cramping pero back pain meron, aside from that everything is okay naman
Jannah: Hello new mommy! I'm almost ready na for the baby...
Alynn: Thanks for dropping by! Everything is okay naman...
Kaye: Hi Kaye! You could learn digiscrapping too...its really addicting. Sure link me up lang, I'll link you up too :)
Lea and Mai: and OC brides nagiging OC moms din...lol
Alpha: Thanks for the tip ha, I'll keep that in mind. I'll stock up on blankets the next time I go shopping

Oh I forgot to mention on my list I also have the following baby items pala:
3 size 28x52 crib sets (matching bumper guard, comforter, fitted sheet, 2 bolster and 1 pillow)
1 dozen chino pino prefolded cloth diapers