June 21, 2011 - Week 29

Abbygale is around 3 pounds and her wrinkled skin is smoothing out as more fat is deposited under the skin surface.  At this stage she should start to be putting on quite a bit of weight each week.  We want a chunky, healthy cutie pie!

I am feeling pretty good.  I have started waking back up throughout the night (about every 2 hours) to run to the rest room so I’m not getting much sleep.  However, this is the ‘new’ sleep pattern for a LONG time so I am glad I am adjusting some now before Miss Abby arrives.  I could sure use an afternoon nap each day though!

We are getting excited since the beginning of September will be here before we know it!  There is still so much to do before we are ready but we have already done so much too!  It is amazing how your house gets transformed before a child’s arrival!

My feet still swell by the end of the day but just minor swelling.  Most of my shoes don’t really fit at the moment so I am wearing lots and lots of flip flops and open toe, summer shoes.  I have also outgrown numerous maternity clothes because my belly keeps getting bigger and bigger!  Thankfully I had an assortment of sizes and styles so I am getting to wear some that use to be a little big!  Bryan says I need a Santa Claus belt since my stomach is HUGE!!  He meant that sweet though!

It is already so hot and it is only JUNE!  The heat is already kicking my butt!  I walk outside and it feels like a sauna with temperatures hitting over 100 degrees.  It’s crazy!  My hormones are also outrageous at the moment because Bryan can be cool or cold and I am just so hot I feel miserable (and this is inside with the A/C going full force)!  I can only imagine how July and August are going to treat me!  All I dream about these days is soaking my big fat body in a nice cold swimming pool!  I’m in LOVE with swimming pools and the thought of being cool!

I had my 7 month checkup one week late on Wednesday, June 22^nd.  This visit was just with the nurse practitioner, Mariann Nielsen.  Everything was good – my blood pressure was normal and my stomach growth was on target.  Abbygale’s heartbeat was 147 which was a good, fast beat!  I have gained weight; I mean gained LOTS of weight (approximately 25 pounds to date – OUCH)!  For my heartburn they said to try and not eat after 6 pm and sleep in a somewhat upward position.  Before bed to coat my stomach and hopefully help with the heartburn I can snack on yogurt, cheese, or milk (basically a milk base product).  My appointments changed to every two weeks now so that is just another milestone telling us we are getting closer and closer to Miss Abby’s arrival!  This is excited and scary all in one!!

Here are Week 29 photos:

Week 29 Head Shot

 29 Weeks Pregnant

 Belly at 29 Weeks

 Over 7 Months Pregnant

 11 Weeks To Go!

 Belly at 29 Weeks

 29 Weeks Stomach

 Abbygale Kate

 Miss Princess Abby!

June 14, 2011 - Week 28

We are now entering the third trimester!  This is just beyond crazy to me – the whole pregnancy has gone so fast!!  Abbygale should weigh approximately 2.25 – 2.50 pounds and is about the size of a cabbage.  Its likely Abby has developed a more regular sleep schedule in 20 to 30 minute intervals.  Miss Abby sure is growing fast!  
 

My back pain is GONE – YES, GONE!!  I am praying that the pain doesn’t come back for a while!  I can walk much better these days even though I still have a waddle (which I am sure is getting worse day by day).  Back pain is gone for the moment BUT HEARTBURN and INDIGESTION is in full force and painful!  Overall, I am really feeling great this week.  I feel pretty refreshed!  Is this because I was on vacation all week so I just took it easy at the beach and relaxed, relaxed, relaxed?!?  I needed a little laid-back trip to do nothing but catch up on sleep and listen to the waves!  So peaceful!

There haven’t been really any changes this week from the prior week.  I am feeling Abby move throughout the day which is awesome!  I am always looking forward to feeling her move because then I know she is okay…I love that feeling!

7 months down…WOW!  Here are Week 28 pictures!

Daddy Fishing, June 2011

Daddy Trying to Catch A Fish for Miss Abby

Week 28 HeadShot

7 Months Pregnant

Belly Shot at 7 Months

Abbygale Kate

Our Princess, Abby

Big Belly at 28 Weeks

I feel HUGE at 7 Months!

Love My Angel!

Love, Love, Love!!

Miss Abby Helford

Daddy and Mommy - June 20, 2011

Daddy and Mommy at 7 Months Pregnant!

June 7, 2011 - Week 27

91 more days until my official due date!  I have experienced mild swelling of the feet and hands and lower back pains.  My back is really the main issue now as some times the pain is fairly great.  I have started to get tired again so I am trying to take it easy for the most part.  
 

I got a call from the doctor’s office and I PASSED my glucose tolerance test – YIPPIE!  I don’t have to worry about pregnancy diabetes anymore, which is great! However, they did say my blood work showed I was anemic so I am having to take iron supplement pills.  Hopefully, these will help since I was only borderline anemic.

Not a lot of changes from last week really, just the same normal pregnancy symptoms of aches and pains and heartburn.  I am growing by the minute it feels like; my body can feel the extra weight that is for sure!  I was told I have started to 'waddle' already - great!  I think my waddling is really due to my back hurting at this point!

I have started to outgrow some of my maternity clothes too (the smaller sizes).  You can only imagine how this makes me feel but I know Abbygale is growing and getting healthier by the day so I am not too worried about my weight gain.  I will begin to worry after Miss Abby makes her grand entrance into the world!!

Almost to 7 months - time passes so quickly!  Here are Week 27 pictures!

You Should Know By Now - Gotta Start With The Head Shot!!

 Week 27 Profile

 Baby Bump at Week 27

 June 7, 2011 at Week 27

 My Big Belly!

 Abby at Week 27

May 31, 2011 - Week 26

Bryan and I believe we have an official name for our baby girl: 

Abbygale (Abby) Kate Helford

We wanted her nickname “Abby” in her name so we went with a non-traditional Abbygale spelling.  We both LOVE it even though it is a little long!!

Abby is about the size of a cucumber and should weigh around 1.75 to 2 pounds.  Since I have gotten so big I am sure she is weighing in a little more than the average but that is just my guess J  Abby’s eyes should be open now so she can look around even though I am sure her view of my uterus isn’t all that exciting!

I absolutely cannot believe I am two-thirds of the way through the pregnancy.  This is scary and exciting all at once.  We are pretty organized but still have so much essential stuff to get it makes me a little stressed thinking about it!  The countdown is on for sure and before we know it Abby will be here!

I went in for the glucose tolerance test on June 2nd.  I drank the orange flavored sugar drink and then sat at the lab for an hour before my blood could be drawn.  The drink wasn’t as bad as most people said but I had it really, really cold and drank it really fast.  All that sugar does make your stomach hurt a bit so afterwards I drank LOTS of water to try and dilute it.  The only problem was: I couldn’t get anything done because I had to run to the restroom every few minutes.  I will get the results back in a couple of weeks so my fingers are crossed I passed it so I won’t have to take the 3 hour glucose test or worry about having diabetes when pregnant!

Heartburn…I’m not even going to mention this in great detail.  Some days are better than others but I still feel like someone filled me up with air!

My lower back has been hurting really bad the past couple of days.  Bryan is an absolute life saver: he gives me back massages to help reduce the pain.  When my feet are killing me he even gives me awesome foot rubs.  He has been such a sweet heart and is so caring.  I sometimes get annoyed that someone is watching me constantly and telling me to sit down and relax or go to bed early or don’t do that.  However, I do really appreciate it and probably need to start showing him I am thankful.  I couldn’t get through some of my aches and pains without him and love how much he cares about me (and Abby).  Bryan is the love of my life and I love him so very much!  Abby – your daddy is one awesome guy!!

Let's start with pictures of Abby's brother and sister (the spoiled-rotten Beagles):

Miss Matty

 Matty is so happy she gets to go  'bye-bye' with us.  She says this better continue after Abbygale comes along too!

 Mr. George

 Relaxing on the car ride!  He is such a precious puppy!

 Here are the Week 26 pictures of Abby and Me!

Head Shot: June 5, 2011

 Week 26

 6 1/2 Months Pregnant

 Baby Bump, Week 26

 Miss Abbygale Kate

 Miss Abby is Growing at 26 Weeks

I've noticed that there is not one picture so far of Daddy!  That has got to change even though your daddy does NOT like to take photos (just a little bit of information: he says he doesn't know how to smile).  So lets start the change now and here is the first blog picture of daddy!!

Daddy on June 5, 2011

The nursery decorations are complete!  I think it turned out really cute and is overall just such a happy room.  It is busy because I got a little carried away but I personally think it turned out just so adorable!  However, the pictures do not do the room justice at all - it is so much cuter in person than in the pictures!

The L in "Abbygale" is missing because Mom and Rikki had to pick it up in Dallas for me since I couldn't find one in Austin.  It will be added soon to complete her name!