35 Weeks

35 weeks down, five weeks to go. Although, I have a feeling that Grayson might be coming a little early—possibly coinciding with the full moon. The December full moon, called the Full Cold Moon, occurs on December 17th. This is exactly one week before my estimated due date. According to Farmer's Almanac: "The Full Cold Moon; or the Full Long Nights Moon is called such because during this month the winter cold fastens its grip, and nights are at their longest and darkest. It is also sometimes called the Moon before Yule."

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons @JrOlivera.com

According to popular belief and decades of folklore the lunar effect is real. However, there have been multiple studies done regarding the correlation of the moon and birth rates—none of which prove that there is any connection at all.

BUT...despite the lack of hard evidence, ask any labor & delivery nurse and they will tell you that the birth rate increases around a full moon. In fact when Patrick & I went to tour the hospital earlier this week, our tour guide, a labor and delivery nurse, told us that we could only look at one of the smaller birthing suites because all of the others were full due to the the full moon. So believe what you will, but if Grayson comes a week early I would not be surprised. 

While we are discussing the night sky, another really interesting thing happening right around Grayson’s birth is the arrival of Comet ISON. At least a million years ago, according to NASA, Comet ISON began its journey from the Oort cloud, a swath of icy objects that orbit far beyond Neptune.

Photo Credit: NASA, ESA, and the 
 Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)

ISON is set to pass closest to our sun on Thanksgiving Day. If it is able to survive this trip around our sun, we tiny earthlings will get to experience a rare view, as ISON will be visible to the naked eye all night long from late December to early January. ISON is predicted pass closest to the Earth on December 26th. If you're into astronomy like I am (and probably Grayson will be too, since his father is also a space-nerd), check out this cool calculator showing the distance of ISON from the sun, it's velocity, etc. So perhaps it is that fortuitous day on which Grayson will make his appearance and not a week earlier.  

But whatever day he arrives, I'm just so excited to meet him. Of course, as I've said before, I want him to stay put at least another 4 weeks. (Grow, baby, grow!) As you can see below, he certainly is. Measuring the over 18 inches long and tipping the scales at around 5 1/4 pounds  (the weight of a honeydew melon), Grayson is too big to somersault around in my tummy anymore. Luckily, as of our last appointment, he is head down so that's one less thing to worry about. Now he just needs to keep on growing!

31 Weeks

This week Grayson measures over 16 inches long – the length of a pineapple – and weighs about 3 1/3 pounds. He is heading into a growth spurt and moving around lot. By belly doesn't just bump now, it rolls. Some people, I won't name any names, say it looks straight out of when my tummy rolls around like that. Personally, I'm rather hypnotized by watching him move around. It comforts me to know that he is active and healthy. I think the growth spurt may have already started because I am SO tired. Like ready for bed right now at 8 pm tired.

Couple things before I head to bed. Had such a fun weekend. Went to the Rocky Creek Farm's pumpkin patch with Patrick, my good friend Stacey and her two little girls. Even though the pumpkin selection was rather sparse, we had a blast. Stacey's oldest daughter Dani wanted to try the Haunted Swamp (toned down during the day for little ones). It was mostly spooky decorations and spiderwebs, but at the end a teenager in a clown mask and chain saw popped out. I admit I was a little scared (REALLY don't like clowns). But Dani really didn't like him. The teenager saw that Dani was scared and stopped the chainsaw and pulled off his mask to show he was just a regular person. Stacey was holding her youngest, so Patrick picked up Dani and comforted her. It was so sweet to watch. Just reminded me of what a good dad he is going to be. So overall it was a fun trip. Plus I got some super sweet white pumpkins. Can't wait to carve them!

Then on Sunday, we went out to Stacey's in-law's farm in Belgrade and took maternity photos. I'm a super happy with how they came out! I'm going to wait until I get a few more edited to post the sneak peek but let's just say that the light was perfect and the Bridgers looked amazing, so we had a lot to work with.

29 Weeks & The Big Reveal

This week's post is a little late and a little long because of all the excitement going on around here. If you follow the blog, you know that last weekend was our baby shower/gender reveal party. And if that wasn't enough, my mom also flew in from Hawaii to surprise me for the shower. I was SO surprised. Here's a little video of me (in my pajamas) realizing that my mom, who had literally cried on the phone with me because she was so sad about not being able to attend the shower, was actually here in Montana.

It was such a good surprise and I had no idea. Patrick had apparently known for months, and my sister had been instrumental in planning the whole surprise. It was amazing to have my whole family together (my dad and sister drove up from Oregon as well).

Next up was the shower/big reveal. My sister Maleea was the main planner extraordinaire for the whole event. There were so many wonderful little creative touches that made the event really fun. For instance people had to pick a “side” when they arrived–either team boy or team girl.

Best sister/shower planner ever.

Then there was the food. So much good stuff.

I, of course, was too nervous to eat. I couldn’t wait to find out what the gender was but at the same time I was scared of how it would change my relationship with the little life growing inside me. It would no longer just be the little baby that kicks me, but my son or daughter. Kinda makes the whole thing more real.

So after some fun games...

The ol' ring over the belly trick.

It was finally time to open the surprise box! I think my sister was planning on waiting until later on in the party to have us open the box, but after the Old Wive’s Tales game, I just couldn’t wait anymore. I had to know!

Finally the reveal! Notice my mom's expression in the background.

 It’s a Boy!!

And we couldn’t be more thrilled. I was anxious about having a boy, seeing as I have more experience with caring for girls than boys but I am so excited about the adventure of a little boy. I was planning on keeping his name secret for the most part, but Patrick was so excited he told everyone at the shower. And everyone on Facebook. And Twitter. So I guess the “secret” is out. Introducing our little boy:

And now finally for the Bumpdate of the week. Our baby boy Grayson is 29 weeks old and weighs about as much as a butternut squash (around 2.5 pounds); he now measures just over 15 inches long from head to heel. Billions of neurons are developing in his growing brain, and his head is increasing in size to accommodate the expanding brain tissue.

And here’s a few more photos, including a very, very special guest star and a couple of happy parents-to-be celebrating the news of their baby boy. 

Whew, that was a long one. Until next week!

28 Weeks - Third Trimester!

Here we are – officially in the third trimester! Baby weighs 2.5 pounds (around the weight of an eggplant) and measures about 15 inches from head to toe. Pumpernickel has eyelashes now and blinks his or her eyes, though it's mostly reflexive at this point.

Only a few days left until lots of great things happen - my sister and dad are coming to town, baby shower on Sunday AND I get to find out what gender pumpernickel is! Yay!!

This week's guest stars - Patrick playing the role of dad and CJ playing the role of baby. Aren't they cute? 

27 Weeks

This week the little one weighs almost two pounds, or about the size of a head of iceburg lettuce. Pumpernickle is around 14.5 inches long and is regularly blinking his or her eyes. This week has been exciting so far. My amazing sister Maleea is planning our baby shower/gender reveal party and she finally got to find out what gender the baby is this week to help facilitate the planning. Our friend Amanda is starting a brilliant business sending baby shower in a box/gender reveal in a box to friends/family of the expecting parents (I'll put up a link to her website whenever it's ready). She sent my little sis a box full of items that revealed which gender the baby is. It was amazing (so I hear, I obviously don't know the details as I am waiting until the shower to find out) and my sister LOVED it. Yay! Only about two weeks until I get to finally know if Pumpernickle is a he or a she. Can't wait! But for now I'm content to just feel him or her rolling around in my tummy. 

26 Weeks

Pumpernickel now weighs about 1 2/3 pounds and measures 14 inches - about the length of a scallion. The little one's ears are much better developed now, and it can most likely hear us talk/sing/play guitar to it. I can't believe we are already to the 6 1/2 month mark! Everything seems to be going by so fast. Thinking back on the pregnancy so far, I am so thankful that I have had such a relatively easy time (knock on wood). I don't know if it's me, or the baby or some combination of the two, but whatever it is, we've got it going on! I hope that through the next couple of months, little one and I continue to smoothly grow together.

25 Weeks

Baby is now 13.5 inches long and weighs around 1.5 pounds, or roughly the weight of a cauliflower. Feeling very pregnant this week (didn't I say that last week too?). We have a checkup appointment with our midwife tomorrow - excited to hear the baby's heartbeat! It's so cool because I remember the first time we went to hear the heartbeat, it took what felt like FOREVER (in reality, probably only a minute or two) to find the little pumpernickel and finally hear its heart. Last month when we had the Doppler test to hear the heartbeat, it popped up right away. Guess that shows how much bigger and stronger the baby is now. 

Also SO excited because today, thanks to the wonderful generosity of my in-laws, Mama and Papa D, we have our crib and bassinet on order! They are beautiful and are going to look amazing in pumpernickel's nursery, which we've made a lot of progress on already. Walls (and ceiling and closet) have been painted (thanks to my amazing husband). The reupholstering of the glider/rocker is going well. Soon, when more things are put together, I will do a blog post reveal of the baby's room. It's going to knock your socks off!

In the meantime, here's me and pumpernickel this week (plus an extra special guest star who was having a little too much fun playing toss-the-cauliflower).

23 Weeks

This week baby weighs just over a pound and measures the length of a mango. Definitely feeling the belly this week. I've had some people say my bump looks bigger than how far along I am, and some people say I look small for being past the midway mark. My midwife attributes my possibly "showing" sooner due to scar tissue buildup from an emergency laparotomy (what surgeons do when they have no clue what is wrong with you) when I was 20. Either way I'm feeling healthy and happy and just amazed at how much this little guy/gal is kicking these days. Baby kicked so hard this afternoon I actually had to pause for a moment to catch my breath. It's really such a unique and truly amazing feeling. 

The best Mango we could find living in a landlocked state.

22 Weeks

Baby has officially hit the one pound mark and measures around the length of a spaghetti squash. Can't believe there are only 18 weeks left until we meet our little one. Seems like it's gone by so fast! Big progress this week - Patrick felt the baby move. Finally! It's not consistent yet, but soon enough the little one will be kicking him in his sleep (or so I've heard).

Baby at 21 weeks

Just a quick post tonight. We got to see our baby for the first time today. Patrick knows the gender. I do not. And we are very happy that way! Now how adorable is that profile! The tech said everything looks healthy as far as she could tell and that the little one is measuring within a day of its estimated due date (Christmas Eve). The whole time during the ultrasound it was moving its hands all around and kicking its little feet. Patrick almost didn't get to learn the gender because the little one wouldn't cooperate and kept turning around. It even stuck the umbilical cord between its legs. Such a little rebel already. Couldn't love it more.