Tag / pregnancy

by Meagan

The last 7 weeks…

Android bumpie! April 10, 2015.

Android bumpie! April 10, 2015.

The last 7 weeks have been a whirwind! I can’t believe I’ve fallen so far behind on updating this blog. But then again, during the last 7 weeks, I’ve taken two trips to the west coast, had two baby showers, moved offices, celebrated my birthday, hunted for an apartment, found an apartment, packed an apartment (well, almost packed an apartment), and plowed head first into the third trimester. Needless to say, it’s been just a tad busy 🙂

I had all these grandiose ideas of posting individual recaps for each event, but alas, you’ll have to settle for one big summary while I catch my breath! Here are a few photos of the various trips, celebrations and events:

Family came from near and far to celebrate our little one.

Family came from near and far to celebrate our little one. April, 2015.

My mom threw us a beautiful shower at her home in Laguna Beach, and my Aunt Monica, Uncle Will, Aunt Charlotte, brother Mark and his fiancé Stephanie, all flew in from Washington to be there. Together we celebrated with about 40 of our closest friends and family from LA and Orange County. It was a heartwarming reminder of how lucky we are to have such incredible, loving and generous people in our lives.

Some snapshots from our Laguna Beach shower. April 2015.

Some snapshots from our Laguna Beach shower. April 2015.

Two weeks later, my good friend Mee threw us another shower at her place in Gramercy Park. It was a beautiful, sunny day filled with delicious food and great friends. My mom even made the trip out from California to spend the weekend with us.

A few of our closest friends at our NY baby shower. April 2015.

A few of our closest friends at our NY baby shower. April 2015.

Amidst all the wonderful festivities, we had a few frustrating medical challenges and an exhausting apartment search to cope with. Thankfully we made it through both and are set to move into our new place at the end of the month. While we didn’t get exactly what we were hoping for in an apartment (who does in Manhattan?!), we will be staying in our building which makes many aspects of the move easier. Unfortunately for Jimmy, it means he’s in charge of moving the heavy stuff since we wont be hiring movers.

This weekend we have one more trip out west to Santa Barbara to celebrate my cousin Monica’s wedding. I’m so thrilled and honored to be a part of this special day, and can’t wait to see her walk down the aisle. Monica has been like a sister to me and I’m amazed every day at what a beautiful person she is – both inside and out. I also happen to adore her fiancé Justin. It’s a match made in heaven ❤

So with that, I leave you with a little pregnancy update. Our baby girl is growing every day and boy is she a mover! I can feel her most at night, tickling and jiggling inside my belly. She’s currently in transverse position, so send us good vibes so she’ll move into head down position soon. I really want to avoid having a c-section.

I passed my second (not so fun) glucose tolerance test a few weeks ago, but I’ve been following a fairly strict low carb, low sugar diet and living off of protein smoothies (thank you for the Blendtec Mom!). I’m still feeling pretty good over all, but have been having some shortness of breath and a rapid heart rate the last few days. We went to the hospital on Friday to make sure it wasn’t something more serious, and checked out fine, though the feeling is back today. I’m hoping it’s just because she’s sitting a bit high and that it will ease up in the coming days as she drops lower.

30 weeks and 3 days. Just under 10 weeks to go!

30 weeks and 3 days. Just under 10 weeks to go! (Please excuse the moving boxes!)

Sending all of you lots of love and hugs for a happy and healthy spring.

by Meagan

23 weeks.

Spring has sprung, but you’d never know it in New York. We received another couple inches of snow yesterday, and I’m still piling on my winter gear. I joke with Jimmy that the weather better warm up soon or I’m moving to CA. I absolutely refuse to buy another coat, and mine are getting mighty tight. Below is a photo of Jackson Square during this morning’s walk to yoga. As much as I complain about the cold, it really was quite beautiful. The photo on the right Jimmy snapped on our way to Trader Joe’s this afternoon (my coat still zips – just barely!).

23weeks_duo

On Thursday I had a second anatomy scan. This time at my new hospital and they had the fancy 4D video equipment. It was really incredible to see our little girl move about in such great detail. She is definitely a squirmy little one. My favorite pic is of her pointing her index finger. Her knuckles are just so tiny and precious.

3D image from our 4D scan on Thursday.

3D image from our 4D scan on Thursday.

Here are a few more from the visit:

22weeks_4dscan_sidebyside

Sending lots of love for the week ahead.
Meagan & Jimmy

by Meagan

22 weeks.

I know I haven’t been the greatest about updating the blog, but it’s been for good reason. I’m two weeks into my new job and keeping plenty busy with the new schedule. I’m loving the company and my team, and it feels great to be back in the swing of things, contributing to something bigger than my latest knitting project ;-). The hardest part so far has been the general tiredness (especially in the afternoon), and the feeling that I’m operating with about 1/3 of my usual brain power. But alas, millions of women work while pregnant so I can’t complain.

22 weeks and counting!

22 weeks and counting!

This isn’t the greatest bumpie photo but I can tell our little one is getting bigger every day. Her movements have become more fluid and graceful. I like to refer to her as my little lava lamp, as that’s what it feels like when she shifts from one side of the womb to the other. I’ve also noticed she gets the hiccups at least a few times a day. Jimmy had the pleasure of seeing them in action last night during our date night marathon of House of Cards.

Later this week I have another detailed anatomy scan. I’ve switched Dr’s so that I can deliver at NYU Langone – a Baby Friendly hospital in Manhattan. I’m feeling great about the decision to switch from Mount Sinai (not a Baby Friendly hospital) and really like my new Ob/Gyn. She has one of the lowest C-Section rates in the city and is a stickler for weight gain (she recommends 20-25 pounds at most). While I know this will be tough to achieve (especially during Girl Scout cookie season), I’m trying my hardest to stay within the range. Thankfully we’re finally seeing signs of spring in the city, so walking to and from work and yoga should help burn a few extra calories!

That’s all from me for now. Hope you are all enjoying the weekend!
Xo, Meagan

by Meagan

Midpoints & New Beginnings.

It’s hard to believe, but I’m officially at the midpoint of pregnancy: 20 weeks. I keep hearing that time slows down as you near your due date, but with spring on the horizon, and so many big things coming the next few months, I feel like it will just fly by.

I’m still feeling great, holding steady with around 12 pounds gained, and I have continued my yoga practice with 3 prenatal classes each week. I really can’t recommend prenatal yoga enough. It’s been wonderful getting to know a diverse group of other pregnant women, and learning new poses and chants to help with laboring.

My energy will be put to the test this week when I begin my new job on Monday. I’m excited to be joining an ed/tech company called Teachers Pay Teachers as the Vice President of Communications. TpT is a marketplace for educators to buy and sell learning materials and has around 3.5 million active users (mostly K-12 public school teachers). Education is something that affects every person on the planet, and I can’t wait to get started and help share the stories of those shaping future generations. That said, it has been a few months since I’ve had to go to an office every day, so it will certainly be an adjustment 😉

20 week bumpie!

20 week bumpie!

Wishing you all a lovely weekend and first week of March!

Meagan

by Meagan

Gender Reveal: It’s a…

It's a girl!

…Girl!

We’re over the moon the share that our little one is a GIRL!! We would have been thrilled either way, but I must admit I’m absolutely tickled pink that it’s a girl. The thought of seeing Jimmy with his little princess just melts my heart, and I can’t wait to dress her in all things delicate and pretty.

My best friend Emily came with me to the ultrasound and despite requests from the technician not to scream, we squealed with delight at the reveal. Jimmy was still in Amsterdam so we live updated him via text as it happened. While I was sad not to have him there, it was wonderful to share this with my best friend. It was a day I will never forget.

Below are a few of the ultrasound scans from the visit. I just love the one of her little foot. So precious.

Our baby girl. GA: 19 weeks.

Our baby girl. GA: 19 weeks.

BabyMJ_18weeks-FOOTedit

Her tiny little foot.

BabyMJ_18weeks-GIRLedit

I confess, I have no idea what they’re pointing at here but I’ll take their word for it. It’s a girl!

by Meagan

19 weeks.

Another week, another bumpie! Here I am at 19 weeks. According to my latest ultrasound, our little one is weighing in around 9oz. I’m keeping active with prenatal yoga and walking as much as possible (which isn’t easy in sub-zero temps!). So far I’ve gained about 11 pounds – plenty for this stage in pregnancy.

19weeks_sidebyside

19 weeks!

Jimmy returns from Amsterdam tonight. I’m very excited to have him home to cook with, walk with, and of course, take bumpies now that I’m actually showing 🙂

Hope you are all staying warm and have a wonderful weekend.
Sending lots of love,
Meagan

by Meagan

Mid-Week Bumpie.

With just a few days to go until we’re 17 weeks, I thought I’d share a quick impromptu bumpie. Still not recognizably pregnant with all my layers on but the baby is definitely growing!

16.5 Weeks.

16.5 Weeks.

With all the reading about pregnancy I’ve been doing, I’m feeling incredibly lucky to be feeling as well as I do. My energy is good, I feel healthy and mobile, and looking forward to the weeks ahead.

In case you missed it, the New Republic published this fantastic piece yesterday on the state of pregnancy leave in America. Did you know companies aren’t required to pay for a single day of leave after a woman gives birth? I was shocked to read this. In Holland women receive 16 weeks paid leave, so let’s do something to make that a reality in our country. It’s time we take care of working women. (If I do say so myself 🙂 )

by Meagan

16 weeks.

16 weeks!

16 weeks!

To celebrate our four months of pregnancy, Jimmy and I decided to have a little fun with a comparison bumpie. What do you think? I may be showing just a tad more than he is (wink, wink).

In case you want a closer look at my actual bump, here’s another:

IMG_0019_2

I’ve felt the baby move a couple of times this week, but no such luck getting Jimmy to feel it. Maybe this week…

Hope you’re all enjoying the weekend. We’re having a grand old time walking around Amsterdam. (Still keeping up the 10k steps per day!) Tonight we’re taking in a comedy show in the Jordaan. Fingers crossed we get picked on 🙂

Lots of love,
Meagan

Tip for expecting moms: Jbrand maternity jeans are the best!

by Meagan

14 weeks.

When I sent out an email to a group of close friends last week with a link to this blog, the one consistent response I received was “More Bumpies!” So here I am at 14 weeks:

14 weeks!

14 weeks!

And here’s a photo I snapped of Jimmy as I requested “more bumpies.” He’s been such a good sport about taking photo after photo until I’m happy with my hair, my bum and my bump! 🙂

Jimmy.

Jimmy, my love.

For some reason the bump feels smaller this week, but more solid. Last night I’m pretty certain I witnessed some movement just below my belly button. It looked like a little water ballon, shifting weight from one side to the other. Perhaps it was just fluid moving around, or some chemicals bubbling up, but it gave me a rush none-the-less.

This week was fairly uneventful with symptoms. I do feel like I’m getting some of my energy back, but I’m still waking up 2-3 times each night to pee (boy, I can’t wait until that part is over). Everyone says this trimester is the best, so I’m looking forward to taking a more visible belly out for long strolls around Amsterdam’s hundreds of cobblestone streets.

Lots of love to all of you.
Meagan

by Meagan

13 weeks (and so begins the second trimester).

IMG_4139

One of the inspirational signs we came across yesterday. “Catch a dream and nurture it.”

I can’t believe it: The second trimester is here (or almost here, depending on who you ask). While I didn’t experience many of the first trimester woes, I am looking forward to gaining some of my energy back. Taking a nap a day has really cut into my daylight hours 🙂

I decided to take a break from the bumpie this week and instead share an update about our time in Amsterdam. Jimmy and I are 10 days into our 2-month adventure and have truly made this place our home. We spend our free time walking around the city, exploring the side streets, picking up fresh produce at the market, stopping into cafes, and cozying up to our fireplace in the evenings.

Being in a place so modern, yet rich in history has been really wonderful. Yesterday we visited a medieval village in the heart of Amsterdam called Begijnhof. This private courtyard, hidden behind secret entrances, was founded around 1150 as a religious home for women. It is still in use today and provides a serene and peaceful escape from the bustling city.

A row of perfectly manicured houses in Begijnhof.

A row of perfectly manicured houses in Begijnhof.

During the week, Jimmy’s consulting work keeps him busy, giving me time to explore galleries and museums, take knitting classes, and practice yoga. I found the most amazing yoga studio near the Rijksmuseum called Delight Yoga, and can’t wait to sign up for more sessions. The studio is flooded with light, 14-foot ceilings, ornate 17th-century molding, and elegant crystal chandeliers. (I may do a separate post just on this if I get a chance to snap a few photos during my next class.)

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