Mommy and Me!

How time flies when you become a Mommy!!  I can't believe Brooke is almost 5 1/2 months old.
We have been staying really busy with Daddy traveling for work.  We started our class at Gymboree 3 weeks ago. Brooke has really enjoyed that.  She loves looking at all the other babies!
She has also been sitting up all by herself!  Such a big girl!  Just a few days ago, she discovered that if she is leaning back against something that she can pull herself into a sitting position.  She will do it once, be super proud of herself and then keep doing it over and over!  We are still working on rolling over since she doesn't seem to want to go all the way over.  She will roll to her side (and has been since 2 1/2 months), but no further, even with coersion!

We had a nice visit with Grandma Judi this past weekend.  We went to the Cummer Art Gallery and Brooke was very well behaved.  Her great-grandmother, Ganmommy, would have been so proud!

This weekend we are looking forward to Daddy coming home and a busy weekend of birthday parties!

Happy 4 Month Birthday to me!!

I am a talking machine!!

Brooke weeks 8-14

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Brooke weeks 8-14

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Brooke 2 Month Checkup

Brooke had her first round of vaccines at her two month checkup.  She screamed.  I cried.  No surprise there!!  She had a great checkup.  She is on the petite side:

Weight: 9 pounds 9 ounces - 10th percentile
Height: 21 3/4 inches - 20th percentile

She is sleeping in her crib at night now, waking up about twice a night to eat.  Mommy and Daddy are getting a lot more sleep lately!  We are working on naps.  She still isn't much of a napper unless we are driving in the car.

Brooke is smiling and grinning from ear to ear since about 5-6 weeks.  Mornings are the best time to "catch" her smiles because she is so happy, but the older she gets the more she is sharing them throughout the day!  It makes our jobs as parents so much more rewarding!

I have to say she is pretty perfect to her parents!

Brooke weeks 3-6

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Brooke Week 2

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2 Week Check up

We had our two week check up this morning with Dr. Black.  She said I am looking great and am a growing little girl!  I had to get my first shot today and I cried, so did Mommy, but once we snuggled, everything was all better!!  Our next appointment is in two weeks!

Birth weight: 6lbs 4oz
2 week weight: 7lbs 1.5oz
15th percentile

Birth length: 18.75 inches
2 week length: 20 inches
36th percentile

Head: 14 inches
59th percentile!

It was Daddy's birthday yesterday and we went out to breakfast and on some errands.  I did so great!  The rest of the day, I just hung out with Daddy at home.  Happy Birthday, Daddy!!

Brooke Week 1

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Brooke is HERE!!

Check out who won the baby pool!
www.bebepool.com/brookewerner

Doesn't seem fair, does it?  :-P

Will post pictures soon!!

39-40 Weeks

Think this will be my last post???  We sure hope so!  
We had our 39 weeks and 5 day check up yesterday and Brooke seems to be preparing herself.  I am 60-70% efface and a 1/2 centimeter dilated.  Our next appointment is a week from today and if we make it that far then we will have an ultrasound, non-stress test and a doctors appointment (all standard procedure post-term).  At that time, they will also schedule an induction date early the following week (probably).
The good news is the past two evenings, I have had regular braxton hicks contractions that have felt stronger than they have before and last night was stronger than the night before.  HOWEVER, they go away when I lay down.  BOOOOOO.  Hoping this is a slow lead up to the real thing!  If it is any indication how labor will start, looks like it will be in the middle of the night!
Adam is trying to get any last minute work done and I am trying to keep the house fairly straight so when it is time, we are ready!  Everything is packed and sitting in Brooke's room, just waiting for the green light.

Mood: I am anxious and starting to be impatient.  After last nights "contractions" it made me a little nervous knowing this is going to happen anytime, whether we are ready or not!  I am trying to keep myself busy.

Energy: Probably the same as last week.  I have been trying to stay very busy, but some days I need more sleep than others.  I am up almost every hour at night and some nights can't get back to sleep, so after a few of those in a row, I usually take a nap during the day.

Cravings: I'm just not in the mood to watch what I eat anymore.  Just give me the sweets!!!!  HAHA!  (I get full much faster though!) 

Nausea: Last night when I was having the strong braxton hicks, I felt nauseous.  Not sure if it was just last night or if this will happen regularly. 

Total Weight Gain: 31 pounds 

BEW update (per Babycenter):
39 Weeks:
Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

40 Weeks:
It's hard to say for sure how big your baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long. His skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason your baby's noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary.

38 Weeks

I'm a little late posting this week, because technically tomorrow I will be 39 weeks!  YIKES!!  We are going to have a baby girl before we know it!  I am so excited and yet starting to get nervous again.  We had our check up with Dr. Adams yesterday and she said that Miss Brooke has definitely dropped very low and my body is preparing itself!  (No dilation yet, but all other signs are good!)  Dad told me that Mom had contractions before her water broke, so I'm hoping she passes that on to me, so there are no "surprises" and we can slowly prepare to leave for the hospital. (AKA, we can shower, etc.)
Brooke's heartrate is at 160, so still in the normal range and she is still moving like crazy!  Giving me some good kicks and punches.  I also had my whooping cough shot yesterday, which the doctors recommend now, so I can pass immunities onto her before she is born.  There have been so many outbreaks of this lately, why take the chance!

Not that the Werner Family doesn't have enough excitement coming in the months ahead, but Adam also received amazing news at work.  AGAIN!!!  He was asked to be a part of the team that will open a new PHH office in Buffalo, NY.  NO, WE ARE NOT MOVING!!!  Adam, will be in Buffalo temporarily from April until possibly December, but no longer than that. It is an amazing career opportunity for him and huge resume booster.  I couldn't be more proud of Adam both for being such an amazing husband and not-too-distant future Daddy!

Mood: Adam is very ready.  He has been ready for weeks.  I think I am ready now, but after my appointment yesterday, knowing that she is really getting ready and could come anyday now; I am definitely more nervous!

Energy: Adam says I am getting my burst of energy and doing some major nesting right now.  We have non-stop things to do to feel like the house is clean and ready for her!
Cravings: Well, I feel like the same as normal, but considering I have gained 7 pounds in 3 weeks, I guess I am eating more?  Or she has had a huge growth spurt!! 

Nausea: None

Total Weight Gain: 31 pounds

BEW update (per Babycenter):
Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

Baby Brooke Guessing Game!

http://bebepool.com/BrookeWerner

Yes, the time has come! Only 11 days to go, so we thought we would have a little fun over the next week to week and a half and have a Baby Pool to see when everyone thinks Miss Brooke Elizabeth Werner will arrive. Click on the link and enter your thoughts. We can't wait to see what everyone thinks!

Love,
Adam and Charlotte (aka DADDY AND MOMMY!!!!)

HINT: Her due date is October 19. :-)

37 Weeks = FULL TERM!!

Three (ish) weeks to go!!  Brooke is welcome to come anytime she likes at this point, although I have a feeling she will be late like her Mommy and Daddy!
Doctors appointment last week was informative.  We had the Group B Strep test and also checked if I am dilating yet and I am not.  I would have been very surprised if I was.  Her heart rate is still at a strong 140 and she is a growing little girl!  My iron is also still a little below the level they want in spite of my prescription, so I am *Attempting* to eat more broccoli.  I guess more than I was eating, at least!  Next appointment is tomorrow with Dr. Bing.

Daddy had a nice weekend of rest because he has been working so much, so I know he is ready for her to come too so that he can have a couple of weeks off!

We had our maternity pictures taken on Sunday by a very talented photographer named Megan Bond.  Didn't she do an AMAZING job?!?!?!?  She is still working on some of the editing, so I can't wait to order some prints once she is done.  We took them in her backyard and also at the front of our neighborhood.  Adam was such a good sport, because Megan and I both had a bunch of neat ideas from Pinterest that he had to try with us!  :-)

Mood: Getting excited!  At this point I am more excited than nervous, so I hope to stay that way!

Energy: Same as last week.  I am sleeping really well when I do sleep, so that is very helpful. It gives me the energy to get things done around the house after work.  I do nap every now and then, but probably only once a week or less.  Although, I hear from some mom's that I should "practice napping" so I have an easier time sleeping when she sleeps?  I was born a BOND; therefore, don't think I need the practice!  LOL

Cravings: No cravings other than the usual, but I feel like I am eating more, so I need to slow it down!

Nausea: None

Total Weight Gain: 28 pounds (ugh, almost to my max of 30, guess I will be going over that.  Poo!)

BEW update (per Babycenter):

Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. (Some babies need a bit more time, though. So if you're planning to have a repeat c-section, for example, your practitioner will schedule it for no earlier than 39 weeks unless there's a medical reason to intervene earlier.)

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

Maternity Pictures

Our photographer is VERY talented!!

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Baby Shower Pictures

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36 Weeks

Four weeks until our beautiful baby girl is here!  It is hard to believe (still!) that a person, A BABY, is growing in my belly and that if she was born right now, would look like a person.  God is AMAZING!

We finished our birthing and breast feeding classes and Adam and I both agree that they helped us with the reality of what will happen.  We know nothing can fully prepare you for labor, delivery and a new baby, but we at least have a better idea of what to expect and how to prepare.
This past weekend we cleaned out my car and installed the car seat.  My goal this weekend is to get all of our bags packed just in case anything unexpected arises!

Mood: Doing good!  Dr's appt today and Caleb and Seth birthday party this weekend.  Very excited!
Energy: Sleep has been better this week.  I think I may have found the most comfortable position with all the pillows.  I am still waking up every 1.5-2 hours to go to the bathroom, but my comfort level has definitely improved! 
Cravings: To have a healthy baby girl! heehee!  I have been hungry more often, because I can't eat as much in one sitting without being uncomfortable.
Nausea: None
Total Weight Gain: 26 pounds
BEW this week (per BabyCenter):

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

35 Weeks

Oh MY Goodness, look at that belly!!!!  I really think she has had a huge growth spurt this week!  Brooke is getting really good at laying on my bladder and jabbing me in the sides, but I love to feel all her movements!

My doctors appointment was rescheduled because two of the doctors were called out for an emergency, so I won't have any updates on that end until next week (and by then I will be almost full term!!!).

This weekend, we plan to get my car cleaned out and the car seat installed along with packing of our hospital bags.  Besides that, we are just going to relax, hang out and watch some football with friends since we won't get to do much of that for a while!

The second birthing class was really good!  It went into more detail about pain medication, the different stages of labor, pushing and breathing.  I think Adam and I both learned a lot.  Tonight is our breastfeeding class and I'm hoping to get a lot out of it, also.

Mood: Starting the feeling of: ok, I think I could handle going into labor soon.  I'm getting so big and uncomfortable, the "joys" of being pregnant are beginning to not be as appreciated as they have been!
Energy: It's ok.  I'm out of breath easy and sleeping is becoming quite a challege.  I'm having a lot of hip pain at night, so I have been trying a million different ways to get comfortable in the bed.  Luckily, while I am actually asleep, I am sleeping well.  
Cravings: Still, nothing unusual!
Nausea: Haven't had any heartburn this week, so maybe it was just a few days and then went away?  Cross my fingers!
Total Weight Gain: 24 pounds
BEW this week (per BabyCenter):
Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

34 Weeks

We had our 34 week checkup today and Miss Brooke is right on track. I am measuring where I should be and her heartbeat is in the 140's still. No contractions yet, and we are totally okay with that! Dr. Adams asked me if I had any or not and thank goodness, no! We start weekly doctor visits now, so my next appt is Thursday. Still can't believe it!

Adam is in Orlando this weekend with his Dad getting my car all fixed up before she arrives. I wish he wasn't gone again, but we are so thankful for Bob to help with my car and save us literally thousands of dollars, since we can really use that when Brooke gets here and I am not working!

We started our childbirth classes this week. So far it is just a review of what I already know, but I think Adam learned a little bit! Next class is Monday.

Mood: Our birthing classes are making me anxious because it is a reality check of what is coming VERY SOON!
Energy: The smallest things make me out of breath.  Not sleeping well isn't helping either!
Cravings: I'm running out of room in my stomach, so food isn't quite as exciting now-a-days.  :-)
Nausea: Figured out that I am having heartburn.  I've never had it before, so I didn't even know what it was! HAHA!
Total Weight Gain: 23 pounds
BEW this week (per BabyCenter):
Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

32-33 Weeks

Miss Brooke is getting soooo big!  She is starting to give me jabs in the side and ribs and have lots of hiccups.

Good news!  I passed my glucose test!  YAY!!  I had a feeling that huge meal at Carrabba's 12 hours before my first test probably had something to do with it (thank goodness!).

We also had our 32 week ultrasound and got to see Brooke with some fat on her.  The coolest thing we saw was her opening and closing her eyes and mouth.  We could also see her foot right before she kicked me, and then she did.  I guess she was just saying hi to Mommy and Daddy!
She is head down already, weighs about 4 lbs 2 oz and is in the 41st percentile for size.  The doctors expect her to be about 7 lbs when she is born.  She also has what appears to be lots of hair!
Here is one of the ultrasound pictures.  It is a little blurry, but you should be able to make out the left side of her face with her eye partly open. Looks like she has chubby cheeks like her Mommy!

Mood: Getting nervous and excited at the same time.  Still have a few things to get done before she demands her entrance!

Energy: Sleeping is not so fun anymore.  Waking up every two hours to either go to the bathroom or flip sides because I am uncomfortable.

Cravings: Sweets!

Nausea: I am noticing that if I eat just a LITTLE too much, it feels like it is hard to keep down, but I haven't felt nauseous or gotten sick.

Total Weight Gain: 21 pounds

BEW this week (per BabyCenter):

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.