40 PLUS weeks: And yes, still pregnant

We're still here, still pregnant, and still doing "great". I have to be talked into the fact that I'm still doing great on a daily basis. A few more tears have been shed, a few more moans and groans have been heard, and a few more disappointing contractions have turned into nothing. To be 40-plus weeks and still pregnant...I knew there was a possibility but it's harder to deal with than I had thought.

I'm bigger and crankier now. To put it bluntly, people do not make these things easy. I dread going into work or even running errands, for the sheer fact the I know I'm going to be hounded with the "you're still here"s and the "I thought you were supposed to have that baby weeks ago"s. Even worse, one co-worker last week gave me a "Dang! You're getting to be WAY OUT THERE!" Thank you for observing and stating the obvious. I feel way out there. And honestly I'm ready for people to stop looking at me and just leave me alone!

Now that the whining is out of the way, I can get to the important facts: I AM doing OK. As of yesterday at our appointment the baby is doing OK, and other than my lousy attitude,we couldn't be happier that with each passing day we're one day closer to getting to meet our baby. I should have told myself from the beginning (and everyone else for that matter) that my due date was later than predicted. Both Gerhard and I were late: He was 12 days late and I was 10. So I guess it's inevitible that we're going to have a late baby. My doctor seems to want to get things moving more than I do, so we'll see how long we can hold him off. At my check-up yesterday they did a quick ultrasound, which tossed out any doubts that the baby isn't in the right position. I'll head back Friday for a non-stress test to make sure the baby is still getting what it needs to function properly. At this point we're hoping to let the baby decide when it would like to grace us with its presence. Fingers crossed that that is still a possibility.

I'm off to planning a very busy weekend. Someone told us that babies love to ruin plans, so we had better come up with some fun things that we're dead set on doing.

36 Weeks: One Month Until Our Due Date!!!

It is so hard to believe that we are just ONE month from our due date. Granted, we understand that most babies don't make their arrival on the actual due date, but that upcoming milestone is unfathomable. Gerhard reminded me last week that I HAVE BEEN pregnant for "quite a while" and I AM starting to have more and more moments that I feel ready to have this baby. So maybe a better way to put it is that it's just hard to believe that these months seem to be flying by faster than we can wrap our minds around or get them documented.

I'm starting to feel like we're anticipating Christmas and there is one present under the tree that I want to unwrap so badly I can hardly stand it. Although no one can take this gift back (Mom!!!), it's safe to say that I will not be able to sneak any peeks until "Christmas" arrives. I know I need to focus on enjoying these last weeks with the baby growing inside of me, and I'm sure once it's all over I will miss having it with me at all hours of the day. Plus, right now, we have it great, no crying and no dirty diapers ... which is sure to change all to soon!

This last month has brought us into full preparation mode. We tackled another project: the installation of a new kitchen sink (again something I had wanted to do since moving into the house). The task turned into a four day nightmare with more than a few failed attempts and around 15 trips to Home Depot. The important thing is we have it working flawlessly, and I love the extra space and new design. Plus, the baby will fit into this one with a little more ease! A much easier task we scratched off the list was the purchase of a new car! Goodbye Beige Beaut, Hello Laverna! We're really thrilled with the purchase and happy to say that it's paid for, insured, registered and running smoothly! Now we just need to get that car seat installed.

36 Weeks in front of the new kitchen sink!

My wonderful aunts hosted a Baby Shower a few weeks ago for us and I was blown away by the love and generosity of everyone present. I had a great time participating in a "Mulit-tasking Mama" game, pouring over the baby's new gadgets and toys and loved hearing everyone's predictions on whether Baby P will be a boy or girl, and when baby will decide to enter the world. Not only am I more excited then I ever thought I could be about this Baby, I'm happy to say we've been able to cross all of the essentials off the list! A huge thank you to our wonderful family and friends!

32 Weeks: Setting In

Well, not much has changed- besides the circumference of my belly. Some of the every day tasks have become more of a challenge (shoe-tying, rolling out of bed, etc.), but I've figured out ways to manage. Overall, I consider myself lucky that I am feeling so well. I even had a day last week when I was working out that I did NOT feel pregnant. I was shocked how much energy I had.

We started bi-weekly doctor's appointments, which makes things seem to go so much faster. The baby is still quite the mover and the growth spurt is in full swing. The doctor said the baby could put on up to 8 oz a week from this point on! Now that is some serious growing!

32 Weeks: And growing!

28 Weeks: Final Trimester

Last week, we entered the third and final trimester. It's hard to believe Baby Posch will be here in 3 months or so. By now, my belly has really popped out, and the smiles and inquisitions from total strangers have increased. I haven't had anyone I'm not comfortable with try to touch my stomach, but I have encountered more than one male stopping in his tracks to move out of my way. I mean come on, I'm not that big!

Our 28 week appointment went well (for the most part...). The baby is growing nicely, although the fundal height (measurement of my uterus used to estimate the growth of the baby) is 2-3 weeks behind. This is completely normal, and could be because the baby is small for it's gestational age or even because I have a long torso or am carrying so low. The movements have changed from kicking and poking to more rolling, shifting and stretching. We're now able to see the baby move and have noticed a response to Gerhard's voice at the end of the day. The first few minutes when Papa is talking (usually in German) the baby really gets excited and moves around.

I'm trying to keep up with the baby and stay as active as I can tolerate. My team at work moved from the 11th floor down to the 4th floor, and I'm happy to report that in 5 weeks, I've only taken the elevator twice. The additional weight in front hasn't slowed me down too much. I'm still walking, pool jogging, lifting, doing yoga and even playing a little tennis (Coach Posch's supervision, of course).

Back to the doctor's appointment... The one concern was my gluclose screening. Between 24 and 28 weeks, a routine gestational diabetes test is performed (3-5% of pregnant women develop diabetes during pregnancy). So I had to down 50 grams of glucose and an hour later my blood was drawn to measure my blood sugar levels. They came back slightly over the recommended limit, so I had to spend a good 4 hours at the Diagnostic Center this past Saturday for further screening. This time, my fasting levels were taken, then I had to drink 100 g of a glucose (probably more sugar than I usually have in a week!) and my levels were taken at 30 minutes and then every hour for three hours. Other than the inital drinking of the solution, the test wasn't that bad. I had time to catch up on some reading and I made real progress on a blanket I'm making for the baby.

Needless to say, this blood test has been in the back of my mind for a week now. I was even considering limiting my fruit intake! During my pregnancy, fruit is one thing that I cannot get enough of. And with my middle name being ice cream, I couldn't bare to think about doing without our "monthly" yogurt treats. Well, today I got good news; the worrying was a waste (as it usually is). My results can back: all 5 blood draws were safely under the limit of being at risk for diabetes. Phew! If that's the hardest part of this pregnancy, I'll take it!

A little more than 28 weeks with the nursery furniture

In more good news, we're heading to Colorado for the weekend for my brother's wedding! We are all so happy for Michael, and we couldn't have asked for a better young lady to welcome into our family!!! Congrats Michael and Mallory!!! We'll also be celebrating Gerhard's birthday on Sunday. It will be a weekend full of celebrating!

24 Weeks: Girls Weekend in the Windy City

I kicked off the start of week 24 in Chicago with two of my best college friends, Amy and Souji. We had a lot to catch up on and celebrate as the last time we were together was at our wedding almost a year an a half ago. Souji will be moving back to Chicago in July, and we got to see where she'll be practicing and living. All right in the middle of downtown Chicago, we are so excited to have her back in the midwest!

On the Chicago River

 As the baby and my belly grow, everything else around us has seemed to really pick up. We finally finished moving furniture around, and mended the mantle that had just been finished after it was damaged in the move (a way too long, drawn out endeavor). The good news is, it's finished! Also, in house news, we ordered the nursery furniture!!! I owe my husband a HUGE thank you in dealing with my wishy-washy ways, and more then a few trips to the Mart. We also owe my Mom more than a dozen hugs for her help with the purchase. At this point, I'm hoping the summer slows down a little, so I can enjoy what's left of these four months. I can say that at this point, because I can still bend down without too much trouble and am really enjoying this part of the pregnancy. I won't lie though, I've had more than one morning that I was surprised to wake up with this belly and almost wished it away. Then the little peanut starts moving, and I'm reminded of what an extraordinary adventure we're on.

24 Weeks, in front of the new bookshelves

20 Weeks

Things seem to be growing a little more rapidly these days. Last week marked 20 weeks and the "halfway" point!

Ultrasound: Our Little Motor-er

Today brought our first glimpse of the baby. We had our 20 week appointment and our first ultrasound. During the ultrasound, we marveled at the working heart and all of the tiny features and organs that have been developing the last four and a half months. Everything seems to be evolving and in good working order. The ultrasound technician, who happens to be our doctor's sister, was wonderful. She enthusiastically poured over the details with us and used the word "beautiful" in more than a few descriptions!

The baby was moving around quite a bit, holding its arms up to the face and pulling on its ears (and at one point we thought maybe even twirling its hair). The baby's head was down significantly low, which made seeing the a profile of the face a little difficult. Although, this allowed a pretty interesting photo opportunity, with the baby's rear end up in the air.

The scene that is sure to be ingrained in our brains for the months ahead was with the baby in this position. As the ultrasound tech zoomed in, the baby started motoring its legs, kicking against the walls of the uterus. Now we know what's going on during the bouts of powerful movement. It must be getting warmed up for all the court hours with Papa and cross-country runs with Mama!

I am so in awe over what is taking place inside of me!

16 Weeks

The photographer said I'm off-center so that I have lots of room to grow!

The Journey Begins

The most incredible thing is happening...


Gerhard and I are going to have a baby!


Although the journey started long before we got here, this seems like the perfect place to start.  We're nearing the four month mark and things are going great. My waistline is expanding, and I've managed to blow up only a handful of times. Gerhard seems to think all of the "pregnancy hormones" are just an excuse to raise my voice once in a while.


At nearly 16 weeks, the baby is about 4 inches (10 centimeters) long and weighs about 2.5 ounces (70 grams). The baby can already sense light and sound, and even make facial expressions. Last week we read that our baby is able to move all of it's joint and limbs and even make a fist. You know what that means: Baby Posch is already thinking about holding a tennis racket in one of those little hands:)


We had our third doctor's appointment Tuesday and everything is on track. They used a Doppler to listen to the heartbeat and this time it was LOUD and clear. Four weeks ago, I had to be convinced that the faint horse racing sound was in fact a little beating heart. This time I left the doctor without a doubt in my mind that there IS a baby swimming around in there!

The house is in full preparation mode. We decided to knock out part of our mantle and purchase bookshelves. A project that's been on my mind since the day I moved in, nearly four years ago. As all projects do, this one brought about more changes than we bargained for. Once the mantle was out we moved furniture, mounted the television, and are currently debating what to do with the newly found space. I'm starting to understand why babies are safely tucked away in the womb for nine months.


The first 4 months have been great. There were only had a few (2-3) weeks were I felt nausous and only got sick a handful of times. I've been able to keep a regular workout schedule, and have been getting out to enjoy the abnormally warm weather nearly every day. The last couple of weeks I've had more energy, and have had to remind myself several times that I AM pregnant because besides the larger waistline I feel almost "normal." 


Gerhard and I are both over the moon. We're looking forward to the adventures of pregnancy, cannot wait for the doctor to say, "OK, Push" and for our little bundle of joy to arrive. The tentative due date is SEPTEMBER 7TH!