29 weeks

It’s been a week of strange events. First, all of the fire alarms in our apartment building went off and we were evacuated by the fire department, only to be let back inside 20 minutes later without much explanation. The next day my hospital went into lockdown after an announcement that there was an “active shooter” in the building, later to find out that no one had actually been shot but the gunman. Then on Sunday, a loud cracking noise made everyone in our church scream and take cover under the pews, although we soon realized the sound was not gunfire but a woman fainting. In sum, I feared for my life (and, more importantly, Baby’s!) on 3 different occasions this week, making me feel rather unsafe in my environment. While I thank God that nothing tragic actually happened, these random events reminded me how fragile life is and how protective I already am of this precious little one inside me. 

Fortunately, Tom and I also had some fun this week! We saw Duck Dynasty Live at the Pabst downtown, where we heard Phil, Kay, and Si Robertson talk about life, marriage, and raising children. It was funny, wholesome, and enlightening all at the same time – just what we needed after a somewhat unsettling week. We also had dinner and went to the symphony with some of my in-laws, which further established our baby’s love for music (who kicked and squirmed and danced throughout the entire performance). 

Plus, Tom and I both got good news this week. For me, it was a pleasant prenatal checkup that confirmed my blood pressure and weight gain are right on track, Baby’s heart rate is strong and steady in the 140’s, and that we are measuring slightly ahead of schedule based on fundal height. Due to my family history of “maternal macrosomia” (a fancy medical term for growing big babies), my doctor ordered a fetal growth ultrasound to get an estimate of birth weight. She doubts the baby will be too big to rule out a vaginal delivery (knock on wood!), but she wants to know if she’s dealing with an “80^th or 90^th percentile baby” during labor. Can’t wait to get the verdict and see our baby again in a few short weeks!

For Tom, the good news was regarding his rotation schedule after the new year. Originally, he was going to start OB/GYN (a very demanding rotation) soon after our new arrival, but – after months of failed attempts – he was finally able to switch his schedule so that OB will start in January instead. This way, he’ll be working at my birth center when I go into labor (which ensures he will be there right away!), and then he’ll be done with that rotation shortly after the baby is born; leaving only lighter, less demanding rotations for afterward. Baby and I will both be so grateful for his presence during delivery and the weeks/months following of adjusting to life with a newborn.

Finally, my weekly update tells me that Baby weighs around 2 ½ pounds now and is about the size of a butternut squash. Her head is growing bigger to accommodate her developing brain, and her lungs and muscles are continuing to mature. Baby’s bones are absorbing large amounts of calcium in this trimester (about 250 milligrams/day!), which explains my newfound, incessant need for milk. I’ve also been experiencing some new joint pain, leg cramping, and backaches – but nothing too extreme. I just try to remind myself that minor aches and pains only signify that Baby is growing bigger and will be here before we know it! :)

28 weeks

Well hello, third trimester…I’ve been waiting for you! Today marks the beginning of the end. It’s hard to believe we’ve only got 12 short weeks to go. While the first trimester seemed to last an eternity, the second trimester flew by in the blink of an eye. I guess once the secret was out and I finally started to feel better, life regained a degree of normalcy for a while….and suddenly here I am in the final stage, 84 days away from motherhood.

As exciting as the third trimester is, it has wasted no time reintroducing me to some old enemies: namely fatigue, constant urination, and inability to sleep. They’re understandable symptoms, though, when you consider that Baby is a whole 2 ¼ pounds and 14.8 inches long in there – about the size of a large eggplant! He is blinking his eyes (that now have lashes!) and making big advancements in eyesight. He is also developing billions of brain neurons and accumulating body fat to prepare for life after birth.

Speaking of birth, I FINALLY got to meet my beautiful newborn niece this weekend! Baby and I took the first flight to St. Louis after work on Friday to visit the Brown family and their newest addition. Emmeline is tiny, precious, and perfect. I loved getting to hold her, to see how Isaac and Audrey adore her, and to watch my sister take on her new role as a mother of 3 with grace and dignity. 

 

And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, my extraordinary husband showed up on my sister’s doorstep for a surprise visit! He wasn’t able to come initially because he had to work on Saturday, but when his resident let him go early (around 1:30pm), he just hopped in the car and made the 6 hour drive to St. Louis. He didn’t care that he would only get to stay for 19 hours or that he wouldn't get to study all weekend, he just wanted to meet baby Emmeline and spend whatever limited time he could celebrating with my family.  Everyone (particularly Isaac and Audrey) was so happy to see him. What a guy!

If you ask me, family is the most important thing in life. So to watch it grow in numbers and love is a truly remarkable gift. I’m so grateful for my husband, parents, sisters, nieces/nephew, relatives, in-laws, and all of the people who will bless our baby with their presence in his life. ♥

27 weeks

2 major blessings this week! First, Tom’s dad detected a cardiac anomaly and underwent immediate bypass surgery to avoid a potential tragedy. It was scary and unexpected; but we are all so thankful that it was caught in time, that the surgery was successful, and that recovery is well underway. We love you, Grandpa John!

Second, Baby Leschke’s cousin was born!! Sarah had her beautiful baby girl, Emmeline Rose, on November 5^th at 9:18am. She was 8lbs.4oz and 20 inches of pure perfection. Because I have to save my paid time off work for maternity leave, I was not able to be in Saint Louis for her birth – which made for quite an emotional day. To celebrate from afar, I baked red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, made my birth announcement chalkboard (see above), and went to BabyGap with Tom to pick out a present for little Em. It was so hard to miss her actual birthday, but my family sent pictures and updates throughout the day (and week) to help keep us involved and informed. I can’t wait until Friday when I finally get to meet my brand new niece (and Baby’s closest-aged cousin!).

We also got to spend some good quality time with new and old friends this past weekend. On Friday, we relaxed by the fire and made s’mores with our med school gang, and on Saturday we attended the wedding of one of my best friends from high school, Adam Wilms. It was so great to catch up with some of our old friends from Oshkosh and, most importantly, celebrate the marriage of Adam and his beautiful bride. Congratulations to the newlyweds!

In this final week of the second trimester, Baby weighs about 2 pounds, measures around 14.5 inches long, and is approximately the size of a head of cauliflower. She’s developing more brain tissue (allowing for more neurological activity), and if she were to be born now, her tiny lungs would be capable of functioning (with some medical help)! Baby is opening and closing her eyes, sucking her fingers, and sleeping/waking at regular intervals.

And, for the first time this week, I felt the baby having hiccups! The website I consulted about these tiny rhythmic movements reassured me that sensing hiccups is common in this stage of pregnancy, that they only last a few moments, and that they don’t distress the baby at all. So I was advised to just “relax and enjoy the tickle.” ;)

26 weeks

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Unfortunately, Baby and I will not be participating in any Halloween celebrations this year, because I am sick as can be.  Nasty cold + sore throat + blinding headache + dizziness – drugs = one miserable mama.

On the bright side, we did do some fun things before the plague struck this week. We saw Jersey Boys downtown with the Leschkes, did some maternity clothes shopping, and – most excitingly – picked up the last of our nursery furniture: the rocking chair and ottoman! We now have our crib, dresser, rocking chair, and bedding sets for either a boy or a girl. We’re waiting until after Tom’s first semester to assemble everything and officially transform the office into the nursery; but it’s comforting to know that we at least have everything in our possession. Plus, baby and I have already enjoyed some quality time rocking in our new chair ;)

I also received my baby shower invitation in the mail this week!  My sisters and mom did a great job picking it out, and I can’t wait to see what they have planned for the big day.  I’m so excited to celebrate Baby Leschke with some of my closest family and friends, get lots of belly rubs, and show off the mean half-outie I’ve been sporting the last couple of weeks ;)

As for Baby, he is developing more sensitive hearing these days and can distinguish mine and daddy’s voices when we’re talking. He’s also inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid now, preparing his lungs for his first breath of air! He’s continuing to build up baby fat, weighing in around 1 2/3 pounds and measuring about 14 inches from heel to head. Keep up the good work, little one!

25 weeks

6 months down, less than 4 to go! The imminent arrival of our new addition is growing more real every day. Tom and I signed up for birthing classes this week (4, 2-hour sessions) that will cover labor & delivery prep, newborn care, and a tour of the Froedtert & The Medical College Birth Center. I also got my maternity leave plan approved by my supervisor and HR department at work; so I will be taking 2 months of full time maternity leave followed by 1 month of part time leave (working 2 days/week). With our post-leave work/childcare plans still undetermined, it feels good to get at least a few things finalized in preparation.

In other happy news, Baby and I passed our 6 month prenatal checkup with flying colors. Doctor says my glucose test came back normal, I’m maintaining a low blood pressure and healthy weight, and there are no traces of protein in my urine (a symptom of preeclampsia). And baby’s heartbeat is still strong and regular, coming in at about 150 bpm. We have been blessed with a healthy pregnancy so far!

According to my weekly updates, Baby is now about 13.5 inches and 1.5 lbs. She is finally putting on some baby fat (smoothing out her wrinkled skin) and growing more hair (which has color and texture now!). And mama’s uterus is the size of a soccer ball – which explains my increased difficulty breathing, walking through tight spaces, and bending over. Not to mention my virtual inability to sleep. But every time I tap my belly and feel my baby tap back, it’s totally worth it.

Not much else to report besides some bizarre pregnancy cravings. In the very beginning it was salsa, followed closely by a strange roast beef and s’mores stage. But after that I was relatively craving-free until very recently, when a few uncharacteristic desires had me running to the store - including, but not limited to: honeycrisp apples, cheese fries, bananas in orange juice, specialty Starbucks drinks, apple cinnamon cheerios, and anything red velvet. Aaaaand now I'm hungry...

24 weeks

Pretty tough week this week. Tom was put on the overnight shift at the hospital, so we hardly saw each other for 7 days straight. It really made us realize how much we take for granted the simple joy of each other’s company every day. But Tom eased the loneliness by leaving me a sweet letter on my pillow, sending texts when he had a few moments to spare, and even attempting to stay up one morning to say hi to me when my alarm went off…even though he fell asleep mid-sentence in an upright position. Poor guy. Needless to say, we are both looking forward to getting back to our normal routine.

As for our baby, he gained 4 ounces in the past week! – putting him at about 1 1/3 pounds. He’s almost a whole foot long (about the length of an ear of corn) and is starting to “plump up.” His taste buds are emerging and his brain is growing rapidly.  Baby’s lungs are developing branches and producing cells that make surfactant, which will help his lungs inflate after birth. And if he is born now (God forbid), he actually has a chance of survival. While we are praying for a healthy, full-term baby – of course – it is still comforting to know that modern medicine could keep our beloved little one alive now should he decide to come early.

My friend Jackie and I started prenatal yoga this week, making for some nice pregnancy bonding time with each other and with our babies. It was fun to meet everyone in the class and make time for some safe exercise, stretching, and relaxation. It was a welcome escape from my busy schedule to really focus on this pregnancy and contemplate the little soul living inside me. He is so precious to me already.

Present for Baby Knabel

Speaking of Jackie, the Knabels found out this week 
that their baby is a….GIRL! After so many months of 
convincing ourselves that she was having a boy and I was 
having a girl, the news shocked us both. It left Jackie 
wondering if her baby girl will have a best friend or future husband in Baby Leschke. Official guesses so far are:

Grandpa Vandenberg (a renowned gender predictor): Girl

Grandpa Leschke: Boy

Aunt Sarah: Girl

Uncle Jack: Girl

'Auntie' Lauren: Boy

It’s fun to make guesses and hear people’s predictions, but no one will know for sure until February!!

Final big development this week was seeing the baby move for the first time! I was sitting down with my laptop when I felt some particularly strong movement, so I lifted my shirt and – sure enough – he was squirming beneath my skin in plain sight. I tried to take a video with my phone to send to Tom, but by then it was too late: Baby was resting comfortably in his new position. Hopefully he’ll show off for Daddy again soon ;)

23 weeks

Well, it’s official: I am finally the age I will be when Baby Leschke is born! And I had a lovely birthday. I came home to a beautiful bouquet of flowers and Tom and I went for a nice, long walk after work. We had dinner at my favorite Italian place in the city (Il Mito) and then spent the evening opening cards and eating the delicious cake Tom baked (and decorated!) for me. It was a perfect, relaxing evening.

I also got to celebrate with lots of friends and family this week. On Thursday, my in-laws took us to the top of the Pfister Hotel to Blu Lounge for mocktails and live music, followed by dinner at our favorite steakhouse: Mason Street Grill. On Friday, we met up with med school friends to order pizza and play Risk by the fire. And on Saturday, my parents came down to take me shopping for a winter maternity coat, make us dinner, and take us out for ice cream. I was lucky to see so many loved ones during what my friend Stefanie would call my “birthday week,” and this is the first year in a long time that I’m actually happy to be older. Because that means I’m just one step closer to meeting our little one!

…or shall I say big one ;) Baby is already the size of a grapefruit and weighs over a pound! Her sense of movement is well developed now and she can feel my motions throughout the day. We may even be able to see baby squirm soon! She is preparing for breathing outside of the womb by developing blood vessels in her lungs, and her increasingly keen hearing is habituating to familiar noises (dishwasher, dryer, vacuum cleaner, etc.) so that they won’t startle her after birth. Hopefully that goes for the sound of the train, too!