weeks 33 through 36

How far along? 37 weeks 1 day

How big is baby? we havent had an ultrasound since week 30, so we can only assume he is growing normally...he is probably around 6.5 or 7 pounds now

Total weight gain:  +28lbs - I only gained 2 pounds in my 7th month, and 1 pound in my eighth month - healthy eating FTW! :)

Stretch marks? negative ... wooo! *fingers crossed that I make it the next 3 weeks without them!*

This is me. Taken in the bathroom at my parents house on Easter - 34 weeks

Sleep: ive been making a conscious effort to stop drinking water at least an hour before bed, to try to stay asleep longer through the night.  It worked! however... through the end of the 36th week, ive been having REALLY strong contractions at night, so im still not sleeping!

Movement: We have been really concentrating on his movement lately, due to his positioning...most of the kicks go to my left side, and hiccups are on the right side. too cute.  We have been using his hiccups to try to predict his location and position

What I miss: having a personal bubble where people couldnt touch me.  It's like being pregnant is a magnet for ANYone and EVERYone to touch me.  I feel like I need to wear a sign that says: "I am not friendly. please dont touch" haha.

What I am looking forward to: kissing those sweet baby cheeks!!! also, I cannot wait to see Ryan holding his son for the first time. Im tearing up just thinking about how amazing of a father he will be to our little man!

Worries: we found out at our 36 week appointment that Mason has turned himself, and is now breeched.  This worries the HECK out of me.  If he doesnt turn himself around by next week (week 38) theyre going to schedule the c-section for the following week.  I DONT WANT A C-SECTION!!!!!! It's not that I am scared of surgery (I've had 4, its not a big deal) its just that I dont want to be under anesthesia and not get to hold MY BABY as soon as he comes out!  I dont want him to be all cracked out on c-section drugs and unable to breastfeed. I dont want there to be "complications" or any "accidents" during the c-section that end with Mason being injured, or me having a hysterectomy... I just dont "want" any of that.... but if my OB says thats our only option then fine.... but I cant help but pout.  So I've been spending the last week and a half crawling around our house and laying upside down and putting frozen peas on top of my belly to convince him to turn...and sometimes it feels like he has....sometimes...

What did you just say to me?!?:

"are you excited?" ........SO TIRED OF HEARING THIS! 

"it's so good that you and the babys father are still together...that NEVER happens" - uhhh...since when does that NEVER happen?! haha I actually laughed out loud when a girl said this to me.

"I cant wait to meet your baby!" - awww. me too! It makes my heart sing to find out that So many people already love little Mason Zachary Rodgers... (or Juan Pablo McQueen, if Ryan goes bowfishing while im in labor...although who is that REALLY punishing?! hahaha)

Oh, and THIS: 

We had an INCREDIBLE baby shower, Masons room is FULL of so many wonderful brand new baby things!  I was amazed at how many people came to support Ryan, Mason and I! We feel so blessed :)

Another weird pregnancy thing: CRAZY DREAMS!

I've gotten used to having odd dreams (I burp and the baby comes out of my mouth and I wonder if i should just swallow him to put him back...?!?!) but now the dreams are frighteningly realistic. For example, I had a dream a few nights ago that Mason came out unexpectedly, and for whatever reason, I was unconcious for the birth.  When I awoke in the dream, I was alone and had to search the hospital, only to find my family holding a baby GIRL and telling me that there was a mistake.....AHHHH PANIC, FEAR, ANXIETY! I'm not prepared for that!!!

I keep dreaming that I go into labor and for whatever reason, I cant find Ryan.  This worries me, mostly because its wholly possible that I'll go into labor in the next 3 weeks while he is at work.  Its possible that he will be on a roof and un-reachable for an hour or 2.  I know that Ill be in labor for probably 20 hours, but I just feel like I NEED him there for all of it.  It really REALLY panics me to think that he wouldnt be there for every contraction, even though he really cant do anything.  I just need him.

Speaking of being Needy- the 9th month has brought on an emotional side of me that Ryan and my mother find hilarious.  Example- my mom said she thought a dress I liked looked like a swimsuit cover-up.  My response? As soon as I get home, breakdown into a sobbing weeping mess and scare Ryan because he came home and saw me on the floor, in fetal position, crying.

Example 2- rainwater leaked into our basement, and got an old rug wet and it smelly like mildewy towel in the whole house for 2 days.  My response? breakdown resulting in calling and scaring Ryan at work (Im not supposed to call unless im in labor) for him to immediately come home and get rid of the rug.  Apparently I was sobbing about "I dont want a moldy baby" or something.  Ryan says that I did so good for the first 8 months, but apparently it takes VERY little these days to completely crush my world and make me cry for 20 minutes.  Im so lucky to have Ryan...he picks me off the floor and lets me cry and slime all over his shirt while I explain whatever irrational sadness is plaguing me. haha, poor guy. He deserves a medal :)

Weeks 29 through 32

How far along? 32 weeks 3 days

How big is baby? at our 30 week appointment, the ultrasound tech said he weighed 3lbs 7oz - so i assume now he is a little over 4 pounds

Total weight gain:  +27lbs - I only gained 2 pounds in my 7th month, im trying to eat less fatty foods and more healthy stuff.  Makes me happy that Im only gaining baby and not fat now!

Maternity Clothes?  still nope - they fit funny and are itchy.  Ive been getting by with longer tank tops and yoga pants/shorts - i have ONE pair of cute jean shorts that still fit- SO STRETCHY! woo!

Stretch marks? negative - could I really be this blessed?  I've heard I could get them after he comes out- either way, no biggie :)

This is me. Taken on the boat last week while Ryan and I were bow-fishing :)

Sleep: non-existant- is it normal that I'm looking FORWARD to the exhaustion of a crying baby? at least then I could be so worn out that I could sleep!  sleeping with an 8lb bowling ball on your belly is a lot more difficult than I thought...and its going to double in size! yikes!

Movement: He is moving allll the time, in response to bright light, in response to my singing, in response to Ryan talking and then poking at his (what we assume is) feet.  I feel like im getting to know him before hes even here :)

Food cravings: Im always craving baked goods. always. 

What I miss: being "Amanda" and not "Ryans pregnant girlfriend", also, I really miss my friends, its unfortunate that being pregnant has made some of them drift away...like really really far away :(

What I am looking forward to: welp, at this point, I have my eye on the prize! Mason could come anytime in my 9th month, which is only 4 weeks from now! yay! also, cant wait for my baby shower to see my girls and my 2 amazing families...oh and there will be cake there. mmmmmm cake.

Worries: I've been consciously trying to NOT worry about Baby Mason lately.  I can tell you one thing im NOT worried about - labor.  People ask me if i'm scared of labor all the time.  My response: Im not scared at ALL.  I'm fairly convinced that there have been billions of babies born with no complications, Mason will be no different.  Am I scared of the pain? Negative.  I'll take 20ish hours of pain (epidural or not) to see the most perfect face in the world.  WORTH IT! 

What did you just say to me?!?:

"you are ALL belly" - yeah I look like a stick figure with a basketball on my stomach. thank you. haha (:

"When IM pregnant, Im going to be in better shape than you, I cant believe you cant run/walk 4 miles.  Maybe youre one of those "skinny" fat people who look skinny but theyre just really unhealthy...I guess its not your fault, Ryan is really chunky and unhealthy too."

-EXCUSE ME? it is one thing to say im bad at being pregnant(which is odd because she has no children), but dont insult my boyfriend.  I picked him for a reason, because I think hes perfect. 

"aww look at her, shes such a cute pregnant person" - why thank you, random precious couple walking down the street - makes my heart sing :)

"are you excited?" - of COURSE?! I could go on for days about all the things I cant wait for

Oh, and THIS: this is right along the lines of that rude comment that was said to me... okay maybe its just my pregnant emotions...but I just cant take any more of this girl insulting Ryan.  She calls him a hoosier because we like to bow-fish and we like camo, etc..she calls him fat because he doesnt have a six pack, she says hes not good enough for me, based on one argument she heard about 5 months ago...I just dont understand.  Theres being "truthful" and then being "hurtful". No one is better than anyone else.  It makes my blood BOIL to hear ANYone trash talk the love of my life.  watch it, broad.

Along the lines of people who think they are better than other people - i am also extremely tired of the judgment I get since ryan and I arent married yet.  We will get married when we feel like it.  Just because we arent married doesnt mean that we arent deliriously in love, and happy where we are.  Yeah, I get it, youve been with your boyfriend X amount of years and youve never had a fight and you spend all your time drunk or smoking weed or something so your life is just a little bubble of sunshine and perfection... blah blah blah Well congrats.  Id rather have a real relationship where we work through our issues and come to a mutual respect than be in a relationship where you hide things and pretend everything is perfect.  

I read a quote once that said "Love isnt finding a perfect person, its learning to see the imperfect person perfectly".  When I wake up in the morning and Ryan tells me he loves me and kisses my yucky morning breath face before I get up to make breakfast, I know this is what perfect feels like.

-Mrs. Rodgers (mostly)     (;

Weeks 25 through 28

How far along? 28 weeks 6 days

How big is baby? around 2 and a half pounds

Total weight gain:  +25lbs yikes! its so weird to be carrying this much weight around

Maternity Clothes?  I have one pair of maternity pants that I wear, theyre velour (haha yeah its a track suit, i laughed that im actually wearing that) but I really cant stand the belly elastic, especially now that its all warmer

Stretch marks? still NONE!!! ahhh! (knock on wood) My OB says that I may escape this pregnancy mark-free!

This is me. Taken yesterday :)

Sleep: What is sleep? I wake up hourly, and can no longer take comfortable naps, prob has something to do with this basketball-sized uterus

Movement: Baby Mason has discovered a new form of movement in the past week...yoga-like stretching! we can feel his foot-ankle-elbow-hand...not sure... slide from one side of my belly to the other! it is SO CRAZY! but presh.  He also gets frustrated when he hiccups for long periods of time and starts kicking and punching

Food cravings: Im really not craving much of anything these days, besides my usual: cereal, baked goods, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

What I miss: sauntering around - its more of a waddle now, being able to go out and walk around (for example: St. Pats KILLED me.  3 hours of walking and my back and ankles and knees were excruciating) for long periods of time without pain, feeling sexy

What I am looking forward to: BABY SHOWERS!!! oh and Easter is coming up, i love spending holidays with our families

Worries: sometimes Baby Mason doesnt kick as often as usual, and it FREAKS ME OUT.  So much in fact, that we went to the hospital last week to make sure he was okay.  He was perfectly fine, just positioned in a way that the kicks were harder to feel

What did you just say to me?!?:

"how far along are you?" - this question doesnt bother me.  the fact that ANYONE and EVERYONE feels like they need to ask this, at the grocery store, mall, walking down the street...ugh

"you know how that (jabbing finger at my belly) happens, dont you?" said by a guy on the street at St. Pats after he jabbed my belly with his dirty old-man finger. GAG

"you are SO lucky! youre so petite and in shape!" -well thank you, ill just bask in the glow of compliments like these!! :)

Oh, and THIS: not sure what has changed...maybe its because Im a LOT bigger now...but Ryan cant seem to keep his hands off me! I was so sure that he was just one of those guys that are turned off by pregnancy, but nowadays hes always rubbing my belly and feeling Mason kick and kissing me and telling me how much he loves me.  ahhhhh life is SO sweet.

The Nursery is finished! After the baby shower we will be complete! ahhh!

 We ordered little stick on decals for the walls with windows that are made by the same company as the bedding set we have, so presh

 Ryan likes the letters staggered like this... I would rather have them straight. opinions?

-Mrs. Rodgers

Week 23 and 24

How far along? 24 weeks 3 days

How big is baby? about a pound and a half- I read he gains 6 ounces a week now!

Total weight gain:  ugh- the scale HAS to be lying, +15lbs - however, this is still considered underweight for my height...oh its so weird to see the scale almost at 120!!!

Maternity Clothes?  yeah okay so I dont fit in ANY of my pre-baby jeans- i wear comfy pants all the time, unless we go out somewhere nice, then i wear leggings and a cute top. NON-MATERNITY wear!

Stretch marks? still none yet!!! although my belly button is mere weeks away from popping out! ahh!

Sleep: I've still been taking daily naps, but now every few days im so exhausted I cant even get out of bed

Movement: all the time! He has started responding to Ryans voice and moving closer to the sound when he talks to him - maybe next week we will try shining a flashlight on my belly to see if he reacts!

Food cravings: Cereal Cereal and MORE CEREAL

What I miss: sleeping on my stomach, wearing cute clothes- being excited for summer (since now I cant wear a two-piece)

What I am looking forward to: finishing the nursery- dressing up my little man in his ridiculous amount of outfits he already has, being able to hug Ryan tightly (belly in the way)

Worries: Baby Mason is currently in a breech position, but since we are only at week 24, Im told he has plenty of time to turn around to get ready for the big event!

What did you just say to me?!?:

"youre so small now, youre going to get stretchmarks EVERYWHERE when you "pop"

-um excuse me, thanks. I can now go home and cry.  Ive come to terms that I am just a small pregnant person

"ew, your belly button is going to pop inside out" - ew? rude.

"oh, youre going to have an epidural? I didnt have one, it felt so empowering"

-do you want a medal? congrats, you put yourself through unnecesary pain to try to prove something.  as long as my baby is safe, I am going to get some kind of pain relief, I have nothing to  "prove"

Oh, and THIS: something new- ridiculous back/tailbone pain...it seriously feels like someone dropped me off a 3 story building onto my tush. owwww. nothing helps... anyone have any ideas as to what i should do?

besides the tailbone pain though, im feeling AMAZING lately! so healthy and full of life! yay for baby!

Here is a pic of of the nursery- we are replacing the carpet in the next few weeks, so then we can start putting his clothes in there and setting up the crib!

 Here is Ryan and I - this is at 5 months- SEE?! small pregnant person.

-Mr. and Mrs. Rodgers

Sweet Nothings

Okay so as my cravings have intensified, I have found that my biggest weakness is baked sweets! These are some sweet recipes that are WAAAAAAAY more healthy than processed cupcakes/cookies/etc.  More healthy = less guilt!


Moist DELISH Banana Bread:

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
½ cup) packed light brown sugar
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups  mashed ripe banana (3-4 medium to large bananas...these should be waaay super ripe, like speckled and black)
¼ cup (3 ounces) honey (I use local honey instead of sugar a lot now, there are TONS of places to get good Missouri honey, and its full of antioxidants and immuno-boosters! woo!)
2 large eggs
2 cups (8 ounces) whole wheat flour- a bazillion times better than plain white all-purpose
½ cups chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. Lightly grease a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.
-Beat together the butter, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla in a medium bowl until smooth. 
-Add the banana, honey and eggs, beating until smooth.
-Add the flour and nuts, stirring until smooth.
-Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and let it rest at room temperature, uncovered for 10 minutes. (not sure why it has to rest, but it turned out amazing!)
-Bake the bread for 40 minutes. 
-Lay a piece of foil gently across the top and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 10 to 15 minutes more. 
-Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes before turning it out of the pan onto a rack to cool completely.

Super-Fantastic Breakfast Bars
I made this to use up leftover cereal that I got bored of eating with milk (yes I get bored with cereal and milk).  You can use Cheerio's, Golden Grahams, Chex, etc.

1 cup local Honey                                                                                                                                    
1 cup sugar                                                                                                                                                
1 ¼ cups creamy peanut butter                                                                                                                 
5 cups Cheerios cereal                                                                                                                              
1 half bag dark chocolate chips (yeah chocolate! dark chocolate is surprisingly good for you!)

heat sugar and honey in a saucepan until the sugar has dissolved (right around boiling - make sure not to scorch it!), add peanut butter, then stir in cheerios, and spoon into a greased pan (I line mine with foil to make clean-up non-existent)
Melt the chocolate chips - I just put them in the microwave with a tablespoon of butter and about 3 tablespoons of milk for 20 seconds at a time until its creamy, then spoon it over the breakfast bars - DONE!
No baking, no crazy fat content (the sugar isnt so great, but cereal is good for you, right?), plus, its a quick chocolatey snack instead of eating cookies. yay!

As soon as I get a good camera, I'll be taking pictures of all my creations.  Enjoy! :)

Week 21 and 22

So Ive realized that I hardly blog, which is bad for my friends that want to know how im doing, and for me, I really should be writing more about baby Mason and Ryan and how life is going....so weare going to start with the obvious, and hopefully bi-weekly updates on the pregnancy.


How far along? 21 weeks 2 days

How big is baby? 13 ounces, at our last ultrasound (2 ounces bigger than the books say he should! mommy's little chubby bug.)

Total weight gain:  +7 pounds - I am AMAZED. I thought I would be a chunk by now.

Maternity Clothes?  I have 2 maternity shirts and 1 pair of maternity pants....I RARELY wear them, because (except for my jeans) all my shirts and tanks and yoga pants are stretchy enough (and cheap enough) to last...for now! Also, as much as maternity stores like to boast their "trendy" options, they are NOT made for a 100lb momma-to-be...im absolutely SWIMMING in all of it! Forever 21 sells shirts and dresses for like $10 that will work perfectly in the upcoming spring months

Stretch marks? THANKSFULLY- none yet!  I think that I saw a tiny purple mark near the incision from my cancer scar on my breast, but I expected a stretch mark or two there, due to the tension of the skin around the scar- battle wounds FTW!

Sleep: I take a nap almost every day around 1pm to enable myself to stay up past 9:30 at night.  I dont remember the last time I slept through the night, although I assume it was oh about.... 21 weeks ago.  Ive read that the levels of progesterone and restless legs are to blame for my sleeplessness, Ryan is such a good man for dealing with the pillow fort i insist on sleeping in every night :)

Movement: pretty frequent, I can feel him move basically all the time (as long as im sitting or laying) - he is most active in the early mornings and around dinnertime - at our last ultrasound while the technician was attempting to measure his legs, he was forcibly heeling me in the side, too cute to watch!!!

Food cravings: everyone asks me this...and it really varies week-to-week...this week its cookie ice cream sandwiches- store bought or otherwise

What I miss: sleeping on my stomach, being able to stay awake to watch late night talk shows, going out dancing with my girls

What I am looking forward to: seeing my sweet boys face in 4 months, being able to have a glass of wine with dinner, finishing Mason's nursery

Worries: I cant just NOT worry about every little thing that could go wrong, I know I shouldnt.  All his prenatal tests have been PERFECT...but I still get scared.  At our last ultrasound 1-25-2011 we learned that I have placenta previa - however, it is just "marginal" so our OB says that it should clear up before birth.  What does this mean? the placenta (gives nutrients to baby) is dangerously close to my cervix, and if it stays that way, I could risk hemorrhaging if I gave birth naturally.  ugh. 

What did you just say to me?!?:

"Oh, I couldnt even tell you were pregnant" - thank you cashier at target- I attribute this to my winter clothing selection...I suppose its only noticeable when Im not wearing a jacket. good i guess.

"i've never felt a pregnant belly" - while lunging for my stomach... okay maybe you people should ask me first?!?! creepstyle!

"You're not fat, you're just pregnant" - is this supposed to be good or bad?!?!

"You and Ryan are going to have the most precious baby, I cant wait to meet him" - awwwp. thanks 

Oh, and THIS: okay so Ive always considered myself somewhat of a "susie home-maker" but I suppose I underestimated the "nesting" thing that pregnancy brings on.  My urge to cook elaborate meals and constantly clean and do laundry has become a little odd...but Ryan likes it :) We are finally getting new carpet, so we should be able to move all of the baby's things from the middle of our sitting room into MAsons bedroom (the room smells like....ew....bachelor pad...we keep the door closed).  cant wait to start moving things into there! yay!

It's 2011!!!

well its finally 2011!  What a TREMENDOUS year this will be for our family! :)
Our Baby Rodgers will be born on June 6th, and maybe a September wedding could be in the works.... (spoiler!)

Ordinarily I get irritated with the people that constantly rave about how awesome and perfect and blah blah blah that their lives are...but I kind of understand now.  When you think things couldnt get any better, and then they DO...sometimes rambling about it cant be stopped! lol

Ryan and I are getting SO excited to meet the baby, we received TONS of adorable baby things for Christmas. my mom got us both our own diaper bags full of baby necessities, and Ryans mom got us baby clothes and the sweetest softest blanket that I can see myself holding the baby in!  Getting all these baby clothes and putting them away is the most crazy feeling... They're so small and delicate and soft, and when I pick them up and hold them I find myself drifting into a daydream imagining how warm the baby's belly will feel and how soft his or her little hands will be, sticking out of the tiny sleeves......... gotta pause the blog to daydream in the nursery for a few...

Aaaaaaand Im back. :) another super-neat thing is that I've felt the baby move finally! I was worrying that it would be FOREVER...but at 18 weeks, i've felt little popcorn like pops, which make my heart race. Seriously, it blows my mind.  Ryan and I have started reading and talking to the baby, and Ryan absolutely cracks me up when he talks to the baby.  He lays down by my belly and usually starts with "Hi baby, its me, daddy."  then he rambles off about whatever it is he wants to talk about...aliens, political debates, sports, his family..and of course how much he loves the baby. adorable!

Something else- while I've been pregnant, things have changed, obvi.  I cant (and honestly dont feel like) go out and party/drink/stay up late, and it's really shown me who my real friends are and arent.  Im RIDICULOUSLY excited to spend some time with a certain amazing bestie of mine to ask her to be our baby's godmother... it is actually because of her that I pursued a relationship with Ryan... we cant wait to ask her :)

Lastly- a list of ridic cravings that Im trying to avoid eating WAY too much of, so maybe typing them out will help relieve them....ha!

cinnabon - pickle juice - pbj on wheat - salami and potato salad sandwiches on crossaints - pierogies - loaded baked potatoes 

these foods could be eaten at any time of day in my opinion, its 10:30am and id be fine with a fatty baked potato with pickle juice on top. mmmm!

-Mrs. Rodgers