Ramona is here!

I was correct on June 2nd when I said 11 days or less. Ramona Helen made her grand entrance at 1:36am on Tuesday June 7th weighing in at 6lbs 11oz and 20inches.

The past 4 months have gotten away from us with the blog. I will update more and share pictures and videos from earlier soon.

However, at the moment both sets of Grandparents are out of town and Ramona is starting to try and crawl. The video is too large to email, so I am adding it to the blog! She is trying so hard and moving her arms and legs. Once she gets them going together, she will be on the move. For now, she moves in a circle which is highly reminiscent of what Allie and I look like when we canoe together (grunting included).

I must warn: it is a 3 minute video and for those who do not appreciate the shear wonder of a baby moving in 3/4 of a circle during that length of time, you may want to skip this :)

11 days...or less...or more :)

We are in the home stretch! Ramona is growing steadily and can decide to arrive whenever her little heart desires. I started dialating and thinning out, so it really can be any day now.

Stats update:
Weight gain - 16lb in 38.5 weeks and feeling great!

Maternity clothes - I never thought I would say this, but my maternity clothes are getting tight!

Sleep - It's getting harder to get comfortable at night, but once I do I'm down for the count.

Stretch marks - Bummer...I knew they would come sometime. But they're not too bad.

Movement - She is rolling around or at least trying to. She moved enough that she finally got her head down at 36.5 weeks. I think I will miss feeling her once she is born, its like nothing else in the world.

Food Cravings - Anything sweet.

Belly Button - still an inny

What I miss - Wearing my wedding ring. I just started swelling this past week.

What I'm looking forward to - Taking the final week of school off. Noah finishes school this week as well, and I can't wait to have some time to just the two of us.

Two weeks to go!

Our last appointment at 37 weeks went really well. Ramona is finally head down and getting ready to meet the world. I'm feeling great and excited to meet her in the next few weeks. Tomorrow is 38 weeks! We have our appointment this Thursday and will let you all know how it goes.
Bela and DQ are getting ready for their new roles as big sister and big brother :)

A Beautiful Shower!

On May 21st we were completely spoiled by friends and family at a shower thrown by our Moms. It was beautifully done and everyone had a lovely time. I can't say enough about how lucky we feel, not only to have Ramona on her way (soon!), but also for everyone who already loves her, and us so much!

Week 32 check up

32 weeks with Ramona's shark towel and washcloth

My doctors appointment went well again today. Ramona is growing steadily and is plumping up for her debut in less then 2 months. I've started meeting the other 3 doctors in the medical practice and have really liked all of them which is comforting.

Stats update:
Weight gain - 13.5lb in 32.5 weeks. Right on track and feeling good!

Maternity clothes - getting sick of wearing the same things! However, to Noah's enjoyment and amazement the store "Hot Mama" gives free beer to the husbands of shopping wives :) I may be getting more new clothes sooner rather then later!

Sleep - Enjoying bedtime more and more...and earlier and earlier. Apparently, however, I've started snoring....

Stretch marks - I am shocked to report that I still don't have any!

Movement - She is moving around. We did have a little scare when I didn't feel her for almost 2 days. However, she is doing well, just moving to a weird position. Now she is in a breach position for the first time, but she still has time to move.

Food Cravings - DOUBLE STUFFED OREOS!

Belly Button - still an inny

What I miss - Being able to bend over to tie my shoes with out losing my breath! Its sounds so silly, but its true.

What I'm looking forward to - Finishing the nursery!

19th Street Baby Shower / 32 weeks

32 weeks at the shower

Today I had my first shower with the lovely ladies of 19th Street. As the years go by, each get together becomes more and more rare and special. We are so lucky to have grown up in such a loving neighborhood.

Erin, Debbie, and Col did an absolutely wonderful job with food, decorations, centerpieces, and a hysterical game. Of course, the best part was having them back in Lombard! (missed you Allie) We were completely spoiled with gifts and laughter today.

Erin and Col came up with a perfectly funny and fitting game. In honor of Noah and I being music teachers, pairs of people drew out the name of a kids' song and had to re-write the words so they talked about Ramona, Noah and I. Then they performed them with instruments! Everyone was such a good sport and they were so fun to listen to! Below are pictures of the performers :)

3 Months and Counting

Happy March 13th! We are 3 months away from meeting little Ramona.
We have another doctor's appointment in a week and I'll do a bigger update.
Just thought I'd post a picture.

27 weeks

It's A Girl

We are pleased to announce that Baby Schroer is a girl! Our appointment was on the 28th of January and we were able to celebrate after with both sets of grandparents for a late dinner.

Here is her profile, with her fists above her mouth and chest

Our little one is already so loved. Thank you all for the phone calls, emails, cards and presents! Its so fun to be able to celebrate with all of you.

Lovely shoes and bib for baby and lotion for mom from Aunt Nancy and Betsy

Cute little booties from Aunt Jude and Mary

First teddy bear from Fidel
The "cadillac" of gliders from Muffet and John

23/24 weeks

Pregnancy Stats:

Weight gain - Total of 5lbs so far. I feel great and am right on track.

Maternity Clothes - Love them! I even found a new winter and spring coat that zip without busting open...its the little things :)

Sleep - Sleeping fairly well and enjoying more and more pillows.

Stretch marks - None yet...

Movement - She is all over the place! At our appointment today my doctor even laughed when trying to follow her around to hear the heart beat. Noah has gotten to feel her move a lot lately which is fun.

Food cravings - Spaghetti and Meatballs and ice cream....mmmmm

Belly Button - Still and inny.

What I miss - Sleeping on my stomach

What I'm looking forward to - Pretty much everything at this point. I feel great and am excited to start getting her room together and do some spring cleaning!

Milestones - Seeing her little profile and finding out she is a girl.

Time to Vote!

It is time for you to cast your vote! Noah and I will find out if baby Schroer is a boy or girl this coming Friday...as long as our little on is in a cooperative mood. You can cast your vote in the poll on the sidebar of this page.

I've been feeling pretty well the past 8 weeks. I have my energy back and am loving feeling like a normal human being again!

For all who are curious for pregnancy stats:

Weight/gain loss - I believe I am up 2lbs. We'll check at the doctor's on Wed. to be sure. I didn't gain anything the first trimester with a ton of morning sickness which ironically mostly happened at night.

Maternity Clothes? - I didn't start showing until week 17ish but now at 2 days shy of 20weeks I am glad that I have maternity clothes to wear! I'm not quite sure why everyone doesn't wear spandx/elastic pants all the time...Thanks for the clothes Allie and mom :)

Sleep - I'm sleeping fairly well, but am usually up twice a night to go to the bathroom :) But I'm usually always able to fall right back asleep.

Stretch marks - Nothing yet...but I'm not going to hold my breath for the next 20 weeks.

Movement - I felt the baby move for the first time at 18 weeks. It felt like a few pieces of popcorn popping! I was very excited and can't wait for it to be strong enough for Noah to feel.

Food cravings - Nothing really. I have more aversions to food, although nothing that lasts more then a day or two.

Belly Button - Still an inny.

What I miss - Red wine and hot steamy baths.

What I'm looking forward to - Our ultrasound on the 28th. We got spoiled at the fertility place getting a new picture every week. I'll be happy to see how he/she's grown in the past 11 weeks.

Milestones - We are half way there at 20 weeks!

I will post pictures soon :)