Week 25

This week has been a bit long in the Aikin household. Trev and I really enjoyed our last few days together before he left underway. He made yummy crepes for breakfast and later we watched the new James Bond, which was really awesome :)

Since Trev got underway I'm just trying to get in a routine to make the time go by faster. I've been volunteering and am still enjoying that a lot. I try and do it every Tues and Wed for 3-4 hours. I enjoy just talking with them all, helping with crafts and doing fun things like drumming class and they also have a therapy dog that comes in so there is always something new to do.

How's Raelin doing?!?! She is growing by leaps and bounds. Interesting facts of the week are her nostrils, which have been plugged up until now, are starting to open. This enables her to begin taking practice "breaths". Her vocal cords are functioning now also, leading to occasional hiccups. She's the size of a zucchini and weighs about a pound and a half. She's starting to grow her baby fat and also more hair.

I'm feeling pretty good most days. Belly is getting bigger, heartburn is kicking in more, getting harder to sleep comfortably, sometimes having lower abdominal pains because she is growing and moving around a lot. All of which is normal, just uncomfortable lol.

Been starting to get her room ready little by little. I made some dividers for all of the clothes I'll be hanging up in the closet. Also started buying outfits and other little things I know she'll be needing.

(made with just foam and ribbon, but you can never be too organized when it comes to babies lol)

I'm hoping to have a couple of things done by next weeks so I'll keep you all posted on how the room is coming. I may not show all pictures because Trev hasn't seen it but I'll at least tell you about them.

Hope everyone has a good week :)








Semper Paratus

Oh, it's the Coast Guard life for us! This week Trev got underway on the ship Escanaba which they borrowed from Boston because their ship is in drydock getting worked on. The nice thing about this deployment is there is a good chance I'll be able to get to see him when he pulls into a couple of portacalls (which usually never happens).

   \/

(Trev is the 2nd guy right side of the top steps)

(pulling all the lines)

I have to say that I love being a military wife! I'm so proud of my husband and all that he does. He's an amazing husband, an amazing Coastie, and soon to be an amazing dad to Raelin.

The days that he gets underway are always hard. But seeing him and all his shipmates dressed in blue and ready for whatever the seas throw at them, that's just something to see. It's hard to describe.
When they come back though...wow... is all I can say. It makes it all worth it. Those are the moments you are truly thankful and happy.

(waving good-bye)

(heading out to sea)

This time there weren't a lot of wives there to wave them off. I'm sure there were lots of reasons why...some had work, the weather wasn't so good. I thought about it and really, nothing would hold me from seeing them off. I don't care if there was 5 ft of snow, I'd still be there. Anything could happen and I just want my husband to know that I love and support him with my whole heart. He can always count on me.

I love you Trevor and I'll see you soon :)
xoxo

Week 24

What a fun and busy week we've had. I've been volunteering twice a week at the adult daycare center, which is going well and I'm enjoying it a lot. Trev has had a really busy week getting ready to get underway. Leaving early in the morning and staying pretty late. He's excited about getting underway but isn't looking forward missing the next couple of months. We are both just so happy that he'll make it home for the birth and I'll be able to see him once or twice throughout and also emailing him on a daily basis to keep him updated on what's going on.

What's going on with Raelin this week? Well lets see....it's 24 weeks :) She is the size of a corn cob now. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, which is a substance that will help air sacs in the lung inflate once she's born. Her face and body are beginning to fill out and look more like how she will look at birth.

Like I said, Trev is getting ready to get underway this upcoming week so this past weekend we made it a point to take a drive. We went and visited his Aunt Sally, cousin Ted and Bitsy in Vermont. It was great getting a chance to catch up with them, go to some place new and also getting some awesome maple syrup and cheddar cheese. Bitsy took us up to Okemo Ski Resort, where Ted works and we had some very yummy lunch while we got to visit with them. Afterwards Bitsy took us on a tour of the town and and area where they all live. We went back to Aunt Sally's where we had a great dinner that Ted's wife made and Trev got to share some of his sea stories. It was a nice little weekend getaway and we are looking forward to visiting again sometime in the summer after Raelin gets here.

(this is the sugar house where we got maple syrup)

(they made this syrup the night before so when we got it, it was still warm. Also heard that if you warm it up and put it over vanilla ice cream it taste pretty amazing. fyi Trev and I tried it and it was :)

From now until Trev leaves I'm just making sure he has everything for while he's underway. And of course just enjoying our time together while he's here :)

Week 23

Hello! Hello! :) Well it's 23 weeks already and today has been 5 months being pregnant...only 4 more until Raelin gets here. Lots of things are happening and I'm thinking it will just start flying by as the time gets closer.

 I'm soaking up all the time I can with Trevor while he's home.He'll be leaving soon for a 2 month deployment, mostly doing Helo Ops (playing with helicopters lol) and some other training. As a late birthday gift he got me a gift certificate for a couple massages while he's gone since he won't be here to rub my back or neck. I'm excited about that but would definitely just trade it in if that meant he could stay here with me :)

(picture taken the day after our last winter storm)

I had another doctors appointment today and everything went well. Her heartbeat was 140 and my tummy is measuring out normal and gaining the right amount of weight. No need to put numbers to either of those, everyone just needs to know everything is normal and positive lol!

I know I keep saying doctor but really I'm seeing a midwife and am looking forward to a natural/ drug free healthy birth of Raelin. I also just signed up for Hypno-birthing classes which start in April. I'm sad Trev won't be here to take classes with me but my mom is happy to fill in until he gets back.

(sorry no dancing pomegranate this week *sad face*)



Current facts of the week:

Raelin is the size of a pomegranate and weighs a little over a pound. Her ears are fully formed and can hear sounds. I'm listen to more music now and she kicks most of the time especially when I sway back and forth.

Her pancreas is maturing quickly and she also has developed sweat glands (who would have thought).

(This is just a picture of me being a dork, trying to get everything out of the crib box that we needed to put it together last week)

 (And this is a picture of Trev testing out all the carseat/ strollers at BabiesR Us. I think at one point we had 3 different ones down and were messing with them. People were walking by, looking at us probably thinking now there's a couple that wants a good stroller lol)

That reminds me about the Baby Registry....Trev and I have it mostly done, we think. It was really difficult to find bedding that would go well with the theme so while Trev is gone I'm taking on sewing a few things myself and also another Coastie wife. I'll post pictures if it turns out as awesome as I'm hoping it will be.

Also I have started volunteering to take up some of my time specially when Trev is gone. It's at an adult daycare center for the elderly, most of them have some form of Alzheimer's/ dementia or just need to get out and socialize. So last week was my first time going and it was pretty fun. They have a guy who plays piano, they sing songs, do exercises and also have a drumming class. It's nice to get out and volunteer a couple times a week especially since I'm not working right now.

I think I included everything that's been going on this week. I hope everyone had a great week. Trev and I have plans for this weekend to go to Vermont but you'll have to wait til next week to hear about it. Hope you all have a fun weekend and be careful if you're driving anywhere.

xoxo Trevor and Misty

Week 21 & 22

Hi everyone, hope you are all doing well. Trev and I are loving the whole pregnancy process. Together we are learning lots of baby stuff and getting to experience all the pregnancy firsts. I know Trev will be getting underway next month for 2 months so every day that he's here is a blessing. I love that he has been able to make it to all my appointments, been there for the ultrasounds, been able to feel Raelin kick and this week we have been able to watch and see her kicks on my belly. :)

So this last week was fun. I turned 27 :S not sure how I feel about that lol but Trev was awesome and made me yummy lasagna and homemade icecream cake, which was beyond awesome :) On Valentine's day we were able to fly out to Indiana to see my dad for a long weekend. It was great visiting with them and can't wait for them to visit after Raelin gets here :)

Current facts of the week:

Raelin is the size of a carrot and will be a papaya soon. 

Her tastebuds are starting to form on her tongue.

She is starting to suck her thumb.

We should be able to hear her heart beart with just a stethoscope.

She is also developing visible eyelashes, eye brows and a head of hair.

Trev and I were able to put the crib together today and it couldn't look better.  Just with the crib together, the room is getting us super excited.  We are expecting it to come together with the nautical designs we are planning in the room.  The colors are neutral with splashes of purple. 

We also have been working on the registry.  We are not completely done yet, but have a good start through Babies-R-Us and Target.  Being new to all of this we are hoping to have everything on the list we need, but if you notice anything that you had that was important that we don't have, please feel free to let us know!

Hope everyone has a great week and we'll have more to share next week :)

xoxo Trevor and Misty

Daddy's Corner

Happy 21 weeks everyone! 

This week the future Daddy is the author of the blog.  Misty thought it would be a great idea for me to give my two cents about how my life has been changing and my excitement as that eventful day in June comes closer and closer.

First off, when I found out that I was a father to be, excitement came over me like it has never done before.  That was quickly overshadowed by my new job... taking care of my morning sick (all day) wife!  From early November through... now, Misty has been sick as could be.  At one point she was so sick, I thought I was going to have to take her to the hospital.  She started to come around by Thanksgiving but not well enough to make dinner for the guests.  As part of my new job, I took over and made it all for the first time EVER.  Misty has gotten better over time though.  She wasn't as sick on our Christmas vacation in SLC. 

Excitement continued to grow as things progressed.  In December we were able to hear the babies heart beat, even for only a split second.  We went in one more time to listen to the heart beat before going to SLC and could hear it a lot stronger the second time around.  It was an amazing experience hearing my baby alive and well.  We continued to set up more and more appointments with the midwives and doctors.

As you know just two weeks ago was the most amazing part of my life so far.  I got to see my future daughter waving at us through the ultrasounds.  I can not wait till I get to actually meet her in person. but for now, I get to just enjoy feeling her through Misty's belly.  After the ultrasound Misty was able to start feeling her kicking, just a flutter.  Not two weeks later, she is using my hand as a soccer ball, but only during the night hours when Misty is trying to sleep. 

I still do my best to take care of my pregnant wife, but it is all on her when she has to wake up in the middle of the night to pee, about 5 times a night.  The rest of this weeks blog may continue, but you may have to wait till next week after we get back from our little vacation.

        
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Week 19 & 20

Wow, what an eventful and exciting 2 weeks. Trevor and I are happy to announce we are having a baby GIRL! Raelin Rose Aikin :)

Trev and I had a really fun time doing this cake idea. It made everyone wait a little longer but it was a different way of sharing the great news with our family and friends :)

Last Thursday (Jan.31) I had my first ultrasound and then a doctors appt right after. Her heart rate was 154 bpm and the tech said she was weighing about 12 oz now. I will be having another ultrasound on Monday so the tech can get some measurements she couldn't take last week.

Here are some pictures of our baby girl :)

       (She had her hand in front of her face a lot and the tech had a little difficulty trying to get a pic)

She was waving to us while we were trying to get the pictures. That was really neat to see her moving her hands. Every time we saw her move I was concentrating on if I could feel it or not. Since the ultrasound I have been able to feel her pretty much every day usually when I'm laying down or right before bed.

When I saw the doctor he said everything is normal and going well.

I did gain 5 lbs but baby is starting to grow faster. The nice thing is I have my appetite back now and am eating more regularly. I'm finding myself more hungry at night. I'm still drinking lots of milk and am on a Blueberry mini wheats kick (they taste like blueberry muffins).

She is about the size of a banana. After 20 weeks they start measuring head to toes instead of in the previous weeks where they measured head to rump.

During this week baby maybe able to start hearing voices also is learning how to swallow more. Another interesting fact that I found out is babies can even dream while asleep in the womb. (Who would have thought?!)

So tomorrow will be the 1/2 way mark. Only 140 more days to go. It's crazy because it feels like it's flying by now. I have been so thankful that I have such an amazing husband and that we can share this together. He has been helping me so much thoughout this whole experience. He is a pro at making me breakfast or whipping up something to eat when I get a craving. He has been to all my doctors appt so far. He helps with the baby registry even though we both are overwhelmed sometimes. He deals with my pregnancy brain and crazy mood swings :) He gives me great back rubs and doesn't yell at me when I get up for the hundredth time to go to the bathroom lol.

This week he has been in California for an SK class and will be back on Saturday. It has kind of prepared me for when he leaves next months and will be gone for 2 months. I know everything will be fine and I can send him pictures and talk to him on the phone when he's in port but it's definitely not the same. All we can do is share as much as we can with each other and he knows I'll be in good hands while he is gone.

Thanks to my mom, my close CG friends (Mary Jo, Jess and Michelle), my family and friends that I can call any time and I definitly can't forget my friends in Manistee. There are lots of miles between some of us but thank goodness for facebook, texting and just an old fashioned phone call.

We love you all and thank you for all your support :)

xoxo Trevor and Misty