Big Photo Challenge : Week Three Theme...

THREE

For this challenge I chose a photo of my "adori"ble Son posing with one of his favorite things to play with...lol

He is constantly getting out Daddy's cones and when he isn't wearing them, he is setting up obstacle courses in the yard.

Week 4 starts today and the new theme is OLD

Head on over and join in on the fun!

VOTE FOR MY KIDS

My Kids are in the running for the Parent's Magazine Cover Photo Contest. They are gaining momentum every day - the problem is - I don't have a BAZILLION friends to ask to vote for them - So I thought I would reach out to you all - My Family & Blogging friends. PLEASE VOTE...lol

Click on the photo to be taken to the voting page and remember that you can vote EVERY day...Spread the word.

Michael

Dylan

Super Bowl Pool

Hi all

I am really looking forward to the game this weekend...Not for the actual game, but for the good food and friends...and the beer too of course...lol


I have created a little football pool spreadsheet in excel if anyone is interested. Please feel free to download and print it out.

(click image to start download)

HAVE A FUN and SAFE weekend everyone!

Michael James has arrived

Well my little guy decided to make an appearance FIVE WEEKS EARLY. I woke up Thursday morning around 2am - my water had BROKEN. I was rolling to the other side when I felt it- and thought - NO WAY - So I waited a few minutes - rolled to the other side and yes - indeed - my water had broken. I am SO NOT PREPARED. I did not have a bag packed, I didn't have my maternity leave set up yet - I have no basinette - no car seat - and to top it all off my Work was holding my baby shower that afternoon. HOLY COW. I woke hubby up - threw some things into a bag, and off we went to make sure my water had broken. We arrived at L&D and the admitted me to the triage to have a look - well by the time they had me in a gown we were positive as my water was running down my legs....lovely. lol Doctor admitted me right away to start the pitocin as my body was not actually in labor and we wanted to avoid infection to the baby. Started pitocin around 5 am - had my epidural around 11 am - FINALLY started dialating around 4:15 - I was at about 5 cm when she checked me. HUbby and I tried to get some rest for a bit - and then the nurse came back in and asked me if I was feeling any pressure (I was indeed) so she checked me again and I was at 9 1/2 - 45 minutes later - WOW - that was FAST - She called the doctor and told me we were getting ready to start pushing. NOW I WAS NERVOUS....I had been calm the whole time, but started to have a little freak out. I wasn' too worried about the pain since my epidural was so good I could not even feel a thing. A slight tingle in my toes but that was it - WEIRD. It wasn't that good with my first born. Doctor arrived and we pushed for maybe TEN MINUTES and my giant preemie was born.

Michael James7/23/09 - 5:18 pm
6lbs. 14 oz. - 21 inches

Yes almost SEVEN POUNDS - can you imagine if I had carried him to term - holy moly. My little sweetie was placed into my arms for about five minutes before they took hom back to check him out a little better. My poor little guy is having some trouble breathing. His lungs are not quite developed, and they have placed him in the NICU to help him along until his lungs can mature. He is still in there - and we have been going back and forth to visit every day, several times a day. It is so hard to leave the hospital without your baby. I am very emotional. I wnat to hold him so badly. They have every arm and leg hooked up to IV, etc. He has a tube in his throat to give him oxygen, and a feeding tube as well, he has a tube in his belly button that they can draw blood from, he has not had any breastmilk or formula - he is on a liquid IV. My poor little guy. Now he has jaundice and has a mask over his eyes and bright lights over his bed. It is so hard to see him like this. I know how fortunate we are that he is a good size and I know he is in great hands but for it is just HARD. My four year old has not even seen his Brother and he just doesn't understand. But we don't want him to see the baby that way - I think it would really scare him.

Please keep us in your prayers - I will keep you all posted.

Family & Friends Baby Shower

My baby shower was this past weekend with my Friends & Family. My Mother-in Law, and Mother hosted it at Mimi's in Monrovia. It was REALLY nice. The flowers, tables, decorations, cake, diaper cake, everything was BEAUTIFUL. We had a lovely time other than it being SO HOT in the room....the restaurant didn't turn on the air until we got there. Ugghhhh - I wanted to pass out.

I really enjoyed spending time with my friends and Family and I made out like a bandit. I hate being the center of attention and especially when all the gifts are for me, I felt so guilty. Everyone was SO GENEROUS. Baby no-name is truly blessed to have so many people that already love him.

Here are some pictures of the big party. I am the GIANT COW in the black and white dress...lmbo

THANK YOU EVERYONE!
WE LOVE YOU

34 Weeks - Only 6 more to gooooooo...yipes

WOW - this pregnancy is going by SO FAST - yet SO SLOW at the same time. I can't believe I am 34 weeks....Only 4 more to go - I am so over it - I can't WAIT to have this baby. We still have not decided on a name though - I wsh we could find the perfect name - poor baby no-name. I am looking forward to my Showers this coming weekend and next week - that will be FUN! I will be sure to post pictures.
Have a great week.

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

By this week, fatigue has probably set in again, though maybe not with the same coma-like intensity of your first trimester. Your tiredness is perfectly understandable, given the physical strain you're under and the restless nights of frequent pee breaks and tossing and turning, while trying to get comfortable. Now's the time to slow down and save up your energy for labor day (and beyond). If you've been sitting or lying down for a long time, don't jump up too quickly. Blood can pool in your feet and legs, causing a temporary drop in your blood pressure when you get up that can make you feel dizzy.


If you notice itchy red bumps or welts on your belly and possibly your thighs and buttocks as well, you may have a condition called pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP for short). Up to one percent of pregnant women develop PUPPP, which is harmless but can be quite uncomfortable. See your practitioner so she can make sure it's not a more serious problem, provide treatment to make you more comfortable, and refer you to a dermatologist if necessary. Also be sure to call her if you feel intense itchiness all over your body, even if you don't have a rash. It could signal a liver problem.

Pregnancy Update ; 30 Weeks

I am absolutely HUGE and very uncomfortable - I really need to STOP growing now...lol - Can I really be expected to go TEN more weeks? YIKES

Scott, Dylan and I all went to Baby's R Us this weekend to pick out our crib, mattress and bedding set. That was FUN and a total WEIGHT off my shoulders. The crib will be in - in about a week. I can't wait to get it and out it together. The crib set we got is really cute. It is called ABC 123 and it is really colorful and just darling. I had planned on doing the Disney "Cars" theme for the bedding so that it would match Dylan's stuff since they will share a room - but Scott felt the baby should have something more baby-ish. lol - It IS really cute - so I am glad we went with it. Here is a picture...I will take some more when we get the crib put together.



Things are all starting to fall into place and this little boy will be here before we know it. I am starting to get more excited now. I have been feeling so big and blah that I just want it to be over with, but now I am getting excited. I hope these last ten weeks go fairly quickly.

Now we just have to come up with a NAME for this poor kid. We have gone through THOUSANDS of names and nothi9ng is "right". When we came up with Dylan's name it was just PERFECT and we knew that was the name for him, so we will keep searching until we feel that same fit with poor ol' baby no-name. He just be called "Baby Brother" until he is old enough to pick his own darn name...lmbo

Here are two photos my little 4 year old photographer took of me....
Poor kid could hardly hold up my big ol' heavy camera...lol
I look a little psycho because I was afraid he would drop my camera and I was like "hurry up Dylan"....lol

28 Weeks - June 1st, 2009


29 Weeks - June 6th, 2009

OH MY GOD - 96 Days ?????

I am so not ready for baby no name.....

Make a pregnancy ticker

25 Weeks and growing.....

How your baby's growing

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

See what's going on in your uterus this week.

How your life's changing

Your baby's not the only one with more hair — your locks may look more full and lustrous than ever. It's not that you're growing more hair, but thanks to hormonal changes, the hair that you'd normally shed is sticking around longer than usual. Enjoy the fullness while you can — the extra hair will fall out after you give birth.

You may also notice that you can't move around as gracefully as before. Unless your caregiver has advised you otherwise, it's fine to continue to exercise, but follow a few safety rules: Don't work out when you're feeling overly tired and stop if you feel any pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Don't lie flat on your back and avoid contact sports as well as any exercise where you're apt to lose your balance. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and make time for both warm-up and cool-down periods.

When you have your glucose-screening test at 24 to 28 weeks, a second tube of blood may be taken at the same time to check for anemia. If blood tests show that you have iron-deficiency anemia (the most common type of anemia), your caregiver will probably recommend that you take an iron supplement.

Have you started thinking about baby names yet? Choosing a name is an important decision, but it should be a fun one, too. You may want to consider family history (Great Grandpa Zeb), favorite locations (Venice, where you honeymooned), or cherished literary or film characters (Greta, Meg, or Atticus, for example). Check out a couple of baby-name books to help you brainstorm, too.

I am 23 weeks along.....and growing....

How your baby's growing:

Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

See what your baby looks like this week.

How your life's changing:

You may notice that your ankles and feet start to swell a bit in the coming weeks or months, especially at the end of the day or during the heat of summer. Sluggish circulation in your legs — coupled with changes in your blood chemistry that may cause some water retention — may result in swelling, also known as edema. Your body will get rid of the extra fluid after you have your baby, which is why you'll pee frequently and sweat a lot for a few days after delivery. In the meantime, lie on your left side or put your feet up when you can, stretch out your legs when you sit, and avoid sitting — or standing — in one place for long periods. Also, try to exercise regularly to increase circulation, and wear support stockings (put them on first thing in the morning) and roomy, comfortable shoes. You may be tempted to skimp on liquids to combat swelling, but you need to drink plenty of water because staying hydrated actually helps prevent fluid retention. While a certain amount of edema in your lower extremities is normal during pregnancy, excessive swelling may be a sign of a serious condition called preeclampsia. Be sure to call your midwife or doctor if you have severe or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, swelling in your face, or puffiness around your eyes.

Happy 4th Birthday Dylan

My Son is having a great day today - I got him some Pancakes from McDonalds as a special treat and I sang Happy Birthday to him all the way to Grammie's house this morning in English, Cat Meow, Dark Bark and Birdie Noises...He LOVED it - then we pulled up to Grammie's house and she and Uncle had the house all decorated for him with Birthday flags and balloons outside and Happy Birthday signs in the grass....he was so excited, then when he went into the house where they had hung streamers all over the ceiling and more balloons, he said it looked like Spider Man's webs on the ceiling. Then Uncle called to wish him a Happy Birthday and he got a special call from Auntie Lori as well as this AWESOME Birthday video from his cousins (that made me cry because I miss them so much and I know how much Dylan misses them) You gotta watch this .....- Tonight we will be having a little BBQ at Uncle & Grammie's house - just us and Granny, Grammie & Uncle - to celebrate his actual Birthday. Sunday is his actual party. I am so proud of my little man, he is so special to me. I can't believe he is growing up so fast.

21 Weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.

See what your baby looks like this week.

How your life's changing:

You're probably feeling pretty comfortable these days. You're not too big yet, and the usual discomforts associated with early pregnancy are, for the most part, gone. If you're feeling good, relax and enjoy it while you can — the third trimester may bring with it a new crop of complaints.

That's not to say you won't have some minor glitches to deal with now. For example, increased oil production may contribute to the development (or worsening) of acne. If that's the case, be diligent about washing well with a gentle soap or cleanser twice a day, and make sure that any moisturizer or make-up you use is oil-free. Don't take any oral acne medications — some are very hazardous during pregnancy — or use any topical acne products without first checking with your practitioner.

You're also more prone to varicose veins now. As your pregnancy progresses, there's increasing pressure on the veins in your legs; higher progesterone levels, which may cause the walls of your veins to relax, can make the problem worse. You're more likely to get varicose veins if other family members have them. Also, they tend to get worse with each successive pregnancy and as you age. To help prevent or minimize varicose veins, exercise daily, prop up your feet and legs whenever possible, sleep on your left side, and wear maternity support hose.

You may also notice so-called spider veins (a group of tiny blood vessels near the surface of your skin), particularly on your ankles, legs, or face. They may have a spider- or sunburst-like pattern with little branches radiating out from the center, they may look like the branches of a tree, or they may be a group of separate thin lines with no particular pattern. Though they may be a bit unsightly, spider veins don't cause discomfort and usually disappear after delivery.

Were back from the BIG Ultrasound and....

....the minute she put the ultrasound to my belly she declared "Whelp - I know what your having"....Well it was THAT obvious. Were having a BOY. I am slowly coming to terms with this...lol I was doing great - I didn't cry in the Doctor's office although I was really dissapointed....I was fine until I told Dylan he was getting a brother and he said "awwww.......but I wanted a sister"...then I lost it and had a good cry with my Mom. I am feeling a little better now. Scott was so great in the ultrasound and I can see that he knows how much I wanted a girl. He said - Well we can try again...lol. I know Dylan will LOVE having a baby brother and two boys is going to be SO MUCH FUN! I am looking forward to it - it is just not what I was expecting.

Here are some videos the doctor gave us...
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

I'm Half Way There : 20 Weeks Pregnant

I cannot believe how fast this is going and I am already halfway there...I get to find out (hopefully) what were having on THURSDAY - only three more days - I am so excited.

How your baby's growing:
Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)

He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

How your life's changing:
Congratulations! You've hit the halfway mark in your pregnancy. The top of your uterus is about level with your belly button, and you've likely gained around 10 pounds. Expect to gain another pound or so each week from now on. (If you started your pregnancy underweight, you may need to gain a bit more; if you were overweight, perhaps a bit less.) Make sure you're getting enough iron, a mineral that's used primarily to make hemoglobin (the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen). During pregnancy, your body needs more iron to keep up with your expanding blood volume, as well as for your growing baby and the placenta. Red meat is one of the best sources of iron for pregnant women. Poultry (especially the dark meat) and shellfish also contain iron. Some common non-meat sources of iron include legumes, soy-based products, spinach, prune juice, raisins, and iron-fortified cereals.

If you haven't already signed up for a childbirth education class, you may want to look into one, especially if you're a first-timer. A structured class will help prepare you and your partner for the rigors of labor and delivery. Most hospitals and birth centers offer classes, either as weekly meetings or as a single intensive, one-day session. Many communities have independent instructors as well. Ask your friends, family members, or caregiver for recommendations.

First Catch

First Catch, originally uploaded by Stokes Family Photography.

A page I made of Scott & Dylan on their first fishing trip together. I haven't scrapped in a long time, that was fun! I came across the perfect kit for the perfect pics and I couldn't resist.

I am 19 weeks - Almost halfway along! YAY

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

See what your baby looks like this week.

How your life's changing:

Think you're big now? You'll start growing even faster in the weeks to come. As a result, you may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides — especially when you shift position or at the end of an active day. Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support your uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight. This is nothing to be alarmed about, but call your practitioner if the pain continues even when you're resting or becomes severe.

You may be noticing some skin changes, too. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it's from the extra estrogen. You may also have patches of darkened skin caused by a temporary increase in pigment. When these darker patches appear on your upper lip, cheeks, and forehead, they're called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." You may also notice some darkening of your nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs, and vulva. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or "dark line."

These darkened spots will probably fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, protect yourself from the sun, which intensifies the pigment changes. Cover up, wear a brimmed hat, and use sunscreen when you're outdoors. And if you're self-conscious about your "mask," a little concealing makeup can work wonders.

Now for a bit of fun - Go to my Facebook page and help us name the baby!
http://apps.facebook.com/babynamer/ShortListed.aspx?profile=591361923

Dr. Appointment today....

I had my 17 week Dr. Appointment this morning and got to hear the heart beat - it was so loud- and she found it right away. WOW - It was 145..... My weight and everything looks great. They drew some blood for the second half of my triple screen and that was it. We will HOPEFULLY find out the sex of the baby at our next appointment on April 9th. When I was leaving the Doctor's office they asked me if I was hoping to find out the sex of the baby at my next appointment, I said "Oh YES please, I would like to find out TODAY if that is possible"lol - all the girls just laughed.....Can't blame for trying right? Scott took me to the Dr. today - I had a really bad morning - I woke up around five am with an EXCRUCIATING headache - It was so bad - I was crying, and moaning in my sleep - that was what woke me up - I could not get back to sleep - so I went to take some Tylenol and then instantly - my stomach was turning and I felt like I was going to gag - I ran into the bathroom and started throwing up. It was terrible - I was hoping to sleep in this morning since I didn't have to get to work so early. I feel much better now - thankfully. It was SO WEIRD.

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Baby Gender Prediction Based On Baby's Heart Rate

One of the popular theories on baby gender prediction is based on the baby's heart rate.

The theory states that if your baby's heart rate was 140 beats per minute and above, you would be having a girl. If the heart rate was under 140 beats per minute, then you would be having a boy.

While this would be a quick and easy baby gender prediction method, there is actully no evidence that this theory is accurate. There is recent study, "Sex, Heart Rate, and Age" from Terry J. DuBose, M.S., RDMS; Director Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, which indicates there is no correlation between fetal heart rate and the gender of the baby.

16 Weeks - Yay - we are 4 months along...

How your baby's growing:
Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

See what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)

How your life's changing:
The top of your uterus is about halfway between your pubic bone and your navel, and the round ligaments that support it are thickening and stretching as it grows. You're probably feeling a whole lot better as you settle into pregnancy, too. Less nausea, fewer mood swings, and "glowing" skin contribute to an overall sense of well-being.

Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling your baby move. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, many don't feel their baby move until about 18 weeks or more. (And if this is your first baby, don't be too impatient — you may not be aware of your baby's movements until 20 weeks or so.) The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll grow stronger and you'll be able to feel them much more frequently.

My Pregnancy - 15 Weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

How your life's changing:

You've probably gained about 5 pounds by now (a little more or less is fine, too) and are well into the swing of your pregnancy, but you may still be surprised by an unexpected symptom now and then. If your nose is stuffed up, for instance, you can probably chalk it up to the combined effect of hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your mucous membranes. This condition is so common, there's even a name for it: "rhinitis of pregnancy." Some pregnant women also suffer nosebleeds as a result of increased blood volume and blood vessel expansion in the nose.

Baby is 12 Weeks - YAY

How your baby's growing:The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

How your life's changing:

Your uterus has grown to the point where your healthcare provider can now feel the top of it (the fundus) low in your abdomen, just above your pubic bone. You may already be into maternity clothes, especially if this isn't your first pregnancy. If you're still fairly small and not yet ready for maternity clothes, you've no doubt noticed that your waist is thickening and that you're more comfortable in loose, less restrictive clothing.

You may begin to feel heartburn (also called acid indigestion), a burning sensation that often extends from the bottom of your breastbone to your lower throat. Many women get heartburn for the first time during pregnancy, and those who've previously had bouts of heartburn may find that it gets worse. During pregnancy, the placenta produces a lot of the hormone progesterone, which relaxes the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach. Particularly when you're lying down, gastric acid can seep back up the pipe, which causes the uncomfortable burning sensation. For many women the problem doesn't begin (or get worse) until later in pregnancy, when your growing uterus starts to push up on your stomach. The discomfort may range from mildly annoying to intense and distracting.