Sunday, October 4
37 weeks 1 day
Total weight gain/loss: Dr's scale says 11lbs, I just bought new batteries for our scale...will check that tomorrow
Maternity clothes: 1 pair of pants and my tees: Everything else is regular clothes.
Stretch marks: Let's just say they're really not pretty under the flourescent lights of a changing room with a full length mirror
Sleep: Starting to hurt a bit more...I'm glad we have the bed we do (wrought iron headboard) or I seriously would not be able to get out of bed.
Best moment this week: Getting the car seat installed
Movement: Yup, she's doing a lot more big stretches and seems to be moving southward.
Food cravings: Ice cold water
Gender: Girl!
Labor signs: I think I'm having BH, but I'm not sure, but there is definitely a certain amount of pain in my pelvic region...I'm assuming things are stretching and moving down there.
Belly button in or out: It's still in, but looking pretty stretched
What I miss: My knuckles not being swollen: I've always kind of had finger issues (during the summer they swell and hurt when it's too hot). I actually have to wait about 30 minutes in the morning before I can get my wedding band on. It's not all the time that the rest of my fingers are swollen, but enough that it hurts.
I am looking forward to: 2 weeks of work!!!!!! Getting the nursery finished next weekend.
Weekly wisdom: We really have no idea what we're doing lol
Milestones: Surprising people when I tell them that I have 3 weeks left....they all think I have more to go.
Here's the pictures: I've been curious how I look from behind and straight on...whether I am "all over pregnant" or just in the front.
Tuesday, September 29
36 Week OB Appt.
*My blood pressure is 110/62 (doesn't that sound low...it's usually 115/75-ish)
*Total weight gain is 11 lbs
*Measuring exactly 36 weeks
*Baby is definitely moving southward, her head is right against my cervix
*Cervix is still thick, but approximately a fingertip (we all know that means absolutely nothing).
There's no reasons to believe I'll go early or anything like that...so 4 more weeks it is. The NP did ask about pressure/cramping/etc low in my abdomen...I said "Yes, sometimes it actually hurts a bit, but I figure it's just her pushing against my cervix". She seemed to think that it could be BH contraction. Who knows.
Sunday, September 27
36 weeks 1 day
How far along: 36 Weeks 1 day
Total weight gain/loss: I think my weight is holding steady at 7-9 lbs of gain from my Pre-PG weight.
Maternity clothes: 1 pair of pants and my tees: Everything else is regular clothes.
Stretch marks: Yes they branch out from the underside of my belly toward my hips...weird
Sleep: Not too much of an issue, I get up 1-3 times to go pee, but fall back to sleep...my back and belly/sides sometimes hurt.
Best moment this week: I honestly don't know.
Movement: Yup, she's doing a lot more big stretches and seems to be moving southward.
Food cravings: Ice cold water
Gender: Girl!
Labor signs: None...If I'm having BH, I don't know it it
Belly button in or out: It's still in, but looking pretty stretched
What I miss: Sleeping on my back...I wake up there sometimes (in spite of pillows). It seriously is so much more comfortable than my sides, especially with the belly.
I am looking forward to: 3 weeks of work!!!!!!
Weekly wisdom: We really have no idea what we're doing lol
Milestones: 36 weeks...that's a milestone to me :-)
It's been one of those grungy "around the house" kind of days here: You can see that I am sporting the disheveled "I've been laying on the couch hair" along with the always sexy husband's college sweats, and a regular shirt of mine that no longer fits: I'm a regular fashionista!
Thursday, September 24
The Last 24th
1) There's still all these little things that need to be done: Finish the room, install the car seat, get the car seat inspected, make sure we have all the things we're going to need, contact list of people to call, hospital bags, music/cameras etc for the delivery room, schedule care for our dogs, who's going to be in the room with us, when will people come in, finish reading our delivery books, start reading about the vaccines and decide on those, clean the house, order the pack n play, get the cosleeper set up, we still need sheets for both, and about a 1000 things more I honestly can't think of or about because they start giving me an anxiety attack.
2) Am I going to be able to do this? Push a baby out of my crotch without drugs? What if I can't? What if something goes wrong? What if I need drugs? Will I feel like a loser since I went that path? I have moments when I feel entirely pumped and that I WILL be able to do this...it will be hard, but I'm strong and able to do this, then I have moments when I think "Can't someone just hand me a baby so I don't have to do this?! Because what if I can't?"
3) Am I going to be able to breast feed? Should we rent a pump from the hospital? Should we have a can of formula on hand in case we need to supplement? Should I order the LactAid at breast supplementer? Do I have enough bottles here if we need to do formula?
4) Is everything ok with her? I feel like I'm back in the beginning of this pregnancy: Checking her heart rate, pushing to get her to kick so I know she's ok. What if she's too small? I haven't gained much weight? What if there's something wrong with her health wise and it's because I haven't gained much weight?
6) We're going to be solely responsible for this little person! Who are we to be having a kid? What do we know about this? Uhhh...I have some experience, but not enough to shake a stick at. What if we entirely screw this up?
7) Is this real? Or is this some sick joke. Am I really not pregnant (in spite of my growing belly, the heart rate, the ultrasounds, the doctor appts, feeling her kick and move etc etc)? What if I'm not an people have been playing us: How am I going to explain THAT to people?
8) Is there something wrong with me? I haven't gained much weight (I've actually lost 3lbs in the past 2 weeks); I haven't had an Braxton Hicks. Is my body doing what it should to prepare for delivery? What if delivery is just some arbitrary thing and it isn't going to happen at all? What if I have to be induced/c-section? Will I even know when/what contractions are?
9) Am I the only one who isn't anxious for her to be born? I'm seriously dreading sharing her with the rest of the world (except Matt). I don't want anyone else seeing her or holding her, she's OUR'S DAMMIT! I'm having major separation anxiety about her not being in my body where I can protect her and keep her safe.
Then I tell my mind to SHUT UP! To stop putting all these doubts, worries, and fears in my head. And I know that whatever will be, will be, and it will all be all right and there's nothing I can change about anything that happens...it's not in my hands or Matt's or the doctor's. It's entirely in God's hands...he's led us this far. Through 3 years of infertility, being told Matt and I will never have a child together, Matt's back problems, BIL and PP having a whoops pregnancy before we ever got pregnant.
We got through it all and we will get through everything ahead: Will it be easy? Not always, but we'll do it together...with God.
Sunday, September 20
35 weeks 1 day (35/35)
How far along: 35 Weeks 1 day
Total weight gain/loss: +7 (+12 if you count the weight I initially lost and regained as part of my weight gain)
Maternity clothes: I absolutely LOVE my motherhood maternity work pants...they're so soft and comfy...I actually wore them 3 days in a row last week before I caved and made myself wear something else
Stretch marks: Yes: I'm sure I'll see more once the baby's out.
Sleep: Not too much of an issue, I get up 1-3 times to go pee, but fall back to sleep...my back and belly/sides sometimes hurt.
Best moment this week: Finishing the Christmas stocking and doing some maternity shots with Matt
Movement: Quite regularly, but I think it's starting to become somewhat less...my guess is she's running out of room in there (I'm waiting to have some major belly growth soon).
Food cravings: Ice cold water
Gender: Girl!
Labor signs: None...If I'm having BH, I don't know it it
Belly button in or out: It's still in, but looking pretty stretched
What I miss: Drugs! This past week of having a cold was really hard, because I wouldn't take anything other than the occasional tylenol and benadryl at bed time.
I am looking forward to: Reaching 36 weeks! (and 4 more weeks of work!)
Weekly wisdom: Pace yourself
Milestones: Starting to feel uncomfortable sometimes...does that count?
Sunday, September 13
34 weeks 1 day
Total weight gain/loss: +7 (+12 if you count the weight I initially lost and regained as part of my weight gain)
Maternity clothes: Sometimes
Stretch marks: Finally saw the ones on the underside of my belly: EEK!
Sleep: Not too much of an issue, I get up 1-3 times to go pee, but fall back to sleep...my back and belly/sides sometimes hurt.
Best moment this week: More progress in the nursery :-D
Movement: Quite regularly, but I think it's starting to become somewhat less...my guess is she's running out of room in there (I'm waiting to have some major belly growth soon).
Food cravings: Ice cold water and Apple Cider
Gender: Girl!
Labor signs: None...If I'm having BH, I don't know it it
Belly button in or out: It's still in, but looking pretty stretched
What I miss: My back not bothering me.
I am looking forward to: FINISHING THE NURSERY!
Weekly wisdom: ....?
Milestones: Starting to feel uncomfortable sometimes...does that count?
We took this picture this morning before we headed to C-town to work at the harvest festival (I don't think I had brushed my hair yet). I'm trying to work with Matt and his photography and one of the things I'm trying to teach him is to get on the level of his subject...well with his being so much taller than me he tried kneeling, but it was too low...and I'm not even sure the picture is focused on me lol :-)
Sunday, September 6
33 weeks 1 days
Total weight gain/loss: +7 (+12 if you count the weight I initially lost and regained as part of my weight gain)
Maternity clothes: Kind of...I bought a pair of pants to wear to work
Stretch marks: Finally saw the ones on the underside of my belly: EEK!
Sleep: Not too much of an issue...my back and belly/sides sometimes hurt.
Best moment this week: Getting the wall letters done
Movement: Quite regularly, but I think it's starting to become somewhat less...my guess is she's running out of room in there (I'm waiting to have some major belly growth soon).
Food cravings: Ice cold water
Gender: Girl!
Labor signs: None...If I'm having BH, I don't know it it
Belly button in or out: It's still in, but looking pretty stretched
What I miss: My back not bothering me.
I am looking forward to: FINISHING THE NURSERY!
Weekly wisdom: ....?
Milestones: Starting to feel uncomfortable sometimes...does that count?
My aunt was taking too long: This was tonight (33 weeks 3 days) after eating dinner and not stopping to relax since I got home from work.
Tuesday, September 1
OB Update
*Her policy on induction: They won't induce until after two weeks past due date, unless there are health implications to me or the baby...elective induction is not really an option.
*Work: I can continue to work right up until I deliver, depending on how I feel.
*Baby's position: Still head down :-)
The scale there said I weighed 194 (+4 since last time)....I'm not sure if their scale is off or ours....mine says 184. I'm hoping that their's is off, because if it isn't that means I've been thinking for the past year that I'm 10lbs lighter than I really am.
I was really glad that she took the few minutes to come in and see me.
Sunday, August 30
32 weeks 1 day
I see this on some of the other girls' blogs, since I don't have much to add I'm going to do this each week from here on out and belly shots each week. Here goes...
How far along: 32 Weeks 1 day
Total weight gain/loss: +6 (+11 if you count the weight I initially lost and regained as part of my weight gain)
Maternity clothes: Kind of...I have cheap yoga capris from fashion bug I wear with maternity tees, but I think I need to buy some pants, because it's getting too cool in the morning for capris.
Stretch marks: I've always had little stretchmarks, but Matt says they are starting to be more of them and they're slowly creeping up my belly. I can't see them because they're on the underside.
Sleep: Not too much of an issue...my back and belly/sides sometimes hurt.
Best moment this week: Giving Matt his gift at our shower yesterday and having him there with me the whole time.
Movement: Quite regularly, but I think it's starting to become somewhat less...my guess is she's running out of room in there (I'm waiting to have some major belly growth soon).
Food cravings: None
Gender: Girl!
Labor signs: None...If I'm having BH, I don't know it it
Belly button in or out: It's still in, but looking pretty stretched
What I miss: There isn't much I miss...
I am looking forward to: Getting the rest of the baby stuff we need/want and FINISHING THE NURSERY!
Weekly wisdom: Even people who went through IF still can make rude comments (See baby shower post).
Milestones: 32 weeks seems like a milestone to me :-)
My hair gets a bit frizzy when it's raining out (and it rained all day yesterday). Boy, I really do look like crap in this picture (I never know what to do with my hair).
Baby Shower in Review
My sister made the cake: She did an AWESOME job. She's a very creative individual and for her to be this involved with a baby is amazing. She's never used fondant before so this is her first creation...I think she did great!
I do know that my parents and sister bought us the stroller we wanted. Matt's parents bought us some little stuff and a breast pump (I've already asked Matt if they have the receipt, I'd hate to have them spend that much money on something I may not be able to use...MIL seems to think with enough effort I'll be able to breastfeed). My godmother got us the co sleeper we wanted. My friend, who owns the quilt shop, made a quilt for us that snagged a blue ribbon in the fair. My cousins from Roch-cha-cha got us the Chico keyfit 30 carseat we wanted. My mom's friend and her mom got us all of the prefolds and thirsties covers we wanted. I think we made out pretty good.
I do have to go through the clothes and see what is for now and what is for next summer, surprisingly a lot of the clothes we got are for next summer. I'm hoping we can hit up Ko.hls' labor day sales and get some things for this winter. I also need to order another set of the BG3 diapers.
The shower went well...no one, fortunately, made any comments about breaking ribbons and pregnancy or anything like that. I actually enjoyed myself. I do wish I got to spend more time with people...my two friends, L & M (my birthday post), came but I barely even got to say hello to them....and I certainly didn't get a picture with them (which I really wanted). The other thing I realized was we got absolutely no pictures of me at the shower with Matt's family...oh well...there will be other times.
Matt's "Diaper Bag" was a hit. He was over the top excited about the Homebrewer in Training onesie...He insisted on walking around with it over his shoulder.
The food was good...not that I would have expected otherwise from our families. I think everyone enjoyed themselves. I'm glad I was able to enjoy it, but I'm also glad that it's over, because now I'm ALLOWED to go ahead and buy things (my mom wasn't "allowing" me to do that before the shower).
After the shower, and a quick nap for Matt, we headed up to my parents' house for a family BBQ since her cousin from Roch-cha-cha was here and her cousin from Germany...It was great to have everyone together...of course no one thought to take a picture of all of us (first time together in 35 years) until people started leaving and then it was too late.
We got home in the evening and plopped our butts on the couch, watched a movie and went to bed.
Here's the link to the shower pictures and the family BBQ pictures.
Saturday, August 29
Today is my shower...
I'm scared that someone is going to make the comment that every ribbon I break is another pregnancy, knowing that I could rip all the ribbons in the world and it wouldn't happen. Most of the people there don't know about our IF, some know that we tried for three years, and only our parents know about our azoo diagnosis.
Hopefully, I can be strong and all my worries will be for nothing. Matt is going to be there for the last 1/2 of the shower (it's from 12-2, he'll be there by 1)...so that will help.
Sunday, August 23
31 weeks 1 day
Nothing terribly exciting going on. I saw Matt's grandma this past week and she informed that I look for-real pregnant, I asked if that was opposed to looking for-fake pregnant. I think just in the past week I've gotten a bit bigger. Rolling over in bed is a bit of work.
Thursday my feet swelled up like balloons at work...oh did they hurt! I think it was a combination of things, none of them being pregnancy: Wednesday night I ate a hot dog, fries, and a funnel cake at the fair, that and with my coworker out I really am not allowed to leave my office (since I answer phones).
I think the increase in sodium and decrease in movement, on top of the heat and humidity was what did me in. They were pretty much back to normal by Friday and haven't been that way since. I even worked 10 hours in the store yesterday and had no foot issues.
I lost track of how many belly-pats I got this week. I think it was mainly because I was at the fair a couple of times and saw people who know me, but I'm not close to and haven't seen in a while. I just grinned and bared it.
So this coming Saturday, there's this thing going on for me...something called a "baby shower": I'm seriously starting to have anxiety issues over this. Before I was all excited to have one, now I really wish I wasn't. The whole time is going to be dedicated to me and our baby and that situation just does not make me comfortable...on so many levels. I'm hoping I get better, and more excited, about the shower this week.
Friday, August 14
30 Weeks 1 Day
Some people say that their pregnancies seem to go so slowly and that of others' so quickly: I don't know if it's that we've been busy pretty much the entire time or what, but I feel like this pregnancy is FLYING by! I'm actually kind of saddened by the thought that there may only be 10 more weeks of me being pregnant, feeling our little girl kicking and squirming about in there.
With the arrival of the cloth diapers and my shower being 2 weeks away....it's starting to hit me that we really haven't bought ANYTHING yet for this kid. I was looking online and found this list of "necessities" for baby's first few weeks. I figure after the shower I'll really buckle down and order whatever else we need....I'm sure that will be a huge credit card bill.
I haven't done too much more in the nursery. I'm still plugging along at the valance and haven't made a decision on how I'm going to do it...that and the yardages of the fabric I want aren't available yet, and the person from fatquartershop.com hasn't emailed, she just had twins, but I don't see it listed on the site yet either. I did find one other place that is carrying some of the fabric in yardage, but it's not the print I want.
I want to work on the letters for her name on the wall, but I don't want to go to the store (an hour away) in hopes of finding what I want, but the alternative is actually doing it myself (I have the wood and the scroll saw, but not the desire). We'll see, with Matt gone this week I may get bored and do it.
Matt's too funny: He sits on the couch with the dogs and talks to them, coaching them on being protective of their little sister: "Are you going to protect the little girl? You going to keep her safe?" It's rather cute.
Here's this week's belly shot: You'll have to forgive the grungy clothes (I'm working around here!) and the crappy picture....Matt has the only camera with him.
Monday, August 10
They're not furry beasts anymore!
They went on Saturday for a grooming! I was a nervous wreck the entire time I was waiting for the groomer to call. We got our dogs 3 years ago (July)...we took them to a local groomer that fall...the groomer told us "don't bring that one back" meaning Thyme (on the right). Matt asked what was wrong and he said she was a nervous wreck. So we didn't we could manage Thyme's grooming on our own.
Sage went to them one last time, I think 2 years ago, and they told us then "don't bring her back unless she's tranqu'ed"....uhh ok. Let me just say I was never really impressed with these groomers...they are rather rough.
For the past two years, we've been managing their grooming as best we could, while trying to find someone that would actually groom them. FINALLY, this past month I found someone...a lady from Brooklyn who was willing to give them a try.
Obviously, she got them done. She did say, that they are ruined for life, as far as grooming goes. Her feeling is the same as mine....that whatever that first groomer was doing really scared the bejeezers out of them. BUT, she's willing to do them again.
A $100.00 later and the dogs are done! She charged me an extra $5 each since they were so difficult (it took her 4 hours to do them) and I was just so glad that she did them and got them done (even their nails clipped!) that I tipped her $20. They both feel and look so much better now.
Here's an interesting tid bit: When we got them from the previous owner (an old lady that had them and 2 white bichons) she told us they were bichon and border collie, which we could see the bichon, but not the border collie. The groomer said what she sees is Scottie mix....Thyme has the hair/beard of a scotty and Sage more the build and disposition of a Scottie. Ironically, that's what Matt and I had said in the past too.
~*~
This weekend I decided to start working on some of the sewing that needs to get done for the kid's room. I decided I would start on the valance for the curtain: I'm not quite sure where I'm going with this yet, but it will come to me. Here's a tease of the blocks...I have to make 4 more then figure out how to place them together. I'm sorry the picture is so scrappy...it's the camera.
The rest of what I have to make for the room is the curtain panels (which are easy enough - just a hemmed stretch of fabric), a quilt, a wall hanging, and I'm hoping MIL will make the bed skirt ...then my major sewing should be done...I'm going to hold off on the bumper until last (not something we'd need right away, if we decide to have one).
~*~
I think I picked out my shower dress: Now to order it. It was tough to find a dress that I liked and didn't cost a fortune. There was one I liked more than this one, but it was only available in a small...I am not, nor have I ever been, a small. Hopefully it fits and looks good.
~*~
The only other "exciting" thing this weekend was that I ordered the first of our cloth diapers. The Bum Genius 3.0s are on sale...buy 6 get the 7th free (and free shipping). I got 7 diapers for $100...I thought that was pretty good.
My mom started yelling at me for buying them...then asked, "well how many do you need?" I said at least 2 dozen of the BG3s plus a dozen of the prefolds..."Oh, Ok". I think she realized she was being a bit ridiculous about my buying diapers lol.
That's about all from the white house :-) Have a good week!
Sunday, August 9
29 weeks 1 day
Sunday, August 2
28 weeks 1 day
I think this kid is definitely growing: By the end of the day it feels like she's pushing on my lungs. I get home and the bra comes off, it's easier to breath that way. I also try (gently) pushing on my upper belly and ribs to move her down a bit. I guess the fun is going to be starting with her interfering with my breathing and such.
Haven't felt any more specific body parts, but she seems to be almost constantly in motion. Yesterday I went to the pool just so I could float and hopefully calm her down a bit. I think it helped.
Everyone keeps telling me how tiny and cute I am. I definitely think that my belly is bigger by the end of the day, but I still don't think it's that big (I can still shave my legs in the shower and see my feet). During the morning I don't have much of a belly, but by night time I definitely look more pregnant. Or maybe I'm just in denial about what I look like.
Here's this weeks belly shot with my new skirt that I made (yea, I hate this camera...my eyes are so dark compared to the rest of me).
And just for fun, a silly picture of Matt and I from last weekend (let me just say this...his belly isn't that big...he was pushing it out)
Monday, July 27
Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability. ~Sam Keen
I got scolded by the NP: I lost 1lb since my last appt, I should have gained about 3-5 lbs since then. Then she commented that my body was in ketosis (from the urine sample)...I explained that I was told last time to avoid fruits, sugars and excessive carbs before the GT, that I'd had a bowl of cereal this morning, some cashews, turkey and cheese (hadn't eaten lunch yet this was at 12:45). I got told I need to eat more carbs...ok. I told Matt if I wanted to lose weight I wouldn't be able to, now that I want to GAIN weight I still can't do that.
I met my first internet today! There's only one girl from the knot/nest/bump that lives anywhere near me (she's in O-town, where I go for all my appts etc). She had a bunch of childbirth books that I could borrow if I was interested. So I got to meet her and her mom and her youngest son, who is 2 weeks tomorrow (totally adorable baby!): She was great! I was so nervous about meeting someone face to face but it was completely fine...I didn't even get a stuttering attack :-)
Sunday, July 26
27 weeks 1 day
There's really not much going on. Tomorrow is my glucose test...yay! I'm so excited about that...I'm honestly not worried though. We'll just have to see.
Sunday, July 19
26 weeks 1 day
Yesterday was fine, all though it was a long day. My mom's cousin kept pushing for us to spend the night (this was at 2:30 - the drive home is only 3.5 hours)...we didn't. I don't like spending the night ANYWHERE, especially if Matt isn't with me. I hate it, I don't sleep.
Nothing new to report, so here's this weeks picture, yes, I'm in my pajamas; no, I haven't brushed my hair yet (not that I usually do):
In the second one I'm sucking in my stomach.
Friday, July 17
Double Ds
Tomorrow my mom and I are going to Rochester for my 2nd cousin's bridal shower...We see them maybe once a year. And, for some reason I feel like I'm being tossed to the lions.
In spite of 3 years of trying and being 26 weeks (tomorrow) I still feel like the unfortunate teenager who got knocked up, isn't married, and has everyone whispering behind their back (never mind that I'm 27 on Tuesday, have been married almost 4 years, work, own my own house, and have been with Matt for almost 10 years!). On top of that I have a really hard time with people congratulating me or trying to talk to me about my being pregnant: That may be entirely weird, I don't know.
I had someone that I talk to on the phone for work call today and she congratulated me on being pregnant, my first reaction was to mumble a thanks and change the topic fast. I hate that I'm THAT uncomfortable with people congratulating me and with people talking about my being pregnant. Don't get me wrong, I am over the moon to be having a baby, but I'm still not believing this and still thinking that it's not real.
3 years ago, if I was pregnant with a little girl, I'd be blowing up the credit cards and emptying our bank account buying things. I haven't bought 1 thing. I think I'm afraid that it will make it too real, and then something will happen, or that buying things in the store without a baby at my side is me "posing" as having one.
The further and further I get along in this pregnancy the less real it is seeming. I keep looking at belly pictures of other women, the same week as me, and my belly looks so tiny compared to them (other people comment to me on how tiny I am). Yea, sometimes by night I have a definite belly, but for the rest of the day I could seriously hide it, I even find myself sucking in my stomach: I'm 26 weeks and I just feel like this should be more real, that I should be showing more; and that if I let myself believe this IS real, something is going to happen...so better to keep hiding it. I'm having some issues.
I wish I could just enjoy this, being pregnant, without all these other emotions that have me in a thousand different mind-sets.