39 wks

Perhaps its time for a new shirt? One that fits all the way to under the belly... but then again my fingers are crossed that she comes this week. I had my Dr. appt where i again heard "no change, still closed". Then he talked about inducing next week. Thursday, July 9th. I would love for her to come this week, but more than anything, i would LOVE for her to come on her own!! I have another appointment scheduled for next Tuesday. I am hoping that if she is not already here by the appt, that she is well on her way before Thursday. I want to avoid being induced if possible, and i am not looking forward to telling this to my dr. I guess i am a chicken when it comes to telling a medical professional i dont agree with him. Especially since she doesnt seem to be ready.

36 weeks

And a sneak peak of the nursery. I plan on getting all the nursery shots after we get out all the rest of the things i have yet to put away, or those items that will be moved to another room closer to her arrival. This crooked shot is courtesy Alfie. sorry you can barely see the belly.

Is it just me or does it look like i am seriously arching my back in this photo? I'm not, but it sure looks that way, i tried doing it again with my arm by my side, but that just made my arm look fat, so, here's the arched back.

Blog? What Blog?

I wish i had a really good excuse for neglecting the blog world, but i don't. Here i am at 28 wks

And then again with a major pop, it looks like to me, at 30 wks.

I will be officially 32 wks this week, so even this pic is old. But my goal is to get it uploaded and to remain faithful for the duration of the pregnancy. I think i am going to switch to weekly photos now, since there seems to be some major growth going on, but don't hold me to it.

Today when i went shopping i was checking out, and a sweet older lady asked me when i was due, when i told her July 4th, she quickly responded "ooohhh, i don't think you are going to make it. I think she will be early!" I take it i am looking big??

Pregnancy brain has officially hit me. Starting today. In the parking lot. I got lost. Not once, but twice!! The first time was at the mall. I felt like an idiot when two different cars were trying to follow me to my spot, only for me to have to turn around a bazillion times. I had a minor panic attack because i was driving Alfie's car, so i was sure that it had been stolen. I finally found it with phone in hand to call Alfie to tell him that his car was stolen again bc i had forgotten to lock it! I had been looking nowhere near where i had parked either. I should have gone straight home after that, but went to Metro Shoes for mother's day shopping. This time when i couldn't find the car, i wasn't worried, just completely annoyed.

My weight gain at 28 wks was at 15 lbs. It's really the craziest thing, how one day you are feeling good, rocking the bump, and then you walk by a mirror and wonder when the heck you got so big. Just about the time i am feeling comfortable with my belly being that big, it grows again overnight!

Don't get me wrong, i love it. I love knowing that everyday she is growing stronger and it's a day closer to meeting her. I love her constant kicking! She is sooo active. I read that mornings are their least active part of the day, but she is up and moving as soon as i am. Alfie thinks she is practicing her tennis strokes most of the time, but he is also convinced that she likes soccer too. She is not subtle when she moves. If you are around me and watch my belly for 5 minutes you are almost guaranteed to see it go crazy!

I did not pass my glucose test the first time, so i did go back for the 3 hour test. Alfie came and played cards with me, which i totally killed him in... but i ended up passing my test. At least i assume so, as no news is good news. Really, i blame my Dr. for having to back in for the long haul. He didn't tell me not to eat a chocolate bar before i went in. If only i had known, i would have resisted the urge.

I have started experiencing some serious back pains. I don't know how people survive with a sore back. I am a bit dramatic, i know, but seriously the pain has kept me awake for hours unable to sleep. i have found myself on the couch with pillows propping me up in sitting position begging for sleep to come several times now. I like my sleep. I want to sleep. Sitting, standing, laying... it all hurts. I have not gone to the gym this week because the thought makes it hurt worse. I am going to suck it up and go this week. I am. I will. I can do it.

We are starting the childbirth class this week. For the next 3 Monday nights. Alfie actually gets props for organizing this. I mean i do want to know what is going to happen during the hospital stay, but i wasn't exactly looking forward to sitting through lectures about it. When we got the letter with directions to our class it said to bring two bed pillows. Seriously? I thought this was old school? Lamaze is still around? I mean i think i will die laughing if they make me lay on the pillows and practice breathing with Alfie "coaching" me through a contraction. Is that really going to prepare me for the intense pain of labor? I think not. I was thinking more of learning about what to expect when you check in, how to get your name on the list for an epidural ASAP upon arrival, how to know you're actually in labor... those kinda things. We are not taking any other classes. I know many friends have taken the breast feeding class, but i figure if i need help i will take full advantage of the free lactation consultant at the hospital. I had a friend that was not worried about labor, but about breastfeeding. She ended up having a c-section, not knowing what was going on when they took her in for it bc she skipped that chapter, and breastfeed completely fine. I tend to worry more about the pain of labor, and thinking the feeding will happen. I wonder if i am jinxing myself on this?? I seriously hope not, as i plan on doing cloth diapering, and i hear formula smells so much worse.

The nursery is coming along too! That part is really exciting. I have to sew the curtains, and i am waiting for the slipcover to be finished this week, along with the bumper pads. After that it is pretty much hanging things up and waiting for baby to come!

And finally, on a completely different note. I know many people use those ticker things to count the days left of pregnancy, i would like to give you the count downs i am currently thinking about.

• 15 (work) days-School is almost out!! It is almost summer, I will officially be a career woman no more. There might be a teeny tiny ounce of sadness about this, but i have yet to find it. I have even started cleaning out my classroom and mentally calculating what i will be taking and tossing.
• 10 days- till i turn 28. I love, love, love my birthday. Always have, and probably always will. It really is more like birthday week, especially when it falls during the week. I am taking school off, and am planning on doing a brunch with the girls. If you are reading this then you are officially invited! Who knows what else i will do to celebrate. My husband always spoils me. He does all the time, but he really goes all out for my birthday. He is so awesome, he humors me, knowing how much i love it.
• 3 wks- till i am 35 weeks pregnant. I know that at some point at 35 wks there are only 35 DAYS , days people!!, left of pregnancy. This milestone will occur during the last week of school and it couldn't be a better combo.

So in a nutshell, or an essay i suppose at this point, this is what has been happening around here. If anyone made it through all that i am impressed. A special apology to Milena and Victoria about the slack.

24 wks

One month left of my second trimester! I really think the longest part of any trimester are the last four weeks. You cannot wait to be out of the first trimester, where you're back to feeling good, and telling everyone your news. And even though i am feeling great, and loving this middle trimester, i know that when i get to my third i am in the home run stretch to meeting our little girl. At times i still get a little nervous about all the changes that are ahead, but at the same time i get a little more excited as well.

Second tri recap:

• Feeling great. Have been swimming more, now that it isn't so cold. I have officially said goodbye to running or walking on the treadmill, due to some curious pain.

• She has been very active. i started feeling her move at 16 wks, but not consistently until around 18 wks, which is also when Alfie was able to start feeling her movements. Lately her movements have been changing from little kicks to bigger movements across more of my stomach. I have been very amused to watch my shirt spasm in different directions all of a sudden. Alfie is still not patient enough to watch this.

• When i rest my arms on my stomach she will kick them, however lately when i feel her move and i put my hand there she stops. That is getting a little annoying bc i love feeling her kick my hand.

Here i am at 24 wks and feeling great!

I shouldn't judge

I had my 24 wk appointment this morning, 9:45am. We walked in, sat down, and i immediately judged the VERY pregnant lady sitting down and eating a bag of Doritos for breakfast. We were both called in at the same time, but she was there first, so it was only fair that she be weighed first.

Yeah, she had lost a pound from her last weigh in!! What the heck? Seriously i have yet to see the scale go down since being pregnant. Perhaps she is on to something, and i shouldn't have judged so harshly!

I heart my stroller

We actually went just to look, but found this on clearance... and i absolutely love it, color and all, so we went ahead and bought it! Usually for big purchases i need to walk away and come back if i still want it, as i don't want to be too spontaneous or have buyers regret, but not once have i regretted this stroller. It is perfect for what i was looking for and wanting. I am more excited about this then the crib. Speaking of crib, i was reminded that the finished crib was never displayed...I am working on the crib bedding, but cannot decide on anything. I am having trouble pinking out a pink that i love, but that will match future pink purchases. As you can see there are fabric samples all over the crib. I am pretty sure i know what i am going to go with, but making the final decision is one of the many goals planned for spring break. Needless to say we will be busy.

It is a little early yet, as this is a pic of the belly at 23 wk 2 d, but for my mother in law... here is the latest baby bump.

I am feeling her move like crazy all the time. I have been enjoying watching my shirt move with each of her little kicks. Alfie is getting tired of staring at my shirt :) She moves the most in the morning, and i am thinking i better start changing my ways and prepare to become a morning person!! I am getting more excited to meet her every day.

20 wks and some change

Alfie seems to think you cant see any belly in this photo, but i would like to point out that that white shirt used to be long. Not so much any more. It either needs to be worn with something over it, or not at all. And just to prove my point, I am publicly showing one of those rather embarrassing bare belly shots. I seriously believe this to be my last bare belly photo, as my book has said from here on out, i will consistently get bigger.

But enough belly. We have picked out colors for the nursery!! I tried to get some good photos of the actual color, but i don't think it turned out as well as they really look. The really small scrap of fabric, though beautiful, is out. At $100.00 a yard, i think I'll pass. I am still on the hunt for a silver blue silk that has a small design like it, but am running out of places to go. Any suggestions are welcome. The wall color is Silver Sage, and the pink is more of a dusty rose color, it will be for the bumper, with the silver being a ruffled bed skirt that goes all the way to the floor.

I am really trying to stay away from the "baby pink" as my mom calls it. More shabby chic, i suppose. What do you think? Yay or nay?

I will leave you an inspiration photo. I love the muted tones in the room. Very relaxing, which i will need at the wee hours of feeding. The only thing i will change is a brighter pink. If you know who i need to give credit to for this photo, please let me know!

Going for reassurance

but it didn't quite work out that way. after i uploaded the belly shot last night and took another look at it, i still couldn't believe i was that big! i mean i am tall people! and after going to the gym and watching what i am eating, giving into cravings rarely, i have a hard time seeing the scale jump. thus, i made Alfie take another pic, with me wearing the shirt i had worn to work. he was getting frustrated at this point, telling me i look beautiful, relax, you're pregnant... yadda, yadda. but i was convinced he had taken it at a bad angle or the lighting was off. needless to say, what i had intended as reassurance turned out to be more of an eye opener! i really do have a bump, and now when my long-distance friends ask, i know i have to truthfully answer yes, and not "just a small pooch" like i had been saying! sorry guys! it was an unintentional lie.

First Tri Recap

It's been a while. So I'll play catch up bullet style. But first pics of our sweet little "alien".

All of that makes of this pooch.... lucky you. it wont upload. actually it is lucky me. i look huge in the photo and am really regretting skipping the gym today. that was a mistake.

• I don't know what to call the baby. "It" sounds too impersonal or rude. "Peanut" and "bean" are perhaps a little cheesy for me. I was calling "it" by "he" or "him", as i was positive, as was my husband, that it was a boy. But i was left questioning it when we heard the heartbeat and as the predictions go it sounded like a girl. Now i don't want to call him by boy pronouns, as i don't want there to be any gender confusion... I'm at a loss for a name at this point.


• The first two ultrasound photos freak me out a little bit. The head looks a little alien like, and i was hoping to see more proportion at this point. Like eyelids and thumb sucking. I know, i know, i have been reading the books... way too early for all that, but still. I want more baby, less huge head. However, i do kinda get a flutter when i look at the last photo as i can see eye sockets and legs and perhaps the nose. That little bit of baby looks so much sweeter and excitement starts to kick in.


• I'm still too scared to plan for the nursery. i still feel like buying anything or planning too far ahead will only end in disappointment. i am not superstitious per say, but i don't want to jinx us. i am just now getting comfortable with no longer saying "guest room" but nursery instead.


• i just found out tonight that you're pregnant for 10 months and not 9 months. Thanks Courtney.


• the idea of getting huge freaks me out. but i cant wait to be showing. this comes and goes. sometimes i like that i am not showing yet. that no one at the gym knows i am walking on the treadmill because i am not suppose to be running during this pregnancy, though i still try to sneak some running minutes in. but at the same time i know that as my belly gets bigger the sooner i will get to feel some baby movements, and that is what i am most looking forward to. out of the whole pregnancy experience this is the one that i have wanted to experience the most. what does the right hook feel like from the inside??


• i haven't put lotion on since finding out i am pregnant. not one drop of cocoa butter. somewhere in the back of my mind i wonder if perhaps i will get stretch marks because of it, but not enough to actually do it.


• the first trimester was not all that enjoyable for me. i thought i would instantly feel pregnant. not so much. i am lucky though, i have not been sick at all. the most i have felt is some sickness in the morning before i got out of bed. and it wasn't every morning. i didn't feel so much sick, as just off, and not quite right. and the nausea if i didn't have something in my stomach...that was bad, that would really get me gagging.


• the worse though was the exhaustion. how do moms of one do it again and again? i could come home from work and nap, but i wonder how does one make it through the day with a two year old running around?!?! we ate out more during the first tri then we probably have in the whole last year. the thought of going to the grocery store made me curl up on the couch. i think i went twice. my awesome husband did the rest.


• but besides the physical side, the emotional side. perhaps it was the mood swings, but i worried a lot. a lot more then i thought i would. are we ready for this? i can barely handle being tired now, can i do it will a baby waking up ALL the time?? what if it's not a fairy tale ending? what if my child____________? fill in the blank. any worry you can think of, i have had. i teach, i work with a lot of kids. it can make a person think shallow thoughts and some really deep thoughts.


• in the end though, i have made it through the first 12 weeks. we have heard a heartbeat. things look and sound great. and my faith is in God. His timing, this child, all in his hands in his perfect plan. i know this. i shouldn't worry. i will try really hard not to.


• the reason i started this blog was in hopes that one day i would be blogging about my baby. i have really slacked. there is so much going on, but as i look at everyone else's blog that i find inspiration from, i suddenly feel like i really don't have anything interesting. but i will be doing better. i will also be putting a belly shot up monthly, at least until i feel like it is indecent exposure and worry about being flagged. but i know my MIL will really appreciate getting to stay in touch with the pictures and thoughts as the next months progress.


• speaking of worried, i am semi-nervous for hosting the next coffee gathering for my friends. i love getting together, but stress about it every time for some unknown ridiculous reason.

No More TWW

That's right! I'm pregnant!!!

It's old news by now... but the time lapse is due to the lack of energy I currently posses! It's crazy how tired I have been lately. A cup of coffee with the girls did nothing to help my desire for an afternoon nap! I am trying hard to fight it today, as I sleep better at night if I can avoid it, so I found this little link to predict my birth. I liked what it had to say, plus it is way too early to know the gender, but both the Chinese calendar and this have said a boy... I am feeling like it is as well.

The day you deliver, outside will be misty. Your baby will arrive in the
middle of the night.
After a labor lasting approximately 10 hours, your
child, a boy, will be born. Your baby will weigh about 7 pounds, 1 ounces, and
will be 16-1/2 inches long. This child will have dark brown eyes and a little
patch of black hair.