The Crib

I was able to run home and grab my camera earlier so now I have the picture of Eric putting our mammoth crib together in the "new nursery". I'm not sure what's up with his angry face.






Now the office is in the "old nursery" and the "old nursery" is now an office/guest room combo. It's a little cozy but not nearly as crammed as it would have been if we didn't swap the rooms.

The Changing Table

Jen, Milton and Lucia stopped by last Friday to hang out for a bit. Lucia needed a diaper change so I suggested that Jen use our new changing station. At the time this was the only piece of the nursery that was together.

Here is Lucia -- not really sure about this new changing station. All her muscles were tense as if we were dangling her body over a pot of boiling oil.

She also wasn't wild about the paprazzi...



Once I got her to lay flat she was relaxed and gave me a smile.

Material

Eric's Mom and I went to a fabric store thie weekend and found the perfect material for the Bassinet cover. It's white with pastel A, B, C's on it. We are still in search for the material to cover the rocker cushions. We have a date tomorrow to do that. Thanks again to Elaine for taking on these sewing projects for the baby!

Shower Pictures

I ordered a picture CD of my shower so it will take a few more days until I can post them. Stand by!

Crib

The crib is UP! It's HUGE! Eric and I were both blown away but the size of this monster. I have pictures but I forgot to bring my camera today so you'll have to wait. Now that the crib is done we're moving on to painting and light fixtures. Everything else is ready to be put in to place. And most important -- I feel calm now.

Showered With Love

I had a great big fun time at my shower this weekend! I have pictures to post this evening! Stay tuned!

Nusery Update

Not only did we not finish the nursery but we are farther behind than we thought. After playing Tetris with our furniture we realized the nursery actually should be set up in an entirely different room. So the painting, carpet, electrical that were installed in the original nursery now all need to be redone in the room that will now be the nursery.

The entire topic of the baby's nursery is off the blog discussion table for now. It's giving me the hives and my emotions are running REEEEAAAALLLLYYYY high. I'm going to keep my head down and my brain focused on all other things motherhood until further notice.

The Nusery Deadline

This weekend was the deadline for the nursery. It'll be interesting to see how far we actually get....

L&D Prep Class - Graduation!

Eric and I took our 4th and final Labor and Delivery Prep class this past Monday. This final class was more about what to do AFTER Labor and Delivery. It covered Mom Care (what to do with a blown out vagina) and Newborn Care (when to call the doctor).



Mom/Vagina Care Topics:



*Ice packs

*Pads

*Hemorrhoids

*Episiotomy Care

*Bleeding

*Cramping

*Stitches

*Sitz Baths, cooling sprays, squirts & ointments

*Sex (big no-no)

*Fertility after birth (high!)



Newborn Care Topics:

*Circumcision care

*Sponge Baths vs. Regular Baths

*Belly Button Care

*Sleep, or lack there of

*Frequency of Poop

*Frequency of Pee

*Soft Spots

*Crying

*Breast Feeding

*Warning signs

*SIDS

Eric told me after the class that he really doesn't want to be responsible for the health and safety of our child until it's at least 2 months old. He said it's all just "too scary". He is, of course, delirious if he thinks that crap is going to fly but it was a VERY cute moment. =) He'll just need to follow my lead. If we can remodel our house together we can care for a newborn together too.

At the end of class we did not get a certificate of completion, which I was personally disappointed about, but we did get cake. LOOOOOOOOOOVE cake. All-in-all I think it was a good experience. We learned a lot and got to ask a lot of important questions!

33 Weeks/6 More Weeks To Go!

How your baby's growing:

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds ( a pineapple) (Woohoo! So big!) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (Anything we can do to help the fitting through process the better! I'm all about the expandable baby!) (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

How your life's changing: (This should be good!)

As your baby fills out even more of your belly (Yes.......) Some thingshings might start to change: (....ya don't say...huh...) Whereas before you were sashaying, you may find yourself waddling (Yes, Eric gives me a funny look when I walk towards him. I'm sure it looks hilarious but I don't notice.) . Finding an easy position to sit in — let alone sleep — is becoming more of a challenge. (Surprisingly I haven't run in to a difficult sleeping position. I am waiting for it though because I know it's a common complaint.) And bumping into chairs and counters is par for the course. (Yes, I get cuts on my legs and stuff because I don't know how to judge my new size. It's very depressing. People are also running in to me a lot.)You may be feeling some achiness and even numbness in your fingers, wrists, and hands. (This is SUCH a wierd thing but it's true! Your stomach grows bigger so your hands hurt? Seems odd.) Like many other tissues in your body, those in your wrist can retain fluid, which can increase pressure in the carpal tunnel, a bony canal in your wrist. Nerves that run through this "tunnel" may end up pinched, creating numbness; tingling, shooting or burning pain; or a dull ache. (I don't have arthritis but I imagine what I'm feeling is very much like that. It's asctually hard for me to write with a pen/pencil) Try wearing a splint to stabilize your wrist or propping your arm up with a pillow when you sleep. If your work requires repetitive hand movements (at a keyboard or on an assembly line, for instance), remember to stretch your hands when you take breaks Check!— which should be frequently.Many women are still feeling sexy at this stage (Hahah! Seriously. SHUT UP. This is so dumb I won't even comment. ) — and their partners often agree (He says he does. But seeing as he laughs at me when he watches me walk I can't see how it's true. LOL). You may need to make some adjustments, but for most women, sex during pregnancy is fine right up until their water breaks or their labor starts. (I see. I'll do my best.)

3 Questions About... Monitoring your baby's movements

Q1.How often should I feel movements?

Your baby should be moving as frequently as she has for the last month or so. Every baby has her own pattern of activity and there's no correct one. As long as you don't notice any major changes in your baby's activity level, chances are she's doing just fine. Yes, the baby is moving like crazy.

Q2.Do I need to keep track of my baby's kicks?

For an added sense of security, many practitioners recommend that after 28 weeks, you formally monitor your baby's movements at least once or twice a day. There are lots of different ways to do these "kick counts," so check with your caregiver about how she wants you to track your baby's movements. Here's one common approach: Choose a time of day when your baby tends to be active. (Ideally, you'll want to do the counts at roughly the same time each day.) Sit quietly or lie on your side so you won't get distracted. Time how long it takes for you to feel ten distinct movements — kicks, twitches, and whole body movements all count. You should feel at least ten movements within two hours. (Don't worry; it probably won't take that long. Sometimes you'll feel ten kicks within the first ten minutes.) If you don't feel ten movements in two hours, stop counting and call your midwife or doctor. (I really haven't kept up with my kick-count sheet because I can count 10 movements in 2 minutes before I even touch the ground in the morning.)

Q3.What should I do if I think my baby's movements have slowed down or changed?

Let your practitioner know right away if you notice a slowdown of your baby's movements. A decrease in fetal movement may signal a problem, and you'll need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby.

This Week's Activity:

Wash your baby's clothing and bedding. Check! You know all those adorable outfits you bought or received at your baby shower? You should wash anything that will go near your baby's skin to remove any irritants in the fabrics. Check! The gentlest detergents are those designed for babies and those that are labeled hypoallergenic or good for sensitive skin. Check! Gosh I'm bad a$$! I am so ahead of the game!

Happy Father's Day

Eric's first Father's Day was Sunday! Our original plan was to see "Drag Me To Hell" and then go to Morton's for dinner but I was having an off day and was extremely tired so we put "Drag Me To Hell" off until tonight.

This movie is NOT something I will enjoy. It's not a movie genre that I would normally even entertain -- but because going to see this movie together is all Eric wanted for Father's Day -- I am going.

Seeing horror movies is about as fun for me as:

1. Putting a beloved pet to sleep
2. Having an ingrown nail removed
3. Wearing a huge zit in the middle of my forehead for weeks
4. Cold sores
5. A plane crash where everyone dies

But! Father's Day is not about me is it? No! It's about Eric! And I'm a good wife and I will fulfill his wishes.

Follow-up to 'Cracks In The Foundation'

Derm said to put super glue in the cracks when they develop to help seal them up! Eric said this is a WWII fix. Gotta love modern medicine! I hope they don't use the same technique for sealing up an episiotomy?

They also prescribed me some wonder ointments that are supposed to help prevent any further cracks in my feet. Because I'm pregnant the medicinal options are limited -- but they were able to find something that is deemed safe for both me and baby.

Follow Up to 'Chores' Post

Hang Blinds in Baby's Room

Buy area rug for Baby's Room

Patch paint in baby's room

Assemble Crib Half done!

Wash curtains in baby's room

Find home for Armoire, bed and other furniture currently in the baby's room We discussed it and we think we know where to put all the furniture currently in baby's room

Wash, dry, fold and put away baby's clothes & blankets - Done for now but expect to get more clothes in the near future. I think it's safe to assume that I will be washing my child's clothes regularly from here on out. =)

Figure out how to use breast pump

Pack over night bag for hospital (to include baby's coming home outfit) - Half done! I have bits and pieces!

Get Rocker from Holly Done!

Ask Elaine to make a Rocker cushion set for rocker - Done! I asked she accepted! Yay!

Figure out design for Barb to paint on one Wall of the nursery (hoping she can still do that) - No clue. This might have to move down to the bottom of the list. I can't even begin to think about this until the nursery is up.

Buy items on registry that we still need

Assemble registry items

Get 2 car seats installed and approved by fire station - I have the car seat. I am washing the parts (they were hand-me-downs) and then will work on install and making appointment at local fire station.

Prepare e-mail notices for baby's arrival (Katie Thames will roll this out when baby arrives) Done!

Buy a video camera

Send Thank you cards for gifts - Currently working on this!

Finalize all nursery details!

Buy hamper to match crib I've decided to go with a hanging basket for the back of the door instead. I have picked on out at World Market --- now I just need to go get it

I'm sure there will be more! More.......

Find room in pantry for baby food/formula

Sterize bottles

Continue laundry

Buy Toy basket

Finish packing hospital bag

Get/install hanging shelf for baby books in bedroom

Figure out how to use bottle sterilizer (hand-me-down)

Turn in preregistration form to Hospital

Get nursing stuff from Mom

Make any necessary returns

......I'm sure there is more!

Cracks In The Foundation

So, as you all know I've got pretty swollen feet. Now they have become so swollen that they are causing the calluses on my heels to crack and leave behind huge cuts. Deep cuts -- like the Grand Canyon of cuts. They hurt SO BAD. I've been putting Neosporin on them at night and sleeping with socks on to trap the moisture but it doesn't work all that well. Socks alone are a problem because my feet are so big. I do have one pair that my brother left here that seem to work.

I've made a dermatology appointment for tomorrow. Maybe they can give me some pointers or some wonder ointment? Aside from the excruciating pain walking around with open sores on the bottom my feet just seems a tad unhealthy.

Baby Limbo

Eric started to put the crib together this weekend but it proved to be a HUGE task. It's a big crib. This is as far as he got.
Ha-Ha! Jokes on me! I thought when we moved in we had LOADS of cabinet space, in fact, I believe I was bragging about it. Now? Where does baby fit in to the kitchen?
I've added: "Clear a shelf in pantry for baby food" to my list of to-dos.

Without the crib I'm kind of hanging stuff places. I'm trying to get a good feel for what we have vs what we need. And then assess what needs to be washed.
Washed and sorted in to Newborn, 0-3 mos, 3-6 mos categories. More loads washing as I type!
Here are the items I've not found a home for yet. I realize now I need baskets! A toy basket, laundry basket, bath caddy (or "basket"), bottle nipple basket....you get the point.

32 Weeks. 7 Weeks left!

How your baby's growing:

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama I don't know what a jicama is. I don't know how one tastes. But I DO know that it doesn't look like it weighs 3.75 lbs. It looks like a squirrely potato.) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week (It's been like a pound and a half a week)and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz I really am so curious about this hair. I've had heartburn so legend says that = a full head of hair!). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

How your life's changing:

To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant (Yes, yes....bloody noses are my friend.). With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn (You can say that again! I'm learning to eat like a mouse - small meals). To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows (yuck -- I haven't had to do this yet but I have friends that spent the last few months of their pregnancies sleeping mostly upright in a recliner. ) and eating smaller meals more often.

You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances (Check!). If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor. (My pain is not preterm labor -- it's pain from carrying around a giant pumpkin and two "E's" all day!)

Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. (Told ya!)Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things. (Check, check, check and check)


Get support from your partner "Sleeping is getting difficult. The only way I can get any rest is to lie with my back to my husband as he cradles my body. The support from him and a pillow between my legs is the best help." —Anonymous Eric supports me by sleeping in the other room so he can get some rest and I can sleep with 6 pillows.



Decision Guide: Who should be in the labor room with you?

Childbirth is an intensely personal experience, as is your decision whether to have additional family members, friends, or labor coaches in the birthing room with you. Here are some things to keep in mind as you prepare your guest list:

Eric and I will be the only ones in the labor and delivery room unless Aunt Patti is on duty that day. If so she will come in and check on us or stay for as long as she'd like. Other than that, I'm sure that Eric and I can handle it -- we've known each other for a long time.

As back up, my girlfriend Jen has volunteered to come in if Eric can't handle the labor and delivery portion. My overall feeling on the matter is that I'm going to be really busy, and therefore not in the mood for other peoples issues, so if you can't be helpful you'll have to leave. =) And I do mean that in the kindest of ways. *Kiss*Kiss*

I'm not shy about having others look at my hoo-ha during labor. After all, labor and delivery is hoo-ha city! I'm quite sure my hoo-ha will be the last thing on my mind. It's just that I have a strong personality, in case you didn't know, and whilst writhing in pain my self control will most likely be limited. I'd hate to subject any of my loved ones or friends to my uncontrolled side. As it is I'm slightly anxious about which OB will be on call the night of our delivery. There are 6 OBs in my practice and they're all great but some have a better bedside manor than others. Some of their approaches might cause me to tell them to take a flying leap. Luckily, Eric is good at reading my facial expressions -- which is why it really makes him the safest candidate for the roll of "support staff".

This Week's Activity:

Start lining up helpers. Your friends and family will want to pitch in after your baby's born, but many new moms are too overwhelmed to direct household help. (Don't worry! I've been told by employers and friends that I have a way with delegating!)

How to prepare now:

• If anyone offers to help during the newborn weeks, write down their name and number. Mom 301-XXX-XXXX

• Select one friend to set up a schedule so that all the friends who wish to help are given a date on which they can bring you a meal. Again, I'm leaning on Mom. She'll be with me the first week and I'll be fully expecting home cooked meals. It's not often I get Mom cooked meals for several days in a row! LOL

• Create a master grocery list so you can hand it off to a friend. My Mom is a grocery store pro -- I'm sure she can wing it!

• Create a childcare or ride schedule for older children. No need.

• Line up a friend or neighbor to take out your garbage, walk your dog or feed your pets. Eric = support staff

E is for Elephant

Saturday I decided to run by Macy's to see if they have nursing bras that were reasonably priced. They say you should buy these around 6 weeks from your due date. Luckily someone expirienced was working in the maternity department that day. She was an overweight older Italian woman, with no sense of humor, who looked like she'd had about 10 kids.

Anyway -- she looked me over and said, "You wear a 38D?"

Me: "Ya...sometimes 40D"

Her: "Ok here"

Me: "Don't I need a bigger size for when my milk comes in?"

Her: "Ya, you need a 38E"

Me: "I'm sorry." pause "A what?"

Her: "E!"

Me: "Reeeeeeeaaaaaaallllly...an E...like E is for Elephant?"

Her: "Yes, go try it on."

Well, as it turns out the E fits me NOW. So I waddle back to the nice woman and ask her what does one do when they currently fit in the E.

Her: "You need an F"

Me: "An F!"

Her: "Yes, and you'll have to special order because they don't make 38 F -- only 38E"

*Big pause*

Me: "This kid better like milk!"

Her: *SILENCE*

Aparently large bra sizes are no laughing matter in the Macy's Maternity department.

32 Week appointment

My 32 week appointment was today. Not much to report. I've gained 3 lbs since my last appointment 2 weeks ago which is fine. I'm supposed to gain 1-2 lbs a week now until I'm done. Not fun but not the end of the world either since I'm sure a lot of it is water. If I've learned anything from the pregnancy I've learned just how much of the weight gain is out of your control. Especially if you're the water retaining type!

The baby's heartbeat was in the 120s today. That's lower than last week but still within the normal range of 120-160bpm. At one point the doctor pushed on my tummy which almost caused me to pee on the table. I guess he wasn't getting the heart beat he liked so he decided to wake up the baby? I asked if everything was ok and he said, "Everything is fine!" I thought it was odd that he didn't give me a reason for the shove -- but if he's says everything is fine then I guess it is.

Other than that they told me to stay away from salt and drink water. I wish I had a nickle for every time that is said to me! I also told hima bout my stiff hands/feet in the mornign and he said that's totally normal. The bottom line is all my suffering is normal and I have no reason for concern.

Tomorrow is 32 weeks and that means I'm 7 weeks from my due date! Yipee!

A First!

As soon as I got pregnant I heard these stories of pregnant women having complete strangers approach them in the grocery store or on the street telling them what they think the sex of the baby will be. I aaaaalmost made it through my pregnancy without the crazy stranger gender prediction!

Today I was walking to get my smoothie when this girl with Kate Gosslin hair, who works at the hair salon across the street, yells "IS THAT A GIRL??"

Me: "I dunno ...we're not finding out..."

Her: "Really? THAT'S A GIRL"

Me: "Really? You're the only one who's come up to me out of the blue and made that assumption."

Her: "Really?"

Me: "Really."

Her: "IT'S A GIRL! Make sure you come back here and tell me if I'm right."

Me: "Ok. I will. I promise."


There are so many mixed signals with this kid! My brother and Eric swear it's a boy. The needle test said girl. The crazy lady at the hair salon said girl. Keelee says it looks like a boy. I'm starting to wonder if we've got a hermaphrodite on on hands?

Infant Care

Last night before our 3rd L&D class we went to our normal spot for dinner. It was there I decided to appoach Eric about the possibility of maybe taking another class, "Infant and Newborn Care".

Me: "Hey, you know what might be fun? For us to take an infant/newborn care class before the baby comes...or would you just rather follow my lead in that department."

Eric: "I don't need it."

Me: "Oh really? You know how to care for a newborn?"

Eric: "Yes"

Me: "You know how to give a newborn a bath?"

Eric: "Just keep the head above water babe -- that's all you gotta know."

Me: "You know you can't submerge the baby's body in water until after the belly button falls off, right?"

Eric: "Huh. Ok then. Windex and papertowels."

31.5 Week Belly

31.5 Weeks
28.5 Weeks
27 weeks
20 weeks
15.5 weeks
12.5 weeks
9 weeks

The New Ring!

Look out ladies!

Don't be jealous but this 1993 Tribal band is my new wedding band! I found it in Eric's jewelry box, and although I'm sure that it came from some bimbo he was snogging on the beach in Key West when he was 19, it fit.

It's only requirement was to fit. Stylistically it's LAME, I realize, but I'd rather people point and laugh because my ring is all to "grunge" -- instead of point and laugh because I look like a knocked up ho-bag. Ya feel me?

So Very Generous!

Eric and I are so very blessed to have such wonderful friends and family! On top of traditional shower gifts we have recieved SO MANY wonderful hand-me-downs from friends and family. I just wanted to mention these people because thier "donation" to our child rearing has such a huge impact. Not to mention it helps to lessen the impact on our wallets!

A HUGE thanks goes out to the following people:

Jen & Milton C.
Holly & Brodie S.
Caroline & Bill M.
Kerri & Aaron E.
Toni & Bryan J.
Jen & Jon M.
Barb & Eric M.
Jansen & Zee Z.
Lexi & Family
Beth & Gabriel L.

I really feel like we're forgetting someone! Beware of placenta brain!!!

Baby Shower

Yesterday I had a small baby shower with family and some old family friends. It was so nice and special! It was wonderful to have the ladies of our family there and to have the Tia's (Tia's = All the Moms of my playmates from childhood who still hang out -- The most senior of all "Moms Groups", if you will.) and their daughters there too.

Anyway -- the food was amazing (strawberries and mini cupcakes were in my top two favorites on the menu!). We opened gifts -- thanks to every ones kindness our child will now be clean, clothed, safe and very well read. In lieu of traditional games I had to answer some very challenging motherhood questions. I think I did pretty decent on the questions! I did miss the one about the largest human baby ever born (I can't even remember the weight but the poundage was appalling) and the one about the most children born to one uterus (another appalling number that I can't remember - thank God)

Eric's Mom & Dad gave us the Nursery Bedding set to go with the crib that my Mom & Dad gave us. The bedding set is the most important decorating piece of the nursery since it carries the theme of our nursery on it's shoulders. I was squealing with joy when I opened it. Can't WAIT to get it all set up!

Eric's promised to have the nursery up and running by June 28th so you can count on pictures then!

My Wedding Ring

I'm so sad to report that my wedding ring is off. = ( I just couldn't make it the whole 9 mos. I'm approximately 63 days from giving birth and my fingers were not looking good and my ring finger was really bothering me. The skin was puffing out around the edges of the ring. It looked like my skin was growing in to the ring. Pretty gross.

How did I get the ring off?

I held my hand up for about 45 minutes to try and get the swelling down. (I propped my elbow on my desk.) Then I applied my super greasy hand therapy lotion all over my hands. I gave it a few tugs and no luck. After that one of my boss's suggested I go in to the bathroom and soap it up. It took time and it was painful but it eventually came off. Now I have this strange mark there where the ring was. =(

Since the ring is engraved "May These Words Never Be Seen" (I had planned on never taking it off) I'm going to hide it away so they're still not seen. It's not exactly the same but kinda. After I took the ring off I told Eric of my plan to hide the ring. Eric said, "If a tree falls in the forest does it make a sound even if no one is there to hear it?" Huh? I don't know what that means but it made me feel better.

In the mean time I'm going to find a super cheap wedding ring alternative to wear.

31 Weeks!

My comments today are in orange!

www.babycenter.com

How your baby's growing:

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. This should be interesting! He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot Yes, very very very!, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up Actually, I'm getting woken up by trapped gas and an urgency to pee, if you must know. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active you can say that again! and healthy.

How your life's changing:

Have you noticed the muscles in your uterus tightening now and then? Yes, it's strange but it doesn't hurt. Many women feel these random contractions — called Braxton Hicks contractions — in the second half of pregnancy. Often lasting about 30 seconds, they're irregular, and at this point, they should be infrequent and painless. Frequent contractions, on the other hand — even those that don't hurt — may be a sign of preterm labor. Call your practitioner immediately if you have more than four contractions in an hour or any other signs of preterm labor: an increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge (if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody — even if it's pink or just tinged with blood); abdominal pain or menstrual-like cramping; an increase in pressure in the pelvic area; or low back pain, especially if you didn't have it before.

You may have noticed some leaking of colostrum, or "premilk," Nope! Thank goodness! from your breasts lately. If so, try tucking some nursing pads into your bra to protect your clothes. (And if not, it's certainly nothing to worry about; your breasts are making colostrum all the same, even if you don't see any.) If your current bra is too snug, you might also want to pick up a nursing bra. I do need to do this. I just need to figure out where to go. I noticed that Babies R Us has some.... They're SO EXPENSIVE! Choose a nursing bra at least one cup size bigger than you need now. When your milk comes in you'll be grateful for that extra room!

If you're having a boy, you and your partner will want to take some time to think about whether or not to have your baby circumcised. Find out the pros and cons from your doctor, and what the procedure involves. If we have a boy our baby will be circumcised. I already pre-paid for the procedure, actually.

More info here on L&D ...

Decision Guide:

Do you want pain medication during labor? HELL YES. There's no one right way to have a baby. Every woman's experience with pain is different and every labor is different. Some women know in advance that they want pain medication. Some are committed to a natural, unmedicated approach to pain management. And some want to try for a drug-free birth with the option of pain medication if the going gets too rough. Learn all you can about the pros and cons of the various options so that you can make an informed choice. I do want medication but my hope is that I can bare through as much labor as possible without it so that I can work hard to get the baby down in the birth canal. I want to be able to walk, squat, roll over, etc. for as long as possible -- you can't do that with an epidural. I'm not trying to be a hero or anything -- if it is too painful and I'd rather die than walk the halls I'll take the damn drugs. But I have a terrible fear of taking 20 hours to dilate to 10cm and then pushing for hours before having to have a C-Section. That story is all too common, especially for first time Moms, and I want to avoid it.

Here are some things to consider as you make your decision:

• If you haven't done so already, sign up for a childbirth education class with your partner. Instructors generally cover all labor pain relief options, including epidurals, spinals, and systemic medication as well as drug-free approaches like breathing and relaxation techniques. CHECK!

• Most women opt for some kind of pain medication during childbirth. The most popular form of labor pain relief, an epidural, delivers continuous pain relief to the lower part of your body while allowing you to remain fully conscious.

• Some women choose a natural, drug-free approach to controlling labor pain. If you want to remain in control of your body to the greatest extent possible, be an active participant throughout labor, and have minimal routine interventions in the birth process, then natural approaches will suit you best. If you choose to go this route, you accept the potential for pain and discomfort as part of giving birth, but with the right preparation and support, you may find it works well for you. I totally respect women that need/want to do this. It's just not for me though. Eric and I have talked about it and to me this method is a bit like opting to have a tooth pulled without Novocaine -- just because you can.

• Whether you've decided to use pain medication during labor or are committed to natural childbirth, remember that you have the right to change your mind once you're in labor.

This Week's Activity:

You don't need to pack your bag yet, but start making a list of items to bring to the hospital. Besides a change of clothes and a toothbrush, some items to include:

• A photograph or object to focus on during labor I think Eric and his behavior will be enough for me to focus on.

• Snacks to keep your energy up and gum or mints for bad breath I resent this comment and won't even dignify it with a response!

• Cozy socks and slippers Yes, this is a must. Besides, it's against the Vesely family rules to walk around without sock and/or slippers on! I just don't know that my Dad would allow me an "out" on this just because I'm giving birth...

• Your favorite pillow.....but there are so many.....

• Some light reading material....people mag!

• A nursing nightie and nursing bra.....I'm going to get the bra but I heard the nightie isn't really that necessary. I might change my mind.

• A going-home outfit for your baby Hoping to get one of these at the shower!

• A camera or camcorder, fresh batteries, and film, if necessary Yes!

Belly Support

I just bought one of these Medela Maternity Support belts. They are THE BEST THINGS IN THE WHOLE WORLD! They help support your belly up so it's not just hanging there killing you. I wish I would have gotten one of these things weeks ago -- especially since I'm sporting the sticky outtie kind of pregnant belly. By the middle of the day my belly gets so heavy I just want to lay down on the floor. With this bad ass belt I feel like I can stand for at least 15 minutes longer than before! Woo hoo!

If you're pregnant, and you don't have one, GET ONE!

$24.00 at Babies R Us

Chores

My first shower is this Sunday and with that brings in influx of baby supplies! I must say I'm in a bit of a panic about where all this stuff is going to go until Eric gets the Nursery done (June 28th is his deadline!)

Here are a list of things that need to be taken care of before I go in to labor:

1. Hang Blinds in Baby's Room
2. Buy area rug for Baby's Room
3. Patch paint in baby's room
4. Assemble Crib
5. Wash curtains in baby's room
6. Find home for Armoire, bed and other furniture currently in the baby's room
7. Wash, dry, fold and put away baby's clothes & blankets
8. Figure out how to use breast pump
9. Pack over night bag for hospital (to include baby's coming home outfit)
10. Get Rocker from Holly
11. Ask Elaine to make a Rocker cushion set for rocker
12. Figure out design for Barb to paint on one Wall of the nursery (hoping she can still do that)
13. Buy items on registry that we still need
14. Assemble registry items
15. Get 2 car seats installed and approved by fire station
16. Prepare e-mail notices for baby's arrival (Katie Thames will roll this out when baby arrives)
17. Buy a video camera
18. Send Thank you cards for gifts
19. Finalize all nursery details!
20. Buy hamper to match crib

I'm sure there will be more!

Labor & Delivery Prep Class #2

Eric and I attended our 2nd L&D Prep class last night. It was a little longer than usual but I thought it went well. The first 30 minutes was a video about the stages of labor and then they showed an actual child birth. Eric did really well during the childbirth -- even during the delivery of the placenta. I've heard from several people that the delivery of the placenta is usually not a favorite of the fathers! He didn't even wince -- I was impressed since even I though that was pretty gross.

Next up! Breathing patterns during labor! Basically, we all sat around practicing the different breathing patterns that go with certain stages of labor while the men massaged us. This part of the class was really great! Slow breathing puts you in to a Zombie state (probably not so during ACTUAL labor though) while quick breathing is a little more intense. The massaging portion is ALWAYS good. We did have to give back to the boys though and massage them through a "contraction", after which Eric yelled, "Wait! I think I feel another one coming on!" and the whole class burst out laughing. Gotta love him!

Finally we toured Labor and Delivery!! This was by far my the part of this course I was looking forward to the most. Being a planner I like to get a good look at where I need to go, what I need to expect, and how to get there when it comes to new expiriences. Since I haven't had to stay a night in the hospital since I was born - I was a little nervous about what to expect. But when I saw the lovely facility we'd be cared for in -- I was totally at ease. The labor and delivery room (where I will actually give birth to the wee babe) is very fancy (hard wood floors, granite counter tops, fancy lighting, a bassinet with a jumbo heating lamp for the baby!) It's great -- not surgical at all which is what I thought it might be. Just upstairs is the recovery area where our family will be spending the the post-labor portion of the hospital stay. That is also where the nursery is. As the class was walking through last night the labor and delivery nurses were bringing a "fresh one" to the nursery! Just born! So cute and so angry was this little one.

I think Eric and I did really well in Class #2. Next week they will talk to us about drugs during labor. A very good topic if ya ask me!

The Sexy Side of Pregnancy

At 30 weeks and 4 days I'm feeling pretty achey, I'm stiff and I waddle. My hands and feet hurt badly in the morning -- what's with that? I've heard from several people that it's normal, and will go away after the baby is born, but how wierd is that? I'm guessing it's from the relaxed ligaments -- which comes from a hormonal change.

My back is stiff in the evenings and in the mornings. I grunt now when I get off the sofa, out of the car or off of the bed. I'm getting to the point where I have to rock back a forth a few times, gaining momentum, before I can get up off the couch. I was groaning so loud last night when I got off the couch that Eric asked me what was wrong. I told him I'm just getting really annoyed with my inability to hop off the couch with ease. That's when he informed me that I waddle too. Niiiiice. I do walk/waddle much slower which is a little irritating because I'm used to pinging around the office at a much faster rate. My ping is gone. And after getting off the couch and waddling slowly a short distance I'm always out of breath. Getting out of the tub alone at this point is practically impossible. I just stick to showers.

On Saturday - my brother, eric and I rode to the 3-D ultrasound together. Being with both Rob and Eric at the same time in a small space is like being stung by a little knats over and over. They like to pick on each other but they like to pick on me too. After eating my lunch in the car Eric looked over at me and I had crumbs all over my belly. =( He and Rob laughed at my expense for a few minutes. Nice!

Sleeping is not bad though! A lot of women complain that they are unable to sleep at this point. I have recently found PERFECT pillow placement! Perfect pillow placement is key to sleeping comfortably. I use the body pillow on one side and two regular pillows behind me. Then of course I have my normal 2 head pillows. 5 Pillows! All those pillows do make getting out of bed to pee a little more challenging but I'm not complaining. Last night I slept so hard I was in heaven.

Eric and I all Dressed Up

I love these pictures. I want to get nice frames for them and put them in the baby's room. If you didn't know -- this is a picture of Eric and I at Aunt Heather's Wedding last weekend!

3-D Trip

So the day was wonderful! Me, Eric, both Moms, both Dads and my sister and brother were there with us. The faciity was nice but the big screen/LCD projector didn't really work. Well, it worked, but there was way too much sun coming in the room so nobody could really see the baby on the big screen. They all stood around me at the table and watched it on the little screen. That was fine by me but begs me to ask why did we pay for the fancy facility?

In other news -- the baby was adorable and gave us a big smile! Several. And then we got some cranky baby faces too -- which were equally cute. Especially, as one of the Moms pointed out, since it was a silent baby cranky face.

While in the examination room it turns out half the famiy, no, most of the family thinks they saw a penis. I, on the other hand, not wanting to find out the sex of my baby, didn't bother to look! I haven't been convinced but I guess it could be a boy... I'm not disappointed. I guess I'll just be surprised if my motherly instincts were that wrong. AND the needle test that my co-workers did. But whatever -- I'll be happy with either. Afterall, some of my favorite people on the planet are little boys.

We'll see!

Smiling Baby Jones

This is the best picture of the lot in my opinion. I will tell you more about the entire visit later. Eric is taking the computer away from me so he can use it for guitar stuff. =\

3D Ultra Sound

This weekend is our 3D Ultrasound and I can't wait!!!!!!! I'm so hoping the pictures turn out good and that I like my baby. Just kidding! I'm sure the baby is fine. But I AM SO CURIOUS! I figure we'll all be impressed either way. I mean, I've never had a 3-D Ultrasoundbefore and when Eric and I were in the womb doctors were still drawing out Ultrasounds on the inside of cave walls.

Mostly, I want to know if it has Eric's skinny head (the skinnier the better when it comes to the delivery!) and my nose and what not. I just want to see the dang face! I think this freaks my Mom out for some reason but curiousity is killing this mama cat and I just want to see it. I WANT TO SEE IT!

We get to invite up to 8 people to be in the room and view the baby on a big screen -so of course we invited our family.

This is what our package includes:

- 20 minute 3D/4D session
- Gender determination (if desired) NOT DESIRED!
- Hear your baby's heartbeat
- At least 2 black & white 3D Images
- DVD of session set to lullaby music or music of your choice
- CD with all images taken (jpg files, for easy sharing)

Grandma Avis has requested that a cute shot be taken and blown up for her office at the condo. Again, I'm hoping we get some non-alien-baby looking shots for her!

Here are the pictures of the Ultrasound office. It looks SO FANCY! Maybe they serve Champagne too!

Dr. Appointment

Yesterday I had my regular check-up at the OBGYN. I weighed in at 208.5 - a little higher than I wanted to. I was hoping for 207 but I was puffy, as usual, and I had a full bladder when I was on the scale. Why stand on the scale with a full bladder you ask? Because step #1 of the appointment is getting weighed. Step #2 of the appointment is peeing in a cup. I needed the pee for step #2. Step #3 of the appointment was my blood pressure and it was good -- so no preeclampsia so far! I'm hoping I can keep it that way! Preeclampsia can really blow. Word on the street is that preeclampsia can kill you. To prevent that they deliver your baby early so you don't explode. Signs of preeclampsia can be similar to the puffy signs I've already had.

"Call your midwife or doctor right away if you notice swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, more than slight swelling of your hands, or excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles."

My Mom came with me to my appointment yesterday which was really neat! She got to hear the baby's heartbeat which was at 136 beats per minute. That is lower than before and normal. The bigger the baby the slower the heartbeat. And she got to witness the ceremonial measuring of the belly (30cm). After that we went to lunch -- Italian! And I got a fruit smoothie from Robeks for dessert. I was spoiled! I also got a prenatal massage as a gift from my parents and Mom got me a $25 gift certificate to Robeks so I can get smoothies on her for the next several weeks! Yay! Note to all pregnant ladies out there: Bringing Grandma to hear the baby's heartbeat really gets you far in the gift department!! *wink*wink*

Today I am 30 weeks and that is the last week of Month 7!! It's hard to believe but I'm only 7 weeks away from being at a safe delivery point. Next on the list of to-do's is the baby's nursery which should be done by June 28th!

30 Weeks (8 - 12 more weeks to go!)

Thirty weeks! Even the nurse at my doctors appointment said "you're in the home stretch!" I'm so excited! My comments today are in Red!

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half (I think I have more than the average Mom. My belly is huge.)of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. (Odd that there is so much talk of a out-of-womb baby!) When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)


How your life's changing:

You may be feeling a little tired these days (um ya! I've been sleeping like a rock lately! The whole house could burn down around me and I'd have no idea.), especially if you're having trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsier than normal (Not that clumsy yet), which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier (Yes, thanks.), but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax, so your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being a bit off. (Also, this causes the pregnant woman to waddle. I learned this in my L&D class the other night! ) Also, this relaxation of your ligaments can actually cause your feet to spread permanently, so you may have to invest in some new shoes in a bigger size. I don't care now that I'm not going to a wedding in 6 hours!

Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? (Mood swings? What mood swings?)The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and hormonal changes can result in a return of those emotional ups and downs. It's normal to worry about what your labor will be like or whether you'll be a good parent. (I'm really not worried about either to quite frank.) But if you can't shake the blues or feel increasingly irritable or agitated, talk to your doctor or midwife. (I'm sure it's the Prozac but I feel just fine. The only thing that seems to really bring out the devil in me is constipation and I do try to avoid that like crazy.) You may be among the 1 in 10 expectant women who battle depression during pregnancy. Also let your caregiver know if you're frequently nervous or anxious. ("Nervous and Anxious" is not really my style. Not when it comes to baby stuff anyway.)

Labor & Delivery Prep Class #1

Our first Labor & Delivery Preparation Class was last night. It went really well. I learned a lot, Eric learned more than he wanted, and we got to leave early! I'd say all-in-all that means it was a hole in one!

Topics of discussion were:


-Early signs of labor
-Signs of early labor
-Stages of labor (including a facial expression chart which I thought was priceless!)
-Cervical changes during labor
-Newborn Saftey
-Carseat Saftey

Eric's least favorite topic was the mucus plug. Luckily they didn't refer to it by it's other name, "The Bloody Show" or I think he would have left the room.

During the class the janitor was moping a nearby floor with a strong chemical and so they let us out early. Eric and I didn't even notice the smell but the nurse teaching the class did and so did some other couples so we were excused.

Next week we're going to tour the maternity ward which I'm really looking forward to.

Fat Feet & Formal Wear

This past weekend was my sister-in-law's wedding. It was a lovely affair! So beautiful and filled with family. Everything regarding the ceremony and the reception went off without a problem. Impressive!

With all the prewedding eating that had to be done (Bachelorette Party & Rehearsal Dinner) I ended up swelling like a balloon. Restaurant food = BIG legs, ankles and feet. By Saturday morning I looked like I'd broken both my ankles. No joke.

My morning was filled with frustration and anger as I tried to find gold shoes to go with my dress. The dress I bought months ago in preparation for this event. The dress I spent quite a bit of money on (for me, anyway)and intended to wear my gold shoes with....
Here is the dress:


...but no......my gold shoes didn't fit over my enormous feet. Off I went to 2 DSW's, a Famous Footwear, a Payless. I found nothing! My ballooned feet could not fit in any gold shoe. I don't mean -- the gold shoes weren't cute enough. Or the gold shoes weren't comfy enough. I mean I actually could NOT fit my foot in to any gold shoe. Finally I ended at Old Navy. For $3.50 I bought a pair of purple flip flops to match the dress.

Here are the shoes:




I took my doctors office advice and ate some melon, a natural Diuretic. Ok, I actually ate an entire melon. It worked pretty well. I had to pee every 10 minutes but it took the swelling down. Then I sat with my feet up for 1 hour before the ceremony. By the time I got to the church my feet were half the size but still swollen.

Sunday, after the wedding stuff was all over, my ankles were amazing and slim. Just a day late for the ceremony. Oh well. The flips worked out fine and after I had come to terms with the fact that my swollen ankles were out of my control -- I felt better about myself.

Legal Guardian

So much to do when you have a kid! So much to plan for when you're pregnant! One of which is legal guardianship. It's not fun to think of dying and leaving your children to someone but then again it helps when you can pick the people/family they'll be going to. Eric and I have asked that his brother Bryan and wife Toni take our kids if something should happen. They have accepted (thank GOD!) Once the baby is born we'll have this legally drawn up along with our Will.

Bryan and Toni are not only wonderful people but they are wonderful parents too! They have a wonderful family life. Their kids are healthy, happy, good in school and they eat salad and drink their milk too. Bryan and Toni help with homework and are very involved with the kids sports and extra curricular activities. Plus, they all go to church - mega bonus in my opinion. Personally, I've thought about just giving the baby to them when it's born and then getting it back when the kid is grown up and raised right - but I have yet to figure out how to approach them about that. =)