Week 27: 2nd Trimester Comes to a Close

Yesterday I was perusing my usual blogroll when I came to Young House Love.  Anyone who has talked to me within the past year, knows I love this blog and get a lot of ideas for my house and the babe's room from it.  So when Sherry mentioned her love for Pinterest, I had to check it out.  For those of you who don't know, Pinterest is like a bulletin board where you can save ANYTHING you find interesting from ANYWHERE on the internet.  It's basically a fun, easy way to organize all of those 'wishes' and DIY ideas as well as get ideas from other people.  It's much more user-friendly than saving everything to your bookmarks because you can write comments about everything you've pinned. 

One of my Pinterest boards is called "Baby's Room."  (I know, original!)  I have a dozen ideas saved on there, including a few DIY ideas.  Well, these ideas had just been sitting there- for 8 weeks to be exact, so when I read about the Pinterest Challenge on Young House Love, I thought it was great excuse to make some 'art' for the baby's room!

While I didn't formally commit to the challenge on YHL, I still completed a project!  In accordance with the challenge guidelines, I will reveal the end product on Tuesday, August 2.  Just as a hint: this was my 'inspira-pin!'

Source: potterybarnkids.com via Brenda on Pinterest

 Pregnancy has been good this week! I have my glucose screening this Friday morning at the doctor's office.  I'll honestly be surprised if my blood sugars come back high.  Like, jaw to the ground how-the-h did that happen surprised.  We're also touring a daycare on Friday.  It's our third choice so far, but since we're not sure the first two will work out, we figured it would be a good idea to check out #3! The bump is getting bigger!  I even included a front shot this week so you can see how round it is!  Today I realized just how big my stomach AND the baby are when I felt a kick a good 9 inches to the right of my belly button! 
Until next week, enjoy the Q & A!
How far along?: 27 weeks 3 days.
How big is the baby?: 14 1/2 inches long, almost 2 lbs!  Similar to a head of cauliflower
Weight gain/loss: 12 pounds
Pregnancy symptoms: Lower back pain (very mild!), heartburn, raging hormones, leg cramps at night and in the morning, frequent online shopping, long fingernails (SCORE!), propensity to wear tight clothing
Sleep: Flipping sides every few hours- making sure to rest my stomach on a pillow, trying not to sleep on my back, not even tempted to roll over on my stomach!  Waking up for bathroom breaks 2+ times a night
Best moment this week: We attended a beautiful wedding this weekend, bought a lot of maternity clothes from GAP at the Galleria, and walked the pups at the park. I also really enjoyed having my BFF visit while Kyle was out-of-town and seeing Bridesmaids!
Movement: Tons!  Love watching the belly move!
Food cravings: Fresh fruit, guacamole (haven't given in to this one yet... hopefully soon!)
Food aversions: Brussel sprouts
What I love: How nice people are when they see I'm pregnant- I'm thinking about buying a fake belly to wear when the baby's popped out just so people continue being so nice!
What I miss: Eating goat cheese and medium-rare meat, fitting into my usual clothes, walking above a 3.5 MPH pace, sleeping comfortably
What I am looking forward to: School starting in August- seeing my 2nd graders who will now be my 3rd graders (I love seeing how much they've grown!) and meeting my new 2nd graders! Of course, the Farmer's Market every Saturday morning!  The next ultrasound, not that I know when it is or anything....
Nursery Update: Not too much has changed- we have the crib, an dresser/armoire, and side table; still need to find a glider.  Curtains are up!  Wall art is purchased!  Futon will be moved out (and to StL- thanks Mom and Dad!) in the middle of August!

Week 26: Why are Baby Clothes so Freakin' Cute!?

 I bought the first piece of clothing for this child when I was 14.  I was browsing the clearance rack of Baby Gap when I came across the above little number.  I was going through a goat phase at the time (okay, I still am), so I just had to buy the jacket and onesie.  Some Most people think it's weird that I bought clothes for my future children when I was still in high school.  Somehow, I find it normal.  I just won't be able to use the  collection below for a while.

  

This weekend, my obsession with baby clothes was rekindled at none other than a rummage sale.  Kyle, Caitlin, and I stopped by the sale on our way to the Farmer's Market on Saturday morning.  The table piled high with baby clothes was like a magnet.  I headed straight towards it and began digging.  Whenever I found something cute, I handed it to Kyle for quality control.  He's quickly becoming an expert stain-checker!  Although he could have a better attitude about it.  I repeatedly asked him, "Did I force you into having this baby?"  To which he replied, "No, but you forced me to go to this garage sale."  Oh, true.  Anyhow, as we were scouring the table for clothing I heard one of the ladies in charge of the sale say, "Our baby clothes are 5 for a $1."  WHAT?!  AH-MAZING!  We ended up buying three dollars worth of adorable clothing ranging in size from 3 to 18 months.  Who knows how fast the babe will grow or if he'll be able to wear half the clothes, but it was so fun buying them!  But my favorite part of the baby clothes?  Washing them and putting them away.  Love, love, love doing this.

 

So far the baby clothes have been contained to a dresser in the nursery.   This dresser has a ton of drawers- there are four small drawers- one for bibs, one for socks, another for hats, and still another for small blankets.  The four large drawers are storage for a lot of baby randomness right now, but the ones full of clothes are organized by size.  Why are baby clothes so much more fun to put away than my clothes? 

As you can tell from the above picture, the nursery is a work in progress right now, but I have an interior decorator coming this week to help me out with it. 

Okay, so my BFF Jessica's not a professional interior decorator, but she was an interior design major for one semester of college which is good enough for me!  I'm hoping she'll either affirm the ideas I already have for the space or give me some new ideas.  She also likes to paint, so I was thinking about hiding her car keys until the room is completely redone.   Even I'm surprised at how immature brilliant that idea sounds! : )

Here's a little bit about the baby this week.  He's really growing!

"Your baby might be developing an adorable habit this week: thumb-sucking. While the baby's hands remain clenched most of the day, he/she might unclench and stick out his/her thumb every now and then. If the baby likes the comfort from sucking, it might just be a well-established habit way before a pacifier is ever seen"  source

"He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days." source

For an update on how I'm feeling, the only word that comes to mind is: okay.  I had a bout of nausea this weekend- the morning after a massive decadent meal followed by Sparky's ice cream with Kyle's family.  After suffering for about an hour, I took a Zantac 75 and instantly felt better.  It was the acid reflux/heartburn acting up that made me feel yuck.  I'm trying to take the minimal approach with medicines even though the doctor says I can take up to two Zantac 150s a day.  So for now, I am taking the Zantac as needed, trying to eat smaller meals, and stopping my eating for the day well before bedtime.  Additionally, I need to cut back on fatty  as well as acidic foods.  I wonder if the heartburn explains why I've had an aversion to processed tomato products, most recently tomato sauce and tomato soup.  They've both just tasted gross, but fresh tomatoes have still been FABULOUS.  I'm still obsessed with the tomato, cucumber, and red onion salad.

My mood swings were ridiculous last week. I asked Kyle repeatedly if there were an 'undo button.'  He kept answering no.  Really, I was just feeling overwhelmed and totally freaked out.  This week I'm in 'learn everything I possibly can about taking care of a baby' mode.  I've signed up for a childbirth class and a breastfeeding class.  I've also started reading The Happiest Baby on the Block.  The book is fascinating, and I'm learning a ton!  My goal is to have the book finished by the end of the week.  Then it's Kyle's turn!  I want us to read the same baby books so that we're on the same page with the child-rearing!

McBaby's Wish List

The time has come to share the baby's wish list!  Kyle and I have scoured internet sites, stores, and books to come up with a list of baby stuff our little buddy can really use.  We are registered online at Amazon and online and in-store at Babies"R"Us. 

1.  Amazon.com  This registry was undoubtedly the most fun to make.  I loved adding products from a variety of vendors.  There were plenty of green products, including the cloth diapers! I also love that Amazon offers free super-saver shipping on most orders over $25. I've always had good luck getting Amazon packages, usually within a week of ordering.

To get to our registry, go to this page and type in our last name.  The registry will pop right up!  If you buy the item through the registry, it will automatically be removed/marked as purchased on the registry.  However, if you buy the item from another vendor, you can click the "Buying this gift elsewhere?" button and click "start reserving this item."  So you have the option of going to the store to buy the cute baby gear (for example, Cotton Babies for the cloth diapers, swaddles, bottles, etc). Then type in your name, email, and the quantity purchased.  Doing this will prevent others from purchasing the same gift. 


2.  Babies 'R' Us  There are a few store locations in St. Louis.  You can also view the registry online by going to this page.  You'll need to type in our last name under "find a registry."  Then voila; the registry will appear! 

PS- We are just sending this out via the blog since it is the easiest way to reach all of our family and they've been hounding us for it! Please don't think you have to buy anything though, we're just spreading the word!

Week 25: It Will Be A Miracle....

...if I make it through this week without crying. Maybe I've watched too many episodes of The Hills or maybe its the hormones raging in my body, but I have been on the verge of tears multiple times this week.  On Tuesday, it was around 8:10 in the morning.  I was walking the dogs (yes, I know, I'm an awesome dog-mom like that) when we came to a crosswalk.  The dogs were turning right, and I wanted them to go straight.  Before I knew it I had stepped off the sidewalk, twisted my ankle, and fallen to my knees.  Adding insult to my skinned knees, one of my neighbors drove by and saw the entire thing!  I eventually got my pathetic self off the ground and hobbled along the rest of the walk with my sore ankle and bleeding knees.  The whole time, I was just milliseconds from bursting into tears, but "IT DOESN'T HURT THAT MUCH.  YOU DO NOT NEED TO CRY" was on repeat in my mind. It worked; the tears stayed at bay!

The second major life-altering mondo-upsetting event to happen was at the grocery store.  I was in the check-out line with all my purchases on the register when I checked my list and realized I hadn't picked up bread crumbs.  NBD, I decided to just checkout and find breadcrumbs while carrying my bags.  Great plan, right?  Yes, it was excellent except for the fact that I couldn't find the bread crumbs anywhere.  I spent 5 minutes canvassing the store with 10lbs. of groceries on each arm.  Normally I would have asked an associate for assistance but a. I didn't see one in any of the aisles and b.  I would have started bawling if I tried to talk to someone.   In the end, I left the store without the breadcrumbs or my mind (not that I had either going in).  So as you can see, it will be a miracle if I make it through the week without crying. 

According to one of my baby newsletters, the babe is the size of an eggplant this week and is developing his sense of equilibrium- distinguishing between right side up and upside down. He's impressive! : ) I saw the doctor on Friday- the baby has a strong heart beat, and I'm happy with my weight gain!  I've graduated to appointments every two weeks instead of every four!  The nurse said the time is really going to start flying by now.  That freaks me out!

Week 24: Vacation ATL

Planning for the summer, I knew I wanted to travel a bit since this will be the last summer of traveling without mountains of baby gear.   Kyle and I went to Charleston together in June then I headed solo to Atlanta last week.  The purpose of the trip was to hang out with a friend from high school.   Beth, Ben, and their schnauzerpoo Bentley were very welcoming!

 I was lucky enough to have my visit fall over a Saturday morning so Beth and I hit up the Marietta Square Farmer's Market.  Beth bought a giant bouquet of flowers, green beans, and honey while I picked up blueberries, cucumbers, and of course, Georgia peaches.  The peaches were perfect; I had at least 2 each day of the trip!  We also headed to IKEA (I'm OBSESSED!).  Then the Georgia Aquarium, which is the largest in the US. 

Albino alligator

Japanese spider crabs

Sea dragon

Those were the two main events of the trip, we mostly just hung out, shopped, and went swimming.  It was a perfectly relaxing trip!

I felt pretty good all week. Although I have noticed myself saying, "can we walk a little slower?"

I've also been feeling nauseous after eating large quantities of meat- like a burger, ribs, or bacon-wrapped meat loaf.  Stupid aversion to meat.  Instead, I have found myself wanting to eat tons of fruit and drink smoothies.  I was so desperate for one last week that I actually went to McDonalds!  There are countless reasons why I boycott the establishment, but there I was, in the drive-thru line itching for a smoothie.  I stared at the giant menu for a bit before asking the McWorker, "do you have smoothies?"  The answer, NO!  Son of a bee sting!  I loathe that chain even more now, but I guess all-in-all, them not having smoothies kept me true to my food ethics!

I've really been feeling this little guy move this past week.  There are the occasional HUGE kicks, there are little kicks/movements, then there's the squiggle where it feels like he's doing the wave.  Naturally, I love it.  It's really cool; you can even see it happening!  The 24 week bump picture was taken on Sunday, with 25 weeks starting on Monday, so they're not too different.  Hopefully I won't be such a slacker in the future!  Thanks for putting up with my erratic blogging!