Week 38: We're Getting Closer!

On Sunday night, I was a little bummed.  I told Kyle, "I was really hoping I wouldn't have to go to work tomorrow."  It's true- I wanted to be in the hospital effortlessly popping out the baby.  Alas, I went to work and made it a good day.  This week I had parent-teacher-student conferences since I won't be able to meet with parents at actual P-T-S conference time at the beginning of November.  This resulted in me working three 11-hour days in a row.  Needless to say- I was ready for Friday!

I have a new fear: my water breaking at church, specifically on the way up to communion.  Also, I wonder what would happen if I tried to do a cart wheel.  I seriously think about the cart wheel thing at least a dozen times a day.  During conversations with Kyle, parents, other teachers, Buster, really anyone,  my mind wanders to the question, "What would happen if I tried to do a cart wheel?"  I'm sure of 1 thing:  it would feel weird.  I'm also pretty sure if I'd fall forward onto my stomach as if sumo fighting the ground.  Sometimes I'm amazed at how intelligent my thoughts are.

Monday marked our first visit from our Parents as Teachers consultant, Linda.  It was mostly a get-to-know you visit, but we learned a lot of interesting stuff about newborn babies.  One of the most interesting topics was vision.   Babies can only see gray blurriness at 3 days!  I knew their vision wasn't fully developed, but I was surprised at how blurry it really was.  We should expect him to focus his attention on black-and-white, high contrast patterns.  So now I'm on the hunt for highly-contrasted books.  Look LOOK! got great reviews on Amazon!

 

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 Little man will also enjoy gazing at our faces.  Although, maybe I should wear a mask....

We can also expect him to briefly observe his environment.  So we should place him in a seat and move it around the house to give him a change of scenery. Something tells me he'll be intrigued by these two.  Our PAT teacher said they would actually be good for tracking!

As far as things we still need to get done for baby- choosing a pediatrician and daycare are on the list.  We also need to find a mobile for his crib; after learning about their vision, I think we might go for one of those high-contrasted black-and-red mobiles, even though it will NOT match the nursery. 

The bump is constantly growing- it measured between 38 and 39 cm at the doctor's office this weekend, which means it's finally the right size as opposed to a cm behind which it had been previously.  I can tell he's in the process of dropping, and I've had a few contractions (I think I have anyway...).  I've been getting around alright though, just recently getting from sitting to standing has become more difficult.  My goal for this next week is to walk at least 1 hour each day.  I think I can get it done too, since this week has only a few meetings and no conferences! 

Oh yeah, if I were planning to be pregnant for Halloween, I would totally wear this shirt!

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Week 34: A Potpourri of Baby Prep

Last weekend, my coworkers threw a shower for us!  My mom made the long drive from St. Louis to join in the festivities.  It was wonderful to be surrounded by all of my coworkers.  I love that almost all of them were able to come celebrate Baby M!  It really is like having a third family of aunts and cousins.  I couldn't ask for better people to work with!  Wish I had pictures, but I left the camera at home. : (

We received a lot of nice gifts, and I thoroughly enjoyed putting everything away in it's perfect spot.  We even cleared a drawer for in the bathroom and a small cabinet for him in the kitchen.  With every little step, we're becoming more and more ready for his arrival in 6 weeks!

 We also spent 6 hours working in the nursery this week.  Here's a hint about what we've been up to:

I'm loving how the room looks; all the time spent of the project was definitely worth this.  The room is way different from even one week ago!  Hopefully curtains will show up in the mail sometime this week, and we'll be able to do a nursery reveal next week!

Life sure is busy right now; physically, I'm feeling good.  My main discomfort is the pressure I feel from little McBabe on my ribs.  Luckily, when he moves, the pressure is relieved. I've also been getting foot and leg cramps- OUCH!  So I've been trying to be extra careful about my calcium, potassium, and water intake.  One part of life that has been particularly annoying is work.  It's really getting in the way of the 'preparing for baby' fun!  Seriously though, I've been staying at work until at least 6:00 four/days a week.  I must have forgotten how much work being an elementary school teacher is!  Also, having to go two and a half hours between bathroom breaks is torture.  I find myself lurking the hallway outside of my room, looking for someone to watch my students while I use the bathroom.  Besides these minor aches, I feel great and hope this bun stays in the oven the full 40 weeks!

Check out the bump I've got!  I'm now exclusively wearing maternity pants and skirts to work.  I basically have a rotation of outfits, including  two blue jean days and Friday has become 'goucho' day.  Not the most professional of attire, but I can't get myself to purchase new clothes that I will only be wearing for a few more weeks.  Oh, and the Bella Band?  It no longer works; I'm just a little too round for it these days.

P.S.  Dad, are you happy I didn't show my actual stomach this week? 

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 23: Giant Stuffed Horse

Whew!  My relaxing summer life sure turned into work really fast during these past two weeks.  I started a graduate class last Monday and tutored on top of that- leading to 10 hour days and me being really cranky.  The long hours were torture on my emotions/hormone levels, but I did have a hilarious moment last week where I was standing with all of my new classmates in the sunshine.  I was hot, worn out, and thirsty.  Someone bumped into me on accident, and it triggered a rise in the 'weeping-baby' hormone (whichever one that is).  So I moved out of the way from this person and hid my sadness behind my sunglasses, telling myself over and over again, "DO NOT CRY IN FRONT OF THESE PEOPLE.  THEY DON'T KNOW YOU. THEY'LL THINK YOU'RE WEAK.  DO NOT CRY."  My self-coaching worked, and I remained dry eyed.  I can only hope I'll be as lucky next time. The class in general has been tough, but we've learned so much valuable content in just 5 days.   I hope to be a kick-a$$ science teacher by the end of it!  This class has not been the only thing consuming my life these past two weeks.  Enter: Baby Bargains. 

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Last week, Kyle and I read through every type of baby item in this book, chose the one we thought would work best for our little babe, researched it further on Amazon, and put it on our registry.  We spent hours on this each night, and are really excited about the baby gear we've chosen- everything on McBabe's wish list will be used A LOT.  I'm putting the final items on it this week and will hopefully post links to it next week! 

Sneak peak of a practical item on the registry: giant stuffed horse!

Other than the mood swings, I've been feeling pretty good.   Although just when I think my stomach can't get any bigger; it does.  It's so crazy to me how at 13 weeks I was like, "OMG, I'm getting so big!"  Now, 10 weeks later, I feel like my stomach is going to split open and everything is going to fall out.   It's a great feeling.  However, I have been happier with my maternity clothes.  Last weekend, I invested in 3 t-shirts and a trendier top from GAP Maternity and a Bella Band from Cotton Babies.  I think everyone should have a Bella Band for Thanksgiving or just a trip to Olive Garden.  Imagine all the salad and breadsticks you could eat with your pants unzipped.  The never-ending pasta bowl could truly never end! There's just so much more room with the button undone and the zipper unzipped!  The babe is totally enjoying his bigger room.  With all the kicks and punches he throws, I can tell he's having a blast.  : )

Have a good week!

Brenda, Kyle, and the mango (as opposed to this Mango)

Impulse Buys

After yesterday's drama, I had to leave the house.  I locked the dogs in their kennels without blankets (as a punishment) and headed out the door with a few errands to run.  I hit up Old Navy first excited to try on some maternity clothes and use a Groupon.  Well, the maternity clothes were a bust- they were all too big in the bump area and were just generally shapeless.  Again, I looked chubs instead of pregs.  No worries- I did buy this swim suit.  I like to think of this impulse buy as a combination of overconfidence and denial.

 My total out of pocket for it was 79 cents.  Heck ya, I didn't even need to use the debit card!  Total (including what I paid for the Groupon): $10.79.  Not bad for a swim suit.   BTW, if you have a pool, invite me over.  You'll def. be able to tell I'm pregnant. 

After fun at ON, I headed to Target; their maternity selection is disgusting.  I seriously curse under my breath every  time I go there.  Why did it seem like they had cute maternity clothes when I wasn't pregnant and now that I am their clothes are gross?  *end rant*  Next stop, Motherhood Maternity. They actually have really cute clothes; I was trying on dresses and expressed to the sales girl about my disdain for shapeless maternity clothes.  So she picked out two dresses for me. WOW, she got it on the mark; I went from showing off nothing, to showing off every curve.  The dress (imagine it in solid black) was like wearing a glove.  Perfectly formfitting. I couldn't tell if it was cute or completely trashy, but I didn't want to hurt the sales girl's feelings so I put it on hold and told her I *might* be back for it on Thursday.  

I then found myself in Marshall's (always save the best for last!) returning a few regular shirts I had bought.  Then of course I had to browse their home goods section.  I seriously love everything thing there.  Found a rug that would be PERFECT for a girl's nursery, a comforter that I had to restrain myself from buying("You already have two" repeated over and over in my mind), and then cushions for outdoor furniture.  I couldn't resist these cushions. 

 The ones on our set now look nice, but we I made the mistake of keeping them out in the elements from July 2009 till, um, now.

That's almost two years worth of wind, rain, spiders, birds, and everything else yucky on them.  Even though I've hosed them off, I still think they are disgusting and put down a beach towel before sitting in them.  Psycho, right?  Old cushions out, furniture washed with dish soap and warm water, and it's time to say hello to these babies.

 Love the sea foam coral print and how cushy these are! Also, I've learned my lesson and will bring in the cushions when they're not being used.  Hopefully this will keep them in good shape and keep Kyle and I out on our patio more enjoying the backyard!

P.S.  Ultrasound update and pictures are coming later... after I've figured out how to scan in the 'money shot!'

Week 21: It's Going to be EPIC

A few weeks ago, Kyle and I were at the movie theater when a preview came on for a movie called One Day.   It's about two people Dexter and Emma who only had one date- on the night of their college graduation.  Dexter and Em are revisited each year on the same date to see where they are in their lives. They are sometimes together, sometimes not, on that day.  The trailer for the movie brought me to tears!   I love that Emma is a teacher who wants to make a difference, then when they show Dexter with a baby, I just lose it.   Thus, I have my first pregnancy craving:  this freaking movie.  I must see it (and bring an entire box of tissues).

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Obviously, the hormones are raging over here.  I like to think in a good, sensitive way, but Kyle might tell a different story.  We have our first ultrasound appointment on Wednesday morning; I can't believe I'm halfway through this journey, and I haven't even seen the baby yet!  Part of me loves this- the baby could be a boy or girl-I have NO IDEA.   The main reason we haven't had an ultrasound yet is that I elected to forgo the tests for Down's, spina bifida, etc.  When I asked the NP the benefits of these tests, she just told me it was so I could know.  I personally didn't want to know at 12 weeks whether my child had a serious condition.  Knowing that would make this pregnancy hard and even sad for me so we didn't find out anything.  However, I'm fully aware that this baby could be born with challenges; we will deal with those when we get to it.  All that to say, the other part of me is apprehensive for what we might find at Wednesday's ultrasound.  One thing is certain: once I see my baby on the screen- I will bawl.  :  )

Onto a lighter (or maybe a heavier?) subject: my main goal with this pregnancy has been to grow a healthy baby.  My second goal is to be a cute pregnant lady.  You know, the one you see that makes you go, "Aw!"  I saw one such pregnant chica this weekend, and it was not in the mirror!   Needless to say, I've decided to take it up a notch with my pregnant lady style.  I think the biggest issue has been that I've been wearing shirts made for regular people, so I just look like I am a normal person with a big stomach.  I'm going to try to find some maternity shirts to show off a cute belly instead of just wearing baggy regular shirts. The real challenge will be dressing myself for a wedding this weekend.  The first dress I tried on was a regular dress I own.  It fits and actually looks cute from the front. However, from the side, "GEEYIKES!"  Def. can't tell I'm pregs, just "too big for the dress."  Dress number two didn't even zip all the way up!   As you can imagine, I was insulted by this.  So I shimmied into dress number three: a maternity dress.  It is ADORABLE, but feels like too much fabric and makes me look a lot farther a long than 21 weeks!  Alas, I'm left scratching my head wondering what to wear. 

Last night around 10:40, I felt a HUGE kick.  So I put my hand on my stomach and sure enough- I could feel the kick from the outside!  I immediately rushed into our bedroom (startling a sleeping Kyle) and said, "YOU CAN FINALLY FEEL HIM KICK!"  The babe gave a good half dozen karate kicks!  Coolest thing ever!  It made me realize I had only felt slight movements before, never serious martial arts moves.  I see how these can keep you up at night!

I hope to update the blog later this week with the big gender reveal!  Until then, I'm off to live the good life- yoga, reading, shopping, naps, tutoring, eating.  I just might get used to summer!

The Name Game

"My Baby This Week" is the name of a newsletter I get from thebabycenter.com.  This email is full of information about the baby's development, what I should be feeling like for the week, and my favorite part, a comparison of the baby to produce.  We're up to the size of a 5 oz. onion this week! Well, after reading this week's update, I noticed this suggested activity:

"Start a baby name list. Make a list of ten names you like. Have your partner do the same. Trade lists and each cross out one name on the other's list that you dislike. Keep taking turns until you have a set of names you can both live with. Talk about why you like and dislike certain names. Many couples even create ground rules, such as no names of former girlfriends or boyfriends and no names that have ever been used for family pets." source

We already talked about names, but I thought it would be pretty hilarious to see the names Kyle came up with, so we started our lists.  The only rule being: there are no rules.   Kyle took FOREVER to come up with a list.  For the first ten minutes, he couldn't think of any names besides the two we'd talked about.  In the end (after 35 minutes of Kyle in deep thought and 15 minutes of Kyle on the computer looking at name lists), we had this:

                     Kyle's List                                       Brenda's List

Boys                               Girls                            Boys                         Girls

James                             Olivia                           James                         Olivia

Nathan                            Margaret                      Austin                         Cecilia

William                            Margarite (Rita)            Max                            Jane

Brady                              Ashley                        Jackson                       Victoria

Kenneth (Ken)                  Kate                            Barak                          Charlotte
                                                                         Guillermo                     Savannah
                                                                         Yadier                          Maya
                                                                         Dexter                          Annie
                                                                                                             Julie

As we went through the lists one at a time, I had to break the news to Kyle that we can't name our child after a sibling,  cousin, cousin's kid, or our favorite LOST character.  Although a little Desmond would be adorable with his Australian accent!  My list really wasn't much better as I obviously got a little "current event" happy towards the end of the boy column.  I thought my mom would appreciate a little Yaddy in the family!  Then there were the plethora of cities on the girls side. I love all of them; Kyle, not so much.  :  (  All in all we had fun sharing the lists;  I'll let you guess which names we kept and which were crossed right off.

Today was a big day for me!  After trying on about a half dozen pre-pregnancy shirts this morning and looking muffin-toppish, I put on a maternity shirt.  I felt so much better wearing it since it actually fit.  So today marks the first time I wore a maternity shirt to work!  Here I am showing it off; I'm totally smeyesing in this pic.

Dinner is also worth sharing tonight.  I made some roasted asparagus following this recipe.  It was so good; I actually ate it all (sorry Kyle) within four minutes of it coming out the oven.  Yum, yum, yum.  Will def. buy more tomorrow at the market!  Kyle whipped up Sesame Soy Chicken. It doesn't look beautiful and it's obviously just protein and carbs, but it was very tasty!  I'd type it up the recipe, but that seems like I'd be stealing from Tina.  So you can get the recipe here if you're interested! Along with the Sesame Soy Chicken, we enjoyed Cucumber, Tomato, and Red Onion Salad. 

Kyle and I are in for a big Friday night of watching Rules of Engagement Season 3 and probably going to bed by 9.  I can't believe we'll have to give up this wild lifestyle in October!