Week 38

Week 38 March11-17

Baby is the size of – A leek.  Baby boy has plumped out and weighs about 6.8 pounds and is over 19 1/2 inches long. His organs are fully developed and he can grasp things with his little hands.  (This is all according to Baby Center so baby boy is a bit bigger)

How I’m feeling – I’m done.  I will do anything and have tried most things to move this process along.  Mark my words because I know the real pain and hard part starts during the birthing process and after he comes, but I am done being pregnant.  I turned a corner this week and I’m ready.  It doesn’t help that the doctor got us mentally prepared a week and a half ago.  Just before 38 weeks, I was 2-3 cm and 80-90% effaced.  On Thursday of this week (3/14), I was a solid 4cm and 90% effaced.  All without contractions (that I know of).  It is hard to sit, sleep, tie my shoes, breathe, etc.  You name it.  I AM SO DONE BEING PREGNANT.  I think I’ve honestly had a few contractions but it was more or less a menstrual cramp for about a minute then relief.  And the cramp makes me feel nauseous.  It did not help that my two cousins due this month both had their little girls last week.  When will my time come?!  It’s like waiting for Christmas as a kid or a big trip…the more you think about it, the longer it seems to take.  I am literally on edge waiting for things to get started.  The only thing relatively exciting (and it’s really quite gross) is that my mucus plug started to come out Friday night and I saw a lot more of it on Saturday.  This could mean labor could start soon…or not.  Ugh, why are they signs if labor doesn’t start for weeks?!  I guess I’m still technically one week away from being due but the doctor got my hopes up!  And we’re waiting around and trying to figure schedules and our church Easter schedule for Nathan.  Basically, it would be really convenient for it to happen soon, but he seems to be quite comfortable in there. 

As I was sitting in church today, we were getting ready for the altar call/time for reflection.  A thought immediately hit me.  The week my dad died, he gave me a piece of advice: PATIENCE.  I never even put it together until today.  It finally hit me.  Although I’m physically ready to be done being pregnant, I know that he will come when he is ready and God is ready for us to have him.  So pray for me in the coming days as I try to focus on other things. 

**Doctor’s visit 3/14/2013 – I am 4 cm and 90% effaced as I have stated before.  Doctor did the stripping of the membranes; not so much fun.  I weighed 167lbs (a 3 pound loss from last week) and blood pressure was 110/64.   Doctor suspects he is around 7.5lbs right now and I’m hoping he doesn’t get much bigger!   

Activity –

Monday – Walk 30 min, weights – 10 min

Tuesday – Rest

Wednesday – Elliptical – 20 min, Walk – 10 min, Weights – 10 min

Thursday – Rest

Friday – Rest

Saturday – 30 min walk – 2 miles.  I swear I am trying to get gravity to do its thing!

Sunday – Rest 

Week 37

Week 37 Mar 4 – Mar 10

Baby is the size of – Swiss chard (I swear I can’t make this stuff up).  He is around 6 and 1/3 pounds and a bit over 19 inches long. 

How I’m feeling – Very pregnant.  My belly is in full force and most of my t-shirts don’t fit, but that is to be expected.  I’ve got that linea negri running down after my belly button.  Hopefully that goes away after birth but mine isn’t that dark so it’s not big deal.  I’m trying to tie up loose ends at work and getting everything ready at home.  His room is pretty much ready.  I have diapers, clothes washed, and am getting ready to sterilize bottles.  For 3 nights in a row, I was wide awake at 3 am and came out to the couch to sleep.  Then, I had two nights of good sleep (9:30 pm – 6:15 am).  Still up every 2-3 hours going to the bathroom.  I feel this is good prep for when he gets here.  I’m getting random shooting pains in my butt and groin and have been told by other pregnant ladies that this is from the baby sitting on a nerve.  We spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday cleaning, putting together the car seat and jogging stroller (still not sure we did it right) and cleaning out some rooms for when he arrives.  I’m sure the neighbors thought about reporting us as we were throwing around the car seat while we installed the base.  Oh well!  We also got a freezer from our friends who are getting a bigger one, which will be very helpful for the 5 meals I already made and are eating up space in our current freezer and any meals anyone might bring us in the coming weeks. 

We went on possibly a final date night to Red Robin (one of our favorites) on Saturday night.  It was crazy busy and we had to keep asking for fries, drinks, etc.  It wasn't the  most romantic, but it was perfect.  Just us before the big day.  Plus we have left over fries! 

I had two appointments on Monday to register at the hospital and with my physical therapist.  Registering took forever!  Tons of questions but hopefully everything is good to go there.  We decided we want to donate our cord blood to a blood bank in St. Louis, but I just sent in the card and they need to have it before delivery.  Here’s hoping baby boy holds on a few more days!  I got to see more rooms and recovering rooms at the hospital.  Luckily, we only live 5 min away so Nathan or mom can go back and forth if necessary.  The physical therapy went ok.  She was pleased with the exercises I am doing for my weak hip/glute and my inserts in my running shoes, although need to be replaced, fixed my gait a bit.  She wants to see me 4-6 weeks after delivery once things have tightened up a bit to see if my symptoms are just pregnancy induced.       

Activity –

Monday – Walk – 2 miles – 30 min & light bootcamp – 20 min

Tuesday – Elliptical – 25 min, weights – 15 min

Wednesday – Rest

Thursday – 1.7 mile walk – 30 min

Friday – Rest

Saturday – Rest

Sunday – Elliptical 20 min, walk 10 min @1% incline, weights – 15 min

**Doctor visit 3/7/2013: I’m weighing at 170lbs.  Whoop!  Hopefully, I don’t get much bigger!  My blood pressure was 104/64.  He checked me again and I am now 3 cm and 80-90% effaced.  Pretty much, it could be any day now!  The doctor was very pleased with my progress and felt like everything would be pretty smooth during labor.  He said baby boy is around 7lbs and head down, fully engaged and ready to come out!  After he left, we had a moment together and just sort of realized, we only have a few days left…just us.  Crazy feeling and needless to say, I freaked out a bit.  I drove to Target and bought a bunch of bottles and his grooming kit which I didn’t get at a shower.  Then my friend Robin came over and helped me figure out the breast pump.  I need to sterilize my bottles, wash another round of clothes and blankets, and put the car seat together and we should be good!  And if not, we’ll figure it out!

Baby stuff -   Got more diapers, wipes, Playtex VentAire bottles, Playtex Nurser bottles, and his Safety Grooming kit.  I also ordered a car seat canopy cover which was free except for $12 shipping.  It is super cute, with a black and white pattern and a grey minky on the back.

I don't think I've "dropped".  What do you all think???

 

Nursery Reveal!

So here it is...little man Tobin's nursery.

His book shelf is completely full!  I had that already in the spare room.  Just had to clean it off.   Curtains - orange from Target; Wall color - It's Sherwin Williams - some sort of grey.  I forget honestly.  

Rocking chair - Church rummage sale - $10!  Seat cushion - Pier One $19.  Bears Hat - friends of ours made those to wear at my wedding reception - they have my dad's initials on them.  Quilt - made by the fabulous Ann Lindquist.  Owl on cushion - Kohl's $5.  Owl hat - my friend Jill got for him at my shower.  It's perfect!

White shelf - $1 at rummage sale!  Yellow wreath - $.25 at thrift store - I spray painted it yellow.  The owl was part of the decor at my 2nd shower.

Top of bookshelf - Lamp - already owned.  Baskets from Target - $9 each on clearance.  They are originally for a bathroom.  Bears piggy bank - again my friend Jill has great taste! 

Love the Llama Llama books complete with stuffed animal.  Construction loader night light which Nathan loves.

Dividers I made for the closet.  They are door hangers from Hobby Lobby for $.99 a piece with scrapbook paper cut to fit, Modge Podged on top and used the stencil for the months.

A little hard to see but this is a prayer my dad wrote for an FCA banquet years ago.  I love putting his handwriting in the room.  It brings me a lot of comfort to have his "stamp" in the room.  Mom got me the Chevron frame for $10 at JC Penney.  The owl was a Christmas decoration at Target that I got on clearance - $4.

Little man's crib - Target (see below for savings story)  Boppy - gift from my friend Katie.  Blanket - my cousin Becky made.  If I would have bought it off the site, it would have been $50+ but we ordered the fabric and she sewed it...about $14. 

Close-up of blanket and his sleeper thing ($5 at garage sale)

Mom made me this pillow from clearance fabric I found.  My friend Laura got us this lovey giraffe at our shower.

Dresser (again see below for savings story at Target)

I ordered both of these prints from Etsy.  We each picked a verse that meant something to us.  I chose Matthew 28:20 - "I am with you always to the very end of the age."  Nathan's pick was Joshua 1:9 - "
⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  The brown frame in the  middle was at a garage sale and his initial goes in the center...but we're not revealing that gem yet =)

I don't know why the diaper bag made this post but it did.  Rug is from Target on clearance for $12.

Oh the closet.  I swear there is order to it somehow.   I have a plastic shelving unit on the bottom full of toys for when he's older.  The tan box on the middle shelf is full of shoes.  The pack and play is still in there in the box because he will sleep in the Rocker Sleeper thing we registered for which is currently chillin' in the living room.

Diapers line the top shelf!

The night light all lit up!

 

 

 

*Savings Story* - Okay so we purchased our dresser and crib from Target for $300 a piece in January.  Then 2 weeks after we already put them together, they went on sale.  The dresser to $250 and the crib to $225.  I asked if we could get the price adjusted.  They said no because we ordered it online.  That's dumb.  So what did we do?  We went to Belleville's Target and purchased both the crib and dresser for $225 and $250, loaded them in a friend's truck and drove to the Fairview Heights Target and returned them using my online receipt.  A total savings of over $100 back on a gift card for us.  I mean, if Target wants to make it difficult for us, then fine, we'll spend an hour to save $115.  (Side note - my breast pump also went on sale at Target from $280 to $225 so I bought it and had my mom return the one she got for me for my baby shower and let her keep the difference)   

What's in the hospital bag????

Okay, I don't have tons of time for this post but here are some pics of mine and the baby's bag complete with coming home outfits, essentials, and stuff we'll grab on the way out the door.  I basically just pinned a bunch of lists and compiled our own.  Take it or leave it!


Here's what you see:

Boppy with cover
His baby book for footprints and hospital tags
2 pairs of slippers and flip flops - yes, I overpack
Travel toiletries - to save room
Yoga pants and tee shirt for coming home
Underwear - not good ones for...ya know...after
Feminine pads
Nursing Tank and 2 nursing sport bras
Fold over yoga skirt - I plan on wearing the skirt and sports bra for delivery.  Not a fan of the hospital gown.  There's a website where you can order a "birthing" skirt for like $40.  Yeah, I got this one at Old Navy for $12.  It's the same thing.
Coconut oil - for massage.
Essential oils - Clary Sage, Peppermint, and Lavender - all for helping keep me relaxed, ward of nausea/vomiting and help with pain relief
Nursing cover - my cousin Becky made it for me (see top left of suitcase with cute flower attached).  It's from her line - Baby Jo.  She makes tons of great stuff!
Snacks - Mixed nuts, Gatorade to keep my fluids up
Rice plus old sock - heat it up and helps with pain relief - just not instant rice!
Heating pad 
Relaxation DVD/CD
Possibly movies/music if necesssary
**We live 5 min from the hospital.  Nathan or mom can make a run for us if necessary.

Stuff to grab on the go - Pillows, iPod, iPad, headphones, phone, charger, camera, camera charger, contact case, glasses, other random toiletries. 

 

Here is what made it into his bag:

**We'll also take my breastpump to learn how to use it.

Bag - Target laptop bag for $35 bought on clearance like 2 years ago.  =)

Lanolin (breast cream), Disposable nursing pads (just in case), a few diapers and wipes although I know the hospital provides these, scratch mittens, 2 receiving blankets, 2 burp cloths and several disposable ones.

A few hats to choose from

Here are several sleeper options for him.  I love the navy one with the guitar in it, but we'll see what he fits into.

0-3 months outfit - only if he's huge!  Which we're thinking not.

Possible coming home outfit.  Elephant onesie with pants and sleeper.

This will probably be the outfit.  I love the giraffe look plus cutie cardigan.

 

 Again, this is a quick post and I'm sure I'm forgetting something but that's pretty much the basics!  Any day now!!!

Week 36

Week 36- Feb 25^th – Mar 3

Baby is the size of – A bowling ball!  He weighs about 6 pounds and is 18 inches long.  Kicks will start to feel like a sliding motion as he runs out of room.  His bones have strong calcium, but are still somewhat pliable.  He is still flexible and his skull bones will stay that way to pass through the birth canal. 

How I’m feeling – Like my lungs are being squished!  It’s very random too.  In the morning, it’s fine.  When I’m trying to fall asleep, I find I am taking huge shallow breaths.  When I exercise, doing a simple bicep curl causes my heart to race.  I’m taking things slow and stopping if I feel faint.  Sitting and driving definitely cramps my style.  But I don’t feel like I’m waddling as much though I am noticeably bigger.  My belly button, though pushed to its’ max is still an ‘inny’.  And baby boy is still kicking me in the ribs every chance he gets.  I can’t wait until he drops.  I’ve had no signs of anything relating to labor yet…no contractions, no mucus plug, no dropping of him yet.  People have even asked if I’m sure it’s not a girl since I’m still so high.  Um, I saw the ultrasound.  Sort of a no brainer on that one. 

I’m running around trying to make the nursery presentable and get our bags all packed.  And by that, I mean, me and baby.  Nathan can pack his own =)  It helps that we’re only 5 minutes from the hospital.  Things are hung in the nursery and clothes are mostly put away.  And honestly, anyone who has had a child knows that those things don’t mean you’re “ready” to have a baby.  I want to read about my breathing during labor one more time just to refresh and get the car seat base installed. 

Activity –

Monday –25 min elliptical, walk 10 min @ 1% incline, weights – 10 min

Tuesday – Rest

Wednesday – 25 min elliptical, 10 min walk @ 1% incline, weights – 15 min

**Here’s what I typically do as far as “Weights” – I do each exercise about 12-15 times, 2 sets.  Squats with weights, bicep curls, Wide leg squats with tricep extension, Bent over rows with 10 pounds, Tricep dips, push ups, lateral arm raises

Glute strengthening – clam shell, leg raises, bridge pose, and bird dog

Thursday – Rest

Friday – Rest

Saturday – 25 min elliptical, 20 min weights

Sunday - Rest

**Doctor’s Appointment 2/28/13 – I’m at my weekly visits!  My weight was 168 which I found to be a bit off (4 lbs in 1 week!) but it was later in the day and I had on thicker clothes.  Blood pressure was 98/58.  I’ve had difficulty breathing recently and find I have to catch my breath doing daily activities like sitting and teaching.  He checked to make sure everything was clear and my lungs are good.  He checked my pulse too and I am getting 100% oxygen so his best guess is that it is just from physiological changes…ie, the baby is getting bigger!   We also asked about sleeping on my back and he said it is no big deal if Nathan wakes up and finds me in the only position I’m comfortable in.  

My strep B test from last week came back negative, which is good!  Doctor did my first check and I am 1-2 cm and 50% thinned already.  Based on this, he would say I have a 60-70% chance of delivering 3-4 days before my due date.  He also added that I could very well get stuck at 3 or 4 cm and go past, so next week’s visit should be a good indicator of my progress.  I lastly asked if he could tell how big the baby was.  He pushed and prodded around and thought right below 7 pounds =)  And we should expect him to put on 1/3 pound per week right now. 

Oh yeah, so I weighed myself again just to check after my pelvic exam and I was right…165.  I hate winter clothes!   

Baby stuff – We had our 2^nd baby shower this past weekend, and it was amazing!  Allison, Mary and Tammy out did themselves.  It was owl themed and so cute!  I definitely felt loved.  The food was amazing and I had a great time with family and friends.  I got lots of great advice from young moms in our church and that was so helpful to me! 

I’ll be posting soon on my hospital bag, his bag and coming home outfit (for the long 5 min car ride) and nursery pics!

Centerpieces

Love the Owl cheeseball!

From my friend Jill.  Will be used in a newborn photo.

Again, Jill has awesome taste!

 

Yowsers...look at that belly!  Large and in charge!