31 weeks down...9 to go!
It's hard to imagine getting a lot bigger than this...but I am sure it will happen in 9 weeks! That's a long time for a little baby to grow :-)
11.28.2008
11.25.2008
Let the eating commence!
Last night was the official start of Thanksgiving week! We had community group at our house and stuffed it full of 17 adults, 2 kids and a Krusty dog! We had a great time eating and talking and laughing. We set up tables throughout the house so we could actually eat like civilized people instead of on our laps like usual :-) It was so fun to hang out with so many good friends and enjoy the blessings we have been given. We forgot to go around the room and say what we were thankful for as planned, but I think being together it was clear that we are all very thankful for each other! I have pics but they aren't uploaded yet, so I will revise this later :-)
Today Jerry has a potluck at work (we had ours last week) and then my family gets here tomorrow night! Just one more day and we are off for a nice long weekend! I can't wait.
In other news, we are having a baby in just 9.5 weeks! That is insane! I am so glad that the holidays will be a big distraction because we are getting so excited to meet this little man! It's really hard to believe it's almost December and I only have 21 more days in the office. Then I work from home! Not driving 20-30 minutes twice a day is going to be such a relief for me. Especially as I get bigger and bigger. Next week our doula is coming over to go through some details and learn how to get to our place in the event that she has to find her way there at 4am when I go into labor :-) We are also going to check out a Pediatrician next Wednesday that came highly recommended. Talk about unknown territory! All good things though and yes, we are so thankful for this. We have thankfulness coming out of our ears! It is a good good time.
11.20.2008
If Mama ain't happy....NOBODY happy.....
Well that was DEFINITELY the case last night! I walked into the house after band practice and looked for our precious bundle of fur. Normally he sleeps in the bedroom while we are gone but this chilly November night, he came slinking out of the office...which can only mean trouble.
I was coming off a busy afternoon/evening and pretty sore and tired as I usually am these days around 8pm (bedtime anyone?) so my patience was already wearing thin. Then I saw it. Thousands, no MILLIONS of feathers. FEATHERS?!?!? What do we have with feathers?? Oh right. Remember my beautiful spare bed? With the pretty fluffy pillows? Those pillows have feathers. And I mean, like a whole flocks' worth. I don't even know how they got so many feathers into that pillow. AND it still actually looks full!
It took me almost an hour to clean it up and it was not easy. The feathers were of course mixed in with other things from the piles in the office (remember I need to organize) so I couldn't just use the vacuum. I tried to sweep it up but if you are familiar with the nature of feathers, you can imagine how that went. I was back to the vacuum idea when I realized that our regular vac doesn't have a hose attachment so I opted for the small one. This was a seemingly endless process of vacuum, vacuum, vacuum, jam....change the bag...vacuum, vacuum, vacuum, jam....change the bag...vacuum, vacuum, vacuum, jam....change the bag...Until I filled about 4 bags with feathers. And everytime I would turn to get that one I missed, I would forget that there is air blowing out the back of the vacuum so the room would turn into a winter wonderland for a moment.
Looking back, it was quite comical really. And the poor dog. I hate that he does it because he feels bad and tries to come lick my face and make it all better. We did make up but after an afternoon of battling traffic and groceries and traffic and band practice and traffic and making cornbread for work, I was beat. It took 45 minutes to clean the office and once it was done I started getting ready for a bath. I went into the bedroom to get my stuff and noticed that the food bowls were moved. Instinctively I went to fix them and stepped in water. So now I have wet socks - at least I was about to take them off anyway. So another 10 minutes cleaning up the food/water mess.
FINALLY, I took my bath and went to bed. Oh yeah, Jerry had another band practice after the one we had for church so that is where he was at this point. His band has a show tonight and they always practice the night before a show. Well I made it to bed. However, at about 1:40am I woke up with the worst neck pain. I don't think it's pregnancy related because I have been getting it off and on since one of the many car accidents I endured in my youth. So I am trying to find Tylenol and it has completely vanished. Jerry had the audacity to ask me what time it was at this point and I flipped out in a pregnant rage that ended in sobbing. Good times. I don't think I slept much the rest of the night and now that I am at work I am really feeling it. I did get my hands on some tylenol from a co-worker but my neck is still sore and I think I feel a cold sore starting on my bottom lip (stress-induced no doubt). Jerry was so sweet this morning. I felt awful for being so mean to him and he was completely understanding and supportive. He said I am doing great and deserve a pregnancy breakdown now and then. Of course that made me teary eyed and even now I feel them coming....
I am glad I haven't had more nights like this, but when I do it makes me SO sympathetic/empathetic to those moms that I know are having really hard pregnancies. It's all part of it I guess, but man next time I'd like to skip this part!
11.19.2008
Motivation....I never knew you....
This is the "busy season" at my job, which in some ways is good because it makes the days go by faster. However, in other ways I feel totally lost. I have notes everywhere and things are starting to pile up on my desk that I need to put away (much like our house) and I just feel motionless. Yesterday I had a meeting at a client group and I went to the wrong location. Thankfully, the right location was only a few minutes away, but I definitely feel like this little baby is already stealing my brain. I write everything down and now I am learning that I have been writing things on the back page of other things which can be a setup for disaster. Thankfully, nothing has happened (yet) but man I will be glad to get my focus completely off this job and onto our new life!
And as for the job, I will say that I am really thankful that they have been so kind throughout the pregnancy (spare a couple of crazies). It always seems to happen that way, you are about to make some changes and then everyone is your best friend. Go figure. But we'll see what happens after Mr. Tumnus arrives. I am not slamming any doors shut just yet.
I also just realized that of my friends, I am the next one to have a baby! We had a few folks who were due this month and have all had their babies! So I am next up! Congrats to Mike and Amy, Colin and Holly, and Jared and Chelsea! I am really thankful to be in a great group of new moms. I can't say it enough. I know how important community is and honestly, I don't know how I would do it without you ladies!
As far as the house is concerned, there are a few more things that I would really like to be done before the big show. The nursery is almost done and I think we are getting our crib mattress today (yippee)! I would like to make sure the guest room/office is organized. It seems to be 2 steps forward and 1 step back in that room. Jerry needs a space and that is where it will be, but I know he will be much happier when we have a place for all his "things" (music stuff, computer stuff, etc) So that is a priority. We also need to do something about our laundry drain. Every 6 months or so it backs up and starts to overflow just a little, but enough to to damage to the walls at least. So we get it snaked, but after doing that twice already, we aren't really up for another giant plumbing bill. This time we are going to start with Drano and see what happens. We can still use the machine as is, we just have to stand there and stop/start it if it starts to empty faster than the drain.
Otherwise, there is just a massive cleaning that the whole house needs. I am not quite there yet, but when that nesting instinct hits I already have a list going of what I will scrub first. Up to now all the nesting has been in the form of fun stuff and all the nitty gritty just sits there and laughs in my face. So you see, I think of lots of things to do, but when the time comes I just can't seem to get it done. I hope that instinct kicks in soon! And that's my rambling for today :-)
11.17.2008
Birth Classes....check!
This weekend Jerry and I went to birth classes at Better Birth Partners in Durham. It was a very full weekend and I feel like we learned so much! It was so helpful to have a visual interpretation of all the things I have been reading. And for Jerry I think it was really great to see lots of different videos and get used to the terms and sights and sounds of birth. I am really almost looking forward to it! I mean, of course I was looking forward to meeting the baby, but now I am even more excited about the bonding Jerry and I will have - as the parents - both doing something neither of us has ever done before.
Even though we were in classes all day Saturday and Sunday, it also turned out to be a little date weekend which was an added bonus! We went out to lunch both days and just talked about what we learned and laughed a lot and really had a great time. We even had time to get over to Target and pick up our Digital converter box (no cable here) and a birth ball! Just over 10 weeks til we finally get to meet our baby! It's amazing how fast and slow time can pass. We are both so ready! After seeing him in action this weekend, there is no doubt in my mind that Jerry is going to be an excellent labor coach. He was attentive, involved and excited about the whole class and learning as much as he could. I am so proud of him! He thought of things that hadn't occurred to me and vice versa. At one point during the 2nd day I started feeling some anxiety about the birth. I think it was right around the obligatory "complications" section, but talking at lunch and just knowing that we have to give it to God brought the peace right back. I have been learning more about the births in my family history and it is just about the most fascinating thing I can hear right now. How did I make it to 30 without really knowing this information? I guess when you need it you learn it. And that is what we are doing! And thankfully, really enjoying the process!
11.12.2008
Project Longies!
I don't knit when it's warm out. So when the weather started to turn I definitely got the bug! Of course I couldn't just ease my way back in since I haven't done anything since Christmas. Where is the fun in that??? No, I decided to jump in head first and make this baby some wool pants - also known as longies! I used this pattern from The Blue Blog and I was off! I didn't stick to it 100% (i.e. I ran out of yarn and couldn't do the turnover waistline) but it's close enough. All I need to do now is add a drawstring and a baby!
11.10.2008
All is well!
Well we had our ultrasound today and I am happy to report that my placenta went where it should be and the little Choroid plexus cysts have resolved and are gone! Baby is doing great and is head down facing my right side at the moment. The Dr. said that he will likely stay in this position for the duration, though there is a chance he could move still. I am hoping he stays put because that is how you want them to come out!
We also talked the tech into flipping over to 3D and we got to see his face a little bit. However, his arm was covering one side and the umbilical cord was over his face so we didn't get a GREAT look but it was still neat. Also, he looks very smushed! I can't believe how much bigger he is going to get (read: I am going to get!) As far as they can tell, he is 3lbs 9oz right now which is the 85th percentile for his age, and about 1lb bigger than we thought. We do grow em big in our family so this isn't a HUGE surprise...but yikes! The biggest surprise for me was that the tech said he has hair! Jerry and I were both bald babies so we never even thought he could have hair haha....so who knows! Maybe he will :-) Here is what we could see of him today.
All in all it was a great visit and really the last big thing we had to get through. Now it will be waiting and growing and growing and waiting! It won't be long now :-)
11.09.2008
3rd Trimester!
Well we seem to be on the last leg of this journey! I could say time is going by fast and it sort of is. But at the same time, we are so excited to meet our boy that January just can't come fast enough! But, I am excited to finally be in the 3rd trimester and with the holidays coming up, I will be able to be at least a LITTLE distracted....I hope :-)
Tomorrow we have another level 2 ultrasound to be sure everything went where it was supposed to go (ie placenta) I am really excited about seeing him again and it would be super awesome if they gave us another 3D picture....He is very active these days and my stomach has turned into a regular wave pool.
Next weekend we have our birth class and we are really looking forward to it. The teacher came highly recommended by our doula and I am looking forward to Jerry and I being there together learning about the whole process.
I am feeling pretty good these days. I have been sleeping with breathe right strips on my nose because I don't think I have been breathing properly and that was causing me to shift and toss and turn a lot which then made my hips, back, muscles hurt...you name it. But with those strips I get MUCH better sleep. So simple! My feet have also been hurting and my Dr. describes it as Plantar Fasciitis. I got some arch supports and that is helping quite a bit, but at this point I am really thankful that my job consists of sitting at a desk all day.
That's about it for the updates! We are doing really well and so thankful that we are surrounded by such a great support system of family and friends. It makes this whole experience so much greater for both Jerry and me! So thanks!
11.05.2008
And....it's over...
Well, we have a new President! No, he isn't the one I voted for but I have to say I have an amazing peace about it all. We prayed yesterday and voted and that's all we can do. I am excited to see what God has in store for us. I have to admit, that while a little disappointing, I am glad Obama won by such a large margin and we don't have a big giant mess to deal with because of a massive nationwide tie...Anyone notice that NC hasn't even been called yet??? I don't think I could deal with another 2000 episode so I will find comfort in a decisive win!
That being said, I really hope things can and do change for the better. I hope that people can work together and be gracious to each other. The people that have been inspired by Obama now have their chance to shine and I hope they really use it. I also hope and pray that the people that didn't vote for him can carry on and find the good things about his ideas to latch onto and have productive conversation.
I was really moved by both speeches last night. McCain has class there is no doubt. I was really rooting for him because he has served for so long and so hard and you know he wanted it so much. But he bowed out gracefully and I am really thankful for that. Obama's speech was very interesting to me. It looked like he was absolutely stunned. I could sense this feeling of we did it. We did it?? We did......he almost looked like he was going to be sick. Not in a bad way, but in that overwhelming I don't know what to do with all of this emotion kind of sick. It was fascinating to watch history being made. I will continue to pray for him and his leadership and God's will for our country. In God is our true hope and I know he will be faithful!
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