31 Week Update

 

 

How Far Along? 31 Weeks-wow where has time gone?! How can I already be into the 30’s already????
Total weight gain/loss: As of 6/14 I weighed +25 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight.
Maternity clothes? Obviously, is there anything else at this point that is even remotely comfortable? Oh yeah, Josh’s T shirtsJ Not only is he wearing his clothes but so am I
Stretch marks? Still nothing there, hopefully a tanner belly by the end of vacation week will disguise anything that decides to pop up the next 9 weeks
Sleep: This is getting tougher. Some nights are great, and I wake up feeling energized and refreshed. But some nights I toss and turn and wake up a couple times to pee, which results in horrible mornings and work days. My biggest pet peeve this last week-I will get up to pee and little guy will randomly get the hiccups right when I decide to lay back down! The hiccups are normally not noticeable (during the day), but when there is absolutely no other movement and it’s a quiet dark night-you can be darn certain they are keeping me awake for the next hourL
Best moment this week: Putting together the pack and play and rock and play sleeper-we also went baby shopping with some of our returns and gift cards-I have more to take back and more gift cards so I cannot wait to go shopping again!
Miss Anything? The feeling of skinniness and being tan. At least being tan I can somewhat control by getting my butt outside. But this HUGE belly in front of me, that I can’t move out of the way or suck in, is really starting to weigh on my nerves.
Movement: Yep, always! Morning, noon, and night. I love to watch the waves of movement dance across my belly when we are just sitting watching TV. It’s so unreal to me!!!
Food cravings: Cereal and milk every day, breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Love cereal anyways so this might not even be considered a craving.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not at all
Have you started to show yet: Huge Belly, Huge legs, Huge hips…..yep.
Gender prediction:  Boy
Belly Button in or out? Kind of flattened out lately
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Consistently tired which makes it really easy to be moody. But I am SOOOOOOOO looking forward to a week of vacation so this week cannot come soon enough.
Looking forward to: Like I said above, a week of vacation in Lake of the Ozarks. Did I mention I am going to be off for a week from work?! You can’t tell at all that I am ecstatic about that. I have been saving my PTO for vacation and maternity so I have not taken much time off at all in the last 6 months. The thought of just having a relaxing stress free week on the boat and in the sun just makes me so giddy with excitement! Not only that, but if I want to just sleep…..I can. I CANNOT WAIT TO JUST SLEEP!!!!!
Labor Signs? More crampiness, which could be Braxton hicks contractions or ligament pain. More pressure as baby pushes, well downJ Baby Boy is already sitting really low, and I have carried low the entire time-so I can’t imagine he has much further he can drop when we finally does. I guess I will know when it happens!
Anything Else???? We had a dr. apt on 6/14-the Dr. told us that if we gave birth to the baby today he would have a 95% chance of growing up and being a healthy normal baby and adult. This was very exciting news as I am constantly worried about going into preterm labor. He would have a lengthy NICU stay but he would most likely be pretty darn healthy. Although, he did ask at least make it through the next 3 weeksJ which I would prefer also-but after 34 weeks he said they would not do anything to stop labor at that point.

Some people think I am crazy, but I cannot stand sitting for long periods of time and would much rather go for walks or be up moving around. Like I said above, baby B sits pretty darn low inside of me so when I sit-the bands on my pants just dig into right where he is and it is unbelievably uncomfortable. By walking and standing I feel more stretched out and feel less crampedJ

I am realizing I need to start to slow down-my exhaustion has taken over my life and it’s next to impossible to stay energized all day. This is extremely hard for me! I love to stay busy, doing things around the house, running errands, working hard and constantly on the go…..today I came to a hard realization that it just isn’t possible anymore, and for the health of me and the baby-I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN. Sometimes, I just need to hear, “you are doing great, you look great, and it’s almost over.” That is the best motivation ever for me!

I will be off to vacation all next weekJ As if you didn’t already read about it three times above! But I will give an update on our vacation once I get back!

Busy Busy Busy!!!!

Man, it has been awhile since I have touched this blog. Sorry for anyone looking for updates, life has been so busy these last couple of weeks. On top of all the craziness, I have been just exhausted! So sorry I don't have a chalkboard update today, I will try to do one before the end of the week. Now that the weather is nicer, I find us always busy, outside, or going somewhere or doing something. I love being busy, but like I said pure exhaustion just takes over my body on the days we aren't doing anything at all. I wanted to give an update on some of the exciting things we have been doing!

Sunday June 2 was my second baby shower. It was hosted by Josh's aunts, Deb and Cindy. Josh's mom took some pictures and I finally downloaded a few of them to share! Got some great gifts! Finally got our car seat, so this little guy can come anytime now since we can legally transport him home now! I also got our diaper bag which I am super excited about! I received 4 "sleep sheep" also, which was hilarious because I just kept opening them:) For anyone who doesn't know what a sleep sheep is-it is a sound machine for the baby, and if Baby Bennett is anything like me-he will love his white noise while he sleeps, so it's a good thing we have one for every room in the house.

 

 

 

 

 

The week after the shower was a short work week (yay!!) Josh's family planned to go to Chicago for the weekend, and I just love Chicago so we tagged along.

 

I'll give credit where credit is due:) The reason we went to Chicago was so these 4 could run a half marathon. I wish I could say we got out of bed to see them cross the finish line......but we didn't make it:) They knew we were proud of them though!!!

 

 

When we finally got out of bed, Josh and I went over to the Hancock building to get a view  of the city-since Josh hadn't seen it from that high before(no picture:( ). Then we all headed to Wrigley to catch a cubs game.

 

 

 

I really enjoyed Chicago 7 months pregnant:) I really didn't mind the walking at all. I never felt tired or sore which was great. Honestly, walking feels 100 times better than just sitting, in my opinion. I found a vendor at the game that sold Non-Alcoholic  beer, which I thought was great, until they poured it into a plastic cup (no glass bottles!!). That really annoyed me because then I just looked like a prego girl drinking beer......awesome.

 

This past week we have been REALLY busy too which explains why I am so tired today (Saturday). Tuesday we finally had the chance to go out boating after work-stupid weather has not been cooperating!! Wednesday we had a hospital tour of the maternity center. Really enjoyed that since neither of us has really ever been in the hospital before, so it gave us a little more comfort knowing where to go and where things are located. Thursday I accompanied Josh while he played a round of golf. Again, the weather has not been cooperating much here in Iowa-so this was the very first time he was able to get out and play so far this year! I make a great caddy!!! And today we attended a 6 hour Childbirth class at the hospital again. Can't say it was the most exciting class, but it was very informative and I think we both took a few new pieces of information away with us.

 

We are REALLY looking forward to finishing this week and heading to Lake of the Ozarks for a week of relaxation/vacation. I cannot wait for a week off of work!!!! Then 4th of July will be the next week-another short work week (plus 4th of July is my absolute favorite holiday!), and 6 weeks later-this little guy should be making his debut. Time is just FLYING by!!! 

 

I will try to get a chalkboard update posted this week before we go on vacation!!!! Everyone have a wonderful fathers day weekend!!

 

29 Week Update

 

How Far Along? 29 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Oh man, the weight has really been bothering me for some reason this week. +24 lbs.....it's normal, Dr. said I am in the 56% percentile for weight gain, but man it was tough for me this week to see the scale read what it did.
Maternity clothes? Yep!!! and mixing non-maternity items in also. Bought the dress above for $13.00 at Target. I love a good deal!
Stretch marks? Not seeing anything yet
Sleep: Sleep has been great these last couple weeks. I have definitely been feeling MUCH more tired again (as opposed to the second trimester when I had TONS of energy). Lately, it feels like I can hardly get through the day-so falling asleep and sleeping has been amazing. I am used to 1-2 bathroom visits per night now, so just being able to fall back asleep right away is great sleep in my book.

Best moment this week: My second baby shower was today. It was hosted by Josh's aunts and we got a lot of really great items to add to our collection:) Afterwards, I organized his room and made a list of everything else we will need to buy on our own. I am so excited!!!
Miss Anything? Sangria, Mojitos, Margaritas, pretty much any fun summer cocktails. I just want to sit on a patio and drink a yummy summery drink.
Movement: He feels like he's always moving, now I can feel limbs and can push them out of the way if they are poking me in the wrong spot.
Food cravings: I haven't been craving anything really
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not at all
Have you started to show yet: did you read what I said above? +24 lbs......luckily most of it is all in my belly. I really don't feel like I have gained weight anywhere else or feel like I am bloating anywhere else yet.
Gender prediction:  Boy
Belly Button in or out? Out for good now
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: I have happy days, I have irritable days. Everyday is different, just depends:)
Looking forward to: Completely non pregnancy related-but going to Chicago this weekend with Josh's family. I LOVE Chicago and cannot wait to go back, it has been so long. This is the first week I have actually felt uncomfortable walking, so I will just need to take it slow and catch up to everyone if I need to take a break. Chicago is a lot of walking:) I have been dealing with lower back pain and hip pain pretty consistently this past week, so I feel like this pain in here to stay until the end, which is fine with me considering I haven't really had to deal with much else during this pregnancy.
Labor Signs? No labor signs, fingers crossed it stays that way for the next 4-6 weeks. Although, I am very curious what a Braxton Hicks contraction feels like so I wouldn't mind feeling some of those just to know:) Like I mentioned above, lower back pain, hip pain, and exhaustion has been the name of the game this past week.

Anything Else???? For anyone who doesn't know, we have decided on a name:) I posted a couple pictures of the nursery below. I am excited to see it coming together!!!

Summertime Finally!!!

On Thursday I blogged that we had our labor and delivery prep class today at the hospital. I had a feeling this might happen.....yeah, we skipped it. Josh came home from work Friday night and saw Nate (his brother) out with the boat, and sure enough guess what Josh would rather have done on a beautiful, hot summer Saturday than sit in a classroom for 7 hours? Can't say I blame him, it really didn't take much to convince me. Especially considering I have been begging for some sun lately.

 

We re-registered to go June 15th instead.....fingers crossed we actually make it! I really do want to go, but I think we just needed to get this first boating adventure out of our systems first. Since winter has been so long and brutal, we have been itching to get on the boat for about a month now.

 

I admit, when I found out I was pregnant in December, my first thought (I kid you not), was "How am I going to miss out on all the boating we love to do so much?!?!" (not to mention the cold beer and lime-a-rita's!). One of the first things we did was Google whether it would be safe to be boating or in/on the water pregnant. Dr. confirmed I should not have any issues with boating or even getting in the water for short amounts of time. I don't plan to get IN, but as long as I can sit and enjoy the water and watch everyone else wakeboard I am happy! And, luckily today, I had no issues at all! Like I said, sometimes I just forget I am pregnant. The only thing that plagues me.......that darn bladder issue now, and you can be sure I am NOT getting in that 57 degree water for a second. I held it.....and I'll keep holding it until the water warms up....to at least 70:)

 

I did rock a bikini today, but the cover-up did not come off:) I think this will do for the summer, and I am still able to get some sun on my legs and chest/face without burning my belly.

 



Grace was just a newborn when we went boating last summer, it was a test to see how she would enjoy it now that she is more mobile and engaged. She loved it! Lucky for Nate and Emily, they have a water baby. Hope we can say the same for Baby B, fingers crossed!

 



 

Can't say she particularly enjoyed this part of boating though. Poor thing looked a little snug:)

 

Said he wasn't going to do it, but I knew after seeing Nate on the wakeboard his itch to get on the water would get the best of him. Yeah, water's still a little chilly in Iowa (57 degrees!! brrrrrr) after a long winter, especially considering it just was snowing 2 weeks ago!!

 

Enjoying the sun and boat, one of our favorite things to do!

 

 

 

26 Week Update

 

How Far Along? 26 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +18 lbs
Maternity clothes? Absolutely, but still mixing a few non maternity pieces if I can.
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: Getting a little tougher, I feel like I have a more restless sleep. I just don't feel completely rested everyday and have been more tired this week.
Best moment this week: Our second Ultrasound on Tuesday-little guy was VERY stubborn though and we didn't get any good pictures of him.
Miss Anything? Not being stared at-Lately I feel like a circus act. Everyone stares at the belly now and/or only can talk about my pregnancy or babies in general. It's ok, I really don't mind but I just have been noticing it a lot more lately:)
Movement: All the time!
Food cravings: Oreos, fruit, fruit snacks have been a favorite this past two weeks
Anything making you queasy or sick: Just when I am so tired I get really sick feeling
Have you started to show yet: yep! and loving it!
Gender prediction:  Boy
Belly Button in or out? usually out, but you can see it move in and out when he is moving around
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy mostly, really excited about starting my third trimester. Getting more tired lately though too which is making me irritable
Looking forward to: Child Preparation class on Saturday-ALL day, not looking forward to the all day class,  but I am excited about hearing some of the things they will teach us about getting ready for labor
Labor Signs? No labor signs, no Braxton hicks contractions, so far so good!

Anything Else???? Baby B is now estimated at 2 lbs 3 oz. According to the dr. he is above what is normal at this point which is good news in terms of his development. I now start my every 2 week appt's, which is exciting but exhausting at the same time. Everything looks and sounds great!! We had the glucose test on Tuesday also, I haven't heard back so......no news is good news. I didn't mind the drink that everyone complains about. Mine was lemon-lime flavor which made me happy because I am not a huge orange flavor fan.

Nursery Update

I have been busy working on the nursery and I am so excited about some of the progress! The baby shower definitely helped up gather some items to help fill it up a little bit!

 

 

 My mom is moving in a couple of weeks and she gave us the side table which had been my sister's for years! We repainted it green to tie into the navy blue/green theme. I also received the pottery barn throw pillow as a decoration at my shower.

 

I am so excited we found these! Again, like I mentioned above, my mom is moving next week and we came across these. They were golf clubs my dad cut down for me and my sister when we were little. They look a lot bigger than they really are, but they are so cute sitting in the room!

 

 

This is my project for this weekend. I bought spray paint to paint the base of the lamp and am going to buy a new lamp shade since the red doesn't fit in with room.

 



 

This was a purchase I made on Etsy-I need a frame to put this in still, I might get crafty and see what I can make.

 

 

Just a shot of the crib/bedding and golf picture I bought on Etsy. Nothing new here, I think I have shown you this one before.

 

 

This doesn't tie into the theme very well but I just love it too much not to share. Josh's cousin made us this tie blanket, and anyone who knows Josh and I know we are NASCAR fans:) Don't judge. Anyways, I think it is just so cute not to share.

 

 

I received lots of great books at my first shower, and I was blown away at the creativity of my mom for the frame shown there too. A few weeks ago she asked me for an ultrasound picture, and much to my dismay, I handed one over. I didn't want to give her one! They were mine:) Anyways I am so happy I did, because she created this cute little golf ball frame to use as a diaper cake topper, and now it looks great in his room!

 

 

This is not the nursery, obviously, but I made these purchases last week for our little man and they are just too cute not to share. I love shopping for him, even if it is just little stuff here and there. I know I will receive more at my next shower on June 2.

 

 

It is so crazy to think I am about to enter the last week of my second trimester. I have a dr. appt. on Tuesday where we will have our second ultrasound and also have the glucose screening. Wish me luck! I am excited to see the little guy again, but am not excited about being poked with needles again, I hate needles! I will post another update after that appointment! Have a great weekend all, and best of all, Have a wonderful mother's day to all the mothers out there........ AND to all the soon to be mothers out there!!!!!

Baby Shower #1

My first baby shower was April 27th at my mom's house in Eldridge. My mom and sister hosted it and they did a great job! We got a lot of really great gifts and I feel MUCH less anxiety now that we have some of the basics for little Baby B. I thought I would share some of the pictures from the day:)

My mom did an AWESOME job on the diaper cake (with the help of her boss, Jaime. Obviously, they were not doing much "work" that day:) )

 

Opening LOTS of great presents!

We asked that everyone bring a children's book instead of a card, and my niece, Morgan, LOVED all the books. She immediately took them from me so she could read them herself.

My mom with her two daughters and (current) grandkids:) Soon enough she can add another one!!

Family picture again with Grandma

 

 

My next shower is on June 2nd and is hosted by Josh's family. Honestly, I hate showers, but I am so excited about it!!! I love being able to get things for our little guy.

 

I have been feeling a little baby-buying fever lately, so I may just go out today and buy myself a few fun things for him:)