37 Weeks and His Room

Yea! His room is done. Everything is washed and put away, diapers in the drawer. The room is ready for him, whether I am ready is a whole different story. The bedding is great. Thanks Mom! The curtains we just added some of the fabric from the bedding to the bottom. The right hand picture that is above the changing table/dresser will have his initial above it, once his name is decided. No we don't have a name yet. We do have a few picked out but I don't think we will be able to decided until we meet him. The three pictures over the crib I painted with some help from the cricut and C. I am happy with how the room turned out. Now just waiting for the little one that will make the room perfect.

Now I am a few days over 37 weeks. At my appointment my blood pressure is still good, and I'm measuring perfect at 37 cm. In the exam room the doctor was listening to the baby's heart rate with the doppler fetal monitor at one point it dropped lower then he would like. So I was put on an electronic fetal monitor for awhile. The baby's heart rate dropped a little low one other time and the rate wasn't reacting the way the doctor wanted. Then we were set over to the hospital for a biometric ultrasound. This was to check the heart rate more, the amniotic fluid levels, placenta, umbilical cord and a few other things. The bonus for this was we got to see him again and the tech printed us out a few pictures too.

My doctor wanted us back at the hospital the next morning to monitor more. This time the baby was perfect. His heart rate was where it should be, and the rate responded well when I had a contraction. But my doctor doesn't want to dismiss the few times the baby's heart rate dipped, so I will be back at the hospital on Friday to monitor, as well as my usual appointment next week in the doctor's office and one more time next week at the office. Depending on how the baby is doing we will determine if we need to continue with the extra monitoring. Counting I haven't gone into labor yet. :) As much as I could worry about all this God has given us both a great peace. We trust that God knows what is happening, and has him protected. Plus we know our son will come when he is ready and at the exact time God planned.

I Have Become One of Them

It happened last night. Around eight o'clock I was in sweat pants, relaxing. C asked if I would like to run over with him to get gas in the car. Sure I said, the gas station isn't far. I grabbed my smoothie from the freezer that I had gotten from Costco earlier, put my slippers on (who needs shoes when you're just getting gas), and got in the car.

C started to drive home, instead of turning on Cooley he went straight into Lowes' parking lot.

Me: Um...I'm not really dressed for going into a store. showing my slippers

C: Oh
That's okay, you're pregnant.

So here I am walking through Lowes, wearing slippers, drinking a smoothie and a huge belly. I never liked it when people wore slippers out to a store, or church (I really have seen this). Here I have now become one of those people that where slippers in public. I tried to walk into the store with confidence, hey I am pregnant and all. But I just hoped the whole time people wouldn't look down and notice the slippers. Maybe the belly will distract them enough.

But then, oh then. I see another pregnant woman. Just to rub it in that I look like a slob she is wearing a really cute tunic with leggings and great sandals. To top it off she is just as pregnant as I am and I don't just see her once in the store. We see her at least three times. Just get me out of here. Back where I belong, sitting on the couch, that I can't get up from.

8 Months

Baaaa!! 8 months!!?! Can I really just be a month away from having a baby. Yikes! But first what has happened since July 17th. Well, my fingers started to swell enough that I took off my ring. I was mostly worried that I would wait too long and then wouldn't be able to get it off at all. C and I went and bought a fake ring for me to wear when I'm out, I don't what to get "those" looks.

Baby Wild has started to get the hiccups quite frequently. An unfortunate trait he got from me. Now he seems to be more on his side with his legs towards my left. His little legs and feet push out often. But his body still pushes up on my right side too. I'm starting to get contractions at least once an hour. They don't bother me though, I can just feel my stomach getting tight.

I had a doctors appointment yesterday. I now have gained 28 pounds, haven't passed C yet. My blood pressure is still doing great 94/60. And I measured at 35.5cm. I will be going into the doctors every week now. I remember when the told me the last month I will start coming in once a week and that seemed so far away. Hard to believe we are at that point. I'm sure it will make these last few weeks go quicker.

I had a wonderful shower on the 31st with my family and old roommates. I am blessed by all of them!
My parents came this last weekend. It was great to have them here and help get a few more things ready for our baby. It was strange when we said goodbye, because the next time I see them it will be with the baby. All I can think is weird. I know it is now almost half way through August, but in my mind I still think it is July. Or maybe it is me just wishing it was still July. I am anxious and really excited to meet our boy. But there is still so much I want to get done before he gets here. Starting to mentally prepare to be okay if I don't meet all those goals.

Also, been getting back into couponing after the hiatus from when C was gone. It has taken awhile to rebuild my coupon supply, get the motivation back, and fit it back into my weekly routine. Here is the latest trip to Rite Aid.After a mail in rebate, and UP rewards (money off on your next purchase) and coupons I paid $3.90. Please ignore the eggs, these were bought out of laziness necessity. So take out the eggs and I paid $2.61 for everything else

Here I am with the still ever growing belly at 35 weeks. I still don't feel as big as I look in the pictures. Though it is getting harder to get in and out of bed, off the couch, moving around etc.

32 Weeks

Less than two months?! I feel like there is still so much to do to. So many things to get ready before this little guy gets here. But he is doing well. He moves around quite a bit, especially first thing in the morning and at night. He seems to like the right side of my belly. C says it is because my stomach is on the left side. There are many times my belly is lopsided to the right side. It looks funny. But my organs and lower ribs on the right side are getting a little sore from his constant pressure and kicking. I do enjoy getting to feel him when he is sticking out, whether it is his body or a limb. When he really gets moving my whole belly shakes. Makes me curious what this movements are going to look like when he is here.

When I look at those pictures I am surprised. I really don't feel like my stomach is that big. But looking at the pictures, wow, my belly is really sticking out. The boy is growing. :)

We have painted his room now. And just today my Mom finished sewing the bumper and skirt for the crib!! Can't wait to get those in the room. Things will really start to come together then. In painting the room, we (by we I mean C) first had to paint the ceiling. It was originally the same color as the walls, so it would have looked weird not to paint it. The walls are now green and a pale creamy yellow. Pictures will come later.


This is what I looked like when keeping C company while he painted. I did edge some, though not enough to say I really contributed, (but I can think I did right?). The mask worked great, couldn't smell a thing. But it did leave lovely marks on my face that took awhile to go away.

Camping

WARNING: Camping while 30 weeks pregnant not advisable.

Maybe I should rephrase that.

WARNING: Sleeping only on therm-a-rest while 30 weeks pregnant not advisable.


We went camping the weekend of the 4th. It was quite an adventure, and I'm not just speaking of the fact that I am pregnant. I did have a great time, it was just the sleeping (or lack there of) that was a challenge. Though, going to the bathroom already being annoying then became extra annoying out in the woods. With my ever shrinking bladder, I had to go much more often. As you can see in the picture in the upper left corner even Baby Wild had a good time. If you can tell in the picture in the upper right corner C made a real long roasting stick so I didn't have to move to make a s'more. What a guy. :)

We camped at Black Crater Lake, and the closest you can get a car is about 1/2 mile. Which means we had to bring all of our things in a 1/2 mile. That doesn't sound like much, but when you start to think how much you need and how much it all weighs to camp a 1/2 mile becomes a lot farther. C was able to borrow a cart from his boss. Which was another adventure in it self. First, one of the tires exploded in the car when C was coming home from picking up the cart. Second, when we first arrived at Black Crater the other tire blew, lucky Caleb brought a spare. Third, that tire then buckled in half on that 1/2 mile walk. But we did eventually make it to the lake and enjoyed our time there. Side note we were smarter getting back to the car and made it much easier.

29 Weeks

At 29 weeks....

I now weigh more than I ever have, I've gained 20 pounds.

My blood pressure is still doing great, 98/60 at my appointment today.

I measure 29cm.

I feel like I have to pee all the time. Sometimes I will go, walk out to the front, sit down and feel like I have to go, again.

I am starting to understand the true meaning of back pain

The baby moves around all the time, sometimes moving my whole belly. He is most active first thing in the morning and at night.

Sometimes I can feel body parts. Usually I can't tell if it is his head or rump. One time I felt either a foot, shoulder, knee or something that was small and somewhat round.

Can pretty much only wear maternity clothes now.

I now go to the doctor every two weeks.

I can definitely tell now when he is on my bladder, occasionally hitting it and making me really feel like I have to go.

I am getting tired of having to use public restrooms but "holding it" is no longer an option.

Sleeping is starting to get more uncomfortable (think back pain).

Baby Carriers

There are a variety of designs out for baby carriers. It makes it hard to decide. These are three of the different types.


This is the Moby Wrap, cost around $40.
Pros:
Variety of ways you can carry baby
Price isn't too high
When baby is really young I can keep him snuggled close

Cons:
I've always thought with slings how easily a baby could not be getting enough oxygen
Seems like I would be wearing a whole other shirt, making me all the more warmer
Could be complicated/time consuming getting me and baby all wrapped up



The Ergo, cost around $105
Pros:
Love that it has a waist band, so baby's weight is there instead of all on your shoulders
Can do front, back and side carrying
Pocket would be nice to be able to put just a few things in
Can be used baby to toddler

Cons:
Price, would also have to buy a newborn insert costing about $38
Baby can only face in



The Baby Bjorn, cost varies Pro:
Baby can face in or out
Popular, so easy to find at a consignment store in great condition

Con:
Weight of baby is all on your shoulders
Lots of snaps and straps, easy once you know it, but still


Now which to choose.....


We did go to Babies-R-Us today and found a carrier where baby can face in or our and there is a waist strap. Maybe that is our answer.