35+ Weeks

I’ve been reminded that it’s past due for a new belly photo. So here you have it:

Yes, I’m huge. I hear some version of that nearly every day, along with “you look tired.” It’s very inspiring. After Husband took this photo I said "how does it look?" and he said "fat." That's what I get for asking, I guess. :)

Overall I am still feeling pretty good, just getting a little more tired from carrying this medicine ball around, and little more emotional when I watch Extreme Home Makeover or occasionally when Husband simply asks me a question (I feel a little bit sorry but considering my physical state, not that much). The swelling of the hands and feet/arms and legs is a bit annoying but I knew that was coming. The volume and urgency of urination has also increased, but that’s par for the course. Otherwise everything else seems to be going well. At my last doctor visit everything was looking good and the baby’s head was down. This Friday I start weekly appointments with checks to see how things are progressing.

After our baby classes, and realizing we are going on about 4 weeks until the due date, I’d say we’ve reached that “holy crap” stage of pregnancy. Husband has been a little more active in his suggestions (i.e. you should really pack your bag) and is obviously thinking more about how everything is going to work out. His point of pride lately is that he had the foresight to knock me up at just the right time so I could have my summer off.

My thoughts are more I should really get a chair ordered for the nursery and I should really get a mattress for the crib, and a car seat (all accomplished this weekend) and I should really figure out WHAT THE HELL I AM DOING (not quite resolved just yet). The classes helped us a lot with knowing how to recognize the start of labor, and what to expect in the hospital. So although I am not entirely comfortable with the prospect of delivering a human from a space that seems proportionately undersized, I know that many women have done it before me, and that all the pain is working toward the goal of bringing a healthy baby into this world. The “holy crap” comes more from the realization that we have to bring the baby home and are completely responsible for him or her once the stay at Chateau Hospital is over. Soon our lives are going to change forever. That, my friends, is wonderful and terrifying all at once.

Stay tuned.

Craziness Part 2

Here's the flip side of the recent craziness!

Along with all of the work going on recently, there has been a lot of other activity and excitement around our house, mostly centering on the arrival of our little chickadee.

On April 25th, my five best girlfriends came up from Iowa to throw me a little baby shower and spend the night. Five of my Minnesota girlfriends also joined us for the afternoon, and it was great having them all in the same place.They did an amazing job creating a "green" shower, complete with green-themed gifts and extra touches like a decoration made of chlorine-free diapers, and reuse of wrapping paper and bows, among many other things. It was very thoughtful of them, and so very "me!"

Gina did her special gender test on me...girl!

My very favorite part of the weekend was just having the girls here. We had such a great time talking and laughing and catching up. There is just something about girlfriends that is so very special, and these girls and I go way back. They know me so well, and it was a recharge I definitely needed.

Last weekend Husband and I started our baby classes through the hospital where I will deliver. This was the first of two Saturday morning classes, and although Husband wasn't too excited about sitting in a "classroom" for 4 hours, I was so glad he was there. Aside from viewing some videos that made me a little queasy, and a few things that made Husband point at the book and look at me questioningly (mucous plug?), I think we both gained a better understanding of what is going down when I have to get this baby out. It was actually a nice bonding experience, especially at the end when he learned how to give me massages and help me through labor. :) I have no doubt he is going to be my rock during the labor process. Next week we learn about our pain medication options and get a tour of the hospital, which I think will really help get things set in our minds.

The nursery furniture has also arrived and is assembled in the baby's room! I still have some work to do, but it's starting to look like a little one belongs in there. A few more key items and we're as ready as we'll ever be...and I'll take a breath and enjoy this kind of craziness any day.

Ambition Arrives With the Daffodils

Well, Sunday seems to be my blogging day lately! Things have just been so busy the past couple of months...and yet not a lot of progress made on things that need to get done. This weekend we really had our first dose of spring (even felt a little like summer yesterday), and I think that kicked us into gear. Ambition arrived with the daffodils...

Aside from the usual spring clean-up of the yard (which is still in progress), it has hit me that there are a lot of things that need to happen before this baby of ours is born. I have a long list of items to accomplish around the house, A#1 being getting the nursery in order. I was just able to (finally) order the crib and dresser/changer that I wanted, and it will be here in the next week or two, so now I am faced with the reality of getting those boxes of "stuff" out of there...and getting the door and closet doors painted. I'm making some progress this weekend on those things as well as getting started on a couple of sewing projects. Not to mention we have guests coming next weekend, so there is cleaning that has slowly been getting done...

Husband and Brandon were not exempt from this spring fever. On Friday, Husband decided it was finally time to stain and seal the deck. Yesterday the sanding, staining, and sealing began. A good portion of it is done, and judging by the way it looks in the rain today, it's holding up nicely and looks pretty good. They both worked hard yesterday and are pretty pooped today. Once everything is dried out this week, they'll be finishing up.

Progress, however slow! The next couple of weeks are going to be very, very busy for me at work, and then it will be May. It's crazy how fast the time has flown. I think I've stayed ahead of the curve so far on this pregnancy, but I can feel it catching up to me now. A little slower to get up, and a lot more tired after doing just a little bit of physical work. Not to mention my ankles look like tree trunks and my feet rival those of Andre the Giant by the end of the day.

I think the hammock needs to come out soon, too. :)

28+ weeks and Farewell, Minnesota Wild (For Now)

Well folks, I am now officially in my third trimester, heading into my 29th week. The baby has been very active, and I get a kick out of sitting in the recliner in the evenings and watching my belly move. For the most part I'm still feeling pretty good, but the past couple of weeks I have been starting to feel the physical effects of pregnancy a lot more, including some sore muscles and joints, and the fatigue that is now coming back full force at times. Looking at this photo, you will understand...

Holy cow, I know. I saw the photo and I couldn't believe I am really that big! I guess the baby is gaining weight, and so am I. Granted, this was later in the day and I had just eaten a big steak dinner (generously prepared by dear Husband), but wow. That Minnesota Wild t-shirt certainly isn't doing me any favors either, but I kept it on for a reason.

Today Husband and I attended our last Minnesota Wild game of the season, and maybe for quite some time. We've been partial season ticket holders for about 4 years now, but this year we are going to have to give them up. With the baby coming we just aren't going to have the time, or the cash, to keep up with the games. I almost didn't go to the game today, because I was feeling so tired this afternoon, but I'm really glad I did. It was a fun game and Husband and I had a great time together. The Wild won 3-0 and it was a nice little send-off for us. The baby got to groove to some Jock Rock, I got to eat some popcorn, and all was right with the world.

Just one sign of the compromises to come, I'm sure. So worth it to meet this little one in about 12 weeks!

Mama Brightside

Observations on pregnancy/my body:

A napkin in my lap is totally useless. Food doesn’t make it that far. I need to start wearing a bib.
Bright side: When the belly gets a little bigger, it can serve as a shelf.

When I start crying, I can’t stop.
Bright side: When I start laughing, I can’t stop.

Maternity pants with big huge elastic panels on the front are not attractive.
Bright side: No more worrying that the McGuyver-like contraptions holding up my regular pants will fail.

When people talk about poop, it makes me laugh. I have a feeling this will change.
Bright side: Farts are still probably going to make me giggle.

My belly button is getting shallower and shallower.
Bright side: No more belly button lint.

Sometimes when my lower back is sore I walk (and feel) like an old lady. I expect at some point the old lady will become a penguin (waddle waddle).
Bright side: I haven't really identified a bright side to this. Any ideas?

For some reason, a majority of maternity shirts are low-cut.
Bright side: Hello increased cup size! (Not cool in the workplace, though).

Some days my patience is so short for very stupid reasons.
Bright side: Automatic, socially acceptable excuse...hey, I'm pregnant!

The Fonz + Clearwater = LMAO

More pregancy dreams for your enjoyment...

This one started with me watching a movie, in a theater, with a woman I work with and her husband. When we exited the lobby, they disappeared and I saw a girl I used to go to high school with named Paula. She was waiting for me to walk back to our rooms, which were right next to each other in the adjacent dormitory. Instead of going with her, I stopped at a coffee stand in the lobby and ordered a coffee and a raspberry tart. The coffee was taking forever, and then they told me they were out of raspberries. I was not happy. [wake]

A couple of weeks ago I had a dream that I was in a grocery store, and there was a man following me around. I don't know who this man was, I never really turned around to see him. I just knew he was behind me and I didn't seem to mind. In fact, I wanted him to follow me. So much so that I picked up a box of old-fashioned chocolate-iced donuts (which just so happen to be Husband's favorite) and proceeded to walk up and down the aisles, enjoying that I was being followed. I picked up one of the donuts and started eating it, and as I grabbed it from the box I noticed the letters "LMAO" written on the box. This is not an acronym I ever use, but in internet language it means "laughing my ass off." I have no idea what this means, but apparently the man was intrigued enough to follow me and my box of donuts out to the parking lot. [wake]

Lastnight I dreamt I was at a school dance, back in the 50s or 60s judging by the way I was dressed. A girl I used to go to high school with (Janelle) asked me if I wanted to split a plate of food with her. I said OK, and a waiter brought it to us as we sat on the bleachers. It was chicken, potatoes, and some kind of seafood that I didn't want to touch, so she ate it. When we finished, she introduced me to a girl named Clearwater. Clearwater wanted to meet "The Fonz" (yes, as in Henry Winkler's character on Happy Days) and apparently I had a connection. The three of us had to drive kind of far to Arnold's (the restaurant hangout on the the TV show), where we stayed for hours until The Fonz finally showed up at the end of the night. He came over and then walked off, arm-in-arm with both girls, and I was left sitting in the booth wondering how I was going to get home. [wake]

Have you noticed the common theme? FOOD! It shows up in nearly all of my dreams lately. Except for the one when I dreamed that Bret Michaels (formerly of the rock band Poison, now of the supremely horrible reality show Rock of Love) was my boyfriend. Alas, I could not change him. He still wanted to mess around with other women. I woke up before I found out what happened, but I'm pretty sure I consoled myself with a chocolate cake.

24 Weeks - Let the Rounding Begin

I'm now 24 weeks, can you believe it?! I feel like time is flying by so fast.

My regular check-up this month went well; all measurements are good and the little heart is beating away (around 144 beats per minute this time, for those of you keeping tabs). I have definitely seen some increase in appetite and also belly growth this month, as you can see:

Aside from losing some sleep now and then, I am still feeling pretty good. Some of the aches and pains have started up a little more in the lower back and hips, but nothing too terrible. I feel the baby move a lot more lately which is a nice feeling all around. We definitely have a little mover!

Been Away Too Long

Seems like lately I haven't had much to blog about, or don't know if you all want to be bored with the details of my pregnancy, which is mostly what's on my mind these days. Reaching the halfway point was actually a bit of an eye-opener for me; I've had a lot of thoughts swimming around in my head lately, and have been feeling a bit overwhelmed. So as I prepare to forge ahead, I thought I'd update you on some of the other things going on lately in life, that have also contributed to the "overwhelming" feeling...

WORK has been very busy lately. I have a lot of balls up in the air on a daily basis, and this has resulted in a several long days/nights, particularly last week. On top of it all, our office has not been immune to the hard economic times. We had a tough day last week but hopefully will rebound stronger. Needless to say I have been paying close attention to all the stimulus conversations. This directly impacts what I do every day.

THE HOUSE has been throwing us a few curveballs lately. Thursday night just before midnight, Husband informed me that our furnace was blowing only cold air. I got up and we both sat up for awhile and tried to figure out what was wrong with it, with no luck. We finally went to bed and when I woke up in the morning, it was 54 degrees in the house! Not so bad for sleeping, but not so great for shower time. Luckily Husband's cousin was able to come over on Friday and fix it for us (thanks again Casey!) Turned out to be the igniter and a relatively easy fix, but the house wasn't done with us. Apparently when I was gone this weekend the downstairs toilet plugged up and ran for awhile, unbeknowst to the boys. There was a stream of water running all the way from the bathroom to the drain in the utility room. Again, luckily no harm was done and they got it all cleaned up.

BRANDON recently took a pre-ACT exam. This also kind of hit me hard, as I realized that in two years we need to be prepared for college. We certainly are in a unique situation here with one kid on the way and one preparing to step out into the world.

FINANCES have been on my mind lately, for all of the reasons above, and also because it's tax time. We are trying hard to prepare for the baby and all of the expenses it will bring along with the joy. Husband and I have a "money date" this week to talk about a revised budget and get ready to get our taxes done (sexy, I know!)

This weekend I spent a few days with some of my best girlfriends, and got some clarity on the situation, especially baby stuff. They were very patient with all of my questions, and two of them even took me into Babies R Us and gave me the lowdown on what they liked, what we absolutely need, and what to not even bother with. This helped me tremendously to not feel so overwhelmed with all of the choices out there. I also laughed more this weekend than I have in a long time. Very, very special thanks to my girls for a great weekend.

Now I'm back and ready to take on the world. After a good night's sleep. :)

And You Wonder Why the Phrase "Crazy Pregnant Lady" Exists...

My cousin Kristi just sent me an email asking why I didn't do this for my 20-week pregnancy photo.

Damned if I couldn't find my tutu, I know it's around here somewhere...

20 Weeks

I can hardly believe I'm halfway through my pregnancy! I am feeling good aside from being a little tired at times, but overall much better than the first trimester. We had our ultrasound on Friday, and Baby looks good. Quite the little mover, apparently. We did not find out the sex, though the information is available to us in a sealed envelope (a request I made in a weak moment of indecision). I'm still pretty content with my initial decision to not find out. Husband is a little more curious! So we'll see what happens.

Here's my first belly pic, it's definitely out there now!