31 Weeks (and counting)

Just looked at the baby ticker on MySpace and it says only 61 days to go!! Getting closer all the time! 3 main things have happened in the last week:

We started our childbirth classes, very exciting! We go once a week on Thursdays for 6 weeks. Our first class was last week. Hmm...what to say...we started talking about breathing techniques and the role of the partner in the delivery room. We also talked about the changes our bodies are going through to prepare for delivery. I wondered if instructors ever have people suddenly start to panic in class. I was fine, but when she showed a model of a pelvis and showed how a doll was supposed to fit through it, WHEW! I know we're designed to do it, but to see it like that was a bit daunting. For those of you who don't know, my plan is to do this whole thing as naturally as possible. Hopefully I'm very stretchy and prepared!!

We started the process of hiring a doula. (an assistant in the delivery room, responsible for helping coach the husband and offer non-medical help, such as massage, breathing and relaxation techniques. she stays with you the whole time, as apposed to coming in and out or only showing up for delivery.) We've only met with one so far, but I'm meeting with another next week and have a few more lined up. Hopefully, we'll have this taken care of within the next few weeks.

We had another midwife appt this morning, without much new to report. My weight, blood pressure, pee and belly measurement continue to be "perfect." (Her words, no mine) I am getting close to the 200 lb mark, which seems scary, but I don't feel like it. (most days....) I do feel as though my belly is getting more crowded and movements have changed a bit. While I do still feel occasional kicks, I feel more pushes instead. Especially on my ribs, but only on my right side, where Chris said it's likely her feet are. I also have been getting some numb spots on the very top of my belly, which apparently is normal. I'm trying to keep walking at least 5 times a week, if not every day. I am getting slower, but I'm still going! It's good to have a dog, she gives me motivation. Around 3-4 every day, she starts staring at me longingly and every time I move anywhere near my shoes, jacket, door or a plastic bag, Pippy gets excited. So, I feel really bad if I don't take her. If it's raining, I try to get on the treadmill in the workout room. I haven't had to do that too much though, we've actually had several sunny days for Oregon lately. Hopefully, now the temperature will begin to increase! (although, that's when the rain shows up) I'm looking forward to California weather for spring break! I'm starting to feel tired more often as well. Last night, I fell asleep on the couch at 7:30 for over an hour, had no problems going to bed and took a looooong nap this afternoon. I've always been a sleeper, but this is starting to feel like the 1st trimester again, but only tired-wise.

30 weeks/7 Months

Only 2 more months to go!! Hopefully that's the case, since we want me to go full-term. Nelson is supposed to be in a wedding in southern California 2 weeks before our due date and she needs to stay in there! We wouldn't even consider it, except that he was in our wedding, he's one of Nelson's best friends, and Nelson is a groomsman. The wedding is on a Saturday, so Nelson will fly out Friday and come back that Sat evening. Any time she wants to be born after that is fine! That Thurs is my last day of work and I'll stay at my parent's house and will be doing absolutely NOTHING except laying down during the time Nelson is gone. No walks, no leaving the house, careful, careful!

Since Nelson gets to go on a fun (yet brief!) trip to California, I'm going on a small trip too. Too bad David couldn't have had his wedding a few months earlier, he lives right by Disneyland and we know I'm always up for a trip there!! Anyway, out of the blue, my mom says she wants to leave for spring break and go to California as well! We would be sticking to the northern part and only for a couple of days. She wants to go visit Chico, where I grew up. Nelson can't take time off (he's saving up all vacation and extra days for baby time) and Dad isn't interested, so it looks like we are taking a road trip together! I'm going to ask our midwife at our next appt to be sure everything is okay. We plan to stop a lot so I can stretch (and pee!) and I'll probably ride in the back seat so I can lay down and stretch. The best part about this trip (besides seeing old friends!) is getting to feed my pregnant belly with foods from my all -time favorite restaurants! I haven't let myself have cravings for my favorite sandwiches, salsa and pizza and now I get to have them!! Exciting!

Week 30 finished up just fine. Still feeling good, still feeling healthy, blah, blah, blah. Why do people always ask how I'm feeling? Do they really want to know the answer if I'm not feeling great? My cousin and I were discussing this and really, do people want to hear about morning sickness, stretch marks, constipation, that kind of thing? Not that I am dealing with those now, but at some point I have or probably will!!! I figure I'm supposed to just nod, smile and say, fine! My mom and I talked about how people not only don't really want to hear your stories, they mainly want to tell their own pregnancy war-stories. I especially love people who hear I'm starting my 8th month and say things like, "Oh, you're about to get so uncomfortable." or "You're going to get so antsy and want her out of there!" I'm sure that's true, but must you remind me?! Sheesh, let me enjoy being pregnant while I can!

On that note, I've noticed that this blog (and most baby blogs) talk a lot about the negative sides of pregnancy, which of course make sense, but there are great things too! I love being pregnant!! At this point, challenges have been extremely minor and have passed quickly, especially after the first trimester. I love having a belly and wearing maternity clothes! I love that people pretty much don't doubt that I'm pregnant now! And I LOVE feeling her move around inside me. As her kicks are getting stronger (and sometimes ouch!), it reminds me that I'm growing a beautiful, healthy baby and that she's getting bigger, which is good news! I am loving getting things ready for her. I love having a crib waiting, a changing table, a bassinet and blankets ready to go! I love that I already have a bin of cloth diapers ready to go a homemade wipes (yup, that's right!! I've been testing them out and I LOVE them!) ready to wipe any and everything. I love the little outfits waiting in the closet and the toys ready to be held. I love reading my mommy-to-be-books. Nelson and I love talking to my belly and reading to her and watching her move and feel her kick. We can't wait! We start our childbirth classes tomorrow and we are soooo excited!! Being pregnant is wonderful and I can't believe it's gone by so fast!

29 weeks and Baby Shower!

Wow, already 29 weeks! Still feeling good, although I'm starting to realize I can't do things that I used to. I get REALLY tired easily. I also get sore, especially in my hips, if I over do it or if I am in one position too long. We drove to the beach this week and 1 1/2 hours in the car took it's toll on me the next day. Now I know I need to get out and stretch my legs or ride in the back so I can stretch out. I also have to pee constantly, which is fun. (not surprising, but remember, this is my first time being pregnant!)

Saturday, my brother, sister-in-law and niece arrived from Texas on their leave from Afghanistan, so they have been here all week! AND, we got a big surprise, because my aunt decided to fly in from Wyoming to see them and attend my baby shower, which was really fun! So, it's been a busy family week. My niece is so big, I can't believe she's 10 months!! She is in the 99th percentile for her size and it shows! She is a BIG girl!! She is so sweet and smiley and at such a fun age. She's so close to walking!! We're hoping she does that in the next week, so that her mom and dad get to see that first. (they've missed so many this year!)

My baby shower was amazing!! Elaine and Jennifer did a great job! It was totally Disney Princess themed! I loved it! Lots of special friends were there. Unfortunately, there were so many, I hardly got to talk to anyone!! And, we had 4 babies there too! Everything from 2 weeks to 10 months, very cute!! I was honestly overwhelmed though. About halfway through I was just so exhausted and I'm sure it showed. I hope everyone knows how much I appreciate you for going, even though I was tired! It was really fun! We got LOTS of cute outfits and clothes, our travel set (yay!), a crib mattress, toys, books and a Bumbo! I would have loved a little boy just as much, but pink frilly princess showers with little dresses are so fun!!

28 Weeks and counting

Well, no major milestones this week or appointments, so just a quick blog for the 2 of you who read this! This week is going well, still feeling fine and dandy! Going to the dentist tomorrow, which I don't think is affected by pregnancy too much, as long as I don't have a cavity! And (knock on wood) seeing as I've never had one, we should be okay! Oh and I can't have x-rays done. I'm glad I waited a while, early on in the pregnancy, I never would have been able to handle all the hands and tools in my mouth. I couldn't even brush my tounge in the first trimester, it made me gag!

I keep looking at my belly pictures and thinking the belly looks about the same in the last few. I swear it's growing!! She's definitely getting bigger, and I'll bet she'll be long, like her cousin and uncle. (it very much runs in the family) She has learned a new habit this week of pushing on Mommy's ribs, especially in the middle of the night. I wouldn't think it would hurt that much, but YEOW! If I shift positions, she stops, but it hurts enough to wake me up. It's weird, it's not like a quick kick, it's more like she just pushes on my rib as hard as she can and doesn't move it. I also have had my first experiences with some minor heartburn. Nothing major, I'm not complaining, just stating a fact. It usually happens if I have a full meal and lay down too soon.

Big weekend coming up and I'm so excited!! My brother and sister-in-law are coming home on leave from Afghanistan! They're (of course!) bringing my niece too. I can't wait to see them! (well, they're SUPPOSED to be here Sat, as long as all flights go well. That's military for you. If you don't know what I mean, that's just the way it is!) Anyway, we're praying they won't have any complications and that they'll arrive safe and sound.

AND, Sunday is my baby shower!! I actually have 2 coming up. This one is for close friends and family. The wonderful Jennifer and Elaine are throwing it for me at mom's house. I'm so excited! It will be so nice to see several friends that I haven't seen in a while, all at once! The lovely ladies of my church are throwing one for me in April as well. So fun! (I didn't have a bridal shower of any kind, intentionally, so this is double fun for me!)

Nelson continues to be a wonderful and supportive Daddy-to-be throughout this process. He still brings me breakfast in bed every morning and is great about helping me when I need it. He's actually gained some sympathy weight, which of course, he's thrilled about! He is nowhere near my weight, as always, but he's pretty proud of himself. Of course, you can't tell in the slightest. He weighs himself when we see the midwife. It brings him joy. Hopefully, we will get some baby presents which have to be put together on Sunday. He loves assembling things! He already has the crib together. More to come after this weekend!

28 Week Appt

Well, as we thought, today's appointment wasn't terribly exciting. My belly is measuring where it's supposed to (28 cm for 28 weeks, right on track), I've now gained a total of 20 lbs, and since I'm supposed to gain around 30-35 for my starting weight, with an average of a pound a week for the next 12 weeks, I'm on track for that as well.

We finally got to easily hear her heartbeat! We've had trouble with it every other time, because she is so active! (moving baby = static) Chris (our midwife) said it's because it's getting more crowded in there, so she has less room to move around. Believe me, she is able to move plenty! She is still extremely active, especially when I lay down. She moves a LOT. We can watch my belly move and dance around! There are times when she pushes, rather than kicking and you can feel something hard, like a shoulder or elbow or head. (we can 't usually tell which one!) : )

I also took the glucose test and we should hear those tests soon. However, Chris said it's not very likely that I'll have gestational diabetes, as there's not history of it in my family and I'm not obese, so that's good to hear!

27 weeks

Well, we're into the 3rd trimester! We have a regular midwife appointment tomorrow, I'm not expecting anything new. The usual; weighing, belly measure, blood pressure, pee in a cup, you know. However, I am having the glucose test, to make sure I don't have gestational diabetes. I don't know of symptoms of that, but my weight has been fine, blood pressure too, so hopefully I won't get any surprises. It just means we have to be there for an hour and have blood work done. I've never minded that, because the nurses always LOVE my veins. For some reason, I have fat blue veins in the crooks of my elbows. Whenever I give blood, the nurses call other nurses over to see them!

To answer the never-ending question of how I'm feeling, the answer is still good! I've gotten back on a regular sleep schedule, which has made things sooooo much better. Sleep is what keeps me feeling normal and YES, I know that I will not get much sleep once baby is here. That's why I want to get it now! Lack of sleep is the single biggest baby fear I have, not labor, not delivery. (don't worry, those things stress me out a bit too) I'm noticing my body more and more and I'm starting to feel more limited on what I can do. I get tired out pretty easily, even just doing things like cleaning around the house or running errands. Luckily, being a nanny allows me to take it very easy, which I am so greatful for. I'm still trying to take at least a 30 minute walk every day. I have had some pains in my joints, mostly my hips. It's also taking more of an effort to stand up from the couch or bed, and I need to stop getting down on the floor. Some day I'm going to get down and not be able to get back up! Other than that, things are still fine!

Valentine's Day is this weekend. (duh) We never make big plans, but we do like to celebrate. I got Nelson a small gift and he is planning something for dinner. I told him that plans were up to him this year and he's doing it! I get a hint every day and I'll find out Sunday. Yes, we know it's Saturday, but we never celebrate on the actual day. We don't want to wait forever and go to crowded places. So, for the last few years, we either go the day before or day after.

I'm getting really excited for the big family shower on the 22nd! Jennifer and Elaine sent out the most wonderful invitations, I love them!! I'm excited to see friends I haven't seen in a while! We invited 35 or so people, but a lot of them are out of state and can't come. I just wanted them to know that I was thinking of them and that we love them!

2 babies were born this past week to friends of ours and we were so excited to meet both of them! Nelson's cousins Pete and Kellen has a BIG (10 lbs 1 oz, way to go Kellen with your natural delivery!!!) beautiful baby boy named Kobe Peter and our friends Joel and Sarah had a gorgeous baby girl named Elena Nicole. So fun to get all the text messages throughout the night as their labors progressed! It made us so excited for 3 months from now!!! And, it's nice to know our baby already has some ready-made friends to play with!

I'll include the belly pics from this week:


It's weird, I don't see a drastic difference in all the pictures, but believe me, it gets bigger all the time!! (People don't realize I had rockin' six pack abs beforehand......yeah right)

The Growing Bump

25 weeks

20 weeks

15 Weeks

Finishing up 26 weeks, and the 2nd trimester!

Hello! I have not updated in a while, mainly because there's not a ton to report. We have had an appointment since my last blog, but it wasn't very eventful. We waited almost an hour for a 10 minute appt. She measured my belly, weighed me, blood pressure, and we listened to her heartbeat. Pleasant, but nothing new. I have gained a total of 12 pounds (well, at that point), which she said is great! And, my belly was measuring right on target as well. She said the heartbeat sounded perfect and my blood pressure was great. All in all, good visit! We hadn't met Chris yet, our new midwife, and she was very nice. Hopefully, we will have her for delivery, but it's so hit and miss. If our insurance allows it, my next child will be born in a birth center or at home, with the same midwife throughout the entire pregnancy!

Work is still going well, I am enjoying my nanny job. It is very nice to be able to work from home and Marlee and very cute and sweet! Every week she grows, changes and does new things! (she's 3 1/2 months developmentally) It makes me even more excited for our baby to be born!

My wonderful friends Jennifer and Elaine have started planning my baby shower, which I am very excited about! We are registered at Babies R Us and had a very fun time doing that! Nelson can't believe all the things there are for babies! I am also very excited, because my brother and sister-in-law will be there that weekend!! They are coming home on their mid-term leave from Afshanistan, I'm so excited to see them! They should be home in July for good. Oh, and my niece will be there too! I can't believe she'll already be 10 months old!

Let's see, I have some frequently asked questions about my pregnancy to answer: (1) I feel fine!! (I'm kinda sick of everyone asking how I'm feeling, even though I do the same thing when I see my pregnant friends!) Truthfully, right now I am feeling great. Everyone says the 2nd trimester is pleasant and I agree! My appetite is good, no sickness, fairly energized and well! If I didn't have a bump growing bigger by the week and something kicking in my womb, I could forget I'm pregnant at all! (2) Yes, I'm going to breastfeed. The fact that some people are asking this, proves how little some people know me. I plan to breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months, add baby food (which I'm already learning how to make myself and plan to continue to do so) until one year and then only nurse at night and maybe first thing in the morning until age 2. If you really want to know all of my reasoning, I'll be glad to let you know. (3) We are planning to use cloth diapers. We already have several, which we purchased at a reduced rate on ebay. (used, but in almost-new condition) I'm very determined to do this and am really tired of the people who keep saying, "Oh, you'll only do that for the first baby..." and "Oh, you can do that, since you're a stay-at-home-mom." Niether are true. If you are determined, you'll make it work! (4) Yes, we know her name and NO, we're not telling it until she is born. However, her middle name is not definite. I have answered this a million times, but people keep asking.

23 weeks or 5 months completed

Holy cow, this pregnancy is moving along! We have another midwife appt tomorrow, although I don't think too much is going to happen. After finding out she's a girl and all the ultrasound pics from the last visit, this will probably be pretty basic. However, we are seeing a different mid-wife, so that we can get to know the different options. Sigh....I am VERY greatful to have medical insurance (especially after having to pay out of pocket last year!!), but I wish we would be able to choose one midwife for the entire pregnancy and be guaranteed to have her deliever our baby. I know, I know, that's just how it's done at many hospitals now, but.....you other women understand!

I have started my new job working from home as a nanny for little Marlee. It's going really well! I just wish we had a second car, because her parents are leaving their car with me during the day and I feel bad that they have to do that. Oh well. I don't really use it, I have it just incase, which won't be necessary. (we hope) I am also still working as the youth group leader at our church. I love both jobs and I can't ever remember being able to say that about a job I've had in the past, so I'm very happy! I'm so thankful that we have found a way for me to be at home with our baby when she gets here, yet still be able to earn some sort of income for our family. People comment that "it must be so nice for us" to have found a way for me to stay at home, but I don't think it's that hard to do, especially when I hear what people are paying for childcare!!! Usually only of the household incomes completely pays for that! Crazy. I guess if you really like your job.....maybe I will go crazy once I'm home all the time with our baby, but I cannot IMAGINE having to leave her to go to work. I couldn't do it.

To answer many people's questions, yes, we have picked her name and no, we're not telling it until she's born. Our hint is this: I was given the same initials as my mother's married name and we are continuing tradition.

22 Weeks/New Year!

Well, it is officially the year that we become parents, amazing!! That means that our daughter will graduate in 2027, holy smokes!!! (assuming she graduates on time, I suppose!)

The last few weeks have been busy with holiday, a growing belly, catching up with family and friends, house-sitting, and SNOW!! My goodness, where did this come from?? I though we left the winter weather in Indiana! I knew it was bad when my husband, while driving, said, "I miss Indiana!!" (I never thought I'd hear that from him!) For the record, he only said it because Oregon is absolutely HORRIBLE about clearing snow from the roads and Indiana was fantastic. Oh well, we didn't have to drive in it too much.

Let's see.....we spent the last week and a half house-sitting for Klay and Jess (I am going to be their nanny and are friends of ours) while they spent Christmas on the east coast. It was nice to stay in a house to ourselves, but we were kinda stranded for a few days, due to the weather. Not much of a problem, since it was during winter break. We spent Christmas Eve and day at my parents' house. We got to see Nelson's family a few days later than expected, but pretty soon after Christmas. It was very quiet this year. No Colin or family, which was hard, but we talked to him and he is safe and well. We received some nice presents, including a crib from my parents! Very exciting!! We got other baby things as well. Nelson's wonderful wife gave him Guitar Hero World Tour, not realizing that she (meaning me!) would have to play too. I didn't know this game was addicting!! It's so pathetic, but it's fun!

Pregnancy-wise, everything is going great! My appetite is still going full swing and it's no longer a bump, it's turning into a belly! Nelson gets a big kick of it, and giggles about it a lot. My belly-button is getting shallower and shallower, which he also thinks is hilarious. A stranger officially commented on my pregnancy, so I must be looking the part! I feel great, sometimes get tired out easily, but for the most part, awesome! It's nice to be able to enjoy food again. And she moves A LOT. It is no longer just flutters and bubbles either. She gets some good kicks in! And when she turns over/around or something, I can sure feel that!

I start working again on Monday, 3 days per week, as a nanny. This is just perfect, I'm really excited! I am still the youth group leader at church, which is also a good, small job that I really enjoy. All in all, I could not be happier with the way 2009 is starting out!