Monday Morning Pop Tart

Week 32: You’ve caused quite a bit of commotion this week. There’s been lots of new pains and a couple bouts of false labor. You’d better just stay put, k? No more scares. It’s just too early for that. You and I have been enjoying the new rocker. =) We’ve rested quite a bit while watching TV and Netflix. Your big brother Peety has been a little love pug too. I know he knows you’re coming. It’ll be an adjustment for him but I know he’ll be good to you and you two will be buddies. =)

Highlights

How Far Along: 32 weeks

Size of baby: Head of Lettuce

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I think you've probably got the idea...

Maternity Clothes: Yes! Honestly, (and this is VERY unlike me) I could do without clothes at this point. Very few things are actually comfy and I'm hot 3/4 the time anyway. They're getting to be a bit overrated, but I'll spare you that sight. =)

Gender: Surprise. Getting more excited to find out. Soon!!

Movement: Yes!

Sleep: It just is what it is and that's ok.

Symptoms: All the usuals plus stretch marks. I also have this painful/itchy rash-ish thing on my belly. I'm not totally sure what it is - may just be stretched, irritated-by-too-tight-pants or it may actually be a legitimate rash. Either way, I don't like clothes touching it and am slathering on the hydrocortisone cream like a mad woman. I'm also noticing my energy levels dwindling every day and apparently this "pregnancy brain" thing is for real. =| I've forgotten so many important things lately (meetings, appt's, etc...) - I'm not normally like this and I'm hoping I bounce back to my old self soon. It's like my head is in a big fog and I'm not a fan. I also had a night of spooky false labor. These weren't the usual cramps or tightening feelings... these were double over in pain - take your breath away pains. Thankfully they were gone by morning! Not ready for that yet!

What I miss: Nothing really, I'm happy to be where I'm at right now.

Cravings: Just random stuff. Treats of course, as usual, and I've been eating lots of raisin bran but I haven't just been over taken with cravings lately.

Best Moment this week: Time with Dac, family, and friends.

What I am looking forward to: Next appt. and all the fun activities October brings.

Midweek Randoms

• First episode of Criminal Minds this season. I enjoyed it with Kayla, Felicity, and some Reeses pumpkin ice cream sandwiches. =) The episode wasn't all that exciting - in fact, it was a bit on the sad side - so it wasn't a great season opener but still a great night. 

• My husband told me the other morning that my belly button had popped out. This was news to me, so I picked my belly up (nope - can't see it without picking it up - don't judge) and Dac started cracking up. He said "I figured you'd have to do that". Belly button is still in. Funny. HILARIOUS.

• Thursday was Wii Night. My turn to cook and the menu was russian jack chicken, baked taters, and veggies. Not too bad. I also made salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars - definitely tasty. =) 

• Friday, Dac and I did some housework and finished up the night with more 24. 

• Saturday was a photo session with friends in Wichita. We did lunch at McAlister's (yum) before recliner shopping (found one - yay!) and shopping for some gifts. It was nice to spend the day together. These days, when we're home, we're working on separate house projects or Dac's in the office editing photos, and he works late quite a bit so even having supper together is a treat. A whole day together was fabulous.

• When we got back, Dac went to mow the church then worked on the house with his Dad. Meanwhile, Val called a girls night to order and she, Cori, and her girls came over. We ate pasta and breadsticks from PIzza Hut, watched This Means War, and held babies. Fun girls night!

• Sunday, we went to my parents house for a scrumptious lunch, got a speeding ticket on the way home (don't even get me started on this one), then I headed to Amanda's baby shower while Dac edited photos.

• You may remember these girls from Dac's family reunion a couple months ago. Well - things have changed. Let's compare, shall we? Kayla, of course, already had miss Felicity and the rest of us are all due in November. 

• I shopped for and made 10 freezer crock pot meals Monday night. They were all chicken and I'll do some beef/pork ones another day. The real exciting part... they all feature veggies! Look out. =)

• My new recliner came in yesterday. The back room is totally discombobulated and mis-matchy - BUT - I. Do. Not. Care. My back, butt, hips - you name it - rejoice!! =) haha. It's easier to get up and my weight is evenly distributed. OH - and I can elevate the sausages feet. Let the Netflix marathons commence!

• Oh - and - it's Fall. My body and hormone-induced hot spells are grateful. I love Fall. I love Fall feels, smells, eats, drinks, and decor. Meet one of my two new sunny friends. =)

• Speaking of cooler weather - we have our final wedding of the year Saturday. It's in Stillwater, on campus, and is sure to be gorgeous and lots of fun. BUT. I'm nervous. I'd be lying if I acted all cool, calm, and collected about it. I'm nervous because I'm big. Tired. In pain. And heck, even a stroll around Wal-Mart about does me in. I'm also nervous because it's been months since we shot a wedding (we purposely only took on a couple once we knew there was a baby on the way... this one happened to be scheduled before we knew though) and those jitters come back. ALSO - I see where rain may be in the forecast. I sure hope it stays clear of their beautiful ceremony in front of Old Central!! Anyway, nerves aside, I am excited for the opportunity. I know we'll have a great time and I'm looking forward to shooting again!

• Criminal Minds isn't on tonight. Apparently the networks think the presidential debate is more important. Huh. 

• Happy Wednesday!!! =D

Monday Morning Pop Tart

Week 31: Oh Pop Tart. You are already one heck of a spoiled baby (and we’re a couple of spoiled parents). Your baby shower was phenomenal and your aunties really outdid themselves. The theme was “things that pop” and all the treats, etc... fit it perfectly! Everyone that came outdid themselves too... we were shown so much love and support it’s almost unreal. The front of our house was overflowing with goodies for you and it took all weekend to sort through things and put them away. Now, most everything is in its place - just waiting to be put to good use by you! I hope you grow up with an awareness of just how much love is around you at all times. You’ve been movin’ and a’groovin’ in my belly. There hasn’t been a doubt in my mind lately if I’ve felt you move or not. =) Glad you’re having fun in there.

Highlights

How Far Along: 31 weeks

Size of baby: Pineapple

Total Weight Gain/Loss: + 41 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: Yes! And probably will be wearing them for the next nine months too! You don't exactly gain over 40 lbs and "make your current wardrobe work". haha! Maternity clothes all the way! =)

Gender: Surprise. Hmmm... more people are moving to team pink. I think it's funny.

Movement: Yes! Tons!

Sleep: I've had a few more first trimester-like nights here recently. They come and go. It seems like I'm either unable to fall asleep and up 3 times a night OR I'm conked out on the couch by 8:30 and still barely able to pry my sore body out of bed in the morning. Either way, I HAVE been sleeping and that's what matters.

Symptoms: Braxton Hicks, that unbearable back/hip/leg pain again, hot flashes (or constantly being hot) trouble breathing, swelling, total fatigue and exhaustion from picking something up off the floor, doing the couch dismount, =) or putting on a shirt. Heaven forbid I need to do all those at/around the same time. NAP PLEASE.

What I miss: Nothing really, I'm happy to be where I'm at right now.

Cravings: Not anything specific really, for once.

Best Moment this week: The shower and seeing lots of family and friends!!

What I am looking forward to: As much as I love October (it's like my favorite month I think), it is super busy this year even busier than usual despite my good solid effort to keep crazy to a minimum this close to baby time. I can't believe I'm going to say this, and I'll probably regret it, but I'm sort of looking forward to November 1 just so I can stop and breathe again.... maybe? Then again, I don't want time to go too fast. I guess I just want to make it through... one day at a time, right? I can do this. Inhale, exhale.

Midweek Randoms

HEY! 

• It's raining and THUNDERING!

• We had a very busy weekend. I had my awesome shower, went to lunch with my college friends/roommates, we did a TON of housework, and got lots of baby stuff done.

• I put this bad boy together while Dac was working on other things. 

• I washed all the baby clothes, blankets, bibs, socks, burp cloths, bowls, spoons, etc... and put everything away. This shoe rack comes in handy on the closet door. (Please excuse the bad photo quality. I will share REAL pictures of the nursery once it's "finished".

• I made a quick trip to Target with my mom Sunday to grab some baskets and storage tubs. These will probably move around and all but here's the closet shelves loaded with goodies! =)

• I bought a few boxes of diapers earlier on - just picked up those that were on big time sale but I hadn't bought any in a few months. I was starting to regret that but the shower featured a diaper cake competition and boy howdy we came home with some diapers now! ha! I unrolled each diaper cake diaper over two days while watching 24! You can see some of them here... and there's several more stacked up behind the stack on the right. We also got diapers as regular gifts too and while I know we'll need more - we have a really great start - and in a variety of sizes too. =) 

• Here's a picture of the crib all set up. 

• On Saturday, Terese and my mom and dad all came over to get a better look at the goods then that evening we took pictures of my Aunt Debbie's family.

• Sunday is when we did the majority of the house projects. We also went out to Dac's parents house for a little pizza party so that was fun. 

• I painted my toes AND finger nails.

• I've been busy at work.

• I had a pretty rough night last night. I wasn't feeling good AT ALL. It was awful. =(

• I'd like to stay home from work today but have three meetings. 

• I can't believe I forgot this but Criminal Minds starts tonight. AAAHHHH.

• A week and a half later our toilet is fixed. Can I get an AMEN?!

• I want to eat pumpkin everything right now. Yay Fall! =)

Mini Update

• I passed my blood tests! =) I'm not anemic, don't have gestational diabetes, and am still Rh -. Woohoo!

• I had a baby shower this past weekend. It will certainly have a post all its own but I'll just quickly say that it was amazing and we were spoiled rotten. Seriously - unbelievable.

• Slowly but surely our house is turning back into a home. Whew!! We were busy this weekend. =) More on that later too.

Monday Morning Pop Tart

Week 30: Your dad and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary this week! We had a nice little date night where, no surprise, we talked about you. =) We saw Dr. A this week too and asked her tons of questions. I feel good that she’s our doctor. It’s sort of unfortunate, but she’s been a pretty crucial part of my life the past few years and I know she’s excited for you to be here! I had to drink a really sugary pop while I was there and you were wiggling all around. We’re measuring right on track and your heart rate was 140 again. You’ve been moving a ton more this week - sometimes it’s cool, sometimes weird, sometimes creepy, but always a welcome feeling! If I’m holding a baby you always tend to give them a couple nudges. =) No need to be jealous - I’ll hold you soon enough! Four special girls have been planning us what is sure to be an amazing shower for this weekend. I still can’t believe it’s for US. How lucky are we?! Until next time, stay put and keep a’growin’!

Highlights

How Far Along: 30 weeks

Size of baby: Length of a cucumber

Total Weight Gain/Loss: + 41 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: Had to buy another pair of jeans because I WAY outgrew the others. Couldn't breathe in them for crying out loud and I only wish I was being dramatic about that. All I really want to wear is a soft shirt and my big comfy waistband-less pants. All day every day. That would make me happy.

Gender: Surprise. 

Movement: Yes! The movement has really picked up. Sometimes it's like what is that baby doing in there!?! My belly moves all over the place!

Sleep: I've been taking Benadryl at night for allergies so that's been helping the sleep situation. I still wake up some for pee breaks or with sore hips but I'm able to get a few hours in a row so it's been nice!

Symptoms: Trouble breathing, trouble bending over, sensitive skin, expanding belly button, heartburn, pain, pressure/cramping when walking, etc...

What I miss: Getting to wear whatever I want each day (like back in college where comfy pants were totally acceptable and expected). This dressing up business is for the birds. The thin birds with clothes that fit. =)

Cravings: I haven't been quite as hungry this week. I think it's a combination of the allergy mess and a lack of room. When I do get hungry, I'm hungry NOW - but I don't feel the need to eat as much.

Best Moment this week: My doctor's appt. We got lots of questions answered and it was nice to have Dac there.

What I am looking forward to: My shower! =)

Doctor's Report

Like I mentioned earlier, I had an appt. with my O.B. this afternoon. I also had my sugar test. I drank my glucola and within about five minutes felt sick. I had this test (only it was 5-6 hour one) back in college to test for hypoglycemia (which I had). I got horribly sick that time. This time, I felt sick, but never threw up. Praise Jesus. Anyway, the drink wasn't as disgusting as it was then either. Still not good, mind you, but not nearly as bad either. They also did a blood count to check for anemia and another antibodies test. I should have results tomorrow or Friday.

I weighed in. My goal was no more than 4 lbs gained. Last time I'd gained 8! Yikes. Turns out I gained 6 this time. Not as good as I hoped but better at least. Dr. A said I'm measuring right in line with where I should be too so no need to worry about a super early or jumbo-size baby quite yet. =) 

My bp was a stellar 116 over 60-something and baby's heart rate was 140 - just like it has been the past several visits.

Dac went with me and I took a long list of typed out questions. We pulled out the list and Dr. A laughed, called me super organized, and went on with it. She just shakes her head at me. =) She no doubt LOVES me and sat there answering every single one of my questions like she had all the time in the world (as usual) and she gave me lots of other info too. I feel good  having got all that out. She answered questions about delivery, etc... much like I expected her too... but it was good to have it confirmed and know where she stands on things and vice versa.

We left with orders for flu and whooping cough vaccines and an extra vitamin for baby's eye and brain development. 

SO - for now, we wait on test results. If all is well, I go back in 3 weeks. Good golly miss molly, time is flying.