Bump Update: Week 41

Well, I never thought I'd end up at this point. As I sit & write this I'm technically 41 weeks & 4 days which means I'm running out of time to have LBL naturally.

I know I have yet to write about why we chose a birth center & why I feel strongly about having a natural birth but I'm going to try & collect my thoughts and share them soon. Last week we had two appointments (a milestone I didn't realize you met when you hit 40 weeks), the second of which included a non stress test. I got hooked up to two monitors, one checking LBL's heart rate & one checking contraction action, sat in a comfy chair for 40 minutes & pressed a buzzer whenever I felt LBL move.

Luckily LBL passed the test with flying colors (every time I felt LBL move the heart rate went up & came back down but never dipped). I still hadn't made great progress, which was discouraging, but the midwife was quick to remind me that statistically most babies are born before 42 weeks, so chances are LBL will be joining us before Thursday.

It's actually pretty important that LBL joins us before 11:59 PM Wednesday night, as that is the cut off for being able to go to our birth center. If Thursday arrives & LBL is still being shy we'll talk induction, which has me worried, as I know that induction is a good way to insure that some kind of medical intervention will be needed later on during the birth. (I also know several women that were induced & had bad births).

My next appointment is this afternoon & I plan on asking/begging the midwife to consider letting me go until Monday to try and give LBL a little more time to hurry it's booty up!

Bump Update: Week 40

Holy Cow!

As I hung up the 40/40 this week I couldn't quite believe that we had made it. I've been trying to play it cool but knowing that LBL could join us any day now is too exciting.

At this week's appointment our midwife said that she likes to tell first time moms that you're pregnant for 41 weeks. No matter how many times I hear this and despite the fact that I know that's how it works, I can't help but be super antsy and eager to meet our baby.

To know that at any moment labor can start and we will be meeting our LBL so soon is exciting and overwhelming. When I envision our first moments with LBL I don't even think about the fact that I'll finally know if our baby is a girl or a boy, instead I think about kissing that sweet little head and looking at Jus and knowing that we created something new.

As part of the wedding vows I wrote to Jus I spoke about how on our wedding day we were creating something new that had never before existed in the world and had all of the potential in the world. I find this to be even more true as we count the hours until we meet LBL. The love Jus & I share has created a family and when LBL arrives we'll have the opportunity to continue to spread our love by teaching LBL how to love. I can't tell you how happy this makes my heart, we're so blessed to be beginning this journey.

PS If you want to see the video tour of LBL's nursery you can check it out here!

Bump Update: Week 39

There are still times I can't quite believe that I'm at the end of my pregnancy. It seems like just the other day that I used my 8th pregnancy test and saw the second line appear.

This week has been all about finishing getting ready for LBL. The crib came in (even though it was back ordered until July) and so did the rug so we spent several hours finishing setting up the nursery & getting the room ready for our baby.

Last Friday marked my last day of work so from here on out it's all about laundry, nesting & trying to patiently wait for LBL's arrival. Interestingly enough, my midwife said that for women that walk as much as I do throughout their pregnancy they're more likely to go into labor after they've had time to nest & relax. Here's hoping LBL decides to hurry up, I'm ready to meet our little sweet pea!

LBL's Nursery Reveal

It's been a while since I shared my nursery inspiration with you. I knew I wanted to fill the nursery with bright colors that worked for a boy or a girl. I knew that we'd be redoing the nursery in a couple of years so I thought bright colors were the way to go.

Last week the crib & the rug arrived (they were both backordered) and we now have a completed nursery!

But first, the nursery when we bought the Behemoth, complete with stapled on wallpaper, gross carpet & lace curtains.

And the nursery after.

View from the door.

At my second baby shower my sister had all of the guests bring a letter to make this lovely letter wall for LBL. It's wonderful to see how all of the guests personalized their letters.

Built in bookshelf with child's rocker that matches my big one.

Diaper changing dresser, Jus painted the dresser red then I pained the inset panels black with white lettering to give the illusion of chalkboard paint. (I wasn't crazy about the mess that came with chalkboards)

Handmade friends

Paint Color: Valspar Window Screen
Crib: Davinici Jenny Lind in black (apparently everyone wanted this crib this year, it was supposed to be backordered until July!) Gift from LBL's Grandma H & Papa L
Letters: Handmade & purchased by family & friends
Rug: Urban Outfitters
Curtains, bookshelf & dresser: Ikea
Adult & Child's Rocking Chair: Handmade by a family friend
Elephant Chairs: Vintage
Mobile: Handmade following this pattern
Big Bird lamp: Made by my grandfather for me when I was 3
Handmade friends: Giraffe & Teddy made by BFF Beth and Owl & Basset Hound made by me
Knit Blankets: Handmade by friends
Elephant Pillow: The Pillow People (I think I need a little one for LBL's rocker, don't you?)
Good Morning Sunshine Print: A Vintage Poster
First We Had Each Other Print: Enduring Arts (Gift from Banan)
Animal Prints: Berkley Illustration
I Knew I Loved You Print: Gift from LBL's Aunt Naughty
It's the House Telling You to Close Your Eyes Print: Gift from Banan
Giraffe Rocker: Similar one found here (Gift from Grandma C)
Changing Pad: Amazon (Gift)
Changing Pad Cover: Babies R Us
Books: All were gifts and most are Caldecott Winners
Crib Sheet: Target

Bump Update: Week 38 a week late

Needless to say, last week was a bit of a blur.

Walking into my appointment at 35 weeks 6 days and walking out at 37 weeks 5 days was a bit of a shock. To know that at any moment LBL could be joining us and we could be parents is a little crazy, and a little intimidating.

We also talked to the midwife about my fear of an epidural. I know I promised to discuss why we're going the natural route but haven't really gotten around to it. Five years ago I had a Staph Bacteria infection in my spine and long story short some of my spine fused together & I'm missing a disc so the thought of an epidural scared me half to death. I mentioned this to the midwife and she is going to talk to the head of anesthesiology to make sure that plans are made so everything is safe.

I've been feeling good for the most part. We've trying to get the Behemoth in order so we aren't bringing our brand new baby into a dirty construction mess and it's really coming along. The contractors came in and trimmed out the kitchen so now it's just up to Jus to finish painting and we're good to go!

Quit Playing Games with my Heart

Remember this post?

The post where I shared that my midwife practice had changed my due date from June 10 to June 26?

Well, here we go again...

Yesterday at my 36 week appointment my midwife measured my belly and declared I was measuring two weeks ahead. I've been measuring two weeks ahead for about two months now so my midwives haven't been concerned.

Throughout my pregnancy we've been seeing a wonderful midwife practice that consists of five caring, knowledgeable women that I know will guide me well when the time comes. The downfall with a practice is that I hadn't seen this week's midwife since the beginning of my pregnancy. Yesterday's midwife was the one who confirmed my due date initially but it had since been changed by another midwife (along with input from one of the doctors in the doctor practice).

So yesterday when my midwife said I was two weeks ahead I asked what the probability of my original due date being correct was. She looked at the paperwork and said she didn't understand why they had changed my due date.

Apparently it's customary to change a due date if the baby is measuring more than 12 days off on the ultrasound. As it turns out LBL was measuring exactly 12 days off and so while the midwife I was seeing yesterday wouldn't have changed my due date the other midwife did.

After consulting with a doctor and the other midwives my midwife called me to tell me that my second due date was wrong and that based on the limited information they had it looked like June 14 was a more realistic date.

So on a day where I woke up being 35 weeks and 6 days I went to sleep at 37 weeks and 5 days.

It might not seems like that big of a change but at this point to be thrown from almost 36 weeks to all of the sudden being full term and ready to have a baby whenever the baby decides to make it's appearance was a bit of a shock. Having my due date moved once, and then again has helped me to chill out about when the baby will come. I think women frequently get caught up in when their due date is and if the baby hasn't made it's appearance by then they get antsy. Since my due date has been moved I know that the baby will join us sometime in June and it will probably be sooner rather than later.

LBL is still very high so even though I've made some progress with dilation it looks like LBL will hold off for several more days.

Bump Update: Week 35

Goodness, I can't believe it's taken me so long to get this week's bump update up. I hope you all had a lovely Memorial Day weekend. I spent the weekend trying to stay as cool as possible which was kind of hard to do as the temperatures were above 90.

Jus & I have been working to get the Behemoth ready for LBL. The contractors have been here to trim the kitchen & family room. We're getting so close to having the house done & I can't wait to show you all!

Lately I've been feeling really good. I've had lots of energy which has meant lots of nesting has been going on. Jus & I worked on the dresser for the nursery and the room is ready & waiting for the crib (it seems like everyone wants a black Jenny Lind crib this year).

LBL's Dresser

This week was a little emotional. I had to step back from the wedding I've been planning. Life has gotten to be too much and I know that I'm not able to fully dedicate myself to the wedding. Luckily the bride is a rockstar and the transition is going to go well. I also had my first shower was this week and it was wonderful. Unwrapping all of the little outfits & baby soap made the fact that our sweet baby is going to be joining us so soon! I couldn't help but giggle throughout the present opening just because I couldn't believe that we actually need these things!

Bump Update: Week 34

Time has really been flying lately. I remember in my first trimester thinking every week was such an accomplishment and being so eager to tick another one off. My second trimester seemed to drag on and on, I was so anxious to get into my 3rd trimester, and now that I'm here I can't believe we're so close to meeting our LBL.

I had a minor breakdown this week because after a long trip to Ikea (which didn't end as successfully as it could have) I was tired & discouraged about the state of the Behemoth. Luckily my mom is an amazing planner & has stepped in to provide some of the energy I've been lacking.

We had our 34 week appointment this week and everything is going well. My weight gain is on track but I've been having some pain that is associated with spending too much time on my feet so my midwife recommended I cut back on work and let myself rest & relax more.

All in all this week has really left me dumbfounded with how close we are to meeting this sweet baby. I've been anticipating going past my due date as most first babies are late but the possibility of LBL arriving before June 26 has been amazed.

Bump Update: Week 33

Hello my dears.

I'm so sorry I've been so absent. Life has been busy and it's sinking in that our LBL will be here in a matter of weeks. To think that I'm due in seven short weeks is exciting and intimidating all at the same time!

This week I had a bit of a scare after working too hard Friday. I had some major Braxton Hicks contractions and even though I knew they weren't the real deal it was scary to have more than one contraction and to think that if it were the real deal LBL would be joining us too soon. My mom & I have worked on my schedule and I won't be working quite as much from here on out. It's hard to admit that I'm not my normal self but it's important that I start taking things a little easier.

Lately everyone thinks that I'm much bigger than my 33 weeks. Most of my friends & family are convinced that LBL will be joining us before June 26 but I think that our little one will be staying put for longer than expected.

We*

Sometimes you go to one of your favorite places without one of your favorite people.
When you get there you realize how much you miss that person and that your day would have been much better if that person was by your side.
So you draw a silly picture in the bathroom to let them know how much you miss them.




And life is much better when you're in their arms later that day.
*Yes, I've been mentally referring to myself as we for the last couple of months. It's hard to deny LBL's existence when there's so much squirming in my belly!

Bump Update: Week 32

Hello my dears.

I have so so much to update you on on the kitchen & the rest of the Behemoth but I'm afraid that the only update I have for today is a bump update.

LBL has been growing so much lately that every day I look in the mirror and am sure that I'm much bigger than the day before. This has caused some pain as the baby pushes against my sciatic nerve and I get shooting pain in my hip and down my legs. This has made me understand why women in the middle to end of their third trimester are dying to get the baby out.

I've resorted to sleeping in a cocoon of pillows which leaves Jus short on bed space (especially when Layla hops in bed too). Our last appointment went well. I'm on track weight wise & baby is head down (as LBL has been for 2 or so months). I can hardly believe we're getting so close to meeting our sweet little baby!

Bump Update: Week 31

Sorry I'm back to only positing Bump Updates. The 3rd trimester has definitely been accompanied by a new kind of exhaustion.

During my first trimester I felt like I had mono again but now my entire body is exhausted. My legs are tired, my hips are sore, and all I want to do is sit on my butt. I've been trying to give myself a break because I know that in 9 weeks I'll be busy busy.

This week has been a bit of a wake up call for me. I can't believe how close we are getting to my due date and that LBL will actually be joining us. I've been planning that LBL will be late (like his parents always are) but the possibility that LBL could be early freaks me out. If LBL comes 3 weeks early that means we're only 5 weeks out and the possibility of becoming parents in that short of time is a little frightening. I think I'm the type of women that will fully appreciate the 40 weeks of pregnancy. Even though I am incredibly excited to hold our LBL in my arms, dance around our kitchen and whisper I love you in it's sweet little ear.

Bump Update: Week 30

I can't believe we are 3/4 of the way through with this pregnancy.

On the one hand, October, and my positive pregnancy test seems like it was decades ago, but on the other the last 7 months have flown by.

This past week was a busy week for us. We started our classes at the Birth Center where we learned about the normal stages of labor and watched a video on water birth.

We also had a midwife appointment which went really well. I was pleased because I had only gained 2 pounds in the last 3 weeks and was only measuring 1 week ahead as opposed to the 2 weeks ahead I measured at my last appointment.

I can feel my body is starting to have trouble adjusting to LBL. My legs are exhausted and I find it difficult to sit upright some times.

I'm beginning to get very anxious to meet our LBL but also know that the next 10 weeks will fly and I'll be a mom before I know it!

Bump Update: Week 29

I cannot get over how quickly this pregnancy has flown by. On one had October seems like forever ago but on the other hand I can't believe that we're so incredibly close to my due date.

Can I just say damn, I look huge!

Lately I've been feeling much more exhausted & can tell that the third trimester is setting in. I've been trying to work on the house & nursery to get everything ready unfortunately I find myself having to sit down much more often than normal. The good news is that we're getting incredibly close to finishing up and the kitchen cabinets will be installed in two weeks!

Tonight Jus & I have our first Birth Center class. I've been meaning to write about our choice regarding where to have LBL as we've chosen to go to a midwife run Birth Center that is associated with our midwife practice. The classes won't be typical birthing classes because they'll be more focused on having a natural, holistic birth. (I'll be sure to write more about our choice later on!)

A little project for LBL

One of the most fun parts of being pregnant is shopping for itty bitty clothes. Even though I've had to steer clear of the adorable little dresses & bow ties I've still been able to find lots of sweet little outfits.

A couple of weeks ago I realized that while I love the little clothes I've found I'm not familiar enough with sizes yet to tell 3-6 month from 6-9 month clothing and thought some clothing dividers would help. (I also figured this would really come in handy when Jus was alone with LBL)

The bar in the nursery closet is a fixed bar so I knew I had to use a flexible material.

I started by cutting circles out of craft foam.

I cut a smaller circle out of the center and made a cut through the ring so I could slip it on.

Then I glued cute paper to both sides. (Fabric would work too).

I used black stickers to write out the sizes on the circles and finished them with Mod Podge.

They're now hanging in LBL's closet where I've found that having dividers makes organizing the clothing much easier.

It's great to be able to see what we have and what I can get more of!

Bump Update: Week 28

Thank you all so much for your support over the last week. I definitely had a rough time after I failed my glucose test and I really appreciate all the love I got through your comments here & on twitter.

I'm happy to report that I got my 3 hour test results back yesterday and I passed! My midwife still wants me to take it easy on sweets & carbs but that's a pretty good philosophy in general and so I'm feeling very good.

I entered my 3rd trimester this week and I can't believe how quickly this pregnancy has gone. So far I've loved everything about being pregnant and can't believe that we are just three short months from meeting LBL. We still have to much to do to get ready for this little person to join our life!

Luckily for me Banan came and helped clear out the nursery so now it's ready to be filled with the perfect pieces and we'll be one step closer.