When does that nesting thing kick in?

I could really use it right now but I have no desire to get things organized or cleaned up. I want to sit on the couch and knit or paint while drinking hot tea, that's about it. And the best part is that we have company coming this weekend and the house is a mess. But apparently I don't mind the mess. I would like it to be cleaned up but not enough to actually do anything about it. Hummm? With only 9 weeks until this kid arrives I wonder if we'll be ready. I'm giving myself a break this week and then next week I'll start making lists and crossing things off.

The good news is that baby seems to have turned again, thank God. He is no longer kicking my bladder and cervix. I feel more pressure in my cervix but at least that's how it's supposed to be. Usually he's sideways so I often see both sides of my belly move at the same time. It's very alien looking.

And yesterday the little booger was super active. He woke me up at 4:00 AM and then when I tried to go to bed at night he kept me up until 2:30 AM. That was one very long day with only a short nap in the middle. He's been back to his calm self today so I'm hoping that he was just excited about the girl scout cookies yesterday. I know that I was! I've been craving them for about a week so I was thrilled when Jonathan came home with a box last night.

Ok, back to procrastinating...

31 weeks (-9)

It was an interesting week. My last day of work and a weekend away. Jonathan did a 12 hour adventure race with some friends. I'll do a whole other post just on that, with some fun pictures and everything. I went along to support them and cook them food. So Friday I was on my feet most of the day cooking and Saturday I was on my feet a lot heating things up and walking between the camper and the transition area. This is how my feet looked Friday night.
And Saturday they were worse. I didn't sleep well Friday night, between the bed, Sam (Jonathan's dad) and Jonathan snoring, and the dog chewing on a bone, I think I slept about 5 hours. And my back and hips were super sore. I took Tylenol all day and that still didn't help so I left Saturday night so I could sleep in my own bed. Luckily today they are getting better. I'll go float in the pool tomorrow and hopefully that will help too. I enjoyed being out there, but it was challenging.

This Week:

• The rate of physical growth slows down just a bit, but even though she doesn't get much longer, she will gain a lot of weight the rest of the pregnancy.
• Fat continues accumulating. This layer of fat turns her skin from red to the rosy pink she will have as a newborn.
• Calcium, phosphorus and iron are being stored and his bones are growing and hardening.
• Your baby is 16.2 inches (41.1cm) long and weighs 3.3 pounds (1502gm)
• His brain enters another period of rapid growth, producing hundreds of billions of new nerve cells! Amazing!
• She may move to the rhythm of music. Studies with heart rates show that she also prefers some types of music to others -- already!
• Lungs are the only major organ left to complete development. Remember, that while you may be anxious to meet your little one that these last few weeks can be vital - with each day increasing your baby's ability to breathe on her own.

A lady of leisure

Or at least one who's frantically trying to get things ready for the baby.

It's funny, over the last month or 2 Cooper has started touching my belly. It makes me wonder if he knows there's a person in there or if he just wonders why I'm getting fat.

I am going to miss this little guy though. It's impossible to not get attached to some point, and this one is a sweetie. His parents were great too, which makes it even harder leave such a great job. It will be nice to have a few baby-free weeks before my own shows up and over all I feel very good about the whole thing.

Cooper has become quite the little mess! He's voicing his opinion more and isn't happy if he doesn't get his way. In short, he's turning into a toddler.

Here are some pictures that I took over the last few days.

little feet

The baby flipped again. He has resumed kicking my bladder and cervix. It's so uncomfortable. And his head is up so high that it's pushing my diaphragm up and making it even harder to breath. If I hold my boobs up it helps a bit, but people look at me funny if I walk around like that all the time.

I also can't see him move anymore. It was so great to watch the belly bounce around but most of the movement is so low now that I can't see anything. Bummer. My entertainment is gone. And I can't feel him from the outside either. The only way anyone knows he's moving is from me groaning as I get a sudden and unexpected jab that either twinges and feels like he's trying to poke his feet out or makes me run for the toilet.

Basically, it was so much more comfortable when he was head down. I'm praying that he turns again soon, and stays that way.

2 days and counting

I'm only working with Cooper for 2 more days. Kim and I got our wires crossed and the new nanny is starting next week, not the week after. However after today, I think it's a good thing. I fell as I was walking up the stairs while holding Cooper. Luckily it was a slow fall and I didn't have far to go. Both of us are fine, it just scared us both. My hip is sore and it probably will be for the next few days.

I'm worried about the money, given Jonathan's recent pay cut, especially over the next few month. After we get our tax return it will be easier, in the mean time we may be eating a lot of beans and corn bread. It's a good thing we like them :-)

30 Weeks (-10)

Only 10 more weeks to go. I'm very much ready to be done working, but 2 weeks to go.

I have noticed that my belly has gotten heavier. My belly button is also threatening to become an outie. It hasn't popped yet but I suspect it will in the next few weeks.

The baby gets the hiccups on occasion now. It's very cute, as long as it's not at 4 AM, and it makes me giggle. And I could sit and watch it move for hours. If I can't even stop staring at my belly I'm not going to be able to take my eyes off the kid once he gets here.

I'll try and get a belly shot this week. In the mean time, here is a picture of where all of my organs have re-located to:

This Week:

• Did you know your baby is nearly three pounds now?
• His head is getting larger to accommodate a period of rapid brain growth. Don't forget to continue to "teach" your baby in the womb by exposing to music, literature, and simply talking to him.
• A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him. As he grows and fills your uterus, the amount of amniotic fluid will decrease. Funny, you certainly won't feel any lighter!
• He spends more and more time practicing opening and closing eyelids. His eyes can move from side to side, following a light source. He may even reach out to touch the light.
• Early lanugo is beginning to disappear that served to protect your baby's skin from the water in the womb. Your little one's own hair may begin to appear.
• Toenails are entering their final growth stage.
• Bone marrow is now in charge of red blood cell production. These red blood cells will continue to service your child's body by transporting oxygen and removing the wastes (carbon monoxide and other gases).
• Your baby has the capability now to produce tears -- yes, within the womb.
• By the end of this week, your baby is now 15.7 inches (39.9cm) long and weighs 2.91 pounds (1319gm)

new found relief

I've been debating about getting a swim suit for a while. Who wants to spend money on a swim suit that's going to be worn for 10 weeks? It seems wasteful. However I had some store credit and they had maternity suits on sale so I splurged.

I actually enjoyed trying them on. Mostly because I knew I was going to look fat either way, but at least I look pregnant too. It's much better to be fat and pregnant than just fat. (I'm not looking forward to swim suit season this year.) But it was entertaining trying to find something that would fit my boobs and my butt.

So today I went to the gym and swam for a bit then soaked in the hot tub. It was the most wonderful thing ever. Floating took all the weight off my hips and lower back. It was finally the relief I've been looking for. And now I'm going to take a nap.

So if you can't find me for the next 10 weeks it's because I'm in the pool at the gym.

Cuteness

I'm not working this week because Cooper is sick again. My last day is officially January 28th, hopefully I'll actually get to work some between now and then.

In the mean time, here are a few cute and funny things that we've collected for the baby...

I actually knitted these. They are known as shorties. They are made to fit over cloth diapers and be super absorbent. I've got some more yarn to make a few more.

This is one of my personal favorites. And Jonathan was the one who picked it out.

29 Weeks (-11 to go)

This week hasn't brought a whole lot of new things, just more of the same. What's missing from the picture below are all of the woman's internal organs getting squished. Yes, squished. I was driving home from work one day and realized that I had a sore muscle, like I had been at the gym working one very specific muscle. Then I realized that muscle was my stomach, getting squished. It was a very odd feeling. Everything is just a bit sore from being relocated. I hear that when the baby drops I'll be able to breath a little better so I'm looking forward to that.

The swelling in my feet has set in again and I don't think it's leaving. It's not pretty but at least it's not hot outside. We did actually plan for that one.

And I'm thrilled to report that he has finally turned!!! For the time being at least, he is head down. I realized this 2 days ago when it felt like he was trying to kick my right boob. He's done this before, went head down for 2 days and then decided he liked it better the other way. This way is much more comfortable for me so I'm hoping he stays there, but he still has plenty of time to get into position. In the mornings he is usually sideways. And by morning I mean 5 AM or when Jonathan's alarm goes off, that wakes him up too. It's weird feeling him stretch that way because both sides of my belly move. I usually put my hand on it and feel from the outside too but I haven't gotten up the nerve (or desire) to turn on a light and actually watch both sides pooch out at once. Waking up that early definitely comes from Jonathan.

And speaking of things that come from Jonathan, have I mentioned his big head? We had a sonogram at 28 weeks and they always take measurements. His legs were right on track, his belly was right on track, and his head... his head was a week big. A FULL week. Maybe he's just going to be smart? But I want him to fit coming out too.

This Week:

• Your baby's head is in proportion with body now. He appears more like a newborn each and every day!
• Fat continues to accumulate under the skin -- only now preparing for entering the *real world*.
• Your baby's brain can control primitive breathing and body temperatures.
• His eyes can move in their sockets. Soon he will be able to follow a blinking light.
• Your baby is increasingly sensitive to changes in light, sound, taste, and smell! Various studies show that your baby may indicate preferences (or disdain) for particular tastes or odors at this stage
• He is also moving from side to side, but probably still is head up. In the next few weeks, he will move to the head down birthing position. At times you may feel as if he is performing somersaults for a circus act!
• Her length is now approximately 15.2 inches (38.6cm) and weight is 2.54 pounds (1153gm)

More Painting?

These are too cute. I found them at www.elephantsonthewall.com and they have a ton of options, the pictures are just a few that would match the nursery. I'm debating about painting a few on his walls. It would be more difficult to sell the house with these there, but it would be easy to paint over them if we decided to sell, which we aren't even thinking about right now. What do you think?

I also got my glucose test results and I don’t have gestational diabetes! I didn’t even tell anyone about taking the test because I was so nervous about it. I have a friend who’s a nutritionist who was pretty sure I was going to have it and she had me freaked out. I was almost sure I was going to have to take the 3-hour one. 6 months before we started trying to get pregnant I went on a low carb diet in preparation for this and to hopefully try to prevent it. There’s no way to know if it was that or if I would have been fine either way, but I’m relieved. I’ve also continued to eat healthy since I’ve been pregnant but I do have sugar on occasion now. I figure that I can’t drink, I feel like crap and my body clearly doesn’t belong to me anymore, food is one of the few things I can still enjoy. (That and the doc said my weight gain is perfect so it all works out.)

28 Week Dr's Apt.

I saw the doctor today and everything went well. They did a sonogram and the little guy isn't so little anymore. He weighs approx. 2lb 10oz. and looks perfect. He was sucking on his hands and kicking my bladder. He's still breach and they say he probably will be until about 32 weeks.

The doc said that my weight gain is on track, pound for pound actually. So I think I should win a prize.

And the doctor loves us. We talked about what hospital we'll be delivering at and he said that they'd probably let us pick. I told him that we're registered at both and that we'll go wherever he is. That's the important thing here. He told us that he wished all his patients could be so easy, and then he hugged me. I just want him to deliver this baby and this baby to get here safe... and preferably not late.

Making Progress

We finally got the boy's closet cleared out, all the furniture moved around and his new dresser put together. And as you can see we also got the wall that the dresser is against put together.

The rest of the room still has a ways to go, but we've got the biggest parts done!

I'm getting excited!!!

28 Weeks - the 3rd trimester

Today marks the beginning of the 3rd trimester and 12 weeks until D-day. I was hoping that it was going to seem closer after the holidays, but so far it doesn't.

About 3 days ago I started having sciatica. I can't get comfortable and doing just about anything hurts. I've been stretching but so far it's not really helping. I'll go in for some acupuncture if it doesn't clear up soon. It doesn't take long for it to get really annoying. But other than that, no new symptoms.

Here are lists of things I want to remember, and forget, about the 2nd trimester...

Remember:
Jonathan feeling him move
Seeing him move
The good parts of the Vegas trip
Our level 2 sonogram and finding out that he's perfect!

Forget:
Freaking out on the day I didn't feel him move
All the swelling in Vegas
My feet hurting all the time
Not being able to breath
Being uncomfortable

As I'm tying this I'm realizing that I'm not going to be able to forget those things until this is over with, because I don't think they're going away. Can you tell that I'm ready for this part of it to be over with?

And he's getting bigger... much bigger.

I'm feeling huge and wondering how he's supposed to grow so much more. I'd also like it if he would turn already. Usually his feet are in my bladder or they feel like they are trying to escape. It's not comfortable.

From here on out he's mostly growing and putting on fat. Here's what's happening this week:

• Eyebrows and eyelashes are now very noticeable!
• Hair on baby's head is growing longer. Some babies are born with almost none at all, while others appear to be ready for their first haircut!
• Eyes are completely formed now. Quite a view from inside!
• Your baby's body is getting plump and rounded. Most of that increase is muscle tissue and bone.
• Muscle tone is improving. Preparation for the Olympics feels like it is taking place in your womb!
• Lungs are capable of breathing now (but baby would still struggle and require medical attention if born now)
• Talk to your baby often, reading stories, singing songs and more. He or she can recognize your voice now and will often calm to it later on!
• Your baby weighs in now at 2.2 pounds (1005gm) and is 14.8 inches (37.6cm).

Vegas trip continued: Hugo's Cellar

If you haven't read the first Vegas post, start here.

The first night we ate at Hugo’s Cellar at the 4 Queens hotel. The hotel was in the old part of town and it was really cool to be down there and see it. All the hotels were a bit trashy and there was an outside bar on every corner, it was really funny to see.
The whole thing is covered but the ends are open. It goes on for about 3 blocks I think.

The meal that night was amazing! Probably the best meal I’ve had in the states. I think we had 4 different people waiting on us and all of them had been there for over 20 years. We spoke with the sommelier (wine expert) who was British and hysterical. He spent a lot of time with us and was totally great. Then the salad guy came by. He make the salads there at the table and make them individually. It was yummy. One of the really great things was that they gave us time to digest between serving things. They were in no rush to get us out, it was all about enjoying the food and company.

Jonathan and I split a steak with vegetables and potatoes. There was plenty of food and neither of us could have eaten that much by ourselves. The steak was perfectly done. We added a tiny bit of blue cheese on top and the whole thing just melted in our mouths. It was divine.

Then standard with the meal came a tray of chocolate dipped things. There was a strawberry dipped in milk chocolate, a fig dipped in while chocolate, and a dried apricot dipped in dark chocolate for each of us. All served with homemade whipped cream.

And of course we couldn’t pass up desert in this place. Real desert, the fruit was just the warm up. We ordered bananas foster. The salad guy came with a different cart and made this at our table too.
They cut up bananas and fry them in some kind of alcohol. The flames were so high that they licked the ceiling at one point. Part of the enjoyment of ordering this is watching it being made. And then it’s served over ice cream. I had never had bananas foster before and it was really good. I would totally recommend it.

And we can’t forget the coffee. And at this place, even coffee is a big ordeal.
It’s really a percolator, but it looks like a coffee bong. They got six small cups out of it and it was very strong and very good.

It was an expensive meal, but it was totally worth it. If we ever go back to Vegas, there is no doubt that we are eating there again. It was amazing, the people were wonderful and the experience was memorable.

Getting to Vegas

I’m going to break this up into a few posts because otherwise it’s going to be too long. Getting there really sucked. I have no pictures from these 2 days because we didn't want tokens from them. It could have been worse, we could have not made it at all, but I wouldn’t wish what we went through on anyone. Our plane leaving Austin was delayed for mechanical reasons. When it was delayed the 2nd time we suspected that we wouldn’t make our connection so we went to speak with the woman at the counter. She said that if there were enough people on our flight catching the connection then they might hold it. She couldn’t call and check or tell us how many people it would take. After talking to her it looked like our best bet was to get to Dallas and go from there. There was nothing from Austin to Vegas the next day so if we were going to get there at all we needed to at least be in Dallas.

Our connecting flight was delayed as well so Jonathan sprinted down the airport to check it but they took off as we were getting off the plane. They were supposed to leave almost an hour before we got there, why they couldn’t wait another 15 minutes is beyond me. There was another flight that had been delayed even longer so we got on the stand by list but had no luck. All of the American Airlines people were very un-helpful. We were put up in a crappy motel and told that we were top of the stand by list for the 1st flight out the next day. To sum up that evening it took us over an hour to get to the hotel and we got about 4 hours of sleep. There was a little entertainment when Jonathan was wheeling himself around in a wheel chair while we waited for the shuttle that never came.

When we got to the airport the next day we were numbers 4 – 7 on the stand by list and didn’t make the flight. At this point I just wanted to get home, but there were no open seats on flights to Austin either. We finally asked to speak with a manager who at least explained why we were having so much trouble. We stood there and debated about what to do long enough that she managed to book us on 3 separate flights to Vegas all leaving by 12:50, granted we had been there since 6:30. We had 1 person booked on the 9:00 flight and the rest of us on stand by, and finally at the top of the list. We all managed to get on that flight. Marlene was in 1st class. They originally put Jonathan and I in 1st class too but kicked us out as soon as we got settled because the people showed up. Damn them. Will was super generous though and gave his exit row seat to me so that I had a little more space.

I generally don’t get claustrophobic. It takes a lot to get me there but not that day. I think it was a combination of the lack of sleep, the extreme swelling, all the stress, and the completely packed plane. I tried to sleep but I just couldn’t and that just made it worse. It was the most awful plane ride of my life. By the time we got to Vegas I hadn’t eaten in 5 hours and I was in such a panic that I was almost in tears. I couldn’t talk and tell everyone what was going on or I would have totally lost it. I just sat on the floor of the airport and snacked on some nuts while I calmed down. The urge to pee eventually got me up.

I don’t think the baby liked flying. He was very still that day, probably from all the stress but he squirmed on the way up, and on the way down.

But at the end of the day, thankfully we were in Vegas, still with ½ a day left. We checked into the Mirage and settled into our room. It was lovely. You can go here to see pictures of the rooms. Our room was quiet and very large. But the best part was the bed! It was a new serta mattress and so comfy. The room had been newly re-modeled and was so great. For only $98 / night it was a steal. We ordered room service, took showers, and then a nap. And the vacation was back on track…