Nursery Progress

Still to do:
1. Set up his monitor (but maybe we'll put it in our room first).
2. My cousin has commissioned a painting of a sailboat on a plaque for over the dresser/changer.
3. Set up his diapers (once I know what size he is). I have some NB and size 1, but I don't want to open them until I know how big his bum is.




Here's the progress so far, including 2 pictures of J painting. I think everything is pretty obvious as to what it is. Below is a list of items & which stores they are from. If you have any questions, ask away!

 

Dresser and Crib: Munire Essex

Glider/Recliner and Ottoman: Dutailier Ultra Motion

Cubby Organizer: Closet Maid from Target

Blue and Red Star Bins: Pottery Barn 

Bedding, Pillow/Sham, Mobile, Throw Blanket, Whale Rug, Lamp Shade, Nightlight: Pottery Barn

Lamp Base: Target

Nautical Picture Frame & Boat Bookcase: Christmas Tree Shop

Anchor Wall Art: Home Goods

Quote Picture Frame: Etsy, Seller--"Photo Frame Originals" 

Nightstand: Amazon.com

Navy Blue Baskets: Target

Blue Woven Basket (on changer): Babies R' Us

Beige Baskets in Closet: Home Goods 

Drawer Organization: Ikea 

Drapes and Rods: Target

Bull Rocker: Target

John Deere Tractor Rocker: Online

Black Diaper Bag: Vera Bradley

Navy Diaper Bag: Diaper Dude

Over the Door Hook: Bed, Bath, and Beyond

33 Weeks!

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Well, I've been lazy when it comes to keeping up with this blog lately. I'm sorry, Baby. It has nothing to do with not caring, it's just been kind of hard to get up the energy to do anything after work. Now that school is out for the summer, I promise to do a better job. 

Here's what I've been up to... 

Summer is here and that means a big mama like me is sweating a lot and I have the joy of beautiful cankles. School was unbearable. No air-conditioning.  It was bad. I've been home relaxing for the past two days and it's amazing--my legs and ankles look normal again! Eureka! Although that normalcy is often short lived. Even a short walk blows them up. Thank God we have air-conditioning in our house. 

I also had my baby shower almost 2 weeks ago.  It was thrown by my mom, sister, and mother-in-law, and it was beautiful. I got so many wonderful gifts for Rambo, including many gift cards. I was able to go to Babies R' Us the next day and get the rest of what he needs for his first few weeks and beyond. He has more clothes than me and John put together! He is one very lucky little boy, and we are beyond blessed to have such wonderful family and friends supporting us.

John and I spent the past weekend in Cape May at a great Bed and Breakfast. Just the two of us. We spent all day on the beach, and then walked around the outdoor mall area. We enjoyed dinners and just the whole relaxing vibe of the town. I loved it. On the beach, John had to get me an umbrella, since I am so much less tolerant of the heat. I slept under it most of the day while he got a tan in the sun. It was bliss. The ocean water was finally warm enough to go in, but my balance is kind of off. I got hit by a tiny wave and got bowled over. I high-tailed it out of there and watched John swim while I stood at water's edge. We're already thinking about going back next summer. My mom lives about an hour from there, so we're thinking that it would be quite easy to drop Rambo off with Grandma and Grandy for a weekend on our way! 

After we got back from Cape May, I went into crazy-lady-organization-mode. The baby's room is ready. I washed all his linens and made his bed, washed all his burp cloths, socks, bibs, onesies, pjs, and clothes, and put them all away in an orderly fashion. His Boppy and Brest Friend are ready. His room just needs vacuuming, and it will look beautiful. 

I still have to do the following before he arrives: 

1. Install the car seat, both in my car and Johns. Inspection is on July 7th by the County Sheriff's office. 
2. Pack our hospital bags, and make a list of what needs to go in there when we leave that isn't already in there. 
3. Make sure our cameras (DSLR, point & shoot, and the Flip) are ready, charged and packed or handy. 
4. Finalize a birth plan (roll your eyes if you want) and discuss it with my Dr. 
5. Call a pediatrician and set up a consultation, if they do this. 
6. Get cradle from Uncle Pat (he's making it), and get bedding/mattress to go with it. 
7. Attend birthing class at hospital (6/26). 
8. Oh, yeah, agree on a name. Don't even get me started! 

The good news is, we have 6 and a half weeks to get all that done. I think we're in pretty good shape. Right?

And here is the weekly survey! 

How Far Along: 33 weeks, 2 days 

 

Sex: boy

 
Size of baby: 2 weeks ago, he weighed 4 lbs, measured in the 60th percentile, and his head measured in the 90th percentile. I'm a little scared about the head measurement. My nether-region is scared too. I bet by now he's over 5 lbs. 

Other things baby is up to: Here's what the bump.com says for week 33: "Things are heating up inside as well: Baby may grow up to a full inch this week alone, and his brain is developing like crazy. Pretty soon, he'll be able to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing. Also, his bones are hardening, and he's started to keep his eyes open when he's awake."

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +20 (total).

Movement: He's very active. My belly goes nuts when me moves now. Last night I felt his butt. He likes to snuggle down on my side (when I'm laying on my side), next to the couch or bed. You can actually feel his whole body when he does this. It's pretty incredible.

Sleep: I'm starting to have the old 3rd Tri-wake-up-to-pee thing going on, but other than that, I sleep pretty well. 

Symptoms: Back pain, swollen ankles, gigantic belly, low tolerance to heat, heartburn. 

 

Cravings: Key Lime anything.  

Aversions: Meat. 

Maternity Clothes: Oh yeah.

Belly Button: Still in, but mighty small and cute.

 

Milestones: Well, since summer is here, I am done with work until December or later! Woo hoo!

Looking forward to: Meeting the little guy attached to that cute tushy

What I Miss:  Margaritas, moving more easily.  

Next appointment: next Wednesday, 6/29 with my OB

Times I used the Doppler in the last week: 0

Weekly bump pic: 

Quite a difference from my last post, huh??

 

What's going on in there?

Taken on Friday night (28w4d). Aunt Gina made tacos & Rambo approves!

Weeks 27 & 28

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So, I missed a week. I have been exhausted. Entering the third trimester has hit me like a ton of bricks. It's almost like the first trimester all over again. I can't get up in the morning, I yawn all day, fall asleep after work or by 8pm on the couch, and repeat that routine the next day. The only foods that seem appealing are grossly unhealthy (such as Golden Oreos--raise your hand if you're sick of hearing me talk about them), and I am too lazy to make anything healthy anyway. Thank God I have John to pack my lunches with good things and make my smoothie every morning. He's also been really great about making dinner, even though I get home 3 hours earlier than him. I just can't do it sometimes.

Well, being tired isn't the only thing that the third trimester has brought to me. I have a whole new list of symptoms to note, ones that happened seemingly over night. I'll describe them in the survey below, but be forewarned: some be straight up nasty, yo.

John and I also might have agreed upon a name. We haven't locked it in yet, but we're getting close. Don't ask, we aren't telling until we see him for ourselves. Sorry! 

Well, without further ado, the weekly survey: 

The Weekly Survey! 

How Far Along: 28 weeks, 4 days

 

Sex: boy

 
Size of baby: I saw him on May 10th and he weighed 2 and a half lbs. He was in the 62nd percentile for size at that time. I think he's gotten bigger in the past week because my stomach feels like it has so much pressure in it.

Other things baby is up to: Besides playing games with my ribs and punching my vagina?

"Baby’s energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. (Have those kicks and jabs to the ribs tipped you off yet?) Baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though -- as you’ve also probably noticed -- they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments."--thebump.com 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +15 (total). :(

Movement: He moves a lot. My whole abdomen moves with him. I love the feeling. 

Sleep: I'm exhausted, and I sleep like a champ.

Symptoms: Well, besides the gigantic belly, I have started to experience some symptoms that are typical in late pregnancy. They are as follows (in no particular order): heartburn, back pain, front pain, sciatica, leaky boobies (not too bad yet), and pressure on my cervix/vagina. I also find myself wanting to tell everyone about the pressure on my cervix/vagina. Consider yourself warned. 

 

Cravings: Nothing major. Sweets, if anything. 

Aversions: Anything I have to cook.

Maternity Clothes: Oh yeah.

Belly Button: In, but it's shrinking. I don't foresee it being an outie though.

 

Milestones: Hellooo, Third Trimester!! Also, the baby is head down, which is going to come in handy when he's born. Oh, and now that we're in the Third Tri, we have Dr. appointments every 2 weeks. 

Looking forward to: I want to hear what he sounds like.

What I Miss:  Nothing really. Despite my complaints, pregnancy is pretty awesome.  

Next appointment: 6/1 with my regular OB, 6/8 with the MFM Specialist. 

Times I used the Doppler in the last week: 0. Rambo is very well-behaved and plays a lot.

Weekly bump pic: This was taken in the morning. By the evening I look like King Hippo from Mike Tyson's Punch Out (which I still have, by the way). 

26 weeks!

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I'm tired. Really tired. 

All this week at school, we've had state testing, so it's been less than pleasurable. My building is not air conditioned, and I could not turn the fan on during testing because the papers would blow around. Needless to say it was hot. Airless. On top of that, during testing, it is mandatory to walk around and observe the students at all time. It was hard for someone who is getting a little weeble-ish. 

Almost every afternoon this week, I've fought the urge to sleep right after school. This led to falling asleep by about 7:30-8:30 each evening. Like I said, I'm tired. 

Oh, I almost forgot! Rambo's furniture came this week! It's gorgeous and we think it looks great in his room. Can you believe it? He has a room. With furniture. A place to sleep that's all his. Amazing. 

The Weekly Survey! 

How Far Along: 26 weeks, 4 days

 

Sex: boy

 
Size of baby: See above, I guess. I  will probably find out on Tuesday when I see the high-risk specialist for a scan.  

Other things baby is up to: He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +10 (total)???. I didn't weigh myself this week. 

Movement: Daily. One night it felt like he was riding a bicycle. Rambo had me worried today though, as he was very lazy. I came home from work and ate a row of Peeps to see if he'd get moving. He did.

Sleep: So tired!

Symptoms: I look like I swallowed a watermelon. 

 

Cravings: None this week. Maybe all the extra sleep is helping? Eh, maybe I'm just too tired to eat. 

Aversions: None that I can think of.

Maternity Clothes: Mostly. Still in regular sweatpants and huge t-shirts around the house.

Belly Button: In

 

Milestones: Rambo's room has furniture in it. Also, it's my last week in the 2nd Trimester! Woot! 

Looking forward to: Seeing Rambo on his ultrasound on Tuesday. 

What I Miss:  Coffee. I want some Blackberry Cream from Java Girl. 

Next appointment: May 10th for a visit with the MFM Specialist (high-risk Dr.) for a follow-up to our problem a few weeks ago (see 22 weeks) and for a growth scan. That should be a fun ultrasound since they have level II machines. 

Times I used the Doppler in the last week: 0, although if the Peeps didn't work today, I would have had to bust it out. 

Weekly bump pic: Baby got front. 

 

25 weeks!

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I am exhausted this week! After being home from work for 19 days (due to doctor's orders and spring break), I went back. It wasn't bad, for the most part. The only part that was bad was the heat. We hit over 80 degrees this week around here, and working in an almost 50-year old school with no A/C, believe me, I felt that heat all the way. It was bad. I have a fan in my classroom, but it didn't do much to help this big ole' pregnant lady cool down. By Thursday, I was sending students to the nurse to get me ice packs! Other than that, I liked being back there. I missed my students (who I really love) and I missed my co-workers too (they are the best). It was nice to be back into the world again. 

We spent last weekend (Easter weekend) with John's family and had a great time. John's parents gave us money to order Rambo's mattress and to pay for his crib. We ordered the mattress on Monday and it was here by Friday! It's a Natural Mat Coco Mat crib mattress. Hopefully, Rambo finds it to his liking.

There was also some sadness this week. Wednesday, April 27, marked what would have been Peanut's due date. I was more upset than I thought I would be. It was really hard. I know that I have a beautiful boy inside of me now, and I would not trade him for anything, but I miss my other baby too. I think John feels conflicted about Peanut sometimes. It's obvious that he still loves and misses Peanut, but I think he feels guilty if he gets sad--like he is betraying Rambo. Those are feelings that I have all the time too.  

Is it OK to feel sad and miss a baby that you lost so early when God has given you a blessing that is right here, kicking and rolling inside of you, loving you already? 

I think most people think it's stupid to think about, or I am being over-the-top by still talking about it, but that was my baby, is still my baby, and I miss him/her. Happy Birthday, Peanut.

The Weekly Survey! 

How Far Along: 25 weeks, 5 days

 

Sex: boy

 
Size of baby: See above, I guess. I had a very quick ultrasound this week, but she didn't measure him.  

Other things baby is up to: As he gets bigger, his heartbeat is getting louder. In fact, it is now audible with a stethoscope, and may be audible by putting an ear to my belly! The formation of tiny capillaries is giving Rambo a healthy pink glow. He's also soaking up my antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Rambo's eyes are forming too; I wonder if they'll be blue or green.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +10 (total). Dr. L didn't mention it, so I guess that is OK.

Movement: Lots. He was jumping on what felt like my bladder before lunch at work the other day. Totally weird.

Sleep: I'm falling asleep everywhere.

Symptoms: I'm hot, tired, and emotional.

 

Cravings: Sweets. Sugar and I are old lovahs.

Aversions: None. Feed me, Seymour.

Maternity Clothes: Mostly. Still in regular sweatpants and huge t-shirts around the house.

Belly Button: A widening innie. I can fit 2 fingers in my belly button right now, it is so stretched out. Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?

 

Milestones: I passed the 1-hour glucose tolerance test! This means I do not have gestational diabetes, which is super good news for a chunkster who loves candy. There are also 100 days left until my due date! Woo hoo!

Looking forward to: The furniture is coming next Thursday, and I am eager to see his nursery come together.  

What I Miss:  Diet Coke, now that it's hot. I was never a big soda drinker, so this is weird. I am also missing sleeping on my stomach so much! 

Next appointment: May 10th for a visit with the MFM Specialist (high-risk Dr.) for a follow-up to our problem a few weeks ago (see 22 weeks) and for a growth scan. That should be a fun ultrasound since they have level II machines. 

Times I used the Doppler in the last week: 0

Weekly bump pic: Large and in charge. And yes, there is only one in there, and he has measured normal up to this point. 

24 Weeks!

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This week marks two very special milestones: the first and foremost is that we have now reached the gestational age of viability (I call it V-day--click that link for more info).  I know that if he were to come now, Rambo would still face many, many difficulties, probably for the rest of his life. But "they" would be more able to save him now than they were next week, which is everything. Next week, the chances increase, and every week after that. I hope he waits until August though.

 

The second milestone, is that we have begun to decorate and fix-up Rambo's nursery. Fun! 

On Sunday, we ordered furniture: 

The color we chose for the furniture is more of a cherry finish than what is shown. It's being delivered on May 5th, and I cannot wait.

We also painted his nursery. Well, by "we painted," I mean John painted and I supervised. 

We also picked up a neat cubby organizer, an end table, and a cool bookshelf that looks like a boat. I'll post pictures when it all comes together in the room. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Weekly Survey! 

How Far Along: 24 weeks, 4 days

 

Sex: boy

 
Size of baby: I have no idea. Probably close to 2 lbs. and at least 11-12 inches long. I'm guessing. I'll ask the Dr. to check next week at my appointment. 

Other things baby is up to: Rambo is growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week.  Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon. He is also beginning to hear completely.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +9 (total). Holy shit. No more ice cream for at least a few days.

 

Movement: I feel him all the time. Lately his busiest time is in the morning while I'm still laying in bed. He gets the hiccups several times a week now.

Sleep: Still pretty good. Stress and anxiety now have the potential to keep me awake, and the nightmares/weird dreams continue to wreak havoc on my nights.

Symptoms: Back pain, muscle stiffness (I need to ask the Dr. if I can start exercising), visible linea negra. 

 

Cravings: Sweets. After getting on the scale today, I need to put the kibosh on that. 

Aversions: Healthy food. I need to do better this week. 

Maternity Clothes: Mostly. 

Belly Button: A widening innie. 

 

Milestones: V-day, nursery progress. 

Looking forward to: Holding my baby. 

What I Miss:  Coffee, sleeping on my stomach.... the usual

Next appointment: Wednesday, 4/27 for a check up and the Glucose Tolerance Test. This was also Peanut's due date, so I'm dreading that day. 

Times I used the doppler in the last week: 0

Weekly bump pic: I look like a fat ass. Stepping on the scale really made me feel bad today.