Clara and Everett

Clara and Everett

Friday, August 30, 2013

Week 32

Wow, 8 months and counting. The days go by fairly slow but looking back it seems like it's flown by. What I don't understand is why anyone says a woman is pregnant for 9 months, it's 10 months people. That's a lot of time to leave uncounted if you're way preggers, I can bet the last month will tick by slow too! Morning sickness is quite a lie too, more like 24/7 sickness. Maybe all these fibs are so people actually try to get pregnant?!

I went to the doctor this week and all went well. They just take my blood pressure which is always low, weigh me - we won't go there, listen to her heart and measure my ever growing belly. She said I'm right on the mark. Little Grettle had the doctor laughing, she was trying to get her heartbeat and as soon as she'd get close Grets would move away. She is always mobile and she pulled some funny stunts off in front of the doctor who soon said, "Wow, you've got quite a mover and a shaker!" At least I don't have to count her movements since I'm POSITIVE she moves 10x in an hour...more like 100x and they aren't little squirms, this little girl doesn't seem to like to be crammed into such a small space, she's stretching as far and as hard as she can, at times it feels like she is going to pop out of my skin or kick through a rib. The doctor wrote me a new prescription for my acid reflux since it's so bad. However, my insurance didn't cover it and it was Friday afternoon when I found that out so we'll have to wait until Tuesday for relief, if it even works, third times a charm. If it wasn't for work I'd be ready for her today now that her room is set and we have all the necessities. I don't know that I'll ever be ready for 3 months off of work but I know I'm not even close at this point. I can't wait to meet her. I just want her to be a healthy baby. She has been waking around 3:30am with hiccups nightly, those don't wake me but her reaction to them does. The 4th night it happened she only fought it for about 10 minutes and gave in and held still, we both fell asleep with them still going. I'm still sleeping "good" for the most part. I sleep sitting up on my side, thankfully our headboard is tall with leather padding, I pack about 4 pillows behind me, I'm up about 5 times to pee but usually fall right back to sleep. It takes at least an hour to fall asleep due to her gymnastics and my acid reflux, sometimes my legs are restless, crampy and my feet/joints ache but I'm aware it could be way worse. I must say I'm looking VERY forward to the day when I can eat past 6pm, (have sugar...that's the biggest no no for me these days, which is probably good) lay on my stomach and close my eyes and fall fast asleep without burping for hours, even if I'm up every 2-3 hours with feedings, I just want to feel cozy and snuggle Andre again.

My Florida family & friends threw me a baby shower down here. It was perfect, we are very spoiled. I will blog that as soon as I compile all of the pictures. Andre and I went out the Sunday after to get the rest of the things we needed so we could finish her room. I'll blog pictures of her finished room too! We both love it.

At the shower:

Bet you don't recognize the dress! ;) When you find something that fits right and makes you look slightly less than an elephant's size ya stick with it, right?

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Week 31

First I'd like to thank my amazing husband for his post. I logged on to this surprise and I will read it and reread and cherish your words (and you) forever. I love you.


Week 31 is hectic, I'm back at work. As sad as I am the summer is over I'm ready for the year to start so October gets here. We're both so excited to meet our little girl.

I got through my first week back fine, it's not as exhausting without kids. This is going to be an overwhelming year. I'm teaching a new grade level with new standards and all new materials. The good news is, so is everyone else (not a new grade level) but they're not taking off three months. I'm hoping I have enough time to figure it out well enough to plan effectively while I'm gone. I'm hoping to work up until delivery and go back in January.

I'm back to the grind of working all day then sitting behind my computer planning and creating until it's time for bed. I'm hoping to minimize that this coming week so I can put a little exercise back into my routine. Andre has been maintaining our lawn and chores without me. My circulation is not as happy with my recent activity. I'm either sitting all day in training and preparing or I've been on my feet getting my classroom ready. I've had to put my feet up for the first time when I get home, my feet have started to swell when there is too much sitting or too much standing and not a combination of the two. I think next week will be a better mix of the two.

I went to the doctor on Wednesday and my gestational diabetes test was fine. I need to get a whooping cough/tetanus shot at one of my next few appointments, I've been avoiding that, I know it's a doozie. I'm measuring right on track and her heart sounds good. I could tell she was angled in my belly but I didn't know which end was up or down. The nurse felt my belly and had no trouble telling. Her butt is under my right rib, I've been sore there and she says it's from her kicking me all the time in the same spot and it has bruised. She doesn't have much fat on her piggies so her bony feet hit the spot!! The nurse pushed on her butt which makes her entire body shift, it's so funny to feel. She kicked and squirmed right back which she said was great she's responding to stimuli. I'm pretty sure I'd kick back if you were slamming my head into mom's hip in an already cramped space! Her head is across my belly on the lower left. She about the same length ranging from 17-18 inches and around 3.2 - 3.5 lbs. She is still constantly on the move, misshaping my belly and entertaining me all day. She says it's common for babies to be on the move at night like she is and that it's her way of letting me know she's there since she doesn't have my attention all day. I'm not sleeping well as of late. Trying to get comfortable sitting up because of acid reflux, having her dancing for over an hour and my new endless to do list on my mind has prevented me from catching my Z's. I'm also hot and Andre is cold so we're trying to find a middle ground we're both comfortable in. The baby room is as done as it's going to be until we get the rest of the items we need. I'll take pictures this week and post where we are at this point. We're both loving it so far and looking forward to finishing it. I have my baby shower this coming Saturday, very excited! We'll get any missing essentials after that and I'll be more at ease knowing we're "ready." 

I best get to bed and allow her to start tiring herself out, it's a school night! eek.




Monday, August 12, 2013

Mother to be, Posted by Andre

Since Barbie is the one who always shares in our blog, I thought I would take a turn to say a few words about her and our little girl. For the past seven months I have had the opportunity to see first hand what kind of mother Barbie will be by the way she has so caringly taken care of our little baby so far. Since the start, Barbie has read everything there is to read about pregnancy and learns everything she can get her hands on. She watches videos, reads blogs, books, articles, etc... She takes care of herself, watches what she eats and drinks, takes all her prenatal vitamins, follows all the recommended do's and don'ts and even talks to the baby. She is always excited to have me feel the baby squirm around and even though it sometimes keeps her up at night, Barbie loves to feel and see her so active. I am so appreciative for all she does to bring this baby into the world. I will never know what it's like, but it must be so hard. And although she is a little nervous about the delivery, she will do great. I am so happy and at ease knowing she will always take care of our little girl. Barbie is going to be such a great mother and all I can hope for is that our little girl turns out just like her. Thank you Barbie!

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

29 weeks

Week 29 is going well. I've been unable to wear my wedding rings for a few weeks now. There are points throughout the day that they're fine but when I go outside for a bit, workout or do chores around the house they swell up fast! This August heat is taking its toll! Taking a seat is not enough, I have to really kick my dogs up high. I've recently found that my feet are getting swollen, they may have been and I've just not paid attention.

I saw the doctor this week. She measured my belly and said I'm right on track. I took my gestational diabetes test. I didn't think it was as bad as others said it was going to be. I am clear sugar throws my digestion off and gives me instant reflux issues. I heard her heartbeat and was told to get my birth plan ready. I lost three pounds since my last visit a month ago. My previous visit was right after my trip to Chicago and NY and I enjoyed my favorite foods while I was home so I gained a few extra last month therefore my doctor said it was nothing to worry about. My belly is getting itchy and growing fast, I can't get enough lotion!! I go to the doctor every two weeks now that I'm in the final trimester and the last month is weekly. We planned out my future appointments. It was an eye opener to see how few weeks there are left, yikes!

I picked up a few of my students for a pool day this week. We went to Tiffany's house to swim with her boys. Kristin and Kylie came down to visit this week too! I'll blog their visit ASAP. I've been reading my "What to Expect when Expecting" and am not sure reading about labor was wise. I do like to know what to expect to a degree, but I'm not so good with needles, blood, etc. so I hope the doctors are able to be discrete! We have a few things to finish in her room before I go back to work, then the rest are small details which is perfect since I know I'll be overwhelmed starting work preparing for three months off! I'm ready to get back to school this year since I'm anxioius for what's to come.

Getting BIG!



Thursday, August 1, 2013

Week 28 - FINAL TRIMESTER!!!

We missed week 27, been busy and somehow it just flew by! Lots of new changes. I'm now in the last trimester which is crazy. In the moment it feels decently slow and looking back it seems like it has flown by! Our darling "Denizabeth" got her first bout of hick ups. I was laying in bed and felt her consistent little bumps. I woke Andre so he could feel them through my belly, it's not tough to feel her these days. I don't think she liked having them, she was moving all over the place until they were done. However that's typical of her when I lay down for bed. Hopefully not a sign of our future.

She is now in "fetal position" or so the app says. She's about 15 - 17 inches long and weighs anywhere from 2.5-3 lbs. This will double or triple over the next three months. I'm hoping double!! She has more taste buds now than she will at birth! I made some spicy lentil soup and have been eating a variety of flavors and foods in hopes she will take a liking to them and enjoy a plethora of cuisines someday. "They" say it helps if I do that now and during breastfeeding. Maybe she won't be like me and only eat grilled cheese until she's 7. I must say I enjoy almost ALL foods now but I'd like to see her enjoy them before her teen years/20's like me. I can't say her daddy likes more than me so her odds are better being in my belly!!

She is on the go constantly. She has found a few positions that are uncomfortable but I can usually rub her away from my ribs or roll over to get her to move if it's while I'm in bed. She is said to be getting REM sleep now and dreaming herself. I can tell I wake her up when I roll over. If it's am hours I try hard not to move because if I wake her up it's likely I won't be able to go back to sleep with her movements. I'm still very content laying in bed feeling her and holding my belly when I can't sleep, I feel very fortunate and lay and hope she's a happy, healthy baby. She manages to squirm and roll at times but normally she is just pushing and prodding. She feels very strong and can sometimes make me cringe for a minute or so. I can't tell which end is up but one end is in my lower left abdomen and the other is under my right rib. I found if I talk to her or rub my belly when she's quiet I get her to respond no problem. She can really distort my belly with her movements and it's funny to watch. Her most active time is in the morning when I'm trying to get a few more z's and when I'm trying to fall asleep at night. I think she has me in training for our future together, keeping me up when I feel it's time to sleep. I'm up about 4 times throughout the night to pee which is expected since she's on my bladder. I have some usual aches and pains I'd guess. My feet hurt after I've been off them sleeping or sitting too long, once I'm moving about long enough I'm okay. My hips hurt some, mostly in bed and when I get up. I think it's because I'm not a side sleeper and it's a lot of weight on one side of my body. Switching sides helps. Nothing too extreme thus far. Acid reflux issues, but I'm used to those. If I behave by eating early enough with no acidic foods or sugar I'm able to lay down without any issues...for the most part. When I'm inactive my body is stiff fast and I find if I'm too active it does help to sit down and take a break which I'm not used to. I think I'm doing well but I don't have much to compare it to. I don't know how it will be when I have to go back to work soon. I don't think I'll have energy for the gym anymore!



Andre and I had her carpet cleaned last week and this week he pulled it up and sealed the floor underneath. We've had a slight problem with our floors absorbing moisture and her floor was the last one to fix. We had the carpet put back down as it was in great condition and very good quality. Andre then painted the top half a very light pink hue and I painted the chair rail. We got the walls done and the chair rails up and moved the furniture in. It's starting to look like a baby girls room now!!

Carpet out



Sealed and painted

Chair rail and carpet in.