35 Weeks

I can't believe how close we are getting...scary and exciting!

I spent all weekend doing lesson plans from this week coming up until Thanksgiving. I came up for breath Sunday night by bedtime, it was a weird weekend, like it didn't even happen. I have to get all the copies made and organize all the work into files for each week then I'll feel like I'm as "ready" as I'll be able to be to leave my class for three months. I think about their success on a regular basis and don't like not having control of my room/students. I wish I could have two of me so I could be at both places at once. Thankfully I know once our baby girl is here it won't even be a thought, I'll be so absorbed in our new life. The great news is I've loved looping with my class. Going to work big and tired has been as good as it could ever be with these kids, even when they exhaust me.

I don't have any ailments out of the ordinary...I don't think. It's really hard to determine what's going on with my body the first time through. I've slowed down this week for sure. I've been able to go and do like "normal" pretty much but this week my little issues have enhanced. I'm going to write a few notes, mainly for me to look back on and reflect if I ever attempt this again!

* 6 weeks - 4 months - "morning" sickness BAD! Unable to eat or function. So tired I could fall asleep standing up.
* 4-5 months enough of a tiny bump and terrible acid reflux to make any bending over no fun.
* 6.5 - 7 months my joints don't function well. Any immobility for even a few minutes makes me feel like I'm 90 when I start moving again. Thankfully after moving about for a minute I'm "flexible" again. Sitting up sleeping because of acid reflux, eating before 7pm and no sugar which makes me burp for HOURS! Everyone says she's going to have a head full of hair. If burping is a sign of hair, I'll be birthing a monkey.
* 8 months - my belly is getting heavy and there is lots of pressure. Rolling over at night is uncomfortable switching her weight from one side to another. I'm up peeing all night and I have very heavy legs, my right one is worse which is the side my terrible varicose veins are located so at least it makes sense. I'm short of breath since she's not leaving me much lung space. There are some sleepless nights, some are acid reflux related and some have no rhyme or reason.
* Late 8/early 9 months I have had a few days of VERY swollen ankles after being on my feet all day, working all day and tutoring until 7pm may not be the best option at this point. I have a hard time putting my feet up over my heart since I can't lay down due to acid reflux. My hands and feet are the worst. It takes a lot of water to hydrate me, I'm drinking more than ever and can't get enough. I avoid bending over if possible, Andre and my students are nice to have around when I drop things or need to get into the bottom cupboards. My legs are even heavier than before, didn't think that was possible. My lower abdomen is even heavier and walking around at work is now a workout, I've lost any pep in my step I once had. I'm not very good at sitting at work so that doesn't help, I just can't teach that way so I'm on my feet other than my 15 minute lunch. My joints are very tight and I'm retaining water, some days more than others. I think that might be it! ;)

I'd guess from what I've read all in all this is all pretty normal. I know it could be way worse and from my doctors reactions I think my acid reflux and joints are worse than the usual patient. I have had no cravings, I've had to eat quite healthy due to my acid reflux which is good for our health and weight but no fun. I've given in to easy dinners with frozen pizzas and splurge at times with sweet treats even though I pay for it. I eat a LOT of fruit to get my sugar fix.

I am thankful that I'm still able to work. I really don't want to take time before she is here, I want to save every day I have to spend with her. I also don't have a long term sub yet, so that makes it scary to think about being out any sooner than my due date. I am thankful when I get up to pee every hour I can go back to bed and sleep, and that on Saturday/Sunday morning Andre and I can sleep, our days are numbered. I'm thankful Andre asks me every single day how I am doing and how I slept, and he really wants to know the answer (or pretends well) when it's the same ol' complaints. I am lucky I have a good class who loves me, parents included, and makes these long days a joy to be there. Everyone at work has been very nice, always asking how I'm doing. I get to compare notes with Kate and Merrissa which has been so much fun!

Even though my life is getting a bit harder I absolutely love having her in my belly with me at all times. I know I'm going to miss having her safely tucked away from the worlds dangers and I dread thinking about her out of my sight already. Life is easy with her in there, I get to enjoy her all day but it's always quiet and all I have to do to take care of her is take care of myself, this must be the easiest part of motherhood which is a scary thought.

My belly is getting big!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I go another month, I just may POP!

34 Weeks

Things are going well. Got the tetanus shot at my doctors visit this past week to protect her from the ever spreading whooping cough. The doctors love how quick she responds, a gentle rub gets her moving, even talking to her. Her heart sounds good. I don't get details on weight or length so I assume no news is good news. My doctors did all the ultrasounds early on in the risky first trimester and my appointments go pretty quick. Andre and I had a relaxing weekend, ran some errands and did our house chores but no huge projects. We're getting pretty settled. I know Andre is looking forward to fall/winter months where less lawn work is required. I'm ready for some cooler temperatures.

Florida Baby Shower

Many of my amazing family and friends down here threw me a wonderful baby shower. Lisa, my partner in crime at work, best friend, and "family" hosted yet again. She also hosted my bridal shower. It is so much work and she makes it look/seem so easy. Everything was beautiful in her home on Redington Beach.

Look at all the delectable food!


Down to the little baby themed food with the labels posted so cute by each dish.


Lisa gets her hosting talents from her mom Mimi and her daughter Gabby follows right behind. Together they make quite the team, all beautiful too! Thanks ladies!

 

Juliane created some fun games for us all to play!







Tiffany did the invitations, party favors, and pictures of course. Thankfully I snagged one of her before the party started or she'd only have made it in one other. Thank you Tiffy!!!!

 

Malarie brought the paper products. Thank you Malarie!!!!

 

Stacy made another amazing cake. She did my bridal cake too! She is so very talented to have it not only look perfect but taste perfect too!







I'm sure I missed someone. Thank you for everyone that helped. I had an excellent time and love such a great variety of friends and family getting together and getting to know one another. Thank you all for the wonderful gifts. Our little girl is spoiled and she's not even here yet!

Opening gifts, thank you so very much!







What a great time!


Elisabeth and Altazara (sorry if I spelled that wrong!). Elisabeth is going to watch our little one when I go back to work.



Goofy teachers, always making me laugh.



Thank you to my hosts! (-Juliane because she and Gabrielle had to get to her softball game.)


Thank you to Kate and Chelsea for driving all the way from Palm Coast to celebrate with me. It means so much to me to have you both there, thank you so much for making the trip! It was so nice seeing you and catching up! Cindy we missed you, come visit anytime!



Baby Feger you're so loved already, we're all so excited to meet you and see you in your adorable clothes!!

 

Week 33 - Maternity Pictures

Thanks to my sister-in-law Tiffany owner of Fishy Face Photography I have some wonderful photos to share and look back on forever. Thank you Tiffany!!

She is one talented lady to pull off anything I'm willing to share with how I feel about myself these days!!

33 weeks has lots of changes, most of which I'm not too excited about. Fatigue has set in, doing daily activities feels like a workout. I'm on my feet all day at work and they are swollen at the end of the day so I look forward to the days I get to come home and put them up. I'm warmer than usual, my freezing cold classroom feels good but Andre and I are not even close when it comes to the temperature of the house. This is not the best time of year to crank the AC, it's warm out still!! My body stiffens after sitting for five minutes and Grandma Lang gets around faster than me until I am on the move for a bit. Thankfully Andre pushes and pulls me up and down and helps me with shoes when he is around. Deniz is on my sciatic nerve which causes some extra pain and I have some popping in my back with each step. My belly feels heavy, more so in bed when I try to roll over from side to side and at the end of the day. My skin as you can see above is stretched to the max and is very itchy, even with lots of lotion. All tolerable aches and pains, just not comfortable. I wanted to write these notes in here so in a future pregnancy I can remember when things happened and compare notes.

I've gathered all the materials to pack my bag for the hospital. Scary! I'm filling out my forms for leave and disability, trying to imagine how I'll prepare my classroom for being away for so long. I barely have enough time now to plan for the following week let alone the following months! Andre and I picked out little Gretel's coming home outfit. It's so bitty! It's hard to believe only about 6 more weeks to go! I have a feeling at this point the time might drag. We got her car seat out and "figured it out." Most parents could get kids in and out with their eyes closed and hands behind their back but for new parents it takes a minute to find the right buttons. I was better at it when I was 11 taking care of my niece Kylie than I am now! I'm sure it won't take long to become second nature.

Baby Denizabeth is on the move still. Her movements are different now, much slower and fluid now that she doesn't have much space. She slides and glides around making my belly take some funny shapes. She can poke, kick and prod in ways that take my breath away. Her piggies are clearly under my right rib and it gets a few good shots a day from those bony feet. She gets hiccups almost daily, she is tolerating them better, not always mobile and feisty when they come like she used to be. She is very good at making her daddy think she behaves because each time I say Andre feel this or look at this, she stops and is still. I have started to take advantage of this and when I'm unable to get her to hold still when I want to try to sleep longer in the morning or fall asleep at night I'll have Andre hold my belly and it works about 80% of the time. It's fun to see his reaction when she doesn't stay still though, he was right on when he said it feels like she is going to pop right out through your skin because that's what it feels like from the inside. It's crazy to me when my hands are on her she won't settle but for him she does, maybe he has the magic touch and will be putting her to sleep for me!!! For the most part I love how active she is. It's one of the neatest things to have someone with you all day everyday, I'm never alone and I love having her wherever I go. When she is quiet I'll rub my belly softly and she'll give me a gentle nudge back letting me know she's still in there doing okay. She responds when I'm reading to my class when I sit still for those few minutes and if I'm wearing a form fitting shirt they look in shock like an alien is coming out of me, I don't blame them, she can make my belly look pretty creepy! I can't wait until she is here, even though I'll never feel completely ready!

Last night I couldn't sleep, she was on the move from 10-11 and by the time she settled I was wide awake. I started to think about all the things I want for her in life. These were a few thoughts...first, I hope she is healthy, I'm doing everything I can to ensure she's growing inside me with all the rest, love, exercise and nutrients she needs, I hope I've done enough. I want her to be a happy person, who can always find the positives in life even when it seems to keep pouring down. I want her free of harm and bullies, I know that's not possible so I hope when she is faced with those troubles she is confident and able to handle herself with pride. I want her to have a sensitive heart and care deeply for others. I want school and learning to be a joy and come naturally for her, I hope she is curious about the world around her and wants to better it in anyway she can. I hope she is driven and when she fails I hope she isn't afraid to get up and try again. I hope she can dance and be herself in front of others, never holding back with fear of what someone else thinks. I admire people who are like that. I want her to be a leader who sets an example by doing. I hope she values her elders and listens to what they have to say and learns from other's experiences old or young. I hope she does the right thing, even when no one is looking. I want her to be a friend to anyone that needs a friend and I hope she loves her family if we're not always perfect. I hope she is passionate and has many hobbies and perfects her talents. I'm still trying to be this person myself and have failed personally at many of the dreams I already have for her. I bet she'll be teaching me as much as I hope I can teach her. I love you little one.

Baby Feger's Room

Andre and I have been chipping away at her room for months now. He has done the hard work and I tend to get the fun jobs with fewer hours involved. We both love the outcome! Thanks to everyone who helped us buy the items for her room, we couldn't have done it without you!

Here is what it took in no particular order:
-had the carpet cleaned
-pulled it up and sealed the floor since we had a moisture issue
-new padding down and carpet put back
-painted base boards
-painted closet doors
-bought chair rail, painted, cut and put up
-tried to match bottom paint to cover marks and couldn't match it close enough so we repainted
-painted top half light pink
-hung chandelier, rods for curtains and valances
-hung curtains and valances
-put together crib
-found rocker and changer on Craig's list
-steamed and scrubbed rocker
-made shelf for inside of changer and fixed the drawer
-bought and hung a few things for the walls and rehung the iron candle thing we already had
-recovered seat that goes with vanity
-dusted/cleaned top to bottom
-made her bed
-washed some of her clothes, blankets, etc - SO CUTE - everything is so little
-put her belongings away - SO FUN

Still need to:
-replace mirror that's cracked on vanity
-put some dw40 on the rocker
-have the baby ;)

I know I left things off. Making that list made me realize just how much Andre did, most all of it. He is a perfectionist which I love because I can trust he will always do a good job. I can't believe he wanted a boy first, he has so much fun with her room and wants everything to be even more than perfect for her, down to the tiniest details. I can tell he is going to be such a good daddy, already only wanting the best for his baby girl. Thank you for all your hard work Andre, she will love it!

I had so much fun washing her blankets, sheets, clothes, etc. I only did 0-3 months, and not everything just in case we don't need some of the "extras". Having her room complete makes all this seem more real. I'm at ease knowing if she happens to come early we're ready with her "things," I don't know that we'll ever be truly ready as parents but I'd say we're anxious to give it our best shot! We can't wait to meet you little girl! We love you and hope you like your room!

Sorry the lighting is not good, windows open too bright, windows closed, too dim, you'll get the idea though.

Her clothes are so cute & little!

 

Shalimar likes to be in everything already!! She best be as nice to her as she is to all her things!

 

Standing by her changer looking into the jack n' jill bath and guest room. Her toy chest is already full of stuffed animals and neat toys!

Walking into her room.

Better lighting...the butterfly garden is out this big window, there are always butterflies outside her room!



The clothes kill me! So cute and mini, I love small things so much I don't think I'll let her grow!

 

View from her door. 

Andre's pictures:

He took a panaramic view to capture most of the room. He knows how to do these fancy things with his phone!

 

 

We debated on what type of room we wanted for a while before we started. Andre wanted a Princess theme at first, I talked him out of that. We only have so many years before we're wrapped in that forever. I may have gone with owls but he hated that. Andre then wanted all white, that scared me, white doesn't usually stay white with kids and you have to do it just perfect so it doesn't make you feel you're going mental. We decided no theme per say, we finally agreed we both liked this picture below that I've posted in the past. Not quite as perfect as this picture but we're happy with our results.