mostly non-baby related

I'm another year older now, as of Monday. Of course, I don't feel any differently. I wanted it kind of low-key this year- i'm too tired to do much of anything. so Joe made me chicken quesadilla's and we watched tv while I sat on the couch with my feet up. It was good.

Tuesday we went to mom's for dinner and she made my usual birthday dinner: Shish-ka-bobs on the grill! She made me yellow rice too, and my lemon drip cake. for ice cream, she got dove bars. they were soooo yummy.

Zach got a new wheelchair and augmentative communication device last week. He looks all snazzy now, and his new device is awesome. It's called the Eco, and it's a computer and aug comm device all in one. The voice is so much nicer then his old device too. Of course, It hit me that he's going to be 16 this summer. I can't believe how fast he's grown up, and he's just so handsome and makes me so proud. Even if he is a fathead (I have to pick on my baby brother you know).

I have a dentist appt tomorrow, and my little sister will turn 16 then. I talked to her Monday night and she's doing well. Dustin is getting big, he's 20lbs now and 7 months old. She's going to school, but not liking it at all. As long as she's going, I don't really care if she likes it. I just hope she sticks with it and finishes up.

and in other news, I'm just waiting for the baby to come (hey- i said *mostly* non-baby related!). Next appt is this Friday, we'll see what they say then.

37 weeks 3 days

I had another checkup on Friday, and I'm doing well. My weight was down, my blood pressure was down, and no swelling! So- no bed rest for me :-) The last ultrasound had the baby weighing in around 6lbs 7oz. they're always a guesstimate, and the doctor is 'guessing' we're having a big baby. As for when he comes...that's up to him. I was in "false labor" all day Friday and was convinced that was going to be it. But, it stopped and I'm still pregnant.
I'm progressing with dilation so there's still a good chance that I won't make it to my due date, but there's a chance I will too. That's what's been stressing me out most right now- the fact that I just don't know. Ideally, he'll hold off until my due date. That's what we've been planning on as far as day care situations and Joe taking vacation time. If he decides to come early, we'll have to juggle things around again. Which isn't a big deal, but it's definitely not fun.

I went to a Discovery Toys party this weekend. I spent way too much money on toys, but I couldn't resist. So many things were on sale, and I just can't wait to play with Noah! Plus, some of the stuff I bought to stock away for Christmas when he'll be a little older and will actually get some use of the things.

That's about all I have for now. It's just a waiting game at this point and I'm trying to be patient.

36 weeks 3 days

I had a checkup Friday, they'll be weekly from now until i have the baby. didn't go too well, it never does when I have to see this doctor. It's a practice of doctors, there are 4. I love 3 of them and tolerate this one. She's very blunt and over-reactive...which doesn't go well with someone who's overly worried about things.

Anyways, I gained 11 lbs in 2 weeks and am retaining fluid(she thinks it's 11 lbs of straight fluid that I gained). my blood pressure is fine and nothing else is wrong- I'm just swollen. I have a tendency to swell even when i'm not pregnant, so I wasn't too worried. But, she squeezed my legs and said "no more work, bed rest." I didn't say anything, I just started tearing up. This is the second time she's threatened me with bed rest and i'm getting a little tired of it. She saw me crying and said I can give it another week and she'll re-evaluate then, but when I'm not at work I need to be off my feet and keeping them elevated. Part of me thinks it's poppycock- if it was important for me to be on bedrest, why would she back down so quickly? Especially when I didn't fight it, I just had tears coming down my face.

I guess I'll be wrapping everything up at work this week in case I do officially go on bed rest. Oh- and she also said "there's no way you'll make it to your due date." Apparently I have a large baby, not monster size, just large. She said she'd be fine if I went into labor and had him this week! I'm not so sure I'd be fine with that, I thought I had another 4 weeks to get everything really ready. but, i'm already dilated a bit and effaced some, so we'll just have to see.

35 weeks 6 days

This baby has been finding new and interesting ways to lay in my uterus these days. Last night he was practicing the worm and he bumped my ice cream bowl. I guess that's what I get for using my stomach as a shelf :-P That didn't bother me, it was cute and Joe got to see him moving around too.

But this morning, he's discovered my belly button. and i think he's trying to poke his toe through it! my belly button is *almost* flat, after the burning this morning it might be completely flat by tonight. On top of that, I feel like my hips are spreading. I was told I have the "pregnancy waddle down pat". The heating pad is my best friend these days.

In other news, we finished our breastfeeding class last night. Not sure it was worth the $30.00 bucks, but at least I know our lactation consultant now. I'm definitely nervous about breastfeeding, and after the class I'm terrified of breast infections. They warned that if your bras leave marks, there's a higher possibility of breast infection. Well, I haven't found a bra that doesn't leave marks yet! I'm already having to special order b/c they don't sell my size in any store, now I have to try and guess on what size I'll be in when my milk comes in. Looks like I'm going to have to spend more money then I wanted to in order to get a decent nursing tank top too.

But, i'm down to 4 weeks and still feeling pretty good. I'm sleeping off and on, but generally getting enough to feel okay. Doctor's appt on Friday, we'll see what they say then.

way past time for an update (long)

I know I know, I haven't updated in forever. and I regret it, b/c i feel like time has flown past and I don't remember everything I'd like to. I'll try to go back and remember what I can...last update was at 27 weeks. i'm not doing belly pics any longer b/c i feel like a whale now, but here's the important stuff.

First- 31 weeks 2 days, I had my baby shower(2/23/08)! It was wonderful and just what I wanted. Good friends and good food- i'm not very hard to please. They tried to make it a surprise, but as usual...i'm just not easy to surprise. I was overwhelmed by everyone's generosity, and I just felt so loved. It's a wonderful feeling when you look around and realize all those people are there b/c they love you and they're so happy for you. We got almost all of the necessities for Noah that we needed, and lots of cute outfits and fun toys too.

Next- 32 weeks 1 day, (on a Friday) I had a regular doctor's appt. They said I was measuring 5 weeks ahead and were a little concerned. They mentioned "bed rest" which caused me to panic. We left the doctors and scheduled an ultrasound appt for Monday morning. We went home and I cried, Joe did his best to calm me down, but it's scary when you think there's something wrong with your baby or yourself. Saturday we went to Target and Babies 'R Us and bought everything that we hadn't been given at the shower. I was so afraid of being put on bed rest and not getting anything done before the baby came.

so Monday (32 weeks 4 days) we go for the ultrasound. and everything is fine. Baby is measuring right on target, already doing practice breathing, and pursing his lips like he's blowing kisses. I think he has Joe's chin already from the picture:



After that, we calmed down and slowed down. So now I've been slowly getting the nursery together. Most of the laundry is done, bottles and nipples are sterilized, furniture is together. We're waiting on mom to finish the curtains and dust ruffle, and we need to get the recliner in there. Other then that, it's ready. The pack-n-play and swing are already out in the living room. The house looks ready for a baby!


Today i'm 34 weeks 1 day- had a checkup and all is well. nice strong heartbeat, good blood pressure (for me), no problems. I go back in 2 weeks, and then my appts switch to weekly. I only have 3 weeks left until i'm full-term!

27 weeks

No big updates, just random stuff. Noah has been moving more often and my tummy is getting harder. I had Braxton Hicks contractions yesterday morning. and now i'm getting scared of daycare. i know my mom and joe's mom will be watching him, but i just can't get past the fact that i won't be able to raise my own kid. I'm already having separation anxiety and he's still in my uterus! I'm definitely going to have a hard time getting used to it. I hate expressing it, b/c I know Joe feels like it's his fault and that he needs to make more money. it's not and i've never told him that, i don't know how to even say what it is i'm worried about b/c I don't know. I'm partially afraid of missing little moments- what if i'm not around when Noah takes his first step, or says his first word? what if he prefers grandma to me and runs for her all the time? there are so many little what if questions that terrify me, and i guess it comes down to me being afraid i'll miss something or the baby won't like me.

allright, i'll try to calm down and think rationally. i know he'll love me b/c i'm his mom and i'll be able to provide his necessities. i just can't believe how close everything is now. we start childbirth classes in 15 days! I'm in my 3rd trimester- only 3 months left to get ready for the munchkin. and i still have lots of things i want to get accomplished:
-buy recliner
-hang shades and curtains and artwork
-buy a new entertainment center, so we can
-set up the new system we got for christmas
-get a fence put in around the property


anyway- here's the latest belly picture, i'm definitely getting bigger now!

25 weeks

First, i switched to my new schedule at work about 2 weeks ago. so far so good.

I had my doctor's appt on Friday. Noah's heartbeat was at 150, nice and strong. My weight was up again, but the doctor's haven't said that they're worried about it. After the appt, i went to get my gestational diabetes screening done. The results are normal!

i'm getting tired again and have horrid heartburn, but Noah has started moving around more often and more frequently so that's pretty neat. Joe got kicked once, but the movement still isn't always strong enough to feel on the outside. as for my belly, judge for yourself:

24wks5days