For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
Sunday, August 28, 2011
nursery goodness
The nursery is done! It's about time being that I hit the 38 week mark yesterday. :) And actually, I'm still waiting on one thing I ordered from Etsy to get here. They are birds to hang over the crib with the pom pom balls that Jess made. Here's the grand tour. They're not the best quality because I took them with my iphone. I can't find the cord to connect my camera to the computer (need to get on that before this baby gets here - doh)....
This is the bassinet that my grandmother, dad and I slept in!
I saw something similar to these on Etsy and I loved them. Dad used to sing us this song when we were little. Jess made them for me! Love, love, love!
Quilt Tad's mom made!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
baby got back
Meaning that I feel the baby's bum almost constantly now. :) Definitely less kicking or more just moving and poking out major body parts. It's pretty cool to watch. A couple of people have asked me, "Has he/she gotten underneath your ribs yet?". Not sure what that means, but I don't think so. Hiccups are the most common disruption. Poor thing. I joke that I wonder if I should hold my breath or drink a glass of water upside down. Thankfully they're not as violent as Tad's (if anyone has been around Tad when he has hiccups, this needs no explanation).
I was 37 weeks yesterday! Woo hoo! So this little guy/gal can come at anytime now and hopefully not need medical intervention. I've been thanking God all week for letting this pregnancy go so well. I feel like my body has adjusted easily and I'm still moving and shaking. I guess the first trimester is a little like birthing -- you don't remember how awful it is once it's over. Haha! I can say "yes, there were several times where I threw up 3 times/day or felt nauseous 24/7", but I don't have any negative feelings associated with it. Weird, because I know at the time I was thinking this may be the only time, regardless of how many kids we want, because it was pretty tough.
Yes, I'm still throwing up about once/week (brushing my teeth in the morning sometimes triggers it) but other than that I'm feeling great. There have been a couple of days where I've really wore myself out but I think of it more as working off the junk food I'm consuming daily (hello Krispy Kreme donuts and Reese Blizzards!). Friday I walked about a mile round trip to a market research study and then did a one hour line dancing class with some other folks in HR. One of my colleagues walked in to the gym and said "Well if Ashley's here, then I can definitely do this". Haha! I even did the wobble! :) Yesterday I conquered Hancock Fabrics, Walmart AND Target. Go me! My plan is to walk this baby out! Mobility is getting harder and it's tough to get into a standing position from sitting, get out of bed, roll over to my other side laying down, bend over to get the dogs' plates to feed them, etc. but this shouldn't be surprising being that I'm as round as a basketball!
Now that birthing classes are over (which I'm sure Tad is thankful for) and I've finished reading Birthing From Within and Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth, I've been taking it pretty easy on the preparations. I am listening to the Hypnobabies material every day (whether it's a hypnosis script or affirmations track that I can do in the car). Although I started them later than you're supposed to, I think it will keep me grounded and relaxed. I just can't imagine not doing the reading and research that I've done to get ready for this. No wonder women have all this apprehension and fear surrounding childbirth if they're just going off of tv/movies and what people around them say. Geez. People still tell me "just get the epidural" or ask "when will they induce you?". Bottom line is I can honestly say I feel no fear or nervousness when I think about birthing naturally. All that's there is excitement and anticipation to find out how it will all play out. I WILL admit that I'm hoping it's quick since Mom and Abby had really quick labors, but who knows. A high school friend labored for 28 hours all together... 6 hours in the birthing tub and pushed for 2 hours. Jackson's little hand was up by his cheek so it made things a lot harder. The midwife said afterwards that if she had been anywhere else, she would have had an episiotomy or maybe even an emergency C section. But Margaret was patient and let things happen the way they're supposed to and you know what? She didn't even tear. Another thing I've constantly thanking God for -- connecting me with this wonderful midwife practice! The lack of fear also comes from knowing that Margaret and Anjili are such pros and they will let things happen the way God intended them unless it's MEDICALLY NECESSARY to do otherwise. And a quick shout out to my doula - Shari. I can't wait to see her work her magic on me. She's a Godsend and has a natural ability to make everyone in the room relax and "just be". She has also made both Tad and I feel like such a priority already (and she's one of the busiest chicken raising, garden growing, massage giving, baby birthing people I know).
In other news, Tad got my car detailed Friday to remove the 1,345,508 particles of dog hair so I would feel good about putting the car seat in. Go Tad for installing it in true firefighter fashion! :) We'll see how long it takes before the pups take a ride, but for now I'm really enjoying a clean car!
The nursery is pretty much done, except we need to hang some shelves and pictures. I keep saying Tad and I will tackle it, but I end up watching Wheel of Fortune and vegging out on the couch. Hee hee. I was just thinking how I can run all these errands, go swimming, get a sewing lesson from Aunt Martha and be busy, busy but the second I walk in the house I become very unmotivated to do anything, even though it has started to cause me some stress. (Reality has hit that this baby could be here at any time!) So my goal is to finish this stuff TODAY. It really won't take more than an hour and Tad and I have no plans after church besides volunteering at Meals on Wheels with small group. We need to make it happen so it can sit completed for at least a couple of days. Don't people normally get the nursery done weeks and weeks in advance? I thought I would be one of those people, but I guess not!
As you can see from the time stamp, it's early morning. I've been awake since about 5:00. This is happening randomly so I'm appreciative of the nights where I get up 3-5 times to pee but can go back to sleep pretty quickly. Other times, I come back to bed and then my mind starts running. That wouldn't be so bad but when I start feeling hungry I know it's over and that I'll be up for a while. I've been drinking a soy/whey protein powder mixed with soy milk right before I go to bed which has helped a ton, but some early mornings it's just not enough to get me through. I'm a great Vitamin Shoppe advertiser these days by the way... I'm drinking floradix/iron and taking vitamin D, my pre-natal with DHA and a probiotic. The probiotic is probably unnecessary because I do eat Greek Yogurt almost every day... and tested negative for Group B Strep (no IVs for me, yay!) but as Dr. Sears says, "You're only as healthy as your colon" and I"m trying to be as healthy as possible (minus the junk food -- don't judge) for this little bun in the oven. :)
Saturday, August 6, 2011
We're having a baby
In honor of Lucille Ball's 100th birthday, Google had a Doodle about I love Lucy. This clip is cute:
Thursday, August 4, 2011
baby bums
I'm taking a cloth diapering workshop next week. Really stoked about it actually. I registered for a bunch of g diapers but I hear there are better options out there. It's amazing how far they've come since I was a baby. No more pre-folds with safety pins. Now there are all-in-ones, pocket diapers, hybrid diapers, snappis, contours, etc. etc. etc. It's overwhelming! Hopefully I get a good grasp of what will work best for us. I still think I'm going to do a trial program, like this one at Jillian's Drawers. I've pretty much convinced Tad that breastfeeding poop isn't bad, that there will be no toilet swishing for quite a while, and I'm okay with him using disposable liners if he wants. Now I just need to talk GP for Kids into letting us have BB in cloth while there 3 days/ week!
The past couple of weeks have flown by and I'll be 35 weeks on Saturday. Grandmommy, Aunt Debra, Mom and Abby are throwing me a family shower. I can't wait to see everyone! I went to the midwife yesterday and I'm measuring perfectly, the baby is still head down, and I'm gaining weight like no one's business (6 lbs in a month, which puts me at 23 total). People keep telling me I'm all belly. Not sure if they're being nice or if it's true but I'll take it! I've been proud that I've been able to still wear my rings (I think drinkings tons of water every day and walking a lot has helped), but in the waiting room of the midwife office yesterday I had a hard time getting them off so decided then and there I would put them on my necklace and not risk them being stuck. Guess the swelling has started, but only in my fingers so far. I also haven't been "miserable". Waiting for it, but I'm an optimist so maybe I won't get there. The heat is tough, of course, but I just keep thinking about how lucky I am to work inside with a fan at my desk!
I start going to the midwife weekly now. That was a big wake up call that this baby's arrival is really going to be here before we know it! That, and getting a September magazine in the mail this week. :) I can't wait to meet him/her and see what he/she looks like. Tad and I talk about it all the time. And silly as it sounds, I can't wait to see the baby's hair. I've always wanted a baby with a headful but both Tad and I only had peach fuzz. :) And if the wive's tale is true about the heartburn meaning lots of hair then I shouldn't get my hopes up. I've been lucky not to have much. Just in the past few weeks I've had some reflux at night a couple of times/week but I pop two Tums and it goes away. Thankful for that!
I've started to think more about the labor process, our birth plan, and the expectations I have of what things will be like. We're taking a childbirthing class on the 13th, but I've also started listening to the Hypnobabies cds. Check out these labor videos and see why it's worth listening to if you're preggers! Since I'm only listening to the cds and not taking the class I don't know how effective it will be but it sure can't hurt trying it out!
Reflecting so far on the pregnancy, I can honestly say I've enjoyed being pregnant. The beginning was tough with the nausea, vomiting and being tired but I wouldn't trade the experience. It made it real, which was important to me before I was showing. My body definitely didn't let me forget I was making a baby! Now feeling the baby move is amazing. It's starting to be less kicking and more of their body parts protruding from my belly. And the hiccups are interesting! Several co-workers got to feel them this week. :) Many have told me that I'll miss being pregnant and feeling the baby inside of me. I'm so anxious to meet this little munchkin that it's hard to imagine thinking about being pregnant after I get to hold him/her in my arms! I definitely can't wait to drink a couple of classes of red wine, sip a Corona and sleep on my stomach. Oh, and shop for regular clothes! And shave with only my left hand. And see my feet (haha, just kidding. I can definitely still see my feet.)
I know I've said it before but I'll say it again: Tad has been the most amazing partner in all of this. It's incredible how much we're on the same page. I've taken a very pro-active, investigative approach in how we're going to bring this baby into the world and he's been so supportive (and a good listener as I read him the research). :) I know he's going to be an awesome birth partner and an even better dad to this guy/girl. One of the things I'm most looking forward to is watching Tad meet him/her for the first time. Can't wait! Only 5-7 weeks left!
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