Week 34

34 W 6 D

As I write the past week's update, again a day late, I am 35 weeks along and only have 35 days left until my due date!  5 more weeks...not too much longer.  I accomplished several key items this week in preparation for Aidan's arrival.  I met with the pediatrician for a prenatal appointment where I was able to interview the doctor and get to know the practice.  The only downside of the pediatrician we chose is he is a Carolina fan - guess Aidan will have to go in Clemson gear for his well baby visits!  After completing this task, I filled out the remainder of the paperwork for Aidan's daycare.  I had already reserved a spot for January 2012, but I had to drop off the application.

So what's left?  I think I need to finish prepping the cloth diapers and figure out how I want to organize the changing area.  Mom suggests I  pack the hospital bag.


How far along?: 34 weeks 6 days
How big is baby?: According to What to Expect When You’re Expecting: Started the week as the size of a Pineapple and about to be a Large Cantaloupe. The fruit doesn't change as often as it did early on. Going into week 32, Aidan is approximately 22 inches long and weighs 5.5 lbs.

Weight gain?: About a half a pound, maybe. Total weight gain is 26 lbs.

Stretch marks?: Not yet.

Maternity clothes?: Definitely.  At home, I'll wear my old t-shirts, but I wouldn't go out in public wearing them1

Sleep?: Sleep is great...as long as it isn't Sunday night!

Best moment this week?: AJ continued to work on the hardwood floors - the hallway floor is laid.  In the living room, he installed all the trim and molding, aside from the transition from the kitchen to the dining room.  All that is left is molding and transition pieces, but the floors look great!  I love the way it looks.  We also bought a rug for the living room - it's amazing the difference between the ratty builder's grade carpet and the new hardwood floors.


Worst moment this week?: Monday was terrible since I slept only 3 good hours.  Not sure why I can't fall asleep on some Sunday's, but it's annoying.  Plus, AJ was still out of town working - he actually arrived home when I was getting up for work.

Food cravings?: Nothing really stands out.

Symptoms?:I adjusted my work chair, and now, I don't have any nagging lower back pain.  So the two major symptoms I was experiencing, leg cramps and lower back pain, are gone!  Woohoo...but another one reared its ugly head.  *Warning TMI to follow*  Since I want to keep track of my pregnancy - the good and the bad - I want to make sure I document this awful pregnancy symptom so I know what to expect (and when) in the future.  Last week, and on no-sleep Monday morning, I was confronted with hemorrhoids. :(  Monday was bad because I didn't know how to deal with it, but the rest of the week has been better, but the 'roids are still around, just not as much.  It's more of an inconvenience than anything - no itchiness.  It was only painful to sit on Monday, and it wasn't all day Monday.  I plan on talking with my doctor tomorrow about it, just in case he has any concerns.


Exercise?: I walked 3 miles, swam a mile, and worked out my arms, core and legs once. 

Movement?: Aidan moves a lot - I feel his feet in my right ribs a lot, and sometimes, I have to hold my hand at my ribs and gently push his feet away.

Belly button?: It's an outie

What I miss?: Moving around easily.  I have to step on the side rail of my truck, plop my butt in the seat, and then swing my legs around.  Getting out is the same, in reverse.  There's no quick way to get in or out!

Labor signs?: None that I noticed - not even Braxton Hicks.

Purchases: Nothing this week.

What I'm looking forward to?: I'm looking forward to having the hardwood floors complete!  This coming Saturday, AJ and I will be celebrating 6 years of marriage, and we will be celebrating with friends and family as we have one last shower.

Week 33

33 W 6 D

AJ and a buddy of his installed all of the hardwood floor on Thursday in the living room, but they still have to finish the hallway and all of the molding.  It looks great so far - I can't believe the difference it makes.

I put together the stroller, since it arrived this week.  I bought the Baby Jogger City Mini in Orange and Grey.  It was extremely easy to assemble and it's very lightweight.  I can't wait to use it!

I also received my portable clothes drying rack in the mail, so I washed some cloth diapers and covers and let them dry, though I let the covers dry in the laundry room, and the diapers dry in the sun.  Yay for getting organized and ready!  Mom suggested I start packing the bag for the hospital...seems too soon, but it's best to be prepared.
This week, I attended a breastfeeding class hosted by the hospital.  It was informative, but it reminded me how much I feel I still need to prepare before the arrival of baby Aidan. 6 more weeks...

How far along?: 33 weeks 6 days
How big is baby?: According to What to Expect When You’re Expecting: Started the week as the size of a Honeydew and about to be a Pineapple. The fruit doesn't change as often as it did early on. Going into week 32, Aidan is approximately 22 inches long and weighs 4.9 lbs.

Weight gain?: About a half a pound, maybe. Total weight gain is 25.5 lbs.

Stretch marks?: Not yet.

Maternity clothes?: Definitely.  This week, I quit wearing a belt with my pants.

Sleep?: Sleep is great.  I fall asleep well, and I wake up once, usually to change sides, which has eliminated the hip pain.

Best moment this week?: AJ putting down the hardwood floors, hanging the penguin mobile and handmade airplane, and organizing the nursery!  Feels like we are making a lot of progress.  I also enjoyed the maternity photo shoot with my mom.

Dogs walked in the Kilz Odor Block Primer - At least I could clean it up quickly. Dining room, so this is the existing hardwood floor that will be adjacent to where we are laying the new floors.

The living room hardwood floors on Thursday - some furniture moved back, so at least I don't have to watch TV from the front door.

I think I'm done with decorating! 

Almost there! Just need to organize a little more for diaper changing.

 

A picture from the shoot.

More photos can been seen at http://babybowersmaternity.shutterfly.com/

Worst moment this week?: Learning that some good friends of ours have a 2 month old baby that needs some major surgery. :(  She will undergo surgery this week and need at least 2 weeks of recovery in the hospital.  The hospital is 4 hours away from where they live - tough situation.

Food cravings?: Chocolate ice cream!

Symptoms?:Little bit of a dull pain in my lower back from sitting at work or sleeping.  Though it goes away if I move around or sit in a chair with back lumbar support.

Exercise?: I walked 3.5 miles, swam a mile, worked out my arms, core and legs once, and finally walked around in a pool for an hour.

Movement?: Tons!  I feel movement quite often after I eat or work out.  In addition, every time I lay down to sleep, Aidan moves.  I enjoy it, though he has kicked me hard in the ribs several times this past week.

Belly button?: Pretty much an outie!

What I miss?: Being able to easy move around.  While working on the baseboards, I found it difficult to tape the top of the baseboard so I didn't get paint on the wall.  I tried laying on my stomach to see the edge of the baseboard better, but it was quite difficult!

Labor signs?: Not yet. Hope to keep it that for a while!

Purchases: I purchased covers for the glider and ottoman off Etsy.com, a breastpump, and some organization stuff for the nursery.  Mom also bought me some accessories for the breastpump and a robe and some other comfortable clothes to wear after I have the baby.  I also bought a portable clothes drying rack, a thermos (for providing warm water for the clothes wipes), and a travel wet bag for dirty cloth diapers when we're not at home.

What I'm looking forward to?: The floors are almost done - I am ready to have the house not look like chaos!  The floors look great so far, so I can't wait until everything is complete.

Baby Shower

Clemson Cloth Diaper Cake - Not chocolate cake :)

Socializing

Guys playing a game, though they didn't realize what was going on at first.

Can you tie your shoes without popping a balloon?

Guessing what's in the diaper

Everybody! Careful, candy bars are being thrown

The ladies who threw the shower!

More of guess what's in the diaper game

I liked to hear the toy make noise

I don't think anybody left the shower without laughing at some point!  It was a blast for all - men included.  I think we even had a few outbursts that disturbed patrons in an adjacent room, but oh well, we had a great time.

Week 32

32 W 6 D

AJ tore up the carpet, padding, nail strips, and staples in the hallway in preparation for the wood flooring since the flooring company called to tell us the material was in.  There was a lot of dirt on the plywood subfloor - it's amazing to see how much and where dirt collects.  After AJ pulled up everything, I applied a coat of odorless Kilz that is suppose to block any odors (ya know, like pet urine...).  Next up - the living room.


This week also concluded the child birthing classes where we had a pediatrician and a car seat specialist come.  Both of the speakers were very informative - though it means I needed to add another thing on the list.  We need to have a prenatal appointment with a pediatrician, and I signed up for an infant and child CPR class.  In addition, the class went over postpartum recovery and briefly touched on breastfeeding, though I have another full class on Tuesday that will cover breastfeeding.

How far along?: 32 weeks 6 days
How big is baby?: According to What to Expect When You’re Expecting: Started the week as the size of a Head of Lettuce and about to be a Honeydew. The fruit doesn't change as often as it did early on. Going into week 32, Aidan is approximately 19 inches long and weighs 4.5 lbs.

Weight gain?: About 1lb. Total weight gain is 25 lbs.

Stretch marks?: Not yet.

Maternity clothes?: Definitely.

Sleep?: Still sleeping great, but if I sleep through the entire night, my shoulder and hip ache. I can't sleep on my stomach any more :( and I'm not suppose to sleep on my back.  At least I get a good night's rest, can't complain about that!

Best moment this week?: Some of the girls from work threw me a shower, and it was tons of fun.  I'm not normally one for games at showers, but they made them lots of fun that at the end of the night I had to stop laughing because I hurt every time I did.  In addition, my coworkers are extremely giving and generous.

Worst moment this week?: My two miniature daschunds decided to fight over a stupid bone, and one of them ended up with a bite on her butt and leg.  I'm not sure if it was as bad as she made it out to be - she's a drama queen and can over exaggerate and act like her feelings are really hurt if you have to scold her.  Still though, we had to baby her for a day or two.

Food cravings?: None that stick out.

Symptoms?:Little bit of lower back pain a few days a week.  Depends on how I sleep.

Exercise?: I walked 3 miles, played tennis for 45 minutes, and worked out my arms twice and legs once. 

Movement?: Aidan moves a lot!  He is the most active around 9 to 9:30 PM when I am going to sleep.  It's awesome to feel him move around so much and watch my stomach move with him.  The feeling is incredible.

Belly button?: Pretty much an outie!

What I miss?: Being able to sleep on my stomach or back.

Labor signs?: Not yet. Hope to keep it that for a while!

Purchases: Due to my coworker's generosity, I was able to go out and buy the stroller I wanted - I went with the City Mini Baby Jogger in Orange and Grey.  I bought it online, so I can't wait to get it in and play around with it.  In addition, I bought some cloth diapering stuff, cloth wipes, and a portable clothes line so I can line dry cloth diapers and covers.

What I'm looking forward to?: I'm looking forward to the wood floors being done!  I am so excited about the new floors and can't wait to see the change.  Almost there!

An Update to Our "To Do" List

The arbor looking like it did 4 years ago!

AJ had this weekend off, so we spent some time working on the "to do" list.  We would like to complete this before Aidan's arrival, but we shall see.  There's a lot left to do, and with this hot weather, we are working slowly, but surely.  I do know that some of the big items will be taken care of, and if we don't paint any more rooms, it won't matter.  They have been the same ugly, sloppy paint for 4.5 years, what's another?

• Refresh paint on Arbor and swing
• On Sunday, I finished painting the arbor, bought new post caps and painted them, and rehung the swing.  Now to weed the area around the pavers.  AJ already sprayed a chemical to kill the weeds - they just need to be pulled!
• Finish the chairs for the dining room
• Finish the china cabinet for the dining room
• Bring stuff to Goodwill
• Replace carpet in living room and hallway
• Flooring 360 out of Augusta was able to find an exact match for our engineered hardwood floor currently installed in the dining room.  We couldn't find the original store that supplied the builder, but Flooring 360 knew how to find them and our floor!  So AJ went to Augusta to pay for the material and pick up some delicious Bojangles chicken!
• Straighten up the office
• Consider this done!  Though it does get paperwork dumped on the desk, between AJ and I each straightening up our area, we completely overhauled the mess!
• Repaint the front door frame
• It's amazing the difference it makes to sand and repaint something, but the front door frame looks great!  It took a few hours on Sunday, but it was well worth the effort.  Plus, I did this work in the early AM, so it wasn't hot.  Afterwards, I cooled off in the neighbor's pool (showered off first, of course!)
• Caulk the concrete brick joints/cracks due to settlement
• After painting the front door frame and letting it dry, I vacuumed up all the paint chips and dirt out of the brick joint where the cracks occurred.  Then I applied the caulk and did my best to make it neat.  Oh well, at least water can't get into the crack and make it worse.
• Weed the mulch beds and add new mulch
• We bought mulch, which is a start!  AJ began weeding the front yard's mulch bed and added mulch, but there are two mulch beds in the backyard and plenty around the trees that need work.  Lots left to do.  I also forgot the sides of the house have mulch beds.  Argh, lots more to do than I realized.
• Plant the elephant ear
• My neighbor gave me an elephant ear that I had wanted for years...I've had it in a pot on the sidewalk for months.  Ever since the UPS guy warned me of a 4' black snake in the mulch beds, I have been weary of planting anything.  Good excuse to not plant it. :(
• Paint the remainder of the rooms
• The guest bathroom was completed two weeks ago so I could hang a cabinet to store baby towels and wash clothes.  AJ bought a paint sprayer to use with his compressor, so I think he's going to tackle the garage soon.  This will leave the master bedroom, master bathroom, and the office.  The office will be the most difficult since there's a lot of furniture and a heavy gun safe!  We'll see if it gets painted...

Week 31

31 W 6 D

On Friday, the flooring company called us to let us know they found an exact match to our engineered hardwood floors that our builder installed almost 5 years ago!  The company we found knew the original company who provided the material, so they were easily able to find the match.  So excited.  The carpet is terrible, and it definitely needs to be replaced - we opted for hardwood instead of carpet because the dogs are hard on carpet.  It'll take a week for the flooring to be delivered, and then AJ will be able to install the following week with the help of another gamewarden.  In two weeks, new floors!

AJ also installed the ceiling fan in the nursery.  We installed it for air circulation (neither of us can sleep well without one on) and white noise for Aidan.  Let's hope he likes it.  I was hoping we would also figure out where to hang the handmade airplane that we received a few weeks ago at the baby shower, but I still haven't decided on the best location.  There's still time - 8 weeks give or take a few. :)

I can't believe I am 7 months along - time is going fast.  We have one last child birthing class, and I have a breastfeeding class lined up the following week.  In addition, I start going to the OB every 2 weeks now, instead of 4.  Speaking of child birthing class, this past week's class went over labor complications and solutions, pain relief advantages and disadvantages, and watched a few more labor video clips.  The pros and cons of medical interventions for pain like nubain, epidural, pitocin just reinforced once again that I would really like to manage the pain myself.  I even practicing relaxing when I was at the dentist's office last week, and I was definitely less tense than I normally am!  It made me forget I was at the dentist, so let's hope it works when I'm in labor...

How far along?: 31 weeks 6 days
How big is baby?: According to What to Expect When You’re Expecting: Started the week as the size of a Head of Lettuce and about to be a Head of Lettuce. The fruit doesn't change as often as it did early on. Going into week 32, Aidan is approximately 19 inches long and weighs 3.9 lbs.

Weight gain?: About 1lb. Total weight gain is 24 lbs.

Stretch marks?: Not yet.

Maternity clothes?: Definitely. Though I still wear a belt with the maternity pants that allow me, and I wear my small tees around the house.

Sleep?: Still sleeping great, though this week I woke up to my bottom leg falling asleep if I wasn't using the body pillow when sleeping on my side.

Best moment this week?: Being able to watch Aidan move from the outside!  He was kicking and turning a lot this week, and you could definitely see my stomach moving.  Crazy how Aidan can move so much in such a tight space.

Worst moment this week?: Nothing that I can think of this week.

Food cravings?: I eat a lot of Pop Ice popsicles.

Symptoms?:None this week - I took care of the leg cramps.

Exercise?: I walked 8 miles and worked my lower and upper body twice this week.

Movement?: Tons of movement.  I notice more movement after I eat, approximately 30 minutes later.

Belly button?: Pretty much an outie!

What I miss?: Being able to easily pick things that are on the floor/ground.

Labor signs?: Not yet. Hope to keep it that for a while!

Purchases: Surprisingly, none this week for the nursery/Aidan.  I did buy a book on natural child birth and a exercise ball - the child birthing class suggested the exercising ball to sit on and do a few strengthening exercises.

What I'm looking forward to?: Some of the chics from work are throwing me a shower on Wednesday, so I'm excited for that.  I'm also eager to receive the hardwood flooring so that AJ can put that down.

Week 30

30 W 6 D

This past week was busy and productive.  The guest bathroom was painted the same neutral color as the rest of the house, and I built a cabinet (kit from the store...) to hang on the wall above the toilet.  Now I have a place to store the baby towels and wash clothes since there wasn't any space in the cabinets below the sink.  In addition, I sanded and repainted most of the arbor where the paint was flaking off.  I thought the caps on the arbor could be repainted, but after 4 years of weathering the environment, I think it's time to replace them.  Finally, we found a store that believes it can match our hardwood floor - we also have another store coming out to the house to give us a material estimate, but they weren't sure if they could match our current hardwood floor.

We also attended the second child birthing class on Tuesday.  We watched a lot of video clips of women in labor followed by a 40 minute video of women giving birth in three different situations - med free, local analgesic, and full on epidural.  From what I saw on the video, it reinforces my want to deliver Aidan without any medicine, especially not a local analgesic, which can be transferred through the placenta.

How far along?: 30 weeks 6 days
How big is baby?: According to What to Expect When You’re Expecting: Started the week as the size of a Squash and about to be a Head of Lettuce. The fruit doesn't change as often as it did early on. Going into week 31, Aidan is approximately 18 inches long and weighs 3.2 lbs.

Weight gain?: About 1lb. Total weight gain is 23 lbs.

Stretch marks?: Not yet.

Maternity clothes?: Definitely.

Sleep?: Still sleeping great.  Though I thought the nights of being able to sleep on my stomach were over, but it turns out only one night I had difficulty.  Otherwise, I fall asleep on my side and wake up on my stomach. 

Best moment this week?: Seeing Aidan again on the 3D/4D ultrasound.  He was sleeping the entire time, even though all the other days I felt movement at 3:30 PM.  The technician tried and tried to wake him, but he was sleeping soundly and wasn't going to be disturbed...reminded me of how I sleep!

Aidan at 30 W 5 D

We learned that Aidan is already turned with his head down, and the technician confirmed that his feet were pressed up against my ribs.  We were lucky that we were able to get pictures of his face since he was practically facing my back.

Worst moment this week?: Monday was tough because I was exhausted - I can't seem to fall asleep after the weekend. I also learned at my dentist visit that one of my teeth has to be crowned.  A previous cavity from my younger days has experienced new decay, and it cannot be filled anymore.  So I have to get a crown. :(

Food cravings?: Kraft Macaroni and Cheese - Easy Mac. 

Symptoms?: Nothing additional.  Leg cramps only occur if I forget to drink milk that day.

Exercise?: I walked 6 miles, worked out twice, and played tennis once this week.  Playing tennis is becoming more difficult due to picking up the balls from the ground, but other than that, I can still play.

Movement?: Tons of movement - the hardest kicks and the most movement seem to occur between 9 and 10 PM.

Belly button?: Half outie, half flush with my stomach.

What I miss?: Being able to easily pick things that are on the floor/ground. 

Labor signs?: Not yet. Hope to keep it that for a while!

Purchases: Thanks to a generous friend (thanks Julie!), I was able to go buy the infant car seat this weekend!  It's nice to know that we have it and are prepared no matter when Aidan decides to make his debut...hopefully no sooner than 38 weeks.  I went with the Chicco Key Fit 30, which is compatible with the Baby Jogger City Mini Stroller that I want.  The Key Fit 30 received a lot of great reviews and rated very highly from a safety and ease of installation standpoint.

What I'm looking forward to?: Just looking forward to every passing week and completing our "to-do" list before the arrival of Aidan.  Hopefully we'll be able to start the hardwood floors in the next week or two - the carpet is definitely not holding up.