Baby on the move

I caught the baby on the move last night. I hope to get him again soon. Check out the right hand side of the video.

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Random ramblings

• The Captain got home a few minutes before we were supposed to leave last night with my early Mother's Day gift. I was shocked he said a couple of weeks ago that I shouldn't celebrate since I am not a mother yet. Let's just say he was loudly corrected. He got me a Flipcam Camcorder! I love it, I have been wanting to catch the baby moving ever since I have been able to see it. It is now in my purse ready to go at a moments notice.

• Childbirth Class was a bust. Last week a different woman taught our class and said she would put us on the schedule and if there was a conflict she would call. Well all week, no call, so we went as planned. Class is 45 minutes away and when we got there no one home. She emailed and apologized but still that sucked. We went down the street to the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks instead. It is an historic Greek village in Tarpon Springs where the sponge boats go out and harvest sponges. We went to the best Greek bakery and had dessert. 

• Half way home The Captain says we should have gone to Babies R Us instead and bought our stroller and went shopping.  I about choked on my spit. I didn't think men thought of things like that. He totally made me melt that he was thinking about the baby.

• My feet and ankles are swelling more and more now. The skin is so tight and feels bruised. I am going to talk to our midwife again about this, she keeps saying not to worry. Sometimes it feels like the bottom half of my leg is going numb. I am really surprised my hands aren't swollen, I can still wear my rings. Hmmm?

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33 weeks!

With only 7 weeks to go, 49 days to be exact, in this pregnancy I am starting to get a little overwhelmed by all that I want to get done. Here's the list of things that I want and need to get done well before my due date (in no particular order):

Interview pediatricians
Take maternity pictures
The Captain has his New Daddy Boot Camp class
Install the carseat
Return/exchange duplicates at Target
Purchase remaining items on registry (necesseties only)
Pack hospital bags
scrub house clean (if you have ever lived with a Golden Retriever you can relate)
Tour hospital?
Look at money matters
Write birth plan
Write thank you cards

That is all I can think of at the moment. It doesn't seem that daunting, it's only 12 items but when all you want to do is sleep I can't help but wonder when they will get done. I had every intention of starting to write thank you notes this week but I get home from work and nap for over an hour, make dinner, eat, watch tv, eat again, and go to bed. Don't even think of asking me to give up food or sleep.

I am super excited about this weekend though. My Mother-in-law and Sister-in-law and are throwing me a baby shower luncheon at this place in St. Pete called Practically Picasso. You paint your own pottery! Apparently they have been talking with the artist and she has drawn an outline (they won't tell me what we are painting) and everyone will paint and sign it for the baby. I think it is such a cute idea and our little boy will have a very special gift from those that love him. I will be sure to post pictures of our craftiness.

Baby P is getting so big, every day. He moves constantly and is just starting to find room under my ribs. He is getting a lot stronger too, last night I thought he was going to make me pee my pants he hit my bladder so hard.

Our last Childbirth Class is tonight. We should be learning labor positions and going over any anxieties or last minute questions. 

Best Moment of the week: Being able to swim in the pool! It took away all the extra weight upfront, glorious!

Epiphany of the week: Do not bend over after eating unless you want to taste your food again. Gross!

Entertaining question/comment of the week: Don't have one this week.

Obsessions: What am I not obsessing over this week? See list above.

What I am most looking forward to this week: Finishing Childbirth Classes, baby shower luncheon and scheduling a massage. My good friend is delivering her baby tomorrow so I am definitely looking forward to meeting her little girl.

What I miss the most: My ankles. . .

Symptoms: Hotness! I am not talking about my bikini ready body but temperature. For the first time in my life I can sleep with only a sheet on me.

Milestones: Things are heating up inside as well: Baby may grow up to a full inch this week alone, and his brain is developing like crazy. Pretty soon, he'll be able to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing. Also, his bones are hardening, and he's started to keep his eyes open when he's awake.  *Courtesy of TheBump.com

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Packing the hospital bag

One of the things I want to get accomplished in the next two weeks is packing the hospital bags. I would like to have it done by 35ish weeks pregnant. Hopefully, that will give me a month of peace of mind. I said hopefully. I have started my list and would love some feedback from Moms who have been through this before. Are there things on the list that are ridiculous or things I have forgotten that are must haves? Some of the items won't be packed until last minute but at least I will have the list to go by while packing.

I am thinking of packing a hospital stay bag and a L&D (Labor and Delivery) bag since at our hospital I will be moving buildings after birth. My thinking is that Jimmy can take the labor stuff to the car and bring up the stay bag. Is that crazy or practical?

L&D bag

• Birthing/Exercise Ball
• Lavender scents for Aromatherapy
• Massage oil for back rubs
• Rice sock for heat therapy
• Affirmation cards (blog post coming soon)
• Chapstick
• Cooler with snacks and drinks
• Cash and change for vending machine
• Camera and charger
• Video Camera and charger (still need to buy)
• birth plan
• hospital registration paperwork
• Cord blood Kit
• Socks
• iPod and dock for Hypnobirthing scripts
• Pillows

Hospital Bag

• Erin's Clothes
• nursing tanks
• nursing bras
• yoga pants
• gym shorts
• socks
• The Captain's clothes
• shorts
• t-shirts
• underwear
• sleep shorts
• nipple butter
• bottom balm
• boppy pillow
• pillows from home
• towel (I've heard the hospital towels are tiny)
• nursing pads
• camera and charger
• video camera and charger
• baby book
• toiletries (last minute)
• toothpaste
• toothbrush
• deoderant
• make up
• face lotion
• body lotion
• hair dryer and brush

Baby Bag

• Going home outfit
• sleep sacks
• swaddlers
• blanket
• hats
• socks

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Baby shower madness

Our co-ed baby shower was on Sunday and I couldn't have asked for a better party. It was more than I ever dreamed of. We had so much fun! The shower was at our house so everyone got to see the nursery and we just hung out and enjoyed the company. The Captain ordered a pony keg (80 beers instead of 150) and they drank the whole thing, I couldn't believe it. We are so fortunate to have such amazing friends and family. We truly felt so blessed that night after everyone left. My sister and my best friend (other sister) stayed up until midnight rifling through everything and putting most of it away, packing the diaper bag and trying out the Snap'N'Go Stroller my Mom got us. I almost pee'd my pants watching my sister try and put the car seat back in the base, she needs some practice. After about 5 minutes I finally told her she was trying to put it in backwards. buwhaahahha. Here are some of the pictures from Sunday.

 A yummy, yummy cake from Publix. Our invitations had the saying "One Fish, Two Fish & Baby Boy Blue Fish" on them. My extremely talented friend Jenni designed the invitations; I highly suggest checking out her website Firefly Inviations and Face.book page.

 Definitely a Chick Magnet on board!

 Unscrambling baby words is a lot harder than you think

 Classic Jimmy! Tami made the boys race drinking beer out of baby bottles. He squeezed his a little too hard. 

 That's my Mom in the background trying to explain the ribbon game to Jimmy

 He gets a hug and a kiss because he was about 6 inches too short. I love this man.

 I don't think I have to tell you that's my sister. 

 My two sisters. What would I ever do without them?

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32 weeks (8 months)

Our baby shower was this past weekend and I promise that post is coming, I just need to upload the pictures tonight when I get home.

I went in for my 32 week check-up today and everything is still looking perfect. My midwife checked and the baby's head is down and ready for birth, just not too soon. His heart beat was nice and strong in the 150's and my fundal height was 34 cm. I am curious about the fundal height, she said it is normal but the last two appointments it has been 2 cm above the week that I am pregnant. Does that mean he might come early? 

Childbirth Class #2 was Monday night and I thought it was way more fun than the first one. We practiced a bunch of different labor positions and positions for turning the baby. We watched a really good video of a natural labor and delivery where she pretty much used every single position. We discussed the different interventions and pain relief methods so that we are prepared just in case. She did a really neat thing with explaining the epidural; she taped strings to me to simulate all the wires and gadgets you have to be hooked up to when you get an epidural. The Captain didn't realize it came with a blood pressure cuff, blood/oxygen monitor, IV and a catheter. That is why I am more terrified of the epidural than the actual labor.

This is the last week he is the size of a squash. Oh my! Less than 60 days to go.

Best Moment of the week: Of course, the baby shower and being with all our friends and family who has been with us on this journey since the beginning.

Epiphany of the week: I have a ton of stuff to buy and do over the next few weeks.

Entertaining question/comment of the week: I will just say it involves a fart, an enclosed space and a lot of laughter.

Obsessions: Sorting more baby things and figuring out what's left to do.

What I am most looking forward to this week: Easter! It is one of my favorite holidays.

What I miss the most: My ankles. . .

Symptoms: Nothing new this week

Milestones: Ready or not, baby's getting ready to emerge. He's probably in the head-down position by now, with his bottom facing up. This is the comfiest way for his body to fit in your increasingly cramped womb and will make his eventual exit  *Courtesy of TheBump.com

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31 weeks!

Another week has gone by; I can't believe it. I thought time was supposed to be slowing down not speeding up. I didn't even get another blog post in this past week. What a slacker! This past weekend I was so busy I completely regret it now. Since my baby shower on Sunday is going to be at my house; the house needed a good scrubbing so that is what I did on Saturday. Sunday I was supposed to rest since my feet hurt so bad but I decide to be brilliant and start refinishing my high chair. My Mom gave me my high chair, she still has my sister's at her house, it is solid wood and super cute. I plan on sanding all the old stain off and re-staining it. I am thinking about doing something different with the tray though, I haven't quite worked that out yet. Anyway, I am rambling, I got the tray sanded and the top row of the back and that's it. This is going to take a long time to complete I think.

On with the update. . .

Baby P is the size of a Squash this month!

Best Moment of the week: Seeing my husbands reaction every time he feels the baby move. It's like its the first time, every time.

Epiphany of the week: There are only 9 weeks left until my due date. Yikes!

Entertaining question/comment of the week: This one comes from my husband. I was telling him about someone I know who had her baby at 36 weeks recently. "I am not ready to think that he could be here in less than 5 weeks!". 

Obsessions: Preparing for hosting my baby shower at my house. I hope it's clean enough.

What I am most looking forward to this week: Childbirth Class #2 on Monday, seeing my sister this weekend and being with friends.

What I miss the most: Not really anything. I love being pregnant.

Symptoms: Nothing new this week

Milestones: Baby's going through major brain and nerve development these days. His irises now react to light, and all five senses are in working order. (He won't pick up anything from his nose until after birth, though -- smell is transferred through air, not amniotic fluid.)  *Courtesy of TheBump.com

The Captain took pictures of me last night so here are two of my favorites at 31 weeks.

He had just poked me with a knee or an elbow

 

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30 weeks!

Oops I totally missed last week. Oh well, chalk it up to pregnancy brain.Things are moving along at a lightning pace these days, it seems. There is still so much to do, I don't know if we will get it all done. I need to interview Pediatricians, fill out Cord Blood paperwork, finish our Child Birth classes, two more baby showers and countless clothes to wash and put away. My wonderful, amazing, beautiful friend Tiffany, Hi Tiff, dropped off three huge bags of baby clothes yesterday. I only made it through one bag and it filled up 2 of my dresser drawers. The Captain was like "that's all from one bag! We won't have to buy any clothes". Men, so naive. He really thinks Momma won't be buying any baby clothes. It was so surreal folding little shirts and shorts and imagining what he will look like wearing those outfits. 

We had our 30 week check up yesterday and things are moving along perfectly. My fundal height for the last two appointments have been measuring one week ahead but they haven't said that I should be concerned about a big baby.

Baby P is the size of a Squash this month!

Best Moment of the week: Putting away baby clothes and putting finishing touches on the nursery. Feeling the baby get the hiccups, it's a weird sensation.

Epiphany of the week: Breathing techniques really do work as long as you keep your focus. Remind me I said that after my birth story is posted.

Entertaining question/comment of the week: This is from a couple of weeks ago but when I saw my 3 year old cousin he said "Can I see your baby?" Me "He's in my belly, you can't see him yet." Chase "Well then open it".

Obsessions: Figuring out what body part is sticking out and moving across my belly. It is a fun new game we like to play.

What I am most looking forward to this week: The next birthing class and cleaning the house for my baby shower in 2 weeks.

What I miss the most: Not really anything. I love being pregnant.

Symptoms: Swollen feet and ankles, braxton hicks contractions are starting.

Milestones: As baby's skin smoothes out, his brain just keeps getting more wrinkled. All those grooves and indentations increase surface area, meaning more room for that oh-so-essential brain tissue. He's also adding some brawn -- his grip is now strong enough to grasp a finger.  *Courtesy of TheBump.com

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Childbirth Class #1

The first of three classes went great. I really like the Doula teaching the class. The first thing we did was go over a list of questions, worries and things we want to learn out of the class; that way she knows more of what to cover specifically. She did an overview of what the different phases are of labor, the difference in effacement, dilation and station and a simulation birth with a baby doll and a pelvic bone. The Captain got a little nervous when she asked if was going to cut the cord and that the one thing he must remember is if they tell me to push the placenta out he is to tell me "Erin, do NOT push". He started biting his nails at this point. Poor guy. 

We did some practice breathing techniques for a "minute long contraction". The first time she had me do it practicing with a focal point and then the both of practice. Next she gave us both a bag of ice and when the "contraction" started drop the bag into your left hand, do the breathing exercise with the focal point. the bag got colder but was manageable. Then we had to do the same thing without a focal point in the other hand. The ice became painful; I almost had to drop the bag before the minute was up. It was a nice way to see that the techniques really do work and can help take your mind off of the discomfort.

At the end of the class she did a 20 minute relaxation session. It was just like the hypnosis CD's I have been listening too. The Captain hadn't listened to any of them yet so I wasn't sure how he would do. Let's just say he is easily hypnotized. He was snoring 5 minutes in!

We got a ton of reading material to go over this week. Our homework is to practicing our breathing techniques every night, do my kegels everyday, chart my nutrition (she gave me a handy checklist) and start the Hypnobabies week 1 reading material and CD's.

Next week we practice birthing and labor positions. . .

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Braxton Hicks

For the past week I am sure I have been experiencing some Braxton Hicks contractions. They aren't everyday but I can tell when my belly gets really hard and tight that I am having one. I thought they would be painful but they aren't. They just make me really uncomfortable. I am getting to practice breathing through it though and so far it works.

On another note, we have our first childbirth class tonight with a doula; she offers a 3 week private class. The group of doulas are from For the Love of Birth and they are in Tarpon Springs. I am excited because they are familiar with Hypnobabies  and will use the Hypnobabies terminology during the class. I think the private class will help The Captain feel more comfortable and not be too embarrassed to ask questions and such. We have watched a birthing documentary before so I know he knows what to expect but he doesn't know any of the technical stuff; such as what is a mucus plug? When do we head to the hospital? How to time contractions? etc. I can't wait to fill you in tomorrow on how it goes. Wish us luck!

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