Putting Stuff Together

Last night Sean got home from work and we put him straight to work putting together the baby bouncer and the snap n' go stroller.


Bubbles helped in the process:


Teddy bears are great for trying these things out:


Everything went together really well, but we did discover we need batteries for the bouncer. I guess that is par for the course with baby stuff these days.

Bubbles is here!

Well, we are in the final week, and this could be the last belly photo. I think I have finally started to taper off in growth. I am hyper-sensitive these days to any changing feeling I have with my body. Any different sensation and I think, well, could that be a sign of impending labor? Obviously, nothing so far. The anticipation and suspense is thick in the air however.

We are very excited that my mom (Butterball's Bubbles) arrived on Saturday. We had a nice time walking with Lily and showing her around Concord yesterday. I also dragged her to Target to help me get nursing bras, hand sanitizer and other various odds and ends that I felt I needed before Butterball's arrival. We also got some comfy elastic pants that I can wear home from the hospital and probably several days after until I figure out what my postpardum body will fit into clothing-wise. I can tell you I am really looking forward to wearing anything different than the two pairs of pants that you have seen in the last several belly shots.


I have been making progress on the hospital bag. I am taking the minimalist approach under the assumption the hospital will have much of what I need and considering we only live 5 minutes away, it won't be a huge issue if someone has to go get something for me. I did pick out some labor music. This is a strange thing to do. What do you want to listen to during potentially the most intense and painful experience of you life to date? I chose Greg Brown, Gordon Lightfoot, Counting Crows, Rusted Root, and Buena Vista Social Club. These were the most laid back, relaxing things I could think of that we had. We will see if we even end up playing music.

So, now the daily question is, Butterball, when are you coming?

39 Weeks!

I had my 39 week check up yesterday. Again, very routine, but it was with my favorite midwife, Angela, so I enjoyed it. I have actually lost two pounds since my last appointment, which apparently is normal at this stage. Frankly, thank goodness! I am still measuring on schedule. While Angela was measuring me, I actually had a practice contraction so I got confirmation as to what they feel like. In retrospect, I have been having a lot of them in the past week. She said that is what they expect at this time and that I should just noticing them increasing until one day, they begin to increase in intensity and frequency and I am in labor! Ahh! She said that babies typically come within one week on either side of their due date, so Butterball could arrive anytime now. She kept mentioning, IF I make it to my appointment next week.... Of course, she said babies come on their own schedule so there is no telling when it will happen. I am actually kind of glad that I don't have a specific time to truly anticipate it. I think the element of surprise is good in this case. Butterball is remaining extremely active and his heartbeat was strong at the appointment, so all is going really well.

I also got my flu shot at the appointment. I figured it would be good to be protected with a newborn as babies can't get one until they are over 6 months. They have a preservative free version for pregnant women. I have never gotten one before and it has been so long since I have had a shot, I was nervous. It wasn't bad at all, but now my left arm is quite sore. Not trying to whine, but it was one more discomfort to deal with while trying to sleep last night. Sleep has really become challenging. I toss and turn a lot at night and sometimes I just give up and go read. But then I am tired during the day and need a nap. Often my nap is the best sleep I get. I don't know if I have gotten myself into a bad cycle. But at least I know I can fall asleep at anytime so that when Butterball comes, I can sleep when he sleeps in those first few weeks which is the advice I keep hearing.

Well, on my agenda today is to begin packing my hospital bag. I don't know why I have put it off for this long. Something about it is a little intimidating, maybe it just makes this all that much more real. Plus, I have seen so many different lists of what to bring, I don't really know where to start. So, moms out there, please comment on what you absolutely loved having with you and what you deemed completely unnecessary. Thanks!

Oh, and I have a public service announcment: Free chocolate! Check it out:

Haydee Chocolatier

You know I was all over that!

Crafty Me

I made a hooter hider! If you are unfamiliar, it is a nursing apron. They are made by Bebe au Lait, but I decided I could make my own versus purchasing one. They are essentially an apron with a bit of boning at the collar so that mom can look down at baby while nursing, but remain covered. I have a few friends who use theirs often and so I decided to give it a go. I dare say it turned out quite well, but the fabric is a little heavy.

Well, if you peak at the ticker today, you will see that we are now in the single digit countdown! I am beginning to really get a little nervous! My 39 week appointment is tomorrow. More updates then...

Nesting

Well, 38 weeks and 2 days completed. I honestly cannot believe the size of my belly at this point. I truly feel huge. You will notice I have cut my hair again. I am SOOO happy with it now. I got rid of all the layers from the last awful haircut I got and I feel so much better. The short cut probably accentuates the roundness of my face right now, but it is so much easier to manage now and I am no longer in the depths of despair of the state of my hair. I just went to Super Cuts, but I had them wash my hair and it was so nice to have someone pamper me a bit.

This weekend was also wonderful in that Sean and I got a lot accomplished. We have organized the apartment a lot more and it is feeling more like home. Last weekend we bought a washer and dryer (so domestic) and they were installed last week. So, this weekend I washed all of Butterball's newborn clothes, blankets, towels, sheets, and diaper supplies. Sean cleaned the car and installed the car seat today. The nesting has finally begun! It is such a weird feeling to fold all these wee baby clothes. They are so tiny and I can't quite comprehend I am going to have a baby to put into them.

As far as Butterball goes, I guess it is just a waiting game at this point. I had my 38 week appointment on Friday and it was just really routine - check weight, uterine growth, and heart rate. Everything is still looking good. People are beginning to ask me if I am having any intuitions as to when he will arrive and I fear I am still very clueless. The midwives keep asking me if I am having practice contractions (Braxton Hicks) and even that I am not sure of. I just don't really get what they are supposed to feel like so I don't know. I do get tightness when I am walking and they say that it probably it. Other than that, he is still very active. At this point, I think he is quite cramped because I can see various body parts poking out of my belly when he moves. There is definitely an alien quality about the whole thing.

Well, I hope everyone is having a lovely Sunday!

Full Term

Hi! I know it has been a long time since my last post. A lot has happened since last week.

Last Saturday, I had a surprise baby shower. It was great fun. Sean took me out towards the seacoast under the guise to go get fish n' chips. We pulled into a really nice old inn and I was starting to figure something was up. All the ladies on Sean's side threw a lovely baby shower luncheon. We had a beautiful time and Butterball got spoiled again. Unfortunately, because it was a surprise I didn't have my camera and cannot post pictures. I know some were taken and hopefully I will get my hands on them.

We officially moved to Concord, NH on Monday evening and the past week has been a whirlwind unpacking boxes and trying to get settled. We are making a lot of progress, but it is slow-going. Sean has been working full time and I just get worn out quickly these days. We are very pleased with our apartment though. It is a really great location in the heart of the city. We have been able to walk to shops and restaurants and parks. Lily is adjusting well too and she is always excited to go exploring.

Last Friday marked 37 weeks into the pregnancy, which means we have made it to full term! Wow! I had my weekly check-up and the doctor freaked me out by emphasizing that we could have a baby any day now. Luckily, Butterball seems content to "bake" a little bit longer as we definitely need another week at least to get our things in the apartment in order and prepare the nursery. He has been moving around like crazy and I am measuring right on schedule so things are looking good. I can't believe how close we are getting now. I am a bundle of excitement and nerves at the thought.

36 Weeks

We went to our newborn care class on Wednesday. It was from 6pm to 9pm. It was good, but I got quite antsy towards the end. A lot of the information was great because it was specific as to what to expect in the hospital once the baby is born. We also spent a good amount of time on breast feeding, changing diapers, and bathing. Some of it was repetitive from books I have been reading, but I think it is always nice to hear someone describe something. Our instructor was extremely animated and I enjoyed her a lot. She is one of the nurses and lactation consultants at the hospital so I hope we see her during our stay there. They did have baby dolls there that we used to practice swaddling with and that was kind of funny. We will see how it compares to the real thing.

I had my 36 week check up yesterday and all was looking well. I am back to measuring right on track at 36cm. At each appointment, they always ask if I am feeling plenty of movement. That has certainly not been a problem with Butterball. When the midwife was measuring me, he was kicking her. Then, when she got out the doppler to measure his heartrate, he got the hiccups. It was hysterical because you could hear the hiccups on the doppler and it was messing with getting a reading of the heartrate. She said she definitely wasn't worried about movement with this baby. It really hit home with how close to meeting Butterball we are when I scheduled my next appointments. I will go weekly now until we have a baby. I scheduled appointments all the way to the due date.

Yesterday, Sean and I were able to get the keys to our apartment! We may be moving some of our things over this weekend, but we were not able to schedule the PODS to be dropped off until Monday. Nevertheless, we are very close to setting up our home. We are really excited. Expect an email soon updating you with our address. If you need it and I manage to forget, please bug me about it. I don't know how quickly we will be able to set up internet. There is a library within walking distance of our new place however, so hopefully I can get a card and keep up with the updates this month. We still have our Ohio phone numbers, but will be changing that soon too and I will get it to you as soon as I know it.

Happy Friday!