Week 25

How I am feeling:  I am feeling really good overall!  My only minor complaint is still that I don’t sleep as well as I would like.  I am trying to find comfortable ways to sleep, but it’s difficult.  I have an eye twitch now which is very strange and I have read is brought on by lack of sleep/stress.  I am trying to relax a lot so even if I am not sleeping, my body is at least getting time to relax.  Of course, yesterday I spent literally 12 hours on my feet at work, but I am trying to make up for it today by reclining with my laptop ;o) 

Other than this minor complaint, I feel very lucky and I have been feeling great!

Here is what I look like at 25 weeks:

Baby movement:

My little dancing girl likes to make herself known whenever she can!  She is bumping me right now in fact!  I

Shout Outs

This week I want to thank my amazing husband, Darren!  He is doing a great job of putting up with my mood swings and keeping me laughing.  We had an amazing mini “baby moon” to Asheville to visit the Biltmore Estate last weekend for our Valentine’s Day.  

The Biltmore was absolutely beautiful and we were so fortunate that the weather was equally as beautiful.  I loved walking around the house and the grounds hand-in-hand with my amazing husband.  I also love that one of his favorite things is to point out cute babies right now (especially cute babies in cute baby carrier backpacks), and the huge smile he gets on his face when he sees them.  I am getting a little teary eyed just thinking about it.  I can’t wait to get a front row seat to see Darren with our baby girl and showing her the same love he has shown me as long as I have known him. 

Nursery:

Darren plans to paint this weekend!  I am so excited.  Look for pictures on next week’s blog. 

Other than that we haven’t changed anything.  I keep thinking about what still need, but I also know we have time!

Favorite Names:

We have started referring to baby girl as “Lilly” out loud as a test run.  It’s really fun to get to “try out” her name for a little while and make sure we love it as much as we think we do.  Nothing is official yet, but I have a feeling it is going to stick ;o)

Labor and Birth:

I know a lot of people think I’m nuts for wanting to have a completely natural childbirth, but I truly believe it is what is best for me and ultimately, baby girl.  I also truly believe that it is not for everyone and I am glad that women have choices and options that make them most comfortable.  

I am trying to work on relaxation techniques at home to prepare for the birth.  I am not the best at relaxing because it’s very hard for me to turn my mind off and not think of other things I could be doing.  I read about a technique where you picture a movie screen split in two, and on one half is something you are worried about or struggling with, then on the other side, you create a way to overcome this.  I am not very good at it yet, but I think it could really help me get myself to sleep now and then help me cope with the stress/pain of birth later. 

  

What I am reading:

I am going to take a short break from birthing/pregnancy books and just focus on reading some of the books I have wanted to read for a while!  I am still always reading articles and I am keeping up with my pregnancy week-by-week book because I love learning about how baby girl is growing and changing; however, I don’t want to get burnt out.   

Week 24

Advice Request:

We are planning to register next weekend, and the idea is a little daunting!

-What is a good resource for deciding what to register for?  There are a lot of "lists" out there, but they all seem WAY too extensive.  If anyone made a list or found one that was excellent, please share.

-What is something you didn't register for and wish you had?

How I am feeling:  It’s crazy to me that I am starting my 6^th month!  I feel like I was just watching that pink line appear on the stick!  There is definitely no hiding my bump at this point and I definitely do not want to.  The weight gain is still a little bit of a mental battle sometimes, but I try to remind myself that I am eating well (overall…minus a few treats here and there of course!), I am working out and I am feeling good, so the weight I am gaining it to keep baby girl healthy.  But ladies, let’s all admit that gaining weight (even for the miracle of pregnancy and birth) is hard.  Luckily I have a husband who makes me feel beautiful!  He surprised me on Valentine's Day morning with beautiful roses and a card with a gift certificate for 3 massages.  We weren't supposed to get each other anything, since we are going on a trip this weekend, but he said he wanted to get me something anyway.  What a guy, huh?

Here is what I look like at 24 weeks:

Baby movement:

Sleep does not always come easy for me right now.  If I had one complaint about being pregnant, that would be it.  I have been a “stomach sleeper” for pretty much my entire life, so the adjustment to sleeping on my side has not been easy.  I have been using a body pillow, but lately I have had really bad backaches in the morning.  The nurse I spoke with suggested putting a separate pillow under my stomach when I sleep to prop up my uterus which can put strain on my lower back while I sleep because it is so much heavier now.  So far it’s better, but when I put the pillow under my belly, baby girl thinks it’s time for a major dance party!  She goes nuts and kicks harder than ever J  Don’t get me wrong, I love the kicking and feeling her move, but she is kicking pretty hard and it’s not easy to get to sleep while that is going on.

Shout Outs

Thanks to everyone who advised us on possible “babymoons” – especially Rachel, Jess and Jen for your comments!  We are heading to Asheville on Saturday to explore Biltmore for the first time as our Valentine’s celebration, and we just bought a two night stay at a Bed and Breakfast on the coast.  We are also thinking of making a quick trip to Charleston over our track out.  So we are hoping to have a few “mini-moons” instead of one big trip. 

Also, big shout out to Chad and Jared S. for their help with the dresser!  We are so excited to have it home!  

Nursery:

Speaking of dresser, the dresser is here!

Big thanks to Aunt Mare for her generosity on this.  The nursery is really starting to come together!  I can’t wait to get the paint on the walls so we can decorate and really make it special for her!

Favorite Names:

I have started thinking of the baby as Lilly now, and not just baby girl.  I think part of it is because Darren is already pretty set on it (and I love the name as well), but I also like silently getting used to it myself to make sure it seems to fit her.  I know it’s weird, but I want to make sure she feels like a Lilly.  So I am trying it out!  No promises yet ;o)

Labor and Birth:

We met with our Doula, Helene, today.  It was very comforting to speak with her and know we have a real advocate who will be with us during the birth.  I am very passionate about having a natural childbirth, and having Helene there to guide us through and ensure that our wishes are being met will be so great.  Darren will be an amazing coach and advocate as well, but since he and I are obviously new to this, we’re both happy to let an expert join us on this journey. 

  

What I am reading:

I have started reading through Baby Bargains, although I am not reading cover to cover, especially since I accidentally bought an older edition, so now I need to get a new one (oops!).  I am also reading a book that Michelle loaned me that details each week of pregnancy and what to expect.  It’s really nice to have that to look forward to reading each week as my pregnancy progresses.   

Week 23

Advice Request:

Here is an unconventional request:

Darren and I want to go on a “babymoon” before baby girl is born.  We don’t want to spend a lot, so a massive vacation is out.  We would be traveling in the end of March or beginning of April.  Any ideas are welcome!

How I am feeling:  Not too much has changed, especially since I posted a little late last week.  I love that people are looking at my belly and telling me that I look so “cute” pregnant.  I actually feel cute pregnant, which I did not expect.  I am even looking forward to my belly getting bigger.  I have been so lucky to have felt good the entire pregnancy so far, so the whole thing is just so joyful.  I am also a lot less overwhelmed right now because we have most of the basics for the nursery done.  I was driving myself crazy with those decisions.  I think we’re going to take a break from shopping for a while and wait until her arrival is closer to see what we still need.   Here is what I look like at 23 weeks:

Baby movement:

The last time I was at the midwife’s office and the midwife, Heather, was listening to baby’s heartbeat, she was moving up a storm and I could hear the “thunks”!  The midwife asked if she was very active and seemed very pleased when I told her how active she was.  Darren still loved feeling her move and marvels at how weird it must feel to me.  Weird yes, but in the best way possible.  It’s like a secret language she and I share right now. 

Shout Outs

Thanks to Melanie, Shannon and Carissa for your advice on breast pumps and car seats!  I ordered a copy of Baby Bargains as you suggested and am definitely going to go with a Medela breast pump J  I have some research to do about car seats, but I appreciate your input!

Nursery:

We should be painting soon!  Maybe not this weekend because we have 3 murder mystery shows, but soon!  Other than that, nothing has really changed. 

Favorite Names:

Darren has started referring to the baby as Lilly now.  His mind is made up, but mine is not.  A friend of ours asked today “who gets the final say?” and I sort of looked at him and laughed.  Really?  Who do you think???  ;o)

Labor and Birth:

The book I am reading is recommending some strange things to prepare for labor!  One of them is “pelvic rocking” which is sort of like doing an impression of a very happy dog for 10 minutes at a time, four times a day…needless to say this is NOT getting done during the day at work.  Could you imagine a student walking in to that?  I don’t think I could explain that one too well.  Some of the other things make sense though.  For example practicing squatting to stretch the muscles, and also sitting Indian style and leaning forward when possible to help the position of the uterus.  I thought I would hate this, but I have started reading like this each night and it’s very comfortable.  I have also traded my hard desk chair at work for an exercises ball to help keep my core strength up and maintain good balance.  Plus, let’s be honest, it’s a lot more comfortable than a hard chair.    

  

What I am reading:

I am still reading Husband-Coached Childbirth: The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth by Robert A. Bradley.  It doesn’t help that I am also reading several adolescent literature books on the side as well to keep up with my 40 book challenge at school.  I read Parenting magazines as well and I have started ripping the pages out and creating a binder of things to access later.  Some of the advice is great and I know I will forget it if I don’t keep it. 

Week 22

Advice Request:

Here is this week's advice request as we prepare to create a baby registry:

-What is the best breast pump out there?

-Is it worth it to get a video baby monitor?

-How the heck do you choose a carseat????

How I am feeling:

 I am feeling good.  I feel like I am showing more and more each week, but what’s the strangest for me is how much I feel like I grow from morning to night!  This might sound nuts, but I feel like my belly is so much bigger by the time I go to bed than when I woke up.  I know food and water play a part in that, but it’s pretty funny.  I am still working out 4 or 5 times a week, which is keeping my energy level up and hopefully it will help me with labor, especially since I want to have a natural childbirth.

Here is what I look like at 22 weeks:

Baby movement:

I love feeling her move.  I like to think she’s dancing, but I am not sure there is much room for that ;o)  She moves sometimes when I am at work and it puts a big grin on my face because, in the word of my friend Amber, it's like I have a secret that no one else knows about.  She still moves the most at night, which I love because it’s the time of day when Darren and I are relaxing together and we can bond with her.  I was singing to her the other night and she was moving a lot!  I know it’s probably a coincidence, but it definitely made my night!

Shout Outs

Huge shout out to Aunt Mare for her generosity and for getting us our dresser!!!!  (see below)  She saved us from having to toil over the decision between composite wood and solid wood.  We love you Aunt Mare!

A long overdue shout out to Michelle S. for lending me her maternity clothes, because believe me, those elastic waist pants are starting to really come in handy!

Also, a long overdue shout out to Sarah and Jeff H. who were so generous and gave us a basinet, swing and pack and play.  We are over the moon thankful!

Big thanks to Carissa and Jared S. for the STACKS of baby books!!!  I am obviously a book nut, so this was a wonderful addition to baby girl’s room.  They also loaned us some painting supplies so we (and by we, I mean Darren) can paint the nursery!!!

Nursery:

We have made a LOT of progress on the nursery in the past 10 days.  It is so exciting!  First, we decided on a paint color (and bought the paint).  We chose the light green shade called “seafoam green.”  I think it’s going to be perfect!  I can’t wait to see what it looks like once it’s actually on the walls.

We also finally made a decision on a dresser and a bookshelf.  The bookshelf is here and set up, but the dresser is on order and we’ll have to pick it up at the store in a week or two.  We went with a solid wood dresser from Babies R Us.  We originally went into the store to order one we saw online, but we found one that was almost the exact same for $70 cheaper, and then an amazing sales associate saved us another $100 by tracking down a few coupons and promotions for us.  Thanks Stormie from the Cary Babies R Us!

We also bought a bouncy seat (yes, I had to get something pink!), a clothes hamper, a blanket and a sleep sheep.  We had a very successful shopping day yesterday in case you can’t tell. 

Favorite Names:

We seem to agree on our two favorites!  We both like Lily and Madeline as her first name and then Rae as her middle name.  I think we’re leaning toward Lily right now.  But I am not ready to decide for sure.  We’ll also need to decide on the spelling. 

Labor and Birth:

We officially signed up for a birthing class!  We decided to go with a class that would meet on two consecutive Saturdays.  The class is taught by three doulas: http://www.thebirthingwell.com/ on March 17 and 24.  I think it will be great for us to get prepared, get some questions answered and also meet other people.

Next on the agenda is to sign up for a tour of Wake Med.

  

What I am reading:

I am still reading Husband-Coached Childbirth: The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth by Robert A. Bradley.  There is definitely a lot of good information about natural birth, but this is actually a book meant for coaches/partners to read.  So Darren will be reading this once I am done.