32 weeks! And thoroughly surprised!

**Not sure why this never published! Here is 32 weeks!

Jeff's family threw me a beautiful surprise shower on Sunday and I really had NO IDEA it was coming. It was so wonderful! They did a book theme, so all the food was after children's books... fruits and veggies for Very Hungry Caterpillar, meatballs for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, green deviled eggs and ham for... you guessed it.. Green Eggs and Ham! Pink Lemonade for Pinkalicious! And everyone brought a book with a special message in it for Charlie. It was wonderful and so perfect for me, the teacher! It really was wonderful and I could tell all the hard work and planning that went into it, down to the acting it took to get me there. Jeff and his family deserve an Emmy after that one! I crack up thinking of all the conversations they had that were staged to get me to this shower!

Today is my shower at my mom's. I am so excited! She's been planning it for a while. The only thing I know is the date and time (at my request because it was going to be a surprise, but I was getting overwhelmed).

I know that between these two showers, and all the people who came to them, that this baby is coming into the world well loved. I am tearing up just thinking about that! :)

Ok... onto my questions and then I have to get ready to go!

How far along: 32 weeks (and then some)

Total weight gain: 17 lbs total from last week... haven't weighed myself since then.

Maternity clothes: Always... and the looser the better when I am at home. 

Sleep: Pretty good, but it is harder to get and stay comfortable... and oh the peeing!

Best moment of this week: The beautiful surprise shower Jeff's family threw for me!

Miss anything: A nice glass of wine and sleeping on my stomach! Not to mention a good run. Jeff ran a 10K last weekend and I usually run in this event too. When he lined up at the start and I stayed on the side, I shed a few tears. 

Movement: Oh yes, although not so many kicks due to lack of room in there now! But the hiccups are out of control!

Food cravings: Fruit, root beer 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still red meat

Gender: Didn't find out! It will be a surprise!

Labor signs: Too early, but having braxton hicks contractions here and there. Nothing major. 

Belly button in or out: Still in for now!

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy! 

Looking forward to: My shower today!

31 weeks!

31 weeks and each week is another week closer! I am in the single digits with 9 weeks left! YIKES! This time is going so fast, but yet I feel like I've been pregnant FOREVER! I had a doctor appointment yesterday, which was great. I didn't gain any weight in the last 2 weeks, my blood pressure was great, and I was measuring near where I needed to measure. Jeff finally came to an appointment (he went to my 22 week ultrasound, but hasn't been to a doctor's appointment). He got to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time. So beautiful!

We are slowly but surly getting things done in the nursery. My shower is next weekend, on the 11th (my mom said there was only one weekend TO plan it... Mother's Day Weekend!), so we will be able to do a lot more baby stuff then.

Our childbirth classes are halfway over! Next week we watch the childbirth video and learn how to push. This week we learned relaxation/calming techniques for active labor. It is getting me so excited for this little one's arrival! We also learned about pain control options. I know that some people have very strong opinions about epidurals, but I never really experienced those strong opinions until this week when our instructor was talking about it and one woman was obviously NOT thrilled about hearing about epidurals. I am NOT about to get into a debate about whether or not to get one, but I wish others would not project their opinion and wishes on everyone.

Here are my questions for the week:

How far along: 31 weeks (and then some)

Total weight gain: 17 lbs total! My dr is very happy with that! I am glad to hear because I hate seeing that scale each week!

Maternity clothes: Always... and the looser the better when I am at home. Currently sporting a pair of oversized sweatpants so that I don't have pressure on the belly!

Sleep: Good, but I get SO HOT at night!

Best moment of this week: A good dr's appointment and hearing that beautiful heartbeat!

Miss anything: Turkey Sandwiches!

Movement: TONS! And I believe Charlie is now squished because every movement is semi-uncomfortable, but I am thankful for all of it!

Food cravings: Fruit, root beer 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still red meat

Gender: Didn't find out! It will be a surprise!

Labor signs: Too early, but having braxton hicks contractions here and there. Nothing major. 

Belly button in or out: Still in for now!

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy! 

Looking forward to: Working more on the nursery and another childbirth class! I also can't wait to see our maternity pictures! We had them done on Sunday and I am sure they are beautiful!

30 Weeks... 10 more to go!

30 weeks! Holy cow... this week I started to panic. Only 10 weeks to go! I have NOTHING ready for this baby! I know that my shower is in a few weeks, so I will be much more prepared after that, but right now we have about 20 boxes of wipes because we started to buy them when we knew I was pregnant, and two packages of diapers. We haven't started to order the cloth diapers we are using yet. We have a crib with no mattress, and a dresser, but nothing else! GAH! So I am now starting to make lists of everything we have to do so that I feel start feeling better and know what we have to do.

Ok... questions!

How far along: 30 weeks (and then some)

Total weight gain: I don't know the total, but what makes me feel good is that a lot of people have told me this week that from the back, they can't tell I look pregnant and that I am all belly. YAY!

Maternity clothes: Always... and the looser the better when I am at home. 

Sleep: Lately pretty good minus there is no such thing as a comfortable position.

Best moment of this week: Our first childbirth class. I feel like I am less anxious about it the more I think and learn about it.

Miss anything: Not having heartburn

Movement: All of it is wonderful! Even when Charlie hits something and it hurts, it still makes me feel so thankful for that feeling!

Food cravings: Fruit, fruit juice, root beer (it was my impulse buy at the grocery store this week)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really... just still don't eat a lot of meat

Gender: Didn't find out! It will be a surprise!

Labor signs: Too early, but having braxton hicks contractions here and there. Nothing major. 

Belly button in or out: Still in for now!

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy! 

Looking forward to: An appointment and childbirth class in one night! :) Yay for a baby night!

29 (and 1/2) weeks

We took this picture a bit late. I forgot Wednesday, when we normally take it, and took a shower before I remembered, and then Thursday we had our baby care class and rushed out the door. Friday Jeff was brewing and bottling beer, so Saturday it was.

First of all... I passed my 3 hour glucose test! YAY! It was NOT a fun experience and I looked like a drug addict for days because I had bruised arms where they took the blood. But I am thrilled that I passed. They called to tell me and I was on cloud 9. I found out during school and I almost ran in to my coworker's classrooms just to tell them, haha.

I had my 29 week dr's appointment on Friday and it went pretty well. I wasn't a fan of the doctor I had this time. It was my first time with her and she walked in talking. No introduction... just walked in talking about my bloodwork, etc and didn't stop until the end of the appointment. I felt very rushed and it felt a bit impersonal. She did tell me that I am mildly anemic, which I was expecting since I don't eat a lot of red meat right now (although normally red meat isn't a problem... this pregnancy it really has been!). I am still measuring ahead, though not as much as last week (although she didn't seem to measure me the same way the other doctor did, and I was very on edge when she did measure me because she was talking away and it was overwhelming), so we are right now going to keep an eye on it and see if I keep measuring ahead before going for an ultrasound. (Darn! I don't want a HUGE baby, but I do want another ultrasound!).

Baby care class was interesting. We were one of two couples out of probably 20-25 couples that did NOT find out the sex of the baby. And we were the only ones to not tell the name! I know it is a class full of strangers, but I feel like if I am not telling my family or friends the name, why would I tell a group of strangers the name before baby comes?? Jeff was adorable to watch. He has never diapered a baby, so it was fun to watch him learn how to do that and swaddle and burp. Since the class he has been quoting things he learned from it, so I guess he paid attention! He will be such a good daddy! This coming up Thursday is the first of our childbirth classes. Yikes! He is in for a surprise! He hasn't wanted me to prepare him for anything that will happen before/during/after childbirth. I guess he will find out, won't he! :)

Ok... tons of info from this past week, so now I am going to just go ahead and do the questions! Kudos if you made it this far. I am doing this so I remember and can go back and make my albums, but I love that some people have been reading it too. :)

How far along: 29 weeks (and then some)

Total weight gain: I don't know the total but from my last appointment to Friday's appointment it was 4 lbs and they were happy with that.

Maternity clothes: Always... and the looser the better when I am at home. 

Sleep: Lately pretty good minus there is no such thing as a comfortable position.

Best moment of this week: Passing my glucose test and hearing baby's strong heartbeat (in the 150s)

Miss anything: Not having heartburn

Movement: I think Charlie is running out of room... he/she is moving around a lot, but it is squirms that I feel and not as many kicks. The movement I feel is wonderful!

Food cravings: Fruit, fruit juice, root beer (but not drinking it if I can help it!)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really... just still don't eat a lot of meat

Gender: Didn't find out! It will be a surprise!

Labor signs: Too early, but having braxton hicks contractions here and there. Nothing major. 

Belly button in or out: Still in for now!

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy! 

Looking forward to: Childbirth class starting on Thursday! :) And getting back to work on this nursery!

Boston

I couldn't wait for today. I couldn't wait to hear the winning runner's time in the Boston Marathon. I couldn't wait to hear how a guy I went to high school with did in the run, which he was running to raise money for suicide prevention in memory of his best friend. I couldn't wait to hear stories of camaraderie and encouragement on the course, and see pictures of the funny and motivating signs that spectators made for the runners. And now I am saddened and sickened instead.

As a distance runner myself, I have never been involved in a sport so motivating, so encouraging, and so supportive as running. Yes, you are running against others while finishing, but unless you are a contender to win (which I certainly am not) you are running to accomplish a personal goal and everyone around you is your cheerleader, as you are their cheerleader as well. The volunteers there are your cheerleaders. Even the people who come to cheer on other people cheer for you as well.

I don't understand why someone would want to attack anyone, ever. But I really don't understand why anyone would want to attack this event. I am heartbroken for the people who set goals and had their goals taken away from them, either because they were killed, they were injured, or they were unable to finish because of someone so heartless. I am saddened for the people who were volunteering their time to cheer others on. I am disgusted for Boston, one of my favorite places to visit, marathon or no marathon.

I am so sad and so sick. Sometimes it scares me that I am bringing a baby in this world. I am praying for Boston and for everyone affected by the event. I am happy that the person I knew running it was able to finish safe and sound, and I wish that everyone else would have that same story, but I know that isn't the case on this sad day.

28 weeks... hello 3rd trimester!

Wow! How am I in the 3rd trimester already?! Every day I am getting closer to meeting the munchkin using me as a punching bag inside! :) My mom sent my shower invites out this week, and the only thing I know is the date and time. I am so excited for a day to celebrate Charlie!

This week did have a downfall... I had my glucose test on Thursday. I had to take a sick day because of the time it was scheduled. The nice thing was, Jeff ended up having the day off too so he went to the appointment with me to keep me company and then we went to the zoo afterwards. :) The person taking my blood at the appointment was not the nicest, and seemed offended that I preferred to have it taken from one arm rather than another. AND THEN I got a call Friday telling me I failed it and have to go in for the 3 hour test on Monday. I NEVER take time off from school, so I am not thrilled about taking another day off to sit in the doctor's office for 3 hours now, without Jeff to keep me company, with the not-so-nice lady taking my blood every hour, instead of just once, and with the prospect that there could be a problem in this pregnancy. It has been wonderful so far... I am just praying that I pass Monday's appointment. I have a hunch about why I failed. My dr's office told me I didn't have to fast before the appointment, just to go about my normal day. Well I did and ate breakfast, including a glass of orange juice and a pop tart (we ran out of cereal!) and I have a feeling I was high because of that. My appointment was only a half hour after breakfast. Monday is a fasting appointment, so hopefully I will pass it! I am fairly careful with what I eat, so needless to say I am frustrated. We'll see...

Here are my questions for the week:

How far along: 28 weeks

Total weight gain: I don't know and right now I like it that way

Maternity clothes: Always... and the looser the better when I am at home. 

Sleep: OK but not awesome

Best moment of this week: Hitting my 3rd trimester!

Miss anything: I would love a big turkey sub right now!

Movement: All the time and LOVING it

Food cravings: Fruit, root beer (but not drinking it if I can help it!)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really... just still don't eat a lot of meat

Gender: Didn't find out! It will be a surprise!

Labor signs: Too early, but having braxton hicks contractions here and there. Nothing major. 

Belly button in or out: Still in, but when I laugh or cough it pops out! TOO FUNNY!

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy! 

Looking forward to: Hopefully passing my 3 hour glucose test on Monday. We also start Babycare classes on Thursday! And I have a doctor's appointment on Friday! Here's to a week full of baby!

27 weeks! Almost in my 3rd trimester!

Wow is time flying! Under 100 days until baby comes... and technically my last week of my 2nd trimester, although with me measuring ahead I'm semi-considering myself in it now. This baby is a-movin' and a-groovin'! And yesterday the baby spent the day camped out under my ribs.. didn't feel so great but I was also thankful for the pain because I never knew I would get to experience all of this!

We now have all the furniture in the nursery, except the glider. Now it is time to decorate! Once it is all finished I will post pictures. I am not 100% sure how I want to decorate yet. I have a few ideas, I just have to have the time to make them. I am thinking I may start doing that next weekend. This weekend is devoted to report cards and school work.

And now the questions:

How far along: 27 weeks

Total weight gain: I don't know and right now I like it that way

Maternity clothes: Always... and the looser the better when I am at home. 

Sleep: Not sleeping so well... I am tossing and turning at night because when I am on one side, I am uncomfortable so I have to turn, but I have to sit up to turn because I can't just roll over, and by then I have to pee and so I am awake. Sigh... the next couple months will be LONG!

Best moment of this week: Walking and talking with a good friend who is a few months behind me in her pregnancy.

Miss anything: Wine, running, lunch meat

Movement: All the time and LOVING it

Food cravings: Fruit, root beer

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really... just still don't eat a lot of meat

Gender: Didn't find out! It will be a surprise!

Labor signs: Too early, but having braxton hicks contractions here and there. Nothing major. 

Belly button in or out: Still in, but when I laugh or cough it pops out! TOO FUNNY!

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy! 

Looking forward to: I have my glucose test on Thursday and then spending the rest of the day with my hubby. :) Not really looking forward to the test, but I am looking forward to time with him!