the 30th week

I am officially 30 weeks today. Whew! I think I have done the most growing between 26 weeks and 30 weeks. The hub and I went to a wedding this weekend, and as I got up from the table I ran into his head with my belly! I also ran into his aunt with my belly, but she didn't mind. The belly has taken on a life of its own, and makes me somewhat off-balance. I also have marked fatigue, much worse than anything I've had all pregnancy. I sleep a good 9-10 hours per night, and this weekend I had not one but two naps.

Also, I have become more "achy." I still have the ligament pain, especially if I have been walking a lot, but the arches of my feet are getting in on the pain too, and I am now stuck only wearing my sneakers. I also have this vague pain in my pelvis, almost like the baby is kicking my cervix. Heck, she might be!

Another side effect from this advanced stage? I am grumpier than usual, and I don't want it pointed out to me. At the grocery store today, the cashier told me I had to go to customer service to get stamps, not the register. I pointed out that I would then have to use my debit card TWICE and he offered that he could void my purchases so I could purchase everything at once. I told him not to bother and that I'd get stuck running my card TWICE and how come every other grocery store lets you buy stamps at the register and didn't he see that being 7 and a half months pregnant I certainly didn't want to waddle all over the store so I could buy some stupid over-priced stamps?! He just looked at me, so I bought the stupid stamps and lurked out of the store.

Drawing of baby at 30 weeks...

According to the baby books, the baby is now getting wrinkles on her brain and opening her eyes. Her fingernails and toenails have grown in, and she is starting to lose the lanugo (fine hair all over the body) because she is putting on some fat. It's been suggested that I start playing some music for her, as babies who are exposed to certain music repeatedly will relate to that music once outside the womb and calm down easier when hearing it. I figure it's worth a try, and I think we've decided on Vivaldi's Four Seasons (Winter? or Spring?). The hub pointed out that it should be something we want to hear a lot, so I'm back to suggesting Alison Krauss.

the belly pictures

I have been taking pictures of my belly since week 12 of pregnancy. Now, granted, if you get inclined to scroll down to 12 weeks, there isn't much to see. It looks more like usual chub than pregnancy! And we didn't tell friends/co-workers (who saw me every day) until I was 14 weeks, so it wasn't like I was hiding a watermelon. But since then I have taken multiple pictures to document the belly. And I was browsing the web and came upon belly portraits.

The hub and I never got engagement photos taken. We specifically had our wedding photographed in a journalistic style, with few posed pictures. Suffice it to say, I'm not lining up at Glamour Shots on a weekly basis. And I love the idea of taking pictures of the belly - I just don't want to do it with someone I don't know, charging me per hour and per photo. So what did I do? Digital camera + self-timer + stolen ideas from said internet. Enjoy!

I totally stole this one from Rachel over at lilpattisons.blogspot.com.


I like that this one is off-center.

And since I have retouch on iPhoto, I don't have to remember the stretch marks! Sneaky...

Here's some more...



The last one took at least 43 tries to get right. Let's just say there are quite a few revealing photos in the computer's trash, and it took a while to adjust the sonogram picture to cover certain upper chest region body parts.

the 29th week

The hub and I have been discussing all the things about baby that need to be discussed/bought/found/researched. So far we have figured out we still need to buy a diaper bag, a hamper for the baby's room, a baby sling, and I'm sure other things I haven't bothered to write down. We also need to tour/get on the waiting list of good daycares in the hopes that I will get employed after birth and need to use a daycare. We found the pediatrician (yay!) and signed up for birthing classes (yay!).

Lastly, we have been discussing the "birthing plan." I'm pretty sure it goes something like this: baby gets out through my bellybutton and it tickles! No, really. People are very quick to share their stories I don't need to hear. "My sister tore - 14 stitches!" "My best friend was paralyzed from the epidural." "A girl I work with had her baby all natural - and she was 12 pounds!" I've decided on my birthing plan. It will be one of three familiar options:

1. Romantic Comedy (rom-com) labor: I will scream at the hub for knocking me up in the first place. Extra points for foul language in PG-13 and up! I will have "sweaty" hair, but perfect make-up. Some obstacle will be in place - the hub can't find the hospital, I'm forced to ride a bike, or there's some horrible traffic jam and only one road to get to the hospital. Once getting to the hospital, I must confess multiple times to the hub that I can't do it. He'll pep talk me with exactly what gives me the will to live. Hilarity ensues! See "Father of the Bride Part II" and "Knocked Up"

2. Sit-Com labor: Pretty much follows the rom-com labor, but there's only 22 minutes for all the fun! Grunts instead of screaming. One must-have: birth in an elevator, accompanied by an unknown young guy who proves he has the strength to become the doctor his dad always wanted him to be. Of course, mere moments after giving birth, the doors work and the hub is standing there, ready to embrace mom and baby. Tears glisten. See Seventh Heaven, any episode of Friends for cheesiness.

3. Hall-Mark and/or Lifetime Movie and/or soap opera labor: soft light, breezy curtains of lace. Beyond the hospital room is the beautiful Pacific ocean. My private room is the size of a small hotel. There's no actual labor or delivery. Somehow the baby magically appears in my arms, I'm surrounded by fine white linens, lying in bed in a nightgown of the finest silk. No stains. The baby never cries. The hub floats into the room, we meet eyes, focus to the hub with a tear trickling down his stubble.

i failed the test

I got a call from my doctor's office, which makes a first in my life. Seriously, for as many pap smears, and strep throat tests, and blood screenings I have had in my life, I don't think a doctor's office has ever called me to give me results. Mostly I chalk my ignorance up to bliss and figure that if there were any problems the doctor's office would tell me. At least if I am mistaken, I have laid the ground work for a profitable wrongful death suit. Anywho, they reported that my glucose test was "high." And then proceeded to interrupt/talk over me about how I have to call the lab and make an appointment for a three hour test and did I have any questions? How about, can I put off the test until I eat one of every Hostess and Little Debbie sugary snack cake available? Sweets are my thing! They always have, which makes it difficult if the hub and I are both craving something, because he craves savory and I crave sweet.

So, I called the lab and they scheduled me for 8:00 a.m. Tuesday. And the lady from the lab said "8:00 a.m." as if I would have a problem with it. "That means you have to be here at 8:00 ready to start the test. On time." I was left wondering if punctuality is a big issue for most people taking a glucose test. Are they just stuck in line at Starbucks and Krispy Kreme?

I have to fast before this one, but I can drink water, which the lab lady told me no less than 15 times. Are people's veins just shutting down from dehydration during the glucose test? I have to remember (remember? HA!) to bring a book because I'm thinking that being surrounded by sick people for 3 hours with only daytime tv to distract me won't go well. So, I'm left with the chocolate chip walnut cookies I made today and the hopes that after this test no one calls me with results.

the chair has arrived!

I was on the phone with my sister yesterday when I noticed that Storkland was beeping in on the other line. I quickly tried to switch over, but of course I don't know how to switch to the other line (home phone, not cell phone) so I ended up hanging up on them. I called back and was told that my chair was in! I was also told that my mattress still had not shipped from the manufacturer and they had no idea when it would show up. Hmmmm. But back to the chair - it is here!

Made in America (Indiana) and by Best Chairs, the pattern is a damask called "Shamrock." The bedding has green accents, and we figured that since the bedding had polka-dots and stripes, and the window treatments have polka-dots and plaid, let's keep the patterns coming. Plus, it is gender-neutral for use with possible future babies. I like nurseries that go together, but aren't themed-out. And this one is turning out awesome!

The domestic violence advocate at the courthouse I used to work at told me how she got a Cracker Barrel rocker for her nursery, and it ended up being so uncomfortable she never used it. The hub and I went for style and comfort here. The chair is fully padded, and rocks AND glides on a metal base. It is one of the few pieces of furniture we own that did not have to be put together. For some reason it looks small in the picture, but it is actually the size of a normal club chair or recliner.

Notice the ruffled lamp? That's courtesy of IKEA, $2 of fancy ribbon from Hobby Lobby, and some tacky glue. Target wants $29 for this lamp? Ha!

Close-up of the pattern:


And, of course at my favorite store Target, I found this frame with the same pattern as the chair and had to buy it.

And back on my run of stealing art from the internet, I saw this drawing online (I have no idea which website) of a little girl standing on the cliff overlooking flowers and fell in love.


The actual drawing, since I know it is hard to see in the above picture.

the third trimester

I am officially 28 weeks and 3 days into my pregnancy. I had a doctor's appointment today, and beforehand I did my glucose test. Now you don't have to fast before the test, but it's best to eat a breakfast of bacon and eggs, not sugary cereal. So I got up with the hub, made us breakfast, and then sat around until I was ready to drink the glucola. At 9:00 a.m. exactly I chugged the fruit punch glucola. It was not nearly as bad as the horror stories I have heard, but around a minute into drinking, it started to taste less like Hawaiian punch and more like medicine. I got in the car and headed to the lab, only to be told I needed my lab form. So, I went upstairs and got the form, then back down to wait another 22 minutes. After having my blood drawn, I went upstairs to wait for my doctor's appointment (and eat some tums I avoided before the blood test).

The whole appointment was routine. I won't give you details (because you'll be sick), but the term "mucus plug" did come up. Yuck! I told nurse Stephanie that it was a disgusting idea and it gave me the willies. Plus, ever since being pregnant, I cannot stomach anything medical in nature. I am measuring at 28 weeks, I have gained 21 pounds total, and my blood pressure is still really good. The baby's heartbeat is at 160 beats per minute.

Dr. Doeden and I had our question and answer session: (1) recommendations for pediatricians; (2) tops of feet are red - totally normal; (3) baby movements varying - totally normal; (4) 3D/4D ultrasound - am I going to have to pay Stork Vision $200 or am I getting one in the office? Jackpot! My third trimester ultrasound will be 3D/4D (I don't really know the difference, but it beats grainy pictures) and I will have it June 17th at 2:30 p.m. when the in-laws are visiting, and they can come and see.

Then I had to meet with the insurance billing people at the office so I could sign over a check for 20% of the delivery fee. Ugh. By the way, this delivery fee (assuming I have a vaginal birth, which I'm hoping for) DOES NOT INCLUDE hospital fees, anesthesia, the pediatrician, pathology, blood tests, urine tests, ultrasounds, or fetal monitoring. Yay for me! And my bank account! I am thankful that I have insurance in the first place, but I've already met my deductible for my public defender insurance, so switching insurances means I have to meet another deductible. And I need to meet with the hospital account services to pre-register and get all my other fees worked out. I have heard that the hospital gives away NOTHING, so even though I may think those snazzy socks with the tread are free, they aren't.

By the way, you may notice the bouncy cradle in the background of the picture. The hub put it together, and now it is ready. No co-sleeper for me, and our featherbed means the baby isn't crashing with us. This bouncy is supposed to help with fussiness and reflux, as it holds baby at the optimum 30 degree incline, and baby's own movements make it bounce and sway. I want one for my adult size, and I've caught Sadie eyeing it too often.

the nursery, part infinity

Here is an update on the nursery. STILL waiting on the mattress and chair/rocker/glider, but I did finish the window treatments and homemade artwork. The raspberry polka-dot mats on the pictures are scrapbook paper, and a perfect match to the bedding AND the bows on the window shade. The pictures are clip art from the computer. Screw you Target and your $25 EACH children's art! The saleslady even gave me a "I can't believe you asked me that" look when I asked if $25 was for the set. Silly me!



Baby B's "coming home from the hospital" outfit we picked out at Macy's. Originally $46 *gasp* we got it almost half off. Yes! Love the smocking and little flowers. Think it'll fit in the already-crammed baby book for safe-keeping?


Cutest letters I could find. The hub and I went to an art festival in town, and stumbled upon one of those baby stores where everything costs too much and you recognize the brand because Gwen Stefani's boys wear it. But we spotted these letters, and I love that they are antiqued and lower-case!


My balloon shade! Nothing screams "little girl" more than a balloon shade. We went with white because we didn't want to do too much pink. I found the pink and green plaid ribbon at Hobby Lobby 50% off, as well as the raspberry polka-dot ribbon, so I added both to spice it up.