Weekly doctor appointment #1

Just some updates...
I had my 36 week appointment today, and while I'm not dilating yet, I am thinning out!And I guess the most important thing is that he is indeed head down.
We discussed labor and delivery and I was told that on his own or not, he will be here by August 3rd!  She will not let any of her patients go more than a week over their due date.I'm still hoping he comes early but honestly as long as he is happy and healthy, I don't really care!
I go the results from my Group B Strep and it is negative!  YAY for not having to worry about antibiotics during labor/delivery!
On the weight front...
I LOST 0.8 pounds!  I'm not quite sure how I've managed to lose weight... but oh well!(especially since I bought a half gallon tub of "Pralines and Cream" ice cream from Baskin Robbins!, which I still have over half of mind you!)

My doctor isn't concerned, so there is no reason I should be either!
To date, at 36 weeks 1 day, I have gained...
12.2 pounds!
I'm looking forward to this weekend.  One of Brian's friends told him to be careful with fireworks, as they sent his wife into labor.  So of course, this got me thinking!
We went to a friend's fireworks stand last night and when he asked what we wanted, I said "something labor inducing".  He promises he hooked us up good... so we'll see.  I know it's wishful thinking, but it doesn't hurt to try :)
Speaking of trying to naturally induce labor...
What are your secrets/old wives tales?
I'm ready to start trying them all!

36 weeks

4 weeks to go...

don't know why, but it sounds so much shorter than saying a month!

So I had my first "scare" this past Thursday...

Normally Brycen is a wiggle worm ALL day long...

it's like clock work - he's awake for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and before bed.

Well...

Thursday, I didn't feel him move much at all... like maybe 2-3 little kicks throughout the entire day.  I didn't stress myself out about it because I knew I had a doctor appointment that afternoon.  Well I got to the doctor and she said "is he's still moving around like crazy?"  To which I responded no, and she became alarmed.  She asked if I had at least felt him move at least 4 times in an hour at SOME point during the day... I said no.  She immediately pulled out the doppler and tried to find his heartbeat.  She located a heartbeat that was relatively faint, grabbed my wrist and began taking my pulse... She said she wanted to make sure she wasn't picking up my pulse.  I knew from the sound of it that it was MUCH slower than normal.  She then lost the heartbeat and had to search around for a minute... she found it and it wasn't as faint but I could still tell it was slower than normal, which I said aloud.  She agreed but after listening to it for a minute said it was still in the "normal" range.  She said to take it easy, keep an eye on the amount of movement I was feeling and if it decreased any more to call L&D.  The rest of the appointment was pretty uneventful - she tested for Group B Strep (I'll get the results tomorrow), and that was it...

He moved a little more that evening, but NOTHING like normal.  Friday, it was a lot of the same - VERY little movement.  So Brian said he had an idea to get him moving... he pulled out his headphones and turned on some Journey.  It didn't take long to wake him up and really get him moving.

Thankfully, he's been his normal self since then! 

Weekly Stats and Reflection

Date: Wednesday, June 29, 2011
How far along? 36 weeks... Approximately 28 days to go

How Big is Baby (from thebump.com) - Baby's still the size of a honeydew!  Baby's skin is getting smooth and soft, his gums are rigid, his liver and kidneys are in working order, and his circulation and immune system are basically good to go.  His lungs are the only organs that still need to fully mature, but every day he gets a little closer to breathing on his own!



Maternity Clothes - Looking forward to normal clothes!  

Weight gain - Lost 0.8 pounds this week. Total gain to date is 12.2 pounds!

Food aversions - Sausage

Cravings - FRENCH FRIES, fruit, burgers

Symptoms - Officially over pregnancy - back aches, lack of sleep, etc

Movement - Back to his normal self - so lots!

Belly Button - Flat

Labor Signs - On going irregular contractions

Goal for the coming week - Finally pack my hospital bag, and get car seat inspected

What I'm looking forward to - Brycen's arrival!

I am also officially on weekly doctor visits which means I'll be getting checked each week to see if I'm making any progress.  I know it doesn't mean much, since you can be dilated and thinned out for WEEKS before actually going into labor, but I just hope to hear that I'm starting.  Tomorrow is the first appointment in a LONG time that Brian will actually be attending.  I know he has a lot of questions about what to expect, who to call, etc. and tomorrow's appointment is all about what's going to happen in the next few weeks.

I cannot get over how close we are to the end. 

Even though I absolutely love being pregnant, and I wouldn't trade my experience for ANYTHING in the world, I've definitely reached the point where I'm DONE being pregnant.  I came to the surprising realization while lying in bed this weekend.  I attempted to roll over and couldn't, and told Brian that I thought I had been pretty good not complaining up until that point (to which he agreed)... and I promptly replied "well I'm done with NOT complaining.  I'm over being pregnant and cannot wait til he is here.  I'm miserable at work, at home, doesn't matter where I am.  I'm uncomfortable and have the most horrendous middle back pain that NOTHING helps with, I hate being out of breath after doing the LITTLEST thing, and I hate feeling like the old lady that has fallen and can't get up".

Even through all of the aches and pains though, Brycen's movement still brings a smile to my face.  I know that all of this is worth the end result and like I said earlier...

I wouldn't trade this experience for ANYTHING in the world. 

35 weeks

5 weeks to go!
We are almost done with our Child Birth classes which means we will have a few quiet weeks with NO OBLIGATIONS before Brycen arrives.  I'm definitely looking forward to these few weeks off because I feel like we've had SOMETHING going on every week since getting pregnant.  
Yesterdays class was all about breastfeeding and while I've made the decision to nurse, I also know that there is a possibility it won't be for us in the long run.  I'm going into breastfeeding very open minded and TRYING to not stress myself out over it.  I know that breast is best, but I also know how important my sanity is, not only for Brycen... but for my husband too.
I'm concerned about Brian feeling left out -since he won't be able to do any feedings right away.  I've been trying to think of things for daddy and son to do together especially during the first few weeks because I want him to have that bonding time that I will already have.  While it would be nice for him to change all the diapers, I wouldn't want to give him the crap job (haha no pun intended... really!).  Perhaps bath time?

Weekly Stats and Reflection
Date: Wednesday, June 22, 2011
How far along? 35 weeks... Approximately 35 days to go
How Big is Baby (from thebump.com) - Baby's still the size of a honeydew!  From now on, baby's growth is mostly in the plumping up department -- though he won't get much longer, he'll put on a pound or more of baby fat before birth. (He's about 15 percent right now and will be about 30 percent by full-term.) His hearing is totally developed (tip: baby responds best to higher pitches), and if he really is a "he," his testes have probably completed their descent.

Maternity Clothes - I'm getting sick of my current wardrobe but no reason to buy anything new  

Weight gain - Up 1 pound... total gain is 13 pounds!

Food aversions - Sausage, but I've been loving hot dogs!

Cravings - FRENCH FRIES... I don't know what it is about them, but it's even worse if I know the restaurant has incredible ranch to dip them in!

Symptoms - Exhaustion still! Back pain

Movement - Lots of movement still

Belly Button - It's pretty flat

Labor Signs - On going irregular contractions

Goal for the coming week - Get the last items for my hospital bag and mail thank you cards

What I'm looking forward to - A few quiet relaxing weeks before Brycen arrives!

And how about a belly comparison over the past 12 weeks:

I've also created a couple of polls - check them out and vote today!

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2 down... 1 to go!

Early this morning, my cousin Tim and his wife Gina welcomed their beautiful baby girl, Payton Grace!
Which means...
Only 1 more baby (ie. Brycen) to go!
These next 6 weeks cannot go fast enough.

The Nursery is done!

IT'S DONE AND WAITING FOR BRYCEN TO ARRIVE!

34 weeks

Only 6 weeks to go until I meet my little man!
To say that I'm getting SUPER excited is truly an understatement.
But along with the excitement, I have a  HUGE new stress on my shoulders!Allow me to explain...
For those that don't know, there is major flooding ALL OVER the Midwest... unfortunately it is currently over 3 feet HIGHER than the flood plain which means Omaha is flooding.  There are levees in place, however none of them are built to withstand the constant pressure that these floods are bringing.. AND it is estimated to stick around for another 2-4 MONTHS!
Additionally, they are going to be opening the dams up north (cause of course they are flooding TOO) which is only going to cause the water here to rise... it's a vicious little cycle that has HORRIBLE TIMING!
OK, no this isn't as bad as possibly losing my house...we are on high enough ground it would never effect us in that way... but they are talking about the AIRPORT closing due to the flooding....OK, so what's the big deal about that?
If the airport closes, my mom won't be able to get here when I go into labor... and I don't know about you... that is just about as bad as the end of the world... OK, so not really, but close enough.  Especially when the nearest airport (Lincoln) is about the size of a match box...and the next closest is KC which is dealing with their own flooding issues and road closures.
OK so there are airports she can get to.. but it's going to cost so much more.  Our original plan was to book a flight for sometime in July through SW... and because they don't charge a "change" fee, she could then change the flight at a moment's notice and only pay the difference in the fares.  WELL, SW doesn't fly into Lincoln... so there goes that plan.And has anyone ever looked at last minute flights?  Yeah, expensive!
I guess if this is the worst of my worries I should consider myself lucky.I suppose this has helped me to NOT stress about labor or actually giving birth.But I'm a planner.. I HAVE to know what's going to happen (yeah yeah, save me the talk about how I can't plan my labor and to expect the unexpected... I know I have LITTLE control over how that's going to go and I'm OK with that.. it's the things I SHOULD be able to control that I need to plan out)
OK.RANT.OVER.
I just need to roll with the punches and everything will be just fine.

Weekly Stats and Reflection
Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2011
How far along? 34 weeks... Approximately 42 days to go
How Big is Baby (from thebump.com) - Baby's still the size of a honeydew!  Baby can recognize and react to simple songs...time to start practicing your lullabies! In fact, baby will recognize frequently sung tunes after birth and probably find them soothing. Less cute news: He now urinates about one pint per day. Get the diapers ready!

Maternity Clothes - Clothes are overrated!  

Weight gain - Up 3 pounds in two weeks.  total gain to date is 12.0 pounds

Food aversions - Sausage - will this EVER go away?

Cravings - Watermelon... ice cream... basically anything cold

Symptoms - Exhaustion and back pain... ya know - the usual!

Movement - Him moving NEVER gets old - one of the only things that can ALWAYS put a smile on my face

Belly Button - Does flat count as a belly button?

Labor Signs - Lots of contractions this week.... he has to wait 3 more weeks then it's fair game!

Goal for the coming week - Pack my hospital bag and finish thank you cards

What I'm looking forward to - Our Annual Summer Party this weekend... last party before we become a family of 3!

This past weekend Brian and I went to BRU and picked out a new highchair and pack n play (since I had 20% coupons).  Since the set I originally wanted is only available online (and the coupons are only good in-store) we decided to save ourselves the money and just pick out something new.  We got WONDERFUL deals so it made it SO worth it!  Also, I finished decorating the nursery (pics in another post) and it looks so incredible... now we just need pictures to put in the frames... and of course Brycen himself!

33 weeks

 EXHAUSTION...

That is the word of the week.
I'll admit it, I didn't necessarily believe people when they said exhaustion sneaks up and hits you like a ton of bricks... but I do now.
It all started this past Saturday... after dinner around 7:30 pm, I laid down for a "nap".  Woke up (for all of 30 seconds) at 9:30 pm when Brian said he was going out with some friends.... slept til 1:30 am when Brian got home... went back to bed at 2:30 am... slept til 7:40 am... let the dog out and went back to bed.... got up at 8:45 am to let the dog back in from outside... laid back down at 8:50 am... woke up (for the day) at 10:15 am.  I got somewhere around 13 hours of sleep; and ya know what?  I could have slept ALL day Sunday had Brian let me.
I thought perhaps I was so tired because I've been getting broken sleep - I'm usually up at least once in the middle of the night...  However the past 2 nights, I haven't woken up at all, and yet I'm STILL tired.  
As far as work goes, I truly thought having a desk job would be a blessing (hello, no swollen feet if I get to sit all day long)... but sitting for 8 hours a day is horrible - there are many times throughout the day that I honestly could fall asleep with relative ease.  Add to the pure exhaustion the fact that I have to sit further away from my desk due to my beach ball baby bump, and by the end of the day, my back is an aching mess.
Now don't get me wrong... 
I still ABSOLUTELY LOVE being pregnant!I've definitely had a MUCH easier pregnancy than most (and I truly love the fact that my mommy friends hate me for it)but this stage is just taking a lot of getting used to!
Oh well I guess.. it comes with the territory!

Weekly Stats and Reflection
Date: Wednesday, June 8, 2011
How far along? 33 weeks... Approximately 49 days to go
How Big is Baby (from thebump.com) - Baby's now the size of a honeydew!  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.

Maternity Clothes - No clothes are preferred (of course in the privacy of my own home), but I do my love my maternity wear!

Weight gain - I "unofficially" weighed myself today and I haven't gained anything... so total gain is still 9.0 pounds

Food aversions - Sausage

Cravings - Freeze pops and DQ

Symptoms - EXHAUSTION and back pain

Movement - he's a mover and a shaker - all day long BUT still sleeping through the night

Belly Button - Innie... it's getting flatter though!

Labor Signs - Some braxton hicks

Goal for the coming week - Get all the final items for baby that we didn't get from our showers (travel system, pack n play, high chair)

What I'm looking forward to - Sleep - and having things slow down for a few weeks before he makes his appearance.

I had my 3rd and final baby shower this past Sunday as well.  It was a wonderful afternoon with friends and family.  Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures with my camera, so I'm waiting on them from my sister in law... BUT I did get a few of my amazing cake and cookies!  
So here's a sneak peek:

The train around the bottom matches the train I painted for his nursery! 

The animals and sports match the theme as well!

The cookies were DELICIOUS!

Introducing...

J&B Custom Boutique!

My friend Brandy and I have had this project in development for quite some time, and we have FINALLY gone live!
We are 2 Mom's and a Sewing Machine!
Sick of shopping for the right items and can't find them? Look no more, J&B Custom Boutique creates one of a kind items.
Shopping for a new diaper bag? We can do it! 
What about a party outfit? Add a matching bow! 
Want your gift to be best in show at a baby shower or birthday?We will create it special - whatever you NEED.
Our Burp rags and bibs are perfect for those spit up days and messy eaters. 
Our matching Diaper bag kits are new mom's must haves.
Look no more, you just arrived at the PERFECT STORE!
Please check us out:
Facebook: J&B Custom Boutique
Blog: jbcustomboutique.blogspot.com
Twitter: JB_Boutique
Orders are accepted by email to: jbcustomboutique@gmail.com(Payment by paypal invoice)

32 weeks and weight loss?

Yes, I said it... 
I . LOST . WEIGHT!
I seriously have NO clue how since I've had Dairy Queen 3 times in the past week, as well as many other foods (and sweets) that I probably shouldn't be eating.
And the best part...
My doctor is not at all concerned!

I was overweight to begin with and it's not like I'm trying to lose...
guess it just happens :)

32 weeks

WOW - where does the time go?
Last week it felt like Brycen was camping out in my ribs... 
BUT, I think he has dropped!
I no longer have him pounding on my diaphragm... instead, he is jumping on my bladder!(thus sending me to the bathroom every 20 minutes or so!)
I know with first time mom's, the baby drops a lot sooner - I just wish it meant that he would be arriving early (obviously not THIS early) but unfortunately (or so they say), it is no indication of when labor will start.
I'm also VERY excited to finally be able to say that Brycen will be here NEXT MONTH!  
This past weekend brought the arrival of Madison (Congrats Mike and Sarah, she's beautiful).  Next we have Payton due June 18th... hope she doesn't keep Gina and Tim waiting too long!  
While shopping the other day, I stumbled upon a cross that I fell in LOVE with... so of course, I had to buy it for Brycen's room.  It looks so nice on his shelf:

Weekly Stats and Reflection
Date: Wednesday, June 1, 2011
How far along? 32 weeks... Approximately 56 days to go
How Big is Baby (from thebump.com) - Baby is still the size of a squash! 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 (only a few months away now!) much easier. (If he's still head-up, don't panic -- there's still time for a flip before birth.)

Maternity Clothes - Maternity clothes are so comfy!Weight gain - Lost .8 pounds!  Total gain as of 6/2/11 is 9.0 pounds
Food aversions - Sausage
Cravings - Freeze pops and DQ
Symptoms - Minor back pain, and frequent bathroom breaks
Movement - he's a mover and a shaker - all day long BUT still sleeping through the night
Belly Button - Innie... it's getting flatter though!
Labor Signs - Some braxton hicks
Goal for the coming week - Get some baby shower gifts out in the mail as well as all my thank you cards!
What I'm looking forward to - Baby shower this weekend!

 

I kinda had some doubts yesterday regarding my ability to parent - more so, the ability to know when something is wrong with my child.... Why?  Because of my baby, Bella.  Monday morning, she woke up and wasn't herself.  She went outside but never left the deck... she came back in and didn't even touch her food.  Didn't think too much of it, however throughout the day it progressively got worse.  To the point that I was checking to make sure she was breathing while sleeping in her bed because she was lifeless.  That evening, Brian and I realized that she had not drank ANY water all day long, nor had we seen her go to the bathroom.  She looked so sad and sick.  She got even worse before bed and we decided that if she wasn't perkier by morning she was going to the vet for sure.  I struggled because I just wanted her to tell me what hurt or didn't feel good.  


It was then that I realized, "Hello, Brycen isn't going to be able to tell us what's wrong"  How in the world am I going to be able to handle that?  I don't want to be the anal retentive parent that worries about EVERY symptom and takes him to the Dr... nor do I want to be the parent that assumes it's just going to be OK with time.  


Please tell me that these feelings are normal!


Anyway back to Bella...

Tuesday morning, I woke her up and while walking down the stairs, she lost her balance and fell into the wall.  Again, she wouldn't go off the deck (so that meant still no going to the bathroom).  I immediately told Brian that I wasn't going to work and I would tend to her (he just wanted to drop her off at the vet, whereas I wanted to be with her in case something was seriously wrong).  After an exam, a complete blood panel and x-rays, the vet determined that she tweaked her back somehow and it was throwing EVERYTHING off.  Despite preparing for the worst, we had the best possible outcome... pain killers and muscle relaxers later, she was able to go to the bathroom and has since started eating and drinking.  She is still in obvious amounts of pain and discomfort and while it'll take her time to fully recuperate, she is on the mend.

Sorry for the long story - it's funny how something like that makes you stop and question everything!