32 & 1/2 weeks

My partner in crime (biscuit) is back on the scene, so she was able to snap a belly pic of me today.  Please disregard my overall puffy PUFFY face and eyes because that's the norm for me these days.  While the acne hasn't subsided since I was about a week pregnant - I now have the additional water retention in the ankles/feet, hands and face.  I knew about ankle swelling but had no idea that my eyelids would swell to the point where I look like I'm having an allergic reaction. I am down to just wearing mascara because any additional makeup would just get swallowed by my fat eyelids.  It's oh so beautiful.  Oh well..only a few short weeks to go and our little girl will be here.  I consider myself lucky that I don't have gestational diabetes or anything serious - so a little swelling (ok a LOT swelling) I can deal with.  The hardest thing is writing these days.  My handwriting was awful before - but now that my fingers are like sausages it is nearly impossible to write something legible.  Sorry in advance to anyone who has to try to decipher my scribble!

Additonally, I have revamped the blog layout....again! Yes I know I did it a while back but I was really not happy with the result.  I was just getting frustrated so I gave up and went with the last one that I got working.  Now I think I've got it where I want it.  I hope you all like - it's a lot cleaner I think. 

Well, back to the grind.  Enjoy the latest belly pic in all it's glory!

can you believe I still have 8 weeks?!?

The Nursery Reveal

So we've been working hard on the nursery and it's pretty much done.  We have a few things to add (curtains for one...hence the empty curtain rod) but for the most part it's complete.  Now all we need is our little girl to snuggle with and rock to sleep in our awesome glider!  Anyway, here are the pics!



here is the view from the doorway



the repainted vintage furniture (with new knobs) and the shelves/baskets that Sean put up for me!  Oh AND the awesome print that I won from the tinyandlittle blog! Yay!!





another view of the crib.  I was considering putting another piece of art on the blank wall behind the crib, but I'm hoping we'll get a mobile and that will go there...so I figured I'd wait and see how that looks first!



The shelves along the opposite wall of the crib.  The top row are all my old "Little Golden Books" and my first dolls.  Also on the top right are my first pair of baby shoes.  The bottom row holds all our little girl's first toys!  Aren't they adorable?!





View of wall opposite of crib.  I am in love with these dressers we got off of Craig's list - they are prefect!




Our new rocking chair that my sisters gave us complete with a cute owl pillow AND the adorable Oh Susanna doll that I won from the dandelion blog in Australia! Isn't she darling?!



So there it is.  I just love walking in there at random times during the day and imagine what it will be like once she's here with us.  So excited!

In other news - I just called the doctor to get the results from my latest glucose tolerance test and I'm very happy to report that I do NOT have gestational diabetes! I can not tell you how relieved I am.  Sure I still need to watch my sugar and diet but I am not considered high risk and I don't have to worry about checking my blood every few hours and all that.  I have been so worried about this the past few weeks (since my last test came back inconclusive) but now that I'm in the clear I can focus my energy on all the happiness! Horray!

32 Weeks!

We hit 32 weeks today - Only 8 more weeks until my due date.  It's getting so close!  This week I had my 2nd glucose tolerance test and now I'm just waiting for the results.  Fingers crossed that it comes back negative and I can stop worrying about gestational diabetes!  Even if it does come back negative I am still going to keep my sugar and white carbs intake in check.  Whatever is best for our little girl! Speaking of our little peanut - I am starting to get really curious about what she's going to look like.  Sean and I talk about it from time to time....will she have blonde hair or brown hair?  Will she have my nose and his lips?  Who knows?! I have been looking at pictures from when we were both little and trying to imaging what little pieces of us will be looking back at us from the eyes our our precious baby.

For some fun - here are a few pics of Sean and I as little ones.

Dad dressed me on picture day this year - hence the large yarn bow!

I mean can he be any cuter?  Look at the little hair flip!



The bow tie!! the BOW TIE!!



big head....and what was I watching? Sheesh mom....that's some racy TV!

So no belly pic today because my parter in crime isn't at work today to take the picture.  I promise to share one soon.  Sean and I have our childbirthing class this Sunday.  I think it's really going to hit me that I have to get this baby out of me somehow very VERY soon.  I'm trying not to panic but I'm pretty scared.  At least in the end it will all be worth it and we'll have our beautiful girl here with us!

Happy Friday!

First update in the new year!

Happy New Year everyone! I haven’t updated in a while (I know, shocker!) so I figured I’d pop in and let you know what’s been going on.  It’s been a roller coaster – but all in all it’s been pretty great.

About a week before Christmas I went in for my regular glucose tolerance test – and it came back high.  That meant that I had to go back and take the 3 hour test to see if I have gestational diabetes.  I was pretty scared but figured if I had it, I’d deal with it.  I had to go on a high carb diet for 3 days and then fast the night before the test.  Sean was great and drove me back and forth to the blood lab every hour for 3 hours so I could lay on the couch between blood draws (ah the beauty of living right across the street from the doctor!) I got the results this week and it came back that 1 of the blood glucose levels was high.  If 2 of them came back high I would be designated a diabetic.  But since it’s only 1 level, I have to retake the test at 32 weeks.  LAME! I am basically on a diabetic diet right now – no more cake and cookies or white bread.  I’m basically on weight watchers without counting the points.  I’m not trying to lose weight but I have to eat lots of lean proteins and veggies and less refined sugars and carbs.  Figures I’d be the one that has to still be on a diet while I’m preggers! Oh well, whatever will keep our baby healthy!

I also had a little scare with the baby last week.  I think I was just paranoid, but I swore that she wasn’t moving around as much as she should in there.  I called my doc and they brought me in and hooked me up to a fetal stress monitor.  Basically it’s just some bands that go around my belly and chart the baby’s heartbeat.  Sean came with me and it was pretty cool to sit there and listen to the baby’s heartbeat for 20 minutes.  She even kicked a few times while I was hooked up.  When the doctor came back in she said that everything looked fantastic!  And honestly, since we did that I’ve been feeling her a lot more.  Maybe she was moving around the whole time but I had convinced myself that something was wrong.  Who knows? Being responsible for growing a little person is very stressful and I think my fears got the best of me.

Oh and remember when I posted about what I wanted for Christmas?  Well, Sean is getting me the ultimate gift! In a very sweet card (he gives the best cards!) he made me a coupon that said “good for 1 minivan!” Yay…this new mama is getting herself a minivan! I don’t care if they aren’t “cool.”  My jeep just won’t be as great for carting around our new little one and all the stuff she comes with.  I’m so excited! I’m just waiting to receive the lein release on my car and then we’re going shopping!

I have made some major progress on the nursery.  All the little clothes that we have received from the NJ shower as well as all the adorable hand me downs that people have given us are all washed, folded and put away.  We also got a mattress for the crib and the linens I ordered should be here any day now. I have my art project started for the walls and bought some shelves to put up.  I also found some of my old dolls to put in there.  I should be able to post pics very soon!  I can’t wait to share with everyone!

And finally – my latest belly pic.  I am growing at lighting speed! I’m starting to waddle and it’s getting harder and harder to get up and roll over in bed.  Good times!  But hey – only about 70 days to go!

bamm!

The Pregnancy Saga Continues

So I haven’t been feeling like blogging much lately, but figured it’s been a while so I should write an update on what’s been going on.  There is a lot of stuff that happens that nobody tells you about before you’re pregnant.  I have had horrible charlie horses in my calves that wake me up from a dead sleep with crippling pain.  Then there is the bloody nose I woke up to the other day.  Oh and the other day I had just gotten out of the shower, sneezed, and peed myself.  Thankfully I wasn’t dressed yet and was able to jump right back in the shower.  These things happen more than I’d like to admit (thank goodness for panty liners!) And now…my belly is getting so big…that it’s hard to breathe or put my pants on, or my socks, or shave my legs.  I just never thought about all this stuff.

HOWEVER…

Now that she’s getting bigger I’m starting to feel her move more.  Having the anterior placenta has been such a drag because I couldn’t really feel her moving around inside me.  But lately she’s moving around a lot in there and I can feel it! It is so magical it makes all the other stuff totally worth it.  I have been hoping that Sean would be able to feel her move – and have had him put his hands on my belly many times only for him to feel nothing.  But this morning – he felt her kick two times! I am so happy! I hope he’ll be able to feel it more often now. 

Here are some pics from today.  I'm hitting 27 weeks tomorrow! Same as last time, I'm at work so the pics aren't all pretty and photoshopped to look like my skin is all glowing (more like preggo acneness) - but I figured you really just want a peek at that huge belly anyway so here it is!



BOOM - there it is!



Baby and Mama checking out the snow!

for my husband

I'll admit it....this post is basically for my husband who has no clue what to get me for Christmas.  I figured I'd just write a post of "things I like" and see where it goes.  For the rest of you - maybe you'll like something you see for yourself OR you can just see a bit into what kinds of pretty things I like.  Either way...here it goes.

- a nice candle from yankee
- a new perfume or gift certificate to Ulta where I can pick one
- a new scent of bubble bath

or...here are some links to other stuff I like

Rustic Trees Painting (from the StudioZen Etsy shop)

I think this woud look nice above the couch

Blossom Wall Art from Bed, Bath and Beyond

this would look nice in either the living room OR the bedroom

Portable Photo Studio from Think Geek


this would be great for when I get back to my etsy store!

  Gift Card to Massage Envy


because - who doesn't love a massage?!

 Black Gloves (from Amazon)

my tiny black gloves don't cover my wrists....so cold!

Rib Slouch Hat in Black (from Etsy Store tomiffy )

cause it's cute and can keep my head warm!

Washi Tape (from Happy Tape)

this tape is so pretty and has so many uses!

 Honda Odyssey

just sayin....

Like I said...these are just suggestions - I don't expect to get anything off this list.  But he asked so I searched the internet and this is what I came up with.  Honestly, I have been so focused on our little girl coming into the world that all the things I "want" are things for her....or for us as a new family.  It was a struggle to even come up with a list. It's funny how priorities change and she's not even here yet. 

Baby...you already gave me the greatest gift....a family! You're the best (and yes...you all can go barf now!)

The Velveteen Etsy Shop is Up!!

My good friend Biscuit just opened her etsy shop and it is awesome!  She makes the most adorable headbands for both adults and kids.  Each piece is more adorable than the last and  I am just so proud of her.  She's been working hard to get this shop up and running, and I'm so glad she's joined the etsy community.  Click HERE to check it out!

Here are some of the beautiful things she has for sale!

Seriously - go HERE and scoop up a custom headband for yourself or someone you love for the holidays!

24 1/2 weeks

I just had WB take my picture in the hallway at work because I keep forgetting to ask Sean to do it and the weeks are flying by.  My hair is a mess, I have no makeup on, and (you can't see it) but I have bright pink argyle socks on.  I just don't care these days if I look put together because I feel like everyone stares at my belly anyway.  Hah...that's fine by me! That little girl inside of me can get all the attention!

Sean has been very sweet lately, kissing me AND my belly when he sees me.  I think now that I'm getting bigger he's getting more excited and it's more real for him.  The only bummer is that I have a front facing (anterior) placenta.  It's nothing to be concerned about and happens in about 30% of pregnancies.  What it DOES mean is that the baby is basically kicking the placenta in the front instead of my uterine wall.  So...it's kind of muffled - like she's kicking through a pillow.  So, I can barely feel the kicks compared to other women at my stage of pregnancy and Sean still can't feel it from the outside.  I really wish he could experience this amazing thing with me..and I know in time he will, but that it will just take a bit longer.  But it's still really neat and I'm just thankful that she's healthy and I'm doing so well so far.  Other than my tailbone pain and sleepiness I feel pretty great!

So, here is my huge belly at 24 1/2 weeks!

dang - that's a big belly!

Giving Thanks

This weekend was great….very hectic, way too short and great! It started on Thursday morning with us packing our stuff into a very large enterprise van and driving up to New Jersey for my family’s thanksgiving feast.  My family does thanksgiving like nobody else I know.  Every year my mom’s side of the family gets together for an epic celebration.  75 family members (aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins and now third cousins!) all get together and feast! There is a list of what each family will bring (I was in charge of sternos, 2 desserts, and enough lettuce for 75 sandwiches) and a hall is rented.  We have had thanksgiving in the same hall for the past 5 years or so…it’s the basement of a church in a sleepy NJ town. Folding tables line each side of the room and are filled with turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry, and everything else you can imagine you’d want for your thanksgiving dinner.  Then there is the dessert table.  About 50 desserts to choose from! I think I had about 4 different types of pie!

It’s such a great time…being able to see all of those people, seeing the kids grow, seeing my young cousins getting engaged, married, having children of their own.  And seeing my aunts and uncles…knowing these are precious moments that we get to spend together now that I’ve moved away from NJ and now with my father moving down to South Carolina in a few short months.  The fact that we all still get together for this event every year – that this has been going on since before I was born…is amazing.  It’s so great that we can all get together and get along and spend this time together.

This thanksgiving was especially wonderful because my sisters had something up their sleeves that I was unaware of.  Right after I finished up dessert I was sitting at a table with my Aunt chit chatting when all of a sudden my sister came up behind me waving a pink ribbon over my head yelling for everyone’s attention.  It took a few minutes for me to realize what was going on – my sisters had planned a surprise baby shower for me in the middle of thanksgiving dinner! Sean didn’t know either – we were both shocked! I turned bright red, turned around and saw that they had set up two chairs, pink decorations, and there were a pile of presents sitting there.  I had my back turned talking to my Aunt while they were decorating and had no clue this was happening behind us!

So over we went, and opened presents and got to ooh and aah over all the adorable little girlie things that my wonderful family gave to us.  It was hard to absorb what was even going on…it was such a treat! To be able to celebrate our little girl coming into our lives with all of this family around us was amazing. It was almost like my mom was there with us…it was really special.

I know I said I wasn’t a fan of surprises…but if this is what it’s like to be surprised, well maybe I had it all wrong.  My sisters did an amazing job and surprised the crap out of us…and I couldn’t be more thankful for them or that moment.

A big ol' pain in the a$$

I hate to complain...well that's not true, I'm actually pretty darn good at complaining. But I feel bad complaining about the problems of being pregnant when I'm so very happy that I am pregnant.  Let me just say though, that I had no idea it would be such a pain in my ass.  Literally.

My sciatic nerve is killing my will to live.  I have pain from the back of my right knee all the way up to my tailbone.  Sitting at my desk has become something close to torture.  Walking for too long makes me feel like my tailbone is going to just rip off and fall to the ground.  The only time I'm comfortable is when I'm laying down - either the couch or the bed.  Unfortunately the won't allow a chaise or couch next to my desk.

I am now wearing what can only be compared to as a heavy lifter belt. 




this is NOT me....


It's actually supposed to support my belly and lift it up a bit to take pressure of my spine.  It's helping ever so slightly.  It mostly helps when I'm standing or walking - but the sitting is still pretty unbearable.  I am sitting on a pillow at my desk but my fat ass has already mushed that thing to a pancake so it's no longer giving support.

I have been getting back rubs from the hubby at night and using a heating pad.  These are both wonderful things - I just wish I could figure out how to make the 8 hours at work more bearable.  At this point I just want to cry and lay down on the floor to get relief from this pain in my ass.  I can't believe I have another 4 months of this pain.  It is definitely not as bad as morning sickness...but it is a close second.

Sorry for my bitch session...I'm just having a pity party....table for one.