Why, hello, Braxton Hicks...

Not the name of the baby, by the way.


Early in the 2nd trimester, I started feeling weird pressure in my lower abdomen that, when I put my hand there, it felt sorta hard. It freaked me out at first, but then, for some unknown reason, I just assumed it was my little dude stretching out or something.  Fast forward to the past couple weeks, I was so wrong. That was the beginning of these lovely things called Braxton Hicks contractions that everyone who has seen the episode of Friends when Rachel was pregnant and getting them has heard of (if not from other avenues). I was worried that I would feel like her and freak out about it, but they totally don't hurt...it's just a weird feeling.


A clip of what I'm talking about if you never saw the show (what's wrong with you?) or just don't have it memorized like I do. It's a crappy clip, but it'll do.





Anyhow, they have gotten quite frequent. Up to 3-4 times an hour sometimes. However, what I KNOW is that they're not labor contractions. They are irregular, they don't get stronger but get weaker, altering myself (how I'm sitting, walking, whatever) can help it go away, they don't actually hurt or make me feel any pressure or pain anywhere else (like lower back or thighs). Honestly, if I'm walking and one starts, I mostly don't feel it but notice I just have to pee, then realize it's my silly contractions going again. I did ask my doctor about it since they were, I thought, quite frequent (well, I had to see another doc in the practice the other day, but he was awesome) and he said nothing to worry about at all. That it's all part of my uterus moving out of my pelvic cavity, too. Whatever, he's not worried, little dude still kicks like a nutjob, so I'm not worried.


WE GOT OUR CRIB! I was so excited about this! It feels like I'm not a slacker (some girls are like painting and decorating and buying all kinds of crap already) and I have something to look at and dream of putting down and picking up my baby from. We also got our dresser in that matches. So, once we got the crib assembled and everything in the house, I moved things around a tad to where I think they'll be permanent locations. Yes, of course I have pictures!

This is the dresser and I think I like where the glider is right now. We still haven't really decorated, but I wanted to wait to have the crib and dresser before we got around to it, so I know heights and placement of things. I have a valence for the window, but I think I'll want to add a longer curtain to go with it. I need a rod now.

This is our crib! We had already ordered and received the baby bedding we wanted so I threw it on the mattress. The quilt that I have thrown over the crib will actually be tacked to the wall as decoration until the little minion gets bigger and has a reduced chance of suffocating, but I put it there for decor for now. We only have one set of the sheets that came with the set, but I'm ok with that. They're super cute, but change is good so I registered for some plain sheets that should match.

Close up on the quilt.

Close up on the sheets. I haven't washed anything yet, lol. That is another reason why I felt ok putting it on the crib so early. Since I still need to take it off to clean, I'm not worried about dust build up in the meantime.

This is the crib bumper. I'm not putting it in our crib because bumpers have a positive correlation to increased SIDs risk, but I thought maybe it would be ok on the floor like that, as sort of a wall liner in a play corner. I don't know, what do you think? I'd have to staple it to the wall or something.

Up close of the bumper.

Some of the diapers I've received in their drawer!

Some receiving blankets and changing pads in their spot.

I took 2 more pictures of crap in drawers, but they loaded sideways, and who really cares to see crap in drawers anyways? 

This is a diaper stacker that came with the set. I'm supposed to load diapers in it to hold and pull out when needed...  I'm thinking a toy holder instead because who wants to keep loading and unloading diapers? I don't know, we'll see.

So, I know I haven't mentioned it on this blog, but my real estate lady who helped us find our house is just amazing. She was recommended by people at church and we loved her. She sent this to us! It's a Scentsy lamb that smells of baby powder! He's super cute, smells nice, and there is an extra powder pack in the box for when the one in him loses its scent. She is so wonderful and thoughtful!

I'm 26 weeks right now...just one more week until I'm 3rd trimester! I'm an eggplant in fruits (can't remember if I mentioned that already). I'm also entertaining the idea of our little guy coming early, like 2 weeks early, and being born BEFORE my birthday (I'm sure I'll still be tired if he does and, obviously, can't get sloshed, but at least I could have a 30th birthday celebratory drink if he did!), but whenever he wants to show up is ok with me, especially if it's a little early (hear that little buddy, your mommy loves you, and loves you more if you don't make her wait too long!).

RhoGam vaccination (since my blood type is O neg) and one more ultrasound! I know we'll have to start going to the doc more often than every 4 weeks soon, and I think this is my last 4 week break between doc visits. It's nice and not nice. It's just extra time I could be home doing nothing or sleeping, but I get to check in on how my little guy is coming along, too. (I know, I'm a whiner.)

We're now signed up for 2 classes given by the hospital. One class is about all things labor, and we get a tour of the facility, too. The other is about breastfeeding. 

Things I probably should start doing:  reading a book about your dogs and your new baby (I read about a recommended one...but I'm stupid and forgot to write down it's name!), read books about the actual BABY and breastfeeding, and get my FMLA papers together. 

Now, I'm going to find something to eat...

A Poll & Pictures of Baby Stuff!

So, now I'm 24 weeks along. I think that's 6 months or so, but, either way, it is 3 weeks away from 3rd trimester and about 16 weeks away from the full 40 week gestation period. More than half-way through. I still feel great. My sleep has gotten better (it was TERRIBLE for a while, from no sleep and exhausted to wanting to sleep all the time again) and I am definitely looking pregnant and not just fatter now.


My poll... and weigh in if you wish, but you don't have to. I'm trying to be unbiased in my pick for choosing a photographer for infant pictures. I am pretty sure I am NOT doing maternity photos. I just cannot imagine hanging pregnant pictures of me with Brandon on our walls to show off...or printing them in a book or anything. I really don't want to look at them and I doubt anyone else does...especially after our little guy comes along. Anyhow, I want awesome pictures of our little guy, of course. I started with the wonderful person who did our wedding (Lynn Michelle), but she was honest and said that kiddos were NOT her strong point, and gave me 3 recommendations. One of her recommendations was on my list of photographers for our wedding (not telling you who, though), so I want to make sure I don't just pick the photographer based on who I liked for engagement and wedding pictures!


All three of these choices are really great, I think. Just, which ones do you like better?

• Simple Moments (click on Portfolio and then wee babies)
• Peyronet Photography (click on Galleries and then New Life) 
• Engaged Studio
• True Blessings Photography (click Galleries and Newborns)

I just have to mention one thing, this little guy is a mover! Some days he's throttling me, and other days it's more subtle. However, when we went to church Sunday, we bowed our heads for the pastor's prayer. I felt him moving, so I had my eyes open just looking at my stomach and, holy crap, I could see my dress moving with his kicks! I elbowed Brandon at that time, of course, and pointed to the area he'd been kicking and, sure enough, he did it again for Brandon! Brandon smiled and rolled his eyes and whispered to me, "He's not even born yet and already restless in church!" We're in for a handful, I think!


Anyhow, moving on, I promised pictures. Here are the pictures of the glider we got for a deal! (40% off the floor model!) I think it looks in great shape for a floor model and it is so comfy!

When we get the crib, I'll take pictures of the bedding. We already have it, but I don't feel like pulling it out of it's pack just to lay it on the ground.  We also have some wall decor, but I think I'll save that for after we get the nursery sort of decorated.

I have a glucose tolerance test next week, ugh. All I do is not eat (especially anything sweet) before I go to the appointment, drink a super sugary drink, and then have my blood tested. If I pass the sugar trial, yay! If I don't, I will have to do a more in depth trial that takes like 3 hours! I don't think so! I swear I better pass because this little test disinterests me greatly already. And I believe the next big deal is a 28 week ultrasound...so four more weeks or so for that, then that'll be the last time we see our little minion until he decides to show up! 

And here are pictures of some other things we've received from my Mommy! She bought our little guy some onesies, gowns, socks, bibs, and hats as well as some of the diapers we want to use, nursing covers, and changing pads! They're so, soo soft and cute! I have tried to put the diaper on Ribby the beagle, however, the diapers are rated up to 35 pounds and Ribby weighs more than that, so, needless to say it wouldn't work. Too bad, would've been cute pictures! 

Sorry there are a lot of pictures, but laying the outfits out would have been a pain and it was just easier to quit shoot like that.

Sorry for the fuzzy picture. I forgot I had the auto focus off on my lens.

Cute little hats!

Mom so far has sent us 6 diapers! They're adjustable sizes. I have two pale yellow, two orange, and two green! His little butt will be so cute!

Socks!

Gowns

With a little basketball accessory (I have no idea what, if anything, he'll do with it...but it's still cute!)

Guitar accessory

Pea accessory

Teddy bear accessory

Lion accessory (on the shoulder because I didn't want to block the rest of the onesie)

Don't forget to weigh in on the photographers! (if you want, that is! I would really appreciate your feedback!

Just a Little Update

Nothing too much to add. We've all been great! We set up our registry and started buying some furniture and stuff for the nursery! (well, Mom contributed to that the most, but we got some decorations for it!) I'll have to take pictures of it later with my new fancy pants camera...so, no pictures this time around.

My little guy is moving around a lot whenever I'm awake (no idea what he does when I'm asleep since I'm sorta not conscious). It feels so weird, though, because it is a lot of pressure moving around instead of kicks, really, and I'm told that's because of where some of my anatomy decided to place itself. Whatever, it's still cool. I haven't really seen my belly move around...but both Brandon and I have felt kicks from the outside. They're little ones...but they're still there. They should get more crazy later, but for now, it's weird pressure and little kicks! :)

I'm 22 weeks. That sounds like around 5 months to me...cause I have July, August, September, and October left...which puts me at 9 months! Google search tells me 3rd trimester starts about 27 weeks...so I have a few left to go until I'm in my last leg.

And I'm so showing. Maybe not so easily in my work scrubs...but it's there. I can't suck that in at all. It feels pretty weird, I must say. However, I am thrilled still that some of my co-workers insist I'm not showing sometimes. That sounds dumb, I know, but I'm sorta hoping to not get ginormous. I don't mind being pregnant...but if I hide it well, that is a super huge bonus! Fine, call me superficial, but that's how I feel!

Well, I said it was just a little update. I think if you wanna know about fruits I'm like a papaya or something...but reading the books about what the baby is doing is funny because what they books say he should be doing NOW, he was already doing at my 18 week ultrasound. So I think to think my little man is advanced. :)

Alright, until I have fun pictures, I'm out!

He's already feeling special!

We had our house celebration get together the day after we found out our little guy is a boy. We didn't expect any gifts from anyone, but some people brought gifts anyways! 


Here are some pictures of super cute gifts we've gotten this weekend!

This was given to me by my good friend Anne. So cute!

Actually...this was my very first baby buy! But, how can you get any better than cars and dogs?! The two best things ever combined! Well, I guess add some sports crap, and then it'll be best ever.

This was actually given to me a couple weeks ago. My aunt gave it to me. It was given to her and my uncle by my uncle's mother, who made it, by the way, and she passed it down to me! Original and beautiful1

The same aunt also gave me this. Now, I haven't actually cut one of my ultrasound pictures to put in it (that is the demo picture), but I will soon! It is more than adorable!

That's all folks. Trying to keep it short and sweet...especially since I put up 2 posts in one day!

It's a Boy!!!

Many of you have already heard, but, yes, our little minion is a Boy!  I'm not sure I had a gut feeling that I KNEW he was a boy, but I thought all the signs pointed to boy. Lack of symptoms, extreme hunger, and a few other things made me think so.


Also, I will say I officially feel him moving around. I may have felt him before, but I wasn't sure. Reports from other moms about what it feels like to feel your baby moving are things like gas bubbles, stomach growling, popcorn popping, things like that. I have an active stomach. It is talkative and I almost always feel it...so, if I felt our little guy, I couldn't tell the difference.


What made the big difference was one day I think that sucker stretched out and all of a sudden I had this intense feeling that I needed to use the restroom...but I had gone ONLY an hour ago! I thought, "No way, that is insane. There is no way I have to go again." And then it went away...  I started paying closer attention since then and now I'm sure I know when he's moving around or not.


Anyhow, I'll rant, then link pictures and the ultrasound video (yes, I may be crazy, but I'm ok with this, you don't have to click it). My rant is up to the moment we found out we're having a boy, many people would ask me what I wanted. And I've seen the same questions asked of other pregnant ladies, too. And I cannot stand it when the answer is, "I just want a healthy baby." I understand the sentiment, and, although I know the woman is not implying that I want an unhealthy baby, but, come on. That crap is implied! Of course we all want healthy babies! I cannot imagine anyone under the sun whose life-long dream was to have a sickly baby that requires hours of care and patience and money. That's just dumb. So, me, being a crabby pregnant lady, is annoyed by that answer EVERY SINGLE TIME I hear it. The person posing the question wants to know, say, if you have a child already, do you want another of the same sex or are you hoping for a variety? Or, if it's your first, are you hoping for a certain gender, or does it really not matter. (now, ultimately, us pregnant ladies will always love whatever child God has decided to give us, but some of us may have wanted to lean one way or another at some point in time...like me, I wanted a boy. I think there is nothing wrong with that as long as I love the ever living crap out of my child.)


Anyways, I wonder if I'll get the question if a boy was what I wanted...and I wonder if there will be other women who answer something like, "As long as he/she was healthy, I was happy." Ugh. Anyways, happy pictures and those with captions!

And...the link to the ultrasound video. The measurements of the head and femur bone put our little dude at about 19 to 20 weeks when I was about 18.5 weeks at the time. So, although growth can vary a lot at this point in the pregnancy, he's measuring a little ahead right now. We'll see...maybe he'll show in October after all!

Insomnia sucks

If you know me, you know I LOOOOOVVEEEE my sleep. Love it! I loved being able to sleep 10+ hours if I had the chance. It seemed easier to do when I was a day-shifter and not a night-shifter, but, either way, I could really get my sleep on if I had the time.


However, not lately. I don't know if it is pregnancy, vacation throwing me off my schedule, excitement about my brother's upcoming graduation, stress/excitement about the buying of our house and, now, the process of moving in and getting everything set up, or the fact that my doctors' appointments that I'm looking forward to are now 1 week and 2 weeks away. (So close!) Either way, I never hardly sleep past 3pm, and rarely get more than 2 to 4 hours sleep at a time. It really sucks. 


I've even tried benedryl to make me sleep (baby safe, I've checked). That stuff used to knock me out for a billion hours back in the day. Now? Nothing. I've taken two today and only slept four hours. And I still have to go to work! Ugh! At least I found a new Facebook game that really holds my attention for a long time to help me out during the slower times at night. Last night I worked on only about 2.5 hours of sleep and only once almost nodded off...and that was before I found the Facebook game, lol. (oh, and definitely not when I had any patient care to be concerned with!)


But, all in all, I blame this on the baby. Never in my life have I ever had sleeping problems, until now. It seems I can go to sleep just fine in the beginning, but I can't stay asleep for long. Once I wake up, I'm up. I'm hoping after my brother's graduation weekend, and after we get officially moved all the way in, things will settle down. Time will only tell, but I have to be more diligent about my sleep schedule. No more marathon naps! It's ruining bed time!


On another note, I'm 16 weeks this week. I think all the books call this week within the 4th month of pregnancy. Of the two books I have, they disagree on month 5. One says it starts at week 17 and the other says like week 18. How they could be so different, I have no idea...but whatever. I'm four months it seems regardless of the source, so that's cool. Almost half way through...but I know the more difficult times are coming in the third trimester...but so are the more fun times (feeling baby kick and all). Week 16 is an Avocado, the baby is like 4.5 inches long and about 3oz in weight, his or her eyes can actually now sense light, and is able to move around better thanks to innervation and muscles making enough connections to do it, though I haven't felt the kiddo move yet. The books say it's a bit early still.


I sneeze more, even though I've never experienced seasonal allergies in my life. I've officially ordered maternity jeans because mine just aren't comfortable sitting down anymore without at least un-buttoning them, if not unzipping a tad, lol. Otherwise, I think I just look pudgy. Oh, and I still pee all the freaking time. I still haven't found the heartbeat with my stethoscope or the Doppler machines at work. I've actually given up on the ones at work, don't remember if I mentioned that or not. Other than that, I'm great! Just sleepless...


Here is a picture of me in regular length Old Navy maternity jeans and maternity shirt. (I bought the shirt, but went online to get long jeans.) I think they look good!

15 weeks now...

And nothing really new to report. I still don't think I have a "bump," yet. What I have is really just some fat. But I'm ok with that. I'm a big girl (as in tall with not a slight frame)...I have some room to spare.


However, now that the house is actually BOUGHT, we can starting thinking a little of the nursery. Most of the consideration will happen after we find out what we're having, but dumb things, like which room will the nursery be in, we can decide on now.


Since the new home is 4 bedrooms, we sorta have 3 to choose from. Our real estate agent just LOVED what was used as the study to be a nursery, but I personally think it is a terrible idea. I don't remember if Brandon weighed in on that idea or not, but here are my reasons. It is right next to the front door. The other two bedrooms are more on the side of the house, so there would be a lot less potential noise and traffic. Also, as it does have a super cute little chandelier and really pretty yellow painting already, it has French doors. If we wanted to close the door and keep the noise or lights out of the room, it would only be the French doors, which I just don't see as being as effective as a real door. I love the French doors, but not for a bedroom/nursery. And, besides, whichever room we pick for the nursery will be the kid's room as he or she grows up. I don't intend to have one room be a nursery and another room be the kid's room. That is too much work and moving crap around.


That leaves two rooms that are practically identical and side-by-side. I know which room I'd pick, and I think Brandon said he never really thought about it. It really makes little different. I would say which room I'd pick, but, literaly, it would be saying I pick left over the right. That gives no information, but is practically is all there is to the "big" decision to make. But, there we have it. After we pick, we can decide if we want to leave the colors as is, or paint some in the room. I think that will depend on what we're having some, but I don't want to go crazy with paint. I just can't imagine having a girl, painting a room bubble-gum pink, and leaving it that way for years. I suppose as the kid is little, no one will really care what color there is, but the thought of painting over colors like that just makes me cringe, too. I think any painting done should be simple and maybe just an accent wall or border or something, and leave the rest some neutral, generic color that could be easy to change decor over time and not clash.


But here are pictures of a convertible crib that would help keep the kid's nursery his or her room forever.

This isn't exactly what I'll get, but I do like this one a lot! See the top left picture is a perfect little crib, then can convert two different ways for a toddler/day bed. Then can convert one more time to a full size bed with headboard and foot board. Talk about all in one! It also has matching furniture, the chest of drawers and changing table. The changing table can have a hutch with it, but I'm not personally a huge fan of hutches. Also, not all changing tables have the little tower, which I'm not that fond of, but can make use of it for years. I think a nice toy storage area or something for the future. But, if I can find a set that looks more like a set of drawers than a changing tower, I'll likely hit that up instead of one exactly like this. But I love the options!

I was going to find pictures of cute nurseries that aren't over-done and show you things I kinda like, but I think this post is long enough right now. Have to same up something for the next uneventful update post, right?