Chris' Project: The Swing

One of the big items we received at the shower this past weekend was the Graco Love N' Hug Swing and it was Chris' responsibility to put it all together.

Being the good wife that I am, I left him to his building while I worked up in the nursery a little bit more.

30-45 minutes later, and we had our baby's swing!

This bad boy takes 3 D batteries, so I see us buying stock in Energizer.

Also, Loki does not like it when it moves. Oh, he is going to be in for a world of hurt...

yet another Etsy WANT

So these are stickers that you would put on a white onesie each month of the first year of Baby's life for picture purposes. I haven't figured out which ones I want exactly yet, but there are so many to choose from!

Etsy Monthly Stickers

35 / 35

I don't know what's scarier right now -- that 35 weeks have already come and gone, or that I only have 35 days until my EDD. Either way, this is quite the milestone.

Everything right now is just dragging... including me. I'm tired, I'm sore, I'm irritable, I'm anxious... I'm also getting impatient. Before I wanted to wait as long as I could to make sure everything was going to be set up and whatnot, but now that the big shower has come and gone (and will be getting its own Recap post later on) and we have bascally everything we need in preparation for BabyBaby, I just want her to get here.

No OB appointment this week.

Nothing really going on this week.

I think my main focus is going to be the nursery and just get it done. We knocked out a LOT yesterday with my mother and my aunt, and now all we have left are the decorative features. And then once its finally all done, I'll post pictures... I dont want to post any before then because I much rather the Big Reveal.

I also can't believe I'm about to make up a BabyBaby To-Do List for Chris and I... it seems like I was just making one of these for the wedding...

New Mom Must-Haves

I saw this article on TheBump the other day and I was intrigued... not because of what it had to offer, but because at least half of the items on this top-ten list, I either already knew about or already had...

1. Gripe Water

Thanks for my Niner friend Ames, and from numerous suggestions from other new mothers, I already had this one ready in the arsenal. Haven't bought a bottle - yet - but its definitely on my personal must-have list.

2. Fisher-Price Ocean Soothe & Glow Seahorse

Again, per the suggestion of Ames, this one ended up on my registry. We received it at my first baby shower, and it's already in the crib, waiting on BabyBaby to come home.

3. The Ultimate Crib Sheet

We didn't go with this one, but thankfully have 4 crib sheets, 4 waterproof mattress pads, and 2 mattress covers in reserves if something does happen...

4. Air-Venting Bottles

Check. We registered for Dr. Brown's bottles and received them at the shower. So if for some reason I can't breastfeed how I want to, or if I can and I can start pumping for Chris' benefit right away, we're all set.

5. Sophie

I had known about Sophie for quite some time -- my friend Jess had one for her son, and she now has a tradition of giving it as a gift for every baby that comes along. Needless to say, she game me mine for my shower as well.

6. Glider

This was a no-brainer. We purchased ours when BRU was having their nursery furniture sale, and I'm very, very happy to have it.

7. Nursing Pillow

Again, my Boppy was something I was looking forward to having even before I found out I was pregnant. And even if I don't/can't nurse, it's going to be a great infant pillow.

8. A Travel Chair

This one I'm not so sure about. We hadn't really put much thought into it, Baby Bargains didn't really mention it when we were working on our registry, and it's not something any of my new mom friends said I have to have. I'll let this one go.

9. A Swaddle Blanket

We are now the proud owners of 4 of these. After seeing how much friends' babies enjoyed being swaddled, and how simple they are to use, these were a must-have on the registry.

10. Fisher-Price Rock n' Play Sleeper

Yes, yes, and yes. Friends of ours did some research and purchased this for their son right before he was born, and we were looking for a bassinet-type option as the baby will be sleeping in our room for the first couple of months. Plus, it's a great rocker for even when their not sleeping.

Bio Oil - the miracle remedy?

When I went for my 34-week appointment on Tuesday, my midwife noticed the stretchmarks that had formed on my belly, and she raved about this product, so much so that she ran into her office and put some on my belly for me from her own personal stash. I am intrigued, so I think I'm going to be taking a trip to Target tomorrow once payday hits and purchase me a small bottle. AND I found a $2-off coupon on the BioOil website... score!

another Etsy WANT

Why would I NOT want these???

Chris says "it's just a closet and you're the only one who's going to see it."

I say, "it's her closet, and I'm the only one who's going to see it!"

Plus, have you tried organizing baby clothes?? INSANE!

34 weeks

How am I doing? I'm doing. Everyone's been asking me this question lately, and I really don't have much of a better answer. I'm tired. I'm achy. I'm anxious. I'm excited... but do people really want to hear all that?

Things are coming along, that's for sure. BabyBaby is quite active these days, or maybe it's just that she's running out of room and I can feel every move, turn, jab, punch, kick, etc. Though I will say the kicks and punches have subsided... now its just more of a feeling of her presence. I can tell whenever she flips or moves, and rather than a sudden poke that goes away, its more of a gradual pressure that really feels like she's trying to push her way out from the inside (Bella/Renesmee, much?). But really, I love feeling her moving, and I swear we have a repertoire sometimes... she reacts to everything I do, and I react back at her. It's really amusing. And seeing the bumps and the movements from the outside is adorable, and at the same time somewhat freaky. Really reminds me of Alien, not going to lie. And I'm glad I can still see her - with the anterior placenta I thought I wouldn't be able to, but oh no... she finds a way to make her presence be known.

Speaking of anterior, I think she's spinning. I swear I can feel her butt up front... if not, then it's her head, and that's really not good. I'm being optimistic... we'll see what happens when I go for my 34 week appointment on Tuesday.

But in the meantime I've been keeping busy. I THINK the nesting is starting to kick in. All I want to do is clean, not that it's a bad thing. At least it includes BabyBaby stuff, which is multi-productive. I went and bought some Dreft at Babies R Us yesterday so I could start washing clothes, and my mother and I ironed out the sheers for the nursery windows yesterday so that when I hang them they're not a wrinkled mess.

PSA about Dreft at Babies R Us: 32 load bottle = $12.49. 64 load bottle = $27.99. No, I don't get the logic either. I only bought 1 32 load bottle for now, with a gift card because I didn't want to wait, but I think from here on out we're going to be purchasing in bulk from Amazon.com.

Speaking of Babies R Us.... it was so hard to walk in there and not buy anything else other than laundry detergent. And their Halloween stuff is out!!! But no - I'll be good. At least until after the big shower next weekend!

But yeah, stuff's coming along. We're attending a friend's wedding this afternoon, and I'm glad I didn't have to purchase a fancy maternity dress (thanks again, Angel!). Sadly, the wedding is having an open bar. *le sigh* At least Chris gets a DD, and I get as many Shirley Temples as I can handle - my blood sugar is going to LOVE that.

Also, my innie of a belly button is one day closer to being flush with my belly. Not popping out - at least not yet. Chris does NOT love that.

Now, it's time to eat. Again.

Nursery Update #3: Furniture is done.

Yesterday Chris took on the project of putting together the last remaining furniture items we needed for the baby's room... granted, these pieces were from IKEA, so it was bound to be a task. But he did it, and did it well, and I love him for it.

Nightstand

Bookcase

Dresser / changing table

Now we just need to figure out where it's all going. The dresser is pretty much staying on the wall it's on now, it just needs to be moved a couple of inches. The bookcase is going to be shifted to lie horizontally and is moving to underneath one of the windows, we just don't know which one yet. I think we'll be moving the chair out of the corner some, putting the bookcase by the door, and then the night stay will be on the opposite side of the chair so that it's more between the chair and the crib. What's holding up progress? All the stuff. I just gotta kinda shift it around now that that Chris can move things and then I think we'll be ready to start putting things away. I hope.

Recap: Shower #1

It occurred to me, as I was lying in bed last night, that I never really did touch upon the mini-shower MIL threw for me this past week. It's not to say I didn't appreciate it - I did! - it's just that with this past week, with work being busy and everything else social going on, I couldn't find the time to sit down in front of the computer and dedicate a decent blog post to it. So here I go.

The celebration was on Wednesday and included MIL's nearest and dearest friends, most, if not all, of whom I remember from the wedding. Chris did not receive a free pass for this one, so he arrived as soon as he was out of work, which I was grateful for. It's not that I wasn't comfortable, it's just that one more familiar face is always welcome.

SIL Ashlyn, SIL Katelyn, Chris, and me

Dinner was Italian - antipasto, some sort of chicken cacciatore, eggplant parm, tortellini primavera. I unfortunately haven;t been able to stomach Italian well lately (literally) so I stuck with the salad and the tortellini, which was delicious.

Dinnertime!

After we ate, and wine was drunk by everyone else by me, we eventually moved indoors for the opening of gifts and presents, and oh my gods, were there gifts and presents to be opened...

MIL's gift for BabyBaby

Everyone was exceptionally generous and thoughtful with their gifts! We received a LOT of clothes, many blankets, towels and washcloths, bibs, and finally some diapers! The nursery is starting to fill up and I'm getting antsy about getting everything organized and put away.

But I digress....

The night ended with cake... and it was good.

I really need to start working on thank you notes....

a Saturday of nothing...

.... means lots of stuff to do!

While Chris is upstairs setting up the last of the IKEA furniture for the baby's room, I'm getting ready for a trip over to my parents' house to iron the sheers for the windows. Sadly, though we have an iron, we do not have an ironing board, so I'm going to take advantage of my mother's while I'm over there visiting this afternoon. Also, she has gourmet cupcakes for me, and who am I to pass up cupcakes??

Also thinking on stopping by BabiesRUs to pick up some Dreft so that I can start washing baby clothes so that I can then start putting them away once the dresser is complete. I know I know, not going to wash anything beyond 6 months, but I'd at least like to get a head start if I can.

Plus, once Chris is done in the nursery I'm going to start putting things away and organizing... I'm kinda excited.

Not to mention I think nesting is starting to kick in... woke up this morning with uber-energy and now I just wanna get things done!

so much to do!

I woke up this morning in a state of panic -- all I could think about was everything that still needs to be done, in just the baby's room alone!


* put together the dresser, nightstand, and bookcase we picked up from IKEA this past weekend
* purchase white shelf at Christmas Tree Shop for above dresser, hang said shelf
* purchase baskets/compartments for top of dresser (diaper changing), dresser drawers (for socks, etc.), and bookcase (for toys, etc) - most likely at IKEA
* purchase frames for wall decor
* purchase 2x window rods for valances and sheers, most likely from Lowes (2", 1" respectively)
* figure out what two pictures I want to put in the framed coat rack, print/purchase said pictures, put them in said frame, and hang said coat rack
* wash and iron window sheers
* purchase some Dreft and start washing BabyBaby's clothes
* finish purchasing items needed for hospital bags (nursing tanks, PJ pants, slippers, etc) and get bags packed and put together
* have shower(s), get stuff, and put together that which we're going to need when baby gets here.
* finish decorating nursery, setting everything up, and putting everything away...


Where am I going to find the time and energy to get through this list??

nursery furniture

Since MA had a tax-free holiday weekend this past weekend, we decided to take advantage of it and make a trip to IKEA to get the rest of the furniture we would need for the nursery. Here's what we decided on:

HEMNES 8-drawer dresser in White

HEMNES nightstand in White

EXPEDIT bookcase in White. We're going to have it lying horizontally so that it can fit nicer underneath one of the windows.

Now we just have to get to building it....

33 weeks

Yup, I don't know if it's the weather or just she sheer exhaustion right now, but I really gotta step it up. My motivation to do anything lately is nil... it's so bad. I know, I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but for realz -- I will happily take that spurt of "nesting" energy at any time now.

So this past Sunday was 33 weeks. Chris and I were away for the weekend so I didn't really have the time to take an exact 33-week picture, so I give you the following bump:

32 weeks, 6 days taken while we were out in the Berkshires.

Speaking of the Berkshires, we went away this past weekend out to Western, MA to see John Williams conduct the Boston Pops at Tanglewood. It was amazing, but I have to say it's going to have to be the last trip I take for a while now. The car ride out wasn't so bad, but I just SO tired with being out all day and walking around, and having to constantly figure out where the nearest bathroom is probably getting annoying really fast for anyone who's around me. That's ok though - we all had a great time, and it's something I've always to do, so now I can cross it off my list!

And since we are in the midst of a new week, we are also officially in a new month! And a new Fruit - Honeydew!

And now, for this month's version of The Survey:

Total Weight Gain/Loss: As of last Monday I was at 30lbs. I haven't looked at a scale since.
Maternity Clothes: I'm finding the panels on my maternity pants are no longer comfy, so I'm rolling them down below the belly. I bought one new shirt for my mini-shower tomorrow, but other than that I'm trying really hard to stick with what I currently have.
Stretch Marks: Still there. Still getting bigger and darker.
Sleep: Between hip pain and back pain, the only relief I've been finding has been sleeping in an almost upright position while in bed. Not the most comfortable position, let me tell you...
Movement: She doesn't stop. I'm feeling her the most on my upper left side, but it's not like kicks and punches anymore, it's more like slow gradual movements.

Food Cravings/Aversions: I want whatever anyone around me is talking about. I'm very impressionable.
Gender: Still a girl!
Belly Button In or Out: In, though getting shallower by the day
What I Miss: Right now I'm kinda missing getting my hair colored. The grey hairs are just getting ridiculous
What I am Looking Forward To: My shower =)
Best Moment This Week: buying the rest of the furniture for the baby's room
Labor Signs: None that I'm openly aware of, though I took a quiz where it would tell me if I was going to go into labor soon, and it said I was. @_@ Nooooo, BabyBaby, you have to wait a little more than 3 weeks, ok??

32 weeks... kinda

The scary thing is, I was looking at my What To Expect app on my iPhone earlier today, and it told me I have 7 weeks and XX days to go... talk about freaky.

I've actually been really lazy these last couple of days (weeks) and have been a bad, bad blogger, so my apologies for the lack of effort.

No picture yet this week, and I'm figuring by the time I do get around to taking it, it will be 33 weeks, so I should just wait.

Our childbirthing class has finally come to an end, and I'm very happy that we decided to take it. It was quite an educational experience, and I don't think I would want to go into labor without having an idea as to what to expect. We also received a tour of the hospital last week, which was interesting. A little overwhelming realizing that one of these days, this is really going to be happening, but a good trip nonetheless.

We met with the pediatrician on Sunday, and were very happy with the introductions, so I can safely say that I believe we can check this one off our list. It's close enough to home, they'll come to the hospital once BabyBaby is born, and the doctor we spoke with was just so down to earth.

I had another OB appointment on Monday - everything looks great, other than the one small minute detail of BabyBaby being posterior. She's head-down, which is perfect, but her back is to my back, when it should be the other way around, and that could lean towards back labor when the time comes, and that is something we do not want. I'm sure part of the problem is the anterior placenta, but it is what it is. Now I just have to work on getting her to spin around, which means lots of Child's Pose after I eat. Luckily there's still time to make this better, so I'm being optimisitc. Worse-case scenerio, she doesnt spin, back labor hurts, and I get an epidural sooner than I want...

31 weeks

Way too lazy to add anything else right now.... ZZzzzZzzz