34 Weeks!

Hello everyone! Sorry this post is a few days late...I've been feeling rather lazy lately, but luckily, I think the spell is broken!
I woke up this morning and felt a burst of energy I haven't felt in quite a while, so I decided to start getting things done!
I paid bills, made my grocery list, and wrote out a few thank you cards for my wonderfully generous friends and family who have sent me (Mia) presents. Before I take Sean to work I just need to make him lunch, take out the trash, sweep the bathroom, and take a quick shower. I feel so accomplished! (Especially considering all I've done the past few days is load and unload the dishwasher...and I complained the whole time LOL)

Later today, if my wonderful energy streak is still with me, I think I'll tackle cleaning out the vacuum (it's such a pain in the butt, but I've been putting it off for forever and, by the look of the carpet, it's starting to become very obvious). Then, of course, I'll vacuum (which isn't nearly the effort of cleaning the stupid thing out). I might also consider deep cleaning the bathroom and kitchen.

If my energy streak decides to leave me after I drop off Sean at work and hit the grocery store, I'll just take a nap instead :P

Here's my 34 week picture:

And here's a picture of my beautiful nails. :P I painted them last night and I think they're really pretty, so I figured I'd show them off a bit. 

Anyway, I suppose I'll get going on the rest of my chores for the morning.
Hope everyone is doing well, and as always, feel free to comment so I don't feel like I'm talking to myself! :P
-Erica

33 Weeks!

I'm getting closer!
Today marks week 33 of me carrying around my baby girl.
I'm pretty sure I mentioned this last week, but I'm finally feeling ready for her to come out and join the party. I'm pretty sure I have just about everything I need (but there's quite a bit left that I want lol).
Plus, I'm getting rather tired of being pregnant. Oh well... only a few more weeks!

Here are my latest pictures.

32 Weeks

So today I am 32 weeks along. That means I have 8 weeks until Mia's due date. It also means I have 5 weeks until I'm "full term" (by definition, full term is 37 weeks....raise your hand if you didn't know that before now :P)

Thank goodness I feel fairly prepared at this point. We have a box of diapers (Thanks Grandmom Lewis!), I have a bunch of wipes, I have a place for her to sleep, I have a car seat, I have a stroller, I have a diaper pail, I have plenty of clothes (newborn and 3-6 month size), I have lots of bibs and burp cloths, I have a breast pump and a couple bottles (just in case I end up needed them), I have diaper bags, I have a bathtub....I have pretty much everything a new baby needs. (I do, however, still need to get a baby first aid kit or everything that would come in one separately...but that's for another shopping trip).

I also cleaned out my car. That was a fairly large project, especially with the crazy heatwave Oklahoma has been dealing with the past few weeks. Then again, anything that requires me to leave the comfort of my air conditioned apartment for more than a few minutes is considered a large project. :P

Anyway. I'm a bit sleepy so I think I'll cut my chit chat and post a few pictures so I can go to bed.
Hopefully little missy will quit kicking me long enough for me to fall asleep. :)

 A view from each side. Sometimes I look bigger from one side than I do from the other because she'll decide to lean one way or the other. Silly baby. :P

ALRIGHTY THEN. Good Night!!

New baby stuff!!

Today was so exciting for me.
Let me start from the beginning.
Sean and I went to Walmart to do a bit of grocery shopping. He suggested we look at cribs (I had actually ordered one from Babies R Us a while back and they eventually emailed me saying the crib I ordered was no longer available). I think I worried him a bit last week. I had a bit of a scare last weekend thinking I was in preterm labor. (Really, I guess I was just stressed and a bit dehydrated). So we were looking at cribs and (after a bit of debate over money, space, and style) we chose to get a Pack N Play with a built in bassinet instead of a crib.

At the beginning of the pregnancy I had actually considered getting a bassinet instead of a crib but my friend talked me out of it. She said her friend's baby grew out of her bassinet within about a month. I couldn't see spending 70 dollars for a month of use rather than (roughly) 170 dollars (crib and mattress) for a few years. Then I realized something. My friend's baby is not normal. (lol that sounds mean, let me clarify). Both of her parents are pretty big. And everyone in both of their families are large. So I guess it makes sense that their baby would be the size of a 10 month old when she's only about 5 months old. My baby, however, will probably not be that big. Sean and I are both on the short and skinny side of the spectrum. So! That's what changed my mind about the bassinet idea. BUT the great thing about this pack n play is that once she's outgrown the bassinet feature, I can remove it and use the full size pack n play as a sleeping space (if we don't have a crib by then) or just as a play yard.
This investment seriously makes me wonder why in the world I considered anything else.

Infact, I'm so proud, I took pictures!

 It was hard to get close enough to see details but still far enough away to get the entire thing in the picture. It's got a cute little mobile and a nifty storage bag that clips on the side. I put diapers in it...I'll put wipes in the top part as soon as I get some wipes. I've been trying so hard not to buy anything else until after I get gift cards and shower gifts. (Luckily, my shower is on the 30th, so I don't have much longer to wait).

Here's a picture that shows off the blanket that Mia's Great Grandmom made for her (It was the first baby present I received and, so far, it's the only thing I have for Mia that's handmade so it's really special to me :). I also have both of my diaper bags in the picture (Mostly because I don't have anywhere else to store them for the time being). [[Yeah. I have 2 diaper bags. and yeah, they're both Winnie the Pooh. This is what happens when you buy the first one you see, get home, take off all of the tags, and toss the receipt thinking there's no way you'll find another one you like more....  and then you go to a different store and find one you totally like better and absolutely can't live without. It's okay though. They were both inexpensive (20 bucks!) and this way I can have one for travel, and one to store supplies around the house....or something like that]]. Also, isn't her little Eeyore blanket so cute?! :) It's one of the things Sean and I splurged a little on, but it's one of my favorite purchases too so that evens things out.

Anyway. Check back on Tuesday or Wednesday for new belly pictures and my official weekly update.
Love you all!! <3

31 Weeks

Well, I officially have one less week to wait for Mia to make her appearance.
I'm getting nervous.
Any time I feel different [ie: sick (usually from eating too much or too fast), cramp-y (usually because I have to visit the lady's room haha), back ache-y (obviously from carrying around a baby in my belly), etc...] I get worried that she wants to come out early. I usually panic and call my doctor's office or the labor and delivery center of my hospital.
Each time they tell me to drink water (I keep telling everyone I'm drinking as much water as my poor little body can carry...but I don't think they believe me). I guess it's understandable. Being dehydrated can lead to preterm labor, which I obviously do not want.

Aside from being paranoid that I'm going to go into labor too early, I'm actually doing quite well (all things considering).
Minor complaints include (but are not limited to): back aches, not sleeping well, not being able to reach my feet to paint my toenails or tie my shoes (thank goodness it's flip flop weather!), struggling to keep my legs shaved so I can wear shorts (jeans are WAY too hot these days), having to change my clothes any time I go out of the apartment for more than a few minutes (it's gross, but I get soaked with sweat. It doesn't help that Oklahoma has been in the 100's the last few WEEKS and it's humid and nasty), and Mia's kicks are getting stronger. This little girl can pack a decent punch...or kick....whatever. I'm glad that she's exercising, but I'd much rather her NOT use my ribs and bladder as her punching bags.

Don't get me wrong, I don't complain much out loud these days (I did enough of that in my first trimester....and I keep reminding myself that I was much more miserable then than I am now). But it seems like every second someone is asking how I'm feeling. I generally say I'm fine. I'm good. I'm well. I'm not bad.
But, realistically, what pregnant woman is ever completely fine, good, well, or not bad? This is just something we say to be polite. Honestly, if we told you exactly how we're feeling all the time, chances are you'd never ask again.

Anyway. That's my rant for the evening. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow so I really should be headed off to bed. (Why in the world am I up at 2 in the morning in the first place, you might ask? Well, I've been mommy-the-punching-bag for the last hour or so. My ribs are bruised, I swear it! But now that little one seems to have settled down, I'm going to sneak off to bed before she notices).
Enjoy my 31 week pictures!

30 Weeks!

Does anyone else think it's crazy that I have a mere 10 weeks left until my due date?!
Don't tell anyone, but I'm starting to get nervous.
It's so weird. Before I was pregnant as well as during the first few months I had no fears about being a mom. I was completely convinced that I'd be awesome at it. I'd have no problems getting her to sleep, no problems breast feeding, no problems getting her to stop crying (heck, I was convinced that she wouldn't ever cry because I'd be JUST that good). Hahahahaha. Now I'm totally thinking the opposite is going to happen. I've never been around a newborn baby. I have no idea what I'm doing. My only baby knowledge comes from the websites I've been reading religiously...and lately, that doesn't seem like enough.
Everyone keeps telling me to stay calm, it'll all come naturally, etc etc. The rational part of me knows they're right. The rational part of me knows I'll do just fine. If I can't breast feed, I'll bottle feed. Heck, I was bottle fed and I turned out fine. She will fall asleep eventually because all babies sleep at some point. She'll stop crying at some point too.
HOWEVER. These lovely hormones keep me from listening to my rational side most of the time.
Blargh. Anyway. It's all very confusing and very frustrating. On top of all that, I still don't feel like I'm prepared to bring a baby into my home. I'm afraid to buy anything else as far as clothes and diapers go because I'm not sure what size she's going to need.
I'm an organized person and I hate not having an official plan. I hate not knowing if she's going to come early, on time, or late. I hate not knowing if she's going to have hair or not. I hate not knowing how big or little she'll be.

Oh well. I'm trying so hard to teach myself to just take things as they come....but you better believe my cork board is COVERED in all the lists I could possibly think of making. :P

Anyway. Thanks for listening to my rant. Sorry if it's a bit disorganized. I'm half writing this blog and half watching TV...mix that in with not sleeping well last night and you have my crazy-person post. :D
Here's some pictures!

 This is what I look like these days. I have a rounder face and my nose is a little wider than it used to be. I also look like I haven't slept well in weeks. (Hint, it's because I haven't) :P

 Here's my big ol' belly from the front. She sure is taking up a lot of room these days.

 30 weeks (and wearing the super comfy silky shirt my sister sent me).

Since it's kind of a loose shirt, I figure I'd pull it tight so you could see just how big she's making me. haha
10 (give or take) more weeks to go. 

I think I can...
I think I can...

I think I can...

I need advice!!

Okay, so I'm hoping my wonderful cousins and aunt will read this because they've all had babies and they seem to know what they're doing. (Same goes to all my friends who've had kids...but I don't think any of those people read my blogs).
Pfff... let me start over. If you've had kids or know anyone who's had kids, please read this predicament and let me know what to do. Haha. Here it goes...

When Mia gets here I'm probably only going to be able to do laundry once a week. It sounds crazy, I know, but I don't have my own washer and dryer. I have to go to my in-law's house to do it on the weekends. They smoke and I'm worried to death about bringing the baby over there too often so chances are, at least for the first little while, Sean will be going over solo to do laundry on his day off and they can visit Mia at my house whenever they want to see her.

This being said, I'm at a loss as far as how many clothes of what sizes I'll need to have for her. Keep in mind, she'll be born in September (assuming all goes according to plan) and, as far as I know, Septembers in Oklahoma aren't super cold, but aren't too hot either.

First question -- How many onsies or outfits do babies wear in a day, typically? I'm going to go ahead and assume that Mia's going to spit up quite a bit because my mom and dad tell me I did all the time. I'm hoping there won't be too many leaky diapers, but who knows...
Also --  How many light blankets should I have? I really only have one right now. I have a big one that my grandmom made me. I'm planning on using that to lay on the floor so she's not on the nasty apartment carpet....that and to snuggle with her on the couch or something (aww I can't wait to snuggle my baby).
Also also (haha) -- How many fitted crib sheets should I have on hand? I've read a lot of moms will put a few layers on the crib mattress, separated by leak-proof padding that way if there's a diaper leak in the middle of the night I don't have to worry about changing sheets..I just strip off a layer.

If it helps, so far I have the following:
Premie:: 1 long sleeve onsie
0-3 Months:: 9 short sleeve onsies, 2 long sleeve onsies, 3 pants, 3 cute outfits
3-6 Months:: 8 short sleeve onsies (they looks small to me, but I'll go by the tag), 1 shirt, 1 pants, 4 shorts, 1 cute outfit
0-6 Months:: 5 sleepers
6+ Months:: 1 outfit
10 bibs; 16 washcloths; 10 pairs of socks; 6 burp cloths; a bathrobe; a pair of mittens; a beanie; a fitted matteress sheet and breathable bumpers;; I'm pretty sure that's it. :P

Most of the clothes were hand me downs and random donations from a friend, which is why there is an uneven number of pants to shirts. lol.
What more should I get and what do you think I'll be okay on?

Thanks so much for your help. I'm probably over thinking everything, but I'm a typical worried first time mommy and I want to be overly prepared rather than under prepared.  I really do appreciate any advice you have for me. :)

Also, if you have had baby girls and you don't think you'll be having any more...you can totally donate any unwanted clothes or blankets or...pretty much anything you don't want or need any more.  :P Let me know if you need my address. 

Love you all, and thanks again for the advice!

I forgot again...

I forgot to post on Tuesday right as I turned 29 weeks, which is when I took these pictures...but oh well.

This is me at 29 weeks:

 

Isn't the shirt cute?! My awesome sister found this gem at Motherhood Maternity for me. LOVE IT!!

Anyway, I went to the doctor yet again. She says everything looks wonderful. 

The baby is still the right size, I'm still gaining the right amount of weight, my iron levels are right on, I passed my glucose tolerance test with flying colors, and (she even mentioned) I'm looking so darn cute these days! :P

I love my doctor. 

28 weeks and 3 days...

I'm feeling rather lazy today so I might just make this a quick update so I can go take a nap.

I'm 28 weeks and 3 days now. I'm starting to wonder if my little girl is going to come early or right on time or late. A selfish part of me hopes she comes early because I really would like my body back. I miss sleeping on my stomach, eating normal sized meals without getting sick, drinking a glass of wine now and then, and my perfectly flat tummy that came with hundreds of sit-ups. Then again, another part of me hopes she's a little late because it's kind of cool being pregnant sometimes. I love feeling her move and, recently, feeling her hiccup. But then that selfish part of me comes out to remind me that those fun movements are what usually keeps me from falling asleep at night and are usually what wakes me up too early in the morning...and occasionally kicks to the bladder send me running for the bathroom to avoid an accident (I'm sure lucky I'm home when that happens).
I'm really hoping she decides to arrive on Sept. 10th...because how cool would it be if her birthday is 9/10/11?!
Mostly, I honestly just want to to get here when she's ready to get here. I want her to be healthy and happy and ready to join this crazy world of ours. No pressure, kiddo.

Oh, while we're on the topic....
There's a girl I talk to occasionally who's expecting her first baby the same month I'm expecting mine. She has been going on and on lately about how she can't wait for "the day"....the more she talks about it the more it makes me NOT look forward to that particular day she's referring to. Don't get me wrong, I'm super excited to meet the little karate kid doing crane kicks inside me, but I'm SOO not looking forward to the day she decides to get here. I may be new to this experience, but I have a pretty darn good feeling that a good portion of that day is going to suck beyond words. I don't even feel bad saying that, either! It's going to hurt like crazy. I'm not dumb, I know this. Especially because I want to avoid an epidural if I can (ha, we'll see...even I have my doubts that will happen). It's probably going to be really scary too. There are SO many things that can go wrong during the whole labor and delivery process. It's crazy to think that I'll go through the whole thing with no complications what so ever (I'm not talking major complications, but small complications are fairly common, aren't they?)
I dunno. It's probably my hormones getting the best of me (they do that now days), but it drives me batty every time she says she's excited for that day.
I'm just going to say I'm excited for the baby to be in my arms instead of in my belly. Because I'm not looking forward to that day. Other than ending that day with my brand new beautiful baby, that day is going to suck.

Oh yeah. Here are some pictures!

 28 weeks exactly. Side and front views.

 I was trying so hard not to look tired....but I don't think I've mastered that fib on camera quite yet :P

27 Weeks!

Another week another post...
But this week I can say I'm in my third trimester! (Okay. Some people will argue that your 3rd trimester doesn't start until 28 weeks, but I've been a member of WhatToExpect.com since the very beginning and they say it's 27 weeks so I'm going with that!)
My due date is exactly 3 months away...can you believe it?! I can't. Time seems to be going by so fast all of a sudden. I have so much left to do and it feels like no time left to do it!
At the top of that very lengthy list is buy a crib. Don't worry, I've been saving my pennies and I only need 50 more dollars until I can go out and buy the beautiful crib I've had my eye on for weeks. :)

So I have a story for you today. (And you thought this was just going to be an average weekly post..)
I went to my doctor to do my check up and glucose tolerance test. The check up went really well. I've gained a good amount of weight, my blood pressure is right on, Mia is growing at the right rate, etc.
Then I took the paper my nurse gave me down to the lab for my glucose tolerance test. First, they took my blood thinking I already drank the drink. It wasn't until after they drew my blood that they remembered to give me the drink first. So then they got their heads on straight, or so I thought. They gave me a big bottle of this nasty orange syrup that tasted like a bunch of melted orange popsicles and told me to chug it within the next 5 minutes then they would call me back and draw my blood in 2 hours. I didn't think much of it until after I drank the drink, but I was pretty sure my doctor told me it would only take an hour. I decided to drink the drink then go to the receptionist and ask about it. This was the wrong order to do things.
Apparently, my nurse messed up and checked the wrong box on the lab form, therefore they gave me twice as much to drink, and I had to wait twice as long or else the text would come back messed up.
I was pretty peeved knowing I would have only had to drink about half of the nasty syrup, but on the plus side I finished reading my book.

Anyway, I'll find out within the next few days if I have gestational diabetes. If I don't hear from them before my next check up in 2 weeks, I'm in the clear. Yay!

So...that's my story. Here are some pictures!

She likes to kick when I touch my belly, which I think is pretty cool.

 But she ususally kicks down here, rather than up there. (Although she did punch me in the ribs once. That didn't feel very good).

 I tried getting a good picture for my profile on Facebook, and Ashes decided to jump up on the sink and get in the way.

 ....So I picked her up and made her pose with me.

The end!!

P.S. If you noticed I'm using a different phone, good eye! My phone battery was dead so I used Sean's. It's the same model phone...his just has a case on it. Also, thanks to my awesome mom and sister for the cute maternity shirt! I love it and wear it all the time. :)