Little Man's Digs: Nursery Reveal

So we are calling the nursery done. It was a lot of fun to pull together all the big items and the little details. From several trips to Ikea to missing crib parts to painting stripes, creating the wall art, and searching for bedding it was all an adventure that Chad and I enjoyed completing together. We are really excited with how it turned out and can't wait for the tenant to move in! Today marks one month until the due date, so I think it is a fitting day to show it off...

 Please forgive the poor lighting...

 Kai is very curious about this room and is quick to check it out when the door is open. I have a feeling he will hang out in there a lot.

The closet is jammed packed with baby items that will over take the house once Grady arrives...for now it nice to have them contained.

Week 34- Hooray for good news!!

Week 34 

Phew, this was a week...a week full of blessings. We had our sonogram and learned that all is well with Grady. He is growing right on schedule and is weighing in at 4 lbs 11 oz. It was a relief to see him on the screen and to hear that things look good. Oddly, my bump had not grown again this week, but the Dr. is not concerned due to the sono results. This week is my first week off from work, but it was jam packed. Chad and I spent memorial day making what we think will be our last major purchases. Last weeks scare had we really thinking about the fact that I may not have another 6 weeks to prep and I have been really trying to get things done. The hospital bags are packed and the nursery is ready to go. (Pictures soon, I promise). Overall I am still feeling pretty good; just having more contractions and back pain. The biggest frustration is the fatigue, I get about half of my daily to-do list done before I head to the couch to rest and try to hold off the contractions. I am also still having a lot of heartburn...thinking this kid is going to have a lot of hair.

This weekend we head home to help celebrate the marriage of my younger brother (the bro-mate) to his high school sweetheart. A wedding 7 years in the making. It was a beautiful event. I am so happy the couple is residing near us and will be around when our little guy arrives.

 Realized I hadn't taken my weekly pic yet so we found a corner to snap it.

Week 33

Week 33

So here's a look at week 33. Just don't look too close, this weeks belly pictures are alarming! In the chaos that was the last week of school I failed to take a picture, so thus the post workout shot that is oh-so-flattering. If I were you I would brace myself, the remaining 7 weeks may look similar as I no longer have to DRESS for WORK!!! I am having some mixed feeling about the end of the year. I am a little nervous that the lack of schedule and routine will make the next 7 weeks go by really slow. This anxiety has my mind racing with projects and to-dos to fill my days.

If you are thinking to yourself..."man, her belly looks the same", you are right on. At my appointment this week the doctor was concerned to learn that my belly hasn't grown. I have always measured small (fundal height?) but this week despite a good amount of weight gain, the belly hasn't grown. We go back in next week for an extra sono. to check the babies growth. I am doing my best not to worry too much and just trust that things are a-okay!

In happier news I had my 3rd and final shower this weekend. It was back home and thrown by a close friend and her mom, long time family friends. Chad and I are so blessed to have such supportive friends and family!

 The blanket my mom made for Grady.

 My best friend who is due 5 days before me.

 The amazing hostess and I.

My grandmother, mother and I

Week 29

Week 29

Week 29 went very smoothly. I continue to have some headaches and fatigue, but overall not much to complain about. Still wearing a mixture of regular clothes and maternity clothes. I believe Chad is in a "nesting" phase, although he says he is just trying to complete the task. He has been trying to knock everything off our to-do list in a weekend!! I on the other hand am swamped at work and don't have the energy/brain power to tackle to many baby related to-dos. It was like Christmas this week...in one day we received the diapers, bedding, some misc. nursery items and our first gift. Uncle Monty sent us our stroller/car seat set. As if my ever-growing belly isn't enough, Chad says things are starting to get REAL around here!

Uncle Ty and Chad assembling the stroller...he moves out in a couple weeks. I am gonna miss my bro-mate!!!

Week 28

Week 28- The 3rd Trimester!!!

It's hard to believe that another week has passed. The seem to be flying by at this point. The calendar is starting to fill up with showers, maternity photos, the end of the school year and many baby projects. Thankfully this week was was less eventful than the last. I have had more fatigue, braxton hicks contractions, headaches and heartburn.

Please excuse the strange expression on my face. Once again I feel like I am much bigger this week! On a happy note my innie belly button is still in!!!

This week I have really started thinking about how much I will miss being pregnant. Not that I have loved everything about the experience, but the amazing feeling of carrying him with me and feeling his movement is so intimate I will really miss it. On the other hand I am starting to get super excited about meeting him. This week also marks the due date of the baby we lost just before this pregnancy. Hard to believe that it has been 9 months. It is amazing how things work out.

We accomplished several big baby to-dos this weekend:

- The registry: wow!! That was sooo overwhelming. We left babysrus with our heads spinning. I would recommend taking a new mom with you when you go.

- Ordered our cloth diapers and bedding. We decided on FuzziBunz diapers. After some research and recommendation of friends we went ahead and ordered what we think we need to use cloth diapers. We also ordered crib bedding. I am really excited for the bedding to come in.

-Finalized childcare plans. We are really excited and are working on a contract. It is a relief to have this all figured out.

Week 27

Week 27

My belly seems to pop more and more each week...I guess this is to be expected, but at this rate I fear how big I will be by the end.

Week 28 proved to be the most stressful week of the pregnancy thus far. For reasons that are probably obvious by looking at picture #2. Chad and I took a "hospital tour" so to speak...I woke up Wednesday morning (3:00ish) with lower back pain. When I got up in the morning I felt a little crammpy and the back pain continued. Once I got to work I called the Dr. "just in case". I didn't want to be that crazy pregnant lady, but figured better safe than sorry. The Dr. must have felt the same so we spent the afternoon in triage at L&D. Long story short...I was having unexplained contractions/pain, but nothing was progression and I passed the fetal-something test that is suppose to predict preterm labor in the next 2 weeks. Exhausted and relieved we were released and assured that the contractions should stop. Which they did. For the rest of the week I played catch-up at work, prepped for a wedding shower and tried to recover from the stress. Since the hospital visit I have been very tired and started having quite a few braxton-hicks contractions. The nurse/dr. suspected that I might have been dehydrated, so the hospital cup is my new best friend.

Week 26

Week 26

Week 26 was jam-packed with celebrations. On Sunday we celebrated Easter and Chad's birthday. We were blessed to be able to celebrate both occasions with our families. Unfortunately, this meant the dogs stayed home. They decided to do some demolition on the house while we were gone:

Yep, that is the carpet pad...or what is left of it. I am afraid our friend Kai has some separation anxiety.

Here is the belly---and a dog tail. Kona likes to try to sneak in the pictures.

Wishing Chad a happy birthday. (BTW the "cake" was amazing, and I don't just say that because I am pregnant...it got rave reviews. Chad is gluten-free so I made a ice cream cake with gf brownies, melted PB, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate fudge. Don't ask for the recipe...I just gave it to you. Layer re-freeze and serve. Delish.

Uncle AJ's amazing egg hiding skills at their finest.

The grill master and his apprentice.

Who's going to be a great Dad? That guy.

The prego-sisters

Chad and I after Easter Mass...yes, that is a recycled outfit.

The whole family

As far as the pregnancy goes another pretty low-key week. Still doing my normal routine...working-out, working and going to bed early. Things are going pretty smoothly. We did nail down childcare for when I return to work, which is a relief and an answer to prayers. Just minor symptoms: a little nausea here and little heartburn there. On a sad note I think my belly-button could become an outie any day now.

Week 25

I have once again fallen behind in my weekly posts...here is a recap of week 25.

We have been enjoying the beautiful weather. We spent Friday evening around a fire with the bro-mate. We made s'mores and discussed our plans if we won the mega-millions. But alas none of us one, so the first-ever bummer golf course will have to wait.

Kai has also enjoyed the weather.

The stripes have been painted in the nursery...and the furniture is being put together. There was a little drama surrounding it's arrival, torn packages, missing parts, ect. We are thankful for the kindness of a certain UPS guy!!! I will do a full nursery post when it is more complete.

And here is the week 25 belly.

I think in the remaining weeks I will just do highlights and thoughts instead of the standard questions. Week 25 was fine. No major aches/pains/cravings. I officially wore maternity pants this week. It felt a little like defeat, but I think baby G appreciated the room to move. So from here on out it will be a mix of maternity clothes and "regular" clothes that still fit. I really feel like since Spring Break I have really "popped".

Week 24

Week 24

Total Weight gain- Going to stick with the 7 lbs until my next appointment

Maternity Clothes- Just tops.

Symptoms- Still feeling really good...kinda feel guilty.

Sleep-Sleeping better these days.

Best moment- Really enjoyed our trip to SD. It was great to get away, and got a chance to get nursery furniture. Also have been feeling lots of movement, which is really neat. Hopefully he isn't pushing against me because he wants me to wear pants that aren't sooo tight!!! On the airplane home Chad could even SEE him moving.

Cravings- Still no cravings.

Missing- I can't think of anything.

Looking forward to- Setting up the nursery.

Overall the past few weeks things have really started to feel more real, and I am enjoying pregnancy more. I think it is the movement and the fact that I am starting to look more pregnant and less "chubby" My students are starting to notice more and more and they certainly say things that make you smile. I have a Kindergarten class that asks if I had my baby almost daily. I also had a 4th grader tell me my outfit really made my stomach pudge out...he was relieved to learn I was pregnant and hadn't just overdone it on spring break.

Week 23

Week 23 Stats:

Total Weight gain- According to the Dr. 7lbs.

Maternity Clothes- Still holding out against maternity pants,

Symptoms- Feeling really good these days.

Sleep-Sleeping better these days.

Best moment- Chad has been able to feel him kick lately, which is really sweet.

Cravings- Still no cravings.

Missing- I can't think of anything.

Looking forward to- Our trip to San Diego!!

Week 22

Week 22

The weeks are really starting to fly by!

Week 22 Stats:

Total Weight gain- I've decided to not weigh between doctor's appointments...I have a tendency to fixate on numbers, and that isn't what is most important.

Maternity Clothes- Just wearing the pants that fit comfortably...have 5ish pairs left, and a mix of maternity/non-maternity tops

Symptoms- Occasional heartburn/nausea in the evenings.

Sleep-Still getting up to eat and pee...and occasionally laying awake for a while.

Best moment-Really enjoying the movement and letting everyone know his name.

Cravings- Still no cravings.

Missing- Nothing really.

Looking forward to- Our Spring Break Babymoon!

Week 21

Week 21

(should think about taking pictures a little later in the day...)

Week 20 Stats:

Total Weight gain- not sure...got a lot of comments this week, so probably a few more pounds.

Maternity Clothes- Hanging in there with just tops, but several pairs of my pants are getting tight.

Symptoms- Nothing too noteworthy. A return of heartburn would be the biggest change.

Sleep-Going through an insomnia phrase...not so fun. I am a girl who loves her sleep...I guess it is natures way of prepping for what is to come!

Best moment- Feeling more and more movement. It is fun to know that he is a BOY. I also so read him The Places You'll Go for babies in utero on Dr. Suess's birthday. Also had fun making a baby name bracket...that will be another post to come.

Cravings- Still no cravings.

Missing- Have to say sleep...will probably say that for YEARS to come.

Looking forward to- Announcing his name.

SOme of my students have started to notice the bump...which has been kinda comical. Here's a couple of conversations:

(In the lunchroom)

2nd grade girl- looks at belly, looks up at me Are you pray-nent?

me- um, yes I am

another 2nd grade girl- What kinds are you having?

me- ah...the boy kind

2nd girl- you should name him Joshua

1st girl- ya or Christopher

2nd girl- yah! Christopher Columbus!

Later in the week in a second grade classroom...I got a hug from a student and overheard another student whisper "be careful, she's going to have a baby!"

The Reveal Party

We had our families over to reveal the baby's sex. They were very excited to hear the news. I made cupcakes with a blue filling to announce that he is a boy.

Taking a Bite

Team Blue...the Winners!

Team Pink

I decorated with the sono pictures, some of our childhood books/toys and pictures of us when we were babies. It was a lot of fun. We are very blessed to have such loving families that are truly excited for us.