Duke’s Nursery

Duke seems to think that we’ve made this nursery in his honor. He’s made himself quite comfortable. I can’t say that I’m surprised!

Full Term!

Lillian is fully baked now that we’re at 37 weeks! However, after visiting the doctor this morning, there are currently no signs of labor. No dilating or effacement – bummer. I do still have 3 weeks to go so I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised. The good news is that the doctor said that Lily continues to have a strong heartbeat and he is happy with my weight gain and blood pressure! I have personally given up on trying to manage the weight gain. There’s so much swelling and I know that I can’t do much about it. And with being so uncomfortable, if I want a bit of comfort in a chocolate frosty from Wendy’s, I will go for it! Mmmm, chocolate frosty! 

This weekend I plan on finishing up the organization of the nursery and we’ll be very close to being all set – I’ll be sure to post some pictures once we get it in an acceptable condition! I leave you with a picture of my belly from today – there’s a baby in there!

When Will Lillian Arrive?

Think you know when Lillian will arrive? Vote below and add a comment to guess an exact date.

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36 Weeks & Final Baby Shower!

Thursday marked the beginning of my 36th week of pregnancy! After this week, she will be considered ‘full term’ which is great news for me, because I’d really like her to arrive before her due date! I was imagining last night how nice it will be to roll over in bed without any effort! What a treat! Anyway, 36 weeks: Lily is starting to lose all of the little hair that has been coating her body up till this point and she is still gaining weight! Hopefully we’ll get a better idea of what she actually weighs at our next appointment on Thursday! BabyCenter estimates that she is about 6 lbs. In the ‘How Your Life is Changing’ section, it said that things are getting more uncomfortable these days – confirmed! While I’d love to be a graceful and glowing 9 month pregnant woman, I am just not feeling it. I am ready for her to be out of my tummy and in my arms and hopefully be comfortable in my body again!

I spent this past week organizing everything from the mega shower and washing clothes and blankets. I made GREAT headway (assembled the car seat/stroller, swing, bouncy seat, etc!) and felt really good about my progress – until yesterday! My co-workers threw me a lovely shower and, again, were incredibly generous! We got some really great stuff and of course, cute girly clothes! Now I’m back at square one, more laundry and organizing is ahead of me! If anything, all of the nesting has made for very good sleeps!

I continue to find out left and right that people close to me are pregnant! I’m excited to be a part of a wonderful community of mothers! I’m envisioning lattes in the sun outside of Starbucks while our kiddies nap in their strollers. Fun!

Bigfoot

One of Lily’s gifts were these cute teeny tiny newborn booties. Given that Brian and I both have freakishly large feet, I’d be surprised if these little guys fit her once she’s born. The good news is that I can wear them as toe warmers if they don’t work out!

Mega Baby Shower

This past weekend I traveled home for a baby shower in Sylvania to be attended by 40 of my closest friends and family. My mom really outdid herself with this one! The setup was great, food was tasty, games were fun, and it was great to see everyone! My only regret is that there wasn’t enough time to spend with each person! We received lots of great stuff and the registry is almost fulfilled minus a few clean up items here and there. Now all of the items and super cute clothes are strewn about the nursery waiting for the magic pre-baby fairy who has all the energy in the world to come and organize everything… I wonder when she will show up? I did put the travel system (stroller/car seat combo) together last night. One step at a time!

New Site Design

Like the new site design?

Thanks to the wonderful design work of Amy Owens from amo-ink, we were able to take her design from our baby thank you cards and apply it to the site! Love it!

35 Weeks

Yesterday marked the beginning of week 35, although it feels like week 192! The little girl is measuring in around 18 inches long and weighs over 5lbs! I’m pretty sure she weighs 40lbs though, sometimes that’s what it feels like! And I don’t know how she can still jump around like she does and be that big! She’s going to be an active little lady! Her kidneys are fully developed, and her liver is starting to process waste products – sweet! And yes, she’s still fattening up. As am I, I’ve taken a strong liking to my black yoga pants, I may wear them out over the next 5 weeks!

I had a doctor appointment on Tuesday and it was business as usual. Since this appointment was rescheduled, I don’t have another appointment until week 37! There’s all sorts of bloodwork and tests at that point!

I have been sleeping horribly lately thanks to frequent peeing, heartburn, and a small little cold I’m fighting off. I’ve shacked up on the couch the past two nights so that I can sleep sitting up and not wake up Brian every two hours when I get up and stumble around trying to make myself feel better. Last night, I broke down and took a Pepcid before bedtime and I only woke up twice to pee – it was amazing! A nice little birthday treat! Yes, today is my birthday – 27 on the 27th! I’m going to celebrate in style by driving up I-75 to Sylvania this evening, it doesn’t get much crazier than that! The weekend is full of birthday celebrations and a giant baby shower thrown by my momma! I’m looking forward to it!

But for now, I have to get through this last day of the work week. My cube at work has been festively decorated so that makes the day a little more fun!! And I get off one hour early as a birthday present – what could be better?!

Becoming Mom Spa – Review

Saturday was a lovely day! I spent almost four hours at the Becoming Mom Spa – a spa just for pregnant women! I had an hour and twenty minute massage that was unreal! The massage table had all the right indentations and pillow supports that a giant prego girl could ask for! I could have just laid on the table without the massage and would have been content. But the massage part was heavenly! Since they also offer services for new moms, you can buy sleep time! That’s right, for some extra bucks you can tack on a 20 minute nap to the end of your massage! I think it’s funny now, but I’m sure that in the next couple months I’d pay anything for nap time!

I also had a manicure and pedicure after the massage. Remember me mentioning the super ungraceful move of tripping over the dog and probably breaking my toe 3 weeks ago? The toenail is still a lovely dark shade of blue/black (navy perhaps?) and the nail tech did her best to make it look pretty. Unfortunately the bruise directly underneath the nail now looks like a line of dirt, but even so, I like my new pink toes (when I bend over far enough to see them)!

If you are pregnant and in the Cincinnati area, don’t pass this place up! At the very least, get a massage! They also offer some good 4d ultrasound packages! Or, if you’re looking for a gift for a soon-to-be momma, they have gift certificates too!

First Baby Shower

It’s Monday and I’m at home for the day resting from what was a crazy busy but WONDERFUL weekend. Even though I’m exhausted today, I look back at the festivities and would start the weekend over again in a heartbeat! I am so blessed to have family and friends who are so unbelievable, gracious, and generous. The support that I felt from this weekend was a great pregnancy boost now that things are getting harder by the day! 

Friday evening my mom and I did some shopping for after baby lounging and nursing clothes, new shoes for my giant swelling feet (size 11 now!!), and a heated back massager for my office chair and car! With some great deals, we got all of our shopping done, picked up dinner, and headed home to lounge for the evening and give the swollen ankles a rest!

Saturday afternoon we welcomed Nicole and Andrew to our house and Brian was prepped for his first official toddler babysitting session during my shower! I’m happy to report that he changed his first real diaper and we returned home to a happy kid after 3 hours – he’ll be a great dad!

The shower itself was so great! An intimate group of good friends, tasty food, CAKE, and very generous gifts! I am so blessed! Special thanks to Darcy, Nicole, Madeline, and Shelly for throwing a great party! 

Sunday was a warm and sunny day, perfect for relaxing and chatting with friends! I slowly started to unpack some of the gifts and start some laundry baskets for baby laundry! I knew that you’re supposed to wash the baby clothes before use, but I didn’t realize that all of the other accessories should go through the wash as well! I have piles of towels, sheets, blankets, and misc items piled up and ready to go! 

So that brings me to today, I said goodbye the to last of my guests and am now left with a quiet (but clean!) house, and great memories from the weekend. I plan on tackling those laundry piles, organizing the nursery a bit more, starting my thank you notes, and of course, napping! The days keep ticking away, only 45 more to go!