Weekly Wrap Up 11-2

(So I've decided that there will be repeats from the weekly wrap up and the weekly baby update.  Otherwise I won't have anything to write about.  So there.... :)  )

1) I won a gift code to tiny prints this week.  I already have her birth announcements so I have to figure out what to use it on.  I'm happy with her announcements (I got them from vistaprint), but tiny prints has some seriously adorable ones. 

2) Eleanor enjoyed her first Halloween.  Or not really and she slept through most of it.  My sister and I took Ellie and Gabe to visit my mom at work, and then later my dad stopped by, my mom came over & my brother in law came over after work and we passed out candy and just hung out.  

Ellie pooped on my mom and blew out her Halloween outfit.  Haha.

3)  The weather here was pretty crummy on Halloween and we had a lot less trick or treaters than normal which meant leftover candy.  Not good when you have baby weight to lose.  Lol.  Other than that the weather was pretty good this week and I took a few walks with the baby and it was really nice to get some fresh air. 

4) Rob's sister and mom both visited this weekend.  They hadn't seen Ellie (other than in pictures) since the hospital so it was nice for them to get to see her again.  I love to show off my sweet girl and natural she is always so good when visitors are over, or even when Rob is home.  When it's just me she is fussy sometimes and I'm sure Rob doesn't believe me that she is fussy.

5) We took Eleanor over to my former boss's house to meet the kids.  I loved getting to see them again, and it was fun for them to meet her.  They don't have a lot of baby experience but the two older girls held her.  Caleb and Cassidy would not.  

6) I went to a baby shower on Sunday for my cousin's girlfriend.  I was a little nervous to bring her around a lot of people but it was okay.  I just limited who held her.  I was a little distracted and wasn't to focused on games or even the gifts she was getting.  She is having a girl so I'm excited for sweet girl to have someone close in age to play with at family get together's.  Not that they happen a lot.  That side of the family doesn't get together very often. 

I was able to get a fun picture with my grandma, mom, and Eleanor.  I have a five generation picture from when I was a baby, but I still think a four generation is pretty cool.

Weekly Wrap Up 8/31

1)  I'm a day early, but I want to be sure to wish my little sister a Happy Birthday!  

2)  This summer I got the chance to go back and watch the kids that I spent 5 1/2 years watch.  I didn't know I would have this chance, and I'm really thankful that I did.  To celebrate the end of the summer we had an ice cream bar.  We got out the ice cream, and went to the store to pick up some toppings.  These kids loaded up their bowls with different forms of candy, syrup, & whip cream.  I think they loved it!  Then I got a present from them.  It was a pack of bottles & sippy cups for baby girl, a bottle of wine for me & a bottle of beer for Rob (and a cheesecake as well).  As my boss told me "everyone get's a bottle! If you want to read about last years last day you can read it here (Last year's last day)

3) Now that I am officially out of a job and have none in sight I'm getting worried. At the same time, I'm looking forward to being able to relax this last month or so before she get's here. 

4) I finally received a diaper this week that I won at the beginning of July. I won a prize pack that included a few of these Betty Crocker small pouch food mixes, an apron, oven mitts and a $10 Walmart card.   I also won a subscription to Medela's breastfeeding university which will be helpful.

5) Last Saturday was our ten year class reunion.  Rob and I actually graduated together (although we didn't talk until 4 years after graduation).  My best friend was in town and even though it was a small group of people (maybe 50-60 total, that included spouses) it was still fun.

6) I also had my last baby shower on Sunday for church. It was the smallest shower yet, maybe 10-15 ladies, but it was perfect.  I got some more clothes, bath stuff, and misc. things.   

I saw a dress like this on pinterest and thought it would be perfect since I'm due on opening day of bow season, and Rob is a huge hunter.  I asked a friend if she could make it for me and she offered to do it as a baby shower gift. She also made some cloth wipes, wet bag, a sleep sack and cute booties. And she has an etsy shop (check it out here)

Then I got these super cute hats which are also handmade.  

This book was actually on one of my registries, but the person who gave it to me didn't check.  She works with kids and they love it, so she thought baby girl would also.  And I do love it! Obviously since I asked for it. :)

And while I don't have a picture of it, my best friend (who is in a picture above) got baby girl a 'Somebody in Minnesota loves me'  onesie.  Perfect!

That's all I have for now. Enjoy this long weekend!

35 Weeks!!!

How far along: 35 weeks!


Baby Size: 

Weight:  Shockingly, I lost a pound this week. Take that weight gain!

Symptoms:   

• My feet decided to start swelling up this week.  Rocking the cankels.
• Restless legs/arms
• Lot's of bathroom trips (on a might be an overshare note, I have been having to poop a lot lately; like twice a day)

• Crazy dreams
• I am ALWAYS out of breath. It took me like 20 minutes to make the bed the other day. 

Maternity Clothes:  I have a few non-maternity skirts I can wear still.  I have only a few tops that don't let my belly hang out.

Sleep:  Up every hour to 2 hours all night long.

Cravings/Food Aversions:  I kind of have a thing for cold oreo's (not frozen, but from the fridge)

Belly Button: Flat to out.

Rings on or off:  Just wearing the wedding band. 

Gender:  Girl

Name:  Eleanor Rose

Movement: Yep, and it's starting to hurt sometimes.  I have no idea how she is positioned because I feel movement all over. 

Stretch Marks:  Yep, lots of them.  I thought I was good because of genetics, but nope. Rob even notices a change in the color of them.  He says they look shiny.  I can't see them unless I'm looking in a mirror so I'll take his word on it. 

Best moment: My best friend was in town over the weekend.  We had our 10 year class reunion and then my church baby shower was on Sunday. 

Looking forward to:  Meeting her!  

Nervous about: 

• Somehow needing a c-section.  
• Recovery time, Rob won't get time off of work, I think he will probably be there with me in the hospital, but that's it.  I'll be on my own. 
• Finances

What I miss:  Walking without being out of breath and in pain, bending over, being comfortable, the occasional glass of wine


Labor signs: Lots of Braxton-Hicks.  

Appointments:  This Friday I have the GB test.

Misc. We took a Infant first aid/cpr class last night.  I think it was really good for Rob.  I knew a lot of the first aid/basic safety stuff, but the cpr stuff was great for me.  I haven't been certified (and this was not a certification class) in probably 6 years, so having that refresher really helped me. 

Bonus Picture!

Weekly Wrap Up 8/24

1) Baby girl's room is almost organized. Yeah for progress!  I don't have any clothes over 3 months in her room.  I didn't have space for it.  She has SO many clothes I'm sure she won't even get the chance to wear everything.  I'm planning a post soon of her room just so you can see it.  It started off with a theme, but wound up being a hodgepodge sort of room. 

2) I had baby shower number 3 this past weekend.  It was for my mom's side of the family.  We got the pack in play. It wasn't the print we registered for, but it was the same style.  I didn't need anything fancy.  I don't need the changing stations or all those bells and whistles.  I'm happy with what we got and I do like the print so it was a win.
 

My parents also got us the car seat which was the last thing we really needed to have. We got this one.  We are debating a second base.  I'm sure we will get one, but considering we don't really have to do separate daycare drop off/pick ups and if necessary we can just switch cars, I'm not sure that it's necessary.

3) I love the kids I watch.  They have their moments, and what kid doesn't, but sometimes I just feel so proud of them.  The 7 year old wanted to have a tea party, so she got out the little tea set and we made real tea together.  She used a medicine dropper to fill the little tea cups from the mug we made the tea in.
Her 12 year old sister made pancakes and she made them small enough to fit on the tea set plates and even sat down with her and participated in the party.
I know that being 12 years old doesn't always mean you want to play with your younger siblings, but it was really a sweet thing for her to do.

4) Tonight is my 10 year high school reunion.  Sometimes it is depressing to me because I feel like I haven't really done much with my life.  Which is silly and all comes down to the fact that I don't feel like I have a 'real job.'  I know I've talked about this before, and logically I know it is silly.  Not everyone could do my job or would want to.
 I have a husband I love, a house that is more than enough space for us to grow in to, and a sweet baby girl who is kicking my belly as I write this.  Really I am blessed and I shouldn't feel like the last 10 years have been a waste. 

5) I'm about to start my last week of work with nothing lined up.  It's nerve wracking and stressful and I feel really bad that I'm kind of looking forward to being done.  I'm sore and constantly feel in pain.  But I'm not about to just sit around and wait for baby to show up.  I have a few projects lined up to do.  I want to make book slings for baby's room, I am planning on making some freezer meals (which should be interesting considering standing for more than a few minutes hurts) & our basement is crazy full of baby stuff and while it's in totes it's still in need of organization.

6) I have another post that I'm planning on writing.  It's an update to one I wrote a long time ago about various ways I've found to earn a little bit of money or rewards for the things I do online.  Here is the original post.

7) My best friend is in town this weekend for our class reunion and my last baby shower at church tomorrow.  Yeah!

8)  As always you can follow me on different social media (See right sidebar).

Enjoy your Saturday!

34 weeks pregnancy update.

How far along:  34 weeks!  This just blows my mind. 

Baby Size: 

Weight:  I think I need to stop weighing myself.  I'm up 34lbs.  I'm going to pass the 40lb mark. Ugh!

Symptoms:   

• Acid Reflux
• Restless legs, really bad last night
• Sore all the time

Maternity Clothes:  I'm running really low on tops that fit.

Sleep:  2 hour stretches.

Cravings/Food Aversions:  Still avoiding dairy when possible.

Belly Button: Flat to out

Rings on or off: Engagement ring won't fit, so I'm only wearing my wedding band. 

Gender:  I'm irrationally concerned she's going to come out a boy.

Name:  Eleanor Rose

Movement:  All throughout the day, and sometimes they are even a little painful.

Stretch Marks: Yeah, and I don't think Rob likes them.

Best moment: I had a baby shower for Rob's family and one for my mom's side.

Looking forward to:  My best friend will be in town this weekend!

Nervous about: Not having a job and having nothing lined up. 

What I miss:  Bending over, walking with out getting out or breath, feeling sore every time I stand up or get out of the car.


Labor signs: I've been having a lot of braxton hicks this last week.  So I drink more water, and then at night I have to pee every 5 seconds. 

Appointments:  Next Friday.  

My appointment last week went well.  Baby measured at 34 weeks & heart rate was good.  It was the first time I had to do the whole pee in a cup to test protein thing.  Usually I just pee on the stick and I had a tough time a few weeks ago.  The belly is just getting in the way.

I had my tdap shot at my appointment and my arm hurt all weekend long. 

Misc.  The amount of clothes this girl has is crazy.  I don't have anything over 3 months in her room because there isn't space for it.  I have so many totes in the basement.   I'm kind of getting overwhelmed on how to organize all of it (not just clothes, everything).

Weekly Wrap Up 8-17

1) My dad had to put his dog down this week.  This dog was almost 17 years old and it really was time, but I feel really bad for my dad.  My mom said he cried and that she even cried.  My mom is like me in that we aren't really pet lovers.  But this dog had been around since I was in 7th grade (and my 10 year reunion is next week if that says anything), so it was even sad for me.  

2) I had a baby shower for Rob's side of the family this week.  It was a lot of fun and this girl was spoiled.  My sister in law put so much time and effort into it.  She is very crafty and pinterest-y and made the decorations and the game prizes.  She made this blanket and the awesome thing about it is that the dark blue fabric came from the bridesmaid dress she wore in our wedding.  It's folded so the back side shows also.

3)I didn't win much this week, only a $75 gift code to Zutano (I know, only $75!). but I did get a diaper that I bought with a gift code I won a few weeks ago.  It's a newborn size and it is seriously adorable.  I want to buy more newborn cloth diapers because they are so tiny, but we were gifted some size 1 diapers and so Rob doesn't want me to buy more (I have about 10 that will work at that stage).  It makes sense not to spend the money, but it's hard to resist.

4) My birth month board had a gift exchange.  I got my gift this week. Seriously adorable!  I know some people having girls are anti-pink, but I'm not.  I even have some seriously cute girl stuff that isn't pink/purple but I still say bring on the girly stuff!  I love love the gift!  Thanks Jess!  Even Rob liked it, and he thinks my love of that kind of stuff is silly.

5) I had my tdap shot yesterday at my appointment.  Oh my arm is really really sore.  And I watched my sweet nephew today so that probably didn't help much.  But he's so cute and totally worth it.

6) I had my last day of work at my Thursday job this week.  2 more weeks left of my other job.  I'm really getting stressed out about money since I really don't know when my next job will be.  I have nothing lined up at all.  I've been tracking every single penny I spend for almost the last month.  It's kind of sad how little I added to my savings account.

33 weeks

How far along:  33 weeks!

Baby Size:  Apparently this is a Durian fruit.  I don't know what that even is.  The fact that this baby is probably at least 4lbs is kind of crazy to me. 

Weight:  Only up 1 1/2 lbs this week which is great, but totally is 31 1/2.

Symptoms:   

• Braxton Hicks happening a lot more often
• Back aches and hip pain
• Acid reflux has gotten bad.  I'm sick of burping up dinner.  
• Feeling out of breath all the time.  Just drop baby so I can breath better.
• I think she's pushing on my cervix or something because I feel pain on a daily basis now. 
• On the plus side I did better about not  being an emotional nutcase this last week. Yeah!

Maternity Clothes:  I've started borrowing some of Rob's t-shirts to wear around the house and sleep in since my stomach hangs out of mine. I need new bra's, but really don't want to buy any and then have to buy more in a few weeks.  And finding bra's that fit is already sucky, nursing bra's that fit sucks even more.

Sleep:  I wish.

Cravings/Food Aversions:   No real cravings.  Still liking pizza, mostly just thirsty a lot

Belly Button: Flat to out. 

Rings on or off: I feel like people are going to be judging me, but I don't wear them very often.  They are to snug. 

Gender:  Girl

Name:  Eleanor Rose

Movement: Yes.  A lot now.  I'll be sitting on the couch on the laptop and I'll get these crazy kicks and I have to throw my hands up and be like whoa!  

And I realized last weekend when talking to my sister in law that I have been feeling her hiccup for weeks, but I didn't know that's what it was. I heard people talking about them, but figured they were supposed to be stronger, but when I asked what they felt like, and she told me, I knew that's what I had been feeling. 

Stretch Marks: A ton of new ones on the belly plus the ones on my hip. 

Best moment:  Rob put the changing table together.  It's lame, but I was happy it was done.   
I'm starting to be able to distinguish body parts.  Or at least what I assume are her feet.

Looking forward to:   I have another baby shower this week for Rob's family, and one for my mom's family as well.  

Nervous about: Breastfeeding.  I really want to make it work, but I'm worried my body won't cooperate.
I found this interesting image though, which might make me feel a little better. 


What I miss:  Bending over, being able to get up easily.  Rob was laughing at me on Sunday because I was trying to rock myself to get momentum to get up.  Then he offered to help me. :)


Labor signs:  I've been having sporadic Braxton-Hicks.  I asked Rob to feel how hard my stomach was and he was a little concerned about it.  But they aren't painful and not at regular intervals so I'm not concerned by it.  I know it's normal. 

Appointments:   Friday morning.  It's a checkup with the nurse practitioner, but I have some questions about the delivery etc..

Misc.  I am sleeping so poorly and it's starting to hit me how little sleep I am going to actually get.  I'm up every hour and half to two hours now, but I am able to go back to bed.  To be up that often and then have to nurse or feed the baby is going to get tiring real fast.

Weekly Wrap Up 8-10

1) This is kind of a random one, and I'll probably get laughed at, but I was thinking about it this week.  I'm 27,  but up until this pregnancy I couldn't swallow pills.  Not even the itty bitty ones.  I would try to trick my self by putting it in pudding or tried to train myself with candy but nothing worked.  I figured I would just be taking chew able aspirin or liquid medicine the rest of my life. 

Then when I got put on an oral form of progesterone because of low levels (which likely caused me to lose the first two pregnancies) I had to do it.   It wasn't a choice of suffering through pain.  I refused to lose another baby.  And those pills weren't the itty bitty ones.  They were the size of my thumbnail.  The first few weeks I gagged them down, and then it got easier and now I can usually take pills no problem.

Everytime I take one, I feel a little sense of accomplishment.  Lame I know, but I do.

2)  I've been wanting to get out and have more fun dates and do things we haven't done in a while or ever before the baby comes.  I wanted to go to the beach, but the 45 minute drive, plus the sitting in the sand, plus the walk to the bathrooms every 2 hours were going to add up to an uncomfortable afternoon.

So we decided to stick close to home and go mini-golfing.  We had a coupon and it only cost $5 for both of us.  But mini golfing at 31 weeks pregnant isn't the smartest idea because of all the bending over picking up the ball etc...  I was uncomfortable and exhausted by the time we were done.  That aside, it was still fun and I'm glad we did it.  In case you didn't see them on instagram (you can follow me via the camera icon on the right sidebar) here are a few pics.

I look huge here, but I totally aced this obstacle.  Rob was impressed.

Finally got a hole in one on almost the last hole.

3) I had my first baby shower on Sunday.  I forgot my camera and didn't want to hand off my phone to someone who wasn't sure how to use it so I don't have any pictures.  Boo.  It was a small group of family and it was fun.  We got the high chair and the changing table, some bath stuff and a few misc. things.
I have 3 more coming up.  It probably makes me sound spoiled but they are for different groups of people and with the exception of my mom and sister if they come to Rob's family shower the attendees aren't the same so I think it's okay.

4) I know I always talk about the weather, but it warmed back up (low 80's) and I was so grumpy on Wednesday.  I don't know why because those 90 degree days a few weeks ago didn't affect me like this.  I think it must have been the humidity.  I felt really bad for being short tempered with the kids at work.

5) So yesterday we went for ice cream, went to the Library and played the wii.  And I got paid for it.  Love love my job!  I'm so happy that I got to watch them again this summer.  If you didn't know I watched them from the time the youngest was not even one until she went to first grade and was in school full time.  She's going to be a second grader soon.  The oldest was in kindergarten when I started and she's going to be a 7th grader.  Plus they went to the daycare I worked at, which is how I knew them, so really I've known them since before the mom was even pregnant with the youngest.

I guess sun roofs are awesome!  (I only let them stick out
their hands once we were in their neighborhood.
I have to be safe after all)

6)  We visited with our nephew (3 1/2) and niece (10 months) last night and took them to their neighborhood park.  I love watching Rob with them, although I think it's clear I'm going to be the mean mom who always says no, and he's going to be the fun dad.  Maybe it's just that I'm more comfortable in giving discipline (our nephew had a couple of mini-temper moments) or something.  I don't know.  

31 weeks

Down to single digit weeks this week.  Crazy!

How far along:  31 weeks

Baby Size: 

Weight:  Up 2lbs this week.  I think it's pretty close to 30 total now

Symptoms:   

• Back and Hip pain
• Restless legs
• Out of breath.  Seriously.All.The.Time.  I get winded walking up the stairs.  It's sad.
• This one is a little personal, and not really a new one, but lots of discharge. 
• Night sweats.  I have been waking up soaked in sweat and I only sleep in a t-shirt and underwear with a sheet on me.  It's been cool (in the 50's) at night so I'm really not hot. 
• Crazy dreams

Maternity Clothes:  Yep and running out of tops.  I still have a few non maternity skirts and pairs of sweatpants that are working

Sleep:  Tylenol is the only way I can fall asleep.  I've tried going without it and I need it.

Cravings/Food Aversions:  None really this week.  Really thirsty all the time though.

Belly Button:  Depending on the top I wear I can see it through my shirt. 

Rings on or off:  I don't wear them very often

Gender:   Hopefully still a girl

Name:  Eleanor Rose

Movement: She picked up her frequency over the weekend.  I saw my stomach actually move for the first time over the weekend.  She did it later that day and even Rob got to see it.  It's hilarious.

Stretch Marks: Found my first ones on my left hip this weekend.  Actually Rob noticed them first. 

Best moment: Prepping cloth diapers, cute baby fluff

Looking forward to:  Doctors appointment Friday and my first baby shower Sunday, 

Nervous about:  I'm actually nervous about the prepping of the cloth diapers.  What if I did it wrong?  I have no idea what I'm doing.  I washed them with detergent, then dried them completely, then washed again with detergent, and washed again without and dried them.  I will wash them again though before they are needed. 

What I miss:  Bending over.  I tried to remove nail polish from my toes on Sunday.  That was difficult.


Labor signs: Some Braxton Hicks

Appointments:  This Friday for a checkup.

Misc.  I signed us up for the hospital tour and a cpr/first aid class (non- certification).  I should have done that earlier because we only had one tour option that worked and they overbooked the class to get us into it.
I wasn't planning on taking any classes, but over the weekend we were at a friends house and their 6 month old started to choke on a piece of food.  They were calm and handled it fine, but it kind of freaked Rob out. So this class will be good for him, and really me as well since I haven't taken a class and been certified in 6+ years. 

Weekly Wrap Up

1) It hasn't been exactly warm here, but I thought (or really hoped) that we were done with snow.  It is mid-March after all.   Nope. Woke up this morning to snow, and a winter weather advisory.  

2) Naturally there would be a winter weather advisory the day my sister has a baby shower.  This is her last one and the one for her in-laws.  I don't really want to go.  In part because I've already been to two.  But also because her in-laws know I'm pregnant, but my family doesn't.  I'm not worried they will say something to me in front of my mom.  It's more the whole elephant in the room sort of thing.  I know they know, They know I know, but nobody says anything. 

3) I still haven't told my parents about the job thing.  I don't want to worry them or have them think I expect help.  My brother still expects help from them, but my sister and I don't.  My parents gave us money for our wedding (about 1/3 of what we needed), and my dad helped me with books my first semester or two in college.  Those were the last times I asked for help.   

4) I did tell my mother, brother and sister in law though.  We got together yesterday at Rob's mom's for Chris's (brother in law) birthday and she asked how work was.  I went uh, um actually I'm not working.  She said she would keep an ear/eye out for me.  

5) I actually did have someone from care.com contact me, but based on what they would pay me, it would be another pay cut (this time about $25).  It would be Wed, Th, Fri.  The family lives about 10 minutes away  (I guess based on the nearest intersection they gave).   I'll probably meet with them though.  If offered the job, I don't know if I should take it, or hope for something better. I'm running out of time to figure it out. 

6) After that rough last week I decided I wanted to do the nt scan.  A few weeks ago when I called the insurance company they said it needed to be pre-authorized and given the fact that I didn't have a history or risk factors it was unlikely they would so I was going to let it go.   My sister has the same insurance (different ob practice) though and it was covered for her last fall.  

So I called my ob's office Monday and told them I wanted to do it, but needed the pre-authorization.  They said they would call the MFM (maternal fetal medicine) since they don't do it on site and schedule it and then they would call me and give me the code for billing which I was supposed to then call my primary care doctor with and have him authorize it).  Whew!  So I got the notification via the online health care network that it was scheduled (which I later changed).  I called got the code and called my doctor's office and explained it to them.  

They didn't call me back that day so I called them the next day and left a message.  They called back and the woman I spoke to at the doctors office said that she spoke to the insurance company.  The insurance company said that it only needs to be pre-authorized on the east side of the state and not the west side where we live.  Seems kind of silly, but whatever.  I'm happy to see the baby again, and hoping Rob can make this appointment, but again not expecting him to.  I think it's the unknown that worries me.  If baby is healthy, awesome, but if something is wrong I don't want to wait another 8 weeks to find out.

Whew!  I think that's it for now :)