31 weeks

My entry last week was pretty pathetic. I just wasn’t in the mood to talk about myself and I wasn’t too chipper. Must have been the weather. You’re in luck today because I’m feeling extra special and I’m ready to share my specialness with the world.

I’m in single digits! 9 weeks that could potentially be 6 weeks if I’m anything like Brittany. Whoa, 6 weeks. I’m not hoping for early but I’d better be prepared. The nursery is ready to go. Pictures? Okay.

The rocking chair has comforted many children. It's well over 100 years old. The wall above the book sling will have my tree branch bookshelf. The art work behind the chair is called tinga and is from Tanzania.

Unfortunately this picture doesn't show my Charley Harper cards very well. The two dressers are currently holding all our cloth diaper supplies and a bunch of gender neutral onesies. Ben thinks they are his great grandmothers. The dresser size and height worked out pretty well with the changing pad. I love not having to buy furniture!

I made more book slings with some Marimekko fabric from FinnStyle. I lined them with old pillowcases and I think they’ll hold up better with the weight of books. I just need to get some books to fill them. I hung more Charley Harper cards on orange wire.

My mom found the mobile and I felted a bunch of balls to hang. It spins in it's own thank to my awesome weighting. I wish I could say it only took me a few minutes, but I definitely moved the balls around for over 20 minutes making sure the mobile was just right. I know the baby won't see color for a while but I certainly enjoy the color barf.

I've had to control my shopping urges on Totsy and Zulily when the books deals come out. They are good online sales but I'm convinced I'll find better deals at stores around town and I'd really like to give the local bookshops more business. I definitely plan on take my little one and all future little ones to the Red Balloon Bookshop and Wild Rumpus. My aunt Ann gave me a cassette tape from the Red Balloon Bookshop when I was little and I can still sing every song from that tape- Chickeree Chick cha la cha la checkalaromi in a bananica bollika wollika can't you see, chickeree chick is me...

Speaking of music, I need to start collecting Raffi music ASAP. It has been my intention ever since my nephew Arlo came along to make felt toys that go with Raffi music; baby beluga, Joshua Giraffe, five green and speckled frogs, fly wearing a tie, etc. If I ever finish any of those toys I'll let you know.

In the meantime, can someone find this onesie for less than $24 for me please? Ben and I saw it when we were at the Linden Hills co-op on Saturday getting some Farro. I could easily spend $$$ on baby stuff at the co-op. It’s all so eco-friendly and adorable. If only I had $$$.



How far along: 31 weeks

Maternity Clothes: If anyone can find a website or store that has cute and reasonably priced maternity and/or nursing dresses and tops, please let me know. Target and Motherhood just aren’t cutting it these days. Talk about frumpy-wumpy.

Stretch Marks: My belly feels a little tight this week. Lotioning x 10.

Sleep: I’ve been sleeping really well the past week. We can finally sleep with the window open and the fan going… ah…poor Ben still needs an extra blanket.

Best Moment this Week: We spent most of Easter Sunday cleaning out the garage. Ben feels more like a man and I feel more at ease. I wish we’d taken before and after photos.

Movement: I keep freaking myself out when the little one doesn’t move at least once an hour. But, I’ve been told that’s okay. Chances are I’m just not paying attention or can’t feel it because I’m moving around too much. There was a solid kick to my ribs this morning. Ouch.

Food Cravings: Watermelon. I’m assuming this is because I’ve been having a lot of conversations about watermelon. Most involve me referring to “folding a watermelon” as I bend over. :: insert huffing and puffing sound ::

Labor Signs: None. Super!

Belly Button: I don’t think it’ll ever pop and that is okay. For those whose belly buttons did pop, when did it happen? Did it happen gradually? I won’t wake up with an outie all of a sudden, will I?

What I Miss: Shopping at Anthropologie and I will continue to miss it even after baby. Too spendy.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: The MS walk in Sartell on Sunday. My brother Jim said he’d take out anyone who makes fun of my preggers pace. If I walk too fast I start having contractions. They may be Braxton hicks but they are contractions and they aren’t comfortable.

Weekly Wisdom: Slow down and take it all in. Everything will be changing very soon.

30 Weeks

10 weeks to go. I was measuring ahead on Wednesday. Deb didn’t seem too concerned so I won’t be either.

I’m not feeling very funny today. Sorry folks. I’m tired. I’ve been pushing and pushing all week to get the house organized and I’m exhausted. Ben and I have been trying to avoid the TV until we complete all our projects. I’m two ottomans, one wine-cork board and two delayed Christmas presents away from being done with all my crafts that have been sitting unfinished for the past year. My list of future projects is getting longer and longer. I must be stopped.

Easter is upon us. I’m feeling extremely guilty for missing all the Lent services. But I am looking forward to attending Easter services at Diamond Lake Lutheran Church.

Picture soon. Too lazy at the moment

How far along: 30 weeks

Maternity Clothes: Not all maternity shirts are created equal. I’m glad the whole “hide it” fashion statement is out because those big tent shirts make me feel like a beast.

Stretch Marks: Still nothing visible.

Sleep: getting a little better now that Ben’s agreed to put just put another blanket on. The colder the better. Ahhh. Boy am I glad I won’t be pregnant in the hot months of the summer. Yuck.

Best Moment this Week: Finally getting all my book slings, mobile and Charley Harper stuff up in the nursery.

Movement: Found out that the little one’s head is down. Of course it could flip between now and June 28^th, but I’m working hard to follow all the belly mapping recommendations from Spinning Babies (www.spinningbabies.com)

Food Cravings: Melted cheese, as always.

Labor Signs: None.

Belly Button: It looks like it is trying to whistle softly. You try.

What I Miss: Running. I see all these people out running with their dogs now that Spring has sprung. I want to run.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: Dog walk at the Arboretum on Saturday morning. It’s the only day of the year they allow dogs!

Weekly Wisdom: Ironing is for people who care. My shirt puckers no matter what.

29 weeks

Creeping up on 30 weeks. Holy moly. Another exciting week at the Raley house. We're slowly getting things done around the house. I swear we'll have pictures of the remodel up before the little one comes. Even if I'm posting pictures in the early stages of labor, they will get up. I had my baby shower on Saturday. Fun times :) Fran did a wonderful job. I'm not a huge fan of being the center of attention. Luckily my belly took center-stage. It was so great seeing friends and family. Showers, though nerve racking, do provide a great opportunity to see people you don't often get to see. Aside from the benefits of gifts, we now have an even bigger reason to get the house in order; we need to find a place to keep all the baby stuff! Ben and I have been purging like crazy the past few weeks. It's amazing how much stuff we've accumulated in our short 26 years of life and 2 1/2 years of marriage. Where does it all come from? Side note, the dog just passed gas and it smells like a diaper. I think he's trying to prepare me for the future. Thanks, buddy. I decided to mix things up this week and part my hair on the other side, wear my glasses and take a photo from the other side. I'm spicy like that. Does this side make me look fat? How far along: 29 weeks

Maternity Clothes: It took me 6 hours and 6 stores to finally find a dress to wear to the baby shower with the help of a very friendly new mother. The mothers come out of the woodwork when a pregnant lady enters a store. It's as if they know I'm having a really bad shopping experience. I guess it's obvious when I just wander aimlessly around JCrew. What was I thinking? I can't wear Jcrew when I'm a normal size let alone packing on the weight of another person all in my midsection. Dummy.

Stretch Marks: None that I can see, but they are there, haunting me.

Sleep: Pillows are wonderful for nesting and I dont mean nesting in the sense of preparing the house. I mean creating a nest in the bed. But i can't tell if I'm actually sleeping or just dozing in and out of consciousness.

Best Moment this Week: Seeing so many loving, smiling faces on Saturday.

Movement: I've started counting at work. 12 kicks in 45 minutes. Soccer player?

Food Cravings: Canned pears. Big change from fresh food last week.

Gender: No clue, but hopefully one or the other.

Labor Signs: Nothing real and I hope it stays that way for a while.

Belly Button: Not quite so sore anymore. Probably because I've stopped playing with it :)

What I Miss: Being able to crack my back.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: A weekend without plans.

Weekly Wisdom: The more pillows, the better.

28 weeks

We started our birthing class at Abbott on Tuesday. It seemed to me like 3 hours of question and answer, which was okay, but I'm excited to actually start talking about stages of labor and natural coping methods for pain management. I can't even really remember what the point of the first class was, uh oh.

I was surprised to find out that 40 percent of the class is going to be surprised about the gender of their baby. I was under the impression that fewer people found out. Maybe that just because I've heard from so many people that we're crazy for waiting. I am getting super anxious, but it's fun.

Another interesting thing- 70 percent of the class was certain they would have the epidural. I certainly don't want to offend anyone who has had an epidural, and I'm not trying to sound snotty or proud, but I don't understand how you would "know" that the pain is going to be completely unbearable when it's your first pregnancy. I know it's going to hurt like hell, but I'm not going to walk into the hospital and ask for an epidural right away. While I'm hoping to be able to do the whole thing naturally, I am being realistic. The pain could be completely unbearable, or I'll be in the 2nd stage of labor for 12 hours and need sleep, or who knows what may happen. I just don't understand why anyone would tell themselves they aren’t going to be able to handle it. And, if they didn't come up with the plan on their own, who thought it was a good idea to tell someone the pain will be too much to handle? If you need one, okay, no big deal. But a questions to the two ladies who said they were positive they'll get the epidural as soon as the doc says they can... Why?

I know I'm super biased. You could call me a masochist. I dont like medicine. Midol makes my head float and narcotics make me vomit. I don't take cold meds or anything for headaches. Give me water and a nap. I'm more afraid of the effects of the epidural than the pain of labor. Is that weird?

Anyway... hoping off the soap box for now.

I had the infamous gestation diabetes test on Wednesday. I don't have diabetes, so that's good. The nurse who drew my blood was a pro. I didn't feel a thing! The RHoGAM shot wasn't too bad. I may have to request her for any additional blood draws or shots.

How far along: 28 weeks

Maternity Clothes: So frustrating. I'm in between sizes. But I did find a cute skirt and I have a feeling I'll be wearing it at least once a week.

Stretch Marks: None.

Sleep: I finally figured out how to sleep well. the fan. ahhh. as long as the room is cool enough I'll be fine.

Best Moment this Week: No diabetes!

Movement: I'm loving that I can tell what is a butt and a leg.

Food Cravings: cucumbers and anything fresh. it's a sign of spring and my garden i get to plant soon

Gender: Had my first boy dream last night, perhaps the girl dreams are over.

Labor Signs: First, I'm leaking and second, braxton hicks contractions are weird. I had a bunch when Ben and I went on a walk the other day. I over did it a bit with 4 miles after my diabetes appt and the BH contractions were certainly a sign from my body to slow down.

Belly Button: still an innie, but it's turning into a frown.

What I Miss: shopping with success.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: the baby shower on Saturday

Weekly Wisdom: Dont drink a glass of water and go on a 4 mile walk.

Book Slings!!

Finally got them up this morning. Love. I think I might make some more for other rooms in the house. I don't have any books to put in them yet so gardening mags and books will have to do. The slings work great for stuffed animals too. I'm considering putting a sling closer to the ground and within the reach of a crawling/walking little one for board books and fabric books. We'll see.

Ikea curtain brackets work great! Kvartal brackets are meant for hanging curtains, Ben and I found them by the fabric if you go looking for them. I didn't think to take a picture of the brackets before I took them out of the packaging. Sorry. They were very easy to install in our plaster walls and I think they'll hold quite a bit of weight.

The fabric is a heavy cotton but I'm definitely going to line the slings with another layer so they dont wear out. I can already see where the corners of the books might wear little holes in the fabric. I didn't realize how heavy the books would be. Also, I think I may get stronger dowels. I used just simple wood dowels from The Home Depot but I have a feeling they may warp as the weight pulls down on them. Maybe if I get dowels with a bigger diameter it would be alright. We'll see. They have metal dowels too but I'm concerned about the sharp edges.

Two projects down only 15 more to go in the next 12 weeks. Yikes!

My next project is getting my Charley Harper art on the walls. That should be an easy one. I'm a little concerned I won't be able to finish the tree branch bookshelf I posted about on week 23. I hope I can pull it off by June. If not...oh well.