38 Weeks!

Well, I think I can give up hope of missing my 38 week appointment on Tuesday. I have had no indication whatsoever that this guy is coming anytime in the next couple days!

I know he will come when he is ready, but I'm having fun anyways trying all of these "labor inducing techniques." So far I have eaten an entire pineapple (which was great, because I discovered that I LOVE fresh pineapple!). I drink raspberry leaf tea constantly; which again I did research on and found that it is actually extremely beneficial to pregnant women, while NOT being something that induces labor. I've been going for lots of walks, and staying busy. So, he might not come tomorrow, but I just hope he doesn't come past my due date. These last 2 weeks, I can already predict, will be the slowest of my life.

We have everything ready. The hospital bags are packed and in the car, the car seat is in place, and nursery is set up, and the house is staying (relatively) clean. Come on little baby!!!!

So, like I said, I've stayed busy this week. In the last few days, I've started and completed several projects. The first one I'll share is the travel changing mat I made. I made a bag last week and decided it needed a changing mat to go with it. So, sticking with the farm theme, here it is:





I also finished the quilt that I've been writing about for the last couple weeks, FINALLY. I'm so happy it's finished! I made it less baby-ish and more little boy-ish so that he won't grow out of it it so quickly! I spent a lot of time designing this quilt and I'm pretty happy with it.





Next, I took a trip with a friend on Friday and went to this MASSIVE (well, in British terms) fabric shop. It was amazing and depressing, because they had soo many things I wanted, but it was VERY expensive. The fabric I wanted all ranged between £9-£14 PER METER. This is the equivolent of $15-$20 a yard. But, we drove really far to get there and Adam wasn't with us. So I risked my marriage and bought a meter of really expensive brushed cotton (like flannel but reallllly nice) and a meter of fleece. I also bought some patterns for some baby things! So here's what I've made so far...





That's all so far, but I've got even more projects in my head! Oh yeah, I made a cloth diaper this week as well, and I hope to make more once I get some flannel. I'll make some the next size up so after we use the ones we have now, I can make some more! We'll see. Anyways, here's my attempt at making a cloth diaper!





Right. THAT is all for this week's projects! I have some other things in mind, so hopefully I will get those done before baby bradley gets here!

So, due in 2 weeks. I can't believe how fast time has gone by but at the same time, it is going incredibly slow right now. I'm excited beyond belief; I'm nervous for labor but to be honest, I want him here so badly I feel like I would go through anything for him. I just can't wait to hold him.

We had our last antenatal class on Tuesday and it went really well; one of the women in the class had her baby on Wednesday! I'm so happy for them but VERY jealous at the same time. I want mine!!

Oh, speaking of which - here is a photo of me and all the other girls from my class!



It was a great class, I learned a lot and met some really nice people. I hope to stay in contact with some of them, and even more I hope to remember all the things I learned when the big day arrives!!!


That's it for now -- must go eat pizza!!

37 Weeks, 1 Day

Where to begin!...Well, I've reached 37 weeks which is VERY exciting yet nerveracking. The boy is cooked! He can come at any time now and will be fine! What a scary thought. Most of the time I'm calm until I think, "Oh no, what if he decided to come tonight?" I then realize all the things that I need to do. I haven't even finished packing my hospital bag yet!

I have however stayed busy lately. This week I printed off my birth plan, the hospital bag checklist, and started typing up the list of phone numbers of people to call when my little guy is born. I've started putting together the hospital bag, and I have all the things that need to be put together but I just haven't really collected it all in one place yet. Let's hope he doesn't show up before I get that done!

I have been reading all of these "Self-inducing labor tips," and so far have tried sitting on my birthing ball for a long period of time (Supposed to get him in the right position for birth), going for a semi-long walk (This means about 15 minutes...haha), and eating curry. I didn't make the curry spicy enough I don't think - since he's still in there. haha. I've also ordered some raspberry leaf tea, which I have been sworn to by some that it will make him come imminently - however, I've done some reading about it and it doesn't really induce labour. It DOES strengthen the uterus muscles though, and according to research will help my contractions be more effective, and also make it less likely to need intervention. There are actually a LOT of benefits to drinking raspberry leaf tea in the last weeks of pregnancy, so I'm looking forward to trying it. It should get here tomorrow.

I've also stayed busy making things! Long story short, I got a sewing machine after many attempts. Since I've gotten the machine, I've made 2 quilts, a baby sling, 6 placemats, and a bag. It's been soo much fun.

The first quilt I made (pre-sewing machine), I hand stitched. This was extremely time consuming. I made this to match the farm theme in my boy's nursery. Here it is:






My second quilt, which was using the sewing machine, is REALLY cute - BUT I don't want to post it on here quite yet because I'm sending it to a friend and I don't want to ruin the surprise :)

The third quilt is done with the exception of the back, which I hope to put on tomorrow. I don't have any photos of it uploaded right now but when it's done I'll put them up. This quilt is also for my little boy - it is red, blue and black and has different types of transportation on it :)

Today's projects were a bag and some placemats. The bag was more of an experiment, but i LOVE it and can't wait to make another one. There were a couple of mistakes made, but now that I know what I'm doing I think I'll be able to improve when I get some more fabric.

Here's the bag:







After I made the bag, we decided that a good use of the leftover material would be to make some placemats! So, here they are!





Last but not least, I made a sling yesterday. While I know the photo isn't much to look at, when I put it on it's soo cute and amazing how something so simple can clearly hold a baby! I borrowed the pattern from

http://www.mykarmababy.com/pages/BabySlingPattern.php

Very easy and fun to make!




That's all the photos I have for now but there will definitely be more to come!

In other news...tomorrow is our last antenatal class. I can't believe how fast it's flown by. There are a lot of things that I want to remember about this pregnancy, (hence writing the blog), so I should also update on the fact that I wake up every morning around 5 (or earlier) and can't sleep for several hours. It's very annoying. This morning I laid there for so long I eventually got up and had breakfast then went back to bed til 9.

My hands swell at night, HORRIBLY. They hurt every morning when I wake up. Aside from the little aches and pains though, I don't have many things to complain about pregnancy-wise, so I'll take it. :)

My little boy still moves a LOT, and can really push himself out really far which sometimes scares me. Haha. He hasn't "dropped" yet, but I've heard that they can put this off until right before labor, so I'm not too concerned. He is head down though, so that's what matters.

We've just started making big meals and freezing the leftovers - I've been told by LOTS of people that this is a good idea since I won't have much time to cook in the next few months.



I think that is all for now! I will probably update again this week since we have our last class tomorrow. I have my next appointment at 38 weeks, next Tuesday. Here's hoping I don't have to go to it!!! :o)

36 Weeks, 3 Days. . . 25 Days to go!

Well I can easily start off by saying that I am ready to not be pregnant anymore! This past week I have felt (and been told by many) that I am huge. My midwife saw me and said, "you are as wide as you are tall! Thanks, midwife. Thanks.

I wake up every morning with very sore hands. They don't appear to be very swollen, but they feel so big and they are painful! I am looking forward to that not happening anymore.

I sleep for intervals of about 2 hours. I have to wee and roll over, which is a process within itself. I am finding that being this big is extremely restricting and I do not like it!

On a positive note, I have my 36 week appointment yesterday and it went really well. Once again my midwife was astonished at how "fit and healthy" I am: I have great blood pressure and am right on target with weight gain. I have gained just over 25 lbs, and the average weight gain is between 25-35 lbs. She also told me that at this rate the baby will probably weigh about 8lbs, however I do not believe her. I mean, I don't know what he will weigh - but I have NEVER known these guesses to be correct. I have too many friends/family who have been told they were having 10-12lb babies and ended up having 7-8 lb babies. You just really can't tell how much he/she is going to weigh.

Well..what else? last night we had our antental class. I can't believe that next week is our last one!! Crazy how quickly the time has gone by. On Thursday we had a breasfeeding session which was really helpful. I'm really looking forward to breastfeeding! I am a little nervous about how it's all going to work out with the whole going out in public thing, but I'm sure I will get over it.

The class last night was good, we talked about what our needs as parents were within the first 6 months of baby being born. Obviously my needs included: Eating, Showering, and having a clean house. I also requested that Adam give me a diamond for every hour I am in labor, but I don't think that worked :o).

We also had to hand a baby doll around the room while it was "crying" and say what we would do. So we each had to think of a different reason why the baby might be crying, and then pass the baby along. I held him and said that he obviously wanted a cookie, and proceeded to shove a cookie in his face. It was funny but I think he kept crying. bahha. So to appease my class, I said I would give him a bath and see if that calmed him down.

We then talked about colic. This scared me. I think after last night I started realizing that we are actually having a baby. He is going to cry and we aren't always going to know why. This makes me anxious just thinking about. I can say that I am genuinely excited for holding him and being with him, for trying to ease his crying and just love him. I cannot wait to hold my little boy. I spend long periods of time trying to think about what he will look like. I can't really imagine it; but it is fun to think about. I am definitely getting nervous though for the fact that I don't know much about babies. I mean, I remember my little brother being little and taking care of him, but if I was ever in doubt I just handed him to my mom. No problem. But now my mom is really, really far away.

Anyways. This is all to say that the reality is sinking in. In 4 days the baby will be considered "full term." THIS is a scary thought. He could come at any time! I have yet to pack my hospital bag or even write my birth plan. I just keep putting it off! I am going to look online for all the silly ways to induce labor though. See what I can get to work. Surely if I start at 37 weeks then he will HAVE to come a LITTLE early, right? I've been told drinking raspberry leaf tea does the trick, so we'll see.

My next midwife appointment is in 2 weeks. I made the appointment hoping that I wouldn't have to actually go to it. I would be quite happy with this little guy showing up at 38 weeks!

35 weeks! Only 35 days to go....

Well, this week has been hectic to say the least! We had Uncharted Waters Sports Ministry with us this week, and I was in charge of serving 50+ children dinner every night. I had a lot of help but it was still crazy! This week has been hot as well, so needless to say...I'm exhausted.

Fortunately the exhaustion has come at the right time, since today is my first official day of Maternity Leave! I have the next 39 weeks off of work, PAID! I am ready to just relax - hopefully this little guy sticks around in there until he is due so I can catch up on some sleep before I lose it all again :)

And now, for the first time, I am experiencing real pregnancy symptoms. First of all, I am finally tired. I wasn't tired in the first 12 weeks when everyone said I would. Now, I go upstairs to get dressed and I sit down and pretty much wake up 2 1/2 hours later. I've done this several times. It reminds me of my time at ENC with my roommate Brooky...I would come back to the room every afternoon and lay down, and she would say, "Are you going to take a nap?" and I would say, "no, I'm just laying down for a minute." I would then wake up several hours later. Haha. Good times.

I also officially have swollen feet AND hands. I've been asked several times this week if my feet were swelling, and I kept saying, "no, they hurt but they aren't swollen." I got home Tuesday night, looked down, and shouted to Adam, "WHERE ARE MY ANKLES!??" It was funny but painful and sad at the same time...haha. Since then I've tried keeping my feet up, but now am finding that my hands are swelling. They are FAT. They hurt at night. I can't snap my fingers without feeling pain...I guess it's called Oedema or something like that, and I keep reading that I should drink lots of water. So I'm trying.

Well that's all really. No other major symptoms! I am actually not as big as I imagined myself to be at this point, which is great. I mean, I think I'm still on the upper weight gain limit, but I always imagined myself at 35 weeks pregnant to feel like a WHALE. I don't really feel like a whale. I do feel uncomfortable a lot, but when I look down I don't think that I am THAT ginormous. I supposedly will gain another 5 lbs, which I think I can deal with...we'll see.

So, like I said, I'm now on maternity leave! I have 5 weeks between now and the due date, so I've started making a list of things for me to due. This list includes (but is not limited to) the following:

- Quilting. I have started my first quilt for my little boy, and also have a couple other quilts in mind that I want to make. I am VERY excited about this...but annoyed because I don't own a sewing machine so I am borrowing one for the time being. I want my own.

- Painting/Designing letters of my little boy's name to put on his bedroom door.

- Writing my birth plan

- Cleaning. A lot.

- Organizing the baby's clothes over and over again.

- Finding fun craft ideas for the baby's room - like the cloth book holder that a friend of mine is making; such a cool idea!



...and more. My main focus right now is on the quilting, and I'm really looking forward to spending some time on it. I took a quilting class in highschool and can remember most of what I learned...so look at that, highschool DID pay off!


I really want the baby to come early. I mean, not too early. I'd glad accept 38 weeks. I do NOT want to be waiting around past 40 weeks, although I've heard that it is common for your first baby to be late. Whatever, I live in hope!



I think that's all for now. I can't believe that I am on maternity leave and only have a month left before the baby is due. I feel prepared but not. I'm so unbelievably excited. I can't even think about my little boy without crying...I wonder what he will look like, and I can't wait to hug him! I know it will pass, but I am looking forward to those sleepness nights because of how badly I want him here!

33 Weeks, 3 Days

Well, I can't say there is too much to update this week! We had our 3rd antenatal class last night which went well, it is getting more fun each week because we are getting to know the other couples a bit better which is nice. It's fun to be in a room with lots of other people who are having just as a rough time leaning over as I am :) hehe. A good half of the class is all due the same week as me, which is really cool since we're experiencing a lot of the same things.

Last night we talked quite a bit about natural pain relief and different positions to help ease the pain of contractions. There were about 8 different little areas we could go to where we would practice whatever movement it was teaching for a minute and a half, imagining that we were having a contraction. It was good because I was able to find out what things I found comfortable, but it was difficult because I have no clue what a contraction feels like, so it was hard to imagine that kind of pain. Overall it was really helpful though. I REALLY want a birthing ball - it was sooo nice.

As far as appointments go, I don't have another one until 36 weeks so nothing to update on that front! As far as my weight, I once again don't dare to check the scales. I feel humungous and know it's just going to get worse. Fortunately, I like the heat of summer and it hasn't been bothering me - although everyone I talk to says, "Oh this heat must be getting to you!" But no. It's not. I like it.

My little boy has been moving a lot lately, and the movements have been SO strange. It is incredible how far out he can stick his butt. hahaha. I look down and half of my stomach is poking out like 3 inches! It is crazy. He rolls around a lot, so it's not so much punching or kicking anymore. I can feel that he is getting bigger, which is so strange and hard to describe.

Sleep has become increasingly difficult, which I suppose is just my little boy getting me used to the lack of it. I wee a lot in the night which at this point I have gotten used to, but for the last week almost every night I've been getting horrendous leg cramps. They wake me up, I start yelling, "OW, OW, OW" and rubbing my leg until it stops. I have no idea how this doesn't wake Adam up. Last night I even kicked him on accident. haha. Anyways, it's horrible, and I read that drinking milk helps this but I believe this is a LIE because I drink so much milk that if I drink anymore I'll probably get some kind of milk-induced problem. So I will just suffer I guess.



That's really all for now - but in the life of my little boy at 33 Weeks ........



Your baby weighs about 4.4 pounds at this point. The crown-to-rump length of your baby is approximately 12 inches and the total length is around 19.4 inches. Measuring from the top of your uterus to your bellybutton is 5.2 inches. Total weight gain at this point of pregnancy is usually 22 to 28 pounds.

With the exception of crying, your baby is capable of doing everything that a newborn baby will do. Your baby is restricted now inside of the uterus, but still can kick and move. Your baby sleeps a lot of the time, just as newborn babies do. Your baby's eyes move in the manner of REM sleep and researchers believe that babies can dream vividly in uterus. When your baby is awake, she is listening, feeling and learning. There are billions of neurons in the brain that make trillions of connections. Your baby will probably have settled into the birth position by now and your caregiver can most likely tell which way your baby is presenting. If your baby were to be born now, the lungs would probably be strong enough to function properly, but your baby may still need extra care from specially trained doctors and nurses.


(http://i-am-pregnant.com)

32 Weeks, 3 Days

Ok! Where to start. Well, yesterday we had our 32 week appointment, which went really well. They did the normal pee testing, blood pressure check, and heartbeat check along with measuring my bump. Apparently he's measuring at 33 weeks, but my midwife said that this could be 1) because usually around this time he'll have a growth spurt, or, 2) I'm short. Haha. Basically, my bump has no place else to go but out - so I might measure bigger. They did the heartbeat check, which sounded great except they had me lay down - bad idea! When I lay down the pressure of the baby makes it very hard for me to breathe; from what I have been told it's because the weight pushes down on the aorta or something and cuts off the blood flow to my brain (nice, right?!). Anyways I got really really dizzy and hot very quickly. I thought I was going to throw up or pass out, so I had to say something and they let me up! It was horrible. Other than that though, great appointment, so good that they don't need to see me until I'm 36 weeks!!!

I did go into the hospital last week because I had some pains - they turned out to be nothing but ligament pains but I was told that if I ever had any kind of pain then to go in. So I did. They monitored the baby's heartbeat for 30 minutes, took my blood, and took my blood pressure 3 times! I didn't realize they were going to be so thorough but it was reassuring anyways. I got a print out of the little guy's heartbeat which was cool, and everyone who looks at it comments on how great it looks which is nice. :o)

Then, last night we had our second antenatal class. This was a "Girls Only" Session, and we kicked all the guys out (They all went to the pub for 2 hours - rough right? haha.) The reason for the "Girls Only" session was so that we could have a chance to ask embarassing questions or talk about things we might not feel comfortable talking about in front of the men. Needless to say, by the end of this session, I was highly unamused at this whole "having a baby" thing, and not really sure I was happy with what I had gotten myself into! We talked about how after birth we'll all bleed for a good 6 weeks at least, how during labor people poo, and how irrational with pain I will get during the "transition" stage of labor. I am not excited about these things. I keep being told that it will all be worth it in the end (and trust me, I know it will be - I still can't wait to hold my little cutie!) but I'm just that much more aware of the toll that this is going to take on my body. Blah!

On a positive note, the class is going well - the other people are pretty nice and I'm definitely getting a lot out of it. Next week we are talking about labor positions and ways to get comfortable/ease the pain of labor. People are bringing in birthing balls and mats and that kinda thing. I'm excited.

On another positive note, my mom sent me a huge box of things in the mail! I had no idea how awesome this box of goodies would be, so I obviously NEED to share with everyone some of the things that we got!


First on the list of awesome things is this set of turtle/hippo things. It's 3 bibs and 2 burp cloths - and my mom MADE them! How amazing is that?! They are so soft and adorable, I can't WAIT to see my little boy wear them!!



Here's a close-up of my favorite turtle bib



And, of course, an "I love Grandma" bib my mom made!



And another set of things made by my mom: A matching blanket, bib and burp cloth! SO cute!!!




Another VERY special thing in this box was a knitted lamb made by my AMAZING sister-in-law, Julie. I can't BELIEVE she made this - his name is lambert and he matches our sheepy theme!!



Here's a photo of our changing table, covered in stuff. Amidst all of this stuff is some cloth diaper covers Julie sent me - I'm very excited about them since all the other ones I have are white, but these are colorful!



The next couple photos aren't things that were in the box, but I wanted to share anyway.

Here's the changing bag we got, which I LOVE because it's a bag I can still use after it's not used for a changing bag anymore! (Outside and inside, all ready to take him out...hehe.)






And last but not least, is the most current photo of my bump! Taken today.





The little guy's movements have changed this week - I've noticed them less than normal, but when I do feel them it's like he's completely moving his body rather than just a kick or punch. Oh, and at the midwife appointment they let me know that he is head down which is good! They could feel his spine and his limbs...crazy!

He is now around 4 lbs and 18 inches long. When did he get so big?!

31 Weeks, 4 Days

I know I'm not quite up to 32 weeks yet, but I thought I'd do some updating since my antenatal classes are on tuesdays and I want to remember what happened at them!

So, we had our first class on Tuesday night and it went really well. There are about 5 other couples in the group with us and this week was just basic and getting to know a little bit about eachother and our expectations of the class. It was great getting to meet other people not only due in August, but actually 3 other couples due the same week as me! All of them as well are first-time parents so we're really in the same boat.

It was good to meet others and I'm really looking forward to getting to know them better. This week was a little bit awkward since we don't know eachother yet, but I'm sure htat will fade away quickly! The class from what I remember (I wish I could remember all of it, but it was 2 hours and I forget easily!) talked a lot about our questions, worries, concerns, etc. and then we talked about the 3 stages of labor. We talked about the different options as far as where to have the babies - and I must say that I could not BELIEVE how many women - actually I think all of them - who had not been to visit the hospital or birthing center. I guess people just aren't worried or concerned, but visiting the birthing center/hospital helped me so much, just eased my worries. Anyways. We talked about the stages of labor and that was really good to know. I had just done some reading this past week about it, so hearing it and discussing it was helpful.

Next week, we are sending all the men off to the pub while we have a "girls only session." To be honest, I don't know what this means but I'm sure it will be good!

I also got my own personal midwife visit today! There is a lady in my church who is a former missionary/midwife who came by to just chat to me about anything to do with labor/babies/breastfeeding. It was absolutely wonderful to just have an informal conversation about different things that came to mind. She is so nice and is going to come by again after she gets back from vacation next week!

I was told that around this time, the weeks would start to fly by - but actually I feel like they've slowed down. It's probably because I am not taking any classes anymore (I have been studying online with Nazarene Bible College for the past year). I'm taking a break until the Spring and I suppose that gave me something to do in the evenings. Now I feel sort of useless! I'm not exactly sure what I will do with all my time when I go on maternity leave in less than a month! Either way, time has seemed to go ultra slow lately; I've been trying to read and learn as much as I can about labor and delivery and I'm sure that is just making me more excited about meeting my little boy. He has been kicking so much lately - although I've been told that soon he will be too big to kick since he is running out of space in there. I also discovered this week that he IS getting big - (or I am, anyways) - I finally weighed myself for the first time since about 14 weeks, and I have gained 27 pounds! This means that I am right on target for 35 pounds of weight gain. I was told that I would gain between 25-35, so although I'm still within reason I can definitely say that I am on the upper limit! Gah!


Today I had a wonderful chat with my sister in law, Julie, which was great. I really miss her and my brother (and the rest of my family), so I decided to call to say hello! We talked about babies which was fun...I only wish I could drop by so easily. I have a neice and nephew, 3 and 1, whom I have really only met a few times. They are wonderful little kids though and Julie is an incredible mom - I hope I am half as good as her! (I'm sure Joe is a pretty good dad too :) ).

Well I think that's all for now. I have a midwife appointment on Tuesday the 15th (I accidentally missed my appointment this week since I forgot to book it...oops.)