Week 39 - Cankles

There is so much going on in the final week of pregnancy. Hopefully Copper will give us a few extra days to get stuff done. As my post title states, I now have cankles. I have avoided them up until 2 days ago. My feet and hands have been swelling for quite a while now, but my ankles have stayed normal. It started with just my right ankle the past two nights, but all hell broke loose today and they've both ballooned beyond being cute. They are not pretty. I do not like them. Last night I was able to lie on my left side and the swelling went down pretty quickly. I sat more today which explains why both ankles are swollen. Generally if I am up and moving around all day, the swelling is minimal. However, today I sat at work for quite a while. Sitting is my enemy. I may be a rare breed of pregnant lady that prefers to stand and move all the time. Sitting is when I'm uncomfortable. With the basement remodel taking up most of our time, I haven't had much of a choice than to be super active. I may have to stand and do squats while I'm working on the computer tomorrow at work. Go away cankles.

Here's the pics you've all been waiting for! Week 39! Only 1 week to go!

It's getting kind of big. Don't ya think?

The midwife estimated that Copper was at about 7lbs last Friday and predicts a baby in the upper 7lb range. I prefer that Copper stop growing and I have a 7 pound baby about a week late. We'll see.

We were told that at 37 weeks you should have your car seat installed and baby bag packed. We still haven't gotten around to packing the baby bag, but Daddy installed the car seat the beginning of last week. Now Melvin has to share his back seat with an empty car seat. He probably shouldn't complain though, because soon enough there will be a crying baby next to him. Since the middle of the seat is the safest, Melvin has to "think thin" and smash his big body into the side seat. It's not all about you anymore, Melvin, soon you'll be the step child.

Tonight we've started our search for a doula. I remember when Lisa first told me that she was getting a doula and I thought she was nuts. Why would you need a middle man at a birth? That was a couple years ago and I have since done a 180 and completely understand the role a doula will play. Even the midwives at the birthing center have all had doulas attend their births. Aubrey and I are meeting one tomorrow and another on Wednesday night to see if we can find a good fit. It's a bit late in the game to be looking, but not too late. We're getting a doula in training to keep the cost down, but feel confident that it'll be a positive experience. I think that Aubrey likes the idea that coaching will not be entirely on his shoulders. We also really want a doula just in case we get transferred to the hospital. If that happens, then things are not going as planned and we would definitely like to have a middle man around to help with decision making and understanding the medical model for delivery. Something that we found interesting about the birthing center is that if we are the only couple there for a birth, the midwife will be with us about 90% of the time! If there are 2 births going on then the time will be split and if there are 3 births then a second midwife is called in. The birthing center has rooms for 3 births and books only around 20-25 births for a month to avoid overcrowding. While the doula doesn't seem as necessary in the best case scenario (I'm the only birth and everything goes as planned), she will be very nice to have in any other scenario.

Full panel pants

I bought my first pair of full panel maternity jeans at 36 1/2 weeks. Up until then, I had mostly been wearing regular yoga capris and pants. I did buy a pair of no panel maternity pants a little while back, but they're not as comfy as the yoga gear. The full panel pants are not the sexiest things around when the panel is exposed, but they are by far the most comfortable things in the world when you're in that last month of pregnancy. I can't believe I made it this long without them. They don't dig into Copper's head when I sit and my belly isn't exposed when my I try to wear non maternity shirts that inevitably ride up. They do show that tell tale sign of the line across the belly that lets everyone know you're wearing maternity pants, but who gives a shit when you're that comfortable.

Baby Shower

Note: I'm a little behind with my blogging. The damn basement is all consuming.

Anyways, my friend Kellie (with help from Connie, Sheri, and my mom) hosted a wonderful baby shower for Aubrey and I 2 Saturday's ago. It was short and sweet with yummy food, friends, and most importantly, great gifts. Registering for the baby shower was actually way more fun than registering for our wedding. (Again, thanks for the registry help, Kellie!) The wedding felt so selfish, but the baby shower isn't really about us, it's about Copper. And holy crap do baby's need a lot of stuff. Thanks to everyone for coming and all the super needed baby gear. Okay, so we didn't really need a baby hoodie with a skull on it, but it sure is damn cute.

Laundry

I did a load of Copper's laundry today and the lint trap was full of pink lint. It was pretty cute.

3 Weeks To Go

Ahhhhhh! 3 weeks?! Have I mentioned how much stuff we have to get done before baby? I realize that if she does come before everything is in place and her room is set up that we will be fine, but for my mental health I really need things to be a little more organized. I need the piece of mind that our home is in order. It's a possibility that we may be able to get started on her room by this weekend. That would make me feel better. Then there's only 2 weeks left.

Last Friday was, I believe, the first time that I really felt excited for Copper to be on the outside instead of still in my belly. So much of pregnancy is about what is going on while being pregnant and what to expect during labor that it becomes all that you think about, being pregnant. The past few classes that we've taken have been about what to do once she's born and I think that that has us excited to finally meet our little lady. I'm ready to have my mobility back. I'm ready to sleep on my stomach or back. I'm ready to be able to bend over to tie my shoes. I'm ready for my feet to shrink back down to their normal size. I'm ready for my wedding ring to fit again. I'm ready to dress my little girl in all the cute clothes that we've gotten. I'm ready to hold my little girl. I'm ready to be a mommy. Aubrey is ready to be a daddy.

Less than 4 weeks

I started writing this last week...

It really doesn't seem possible that I could be having a baby in less than 4 weeks. We're getting super excited to finally meet our little girl and be with her, but really, less than 4 weeks? There are soooo many things to take care of before she comes. We are devoting this weekend to getting all of the baby necessites taken care of. The baby shower is on Saturday and we'll be shopping on Sunday to get any other "first 2 weeks" items. It was reiterated to us today at our 36 week class/appointment that we need to get our car seat installed and have our labor bag packed. It's no holds barred come 37 weeks. She could be anytime. We're hoping for a 41 weekish baby, but please at least give us 40 weeks. The nursery is still our office. We have a lot to get done in a very short amount of time. I'm just thankful that I feel so well and have quite a bit of energy to get things done. It's been amazing that Aubrey has had this time off to work on the basement and we're really excited that he will not be back at work when Copper comes. At our newborn care class last week, our midwife was really pressing that those first two weeks are spent in bed with mom, baby, and dad. Aubrey is really looking forward to being able to spend so much time with his little girl and not just a few days as once was planned. I'm really looking forward to having him with me for the extra support. I have no idea what to expect in the first couple days, weeks...months...years...

Quote of the Day

"I don't need any parenting books. I just need to get a new belt."

-Aubrey

Kick to the head

A few years ago Derek provided us with a great phrase, "I just want to kick you in the head." Aubrey has adopted that phrase and uses it frequently. Copper must be listening because the other night Aubrey had laid his head on my tummy and was feeling around for her and talking to her. Then suddenly, WHAM, she kicked him right in the head. That's my little girl.

Week 35 Pics

I used to see pregnant women who were all crazy big and ask, "Am I going to get that big?" I would ask that in disbelief that I ever could get "that big." I have now learned that, yes, I will get "that big" and that I am now "that big."

This shot just totally cracks me up.

Are those feet down there?

Week 33 Recap

Immunizations:

Aubrey and I attended an immunization class last Tuesday that was pretty informative. We've decided against a few immunizations, including Hep A, Hep B, Polio, and a couple others. Some of the newer vaccines are such "worst case scenario" type shots that the chances of our kid even getting the illness can be less than .001%. Some of the illnesses are very mild in the US if a kid does manage to contract them. Some things can be can be combated by breastfeeding. There are also blood tests that can be done to see if the child has enough immunity to a disease without having to take the full course of shots. There are so many factors that go into deciding whether or not a baby needs vaccines that not every child needs every shot. Aubrey and I aren't against immunizations because of the whole autism conversation. I'm not even convinced that they're related. We are against them because of all the shit that is being put in our baby's body that in most cases are completely unnecessary.

Circumcision - A Side Note

Along with the class being about immunizations, it also included a bit on circumcision. Even though we're having a girl, we were both pretty interested in what is currently the word on circumcision. Only about 50-60% of boys in Colorado are circumcised. That number drops to 30% on the West coast. It's quite a bit higher on the east coast though. The US and Muslim countries are the only places where circumcision is generally performed. My concern with making a decision to not circumcise kind of always revolved around the idea that my kid would be the only one who was "different." Apparently that is not the case anymore. Now it's more of your little boys penis looking different than daddy's.

Week 32 Appointment (at 33 weeks)

Our little lady is head down! She's already getting into position. We learned all about back labor and how I can't lounge around on the sofa on my back anymore after 36 weeks. It's all about leaning forward as much as possible. I've gained 27 pounds which has put me out of contention for staying within the 30 pound mark that I was aiming for. Our little lady is getting big and fast! I feel like I've ballooned in size from just a few weeks ago. (I'll post a new pic in the next couple days.) Even Aubrey's t-shirts are getting short. Everything else in the appointment went fine as usual.

1st Birthing Class

I love our birthing class. It's taught by a doula who is currently 29 weeks preggo and is also having a natural birth. There are 10 or 11 couples in the class and we are 1 of 2 that are having a natural birth. The other couple is also having their baby at the birthing center. The class has been super informative and I love the fact that Aubrey is getting direct information right along side of me, instead of me just reading a book and relaying some key information to him. I also feel like it's a bit of a bonding time for us too. We're both new at this and neither of us have any idea what we're doing. It's a way for us to learn together without one person having all the answers. Aubrey's going to be my main support before, during, and after labor, and I'm really glad that he'll have the same knowledge that I have and understand the importance of his role.

Sausage Feet

My feet are constantly swollen. I wore a pair of shoes without socks the other day (which I've done many times in the recent past) and came away with monster blisters on both feet in a very short amount of time. Even my slip on sandals are getting tight. My feet used to be slim with nice healthy veins. Now they're all fat and squishy. Sausage feet are dumb.

So much to learn

Aubrey and I are in for a busy 5 weeks. We kick off our baby education with a 2 hour class on Immunizations this Tuesday. (We're not necessarily against immunizing, we just want to be more educated on what our little girl is being injected with (and why) and what our options are.) The next day is the first of 5 weekly, 3 hour classes called Prepared Childbirth. The birthing center highly recommends this type of class for first time natural birth parents. I won't argue. I'd like to have some sort of idea of what I'm in for. It also goes over all the signs of labor, being late, pain, etc. In October we have a 2 hour breastfeeding class and a 2 hour Newborn Care class which are both required by the birthing center. Aubrey could probably use a Daddy Bootcamp class, but I'll try to teach him that on my own. Lucy has prepared me for a lot, but the whole giving birth part, first month of care, and breastfeeding are all going to be new experiences for me. Everything's going to be new for Aubrey, which is why he's going to every single one of the classes along with the rest of my appointments.

Week 30-ish Pics

I'm a little over 30 weeks in these shots and am currently at 31 weeks. Aubrey says that I look bigger with my shirt down and accused me of sucking it in. When I suck it in and push my belly out as far as I can, there's not much difference. All of the graphic tees that I've been living in are now too short and I recently raided Aubrey's t-shirt supply for a new wardrobe. I would be walking around and then feel my stomach or get a glimpse in a mirror and see the lower couple inches of my belly sticking out. Not cool.

Aubrey and I both love seeing and feeling Copper move around. Aubrey likes trying to find her in my belly. It's always this super obvious hard spot. It makes me wonder how it feels to her to have us always poking around and pressing down on her. I was thinking tonight that I'm really going to miss being pregnant. I never thought that I would feel this way. I was always pretty adamant that I never wanted to be pregnant nor was I much interested in having a baby around. Those feelings are not that old either. But now that I'm pregnant and very close to having a baby around, I can't really imagine being anything other than grateful that we're able to have this experience. I can't pull that long list of sacrifices to the front of my brain anymore. They all seem so trivial now. I'm sure once she's born, there will be times when that list becomes quite obvious, but for now I'm drawing a blank.

Quote of the Day

"I sorry Hopper." - Lucy

We haven't really talked with Lucy about the idea that there is a baby in my belly. Today offered a good opportunity to have a little lesson. Lucy ran over to me while I was sitting at the kitchen table and slapped me in the side of my stomach. It wasn't painful, but Grandma made her apologize to Copper. Lucy sulked over to me and we quickly told her that there is a baby in my belly. She just kind of looked at my stomach and told "Hopper" she was sorry. Not too sure it registered who she was apologizing too. Soon enough she'll be hitting the real deal.

On a different occasion, my mom's good friend and our accountant was over and asked Lucy if she was excited to have a cousin. Lucy responded, "No cousin! No cousin!"

Shout Out to Copper's Grandma

Copper would like to send a little shout out to Grandma Strong for getting her the most kick ass (reasonably priced) modern crib in town. Our kid is going to be sleeping in style. Thanks Grandma!!

Week 28 Appointment

I had my 28 week appointment on Friday and Aubrey got to come with for the first time. Nothing too exciting going on yet. All is still normal. I did have blood drawn to test for gestational diabetes. My blood pressure is pretty low (it was like 90/60), but I've always had low bp and I was told that during pregnancy it gets lower, which it has. So far I haven't had any dizzy spells or headaches. Hopefully my crazy low bp prevents me from having high bp issues closer to delivery. I've been doing my baby heartbeat impersonations a lot for Aubrey lately and he finally got to hear the real deal. Copper even kept still for once. The midwife pressed around on my stomach (which Aubrey didn't think was fair since I always make him stop when he's poking around for our kid) and let us feel Copper's orientation. Didn't know the feet from the head, but they were one or the other and we got to feel her back. This past week she's been making very large movements that make my belly look like a wave. My mom got to feel her move for the first time last week too. I love just watching the movements now. I can feel harder areas on my stomach when she's positioned differently too. My next appointment isn't for another 4 weeks and then they get closer together. We need to look into getting scheduled for a birthing class very soon since we have no idea what is in store for us. Aubrey can't wait to go to class.

Week 27 Pics

So long second trimester! Hello third trimester! Isn't this the time where I just sit on my ass and eat everything in site? It's going to end up being my busiest trimester yet. A trip to Yellowstone in September, baby shower, painting an entire basement, tiling a bathroom, creating a nursery, moving most of the furniture in the house to different rooms, fall yard clean up...and so much more. This baby better not come early. I've got a lot to do in the next 13 weeks.

The second trimester went by wonderfully. I feel great, I love my belly, we had an ultrasound, I have energy, and for the most part Aubrey quit surprise slapping me in my stomach all the time. I could stay like this forever. Actually, I have had a few pregnant lady side effects lately. My calves are tighter than tight and cramp up every time I involuntarily stretch them in my sleep, I walk funny, and I have lower back pain during fast walks and after I do anything that forces me to bend over repeatedly. Feeling our little girl doing somersaults all the time and the excitement of being so close to having her makes the discomfort bearable though.

So far I've gained about 20 pounds. Which would seem to put me on track to gain 30 during my pregnancy. My midwife said I should gain between 25 and 35 pounds. 30 seems reasonable. We'll see what happens. I did gain about 7 pounds since Aubrey's birthday (July 25th), but I think that some of that had to do with Melvin hurting his toe and not being able to go out on long walks. His fitness affects mine. I feel like I eat the same as before I was pregnant. You're supposed to increase your calorie intake during pregnancy, but since I've always eaten more than I should, I didn't increase my calories. What did happen though was a decrease in my exercise. I just bought a punch card for pre-natal pilates classes and I'm looking forward to starting those next week. Melvin's toe is healing up and he can do long walks again, so that will also resume. I really don't want to blow up. I'm having a baby in November and that's not the best timing for taking long strolls outside with the baby. Hopefully it's a dry winter.

We went out with Kellie, Jay, and Evelyn tonight for dinner and after I got to the point of putting my fingers in my ears because the parents behind us were seemingly unwilling to shut the F up their fake-crying baby, Kellie said that we need to start making a list of all the things that we say we will never do when the baby comes. I like this idea and will start working on it. I'll keep you posted. Aubrey and I definitely have some pretty strong opinions on child rearing and it'll be interesting to see just how much of it goes to shit.

Too cute

Here's one of the crazy cute fabrics that I'm going to use in Copper's room. I've wanted to do some kind of graphic painting for her room and my mom suggested that I use this fabric as inspiration and paint a retro camping trailer to hang on her wall. I'm super stoked about getting it painted and I think that I'll add a big black dog sitting outside of the trailer. She'll have sweat dreams of camping every night.

My new rack

My boobs have grown exponentially since I got pregnant. I've mostly been living in sports bras because they still fit. Since sports bras aren't always appropriate, I finally broke down and bought new bras last week. My little A cups only covered about 25% of my boobs so I had to upsize to a B. It's possible that I could even fit in a C cup right now. I have a hard time imagining them getting any bigger, but I know that they will. I have learned that I am not the type of person who could get a boob job. I like my A's.

Here's an example of how big my rack has become. Tonight while eating a freshly baked lemon sugar cookie, a chunk broke off on the way to my mouth and landed on my boobs...and stayed there. That is a very new experience for me.

I'm getting excited

I came home today and decided to hop on the computer and look at some baby stuff. At just over 3 months away, I'm feeling it's crunch time to get some things done. We HAVE to finish the basement before Copper is born. There is no way to move any furniture to make room for her furniture without having the basement finished. There is no second bedroom for Aubrey or I to sleep in while she is sleeping in our room. (Derek took advantage of their guest room on more than one occasion to get some shut eye on those long nights of constant feeding.) There is no room in our current bedroom for a bassinet next to the bed. We HAVE to finish the basement. Jumping ahead a bit in the remodel plans, I started thinking more about Copper's room. I have a pretty clear idea of the style of the room (modern with bright orange accents) and I found a great crib at Babies R Us. While I was on the web site I decided to go ahead and start our baby registry. While I only put a couple items on it, mostly as bookmarks for things I need a second opinion on, it got me really excited about our little girl coming. Copper was feeding off my happiness and moved around like a mad woman while I was online browsing. I started looking for crib bedding and found some absolutely ridiculously priced bedding that I loved. I then googled "How to make a crib bumper" and quickly came to conclusion that I'm going to make my own bumper. I love being able to pick out my own fabric for projects. I also talked to my mom about refinishing an old dresser of Aubrey's and mom had a great idea for it. I'm really looking forward to getting started on that project too. I love organizing and decorating and I have the ultimate project ahead of me. Decorating the entire basement, moving furniture from our bedroom, the office, the living room, and guest room furniture that's been stored, and creating a crazy cute nursery. If you know me well enough, you know that creating and decorating is my crack. Our house/rooms are so little right now, that it's near impossible to rearrange furniture. At least this time around I don't have to do any heavy lifting with the whole pregnancy immunity thing going for me. I kind of wonder if I'm more excited about Copper coming or more excited about decorating? Probably decorating.

September, October, November

I posted this shot on my other blog, but it fits pretty well in my pregnancy blog too. We're all due about 4 weeks apart. Erin in September, Shelly in October, and me in November. Shelly's having a girl too. Erin's one of those crazy people that choose to be surprised. We make quite the trio when out together.