number 2 [week 35]

Symptoms: It's difficult to tell from the picture, but my belly has dropped. It wasn't until others began pointing it out to me that I examined my unclothed belly in the mirror at home and found my bump resting in a lower position. I didn't notice it myself because I haven't felt like I'm breathing easier or experiencing less heartburn, but gravity has made an effect. I'm trying to stay active--doing as much as I can around the house and even sometimes walking a little bit during the end of my lunch break.

Cravings: French fries. I did indulge. It was amazing.

Aversions: Salads and I still aren't friends. I don't think Eric believed me when I told him I was done.

Missing: NOT having heartburn!

Mood: I'm still happy as a clam, excited, a little hormonal, and tired. A pretty good mix of normal pregnancy emotions.

Sleep: It's been rough here and there some nights. I've woken with horrible cramps and not gotten enough rest. I'm craving naps.

Dreams: I don't know if I've even slept well enough to dream. There was probably something random about work or friends, but my brain is too jelly to remember.

Movement: This little boy continues to feel bigger. He's all over the place, quite literally. Kick counts remain solid.

Best Moment: So many to choose from; I was showered with gifts and love at my work baby shower, Eric and I spent a wonderful night away for our belated anniversary celebration in Lake Tahoe, and Simon enjoyed his 4th Halloween dressed as Rocky from Paw Patrol. It was such a busy week, no wonder I'm exhausted!

Baby Buys: My generous coworkers gifted us an Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper. It wasn't the exact co-sleeper that I wanted, but we're going to try it out and hopefully make it work. I am so thankful for their kindness!

Other News: Eric and I attended our Preparing for Childbirth class offered by Kaiser. We were the only second-time parents there, but there was still a lot of valuable information to be reminded of and learn about. We never took classes when I was pregnant with Simon since I planned to ask for an epidural. Ending up with basically a non-medicated delivery left me with no idea what to do or how to breathe and a serious lack of control. In the class we found a lot of value in learning the different labor positions that can be used during a non-medicated labor, as well as several different types of massages that Eric can perform to ease discomfort and relax me. We feel much more prepared, and I am so glad we attended the class.

Looking Forward To: The end! I want this babe to fully cook, but I don't think we're going a full 40 weeks. We shall see!

my work baby shower

our Tahoe getaway

Clark Kent, Winnie the Pooh, & Rocky

number 2 [week 26]

Symptoms: Feeling as well as I possibly can. I haven't noticed any major changes since last week. Wesley's started having hiccups, almost daily, which is just so incredibly adorable and funny. I feel super large and waddly and am trying to keep hydrated and moisturized as much as possible.

Cravings: Momma finally got some Oreos! I may have been feeling particularly stressed after a long day and sent my darling, loving husband out to the store at 9:30 pm. He returned with a package of Double Stuffed sweetness. That man is truly my soulmate.

Aversions: Not really an aversion, but recently I had been eating too much snacky food before lunch and was becoming too full to finish my lunchtime salad a few days in a row. I felt guilty and asked Eric to make me smaller salads in better hopes of finishing them. So far it's been a success.

Missing: Sushi. I've probably already mentioned that, but come on... it's SUSHI.

Mood: Still really happy and eager to meet my next boy. I feel pretty crummy in the evenings when my energy has peaked out and my back can no longer tolerate being upright. That part's a bummer.

Sleep: I fell asleep early a few nights this week. I think I'm still sleeping pretty hard. Cramps have been giving me a break!

Dreams: Before my baby shower I dreamed that Erica RSVP'd "no" to the event, which makes no sense in real life because she was one of the hosts. It was super silly, and I almost didn't realize in the morning that the memory wasn't real!

Movement: Wesley has been moving higher and higher. It's uncomfortable sometimes if he's in a particular spot, squishing my internal organs. He pushes my belly out in odd directions more often and continues to dance every time I eat.

Best Moment: My baby shower was this past weekend! Jenny and Erica hosted it at our house. It was penguin themed, after Wesley's nursery, and included cute touches like penguin cupcakes and a waddling diaper toss relay. My hosts, along with additional helping hands, did a great job putting everything together for what was a fun event. Wesley was loved on with many wonderful gifts, for which I am so thankful.

Baby Buys: I made a few exchanges from the shower, and I've also got some gift card money to spend. I'm going to hold off for the time being.

Other News: I was so mad to find out that the soonest available installation appointment for the carpet in Wesley's room is OCTOBER 21. I can't fully set up the nursery if we're just going to have to move all of the furniture out again for the install. The inside of the closet still needs to be painted and can be organized once finished, and I guess I can hang stuff on the walls as well. This just puts stress on my Halloween deadline for the nursery being done. Hopefully I can still meet it!

Looking Forward To: The upcoming 3-day weekend! Eric doesn't have to work, and we've got nothing planned. Hello relaxation and fun!

penguin cupcakes

my hosts, Erica and Jenny

Wesley's sign

baby shower #3

Simon's third and final baby shower was hosted last month by my amazing colleagues at work.  It just so happened that Eric had the day off so he drove up to my school that afternoon to join in on the fun.  Little did I know that my baby daddy would be set up to perform when he received a personalized father-to-be gift, and to my surprise he was amazingly ready and willing!  We snacked on the cutest and yummiest owl cupcakes made by the daughter of one of our teachers, and my co-workers in attendance guessed at the size of my belly (which was considerably larger than it was at my first shower) and the number of jelly beans inside a baby bottle (which we got to bring home and I gobbled up ferociously).  Eric and I opened Simon's gifts and were again blown away by the generosity and excitement of the most wonderful people I have ever had the pleasure of working with.  It will never cease to amaze me just how much our son is going to be loved and spoiled by the kind and giving people who surround us.  I had a great time celebrating with my school's awesome staff and showing off my handsome hubby, who received MANY compliments the next day about how cute he is!  It's always a joy when others agree that I definitely picked a winner of a husband.

daddy and mommy

 cutest owl cupcakes!

 candy favors

 Eric putting on his special gift...

 "Daddy's Diaper Duty" tool belt!

 

"Put on the safety goggles

Pull up the blue gloves,

Set out the needed items

To begin this labor of love.

A baby can be smelly

Though usually oh so sweet,

Just quickly wear the mask

And the nausea you will beat.

When it's time to remove the diaper

Just grab your trusty tongs,

And rush it to the diaper pail

No reason to prolong.

Put on a new clean diaper,

Make sure it's nice and snug

Then pick up your little slugger

For a great big daddy hug."

 

 Eric was such a good sport!  I couldn't stop laughing!

 

 opening presents

 

table decor

handmade quilt and owl hat

pregnancy [week 35]

I'm almost surprised that it took until the last day of the last week of my 8th month of pregnancy to be so miserable as to take a belly picture with no make up, hair wet from the shower, wearing pajamas, and just not giving a damn.  I had stayed home from work in fear of the painful and repeated [non-labor] contractions I'd had the day before.  Other than utter exhaustion and normal pregnancy-related body weaknesses, I ended up contraction-free during the day and didn't experience an encore until that evening.  While the returning pain wasn't as scary and didn't last nearly as long, these Braxton Hicks are definitely making me wonder how much longer I'm going to be able to work.  I've been planning all along to stay on until I go into labor, but I'm not so sure of my abilities anymore.  Mainly, I'm just so freaking tired and uncomfortable that I'd love nothing more than to sleep all day, everyday, until Simon comes.

a cuter photo of me from earlier in the week

 Niners are going to the Super Bowl!

But don't get me wrong; it was actually a pretty great week.  We started things off with our very last baby shower, thrown by my fabulous and supportive co-workers.  Eric drove up to my school to join in the event, and boy we had no idea that he'd be joining in on the festivities in a performing capacity!  (I'll share more later!)  Then we had our hospital tour; we were in a group of about 10-15 couples and it felt so strange to be around so many other pregnant women.  Our group got to witness a woman in labor coming in to the hospital to check-in, which was so surreal and a little bit frightening for me.  Also as we were touring the family waiting room, we heard the lullaby play that signals a baby being born.  Hearing the tune nearly brought tears to my eyes and made me imagine the lullaby that will play for my family and friends when Simon comes.  The tour was great and I feel so lucky and thankful that I will be giving birth in such a state of the art, nurturing facility.  And finally as you saw above, we have a crib!  After sorting through all of our shower gifts, we gathered our duplicate items, gift cards, and the old crib we were given by our wonderful friends Jeff and Kerry that unfortunately we couldn't assemble due to missing pieces, and headed down to Babies "R" Us.  With the help of their trade-in event, we were able to recycle the old crib in-store for 25% off the purchase of a new one, and factoring in our gift cards and reimbursements from our returns we were able to save $100!  Simon finally has a bed and it was such a relief getting this major to-do crossed off our list (plus, it was a real treat watching Eric assemble the crib; he's really a dad now!).

 a preview of the baby shower shenanigans

At 35 weeks, our growing boy is the size of a coconut, and after deciding that I didn't have the energy to go out and find one, we ended up seeing some at the store yesterday... and they were way too small!  What isn't small is this baby, though; The Bump says that my uterus has grown about 1,000 times its original size!  As crowded as my lungs and other organs feel, Simon is crowded in his watery home as well and all of his movements and rolls make my belly protrude in crazy directions.  The swelling in my hands and feet--and sometimes ankles--has become a daily occurrence and is really starting to become uncomfortable.  My wedding band is always tight and now makes a clear indentation on my finger.  As much as the swelling and water retention is bothering me, I doubt it's anything outside of the ordinary, but I still plan to bring it to my doctor's attention at my next appointment.  Topping off the list of this week's symptoms are recurring back pain, regular leg cramps that wake me several times during the night, and persistent heartburn.  I know I am coming up on the finish line, but I'm having SO. MUCH. DISCOMFORT.  Simon is so going to be worth this long wait, but I am surprised to find myself already saying that I'M DONE and I don't think I'll really mind too much now if he comes a little early.  Baby boy, your mama is tired!     

baby shower #2

Two weekends ago, Eric's amazing hockey team threw us a co-ed baby shower.  Themed around hockey and the team's name and logo, the wonderful wives of the team captain and alternate captains put together the most adorable and man-friendly baby party to welcome Simon's coming arrival.  The ladies provided yummy veggie cups and fruit skewers and THE MOST delicious artichoke dip imaginable, as well as a really tasty fruit punch that was hard to believe was virgin.  To please the guys, a keg and an ice chest full of beer were on hand and the first round of NFL playoffs was on the TV.  And then of course, there was the hockey puck cake!  Chocolate with cream cheese filling; it was to die for.  We played a few trivia games (one titled "Christina or Eric?" -- 20 random facts and the guests had to guess which facts were about me and which were about Eric) and opened our lovely presents.  The group made us feel so special and loved and we are truly so very thankful to our teammates friends for their extreme generosity and the thought and planning they put in to making such a cute shower.  I was also impressed with all the menfolk who were willing to come; I promised beer and football so I don't think much arm-twisting was involved!  

the AMAZING cake!

 

the ladies

the men

 

the rest of the guys

adorable decorations

 

and presents

 

the Simon cup!

 

cute banner

 

playing trivia games

 

the delicious spread

 

the belly with the cake

 

parents-to-be!

 

Simon hanging out

 

more of our guests

opening gifts

 

San Jose Sharks onesies!

 

a future fan like Mommy

an outfit for hockey games

 

changing pad

 

watching the gift opening

 

totally appropriate skull onesie

 

the majority of our loot

A million thank yous to the Jones, Freeman, and Myers families (SPECIFICALLY Kerry, Debra, and Kathy) for our amazing hockey shower.  We love you!

pregnancy [week 34]

We began the week with our 2nd baby shower, this one put together by Eric's awesome hockey team.  While I will write more about it and share pictures in a separate post, I want to say now that I am still so in awe of the caring and generosity of so many people in our lives.  We are so incredibly lucky to have the love and support of our family and friends as we prepare to welcome Simon into the world, which will be in a few short weeks!  We're quickly coming into the homestretch of this pregnancy and it won't be too much longer before meeting our darling baby boy.

our awesome hockey shower cake!

  
I finally went back to work after 3 1/2 weeks off (2 1/2 weeks of winter break plus an additional 5 days of bereavement leave).  No part of me was looking forward to going back due to how much my energy level decreased during my time off.  I had such a great fear that my body wouldn't be able to keep up, and I got quite emotional worrying about it the night before my return.  Surprisingly, my body has quickly adjusted to my normal routine but my mind is having a hard time catching up.  The last 3 days have been like a fog and trying to acclimate myself to our new classroom schedule that was put in place before I came back has been similar to starting a brand new job.  The bright side is, though, that while my brain is struggling to retain all the new information and recall all the old, I'm not stressing out over my inability to keep up.  It's like I'm not even aware of what I'm missing, like I'm in la-la land!

Although I've been taking it easy since my return from New Mexico, I am still having swelling in my hands and feet.  It's been much more pronounced in my fingers, but Eric's given me a few wonderful foot rubs and continues to help me with dressing and getting around the house with my bruised and scabbed knee inhibiting my mobility.  I'm constantly thirsty from the moment I wake up in the morning until I fall asleep at night and find myself chugging ice water as often as possible, but my healthy hydration isn't doing enough to prevent the tingly feeling in my hands.  I took off my engagement ring a couple days ago because it was really hurting due to the swelling, and now my wedding ring is starting to cut off some circulation even though it's a looser band.  Eric is urging me to take it off now, but I was really hoping to make it through this pregnancy without having to part with both rings.  I'll eventually succumb when it becomes too painful; I definitely don't want it getting stuck on my finger!   

Simon is the size of a butternut squash at 34 weeks.  I'm not feeling any pressure in the lower part of my uterus and the boy continues to bounce off my ribs, so I think it's safe to say that he has yet to make his descent toward the birth canal.  I still think he is in the head-down position, as the tiny bumps that protrude from the side of my belly are really starting to feel like tiny feet.  Eric and I talk more and more about how we think our son will act and what he will do when he comes and what life will be like as a family of 3.  It's going to be such a change, but it's one we look forward to and are happy to be experiencing together.  In fact, Eric said the funniest thing to me this week about our current stage in life:

"We're such adults now; I'm going to work, you're pregnant... I have a beard."

Yep, we're definitely pretty grown up!