Nesting, I guess it really does exist

I have been trying so hard not to make every blog entry about this baby or pregnancy and I am failing miserably at it. I promise to share thoughts on other aspects of my life at least once this week to prove that I do have other thoughts and life does exist to me beyond my body and the baby.

Ok I feel better now.

So nesting....is it a myth or is it real?

Ask me before the last week or so and I would have said myth or old wives tale. I be lots of women have babies and don't experience nesting.

How is it manifesting itself with me?
1. Intense urge to reorganize closets, pantries, refrigerator/freezer, basement
2. Desire to purge: stuff from the basement, closets, fridge
3. Pressure I feel to get all the baby gear together, I have been trying to do it myself but have found that Graco requires you to have a PhD. in engineering just to rig the pack n play together, poor J, I have a project a day for him. In fact, it would make it easier if I just let him do it start to finish instead of half trying..... I did get the shelving unit together myself :)
4. The NEED to have all the 0-6 month clothes washed, folded and put away before baby comes and if you know me, you know I HATE doing laundry
4b. In fact I feel the need to have all our clothes washed and away ALL.THE.TIME... its especially weird because I HATE doing laundry!
5. Desire to buy organizational stuff... hello that is so not me, maybe I am channeling my sister Jess
6. Renewed desire to cook, don't get me wrong, I LOVE to cook but with morning sickness, fatigue, swollen feet, and gestational diabetes I cook the easiest, healthiest meals I can but nothing like I used to. However, I have gotten back into cooking here and there. Tonight I am even crock potting pulled pork for dinner tomorrow night :) J, is weird about me crock potting during the day like normal people so I do it overnight (fine with me, except I usually want to eat whatever I made at 7am!)
7. Insomnia that is caused by me thinking about the things that still need to get done for the baby like having the car seats inspected and finishing birthing class.

What are some misconceptions?
1. When you nest you have renewed energy... not me for sure!
2. Its an urge to do more of what you already do... NOT see #1-5 for proof!
3. It means the baby is coming... nope! One friend nested from week 20-week 40 and went on her due date!

Ah well, J likes it because he is much more into organizing and cleaning than I am, shocking I know! So he says I should be like this more often hahaha! I just have to pace myself and I can get what I need to do...even though its not all done its getting there!

Update: 36 weeks... how did we get this far?!

Wow, its all I can say. I am so greatful to be at this point in my pregnancy, it feels like a miracle. I have been so tentative about making it through the pregnancy and though I know God is in control, its been trying at times to just trust.

So how am I doing?
I had been feeling kind of run down starting last weekend... though I had been on a nesting kick despite feeling tired. Monday at my OB apt. they mentioned my WBC was high in my urine and by Wednesday I found out I have a full on bladder infection. Ugh...never had one before.

How does it feel?
Well I thought it was just the baby pressing harder on my bladder making it painful. But nope, its the infection which is painful, even when I try to walk. I was feeling yucky all over this week, like queasy and tired. Today, I am feeling better, but taking it easier.

How is baby?
She is doing well, the NSTs are going well and its just fun hearing her heartbeat for 30-45mins.

How far along? 36w4d


How big is baby? Maybe 6lbs?


Weight gain? 25lbs


Kicks? Rolls, punches, wiggles, and Braxton Hicks contractions mixed in (doing its job b/c I am starting to dialate :)


Latest craving? Amazingly nothing but ice cream because it soothes my heartburn... but I can't eat it much :(


Best part of the week? Shopping with one of my prenatal water aerobics class friends for baby stuff/hospital stay stuff, going to birthing class with J (more on that later) and feeling baby hiccups :)

I am trying to spend more time with friends because I just need that time. My good friend Nancy came up last Friday night and took me to dinner while J worked late, which was so nice. Saturday was water aerobics and shopping with Crystal (she's 11 days ahead of me), and today Rosa is coming up with her daughter to visit and get ice cream. I am so thankful for friends coming to visit me because driving is getting harder with my big 'ol swollen feet!

Here's me at 36w4d

Ready or not?

I go back and forth about feeling ready and then not at the same time. Switching back to work mode, I am a doer, a planner, a list maker.

I have found that pregnancy takes all the ability to plan away. I can barely think past the end of the day most of the time, thinking about the following week is a challenge and the next month?! Forget it!

I guess the perspective I have now is that not much is in MY control. God has taught me this in other life experiences but He is driving it home now.

I never cease to be amazed at how just when I think I have it under control, I really don't. Especially with work. I might wake up in the morning ready to go, clear head and lots of energy. Then I get ready, fight with my clothes to get them on, pack a lunch, take the dogs out, trudge to the car and walk to my office (1/2mi), I am honestly done for the day before I even start.

Ok...this is starting to sound whiney and its not meant to, I just mean to point out how I use to take all these things for granted, like having energy. Now I just find myself sitting down longer between activities and loss of interest in doing things that require standing...even *gasp* cooking!!!!!!

But, its temporary and all worth it 100%.

I guess I feel a little dissapointed that its getting hard to get my work done as efficiently as I want to because I am tired and my hands are falling asleep as I type.

I know my dissertation will get written and that though I feel like progress is slow, it will come together.

So these next few weeks are going to be interesting because my sense of control is gone and the baby will come when she is ready...so they say :) In the mean time, I am working as much as I can....it may be slow but its getting done!!

Update: week #35.... see how the furkids are adjusting

Ok so this is a two-fer blog day. I am trying to catch up! Bad me I know!

Well, Baby N may be coming just alittle sooner than I had thought. One of the Drs. in the practice discussed induction at 38 weeks unless I go on my own sooner... doubtful that will happen but it could. Why induce? Well, if the baby is measuring big or the placenta starts degrading. I will refuse the induction unless one or two of the reasons apply. I am happy to wait ;) Contrary to what everyone thinks, I am happy with the exclusive mommy and me time!

We have been to the birthing classes and the epi/c-section, amazing newborn class and are armed with more info now so thats good.

I am feeling pretty well but my hips are just killing me and I find its directly correlated to how much I walk/exercise. Hmmmm stop exercising you say? Nah, the pros outweigh the cons.

So now everything is pretty much set up or getting set up for the baby and the dogs and cats are taking notice. Case in point, my first furbaby Chloe figured out how to get in the crib yesterday:

Liam and Ladybug are enjoying having me around more lately because I have been working from home more... esp. on hot days. I snapped this pic when Liam was snuggling and laying his head on my belly while Baby N kicks :)

How far along? 35w 2d

How big is baby? 5lbs-5.5lbs

Weight gain? Can we skip this one....no? ok...24lbs...but the last few pounds are water and my dr. isn't concerned

Kicks? More rolls, jabs, hiccupps and a few braxton hicks contractions thrown in there... all visible on the outside now

Latest craving? Anything cold, ice cream, diet coke, watermelon... I am in no mood to cook

Best part of the week? My baby shower

This is me today at 35 weeks and I will add the side shot but the front shot is good too!

In a word: Perfect

This past Sunday was our baby shower.

In a word it was perfect. The location, the weather, the food, the family and friends. I felt loved, overwhelmed with gratitude and joy.

To me, it wasn't just a typical shower where no one mingles and everyone sticks to the folks they know. Family from both sides chatted and oooo'd and awww'd. My friends from different genres of my life mixed for the first time and to me it was a smooth and fun event.

I am not one to enjoy getting all the attention. Being a triplet, I am used to sharing the lime light. However, this felt less about me and more about the joy and celebration of the life that we will be welcoming soon.

I have to say that having this baby has really brought our family and my friends together in such a special way. My sisters and sister-in-law did so much work and were so thoughtful down to the last detail.

They ordered the cookies I love and food I can eat and the decorations were adorable. My mom worked her magic and it was amazing that she did so much because she usually stays out of showers, they just are not her thing. She did a terrific job MC'ing and making everyone feel welcomed.

The gifts we recieved were so generous and adorable. All the little socks, outfits, hats and blankets. One blanket in particular brought me to tears it is so special.

J's mom made a blanket for him when he was a baby but didn't finish it until after he was born. Since he had so many complications for the CP she didn't finish it until he was older. She saved it in her Hope chest until one day he would have a child. So you can imagine just how much it meant to us to recieve it.

J and I had a wonderful time at the shower and coming home looking at everything again was just so much fun. Her room is almost together and now I can just imagine sitting in her room rocking her and telling her about all the family and friends she has that love her so much.....ok cue the tears ;)

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On a side note I got a wonderful email from one of my church friends in FL. Everytime I hear from Karen it makes me "homesick" for the church family I left at Grace Presbyterian when I was getting my Master's at UF. It feels like an eon ago that I was there with them.

They welcomed me like family and in many ways acted as my family while I was there for 3 years. I finally got to share that we are having this baby and they are thrilled.

Wish I could visit them. The last time I was there was when I snuck into the choir while J and I were on our honeymoon in FL :) That was 3.5 years ago! Where does the time go?!

Greatfulness

I never cease to be amazed at the generosity of friends and family.

This past weekend my dad threw us a mini-shower and my sisters/bro-in law came. It was a great time. There was great food and cake (yes I had some even with GD) :)

My dad invited some of his friends and we were showered with adorable clothes that make me tear up just thinking about getting to dress her up.

We got a pack n play which she will sleep in a the first few weeks and the best gift ever a Flip camcorder from my sisters.

At first I was nervous the Flip would be too small for J to use b/c of his CP and shakey hands. But we tried it out and he can use it. I LOVE IT! I am taping the dogs already ;)

What just floors me is that every day this week I have come home to mail/a package on my door step or someone dropping by with handme downs.

Amaaaaazing!!!!! We have so many clothes, infant toys and even a exacauser.

I am churning out laundry like its my job and I usually hate laundry. But there is nothing more satisfying than washing her clothes with Dreft and folding up all the cute little clothes into neat little piles.

The nursery is just about done and I have to admit I have cried more than once just sitting in there thinking about the fact we will be meeting her very soon.

But going back to people being generous, seriously..... it is so wonderful and I can't even find words to express it even with a thank you note, which I think I should buy stock in Hallmark for all the cards I have and plan to send :)

I was mentioning this to my mom and she said she's not surprised and I shouldn't be because I do alot for others but seriously, it feels like so much all at once.

I was worrying about how we would get ready for her financially and I feel like God is just providing in abundance for us.

This weekend is our shower which I am excited about. My sisters and sister-in-law and mom are in charge and I know its going to be a great time. I can sense everyone's excitement as this is the first niece/granddaughter and great granddaughter (on my side). I hope my sisters/family aren't overdoing it b/c I know showers are alot of work and I would feel bad. See, I am bad at accepting things being done for me!!

More than anything I am looking forward to seeing everyone! Should be quite the celebration!

Update Week # 34

I will admit it, I haven't been doing so well keeping up with blogging, my excuse is that my laptop crashed and so its been harder to get online.

In a way its a good thing, freedom from technology helps me focus more for sure!

So here are some highlights from the week:

1. The carpets were installed upstairs on Thursday and look awesome, its like a new house!!

2. Walls are painted and the nursery is mostly set up

3. Had an amazing mini-shower at my dads with my sisters/bro-in-law and some of my dads' friends.

4. Gifts were recieved were so generous from cute little outfits to the pack n play to a flip to record all of our baby girl's firsts :) and its PINK!!!

So how am I doing? I am hanging in there. I am getting anxious, more tired and uncomfy. My GD is going ok, but my FBS are still all over the place.

Baby N is growing well though at her NST yesterday her heart rate was pretty high and they think I was a bit dehydrated..ooops. I drank water and her heart rate went back to normal.

How far along? 34 weeks

Weight gain? 23lbs but the Dr. said its water weight....pretty reassuring!

Kicks? More like rolls and I feel her head swaying back and forth against my bladder, its like she is fluffing a pillow aka bladder

Latest craving? Starbucks Tazzo Passion Iced Tea unsweetened :)

Best part of the week? Its a tie, good dr. apt. yesterday and birthing class was fun. J and I learned some relaxation techniques and it was kind of a bonding moment :)

Me at 34 weeks!!

Weeks 32 and 33 updates

Sorry I am alittle behind because I was away on vacation, I have a couple of pix but here is the one of me at 33 weeks.

How far along? 33w2d
Weight gain? 21lbs
How big is baby? According the u/s on Monday 4.5-5lbs...I am growing a giant baby!
Kicks? Not so much kicks though her feet are in my ribs, by I can feel rolls and hands and her head on my bladder. Also, she hiccups alot its like a heartbeat, steady and strong!
Latest craving? Anything that I should not have on my GD diet... lately its cupcakes b/c I keep watching DC cupcakes! J promises to order them for me after baby N is born
How am I feeling? Tired, slow, big, are all adjectives I would use to describe it. My biggest struggle is pain in my hips at night and my hands falling asleep all.the.time.
Best part of the week? Getting to see baby N's face on the u/s she has chubby cheeks, a little v in her upper lip and a cute little chin. Amazing!

God is good and the process of pregnancy is just miraculous!

Me at 33 weeks

Refreshed

Apparently what I needed was a technology fast as well as lots of naps to feel more like myself. J and I went up to Lake Umbagog for the week and stayed in a beautiful cabin right on the lake with the pups. J's dad has a cabin nearby and we got to visit and hang out. It was in a word perfect.

What did we do? Well, we had no phone or internet access (hence no blogging) and yes we did have power and TV. We ate good food, took naps, read books, took the dogs swimming and spent time together just the two of us.

We really unplugged. J especially. We had both been so stressed with the house projects, Liam's health, J's busy work schedule, my GD and his Grandmother's death. We were really feeling disconnected.

By the end of the trip, I felt like I had my husband back, the man I married. I joked that all we need to do is stay on vacation and life would be good! hahaha.

I convinced J to let us stay an extra day b/c the cabin had vacancy. Good, move and more time to relax!

Ladybug and Liam behaved well and had a blast. It helped to be with them all the time and getting to make sure Liam didn't have another seizure. He chased ducks with LB and did a lot of snuggling.

We had been to the lake before but to camp nearby at the state park. Loved it last year but we will be staying at the cabins again next year. It was a big step to plan our family vacation a year in advance but we are already looking forward to it! Baby and all!

I am so glad we had a low key vacation, I have been feeling alot more tired just doing normal things so it was good that I didn't have to do too much. I slept ok, but then again I am not sleeping more that 2h at a time anyway. So the naps helped!

It wasn't too hard to get back to reality but we have a busy week tying up some house projects before the carpets are installed on Thursday.

I will post pix of the trip, me and the nursery as soon as I get my computer back... it has a virus. I definetly need a mac!