Thirty-One Weeks

Well, I have not been successful in finding life's brakes yet.  Time seems to pass so quickly, that even the work week is speeding by in a blur.  I can't believe that it'll be October at the end of the week, and I'll be able to tell people that I'm due "next month."  We are getting so excited.  Jeff's latest game is to "play with the baby" - meaning he puts his hand on my belly and tries to make the baby move.  Or, in the alternative, try to make me sprint for the bathroom.  The other night, we were laying in bed and he suddenly exclaimed, "I want our baby to be here NOW!"  I couldn't agree more, although I'd like to get through October before I can really say I'm ready to hit the start button on this whole business of parenthood. 

Over the weekend, my mom and I went out and ordered our rocking chair and ottoman for the nursery and the nightstand I ordered should get delivered sometime this week.  I'm now on a desperate hunt for curtains, a rug for the nursery floor, and wall decorations.  I've got four showers in October, and so I'm hesitant to buy anything else until November.  Which is cutting it close, I know.  That being said, we've started getting packages from our New Jersey relatives and I am now the proud owner of a Pack 'n Play, thanks to Grandma Terry and a bouncy chair, courtesy of Great-Aunt Shirley.  It's so fun to come home after work and find all these packages, left at my doorstep - I should probably keep a UPS man on retainer since he's been at our house literally every day since we moved in. 

I've still got a tiny baby bump, even at thirty-one weeks.  Most people guess that I'm about four or five months pregnant, instead of almost seven and a half months along:

Still, I'll take what I can get.  Baby Jack is happy, healthy, and growing, so that's all that matters to me.  We have another appointment with Duckie this afternoon for a check-up.  I had a bad flu that started on Thursday and went through the weekend, so Duckie had to give me some antibiotics, but I feel a lot better now.  However, I did spend most of Friday and Saturday napping and sleeping.  The baby, of course, had no idea what was going on - it's only his mama who was getting her butt kicked. 

This week, Jack's digestive system has fully developed and he's as big as a head of lettuce.  He's also about nineteen inches long, and probably won't get much taller.  He keeps getting fatter, of course, and is sleeping more in preparation for delivery.  Although I can't tell.  He has his active periods, to be certain, and boy, are they active!  I also think he flipped and is now lying sideways.  At my last visit with Duckie, he was in the head down position, and now, I'm feeling pops and kicks at the tops and sides of my stomach.  But who knows?  Every once and a while, I think I'll feel a knee or a foot, but I'm probably just making all of that up. 

Jeff and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary on Saturday night with a trip to Gianni's.  I ate more food than a linebacker getting ready for game day.  Which is a good thing.  Also, according to custom, leather is the appropriate gift for a third wedding anniversary.  Neither Jeff or I are "surprise" people - we usually like to know what's going on and what to expect.  But, I had to laugh when we both discovered that we had planned on buying each other leather whips to commemorate the occasion.  Does it mean we're still perfect for each other or do we have some unresolved issues of control?  You decide.   

We also closed on our townhouse this morning, and I can now say that our moving process is officially over.  It's a relief, frankly, although I did walk out of the closing with bittersweet feelings this morning.  But, like I've said before, we have so many great things ahead of us, that there's really no reason to feel anything but nostalgic over it all. 

Thirty Weeks

If this pregnancy had a soundtrack, then I'd be jamming out to legendary '80s hit, "The Final Countdown" by the one-hit-wonder band, Europe.  We've got less than ten weeks to go and now the fun really starts.  We had a busy weekend.  Jeff and I went out for "sushi" at the Mall of America and then spent some time wandering around.  We ended up in Carter's, and bought the baby three new outfits.  It was so fun to watch Jeff shop for baby clothes.  I'd be at one end of the store and he'd be screaming for me to come and look at something he'd found.  He also kept asking why I wasn't buying "newborn" clothes, since that's what we'll have in just a few short weeks.  I showed him the label that says the clothing is made for infants up to eight pounds and told him that the baby would probably grow out of that size in utereo!  We did buy some "essentials," including another bear hat (which we're both obsessed with apparently, since he's got THREE of them now), and an outfit for the Superbowl.  Yes, we're crazy, but it's so much fun to buy clothes.  After Carter's, we headed down to The Loop for a friend's birthday party.  We didn't stay long, mostly because I was pretty tired, and to be honest, it's a little weird being really pregnant in a bar.  People look at the belly and then immediately shift focus to the drink (Sprite, by the way) in your hand.  Judgemental little bastards out there, I tell you.  

On Saturday, I met my girlfriends and their babies for brunch and had the best time.  Seriously, I think my girlfriends have some of the cutest kids in the world.  And again, I don't know what I'd do without them.  They have been an amazing resource through this whole process.  I met my mom afterwards to look at rocking chairs for the nursery.  Which leads me to updated pictures of the baby's room.  I finally got the changing table together: 

 

As you can tell, we're getting closer and closer to being finished with the nursery.  He's already got his Sophie giraffe (thanks, Auntie Lindsey!) and a number of receiving blankets, already monogrammed (thanks, Auntie Brenda!).  I've still got to put the finishing touches on everything, but we're getting there!  I also remembered to take a picture of the closet to show off how fashionable Baby Storms will be:

We have a Bumbo now too (thanks, Auntie Kelly!) and Jeff bought me a diaper bag as well.  In related news, the invitations for the showers have started to go out as well and I've got four scheduled for October.  I just can't believe how lucky I am and how loved this baby already is.  

In pregnancy-related news, I'm definitely starting to feel some unpleasant side effects.  I don't know if it's the weather, the extra weight I'm carrying, or a combination of something else, but my joints are getting stiff.  When I wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, I feel like a penguin or Frankenstein, shuffling straight-legged to the bathroom.  It wears off after I wake up and move around for a bit, but it's getting a little uncomfortable.  We also had our thirty-week appointment with Duckie last week, and everything is going well.  I've only gained eight pounds, which isn't too concerning, since the baby continues to grow by leaps and bounds.  By Duckie's estimation, Baby Storms is about four pounds and in the downward facing position.  I'm hoping he stays that way for a few weeks yet!  So, here we are at thirty weeks:

Duckie told me not to worry about the baby's somewhat aggressive kicks.  His feet have remained permanently lodged in my rib cage and he is getting quite strong.  It hurts, actually, and takes my breath away for a few minutes when he really gets going.  He's somewhat ahead of the growing scale and bigger than most babies are at thirty weeks (which is why we're shying away from newborn clothes).  He's over eighteen inches in length this week and learning how to make faces and suck his thumb.  

I had the opportunity on Friday to go over and see my girlfriend, Catie, and her new baby girl, Ella.  Seriously, that girl is a little doll, she is so beautiful.  Catie also had some wonderful maternity dresses to pass along for me, so I killed two birds with one stone.  I got quite emotional, holding Baby Ella, who was so tiny and so perfect.  I am really getting excited to meet our tiny heavyweight in just a few more weeks.  Still, after I put down Ella (mind you, after probably a solid hour of holding and cuddling), my arm was a little tired and I decided I needed to work on my baby-holding muscles!   

 

Twenty Nine Weeks

It's fall - the air feels crisp, it's getting darker earlier, and the leaves are just starting to change color.  I love this time of year.  Although we're getting a taste of something we never had to do last year - clean up leaves!  We are so lucky to have some really beautiful and old trees at our new house, but they make for a lot of garbage.  Still, its a great excuse to get outside, enjoy the crisp air and get some exercise - for Jeff!  I've become mistress of our domain and I've been frantically getting the baby's room ready.  

I finished our registry on Saturday.  For those interested, I registered primarily at Babies 'R Us and Target.  I also have a few items on Pottery Barn Kids.  In completing this process, I almost had a total meltdown in Babies 'R Us.  Apparently, I picked the wrong weekend to register.  It was the "grand opening" of the new Toys 'R Us/Babies 'R Us SUPERSTORE and it was a total madhouse.  I was so grateful that I had brought my iPod and headphones because I could actually drown out the hoards of screaming and crying children.  Just wait, I know...but I've got some time yet.  

In any case, the baby's crib came in  and Jeff and I made an inaugural trip to Ikea this weekend to pick up a bookshelf.  I am very proud to say that I put both pieces of furniture together and they are steady.  And, I didn't have any leftover pieces at all!

The changing table and dresser should arrive today and my mom and I are going out this weekend to look for rocking chairs.  I'll need an end table and curtains and then I think we'll be set!  I've got four showers in October, and I'll pick up everything else we need after that.  I will say that the whole process of registering for our showers has really overwhelmed me.  I know there are the essentials (i.e. crib, car seat, stroller) but I'm always concerned that there are other "essentials" that I have no clue about.  I'm lucky to have such great girlfriends, who sent me charging into the unknown with a very handy shopping list.   

The baby's closet is also starting to fill up.  I should actually take a picture of that to put up here.  He's got more shoes than I do!  Hopefully, I can remember that for next week.  

And, here we are at the end of our twenties (weeks, that is):

 

We have our thirty week appointment today.  I don't think anything exciting will happen beyond a heart beat check, measurements, and a weight check.  I will say that this baby is strong.  His feet have been lodged up on my right side, in my rib cage for about a week now.  Last Friday, he kicked me so hard that he knocked the wind out of me and for a few minutes, I thought he had cracked a rib.  In the end, I think he just bruised me but I did have a tough time breathing over the weekend.  Regardless, I think it's because the baby is sitting up so high, he's actually resting on my diaphragm and lungs.  We'll still mention it to Duckie today, though. 

This week, the baby's brain has kicked into high development.  One of the things I didn't know is that when a baby's brain develops, it's smooth.  It isn't until this week that it gets the "wrinkles" and takes on the appearance of a normal human brain.  Apparently, this is to allow for an increased amount of brain tissue, which is obviously important.  Additionally, the baby's bone marrow now takes over the production of red blood cells which is an essential step, as he will be better able to thrive once he is born.  His body temperature is also being regulated by his own body fat and brain now.  He's also as big as a butternut squash and weighing in at over three pounds.  He continues to remain active and reminds me of his presence almost constantly.  He's big enough now that you can actually feel his feet from outside my stomach.  This is something that has fascinated Jeff to no end.  And, unless it's happening in the middle of the night, I think it's pretty amazing too.  

One of the things I anticipated but really do not appreciate are the "belly touchers" out there.  If you've been pregnant, you know what I mean.  I'm perfectly okay with a belly rubbing - as long as one asks!  I find it very odd that there are a number of people out in this world that think it's okay to just reach up and rub a person's stomach.  It seems to be a very intrusive gesture.  Perhaps the thought is that the stomach is no longer "mine" but the baby's...still...just ask.  I was in the check out line at Target the other day and this woman just came up and started cooing about the belly (as if I was either a dog or a three year old) and then grabbed my stomach on BOTH sides.  I wanted to reach out and rub her belly to see how she liked it.   

And finally, somewhat unrelated, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the ten year passing of September 11.  Years ago, back when I was in grade school, I remember we had an assignment to ask our parents where they were when they found out JFK was assassinated.  I suppose, at some point, our children will have a similar assignment and ask us where we were when we found out about the attacks on New York City and Washington.  The pastor at church brought this up yesterday, and asked each of us to recount where we were when we heard "The News."  My dad, somewhat sardonically, muttered under his breath, "Uh, Tower Two."  

Jeff and I spent a long time at my parents house yesterday after church, just talking about that day.  It's been an incredibly painful subject to discuss over the past ten years, for obvious reasons, I suppose.  I never really thought about how that made my dad feel.  But yesterday, I learned a lot about what he went through that day and the days following.  I guess it will always be something difficult to remember and talk about, but yesterday, I think I was finally ready to hear his story.  And one day, when he's old enough, I'll share his grandpa's with Jack too.      

Twenty Eight Weeks

Last week, I was still a resident of downtown Minneapolis and this week, we've entered into "The Great Suburban Experiment."  That's what Jeff calls it, at least.  And let me tell you this - I don't know that anyone really likes moving, but I hate it.  In fact, I don't even think "hate" is a strong enough word.  As we have been going through this while process over the summer, I have told Jeff repeatedly that the only way I'm ever leaving this house is in a body bag.  We closed on the house on September 1st and took the rest of the long weekend off to move and unpack.  Jeff's brother came to help us out and I don't know what we would have done without him.  He was a real trooper and helped me clean out the fridge too, which made me quite happy.  We have settled in, for the most part.  There are still a few boxes in the garage that need to be unpacked and organized, pictures to be hung and furniture to buy.  It doesn't really feel like "home" yet and I kept saying to Jeff that I felt like we were on vacation.  I think I need to make a few meals in the kitchen and take a few naps on the couch before I really feel settled in. 

And, here's a picture of Jeff and I in front of our new house.  We have big plans to make the house feel like "ours" but the nice thing is that those plans can be longer-term.  There is nothing that needs to be fixed, replaced, or repaired in the immediate future, so we can focus on getting settled and getting ready for November. 

I also started ordering the furniture for the nursery.  So far, I've got a crib and a changing table.  I've still got to get a rug, bookcase and a rocking chair.  But, my dad did paint the room last weekend and if I think of it, I'll make sure to take a picture.  It looks kind of ridiculous right now. 

So, below is a picture of Jack and I at twenty-eight weeks.  I am really grateful that I am not very big yet because it would have just made this process all that more difficult.  I've still got a ton of energy and I think the "nesting instinct" has kicked in full force because I want this house to be perfect.  In the alternative, I might just be a lunatic.  

Baby Jack and I continue to grow.  As my mom said last night, I'm definately starting to look pregnant and I'm finally getting a "tunka."  I'm assuming that means a baby belly.  The baby is three pounds this week, so he's really picking up steam in the weight-gaining process.  He's also seventeen inches long, and about as long as he'll get when he's born.  It's funny, I can tell that the baby is long because when he moves, I feel it at opposite ends of my stomach.  I'm also supposed to do "kick counts" twice daily.  I should lie down and count fetal movements.  The goal is to get ten movements in an hour.  Its also a nice excuse to rest.  I did this a few times over the weekend, and at one point, I counted twelve movements in about four and a half minutes.  So, he's an active little bugger to be sure.  He's also been a real trooper through this whole moving process, letting me work without any of those really awful pregnancy symptoms. 

 

So, hopefully by the next time I update, I'll have some pictures of the nursery - but be aware - it is a work in progress.  Until then, if anyone needs some boxes, let me know.