Wait for it.... (34/6)

[34 weeks, 6 days]

Nearly 5 weeks left to go (give or take...). This is just a teaser entry - yesterday, Nick and I had a maternity photo shoot. I hope to have shots to share soon! We took pictures in a nearby park/prairie, and then some Badger shots in our basement. Interesting question - is it possible to brainwash a fetus? I guess we'll find out! :o) In the meantime, please enjoy my latest belly shot.

Lots of Little Things (34/2)

[34 weeks, 2 days]

The frequency of the B-H contractions made me move up my doctor's appointment this week to Monday instead of tomorrow. I was checked out, and despite the frequency of contractions, Wiggle doesn't appear to be in any hurry to make his or her appearance. No dialation, all good. The doctor did say to cut down on things that seem to trigger contractions. So far, that's walking, sitting, lying down, getting up, doing Kegels, and drinking water. This may be trickier than I expected...

If Wiggle can wait until after July 5th, I'd be much obliged. With my showers at the end of the month/beginning of the next and our daycare spot available in October, the more ripening the kid can do in there, the better. Plus, I reach term on the 6th, so that would be good, too.

On the Wiggle front, Wiggle has a foot and has a favorite spot to push it against. If you see me suddenly make an "argh!" face, that's probably why. It makes me wonder what the other foot is up to. Wiggle will also be the most hiccupy baby on the block, getting them up to several times a day. And finally, unless Nick and I can come to an agreement on a name if Wiggle is a boy, we may just be putting "Wiggle" on the birth certificate. ;o)

We got together with my Uncle Steve and Aunt Lori last night who are also expecting their first child (a boy due in October). They told some stories that made me very glad I'm living in the sane(r) Midwest. (Scheduled C-section complete with tummy tuck? Egads.) We compared experiences so far, and our view about the labor and delivery. It was really nice to talk with them, especially since so few of our friends and family have been pregnant in the past few years.

I have my own view of the nesting instict now. I understand that after the baby is born, we're going to have no time to do anything around the house for the first few weeks, so anything that's been bugging me, I should take care of NOW. That meant repainting the bathroom because my previous paint job annoyed me and put up a new light fixture and towel bar and adding cabinet shelving, dealing with the old paint cans in the basement, taking most of the tools out of the case and hanging them on the pegboard, and making space for bottles/formula (just in case)/baby items/etc. in the kitchen cabinets and pantry. All this past weekend. So far, I haven't gone "must clean under the sink!" crazy, but that still may be coming (though one may argue that doing all of that over one weekend qualifies as crazy). I'm fighting a serious urge right now to go to IKEA and buy storage items like trays and boxes.

As things get closer and the excitement increases, hopefully I can shake the fatigue I'm feeling and try to post more regularly. :o)

Maybe not so ready... (33/6)

[33 weeks, 6 days]
We're starting to get a good understanding of what's going on during labor and afterward. We took a breastfeeding class on Thursday and had our childbirth education class yesterday. It's going to suck, but at least we found some ways to help manage the pain. Inhale-hee inhale-hee inhale-hoo. That should do the trick.

Last night, I started to get a bit concerned that Wiggle is going to come much earlier than expected, with many contractions (most likely Braxton-Hicks). At least so far there's no other signs of labor, but the contractions are starting to get fairly annoying. Good thing that a) we're going to take a hospital tour this afternoon and b) I've got another doctor's appointment this week and will be able to ask about it then.

Wiggle and I must have had a growth spurt in the last week, because suddenly I've had more people commenting on my size/state in pregnancy. Yes, I am a blimp, thank you for noticing. I'm hoping to join the Goodyear fleet soon. :o)

Perfect (32/2)

[32 weeks, 2 days]

I just had my 32 week appointment at the doctor this afternoon, and I'm measuring up beautifully (32 cm). Of course, that also means that I'm measuring up pretty huge (by comparison to what I was). Wiggle is definitely getting bigger and living up to its nickname. Last night, Nick put his ear on my belly to hear the baby's heartbeat and was rewarded with both the sound and a kick right to the ear. I have a hunch that, boy or girl, this baby will be a handful. :o)

June will also be a very busy month for us - prenatal classes, appointments, a hospital tour, and maternity photos later in the month. Stay tuned!

Almost Ready (30/0)

[30 weeks, 0 days]

Well, about as ready as we can be for 10 weeks or so away from Wiggle's arrival. We've got the nursery furnished, with a new bookcase and a rummage-sale glider and ottoman. At the same rummage sale, we picked up a few neutral pieces of clothing so if Wiggle comes much earlier than expected, we can at least dress the baby in something. We also got a bear hand puppet that has its own little puppet (Nick's contribution to what we had to purchase).
On Saturday evening, we babysat our neighbors' nearly 4 month old daughter. It was a brief taste and good experience for us (both of us got to deal with Happy Eve and Fussy Eve).

I'm feeling (and looking) much bigger lately. Lots of movement from Wiggle and my stomach is feeling a bit squished. Just the beginning, I know, but it's all new to me right now.

Happy (belated) Mother's Day (29/1)

[29 weeks, 1 day]

First of all, Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! Then Happy Mothers-To-Be Day for those like me who are eagerly awaiting their first children!

We had our immediate families over on Saturday to visit, grill out, and exchange presents (my birthday on the 8th, Mother's Day, and my dad's coming up next week). Good times.

Welcome, May! (27/6)

[27 weeks, 6 days]

It's been a busy weekend for us, even though we stayed in town. Friday, we toured another day care center. Saturday, we participated in the March of Dimes March for Babies which gave me a chance to get down on State Street for the first time in a long time. Oh, and we got free baby wipes! On our way home, we picked up soil and plants to turn the sandbox in the back into a garden. Now, we have tomatoes, basil, green peppers, and strawberries to look forward to. I also got my birthday present - solar path lights for our front walk. Later that evening, things took an unfortunate turn when we realized Cricket hadn't been seen all day. We found him hiding in my closet, looking glassy-eyed, drooling, and smelling awful. Cue trip to the emergency vet clinic... Our fears were relieved when we learned that his symptoms were caused by his two right side canines gone bad. Three hours later, we left with a groggy Cricket, but left four kitty teeth and nearly $400 behind.

Today, we went to the service at the UU church we joined last month, and then did some housework. I planted seeds in the front garden, and I have my fingers crossed that something will grow (besides weeds).

As far as the baby goes, little Wiggle is definitely making him or herself known to me. Lots of movement (especially when I hunch over) and it's fun to watch my tummy move as the baby moves. Only another 12 more weeks to go! I'm enjoying getting out in the garden while I can still move with relative ease. And I'm hearing it more and more how I'm "so little"! I don't mind - I guess it's better than having people ask if I'm due any day for the entire third trimester. I've also made many things for the baby, including the Badger Baby Booties below.