The Big 3 Oh where are my toes?

Today marks 30 weeks.  I’m not entirely sure where all the time has gone, despite having counted every single day since the transfer of this child into me.  It’s amazing how fast time has gone by thus far, but I can feel time almost come to a screeching halt.  The next ten weeks will most likely crawl by as we await her arrival. 

Tomorrow I go back to the OB for another round of Please Don’t Make Me Stand on That Scale! measurements, fetal position check, and general questions and answers.  I do have to ask about a few red bumps I have on my chest.  It’s a weird looking sort of rash type thing.  Nothing major, but better make sure just in case.  Tying my shoes is now more of an Olympic Sport, and I truly feel I should earn a gold medal each time I accomplish it! 

Genevieve (the name we have chosen for the newbie) has increased her activity many times over in the past week and a half.  This morning she practiced her best karate moves as I laid in bed for a while snuggling with her big brother.  Can sibling rivalry start in utero?  Hmmm…  She now sends a few jabs or kicks (not entirely sure which) up towards my ribs and it nearly takes my breath away.  However, she may also still be felt nestled snugly in the nether regions.  Very interesting.  No clue how this little girl is positioned, and should be interesting if the OB has any insight on this tomorrow.

Braden continues to try and push my stomach back in as it is taking up far too much of his lap space when we read books.  Seriously, it’s priceless.  Poor kid. 

Last night we had our second to last birthing class.  We practiced the oh so glamorous breathing techniques and even the proper pushing/breathing combo.  Nothing says sexy like a woman attempting to pull her knees to her chin with a huge beach ball in the way.  We then watched what I believe to be one of the funniest videos I’ve ever seen.  It was all about the post partum period.  No seriously, it was funny!  Why, you ask?  No truer words could have been spoken.  The video was mainly about the emotional toll having a baby takes on a family.

Justin and I let out quiet laughs and nodded our heads as they discussed the “hostile handover” of the baby the minute Dad walks through the door.  Yep, you wanted a baby, s/he’s all yours!  See ya’!  Off to snag a few minutes to apply some deodorant and brush my teeth, pee in peace, and probably nod off while doing all of the above.  The need to plan how to accurately divide sleep time between you and your spouse, how to manage completely different parenting styles, and so much more.  We couldn’t help ourselves.  It was funny, sad, and true all at the same time.  What came next wasn’t nearly as fun.  We were shown the umm…feminine care product that is the size of a school bus that is to be worn post delivery.  Couple that with the ice pack and you have quite the circus going on in your mesh undies they provide!  Yikes!  Dear Lord, what have we gotten ourselves into?! 

We are rounding into February now, and the goal will be to paint the nursery by month’s end.  However, before then we plan on celebrating the 100% finalization of Braden’s adoption tomorrow!  Cake will be had folks!

Spinning

These days there is so much going on and yet not much to say about it.  I could post about the trials and tribulations that come with being nearly 30 weeks, the insanity of having a toddler who learned last week the word “Nah” and is now using me as a human tissue, and I could even post about my fears about delivery, breastfeeding, and the post partum period.  I could also venture into the more light hearted topics of the free vacation my parents are planning for themselves, my family, and my brother in the fall.  Oh so much to say, yet I have no clue where to begin!

Just Because

A real post to follow later today.

HowManyOfMe.com

There is 1 person with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

 In fact, everybody in our home is the only one with their name in the entire country!

A Good Time!

Last night, my mom and I headed up to Nashville to see the Dancing with the Stars tour.  What a blast we had!  First we stopped at my brother’s place.  Staying at his place had quite  a few perks.  He had bought us food for breakfast that he knew we liked and even stocked up on snacks and drinks.  Awww… I know.  What a great brother!

I almost feel guilty for putting him in the hot seat.  He walked in and I glanced over to him and said casually, “Hey, do these pants make me look skinny?”  I allowed him to pause in an uncomfortable silence, he smiled, chuckled and had the look of pure terror on his face.  I then let him off the hook and laughed hysterically.  There is no way on God’s green Earth I would claim to look skinny in anything these days. 

Anyway, we ate a divine dinner here.   My one and only complaint about the place is when you are expecting and pee about seven thousand times an hour, you have to take the elevator to get to the restroom.  Many a conversations were had with my impatient bladder while waiting for said elevator.  Overall though, the place was amazing!  Highly recommend it if you are in the Nashville area.  Be warned, the portions are HUGE. 

Marlee Matlin was there last night, and her abilities still amaze me.  What an amazing woman.  There was over three hours of dancing and over 30 numbers.  It was an amazing show, and I even had my very own tiny dancer thumping along with the music.  Pretty cool, considering I have a very inactive child in there. 

So, now I’m back home, and wondering why s.ocial s.ervices called me to check in on Braden and our impending arrival.  Nine days until they are history folks!

Updated Page

4D ultrasound pictures from last Friday up on the pregnancy page for those interested. We were told ours were low quality, but they are still pretty amazing (in my opinion.) It was extremely difficult to get face shots considering her position. She’s very breach, low, and has her feet over her head. All that mattered to me was we were reassured that she is still a she. Would hate to buy all pink and need blue.

Thank you for your Hawaii tips! Erin, we’ll have to consider that one! Not too shabby of an idea! Appreciate all of your help.

An update on the whole sleeping in his own bed deal. We…umm..weren’t ready last week. So, Friday was his first night in his “big boy” bed. Snuggled for five minutes with him, and he played for fifteen with his flashlight and Gloworm by himself. Then, without a sound he was out like a light. Same goes for last night. Seriously, I’m waiting for that other shoe. It simply can’t be this easy, can it? Let’s hope so!

Not much else to report at this moment. Back to planning my day.

Travel Question

Has anybody been to Hawaii before? Where did you stay?  Any suggestions?  I’m really looking for somewhere family oriented, a place with a kitchen would rock, bonus points for having a washer and dryer.  Hey, if you had a bad expereince, I’d like to know that too.  Thanks!

Ok, now’s the time…

So, it’s officially delurking week.  That means if you read here, but don’t typically comment, could you just say a quick hello.  I’d like to say hi back, and perhaps find a new blog or two that I haven’t found yet.  Or say a thanks, even if you don’t blog yourself.

It only takes a second, ok?

What Happnes at Grandma’s and Grandpa’s

It was so nice to have a date with my husband yesterday, and then we spent the afternoon grocery shopping and cleaning.  However, we ended the night with pizzas and movies.  It was a fabulous day!  While we were busy doing our thing, our son was busy with his grandparents.  I was sent photographic evidence of just a few of their adventures.  This just might be some of the reasons he could not care less when we leave…

He scored a new chef hat and apron:

He created his own version of animal train:

He loved on all his favorite toys:

Yep, who needs us when he can have all that fun?!   So, we’re soon on our way to my parents’ house to have shishkebabs and perhaps play some cards.  Just another relaxing Sunday for us.

Pregnancy Update

Shout it from the rooftops, “We’re in the third trimester!!!”  Today marks the point of viability, not that we in any way want her to make her appearance anytime soon!  This is the day that I have been looking forward to, the day that I get to breathe a bit and put stock in this pregnancy.  I vow to give myself permission to paint the nursery and to move forward with baby preparations.  I will allow myself to fully, as in 100%, invest in this pregnancy.  I’m not so sure why I couldn’t do so before, but I have a pretty solid notion that infertility might have something to do with it.

Last night was our first childbirth class.  Alas, I had to let go of those hopes and dreams that a stork would in fact be bringing us this child.  I had so many reservations about these classes.  It’s often hard to feel as if you blend in with the average pregnant lady on the street.  (See paragraph above.  This is normal for the average woman, but more than normal for a women who has gone through what we have.)  However, my fears were laid to rest as I learned the instructor visited the same reproductive endocrinologist that we did.  She has nine month old twins.  She’s not far removed from the perils of infertility and IVF.  We also had another couple who tried for many years and struck gold, and yet another couple who went through IVF.  I almost shed a tear as she nearly lost it during introductions.  For them, we know exactly how they feel.  Should we bust out into song and dance in the parking lot?  Should there be fireworks?  A cheering squad?  No.  Just a squeeze of my husband’s hand, a knowing look, and so very much gratitude.

We laughed our way through most of the class as our teacher was extremely animated and funny.  We were one of two couples who have children in our class.  The other couple delivered their first eleven years ago at 27 weeks, weighing only two pounds.  As I stood up introducing ourselves, I felt my palms sweat.  Why on Earth was I so nervous?  I never get nervous speaking in front of people.  Public speaking was my favorite course in college.  It was a very very easy “A” for me.  I just didn’t want to get all emotional, show all my cards.  So, when we said that we have a son through adoption, the teacher followed up with, “So, was this child a big surprise for you?”  I laughed.  Not a little laugh.  The kind where you wonder if you can actually stop.  I was nervous, and before I could use my internal filter I replied, “Nope, not after $25,000, IVF, and donor eggs!  Don’t get me wrong, seventeen thousand pregnancy tests later, we were most definitely surprised!  However, it was not a surprise per se.”  The room laughed, thank heavens!  The couple in the back felt better, and the next infertile couple let out an audible sigh.  The cat was out of the bag.  Four women in the room, all dealt with infertility, and all of us could relate.  It makes these classes so much easier.  There is a kinship now.  Also, our neighbors (a few houses down) were there.  Imagine that!

Our little girl continues to be a quiet child.  She moves only once or so a day, nothing over the top.  Our OB told us that some babies are just less active than others.  She also said I may not even notice her subtle movements while I’m busy chasing after Braden.  Still, this does little to quell my worries.  I’m ready for April. 

Our next ultrasound is next Friday.  I’m looking forward to seeing little one and gaining a bit of reassurance.  After this next visit, we’ll be going every two weeks.  I look forward to it!  Not much else to report at this moment.

Guess what…

I’m still in my pajamas!  He he he!  I couldn’t help but mention that.  Hey, flannel may not be glamorous, but umm…who exactly needs to be dressed to the nines when your son is making you coffee in his pretend kitchen and you’re cleaning house?  That’s what I thought!

Hey, did I also mention that I’m going to see the Dancing with the Stars tour in Nashville again this year?  No?  Yep, my mom and I go on the 20th of this month to see it again.  Only this year we have even better seats!  Whoo hoo!  Thanks Dad!  The CMAs and DWTS all in one Christmas!  Wow!

We did some serious work around here this weekend.  I’m impressed!  We got Braden’s bed rails up, his curtain rods and curtains, much pirate decor, a shelving unit in his room for books and toys, installed a ceiling fan in his room and a makeup mirror in my bathroom, and on and on.  I went through eight storage bins of Braden’s old clothes and weeded out a bunch to consign and a few neutral things for the next one.  Whew!  Work!

We have 25 days until this adoption is really and truly 100% complete.  Count them down with me folks!

Wednesday is our very first childbirth class.  I’m still in denial that babies actually come that way.  I believe in the stork like small children do the toothfairy.  Our next ultrasound is on the 16th, and it’s a 4D one!  So excited!  Perhaps this will make it a bit easier for me to fathom that this is all very real, and make it ok to actually paint the nursery.

I leave you with this picture, because I just can’t resist.

As per request, I put up a belly shot on the pregnancy page.