Week 28: Still no results (December 30)

I was waiting on my results from the glucose test to make this post, but I decided this morning that I would forget if I didn't do it.  I am going to call today to see if they came in and they just haven't called me.  I know the holidays can make things a little hectic.

Michael and I had a wonderful Christmas and it isn't over yet!  We spent the morning with his parents and brother and spent the evening at my sister's house with my father's side of my family.  Michael saw his Charlotte relatives on Saturday, but I was not feeling up to all the driving we would have to do so at the last minute we decided I would stay home.  I was sad and lonely, but physically I knew it was the right thing to do.  Tomorrow (January 1) we head to my grandmother Smith's house to celebrate with my mother's side of the family.  We have had a fantastic time visiting with friends and family, giving and receiving presents, and eating! So. Much. Eating.  It was a good way to finish the year.  After this there will be no more traveling in our near future so if you want to see us you will have to head to Raleigh! We have an extra bed, a real one, not inflatable!

We have been slowly acquiring all the necessary things for raising a baby.  They sure are expensive for being so tiny.  Michael has been learning that "easy to assemble, no tools required" is almost always a lie.

In Biscuit news, he has gotten big enough that as long as he isn't right in the middle I know where he is resting.  He will wiggle a little when I rub him and poke back when I poke him.  I have also noticed that he moves more when music is playing or daddy is home and talking.  

For any of you contemplating sending a gift for Biscuit, aside from the registry items, I have found a wonderful new store that rocks my hippy organic socks off.  It is called Sweet Bottoms and they have an online store and a store in Cary.  You can buy gift cards online and send them via mail or email.  It is mom operated and all of the sales staff was very helpful AND wearing their babies, which just made me happy.  They have all sorts of things that I just love.  Cloth diapers and all the essentials for using cloth diapers, a range of different ergonomic baby wearing devices, glass bottles, my favorite brand of bedding (aden + anais), natural remedies and all natural sensitive skin products, the softest leg warmers and leggings, all natural toys that require imagination and don't have all the bells and whistles and batteries...the list could go on and on. Long story short.  This store.  I love it.  

That is all for now.  I may make a mid week update if we get any surprising info from the doctor, but if not you can expect an update around Monday of next week! 

Week 27: The Third Trimester (December 23rd)

We had a very exciting week.  It started off rather slow, with me finding out I wouldn't have to go back to work until the 2nd of January due to vacation and Little Buddy being sick, but it ended quite well!

This weekend Santa came early and brought us all new furniture!  Our old furniture was just that.  Old.  The back was broken on the couch and I got stuck in it quite often.  We are quite happy with everything.

Today I had a doctor visit and all is well except, of course, the silly numbers on the scale.  The doctor and I went over my diet and routine and again I was told there wasn't much else I could do.  He did ask me to change from 2% to skim milk. Yuck.

I had my glucose test which made me sick to my stomach and woozy for a few minutes, but we won't know the results for a week!  I was under the impression results were instantaneous.  Oh well.  Biscuit keeps moving around like a champ.  "Very healthy heart" according to the doctor.  

I didn't get any belly pictures this week, but I did catch this video. Watch closely!

I could not get the video to embed for some reason, but here is the link:

Bounce Little Biscuit

Week 26: Everybody was Kung-Fu fighting! (December 16)

Biscuit has been moving like crazy! My belly jiggles and shakes all the time from his movements, typically when I wake up and right after dinner/before bed.  Sometimes it feels like he is stretching his arms and legs out as far as they will go in every direction.  Other times it feels like he is turning somersaults constantly.  I have a doctor's appointment on the 23rd and I will have to take my glucose test to find out if I've gotten gestational diabetes.  Cross your fingers!

We've been working around the house really hard to get everything in order before Biscuit's birthday.  This weekend Michael's dad came over and helped us install the final ceiling fan.  This one went in to the master bedroom.

I worked on getting stuff put away into storage so it could be tucked away until we get a bigger house.  Molly helped.

And we are slowly getting the nursery in order.  

Biscuit and I are very stylish these days thanks to our supportive parents/grandparents/great grandparents.  Without them we wouldn't be able to leave the house...at least not legally.  

Week 25: The End of the 2nd Trimester

We had a very fun week! Biscuit's godparents visited us and on Friday they helped Michael paint the nursery while I was at work.

They also helped Michael install our anniversary present from his parents in the living room.

I put up our minimalist Christmas decorations because we are hoping to have the carpet cleaned this month and have our new living room furniture. 

Biscuit is still bopping and moving like crazy.  Sometimes it feels like he is stretching in every direction as hard as he can.  His movements are regular and forceful enough that I hope to catch them on camera soon, but we will see.  He still likes to stop moving as soon as he feels the pressure of someone's hand on my belly.  Michael is the only one that has felt him move, but his godmother got to see him dance this weekend.  I can't believe we are almost 2/3 of the way to holding Biscuit in our arms! I will leave you with the only belly picture I took this week.  I was showing off my lovely new maternity/nursing night gown. 

Week 24: The Strangers are Taking Notice

This weekend while shopping I had my very first stranger ask me when I was due...and then another and another.  I guess I've gotten past the "maybe she's just fat or bloated" stage.

We had a doctor visit this week.  All is well.  Heart rate of 150 bpm and I only gained 3 pounds from the last visit, so no lecture about my weight!  We did discuss my overall weight gain and diet and exercise plan (at my request) and we also discussed the possibility of gestational diabetes.  I will have my glucose test done at my next visit on December 23rd.  There is still a very good chance I will have it, but the doctor said at this point there is nothing else I can do.  If I do have gestational diabetes I will go on a VERY strict diet just in time for Christmas! Biscuit is still jumping around a lot, although he hasn't been as active today.  He must be tired from my marathon shopping day with his Grandma Chenoweth yesterday.

I am so thankful for all of the well wishes and gifts that have been sent by friends and family.  I have a cradle full of gifts, goodies, hand me downs, and other wonderful things for Biscuit.  The cradle is on loan from my sister, and it was the cradle built for her by our grandfather.  I feel so loved and special. I know Biscuit does, too!

I am also thankful for having such a wonderful, loving husband that has been taking such good care of me lately.  He has taken on the majority of the chores without any complaints and seems to enjoy pampering me...most of the time.

Week 23: Get Plenty of Rest and Lots of Fluids (November 25)

Apparently the 2.3 Liters of water and 16 ounces of milk I was getting each day wasn't enough.  This week I managed to get sick and dehydrated enough to cause a handful of contractions and other various symptoms.  All is well now, after a long weekend of rest, gatorade, and pampering from my husband.  We have a regular appointment tomorrow morning (November 26).  This week Biscuit has been especially active.  He actually created waves in my stomach one morning big enough and for a long enough time for Michael to see. 

I recently discovered the best site ever, Zulily! I went slightly overboard on the ridiculous graphic onesies and other goodies and this is only the first shipment out of many.

We met with family this weekend in Charlotte and Mike and I got to meet his little cousins for the first time.  Michael finally got the hang of holding the baby...after I took him and calmed him down and handed him back.  To be fair, he was pretty fussy with everyone at one point or another, even with me.  I also learned that Michael has NEVER changed a diaper in his entire life which amazes me.  I changed my first diaper at 11 years old.  He has a lot of practicing to do so everyone with babies needs to bring them over for him to take care of.  

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!  Don't get too cold out there.  Just bundle up like Little Buddy and I did today.

Week 22: Get Down With the Sickness (November 18)

Little Buddy was sick all week and I fought it off until Friday.  Today (Sunday) it crushed me with a fury.  I used my suddenly freed up time to order our Christmas cards and stamps.  (Harry Potter stamps!) Here are some previews for you.

And here is Molly just being cute. 

We chose a color for the nursery this week.  Princess Blue by Valspar.  

Saturday I supervised while Michael and his parents moved some furniture around in preparation of getting a new couch and a recliner!

One day we might have a dining room table to put here. Until then we have our lovely TV trays!

And they also helped rearrange the guest room so that our guests don't have to circumnavigate all of our junk.  It's tight, but let's just call it cozy.

In other nursery news, we picked up a few pieces to add to my white bookshelf to add some storage to Biscuit's room.

Also, I received my first pack of cloth diapers and flannel wipes and I couldn't be more pleased!  So cute and soft.  I can't wait to get more things from JustSimplyBaby .

No real baby news this week.  Biscuit has settled on my bladder and made my nights much busier.  He is also kicking up a storm and I can now regularly see his pokes and jabs.  As soon as I am finished with work I head upstairs for a warm bath and sit back and watch the show.  It is the best part of my day, aside from falling asleep next to Michael.  

Week 21: Bouncing Biscuit (November 11)

Our little future geek has been moving around more and more!  I even saw some rumblings in my tummy when I was soaking in the tub the other day!  He kicks hard! When he kicks forward it is exciting and funny feeling, but when he kicks down or backward it is surprisingly ouchy.  Not so bad now, but I am worried for when he gets bigger.  The strangest feeling, though, is when he kicks up and hits the diaphragm.  It's like inside hiccups.

Michael and I celebrated our 1st anniversary on the 10th and it was amazing.  We had Bojangles chicken biscuits for breakfast and headed to North Hills to see Thor: The Dark World.  After that we bought the perfect piece for under the window in the nursery at Target and then headed to Nantucket grill for a late lunch.  That is where we had our first date!

Week 20: Halfway Point (November 4)

We are halfway to being parents! Holy cow!  At first it couldn't go fast enough and now it won't slow down.  We registered this weekend.  It was exhausting but so much fun!  Biscuit is going to have a super hero nursery and I can't wait to start nesting.  One thing though.  Apparently you need to order your nursery furniture before you get pregnant.  It takes so long to get delivered.  Of course I'm exaggerating but it could take up to 16 weeks in extreme circumstances. In case you were wondering, here is a list of where we are registered.

The bulk of our registry is here:

buybuyBaby: Registry#13728897
http://www.buybuybaby.com/store/page/BabyRegistry

and buybuyBaby is awesome because they are owned by the same company as Bed Bath and Beyond, so you can use their gift cards and coupons there, and you can also order things from our registry there.  I also think if you ship it to us shipping is free!

Of course we couldn't help finding a few things we liked here:

BabiesRus: Registry#51506504
http://www.toysrus.com/registry/index.jsp?ab=TRU_Header:Utility2:Baby-Registry:Home-Page

We also have a handful of things here:

Pottery Barn Kids: Registry ID 3390806
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/registry/find-registry.html?cm_type=lnav

My belly bump really decided to pop out this week!

We also decided this week to ask a very special couple to become part of our family, and they said yes!  Meet Biscuit's godparents, Matthew and Jennifer Kendall!

Welcome to the family!

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Week 19: Biscuit's a Boy! (October 30)

YAY! The day is finally here.  This week we got to see Biscuit again and find out if we were having a boy or a girl.  The first half of the appointment was spent in the serious ultrasound room with the ultrasound tech.  She checked out all the body parts and declared the baby healthy aside from genitals and face.

Here is the healthy, four chambered heart beating at 150 beats per minute.

Here is a foot

Here is the body, but facing the wrong way.

Biscuit was not cooperating.  Biscuit moved everywhere and all over the place except for where we needed Biscuit to be.  Finally, Biscuit looked straight at us.

And we knew that Biscuit's face was forming normally. Still, no genitals.  The ultrasound tech actually took my belly and shook it, which is quite uncomfortable because you have to do this with a full bladder.  She told us we may have to come back if he didn't show us the goods. After what seemed like forever she showed us what apparently was what we were looking for.

Do you see it? I guess I might.  I'm not sure. But, Biscuit is a boy! Michael could not be happier.  I had no real preference, but I do have lots of practice with a baby boy now.  Yay!

The next half was with Dr. Gaines, who might be my favorite.  He, too, brought up my weight and we discussed my diet and exercise plan and he told me that I was the "picture of perfect pregnancy health" and that some people are just genetically predisposed to gain more weight than others.  He didn't think I needed to worry too much about gestational diabetes, but it isn't off the table.  He says that women who take as big of an interest in their health as I have tend to have very healthy outcomes, whether or not they gain a few extra pounds, and tend to spring back faster after delivery.  Did I mention I love him? He also answered my insane paranoia questions without referring me to a therapist.  He did tell me my questions were crazy (in more scientific terms) but he answered them and told me not to worry too much and that he looked forward to hearing my next outlandish question. I have come to the conclusion that male OBs are better than females.  One female called me crazy and the other called me fat.  I'm sure they were nicer and more PC than that, but that is what I heard in my crazy hormonal mind.