10 Weeks and Counting!

I just looked at my "baby countdown clock" and realized that -- as of today -- Noah will be here in exactly 10 weeks (or less)! How incredibly exciting -- just had to share that. :)

Some of you might remember my post not long ago about my basketball-sized stomach. Well... according to one of my baby websites, Noah is now the size of a basketball himself, measuring approximately 16 inches and weighing in at a little over 3 pounds. That definitely explains the growing power of his kicks and punches lately -- as well as my ballooning belly. I seem to get bigger by the day... Fortunately, I am still taking it all in stride, though there are times when I really miss my waist!

It's all worth it. :)

It won't be long now!!!

Third Trimester Update - Two Down, One to Go!

Well, it's official, I am now in my Third Trimester and time is flying! Hard to believe it's been a month since my little stint in L&D. We are now in the home stretch and with my Cesarean tentatively scheduled for September 2nd, we have exactly 11 weeks until we bring baby home unless Noah decides to make an early appearance, which just about everyone suspects at this point. Only God knows! My OB said that the earliest they would do the Cesarean if I were to go into labor is 35 weeks which means Noah could be here in less than 7! Either way in 11 weeks or less (God-willing) we will have a new little person in our world... how wonderful and terrifying!

The last few weeks have been incredibly hectic for Michael and me. I had the honor of being a bridesmaid in my one of my best friend's weddings. I was one of two pregnant bridesmaids and during the rehearsal, as we waddled down the aisle, I joked that it was like the march of the penguins. The wedding went beautifully and Michael and I had a great time at the rehearsal.




In the meantime, I have been hanging in there as my dear hubby has been hard at work readying the nursery, which is now half-painted and has a crib sitting in the middle of it over a tarp -- the crib that sadly still has to go back and be swapped for an undamaged one. I am so eager for the room to be ready for our little boy and can't wait to post pictures!

Yesterday I had my third trimester check up (I'll now have them every 2 weeks until August when it switches to once a week) and got my shot of RHogam, which was not fun. We met with the last of the doctors in our practice (the one who -- if we go by Michael's processs of elimination (a head-to-head match-up between the 4 doctors via coin toss) -- will be delivering Noah). Fortunately he was more conservative than the last OB and did not start me on steroids as I was told would happen should my platelet count dip any lower. Unfortunately it did take another dive but there is nothing we can do but wait and then as we get closer to delivery start them up if need be. I am really hoping that does not happen. Looks like I'll be getting blood tests every two weeks from here on out. Fun.

Other than that we are just hanging in there as best as we can... Noah is more active now than ever and I am very grateful for that. Lately my belly looks a bit like something straight out of Alien but it's always nice to be reminded that he is really growing and fast -- hard to forget that I am! All worth it! :)

Noah's Crib Has Arrived...

It's a beautiful Creations Summer's Evening Sleigh Crib in cherry wood (a gift from my dad) that converts to a toddler bed and then a full size headboard and footboard. It is all put together in Noah's nursery, which is still mostly empty...and... it has to go back :(

My dad ordered Noah his crib and mattress on Memorial Day weekend and we were told that it would be 8-12 weeks until it arrived. When I got the call from the store telling me it had arrived (the weekend my family visited), I was thrilled!  Last night, Michael and I finally got it home and put together (after a veryyyyy long day) only to find a few deep cracks in the wood -- one as long as 13 1/2 inches. So, it looks like we will be waiting for another crib to be ordered and we can only hope it will arrive as quickly as this one did...  

Still, it is exciting to have a crib in the house.  Definitely makes it all seem so much more REAL!  Aside from the crib, B.O.B. has also "moved in."  B.O.B. is our stroller (The B.O.B. Revolution Jogger) that I affectionately call by name, as though it is a person.  I really love him! (see? haha)  It is the most comfortable to push full-size stroller imaginable and packs up very easy (good for someone with a bad back!) and we got a great deal.

I am officially in my 7th month as of today. Time is flying!! 

A Brief Update

The second trimester is quickly winding down and some all-too-familiar issues from the first trimester have begun rearing their ugly heads' again. It's like bad de ja vu! Meanwhile, I am trying to adapt to all the changes I have undergone over the past 6 months as I learn more and more about Noah's personality and count down to his due date (less than 95 days!).  

Carrying around a basketball sized stomach has not been an easy task.  My respect for all the women who have done this before me grows daily. The "basketball" seems to get heavier everyday as my belly grows and stretches beyond what I think it can bear.  There are times where I wish I could just take it off and set it aside for a while just so I can sleep a few hours.  Sleeplessness has become unavoidable to me. Everyone says things to me like "oh you haven't seen anything yet," or "Just wait another month."  This is not comforting. My husband's confession that he has never seen such a big belly on pregnant woman at this stage also does not help much.... but is always good for a laugh. I can use a lot of those these days!

Vanessa's birthday party went well in spite of my being laid up so I cannot complain.  There was a lot of smiles and laughter that day all around!

My visit with my family also went very well. It was so good to be on my feet and out of the house!  We were able to walk around Harper's Ferry for a short while before a torrential downpour sent us on our way home...

In spite of all the drawbacks, pregnancy certainly has its perks! Noah moves everyday and always manages to crack me up when I most need it (he and his dad share that gift). The other night I cooked dinner for my in-laws and grandparent-in-laws (a labor of love!) and slid into my seat. As soon as I sat down, relieved to take a rest, Noah began kicking the table. He continues letting me know when he wants something out of his way, which is basically anything I come in contact with, with my stomach. What a funny baby.  I have also been getting past the shock of seeing Noah curled up on one side of my belly.  It is the strangest thing to see it get so high and weird-shaped on one side and so flat on the other. These moments make it all worth it!

In the meantime, I have entered nesting mode in high gear, in which I am now consumed with coming up with cost-effective ideas on how to make the perfect nursery space for Noah. I thought I'd end this post by sharing a sneak preview.... I'm very excited about it so far! (I'm a dork, I know... but I just can't wait to bring my baby home.)