The nursery revealed!

Here it is!  The room where me and my boy are sure to spend many wonderful sleepless moments.  I didn't really go with a theme, except to use fabric to add some attitude to the room.  I made a lot of what you see, and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out! 

 Here it is!  

 I LOVE the "You Are My Sunshine" picture.   Had to have it {from etsy}.

 

Another view.

 

I made the fabric hoops, curtains, and pillows you see here.

 

I also made the crib skirt and the banner above the crib.

 

Ready to diaper up a cute little booty!!

 

Another etsy find and love.

 

Ta-daa!!

In case you are wondering... I have NOT finished my quilt.  The top has been made for months, but I haven't quite had the motivation to complete it.  Actually - I am scared of messing it up, but I think I just need to take the plunge and do it.  I am not going to rush it, but I hope to finish it this summer sometime (since I'll have SO much time.... right...?).

Not going to freak out.

I think it is fair to say that one of the most massive life changing events is right on the horizon for me.  Being the controlling, planning person that I am, this can be cause for a little bit of freak out.  A few weeks ago I was having some doubt about my ability to do this.  Most of my fear surrounded just giving birth in general.  I felt like the odds were stacked against me and that I was bound to have an experience I did NOT want to have.  I just kept praying for peace... praying that Satan would have no room in my thoughts and that fear would not have a place in my dreams of giving birth.  I feel like in the past week, I've been able to TRULY find peace - and excitement - about the big day!  I have come to hope for the very best, but understand that God has the big day all planned out already, and that HIS plan will play out.  So long as that happens (which it will), I can find hope and peace and joy.  If that is different from my ideal plan, that is fine.  I'll do my part and trust that he gave me a body and being that is capable of giving birth and being a parent, and rely on Him to give me the strength I need no matter the circumstances. 

I have a feeling that trust and parenthood go hand and hand.  Also - surrender, obedience, and just being on your knees.  Even in early pregnancy, when I was experiencing complications and was put on rest for the first 14 weeks, I often found myself on my knees... knowing that this was God's child not mine, and only he could sustain this life.  And God gave me peace then, and he continues to give me peace when I need it.  I am overwhelmed by the fact that there is NO way I can parent this child apart from Him.  And this goes for giving birth, and everything that follows.

Anyway... I've just found myself thankful today that I am no longer overwhelmed with fear, but rather excitement and hope.  I just feel free today, and I love it.

And... relating to giving birth, I just wanted to share this quote by Ina May Gaskin - who wrote "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" (which I think every mama-to-be should read - emphasis is mine).

"Remember this, for it is as true and true gets: Your body is not a lemon. You are not a machine. The Creator is not a careless mechanic. Human female bodies have the same potential to give birth well as aardvarks, lions, rhinoceri, elephants, moose, and water buffalo. Even if it has not been your habit throughout your life so far, I recommend that you learn to think positively about your body."

36 weeks.

One month from today I will either be a mom... or a very frustrated pregnant woman on her due date. :-)

No, really - I know that due dates are just estimates and I have a 4 week window in which this baby could ideally be born.  Crazy part is that window starts at 38 weeks... which is 2 weeks from today... which is just CRAZY.

I feel ready.  I have everything I need.  My body feels like it has nearly had enough.  And seriously - in another 2 weeks I'll be thrilled to meet this little guy.  At the same time, I am preparing myself for the possibility of being pregnant until April.  In any case - I feel ready.  The nursery is pretty much done and I'm going to take pictures tomorrow to share with all of you. :-)  I think it turned out pretty good, if I may say so myself.

Today's date: February 27, 2011

How far along: 36 weeks

Total weight gain: 27-ish lbs. (official weigh-in will be at the Dr's on Tuesday)

Size and growth of the baby: Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long.

Sex: BOY BOY BOY!!

Maternity clothes: Sweatpants.

Sleep: My achy hips have kept me tossing and turning for the past few nights.  Even though I fully expect a lack of sleep when the baby come, I hope that the sleep I DO get will be pain-free... and I'm looking forward to that.

 
Best moment(s) of the week:  The arrival of Molly Jean Boes!!  We got to go visit her today and she is so itty bitty and cute!!  I forget how tiny they are when they come out... but I am very VERY thankful they are so tiny.

Movement: Lots and lots, still.  I think he thinks he just comes out of my belly button, the way he pushes and kicks.  Not so, little boy.

 
Food cravings/aversions:  Haha... let's just say I had a few days of "I just don't care" this week.  I got McDonalds (I NEVER eat fast food), Thai food, and Jimmy John's this week... I was hungry and just didn't care.  I'll get back on the health wagon tomorrow....

Morning sickness: No morning sickness, but a general "blah" feeling sometimes.

 
Symptoms: I've had cramping, which I haven't had in awhile.  I am hoping that it means that my body is doing what it should.  Heartburn as always, as well.  Oh - and also a moving human being growing inside of me.  

 
Labor signs:  Nothing nothing nothing.  I'm beginning to wish for contractions just so I know what they feel like.

Belly button in or out:   Very much on the verge.

 
What I miss:  Sleeping on my back or stomach... definitely what I miss the most.  And just feeling fit.  I feel very out of shape... like I can't breathe well, and like my joints can't support my weight sometimes.  I just want to feel in-shape again.  

What I'm looking forward to:  I have a Dr's appt on Tuesday... the start of the weekly appointments.  They'll check me to see if I'm dilated or anything.  However, that doesn't really mean jack squat in terms of when Baby G will arrive and I know that.

What's happening this week:

He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of his first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely he's in a head-down position. But if he isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying he'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating him from the outside of your belly. {as far as I know - baby G is head down... and he darn well better stay that way!!}

 

 

{what the heck is a crenshaw melon???} 

  

{WOAH baby}

 {Macy loves her little brother already}

 

{Just when I thought I couldn't get any bigger...}

 

{And to think I felt "fat" at 12 weeks... if I ever get back to that it'll be a sure miracle}

Welcome Molly Jean!

I am sooo excited for our good friends Jon and Mandy Boes.  They welcomed the newest addition to their family today - Molly Jean Boes!!  I am glad that I can get my itty bitty baby fix from Molly before my little one is due to arrive. :-)  Although, I'm jealous that Mandy will be able to sleep on her stomach tonight (if she sleeps at all, of course).

Now that Mandy has had her baby, it is my turn.  Eeeee!!!  But you can stay cooking for a good 4 more weeks, okay baby boy??

Congrats Jon, Mandy, and big-sister Lucy!

35 weeks.

What an odd week.  I feel like I just slept away a week of my life... wait, I did.  Haha.  I have 14 days left of work... 35 days of life until my due date... and holy moly, time isn't slowing down.  Despite being horribly sick last week, I was still able to enjoy the weekend and spend time with my mom and dad and sister. {and sorry if I got any of you sick...}

Today's date: February 20, 2011

How far along: 35 weeks

Total weight gain: 26-ish lbs. (but I haven't weighed myself in a few days)

Size and growth of the baby: Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon).

Sex: BOY BOY BOY!!

Maternity clothes: Sweatpants.

Sleep: I have a good system going.  I figured out how to finally get somewhat comfortable and have had some great nights of sleep.  Although, the Tylenol PM I took a few of those nights to manage the fever may have played a role in that.  Still... I'm grateful for sleep.  And I'm sorry to my husband for taking up 7/8ths of the bed.

 
Best moment(s) of the week:  Seeing my mom and dad and sister on Saturday. :-)  I was supposed to have a shower on Saturday, but the flu bug canceled that.  It was still fun to see my family and celebrate the boy.

Movement: Still a lot, but the big movements are getting less and less as he gets bigger.  But - those movements are getting a bit more uncomfortable.  He's a strong boy!

 
Food cravings/aversions:  None at the moment.  I do see a banana/blueberry smoothie in my future though.

Morning sickness: None really.

 
Symptoms: Getting more pressure and achiness near the exit point.  I don't think he has "dropped" but I feel like he is getting lower and lower.  I am more uncomfortable at least.  At this point, laying down or sitting on my exercise ball is definitely most comfortable.

 
Labor signs:  Still nothing.  I'm beginning to wonder what these "contractions" feel like, because I've never felt anything.

Belly button in or out:   I feel like it is on the verge.  If it lasts 5 more weeks I'll be amazed.

 
What I miss:  Sleeping on my back or stomach.

What I'm looking forward to:  The arrival of Baby Boes {my good friend Mandy is due March 1st, but I'd be seriously shocked if she makes it there}.  I feel like once she is born, it is all go for Baby Griffis.

What's happening this week:

 

Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Your uterus — which was entirely tucked away inside your pelvis when you conceived — now reaches up under your rib cage. If you could peek inside your womb, you'd see that there's more baby than amniotic fluid in there now. Your ballooning uterus is crowding your other internal organs, too, which is why you probably have to urinate more often and may be dealing with heartburn and other gastrointestinal distress. If you're not grappling with these annoyances, you're one of the lucky few. {Unfortunately, I haven't been quite so lucky.}

 

 

{baby boy weighs about as much as a honeydew melon}

Sick. Sick. Sick.

I have been sick MORE during this pregnancy than ever in my life, I swear.  Makes sense... your immune system is down to help protect the baby, but it is just NO fun.  I got the flu this week... or something like it.  Sinus/chest cold plus a fever of about 101 for 3 days.  Not fun.  Today is the first day I haven't had a fever and I feel MUCH better without the aches and chills, but still have this nasty cold.  I'm so sad... because of this I decided to cancel my baby shower this weekend. :-(  Nobody wants to get this, and since many of the people who will be there are either pregnant or have babies, I especially don't want to pass along any lingering germs.  I am just grateful that, if I am going to get sick, it happens NOW so I can be healthy when it is time to welcome this baby into the world!!

38 days to go (give or take)... I still can't believe it.

34 weeks.

The end is feeling closer and closer.  In a good way.  I think I am beginning to understand why women beg for labor in the final weeks.  Everything is harder... and everything is achy.  I am trying to cherish feeling the movements inside, though, because I know it won't be long before that is over!  I somehow caught a cold over the weekend (surprise, surprise) and am just feeling out of it.  I'm ready to feel healthy and "normal" again.  Although I'm not sure I remember what it feels like to not be pregnant.  Was I really ever able to roll over at night without making a huge deal of it?  And I could put on my shoes without grunting?  And I could walk up the stairs without huffing and puffing?  Yesterday we had some AMAZING weather and it made me miss running. :-)  I am glad that once this babe comes, spring will be hear and running weather will be right around the corner.  I'll need that!! 

Anyway - 34 WEEKS DOWN -- 6 TO GO!!

Today's date: February 13, 2011

How far along: 34 weeks

Total weight gain: 25-ish lbs.

Size and growth of the baby: Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long.

Sex: BOY BOY BOY!!

Maternity clothes: Not even.  Sweatpants.

Sleep: On and off.  Hips still hurt, but I've had some good nights.

 
Best moment(s) of the week:  Girls night on Friday night. :-)  Probably the last one before Baby Boes and Baby Griffis are here!!  I can also tell you the WORST moment of the week was when our drain was SOOO clogged that it took Jordan probably 10+ hours to fix the problem.  There goes our Saturday together.  At least I can do dishes now. :-)

Movement: Lots!  Last night he discovered how to push off from my ribs and throw himself into the other side of my stomach.  I'm sure it would have been interesting to watch had it not been 1am. 

 
Food cravings/aversions:  I still want thai food.  But for Valentines Day Jordan is going to grill us steaks.  Yummmm!!  Second best. ;-) 

Morning sickness: None, except I have felt more icky lately just because I am so squished.

 
Symptoms: Squished.  Tired. :-)

 
Labor signs:  Still nothing - but I'll take that as a good sign.

Belly button in or out:   I'm wondering if it is going to pop these days.  It just might!  On another note I am happy to report NO stretch marks!!  Amazingly enough. :-D

 
What I miss:  Sleeping on my back or stomach.

What I'm looking forward to:  Baby shower next weekend... and I get to see sister! :-)

What's happening this week:

 

His fat layers — which will help regulate his body temperature once she's born — are filling his out, making her rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies. {YAY!!}

 

 

{Baby Boy weighs about as much as a cantaloupe!}

"You are days away from change"

Love this... I can't wrap my mind around how my life is about to change in the most amazing way.

33 weeks.

Today's date: February 6, 2011

How far along: 33 weeks

Total weight gain: 24 lbs "officially" at the doctors.  Blahhh.

Size and growth of the baby: This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark.

Sex: BOY BOY BOY!!

Maternity clothes: Even those seem tight lately.  Sweatpants it is.

Sleep: On and off.  Hips still hurt, but I've had some good nights.

 
Best moment(s) of the week:  As you can see from the previous post - we had the blizzard of the year last week.  It was CRAZY and really put me behind at work, because I didn't go in for 2 days, but it allowed me to get a ton of stuff done around the house.  Organizing closets, finishing up all my craft projects for the nursery, and washing the baby clothes.  I feel more and more ready for this little guy!  Once I get the nursery 100% ready I'll post pics.

Movement: Lots!!  Dr. says he is head down, which is GREAT! 

 
Food cravings/aversions:  I want thai food... and I haven't gotten it yet. 

Morning sickness: None, except I have felt more icky lately just because I am so squished.

 
Symptoms: Pretty constant heartburn. :-P  It doesn't take much at this point.  In general I am feeling pretty squished.  I feel super out of shape - getting winded going up the stairs at work... but I have an excuse. :-)  I am beginning to understand how women feel totally ready to push the baby out by the time their pregnancy is full term.

 
Labor signs:  Nothing yet.  Not even any braxton hicks.

Belly button in or out:   Flatty flat flat.

 
What I miss:  Sleeping on my back or stomach.

What I'm looking forward to:  Baby shower in a couple of weekends... and I get to see sister! :-)

What's happening this week:

 

He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

 

 

{baby G weighs about as much as a pineapple}

EVICTION NOTICE: 50 days.

I thought this was cute.  Hee-hee!  Obviously if he decides to stick around longer than the 50 days until he is due, I won't hold it against him, but if he decides to arrive on or around that mark - that would be ideal!!  It is funny... I view everything in terms of "before" and "after" baby now.  I got an invite to a friends graduation party and I have to stop and think - this will be "after" baby... even going grocery shopping and looking at expiration dates on food!  There is some food that just won't expire until "after" baby comes.  SO weird to be so close.  I am slowly feeling more and more ready.  We had our last childbirth class this past week.  I think I think more about giving birth and actually getting him here than what life is going to be like after he is here.  For some reason, I'm not all that worried about any of it right now.  I figure, this baby and I will get to know each other and learn together . :-)  I just know that there is absolutely nothing that can truly prepare me for what an amazing and challenging experience all of this is going to be.  And I am SO excited to take it on!

Snowpocalypse!!

I'll admit - I nearly didn't believe the media hype.  After two other "major storms" that bearly gave us a dusting of snow, this "Blizzard of 2011" seemed almost too good to be true.  Yet here I sit - our second snow day in a row.  And boy did we get it!  We got it so bad, I even convinced my hubby to stay home with me yesterday. :-)  YAY for a snuggly snow day in!