Once again overwhelmed

My guy's Mom and sister put on quite the over the top to do/tea time/shower for us this weekend.  It was crazy to see how many people were there and how she converted her whole downstairs to put the focus on us.  Every detail was attended to.  The food and drink was amazing, the decorating touches were beyond, her fine china was out for tea, everyone was all there in one room!

It rained pretty hard leading into the weekend and was steady on our drive their way, but things cleared and the sun prevailed - making it an even more lovely day.  We came home with another very full vehicle - making our previous stockpile of diapers look tiny.  There is another mound of goodies to be sorted through upstairs in the baby's room awaiting my attention.

More from the registry completion order has also arrived, so with a quick load of laundry now the pack and play with its new mattress is also ready for action in the living room.  I was able to complete one set of thank you cards for my side of the family this morning, which are now ready to go in the mailbox.  Also off of the list this weekend is getting the car seat bases installed, now I need to stop in and get mine inspected.  I'm hoping these few things being off of the list will give me rest tonight.  I was once again restless last night from all of the excitement and new additions to the list.

Dreams about baby

I had my first dreams with baby in them!  I didn't sleep great last night, first with needing to get up a few times to pee and then a stretch where I just laid there awake.  But when I did get back to sleep it was full of dreams.  One I remember holding her and her rooting, which I recognized for what it was - that she was hungry.  In another or maybe some twisted offshoot of the first I was on a cruise ship (go figure) and someone had taken her.  I was freaking out because we needed to find her but no one else seemed too worried because "no one could leave the ship with her".  I remember even thinking we didn't have time to "make another one" that we needed to find her.  *shakes head at self*

Second Wind

I feel great.  I slept straight through the night, not needing to get up to pee or move because I was sore.  When I went to get out of bed I rolled out easier than I have in weeks and walked (not waddled to the bathroom) without even the slightest twinge in my hips (after not moving all night)!  Is this the calm before the storm?

I'm down another pound this morning over yesterday too, but it's much cooler out, so I really think this one was due to swelling/water.  I gotta admit this sure makes the thought of taking weight back off seem so much more feasible after she comes.

Trying to wrap things up and unwrapping more gifts

I did not get the items cleaned that I had hoped this past weekend, but I did get the cover off of the swing ready for the washer and the rest ready for a scrub down.

The gifts from the second shower that took place a few weekends ago were delivered to me on Sunday - so we sat down tonight and opened gifts.  I am pretty surprised by how many little outfits are totally my taste and something I would have picked out.  They also wrote on notecards name suggestions - many focused on rehashing my mother or grandmother's name.  I have videos to watch from their gathering still so there may be some more suggestions on there.  Best gift?  Sorry I have to give it - hands down - to the little bench Uncle Ronnie made for us.  I had one he made for me when I was little.  I sat in front of the tv with that thing propped in front of me for much of my younger years... and I probably ate a ton of peanut butter sammies on it.  To see it brought a huge smile to my face and a tear to my eye.

Side note there is officially nothing left of my belly button.  It is no longer concave in any capacity.  Looking at it straight on it looks a little like a sideways pig nose (two little divots).

I also finally caved and made a call to the nurse line today.  My weight gain has slowed...and even comparing to last Monday - I lost two pounds.  Sure, my ankles aren't as swollen, but after reading those other articles I just had a moment and wanted to hear some reassurance from the doctor's office that I shouldn't worry as long as I continue to feel her moving at a normal pace.  Believe me, not gaining more weight is NOT something I intend to complain about.

Go go go!

I headed out early today and used the completion discount at Target to get a few more items from that list.  I also found a cute little sleeper w/ hedgies on it that I couldn't resist and a clearanced soft white dress that is perfect for her baptism.  I also stopped for a pedi.  Getting the foot and calf rub was so nice.  I'm hoping the pretty purple polish lasts until we're ready for kiddo to come.

Now it's time to do some prep work - yay for weekends.  Today I made a batch of stuffed shells (with kale), a chicken broccoli casserole, and pasta sauce - with meatballs - to freeze.  I'm also making a batch of stuffed peppers (fresh goodies from the farm basket) for dinner, but the leftovers are intended for the freezer.  My hope is that my stamina will hold and I can get all of the dishes dealt with this evening.

Tomorrow I'm making a pork roast in the slower cooker... that however will be tomorrow's eats and leftovers for early in the week. I do have a few used items I wanted to get cleaned up this weekend (the bottom of the pack n play - I did clean the other parts, the ones that were submersible the week before last, but I don't know if I mentioned that here - and the swing).  I am also expecting the mattress tomorrow, so maybe I can wipe that off and get the crib made.

A few more boxes checked

The mattress (and a bunch of other items) are ordered from the Amazon completion discount and on the way.  It will be nice to get the crib made up and ready to go!

I also purchased a few things to prep some meals to put in the freezer this weekend.  Fingers crossed that the freezer in the basement is still up for the task.

I think the next time Daddy is here I'll have him put the car seat in my car so I can go get it checked.  Everything I read sounds like every seat protector does damage and/or is a problem to use with the car seat.

Mentally I don't think I'll go early, but I did just read an article on early signs of labor which has me thinking.  So I guess it's good if I get a little nesting in over the next week.

1).  Baby drops:  head down at least... perhaps not 'dropped' but it's possible.
2).  Cervix dilates:  haven't been checked - dunno.
3).  More cramps and back pain:  I've had some cramps in the front low and pains in my back sleeping - which compared to earlier one when I felt none.
4).  Joints feel looser:  I can't check this one, but I am needing to move a bit slower after I roll out of bed.
5).  Diarrhea:  It's definitely been looser, but not diarrhea.
6).  Stop gaining weight:  Well, it's been a few weeks since I've had a major leap.  I guess I attributed that to the swelling and water gain that then passed, but I'm swelling again and still not up more than a half a pound.
7).  Extra tired:  Check, but this is probably because I'm not sleeping as well in the first place.
8).  Discharge changes:  Nope, not this one.
9).  Stronger/More frequent contractions:  I haven't had any braxton hicks to my awareness, so... saying no here doesn't really sway me either way.
10).  Water breaks:  Definitely not yet... who needs this on a list to tell them it's coming soon?

Last chance to come really early!

Ok kiddo.  This is your last chance to come really early... after today you need to wait until August 23rd (yeah, I really don't want a Leo).

I may change my mind in coming weeks if my ability to get a good night's sleep remains as it has been the past two nights.

Heading in the right direction

I had another doctor appointment today.  One more spread two-weeks out and then it is every week... so we booked them up through August 23, which just highlights how imminent everything is!

The appointment was the fastest one yet.  I was out of there less than 15 minutes after my scheduled time and I only arrived a few minutes early.  The heartrate was super strong at 165, which was nice after she was slower last visit - but it definitely confirms last time she was sleeping and this time since she was moving about as we waited for the doctor it all makes sense.

I also received confirmation that she is head down and the hard bump I've been noting above my belly button or off to the right is her butt, which is good since I've been patting it on the regular.

Photos came back and I'm pleased with them.  In many I do look larger than I realized I am, but I guess I have  apretty good excuse.

Waiting to see photos and puffing up more

Saturday morning was an early one as promised.  I was out the door just before 8:30am to get to the park on time.  It was already starting to get warmer out there, so I'm glad it was early in the day.

I knew my feet were swollen, but I clearly didn't realize how much.  The boots I took with for one of the outfits would NOT go on - no way, no how.  At least the slip ons I had with me matched.  Later in the afternoon I went to put those same slip ons back on my feet to run for the mail and they wouldn't go the whole way on.  My feet are definitely more swollen than they were the first time they puffed up.  Still sticking to the feet/ankle and slightly up into my calves (as of last night) - nothing in my hands or face, so I'm not worried, just a bit uncomfortable.  A soak in the tub before bed last evening definitely helped a bit.

The park was quite nice.  The photographer was eager to get the shots we wanted.  I just hope I don't look goofy in stuff, we'll see.  We did a few along a walking bridge, and by a covered bridge, and by a more open field.  I'm sure we'll get a few good ones - even if there are some bad ones of me in there.

Like a balloon - let's capture that on film!

I'm swelling back up, well at least my feet and ankles are.  It's so unpleasant.  Getting down on the floor and back up for some of my cleaning tasks is already difficult, but when you place a foot sideways and FEEL the swelling ugh.

I looked around a little for a massage place - but I am starting to think I won't be getting massages out here.  It looks like pricing is about double what I paid back in Jingletown - especially for maternity massage - and at least in Jtown I knew I was going to get a good massage.

Tomorrow morning we're scheduled to meet the photographer at Mingo Creek Park for my maternity shoot.  I had one dress purchased for the event and pulled but of course he has nothing that matches.  So I've had to slap together another outfit for some pics with him.  I'm hoping that non-maternity dress/top looks decent in the photos. *sigh*  Still lots to gather up to take with us to that tomorrow.  I'll be up all too early to get myself looking respectable for said event (hair/makeup)... then back for more cleaning before a game night here at my place.  I'm an idiot, why did I allow that on the schedule?

Ch ch ch ch changes

Fortunately, I had a slightly sore arm from the vaccine, but did not get ill in any way, shape, or form.  As a matter of fact for the past so many days I have been feeling even better - smaller or maybe she's sitting in a better position and the swelling in my ankles has reduced to a very mild issue (if I hadn't been swollen previously I wouldn't even notice it right now).  I'll thank the cooler evenings for that last one.  With the water gone I even lost a few pounds!

Last night I had a bit of a rough go with sleep in the middle of the night.  There were some pains coming up across my belly like what was in there was simply too heavy and going to pull the whole thing off.  It seems to start from the bottom left, which is where things 'felt funny' in the past - a very pregnancy related pain in my mind.  Maybe it was braxton hicks, but it seemed to hurt longer than what they claim those would cause.  Of course then the thunderstorms rolled through too, so I was woken again by a puppy in search of part of my bed.

I'm sitting on my completion discount for Amazon right now - and the mattress price dropped back down.  He is encouraging me to wait to place an order since we have another shower at the end of the month, but I'm twitching.  That seems like forever from now and who knows how the prices will trend between now and then.  I think I'm going to try and hold out until the billing cycle for my credit card changes over and then all bets are off.

Vaccine for Mummy

Today I headed out to get a TDAP vaccine. Actually, I did this twice.  The first run out was to the nearby Walgreens (and for a Starbucks run mid-day), but they "couldn't tell if it would be covered by my insurance" - Walgreens, not Starbucks.  *shakes head* After talking to Highmark I learned it is definitely covered and didn't matter which vaccine (I'll cover that later) so I headed to the Giant Eagle pharmacy after work.

I had a little bit of a wait, but I got my Boostrix TDAP.  From what I read there are two options, Boostrix and Adacel.  The first is Class B approved for people 10 and older, where as the other is a Class C for 10-64 year olds.  Sure, neither is perfect, but I'll opt for the lesser of two evils every chance I get.  Now we see if I end up with a sore arm tomorrow.  Hopefully I won't get wiped out by this.

Child and Infant CPR

We finished up our last prenatal class last night:  child and infant CPR (and choking).  Much to my surprise the class lasted 1 1/2 hours, vs 3 which is what they stated, after that they offered to demonstrate adult CPR.  I dunno, when you pay for something like this you kind of want to get what you pay for -- even when you want nothing more to get out of there and get some dinner.

I marvel that every time I take this type of class (years apart) how much the guidance changes.  If anything, I find that more confusing.  If they're not breathing start chest compressions without even checking for a pulse?!  Hopefully we will never need to put any of these lessons into practice.

Another appointment and more nursery work

Monday evening I had yet another routine ob visit.  The only exception is this is the one I had to go up to the hospital for as my regular office could not get me scheduled.  I did meet the male doctor in the practice, and while he seems nice enough (especially since he's the only one who has made any comment about my weight - this one being "your weight is fine") but I'm still hoping for a female to be on call when our time comes.  (Sorry, but my awkwardness makes me sexist.)

For the fourth of July we stayed here and worked to get the nursery back in order.  I am proud to say that the big pile has been beaten back down.  New clothing and fabric-based gifts have mostly been washed (some really vibrant colors are waiting for another load) and put away.  Removing all of the tags etc is a slow process man.  The diapers are sorted - all size 1s are upstairs and the larger ones are organized in the basement.  A few duplicate items are in a bag to head to Target to see if they can be returned.  The changing tray is secured on the dresser.  And... the most fun thing we achieved was getting the decal with her name up above the crib - no changing my mind now!

Overwhelmed with love and hyper stimulated

Yesterday not just one, but TWO showers were held for our little girl.  We drove back to Johnstown to attend the one thrown by friends as it was on the schedule earlier and another was underway with my aunts another hour away.  They videotaped the second one, so I will at least get to enjoy watching - and I'll have that tape to rewatch even after my memories start to fade thanks to baby brain.  The day would have been beyond perfect if only I could have been at two places at once.

I can't believe how many people came in to share the afternoon with me.  I'm so blessed.  It was good to see everyone, it feels like it has been forever since I've seen some of them.  The food was good, the cake even better!  We left with a full SUV and now the floor in the baby's room is full again.  *smacks forehead*  I thought I had that room mostly in order, what a fool I am... and to think I probably have another full sized load coming from the second gathering too!  If that doesn't inspire you to hustle and nest I don't know what will.

There is one more shower on the horizon with his side of the family.  I'm so incredibly overwhelmed with the outpouring thus far, to think there is more coming our way?!  This little girl is beyond loved.  I pray we are able to convey to her just how much.

Putting me as the center of attention tends to get me all riled up.  As such I was up a little late last night and my eyes popped open too early today.  Fortunately I have tomorrow off so I can sleep in a little (I hope) and we can do some sorting, putting away, and get that pile of thank yous well underway.

I said we drove, and that is true.  From there he was off sweating it up outside while I enjoyed my afternoon in the air conditioning.  He then returned to help load up and drove us home to allow me to keep my feet moving to avoid some swelling.  He's definitely a keeper.