The end of lazy days

I haven't been up to much lately. Yesterday before 9 a.m. I had run the dishwasher, vacuumed the house and cleaned the kitchen. When my friend with a 7 month old called and I told her this, she felt like such a slacker and then it dawned on me -- this won't probably happen again until my kids are old enough to be more dependent.

This morning, we woke up at 8 a.m. (that's late for us). Usually the dog wakes me up at 6 a.m. to eat but this morning he decided to be kind and let us sleep in. As we watched a Bob Dylan documentary in bed we joked "better savor this moment - probably will be a long time until this happens again."

Yesterday we picked up the mattress for the crib. A lady in the baby section approached me for help. She was looking for a co-sleeper for her daughter but she didn't know what it was called or what it looked like. She said "you look like someone that knows baby stuff." I do know baby stuff and it was nice be looked at as an expert on these things.

It's amazing to think I'm 3/4 of the way to having this baby. I almost can't wait to hold him in my arms and see what he looks like.

I'm off to have a lazy Sunday. We'd take the dog for a walk byt it's snowing!

Pack your bags

I was reading yesterday that around week 28 it's advised that you pack your bag for the hospital. I don't really plan on doing this until May 1 but here is a list I found on babyfit.com:

* Car seat for baby
* Two extra pillows--labeled with your name
* Mini cooler for juice, popsicles, cold packs, etc.
* Birthing bag
* Insurance information and any paperwork you will need
* Reading materials
* Copies of your birth plan
* Robe and slippers
* Clothes for delivery, if you don't want to wear the hospital gown
* Several pairs of socks
* Music
* Birthing ball (if the hospital doesn't provide them)
* Unscented oil or lotion for massage* A focal point, good luck charm, or other reassuring item
* Eyeglasses or contacts and supplies
* Lip balm
* Hair accessories
* Juice boxes, low-sodium electrolyte drinks
* Camera supplies (don't forget the charger, film and/or extra batteries!)
* Book, magazine, TV listing guide
* Snacks for mom after delivery
* Nonalcoholic celebration refreshment and cups
* List of phone numbers, to call and announce the birth
* Cell phone (many hospitals allow usage in restricted areas)
* A calling card and/or coins for the pay phone (if cell phones are prohibited)
* Your baby book, for footprints
* Baby blankets
* A special blanket for the "official" first hospital picture
* Toiletries for mom
* Baby nail clippers or emery board
* Soap for baby's first bath (if you prefer to use your own)
* Going home clothes for mom (elastic waist, nursing bra, roomy top)
* Going home clothes for baby

If you have other suggestions let me know. I can't believe tomorrow is 29 weeks. YIKES! It's going so fast.

Everyone is different

I have had a lot of friends have babies in the last year and one thing I have learned is that everyone is different and that's ok. What I don't like is that when I tell ppl that I won't be having a bassinet in our room (it's small) they say "good luck with that." Ya know, it's my baby and how hard is it to walk in the room next door, grab my baby and feed it? Not hard. My house is small and my bedroom is small and that baby is sleeping in it's room day one, I hope.

I'm going to admit -- I'm not one of those "natural mothers." I want an epidural. I thought the movie "The Business of Being Born" was pure propaganda. I want a doctor, not a midwife and I want to have my baby in a hospital. My birth plan is short and I don't need a doula. I am scared to breast feed but heck, I'm going to do it anyway. I dare you to judge me. I dare you! Let me add that I won't judge you for you opinions either because everyone is different. You do what you have to do. I won't judge you for going natural or having a midwife either. That's your decision.

With that being said, I'm laying down the ground rules when Lil Ben is here -- we're doing it our way -- not yours.

Man pregnant in Bend

I thought this was some kinda hoax but I guess it isn't. Check it out.

3rd trimester starts tomorrow

I can not believe how fast the 2nd trimester went. Tomorrow I'll be at 28 weeks -- 12until we can lay our eyes on our precious little baby. I hope the next few weeks fly by.

Here are some random quick updates:

* I've gained 26 pounds
* I passed the glucose test and my iron is fine
* My doctor wants more on my birth plan. I only have epidural and Brian cutting the cord
* I have three showers in April. I'm thankful for my friends and their generosity
* I'm having visitors this summer -- mainly coming to see the baby
* My best friend is moving April 4 to Portland. She's only a phone call away but I'm still sad.
* I'm more and more tired
* My feet hurt all the time
* I'm paranoid most of the time
* I've been really bored lately
* Birthing classes start soon!
* This little guy kicks all the time

That's all I can think of for now. Part of being tired all the time has lead me to be a very boring writer.

Note to self

On Saturday, I did a ton of running around. I did it with out eating because I have lost complete interest in food. I eat something and within an hour, I'm hungry again. This baby is going through I major growth spurt, I believe but food doesn't taste good to me. Well, around 5 p.m. on Saturday I became really nauseous and weak. I thought it was the flu and cancelled my evening plans I've been looking forward to all week. I choked down a LarBar and felt like I was going to throw up. In fact, I conned my friend into getting a sitter so we could go out but I had to cancel.

At 6 p.m., I crawled into bed and woke up at 9 p.m. to my husband checking on me. I got up for an hour and then ate a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich because it sounded good and my stomach was rumbling. At 10 p.m., I was running a 99.9 degree fever and made my husband run to Fred Meyer for Tylenol and Tums.

Sunday morning I woke up craving cinnamon rolls which really confirmed it wasn't the flu. I remember the wise words of my friend Shawn "if you're craving it, eat it!" So I made my husband take me to our favorite bakery for a cinnamon roll.

I thought it was the flu as I was achy and had the chills but now I believe it was because I just wasn't eating so let that be the lesson ... carry something in your purse in the 3rd trimester (which starts on Friday).

Naps

I'm back to almost needing mid-day naps again. I can't figure out if it's the time change or weeks away from entering into the 3rd trimester.

My friend Shawn tonight was telling me about all the emails she was getting regarding my shower next month. She sent invites to a lot of out of towners and since all won't be able to come, they are sending emails she can't share -- they're a surprise. I always never know who to invite to showers. I work with over 500 ppl and I only invited two ppl from work but more ppl keep asking when my shower is going to be and I'm touched but embarrassed I didn't think to invite them. When I'm at work, I'm work. Sometimes I socialize but it's kept to a minimum because we're swamped right now. But I'm touched, really touch at how many ppl I have there for me even when my family is far away and my mom isn't alive. (Gosh darn hormones are getting to me, can you tell).

My latest issue is with immunizations. It wasn't a big deal until all the news last week regarding autism and immunizations. I think I'm going to talk with the pediatrician about spreading them out but I turned out fine and I had them all on the schedule. The web isn't the best place to research it but I guess this is a start of the lifetime of worrying I will have when it comes to having children.

Speaking of immunizations, I guess I'm not immune to measles? That's what the doctor told me last time so I will need that before I leave the hospital. I know for a fact I had to get that shot again when I was in the third grade because there was a recall on the serum from when I got it as a child. Isn't that crazy? Or maybe I'm just immune to the shot completely!

Hormones, oh my

This whole pregnancy has been a breeze for me. I didn't have much morning sickness and I'm not having cravings just an aversion to vegetables but today I realized that I'm coming down with "mommy amnesia" -- the part of the pregnancy where you mix things up or forget things. It has happened several times today and my god, it's embarrassing because I'm not a flake. My blackberry keeps me organized. I use Microsoft Project at work. I'm organized. You can tell which room is not mine in my house because it's a mess and that's my husband's office. Hormones have struck too. Just ask my poor boss.

She gave me a few takes -- a couple in Illustrator, a few in Project and I had a meltdown on her. These are things I can do so why I am being difficult. At least I realized it and stopped myself. Let's just say she had a good laugh.

Thursday marks 3 months from my due date. Can you believe that? I can't. Before you know it, he'll be here.

Happy 26 weeks

I noticed yesterday that this guy is more and more action than he ever has been. Maybe it was because he reached 26 weeks or he was having a good day? Who knows. He was all over the place. I can't wait to see what he's like. That's what I'm most excited about.

The furniture is up! I'm going to spend today unpacking the closet 'o stuff everyone has given me. Pictures are to come.

The Bend Blogger story is online today. For the most part, the reporter got right what I said with one exception (which is OK). I had said after our first blogger meet up four years ago, I became friends in real life with a few, mainly Jon and Simone but somehow that was quoted as Jon and Jake (not to say I didn't become friends with Jake but I have become a regular commenter on his site). The story for once isn't behind the pay wall. You can read it here.

I met Jen, Missy and their husband/husband-to-be last night for Missy's bday. I was so tired from work that I just wanted to stay on the couch all night but I drug myself out because my husband had practice and I didn't want to be home alone. Those gals always give good advice. The thing I was stressing out about this week was immunizations because of all the talk about the autism link. They helped calm my fears so I guess it will be something to discuss with the pediatrician.

I still have a nasty cough in the morning only. It's dry and then my throat is really dry. Hope it goes away soon but it has gotten better.

sick

There is nothing worse than having a cold and not being able to take what usually works for your cold because you're carrying an unborn child. My cold got better on Saturday but yesterday I woke up feeling worse and today I feel worse than I did on Friday which is an improvement. There is nothing on TV and all I can think of is all the work I have to do at work but I need rest, for my little guy's sake.

My poor husband is a lot worse than I am and he had to go to work today. Maybe I should make him some chicken noodle soup. Nah, I'll just lay on my snoogle and watch netflix instead :)

Random thoughts for 25 weeks

Having a cold while being pregnant sucks but cough syrup (on the safe list) and a cool mist humidifier works wonders. I'm usually really congested in the morning because of the humidifier but by 10 a.m. I'm all cleared up but a little fuzzy. Hot water and lemon really helps sooth my throat drainage pain.

Exploring the cloth diaper thing some more. I think I'm turning into a treehugger. My mother would be proud.

My belly button is disappearing some more. Wanna take bets when I won't have one anymore?

Sleep has been non-existent. I believe this is prepping me for the baby.

I'm grateful for my Bend friends. I'm having three showers in April. And I will have a lot of help when the baby comes, something I was worried about. After living here for four years, I finally feel like I have good people in my life.

I'm home tonight by myself since my husband has band practice. He's done a good job of hanging out with me the last two nights but I've realized that maybe I should embrace these Saturday nights because in a few months, I definitely won't be alone.

Got some big bills coming up. I believe there is something wrong with the front right shock in our Jeep that I'm pretty sure isn't covered by the warranty. The Honda needs new brakes before we head to Baker City next month (why not take the Jeep? well, the Honda is awesome on gas unlike the Jeep -- I wish we could get rid of it and get a Subaru). Plus I'm learning how much my insurance pays for stuff (hardly anything for the two ultrasounds I had). I told myself I'm not going to worry about money.

Can't wait to get my taxes done mainly because the above. Waiting on one more form and I'll see how much I'm getting back. The home interest really really has helped.

The baby's room should be done this week. I can't wait to organize and put away stuff.

Not much that's baby related but he's really moving around.