Valentine's Day at the Spa

Valentine got the royal doggy treatment yesterday, although I don't know how much she enjoyed it. Chad brushed her teeth with liver toothpaste while she tried to eat the toothbrush. Then he gave her a manicure (aka clipped her nails as I held her down). Next it was into the shower for a shampoo - she looks so miserable when she is wet but she was a good sport through it all. And look at the chic pup now!

I am fabulous!

Thankful

I have so much to be thankful for this year - I am thankful for every day I get to spend with the man of my dreams, my wonderful friends and family, the miracle growing inside, Chad and I both have jobs, I am gaining an awesome brother and sister in law,and I live in a country where you don't have to pay to use the bathroom! Hooray!! (that could get expensive for a pregnant lady)

My loved ones have been treating this pregnant woman VERY well. Concerned about my comfort during the last month of hugeness, my mom and sister got me these comfy pajamas (socks & slippers too!). Thanks Mom and Annie!

My husband made me the tastiest turkey vegetable soup from scratch - I call it comfort in a bowl. I savored every spoonful, the baby liked it too:) Thanks hun - I am so lucky to have such a talented personal chef!

34 weeks on Thanksgiving!

Oh my gosh - could this be right?!? The baby weighs around 5 lbs! He/she better save some room for turkey, pie, and oyster stew! The baby has cute, chubby fat and is regulating its own body temp. My body temp has been very warm during this pregnancy. Its a battle in the car - I'm constantly asking Chad to turn down the heat -Very uncharacteristic for me. I can't even button my coat anymore! The latest challenges: laying down, getting up, and putting shoes on. 150 was the magic number at the doctors today - I almost weigh 150 and the baby's heart rate was in the 150s.

I wasn't kidding when I said how much I like breakfast food. This is one of the 4 blueberry pancakes I had for dinner!

Rough Day

I couldn't sleep last night. About 4:45am I realized it wasn't that I was uncomfortable, I was just awake. So I got up.
I was tired and ready to go home by 10:00am. But I couldn't. So I ate a brownie.
That made the baby run wild. All that movement made me feel car sick!
I have to go to the bathroom all the time. Even right after I go!
At lunch I burnt my tongue on clam chower.
I wish the baby would flip head down because its head AND its butt on either side of my belly button makes for a LOT of pressure.
I am so tired I can't even think. I can't even walk to the car. Good thing its a 3 day week - 1 down, 2 to go!

33 Weeks

Baby West is around 4 lbs - the size of a pineapple! He or she gets really excited when hearing his/her dad's voice. His/Her most distinctive features - butt (thanks mom!) and head (thanks dad!). Sometimes I think the baby's head is going to rip through my skin! Its hard to believe it might still double in weight - where will it all go!?
Last night we saw Where the Wild Things Are in the theater and the baby was moving a lot during the loud parts and music. I think we will introduce the book first :)
I have thought of some foods I have really liked during pregnancy. I don't know if I would call them cravings because I haven't gone out to get anything in the middle of the night, but here are some of my favorite things:

-toast with butter or jelly. Actually any breakfast food - pancakes, waffles, eggs, french toast

-soup

-applesauce

-peanuts/peanut butter, PB&J, PB and chocolate on bananas, peanuts & raisins/craisins

-this hot lunch we had in grade school with this mystery chicken or turkey in a gravy sauce that was poured over rice or instant mashed potatoes - I know, random. I don't know where to satisfy this weird craving!

Lazy Days

I don't think I have ever been so lazy in my life. It feels so good. I have been more chilled out in the past 8 months, not feeling like I have to be doing something productive every second of the day. My workout at the YMCA is now down to just stretching. Evenings are walking Valentine and doing dishes, or making dinner. Then I sometimes blog, snuggle with my puppy, veg on the couch, and go to bed at 10:00 sharp! Weekends are delighfully un-eventful - sleeping in, going for walks, watching movies. I am enjoying this now because things will be a lot different in about 50 days.
Today I am loathing being at work. All I can think about is vacation and not working. Approx 30 more work days - I think I can handle that ;)

Bedroom fit for a Baby

The "office" went through a quick transformation to "nursery" last night. The carpet was so pitiful Chad ripped it off like he was ripping a sticker off a notebook. Next we assembled the crib without even reading the directions! This parenting thing is going to be a breeze! :)

We arranged the changing table, crib, rocking chair, and 2 rugs around and around until it made sense - Voila!

Favorite pregnancy products

I have made it 8 months with no stretch marks, which probably has nothing to do with this St. Ives lotion, but I still lather it on every day. I couldn't stand the smell of Palmers Coco Butter, so I chose St. Ives based on the smell and vitamin E.

My maternity wardrobe consists of 2 pairs of dress pants, 1 pair of jeans, and about 10 dresses. I was shopping with my sister this summer and looking at all the cute maxi dresses and thinking dresses would be really comfortable for a pregnant belly. But what was I going to wear in the winter? My sister had the brilliant idea of still wearing dresses- just with tights and boots for the colder weather. My under armor is so comfortable - leggings and a tank top. Throw a dress on top with a sweater and flat boots and you are all set to go!
My leotard

I look like a pregnant ballerina




















My friend Jenny sent me this really yummy tea. Thanks Jen - you are so thoughtful!

I have not had much trouble sleeping on my side. I have always been a stomach sleeper, so hugging this body pillow really helps. Rolling over is getting more difficult each day.

8 months

Have I mentioned it takes a long time to grow a baby? We are so excited - 8 weeks left!!!

Another blog to read

hey everyone - check out my husband's blog: Shay Chad

I just got back from my doctor appointment and she said I am measuring perfect and the baby's heart sounds good!

Splash of Color

A big THANK YOU to my family for coming over to paint our house! Last weekend the crew of 5 helped my husband out with painting the baby's room, hallway, bathroom, and our bedroom. It turned out great! It's so nice to no longer have plain white walls!

The baby's room is a creamy tan color (above). Now we just have to put the crib together and we will be all set!

We had a great time celebrating my mom's birthday and brother's engagement. Unfortunately we were not able to celebrate a Packer victory. I really appreciated everyones hard work - we always have fun together!

Week 31

9 weeks left - that should get the shock reaction out of a few people! Yes, only 9....looking to 9 fun weeks of Thanksgiving, first snow, Christmas - it is probably 9 of the best weeks in the year! I love the atmosphere of the holidays downtown...Christmas shopping, white lights, Hollidazzle parade.

The baby is now around 3 lbs and 16 inches - no wonder I am feeling so much squirming! I just had some lentil soup for lunch and he/she really liked that! The babe is going through a big growth spurt gaining lots of fat. So for the health of my child I feel obligated to eat lots of icecream - banana cream pie blizzards and just about any flavor of Haagen Dazs.

I may have felt 2 Braxton-Hicks contractions. Not sure, but the past 2 nights I have had a 30 second cramping pain. Also the linea negra is making an apprearance down the middle of my belly.

Belly Button Bullseye

My belly button has not "popped" yet, but its getting there. It is certainly not the deep inny I once had. It is now the pinnacle of my stretching protruding belly, which can make it a little tender. Especially when I get an elbow or a little fist anywhere in the vicinity. But I can't complain, I love the movement.

I attended another baby class at Abbott the other night. This is the first thing I saw on the power point when I walked in. Nice. The class wasn't that great, but the teacher was hilarious - she reminded me of Rachel Ray. Not that I think Rachel Ray is really funny, but the hard edge accent made the topic more interesting. Breastfeeding is not a hard sell and I'm optomistic about it. Just overwhelmed at the time I will need to be available (ALL the time) and fearing not being able to ever leave the house. Ask me in April how I feel about pumping ;)