Labor Day Weekend Recap

I started this post 21 days ago and in order to preserve the weekend in my online "diary" I am still going to finish it....sorry its a bit late.

Labor Day weekend was a blast!!  Friday one of my best friends came to visit with her family.  I was so excited to see them - and to hang out with my little god daughter - she's adorable - see below (and I think the trigger for my baby girl dream).  Other than a great friendly visit the purpose of their visit was to attend the UNC - LSU Chick Fil A Kickoff Game.  James went to UNC (think we have talked about that here) and friend's hubby is a HUGE LSU fan.  To make Friday even more interesting, 4 of James' friends (my friends now too) from UNC came to spend the night before the game.  Rather than feeding all of them, we ate at a restaurant close  by.  The girls left after dinner, and the boys stayed until after midnight.  We enjoyed the rest of the evening catching up and chit-chatting.  We were up early (the girls that is) on Saturday morning.  D and I enjoyed the cooler temperatures and sat on the front porch with little A.  It was so nice!  The boys finally made it out of bed and rallied.  James and C headed to the Ga Tech season opener and the other friends headed to checkin and set up the tailgate for the UNC game.  D and I relaxed at the pool and then got ready to head to the game.  Me in my Caroline blue, D&A in their purple.  About halfway to the parking garage, I started to smell something and it wasn't exactly pleasant.  We decided it was A's diaper, but thought we would wait until we parked.....Boy were we in for a surprise.  It was a BLOWOUT of proportions I had never seen...up to the armpits.  And off came the cute little LSU onesie!!!  The final score was not in UNC's favor, but was somewhat to be expected given their current issues.  We finally got home and in bed around 12:30 AM...another late night!  Sunday was more relaxing.  We went to the pool and planned to cookout with some other friends.  Dinner was awesome as the weather was still fairly cool and we ate outside.  After dinner, we played cards until 1:30 AM.  Third late night of the weekend for this pregnant lady.  D & family left Monday morning.  It was sad to see them go, we had such a great time hanging out and are definitely looking forward to their next visit!!
After they left, James and I ate lunch and got settled on the couch - James to study and me to nap, all while watching US Open tennis.  Let's just say between the hours of 11:30 AM and 6:00 PM, I alternated between sleep and watching tennis.  I was a tired girl, but was definitely refreshed and enjoyed my nap!!

The only pictures from the weekend were from the pool, so I picked a couple I thought were cute!!  Just love this little girl!!
(Hope her mommy doesn't get mad I posted pictures)

28 Weeks

warning - long post - really 2 posts combined in one

We're in the 3rd trimester, its all down hill from here, only 1/3 left to go, yikes its getting closer....WOW! (Some resources say we entered it last week, so say this week, so I waited until this week to "declare" it)

Baby is growing and apparently so am I.  My email today says Baby weighs 2 1/4 pounds and is about 14.8 inches from head to toe.  I say all that growth is producing some pretty powerful movements.  Some feel like Baby is using my insides as a punching bag.  Others feel like Baby is stretching all 14 inches out and I feel it on both sides of my belly.  (I think Baby knows I am talking about him/her as I am getting attacked as I write this.)  Back to me getting bigger....its getting a bit uncomfortable.  I have moved my "office" so that I can sit in the big chair that has an ottoman.  Sitting straight up and down at the table is not comfortable anymore.  I find myself taking really deep breaths (which generally triggers questions from James making sure I am okay.)  I am still in some non maternity clothes, mainly my nike workout pants, tennis outfits and t shirts/tank tops.  In fact I ran into Old Navy last night and picked up some tshirts for $4.50 (they are on sale for $5 and Tuesday is 10% day with my BR card).  I grabbed them in size medium and figured for that cheap, I didn't care if I stretch them out too much.  I'm still working out, walking and playing tennis.  Though, I think my muscles are getting weaker - I struggled with the weights this week.  Also, I have had some cramping in my calves when walking.  But from what I read this is all to be expected.
Please know - I am not complaining about the above (well maybe sometimes and maybe just a bit) because we really are excited about the arrival of little one, and carrying him/her in my belly for 9 months is a small price to pay!  (I know I need to clean the bathroom mirror - sorry for the specks, but its the soon to be nursery and its in redo mode)  I gave you shots from all angles, I think Baby is sitting towards my right side.  (Hopefully I'll have better pictures later - James can take some!)

Big moment for the week....We selected a paint color.  I have been mentioning this for awhile now and technically owe you a whole post on it.  But, let's discuss here.  We (I mean mainly I) was going for a graying blue wall.  For a boy we would use navy/white or brown/white or green/white, some decent options.  For a girl we would use pinks/white - mainly hot pinks.  So during a sale at SW in August, we picked up 3 paint samples.  James put them up in a few places in the room (you know to check lighting and all).  None of them really worked for either of us.  So one day while out running errands, I stopped at Home Depot and picked up 4 more samples and put them on the wall.  One might have worked for me and seeing the new 4, James decided one of the SW colors might work for him.  But bottom line, none were what we really wanted.  Fast forward to Friday.....SW is having another 40% off sale and we're determined to make a decision.  We purchased 5 more samples.  (That's a total of 12 paint samples if you're keeping track).  3 blue samples, 2 green samples (don't get me started on that, let's just say James had this wild idea that green would solve our indecision).  FINALLY a blue we like!  On Sunday we purchased 2 gallons....a decision has been made and executed!!  Pictures below of our paint swatch walls......

The room has been cleared of furniture for another project (we're replacing carpet with hardwoods) but the bed was left for kids to crash on game night a couple weeks ago.  The door in the picture is to the bathroom, closet is off the bathroom.  Also - I had forgotten about James putting up that taupey green color on the bottom - so that makes 13 colors

This wall has all 13 color swatches....The winner is the second one from the left on the top row....its called Tidewater from SW.  (this picture shows it the best.)

Angle from the bathroom door.  This shows the final 5 color swatches. 

Last week I made my last trip to Lexington, this weekend is our last scheduled road trip and my last plane trip for work is at the end of Oct....time is flying by and Baby will be here soon....exciting and scary all at the same time!

Upcoming Birthday

My birthday has sneaked up on me this year (its in 2 weeks) and the gift idea requests have started to come in.  The last couple years I have posted a wish list of sorts and that has helped (since most of my family reads this little blog of mine!)  (see 2009 here and 2008 here).  But this year I am just not sure.  There are a lot of things I want, but most are baby related - and well its going to be all about baby in the next few months, so I wouldn't mind getting something for me (you know, kind of like savoring the moments before baby's arrival, even though baby has taken over my body).  The suggestions I have given so far are shoes (which are hard to buy for someone else) (I am in need of new shoes because anything other than flip flops are not fitting properly anymore, apparently my feet are growing in pregnancy) and a diaper bag (but that too is baby related).  Maybe spa treatments - yea - that's definitely just for me and would be very relaxing (massage and facial).....but then I have to find the time to do that and well, the next few weekends are busy and we really need to get cracking on the nursery and some other home projects (Yes, I know nesting is part of it).  And then as I look at the home projects, we are going to need new rugs, maybe some curtains and other accent pieces, but that doesn't translate into a birthday gift very well.

I guess the best I can do is post below some of the things I have bookmarked lately that caught my eye.....

From Etsy Seller Miss Betty Lou - there are some other great color combinations that are pretty as well - nothing like a pretty statement necklace to dress up a boring maternity top!

Not sure that worked either, because this was the only non baby thing bookmarked.  Shoes and maternity clothes are the only things in my shopping bags....hmmmm....so I really didn't get anywhere....Any ideas?!?!

UPDATED::

Maybe a cardigan like this one from Anthropologie (it should fit before AND after baby - and I don't plan to buy a coat but rather to layer)

Or this one from Banana Republic

Or this one at Land's End Canvas...(sorry can't get the picture to load)

I'll try to add more as I think of something or someone gives me an idea (Thanks Up North Preppy!!!)

Saturday

Happy Saturday!  We have a busy weekend ahead of us...GA Tech football game at noon, yard work (mostly James), thank you notes, Fall decorating, furniture moves, church, Sunday school, tennis (if it doesn't rain), and I'm sure something else will pop up! 

We're expecting rain here in Atlanta, hopefully the weather will begin to cool off and it will feel more "Fall-like"......

Have a great weekend!

Fall TV Season

BEB posted what was in her DVR and thought I would share too....

MONDAY

HIMYM - CBS - 8PM

The Event - NBC - 9PM ???  Thought it would be nice to see the first couple and decide on it

Caste - ABC - 10PM

Hawaii Five-0  - CBS - 10PM

TUESDAY

Good Wife - starts next week

WEDNESDAY

Not really a good tv night, so nothing.

THURSDAY

Bones - Fox - 8PM

Grey's Anatomy - ABC - 9PM

CSI - CBS - 9PM

SUNDAY

Undercover Boss - CBS - 10PM maybe

So ladies, tell me what I am missing???

27 weeks

I will do the basic facts update at the end of the post, but wanted to document something that happened on Friday.

I am not sure if I mentioned it a couple weeks ago, but I was having pretty intense Braxton Hicks.  I called the doctor's office just to be sure it wasn't anything to be concerned about.  Basically, they are normal and the only time to be concerned is if you get about 8 an hour.  I was told to drink lots of water and rest on my left side to help them settle down.

Fast forward to last Friday.  Last week was a crazy week.  I was working on a project with our team in the Netherlands.  I started each morning by 7, 7:30 at the latest and went non stop until lunch.  After lunch was spent getting caught up on my "regular job."  Due to the early mornings, I was treating myself to 1 cup of coffee each morning.  I went to the gym on Tuesday and had tennis practice on Thursday.  I drank plenty of fluids at both, or at least I thought I did.  Friday was an early morning and I had a couple specific things that had to be done before the end of the day.  I finished those around 2ish and decided I would call it a day.  I rested on the couch some.  I noticed I was having some cramping - BH probably - but was just relaxing.  I didn't sleep much.  Around 4, I got up and showered because I had to run to the butcher and the grocery.  While out I noticed the BH were pretty strong, but I was only having 4-5 an hour, which according to the nurse is not enough to be seen or to cause concern.  But then I was also getting some pressure down below, and that worried me.  I called Mom (she's an RN) and she said to drink some water and see what happened.  So, I laid on the couch and drank a couple glasses of water.  It didn't get any better, so at 7, I called the doctor's office (yes, I know, they had to get the doctor on call, and I probably should have called earlier).  The midwife called back.....when I told her what was going on and that I had just finished 2 glasses of water and was relaxing with no relief SHE LAUGHED.  Yes, SHE LAUGHED AT ME.  She said "You need to drink 10 glasses in the next half hour."  Apparently I was just really dehydrated.....So I said I would do that.  I got through 3 tall glasses and thought I would throw up (that's a lot of water people).  Then the trips to the potty started, about every 20 minutes.  I continued on the water the rest of the evening and was very aware of my fluid intake over the weekend.  I seem to be doing better on not get dehydrated because I haven't had many BH.

The above might not be a big deal, but to an emotional first time mom, it was kind of scary! 
Moral of the story - STAY HYDRATED!!


Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along:  27 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  15ish lbs according to my scale.

Maternity Clothes:  Comfy clothes (workout capris, etc) are still regular sizes, but getting "dressed" for church, work, etc requires maternity clothes.  Finding though that I'm needing a couple new sports bras and other workout stuff that might be best if its maternity....so, more and more maternity clothes....

Best Moment this week:  Clearing out the nursery - this is just step 1 of the total process, but it was a step

Gender:  Its a SURPRISE!

Movement:  Lots of movement, and some of it is getting really strong!!

Food Craving:  Nothing that is a craving, but I can put a hurtin' on some Cool Ranch Doritos!!

What I miss:  Full night sleep ;)

Sleep: pretty interrupted

What I am looking forward to: Getting the nursery put together. If we could just pick out a paint color (that's another post)

Belly Button: In, but its closing up, so I expect it will push out.

Symptoms: BH, dehydration (apparently), hips spreading and hurting, super tight belly

Week 26 Update

I can't believe I posted a picture in my bathing suit, but this is the most current picture.  This is from 24 1/2 weeks.  Yes, the bump is growing.  The suit is not maternity, but one I got earlier this summer thinking it would take me through this summer and I could even wear it again next summer.  I have a bandeau like top as well that would show belly.

I got a comment asking me a few questions, so I thought I would use those as the topics for today's post.  It should cover most things to update.

How have you been feeling?  Overall I am still feeling great.  The heartburn/reflux issue is still there, so I am taking Zantac 2 times a day and chewing on tums for those times I get it even with the medicine.  It happens at random times during the day though, so its hard to tie it to specific foods or time of eating.  My hips are apparently spreading, or at least they are sore and that is the reason I have determined.  I asked the doctor about it - she said to be sure to stretch, maybe some yoga, but that it was part of being pregnant.  She said I didn't have to stop my workouts (walking, tennis, lifting) but to take a warm bath and soak afterward.  So, I've started that using my Avaha bath salts (these were a hot deal at Marshall's I picked up while in KY - 14.99 for the BIG 80 oz jug!!!  These are definitely coming in handy.)  The picture is the small size, you can find them for 9.99 at TJMaxx or Marshalls.

www.ahavaus.comsite/site/017N.html

I'm still not sleeping through the night.  I think I might have slept through the night 5 times since we found out I was pregnant.  One was this week, but it was only for 6 hours, so I am not sure that counts since I try to get 8 hours (I'm trying to get as much as I can now in preparation because I am one of those people who need their sleep) 
Also baby moves A LOT!  And its getting stronger and stronger.  I love to lay and watch my belly move around, its amazing!  In the picture below I was trying to get James to notice the moving belly (I know another bathing suit pic, what in the world am I thinking?!?!?!)  I might also have the "good lord kid, you're killing me" expression going on here too....I'm telling ya, this little kid is strong and sometimes its quite a shock to me!!

Dr Appts going well?  So far so good with the doctor appointments.  I had my glucose test last week.  I chilled the orange drink and it wasn't that bad.  It tasted like a super sweet Sunkist or something.  I didn't have any reaction to it either.  I had planned to go to the appointment alone as James had a meeting, but a friend suggested I not.  She took me (great friend!) because she had gotten sick, as had many others, and she didn't want me to be alone.  But, I was fine.  I haven't gotten the results back, but hopefully all is good.  The midwife measured my belly, but didn't say anything.  In fact, that's how must appointments go.  They ask if I have any questions and that's about it.  No mention of my weight, blood pressure, etc.  (Though I  know my BP is pretty good 120s/70s).  The midwife did say that my next appt was in 4 weeks and then after that we would go every 2 weeks and then every week.....um that means we're getting close to baby arriving and I'm not so sure we're ready for that!!  (all previous testing at the doctor's office has gone well with nothing out of the ordinary - we've been very lucky!!)

Any Boy/Girl Feelings yet? - I think I mentioned awhile back that I had a dream the baby was a boy and that I called him by the name we had decided.  After that, no dreams about baby until this week.  This time I dreamed it was a baby girl.  I didn't call her by a name though since we're still undecided.  So not sure if that means anything.
Several people are convinced its a girl.  One of my friends is so convinced she sent me home from KY with a bag of baby girl sleepers - you know, just in case ;)  Mom thinks girl.  Dad told me this weekend he had a dream it was a girl.  There are still some that say boy, James specifically (maybe wishful thinking - though he says he saw nuggets at the 20 week u/s though we didn't find out and were not supposed to be looking - I think he's full of it).  I thought boy for awhile too, but now I am not sure.  I have caught myself a couple times saying or thinking "baby girl F" and then the dream this week....just not sure.
I have looked up some Old Wives Tales online and I end up with about 50/50 on my answers.  We can't use the Chinese Gender Calendar (which some people swear by) because "it" could have happened the last day of one month or the first of the other and wouldn't you know the result is different depending on the month.  So I think we are just destined to find out whenever baby arrives....that was our plan anyway!!!

I think that sums up the past couple weeks regarding baby.  I'm trying to get better at posting, promise!!!

not a great picture (nice chins) but another one where you can see the bump....this is my little goddaughter - isn't she cute!!!

Something New

I just did something new.....I ordered my first item from Gilt Groupe.  (Gilt Groupe is an invitation only clearance site).  I am also a member of RueLaLa, One Kings Lane, and Zulily (let me know if you'd like an invitation to any of them) but have not bought anything.  Gilt had a maternity section and I had a $25 credit, so I bit the bullet and bought this dress from Maternal America for less than $50.  I think it will come in handy this fall for church, Thanksgiving or a shower.  If the dip up top is too low and reveals my ever growing b**bs, then I'll just wear a camisole. 

What do you think - good purchase??  Have you ever bought from one of these sites??