Playing catch-up

*waves*

Oh hai! I'm the bad blogger who disappeared into mommydom. I continue to mentally write blog posts--witty, informative posts filled with all of my newfound, bountiful wisdom... and then promptly forget them.

So here I am with a few minutes to myself, so I'm going to try to throw together a halfway coherent post to let you know how things are going.

First, the behbeh... She is magical. She eats and sleeps like a champ. We go 3 1/2 hour stretches at night, eat/change dipe, and we're right back to bed. LOVE LOVE LOVE that! And hello? She's hella cute!



However, the one thing I was NOT prepared for was how challenging breastfeeding would be. I took a class before I gave birth that came highly recommended, so I felt pretty prepared and determined... And then my LO arrived with a voracious hunger and vampire-like sucking ability.

The lactation consultants in the hospital were less than helpful (one was downright condescending) so the day after we got home from the hospital, I marched myself (okay, technically DH drove) to the local breastfeeding center where I took my class for some assistance. That plus some YouTube'ing of BF'ing videos and we were back in business--greatly improved, but still painful.

Tonight a friend suggested that I look into a nipple shield to help me out while things are healing up and after seeking further advice from some very helpful friends, I was on my merry little way to Target and returned home with the shield in hand and proceeded to finally have a pain-free feeding. WOOT!

Anyway, let's round out the Mah Belleh Fridays with a final Mah Belleh report...



How far along? Lilly is 2 weeks, 5 days old. By the time I left the hospital, I was down about 14 lbs and probably looked like I did when I was 25-28 weeks pregnant. Within a few days (wearing my beloved Bella Bands and doing the abdomen massage my sister suggested) it has continued to flatten out. I'm actually very pleased with how everything's going back to normal. I'm down about 23 lbs now, with about 10 to go.

Stretch marks? OMG, you guys--none! I'm still waiting for something to appear but so far, so good. Still giving mad props to my Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Balm--and I'm still using it. My skin is actually snapping back nicely.

Sleep: 3 1/2 hour stretches, usually from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. Whoohoo!

Best moment this week: Coming home from Target with my nipple shield and having a pain-free nursing... You have no idea!

Movement: I thought I would miss being pregnant, but having her on the outside immediately erased those thoughts. I don't even think about it because I still feel very much connected to her.

Food commentary: Pardon my voracious breastfeeding hunger. It is so out of control, it's sort of embarrassing, but I'm still losing weight so whatever! I will enjoy this while it lasts.

Labor Signs: I actually didn't have many labor signs. I had Braxton Hicks every night (they'd be 5 minutes apart) and then one night BAM--Water broke!

Belly Button in or out? Mine never really popped out much, it just had a little lip that jutted forward. It's back in, but shall we say... sort of "cavernous"? It's shrinking up, though.

What I miss: Nothing actually. My heart's never been so full.

What I am looking forward to: Every day that I get to stay home with this little bugger. Did I mention that she's magical.

Weekly Wisdom: Make good friends with a wonderful, supportive, smart mommy community. I cannot say THANK YOU loud enough or often enough for all of the insight, support, and love we've been given.

Weekly WTF: WTF breastfeeding? Why do you have to be so painful!? Isn't this supposed to be some beautiful, natural experience? I'm sticking with it, but dang! Can't a girl catch a break?

Nesting madness: We are all nestled in and happy as clams.

Milestones: My baby is up over her birth weight again! We went to the pediatrician's on Monday and she was 9 lbs and measuring in the 90th percentile for height, weight and head circumference. Go Lilly!!

We've come a long way, baby!

Tomorrow is my due date. I am due with a baby tomorrow. Today is October 8th and tomorrow is the 9th. My pregnancy ticker says I have one day left and my little monster icon has crawled past all of the flying bats and into the creepy tree with the sunset behind it.

No matter how I say it or try to visualize it, it's still very surreal. I guess my continued denial is still a very powerful thing--which is good because I could still be looking at being pregnant for, oh, the next two weeks or so. I have my next midwife appointment on Tuesday and if I haven't had a baby yet, we'll schedule an ultrasound and NST for the next week when I'm 41w. If the testing comes back fine (and continues to) they'd let me go to 42 weeks (maybe +2 days?)

Yes, I'm still at work. Yes, (for the most part) I feel pretty good. No, I'm not terribly anxious or afraid. Just disbelief... Lots and lots of disbelief.

How far along? 39w6d!!

Stretch marks? I have looked and looked, lifted my bump, looked underneath. Every time I *think* I may see one, I can't find it again later or discover it's just a vein. Curious to see if I'll have any "aftershock" stretch marks" or ones that I just can't see yet.

Sleep: Earlier this week was rough. Lilly dropped on Sunday, which sent my hips into a tailspin Monday/Tuesday--but it's gotten better. DH had a hard time sleeping a few nights because I was moaning in my sleep. Oh well--payback for his snoring, eh? Last night I slept well and he said I barely moaned, just a few sighs. Whee!

Best moment this week: DH and I went on a date, held hands and everything. I couldn't help but keep the receipt from the restaurant in case I went into labor that night that I'd have a record of our last meal together before baby. ;-)

Movement: She's slowing down a bit as she's running out of room, which I hate. I like all of the pushes and rolls and it freaks me out if she's quiet for a little while. I'm just so used to her being a bundle of activity and constantly throwing a foot to my left side and watching the foot bump roll around. Hilarious!

Food commentary: Since she dropped, my appetite has been back a bit. I'm more "snacky" than I've been in awhile and since I hadn't gained weight in a few weeks, decided to enjoy it.

Labor Signs: No such luck. I have BH contractions throughout the day and by 5:00 p.m., they're usually 5 minutes apart. Once I lay down for the night--WHAM! Gone. I have not decided if I'm willing to discuss my cervix or mucous plug on here, but suffice to say neither have made significant progress.

Belly Button in or out? AACK! There is a little lip that pokes out sometimes, depending on what position she is in! ICKY!

What I miss: Everyone not looking at me like I'm a walking time bomb.

What I am looking forward to: People not looking at me like I'm a walking time bomb.

Weekly Wisdom: Um... I've got nothing. I'm not that smart, apparently.

Weekly WTF: WTF, due date? HOW ARE YOU HERE?!!

Nesting madness: Oh yeah! Last weekend DH decided to tear apart our bathroom! We had planned on remodeling it earlier this year, but other house issues got in the way, so he decided to suddenly do a "quick refresh." Some spackling, paint, new vanity, hardware and accessories later... We've got a refreshed bathroom! ($5 says he paints our other bathroom this weekend, he is a nesting fool!)

Milestones: MY DUE DATE!!!!!!!!

Wherein you *TRY* not to think of a jack-o-lantern...

Hey lookie lookie! I did my hair and wore my most seasonally festive sweater that I own... just for you! ;-)


Actually, after seeing that last series of photos, I realized how lazy and tired I looked with my hair pulled back, so I've been making more of an effort to get up on time and do my hair instead of sleeping in and just letting it air dry on the way to work... And I'm not going to lie, it actually makes me feel less tired throughout the day.

So anyway, I know it isn't Friday, but since I've been remiss lately and we're approaching the end, I didn't want to miss out on another week of surveys/photos. So here goes!

How far along? *rubs eyes, shakes head* 38w2d... really?!

Stretch marks? Still none... can you effing believe it?

Sleep: Still sleeping better than I thought I would be. I'm up every 2-3 hours to pee, but I usually fall right back asleep. That's about when I'd need to roll over and take some more papaya for my heartburn/acid reflux, so it just makes sense to hit all 3 markers before trying to fall back asleep.

Best moment this week: DH reading his favorite childhood book to her with his head in my lap. My heart about burst with rainbows.

Movement: I still love movement--all of it. The hiccups, the kicks, scratches, and wiggles. It's all pretty great. However, I think I tore something around my belly button last week--I was talking to DH and sneezed and I swear I felt my stomach muscles rip right in the middle. It burns and hurts pretty bad, but is slowly getting better.

Food commentary: Somehow I ate like total crap this weekend and gained no weight. This is not good for my motivation. I've been trying to still keep eating really well (forcing down veggies, limiting sugars) but I'm getting tired of being a good girl.

Labor Signs: None. When I don't drink enough water, I get hella bad Braxton Hicks that don't go away.

Belly Button in or out? Still in, but stretched to capacity. She hasn't put her head towards the back just yet, so there's nothing really putting pressure on it to push forward, but it's just so, so stretched!

What I miss: I'm not really freaking out about missing anything. I like how things are right now--I can still move around, we're in the home stretch, and I'm enjoying our last tidbits of peace and quiet with it being just me and DH... We've waited a long time for this, so in the grand scheme of things the next few weeks/month are no big deal. She'll be here soon enough!

What I am looking forward to: Oktoberfest beers, sleeping on my back, getting off of the couch/out of bed/out of the car within a reasonable timeframe... but really--none of these are that big of a deal to me.

Weekly Wisdom: If I can quote my borrowed Hypnobabies pregnancy affirmations CD, "Babies are born on their birth days, not when doctors say they will be born." I mean, unless there's a scheduled C/S, she's going to show up on the date that she's ready to show up. I'm sure in a few weeks I'll start doing the old wives tales to move things along (I mean, I need to keep myself entertained somehow, right?) but still--she's going to arrive when she feels like it. And if you've ever met me (or anyone else in my family) you should be well aware that this will NOT be on time. ;-)

Weekly WTF: WTF October? How are you right around the corner??

Nesting madness: Miss Lilly's room is all ready for her, but I'm still trying to get the house in order. It seems like whenever I get one room under control, another spirals out of control. Oh well--I'd imagine this will be an uphill battle for awhile.

Milestones: Dude... 38 weeks? I've started to get some "you're about to pop!" comments... Guess I should get used to that for the next few weeks, eh?

Wherein I delight you with mah amazing growing belleh (and finally change my shirt)

So I've been remiss in writing. Again.

I'd make some valiant, dramatic promise to never let a few weeks lapse, but I think we'd both know it's a dirty lie. You know me better than that.

So anyway--here's where we left off (and apparently the precise point when I decided to give up on actually doing my hair).
33w6d


And then the day I was finally arrested for cardigan abuse...
34w6d


And finally Ohio decided to cool off a little bit, so I pulled out one of the three sweaters that fit me (This is actually a Limited Too size 14 sweater dress... judge all you want, it's comfortable even though I look like a walking blob of chewed up Bubbalicious.
35w6d



How far along? 35w6d

Stretch marks? *whispers* No. I'm hiding from them. I mean, I know they'll find me soon, but I'm going to hide out as long as possible.

Sleep: Well, I'm up to pee about 3 times a night now (had been doing well with 1-2 lately). At 4:305:00 I wake up with crazy thirst, then acid reflux, and can't fall back asleep until 20 minutes before my alarm goes off. Oh and my hips crack like they're breaking in half when I roll over to get out of bed. Despite all of that, I'm doing pretty well--and I mean that! Once I'm up and moving, I'm fine.

Best moment this week: I think she's head down again. Just need to confirm on Tuesday at my MW appointment and then I can start trying to move her posterior because this little lady is sunny side up right now!

Movement:

Food commentary: I'm struggling. All I want are waffle fries and ranch dressing and my chicka-cherry-colas. That's it. I'm still eating other things, but they're not what I want.

Labor Signs: Since last Thursday, I suddenly became one big Braxton Hicks contraction. I feel like it's pretty much 24/7. It doesn't hurt, it just feels weird and tight. Hopefully I'll get used to it. I'm using them as an opportunity to practice my relaxation and belly breathing.

Belly Button in or out? Still in! Oh for the love of god, I hope it stays in because honestly, outies gross me the F out.

What I miss: Have I mentioned lately how much I miss sleeping on my back lately? OOOOH! I cannot wait!!

What I am looking forward to: We're finally getting carpeting today, so I get to work on the baby's room all weekend and then get my house back to normal! I AM SO EFFING EXCITED, it's been a state of chaos since like May!

Weekly Wisdom: I took a really great breastfeeding class the other night at a local breastfeeding center. While it's not wisdom to share since I don't have any actual experience in it yet, it made me feel good, supported, and a little bit more prepared for actually feeding my child when they arrive into the world.

Weekly WTF: WTF, time? Why are you going so fast? I'm really going to miss having my little belly buddy around, keeping me entertained with her pushes, punches, and hiccups. Is it wrong that I kinda like being pregnant? I mean, I'm ready for a break (been pregnant 57 of the last 73 weeks or so) but overall pregnancy has been pretty good to me.

Nesting madness: Dude, did you see what I'm looking forward to??

Milestones: Some dr's/hospitals consider 36w full term. I think it's a milestone to hit the point where people won't freak out if you happen to go into labor. And yesterday was Sep 9--one month from my EDD!!

For the love of god and everything holy--change your shirt, Charlie Brown!

So apparently I not only need to stop wearing the same outfit on every single Friday, I also owe you some klassy work bathroom photos and an update. ;-)

30w6d...


32w6d...


How far along? 32w6d

Stretch marks? Nope, none. Thank jeebus, genetics, and Burt's Bee's Mama Bee Belly Balm. But I'm sure they'll arrive eventually.

Sleep: My borrowed Hypnobabies CD's have me out like a light in about 5 minutes, but I keep waking up around 2-3 a.m. Oh well.

Best moment this week: Watching this little monster move around like she's trying to climb out through my belly button

Movement:

Food commentary: Mmm... Cherry Coke!

Labor Signs: None whatsoever.

Belly Button in or out? Each week it gets more and more shallow. I am not looking forward to the day that it pops like a turkey. That always grossed me out to see on people. Can I stuff it back in and close up shop with a Band-Aid or something?

What I miss: Sleeping on my back, like a flipped turtle.

What I am looking forward to: Shower #2 is tomorrow! WHOOHOO!

Weekly Wisdom: Friends don't admit to friends that they're waddling. Try as I might to fight it, the waddle is creeping in this week. And every time I start to, a little bit of the pageant girl inside me starts to die. ;-)

Weekly WTF: WTF carpet stores! Why are you soooo expensive and why does it take sooo long to order/install?!

Nesting madness: The nursery has WALLS and they look glorious! DH also primed the room, painted the ceiling, and installed the ceiling fan. Sure it's not as pretty as a chandelier, but it's more practical and can help prevent SIDS. Tonight we're painting the walls!

Milestones: We finished our Bradley birthing classes last night! WHOOHOO!

Mah Belleh Friday!

How far along? 28w6d

Stretch marks? Nope, none. I thought my linea negra was starting to show up, but it seems to have haulted operations. I am not complaining.

Sleep: DUUUUDE! I've had a hard time rolling over and felt really weird in my back but this morning I was rolling over and felt/heard this huge POP! AAAAHHHHH--absolute relief! I can turn, twist, and roll over. Fire off the confetti cannons and let's strike up the band--this deserves a parade!!

Best moment this week: My MW showing me where her head and butt are. I pretty much rub her little butt all day long... Is that weird? LOL!

Movement: She really does recognize DH's voice. He always talks to her when I get home from work and when I leave for work in the morning and immediately she goes from being quiet and still to tickling the crap out of me. It's fabulous.

Food commentary: Thank you jeebus for inventing waffle fries and ranch dressing. I'm trying to only allow myself to have them once a week, but when I do, LOOK OUT! There will surely be moaning as I chomp down those tasty f'ers!

Labor Signs: None--let's keep it that way mmkay?

Belly Button in or out? Getting more shallow and now there's a wee bit of a white ring around it where the "don't normally see the sun" parts are turning inside out. But it's not even close to becoming an outie. That shit will freak me out!

What I miss: At this moment, nothing. (Okay, there is a "who," but I don't think that's what this question is referring to...)

What I am looking forward to: Well, clearly meeting this little one, but now that I've seen the invitations to my shower I really can't wait! Kudos to my sisters on making a fabulous selection--I literally squealed with excitement when I spotted it on my sister's fridge.

Weekly Wisdom: The more I let myself think like a pregnant lady, I act like a pregnant lady. I think I've just gotta mind over matter with some aches and pains because really, they're not that bad. I don't want to be a whiner!

Weekly WTF: WTF hormones?! Please let me listen to that effing Michael Buble song without crying. Please! It's embarassing!

Nesting madness: Making some nursery decisions this weekend, drywall repairs in the baby's room are scheduled for the first full weekend of August. Looking forward to checking more things off the list!

Milestones: If my MW/OB office ever calls me back, I'll find out if I passed my gestational diabetes test that I had on Tuesday. I've called daily for the results, but they've been unable to get my MW to sign off on them in order to release them to me. (So I guess this doubles as a WTF?)