Dear Conor,
Thursday's birthing class was very informative but also made the idea of birthing you a little scary. Your Dad had to leave about 20 minutes early because Hunter had been home for 4 hours alone and that is about his time limit. When he left we were watching a movie and it was just getting to the actual birth viewing. The teacher came up to me after class and wanted to make sure that he was ok. The look on her face when I explained why he had to leave was priceless - and then she shared a picture of her grandpuppy that lives in Sweden.
Friday we had a doctor's appointment. This was our first biweekly appointment. We talked about carseats, prelabor contractions and a few other things we had discussed in our class just the night before. After talking (and coming to the conclusion that I needed to wear wrist guards at night to help with my hand issues) we began measurements. You are measuring spot on for 33 weeks and your heartbeat was a strong 145. You are head down (and have been for several weeks) and curled in a "C" shape with your little feet touching my right side. Your butt is up by my ribs and the midwife thinks you have a boney butt (this made me laugh because that is a trait that runs in my family).
Today I worked on so many projects but nothing is wanting to come together very quickly. Tomorrow I have a little bit of painting in your room left and then I have to wash the floor and it will be done. The shelves have gone up in the bathroom and I am working on staining those tomorrow as well and painting the supports. Staining takes time because you have to do each side and the edges and then poly so I will be working on those all week. I am going to try to convince your Grandma Mary to come up in the the next two weeks and help me paint the bathroom (and maybe the hallway or my bedroom) and make sure that there is nothing I am overlooking in our preparations for your arrival.
The bedding for your room arrived and we are not in love with it so I am sending it back and ordering the original bedding that I liked. If I can return it on Monday then I should have your new stuff in by early next week and that element of your room will also be complete - then it will just be curtains and decor!
A pregnancy issue this last week has been heartburn that can't be easily cooled and occurs more than twice a day. I am currently eating a few Tums a day and taking Pepcid at bedtime along with my prenatal vitamin. It is my hope that once you drop I will have a little relief. I think you will drop in the next few weeks because you tend to "bobble" down low towards the evening hours and then you float back up by the next morning. I have also had a lot of swelling in my feet. This is normal and is not currently a concern for the midwives but I have been told I need to put my feet up at the end of the day. This is very hard for me but I am going to give it my best try because I don't want my feet to hurt. I also have an odd symptom in which my finger joints hurt when I try to bend them. They hurt more in the morning than any other time of the day but the pain is present during the entire day. I am now going to be wearing wrist splints at night to prevent my from sleeping with my wrists in awkward positions which might help alleviate some of the pain in my hands and is that doesn't work then it might be time to see a physical therapist or another type of doctor to get some relief. I am also looking into some prenatal aqua-aerobics classes as there is some belief that swimming or being in water can help with both the swelling in my feet and the pain in my hands.
So, that's the update for this week - next week I am going to start packing hospital bags......I have a feeling the next few weeks are going to just fly by and we don't want to be caught off guard!
xoxo
Mom
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Birthing Class #2 - Labor and Delivery
Dear Conor,
Tonight will be our second birthing class and the outline states that we will be learing all about labor and delivery. I am nervous. I am enjoying having you growing in my belly because you move a lot more now and I can sense the little person you are becoming - the idea of expelling you from my body scares me a great deal. I am nervous about the idea of bringing you into this world both literally and figuratively. I worry that I don't yet have the skills to be a Mom - let alone a Mom to a little boy. I worry that I won't be able to mold you into a strong and smart, yet kind and empathetic man. I worry that the world has so many troubles you will get lost in them because I won't be able to teach you right from wrong or you will misunderstand my teachings - or choose to ignore them completely. I also worry about my physical ability to bring you into this world. Will I be able to handle the pain? Will I be strong enough to push you out when the time comes? Will I be able to nurish you and give you the best start?
I don't want you to think your Mom is a worrywart because I am not. These worries are not unnatural and are held by every parent prior to the delivery of their son/daughter and, when you and your spouse are going through this very difficult transition, I hope seeing my worries here in black and white will remind you that it's ok to have fears and worries.
But, I am excited about this class because I have never witnesses a labor or delivery and all the stories I have heard have been so different - it will be nice to hear from a professional what we might expect on the day you decide to arrive. Your Dad is looking forward to this class - he has said so a few times this week. I think the only one not looking forward to this class is Hunter because it means he will be left home alone tonight for a few hours - but its a small price he will have to pay now if he wants you to come home in a few weeks (and I know he does - we all do!).
xoxo
Mom
Tonight will be our second birthing class and the outline states that we will be learing all about labor and delivery. I am nervous. I am enjoying having you growing in my belly because you move a lot more now and I can sense the little person you are becoming - the idea of expelling you from my body scares me a great deal. I am nervous about the idea of bringing you into this world both literally and figuratively. I worry that I don't yet have the skills to be a Mom - let alone a Mom to a little boy. I worry that I won't be able to mold you into a strong and smart, yet kind and empathetic man. I worry that the world has so many troubles you will get lost in them because I won't be able to teach you right from wrong or you will misunderstand my teachings - or choose to ignore them completely. I also worry about my physical ability to bring you into this world. Will I be able to handle the pain? Will I be strong enough to push you out when the time comes? Will I be able to nurish you and give you the best start?
I don't want you to think your Mom is a worrywart because I am not. These worries are not unnatural and are held by every parent prior to the delivery of their son/daughter and, when you and your spouse are going through this very difficult transition, I hope seeing my worries here in black and white will remind you that it's ok to have fears and worries.
But, I am excited about this class because I have never witnesses a labor or delivery and all the stories I have heard have been so different - it will be nice to hear from a professional what we might expect on the day you decide to arrive. Your Dad is looking forward to this class - he has said so a few times this week. I think the only one not looking forward to this class is Hunter because it means he will be left home alone tonight for a few hours - but its a small price he will have to pay now if he wants you to come home in a few weeks (and I know he does - we all do!).
xoxo
Mom
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
More Nursery Sneak Peaks
Dear Conor,
The nursery is about 99% complete and I couldn't be happier with the results. The crib went together rather easily and the bedding is just what I had hoped it would be. It provides a lot of soothing light blues with punches of red and dark blues to stimulate your eyes. The furniture is beautiful. I can honestly say that you have the nicest furniture (and the nicest room) in the house.
I wasn't going to give any more sneak peaks till it was 100% done but all that's left is to finish installing outlet covers (I have to buy them first) and to finish trimming out the blue paint. That will likely be finished this week - I had to wait for the white paint to really "cure" to ensure no bleeding between the paints and to ensure that any tape won't peel the white paint off. I also have to decorate the walls but I am going to wait on those until the guestroom side is done.
So, without futher ado - here is your nursery:
Your dad and I have put a lot of thought and work into this room; I truly can't believe that only a few months ago the room was forest green and had a moose/bear border; and we really hope that it suits your needs for several years to come.
We have now turned our focus to the guest bed and ordered the bedding for that this past weekend. I'm not going to sneak peak that right now because we don't have it here yet but hopefully it will arrive by this weekend and we can dress the bed. After that it will be time to pick out curtains and a night stand.....and decorate the walls but that will come in time of course :)
As of today there are only SEVEN weeks left till your arrival - and we can't wait to meet you!
xoxo
Mom
The nursery is about 99% complete and I couldn't be happier with the results. The crib went together rather easily and the bedding is just what I had hoped it would be. It provides a lot of soothing light blues with punches of red and dark blues to stimulate your eyes. The furniture is beautiful. I can honestly say that you have the nicest furniture (and the nicest room) in the house.
I wasn't going to give any more sneak peaks till it was 100% done but all that's left is to finish installing outlet covers (I have to buy them first) and to finish trimming out the blue paint. That will likely be finished this week - I had to wait for the white paint to really "cure" to ensure no bleeding between the paints and to ensure that any tape won't peel the white paint off. I also have to decorate the walls but I am going to wait on those until the guestroom side is done.
So, without futher ado - here is your nursery:
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| The changing table - I love the mix of green and blue basket liners! |
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| Your crib as viewed from the guest bed. The whale basket was the first thing we bought for you. |
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| A close up of your bedding. |
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| The entire view as seen from the guestbed - the stroller bassinet is next to your crib. |
Your dad and I have put a lot of thought and work into this room; I truly can't believe that only a few months ago the room was forest green and had a moose/bear border; and we really hope that it suits your needs for several years to come.
We have now turned our focus to the guest bed and ordered the bedding for that this past weekend. I'm not going to sneak peak that right now because we don't have it here yet but hopefully it will arrive by this weekend and we can dress the bed. After that it will be time to pick out curtains and a night stand.....and decorate the walls but that will come in time of course :)
As of today there are only SEVEN weeks left till your arrival - and we can't wait to meet you!
xoxo
Mom
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Nursery Progress
Dear Conor,
These last few days I have been so busy working on your room. I can only do so much at a time because (1) I have to let paint dry and (2) my body (with you growing in it) can't handle as much physical labor as it used to be able to do.
Last night I finally finished painting your woodwork. As I said before - your room is the first room where we have transformed the woodwork from stained to painted white. It was a long and hard process but I love the final look.
After painting I started washing the floors. Because we had to paint your ceilings - paint splatters were on the floor so the only way to wash it was by hand with a hot sponge and scour the areas where the splatters were. So that is what I did (well, I'm almost done - I have to finish today or tomorrow). First I scoured the floor with the hot water, then I used the wet swiffer to get all the little dots up and give the floor a quick cleaning. Once that dried I used our regular wood floor cleaner to finish it all off. I got two large sections of the room done. All that is left is the closet and the area where your crib will go.
Because so much progress was made we moved somethings back into your room in order to give us more room in other places of the house. The queen sized frame and box-springs went back into your room (the mattress will likely go in this weekend once I purchase things for the legs of the frame and finish a few touch-ups on the blue wall that I have yet to do) as did your changing table. Your changing table has had a few homes in our house since we brought it home from the store but it finally came to rest where it was always intended to be - your room.
Because I couldn't resisit (and they have been sitting in the back of my truck for a week) I got out some of the baskets we bought for the table and filled them with the diapers from Auntie Lindsay's diaper cake. It was so sad to take the cake apart but we will need the diapers and there is no where for me to keep it set up until you arrive. Then I got out the changing pad and its cover and we connected that as well. There are still two larger baskets for the bottom shelf and I need to figure out if I am going to get an organizer for the top but right now I think it looks pretty good (stil not sure I am keeping the changing pad cover in that color - I will have to wait till everything is put together to make that decision).
Here's a sneak peak!
That's all the sneak peaks you get - I'm not going to post pictures again until the room is 100% done!
xoxo
Mom
These last few days I have been so busy working on your room. I can only do so much at a time because (1) I have to let paint dry and (2) my body (with you growing in it) can't handle as much physical labor as it used to be able to do.
Last night I finally finished painting your woodwork. As I said before - your room is the first room where we have transformed the woodwork from stained to painted white. It was a long and hard process but I love the final look.
After painting I started washing the floors. Because we had to paint your ceilings - paint splatters were on the floor so the only way to wash it was by hand with a hot sponge and scour the areas where the splatters were. So that is what I did (well, I'm almost done - I have to finish today or tomorrow). First I scoured the floor with the hot water, then I used the wet swiffer to get all the little dots up and give the floor a quick cleaning. Once that dried I used our regular wood floor cleaner to finish it all off. I got two large sections of the room done. All that is left is the closet and the area where your crib will go.
Because so much progress was made we moved somethings back into your room in order to give us more room in other places of the house. The queen sized frame and box-springs went back into your room (the mattress will likely go in this weekend once I purchase things for the legs of the frame and finish a few touch-ups on the blue wall that I have yet to do) as did your changing table. Your changing table has had a few homes in our house since we brought it home from the store but it finally came to rest where it was always intended to be - your room.
Because I couldn't resisit (and they have been sitting in the back of my truck for a week) I got out some of the baskets we bought for the table and filled them with the diapers from Auntie Lindsay's diaper cake. It was so sad to take the cake apart but we will need the diapers and there is no where for me to keep it set up until you arrive. Then I got out the changing pad and its cover and we connected that as well. There are still two larger baskets for the bottom shelf and I need to figure out if I am going to get an organizer for the top but right now I think it looks pretty good (stil not sure I am keeping the changing pad cover in that color - I will have to wait till everything is put together to make that decision).
Here's a sneak peak!
That's all the sneak peaks you get - I'm not going to post pictures again until the room is 100% done!
xoxo
Mom
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Hunter - The Quality Control Expert
Dear Conor,
I realized that I don't write much on your blog about Hunter. He is such a big part of our family and I can't wait for the two of you to be good friends. We are preparing him for your arrival in every way that we can and he seems to be taking to things very well.
When I got home from your Cape Cod Baby shower and set up your tranformer stroller Hunter wanted to ensure it was not only safe but that there was plenty of room for him.
Little did he know that we had already thought about him and had purchased an attachment for your stroller that would allow him to ride in an area a little more plush and that when he wasn't riding you could also use.
The stroller isn't the only baby item that Hunter has been making sure is just perfect for you. Everytime we set something up he likes to jump into it and make sure that it meets his very particular standards.
This included testing your carseat that we took out of the box yesterday. I had no sooner placed it on the floor and removed the plastic wrap and he was seated in it. His smile clearly shows that this seat is going to be just perfect for you. Hunter also tested out your swing and your Pack and Play but I don't have pictures of those. He really enjoyed your Pack and Play - the swing - not so much as he jumped out of that one right away.
Hunter is going to be such a great big brother to you - I just hope that you love him as much as we do.
xoxo
Mom
I realized that I don't write much on your blog about Hunter. He is such a big part of our family and I can't wait for the two of you to be good friends. We are preparing him for your arrival in every way that we can and he seems to be taking to things very well.
When I got home from your Cape Cod Baby shower and set up your tranformer stroller Hunter wanted to ensure it was not only safe but that there was plenty of room for him.
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| Hunter in the cargo hold. |
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| City Select Bassinet Attachment |
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| Car Seat Testing |
Hunter is going to be such a great big brother to you - I just hope that you love him as much as we do.
xoxo
Mom
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Week 32 & Updates
Dear Conor,
Lots of things to report :
(1) I developed some kind of weird itching thing last week that was a tad bit annoying. I didn't itch on my stomach but on my legs, arms, and behind my ears - and only at night. A cool shower helped but we still were unable to sleep Wednesday night (it wasn't just the itching - for some reason I just couldn't get comfortable).
(2) Friday (10/07/2011) I had a doctor's appointment. I mentioned the itching to the midwife and she was a little concerned so she wanted me to report after the weekend if I was still itching because they would want to draw blood and test for certain things (thankfully I haven't itched since Friday so no worries). At this appointment I weighed 154 which means that I have gained a total of 27ish pounds as I was between 125 and 127 at my first appointment. The midwife is very happy about this weight gain and says that I "look great." My blood pressue continues to be perfect and your heartbeat is also strong and "sounds good." This was the last monthly appointment - we now have to go to the doctor's every two weeks until some point in November when we start going weekly. I can't believe that you will arrive in 8 weeks!!!
(3) Saturday (10/08/2011) I primed all the woodwork in your room. It took a LONG time because there is not only a lot of woodwork but I also had to take a lot of breaks. But I got both coats of prime on by the end of the night which meant that the room would be ready for paint on Monday.
(4) Sunday (10/09/2011) we drove down to Auntie Ana and Uncle Gordon's house to meet Little Gordon. He was just adorable and oh so very tiny. I doubt you will be that small but I can't wait to hold you like I held him. He fell alseep on my chest with his little legs resting on my belly - right near where your little feet are so it was almost as if you were touching. After he fell alseep I put him in his little swing and we visited for a while longer before heading to the mall to purchase some items for you.
Yesterday (Columbus Holiday) I spent the day once more in your nursery crawling around painting all the woodwork. But the task is done and it is my hope that we can wash and wax the floors tonight and start moving your furniture in tomorrow!!! As we start birth classes this week we have one less night each week for the next four weeks in which to get things done. And, with you coming in only 8 short weeks I feel the need to restore my house to what it used to look like (before all your boxes of things arrived) as soon as I can!!!
xoxo
Mom
Lots of things to report :
(1) I developed some kind of weird itching thing last week that was a tad bit annoying. I didn't itch on my stomach but on my legs, arms, and behind my ears - and only at night. A cool shower helped but we still were unable to sleep Wednesday night (it wasn't just the itching - for some reason I just couldn't get comfortable).
(2) Friday (10/07/2011) I had a doctor's appointment. I mentioned the itching to the midwife and she was a little concerned so she wanted me to report after the weekend if I was still itching because they would want to draw blood and test for certain things (thankfully I haven't itched since Friday so no worries). At this appointment I weighed 154 which means that I have gained a total of 27ish pounds as I was between 125 and 127 at my first appointment. The midwife is very happy about this weight gain and says that I "look great." My blood pressue continues to be perfect and your heartbeat is also strong and "sounds good." This was the last monthly appointment - we now have to go to the doctor's every two weeks until some point in November when we start going weekly. I can't believe that you will arrive in 8 weeks!!!
(3) Saturday (10/08/2011) I primed all the woodwork in your room. It took a LONG time because there is not only a lot of woodwork but I also had to take a lot of breaks. But I got both coats of prime on by the end of the night which meant that the room would be ready for paint on Monday.
(4) Sunday (10/09/2011) we drove down to Auntie Ana and Uncle Gordon's house to meet Little Gordon. He was just adorable and oh so very tiny. I doubt you will be that small but I can't wait to hold you like I held him. He fell alseep on my chest with his little legs resting on my belly - right near where your little feet are so it was almost as if you were touching. After he fell alseep I put him in his little swing and we visited for a while longer before heading to the mall to purchase some items for you.
Yesterday (Columbus Holiday) I spent the day once more in your nursery crawling around painting all the woodwork. But the task is done and it is my hope that we can wash and wax the floors tonight and start moving your furniture in tomorrow!!! As we start birth classes this week we have one less night each week for the next four weeks in which to get things done. And, with you coming in only 8 short weeks I feel the need to restore my house to what it used to look like (before all your boxes of things arrived) as soon as I can!!!
xoxo
Mom
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Week 31 & Pictures
Dear Conor,
We are 1/2 way through week 31 which means there are only 9 weeks until your birthday (if you come on time). I have continued to try to take pictures every few weeks to document your growth. There hard to take and I honestly do not like how I look in the pictures. While I look normal in person for some reason on camera I just look different. But, all that aside - it is important to document so here goes :
Since August 20, 2011 you have grown a lot and therefore so have I! I will find out tomorrow how much you have grown in the last month and if we are still measuring one week ahead. Certain clothes make me look much bigger than I really am, especially later in the day when I am tired and retaining a lot of water.
This week you and I have not been sleeping. Well, we have been sleeping just not a lot. We seem unable to fall asleep before midnight and I have to be up no later than 7 more days. With the multiple bathroom breaks during the night and the shifting to get comfortable I would estimate that we sleep about 4-5 hours a night.
This last week there has also been a lot of itching. But not on my stomach - on my legs, hands, feet and behind my ears. Weird I know. I am going to mention it to the doctor tomorrow. I continue to use lotion in an attempt to keep the stretch marks away and keep my skin nice and moist. You seem to like when I rub lotion on my stomach at night because it usually makes you move around a bit.
Last night I am certain I felt you roll over for the first time. It was a very odd feeling but one I wonder if you will repeat tonight so I can determine if it is really you rolling over. Your movements are still concentrated in the mornings and the evenings (usually once I have layed down for the night); you tend to sleep during the day which continues to allow me to get my work done which I greatly appreciate!
Well, that's all for now.
xoxo
Mom
We are 1/2 way through week 31 which means there are only 9 weeks until your birthday (if you come on time). I have continued to try to take pictures every few weeks to document your growth. There hard to take and I honestly do not like how I look in the pictures. While I look normal in person for some reason on camera I just look different. But, all that aside - it is important to document so here goes :
Since August 20, 2011 you have grown a lot and therefore so have I! I will find out tomorrow how much you have grown in the last month and if we are still measuring one week ahead. Certain clothes make me look much bigger than I really am, especially later in the day when I am tired and retaining a lot of water.
This week you and I have not been sleeping. Well, we have been sleeping just not a lot. We seem unable to fall asleep before midnight and I have to be up no later than 7 more days. With the multiple bathroom breaks during the night and the shifting to get comfortable I would estimate that we sleep about 4-5 hours a night.
This last week there has also been a lot of itching. But not on my stomach - on my legs, hands, feet and behind my ears. Weird I know. I am going to mention it to the doctor tomorrow. I continue to use lotion in an attempt to keep the stretch marks away and keep my skin nice and moist. You seem to like when I rub lotion on my stomach at night because it usually makes you move around a bit.
Last night I am certain I felt you roll over for the first time. It was a very odd feeling but one I wonder if you will repeat tonight so I can determine if it is really you rolling over. Your movements are still concentrated in the mornings and the evenings (usually once I have layed down for the night); you tend to sleep during the day which continues to allow me to get my work done which I greatly appreciate!
Well, that's all for now.
xoxo
Mom
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