Dear Conor,
This post is more for your future wife than for you to let her know that certain things are normal during a pregnancy that arent always talked about.
One of those things is heartburn (which we have already talked about quite a bit - and by the way I am still suffering from) and another is constipation; severe constipation. I truly hope that you don't inherit my bowels which have always been irregular but since entering my third trimester the irregularity has increased. Yesterday I worked a very full day and when I got home I had the need to go to the restroom. Well, try as I may I could not void and that inability created an intense pain in my lower abdomen. The pain was incredibly strong and required me to contact my doctor's office.
So, what is the remedy for something like this? The remedy is to take a stool softner once or twice a day which helps to keep you regular moving forward but you also need to have an enema. This can either be done at home or you can go to the hospital. As embarrassing as it is to talk about this - it is something that I wasn't prepared for and because constipation can be deadly (if not treated) I am documenting it to remember for myself and future friends/family who become pregnant.
I chose not to go to the hospital and your dad went to the pharmacy. I won't say the rest of the night went easily but the relief that I needed did come and today at my doctor's appointment we were able to concentrate on how you were doing and not how I was feeling!
You are measuring on track (37.5 weeks) and I weigh in at 159.8 pounds. This means I have gained a total of 32.8 pounds and in the last two weeks have gained 1.8 pounds. As the goal has been 2 pounds a week you and I are doing really well. The midwife Ellie said that you are still facing down with your back to my left side and your legs to my right with your butt in my ribs. She remarked that you are "just the right size baby for my body" which is a good thing I would say. We will not have an appointment next week due to the holiday so our next appointment is on December 2, 2011 at 10am.
I can't believe that our appointment on December 2nd could be our final appointment because you could be here before that next Friday!
We are feeling very ready for your arrival - car seats are installed, clothes are washed, room is set up, bathroom supplies are organized, and all of your 'gear' is assembled and awaiting your debut!
xoxo
Mom
Friday, November 18, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
To Do List Update
Dear Conor,
We have been very very busy this week preparing for your arrival (some might call it nesting). Your dad is still working on the bathroom shelves and they are coming along beautifully! It is my hope that they are finished tomorrow as I would really like to finish your closet and I can't with all the bathroom stuff in there :)!
In preparaton for the shelves being done I picked up the last of your things from Grandpa Tom's house which included your bathtub and some bath supplies. It's a good feeling to know that all of your things are here in the house should you decide to arrive early (but remember - we talked about this, you can't come before November 30th and we would really like you not to arrive before December 3rd just to ensure you are as healthy as can be!).
This week you received several things in the mail. Grandma Mary sent us a book from Shutterfly that memoralized the shower that was held for you at her house. My camera battery is currently being charged but once it's done I will be certain to take some pictures and post them for you. A friend of mine sent you a monogrammed travel diaper wipes case - she made it in colors to match the diaper bag. And Great Nannie sent me a beautiful Mother's poem (so this is really my gift but I received it only because of you so we can share it). Oh, and Auntie Ana sent up her breast pump so we are all set in that department as well.
So, how are you doing? You seem to be doing well. You are active in morning and at night but you have started to grow more active during the day as well. We are experiencing little contractions but nothing that indicates you are coming any time soon. You haven't dropped and 'locked' yet and I know this because the heartburn is still pretty intense at night and I can often feel you practicing your kicks and they are still pretty high up on my right side. But, you do practice dropping because at times I can feel you very low in my pelvis. I think I might prefer that you not lock in until closer to the big day because it can be very uncomfortable for me when you are down LOW. We have a doctor's appointment this Friday to check on you and see how you are doing so I will know more then.
As Dad and I have been decorating for Christmas I took that time to add some of your ultrasound pictures to the dinningroom wall. I can't wait to add real pictures of you but for now the ultrasound pictures will have to do! Your P&P has been moved to the dinning room to accomodate the Christmas Tree and it fit in there pretty nicely which was a huge concern of ours. Your swing remains in the living room next to the tree and I think you will enjoy looking at all the pretty lights as you swing each day (assuming you like your swing).
We also added a little Christmas tree to your room. I bought it last year as I really wanted a little blue tree for our room (and my little pink one was going to go in your room when it was going to be just a guest room) but I can't very well give you a pink tree so I have traded with you. The tree is set up and it adds a little bit of holiday cheer to your room too. I still have to purchase curtains for you room but I am going to be doing that today and the duvet that I want is on backorder but it should arrive in the next two weeks. At that point - your room will be complete. Hunter's new bed was even washed and is now set up in your room so he has a place to go when we are spending time in your room.
Well, I think that's it for updates other than the promised pictures which I will try to post later tonight.
xoxo
Mom
PS. Auntie Cathlin told us that her friend Jen reads this blog too so we want to say "HI" to Jen and her husband Keith!!! We hope they like your blog :)
We have been very very busy this week preparing for your arrival (some might call it nesting). Your dad is still working on the bathroom shelves and they are coming along beautifully! It is my hope that they are finished tomorrow as I would really like to finish your closet and I can't with all the bathroom stuff in there :)!
In preparaton for the shelves being done I picked up the last of your things from Grandpa Tom's house which included your bathtub and some bath supplies. It's a good feeling to know that all of your things are here in the house should you decide to arrive early (but remember - we talked about this, you can't come before November 30th and we would really like you not to arrive before December 3rd just to ensure you are as healthy as can be!).
This week you received several things in the mail. Grandma Mary sent us a book from Shutterfly that memoralized the shower that was held for you at her house. My camera battery is currently being charged but once it's done I will be certain to take some pictures and post them for you. A friend of mine sent you a monogrammed travel diaper wipes case - she made it in colors to match the diaper bag. And Great Nannie sent me a beautiful Mother's poem (so this is really my gift but I received it only because of you so we can share it). Oh, and Auntie Ana sent up her breast pump so we are all set in that department as well.
So, how are you doing? You seem to be doing well. You are active in morning and at night but you have started to grow more active during the day as well. We are experiencing little contractions but nothing that indicates you are coming any time soon. You haven't dropped and 'locked' yet and I know this because the heartburn is still pretty intense at night and I can often feel you practicing your kicks and they are still pretty high up on my right side. But, you do practice dropping because at times I can feel you very low in my pelvis. I think I might prefer that you not lock in until closer to the big day because it can be very uncomfortable for me when you are down LOW. We have a doctor's appointment this Friday to check on you and see how you are doing so I will know more then.
As Dad and I have been decorating for Christmas I took that time to add some of your ultrasound pictures to the dinningroom wall. I can't wait to add real pictures of you but for now the ultrasound pictures will have to do! Your P&P has been moved to the dinning room to accomodate the Christmas Tree and it fit in there pretty nicely which was a huge concern of ours. Your swing remains in the living room next to the tree and I think you will enjoy looking at all the pretty lights as you swing each day (assuming you like your swing).
We also added a little Christmas tree to your room. I bought it last year as I really wanted a little blue tree for our room (and my little pink one was going to go in your room when it was going to be just a guest room) but I can't very well give you a pink tree so I have traded with you. The tree is set up and it adds a little bit of holiday cheer to your room too. I still have to purchase curtains for you room but I am going to be doing that today and the duvet that I want is on backorder but it should arrive in the next two weeks. At that point - your room will be complete. Hunter's new bed was even washed and is now set up in your room so he has a place to go when we are spending time in your room.
Well, I think that's it for updates other than the promised pictures which I will try to post later tonight.
xoxo
Mom
PS. Auntie Cathlin told us that her friend Jen reads this blog too so we want to say "HI" to Jen and her husband Keith!!! We hope they like your blog :)
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Week 36 & Grandma Mary's visit
Dear Conor,
This week marks our 36th week together and I couldn't be more excited because it means that you are only 4 weeks from making your debut.
In preparation of your arrival I attended a Breast Feeding class on Monday night. I learned quite a bit about the benefits of breast milk and it reaffirmed my commitment to provide you with breast milk as long as I possibly can. I have been doing a lot of research regarding breast pumps and bottles and your Aunt Ana is going to let me borrow her pump for a few weeks until we determine whether or not breast feeding is best for you.
You have been doing a lot of moving this week - its mostly in the morning and late at night. Your movements are a lot stronger which makes me think that you are getting stronger! At our last doctor's appointment they said your heartbeat was very strong and that you were head down. This was confirmed by an ultrasound. Grandma Mary came to this doctor's appointment and was very excited to see you moving on the little screen. You look so much more like a person than you did several weeks ago and you have grown so much! Our next appointment is next Friday and then there will be weekly appointments to ensure that things don't change in the last few weeks.
We are still working at home to get ready for your arrival. My hospital bag is packed and waiting by the door. We have strung the Christmas lights outside and hung the wreaths and put up the tree here in the house. The bathroom shelves are almost done being stained and poly-ed and the linen closet has been cleaned out and reorganized. We have a few things left to do but we are getting there and every step we take brings us one step closer to your arrival!
Now - if only I could get work to slow down a bit so that I could wrap all those duties up :)
xoxo
Mom
This week marks our 36th week together and I couldn't be more excited because it means that you are only 4 weeks from making your debut.
In preparation of your arrival I attended a Breast Feeding class on Monday night. I learned quite a bit about the benefits of breast milk and it reaffirmed my commitment to provide you with breast milk as long as I possibly can. I have been doing a lot of research regarding breast pumps and bottles and your Aunt Ana is going to let me borrow her pump for a few weeks until we determine whether or not breast feeding is best for you.
You have been doing a lot of moving this week - its mostly in the morning and late at night. Your movements are a lot stronger which makes me think that you are getting stronger! At our last doctor's appointment they said your heartbeat was very strong and that you were head down. This was confirmed by an ultrasound. Grandma Mary came to this doctor's appointment and was very excited to see you moving on the little screen. You look so much more like a person than you did several weeks ago and you have grown so much! Our next appointment is next Friday and then there will be weekly appointments to ensure that things don't change in the last few weeks.
We are still working at home to get ready for your arrival. My hospital bag is packed and waiting by the door. We have strung the Christmas lights outside and hung the wreaths and put up the tree here in the house. The bathroom shelves are almost done being stained and poly-ed and the linen closet has been cleaned out and reorganized. We have a few things left to do but we are getting there and every step we take brings us one step closer to your arrival!
Now - if only I could get work to slow down a bit so that I could wrap all those duties up :)
xoxo
Mom
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Week 35: Thank-You Cards; Bin Labels & To-Do Lists
Dear Conor,
We are now in our 35th week and your dad and I are both trying to get a lot of things done. We cleaned the basement yesterday and organized the shelves. We have a pile of things to get rid of, to donate, and to try to sell. BIG dump run this weekend! But, after all that work the basement is clean and organized and that means a lot to your dad.
I also started filling in your baby book. I have some more pages to complete before your arrival such as baby shower information and our letters to you......I promise you that I will keep up and complete your book. Your baby book was a gift from Auntie Ana at your gender reveal party and I am in LOVE with it because it is simple yet allows me to record all the information that you will want to have and will have fun looking at when you are older.
I also completed all your Thank-You cards for gifts. This has been done for quite a while but we received some gifts from people who couldn't make the shower and I got those thank-yous done as well. Since I did that I can now post a picture of your Thank-You cards. I was going to make them myself but I was worried I wouldn't have the time (and I sent out almost 50 cards) so I am glad that I had them printed up for you. They were purchased from a site called Esty which is a place where people can sell handmade or handcrafted goods and services.
I also have ben busy making the labels for your canvas bins in your closet that hold your clothes and assorted items. I completed them today and will laminate them tomorrow after baby class. I think they came out great - and will be really helpful in this first year.
I am also going to complete two Christmas gifts this weekend and then we are going to start decorating our home for Christmas! We are hosting a party on November 19th so that we can celebrate with all our friends and we are going to string lights this weekend before it gets any colder outside. We figure, if the stores can do it - so can we!
xoxo
Mom
We are now in our 35th week and your dad and I are both trying to get a lot of things done. We cleaned the basement yesterday and organized the shelves. We have a pile of things to get rid of, to donate, and to try to sell. BIG dump run this weekend! But, after all that work the basement is clean and organized and that means a lot to your dad.
I also started filling in your baby book. I have some more pages to complete before your arrival such as baby shower information and our letters to you......I promise you that I will keep up and complete your book. Your baby book was a gift from Auntie Ana at your gender reveal party and I am in LOVE with it because it is simple yet allows me to record all the information that you will want to have and will have fun looking at when you are older.
I also completed all your Thank-You cards for gifts. This has been done for quite a while but we received some gifts from people who couldn't make the shower and I got those thank-yous done as well. Since I did that I can now post a picture of your Thank-You cards. I was going to make them myself but I was worried I wouldn't have the time (and I sent out almost 50 cards) so I am glad that I had them printed up for you. They were purchased from a site called Esty which is a place where people can sell handmade or handcrafted goods and services.
 |
| I can't get this picture to rotate but you can get the general idea. |
 |
| These are the labels for the bins - I can't get this picture to rotate either. |
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| And these are for the plastic bins that are holding socks and smaller items. |
xoxo
Mom
Monday, October 31, 2011
Nursery Before & After
Dear Conor,
The meat and bones of your nursery is finally complete. We are still waiting on some smaller items to be purchased but the painting and cleaning and organizing is all done. Therefore I thought it would be a great time to do a Before and After post.
Prior to your room becoming yours it was our home office. It was the first room that we renovated when we moved in as I would need a place to study and law school was starting in a few weeks. We selected the moose theme because I thought it was cute and I was excited to be in Maine. Here is what it looked like when it was our office:
Once I opened my own practice we moved the office to the main floor of the house and moved the guestroom up to the "Moose Room". I hadn't gotten around to decorating it as a guest room because we were toying with the idea of painting it so it stayed as a Moose room for several months.
Then, we learned that you were coming and we just knew that the renovations we had talked about would be perfect for a baby's room - so I started painting and the work began. Here is the room now....almost 100% ready for your arrival!
I just love how your room has turned out and I can't wait for those finishing touches to arrive. Your room is by far my favorite room in the house. It makes me so happy that we were able to provide you with such a nice space to come home too. Having such a beautiful room also makes those sleepless nights that I am certain we will share seem not so terrible (of course, I might not say that when I'm running on a few days with no sleep!).
I hope you like your room as much as we do!
xoxo
Mom
The meat and bones of your nursery is finally complete. We are still waiting on some smaller items to be purchased but the painting and cleaning and organizing is all done. Therefore I thought it would be a great time to do a Before and After post.
Prior to your room becoming yours it was our home office. It was the first room that we renovated when we moved in as I would need a place to study and law school was starting in a few weeks. We selected the moose theme because I thought it was cute and I was excited to be in Maine. Here is what it looked like when it was our office:
Once I opened my own practice we moved the office to the main floor of the house and moved the guestroom up to the "Moose Room". I hadn't gotten around to decorating it as a guest room because we were toying with the idea of painting it so it stayed as a Moose room for several months.
Then, we learned that you were coming and we just knew that the renovations we had talked about would be perfect for a baby's room - so I started painting and the work began. Here is the room now....almost 100% ready for your arrival!
I hope you like your room as much as we do!
xoxo
Mom
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Week 34 - Tired and Trials?
Dear Conor,
Week 34 has not started out so great. Mom had a trial scheduled for Tuesday and it was going to go all day long. So I got up early, packed a very good lunch and some snacks for us as well as some water. But, the trial was still long and it was difficult to sit in the VERY uncomfortable court chairs for several hours at a time. You didn't like it either - you started moving around a lot towards the end of the day. I think you were trying to tell me that you were uncomfortable because I know that I was.
When we got home we were exhausted and then I began to feel sick. Your Dad and I ended up going to the store for gingerale and oyster crackers because I was worried about eating anything else. I ended up falling asleep shortly after we got back and while I felt better this morning it still wasn't great.
I also had my first good cry today. I was so frustrated with doctor's offices and the bills they send out - they just never make any sense and the pressure to have everything organized, paid, and in order became too overwhelming for me this morning and I just started crying and couldn't stop. I was so embarrassed to have had this reaction to something so insignificant in the grand scheme of life but your Dad was great and made me feel much better - we are going to wrestle with some of these bills together.
I am still feeling worn down and I have a stuffy nose so I think I am also coming down with a cold which could be contributing to my feeling a little under the weather. You however continue to move around and it's clear that you are feeling quite well.
We have birthing class tomorrow night and we will be learning about post delivery care of mom and baby - YIKES! Hopefully we remember everything we learn!
Hopefully the second half of week 34 will be better!
xoxo
Mom
Week 34 has not started out so great. Mom had a trial scheduled for Tuesday and it was going to go all day long. So I got up early, packed a very good lunch and some snacks for us as well as some water. But, the trial was still long and it was difficult to sit in the VERY uncomfortable court chairs for several hours at a time. You didn't like it either - you started moving around a lot towards the end of the day. I think you were trying to tell me that you were uncomfortable because I know that I was.
When we got home we were exhausted and then I began to feel sick. Your Dad and I ended up going to the store for gingerale and oyster crackers because I was worried about eating anything else. I ended up falling asleep shortly after we got back and while I felt better this morning it still wasn't great.
I also had my first good cry today. I was so frustrated with doctor's offices and the bills they send out - they just never make any sense and the pressure to have everything organized, paid, and in order became too overwhelming for me this morning and I just started crying and couldn't stop. I was so embarrassed to have had this reaction to something so insignificant in the grand scheme of life but your Dad was great and made me feel much better - we are going to wrestle with some of these bills together.
I am still feeling worn down and I have a stuffy nose so I think I am also coming down with a cold which could be contributing to my feeling a little under the weather. You however continue to move around and it's clear that you are feeling quite well.
We have birthing class tomorrow night and we will be learning about post delivery care of mom and baby - YIKES! Hopefully we remember everything we learn!
Hopefully the second half of week 34 will be better!
xoxo
Mom
Monday, October 24, 2011
Little Moments
Dear Conor,
My hope for you is that someday you will find someone you love enough to marry and that the two of you will be fortunate enough to be a dad. When the time comes, if it comes, I hope that your Dad helps you to take care of your spouse in the same ways that he has taken care of me as you grow inside. This weekend we were supposed to work on the house and get a ton of different things accomplished. We worked very hard on Saturday - perhaps too hard because nothing seemed to be coming along easily and at the end of the day I felt entirely defeated.
Your Dad recognized this and decided that it was time for us to spend some time focusing on enjoying this process and our time together. He came to me and told me to pack a bag and that we would be spending the night in a nearby hotel that had a heated swimming pool and a great buffet breakfast. We got up Sunday morning and I did one task (putting a first coat of pain on the shelf supports in the bathroom) and then it was time to go.
We took a nice ride up to Freeport and walked around the different shops just enjoying the time outside and the fresh air. We got steamed hot dogs from the street vendor and even got a little bit of Christmas shopping done. Then we drove to the hotel. It was such a nice feeling to not spend the day thinking of the lists of things that needed to be done at home. We ordered take-out from a local restaurant and watched some brainless TV. We also read a little of our workbook and went swimming.
The swimming was so nice and it felt great to float around in the pool. I loved it so much that I think I am going to sign up for a weekly swim class. This morning we got up, went for a swim and got a great breakfast.
Spending that 1:1 time with your Dad without the nagging needs of the home was great and reminded us that we need to take time to enjoy little moments throughout the week/day with each other no matter how busy we are individually. You are arriving in 6 weeks and from this point forward I am pledging to take time each day for just your Dad and I. And, when your time comes - I will remind you to do the same.
xoxo
Mom
My hope for you is that someday you will find someone you love enough to marry and that the two of you will be fortunate enough to be a dad. When the time comes, if it comes, I hope that your Dad helps you to take care of your spouse in the same ways that he has taken care of me as you grow inside. This weekend we were supposed to work on the house and get a ton of different things accomplished. We worked very hard on Saturday - perhaps too hard because nothing seemed to be coming along easily and at the end of the day I felt entirely defeated.
Your Dad recognized this and decided that it was time for us to spend some time focusing on enjoying this process and our time together. He came to me and told me to pack a bag and that we would be spending the night in a nearby hotel that had a heated swimming pool and a great buffet breakfast. We got up Sunday morning and I did one task (putting a first coat of pain on the shelf supports in the bathroom) and then it was time to go.
We took a nice ride up to Freeport and walked around the different shops just enjoying the time outside and the fresh air. We got steamed hot dogs from the street vendor and even got a little bit of Christmas shopping done. Then we drove to the hotel. It was such a nice feeling to not spend the day thinking of the lists of things that needed to be done at home. We ordered take-out from a local restaurant and watched some brainless TV. We also read a little of our workbook and went swimming.
The swimming was so nice and it felt great to float around in the pool. I loved it so much that I think I am going to sign up for a weekly swim class. This morning we got up, went for a swim and got a great breakfast.
Spending that 1:1 time with your Dad without the nagging needs of the home was great and reminded us that we need to take time to enjoy little moments throughout the week/day with each other no matter how busy we are individually. You are arriving in 6 weeks and from this point forward I am pledging to take time each day for just your Dad and I. And, when your time comes - I will remind you to do the same.
xoxo
Mom
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