Disclaimer: I never thought I'd do another pregnancy journal with this pregnancy because I NEVER CONSIDERED BEING OVERDUE. Shame on me. Here I sit, 3 days overdue with no end in sight. I'll admit, I'm being a bit melodramatic (figures, right?), but I truly never imagined that I would be going on an anniversary date with a basketball-sized belly. When will I ever learn? Ha, hot mess. All the time.
Here are some of the recent capers of baby C, #daddyDan, and giant mother:
Stranger Observations: We ate at Chipotle Saturday night to celebrate one last evening without a tiny friend (hahahahahahahahaha, "one last night," hahahahahahahaha). I went through the line and ordered my fave (flour tacos, chicken, a little white rice, corn salsa, pico, cheese, sour cream, guac on the side - now you know). When I moved from where the high counter meets the low counter, one of the workers saw me and literally gasped, "Ahhhh! I did NOT see that coming!" As in, "Whoa, giant belly, did not expect that!!" I about died. Yet another reason baby C must exit the premises immediately. It's striking fear into the hearts of strangers!
Exercise: Weeeeelllllll, I try to do something active each day. Sometimes that means running errands and attempting not to grunt too loudly when I enter and exit the car. Other times that means convincing daddyDan to take me walking (last night our venue of choice was Lowe's). Other times that means swimming at our local fitness club. But let's be honest, I don't swim. I stand. Occasionally I bounce. And sometimes I even walk laps. Oh to be a fly on the wall in the office: "There's that pregnant lady again. I guess when a few days pass and we haven't seen her, we'll know she's not a giant anymore." During one of my latest swimming sessions, I was pausing at one end of the lap lane before taking off on my sprint once more and one of the lifeguards came over to me and asked me to move from the lap lane if I wasn't going to use it. I have no words. But so many, MANY emotions including, but not limited to, anger, rage, and any emotion that a sailor with an excessive potty-mouth would experience. Not pretty.
Contractions: I swear I was in labor Friday night. And then again Saturday night. And then again Sunday night. And then I gave up.
Friends: We feel so engulfed by love. Every day for the past week I've heard from someone out of the blue "just checking on me." And it's so sweet. My girlfriends have seriously rallied behind me, from taking me on walks to bringing me Sonic happy hour drinks (diet watermelon limeade, easy ice...now you know...I also wouldn't say no to mozzarella sticks) to sending me boxes of "get to the finish line" supplies to last-minute dinner invites to pool party invitations to quick phone-call check-ins to daily "here's what I'm doing today, feel free to join any of the aforementioned activities" to so many other loving things. You gals are the best. Seriously. I believe I have all 5 love languages as my top love language (Danz thinks this makes me high-maintenance...I think it makes me easy to please, anywho), but my number one is definitely "words of affirmation," and let me tell you, I am feeling might affirmed. So a huge heartfelt thanks to all of you who have reached out. Your words have meant the world and have legitimately kept me from going insane.
Grateful: You all know I'm sarcastic and snarky and full of ridiculous things. But I really am so thankful for this journey of carrying a wee one. I'm thankful my body has proven to be a decent home for a tiny human to grow and flourish. And the fact that I can absolutely not wait until babe arrives is truly a testament to God's grace and provision and timing. You see, up until about a month ago, I was so full of fear that I couldn't even think about my due date or what would happen once babe actually arrived. You may or may not know that I'm a teacher. And I am a processor and love to spend lots of time reflecting on life (I'm a bit of an extroverted introvert). Historically, summer has meant house projects, visiting people I love, and resting. This summer, so far, I've completed zero house projects (with exception to finishing the nursery, of course) and I have spent minimal time traveling to visit people (because, as I mentioned in a previous post, car rides are of the devil....oh, and because baby was supposed to come early). But oh have I rested. And processed. And reflected. And what a gift it has been. I can't count the numbers of hours I've spent sitting on our porch swing or in our nursery just thinking. I know, I know, "enjoy it now because it will never be the same." I get it. And I'm ready. I'm ready for a new normal and a new routine. I'm ready for sleepless nights. I'm ready to watch daddyDan be daddyDan. I'm ready for endless loads of laundry and for losing tiny socks in the wash. I'm ready for a messy house due to a human the size of my thigh. I'm ready for spontaneity to be a bit more challenging. I'm ready for playdates with other tiny humans and their mommas. And I'm ready for my heart to explode with love for someone I've never met. It's time, baby C. We're ready for you.
June 25, 2014
June 11, 2014
Nursery Tour!
AKA: "The One Where Heidi Gets All Sappy"
I've been waiting until the nursery is officially "done" to show you any pictures, but it technically won't be done until we know if we'll hang a "Q" or an "X" above the crib*. Soooooooo, here are some pictures of progress!
Enjoy my lackluster photography skillz.
One my favorite parts of the nursery is the sweet yellow built-ins. My parents and I SLAVED over these suckers last 4th of July and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. So bright and chipper. And the shelves house many special treasures.
Worry not, worriers, all blankets and animals will be removed prior to the placing of baby here.
So happy. We purchased black-out blinds since this room is on the southeast side of our house. So far we've been pleased with both how cool the room stays and how dark it stays when the shades are pulled. They're certainly not the most glamorous-looking window treatments, but they serve a very important purpose, so we're okay with the lack of aesthetic value.
A happy rocking corner. First of all, how adorable is the whale sound machine? I die a little every time I look at it. Claim to fame: one of my colleague's sons is a designer for Homemedics and he designed it! So that makes me kind of a big deal.
And how about a close-up of this chair!? This chair's former home was the basement of my mother-in-law's house. It belonged to Danz' grandma and we snagged it over Christmas. THEN I had a friend of mine recover it with this gorgeous fabric from Shlobby Bobby. (Andrea, if you're reading this, please know that I am forever grateful to you for your work on this chair. It. Is. Perfect.) The chair is a swivel/glider/recliner and we already have spent some quality time breaking it in. In fact, I'm sitting in it as I write and daddyDan uses it in the morning before work.
The lamp was a sore subject for a few weeks as I purchased several that did not pass daddyDan's lamp test. After many heated conversations, we landed on this one, and I'm decently satisfied.
Sentimental moment: My grandma Vogt (mom's mom) knitted both these blankets. The yellow one was my baby gift 27 years ago and the green one is baby C's. The yellow one smells like my parent's house and the green one smells like my grandma - both smells are so comforting and remind me of home. While grandma has 8 grandchildren, she only has 4 great-grandchildren (5 including baby C), but she has a stash of great-grandbaby blankets because she knows that once they start coming, they'll come in droves. :) I think this blanket has been done and ready for a baby since my wedding! Can't wait to wrap our little stinker in it.
Most parents buy their babies sweet puppies or adorable bears or cuddly bunnies. Not these parents! DaddyDan says we're "fun people" so we need to buy our babe a fun animal. I kid you not: he narrowed it down to a bald eagle, a donkey, and a buffalo. I was disturbed by the bald eagle, the donkey had long fibers and a tag cautioning from using it with an infant.......so the buffalo won. It'll give us a chance to teach babe about Kansas, so I can get behind that.
Danz does not love this picture, but it is one of my most treasured possessions. The year we moved to Abilene (holla 1994!), my mom gave this to me for my birthday. I love the idea of the kids being guided and watched as they walk over treacherous water. You better believe this sucker is staying in the nursery.
Another angle of the cheerful shelves. If you gave me a book at any time in the past 9 months, you better believe it's on a shelf!
Babe's friends. They will be instant besties. Especially the snuggly buffalo.
So that's that! If I'm really on my A-game (let's be honest, I never am), I'll post pics once some art is gracing the walls.
*I got you so good. Baby's name beginning with a "Q" or a "X"? Hahahahaha, no. Or maybe yes. Hmm, only time will tell!!
I've been waiting until the nursery is officially "done" to show you any pictures, but it technically won't be done until we know if we'll hang a "Q" or an "X" above the crib*. Soooooooo, here are some pictures of progress!
Enjoy my lackluster photography skillz.
One my favorite parts of the nursery is the sweet yellow built-ins. My parents and I SLAVED over these suckers last 4th of July and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. So bright and chipper. And the shelves house many special treasures.
Here's to hoping that sleep will actually occur.
*I got you so good. Baby's name beginning with a "Q" or a "X"? Hahahahaha, no. Or maybe yes. Hmm, only time will tell!!
June 10, 2014
Pregnancy Journal #4
Officially two weeks from due date! And baby C is making me very aware of that. Constant kicks, constant punching of my bladder, and constant giant kankles. Babe is bored and ready to make a dramatic appearance, I'm sure. It's been a pretty dreamy 38 weeks, but daddyDan and I are getting anxious to meet the little one who requires so much ice cream, fruit, and sour candy.
Best stranger or student quotes:
Sleeping: These days I wake up at least 3 times a night. Actually, that's a bit of a lie. I've been waking up at least 3 times a night ever since December. What has changed is now when I wake up, my body feels like I've just run a marathon. I literally have to tell myself: "Self, you have been SLEEPING. You did not just do P90X nor did you participate in bikram yoga. You literally make no sense right now." I'm also excessively sweaty at night. I've had two fans pointed directly at me and no covers while #daddyDan freezes beside me.
Getting "checked": You all know I like to keep these posts G-rated, but I must give you the following information. At 35 or 36 weeks, pregoz have the option to get "checked" by the doctor/midwife to see if dilation has occurred. I dodged that bullet at 35 weeks but was not given the option at 36 weeks. I won't name any names, but someone (whose name rhymes with Hammy) told me not to worry and that getting "checked" is less invasive than a yearly physical. LIES. ALL LIES. Let's just say I wanted to die and was seeing stars afterward. Sooooo at my 37 week appointment when the midwife asked if I'd like to be checked, I kindly declined. Um, I'd rather you not jam your arm inside me up to your elbow. No thanks, walking on lava sounds much better right now. Mmkay, see you next week WHEN I WON'T HAVE A CHOICE (Lord, grant me the serenity...).
Food: Danz works with a gal who is about 6 weeks behind me in her pregnancy. About two weeks ago, she mentioned to him that she can no longer eat full meals because the baby is taking up too much room. Quoth daddyDan: "Hmm, interesting. Heidi hasn't hit that point in her pregnancy." TRUTH. Baby has, in no way, diminished my ability to shovel any amount of food into my stomach. Not sure if I should be concerned or just really proud of this fact. I aim to impress, people.
Car rides: ARE OF THE DEVIL. There is nothing I loathe more than sitting in a car at this stage of my pregnancy. Except maybe getting "checked" (see above). End of story.
Water breakage precaution: daddyDan is seriously concerned about my water breaking anywhere that would require clean-up. He's so concerned, in fact, that I must sit on a towel while driving and I'm probably about a week from being required to sit on a towel on our couch. We do have an awesome couch, so I'll humor him.
Birthing class: I had Braxton Hicks contractions throughout the whole class. I think baby C was just warming up. So bizarre. Daniel and I also laughed 56% more than everyone else combined. Not because we think labor and delivery is hilarious, but because there were so many words and images that we could either choose to cry about in anticipation of or laugh because, one way or another, this baby is coming out of me.
Prayers for baby C: During the first two trimesters, I prayed for EVERYTHING: a good (and easy!) birth, a healthy baby, a baby that isn't collicky, ease in the transition, ease of nursing, yada, yada, yada. Then about 2 months ago I realized that I couldn't pray away all the challenging aspects of labor, delivery, and post-partum. So now I pray for peace in the transition. That Daniel and I will work as a team to meet baby's needs and that we will take every challenge and immediately turn it over to the Lord. Parenting will be difficult, of this I am certain. BUT I have the best baby daddy of all time and a God who is bigger than my fear of all the things baby-entering-the-family. Amen.
Best stranger or student quotes:
- Over-enthusiastic student: "Mrs. Carlson, awwwwwww, you look so lovely. You gonna go all-natural when you give birth?"
- Sonic car-hop (said when I was only 32 weeks pregz): "Oooooooooo girl, that baby coming any day now, right?!" "Nope. Still have 2 months." "NOOOOOO! That is one BIG baby!"
Sleeping: These days I wake up at least 3 times a night. Actually, that's a bit of a lie. I've been waking up at least 3 times a night ever since December. What has changed is now when I wake up, my body feels like I've just run a marathon. I literally have to tell myself: "Self, you have been SLEEPING. You did not just do P90X nor did you participate in bikram yoga. You literally make no sense right now." I'm also excessively sweaty at night. I've had two fans pointed directly at me and no covers while #daddyDan freezes beside me.
Getting "checked": You all know I like to keep these posts G-rated, but I must give you the following information. At 35 or 36 weeks, pregoz have the option to get "checked" by the doctor/midwife to see if dilation has occurred. I dodged that bullet at 35 weeks but was not given the option at 36 weeks. I won't name any names, but someone (whose name rhymes with Hammy) told me not to worry and that getting "checked" is less invasive than a yearly physical. LIES. ALL LIES. Let's just say I wanted to die and was seeing stars afterward. Sooooo at my 37 week appointment when the midwife asked if I'd like to be checked, I kindly declined. Um, I'd rather you not jam your arm inside me up to your elbow. No thanks, walking on lava sounds much better right now. Mmkay, see you next week WHEN I WON'T HAVE A CHOICE (Lord, grant me the serenity...).
Food: Danz works with a gal who is about 6 weeks behind me in her pregnancy. About two weeks ago, she mentioned to him that she can no longer eat full meals because the baby is taking up too much room. Quoth daddyDan: "Hmm, interesting. Heidi hasn't hit that point in her pregnancy." TRUTH. Baby has, in no way, diminished my ability to shovel any amount of food into my stomach. Not sure if I should be concerned or just really proud of this fact. I aim to impress, people.
Car rides: ARE OF THE DEVIL. There is nothing I loathe more than sitting in a car at this stage of my pregnancy. Except maybe getting "checked" (see above). End of story.
Water breakage precaution: daddyDan is seriously concerned about my water breaking anywhere that would require clean-up. He's so concerned, in fact, that I must sit on a towel while driving and I'm probably about a week from being required to sit on a towel on our couch. We do have an awesome couch, so I'll humor him.
Birthing class: I had Braxton Hicks contractions throughout the whole class. I think baby C was just warming up. So bizarre. Daniel and I also laughed 56% more than everyone else combined. Not because we think labor and delivery is hilarious, but because there were so many words and images that we could either choose to cry about in anticipation of or laugh because, one way or another, this baby is coming out of me.
Prayers for baby C: During the first two trimesters, I prayed for EVERYTHING: a good (and easy!) birth, a healthy baby, a baby that isn't collicky, ease in the transition, ease of nursing, yada, yada, yada. Then about 2 months ago I realized that I couldn't pray away all the challenging aspects of labor, delivery, and post-partum. So now I pray for peace in the transition. That Daniel and I will work as a team to meet baby's needs and that we will take every challenge and immediately turn it over to the Lord. Parenting will be difficult, of this I am certain. BUT I have the best baby daddy of all time and a God who is bigger than my fear of all the things baby-entering-the-family. Amen.
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