Baby Gurl Bumpdate: 36 Weeks

I'm 90% done. I'm waddling. I'm sway-backed. I'm loving it!!

I am now going to the doctor every week. My doc doesn't do cervical checks unless asked to perform, and I don't want to have any at this point so no update on that front. We also went over my birth plan. I met with the midwife today, and she was very positive about my plan. Yippee! Baby Gurl was perfect, as usual.

Large and in charge!

{These were taken at night after my shower in my glorious pajamas. Good times!}

Weight Gain: 30 pounds. I don't FEEL like I've gained 30 pounds and I get comments on being 'all belly' {love peeps who say that}, but it's still crazy to think about 30 extra pounds.

Maternity Clothes: I hate wearing pants unless they are leggings, pants are just uncomfortable. So dresses and leggings for work and leggings and t-shirts on the weekends, ha. I am hot all the time and our mild Texas winter is not helping.

Movement: She is still a mover. I am so happy everyday when I feel her wiggle in there. She has been head down for awhile so lots of feet up high.

Sleep: According to Brent, I am snoring all the time. I would say it's normal sleep habits for 36 weeks - snoring, peeing, waking up a lot...

What I Miss: Being comfortable. I still think this has been a very easy pregnancy, but we're just at the end now, so it's hard to breathe, hard to move, etc.

Cravings: I'm not really craving anything, I am just REALLY hungry but can't eat that much before I feel full. So lots of small meals.

Symptoms: I think I'm starting to have contractions but really minor ones. 

Best Moment of the Week: I hired a doula group! I am beyond excited. They have a 'tea' in 2 weeks that I'm going to so that I can meet everyone in the group. AND I can get prenatal massages through them for $45. Signing up for next week!

Worst Moment of the Week: That moment at work on Monday when I was SO sweaty (A/C had been cutoff over the holiday due to a water leak) that I realized I had sweat spots on my dress...in more than 1 place.

Other Random Stuff: Brent and I are really making huge progress on getting all the last minute 'crap' done. We have had 2 car fulls of donations, we have Baby Gurl's carseat down from the attic, Moses basket is setup in our room, stuff like that. We do still have a lot to do {IMO}, but if she came today, we'd be A-OK. Not that I want her to come today, haha. I want her cooking a few more weeks.

Bump comparison...looking bigger again this time around!

Family Pics

Problem solved! Monica {who created Trent's awesome garbage truck invitation} let me know that downloading google+ could potentially fix my picture storage issue. BAM! Back in business!

The Swope {Gurley/Patnode} Clan

I love how uninterested the 3 kiddos look.

My mom also wanted to recreate a picture taken 3 years ago {at the boys' first Thanksgiving} of the dads and boys sitting by the fireplace. Things did not go as planned to get the kiddos looking at the camera, so Patty was acting silly. What kills me is David's face as he is looking at his wife.

Love these peeps!

Thanksgiving Redux

We had a really low-key and wonderful Thanksgiving break! I ended up taking a half day Tuesday and most of Wednesday. Such a nice way to start the break. 

Thursday, we celebrated Thanksgiving at Brent's grandmother's house, which we've been doing for 16 years together. Crazy! Trent had a blast playing with cousins and watching LOTS of TV {grrrr}. I left early and went back home to rest, for whatever reason I was worn out. We then went to my parents for the evening and ate even.more.food. We managed to take some family photos for my parents' Christmas card. Unfortunately, Blogger is telling me I'm out of storage for posting pictures. I'm so confused by this, so hopefully I can share the awesomeness that will be my parents card soon.

Friday, we did NOTHING. I had errands I needed to run, but there was no way I was going to any stores on Black Friday.

Saturday, my sister and I had a girls day (to celebrate her birthday which was Sunday). We hit up Renegade, the mall, Peoples Pharmacy, lunch at Panera, lots of baby clothes shopping {no buying}, nursing bra shopping, and finished our day with pedicures. Pure perfection.

I already had a stocking pre-purchased for Baby Gurl.

I decided it wasn't feminine enough, so I HAD to buy this. {grin}

Sunday we celebrated my sister's birthday with incredible cupcakes. David threw her a semi-surprise party with lots of friends, such a sweetie even after 10 years of marriage!

So that was our break! I'm thinking the next one is going to be kind of crazy given Baby Gurl is likely to arrive!!!

A Lighthearted Law & Order: SVU Moment

On Friday at nap time, Brent and I were watching Law & Order: SVU. That's the one show we watch together, and it's my FAVE show. {I might be obsessed with Mariska Hargitay.} Although the last 4 episodes have all revolved around crimes against children. I told Brent I needed some dead prostitutes! I can't handle all the kid stories!! Anyway, we heard Trent's door open, so Brent jumped up to go see what was happening.  The conversation went down like this:

Brent: What are you doing?
Trent: I have brown stuff all over my hands.
Brent: Brown stuff? What did you get that was brown?
***Brent walks further into Trent's room.***
Brent: Did you poop?

At this point, I jumped up as well. Yup. Our kid {who has been potty trained for a YEAR} took off his diaper, pooped in his closet, and smeared it around - the carpet, his legs, his feet... I have heard horror stories from friends of babies who got into their diapers, but we have never had the misfortune of that. So we honestly were shocked that at almost 3 1/2 we would now be dealing with a carpet full of poop and a child covered in it! Brent washed him and I cleaned his closet floor as best I could and T finally went to sleep.

We didn't punish him because I don't know that we've ever really told him that was inappropriate. I guess we incorrectly assumed he knew better. So we have told him about 100 times since then that he WILL get in trouble if that ever happens again.

Seriously. This kid keeps us on our toes!

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving! A tradition in my mom's family is for everyone to say something for which they are thankful. I won't be traveling this year to visit my family, so here I go...  I am thankful for:

• A healthy pregnancy and having a 'gurl'
• The lessening of toddler tantrums/Trent loving his 'special school'
• A husband who lets me be crazy and goes along with all my 'hippie junk'
• Netflix/DVR
• Family who will re-arrange their Christmas plans to accommodate whatever we need for Baby Gurl
• My new OB
• Hand-me-down clothes from Blair
• Etsy
• Austin Moms Blog - if you aren't reading, you should be!
• My friendship with my sister
• e-books
• The Aggies having a great first season in the SEC {Johnny Football for Heisman!!}

So Over...

I am over...

• Hip pain while 'trying' to sleep
• Not being able to sleep
• Work...last day is 12/21!! {OMG, that's 1 month away!!!}
• Spending money - it is stressful! {New monitor, bedding/furniture/decorations for the kids' rooms, new car seat base, new Christmas tree, doula*, my placenta*...it's a long list}
• Gaining weight
• Peeing all.the.time {because I'm literally drinking a gallon of water a day}
• Drinking a gallon of water a day
• A growing to-do list

Realize, please, that I say all this in jest.  I am so thankful for this pregnancy and this baby, but I think God makes the end so uncomfortable to take away any fears you might have about having a baby, ha.

*Blog posts to explain soon

The End of an Era...Breaking Dawn Part 2

I saw 'Breaking Dawn Part 2' this weekend with a group of girlfriends. I can't believe the series is over. A little part of my heart is sad. Ha.

I don't think I need to put the plot in here. If you don't know what this movie is about, you probably skipped this post altogether! I think my review would be the same for all 5 movies too. They are good and awful so awfully good! Ha. I enjoyed it, but I was thrown by the ending. We all went 'whoa'. Anyone know what I'm talking about? It was also kind of weird seeing Bella and Edward all in lurve and I'm thinking 'You cheated, Bella!!!'

What was the best part was I saw this movie with the girls I saw the first one with. And I was pregnant with Trent then. So it felt so right to be with these girls again. Silly, I know, but it was really neat.

And with that...farewell Twilight!

BP3

BP3 = Baby Patnode #3!!

Don't know what is going on with us sisters this time because Patty is measuring ahead as well {although my new OB says I'm not so there}. She measured 30 weeks at her 24 week appointment, but I think she's not THAT much bigger. Definitely bigger than she was with Blair {but that was the tiniest bump known to mankind}.  

I don't remember if I said anything on the blog, but for the first time, Patty knows what they're having.  Baby #3 is a BOY!! But...in true Swope sister fashion, he is still nameless. And in typical David fashion, my brother-in-law has some truly terrible names.  Tiberius and Francis make his short list. Um, no. {grin}

As this baby was just a wee bit unexpected, my sis has a lot on her plate as they need sell their house, move, and buy her a new car...you know...in the next 13 weeks. So I know she'd appreciate any good thoughts - and moving help! Ha!

Keep making me beautiful nephews, sis!

Baby Gurl Bumpdate: 34 Weeks

34 weeks! Time is just marching by. 85% of the way through. People are starting to ask how close I am, ha.

Appointment is later today (with the doctor and not the midwife), so I'll update with details.

Everything went great at the OB. I just love my practice. They get me, get what I want out of this pregnancy and delivery and just encourage me in every way. Baby Gurl cooperated beautifully and is head down!!

I'm starting to think about when I'll go into labor. Since I was induced with Trent and plan to not be this time, it makes it all new and scary. I've talked with the families about what to do with Trent when she starts to come.

Weight Gain: 29 pounds

Maternity Clothes: Nothing new to report here. 99% of what I wear is maternity, but I've been pretty fortunate to only have to buy a few things.

Movement: It's starting to get painful. She is still super active, but I do grimace as an elbow or knee grinds into me. Ha. She also manages to push right on my bladder which makes me pee a little. Good times!

Sleep: Getting worse. Brent says I snore every night, oh well. 

What I Miss: Ease of movement. Not being hot constantly. So thankful it's finally cooling off!

Cravings: No real cravings, I'm just hungry ALL.THE.TIME. I could eat all day long, but I do fill up a lot faster.

Symptoms: I think I'm having some Braxton-Hicks or maybe some minor {super minor} contractions. Having some minor heartburn. I didn't get much with Trent so hoping it stays minor... It's harder to breathe and workouts have turned into just walking and not very often. Not really happy with myself about that but hoping to get a little better over the next few weeks. I'm starting to waddle!

Best Moment of the Week: OMG. Brent put all the nursery furniture together. Love it all.

Worst Moment of the Week: When discussing natural birth with Brent and he said 'You know you can't do it. You asked for an epidural immediately with Trent.' I could have killed him.

Other Random Stuff: Even after Brent's comment, I think he's okay with a doula. He didn't balk at the price, so I'm going to a Meet the Doula night tomorrow (hopefully) and will move forward with my plan! I also finished my first natural birth book {I love you Ina May Gaskin}. I have a lot I still want to do in the next 6 weeks that I'm starting to freak out about. (1) Tour the hospital (since we're at a new one)...this one isn't that important. (2) Take a pain management class. (3) Have B meet new OB/midwife - eek - he hasn't met them yet!

Comparison pic...I think I protrude further with BG but taller/longer w/ T??

One more appointment at the 2 week interval and then I start going every week! Yippee!

A Few Trent-isms

Some recent things our young mister has done I don't want to forget:

• When watching football with Brent, Brent commented that one of the teams was the Steelers. To which Trent replied: If they are the Steelers, shouldn't they be in jail?
• When driving home at night with me, I commented on how dark it was outside. To which Trent replied: That means the other people can't see you pick your boogers. I seriously died.
• We have been talking SO much to Trent about not hitting his friends at school. I told him if he got upset to get Blankie and go sit in these little mini armchairs in their reading section. He did precisely that the other day, except someone was in the chair. So he hit her. #momfail
• When moving stuff into the nursery, Trent found Baby Gurl's first feminine cloth diaper and asked to wear it. He then proceeded to put socks in there to make poop.

Our skinny boy {in Baby Sister's diaper}. Or 'Bone Rack' as B calls him.

• When working on tongue exercises, he is supposed to touch certain places of his mouth with his tongue to get him conscious of keeping his tongue in his mouth. So we were trying to touch the inside of his cheek with his tongue. To which he said said I can only touch my cheek from the outside. And sure enough, he could not make that tongue obey!

Love this boy!

I Concur

Well done, People magazine.  Well done.

Inspiration Board

Baby Gurl's nursery is starting to come together. 

The walls are FINALLY painted!

Brent put the crib together on Friday when I was working late. {Yes, I worked late on a Friday. 8:30 to be exact. Gag, right? AND to add insult to injury my feet got so swollen!}

I spent 2 hours ironing the 3 layers of ruffles on her bedskirt and put all the bedding on/in the crib.

The closet is cleaned out ready for little girl dresses and pink onesies.

Up next? The walls! I literally finished Trent's nursery the week before his first birthday. My goal is for it to not take THAT long this time. We'll see...{grin}

Some ideas that I do have?

Her name (when she gets one) is a must do. Totally cliche, but I love it!

I also want to put poms above her crib as a mobile.

I think I want to do a collage wall on 1 side. With a cross or two, some hearts incorporated, a 'G' thrown in for good measure of course and maybe some framed prints!

Some ideas....

I've been having fun playing on Etsy and think I found a few things to buy.

Any great ideas I'm missing or websites I should shop? I'm all ears for suggestions on getting her room done...unless the suggestion is to figure out a name. That just ain't happening in this house, ha!

Randoms

• Holiday cups at Starbucks make me want a chai every day. They make me so happy!
• Work has me so NOT happy. I might be eating terrible and listening to Christmas carols to cope. Sue me.
• My FMIL* finished painting the nursery today!!!! My husband {also fabulous} said he will set up furniture in the next day or two. I cannot believe that by the end of the weekend her room should be together (except for decorations).
• Speaking of decorations, no clue what to put on her walls.
• I was supposed to take a CPR class tonight but had to cancel because of work {see why I'm not happy?}. I want to be re-prepared for Baby Gurl.
• I ate zpizza again yesterday. Yum!
• I contemplated not putting up a Christmas tree this year just because I will probably be too busy to take it down. My FMIL said Trent deserves one and will be helping me decorate and undecorate. Do I have the best MIL or what?
• I bought extra Christmas stockings so all ours would match as our family grew, but I don't like the one that is left for Baby Gurl.  Crazy to buy a new one?
• K Dub and I were supposed to watch 'Magic Mike' last night and watched election coverage instead. Nerds much?
• I didn't vote for the first time since I've been eligible. We had a rough day with Trent...
• Brent is back from hunting. I don't think he'll be going far from home again - we are getting too close to my due date. WHOO HOO!
• I am 33 weeks today!!

*Fabulous mother-in-law

Pregnancy Fears 2.0

When I was pregnant with Trent, I was too naive to know I should be fearful.

Other than my fear of SIDS, I had no real concerns about having a baby and, you know, raising him. Little did I know! Not only is post-partum a b!tch, but raising a kid is hard work, haha.

This time around, I am definitely more aware of what it means to have a baby. Obviously I am not concerned enough to not have another one {and hopefully another one after that}, but it doesn't mean I don't have any fears this time. {grin}

1 - A repeat of post-partum. I am taking a ton of vitamins and have other awesome stuff planned {to blog about soon} to help prevent/deter post-partum, but I still worry about it rearing its ugly head again. I have all my family on high alert that they may spend the month of January babysitting ME!

2 - Breastfeeding. Breastfeeding with Trent was so easy. I don't say that to rub it in on others for whom it wasn't easy. But for us? It just worked. Sure, it hurt at first, but we never had trouble with Trent's latch (although given his open bite, it explains a lot now about why he would nurse for FOREVER), I never had supply issues, pumping when I went back to work was easy...it just worked. I was even able to donate almost 1,000 ounces to the Mother's Milk Bank and nursed Trent for 14 months. I am very proud of our success. Now I wonder if it will go as well with Baby Gurl. I want to nurse her for at least 18 months, and I hope we can make it. I've actually starting doing some BF research just in case we have problems.

3 - A 'hard' baby. Trent was an extremely easy baby. He hardly ever cried, we got him into a great routine, slept great, was just relaxed. Of course we ALL know he isn't an easy toddler (but he sure is cute)! Someone asked Brent if he wished Trent had been a harder baby if it meant him being an easier toddler. Brent said no because given #1 above, I needed an easy baby. Bless him because he's right! My sister and I joke {but I believe it} that God gives you the baby you can handle. You don't go crazy and get the hard baby! So does that mean this time I'll get a hard one?!?! I hope not!

4 - Delivery. I was very cavalier about my delivery with Trent. I did no research about what to expect and just went into it saying all I wanted was a healthy baby. While I agree this time with my sentiment, I also think not being prepared was pretty irresponsible of myself. So this time? Way more prepared (part of why I switched OBs) but also now way more aware of what could happen. I'm trying to be positive that knowledge = power...I guess time will tell.

At the end of the prenatal yoga class I tried on Saturday, the instructor told us to think of an intent for the rest of the day (we also did an intent for the class at the beginning), the rest of the weekend, the rest of the pregnancy. What instantly popped into my head was 'Calm. Harmony.' I want our home to be a place of calm (and it's my fault usually when it isn't). I want our family to be in harmony (and it's my fault usually when it isn't). I feel like the last few days when I have started to get worked up because Trent is having a fit or Brent is being a man, just thinking 'Calm. Harmony.' has helped me gain my balance back. 

I'm thinking those 2 words are going to take me a long way the next 7 weeks!

Review: zpizza

I got the supreme pleasure recently of being asked to try and review zpizza. 

Dez went with me and we had a preggo date (which was super fun)! {Not sure why I am linking to her blog since she hasn't posted in almost TWO YEARS, ha.}

According to their website: At zpizza, we care about the health of the planet and our customers. We care so much that we’ve chosen to hold ourselves responsible. By being committed to and conscious of our impact on the environment and the consumer, we’ve set an example for other companies and individuals to follow and we’re proud of it. zpizza addresses the needs of today's health conscious consumer with concern for both the individual and the environment by supporting organic agriculture through our organic menu items and practicing an eco-friendly approach to our operations. Some examples of our environmental initiatives include:

• Organic ingredients
• Part-skim, rBGH free mozzarella from grass-fed cows
• MSG-free and nitrate-free meats
• All natural chicken
• 100% recyclable containers and bags
• Eco-delivery bikes to reduce our carbon emissions
• Allergen-free ingredients like gluten-free and vegan

Right up this hippie mama's alley!

Also, their menu is huge. Over 20 pizzas, salads, sandwiches, and pasta.

Dez and I both did a 'pick 3' that gave us 2 slices of pizza and a salad. Dez got the Casablanca and Cheese slices, and I got the ZBQ and Pepperoni slices. We both got the pear and gorgonzola salad.

Yum!

We both were highly impressed. I likened it to gourmet mall pizza, which is totally a compliment. I love the giant slices of mall pizza, and this was like that...only better. We both left full and happy!

*I was given a gift certificate from zpizza to try their food. The views expressed are all mine.*

Baby Gurl Bumpdate: 32 Weeks!

Let's not pay attention to the fact that I'm almost 33 weeks. {grin} 

We have made it another 2 weeks. I love going to the doctor more often. I realized this week I need to preregister at my new hospital, since I filled out the paperwork for the old hospital before I fired my OB. Bummer I have to switch hospitals, but the new one is actually closer. Have to talk to B about going to check it out...I'm sure he'll be thrilled.

Appointment was great. Blood pressure good, urine test good, measurements were perfect, baby's heart rate was perfect, found out I passed my glucose test. All good news!

32 weeks

{Using my new iphone - yay! In workout clothes w a dirty counter - real life!}

Weight Gain: 26 pounds...happy still! Still no swelling which I think is especially noticeable in my face compared to my pregnancy with Trent.

Maternity Clothes: I bought a few new things a few weeks ago and other than a 'want' or 2, I think I'm going to be good for the rest of my pregnancy. I am LOVING leggings.  Best.invention.ever. Especially as winter starts should start...seriously...seasons did you get the memo that it's November and shouldn't be 85*?

Movement: At my appointment, we talked about how active she is, and my midwife commented that she still has lots of fluid in there which makes it easy for her to swim. So fun thinking about her swimming in there.

Sleep: Hit or miss. I've had a few restless leg incidents which have made it hard to fall asleep.

What I Miss: Not wetting my pants when I sneeze/cough/get up.

Cravings: Nada. Still trying to eat more healthy than not and pretty pleased with the results. Not wanting veggies at all. I was amazed at my Halloween willpower.

Symptoms: Back pain. Brent had to pull me off the bed the other day. Haha.

Best Moment of the Week: Getting the crib! B picked it up this week, and I LOVE it. Like to.die.for.love.it. I was nervous I wouldn't because it's so hard to envision when you are looking at a giant color wheel hoping you are picking the right color. Did you see my nursery sneak peek?

Worst Moment of the Week: Nothing is coming to mind except my hormones. I am not being very nice to B although I guess that's more a worst moment for him. Ha. Really trying to focus on that...

Other Random Stuff: I finally tried prenatal yoga. It was so relaxing. I definitely want to go throughout the rest of my pregnancy. I started my first natural childbirth book. I'm loving it!

Overall, things are going great, and I feel so blessed, once again, to be having an amazing, uncomplicated pregnancy.

No comparison picture this time because my 32 week w/ Trent was actually with a friend. 

Baby Gurl's Nursery...Sneak Peek

It's a crummy iPhone photo that I cropped which makes it fuzzy.

But you can see a little bit of Baby Gurl's nursery.

Hope you like!

Book Club Review: Gone Girl

It has been way too long since our book club got together, but with busy lives it's hard to get a group of ladies together! This month's selection was Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.

Plot: On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick Dunne’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick Dunne isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but hearing from Amy through flashbacks in her diary reveal the perky perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer? As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister Margo at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was left in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

Review: This definitely wasn't my least favorite book of our book club. That honor still resides with Invisible Monsters. But I definitely had mixed feelings about this book. I felt like by the end of it I didn't really like either of the main characters, which is hard for me, but the story itself was so good and creepy! I never would have guessed what was really going on, and I haven't met anyone else who has either, so the author gets points for that! We commented that our book discussion actually didn't take that long tonight because we all felt basically the same way. Usually there's more spark to our discussions, but none of us really liked the characters or the ending. I think it's worth the read without getting your hopes TOO high up.

It's my pick next time...any suggestions?