Make your own baby wrap carrier for le$$

I have mentioned our DIY faux-Moby wrap, which were no-sew and cost us $21 to make two. We made ours when I was 32 Weeks Pregnant. It was SO easy! We just bought 6 yards of stretch knit fabric (mainly cotton with stretch) that was 60 inches wide, folded it in half, length-wise and cut it in half. I didn't even finish the edges since they were not frayed or unraveling, even after going through the wash! Super easy and like $21 for TWO baby carriers! Here's Mr. Divasaur trying his out (back when I was 32 weeks) with our first baby, Regina:




Regina is 16 pounds and LOVES to be carried like a baby. She loved the wrap and was all snuggly and wanted to nap in there! It was too cute. Mr. Divasaur was excited that he'll be able to wear Libby while he's working around the house and doing homework. He was also happy that I chose this blue-gray color for the fabric rather than some cutesy print or bright red or something. Ladies, if you're on a budget but want a nice wrap, I highly recommend you try making one. No sewing needed! I made ours 30" wide, but if you prefer a less wide one, check out these instructions.

Here's Mr. Divasaur goofing off. Please note...this is how NOT to wear the wrap (or the baby)!

He said, "In the summer, when it's hot you can wear it like a one-piece sunsuit...like this..."

And here's our baby girl, all snuggled in tight. In the two weeks she's been with us I've worn her about 18 hours/day. It's awesome...she loves it and I can get some things done hands-free while she nurses or naps. It's also helped me become very aware of her cues so that she doesn't have to cry to let me know she needs her diaper changed or that she's hungry or needs to burp. I love wearing my LO and love that I can do it for le$$.

She LOVES snuggling down in her baby wrap carrier!
And here are three more must-haves that I have discovered in this first two weeks as a mom:

1) Nursing Tanks - I love these ones from Target by Gillian and O'Malley. They are only $16 and come in side sling as well as full sling versions. I also got two nursing tanks from Walmart, but prefer these Target ones more...they're more supportive, longer and come in many more colors.

2) Lap Pads - These flannel and vinyl lap pads are old school, but they work! I have been using them for EVERYTHING. As a barrier between baby and the changing pad, and as sheet protectors on the Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper and Crib. They're cheap and easy and good for lots of things!

3) Always Infinity Overnight Pads - With post partum bleeding (lochia) I was not looking forward to having to wear a maxi pad for weeks. I am not a maxi pad gal...I much prefer tampons, but they're a no-no for post partum bleeding. Anyway, I discovered these awesome, super thin maxi pads by Always. They're AWESOME! And really do the job.

Rave: Spa Baby/Tummy Tub

At the beginning of my third trimester I posted about the Spa Baby/Tummy Tub. It was a splurge for us at $50. Surely there are less expensive options and for a budgetzilla like me I was going on faith that somehow, this infant tub was different.

Well, lo and behold...it is! Here's Daddy Divasaur giving Libby her first bath today at two weeks old. She's fussing a bit in the first clip because we had just removed a dirty diaper (she doesn't like dirty diapers), but you'll notice how quickly she settles down. And afterwards, she was calm and relaxed and took a nice, long nap. Yay for this "funny bucket" that looks like we're making "baby soup." I definitely recommend this product...especially now that I have used it myself. Seems so much nicer than a wet baby flailing about in one of those reclined, shallow baby bath tubs that you have to use a wet washcloth on baby's tummy to try to keep him or her warm!

My Top Must-Haves for L&D and the First Week at Home

Last week I posted what we packed for the hospital. Even though we only live a half mile away, we packed in a way that wouldn't require anyone to dash home to get one last thing. I also wasn't 100% whether or not I'd end up with a c-section and a four to five night stay or just be there for two nights recovering from a vaginal delivery. Therefore I did over pack in the clothing department. Everything else we actually used. My top five must-haves for labor and delivery (besides a supportive husband and mother and our awesome doula) are:


1. Birthing/Yoga Ball

2. Alternative attire to the hospital gown ( I wore a sarong and bra top for L&D and my own button front PJ's for post partum)


3. Mellow/soothing music

4. Sleep Mask (I had one from an international flight amenities kit)...kept out the light from the fluorescent overhead lights and also helped me stay "in the zone" when nurses/staff would come in and check the monitor, IV, etc.

5. Massage (I was extra lucky...not only did I have the doula working her magic, but also my mother, who is a certified Rolfer.) I had two massages the week before my delivery (one was the night before). Then, while in labor, there was someone constantly massaging at least one part of me (back, shoulders, legs, feet, hands, etc.) It really helped me work through the pain of labor and relax both physically and mentally.


Aside from diapers and wipes, the car seat to get home from the hospital and of course, my
husband home from work this week and half of next, these are my Top 5 Gotta-have-'em when the baby comes home items:


1. Nursing Pillow (Boppy or My Brest Friend...I have both and use the Boppy in my rocking chair and the Brest Friend for nursing in bed or the living room)

2. Moby Wrap or similar (we DIY's our own for $21 which gave us two...one to wash, one to wear. Or in our case, one for me and one for Daddy).


3. Breastfeeding friendly tops and tanks (I only had two nursing tops and wish I had more before coming home from the hospital.)


4. Rocker/Recliner...mine swivels which is an added bonus!


5. Swaddling blankets, burp clothes and baby blankets


I am also going to add nightlights. We've installed them in our room, the baby's room, bathroom and kitchen. That way I can navigate through our home with our LO in the middle of the night without switching on overhead lights. It helps me to stay safe and also feel more "rested" despite not really getting a long stretch of sleep.


We are also glad we decided to use disposable diapers and wipes until the baby passed all of her meconium. It's just been easier to transition from the hospital to home. Especially since Mr. Divasaur just learned how to diaper a baby from the nursery staff at the hospital. We've been using Pamper's Swaddlers in NB (the hospital sent us home with Size 1 but we already had the NB size on hand and are preferring its fit to the Size 1's on our 8 lb. baby). We were using natural bamboo, unscented disposable wipes from Walgreen's in a Lionsheart Wipes Warmer. Genius! Our LO is not a huge fan of being changed and the warm wipes help calm her down. After her meconium passed on day 6, we transitioned to our cloth diaper and wipe stash. We're using cloth wipes with water in our wipes warmer and it's working beautifully. It seems that our LO is actually preferring cloth...she fusses a lot less now that we're not using disposables any more.


Things I have tried to use this week but am realizing are not for us:


1. Miracle Blanket (my baby likes her hands by her face when she's swaddled since that's how she was positioned in uetero). Also other "pre-formed" swaddlers...we're sticking with big, thin flannel and stretch cotton blankets.


2. Speaking of which, the cute flannel "receiving blankets" that you typically can get are TOO small to successfully swaddle a newborn. At least in our case. So we've been using them to "line" the bigger ones we got from the hospital and make the swaddling warmer. Other than that, I guess I'll be using them for changing diapers and mopping up spit-up.



3. Newborn clothing that goes over the head is not convenient with a brand new baby. Especially one that needs to be naked to nurse (she's too cozy otherwise and just dozes off...so I strip her down to her diaper, get her latched on and then cover her up with a blanket or wrap/carrier).


I got several gowns that are like a t-shirt on top and a long with elastic on the bottom because I was advised that these are great for a new baby. Same with onesies...the kind that go over the head and snap in the crotch. But before her belly button was in the clear, it was a pain to use those gowns and onesies. For the first week....I was loving the few kimono-style wrap and snap styled t-shirts that we have. They stayed off her belly button perfectly and it was easy to open them up, lay her on top and dress her. Way more easy than jostling her around to get something over her head, across her belly button and down.



Also, my DH has large hands and is having a hard time with little buttons and snaps. Again, in time I'm sure he'll feel more confident with them...but he is most comfortable with a sleeper we have that has a zipper up the front. I don't like it as well because the metal pull ends up right under our LO's chin and I feel it might dig into her or something.

Other than that, all I can say is for the first week home really plan on staying flexible and adjusting all expectations. I have had to give myself little pep talks all week that there's no one way to do this...despite all the advice available from friends, family, books and web sites. For me, it's about staying in the moment and tuning into my LO's cues. I am lucky because she is a really easy baby. She only fusses when she's hungry or has a wet/dirty diaper. So I am learning as I go. And always remembering that the first three months is basically the "fourth trimester" for her. So my days and nights are filled with lots of snuggles, kisses, breastfeeding and diaper changing. I know that this time will flash in a blink of the eye so I plan to embrace every moment of it, even though it means my eyes are blinking less than they used to before she arrived. I am now grateful for those sleepless nights of the third trimester. It's as if they helped "reset" my body clock for what's an acceptable amount of sleep/rest with which to function.

Here she is!

Technically speaking today would have been my fortieth week post...today is Libby's EDD. But instead of wishing and hoping for labor to begin, I am writing this with a sleepy five-day-old Libby sleeping on my chest in her baby wrap carrier (our DIY Moby). She's been breast feeding like a champ since she was 2 minutes old. My milk came in yesterday and instead of feeding every 45-60 minutes we are enjoying a good feeding session followed by 2-3 hours of angelic sleep!



Born January 25, 2010 at 7:04 p.m.
8 lbs., 4 oz. and 19.75 inches long

So, without further ado...here's my recollection of her birth story. My doula is writing one for us too and I'll be sure to post it once I get it from her, since my details are a little fuzzy.

01.24.10
Day before the induction. I spent a lot of time meditating and visualizing a safe and happy birth for me and for Libby. I did have some anxiety about what was to come the next day and let the tears come freely. I got a massage that evening and slept more soundly than I had in months!

01.25.10
3:30 a.m. - awoke...showered and had a light breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast.

5:00 a.m. - report to hospital





6:00 a.m. - I changed into my birthing attire...a cotton sarong (bought a few yards of fabric, washed it and finished the edges with the sewing machine) and a hook-front, cotton tank bra (similar to a sports bra...it's by Leading Lady® ). I was adamant not to wear the scratchy hospital gown. I hate wearing nightgowns and wasn't going to do it just because I was in the hospital! Pitocin started - 2 cm



First and only bare belly shot

7:30 a.m. - Mild contractions start and the doctor ruptured my membranes. It was the oddest sensation ever...warm liquid just gushed forth. I was up and laboring on the birthing ball, standing over the bedside and getting counter pressure on my back from my mom and doula and sat on the bed in a "throne" position (the back up as high as possible and the foot of the bed dropped down so I could sit with my feet on the lower portion.) I breathed through the contractions as they came and chatted when they weren't there. We had mellow music on in the back ground and the mood was light.

12:00 p.m. - Contractions had increased in intensity and I was having tons of back labor. Baby was obviously still face up. I was checked and thinking that by now I surely must be closer to 5 cm. They said 3 cm and 80% effaced and I was pretty upset that this is all I had progressed. They increased the Pitocin and I started to cry and express my doubts about being able to continue without pain medication.

3:30 p.m. - I was laboring with intense contractions. At this point they were 60-90 seconds long and coming every 1-2 minutes. I had my eyes closed and asked that the overhead lights be turned off.I was sure that I must be close to 5 cm by now! I was checked and told that I was 4 cm and still not very thinned. The contractions were becoming unbearable because my legs were spasming with each one. So as I was trying to relax and breath my legs were clamping closed and almost "seizing"...I was shaking uncontrollably.

4:15 p.m. - The next 45 minutes (between 3:30-4:15 p.m.) was rough. Despite doing my best to stay with my breathing and coping techniques,I couldn't get on top of them because my legs were just taking over my body and not allowing me to relax. After much struggle, I finally begged for the epidural. It seemed like an eternity before I got it. I worked through another 15 minutes of hard contractions and then I finally got it. I have to say, it wasn't scary like I imagined and it felt like a dream...my legs stopped quivering enough for me to sleep for an hour.

5:30 p.m. - After an incredibly deep sleep, I was finally 7 cm and fully dilated...my legs still continued to tremble with every contraction, but I felt no pain! Upper body starts shaking though with each contraction so I still know when they're coming!




My mom, husband and I just before pushing began.

6:15 p.m. - Time to push! Worked with the awesome nurse of the day to "practice push" until the doctor arrived. The "practice" ones were easy and she crowned immediately. No pain, just pressure, which I was glad to have the sensation to know what I was doing. Doctor arrived and in 4 pushes (I did 4 sets of breathe and push for 4 times each, I wanted her OUT!)





My husband and doula watching the baby being born. They were both tearing up!
7:04 p.m. - Libby was born! They put her on my chest immediately and within minutes she was latched on and nursing. She knew exactly what to do. It was amazing.

Our first family photo just seconds after Libby was born.

From here the details get very blurry for me. I had a very tough 3rd stage and lost a lot of blood. They worked on me for 45 minutes. My placenta came out swiftly but with some was retained (doctor doesn't think so) or a piece of my uterine lining came out with it. Apparently there were buckets of fresh blood being removed as well as being mopped off the floor. I remember none of this (no one was panicked or saying things that sounded urgent). I do remember the look on our doula's face and that my mom and Joseph took Libby to the warmer and were tending to her. Now I know they were distracting themselves from seeing me bleeding. I am fuzzy on these details but there was my doctor and the nurse, both inside of me with tools scraping my lining and massaging my uterus. It was very intense and it made me projectile vomit (imagine the Heimlich from within)! My blood pressure dropped to 84/43. They administered some shot of medicine in my leg and I heard the Doctor say, "800 of Cytotec"...

Anyway, long story short...they got my uterus to finally tighten up. It took about 45 minutes - hour. After that I am not sure what happened. I did have Libby back on my breast. And then I slept, I think. I awoke and the epi was out, etc. I am not sure how long that was...it was around 9 p.m. or so. I did have one fainting spell in the bathroom but other than that, I was stable and pretty much "back to normal" by 11 p.m. I had a grilled cheese sandwich and french fries! They were delicious!

So in the end...I was incredibly grateful to be in hospital. I did have the vaginal birth I wanted and labored without pain meds fror 12 hours. Ultimately, the epidural was the right choice...it allowed Libby to be born quickly and also enabled me to get through that horrible stage three scenario. Had I not had the epi I would have been rushed to the OR and fully sedated. And had they not been able to stop the bleeding my doctor said the only option was to have my uterus removed! Very scary stuff.

But all in all...I have no real memory of that and I feel great. Libby is so wonderful...she's a fantastic nurser and basically has been teaching me what to do. Mr. Divasaur has been so hands on with her and we're making a great team.

Thanks to all of your 'Saurs and blog followers for all of the wonderful support...from before we decided to TTC and all the way through this pregnancy as well as L&D! You are the best!

Thirty-Nine Weeks

Today I am thirty-nine weeks and one day pregnant and it's my last day of this pregnancy. I will be induced tomorrow at 5 a.m. and plan to meet our little girl tomorrow. Mr. Divasaur is adorable...he purchased 4 dozen birthday cupcakes in chocolate and vanilla to share with the staff at the hospital tomorrow. They are the same cupcakes I bought to announce my pregnancy at work! And he keeps singing the Happy Birthday Song. He's positively giddy. Several times today he's said, "honey...we're having a baby TOMORROW!"

I, on the other hand, am vacillating between calm composure and overwhelming anxiety. I am nervous about what could or could not happen tomorrow. To me. And to my baby. I am praying that everything happens the best way that it can. And trying to meditate and be positive. I have resting a lot and it's felt good to just cat nap when I need to sleep. Mr. Divasaur and I went to a movie and have eaten at a couple of our favorite restaurants. We've taking walks and given extra attention to our furbabies, who are super clingy right now. We've also updated our Birth Plan (to include that fact that I will now be induced), shopped for last minute baby things (Lanisoh, Soothies Gel Breast Pads and infant finger nail clippers), and finally packed our hospital bags. Yes, there's two. One with clothing and toiletries and the other with extras such as bath sheets, pillows, comfort measures (massage lotions, tools, etc.), camera, laptop, etc.

Here's what's in our bags:

Purse with ID, insurance card and epidural registration card

Clothing for me:
Sports bras and sarong (for L&D)
Fleece Robe
PJs (three pair of button front tops/drawstring pants)
Nursing Tanks
Socks
Crocs (for shower, walking the halls, etc.)
Uggs
velour hoodie/sweatsuit (one in pink; one in black)
Granny panties

Clothing for baby:
NB sized outfit with hat, socks, onesie, etc.
0-3 sized outfit with hat, socks, onesie, etc.
Bunting
Outfit for first photo (hospital photo)
Swaddling Blankets

Clothing for hubby:
Lounge clothes
Shoes
Socks
T-shirts
Underwear
Glasses & Contacts
Swim trunks (for assisting in shower)

Electronics:
Camera with charger and USB cord
Laptop with charger
Cell Phone with charger

Extras:
CDs for labor/post partum (or use laptop with AccuRadio.com)
Bath sheets (2 - one for me; one for DH)
Birthing Ball
Bath mat (for birthing ball and/or shower)
Snacks/drinks for mom, hubby & doula
Cupcakes for nurses/staff
Moby Wrap
Notebook/pen
Pillows (body pillow, king sized pillow and one smaller one)
Extra blanket for hubby
Change for vending machines/cash for cafeteria
Car seat
Birth plan (several copies)
Tennis balls and other massage tools/items
Massage lotion/oil
Essential oil (Grapefruit)
Hard candies
Breath mints
My Brest Friend Pillow
Travel Neck Pillow

Toiletries:
Glasses and contacts
Contact Solution
Lip Balm
Lotion
Make-up
Hair products
Hair clips and headbands, etc.
Lanisoh
Q-tips
Neti Pot
Vaseline
Tucks Pads
Eye drops
Toothbrushes and Toothpaste
Nail file/baby nail clippers for baby

We live 5 minutes from the hospital so if there's something I want and didn't pack, I'll send my mom back to get it. That said, I've packed with the possibility that I will have to stay 4 nights in case my induction leads to a c-section. I am hoping for a vaginal birth and to check out after 24 or 48 hours at the most. We shall see. DH plans to stay with us as long as we're in the hospital, even though I've told him that if he's not sleeping well that I'd prefer he go home and sleep in our bed and come back in the morning. Again we'll just have to play it all by ear.

So there you have it. I cannot believe that this time last year we had just decided that we were ready to start our family and now, a year later, we're preparing to meet our baby girl. It's amazing. And what a wild ride. While the end of my first pregnancy is near, I am sure that this is just the beginning of what will certainly be a life-changing journey.

Thirty-Eight Weeks

This is my thirty-eighth and last week of pregnancy. I will be induced on Monday morning at 5 a.m. at 39w2d. I cannot believe that the end is almost near. I decided to start my maternity leave this week and it's been a real blessing. I've been able to rest and relax, take care of little last minute to-do items like scheduling our baby's first doctor's appointment, her first photo shoot, get her books and toys organized, bottles sanitized, etc. We've installed the baby monitor in her crib (we went with the AngelCare Movement and Sound Monitor) and the Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper (original size) next to our bed. She'll nap in the crib and sleep nights in our room in the co-sleeper. I also managed to hit up some local consignment stores and scored a brand-new, in the package, activity playmat for $13 as well as some cute cotton sleepers, and adorable Amy Coe knit cap and booties for very little money. Score!

My husband has been off this week too (since we initially thought yesterday would be our induction date) and we've been enjoying sleeping in, taking daily walks together and just enjoying our remaining days of couple time without a baby.

Unfortunately, this week has also brought some added stress from family issues. They say that life changing events like weddings, funerals and births tend to bring out the worst in some family members. And I can attest, it's true. This week has stirred up drama with our mothers. And it's hit me extra hard, I think, because I am about to become a mother myself.

Without getting into the big, gory details, it boils down to this: both my DH and I are adult children of alcoholics/addicts. And even though our mother's are sober (technically, that is...they don't drink alcohol anymore), they both continue to exhibit dysfunctional behavior that affects their mental, physical and emotional health. And their actions (or sometimes lack of action) continues to negatively impact us.

I don't know why I am surprised that just as we are preparing to become parents, a huge life step, they have both come up with ways to pull the attention towards them and yet again, put us in the position of having to parent our parents. My husband and I are doing our best to cope, draw clear boundaries and not get too sucked into their dramas. It's tough though and it's really making me take stock of my own wishes for parenting our children.

In the back of my mind I have always known that becoming a mother would stir this stuff up. I guess I just didn't anticipate that it would be at the same time I am bringing my baby into this world. So my husband and I are talking, talking, talking and if need be, I plan to meet with a counselor. The last thing I want is to have these feelings, along with everything that comes along with being a new mother, to overwhelm me and lead to depression or emotional shut down. Thankfully, I am off work for several weeks and will have the time to do whatever to takes to manage all of this stuff.

That said, in addition to all of this emotional turmoil, I am waffling between feeling excited to meet our little girl and anxious that we're not ready. I am pretty sure this is normal. With all of this time off, I have re-read La Leche League's "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" and re-worked our birth plan to include the issues that induction brings. I have spent time visualizing how I hope our birth goes and am also mentally prepared for what may happen...like a c-section. At the end of the day, I know none of it is really in my control and that as long as Libby and I are healthy and safe that is all that really matters.

According to BabyCenter, here's what's happening this week:

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Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

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Induction Rescheduled

I've just returned from my appointment with the OB/GYN...she's agreed to reschedule our induction to next Monday. So January 25th it will be...5 a.m. Unless Libby decides between now and then to debut on her own (I am so praying for that)! I am so glad I asked if there was any risk in waiting. If I hadn't I am sure I'd still be on schedule to induce this Wednesday even though my cervix is only 2 cm.

Since my blood sugars are good she's comfortable with delaying the induction. And, Libby measured 7 lbs. 2 oz. today whereas last week we were told 7 lbs. 8 oz. so obviously this is not an exact science (sort of frustrating, really) and I would just love to give her as much time as possible, in case the measurements are really off. No need to bring a preemie into this world for less than pressing reasons.

With delaying 5 days (from this Wednesday to next Monday) I will not need cervical softening (Cervidil or Cytotec), so we'll just start with a low dose of Pitocin and then she'll break my water. Again, more interventions than I had hoped for, but certainly less to start with than if we tried to do it this week. She has also turned sunny-side up (again) so I have week to get her turn over. I see lots of pelvic rocking and hanging my belly in my future.

That said, I've already started my maternity leave (as of today) and considered going back into work this week, but honestly I am beat! I am not sleeping well and I am just going to take this week to prepare for labor and delivery and bringing home our baby girl.

Thirty-Seven Weeks

I am actually 38 weeks pregnant today, but I hadn't done my 37 week post yet. And in 4 days (or less) I won't be pregnant anymore. I cannot believe it. This last 4-5 weeks have just flown by! And oddly enough, she may just decide to come on her own. On Friday I lost my mucus plug and had my bloody show. I have been feeling more and more pressure down low and have had 3-4 contractions and hour for 1-2 hours. So maybe I will be able to avoid my induction after all? Only time will tell for sure.

This past week I have wrapped up things at my office in anticipation of my maternity leave beginning. It's weird to think I'll be off for 10 weeks! The last time I had that length of time off was the summer break of my freshman year in high school! So...that'll be strange. Of course, I'll be busy figuring out all the things that new mothers need to figure out. I have been feeling overwhelmed by some of that! I mean, I know I am prepared. But at the same time I have that feeling I used to get right before final exams in college...knowing I had studied and was prepared and yet, I still had a nagging thought in my head, "I hope I am ready."

The good news is, mothering is a process...and I know I will just have to learn along the way. I have recently read "The No Cry Sleep-Solution" and "The Baby Whisperer" and have realized that I just need to pick and chose what works for me, my husband and most of all, our daughter. There is no one way to do this!

I am also a multi-tasker so I have been really talking to myself about being okay with "just" being there for my baby. Breast-feeding and not doing anything else (reading, talking on the phone, watching TV, etc.). Napping often. I want to take these first weeks to just get to know my baby and for her to get to know me. I'll never have this time again. So I plan to embrace it. And cry if I need to...and ask my DH and mom for help. And let my DH figure things out for himself too. I've already promised him that he will not hear "you're not doing it right" out of my mouth. I want him to feel empowered as a dad to learn about his daughter the same way I need to learn about her. Thankfully, he's taking two weeks off of work to be home. He'll have school a few hours a week, but otherwise, we'll all be home together. And our furbabies will need to adjust too and I want to be sure give them the attention they'll be needing as well. So these next few days are about getting ready to bring the baby home.

According to BabyCenter, here's what's happening this week:

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Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away.

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

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Delivery Date Scheduled

Wow. It's here. We know when we're going to have our baby girl. I just got back from my weekly appt. and the baby is measuring 7 lbs. 8 oz. (up from 6 lbs. 3 oz. last week). Having gestational diabetes that requires insulin to control it has prompted my doctor to go ahead and schedule us for an induction for next Wednesday, 01.20.10.

I am feeling very overwhelmed...just returned from my OB appt. and have scheduled an induction for next Wednesday 01.20.10. Baby is measuring 7 lbs. 8 oz. today (up from 6 lbs. 3 oz. last week) and is doing well, but my doc doesn't want me to go past 39 weeks because she's afraid the baby will get too big and that with my insulin-dependent gestational diabetes that my placenta is aging faster than someone who doesn't have GD and use insulin.

My next appt. is on Monday morning to assess the situation...today I was still just 1finger dialated (well she said 1.5 fingers now...and it hurt like heck...I pray that the baby coming out hurts less than the doctor's hand being shoved in!) and my cervix was thick. No wonder, I am only 37 weeks, 4 days and with only 5% of first babies come by their EDD, it's very early for me still. At that point we'll discuss the induction process. We'll check my cervix again (and see if there's been any progress). I am hoping I am a candidate for Cervidil, rather than Cytotec, but right now my doc is leaning towards Cytotec. I'd prefer neither, but I really feel that cervadil is the lesser of two evils. So on Monday, I'll be making my wishes known about that. I am also worried because my Bishop's Score right now is not favorable for an induction, which can mean that in all likelihood it will progress to a c-section. I am trying to stay positive and keep my eye on the prize...finally holding Libby in my arms.

That said, I am having very mixed emotions. I am thrilled to know that we'll be meeting our daughter very, very soon. But I am very upset that my natural birth plan is completely unraveling. I know when I got the GD dx that this could be a consideration but now that it's here I am feeling very sad that my body will not be allowed to go into labor and birth my baby on it's own. I am also very afraid of what could potentially go wrong, especially with all of the medical interventions that are being planned.

As I have posted, DH and I attended Bradley Birth Classes and have hired our instructor to be our doula (she's certified and also an RN). All of this has been in preparation to go totally unmedicated with little or no interventions. Being diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 28 weeks and then starting insulin at 30 weeks have been a total game changer. Now, my focus is trying to avoid a c-section and I am trying to mentally prepare for an induction and most likely, the need for an epidural and of course, the possibility that all of it can end up in a c-section.

So on Monday I'll have more details...will we use Cytotec or Cervidil to ripen my cervix? Will I need to go in on Tuesday night or can I just go in on Wednesday? What I do know is this...my labor and delivery will involve the use of Pitocin, which I really, really, really didn't not want to have to do. So now, I am mentally preparing for all of this and also changing my goal from going naturally to now, just trying to deliver vaginally so that I don't end up with a c-section. Again, I know c-sections happen everyday and that they aren't the end of the world, but I really don't want one at all. I also want to be sure that even if my delivery doesn't go as I wished that post-partum does. This means breastfeeding right away and having baby in my room at all times. If she has blood sugar issues I want them to test her for them in our room. And if she needs glucose supplementation I don't want them administering it with a bottle.

At the end of the day, I am mainly focusing on the fact that by this time next week I will be a mommy and finally be holding my precious baby girl in my arms. The rest? I guess I am just going to have to suck it up and deal. I pray that everything goes as well as it possibly can go and that there are no complications for me or for her. Positive vibes are welcomed!

Thirty-Six Weeks

Well, sort of...let me explain.

Way back in week seven, after my first u/s at the doctor's I was told that my EDD was 02.02.10. I had been charting and knew my exact ovulation date and conception date and calculated the EDD to be 01.30.10, but since the doc said 02.02.10 I went with it.

Well, last week at my NST the nurse said, oh you're getting close...January 30th will be here soon. I just smiled and nodded and thought, "Hmmm. Why does my chart say 01.30.10?" So this week at the OB's I asked. Turns out that even though that first u/s said 02.02.10 she decided it was close enough to my original calculation of 01.30.10 based upon my TTC chart that she kept it. News to me! And to Mr. Divasaur! Granted it only moves our EDD up three days but somehow, at least psychologically speaking, it has made a big impact because it now means that we're having our baby THIS month! Mr. Divasaur's eyes got big like saucers and after we left the OB appt. he was giddy with excitement. It had hit him!

And we are ready. The car seat has been installed. My coworkers threw me a shower today and this weekend I'll do a final load of baby laundry (with lots of cuteness acquired from today's party). We met with our doula tonight to go over our birth plan. And I had another NST which Libby passed with flying colors. My GD is under control (although I've had to increase my dosage of insulin to stay on top of my numbers...but that is to be expected the closer an insulin-dependent GD mama gets to her due date). Next week I get another internal exam to check for any progress (I declined the internal this week). And I am sure I'll continue to feel crampy and contractions as the days and weeks come to pass. I am feeling BIG. And uncomfortable and ready to have my daughter in my arms. I have a big meeting at work at the end of next week and then, mentally, I will be done with work. I may start working from home in week 38 and 39...we shall see. Sitting at my desk all day has become uncomfortable and causes my ankles to swell, even though I have my feet propped up on a step stool.

My coworkers threw me a baby shower, which was really sweet since I had't expected to have one. My assistant decorated my office and set up a card table with a cake and favors. People dropped by during the lunch hour and I opened their gifts and then had them displayed for the others to come by and oogle (a tradition in our office, I guess. It's very Southern!) I was sad that I wasn't going to get to have a shower, with all of my closest friends and family living 1500 miles away, but the ladies I work with went above and beyond to make it happen. It was so nice of them and they were quite generous...Libby got a bunch of cute clothes, some great books, coxy blankets and some fun toys.

So I am in the final stretch. Libby measured 6 lbs. 3 oz. this week. According to BabyCenter, here's what's up in there:

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

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A letter to my unborn daughter

Dear Elizabeth,

Today is the first day of 2010 which means that Daddy and I will be meeting you very soon. We are so excited and cannot wait to hold you in our arms and study your face. Will you have Daddy's nose? Only time will tell is for sure.

It was just a year ago that we were asking ourselves, "are we ready to become parents?" And here we are, just weeks away from meeting you, our first child. Thank you so much for choosing us to be your parents.

We promise to always love you unconditionally, just as you are, no matter what. We will always do our best to be the best we can be so that you may thrive and flourish to become the best that you can be. We won't always be perfect or right, but I promise you that we'll always do the very best that we can do in that moment and when we know better, we'll do better. Always.

You are being named after your Grandma Debra and your Granny Judie...two of the strongest and giving women we know. They both have overcome many obstacles and much adversity in their lives and we hope you'll learn from their wisdom and life's experiences. Elizabeth is Grandma Debra's middle name and Joan is Granny Judie's middle name. We're calling you Libby for short, but if or when you decide you'd prefer a different nickname or none at all (like Daddy) we'll respect your choice, one-hundred percent.

You are our first baby, our first child. We will learn to be good parents from you. And we will teach you everything we know about being a good person - loving freely, respecting diversity and appreciating all that this life has to offer you.

I'll be a little sad when your birthday finally comes - just for a fleeting moment though - because I will no longer have you all just to myself. Your little flips and kicks and wiggles. But I'll be so happy to have you here to hold and to share your fingers and toes with Daddy and everyone else who already loves you so much.

Please never doubt how much you were wanted or how much you are already so loved. From the moment we knew about you, we were overwhelmed with love for you. Even before that, we wanted you with fierce passion and we were so happy that it didn't take you long to find us. I am pretty sure that you're the best birthday present Daddy has ever received. And you're a treasure to me. You are the only person in this world who knows what my heartbeat sounds like from the inside. It's amazing to know that I am giving you life. Thank you for this privilege, I will treasure it always.

We love you sweet little girl and cannot wait until you arrive. Stay safe until you're ready and when you are...Daddy and I will be waiting with open arms.

Love,
Mommy

Thirty-Five Weeks

and thirty-five days to go! Wow. And of course, I am thirty-five years old.

I am feeling ready to have this baby. I swear I have gotten bigger in just one week! I have my first internal exam today with the OB/GYN (honestly I'd like to decline it as I really don't see the point. Most midwives don't do internal exams until 40 weeks or more). I will also have my Group B Strep test. It's just my luck that I'll have it. I'll know soon enough.

Update: Just got back from the OB...baby is measuring exactly 6 lbs and has flipped over to a head down anterior position. YAY! I hope she stays that way until it's time for her debut. Oh, and I am 1 centimeter dialted. I'll tell you the internal exam is not fun...it hurt. My OB said, "now's the time to try out your Bradley Method breathing." Nice. I sure hope that giving birth doesn't hurt in the same way that the internal did. She said "some pressure" and I felt "immense pinching." I mean, I know giving birth will hurt, but it seems that letting something out is far less traumatic than having something shoved in....yikes!

I have been sleeping better this last week, thank goodness. I am not sure why that is, but I am so grateful. I was having horrible hip pains (especially from sleeping on my side) and have done a little research on how to stretch so that the pain can be minimized. So a few times a day and especially before bed, I stretch my hips, hamstrings and groin muscles. It has helped a lot.

I met with my endocrinologist last week for my four week follow-up appointment since being put on insulin. She said I am doing very well and that typically, in the last month of pregnancy, the insulin dosage will need to be increased as the placenta continues to pump out hormones that override the pancreas. So I am increasing my evening dosage of insulin by two units to see if that will help my fasting numbers (which have always been the issue from the start). Also, if my after dinner numbers continue to rise (I had a few high ones last week, but I chalk it up to the holidays) then we might need to add a fast acting insulin injection before that meal. I hope to avoid that though but eating really cleanly now that Christmas has passed. I did really well, in all honesty, but I did sample some sweets at work that I probably should have just avoided all together.

Speaking of Christmas, we had a freak blizzard here (second one in history) and were literally snowed in on Christmas Eve. We had to cancel our Christmas Day plans with my in-laws. So it was just me and my hubby and our furbabies camped out at home. We watched Julie and Julia and The Hangover. My husband also finally finished assembling the crib and we got the nursery into some semblance of order.

Remember my inspiration board?

Here are some photos of our progress:

View of the nursery from the doorway.

Simply Shabby Chic (from Target) Pillow and Banners...to decorate the crib.
When the baby sleeps in there we'll take the pillow out though.

I still need to add more accessories to this shelf. The dress in the middle and two to the right of it were mine when I was a baby. The other two were awesome consignment sale finds!

This lamp was in my room when I was a toddler. I made a new lampshade for it to coordinate with the colors in the nursery. The lamp was a vintage shop find by my mom when I was just 2 years old, so it's got to be at least 45-50 years old by now.

These are shelves from IKEA that we've had for at least 10 years! The baskets had red and yellow striped liners so I made new ones to match the lamp shade. The Care Bears are new except for the dark blue one which was mine when I was a child...vintage! You can tell he's different because he has real hair and the others don't.

Swivel/Rocker/Recliner we scored for $50 on Craigslist. The day bed is 25 years old and real enameled iron with brass finials, also found on Craigslist. We still need to get a proper quilt for it (I like this one from Target's Simply Shabby Chic line) and add the pop up trundle and a dust ruffle.

Bigger view of the room. Not pictured...Mr. Divasaur's "study" corner which is to the right of the daybed.

Diaper stash and supplies and a second-hand Lionsheart Wipes Warmer I got for $6.

Our multi-functional crib with lots of storage.
Still awaiting the arrival of the properly sized changing pad for the top of the drawers.
Best of all it will convert to a single youth bed with a nightstand when the baby is ready to transition out of the crib.

I still need to add the wall decals (tree, birds and woodland animals) as well as hang the bird mobile.
So it's still a work in progress...


Wall letters that I made with supplies from the local craft store.
I decoupaged scrapbook paper onto the balsa wood letters and then attached them to twine
with mini clothes-line clips (hot glued in the back for extra security).
I still plan to add some bird decals to the clothesline.

Mr. Divasaur proud of the hard work he did putting our crib together by hand.

I hope to have all of the final touches done soon and that way we're totally set for Libby's arrival. Speaking of which, I have this weird feeling she's coming early. I cannot really say why though. The date of January 19th keeps popping up in my dreams, etc. We shall see. I know she's getting bigger, I can feel it.

According to BabyCenter, here's what's going on in there this week:

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

The Business of Being Born

I have finally watched this documentary regarding the medicalization of birth in America. It has just reconfirmed my desire to go natural. Maybe next time I'll get to do it in a birthing center or even at home. But for now, the plan is to labor at home as long as possible with our doula, who is also an RN, and she'll be in the hospital with us as well. If you'd like to watch it for yourself, you can watch it here: The Business of Being Born

Knowledge is power.

Thirty-Four Weeks

I cannot believe I am in the final stretch! Today marks 34 weeks of pregnancy! WHOA! Where does the time go...6 week or less before I am a mommy.

I am definitely in full nest mode and have given my husband a nice, long "honey do" list now that he's on winter break from school. I am praying the crib will be fully assembled by tomorrow. To be fair it's a crib with 5 drawers and takes a lot to put together. My honey has been pacing himself so his frustration levels with instructions that only have drawings to demonstrate assembly have been kept within reasonable bounds. We also still need to install the car seat bases in each car and the car seat into our CRV.

I have started packing my hospital bag...for some reason I feel like my little one may be anxious to make her debut in mid-January, so I want to be prepared. Speaking of which, I am on strict orders from my mother that Libby cannot be born until after January 16th. Turns out that my brothers surprised her last week with round-trip tickets to visit them for the holidays in California. She won't be back until January 16th and is so worried she may miss the baby's birth. I promised her that if we checked into labor and delivery before then that we'd call her right away so she could at least try to fly back here in time. Personally, I'd like for Libby to come after that date as well as that weekend is my last big meeting before her due date and I'd really like to be there for it.

So what's new? My discomfort grows with each passing day. I am not sleeping well at all and the other night I only clocked four hours of broken sleep. And I actually fell out of the bed in the morning! Good thing my "nest" of pillows fell before I did, so I had a cushy landing on all fours. Not a pretty sight! I just cannot get comfortable at night...between the achy hips and back and stuffy nose and acid reflux, it's all too much. Basically I have to pass out for sheer exhaustion. That said, I do think the baby has dropped a bit because I feel her less under my ribs and I also feel like I can breathe a little better. The downside is that I feel her more on my bladder and that means potty breaks on the hour. Even in the middle of the night. I am now convinced that God makes us miserable in the third trimester so that we are so desperate to not be pregnant anymore we are willing to put up with sleepless nights with a newborn, poop blow-outs, colic, sore nipples, etc.

But I am also starting to feel I may miss some aspects of being pregnant. Like feeling her little jabs and kicks on the inside. And loving the fact that my nails and hair have never been stronger or ever grown faster. And in a weird way, I feel more in tune and accepting, even appreciative, of my body and what it is capable of doing. It truly is miraculous!

Tomorrow I see the OB for my 34 week appointment and also see the endocrinologist for my four week follow-up since starting insulin. I also will have another non-stress test...most likely on Christmas Eve. Which is fine by me, since I will probably have a better chance of being seen in timely way. Last week, I couldn't get in on my scheduled day, Thursday, and finally got in on Friday night. I arrived at 5:30 p.m. as they requested and got in the room at 6:45 p.m.! I was out by 8 p.m. and was told that it was really busy because of all of the year-end inductions and scheduled c-sections. So much so that I saw a woman, clearly in labor, wait in the waiting room for 45 minutes for a room. Apparently they are so booked with scheduled deliveries that didn't have room for someone who spontaneously went into labor. Yikes. I am hoping that doesn't happen to me. We plan to labor at home as long as possible, so when I get there, it should be close to go time. That's the plan at least. Only time will tell at this point what really will go down.

For now, here's a peek into Libby's world this week, according to BabyCenter:

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

Thirty-Three Weeks

Today I am thirty-three weeks pregnant. I can hardly believe it. I feel it though. The last few days I have been feeling really big and awkward. I shaved my legs the other day, but fear it may be the last time for a while. Bending at the waist is just not comfortable anymore and I feel like when I try to do it, I cannot breathe. My mom gave me a pedicure yesterday...my feet really needed the attention. LOL! And I am trying to find some warm winter shoes that I can slip on because again, tying shoes and zipping boots is just not very possible these days.

Tomorrow I have my first non-stress test. Although it's causing me stress! I have to go to Labor and Delivery at the hospital. But the deal is they cannot schedule me an appointment. They have to fit me in when and where they can. So I have to call first thing in the morning and then they'll let me know if there's any time available to come in for the test. If not, I just have to call back later. Never mind that I do work a full-time job and am slammed with end-of-the-year deadlines and projects! Now that I am nearing the end of my pregnancy I can see the benefit of not working while pregnant or at least not working the last trimester...it's brutal! Art least I do have some flexible time at work, I cannot imagine attending to all these medical appointments and having a job with no flex time.

Other than that, the days seem to be flying by. I am into a routine now with the GD diet and testing, although I forgot to take my insulin one morning last week and nearly did it again yesterday. I was two blocks from work, remembered I had forgotten to take my morning dose and had to drive all the way home to do it. I was so mad at myself! Seems my brain is very distracted these days and my short term memory is shot. So post-it notes are my new best friend.

Libby seems to be getting bigger and more active too. My Braxton-Hicks contractions continue...but just a few a day. They don't hurt, but they can be distracting, especially when I am in a meeting at work! I am hoping she'll turn over and be face down the closer we get to her birthday. The last thing I want is a sunny-side up delivery with lots of back labor. OUCH! I have been doing pelvic rocking as well as "hanging my belly" for about 30 minutes a day using my pilates ball and hope that will encourage her to turn over and face down. Hopefully she'll make her move!

According to BabyCenter, here's what's happening this week:

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This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

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Thirty-Two Weeks

Today I am thirty-two weeks pregnant. Not much has changed from last week. Miss Libby continues to kick up a storm. The other morning my belly had a weird point in it, just above my belly button. I am guessing it was her bum or knees or something. We have an appointment tomorrow and will have an ultrasound so I hope to get a better idea of how she's situated in there. She's been head down since 28 weeks, but I don't know if she's sunny-side up or not.

My body continues to feel the aches and pains of the third trimester. My latest development is that bending over at the waist is really no longer an option. I either need to squat to get down low or use my toes to pick things off the floor (like dog toys or a lost sock, etc.) It's pretty annoying, actually. I rarely sleep through the night and am usually up about every 2 hours either to pee or because I am uncomfortable or both. I have finally devised a sleeping "nest" of about 8 pillows that I pile up in a way that allows me to be on my back without being flat on it...sort of in the way that you can innertube on your backside, but you're not flat on your back at all. Sleeping on my side has been killing my hip, so this has been the compromise and so far, so good.

Last weekend was busy with getting more prepared for her arrival. Our crib mattress arrived and the crib is being shipped this week. The rug we ordered for her room is also on its way. I finished up some decorative DIY projects and will put them up as soon as her room is organized. I finished the last load of baby wash and scored some great bargains at a local consignment shop. They had a $5/bag sale in that you can stuff as many things as you can fit into one of their shopping bags and it's only $5. Even better there are no limits, so I got 3 bags worth of clothing for $15! We are all set on clothes through the end of next summer. I also scored a Schwinn Jogger Stroller for $30! It has big tires that you pump with air (like a bike) and a hand break. Our neighborhood doesn't have sidewalks and the streets are rough with tree roots and water damage, etc. so I am glad we'll have a comfy ride for Libby when we walk the neighborhood. We can also use this stroller on local park trails that are unpaved. Now we just have to get our pug dogs used to walking along side a stroller. All in due time.

Speaking of due time, I have been having the feeling lately that I won't make to my EDD of 02.02.10. I cannot really pinpoint why though. Maybe it's the GD diagnosis? Before that I always had a feeling I might go past my EDD. But lately the date of 01.19.10 stands out in my head as the day she'll arrive. Don't ask me why. Women's intuition? I have no idea. Only time will tell.

According to BabyCenter, here's what's happening this week:

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

ETA: 12.09.09 - We saw the OB today and had an u/s. Libby is measuring 4 lbs. and 9 ozs. She is head down, but sunny-side up. She still has plenty of time to turn over and I do hope she does because sunny-side up = back labor. OUCH! Seems that big movement she makes near my belly button that causes the "pointiness" is her drawing her knees up down towards her chest and they straightening them out again. We got to see her lungs "practice breathing" and her heart beating, as well as hear it. The doctor says she looks great and has plenty of fluid around her, etc. Next week I begin non-stress tests once a week at the hospital's labor and delivery floor.

Nursery Inspiration

Well the nesting mode has kicked in full force. This weekend it continues with finishing up some DIY craft projects (will post pics soon) and getting some more furniture in place. I've score an awesome antique iron and brass day bed with pop up trundle on Craigslist for a steal. I am so excited! It will go in the nursery and provide a place for mommy or daddy to sleep with baby, if/when the need arises down the road and she's no longer in her co-sleeper. We also can use it to free up our room for guests who come to visit (since we no longer have a guest room with my mom living with us).

We've put the nursery together on a budget with lots of consignment finds, Craigslist purchases, and repurposing/refurbishing items we already have. I have created this mood board to get a better idea of how it's all coming together:



The first two colors at the top (white and toasted almond) are the trim and wall colors of the room. We don't plan to paint since we're renting and the space is shared with my husband's study (he's a full-time nursing student) and we like it the way it is.

We have ice blue curtains up already, which led to my decision to incorporate the blue into our little girl's nursery. The pink chair is a swivel/rocker/recliner that we got for $50 and is a dusty rose color. And the apple green we are pulling in to balance the pink and blue we have going on in the room. I am calling this sort a of Shabby Chic meets Woodland Animal themed nursery. The cube shelving we already have so we're repurposing it for storage (using line storage baskets that I made new liners for that coordinate with the lampshade that I also DIY'd) and will add a changing pad to the top along with storage bins that have our cloth diapers and supplies in them.

The bird mobile is half done...I have sewn and stuffed all of the little birdies and just need to get some branches for them. The pillow with the dingle-ball trim I found at Target as part of their Simply Shabby line. And the wall decals are made of fabric and sold on Etsy. Those will transform the space into one that is truly for a little child, I think. We're still awaiting the arrival of our crib, but as soon as all of this is in place I will post pictures of the actual room....hopefully by the New Year.

Thirty-One Weeks

Today I am thirty-one weeks pregnant. I cannot believe that very soon I will be meeting my precious baby girl. She has been kicking up a storm lately and I am starting to see BIG movements on the outside, it's very surreal. I try to guess which body part it may be or what she might be doing in there! I have also had my first Braxton Hicks contractions. Some people call this false labor but in the Bradley Birthing Method they call it practice labor because your body is practicing for the real deal. They don't hurt (at least not yet), but they do feel strange and sort of take my breath away. It's another reminder that very soon I will be delivering this baby!

Realizing that in two months or less we'll have a baby at home with us, my husband and I used the long holiday weekend to get organized. We cleaned out closets, moved items into storage and generally just got our home more ready for a baby. We did four loads of laundry...baby blankets, booties, socks, onsies, jammies, clothes, cloth baby wipes, you name it! It was fun sorting through each size and wondering how a certain outfit might look on her. Will the turquoise one look good with her skin tone? Will the teeny newborn onsie even fit?

I also took advantage of Black Friday sales at JoAnn's Fabrics and bought fabric to finally sew the little stuffed Spool birdies for her mobile (still need to find some cool twigs), make new liners for baskets we have in shelving in her room and have enough left over to possibly make her a quilt. I also got some 4.5 inch balsa wood letters to spell her nickname, LIBBY, and decoupaged them with scrapbook paper that coordinates with the soft aqua, apple green and pink room we're pulling together for her. As soon as it's all done, I'll be sure to post photos of the shabby-chic-meets-woodland-animal-themed room we're doing for her.

I also finally gave my maternity leave proposal to my management team (we are 5 executive directors that function as one) and I should know later this week what they think of it and if they'll approve it. Basically I am proposing to take 8 full weeks off and then transition back to full time over the next 9 weeks...starting with working from home 4 hours/day for 2 weeks and then doing 4 hours/day from home, 3 days a week and coming into the office twice a week for 6 hours each time for another 3 weeks. Then finally, the last 4 weeks coming into the office every day but only for 6 hours each time rather than a full 8. I have 502 hours of leave time saved up and I hope they'll let me budget accordingly. That way I can transition back to working full time and have as much time at home with the baby as possible. Wish me luck, we discuss it at our weekly meeting tomorrow morning!

Finally, I am continuing to try to cope with my Gestational Diabetes. The insulin shots seemto be working fairly well, although I've noticed that if I have a restless night (less than 6 hours of sleep and getting up more than once) that my fasting number in the morning is still elevated. I don't know how to remedy that. I sleep really well (at least 8 hours and only up once in the night for the bathroom) about once or twice a week! I see the GD Counselor on Thursday morning and will ask her about this. Otherwise, the food and exercise plan with the added doses of insulin are not impossible, although I do find that if I am super busy at work I have a hard time remembering to test exactly two hours after breakfast or lunch. I have started setting an alarm on my cellphone to remember!

So, I am in the home stretch. Three quarters of the way done with this pregnancy! Knowing that some babies come as early as 35 weeks and others wait until past 40 I have no idea how soon I'll be meeting my little one. I know it won't be much past 40 weeks since my doctor has said that with GD she will induce before letting me get to 41 weeks. I post on the Third Trimester Board on The Bump and it's scary reading all of the varied birth stories. The ones that go well are totally inspiring, especially those that chose to go natural all the way. But there are many more of inductions, pre-term labor, babies being delivered by emergency c-section and having to spend time in the NICU as well as a few stories that don't end so happily that it makes me really nervous about what these next 8-9 weeks may hold. For now, I am trying to stay positive and think happy thoughts and prepare mentally, physically and emotionally for whatever make come

That said, according to BabyCenter, here's what Miss Libby is up to this week:

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This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

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