Bump Day -- 39 Weeks!

10 weeks...............20 weeks..............30 weeks.........

39 weeks......I thought I'd do the comparison today. Ya know, just in case I don't make it to 40! (Haha. Yeah right!)


How far along? 39 weeks. Put a fork in me. I'm done.

Weight gain/loss: Still hanging tough at +32 pounds. That's like 12 more than I told myself I wanted to gain and I fear the post partum diet I'm going to have to go on. Goodbye ice cream and gummy worms! It probably doesn't help that I started my pregnancy with a *few* more pounds than I would have liked.

Maternity Clothes? Haha. That's funny. As if I could fit into anything else.

Sleep: I could literally set a watch to my potty breaks. Two hours on the hour...like clockwork. When I am asleep though, I'm like the dead.

Stretch marks: Still nothing new, but I swear one is going to pop up on my foot with all this redonkulous swelling. Even my toes are fat.

Best moment this week: Feeling sorry for my big ole pregnant self and then feeling the baby move. It made me realize these are the last few days just me and him and I should probably embrace it a little before I have to start sharing him with the rest of the outside world.

Movement: Yep...and he's definitely feeling lower these days. Maybe this means I'm actually making some progress!

Food cravings: Ice cream! I may or may not have consumed an entire half gallon of ice cream in a matter of days then went to the store and bought another one so my husband wouldn't realize it was all gone already.

Gender: Team Blue!

Labor Signs: Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. My son will be attending college from my uterus.

Belly Button in or out? In. I told you all I'd make it without an outtie!

What I Miss: Not having to mentally prepare myself before walking up a flight of stairs or getting up off the couch.

What I'm looking forward to: Having an outside baby. The suspense is killing me!

Weekly Wisdom: As much as you just want to be done at this point....try and enjoy these last few child free days.

Milestones: I'm officially on people's "watch" list. When I show up at work, people are surprised. When I call someone unexpectedly, they think I'm calling with news. I also think a mild case of nesting has set in. I'm not busting out the toothbrush and bleach just yet, but I have this weird new obsession with making sure the house is in some sort of order when I leave everyday...just in case I don't come back for awhile. Oh! And the hospital bag is officially packed! It's go time!

Tasty.....Wednesday?

So my pre-scheduled post for yesterday didn't post.

Oops!

Oh well.....food is good any day of the week!

This is actually an oldie but a goodie around our house.

It's easy, delicious, not too calorie laden if you use fat free ingredients.....and best of all husband approved!

Enjoy!

Stove Top Easy Chicken Bake

1 box Stuffing Mix for Chicken (I use the store brand...it's cheaper)

1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces (I use 4 breasts since I have no real concept of how much chicken weighs and don't own a food scale)

1/3 cup sour cream (I use low fat)

1 can Cream of Chicken soup (I use fat free...sometimes cream of mushroom or celery if I don't have chicken on hand)

1 bag 16oz frozen mixed veggies thawed and drained (I like the carrot, pea, corn, bean variety but you can use anything you like. I dump the frozen veggies in a strainer in the morning so they can thaw and drain all day...not sure what happens if you forget this step and use frozen)

Preheat over to 400 degrees. Prepare stuffing mix as directed on the box.

Mix chicken, soup, sour cream and veggies in a 13x9 baking dish. Top with cooked stuffing.

Bake 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. I leave it uncovered so the stuffing gets a little crispy on top. Makes 6 servings and is GREAT for leftovers!

Bon Appetite!

Son....you've offically been served!

Well after another totally uneventful doctor's appt where I've made absolutely ZERO progress we decided to set an induction date....

I'm still hoping and wishing he comes on his own and my body decides to get it's act together and go into labor naturally...but just in case eviction papers have been served for Monday, August 9th.

Yep.

8/9/10

I guess if I have to suffer for 2 more weeks....at least it's a cool birthday!

Bump Day -- 38 Weeks

How far along? 38 Weeks. I was thinking the other day that I have been pregnant every single day in 2010 and many weeks in 2009 as well. Wow. That seems like an eternity.

Weight gain/loss: I give up. The scale game me like 20 different numbers this morning that were all across the board. It really is time to buy a new one, but at this point, I don't even care. I'm huge.....maybe it's better if I don't know for sure just how huge.

Maternity Clothes? My work shirts are officially too short. I spend half the day with my belly hanging out and the other half pulling down my shirt to cover it so I don't look like total hillbilly white trash.

Sleep: Sleep is actually still good. Other than the 2,345,589 potty breaks...those I could do without. I couldn't tell you the last time I slept the whole night through...no interruptions. Oh well, I suppose it's "preparing" me for baby.

Stretch marks: Nothing new. I just pray the ones I have fade quickly.

Best moment this week: Picking my husband up from the airport this morning. I was very glad he got to go and be with his grandpa this week, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't on pins and needles at every little cramp and twinge.

Movement: Kung Fu starts nightly around 8 or 9 and continues until I go to sleep. Not exactly sure what he's doing in there!

Food cravings: Ugh. I don't even want to talk about food. I'm honestly never hungry anymore. I eat because I know I have too...but I could care less.

Gender: Boy!

Labor Signs: Still not much. A few cramps here and there but nothing to get excited over.

Belly Button in or out? In.

What I Miss: My feet. I've always had BIG, WIDE not very cute feet...but lately they're disgusting. By the end of the day they have no shape. They're big, puffy, swollen blobs. The only shoes that fit are flip flops and crocs. Thank god I don't have to wear normal shoes to work.

What I'm looking forward to: Hanging the window valance and "Jamie" letters my mom finished this week. The nursery will officially be DONE! Reveal coming next week....eek!

Weekly Wisdom: When you get to this point in your pregnancy...labor no longer scares you. You will go through just about anything to get this baby out!

Milestones: My OB did a growth ultrasound this week which I totally wasn't expecting, but it's always fun to see the little guy. As of Monday they estimated he weighed 6.5 pounds putting his final birth weight right around 8 pounds give or take. I can handle that!

Not a good day for grandparents....

I want to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers for my husbands grandfather last week. For those of you that don't know, he was in a serious car accident last Tuesday and has been in critical condition ever since. Yesterday it was determined that his head injuries are severe enough that he will never be able to survive without the assistance of a breathing tube. Anyone who knows grandpa knows he would not want to live the rest of his life hooked to machines so it was decided that today they will be removing the breathing tube and let nature run its course. We've been told he could stay with us for several days, so please continue to keep him in your prayers. I put my husband on a plane to Ohio at 5:30 this morning so he could be there to say goodbye. Not an easy task for someone who's nearly 38 weeks pregnant. Now I just need to have a talk with our son so he doesn't decide to come out before his daddy's return.

Ironic enough. Today also marks the 2 year anniversary of my own grandma's death. It's still weird to know she isn't here. That when I go to her house she won't be shuffling around in the basement or hanging laundry out in the yard. She would have been so excited for the arrival of her first great grandchild...a moment I never thought she'd miss.

Love you grandma and miss you everyday!

Open Letters

Dear Baby Doctor,
Thanks for not even bothering to do an internal exam today because "Let's be honest, I doubt you've made any progress since last week." Really??!? Last week I wasn't dilated at all...you don't think I've managed one stinkin' cm since then?? Not even one? I hope I go into labor before next weeks appt just so I can shove it in your face.

Dear Ultrasound Woman,
You're awesome. Thank you for assuring me I do not in fact have a 12 pound baby growing in me.

Dear Weather Bug
Please stop flashing the disgusting temp outside. You don't think I'm aware at this point that we're in an extreme heat advisory?! I'm lugging around a 6.5 pound human. Every pore in my body is sweating. I know how hot it is.

Dear Patient,
Thanks for telling me that I will be at least 1 week late and then continuing to tell me your horrific labor stories. I rank you just above my weather bug and just below my OBGYN. Now let me shove this giant impression tray into your mouth...because if I have to suffer....you have to suffer.

Dear Plumber,
I'm no expert, but I don't think my shower is supposed to drain through the light in my garage. Just a hunch.

Dear Instruction writer of Levelor Blinds,
15 minutes my ass. You come to my house, using only the directions YOU wrote and let's see you hang this window blind in 15 minutes as stated so clearly on the box.

Dear Black Forest Gummy Worm people,
You rock. Keep on keepin' on.

Dear Jamie,
Mama loves you, but if you thought you wanted to dislodge yourself from my left side so I could walk without shooting pain that would be awesome. And by the way, we hung your blind yesterday (with no help from the directions might I add) so there's no fear of being stolen like the Lindbergh baby. Feel free to come out at anytime. We're ready.

Love,

Bump Day -- 37 Weeks!

How far along? 37 Weeks! Anyone notice I'm now harboring a watermelon in my abdomen?? Gotta love the fruit references. I remember being excited he was an olive.....now look where we are!

Weight gain/loss: 32 pounds. There. I manned up and said it. I stayed the same this week, they say you kind of plateau (even lose!) towards the end. I'm definitly starting to notice I'm not hungry very often and when I eat, even just small amounts make me feel stuffed to the gills. Hopefully we stay right in this 32-35 range till d-day and I will be happy.

Maternity Clothes? Yep. Though all those cute "outfits" I bought...what a waste. I should have just stocked up on tanks and yoga capris/comfy shorts. It's all I ever wear anyways.

Sleep: Can't complain.

Stretch marks: Still holding strong with the few I've got. My stomach has been CRAZY itchy this week though which makes me nervous more growing is about to happen. Is that even possible at this point?!? I have found that Palmers Moisturizing Oil is a godsend. Lotion is a joke and does not calm the itchy's! Thank you mom for the Palmer's variety pack at Christmas...I would have otherwise never discovered the wonders of spray on oil!

Best moment this week: We started our childbirth classes! I am officially the "eldest" in the class...by pregnancy age that is. Our first one was pretty good, the teacher had the husbands give us massages, it was wonderful.

Movement: Still moving, but definitly getting short on room in there. He can still flip from side to side though and it's funny to watch his little butt move across my stomach. At night he likes to stick it straight out giving my belly a somewhat conehead look. Even the hubs can't resist giving his bum a little pat!

Food cravings: Not much these days. I've kind of lost interest in food being I either get heartburn or just feel stuffed and disgusting. I still find plenty of room for my gummy worms though!

Gender: Twigs and berries!

Labor Signs: Nada. I had my first internal exam last Friday....nothing. Not even 1cm dilated yet. Looks like we're in this for the full 40 weeks!

Belly Button in or out? In.

What I Miss: Only having one chin.

What I'm looking forward to: Dinner with my old highschool friends on Saturday! Most women's nesting involves mad house cleaning...I have this sudden urge to get out and see people because once the baby is here who knows when our next night out will be!

Weekly Wisdom: When at all possible...put your feet up. Otherwise at the end of the day you will have no ankles and your feet will resemble that of a cave man's.

Milestones: Full term this week! No preemies for us!

As if I needed a reason.....

Apparently today is National Ice Cream Day!

Woo hoo!

I will have to make sure and celebrate...maybe even twice!

We finally broke in our Ice Cream maker over the weekend with some Chocolate Marshmallow deliciousness and it's been calling my name all day!

On a much more serious note.

My husband's grandpa was in a serious car accident yesterday.

Last I heard he was still in critical condition.

The hubs family has had a string of bad luck lately in the health department so they definitely need some positive vibes. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers!

Tasty Tuesday

A long long loooooong time ago I used to do new recipe posts every week.

Some where between growing a baby and moving to a new house that all stopped.

Don't worry, the rising numbers on the scale assure me I haven't stopped eating, no that's not the case at all, however I have stopped trying new things and let me tell you. BORING. Food rut doesn't even begin to describe our dinners the last few months. Tacos. Pasta. Burgers. Chicken Stir Fry. Pizza. Repeat.

So in an effort to bring back variety I'm bringing back Tasty Tuesday and the first week was a smashing success!

I've been craving cold foods lately so I went searching for a salad recipe. Not just any salad, but one my husband would eat and actually consider a meal. I found this winner with the help of Google and Kraft.com. Now it doesn't call for chicken, but again, I needed to convince the hubs that this pile of green and veggies was his dinner, so a little protein was in order. I found this ah-mazing Tex-Mex Chipotle spice at Hy-Vee that I used on the chicken before it hit the grill. Delish! (It was actually the store brand so if you have Hy-Vee's in your area RUN and get this...soooo good)

Southwestern Ranch Salad
What you Need
4 cups torn mixed salad greens
1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained, rinsed
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen whole kernel corn, thawed, drained
1 large Red pepper, chopped
4 Tomatoes, chopped (about 2 cups)
1 cup 2% Milk Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/2 cup Ranch Dressing
2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro (I couldn't justify buying a whole bunch, so I nixed this)

Make It
DIVIDE greens among 4 dinner plates.
TOP with beans, corn, peppers, tomatoes and cheese.
DRIZZLE with dressing; sprinkle with cilantro.
Optional: Top with grilled chicken breast

It makes enough for 4, but I cut everything in half and sorta eyeballed it since we only needed 2 servings.
Bon Appetite!

Like father...like son

So Saturday afternoon we got a surprise ultrasound!

My sister in law is a labor and delivery nurse and was able to hook us up since they were having a slow day.

Since my OB office only does one at 20 weeks, I was super excited to see Jamie one last time before the BIG day. It's amazing how much he'd grown in just 16 weeks, you can't even see him on the screen all at once anymore!

We got to see his little nose and lips moving

His little legs and arms

He's already found his toes and kept putting them in his mouth....haha.

If only we were all still that flexible!

She said he has hair (how they know that is beyond me)

And of course we got re-confirmation that he is indeed still a he.

A "he" who apparently has an obsession with his junk.

Don't they all.....

I don't think his hands ever left his nether regions.

The tech actually laughed at one point and said,

"Oh look, his hands are on his scrotum....and now his penis, well I guess there isn't much else to do in there!"

Haha. The hubs found this hilarious.

Apparently the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree!

We also made some BIG progress on the nursery!

I'm not quite ready yet for the BIG reveal,

still waiting on the drapes and "Jamie" letters.

My seamstress aka mom was sick last week and had to put her project on hold!

Hopefully we'll be ready to go soon!

We did however finally decide on something over the crib, it turned out pretty cute!

It says "shhh...baby dreaming"

Here's a sneak peak!

And people say I'm boring on a Friday night.....

Check out tweedle dee and tweedle dumb.....
AKA Kasey and Moose.

Passed out by 7:00PM

A dogs life sure is rough!

Bump Day -- 36 Weeks

How far along? 36 Weeks. Time seems to be crawling by these days.....

Weight gain/loss: I'm pleading the 5th on the this one. Let's just say I'm fatter than last week and have to go to the doctor today. She's never once harped on my weight gain, but for some reason I always feel like I'm going to a weight watchers meeting.

Maternity Clothes? I don't think I even need to answer this one anymore.

Sleep: Pretty good...I did have a record breaking 4 bathroom breaks the other night...usually I get by with just one.

Stretch marks: Nothing new. The once small scar from my college days belly button ring however has stretched to maximum capacity and now kind of looks like some weird, flesh colored, snake tattoo. Fantastic.

Best moment this week: Going on the boat for Jamie's first ride. I've been land locked this summer being pregnant and all...but my dad treated me to a night time ride when we didn't have to worry about all the bumping around. It was glorious.

Movement: Yes...and we've reached the point where it's kind of uncomfortable. Don't get me wrong, I still love feeling him move around in there, but when he sticks his butt straight out so it feels like my skin my burst I'm not so amused. Nor do I find the head butts to my crotch very exciting.

Food cravings: Still digging the cold gummy worms. I've also had a mad craving for cucumbers.

Gender: Boy!

Labor Signs: I've had some cramping/contractions this week. Nothing with any regularity and I'm not sure if I can even call them a contraction, but they hurt and have reminded me that I'm a big wuss and would never survive natural childbirth. Bring on the drugs please!

Belly Button in or out? In. Unless I'm laughing and then it pops out. While several of you have asked to see this phenomenon, I think I'll spare you the grossness. Take my word for it, it's crazy weird.

What I Miss: Sitting like a lady. Or a normal human being for that matter. I've noticed in the last few weeks my posture while sitting resembles that of a frat boy. Slouched...gut out....legs wide apart. Probably a good thing I don't have too many maternity skirts....or live in the south Yikes!

What I'm looking forward to: The hubs and my brother are picking up our glider chair today!! I'm so excited it's in, we were nervous the baby might beat it here!!

Weekly Wisdom: Always have a mini screwdriver on hand to prevent meltdowns over the assembly of baby gear.

Milestones: I'm officially in my 9th (and final) month of pregnancy. Woo hoo!

Good things never happen after 10:00pm

I like to nest after 10:00pm

Not sure why

Maybe because I am forced to pass the nursery on my way to bed and can't take the disaster zone?

Who knows.

But last night at precisely 10:07 you could have found me on the floor of the nursery attempting to attach the infant car seat adaptor bar to our stroller.

After much struggle (the directions were useless) I finally called for help.

The only one who heard me was Moose and the only help he could offer were dog kisses.

Not exactly what I was looking for.

When the hubs finally appeared, I was at my wits end.

He took like one lame attempt and said it was in.

It was not.

I breathed on it too heavy and the thing fell off.

I proceeded to say this stroller was a death trap and no way was I putting my son in it.

So with a little more man strength (and me yelling that he was going to break it) the bar was in...

Now at this point my husband thinks we're done.

Oh no.

I waddle downstairs to get the infant seat to make sure it's right.

I place the seat in the stroller....the Mr. said it looks fine.

Until I showed him it wasn't even locking in place and if he thought our baby was going to ride in this stroller of death he was crazy.

He starts mumbling under his breath that I'm the one who's crazy and why was I doing this at 10:00pm anyways.

We adjusted the stupid bar like 50 times until I deemed it safe for my child.

We attached the extra "seat belt" around it just to be sure and my husband demonstrated it's safeness by thrashing it up and down....side to side.

"See. It's fine."

This actually made me laugh.

But it appeared he was right, the seat and the stroller were all still intact.

I drove it around the house a bit, chasing the dogs, just to be sure.

Mission completed.

It's now pushing 11:00pm.

I decide I NEED to put the batteries in the mobile.

Now the mobile is already attached to the crib so I have to move the crib from the wall to reach the back.

During this process I somehow manage to get myself stuck in a corner
Pregnant bellies do not suck in nor can you squeeze out of tight spots.

My husband finds this hilarious and refuses to help me.

When I finally get myself free, mobile battery box in hand I discover you need a screw driver to get the back off.

And of course not just any screwdriver....but one of those itty bitty ones that no one seems to have.

At this point I pretty much just lose it.

Defeated I lay in bed.

And cry.

Because the baby isn't going to have any music and he's going to have to blow on his own mobile to get it to move.

Because we don't have the glider yet.
Because I still have some laundry to do.

Because the swing is still in the box.

Because the shelf isn't in the closet.

And lastly because we don't have any drapes on the window so any crazy out there will be able to see into the nursery and take my son just like the Lindbergh baby.

The Mr. just kind of stares at me

With a very puzzled look on his face

And at the mere mention of the Lindbergh baby starts to laugh.

At first I scowl at him...until I realize what I'm saying

which snaps me out of my pregnancy crazies...

and makes me laugh too.

Apparently I need to stay out of the nursery past 10:00pm.

Because it feels like Monday

So I've decided after a holiday weekend,

everyone needs a laugh.

I know I do.

Cause the last place I want to be right now is work.

My husband has opened my world to a little site called thechive.

Ever been there?

It's freakin' hilarious.

Once you get past all the gratuitous boob pictures.

Last night we were laying in bed perusing the top photos of the week and I laughed so hard I cried. I also discovered two things:

1. My belly button pops out when I laugh.

2. Even though I had JUST been to the bathroom, pee still manages to find it's way out when you're laughing so hard it hurts.

I'm not sure which is more gross.

I leave you with a few of my faves to help you get through the day!

Happy Monday Tuesday!

Bump Day -- 35 Weeks

How far along? 35 weeks. People I'm having a baby NEXT month!

Weight gain/loss: 4 pounds this week. Total: 27 pounds. I've kind of stopped caring, is that a bad thing? I'm just tired of doing/eating the same thing week after week after week and having such huge fluctuations. I mean really. I stayed the same for 3 weeks and now gained 7 in two? It's just ridiculous.

Maternity Clothes? Yes, but I find great pride in still being able to wear several non-maternity items. Now I'm probably stretching them out to hell and back leaving them useless once this baby is out, but it makes me feel better right now so I'll worry about the aftermath later! I already know new bras are in my future...perhaps that will be my push present, a trip to Vicki's Secret! (If she even makes my post baby size whatever that horrid letter may be)

Sleep: Meh. Some night are good, others not so much. It's been cooler here this week, thank the lord, so that's helped a ton! And the random bouts of heartburn are less and less so there's another HUGE plus! Now if I could only figure out a comfortable position we'd be good to go.

Stretch marks: Just those same pesky ones spotted last week. I've upped my cocoa butter slatherings to twice a day in a vein attempt to stop the madness.

Best moment this week: Spending the weekend with my bestie and her little girl. Though I will admit it was a bit eye opening just how much work a baby is. Maybe this inside baby situation isn't so bad after all!

Movement: Some days I swear he never sleeps. Perhaps he's saving all his napping for after he's born. Haha. Riiiight.

Food cravings: Gummy worms. Plain. Old fashioned, not sour, gummy worms. And don't even try and offer me a bear or some other inferior gummy animal or I will give you the stink eye. Bonus points if they're in the fridge making them extra chewy and delicious.

Gender: Boy!

Labor Signs: Nope. Just occasional kicks to my cervix which are always extremely pleasant.

Belly Button in or out? No turkey timers here!

What I Miss: Not having to spot check my clothes all the time. Somewhere in the last few weeks I've become a total slob while eating. Either that or my stomach is now just so huge it's like a magnet for all things food related. Perhaps I'm the one who needs the bib!

What I'm looking forward to: Our last hoo-rah at the lake pre-baby!

Weekly Wisdom: I have two this week. First, when holding a baby that's just been fed and the mom wisely gives you a burp cloth...make sure the baby's face is actually on it or you will get a mouthful right down your cleavage....twice if you're a "quick" learner like me.

Second. Apparently a pack-n-play does not fit through your average sized door frame so when you think you're being smart by assembling it in an open room you will only be forced to take it down and completely reassemble it in it's final resting place....twice if you're "quick" leaner like me.

Milestones: 35 weeks down.....35 DAYS to go! Otherwise known as the infamous 35/35!!