BABY SHOWER!!!

First of all a HUGE thank you to Theresa and Cat for planning and hosting the shower. A wonderful time was had by all. Thank you to Melissa and Miriam for providing wonderful sweets. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend. It is a very special memory I will treasure for a long time.

For those who couldn't make it, we had a wonderful time. There were several fun games: baby word unscramble, name the baby animal, and a great game where Theresa got bits of information from Jeff and my moms and people had to identify who did what.

A lovely lunch was served. We did a lot of sitting around and chatting. We got some great loot. We now have a high chair (came in the mail last week), our baby play gym, a safety gate, clothes in a variety of age ranges, some great blankets including a beautiful and intricate one knit by Grandma Wendy and a fleece blanket with the baby's name (in both English and Hebrew) embroidered on it. We got a number of toys and our diaper bag as well.

Now Jeff and I get to go and do some more shopping to fill out what else we need (some online and some in store).

As far as how I'm feeling, I'm doing pretty well. Still a lot of the normal. Roo has decided that waking in the middle of the night (around 3 am or so) and being so active for about 2 hours that I can't even stay in bed is the thing to do. So, I've been a bit tired lately. Movement is much less kicks and more pushing pressure. Roo is definitely getting a bit cramped in there.

This weeks to do list: Go to "Becoming a parent" class , pack hospital bags, go shopping for more baby clothes, blankets, towels, etc., Order co-sleeper, crib and dresser, determine what baby proofing items we need and purchase.

Last week, Jeff and I were able to accomplish getting more things organized around the house, including our coat closet, linen closet and storage areas.

Basic Baby care and a slight change in plans

Class last night was quite good (as we have come to expect from this instructor). When we arrived, Jeff joked that we were taking this class for him, not for me. Although that was much of why we took the class, I learned a lot of information and got some "hands on" experience with certain things. We were walked through swaddling (something new for me), umbilical stump care, circumcision care, diapering with both cloth and disposable diapers, a variety of options for baby wipes, sponge baths, regular baths and dressing the baby. Apparently the next class, Preparing to be a Parent is much more vital and has lots of important information in it.

One of the topics discussed was diapering and cloth diapers. Susan (the instructor) went over some of the things she would be concerned about with washing your own cloth diapers, including a build up of bacteria in a dry pail. Although I have been able to find nothing to support this, it did get Jeff and I talking again about whether a diaper service is more feasible than washing our own diapers. I came home and began rereading everything I could find about washing cloth diapers and noticed one thing I had somewhat overlooked. Most sites suggest at least a double rinse and a presoak. Seeing as we do not have our own washer and there is no control allowing for either of these things in our apartment laundry room, we have decided that using a diaper service is our best option. In addition to the lack of our own washer, if my Fibromyalgia comes back, having less laundry to haul back and forth from the laundry room is definitely a good option.

So, I have gone through our gift lists and updated them, removing several items we won't need (cloth diapers, large wet bags), leaving ones we will (small wet bags, diaper covers) and adding information about giving a gift certificate for the diaper service we will be using.

32 week doctors visit

Quick and easy visit today. Unfortunately, I had missed the call from the office letting me know that the doctor was in surgery. I got to the office and was given the choice of coming back in about and hour or having a nurse do the check-up. Seeing as the visits have been quite short lately and all the doctor would do is measure the belly and listen to the baby's heart, I chose to see the nurse. While there I had the opportunity to ask the nurses for referrals to pediatricians. There are 3 that Dr. Kizner seems to like and one he prefers to deal with. I will be contacting them to determine who we will use for Roo's pediatrician. I also was able to discuss with them about some of their experiences and what they have heard about how Dr. Kizner actually is in the delivery room. It was nice to hear their viewpoints and have my basic feelings validated that in fact he will support the mother's choice as long as there is no danger to mom or baby.

After the visit I headed over to Babies'R'Us to buy a baby shower gift for a friend. I had planned on making a themed basket from the registry items (I had looked online at what hadn't been purchased yet.) I got to the store and printed out the registry and every thing that I went to get was out of one major piece to complete the basket. Bath, diapering, breastfeeding, etc. After close to 2 hours and sitting in the rocker that I like to relax a bit before trying again (I got to the check out and found the item I was buying had been returned and not in good shape) I finally found a couple of things that met my spending goal and headed home.

Now I am tired but making some dinner. Until next time.

Getting some stuff done

Well, we came home from our last class quite motivated to get some stuff done and moved. Going to bed last night I felt quite accomplished. The room that has been our office now looks ready to accept furniture and any baby stuff that comes our way. Jeff's computer has been taken down (storage location still needed to be found for that though). The desk that his computer was on is now in storage along with several other items. My desk has been moved to the living room and has a new flat screen monitor. I have found a location to donate our old monitors (Goodwill). We will likely make a run over there today (if Jeff is awake early enough) but at the latest on Friday. They take up a bunch of space.
The only furniture left in that room is furniture that will remain there. We moved some things around and decided where the crib and changing dresser will go. The floor has been well vacuumed and any very dirty areas of the wall have been cleaned. Now just a little more organizing needs to be done of in the closet and old decorations need to be taken down and new ones put up.
We also made a run to Costco and stockpiled the paper goods we usually get there and have talked to those who live close by about support during delivery and one of them about support once we come home.
Things are definintely falling into place. We still have a ways to go, but progress has been made. :)

2 months left

Wow, time sure goes fast. We have 8 weeks left until our due date. Finished the breastfeeding class. Tomorrow we go and get a new computer monitor and break down Jeff's computer. By the end of the week we hope to have my computer and desk moved into the living room and most of the other extra furniture out of the room so we can really start prepping for Roo to make an arrival. We are hoping to have the room clear and ready for new furniture and such by the baby shower on the 27th. After the shower, we'll start ordering the things we need to have (such as diapers, etc.) so that we will have everything set and ready to go early in case Roo decides to arrive early.

All is continuing to go well. Tiredness and frequent bathroom breaks have become common place. Roo's movements are much stronger and often more like pushing than kicking or punching. At time they make me jump and wince a bit. I will be heading to a couple of nursing stores to look at my options for bras and what not, since I definitely need to get something that helps my back hurt less and that I will be comfortable in for a while. Next Doc appointment is Thursday.

First BF class

The first thing I have to say is I REALLY like the teacher. She will be teaching all classes but Preparation for Childbirthing and I'm looking forward to it. She is a great communicator and teacher. She gets folks in the class involved and is quite funny in ways that will likely help you remember much of the info given.

The first part of last nights class was lots of information on why to breastfeed. Her attitude is you will breastfeed for the first 4 weeks, after that it's a day by day thing. She has been teaching breastfeeding classes and has been a lactation consultant for over 20 years and knows where many of the downfalls occur.

You may be wondering "Why do you need a six hour class on breastfeeding? Just put the baby to the breast and they eat." If that were the case, there would be many less people having a tough time breastfeeding and there would be little need for the class. I am definitely looking forward to next weeks class (part 2 on BF).

**Update on us: Roo and I continue to do well. Kicks are getting stronger and hitting the ribcage at a more frequent rate. My back is a bit sore from time to time and it is difficult to find a comfortable position to sit or lie in. Cleaning on the office which is becoming Roo's room is progressing. All files have been culled. Cabinets are ready to be moved to the hallway closet where they will likely live. SCA garb has been organized and things have been placed in the donate or store piles. My desk that will be moving to the living room is emptied of the craft stuff it has been storing and loaded with office stuff from Jeff's desk (drawers are easily removable for moving to the other room). Sewing basket will be had for misc. sewing notions, scissors, thread, etc. Work for Jeff continues to be quite slow because of the writer's strike. He will be doing a training the end of this week (during the day shift).

Hospital Orientation and most recent OB visit

Last night we went to the maternity ward tour held at the hospital where Roo will be born. Despite our mutual jeering and smart ass comments, we are both very happy with the hospital. The birthing suites are quite cozy and comfortable without an overly hospital feel. The lights are able to be dimmed, there is a TV and DVD player as well as a tub and shower. There are 3 chairs in addition to the bed. You are encouraged to get up and move and walk to help labor progress unless complications require you to remain in bed. Up to 3 people may be there to provide support and assistance at all times, including the actual pushing. The hospital promotes skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth for at least an hour. After that time, baby goes to the nursery for a weighing, bath, and warming as mom is moved to the mother/baby room. Once baby is clean and maintaining body heat (takes about an hour), baby returns to mom's side and remains there unless mom needs to go for a procedure or requests baby return to the nursery. When we went on our tour, there were no babies in the nursery. The hospital is also renowned for it's NICU as well. Many babies are transported there from other hospitals. The rooms are semi-private (only 2 private available on first come first serve basis for extra $$) Usually only one mom is actually in each room. If the unit is busy, they try to place a new mom with a mom about to be discharged as to allow for as much privacy as possible. Security is good. All babies have matching arm band numbers as both Mom and Dad. The Women's Center staff all have badges with a specific colored picture background to assist patients in knowing who is on staff in that department. Lastly, each mom and baby receive continuous care from one nurse, so she can get to know you and your needs.
There were also vendors at the orientation, where I learned of a diaper service in the area. Now we need to decide if this is something we are interested in or if I want to go ahead and buy and wash the diapers. http://www.dy-dee.com/
This is the start of our prenatal classes. They continue one a week with Feb. 19th being our last class. We have breastfeeding classes (2 weeks), becoming a parent, baby care basics, and preparation for childbirth (3 weeks).
Today, I had a prenatal visit. Everything continues to go well. I gained 3 lbs. this month, for a grand total of 19 lbs. gained so far. My belly is the size it should be and Roo appears to have turned and no longer is breech. No ultrasound this month, just the Doppler, which Roo didn't really like as he batted at it the whole time. We have reached the point where our visits will now be every 2 weeks, unless there is a problem.
**TMI alert**
As far as how I'm feeling: I am noticing that I am more tired than I had been, but not too bad. The heart burn continues now and then but isn't continuous. My mid back and occasionally lower back hurts by the end of the day and it is difficult to find a comfortable position, even in bed, but I am sleeping pretty well regardless and waking feeling better than I did the previous night. Roo continues to be very active and at times the kicks, punches and stretches can be painful. His position is definitely putting pressure on my bladder as I need to go more often and I can feel pressure in my pelvis. So far, nothing really major to complain about. We remain healthy and happy.