Random cuteness

Christmas is coming!

So I decided that given I have a baby and Christmas is fast approaching I was going to get a head start on shopping for presents. I started already in the beginning of November and I'm glad I did! I have a little more than half done, and most of the rest I already know what I am getting so It shouldn't be too stressful to get it all done in time. Every year I have started shopping for the holidays a little earlier and it has made a big difference on feeling ready and not frazzled by last minute gift getting.  One thing I do to make gift giving easier is to really pay attention throughout the year to when someone makes a comment about something they like or something they need, I make a mental note of it. So when a birthday or Christmas comes up I go back to that little area of my brain (my long term memory that has not been affected by mommy brain!) that stores these comments and pull out an idea.

Now lets talk about Xmas decorations.  We haven't decided yet if we are going to do a tree this year. I know, this makes me sad, but my husband's reasoning is that we aren't having any of the family at our place this year, and with the baby, getting a real tree this year will be pretty messy. I guess it is one more thing to have to do, then clean up, and lets face it, we don't have a lot of free time in these parts lately.  There are just so many things i want to do related to the holidays and I don't think it will be realistic to do many of them.  While Teagan is getting a lot better, she is still pretty demanding and we are still working on figuring out the naps. Many times she only naps 40 minutes, and this makes it hard to start any project, never mind finish it. I may have to leave all of these big ideas I have until next year, sigh.  Hopefully though, then she will only have to nap once or twice a day and her naps will be much longer. Also she may be able to help me with things like decorating cookies!

Teagan is almost 5 1/2 months!  I am starting to really notice that she is catching on to things very quickly.  Last week i started balancing her on her feet. At first she didn't understand what she was supposed to do and kept bending her knees. Then, within a few days, she was putting pressure on them and balancing with me holding her.  She really likes her exersaucer and will now stand up in it herself.  I noticed too that her sitting is getting closer to her being able to do it on her own! she can sit and balance herself with her hands in the front, and can let go for a few seconds without falling over.  I am thinking that by xmas she may just be sitting all by herself!  We have been feeding her solids now for a little over a month and she loves her rice cereal. She smiles and kicks her feet and gets excited when she sees the bowl.  Any other foods we are still working on.  So far we have tries sweet potatoes, avocado, corn, green beans mixed with apple sauce and chicken. Chicken was the worst! she actually gagged and looked at us like we were crazy!  the corn probably went over the best.  I have also been trying to mix some of these with breastmilk and cereal to help her get used to the taste. A little more success this way!

I have quite a few new pictures that I have not gotten around to transferring to the computer, but they are on the way!

Teagan's first Halloween!

Here's my little caterpillar!

Latest happenings.....

Most people say that time goes by so fast when you have a baby.  In some ways I feel like just yesterday i was pregnant, but most of the time it really does feel like it's been almost 4 months.
When you have a colicky baby, you are just counting down the days until that magic month where things are supposed to get easier. Well, we're almost there, at that magic 4 months.  Have things gotten easier? in some ways.  I think you have figured you baby out a bit more to help you deal with the difficult times.  But it's like so many of my friends have said, just when you feel like you have something figured out, it changes.  Teagan is still very spitty and gassy, so, as a recommendation form her Dr., I am off dairy again.  This is so hard for me!  she is also on Prevacid which is an antacid to help control any uncomfortableness she may have due to the reflux.  I honestly have no idea if any of this is making any difference.  Her Dr said however, sometimes you just have to tackle everything at once and hope something works.  The unfortunate part is that if one does, you don't know which one!
T has also been fussy breast feeding and I'm not sure if this is due to gas or lack of supply for me.  I think that what might have happened is that since she started sleeping through the night last month (I know, I am VERY grateful!) my supply might have decreased.  She seems hungrier during the day now so I am just trying to feed her as often as possible. We went three weeks without seeing a weight gain so I am supplementing her 2 bottles a day to help with that.

Now for the positive section of this post.  Teagan is an adorable baby. My favorite part of the day is going in to get her up in the morning and she's smiling.  It's crazy because she often wakes up from naps upset, but in the morning she'll lie there for quite awhile looking around before she starts trying to get our attention.  Last month she found her hands and then forgot about them it seemed. Now it seems like she's found them again and is often trying to fit both fists in her mouth at once! hahah
She is rolling over and getting a lot stronger in her neck muscles. Hopefully in a few weeks we can break out the baby einstein activity saucer!  She is getting more vocal, no laughs yet but I think she is very close. Her favorite thing is making motor sounds and bubbles with her tongue. Here are some of the latest photos of my little peanut :)

Cautiously optimistic

So a big milestone! Teagan has slept through the night for the last 3 nights.  I am pretty happy and cautiously optimistic that this may mean the start of things getting slightly easier with her colic.  She has definitely become very alert and can go longer periods of entertaining herself without crying. The downside to the alertness, however, is that her naps haven't been great, and she gets very overtired quickly, so there are longer periods of me having to constantly try to sooth her. It is a struggle to try to pick up on cues of a colicky baby for when they are getting tired, because sometimes they are just fussing.  So with all of this said, my latest plan of action had been trying to get her down for a nap within 2 hours of her being awake. Sometimes she can't even last that long.  Also I am trying to encourage the development of her morning nap.  I always told myself that I didn't want to be a slave to my baby's schedule, that hopefully when my baby was tired she could just nap wherever and whenever she was tired.  This has proven to be a little harder than I thought given that I have a colicky baby that  cannot self sooth very well.  Ideally i would like her to get to a point where she can have a morning and afternoon nap on a schedule that is not super strict, but for now I am realizing that some structure may be exactly what she needs given the type of baby she is.  She is 3 months old next week and I am crossing my fingers it is the beginning of the end of the worst of the crying!

Teagan is definitely a little character, and her smiles and coos are getting cuter and cuter.  She has recently discovered her hands which I am hoping will soon take the place of our pinky finger being her pacifier!  Oh! and I almost forgot, She rolled over this week! At less than 3 months old!  I told Marc that I think we have a bionic baby. She is sooooo strong, when she is in the change table, she will arch her back and lift it of the table into a bridge pose and you can see her abs! Yikes!  I am seriously scared she will be crawling next month and walking by six months. Ok maybe that might be a slight exaggeration but I really believe that this colic has made her muscles super strong and that she is going to be early with walking!

Teagan at 2 months!

Seriously, this kid has crazy hair! granted, there was a lot of wind!

Reading fashion magazines with mommy at the lake

Planning her first hairstyle

Teagan discovering her hands

After bath

So I am FINALLY getting around to writing a new post.  My baby is officially 2 months old!  In some ways it seems like just yesterday she was born, and in other ways it seems like a lifetime ago. We love our little peanut like crazy, but we have had a lot of challenges so far!

Ok here we go, in all honesty, life has been HARD.  Yes, it needed capitals.  As luck would have it, Teagan is extremely fussy, gassy, and has reflux. Most of my day is spent soothing her.  In the last few weeks a few things have gotten a bit better, but it's a sloooow change.  I feel like I have tried everything, cut out dairy for awhile, tried ovol, gripe water, slings, baby bjorn, every position imaginable. She was on ranitidine for the reflux but recently we stopped giving it to her since there wasn't a major improvement.  I feel so bad for her and it breaks my heart not being able to make her feel better :(  It is really hard for me to accept that she just has an immature digestive system and that I just have to wait things out.  I feel like I am counting down the days until she is 3 months, which is when colic is supposed to start to get better. This makes me sad too because she is only this little for so long.  I really really want to enjoy every stage that she goes through, but this stage is so hard.  We do have some good days, and that allows me to put some things in perspective a little.  I really have to work hard at pushing all my negative feelings away when they come up, because really, I have a beautiful, healthy baby who's new little smiles and coos make me melt.  She has quite the little personality emerging and it will be so neat to see what kind of person she becomes. I imagine as she becomes more aware of the things around her she will get a bit better at soothing herself, and her being uncomfortable with the gas and reflux will subside.  I am just taking it one day at a time, and trying to enjoy what is left of this summer with her.

Teagan Natalie Alary

She's arrived!
Our little peanut, Teagan, was born on June 22nd at 2:04 am, weighing 6lbs 11 oz, 21 1/2 inches long (the little string bean!)
She was born about 10 days early. Looks like that plug loss really DID mean something! Hah!
It could also be due to the fact I went to aquafit class the night I went into labor! (I highly recommend it)  I felt the week before she was born, as you can see from one of my last posts, i was so frantically trying to get things done.  I really think it was my body sending me a message!
I will post more later, as I have been just a little busy, but here are a few photos so far!

38 1/2 weeks!

I seem to be not getting to my posts quite on time lately, but I have decided that being punctual is overrated at this point.  Its crazy to only have 10 days until my due date...and? I lost my plug today!  I don't know why but I had a weird feeling that I was going to see it today....
So I had my doctor's appt. this morning and let her know of this exciting progress (to me) only to be told.... it means absolutely nothing. :(   but.... it does mean that things are progressing and that I am likely starting to dilate.  Since women can dilate very early on however this is why it doesn't necessarily mean anything.  Dr. said "it can be today, or in a month!" WAHWAH (cue sad cartoon music)  I still think that it may mean that things are going to go down before due date...
I have been getting mild period like cramping very low down and crazy spasms in my thighs still.

In other news, I got most of the stuff on my list done! Yay!  I feel sooooo much better now.  I am still trying to make some foods to freeze but I have done quite a bit, and if I don't get around to any more, I will be ok with that.  Just have a few more things to put in the hospital bag, finish up some thank you cards and I'll be good! So baby, you can come any day now! I think I'm ready! (or as ready as i can be!)

How far along?  38 weeks + 4 days!

Total weight gain? 29 lbs. So strange, because it's been fluctuating. A week and a half ago i was at 28, then at my appt last week, 25...now at 29.  I guess its normal to change quite a bit depending on the amniotic fluid, but I am pretty happy with the weight gain overall!

Maternity clothes?  Most

Stretch marks? No!  I think it's safe to say i may be out of the woods?

Sleep? Not great, although I do feel rested when I wake up. Lots of achy muscle and hip pain if I lay one one side too long. Stretching during the night when I get up to pee helps, and also the daily quick massages my husband gives me before he heads off to work (I love him). 

Best moment this week?  Feeling like I have gotten things done and am now ready!

Miss anything?  Maybe a glass of wine, maybe being able to sleep without tossing and turning so much, but nothing major.

Movement? Has slowed down quite a bit (except last night...what was it doing? it was serious constant party in there) but still get leg, foot and knee jabs off to the side, and when I sit baby gets very squirmy low down, i guess due to the pressure of me being folded over.

Food cravings? Still ice cream sandwiches

Food aversions? Nope

Labor signs? Yes! Lost the plug (hopefully this is a sign, at least progress), low cramping, pressure on pelvic bone, thigh muscle spasms

Symptoms? Still the back pain, the shooting pains low down from baby pressing on nerves, also see above

Belly button in or out? Kinda out a bit, depends on the day though!

Wedding rings on or off? on

Looking forward to? Meeting my baby :)

Please excuse these photos... they were taken basically before bed, when I actually remembered I was overdue to take them.  Nothing glamorous about these. We'll just forget that I make my living as a hairstylist for now........

Now, I may or may not be off to make more muffins.......

37 Weeks!

Which means....Full term!

I know I missed my 36 week post, but since finishing work i have just been so darn busy!
I have this huge list of stuff that I want to do before baby arrives, and unlike most women who just want their baby out at this point, I wish that mine will stay in another week or two!  (I don't however want an over due baby, guess I'm asking a little much from the delivery date wish fairies).
Today my mom is coming over to help me weed the garden, which means I can soon get those plants and vegetables in that I insisted we purchase this year. Later is a walk with a fellow pregnant mama that I met at aquafit class, who is by the way due ten days after me! Then hopefully I will get around to  making more meals to throw in the freezer for when after baby gets here and I am pulling my hair out and can't get it together to make something for dinner.

How far along? 37 weeks + 3 days

Total weight gain?  Last time I checked was 28 a few days ago, so could be more

Maternity clothes? Pretty much

Stretch marks? No

Sleep? Hasn't changed much the last month, getting up 2-3 times a night to pee, still some pain on the side of the hip I will lay on if it is for too long, then I have to stretch it out

Best moment this week? Being full term!

Miss anything? Maybe just a glass of wine

Movement? Getting a little slower, but still lots of stretches. Baby gets a bit squirmy when I sit and I can feel it's little hands way down

Food cravings? Oreo ice cream. I really am not a huge sugar person, but if I have noticed anything about my cravings the last few months, they have definitely gone the way of ice cream

and some other sweet things.

Food aversions? Nope

Labor signs? Not yet.....

Symptoms? My need to pee during the day has definitely increased, so I guess this means baby has moved down a bit, but It doesn't look like it has actually dropped. Some back pain, blah blah, the usual, and braxton hicks (although not painful, just uncomfortable), belly seems to be getting a little pointier

Belly button in or out? Sometimes it's flat, sometimes it protrudes a teeny bit

Wedding rings on or off? Still on but tight

Looking forward to? Getting my list done! Okay I know that doesn't sound like a big deal, but I will feel soooo much better when I do!

Random things....

• You know you are pregnant when at the grocery store, suddenly ALL the fruit looks good and you go on a crazy pregnant lady fruit buying frenzy.

• I think this whole nesting thing is setting in. Or maybe it's anxiety that I won't have the time to do what I have on my list before baby comes

          Included on this list are:
          -weeding my planters and garden, then planting the flowers and few vegetables I have to go
           in (believe me I have scaled down this year)
          -getting together with friends I want to see before baby arrives (several BBQs planned)
          -finish the few last things in the baby's room (like hanging pictures, putting up shelves)
          -make and freeze some foods so we won't starve when baby gets here (a little exaggeration
            I know)
          -get my employment insurance form filled out so I at least get some measly pay while on Mat
           leave
         
           and the list goes on.......

• Last night I had a dream that I lost my mucous plug and it was basically 2 hearts (yes the organs)  (!!??!! gross) and I was running around trying to figure out what to do with them... to flush...or not to flush...will it go down??  soooo weird.  That's not even the weirdest thing I have dreamt about this pregnancy.... there have been many more, but I might spare you the details of those ones.  I generally have very vivid dreams, but these last 9 months have been some of the strangest.

• I am still trying to get around to my 36 week post.  I still have to take a picture. Add this to the list.

• Becoming slightly obsessed with Facebook Scrabble

• The distance I can walk now is seriously shorter.  Its giving me Braxton Hicks and when I feel tightening really low down, it feels like it's radiating in my thighs

• I really wish I could get rid of this persistent headache

35 1/2 weeks!

This weekend was super busy, so I'm just getting around to doing my 35 weeks post now!
Saturday I worked all day and then had my good friend Joyce's bday party to go to. It was bowling and I actually had a great time! I'm not going to lie, it was slightly challenging...everytime I got up to take my turn I would get a BH contraction! I mostly bowled between my legs (not that this is really out of the ordinary, I have noticed the last few times i have gone, I actually suck less this way) but I actually kicked everyone on my teams ass. Hah!  Who would have thought! I should bowl pregnant more often!
I have found that I have been a little less sociable while being pregnant.  Especially if it's going out with people I don't know that well (don't always have the energy to converse) or where we just sit at some pub and I watch others order drinks.  Anyway, I realized part of the reason I think I had more fun was that it was an activity that was different and it didn't involve just sitting there.  I can only sit for so long (lying down is better). Even the movie chairs start to hurt my back after awhile. It could have also had something to do with the fact that they had deep fried pickles there. Sounds gross, but OMG I think i have found a new favorite.

Sunday I had my baby shower!  My sister was in town and was able to make it, and that made it even  more awesome.  Everyone was so generous, and I feel like I am pretty prepared with all of the things I received!  Sunday night after my shower Marc and I went out for dinner for our one year anniversary!  (our actual anniversary was the next day). We went to our favorite restaurant called Segovia, which is this really cool Spanish fusion tapas place.  They are always switching up the menu so there are always new things to try, and I love how every thing is meant to share....you get to try so many more dishes that way! Halfway through the meal I realized I had not taken any pictures of the food. Oh well.  Probably a sign that it was good if I was to busy eating :)

Monday I went out with my mom and picked up a few things that we needed for baby, such as a car seat, pack and play, bath etc. Later on that night Marc and I went to see "What To Expect When You're Expecting."  I thought it was just ok, but he actually liked it a lot more than I did!

So now I am on my last week of work. 3 days left! I can definitely say that I am ready to have this break before the baby. Being on my feet has been getting increasingly difficult at work. Also, I sometimes hit clients with my belly and it gets in the way when I shampoo people.  It has been hard giving up my clients, but I have spent the last month training our new girl who we hired to replace me, and just have to trust that she will do her best to take care of them while I am gone.  I'm ready to be done.

How far along?   35 1/2 weeks

Total weight gain? 24 Lbs

Maternity clothes? Pretty much

Stretch marks? No

Sleep? Um, yeah. Not great. Rolling over is a challenge and I am back to getting up twice a night to pee.

Best moment this week? Lots! My shower, my anniversary!

Miss anything? Being able to sit comfortably

Movement? Lots of kicks in my sides, and when baby moves in general it just feels harder and with more pressure, like there is less cushioning

Food cravings? Ice cream sandwiches, Juicy fruity things

Food aversions? Nope

Labor signs? Lots of Bh's and a bit of mild cramping, but I think it is still too early to mean anything significant

Symptoms? Lots of lower pressure now, sometimes in my pelvis and the muscles and ligaments that connect my legs to my pelvic area. Increase in the peeing, back pain. 

Belly button in or out? Kinda flat

Wedding rings on or off? On

Looking forward to?  Being off work!

<

34 Weeks

So we took advantage of the long weekend and went out to the lake yesterday afternoon until this evening.  It was really nice to get out of the city, if only briefly.  I love the outdoor smells, and food always tastes better there.  Sleeping on a double bed was a little more difficult with the husband and the snoogle, but did not prove to be impossible.  I am getting increasingly uncomfortable though and really starting to feel very pregnant.  All of baby's movements are so strong and much sharper now. I read that the amniotic fluid is maxed out a 34 weeks and you have little cushioning from baby's kicks. I can definitely agree with that. Some of the pokes and rolls actually hurt! and the braxton hicks are getting stronger.

 I wanted to get one lake day in this year before the baby came because lets face it, who knows what things will be like when this little monkey is born.  We may get really lucky and be able to take our baby anywhere, or we might have a very fussy baby and be pretty home bound.  I am playing it safe and not getting my expectations too high of having many lake days this summer.  I am very excited though to be having this baby in the summer, since i can at least get out and go for walks and not be stuck inside all day.  I am thinking that it may help with all of the overwhelming feelings that go on with being a first time mom, if I can at least get out of the house from time to time.

How far along? 34 Weeks

Total weight gain? 22 Lbs

Maternity clothes? Most 

Stretch marks? No

Sleep? Not great. Getting up 1-2 times in the night, some trouble rolling over and getting comfortable

again while everything settles in its place again (baby, organs and such)

Best moment this week? Getting out of the city

Miss anything? Being more mobile and being able to go on longer walks.  I get tired a lot faster and get lots of contracting when i walk

Movement? Lots of rolls, stretching, pressure from what I think is baby's head low down. Still lots of hiccups too.

Food cravings? Ice cream sandwiches and Sangria

Food aversions? Nope

Labor signs? No

Symptoms? Lots of Braxton Hicks, (especially when I walk or pretty much every time I get up from sitting) pelvic pressure, some back pain

Belly button in or out? Not really either! kind of flush with my belly...

Wedding rings on or off? Still on, Yay

Looking forward to? The husband and I's 1st anniversary on the 28th!

Mmmm Cupcakes

Last month I helped my mom throw a wedding shower for a good friend of the family.  I decided to make these Iced Pistachio cupcakes, as I had made them once before and they were fantastic!  They don't actually use any leavening agent and are still so soft!  This recipe comes from the "Martha Stewart Cupcakes" book.

You will need:

1 cup unsalted shelled pistachios

1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, room temperature

6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

3 cups sugar

6 large eggs, room temperature

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

3 cups all purpose flour

1 tablespoon coarse salt

3/4 cup coarsely chopped salted pistachios

Drippy icing (recipe follows)

1 1/2 cups unsalted pistachio slivers for garnish

Drippy icing

1 cup plus 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, sifted

3/4 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Whisk all ingredients in a small bowl until  smooth

1. Preheat oven to 325F. Line standard muffin tins with paper liner. In a food processor, grind shelled pistachios to a paste.

2. With an electric mixer on medium high- high speed, beat butter, cream cheese and pistachio paste until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to medium-low. Gradually add sugar; beat until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated. Beat in vanilla. Reduce speed to low. Add flour and salt, beating until just combined. Fold in chopped pistachios by hand.

3. Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each three quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Transfer tins to wire racks to cool completely before removing cupcakes. Cupcakes can be stored up to one day at room temperature, or frozen up to 2 months, in airtight containers.

4. To finish, place cupcakes on a wire rack set over a baking sheet; spoon icing onto each, and garnish with pistachio slivers. Cupcakes are best eaten the same day they are glazed; keep at room temperature until ready to serve.

I ended up using pistachios cut in half for garnish instead of the slivers. Also i slightly adjusted the consistency of the icing.

32 Weeks

Seriously only 8 more weeks to go?  For some reason, when i say 8 weeks it seems very close. When I say July 1st, it seems a bit further.  I have noticed this with telling other people as well and their reactions.  If I say July 1st, I usually get a "oh so you still have awhile to go"  kind of response. This is where I feel I get defensive (like what are you saying, I look big? I'm almost 8 months pregnant for gods sake!)  Its funny feeling defensive about it considering I sometimes feel July is a ways off too.  I guess for one, July is really getting into summer, and that feels far away, but it's really not. Also being due on the 1st psychologically makes people feel that I am further away than say, If I were to tell people June 30th. Sometimes I feel like telling people June 30th just to conduct a social experiment.  I know, I am probably thinking way too much about this, but really?  you get a bit into thinking about these kinds of things when you are having so many opinions and comments thrown your way. Like one day, I will get someone who thinks I have a big belly, then the next someone will say it's small.  Its so confusing because what are these people basing their comments and observations on?  Their own experiences and how they looked? Other people they know? What they just feel a pregnant woman should look like?   To be honest, I have been pretty happy with my belly and the way I have looked. My skin has been amazing, and i never have to worry about my pants fitting right (like getting a bit of a belly bulge because well, it's supposed to be there!)  Lately I have been having some uncomfortable days that make me feel big but again, I'm almost 8 months pregnant and I think overall I have been very lucky with this pregnancy. Still, some comments can make you feel not the greatest even when you have been feeling pretty good about yourself. Maybe blame it on lack of grace and tact, insensitivity or ignorance.  Some people should just really think before they speak.  My friend Jen says,  "The only safe thing to say to a pregnant woman is 'You look great!' "  I totally agree.

How far along? 32 Weeks

Total weight gain? 20 Lbs

Maternity clothes? For the most part, or some things in bigger sizes

Stretch marks? No

Sleep? Not great, but a bit better since getting my Snoogle

Best moment this week?  Technically it was the week before buuut since I missed the 31 week post i will just say the Snoogle purchase

Miss anything? Having more energy, being able to turn over while sleeping without it being a big ordeal

Movement? A lot of the baby stretching out now, slides, sharp pokey bits (feet, knees, elbows?) that sometimes hurt when they jab! oh and lots of hiccups!

Food cravings? Today it was a Montreal smoked meat sandwich, but I did not give in.........yet.

Food aversions? Not really

Labor signs? Still the odd Braxton Hicks

Symptoms?  Feeling a lot more pressure low down now. I don't think the baby has dropped, but I think It's head is in that area now. Its tough to sit sometimes, especially if my pants are putting to much pressure on the area.  Back pain has not been worse but comes and goes depending on what I'm doing.

Looking forward to? Hmmm a few things! Tomorrow's 32 weeks Dr. visit. After this I move to the 2-3 week visits! Our pregnancy and family dynamics pre-natal class tomorrow night and also a visit from my friend Jenelle who's in from Toronto!

 

30 Weeks!

I am sooo excited to be writing a 30 week post!  Somehow I feel like now that I am in the 30's, things are becoming more real and close! (which is both exciting and kinda scary) 10 more weeks.... or maybe less....or more... still the thought is pretty crazy.  Since coming back from our Minneapolis trip we are really getting a move on baby's room. Or well, we're trying. The plan is to move the rest of the husbands stuff out this weekend and start to paint the room.  We picked up the paint the other day, and decided on a beigey color.  I really want something neutral that will go with most things. I plan to incorporate a fair amount of white in accents, and when the baby is born to hopefully personalize it a bit more whether it is a girl or boy. Our biggest challenge to date is finding a glider.  I cannot believe how hard it is to find a glider in a natural wood finish!  All of the ones I seem to find are espresso,oak, or cherry, and when you try to order it in natural? they up the price several hundred dollars. This is soooo infuriating!  The other day I thought I got lucky at finding one online and second hand, but when i went to see it, the cushions (while beige) looked too grandma like. Blech. All paisley and such.  So, back to square one.

How far along? 30 Weeks

Total weight gain? 19 Lbs

Maternity clothes? Can I just leave out this question now? Pretty much unless I found a flattering top that works in a bigger size

Stretch marks? No

Sleep? Usually the sleeping itself isn't that difficult (except when this little monkey is crawling all over the place. Last night it was like non stop!) What is tough is the getting up to pee or when I need to roll over it feels like a bowling ball in there.

Best moment this week? Just being 30 Weeks!

Miss anything? Being able to sit comfortably. My back is either sore or it is putting too much pressure on the lower part of my belly.  Since I am not very long in the torso, my belly comes right out from below my boobs. Sometimes I am starting to wonder if the baby will have enough room to be head down and vertical! So far it really likes to be diagonal.

Movement? Um, yeah. I honestly have not even bothered to count kicks.  I really haven't needed to! Now there are a lot more rolls and slides though, and being able to feel more pokey bits like elbows and knees.

Food cravings?  Nothing specific. Since being home from our weekend of food adventure I have been back to eating pretty healthy.

Food aversions? My new Omega three gummies. Blah. I can definitely taste the fishyness.  so stupid that Costco gets rid of things so fast.  These taste like sugared fruity fish jelly.

Labor signs? Some painless Braxton hicks

Symptoms? Pressure on the ribs (and organs?) when i sit and lean over (who are we kidding, slouch),  The need to pee has increased again, back pain (the chiro said it looks really good now, but i won't be able to be totally pain free with being pregnant) and achy in the legs when I stand too long at work (been pretty good at wearing my compression stockings and they seem to help a bit)

Belly button in or out? In

Looking forward to? Having baby's room painted so we can set up the furniture!

So since I missed my 29 week post, here are pictures for both 29 and 30 weeks :)

29 Weeks

30 Weeks

30 weeks

Weekend trip

I realize there is something missing here.... my 29 week post.  Le sigh, things sort of got away from me this week.  I've noticed that if i don't post by Wednesday, it seems more appropriate to wait until the next week.  I do have 29 week bump pics that I took in Minneapolis on our trip though! I will hopefully be posting my 30 week post tomorrow!

So lets talk about Minneapolis. Our little weekend trip didn't start off amazing...  First it was Friday the 13th. Driving out was rainy and foggy and we sort of may have hit a raccoon.  The Yaris, slightly damaged with cracked bumper, was the only one who probably walked (drove...ha) away from the incident out of the two. We didn't look for the raccoon, but given the bits of fur we found stuck in the cracks, I don't think we would have wanted to.  We continued on to Fargo where we stayed the first night. Looking for our hotel proved to be the next challenge. It was nowhere in sight.  Finally we started comparing addresses and realized ours belonged to an Econolodge, not a Comfort in which we had booked. Upon check-in we were informed that they had just made the switch and had changed the sign a few hours earlier!  Then? we were put in room 213. Several other odd things happened that day too, and even though I am not typically a superstitious person, I was glad when midnight rolled around.

Saturday and the rest of the weekend proved to be much better!  We did the outlet mall in Albertville, Checked into our hotel in Minneapolis (which by the way we got an AMAZING deal on booking with Hotwire) and went to eat at Chevy's for dinner.  This is a chain restaurant but it is fresh mex and very yummy. They even make their own salsa, tortilla's and tortilla chips.  After we both practically rolled out of the restaurant it was off to bed!

Marc with his MASSIVE margarita. This really is to scale. It was almost the size of

 his head. I was a bit jealous, not gonna lie, but most of the time when we go out since

 I have been pregnant he doesn't bother orderinga lchoholic drinks. What a great husband!

Sunday our eating adventure really began when we went to our first of three restaurants featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives! this one was called the Colossal cafe and extremely delicious. We even met and chatted with a retired couple with the same idea as us! They said whenever they travel they try to hit up restaurants from DDD's.  In most cases we tried to order what was recommended on the show!

Cheese and herb scone.....mmmmm

Marinated berkshire pork sandwich

Flappers made with yeast topped with Brie, walnuts, apples and honey

We then hit up the Mall of America and Ikea.  I have to say, I think being pregnant actually saved me in the spending money department.  While walking past the endless lovely wearable things for my pre pregnant self was a bit depressing, I probably spent less money. At Ikea we picked up a dresser and night table for our room. Since the husband is being kicked out of his getting ready room for baby, We needed a dresser in our room.  We didn't have one that will fit right with the angles of the room. Right now we have built in drawers besides the closet,  and um I am not really willing to share ;)    We finished the evening off with a trip to the Blue Door Pub, another DDD and tried their yummy burgers.  Basically burgers stuffed with delicious things. 

The Bluecy stuffed with blue cheese and garlic. Yes those are tater tots in the
background.We also tried the beer battered green beans. Very health conscious on this trip :)

Monday we went to Al's breakfast.  It is so small that we actually drove past it.  It is the tiniest narrow building close to the campus in Dinkytown (!??!) that looks like it has been there forever. Super kitschy with only 14 stools at the counter. You basically walk in, and squish yourselves against the wall behind the people eating while you are waiting for a seat. We were smart going on a Monday. We only waited about 15 minutes. I have heard that the wait can be hours!!! I'm glad i wasn't more pregnant because i can tell you that it might have been hard to fit against the wall without bumping someone with my belly! Oh and, no bathroom! is this even allowed???  A pregnant woman's worst nightmare. Thankfully I made it through.

Best. Eggs. Benedict. ever.

The Jose, a house specialty. Poached eggs with cheese over
 hash browns with homemade salsa on the side

See how tiny it is?!

We finished off the trip by going to Trader Joe's on our way out of town. Can I just say how much i LOVE this store!?!  The husband had to pull me away from the cheese aisle.  At one point I said to him, I don't think we have enough snacks. He looked at our cart and said "you're kidding right?" and actually I wasn't.  Its healthy, interesting, inexpensive food and we figured that if we had a Trader Joe's here in Canada, we would spend a third less on groceries!  Likely the prices would be higher here if there was one, so that's why I am banking on Fargo or Grand Forks getting one. I can dream.  

That pretty much was our trip. Eating and shopping! two things I love.  I was hoping to get some good prices at Target on jumbo boxes of diapers that I had priced out but it seemed like these sizes were available only online.  We didn't save very much, but that's ok We're a bit more prepared now. I can say it was very strange walking out of Target with $100 worth of diapers for the first time.  This really was our last road trip together before baby.  I have a feeling these last 10 weeks are going to go by very fast! Yikes.

28 weeks

Hello 3rd trimester!  I feel like the 6th month went by pretty fast, despite being sick for much of it.  Now that I am starting to feel a bit better, of course the tiredness is setting in. I had been doing pretty well for that, with quite a bit of energy all through the 2nd trimester.  Now I don't know if it's just that my body is so drained out from the last few weeks or if its the 7th month that's really hitting me. Yesterday I went out for just a few hours and had to come home for an hour nap. Today I just dragged myself around work all day like a zombie, totally out of it.

I'm really looking forward to this weekend. The husband and I are headed to Minneapolis for some shopping and together time. Our last little weekend away before baby comes.  We would have waited a little longer to go, but considering we're driving, It probably wouldn't be that comfortable at 8 months pregnant. Also, I am looking forward to getting some new maternity clothes that I can wear these last few months.  Hopefully we will be able to get some good deals on things to stock up on for baby, such as diapers, wipes, maybe some more outfits and other essentials.

We're also hoping to stop by a few places that we saw on Diners Drive-ins and Dives. Yumm! I really love that show  (my other favorite is Eat St. and sadly there are not many food trucks like that in Winnipeg due to the long winter I guess), although everytime I watch it I get hungry.  It might sound funny, but it is actually a dream of mine to do a big food road trip.  I'll have to settle for this for now!

How far along?  28 weeks

Total weight gain? 17 Lbs

Maternity clothes? Getting to the limit of the non maternity tops, although some bigger sizes of flowy tops work 

Stretch marks? No

Sleep?  Getting more and more uncomfortable. When I rotate myself during the night it sometimes feels like i am moving a rock inside my belly. Almost kind of a sick feeling

Best moment this week? Making it to the 3rd trimester milestone!

Miss anything? Being able to sit without my legs apart.  Again, I get that sick feeling if there is too much pressure on my lower abdomen

Movement? Now that there is less room in there I am feeling more and more rolls rather than kicks. Lots of pressure pushing out on my belly from some parts of baby. Still tough for me to figure out which body part is which though!

Food cravings? Brownies, chocolate things 

Food aversions? Not really

Labor signs? Not really this week (Braxton hicks)

Symptoms? Headaches. Ugh. Although i am wondering if these could be due to the antibiotics the doctor put me on because of my plague.  One more day of these pills, and hoping my head stops being sad.

Looking forward to? This weekend's roadtrip to Minneapolis!

27 (and 1/2!) weeks

So it has been a rough few weeks, but I feel like I have improved a little bit over the last few days! I am finally able to sleep laying down with less coughing and sleep in general has been a bit better. I have actually found that sleeping on our futon is actually better on my back.  It sucks though to think of going the next few months sleeping in the den... especially with the husband not there.  We can both fit on it, but it is a little more cramped. 
Had my monthly doctors appt yesterday, and all appears excellent! I was supposed to have my glucose test, but stupid me, I had coffee a little too close to test time.  We're just reschedulling it until next month. The doctor obviously doesn't seem concerned that I have any issues there.  Heart rate is 150 and the crazy little animal is very active!  After next month I move to the every 2-3 week appointments!

So here we go....

How far along?  27 (and 1/2!) weeks

Weight gain?  About 17 lbs

Maternity clothes?  I have gotten lucky with Joe lately having some cute peasant tops that I just bought in a larger size.  Will hopefully have some luck when we are in Minneapolis next weekend shopping for some things to make me feel good!

Stretch marks?    Nope. I have started looking all the time though. Fingers crossed.

Sleep?  Slightly better because of the futon, and actually making it through the night without peeing sometimes!  I am enjoying this now because towards the end I know it will get bad!

Best moment this week?  Just knowing that I am starting to feel a bit better!

Miss anything?  Um have I mentioned how shaving is nearly impossible? 

Movement?  Um have I mentioned the crazy animal inside my belly that is doing acrobatics constantly?

Food Cravings?  Two words. Mini Eggs.  And with easter coming? They are always in my face!

Food aversions?  Nope

Labour Signs?  No, other than what I have finally decided must be the odd Braxton Hicks contractions. Totally painless, just the belly gets rock hard.

Symptoms?  I have been very sleepy the last few days, despite having been better rested than I have been in the last several weeks. Either it's because I have been sick, or because the 3rd trimester is right around the corner!  Is this the start of my energy lever decreasing?

Looking forward to?  Our trip to Minneapolis next weekend! Hello shopping!