36 weeks!

How far along: 36 weeks, 1 day.

Maternity Clothes: My options are becoming more and more limited...

Stretch Marks: Still none.

Sleep: I've been up since 5:15. Not something I'm happy about.

Best Moment this Week: Wonderful Christmas with family and friends, getting the stuff up in the nursery.

Movement: Kick, kick, kick.

Food Cravings: Jello? Weird?

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: If you wish to not know the state of my cervix, stop reading now! I had my first exam yesterday- Laurel is head down, I'm almost 2 cm dilated, 75% effaced.

Belly Button: It will be weird to have an innie in a couple weeks.

What I Miss: Sleeping in. Can't do it lately.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: New Year's Eve, Finishing my to-do list.

Weekly Wisdom: If you've been trying to fall back asleep for an hour and nothing is happening, just get up.

35 Weeks!

35 weeks is a big day- 35/35, because I am 35 weeks pregnant and only have 35 days until my due date! Crazy!

How far along: 35 weeks, 0 days.

Maternity Clothes: One pair of jeans is too loose, the other is too tight! I can't win!

Stretch Marks: Still none.

Sleep: Hit or miss. I think I got up 5 times last night.

Best Moment this Week: Having a wonderful dinner with Reagan and Chris on Monday night. We started going out to dinner as our Christmas presents to each other last year. I think it's a wonderful alternative to getting more "stuff"..

Movement: Knee here, elbow there.... She's poking me as I type this!

Food Cravings: I love empty calorie drinks... soda, juice.... delicious.

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: I've had a few Braxton Hicks contractions, but that's all so far.

Belly Button: Still poking out.

What I Miss: Having a drink on NYE.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: Christmas!

Weekly Wisdom: Don't ever try to find parking in Belle Square by going on Bellevue Way. Go up to 100th and park in the back parking garage. Especially at Christmas.

33-34 weeks

How far along: 34 weeks, 4 days.

Maternity Clothes: I'm getting bored with what I have, but I'm not about to go out and buy clothing that will only last me another month.

Stretch Marks: Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Sleep: Ugh, woke up at 6:45 today, could not get comfortable enough to fall back asleep. Thanks, baby. :)

Best Moment this Week: My shower in Port Orchard was great! It was wonderful to see so many old friends! Got to eat lunch with Sam on Friday! And subbed for my favorite first grade class on Tuesday.

Movement: On Friday, she was moving around ALL DAY.

Food Cravings: Got some doughnuts from Sluy's yesterday!

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: I've had a few Braxton Hicks contractions, but that's all so far.

Belly Button: Still poking out.

What I Miss: Being comfortable.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: Reagan is back in town! Also, Christmas shopping.

Weekly Wisdom: Don't tease me too much right now. I'm way to uncomfortable to deal with your bull crap.

:)

34 weeks

33 weeks

33 weeks

BIG Update- Shower, Thanksgiving (30-32 weeks)

32 weeks

Baby Shower- November 22nd, 2009.

Reagan Carosino, the lovely hostess, and myself.

Maddie and Sam, Thanksgiving 2009

How far along: 32 weeks, 0 days.

Maternity Clothes: See picture above to find out what happens when I don't wear maternity clothes! :)

Stretch Marks: Still absent!

Sleep: Sleep has been ok.

Best Moment this Week: So many good moments since I last updated! I had my first baby shower, got to spend time with my best friend, had a lovely Thanksgiving, got more sub jobs... it's all good!

Movement: There's nothing cooler/weirder than seeing your belly move around like something in a movie.

Food Cravings: Had a delicious Friend Egg Sandwich tonight!

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: None so far. Still haven't had any noticeable Braxton Hicks contractions.

Belly Button: My friend, Pokey the Belly Button.

What I Miss: My back not hurting.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: I have a shower in Port Orchard on Saturday- I am very excited to see a lot of family and family friends that I haven't seen in awhile!

Weekly Wisdom: Don't restrict your water in take in the evening. You'll have to get up to pee abajillion times anyways, might as well stay hydrated.

29 weeks!

Yikes! I skipped updating for a little bit, but that's only because I've been getting SO MANY sub jobs! Which is great! So, you will see pictures for weeks 27 and 29 (I'm technicially 28 weeks, 6 days, so close enough ;), and a current update.

27 Weeks:

29 Weeks (Didn't remember to take a picture for 28 weeks):

How far along: 28 weeks, 6 days.

Maternity Clothes: I got some new maternity cords at JC Penney on sale!

Stretch Marks: So far, so good!

Sleep: I've been sleeping pretty well- trying to enjoy it while I can.

Best Moment this Week: Getting my hair cut!

Movement: Honestly, this is my favorite part of pregnancy: feeling her move around. I think it is just the coolest thing in the world!

Food Cravings: Loving ice cream right now.

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: None.

Belly Button: Still poking out slightly.

What I Miss: Raw cookie dough.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: Nannying this weekend- I haven't seen the girls in a while, they are going to be so excited when they see how big I am!

Weekly Wisdom: Things always get better. :)

26 weeks and I have Swine Flu

So... it's been an interesting few days! On Monday, I began subbing for Northshore, and I had my first two days of subbing. The first day was elementary P.E. in Kenmore and the second day was library at my old school. It was all a lot of fun, but I felt like I was beginning to get a cough on Sunday evening.

On Monday, the cough was a little bit worse and my nose was running a little bit.

On Tuesday morning, the cough was better but my nose was running more.

I had a very runny and stuffy nose all day Tuesday, and on Tuesday afternoon I started to get a headache. After getting home, I felt very cold. I took a shower and shivered for about 2 minutes before getting warmed up. I began taking my temperature when I got home, and it was steadily rising. By 6pm, it was 100.5. After talking to my sister-in-law (a nurse) and an on-call nurse for UW Medicine, I went in to see the doctor at 7pm. I tested positive for Influenza Type A, and they said they would know for sure if it was Swine Flu in 2-3 days. Fortunately, they gave me Tamiflu right away.

Wednesday night they called and confirmed it was... Swine Flu!

Basically, I feel like I have a cold. It really doesn't feel that bad, but I am quarantining myself at home and I am getting b-o-r-e-d. I'm doing fine, taking my medicine, drinking water, resting. I will be fine and so will the baby.

How far along: 26 weeks, 2 days.

Maternity Clothes: All Maternity, all the time.

Stretch Marks: Not yet!

Sleep: I've been getting a lot of rest this week.

Best Moment this Week: Seeing so many of my first graders from last year!

Movement: She's a kicker!

Food Cravings: Honey Crisp Apples... nummy!

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: None.

Belly Button: Still poking out slightly.

What I Miss: Not being sick. :(

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: Being able to leave my house.

Weekly Wisdom: Sometimes life is like a bad comedy, and you just have to laugh at it.

25 weeks!

How far along: 25 weeks, 1 days.

Maternity Clothes: I wore one of my cute dresses on Tuesday. ;)

Stretch Marks: Not yet!

Sleep: Sleep has been good this week, thankfully! Hope I don't jinx anything.

Best Moment this Week: Seeing family last weekend.

Movement: I love feeling my little acrobat move around!

Food Cravings: Trader Joe's Lemon Sorbet.... DELICIOUS!

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: None.

Belly Button: Still poking out slightly.

What I Miss: Happy Hour.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: Starting to sub on Monday. New adventure time!

Weekly Wisdom: Even when it seems like everything is going wrong, stay positive!

Ideas In My Head

Keeping track of things I want and things I need for the nursery will be another purpose of this blog.

A reminder of what we have so far:

-Crib and mattress
-Glider
-Corner Shelf

Things we still need:

-Dresser
-Changing Table (Can be combined with dresser if the dresser is big enough).

Things I need to do:

-Do final pick of wall color
-Pick out fabrics for bedding and new chair cushions
-Paint corner shelf
-Find all the little touches to add to her room.

The nursery wall color will be very "gender neutral," in case a baby boy comes along a few years down the road, but everything else will be awfully girly, with pinks, greens, browns, and yellows.

Here are some of the things I like:

These fabrics are some that I'm really loving right now.
I can order it on Etsy, but I'm trying to find it in person, first.

I love this bird mobile!
I have directions to make it from Martha Stewart, but I think
it's going to end up being pretty time intensive. :)

I've had my eye on this alphabet print for awhile.
I will probably bite the bullet soon and order it.

This is one person's update of Ikea's Malm dresser.
I like the idea behind it more than the specific style.

I'd love to have some sort of display shelf for all of the books that Laurel will have!

24 weeks!

How far along: 24 weeks, 0 days.

Maternity Clothes: I'm rocking the tunics.

Stretch Marks: Not yet!

Sleep: Yes, Marie, I am having weird dreams! Only a few with babies involved. Although I did feel the need to put my glasses on in the middle of the night last night for some reason.

Best Moment this Week: Having brunch with a good friend on Saturday morning. :)

Movement: I can feel her move when I'm walking around, which is new. Before, I could only feel it when I wasn't moving.

Food Cravings: Trying to deny myself those doughnuts.

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: None.

Belly Button: The top of it is really starting to poke out.

What I Miss: Buttoning my coats ;)

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: Seeing family this Sunday.

Weekly Wisdom: Don't sweat the small stuff!

18 weeks vs. 23 weeks

Same shirt, different sized belly...

23 weeks!

How far along: 23 weeks, 1 day.

Maternity Clothes: One of the pairs of pants I was having hemmed had a tear in the leg and I had to return it :( They were cute pants, too.

Stretch Marks: Not yet!

Sleep: I can never get enough!

Best Moment this Week: When Laurel kicks during yoga! It almost makes me giggle.

Movement: Sam got to feel her move last night. I think he thought it was pretty cool.

Food Cravings: Jello? Weird?

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: None.

Belly Button: The top of it is really starting to poke out.

What I Miss: Being able to commiserate over a good drink.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: A friend's baby shower this weekend, getting more stuff cleaned out of the nursery.

Weekly Wisdom: During a downpour, umbrellas work better than raincoats.

22 weeks!

How far along: 22 weeks, 3 days.

Maternity Clothes: Got a few more maternity shirts and picked up my new work maternity pants from being hemmed...

Stretch Marks: Nothing yet.

Sleep: I'm still doing ok.

Best Moment this Week: Having my first stranger comment! I went and got a doughnut at a shop by my school and the lady said, "Oh, the baby wants a doughnut?" :)

Movement: She's still kicking away! So far, only I've felt it.

Food Cravings: Anything that is bad for me. Why can't I crave carrots and lettuce?

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: None.

Belly Button: Moving more towards "outie".

What I Miss: Not much I can think of this week.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: Sleeping in on Tuesday, spending time with friends and family this weekend.

Weekly Wisdom: If your bra isn't fitting- go get a new one! Don't wait!

It's a GIRL!

We are so excited and happy to announce that we are having a baby girl! We got to see her last Thursday at our ultrasound- she is adorable!

We will go ahead and let you know the first name we've decided on: Laurel. We agreed upon that awhile ago, it was something we both liked! We'll come up with a middle name soon, too. :)

21 weeks!

I know, I know... I skipped a week. But I've been super duper busy, getting a job, finding out we were having a girl, etc!

How far along: 21 weeks, 0 days.

Maternity Clothes: I'm wearing more and more maternity clothes. Bought some maternity shirts today because some of my others just aren't long enough.

Stretch Marks: Still hoping I'll be spared!

Sleep: Stomach is getting less and less accessible..

Best Moment this Week: Finding out our baby was a girl! I was so ready to be wrong! But, like always, I was right. ;) Also, starting and finishing the Twilight series!

Movement: Still feeling her move around in there! I felt her from the outside today, too. That was pretty neat.

Food Cravings: Nothing in particular right now.

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: None.

Belly Button: Moving more towards "outie"

What I Miss: Red Wine? I wasn't much of a wine drinker before, but I've been craving it!

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: A couple of baby showers this weekend.

Weekly Wisdom: Sometimes, your intuition can be right. ;)

19 weeks!

How far along: 19 weeks 1 day

Maternity Clothes: Still loving those maternity jeans.... not looking forward to not wearing jeans once school starts! I'm definitely showing. No stranger comments, yet.

Stretch Marks: None so far...

Sleep: Stomach, side, and stomach/side are my positions of choice.

Best Moment this Week: I told my principal and co-teacher, and they were very supportive. It was a huge relief.

Movement: I began feeling the baby moving around on Saturday morning! It is very cool.

Food Cravings: Nothing in particular right now.

Gender: 1 week until we get to find out!

Labor Signs: Thankfully, no.

Belly Button: Normal.

What I Miss: Nothing that I can think of right now!

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: FINDING OUT IF IT'S A BOY OR GIRL!

Weekly Wisdom: Make sure to get rest.

18 weeks!

It's now been 4 weeks since I started updating the blog with pictures of how far along I am... I can definitely tell the difference between week 14 pictures and today's!


How far along: 18 weeks 0 days

Maternity Clothes: I'm wearing my maternity jeans more, although I bought them a size larger because I'm sure I'll grow some during the pregnancy, and not just in my abdomen area!

Stretch Marks: None so far...

Sleep: I am still rebelling and sleeping on my stomach. I feel like I am sleeping on top of a small nerf ball. ;)

Best Moment this Week: I got a job! I accepted a job as a co-teacher at a private school in Lynnwood. Hopefully, it will be a great fit. The principal told me there were over 100 applicants to the position... So I feel pretty great that I got it. I am planning on telling the principal and my co-teacher this week about the pregnancy- feeling nervous, but glad to get it over with.

Movement: Haven't felt anything so far.

Food Cravings: Nothing in particular right now.

Gender: 2 weeks and 2 days until we get to find out!

Labor Signs: Thankfully, no.

Belly Button: Normal.

What I Miss: Not having to pee in the middle of the night.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: Getting over telling the principal, and eventually being "out" with the news!

Weekly Wisdom: Be patient.

17 weeks!

How far along: 17 weeks 0 days

Maternity Clothes: I can still fit into this one pair of jeans, thank goodness they've got a low rise!

Stretch Marks: None so far!

Sleep: Doing better this week.

Best Moment this Week: Having a great dinner/evening with Sam, Chris, and Reagan.

Movement: Haven't felt anything yet.

Food Cravings: I had a delicious ice cream cone, today!

Gender: 3 weeks until we get to find out! So far, Uncle Aaron, Grandpa Steve, and one of the girls I nanny for have said boy. Everyone else has predicted girl. If you haven't wagered a guess yet, post it in the comments!

Labor Signs: Nope.

Belly Button: Normal.

What I Miss: Sleeping through an entire night without needing to pee.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: Meeting my friend's little boy, Jonathan.

Weekly Wisdom: I didn't get any wiser this week, sorry!

16 Weeks!

How far along: 16 weeks 0 days

Maternity Clothes: Things are getting a little tighter.... I've been using the Bella Band.

Stretch Marks: Still hoping I don't get any on my tummy!

Sleep: Insomnia is not my friend.

Best Moment this Week: Spending a lovely Sunday afternoon on Lake Sammamish, celebrating Valerie's dedication.

Movement: Haven't felt anything yet.

Food Cravings: Had my weekly doughnut on Tuesday!

Gender: 4 weeks until we get to find out! (Intuition is telling us it's a girl, but we could be wrong!)

Labor Signs: Thankfully, no.

Belly Button: Normal.

What I Miss: Getting my own classroom ready.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: Seeing Reagan and Chris, seeing David Gray, mild sunny days.

Weekly Wisdom: Do not drink Coke after 1pm. Do not nap after 2pm. Or you will not be able to sleep at night!

New Stroller!

So, our EasyWalker Sky was delivered last week to Aaron and Kara's, and yesterday I went over to their house and.... assembled it all by myself! I know, I know: impressive!

It's just as lovely as I hoped it would be! Right now, it has the bassinet/carrycot attachment on, which is better for infants. I won't need to use it for another 5-6 months, but I'm ready!

Here are some pictures:

Here's a little video I tried to make, too:

One step closer....

So, Sam and I had been looking at buying the Gulliver crib from Ikea to have in the nursery. It's a nice, simple crib; and there was no way I wanted to spend a ton of money on a crib. It says online that the Gulliver in white is $99, but I seem to remember in the store it being $140. Here's a picture of the crib.


Well, Sam and I started talking more about our finances for next year- we know things are going to be stretched very tight if I do not get a teaching job, so we are trying to save as much money as we can right now. I decided I would browse listings on Craigslist to see if I could find any deals. Lo and behold, someone in Woodinville was selling their barely used Gulliver for $65! I picked it up yesterday and now we have a crib!

Here is a picture of it in the "nursery-to-be." Basically, everything you see in this room will be moved out except the crib. I figured it would be good to have some "before" pictures. :)



Next are some paint colors I'm considering:




I will definitely post more pictures as it all comes together!

15 weeks!

How far along: 15 weeks 0 days

Maternity Clothes: I can still fit into my Banana Republic jeans!

Stretch Marks: No new ones so far...

Sleep: Still dealing with some insomnia, at times. Definitely needing to get up and pee at least once a night.

Best Moment this Week: Getting our crib for a steal, spending an afternoon with Mom, Mary, and Jeanette, then BBQing it up over in Monroe.

Movement: Haven't felt anything yet.

Food Cravings: I really, really like FROST's doughnuts. ;) Fortunately I can't give myself an excuse to go there more than once a week.

Gender: 5 weeks until we get to find out! (Intuition is telling us it's a girl, but we could be wrong!)

Labor Signs: Thankfully, no.

Belly Button: Normal.

What I Miss: My friends in California.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: Lunch with a friend tomorrow, the continued mild, even below "normal" temperatures.

Weekly Wisdom: You can find a lot of good deals on craigslist. ;)

14 Week Doctor's Visit

We got to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time, today! That was exciting. We are counting down the days (41) until we get to have our BIG ultrasound, where we'll find out if Sweet Pea is a boy or a girl! Nothing else really eventful, I asked Dr. Keys if most of my bump was baby or bloat- I guess during pregnancy the uterus pushes up all of your intestines and such, so it's really mostly bloat at this point, but bloat from the baby, nonetheless!

I forgot to post the picture from the very first ultrasound that we had when we were almost 10 weeks- here is Baby L!

Pretty cool, huh? Today, after hearing the heartbeat, our doctor said: "Well, you've either got a baby in there or a miniature locomotive!" It still doesn't feel completely real, but it's getting there!

14 Weeks!

How far along: 14 weeks 0 days

Maternity Clothes: Nothing new..

Stretch Marks: None so far...

Sleep: Starting to get a wee bit uncomfortable on my tummy.

Best Moment this Week: Enjoying my first Sounders game, hearing from people that they can see a bit of a bump.

Movement: Unless that gas is movement ;)

Food Cravings: Dryer's Whole Fruit Lemonade Popsicles are magnificent in this heat.

Gender: 6 weeks until we get to find out!

Labor Signs: Thankfully, no.

Belly Button: Normal.

What I Miss: A cold hard apple cider.

What I'm Looking Forward to this Week: Doctor's appointment on Friday, starting to do some nannying.

Weekly Wisdom: If it's too hot to go for a walk, it is too hot to go for a walk. Don't fight it.

Here I am at 14 weeks!