week 31

(Pic coming soon! My husband isn't home yet to take it)

The baby room is 99% finished. Helen bought me the most beautiful mermaid picture. Thank you Helen! I hung it between the changing table (aka wine rack) and glider. I'm not sure about the frames I hung beside it so I'll need a second opinion when all of you girl s see it!
Porter continued to have a lot of hiccups all week. I'm not sure what brings them on. She gets them at all times of the day and night. My book says its typical for babies in the womb to get hiccups from practicing their swallowing. That's just incredible to me.
Our birthing classes are over now. I feel like I knew most of the information the nurse was giving us. The most important thing I learned was about the different stages of labor. If I can make it to 7cm, then hopefully I won't have further to go before I push her out. I might be able to do it without an epidural. I can choose statol instead to ease the pain. It only lasts an hour, unlike the epidural. I really don't want to be numb from the waist down. I visualize my birthing experience being like an endurance race. In a distance race, you have to tell yourself to keep going, when all you want to do is stop. You have to keep racing through the pain, no matter what. I know it will be the most painful experience of my life but woman deliver naturally every day. Our bodies were made to give birth. Pray for me!

Week 30

I'm definitely feeling large and heavy this week (can you tell by the look on my face in the picture?). I have a pain in my left tailbone too. I'm sorry for complaining right off the bat! I have 10 more weeks to go and then I get to start shedding all this weight. I certainly hope its as easy as people are telling me....
Porter had hiccups 3 times this week. At first, I wasn't sure but they feel like light pulses. I could tell where her body is so I placed my hand around her. Her little body pulses every 1-2 seconds and it surely isn't a kick or punch. Tim was able to feel it too!
I had my first shower this week. My friends at Blair were so generous and thoughtful. I got so many gifts, books, clothes, sleepers, diapers, etc... I could have Porter right now and she'd have everything she needed. Thank you to all of my school friends who helped me feel so loved. You are appreciated!
The baby room is almost done. The mattress and night stand have both been bought. I found the nightstand at a little antique store downtown. Thanks goodness it was in my price range. Its white with clear pulls. I'm going to order starfish pulls to replace them. I'll post a pic after its finished. Sally is in Michigan making the crib ruffle, comforter, window treatments and throw pillow. She'll be back in town after labor day and hopefully she'll have time to cover the rocker/glider. By the way, I chose the fabric with little pink whales! Its so cute!

week 29

Surprise! I have my blog done on time!

We started birthing classes on Thursday. They run every week for the month of May. We learned about all the stages of labor as well as some breathing techniques. In fact, she turned off the lights and played soft music while we practiced. Tim and I got the giggles so bad I thought she would throw us out any minute! We couldn't stop laughing! It just felt so silly sitting there and both of us practicing our breathing. I learned that drinking raspberry tea can help lessen your contractions...whatever that means. I also learned that the hospital has birthing tubs and the husband can get in with you as long as he has a bathing suit. There's only 4 birthing balls so she recommended we bring our own. We got a bunch of handouts that showed laboring positions as well as a list of our "rights" and what to bring to the hospital.
For my birthday, Tim got me the blue crab I've been wanting from Crabby Chic. I've had my eye on it for a couple of years but just never budgeted money for it. I'm super excited to see it hang over Porter's book shelf. I have to keep it up high so she doesn't get a hold of it and break a leg off!
I have a doctors appointment and my first "school baby shower" this week. How exciting!

week 28

I had my glucose screening to check for gestational diabetes this week. Early Wednesday morning I had to drink 10 ounces of something orange that tasted like sugary orangeade. Twenty minutes later I felt a little nauseous but it soon passed. I haven't heard anything from the doctors so I'm assuming my blood work came back normal.
Thursday, we had another level 2 ultrasound to check Porter's kidneys. Four week ago, urine had collected in her left kidney and they wanted to make sure it was draining properly. The kidney measurements came back with in normal ranges so everything is fine. However, she measured to be 3 pounds and 6 oz....she was only a little over a pound 4 weeks ago! She's only supposed to be 2 1/2 pounds. She has gained 1/2 pound each week over the past month...she's a big girl! I can honestly say I felt HUGE last week and I was really hungry (more than usual). The doctor said she probably just went through a growth spurt and shouldn't continue to gain weight at that rate. I hope so!
The stroller and car seat came on Wednesday and I made Tim put it together that evening. I didn't realize how bulky those strollers are! Its like pushing a mini truck! Now I have this stroller and my jogger stroller (thanks to Lisa). Porter can't ride in the jogger until after 8 weeks. That should be about the time I can run again. I sure do miss running....I can't wait to start shedding all these extra pounds!