Is it June, yet?

The last couple of weeks have reminded me of tirade Elizabeth Banks’ character from the What to Expect When You’re Expecting movie went on during her speech. Pregnancy sucks.

No, really. It does.

I’ve been completely exhausted the last couple of weeks. I haven’t been able to muster the energy to get out of bed in the morning to make Devin breakfast before he heads off to work. There was even one day where I didn’t wake up at all to give him a kiss good-bye. That has never happened before and needless to say I didn’t like it. 

Earlier this morning, I dropped Devin off at the airport. He is headed to Las Vegas for a friend’s bachelor party, so I have the weekend to myself. This is the first weekend we’ve been apart since we moved in together in December 2012. 16 months is a long time and I miss him already.

 With the hubs out of town, I will be attending Mommy-Con in Austin tomorrow. This will be my first event (obviously, why would I go when I wasn’t a mother) and I’m really excited to see what it’s all about. I’m hoping that I will be able to observe The Great Cloth Diaper Change. I am so excited to cloth diaper, it’s kind of absurd.

I ordered some awesome diapers last week and received them on Monday.

The top two are Chelory’s (One size AIO and Newborn AIO) that I bought new because I’ve heard amazing things about. They’re pricey diapers, but the quality is outstanding. The bottom one is a Padded Patootie (One Size AIO)that I was able to score on the Facebook b/s/t page. Padded Patootie’s are incredibly difficult to come by, so I was super excited to score this diaper (it’s never been used). 

Obviously, I won’t have any clue if these diapers work as awesome as they look until my kid arrives, but I have heard nothing but great things about both. Plus, it makes me feel good to support Work at Home Moms (WAHMs – which is why I’d like to score a PP new). 

Next year, I hope to use one of these dipes when I participate in the Great Cloth Diaper Change.

Anyway, I’m hoping to get lots of awesome info at Mommy-Con tomorrow. I’m planning to take lots of notes (I love notes) and I’ll share what I learn.

Countdown to baby: 61 days…

Where have I been?!

The weather here is crazy right now! Thunderstorms and lightning every couple of minutes.

The power went out briefly and our wireless hasn’t come back on despite my resetting the router. No WiFi. 😢I’m writing the post from my phone which isn’t as easy as it sounds.

Last week was a total bust! I was extremely exhausted all week. I would wake up to eat and then go right back to sleep. Monday to Thursday, I was awake about 5 hours each day. I felt useless, but I take it as a sign that baby is getting bigger and stronger.

On Friday, I decided that I had to be productive. I started prepping our cloth diapers. It’s a little overwhelming trying to remember how each item should be washed.

It turns out I was overly cautious with the prefolds by air drying them when they could’ve gone in the dryer. I learned a valuable lesson for next time . They take forever to air dry, so I won’t be doing that again. I have to do 4 more washes on some of the diapers to make sure they are fully prepped and ready to go. This will be my Friday routine for the next 4 weeks.

I also started working on the owl painting for the nursery (finally, I know). I still am unclear about what I actually want, but I thought I better do something and if I don’t like it I have more blank canvases!

We started a little garden yesterday on the patio. The whole thing was a total mess, so we cleaned it up and stored the things that were out there preventing us from actually using the space.

We planted some flowers and herbs in planters we already had that we collecting dust. We also bought a calla lily plant and gardenia bush for inside the house. I’m so excited to actually have a garden. It looks so pretty and is very peaceful to sit out there now.

Houseplants are supposed to be good for your health and well being. Neither Devin or I have green thumbs, so here’s hoping we don’t kill the plants.

I’m hoping the weather will let up a bit, I have grocery shopping on the agenda today and I don’t want to get soaked! Until then I’m off to work on the owl.

Countdown to baby: 72 days

Breathing

I never knew that breathing could be so complicated. 

We just got home from Childbirth class and this week we focused on breathing exercises. Am I the only one that forgets to inhale during all these rapid exhalations? The deep breathing did feel awesome! It’s like I usually only half ass breathing, my lungs and nasal passage felt cool and refreshed. 

This weekend we went and got a 3D ultrasound. It was sort of anticlimactic. The kid was bent in half and would not move both feet from in front of its face. I tried drinking juice, laying on my left side and bending over and nothing would make it change positions. We got a couple good pictures though, so I’m glad we did it.

We also got coupons for spa services. Baby massage, here I come. My husband has been telling me to get a prenatal massage for a few months now and now because we have coupons, I will!

It’s been a week since the puppies had their surgery and they are back to normal; meaning completely crazy. Bamm-Bamm has discovered that without balls, he can jump on the couch and bed without assistance. I’m not sure I like this development. Meanwhile, Pebbles is totally afraid of jumping and has started rolling on her back and peeing when we try to pick her up from the couch. I didn’t realize that having her spayed and an umbilical hernia repaired would make her incontinent. *sad face*

The good news is that they both are doing well. 

I have major updates on baby stuff for tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Countdown to baby: 79 days

 

Why am I not surprised?

I’m sick. 

We made it home from Boston on Tuesday. I didn’t think it was THAT cold, but luckily, I was able to find a coat. I woke up yesterday feeling some kind of crap-tastic. I’m not sure if it’s the change in weather or the germs from the plane, but it sucks. I’ve practically lived on the couch for the last couple days.

I think I’m starting to feel better though. Fingers crossed.

I’ll give a full report on our weekend when I’m feeling better.

Countdown to baby: 90 days…

No Sleep Till….

I got NO sleep last night. And, by no sleep I mean, MAYBE an hour and a half. I didn’t fall asleep until around 5:45 this morning. I know that because I was playing on my phone the whole time.

Today was pretty uneventful.

I packed for Boston for both myself and Devin. Packing for short trips is more difficult for me, I want to pack everything! It’s going to be pretty cold, especially Monday; I don’t have a coat that fits me in this stage of pregnancy. I’m hoping that we’ll be able to find one once we get there.

I polished off the rest of the sugar cookies. Gross, I know.

I made a menu and grocery list for when we get back on Tuesday. It may sound strange, but I love meal planning. Our biggest problem is eating out pretty frequently, when eating at home would be the healthiest thing for us. I’ve been really lazy lately with the cooking, so when we get back from Boston we’re getting back on the wagon. I’m also promising (myself, AGAIN) to start exercising.

If you’re interested here is what we’re going to be eating when we get back. I’ve included links to the websites that I find these delicious recipes on (I’m not particularly creative myself). We always have leftovers for lunch the next day, it makes life so much simpler.

Tuesday (we get back in the afternoon)

Dinner – Cobb Salad. I make this with chicken breast (boiled or grilled) and bacon. My husbands’ favorite. Quick & Easy.

Wednesday

Breakfast – Over medium eggs, bacon & toast

Snack – Cottage Cheese

Lunch – Leftovers

Snack – 1/2 Avocado & String Cheese

Dinner – Chicken thighs with mashed sweet potatoes & green beans

Thursday

Breakfast – Broccoli, sausage & cheese scramble

Snack – Plain greek yogurt with mixed fresh berries

Lunch – Leftovers

Snack – Mixed Nuts

Dinner – Swedish meatballs with bok choy & salad (I have a batch of these ready in the freezer.)

 Friday

Breakfast – Paleo Blueberry Pancakes (these are SO good) with sausage

Snack – Banana & string cheese

Lunch – Leftovers

Snack – Cottage cheese

Dinner – BLT’s with avocado & salad

Saturday 

Breakfast – Over medium eggs, bacon & hash browns

Snack – Pink Grapefruit Smoothie

Lunch – Leftovers

Snack – 1/2 green apple & toast with almond butter

Dinner – Easy Shredded Pork (skipping the plantains in this recipe, they are delicious though) with mashed sweet potatoes & roasted brussels sprouts

We just dropped the puppies off at the puppy hotel. I didn’t expect to be so sad about it. I’m sitting here now, wondering if they miss us, if they’re crying. 😦

I’m off to try to get some sleep. Our day starts at 3:45 a.m. tomorrow. It’s going to be a long one.

Countdown to baby: 96 days…

Ugh

I shouldn’t be allowed to bake. 

I made sugar cookies today and have eaten about 8 of them so far. The same thing happened about a month ago when I made peanut butter cookies. I can’t stop eating them! Gah.

I don’t take my gestational diabetes test until the 31st, so maybe my subconscious is trying to tell me something; eat the sugar while you can!! In all seriousness, sugar is all I’ve been craving for the last three weeks or so. It makes me feel gross, but it’s all I want!

Other than cookies, all I did today was laundry in preparation for Boston. 

Life is pretty boring right now.

Countdown to baby: 97 days

Lazy

I’ve kind of been a slacker. The baby must be having a growth spurt because I am really tired this week. It started on Sunday, napping most of the day (it didn’t help that the weather was crap). Yesterday, I fell asleep about an hour after waking up and slept an additional 4 hours. 

26 weeks today. Only 14 to go. Seems like it’s taking forever and going too quickly at the same time.

On Saturday we were supposed to attend a Cloth Diapering class, but didn’t make it on time and I refuse to show up late (I think it’s rude and disrespectful). So, we are just going to wing it. 

We started our stash with a Bummis Organic Cotton Diaper Kit. I’m still hesitant about this kit because I wanted to get a variety of brands and styles, but Devin got sold on it so we’ll keep it. Cloth Diapering is my new obsession. It’s bordering on unhealthy, it occupies most of my day; researching various brands and styles of diapers to try to decide what else I want to add to my stash.

There is SO much information available it is OVERWHELMING and exciting at the same time. Google is my BFF and worst enemy right now. 

We have a last minute trip to Boston this weekend. Devin has to go for a work thing on Monday and I’m going to visit with my family that lives in Connecticut. We leave on Saturday and won’t get back until Tuesday afternoon. 

I don’t have a maternity jacket. I’m going to freeze.

Countdown to baby: 98 days…(holy shit balls that seems soon)

Friday is a Favorite

There is something very calming in waking up knowing that you’ve already prepared breakfast. I’m usually running around like a crazy person to make sure my husband is well fed and off to work on time. I love mornings when I’ve already done the hard work.

Breakfast for us was an asparagus, provolone frittata and sausage patties. Frittatas are easy to make and are so yummy. 

 

I needed some pampering after yesterday, so I went and got a lovely mani/pedi early this morning.

I love it when the nail salon isn’t busy and I don’t have to wait and aren’t rushed.

 When I got home, it was time to get back to work on the nursery art.

After the first painting, I learned that it really is important to take my time. That includes making sure I have the proper tools when I start painting.

 

It did take me a little longer than I would’ve liked, but I think the “A” is complete. I really like the way it turned out. Sorry the picture is so bad!

 

My husband and I are attending a Cloth Diapering 101 class at a local store tomorrow, so I’ll have a lot to share with you after the weekend!

Countdown to baby: 103 days (I posted last night after midnight, so no progress on that).

Too much

It was an absolutely gorgeous day here in Central Texas!

I was able to get outside to take a short walk and when I came home, I opened up the house to get some fresh air flowing. The weather here is wacky, so I have to take advantage of these rare days.

I worked too hard today. Pushed my every growing body to its limits in my quest to complete my housewifely duties.

Once a week, I give our apartment a thorough cleaning. Laundry, vacuuming, mopping, dusting, bathrooms; everything. Well, now my back and feet are screaming at me. I did too much. I even made dinner AND prepared breakfast for tomorrow.

I’ve heard some pregnant women make a schedule of chores to complete each day, rather than all at once. I’ll have to try that next week and let you know how it works out.

I was so busy with cleaning that I didn’t have a chance to work on the art for the nursery. I’m hoping to complete the “A” tomorrow and start work on the owl. I’ll give a full progress report tomorrow!

Countdown to baby: 103 days…

Getting Crafty

I only got about 4 hours of sleep last night. I am not a happy person today, but there is no time for whining!

I am 25 weeks today! Argh…that means in just 15 weeks we’ll be parents! It will be here before we know it.

We are running out of time, so I decided to really get to work on the art for the nursery. Normally I would just order something from Etsy, but I thought it might be fun to get crafty. I normally am not a DIY kind of girl, but I figure it will be good practice for when I have to help the kid with school projects. Turns out it actually is fun (*gasp*). I’m enjoying painting. I am a perfectionist and very hard on myself, so the fact that I’m accepting my work as being decent, is nice. I’m no Van Gogh, but it’s good enough for me.

This past weekend we went to Michael’s and they were having a sale on canvas (a pack of 7 canvases for $20!!) and acrylic paint, so we picked up some colors that go with the scheme of the nursery. I “finished” one canvas today. By finished I mean there is one heart that is bugging me and needs fixing, but I will conquer it!

 

^not the finished product, but you get the idea.

I just started work on the 2nd canvas; first coat of paint is done. 

 

Did you know you’re supposed to “prepare” the canvas when painting with acrylic? Yeah, I didn’t either. Needless to say, we skipped that step. I think they’re turning out pretty good for a non-crafty (soon-to-be) mom. The 3rd one I have planned (an owl) it’s more complicated in my head (cut out paper feathers, maybe?), so I have it’ll be a couple days before I iron out what I really want to do.

Stay tuned!

Countdown to baby: 104 days…