Getting big or so I feel

30 week belly

The Quilt

Crib with bedskirt and quilt, minus the bumper

the dresser in need of a new paint job and hardware but I love!

So today was a day of pampering for me, yay! Thanks to my mom's great birthday gift to me I spent a day getting my hair done, eyebrows waxed, a pedicure and an hour and a half massage! I wish there were more days like today! This past week I have really popped out, at least I feel like I have. Last weekend I went out for my friend Amanda's bachelorette party and never have felt more like a beached whale! They so don't make cute clothes for pregnant women to go out in either! Good news is that her wedding is next weekend and I still can fit in my bridesmaids dress!! The crazy thing about feeling so much bigger is I've gained under a pound in the last month but swear my belly has grown like crazy. I have proof that it's not all in my head either as my scrub tops no longer fit. Sitting is definantly starting to get uncomfortable as I have a butt wedged in my ribs half the time.

The nursery is coming along! We now have a crib and dresser--which does need to get painted soon--but at least we've started! I have also washed all the 0-3 month clothes so they are ready too. I'm definantly in the nesting phase with wanting to get the house ready and really clean. I even cleaned the baseboards this week! My great friend Lawanda from work is almost finished making my baby bedding, just in need of a bumper. I love the way it turned out and it's so "me" as everyone puts it. I am excited that we are in the last 2 months and hoping that time will hurry up just a bit so we can meet her, the still nameless child!

Nursery...just starting on it!

Brett hard at work putting up the wainscoating
He did this all in one afternoon!

"Mimi" and one of her friends who painted most of the nursery, thank you!

Finished painting! The wall to the right has a shelf the entire length.

Level II at Duke MFM

Here is a profile picture

Here she is looking at the ultrasound...you can kind of make out her eyes, nose and mouth

Today we had our second level II ultrasound and great news! No "She looks good...BUT" today. She's doing "perfectly" (Dr. Cooley's words, not mine)! Her growth is in the 50th percentile (putting her at 2 lbs. 13 oz. approx). Since her growth was good they said we won't have to come back to Duke unless something changes. GREAT news! Also, she's finally head down! She's been breech since about 20 weeks, which means an automatic c-section. So for now she's head down and will hopefully stay down! The little stinker ran from the ultrasound tech so these 2 are the only picture we got!

Another praise is I got some Ambien today! I've been sleeping AWFUL lately! On average, 2-3 hrs a night. I can't fall asleep until really late and then when I work am up at 5:30...that and peeing every 2 hrs. So the no sleep, along with being anemic has worn me out!! Hopefully that will change shortly! Don't worry (Mom), I'm not taking it most nights...just enough to function!

Wednesday my mom, one of her friends and I are painting the nursery. I'll post pictures of the finished project and Brett doing the wainscoating. Not to brag on him or anything, but he did it in less than a day! So proud of my handy man!

27 weeks and Belly pictures

15 weeks!

22 weeks!

27 weeks!

Passed my glucose test this week! YAY! Have our next big ultrasound at Duke Maternal-Fetal Medicine on October 12th! I can't wait to get more pictures of her! She's still really active, moving a TON in the afternoon and evening. Brett has started on the wainscoating in the nursery and I've picked out the fabric for the nursery bedding, which a friend is making for me! It's fabric that my mom's friend Tina Givens designed and the line that I'm using is called fairy tip toes the pink line. It's super cute!

Baltimore

This weekend was our "Babymoon". We caught a wonderful Red Sox win versus the Orioles at Camden Yards, lots of college football at ESPN Zone, the inner harbor, good seafood and sleep! We also got some shopping in at IKEA and the Leesburg Outlets. I got some of the best sleep of my life (and Brett too I think). The hotel had Sleep Number beds! We slept 12 hrs Friday night and I took a 2 hr nap on Saturday, it was great! I haven't slept well for at least 10 weeks so it was a much needed, relaxing weekend!

Today I am 24 weeks! A big milestone as this is the minimal viability for a baby. So excited to be at this point!

Total weight gain: 10lbs or so
Maternity clothes: pants, definantly! Can fit in a few of my regular shirts still!
Stretch marks: No new ones!
Sleep: Sleeping better in the past 2 weeks then the previous 6!
Movement: Alot most days, especially in the afternoon and evening!
Food Cravings: Not really eating sweets--rare for me! Pickles and salty things are yummy!
Labor Signs: A couple contractions, nothing that hurts or worrisome, thank goodness!
Belly Button: Still looking like it should
What I miss eating: Queso dip, a big juicy hot dog!
What am I looking forward to: her arrival, of course at least in 12 weeks!
Milestones: 24 weeks! Also, getting Brett to actually start planning for a baby!

I now have to sit down to put socks and shoes on. Getting up and down is definantly not easy and I am stiff and sore, lots of back pain especially after work. This weekend my pregnant self is in a fashion and hair show for breast cancer awareness...talk about interesting since I'll be in heels, YIKES! Next weekend we are headed to Baltimore and furniture shopping. We are hoping to find things for the nursery and the house, can't wait!

Pediatric Cardiologist

Went yesterday and things look good! Lil one's heart looks normal, so no major defect! Thank you Lord! He said because she's so small (at this point about 12" and 1 lb) and they can't see everything that he can't rule out something small--a hole or minor defect. So unless Duke MFM sees something at our next Level II ultrasound in 5 1/2 weeks we don't have to go back!

I'll be posting belly pictures soon!