Natalie's Birth Story

Tuesday morning, I woke up at 3:30 am, like normal, to pee. I always pee sometime between 3-5, so it wasn't really unusual. Just your normal pregnancy wake up.

When I got back to bed, the sciatic nerve pain was awful. I spent the next hour trying to stretch my glutes, doing yoga, cradle posing, rocking on my hands and knees, and even having Sean massage my butt. Idk what finally worked, but I was able to fall back asleep around 4. 20 minutes later, a mild contraction woke me up. That was strange. I'd been having contractions for weeks, but never ones that wake me up. I fell back asleep after a 40 second wave, and 20 minutes later, woke up with another. 

I started timing them at this point. They were still 20 minutes apart, and no longer than 40 seconds, but they were regular. Very regular. Sean's alarm went off at 6:15 am, and I told him what was going on. At this point, my contractions weren't that strong. I mean, I was having them in bed, with Sean sleeping next to me. He woke up and got dressed for work, knowing that he might not make it in. 

I piddled around the house, folding laundry and doing dishes, while Sean cleaned up the guest bedroom. I also packed the rest of my bag, realizing that this was probably the start of real labor.

Around 9 am my contractions were about 5 minutes apart, so I called the doc. They had me head into triage. Sean even packed a deck of cards thinking we were still at the beginning of things! 

By the time we got there at 9:30, my contractions were definitely uncomfortable. I was able to easily get through them holding Sean's hand and breathing, but they were closer to 3 minutes apart. They sent me to triage, where the nurse looked like she just knew she was sending me home. She hooked me up to a contraction, blood pressure, and heart beat monitor. After taking some stats, she went to check how dilated I was. She looked at me - and said "there's no way - it feels like you're at a 7 or 8!" She actually had another nurse double check! The second nurse, Amy, took one feel and then went to get a room ready. Not so fast triage nurse! HAH!

My contractions still weren't very painful. Hell, I even called my mom to tell her I was in labor and she didn't know I was having contractions (even though I had one on the phone with her). I got back to the room and they put me on the wireless monitor and hooked me up with an IV. The IV was awful, but it's hospital policy that I have to have one. *grumble* My monitors were wireless, but I had to be monitored hooked in for 20 minutes of every hour. Which doesn't really matter when you're only in the room an hour before you start pushing. Funny how that works (or doesn't?). By the time we got in the room and everything, my contractions were finally picking up. I labored entirely standing up - having Sean push my hips in and sway with me was the most helpful by FAR.

The doctor came in around 11 am and I was fully dilated, but my water hadn't broken yet. She broke it, sent my contractions into overdrive, and by 11:15 I was pushing. No joke. Pushing was mentally hard. And physically, but not in the way I expected it. I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to push. I mean, that's a set of muscles that you don't use every day, and especially not in that way. I ended up with a squat bar and people holding my legs. I was almost crying because I was so frustrated that my body and mind couldn't figure it out. But at the same time, it's not like I've done this before. But apparently I was able to get it (thank god for the nurses, doctor, and Sean coaching me like nobody's business), and little Miss Natalie Patricia was born at 12:23 pm! She was 7 lbs, 2 oz and 20.5 inches long.

Things I'll do different next time though?
1. Bring my bag in when we got into triage. We figured we would have time for Sean to go grab it. We were wrong. I didn't have my hospital bag until close to 5 pm!
2. Make sure I have snacks WITH me. Not in my bag. I was stitched by 3 pm, but I had missed lunch hour so I had to wait until 5 for food. And I missed lunch. I had a headache and was cranky by the end.
3. Pack a newborn sized outfit. Even if I don't think I'll need it. - Sean's mom had to go buy clothes for little miss to go home in!
4. Keep exercising through my pregnancy. My arms and back were much sorer than anything else the next day because of how I pushed.

Things I'm glad I did/packed:
1. I mostly labored at home. I was able to get a good breakfast in, buy a gatorade on the way there (which was AMAZING), and clean the house a bit for our guests.
2. Packed my own toilet paper. I got this advice the week before I went in, and threw the roll in my bag at the last minute. It was a great decision.

40 Weeks.

How far along: 40 weeks. 

Size of Baby: a small pumpkin

Weight gain: No clue!

Symptoms: Everything. You guys, I'm a mess. My back hurts, I've been having contractions all week (but nothing regular), my legs hurts, I'm out of breath when I finally get myself out of bed. I have heartburn if I eat things that are too spicy, and in general, food just doesn't sound good. Every time someone makes any sort of comment about if baby is here yet it makes me cry, because she obviously is not, and thanks for reminding me how miserable I am because of it.

Clothes: all maternity.   

Cravings/Aversions: Everything kind of. Food just doesn't sound appealing. 

Movement: Still kicking and moving.

Worries: I've now started worrying about her size. I want so badly to do this natural, and with her being overdue...gah. It terrifies me that my first baby is overdue. That my body apparently doesn't know how to go into labor on its own. 

Milestones: Oh hai due date. And good bye. 

Best moment of the Week: Sean and I saw 3 movies this week as kind of a last hurrah. :p Also, I had another ultrasound! They wanted to make sure baby has enough fluid in there, and she does. She also has super chunky cheeks!! It's adorable. :) I can't wait to see them in person!

39 Weeks. Full Term, Baby!

How far along: 39 weeks

Size of Baby: a mini watermelon! 

Weight gain: No clue!

Symptoms: Definitely nested this weekend. But baby's room is officially done (and her rug will be here next week!). And the heartburn!! It hasn't been too bad up until now, but man! I've also been having contractions, but they're not regular in any way. Some days I'll have one, and other days I'll have 10 or more. I'm 3-4 centimeters dilated too, yet no signs of miss pokey butt. 

Clothes: all maternity. I just wish my puffy work coat was maternity too :(  

Cravings/Aversions: Bagels and cream cheese, oddly. 

Movement: She's a rolling queen. I think she's a huge fan of shifting. Sean's been playing the "move the baby" game - if he pushes on her, she wiggles away. It's hilarious. 

Worries: Not a single one. Zero. Except for maybe going into labor at work. That would be awkward.

 

Eta: I'm actually kinda worried about being induced due to high blood pressure. I'm not swollen or anything, but my pb has been high at dr appointments. Like, high enough that I got sent to the hospital on Tuesday (where it promptly dropped back into normal range, of course)

Milestones: Babe is actually full term according to the new standards. 

Best moment of the Week: Getting things DONE. We've hung pictures in our house. The google fiber guys paid us a visit, so we should have it by the end of the month (!!!), Baby's room is done and finished. Sheets and blankets are clean for when people come. The pack n play is in the bedroom (to be used as a bassinet). I've made cloth wipes, and our dipers will be delivered by the end of the week. SO MUCH ACCOMPLISHED. 

38 Weeks Beautiful

(From Friday!)

I've been needing some inspiration lately. At 38 weeks pregnant, I am very, very pregnant. I've reached the point where I bump into things, it's hard to put shoes on, and I sometimes need a push from Sean just to get out of bed (and I'm not talking a pep talk - a literal push). Baby is hanging out so low I feel like I could sneeze and she'd be here. My stomach is riddled with stretch marks.

In my heart, I know that it's beauty. It's the beauty of the life I'm growing, the ability to do this. I have a true love for my body, regardless of its size or color. But sometimes, I'm overwhelmed about much I feel...like an outside observer of myself. It doesn't feel like my body. I'm very excited to meet our little one, even if it means I'll be flabby and exhausted. 

In any case. I've had a crush on this photo for ages. And I'm glad I finally took one of myself, thanks to this tutorial. http://www.whitehouseblackshutters.com/how-to-take-a-pregnancy-silhouette-photo-with-your-iphone/

It makes me see the beauty once more.

38 weeks. 6 days. 

Due in 9 short days. 

38 Weeks

How far along: 38 Weeks

Size of Baby: a Leek

Weight gain: I think I'm right around 30 actually. 

Symptoms: More with the waddling. And the tiredness. And the hugeness lol. 

Clothes: all maternity. And even some of those are becoming too short shirt-wise. 

Cravings/Aversions: I was definitely digging some Mexican last week - we went to El Maguey with friends. It was delicious. 

Movement: Lots of stretching. The bigger movements are dying down, and I definitely can see my belly roll when she moves. 

Worries: Very few again. Bag is packed, food is cooked, I contacted a photographer and it's doable. The only thing left to figure out is child care, but seeing as Sean's new job offers him a TON of paternity leave...I'm not too worried. 😊

Milestones: baby is full term! (Ok, these standards changed in October, but whatevs). She's blinking and sucking and all that good stuff. 

Best moment of the Week: seeing Sean's family. And my aunt came by while visiting her inlaws. We found out Sean's job gives him TEN WEEKS of full paid paternity leave - he probably won't take it all being a new employee, but it means so much. And he won't have to take vacation days when we go to Colorado in the summer, because his paternity leave can be split into 2 parts, and taken within six months of birth. WHAT. Now. Here's to hoping baby girl comes soon! (Also found out that my doctor won't induce me until 41 weeks, provided fluids are good!) 

37 weeks!

How far along: 37 Weeks

Size of Baby: a Swiss chard

Weight gain: no idea, no concern. My belly has gotten in the way though. Of everything. 

Symptoms: I've reached the point of "done". My feet hurt after being on them too long. I've started waddling. And it's hard to do anything with this belly. I'm uncomfortable. All. The. Time. 

Clothes: still all maternity. There's no going back now! 

Cravings/Aversions: nada. But I've started eating smaller and smaller meals. 

Movement: Lots of wiggling and shaking! I feel like she's stretching too - there are times when I feel pressure from both her feet and hands. 

Worries: Very few. I'm trying to tie up a bunch of loose ends, like figuring out newborn photos and child care. But we've got everything, and we precooked a TON of food this week! 

Milestones: baby is full term! (Ok, these standards changed in October, but whatevs). She's blinking and sucking and all that good stuff. 

Best moment of the Week: seeing my family! My parents came out for Christmas (as I can't leave the city), and Sean's parents are coming out next weekend. I've also had 4 glorious days off (which included getting my nails done!) 

36 Weeks!

How far along: 36 Weeks

Size of Baby: a crenshaw melon

Weight gain: no idea, no concern. Though, I can tell I'm starting to swell ever so slightly. Boo!

Symptoms: Definitely still pain with the head on my pelvic bone. It helps when I get on my hands and knees for a bit, but not for long. My feet are starting to swell at the end of the day, even with compression socks. I'm definitely reaching tired mama point again too.

Clothes: I officially crossed over into the "all maternity" category. No complaints though. 

Cravings/Aversions: Nothing unusal, but I've lost any ability to combine my flavors. Like, nothing sounds wrong to me about eggnog and chips and salsa. Because both foods sound good individually. 

Movement: Lots of wiggling in there! I can tell she's squirming (though, I'm not always sure if it's a contraction or a baby roll). I also can identify things like feet and the butt - it's SO weird. 

Worries: Very few. Other than my water breaking at work!! 

Milestones: baby's "filling out" - next week I'm technically full term

Best moment of the week: This COULD be my last full week of work! I'm off until Friday next week, and then I'm off New Years Day the week after. Just depends on when litte miss decides to make an appearance!

35 Weeks.

How far along: 35 Weeks

Size of Baby: a honeydew melon

Weight gain: no idea, no concern :D

Symptoms: Lately I've been having high blood pressure, but I started taking my vitamins again (I've slacked since Thanksgiving) and it was back to normal this week! Phew. I've gotten a couple of charlie horses at night when I don't get enough water too. I'm sure her little head has settled on top of my pubic bone - it hurts at the end of the day. :\

Clothes: 95% maternity. Seriously.

Cravings/Aversions: Nothing unusal. Well, I lie...I totally ate cheezit zings and dark chocolate chips this week...together. 

Movement: Same! Lots of kicking and moving my belly around. It amazes me that no one's noticed it yet!

Worries: packing the hospital bag. We're doing the traditional hospital birth since it's my first and we don't know what to expect, and I know I'm going to be there a day or two. I want to buy shampoo and things to take with me...I know I'll use them in the future, so it doesn't bother me to buy a new full bottle, ya know? 

Milestones: kidneys and liver are functioning now!

Best moment of the week: Honestly, it's been a pretty slow week. We've been painting here and there, and working on the room here and there, but I think a bulk of it will get done this weekend. 

34 Weeks.

I apparently never hit publish on this one...oops!

How far along: 34 Weeks

Size of Baby: a cantelope

Weight gain: I only gained ONE pound over Thanksgiving. I'm gonna place that on shopping the rest off though ;)

Symptoms: Totally have a case of the shrinking belly button. It's SO shallow. And I've starting waddling if I get really tired - I feel like my hips are just tired.

Clothes: All belly still. I've ditched my wedding ring though - it only gets tight if I've been super busy that day, but I don't want to chance it. 

Cravings/Aversions: The cookie dough craving is back. Oh, and I've totally been craving Mexican food!

Movement: Natalie has an attitude! This week she's started kicking and wiggling if I lean against things with my belly - which is frustrating considering I have a standing desk at work! And that doesn't even count when I attempt to put my laptop on my belly...

Worries: literally every worry I had went out the door this week - it's been amazing!

Milestones: lanugo is pretty much gone, and baby girl is still practicing breathing!

Best moment of the week: There are SO many great moments. Sean got a job (a real full time one!) which will nearly double our income. I bought most of our remaining baby stuff (like car seat, baby book, knobs for the dresser) with a 20% off coupon. We started decorating for Christmas - including buying a nativity set. I'm hoping to finish up the baby's room this weekend (just need to hang curtains, attach knobs, and clean out the trash/paint that's in there!) and we will be READY. 

33 Weeks

(Photo will get added on Monday) 

How far along: 33 Weeks

Size of Baby: a pineapple

Weight gain: still ignoring that weight thing. The doc isn't concerned 😛

Symptoms: nothing to new. The pillow under my belly is necessary now. I still have an innie though!

Clothes: well. I can wear two of my Mizzou tshirts still. But that's about it. I'm all belly! 

Cravings/Aversions: Nada. Though I did eat roughly 6 pieces of pie on thanksgiving night. Oops. 

Movement: little girl is still moving around steadily! Sean feels her a lot in the middle of the night, but I sleep right through it lol 

Worries: not too many actually. Thinking I should PROBABLY start on that whole hospital bag thing. 

Milestones: her bones are still hardening! 

Best moment of the week: Thanksgiving! It's the last time we'll be able to come into stp before baby comes, so it was great to see folks. Our families are coming to us for Christmas, so we'll still get to see them though! 

32 Weeks.

How far along: 32 Weeks

Size of Baby: a large jicama

Weight Gain:  honestly? I've stopped weighing myself. :p

Symptoms: I definitely catch myself rubbing my belly. Natalie's starting jabbing her limbs out of my stomach too, which requires me to physically push them back in. And forget about me leaning against anything without a disagreement! She's fiesty. Also. The belly button is practically gone. Weeeiiiirrrrddd. 

Clothes: Maternity. Solidly. Thankfully my mother in law bought me a bunch of winter clothes on clearance and sent them with my mom this weekend - not a moment too soon either, because it's icing outside now!

Cravings/Aversions: Nada. And I think the chicken thing is pretty much over! Which is good because a lot of my freezer meals that are planned are chicken based...

Movement: Kicking, and poking, and jabbing...

Worries: Nada. Except maybe worrying about all of the things I need to buy for christmas presents!

Milestones: Baby girl is losing her fur (lanugo?) and is continuing to plump up.

Best moment of the week: The nursey is put together, and I feel like we're just sitting back and waiting for baby now. I'm excited for Black Friday too - we're getting a deep freezer and a Christmas tree (and the rest of the baby stuff!). 

Ladies and Gents - we have a nursery!

My mom came out this weekend to help us finish putting the nursery together! When she arrived Friday night, we had painted, but not done touch ups, and there was nothing in the room. Now? It's almost complete!

We painted the touch ups on Saturday morning, then moved all the furniture inside (the dressers had been in the garage from their painting spree, and my mom brought the crib we got at the baby shower with her). We put everything together, put baby clothes away in drawers, organized bath and food stuff, etc. I was super bummed that we hadn't gotten our glider yet, and my mom surprised me with one last night!! I'm over the moon. The room is looking fabulous.

The tall dresser: The open space has a chalkboard door that will go on it, and will hold our wet bag/diaper pail for cloth diapers. It also has a scentsy and a dimmer light on top!

The diaper changing area will be on top of the dresser. And our glider! 

Our lovely crib (and yes, it's a mesh crib bumper)

We still need some art work (I have so many plans!), knobs for the drawers (I'm crushing on these, but they're super expensive), and a rug (I love the gray trellis rugs, but need to find a good deal!). The baby's room is 9 1/2 x 11 1/2, so a 5x7 is too small and a 7x10 is almost too big, ya know? A 6 x 9 is what we need, but it seems to be an expensive size. :\ Oh! I also need to finish the curtains and we need new blinds as ours are broken. Just the little things left it seems!

We're hoping the nursery can last for several kids with as gender neutral as it is. We'll only have to buy a new crib each time, since the convertible cribs with stay with the kids as they grow. I'm loving it all!

It makes me super calm knowing that it's all set up. There's no more rush, we'll buy the carseat on Black Friday with our gift cards from the shower, and all will be taken care of.

31 Weeks!

How far along: 31 Weeks

Size of Baby: Four navel oranges

Weight Gain:  +24

Symptoms: More braxton hicks. This is the first week I've been uncomfortable sleeping too. I just feel so...pregnant. hah!

Clothes: Maternity. A few days ago I wore a tunic from "pre-preggo" days - it barely covered the belly. Oh jeez. 

Cravings/Aversions: Pineapple. It's a weird one I haven't had yet. But yum! Also - eggs are no longer an aversion!  

Movement: Kicking away! I love feeling her so much. It's super cool. 

Worries: Not to many actually. It's been a pretty good week of calm. My mom is bringing all our baby stuff out this weekend, and the nursery will be able to be put together! I think my biggest worry is baby positioning. I keep reading that anterior placentas can mean a more likely sunny side up baby, which is apparently hard to birth naturally. Guess I'll be researching how to turn a baby with it! 

Milestones: Bee's eyes can respond to light now and the irises can dialate! 

Best moment of the week: I feel like I look pregnant, no matter what I wear. It's a pretty nice feeling, strangely enough. We made serious progress on both our shower AND the nursery this week too. Yeah buddy! 

30 weeks. I know, late again.

Oof. I'm terrible at keeping up with these!

How far along: 30 Weeks

Size of Baby: Cabbage

Weight Gain: +23. 

Symptoms: That annoying ache in my hips is coming and going. Oh! And I officially had my first recognizable braxton hicks contraction this week. It was a very strange feeling, that's for sure. 

Clothes: Maternity. I need to go shopping for some winter maternity clothes though!

Cravings/Aversions: Nothing in particular, except for one day where I needed nachos. 

Movement: Kicking away. I swear, sometimes SHE doesn't move for an hour, then decides she has to practice flutter kicks and I get about 30 in rapid fire. 

Worries: Finishing off our baby stash. We were SO blessed with so many awesome things at the shower, but there's a few we still need to get. Like, a car seat. And a crib mattress (we totally forgot to register for it). And a rocker. But I think between now and Christmas we'll get it all set! 

Milestones: Bee's brain has wrinkles now! 

Best moment of the week: Well, we announced that we're having a GIRL. Natalie Patricia will be joining us soon!!

He or She? What Will it Bee?!

Our AWESOME cake from Wedding Wonderland Cakes

We've kept little Bee's sex a secret for 10 weeks now. We opted to for one important reason: we wanted gender neutral things at the baby shower. We know we want to have more than one kiddo, and we'd love to be able to reuse as much as possible if they're different sexes. (also: see sex vs gender) The anatomy scan was pretty obvious what we were having - but it was so hard to keep it a secret!!!

Thankfully, most of our friends and family were supportive. Annoyed, but supportive. ;)

In any case, we did the big reveal at my baby shower this past weekend. My mom and mother in law did a FABULOUS job and ran with the Bee theme - which couldn't have been easy in November! We got a small cake from my bakery that did our wedding cake, Wedding Wonderland. We also served cupcakes and a cookie cake - so many desserts! This was all in addition to chips, crackers, sandwiches, chicken poppers, lil smokies, and meatballs. We had several games, as well as a baby pool set up (which, I might expand because there's a baby pool website that everyone can enter too!). It was pretty much fantastic.

The delicious spread

Tables, all decorated

Diaper cakes at each table!

Little onesies hanging!

Plus, with gift cards, we've gotten everything we need (except for a rocker and a diaper bag). But Christmas is still coming, so those will definitely be on my list of items! We can afford them, but I'd really like to hold off. After all, I have plenty of bags that can be used as a diaper bag for the first few weeks.

So. What are we having? Wait for it....

IT'S A GIRL

29 Weeks.

How far along: 29 Weeks

Size of Baby: Butternut squash

Weight Gain: +22. I've officially over 20. Yikes. 

Symptoms: Tiredness set in again this week. I'd been going so strong, and then WHAM. 

Clothes: Maternity. But I've built up a pretty cute stash (aside from the pair of work pants I split...who the hell makes maternity pants with NO stretch?!)

Cravings/Aversions: None really. I have been super thirsty though. 

Movement: Still like crazy. Bee has settled into the front of my stomach too, which is nice because my hip doesn't hurt anymore!

Worries: I'm hoping we get all that we need at the baby shower this weekend. I've only bought a very select few things, because we really can't afford much. 

Milestones: Bee's concentrating on strengthening bones this week. ALL THE CALCIUM!!

Best moment of the week: This Sunday is my baby shower!! It's always where we'll announce - BOY OR GIRL?!?!

28 Weeks.

How far along: 28 Weeks - third trimester! I feel like time is flying. 

Size of Baby: a cabbage

Weight Gain: 

Symptoms: I am definitely preggo. My belly knocked things off the table twice this week. And Bee is starting to kick me awake in the mornings! I've started nesting too. Caulking the whole upstairs hallway in one night? NBD. 

Clothes: Maternity. Which will be intersting at the Mizzou homecoming - I don't have any mat black and gold! :(

Cravings/Aversions: Cookie dough. OMG cookie dough. And peach tea. It's delicious!!

Movement: Like crazy. I've seen my stomach move a couple times, and the night kicks are much more obvious. 

Worries: Still worrying about the damn nursery. We just hit our savings goal for the amount we want tucked away when when I go on mat leave though (it's only 50% paid), so that's a huge relief on us. Plus, I went out at bought a bunch of toilet paper and such at Costco today - I'm not going to want to do that when it's much colder!

Milestones: Bee's brain has wrinkles now. And for those of you who don't know, the more wrinkles, the smarter the brain!

Best moment of the week: MIZ HOMECOMING!!!! GO TIGERS!!!

27 Weeks.

How far along: 27 Weeks

Size of Baby: a cauliflower!

Weight Gain: +19

Symptoms: My feet have started swelling if I'm not careful. I was out and about all day on Saturday, and my feet were ridiculous when I got home. Guess compression socks are a must now! Also. Pregnancy brain. I feel like my mild ADD is going CRAZY. I can't focus on sentences that people say - it's driving me nuts!

Clothes: Maternity. We're going to see Wicked this weekend - hence the dress in the pic! 

Cravings/Aversions: Nada lately. Except water. I've been very thirsty!

Movement: Kicking up a storm in there. And every once in a while I get one to the bladder. Now THAT'S a weird feeling. 

Worries: Honestly? The nursery. Still have barely started. Oops. 

Milestones: Bee's immune system is improving. I feel like at this point, we're just "filling out". 

Best moment of the week: We got to tour our super swank hospital! Seriously. The place is nicer than some of the hotels we saw in Vegas. Also - wallpaper removal is nearly finished in Bee's room!!!! 

Meal Stockpile.

One of the things I plan on doing before Bee arrives is stockpiling meals. Sean and I are both super lazy about cooking when tired...and well, I feel like the first few weeks (or years) are going to be exhausting. So I've been making lists of meals that are easily frozen and reheat well for the future. Some of them are mine, some of them are from online, some are crockpot, and some are oven baked. I can't make any of them now, as we don't have a deep freezer, but that's #1 on my Black Friday shopping list!!

In any case...I'm prepping my list as best I can now, in pretty much the same way I did my meal planning worksheet. I'm having to update my list a lot though - I'm test cooking all of these meals to make sure we like them before I make 3-4 meals of each one!

We're planning on trying to buy as much as possible from Aldi's and Costco. We may have to pick up a few things at the normal grocery store, but if I can stretch my money it will be wonderful. Plus, I'm going to start couponing ASAP (and maybe stocking up on some non-perishables when our food budget allows). Right now I have 30 things on my list, but some of them are things like cookie dough (a staple!), muffins, and bagels. There's 10 crockpot meals and 13 baked dinners. Frozen pizza will totally be on the list too, but I'd rather not survive on that. Well, I'd be okay with it, but Sean wouldn't.

I think it'll take a TON of planning and pre-cooking, but even so - to have all of that done? I think it'll be amazing. And Sean's totally on board with helping prep, and I miiiight be able to convince some friends to join in the cooking madness.

Am I crazy? Smart? Overly ambitious? All 3?!

26 Weeks. Again, from last week.

How far along: 26 Weeks

Size of Baby: a hothouse cucumber. Again. No idea what that is. 

Weight Gain: +18

Symptoms: I hit unwieldy stage this week! I officially accidently knocked a fan off a table. Yikes. 

Clothes: Pretty much all maternity. I ordered some super cute clothes from Old Navy - and I'm a huge fan! 

Cravings/Aversions: Nothing in particular this week actually. It's a nice change. 

Movement: Kicking a little more each day. And Bee now kicks along to songs on the radio XD I can't help but giggle every time it happens. It just amazes me. 

Worries: Scheduling baby classes! I have a friend who's due in APRIL and is already going to classes. WHAT?! We're touring the hospital this weekend, and next weekend we're going to a diapering class at Itsy Bitsy Bums. We rally want to cloth diaper, and this has a class where we can try on dipes with dolls and such. We're hands on people, so it'll be perfect! Now to just find a birth class...

Milestones: Bee can see light and dark, and hear outside sounds. Definitely proven. 

Best moment of the week: Baseball!!! Go Cardinals!!!