Baby R - 29 weeks

29 weeks...for real??!!!???
Scott tells me I look cute these days even though I am feeling the far from it. Well, I do have to admit that this little Baby R bump is sort of cute.

Sleep is a thing of the past.

And, the end of massage is coming faster than I expected. I have been getting my Fertility Awareness classes together and have taught one class so far. I have three more lined up before the baby arrives...possibly more.

We are looking forward to a trip to Arkansas for Easter to celebrate my grandparents wedding anniversary a little bit early. They have their 60th in August, but it was easier to get everyone together this coming weekend. It will be fun cousin and family.

My brother, Nathan, turned 18 a couple of weeks ago! I can't believe that he is getting so old. I was just shy of 12 when he was born. I remember so clearly waking up and my parents being gone and my aunt telling us that they had gone the hospital in night and we had a new baby brother. Then, at breakfast, Dad told us he had red hair! That didn't last long, but it was kind of shocking since we were siblings of blond thus far. My parents were here in Texas visiting and helping us with our floor so they didn't get to celebrate his birthday with him. We will have a belated celebration for him when we get to Arkansas.

I just have to brag on my husband (and dad) once again. Several people have come to the house and just marveled at the floor. They think it looks so professionally done and they all are shocked when I tell them it isn't real wood. One of my clients yesterday told Scott he is in the wrong profession. As much as he loves home improvement, it is a bit to much on his knees and body to be doing it for a living. But, I am so thankful that he is able to fix up our home and we don't have to hire it done (well, other than the major plumbing...ugh).

the fabulous new floor

Remember the before?

They got hung up on fixing the door first because it was leaking water.

Then they started laying the floor.

Scott laying the last piece.

Working on the finishing touches. I thought I had taken a picture of the whole kitchen, but you get the idea.


And, finally, a 26 week pic (yes, I am two weeks off). But life has been going and going and going.

updates and Baby R - 28 weeks

I am just going to blog and update with pictures later....

Sorry for the weeks it has been since my last post.

I have been starting a birth network, getting things done around the house, working a lot, preparing to teach a Fertility Awareness class, and nesting.

So, here's what's new.

We have a beautiful new floor in our kitchen and hall! (pics to come) Thanks to my dad and husband who worked very hard to get it down while Mom and I did fun things like register for the Baby R. My clients are coming over and are amazed at how wonderful it looks and even more amazed that my family did it. It is laminate wood, but it could definitely pass as a wood floor. It is just so pretty. We feel like we are in a whole new house. Scott is doing the finishing touches with the baseboards and transition pieces as he has time. I like the fact that he gets a bit anal about new things. He has been sweeping the floor constantly...hey, I can't complain.

Yesterday I had an appointments with the midwives. Everything checked out ok...

28 WEEKS - WOW, I can't hardly believe it!
Baby R Stats: Size of a cabbage and about 2 1/2 lbs
Iron Test: Passed
Weight Gain: 21 lbs. (ugh)
Baby R's Heartbeat: 150 bpm
Blood Pressure: 122/62 (I guess my house being under construction for 2 months hasn't made my blood pressure soar)
Position of Baby R: believed to be head down and way in my pelvis. No wonder I feel so much pressure.
Mommy R: was reassured that they will do everything they can to prevent tearing during the birth. (one of my biggest worries)
Pregnancy Glows: love to feel the movement, baby likes music and when daddy reads stories at night. It is funny and very sweet how the baby will be still and Scott starts reading and telling stories, baby starts moving around. I still have good energy, although I can feel myself starting to slow just a bit.
Pregnancy Woes: heartburn, lack of sleep, stretch marks

I headed to my chiropractor after my appointment for my weekly adjustment. Thank goodness for Dr. Rachel! I feel like a different person after seeing her. My hips feel so good and she does a technique to release my round ligaments that give me so much trouble. She told me that she had read that women who receive regular chiropractic during their pregnancy have babies who are able to track voices and see people more clearly right after birth because the mother getting adjustments helps with neurological development for baby. This usually doesn't happen for several weeks after the baby is born. I plan to have her come just after the birth to adjust Baby R. Awesome!

I know you want belly pics and home improvement pics....I will get them out asap!

the house and Baby R - 25 weeks

Yesterday Scott came home mid-morning between work to find me scrubbing the kitchen cabinet doors. He said "what has gotten into you?" I told him that cleaning is the only thing I have control over in my house right now. We have so many projects. Note to self (or more to husband): One project at a time is less overwhelming!

I have had a least two emotional break-downs per week. Monday night I spent 10 minutes laying in bed before I fell asleep explaining to Baby R why Mommy has been crying so much. House Projects + Pregnancy Hormones = Not something you want to witness! Scott has been giving me lots of hugs though.

Scott has been making a big ruckus in the kitchen and down the hall taking up the tile floor. We are putting down wood. My parents are coming to help us next weekend. THANK YOU in advance!!!

This is the room I hope to have in somewhat order in the next week before my parents come so they have somewhere to sleep.

Baby R, this is your room...to be. I promise it will look very cute and be a cozy place by the time you arrive.

And, if all of that wasn't enough, Scott decided to take on the project of taking down the popcorn ceiling in the kitchen and down the hall. This all came about because he was taking out three spotlights in the kitchen that were awkwardly and randomly placed. The ceiling came off so easily so his thought was "I'll just take it all down." What can I say? The guy will fix anything that is broken or not "just right". I guess I should be thankful for such a handy hubby.

Only prayer and a lot of patience is going to get me through this renovation process. We HAVE to be done before Baby R, that is all I ask.

AND....

Baby is 25 weeks this week.

I am convinced the child has monkey arms and legs - practicing boxing or jump shots or something like that.

The appointment with my midwives went well this week. Although, it seems that I am not eating enough protein. I have to keep a food diary and looking for protein sources in anything else but meat.

Since Baby R is past 20 weeks, we are listening to the heartbeat through a fetascope now. I just don't know how the baby is affected by the doppler.

I've gained 18 pounds so far. My blood pressure and pulse are good. No more blood work until next visit when they I take an iron test at 28 weeks.

And, despite some pleads for gender, Baby R is still an "it". I haven't had a sonogram since 12 weeks when I was having bleeding and felt it best to check on what was going on. But, we aren't planning another sonogram. If we can wait, so can you! :)

This is also the time to do the glucose testing, but thankfully I can decline that test and the midwives are supportive of my decision.

Childbirth classes start on Friday. They are Friday nights for 12 weeks. I am so excited to start. Scott on the other hand....He'll adjust. Men just don't get into these things like we do.

And, finally, I am currently trying to locate a birthing tub. This is tricky because they can be $200 to rent and I would feel bad if I didn't utilize it like I am thinking in my head that I want to.