35/35!

For those not in the know, 35/35 means I’m 35 weeks along in this pregnancy, and 35 days left. Very exciting. At 30 weeks, when I started to feel uncomfortable, 35 weeks seemed so far away. Still feeling uncomfortable, but well enough to begin the nesting period. So, yay for getting stuff done!

During the last few weeks, I've been too busy lazy to keep up with my updates. So, here’s a pictorial of what’s been going on in and out of casa de Tony and Patty.

Me at 32 weeks. You guys, I turned 40! It’s the new 20, apparently. So, I’m planning to rock out this decade. Not gonna lie - so far, 40 has been pretty fantastic.

The Ladies of the Manor on Mother’s Day – my mom, Gigi, me, and Petunia!

Gigi and sketchy Elmo at the Central Park Zoo. This guy was on his cellphone seconds before we walked up to him for a picture. Yup. Stay klassy, Elmo.

We took a weekend-long babymoon to New York City, and that was the view from our room on the 36th floor of One UN Millenium Hotel. A-MAZE, right?? Couldn’t have asked for a better view, a better room, or a better weekend – although, it was colder and rainier than predicted. Still, we got to take Gigi to the Central Park Zoo, where she lost her mind when she saw the penguins and the polar bear. “Hi Mister Penguin! Hi Mister Polar Bear!”. We also took a nice walk through a part of Central Park, saw the horse-drawn carriages, which Gigi ADORED and likened to “Cinderella’s carriage!”. She also enjoyed the better part of my frozen hot chocolate, which we ordered at this great place called Big Daddy’s in the Gramercy neighborhood. On our last day, before returning home, we headed to the Museum of Natural History, where we thought Gigi would love to see the dinosaurs and elephants. Nope. Condors. Condors were what she wanted to see. Ha! Thankfully, there were two! Thanks, daddy, for locating them! Daddy’s totally rule like that.

So, what say you, good people of the blogosphere? Girl or boy?

And, last, but not least, today’s baby bump…

How far along? 35 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: As of my last appointment last Friday, 16lbs gained.
Maternity clothes? non-maternity top over maternity wide-leg slacks. Thank you, Old Navy!
Stretch marks? Yes. Many.
Sleep: Not so much these days.
Best moment this week: A tie between reaching 35 weeks and getting my first batch of the cutest cloth diapers. Yes, that is happening.
Movement: So much, despite how tight it must be getting in there..
Food cravings: Last week, I had tuna salad made by Tony. It was outstanding. So much so, I had three sandwiches over the course of two days.
Gender: Still Team Green!
Labor Signs: Just Braxton Hicks that kicked into high gear last week during that one-day heat wave. Jesus, that was crazy. I thought for sure I was in labor. I think I was just a bit dehydrated. And hot!
Belly Button in or out? Out for the first time ever.
What I miss: Sushi, prosciutto, sushi, soft cheeses, and sushi.
What I am looking forward to: My next OB appt (at 36 weeks), where I'm having an ultrasound to check the position of the baby. At my 32 week appt, the doctor discovered the baby was breech. At my 34 week appt, the baby was still breech. So, we’ll see how the next appt goes. Not looking like my VBAC will even happen if this baby doesn’t turn. ::sad face::

Weekly Wisdom: A few friends recommended yoga and acupuncture to help the baby along into position. So far, I've been on my hands and knees a lot (that's-what-she-said).
Milestones: 35 days left (technically).

Until next week, my friends!

32 weeks! **Updated with pic**

How far along? 32 weeks today!

Total weight gain/loss: Not sure about the number, but my belly has surely grown since last week’s update. Apparently, I should be gaining 1 pound per week from here on out. Great.

Maternity clothes? Maternity full-panel black wide-leg slacks, black maternity kimono-style top, and black wedges. As Tony said to me today, “All in black on the sunniest day of the year”. Funny guy.

Stretch marks? Yes, but not more than last week.

Sleep: Yeah, more like, “Sleepy”. Seriously. Soooooo sleeeeepy.

Best moment this week: Watching Gigi master the rock wall on her playset. That little stinker pretty much rocks.

Movement: Yes, a lot! If you stare long enough at my belly, it will move. SweartoGod.

Food cravings: Fruit. Water. Anything refreshing and thirst quenching.

Gender: Still Team Green!

Labor Signs: Just Braxton Hicks, which have slowed down, actually.

Belly Button in or out? Still in

What I miss: Alcohol. This is the season when the local brewery, Hooker, releases their Watermelon Ale. Oh-Em-Gee, so good. Talk about refreshing. Totally miss it.

What I am looking forward to: Turning 40 very soon! Like, seriously?? FORTY. Also? My 32 week appt this Friday. I always look forward to every opportunity to hear the bean’s heartbeat.

Weekly Wisdom: We took the “Sibling Class” last weekend at the hospital where I’ll deliver. Gigi got to see the babies in the nursery (“Look at the baby burritos, mommy!”), she learned how to diaper and swaddle her dolly, and then got a tour of the room where the baby and I will stay after delivery. It got me thinking that even though it’s only been three years since I was last there, so much has changed. I’m therefore signing Tony and me up to take our own Maternity Tour.

Milestones: 8 weeks left! And I’m still so not ready!

And, that's all I've got time for today. Sorry for not posting a picture. I'll post as soon as I can. Promise.

31 weeks

I'll admit. The last ten weeks or so have been a blur. It hit me this morning that in two short months, I can very well be holding a brand new baby. Crazy, right?

And, there's still so much to do.

We've yet to put the crib together in our bedroom. Nor have we gotten around to picking up the changing table from my sister-in-law, whom so graciously agreed to let us borrow hers. Nor have I gotten anything ready for the baby's arrival, like sterilizing bottles, pump parts, or even testing out the pump. Gah! I think I might panic.

Breathe, Patty.

Does this mean I'm nesting? Or starting to?

The last thing my blood pressure needs right now is to be anxious. So, it's going to have to be "baby-prep or bust" starting this weekend. Gotta get things done. Then, I can relax and wait for this bean to finish baking.

~

Tony and I already knew our Gigi-girl to be the smartest, sweetest, and sassiest little human on the planet (duh!), but lately, we're more in awe of her than ever before. At three and a half years, she says and does the most mind-blowing things. OK.. I'm about to go on and on about this little nugget. So, if you've just about had enough of this mom gushing over her "perfect" toddler, Stop. Reading. Now.

Consider yourself warned.

Gigi loves the Beastie Boys. So not kidding. The first time she heard Paul's Boutique on the car stereo, she said to Tony, "Daddy, I like this music". Now, it's all she wants to listen to. You got it, kid. She even has a favorite Beastie Boy. Mike D to be exact, and without missing a beat (pun very much intended), she said, "Mike D. D is for Diamonds". Um, yeah actually. It is! D stands for Diamond. Blew Tony's mind. How the heck did she even know that?? She scares me, that one.

Gigi loves our Presidents. During President's Week at preschool, she learned about a few of them. George Washington and Barack Obama. A couple of gems:
"George Washington lives (present tense, mind you) in a white house with stars on it. He's very important. He protects us from the trouble makers."
"George Washington is on a coin. Why isn't Barack Obama on a coin?"
One recent afternoon, we came home from school, and as soon as I turned on the TV, she said, "Let's see if Barack Obama is on". Um, ok!

Lately, she's been saying a few things things that Tony and I are not crazy about. For example, at preschool, she was recently asked to name her favorite farm animal. Her response: "Pigs. Pigs are pink. Pink is for girls." And this morning, as she played with her Cinderella Duplo Lego blocks, she told Tony, "The prince is driving. He's a boy. Boys drive better."
Sigh..
We wonder where she learns such things.. or perhaps it's just part of her own development? Who knows, but we definitely want her to understand that girls can do anything boys can do (and vice versa), boys can most certainly like pink, and girls can drive just as good - or as bad - as boys do. And, that's just the tip of the iceberg. It's important for us (and for her, obvi) that she NOT subscribe to the "traditional gender roles" that girls play with dolls and boys play with trucks. In fact, we've never said such a thing to her. Ever. Her playroom has a nice mix of trains, dolls, cars, craft supplies, trucks, puzzles, and whatever any toddler  - girl or boy - her age would enjoy. She loves to play dress up and then kick around a soccer ball outside. She'll take her baby for a walk and then play T-ball with Tony. I think we're doing a good job at exposing her to a lot of different activities and interests. So, for her to say that boys are better at something or girls like certain things just means we're a work in progress and we clearly need to do a better job at showing her by example that those things are just not the case. Same goes with her bother-or-sister-to-be, which by the way, she insists is a boy.. "..and his name is baby Jesus". Yeah, we're in trouble.

~

Without further ado... my weekly update.

How far along? 31 weeks


Total weight gain/loss: Actually lost a pound from last week's number. I'm thinking it's because I've been eating better - more spinach smoothies and less breakfast sandwiches. Mmm.. bacon. How I miss thee.
Maternity clothes? Non maternity black leggings and maternity denim tunic. Thank you, Old Navy! And, cute black wedges that I picked up at Payless last week when my 12 year old penny loafer wedges finally bit the dust. So long, old friend.
Stretch marks? Many
Sleep: Not much. Drinking water like it’s my job, which means I’m up 4 or 5 times per night to pee. Still applies to this week. Oh, and LOTS of movement, which will distract me from falling asleep.

Best moment this week: Heartburn has been my own personal hell these last few weeks. So, at my 30 week appt last Friday, I swear I almost kissed my doctor when she told me I could take Pepcid to relieve it. Yes! Sweet relief.
Movement: Yes, a lot. Still so beyond incomprehensible to me that there's a living being in there, growing, developing, and swimming around. Beyond!

Food cravings: Bolognese (meat sauce) over spaghetti. I need it. Now.
Gender: No clue. Earlier in my pregnancy, I took one of those Chinese Gender charts on the bump.com. It takes into consideration the mother's age at delivery and the month of conception. It predicted boy. We'll see!
Labor Signs: Just Braxton Hicks.

Belly Button in or out? Still in

What I miss: Crunchy Spicy tuna roll. Like nobody's business.

What I am looking forward to: Prepping for baby.
Weekly Wisdom: Today, I learned that I need to start monitoring the baby's movement. That was scary to read. Without even knowing, I already do this, but now, I'll be more conscious of it.

Milestones: 9 weeks left!

Tootles!

And, we're back!

So, I’m 30 weeks pregnant. Surprise!! And in honor of that, I’m starting the weekly updates I did when I was pregnant with Gigi.

But first, a little catch up.

• Last Spring,
o Tony underwent gastric bypass surgery. For years, he had more than 100lbs to lose. At his heaviest, he was 200lbs overweight. He tried every diet (fad and healthy) along with exercise and didn’t have much long-term success. For his particular case, his doctor felt he was a good candidate for gastric bypass surgery. Granted, it's not an option for everyone, but for Tony and his particular factors (history, BMI, age, and lifestyle), he and his doctor felt surgery to be the best option for long-term success. During the six months before the surgery, our insurance required him to undergo sleep studies, stress tests, and appointments with cardiologists, nutritionists, pulmonologists, psychologists & his primary care physician. Once his surgeons got the green light from our insurance, they scheduled the surgery for May 1st. Since that date, Tony has done AMAZING. He’s a different person – literally and figuratively. Thus far, he has dropped over 130 pounds (and continues to lose weight!), looks and feels incredible, is more active – goes to the gym just about every morning, joined a table tennis club – and, he surprises and inspires me every single day with his new and healthier lifestyle. That surgery saved his life, and I’m so grateful to him and his doctors for giving me many years more to spend with him.

o I had my 2nd miscarriage and D&C. It was awful and heartbreaking, and no, I won’t go into it, but I will say, the universe has an interesting way of working it all out.

• Last Summer, after repeated trips to the ER, a failed cat scan, and a complete diet overhaul, it was finally discovered on an ultrasound that I had gallbladder stones. The pain was more excruciating than 26 hours of labor. For realz. So, my gallbladder was removed laproscopically, and thanks to four stubborn incision scars that refuse to go away, I won’t subject you to any belly pics. You’re welcome.

• Last Fall,
o I became pregnant! Woot! Woot!

o Tony turned 40! We celebrated the milestone by having a house party with all of our closest and dearest friends.

o Gigi turned 3, and like a switch, the “terribly threes” arrived like whoa. She’s still the sweetest and sassiest little human I know, and I wouldn’t want her any other way.

• Last Winter, we announced to the world we were expecting just like any normal person would – we posted it on Facebook. Duh. ;-)

• And here we are, on probably the coldest day of Spring, 30 weeks along, and large and in charge. So, without further ado…
How far along? 30 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: At or around 10lbs thus far. Gain, not loss.

Maternity clothes? non-maternity charcoal turtleneck dress over khaki bootcut cords

Stretch marks? oh yeah

Sleep: Not much. Drinking water like it’s my job, which means I’m up 4 or 5 times per night to pee.

Best moment this week: Found out I passed my 1-hour glucose test. Woohoo!
Movement: LOTS! It’s awesome.

Food cravings: Red meat. Leftover grilled steak for dinner tonight, and it’s all I can think about.

Gender: We’re team green. So, we have no clue. Although, I’ve had friends, coworkers, and strangers tell me I’m carrying a boy. We’ll see.

Labor Signs: Just Braxton Hicks.

Belly Button in or out? Still in

What I miss: Sleeping on my back without feeling like I’m asphyxiating.

What I am looking forward to: Hopefully getting our bedroom ready this weekend with the crib and changing table. May seem early, but Gigi needs to get used to seeing them in our room rather than in hers.

Weekly Wisdom: I may have passed my glucose test, but I’m still anemic. So, I was instructed to double up on my iron pill. Hello, constipation! Sigh.

Milestones: 10 weeks left! Seriously… when did I get here?


Until next week!