30 Weeks Down, Hopefully 11 More To Go!

Yes, I am 30 weeks pregnant and kinda hoping to be pregnant for another 11 weeks.  Rarely do you hear that someone wants to be pregnant for longer, but I am carrying a little guy and wouldn't mind if he decided to incubate a little longer than what my "Due Date Is."  

The past couple of weeks have been a roller coaster for me.  First I was told I wasn't gaining enough weight, then I was told I gained too much weight in a two week span, then I was told my belly was measuring big, then I only gained a pound, had an ultrasound to make sure I wasn't carrying a massive baby.  It turns out that our baby boy is actually quite tiny, but perfectly healthy and my weigh gain is on the lower end and I am measuring about a week behind (which all makes perfect sense to me because I know my body).  I have been instructed to eat more protein and to relax more.  Anyone who knows me knows that eating more isn't an issue (especially when it's doctor's orders), but the relaxing more thing is definitely a challenge.  Don't worry, I will listen to doctor's orders, but I'm going to be productive while lounging. 

So where are we with getting things ready for baby?  Well, the nursery is very close to done!  I painted the dresser, Jared and I put the bookshelf together, Ryan and Jared built the crib, I've washed all his baby clothing through 6 months that we have so far, and I am working on accents!  My sister is drawing some little animals for me to frame, I ordered 50 origami cranes for string and hang from the ceiling, the mattress has been ordered and will arrive this week.  So far, we have made a lot of progress in the past two weeks and I am quite happy!!  Now I need to craft and sew to get everything ready for this weekend so I can show it off to some girlfriends!  

Baby boy has been super active lately and really showing off some moves!  His movements are far less jerky and much more purposeful if that makes any sense.  He really loves to hang out down low, like really low, and on my right side.  I'm pretty sure my belly is lopsided 90% of the time.  Oh and he is super cute!!!

Ryan had a golf dinner, so I threw on some pumps and had Jared take a picture of us.  He's looking great and slimming down.  I'm packing on the pounds he is dropping.  

Oh and of course a little update on Lira and how she's adjusting.  She's just fine and thinks this stroller is quite comfy!

Much love. 

Hospital Bag List

Yesterday was 29 weeks and I started to think about the very real possibility of our baby boy arriving soon and how I have absolutely nothing packed for the hospital and nothing properly washed in baby detergent, so I promptly went to Target to get Dreft so that I can wash all his clothing this week (just in case) and I started our Hospital Bag List.  Since this is my first baby, I am going off of what family, friends, and the good ol' internet are telling me I need.  I've read several lists and think I am slowly getting to a place I need to be at.  I definitely still have too much (I think), but it's easier for me to cut things from my list or have an "extras" bag in the car than it is for me to handle forgetting something. Here goes nothing...

Hospital Bag List...updated

Baby Boy's Bag

 Carseat & Cover

Baby blankets (2) - Swaddle & Warm

Boppy & cover

Outfits (3) - Gowns (1), Sleepers (2), Going Home Outfit (1)

Onesies (3)

 Hat, Mittens, Socks (3)

Paci (?)

Burp Cloths

Mom's Bag

Underwear (4)

Nursing Bra OR Nursing Cami (target)

PJs or Sweatpants (2)

        Going Home Clothing (loose pants, boots, sweater)

Slippers & Socks
Flipflops (to trash)

Belly Band (?)

Robe (cute one & warm one)

Nursing Cover (just in case)

Brush, Hair tie & bobby pins

 Toiletries: Flat Iron, Make up, Shampoo & Conditioner, 

Body wash, toothbrush, Brush, Hair tie & bobby pins

Prenatal Vitamins

Nursing Pads

Boobie Cream
Depends/Pads

 Stool Softerner (100mg) - Does the hospital provide this?

Music Playlist - in the works, but suggestions are welcome!
CHAPSTICK
Extra Bag for all the hospital goodies
(Mesh undies, Dermaplast, Witch Hazel Pads, Tucks, Pads)
Pillow
Towel
Sitz Bath

Dad's Bag

Toiletries

Blanket & Pillow

Change of Clothing

Pjs/comfy clothing
Swimsuit

List of people to call/text

 Snacks - Fruity Lifesavers

Camera & lenses

Phones

 Chargers

Gift for Big Brother from Little Brother
Copy of Birth Plan

Am I missing anything vital?  Is anything absolutely ridiculous? Let me know!! I'm a first timer here.

Thanks!!

I Chose You.

"I Chose You" is a very simple phrase that was said to me by my husband last night and will stay with my for a lifetime.  The timing was perfect without even knowing it. Feeling "chosen" is am amazing feeling and while I know wholeheartedly that we chose each other to share our lives with, there are moments that are made much easier when you are gently and innocently reminded of that. An entire weekend of no sessions, no golf, sleeping in until 10am, working together on the nursery, and lots of family time was what this heart of mine needed more than anything! And hearing "I Chose You" Sunday evening while walking our pup in the crazy wind was the cherry on top.  

Since I will be very pregnant, this Christmas will be the first holiday (aside from Thanksgiving when I was studying abroad in Ireland and one Christmas that we stayed in California and spent with Ryan's family) since I was born, that I am not headed home and celebrating with immediate and extended family. It was a logical, safe, and doctor recommended decision, but it was also a very hard one.  What does a child of 6 do on Christmas Eve without her gramma, parents, siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews around her do?!?!  I like...ok, I love traditions and breaking this one has been weighing on my mind.  Luckily my parents are the most understanding and loving parents I could ask for and while I am sure they are upset to not have the three of us there on Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning with their other children, they understand 100% and cannot wait to meet their grandson! Thanksgiving will be extra special for me this year, so family, you all better be there! I understand if you can't be there, but please try your hardest!   

This Christmas we are staying in our home and making memories of our own with our little family. I have grand plans of matching PJs, Hot Cocoa & Beer (for Ryan), Christmas treats, a Christmas Movie and hopefully a little Grinch performance by my main squeeze!  He's really really good at it and I cry happy tears thinking of kids gathered on his lap giggling in years to come while he imitates the Grinch voice!  Other traditions will be started this year, but we will decide them as a family over the next month or so!  Hearing "I Chose You" made staying home for Christmas and making our own memories a good thing, a happy thing, an exciting thing.  It's a change for sure and no doubt we will be calling and facetiming/skyping with family and I am sure there will be some tears shed by yours truly, but we will be making memories, surrounded by love, and we will have our first Christmas in Virginia Beach as a family of three...maybe four.  Who knows when our little New Years Bundle will decide to debut?!    

Ryan has no idea how much that meant and means to me (well until he reads this blog post), but baby, it means the world!!  I love you and am so glad we chose each other to make memories, share hardships and joys, create a family, and brave this crazy world!  You are my best friend and my lover, my shoulder to cry on and the one I run to with an insane amount of excitement.  You are my rock. Let's make some memorable and super awesome traditions to share with our kidlets for years to come!

Oh and Baby, I still Choose you!!!

"I Choose You" by Sarah Bareilles

Much love.