38 Week Update

Today marks 38 weeks in our pregnancy.  I am just now noticing swelling in my hands/feet... and apparently in my face... like so:

38 Weeks

The past week and a half has been difficult.  I'm still missing my sweet boy, but I know he's in doggie heaven with all of the toilets he could ever want to drink out of, all of the bones he could never eat due to his allergies, no rain to get his dainty paws wet, and squirrels to chase at every corner.  I'm convinced God made his precious life short for a reason and someday I will know why.  

(the last picture I took of him with his "sisters")

"Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them, filling an emptiness we don't even know we have."

I am trying to focus on other things while my heart heals. One of them... our hospital bags.  I'm so glad I checked them over the weekend because we had all of the baby stuff ready to go, but hardly any clothing for ourselves.  Here's a peek into what we're bringing:

for the baby...

Left to right, starting at the top: Heavy blanket, 2 light blankets, 2 swaddle blankets, 2 burp cloths, 2 footie onseies, 2 regular onesies, 2 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of scratch mittens, 2 hats, 2 pacifiers (which we probably won't use), a diaper or two.

and for Mom and Dad...

 Left to right, starting at the top: 2 old towels, 2 old pillow cases, shower shoes for each of us, sweatpants/t-shirts for him, pajamas/leggings/nursing tanks/breast pads for her, a brush, granola bars/snacks, all of our toiletries (including extra contacts and Lansinoh), socks for him, socks for her, unmentionables (not pictured, of course!).

I realize we are probably over packing, but we live 25 minutes away from the hospital and I'd rather not make a bunch of trips home.  I want us to be able to enjoy every second of the experience together.

One last thing we did this weekend...

It's official!*

*Maybe.  Our officiant was a bit sketchy... and may or may not remember to send the papers in. But it's all good.

Waylon

I never knew the pain of losing a pet until today.  I can't even put to words what I feel, but I know I want to write something to remember him by.  I want to remember my precious baby as the loving and goofy dog that he was, not for the things that happened to him that were beyond his control.

Since I found him in a parking lot with his sister 3 years ago, sick and abandoned...

 he was a mama's boy.  I felt so lucky that someone else didn't want him and that he was mine.

He loved kids.

He especially loved his sister.

He even loved his cat.

I love you, my crazy-excited barking maniac.  I'll never forget you, sweet boy.  My heart hurts so bad.  I'm so, so sorry.  I promised to take care of you forever and I feel that I've failed.  Until we meet again...

"A good dog never dies.  He always stays.  He walks beside you on crisp autumn days when frost is on the fields and winter's drawing near.  His head is within our hand in the old way."

31 Week Update

Today marks 31 weeks!  Only 9 weeks (63 days) to go.  This week is my very last Spring Break which means I get a break from classes but will be working full-time at the office.  I only have 2.5 weeks left before I go on maternity leave, so I didn't want to leave without wrapping up odds and ends.  It will be bittersweet packing up my belongings, taking down pictures, and walking out after 5 years.  

31 Weeks

I realize I'm wearing the same shirt from my 27 Week update, but I also noticed that my belly doesn't seem to have grown all that much since then.  I certainly gained weight at my last midwife checkup, so I know the little guy is fattening up (or maybe that's just me).  I've noticed that he is getting so much stronger!  His kicks and punches are so distinct and he is overall a very active baby.

By the way, I have a confession to make... I'm a preggo creeper.  If I see another pregnant woman anywhere, it doesn't matter who they are, I will want to be their friend.  Usually I refrain, but the other day I ran into a fellow pregnant girl in the restroom on campus and asked her when she was due.  It sparked a "so you can't sleep either?" conversation and I realized how much I wish I had a friend or family member I could share the experience with.  

I've been meaning to mention this - is it horrible of me that I'm getting tired of my friends asking me intimate questions or making comments about my body?  For example, at my baby shower, in front of 15+ people, one of the girls asked how much weight I'd gained.  With all eyes on me, of course I had to answer!  Another asked if I had gotten stretch marks (thankfully, I have not), prompting two more to chime in, "I'd been wondering if you had gotten any!"  (if they are truly worried about that, they have too much time on their hands...).  Several have asked if the fiance and I still have... relations.... which I find to be completely inappropriate, but maybe that's just me?  I am usually an open book, but I wish that people were more respectful.  Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean you can completely remove your verbal filter.  Right?

In other news, how cute is this?

Stolen Snoogle

You're cute and all, but seriously... give me back my Snoogle.

Chasing Waterfalls

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!  Mine started with a 4 mile hike to see a beautiful 69' waterfall that I visit several times a year.  There aren't very many attractions where I live in the mountains, but this is one of the best.  It was a chilly 37 degrees when we started up, but as we got moving everything warmed up and eventually I stripped down to just a light jacket and tank.  There was lots of mud and rocks involved as the trail follows a creek upstream the whole way.  We saw a chipmunk at one point.  I was surprised that I didn't find the hike to be any more difficult being 6.5 months pregnant.  It was a nice way to start a Saturday morning.

We came back famished and had an easy lunch of leftover pasta for me, leftover stiryfry for him, and spicy chicken.  When my fiance is in town, somehow the TV always ends up on ESPN, so we watched that for a while, made a Target and Wally World run, and came back for dinner.  More pasta was had before heading out to see the new Liam Neeson movie, The Grey.  Because, let's face it, Liam can do no wrong.

(Image: Source)

The movie was... INTENSE.  It was very gory.  The Alaskan scenery was pretty much the same the entire time, leaving the main focus on the storyline (the group of plane crash survivors being hunted by a pack of wolves).  I felt cold just watching it.  People in the packed theater were both laughing, gasping, and crying throughout.  I can't decide if I would recommend it or not, I can just say it was intense. 

On the way out of the movies, we had a bit of a scare.  We were waiting at a stoplight and saw one of the local buses flashing an "Emergency - Please call Police - Help" sign.  I suppose the driver hit a panic button which sets off the electronic sign.  My first thought was that the bus was being held up.  I called 911 and let them know what I saw and where the bus was.  I'm hoping that it was just an accident and everyone is safe, but I was definitely worked up after that.

Afterwards we came back and attempted to make some chocolate chip cookies using the back of the Tollhouse bag recipe but they were an epic fail.  Apparently Stevia does not bake like sugar.  Our cookies were dry and burnt.  Sad!

Well, that was our weekend.  My fiance had to leave town again (huge sad face) on Sunday to go back to work in South Carolina - he spends several months a year down there working on various projects.  I was left to catch up on studying and assignments (and a few of my guilty pleasure TV shows snuck in there).   At least I was accompanied by this little miss.  

By the way, to anyone that has a cat, these treats are kitty crack.  My sweet, angelic kitty turned into demonkitty after one "hit".  She followed me around meowing angrily for more and then searched for the bag after I'd put it away.  It was disturbing.

Happy Monday!

Caught Snoogling

This morning I left my bedroom for a few minutes and came back to two furbabies sharing my pregnancy pillow. (Naturally, instead of yelling at them to get off the bed, I snap an iPhone picture. I'm such a sucker for these faces!)

Anyone else a fan of the Snoogle?

(Image: Source)