Body After Baby - Recovery (Part III)

Hello, friends!  Just a quick update since I haven't posted in a while. We currently have a sick little one and I'm trying to give him as many snuggles as possible. He was allowed to sleep in the swing last night just so that he could remain upright.  These supplies are coming in handy as well:

I have to say the first time your baby gets sick is when you know true heartbreak.  I have been holding back tears every time he lets out a hoarse cough or cries in pain.  He has still managed to smile and giggle throughout the day, despite how awful he feels.  Poor doll.

 

Some of my most popular posts are my Body After Baby series (Part I and Part II). At 4.5 months postpartum, it's time for an update!

I'm happy to say my baby weight is long gone and I am down 6 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight. I still have LOTS of toning to do, but don't have a gym membership yet so haven't even gotten started. I am one of those people that can only truly work out in the gym. No at-home or outdoor workouts for me. It's an irrational mental thing that I need to get over.

Here is a photo I hastily took in the bathroom before heading to an interview (yep, still job searching). By the way, this could probably be its own post, but Victorias's Secret has pretty decent suits. They fit like a dream.  I am wearing a skirt from one of my suits in this photo. I would equate their quality to Express or maybe a bit better. Take a look if you're searching for professional wear. 

I would say I'm fully recovered at this point. Just need to find something to minimize my huge c-section scar and I'll be set. 

Have a great weekend!

Body After Baby - Recovery (Part II)

Since I'm nearing 12 weeks postpartum, it's time for a quick update.  

Breastfeeding: 

Piece of cake.  All of the pain magically went away at about 4 weeks.

C-Section:

The gross lochia stopped after about 7 weeks and the doctor was right, my scar is no longer raised and it feels a lot... softer? It's still a deep purple color but seems to be healing.  I have been trying to rub this oil on it nightly:

(Image: Source)

Weight:

I mentioned in my first Body After Baby post that I was 5 pounds away from my post-pregnancy weight.  Well, the rest of the weight came off shortly afterwards and then some.  I weigh anywhere from 2-5 pounds under my starting weight, depending on the day.  Does my body look the same?  No. My sweet boy has done some permanent damage (to my boobs and stomach, mainly) and that's okay.  He's worth it 100%.

Random:

I had a crazy intense skin rash for several weeks that nearly drove me to insanity but it went away after about 8 weeks postpartum, thank God!

Well, that's about it.  I am slowly returning to normality over here!

Body After Baby - Recovery

Breastfeeding:

Yep, it's painful.  Yep, I've cried while feeding the baby many times - mainly in the very beginning.  I had intense contractions while nursing for the first few days due to the uterus contracting back to its normal size.  I did not expect this side effect!  It has gotten much better since then, but I am still always at least a little sore.  I am pretty dedicated to sticking with it, but it's been a trip.  I've used my breastpump (Medela Pump In Style) which wasn't very pleasant, but it's something I will have to get used to once I go back to work.  When Carter had his one week checkup, he'd already gained back his birth weight and an additional ounce - go me!  By the way, any breastfeeding moms out there - this contraption is awesome!  I can save at least 1/2 to a full ounce per feeding if I use it, and I can reduce the number of nursing pads I have to wash.  Soaking wet nursing pads drive me CRAZY.

Milkies Milk Saver Breast Milk Collector Storage

C-Section:

My scar is pretty large and is significantly raised above the skin.  I had dissolvable stitches reinforced with steri strips.  I was able to peel off the steri strips after about a week.  I thought I'd escaped the lochia (blood, tissue from the uterus, and bacteria) since I didn't have a vaginal birth, but no way.  I was bleeding for over 2 weeks.  In the beginning, it was a lot... I mean a LOT... but tapered off after a week or two. The first time I got up from my hospital bed was not fun.  My insides hurt and I hunched over to avoid stretching my incision for a few days, which ended up hurting my back.  The nurses helped me get out of bed the first time to use the restroom and then my husband helped me every other time.  I'll just say we bonded a lot and he saw things that probably scarred him for life... thanks, babe!  He was in charge of changing the baby's diapers and I was in charge of nursing until I was able to get out of my hospital bed.  

I didn't shower or go #2 for 2 days which was just awful.  I also had extreme gas buildup in my stomach, I guess from air being trapped inside when I was cut open.  They gave me pills to help, but it was quite painful.  It's been about 2 weeks and I feel pretty much recovered, but the only activity I've done is a mile or two at a time walking with the stroller.

Weight:

I lost about 5 pounds a day for the first 5 days. and after that it slowly melted off.  My swelling has gone down and I can wear my wedding rings again... woohoo!  I gained 32 pounds while pregnant and still have about 5 left.  I've heard that breastfeeding makes you hang onto a few extra pounds, so I'm not too worried.  It looks like I've lost the weight everywhere but my belly.  When I left the hospital, I still looked about 7 months pregnant, but now I just have a little pooch.  Each day, my belly shrunk significantly, but now it seems to be staying the same.  I've been surprised how nicely my belly has gone down, but it's going to take some work to tone back up.  I look forward to getting back into the gym in about a month.  In the meantime, I've been putting a firming lotion on my belly after I shower and hoping that helps.

All in all, recovery wasn't easy, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be considering I had major abdominal surgery.  I'm excited to get my pre-pregnancy body back sometime soon!

Where is Baby C?

I'm 40 weeks, 4 days today and still no baby!  No signs of labor either.  I went to my last midwife checkup yesterday (which I hadn't even planned on needing to go to) and at first she said "you'll probably go into labor on your own within the next few days".  After she checked me to find that I am 0% dilated and maybe 50% effaced, she said "Hopefully induction will work. It should work."  I wanted to cry right then!  I am so ready to get going with this and seeing my due date come and go has been frustrating.

My mother was 2 weeks late with my older sister so I had expected to be a few days, but for some reason I am still surprised.  We are scheduled for an induction on Tuesday, but have to head into the hospital at midnight on Monday.  I'm excited to finally have an end in sight, but also freaked out at the whole induction process.  I am a little disappointed that my body hasn't kicked in on its own, but as long as he's out safely that's all that matters.

In the meantime, I have been trying to stay busy by watching Modern Family Seasons 1 and 2 and this:

My stepsister recommended bouncing on an exercise ball to get things going.  A quick trip to Dick's Sporting Goods last night and I had a new "chair" for the next few days.  It hasn't brought on any contractions like I'd hoped, but it does help my back compared to sitting on the couch.  Fingers crossed!

Waiting Game...

My due date was yesterday and... yep, I'm still pregnant!  I don't know why I'm still surprised every morning when I wake up and realize I still haven't had my baby.  Immediately after my final exam today (side note: HOORAY!), I started trying a few tricks to get this little man out because my maternity leave is ticking away and more importantly, I'm dying to meet him!

Step 1: Long, strenuous walk. In the rain.

(Found two tiny dogs - again!  I have found one of the dogs 4 or 5 times now and returned it to its owner... some spirits are meant to run free, I guess!  Little gypsies.)

After at least an hour of going up and down hills, she faceplanted.

Step 2: Spicy food.

Step 3: Plop in front of the computer and watch YouTube because I've exhausted myself.


Step 4: Take videos of my creepy cat.  

She does this obnoxious crying on a daily basis.  Is this normal?!

Okay, so the last two aren't tricks at all.  They're just me being bored and anxious.  Well, I'm about to make a labor playlist (lots of Rihanna... as in her entire "Loud" CD + her new song with Drake "Take Care") but I figure I will also listen to my Jack Johnson/Dave Matthews and country Pandora channels as well to mix it up a little.  I'm hoping that having my jams will keep me sane.

Any tips of getting the little guy going?  I'm ready... so ready!

Nursery Peek

39 Weeks, 4 days... 3 days until the due date!

39 Week Update

Today's 39 Week, 1 Day checkup should be my last... in theory.  

My Braxton Hicks contractions have decreased significantly over the past week or so.  I was getting them several times throughout the day until recently they nearly 100% quit. Not sure what this means, but I figure labor isn't happening anytime soon.  

On the plus side, I have been out and about continuing with my normal routine.  I feel pretty nimble except when I am laying down in bed.  For example, yesterday's schedule went like this:

• 7am: Wake up, iron husband's shirt for work, make him an English muffin and juice.  Make myself breakfast.
• 7:15am: Start working on Excel spreadsheet, Powerpoint, and Word document for class assignment. Procrastinate.
• 10:30am: Shower and get ready for group meeting
• 11:30am: Drive to campus
• 12pm: Group meeting to discuss aforementioned documents
• 1pm: Drive to doctor's office
• 1:15pm: Realize the receptionist gave you the wrong day, time, and place and that your appointment is actually the next day... at a different time... and in a different city. Pout.
• 1:30pm: Drive back home and cut stems/change water in flowers hubs gave me

• 3:30pm: Drive to campus
• 4pm: Photo shoot for MBA brochure
• 5pm: Class
• 6:45pm: Drive home
• 7pm: Attempt to take care of sick hubby
• 7:45pm: Do laundry and cook a frozen pizza
• 10:30pm: TV and Bed

Today's appointment went pretty well.  My total weight gain has been almost exactly 30 lbs.  I was hoping for between 25-35, so 30 is fine by me.

And my (possibly) last (self-timer) pregnant shot... WOOF.

39 Weeks, 1 Day

Also, this weekend was amazing.  We relaxed a lot but were also very productive (for me, that meant schoolwork, but for him, that meant cleaning both of our cars and our apartment).  We also watched "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" - talk about traumatizing.  I left the living room and laid down in bed at one point because I was so freaked out.  To think that some sick individual wrote that book/script and thought to themselves "yep, this sounds good" is beyond me!

Image: Source

Bumpin' Around

So I'm 10 days until my due date and this is how I feel:

Not amused.

I have been blessed with a pretty uneventful pregnancy, but I am so ready to be unpregnant and to meet our little man.  I am so anxious wondering how and when he will arrive.  One of my favorite ways to entertain myself lately is to tell my husband that I'm "having labor".  Last night I had a few hours of intense cramping/back pain and although it obviously wasn't true labor since I'm still pregnant, it sure felt like it.  I keep thinking every little cramp is the real thing and I make sure to exaggerate to him since it's fun to freak him out.  I know you're cozy in there, but hurry up, Baby C!

I thought it would be fun to document my belly so far...

Beginning

(sort of... about 8 or so weeks):

Middle 
(again, sort of... about 22 or so weeks):

Almost End 

(36 Weeks):

Almost, Almost End 

(38+ Weeks):

It's amazing what my body has done and what it continues to do. Here's to hoping that our next picture will be of a BABY!

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.

Digging to your tonsils

I started my weekly checkups yesterday since I've officially hit 36 weeks.  I also had the pleasure of the Group B Strep test and a cervical check.  I'd told the midwife about my intense Braxton-Hicks contractions and she wanted to check, even though I'm not "full-term" for another 4 days.  I asked if it would hurt and she said it would feel like she was "digging to your tonsils".  And it did.  Yuck.  Turns out I'm not dilated at all, but my cervix is "soft".

We've got our last baby class tonight - Baby Care Basics.  I've been most excited about this one because seriously, we need it.  I babysat growing up and recently, but never with a newborn.  I'm sure a lot of it is instinct, but hopefully going to this class can give us a few good tips.  

I hope everyone is having a great week!

36 Week Update

First off, Happy Easter!

"I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." John 11:25-26

We were blessed with a beautiful day here. Monday marks 36 weeks and only one month left until the little man is supposed to get here.  Not much has changed except that turning over in bed is now an Olympian sport and I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions all throughout the day.  Other than that, things are going pretty well.  

This weekend was spent doing a small amount of schoolwork, stopping by for more FroYo....

taking possibly of my last few preggo pictures... 

~ 36 Weeks

(Can you tell we're using the Canon Rebel instead of the iPhone? Woohoo!)

...and starting on baby laundry! It's so much more fun than regular laundry.  I decided to just wash his sheets, some blankies, his newborn clothes, and his 0-3 month clothes.  Even if he ends up being too big for his newborn clothes, we can always give them away or something, but I wanted to have them all washed and ready.  We can't fit his crib into his tiny nursery here, so we are using a cradle/bassinet that was in R's family for a very long time.  The mattress is much smaller than a normal one, so we are going to just tuck his fitted sheets underneath it and safety pin them at the bottom to make them fit until we move into a bigger place.

And that's my sparkly gym bag turned hospital bag next to all of the laundry.  My sister bought it for my birthday - it's the Pleated Pocket Gym Bag in Black Sparkle from oGorgeous.  It's perfect for someone that does yoga because the sides zip open to slide your mat through.

I just wanted to use it as a hospital bag because it's glamorous and might make me feel a little less yucky in the hospital.  I plan on doing a post on what's inside the bag later....

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

They never warned me about...

... the weird and random side effects of pregnancy.  

1. Restless leg syndrome.  Something I'd heard of on television but assumed it was for older folks.  I didn't realize until I had it that it was also a pregnancy thing.  I've had it pretty bad on about 5 different occasions during the last month of so.  Once it was so awful that I woke me up in the middle of the night screaming/crying in pain.  I'm hoping this is one of those things that goes away completely after birth...
2. The dry skin.  I'm pretty sure I had scales at one point.
3. The clumsiness.  There was one week where I tripped several different times going up/down stairs that I have been using every day for the past 2 years.
4. The unspeakable things that happen to the... nether regions.

As one lady told me, it's basically like "an alien taking over your mind, body, and soul".  As crazy as it all is, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

34 Week Update!

Where have I been!? There has been lots of craziness happening with our little family.  The fiance started moving into my (tiny) two bedroom place on Friday and we have become best friends with Goodwill and the dumpster.  I'm going through a huge purging phase right now... all I really care about is Baby C's nursery which has also relocated.  Everything else can be donated or trashed!  It has been so glorious to finally be able to fold his teeny, precious clothes and put away the toys and books gifted to him by the many people that already love him.  We are beyond excited.  We had two more baby showers this weekend - one Friday and one Saturday - and they were so much fun.  

I was sure that my horrible mirror pics would be eliminated when the fiance moved in (we actually got a Canon Rebel for Christmas), but he is back at his old place cleaning up and wrapping up his last week at his old job, so I'm alone with the pets and my huge belly this week.  Here it is...

~34 Weeks, 2 days

At this stage in my pregnancy, I have finally learned to just laugh to myself when people make comments to me.  For example, a classmate said tonight "your belly gets bigger every time I see you."  -- Really? It's getting bigger?  How odd considering I have a mini human growing inside me!  People also love to comment about how much "huger" I am going to get.  And then the blatant stares are always nice.  

I have another checkup tomorrow and then the dreaded Strep-B screen the following checkup.  It's getting so close!  We are going to have our car seat installed soon, but found out that my fiances sports car hardly fits the car seat and I won't be able to ride in the front passenger seat with it installed.  Yup, I'll be riding in the back with the baby while he plays taxi driver.

Fun fact: My belly button is still an innie.

No matter how crazy it gets, we have lots to look forward to in the coming weeks! 

33 Week Update

Wow, life is craazzzzy right now.  Things are changing in every aspect of our lives.

33 Weeks

-- The fiance has found a new job that require zero travel and we are now finally going to be living together!  I'm hoping to stay with my current employer, but we are working it out right now... sigh.  More on that later.

-- Weight gained: 20 pounds as of last Tuesday (I did a little dance at the doctor's office when I found out I'm right on track with the pound-a-week suggestion - the fiance was not amused).  At this rate, I should gain 28 pounds total.

-- Baby C-Man is perfect so far.  The other day we were gawking at my belly because he must have been laying sideways - both sides of my belly were poking out and my belly button area was sunken in... so strange to look at!

-- Our stroller and car seat came in. We have another hand-me-down set, but apparently you can't use car seats unless they are made within the last few years (we can use the stroller, though!), so we ordered a new one.  My stepsister knows someone who works at Britax so we got an amazing deal.  I've been pushing it around the house like a creep.

(sorry for the poor lighting -- MBA textbooks were calling my name)

-- My hospital bag is halfway packed!  I plan to show you all the contents in a separate post.

-- Grad school is SO crazy right now (hence the lack of posting), but I thrive on the madness.  And I have the best prize to look forward to when it's all over.

Even in all the madness and uncertainty, life is good.

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?

Happy March!

March is such a great month because it (usually) means that Spring will be here soon (March 20th, officially!).  Things I'm looking forward to this month:

• Taking the Parent's Tour of our hospital and birthing center
• 2 more baby showers (We're spoiled)
• Flip flops! Sandals! Open-toed shoes! (I'm going to start becoming best friends with the ladies at my nail salon because reaching my toes isn't happening)
• Wearing dresses
• My growing baby bump.  My Mom sent me several maternity tank tops in the mail today - it's funny how huge the flower on this one gets once I put it on ;-)  I used to wear pretty plain, solid colored tops pre-pregnancy, but now that I have a baby bump I rock anything, especially loud designs and colors. I figure I might as well flaunt it!

30.5 Weeks

• Maternity leave starting in about 3 weeks!
• Finishing our nursery
• Possibly finding new jobs that we enjoy (more on that later)

Happy March, everyone!

My 1st Baby Shower

Is it weird that the first baby shower I've ever attended was my own?  I guess none of my close friends have had babies yet, so I'm the pioneer.  A few friends organized one for Saturday - it was such a fun day.  There was plenty of food, a few baby shower games (such as guess my belly size - everyone guessed bigger than it was!), and lots of gifts.  It's amazing to see just how loved someone can be even before entering the world.  He is a very lucky boy.  And seriously, every time I read a card saying "you're going to be a great Mom" it made me turn into a puddle of mush.

A few of my favorite gifts...

(I realize the two singing toys will end up being the bane of my existence, but they are cute for now)

And then something from one of his grandmas...

The little monkey feet!

29-ish Week Update

 ~29.5 Weeks

Monday marked 29 weeks and another baby checkup.  Superbaby is doing awesome, as usual.  His mother, however, is a maniac.  Five things that almost made me cry on Tuesday:

1. Knocking my glasses off the nightstand while dusting and stepping on them.
2. Trying to vacuum but the cord kept coming out of the wall.
3. Changing the blanket on my bed and having a huge dog bone fall out of it onto my foot.
4. Gaining 6 lbs. in 18 days (granted I had a full belly, full bladder, winter coat, and shoes on when I was weighed).  I'm still on track to gain 33 lbs., but that doesn't mean I didn't have to hold back tears of shock at the doctor's office.
5. Not being able to find Lanolin at CVS (my stepsister recommended I start using it now).

Since 3 of 5 of these things relate to cleaning, I guess I should just stop cleaning, right? :)  I haven't been a crier this whole time, so it was weird for me.  Third trimester has been very different! 

Anyways, besides that, here are some other random thoughts:

• The back pain has arrived. I mainly feel it when I am sitting on the couch and at my desk.  If I don't have a pillow behind my lower back, it kills.
• My legs and belly are so itchy.  I put lotion on several times a day, which helps, but it always returns. Maybe once the weather warms up my skin won't be so dry.
• Still always tired.  Always.
• The baby has been kicking/elbowing/kneeing me like crazy.  We went to the movies and saw Safe House last night and he was going crazy in my belly for most of the movie - so cute.

By the way, Safe House = crazy intense.  It reminded me of how tense I was when we saw The Grey.  I may be biased because I love Ryan Reynolds and Denzel, but I thought it was a good movie.  A bit long, but good.  While we were waiting on the movie, we saw a preview for "Silent House"...

...um, no.  I will not be seeing that.  I'm all about scary movies, but that one would kill me.  I had to cover my eyes during the preview.  Anyone thinking of seeing it?

The Perils of Maternity Leave

I never understood how controversial maternity leave can be until I was faced with asking for it.  I've been at the same employer in the financial industry for 5 years and can probably count on my two hands the number of sick days I have taken.  I consider that pretty good given that some of my coworkers call in "sick" when they see a snow flurry.  Even when I had weeks of paid sick days saved up, I've always been one of those people who would feel guilty for getting sick and came into the office anyways.  

The time came recently for me to ask my boss for maternity leave.  Given that I am moving a few hours away to be with my fiance, I highly doubt I will return to this particular job.  At least not for a while.  My benefits allow for 6 weeks of maternity leave during "pregnancy and childbirth".  Since I'm still a full-time graduate student and my due date is literally in the middle of finals week, I figured I would ask for the entire 6 weeks, so that I could get the end of the semester off to focus on school, just to be safe.  My contract ends at that point, so since I won't be able to use the leave after the baby is born, I figured I'd use it beforehand.

My boss was not pleased.

In fact, she was very displeased.

As I expected, she proceeded to explain to me that she worked up until a day or two before her due date ("I worked on Friday and had the baby Monday.  And that's in addition to driving two hours a day to work.").  Well I'm sorry, superlady, but I've decided that I'm entitled to this leave and I'm going to use it.  Of course, I kept that part inside and calmly explained that I was still a full-time student and needed to focus on graduation given that only two of three teachers were willing to work with me if I needed to postpone assignments, finals, etc. due to my pregnancy.  Working 20 hours a week in addition to school, baby classes, and appointments would be a lot to continue juggling.

Long story short, after much awkwardness and guilttripping, she said that she would "support" me in what I wanted to do.  Yet I still feel bad.  What is it about using your maternity leave that makes others look at you like a failure?  Oh well, I'm taking it and I'm going to enjoy having a bit of downtime before the baby comes, because Lord knows I have a ton of nesting to do... and I need to finish this...

The "pretty corner" of our nursery that is currently 102 miles away at my fiance's place

Anyone else had similar experiences with maternity leave arrangements?  

27 Week Update - Hey 3rd Trimester!

Side note: I realized today that my updates are very sporadic.  I need to get into a weekly or bi-weekly routine or something!

Today marks 27 weeks and everything is still going great.  I can't believe that I'm in the THIRD trimester.  It has flown by.  We've been decided on a first name for the baby (it starts with a C) for a few months now, but not 100% decided on the middle name.  We've decided to keep the name secret until birth, just for fun.  The family members are furiously trying to figure it out, but I'm not giving in!  So we can just refer to the baby as C-Man on here. 

     Random Things:

• C-Man has a major 'tude.  I've noticed that if I lay my arm on my belly the wrong way he will kick it HARD.  He also kicked the doppler when my midwive tried to check his heartbeat and then - as she put it - "ran away" at the last appointment. 
• I had a dream that he had a full head of shaggy bleach blonde hair and was a surfer baby.  Pregnancy dreams = full force.
• My belly button is still creepy and flat.  Any guesses on when it will pop out?
• My shoes/rings still fit
• TMI - My boobs are still 2 cup sizes up from pre-pregnancy, but the same band size.  They haven't had another growth spurt after the first few months.
• My cheeks have days where they will stay flushed/rosy/bright red all day long
• Sleep is still going okay - one of the things I changed when I got pregnant was kicking my dogs off the bed.  They'd been sleeping with me since they were puppies (three years!) and I'd been letting them hog my little full-size bed for far too long.  They got the boot!  They're only allowed on when I'm not sleeping.
• I'm now a cookie monster.  I hate you, Girl Scouts! (just kidding, sort of).
• It's getting much harder to shave my legs and paint my toenails with my belly in the way.  I take my toes very seriously, so this is going to be a problem...
• I can't wait until the weather gets nice enough to start wearing dresses again!  Those seem to be the pregnant lady's uniform and I'm tired of pants!
• I really need some preggo friends.  Am I the only pregnant lady in this town!?
• I currently have 4 baby showers scheduled and can't believe how many people want to help us out
• The next 13 weeks need to hurry up!

I really didn't think my belly had made any change this week until I saw these pictures -- it's gotten huuuuge! And rather pointy in my opinion.

27 Weeks 

(sorry about the bad lighting, the fiance is still out of town, so it's self-timer all the way)

and just for fun....