Update from hubby at the hospital

For all of her blog followers, this is the hubby checking in from the hospital. Michelle is currently 7 cm, putting us within hours of our new arrival.

39 week update...

How far along: 39 weeks,2 days

Total weight gain: 40 pounds

How much does baby weigh: According to my last ultrasound, Cole was hovering around 7ish lbs, give or take a little..

Progress: 1 cm dilated, 0% effaced, head down/engaged

Best moment this week: Realizing I'm gonna be a momma any day now :)

What I'm looking forward to: Cole's arrival!

10 days to go...

I can't believe I'm only 10 days away from EDD (estimated delivery date). I'm hoping Cole will come out and play before that though. Not that I'm not enjoying being preggo, but I am definitely ready to have this baby :P I think Cole may have dropped a little b/c i feel more intense consistent pressure in my pelvic area. And I'm using the bathroom over and over. I am going through toilet paper like crazy!

Yesterday we brought out our pre-lit fake tree and all the Christmas decorations down from the attic. I couldn't even lend a hand though b/c my belly got in the way and it hurts to stand for more than 10 minutes. Good work hubby!

I go for my next prenatal visit on Wednesday and hopefully they'll check my progress with an internal pelvic exam. Here's hoping my cervix has decided to dilate and thin out (efface). In the meantime I try to maintain some sort of walking activity every day to encourage progress. Time to come out little one!

37ish week update...

How far along: 37 weeks, 5 days

Total weight gain: 38 pounds now...

How much does baby weigh: According to the Bump, I'm now carrying a small watermelon.., hovering around the 6.5ish lb mark.

Maternity clothes: Only a few fit...just wearing the comfiest stuff while around the house since I'm on maternity leave now.

Stretch marks: Small stretchies on my hips. Still none whatsover on my belly, so far *fingers crossed*

Sleep: I do what I can, in between all the frequent bathroom trips.

Best moment this week: Cole goin crazy in my belly while the boys played Rock Band.

Movement: He sleeps alot more now. And he's running out of room in my cramped uterus. But when he's awake and active you can definitely see every roll or twist he makes. I'm often lopsided from how he's moving.

Food cravings: None. Just enjoying treats here and there..

Belly button in or out: Just when i think it can't pop any further, there it goes even more... Turkey is almost done ;-)

What I miss: Having work to do to keep my preoccupied...the hours really drag by..

What I'm looking forward to: Thanksgiving and then Cole's arrival, in that order ;-)

Milestone: At term now...nursery all ready.. just need Cole..

Nursery progress..

We still have several things left to do but here's a peek at the nursery progress... The sun has been very stubborn lately so sorry for the poor lighting in most of these pics. You can click on any picture to enlarge it. enjoy!

34 week update...

How far along: 34 weeks

Total weight gain: 34 pounds now.. ob said it's baby fattening up..hmmm

How much does baby weigh: According to the Bump, I'm now carrying a honeydew melon..soon to be a small watermelon, hovering around the 4ish lb mark.

Maternity clothes: Done buying new ones, just rotating a few pairs for work. and wearing lounge pants when I'm home. comfort is key right now..

Stretch marks: Small stretchies on my hips. Still none whatsover on my belly, so far *fingers crossed*

Sleep: Actually getting decent amount of Zzz's since we have the window open and the fall breeze keeps my body temp down. I also shove pillows up against my back in addition to my huge maternity pillow, so that helps.

Best moment this week: Hearing Cole's heartbeat/kicks on the fetal monitor after noticing decreased activity lately..

Movement: He sleeps alot more now. And he's running out of room in my cramped uterus. But when he's awake and active you can definitely see every roll or twist he makes. I'm often lopsided from how he's moving.

Food cravings: None. Just enjoying treats here and there..

Belly button in or out: Definitely popped and keeps popping more each week. Turkey is almost done ;-)

What I miss: Getting in and out of the car with ease, climbing stairs w/o nearly passing out, and lately sushi (mmmmm)

What I'm looking forward to: Maternity leave! One more week to go....

Milestone: Hitting full term of 37 weeks !!

No piggy flu for me, thanks....

So last week I held out my arm and received a swine flu shot. Oh excuse me, I guess the PC way of saying it is novel H1N1 vaccine. According to sources this virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes. Scientists call this a "quadruple reassortant" virus.

All that jibberish aside, whether you think a pandemic of the swine flu is headed our way or not, your chance to get inocculated is just around the corner. Luckily I fell into Tier 1 of high-risk groups for getting the virus, being nearly eight months pregnant. I attended a closed-door session for preggos only at the Burlington County Health Department. Never have I seen so many bumps of all sizes. They came from all over NJ to get the shot. It takes about 8-10 days for the virus to start innoculating both me and baby Cole but now I won't have to worry about Cole being born in prime flu season or me catching it either. Oh and I got the seasonal flu shot a few weeks before that. And I'm happy to say that mama-to-be and baby are doing just fine, no funny side effects from either shot. yay!

For more info on the swine flu, visit http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/qa.htm

Well one of us passed anyway.... ;-)

Mr. Laz and I went to an infant CPR & lifesaving techniques class this week at the hospital.

It started out innocently enough with a few other couples sitting in front of their "babies". I use this term loosely b/c gone are the cutesie flesh colored babies of classes past... they are now futuristic silver versions. They seriously could pass for mini terminator offspring. I guess it's easier to be non-denominational this way. But they are pretty creepy looking and seem to have their mouth frozen in a permanent shocked "O".

...And apparently their heads come off. haha. Take a look at the below pic...yes that's a CPR robot baby without it's head. The bad news is that's what happened to Jay's baby while delivering back whacks during the choking portion... the good news is that the lodged item in baby's airway wasn't an issue anymore ;-)



In all seriousness the class was super informative and Jay and I feel as prepared as we can be. I'm sure we'll still panic when it happens but at least we know what we're supposed to do. And the teacher assured us, the head won't come off of our baby no matter what ;-)

33 week bump pic....

I know I skipped over 32 weeks...sorry. i've felt really craptastic every night and i've been getting home when it's getting dark, so not the most ideal circumstances for pics.

And it's a bathroom image this week done by yours truly again b/c the nursery is once again in disarray while we finish lots of decorating projects in there. I'll be taking some pics of the progress this weekend so you can see the transformation! And next week's belly pic will be back in the nursery I promise ;-)

Mums for a mum....

We joined the ranks at our townhouse development and got some fall mums. They are everywhere you look in our development. They looked so pretty and crisp against the house and tree on a pretty fall day that I couldn't resist taking a pic.. now if I can only remember to water those bad boys ;-)

Barely keeping it covered...

Nearly most of my maternity tops are now too small for me. They all lift up high and play a little peekaboo with my belly. And my belly is only going to get more and more out there over the next few weeks... Here's my Friday-morning-it's-been-a-long-week-and-my-shirt-barely-covers-my-bump pic :P

31 weeks bump pic...

Pregnant woman walking...

So we took the tour of the Labor & Delivery at Underwood Memorial Hospital this weekend. It was an incredible experience for both mr. laz and myself. We got to see the Observation room where we go first if we are instructed by our OB to do so. Here is where they check out the baby's heartbeat and monitor my contraction pattern. If I'm contracting enough I would then by admitted and taken to my private room. If it's not really labor just yet, they will likely send me home.

From there we were shown the area where babies are bathed and specially monitored/treated. And right next to that room was the operating room for c-sections. I was suprised how close it is to the actual delivery rooms. The private delivery rooms are pretty nice, complete with wallpaper and wooden furniture. And every room has it's own window view which is nice. And there is a tv in each room to help you pass the hours..The rooms are called LDRP because you go through the entire process in that one room. So labor, delivery, recovery and post partum all are in one room. Unless you have a C-section of course... but I'm not going to have a C-section ;-)

The tour guide (who happened to be a breastfeeding lactation specialist) showed us what happens after baby is delivered and went over the timeline of how events will happen. So we know what happens over the next two hours from when we deliver. She assured us that most babies are very blue until they take their first few breaths. And that they get little hospital bracelets as soon as they are placed on the table. The tour guide then took us over to see the nursery which had only one little baby in it. The little newborn was all swaddled in one of the warming beds area of the nursery. We were told that the little warming bed area is also little boys will get their snip-snip procedure ;-)

Overall, the tour was very informative and it was definitely an eye opener that my time was coming. A few mommies on the tour were due at the end of this month and they looked ready to pop and very nervous, especially when the guide said "See you in a few weeks" at the end of the tour. But I'm glad we had a chance to see everything and get a better idea of what to expect :)

Nursery update... custom mobile arrived!

Our custom mobile arrived this week! It was made by a very talented Etsy seller. We told her our bedding/decor colors and she incorporated that into the little felt birdies and owls. They are all handsewn stuffed felt creations. And the cloud is happy on one side and sad on the other. It's hard to see in the picture but the birds have "sleepy" eyes and the owls have "winky" eyes.

Our plan is to hang it this weekend with clear nylon fishing wire from the ceiling over top of the glider area. That way Cole can be stimulated by it while he nurses. With the ceiling fan on the birdies and owls "fly" around from the air circulation, too cute!

We tried to capture a picture of me holding it but the little critters kept moving. haha.

And another bonus pic of me in front of the crib, super happy after seeing the mobile...

30 week update...

How far along: 30 weeks

Total weight gain: I have hit the 30lb mark and hope to stabilize here. watching what I eat now..

How much does baby weigh: According to the Bump, my summer squash/melon is now at the 3lb mark.

Maternity clothes: Had to buy a few new items, loving my lounge pants and stretchy demi panel jeans from Gap Maternity. I had to retire a few tops already that are wayyy too tight now.

Stretch marks: Possible hint of one or two on my side hip..can't tell b/c they aren't lines more like a few dots..None whatsover on my belly, so far *fingers crossed*

Sleep: Actually getting decent amount of Zzz's since we have the window open and the fall breeze keeps my body temp down. I also shove pillows up against my back in addition to my huge maternity pillow, so that helps. But rolling over in the middle of the night I feel aches and pains. And then there is Cole swinging from my ribs in there and doing disco possibly? ;)

Best moment this week: Tie between experiencing Jay getting socked in the face while pressing his ear to my belly to hear Cole.....and...the arrival of our adorable custom felt owl/birdie mobile.

Movement: Best way to describe is always on the move...periods of no movement have definitely shortened. he likes to kick and punch all day and bulge out my stomach all alien-like. haha. I enjoy it all day but it does keep me up at night sometimes..

Food cravings: I wouldn't say I have cravings anymore but I still keep sweet treats in the house for a few times a week. Oh and I can't seem to consume enough Orange-Mango juice...I started drinking it to help with leg cramps and I'm hooked :P

Belly button in or out: It's begun to poke outward now...gets a little more outie every day. Turkey is almost done ;-)

What I miss: Getting in and out of the car with ease, climbing stairs w/o nearly passing out, and lately sushi (mmmmm)

What I'm looking forward to: Putting my nursery together with all the shower gifts, getting the house ready, and in about 6 weeks, starting maternity leave ;-)

Milestone: Tour of labor & delivery at hospital this weekend. Baby shower next weekend, woohoo!!

Things that go bump in the night...

I'm not talking about spooks and goblins... I'm talking about my son! He has decided that he wants to do somersaults and backflips while I try to sleep. Either that or he's practicing his audition for America's Got Talent. At least I know he's happy and healthy but his momma isn't getting sleep anymore. Guess it's preparing me for the countless sleepless nights ahead ;-)

29 weeks bump pic...

This week's bump pic couldn't be in the nursery b/c mr. laz had the doors off the hinges and was painting them... belly is really getting out there!

Eat, Poop, Sleep.....Repeat ;-)

I visited my cousin in NY this weekend. I got to see her baby girl, Raelyn, who's almost 2 months now. She's an adorable little peanut and I was quite enamored by her. I found out quickly just heavy she could become after holding her for a little while. I didn't mind though, I just kept shifting her around.

I observed my cousin with her and it's so sweet how they interact. Although my cousin says there is no routine..this is what I observed after half a day visiting...

She eats, gets burped, then I got to hold her and she starting "shooting bunnies" and then it was time to change her. Then she's happy and content and you can put her in her Graco Sweetpeace swing (i registered for this too, so cool) and her eyelids get heavy. And she naps. Then she fusses when it's time to eat again. And the cycle begins all over again. Occassionally she falls alseep while nursing and is ready to eat sooner than every 2 hours but otherwise it's pretty routine. My cousin said her doctor said to just let Raelyn have her own schedule for the first three months.

When she's awake she is adorable to watch. Heck, when she sleeps she's adorable to watch too. As evidenced by the sleepy baby pic at the bottom of this post. She reacts to items in the room and things that dangle above her, like the little moon and stars mobile attached to her pack n play. She even smiled for me when i was rubbing her ear while she laid on my knees. awww.

My cousin is looking to move back this way sometime next year. We can't wait to set up playdates for little Cole and Raelyn. woohoo!

My back has seen better days though after making the trip, 2 hrs up and 2 hrs back. I think that will be the last extended distance trip for me before Cole arrives ;-)

Here's a few pics I took before my camera died.. Thanks to Mandi & Jeff for letting me visit and for being such sweet hosts :) Kisses to you all and Kiera too..such a sweet pup.

Me, looking a little windblown, holding Raelyn.

Content after a diaper change..

Happy in her vibrating swing..

Passing out after a good meal & diaper change..

Nursery details.....Owl pillow complete!

I finished my owl pillow for Cole! My sister helped me with the zigzag stitch parts but I sewed the rest of it all by myself. I don't think I've been behind a showing machine since Economics in 7th grade? haha.

The pillow turned out pretty near perfect. I realized his eyes prob should have a been a little smaller and a little more evenly placed...but not bad for my first sewing attempt.

Here's some pics of the progress and the end result!

28 weeks and counting...helloooo belly!

Nursery details...Owl pillow in the making..

Just wanted to post a quick pic of the progress I've made so far with the owl pillow I'm making for Cole.

The pic is from my cellphone camera and was taken near a window so it's not the greatest ... I picked out all the fabric this weekend at JoAnn's Fabric and cut out all the pattern pieces from the fabric. It took longer than expected since I also cut a piece of backing for each piece so the sewing and stuffing part will be started one day after work this week at my sister, Kim's house..

The body of the pillow is made of fine-wale chocolate cordoruy, the wings and eyes are made of this fun vintage brown, green, and yellow dashed striped quilting cotton. And the eyes and beak are made of various colored felt. Isn't it cute?

27 week update...

How far along: 27 weeks

Total weight gain: I have gained 24 lbs

How much does baby weigh: According to the Bump, my eggplant baby is now at the 2lb mark.

Maternity clothes: Some fit good, some a little tight. might have to buy some new stuff soon..

Stretch marks: None so far *fingers crossed*

Sleep: i'm trying...i get a few un-interrupted hours a night mostly

Best moment this week: Arrival of our changing table/dresser, looks awesome with the crib. Nursery is coming together!

Movement: Cole is very active and seems to be on a pattern for the most part. So i've been able to watch his movements on the surface or let family members touch my belly for kicks.

Food cravings: Ice cream and pickles still..but not really craving them, just enjoying them from time to time.

Belly button in or out: Still on the innie team... but not for much longer?

What I miss: NOT having intense hip, pelvis, back and feet pain after a day of work, even if I sat all day! ouchie...

What I'm looking forward to: Seeing Cole's bottom, foot, or head jutting out of my stomach. haha.

Milestone: Passed last week's glucose test for gestational diabetes. Waiting for 30 week mark and my baby shower... woohoo!

Nursery details... combo dresser arrived!

We couldn't be more in love with our Bonavita "Peyton" Combo dresser in Espresso. It's a nice long dresser with a removeable galley on top to hold the changing pad in place. The drawers glide like a dream and you really notice the quality craftmanship when you really take a good look both inside and outside.

We chose Espresso and it's an absolute perfect match to our Bedford Baby Crib we bought at JCPenneys. We purchased the dresser from BuyBuyBaby and even though they quoted us 8-12 weeks, it came in after 6 1/2 weeks!

We just picked it up today and got it upstairs and unboxed it, thanks to my Dad! That van is such a blessing for all these big ticket items.

The nursery is really coming together and it feels so inviting and cozy in there. In another month we will have hung the wall shelf, put up the wall decals, hung some pictures, put all the bedding on, assembled the bookshelf cube unit, and some other odds and ends. It's getting more and more real every day that passes!