May House Progress-from nothing to a new house!

Riding the tractor over to the new house.  A few of these pictures have already been posted I think, but I decided it would be fun to see all the May house pictures together.

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(Mostly) finished the garage.

Checking on dad.

Beginning the house!!

Watching.

Starting the walls

Plywood

So pretty.

Silly boy.

Building the stairs

Joseph comes up with some interesting ways to entertain himself.

Who builds a roof all by himself?  Brad.  Crazy.  I didn’t believe he could, but I should have known he would love the challenge.

Two nights later (remember he can only build nights most of the time since he works 5 or 6 days a week at his normal job). Roof with plywood on.

Working by moonlight.

Grandpa Bernie came over and helped with the shingles!

All plywooded and mostly papered.

LOTS of work went into insulating this place.  Brad came up with all sorts of ways to super insulate.

Joseph does some building.

Sheet rocking the upstairs ceiling.

Birthday cake for Brad.

Caulking.

And that is how we went from nothing to a new house in the month of May.  Brad is currently finished painting inside and out and putting in wood floors upstairs.  Joseph and I just returned from a weekend with cousins in Hampton Beach.  I also just had my 36 week appt.!  Lots more pics to catch up on . . .

Girl or boy? (according to old wives tales)

I have been loving keeping the mystery as to the gender of this baby.  Of course though it is fun to discuss and ponder.  At work this is a MAJOR topic; apparently I am really torturing people!  Here are some of the old wives tales on the subject:

1.  Chinese Gender Chart: Based on mom’s age and conception month this apparently long lived chart boasts over a 75% accuracy rate – GIRL (At least according to the one I found online at thebump.com. which seems a strange way to access wisdom found in an ancient tomb near Bejing.)

2.  Beating Heart Test:  If the heart rate is above 140bpm it is a girl, below it is a boy - GIRL (Started in the 160s—though they used to have a VERY hard time finding it since this little bean moved around so much.  Now he/she is much more crowded and it is easier to get a reading.  I have had readings in the 140s and 150s lately.)

3.  Sweet vs Sour Cravings:  Sugar and spice means girl while salty and sour is a boy – ???  I like sweet, sour, spicy, and salty . . .

4.  Even or Odd?:  Apparently if the year of conception and the mother's age are both even or odd it is a girl, if one is even and the other odd it is a boy – BOY (29 and 2012).

5.  The Breakout - Acne equals a girl because she steals her mother's beauty - GIRL (ugh).

6.  The Wedding Band Test - Circling over the belly means a son while back and forth points to a daughter – yet to try . . . 

7.  Morning sickness - Sick as a dog points to a girl, while easy-peasy makes little boys - BOY (Though I felt more sick then last time—when I didn’t even realize I was pregnant.)

8.  Dry Hands?:  Drier than normal hands means boy - BOY (all my skin is super dry. )

9.  Hairy legs - Extra hair now must mean extra hair later for a little fellow – weird.  GIRL (I guess, since this has luckily not been a problem).

10.  The Spouse Test - Who's the pregnant one here?  If dad packs on pounds it's a girl, if he stays the same then you've got a boy on the way – GIRL Although Brad hasn’t exactly packed on the pounds, he has gained a bit and can’t figure out why.  Maybe this is the reason? 

11.  How you are carrying – high=girl, low=boy – BOY.  This is one I actually somewhat believe in, but I don’t seem to be carrying particularly high or low, kind of in the middle.  However, if I had to say I think I seem similar to last time, though I never took a side view picture last time so I cant really compare.

12. Mom’s intuition – said to be the most statistically reliable predictor!  However, I don’t have any strong feeling towards one gender or another. 

13. Similarity to previous pregnancy: if a second pregnancy is similar to a first they will produce the same gender – Not quite sure about this one.  In the beginning this pregnancy seemed pretty different, since I was somewhat (though not horribly sick) and knew right from the get go I was pregnant (last time not sick at all and didn’t know I was pregnant for a very long time), but now things seem mostly similar.  So I’ll go with BOY.

Sometimes I feel like a bad mom, because there is a big huge baby of one gender or the other in there, but I don’t have any idea which!  Other women are always telling me how they just knew what they were having.  Some days I lean one way, sometimes the other.  Before I had Joseph I used to picture myself with a curly blond haired girl, since having Joseph I have felt much better suited as a boy mom and have pictured another boy.  My dreams are inconclusive as well—the baby is just baby in my dreams, not a boy or a girl.  This is really my favorite part of not knowing: not projecting all sorts of societal crap on an unborn-just enjoying being pregnant and getting ready for a baby.

Less then two weeks till I am full term, and that’s a conservative estimate.  What!?!?!

Weeks 32 and 33

Weeks 32&33 update-7/5/13

How big is baby? The size of a durian ??? whatever that is. I get these estimates from thebump.com. The site also says for this week that baby “weighs about 4.2 to 5.8 pounds and measures about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. And he may grow up to a full inch this week -- amazing.”

Appointment Updates: I had my 34 week appointment an yesterday. I met the third Dr. at my practice, whom I had not yet met, and really liked him. My blood pressure was up a little bit which is actually good since it has been so low. I got my tdap vaccine which makes me nervous but I decided to go with, based on the Dr.’s recommendation. Heart beat was 140s. Dr. thinks baby is in head down position. He gave me a lot of straightforward information, suggesting that I have my membranes stripped starting at 38 weeks to try and avoid needing to be induced, and that I think carefully about if I still want to try for a VBAC if I do need to be induced, because that ups the risks. He also suggested I talk to the nurses in Labor and Delivery and that I might not really need a doula, that perhaps the nurses can provide a similar support. He also said I will have a dedicated nurse the whole time I am in labor because of my VBAC status, which I did not know. Oh an the Dr. said I have hernia on my belly button ?!?!?!? Yuck. This kind of freaked me out. I have had such and awesome pregnancy and no yuckiness, and now it is starting. So BAM after feeling completely fine I started feeling DONE. Now I am getting over it abit. My belly button looks pretty normal, just like it is popping out a bit. The Dr. said it very nonchalantly and didn’t seem worried at all. Looking it up on the internet did not help of course . . .

Best Moment of the week: Oh my gosh—we have done so much and had such fun!

Sleep: Sleeping fine, though up at least once, sometimes twice to pee. Boo. Oh and I do surround myself with pillows to get nice and comfy.

Food aversions: Nope.

Food cravings: All things lemon? Lemonade especially. Yum. Also anything cold—ice cream and fruit topping the list.

Symptoms: Big. Dry skin. Some acne though a little better.

Maternity clothes: Yup—plus some very stretchy non maternity clothes, which makes me happy. My skirts, tank tops, and bathing suit are all non-maternity so hopefully I can get use out of them after baby.

Weight: Up 28 pounds—which is a tiny bit of a slower gain then before so I am happy. For some perspective I gained 60+ when I was pregnant with Joseph so I feel like I am doing pretty well!

Mommy movement: Boo. Not even tracking my exercise like before, but I am still trying to stay active. I was proud of myself for hiking around Ausable Chasm with Joseph and grandpa Bernie!

Baby movement: Sometimes lots, sometimes not as much. For awhile baby had lots of hiccups, but not as much lately.

Gender: ???

What I miss: Not worrying about baby’s health, labor and delivery. Not having to ask for help moving heavy things or dealing with toxic substances. I hate having to ask for help and rely on others! Oh and not have to try and decide on a name.

What I am looking forward to: Making some progress on getting ready for baby. Meeting this little person!

Getting ready for baby: Not doing so great. Ugh. We’ve just been so busy and I am not making much progress. I seriously think I am missing the cleaning/organizing gene. I have been struggling just to keep the house normal clean and I so want it to get SUPER clean, but not sure how that is going to happen. However, I am pretty excited to pick up a car-seat from Genevieve this week! She generously offered me hers after I posted on here last time. Thank you! I’ve started some major lists about what I want to accomplish before baby and am trying to prioritize. I think it is time to get serious—however I am really more interested in enjoying the summer and doing fun summer things . . .

Next appointment: The week after next for my 36 week appointment. And I’ll get an ultrasound (to verify baby’s position).

More May pics

For his birthday party almost every gift was a lego set.  Joseph had so much fun putting them together!  He was very diligent about it and had a nice little lego museum in his room.

Halfway house for breakfast EARLY one morning.  We don’t go very often anymore, but it still is a favorite.

What a hitter!

“Rookie League” fun

We dog sat our friend April’s dog Mardi for the weekend and had such a blast with him.  Such a great dog. 

LOVE this picture.  And I swear I did not set it up!  Totally happened that and was so adorable.

Memorial day parade.

Opening of the new fire department.

Playing the awesome pianos around town!

I have TONS more pics to go through—mostly house progress.  Soon!

Weeks 30 & 31

Weeks 30&31 update-6/21/13

How big is baby? The size of a pineapple.

Appointment Updates: I had my 32 week appointment a couple of days ago. I am still measuring a little ahead, but only about ½ a week. We will do an ultrasound at my 36 week appointment, but that is mostly to confirm that baby is head down (which my doctor things that baby is). We discussed a couple questions, such as pain medication options and protocols at Porter—I would love to be able to go without, but think it’s good to know my options. Found out that even at Fletcher Allen VBACs aren’t allowed to birth in the pools. At Porter I can labor in the tub, but not give birth there.

Best Moment of the week: Lots going on: Joseph finished kindergarten, which was huge, for me at least. We had some extra time together—I took the day off to go to his end of year school picnic, and then we had a whole day together and went to Burlington to spend some of his bday money and get some clothes. He also had his last baseball game of the season, which was very fun. One Saturday he went fishing and rode horses with Grandpa Fred while I worked at the library and then started his big kid camp—which seems super fun!

Sleep: Mostly sleeping well, expect once every week or two I seem to get all worked up thinking about something and have a night where I barely sleep at all. It is so frustrating! However, I seem to be able to get through the day fine even with very little sleep.

Food aversions: Nope.

Food cravings: I still don’t really see the difference between a craving and just wanting some indulgent food. I bought some frozen yogurt, which I had never bought before and it was awesome. I also met with a nutritionist and have been working hard on eating well. Salads, tofu, nuts, seafood, wheat germ, oatmeal, lots of yogurt . . .

Symptoms:  Super big. Acne. And lots and lots trips to the bathroom.  It’s really funny the comments I get from people.  Some comment that I am so big—the whole “you sure there is only one in there?” “I don’t think you are going to make it to August!” “Wow!!!”  and then others say the opposite.  Maybe they are just being nice, but I appreciate the good manners.  I think I’ve figured it out though, the people who think I am really big are very small themselves and vice versa.  It’s all in your perspective. 

Maternity clothes: I finally went shopping and bought some new maternity clothes, which was pretty fun.

Weight: Up 26 pounds now . . . still seem to be gaining 1 ½ pounds a week. Geeze!

Mommy movement: I seem to be really good every other week!

Baby movement: SO MUCH! I can’t believe it. Baby has hiccups most nights, something I never experience with Joseph. I feel and see the baby moving very often, and actually find it really distracting when I am trying to talk to someone or do something. Sometimes baby moves so much I am surprised other people don’t notice!

Gender: ???

What I miss: Not being huge. Not stressing about trying to grow a healthy child. Iced coffees.

What I am looking forward to: Summer fun—camp, beach, swimming, Jenn and family visiting . . .

Getting ready for baby: Still so much to do. At the top of the list, baby needs a name and a car seat. I would love to have everything clean and organized and all prepared . . . I’ve been kind of stressing about everything because there just doesn’t seem to be time, especially with all the fun things I am hoping to do with Joseph this summer . . . This is actually what kept me up the other night. So I decided I needed to simplify things as much as possible. I am trying to just prioritize what is important and cut out what isn’t as well as balance things better. I said no to two projects I was asked to work on—it is very hard for me to say no, but I am proud of myself.

Oh, and I still cannot find a doula! I am getting pretty frustrated about that…apparently lots of people want to take their vacation the beginning of August…

Next appointment: The week after next. Meeting the only Dr. in the practice I have not yet met.

Happy summer everyone!

Weeks 28&29

Weeks 28&29 update-6/6/13

How big is baby? The size of an acorn squash—big!

Appointment Updates: I had an appointment early this week. I past my blood test (for iron level) and glucose test (to check for gestational diabetes). I felt pretty good about that, especially since I tend to have low iron levels. My blood pressure was pretty low, even lower then usual. The nurse seemed to be concerned but doctor said it was fine. We signed paper work for a VBAC. I also am measuring big so I may have a ultrasound next time to determine if I am a bit ahead of schedule (which I have thought all along).

Best Moment of the week: Probably my cape trip with my awesome co-workers!! So much fun!

Sleep: Sleeping well, except when I get over excited about something—like the night before my trip to the cape.

Food aversions: Not at all.

Food cravings: Hmmm . . . lemon anything, same as before. I also eat lots of fruit and have a newfound love for apples.  I am really, really working on eating healthy and have been trying new recipes. 

Symptoms:  Big. Acne (mostly on my shoulders).  Lots of trips to the bathroom.  And sometimes achy hips in the morning when I am waking up.  Oh yeah and emotional—I get irritated and frustrated very easy.  Watch out!

Maternity clothes: Yup. And I seem to be growing out of some of them as well. I also did finally buy myself some new clothes, but not maternity ones! I bought a skirt and two dresses before I headed to the cape and they seem to work really well in warm weather, plus I will be able to get use out of them after baby as well. However, of course it cooled down a lot. I am really bummed I don’t have ANY maternity jeans that fit.

Weight: Up 23 pounds. Oh well! Still trying hard to do my best not to gain too fast, but also not worrying too much. The doctor says I am doing fine.

Mommy movement: Some walks, still should do better.

Baby movement: Lots and lots. Hours on end. ;-) It isn’t painful at all yet; I just love it! The other day I was laying with sleeping children at work and baby kicked for the whole two hours strait.  It was such a treat to get to lay there and pay attention to it!

Gender: ?

What I miss: Licking the batter when backing. I know I have already said that, but it is such torture!  Also being able to sleep in any position.

What I am looking forward to: All I can think of is a healthy baby.   Well, and having a baby and knowing a lot more about what to do with a baby.  When I had Joseph I had never even held an infant and had to completely rely on instincts and book learning to figure out what to do with him.  Which worked out OK, but I think it is going to be so nice have some actual experience with children to fall back on.  Not only have I had one child or my own, but I have worked with lots and lots of children for my job and learned from many amazing people with tons of experience.  

Getting ready for baby: Ughhhh. Apparently this is the time when it seems more real to me. Now it seems like there is so much to do and so little time . . . Trying to clean stuff, organize, get the new things I need/want, looking for a doula, maybe a counselor, figure out my health insurance, trying to prepare myself emotionally and physically and of course squeeze in fun times with Joseph, organize our summer, help brad with the new house, plus work. Scheduling this summer seems impossible. It is all kind of overwhelming. Oh well, I’ll just keep trucking away at it!

Next appointment: Next week, with a possible ultrasound.  I can’t decide if I want an ultrasound or not: I would love to see the baby but I am worried I will see something to give away the gender!

Summer fun list

Planning this summer is super stressful—I am trying to cram as much in as possible before this baby gets here (whenever that is).  Plus I have to work a set amount—3 days a week—to keep my benefits (which is obviously quite important right now).  I get a bit emotional about these last days with just Joseph.  It is so easy to go do all this stuff now and very hard to imagine doing it all with baby.  I know we will adjust and it is for the best, but I still want to give Joseph some awesome memories!  Of course I may have to revise my plans a bit if something changes with this pregnancy, but so far so good.

Camp Kookamunga—”big kid” camp that looks very fun!  This is the first summer that Joseph has been in school and therefor not accounted for for the summer months.  After looking around quite a bit (there are not many options around here) we decided on 4 weeks of the recreation department camp.  It is on the expensive side, but looks like a blast.  Joseph and I are both a bit nervous about it, since it is a new adventure, and Joseph doesn’t quite understand why his best buds cant attend with him, but I think it will work out!

fun times with grandparents for Joseph

and some time, when not at camp, with his favorite baby sitters Sophie and Lily!

Pirate Festival at Maritime Museum

camp at Branbury State Park

work on the new house!!!

July 4th parade and festivities

family parties—including Nora’s

SWIM SWIM SWIM

swim lessons for J

new, healthy foods

visit a museum or two—Echo, Montshire, Sheldon, Rokeby, Shelburne Farms, Shelburne Museum

berry picking

BEACH!!!!!

get ready for baby—material stuff, find a doula, maybe a counselor, prepare emotionally, think about baby’s new room, decide on a name, set up as much as help as possible for after baby is born . . .

veggie garden??  not sure if this is going to happen

hike!

Addison County Field Days

festival-on-the-green

free entertainment at the library 

boat ride

limit TV for J and computer time for me 

go to the movies

see live music with J

stay home and do “nothing”

craft nights and/or game night with my awesome ladies

catch up with old friends, new friends, and family

with J: crafts, learning, nature . . .

read lots with J, and visit the library every week

read my own books

Circus Smirkus

visit state parks and historic sites

maybe a craft or two for baby?

think about my career/ school next steps

clean, organize, beautify the house—room by room deep cleaning and organizing

lots of family time!

get more photos printed and do something with all the old ones and all J’s accumulating art projects from the past . . .

work on getting a list of all important dates (bdays, etc) and system for staying on top of them

track finances/cut bills

exercise 4 times a week (walking, swimming, yoga)

go to a baseball game

go fishing

Echo lake? Not likely this summer, but sometime…