Updates

Thankful 30 November 2009

This past weekend Josh's precious mom and a few of her dear friends blessed us with an incredible gift: all the prefolds, snappis, and thirsties covers we'll need for cloth diapering!  We are SO THANKFUL!

If you've followed my designsbystephie blog you may know that I've been thinking a lot about cloth diapering and even have been experimenting with making my own prefolds and wool covers!  It's been super fun, but I knew I'd need to order prefolds/covers for these reasons:

Pre-folds: We need LOTS of them! (at least 24 of each size) which is WAY more than I could make out of the old t-shirts or fabric we have lying around.  And I really couldn't buy the fabric at a cost that would make it a better deal than ordering them. The un-beached indian cotton (already made) prefolds are really high quality and are proven to absorb and work just as they are suppose to while the few I've made have yet to really be tested!

Covers: Wool is pretty seasonal. I don't think I'll even use the wool covers in the sticky summer months, so the thirsties covers will dominate the rotation from May-Aug.  PLUS, I don't know for sure if the wool covers I've made will actually keep from leaking, etc.  Just going to wait and see!  I also am not certain of the sizes. I've made wool covers of various sizes, but I know I'll need at least 3-4 of EACH size and I know I don't want any gaps in sizes. We asked for and were given 3 thirsties covers of each size so that if 1-2 get soiled and are being washed at the moment you have another.  In the case where all three covers are in the wash, the wool covers (assuming they work) will certianly be useful for filling in!

Anyway, we are SUPER EXCITED about the snappis, prefolds, and covers and are super thankful for this generous gift from Josh's mom and her sweet friends.  We look forward to seeing them on baby crews really soon AND, of course, will share the pictures!  Just 7 more weeks to go!

31 weeks - Photo 17 November 2009

Getting organized 13 November 2009

This past Wednesday my midwife asked me if we'd started getting things organized for the birth.  I told her I hadn't started yet and she said it might be a good idea to start thinking about it.  The birth is still about 9 1/2 weeks out, but I guess I should start thinking about all these things to get organized:

Car preparation:

• get car out of back yard/storage
• change oil and battery
• get new tags
• pass inspection
• put carseat in the car
• make sure it's full of gas

Comfort/Bedding/toiletries:

• towels
• washcloths
• soap/shampoo/etc
• sheets
• blankets
• pillows
• toilet paper
• birthing ball

Baby supplies:

• diapers
• blankets
• clothes
• caps, mittens, socks
• sleep sacks/gowns

Birthing/medical supplies:

• cotton balls
• alcohol
• bulb syringe
• betatine scrub
• 4x4 gauze pads
• KY jelly
• thermometer
• hot water bottles
• heating pad
• underpads
• large sanitary napkins
• plastic shower curtain
• heavy duty plastic bags
• bucket with lid for placenta

Clothing for us:

• several white t-shirts for josh
• pants for each of us
• a few fleeces and coats for Josh
• boxers & underwear
• socks/shoes
• cap/gloves/boots for outdoors
• nursing tanks
• nursing nightgown

Food supplies for us:

• canned soups
• canned veggies
• rice and rice cooker
• sandwich supplies
• coffee and hot tea supplies
• paper towels
• dish soap
• granola bars

30 week check up 12 November 2009

Josh and I went down to The Farm today for our 30 week appointment.  All is well.  All tests are going well and the baby is definitely growing and I'm measuring on target.  In total, I've gained about seven pounds, but will likely gain the majority of my pregnancy weight in the next 10 weeks or so as the baby begins to rapidly grow.

According to my midwife's examination of my belly - the baby is head down and the butt is up near my ribs where I often feel A LOT of pressing/pushing.  The feet are curled to the right where I get lots of kicking.  This is a good/ideal position and our prayer is that the baby continues to stay head down all the way until delivery.

Week 30 09 November 2009

I've really enjoyed being pregnant for the last few weeks.  The great weather in Nashville has definitely contributed to my positive attitude and I have certainly been maximizing my daylight exposure. 

For the last few days I've had some pretty consistent back and stomach aching which makes me think: "growth spurt!" - but I don't really know!  It's fun to think about the baby growing and stretching (me)!

This Wednesday we'll be treking down to the farm for my 30 week prenatal check up!  whoa - 30 weeks!  That's only 10 weeks left.   Pretty exciting.

The holiday season could not come at a better time.  It is the perfect distraction from what could otherwise be a quite impatient season!  Those events, plus a couple showers coming up, get me excited about all the dear friends I'll get to catch up with over the next several weeks.  So thankful.

Kicking galore! 04 November 2009

This morning I experienced the most movement I've felt in one 10-15 minute time frame.  It was like the baby was doing some major exercising - not to mention I think he or she also had the hicupps!  What fun!

Today is the begining of the 30th week!  29 down and 11 more to go.  Incredible.  According to my weekly emails the baby is probably about 2.5 pounds and a bit over 15 inches long.  This week's food comparison was to a butternut squash.

Still feeling pretty good.  I've had some sickness in the mornings here and there, but have had lots of energy for the most part.

Parents visited 30 October 2009

My parents are coming to visit today!  I'm excited.  It's been a little more than a YEAR since they were last in Nashville for a visit.  They haven't seen our house since we first bought it and at that point we hadn't begun rennovating and weren't living in it.  They've seen tons of pictures, of course, but I'm really looking forward to them seeing it first hand.  It's come a long way.

As for the baby - there's lots of regular movement around the ribs and it's getting harder to bend/move in certain ways. Occasionally, my breathing is affected, but that's mostly at night when laying down.  I'm definitely at the point where it's better to sleep on my side than my back.

I can tell my immune system isn't as strong as it typically is.  But, I'm determined to avoid viruses and baterial infections the natural way.  I've been super intentional about seeking out the sun, washing my hands often, drinking lots of water & hot tea (the heat kills germs in the mouth), taking my vitamins (including vitamin D!), getting adequate exercise and a good night's sleep each night.

I still struggle at times to keep food down, but it's gotten a LOT better since about week 14-15.

12 weeks to go 28 October 2009

28 weeks down & only 12 more to go!  According to my weekly updates, the baby should be weighing about 2.25 lbs and is about 14.8 inches long.  Eyesight should be developing these days and she/he may be able to see light that filters throught the womb!  My next mid-wife appointment is in 2 weeks.

How I'm feeling?  Pretty good for the most part!  The week we spent in FL was really great for getting sun (oh, that lovely vitamin D!) and fresh ocean air.  I definitely feel refreshed despite the fact that we came back to several days of dreary rain in Nashville. 

My parents are coming into town this weekend and will be here for Halloween and the reversal of daylight savings.  I'm NOT looking forward to earlier sunsets, but am thankful that Thanksgiving and Christmas are good holiday distractors from the darkness and cold.  Hopefully, the sun will come out again soon!

In the meantime, Check out some of the things I've been making for the baby at my regular blog: www.designsbystephie.com

13 weeks to go 21 October 2009

27 weeks down & 13 weeks to go!  The baby should be nearly 2 lbs and 14.5 inches long!

At the beach 20 October 2009

We are spending some time in Seagrove, FL this week as a getaway before the baby comes in a few months!  We're having a great time together getting good rest and feeling restored.  Nashville has been so dreary and rainy/cold that for weeks we've both struggled with sickness/coughs/congestion/etc.  It's so nice to get out of that pattern and get well!

We're also sitting down and working (together!) on this Baby Crews site!  Stephie is writting the content and doing some of the (very basic) design while Josh is doing the code work.