35w5d, ramblings

1. We finished our childbirth class, which I loved. Every approach was covered: epidural vs some pain killers vs natural birth; c-section, vaginal, and assisted deliveries, etc. I feel much more prepared just knowing the process that will happen either way I deliver.
2. Last week we also took a two-part breastfeeding class. The information was pretty general but I still learned a lot. She told us how to manually express our milk, so I tried it when I got home. Seriously! There is baby juice in my breasts! It dropped out 3-4 drops from each side! I was so amazed by this, and also a tiny bit freaked out. I certainly have more respect for my breasts now. It was nice to get to know the lactation consultant I'll be working with.
3. The LC told us that they give mom and baby a “golden hour” immediately after delivery to try to nurse, skin to skin. I had a very stressful morning last week trying to explain this to my mom, who just wants "five minutes" with the baby before I start to nurse. For now, the plan is my husband just won't announce that the baby has been born until we're ready for visitors.
4. We went on a Serious Shopping Extravaganza with all of our gift cards to get remaining things off of our registry. We are almost 100% ready to bring baby home now. The only big thing we have left is to install our car seat bases and assemble the swing when it arrives.
5. I am 99% sure baby is still breech. I feel kicks that are low and internal (like, on my organs, not my abdomen), and I think I feel his head lodged against my right side. The other night he started making really jerky movements, butting his head against the skin under my right ribcage. I was like "You can't get out that way! Point your head at my hoo-ha, there's an escape hatch down there!"
6. I have another ultrasound to check growth on Thursday, and I meet with the NP. Then I go to weekly appointments.

Shower and nursery photos

Yesterday was the shower, and it was a perfect day. I had so much fun, got very emotional, and we got a lot of presents!

The shower was Dr. Seuss themed, and it was adorable. I am so happy about the day that I am going to break my own rule and post some photos of myself (no guarantees how long they'll be up though).

me at 30 weeks, 4 days 

me with Horton, and the photobook my mom made me documenting my pregnancy (from retrieval to 28 weeks)

ducky in the punch : )

They had Seussical cards for the guests to share their advice, and I'm going to type some up here - the ones that made me laugh or cry or both:

From my parents (my mom wrote this poem - I was so impressed. A had to read it out loud because I was a weepy mess).

The timing is near, you've waited so long! Just overnight you'll become Dad and Mom.
You have lots to learn, a lot you must know. "Who should I ask?" "Where should I go?"
In choosing wisely in whom you can trust, of course we must say you should always call us.
We'll tell you the truth, or help you decide, or just sit and listen to what's on your mind.
No Wockets or Sneetches, no Zax or Lorax,
No Who down in Whoville, not the Grinch's dog Max,
Not even the Grinch with the strength of ten Grinches plus two
Could become a great couple of parents like you!

From my grandpa:

The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. -Theodore Hasburgh

From our good friends, Ben and Amy:

Be yourselves, you will be good parents. No Disney movies - these breed unrealistic expectations and gender stereotypes. Don't train this babe to be a celebrity. Show him to appreciate small victories, like being resourceful. Make sure to show the baby how to cook and change a tire. Take heed of that tiger mom book. I think kids get 'mental health' days from school, too. Read lots o' books. Duh.

--

The nursery is also coming along well. It's definitely not done: we have a crib with no mattress and a changing table with no changing pad (instead it's full of stacks of receiving blankets and burp clothes and toys). But, it's on its way!

that bare corner will house my glider, once they get their act together and send me arms that match the base! : / 

Due date countdown: 65 days!

Nursery update

This post is going to make you barf, I'm sorry I'm even writing it. But not sorry enough to not impose it on you. : )

We have been working our asses off in the nursery. Almost immediately after I got my BFP, I started taking wallpaper down in there. Because I knew it was going to take for.fucking.ever and even if I had miscarried, oh well, at least the hideous wallpaper was gone!

Because this is what the nursery used to look like:

That is not our bed, or our cat, or our crap in totes, because we never once took a photo of this room ourselves. Because since we've moved in, this is where broken dreams have gone to die, and really, who wants photos of that?

So first step: get rid of that seizure-inducing wallpaper. Second step: start painting. This we started around 8 weeks I believe. Early, yes, but I was itching. We painted the walls gray and we (painstakingly) pulled off all the trim and painted it white.

Then, my husband took the reigns and tackled the floor. Your eyes are not tricking you - that carpet is PINK. He took it out, and this week he and his father put in some amazing new laminate floor. So now the nursery looks like this:

And I love it. Every day I go in there and just stand for a while. So now that the nursery is "ready", I have started buying shit like it's going out of style. Like soon, someone will just take my credit cards away (which will be my husband, if I don't get it under control).

We ordered furniture. Was it too early to order furniture at 19w2d? Yes, yes I'm sure it was. Did I panic immediately after clicking "submit" because I thought such an arrogant purchase would mean doom for our upcoming anatomy scan? I did indeed. But I am a planner, goddamnit, and infertility robbed me of the ability to plan when and how I would get pregnant. I am going to plan the pieces out of this pregnancy!

I hesitate to post links to what we bought, because I don't want ya'll judging me. Because we bought cheap furniture. We got three pieces for $450. Why? Because that's what we could afford.

The crib is a Graco, and many reviews assured me that, although inexpensive, it was a quality crib and would stand the test of time.

The changing table and dresser are low-end pieces, and that's okay with me. The baby's not sleeping in those so it's okay if they're cheap. The main thing that bothered me about these two pieces is the cheap-looking drawer pulls, so I purchased a 12 set of these to really brighten them up.

Then I commissioned my MIL to make me some solid yellow curtains. I bought this adorable garland to drape over the curtains.

I've also been crafting a lot. Several weeks ago I made this:

I was inspired by something I saw in an etsy shop, but my elephants are cuter and I like my quote better, and mine just turned out really well altogether, I'd say.

I was also inspired by this etsy shop of felt nursery mobiles. Honestly, everything in that shop is the cutest effing thing I've ever seen! Over NYE weekend I made my own birds. Once the crib is up, I'll attach them to a mobile and hang them, but for now they look like this:

So, that's what I've been up to. I am planning for this baby like a normal pregnant woman and I really hope that means I'm a normal pregnant woman.