27 Weeks...Baby 101

Friday evening Joe and I picked up Nate and Callie and we all went to Geoff and Nicole's wedding at The Vue in downtown Columbus.  It was a beautiful and intimate wedding full of good laughs (who else can say their ceremony had Olive Garden jokes?!).  This was Baby L's second wedding.  Baby L made a much bigger appearance for this one and spent a good part of the ceremony dancing around in mama's belly (guess baby was ready to hit the dance floor).  Their wedding food was definitely a pregnant girl's dream. I devoured the shrimp, tacos, sliders, bacon wrapped asparagus, cake, what am I forgetting?! It was all delicious! Callie and I spent plenty of time dancing, and I realized quickly baby mama here just can't quite jump around like she used to.  Joe and I even got to dance to "You Are The Best Thing" which was our wedding song (and no we don't remember any of the moves). I was exhausted by the end of the night from all the dancing/socializing and passed out on the couch as soon as we got home (luckily Joe's family had gotten to our house while we were at the wedding, but were doing the exact same thing).

Mom, Daddy, and Baby!

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Bortel!

Saturday and Sunday were spent visiting with Linda, Jeremy, Nikki, and Greer.  Saturday we made Joe sweat a lil bit while Jeremy and Nikki were out shopping.  Linda and I decided Joe would be in charge of the diaper change.  I think we made him nervous and he felt tricked, but it was a success. We all watched the OSU game together at the house Saturday night.  Sunday Jeremy and Nikki decided we were trustworthy enough to watch Greer while they went to campus for the 4 Miler (I mean I guess we are going to be coming home with one of our own in a few short months).  We were going to be meeting them a little bit later with Greer.  It was quite the experience for these soon to be parents, and we definitely got a little taste of what is to come  We both have had plenty of hands on time with babies, but never going out in public on our own.  Fortunately they were nice enough to leave Grandma with us, so we at least had that resource to fall back on haha!  It is quite the process loading a baby into a car seat, getting them into the car (and don't forget the diaper bag and other goodies), feeding while driving (Thanks Grandma!), cleaning up spit up, getting the stroller out and baby loaded, then unloading out of the stroller to sit in the stands to watch the runners.  All the while trying not to freeze poor Greer to death because it was a cold day down on campus.  To all the parenting pros reading (and laughing at us) this would be no big deal at all, but for two rookies who aren't used to all this baby equipment it was quite the adventure.  We mostly passed our test for Baby 101, although I did get us a ding for my bad diapering in a rush and battling dog noses (Sorry Nikki!).

The rest of the week was spent catching up, working, and making sure the baby registry was done before invites start going out for the baby shower.  Simple things are getting a little more tiring now that I am getting bigger, so I am trying to spread it all out.  Joe and I are both nesting and have so many things we want to get done around the house before baby gets here, all on top of the normal day to day chores.  Oh and it is also getting harder to tie my shoes and shave my legs with this belly.

Baby is the Size of a Rutabaga

New for baby this week? About 14.5 inches long and 2-2.5 lbs.  Brain activity getting more complex.  Sleeping and waking in regular intervals.
Total weight gain/loss?  I think about 20 lbs.
Maternity clothes? Considering most of my non-maternity shirts are officially too short, and most of my "baggy" tees are now tight...they are definitely a necessity.
Stretch marks? Still none of my belly.  A couple little ones on my boobs...boo!
Sleep? I seriously can't get enough.  I can get a great nights sleep and still take a nap.
Best moment this week? Baby 101
Miss Anything? Not getting a little winded just from carrying laundry up the stairs.
Movement? It is becoming more and more frequent.  I stop what I am doing a lot when I notice movement just to enjoy the show.  Joe can even see my belly move when he is sitting on the other couch.
Food cravings? Chocolate milk.  This has been a staple for awhile now.  I also broke into the Halloween candy a few days early...
Anything making you queasy or sick? I felt super nauseous this morning at work.  It was really hot in the OR (weird...it is usually cold) but the feeling went away after I sat down for a few minutes and had some water.
Gender?  Abigail guesses boy (which she said she normally doesn't have strong feelings about these things but she kept looking at me and thinking boy)
Labor Signs? Still noticing Braxton Hicks once or twice a week.
Belly Button in or out?  It is so close to popping out.  I could almost see it through my shirt the other day.
Wedding rings on or off?  On.  I have not had any swelling in my hands or feet yet.
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy...I'm growing a baby!  I really am going to miss being pregnant and feeling baby move around all the time. 
Looking forward to? Halloween.  Finishing the nursery.

26 Weeks...Happy Fall Y'all!

Fall is here and although we have been spoiled with some unseasonably beautiful days, we have also been able to enjoy the cooler fall nights.  Of course it ended up being very brisk on Saturday, so we ended up having to bundle up to go to campus to tailgate with Joe's high school/college friends for the Ohio State vs. Penn State game.  Before the OSU game started we got to witness Michigan's last second loss to Michigan State (which I am pretty sure will still be in the top 10 worst plays in college football history when Baby Lude is in college!).  We spent the rest of the evening hanging out at the Mayhill's and cheering our Buckeyes on to a very promising victory.

OSU vs. PSU Tailgate.  Should have gotten a picture of Rosen and I comparing our baby bumps ;)

On Thursday Sarah and 6 week old Madison drove down from Michigan and stayed the night with us before they headed to Cincinnati for the weekend.  I was so excited to get to meet Madison, she is just the cutest!! We met some of Sarah's friends at the Circleville Pumpkin Show.  I was able to indulge in some pumpkin favorites and other festival food goodies. Taking an infant to a festival is quite an adventure but I think we made the best of it.  I got lots of practice maneuvering crowds and rough terrain with a stroller.  At one point I was pushing the stroller while Sarah was shopping and I am pretty sure I got judged by an older woman for having such a young baby at a festival, and I think she was also very confused how I could already be so pregnant again! haha.  So I guess I should just start getting used to people having their opinions, and not worry about them! Considering how warm it was Madison really hung in there like a trooper, especially when Sarah got stuck feeding her in a very warm diaper changing tent.  I got a taste of how much of an adventure breastfeeding can be (especially when traveling and out in public).  We also had to stop about 30 minutes before we made it home for a diaper change and feeding out in the middle of nowhere.  Fortunately we found a well lit church parking lot to hang out in.  It is really nice to see a good friend take it all in stride, I can't imagine how she keeps up when she has both of the girls with her!   In the meantime I will try to appreciate my easy trips out of the house.  Baby L is much easier cargo to take care of from in my belly.  Joe and I made Sarah breakfast before she left the next morning, and she got to witness my pregnancy brain in action.  I attempted to make pancakes but apparently I no longer know how to do ratios (or melt butter) so my pancakes turned more into flatjacks/crepes?  I am usually really good at breakfast.  Oh well at least everything still tasted good!

Girls day at the Circleville Pumpkin Show.

Baby is the Size of a Head of Lettuce

My belly on the other hand is definitely the size of a pumpkin!

New for baby this week? Weighs 2+ pounds. Has eyelashes and is starting to open their eyes. Baby teeth and now permanent teeth buds are formed.  Makes fists, sucks their thumbs, grabs feet/umbilical cord.

Maternity clothes? I might end up needing a maternity OSU shirt, my options are becoming very limited.
Sleep? As much as I can get.
Best moment this week? Visiting with Sarah and Madison.
Movement? I often can just watch my belly moving now when the baby is being very active.
Food cravings? Chocolate milk.
Have you started to show yet? Mostly nervous people are going to start giving me horrified looks when I tell them I am not due until the end of January.
Labor Signs?  Still getting occasional Braxton Hicks, which feel very odd.
Belly Button in or out? My belly button has been sore! I am starting to think it is going to pop soon.
Looking forward to? Nikki, Jeremy, Greer, and Mama Lude visiting.  Bortel Wedding.

25 Weeks...15 More To Go!

Geoff and Nicole came by Friday night to hang out and play Clue.  They knew it had been a rough week so they surprised us with beer (for Daddy) and ice cream (for Mommy)!! Aren't they the best?!  Geoff even came over later in the week to help Joe with some of the picture frames for the nursery...only 5 more to go!

On Saturday my Mom and sister Renee made a trip down to Columbus to visit for the day.  We were so excited to have them and they were just as excited to see my growing baby bump.  They got a sneak peak at the nursery's progress.  My Mom was really cute talking to my baby belly, I could have watched it all day! I think she must be getting pretty excited about having a new lil grandbaby around.  Joe chauffeured us down to campus so we could check out skull session for the OSU vs. Maryland game.   We wandered around campus for bit and did a lil shopping, then headed back up to Dublin to watch the game (YAY for another Big W...OSU 49-Maryland 28).  Renee also surprised us with baby's (which she is 100% convinced is a boy) first piece of OSU gear, a beanie!  She also got us a big stuffed elephant for the nursery.  We love them both! We topped off the day helping our neighbors out with a dog themed scavenger hunt for their 9 year old daughter's birthday party.  Joe even got recruited to participate in a "bark off".  Joe was curious if this is what it was going to be like if we had a girl? Maybe :)

Skull session, bark off, and the famous white squirrel on campus.

On Sunday Baby L and I got up bright up early and put on our pink to participate in Making Strides for Breast Cancer.  We wanted to support our friend Danielle and her family who have been very personally affected by breast cancer.  Baby L and I got our second (this time walking) 5k in the books! Then we spent the rest of the day relaxing while Daddy went out for a 19 mile training run.

 

Joe's brother Jeremy and sister-in-law Nikki spent some time with us this week.  Nikki's Grandpa was admitted at OSUMC where we work (but is thankfully doing much better!).  I wish the circumstances had been better, but it is always great to see them.  We are just happy we live where we do and were able to help out a little bit.  This has been a tough year and we are so incredibly thankful to be in Columbus closer to family, and I think we will appreciate it even more once Baby L is here.

My belly is continuing to draw more attention.  On top of all the looks when we were wandering around on campus on game day (I barely notice anymore, but it really entertained my Mom), a couple high school age boys whispered "there's a mama bird" when I was leaving Chipotle the other day.

I had a checkup this week at the OB.  My blood pressure is great and the baby's HR was ~150 BPM.  I am still measuring large so it sounds like she wants to do another ultrasound at some point.  I had to take my one hour glucose screening test and passed with flying colors. She also did a little blood work to see how my hemoglobin was holding up, since she suspected I would probably be a little anemic even though I started off with great numbers.  My hgb is down to 10.3 so she wants me to start taking Iron supplements until delivery.  If that's my biggest problem of this pregnancy so far, I'll take it.

Baby is the Size of a Cauliflower

Buddy invited himself in the bump pic this week.  Guess someone wants to remind us who is still the baby of the family, for now ;)

New for baby this week? Fattening up and weighing in at approximately 1.5-1.7lbs. Growing more hair which now has a color and texture.  Has a sense of equilibrium. Nostrils are opened up and he/she is practicing breathing. Skin is now pinkish. 

Total weight gain/loss? I am up 18.5 lbs.  All belly! OB still happy with my weight gain to this point.
Sleep? I had my first pregnancy dream...and baby was a GIRL.  I was very aware during my dream that I was dreaming about it.  I think it may have been in my head though since Renee is so adamant that Baby L is a boy and Joe and I had a conversation before bed that she probably won't believe it if we have a girl. So we'll see if I have any more dreams.
Best moment this week? Time with family.
Miss Anything? Being able to sit in tall bar chairs without my back hurting. 
Movement? All the time!! I love it.  Long cases at work go much faster now that I can sit and feel baby the whole time.
Food cravings? Milk.
Have you started to show yet? My uterus is now the size of a soccer ball, and it pretty much looks like I shoved a soccer ball under my shirt.
Gender? Danielle guesses boy.  It's hard to get people to commit to guesses! 
Labor Signs? I think I may have had my first Braxton Hicks contraction.  Guess the body is warming up. Hard to believe third trimester is right around the corner
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy :)  It has been a much better week with not a single prego meltdown.
Looking forward to? Putting the nursery together.