32 Weeks...Shower Time/It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas! (And a Baby)

Where did last week go?!  I almost completely forgot it was time for another bump pic!  We spent the weekend after Thanksgiving in Joe's hometown.  Joe has been getting lots of practice with our niece, Greer.  I love watching him with her, and I just know he is going to make such a great Daddy to Baby L.  On Saturday Joe's Mom, sister, and sister-in-laws threw us a baby shower.  Baby L got lots of gifts.  We actually have clothes hanging in the closet now! (Up until this point we only had two outfits).  Thank y'all so much for taking the time to celebrate Baby L with us.  We really appreciate all of the gifts (from homemade baby blankets to high chairs and everything in between!).  We had a great day and feel very loved.  We even got to try out our new roof rack we got for the Subaru.  We were able to fit all of the gifts, luggage, leftovers, and two fur babies in the car.  I think there is hope we'll be able to travel with two large dogs and a baby!

Joe had more hair! 

 

Billie, Kim, and the Aunts

Nikki and Chris. Buckeye attire should have been a requirement at the shower after OSU beat M!CH!G@N!

Teresa, Val, Greer, and Cade

Gabe, Cade, and Linda

Joe's cousin Megan is expecting a boy just a few weeks before us :)

Rylee and Serena helping with the diaper raffle.

Aunt Susan and Aunt Jenny

 

No Joe it won't fit you.

Is Baby L a Boy or Girl?!

Joe trying on bibs.

 

Sarah got us "A Child's First Bible" and had all of the guests write a special note inside.

Sarah with the prego ladies.  Lots of new babies coming soon (hopefully by Christmas for Megan!)

Joe, Mama Lude, and I

Joe, Sarah, and I.  As you can see lots of "tall" genes in the Lude Family, boy & girl!

Baby on Board

Pink, blue, and everything in between.

One of our funny (and very cute!) shower gifts.  I call them our "3 Blind Mice".  Thanks Kim!

We were really excited to decorate our house for Christmas this week.  We missed out on decorating last year because we had just finished interviewing in Columbus, accepted jobs at OSU, and were starting to pack up our lives in Asheville before our big move in January.  On top of not having seen our decorations in a couple years, it is our first year in our new home.  This home is very special to us because we plan to be here for a very long time and raise our family in this house.  We haven't had a chance to hang any outdoor lights, but we were at least able to finish decorating inside.  Baby L even has their own lil stocking hanging from the mantle.

I attended a breastfeeding class on Wednesday evening to get some information.  To be honest aside from the limited exposure from friends who breastfed their babies, my knowledge is very limited.  I am very hopeful I will be able to breastfeed Baby L.  I know it is not for everyone (and I also will not beat myself up or feel like "less of a Mom" if it doesn't work for us), but I am going to give it my best shot.  Hopefully getting a little guidance before Baby L (and the sleep exhaustion) arrives will help.  There was a (to be fair very tall) pregnant girl with twins at the class, and I swear I was bigger than her.  Then I found out we were both 32 weeks.  Now I know why I get asked if I am having twins, or get looks of disbelief when I inform people I have two more months to go!

Joe and I had maternity pictures taken this week (can't wait to see them!).  Afterwards we played games with friends, and had dinner at Melt at Easton.  We are trying to take advantage of date nights while we can.

 Baby is Big as a Squash

Baby L and I are so excited for Christmas!

New for baby this week? Almost 4 lbs and about 19 inches.  Skin is becoming less transparent as fat builds up under the skin.  Practicing!! (swallowing/"breathing"/kicking/sucking)

Sleep? It has been a great sleep week!  I didn't work much and have been enjoying all of the extra rest and relaxation, especially after being so busy.
Best moment this week? Baby L's shower
Movement? Movements are BIG!  My entire belly moves around like crazy.  Nothing too painful yet but some days it feels like Baby L is really stretching me out.  Also lots of baby hiccups.
Have you started to show yet?  Twins right?! ;)
Belly Button in or out? Out and not coming back in anytime soon.
How is mama feeling? Getting harder to breathe as baby is pushing up against my diaphragm more and more.  I am really starting to feel the extra weight I am carrying around and need to take a break every now and then if I have been on the go too much.  But in general still moving well and feeling good.
Looking forward to? Columbus Baby Shower

31 Weeks...Gobble Gobble

Saturday was a sad day in Buckeye Country.  Joe and I went to campus to tailgate for the OSU vs. MSU game with Jeremy and Nikki, and our friend Matt.  It was fun being on campus for the big game, and we luckily snuck over to Matt's tailgate before it started pouring!  We left about halftime so Joe could go home and relax (he was on call and found out a heart transplant had been scheduled for later that evening), and I headed over to The Pub for Brian's surprise 30th birthday party.  Alison hadn't seen the bump in awhile and was loving all over it.  Baby Lude would not give up their secret when Alison asked for a "kick if you are a girl" or "kick if you are a boy".  I also got to catch up with Ashley, who is guessing boy since I am carrying just like she did (and the Harris' were also surprised with a lil boy recently!).  It was great catching up with friends.  Sadly the Buckeyes lost the game 17-14 in the final seconds to a Michigan State field goal, bringing to an end our 23-0 winning streak. Sorry Baby Lude but it looks like you won't be receiving a "National Championship" or "Born a Champion" blankie from the hospital at the end of January after all.

Hanging out in front of The Shoe before the rain.

After the rain started. I stole Daddy's hoody for the day.

At my first biweekly OB checkup I got to meet one of the other OB's (there are only 3 in this practice which was a huge draw).  Baby's HR was 145 BPM, which seems to be about where the HR has settled. My blood pressure was a little higher than it has been but still within normal range and not of any concern at this point.  My belly is measuring 32 cm, about a week ahead of schedule.  I also put on 3 more pounds in the last two weeks...yikes!  Apparently my weight is still within normal range.  But let me tell, I can definitely tell I am lugging around some extra weight!  We also scheduled the last of my weekly appointments up until my due date.  We talked a lot about kick counting, how many contractions are normal, signs of preterm labor, and when I should be calling the OB office.  Currently baby is positioned head down, so lets keep our fingers crossed he/she continues to behave. Wow things are getting real! Next appointment is in a couple weeks.  Joe will be coming with me since we'll get getting another peak at Baby L! Can't wait to see how the little one is growing.

We have made a ton of progress this week on the nursery.  I am the mastermind behind furniture assembly and was able to get most of it done while Joe was at work.  Then we'd throw it all together when he got home.  Joe also installed a ceiling fan.  It is really starting to look like a nursery now with all of the furniture.

Fish Eye View (Daddy loves to play with his camera)

We spent Thanksgiving in Joe's hometown.  All of the family got together at Aunt Jenny's.  There were lots of guesses as to whether Baby L is a boy or a girl, but I'd say it is pretty evenly divided.  I spent a lot of time catching up with Joe's cousin, Megan, since her due date is fast approaching.  Joe got to spend time outside with his brothers, nieces, and nephews throwing around the football.  

We have so much to be thankful this year.  Just to name a few we are thankful for new jobs that have brought us closer to family (and friends!) which we have been blessed to see more of in the last 10 months than we have in years.  A new home (with a great yard for our fur babies, and a swingset waiting for Baby L) to make memories in with our growing family .  Our biggest blessing this year is Baby L, for which we are thankful every day is growing and thriving in mama's belly.  We can't wait to meet you in early 2016 Baby L!

Baby is as Big as a Pineapple

Happy Thanksgiving!

 Baby bump has really taken off in the last 10 weeks. Crazy to think I still have 9 more to go! Thankful for maternity shirts!

New for baby this week? Weighing in at about 3.3 lbs and about 18 inches long (quickly approaching birth length). Turning their head, having a growth spurt and plumping up.  Baby's irises dilate and respond to light.  More defined sleep patterns.
Total weight gain/loss? 27 lbs
Sleep? Lots of weird nights where I am up a lot and can't get back to sleep. But then I'll sleep great other nights.
Best moment this week? Turkey Day
Movement? Movements are getting much stronger.  I can tell Baby L is getting bigger.  Baby L has also been getting the hiccups a lot, especially after I eat something spicy.
How is mama feeling? Overall still very good.  Staying energized even though I am not sleeping as well.  Everything in moderation is key.
Looking forward to?  Baby Showers!

30 Weeks...Work Baby Shower & Nursery Progress

One of my favorite and sweetest coworkers Julie (who works per diem with me at both OSUMC and Doctors Hospital) threw a perfusion baby shower for us at her house.  It was such a great day and we really enjoyed spending time with all of the perfusionists and their families outside of work.  We are going to be in great company because everyone seems to have lots of lil kiddos running around.  We've really missed our coworkers in Asheville but somehow we managed to hit the jackpot twice and have some pretty awesome coworkers here in Columbus too.  Our boss Jim provided booze for all the non-pregos.  And Julie had an awesome spread of pulled pork sandwiches with all the fixins'.  Needless to say no one left hungry.  My boss from Doctors, Rick, has a wife that has a cake business.  They surprised us with a beautiful cake that matches our nursery theme! The top layer was almond with raspberry filling, and the bottom layer was chocolate peanut butter (with reese cups, yum!). We have been spoiled with gorgeous weather and got to spend the afternoon outside enjoying some sunshine, not bad for a mid November shower.  Baby L received lots of Target gift cards and few other baby goodies.  Our favorite was the Boss Baby book...it's hilarious! Thanks y'all for your generosity and great company.  Baby Lude, Joe, and I all feel very loved.

Mommy and Daddy

Thanks Rick and Re for the beautiful cake!

Baby L's first diapers...and many more to come!

OSUMC perfusion crew.  Eric, Dave, Chad, Me, Greg, Joe, Mary, and Julie.  (Missing Jim, Bill, and Rick...and a few others who sadly weren't able to attend).

Spending a little time in the glider reading Boss Baby.

We also watched the OSU vs. Illinois game with the Mayhills and Bortels this week.  Poor Lily wasn't feeling very well and had a few blow outs and baths during the game...ah yes another taste of parenthood to come.  Lily is still adorable and it is so fun to see her on the move now, she is getting so big.  We can't wait for Baby L and Lily to have play dates. I also had a craft night with Laura and Juliana, and Laura came over to help me make Mama Linden cookies!

Our new winter wreaths.

Joe is officially done with all of the molding and touched up all of the paint in the nursery. He was very fixated on a lot of little details, and at times I thought he was a little crazy.  Now that he is done with all of the finishing touches I have to admit it really turned out better than I could have ever imagined. Baby L is going to have a beautiful nursery all thanks to Daddy. Next step is to install the ceiling fan and build the furniture, oh and keep Joe out of Lowe's so he will stop trying to pick out my Christmas presents there.

Apparently every pregnant girl wants one of these for Christmas?

College Game Day is here for the OSU vs. MSU game this weekend.  It's an important game and will play a big part in who makes it to the Big 10 Championship and ultimately the National Championship.  They started setting up on The Oval so we took advantage of checking out the set on our lunch break.  It's really great being right on campus.

Our future buckeye baby in front of University Hall.

Setting up on the oval.

Dave, Joe, Eric, and I.

Baby is the Size of a Cucumber

New for baby this week? Weighs greater than 3 pounds and measures about 16.5-17 inches. Shedding lanugo now that they are regulating their own body temp. Hitting a max on the amount of amniotic fluid so lots of space to flip around.

Sleep? It's been a rough week.  Baby loves to have a lil dance party when I go to bed and again at about 5 in the morning (even when I am not working).  It tends to be so much movement it is waking me up and I am having a hard time getting back to sleep because it goes on for so long.
Best moment this week? Work Baby Shower
Miss Anything? Great Lakes Christmas Ale
Movement? Very large movements that make my entire belly move.  Joe and I love watched baby move all around.  It happens very frequently throughout the day.  Also experienced baby having the hiccups this week after the baby shower.
Food cravings? Milk (in cereal or chocolate milk)
Anything making you queasy or sick? I had a horrible night this week where I felt very sick and I didn't get any sleep.  Fortunately I felt better by morning and it hasn't happened since.
Have you started to show yet? If you show in scrubs you show in anything :)
Gender? I called Baby L a "he" the other morning without meaning to. Maybe it is a sign?
Belly Button in or out? It pops in and out some days (weird) depending on what Baby L is doing and where he/she is settling.
How is mama feeling? A lil more tired this week from the crazy sleeping. Back gets sore in certain chairs or when I walk around for a long time.  I am learning I need to do everything in moderation. But overall very good :)
Looking forward to? OSU vs. MSU game festivities. Thanksgiving.