Baby Wotring - 35 Weeks!

Oh boy girl, I can't believe we only have five weeks left!

35 Weeks

This week Baby Wotring is over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds -- about the size of a honeydew melon! The little nugget is running out of room to maneuver now but that doesn't stop her from making her presence known on a very regular basis.  Our little girl's kidneys are fully developed and her liver can process some waste products as of this week. Basic physical development is now mostly complete -- her main job over the next few weeks is to put on weight! 

Shop till you drop...or buy everything in BRU! 

Last weekend we made an epic trip to Babies R Us and picked up a cart-full of things for Baby Wotring that we still needed. I tell ya, babies need lots of STUFF! We got most of it put away/set-up and started doing baby laundry. Our goal is to finish washing all her clothes, blankets, sheets etc and pack our hospital bags this weekend so we are ready for baby girl's arrival. We're pretty close to putting the finishing touches on her room too and I'd be lying if I didn't say I absolutely LOVE it! 

This week I've been running to the bano what seems like every 20 minutes. Last night, we had our hospital tour and had just gotten in the car when I made the hubs turn it around and pull up in front of the hospital entrance so I could run to the restroom. He thought it was a little strange how quickly the need to go came over me but I assured him I wouldn't make it home and this was his only option! 

35 week belly

We also had our rescheduled baby care class this week which went over some very helpful information like the five "S's" for calming a fussy baby (swaddling, side/stomach position, swinging, shushing, sucking). We had some interesting classmates and walked away feeling very confidant in our parenting abilities compared to some of the other parents-to-be in the room...

Baby Girl's balloon = Brownie's arch nemesis

Pink everything! 

Finally, I had a lovely lunch at Zaytinya (a Greek/Mediterranean tapas restaurant in DC) on Monday with some girlfriends. They got me some gorgeous flowers and a fun balloon to celebrate the little nugget on her way. You ladies are too good to me and Baby Wotring is lucky to have her some fabulous "aunties." 

Baby Wotring - 34 Weeks!

In the midst of snowpocalypse 2014 we hit....

34 Weeks

This week Baby Wotring weighs 4 3/4 pounds and measures almost 18 inches long -- about the size of a cantaloupe! Her central nervous system is maturing as well as her lungs and her fat layers -- which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born -- are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever.

34 weeks into growing this belly

22 week comparison -- whoa! 

Somehow I've been sleeping better than ever this past week! I know a lot of women find themselves waking up throughout the night at this point in their pregnancy so I really do consider myself lucky that sleep and I have been super compatible lately.

I did notice a few pregnancy symptoms this week though. I had some cramping in my calves which sounds pretty standard at this point in a pregnancy and also noticed a little shortness of breath which I think is due to baby girl pushing up on my lungs. I read this week that my uterus is 5 inches above my belly button. Since space in my torso is pretty limited right now, my lungs don't have quite the same amount of space to expand as they used to so walking up even little hills or a few flights of stairs has left me winded on several occasions!

The hubs gettin' his shovel on

Not only did my 34 week doctor's appointment get cancelled because of today's snow but our Baby Care class did too! A real bummer since I was looking forward to it. We are hoping to reschedule ASAP in case the little nugget decides to arrive early.   I think I'm right around 22 pounds gained and spent a good part of this week eating applesauce topped with fresh blueberries and spoonfuls of almond butter. YUM!

Gettin' Crafty

The hubs and I had a super fun and productive weekend. Sadly, there isn't a lot of photographic evidence of his "last night out on the town" with the boys before becoming a father (probably for the best!) or my fun evening with the girls.

 Not sure if he looks terrified because of the shot or the thought of becoming a father in 6 weeks...

I do have a few pictures showcasing the two of us getting crafty for our little nugget though! In between a ton of errands and projects around the house, we were able to work on a few things for the nursery.

 Part of Baby Wotring's little gallery wall

Hubs getting all crazy and shiz

Mobile in progress

We are hoping to have the nursery finished in the next couple weeks.  I mean, given that the little one will be here VERY soon we better be planning to get it finished! Once it's done we'll be sure to post pictures of baby girl's room!

Baby Wotring - 33 Weeks!

Welcome to 33 weeks!!!

No block pic this week or next, we are missing some numbers

This week our little nugget has just passed the 17-inch mark and weighs a little over 4 pounds -- about the size of a pineapple! Baby Wotring is gaining roughly half a pound a week right now and her little skeleton is hardening. The bones in her skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap which is necessary in order for her to fit through the birth canal. The baby app tells me these bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as baby girl's brain and other tissues expand during infancy and childhood.

Post-yoga belly pic

Last week I dreamed we were having a boy so you better believe when we had our ultrasound last Friday I asked the nice technician to please confirm Baby Wotring was in fact still a girl -- she is! Our daughter is such a little busy-body and was moving all around the entire time we were there. The technician (and the hubs and I) got a kick out of her since baby girl would literally poke back when she moved the wand over her. Everything looked great and the little one was head down which is where we want her to be and stay! I also had my 32 week appointment that day and I'm still measuring right where I should and the doctor said everything was good.

Donkey wants a ride in the mamaroo

Over the last week I've definitely been feeling more pregnant. I notice it in subtle ways like when I bend over to put my shoes on or when I peel myself off the couch in the evening. It's feeling a little more difficult to do some of those everyday type activities with a belly in the way! I've also been missing sleeping on my back and belly. I woke up a few mornings this week with sore hips which I think is a result of sleeping on my side. Once I get moving the soreness goes away which is good but I'll be happy once baby girl is here and mama can sleep however she wants again (even if it is for just 1-2 hour increments)!

Maybe I can talk the hubs into doing a book review ;)

The hubs was super productive this week putting together some of the gifts we received at our shower last weekend and we both agree it's nice to come downstairs and see baby stuff in our living room! The hubs has also been busy reading a book my SIL and soon-to-be BIL gave him entitled, Dude You're a Dad! He seems really into it and is sharing a lot of what he's reading with me. We've been having fun discussing some of the topics and baby facts we weren't familiar with!

Virginia Baby Shower

What an amazing weekend with our family and friends! My MIL and SIL hosted a co-ed baby shower for our little nugget at the lake and everyone's generosity was so overwhelming and greatly appreciated by me and the hubs!

Family of three -- soon to be four! 

It meant the world to have so many of our loved ones there to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Baby Wotring. We had folks travel from all over Virginia to be with us and several of the hubs' family and friends traveled from as far as North Carolina and Ohio!

Lovely NC ladies and my SIL/fabulous host De

Kevin & Steph -- all the way from Ohio

My MIL and SIL did an amazing job putting together the shower! From the adorable "It's a Girl" banner, to the onsie garland along the stair banister and the wonderful food -- they truly outdid themselves!

The onsies are all sooooo cute! 

This makes a pregnant lady smile

And you guys. The cake. Let me tell you about the cake. Not only was it ridiculously cute, but it was so darn yummy I keep thinking about it and wish it weren't all gone! My SIL is getting married in May to the love of her life and she had her cake lady make the cake which had a raspberry layer in the middle. I was already super excited and looking forward to De and Al's wedding in a few short months but knowing I get more of that cake in May has me even more excited -- if that's even possible!

#eatallthecake

Not only did we get to eat and enjoy time with family and friends, but we received so many great gifts for Baby Wotring too! 

Baby Wotring's first book from Grandpa

It was such a special day for all of us!  We are incredibly thankful we were able to celebrate baby girl with so many of our favorite people and words cannot describe how much we appreciate everyone for taking the time to be there with us and for showering baby girl with love and fantastic gifts. 

Our hearts are full.     -- Love Ray, Amy and Baby Wotring

Baby Wotring - 32 Weeks!

Only two months left!

This week our little girl weighs 3.74 pounds and is almost 17 inches long -- about the size of a large jicama! Baby Wotring now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair. Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for her arrival. She's busy practicing skills she'll need to thrive out in the real world -- from swallowing and breathing to kicking and sucking.

Sunday afternoon in Baby School! 

On Sunday, we had our childbirth class and while it made for a long day to be sitting in plastic chairs for 6 hours, we both learned a lot and feel more prepared for what we may encounter on D-Day. The class was run by an older woman who has been a labor and delivery nurse for something like 40 years. She's retired now but teaches various childbirth/baby classes for the INOVA hospital system. She was pretty engaging and really made you feel comfortable and free to ask questions which was good because I had a bunch of them! The last part of class was all about practicing various breathing and relaxation techniques which will definitely be useful for both of us!

I was very impressed with the hubs.  He only had a visible reaction to one of the videos we watched (get used to it, punkin) but otherwise he was into it, took notes and he's all into writing out our birth plan so we know the type of experience we would ideally like to have. I know he's going to be an amazing support for me on D-Day and a great dad to our little nugget!

32 week belly

Lots of people have been asking us if we've decided on a name for Baby Wotring and while we are close, this indecisive mom-to-be is scared we'll decide on a name, share it with the peeps in our little world, and then I'll inevitably come across a name I like even more or when Baby Girl arrives I'll look at her and think, that's not the right name! Is this normal? I'm thinking it's probably pretty normal to second-guess yourself on something so important as the name your child will have for the rest of his or her life...

I've been noticing some Braxton Hicks contractions this week and feel like my belly doubles in size from morning to night but still feel great and energy seems normal as does sleep!  I was craving fresh berries and almond butter this week so satisfied both on my weekly grocery run to Trader Joe's. I also had a random craving for coffee cake over the weekend but didn't do anything about it. Low and behold, one of my coworkers read my mind and left some mini coffee cake bites in this kitchen yesterday -- score! I'm up another 1/2 pound bringing me to an even 20 pounds gained!

Such a cute invite! 

My wonderful sister-in-law and mother-in-law are hosting a co-ed baby shower for us this weekend at the lake and we are both so excited for it! We've got lots of really special people that are traveling there to celebrate Baby Wotring with us -- we are so lucky to have such amazing people in our lives!

Parenthood and Other Random Thoughts from the Hubs

Somewhere early in the pregnancy Amy suggested the idea of me doing a post to add my perspective on our upcoming joy.  I have been ready for us to expand our family for a few years.  Amy had personal goals she wanted to achieve before we embarked on this great adventure, so to say I am anxious for the next eight weeks to be over is an understatement.  Before I get too deep in this post I should probably apologize in advance.  Writing has never been a strength of mine so you will have to suffer through run-on sentences.  It’s a gift and a curse; I write how I speak.

From a father’s standpoint, the pregnancy has been very overwhelming.  It’s a mixture of excitement, fear, and virtually every other emotion imaginable.  I was blessed to have two amazing parents who provided me a spectacular upbringing.  Not only were they both extremely supportive, but they also were able to provide me everything I could imagine.

Practicing my snuggles with my daughter dogter

I want my daughter, and any future children we may be blessed with, to have every opportunity I was provided.  My parents managed to do this yet keep me grounded.  Determining this balance terrifies me; giving her every opportunity imaginable while keeping her motivated enough to not become one of the stereotypical entitled brats we come across far too often in this country. 

I also worry about not providing Amy with the support she needs and deserves throughout this pregnancy and once the baby arrives.  Amy is a very independent person and cannot stand asking for help; however, I know that she needs more from me right now than I am used to giving.  She is an amazing person and deserves much more than me.  She did say yes to marrying me though which means she is stuck with me.   

I could get used to this! 

I find myself focusing mostly on the choices Amy and I will make when dealing with our daughter over the next 20 years which will shape the person she becomes.  She has the lineage of two great families in her genetic makeup, and her potential is endless.  I want to be sure I do everything I can to set her on a path of making the best possible choices to achieve what she wants in life, and to live life in an honest and honorable way.

Ultimately, I just want our daughter to be free to pursue whatever interests her and not just make choices in the world to pay bills and get by -- so long as she avoids the horrible choice of her parents to pursue politics and policy.  Having the intelligence and compassion of her mom; combined with the analytic skills and street smarts of her father will give her limitless potential.  Of course her mom’s height along with her dad’s athleticism would be a nice bonus.

-RTW