Wellington Watch, 38 weeks

38wks (9.5 months out of 10 months)

Weight gain so far: 30.5lbs

Extra Cool Milestone This Week:

Friday is my Last Day At Work.

Warren Story:

1) Got a call at work on Monday, from Warren. When I answered, he simply blurted out "Just for the record, I'm ready. Let's get this baby out!". He then went on to explain that he'd much rather be exhausted and run-down at home, with Wellington & I, than exhausted and run-down at work. (He'll be taking 2-3 weeks off once our little man is born).

2) At this week's doctor's appointment, Warren peeked at the number on the scale as the nurse weighed me. Afterwards when we left, he said:

Warren: Soooo....1**, eh? (actual number of pounds are being hidden, to protect my humility!)

Amanda: Um, NO! Not even close!

Warren: Right, it was 1**.

Amanda: No!

Warren: Okay, it was 1**.*.

Amanda: You know what's total crap? I weighed myself at home this morning and I was 1**. So they can shove it up my butt! (at home number was nearly 5 lbs less than number on doctor's scale).

Warren: Well apparently they did. They shoved a big piece of LEAD up your butt.

Mom Stories:

1) Throughout this process, my mom has been slightly overwhelmed by how much has changed since she was having babies; the plethora of info on the Internet and the myriad of products that are out there now (itzbeen, bottle warmers, onsies that change color if baby is too hot, rubber duckies that change color if water is too hot, video baby monitors, diaper genies, etc, etc...). So we had a laugh on Sunday when she came over and saw 'Wellington' in his crib, wrapped in his kiddopatamus blanket. She thought the blanket looked 'fancy' so I showed her how it worked. Then I showed her the 'miracle blanket' which was even more complicated. Needless to say, my demonstration was followed with the predictable 'Well, in my day we just swaddled a baby with a regular old receiving blanket!'. Then she proceeded to show me 'the old fashioned' way. The final touch was his little hat.

Behold: Wellington, the orphaned child from the 1980's:



2) After reading the 38 week email newsletter, my mom emailed me and asked "if I've lost my 'plug' yet". We can file that one under "Questions I Never Thought My Mother Would Ask Me".

Symptoms/Feelings/Etc:

1) I'm both petrified of labour, and yet I'm at peace with it's inevitability. I've heard so many different descriptions/experiences, and I'm excited to discover what mine/ours will be. I've heard the gamut from women being completely traumatized by the experience, to women who felt completely empowered, to women who had an out of body experience as the new life passed through them and out into the world, to women who really don't remember much. We shall see...

Birth Classes:

No babies in class yet, although there were a few couples missing this week...so maybe next week we'll see a baby or two!

This week we learned about medical interventions, by watching the video from last week that we missed. One thing that I found odd/appalling in the video, was when they were illustrating the 'vacuum' and 'forcep' extraction, and the voice over referred to the soon-to-be-born baby as 'the fetus'. Really? As the baby is CROWNING? FETUS? Really?

We also learned about labour plans, the 'aftermath' of birth - specifically to the mom's body (Sweet Jebus - they should teach these things in High School as a form of birth control...), and survival tips for the first couple of weeks. Thank-Gawd for these classes.

The really eye opening part was the activity where we had to lay out our 'ideal' birth, and then slowly start peeling away scenarios in order of importance, to reveal a 'more realistic' birth. It was especially interesting to see what items Warren found important vs. what I found important.

We also got to see pictures illustrating how 'new babies' look. Cross eyed, pimples, stork bites, blue hands and feet, covered in hair, swollen scrotum...and yet we will still believe our child is the most beautiful being alive.

New favorite pregnancy item:

A sawed-off swimming pool noodle. Best. Massage Tool. EVER.

Wellington Watch, 37 weeks

37wks (9 months and one week out of 10 months)

Weight gain so far: 30.5lbs

Extra Cool Milestone This Week:

Wellington is now considered 'Full Term'. No preemies here! How is it possible that I'm carrying around a full-term baby in there? It truly boggles the mind.

Favorite quote from my 'pregnancy update' email this week:

"Now's a good time to make sure your nursery is clean and ready for baby to spit and poop all over it." Ha!

Doctor Appointment:

Boring. Nothing new or interesting. Still head down, still measuring good. No contractions. Boring. She didn't even bother to check my cervix.

Birth Classes:

Well, we're officially starting off as 'bad parents' because we missed this week's baby class to go see Seinfeld at the Jubilee.

This week was all about 'Pushing' and 'Epidurals'. Nope. Not very important at all...;-P

We will redeem ourselves somewhat next week, when we go in early to watch any videos that we missed. Plus, I think Wellington enjoyed some big belly laughs more than listening to a nurse describe big needles that go into my spine.

I wonder if there will be any babies at the class next week?

Hospital Bags (This is for you, Keri):

Here are photos and itemized lists of what we've packed so far:

Wellington's Bag:

1. Bag of newborn size diapers.
2. Plastic bags for soiled baby clothes.
3. Baby wipes.
4. Bring home outfit - yellow pants & top.
5. 4 undershirt 'onsies'.
6. 4 receiving blankets.
7. 1 warm, cozy blanket.
8. 2 pairs of tiny socks.
9. 3 pairs of little newborn mittens.
10. 3 little hats.

Missing: Newborn size sleepers.

Amanda's pathetic bag:


1. Maxi pads.
2. 'Beads of Strength' that my FST (Female Support Team) gave me to help inspire me through labor.
3. Travel size toothbrush, paste & floss.
4. 2 pairs of warm socks.
5. Bar of chocolate.
6. Pack of gum.
7. Ginormous nursing bra.
8. Medicated nipple cream.
9. Bag containing: Breath spray, chapstick, body lotion, baby powder (for massaging me in labor).

Missing: LOTS.

Please note the glaring absence of my hair dryer & hot rollers. I am slowly accepting the fact that my personal primping will need to be adjusted once baby comes.

Symptoms/Feelings/Etc:

1) On the way to the bus yesterday morning, I started thinking about what it will be like to bring Wellington home for the first time. And I started crying. Maybe my pregnancy hormones haven't quite 'leveled off' yet?

2) I pretty much live in flip flops now. Generally I hate not having any sort of 'heel' or 'wedge' on my shoes, because I just feel short. But I'm beyond caring at this point.

Sizing things up:

1) I grew out of my 2nd ring - the one I was wearing to replace my wedding rings that no longer fit my swollen fingers. For now, I've found a third. I bought it in Stockholm in 2000 on a trip with my mom & 2 aunts. I think it'll be too small by the end of the week.

2) I had to buy new flip flops because my old ones were too small for my swollen feet. I'm normally a size 7.5 or 8 in shoes. My new flip flops are a size 9.

3) Finally bought a nursing bra, so that I have at least one at first (and to see if I even like nursing bras, and to see if I'm successful at breastfeeding before buying more). Normally I buy a size 36/38C. The nursing bra is a 40E. SAY WHAT???? That's bordering on vulgar, really.

4) I was going to post photos of what my feet & ankles actually look like when they're swollen - it's quite the sight - but Warren told me the photos were too 'gross' to post. So I hired an artist to paint a picture of them.

Behold: An Artist's Rendition of Amanda's Pregnant Feet & Ankles:


Painting by Fernando Botero.

Seeking Advice:

1) BABY MONITORS:

What features are worth having?
What features do you never use?
What brand names are reliable?
Video vs. Non-Video?
What's a 'good' price range?

Wellington Watch, 36 weeks

36wks (9 months out of 10 months)

Weight gain so far: 29.5lbs

Symptoms/Feelings/Etc:

1) I am really short of breath these days.

2) I am craving sweets LIKE NOBODY'S BUSINESS.

3) I am making lots of lists.

Birth Classes:

1) We completed our homework from last week, which was to 'plan out' what types of things we will do in the early stages of labor, before we go to the hospital, to keep us busy and relaxed while I work through mild (hah!) contractions. Our plan included (among other things) watching some Ricky Gervais stand-up, updating our Facebook status, and walking to the mall for a Yogen Fruz.

2) This week's class was the infamous 'Video' class, where we got to watch first hand several 'normal' births, from DOWN THERE. To be honest, there wasn't a lot in the video that I didn't expect, but it was still somewhat horrifying. When it was over, Warren said 'that wasn't so bad'. I replied with, 'Well, not for you. You don't have to push a baby out your bum'.

For me, the worst parts were near the end of the pushing stage, when the women would start crying and saying they couldn't do it. I felt so bad for them.

New favorite pregnancy item:

Our friend Troy brought me a six pack of 'Worsteiner' de-alcoholised beer. It's a true 0% alcohol beer, not the sketchy 0.5% kind (although O'douls is delicious!). And, I like the taste. It satisfies me. I actually feel like I can relax with a brewsky on a Friday night. It's been a loooooooong time.

Things that make me feel optimistic:

1) I was telling Warren that lately I've been having a roller coaster of emotions when it comes to thinking about the impending birth of Wellington. I was telling him how I often think 'Am I ready for this?', but I also have moments of pure excitement and my anxiety disappears for a while. His response was, 'Hmph. I'm pretty much just excited'. So, either that is reason to be really optimistic, or it's reason to think that maybe he hasn't thought this through and is living in a naive state of denial.

Things that make me feel guilty:

2) One evening I decided to learn how to use the specialty swaddling blankets we got from Erin (the miracle blanket and the kidopottamus blanket). So I looked up the instructions on line and practiced on Wellington (Wellington is also the name given to the stuffed teddy that Shawna made for us at Build-a-Bear. He has a birth certificate and everything). After practicing, I decided this was a good opportunity to carry 'Wellington' around the house with me, while I did other things, to see what it was like to have a baby attached at my hip. This was fun for a while, and the highlight was when I wanted to fold some towels so I handed him to Warren to hold, and Warren actually played along (my heart melted seeing him hold that swaddled bear, especially the care he took to support his 'head').

Now, here is where I feel guilty.

When it became too inconvenient to carry him everywhere, I decided 'it was his bedtime' and I placed him in the bassinet for the rest of the evening.

Seeking Advice:

1) Cord Blood Banking. Anyone?

2) Breast pump? Did you buy/rent one? What kind? Electric vs. Manual?

Let's finish 'er off with some belly pics:

5 On Friday: June 5th, 2009

1) After today, there are 4 more Fridays before Wellington is due. Holy-Mary-Sweet-Mother-Of-God.

2) Braces Update:

I bet you all forgot I've been wearing braces, didn't you? Well, here's a fun fact...I was wearing them in all our maternity photos! Anyways...back to the update.

Today was the end of 'Phase 1' of my invisiligns. I've been wearing them for approximately 9 months now (got them right before becoming pregnant). So I went in to get new 'impressions' (basically a mold) of my teeth today, to be sent off again and new trays made, because my new smile is not quite complete. My dentist even said I may need a Phase 3, but we'll see how Phase 2 goes.

So, as a comparison, here's a photo from my first day with the invisilign braces, and a photo from a month or so ago (I was lazy and didn't take a new one today...) to compare and see how my teeth have shifted in 9 months. (Warning - change may only be noticeable to me! It's subtle, but it's there. This is still a work in progress...also, semi-gross close-ups of my mouth ahead).

PS. I have the braces on in both photos.



3) Does anyone else feel really bad for Jon & Kate (plus Eight)? I was on the verge of tears during the season premier, and ended up bawling at the end. I've fallen in love with that family over the years and my heart breaks for them right now. Of all the reality television I've consumed in my life, this is definitely the most 'raw'. And I know it's a 'business' and the show is 'produced' and ratings are King, blah blah blah, but this is a real family and a real marriage. It's just sad.

4) I think Dandelions should be upgraded from 'weed' status, to 'wildflower' status. The 'weed' stigma really makes it difficult to appreciate the true beauty of this fast-sporing flower. I would love to be able to proudly announce that I have cultivated a healthy crop of wildflower dandelions in my backyard.

5) I emailed Warren on Wednesday (his day off), telling him I was told I could leave work an hour early. He responded with:

Warren: Awesome! I'll pick you up and maybe we can go for dinner and a T4 date!

Amanda: What's a T4 date?

Warren: The new Terminator movie...

Amanda: Oh! Thank-goodness! I thought you wanted to do taxes. *

(*for the record, we are done our taxes...)

Wellington Watch, 35 weeks

Wellington Watch, 35 weeks

35wks (8 months, 3 weeks out of 10 months)

Weight gain so far: 28.5lbs

Doctor Appointment:

Happy to report that so far this pregnancy is very 'average', which is a good thing according to my doctor :-) Belly is still good, weight gain still good, Wellington's heart rate still good. I told her about my leg/feet/hand swelling and numbness and she simply replied 'Welcome to the 3rd trimester of pregnancy'.

Symptoms/Feelings/Etc:

1) I'm pretty sure I have felt the 'baby hiccups'. They feel like a normal kick, but they happen in a predictable heartbeat-like pattern.

2) Some days, I'm thinking 'Woohoo! I'm a month away from being done work!', and other days I'm thinking 'Holy Crap! In a month or so we're going to have a frickin' baby!'

3) One of my girlfriends pointed out that I've developed somewhat of a potty mouth lately. Is that a normal side effect of pregnancy?

4) When asked 'How are you feeling?' I can no longer reply with my chipper 'I feel great! Nothing much to complain about here!'. That phase is gone. The aches & pains and discomforts have caught up to me. It was fun while it lasted, though.

Birth Classes:

Tuesday night we attended our first 'Birth Class'. They didn't show 'The' video, that will come next week. It was strange at first to be in a room with so many other bellies. Warren & I both learned stuff which was great, but for some reason had the giggles before class started. The other couples probably thought we were totally immature. It all began when Warren was reading the 'warning signs' of labor handout, and he leaned over me to whisper...

Warren: What is a 'soft' bowel movement? And what is the difference between a 'soft' bowel movement, and a 'loose' bowel movement?

Amanda: Umm...I think that a 'soft' bowel movement would still look like a poo, just mushy, and a 'loose' bowel movement would be all runny like diarrhea....

Warren: Hmmmm....(he was absorbing this information with a very serious tone, which of course made it hysterical).

Then I was flipping through my new 'From Here Through Maternity' book - since apparently the one I had was 'way out of date' - and came across the 'real' photos of baby's first bowel movements in diapers. I tapped Warren's shoulder and showed him. His eyes opened wide in shock.

Warren: Jeez, that a little graphic, wouldn't you say?

Then he continued to study the images further, and he saw the 'breast milk fed stool' image. He pointed to it and said "I like that one best. Let's aim for that'.

Warren story:

Warren called me at work on Tuesday, and started to list off the things he wanted us to 'get done' for the baby this weekend. He finished the list with "I'm starting to freak out".

Pregnancy items I couldn't live without:

I had my 3rd prenatal massage on the weekend, and the masseuse confirmed my swelling, saying my hands and feet were 'really hot'. She suggested swimming in a salt water pool, or having baths with Epsom salts. She explained that the same way salt IN your body retains water, salt OUTSIDE your body will leech out fluids. So I tried that on Tuesday night and noticed a big difference. My legs, feet & hands all felt less bloated afterwards, and in the morning my ankles almost looked normal! Epsom salts are my new BFF.

SPECIAL EDITION Belly pics:

A couple weeks ago, after our trip to Banff, we had professional maternity photos done. I was hesitant at first, but am SO GLAD our dear friends Keri & Nick convinced us to do them (they are professional photographers who are starting up their own company - will post the website when it's ready). I think they will be nice keepsakes, and we had a really good time shooting them. Warren, you are such a good sport and I love you!

I definitely have my faves, and some of them I can't decide if I prefer them in color or B&W. Anyway - here they are my selects:

First off, is a sentimental photo for myself. On our wedding day I wore this button up denim shirt while I was getting my hair & make-up done:



I really wanted a photo of myself wearing it while pregnant:

And here are some other select faves, that pretty much just speak for themselves :-)

Having a bit of fun...

PS - obviously the header photo is from the session as well!