Almost 36 Weeks (Nursery Update)

 

Well - almost 36 weeks...

 

It has been a while since I updated... busy, busy getting things ready for baby "nuggle" or ballooga as Rick calls my belly. It was a great long weekend, Rick and I got a lot done to prep for the baby and spent some quality time together (babyless). We put together most of our big stuff, figured out how to install a car seat properly, cleaned the cars out, played in the nursery (which we do often, either just staring at it or looking through the clothes that we/I have looked through a thousand times already), built 'my' stroller as Rick calls it, etc. We basically, enjoyed each other and enjoyed the beautiful weather with our four legged children. 

 Best friends - loving the weather

 Visiting these two

Roxy and Winther really wanted to visit with Baxter and Nyla - they weren't so thrilled

 

As far as how I am feeling, I would say overall pretty good. It is hard to sit up from laying down and sleeping is continuing to be an issue. The newest thing is that I am SOOOOO HOT! Not just from the weather, I am just radiating heat... especially from my hands and feet. They are a bit swollen and uncomfortable. Rick and I went swimming yesterday because the outdoor pool is open now. I felt like when I put my feet and hands in the water - the water was going to steam, they are that hot. We go to the doctor next week for our 36 week check up - then we go every week after that until baby decides to come. I am getting really anxious, excited, nervous - just a lot of anxiety. My to-do list in my head is overwhelming me at times.

 

House updates:

- We layed out a plan for the deck we are putting on the back of the house. Hopefully, it will be getting started this weekend.

- The basement bathroom is almost completely tiled.  It needs to be grouted and then we can paint and put carpet in the basement. At that point, we will finally be able to turned our guest bedroom back into a bedroom and move all of the piles of stuff to their designated areas.

- The nursery is almost completely done. The drapes, blinds, and table cover still need to go in (when the fabric comes in) but it is almost done. I have things to wash and organize but heck, I love that stuff - so I will do that soon.

 

What you have all been waiting for - PICTURES. Here are some updates!

Building Baby Stuff

 Rick says having the carseat base in his car makes him feel old and that there should be a bike there - but he is really excited! Thank you Katie for the awesome bright orange car seat! We love it.

 In love with the bright orange car seat and my baby jogger city versa - this is the stroller with the adapter for the car seat but it has a really awesome regular seat that faces either towards you or away from you and I am super excited for it! Joseph says it looks like its a space age stroller.

Putting together the baby swing/glider - slight frustration. Rick says that he is going to start writing the instructions for putting together baby stuff because whoever does it, does a ridiculously confusing and terrible job. Plus, what is with all of the weird D batteries this stuff takes - why not a standard A battery!

 

Nursery

 In love with the crib and colors!

 The most comfortable glider ever!

 My original nursery inspiration. Found this lamp on sale at Pier One when I was not even noticably pregnant - bought it on a whim and it became my color inspiration for the entire room

 View from the closet corner of the room

 Love IKEA for some stuff - like these awesome drawer organizers

 Clean and organized swaddle blankets

 The amazing rug and bed skirt!

 Wall art handmade by Nana and the light fixture that Rick really wanted - it is pretty awesome (this picture it is closed)

 Now it is open

 Now it is half open and this is the beauitful pattern is makes on the ceiling when turned on

View from the door

 More awesome wall art, our dresser/changing table

 Adorableness - the mobile Joseph, Lisa and Marie got for us

View from sitting on the glider



32 Weeks - ELLEN!

So, Ellen does a Mother's Day show every year.  This year she is looking for expectant mommy's.  So here is to hoping this entry will get me on the show:

"My story... well, let me think... how much do you want to know? I will start with what is relevant. This is my husband, Rick and I's first baby. But... I wouldn't call this our first baby, our first babies have four legs, they are in the picture. That brother and sister duo licking my belly, giving the 'Nuggle' some love, that is Winther and Roxy. They are our four legged, fur babies. They are pretty excited!

Rick and I met about 3 years ago and were married on 6.22.13. The baby might even come on our 1st anniversary since the due date is so close. This baby was actually conceived in Kona, Hawaii at Ironman World Championships. My husband is a rock star Elite Triathlete. We have been really enjoying this journey, well minus the first 16 weeks of morning sickness. We named the baby in my belly Nugget at first, but then it started wiggling.. so it became the 'Nuggle.' Nugget that Wiggles... get it? ha.

Rick and I believe there are very few surprises in life, so we aren't finding out the gender ahead of time. What better surprise than that?! When I think of hopes for our baby, I think of what my mom always told me and my brother. She wished we would grow up to be productive members of society and whatever we wanted to do, would be legal. The legal part makes me laugh, but come to think of it, it makes a lot of sense and I wish the same for my child.

Anyways, being on Ellen would make a wonderful addition to the ongoing surprises of this journey! Plus the Nuggle loves ELLEN!"

I had to put a little peanut butter on my belly to get this picture to happen :)

30 Weeks, well... Almost 31.

30 weeks - Wow! Time flies... Kind of. I can't believe that in 6 weeks, this baby will be full term. Although, my back sure can believe it.

The babies room is really coming along, in the last 2 weeks, we have bought and built the dresser, picked up our glider (from Grandma Lapinski), built the crib, finished painting trim, finalized the fabrics for everything (thanks to Grandma Swantek), super washed and re-polished the wood floors, and moved all the babies stuff in from the Lapinski Baby Shower and stuff that I have been gathering over time. It is certainly looking beautiful and very real.

The Nuggle seems to be doing well. I feel hiccups a couple times a day. Its such a cute feeling. Lots of movement is still going on, just smaller... I think room is becoming harder to come by for the growing baby who is a little over 3lbs now.

I go back to the Dr. in a couple weeks, I'm hoping my iron levels are better even though I am still pretty fatigued all the time.

The Swantek Baby Shower is next weekend and I am so excited to celebrate with some of my closest family and friends! Bring it on :)

Love,
Britt

28 Weeks

Well, we are back from our adult spring break/Zoot camp and conferences/"baby moon" in beautiful California.  It was a lovely trip, filled with hanging out with great people, some future "mom and dad to-be" time, and some adventures (I posted pictures on facebook throughout the journey - for some reason my blogger picture uploads aren't working from my phone - I am trying to fix this and get some pictures posted soon).  We had a great time, but like any wonderful trip - it came to an end and we are sad.  I don't know if it is the hormones or just the changes of life, but I actually cried on the commute to the airport.  All of the changes that have happened in our life in the last 2 years have been nothing but amazing, but I just had this realization that our lives are about to change for FOREVER.  I am so looking forward to the new baby, as is Rick... it was just a huge reality, as we were visiting La Jolla on our last day.  The last time I was in La Jolla was in 2009 before Joseph and Lisa got married, after a tough family year, with just the "four of us," Mom, Dad, Joseph, and myself.  Times have changed so much.

Here is a little recap from about 2008 on:
- Joseph moved out
- I moved in to my parents and started PT school
- I moved all over the country for clinical
- Joseph and Lisa got married
- Dad got a new job
- I graduated from PT school
- We went to Italy as the five of us
- I met Rick
- I got my first job
- I got engaged
- I married Rick and moved out of my parents house
- I left my first job and essentially started my own business
- We found out we are having a baby
- Now we will have a baby

What a JOURNEY!  Mom and dad are going to be grandparents for the first time. Rick and I are going to be parents. Joseph and Lisa are going to be Uncle/Aunt. Rick's parents are going to become grandparents for the first time. Roxy, Winther, and Baxter are going to become big brother and sister.  Baxter and Nyla are going to become Uncle/Aunt - OKAY... weird with the animal stuff - I'll stop.  But anyways, the trip home from California was an emotional one for me. Lots of recapping of emotions in my head.

Anyways, I have my glucose testing for gestational diabetes tomorrow and our 28 week check-up. Here's to hoping I didn't gain too much more weight and I don't have any gestational diabetes issues.

The house and babies room is coming along - the babies room is going to be ready for stuff after this weekend I hope. My family and Rick are working so hard to get things done around the house and I am so thankful - because I am sure starting to feel that panicy, nesting feeling... like I need to disinfect everything, get everything in order and put away and shave the dogs so the baby doesn't ingest too much of their fur - HAHA, just kidding. I cannot wait for our house projects to be complete and to decorate the babies room. I have so many wonderful ideas stirring around in my head and of course, my momma's fabulous skills to rely on.  Here is a sneak peak of the color pallet :)

As for how I am feeling... pretty good.  I am getting bigger and bigger, which is fun. The baby is SO active - rolling, kicking, punching, hiccuping. It is an amazing feeling. I am feeling more and more tired, more nauseated, more hungry, more of everything I think.

Our first baby shower is this weekend - hosted by my mother-in-law, I am really looking forward to it. I can't wait for my mom's baby shower in a few weeks either.  ALL so exciting!

THIRD Trimester

And.... Here we are in the third trimester. I can't believe it. The second trimester flew by, the first trimester seemed to last forever... We will see what the third trimester has in store.

Rick and I are enjoying a little get-away to California this week.  I feel pretty good, just bigger... Each and every day. The shortness of breath has really started with simple tasks. I am hungry all the time. My back is really starting to hurt more quickly and more intensely when I am standing and walking or even laying in bed. I'm certainly more tired than usual... Constantly tired actually.

The babies movements are really evident now. The baby seems big enough to really pack a punch, yet small enough to really move around. Rick and I can feel feet and hands rolling over the inside of my skin almost daily... Amazing but kinda creepy. The baby seems to have a routine of sleeping and waking. It also seems to be reacting to stimuli more often such as our voices, music, car rides, stillness, temperature, and light. It is very active at night between 9:30pm and midnight and then most of the night after like 3am. The kicks often wake me because they are so large. Rick says he can sometimes get woken up by them if he has his hand on my belly in the early morning when he is starting to wake up. He even said, he isn't sure how I sleep through them they are so big.

Sleep... I don't do it well... I wake very often, to pee, to eat, because I'm just restless. I toss and turn a lot. Although turning is getting harder. Some nights are better than others. My goal on this trip in Cali is to catch up on rest (and get some color on my pastey skin, of course) because it has been terrible recently.

I am still staying active however my workouts are so different than what I'm used too.

I am getting excited for baby showers and family events! Spring brings summer... My two favorite times of the year! Yay!

100 Days to Go

It's 100 days until the babies due date! I get more excited every day! It is going to be an exciting 100 days with finishing up home improvement projects, decorating the babies room (which got painted this past weekend), a little California trip, race season starting for Rick, baby showers, family outings and so much more.

I still feel pretty good, a little uncomfortable at times and some sleep issues but pretty good overall. :)

6 Months - 24 Weeks!

I missed a week... I know, I got busy with work.  Stupid work.  Anyways, today marks 6 months/24 weeks! I am really excited about it.  As my dad would say, "pop goes the weasel."  Apparently, I 'popped' this week - I am really showing.  We go to the doctor this week for our 24 week check up- so I will do a picture update at some point after that.

I celebrated 6 months by swimming 100 meters for each month.  Last month, I decided to combine two things... my want to get better at swimming and my pregnancy.  Swimming is so good during pregnancy, as it un-weights the baby and it is great exercise.  So, last month I made a commitment to myself that for each month I would swim 100 meters x whatever month I am at, for as long as I am able.  I usually swim twice a week, in combination with lifting weights and some traditional cardio - so I thought this is a good goal to keep my fitness in shape and accomplish a long time goal of mine to become a better swimmer and to become more comfortable in the water.  Month 5 and 500 meters down, started month 6 and 600 meters today!  I feel pretty good about it.

The baby is still kicking a lot, however seems to also be resting more than he/she used too.  I think there is a lot of developing and growing going on - I can certainly tell in how much my belly is growing.

I hope everyone has a good week and I will update after the doctors appointment this week.

22 Weeks! My Favorite Number!

22 weeks hit Friday.  I feel about the same as I have been except I am SOOOO tired!  I know everyone says you are so tired in the first trimester - but I would say, for me, the second trimester has been WAY worse.  I sleep a good amount and I still feel like I don't sleep at all.  I know, "blah blah, just wait until the baby comes," but I am friggen tired NOW.  Other than that, I feel pretty good.  My belly is growing and the Nuggle is moving, which is so reassuring to me.  My belly button is getting shallower and my stomach gets harder ever day.  That little nugget is growing.

I think my favorite part of being pregnant is the movement in my stomach.  My favorite time of the day is either when I am sitting on the couch, laying in bed just before I fall asleep, or driving.  It seems like those times I can feel the movement of the Nuggle the most.  I think the Nuggle likes the car rides because he/she (no, we didn't find out the gender, I just hate saying 'it' - so I tend to say he) loves music - like his/her mom and dad.  Rick and I love music, it is always on.  Being able to see the movement or feel it, is so refreshing and fun... I am kind of obsessed with it.

Another week closer! :)

Body Image, Buying Baby Stuff - 21 Weeks

Most of you are going to want to spit when I talk about body image.  Yes, I know... "you're pregnant, you're supposed to gain weight."  I know this, I know I am supposed to gain weight and I know it is all for a great reason and the baby needs it, I get it but it doesn't make it easier.  I love my belly because I know the nuggle is in there... but looking in the mirror isn't always easy.  I have been pretty active since about week 14 or so... when I started to feel better.  I certainly don't workout like I used to, but I still do.  I am not able to run, I try every now and again but it just isn't comfortable for me.  This is hard for me because running has never, ever been easy for me and I FINALLY got really good at it after about 2 years of training myself.  Before pregnancy, I was able to run a consistent 2-3 miles a few days a week.  My knees were finally tolerating it, I learned how to pace myself and breath, and my body was loving it.  So, it is a little sad that I am unable to run at this point.  I plan to pick that up again as soon as I am able after baby.  I am still able to lift weights, do a variety of cardio, and I even swam the other night (another thing that has always been a struggle for me).

The good thing is, I do actually look pregnant in my workout clothes - not just like a fit girl with a really weird stomach - which is how I originally felt.

So, I guess, coming from a person that spent most of my life in a leotard and works very hard to be fit.. gaining weight isn't an easy thing.  I am trying to stay fit but gain what the baby needs.  Rick is wonderful, constantly reassuring me that I am beautiful and my bump is beautiful... he is a good man.

On another note, I am doing a really good job of not buying too much baby stuff - even Rick commended me on this today.  I buy a little something here and there because I JUST HAVE TOO, it is too darn cute and I cannot help myself.  Today, since Costco now sells The Honest Company 2-in-1 body wash/shampoo for little kiddos, I had to get some because usually you have to subscribe to their company to get their products.  And, I went to a store called Cutie Poops and Bottoms in Orland Park to become more educated on cloth diapering... and I just couldn't help myself.  I learned a lot and came home with a little... win, win!

Two dog noses in that picture - smelling the new stuff!  They are going to be such good brothers and sisters to our little baby.

Half-way... 20 Weeks

I know I should have started this a long time ago, but I finally decided to blog about Rick and I's baby journey.  I thought it would be nice for family and friends that are interested to stay up-to-date and a nice way for us to capture this amazing time.  I hope you enjoy.

So, I am going to start with a "quick" 20-week recap.  Rick and I found out we were expecting in mid-November 2013.  I just had a feeling.  We both knew we wanted kids and were both pretty excited... well, I mean, it doesn't really hit you right away.  It started to hit me with the queasiness that started soon after finding out we were expecting.  I don't think it hit Rick until he heard the heart beat at our 8 week appointment.  Now, it is definitely real.  I am showing, the baby is moving, and we had our 20-week ultrasound and got to see our beautiful, healthy, baby sucking his/her thumb.  I think it made us both a little teary-eyed.  I can't speak for Rick, but I cry at the "Thank you Mom" commercials that are on the for the Olympics right now - it doesn't take much.

Here is a little picture recap of the last 20-weeks.  Rick takes my picture before each Doctor's appointment - so these are each 4 weeks apart starting at 8 weeks. Apparently, I redecorate our family room decor every 4 weeks as my belly grows! lol.

I got over the terrible nausea/vomiting and general crappy feeling about 16 weeks.  Now, I feel pretty good minus some back pain and muscle soreness.  I am finally back to working out pretty regularly and eating more organically and gluten free again.  So, in general, I am feeling a lot better - just growing.  I can feel the baby move and have been able to since about 16 weeks.  It started as small kicks, now I can feel movement pretty regularly throughout the day - some rolling, stretching, and potentially punching, haha.  I love it!  I think it is my favorite part of being pregnant so far.  I really love my growing belly and feeling the baby in my belly.

For the past 10 weeks, Rick and I have been preparing our home and our lives for baby.  We are finishing up some old projects around the house.  Like putting up a back splash in the kitchen. Thanks for the help Mom and Dad.

And, remodeling the basement entirely.  We are adding walls, a room/office, finishing it with carpet, refinishing the basement bathroom, and changing the layout to make it all livable.  It also allows us to transition the current - upstairs office into the babies room.

We have also been discussing and deciding on what kind of parenting style we will take on.  I have been researching the crap out of everything imaginable, from the best onesies to how to properly get boogers out of a newborns nose to nursing, co-sleeping, clothing, diapering, etc.  We recently decided that we plan to try to cloth diaper - for a few reasons.  In the long run, it is very cost effective, environmentally friendly, and more organic for baby.  Disposable diapers sit in landfills and do not biodegrade.  While cloth diapering requires a bit more laundry - water is a re-usable resource.  Also, even though you spend more money on diapers in the beginning (cloth diapers can be very pricey), you re-use them and they last years (hopefully).  After much research, I found that you can save thousands of dollars over the first year of babies life.  And last, there are less chemicals touching babies very sensitive skin.  PLUS, they have super cute patterns and colors!  We don't plan to cloth diaper exclusively as sometimes it just isn't convenient, but we do want to give it a try as our main diapering system.  

If you know me, you know I am a planner (I have never watched so many youtube reviews in my life and I am sure it is overkill)... and I know that doesn't always work out, especially with a new baby, but I really want to try to be as natural and organic as possible with convenience.  I would love to cloth diaper, nurse, and make my own baby food... call me a hippie - but the thought of being a mom is the most fascinating, exciting, and rewarding thing I can think of (I am slightly obsessed right now).  I think people are very quick to judge different parents, parenting styles/choices - every family is different, every child is different, and different things work for different people.  So, my opinion is - to each their own.  The last thing a new, excited parent-to-be wants to hear is: "Just wait for baby #2, you won't care about or need any of these things anymore."  While that may be true - every parent should get to figure that out on their own. Okay - off my rant.

So, I plan to update the blog here and there, so everyone can feel included in the journey.  I hope you enjoy reading me rants about being pregnant and baby things.  It consumes me right now.