Feeling....Confident

 

Saturday we attended a full day of childbirth class.  Our class was through Confident Childbirth of Atlanta.  They teach a mixture of lamaze, hypnotherapy, and the Bradley method.  We left feeling more prepared for labor and delivery, and I would recommend them to anyone in our area.  I also left knowing that I need a much larger birthing ball; mine was comedically smaller than everyone else's. 

Here is my update:

 

 

 

How far along? 32 weeks (8 months!)

Total weight gain: 24 lbs.

Maternity clothes? All bottoms and most dresses and tops.

Stretch marks? No.  I'm hoping I can keep them at bay long enough to get some maternity photos in.  Here are some of the pics I love:

 

Sleep: I have been waking up in the middle of the night with some major Charley horses in my calfs.  Once I have a cramp, my legs stay sore for at least the next day.  I have been trying to have a banana every morning, get plenty of calcium, and stretch before going to bed.  It's helping a little.

Best moment of the week: Eric has been so wonderful.  At birthing class he practiced every breathing technique with me and learned techniques to help me through the back pain associated with late pregnancy and labor.  I know he is going to be wonderful for the birth.

Miss anything? Having a lap.  I feel like my belly is taking over.

Movement: I'm still feeling movement low.  Hopefully she will make her way head-down soon.

Food cravings: Sweets...mostly ice cream and chocolate.

Food aversions: No big ones lately.

Gender: Girl

Labor signs: I've had a few more intermittent Braxton Hicks contractions.

Symptoms: Still really swollen in my hands, legs, and feet.  I have been trying to sit as much as I can at work, but it's really hard when you have gotten used to walking around when you teach.

Belly button in or out? In but very shallow.

Wedding rings on or off? 1/2 on. I can only wear either my engagement ring or my wedding ring. They both won't go on anymore. I also have to wash my hands at night to get them off easily.

Looking forward to: A long weekend escape to the lake.  We are also planning to take some maternity pictures on Monday if the weather cooperates.  Oh and the beginning of football season on Saturday.  Goooo Dawgs!



Life's a Zoo

I have definitely missed blogging!  Every since we got back from vacation, life has been pretty hectic.  Being in a car for 14 hours really takes a toll on a pregnant lady's feet.  I don't think my hands or feet have been the same since we left for Wisconsin.  My life also changed in another way while I was gone.  My Great-Aunt Peggy passed away the day after we arrived.  While it was a little chaotic to fly back home to Atlanta and then out to Michigan in a two day window, I am so glad that I was able to make it to her funeral.  My Nana has always been there for me, and it felt great to be there for her when she needed me.

While we were away, we went to:

• Capital Brewery
• The University of Wisconsin
• German Fest

After German Fest, we drove over to a pier.  That's lake Michigan behind us!

• Milwalkee County Zoo

I went a little picture crazy at the zoo.  I haven't been to a zoo since my senior year of high school.  I can't wait to be able to take Aubrey later.

These little monkeys were my favorite.  They look like little owls in the face and are really hyper.  I want one.

Peacocks roamed the entire grounds.

Oh!  By the way...I got a haircut.

It's hard work being king.

The buzzards were really creepy.

• Katie and Josiah's Wedding at the Little Gem Theater

It was a truly beautiful wedding.  Josiah and Katie have an adorable little boy, August, who made their ceremony that much more touching.

The happy couple.

As soon as we got back from vacation, pre-planning started and I continued my search for a pediatrician.  Great news...we found one we love.  We will be taking Aubrey to Kennesaw Pediatrics.  Their office is very kid-friendly, the doctors are great, and they understand our choice to use an alternative vaccination schedule.  The only down side is that the office is 20 minutes away, but I think it will be worth it to have a pediatrician who is on board with our parenting methods.  I had one doctor basically tell me that I should really do some research before I make a decision that would harm my child.  She also launched into a full fledged debate with me about the safety of vaccinations during which she claimed that chicken pox could put our child in danger of contracting a flesh-eating bacteria.  Was she off her rocker or what?!  I'm afraid it's those kind of far-fetched scare tactics that may be driving Americans to over-vaccinate.  We can't protect our immune systems from ever having to work!  I will step down from my soap box now to give you an update.

How far along? 30 weeks

Total weight gain: 21 lbs.

Maternity clothes? All bottoms and some dresses and tops.

Stretch marks? No.

Sleep: I toss and turn pretty much every night and it seems I can never get the temperature in the room to be comforatble.  It's always too hot or too cold. 

Best moment of the week: Meeting my new students on Monday.  I can tell that this is going to be a great school year and a wonderful bunch of kids. 

Miss anything? Beer.  It was very difficult to enjoy a brewery tour and German Fest without being able to participate in the festivities.  My husband has been raving about a beer only sold in Wisconsin (Spotted Cow) every since he first tried it, so we returned to Georgia with a case of it and I can't partake in that either. :-(

Movement: She is constantly turning and kicking.

Food cravings: Pumpkin anything...I made a pie tonight.  I just couldn't fight the urge any longer. 

Food aversions: No big ones lately.

Gender: Girl

Labor signs: I've had a few more intermittent Braxton Hicks contractions. 

Symptoms: I'm having cramps from my right butt cheek down to my calf.  And I am majorly swollen.  My fingers look like sausages.

Belly button in or out? In but very shallow. 

Wedding rings on or off? 1/2 on.  I can only wear either my engagement ring or my wedding ring.  They both won't go on anymore.  I also have to wash my hands at night to get them off easily.

Looking forward to: Our childbirth class on Saturday.  I'm hoping the class will have me feeling a little more relaxed about labor and delivery.  I can't believe there are only 10 weeks to go!!!