Birthing Class #2

I was slightly disappointed in last night's class because we were supposed to go on a tour of the hospital but that's been moved to the next class. However, yesterday's class was also quite educational. We learned the last breathing technique and the instructor assured us that if we were to go into labor now we'd know what to do. Phew! We also went over the stages of labor, how long each can take, what happens during each. It definitely sounds like it's going to be a long process but for that reason they encourage you to stay at home for most of it - until your contractions are 5 minutes apart for an hour. THEN, you can go to the hospital (otherwise, they may send you back home). We then watched a video of 2 women giving birth, quite graphic but hey, guess it helps to be better prepared. Next week the instructor is on vacation so we have signed up for an Infant CPR class - better safe than sorry! The week after we will go over pain management/drug options and finally go on that hospital tour.

At 34 weeks, baby weighs about 4.75-5 lbs, an average cantaloupe size. Funny thing is, we've been enjoying a lot of cantaloupe this summer! Baby is learning to blink now and should be getting ready for delivery by going in the head down position. Baby's movements are still quite strong and I love trying to figure out what body part I feel moving - though I really have no idea what's what. I had a doc appt this week and have gained about 30 lbs at this point, which is a little scary but I just have to keep reminding myself that its all for the baby and nothing some exercise once baby is born won't fix. Geesh, 6 weeks to go. I don't feel like I've been pregnant for 8 months, which is probably a good thing :)

Ok, off to the lake for the long weekend. Happy Labor Day!

Baby Einstein

Someone has kindly sent the Baby Einstein Seek & Discover for baby. Problem is, it didn't have a packing slip and I tried finding out from Babies R Us who sent it but they weren't able to figure it out for me since it apparently wasn't an online purchase. Of course, I had thrown the box out before getting the UPS tracking # from it and now I have no idea who to thank. So, if the sender is reading this blog, can I ask you to please let me know who you are so I can thank you properly?? Thank you!!

Doggie playtime

We took the pups to the Albany Bulb last night for a little playtime. We haven't taken them to the dog beach in quite some time and they couldn't get enough.

Catchin' waves

Jim ridin'
Steve ridin'
Benny, Ruckus (Steve's dog) & Foxie enjoying the lake

Birthing Class #1

Last night we had our first birthing class. There were 7 couples in the class - 3 having girls, 2 having boys, and us and another couple with our surprises. One woman is due the same day and everyone was due 2-3 weeks after. The instructor went over how our bodies are changing along with teaching us 2 breathing techniques to help you get through the contractions and some exercises to do to prepare for labor. Apparently I don't know how to take short shallow breaths and she said I may be someone who does better with the long slow breathing, which felt more natural to me anyways. Who knew breathing could be so hard! The guys had to do the breathing techniques too - since they'll be the ones hopefully keeping us somewhat sane and on track during this process. I think Jim will be great - it was very reassuring practicing these techniques with him alongside. I am confident he'll be what gets me through labor. Next week: another breathing technique and the hospital tour!

I am 33 weeks today - baby weighs about 4.5 lbs. and is about 17 inches long. Baby's respiratory system is almost completely mature and will gain about half his/her weight in the coming weeks. Another important milestone about now: The development of his or her own immune system that (along with antibodies from me) will be able to provide protection from mild infections.
Kinda cool - when I place my hand on different parts of my belly, baby usually will respond with a movement in that spot. With 7 weeks to go, I still feel really good. I do wake up more often throughout the night and if I should happen to fall asleep on my right vs. left side or on my back, according to my hubby apparently I've been snoring up a storm. Also, my body temperature seems to be higher than everyone else so I'm constantly warm. I do get some back aches but not too bad. Other than that, no major complaints.

My broham

This is my bro Michael. He's staying with us right now - though we hardly see him - while our parents are in Poland. He's a good kid and is an awesome sailor. Currently he's into riding fixies (a bike with only one gear, no ability to coast and no brakes) and from what I hear, he's pretty sweet at doing tricks on it too. Hard to believe he is almost 17 and is about to be a senior in high school. I remember the day he was born, on Thanksgiving - our little turkey :) and all the practice I got with changing diapers and what not. Come to think of it, he was great practice for my own baby. I'll just have to brush up on a few things :)

Baby Room

Baby's room is coming along. My hubby and I put the crib together in time for the shower and on Sunday we put up the curtains, the monkey light, and a few other things. We'll be able to keep an eye on baby right from our bed since we can see the crib from there. Over the next few weeks, we'll put in all the finishing touches - still need to find a few things to put on the walls, etc. Then will come all the washing of the bedding, clothes, etc., and getting diapers (going to try cloth in conjunction with disposables), diaper creams, lotions, and potions all set up. I think baby will be quite comfortable in his/her new surroundings. :)

32 weeks

This is last Friday, at 32 weeks. As you can see, baby is growing and I'm not sure how much more my belly can expand! It's amazing that the human body can accomodate all this growth. Baby is really active right now and I am constantly amused by the very obvious movements and love watching and feeling my belly take on alien like qualities. It's still a very odd concept that even though I see and feel all these movements a little baby will come out of this belly.
At the baby shower, my neighbor Scarlet brought over her 4 day old baby son, Oscar. I got to hold all of the 8 lbs. 4oz. of him and I felt quite comfortable doing so. It was like a flash forward to about 8 weeks from now when the next 4 day old baby I will be holding will be our own. Crazy.

Baby Shower

On Saturday, my wonderful friends Britt (and her mom Susan), Kate, and Renee organized a baby shower for baby. It was at our house and they did an amazing job of bringing over all the food, decorating, grilling, and ensuring a most wonderful time would be had by all.

Baby would like to thank everyone for all the awesome and thoughtful gifts. And mama would like to thank all her friends for the fun afternoon of catching up and getting to see some friends she hadn't seen in a while. So so great to see you all: Britt, Kate, Renee, Susan, April, Kristy, Lucy, Michelle, Melissa, Jeanine, Peggy, Jessie, Rae & Jahmani, neighbors Alice, Damon, Trajan & Scarlet, Tom, Moses, and 4 day old Oscar. More pics here :)

The Good and the Bad

Sorry for being mia for so long. Been a busy week or so - let me go backwards a little.
Our long Clear Lake weekend was both wonderfully relaxing and fun (the good) as it was surreal (the bad).

The weekend started off with not one but both pups getting sprayed by a skunk about 5 minutes after going down to the beach upon arrival per usual. We didn't even have time to take a dip to cool off ourselves before they got sprayed. No amount of washing them got rid of the smell of course and both pups were banished to the basement that night. Benny STILL has a bit of skunky smell to him. Oi.

One of the highlights of the weekend was the oysters Steve brought. These were awesome - and I've never seen oysters

quite that big. We're talking 3 mouthfuls of

oyster per one! They were delicious though and I was in oyster heaven.

Steve also brought a nice piece of fresh halibut which we intended to eat that night as well but after the monster oysters, we decided not to be total pigs and left it for the next day for the smoker. We smoked it for a few hours (deelish!) alongside the tri-tip and chicken and feasted for the rest of the weekend.

Another highlight was the wakesurfing - Jim and Steve surfed on the 7'1" surfboard they got from one of Jim's friends. Jim surfed like a pro, finally being able to surf the wake for as long as he wanted. It was glorious. Steve's camera work unfortunately left much to be desired so there is no photo evidence...but that will be remedied this weekend :)

The guys got in some quality PS2 time with the new FIFA 08 game and I caught up on my trashy gossip magazines and worked on my baby shower favors. I also caught the only fish of the weekend :)

The surreal part of the weekend was our friend's untimely passing. His spirit will be missed. May he rest in peace.

Glorious long weekend

I will be mia over the next few days as I am taking Friday and Monday off to enjoy a nice long weekend with my hubby. We are headed back up to the lake this evening and will be back sometime Monday. The weather forecast is perfect and I am looking forward to fishing, boating, hanging with our pups and relaxing. Our friend Steve is coming up for part of the weekend as well - and with him he will bring MANY oysters for the BBQ! Oh I can't wait. And while the guys get in some PS2 time, I will happily work on the scrapbook I want to start for baby. Going to be an awesome weekend indeed!

Another Lago weekend

Jonny's First Fish
Jim's only other catch of the weekend
Foxie keeping cool

Summertime fun
Baby likes to surf :)

More recent Clear Lake pics under Our Photos --->

30 weeks

At 30 weeks, baby rivals a head of cabbage in weight, at approximately 3 lbs (and is approx. 15.5 inches long)! Wrinkles and folds start appearing on the brain due to its rapid development. Baby's fingernails, toenails, eyelashes, and eyebrows are all finished and it is starting to shed that fine downy hair called lanugo that covers and protects baby. When awake, baby's eyes are wide open and can differentiate light and darkness, even following a source of light! Because baby is so big now, it occupies nearly the entire uterine cavity and moves and plays quite vigorously. When the baby is not moving, it will generally be in a sitting position with the head in upward direction. Now is the time, when the baby starts positioning itself for exit by easing and resting the head on mama's pelvic bones. Baby has a fully developed and functional digestive tract and lungs during the 30 weeks pregnant stage and baby can pee about a half a liter into the amniotic fluid every day! Only 10 more weeks to go baby!