Breastfeeding & Painting

So today was devoted to baby. We got up this morning and went to a class on breastfeeding. It was about 2 1/2 hours long and there were about 12 people in the class. It was basically a Q & A session that was really helpful. We also watched a video that showed us different signs of hunger and different feeding techniques. The film was very dated and if I didn't have my back to Adam the whole time I think I may have been the immature girl that started laughing hysterically. All in all I would say a good learning experience.

We left the class and dropped off all our donations after last night's cleaning spree. We then headed to Lowe's to buy ceiling paint and a few other odds and ends. We successfully managed to get the room painted today!! YEAH!! Manda came over for a little while and helped, but we mostly chatted while Adam did a good part of the work. I truly do appreciate all his hard work! Now we just have to wait for the carpet to get laid in about a week and then we'll finally be able to bring the furniture in. I'm so excited to see it all put together!!!

So, overall we've had a very busy, but productive day. I'm ready for bed now, so that's were I'm headed!!

Clean Up, Clean Up!!

Adam went to go pick up some fish for supper, so I'm taking a break. We've officially started tackling the baby's room. I didn't realize how much crap is in there!! I have so many photo albums and loose photos. Adam and I have spent more time than we should have going through old photos, wishing we were still skinny!!! We've made a good dent in, but the question is where do we put all this stuff. A lot is going to Good Will, but there's some stuff you just can't pitch! I know I'll get it figured out, but it's just not very fun!

I did leave work early today. I was seriously so exhausted from this week of work, but for the first time in the 8 sessions I've worked there we actually passed a small capital bill yesterday!!! It was pretty exciting to see that happen. Anyway, I figured I deserved a little afternoon nap, so I stopped at Babies R Us and bought this wonderful pregnancy pillow and came home and took a 2 hour nap! It was great!!!

Well, I guess I've successfully wasted enough time. . . back to work!

Dr's Visit

Today I went for my bi-weekly appointment with Dr. Putman. It was uneventful as usual, but uneventful is good in this case. I peed in a cup, had my blood pressure taken, and was weighed. I gained little over a pound, for a total weight gain of 15 lbs. I then visited with the Dr. and we listened to the heartbeat, which was going strong. We talked for a brief moment and then I was on my way. I go back on Thursday the 16th, but won't see my Dr, because he'll be on vacation. (Lucky him. I'd love to be in Florida on the beach!!!)

The baby has been moving around quite a bit, and has been getting the hiccups a couple times a day. I've been working like crazy and running around, which is causing me to lose my breath fairly easily, but I know that comes with the territory. By the end of the work day I've been pretty beat and basically come home and go right to bed. I did treat myself to a massage last weekend. It truly was amazing and if they weren't so expensive I would get one once a week. They also had this great pregnancy pillow that I really am considering buying. It was sooooo comfortable. I think I could sleep for days if I had it!!!

I'm really looking forward to the Senate being on break for the next two weeks. It'll give me a chance to get my office cleaned up and to get the baby's room going. Adam bought paint last weekend and we also picked out carpet for the entire upstairs. We plan on painting this weekend and the carpet will be laid on April 14th. My baby shower is on the 18th so then I'll have a whole bunch of fun things to go through. I'm so excited!!!!!

Until next time. . . .

29 Weeks Pregnant

At this point it may be more appropriate to be counting down the weeks instead of counting up. So, I'm 29 weeks pregnant, or in other words 11 more weeks to go. My belly feels like it continues to grow. Trista and I went to lunch on Monday and she said it's the first time she's seen me that I actually looked pregnant (obviously we don't see each other enough!!) I was talking to the baby the other night and to Adam. We were discussing how we waited so long for this baby, and now time is running out before we get to meet this new one and we have so much to get done! It's really amazing how fast time has gone.

We went to Lowe's on Monday night. I think we have a paint color with a crazy name picked out. Adam thinks it would be fun to have the job of picking out paint names. He just named the baby's room color "Scrumptious Morning Dew." Yeah, see he'd be good at it. So anyway, the hope at this point is to get the painting done in the next week or two and then lay carpet over Adam's spring break. That also means we need to go pick out carpet, but I don't know when I'll have time for that. It's 3rd Reading deadline next week at work, so it's going to be long and crazy all week long.

Other than that, things have been going well. My back hurts occasionally, but that comes with the territory. My hamstrings feel like they always need to be stretched. Adam stretches them in the morning and at night for me. It hurts, but feels so good! As a matter of fact, I think it's time to get ready for bed and have my evening stretches right now!!

I Passed the Test!!!

I truly cannot tell you how excited I am that I passed my blood glucose test. I was so nervous about it, and the Dr's office just called and said I was fine!! YEAH!!!!! I guess my walking and trying not to eat too terrible has paid off! I can't tell you worried I was about this.

I did however find out that I have a low blood iron count, so I will have to start taking an over-the-counter iron pill everyday. This is a pretty common occurrence amongst pregnant women. The main reason being, your blood volume doubles while pregnant and essentially the body just can't keep up with the iron production it needs. I can handle taking a little pill everyday. It's a much better option than insulin!!

Happy 1st day of Spring!!!!

Dr's Visit

Today, I started the morning off with 10 oz of uncarbonated orange drink, one hour later I had my blood drawn. I am being tested for gestational diabetes. This is a test that all women take as they begin their 3rd trimester. Yes, you read right we are officially in the 3rd and final trimester. Time is really flying, and it's really making me nervous since we still have so much left to do.

This afternoon I had my monthly check-up with Dr. Putman. It was the normal routine: get weighed, check my blood pressure, measure my belly, and listen to the heartbeat. All went very well. I've gained 6 lbs since my last appointment, making my total weight gain 14 lbs. I should only be gaining a pound a week, but I manged to gain 1.5 pounds this last month. The goal from here on out will be to only gain one a week!! My appointments will now be every two weeks. The only other thing we need to work on is finding a pediatrician, so if anyone has suggestions we'd love to hear from you!

The baby has been very active lately and my tailbone has been really hurting, but all in all I'm doing very well. The biggest task right now is trying to survive the long hours at work. Tuesday I was at work until 2 am for the annual budget night. Hopefully, this was my last one of those. I'm really hoping once the baby is born to find a job with a little more regular schedule. God willing that will happen. I'm going to have to work this weekend, but it won't be so bad because Adam will also be at the Capitol helping with the annual Youth and Government program.

Hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful spring weather!!

Lamaze Class

Today Adam and I went to a Lamaze class at Memorial Hospital. I was worried we were going to end up being next to a couple like the Duggars who have a zillion kids and come every time to refresh their memory or the all natural hippie that would never ever consider putting any kind of medication into their body. As the case may be, we didn't have either situation. There was only 4 other couples in the class, all having their first child and close to our age. Adam and I were the talkers of the group, and even recieved a few extra diapers for participating!!

I would say we learned several things today that I hope will be helpful. I'm thinking it's going to be like our wedding day. . . we practiced the night before but the day of the wedding I had to keep asking Adam what to do. I'm guessing the birthing process is going to very similar, Adam is going to have to be the voice of reason. I have no doubt in my mind that he will be a phenominal birthing coach! That's not to say I may hate him during it, but I know he will mean well. I asked the teacher what the percentage is of women that get epidurals and she said about 83%, and I'm guessing more than likely I'm going to be one of those women. I at least know we learned some tools that will get us through part of the birthing process. Who knows I may surprise myself!

My lower back has really been hurting the last few days. We learned a few techniques today that seemed to help releive some pressure, so I'm hoping those continue to work. Also learned about using a birthing ball, which we have an exercise ball at home that is essentially the same thing, so I plan on using that at home as well. I think I also may need to add another pillow at night. I currently sleep with a body pillow and two regular pillows, which Adam makes fun of me for. The teacher actually said it's normal to use about 5, so I think I 'm doing pretty good. I guess it's good we have a king size bed and Adam doesn't need much room to sleep at night!!

Tonight we're off to Thomas and Amy's house for a little get together. Should be fun, especially since today is so beautful out!! Sure would be nice to have a beer on a day like this, but I know that's not an option . . . well maybe a sip just for memories sake!!