Getting Ready for Baby

"One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving."

(Paulo Coelho)

To give a brief update to my last post, I have good news: My OB said that whatever I had been doing worked because Ava, who was full-term breech, turned and is now head-down, so thank you for your thoughts and prayers! I was very conflicted about having an external cephalic version (ECV) -- which would require an epidural and other medications, is only 50% effective, and can have serious risks -- and wanted to avoid additional medical interventions, so I did everything I could to get the baby in a vertex position: inversions, shoulder stands, and yoga cat/cow/downward dog poses; using music and light, and ice and heat; praying; talking to her; manually trying to move her; and finally visiting a chiropractor for the Webster Technique. The chiropractor -- who I'm planning to see again before birth and then again several weeks afterwards -- was the one who told me she thought Ava might have flipped so until I could get ultrasound confirmation I should hold off on continuing the various techniques. My OB performed an ultrasound confirming that my chiropractor was right. But anything can happen between now and my due date, and I still needed to see an ultrasound specialist because there is another issue that could present a problem during birth, but we won't know until I'm in labor so I'm not worrying about it now.

So here we are, and my due date is rapidly approaching! By this point, most pregnant women feel that time is dragging on. I'm very excited to meet our baby girl, but to me it's all still going by so quickly.

In just the past several days, I was able to pull together the baby room, though she probably won't actually stay in there for a while. My mother-in-law's church friend passed along a crib to us, which I wasn't expecting -- I hadn't planned on having any real nursery furniture (e.g. crib, chair, changing table, dresser, etc.), and was only going to use our Graco Pack 'n Play Day2Night Sleep System, which we ended up putting in our bedroom -- and finally, after months of consideration, I decided to buy a swivel glider/recliner chair from Overstock.com when it was on sale, which arrived on Friday. Please see below for photos of my recent progress preparing for our baby's arrival.

Our Bedroom Baby Station

The Graco Pack 'n Play with bassinet, napper, and changing station is in our bedroom, since we put the crib in the baby room. It's stocked with newborn-size Honest Company diapers, Size 1 Pampers, 99.9% pure WaterWipes, Boogie Wipes, tissues, Desitin and A&D cream, Vaseline, Aquaphor, and hand sanitizer. We also have Huggies diapers and Kirkland wipes that my mother-in-law picked up at Costco, so I'll have to see which brands works best for our little one. I've heard good things about Target's up&up diapers, so we'll try those too at some point.
 

Portable Pack 'n Play Sleep System

Bassinet

Side view... shoved in by the glass doors

Diapers and more underneath changing table

Adorable diapers in a basket I crocheted

Other Baby Supplies

I bought a 2-tiered non-skid turntable to hold baby bath, body, and health supplies, which are now in the bathroom. A good friend gifted me with a 3-month bundle subscription to The Honest Company, hence all the great Honest supplies.

Bath, body, and health supplies

Some of my Honest Company stash

More baby-care items

Gender Neutral-ish Nursery

The baby room is decorated in mostly grey, white, and aqua to complement the seafoam-colored walls. I wanted it to be on the more gender neutral side, but it's still pretty girlie after all, with the pink accents. I transitioned the room from my brother-in-law's old bedroom, to my home office after moving here, and now to a baby girl's room. I moved the twin bed to the other side of the room, and originally was going to paint the headboard shelving white, but would have had to detach it from the bed frame, which seemed like too much work. Then we were given the crib -- which came with the teddy bear mobile -- from my mother-in-law's friends, so I decided I would definitely not bother painting anything.

Grey, white, and aqua with seafoam-colored walls

Crib holding my collection of Boppy pregnancy pillows

Walls decals I arranged

Comfy swivel rocker/recliner, grey striped rug, and bed

Headboard with books, blocks, and baby crafts

I'll try to post about baby crafts separately

Grey and white memo board with maternity photos

Girlfriend has a bigger and more colorful wardrobe than I do

Some of her cute little shoes, socks, bibs, etc.

Closet dividers to organize clothing by months

PJs, bear suits, leggings, swaddlers, blankets, and more

Hooded towels hanging on inside of room door

Door latch stoppers in cute prints

Hospital Bags

I packed up a couple of bags for the hospital, including the baby bag and my bag. The baby bag contains hats, socks, a couple of simple sack-style one-pieces, receiving blankets, her going home outfit, baby book cards for footprints, nursing pillow cover (my sister is sending me the pillow), Itzbeen Pocket Nanny Baby Care Timer, hand sanitizer, large zip-top bag, a "0" candle, and a little crocheted garland. 

Baby bag items to bring to hospital

Newborn hat, outfits, and socks

Variety of cards for baby book, "0" candle, and baby-care tracker

Monogrammed going home outfit with hat, converter gown, and blanket

My mom bag contains a pillow, maternity gown, PJs, tops, yoga pants and leggings, undergarments, Belly Bandit, socks, on-sale Crocs flip flops and clogs to easily clean after being in the hospital, hair and body towels, toiletries, vitamins, and an extra zip-top bag. The hospital will provide other supplies, but I have stocked up on lots of postpartum products.

Items in my bag to bring to hospital

PJs and comfortable clothing

Towels, undergarments, footwear, and socks

Toiletries and vitamins

We still need to pack up the tech gear, general supplies, snacks, drinks, candy, and mints, nurses gifts, documents and records, plus my husband's things... and install the car seat!

List of remaining items to pack for hospital

Finally, below are links to 2 videos I've watched and enjoyed:

This is really cute and makes me cry every time!

"I'm So Pregnant" Iggy Azalea Parody.

Full-Term Update, Plus Great Things About Being Due in November

"In case you ever foolishly forget; I am never not thinking of you."
(Virginia Woolf)

I'm 37 weeks along today, which means that baby girl is full-term now, but we have about 3 more weeks to go before she should really make her debut. The past week has been the most difficult for me of this otherwise great pregnancy. We're in good health -- I'm fine, the baby is fine -- but she's breech, so I have some decisions to make very quickly. There is a lot to take in and potentially let go of. In the meantime, I have been practicing various techniques and hoping that she turns. Only 3-4% of babies are breech at this point. Prayers welcome for me and my little troublemaker.

33 Weeks

• Baby is the size of a durian.
• She may grow up to a full inch this week alone, and is going through more major brain development; soon, she'll be able to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing; her bones are hardening, and she has started to keep her eyes open when awake.
• 33w1d: Heart rate of approximately 138 bpm.
• Hospital obstetrical unit tour at 33w2d: It was very helpful to take an advanced trip to the hospital where I'll be delivering (and where my husband and his siblings were born), walk through the entire process, meet some of the staff, and have my questions answered. Compared to the major hospitals in NYC, this one is so nice, and has all private LDRs and postpartum rooms, which is a bonus. They are also opening a natural birth center soon.
• Symptoms: Braxton Hicks contractions, acid reflux, unusual dreams.

In Frankenmuth, Michigan's Little Bavaria, at 33w2d

My list of questions for the maternity ward tour

34 Weeks

• Baby is the size of a butternut squash.
• She can recognize and react to simple songs, and may find them soothing after birth; also urinates about 1 pint per day.
• Appointment at 34w1d: Urine screen, weight, and blood pressure taken. Baby's heart rate approximately 140 bpm; measuring perfectly.
• 34w2d: Prenatal massage.
• Childbirth class at 34w5d: We took a childbirth preparation class at the home of a longtime L&D nurse who has worked at my hospital for around 35 years, has been teaching private classes for almost 30 years, and is highly recommended by my OB. Neither of them approve of the hospital-run childbirth classes, which staff outsiders who don't always know or give correct information.
• Symptoms: Braxton Hicks contractions, increased pelvic pressure for the past couple of weeks.
• Cravings: Cheese, biscuits, scones, pumpkin donuts.

With my fwends at the liberry at 34w5d

35 Weeks

• Baby is the size of a coconut.
• She won't get much longer, but will put on a pound or more of baby fat before birth; her hearing is totally developed, and she responds best to high-pitched noises.
• Symptoms: Braxton Hicks contractions, with a couple of stronger ones; acid reflux.
• Cravings: Indian food, warm pastries.

In Detroit for dinner at 35w5d

36 Weeks

• Baby is the size of a honeydew.
• Her skin is getting smooth and soft, gums are rigid, liver and kidneys are in working order, and circulation and immune system are good to go; and she's getting closer to being able to breathe on her own.
• Began eating a few Medjool dates per day and continued drinking pregnancy tea.
• Appointment at 36w1d: Urine screen, Group Beta Strep test, weight, and blood pressure taken. Baby is measuring perfectly; heart rate of approximately 147 bpm. Received a phone call at the end of the day, asking to come in the next day for an ultrasound.
• Appointment at 36w2d: Blood pressure taken. OB performed an ultrasound and confirmed that baby is in a frank breech position, with head up on the left, spine towards the left, butt on the bottom, and legs towards the right. October 15 is also annual Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.
• Symptoms: Braxton Hicks contractions, with some stronger cramping; hip and leg soreness overnight.

Chilly autumn evening at 36w5d

 Great Things About Being Due in November

To end on a positive note, below is my list of reasons to look forward to having a November or autumn baby:

• Fall maternity photos.
• Apple and pumpkin flavors, comfort food, fall everything.
• Not having the last few months of pregnancy during the hottest time of the year.
• Lots of time to wear roomy, thick clothes, and oversized sweaters.
• Sharing the holiday season with a newborn.
• Something amazing to be thankful for.
• Baby's 1st Thanksgiving.
• Baby's 1st Christmas.
• Baby's 1st Christmas ornament.
• Christmas cards doubling as birth announcements.
• Staying home for the holidays, rather than running around for travel, shopping, etc.
• Being able to hibernate and be less social/stressed.
• Enjoying holiday coffee drinks, New Year's Eve champagne.
• Cozy newborn and family snuggles during the cold winter months.
• Not overheating when babywearing.
• Not working during the holidays.
• 2014 tax deduction.
• Being in Michigan this year, it will be nice to have things quieter and slower paced and be able to do what we want.
• Baby will be big/old enough to enjoy spring/summer outings, swimming, etc. when the weather gets warm.

Our Maternity Photo Session at Heritage Park

"The best thing to hold onto in life is each other."
(Audrey Hepburn)

We recently did a maternity photo shoot at Heritage Park in Farmington Hills, MI with Lisa of Turtle Street Photography. We were lucky that the weather was ideal for September -- not too warm, chilly, or windy, with late-day sun -- and Lisa made us feel very comfortable, even though I was definitely out of my comfort zone. And, it turns out that her husband went to middle school with my husband! That night, they looked each other up in their old yearbooks.

We did everything quickly, within an hour or so, including 3 outfits for me and 2 for Sam. I wore: 1) a royal blue one-shoulder Mark & James by Badgley Mischka dress, 2) an ivory lace maternity gown from SilkFairies with a floral maternity sash from PaisleysPretties (both via Etsy), and 3) a sheer burgundy printed open cardigan and solid tank top from Motherhood Maternity with Old Navy jeans; all with different shoes and jewelry, though I ended up kicking off my shoes in the 2nd segment. To coordinate, Sam wore a dressier outfit and then changed into a more casual one.

Interestingly, I was most comfortable with the photos taken in the maternity gown, which I had thought would feel unnatural, given that it's not my usual style of dress/undress. I felt literally close to the earth though, and didn't focus on smiling or posing or even interacting with Sam, but was able to stand/sit/lay there and just be for a short while.

Huge as I may be, I'm happy to have some nice images to commemorate the near-end of my pregnancy. Not much longer before we meet our baby girl, the silent star of these photos!

3rd Trimester: 27 to 32 Weeks, Including My Baby Shower

"Life is always a rich and steady time when you are waiting for something to happen or to hatch."

(E.B. White, Charlotte's Web)

I've said this before, but it's astounding how quickly this pregnancy has moved along. I'm at almost 33 weeks now, so there are only 4 more weeks until I'm considered full-term!

I'm barely at the stage where I've been thinking about actual labor and childbirth and bringing home baby, so I need to get up to speed, but I don't want to fill my head with too many perspectives or negative experiences. Oftentimes, our minds get in the way of our bodies, but we have to remember that our bodies are designed for this. My prenatal yoga instructor is a doula and childbirth educator, and she said that some of the "easiest" or least complicated birth stories involve either very young moms who haven't really done much research, or moms with mental challenges who can't or don't overthink the process. I want to be well-informed, but not overly so, so that I can have my own unique experience. I'll have a basic birth plan, but will ultimately go with the flow and do what is best for my baby and myself, not being too adamant about sticking to any pre-set ideas.

Aside from backaches and major issues sleeping -- which I'll chalk up to God getting me used to sleepless nights -- this pregnancy has been quite uneventful in a good way. Still, I have fears and anxieties that haven't gone away, and probably won't until at least after I give birth. I sometimes worry about her movements stopping and her heart ceasing to beat. I'm nervous to get the room we're going to use for her ready, and to unpack all of the lovely and generous gifts we've received and items we've purchased because I'm afraid something bad will happen and we'll have to return them. Overall, however, I'm happy and excited and I think I just need to de-clutter and organize and that might give me a little peace. Over the next few weeks, you'll find me nesting and preparing to welcome our baby girl. I've been working on some baby crafts, which I plan to post about soon.

Below are some details and photos from the beginning of my 3rd trimester until now.

27 Weeks, Start of 3rd Trimester

• Baby is the size of a rutabaga.
• Her lungs are going through major developments, which (combined with the opening of previously plugged nostrils) means she's now able to practice inhaling and exhaling.
• I started drinking organic pregnancy tea -- containing red raspberry leaf, strawberry leaf, stinging nettle leaf, and a blend of spearmint leaf, bitter fennel fruit, rose hip, alfalfa leaf, and lemon verbena leaf -- which is suppose to help to support pregnancy and prepare the womb for childbirth; and reading my one book on pregnancy, labor, and childbirth that I've had for a while now, Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy.
• 27w4d: Heart rate of approximately 147 bpm. I also noticed movement on the outside of my belly today, which felt like little people doing the wave, or hot tub jets, and turned me into a real shape-shifter.
• Symptoms: Acid reflux with mild, brief nausea when getting up from lying down position; series of memorable dreams.
• Cravings: Grilled or fried cheese (sandwiches, mozzarella sticks); candy (gummy/sour gummy candies are my favorite); chocolate (I'm pretty much always in the mood for cookies 'n cream ice cream or cookie dough flavors).

27w1d during our mini babymoon to Mackinac Island

Pregnancy tea and book

28 Weeks

• Baby is the size of an eggplant.
• She is breathing and showing brain activity, lungs are maturing, and skin is still pretty wrinkly (from living in amniotic fluid) but will smoothen as fat continues to deposit.
• Gestational diabetes screen at 28w2d: Drank fruit punch-flavored glucola beverage at home and then went into the office; weight, urine screen, blood pressure taken, and 2 tubes of blood drawn. OB answered some questions about the flu shot, Tdap vaccine, and pediatricians, and then measured my fundal height and checked baby's heart rate, which was 156 bpm (a little higher than usual because of the glucose drink), and told me to return in 2 weeks. After the appointment, Sam and I got our flu shots at CVS.
• This was the first week I had strangers ask about and congratulate me on my pregnancy, and store employees ask if I needed help taking groceries to the car. 
• Symptoms: Round ligament pain, insomnia, heartburn/acid reflux at night.

Glucose drink for screening at 28w2d

Post-bagel outing in downtown Detroit at 28w5d

29 Weeks

• Baby is the size of an acorn squash.
• Her energy is surging, thanks to white fat depositing beneath the skin, and she's growing fast (weight will triple before birth).
• 3D ultrasound at 29w0d: Note that dark areas in the photos below are shadows from fluid, or areas where she was pressed up against the placenta or my hip bone, which she was snuggling and wouldn't budge from! I used to think 3D ultrasounds were a little creepy because the babies often looked alien-like, but I'm so glad we got an early look at our baby.
• 29w6d: Heart rate of approximately 143 bpm.
• Cravings: Animal crackers, chocolate Teddy Grahams.

I already think she's the cutest!

Outside of a Toledo, OH mall at 29w2d

30 Weeks, 75% There!

• Baby is the size of a cucumber.
• She is moving a lot and plumping up; skin is smoothing out; increased surface area of grooves and indentations in her brain making more room for essential brain tissue; and her grip is strong enough to grasp a finger.
• Appointment at 30w1d: Weight, urine screen, and blood pressure taken; Tdap vaccine received. Nurse practitioner checked baby's heart rate, which was approximately 138-140 bpm, and measured my fundal height. She said that the main concern in pregnancy at this point is preterm labor: If my belly gets tight and hard and cramping occurs, increase water intake, get off feet, lie down on left side, check for movement; and if tightening/cramping occurs 5-6 times or more in an hour, call the office or go to the hospital.
• 30w2d: Prenatal massage.
• Symptoms: Tightening pain, most likely Braxton Hicks contractions.
• We went to NY at the end of this week for our friends' wedding as well as my baby shower, which my sister and sister-in-law hosted at Francois Payard's FP Patisserie on Manhattan's Upper East Side. I also got to meet my friend Angela's brand new baby girl, and have dinner with my family before I returned to Michigan.

Sunglasses to protect eyes from the glare of my pasty legs at 30w2d

30w5d, dressed up for the wedding and looking huge!

My Baby Shower

I need to figure out how to use my camera settings for better photos, but please see below for several shots from my baby shower at Francois Payard Patisserie 2 weeks ago. The "Ready to Pop" theme was carried out in the invitations, the prizes (mini Pommery Pink Pop Rosé Champagne and Essie Poppy Art Pink nail polish), and the popcorn favors.

Ready to Pop invite from Le Partie Sugar

Me with the hostesses, Grace and Maureen

Table setting with wish cards and menus

A handful of the handwritten wish cards

Unsure of our answers during one of the games

Baby headband-making station

So many flowers, embellishments, and colors

Some of the ladies' adorable creations

Speaking of adorable, how cute is this?

Menu

Beautiful flowers, tea, and mini pastries

More food, including scones, tea sandwiches, and macaron ice cream sandwiches!

3 delicious favor flavors from Popcorn Palace

Parting gifts from FP Patisserie: a box of macarons and orange peel breakfast brioche

31 Weeks

• Baby is the size of a pineapple.
• She is going through major brain and nerve development; eye development, as irises now react to light; and all 5 senses are in working order.
• Consultation appointment with prospective pediatric specialists at 31w2d: Spoke with a couple of medical staff members and saw the office and patient areas.
• 31w4d: Heart rate of approximately 149 bpm.
• Symptoms: Backaches; Braxton Hicks contractions; some discomfort from lots of movement that felt different (starting the evening of 31w1d) -- the best way I can describe the feeling is that it is like when you try to twist an inflated balloon, but you meet resistance and aren't sure it will twist successfully -- since baby is running out of space and trying to get comfy herself.
• Cravings: With the drop in temperatures, apple cider donuts and hot chocolate, as well as grilled cheese and brownies.

31w5d at Trader Joe's... Yikes, baby is the size of a pineapple?

32 Weeks

• Baby is the size of a squash.
• She is getting ready to emerge, and has even less space as she tries to fit in my increasingly cramped womb and prepare for her eventual descent.
• Appointment at 32w0d: Urine screen, weight, and blood pressure taken. OB measured my fundal height, and checked baby's heart rate, which was 150 bpm, and told me that this is usually the time when things get more uncomfortable.
• 32w0d: I took a short video clip of her movement (which I'll try to post here when I get the chance).
• 32w2d: We had professional maternity photos taken this week by Lisa of Turtle Street Photography. I'm always uncomfortable in front of a camera, but I hope we managed to get some nice photos to remember this special time.
• Symptoms: Back aches, Braxton Hicks contractions, series of memorable dreams.

32w4d and enjoying the beautiful transitional weather

I look back on previous pregnancy posts, when I couldn't imagine how I could possibly get larger, but the expansion keeps happening... It's like Manifest Destiny within my body.

Coming up, we'll be taking a tour of the obstetrical unit, since I've never been to the hospital where I'm going to deliver, and a day-long childbirth class with an experienced L&D nurse, and I want to schedule an infant and child CPR class as well. And I need to pack our hospital bags: one for me (L&D/recovery), one for Sam (personal items/tech bag), and one for Ava (baby bag).

Thanks for reading if you made it this far with me!