The nursery is ready...I think

So with my limited knowledge, I still believe the nursery is ready for the baby.  I still need to get a mobile for the crib, a few more 4 oz. bottles and a thermometer.  Oh, and a grooming kit.  I don't have little baby nail clippers yet.  Hopefully I can pick those up this week sometime, then I feel I will be ready.

I hesitated whether to share this information with you or not because it is a private matter and I don't want the judgmental people attacking me over this.  But I decided that I will not attempt to breastfeed.  I have been torn about this decision since I first found out I was pregnant.  I have read everything I can find regarding breastfeeding vs. bottlefeeding.  But ultimately, it is what is best for me and the baby.  Bottlefeeding will be best for both of us.  Are you judging me right now?  Well, that is your right.  But I ask you to respect my feelings on this matter. What was right for you, is not necessarily right for me.  The reason I decided to disclose this information is because there may be others of you out there that are in the process of trying to make this huge decision and I wanted to let you know that I am on your side if you choose to bottlefeed.  My husband and I both were bottlefed babies and we are both fine from the formula served up in the 70's.  Formula has improved a lot since then and I have no concerns about my decision.  

If you feel like you need to criticize me for this decision...I advise you not to.  My mood ain't so great these days.  I will verbally thrash you.  So don't waste your time.  lol.  

My 36 week check-up

I went to see Dr. Martin last Friday for my 36 week check up.  36 weeks!?!  My how time flies.  This check-up included an ultrasound, a check of my cervix and another test that wasn't bad, but that I shall not discuss.  Everything went just fine.  My son weighs 6.4 pounds now which Dr. Martin says is in the 57th percentile.  I think it's kinda cool how she just KNOWS what percentile a baby is.  Smart lady.  

My blood sugars are still doing fine.  It is totally obvious when I've cheated though.  A little spike here and there tells her exactly when I've cheated and I've been completely honest.  She scolded me just a bit, but is still happy overall with my results.

The checking of the cervix.  I gotta' tell you.  I believe that was the most unpleasant thing I have ever felt in my life. At least up until now.  Nurse Rhonda confirmed to me that the checking of the cervix is nothing on the pain scale compared to labor.  I suppose I got a little preview of what's to come.  Thank God my doctor has little hands and skinny arms.  That's not what it felt like, but I imagine that experience could have been much worse.  

So the plan as of right now is to let labor happen naturally which is a relief.  If he's not here by his due date of August 24th, we discussed dates to induce.  Doc doesn't want me to go more than one week past my due date, and quite frankly, neither do I.  

When your belly button pokes out, does that mean the turkey...I mean baby, is done?

Hahaha! My belly button isn't completely sticking out yet, but it's well on its way. So my question is, when your belly button pops out, does that mean the baby is done cooking and ready to be served? We shall see...

1-2-3-HEAVE!

This is me trying to get out of bed every hour to go to the bathroom. It takes quite the effort to hoist myself out of bed.

35 weeks and the third trimester OUCHIES!

Whoa. Now I see what pregnant women mean when they say "get it outta me!". I am well into my third trimester now and the aches and pains associated with it are starting to get to me. I have mentioned before how lucky I am in my pregnancy. I don't have near the problems that I've heard other pregnant women talk about. My worst problems were a bit of nausea in the first trimester and an extremely manageable Gestational Diabetes situation.

But now...wow. I have itchy red bums, itchy deep purple stretch marks. I have to go to bathroom every hour now and my bones hurt. Yes. My pelvic bones. All of them. If I sit for too long, when I get up, I am literally hobbling from the discomfort. It's not anything I can't handle, but it's not fun. AND the baby likes punching me "down there". I'll get a sharp pain from time to time "down there" that makes me gasp in pain. It doesn't last long, but it is extremely unpleasant.

On the brightside? My baby showers are over and I have everything I need. At least I think I do. Obviously, with no experience here, I'm not totally sure. But I think I have everything even butt cream.

Oh, and my son now has more clothes than my husband and I combined. It helps having two sisters with boys. Hand me downs!!!!

What have I gotten myself into here?

WHAT have I gotten myself into??????!!!!!! My husband I went to our 2nd Labor and Delivery class last night. This session covered the stages of labor, what happens during labor, how long it can take, how painful it can be, epidurals, drugs, inducing and C-sections. It was completely overwhelming and I am officially freaking out!

I know it all leads to the incredible prize at the end, but I gotta' tell you, I'm not excited about the pain part.

Doc says it's time to think about when I would like to be induced. I'm trying to decide if I want to be induced or let the baby decide when he's ready to come out. There is a part of me, the organized structured part, that would like to know exactly when all this going to shake down for planning purposes. The other part of me, the free-spirited tree-hugging side thinks God should decide when it's time for the baby to come. Which side will win? Time will tell.

Jennifer's Favorite Baby Things Link Correction

Sorry about that! Here is the link to enter to win prizes in my Jennifer's Favorite Baby Things promotion!

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All systems are go! I had a great doctor's appointment!

Yesterday I had a 34 week check-up and follow up on my Gestational Diabetes testing. Looks like Doc and I have it figured out! My sugars are regulated, my weight is stable and the babies weight is normal so for now, I am doing GREAT! She doesn't see any reason to induce me early unless something changes. So she will let me go to 40 weeks, but not past it. I am SO relieved that we have things under control. At least for now.

I go back next Friday the 24th for my final ultrasound where she checks everything out and I have various tests done. I'm excited to see my boy again! Even if it's even on a computer screen.

I have a good friend who is due the day before me and she's having complications with her blood pressure. Her doctor told her to be ready to be put in the hospital anytime and induced because of the problems. She is so upset. She didn't want to be induced. But of course, she will do what is best for the baby.

Itchy Scratch Stretch Marks...

I have these nasty ugly deep purple stretch marks along my lower belly. It's not enough that they look bad is it? THEY ITCH LIKE CRAZY!!!! It's like having hundreds of misquito bites all at once.

Know what though? I don't care about the stretch marks or the itching. It shows my boy is growing and that makes me very happy...

Jennifer's Favorite BABY Things! Tune in to win!

I'm giving you the opportunity to win awesome prizes from local businesses good for baby and momma! Visit www.baby.jennifersfavoritethings.com to see what you can win and also enter online! Tune in weekdays to my Midday Show for your chance to win!

Show and Tell Sale

Get ready for another consignment sale! This one is July 16th thru the 21st in Turkey Creek at the old Goody's location. If you want to consign or you want to shop, visit the website for more information! www.showandtellsale.com

We had our first baby class last night...

So my husband and I attended our first of three Labor and Delivery Classes so we can start learning about what we are in for here.

The class was interesting and informative but the highlight was when the men in the room had to take turns wearing an Empathy Belly! Ahahhahaah!!!!!! let them feel what it's like! The funniest part was when the instructor put the belly on the first victim, she threw a pen on the floor and said "here, pick that up for me would ya'?" haha! You should have seen him trying to bend over. It was hilarious and all the ladies in the room were laughing because we SO know what it's like to have to pick things up off the floor. No fun!

Next week we learn about the different methods of delivery and the next week we learn what to do with the baby once it's here. Sitting for three hours is not fun in an uncomfortable chair, but what we are learning is priceless.

Aliens among us...

So the baby is moving like crazy now. And these aren't just subtle little movements. They are HUGE movements. I'll feel him start to move and I'll look down and see the right side of my tummy bulge up, then back down. Up...then back down. It's the funniest thing to watch and certainly interesting to feel. It's truly one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced. But I gotta' tell you, when I see my tummy start to move like that, I expect Sigourney Weaver to jump out from behind the corner at any moment.

Doc and I are working hard to stabilize my blood sugar...

I went back today and I'm doing much better with my blood sugar. She told me that these last 7 weeks may be a bit more difficult to control, but we are working hard together to do everything we can to keep it under control. My fasting sugars (after sleeping) were still a bit high so she has adjusted my medication again. I hope this works better this time.

I'm adjusting to the no carb diet. It's not much fun, but it's like the Atkins fad. Remember that? I actually LOST 2 1/2 pounds! haha! The baby is good, but I have lost a bit of weight.

The doc wanted to do an ultrasound today to see how big the baby is to make sure he's growing okay. The little squirt weighs 4.9 pounds! He's perfectly normal in his weight. It's these last few weeks that will be the tell all. I really don't want to have a C-section. I will if it's necessary, but it isn't a choice I want to make. I would rather not be cut open. So doc is working with me to make sure we do everything we possibly can to keep me from having to have a c-section.

So good news today which was nice. Hopefully we can keep my blood sugar under control throughout the rest of my pregnancy.