+1 in 888: dads are great!

Perhaps I should have called this post 'grandpas-to-be are great!'

This past weekend, Kalin's dad came out to spend some time with us and go skiing with Kalin.  We had a great time and there were even some house projects completed, including one for Elsa's room!  We'd been working to figure out how to separate the office area from the nursery and our solution was a row of curtains hanging by cable from one wall to the opposite.  No real idea how the turnout would be, but it was going to be necessary...and I couldn't be happier with the turnout...this room is starting to feel like it's about ready for a baby to live in it!

Then there's my dad, who spotted a diaper-change-area dilemma on the dresser we had with just thinking we'd use a changing pad on top (not acceptable I suppose).  Apparently, we needed a legit changing area, so dad crafted up a box to hold our changing pad with a little area for all the changing essentials.  It's securely fastened to the dresser, so this baby isn't going anywhere!

THANKS DADS!

Oh, and this momma needed something to add to the project list, so I sewed up this little swaddle blanket with a hood - pretty excited about it.  

ok, now I'm ready!

A few weeks ago, I may have been fine with leaving this little girl in for many more weeks, but oh my, let's get her here!

All of the sudden, I'm ready to be without heartburn, not feeling uber heavy and to not have to endure being sick and being pregnant at that same time.  Last week I caught some sort of flu and I don't even know the last time I had the flu, but simply to say, it was terrible.  Ugh.  Thankfully Kalin is super wonderful and got me Gatorade, saltines and noodle soup once my stomach let me keep something in and put up with my miserableness.  And my little Mochi dog made sure he was by my side all the time while I was restlessly trying to kick this thing.  Snacking on ice chips got me through the worst of it and I believe I'm just about 90% now with a big side of nausea (huh?  I thought I was done with that in the 1st trimester?), so on to the 6 weeks-to-go countdown and hopefully less sicky-ness!

This girl must be growing because she is taking over!  Her movements are that more pronounced and her energy is undeniable!

In more fun news, here's a few shots of my nursery projects...a few more things to hang and organize, but we're almost there.

a little project in the works

These little letters will soon be cut out to go on some bunting that will hang near Elsa's crib!  I have some free time this week from work so I have a few projects that I'd love to get done for our little lundy.  8 more weeks!

elsa update: 31 weeks

It's amazing that we are now in the single-digit week countdown until we get to meet Elsa!  We're at 60 days away!

We had an appointment this week and everything is looking great.  Elsa's big accomplishment was that she flipped over, so now she's head down (a huge relief!!).  For now, we just keep checking in knowing that her arrival is quickly approaching.

She's definitely more active since she flipped over and it's crazy to see her roll around on my stomach!  Mochi doesn't seem to mind snuggling up with Elsa & me, I'm sure he's been kicked a few times.

probably the only belly shot you'll see!

weekend warriors

We've been busy most weekends trying to complete our new living arrangements, which are just about finalized!  I'll post pictures when I have a few more things together...those last few piles are still looking for a home!  But, we're pleased with our progress and are happy the paint fumes have dissipated and we're enjoying our smaller room and thankful that everything fit in there.

This weekend we are learning all things about labor and delivery in in our Childbirth Class at the hospital we'll be delivering at.  Whoa.  Super Whoa.  So much information & so much we both had no idea about.  One of my take aways for day 1 is that yes, your body is meant to grow babies and deliver them and that for the 9 months of work that your body has already done to nurture baby's growth from a teeny tiny cell it is just a day of "pain" to finally meet this little new person.  The relaxation techniques are probably the best parts of the class for me...as there are most definitely times that I need to use them now (just ask Kalin!).

on to day 2 tomorrow...

oh and apparently it's an old wives tale that mom's with bad heartburn have babies with lots of hair of their head...the woman teaching our class mentioned that her doula experience has been pretty spot on for the truth of this tale...hmmm...well, let's hope Elsa's extra hair will help keep her warm this Winter!

elsa update

I just got back from the doctors for my 28 week check up and all is well with Elsa!  My first question was if we could please verify that she is a girl...and, yes, she is still very much a girl.  She's growing great and her heartbeat is strong - and it looks like someone has some long legs too.

until 31 weeks...

third trimester!

Well, it seems for-ev-er ago we found out that we would be having a baby.  And it also seems like time speeds up somewhere in the second trimester.  Looking back to my earlier posts, time could not go any slower as I waited not very patiently for sickness to go away, ultrasounds to come, time to pass.  Now, it's like the weeks are flying by.

But, we've made it to the third trimester.  I swear somedays I still can't believe this is all happening, but it's a fun reminder that yes, it is.  The belly is growing and can feel heavy - the thought of riding my road bike sounds truly uncomfortable.  I'm slow on walks where anyone who knows me (or just Kalin, really), knows I set the pace, except for walking with my sister - she's always at least 30 paces ahead.  Mochi doesn't seem to mind when I have to give in to my bouts of tiredness and is always up for a nap. But it's all worth it for those moments throughout the day when I feel Elsa's kicks, punches, hiccups or whatever else she seems to be up to.

The Fall is definitely making it's presence known here and it's exciting to think that at the end of this season (I know, I feel like my December due date is in the dead of Winter...but just close to the start) we'll be having a new little person around and be able to share the holiday's with to kick things off!