Monday I went with the girls from the breastfeeding support group to the mommy me showing of Twilight! It was so fun! I really enjoyed seeing all the moms babies there! And there was hardly any crying! Pickle did excellent. I bfed there, he watched some, and slept the rest! Wish I could go more.
Wednesday was my last bf support group at UCLA. Ive met some awesome moms and have learned an incredible amount. Pictured is my Lactation Consultant, Christy. She has been so much more than breastfeeding support to me, and the other girls. I appreciate her so much. Now Vee will be going every week. I’m happy for her, but also a little sad envious.
Of course, thanksgiving was this week. I made food on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. My sister helped as did Kathy, my step mom. We made my grandmas recipes. It makes us feel close to her .
Friday morning, my sis I went out black Friday shopping after Levis night feeding. We stopped at Starbucks, best buy, Carters. We got some excellent deals and it wasn’t very crowded. My fluffy mail came too! Contained 4 bumgenius diapers in the new sassy mirror colors! My 2 free diapers were Kawaii Baby in orange and an adorable safari print! Loving them! Better than my Happy Heiny ones so far. On Friday, Levi got to meet his great aunt finally, and got some time in the bumbo. Not fully ready for it though.
On Sunday I got all his things ready for daycare. Ill make that a separate post later. All in all, it was an emotion filled week.
Week 35 started off with a bang! Sat was my shower! I got to go out with Bobpuin in the morning while it was being setup. We went to the mall, I got a new shirt for the shower, and we saw “Crazy Stupid Love”~ it was good…. a “dramedy” but it was longer than I thought and we were late getting back to the house for the shower. I must say, all involved did a wonderful job! My sister Leah… Ferrah, Vee, Mini! My step-mom Kathy! Everyone! My mom flew out from Florida too which was a nice surprise. We are not very close so it was quite a gesture for her to want to be there. She said she had been planning it for months
AND…. best of all…. was the generosity! I cant believe how wonderful people were! I was so worried… and warned by others… that most of what I would get is clothes… the cutest clothes ever… but clothes none-the-less. Well I am on cloud 9 because I got all needs! There wasn’t a thing to take back! Actually, I took back a pack-n-play cause I had 3… but that was my fault… I had bought one 2 months ago . All in all, it was awesome! Food was good! Mini bundt cakes for dessert! Games! Prizes! And everyone decorated quilt squares for a quilt Ferrah and Vee are sewing for baby! Great idea! Below are some pictures!
Also, it was my last week of work! I’m so glad it was because I was really starting to get uncomfortable! It went by fast and with little stress. On Friday, me and the work friends went out to lunch to my favorite burger joint “The Counter”. Near the end of the day, I got a surprise of a lifetime! Bobpuin had put a send off together for me! She got a delicious chocolate/raspberry cake and got the studio together to give me a nice send off! They all clapped for me and wished me well… I love where I work. I told them all thanks for always having really nice things to say to me and that I would be back with baby boy on Halloween to win the costume contest! It was awesome. She even made up a card for me for people to sign and draw. I work with so many talented people
(my last day of work)
Lastly, at my apt Dr. Petite examined me and said I had not yet begun to dilate, even though I had lost quite a bit of mucus including the plug. She pretty much told me baby is full term and I could labor anytime now and all would be safe. She also said at 39 weeks we would be discussing induction or c-section because the baby’s size. They don’t intend to let me go late at all and I think we all hope Pickle is a little early, actually. We will have to wait and see…
~Piece PS. get those guesses in! Yes you can change yours if you want!
Week 34 was a great and fast moving week. First of all, it was my second to last week of work! There is nothing bad about that!
Thursday was my apt with the OB. This time, I was determined to ask what having a “big baby” actually means. The doctors, nurses, and ultrasound techs have been saying it for months. In the days leading up to my apt, I was suspicious it was going to be time for the group B strep test. This is when they swab the labia for bacteria so they know if you/baby will need some antibiotics at birth time. More importantly, this means someone was going to be looking down there… and probably the start of many lookings. So, the night before, I attempted to groom. I say attempted because it was damn near impossible to see what the hell I was doing! I tried every position to gain a better advantage in order to tame what was going on down there. I thought about asking Craigery for help, but realized this might be asking too much. In the end, I got it all trimmed, but not tailored if you know what I mean
So, at my apt, I was right! They told me to undress from the waist down. And after sitting my bare ass on the tissue covered exam table for about 20 mins, my OB came in, did the test, and then it was down to business. Good news is I passed the 3 hour gestational diabetes test! Thank God! But when I asked about our large Pickle, it was harder to get as clear of an answer. Basically, they can estimate the baby’s size, but the u/s can be off up to 2 lbs. Dr. Petite (my OB) said if at 39 weeks they are projecting a baby 10 lbs or more, I have the option to elect for a c-section. Though this is not ideal, she told me it’s much better than getting a baby stuck, breaking the collar bone, or causing paralysis in an arm. On the down side, they may project an 11 lb baby and c-section an 8.5 lb baby that might have been fine to vaginally birth. The great thing is, and this is why I chose UCLA, she told me whatever I want, she will do. Either way, she said don’t expect a small baby nor an easy delivery. I did inquire about maybe inducing at 38 weeks in order to guarantee a smaller baby. She said this was not really ideal either. Inducing before the body is ready is hard on mom and baby and can likely end up in a c-section anyway. In the end, we agreed to wait and see the growth pattern over these next few weeks.
Lastly, on Friday, after my morning pee… I wiled and found I had some mucus. Immediately I wondered if this could be some of my mucus plug. I called my nurse, who asked if I had had sex in the past 72 hrs (I had not), then concluded that yes this seemed to be some of it. She said don’t be alarmed. It’s ok and over the next week or 2 I will probably loose the rest. She said it means labor is about 3 weeks away. I’m hoping it is! Best case scenario would be that Pickle will come when he is ready and I wont even get to have that week 39 convo with Dr. Petite.
~Piece
Still time to get in or change your date for the pool!
I had to wait a few extra days to do this weeks wrap-up because they moved my EDD back to Sept 2nd again. Not really sure why since I’m pretty much measuring full term, but whatever. Only 2% of babies are born on their due dates so it doesn’t really matter, he will come when he comes.
This week was quite eventful. Ill get to the small things quickly, first. We got a few more things crossed off the list. Finally we got a mattress for the crib… which is very important . Also took care of the rug and I’ve been working on the mobile. My shower is awfully close and I happened to see some of what has been purchased off of the registry. So far, I’m impressed! We will be receiving some of our highly needed items. I wont be looking anymore though, accidental or otherwise… Ferrah gave me a hard time about letting it be a surprise and I agree *side note: I don’t know who bought what at all
Also, the photographer, Erin Leppo, who did our maternity shoot put a few teaser photos up! We love them! They are centric to us and include the belly, but doesn’t make it the main focus. I know Vee was interested to see how they came out as she is considering her own session. We will see about the rest but I have no doubt we will love them too.
As our week came to a close and week 34 started, we had our 5 year wedding anniversary on July 22nd! Its been 10 years total and it has been nothing short of wonderful! I love thinking of all the excellent times hubby and I have had together and I really look forward to future ones! As a tradition, we get a specialty made cake every year… usually a 6″ round that would be found as the topper to a wedding cake. Our wedding was on a tight budget so we didn’t splurge for a traditional cake. Instead, we treat ourselves each year! Here are the past 4 year’s cakes:
And this years, of course! I think this one is my FAVORITE so far!
Lastly, and most importantly, my grandfather, Randall S Epps Sr., passed away on July 11, 2011. He was 82 I think. He had a double aneurism about 8 wks ago. They did a lot of surgery, but he never awoke afterwards. A few days before he died, they stopped the breathing machines. He breathed on his own for a few days and then passed. I want to say I’m very grateful for all my friend’s support and condolences. Even the mamas I follow on twitter were very comforting. So, thank you.
I was in San Diego, where I’m from, this past weekend and part of the week. It was overwhelmingly awesome to see so much family I haven’t seen since I was a child. I noticed how much they flocked to me, because of my soon to explode belly. I hope it was a comfort and a joy for them after losing their brother, father, uncle etc. It was a joy and welcomed distraction for me too. The Church service was Monday and the burial was Tuesday morning. The service had so many people… family, friends, members of his church, and community. But Tuesday was the hardest as it was very intimate. Yet I find I’m comforted by my last encounter with my grandpa on Easter. He said a few things to me in a “in case I don’t see you” kinda tone. He told me I was beautiful, and I had a wonderful pregnancy glow. He told me he was proud of me and to take good care of myself and the baby… always remember to eat right and exercise. I happily told him we were expecting a boy and his middle name is going to be Randall… after him and my father. Ill never forget how his face lit up and the chuckle he gave. :’)
I hope no one minds, but I took a few shots that really capture Tuesday morning.
Next weeks wrap up will mostly be about finishing the nursery I think and posting photos. My shower is the 30th so that will be part of week 35 wrap up. In the mean time, there are still plenty of dates left in the baby pool. I think Ill send the winner something I made… like a cute vinyl bib or something. If that’s not useful to you, then maybe some earrings. Ill think of something. Check out the calendar to the right and hover over the dates to see what they say. Leave a comment with the date you want and Ill add you! Its ok to guess the same day as someone else.. its all for fun
Thanks for following all this time… we are almost to the end!
.
. All in all, it was awesome! Food was good! Mini bundt cakes for dessert! Games! Prizes! And everyone decorated quilt squares for a quilt Ferrah and Vee are sewing for baby! Great idea! Below are some pictures!
