Jac's Third Birthday Party

Jac won't be three for another five days, but we celebrated a bit early with a small party. I decided to put my gigantic self in the pool with my baby dude and let him splash around for a bit. It felt good to be so light for a change. And the water wasn't so cold, which was a plus.

Jac took a nap so I sent Zac to the store for birthday party stuff. It was hard keeping Jac out of the kitchen once he smelled cupcakes. Like a moth to a flame...

Mom and Dad arrived around 5:30. They brought me Meredith's baby bed for Bean, as well as some more baby clothes.

I sent Dad downstairs to put Jac in the car so I could hurry and put the Spongebob decorations around the apartment. My parents treated us to Italian Pie for dinner.

When we got back to the apartment, Zac and I hurried upstairs to light the #3 candle. Jac's little face was priceless. He loved the cupcakes and the balloons... all the smiles. His last birthday as an only child.

I think he liked his party. The past two years, he's had to share his birthday with Mother's Day, but today was all about him. 

Mom and Dad are keeping him for the week so I can go to my appointments and get as much sleep as I can. I'm going to go crazy, though. No internet and no kiddo? What am I going to do with myself?!

36w5d

I dropped Jac off at Mawmaw's and went to my NST appointment. I'm not dilating yet, but my cervix has softened which means I could start dilating next week. Getting close! Three more weeks.

My blood pressure is still normal and my swelling went down. I'm considering another epidural, but haven't made up my mind. Hopefully, I won't be sick this time and will be able to remember everything and rest and be comfortable.

Zac and I started watching The Office. I didn't want to because EVERYONE has been watching it, but it's really not a terrible show. I like that there isn't a laugh track. That always drove me crazy in Friends.

Pregnancy Highlights:
How far along: About 37 weeks.
Size of baby: A large cantaloupe!
Total weight gain/loss: 22 or 23 pounds.
Maternity clothes: Stretchy pants.
Gender: Girl!
Movement: It's slow, more like shoulders turning.
Sleep: Not much this week.
What I miss: Being not-pregnant.
Cravings: Chocolate.
Symptoms: Uncomfortable, tired, crabby.
Best moment this week: Jac being a cuddlebug in the mornings.

Still Pregnant

We still don't have Internet, so we've been hanging out at Sean's in Covington a lot. We're also waiting on a part for the freezer, but I think it would just be easier to switch out our freezer for another. There's a vacant apartment down the hall, so maybe maintenance would be open to the idea.

I'm ready for this baby bump to be done. I can't get comfortable at all lately. She's so low and heavy. And someone is ready to see his baby sister.

Swimming

Zac took Jac swimming in the complex pool this morning. We really haven't been swimming in ages. I put my feet in the water, but it was too cold to be submerged in. Next time, I may deal with it. It would be nice to feel buoyant.

We got our bed today, so I'm looking forward to climbing under new bedding and snuggling up on a comfortable mattress that isn't filled with unreliable air. Oh, just imagine the coziness.... Mmmm.

Quinn and Jena stopped by to see our new place, so I played hostess with coffee and cookies. It was a nice visit. They liked the balcony and we're really close to where Quinn's parents live, so they may come by often to hang out.

35 weeks (almost) & NST

I had my last ultrasound today! Her face is just beautiful. She had her foot up by her face. Dr. L told me her cord is wrapped around her neck, so I'm going to be monitored every week. I went to get blood drawn to make up for the glucose testing, then headed to the ER for the NST (non-stress test). I was hooked up to a fetal monitor so I could hear Bean's heartbeat and was able to lay in a bed and watch TV for an hour. I'm not complaining.

Zac ordered our bed, so we'll have it delivered Saturday. We've been sleeping on an air mattress and it's killer on my back.

Our freezer isn't working, so we're going to have to wait for the maintenance guy to look it over. We just bought groceries so this is not fun.

Pregnancy Highlights:
How far along: Almost 35 weeks (34weeks and 5 days).
Size of baby: A honeydew melon!
Total weight gain/loss: About 22 pounds.
Maternity clothes: My stretchy shorts.
Gender: Girl!
Movement: Knee and elbow jabs.
Sleep: Restless.
What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach.
Cravings: Sweets. Mainly cheesecake.
Symptoms: Back ache, low energy.
Best moment this week: Eating a foot-long chili-cheese coney from Sonic's.

Walmart Sucks

I went to Walmart with Jac and picked out a toddler bed and mattress. As I'm a pregnant lady, I'm not supposed to lift heavy things with the chance I could break my water. I'm fairly strong and have stayed pretty fit this time around, so I lifted the bed frame (in a box) and the mattress into my cart. Before choosing the bed frame, I had to move about three other frames from on top of the one I wanted, so I was on all fours, pushing things around. During this process, I spotted a few employees who were trying to rearrange their aisles. I made eye contact with them, and even did the hand motion which means "excuse me" and nobody moved. Another employee walked down my aisle and gave a little "hi, how are ya" before walking away. I asked for some assistance and they said "Sorry, I don't work in this department." Yup.

I made it to the checkout and was walking towards the exit, when the cashier stopped me and refused to let me walk to my car in my "condition" because she didn't want me lifting the "heavy stuff" into my car and going in to labor. I explained that I put them in the basket by myself and was quite certain I could also put them in my car. She told me to wait and paged someone to come help... so I waited.

and waited...

and waited...

and waited...

and waited...

After an hour (AN HOUR), someone came to "assist" me. I was pissed. I hope they could tell.

Good news: We started bringing things to the apartment! Jac has been exploring the rooms and hiding in the closets. The view from our bedroom is my favorite.

Moving

We're moving tomorrow! Melissa (the landlady) said we can sign the lease!

Poor Jac fell out of his bed this morning and hit his head. The guesthouse has tile floor all over, so it was a big thud. I had put a rug on the floor next to the bed, but it didn't occur to me to put something softer just in case. He's okay, though, just a little bump on his cheek. He only cried a minute and required a kiss, then he was back to normal.

Easter 2009

Bean's feet have been in my ribs all day. I'm kinda cranky, but it's been a good day.

The Easter Bunny hid eggs for Jac and Francesca, so they had fun hunting for them. I had to take a nap this afternoon because I've been exhausted. And Jac is super hyper from his sugar rush. Thankfully, Marie kept an eye on him while he played with Francesca so I could rest.

Easter Bunny

Zac and I were able to tour the inside of the apartment today. It's a little small, but looks great. I'm looking forward to moving in. Plus, it's brand new, so we'll be the first tenants. How cool is that?

We went to Ihop for breakfast and then the mall so Jac (and I) could get a picture with the Easter Bunny. So cheesy... he wouldn't go by himself. The bunny made him "nerbus". Technically, Bean is in the picture, too, so I guess it's a win. I kinda wish I put on eyeliner, ha.

Apartment and 31w4d

We got an apartment!! Mrs. Z from the office said she's just waiting on the key so we can start moving. Awesome!

I went to my OB and Bean is doing great. Her heartbeat was really loud today, but normal. She's measuring small, but Dr. L said she looks great. I'm a little worried, but he assured me everything was as it should be. She may just be petite. I go back in three weeks for her last ultrasound.

Pregnancy Highlights:
How far along: 31 weeks, 4 days.
Size of baby: A coconut!
Total weight gain/loss: About 14 pounds.
Maternity clothes: My stretchy shorts.
Gender: Girl!
Movement: Not so much kicking as rolling over and hiccups.
Sleep: Pretty good, though still a bit tired now and then.
What I miss: Smaller boobs.
Cravings: Salt.
Symptoms: Tired, hungry, and occasional back pain.
Best moment this week: Besides an apartment, she's still doing great.

Apartment Update

We're on a waiting list for an apartment! Zac just needs to get his employment verification and we're good to go! I am so excited!

We took Jac to the park so we could fly a kite for a little while. He's been so cranky lately, I think he needed a fun distraction.

Ms Trip

I drove to Mom's yesterday and came back today. Dad helped me get our Blazer updated with an oil change and stickers since they aren't switched to Louisiana just yet.

I went through some of the clothes from Olga and put them away for Bean. I finished filling out the apartment application and made a budget to check our funds and so far everything looks good. I'd like to get a job for the weekends or something so Zac won't have to get two jobs. He's making just enough to get us by, but extra couldn't hurt. I just have to wait until Bean isn't breastfeeding anymore.

My arms are completely bruised up from all the blood work last week. My jaw has been aching really bad from my extractions. I'm just feeling miserable right now and don't want to complain, but also want to complain.

A good thing: I used Mom's stethoscope to listen to Bean's heartbeat. Coolest thing ever! I let Jac listen and he wouldn't give it back. It's reassuring in a way, hearing it for myself, knowing she's doing great.

Glucose... again

I went to the doctor to take the three-hour glucose test, but everything was just crap at first. I got there at 8am and signed in on the sheet. The lady ahead of me was asked if she had been seen yet; she hadn't. The receptionist checked the sheet and noticed that the lady's name had already been crossed out. I waited for what seemed like forever, watching other patients come and go before deciding to check the sheet to see if my name had also been crossed out. It had. I waited for the receptionist to come back and told her that I hadn't been called yet and was there for the glucose screening and wondered if I could go ahead and get started. So she brought me in a room to have my blood drawn.

I explained I threw up the last time I took it and asked for an alternative, but the nurse said, "Sometimes that happens" and had me drink it anyway. After a few sips, I realized it wasn't going to stay down. I could feel my body slowly configuring a way to project it out quickly as I walked back to the waiting room. My head felt like it was spinning and I tried to coax myself to just hang on. A nurse came out to see how I was doing. I told her I felt lightheaded and nauseated, so she let me lay down on one of the beds in the back while she took more blood.

I went back to the waiting room and sat on the floor with my head in a chair, but I broke into a cold sweat, felt my stomach lurch and ran to the toilet to barf up all the orange crap I drank. I told the nurse I threw the glucose up, so she had to find out from my doctor of another way to test me. I've got to get more blood drawn sometime in the future, but nobody knows if I'm going to have to drink the glucose again. If I can't keep it down, I need an alternative. I'm just feeling awful.

Apartment

Katie and Olga stopped by to visit and Olga brought me a bag of clothes for Bean that Alina outgrew. Much appreciated, as I barely have anything right now. They couldn't stay long, but it was nice hanging out.

Zac and I applied at an apartment complex. We qualify for two and three bedrooms! We've still got paperwork to fill out and have to see how the application goes, so we don't have a definite apartment yet. I'm keeping my toes crossed. We've never had our very own place before so this is exciting and scary.

AFP Concert

Last night, Zac and I went to New Orleans to see Amanda Palmer perform. She rocks a piano like no other. Vermillion Lies (sisters named Kim and Zoe), opened for her. Their style is very circus/folk twisted with cabaret. I really enjoyed them. Their actual performance was awesome, as if they were putting on a play. They used a typewriter and gas can as instruments. It was crazy cool. Amanda's performance was better than I expected. She's so involved with her audience. She played a few songs before climbing above Zac and me on the balcony. Then she danced with Kim and Zoe on the bar while playing "Creep" on her ukulele. I met her after the show! She signed one of the shirts Zac bought me, so I've got a pretty awesome keepsake. I wanted to get a picture with her, but the room was so dark, the flash was ridiculous and the camera wouldn't focus. Oh well. It was so much fun, though.

30 Weeks, Date night

Made it to 30 weeks! Only 10 more to go. Time's passing quick!

We went on a date at Italian Pie for cheesecake. It's getting harder squeezing in quality time. 

29w 4d

I brought Jac with me to the doctor this morning. He was so excited to hear Bean's heartbeat again. She's upside down now! Her measurements are on target, heartbeat is great. Dr. L let me feel where her head was through my pelvis. It was so strange, but interesting. As for me, my blood pressure is great, no swelling like with Jac, and I'm not gaining or losing much weight too rapidly. I'm super happy about that. However, I failed the glucose test, so I have to go back and take the three-hour glucose version... Ugh. I'm definitely not looking forward to that, especially this far along and how hungry I've been.

Pregnancy Highlights:
How far along: 29 weeks, 4 days!
Size of baby: Between a butternut squash and a cabbage!
Total weight gain/loss: About 12 pounds.
Maternity clothes: Stretchy pants and a few stretchy shirts.
Gender: Girl.
Movement: Lots of rolling around.
Sleep: A lot lately.
What I miss: Walking without feeling tired quickly.
Cravings: Sweet and salty.
Symptoms: Tired, frequent pee, hungry.
Best moment this week: She's upside down, so while there's more pressure, the end is getting closer!

Chuck E Cheese

We brought Jac to Chuck E Cheese for lunch. He loves arcade games so much. The pizza's improved since I was a kid. Not bad.

Fish and the Park

One of our goldfish died the other day. Yesterday we brought the other two back to PetsMart. Our ammonia level was really high, which is common with goldfish, so we are starting over with a betta fish. Jac named him Oswald after the blue octopus character, Oswald, on Nick Jr. I think we've got a crown-tail betta, according to pictures on the Internet.

I'm really having a good day. We picked up Sonic for lunch and hung out at the park, went for a walk through the woods and let Jac run around like a maniac. I love days like this. The weather is so nice right now.

28 weeks

28 weeks today!

Pregnancy highlights:

How far along: 28 weeks!

Size of baby: A head of lettuce!

Total weight gain/loss: Maybe 12 pounds?

Maternity clothes: Stretchy shorts and shirts.

Gender: Girl.

Movement: Lots.

Sleep: So much.. always tired.

What I miss: Walking without feeling tired.

Cravings: Sweet and salty, sometimes spicy.

Best moment this week: Uninterrupted naps.