Anticipation

Derek has been anticipating his last day of school for weeks now. On Friday, he had his last exam and he has successfully, officially finished his first year of medical school! Only 3 more years until he graduates and another 4 years completing a residency, time has flown by and I know the remaining years will fly by as well.

I surprised him with balloons and his favorite candies. On Saturday we drove to Beckley (45 min) to celebrate at the Outback Steakhouse. Derek hasn't been eating much meat my entire pregnancy so we thought he deserved a steak. I ordered the pasta and we were both very pleased with our meal.

Derek will be starting his research with Dr. Bridges on Tuesday, June 1st. He will be conducting research detecting diabetes, the analase marker will determine who is more likely to be predisposed to diabetes. We both wish that we could travel back home to visit but with the baby due date coming up we will be spending the entire summer here. All of our friends will be visiting home...we are so envious that they get to see their families.

Speaking of baby, our Doctor continues to tell us that our baby is very large (even with the sugar free diet!). It's still too early to determine whether or not I need to be induced. I feel like my skin can't stretch any more than it has but every week I grow a little bigger. My energy has been sapped by the heat, this entire week has been in 90's. I feel like a beached wale...my body is collapsing under all the baby weight. It's official, my hands and feet are swollen. I'm really sad that I can't wear my wedding ring. I'd still be wearing it if my husband hadn't scared me into taking it off, he knows of people who have had to get their rings cut off due to severe swelling. I'm happy that my husband will be available to help more. The last time we went shopping at Wal-mart I lasted 30 minutes on my feet before I had to sit down. I feel like I do calf raises all day, my legs seem to always be throbbing with some sort of discomfort.

I treated myself to a pedicure, I thought it would help these swollen feet look a little better.

My swollen hands, my ring size was once 5 1/2 but this band is a size 7 (I used to wear it on my middle finger and it was still loose, not anymore!)
Your probably wondering, what's up with the ridiculously long nails? I'm always the first to tell my mom to cut her nails (I take after her when it comes to my hands) I'm just seeing how long they actually get before the baby gets here. I'll cut him once he arrives, I wouldn't want to scratch him:)

Latest profile picture taken today.

To those who visit, I apologize ahead of time. I typically sweep the floor at least once a day due to the pet hair that drives me nuts!...I have let that go. The office, I don't even try to maintain a clean space anymore...I have let that go. Our kitchen, I can't stand dirty dishes in the sink, counter space taken up by left out food and the kitchen table which has been converted into my sewing workspace. Fabric scraps, fur, crumbs are tossed about the floor...yes, I have let that go as well. Laundry gets washed and dried but often stays in the dryer for a couple days before I get around to folding it. I literally feel so sapped of energy that I barley manage to cook up meal (Derek has been doing most of the cooking even during his hectic schedule with school). I know I'm making myself out to sound like a lazy nag but its just been this way for the past couple of weeks. This week I set goals to wake up early enough to resume walking for at least 30 minutes a day. I have my husband as a work out buddy now too:)

Nifty Thrifty: Budgeting for baby

Last week I received this early birthday surprise in the mail! I was overjoyed when I opened the boxes, I didn't expect such a nice gift, Thanks mom:)



I couldn't wait to put my new machines to use so I found a few sewing blogs that have inspired me. See my blog list, under the title "Sewing, a talent I'm trying to develop." I found a great pattern for burp cloths on Jills blog.

I hit up the only two fabric stores in town, in search for the perfect fabric for my first sewing project. I was disappointed to learn that fabric is so expensive, especially for an armature sewer like myself. I took a sewing class in college so I know the basics, but I don't feel comfortable spending $5/per yard for fabric.

Yard sales are popular around here, I stopped by one and found a box full of nice fabric. I selected a few of the nicest fabrics, most were over 3 yards each! I only paid $1.00, what a bargain!! Later on this week I stopped by the thrift store near our home and found 1.5 yards of Polynesian print fabric for 50 cents and 3 receiving blankets for $1.00 each.

Here are the finished products! My next project: Baby shoes, I'm so excited!

I made 5 of the Polynesian print burp cloths.


I made 7 burp cloths with the used receiving blankets.

Weekend Fun

This weekend my friends threw me a baby shower. Thanks Melanie, Becky & Kathryn you girls did an amazing job (my only regret is that I didn't snap a picture with just the three of you). Our son received so many cute things, I can't wait to dress him up in all the cute outfits we received.


Go Utes! I'm proud to be a U of U alumni, this sleeper has the U of U logo on it. Thanks Kathryn:)

Can you tell I love this robe? It's so adorable!


Lauren and I and her new addition Carolyn, shes so tiny huh?

All the guests at the Shower. We had fun with all the games, food and great conversation:)
(To view more pictures from the shower, see my Facebook profile.)


Afterwards, I returned home for a couple of hours before the SAA BBQ. It was the last event of the year( I was renominated for Historian next year.) I was excited that I didn't have to cook and Derek needed to get out of the house to catch a break from his studies. Derek has his last test of the year this coming Friday, what a relief to be done for the summer!

If I wasn't pregnant, I'd be requesting another dog, isn't this dog so cute?

Me and my bulging belly. 34 weeks and 4 days.

Lately

This is all I every want to eat. So far this month we've purchased at least one watermelon a week and I eat the majority of it. I'm glad my sugar restriction diet dosn't include fruit because I'd be miserable!

A Year Ago Today....

I ran my first marathon! I wasn't at my lightest weight but I was in the best shape ever.




One of the many things I look forward to post-pregnancy is running. A non-buldging belly. No more tums. Energy. I'm excited to have our son already...

This year I look forward to running a half-marathon in Richmond, VA. I have a list of races I'd like to participate in while we live here in West Virginia.



6 more weeks until we meet our son!

Childbirth Classes

Derek and I started attending the only class that West Virginia offers for childbirth. I really wanted to find a Lamaze class but unfortunately this tiny town doesn’t offer it. The class offers 5 classes on basic information from breastfeeding to managing labor pain.

I thought I knew it all based on the endless episodes of A Baby Story, Bringing Baby Home, Birthdays , Amazing Deliveries, Teen Pregnancy & Teen mom all of which the TLC and VH1 channel offers. I know it sounds like all I do is watch TV but I’ve been keeping myself occupied “nesting” for the most part, when I take a break at least one of the baby related episodes is on TV.

My plan is to deliver naturally. Most think I’m crazy when pain relief is so accessible. I figure, child birth is a natural part of life, many have done it before me (including my own mother) …so why can’t I? One of the main reasons I’d like to deliver naturally because I want total control. I’ve never been drunk, but I have been given medication that has made lose my sense of control and I hate that feeling. My entire pregnancy has felt uncontrolled (due to sickness) and I’d like to at least feel like I’ve had some control during part of my pregnancy. The thought of not being able to feel my legs…or feel if I’m pushing hard enough once the epidural has been administered terrifies me!

At the last class we attended, there were about ten other couples. I often forget I’m in West Virginia until I hear the Southern drawl that the majority of the locals’ possess here. It was interesting to hear the introductions and what other couples plan to name their children. Imagine a southern drawl to following double names (these were actual names from the class): Eric Dickenson….Sarah Lynn…Anna Belle. When It was our turn for introductions, I told them what I’ve told many of you…due to unwanted opinions and the likelihood that someone will take offense that he is not named after a family member we have chosen not to share the name until our son is born. I can’t imagine what kind of response we would have gotten because our little boys name is very unique compared to the names we had just heard.

We were taught breathing techniques and relaxation methods. Honestly, envisioning the calming sunrise as I hear waves wash ashore doesn’t calm me at all. The breathing techniques were hilarious because my husband was intentionally trying to make me laugh. .. I need to figure out some relaxation method fast or else I’ll be screaming for the epidural. Running and journaling are calming to me, both of which will not be conducive to relaxing during childbirth. Suggestions anyone?

Measuring BIG

I had what I think was my last ultra sound last Monday. My doctor has been telling me for the past month that I'm measuring ahead of schedule. A couple of weeks ago he told me to cut back on the refined sugar. For some reason his advice triggered me do the exact opposite.



Last Monday he gave me the stats of my baby. He is now in the 89% and is nearly 5lbs. Those stats scared me into action. Who likes to be told that they are fat? It's worse when the doctor is telling you that your child is VERY BIG. I have cut out refined sugar from my diet. I have replaced it with Splenda (which I hate) so I just go for the sweet yummy fruits like watermelon, pineapple and mango.

I've misplaced the latest ultra sound image of our little boy. Honestly, I couldn't really make out the body parts anyway because he was moving too much. Derek thinks that he will have my eyes and lips, I think he'll have his daddy's cheeks and nose...I hope that combination makes for a very handsome little boy.



I had Derek take this picture a few minutes ago...I know my hair is a mess but it is reality and I have my bad hair days. Derek threatened to stop taking profile pictures of me if I continue complaining about how huge I am. I'll just complain about how huge our son is. I can feel his every move now. I can identify his large hard head and his feet. My entire belly tends to shift back and forth and it looks odd, but I'm glad that he is active. I'd be worried otherwise. I'm counting down the days to delivery day!