Bumpdate 39 Weeks (A Look Back)

Obviously, Ethan has already arrived but I meant to write this post before I went to the hospital.  I decided to go ahead & do it now to help me remember the details years later.  Sadie decided to get in the photo, too.  J

How Far Along: A few days short of 39 weeks

Gender: Boy

Movement:  The boy is strong.  And he seems to be all sharp edges.  He pushes against me mainly on the upper right hand side of my belly.  Ouch! 

Sleep:  It varies - some nights are good, some are not.  It's hard to roll over in bed & to hoist myself out of bed.

Maternity Clothes:  Even some of my maternity shirts are too short.  It makes me feel like a whale!

Symptoms:  I am so ready to get him out.  I have lower belly/pelvic pain every day.  It hurts to lift my legs, which is problematic since I have to lift my legs to walk!  It's such an odd pain - like a muscle or tendon is torn.  I'm scared it won't go away after delivery because it just feels like something is messed up down there. 

Aversions: Nothing out of the ordinary.

Cravings:  I've been trying to take advantage of the end of my pregnancy by allowing myself to splurge on cravings when they pop up - Chai tea lattes, candy, muffins, donuts...  Yum!

Best Moment This Week:  Knowing my pregnancy days are numbered.  I know some people love being pregnant but I'm not one of them.  It's not the worst thing but I'm very much looking forward to meeting the little guy.  This may be my last pregnancy but I don't think I'll miss it.  We'll see.  I'm getting a little nervous about labor & delivery - I had a great experience with Alex & I don't think anyone gets two great birth stories!  But I know even if it's more difficult, it will be worth it.  I can't wait to see what he looks like!

Introducing...

Ethan Michael

Born January 15 at 1:43 pm

8 pounds, 4 ounces

20.5 inches long

 

Everything went great & we love our little guy so much!

Nursery Update

Here are some pictures of the nursery.  It's ready for the baby but we still plan on adding a few more decorative touches whenever we get around to it like a shelf, picture frames, etc.  We originally were going to leave the paint the original beige color but Michael decided he wanted to paint it blue.  I'm glad he did - I really like how it turned out!

(Please ignore the clutter on the dresser.  That's been fixed since this picture was taken.  For the most part anyway...)

 

I love how the sticker decal turned out.  When I bought it, I thought it was one that you put on the wall all at once but you actually had to do one sticker at a time.  I tried to go off the picture on the box but thank goodness my parents were there to help me or I probably would have gotten really overwhelmed!  I ran into a few problems shortly after applying it (some of the stickers wouldn't stay on) but thanks to a suggestion from my mother-in-law, I lightly sanded the paint behind those stickers & they've stayed put since then.  I was so glad because I was going to be really sad if I had to take down the decal - it pulled the whole room together!

While taking these pictures, Alex decided he needed to practice getting ready to hold the baby.  Little cutie!

Won't be long & there will be a baby in this room!

Birchbox

I signed up for Birchbox several months ago.  If you haven't heard of it, it's a fun way to try beauty samples.  You pay $10 a month (it automatically drafts from your account but you can cancel service at any time) & they send you a box with 5-6 samples.  The sample sizes are usually pretty decent & sometimes you'll get one full size product.  You usually get a fragrance sample each month (these are nice to have when traveling!)  I don't always love the products enough to buy them but I've really enjoyed trying out different things.  And I've found a few items that were worth purchasing.  Also if you write reviews for the samples each month, you get 10 points for every review.  Then you can get $10 off a full size product for every 100 points.  It only takes a few minutes to write a review & it doesn't take long to build 100 points. 

Here are a few products I've liked enough to get.

Boscia B.B. Cream

I don't know if you've heard or tried B.B. Cream (beauty balm) but it seems to be all the rage now.  I've only tried a few but I like this one.  It takes a few minutes to blend in but it offers decent coverage but feels lightweight.



theBalm cosmetics Mary-Lou Manizer

I use this highlighter under my brows & in the inner corners of my eyes.  It's lighter in person than in this picture (in my opinion) & gives a nice, subtle shimmer.

 

ModelCo SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss

I don't wear lipstick - usually only lip gloss.  I like this gloss because it's sheer but still has some color.  But my favorite part is there's a mirror on the side of the tube.  You don't have to pull out a separate compact or find a mirror to put it on accurately.  Genius!!  I got the full size version of the Showgirl Red in my box & just bought the Berry Pink one.  The colors are pretty bright in the tube but don't be alarmed - they go on subtle.

You can buy all the products on Birchbox's website but you can usually find them other places like Sephora & Amazon.  Birchbox also has a Men & Home section now (I haven't tried these, though).

If you're interested in signing up for service, you can go to this link (which will also help me get some points for future purchases!)  You can also give this service as a gift.  I gave a few for Christmas & I hope they enjoy getting these little goodies in the mail every month as much as I do!

(Birchbox has no idea who I am.  I'm just sharing my opinions in case you find them helpful).

Alex Lately

I figured before things get too baby crazy over here, I'd update you on what Alex has been up to lately.

There are times when he's definitely a two year old.  He's gotten very opinionated & picky about certain things.  For example, this week he decided he did not want to wear shoes to the daycare provider's house.  He'd say - no shoes, mama carry you (which means he wants me to carry him from the car into her house).  Of course, this is how he wants it when I'm nine months pregnant!  At least it's a short walk.  By the way, I think it's so cute when little kids are learning how to use pronouns & say "you" instead of "me". 

He hasn't thrown many temper tantrums but instead has mini-meltdowns.  He gets so sad & cries actual alligator tears when he doesn't get his way.  I don't mind hugging him to make him feel better (but I don't give in to whatever he was wanting).  If I had to choose, I probably prefer mini-meltdowns to tantrums but we'll see how long this lasts.

He definitely enjoyed Christmas.  I think he's going to go through withdrawal here in a few weeks when he doesn't get to open a bunch of presents - ha.

Playing with his new farm set

His long line of trucks & trains

He's a sweet boy.  Usually when I say, "I love you, baby", he responds with, "Love you, mama."  He likes to give hugs but only when he wants.  If Michael asks him for a hug & he says no, Michael will ask him if he wants hugs or tickles.  Alex almost always says "hugs" & gives him a big hug.  Then he smiles an ornery smile & says " tickles" & Michael tickles him.  It's a fun game for everyone.

He's ticklish on his neck (and has been since he was a baby), so it's one of our favorite tickle spots.  He'll lean his head back, tempting you to get him.  One time, I pretended I was nibbling on him & said "yummy!"  He looked at me & said, "No, food yummy."  Now it's another fun game he likes to play. 

Taking self portraits with my phone (with a little help from me)

 Daddy snuck in for a tickle

 Gotcha!

He'll play on his own but really likes it when you sit on the floor & play with him.  Sometime he demands it.  "Mama, sit here!" 

Building a "big tower"

He thinks it's funny when it tips over

 Going at it again

He's still a good eater most of the time.  His appetite slowed down a little when he had a cold but it's back.  He currently loves grilled cheese, corn dogs, just about any kind of fruit & carrots.  In fact if you ask him what he wants for lunch or dinner, he'll usually say, "Grilled cheese...  Corn dog!"  He's usually pretty adventurous when trying new foods.  He doesn't like his food to be too hot (temperature or spiciness) & will usually spit it out.

Eating black olives from a salad (Michael & I don't like olives & were surprised he seemed to love them)

He's still in a crib (we're in no rush to move to a toddler bed) but we cover him up with a blanket every night.  Michael started tucking the blanket around him & saying, "tuck, tuck, tuck" while doing it.  Alex loves it.  He'll say, "tuck, tuck, tuck" now when you do it.  He usually kicks the blanket off in his sleep but Michael always goes into Alex's room before we go to bed & re-tucks him in.  I think it's so cute.

We were still debating the baby's name a few months ago (we had been leaning toward one name up until Thanksgiving until Michael decided he liked a different one we had debated earlier).  I used to play a game with Alex asking him what he wanted to name the baby & would suggest funny options like Elmo & Cookie Monster to make him laugh.  One day he just started saying the name that was at the top of our list.  That pretty much decided it!  I'm not making it official on the blog yet since the middle name is still up in the air (Michael is apparently incapable of making a final decision until the baby is actually born - don't get me started...)  At least we're all on the same page with the first name!

It's hard to imagine life with another little one.  My heart is so full with love for Alex, I wonder how there will be room for another baby.  At this moment, I'm convinced Alex is going to be my favorite & the poor baby will just be a runner up.  But I know that won't be the case.  I'm the kind of person that has to see & hold my baby to feel that deep love.  It didn't take long for Alex to steal my heart after he was born & I'm sure this baby will be the same way.  Like a friend assured me, you don't have to split your heart in two with the second child - your heart doubles in size.  J

Bumpdate 37 Weeks

How Far Along: 37 weeks

Gender: Boy

Movement:  Active as usual.  He typically prefers my right side.  Sometimes I feel like he's trying to bust out through my stomach - ouch.  I keep telling him that's not the way out.  I hope he listens - I don't want to have an Alien experience. 

Sleep:  Not too bad this week.  I wake up often to use the bathroom.  Sometimes when it's early morning (5:00 or 6:00), I can't go back to sleep & get really frustrated.  The last couple of days have been ok, though.

Maternity Clothes:  All maternity clothes.  Getting tired of them!

Symptoms:  The pain in my lower stomach/pelvis seemed to be better for a few days but is back.  It comes & goes.  Sometimes I feel ok & move around easily & sometimes I can't do anything without hurting.  Not fun.  I also have moments of being overly emotional & freaking out for no real reason.  Poor Michael.  I know it's getting old.  I go from being super anxious about getting everything done & how we're going to manage with two little ones to being relaxed, thinking we'll figure it out as we go & we'll be fine.  He never knows what to expect!

Aversions:  Nothing out of the ordinary.

Cravings:  Sugar.  I've been wanting candy, Coke, desserts, fruit, etc.  I've tried to be reasonable & not cave to every urge.  Fruit helps - I don't feel guilty eating it. 

Best Moment This Week:  The baby's room is coming together.  Just working on the finishing touches.  I'll try to remember to take pictures & post soon.  Also, I got an exciting gift from Michael.  A new lens for my camera!  I was completely surprised.  We weren't planning on getting Christmas gifts for each other since we've been buying stuff for our new house lately.  I guess he was planning on getting it for me for a push gift* but decided to get it a little early, so I could use it at Christmas.  I have a fixed lens that I love but knew I needed a zoom lens eventually.  In fact, I was just thinking a few days before Christmas - maybe next year I'll just ask everyone to give me money for my birthday & Christmas to put toward a new lens...  Little did I know, I'd be getting one this year!  There was some drama, though.  Michael tried to have the lens shipped to my parents' house since it required an in-person signature & we'd be at my parents' house for Christmas.  The store wouldn't let him ship it to an address other than the billing address.  It was supposed to arrive the Friday before Christmas & I had taken the day off because the daycare was closed.  Michael asked me to sign for the package but not open the box.  I was, of course, super curious...  Then UPS had a weather delay & the package didn't leave the East coast until Friday morning.  It was supposed to arrive on Monday but we spent the day with Michael's family & then headed to my parents' house, so we weren't there to sign for it.  I had to work after Christmas & Michael went to Houston for a wedding, so we were never home during the day.  It felt like we were never going to get it!  Finally, I called UPS & they were able to deliver it to my office.  I got it the Friday after Christmas (a week later than anticipated).  Michael did print out a picture of it to give to me on Christmas, so I didn't have to wait the whole time to find out what it was.  It was worth the wait!  I used the lens to take the picture above.  I was able to prop the camera up on our dresser & zoom in - not something that would have worked with my other lens!

*I know the push gift thing is a little controversial.  Some people like the idea, some people hate it.  I personally think it's a really nice gesture but I don't think it should be required.  Michael didn't get one for me with Alex (we shopped for some birthstone necklaces but I ended up finding one online I liked & bought it a few weeks after Alex was born) & I was fine with that.  I've heard people say - isn't the baby enough of a gift?  Yes, getting to hold your baby is wonderful.  But it obviously comes with a lot of responsibility & work.  (Totally worth it).  A little gift from your husband is nice to get to acknowledge everything you went through with the pregnancy/delivery.  I also think the guy deserves a gift, too, for putting up with all the trials & tribulations of a pregnancy.  I know it can't be easy!