Monday, May 30, 2016

Baby Bell 2: 38 Weeks


Baby Bell 2 is... the size of a winter melon! Baby is likely 18.9 to 20.9 inches and 6.2 to 9.2 pounds. Baby continues to grow and my body continues to (albeit slowly) prepare for labor. At my 38 week appointment, I was still only 1-2 centimeters dilated and 50% effaced - same status as that from my 36 week and 37 week appointments. So not a lot of progress on that front. However, the baby has continued to drop lower in my pelvis, which is a good sign! Baby's only job now is to continue to grow, and maybe take it easy on Mommy's ribs and hips!

My bump is... a big, big bump. I have officially never been THIS pregnant. Adalee was born at 37 weeks, 5 days, so I am officially the "most pregnant" I have ever been! I officially hate wearing almost all of clothes (but don't worry, I continue to do so). It is just that nothing is comfortable anymore, even my maternity clothes. Everything just feels restrictive.

I have been feeling... all kinds of emotions. There are days when I just want Baby to be born so that we can meet her and the discomforts can be over. Then there are other days when I feel completely unprepared to be a mother of two, and I wish she could just stay inside forever. There are days when I feel super sad that this pregnancy is almost over, as I know I am going to miss certain aspects of being pregnant - I definitely did with Adalee. There are other days when I feel completely exhausted - most likely because Adalee has recently been fighting croup and an ear infection, and caring for a sick little one can be exhausting even when you are at your best. So many emotions...so goes motherhood... :)

In addition, I had my first round of big contractions a few days ago. Like super big. Like "crying while lying on the bathroom floor" big. Luckily it was only a few contractions and then it passed. But holy moly, if that is what labor is like, I am in for a painful ride.

Baby also tried to turn herself around late last week. I was at work when I felt this massive movement and excruciating pain. I actually watched Baby turn herself around 180 degrees in my belly. Luckily, we got her turned back around and we confirmed at my 38 week appointment that she is back in the head down position. Whew!

Otherwise, outside of my emotional state (which changes daily), we are feeling pretty prepared for Baby's arrival - the car seat is installed, the hospital bags are packed, the final touches are being completed on the nursery. Feels good to see the Baby To-Do list down to almost nothing! :)

I have been craving... no real unique cravings right now. I am mostly just trying to avoid eating a ton because if I eat too much I get horrible acid reflux and heartburn - small meals...that is the key (so they say)!

Our favorite thing has been... making the final preparations and spending time together as a family. Even though Miss Adalee has been sick, we have been able to just slow down and spend some quality time together, as well as spend time with our extended families the past two weekends. Ah family...it is just the best!

We are looking forward to... Baby's arrival. At this point, we are just waiting on her! Take your time sweet girl, but Mommy, Daddy, and Big Sister Adalee are so excited to meet you! We love you already!

Monday, May 23, 2016

Last Visit to Manhattan Before Baby!

This past weekend, we made a quick trip to Manhattan to see my parents! Knowing that we likely won't be making the drive for a while after the baby is born, we wanted to squeeze in one more visit! Miss Adalee loved spending time with Grandma and Grandpa - like always - and she loved playing with her new toys! A fairy princess car, some soccer and bouncy balls, bubbles, and books (of course!)...doesn't get much more fun than that!

Getting so big...needs a big girl chair!

Ah, the princess life...





Nom Nom - Cookie Monster! They were
oatmeal raisin cookies, so healthy, right?

Reading books with Grandpa - note the
crossed feet - so sweet! :)

Loved blowing bubbles - and even learned how to
say "Bub-Bubs" :)

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Baby Bell 2: 36 Weeks


Baby Bell 2 is... the size of a papaya! Baby should still be in the 17.2-18.7 inch and 4.2-5.8 pound range, but I feel like she is a little bigger and I know that she continues to grow! My stomach feels like it can't stretch much further! Baby is getting closer and closer to being able to breathe on her own - only one more week until she is considered early term! Despite being term at 37 weeks, we are hoping that she chooses to stay a little longer! Adalee was born at 37 weeks, 5 days, and I feel like she could have benefitted from a little more "baking" time. Her skin is still smoothing out, but most of her systems are in working order! I can't believe we are already four weeks away - time has just flown by this time around!

My bump is... still growing! And I can definitely feel it - especially in my ribs! She hasn't quite dropped yet, so I am still carrying her pretty high, which makes it a challenge to breathe every once in a while. It has also made sleeping a little challenging because I feel like she crams into whichever set of ribs that I am sleeping on. My belly button sticks out pretty clearly through my shirt, which is really intriguing to Adalee - she loves to pull up her own shirt and show us her belly, as well as pull up Mommy's shirt to see her belly. Completely fine when we are at home - in public, it is a little awkward... :)

I have been feeling... probably on-par with how most women are feeling at 36 weeks pregnant - you just start to get uncomfortable. It is harder to do things on your own, like get out of bed, or stand up from the couch - which is annoying. Despite her space shrinking as she grows, Baby doesn't seem to want to slow down her movements. We have a very active girl, which is fun to feel and watch, but can be a little overwhelming when it is 3am and I can't get any sleep!

At my 36 Week check-in with my OB, I was dilated between 1-2 centimeters, and about 50% effaced, which is a good sign that my body is preparing for labor. A few small contractions every now and then, but so far everything has been manageable by moving around and drinking water. As we get closer to the due date, I am getting a little anxious about this whole labor thing. It was something I didn't really think about with Adalee because we knew we were scheduling a c-section. I know I am not incredibly pain tolerant, so I am nervous to see how things feel - we shall see!

I have been craving... mexican food! Tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, salsa - you name it and I have wanted it! I have also been loving snickers ice cream bars for dessert - nom, nom, nom...

Our favorite thing has been... watching Baby move! Like I said, she has been super active, so every night we get to watch her roll around and kick in my belly!



We also took maternity photos at the beginning on May, and recently got the photos back! It was a chilly and cloudy day at the Nelson, but I love how the photos turned out - our last ones as a family of three! Special thanks to Erica with Anecdotally Yours for the photos!


















We are looking forward to... making the final preparations for baby! We are almost done with updating the nursery, and feel like we almost have our lives in order! Just a few more to-do items to go. In the meantime, we will just be soaking up time with Miss Adalee - probably spoiling her a little bit - as well as spending time with our family and friends. We can't wait to meet this little one!




Sunday, May 15, 2016

Amy's 29th Birthday

I had a perfect weekend celebrating the start of my last year in my twenties! Weekends like these make me so thankful for the wonderful family and friends that I have in my life. Good food, good people, and a little painting - who could ask for more?!?

Specific thanks to Alyssa for actually taking photos of the painting - you are the best!

At Pinot's Palette

Michael...well...being Michael...


About to get started with our blank canvas...

I was a little more focused than Michael,
probably due to the lack of alcohol consumption
on my part...

Unsure about his tree placement :)

The best friends a girl could ask for :)


Everyone with their masterpiece!

My final product

Opening presents

Adalee wanted to get in on the action



Daddy and Adalee gave Mommy a Pandora bracelet!

Love my little family!

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Weekend Warriors

This past weekend, Adalee made a visit to Manhattan to see Grandma and Grandpa. While Michael and I were originally planning on having a relaxing weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks, reality quickly set in on how much we needed to get done over the next couple of weeks before Baby Bell arrives. Thus, we ended up becoming Home Depot's "Weekend Warriors" and getting a lot of our landscaping/outdoor tasks done over the weekend! While it was a lot of work, and I literally have never felt so tired at the end of the day, I am so glad to have the tasks checked off the to-do list!


Before

After - Patriot Hostas

Before

After - Patriot Hostas

Before

After - Vinca

Before

After - Spirea and Clematis

Before

After - Lilac

Before

After - Weigela

Meanwhile in Manhattan...Adalee LOVED spending the weekend with her grandparents. Like seriously LOVED it. When we met in Topeka to pick her up and bring her home, she didn't want to leave Grandma and Grandpa. Melts my heart a little to see how much she loves them! :)

Getting hydrated before Grandma put her to work
weeding the landscape beds :)

Working on her shapes

Hanging out at the park!


Helping Grandpa mow the grass!

Reading books with Grandpa