Clowny Gets a New Suit

I finally got around to making Clowny a new outfit. I wish I would've taken a before picture as he was getting awfully raggedy at 25 years old! He no longer has "feet" anymore. I had to sew them up because of the huge holes and both of his "hands" have been mended as well. I also had to fix his left eye a while back because the thread was wearing out on it. So he now has two different colored blue eyes! His right eye and his nose are getting a little worn, but they're still hanging in there!

His outfit (which was actually his second - that my mom made for him) lasted quite a while because he used to just sit on a shelf or in a box. But the past year or so, he's been sleeping with us every night - so he's gotten pretty worn out! His old outfit already had four patched areas and at least as many new holes as well as new buttons that were just sewn on a few months ago.

Here's a picture of his old outfit, but it's hard to tell from the picture just how worn out it really was!

I originally was giving him a new outfit so that I could pass him down to Benedict when he was born, but now I'm not so sure I'm ready to give him up yet!! He's been my "best bud" ever since I can remember so I think I'll keep him -- maybe he'll be passed on in my will!

Pregnancy Update

This picture was actually taken 2 weeks ago. I don't have anything more recent yet.

So exciting -- I entered my third (and final!) trimester last Monday!! Exactly three months to go as of yesterday. I've completed week 27 and am feeling great!

It's actually exciting to me for people to tell that I'm expecting and ask me about it (without me mentioning anything). Although, I have gotten multiple comments on how I'm not very big, but I'm not worried! : ) I know everything is going well.

I've been so busy and "out and about" since Robert's been home, that I must be putting Benedict to sleep a lot because he's not as active as he used to be! He moves around quite a bit in the early morning though (about the time Robert gets up for work) and sometimes when I'm laying down to go to bed at night.

One thing that I wish I would've known before I got pregnant is: you are so emotional! The weekend that Robert came home, I cried four or five times in one day over the smallest little things (so small that when I was trying to remember what they were, I hadn't a clue!).

Prenatal Exam - 25 Weeks

Another midwife appointment! Sometimes I feel like I'm always there ... and it's just going to get more frequent. I actually scheduled two appointments this time! (-- one in three weeks and another in five weeks)

Everything is going superb. Even though I gained a little "extra" weight this past month, I'm still on target (on the low side) of "normal" weight gain. I hate that there's such a schedule in the books for "proper" gain. It throws me off and makes me feel like I'm doing something wrong, but then when I go to the midwife, she tells me that everything is going well! -- Two thumbs down for bad books!

I'm also measuring right on date. I was 25.5 centimeters (for fundal hieght). It's measured from bottom to top of your uterus and you measure approximately 1 centimeter for every week. - I was 25 1/2 weeks at my appointment!

The heartbeat is also great. He kicked the doppler when we were listening though! He must not like it very much. : )

I can't wait until my next appointment. Most likely, Robert will be able to go with me. I have to get my glucose screening test done though.

Good Books I've Read Lately

These are some of the books that were on my "pregnancy reading list" from my yearly goals I've been posting about. Obviously the first one has nothing to do with pregnancy and I just started reading it this weekend, but I'm over half-way done with it and it's a must-read!

Theology of the Body for Beginners 2nd Edition
I have not finished this book yet, but just let me say one thing about it so far - "wow"! I love this book. If John Paul II's book seems intimidating to you, read this one. It's short and very well written. I'm sure it leaves a lot out (because of it's brevity) but you still get tons of wonderful information on sex, marriage, and the human body in general!

The Baby Book
There is so much information in this book. It's over 700 pages - and yes, I read it cover to cover! If you want a book that covers almost every topic, this one is the one to get. It's readable, has a great index, and lots of pictures. Another thing that makes this book so great is the fact that it has chapters on most of the other "Sears" books such as attachment parenting, breastfeeding, nighttime parenting, family nutrition, the fussy baby, and more. So you're getting multiple books in one.

Pushed: The Painful Truth
Okay, so I admit, reading this book got me a little stressed out about giving birth. But it's well researched and has some good (true) stories in it if you're looking for something "different".

The Official Lamaze Guide
I fell in love with this book while reading it. I love the Lamaze philosophy and the fact that they've changed over the years to something more than just "breathing" that you see in all the movies and TV shows.

Husband-Coached Childbirth
This was a wonderful book about natural childbirth. It is the "Bradley Method" if you're familiar with that, but the book is more than just "what to do when you're in labor". I loved this book and found it even more inspiring than the Lamaze book.

Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood
I really enjoyed reading this one. I've read all three of Sheila Kippley's breastfeeding books now and they are all equally wonderful, but I especially enjoyed the religious aspect of this book and how it pertains to breastfeeding.

The Vaccine Book
This will help you put vaccines into perspective. It's written by Dr. Robert Sears (Dr. William Sears' son) and is NOT a book about how scary vaccines are and why you shouldn't let your child get them. It has legitimate information about the make-up of each vaccine, why you should get it and reasons why some people don't. Everything in the book is very well researched and I definitely learned a lot reading it. It also helped me decide which vaccines to get for our children and which ones are unnecessary.

2010 Goals Update for February

It has now been two months since I made my goals. I deleted the goals that I accomplishd last month. Here's my progress:

Parenting:
** Finish/read all baby books on my list (I had 9 books to read, and I read 5 in February. I crossed the other 4 off my list because I decided I didn't want to read those anymore, but I do have some other parenting books that I would still like to read I will post about that later)
** Stick with my current "goals" for labor and delivery (still on target for drug-free, intervention-free; I asked quite a few questions at my last visit and feel confident that I can have the L&D that I want)
** Inform myself as much as possible about drug-free labors (I've read two books solely about L&D and 3-4 others that had labor information in them)
** Take baby classes (the baby feeding class is in March and baby care class is in April)
** Remember to take vitamins EVERY day (still doing well)
** Stick with the budget when it comes to buying (staying on budget with baby stuff)

** Continue attending Le Leche League meetings every month (went to the meeting in February, will go again in March)

Homemaking:
** Get back into menu planning and cooking our meals - instead of eating out (need to stop eating out so much...)
** Follow my daily chore list (been doing well, getting chores done throughout the week)
** When the "nesting" comes - make sure I take criticism and suggestion from Robert well!!! (haven't noticed anything yet...)

Spiritual:
** Try to focus my mind more toward God in my daily activities instead of just on Sunday (doing well with my Lenten praying)
** Set a prayer time - even if it's just once per week (praying almost daily throughout the week with my Lenten "challenge")
** Start reading the Bible - again... (been reading the Passion in the Gospels for Bible study)

Personal: (really need to start working on these goals...)
** Finish scrapbook pages (not started yet)
** Finish Robert's uniforms - so we can donate them (not started yet)
** STICK TO THE BUDGET (if we stop eating out, it wouldn't be a problem!)