Prenatal Exam: 32 weeks

One more appointment down -- (about) six to go.

Not too much to report this time. Everything is normal. She had trouble feeling for the head again (it was even a different midwife this time). I guess he just wants to be a surprise.

I measured at 31 cm and his heartbeat was in the low 150s. And I asked about the contractions again (for like the third appointment in a row!) and they're normal - for me, since I'm not having any other signs of labor.

I'm still gaining weight very well! Hopefully, that will taper off a little bit before the baby comes. But the midwives tell me I'm right on track. I've gained about 23 pounds total so far.

I asked about my results for the glucose test -- completely normal and well below the "max" numbers! So, no diabetes issues!!

My next appointment is in the second week of May - so be ready for another update then!

Diaper Order

I can't wait for Benedict to be here - one of the things I can't wait to "try out" is the cloth diapers! I love the BumGenius - sized diapers and have heard nothing but good things about them on all the reviews and blogs that I've read. I just got done washing everything. So here's my stack of all the diapers I just washed! Yes, there's a lot - actually 48 to be exact ... and these two sizes will only last for about the first 4-6 months. (Hopefully, he doesn't grow too quickly!!) I'm waiting to buy the next sizes until he's older and closer to using them so that I know how many to purchase.

I've been saying that I'm ready for him all this time, but really I haven't been completely ready until today, because I had to wash the diapers before we used them. I was waiting for my next order from this website so that I didn't have to pay for shipping on the laundry detergent. Cloth diapers require a special kind of detergent but you don't have to use a whole lot, so it lasts a while.

And wow! The hassle of getting them dry! I'm so glad they're not made of cotton; I heard those were even worse. I think it would've been much easier for me to get the "classic" cloth diapers - using traditional prefolds. But I still like that they're "identical" to disposables in the way you use them. It'll just take more time during washings.

The Room

We've finally got it pretty much finished. Here's the shelf with all my old Winnie the Pooh items. - The only new (or even relatively new) thing on this shelf is the big classic Pooh on the left. My mom bought me that when she first went shopping for the baby. Everything else is pretty old (7-10+ years). Robert did a great job putting it up too - even though he had to put up with me.

I couldn't find any decent Pooh pictures to hang on the wall, so instead I decided to make these. Robert really likes them and I do too. I made a similar project a few years ago with my Paris stuff. So this was really fun. I just made a collage of scrapbook stickers and a couple pictures I cut out of an old Pooh calendar.

We don't have a crib yet. I may buy one when he's older, but for now, he's just going to sleep in the bassinet. I bought the diapers and diapering "accessories" on Friday. They should ship today so I'm expecting them by next Monday. With that, I'll be able to wash the diapers and have everything ready for the baby when he comes.

Here's the other side of the room. And to think, every one of those books but three or four I had before I even knew I was pregnant! : ) I've been preparing for a while! (And yes, we still have Angel's stuff in here too. I don't think she'd appreciate having to give up one of her favorite rooms and I'm not going to listen to her meowing at the door all the time if I closed it!)

The only things I have left to buy are a couple of nursing items which I going to wait to purchase until the baby's here. I'm so happy to have everything bought and together now. It's such a relief, especially since I get so stressed about planning (when it's not done on time).

Prenatal Exam: 30 Weeks

It feels like my appointments are just starting to stack up on top of each other. I had another appointment today and I scheduled three more for the next six weeks!

Everything is looking good. I measured at 29 cm and the heartbeat was in the 140s. She couldn't tell whether he was head down or butt down.

I forgot to ask about my glucose test results but I never received a call from them, so everything must have been okay.

I can't believe it's getting so close! I bought the shelf today so as soon as Robert and I get it up, I will post a picture of the room!

Finishing up

My parents were here over the weekend and we got all shopping for Bene finished!!!! By the end of the weekend, I was so worn out! We did a lot of shopping.

I still have to buy some bigger size cloth diapers and other diapering "accessories", some nursing clothes, and the shelf and frames for the baby's room, but other than that -- I'm DONE!! : ) It feels so wonderful to be done! Of course, you're never truly done when buying for a baby because things will come up like the crib, high chair, toys, clothes, etc. But if he came today, I would be ready for him.

When we get the shelf and frames, I will post a picture of the room.

I had exactly 10 weeks to go yesterday - and time just seems to be getting slower. I have another midwife appointment this week. So look for that post on Friday.

Prenatal Exam: 28 Weeks

I had my 28 week prenatal exam last Wednesday. I will now start going every two weeks until week 36, then, every week!

Everything is progressing normally. I measured at 27cm and the heartbeat was a little slower - in the 140s. She also felt for the position of his body. At the time, he was head down and she could even feel his hands. I was able to feel the head, but I couldn't find the hands. Robert couldn't even feel the head, but I think he just didn't realize what he was feeling.

I had to get a glucose screening test to check for gestational diabetes. That was tramatic to say the least - not the first one, but because they didn't tell me what to do, Robert and I decided to go walk around and I had a drink of his coffee and a couple bites of sandwich that he got at the cafeteria in the hospital while we were waiting. So when they got the test results back, my level was 137 when it should be under 130. (Needless to say, I was supposed to be sitting in the waiting area and not eating or drinking anything, even water.)

So I had to go back on Friday. Luckily, Robert was with me because I had to sit in the waiting room for three hours and have my blood drawn FOUR TIMES! Did I mention this was also a fasting test? So I went without food or drink for over twelve hours?! It's so irritating. Hopefully, I will get the results back soon, because I have a feeling it will say I'm normal and we just screwed up the first test. Otherwise, I have to go in for nutrition counseling.