Overview Weeks Thirty-Five, Thirty-Six, and Thirty-Seven

Week 35:  

My baby shower happened during this week! I had already bought my dress last week, I just needed to get my hair and nails done. On Friday, March 28 2014, I got my hair done. My hairdresser re-colored my hair ombre. She colored my hair ombre last year, but it grew out and this time I wanted the blonde part lighter, and I love it! 

On Saturday morning I got my nails done. That mani/pedi felt so refreshing. From the massaging chairs to the perfect baby blue manicured nails, I felt like a new woman! Not long after that my Uncle Jeff and Aunt Star came down from New York to spend the night because the baby shower was the next day. My mom and sister also came over for dinner, so we had a nice  family dinner. My mom made Cesar salad and baked ziti. Tommy made chicken parm, green beans, and cheesy garlic bread. OH I CAN STILL TASTE IT!! Everything was delicious. We spent the rest of the night watching T.V. and catching up. 

Well the day has finally arrived, MY BABY SHOWER DAY!! The baby shower was on Sunday, March 30th, 2014. The theme was nautical and here are the invitations my mom sent, they are the cutest:

PICTURE COMING SOON

Everyone from my family and Tommy's family came to share this special day with us. My mom did a wonderful job (I wouldn't expect anything less) with the shower. She is the best party planner. The decorations were so creative. The center pieces were sail boats that had little bears on them and Gavin's name on building blocks. There were sailboat candles, rope decor, small lights, banners, balloons, so many adorable decorations! Instead of me trying to describe the decorations, let's just look at some pictures:

My mom, me, and my sister

The favors and lollipop

THIS CAKE WAS THE BEST CAKE IN THE WORLD! Chocolate and vanilla marble cake with canoli filling from the best bakery. 

We played baby shower bingo and a left and right game. Let me explain... my mom created a make-believe story about the day I go into labor with Gavin. The words "left" and "right" were written in the story, for example, "Tommy drove Lindsay straight to the hospital, but he LEFT the hospital bags at home. He turned RIGHT around. Once they had the bags they were on their way. First Tommy made a LEFT and then he made a RIGHT and then made another LEFT."  At every table there were two prizes. Every time my mom said "left" while reading the story, the person with the prize passed it to the person on the left. The same rules applied when my mom said "right." It was funny because there were a lot of lefts and rights in the story and everyone had to keep up with passing the prizes to the left or right. 

Tommy and I opened our presents and were overwhelmed by the generous gifts. Overall we got Gavin's stroller and car seat, knitted blankets, clothes, crib sheets, bibs, picture frames, thermometer, baby grooming kit, pacifiers, diaper bag, baby shampoo, lotion, baby tub, diapers, wipes, books and toys, the baby bullet and the baby bullet steamer, and so much more. My mom bought Gavin's bedding and his treasure chest toy box for his room. We can not thank everyone enough for the wonderful gifts. Gavin, Tommy, and I are truly blessed! 

After the shower I wanted to open everything and put it away. We didn't get home until seven-ish and we both had work the next day. But I couldn't help it! I wanted to wash Gavin's new clothes and bedding and put them away, I wanted to open his toys, decorate the nursery with the baby shower centerpieces, label and organize everything. It was either lose sleep thinking about everything I wanted to do or just not sleep and at get stuff done. Tommy and I stayed up until one in the morning washing baby clothes, bibs, hats, blankets, crib sheets, the bedding, and putting it all away. We organized the gifts, and figured out what we still needed. Needless to say, I was tired the next day. 

Well, three days after that (Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014) my co-workers threw me another baby shower, only this one was a surprise. My mom told me she took half a day off from work because she had to go to the "dentist." She mentioned she would be home by 2 in the afternoon and asked me if I wanted to go out for a late lunch. Of course I was on board with that idea! After work I went to my mom's house and we were on our way to "lunch." But before we went to the restaurant, she had to drop something off. My mom sings on the worship team at church and they practice every Wednesday night. Apparently the bass player had to "miss" practice that night, so my mom had to "deliver" the music to him so he could practice for Sunday's service. On our way to some random house, my mom made a "wrong turn" (which I learned later on that it was to stall us). We finally arrived and I saw three of the teachers I work with get out of their cars and start walking to the house. I look at the house and saw blue balloons, with "It's a boy!" written on them. I look at my mom and yell, "WHAT'S GOING ON?!" My mom yells, "I DID IT!!" It turned out we did not have to drop off anything, we were going to a surprise shower thrown by my fellow teachers! I had such a fun time. A lot of people came and the house was decorated in blue baby decorations. There was a ton of food and desserts and more presents! We got swaddles, diapers, clothes, pacifiers, bibs, spoons, blankets, and the big presents: a swing and jumper. All the teachers pitched in for these presents and the shower. One of the teachers who had retired made a diaper wreath with random baby supplies tied onto it. The wreath was on the front door and the cutest thing ever! Again, Gavin, Tommy, and I are so blessed. 

MORE PICTURES COMING SOON

The baby: is the size of a honeydew melon! Gavin's organs are nearly complete. His kidneys are completely developed and his liver is functional and capable of processing waste products. 

Mommy's Health: BLESSED, LOVED, HAPPY! I have the best family, friends, and husband!

Week 36:  

After going through and organizing the shower gifts, we found out we still needed to get a few things. We needed bottles, an ergo baby carrier, a baby monitor, a bassinet, burp cloths, receiving blankets, more diapers, and cloth diapers. In a post I had written months ago,  I said I wanted to use cloth diapers. Just to update everyone on my cloth diapers obsession: I still want to use cloth diapers, but not in the beginning. There are two reasons why- 1) An infant's poop is watery and runny during the breastfeeding stage. I don't want the diapers to get ruined. 2) cloth diapers don't fit as well on newborns as they do on a  six month old. This causes messy sheets, clothes, well...everything. Babies start eating solids at six months, so the stool will be harder, making cleaning the cloth diapers easier. I will only be using cloth diapers at home because when Gavin goes to daycare, he is only allowed to wear disposable diapers. So even though I want Gavin to be in cloth diapers full-time, he can't. As much as I don't want him to be wearing those chemical filled  diapers, there is nothing I can do about it. At least being in cloth diapers part-time is better then no cloth diapers at all! 

OK, so, back to what Tommy and I still need for the baby. The rest is just miscellaneous things, like curtains, baskets for the drawers, a hamper, and mobile. 

We did buy everything else we needed, but little by little, week by week. On Friday we bought the baby monitor from Babies R Us and let me tell you... this thing is awesome! It has a decent size colored screen (that also has night vision) and the picture is crystal clear. It has two way talk so I can hear the baby and when I push a button I can talk back. The camera is controlled by buttons on the screen. I can move the camera to look at anything in the room from anywhere in the house! Actually from anywhere within a 600 ft. radius. 

On Sunday we had a photo shoot with a wonderful photographer I found in our area. We went to an abandon mill at the state park. It was a beautiful day and here are some sample pictures:

I still have to pick which pictures I want. There are so many great choices, she took over a hundred photos.  

On Monday I had my first weekly doctor's appointment. My doctor did a culture swab test and also an internal exam. My cervix is soft and Gavin is in position! He has been head down for months now. I gained six pounds in two weeks, Gavin's heart rate is great, and my doctor checked my boobs. She said they are ready and in perfect condition for breastfeeding!

On Wednesday my belly button popped, I'll spare you a picture of that ;)

On Thursday, Tommy and I decorated the toy chest after it was finally delivered. We had to exchange the brown chest from the baby shower for the white one because the white one fits better with the nursery furniture. We bought G-A-V-I-N letters and wooden nautical cut-outs. I painted everything and Tommy glued everything onto the toy chest with wood glue. It came out adorable, If I do say so myself. 

The baby: is the size of a crenshaw melon, but they are not in season yet, so we used a bag of potatoes that resembles the size of the melon. Gavin is still gaining weight and becoming rounder in appearance. By the end of this week, Gavin will be considered full term, Go Gavin!

Mommy's Health: I have a ton of energy and I am on a roll with getting everything done for Gavin's nursery.

Week 37:  

Friday we went up north to pick up my free MADELA breast pump because my insurance covers it! I was so excited to get my breast pump and even more excited I didn't have to pay $300 for it.  After we picked up the breast pump, we went to Babies R Us to buy a bassinet. The bassinet will go next to my bed so Gavin can sleep in our room. It is important for newborn babies to sleep in the same room with mom and dad because it is proven to reduce SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). It's also easier to breastfeed since he will be right next to me. Here is the adorable bassinet Tommy and I picked out:

 It vibrates, plays music, lights up, and the mobile rotates! I love this thing!

Saturday I had to go to labcorp to get blood work to check for HIV. I'm pretty sure, actually 100% positive I do not have HIV, but I had to get blood work done anyway.

Sunday, Tommy and I went shopping and bought a nautical pillow for the glider, more newborn sleepers, navy blue curtains that match the rug (ones that do not let the sun in), a trash can, and baskets for the drawers. Then we labeled the room... every basket, drawer, and shelf is labeled and ready! 

Monday was my weekly doctor's appointment. Everything is the same, cervix is soft, Gavin is head down, heartbeat good, and I lost three pounds. Oh and my blood work came back negative...no HIV. (close one) -_-

The baby: is the size of a bundle of  swiss chard. Gavin is now full term. That means his organs are fully developed and prepared for the outside world. 

Mommy's Health: My spring break was this week. I feel rested and accomplished. Tommy and I finished the nursery and as promised I will get started on my post about Gavin's nautical nursery! 

Overview Weeks Thirty-Two, Thirty-Three, and Thirty-Four

Week 32:  

Friday March 7th, 2014 Tommy and I had a sonogram. Last sonogram the tech, Barbara, said she would give me a 3D sonogram if there was time and if Gavin was in a good position (this office only conducts emergency 3D sonograms, like if something might be wrong and the doctors needed to get a more detailed picture). As soon as Tommy and I walked into the office, I asked the lady at the front desk if Barbara was here today. She replied yes and told me there are two techs here today and whatever one I get, I get. So there was a 50% chance of getting Barbara. Plus having her as my tech still didn't promise me a 3D sonogram. 

Things were not looking so good, then suddenly, the door slowly creaked open... It was Barbara! Now I just needed to be next in line so she could call my name... but, she called someone else's name. (Great) The other tech opened the door and she also called someone else's name (phew). The door opened again and it was Barbara with a smile on her face as she called my name, YES! and FINALLY! We walked down the hall and into the room. As she closed the door she said, "I know I promised you we could TRY a 3D sonogram, but remember, we have to get through the normal sonogram first and the baby also must be in the right position." I told her I remembered and to please try her hardest. After the normal sonogram she said everything looks good. He is about 4 pounds 10 ounces. He will gain half a pound every week until he is born. So basically, if I deliver Gavin at 40 weeks (no later) he will be 7 pounds 8 ounces. Not too bad! Hopefully I'm not two weeks late because then he will weigh 8 pounds 8 ounces. Ouch. 

O.K. So now.. the moment of truth, was Gavin in a good position for a 3D sonogram? YES!!

 Isn't he just the cutest?? The bottom right side of Gavin is his hand. To see the 3d video live is just amazing. I can't wait to hold him!

Monday March 10th, 2014 Tommy and I had our doctor's appointment. She looked over the sonogram results, took my blood pressure, weighed me (I keep on gaining my one pound a week!), and checked the baby's heartbeat. Everything looks wonderful!

The baby: is the size of a jimaca! Gavin is plumping up and will gain almost half his body weight by the time he is ready to come into the world. This baby fat will help to keep him warm in the outside world. The layer of soft lanugo hair is also starting to shed. 

Mommy's Health: Last week I was so sick with a cold, but thankfully this week I am feeling much better. Plenty of sleep, homemade chicken noodle soup from my mom, and gallons of water all helped me get through that week long cold. 

Week 33: 

Tommy and I keep day dreaming and talking about what life will be like when Gavin arrives. He is so loved and we are going to enjoy being parents.  

The baby: is the size of a pineapple! Gavin's skeleton is hardening although the bones in his skull will not fuse together completely, but will overlap allowing for continued growth all the way up until early adulthood. 

Mommy's Health: On Wednesday (3/19/14) around two in the morning, I woke up sweating. Then thirty seconds later I had cramps that resembled period cramps. The cramps were not really painful, I just haven't had them for months. The cramps didn't last long. My uterus was practicing contracting to get ready for the birthing process. OH BOY! 

Week 34:  

We had a busy week! Friday (3-21-14) Tommy and I ventured out to find a baby shower dress for me! The baby shower is on Sunday, March 30th!! I am so excited! I found an adorable dress, perfect for the occasion and even a matching tie for Tommy!

 Monday (3-24-14) we had a doctors appointment. I didn't gain any weight (well 3 ounces) but the doctor said not to worry... not gaining weight doesn't mean there is anything wrong. I just had a busy week. I'll make up for it next visit! 

Wednesday I had a faculty meeting, so I had to stay after school. 

Thursday Tommy and I had a dentist appointments for a checkup and teeth cleaning. Because of my insurance I had to change from my childhood dentist to a new dentist. Everyone was very nice and asked many questions about Gavin/my pregnancy. I have one small cavity, but the dentist wants to fill it after Gavin is born. Fine with me! 

The baby: is the size of a cantaloupe! The waxy protective coating, vernix, is becoming much thicker this week as the lanugo (hair) continues to shed and may be almost completely gone by now.  Gavin's lungs are continuing to mature in preparation for breathing in the outside world. 

Mommy's Health: 

SO, funny story: I was taking down St. Patty's Day decorations and putting up Easter/Spring decorations. I was decorating the fireplace and apparently I had to pee because when I sneezed... I peed. It trickled down my leg and ended up making a small puddle on the floor. I started laughing hysterically (which only made me pee more). Tommy came running out of the office because he thought I was crying. He saw me laughing and I told him I sneezed and peed. He started laughing and told me I was just as bad as the dogs. He cleaned up my mess (it's getting harder and harder to bend down) and pointed to the toilet and yelled "NO! YOU GO POTTY HERE!" like he does to the dogs.  Oh the perks of being pregnant! 

Overview Weeks Twenty-Nine, Thirty, Thirty-One

Week 29: This week Tommy and I had to go to the hospital so I could get the Rhogam shot. If you remember from a previous post, we found out my blood type is B negative. We do not know Tommy's blood type, however if his blood type is positive, Gavin could have a positive blood type. So what? If I am B negative and Gavin is a positive blood type, what's the problem? Well, if Gavin's blood type is positive, my body may develop antibodies towards the Rh positive baby. If a small amount of the baby's blood mixes with my blood, which is common, my body might respond as if it were allergic to the baby. This means my antibodies can cross the placenta and attack my baby's blood. The antibodies break down the baby's red blood cells and can cause serious illness, brain damage, or even death. The Rhogam shot prevents the antibodies from attacking my baby. 

This shot is given at the hospital that I will deliver in. First we had to get my blood taken to confirm I am B negative. This was done downstairs from the maternity wing. It takes about an hour for the results to come back, so Tommy and I went out to Olive Garden for dinner. Once we arrived back at the hospital, we had to go to the maternity wing to get the shot. The nurses and receptionists were really pleasant, knowledgeable, and extremely nice. Tommy mentioned to one of the receptionists/nurse that we missed the last tour (they give a tour of the maternity suites every second Sunday of the month) because we had to go pick up our new puppy, Riley. The nurse told us she would give us a private tour after I received my shot. I got the shot and the nurse showed us around.  

Let me tell you how excited and impressed I am with this hospital. I HATE hospitals, HATE HATE HATE! But after asking millions of questions, seeing the rooms, and knowing their procedures, I felt so much more comfortable. Let's start with how quiet the wing was while I was there. I couldn't hear anything in the other rooms, in fact, I thought nobody was there and the rooms were empty. There were actually four families there at the time and all of them had their babies already. The rooms are big and homey. EVERYTHING is done in one room, pre-labor, labor, recovery, EVERYTHING! I even have my own private bathroom with a shower and Jacuzzi tub. There is a pull out twin bed for Tommy to sleep on, a couch, two dressers, a flat screen T.V., a bassinet, and a scale. That's right, the baby stays in the room with us at all times... unless I want him in the nursery, but I want him with me at all times.  So, I do not have to leave the room at all for any reason...except if I have to get a C-section. The nurse didn't even show me that room, because she said I have to think positive and I wouldn't have to go in there. Otherwise, I stay in my room. 

Here are some of the hospital's procedures after the baby is born: 

• He is placed directly on me for skin to skin time. 
• He is not washed, just wiped off (you will see why this is a good thing in my birth plan)
• He is weighed and given his shots in front of me
• I will have a breast feeding coach come in and help Gavin latch
• He eats, sleeps, and gets changed in my room
• I have one nurse to help me with everything and anything I need
• The night before I leave the hospital he is taken to be circumcised (which is perfect because I DO NOT want to hear or see that happening)

The nurse told me these procedures straight upfront, without me even asking questions. 

Other information: 

• Only two additional people are allowed in my room while I am giving birth, which is Tommy and my mom, (we get cool bracelets that give us access to the nursery and other parts of the maternity wing)
• There is a nursery... and it is NOT like the ones in the movies or T.V. This nursery is supper small and only fits around 3-4 babies because the babies stay in the room with their mommy. 

I never thought I would say this, but I love the maternity section and I am looking forward to my stay at the (gulp) hospital. 

OK, now for my birth plan. These are the procedures, how I feel about them, and what I hope/want to happen. AND I KNOW IT IS JUST A PLAN... I AM NOT MARRIED TO THE PLAN, THINGS CHANGE, I KNOW, I GET IT, BLAH BLAH BLAH, FHEGHIEIHGSHEDGHDEHG!!!! But it doesn't hurt to have a plan... that way the doctors and nurses and Tommy and I are all on the same page about our desires. We will be involved with the decisions other people are making with our own child's life. Why wouldn't you have a plan?! 

MY BIRTH PLAN

LABOR:

1) Allow me to push and birth in any position of my choice for as long as it takes until the baby is born. NO C-SECTION unless the baby is in danger.  

Luckily, my hospital allows me to change positions if I would like, whatever is comfortable for me... whether it is down on all fours or on my back. They also provide big birthing balls and the Jacuzzi tub to help ease the pain. Could you believe some hospitals do not allow the woman to birth in different positions??

2) Allow my placenta to deliver naturally without Pitocin.

This should be a LAST resort option, only if there is an issue with the placenta not coming out on its own, or the risk of hemorrhage.

3) Save my placenta for encapsulation.

Placenta encapsulation is when the placenta is dehydrated, ground, and poured into capsules for the mother to take postpartum. This is usually done by a doula or a midwife. The placenta is packed with amazing vitamins and nutrients. Consuming it has been known to help prevent postpartum depression, increase energy, and help with milk supply. Yes I will be "eating" my placenta. Well, in a pill form.. I am not going to fry or cook it for dinner.

4) Please do not perform an episiotomy. 

The uterus will contract at a normal speed, to allow for proper stretching. The mother will be able to feel what is going on so she won’t just push arbitrarily. Some tearing might still occur, but it will heal much more quickly and naturally without a large cut made that probably wasn’t needed at all.

5) Delay cord clamping until the cord has stopped pulsating.

Studies have shown that delaying the cutting of the baby’s umbilical cord until it has stopped pulsing has many benefits. The baby is getting his blood supply from the placenta and as long as it is pulsing it is still sending nutrient rich blood to your baby’s system. The cord will be cut by Tommy. My doctors and the nurses at the hospital already follow this procedure.

Baby care

1) I would like baby placed on me directly after birth. Baby will breast feed, so only offer my breast and no artificial nipples. 

2) Do not bathe baby- I plan to bathe baby after I have had time to rub in the vernix.

Vernix is the white, waxy sort of substance on the baby’s skin after he is born. This substance has a ton of amazing benefits (moisturizing, prevent diseases) and nutrients that should not be washed off. The nurses at my hospital do not wash the babies off, only wipe excess vernix off. 

3) Shots and ointment will be given to Gavin in my room with Tommy and I present (vitamin K injection, hepatitis b vaccine, erythromycin eye ointment)

So as you can see 1) my birth plan is not long 2) the hospital follows these procedures anyway. As a result, ONE HAPPY MAMA!

You might have noticed there is nothing about an epidural in the plan. My goal is to deliver Gavin without an epidural, but I am not eliminating it completely. I have never given birth, I have never experienced this pain before. I would like to think I am strong enough to do this without an epidural and I will try my absolute hardest to do so. I have the option for an epidural, but my intentions are to give birth naturally. 

The baby: is the size of a butternut squash! Gavin will be in for a major growth spurt over the next three months. He will become more cramped inside the womb. He is still active and moving around consistently. 

Mommy's Health: Lately I have been short of breath. In the middle of teaching in front of the class, I have to stop talking to catch my breath. This is because Gavin is growing and is moving higher up, causing him to push on my diaphragm. It is especially hard to breath while sitting because he has less room. Once he "drops" I will get my lungs back!

Week 30: On Monday, February 28, 2014 I had a doctor's appointment. This was the first doctor's appointment where Tommy was not present. Now that I have appointments every two weeks, it's harder for him to leave work early. He will be attending every other appointment which is once a month. The only concern for the doctors this week was the pressure I have been feeling on my cervix. I could just be walking and all of a sudden feel a sharp pain for half of a second. I have to stop walking and quickly close my legs together because it feels like he could pop out any second. My doctor said I get that pressure feeling from being on my feet for too long, causing gravity to do its job. I'm a teacher, I have to be on my feet!! I have to learn to take more breaks. 

The baby: is the size of a cabbage! Gavin is now able to have the hiccups. And boy has he had them! It's the cutest! My belly kept "popping" up every other second for about a minute. I can't wait to see him hiccup in person <3

Mommy's Health: I have been taking more frequent breaks at work and the pressure/pain feeling has lessened. I still feel great!

Week 31: Nothing too exciting went on this week, pregnancy wise. I got a lot of work done at school, which I really needed to do.

The baby: is the size of four navel oranges! Gavin is gaining more weight because his baby fat is filling in underneath the skin. He is also becoming less red and more pink in color.

Mommy's Health: This past week I have been so sick. It's just a cold, but a cold is ten times worse while pregnant. Some of my cold symptoms included: stuffy nose, sore throat, chills, headache, and earaches. I didn't take any form of medicine until day five. My doctor and the Walgreen's pharmacist told me Robitussin D is safe. I don't even take medicine when i'm not pregnant. I believe the body can heal itself. But I had to consider that when i'm sick, Gavin is also sick, which is not healthy for the fetus. I lost my appetite and lived on chicken noodle soup for a week. They assured me to just take the medicine, it was better than being sick... and it was worth it. Two days later I felt much better.  


I'm going to miss blogging about my pregnancy, 9 more weeks!

Here is more information on the Rhogam shot/Negative blood type:
http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/rhfactor-2.html