35 Weeks and Finally Some Relief From the Heat!

First off, I'd like to say "Hallelujah" - it's finally NOT 100 degrees outside!  Woo hoo!  It's definitely helped me to feel better this week.

What's changed?  Still feeling tons of kicks, prods, and pokes.... which are getting stronger and harder to ignore!  For some reason, this little guy loves to roll all around while I'm driving... very distracting! 

I've also stopped going to the gym for the most part, opting for the basement gym (elliptical, weights, etc.. we pretty much have an entire gym in our basement anyway) where I can wear whatever I feel like wearing and no one is looking at me like: "Please do not have that baby right here on the floor!"  The looks were getting more annoying in the past month, so the basement seems like a better choice right now.  Also, as a germ-a-phobe, I'd rather Connor and I both avoid the gym this last month to help make sure we aren't sick for when the baby is born!

Tomorrow night Jamie and I are going to a mini-Lamaze class at Norton Hospital.  Don't mis-take me: I still TOTALLY plan having the epidural as soon as possible into the labor process.  However,  with how fast I went into full-blown labor with Connor, I really could have used some breathing techniques to keep me calm and focused (instead of crazed, dehydrated, passing out, etc...!)  We're taking this class to be as prepared as possible for anything that might happen, which, let's be honest, could be as drastic as not making it to the hospital!!

More on that later this week!

35 Weeks

34 Weeks: Slowing Down A Bit

So, I don't have a 33 week belly pic like I normally would have, but here's what I DO have...

I was a bridesmaid in a dear college-friend's wedding last weekend...

At the reception .... with the hubby!

What a blast... and I'd like to say what a gorgeous, stunning bride she was and how honored I was to stand next to her and her new hubby on their big day!  (belly and all!)

The following afternoon, two other dear friends threw me a beautiful baby shower 'sprinkle' at a local Bed and Breakfast!  It was simple and wonderful!  I'm so lucky to be surrounded by such amazing friends and family...

My mom and I at the shower.

So that was week 33.  Also, no doctor's appointment last week, but I have one this week, so I'll keep you posted.  I'm kind of bummed because I was still trying to talk Jamie into paying for an extra ultrasound, or 3D ultrasound, just for fun - but I've been reading that after 34 weeks it's kind of pointless because the baby should be turned face in and head down by this point.  I'm still planning on asking about it at my appointment on Thursday, but I guess I might have missed my window! :(

34 Weeks (today!)

Tick-Tock: Less Than 2 Months To Go!

We've officially made it to the 32-week, 8-month mark!  Woo hoo!

Now well into my third-trimester, this baby boy has started moving with significant meaning and purpose - if you know what I mean!  You can see my stomach moving from across the room - lurching from side to side and up and down.  At approximately 3.5 pounds, he is running out of room in there, so elbows, feet, knees, and his little bottom are poking out everywhere!

I haven't really started to feel any new symptoms, only worsening of existing ones.  Heartburn and reflux is worse, even on the increased dose of Nexium, and I've started having to use the restroom more often.   The Braxton-Hicks contractions are getting stronger and more noticeable, but the doctor doesn't seem concerned about that at all... plus it's more common to feel them earlier and stronger with your second pregnancy.   I do believe if you were a fly on the wall you might get a pretty good kick out of seeing me get up out of bed... it's getting harder and more like a 'rolling' technique at this point!

On the plus side, I haven't noticed any feet or ankle swelling yet, and my back and sciatica pain has wained, even while still working out at the gym.  I'm hoping I'll keep feeling this well through the end.  Fingers crossed!

I'm now on a every-two-week doctor appointment schedule, so my next one is this Thursday.  I'm still trying to talk Jamie into getting an extra ultrasound for the fun of it - possibly a 3D one, but he's not totally sold on it yet.  Bummer!  I just really want to see this little guy one more time before D-Day!!  Maybe a small part of me just wants to see that male genitalia again to confirm the sex ... even though we have no reason to question that this baby is a boy from looking at the first ultrasound!!

31.5 Weeks

32 weeks

My New Swagger Wagon

So, we bit the bullet and got our new 2011 Toyota Sienna last week and I am loving it so far.

I was pretty much one of the last "hold out" mommies in the neighborhood who has (or is having) 2 kids, so for me to go "mini-van" is pretty serious.  I always said I would NOT get a mini-van until I was 30, but here I am, at 27, loving my new ride!

(this is not MY van, but exactly like mine - Blizzard White, Limited, AWD, etc...  real-life pics to come next week!  I thought it would be funny to take a picture of me really pregnant in front of the new van - oh the irony of it all!  So look for that next week!)

For any of you out there who might be considering a van, you might ask:

Why the Sienna?  Good question. 

I always thought of myself as more of a Honda Odyssey mom if I had to go 'van', but the Sienna's body style was updated for 2011 to actually look more like the Odyssey, plus the Sienna offers a lot more of the luxury / nice features that Honda doesn't.  For instance, the Smart Key system (you never have to use the key for anything!  Just have it in the diaper bag!), all-wheel-drive w/ run flat tires, automatic upgraded headlamps and wipers, dual screen DVD player in the back, and dual sunroof... so the kids have one in the back, too!  

Honda is dramatically updating the Odyssey body style for 2011, but it will likely still not have the features listed above and won't be available until Early Fall of this year.

Other things this puppy has: 180 degree backup camera, front and rear parking sensors, leather, power everything, built-in sunshades on the back windows, navigation, recliner-style second row seating, etc....  So basically, lots of cool stuff to make up for the not-so-cool mini-van stigma. 

Coming off an SUV, I must say this 'wagon' accelerates and handles better - so for me, it's an upgrade in performance, convenience, comfort.... and SPACE!!

Why not get a giant SUV?  Well, this was an easy decision. 

1.) Gas mileage, 2.) I hate driving something the size of a truck - parking spots and the garage are a pain! 3.) They sit up way too high for me to lift in Connor and a baby seat, 4.) No automatic sliding side doors ... which makes getting in an out in our garage SO much easier, and 5.) SUV's are way over-priced for what they are.... especially when you have small children. 

For the money a nice big SUV costs, I'd rather have a nice, practical mini-van for 5 years, and then get a nice sedan later on when we're not lugging 2 car seats and a double stroller around.   But that's just me.

Toyota has tried to go WAY above and beyond the standard advertising techniques to promote the 2011 Sienna, and as someone who said they would ONLY ever consider a Honda Odyssey, and I have to give kudos to the Toyota marketing team. Bravo!  You won me over! 

And, if you are on the fence about a van, just go test drive one and you'll be over the moon, as well!   To be able to have a full-sized car seat, infant carrier with base, double stroller, single stroller, and a bunch of other kid-crap in the car and not feel the least bit cramped or anything - it's a breath of fresh air for our family!!

Below I have 3 of my favorite marketing clips for the new Sienna.  If you haven't seen these, you've GOT to check them out!  There are even more on YouTube, but these are the best!  Hilarious!

"Swagger Wagon Music Video"

"Meet Mommy and Daddy"

"Playdate Copy Cat" (this is my favorite!)

Thanks for stopping by, more pics to come soon!