All is well

Had another appointment yesterday. Nathan is measuring right around average size, not very big or small at this point. The doctor thinks he is head down now but we aren't 100% certain. According to the doctor, he feels like he is head down, it's just not VERY obvious if he is. And there is no obvious head up high anywhere, so it's fairly certain he's head down. We'll know for sure at our next ultrasound which will be on December 31st. The next regular appointment is on December 26th. So everything is going well, just enjoying the holiday season!

"Getting Ready for Baby"

Last night Jon and I went to our first childbirth class, "Getting Ready for Baby." We ended about an hour early due to snow and slippery roads. It was a COLD night! This class continues for two more Monday nights, and a pediatrician as well as a new mom will be coming to talk to us and answer any questions. We will also be attending a Breastfeeding class this Thursday, and LaMaze classes in early January.

We enjoyed the class and also got a tour of the hospital. We covered several topics last night, mostly on what to expect after the baby is born, both in the hospital and when we take him home.

Some things we talked about:
-- Physical, emotional, emotional, and financial changes as new parents
-- Finding a doctor for your baby
-- What the hospital staff will do immediately after the baby is born, and why
-- Apgar scores
-- Baby's reflexes
-- Becoming aquainted with your baby
-- What the baby may look like as a newborn ("strange" things that are perfectly normal)
-- Our hospital's security measures
-- Jaundice
-- A newborn's hearing, eyesight, smell, touch, and taste
-- Typical infant behavior (due to immature nervous system, instinctive defense mechanisms, etc.)

A new baby is pretty amazing! :)

If you would like to check out the hospital where we will be having Nathan, you can go to http://www.uhs.net/womenshealth and then click "Maternity & Childbirth", or to see a great video about labor & delivery at the hospital, use the same link and then click "Take our Virtual Tour" and a download window will open (be sure your volume is turned up).

Nathan's room

Nathan's room is coming together! Here are a few preview pictures. We're still waiting on the ottoman from Babies R Us, and we want to get a few things like the matching lamp, and some soft wall hangings that will go above the changing table.
Next doctor appointment is on Monday, and childbirth classes start then too. Nathan likes to make his presence known in the mornings and late at night. He has taken to pushing my stomach out more so than kicking now...it's fun to watch and feel. Jon and I are both getting very excited to meet him!

Clothes and things in the closet

Crib

Changing table/dresser combo

Clothes in drawers

Combo and glider

Close up of glider and blanket

A different angle to give you an idea of the set up

View from the doorway

Shower #2

On Monday there was a combined baby shower at our church for me and two other ladies. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed getting to know some more people. We got some more of the usual things...outfits, blankets, bibs, pacis...we also got some bottle feeding accessories (bottle brush, warmer, and drying rack), gift cards, big box of diapers (yes!), books, little toys, bath items...etc.

Nathan seems to be doing well, he's getting a bit more active lately and it's pretty amusing sometimes. Our next appointment is Dec. 3rd, and we also start childbirth classes that same evening.

We hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving tomorrow. We'll be traveling to Jon's parents' house for the day. These holidays are going to fly by this year.

On Sunday we're having some friends visit...can't wait to see you, Wes and Ashley!!! =D

Dr. Appointment

Today's appointment went well. The results from my glucose test were great. Once again the doctor said "perfect" when he measured my uterus. Nathan's heartbeat sounded really strong today...the doctor said, "that's a happy baby!"

Next appointment is December 5th. We have a brochure on childbirth classes at the hospital, and will be starting those soon.

Baby shower, belly pics, etc.

Jon's family put on a baby shower for us on Sunday. BIG thanks to them and espeically Jon's mom for a GREAT time and MANY wonderful gifts! Thank you Tracy for making the trip up despite the craziness...we really appreciate it and loved seeing you and Jesse. :)

In addition to some new things, we were also given some of Jon's outfits and books from when he was a baby, and also a coat had been hand-made by his grandmother. Here is a list of everything we now have, including things from before the shower, and from the shower:

Clothes (mostly 0-3 month sizes)
Onesies
Blankets
Sleep sacks
Snow suits
Crib sheets
Mattress pads
Pacies and clips
Burp cloths
Sling carrier
Care kit (nail clippers, thermometer, etc.)
Bouncer
Teething toy
Spoons
Books
Formula dispenser (container)
Crib/Mattress/Bedding set
Dresser/Changer/Changing pad
Glider/ottoman
Bibs
Baby bathtub
Diaper genie
Carseat
Pack n Play

So we are doing really well! There is also a combined shower for me and 2 other ladies at the Church on Monday evening (the 19th). Jon and I are also planning to get the swing and stroller (the frame one that the carseat fits into) sometime soon. Some of the furniture (the dresser/changer, and the rocker/glider) are not here yet but have been ordered, and/or are waiting for us at the store until we can pick them up. So once we have Nathan's room all set up, I'll definitely post pictures!

Here are some recent belly pics, (complete with stretch marks, lovely!) at approx. 30 weeks. I hadn't noticed much of a change until we took these pics, but there is a noticable difference. He's definitely growing!








I'm feeling pretty good, starting to get to that uncomfortable stage though...some back aches, and pain in my Sciatica that makes changing positions at night quite painful and difficult...not much fun when I'm waking up every couple hours or so! And the heartburn is still here on a regular basis...it's probably here to stay, at least for now. I'm not getting as much sleep lately, but I don't feel like I'm "missing" any either, so that's good. Nathan is working his leg muscles and making his presence known. Only ten more weeks to go!

Talk to you all again soon.

Cuteness

Here's Nathan's Going Home outfit that we picked out today!