Week 29 Checkup & A New Project

Yesterday we had our week 29 checkup...I think I mentioned in the last posting that we now see our doctor every 2 weeks. It was a typical checkup: we listened to the heartbeat, my stomach was measured, and the doc asked if we had any questions. All in all, the appointment only takes about 10 minutes, but it's never bothersome to me or Steve. We love to hear our little guy's heartbeat! It's always kind of funny too, because when the doc puts the cold gel on my tummy for the heartbeat monitor, little guy always kicks and squirms around. I guess he doesn't like the cold (good luck come December, right?!!!) My measurements were good - in fact I weigh exactly the same as my last visit, despite my stomach growing another 2 cm (I'm up to 30 cm!). My glucose test also came back good, so I don't have to worry about gestational diabetes, thank goodness! Our next appointment is June 11, and I anticipate it will be the same check-up as usual.

As for me and Steve, we've been trying to keep ourselves busy with random projects around the house. This weekend we are tackling a long overdue project: the basement shower. We've had the stall & parts for (I hate to admit) a few years now...we just haven't gotten around to installing it. Well...since we have family coming in July, we decided that it's about time to get it put together. I'll be sure to post pix of the progress.
I have also been attempting to get some things done around the house. I've been trying to figure out how to reorganize cabinets & closets to accommodate all of the additional items that will accompany baby. It's also a good time to purge of items we've been storing for who knows what reason!
In addition to my attempt at organization, I've picked up another hobby: I signed up for a knitting class! The classes took place throughout the month of May, and I was able to learn enough of the basics, as well as some tips and tricks, that I will utilize to (hopefully) knit a baby blanket. It's been going well so far....

FYI - time permitting, some of you might get to see scarves or hats in your stockings at Christmas! :-)

Signs of Spring in Iowa

Tonight as I was outside with the dogs, I was hit by the scent of spring. The lilac bushes that are planted along our back fence filled the air with their floral scent. It was fantastic!


Today I had another monthly checkup. All seems to be well. Baby's heart rate was in the 150's, which is normal, and we're both growing like we should be! While my doctor had the fetal monitor pressed against my belly to get the heartbeat, baby was kicking in the same spot. It sounded like a loud crack on the monitor! He's a good little kicker! He will sometimes follow my hand with kicks(or punches)as I press on my belly in different spots, which is neat.
After the checkup I did my glucose test. I had to drink 8 oz. of a very sweet, lemon-lime flavored, sugary mixture. After I drank it down, I waited an hour and they did a blood test. I should find out the results soon. I'm hoping all is as it should be. I start seeing my doctor every 2 weeks now, so my next appointment is the last week of May.





My goal for this weekend is to plant some bushes, maybe spirea, along the back fence (where Belle is sniffing), and then cover the area with cedar mulch. I'll post some pix when (if) we get it done!

6 Months! (almost)

Here I am!

I am at the beginning of my 27th week...which means that there are only 3 months to go after this week! Last week we started our birthing classes, which was a bit more "real" than I anticipated. We've ordered the crib, worked on preparing the nursery, completed our Target & WalMart registries, and purchased some baby items we'll need - including our first box of diapers! It's hard to believe that we will meet the little guy in a very short time. But I can't wait until that day comes...ready or not!

PBR Weekend

This past weekend, I got out of town again. This time I took my hubby with me! We spent the weekend in Des Moines to do some shopping and attend the second round of the Professional Bull Riding (PBR) event. We were smart this year and booked a room in the hotel that is next door to the arena. No crazy traffic coming or going for us - which was great! Following is a pre-event self-picture, and a few pix from the opening of the event:





As I mentioned above, we also did some shopping around Des Moines on Saturday and Sunday. We stopped a few places, looking for baby's crib. We actually found what we were looking for at our first stop, but decided to continue looking, which warranted another trip to Babies R Us! We came out of the store with a diaper bag that Steve determined is "manly" enough for him to carry. :-) After an early dinner at a Des Moines steakhouse, we headed to our hotel & rested before the big PBR event. After sleeping in on Sunday, we stopped by Homemaker's in Des Moines to order our crib. It will take 4-6 weeks to get in, so hopefully we'll have it put together by the time mom & my family arrive in July!
(BTW Dave - we found a glider too!)

KC Weekend

It has been a busy couple of weeks for me, so I apologize for not posting in a while!

As some of you know, I teach a Human Services online course at Iowa Central. I do love the class...however I'm never thrilled when the end of the semester is nearing. The way our courses are set up, students have up to 15 weeks to submit their work for me to grade. Unfortuantely, no matter how many emails I send, or phone calls I make, there are always a handful of students who like to wait until the very last minute to submit their work. This means that I am swamped with grading at the end of the term. So this is where a good amount of my time has gone after working hours!

I did get out of town a few weekends ago to see my mom & her friend Kathy in the Kansas City area. We did lots of shopping and laughed a lot - as we usually do. We also got to meet up with my brother Dave for dinner while we were there, so that's always great! On our shopping excursions, we picked out the fabric that mom will use to make baby's quilt, crib bedding and curtains. We also made a stop at what's becoming my favorite store: Babies R Us, where we picked up a stroller to add to the collection of baby items that Steve gets to start putting together. :-) Here are a couple of pictures from the weekend:
Kathy & Mom (No - they did not coordinate their outfits!):


Mom & Me (this was taken right before I left to head back to Iowa...TIRED!)


Overall it was a very fun weekend...but I was ready for a nap when I got back home to Iowa!