Random/ To-Do Post

So I am really running low on ideas to post about this week.
Andrew and I celebrated our First Anniversary this past weekend. He rented us a quiet little cabin about and hour from home and we went to an Arts and Crafts Festival, Flea Marketing, and had a nice candlelit dinner. After dinner we stayed at the table and a Nashville band, called The Vallows (a rock/pop/country duo) played us live music (loved them). It was a wonderful little getaway, that both of us agreed helped us to wind down. This week is also the week before my summer semester finals, so a relaxed getaway was very appreciated! 
As I said, ideas are a little cloudy this week so I thought I would keep it simple and share my To-Do list before the baby comes... This list was compiled from babycenter.com, I just added in personal lists, also.
(We are 19 weeks this Wednesday!- - Biggest change I have noticed in myself is entering the nesting phase, either that or I have gone completely mad---(Who refolds all the clothes in  a dresser or linens in a linen closet?!?)
First Trimester-

• Make sure you're really pregnant.
• Take your prenatal vitamin I am taking Flinstone Chewables once, daily and a prenatal called Foltx
• Investigate health insurance
• Choose a caregiver Dr. Carr
• Make a prenatal appointment
• Consider your options for prenatal testing Our decision was against.
• Start taking belly photos
• Make a baby budget
• Buy new bras and undies
• Start a daily ritual to connect with your baby
• Start a baby name list

Second Trimester-

• Explore a prenatal exercise class
• Learn about second trimester visits and tests
• Track weight gain Using an IPad app to help with this-Pregnancy HD
• Shop for maternity clothes A neighbor brought over her entire maternity wardrobe to help myself to!
• Consider a professional labor coach
• Plan some adult-time
• Start moisturizing your belly I am using Covenant Garden Sanctuary Spa "Mum To Be"
• Narrow your baby name list
• Decide whether you'll find out baby's gender We are gonna be surprised!
• Keep a pregnancy journal *Need to be better about doing it every night!
• Look into childbirth classes Scheduled for an evening class at the end of November
• Do some financial planning
• Prepare pets--For now, plan to set up swing and let them go in and out of nursery as they please.
• Get teeth cleaned--Have appointment in October
• Start sleeping on your side- Harder than it sounds! Using a pregnancy pillow full-time now.
• Create a baby registry- Amazon.com
• Maternity leave- We plan to have me stay home permanently raising kiddos! I start staying home the beginning of September (that is what my employer and I agreed on)
• Tackle Home Improvement Projects-
• Put up Nursery Wall Decor
• Stain bookshelf, map frame, and wall shelf
• DIY dresser project
• Stain back deck of house
• Replace back slider door
• Finish Guest bath (Ceiling strip and Tub Seal)
• Keep record of Pregnancy moments to share with your child

Third Trimester

• Learn about Third trimester visits and tests
• Consider additional classes We are taking child safety  & I will be taking a breastfeeding class in Dec.
• Prepare for breastfeeding
• Choose a doctor for baby
• Assemble Baby gear
• Swing
• Decide on/Set up temp and permanent sleeping areas for baby
• Study labor stages and coping with labor pain
• Create a birth plan- Started, just need to do a little research before finalizing...
• Wash baby's clothing and bedding
• Start lining up helpers- We plan to welcome anyone down for the birth and visits at the hospital, but will only have one set of parents down at a time to stay in our home and visit us at home.
• Maternity Pictures-Planning to do our own, then get family pics done professionally?
• Consider Baby costs and ways to save Saving for us so far is me staying home, breastfeeding, and using cloth diapers
• Read up on baby care
• Pack bags for hospital- Mommy's, Daddy's, and Baby's
• Load up on household supplies
• Deep house clean- GG (My Grandma) is coming down for Thanksgiving to help!
• Make frozen dinners--I would LOVE suggestions and or recipes!
• Tour hospital or birth center
• Install baby car seat
• Make a plan for when labor starts
• Think about birth announcements Hoping to make my own, we'll see...
• Make a call list for updates on labor
• Finalize baby name list
• Exercise Patience! 

Next week's post will be short, but will have all Belly Pics to celebrate 20 weeks & 1/2 way!

Glucose Test

I had my first of two glucose tests done last Friday, the 19th. I had to take one now (and repeat later) as an early precaution for Gestational Diabetes. I am at a higher risk for Gestational Diabetes because of my PCOS (which just gave me another idea for a post). I was given fruit punch flavor. I was a little nervous about this appointment, as I do not have the best track record with big blood tests (needle phobia) and was required to fast for this. My concern for fasting was going to the appointment with only this sugary drink in my stomach and possibly either fainting or throwing up. I had to drink the mixture in full within five minutes from starting and as close to an hour from my appointment as possible. My appointment was at 8:45am so I came up with this plan of action the night before:

-Wake up an hour and five minutes prior to my appointment.

-Stick the mixture in the freezer as soon as I get up (for five minutes)...its supposed to go down easier cold.

-Chug the mixture immediately getting it out of the freezer (within five minutes)

-Hop in the shower so I didn't have to sit around with that gunk in my stomach

-Get dressed and pack a small breakfast to eat after the test and before my appointment

-Hop in the car and drive to my appointment.

This plan actually worked great for me. I had zero issues with chugging the mixture in the first 30 seconds (not that it was pleasant...)! And it felt good so cold on my parched throat. I got to the Dr. office with 10 minutes to spare and headed right back to the lab. Had my blood drawn on time (they didn't have to use the straight jacket--jokes!) and ate my Go-gurt and pop tart after it was done. I was then taken back and had the Dr. answer a few questions I had prepared ahead of time...I have included her responses.

-At what point should we begin touring and pre-register for the hospital we choose for the birth?

--Anytime, two of the three local Hospitals offer tours. 

(Side note: this one is our top choice: http://www.erlanger.org/body.cfm?id=94 )

-What classes are offered and when should we consider signing up for them?

--We can pre-register anytime (earlier the better) but wait until I am at least 30 weeks to attend

(Side note: You can view the classes at the link above...we are taking the Child Safety course, Birthing Class, and Breastfeeding course in November and December)

-I have been having cramping, especially in the evenings...when should I be concerned?

--As long as I am not spotting or in doubled over pain, it is normal for cramping. Her suggestion was to take a load off in the evening instead of coming home from work and continuing to be on my feet, and drink more water.

-When should I look into purchasing Maternity Bras?

--Middle to end of the Third Trimester should be an accurate time.

RESULTS of the Glucose test: NEGATIVE, but still have to repeat around 28 weeks...
RESULTS of Anemia Bloodwork: NEGATIVE, levels look great!

Baby's Heart Rate last visit: Between 140 and 145

Baby's Heart Rate this visit: 145

Wall Decor

So as you know, the theme of the nursery is "antiques." I have been picking up wall decor here and there and finally got it all laid out, to figure out #1 what I am going to use and #2 what should be grouped together... Andrew also had one request for the baby's room, which is to have a large map of the United States. I found one that is new, but has the "antiqued" look and came as a pair with a world map. It is almost 4 ft by 5 ft. We are going to use the world map downstairs to decorate Andrew's future bar (at his request)...I will be estimating on measurements just to give you a better idea...here is what I've got so far.

These are albums that I picked up at a yard/estate sale
for $1 each. I saw a cool idea that for a bar backdrop, they used
the albums and covers on the wall. I plan to have a record
player in the nursery and will use these whether or not they
end up on the wall... each is aprox. 13"L x 13"H

This is a coat/towel/hat hanger I made from a distressed piece of scrap
wood and three old spicket knobs I got from Hobby Lobby.
It measures aprox. 15"L x  6"H

This is an antique puzzle I found at an antique store.
I thought about putting this together and framing it.
It would measure aprox. 11"L x 18"H

Found this cute sign at Hobby Lobby, half price.
It measures aprox. 20"L x 8"H

This is by far my favorite piece. I bought this at the Lake O
Antique Mall for $5 and had it re-framed for $1!
Aprox. 36"L x 24" H

I purchased these two cute (local) vintage cardboard posters at a
garage sale for $1 each. They both measure aprox. 11"L x 14"H.

I bought this metal tray at a local antique store. It still has the
fold-down metal legs. I am not sure about using it on the wall,
but maybe folding the legs out to use on the changing station??
Measures aprox. 16"L x 12"H

I purchased this rare print by Currier & Ives from etsy.com.
I did pay a pretty penny of it, but love it. ($40)
Measures aprox. 18"L x 13"H

I framed these two vintage postcards.
I plan to place them next to the large map
that Andrew is going to frame on the wall.
These (framed) are  aprox. 10"L x 8"H each.

I love this metal sign by Norman Rockwell.
I have always been a fan of his art.
Measures aprox. 10"L x 16"H

This is my latest find at an antique store in Michigan...
I purchased a package of these (what appear to have been
wallpaper at one time??) put onto wood cut-outs. I could only
see the bear and tuba player carts at the time of purchase,
so I wasn't sure what condition the rest of the pieces would
be in....but at $3 for the set, I'd say I did good!
Measures about 4'L x 7" H

So do you have any that you love or any that you aren't so crazy about? What about gender neutral...do they all fit this category?

My favorites and Must Haves are:
The Antique Needlepoint ABC's, Noah's Ark, Vintage Postcards, and the Norman Rockwell metal sign art.

Belly by the Week: Round 2

Tomorrow we have made it to 17 weeks! We have a doctor appointment on Friday, which includes my first glucose test. Don't expect to have an ultrasound this visit, but can expect to hear a strong little heartbeat! 
Some fun facts about Baby at 17 weeks: 

• Baby is the size of an onion.
• Baby measures about 4.5 to 5 inches long from crown to rump.
• Baby weighs in at about 3.5 ounces.
• This week baby starts to form fat under its skin. This fat is important in generating heat and maintaining a steady metabolism.
• Baby's movements can begin to be felt any day now!
• Baby may also become startled by loud noises outside of the uterus starting this week.

Anyway, back to the main subject of the post: Belly Pics Round 2.

Here are weeks 13-16. I am not crazy about this round of pictures and seriously thought about skipping the post; Some days I really feel that I have a pregnant belly, other days, I feel like its shrinking (or it just looks like lard)! 

*Note all pictures are purposely taken every Wednesday in the morning before breakfast to avoid inconsistencies.

13 weeks

 14 weeks

15 weeks

16 weeks

Upcoming Posts:

• Nursery Wall Decor Debate
• Nursery Budget Update
• My DIY Baby Dresser/Changing Station Project
• Ultra Sound Photo Reel!
• And Posting Requests/Ideas from YOU! (Details to come)

The Diaper Dilemma

I have been battling myself whether or not to use cloth diapers. (My mom used them for me)... Here are my pro's and con's

PRO's
-Less likely to develop diaper rash
-Easier to potty train at an early age
-Healthier for the environment compared to diapers in landfills
-Fun patterns and colors for the covers!
-$$$ saver! Approximately $300 vs. $2000 (disposable diapers) during the diaper years*


CON's
-Time Consuming
-Leakage
-Minimum of one load of dirty (diaper) laundry to do daily-Not to mention increase in water & electric bill
-Traveling inconvenience??

I did a little research and found that there is a diaper service here in Chattanooga! (YAY)
I have heard that cloth diaper services can be just as expensive as disposable diapers, but in my research i found that the Chattanooga service Wee Care Diaper Service offers something called SwaddleSwap. It is a cheaper alternative to having them delivered to your door (which runs about $26.99/week or about $1200/year). SwaddleSwap is ($16.99/week or about $815/year) and offers you a private pick up locker location-mine would be the mall parking lot about 20 minutes away. You have a designated pick up day once a week between 6am and 9pm to bring your dirties and exchange for clean ones (approx. 70 diapers per week). Another plus to this service is that you can purchase the diaper covers on Amazon (my baby registry site) cheaper than what you can buy from them! I am very much considering this option as it is still cheaper than disposable diapers but offers me the benefits of cloth diapering. I would love feedback to hear what you think about cloth and/or disposable diapers! xo

* Statistic found at http://www.whattoexpect.com/diapering-essentials/cloth-vs-disposables.aspx
Wee Care Diaper Service of Chattanooga: http://weecarediaperservice.com/