Second Nursing Pillow Cover

The second nursing pillow cover is done! I made this one a little differently, inspired by the way the pillowcase fits on my pregnancy pillow. It's kind of like a sleeve opening and was SOOOO much easier to make compared to a zipper. I haven't tried to see if it's easier to put on than the zippered one, but I'm hoping it is!!

Babysitting P & Z

Jac and Ethan celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary yesterday, so we spent the evening with P and Z while they went out for dinner. It was kind of a big deal for them to leave the kids, and we were really hoping it would all go well (not so worried about P - he's hung out with us plenty of times, and he's grown up so much... more hoping Z would be okay being with us instead of her parents ;) 

We spent a good part of our time playing the park. P informed us that I was on Zia duty and Seth was on P duty ;) I see P almost everyday, plus I'm sure with my lack of normal activity (being pregnant) - he was ready for some UNCLE time! I pretty much just followed Zia around trying to keep her away from the dogs, which she really wanted to pet, in the face... I did a lot of coaxing by feeding her baby puffs! 

After a while, P was done with the park so we headed back to the house. On the way to the 3rd floor play area, we got distracted out back for a while. P's been working on trying to start a fire. He even got Uncle Seth over to try to help... no luck though, only smoke and a lot of sparks. 

We did finally make our way upstairs, where boy time continued. Obviously Zia wasn't quite okay with that. She wanted to be involved in what they were doing. They made some paper airplanes, and she needed some paper too. :) She sure loves her brother!

Although Seth spent a lot of time with P, he did get some time in with his precious niece (she has really STOLEN our hearts!) He played music while she danced. Her little dance is the sweetest! And that girl has some moves ;)

We had such a great time!! I cannot wait for our little one to be able to play with these two cousins. How fun it will be to take them all to the park or play in the backyard or play at each other's house... (and Jac, if you and E want to do dinner again some evening before the baby comes, let us know... it might be a while before we can do a night of 3 ;) 

Pregnancy Update

Last week was our 32 week appointment with our midwives. That's when I started thinking about how there are around 8 weeks left... and now this week - 7 weeks left before we hold our little one in our arms. The appointments with our midwives are now closer together - our next one is at 34 weeks (just a few days away on Tuesday!) and then again at 36 weeks. After 36 weeks, we start going weekly (we are soooo close!)

Although I am excited, I'm not quite wishing away the next two months because we have A LOT TO DO! Jac has offered up boxes of baby clothes and cloth diapers that I need to go through to see what we can use for little one and get organized before the birth. The closet of things we do have for the little one is just a pile of stuff stacked (need to get shelves and start organizing that!) AND we need to figure out what else we need and get it ordered online/bought (which I feel a little overwhelmed thinking about!)

We've been reading books about birthing as we start prepping for the labor. We are birthing at a birthing center and planning a natural birth (drugs and medications for pain are not an option there so we won't be harassed by people asking if we are sure we don't want medication). For me, a natural, drug-free birth is important because, from the research I've done, it will keep my body on track to being able to deliver a baby. While it blocks pain, it also blocks my body from sending natural signals that will help me to deliver the babe, and I really want to do as much as I can to prevent any unnecessary interventions. Of course, if the midwives do see an issue and an intervention needs to be done, I trust them and their judgement and will do as they advise to keep the baby and myself safe. (And for those of you who worry about an emergency - often midwives monitor enough to know if there is a need to go to a hospital, and although you see it on TV a LOT, we most likely wouldn't be in a situation where are making a mad-dash to the ER... Most often problems are spotted and monitored, but more often than not, a low-risk pregnancy equals a healthy normal birth when done naturally. BUT we live in a culture that believes a hospital is necessary for birth (as if birth is something that is wrong with you), so I can see where the concern comes from. We are about a 7 minute drive from the hospital either from our house or from the birthing center.)

We'll have 3 midwives during our birth, and I think each one of them is GREAT! They are all at the appointments (barring a laboring mother or birth in progress) and all are knowledgeable and very comforting to be around. Other than that, it'll just be Seth and of course baby & me. There really isn't much room for anyone else in the space, nor do I think I can manage anyone else during the labor. Seth is pretty much all I need (& my midwives, of course ;).

I have been reading about various techniques to try to manage and get through the pain and will be practicing these until the baby comes. Yoga is also helping me practice breathing and gain strength in the squatting position (a position that may come in VERY handy during the labor). I am also mentally preparing myself for the most intense pain of my life... Hopefully the endorphins really do cloud over that part of your memory like I read in a book this morning ;)

As far as how I feel, I've been feeling fairly well. I am starting to have some back pain - usually towards the end of the day. It's more in the middle of my back rather than the lower part. I also continue to have heartburn. A lot. I can't wait for the day the baby is born and it goes away!! I have forgotten what it feels like to NOT have heartburn! And I have really started having a more difficult time sitting comfortably. Mostly I move around often and try new spots. Oh. And I've been peeing more. Some nights 4 times in 8 hours, but last night - I slept 6 hours without waking up!!! I couldn't believe it this morning!! I have to celebrate all the extended sleep I can, because we all know that will 100% be disappearing come the middle of October! (& who knows when I'll have it back!)

I haven't had any swelling since the heat of Kansas, and my weight gain is sticking around 25 pounds so far. I'm imagining that we'll have about 5-10 more pounds here at the end, but the smaller the babe the better for me ;)

I think I have one more test to do - the strep test. I debated on even doing it, but have decided to go ahead and do it (it's pretty easy - not like the 6 vials of blood one). If it does come back positive, I'll have to decided what the next step will be then (IV, alternative method, or nothing)... but I'm assuming I'd be leaning towards alternative methods because I'd prefer NOT to have an IV... Of course, this decision would be made IF the test came back positive and AFTER more extensive research and discussion with my midwives on what they advise.

Anyway, can't wait to hear the baby's heartbeat on Tuesday at our next appointment!

The Kind of Mail I Love to Receive!

32 Weeks

31 Weeks

Doing Yoga on TV

Since I arrived in Portland, I've been attending a Prenatal Yoga class offered through Alma Midwifery. My teacher, Laura, has been excellent and made it a completely comfortable setting from the start (I was completely nervous about my lack of yoga knowledge - even though I've been doing yoga on and off since I started college, I still feel somewhat of a beginner!) I go every Tuesday and will go as long as I can (I realized this week that I probably only have about 7 weeks left and wondered what I'll do after the baby comes!! I might have to find another class & sadly another teacher since Laura just does the prenatal yoga.)

Last week, we were videoed for a local news station. The video showed this morning... I'm quite serious in the video - staying focused and in the zone (I really have to concentrate on the breathing with the movement - which will hopefully help me in labor!)

Here's a link to the video!! Go check it out!!

Alma Midwifery Prenatal Yoga on the News

PS: Anyone else been on TV? I've been on off and on since college (I was even on MTV for an interview and on a commercial that aired across Kansas for a year or so -- of course, that one, you'd never know it was me because I was dressed like Cat in the Hat! Ha!! Oh and we can't forget my debut on ESPN last fall!!!)

Isn't This Sweet

I snagged this photo from Jac's blog. It was taken last week I think. I had stepped out back one morning while they were watering the garden and enjoying the backyard morning. Little Zia climbed up on my lap and began touching my belly and hugging it! It was the sweetest thing. I cannot wait for our little one to grow up so close to cousins!! I watch Z and P and can't believe that someday our growing babe will be their size, and I get so excited for how much fun we are going to have!!!!

Sick Day

Seth came down with a nasty stomach bug yesterday afternoon. We'd explored the Hawthorne Street Fair and had just gotten home when it hit. The poor guy was miserable all evening and into the night. Neither of us really slept, and he's not really feeling better yet today (but at least has some improvements).

We are hoping it's food poisoning because if not, the chances of me coming down with it are quite likely (so far I am okay).

Of course, the day he is sick and miserable at home stuff goes down at his office (which means he has to probably get up enough energy to head in later today and figure out what the problems are and fix the them... I am making him wait a bit though cause I know he's still feeling pretty cruddy and I don't want this to get worse or last longer...)

So we've been spending the day on the couch. I just want him to feel better NOW! I do hate to see him sick - especially when I can't really do anything to help him.

Sunday Morning Hike

This morning was a bit stressful for me (seems when I have stressful dreams, I wake up with an overfill of stress... And of course, the stress stems from somewhere... But that's a whole other thing.) After breakfast, we were sitting on the porch and Seth suggested we head out of town to hike a waterfall in the Columbia Gorge.

Just like that we were headed out of town for a 30 minute drive. We stopped at two waterfalls and both of them were stunning, making us love where we've moved to even more. We hiked while dreaming about taking our baby on hikes as it grows!

Another to Share

Here's the nursing pillow I made. It's plain white with a teal zip-on cover. I have another cover to sew, but I think I am done for the day (my body is getting sore!) There are imperfections in it, but for my first zipper, I'd say I did okay ;) On the next one, I might go with a little bit longer of a zipper... It was a little bit of work to get it on...

(Part of the reason for the baby seeing frenzy is to find cheaper ways to get some baby things I want... A Boppy pillow with 2 covers might have cost somewhere between $60-80 and I'll be making this one and 2 covers for about $15-16 + the price of love to make it ;) Seth thinks I am a nerd, but I like to know that what I am making is cheaper than buying it already made.)

Baby Sewing Project #2 Done

The next baby project is complete! I made a reversible baby changing pad out of a pretty green fabric and a soft green fleece.

Next up... Figure out how to see in zippers so I can make covers for the nursing pillow I sewed. And today, I loaded up with more fabric for future projects... 2 simple bags to be used as diaper bags (one manly one for Seth and a more stylish on for me), another changing pad to go with the second bag (only because they sold me a remnant big enough for half the sale price - love remnants!), wet bags, reusable snack bags, and a snuggle up wrap for the sleeping babe. This should keep me busy for the next few weeks. I need to go through all the baby stuff and figure out what we still need (I am thinking the little thing might need some clothes... I just hate how gender specific baby clothes are - either pink or blue... Why can't they wear cool clothes like adults!? We don't walk around wearing all pink with flowers if we are women and all blue with animals if we are men. Why should babies have to!?!)

If You're Wondering Why...

I am wearing a helmet and watering my grass, it's because my roommate put clover killer on the grass and it's killing the grass.

(Ok this post probably seems a bit dumb... But it's primarily for Seth and the laughter we share.)

Sewing for Baby

For my birthday, my grandmas and aunt gave me money that I used it to buy a sewing machine. I've been yearning for one since last August when I decided I wanted to sew some clothes for myself (still haven't done). Now, I have a whole bunch of projects planned for our little one. So far, one is done and one is part-way done.

The one that is done is photographed below - a tag blanket for the baby to play with! And how awesome is that elephant fabric!!! I want More of it!!!

Other projects include a Boppy-like nursing pillow with covers (that's the one that is started), a changing pad for the diaper bag, diaper covers, rattles, and a crinkly toy.

Rainforest Peek

It's hard to believe I live in the Pacific Northwest. This is a place I never imagined for myself, mostly because I had never known it until about a year ago when we were introduced last August.

As we spent the weekend exploring Washington and the Olympic National Forest, we started dreaming new dreams and making new plans for all the adventures we'd have in the future with family and our little one.

We Got a Piano!!

I've been dreaming of having a piano for Seth to play for ages. He started playing as a very young child and played until he graduated high school. And, unlike the violin-which he's only played once for me in 8 years, he'll play the piano every chance he gets. And now that we have a little one on the way, I can't wait for Seth to share music with our child and the future ones that will join us in years to come. I lack musical talent and have high hopes that our children will Not get that from me! So my plan is to make music available as much as possible. So in one day, two steps have been taken. 1) In the mail today, we got the bracket to hang Seth's guitar on the wall so he'll have easy access to it and hopefully play it more often. 2) After sending an email to inquire about a free piano on freecycle (that I was sure was gone), I started planning how we'd get this thing that was actually available.

Let's just say I learned a thing or two about moving pianos:

1) They don't fit in the back of your jeep.

2) You need at least 4 strong men (5 might be necessary at points).

3) You have to think of a good way to thank said men (if anyone has ideas, please let me know!!!)

4) The piano is EXTREMELY heavy.

5) It WILL scratch a newly painted floor (eeek!)

6) A break at the top of the porch stairs requires a father-son song!

7) You let the husband put the piano where HE rwants, because he is the one who just did all the work (even if I wasn't carrying our little one, I'd have been ZERO help).

And through all these lessons, we can now say we are owners of a piano!!

Courtney & Michael's Wedding

Last month, while we were back in Kansas, we attended Seth's cousin's wedding. It was a beautiful day and the bride was stunning! I didn't take as many photos as I might have normally taken - the heat was slowing me down a bit. (I don't even have a photo of the bride and groom!!) But here are a few to remember the day!

Seth's father and his sisters

Of course Seth can't just take a normal photo. I think it took 10 shots before we got a normal smile on his face!

Not quite everyone, but this is a good looking group of people ;)

Crater Lake

This photo was taken by my father-in-law, and I absolutely LOVE it!! 

Seth's father came to Portland for a visit this week, which gave us the perfect excuse to head out and explore a bit of Oregon. This last weekend's destination was Crater Lake Saturday and a last minute decision to hit the coast on Sunday.

Crater Lake was absolutely breath-taking and deserves days and days of exploring... the various hiking trails and a boat tour out to Wizard Island are definitely a must for future trips!! We stopped at a few lookouts and hiked the one trail down to the water's edge. I was a little nervous about this hike because it was labelled as "strenuous" and beings that it went down into the crater to the water in a mile, I imagined it might be a little too much for me. So the original plan was for me to sit at the top of the trail and read while the boys went down... but as we came to the head of the trail, I thought maybe I'd go down as far as I thought I could go and then I'd head back up or find a place to read along the trail... Seth took my bag for me (my bag of books!!) so that I wouldn't have to carry it, and we headed down. It was switchbacks all the way and didn't seem like it would be too extremely difficult for me to manage so I went all the way down (of course, feeling terrible that Seth was carrying my bag of books for no reason down the trail... He assured me there was nothing to worry about! What a sweet guy I married!)

Here are some photos from our visit to Crater Lake:

See Seth with my bag. He didn't complain a moment! Yet, I felt really bad that I had loaded it up intending to stay at the top... 

The water was a magnificent color blue and clear, clear, clear!

Contemplating jumping the cliff...

Seth ended up jumping a few times. It's crazy to think that the depth of the water under that cliff is about 200 feet (according to word of mouth).

When we first arrived, there was a bit of cloud cover hanging over the water. We thought they'd go away, but as it turns out it just got heavier. By the end of the day, we could hardly see across the lake because the clouds were so thick. Turns out, they weren't clouds, it was smoke for forest fires!

30 Weeks

29 Weeks