Lately I don't feel like myself, little girl. Maybe it's because I've officially been on maternity leave for the past couple of weeks, your estimated due date has crept closer and closer and is now only a couple of days away, and since I don't have many tangible preparations left to do I'm just getting antsy and anxious because of it.
Most of me is aching, literally and figuratively, for you to come already, so I can experience birth -- come what may -- and so I can meet you and so I know you are healthy and so I can finally hold you in my arms. I don't want to be idle, but knowing that you could really come at any time is a little disconcerting and disrupts what I mentally feel "up to" right now.
There are plenty of signs of your impending coming and "Is this it?" moments but for now it is a waiting game... hopefully a monumental update soon!
1.22.2010
1.05.2010
The Home Stretch
Yesterday marked the 37th week of pregnancy and you are officially considered full-term, baby girl. I'm still in the office this week finishing up my last week of work, and there are still a few preparations to be made for your coming, but for the most part your daddy and I are as ready as we are going to be.
Somehow, I haven't really been able to express how carrying you has physically affected me -- because obviously, it has, in so many ways. It's hard to capture it all in mere words, but the fear of forgetting it all compels me to at least try...
I don't think I could have imagined that pregnancy could affect one's body, in its entirety, to such an extent. I didn't want to do weekly recounts of all the physical changes, lest it make me take on a negative attitude about my body, but knowing it'll be over soon has made me mentally look over the running list of pregnancyailments symptoms and just marvel at what it has been like. It has been magnificent in some respects and plain downright miserable in others. There is a certain undeniable beauty and thrill in pregnancy because of the meaning behind all of the changes -- there is a real, live baby in there! -- but, unfortunately, adjusting to the physical changes can overshadow some of that thrill (the emotional highs and lows don't help, either!).
I think, from the outside, I'm one of those pregnant women other pregnant women seem to loathe: I haven't gained all that much visible weight except in the boobs and stomach, no water retention or stretch marks to speak of. But, even so, it has been incredibly difficult trying to adjust to the constant changes in my body. While I admit I cannot relate to those with the opposite problem, the lack of "proper" weight gain due to severe nausea, and despite my best consumption efforts, was a very scary thing, especially when concerns that you were measuring too small became reasons for non-routine tests and ultrasound early in the third trimester (whereupon we found out you were actually doing fine, yay!). The horrible vomiting and nausea up til 22 weeks, the ever-constant bleeding -- we're talking bloody noses, bloody gums, hemorrhoids (TMI?) -- along with random skin changes/rashes, mood swings, tons of snot, incontinence, insomnia, body aches and an overall "heavy" feeling all make for general physical unhappiness, even as I try to embrace my new image overall.
This isn't to say there haven't been some incredibly rewarding physical aspects of being pregnant. Being able to feel you move and kick with your little limbs and becoming accustomed to the charming sensation of you-with-hiccups has been amazing, to say the least. I love that I've unconsciously learned your little in-utero habits, becoming used to feeling you become active at certain times and in certain situations. I love placing a hand over the left side of my belly and feeling you push a little knee into it, or patting the top part of my stomach area where your little butt is, now that your head has descended downwards. Despite the discomforts I've experienced, I love the feeling of closeness I have with you as a physical part of me. I can't wait to meet you outside of my body, but a small part of me will mourn when you're released into the world and are no longer with me every hour of every day. In this sense, I'm aware that pregnancy is fleeting, and experiencing it has changed my life...
Somehow, I haven't really been able to express how carrying you has physically affected me -- because obviously, it has, in so many ways. It's hard to capture it all in mere words, but the fear of forgetting it all compels me to at least try...
I don't think I could have imagined that pregnancy could affect one's body, in its entirety, to such an extent. I didn't want to do weekly recounts of all the physical changes, lest it make me take on a negative attitude about my body, but knowing it'll be over soon has made me mentally look over the running list of pregnancy
I think, from the outside, I'm one of those pregnant women other pregnant women seem to loathe: I haven't gained all that much visible weight except in the boobs and stomach, no water retention or stretch marks to speak of. But, even so, it has been incredibly difficult trying to adjust to the constant changes in my body. While I admit I cannot relate to those with the opposite problem, the lack of "proper" weight gain due to severe nausea, and despite my best consumption efforts, was a very scary thing, especially when concerns that you were measuring too small became reasons for non-routine tests and ultrasound early in the third trimester (whereupon we found out you were actually doing fine, yay!). The horrible vomiting and nausea up til 22 weeks, the ever-constant bleeding -- we're talking bloody noses, bloody gums, hemorrhoids (TMI?) -- along with random skin changes/rashes, mood swings, tons of snot, incontinence, insomnia, body aches and an overall "heavy" feeling all make for general physical unhappiness, even as I try to embrace my new image overall.
This isn't to say there haven't been some incredibly rewarding physical aspects of being pregnant. Being able to feel you move and kick with your little limbs and becoming accustomed to the charming sensation of you-with-hiccups has been amazing, to say the least. I love that I've unconsciously learned your little in-utero habits, becoming used to feeling you become active at certain times and in certain situations. I love placing a hand over the left side of my belly and feeling you push a little knee into it, or patting the top part of my stomach area where your little butt is, now that your head has descended downwards. Despite the discomforts I've experienced, I love the feeling of closeness I have with you as a physical part of me. I can't wait to meet you outside of my body, but a small part of me will mourn when you're released into the world and are no longer with me every hour of every day. In this sense, I'm aware that pregnancy is fleeting, and experiencing it has changed my life...
1.04.2010
Your Sunshine Nursery
3 weeks or so til you're here, and the sunny, happy nursery I envisioned in my head is finally pretty much complete, save a few details here and there. I never wanted your room to scream "baby," or to be locked into using only pink because your chromosomes happen to be XX instead of XY. We ended up using a neutral, pale yellow hue for the walls (that we also used on an accent wall in the living room) and bright pops of aqua and blue (also stolen from the living room color scheme, surprise!). Overall, it all turned out very similar to the plan I'd drawn up in this post. I still want to put up a mobile once I get around to finishing it, and a little bit of artwork, but it's almost there! Best of all, we were able to pull it off without spending too much. While I was inspired by a lot of fancier nurseries with more expensive furnishings and decor, we made an effort to use creativity to get similar looks for a lot less.
From the doorway, your pretty crib is straight ahead. The bedding we put in there is made from Amy Butler's August Fields fabric collection -- because Amy Butler is my favorite textile designer ever! We hung some eyelet lace paper lanterns from Walmart's wedding section around the builder-grade ceiling light fixture to camouflage it and help soften and diffuse its light a little bit.
I thought long and hard about what to put on the wall behind the crib, taking into account its precious future occupant below, and the flower wall art was my solution for something lightweight, easy to put up and that could encompass a lot of the blank space. The white 3-D plastic flowers on the wall are by Umbra and we happened upon them at Bed Bath and Beyond one evening and used one of our trusty BBB coupons to purchase them. I added some blue paper flowers that I drew on the computer, printed and cut out to add some depth to the free-flow design and pull in the colors of the bedding too.
We get a lot of comments from family and friends about how soft the furry rug on the floor is -- perfect for you to crawl around on! The surprise bit: it's actually not a rug, it's a $17 blanket from Costco that most people probably would display with the quilted velour opposite side facing up. We were originally looking at actual rugs or even remnants from a carpet store, but the prices were dismaying for something that you will undoubtedly spit up, pee and poo on. After happening to buy the blanket to use as a throw downstairs, we realized when it was put down on the floor, the border of colored velour peeking out around the fluffy inside made it look surprisingly rug-like... and it's super easy to pick up and toss in the wash!
The dresser is an Ikea chest of drawers with knobs that we replaced to make it a little more fun and unique -- I love how this little detail can change the entire look of a piece of furniture! We'll be using the top of the chest as a changing table to wipe your baby butt as well, so we put some hooks and soft storage for diapers on the wall, as well as sturdy white shelves (Ikea, again) way high up to put more supplies.
The other side of the room... we've lived in our place for practically a year now but until we started the transformation of this room from "random junk room" to "nursery," we still only had paper in the window! We were able to walk into Lowe's and find a child-friendly, cordless honeycomb cell shade on the floor for about $40. Ikea furnished curtains for $15 and the rod and tiebacks were snagged at Walmart. We put an Ikea Expedit bookshelf in to organize toys, supplies, and blankets, set a lamp with a dimmer switch on top, and hung a soft mesh storage unit exclusively for your little plush friends.
Ah, the ubiquitous nursery glider. I always knew that when I was finally expecting you, I would want one of these... but you'd be surprised to know we actually got your glider before you even existed! A family friend was getting rid of theirs after it had been used, loved and outgrown by their set of boys and asked if we wanted it. We hadn't thought too much about babies at the time, but we're so glad now that we accepted it because I already love sitting around in it when we're in your room. The original was a honey-colored wood with dark green cushions, but a couple of cans of spray paint, applied in several thin coats, and a slipcover from Etsy -- check out "TheClassyCrib" for custom glider slipcovers at a reasonable price, tailored beautifully -- made it fit into your little space perfectly... much better and more affordable than trying to buy replacement cushions. A set of Ikea photo ledges behind the chair serve as a place for my literature now, but sooner or later they'll hold baby books galore I'm sure...
Can't wait for your arrival, little one! :)
From the doorway, your pretty crib is straight ahead. The bedding we put in there is made from Amy Butler's August Fields fabric collection -- because Amy Butler is my favorite textile designer ever! We hung some eyelet lace paper lanterns from Walmart's wedding section around the builder-grade ceiling light fixture to camouflage it and help soften and diffuse its light a little bit.
I thought long and hard about what to put on the wall behind the crib, taking into account its precious future occupant below, and the flower wall art was my solution for something lightweight, easy to put up and that could encompass a lot of the blank space. The white 3-D plastic flowers on the wall are by Umbra and we happened upon them at Bed Bath and Beyond one evening and used one of our trusty BBB coupons to purchase them. I added some blue paper flowers that I drew on the computer, printed and cut out to add some depth to the free-flow design and pull in the colors of the bedding too.
We get a lot of comments from family and friends about how soft the furry rug on the floor is -- perfect for you to crawl around on! The surprise bit: it's actually not a rug, it's a $17 blanket from Costco that most people probably would display with the quilted velour opposite side facing up. We were originally looking at actual rugs or even remnants from a carpet store, but the prices were dismaying for something that you will undoubtedly spit up, pee and poo on. After happening to buy the blanket to use as a throw downstairs, we realized when it was put down on the floor, the border of colored velour peeking out around the fluffy inside made it look surprisingly rug-like... and it's super easy to pick up and toss in the wash!
The dresser is an Ikea chest of drawers with knobs that we replaced to make it a little more fun and unique -- I love how this little detail can change the entire look of a piece of furniture! We'll be using the top of the chest as a changing table to wipe your baby butt as well, so we put some hooks and soft storage for diapers on the wall, as well as sturdy white shelves (Ikea, again) way high up to put more supplies.
The other side of the room... we've lived in our place for practically a year now but until we started the transformation of this room from "random junk room" to "nursery," we still only had paper in the window! We were able to walk into Lowe's and find a child-friendly, cordless honeycomb cell shade on the floor for about $40. Ikea furnished curtains for $15 and the rod and tiebacks were snagged at Walmart. We put an Ikea Expedit bookshelf in to organize toys, supplies, and blankets, set a lamp with a dimmer switch on top, and hung a soft mesh storage unit exclusively for your little plush friends.
Ah, the ubiquitous nursery glider. I always knew that when I was finally expecting you, I would want one of these... but you'd be surprised to know we actually got your glider before you even existed! A family friend was getting rid of theirs after it had been used, loved and outgrown by their set of boys and asked if we wanted it. We hadn't thought too much about babies at the time, but we're so glad now that we accepted it because I already love sitting around in it when we're in your room. The original was a honey-colored wood with dark green cushions, but a couple of cans of spray paint, applied in several thin coats, and a slipcover from Etsy -- check out "TheClassyCrib" for custom glider slipcovers at a reasonable price, tailored beautifully -- made it fit into your little space perfectly... much better and more affordable than trying to buy replacement cushions. A set of Ikea photo ledges behind the chair serve as a place for my literature now, but sooner or later they'll hold baby books galore I'm sure...
Can't wait for your arrival, little one! :)
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