SDM's VIB (Very Important Baby) mail surprise

So awhile ago I had signed up for Shopper's VIB program. They send you emails with helpful info in it and sometimes samples from companies. I thought it could be useful so I signed up. Well we stopped to check the mail on the way home and this was inside. A package from SDM's VIB program. So it was a really nice surprise!

It had a few different samples of baby wash/shampoo, some baby wipes, a bib and a few baby newborn diapers. The small sized stuff will be handy in the diaper bag for sure. Saves lugging a full sized one around especially when we go home for a visit. I have to say I didn't expect anything like this so it was a nice surprise. Must be because I am due fairly soon!

Belly Shots! Week 36 and a comparing week 8 to 36

I can't believe the last time I took belly shots was week 33. Geez!! Anyways here is week 36.3 or so.

Also just for fun I put a pic of week 36 with week 8. Holy crap I don't ever remember my belly being so flat!! It feels like it's been forever since it was. This just shows me how BIG my baby belly is!! geeez baby I hope your not a 12 pounder like JP predicted. LOL

(also ignore the stupid faces I make in photos LOL)

Doc appointment...

The doctors appointment today at 3:15 went well. Same old same old. We had no concerns or worries. They did the normal stuff, check urine, check blood pressure, checked my weight, measure the belly and listen to the baby's heart rate. I guess it's was around 140 (does that mean it's a girl!!). The only concerns I had were that my hands seemed to be semi swollen now, but he assured me that is normal and since my blood pressure etc it is probably just a normal prego symptom and not a cause of concern (swollen hands feet legs face etc can be a symptom of preeclampsia but since all other things are normal that is not what it is). I had put my rings on before Chris came home to pick me up and they were fine at first but by the time we got to to the building they felt sort of tight and were really hard to get off. Usually they feel really lose. So I was just hoping that by the time we got home I'd be able to get them off! The other thing was that I had been feeling pains beside my belly button and had lots of pain in my lower stomach - especially when getting up and walking after sitting /laying for awhile and when I turn over in bed. He said it's just because your carrying extra weight and your belly is so big it's pulling stuff when it normally doesn't pull if I wasn't prego. He told me just to support it when doing any of these things. Also the pain by my belly is sort of the same thing. My belly button is not used to being an outy (it's mostly out but still an inny) so that when I shift or baby kicks or hits that spot (which baby always does) then that is probably the cause. Like anything though he said to let him know if it becomes unbearable and he did mention to me again that I can take tylenol if I need to.

So we set our appointment for the following friday. I guess the week after that he is off so I will be seeing a different doctor that week. My doc told me that basically I can go into labour anytime. I'm 36.5 weeks along so if I do go into labour it won't be to big of a deal as  if it happened in my 8th month. He said of course you want baby to cook in there as long as possible. It's crazy to think that I have reached the point of where it can happen anytime!! I also got the registration forms for the hospital. I find it funny that it says on there to bring them in at least 12 weeks before! whoops! but to be fair it's not like they gave them to me or remembered to and I only found out on the tour that you can do that! So too bad for them. Really what are they going to do turn me away! The receptionist just told me to bring them in next appointment and she can fax it to them and give me the originals to put into my hospital bag. That way they will have everything ready for when it is time to go there. I'm glad that I asked considering I thought they would mention it to me at some point! I would have been wrong that's for sure! That would have sucked getting to the hospital and not having our insurance info etc. I definately want a private room, that way Chris can stay with me all the time if he wants to. If it was a shared room I think he can only be there during visiting hours. I know he wouldn't be allowed to stay over night if I needed him to. The thought that I would have to share the room with another person with her baby and their visitors etc yeah just wouldn't feel to comfortable with that.

After the appointment we went to chinese food buffet for Valentine's celebration. It was really good. But so filling. There was so much food there it was nuts! Sooo many chicken dishes that were awesome! I was so stuffed afterwards! It was good though. I have been wanting Chinese food for awhile now so it was the perfect time to go. Chris has that thing that his boss does every year on sunday so we though friday would be a good time to go eat for our Valentine's celebration considering monday Chris works and everywhere probably would be insane to go to on monday night. Just so much more relaxing this way!

After that we went to zellars to look at baby stuff since stuff was on sale again. We really didn't see to much. I did see a winnie the poo mobile but meh it was like 50 bucks or something like that. Something to think on. Plus Winne and Co are the classic look as apposed to the current look. We were also considering purchasing a swaddle blanket thing for baby once baby comes home but then I decided that really baby probably won't be in it for that long and it's easy to swaddle a newborn in anything and since we have a million recieving blankets and blankets we can just use them instead of paying 20 bucks for one. After that we went home to relax!

paint and cradle mattress

Chris went and got the paint last night before he came home. Hopefully it is the right colour since he didn't get them to open it before he bought it. He also got a few roller brushes, a paint brush for the edges and a drop cloth. That would be hoooorible if we got paint on the carpet since it's a brand new carpet! Once he gets that done I can paint what I want to on the walls (the whole tree thing with blowing leaves) but I will probably wait until we have the crib here and we know where we are going to put it.

So yesterday I was going to start making the pattern for the cradle mattress cover but could not find my freaking ruler!!! It's long and wobbly so it has to be in a biggish box in the basement or a tote. Couldn't find it anywhere. Chris even looked last night as well and he couldn't find it either. I really didn't feel like pulling everything out of all boxes either, plus having to crouch over a box for more then a minute kills my back and my belly so not worth it. GAR so I guess I will have to use a measuring tape! I did find my t-square though so at least I have something long and solid to draw a straight line with. At least I know where my tissue paper is. I was sitting at the computer after my failed attempt to find my ruler and I realized holy crap where are my straight pins!! But thankfully I had packed them in my sewing machine box. PHEW. I really need to get that going. With everything though I am always afraid I am going to screw it up. I hate cutting out material as well. I just hope I have enough of it. It's cute though it has yellow, pink and green baby footprints on it! I also am not sure exactly how to put a zipper in but I seen a few pictures online and think I have a good idea. Doesn't have to be perfect at all , just functional lol.

no sleep, and other baby stuff

I had a bitch of a time sleeping last night. Well I fell asleep ok but woke up at my normal 3am time to go to the washroom . While I was in there I heard some weird creaky noise - it was pretty windy so it probably was the wind hitting the window but still. It never did that before they changed the glass. So that woke me right the hell up because I wasn't sure what it was at first. Chris eventually heard it as well. So I couldn't fall asleep because all I could hear was the wind racing down between the two houses and this annoying creaky noise! Now I'm afraid the window is going to break :(. Also finding a comfy position was almost impossible. My pillow wasn't helping either and both legs were aching. So it didn't matter what side I was laying on. So annoying!

I did manage to get some more sleep after Chris left for work though. I woke up at 10:30 I think. Although I still feel pretty tired and crappy :( Chris picked up the foam last night from an upholstery place that is right close to where we live. They cut the piece to the exact size that we needed to which is awesome! She suggested two inch foam because that is what they use for the baby mattresses they make for people. Fabricland person was the one to tell us to try an upholstery place. Mom was shocked that fabric land didn't sell high density foam. It all worked out in the end. It would have been reg $18 bucks plus tax but there foam was on sale so it's was only $15 plus tax. Got to like that. Last night Chris went and found the sewing machine for me and brought it up.

Tonight he will probably go to the paint store and get our paint. Hopefully he remembers the drop sheet and roller brush thing. Fun stuff. I can't wait to be able to get the babys room finished. I folded all the clothes and washed out the baby dresser and put everything in it yesterday. It looks so cute. I had washed all the baby clothes and towels, facecloths, and receiving blankets the weekend that just past. Last night we organized the change table and put the mattress pad on it. Now we just need the crib so we can set that up. We bought a poo bear comforter set at wally world on the weekend it's sooo cute :) I think once we have the crib we can measure and go buy a mattress from wally world with our gift cards. Not a big deal at first though considering baby will be in the cradle which will be in our room for the first few months at least anyways. (It's in there right now :)

The hospital tour and other baby ramblings

I was definately excited to be able to see the hospital where we have to go when the time is right. She basically answered all of my questions without me having to ask them and all the other people were asking questions to so everything I wanted to know was covered. It's good to finally know where we go when I go into labor. We just go to emerg and then walk straight over to this one desk. We don't have to see the triage nurse or anything. From there they will take us up to the mat ward where we go into this one room and will be monitored etc to see where we are at. She said we would probably spend at least a few hours in there before being transferred to a labor and delivery room. It all depends on where we are at when we get there.

From there the labor and delivery room is where we will be until up to a few hours after baby is born. They are private rooms and they are pretty nice. The have big windows so you can look outside etc. She said the last one (I think there was 8 or 9 of them) they like to call the penthouse. lol. She said its the nicest once since two walls are all windows and it has a great view. It's just the luck of the draw on which room you get. Each room also has a washroom but unfortunately we are not allowed to use the shower or the bathtub since when the built it they put the tubs in wrong so it's like dangerous for unsteady prego women to get in and out of them. Way stupid if you ask me. If we want to do either we have to ask the nurse and it may be possible because one of the rooms has a proper shower and I think one of them has a safe bathtub in it. I like how the baby doesn't not leave your room unless of course they need to do further testinng/observation. It's really nice to have the baby in the same room as you.

There are always a few nurses on staff that our good with breastfeeding so that is good as well. In this room we can get a card for internet , phone and tv. All rooms have it's own mini laptop like thing with a tv monitor (well the monitor dubs as both tv and the computer monitor) and a phone attached. I think for all three its like 13 bucks a day. Tv and net is 5 each and the phone is 3. We are also allowed in here to use our cell phone and take photos. We are also allowed to bring whatever with us to make us more comfy, extra pillows music etc. She said after the birth we would probably be in here for a few hours and then transferred to the last room of our stay - either semi private or private, until we are realeased. If you go semi private you can only have vistors in during visiting hours. Even chris can't stay with me all the time. If it's private you can have one person stay with you all the time and overnight. I definately want a private room though. Baby will be in here with you and you have a huge shower and bathroom in each room. You can wheel baby closer to the bathroom door so you can always see baby if you are in the room by yourself and want to take a shower. I think we have partial insurance - we have to double check though. If we do it's only about 30 a day for the private room if not then it's like 100 a day. So yeah hope we do have some coverage on that! If not I guess I will hope I don't have to share my room with anyone!

It was a good tour. At the end she showed us how after we are in and registered, Chris can come and go without having to go to the emerg room at least during the day. He will have wrist band as well. If for some reason baby has to go into the other room we have access to baby 24/7. Hopefully baby will not have to go in there! I want her with me all the time :)

I have to say I am starting to get nervous about what to expect. I wish I was in better shape then I was. I just had no energy at the start to keep working out - I was already soooo exhausted before being prego. Then as it progressed I started to worry about doing something I shouldn't and hurting baby. I only had three hours between waking up and going to work as well so I really didn't have anytime to relax at all. Now though even walking down the stairs to the basement and then up them a few minutes later here at the house has me winded! I can't wait to get back to working out after baby is here. I want my body back!

Sleeping is starting to really suck to. In general my pregnancy has been pretty good. No sickness or at least minimal side effects. But the getting up twice a night to pee is sucking - although it's probably a good thing because I will have to do that when baby needs to be fed so it won't be any different. Might be more often though. I usually wake up around the same two times every night depending on when I went to bed. Now though which ever side I am sleeping on when I wake up my leg is aching! It's annoying to find a comfy position! I have been using a pillow between the legs or a body pillow along my body to make things more comfy. It does seem to help but then when I have to get up to go to the washroom it really sucks. I also have to be careful not to wake myself up to much when I do this or I can't fall back asleep for like every! grrr

My back has also been hurting a lot lately. I think it's just tired from all the weight in the front. Even sitting on the couch isn't comfy anymore :( I definately don't like laying down on the couch anymore because it's so hard to get up! Also to the right of my belly button has been hurting as well. Not constantly but every now and then. Something to mention to the doc this friday. I'm so ready for baby to come but not ready at the same time. I need to get the mattress done and finish packing what to bring to the hospital! It's exciting though at the same time. I'm not sure how I will do with the pain though! I am hoping I need as little meds as I can. I hate taking anything for pain anyway but I guess we will see.

baby shopping..

Today we had a lot of things to do. I needed to get a bunch of things since pretty soon I won't want to go to far from the house for too long in case labor or my water breaks. Especially considering I am 35.5 weeks along. We made a stop at fabricland to get the materials for the babys mattress for the cradle. Unfortunately they did not have high density foam, (like seriously!!!!?!?) just normal crappy foam stuff, but I did get some cute waterproof material to make a cover for it. I just hope that I got enough. After that we went to the library to pick up a book I had on hold and a few baby books (dealing with breastfeeding and pregnancy etc. Took us a moment to find the last two since they were up in the childs department and not with all the other baby books. After that we went to the paint store to get the baby rooms paint. We had decided on a nice light green colour for the room. Babys room is going to be the only room with any colour on the walls lol. We need to paint our room at some point as well but oh well that can come in time. Unfortunately the type of paint we were going to get they were out of the base or whatever they needed to mix it! They won't be getting it in until tues or wed so that was a miss. Although she took down our name and the colour and said she would call when it comes in and have it ready for us so we just have to go in and pick it up.

After that we went out to walmart I think. I wanted to look at the rocking chair/glider thing we saw the last time we were there. I was definately considering purchasing it since it was a reasonable price $150 and look for a few other baby things. Unfortunately I remembered as we were walking up to the store that I forgot all our walmart gift cards and cash we got from the baby shower. Whoops! so we walked in there and we were checking out what type of foam they had there (of course not the kind we needed) and I picked out a zipper for the cover. I was looking at yarn because chris pointed it out to me again but of course I didnt have a sample of the exact pinks I needed so I couldn't get what I needed to finish the blanket I'm crocheting. Then I heard a "krissy" and steph and Tammy were walking towards us. It was weird since we never expect to see anyone we know here! Tam had came up because Steph was going wedding dress shopping. She found it and showed me a picture. AWWW can't wait to see her in it! It looks reallly nice :)

They walked to the baby section with us and I was unhappy to see the rocking chair was not on sale anymore. Reg price or at least on the one that was out was 200 bucks :( hopefully it comes on sale again. I'm not sure how I will feed the baby in the middle of the night when chris is in the bed trying to sleep? Well at first might not be so bad since he will be home with me for a few days.( I have to mention that I did look on walmart.ca later on that day and it is listed as 150 so we have to go back and actually get a price check on it, it looks super comfy and I need something to sit on when feeding the baby, especially at night)

I got the baby bath thing that goes in the bath that we got at the shower, so babys head will be out of water and I don't have to constantly support her. Steph got us a winnie the poo car seat bundle thing. You zip it around baby so the seat straps are still close to her body and not going over a bundle of material. And she will be super warm :) That was another item that we were going to look for while we were there because it will be still chilly when baby comes home.

After this I think we went home. I got a few other things like thank you cards etc but I was ready to go home and sit. I was so exhausted it was so crowded in there and I was overheating! It wasn't fun! Tam said mom wasn't sure what we still needed since she decided to wait until after the baby shower to get us something. Chris was like she doesn't have to do that since she paid for the hall etc. (I agree) but she still wants to.

So later that day she called me to ask what we needed. She said she was in zellars that day and seen that the playpens were on sale. I told her we got the change pad mattress already and talked about the saftey first playpen that we were looking at and that she had seen as well. So she said she would get that for us on tommarrow after she went to church since it's on sale and they had some in stock that day. She also mentioned that maybe bassinette or regular cradle sheets would fit the mattress I have to make for the cradle we are using. I never thought of that. I need to put something over top of the mattress cover I am making. So I will have to check that out maybe this week sometime.

Still lots to do to prepare and I'm running out of time!!