Achy Breaky Back

I think the load of pregnancy is beginning to hit me. For the past week my lower back has started to hurt along with my feet. I'm not sure if it's because we have just been going and going or it's me, but it feels so good to sit down or lie down now. At night, I fall asleep immediately and for the most part I don't get too tired during the day.

Yesterday marked 27 weeks and I'm entering the 3rd trimester!

According to babycenter:

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended. He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother him, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

I also read that I might be experiencing leg cramps which I actually have. What do you know a symptom I can say I experienced. I swear sometimes, I've been left out of "the things you go through when you're pregnant." I only feel them at night and it's been a few times. They're just annoying, nothing painful.

I also can report that I have a linea nigra! It starts above my belly button and it does this funny little curve then continues down past my belly button. It's not very dark at all, but funny nonetheless. Oh and my belly button is funny looking too since it's doing some kinda of stretching/trying to pop thing.

In other Doyle news, we have pretty much come to accept that after July 27 (when our lease ends) we'll have to move and continue renting somewhere else until we either find a house we love to buy or build. We both really want to build, so that's still our preferred option. In a perfect world, we would move in before Thanksgiving, but there's no telling the future.

We checked out another house yesterday, but it wasn't the one. Trust me I have cried many tears over this situation because it's the most stressful thing going on. Crying really helps. And do does my hubby, who is simply amazing and hates that I'm stressing over this. He continues to tell me to leave it all to him. I'm trying, but I'm a control freak.

On to happier news, Luna has learned to sit and shake hands! We're also working on not barking when the doorbell rings or barking at other people outside. The last one is harder than I thought. She's quite the little beast ;)

We finally registered yesterday at both Target and BRU. Yes...two...in one day. But really, it wasn't bad since I just wanted to get the goodie bags, lol. We just added some things quickly and the rest I'll be doing online. Personally, I think Amazon.com is the best place to register but I know most people like to go into a store and pick something out. Amazon let's you have an add to registry button that you add to your browser. So if you're on say Target's website and you see something you want to add to your amazon registry you click the button and it's added. Read more here. 
What were in our bags? Each store gave me one disposable diaper, coupons, pair of disposable nursing pads, Johnson lotion, and a breast milk storage bag.

The best news of the week is that Saturday we leave for the beach and it's hello relaxation and sunshine!
I bought this for us today

It's a Sport-Brella and I read about it in my Parents magazine. I mainly got it for Luna since I don't want her getting too hot. Yes I spoil her.

OK I've talked forever, I'm off to attack my to do list!

100 days

Until

1. A new person joins our family.

2. I fall in love like I have never fallen in love before.

3. I become someone's mother.

4. Life changes.

5. Luna and Angel get a baby brother.

I won't go into 95 more untils, but this is what's on my mind today. It's surreal and scary because we STILL have no place to live or at least know what we're doing after July 27th. Grrr. That whole situation is no fun, because nothing is set up for a baby so until then, baby still feels so far away.

Right now the spare bedroom is slowly filling up with baby stuff, both bought and given. Yesterday my friend actually gave me tons of stuff. I got a brand new changing pad, bottle sterilizer, bottle warmer, baby clothes, cloth diapers, baby bath tub, breastmilk storage bottles, breast pads, and even some maternity clothes for me. I've heard you don't really need a sterilizer or warmer, but hey it's FREE! The best was getting some cloth diapers so I'm about done with my stash.

Earlier this week, Justin took me to Macy's where I bought some maternity clothes. Yes, I finally had enough (again) and bought 2 pairs of shorts and two tops. The shorts are the best thing in the world! Wearing them makes me feel normal again and they're so comfortable. I had a 5 second relapse thinking I wasn't pregnant, until baby kicked me back to reality, lol.

Wednesday I met the 3rd midwife at the practice and again I didn't care for her too much. I definitely have a favorite of the three (Beverly) and chose to have my next appointment with her.

I have gained 19lbs! So at this rate, I'll be on the higher end of what they expect to see. She told me they like to see between a 25-35 lb gain OVERALL. Oh well, I'm still enjoying my ice cream, lol. I was also given the glucola to take home and drink 45 minutes prior to my June 1st appointment. I took this test last year and passed so hopefully, I'll pass again. Starting June 1st, I'll be going every 2 weeks!! Crazy. Baby D was active as usual and had a HB of 152/156. He's been in the 150s for a few months now.

Later that night was our 2nd Bradley class and we talked some more about nutrition, did some exercises (do your kegels ladies!), and at the end did Yoga with an instructor. Today I am still sore from the squats. The moves you do on the floor are harder now with my belly, but the stand up ones are fairly easy.

So, this whole protein thing, a pain in my butt. I had 74g yesterday and I need between 80-100. I believe the main reason they push the protein is to avoid preeclampsia and edema. I'm starting to think it's kinda silly because I highly doubt I would be at risk for this. At least keeping track of my food is good so I have a visual everyday of what I'm eating and it helps remind me to get everything I need when it comes to fruits and veggies.

In fact, I better go make a green monster, because I haven't had any veggies today. Shame on me :-P

Happenings of the Harper Household: Envibum Cloth Diaper Review & Giveaway

Happenings of the Harper Household: Envibum Cloth Diaper Review & Giveaway: "Life happened over the last 24 hours and after visiting Dr. Tom we found out that Sugar still has a pretty nasty ear infection. A shot and ..."

I hope I win!

Babymoon!

I'm so excited!! Justin surprised me with a trip to Oak Island here in NC. I've never been to any beach in NC and in fact I haven't been to a beach in probably two years. The best thing is we can bring Luna. We're going to stay here. It's a beautiful home with everyone who has stayed giving it a 5/5 stars. The owners will also lend you their bikes to take to the beach.

The only thing I'm hoping besides perfect weather is no crabs on the beach! I freak out about things like that. I have to start looking for a bathing suit! That's a scary thought too actually. I'm looking forward to our last trip alone and together before baby D comes. We'll always look back and remember this special trip.

So I had some thoughts on Mother's Day that I have to confess. First, I honestly wasn't expecting anything, but I did get some cards, phone calls, and well wishes. Justin bought me dinner, a cupcake, flowers. Actually he disappeared Friday before we had to leave for the race and I started to freak out when I hadn't heard from him in over 30 minutes. He left his phone behind and he was only going to get gas...so he said. I even drove around to the nearest gas station imagining the worst, like police everywhere. Then I was going out again when here he comes with my presents! I started crying because I never thought he'd be late to his own race and of course I was so worried that something had happened. It was really amazing and unexpected.
So my thoughts, I don't feel like a mom and hearing that kinda made me feel old. There I said it. The feeling lasted just a few hours because I wasn't going to dwell on it, but I'd much rather celebrate next year when I have my baby boy you know? Next year will be truly significant.

I cannot wait to hold this little boy!! I read he's about 1 1/2lbs now and the size of an eggplant. He starting to get some body fat, grow more hair, and pretty soon he's going to be able to open his eyes. I have felt him kicking more and more and it's the highlight of my day to see my belly jump around. Supposedly, you can hear the hb if you press up against my belly, but Justin didn't hear anything. He did get a kick in the face though, LOL.

I'm still feeling great, sleeping great, and no stretch marks. I do have faint line that actually runs above my belly button to below. I wonder if it's going to get darker? 

Lastly, I made Chicken Korma tonight and I thought it was good, Justin did not. I'm not a fan of chicken thighs which is what this recipe called for, so if I ever make it again, I'd use chicken breasts.

k, gotta go have my bowl of ice cream :-)

What I wouldn't do for a....

Sigh

I won't even have a virgin, because what's the point without Jose you know? There's always next year. Oh wait, I want to breastfeed, boooo! Oh the things we must give up for our babies. Someone out there please enjoy a big one for me :-)

Last night hubs and I went to our first Bradley class and met two other couples. Out of the two couples, we're the only ones expecting a boy. It was a great class and I can tell we're going to learn A LOT. We talked about what doulas are, the medical model vs the midwifery model, the decision making team (for birth time), and nutrition.

My assignment starts today and I have to track my food to make sure I'm getting between 80-100g of protein a DAY. Not easy, because a while back I was tracking and I was just above 60 if that. Since then, I've started having more protein heavy foods though, so hopefully I will get a high number. I believe we're going to be tracking from now until we deliver.

We were also asked to take home a book from her collection and I chose this one

It's one I've been wanting to read and we're going to be discussing a lot from this book too.
The class lasted almost 2 1/2 hours. Next week we're going to be doing Yoga and talking about exercise. I wonder if the husbands will have to participate, lol.

I did want to update on our menu for this week. The chicken schnitzels we're not that great. Last night, I made the Chinese style lemon chicken and I thought that was pretty good. Justin liked it too so it might be a keeper. It was a little too time consuming though. Tonight is supposed to be chicken korma, but seeing that it's Thursday (Vampire Diaries night), hubs wants something simple (hot dogs and mac n cheese). I don't know what I'm having yet :-P

Can I just add that in the past 2 weeks baby D has been kicking up a storm. He's my little jumping bean. He's also making me buy some new maternity clothes because one pair of jeans are too uncomfortable to sit indian style in anymore. I made a dash to Target the other day and bought some khakis. Now, I need some more tops, because mind are getting too short. I don't know why, but I don't enjoy spending money on clothes. Maybe because we're trying to be frugal.

All right, gotta go figure out the latest grocery store bargains to pair up with my coupons!

Feeling chatty tonight

I started planning weekly menus about a month ago and so far so good. I think one week I didn't plan anything and I had to just be creative. I haven't found it the easiest thing to do because Justin and I (mainly Justin) are picky about certain things and I usually need quick recipes. I also like trying new things so the only dinner that's been consistent is spaghetti.

This week's menu
Monday: Fettuccine with sweet pepper-cayenne sauce. We already had it so I can say yes, it was yummy, but not very filling. In fact I'm going to eat something after this, lol. And Justin thought it was too spicy so next time, less cayenne. Recipe

Tuesday: Chicken Schnitzels

Wednesday: Chinese style lemon chicken with bok choy and rice

Thursday: Chicken Korma with rice

Friday: Subway since we go to the track for the race and right now that's been the easiest thing to do.

Saturday: Chicken pasties. First time I added a Saturday meal. This is more lunch though.

I see lots of chicken which sucks, because I don't want to eat so much of it, but it's really hard to plan a meal that Justin will like without some meat. I refuse to do any other meat though.

I want to try freezing a month's worth of dinners for when the baby comes. I found this site that makes it look really easy but very intimidating. Knowing me, I might just make friends with take-out.

Time to go organize my coupons. Yes, I've dived into the coupon madness and actually I'm getting a lot of help from a local coupon lady who was on TLC's extreme couponers last week. Her blog is on my left column.We've gotten some sweet deals in the last week and some free stuff too :-)

24 weeks

excuse my bummy pants, lol.

Happy V-day!!

No that's not a basketball, that's a belly :)

Happy viability day to my sweet baby boy! Ok it was yesterday, but I can't blog on the weekends ;-P
We're at 24 weeks now and he's kicking stronger and stronger. Some sites say that if we could see his face now we would be able to tell who he looks like, mommy/daddy. Justin and I have been talking about this lately and Justin dreamed he looked like me. I personally think he's going to look like daddy. I picture mini-versions of us someday, lol.

Our Bradley classes start this Wednesday night and I can't wait! I have been terribly slacking in the exercise department, which I never thought I would. I don't even do kegels...aaack! There are a few exercises supported by the Bradley method that are really easy, but I've totally forgotten them. We're going to learn so much in the next 12 weeks.

I feel totally great though, no pregnancy related pains at all besides the round ligament pain when we take our evening walks. They feel like a stitch in your side that you can get when you run sometimes, except these are on my belly. They don't last long either. This past weekend I had an annoying stomach ache that lasted almost 3 days and it just took my appetite. I'll have to ask my mid wife about that, because it's happened before and I don't know if it's pregnancy related or totally food related. I can't imagine what caused it. I pretty much can't do anything but lie down from the stomach pains.

On a side note, I want to dote on my husband for being so incredible. The way he loves and protects me and has already fallen for our little guy is really sweet. He talks to the belly and tells me about his baby daydreams. He will pretty much do anything I ask and without a complaint. This includes clicking madly for 3 hours on a cloth diaper website for an invisible egg.

Easter Sunday was the 3rd and last day for Envibum's cloth diaper giveaway. You had to search on their site which is like over 10 pages for an invisible egg the size of a pixel! It was crazy but all worth it when Justin found the last egg and we won a cloth diaper. Yup, we spent 3 hours doing this, LOL.

This is the diaper we got. Appropriate for our little racer. It's so soft and I can't wait to see baby in it.

Envicheckered diaper

I just want to take a moment to SHOUT and THANK GOD for the justice we got today over bin laden's death. Our amazing, amazing Navy Seals finished him off and now so many victims' families can hopefully heal even more. Now it's time to bring our troops home! What a great day for America and the world!