I'm a slacker

I realized I hadn't posted since December 16th and I feel like such a slacker! I haven't done a weekly "bumpdate" in, well, weeks, which makes me sad because I write this blog to keep track of moments, memories, milestones, etc. For Christmas, I had my blog turned in to a book and gave my mom Volume 1, which tracked from the very first blog I wrote (which was started to blog my way down the aisle), all the way up to our announcement that we are having a baby.

So my new years resolution is to start blogging more and get back to my weekly updates. I'm currently 32 weeks and 3 days. Can you believe that?! Technically less than 8 weeks until Baby Boy arrives. That is just crazy to me! This pregnancy has flown by.

Some big things to document include:

1) I was off work for most of December, trying to rest, lower my blood pressure, lower my protein levels in my urine, reduce my ankle/feet/hands/fingers/face/etc. swelling, and generally keep baby boy (and myself) as healthy as possible. This was pretty successful, and my blood pressure has reduced a bit (it's still too high), the protein levels in my urine have reduced to just traces, and well -- I still look like the stay-puffed marshmallow man, with pretty much no definition in my ankles, knees, wrists, fingers, or neck/face...but the specialist at the perinatal center says the resting is the best possible thing for me. The more I can be horizontal, the better.

2) I am still going to the hospital to the Perinatal Diagnostic Center every week for fetal monitoring/non-stress tests. I love the doctor I've seen the past few times -- he's an Italian man with a thick accent, and he takes his time explaining things to me and making me feel very comfortable with all that is going on. I've also started going to see my OBGYN every two weeks, as opposed to every 4.

3) I had a minor meltdown prior to Christmas about the anxiety I had over being away from work for most of December. It was a nice Saturday afternoon, Todd and I were sitting on the couch, I had been in a bit of a funk all morning and Todd was not giving in to my bad mood. I got up from the couch, made a sandwich, sat back down, and said to Todd "I'm sorry for whatever I did to make you made at me today". He said "I'm just choosing to not partake in your bad mood today". And I burst in to tears. I put my sandwich on the kitchen counter, and went upstairs to lay on the bed and sob. My anxieties were really not worth the huge meltdown, but with all of the hormones surging through my body, I couldn't help it! Todd and I talked things out and I felt a bit better. It was a struggle to continue to remind myself that I won't look back and wish I had been pushing myself and working, but instead that I will be glad that I rested and continued to grow our baby boy.

4) Christmas was amazing and we were completely spoiled with tons of gifts -- most of which will be extremely beneficial to our baby boy...including his entire bedding set (and all accessories) and his car seat!! I will have to take pictures of some of his new apparel (a tiny Michigan jersey, a Redskins warm up outfit, etc.) and post them.

5) I got the invitations to both of my baby showers, which I am so excited about! Shower number 1 is on the 15th, and it's just for me and baby boy at Clyde's! Yum!! Shower number 2 is on the 29th and it's a co-ed shower for Todd and I together. It's at my mom's house and hosted by my sister-in-law, and it's a circus theme!! I can't wait for both showers...I feel so loved and blessed and again, spoiled!! I will also post pictures of the invites.

6) I had a long conversation with my boss, and it was decided that since I am going to the doctors at least once a week, and both my OBGYN and Perinatal specialist agree that resting and laying down as much as possible is the most beneficial for me and the baby, my boss and I decided that it would be best to not return to the office until after the baby is born. I am not on official bed rest, but can tell that when I'm up moving about for an extended period of time (like an hour or more) I feel pretty awful and need to sit or lay down. So I'm working from home a little bit, staying supportive of Kate. Kate has been amazing keeping the office in order and getting things scheduled and set straight. Thank goodness for her! I truly do miss having her to talk to every day.

7) We finally broke ground on the nursery! Last week Todd cleared out everything from the nursery. On Saturday, my mom painted the bottom third of the room a beautiful dark blue (not quite navy, but close), and my Dad and Todd installed chair rail right above the paint. The room looks amazing and very classic. I'm so excited to get the crib, bedding, accessories, etc. in there. Todd and my Dad are going to put the crib together on Tuesday night, and then Mom & Dad are coming back this weekend so they can help me put the whole room together. I am so grateful for all of their help and hard work, and I can't wait to see the finished project!

I think that about brings things up to speed. I'm going to get back on top of posting weekly updates...especially considering we don't have many weeks left! And I just want to give a special thanks to everyone who has been supportive and encouraging. I really appreciate the love, comments, concern, and even being told to "go lay down!" all the time. :)