3rd Trimester!!!

Yay!  I finally made it to the third trimester....3 more months to go!!!  We have finally started working on the nursery and other baby stuff.

Last week I made 20 burp cloths...my hope is that since I now have plenty of absorbent burp cloths ready, this baby will not spit up at all!  Crossing my fingers!!!

I also made a blanket to go in the baby's car seat.

Friday I had to go in for my three hour glucose test.  It wasn't too bad...I survived!   I was glad that Jim took the day off of work so we could spend the rest of the day together with the boys. We went to Red Robin for lunch and shopping in Exton. I bought fabric for the curtains in the nursery and Eric found sneakers for school.

The doctor called on Monday and told me all but one of my numbers came back fine, so I DON'T have gestational diabetes, but I do have to watch my sugar intake....no more cookies, lemonade or ice cream :(  I also have to go once a month for blood work.  Could be worse....though I am now looking into alternatives for ice cream since that's all I want to eat this pregnancy.  At least I only have 3 months left!

Saturday was Arts and Crafts Day at Vincent Church.  The boys took the tractor to ride in the tractor parade!

They also liked riding the bumblebee ride and seeing the animals...of course the favorite was the turtle!

Saturday we worked on taking everything out of the nursery and Jim sanded and finished the floors on Sunday and Monday.  They look great!  Hoping to paint this weekend!  We picked out a light gray color for the walls and the trim will get a fresh coat of white, as well as the baseboard heater covers.

Monday we spent the morning at Manderach Park with lots of Eric's friends.  He had a blast with all his buddies.  They are looking forward to being able to see each other every day at school next week, even though they aren't in the same class.  
  
Tuesday night we went to the Reading Phillies game with the fire company.  We sat in the left field picnic area which meant our food was included.  The boys loved the nachos and cheese!  We had a great time!

How far along? 28 weeks  ~ Baby is the size of a large eggplant.

Maternity clothes? no new clothes, but I bought a belly support band that has been wonderful for my sore back and legs 

Sleep: Still getting a stiff neck and sore hips from sleeping on my side. Tried going back to using my pregnancy pillow and so far it's working better than the body pillow.

Best moment this week: Finishing the floor in the nursery

Miss Anything?  Nothing this week
Movement: Baby is getting more and more active.  Can feel movement on the sides of my belly…Jim has been able to feel him more and more.

Food cravings: ICE CREAM!!!  Trying to find an alternative since I have to cut back on the sugar :(

Anything making you queasy or sick: Brushing my teeth…wondering if this is going to continue through the entire 3rd trimester like it did in the 1st.

Gender:  BOY

Labor Signs: No noticeable contractions this week

 Symptoms: tiredness is starting to return

Belly Button in or out? In between now
Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy

Looking forward to: Our ultrasound on Friday and seeing the baby again!  Let's hope my placenta has moved up. 

2 more weeks of summer vacation

There are only 2 more weeks of summer vacation left!  While I am sad to see summer go, I think the boys are ready for school to start.  I can tell they are starting to get bored being home, even though we try to get out as much as possible.  I am ready for a change in routine as well.

Last Thursday the boys and I went to JoAnns Fabric and the boys helped me pick out fabric to make burp clothes for the baby.  Afterwards we went to a park in Downingtown to have a picnic lunch and play on the playground.  We were just finishing our lunch when I started to hear music.  The boys asked where it was coming from and I told them it was an ice cream truck and it had just pulled into the parking lot of the playground.  Since we don't live in a city they had no idea there were actual ice cream trucks.  They were beyond excited to get to pick something out!

Thursday night we went to the Reading Phillies with the fam.  As usual, Jacob was mostly excited about the food.  He loves seeing the people walking around selling food.  He got pretty good at waving his hands to get the guys' attention :)  He had cotton candy, a soft pretzel and ice cream! 

Eric loved that one of the Reading Phils mascots is a turtle named Change-up, since he is obsessed with turtles lately!  Of course, we had to get a picture with him!

The Phils didn't win, but we had a great time.  The night ended with fireworks.  Jacob couldn't stay awake for the walk back to the car....he fell asleep riding on Daddy's shoulders!

Friday morning I had another doctor appointment.  The baby is doing well but unfortunately I found out that I didn't pass the glucose screening test I took last week.  They want my levels to be under 135 and mine was 150, so I now have to go in for a glucose tolerance test.  This coming Friday morning I have to go in to the lab after fasting for 8 hours to get blood drawn, then they will give me a sugary drink to drink then they will draw my blood again after 1, 2 and 3 hours.  I will have to stay at the lab for 3 HOURS!!!  Ugh, not looking forward to this! Trying really hard to watch my carbs this week and keeping my diet in check so I don't fail that test.  If I end up failing they will diagnose me with gestational diabetes.  This means my diet will have to be closely monitored as well as my sugar levels and I will have to go weekly for Non Stress Tests (which are a pain).  Praying this doesn't happen.

Friday afternoon was much better!!!  We went to Manderach Park to play since that is where the Peco Picnic was held this year.  We went early to play and then met Jim for the picnic. The boys had a blast on this playground.  It is huge and they've added quite a few new things since we went last year.  Planning another trip there with Eric's buddies next week!

Saturday Jim and I went to Shady Maple for breakfast and then headed to Lancaster.  We shopped Kitchen Kettle village and the outlets.  We didn't buy anything significant but love looking at all the Amish made furniture....and I love showing Jim the pieces I would like to have so he can build them for me :)  It was nice to get away for the day just the two of us without the stress of all the projects that need to be done around the house before the baby comes.

Sunday Jim and the boys got out the John Deere B and got it cleaned up and ready for the tractor parade this weekend!  

The boys decided to be silly with Tyler....he was a good sport, but not happy about his new look!

Monday we found out who Eric's 2nd grade teacher will be.  Unfortunately his 2 best buddies are not in his class.  He did find out that one of his friends from first grade and one from kindergarten are in his class so he's feeling better about it.  Hopefully 2nd grade will go just as smoothly as last year.

Monday night I finally went in for a pedicure!  I have been painting my own nails for most of the summer but it is getting much more difficult to reach my feet :)  Feels so much nicer for someone else to do it!  Looks good, though I can't see my own feet while standing up :)

Tuesday we had plans to spend the morning at Springton Manor Farm with Eric's friend Ryan and his sister Ella. Unfortunately their mom called and said the kids were sick so they had to cancel.   The boys were disappointed but looking forward to hopefully seeing them next week.  Instead we headed back to Manderach Park planning to meet Jim for lunch!  Turns out Manderach was PACKED with camp kids so the boys only lasted a few minutes there before asking to leave.  We ended up just meeting Jim at a township playground across from his work and had a picnic lunch.  They had the whole playground to themselves!

How far along? 27 weeks

Maternity clothes? bought 2 new tops and dress this week. 

Sleep: Horrible stiff neck from sleeping on my side.

Best moment this week: Spending Saturday morning in Lancaster with Jim

Miss Anything?  Eating yummy foods!  Trying really hard to watch my carbs.
Movement: Baby has been very active.  Was actually able to see my belly move once when he kicked me.

Food cravings: still loving ice cream, but trying to limit myself.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Back again to getting sick brushing my teeth….ugh!    
Gender:  BOY

Labor Signs: Only one Braxton Hicks contraction this week.

 Symptoms: backache, hands and ankles sometimes get swollen at the end of a long day.

Belly Button in or out? It’s still in, but working it’s way out
Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy

Looking forward to: Starting the nursery….have to get a paint color picked out.

Feeling accomplished

This past week we worked hard on getting the boys' room finished.  On Saturday Jim altered and painted the bunk beds and sanded and painted the shelves and stools.  Even Eric helped with the sanding.  Jim got a picture of me "helping" too.  That chair is so comfy!!!

 By Sunday everything was ready to be put in the bedroom.  I am so happy with how it turned out!

I expected their first night to be a little rough, especially getting them to go to sleep, but they were out in no time.  Probably due to this.....

 The boys have been spending so much time in their new room....they love creating at their desk!

 Yes, Jacob is wearing his Spider-man costume.....no explanation for that one :)

While Jim and I were working this weekend I set our old tent up in the backyard for the boys to play in.  I even packed them a lunch so they could have a picnic.  They had so much fun "camping".  I wish we could take them camping this fall, but I am way too uncomfortable for sleeping on the ground!  

I haven't been able to get excited about using the same crib bedding that Eric and Jacob used.  Even though it still looks like new I was just tired of it.  I found an affordable bedding set online and it came in over the weekend.  It is adorable...I am loving all the baby stuff with owls on it. 

My plan for the nursery right now is to paint (ok, Jim will paint) the walls gray and make yellow/gray curtains and bring in the aqua color with some accent decorations. 

Now that the boys' room is finished it is time to start cleaning out Jacob's old room and start on the nursery.  Jim is going to refinish the hardwood floors and paint before we can put the crib together.  I am excited about getting started but first we are taking a much needed break from the projects and spending the day in Lancaster this coming weekend...just the 2 of us.  It will be nice to relax and recharge before jumping into the nursery! 

How far along? 26 weeks

Maternity clothes? still fitting in them, though they are definitely starting to get tighter :)  I bought 2 new shirts and a couple pairs of capris for when the weather gets cooler....hopefully that will be soon!

Sleep: I’ve been having trouble falling asleep, even though I’m so tired. 

Best moment this week: Finishing the boys’ room!

Miss Anything? My old body!  This baby belly is taking it's toll on the rest of my body!
Movement: Getting easier to feel baby kick from the outside!  Hopefully that means my placenta has moved.  Will find out in a couple of weeks!

Food cravings: Nothing this week

Anything making you queasy or sick: Thinking the baby does not like pizza.  I had it for the second time in the last 2 weeks and it really upset my stomach...probably just the grease but think I'll limit myself for a while.
Gender:  BOY

Labor Signs: A couple more Braxton Hicks contractions this week

 Symptoms: so HOT all the time, backache, just getting really uncomfortable

Belly Button in or out? Still in....
Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy

Looking forward to: Much needed time away with Jim this weekend….heading to Lancaster on Saturday. Thanks Mom and Dad for keeping the boys :)