Moving: It's What We Do

Literally.

I feel like it's ALL we do. Especially lately. Granted that last move was one of those thing life throws at you.

And here we are, two months post- last move, in the middle of packing up our house to place in storage for the remainder of the year. (For the record I just unpacked the last box from the last move about a week ago... *she says through gritted teeth*) Military orders are not something you can argue with so away we go into a whirlwind of boxes, closing up loose ends and figuring out logistics. 

With this move we have more control... which I thought I would enjoy more, but alas, it made things SO much harder. D's command, aware of my impending due date, presented us with a few options for D to go back to school: 

1. Report in early August
2. Report in October
3. Report in January

Option number 3 was automatically out for us. I would never want D and Birdie to bond and then rip them apart for months and months when she doesn't understand. Long story short- we decided to go with option number 1. For our family, it's better for us to move asap, get me (and pups) down to family in California, and have D take off and come back while Birdie is still little. D will most likely miss her birth as he reports a week before my official due date. (I don't know why is surprises me that he selflessly sacrificed missing her birth to make sure that she and I were well taken care of... but it does in a way. And makes me fall even more in love with him.)

While this whole situation is not fun for both of us we keep reminding ourselves that both of our families are getting an opportunity to be around Birdie in her very first moments, days, weeks, etc., that they previously would not have had. We're also reminding ourselves that there are many, many other military families that have dealt with this before, and most for longer periods of time.

Our next task is to figure out how to condense our stuff, dog stuff and baby stuff into our subie for the 12 hour drive. Did I mention I'll be pushing 38 weeks, too? True story. We will be saying adieu to Oregon and hello to sunny California by the end of this week!

The One Before I'm Considered Full-Term

Size of Baby: Birdie is approximately 18.75 in long from head to toe, and weighs about 5.75 lbs. (Give or take)
Total Weight Gain: Apparently I had a 9 lb growth spurt since my last OB appointment. That brings my total weight gain to 26 lbs.
Continuing Symptoms: Nasal congestion and just being over all uncomfortable.
New Symptoms: Swollen hands and feet at random times during the day.
Labor Symptoms: Braxton-Hicks contractions have increased like crazy. Over the weekend I started having cramping and sharp lower back pains- accompanying Braxton-Hicks contractions-that have since increased in volume as the days go by. While uncomfortable and noticeable, they're not strong or painful enough to stop what I'm doing for the most part. (I've had maybe 2 that really caught my attention.) A couple days ago I noticed that Birdie has dropped a little. I feel a slight increase in lower pressure, noticed her kicks don't hit underneath my ribs as much (thank g.o.o.d.n.e.s.s), and others have noticed I'm carrying a little lower.
Maternity Clothes: I purchased a new layering tank to wear underneath my shirts. It's been so warm around here that sometimes I just wear it as a shirt around the house. I grew out of another regular shirt but I still have enough left to, hopefully, finish out this pregnancy.
Sleep: Sleep hasn't changed too much. I've been falling asleep on the couch and moseying to bed around 1:30am. Hip pain causes lots of side switching. I'm pretty sure I've also mastered the art of sleeping nearly straight up.
What I'm Eating: I've noticed my eating habits have slightly changed. I go through spurts of being content with just snacking here and there. Then there are days, or times, that I'm STARVING and craving a big meal. D's coworkers eat dinner at our house regularly and love to bbq. That means this lady gets to kick back and enjoy what they make.
Cravings: Guacamole and chips, grilled cheese sandwiches, waffles, bananas, and Mexican food in general. Most random craving? Mr. Pibb soda.
Special Pregnancy Moments: 
1. Receiving a couple handmade baby blankets from D's family.
2. My LAST order of cloth diapers arrived yesterday- we're officially prepared for her arrival in the booty-care department.
3. D has been showering me with extra sweet words, foot rubs, back scratches, and hugs. I so need and appreciate every one of them.
4. Bogey has been my shadow lately, and rarely leaves my side. Makes me wonder what he's sensing...?
5. Making it to 37 weeks without complications. I'm so grateful that this pregnancy has been very, very easy.
6. I've been having more dreams about labor/ delivery and breastfeeding.
7. I keep forgetting to say that it's been about a month since I grew out of wearing my wedding ring. My grandmother, who passed away awhile ago, left me a very special diamond ring. Prior to pregnancy the ring was really big and I kept putting off sizing it. Thanks to pregnancy it now fits! I love wearing it as it makes me feel like she's apart of Birdie's pregnancy. I know my grandmother would have been the strongest and most out spoken supporter of D and I during our infertility trials. My mom and I often wonder what crazy things she would have possibly done to "fix" everything for us.

This is my last pregnancy update before a BIG exciting/ stressful/ scary/ ambitious/ fast change happens around our neck of the woods. Once it's official (any day now) then we'll fill everyone in on what's happening.

4th of July

Our holiday was packed with friends, fireworks, food, bonfires, people watching, surfing, ice cream, reassuring scared dogs and the like. We spent a quiet weekend recovering from all of the festivities with a few nice walks and naps. Now that Monday is here it's time to get back to our regular routine- one that includes a plan to attack all of the things around the house that need to be accomplished. Side note: one of the few great things about Oregon is the ability to set off fireworks that are very illegal in California. 

Sweetness

1. can't get enough cake batter fro-yo.

2. freshly washed & organized changing table. 

3. turned on laptop to find this page open. love. him. 

4. homemade sopapillas. 

5. nap time. 

6. discovered a secret message from my favorite person. 

7. buttermilk blueberry breakfast cake. 

8. hubs' latest reading project. 

Ready Or Not

... Here she comes! 34 weeks down. 

Size of Baby: 17.75 inches or about the size of an average cantaloupe. She weighs approximately 4.75 pounds. She's also head down and facing my spine. Let's keep it that way, Birdie-bird! 

Total Weight Gain: I have a doctor's appointment next week so I'll have an answer then. I really feel like there's a basketball perma-attached to my stomach. 

Continuing Symptoms: Nasal congestion, lower back pain, unhappy feet and just plain uncomfortable. 

New Symptoms: Increasing Braxton-Hicks contractions. They, so far, don't hurt and are really random. I usually get them more in the afternoons and evenings. My legs are really starting to feel the weight of pregnancy. Sometimes it feels as if I've ran a marathon when really I just walked across the house. 

Maternity Clothes: The shirt in the above picture is new to me but it's a hand-me-down that's not a maternity shirt. I'm pretty proud/ excited that I've been able to get this far without a bazillion maternity items. Although, I was finally pushed out of my favorite pair of jeans: my skinny jeans. I miss them terribly. 

Sleep: Sleep is getting increasingly harder. I usually start out crashing on the couch and then shuffle to bed around 1:30am-2am. Usually I'm up a little after D leaves for work but lately I've been sleeping in until at least 8am. I've been shoving a pillow under my stomach when I sleep on my side which has been helping me sleep for longer stretches without being uncomfortable. Unfortunately one of D's pillows works the best and I can't always steal it from him. (Especially when I'm already occupying a minimum of 3 pillows.) I'm having to sit up straighter to get comfy when I'm on my back. 

What I'm Eating: Eating habits haven't changed much. I've been wanting more steak and veggies, or just healthier things in general. Some days I eat terribly, though. I've been eyeing the pineapple currently residing in our fruit basket. I'm excited to crack it open for the 4th of July but I have a feeling this lady will not be sharing much of it. 

Cravings: Still craving blueberries! When it's hot I still want frozen yogurt. I spent 10 minutes at the grocery store the other day trying to decide if I really wanted a box of popsicles... but I was good and walked away.

Special Pregnancy Moments: 

1.  I ordered 8 more newborn cloth diapers this past week. I'm SO excited for them to arrive! The only thing left to get in the diaper department is the actual cloth diapers. Those will arrive by the end of this month. I've washed our diaper stash that we do have and it's all ready to go. 

2. I got a killer deal at a local consignment store on a ton of outfits ranging from newborn to 12 months. 

3. I've been on a mission to find the perfect "going-home" outfit for Birdie-girl, and I found it yesterday! 

4. I've been jotting down notes to compile our birth plan. I've also been doing a LOT more prenatal yoga, sitting on my birthing ball and focusing on relaxing when I feel tense or stressed. 

5. Birdie has been moving like crazy! Some days she's all elbows, knees and feet. I've been able to catch her on video a few times. 

6. A couple of our friends have been able to feel Birdie moving like crazy. I love watching their reactions! 

7. It's so surreal to think, "Next month we will have a baby." Whooooa! 

One Night In Jail Is More Than Enough

The first time we went to church after finding out we were expecting I really wanted a priesthood blessing from some of our leaders. The blessing was beautiful and reassuring but it also warned that we would face trials. I was a little concerned by that but just pushed it to the back of my mind and continued on with life.

"Trials" should have been substituted by "trauma" as I believe it's a more appropriate word. Okay, okay maybe "trauma" is a slightly over dramatic description some things that have happened since I received that blessing. (Some of the trials we've faced do feel somewhat traumatic in their own way.) There's been one exception: this past week we truly experienced something traumatic. 

Not only do I want to post about this for the it-could-happen-to-you effect... but also to show that we are human and life happens. I won't get into the gory (sadly) and scary (understatement) details but, basically, our Bogey-boy attacked another dog. 

Why? We. Have. No. Idea. Was their something "off" about the owner or dog? Was it because it was right in front of our house? Is he just a bully? We don't know. The only theory we can come up with is that I was alone and I'm pregnant. Our furry son becomes more protective when D is gone. In ways I cannot explain into words I know that he knows that I'm in a more vulnerable state being that there's a little one on the way. Whatever his reasoning was inside of his little dog brain- it still isn't a fun situation to be in, especially when other dog was injured. (The owner, and I as well, suffered very, very minor injuries in the scuffle.) 

As a parent of a dog you always run the risk of this situation whether you're responsible for the attacker or the victim. You just never think it's going to happen to you. Ever. Not only do you have to deal with the pain and guilt of being the responsible party but there are, naturally, repercussions to inappropriate actions. For Bogey that meant he had to be quarantined- away from us- for ten days. Ten whole days of being separated from my "first born," our first baby, the dog who really "understood" me through those infertility days- it was a knife in the heart. The first night he was gone I alternated between replaying the incident over and over in my head and crying. 

The good thing about this whole ordeal is that Bogey didn't bite a person. (That would be a whole different situation that I don't even want to think about.) Another good thing is everyone is okay... still shaken up... but okay. It's also a good thing that animal control understands this was out of character and believes our theory as to why it happened. Because of this Bogey is doing his 10-day quarantine at home. The best part is our insurance is covering e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. 

We're a few days post-incident and breathing a little easier. Bogey, however, is still recovering from his jailhouse experience. He will not let me out of his sight. We're dishing out more kisses, hugs, and cuddles around here as a family but we're moving forward. 

Eight More To Go

 32 weeks and feeling large! 

Size of Baby: 16-ish inches (give or take) from head to toesies. She weighs about 4 pounds and, boy, do I feel it!
Total Weight Gain: I had gained one pound at my last OB appointment. My total weight gain since the beginning of pregnancy is 17lbs. I'm definitely feeling that weight gain in the obvious areas in addition to my thighs/ butt. (Insert rolling of eyes)
Continuing Symptoms: Nasal congestion, occasional "down" days, and back pain at the end of the day.
New Symptoms: I'm just plain uncomfortable all the time, especially as the day progresses. Iron supplements have really helped with the chest issues I reported a couple weeks ago. I can feel the symptoms of anemia coming back if I miss a pill or take them off "schedule." The past couple of days I've had pain/ discomfort in the heels of my feet. (I'm assuming from the weight of the pregnancy and me being pretty active during the days.)
Maternity Clothes: I haven't purchased anything recently, and I'm still working with what I currently own. Lately I've been preferring workout clothes for comfort, ease of getting into them, and fit.
Sleep: D says I'm still snoring at night. Ha! I'm sleeping... okay, I guess. Some night better than others but for the most part I'm just happy with what I do get. Of course I'm still up 4-6 times per night for potty breaks.
What I'm Eating: Same, normal eating habits although I've been having a stronger preference for healthier foods: avocados, blueberries, hard boiled eggs, orange juice, and oatmeal.
Cravings: Ugh I wish the craving for sweets would subside already! I'm doing much better in not indulging in every craving I get. A new frozen yogurt place recently opened just over a mile away from our house. I've been loving cake batter frozen yogurt with gummy bears on top. (For those who don't know I, usually, strongly dislike ice cream, frozen yogurt, shakes and smoothies... it's a texture thing.)
Special Pregnancy Moments: 
1. Attending a really great La Leche League meeting and being lead to an amazing breastfeeding book... one that I finally click with. Not to mention the wonderful support from all of the women.
2. I washed all of Birdie's blankets, lovies, swaddlers, (etc) as well as all of her 0-3 month clothing. It was by far the cutest and most fun loads of laundry I've ever done.
3. I'm getting more anxious for her to just be here already and find that I'm getting envious of those women who are further along than I am. I've really tried to focus on just being in the moment because there's a good chance this may never happen again.
4. D has been amazing at helping me practice my breathing during pain. (Leg cramps, back pain, etc) It makes me feel much more confident that we'll be able to handle labor together instead of both of us becoming stupidly stubborn.... which we tend to do in stressful times.
5. I can feel all 4 pounds of our Birdie girl in just about every corner of my uterus. She's becoming more wildly active for longer periods of time. She's also becoming a little bit of a night owl. (grrr...) She responses to D's voice EVERY time he's close to my belly.
6. I already know that D and I are going to be fighting over who gets to hold her. This is a legitimate fear of mine because I'm a huge mama bear. I had to wait so long and go through so much to get her I really only want her in MY arms. D has been working really hard to remind me that, hello, Wifey, he had to go through everything just as I did. I think we've come up with a little plan to give him the time he needs with her but that I don't feel like she's being taken away from me.
7. I've been besides myself with excitement to watch some of our friends turn into parents recently. I'm so incredibly happy for their new little families but also happy that it will be our turn pretty soon!