Week 36 & 4 Days: Baby Shower, Nursery & 36 OB Appointment

I feel like there was a lot of accomplishments in the week 36! 

Nursery:

We put a lot of fun thoughts on our nursery and LOVE how it turned out!  I am glad that we had a theme "Teddy bears in the woods" because it made it easier to pick wall paint colors and decorations.  We originally thought about painting a bear on the wall by ourselves, but I am glad we didn't and ordered a wall decal instead.  The steps were simple, but it took us a bit to put it up becuase the stickers weren't sticking to where there were supposed to.  This is the site I ordered the bear decal.  http://www.etsy.com/search?q=wall%20decal&view_type=gallery&ship_to=US&ref=auto1

I think we kept the nursery room pretty gender neutral.  We definitely want to have another baby, so I didn't want to make it too girly.  It's really nice to finally see where I will be spending my time with my girl :) 

Now, I need my mom to bring my teddy bear collection and buy some more stuff like crib & changing mats and sheets.  My BFF let me borrow a bassinet, so we will have the baby in our bed room for a couple of months.  Technically, she will not be here sleeping right the way, but this is where I will be BFing her and completing a nursery is one of the fun projects during the pregnancy!

Baby Shower:

My in-laws and friends wanted to throw me one, so I decided to have a back-to-back showers over the weekend.  Both showers were amazing and I could tell they put so much thoughts into planning showers, so I was so thankful and loved everything they did for me and our baby girl!!!  I am glad that I didn't combine family & friends because I got to talk to everyone at my showers.  We did get a lot of nice gifts...tons of baby clothes!!!!  My BFF told me not to put outfit on the registry and she was right.  People love to get you cute baby clothes.  Miss H already has 10 newborn sleepers & 12+ onesies!!!!  I know a baby grows so fast, so she has to have a fashion show every day so that she can wear all the clothes she's got.     

My mother & sister in law got us a very nice photo session as a gift.  They were so excited, but it actually created a problem :(  I found this photographer who does a series of session called "Belly to Baby" which includes newborn, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months & 1 year for a great price.  We just did an optional maternity session and loved her work.  I felt really bad telling them that we already got the photo sessions taken care of....I hope we can get a refund and use the money towards bigger items on our registry. 



One of the baby shower games.  Hand made designer onsies by girls!!



Those are all for 0-3 months.  Time to wash and put away!

 36 Weeks OB Appointment

My OB wanted to do additional tests for this appointment.  After this, I will have an appointment every week, eeeeks!!

NST (Fetal Non Stress Test)  -  This test is usually conducted if your pregnancy is at high risk.  Due to my age, my OB wanted to conduct this test to make sure the baby is healthy.  A nurse hooked me up on a bigger doppler monitor to check the baby's HB.  It lasted for 20 minutes and they told me to push a button whenever I felt baby moving or contractions.  She gave me a cup of water to stimulate the baby and it worked.  The baby moved and HB went up when I drank water.  Basically, the nurse wanted to monitor the HB rate going up while the baby was moving.  My OB said the result was EXCELLENT and wants to do this every week from now on.  I had a wishful thinking that I might get to see her on U/S, but nope....it was such a soothing 20 minutes to listen to her HB though! 

Cervix Check - My OB did a cervical exam to check whether my cervix has begun to open (dilate) or soften (efface) in preparation for birth.  He said, it's soft, but not dialated.  He also said the baby dropped and he can feel her head!!  I was really happy to hear that because it means she is head down now. 

Group B Strep Test - My OB swabed me down there for this test.  This test is conducted for a bacteria, which can cause complications during pregnancy and serious illness in newborns.  He said 40% of his patients get it, so it's pretty common.   If the group B strep test is positive, I'll be given antibiotics during labor to prevent group B strep disease in my baby.

Maternity Photos

The photo CD finally came in!  I was very happy with the photos and decided to use some of the photos on  my baby shower thank you card.  Yes, that's right.  My next task is to send off thank you cards!!

  

Week 35 & 3 Days: 35/35 Milestone

I actually didn't know what this milestone really is until recently.  The Bump has so many acronym / special glossary terms so I am learning as I go.  I knew 35/35 happens on the week 35, but I didn't know that it also means 35 days left until the due date!!!  35 days doesn't seem too far.  In fact, it's almost a month until the big day.  I have to say the mid part of the 3rd Trimester is going by fast.  After this milestone, the next big one is "full term"!!!!!  

I had a Monday off so I made some progress on my checklist. 

Hospital Bag     
This was a MUST item to do since I had the strange cramp last week.  I've browsed several websites to see what to pack, I think I will just stick to stuff which can fit in my small travel suitcase for now.  I did use the bump checklist.  (http://pregnant.thebump.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-tools/articles/checklist-packing-a-hospital-bag.aspx)

- Comfortable pajama with easy nursing access and bath robe
- Nursing bra / tanktop and nursing pads
- Warm socks / slippers
- Travel size toiletries
- Comfortable change of cloths for when we go home
- Sugar free candy, snacks, chocolate, etc
- Relaxing music CDs 
- "Mom" pendant neckless DH got me for Xmas :)

I still need pack LO's clothes like onesie, mittens, hat,  socks, warm outfit, etc, but I will wait till I am done with my showers this weekend.  As for mittens, I learned that a newborn has very sharp nails, so mittens are must.  I actually bought Gerber long sleeve onesies with mittens.  I also packed a secret bag for my DH.  I put a special onesie "Daddy's princess", his favorite snacks, Red Bulls, Man's travel size toiletries, and a book called "The New Dad's Survival Guide".  I am also going to put a letter, but I am gonna wait to write one until I reach 37th week.  

Breast Pump       
I have BCBS as my insurance company.  I called in advance to make sure they cover a breast pump.  They told me that I first had to get a prescription written by my OB, so I did.  A lactation consultant from a birthing class highly recommended "Medela - Pump in Style Advanced", so I asked my OB to write that down.  Looks like everyone I've talked to said to use a high-end Medela pump.   

Then, I had to go to a medical equipment supplier on the BCBS list to get a pump.  I just picked Drug Mart closest to my home, so I went there last week.  I gave them my insurance info and they said, they need to confirm with my insurance about the coverage amount.  I got an call to pick it up and when I went there, they told me that my insurance will cover about half the cost.  The original price was $299.99 and the insurance paid $154.99, so my out of pocket was $145.  Since my IVF, I saved some money in the HSA account, so I just used the money from there. 

To be honest...it looks really intimidating.  I don't know how it works and I cannot practice yet.  I learned from a class that I should be breast feeding instead of bottle feeding in the first month so that a baby can get used to latch my nipples.  I will have to use a pump from the first month though since I am going back to work 6 weeks after.  I can freeze BM up to 3 months, so I need to stock up for my work and DH!!!
   

Would I look hideous wearing this?

Daycare / Pediatrician
We have chosen both places, but I wanted to officially register at both places.  I went to the daycare and filled out the application form and paid the registration fee to book a spot for May.  My baby girl will be still tiny in May, so it will be hard for me to let her go to a daycare, but I know we are making a right choice.   

I called a pediatrician office and they told me that they won't do pre-registration.  Basically, I just need to call them once I have a baby at the hospital.  Well, it's easy enough.

Nursery / Nesting 
Since we moved into a new house, we started a nursery project and so far, I LOVE our ideas!!!  Our goal is to complete by end of this week, before the shower, so we are making a good progress. 

I haven't started nesting yet, but I did buy a washing detergent.  I've read that Dreft is over kill for the price, so I was looking for some good alternatives.  I was at Target yesterday and was overwhelmed with so many choices!!!!  I ended up choosing "All Free & Clear" as a start.  If it doesn't work, I will do more research.  (http://babyclothes.about.com/od/babyclothingcare/tp/Top7BabyLaundryDetergents.htm)



Starting to nest?

 Me Physically / Mentally
I have a constant low back pain I've been dealing several weeks and it seems getting worse.  I think it's natural as I/baby gains weight every week.  It's not a muscular pain...rather lower back bone ache.  I cannot lay my belly up anymore because the baby's weight pushes down my belly/back, so it's super uncomfortable.  I need to lay sideways all the time, but I feel like I am pushing my baby's head of legs (assuming she might be in a transverse position).       

I also noticed today that I cannot get my wedding band out from my finger!!!  I guess my fingers are starting to swell.  I've heard that your feet swell during the 3rd trimester, but I haven't noticed my feet yet.  I always take off my ring when I come home, so I am not sure if it's better not to wear my ring for a while...

Mentally, I feel I am ready to meet my LO and I wish it was already March.   

Week 34 & Day 4: Save A Baby

Save A Baby

We attended the last baby class we have registered.  It's is called "Save A Baby".  Basically, we learned how to CPR infant/children and what to do in situations such as chocking or drowning.  We decided to take this class pretty close to my due date because we believed this is one of the most important classes and didn't want to forget.  Last CPR class I took was at my previous work several years ago and my DH had never taken one, so I was glad we signed up for this class. 

One thing it really made me think is that there is no relief in raising a child.  Until the middle of the 2nd trimester, I was so caught up with this anxiety that something might happen to my baby in the uterus.  As my mind started preparing for the post delivery phase, I learned about SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and other risks children can face throughout their lifetime.  Basically, a tragedy can happen and sometimes there is nothing you can do.  I heard that many parents are very worried about the first child, but their anxiety level tends to come down as they have more kids.  I know we cannot be worried about every little things for 24/7, but the CPR class made me think of my old neighbor's little girl.

There was a family with many kids across from our house in our old neighborhood.  I think some of them are from their previous marriage, so we couldn't tell who was whose, but there were always 4-5 kids in their driveway playing.  One morning, my DH was taking a shower and I was waking up but was still in the bed.  TV was on, so I could hear the news.  My mind wasn't fully awake yet but I jumped out my bed when I heard the news was talking about a death in my subdivision.  We couldn't get too much information where and what happened from the news, but we saw bunch of cars in front of the house across from us.  At work, I was checking online for more details and finally found out that one of our neighbor's little girl was drowned in a bathtub and passed away.  Looks like both the parents were at work when this happened.  A nanny was at home watching their little ones.  The nanny found the little girl unconscious in the bathroom and called 911.  She was taken to the nearest hospital, but it was too late..she didn't make it.  We were very sadden by this news and visited the family when we got home.  They had several relatives over at their house, but when I saw the parents, I couldn't stop crying and hugged the mom.  Nothing came out of my mouth other than "I am so sorry".  The mom said "I wish I didn't go into work that morning or could change something so that this didn't happen".  It's not her fault, but I couldn't imagine what kind of sorrow the family was going through.  The CPR class reminded me of this sad day, but I hope the family is staying strong and doing well.

OB Check @ Week 34                       

I had my OB appointment on Monday.  Everything was pretty much the same as 2 weeks ago and nothing new except I gained 3 pounds since!  My baby is doing well and I like that my OB seems me every 2 weeks.  It will be every week in a couple of weeks, wow!  She told me that they want to have NST (Non Stress Test) because I am over 35 and cervix check @ week 36.  She said she isn't worry about the baby's orientation until week 36.  Looks like the baby is still in the transverse or inclined position.  I cannot believe I will hit the full term after my next appointment!

Time for A Hospital Bag?

Luckily, I haven't had too much discomfort during sleeping yet.  However, I struggle with sleeping positions on Tuesday night and woke up little tired on Wednesday.  I usually feel the best when I wake up in the morning, but I felt different this morning.  I felt a cramp.  I stepped out of my bed and didn't feel good.  I felt a pressure around my cervix as I walked and was feeling a cramp.  I suddenly thought "Am I having a contraction???"  I think I have experienced several Braxton Hicks so far and I have read how a contraction feels like, but I wasn't sure.  The first thing it came to my mind was "Geees, I haven't packed my hospital bag!" 

I got dressed and went into work.  I felt better after sitting down on my chair and my cramp and the cervix pressure went away eventually, but this made me think that I should be a bit more prepared for a possible early labor.  Since my pregnancy has been progressing pretty normal, I assumed that I will make it until close to the due date, but how do I know that?!?  I want to pack my hospital bag this weekend and put a towel in my car in case my water breaks when I am not at home!  DH hardly ever travels but of course, he needs to travel twice for his work very close to the time when I am full term.  We should also discuss logistics who is gonna take care of our pets when we go to a hospital, etc. 

I just realized my next milestone 35/35 is around the corner, wow!                

Week 33 & 3 Days: My Baby Is A Size Of Durian!

I woke up with a leg cramp on Monday morning.  Ouch, it really hurts!!!!  I know this is one of the common pregnancy symptoms, but I cannot get used to it.  I am drinking more water and trying to stretch my feet whenever I remember.

My baby is the size of a durian!  I have never eaten this fruit, but I've heard person either hates it or love it.  I heard it smells really bad like a sweaty feet, yuck!  My old roommate from college told me a story of her aunt trying to bring a durian to the States from Singapore a long time ago.  She put the fruit in her suitcase and checked in.  Her flight didn't take off for a while because people didn't know where the strong smell was coming from!!!  Personally, I feel like I have a watermelon in my belly.  It's getting bigger and bigger!!!

Soooo, my latest news are...
Maternity Photo
We did it!!!!  I am sooooo glad I looked into this and decided to do the official photo shoot.  I did look around to find a reputable photographers, but I found this photographer's brochure at BBB.  She had a first year collection of photo shoot called "Belly to Baby" which includes newborn, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 1 year.  Maternity and birth photography are also available but optional.  It's $140 per session and I think it's really reasonable.  My friends said they paid around $300 for each photo shoot.

My photo session was at her studio and lasted for an hour.  Once she edits the original, she will give me digital copies.  It's perfect because once I get the digital copies, I am going to order prints from Shutterfly or even make a photo book!  I wanted to wear something really simple...simple enough which I can show off my bump, so I just wore a white tank top, leggings & UGG boots.  My DH wore a white polo shirt with sneakers.  None of my regular tank top fully covered my belly, so I went to a maternity store to buy a tank top.  I actually ended up getting a nursing tank.  I need one soon anyway, so why not, right?  I didn't want to show that it was a nursing tank, so I hid the clips on the strap with bows and it turned out pretty cute :)  The photographer let us bring our dog, so she is in some of the photos.  We did sit down, standing up, ones with different backgrounds, etc so we have variety of different type of photographs. I googled some ideas of certain poses, so I shared with her and she accommodated my wish.  I cannot wait to see how they turn out!!!

I am really glad I decided to capture the moment of my 3rd trimester because what if we can never get pregnant again?  We are hopeful since IVF #1 worked for us, but we never know what our future will look like in 3 years...

House                         
We are beyond excited about this because we are finally moving into a new house this weekend!!!!!  It's really hard to contain our excitement at this point and I wish this week flies by!  Our number one priority project is nursery.  The theme of our nursery is teddy bear :)  I collected many teddy bears since I was young, so I have a special place for teddy bears in my heart.  I love them and having a nursery full of teddy bears is my dream!  We picked 2 shades of green for wall paint colors to make it look like a forest.  I ordered a big tree sticker for a wall and a swing chair.  DH got me a huge pink bear when we found out that I was pregnant, so we will place him in the chair.  My baby showers are in 2 weeks, so I hope we can finish the nursery by then.

Baby    
Wow, I can definitely feel differences in baby's movement.  It used to be taps here and there, but they are a lot stronger now.  My belly sometimes shake and it cracks me up!  I could be wrong, but I can kind of tell if certain movements are her hand or feet.  I feel like there is an alien in my belly and she is trying to come out!

By now, I heard that she can recognize and remember my voice, so I have been talking to her more.  I just tell her what's going in my life and how excited I am to see her soon.  I probably should read some books to her, too.  I also try to listen to classical / spa type music whenever possible.  Looks like no one knows for sure if music affect fetal development, but it makes me relax, so that must be good for my baby girl!

It's really hard not to buy too many baby clothes now because I know everyone wants to buy cute baby outfit.  I did get a few cute sleepers. They were darn cute, so I couldn't help it!!  My family friends from NJ sent me a package with tons of baby summer clothes!  They are adorable and I cannot wait to dress my baby girl in those this summer.  It makes me wanna get a cute baby bathing suit, hat. sandals and so many other things which won't be necessary this summer, but thinking about them makes me soooooo excited that we will be holding our LO and enjoying BBQ this summer.            



Cute Summer Outfit!!