34 weeks!

How far along? 34 weeks.  Both apps agree that he’s the size of an “average” cantaloupe but this raises several questions . . . like, wasn’t he a cantaloupe just a few weeks ago? If the “average baby” is the size of the “average cantaloupe” and we know that Daniel is small then is he the size of a small cantaloupe? Or do we want a different fruit? SEE?? It’s best to just avoid fruit all together . . . Pregnant Chicken is brilliant this week so click here. And, yes, I know he’s probably not 5 pounds - or a bag of sugar.

Weight gain/loss? Up a pound on my scale at home. 8 total. (For the record, I’m not going to quibble with various drs and their scales. All weight records are on my scale at home. If I believed the doc, then I’ve lost 4 pounds but that’s just stupid).  

Sleep: Rough. Consistently waking up around 12:30 . . . and 4 something . . . and then usually 5:55 when Ariki wakes up. Seriously.
Best moment this week: Book Shower!! So fabulous!
Miss anything? Moving like a normal person. Not crying over stupid stuff.  
Movement: Still tons! Dance party in my uterus from about 10 PM to 6 AM . . . LOL . . . and any time I sit still.
Food cravings: French fries with Ranch from Chilis. LOL
Anything making you queasy or sick: Food-wise, no.
Labor Signs: Some BH.
Belly Button in or out? In. And not that shallow.
Wedding rings on or off? On. And I’m going to have to be really suffering to take them off.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Trying to be happy. But generally annoyed by stupid people.
Looking forward to: Wedding shower I’m throwing for my sister on Saturday!  

Book Shower - BOOKS!

So, if you're not too tired from Monday's post, let's move along to the fabulous, wonderful, amazing, hilarious, spectacular books that were given to Daniel on Saturday. Some of them are instantly familiar and some are new treasures. It was very cool to sit down on Saturday night and read the stories that I didn't know.

Let's start with the ones I knew . . . do you?

 

I had found I love you, Stinky Face and given it to both my neice (Shaylee) and cousin (Lila) two Chirstmasses ago when they were 3. I always thought it was a super cute book. At the shower, Lila and her mom gave a copy to Daniel!

 

 

Next up are the books that are somewhat familiar but presented in a different way or have an unusual twist.

This was a find by my sis - a very cool (and fun shaped!) version of Noah's Ark with bright colors and peeking animals. On one of the pages there's several birds huddled around a can of worms and on the last page, a sign by the exit door says "adios!" - too cute!

 

 

GranLee (and Dad) passed along this awesome version of the Bible for kids. It comes with a CD and Desmond Tutu reads the story to you! 



And now for the books that were brand new to me . . . altho some in the room claimed to be familiar with every single one (show offs!). To be fair, if you teach preschool (or preschool music or Sunday School) it does stand to reason that you might know a thing or two about the literature . . .

 

 

This one was Kirsten's when she was little. It's too cute and talks about shapes and shopping and being friends with dogs . . . 

From Mimi (B's mother, Vanessa). There is apparently a companion book entitled (you guessed it) I love you, Mommy so clearly I'll need to track that one down.



 

This one cracks me up - I thought that I'd seen all of the classic Dr Seuss books. So cool to have "discovered" a new one.

 

Candace hit it out of the park with this trio of award winners. I'd never seen any of them before and the stories are fabulously illustrated. In case you can't see the titles . . . The Napping House (everyone is asleep - even the dog!) King Bidgood's in the Bathtub  and Heckedy Peg  (scary. but worth it).

 

 

 

These next two are from Vaughnie - That's not my Lion has all these reasons why the it's not the "right" lion from scratchy paws (velcro) to shiny teeth (glow in the dark). Finally, it's the right lion - with a fluffy mane. No, David is all about a little boy who gets in trouble. Let's hope it's not used as a suggestion guide!

 

Mum found a recordable book and made us both cry (wait, I'm sorry, B wasn't crying at all. He had something in his eye) when we heard her greet her "precious Daniel" . . . oh hell, I'm tearing up just thinking about it.



Leave it to Bek to bring the house down with her final two finds. First of all, this one (opened at the shower) called The Dog I love Best. That it is pro-animal adoption goes without mention . . .  the funniest part is that the dog in the middle is a finger puppet so you can wiggle it enthusiastically as you read! (Please excuse cousin Lila in the background)

 

And then lastly we have the book not opened at the shower . . . a riot. Yep, the title is what you think it is. I highly recommend it!

 

It was an amazing shower and I'm so glad to have such a wonderful library for Daniel. Hopefully he'll be like me and certain friends and love reading so much that we'll be yelling at him to turn his light off and go the f*** to sleep! 



 

 

 

 





Book Shower Recap!

Saturday marked the amazing Book Shower thrown for me Daniel by the lovely and amazing Kir . . . this'll be a long post so enjoy!

The house was beautifully decorated in bright, cheerful colors. It was book themed (duh) so the décor, quotes on the wall, games and menu were all book-inspired.

Got to love the chalk board in her kitchen . . . I am so working on a way to convince B to do this! (Ok, truthfully, I doubt that I could ever convince him to put this in the kitchen. Maybe in Daniel's room as he gets older).

 

 

We had two "games" as people were arriving/snacking/waiting on other people to arrive. One was children's book titles re-written as something hard (my fave was "Jump on Father" = Hop on Pop but Kir's fave was "Brunette Furry Mammal, Brunette Furry Mammal, I ask about your Observations" = Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See?) and the other was a list of wishes for Daniel. These are so special and I definitely will put them in his baby book.

 

Up next was the book-themed menu and food . . . oh, the food was spectacular. Never leave this pregnant woman alone with fresh fruit!

 

 

These plates had matching napkins which I loved so much that I plan to frame . . . 

 



I think everyone has seen a diaper cake at a baby shower but if you haven't (or if you need a refresher) chick here for the one that was at my church shower. Kir managed to be amazingly creative on this front too . . . she made a Very Hungry Caterpillar diaper wreath. Unbelievable. The outside ring is diapers, the caterpillar is a rattle and the fruits are teethers!!  I realize that you are supposed to take it apart so the baby can use the items but it's too awesome I just can't. The wreath may hang on Daniel's door for a good long time.

 

On to the gifts! I did receive some lovely things which were not, strictly speaking, books. Aunt Edwina added to my Willow Tree collection. We'd received the husband and wife one when we got married and this adds the baby. So sweet!

 

Additional non-books included these sweet hooded towels and this hilarious "cow bell" . . . also some clothes, diapers and baby gates (not pictured).



And now for our raison d'etre . . . THE BOOKS!!! (next post)

33 weeks!

How far along? 33 weeks.  

Weight gain/loss? Stayed the same as last week which was up a pound from the week before. 7 total.  

Sleep: Not nearly enough.  
Best moment this week: I dunno if there was a “best” moment. It’s been kind of a crummy week. The sofa is nice but its arrival wasn’t quite the thrill that I was hoping for.
Miss anything? Sleep. Feeling like a normal person.   
Movement: So much! I still love this the most about being pregnant. It’s bizarre to feel your body move and it’s not you doing the movement. Sometimes it seems like he’s reacting to things and sometimes it just seems like he’d prefer to have a little more room.  
Food cravings: French fries with Ranch from Chilis. LOL
Anything making you queasy or sick: Food-wise, no.
Labor Signs: Some BH.
Belly Button in or out? In. And not that shallow.
Wedding rings on or off? On. And I’m going to have to be really suffering to take them off.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Tired. And, therefore, a little down.
Looking forward to: Book Baby Shower at Kir’s on Saturday! I’m so so excited to see what books people find.

Parenting Quote

32 weeks - scan pics!

Happy 32 weeks to one and all . . . I will skip the usual beached whale photo post (except to say that I am large) and move right on to our appointment yesterday. At my check up last week, they decided that, despite being 31 weeks pregnant, my stomach was only measuring 28 weeks and that I'd need to have another growth sonogram. So yesterday we headed back to the maternal fetal specialist at KU to let them check things out.

Happily, everything is very very fine. Daniel has developed exactly as he is supposed to for 32 weeks. He is quite small (in the 21st percentile) but is perfectly formed. I have to say, it's kind of awesome to be the "boring" case that the high risk department sees! Next up is a repeat scan at 36 weeks to make sure he's past the 4.5 pounds that a baby has to be in order to avoid the NICU.

Now the best part: the pictures of my kid! For each pic, I have the original and then the version with the arrows. On the 3D ones, don't be fooled into thinking he has some kind of dreadlocks - he was smushed up against the placenta.

First the traditional sonogram pics

 

When this next one was taken his foot was squarely facing up and planted (as if he was bracing himself) above my belly button

 

 

The "face on" shots make his nose look a little smooshed. Don't worry, it's just because of the way the sound waves generate the image.

 

 

 

I just love these pics with his mouth open - could have been practicing swallowing or sucking.

 

 

 

LOVE this . . . he's got some chubby cheeks for a little guy!

 

 

 

This one is my favorite