8 months

Week 32--What I forgot to mention...

We went on a camping trip this weekend with the Dunagans and I'm glad we stayed in cabins instead of tents. I needed my prego pillow badly and couldn't have camped any other way, and I'm so glad it got shoved into the car!

Finished the last week of summer school just in time for the pure exhaustion to set in! My body is now telling me to take it easy instead of just the Dr., Jeff, and mom!

Week 33

Kitchen update: the kitchen got countertops and backsplash!!! We're getting official here and it's really exciting!

I picked up Ashley and her 3 kids Olivia (6), Nicholas (3), and Jake (8 mos.) on Friday since they came to TX to visit for a week! It was so much fun to see them and loved that they ran to me as I waited outside when picking them up. Even though we don't see each other except about once a year or so, I'm so glad that whatever Ashley and I have done to help the kids know us even though they don't see us often is working! We always seem to pick right up where we left off!

I handed the Wintons off to mom and dad that night in Columbus b/c I wasn't going home yet since Jeff and I had so much to get accoplished on the house. I went home on Sunday and the 5 days that I spent at home were a whirlwind!

July 4th = 4th of July Carnival with dad's church AND dinner at the country club with fireworks.

July 5th = Splashway Waterpark in Sheridan. I finally got to see what my friends raved about. This place is so kid friendly it's amazing! I love how small it is, yet full of things to do!

July 6th = Cuero shower for Bennett

Pregnancy Symptoms: This is the week that I started itching like a baboon! I would wake up in the middle of the night and find myself itching my arms and legs. This is worse than the "my belly is expanding" itching because it just doesn't seem to go away.

Week 34 (seriously....I'm THIS close???)

July 7th = spent most of the day with the fam and then drove home to Katy. It was good to be back in my bed with my prego pillow--which sadly got left at home!

July 8th = scrapbook time with old school friends at Archivers. I knew this was titled "Scrap and Baby Fun with Steph", but I literally had no clue that they were bringing gifts too! I thought it was just fun time together gossiping and scrapping, and this was a huge surprise! Once again, I'm amazed at how supportive friends are at this time when my life is about to have its biggest change! I loved being able to ask them labor and baby questions too--even got a few pieces of info from people at Archivers that didn't even know our group (Yes, we're that friendly!!)

July 9th = had friends over for pool time, hamburgers, and card playing. Thank the good Lord that we have an amazing maid who also came over today to clean up all the construction mess! Tile got put in on July 7th/8th, so we looked rather dusty. Busy day of cleaning up the house and getting it ready for friends, but it was great b/c it meant that we had to do NOTHING on Sunday with the house!!!

I guess you could say that I'm now in full "nesting" mode. I really hate calling it that when I've got to organize the kitchen (because it just got completely redone), the office (because it's now been fully moved out to the loft), and our bedroom (because we got mom and dad's old king-size bed after they bought a new one). Bennett's room is coming along, but is still a work in progress. To me, this is not nesting (except for B's room) - it's "Stephanie is out of school finally and has time to get things organized in the house now!"

July 11th = Dr. visit. I was labeled as having "itchy limbs" by the nurse--guess that sounds better than being an itchy baboon! Dr. told me that pregnancy does lots of things to your body (duh), one of them being bringing things to the skin that might be a nuisance! Got told to do what I'm already doing--hydrocortisone cream, Benadryl, and take an oatmeal bath. Itch away my friends!

Jeff Story: He has been telling me that I've been snoring and of course I deny it completely

b/c I never have. However, one night this week (a particularly bad night of not sleeping due to the "itchy limb" syndrome, he woke me up twice within an hour to tell me I was snoring. This really annoyed me and his defense was that if I was snoring, I wasn't sleeping well anyway, so he wanted me to turn over. FINALLY, the 3rd time he woke me up, he decided to be

brilliant and record me snoring with his phone so he could prove to me I really was snoring! Annoyed = YES! Kind of funny = kind of! Does Jeff think he's brilliant? YES!

Week 35

Not liking the firm-ness of the new/old bed so we have been buying and trying out different solutions that work for both of us. I'm now waking up at least 3-4 times a night and will go to the bathroom every time (not that I have to, but I figure, since I'm awake...why not??)

I offiically told Jeff last night (day 1 of week 35) that today was going to be a "take-it-easy" day and I'd appreciate it if he'd remind me of how exhausted I am if I say I want to do something. His response: "I've been telling you that for 2-3 weeks and you still haven't done it!!" Guess I'm a stubborn itchy baboon!

Finally got caught up on reading the "What to Expect..." book and am freaked out a

bout the epidural. Reading about it makes me want to do a natural childbirth....and then I think of my pain tolerance and go back to the epidural! I am EXTREMELY nervous about the actual birthing process and cry almost every time I think about it in detail. I think these next few weeks I need to focus on good delivery exercises to prepare my body and relaxation techniques. That's the goal anyway!

Jeff got some newborn practice in (we both did) when Amber had Claire this week. It's amazing that something this size will be coming from me in a few weeks--whoa!

Had a very busy week (AKA-no days with naps in them!) Mom came up Tuesday evening and stayed until Thursday and although we weren't doing baby stuff the entire time, I couldn't have everything finished without her help (and Jeff's too!) We got the pillows taken care of for our bed and finished B's room (YEAH!!). Here is the finished product of his room:

Meet BOB (Big 'Ol Bear): Bennett's first friend!

Week 36

Although I'd picked up the glider/ottoman almost a week ago, we hadn't decided where it should go, so we left it in my car! Finally decided to put it in our room right now (an old rocker is in B's room, so we're still good up there). I'm so glad we went with the cream paisley fabric b/c it's neutral and can go anywhere even after kids are grown!

We got some exciting news at the dr. visit today, so I think I'll continue "Week 36" in the 9 months blog!

What They DON'T Tell You: Part 2

Things have been going pretty smoothly throughout my entire pregnancy (thank goodness!), and I have truly been fortunate this entire time with no sickness or other issues (except swelling feet when teaching). But...there are still things out there that people are NOT telling me until I say something....which really irks me! So...for all of you who want to know the more intimate details, here I go (again!).

1. Maternity Support Belts--These are no way fashionable, but they do become necessary as you grow. Yes--I said necessary! I revolted for weeks about buying one even though my back was killing me because of the extra weight in front. Once again, why I revolted like I did with buying maternity pants, I don't know. I've used mine for almost 2 months now and I can't go a day without it unless I'm just sitting around at home! I think my favorite part of my belt is that I tried them all on in the middle of Babies R Us one afternoon. Now THAT had to be a fun sight for the other shoppers! Anyway, the bottom line is that NO ONE tells you that they wear them until you say something about needing one or being in pain. Don't be ashamed to ask or buy one--you'll love it when you do!



2. Childbirth Classes--NOT necessary. End of statement. Final answer. That is...unless of course you are a complete idiot who has never watched TLC's "A Baby Story" or anything else that's on reality TV, or just have no clue about how this happens. Well, I'm a person who likes to be prepared for any situation, and while Jeff told me we'd be okay without the class, I insisted on going. Well folks, he wins in this situation! By no means did we need to go. We did learn a few helpful things, but let me just say that they did not need to show the birthing videos. I have told Jeff since before we were pregnant that no one would be in the delivery room with us and there would be absolutely no video of the birth, so these people I watched shocked the crap out of me. Not only did we not need to see the nipple cam shots (the lady went from clothed, to sports bra, to completely naked--why...no clue!), we didn't need to see any of the rest either! Here's what irks me on this one: I talked to a few people after going to the class, and they agreed: a person as anxiety ridden as I am/OCD/etc. doesn't really need to go to the class, but just didn't want to tell me what to do before hand. I do appreciate not being told what to do, but in this case it would have been just fine! Bottom line: childbirth class isn't needed if you're a relatively educated person who can read up on what is needed!

7 months

Week 28

Wow! All I can say is that I only thought I was big! I've hit a new high and I'm afraid the waddling will start soon. Every time I feel it coming on, I fight it....hope Bennett doesn't get my stubbornness!!! I have had lots of people tell me I look tiny for 7 months, but it's still weird to see it all happen in front of your eyes!

I have started getting in our pool--started b/c it's still pretty cold water since our pool is only in full sun for about 4-5 hours a day--and love it because it lets the pressure off of my back/belly/etc. We had Jeff's niece's high school graduation this weekend and got lots of pool time on Saturday and Sunday. Thank you to my sister Ashley for sending me her old maternity bathing suits. I have a feeling I'll be in our pool so much I might have to invest in one myself with all the use it will get!

Jeff's mom wanted us to take some fun belly pics this weekend at Maddy's graduation party besides our normal "Jeff & Steph" pic and this is what we got! (Ignore our double chins) No...Jeff has not gained a sympathy belly. He just has this great ability to push out his belly so he looks pregnant! What a talented dad Bennett will have!

Week 29

School is out!!!! We go on our trip to NYC next week, and now it's all about getting everything ready for Bennett's arrival (well, that, teaching summer school, remodeling the kitchen, and possibly doing an addition above our driveway). You know...minor plans!

The Saturday after school was out we went to the "Prepared Childbirth Class" at the hospital--you know....to learn whatever was absolutely necessary for the birth! Let me just start by saying that we both did learn a few things like when it's actually time to go to the hospital, where labor and delivery is in the hospital, etc. BUT (and this is a BIG BUT) it is absolutely NOT necessary to see videos of births--whether it's regular or c-section. REPEAT: NOT NECESSARY!!! I cried the entire way home because it was the first time I realized that this baby was just going to have to come out of me some other way. Thus began the "Stephanie Freaks-Out For at Least a Week" period. (Fun times for Jeff, don't you think??) :)

Week 30
We left for our "vacation/babymoon/late celebration of Jeff's SHSU graduation" the day I began my 30th week. We went to fabulous NYC because Jeff had never been and we got a great deal on flights/hotel (and we couldn't have been luckier with how it all worked out---look for another blog post on that!).

I also started teaching summer school that same week after getting back from our trip--nothing like earning a little bit of extra dough to help out when we adjust finances after Bennett arrives! I'm teaching from 8am-3:30pm with only a 30 minute break for lunch, so needless to say, I'm exhausted!

Monday, June 13th--Dr. visit and glucose test for gestational diabetes. Apparently the range is 140-165 for the glucose test and after drinking my fabulous orange drink I got a 165, which got me an invitation to the 3 hour test later that week! Bennett was the same this week--kicking, punching, and telling me hello all the time! When I lay on the couch in the afternoon my tummy sometimes looks like a river b/c of all he's doing!

Week 31
Thursday, June 16th--our kitchen cabinets came in with no prior notice, so my fabulous hubby packed up most of the kitchen (the dude is like the tasmanian devil sometimes) and I helped once I got home from school and talking with my maternity sub. What a night! Kitchen = demolition zone!

Friday, June 17th--3 hour glucose test. Passed the fasting test; failed the 1st hour by 1 pt (high range was 195 and I got a 196); failed the 2nd hour by a mile!! (high range was 145 and I had 216). Needless to say, my test was over and I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, which

did not make me happy! I'd actually been eating better throughout my pregnancy than any other time except when I've dieted! Talked to Ashley (thank God I have a registered dietician in my family!) and called the nutritionist to set up an appointment. Let the good times roll!

Saturday, June 18th--First baby shower for Bennett!!! Wow, is all I can say! It's amazing how much people show their support for you--and very overwhelming at the same time! We were literally "showered" with love and things for Bennett (and thankfully my mother-in-law was in town and could help me figure out where to put most of it!) Jeff's dad was also in town this weekend and helped him install the kitchen cabinets, and we're so thankful for that b/c the hard part is now done. Measuring for granite and installation of our new appliances happens next week!!

Tuesday, June 21st--meeting with nutritionist went well except for the fact that she never introduced herself, which hit a nerve with me! Anyway...I'll follow what she says I'm supposed to be eating, prick my finger 4 times a day and test my glucose, and then call my sister for everything else!

Week 32

We went on our "for sure last trip of the summer" and went camping at Canyon Lake with the Dunagans. It was SO relaxing and after all we've been doing we definitely needed it! We ate well, lounged like lazy lizards, and rented a little boat to get around the lake on our last day there. We stayed in cabins, so it wasn't "real" camping, but I loved it and Jeff really enjoyed being out in the wild for a little bit! He can't wait until Bennett gets older and they can go "real" camping without mommy!

Our "Jeff & Steph" pic---I didn't feel this big, but I guess pics don't lie!

Our group at the "beach" at the campground

View from the boat--isn't this water gorgeous?

This is the last picture of Amber and I looking alike because Claire is due in just a few weeks. Needless to say...this is definitely the best background for our belly pics!

Monday, June 27th--Dr. visit: I'm now in the period of "every other week" visits and will do this for another week or so. My blood pressure was high at the first check, so they had me lie on my left side and it went down a lot, which was good. BUT...I did get the warning to not do as much. Needless to say, telling this to Jeff makes him worry, and he is continually telling me to not do as much. Being me, I have a really difficult time with this, but I am trying (kind of!).

Month 6

We have both been so busy that I haven't taken the time to start the "Month 6" blog until now--halfway through month 6! I'm down to 14 days left of school, Jeff finished his last final tonight, and we're meeting with someone tomorrow to decide on the beginnings of our kitchen remodel (to be done by the time baby Dickens arrives!)

Week 24

Noticing more changes just in the way I'm holding myself and really appreciating the time I get when I'm able to do my pilates video to strengthen my core muscles--they NEED it! I'm loving the stronger kicks that I'm feeling every day and want to soak in every moment. I've been truly fortunate this entire pregnancy and am still feeling great, minus the small normal pregnancy pains (back pain, sleeping interrupted by bathroom breaks, etc. nothing new!)

Amber's baby shower for Claire was on April 30th, and I wanted to include the pic not only because it's cute, but because I never look decent when I post my belly pics. I decided everyone deserved a decent-looking me once in a while!

Here's my bump at 24 weeks. Notice the walls are now painted!!! Jeff''s mom and Bill came after Easter to do this and I'm so excited that it's done AND like the color (I was worried because it's not a normal color we'd pick!) Thank you Deb and Bill!

Week 25

In a random conversation, I spoke to "the belly" and asked it what it thought it should be named. We'd been going back and forth with the name combo, and as Jeff heard me ask the belly this question, his answer was, "I thought we'd already decided!" Apparently we'd talked about it and I missed the FINAL word, but we now have it.....

We will welcome Bennett William Dickens in August!!!

We went to Cuero for Mother's Day this past weekend, and mom was the only one who wanted to wait and find out the name. I agreed not to tell her, but it accidentally slipped out at dinner one night! We ate outside because of the nice weather, and as we were talking, I got a BIG kick in the ribs. I normally talk to Bennett, so I said, "Bennett, did you like what dad just said/did?" As soon as I was almost done with the sentence, I realized what I'd done and was actually a little sad that I ruined it for mom! But....life happens!

I got another pre-natal massage, but went to my chiropractor this time and it was a little better. I still don't like lying on my side for a massage, but I need some relief from the back pain I have. Apparently something is pressing on my sciatic, so it's a lot of fun to go on our walks around the neighborhood. I bought a maternity support belt this afternoon to help with this problem--hope it works! It's very annoying because it's hard to stretch this area, and I'm trying my best to take care of myself!

I also have now had to buy a new bra: apparently your rib cage expands to accommodate your growing belly/stomach being pushed upward. Underwire is no longer my friend, so this will be fun! Underwire has been my friend, well, let's just say....FOREVER! The test run will be tomorrow, so I'll keep you posted! Here's a pic of the "goodies". Let's just say I'd rather buy baby stuff than this, but oh well!

Week 26

I decided to take a pic of my ever changing self while Jeff was gone, so this is the result that I got after a long day of teaching and tutoring for TAKS intervention. I think the belly literally popped out on a walk around the neighborhood. I know it didn't, but that's what it felt like! One minute I looked down and was shocked!

This was the weekend I went scrapbooking in Brenham with some school friends. Amy is also pregnant and is due in early October with baby #2.

Week 27

I think this is the first week that I have been really uncomfortable. I've noticed changes for a few weeks along the lines of sleeping, sitting, tying tennis shoes, eating, etc., but this was probably the week when the actual "out loud" complaining started. I really have no room to complain since I've had a WONDERFUL pregnancy, but it still continues to shock me when I can't do something normal any more!

Because of verbalizing these changes more, I also noticed I'm thinking more and more about what the next few months are going to be like. I no longer feel like my body is my own and although I LOVE feeling Bennett move around and love how I'm changing to accommodate him, it is scary to think about how much more I'm going to grow in the upcoming weeks. I do better when my schedule is full and don't have time to "think", so I pray that I will be busy up until Bennett arrives!!

What Does Baby Like???

When people ask me later on down the road if I talked to my baby while pregnant, my answer will be a definite YES!!! I talk to him like he's right here beside me, and think nothing of it. People laugh at me when they see me do this, but I know I'm bonding with him in my own way, so I don't really mind! Jeff talks to him too--and no, I have never MADE him do it!

I've decided to keep a running list of things I notice him moving on--but I'm labeling it as "Baby Likes It!" Yes, I know babies are supposed to move, but in my world I also attribute it to what he likes.

1. Reading Time--I haven't read to him, but I LOVE to lay down and read whenever I get a free minute. I love putting my book on my belly when he's kicking because I love to see him make the book move!
2. "Loving the Belly"--I go 90 to nothing during the day, so I love to just lay in bed and put my hands on my belly to see if I can feel him move. In the past, I've heard a lot of people say that a baby will stop moving when this happens, but apparently I'm training our little kicker to do the opposite! I do it so often that I have my own "mommy thoughts" that he likes it and keeps on doing it for me!
3. Bathroom Time--as a teacher, you learn to hold your bladder. I've become a pro at this--until now! Lately it seems like whenever I'm running to the bathroom, he is punching at my bladder saying "Give me more room, mom!" After I'm done, he flutters around like he's in an Olympic-sized swimming pool shouting "WHEEEEE---Thanks, mom!" The kid really is insane! (Guess he gets it from me!)
4. Shower Time--this past week I've noticed that when the shower is hitting my belly, he flutters away. I'm taking this to mean he has his dad's love of the water. Guess in our future our little guy will be chasing birds with a boat like his dad used to do in the Coast Guard!

Do any of these really mean what I've said??? No clue!

Do I care if they do??? A little--yes; a little--no.

What I do care about is bonding with our little guy! I already think he's hilarious and can't wait to see what he'll be like after a few months of getting to know him. It's crazy to think that he'll be here in less than 4 months and that next year at this time we'll have an 8 month old!

Landsaping 101--Part 2

March 19-20, 2011 This was the weekend Jeff was looking forward to! He was able to rent a digger/loader machine (yes, I'm pretty sure that IS NOT the actual name, but as I'm typing, he is literally working on the front flowerbed sprinkler system, so I'm not asking him what it's called!)---and he loved every minute of driving it back and forth! He got SO much done with it and even though it tore up another part of our backyard that we're using to pen the dogs, it was totally worth it! We only worked on Sunday this weekend because Jeff did the Warrior Dash the day before and needed to recuperate!

Here is his photo montage of "digger" photos: we had more sand/dirt dropped off, so he moved it to fill in the base of our new patio; he used it to dig up the old patio pavers that we hated (and we used them to fill in the patio since we didn't have enough sand/dirt); he used it to haul the tamper in to tamp down the patio area. He was a HAPPY boy with his toy!

After the tamping was done, it still had to be smoothed down so the gaps could be filled in. No...Jeff is not about to take a magic carpet ride....he's rigged his own way of smoothing out the sand/dirt--with our outdoor rug and a toolbox we use to keep our swim toys in!!! (Yes, this is one of the reasons I love this man---never a dull moment at our house!!!) The last pic is the finished product--ready for pavers!!!

March 26-27, 2011

"The Laying of the Pavers" (said with a lot of trumpeting fanfare...)

This was the weekend we'd been waiting for--to SEE progress in action! Yes, even I helped! I do have limits now that are coming closer and closer together the further I get along in my pregnancy, but I still love to help Jeff in the yard. This is the only picture we have of us working, but I was actually doing the easy part (although it hurt my back terribly). Jeff was having to move the pavers to me, so he definitely had the harder job! The only bad news is that we are about 500 pavers short, so we have to get more. We knew this going in, and as of the day I'm typing we still don't have them, but we're getting there! It's all about timing!

April 2-3, 2011

Weekend of rest from landscaping. By this time, we knew we had to get something into the front beds, but didn't have a clue what, and we (Jeff) needed a break from the backyard stress. We have a family friend, TJ, who lives in Katy that happens to work at a nursery, so we asked him to come by on Sunday afternoon and help us by giving us advice/drawing up a plan to do in the front yard. If it wasn't for him, we would still be trying to decide what to do!

April 9-10, 2011

TJ dropped off a plan for our front yard and we decided to stop by his nursery to see the plants he'd decided on for us. We told him we wanted hardy, low-maintenance plants with color and he came through 100%! He even gave us a quote for him coming to take care of it all and by this point and time in our landscaping saga, we were all for it! We even got his staff discount on the plants! He is coming next weekend to give our front yard a much-needed face lift!

This was also the weekend that Jeff started working on locating sewer/electrical. We need lights in front and have no way to get electricity up there, so that is another added project. Jeff would also like a kitchen/changing area/bathroom outside by the pool, so that adds on one more project. Remember how I said that timing is everything? Well....this is why the back got put on hold for a little bit, but I know the finished product will be amazing!

April 16-17, 2011

I came home from happy hour on Friday afternoon (don't worry....mom had only H20!!) to see that the front 2 beds were prepped and ready and Jeff was laying the pavers for our front sidewalk!!! He got the pavers from a friend whose father used to manage Pat O'Briens in the French Quarter, so we now have authentic New Orleans French Quarter pavers as our front sidewalk leading from the driveway to the front door! TJ worked on the beds (we'd only done 1 and lost steam on the other, so he came up with a plan for that too), and came back on Sunday to finish--he did our work on his days off, and we were glad to help him out in any way we could! Here are the prepped front left and front right beds:

Here is our new sidewalk!!! We are more exited about this than we should be, but now people can walk from our wonderfully long driveway to our front door--without having to get in the grass....and that's a GREAT thing!

And.....Landscaping 101--Part 3 will have to be another post....

Landscaping 101---Part 1

We started our landscaping project during the last week of February and it's still in progress. We have gotten SO much done (and by WE, I really mean my delicious hunk of a yard man Jeff!) I've been meaning to get this post done for a while and just update it, but since I haven't, it's going to be one or two long posts! (Dont' ask about the spacing issue....I tried fixing it and it's just not happening!)

February 26-27, 2011

Cleaned up the yard--mainly the back due to all the leaves. This was our prep weekend.

March 5-6, 2011

Weekend 'O (Not So Much) Fun!---I have no problem dropping $100 on clothes to update my wardrobe, but tell me I have to drop a load of cash to buy pavers for a patio and I'm not a happy camper. This weekend event also coincided with my first pregnancy outburst/outbreak/freakout/etc. just due to nervousness about cost of landscaping in addition to all the costs we'll incur with the baby this year.

We had dirt delivered on Friday afternoon to help fill up the gaps the old owners left around our front pine trees. We also had sand delivered in order to start the patio in the backyard. Here's our first visit (of about 4) with Landscape Depot!

We unloaded 3 pallets of grass that weekend (2 in the front yard to cover up our "mullet-cut" trees, and one in the back to help the damage that winter, dogs, and not enough watering had done to our back).

Jeff unloaded 4 pallets of pavers/edgers all by himself. WHAT a man! He did try to rent a digger-type thing, but when we went to pick it up on Friday evening, they told him my Sequoia wasn't strong enough to tow it. Yep--they're the ones who got our weekend started off right because then half of the time Jeff was trying to find another digger/loader to rent so he wouldn't just have to "wheelbarrow it" (which is what he ended up doing).

Here is the prepped area after this weekend:

March 12-13, 2011 This was not a full work weekend because we had some other plans, but Jeff did get the front bed prepped and ready for planting, which motivated us a lot because the weekend before pretty much took it out of us! We had some extra grass from the weekend before and moved it up here to keep it alive and make it look decent until we were ready to put our sidewalk in. In between last weekend and this weekend Jeff fertilized A LOT, and with the amount of watering we did that week, the yard took on an entirely new look.

These pictures have nothing to really do with our hard work, but with God's hard work. Growing up, I never paid any attention to how fast things bloom in spring. Our old house had one tree in the back and a crepe myrtle we could never revive. However, our new yard is full of great trees and one that the old owners planted is a fig tree behind the diving board. These 2 pictures show the difference one week makes during the spring in Texas. Pic #1--taken the weekend of March 5th. Pic #2--taken the weekend of March 12th. (We're also excited about the blooming trees because it covers up the senior living apartment buildings near our house).

Landscaping 101--Part 2 will be coming soon....