36 Weeks

Well, now I really feel like we might be coming down the home stretch. I have started the task of packing the bags for the hospital. The baby's bag is all packed, I just have to toss in the coming home outfits. I bought a boy outfit and a girl outfit over the weekend. Now, I'm working on my bag. That's a bit harder because I need some of the stuff I'll have to pack.

We got our stroller/car seat combo from Eric's mom and sisters last week. We are very happy to have that in our possession, now I just need Eric to install the base so I can get it checked out. We also got an extra car seat base off our registry from a guy I work with. Next in line - the pack & play.

I had an appointment on Thursday and the doctor said everything was looking good. She gave me some tips to keep water retention at bay. I had one bad day with that, but nothing since then. This week I start my weekly visits. And, tonight is our Newborn Care class. I don't really know what all we will learn at the class, but I'm looking forward to it!

I have a shower at work on Friday - so I'm hoping to get some more stuff off the registry that we really need before the baby gets here. There are only a couple of things left that are necessary - like a nursing pillow and the pack & play. So, next week I'll blog about all of the goodies we receive!! Sunday morning a girl from work and a friend in town are taking me to brunch. This is because my friend isn't invited to the work shower! That will be nice!

Other than that - not much new here... still pregnant!! Eric took me on a date Saturday night to a Mediterranean restaurant. My food was good, his wasn't. So, I don't think we'll be going back there. But, it was fun and needed.

35 Weeks

Well - we're really winding down to the end - I hope! It's not that I'm not feeling well, I'm just really excited to meet this little baby that's been moving like crazy inside!! Actually, I'm still feeling pretty good. Just minor complaints: back aches at work, heartburn/acid reflux while sleeping and my hips are definitely getting ready for birth - they're starting to throb.

We had our maternity ward tour last week and we are really encouraged by the hospital. It is a very small and private wing that is completely closed off from the rest of the hospital (which means top security for the baby). They have some neat programs in place. One that has really sparked our interest is a program called "Baby First." Basically, after the baby is born, the doctor checks the baby out to be sure it's healthy - then mom, dad & baby get to be alone for an hour. It's supposed to be very good for getting a jump-start on breastfeeding because the baby can eat right away. And, it's a great bonding time for the 3 of us. So, we're taking advantage of that for sure. We can bring in our family whenever we'd like, but they suggest we have some time just the 3 of us to bond. Then, when that hour is up the doctor and nurses take the baby away to do all of the weighing, checking, measuring & circumcision (if it's a boy).

Last week was pretty busy with some training for new stuff at work and appointments like the maternity ward tour. This week, I only have a doctor's appointment and the cable company is coming - that is enough for me.

Over the weekend I cleaned all of the floors and dusted the upstairs of the house. I just need to tackle the study next. It's been our overflow of boxes and stuff. So, that's my goal for this weekend. I'd like to get the boxes unpacked before the baby arrives. Oh, and Eric has been working on stripping and sanding a dresser that he's had for a while. He's going to paint it white to match the crib & glider and it'll go in the nursery.

That's all for now. Don't forget to vote on when you think I'll deliver!!

34 Weeks Down - 6-ish left to go?

Well - we're really coming down the home stretch now... I hope.

We had our childbirth preparation class on Saturday and learned a lot. Apparently - unless my water breaks - I'll be at home through the first stage of labor. They want me to stay home until I can no longer walk/talk through a contraction. She said that's about 3-5 minutes between contractions for an hour. Eric & I were both a little surprised by this, as we thought you go as soon as you start having them. And, most women's water doesn't break... so that's another thing to consider. If it does - then we go after calling and checking with the doctor.

We learned a lot about pain relief for that first stage of labor - including changing positions & massage.

After our day full of learning - we ventured out to do some shopping. We were considering buying our stroller/car seat combo and pack & play. But, we didn't have any coupons for Babies 'R' Us - so we're holding off. So, if any of you get a good coupon - let us know. Plus, if the baby does come early the store isn't that far from the hospital. Eric can just run out and buy it.

But, we did end up buying a new camera which we really needed. It's just a newer version of our old one. Our old one was not taking very good outdoor pictures. So, now it'll be Eric's work camera to help him on the job.

Just a few more things to get before the baby arrives. I suppose I should buy a diaper genie and a nursing pillow. And, some socks, didn't get many of those for some reason. Otherwise, we have plenty of onesies and sleepers to get us through for a while!

Well, back to work - that'll be all for now!!

The end of 33 Weeks

Sorry - I'm behind this week. I've had some kind of appointment nearly every day this week. But, I did manage a lot over the weekend. I took all of the tags off all the clothes and blankets we received and washed them all in baby-safe detergent. Then, I hung them back up and organized it all. Here's a look at the closet:

Then - I took all of the bedding off all of the beds and washed it, and remade the beds. I think I had a little case of nesting!! That about did me in - because I had been feeling sick all weekend.


I had a prenatal checkup Thursday and asked her about being sick. She said I could safely take Zantac-D and the first dose helped so much. So, I am feeling much better. She said everything is looking great. Measurements are normal, my blood pressure is great & the baby's heartbeat is normal, too.


The baby is moving like crazy. It's starting to keep me awake during the day. That and the fact that my belly is getting bigger - both are making it very hard to sleep.


Also this week I had a tour of the pediatrician's office. It's a great place. Didn't get a chance to meet the doctor because he was in appointments - but I've heard many great things about him. We have our childbirth preparation class all day Saturday. Looking forward to that, so I'll let you know how it goes.


For now: here are some more pics of the nursery. No belly pic this week - it didn't turn out too great!

Yes - that is a TV next to the crib. Eric told me I should have taken it out before taking the picture (oops). He's hoping it will keep him sane during middle-of-the-night feedings! We'll see!

32 Weeks!

Well - it's been a week full of events for Eric & me. We went home to NE Iowa for a baby shower and were spoiled. Thank you to all the family that came out for the special day and to Steph & Shira for putting on a great shower. We got so many things, I couldn't begin to list them! Lots of blankets, sleepers and neccessities. We also got our baby swing, which Eric put together when we got home. He also went to the store and picked up our glider & ottoman and put that together. So, the nursery is coming together. I have a lot of laundry to do before the baby comes to get all the clothes and blankets ready!

I somehow made the 6 hour drive with only one bathroom break. I think it helped that I tried to sleep part of the way. I didn't get a lot of sleep, but just enough to make it through the day. Friday night Mom & Dad took us to Gunder... and I talked Eric into trying the famous Gunder Burger (1lb burger). He actually ate it all - and some of my hashbrowns. I was pretty surprised... but he said it was just so good!!

Saturday morning was the shower and we were lucky to have my grandma's homemade cinnamon rolls! Yum! After the shower Eric & I went to get pictures taken. A friend from high school is working on her photography portfolio - and she hadn't done a maternity shoot. So - she was nice enough to give us a free sitting - and we just have to pay for any photos we want to purchase. Check out a few of the pictures at shannondodd.com/blog. She does an amazing job, especially with infants! She also took some pictures of Tess, my cousin Mel's little girl.

Later Saturday, we had an easter egg hunt for the nieces & nephews, even though it was snowing. They loved it! Then, we had Easter dinner: Dad's amazing smoked ham, lots of great side dishes, and grandma's homemade ice cream & angel food cake! And, on top of that, Teresa made mint bars. It was a very filling and yummy dinner!

Sunday - it was back on the road heading south! We had a very nice weekend. Now, Travis and Jess are leaving early Wednesday morning for Hawaii. They'll have an amazing time there and we enjoyed their time with us at the house! Hope we can visit them, but we'll see about that!

When they get moved out - we'll have more room to arrange the nursery - so look for pics from there next week!! Take care - and keep in touch!

31 Weeks

Well - we're down to 9 weeks left to go. We made some headway on the nursery this weekend. The bedding for the nursery arrived - and it is adorable. Saturday, we ordered the glider/ottoman and I can't wait to get it in and get it set up. It's starting to feel very real! We also got the rug, valences and some other accessories for the nursery! It's all so exciting. I'm hoping this excitement carries me through the final leg.















I'm still feeling pretty well. I've been getting backaches - but I think that has a lot to do with sitting in a desk chair all day long. So, I'm going to have to figure out a way to make that feel better.

Otherwise, not much new here. The Sanderson's and Lange's visited over the weekend & Travis & Jess went back to CR to visit his family. It was a very nice, relaxing weekend, but I'm beat!! The weather was beautiful - so we sat outside and played games on the patio Sunday noon.

We head to NE Iowa this upcoming weekend for a baby shower with my side of the family! I am really looking forward to seeing as much family as can make it. I haven't seen most of them since Christmas - and longer for the Fedeler side!!! It will be so nice! And, I'm taking Eric out to Gunder Friday night (I know, it's Lent) because he's never experienced it! I think Dad is smoking a ham for us to have an early Easter dinner Saturday night. And, we're getting belly pics taken by an old friend from high school. So - it'll be a packed weekend!!! I'm sure I'll be very tired by the time I post again ;)

30 Weeks

Well - we're coming down the home stretch now. Lots of stuff to tell you about this week. And, I was informed by my loving sister that I am slacking on updating this... I'm sorry about that, but you'll see why.
Travis & Jessica moved in with us a couple of weeks ago. So, we've been having fun with them. Lots of home-made dinners and working on the house. Travis was a God-send. He helped Eric finish up the house so we could pass inspection and move upstairs. Jess also helped by painting and cleaning! We officially moved upstairs on Tuesday the 10th!! It's so great to have all this space. Believe it or not, we actually have EMPTY kitchen cupboards. I'm sure I can get those filled sooner or later! One will be devoted to baby! So, now the job is organizing all of our stuff and unpacking some boxes that we have had packed for 1.5 years!

Speaking of baby... Eric assembled the crib yesterday. It looks great. I can't wait to get the bedding to see how it looks in the room. That's on its way and should be here soon.
Work has been crazy. We started a new graphics package which meant a lot of changes to my scripts & rundowns. So - that's made it a little more busy at work!
I had an appointment last week and they tested my blood glucose. It came back normal - so no concerns of gestational diabetes!! I was very happy about that.
We started and finished the search for a daycare provider. We found a woman who does it out of her home and she seems to be amazing. We hope that's the case!! It's kind of hard going about it this way, but we'll be saving a lot of money by not going to a center. Plus, we don't have to do Friday's and that saves us $35/week. We now have to confirm with the gal that we're going to use her as our daycare!
The next project - all of our childbirth classes and getting the nursery ready.
I'm still feeling great. I really popped out this week - I'll post a picture soon. But, all in all, this pregnancy is going well and I haven't had any major discomforts!