Spring has arrived here in NC! All the sudden this week the trees started to bloom and flowers are popping up all around. So far my only bulbs to emerge are the tulips. I wouldn’t be surprised if the squirrels got a few of the others. I have been feeling really blah and tired lately. I figured it was just the whole third trimester thing, but then it hit me today…. allergies. The downside to this beautiful weather and flowers. I don’t have terrible allergies, but it gets to my eyes and makes my noise drain. No sneezing or anything. Just the itchy eyes and constant nasal drip which makes me feel tired and makes my neck hurt. So I don’t think the pregnancy is to blame for my recent lack of energy. Although it might not help. I do find I get out of breath a lot faster now.

From what I can tell I have now entered the second trimester. I go back to see the midwives this week which is crazy. I feel like I was just there! So far no swelling and my rings still fit. The acid reflux is much better and still only occurs when I am at work. I blame work. Water aerobics was really fun last week and it was nice getting in the water and not carrying around all this extra weight. When I got out of the pool I felt like I weighed 50 extra pounds! I think it is going to be a fun class and it is nice talking to other pregnant ladies. There are two other girls in their last trimester but most are just starting their second. All have to suffer through the horrible summer heat. I can’t even image being due in August or September! I was hot enough this week when it was 78 and would be miserable in the 110 temps we get in August! Okay, maybe it isn’t 110, but it sure feels like it with the humidity.

So here is a little summary on the second trimester:

Weight gained – Well, up a total of about 23 pounds as of my last appointment so I guess the total for the second trimester is about 15 pounds

Maternity clothes – Yep, all maternity all the time. I started out with my old fat jeans and a few maternity shirts, but by 20 weeks had to give it up. I finally found some Gap jeans that I love and don’t fall down so I wear them all the time. Still hate my Motherhood ones….. I got a bunch of spring stuff this weekend so all I need now is some comfy shoes!

Symptoms – Acid reflux/indigestion, occasional back pain, not much else!

Cravings – Nope, nothing! Okay some days chocolate and anything sweet, but that is not pregnancy related! That is just me all the time. I crave and enjoy the things I did pre-pregnancy – pizza, mexican and anything that is a carb or has sugar in it!

Worst Part – Acid reflux and indigestion!! Yuck and yuck.

Best Part – Finally feeling the little guy move around in there, getting to see my belly bounce around and people finally noticing I am pregnant and not just a bit thick in the middle! I have also enjoyed working on the nursery and buying cute clothes at all the consignment sales. I can’t stop myself! One more next weekend and then a break until later this summer.

In other news we are getting the house painted this week. I will put a few pictures below of the before/in progress. It already looks much better, but isn’t done yet. I also am planning to put in a radiant barrier in the attic. Well, have Casey do it. We are on the fence about what to do with the HVAC systems. We have two and want to replace at least one by the end of the year to get the tax credit. So, do we do them both now, one now or wait to see if either break? Not sure yet what we are going to do, but if we don’t replace them I want to at least clean the ducts. Oh, go ahead and laugh…. I am getting the downstairs carpet cleaned, but that will be once the foster rabbits are at the SPCA. I am sure JD will puke on it the day we get it cleaned!

28 weeks photo

The house before painting (you can see the new color already on the garage)

Back being worked on

Well, the second trimester is coming to an end and I can already feel some of my energy slipping away. The last week I have been so tired in the afternoon to the point that I could take a nap. So far I haven’t actually taken a nap, but I don’t think it will be long! Maybe if I exercise when I get home it will help. I should be able to do a bit more exercising this week. The water aerobics class starts Tuesday so that should be interesting. I guess thanks to this daylight savings crap I can go for a walk in the evening. I am probably the only person that hates daylight savings! I function based on the sun. If it is out I want to be up and if it is down I want to be asleep. I hate driving to work in the dark. Hate it. I am so tired when I get to work and in a terrible mood. Plus I am sure I will be up late tonight since my body is all messed up now. It doesn’t seem like it should be 8:30, I just ate dinner! Tomorrow morning I should be nice and grouchy.

In other pregnancy news my acid reflux is doing much better, but the middle back pain is acting up most days. I think the little guy is pushing on something because I didn’t have a problem for the last few days and then earlier I could feel him shifting around and bam, my back was killing me all the sudden and hasn’t stopped. My pregnancy brain is going strong too. The rabbits had a great time running in the baby room tonight since I forgot to put up the gate. I also forgot to turn on the stove when I was cooking dinner.

We worked on the nursery some this weekend. We got some room darkening shades and put those up. We also put up the valances. It took Casey about 1.5 hours to hang them (2 each). He had to make sure every single part was level and then check it a few times. At least he does it right. I just watched and handed him the tools. I did have to hold the level once and thought my arms were going to fall off while I waited for him to get it just right. It must be perfect. This is why dad will be doing the stencil, but I will have Casey tape them up so they are nice and level. Casey’s parents and sister also came up this weekend with a minivan full of baby stuff including the glider for the nursery! I have been avoiding ordering the bookcase and toy box until I made sure there was room for the chair. There is room so I went to order them today and both are on back order! Figures. I just want it all done, but I guess I will have to wait until the end of April (estimated ship date on the bookcase, no idea on the toy box).

I had my glucose test this week and I passed so no diabetes for me! I really didn’t mind the drink at all. To be honest I kind of liked it! I pretty much only drink water so it was nice having a sweet drink. The only problem was drinking it so fast. It was a bit difficult getting it down quickly since it was so sweet, but I managed. It gave me horrible acid reflux though and I couldn’t do anything about it until after they took the blood and by then it was better. I met with my first midwife and I loved her! We discussed my diet (that was my homework – a food journal) and both agreed my veggies are lacking. She said just put some cheese on them. Well, I can do that! If I had more energy to cook when I got home it wouldn’t be an issue, but I just hate cooking during the week. My weight is looking good. I was only up 2 pounds from my last visit. She said I am on track and she would like me to gain 25-35 pounds. I am feeling bigger now. Still a long way to go when it comes to growing!!

We are most likely going to adjust my due date by a few days. I believe my due date to be 6/13 not 6/9 and she agreed. My last ultrasound put me at 6/12 so looks like I was much closer than the docs! Really, 4 days isn’t a huge deal, but she said it is important if I go into early labor. Since the birth center will not force me to induce I am not as worried about it as I was at the OB’s office. I expected them to pressure me at 41 weeks which really wouldn’t be 41 weeks for me! At least I don’t have to worry about that now. My biggest concern at this point is making sure this little guy ends up head down. That is a c-section for sure so let’s all hope he figures it out when the time comes.

I will post more updates this weekend along with my new picture!

Only 100 days until my due date! Where has the time gone? I can’t possibly get it all done in time! Does it really matter if I get my photos organized? No, but I really feel like I have to do it. I seem to come up with new projects daily and haven’t finished all the other ones I have started. It is silly, but I just need everything done and organized before he arrives. I suppose this is a completely normal feeling that won’t be going away anytime soon. I have a feeling I will need to get the carpets cleaned in a few months as this is one I hear from a lot of people. I wonder why?

I think I am going to sign up for a prenatal water aerobics class. I have no desire to spend money on a maternity bathing suit or to see myself in one, but I think it will do me good. I need to get in a class to keep myself motivated on my exercising and it will probably feel really nice to get in the water in a few months as the belly grows. I haven’t signed up yet so I guess I could still chicken out. I must remember all the other girls are big and pregnant too. I was doing really good with my exercising, but last week was so busy I didn’t fit much in. This week should be better and then next week is another crazy one with something to do almost every day after work. If only I could have a few more days off work. I could get so much more done!

This weekend we put the crib together (okay, Casey did it alone and did a good job), moved the shelf in the nursery to the rabbit room, cleaned and organized the bunny room (they were not thrilled with us messing in their space) and I spent Saturday in Cary for Rabbit Day! We didn’t win the photo contest this year, but I did win a raffle prize which was awesome. We also had 7 adoptions and applications on a few other bunnies! It was a big success. Then I get an email this morning about 3 more surrendered at the SPCA. It never ends.

Here is this week’s picture. It was very underexposed so I had to really bump it up making the background go really white, but it will do for now. You get the idea. Anyway, the little guy is really moving around a lot more now and changes positions often. Some days really high and some days really low! Casey still hasn’t seen him kicking from the outside even though it happens all the time. He never gets over fast enough to see it. Never falls he stops kicking as soon as Casey comes over.

No picture this week! We took a few and they are horrible. I need to give Casey a few lessons on taking pictures…. of course it doesn’t help when we forget to do it until night and have to use the flash. Yuck. My belly hasn’t really changed much this week so you aren’t missing anything.

We were in Charlotte over the weekend to visit Casey’s family and to pick up all the awesome stuff his sister is giving us. There was so much that we couldn’t even bring back half of it! Thanks Valerie! I got it all out to organize it when we got home and realized just how much we have already and there is more coming. Now I need to figure out where to put all the baby stuff. While in Charlotte I also went to another consignment sale with Melanie and we had so much fun. I really like getting great deals on baby stuff. This little guy is going to have way more clothes than he needs, but I can’t resist. I also found some cloth diapers and covers at great prices so I picked up a few. Most retail for around $14 and I got them for $4 each! I also picked up a few more outfit that I probably don’t really need, but for $1 or $2 a piece why not? This baby is going to have way more clothes than me! If only I could get my clothes for $1. Speaking of clothes I am becoming very frustrated with my wardrobe or lack of one I should say. I wish it would hurry up and get warm! I don’t want to buy more cold weather clothes because it seems like such a waste of money with spring around the corner. I have been picking up a few basic tees and such, but nothing all that great. It is so hard spending $20 for one shirt that I will wear for a couple months. Jeans are an even bigger problem. Part of me hates to buy another pair since so far I hate every single pair I own so why waste more money? Plus maybe I won’t want to wear jeans soon with it getting warmer. Maybe this full panel thing will be great when I have a big huge belly to fill it out so I am hesitant to buy the lower panel ones…. on the other hand I just want a pair of comfy pants! The Gap jeans I really want to try are on sale online, but they don’t have my size. I found a pair of them on ebay so I am debating on getting those. I will check out the stores this weekend.

The nursery is coming along, but not very quickly. The crib is still in the box, but at least now the box fits in the room. Our plan this weekend is to work on moving the shelf out of there and into the bunny room so we can put together the crib. I got two more things on ebay – the little decorative pillow case and the flannel sheet that goes on with the set. I got really great deals on both of them so all I need now is the bed skirt. Someone put one up today for $50, but I have seen them as low as $25 so I will just wait for them to lower the price. I also need to order the stencils so we can start working on that, but I need to decide which ones.

As for pregnancy stuff my only issue so far is this acid reflux! Ugh. I seem to only have a problem when at work and if I go to bed with any tiny bit of food in my stomach. The weekends are usually reflux free so I blame work. Last night while making my lunch at 9 I ate one tiny little chip that fell out of the bag. The only thing I had to eat since 5. Well when I went to bed it was like someone poured acid down my throat so I had to take some tums and go to bed inclined. So then I wake up uncomfortable and lay down. Lesson learned. Nothing to eat at least 3 hours before bed, not even a tiny itty bitty piece of food. I am of course hungry every night, but can’t eat. At least it isn’t all the time and only flairs up sometimes. Casey also felt the little guy move Sunday night!! He hasn’t seen my tummy move yet though.

Well, off to do a little more work for our adoption event this weekend.

I am too tired to post much tonight, but I wanted to at least post the picture from this weekend. I am still feeling good, sleeping good and no major problems.

First let me say there is no picture this week. We forgot to take it over the weekend and now we might as well wait until this weekend to do it. My belly hasn’t changed all that much this week. Yesterday was my first visit at the birth center and it went really well. I met with the RN to go over my medical history and the pregnancy so far. I felt very comfortable there and I am really happy I decided to switch to them. My next appointment is in 4 weeks and I get to do the 1 hour glucose test. Hopefully I will pass and not have to do the 3 hour test. After that appointment I move to every other week appointments. It is hard to believe I am already that far along! This little guy is going to be here soon!!

The projects are coming along slowly. I am hoping to make some more progress this weekend, but I don’t want to make Casey do too much work since it is his Birthday. Mom and dad purchased the crib for us and it is now sitting in the hall waiting for space to open up in the baby room. Target was having a sale so we went last weekend to get it. I have lots of ideas for the room so I can’t wait until I can start putting it all together. I won an eBay sale yesterday for a couple items. Here’s hoping there is nothing wrong with them! Now there is this super cute nightlight that goes with the set. It is way overpriced, but the pregnant lady in me is taking over and I want it!! I must resist because I really don’t need a fancy nightlight no matter how cute it is, but if they drop the price it is mine.

In other baby news I saw my belly move the other night. Of course Casey wasn’t here to see it and now that he is back the little guy is barely moving. It was so cool to see my belly moving around, but a little freaky at the same time. I can feel him kicking on the outside now, but Casey has yet to feel it. He doesn’t really have the patience to wait for him so he tends to miss it. I suppose he will have plenty of time to feel and see him in the coming months. My acid reflux has kicked up a notch this week. I have been eating way more chocolate than normal and have been a little slack on my vitamins. I am wondering if both were having an impact. I think the digestive enzymes were probably helping. I took them today and I am already feeling much better so I guess I better take my vitamins! Also, no more chocolate which is really a good thing. Meanwhile I am quickly running out of clothes. I hate both pairs of maternity jeans that I have, but I wear them anyway. I have to pull them up all day because they are still a bit big, but my old jeans are way too small now. My bigger problem is shirts!! I am down to 6 and I am getting a bit tired of wearing them. I am on a mission this weekend to find some clothes. It isn’t easy since all the stores have spring clothes now so finding long sleeve shirts and sweaters is a bit harder. I need to just suck it up and pay whatever I have to pay for some clothes. I am tired of looking frumpy! I did buy 5 pairs of capri pants on Craig’s List tonight. She was selling them for $10, for all of them! So even if only one pair works it is a good deal. Doesn’t help my shirt situation, but they will be nice in a couple months when it warms up some. I can pass them on to my other pregnant friends that are having babies later in the summer. They will certainly need them!

First let me say that I am having so much fun! Friday Casey and I went to Babies R’ Us to start our registry. I debated about where to register, but Babies R’ Us is pretty universal and Buy Buy Baby doesn’t have as much of a selection. Plus Babies R’ Us is located in more places. I let Casey work the gun and I pretty much knew all the main things I wanted to hit for the night. I didn’t want to do too much so we did a quick lap around the store. I was a bit annoyed with the lack of selection in some areas. Plus you know I am a bit “hippie” so many of the things I was interested in weren’t sold at Babies R’ Us. They have a larger selection online, but I was disappointed to see most things were sold out! Plus you have to pay shipping. I only registered for items that were available in my local store so people would be able to get them!

Well, there were a lot of things missing so I did a bit of research and decided to register with Amazon too. I was seeing a lot of people using it on message boards so I checked it out one day. Awesome. So many things I was looking for and most of them ship for free! So easy. Plus they have a Universal Registry button so I can add things from other websites that aren’t available on Amazon or Babies R’ Us (like my cloth diapers and diaper bag). I don’t know if anyone will actually use it or purchase items off it, but it was fun to do anyway. I figure local folks will just hit the Babies R’ Us and the out of town folks will have the option to ship for free with Amazon! Plus some people (like me) hate Babies R’ Us. It is so frustrating going in there to get a gift. You cannot go on a weekend because it is so crowded and I can never find the things I am looking for or they are sold out. I guess that is what happens when there is only one location in Raleigh! The Amazon registry isn’t as easy to use, but if you go to amazon.com you click on gifts and wish lists on the top. On the right you will see a search button and you can select baby registry.

I tried to put a nice selection and various prices. It was fun. Even if I don’t get a thing off either of them I had the best time! I am still adding things every now and then so it may change a bit.

UPDATE: I have added a link on the sidebar to my favorite Etsy hats and cocoons/wraps (under Baby Stuff). As you all know this baby will be photographed A LOT!! So cute props and hats are needed. I am hoping to do take pictures for a little extra money one day so I need the practice! I am sure I will be adding more….. I am a sucker for cute hats.