Week 29

Only a few more days left of week 29 and then I will enter my 30's weeks! Holy cow! I am in my third trimester and we will have a baby in about 2 months. That amount of time goes by so fast. It's been more than 2 months since Christmas and that seems unbelievable. I'm am carrying this little man way out front. He lays right across my belly horizontally. I have still been having painless contractions. I go to the doctor on Monday for a check-up. I am hoping she will do an ultrasound. I'm thinking she will since I have been contracting like a crazy woman. We'll see. I'll post another picture of my growing belly next week. I feel really big (even though people say I look great). I can't tell if they are just being nice or what. I don't care if they're lying though. I am what I am...I'd rather hear I look good than the opposite. :) Nick continues to be the best husband ever. He will rub my tired feet at the end of the day and my back in the morning. I have been very uncomfortable at night. I either can't sleep or can't get situated. I am sleeping with lots of pillows. Poor Nick....my pillows take up a lot of space. Oh, I have been snoring too...according to Nick. He said he had a dream about a saw the other night and then woke up to me sawing logs. HA! It's because of the change in weather here. My sinuses just can't take it. I'm ready for spring weather but dreading the pollen and allergies that come along with it. I can't believe it is almost March. That month will be very busy for us...we have lots of showers planned. I can't wait to see what people pick out for our Little Bitty. :) This has all been so exciting. Nick and I are still trying to wrap our brains around that fact that we are parents and our life is about to change so much. We know there will be ups and downs......we can't wait!

Bedding and Mattress

Over the weekend, Gary and Priscilla (Nana and Pop) visited us. We had a nice visit. They bought our Little Bitty his bedding and mattress. It looks FABULOUS!!! I took some pictures, but I am not ready to post them yet. I need to wash the bedding and iron it first. I can't wait for you all to see it. I have included a picture of what the bedding looks like.

What a Week!

Okay, it's been a while since I last posted. Last week was a little crazy. We made a trip to the hospital last Tuesday. When I got home from school that day, I was having one contraction after another. They were painless, but extremely uncomfortable. I called the nurse on call to be cautious and was told to head to the hospital. I was shocked and so was Nick. When we were timing them, they were 3-4 minutes apart and were lasting as long a s 1 1/2 minutes!
Long Story Short: (anyone who wants details...call me)
I was having mild contractions, but they were not changing my cervix. I took Thursday and Friday off with my doctor's orders. I am still having the contractions. My doctor will re-evaluate me in a week. I am pushing my fluids to make sure that I am not dehydrating myself. My doc said some people just contract more than others. Our Little Bitty is still kicking up a storm and seems to be growing more and more each day. I feel huge! :)

28 Weeks/7 months Today

Nick and I had a great weekend. He surprised me Saturday morning with a big bouquet of red roses and a singing card. It brought tears to me eyes....which isn't too hard to do these days! :) I surprised him at work later that day with a sweet frozen treat from Starbucks. That night we enjoyed a meal at Mezcal...our favorite Mexican restaurant in town. After dinner, we rented some $1 movies for the night. All in all, it was a perfect day with my sweet valentine.

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Yesterday I went to the doctor for my 3 hour glucose screening. Long story short---I PASSED!!!! I do not have gestational diabetes. :) I described the tightening feelings that I have been experiencing over the past week to the nurse. She confirmed that I have been having contractions. Nothing to worry about though. They are not painful or regular at this time. If they become painful and/or regular, that's when I need to call the doctor.

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Today is Yankee and Georgia's 4th birthday.....28th if you are counting dog years. They were lazy bones all weekend and did not want to wake up this morning at all. When they finally got up, I sang them all the way to the door to go potty. They didn't know what to think. :) Nick is buying them Pedipaws for their birthday....a pet manicure set, so you file their nails instead of clipping them. We may go to Sheridan's Custard to pick them up a doggie cone later tonight. We'll see if they are being good and deserve it. :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

My hormones are definitely flowing with force here lately. This morning I was crying on the way to work because I was listening to "God Bless the Broken Road." It just got me. I called Nick to tell him how much I love him. He's the best husband in the world! He will be a great daddy.

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I have been so good today as far as valentine treats go. I gave a dozen chocolate covered strawberries away to my favorite teachers. I passed on all the treats that kids brought to my door...brownies, cupcakes, donuts. I even bagged up all the candy my kids gave me as valentines to give away...one was a tin of Ghirideli (sp?) chocolates! My favorite gift was a relax and unwind cd from a student. I have been playing it throughout the day. The kids love it. *******************

Tonight, Nick and I are going to our friend's (Laine and Robert) house for a valentine's dinner. Laine is an hard core follower of my blog. She's the one who comments all the time. :) Nick used to work with Robert when they were both selling cars. Yuck!

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I have to wake up bright and early tomorrow morning for Saturday school. I retake my gestational diabetes test on Monday. I have to fast from midnight on Sunday until my testing is over. Say prayers for me, because I am a bear when I wake up...ready for my breakfast.

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I hope you all enjoy this weekend of love. Hopefully you experience love all year round like me! :)

Pee-U

I will never forget what happened this morning for as long as I live. My students had just started coming into the classroom and one student says, "Mrs. Levin, it smells like a skunk over by our book bags." As soon I as walked over to the cubbies, the smell hit me. Then a little girl says, my house got sprayed by a skunk last night. The smell quickly filled the room. I took the child's book bag outside and opened my windows. My kids have PE first thing morning, so that gave me time to spray things down and air the room out. I don't smell the smell anymore, but my head is throbbing and I feel nauseous. What a crazy morning, huh! :)

Holy Hormones

Okay, I know hormones are a thing that comes along with pregnancy. I have only had an issue with them once or twice. Today was a different story. The things that are coming out of people's mouths is dumbfounding. Let me get on my pregnant lady "soap box."

Things Not To Say To A Pregnant Lady
1. You are looking pregnant from behind today.
-Come on...why would you say that. I am pregnant and I know I look pregnant.
2. Wow, you sure are waddling today.
-Yes, I know...you don't have to point it out every time you see me.
3. You are getting huge.
-Would you like me to talk to you about your weight? Especially if I weigh less than you right now.
**Also...never tell a pregnant lady what to eat or what not to eat. I am a grown-up..unless you want me to tell you what to eat don't give me advice on nutrition.
**I really can make it through a day without hearing your pregnancy horror story...or your friend's horror story, or your aunt's friend's cousin's story.
**If you don't have anything positive to say to me....don't talk to me. Seriously.

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Okay, I'm done. :) Usually, none of this would bother me one bit. It is totally my hormones getting the best of me. It is none of you saying these things...it's just some people who speak before they think. :(

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I love being pregnant. I love the way my pregnant belly looks. I am taking good care of myself and the growing baby in me. Everything just got to me today. Tomorrow is another day. :)

27 weeks

Yesterday I had a check-up. I had the glucose test done and I failed it. My doctor said a lot of people fail the 1 hour test and will come back and pass the 3 hour test. Anyway, I have to go back on Monday and be retested. If I fail, they will set me up with a dietician to help me control my gestational diabetes. If I pass, I am good to go. My sister Linda had gestational diabetes with her first child. I'm not worried either way. It is nothing I did or didn't do if I have it. Everything else checked out great though. Our Little Bitty Levin's heartbeat sounded great. I recorded it on my phone. I'll play it for you whenever I see you next. :) The doc checked my legs and said if the swelling continues, she will do a doppler check for clots. She did not think it was a clot, because I have swelling equally in both calves and it did not hurt when she manipulated my legs. She said to keep wearing my support hose and maternity belt.

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Here is the baby dresser my sister has stored away for me. Linda lives in Illinois, so she is going to meet my parents in KY soon to pass this beautiful piece of furniture off. The color matches my glider perfectly! I can't wait to get it up in the nursery. Love it, love it, love it! :)

SOME MORE GOOD NEWS!!!

My sister Melissa called yesterday and said she will watch our Little Bitty Levin when I go back to school in the fall. As much as I hate the thought of going back to work, Nick and I are so happy we will be able to leave our little boy with someone who will love him like their own. Plus, my parents are right across the street in case Melissa ever needs a break or our baby boy justs needs some extra Grandmother or Granddad love. :) Melissa's youngest will be starting kindergarten in the fall. She is a great mommy!

Ever Changing Nursery

We made some changes to our Little Bitty's room this weekend. On Friday, my mom and I went to Target and picked up the crib. It was the last one...thanks Mom and Dad! :) I went ahead and got the changing table too since it was the last one as well. I put the changing table together on my own and Nick helped me with the crib. We are very pleased with the quality of the furniture. It looks fabulous in person. Mom and Dad are coming over for dinner tonight to check them out.
Our Little Bitty is already a Georgia Bulldog fan and a Tennessee Titan fan! :) The shirt and pacifier are from Uncle Stanley. The warm-up is from Aunt Debbie....she actually gave that to me when I was still cheering for the Titans.

Nursery Furniture

Last night I went to the children's sale here at church. I found a few little outfits and a glider rocker. It is a Dutailier...for those of you who don't know is the Rolls Royce of gliders. The chairs sell at places like Babies R' Us at around $500! The tag on this one said the glider and ottoman currently sells for $720. Anyway, we got a real deal on it. I love getting a good deal! :) I called Nick and sat in that chair until he showed up. Lots of mommies and daddies have told us that a glider is essential with a newborn. We wanted a good one without paying an arm and a leg. This one is in great condition and the colors match our bedding and nursery decor. We may slip cover it or have it reupholstered. Doesn't Little Bitty Levin's Daddy look cute! :)

Prayers :)

My brother Stephen sent me a funny email....I just had to share. He said that they have been praying for Aunt Angie, Uncle Nick, and Baby Boy Levin for the past couple of months. Last night, his oldest son asked (with a serious look on his face) "Who's Baby Boy 11?" Ha! Cute huh.

Wow!

My maternity belt and support hose have been wonderful today! I have not noticed any pain or discomfort in my legs or lower back. We'll see how I feel at the end of the day.

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Early this morning I had a leg cramp. I felt it coming on and couldn't get out of bed fast enough before it hit. It totally pulled my calf muscle. It hurt so bad and then I couldn't get back to sleep. Another pregnancy pain I guess. My support hose make my pulled calf feel much better. They are not very fashionable, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. :)

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My little sis Jessica and my my big sis Melissa are planning a baby shower for me. I am so excited. It should be sometime in March. The first grade teachers at my school have offered to throw me a shower in March too....for all the people here at school. My room mother is going to have a shower for me with my students and their parents in March as well. Our Little Bitty Levin is one blessed boy! :)

The Pains of Pregnancy :)

My legs are still swelling. :( I put another call into my doctor today. She wants me to wear support hose and a maternity belt. She said this should take a lot of the pressure off my back and legs. I have been very uncomfortable today. She gave me a list of symptoms to look out for and to call them back if I experience. So far, it is just my calves swelling, some mild pain in my lower back, and I am having some stretching pains at the top of my belly. She assured me all of this was normal. I will get a full check up on Monday. I am going to get my hose and belt this afternoon. Hopefully they will help make me a bit more comfortable. So next time you see me, my legs should not be icky gross. :)

Last night I told Nick that I love being pregnant. I really have had a great pregnancy so far. I warned him that I would start to experience some things over the last bit here that make me a little uncomfortable. It just comes with being pregnant I guess.

Little Bitty's Room

Over the weekend, we cleared out our upstairs bonus room to transform it into our Little Bitty's room. We started stacking the gifts we have received so far. You will notice a lot of diapers in the picture. A couple of months ago, we started buying diapers, so maybe with us buying and the gifts we receive....we won't have to buy too many when the baby arrives. We'll see. I'm keeping all my receipts in case I need to exchange any for a different size.

My church is having a children's clothing sale this week. A teacher friend let me look through her stuff before putting it in the sale. I picked out a few pairs of footed jammies. They are already washed and hung in the baby's closet.

As you can see from the pictures, we don't have our furniture yet. We haven't decided if we will paint the room or not. The light yellow will look nice with the bedding and furniture we registered for. I'll post more pics as we continue to transform this room into the nursery.

6 1/2 months--26 Weeks Tomorrow

Here I am at 6 1/2 months. I will be 26 weeks along tomorrow. I feel great. Last week I noticed my calves were swollen. It has happened a few more times since then. My doctor says this is normal. I am supposed to try and prop my feet up throughout the day and watch my sodium intake. I have a check-up in a week, but I will call if I experience any pain with the swelling. I was going to post a picture of my swollen leg, but it was too icky gross! If you want to see my swollen legs, you will have to see them in person. :)

Nick and I had a great weekend. We ate dinner with friends on Saturday. They have a 3 1/2 year old little girl and an 11 1/2 week old baby boy. They invited two other couples...one couple with a 4 week old baby boy and the other couple with a 2 year old boy and 8 month old baby boy. It was fun being around babies at different ages and sizes. My favorite was the 11 1/2 week old baby...so sweet with the cutest chubby cheeks ever! It makes me excited about meeting our Little Bitty Levin soon. :) Only 14 more weeks to go. Crazy huh!