36 weeks!

Earlier in the month, I had the privilege of attending a friend's bridal shower, part of which was held at Fired Up, a local pottery shop. I've been there before and I love picking out pieces to paint. This time, I made Henry some letters to go in his room. I got to pick them up this week, and they're so fun! Here are some of our attempts to photograph them with my belly:

How far along? 36 weeks, 1 day. Though I'm not technically term for another 6 days, my OB said that she will no longer try to stop labor if it starts. Bring on this baby!

Total weight gain/loss: +30 lbs. This close to the end, I don't even care. I'm looking forward to getting back in shape though, after he's here. 

Maternity clothes? It has been so hot here! And humid. I did have to turn on the AC this week. But then today it only got up to 57 - I felt like I was going to freeze :) I curled up on the couch with sweatpants, slippers, and a blanket for most of the day.

Stretch marks? Wouldn't it be nice if they just magically disappeared. I realized today that stretch marks might be the least of my belly concerns after the baby is born - won't I have wrinkles too?? Boo.

Sleep: I have been totally exhausted this week. Yesterday I slept a full night, only getting up once (a new record!), but then I woke up, ate breakfast and saw Ben off to work. After that, I promptly fell asleep downstairs for three more hours. Best. Nap. Ever.

Best moment this week: I got even more delicious food put away in our freezer, I got to relax and hang out with Ben, and I finished packing my hospital bag. It's been a great week!

Movement: He has been incredibly active today. Squirming, kicking, even hiccuping. He must be having a good day too :)

Food cravings: Remember a few months ago when a bunch of donuts somehow found their way into my house? Yeah... there may or may not be a box sitting on the table right now. Mmmm.

Nursery: I think I've pretty well figured out where I'd like everything to go. Now I just hope it fits like I imagine it will.

Labor Signs: My OB checked me for the first time today, and surprisingly I am already 50% effaced, and a little less than 1 cm dilated. I could hang out this way for a couple weeks, but it was more progress than we were expecting. Definitely a pleasant surprise!

Belly Button in or out? In

What do we want to teach Henry about? I want to teach him about football. Ben wants to teach him about the value of a good night's sleep. This probably has to do with him getting called to the hospital unexpectedly around 11 last night. He didn't get back until 6am. I felt so bad. Henry, your Daddy works so hard!

What I miss: Being able to twist around. It's very strange to reach for something slightly behind you when your belly button (and all the skin attached to it) stubbornly remain facing forward.

What I am looking forward to: Introducing our little man to all his loving family members. He has so many - we are very blessed.

Weekly Wisdom: Today I learned that Henry is gaining about an ounce a day. PER DAY. No wonder I'm exhausted!

Milestones: We finally made it to point of no return - whenever labor decides to start, we'll be ready! This is both terrifying and exciting. Mostly exciting today.


Daddy's Thoughts:


When I'm in on deliveries now, I seem to have an entirely new perspective on them.  Who can say how many times I've received a baby during a c-section, got him cleaned up then just hung around playing with him a bit, waiting for his five minute apgar score so I can leave and get on to the next thing.  Now though, when I see these little people on the warmer, I'm beginning to imagine what it's going to be like when he's my little guy that I'm looking at.  I'm told I'll get attached right away.  Somehow I'm beginning to see how that's possible.


Just a head's up, you've got me at a very tired moment.  As Nicki said up there, I'm going on about 1 hour of sleep due to an OB delivery that did not go as planned.  Seriously, I get more sleeping when I actually am on call.  Sweet sleep is beckoning.


Our movie going continued this week with us watching Men In Black 3 on Monday, and it was just fine.  But better than that, we watched the Hatfields & McCoys miniseries on the History Channel this week.  

Admittedly we know next to nothing about the history of this story, but us being the brains we are,we wanted to learn all about it.  And the production value and acting was excellent overall as well.  Don't worry, if you didn't see it, I'm sure History is going to be airing it so much in the next few months that they'll interrupt shows of Hatfields & McCoys to bring you additional showings of Hatfields & McCoys.  They're clearly very proud of it.  I hope Henry is as interested in history as his parents are.


So Nicki really surprised me when she told me that she's partially effaced.  I expected her cervix to remain disinterested in getting with the program all the way until the end, but instead it seems to be the first guest at the labor party we'll be throwing in a few weeks...inside of her.  Good times.


Alright, I've got to turn in.  but I'll see you all soon, I hope.

  Exhaustedly, 
        Daddy

35 weeks!

Drawing courtesy of Daddy

How far along? 35 weeks! 2 more weeks until we're term. I'm looking forward to it!

Total weight gain/loss: I didn't weigh myself this week, but based on the number of cookies I've been eating...

Maternity clothes? I can't wait to be back in my normal summer clothes. It's hot and humid here, but I refuse to buy any more maternity clothes. Only a month to go - it doesn't seem worth it. Luckily, I'm at home full time until he gets here now, so I don't have to wear "real clothes" all day long - only when I go out.

Stretch marks? I don't even want to talk about my stretch marks anymore. It looks like tree roots are climbing up my belly. Ugh.

Sleep: Still having good nights once in awhile, so I can't complain - soon it'll be up to Henrymonster!

Best moment this week: Not going to work! Yay! I got so much done at home, it was amazing. I have about half of my freezer full of delicious meals for after the baby comes, and I've got a few more to make tomorrow or the next day. I find I have to cook in the morning though, because by noon it is way too hot downstairs. I am stubbornly refusing to turn on the AC unit in the living room, since I already have one on in the bedroom. Let's see how long I can hold out...

Movement: Things are definitely cramped in there, but he's always sure to let me know he's happy to stay put for now :)

Food cravings: I don't even want to tell you how many chocolate chip cookies I ate the other night. And then the next morning too...

Nursery: Ben and I (mostly Ben) switched the bed in the nursery for the bed in the basement. I'm so happy we will be able to keep our queen-sized guest bed usable downstairs. My twin bed is in the nursery now. I would like it to stay there, but we will have to see how all the baby furniture fits before we make that decision.

Labor Signs: Today I had four contractions in about an hour, but then they abruptly stopped, so no labor for me!

Belly Button in or out? One side is trying to poke it's way out, but the rest is still very much in. It's being stretched a lot though - the skin is getting darker. Come on innie, you can do it!
What do we want to teach Henry about? I read this hilarious and adorable post today from a mother to her three-year-old son. It was so cute and made me tear up a little. http://newhealthom.com/2012/01/31/25-things-i-want-my-son-to-know/

What I miss: Going going going without feeling like I might pass out at any moment. Definitely learning to take it easier for this last month. PS: Next week, I will be 9 months pregnant. Say what?!

What I am looking forward to: Sitting in my recliner snuggling with Henry.

Weekly Wisdom:  Ben and I have been going to Lamaze for a few weeks now, and for the most part, it has been boring and unhelpful. But this week, some of the tips we saw in a video seemed very useful, and even Ben was upbeat about how some of the techniques "make sense" in doctor-land. He was confident that they will help us get through labor, which made me feel great.

Milestones: There are 34 days until our due date. Thirty. Four. Days. Blowing my mind...


Daddy's Thoughts:  So we joined a local community supported agriculture (CSA) group called Good Earth Food Alliance a couple of months ago, and we just got our first load of goodies.  We got a big bag of salad, some arugula, parsley, green onions and green garlic, radishes, and a dozen eggs.  A pretty good haul and we've had to busy ourselves with the best way to use this stuff.  Answer:  Salads.  Nicki's just as excited about them as me (I had no idea how spicy and sharp arugula is) and it's reminding me of the story of Rapunzel.  I'm sure you remember how her mother was pregnant and started getting a massive jones for greenery, which her husband could then conveniently steal from the witch next door.  If memory serves, Bernadette Peters played the witch in Into the Woods and I've had the Act One Prologue in my head all week.


She took one look at my beautiful garden, and told your father that what she wanted, more than anything in the world, was

  Greens, greens, and nothing but greens:
  Parsley, peppers, cabbages and celery,
  Asparagus and watercress and
  Fiddleferns and lettuce--!
  He said 'all right,'
  But it wasn't, quite,
  'Cause I caught him in the autumn
  In my garden one night!
  He was robbing me,
  Raping me,
  Rooting through my rutabaga,
  Raiding my arugula and
  Ripping up the rampion
  (My champion!  My favorite!)

I definitely did not secure the rights to use this.

And on like that.  So I guess Henry is going to have extraordinarily long hair.  Like I did.  Oh!  What if he grows a rat tail from ages 5 to 13?  Poor kid.  I can only pray that Vanilla Ice doesn't come back into popularity.

Dear God No

Nicki, of course, continues to grow more every day.  She's so uncomfortable, I feel bad.  It often stymies me how I don't have much to offer to make her feel better, just my company while it passes.  We went to see two movies this week:  Dark Shadows and What to Expect When You're Expecting.  I was really looking forward to Dark Shadows, but I have to say that I was let down overall.  The concept was fun, but it was one of those movies where they already showed you the best parts in the trailer.  I was just reading an article on Cracked saying that maybe Tim Burton and Johnny Depp as a team should take a break for awhile.  I think they should.  On the other hand, What to Expect was tremendous!  It's one of those ensemble, several intertwined vignette movies that can either be really great (Love Actually) or really suck (Valentine's Day).  Nicki was loving it because one of the moms seems to be going through a lot of the discomfort and general unpleasantness of being pregnant that she's experiencing.  Meanwhile her mother-ish-in-law (who is younger than her) is pregnant with twins and is having a dream pregnancy.  Naturally she draws the ire of every pregnant woman in the audience.  Also Dennis Quaid!

So it's been a pretty good week overall.  I got myself into a funk over the past several days and I'm not sure why.  Probably something to do with not knowing what life is going to be like in a few weeks.  Today I decided to break that streak by going running again.  Worked like a charm.  And I bought Nicki flowers.  She deserves them after all.    Men, go buy your pregnant wife flowers, I have it on good authority that they like that.

That's all I've got to report for now, until next week, I remain,
Daddy

34 weeks!

How far along? 34 weeks + 1 day. I waited to post until tonight because I had an ultrasound appointment today. Unfortunately, I have no adorable pictures to show you. Henry is stubborn! He just doesn't want to reveal his cuteness until after he arrives. I did learn the following things: He is head-down, which is great! He has a bunch of hair. He has one foot up near his mouth and the other one wedged under my ribs (not that I needed an ultrasound to tell me that). And he has a chin dimple just like Mommy! :)

Total weight gain/loss: +28 1/2 pounds. I haven't gained much weight in the last couple of weeks, but my belly is still getting bigger all the time. I'm carrying quite low now - I feel like he's going to drop out!

Maternity clothes? I am really appreciating extra big tank tops and sweatpants :) I only have one more day of work left (hooray!), and then I may forgo clothing that fits altogether. I am all about being as comfortable as possible these days. I feel so sorry for my pregnant friends that are working closer to their due dates. Hang in there guys!

Stretch marks? I haven't noticed any new ones this week, but my belly has been very itchy, so new ones are surely on the way!

Sleep: It is either getting a bit better, or I am finally starting to adjust to the interrupted schedule. I haven't felt nearly as wiped out at the end of the day this week. Not going to work for the rest of the pregnancy is sure to help with this too.

Best moment this week: My parents threw us an adorable shower over the weekend. I loved how everything was decorated. Ben and I both had a really good time seeing our friends, both at the shower and later in the weekend. It made me realize how strange it will be to not be able to just pop down to a friends house for the weekend anymore - now we'll have a kid in tow!

Movement: He's still squirming and kicking around in there like a champ. Things are starting to get sore! He hasn't shown off for Daddy in awhile though - how about some better timing Mr. Henry?

Food cravings: Oatmeal! I made oatmeal for breakfast several times, I made granola, and I plan to make baked oatmeal for Saturday brunch. I just can't seem to get enough!

Nursery: After our showers and a quick trip to Babies R Us, I think we have everything we need to make our final preparations! Ben even managed to get the car seat hooked up in the car. Now I just need to pack a bag and we'll be all set to welcome Henry (sans furniture of course, but that will be soon!)

Labor Signs: I have been having contractions this week, but nothing time-able, so not truly labor of course. They're pretty uncomfortable though!

Belly Button in or out? The lower my belly drops, the safer I feel my innie becomes!

What do we want to teach Henry about? I'm looking forward to watching him learn to roll over, and sit up, and crawl, and walk. Those things will be so exciting!

What I miss: Being able to reach things in the cabinets without bumping my bump into the counter tops. I feel so clumsy these days!

What I am looking forward to: My last day of work! Then it's just baby growing for the last few weeks. :)

Weekly Wisdom: When I first think that I might need to pee soon, I might as well get a move on. That tiny bladder waits for no one!

Milestones: Today was our last ultrasound - and my doctor started to begin our discussion about labor. This is really happening - soon!

Daddy's Thoughts:

I've been putting songs aside as I make my ever expanding collection of music that I call the Volumes.  These songs that I've been putting back I plan to put on the Volume for when Henry is finally born, as they make me think about having kids.  This will probably be volume 154 or so, I would guess.  There's on by The Lovin' Spoonful that I just loved called "Younger Generation".

Why must every generation think they're folks are square?
And no matter where their heads are, they know mom's ain't there.
Cause' I swore when I was small, that I'd remember when,
I knew what's wrong with them, that I was smaller than.

Determined to remember all the cardinal rules.
Like, sunshowers are legal grounds, for cutting school.
I know I have forgotten maybe one or two.
And I hope that I recall them all before the baby's due.
And I'll know he'll have a question or two.

Like, hey pop. Can I go ride my zoom?
It goes two hundred miles an hour, suspended on balloons.
And can I put a droplet of this new stuff on my tongue?
And imagine frothing dragons, while you sit and wreck your lungs.
And I must me permissive, understanding of the younger generation.

And then I'll know that all I've learned, my kid assumes.
And all my deepest worries must be his cartoons.
And still I'll try to tell him all the things I've done,
relating to what he can do when he becomes a man.
And still he'll stick his fingers in the fan.

And hey pop, my girlfriend's only three.
She's got her own video phone,
and she's taking LSD.
And now that were best friends, she wants to give a bit to me.
But whats the matter, daddy?
How come you're turning green?
Can it be that you can't live up to your dreams?

I think about that sometimes, that I won't be able to tell him or explain to him the things that he''ll be better off avoiding.  Because then I'll just be a dumb old dad who's out of touch and doesn't get his need to find out for himself.  And then he'll just have bruised fingertips from the fan.

Other songs I've got are "Love For a Child" by Jason Mraz, "Believe In Life" by Eric Clapton, and quite a few others.  I think it will turn out to be a good Volume.

Tell you what, kid, just go for it.

Also, I don't want Henry to do nearly the volume of drugs that this song implies.

Signing off until next week,

    Daddy

33 weeks & maternity photos!

Our friend Jeremy (jeremykanne.com) took some maternity photos for us. Enjoy some of my favorites!

jeremykanne.com

How far along? 33 weeks, 1 day. Mr. Henry and I had to go to bed early last night, so blogging got put off for a day. Sadly, going to bed early did not solve our sleep problems. More on that later...

Total weight gain/loss: I didn't weigh myself this week , but I'm sure I am pushing the 30 pound mark, if my pattern is consistent. 

Maternity clothes? Carrie - thank you for the giant tank tops. They are much comfier to wear around the house than Ben's t-shirts - which are beginning to get a bit snug.

Stretch marks? At this point, it may be time to stop looking for new ones :)

jeremykanne.com

Sleep:  Last night, I got so fed up with my sore hips and inability to sleep on my back that I broke down and tried the recliner around 3 am. I did manage to fall asleep, which is great, but I've got an awfully stiff neck. Still - that is much better than another sleepless night! Next time I can't sleep I'll try the chair sooner.

Best moment this week: We drove down to Southern IL for a baby shower graciously hosted by my sister-in-law. It was a lot of fun, and great to see everyone. We may go down for Ben's 10-year high school class reunion in a few weeks, but we will see. If not, this was the last time we'll make the trip down without the new baby!

Movement: A couple of nights ago, I told Ben that Henry wasn't kicking as hard - since he doesn't have as much room in there - he's been squirming a lot instead. Well, I think he heard me. Since then, his kicking has been harder than ever! Just wants to prove he's still in there :)

jeremykanne.com

Food cravings: Nothing in particular, but I have been waking up around 4 am starving to death. Thank goodness for bananas :)

Nursery: This week I went through our gifts and got the whole closet organized. I also reorganized half our kitchen cabinets, the bathroom, and the refrigerator. I think my nesting instinct has finally kicked in! About time...

Labor Signs: N0, but we did learn about them in painstaking detail at lamaze on Monday. Our first session was fairly boring - all about anatomy and other things we already know a lot about (especially Ben). But at the end we started some relaxation techniques and exercises, so that was nice. Next week we are taking a tour of the OB floor - where Ben works extensively, and I have visited many times. Hope the second half is more helpful for us!

jeremykanne.com

Belly Button in or out?  I don't think it has ever been so clean! 

What do we want to teach Henry about?  How to entertain himself. I love playing with kids, but I have a feeling the excitement might wane when I'm living with one... I love how my youngest sister has always been able to play by herself and be perfectly happy. And I'm sure my parents appreciate it!

What I miss: Being able to cook all day without feeling like I've just run a marathon. I've been trying to get a lot of baking done to fill up our freezer with breads and such, but it's wearing me out!

jeremykanne.com

What I am looking forward to: We're going to my parents house for another baby shower this weekend - and we will be seeing some friends we haven't seen in awhile. Can't wait!

Weekly Wisdom: It really does feel better to wake up to a clean sink. I've been letting dishes slide even more than usual since I've been pregnant, but I'm trying to break that habit!

Milestones: I read in one of the many baby e-mails I get each week that Henry is likely about 17 inches long now. I thought that was funny because I was that long at birth! He'll have me beat in no time. :)

jeremykanne.com

Daddy's Thoughts:

What a week!  From finishing my Gyne rotation, to the baby shower, to taking my Step 3 (a 2 day marathon of a test you take in residency) I am beat.  I think I need another week off just to recover from this one.  We got some great stuff for Henry at the Rathert baby shower, including books, diaper covers, and a king's ransom in blankets!

We're also getting bombarded with packages at the house, sent by people who couldn't make it.  Even our friend Erin Schafer in Colorado sent us something, very unexpected!  Perhaps my favorite so far, though, came from the Duensing family.  I explained to Nicki that all of my Duensing cousins went to U of I, and when I went, Aunt Pat and Uncle Will adopted me for a couple of years.  Well they sent us a TON of U of I gear for the little man in Nicki's tummy, and I couldn't be happier.  Plus a chief pillow pet.  Pretty cool guys.

We also decided that I didn't have enough daddy gear, so we went out and bought a proper grill.  This thing is awesome!  It's a Brinkman, propane, yadda yadda, but the price sure was right.  It's got some great features including burner covers (dad showed me the importance of those a few years back) and the main grill compartment actually has a temperature gauge.  Get me a beer, we're grillin' tonight!

Coulda done something like this I guess.

Tomorrow we head down to Buffalo for our next baby shower.  Exciting!  Plus we're going to see the Avengers on Saturday, so that'll be alright.

I'm hoping that passed my Step 3.  It was really tough and long and now that it's over I don't know if I feel good or bad about it.  I just hope I passed it, because if I did, I can start moonlighting and banking a little extra money.  All in good time, I guess.

This week we get our last sets of ultrasounds of Henry.  Hopefully Dr. Egley says his kidneys look a-ok, but I got that impression that even if they don't, they will be in the long run.

Big week ahead!

32 weeks!

How far along? Somehow we have made it all the way to 32 weeks already. Sometimes I feel like it has gone by really quickly, but other times I forget what it was like to be able to touch my toes.

Total weight gain/loss: +28 lbs. Our little man is going through another growth spurt - I've been eating great and walking everyday, but I gained 5 pounds in the past 2 weeks. And I'm never full for long :)

Maternity clothes? I wore that shirt on purpose today - to show you how short it has gotten! If I don't keep pulling it down, you can see that lovely secret panel in my jeans :)

Stretch marks? My stretch mark under my belly has some new friends these days...

Sleep:  Ugh... sleep patterns during pregnancy must be training for taking care of a newborn. Will I ever sleep through the night again? Before he's in kindergarten?

Best moment this week: Ben and I have sat down at the table and eaten dinner together every night this week. It's been great! And he's not on call again for two more weeks - even better!

Movement: Henry has learned some new yoga moves lately. He's really stretching things out in there. I read today that for each pound I gain (about 1 per week) from now on, half of it goes directly to him. Uh... say what?? There's not room for 4 more pounds of baby in there!!

Food cravings: I saw a commercial for Dunkin' Donuts the other day. This time, I did not eat several boxes of them though - I made some strawberry whoopie pies (without any actual filling) instead. Yum! And at least they're whole wheat, right?

Nursery: No changes this week, but soon!

Labor Signs: Nope - I wonder at what point I will start having these? The last couple of weeks?

Belly Button in or out?  I keep getting bigger, but it keeps staying in place :) 

What do we want to teach Henry about?  How to swim!

What I miss: Bending down to get things off the floor, rather than squatting down. Seriously - so annoying!

What I am looking forward to: Trip to southern IL! This will probably be our last visit before the baby is born. Maybe not, but we don't have another one planned and I don't see that four hour trip getting any easier as I get bigger... :)

Weekly Wisdom: Sometimes people are not actually being more irritating. Sometimes it's just the hormones. If only it were easier to tell the difference...

Milestones: Are there seriously only 8 weeks left until our due date? That blows my mind. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. And tired - oh so tired.

Daddy's Thoughts:

My gosh we're getting close.  Too close.  Can we move further away or something?  Nicki keeps putting my hand on her tummy when Henry is kicking, and he's doing that all the time now!  I realize sometimes that I have taken care of babies in the NICU that were younger gestationally than he is now.  He could very well be here and that would be okay!  Of course our NICU bill would be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, but that's neither here nor there.


I've been getting busier at work with my new responsibilities as chief, which has been great.  I'm going to have plenty more in the next year which will surely take up a bit more of my time, but the trade off I see is I won't be on call anymore!  Hot times!  Instead I get to be on Henry call, which will probably be a lot less demanding than a bunch of sick patients.


It's weird how I go back and forth on my anxiety about him being here.  Some days I'll be happy about it.  Some days I have no idea how I'll adjust.  Some days I'll realize that the majority of what he'll do is sleep at first, so really, what do I have to worry about?  So much.  So much.

Nicki keeps telling me that she's "really over the whole pregnancy thing".  I can tell.  I feel bad for her not being able to get comfortable most of the time, but apparently I started snoring recently too.  I've never done that before.  Good luck getting to sleep now, Vark.


32, 32.  Next week is one week closer!


  - Daddy