28 weeks

I can't believe I keep putting these pictures of myself online for the world (or at least my family and friends who know about this blog) to see! I'll just keep telling myself it is for my posterity. I tried to fix the red eye and I think I ended up looking a little crazy. Oh well...

So, only 12 weeks left! Sometimes when I think about life after she is born I get a little nervous. I'm not sure how we'll get Liam to school every day (at least at first), how I'll go grocery shopping, get dinner on the table or how we'll fit 3 car seats in the back seat of our car! I'm sure we'll figure it out though. We have made a lot of friends here who have already told us they can help out in different ways.

Also, its been 4 years since we've had a newborn. What are newborns even like? I can hardly remember! And how do you dress a baby in the winter? I'm used to throwing on a onesie and being good to go.

I have been feeling a little better the last week or so. I rest as much as I can and walk super s-l-o-w. I'm that lady you get stuck behind walking through the mall/grocery store and you can't understand how a person could walk so slowly and all you want to do is pass her. Do you know what I'm talking about? I have been stuck behind that woman so many times and now I am her! Ha! Better than trying to walk fast and paying for it the next day by not being able to walk at all.

I haven't had many cravings lately, besides chocolate, but that's not anything new to pregnancy. I mostly just like food in general. Although I could still go for a good burger!

Thats about all for me and baby blank (yup, still no name!). I'll try to get some more stuff about the rest of the family up soon!

Crib Bumper?

A couple weeks ago I found a crib bumper at this fancy little baby shop on clearance for $25. I thought that was a pretty good price for Australia and when I told Nate about it he thought so too. It is just a plain white one but I figured that would go great with the green sheets and white and green walls. Plus I have some cute purple/pink/green spotted fabric I got in the Philippines that I thought I could sew down the middle for a little bit of an accent and girliness. I rushed out and got it the next day and was really excited to try it out on our crib. But, when put it in it only went around 2 sides of the crib. I was so confused. I have never heard of or seen such a thing. What would be the point of that?! I checked the manufacturers website and all of the bumpers appeared to go all the way around. I could have handled it if it covered 3 sides because the front panel of the crib moves up and down, but 2 sides?

Today I finally had enough energy and courage (I was worried that because it was a clearance item they might not take it back) to return it. I told her it didn't fit, that it only covered 2 sides and she looked at me like I was the dumbest, worst parent ever. "Thats how it is supposed to be. You won't find a bumper that goes all the way around. It is for SIDS reasons. They aren't recommended for children under 12 months either." That is weird because in my years of having children, bumpers that go all the way around are the only kind I've ever seen. I know its been almost 4 years since I've had a baby so maybe I'm a little out of it but I would swear that when I looked online they were all full bumpers.

She gave me my money back and I have decided to just forget the bumper all together. Not because of SIDS (I know it is a serious thing but I feel like nobody has any idea what really causes it. The "recommendations" change so often and sometimes contradict what the last recommendation was.), but because it is not something we'll take with us back to the US if we ever get to come back.

So, am I crazy? Are crib bumpers that go all the way around the crib something I just imagined?

Productive

Saturday Nate was helping a lady from church move. On his way he was picking up a couple of the young men from our ward. A few minutes before he was going to leave the mother of one of these young men called to see if Liam and Jonas could come to their house and play while they were helping with the move (her youngest son Caleb is 10 and really good with all of the younger kids in Primary. He is probably one of Liam and Jonas' favorite people ever!). Of course I said that would be fine. How often do I get a few hours all by myself? Not very often! I hadn't planned on doing a lot while Nate was out but really quickly thought of a few things I could do.

Crib Sheets
Here's the back story: When we found out we were having a girl I wanted so badly to decorate her room. When we moved into our townhouse the walls were already painted in a light green and white stripe on two walls and the other two plain green. I figured I could find some really cute sheets - maybe pink and green or purple and green. Well, I found lots of cute stuff! The problem was they were either in the US meaning I'd have to somehow get them here or they were already here and $20! $20 for one fitted crib sheet! Its not like they are Egyptian cotton, 2000 thread count or anything! So I decided my best option would be to buy a queen size fitted or flat sheet and make 2 crib sheets out of it. I thought it was a pretty great plan until I saw the prices of queen fitted or flat sheets. Close to $30! Its not even a complete set! Ugh. One day I happened to be in the mall and there was a huge sheet sale going on in the middle of the walkway. While checking it out I found quite a few queen fitted sheets for $10. They had some cute flowery stuff or just plain pink. Both would work until I opened the package to feel them since they didn't say what the thread count was on the package. They felt like sandpaper! Then I found a light green that felt much nicer. Not the cute, girly color I was hoping for but how could I pass on the price. I've tried to shop here enough to know that there usually isn't a better deal at the next store or when the next sale happens. I made the first of my 2 crib sheets a few weeks ago. It didn't go so well. It will work and look fine from the top. Just don't look under the mattress. So Saturday I tackled the 2nd one and did a much better job. I took my time and did it a little differently and am pretty happy with the results.

Waterproof Mattress Protector
I have been on the lookout for a crib sized mattress protector for months. The lowest price I could find was $15 but they went all the way up to $50. I was getting ready to buy the $15 one and get it over with but wanted to check one last store. While looking around I had a hard time finding crib sized protectors but there were plenty of single, queen and king. I found an opened pack from a single one so I had a look to see how it was made. It was so simply put together (and only $5) so I decided I could just resize it to fit the crib mattress. It was made to fit just the top of a single mattress with elastic to go under the mattress corners. I was able to turn it into a more fitted crib cover that I think will give the mattress much better protection.


AND I was able to get an email out that I had been meaning to for days AND get the house cleaned up because shortly after Nate got home the missionaries were coming over to teach someone at our house.

It's amazing what you can accomplish when you don't hear "Moooom, can I have..." every 5 minutes! :) Plus it feels really good to have at least part of the baby's room put together...even if it isn't pink and ruffly like I really would like it to be!

Questacon

We took the kids to a place called Questacon on Friday (or as Jonas calls it Deceptacon). There are tons of hands on science exhibits. They are geared towards kids but I think I enjoy going there as much as they do.

There are "real looking" dinosaurs, a free fall "ride", earthquake simulation house and lightning strike. You can measure how fast you can throw or catch fish and measure the length and weight. There is a play area called Mini Q specifically for kids under 6 where they can pretend they are workers on a construction site, astronauts or bakery workers. There is also a water play area (they can't get in it, they just play with boats and other water toys while standing at the sides). I think Liam and Jonas' favorite was the playground area where they can crawl through tunnels. The best part for parents is it is closed off and kids can't get out without their parent. You can just sit and relax while your kids run around for hours using up all of their energy!

I meant to take pictures but there is so much going on all at once! Plus, I don't think Jonas stood still for the entire 3 hours. Here are a few we did get:


Liam and Jonas dancing around and it makes these colorful images on the screen.

Nate's favorite part.

There are pool balls constantly moving around in this thing. We spent more time watching this than any other exhibit. The funny thing is, its right at the entrance so you don't even have to pay to see it!

Overall it was a fun day. Liam and Jonas were especially happy to be out of the house. It was nice to do it all together as well. Usually Nate is so busy on campus he doesn't get to do stuff like this with us.

A Day in our Life...

I have pretty much been a terrible blogger lately! Besides the occasional pregnancy picture there isn't much up here. I thought I should explain. WE DON'T DO ANYTHING EXCITING! Seriously. Just to prove it here is a typical day in the Blank home.

Between 6:30 and 7:00 am - wake up
7:15 to 8:40 am - eat breakfast, make lunches, take showers, get dressed
8:40 am - out the door to get Liam to school
9:15 am - return from taking Liam to school
9:15 to 11:30 am - hang out at home (watch a movie, read books, eat a snack, etc.)
11:30 am - lunch
12:30 pm - Jonas takes a nap (Mom reads blogs, checks email, facebook, lays down, etc)
2:00 to 2:30 pm - Jonas wakes up
2:40 pm - leave to pick up Liam from school
3:15 pm - return from picking up Liam from school
3:15 to 4:00 pm - Liam and Jonas fight, Liam tells us about his day at school, we do his homework, have a snack.
4:00 to 5:00 pm - kids play inside or out while I rest
5:00 to 5:30 pm - kids watch a show or play while I get dinner started
5:30 pm - Dad comes home from school/work
5:45 pm (or so) - eat dinner. The kids usually take forever to eat because apparently my cooking is "terrible" (Jonas tells me almost every night.)
6:30 pm - kids play around more, have bath, maybe watch something with Dad
7:30 pm - bedtime routine starts. Pajamas on, teeth brushed, potty, prayers, story, lights out!
8:00 pm - Mom crashes after such a busy day!

If we are having a really exciting day, after we take Liam to school we will go grocery shopping, to the mall to check prices on baby stuff, go to a playgroup, to the library or to the park around the corner from our house.

This week and next week are term break for Liam's school. Our schedule is pretty much the same as above except where it talks about taking/picking up Liam from school it would say "do nothing at home."

We do have some possible plans for the next week. We are thinking of going to the War Museum (Liam's request), Questacon (a science museum for kids), we have a quarterly Primary activity and we'll probably take a trip to the library. Stay tuned for some fun posts (maybe not about the library though)!

26 weeks

I'm getting bigger! Lately I have been bumping into things because this belly of mine is getting so big. I forget I can't squeeze through small spaces anymore! We are doing well. She is kicking and punching almost constantly, at the end of the day especially. Nate gets a kick out of feeling her moving around. The boys still haven't felt her move yet but I figure there will be plenty of opportunities later on and it will probably be easier for them to feel.

I am loving food (maybe thats why the bump is getting bigger...). I am craving apple cider (you can't find it here) and a good hamburger. I could really use a Culver's butter burger or In-N-Out. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! I constantly crave hash browns - with cheese of course. Normally when I am craving something the craving stops after I eat it but not this one! I literally eat hash browns every day!

Lots of aches and pains still but I am learning not to schedule too much in one day and to rest as much as I can. Some days the dishes wont get washed, there might still be cereal under the table at dinner time, we might watch 3 movies in one day and we might have chicken nuggets and carrot sticks for dinner. But I'm trying not to let it get to me. Growing a baby is hard work!

I was just realizing that I have taken more pregnancy pictures this pregnancy than ever before. With Liam and Jonas I was either going to school or working so I never thought about taking pictures like this. I might have a few when I first started showing and then one just before giving birth, but not a lot in between. This time I thought it would be fun to have a bunch of pictures that I could put side by side and see how my belly grew. I promise I'm not incredibly vain!

24 weeks

Another awkward pregnancy side pose (at least I'm smiling this time)...


Notice the belly button has started to pop a bit! Since my last pregnancy update I have had my first real antenatal appointment (yup, at 22 weeks). I feel good about the program they have here. My midwife was a really nice lady who actually listened to me when I talked to her and she didn't ask me if I had any questions or concerns as she was walking out of the room (sorry, a little bitterness from past pregnancies). My favorite part of the appointment was when she asked me what my birthing plan was and I just stared at her blankly. I had no idea what a birthing plan was. Pretty sad considering this is my 3rd baby. I was thinking, 'you mean I wont be put in a hospital bed as soon as I arrive in the hospital? And I won't have to stay there until I have the baby and you give me permission to leave?' (more bitterness...). I had to ask one of my friends in a midwifery program what exactly was included in a birthing plan. I still don't know what mine is but I am feeling excited about being a little more in charge this time around.

It seems I have symphysis pubis dysfunction, so that has been awesome. Basically it hurts to walk, get dressed, turn over in my sleep, etc. Don't feel too sorry for me. As long as I know my limits and try not to do too much in one day I am fine. I get to take a lot of breaks throughout the day so I don't wear myself out. If I don't take it easy I pay for it the next day. I was sent to physio and had my 2nd appointment today. She has given me some exercises to strengthen the muscles under my belly. I think with those and lots of rest I'll make it through the next 16 weeks just fine.

The other day when I was picking Liam up from school 2 moms who I had talked to a little before shockingly asked me if I was pregnant. That cracked me up! I feel like I am huge and have been for a while but they insisted that I look great for twenty-something weeks and just started showing. I do think the belly growing has slowed down a little bit which is a relief. I was scared of how big I would be if I kept growing like I was.

She has been moving a lot lately. I love feeling her move and watching my belly bumping around.