36 Weeks Belly

So big right...............yeah sure!  It's so funny to hear these women talk about how small I am.  They totally get a kick out of me when I say, "well I gained 35 pounds".  One girl at a restaurant was clearly disgusted, in a funny way when I told her that I was 162 pounds.  She said " that's just gross, I mean look at you, you're as skinny as a rail talking about 3 weeks left".  

 

3 Weeks Left!

I guess if 3 weeks is what it takes for Braxton to cook a little longer, than what can I say!  3 Weeks just seems so far away, especially when time just seems to slow down when you get to the VERY end.  Slow has been good for us though considering we're able to spend more quality time together with just the three of us.  More movies, more sleep (for now) more functionality around the house and we're just cooling out.  It's a real chill atmosphere at the house now that I think about it..............maybe it's the quite before the storm; well not maybe, it is for sure!

Now, I figured from here on out I will just post STATS and of course stay tuned for birthing story!  But don't hold your breath because Braxton seems to be content, low, but content!

Excitement during week 35!  So far for me, the only exciting thing was finally purchasing a place for Braxton to sit and chill while we're at home.  I realized that I gave all three of my bouncer chairs away before I got pregnant, leaving Braxton out to dry.  Target has a really cute high bouncer called the Snuga Monkey Rock and Sleep bouncer for 74.99.  I was able to get it immediately once it went down in price to 59.00.  Me and the gang we're drooling over the display at Target and within minutes, we had two moms walk up to use to tell us that it was the best thing on EARTH.  (Picture to follow tonight)  It's able to fold and it's extremely light.  Apparently, it's best when I want to shower and have him in the bathroom with me or anywhere else close in proximity. 

Movements:  If Braxton is ANYTHING like he is inside the womb, outside the womb, I'm doomed.  Granted, thank goodness for an active baby, toddler, etc, but geesh..............can you say broken ribs.  I feel so sore after he moves, Roger thinks I'm having contractions.  "Babe are you having a contraction", "No Rog, he just MOVED his elbow or foot between one of my ribs".

Progress and Task List:   Braxton and Gabrielle are set and on the list over at Rex Daycare.  Maternity papers are signed and delivered.  12 Weeks are on my department schedule, due to begin July 7, good ridens or luck if it's before!

I've also went along with ordering the Medela Advance Double Breast Pumping system this morning in less then 10 minutes through the vendor my insurance company provided. I sure hope breastfeeding is just as easy.

I've organized the breastpumping storage area in my kitchen cabinets and came across the one thing that I didn't give away.............clearly for sanitary reasons.  Somewhere hidden in a  randomly used cabinet sat a manuel Madela hand pump, 1 box of unused, still sealed 50 count breast milk storage bags and 6 6oz Madela bottles, with lids and nipples as well as a bunch of other Madela junk was found.  Talk about a hidden treasure.  It only brought back memories of when I used it at the brink of a mental melt down with breastfeeding Gabrielle.  I literally just used this thing for a good day or two and shoved it in this cabinet to NEVER be seen or heard from again. Now they're sanitized, glistening and are ready to be used when I don't feel like using the new pump.  I must admit that having these items as well as other breastfeeding supplies awaiting me allows me to feel prepared.  I've also taken the liberty to get two night time nursing bras from Macys.  It was buy one get one 50% off.

Some Updates

Just four more weeks every says like its a short amount of time.  It sounds so close to them, but rather far away for men.  I had my cervical check today and my cervix is still thining and I'm 1 centimeters dilated; which is not to much of a concern.  1 Centimeter, meaning a finger tip or the size of a cherrio.  He's still moving around TONS and sometimes I feel as though he's coming right through my skin with his movements.   


So far thoughout this pregnancy I've gained 34 pounds, coming in at 159 as of today.  I'm for certain I will be over 165 before this is all over. Although I can use a few pounds, I know breastfeeding will
will eliminate some pounds easily.  Speaking of breastfeeding, I need to repack a few clothes items that I packed prior to me making the decision that I would try it out.  My shirts that I have during my stay are not breastfeeding friendly at all.  After reading a few blogs and getting some advice, shirts with easy pull downs are the way to go.  It's so funny just thinking about this because I actually had plans to be bandaged up from the moment Braxton came out.  My doctor told me she would put in a request to have these boobies wrapped up and a sign that read out of service.  Now, all of a sudden it's open 24-7 for Braxton. 

I finally turned in my FMLA/STD papers (such a slacker).  Roger has his 3 weeks on the schedule already which is good.  What's also good is that he has a nesting habit ALL year round.  During the times that I'm pregnant, he just goes into overload and cleans like it's nobodies buisness.  So I'm walking around making sure I don't throw my clothes around or leave dirty dishes on every floor. 
We've been spending much more time together now that I can finally sit down on the coach for a reason.  Now that I'm relaxing more, I finally have a chance to sit back and realize just how much I was on the move.  Geesh!

My Breastfeeding Supplies!

I've officially become an information junkie on breastfeeding. My first call of duty was to speak with a mom that breast fed successfully for over 6 months and pumped at work.  After getting good knowledge from her, it was time to hit up Google, lol.  According to both sources, here are a few items that are must haves.

1- Lansinoh Lanolin cream works best for nipple irritation.  I've gone out and purchased 1 box which contains 1 tube at $9.99 from Target. It gets no cheaper than this regardless of brand chosen. Trust me, we spent well over 30 minutes hogging up the breastfeeding aisle.  Anywho, apparently it's good to use the minute Gabrielle is done with feeding from the moment she comes out to prevent dry and cracked nips. You're to apply it after every feeding.

2- Another must have item was nursing pads. This was indeed funny as my nieces accompanied me this weekend and had questions galore.  They were most helpful trying to figure out which brand, price and quantity would be most economical, not to mention what the heck they were for.  Here's an idea of how much came in a pack/price at Target. 

Johnson and Johnson 60 pads at $7.49
Lansinoh 60 Pads $6.79
Lansinoh 100 Pads at $12.49
Target Brand 60 Pads at $6.50

We were going to go with Johnson and Johnson because Shanice swore up and down it probably smelled good and it was a well known brand.  Adoni was adamant about the Target brand to save a few cents.  I on the other hand, the one who would be using them figured, "why not spend 4-5 more dollars and get 40 extra with Lansinoh 100 pads in a pack".  Besides, with 100 of them I would have a few on deck for a while and the more supplies I have at home the less chances of me running out to the store to grab more. 

So far we're at $23.00 for supplies. 

3- Breastfeeding Storage bags, oh boy.  Okay so apparently, the 3 brands we're working with here are Medela and Lansinoh as well as store brand names.  The only reason why I haven't decided to purchase these just yet is due to me not pumping until after 6 weeks, then again this can all change so maybe I should buy them.  They all come with different quantities, the smallest I believe being 25 bags.  Some have areas to write information such as name, date, etc.  Some have a double seal, some are meant to lay upright or flat.  A bunch of headache if you ask me.  I will decide on these sooner or later.

4- Lansinoh Thera Pearl 3-1 Gel Pack.  This will indeed be my very next purchase at $15.00.  These are made to act as compresses, either cold or warm.  It looks like bath gel beads that explodes in the water all in a bag looking thingy that conforms to fit your boobs.  I mean you can always go out a buy a bag of frozen peas, just that when you warm them up, you'd better eat them for diner.  With the gel pack you can freeze over and over as well as warming it repeatedly.  This gel pack serves to reduce breast engorgement and or mastitis and clogged ducts.  All of which I had except for the mastitis.  I used cold rags  and frozen cabbage.  I truly believe this is a winner when I think about how bad I smelled with the cabbage and the cold rag getting warm in a matter of seconds.  It's either home remedies, which need to be replenished or the gel pack.  GEL PACK!

5- Boppy Pillow, check considering I held on to mines for Gabrielle.

6- Good Double Breast Pump W/ supplies at home and for work.  Storage bags for work and home and a good ice cooler lunch bag which most breast pumps comes with anyway.  But for bringing the milk home, you always want to have a seperate bag and your marker for writing on the bags.

Lets get started!

You read it, I said it, "Yes I'm going to BREASTFEED"

Well after thinking long and hard, I've come to the conclusion that we're going to try breastfeeding Braxton.  I REALLY didn't want to go this route, but financially  it would be ideal.  Ideal if I produce enough milk and he latches that is.  My experience with Gabrielle was horrible, but after reading blogs, breastfeeding verbiage, etc.  what I experienced was quite normal and what was supposed to happen. 

For instance, with Gabrielle she latched on immediately after birth.  It was never made up in my mind that I would breastfeed, but it didn't hurt to try.  So, when the nurses asked me I said, "sure why not".  Well, throughout the hospital stay that's what we did and it went great.  Not even a day or two home with her, my milk came in like a freaking flood.  I had no idea that I was not supposed to express in hot showers.  If you'd only seen me.  The shower to me was like a God send and when the steam hit my wonderful looking painful boobs, they shot out milk like a water hose.  The relief and satisfaction of not being engorge was great.  Then right afterwards I'd still be leaking so I'd feed her.  UM, wrong move buddy.  Apparently, I'd signaled hormones in brain to think that yes, the kid was eating while I was expressing in the shower and give her more since she's still milking.  I OVER produced to the point where I developed a duct under my arm.  A duct as in a lump filled mass or what have you underneath my arm.  It clearly has remembered it's role in this whole pregnancy journey because it resurfaced around 10 weeks of me bring pregnant with Braxton. 

So, needless to say when my milk came in, I mean like just came in is when I gave up.  According to the information I read, this was the hardest part and I said to myself and Roger NOPE that's it.  On to Enfamil formula she went and on came frozen cabbage for the boobies.  This time around, I now know that I need to push through it if I want this to work.  Considering I'd just came to this boobie feeding solution this week, I hadn't taken into consideration all of the accessories  that come along with it.  What made the decision a little easier for sure was the fact that insurance now covers breast pumps, yeah for Obama Care, I guess.  I called BCBS NC and a pump of my choice, through their vendor of course is covered at 100%.  I'm allowed to order it June 7th, 30 days prior to my due date, thank God.  I have to admit that getting a free breast pump along with the free milk I can offer makes boobie feeding alot easier to try and conquer.

Winding Down at 33 Weeks!

You know, I've come to realize that this taking it easy thing is easier than I thougt.  It's actually not that bad to come home and do absolutely nothing.  No cooking, cleaning, school work......nothing.  It's quite expenisive though, not cooking and all but this will soon come to an abrubt end once Mr. B gets here.  Going home and relaxing is something I actually look forward to now.  Before it was going home just to get to Target, Marshalls, Ross, Michaels, Arbys (for a pick me upper), Michaels and I cant forget TJ Max.  I miss these stores like it's nobodies buisness, but I'm pretty sure I will be there ALL this summer, especially for evening walks with the kiddos and my girls. 

So for a pregnancy update, I'm offically 156 and for certain that I will be well over 160 before this is all over.  I'm still all belly, but I'm starting to feel the pressure in my anckles when I'm standing up.  It's not swollen or anything, but I can tell that I'm carrying some WEIGHT around.  My scheduled docs appointment was the other morning and things are just fine.  Baby is still head down, although I know turns round and round like a clock in there.  My little BRAXTON hicks are still coming and going but they feel like they are supposed to and not like the real thing.  I tell you one thing, I feel like my body is behaving like a runner at the starting point of a race waiting for the gun to fire and take off.  In other words, I feel like my body is ready for labor at any moment, the drop of a dime, ASAP.............you name it, that's what I mean.  I clear I'm loosing my (don't ready if you're easily grossed out, skipp to next paragraph)  EWCMP that stands for ewwww cervical mucus plug.  EVERY time I go to the rest room, there is some on the tissue, is that TMI............next time just follow directions and not read. 

It's quite exciting though to know that I only have 6 more weeks to go.  What's exciting about this is the unknown.  I'm all about the unknown because at the end of this journey I get a baby so, it's not like the scary unknown where you don't know what to expect.  In my case I can expect a baby.  Will it be 3 more weeks if I go in at 37 weeks or 6 more if I make it to 40 weeks.  Either way, I just hope that I go in the first week of July because my dream plans (nothing is our plan) are to be out from July to Oct.  I want it this way for a number of reasons, the most important is going back after Gabrielle's 3rd birthday.  I really want to throw something nice for her and my adjusting my mind about being back at work and BREASTFEEDING wont allow me to be in a mood for a party unless I know that I wont have to be to work the next day.  Yeah, you read correctly BREASTFEED.  More on that next time.   

Breakfast at Gabrielle's

Monkey Bread

Perfect for Saturday mornings to pick at ALL DAY LONG and finish with toothpaste and a toothe brush!

Ingredients:
4 Cans of Philbury Buttermilk Bisquits
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup divided Brown Sugar
Lots of Cinnimon
1/2 Cup Melted Butter

Cut each bisquit into quaters (4 pieces each bisquit)
Fill bag with 1 cup sugar, cinnimon, 1/2 cup sugar. 
Dump bisquit pieces into bag and shake to coat each piece
Grease bundt pan and place pieces
Melt butter and stir in remaining 1/2 cup of brown sugar, should look like brown glaze/carmalize
Pour over peice and bake for 35-40 minutes

Once done, turn over bundt pan onto flat surface immediately so glaze can run down sides. 

Extra dipping sauce for middle pieces required. 

Uncooked Dough

 

My Little Monkey's very own Monkey Bread