Week 32

Week 32

Baby Chloe is supposed to be the size of a squash! (But she's not quite there yet!)

This past week was pretty exciting. I had my OB visit, my high risk ultrasound, a 3D/4D ultrasound and an Ear appointment...

First was my OB visit with Dr. Hayes on Monday. Good news is I passed my glucose test, even after inhaling box(es) of pink lemonade cupcakes! :-)

Bad news is, cupcakes don't contain enough Iron and my blood worked showed Anemia. 

Dr. Hayes talked to us about the possibility of delivering Chloe at 37 weeks,  instead of 40, which is still considered full term! I sure hope we get to deliver her then! I can't wait to meet our little angel. I have been experiencing a lot of contractions, but nothing to rush us to the hospital. 

Tuesday, I had my high risk ultrasound with Dr. Morales. Chloe is still healthy and very active! However, she is tiny! She is in the 36% in her weight, where she should be over 50%. She weighs 2lbs, 14oz. Her surrounding fluid is measuring fine, so she is simply a small baby. This was supposed to be our last high risk appointment, but because of her size, we will be going back two more times. At the next appointment, they will determine if she is still growing or if her growing has stalled. If she drops below the 36%, they will be discussing the possibility of taking her out earlier. I however, have gained almost 30 lbs... and Chloe is more than welcome to take some of that weight from me!

Saturday, my mom scheduled us a 3D/4D ultrasound. Darrell's mother was able to drive down and join us. It was amazing. The best part of the ultrasound was for me to be able to feel her move AND see what she was doing when she moved. It was an awesome experience. Chloe kept her hands in front of her face most of the time, and didn't want us to get a sneak peak, but we managed to get a few pictures and some video

 of her moving. 

Sleeping on her hands, like a little angel. 

Sad face

Sucking her thumb! My favorite picture!

Monday, I had my very dreaded ear appointment. I got tubes put in both ears and it did not feel good. it's been about 5 days and I haven't decided if they are helping or are hurting... They are temporary tubes that should last between 2 and 4 months. If they work, I will be getting more permanent tubes put in. Bye bye scuba diving.... hello ear plugs for surfing!

My friend Carol gave Darrell and I an old surf board for Chloe's nursery. I can't wait to get it airbrushed and  hang it up over the dresser! My mom and I decided to sew the curtains, valance, crib skirt, and crib sheet since I couldn't find anything in the colors I was looking for.  We got half of the fabric so far and will post pictures as soon as everything is finished. We always have our work cut out for us.... :) 

One more exciting note for today....

I am starting a business from home. I have sold my handcrafted soaps in stores in the past and am ready to do it again, but bigger and better this time! My aunt has decided to generously invest in the beginnings of my business. I now legally own Sienna Soap, natural and handcrafted soaps. I will be taking the next two months to build my inventory and get a website up and running. When Chloe arrives, I should be ready for sales and craft shows! Here is a sample of the types of products to expect:

Chocolate Peppermint

Oatmeal Cinnamon Spice

And as delicious as they look, they are not edible! :)

Week 31 and Nursery Pictures

Week 31 

Chloe is about the length of a cucumber (15.2-16.7 inches) and the weight of a head of cabbage (2.5-3.8 lbs)

This weekend was all about getting the nursery together, and boy am I in pain now! My mom came over Friday and stayed here for the weekend, and all we did was sand, paint, take things apart, put things together, and paint some more! But the outcome is amazing and well worth the work. 

Nursery Checklist:

Paint walls

Paint Mural

Refinish and paint armoire 

Crib

Dresser

Paint gliding rocking chair

Spray paint baskets

new cushions for gliding rocking chair

Curtains (blue)

Curtain Rod

Rugs (x2)

Artwork

Airbrushed Surfboard with hooks (for above dresser)

Book Shelves

Changing Pad 

Crib bedding

Closet organizer and shelves

New lamp shade 

But for now...here is a SNEAK PEAK of the nursery as it slowly comes together....

This baby better love the water!

Surfs up Chloe!

 Love her new Crib and refinished armoire!

This side of the room will catch up to the other side soon with curtains and the surfboard rack

Chloe's new wheels! (there is slot in the back for gas money if anyone wants to donate ;) )

This bank was sitting on top of Chloe's dresser at the store when we went to pick the dresser up...it was meant to be!!

No more green wall to take my belly pictures... but I think this wall is a little more fun!

 

 Week 31, and my belly button wont stay in

Pregnancy Symptoms: new symptom this week is awful leg cramps! I wake up in the morning to stretch my legs and I get an instant charlie horse. Ouchy.... 

Mood: Extremely relieved that the painting and hard physical labor is finished!!

Best moment this week: Picking up the nursery furniture, and seeing everything come together

Next doctor appointments: Monday: OBGYN (will get my Glucose test results back), Tuesday: High Risk OB/Ultrasound, Saturday: 3D Ultrasound

Week 30

Wow 5 weeks flew by! This is the final stretch! 

Darrell and I moved into our new house on March 25th, and we couldn't be any happier! My dad and step mom have given us a fantastic deal and have worked extremely hard to get us moved in and settled. Callie and Sebastian don't know what to do with all of the extra space. We wake up in the morning to the two of them running laps around the inside of the house. We feel so lucky to get to raise our daughter in a beautiful house instead of a small apartment. Now, if only we had enough furniture to fill this place up! :-)


View from the front door into the kitchen

View from the dining room into the family room

My favorite view: The pool and pond 

Callie and Sebastian Sun bathing on the patio

Sunday, April 1st was our BBQ baby shower. First of all, a special thank you to my mom for hosting the shower and decorating it so perfectly! We can't thank everyone enough for coming to the shower, and for all of the gifts for Chloe! She is going to be the best dressed baby that we've ever seen! We had such a good time at the shower. It was so great to have every side of both families get together! If anyone has pictures from the shower, I'd love to get copies of them! You can e-mail them to me at agraham722@yahoo.com. 

BaByQ Invitation

The most amazing cake I've ever seen!! 

Top of the cake

 

 Baby Bottle Beer Chugging Competition! 

   

   

 And the winner was Ryan

 Delicious Desserts made by Lisa, Jenni, and Sian

Amazing food made by Darrell, Mama Carol,  Aunt Eve, and Aunt Nanci

  A peak at the decorations 

I think this pile only got bigger!

Chloe's after shower shoe count: 31 pairs!!

On April 5th, I had to get my left ear drummed popped at the ENT office. I have had ear issues since before my pregnancy, and it has only gotten worse. Doctor Ho sliced my ear drum in order to relieve pressure temporarily, and to see if I need to get tubes in my ears. The good news is, that it did relieve the pressure from the left ear... the bad news is, that tubes and surfing don't really get along...I go back in two weeks to discuss my options. 

Week: 30

Total weight gain: 24 lbs

POTS symptoms: I have been feeling pretty great for the past few weeks. My POTS symptoms have calmed down and become manageable again! I have only had a few black out spells, and they usually come when i am outside or getting out of the car into the heat. I can finally move around the inside of my house and get things done without passing out! Hallelujah! My cardiologist says that I am probably feeling better due to the increase of blood volume that Chloe is giving me. I just have to be extra careful when I am outside in the heat, or in the car with no A/C because my blood pressure drops very quickly from the increase in temperature. 

Pregnancy Symptoms: Well other than Chloe laying on top of my bladder and having to pee every 5 minutes, the only other annoying symptom has been pelvic swelling from the pressure of carrying so low. It becomes pretty painful throughout the day, and my doctor has me wearing a pregnancy support belt. It helps the pressure on my back, but doesn't seem to be helping to much with the pelvic swelling. Unfortunately, that is probably only going to get worse. 

Mood: Very excited! There is so much going on in our house right now, between all the new baby items floating around, the nursery decorating, and getting the house together... It has been pretty fun! 

Best moment this week: Getting the mural drawn on the nursery wall!! Pictures to come when the painting is completed next weekend!