3TT

This one's gonna be pretty one track today, haha!

Three Things I'm Thankful/Excited For:

1. I am thankful that Tyge made it home and will be here from start to finish for Petrie's arrival! I seriously can't describe the elation I felt when he walked through that door on Friday night...

2. I am thankful that, at 40 weeks and 4 days pregnant, I am not completely miserable. I feel physically pretty good withstanding and not mentally anxious really, just so EXCITED to meet Petrie.

3. I am thankful that we are so prepared for Petrie's arrival - we have been showered with gifts, help, love, support and I feel about ready as I can be for this exciting new journey! Petrie is already so loved by me and Tyge, and so many of our friends and family that can't wait to meet him/her as well.


Three Things I'm Praying For:

1. Honestly, for Petrie to come soon - I know he/she will come in his/her own time and that God has the perfect plan. I know to trust Him and that His ways are best, but I can't help but pray to meet our little one soon! Also for my wandering mind (will I have to be induced, etc) to stop and take it one day at a time.

2. Praying for a safe and healthy delivery when the time comes. I have my birth "preference" and ways I imagine and would like it to happen, but the important thing is a healthy mom and a healthy baby, so I am open to however that may happen!

3. Job related things for some of those I love - my Dad is in Tampa this week for the Republican National Convention and gone next week for the Democratic one, which means a crazy hectic schedule for him when he'd rather be home for Petrie's arrival I'm sure. :) I'm so glad the hurricane missed him there at least! Also for Tyge as this is his first week on the road in MN training with his new boss and learning what a day in the life of his new job will be like. A few more prayers for other family and their job situations, but I'll keep it at that. :)

40+ Weeks

Due Date: August 24, 2012
How far along: 40 weeks and 2 days, but who's counting?! ;)
The Bump:

Taken last night before dinner

Total weight loss/gain: +25 lbs total - the last week of Momma's home cooking and indulging at the Fair added a few more than I would have liked, but I was happy to stay right at my goal.

Workouts: 4 hours of walking at the Fair on Friday and an hour walk at a hilly dog park yesterday - planning another one for today!

Baby items purchased: Nothing this week - we really have everything we need to start!

Sleep: Non-existent...getting up 4-5 times a night to pee and then up at 5-6 AM for good. I have lost my ability to sleep in - something I NEVER thought would happen to me!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Symptoms: Swelling feet, backache, heartburn, peeing all the time, pressure and pain in the lady parts.

Food cravings: Muffins! My mom makes awesome ones that I enjoyed all last week. Also had fun at the MN State Fair but didn't get all my usuals (Sweet Martha's, roasted corn) as I don't have as much room in there to gorge! Did enjoy a Pronto Pup, apple dumpling with ice cream, apple cider freezie (best kept secret at the Fair - $1 at the apple booth in the Horticulture building!), and an ice cold root beer.

 

 

Maternity clothes: Oh yes and some of those don't even fit at this point - haha!

 

Stretch marks: None - happy about that!

Gender ideas: Tyge is 52% sure it's a girl, I'm 51% sure it's a boy. One of us is right!

Movement: Yup - and I'm treasuring every little movement on the inside, even though I can't wait to meet them on the outside!

Labor Signs: Head is down, and as of last Thursday I'm 75% effaced and dilated 1-2 cms. Having some mild Braxton Hicks contractions but nothing that really "feels" like labor yet. My midwife said "see you next week" at my appointment so I guess it doesn't look like it's coming anytime soon. Trying to do things to move it along so we'll see! I'm so thankful that all the prayers for Petrie to hold off until Tyge got home worked, but I'm ready now!

Miss anything: SLEEEEEEP - I know I won't get sleep once the baby is here either, but at least I'll have something to show for my zombie-ness! :)

Best moment this week: Tyge coming home!!!! I was elevating my feet in bed Friday night after walking at the Fair and Keely girl was snuggling with me. All of a sudden she jumped off the bed as she heard the key in the lock, and I slowly waddled down the hall to see my hunny HOME! Such a wonderful feeling to have him here, safe, done with travelling, and ready to enter into this awesome thing to come with me.  

Looking forward to: Meeting Petrie and finding out WHO he/she is!!! This is hopefully my last post like this and instead of "41 weeks", it'll be "Introducing ______!"

Reflections on Pregnancy

I can't believe that I am almost at 40 weeks! Seriously, it seems like just yesterday we were finding out, then telling our family and friends, announcing it on the blog, and now we are days away from the due date! The first 12 weeks did crawl by at a snail's pace, but once I entered into that second trimester the time has just FLOWN by and I find myself not ready for it to be over just yet!

I know the above statement sounds crazy for a pregnant lady about ready to pop to say, but Tyge and I were reflecting last weekend on what an incredible pregnancy I've had. At this point I'm not screaming to "get it out" and not as miserable as many women are at nearly 40 weeks. Aside from the normal uncomfortableness, it has been such an easy, healthy, and happy pregnancy and I am really going to miss it. I am treasuring every kick and wiggle in these last few days and as exciting as it'll be to have Petrie in my arms, I'll really miss having him/her in my belly. I can honestly say that having a miscarriage made me not take this pregnancy for granted for one second. It definitely gave me a positive perspective on things and made me less apt to complain when things weren't so glowing at times. I don't know if I'll be blessed with another pregnancy, so I've really treasured every moment of this one and look back on the past 9 months with nothing but gratitude.

13 weeks


36 weeks

           

I've seen some "Pregnancy Must Have" lists on a few other Mommy blogs I read, so wanted to create one of my own. Here are a few things that really helped me get through this pregnancy:

Preggie Pops - I was so nauseous in the beginning that these really helped me, along with having a light snack right away when I got up in the morning.

Body Pillow - seriously, a lifesaver! Betsy let me borrow hers (I think it's called The Snuzzler?) and I don't know what I would have done without it. Early on I thought it was just comfy and nice to use, but towards the end here it's made a world of difference in my sleep. Though now that I'm getting up to pee so often it's a bit hard to roll over it, but the increased comfort is totally worth the hassle.

Keely loves it too!

Ocean Potion Aloe Lotion - I have Cocoa Butter and Burt's Bees stretch mark lotion, but really haven't used it all that much, and was very lucky to not get stretch marks. I do get pretty dry skin everywhere and have spent time in the sun, and this the the BEST sun care lotion I've ever used. I can only find it at Walmart so stocked up early on and use it every day after my shower!

Greek Yogurt - Of all the cravings I've had, Greek Yogurt was the biggest one! I have this every morning with berries for breakfast, and often again as a snack mid-day.

Tums - As the heartburn has increased, these seemed to help somewhat. Not completely, but they ease the intense burning a bit!

Old Navy maternity side runched tanks and yoga pants - I have some really cute maternity clothes that I wear to work and out on weekends, but I LIVE in these pants and have several colors of the tank that I throw on the minute I get home.

A good bra and maternity undies - I have the Victoria's Secret Incredible for daytime and a comfy sports bra (or no bra haha) for after work. In the beginning, I thought maternity undies were unnecessary but WOW was I wrong! As I got bigger, I bought a few pairs from Target and they are the only one I wear - so comfy. 

Blue Camelbak water bottle - I have this exact water bottle and it's been attached to my hand all pregnancy long. I have been so thirsty and just guzzle out of this thing! I get sick of plain water so have been adding lemon juice to make it tastier. I actually thought I lost this one day at work and almost had a meltdown, but my coworker found it for me - crisis averted. :)

Babycenter - I am such an information gatherer, so having this App, daily emails, and access to the website has been really helpful. Tyge gets an email too so it's been fun to have him tell me things he's learning and what's going on with the baby each week.

Birth stories/Natural birth books - In the beginning I didn't put too much thought into the actual birth itself, but once I realized that I have to get this thing OUT of me, I've been researching HOW I want to do that.  Hearing/reading/watching positive birth stories and reading books like Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, Natural Childbirth The Bradley Way, and Hypnobirthing  has offered me so many great, peaceful birth stories that are like the ones I choose to think about when I picture what Petrie's birth will be like.

 

Experienced girlfriends and family - I am blessed to have many amazing girlfriends, many of who are mommies or pregnant as well. It's been awesome to be surrounded by a network of women who I admire and can pick their brains about what helped them during pregnancy and new mommyhood. Of course, I also looked to my own mom, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law for advice and support along the way which was so valuable!

My amazingly supportive husband - Seriously, I couldn't have made it through these 9 months without him. In the beginning he was so helpful with taking over household chores, cooking, caring for Keely girl, caring for me, etc. Really he's been pitching in extra the entire time! And he didn't bat an eye at the baby to-do list, complain when I asked him to paint a second coat on the nursery walls, or call me crazy when I insisted on hanging curtains at midnight. He has been so patient, loving, and supportive and made me feel beautiful every day, even when I may feel like a whale. He's had extra added stress with his new job taking him out of town and having to read and learn so many new things, but he's still made me and Petrie #1 priority and for that, I am so thankful.

An attitude of gratitude - like I said above, this pregnancy was such a blessing for me/us and I've not taken it for granted for one second. I think after one unsuccessful pregnancy, having the privilege of growing this baby for the past 40 weeks is something I am so thankful for that I chose to focus on that and not the negative aspects pregnancy can bring. This really helped me put things into perspective!

And last but not least - PRAYER, PRAYER, PRAYER! I know my pregnancy and Petrie's health has been covered by the prayers of many and I am so thankful for that. I know that's the reason things have been so amazing thus far, and fully trust God's timing and plan for Petrie's birth as well.

Any day now, ours will be here!!!

QT Week Recap

This past week has been amazing - I am sitting here reflecting on what a great week it's been and just smiling. Yes, I'm sad that I had to watch my hunny drive away this afternoon to be 7 hours away when I could go into labor at any time, but not as bad as I thought I'd be.

Basically since he got home a week ago we set aside every night for just us two to hang out, and that's exactly what we've done! We boated last Saturday all day, got ready for the week last Sunday, and spent each weeknight together this past week. We cooked healthy dinners together, ate outside, took walks, had purposeful talks, watched movies in bed and cuddled each other and Keely girl, and just enjoyed each other's company without a to-do list, outside commitments or distractions. It was glorious - we've never done anything like it since being together!

Then this weekend we had a fantastic date on Friday at Acqua on White Bear Lake - yummy food and a beautiful atmosphere. We were going to boat again yesterday but the weather was off and on, so we sat in our backyard and read together all day. Tyge had to study Medical Terminology and I had a few baby books  I wanted to read, so we filled Keely's pool for her to splash around in while I got comfy on my sun lounger and Tyge set up shop on the swing. We spent almost 5 hours out there enjoying the peaceful space with crickets and birds chirping - I got some sun, dozed off a few times, and we both relaxed in the quiet.

She looooves her pool!

Passed out on the swing next to Dad

Saturday night we went to see The Campaign, which I thought was funny and literally laughed so hard I almost peed my pants at one part - which isn't hard these days. :) After studying all day poor Tyge needed a laughter break! Then we ate outside at Granite City and split some yummy food, once again enjoying each other's company and reveling in the reality that it was probably our last date night out for awhile!

Today we slept in, made brunch and ate together, Tyge mowed, we visited a friend's adorable new baby, packed Tyge up, then he left. Keely and I were outside on the driveway as he pulled away and I took her for a walk as I started to tear up, only a little bit. As I took her for a walk I prayed the entire time and just thanked God for the amazing week Tyge and I had together and for all the exciting things we have in store for us soon. I prayed for his safety on the road, safety for us both and for Petrie while we're apart this week, for Tyge to stay as stress free as possible while taking his final exams this week, and for Petrie to come when he gets home.

Honestly though I feel so at peace with whatever will happen - I know it's both Tyge and my desire for him to be here at the start of labor, but we both trust that he'll get here eventually and I have a great plan in place with my mom and our doula, so feel comfortable with that. My meditation verse this week is Philippians 4:6 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Amen!

My mom comes over tomorrow and I'm looking forward to spending the week with here - it'll be nice to have her here during the day with Keely girl, have her home cooking after work each night, and to just spend some QT with my momma before I become a momma myself.

So this week just FLEW by, and I'm looking forward for this next week to pass just as quickly because I know that with each day that passes Tyge and I are closer to seeing each other again, and becoming PARENTS! :)

39 weeks

Due Date: August 24, 2012
How far along: 39 weeks
The Bump:

Total weight loss/gain: +22 lbs total

Workouts: None at all. I know it sounds silly but I'm trying not to walk or do too much - I want to keep this baby in until next Friday! 

Baby items purchased: Nothing this week - we really have everything we need to start!

Sleep: What's that? Been getting up at 5 AM every morning this week and can't fall back asleep...it's getting more painful to flip over at night with this big ol' belly and things are just all around uncomfortable, but that's to be expected. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Symptoms: Swelling feet, backache, heartburn, peeing all the time.

Food cravings: Been cooking and eating healthy with Tyge all week which has been good! Craving ice cream still though. :)

Maternity clothes: Oh yes

Stretch marks: None - happy about that!

Gender ideas: Tyge is 52% sure it's a girl, I'm 51% sure it's a boy. One of us is right!

Movement: Still moving around though I'm sure it's getting cramped in there! Now it's more sharp pokes rather than fluttery kicks. It's been fun to play "guess the body part" while feeling around my belly. 

Labor Signs: Head is down, and as of this week I'm 50% effaced and dilated 1-2 cms. Having some mild Braxton Hicks contractions.

Miss anything: Good sleep! And I am getting pretty excited to have that first glass of red wine in a few weeks... :)

Best moment this week: My baby shower at work today! My coworkers put so much thought into everything, from the cute decorations in the conference room, to getting my favorite food from Good Earth, white cake with white frosting from a bakery in Hudson, arranging fun games to play, and getting me very generous gifts. I am so blessed to work with some awesome people and will truly miss them while I'm out for 3 months! It's so weird to think that each night I leave could be my "last" one there!

Looking forward to: A quiet weekend with my hunny to include date night at Acqua tonight and boating all day tomorrow. Then keeping this baby in next week while my mom stays with me until he gets home next Friday!

And a funny pic Tyge snapped of Keely and me in the grass. :)

Mourning just "US"

So I obviously have a million emotions coursing through my body right now, and the latest one isn't one I was expecting - almost a mourning or sense of loss. Don't get me wrong, I am SO excited to become a parent and meet Petrie in a few short days/weeks, but this week it just hit me that it will no longer be just me and Tyge - no longer just US.

Some say that before you get married you mourn your single life - I guess that's what bachelor and bachelorette parties are for, right?

Winter 2009

Well I never had that feeling before I married Tyge - I could not WAIT to leave my old single life behind and spend the rest of my life with him. And it's been the best 3.5 years of my life to date!

With him gone this week I've had a lot of time to reflect back at all the wonderful memories we've made since meeting in 2007, and I'm not just being cliche when I say that I fall more in love with him every day. Dating him was so fresh, exciting, and new - he was unlike any other guy I'd ever dated and I knew even back then that there was something special about this one and God had big plans for us.

One of our first photos together, 4th of July 2007

As much as I enjoyed the dating stage, I was thrilled when engagement came in 2008 and was so excited to begin that next chapter of having Tyge as my fiance.

Those 9 months flew by and before I knew it, our wedding day and honeymoon came and went, and we settled into life as newlyweds living together for the first time.

Life was great - we were so in love, so happy to be living together in our rental home, and so giddy about what the future held for us. We had really nothing tying us down, not too many responsibilities, date night whenever we wanted, like I said - life was great!

We took the next step in October of that same year and bought our first house, which brought it's first set of challenges our way - home ownership. :) The house hunting process was stressful at times but Tyge and I leaned on each other and in the end bought our dream home. I remember looking at houses and picturing certain rooms as the kids room, imagining our future family sitting down at dinner together, the possibilities were endless.

A few months into living there and we decided we were ready for a little more responsibility and wanted to try pet parenthood before real parenthood - enter Keely girl!

Our first "family" photo

It may sound silly, but the experience of raising a puppy with Tyge was an awesome one and we learned a lot about each other and how we would raise future children - luckily, we were on the same page for most things! Keely has brought so much joy to our lives and I love watching him with her - he is such a great pet Dad that I know he will be a fantastic "real" Dad as well.

Though our married life together has been amazingly blessed, it hasn't been without it's challenges, the biggest of which came last fall with the miscarriage. Aside from the deaths of two of my grandparents that Tyge has been with me for, it was our greatest loss we've experienced together. He was my rock - I have no idea how I would have made it through that time without him. It truly brought us closer together and made me realize that I was really ready to be a "real" parent with him as my partner.

So I know having a baby will only enrich our lives and make me even more in love with him, and 2 days into that "new" life I won't even be able to imagine life without Petrie, but right now I had to admit I'm feeling a little sad that it won't be just us two anymore. I'm hoping that's somewhat normal? Like I said, it just hit me this week that we really only have a week left (while he's here) of just "us" time before our lives are turned upside down, in a GOOD way, but forever changed nonetheless. With each stage of life we've entered into together it's gotten better and better, and I 100% know with all my heart this next stage of parenthood will be the best one yet. However, I still can't help but feel a little scared and sad that (for the next 20+ years anyway!) it will no longer be just "Tyge & Kate".

I guess all this is to say that for the rest of the days before Petrie gets here I vow to take the time to enjoy my husband, to go on dates with him, spend quality time with him, tell him how much I love him, not worry about to-do lists, not spend time doing menial tasks that can wait, but to just soak up all the time left we have as just US,

before Petrie gets here and our lives are changed for the better when we become a family of three (or four with Keely). :)

Maternity Photos by Callie V!

Tyge and I are so blessed to be friends with the incredibly talented Callie of Callie V Photography - she takes amazing photos and it was so fun to shoot with a good friend. I wasn't going to do maternity photos but I'm glad she "talked me into it", as I treasure these images of just us two before Petrie is born.

I love this one

This is my fav

Goofy us :)

We love Petrie!

Baby B's Woodland Nursery!

It's DONE! The nursery is done!


It has been so much fun planning, creating, and watching my vision for the nursery come together. One of the things I worried about at first when not finding out the baby's gender was what to do with the nursery, but even if I knew one way or another THIS is exactly what I would have done. There are so many homemade and personal touches in there that I love and make it so special, and it's easily my favorite room in the house. Again, here is my post on The Nursery Plans, and without further ado, here is the reveal:

Keely says, "Welcome!"

My favorite part of the room - the wall decal

Mobile

Bedding

Storage shelf with boxes for toys

A woodland nursery wouldn't be complete without Forest Friends! It's been hard keeping Keely away from these toys...

Nursing/Reading Corner

Other corner of the room

(Wreath on door handmade by my dear friend Bridget as a decoration from my Woodland Baby Shower)

Changing Area

Carefully selected wall art, baby pictures of Tyge and me, my shower invite, Petrie's first picture, and of course the deer head - made by my mom as a joke for Tyge a few years ago when the head fell off one of her Christmas decorations!

Cute accents

The view from the nursing chair - I'll be looking at this sight a lot!

And Keely IS excited for Petrie's arrival, really, she is! :)

A special thanks to:

-My dear husband for painting the room, helping me sand and paint the dresser, installing the white ceiling fan, and making and putting up the window valance box and blackout shades.

-My Momma for helping me put up the wall decal (that took 12 hours), furnishing the deer head that she had no idea would end up in her future grandchild's nursery, and picking out the perfect lamp.

-My mother-in-law Joen for sewing the changing pad cover and box liners to match the bedding.

Other Room Resources:

Paint: Behr Rejuvenate

Wall Decal: Lewa's Designs on Etsy

Crib: Graco Lauren from Walmart

Bedding: Southern Charm Quilts on Etsy

Crib Mobile: Tweet Toys on Etsy

Horizontal shelf & wall bookshelves: Ikea

Chair: Slumberland

Lamp: Marshall's

Blackout Shade (not shown used): Blindster

Curtains: Target

Dresser: Craigslist

Diaper Caddy: Babies R Us

Wall Art: Etsy (here & here)

Ceramic birds & squirrel statue: Patina

Owl Nightlight: Lamps Plus

Everything is ready for you Petrie, and I am SO excited to bring you home to your new room! I even have an outfit all picked out for you to come home in:

Fox hat with removable flower from Etsy

Just please wait to make your arrival on a day your Dad is home, okay? :)

Love,

Your excited and anxious Mom!