Pssst

I'm officially "full term"!

Stop the Madness

There's something about nearing the end of the pregnancy. The shopping, planning, shopping, organizing, shopping, and more shopping. Yes, everything but the actual task I should probably be doing- cleaning!

The madness as of late has been the impulse to buy all things Baby!

Here's his first Feltman Brothers bubble outfit (Newborn). I'll only let him wear the cutesy things in his infancy. As Mason's mommy, I'm vehemently opposed to dressing him in frilly outfits once he's of a certain age (I'm thinking past 2 yrs if not before). He might not appreciate me putting him in the smocked rompers, bubble outfits, and cutesy shortalls anyway but at least when he's an infant he doesn't have much say.

Comfy Cozy

Last night I finished these giraffe minky floor pillows for below the nursery mantel.

They're soooo soft!

I Haven't Even Packed Yet And I'm Ripe

Today, Dr. F informed me that while I'm still only dilated 1 cm, I'm 90% effaced. Cervical effacement is measured from 0-100% and at 90% it basically means that it's almost completely thinned and am "ripe" for Labor. I already knew I've begun to "lighten" and Dr. F confirmed that Mason is head first...definitely felt in my pelvic region.

Dr. F said he doesn't want me going past my due date of February 22, although he confirmed that I'm measuring ahead anyhow. So in 2 weeks, if I haven't gone into labor yet, he'll offer me an Induction option. I have mixed feelings on this. Dr. F explained the dangers of going beyond 40 wks as there are higher meconium levels, and a bigger baby means a higher risk of C-section, but I've also heard so many horror stories of how inducing prolongs labor and there's an increased chance of C-sections when we try and use medicine to manipulate Labor and Delivery early.

Paintin' Partay

Early Saturday, my Supper Club Chickies came over and spent the entire day prepping, painting, and helping move furniture into Mason's room. We had a blast and it was such an incredible blessing that they took the initiative and decided to give up their Saturday to get everything set-up and ready for the little guy. They are awesome friends!

The room getting prepped

(the crib couldn't fit through the door)

Jamie and I in the process of touching up

And while, you might have expected a completed AFTER pic, you're just gonna have to wait!

Not only did my SC Girls work their fannies off all day, we ended by celebrating at dinner and they surprised me with the baby swing I had registered for at Babies R Us!

Supper Club Paintin' Partay

and the last SC before Mason joins us!

Stocking the Smockings

Well, they had a sale on smocked clothing at Windmill Kids and of course I stocked up on these clearance items...that had an additional 60% off!

I haven't had the final charges added to my card (they're backed up because of the Sale), but I know the clothing itself was $30 for everything!

1 Month Countdown

35.5 Weeks

Or, as of tomorrow it'll officially be my last month!

Mommy Found Some Deals

I scored all these goodies shopping at http://www.babyuvearrived.com/ last night. Right now you get 50% off everything in stock (including the sale items, basically everything except for the furniture) and free shipping with orders over $100.

But I did have to call in today because the coupon wasn't working last night. My total BEFORE discount was $158 AND they honored the free shipping...then with the 50% off, it ended up being $79 AFTER the discount, with no additional taxes or shipping/handling fees. Might sound a little pricey paying almost 80-bucks for baby gear, but look at everything I received for $79:

Mommy likes deals!

Baby Shower!

Saturday, some of my closest friends threw me a Baby Shower Brunch...it was incredible! From the invitations and decor to the food, cake, and games- it was a huge blessing and I felt very honored and loved. Pictures describe much more than I could ever write so here's a sample of the festivities:

Baby Shower

We had a Sit-Down Brunch with a Feast of Delicious Foods...

Shower Decor was in Blues and Brown...

A Phenomenal Shower Cake!

and check the other pretty cakes on http://sweetlifecakes.blogspot.com

Time to open gifts =)

Shower Games...

My Gracious Shower Hostesses:

Mrs. Pettis, Bethany, Jamie & Tiger

I've been so fatigued and have neglected to update on a couple of things...

Last Weekend

I had my Maternity Photo Shoot with Jan King of Two Sisters Photography. Originally I planned on using an out-of-town, higher-end photographer, but the reality that it would be costly for travel in addition to a significantly large investment for the session alone (which did not include any pictures/proofs), I had resolved to forgo maternity pics altogether due to the sticker shock alone. Budget is top priority-I am going to be a single mother in a particularly unstable economic time!

HOWEVER, I truly believe God provided when Jan King, a lady from church, randomly offered a photo shoot and her pricing couldn't be beat! Jan and her sister Shelia are incredibly talented and I couldn't be more pleased with my photo session, the time they took for tons of different poses/outfits/sceneries (275 proofs), and their creative vision for my shoot. I can't wait to share the pictures (since they're worth a thousand words) but I will wait to get permission from Jan first.

Monday

I received a call that my #1 Pediatrician choice will accept Mason as a new patient! This is great news because there are a ton of people (Dr. F included) who advised me of how good this Pediatrician is, but that he rarely accepts new patients. We got in!

Tuesday

They found trace amounts of protein in my urine again (aren't you so glad I share my pee stories freely?); although my blood pressure is back down to 120/80 and my weight gain was 4 lbs from the last week, but only 1 lb from 2 weeks prior (the nurse said it's water). Woo-hoo! So I don't have to see Dr. F again next week.

Thursday

I purchased materials to make the cornices for Mason's nursery. And I must add that the guys at Home Depot were not very helpful at all. I found one reluctant guy to cut my plywood, initially he tried to hide between aisles near the molding section...SERIOUSLY!

Friday

Today, I don't really have an update other than I've been fatigued all day. But not so much that I can't look forward to my BABY SHOWER tomorrow! I'm so excited- Bethany, Jamie, Tiger, and Mrs. Pettis are hostessing and it's going to be awesome celebrating with my friends =)

Protein...

...in my urine. {GROSS- I know!}

Trace amounts were found today, but my blood pressure was down to the "normal range" 138/80 from last week and Dr. F wants me to revisit him again in 1 week so he can continue to monitor me for Toxemia/Pre-Eclampsia.

Ugggghhhh. I'm tired of the $3 parking at Brookwood. And while I missed 2 visits from holiday vacation, I've still paid $30 from my 10 visits alone. Three-dollars a visit for parking at the hospital is getting to be ridiculous. I'm on a Mommy budget now!

Dr. F told me to continue to gets lots of sleep (like 10 hours each night) and to take a mandatory nap during the day (well, at least I'm resting) as well as continue to take things easy. I still have the go-ahead to continue with my workout though- still just running 1/2 mi and supplementing with the elliptical machine.

I fly my last flight tomorrow- Orlando for business, and there's a part of me that gets frustrated I have to slow down. I was sssllloooooowwww all during Christmas break- for 17 days straight! A big part of me feels like it's now time to get in gear and take care of that long checklist of things in order to prepare for Baby Mason. And I'm nowhere near ready- I haven't even taken the Childbirthing Class yet (that's this weekend with Jamie Michele). Here's just a few things I need to get done this month:

□ Childbirth Class

□ Interview & determine Pediatrician

□ Register new vehicle (technically this is still baby-related because I had to get a larger car to haul Baby and baby stuff)

□ Take Maternity Pics

□ Choose the nursery wall color & Paint the room
□ Make window cornices & cover

□ Sew blanket, pillows, mantle curtain for Nursery

□ Revisit baby budget/finances/insurance

□ Begin getting list together of Babysitters

□ Clean & babyproof house (and for those of you who think my house is clean, did you know I've never mopped my floors...not ever!)

□ Create Birth Plan

□ Pack Hospital Bag

□ Prepare a few meals & freeze

Other "To Do" items (although not as pressing)
□ Remove wallpaper in Master Bath & paint (although this won't really be a hazard until Mason is crawling
□ Paint Mason's/Guest Bath

Feed Me

Finding a decent High Chair has been quite a challenge.

My criteria have been: black, wooden, preferably an old-fashioned type.

Unfortunately, when I do find a wooden high chair, it's almost never comes in black. Although, I do have some time before the little guy will be able to use one, so the search continues.

Safety 1st Solid Wood High Chair in Vineland @ $80

Kettler Kombi High Chair in Natural Solid Beechwood @ $80 it may look odd/ugly, but it also converts into a child's playdesk
This is the closest to what I'm looking for (only in black).

Angel Line Jenny Lind High Chair @ $85

And I found these high chair pads from koryskradle on Etsy.com and will definitely try sewing this myself =)