DIY Changing Table

I used to think I was an out of the box thinker, or at least somewhat so.  Then I met Matt and boy was I wrong. The challenge is that while I end up loving what we do when we follow Matt the process kills me.  As it turns out I'm also a check list kinda girl.  Pre Matt I probably would've just walked into  Babies R Us and picked out a crib, changing table and dresser and then Check Check Check-DONE.  Now...not so much. 

Matt is also big on giving baby girl 2 something of her own.  I love the thought behind it but I do find it interesting giving that he's a first born and never had to deal with hand me downs. 

We've been looking and found this on ETSY Changing Table

There are two main issues with this piece
1.) it's $365
2.) it's in norther NJ and they don't ship

At the point at which Matt suggested we go up there and rent a truck to bring it back I knew we may have to have a reality check.  That's when Matt found this....one that I had seen but not given two thoughts about because....well look

Luckily my husband has a keen eye for detail and realized right away it's the same one but for $75.00 and in Gaithersburg MD. He headed up there today to pick it up.  When I asked him what he thought he only responded "good bones".  He's right, good bones indeed but damn.  It stunk of cigarettes.  It needed a good cleaning.  Then as we started to disassemble it we found this:

Why yes, that is a Trojan.  The only bonus is that it was unused. 


So now the plan is to sand it down, stain the top dark, paint it an off white, remove the plexiglass and cover it in a coral based fabric and then add some fancy knobs.  Here's hoping it works out!  Pictures to come.

25 Weeks

25 Weeks

Me thinks someone's baby is high up....

On Friday we worked volunteering and I really overdid it.  I didn't lift anything heavy or move a lot but there was a LOT of bending.  My hip joints and general lower extremities are achy.  Round ligament pain is really bad, and generally left I'm wondering if this is normal or if it's concerning.  My pregnancy with Emerson was so  exemplary that I'm just not sure what "normal" is. 

Otherwise I'm just keeping on keeping on. 

24 Weeks

Finally had the sense to have Matt take my photo in the morning when I have make-up on

I started this post earlier today but it got lost. Ironically I started by talking about how the first 20 weeks dragged and you turn around and it's 25 weeks......except it's not, it's only 24 :)

At 24 weeks I've come to realize that I've hit "that point" in my pregnancy--that point at which you have to wake up to roll over :)  Not that I'm complaining but it's so different than with Emerson it seems.  With Emerson I don't ever really remember getting too terribly uncomfortable or if I was at all it was at the very end.  This just feels so normal :)

One less than stellar fun fact this time is foot pain.  Apparently despite the fact I've only gained 1 pound I suppose it's the location of the weight.  As a result my left heel and the arches of my feet are hurting and I found myself wearing my show shoes for support.  Sexy I know.

This weekend I painted the nursery a seafoam color.  We're planning on seafoam and coral with probably a little gray.  We found some coral chevron prints at Target that started it all.  It's super cute too b/c Emerson will tell you "that's baby X's room" or "baby sister's room". 

Speaking of we've decided on a name.  I'm super excited about it and I think it's going to be hard to keep it to ourselves.  It's different than what I thought though. 

24 weeks.  6 months.  Bananas

OB appt update

I had my OB appt (24 weeks at 23 weeks b/c I started all of these a week early....)  Everything looks good. Baby girl was allllllll over the place bopping around.  Matt was having a rough day and when he came into the appointment his stress sort of transfered to me.  They called me back alone at first and my blood pressure was high.  I didn't realy even notice at first.  I NEVER have pressure issues, even on the morning of my induction with Emerson as nervous as I was.  Actually medical staff always comment on this.  However my nurse Maria (who's been my nurse with my OBGYN for years) looked...funny.  She mentioned my pressure and wanting to take it again. 
Now here's the thing with that.  I wouldn't have thought much of it had I not been having trouble breathing.  Who knows why--it was hot, my insides are pushed up thanks to baby girl, asthma, who knows.  So she takes it again.  Mind you now I'm nervous so it's high again.  Finally they try a different cuff, they distract me and it comes down.  Offta.  Of course I had to give Matt grief for giving me "the pressures".

I also talked to the doctor about some weird sensations I've been having.  Specifically when I'll be walking the dog it will feel like I've been doing lots of sit-ups--not painful but a little achey.  Every time I'm sure to drink enough water and my stomach never feels "tight" from the outside so I thought it couldn't be braxton hicks.  In fact, I'm not sure it is but she did confirm they are contractions--practice ones so I guess BH? 

Here's the thing....this is where I'm beginning to worry about my health as it relates to my job.  More and more there are job stressors and then consequently these weird sensations, which I now know are practice contractions/BH, will start up.  I wish I could say that I'm able to manage my stress so this doesn't happen but right now it seems to be beyond my control.  That in and of itself is frusterating.  I'm not really sure what I'm going to do about it right now other than just watch it.  I'm not even sure where I'm going with this except to just put it out there.  This much I know, no damn job or crazy clients is worth my health or that of my babies.  So with that.....who knows :)

Side by Side

23 weeks Emerson

23 weeks baby 2

23 Weeks take 2

23 Weeks and 1 day and feeling MUUUCH better.  So let's see, at 23 weeks I'm obviously showing.  At this point with Emerson I'm pretty sure I had put on a solid 20lbs by now.  I have my Dr's appt tomorrow and I'm really curious how much I've gained.  Honestly I don't know if it's much over 5lbs.  Given the fact that last time was just me eating b/c "I could" I'm really glad I haven't packed on the pounds.  Of course, I probably gained another 20 after Emerson just due to PPD.

While I feel much better today in hindsight the baby's lack of movement was a little disconcerting.  Honestly I bet she felt like crap too.  Today she's jumping all over the place which, while distracting, is also very settling.

Otherwise I'm feeling ok.  It's certainly harder this go round, like getting up off of the ground or carrying Emerson, but generally I'm doing well.  I *think* we may have a name as well, or at least narrowed down the field. 

Week 23, postponed

23 weeks and I have some sort of stomach bug.  Bleh.....

22 Weeks

I informed Matt today that we need to start taking these photos in the morning.  I looked so good this morning...and then the toddler meltdowns.  Offta.

At 22 weeks I'm feeling pretty good.  Still tired, still a few food aversions but not "enough" since it would seem I have gained a few pounds.  I'm obviously in maternity clothes but several pairs of pants are still too big.  I'm also still trying to find swimsuits.  I'm actually not ashamed of my body but I'm sick of all of the swimsuits in my size/maternity being so....matronly!  I mean I get it, I'm plus size but damn I'm not wearing solid black and I'm so over the swim dresses. Let's face facts world, the swimskirt is not fooling anyone.

As I write this baby girl is kicking up a storm. This child loves hanging out on my bladder.  As for names, I *think* we hay have figured one out.  It's still being kept under wraps though.

Alright, totally random post.  That tantrum did me in.