37 week

37 weeks pregnant

Tummy doesn't look that big, right? Flowers will camouflage your belly bump! Believe me! It's big.

What's up with baby this week?

Baby is 6 pounds & 6 ounces. Still giving the sonographer a hard time by putting his hand over his face the whole time. Hope he's not born with his hand stuck to his head!

What's up with mommy this week?

Group B Strep screening came back negative. Weight is now 118 pounds. Weight gain of 33 pounds.

Rash is now spreading from belly to forearms and legs. Itchiness worst at night than during the day. Skin is very sensitive to any new lotion or fabric. Only using glycerin soap and shea butter lotion after bathing. Ice compression also help with the inflammation.

Cleaning baby clothes and linens to get ready for baby's arrival. Donating blankets and clothes to Salvation Army. Still trying to look for the perfect going home outfit. Doesn't really matter as long as he gets home safe and sound. Not to mention he'll only be in that outfit for 10-15 mins and the rest of the time he'll be bundle up and in his car seat.

Looking forward to? 

Spending time with family this Thanksgiving Thursday. Lots to be thankful for this year.

Closet dividers...

While waiting for Hurricane Sandy almost a month ago I figured I'll make cute little closet dividers for all the baby clothes.

Very simple to make. All you need are white label paper, scrapbook paper, hole puncher, scissors, and pretty ribbons. I used the Silhouette Cameo to make the sizes and the shape, but you can do it with any basic word processor.


Instructions:

1. Open up a word document.
2. Insert a simple shape.
3. Add text. Whatever size you wish.
4. Print it out on label paper.
5. Cut out the shape.
6. Remove backing of label paper and adhere to scrapbook paper, that's been cut into squares.
7. Punch a little hole at the top of the tab.
8. Tie ribbon to hole.


Here is what it looks like:

Simple enough, right? And a little more organized. 

Crib Mobile...so far

I've finally decided to make a simple heart mobile for the crib.

HERE IT IS! IT'S RAINING HEARTS!

photo by petite brooklyn mom

photo by petite brooklyn mom

I'm going to test drive it for a week to see if I want to add a hot air balloon to it or add more hearts. I will probably tuck in the extra white felt to give it a more cloud look or maybe add cottons to make it a fluffy cloud.

How to make the hearts:

1. Cut out two felt heart shapes...one for the front and one for the back of the heart. 

2. Place the two heart felts together. Hand sew around the heart, leaving a little opening. 

3. Stuff the heart and then finish sewing it up. 

I used clear thread to connect the hearts together. For each heart I made a knot so that it doesn't move on the thread. Then just connect that to the felted cloud. The cloud is held up by fabric hoop. I got it at Jo-Ann. They always have 40%-60% discount coupon. 

So how did I hang the mobile up? Originally, I wanted to make the mobile really long and hang it from the ceiling using a hook. Mr. T doesn't like the idea of hanging anything from the ceiling, except for light fixture. I've decided to use a stick placed in a vase with rocks to hold it in place. If you want other ways to hang up a mobile take a look at little red farm.

If you look at the first picture, I connected two lint cleaner tubes together. They are very flexible so it's easy to manipulate. The problem is that it was too flexible so I had trouble standing it straight up in the vase. I took a branch that Mr. T had found on one of his daily dog walk a while back and decided to tie the tubes to the branch and placed rocks and pebbles in the vase. Use a tall vase so you can fill it up for stronger stability. 

36 weeks

First Hurricane Sandy and now winter storm Athena! How much more can the East Coast take? Mr. T and I feel so fortunate and blessed to not be affected by the storms. Our hearts go out to all the people in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Our co-op building had a collection for Hurricane Sandy victims this week. In searching for things to donate, Mr. T and I realized that we have surplus of clothes and blankets that we don't need at all since we haven't used them for more than a year. Even when I was cleaning the apartment to make space for the baby and donated to the Salvation Army, I was thinking to myself " Maybe I'll fit into this post-pregnancy" or "I'll use it one day".  I kept those items. But for Hurricane Sandy, I knew that it will go directly to those affected by the disaster so I took all those items and gave them away. I'm still searching through my apartment looking for more things to donate. The local library is also collecting donation so we will give to them as well. It feels great to help others. At the same time making space for the baby. 

Update: November 9, 2012

OBGYN appointment was quick today. Asked to be put on the monitor right away while I wait for the sonographer because that takes 15-20 mins for the monitoring alone.  Went straight to do the ultrasound then the doctor. This doctor's appointment involves a Group B Strep swab which will test for Group B streptococcus (GBS). The bacteria can be passed on to the baby during delivery, which could lead to illness during baby's first weeks of life. If the test reveal there is Group B strep I would be treated with IV antibiotics during labor to prevent infections. Next, the internal examination to see if I'm dilating. Doctor said, " Cervix closed. No baby today!" Mr. T and I both said, "Good!"

I bet you're curious as to how the baby is doing?

He is doing marvelously. Still moving around and hiccuping. Hand is constantly on his face. Doesn't want to move it for a good 4D picture. Kicked the sonographer several times. Weight will be determine next Friday. It's done every two weeks.

Mommy's weight? 116 pounds. Weight gain so far? 30 pounds.

What's up with mommy this week?

1. Stomach rash, which is normal during late pregnancy. Just don't scratch it. It makes it worst! TRUST ME!! Dr. said it's safe to take Benadryl or apply Calamine lotion.

2. Swollen legs and fingers (edema). Can't fit into my UGGS boots. It has no zippers. Can't wear wedding band or engagement ring either.

3. Snoring. I snort during the day and snore when I sleep.

4. Nose bleed. Just a little bit.

Graving this week? Entenmanns' Coconut Custard Pie. Could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Diner food, particularly old-fashioned french toast. Pickles on the side, please!

Looking forward to? Next doctor's appointment for ultrasound. Internal examination for dilation. I also look forward to sitting in the monitoring room, eating my lollipop and mimicking the sound of my baby's heartbeat. Mr. T sometimes look at me to stop me from doing that because there are other people in the room. I would literally move my head while making the heartbeat sounds. You think he's embarrassed by me?!

35 weeks

This has been a sad week for many people in the Northeast, especially NY, NJ, and CT. Hurricane Sandy came with a vengeance and many people were left homeless or without electricity and heat. Mr. T and I were the lucky few who were not affected by the storm. Our parents were not so lucky. My parents live by the beach and the bay so their basement was flooded up to the first floor. They had no gas or electricity. They now have partial electricity in their house, but the gas company turned off their gas valve for safety reasons until they get their boiler fix.  My parent-in-laws don't have electricity, gas or heat. However, we are extremely happy that we are all alive and well. Everything else can be replaced. 

Mr. T and I had our OB-GYN appointment on Friday. Luckily we had filled up our gas tank before the storm and had plenty to get to and from the doctor's office.  Based on the measurements, baby is now 5 lb 9 ounces. Progressing well. Baby's head is very low, which explains why the area below my big tummy hurts when I lean forward to get up from a seated position. Starting next Friday it will be a weekly visit with sonogram, monitoring of baby's heartbeat and contraction activity, and an internal exam to measure my cervix dilation. My doctor said, "It's the patient's favorite part of the pregnancy".  I sense sarcasm in his tone :)

Keep safe and have a good week.