The moment I found out I was pregnant, I knew I wanted a calming, neutral nursery with pops of blue or pink (boy or girl). Then came the challenge of choosing a theme. Since Jimmy and I both love boating and being around the water so much, I chose nautical. But I didn’t want cheesy nautical. I call this Subtle Natural Nautical.
The American Pediatrics Association now recommends babies sleep in their parent’s room for the first six months. Rather than do that and have both Jimmy and me awake a lot, I chose to put a bed in Baby’s room so one of us can sleep in here and the other can actually sleep.
My bed: Snoogle, Whale lamp: Mom bought SC Marshalls, White Nightstand: Wayfair
I wanted to have a variety of sizes ready to go. I know he’ll be growing quickly. I bought closet dividers to separate the sizes. I have baby hangers on the top shelf with clothes pins – I use these to attach pants to the small hangers. The closet has his dress clothes and jackets.I also have extra diapers on the floor of the closet (and a spare king size quilt for some reason).
Closet: Dividers to separate by size: 3 mo, 6 mo, 9 mo, 12 mo.
I debated not getting a changing table because their usable time is limited (babies that roll over could roll off ahhh), but decided to get one for the storage and for using while he’s little. On the shelves, I have: baking powder – put some in the diaper pail each time you throw away a diaper, extra changing pad covers, waterproof changing blankets – for when he’s bigger and it’s easier to change him on the floor, trash bags, a diaper organizer, burp clothes, lotion, wipes, diapers. Next to the changing table is the hamper – I attached a small mesh bag for those itty bitty socks and mittens, and a humidifier.
I wanted an easy path from crib to changing table to glider so I arranged the three in a row. I’m going to use the salt lamp as my nighttime nursing lamp – it gives off a nice warm orange dim glow that should be calming for both Baby and me.
Directly across the room from the changing table, is the dresser. This is actually my dresser from my room at my parents’ house from back in the day. I used blue masking tape to label all the drawers to make it easy for whatever kind soul is helping me with laundry/packing/dressing Baby. The dresser has his clothes, pacifiers, shoes, blankets, extra sheets & waterproof mattress liners, feeding supplies, sleep sacs, swaddlers, towels, and washcloths, The bookshelf was also mine from my college apartment. Pretty confident I got it at Target. The bookshelf has his book collection, baby monitor, white noise machine, his file (I’m putting copies of all his important documents in here).
I rolled all of his clothes to make it easy to see everything that is in the drawer. Also, baby clothes are small, so rolling them made a lot of sense. They are organized by size and type. I labeled each of the drawers and the divider with what is in each. For example: “0-3 mo Pajamas” or “Mittens.”
This week is going to be emotional for me. The moment I woke up Monday, I knew it. While I will try not to focus on it, I know almost every other thought will be “this is the week my brother was born.” My younger brother Kurt was born at 31 weeks in 1989. My mom had Preeclampsia (just with Kurt, not with me, so very rare for that to happen) and got really sick around 30/31 weeks. Her doctors were very quick-thinking advanced (for the time) and gave her steroid shots to accelerate Kurt’s lung development. They had to do an emergency c-section to save both her and Kurt. When Kurt was born, my dad’s wedding ring could fit over his foot. Kurt spent 1.5 months in the NICU. We spent countless hours visiting that NICU. I turned three while he was there. Actually, my very first memory is of the NICU. I would pull myself up on the railing and stand on the baseboard to peer in at my brother – I could only go in for limited time periods, but I wanted to see him more. Then, my dad would give me a Ginger Ale and sit me in the window at the end of the hall so I could people watch. I’d sit there for hours. I was an excellent toddler ha.
So, when the app tells me my Baby is the size of a coconut, I know of a much more accurate picture. I know how tiny and fragile he is. I know how he can survive outside, but it’s hard. I know how thin he is. How his little hands will grasp something and can squeeze yours, but they’re not ready to hold on long. How his lungs will get so tired trying to breathe all the time. I can get a great picture of my Baby at exactly this stage, because I remember his uncle at exactly this stage.
I can’t even imagine going into the hospital and having Baby now. But, that’s exactly what my parents did. I’m so so so thankful to be healthy this pregnancy. However, I did start to pack up my hospital bag and Baby’s hospital bag this week; partly to help with the emotions and partly because I like getting everything done early for this Baby.
On a funnier note, I have approximately five pairs of shoes that fit right now: a pair of knock-off glitter Toms, a pair of crocs, a pair of black Uggs, and two pairs of rain boots. None are really work appropriate. Confession: I’ve worn each of them to work multiple times and will continue to do so, but I figured I needed a pair of dressier boots. So, I ventured to Target Tuesday night to find a pair of black boots in a full two sizes larger than I normally wear. I didn’t have time to wait for shipping and all that nonesense.
On a cheerier note, Thursday night Santa came! Every year the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department drives their Santa Mobile around the City of Falls Church and some surrounding areas. I look forward to it every year. This year they had a tracker to know exactly where Santa was. Jimmy made it home just in time to run out with me (in the FREEZING cold) to yell HI SANTA!!! (me), take pictures and videos (also me), and watch the show (both of us).
On a happier note, this weekend we celebrated Jimmy’s 32 birthday! Saturday evening we had some friends over for Jimmy’s Jambalaya feast: cooked by Jimmy. Sunday, we had Jimmy’s family & my family over for a cookout. Cold weather, rain and ice can’t stop us!
Questionnaire:
How far along? 31 Weeks
How big is baby? 16″ & 3.33 lbs; the size of a coconut – the coconuts at the store were the size of Jimmy’s fist: that is not 3.3 lbs so no fruit in this week’s bump pic
Maternity clothes? Yes.
Sleep: Oh my goodness, I only got up twice to go to the bathroom Tuesday night! It was glorious!
Best moment this week: 1) hearing Baby’s heartbeat, 2) celebrating Jimmy’s birthday with friends & family, 3) SantaMobile!
I feel like I have so much to do to get ready for Mini Moose, but at the same time, I am impressed with how much I do have done. I keep reading pregnancy blogs online and most women I read about have nothing done for a nursery or really anything done at this point in the game; I am not wired that way.
Jimmy and I were joking the other day, besides a car seat (my in-laws so generously offered to get us the car seat/stroller combo we wanted), we could bring baby home tomorrow and be looking good. In fact, we could borrow a car seat from our friends Ted & Lauren (they got an infant one and then a bigger one for their son) if we needed to, so Baby would have everything we need to survive the beginning. Obviously we want him to stay put for a few more months, but I function better when things are done with plenty of time to spare.
Some of the below we got from my baby shower, some from friends/co-workers, and we are going to have another baby shower (everyone has been so sweet to us!) but I’ve had the mindset that this is our baby, so we need to be responsible for the majority of the purchases. I’ve also found people like to give the fun and cute things at showers, like clothes & books, so I’ve bought most of the below. I’m trying my hardest to buy most things used – Craigslist, consignment shops & Swap.com – or on sale, so we can keep everything as budget friendly as possible.
To-Do List:
☑ crib – (got on Craigslist)
☑ changing table – (Amazon – used points & a gift card)
☑ pick name
☑ move office downstairs
☐ choose glider
☑ choose stroller
☑ choose car seat
☑ baby monitor
☑ nursery art
☐ hang nursery art
☑ black out curtains
☑ changing table organization
☑ closet organization
☑ dresser organization
☑ diaper pail
☐ jogging stroller (Craigslist)
☐ baby carrier (probably Craigslist)
☐ white noise maker
☐ high chair (maybe Craigslist)
☑ assemble swing
☑ pre-register at hospital
☐ lightweight stroller (Craigslist)
☑ get flu shot
☐ choose daycare provider
☑ choose pediatrician
☐ insulate attic – Kurt & Jimmy to-do
☑ baby clothes – hats, mittens, socks, onesies, footed PJs, sacs, pants, swim suit, church clothes, Hokie game day attire, bow tie, tops, vests, jackets, shoes – I know we’ll need more as he grows, but we have a good base of a variety of sizes
☑ diapers
☑ wipes
☑ swaddle blankets & sacs
☑ pacifiers
☑ healthcare & grooming set
☑ blankets
☑ breastfeeding pillow & supplies
☑ warm coveralls
☐ bottles (although I have one that came with my Amazon registry welcome kit)
☑ breast pump
☐ diaper bag
☑ changing waterproof blankets – for when he’s too big to change on the changing table, or when I want to change him somewhere else – got from Ikea
☑ baby lotion, baby wash, diaper cream
☑ adorable blue whale to protect him from the bath faucet
☑ salt lamp
☑ baby bathtub
☑ deep dive into financials & decide on working/daycare
☑ decide on new car
☐ buy “new” car – mine has over 100k miles, doesn’t have side airbags or bluetooth, so for the general safety of Baby and me (and because we want a bigger car), we’re getting a used Chevy Traverse.
☑ waterproof crib mattress protectors
☑ crib sheets
☑ pack and play
☐ start college savings plan
Clearly based on the above list, I plan on breastfeeding. My goal is to breastfeed 6 months. Might do longer, but for me, this is a good starting goal. I know sometimes things happen that could prevent this, but I will try my hardest to stick to this plan. I also know how incredibly difficult this is going to be when I return to work. I bought Work. Pump. Repeat. to help make that process as easy as possible.
Again, I know I am ahead of the game for most pregnancies. Not trying to make anyone feel behind, I am just a dive in and get it done in advance person. Also, I was born at 37 weeks and my brother was born at 31 weeks (my mom was also on bed rest with my brother before he was born). So, I knew I wanted to prepare for the worst, but expect the best. I fully expect a normal to my due date pregnancy, but if something else happens, I want to know I’m prepared. Hence the above list being basically done. I mean, in 11 weeks, my parents had me. 11 weeks seems like no time at all from now.
This week feels like it lasted forever. Maybe because we didn’t sleep Tuesday night – see sleep below. Friday evening we went to Texas Jack’s Barbeque to celebrate Kurt’s 27th birthday. Happy almost birthday Kurt! Saturday morning Jimmy went hunting and I went to HomeGoods, Ross & Marshalls to get some last things for the nursery. Sunday was spent attempting to nap – I have not been sleeping well – and failing. Sunday evening Jimmy’s friend Justin came over and Jimmy made a jumbalaya. It was good, but it’s one of those boundary pushing meals I do much better with a glass of wine for bravery, so I had a little bit of that and some cereal.
Questionnaire:
How far along? 26 Weeks
How big is baby? 14″ and 1.7 lbs – the size of a coconut (that seems too small), a green onion, or a head of lettuce (seems too big).
Maternity clothes? Absolutely. I think if I get just a few more sweaters, I’ll have my collection complete.
Sleep: Slept amazing Sunday night! Got maybe 4 hours of sleep Tuesday night – no matter if the candidate I voted for wins or loses, I absolutely love watching the election results come in. I treat it like a sporting event. “That state flipped!!” and “They’re calling Ohio! Here we go Ohio!” It’s basically a horse race in my house. I tried to go to bed, but I couldn’t sleep. I do this every single time. Then I slept terribly the rest of the week, so I made the jump over to Baby’s room and slept there Sunday night.
Best moment this week: Kurt’s birthday dinner
Movement: Yep! I have an active little guy. He does all sorts of kicks and flips and wiggles. We have yet to get the timing perfect so Jimmy can feel a “super kick” – currently he can’t feel the kicks from the outside – I thought he could because I thought I could, but we determined I can “feel from the outside” because I can feel from the inside.
Food Cravings: cereal
Food Aversions: again, most foods sound unappealing
Labor Signs: this question is irrelevant until later
Pregnancy Symptoms: it was a good week
Belly Button in or out? In but it is bigger… and hurts
What I miss: working out. Like killing it at the gym feeling.
What I am looking forward to: holding my little guy. I just want to snuggle with him on the couch with a fire. That sounds like heaven right there.
Upcoming appointments/events: 11/11 dental cleaning (it is very important to get a cleaning during pregnancy to prevent gum issues) my 30th birthday 11/20, 7 month OB & glucose screening 11/30
Weekly Wisdom: no wisdom this week
Milestones: I can no longer see my feet when I look straight down. Baby is practicing breathing. He is literally breathing amniotic fluid to get his lungs ready for air on the outside.
Bump Picture:
daylight savings time messed with my lighting this week
Racine Family Updates 