Oliver's Room.

People could write novels and make coffee table books about this room. It's that special. Over Labor Day weekend, I finally got it cleaned up, organized, and decorated.

This is the door to our prince's room. Like much of the art, Melissa made this. The "Welcome, Little Prince" sign was next to his book cake at my second shower.

This is his closet door (though it's actually full of Josh's clothes...closet space is not generous here, so Oliver's clothes are in the drawers of my wardrobe). I got this Peter Pan print when I pre-ordered the DVD at the Disney Store. I originally envisioned a Peter Pan nursery, but I like the eclectic result.

Thanks, Cracker Barrell, for understanding the bee thing.

My uncle Ross made this for me many years ago. Note the dancing lamb.

My great-grandfather made this cuckoo clock. We don't wind it, but it looks like a treasure Peter would have in his hideout. Maybe we'll find Tink perched atop it.

 Diapers!

Seahorses!

Here are Oliver's bookshelves. The first is just his while the second is a mess of our books.

 His Tigger, giraffe, seahorse, and bears will stand guard until Oliver is big enough to cuddle them. And there's Skippito! The seahorse was the first baby item Josh and I bought, quite early. We couldn't resist him.

Young adult books (for later), Calico Critters, Oliver's guardian fairy ("There ought to be a fairy for every girl and boy." --Barrie), Beauty and the Beast, and Oliver riding his seahorse.

Seahorses, wipes, Baby Bee, diapers, and a box of coupons and manuals for baby stuff.

More books and a photo of Josh and I (holding Tink) on our DisneyWorld honeymoon.

Still more books. We'll start at the bottom and work our way up.

Twilight Turtle, all-year Christmas tree, and more Disney photos of Mama and Daddy (with Cinderella!).

Roos, Pooh, bees, and Daddy as a little guy.

Baby's first year calendar...which appropriately begins with a bee.

My aunt Melissa made this.

This was Josh's little chair.

 Our chubby bee and a massive snowflake. Oliver has plenty to peer at.

Oliver!

Melissa made this lovely Oliver portrait. Eventually, the crib will contain more than My Brest Friend.

We love you, stench-reducer.

 Davis likes the guest bed. He really believes this is his room. 

I love peeking into this room.

Why have a glider when you can read stories while sprawled on a purple, ivy-covered bed?

36 Weeks.

 (Image: http://www.mayanrocks.com/)

Baby powder. Baby nail clippers. Support socks. Socks+mittens pack. Alcohol swabs. Bottle brushes. Microwavable sterilizing bags. We bought these yesterday.

My Brest Friend nursing pillow. Free Udder Covers nursing shawl. Bottle sanitizer. Diaper Genie II Elite refills. These just arrived.

Medela pumping, storing, and feeding bottles. Bouncer so Josh can pee. Mirror for the backseat. These are on their way.

I accomplished a fair amount on Sunday night after we got home from Charlotte. This was odd since I'd been so sleepy, and we'd been driving for two hours. But I unpacked, sorted clothes by size, put away most of the presents, and stacked the gift bags. We're set for a thousand baby showers now. Most likely, though, everyone will just get their Christmas presents in baby boy bags.

On Wednesday night, I got a weird pop of energy. Instead of the usual awkward crawl into bed after work, I got moving. I did more newborn laundry, added items to the diaper bag (and Josh put it right back in the trunk), and cleaned our room, which had still had several bags and mounds of last-minute moving messes.

The nesting instinct does seem to be kicking in. I've been working on baby laundry, sanitizing pumping and feeding supplies, and cleaning up leftover moving messes in the other rooms of the house (I still have a lot to do). I've also been pushing Josh to take care of various car issues, and we're part way through that. Yesterday, we made a huge grocery trip. Because of a flat tire, he hadn't been able to shop this week, so we were running out of everything. I also think I'll be looking at each grocery trip as our last. I got a few baby items but mostly thought, "What would we need if we didn't leave the house for two weeks?" We have plenty of toilet paper, toothpaste, PopTarts, Ramen, and muffin mix--funny essentials. I had two pretty big BH contractions while we were shopping. I was able to walk through them, just more slowly.

I also made a "Going Home Grocery List" and put it in Josh's wallet. I told Josh this was in case someone offered to go shopping for us as we left the hospital. I can just see someone asking what we need and my staring blankly.
"Do people actually do that?"
"I think so...or they might bring meals."
"Oh."
"Well, it happens for people who have people, I think."
We have no one local. In town, we only know our property manager. Still, the list is nice to think about as it has roast beef, turkey, and provolone on it. Those first six weeks will have many miseries and deprivations, but missing deli sandwiches will not be among them.

The swelling is astounding. My hands hurt and feel stiff often. Some nights, I have difficulty grasping a doorknob. And a few days ago, we looked down, and I had no ankles. We couldn't even find the bones. I bought some support socks. I don't know if they've done anything, but I want to say they have since they were $9 for two pairs.

 (Image: Huggies Ad http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/huggies_wipes_oh_crap)

My appointment on Thursday was the most eventful and most unpleasant so far. We arrived an hour early, as soon as the office opened, which usually ensures that we get out in decent time. Not so! We were there for three and a half hours. A nurse took blood from my arm. Nurses usually have trouble finding my veins, but with a 50% blood volume increase, I didn't expect problems. She switched to my right arm and still had to move the needle around. It hurt. And then, she forgot to get a sample to check my hemoglobin, so I had to have a finger stick as well. She and the other nurse apologized, and I said, "Well, I've got to get used to it." One the nurses was the same one who, about 31 weeks ago, confirmed my pregnancy.

We waited, waited, waited. We heard Oliver's heartbeat, and I saw him kick the little microphone so hard that it bounced. The nurse said, "Does he always move this much?"

We waited, waited, waited. The time when I had to leave for work to get there in time passed. I might have left, but the state requires tests at this point. I started feeling nauseous, dizzy, and hot before the nurse practitioner came in. After significant belly smashing (which did confirm that Baby O is still head down), I had the rest of my exam. She squeezed my legs and feet in amazement. Yep, the swelling was incredible. My legs were red-purple. She said, "Do you always perspire like this?" I knew I was sweating, but I didn't know what she meant until I got up later, and Josh showed me that all the paper under me had disintegrated, and sweating was running down my legs. What in the world? Anyway, Josh had watched my face during the exam because, he said, he needs to start getting used to seeing me in pain. And I was in pain. Gracious.

In the NP's office (after Josh helped free me of the dissolving paper and get dressed), I listened to advice about when to go to the hospital. I still feel like I won't know since I've been having BH contractions that are long and frequent, and so few women actually break their water. I asked if I were showing any change yet, and she said no.

I left the office and arrived at work an hour late, feeling discouraged and pitiful. I hadn't expected all that to hurt so much, and that got me worried--aren't I supposed to be gearing up? And I'd thought that with all those contractions, I might have made a little progress. My boss was very nice about my lateness, but I had to deal with a student issue right away (which had escalated unnecessarily between when I left my office and when I returned to it), and then I forgot and was late to a meeting...ugh. It was just a bummer day.

But last night, Josh and I sang "Your Personal Penguin" to Oliver (we've been listening to it every night), and he rolled and squirmed. This morning, Josh made muffins and practiced using the sanitizer. I hope to get a lot ready this weekend, including setting up the bassinet in our room (giving the cats a chance to get used to it and us a chance to figure out how to keep them out of it) and cleaning up Oliver's room. I'll take frustration, discouragement, prodding, and pain if I can just keep this little boy we made...preferably in four weeks or less time.

(Image: http://vi.sualize.us/view/lo_lo/09021f2b8c9a0eff4ecf9850d10fadeb/)

The Sweetest Bag Ever.

We've washed our first (of countless!) load of baby laundry--just newborn items for now. Amazingly, we didn't lose any tiny socks.

Today marks two months until our due date. Yesterday, we packed Oliver's green and chocolate diaper bag for the hospital. I wasn't really sure what to pack. We'll probably get a lot of items from the hospital, and I'll probably switch out the clothes as we get more (we don't have anything very warm and snuggly yet, and though the weather may not very cold to us at that point, I imagine the world will seem very cold compared to Oliver's old apartment), but we're set for now. That makes me feel relieved. We also added a Ziplock of our meager change collection to the main bag in case Josh needs to visit vending machines. He may be able to squeeze a Diet Coke and a bag of chips out of the coins.

Here's what we packed, marveling at the tininess all the time:

*Newborn diapers.

*A travel pack of wipes.
*Two pacifiers.

*Nursing pads, just in case.
*Two onesies, two pairs of leggings, two pairs of socks, and a jacket.

*A travel bottle of baby lotion.
*Both the receiving blankets we have.

What could be sweeter than that?

Apparently, This Is Really Going to Happen.

(Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aniciabarefoot/4324784234/in/set-72157623331161786/)

I've learned that I should never boast...ever, but particularly during pregnancy. Just the other day, I was talking about how glad I was that I hadn't had any constipation problems...probably due to my devotion to water, grains, and fruit. Well! This week, that changed (back to my oatmeal+apple juice power breakfast), and the H word showed up. As if I weren't already uncomfortable. Advice for pregnant or to-be-pregnant someday women: Colace is safe for pregnancy as it's not actually a laxative, and it makes life much, much easier.

And boy, have I been uncomfortable! Shortness of breath is almost a constant, and I just hurt all over--sides, front, back...round ligament pain is probably part of it. My hands and heels ache in the morning with swelling. My arms fall asleep from lying awkwardly on my side. Even the precious hiccups and kicks are starting to get startling. He's been kicking my ribs, which is an indescribable sensation. Still, I'm not yet saying, "I'm tired of being pregnant." I've added another pillow to my collection: this one is Josh's flat Carolina Panthers pillow, and it supports my stomach.

I realized that I was nineteen days early, and my brother was twenty-five days early. Hmmm. On Sunday, I began having contractions that I could actually feel from start to finish. Josh strapped on the purple watch (complete with seconds and timer) and took out his Carpe Diem journal to time contractions. They lasted for about an hour and a half and were usually one and a half to two and a half minutes apart. I don't think I had any that were over thirty seconds, and they were mostly just a few seconds. In the middle, they started getting unpleasant...like period cramps. I wouldn't say they were like bad period cramps (I've had the vomit, weep, long for the sweet release of death variety). Then, they spaced out to four minutes apart or so and just went away. I had a couple more random ones that day and in days since.

(Image: http://youlookadopted.tumblr.com/)

I didn't think this was weird until I mentioned it to a couple of people. Apparently, they shouldn't be that close or go on for that long. Hmmm. I spoke to my mom, though, and she said she basically had them the whole last trimester with both of us, sometimes every minute. Okay, that's good. But then again, we were both early. At least I really know (I think) how contractions feel now. I had no idea.

In any case, everything seems all right for now, but the experience made me realize that we have a lot more preparation to complete. Some of this is beyond our control as my next shower is a month away. But we did pull down a black roll-on suitcase we don't normally use and PACK THE BAG. Here's what we've put in:

*Long maternity tunic top and maternity leggings for a comfy going home outfit.
*Tennis shoes (who knows what I'll be wearing when we go).
*Shea butter socks.
*Slip-proof slipper socks.
*Cozy going home socks.
*The pads I usually like.
*Overnight pads. More realistic.
*Tucks. I've read they're a good idea (I'm also glad I asked Josh to buy two containers since, you know, I should boast. Ever).
*Bra. In case I'm in my pajamas when we go.
*Two pair of maternity unders.
*Pants, unders, socks, and two shirts for Josh. I tried to persuade him to bring sweats, but in reality, he probably won't do much relaxing.

*Antibacterial gel for baby visitors (and us).
*Toothbrushes for each of us.
*Toothpaste.
*Philosophy Melting Marshmallow shampoo/body wash/bubble bath, lotion, and lip gloss. The scent comforts me.
*Razor.
*Deodorant we can both use.
*Q-Tips.
*Face wash.
*Burt's Bees coconut foot lotion. Foot massage, perhaps?
*B&BW Sweet Pea body spray. I may want to make myself...or the room...smell less disgusting.
*Travel brush.
*Cloth headband.
*Hair elastic.
*Notepad.
*Pens.
*Batteries for camera.
*Magazines. I saved a few.
*Mandy by Julie Andrews Edwards, one of my favorite children's "chapter books." I may want Josh to read some of it to me. It's very soothing, and I've visualized the scenes so many times.
*Black nightgown.
*Gray maternity/nursing pajama set (pants, tank, mini robe).
*Grocery bags for dirty clothes.

*Cover Girl Simply Powder foundation (in palest Ivory, of course). I probably won't feel like putting on makeup, but I want to have it just in case I do. This will be easy to put on. Even if I don't use it there, I'll like having it when I return to work and am too bleary-eyed to apply the liquid stuff.
*Mascara.
*Sephora white shimmer. A little sparkle usually makes me feel better, so I may as well have some just in case I want it.
*Benefit Valley of the Stars set (white and tan eyeshadow, pink lip gloss, Hi-Beam and Moon Beam highlighters). It's cute if nothing else, and it was a surprise present from my mommy.

I probably won't touch much of this, but I'd rather have extras than want something and not have it. The bag is now in the trunk of my car. Stayed tuned--we still have to pack the diaper bag with Oliver's gear.

Random note: I feel like I need some kind of tummy scarf. My belly is always cold because it doesn't fit in most of my lounge-y pants and pops out of most of my shirts. 

Meanwhile, I see the crib through the door every morning. Sometimes, I have to go touch it and lean over it. Wow.

 I tried to explain to Corvette (aka Tiny) that she really doesn't want to go to the hospital with us.

Preparations, Part II.

 (Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ta-/2492477256/)

I am thirty weeks pregnant today. Three quarters. Oliver can smell whatever I eat or inhale. I'm glad I've made scent such a priority at home. I always think of it as a way to sweeten life for Josh and for myself...and now, already, it's for our baby too.

Today, I got a package from my dear friend Sarah. She sent the adorable seahorse rattle from our Amazon registry and Eric Carle's Mister Seahorse board book. My brother bought me the fancy hardcover of the book a few years ago, and I was a little sad just the other day, thinking of it covered in drool and such. Now, Oliver can gnaw on the board book to his heart's content, and Mama can be a little selfish about the fancy book. What's better than a surprise package from an old friend? Themed gifts, no less!

Tuesday was a productive day on the baby front. We unpacked and set up the highchair, which has a gorgeous black and white pattern. It looks lovely with our black table and chairs and with Audrey keeping watch. We have it folded in the corner for now so that the cats don't fur it up before Oliver even gets a chance to use it.

Next, Josh built the crib! It's a beautiful creamy color.

I worked on sorting the clothes from the shower by size.

We also finished the thank you notes! I began thinking about how many stamps we'll need between thank you notes and birth announcements.

We replenished our strength by having dinner at the local Mexican restaurant with my dad. He took the photo of us by the crib. We'd been spending quite some time stacking the car seat box and books, trying to make a "tripod" of appropriate height. Dad also gave me a tiny book of fairy stickers...glittery ones at that. I had fajitas and satisfied my shrimp and guacamole lust.  This baby will grab avocados as we pass them at the grocery store.

On Wednesday, I finished organizing the clothes and cleaning up the wrapping. Josh and I tested out the Twilight Turtle. Oh! He is amazing. He filled Oliver's room with blue, green, or amber stars. I hope Oliver will like him. The stars are so magical and soothing. We'll have the turtle in our room while Oliver is in the bassinet. Josh would prefer to have him in our room now, but I don't want to wear out the batteries. Josh did pick up AAAs at the store, though. 

On Thursday, I did nothing besides going to work. I craved pasta intensely, so Josh made an all-in-a-box rotini, marinara, and meatball meal. He's a sweetheart. I went to sleep shortly thereafter with my love tickling my back. Life is sugary sometimes.

On Friday, I unpacked all the boxes. No boxes remain. Messes remain, certainly, and I'll have to tackle one room at a time. But everything is out. I also got started on more book organizing. The books will require all my creativity. And Josh finished a project: writing and coloring Oliver's name in Klingon. That's right. Oliver has very dorky parents.

Meanwhile, my belly button is nearly gone. Envision a pie in thirds. The top two thirds of my belly button are poking out. The bottom third is holding strong for the moment. Also, Oliver has become quite visible. I'll feel a shift and see what is probably a head poking out between my ribs and what is probably a leg poking out near my hip. My stomach is rarely really rounded. He's apparently the size of a basketball. Gracious. My tiny baby is not so very tiny.

(Image: http://hila-lumiere.blogspot.com/)

Preparations.

 (Image: http://www.tumblr.com/dashboard/2/346736345)

A blue baby tub is hanging on the back of my bathroom door.

The grandparent bed is piled with gift bags and giant boxes. This is thanks to my mom and stepfather loading up their truck and stopping at our house--we never would have fit all that in my car!

About ten moving boxes remain in the house.

On Sunday, we worked on the house, cleaned out the cars, and went grocery shopping. We bought various Tupperware containers: one to hold bottles of milk in the freezer, one to hold thawing bottles in the fridge, one to hold clean bottles in the designated cabinet, and one to hold extra nipples and rings and such. I realized that having all that toppling over would be a disaster. Josh would open the cabinet, and bottles would fall on his head. Milk storage containers would roll around and get lost in the freezer. Organizing all that felt nice. Closer to time, we'll boil everything.

I also worked on the breast pump. Our skittish little lady cat took up shelter in the box. I put batteries (eight AAs!) in the battery pack and stocked the backpack with extra batteries, wet-erase markers for dates, bra pads, and cream (a tiny sample came with the pump). A pocket on the back will hold a book. I'm building at extra half hour a day into my work schedule, and I will not be checking E-mails while I pump. Josh will probably have to feed Oliver three or four times during the day. I hope I can keep up. I plan to get a jump start during my three-week leave (I'll be three months shy of a year at my school, so no FMLA for me). We'll get some formula too as a back up. I just added a case of Similac Nursettes and disposable nipples to our Amazon registry...they will be quick and easy when Josh runs out of my milk (he'd already be in a panic), or we're in some sort of bind.

 (Image: http://styleandstarbucks.tumblr.com/post/6081590430)

I found cute green baby-themed thank you notes at Wal-mart and bought stamps...I plan to knock those out this week. Next week will be a bit wild since summer grades are due on Thursday. And then...time to return to work for real. I won't think about that just yet.

I'm anxious to get the house and as much baby prep as possible done before then because I know so little will actually happen after that. Organization will crystallize; corner messes will fossilize. Until I got back from the shower and looked at the house anew, I didn't realize just how much I still have to do. Luckily, Josh is keeping the laundry, dishes, sweeping, litter box, and other daily bits under control while I figure all this out. You know what is soothing when you feel overwhelmed? Alan Rickman reading Shakespeare.

Is his voice not perfect? I fell a bit in love with him as Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility. I imagined watching all my favorite movies this summer, but I haven't even been reading well. Well, I have few seated classes this fall, so I'll be able to spend lots of time in my office and bring less work home. That should help me make time for Little Women and I Capture the Castle and reading at least a few of the books in the towering stacks by my bed. I survived the busy and nauseous (new job+first trimester=madness) spring semester by reading for hours on the weekend. Going back to Alan Rickman: ALA has a "Read" poster of him with Catcher in the Rye. I need that for my office. Going back to Sense and Sens: I always identified with Marianne. I certainly had a Willoughby or two. I like how Elinor becomes more in touch with her heart while Marianne becomes a bit more calm and can appreciate real, steadfast love.

(Image: http://mmorrow.tumblr.com/post/4867334800/sense-and-sensibility-1995)

 (Image: http://www.coralsbridal.com/blog/166/wedding-dresses-in-movies-%E2%80%94%E2%80%94-part-2/)

Going back to thank you notes and letters: I realized while unpacking two boxes that the drawers in Josh's big desk are no match for my stationery collection. I've long assured myself that I would have several devoted penpals and use all those gorgeous cards. It may yet happen, but I've definitely disappeared from the mailbox over the last couple of years.

We got to relive the shower a bit on Saturday night with a plate of leftovers that Susan made (more for the purpose of me not starving to death on the drive home. I made it, though). We shared the fruit, cheese, and cupcakes while I ate the mini chicken salad sandwich, and Josh made quick work of the pasta salad. After the shower feast, brown rice bowls with corn, boiled egg, and Parmesan on Sunday were humble but still very satisfying. When I got hungry before bed, I filled a bowl with black grapes, three strawberries, and a tiny plum. I'd never had plums before, and I want to try new fruits while my palette is so accepting of them. Monday kept me busy with a telephone and web training session and grading, but I made banana nut muffins using Martha White Whole Grain mix. I added extra walnuts (I love them!) and dark chocolate chips. Oh, those muffins were sublime. I could make them every day this week. We had a lovely dinner of fruit and scrambled eggs with asparagus and crumbled goat cheese (bacon bits for me; soy bits and hot sauce for him). Mmm.

(I know it looks like green eggs and ham, but it's delicious. Really)