Week 28

Week 28

Size of baby: size of a eggplant, again

Total Weight Gained:  13 pounds

This week:  I had another doctor's appt this week.  Everything still looking good.  My blood pressure was 116/64 and I forgot to ask what Baby W's HR was so can't report.  We listened to it, but I didn't get the number.  This appt. was the one for my glucose test.  I should get the results on Monday.  I did fine drinking the liquid.  Some people get sick but I was ok.  I felt bad when I got out with a little headache and queasy stomach, so I ate some breakfast and felt fine after that. 

We have been busy this week celebrating birthdays (Matt and Ali).  Also, Matt has been under the weather so I cared for him.  I am much better at being the caregiver than the sick person.  Matt doesn't complain and whine like I do.  Anyways, he's better (Yay!), but he definitely had a rough week.

We are going to Grundy this weekend.  Looking forward to the trip.  Baby W is having a shower thrown in his honor.  I hope to post pictures when we return.

Happy Birthday Ali

I can't believe I'm so lucky to have such a good best friend.  I cherish our friendship very much.  I can't believe how much we have experienced together (living together in college, moving to Richmond, being maids of honors in each others weddings, etc.) and am even more excited that now soon we will get to share the joy of being mothers together.  You are such a good mother.  I really love watching you with your baby boy.  And, I love being Wyatt's honorary aunt.  I hope our boys will get to be just as good of friends as you and I are. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Valentine's Day

This is the wreath that I bought for Christmas, which is dead and needs to be thrown out but is still holding up.  I just added some red hearts that I got for very cheap at Hobby Lobby and figured I could use them to add a little Valentines decorations. 

It's been a rough day for the Wheawills.  I had a really bad night.  I was awake from 1am until about 4:15.  Theres not much to do at that hour as I watched tv on the couch.  I still didn't sleep good and woke up about 5:15 and got up from the couch to move back upstairs and slept until 6.  Then on my way to work, I spilled my water all over me and my car.  Wonderful!!  I don't know why I'm not sleeping.  I think it may be a combination of things:  pregnancy symptoms and then it feels like I've recently had a lot on my mind right before bed and had trouble turning off my brain. 
As it turns out, Matt's "little cold" that I referred to in my last blog is really doing a number on my sweet husband.  He was feeling much worse today so had to leave work early.  :-(  I told him to take some cough syrup and a claritin.  I became more concerned when told me that he was having chills and then hot the next minute but didn't think he was running a fever.  I told him it sure did sound like he was.  Sure enough, he definitely had a fever when I got home.  He was burning up.  He sounds pretty bad with a cough and congestion.  I don't think it's the flu but we'll see.  So, being the pharmacist, I gave him some tylenol and told him to take more of the cough syrup.

We are both calling it a day and going to bed early.  Since I really don't want to take any chances and have already been sick once this year, I'm in the guest room tonight and he will sleep in the bedroom.  It's been a rough Valentine's Day, but we hope that tomorrow will be much better!

On the up side:  I did run by the hospital tonight and got to see my friend Christie and her sweet little baby girl, Madeline.  Madeline has a head full of hair and is a very cute baby.  They both seem to be doing really well!  :-)

Matt's Birthday Weekend

We are just wrapping up a busy weekend full of fun festivities.  It's too bad that I don't have very many pictures to share from our weekend, but here is a full out recap of the weekend for anyone who cares to read it. 

Friday morning, Matt woke up not feeling the best in the world with a little cold.  Not the best way to start out your birthday!  He's still a little congested, but really hasn't complained.  Anyways, I have been asking Matt for weeks for ideas on what to fix for his birthday and he really wasn't committing to anything.  I offered up my mom's from scratch chicken dumplings, my grandmother's country fried steak, steak, or anything else he came up with.  I think his procrastinating was because he's seen my long days at work and how tired I have been and felt bad to ask me to cook for him and also because he tends to procrastinate sometimes.  :-)  I also offered up different desserts without a real answer on that one either.  So, friday morning, I told him he had to give me something for us to do so he told me he wanted to go to Edo Squid.  It's an Italian restaurant in the fan that we love.  Matt, I will make you fancy dinner in the next week or so...I promise! We enjoyed our nice dinner out.  Matt had the Shrimp Diablo and I had Clams in Red Sauce.  We tend to order the same thing every time we go.  And, also, we had to get the Calamari.  It's the best I've ever had.  So, we topped it off with a Cannoli.  Not a bad dinner at all!

We came home to open gifts. 

He had so many cards to open.  He got a VT tailgating accessory to keep his drinks chilled and a Wii game from my parents.  My sister got him an amazon gift card which he will put to good use.  I really didn't have any great ideas this year but really just wanted to get him something that we could do and enjoy together.   So, I got him a grill cover and the baseball package.  I told him that he and Baby W could enjoy watching baseball together this year.  The other gift was that we are going to take a cooking class together at Sur La Table.  I wasn't sure if Matt would love it, but he seems excited about it.  I think it will be fun to do together.

Saturday morning, Matt requested that I make him Gorilla Bread. 

It's a Paula Dean recipe so, needless, to say, it's not healthy but did hit the spot. 

I had a bunch of errands to do and laundry and all those fun chores.  I told Matt he should enjoy a chore free day so he got to work on playing Wii games!  ;-)  After that, we had a little training session for Wally.  (I'll post more on that later.)  Then Saturday night, we had a very tame WheaAli party.  My best friend, Ali, has birthday this week as well.  We went out to dinner with friends and then out for ice cream.

Today, we finished up the celebrating with Matt's family.  Here are few pictures, courtesy of Matt's parents.

We had a delicious dinner and enjoyed playing a game that his parents got him.  He also got some shirts from his parents and his sister.  I wasn't very good and Matt had me as a partner and was getting annoyed.  He told me later after we got home that he was really giving me the stink eye.  Shew!  It was good to see Matt's sister.  Even though we live in the same city, we haven't seen each other in a while. 

So, tonight, the Wheawills are relaxing.  We had popcorn and a movie and are now off to bed.  Matt, I hope you had a great birthday weekend!  I love you sweetie!

PS  I just got a text that my friend Christie had her baby girl, Madeline, tonight.  She has had a rough couple of days with the stomach flu, which I think may have caused her to go into labor.  Madeline was born at 9:21 and was 7 pounds 4 ounces.  Christie reads my blog from time to time but probably won't be reading any time soon.  Madeline had a proud big sister, Olivia, that I'm sure can't wait to meet her. I'm so excited for their family and look forward to meeting Madeline.

Week 27

Week 27

Size of baby: size of a eggplant, again

This week:  It's been a busy week and really went by fast.  We have several busy weekends coming up so I think these next few weeks are going to fly by.  Work has been busy and I have been putting in quite a bit of time to it lately.  I love my job so I really don't complain too much even when it's a busier week.  I feel a little bit bad for Matt though because it left him starting dinners most nights this week in order for us to get to eat by 7.  Luckily, I have a wonderful husband that is a very good cook and will help out in that way whenever asked. 

We finished up our labor class this week.  Matt's parents went to a grandparents class the same night so I think they are ready!  My parents are just going to wing it since they live so far away and there aren't those sort of classes at hospital in Grundy.  :-)  I feel certain that Baby W is going to be spoiled by both sets and that all of them will qualify as wonderful grandparents so I don't have any worries.  The labor classes were well worth it, I think.  I liked the nurse that taught it and would love it if she was my nurse!  I came into this week with a few questions from last week so felt better to get those answered.  I also felt as prepared as anyone else in the room so, all in all, I feel a little more calm about it.  I have a lot of good friends who have just been through it that I can ask questions if I need to.  When we get to that point, Matt and I will just remind ourselves of the prize at the end and getting to see Baby W for the first time will make it all worth it, right?!  :-)  (Don't anyone tell me differently...I really don't want to hear any horror labor stories!)

I feel ok.  I don't want to be a complainer (although I sound like I'm complaining here) and have honestely had a good pregnancy.  I am stilll having these darn leg cramps that are ridiculous.  All in all, if that's the worse thing then it can't be all that bad.  Anyways, they wake me up all night.  (Sometimes 3-4 times a night.)  I do think wearing the compression socks during the day works and I have little to none the nights that I have worn them, but I only have one pair so I can't really wear them everyday.  I'm going to invest in another pair though since they do help.  Also, my back is still hurting me some.  I have been taking Tylenol and that helps but the best relief is laying down.  So, with the leg cramps, backaches, and getting up to go ot the bathroom, my sleep at night is interrupted to say the least.  I guess that's the way it will be for a long time, since Baby W will be up at night once he is born, so I might as well get used to it!  Other than those few symptoms, I feel great!  So, I guess I should consider myself lucky.  I don't really hear anyone else complain about leg cramps but my doctor says it's pretty common.

I really don't have any cravings.  I eat a lot of oranges so if I picked one thing that I crave, it would be an orange.  I probably have one everyday.  My boss always likes to comment on my orange that is sititing on my desk.  It's a pretty healthy thing to crave at least!  The other thing I like which is really odd to me is chomping on ice.  Not exactly sure why but I try not to do that too much since it's not really good for your teeth to chew on ice.

Happy Birthday Matt

Happy Birthday to my sweet sweet husband!  I hope you have a great day.  I love spending everyday with you. 

I look forward to the next year.  I know you will be a great father and role model for your son. 

Wally and I love you very much and wish you the happiest birthday.

Sleep Deprived Already...

So, it's 4:30 and I've been awake for the last hour.  Not sure why I woke up other than to get up and go the bathroom for the 3rd time.  Anyways, Baby W is going on a marathon kicking spree. He didn't wake me up but I don't think I'm going back to sleep.  So, Baby W and I are sitting in the nursey and he is still going crazy.  (I really don't mind that he's kicking so much.  I actually love feeling him.)  I have some things to do on the computer, but first I figured I would blog.  The good news is I have a ton to do at work and will just go in early.  My job will thank you, Baby W! 

As for a weekend recap, I don't have any pictures but we had such a nice weekend.  On Saturday, Matt and I went to Roanoke to see my best friend from pharmacy school, Diane.  Before going to Roanoke, we decided to go to Blacksburg.  It's not exactly on the way but we were so close to Hokie land that we had a take a little detour.  We ended up at the bookstore and also grabbed some lunch before taking in the campus and heading back to Roanoke.  Diane celebrated her engagement to Sean this weekend with a really nice party that her parents and grandparents threw for her.  It's too bad that I didn't take a single picture.  We left the hotel room without the camera so we went back and then still didn't take a picture.  :-(  Sunday, we had a nice brunch and got to visit a little more with Diane before heading back to Richmond.  The wedding in June 4th and we all plan on going with a 2 week old.  I already talked to my doctor and she thought I would be fine.  Baby W has a babysitter.  My mom is going to go with us and keep him in the hotel room for us so I can go to the wedding. 

Sunday night, we took in the superbowl.  I didn't care in the slightest which team won.  Matt was rooting for the Steelers since he had some fantasy football thing going.  They didn't win and neither did he.

Well, I guess I better make the most of my morning that I'm up early so I'm going to hop in the shower and get ready for work.

Week 26

Week 26

Size of baby: size of a eggplant, again
Total Weight Gained:  11 pounds (gained 4 pounds since last visit)
This week:  Mat felt Baby W kick on Friday night.  I think he could have felt him before that but we just happened to be sitting there and I commented on how much he was moving.  When he put his hand on my stomach, he could tell me when Baby W moved so it was official that he felt the thumps that I have been feeling since Week 19.  Baby W's moving around like crazy.

It's been a busy week.  I am busy with work which means that I am working later than normal for the past 2 weeks.  This week I had some especially longer days.  Wednesday night, we had our first parenting/labor class.  We have 7 classes total (about one a week) so they will definitely keep us busy.  This class was an introduction to labor.  I am all about the interventional methods so my birthing plan definitely includes getting an epidural.  :-)  After the class, I was exhausted. 

As for the doctor's appt, everything looks great.  I am loving getting such a good report and I really like my doctor.  I look forward to seeing her everytime.  My blood pressure was 120/70 and Baby W's HR was 147.  My doctor said that I look perfect and was pleased with my weight gain.  I can only hope the pregnancy continues to go so well.  I go back every 2 weeks until Week 36 and that point will go every week.

This past weekend, we also cleaned out our coat closet and the pantry over the weekend.  I did not take before and after pictures.  It's too bad I didn't because they both look really good.  However, I'm not sure I want to share how messy they were.  Of course, in true Stephanie fashion, once I get something in my head, I won't stop until I am done.  However, I should have stopped sooner.  I paid the price on Sunday.  Instead of getting out and enjoying the beautiful weather, I was in bed, taking my Tylenol, because my back was hurting so bad.  I am feeling better, but it's still not back to where it was prior to Saturday. I'll learn. 

I've officially turned into one of those mothers this week.  As time gets closer for Baby W to arrive, I have a growing list (one thing gets crossed off, 2 more get added....and as Matt reads this, he is rolling his eyes) of items that need to be done:  some are house items (you can call it nesting or whatever but I am currently trying to get organized....i.e. the closets), taking care of legal documents, Matt getting glasses so he can see at night to help me, getting our light out back to work (hint, hint Matt), etc.  I won't bore you with more items on the list.  Well, another thing to add to the list is getting vaccinated against Pertussis (i.e. whooping cough).  I can't get it until I'm not pregnant so I will ask for it in the hospital when Baby W arrives but I want Matt to get it prior.  So, being one of those mothers, I asked the grandparents and aunts to get it as well.  :-)  I guess that's what happens when you work in a pharmacy and also for the Virginia Department of Health.  Pertussis which can be serious if a baby gets it, is on the rise in many states, Virginia included, and since there is a vaccine and a booster is recommended for adults, it's my thought that we should get vaccinated.  Baby W will get his first booster at month 2 and then will finish the series at months 4 and 6.  So, at Week 26, I've joined the group of slightly neurotic protective, obnoxious (well-informed and educated, might I add) mothers.  :-)