31 Weeks: Belly Shots

I'll make this a photo post since . . . I'm actually 32 weeks now. But here's what 31 looked like.

Big.
Round.
Glowing.


Centered.
Happy.
Balanced.


Excited (you've heard that one before).
Blessed.
Fortunate.


And PS: I wore these same leggings THREE times this week. I know, I know. Leggings are SO OVER (at least that's what we heard on Project Runway), but I'd argue that they're always in style for pregnant women who hate wearing pants.

Best purchase ever. $12 at Burlington Coat Factory, my new favorite clothing/baby stuff store . . .


If you missed it, I posted a Vlog the other day all about 31 weeks. I'm feeling good, but getting some new aches and pains associated with my growing size. All for a good cause, though!

NEED TO CATCH UP?

31-Week Video Post
Almost 30 Weeks!
28 Weeks
27 Weeks: The Third Trimester
26 Weeks and My Ever-Dwindling Wardrobe
25 Weeks and Running
25 Weeks
23-Almost-24 Weeks
22 Weeks: I Gave In
21 Weeks & Nursery Progress
20 Down, 20 More/Less To Go
19 Weeks and Babymoon
Week 18 -- It's a GIRL!
17-Week Video Post
17 Weeks and Preggo Brain
16-Week Belly Shots
15-Week Video Post
15 Weeks and Counting . . .
14-Week Video Post
13 Weeks and Cravings . . .
How We Found Out
So long, 1st Trimester!

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

Read more...

31 Week VIDEO Post

What's that? A VIDEO post? Yeah. I finally got my butt in gear and recorded one. But, old issues still aren't resolved. If you're annoyed by the weird clicking noise, I apologize in advance. It's still there -- but if you put the volume somewhat lower, it's not nearly as noticeable.

Also, toward the end the sound doesn't exactly synch up. However, I took the time and expended the energy needed to record, so I'm posting it! And now I'll stop apologizing. It's a bad habit of mine.

Enjoy . . .

31 Weeks from (never home)maker on Vimeo.

If you're new to the blog, the "braxton hicks" I refer to are from my irritable uterus (officially diagnosed after the longest weekend EVER). I've had them so frequently for so many weeks now with no ill-effects, I don't refer to them in a specific way. Today -- and I just had an awesome workout -- I had hardly any. Yesterday, I did basically nothing and have quite a few. Either way, Baby A. is still happy and healthy inside my uterus. :)

(And look for 31-almost-32-week photos in tomorrow's post!)

NEED TO CATCH UP?

Almost 30 Weeks!
28 Weeks
27 Weeks: The Third Trimester
26 Weeks and My Ever-Dwindling Wardrobe
25 Weeks and Running
25 Weeks
23-Almost-24 Weeks
22 Weeks: I Gave In
21 Weeks & Nursery Progress
20 Down, 20 More/Less To Go
19 Weeks and Babymoon
Week 18 -- It's a GIRL!
17-Week Video Post
17 Weeks and Preggo Brain
16-Week Belly Shots
15-Week Video Post
15 Weeks and Counting . . .
14-Week Video Post
13 Weeks and Cravings . . .
How We Found Out
So long, 1st Trimester!

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

Read more...

Framing Nursery Art the Cheap Way

We finally framed those Wes Anderson movie prints we bought for the nursery on Etsy several months ago.

We're cheap when it comes to buying frames, so we went with those poster-style ones you can pick up at Target for around $5 a pop. Thing is, if you just stick the print/photo inside . . . they LOOK like you paid even less than that.

To jazz them up, we used natural muslin fabric as a backdrop. Here are some of the other materials we needed to make this project happen:


Not many, right? And you may already have all this stuff at home.


After measuring four rectangles (that would overlap the frames by an inch on all sides), Stephen ironed the fabric so it would be smooth and uniform.


Tip: To cut the fabric to just the "right" size, we just laid it on the ground and cut around the frames -- very scientific.


Then, because we were doing this spur-of-the-moment and didn't have anything else, we used duct tape to affix the fabric to the cardboard backing of the frame. A nice, long piece on all sides has helped to ensure it won't budge. And it hasn't in the two months since we completed this project.


Then we flipped the frame insert over so the smooth muslin was facing up. We used even more duct tape -- just smaller pieces, one for each of the four corners and one for the middle -- to join the print to the fabric.


Yet again, we eyeballed it, and the prints look centered. Then we slid on the plastic framing pieces to secure everything firmly into place.


They look quite good. Much better than if we had just stuck the prints in there naked. But the sad part in all of this: After we got the prints up to the nursery, I didn't like them in the space.

They just didn't feel right.


But we're hoping to use them in our guest bedroom/gym/office-extraordinaire. If we ever get to cleaning that room. Sometime in the next 9 weeks. Which we absolutely have, have, have to do.

So, successful nursery project or not, we thought you'd enjoy this tutorial and find it helpful as you spiff up your baby spaces. Happy Sunday!

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

Read more...

31 Weeks and Meeting Goals

Though I've been taking running one day at a time for a quite a while now, I've always had this goal in the back of my mind: Run till the 30 week mark. I haven't been running any half marathons or crazy distances, but have been maintaining a solid 10 to 12 miles a week for a while. 30 weeks came and went . . . and we're now at 31.

So, how is running going?

Not terrible. Not great, though. I'd say: FINE. My body feels bigger. Sluggish. As a result, I've been having more aches and pains. Ligament woes. I'm also feeling much more tired throughout my day in general.

Ugh.

Still, those morning runs are helpful. However, now that I've reached my initial goal, I am choosing to scale back despite how I may feel on any given day. I don't see myself continuing my 4-milers. Maybe not even the 3-milers either. 2 seems like a good number. Interspersed with walking, I think my energy levels might benefit from taking yet another step back.


Speaking of steps, I've been wearing my Merrell gloves for most of my runs lately. My center of balance is different. I haven't tripped, but I feel more comfortable in a shoe that allows me to feel each footstrike. Better control. Thankfully, my feet aren't terribly swollen yet, so they still fit like -- well -- a glove.

Overall, though I don't feel specifically like I have to stop running, the third trimester has felt different to me. Pequeña, too, feels different. Very much so. She feels . . . gigantic. Her movements, at times, are quite shocking. So, I'm paying way more attention to her than I am to getting in my runs.

Maybe the last couple days of exhaustion have something to do with my flu shot. I'm not sure.


Regardless, from here on out, I am focusing on feeling the best I can feel. Admittedly, when I read through forums/etc. about other more hardcore pregnant women runners, I feel like I'm bowing out . . . or at least limiting unnecessarily . . . when I could be doing more. But I'd rather feel energy throughout my e.n.t.i.r.e day than be too tired to get done all that's left to finish before she comes.

Right now, I'm not able to have it all. And that's cool with me.

On that note, I'm going to go relax. I'm sooo tired. Have a great Friday!

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

Read more...

Quick Update and Shower

Whose great idea was it to sign up for two birth classes this week that meet half an hour after I get home from work until nearly 9PM? Oh, yeah. MINE. Let's just say posting will be light this week. Between getting up to run in the morning, work, squeezing in dinner, and classes at the hospital . . . I get a grand total of 1 hour to myself when I have any energy at all.

Not that I'm complaining. Taking the birth classes is fun! Tonight's was all about breastfeeding. Stephen was the only "support person" who showed up. So, there were a ton of photos of women breastfeeding, talk of nipples/latching, and methods of manual expression . . . and he just sat there and nodded. Even asked a question!

Tomorrow's class is baby care basics. Hopefully it'll be a bit more hands-on, as the most I'm remembering from tonight's class is how uncomfortable the chairs were. Ick!

Here are a few photos from this weekend's baby shower :)

More details soon. One of our favorite gifts? Our stroller. I can't wait to get out on the roads again . . .


Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

Read more...

Almost 30 Weeks

I'll be 30 weeks tomorrow. Guess I skipped a week in the pregnancy chronicles. There was a lot going on, as I wrote on the main site yesterday. Wait a minute, though. We're almost at week 30. Three. Zero.

THREE?
Three!

First of all, it's getting much harder to get around. And up. And down.

The view is different, too. Expanding belly steals the show. You can hardly see my pretty shoes anymore.


But the bigger she's getting, the more excited we're getting. Her movements are intense these days. Last night I was sitting on the couch and I swear she did a push-up inside of me -- causing me to nearly scream from the odd sensation of it.

Hello, in there!

• As I mentioned in my short update yesterday, I've not had as many contractions in the past several days. I think this might have something to do with baby A.'s position because I also don't have the constant urge to pee. Whatever is going on, I like it. Because . . .
• I've had several great workouts so far this week. Most notably: A 4-miler yesterday morning and a 3.5 mile run this morning. I have some ligament pain/soreness, but otherwise haven't had any ill-effects. Tomorrow I'm taking a break from running and doing my prenatal workout DVDs. It feels good to be out there again. But I take each workout at a time -- appreciating the good, dealing with the bad.
• I'm hungry. All the time. And when I don't get food when I'm hungry, I almost immediately feel ravenous and completely empty. But I have yet to get weird cravings. Just eating a lot, but a lot of normal stuff.
• I'm also tired. All the time. So, I've been taking naps. Which is so not like me.
• I believe weight gain is 15 pounds total. I'll find out for sure at my midwife appointment, which is next Thursday. I think after that visit, I'll be going back every two weeks. You don't know how much I am looking forward to that!

Time is flying and we still have much to do. My first baby shower is this weekend. After that, we're looking forward to staying put. Finishing the nursery. Taking our prepare-for-baby classes. Oh, yeah. And enjoying the last weeks we have as just the two of us!

(Had to snap a photo of dad, too. That's right: Get your Zzzzzzs while you still can, buddy!)


NEED TO CATCH UP?

28 Weeks
27 Weeks: The Third Trimester
26 Weeks and My Ever-Dwindling Wardrobe
25 Weeks and Running
25 Weeks
23-Almost-24 Weeks
22 Weeks: I Gave In
21 Weeks & Nursery Progress
20 Down, 20 More/Less To Go
19 Weeks and Babymoon
Week 18 -- It's a GIRL!
17-Week Video Post
17 Weeks and Preggo Brain
16-Week Belly Shots
15-Week Video Post
15 Weeks and Counting . . .
14-Week Video Post
13 Weeks and Cravings . . .
How We Found Out
So long, 1st Trimester!

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

Read more...

Short Update

Ah! Things have been crazy. I'll do a formal update soon . . . but here's the short of it:

• I went in on Friday for my 3-hour glucose test. It really wasn't all that awful, even though I hate blood work. I'll write more about it in another post -- but I passed! My 1-hour number was still a point too high, but they say that just means my body takes a tick longer to process sugar.
• I had tightenings like WOAH over the weekend. At the same time, I had to pee almost constantly. Then yesterday, barely any without the urge. Starting to see that her favorite position (on my bladder) is causing them. Maybe.
• My first baby shower is this weekend!
• I have officially been bit by the nesting bug and I want to clean EVERYTHING.
• Our first two classes are next week. I'm looking forward to them because they mean that she's coming soon. Only 10-ish more weeks!
• Yeah. That's right. I'll be 30 weeks in a couple days. Three. Zero.
• Surprisingly I don't feel that large despite my growing size. I still have good balance and don't feel terribly uncomfortable.
• Yet this is a day-by-day sort of thing. There were several days last week when my lower belly was sore and my pelvis HURT. Growing pains. I know it's only going to get worse.
• Still occasionally running, though I'm not tracking it as specifically as before. That's also a day-by-day thing. I ran a 4-miler last week with no issues. Then the next day had some tightenings and did a long walk instead. Another day 3 felt great. Another day, I did yoga. Keeping it flexible.

That's all for now. I realize as a pregnant woman who blogs, I shouldn't disappear for several days because people start wondering what's going on! Sorry about that. I'll explain more in a post on the main site later today.

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

Read more...

Pregnancy Continues to Surprise Me

Yeah. So maybe I won't be eating every last bite of the Chocolate-Peanut Butter Hu-Mousse after all. Why? Because I failed my 1-hour glucose test. By two measly points. I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but I'm still feeling quite anxious about it.

Of course, as I heard the news over the phone, I was eating a cup of chocolate pudding. Classic. My mind suddenly wandered to all the sugar I ate this weekend in celebration of the test being done. Behind me.

Anyway, I've been pouring over experiences of those who also failed the test. Blogs, forums, anything I can find on Google, really. And I find something in common with a lot of the stories. Many of the women had a feeling they might fail because many had their tests later in the day and ate beforehand -- leaving them feeling somewhat uneasy about how their food intake might impact results.

What did I eat the morning of my test? Nothing. At all.

I dragged my tired self to the lab at 7:30 AM and hadn't eaten in over 12 hours. For dinner the night before, I kept it lighter than my usual fare, scarfing a modest tomato-mozzarella salad with avocado slices. I didn't sip any soda. I didn't chase it down with even one morsel of chocolate. I did have a very small bowl of Honey-Nut Cheerio's before bed, but the nurse assures me that shouldn't have had any impact.


I can't think of anything -- except my body/hormones -- that could otherwise be held responsible.

It's too early to freak out about these results. Tons of women fail the 1-hour and go on to pass the 3-hour with flying colors. I've heard it a trillion times. I may be one of them, I may not be. I'm just finding it difficult to think of anything I may have done that would produce false-positive results. Well, except that I might actually have gestational diabetes, which could have so very little to do with my diet/exercise habits, so no one is really to blame. I'll have to wait until Friday to take the test. That should be fun. And Monday for the results.

The good news is that my iron levels are great. My midwife had predicted the opposite results (pass glucose, low iron). Pregnancy continues to surprise me even in my near-29th week. I wonder what else is in store!

Stay tuned . . .

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

Read more...

28 Weeks

I don't know the results of my glucose test yet, but I will have to report it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it might be. The drink was gross, yes. But I pounded it in less than 10 seconds. DONE. I think the worst part -- for me -- was the texture. Like cough syrup, almost. The taste has been described in so many different ways . . . and here's mine: 1/3 cup water, 2/3 cups maple syrup, with countless tablespoons of sugar mixed in.

Trust me, if you've never had it, you don't want to even think of trying to recreate that recipe. Ick. Getting the blood taken wasn't terrible. My last blood draw was like 8 vials. This time, only 2.

So, I'm now 28 weeks after surviving the longest weekend ever, a midwife appointment, and some unexpected summer heat.

First, I think it's funny to note that this tunic used to be a cute dress. Now wearing it that way would just be obscene . . .


At my midwife appointment, the main focus was on the numerous painless contractions I had been feeling. I'm still getting them quite frequently, too, but they do seem to have slowed down. I don't know why either. I am starting to think that her explanation of growth spurts might be at least somewhat to blame. But I am continuing to take it easier as a precaution.

What does this mean? Well, I'm scaled back yet again on my running. To almost nothing. She didn't say I have to do this, but I figured at least for a while, it can't hurt anything. I had been doing a few 3, 4, and 5-milers each week. Mileage between 12 and 15 or so. Now most days I try to sneak in 2 miles if I feel like it -- adding more walking, time with exercise DVDs, and other general activity to supplement.

And about that growth spurt. Look at 8 weeks versus 28:


Twenty weeks is a long time. How about only 3? Week 25 versus 28:


Needless to say, this week I experienced a lot of ligament pain and soreness. But what's interesting is that I've felt that exact sensation many, many times before. It's exactly like when I'm running my highest mileage weeks during marathon training. When even laughing or just coming from a reclined to seated position HURTS.

OTHER 28-WEEK STUFF

• We had fallen behind on our nursery project in recent weeks. But we're picking up steam again. Look for updates soon!
• At our midwife appointment we had another ultrasound to make sure everything is OK. It is, the contractions aren't doing anything productive. Baby A. is still indeed a girl (the tech showed us her -- uhm -- hamburger???). She is also adorable and has Stephen's lips, it seems. My general face shape. And a gigantic nose. Though I've been told that the ultrasound tends to distort some things.
• I've been sleeping like a rock despite still getting up several times a night to pee. It's almost a scary deep sleep where I feel like I can hardly wake myself. But it feels good.
• I have major cravings. Not for anything weird. Instead, for everything. But I am eating a lot more. So far, I've gained 14 pounds (as of last week, I think it's now 15) total. I'm right on track in that respect to gain 25-28 pounds. We'll see. With all this food, I think the gain might be higher.
• We are now signed up for a birth class, a breastfeeding class, and a baby care basics class. Lately, I've loved spending time at the hospital. It makes me feel comfortable and excited. So, I figured taking more classes there might help pass the time.
• I am indeed feeling more anxiety about the entire birth process. Mostly because I want to go as natural as possible but recognize anything can happen. I literally squirm just thinking about being cut open for a c-section. I'm hoping the birth class can help answer more of my questions about that process, as well as other modes on pain relief, should I need them.
• Latest obsession: Finding a cute, cuddly home-from-the-hospital outfit. Any suggestions?
• We've also been moving around tons of stuff in the house to get ready for baby. I'll be posting tons more photos when we're more "done" with the project. But here's a corner of our living/dining room:

Yup. 28 weeks means only 12 or so to go. Will I explode before then?


It's entirely possible. Happy labor day!

NEED TO CATCH UP?

27 Weeks: The Third Trimester
26 Weeks and My Ever-Dwindling Wardrobe
25 Weeks and Running
25 Weeks
23-Almost-24 Weeks
22 Weeks: I Gave In
21 Weeks & Nursery Progress
20 Down, 20 More/Less To Go
19 Weeks and Babymoon
Week 18 -- It's a GIRL!
17-Week Video Post
17 Weeks and Preggo Brain
16-Week Belly Shots
15-Week Video Post
15 Weeks and Counting . . .
14-Week Video Post
13 Weeks and Cravings . . .
How We Found Out
So long, 1st Trimester!

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

Read more...

Things I Would Be Eating . . .

Here are 5 things I wish I could be eating tonight. That is, IF I didn't have my 1-hour glucose test tomorrow morning. But the sad truth is that I have to watch my carb/sugar intake starting . . . now.

It's making me and baby A. incredibly cranky the crankiest people in the entire world . . .

BRIE STUFFED-CRUST PIZZA


CHEESE AND APPLE BAGEL SANDWICH (let's face it -- anything on a bagel right now -- WANT!)


VEGGIE DUMPLINGS with a sweet sauce


RYE-PARMESAN SOFT PRETZELS


(VEGAN) CHOCOLATE-PEANUT BUTTER CUPCAKES

Instead, tonight I'll be eating a tomato-mozzarella salad with avocado and balsamic. Maybe some veggies. Just knowing I can't eat bread or sweets is making my stomach growl ferociously. Breakfast will be an egg or two.

Sigh. Wish me luck!

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

Read more...