Well, the countdown definitely begins. We were told last week that we are ready to go at any time and it just depends on Anson and when he wants to show. At the moment, he is head down... Thankfully! But you never know what can happen in the last couple weeks. I have another appointment with my doctor on Thursday to schedule an ultrasound and get measurements.
Since Anson is measuring in the 70th percentile for his age and the 3 times a day 10 minute hiccup spells... Dr. Barnes said that his lungs are pretty much developed. Also, because my belly is measuring large (short torso or not) he is literally ready at any time, however, I would like to keep him in as long as possible.
In return, Clark and I have been in a panic this last week trying to get everything situated. Finally got my breast pump just in case the one Jessica gave me didn't work. Plus I pay almost $600/mo for my insurance, I will take that "free" breast pump while I am at it! All week, I have been finishing up on candle orders and getting things ready for Anson's arrival. I didn't have any appointments last week, which was incredibly nice... but at the same time I was just as busy doing other things around the house and with the orders. I am trying to figure out what inventory I have and get those items on Etsy. I am done making custom orders, but anything that is premade will still be for sale... Clark can handle packaging everything and sending it out :)
Now, the one downfall this week was the fact that my sleep is starting to get off pattern. I am definitely more exhausted and the sad thing is, I can't get comfortable in bed. I just lie awake until around 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. so Netflix has been a good friend. Anson, especially this last week has been quite active at night... I would say he is more active now than he was before at night. I think we will be having a night owl :) Granted, the lactation specialist said most babies are more active from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.... Go figure! However, the sleep I am getting is pretty undisturbed. I wake up maybe once or twice per night to use the bathroom, which in itself is nice. The worst part about it is that around 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. I have to struggle to stay awake. I know if I take a nap, I am done for the night. I won't be able to fall asleep until much later!
I actually got together my hospital bag and on Friday, Yogi decided to unpack it all for me... That dog melts my heart and pisses me off at the same time :) But I love him! He decided it would be better for him to eat my shampoo and soap instead of me leaving haha! So I had to repack my bag with new clothes that didn't have exploded shampoo on them and deal with a dog who pretty much can eat anything and be totally fine... Sometimes it worries me the extent of things he eats!
On Friday, Clark and I took out my grandma to dinner and it was delicious like always and we wound up heading to the outlets. Unfortunately for me, I have gone from a Large to an X-Large... The X-Large is still a little big on me... However, I switched because of the fact that I feel like an extra large person who doesn't realize their belly is hanging out. I have undershirts that cover me completely, but with my belly going only outwards, they are starting to ride up and nothing is long enough for me to wear. So I bought a few more shirts that are REALLY long that should last me until the end of the pregnancy :) However, that is when I started getting contractions. I thought for sure, I would be heading to the hospital on Friday night. I counted them and I had 4 within the first hour and by the time we walked into Carter's I was getting really nervous. Granted, walking into Carter's was like a HUGE play store for me... My eyes opened so wide... All I could think was "BUY BUY BUY"! I had to get out of there quickly! We went home, my grandma drove off from our house and I had 4 more contractions in the next hour. I was starting to count them, seeing how close they were together and figured maybe I was a little dehydrated as well since it had been so hot. I chugged a lot of water and rested for the rest of the night and they went away.
I woke up on Saturday a little sore but ready to start my day. But, I woke up ravenous. During my pregnancy, I haven't really had cravings until these last few weeks... and it has been for breakfast! Clark and I went to Eggs N Things and boy was it delicious :)
I had 2 extra large orders to complete and quite honestly, it took almost a full 10 hours to finish it all... so I was on my feet all day long. Then, we headed over to Ma's house so Clark could put up her new umbrella. She got a new patio set for us to sit out and visit at since I have been having a hard time with the cats inside. By the time we got home, I didn't want to do anything. I sat on the couch for 30 minutes and decided it was time to get up off my butt to take the boogers on a walk. Clark and I still walk the dogs for at least an hour each night.
Sunday, oh Sunday. I woke up and Clark asked me "Do you want to go to Ma's while I clean up her garden area?" I said sure. We immediately left and headed over. I sat there and rested while he trimmed all the trees and bushes that were overgrown and I pained my nails :) After four hours, we finally got home and I was so tired that I felt incredibly lazy! I had to clean though. Due to my large orders, I have been bread crumbing through the entire house, putting things here and there... Now, I have to suffer the consequences and clean them all... lol the joy! So, I wanted to make sure I had the dining room table SOMEWHAT clean before we went out to dinner with my grandma and parents. It's very nice to be invited out to eat to get that time with family because I know it won't be happening very much after Anson comes as well as the fact that we don't have to cook!
So, for anyone wanting to do something... better do it now before we run out of time! ;)
A huge thanks to Sara for getting us the bassinet essentials set and the ABC's book! I actually was SO excited to get it that I didn't take a picture because I already put it on the bassinet haha! So, I will take a picture of that later!!
Another huge thanks to my cousin Laura! I got one of the most beautiful diaper bags that I slightly feel guilty to use it! It is too perfect!!!! I absolutely love it :)
And, another HUGE shoutout to Elvia! We received this beautiful handmade crochet blanket that is just amazing as well as another blanket that is for the holidays which we adore! You can't forget the duckie towel either! You have done so much Elvia! I need to take pictures to post!
Lastly, thank you to my grandma! She bought me a couple new maternity tops as well as Anson's outfits of Christmas :) Carter's is a dangerous place!! Plus, she bought Anson's shoes for the maternity pictures! We can't wait to use them!!!
We feel so incredibly blessed and have had so many important people in Anson's life who just keep getting us gifts. It is amazing to be so loved by so many people. A huge thanks to my parents, my grandma, Elvia and my mom's side of the family that keeps pouring love into our homes. We know you guys don't have to send anything, but the gesture is so incredibly nice! I feel like we get a couple gifts ever few weeks by each one of those people. It isn't the gifts, but the thoughtfulness that makes it a hundred times more meaningful. So a huge thank you for that!
On another note, I would like to say that my husband is amazing. I don't mean to boast but I feel so incredibly blessed in life and especially during my pregnancy by him. Clark has done more than I could ever ask for and it makes me smile ear to ear. The list of things he has done is endless, but just to name some:
1. He gives me foot rubs almost on a daily basis because he knows how swollen I get
2. He cleans the whole house so I don't have to lift a finger, even when I make a huge mess with the candles!
3. He takes care of the dogs when they have to go to the bathroom or be fed so that I don't have to get up at all.
4. He makes sure I am as comfortable as possible
5. He makes emergency grocery runs if I need something
6. He will get up in the middle of the night to readjust me if half of my body has decided to come off the bed
7. He checks in on me frequently when we aren't together to make sure I am doing okay or if I need anything.
8. He has been so patient with me.
9. When my hormones hit, he knows to get me ice cream or chocolate haha!
10. He loves every part of me, no matter how large and hairy I am getting, especially when I get criticized about how gross my stretch marks are by other people.
Well, I can say this with certainty... this has been one of the most frustrating, stressful and exhausting week possible. I thought things were supposed to be LESS stressful, not more!
On Tuesday, Kole either got bit by something or has had an allergic reaction to something else. He broke out in hives that were almost 2" big at some points from his face to his body. Clark was helping a friend move, so he couldn't rush home, but my mom came over and stayed with me for about 2 hours making sure Kole didn't go into shock. He cried all night and we were up for over 36 hours. Clark was up longer than me because of the fact that he wound up taking Kole upstairs so I could get a few hours of sleep. I am exhausted mental and physically. We wound up taking him to the vet on Thursday and they gave him a few shots and a lovely prescription to take home. What they didn't tell me, is that every 2 hours he will have to pee for about 5 minutes. So, Thursday night, I got absolutely no sleep. That was 2 sleepless nights this week. He seems to be doing better now, thank God!
Wednesday, I worked from home to watch Kole and it was our last birthing class and we actually wound up leaving early. We were so tired... Plus, Clark and I know how to swaddle, change diapers, and hold a baby... so we figured the last class wasn't as important as the other classes. Overall I did like the class, even if it made me feel more unprepared. What made me feel most unprepared was one of the girls in our birthing class (we are 2 weeks apart) went into labor at 35 weeks and I am now only a week away from that! Another girl started having contractions at 33 weeks and is on medication now! I told Clark that I am definitely not prepared now, so I am trying to get my hospital bag ready... purchase the small last things off my registry and get it all done with as well as hospital papers. In the cleaning of our place for the baby shower they got shoved somewhere in my office haha! If you have seen my office/craft room... it could take a while to find!
Thursday was probably the hardest day for me, mentally and physically. I had my doctor's appointment because I have been having higher blood pressure. I came in, my blood pressure was a much lower than the time before and apparently I lost 6 pounds in under a week. I am assuming that is what lack of sleep and stress can do to you! Clark was leaving for his hunting trip with his dad (because they decided to stay overnight) and I haven't had to deal with the dogs alone yet this late in my pregnancy. Clark was really afraid to leave me, and I didn't want him to go when it got time to leave. With Kole peeing every 2 hours, I didn't get any sleep... and on top of that... Poor Clark and John had to sleep in his dad's truck because the ranch they went to, decided to lock their gates so Clark and John couldn't get in. You best believe, that at 11:00 p.m. I was calling everyone I could find to let them in... unfortunately, no one answered. I felt awful for them and quite honestly very angry because what is the point of putting an "emergency number" when no one can be reached?! I hate incompetence like that!
Friday, oh Friday.... Because of their hunt, Clark waited until the LAST possible minute to buy a deep freeze. Low and behold, it had to be delivered on Friday morning... WAY earlier than when I normally wake up. So, at 7:00 on the button, the delivery came and they set it all up. I was, to say the least, exhausted, frustrated and stressed. I could barely keep my eyes open. The day dragged on for me on Friday and I couldn't wait to get home to see Clark. He shot a sheep and his dad shot a boar and a sheep, so I was really excited for them. The worst part of being sleep deprived and exhausted was that they got their meat butchered, but we had to air seal it all... I let Clark sleep for 2 hours... and when 11:00 p.m. rolled around I regretted letting him do that because I was at the point of utter exhaustion. I stayed up almost until 1:00 a.m. helping him pack everything and air seal it all. I was running on empty pretty much.
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I did get to sleep in on Saturday until 11:00 a.m. though. I mean, yes, I got a solid 8 hours of sleep (waking every 2 hours to use the restroom) but it still wasn't enough. Not after the long week we had had with lack of sleep and crazy stress trying to get him ready for the trip. We went over to his parents house to drop off stuff/pick stuff up and they had been packing their meat as well! John had well over 3 countertops worth of meat (we saw one, but I believe it!)! We got home, and since it is my last couple days accepting new orders for candles, before I call it quits until Anson comes, I started on the 10 orders I had that were large. The smaller orders can wait! I got 4 orders done... and by then it was 10:00 p.m.!
Sunday was just as crazy. I wound up waking up early, and we went over to Clark's parents house for breakfast. His mom made sausage patties from scratch and they were delicious!! We had a full out breakfast. I won't lie, I was a little skeptical, but it tastes exactly the same (just much fresher). I am still a little skeptical about eating sheep meat... Clark had me look for a lot of pork recipes, so when he shot the sheep... I was like UM I don't know how to cook sheep! We went home, I started candle orders while Clark was trying to finish his sheep skull so he can finally mount it. I didn't finish much more as I was pretty tired and it was so hot. We had our air set to 69 but because Camarillo was SOO hot yesterday, it only got down to 76 until around 5:00 p.m. when it finally started dropping below that. The candle picture below was just half of one order!
I am very excited to say that we are planning on doing our maternity pictures. We were going to DIY but with the ONE picture Clark took.... I think I will murder him by the time we are done and I am so very excited to work with Kali! She is an amazing photographer and it is always nice to be with someone you are comfortable with :) It is crazy to think we have known each other since we were kids!
On another note, we have been asked by several people to be put on "a list" to be contacted when I go into delivery. I was very hesitant at first because I feel bad for texting or calling people at 2:00 a.m. in the morning if I went into labor! I feel that people need their sleep, but apparently it is normal to do that! So, if you want to be notified, let me know and I will add you to "the list ;)".
I am sure there is more to write, but I can't think of anything else!
How far along? 34 Weeks! 6 weeks left.
Total weight gain/loss: 19 lbs total with the weight loss.
Sleep: Getting harder to get comfortable, especially with the back pain
Best moment this week: Sleeping.
Miss Anything? Sleep haha
Looking forward to: The maternity shoot and finishing orders to finally rest!
Week 33... this has been one of the toughest weeks by far for me. It isn't because of the fact that I am more tired or getting larger, but I have found it quite painful to do anything... Sitting here typing is hard on me. On Tuesday, I woke up with this horrific pain in my lower back on the left side. I had to roll out of bed and figure out how to stand up without falling down. It was awful. I finally gained my grounds, but went to put my pants on and came tumbling down. I put the heating pad on my back and took a couple Tylenol hoping for some relief before I went into work. Well, the heating pad made it 10x worse and with a few times of crying before I left for work, I went and was in a lot of pain. I couldn't stand up or sit down without wincing or tearing up. I am sure people are thinking this is an over exaggeration but it was devastating.
Clark came upstairs for our normal 10:00 am walk and I tried to stand up and he saw how much pain I was in. He asked if I was sure I wanted to go on a walk and I said yes, I need to move to see if it will loosen up my back. While it didn't ease the pain from my back, it gave me about an hour of temporary relief as the pain was more numb, like when your body goes into shock and it just numbs the area. After that hour, I was in just as much pain. Laughing hurt my back. I wound up going to the acupuncturist to see if that would relieve any pain.
I put a post on Facebook (as many of my friends have had babies already) and asked if anyone knew how to relieve the back pain and if anyone has had such bad back pain. I had a few responses and a UTI made sense. I had a UTI in my first trimester and my back hurt, but I don't remember it hurting this badly. I figured it MUST be a UTI.
I let Wednesday go on, still in pain hoping by some grace of God that my back would ease up with a good night's sleep. Wednesday did not bring the miracle I was hoping for. At lunch, I went to CVS to get the AZO UTI Test Strips and took one. It said positive, which was all I had to read to make an immediate appointment with my OB. I went to the OB's office and gave them a sample and she said my leukocytes were high, but it didn't show I had a UTI. In return, they sent my urine off to the lab for further analysis. I won't know the results until Monday. Dr. Barnes did a pelvic exam to make sure that I wasn't going into preterm labor as the back pain I was describing could be a sign of labor. Pelvic exam was perfectly fine.
Dr. Barnes really did not think it was a UTI but she prescribed me antibiotics anyways because if left untreated I could go into labor. However, she told me that if the antibiotics do not help my back within 2-3 days of taking the medicine, it was not a UTI. She said it is more than likely sciatica and that was what she was going to diagnose it as, as she didn't feel it was an infection.
What is sciatica? Sciatica is pain affecting the back, hip, and outer side of the leg, caused by compression of a spinal nerve root in the lower back, often owing to degeneration of an intervertebral disk.
Well, that sounded pretty darn accurate to what I was having. As Friday hit, my left side was getting worse and my hip and thigh were going numb from the sharp pains. I agree with Dr. Barnes' diagnosis. I believe I do have sciatica.
What helps sciatica? Honestly, NOTHING! I haven't found a way yet to get some good relief. The heating pad makes it worse... Tylenol doesn't touch the pain... The exercises make it more painful.
The only thing I have found that helps relieve it somewhat is by walking. Walking is the only thing that doesn't make it hurt for more than an hour. The only time walking will affect it is if we are walking up or down a hill. The pain is present there. I am just ever hopeful that the pain goes away after Anson is born. I seem to get the most lovely symptoms... who knew?!
On another note, I loved our child birth class on Wednesday! Our regular RN was gone, so the lactation specialist was there. She pretty much told us, we are all capable of providing enough breast milk for our children and it is the mother who will put up obstacles to not breast feed in regards to pain or fear of not having enough milk. My biggest fear was that I wouldn't have enough milk. She gave us a lot of really good tips and pointers! If you are in Ventura County and are planning on delivering at CMH her name is Paris Maloof Bury and she is fabulous! I am hoping she is on staff when I go into labor! I wouldn't mind her as my RN!
Thursday wasn't as busy. I called my father in law to talk to my niece, Zoey, because it was her 5th birthday! I also went to see Allie's new house that they are renting! Other than that we wound up staying home instead of going out because my back was hurting. Friday was a night I worked on some candle orders as I didn't have much energy from the week because of the pain I had. I finally got the Candy Corn candles done and I think they turned out great!!
Saturday, we had another ultrasound and we were so excited to see our little man. We had invited a couple people, but wound up not having anyone come as we figured the next ultrasound people can attend :) This one was a "mommy and daddy only ultrasound". We just need to find out the date! We got 34 printed pictures and then over 70 colored pictures as well as our dvd :) We were so excited to see Anson smile during the ultrasound! It was pretty funny!! We started the session with him being at 155 beats per minute and then by the end he fell asleep and was 131 beats per minute. He likes to hug my placenta and hold his cord.
After the ultrasound, I wound up coming home and making some candles and tarts. The rest of the day was errands and visiting my grandma. Since Clark and his dad are planning on sighting in their guns tomorrow morning, I plan on utilizing the time to sleep in a little.
How far along? 33 Weeks! 7 weeks left.
Total weight gain/loss: 25 lbs total... I am afraid to see what my end weight gain result is!
Sleep: Getting harder to get comfortable, especially with the back pain
Best moment this week: Seeing Anson smile.
Miss Anything? Avocados
Looking forward to: September 15th... the last day I am taking candle orders...after that... I plan on being a nester!
Well, we are at 8 weeks left, give or take!! The time is definitely going by quickly. Clark and I keep smiling at each other when we do our countdown :)
The last week has been absolutely hectic.
Most people know, I wound up planning my own shower, so from Sunday last week until Saturday, August 30th, the week has been crazy with baby shower planning on top of all the other weekly planning and events!
We had our birthing class on Wednesday and it had everything to do with "What Can Go Wrong In Labor". I told Clark that day that I didn't want to go, because I didn't want to know. Granted, we still wound up going and it wasn't as bad as some of the other classes.
Due to the Labor Day weekend I went from having 39 people attending to 24 people attending, which isn't so bad, but I was a little bummed out because I had bought so much stuff!
By Thursday, I was absolutely exhausted and over planning the shower. There still seemed so much to do. Granted, on Thursday, we found our placenta encapsulation specialist and she had a fantastic price! I am very excited to use her. All the women in my family have had postpartum and Clark and I agreed with the dramatic drop of hormones after you give birth, it would probably be best for me to "ween" myself off of the hormones. My hormones can be quite out of wack, when I am not pregnant!
Also, on Thursday, we had our appointment with Dr. Barnes... Everything was normal, except the fact that in 2 weeks, I went from being on time in regards to my measurements from jumping from 31 weeks to 34 weeks! I am not sure if it is because of my short torso, but I am assuming that is probably the case!!
Friday, I took the day off. I had to go get the keys from the HOA of Vista Camarillo... What a lovely experience that was. I got there at 9:00 and Mike, from the association, hounded me about the address not matching my driver's license and was taking his sweet time getting me the key. After I left, I got called back arguing with me that I didn't give him a deposit check. In return, I had to go back up there and continue to argue with him that he verified with me that he received the check after his Alaskan Cruise. Then he remembered and said I was fine to go. Low and behold, Vanessa comes over and I go show her the poolhouse... the key doesn't even work for the room! We tried a couple times and couldn't get it to work! I called the association, and of course, they turn their phones off at lunch... so I used their emergency number and said the key didn't work and to have Mike call me back immediately. I also called Mike's personal cell phone that is for emergencies as well and couldn't get through. Yet, when I received a call back, I was told I didn't know how to use a key and that "it worked just fine on Monday". I told him the key did NOT work and he gave me a bunch of attitude and said he would be there in 5 minutes. Vanessa and I ran back outside to make sure we weren't mistaken and again, it didn't work.
Mike finally showed up, giving us flak and went to go try the key... low and behold... it didn't work! He asked if we tried the side door and I didn't even know there was a side door! Go figure, the side door was already unlocked and the key didn't even work for it! I was told that I didn't need to bring the key back since it didnt work!
Friday was such a busy day... I do have to say without my husband and Vanessa on Friday, I would have been dead!!! Clark was working on finishing up the nursery along with cleaning... I was baking which took a lot out of me, but Vanessa (regardless of our attempts to stop her) cleaned almost the whole upstairs! She did the dishes, vacuumed and cleaned the dining area! If you don't know Vanessa, she was my maid of honor at our wedding 4 years ago and it has almost been 7 years since I have known her! It seems like almost a lifetime! I know I can always count on her and quite honestly, the shower wouldn't have happened without her or Kelli! Thank you Vanessa for helping out so much!!! Anson is so lucky to have Auntie Vanessa in his life! :) You already spoiled him so much!!
Saturday, I woke up at 7 so I could have my hair done by 8 am. I didn't want to deal with doing my hair, so I ran up to Savvy Salon in Agoura and had a blow out by Bianca :)! I rushed back and by the time I got back, Vanessa was already there, setting things up. Kelli arrived shortly after. A HUGE thanks to Vanessa and Kelli for doing so much! I couldn't have done it without them! They have been by my side through everything and I couldn't imagine doing it without them! Anson is so incredibly lucky!
The shower went well and smoothly! I was so worried that it wouldn't! We were extremely blessed by everyone who showed up! A HUGE thanks to everyone! Everyone was so incredibly generous and I think we are pretty stocked on diapers now for a while too! Below are the pictures of what we received and a huge thanks to each person who got them! If you have pictures from teh shower, please send them to me @ kristazanotti@gmail.com I would love to add them to Anson's book! Thank you all for making it so incredibly special!!
P.S. A huge thanks to my mom and grandma for helping fund the shower! I couldn't have done it without you! A huge thanks to everyone who brought food! Thanks Debbie for your delicious cheesy potatoes!
