More showers and some 36 week progress

Well, it is official - Baby Z can arrive! After 2 showers in as many days, we now have pretty much everything he needs to come home.

My office threw me a shower Thursday, where we got a cool space saver high chair seat that reclines enough so even an infant/newborn can sit at the table with you. They also got us the fancy video monitor I'd randomly stuck on the registry, which is pretty darn cool. We'll be able to see Baby Z in his room and even talk to him through the monitor.

Saturday was our 'Charlotte Shower' at Lori's house. I had a great time catching up with everyone and thoroughly enjoyed the Chick-fil-A nugget tray. (I know, it doesn't take much to impress me!)

 

 

Here are some other shots:

Tanya is one month behind me (due Christmas Eve). Yeah, you can't tell!

Trina just had a lil one about 12 weeks ago...yeah, you can't tell!

 

And one of the gifts especially made for Simon:

We also got his car seat, so now we can legally bring him home from the hospital. We weren't exactly sure what we were going to do if he arrived before the shower, but now we don't have to worry....it is installed and everything now.

Speaking of, our bag is packed and in my trunk now too. I had my 36 week appointment today and heard enough stories about people being sent straight to the hospital from their doctor's office that I didn't want to be stranded.

Clearly, since I'm here typing this, I was not sent to the hospital after the appointment, but the doctor was pleased with my progress. I am still measuring a week ahead. Baby Z is still head down and "in position" (engaged). I am 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced, which of course really means nothing, but at least we know something is happening in preparation for the big day. I'm fine with all that too. As the doctor said, we'd like to keep him in at least one more week. I told him I would do my best! (as if I have anything to do with it!)

And as promised, here are a few more of the pictures my friend Annie took of us a few weeks back. I can't wait to get some printed/framed!

Unless we go to the hospital, we go back to the doctor in one week to keep an eye on things! Until then.....

It's Curtains!

literally and figuratively....for the treadmill and Baby Z's room!

Well, we'll see. For the past couple of weeks, I've been able to keep up my 30 minute runs three times a week. Just this past Friday, I started feeling like maybe it's time to start walking - not necessarily because I don't feel good running, but mostly because I don't really feel any better after running. So I told myself Friday that I would give it one more week. Today was a good treadmill day, but again, I didn't really get that 'runners' high' that I'd been getting in the previous weeks, so I'm wondering if that is my body telling me to start walking maybe? I'll finish out this week and see how I feel just walking next week. Should be interesting....

Because everyone seems to be shocked at the fact that I've been running, here's a little snapshot of what I look like afterward....just to proove that it's not like I'm out there running marathons weekly or anything...see my hair isn't even that sweaty:

So - as for the literal curtains, here's a peek:

My awesome faux in-laws came over Saturday to hang the rod and get exact measurements for the hem. I absolutely love them....and to top it off, they have that blackout stuff on the back, so his room can get nice and cozy even during daylight hours.

We continued our nesting by busting out the pack-n-play for a test run...looks good! Once the curtains are hung, Baby Z's room will be pretty much ready!

And speaking of peeks....here are some photos from our friend Annie. Annie has a regular 'ole corporate job during the day, but luckily for her friends and family, she has a super after-work hobby that involves a fancy camera and chasing awesome outdoor lighting. We are blessed to have her as a friend!

More to come after she finishes editing the 200+ she took at the park!

I have my 36 week appointment next Monday, and I'm super curious to see if anything is happening. Lately I've been having the feeling that maybe I will, in fact, go all 40 weeks. As my faux mother-in-law reminded me this weekend...I'm not exactly built like my sisters! (Though I think she thinks I'm a giant even though I'm only 5'6"....she's maybe 4'10") If I continue to feel as I have been feeling, then I'm ok with making it to 40 weeks....and as long as Simon agrees to continue rubbing my feet at the end of days where I stand too much! (I'm sure I can convince him)

We have our final shower this weekend...I'm calling it the Charlotte Shower! I'm excited to have all my friends in one place at one time. Stay tuned for photos from that fun event!

Nothing "to get excited about"

...or at least that's what the doctor said at my 34 week appointment Monday. He was refering to the size of my belly.

So yes, Baby Z is "measuring big" - whatever that means. But he has been measuring at least a week ahead since he was just a blob on the ultrasound screen. After our baby CPR instructor looked at me Sunday and said, "whoa - you look different since the last time I saw you..." or something to that effect, I thought I'd follow up with the doctor. Of course, he was nonchalant in his response. I realize he's probably seen upteen 12 pound babies, but I do not feel the need to set any records here! Oh well, the doctor said he measures fine, his heart sounds great, my numbers are great, so we are in good shape....at least for the next two weeks. Since I am actually feeling fine, I have resigned myself to put away all the sweet newborn clothes friends have given us and focus on the 3-month and up outfits!

What was supposed to be a relaxing weekend of doing nothing of course turned into a weekend filled with activity, but I suppose I should just get used to that, right? Baby Z finally has a curtain rod to go with his curtain fabric, and we even picked out some fabric for Nadine to make us a fun window seat cushion.

I have had two girlfriends give me loads of boy stuff recently, so I finally got around to washing/organizing the piles. Here's what that process looked like:

I am pretty sure Baby Z is all set on clothes until he is 6 months....whooo hoo!

And as the nesting continued, Simon even got involved and set up one of Baby Z's swings in the living room:

We used books to test the weight while in operation....hence the blurriness of the photo.

Our Sunday was spent at Baby CPR class and one called Taking Care of Baby. We bathed our baby, changed his diaper and learned some basic CPR skills.

 

Interestingly enough, the other three moms in the class were also "measuring big," so I'm beginning to think maybe there's something in the Charlotte water supply? Even the mom having a girl looked as big as I look...and she was a week behind me! OR - my favorite big-belly theory....people have no idea what they're talking about, and I'm going to have a very average 6 to 7 pound baby in a few weeks.

 

So we did manage one moment of relaxation during the weekend....we ventured to the movie theater to see Argo. Even though it was a bit warm in the theater, I can say it was well worth the heat. Great movie!

Life at 33 Weeks

So this past weekend, I was supposed to walk the Komen Race for the Cure 5K with a group of friends to celebrate Kim's defeat of breast cancer. We were excited to join the Charlotte walk to help celebrate Kim's home run. (you may remember this post I wrote about it)

Well, when reality set in that I would need to be at the starting line around 6:30 a.m., I began to rethink my plan. We'd just learned in some of our baby classes that you NEVER wake a sleeping pregnant woman, so I was pretty sure Team Kim would understand if I showed up a little late to the walk...and of course, they did. I was able to run in at the very last turn of the walk and meet up with everyone. It was super cool. At the finish line, they called out the survivors' names as they crossed the finish line...needless to say, there weren't many dry eyes at the finish line. But luckily they were tears of joy for Team Kim. Here's a shot of her awesome family after the walk:

After the walk, Team Kim had a picnic at a local park.....a great way to continue our celebration of Kim's journey. Here's part of the team at the picnic.

While I was walking and celebrating, Simon and our faux father-in-law were hanging Baby Z's ceiling fan. Simon is also becoming quite the pro at ceiling fans, so he said it took them no time. Now the room is officially ready....ok, well as long as his curtain fabric shows up at the store Tuesday. (that's a whole other story for another day)

After the walk, Simon and I had a wedding shower to attend (busy day). The groom is a huge Clemson fan, so his awesome fiancee got him a Clemson-themed groom's cake that we ate at the shower...here is it in all its ridiculousness:

Horrendous, I know! Luckily it tasted good. There were 3 pregnant ladies at the shower including me, so we all had a blast comparing notes and asking questions of each other. I'm sure everyone else was trying to avoid us like the plague, but we enjoyed ourselves nonetheless!

So as you can see, life at 33 weeks has yet to slow down. Luckily, we were able to spend Sunday at the Erwin's again watching yet another ridiculous Panthers game but eating good food.

Our next few weekends are clear, so we plan to keep it that way since eventually I will need to learn to sit down.

A 32 Week Update

We had another big weekend this past week.

I spent Saturday in Columbia celebrating Baby Z and my sister's newest addition Baby K. Isn't she sweet.

 

 

She came a little early (what else is new with this family), so the doctor advised she not come to the dual shower mom had planned at California Dreaming. So instead, after we were through there, me, Mom, Robin, Lori and her girls brought the shower to Kim's house.

 

Here are some shots from the California Dreaming event:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once again, we got a slew full of goodies for Baby Z. I believe he has pretty much everything a baby "needs" now, so that is a good feeling. I still need to make a pharmacy stop for stuff a new mom might need! :)

 

Sunday was construction day at the Zora house. Before church we managed to hang some new shelves in our laundry room:

 

Simon, the Handy Man 

 

 

 

After watching a ridiculous Panthers game (but eating an awesome lunch) at the Erwin's house, we put Baby Z's crib together, which was WAY easier than his changing table. It probably only took us 45 minutes max to complete. Or maybe we're just getting better at this furniture building stuff!?

 

 

 

 

Sunday night, I met up with my stamping ladies and made some fun Welcome Baby cards. Lori and I had already made a stash of Thank You cards, but let's be honest, at this time in your life, you can never have enough of these cards lying around, right!? Here's a sample:

 

 

 



 

Earlier in the week, I'd had my "Transition into Motherhood" class. I wondered what they could really teach you about this, but I was presently surprised that the name was just a coverup for what should have really been called "All the stuff your husband would probably pass out if he knew" class. OK, so it wasn't too bad, but it was good to have a class with just the ladies and to have a teacher who is a straight-shooter and didn't leave anything out (I hope not anyway).

We discussed everything from the Baby Blues to how to sweet talk your husband to changing EVERY diaper of your child's life to the super sexy underwear the hospital gives you....and everything in between. Our last discussion of the class was about what our new schedule would be. Mine is below:

 

Dark Blue = sleep (I'm ambitious)

Light Blue = Baby Z

Green = Housework

Yellow (which is on top of one of Baby Z's triangle's) = exercise

Purple = Me Time

Orange = Food Prep

 

I got ambitious with the sleep triangles because I'm pretty sure the green and orange triangles could disappear from my day if they need...Simon is pretty good at both of those activities. Now if/when Simon's sleep starts to get too bad, I'll at least have the lovely pie chart to remind me how to organize my day!

 

But in all honesty, the classes from CMC have been great. We have a CPR/First Aid class in the middle of October, and then they seem to think we'll know all we need to know. Uh, I guess so. At least we'll have a baby nurse (aka Lori) just down the street on 24 hour call for us.

 

And on to the title of this post....this morning I had my 32 week appointment. Literally, it took 18 minutes! I wish they all could run so smoothly! Doctor (whom I am sure could have been a student of mine at UF) listened and said Baby Z sounds great. I wishfully asked if I might be able to get an ultrasound before 39 weeks (since Baby Z is measuring about a week ahead), and he said they won't even worry about it as long as he stays on his consistent one-week-ahead schedule. Oh well, I suppose I can live with that because I'd much rather NOT have him start doubling in size on a weekly basis.

What a Weekend

My weekend started Saturday morning with Simon showing me a text from my mom:
"I know you're up before Allison, so I thought I'd text you. Kim is in labor." (or something to that effect)

So of course the phone calls began. Mom was already on her way to Columbia. I talked with Lori, and we agreed to wait until I was out of my breastfeeding class to make any decision - as we all know these things can take time.

I headed off to my breastfeeding class where really the main things I remember are the three Ws: Wake (baby should be awake, duh); Wide open mouth; and Whop him on (otherwise known as latch). Oh, and evidently during his first three weeks of life, I will be consumed with these three Ws. I have marked my calendar.

While I was at breastfeeding, Simon was at Daddy Bootcamp. He said he enjoyed the class but couldn't really say too much specifically about what he learned....other than the importance of fatherhood. That seemed like enough for me, so I'd say it was well worth his time!

Needless to say, Kim is pretty much a baby-making professional, so by the time my 2-hour class was out (11 a.m.) we had a new "Aiken Girl"....even though she's not really an Aiken, I know. So I headed to Lori's, and we hit the road. And here she is:

 

 

She was a little slow to warm up, so me, mom, Lori and all 6 kids entertained ourselves in the hospital until she was warm enough to leave the nursery. We wanted to see her in person - not just through the nursery windows.

 

 

The girls were very impressed with the moving recycle belt and cleaned our tables....only after complaining about having to "work here" to Nanny.

 

 

My (aka) walking baby doll niece and I hanging out in the hallway. As you can see there was not a lot going on for a Saturday afternoon....most of Columbia was watching the Gamecocks, so it's understandable.

 

While we never got to hold the new baby, we finally got to see her in person before we headed back to Charlotte.

 

This left Sunday with a whole list of chores to complete. Luckily, Simon had completed all the normal home stuff Saturday, so I got to take part in the more fun activities like.....

 

putting together the changing table (OK, so I mostly observed Simon putting it together):

 



Voila!

I did give Baby Z's walls one final coat of paint...after Uncle Skip finished up the edging in blue. I also found the white paint for the molding and was able to touch up that all the way around the room. Here's a shot (pre-edging) with his crib mattress up against the wall.

Now Baby Z has a clean, painted room and a place for us to change his diaper...and we even have some diapers and wipes. P-R-O-G-R-E-S-S feels good.

We ended our weekend having dinner with Baby Z's soon-to-be BFF, Nolan, down the street. Nolan is 4 months old and will be sharing all the big, bad, boy secrets with Baby Z, I am sure! His parents, Laura and Ricardo, will share them with us (hopefully)!

On a side note....my awesomely talented friend Annie came up with this logo for our Team Kim: Charlotte Edition breast cancer walk. We'll be walking in two weekends....read more here.

It's a Total Team Sport

I've never played a team sport...unless you consider my fourth grade teacher's mid-afternoon soccer games a "sport." I was on our high school swim team, and yes, I was on a few relay teams, but let's be honest....swimming is an "I" sport.

I technically work as part of a team in my current job. All my coworkers are great, but again, it's more of an "I" job that I do. Our team really consists of four web guys and me. (yes I'm the only chick on the team)

Needless to say, I had kinda assumed this whole pregnancy thing would have to be an "I" event in my life. Yes, I am married, and I knew Simon would be supportive, but I thought I was being realistic when I told myself to be prepared to do all the work. Well....I am happy to report I WAS WRONG!

From the day I showed Simon the pee stick that read: PREGNANT, he's been a super champ, and I don't know how I would have made it this far without him. Seriously how to single women do this?

Once I started showing, all of the attention was focused on me. I'm sure he doesn't mind it most of the time - he's not a real attention hog. But I wanted to take this moment to share a little bit about how Simon has been such a fabulous partner in this journey.

• he does ALL the dishes - without even being asked
• he does all the grocery shopping
• he never complained once when I started over shopping for maternity clothes :)
• he covers me up at night because I can't do it myself anymore (awesome body pillow makes sleeping great but getting into bed tricky)
• if/when I forget something up/downstairs, he voluntarily runs and gets it for me
• he saves the last grapes for me
• he bought me a prenatal massage
• he wants to go to all my appointments....but I tell him it's really ridiculous for him to be there at the ones that last 5 minutes
• he tells me I'm beautiful
• he notices when I am wearing something new/different
• he props my feet up on the couch for me (dude, lifting my own legs is getting more and more difficult)
• when I came home crying because everyone continually tells me they're certain I'm having twins, he comforted me and listed to my ridiculous rants of "What's wrong with people"...to which, of course, there is no answer
• every time I wake up to pee at night, he asks me if I need anything
• a billion other little things that I don't have time to type out

And perhaps the most useful thing he does is get this look on his face when we're together and random people make sweet comments. He looks so proud and happy.

I think I see much more of this in his future:

I am one lucky woman!