The Business of Being Born

In one of my many preggo-related e-mails with Danielle, she brought up the movie "The Business of Being Born" which one of her friends had recommended. I immediately got on google and was sucked in instantly by this preview: 

As you know, I have decided to try for an all-natural childbirth. I didn't make this choice because I want to try and be a hero or even because of findings that natural is better for you and your baby. I always thought I wanted a medicated birth and I don't for one milli-second judge someone who decides to go that route. After reading a bunch of books and articles online I just decided that natural was better for me {and frankly, most of that decision comes from being more scared of a needle in my back than the pain of childbirth}. After watching this movie it was absolutely confirmed that I want an all natural childbirth and will do whatever I can to make sure that happens {again, I know things don't always go as planned}.

I really found everything about this movie super interesting, but the main thing that stood out was the sort of vicious cycle of using medication. For example....you get Pitocin to speed up labor which causes your contractions to be more intense and more painful pushing you to want an Epidural but because the Epidural numbs you, you don't feel the contractions or have the urge to push so labor slows down leading to an increase in Pitocin...and this cycle continues on and on until soon you are exhausted and have all this medicine in you and aren't making progress so they take you in for a C-section. Obviously, this isn't always the case...but it makes sense. They give you 10 different things to solve 10 different issues, but it seems the combination just makes everything worse.

After watching The Business of Being Born I found that the producers (Ricki Lake) had made a sort of sequel of episodes covering different topics in more detail.

One thing that really stuck with me from the "More" episodes was that your whole pregnancy you're told all the foods and medications and habits that are bad for you...no Advil, no deli meat, no alcohol, etc. etc. etc. but then all of a sudden when it's time to give birth they want to load you up with medication. I thought that was an amazing point! 

I could go on and on for hours about these movies but I won't bore you. I will say that I highly recommend this movie to anyone who is, has been or eventually wants to be pregnant. I found the whole thing so fascinating. Jason watched it with me too and also found it interesting, not to the extent that I did, but I think it's good for the boys to see.

My Belly {35 weeks}

Thank you so much for all your sweet comments and e-mails in regards to last week's post. It was definitely a discouraging appointment, but I am feeling much better! I am still tired and OVER being pregnant, but I feel significantly better than I was. So thanks for the kind words and prayers. 

Nugget this week...

*her kidneys are fully developed
*her liver can process waste
*most of her basic physical development is done...so she'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight! 

via thebump & babycenter

Size of the baby?  
somewheres around 18 inches long and 5 1/4 pounds!
Woah!

Total Weight Gain/Loss?  
I'm up an even 27 pounds...which according to this preggo weight gain calculator is right on track.

Maternity Clothes?  
I still refuse. I will admit that my one pair of maternity jeans are my most comfortable pants, but I can still squeeze my booty in my regular jeans with the help of a rubberband....so why spend money on more weirdo pants that I will wear for one month and than throw in the fire?
Tangent over.

Stretch marks?  
I have yet to see one. WHOOP-DI-WHOOP-WHOOP!

Best Moments?  
Packing for the hospital! I know I still have 5 weeks to go and hopefully Nugget will cook for as long as possible, but this was one of those things that was just nagging me! I felt so unprepared and anxious about not being ready...just.in.case.
We also got a super sweet {and awesome} package from Nugget's auntie/god-mama, Nicole.

Can you even handle that tutu?!?!?!?!
So many cute things, not to mention the shit ton of onesies that everyone says to stock up on!
Thanks Cole!

Movement? 
Nugget's newest move is a teeny lil foot in my side, the jabbing causes a shooting pain in my side which is really lovely. BUT, as painful and annoying as it can be, I will never get sick of feeling my baby move.

Food Cravings?  
Sweets & Fruit still.

Anything making you queasy or sick? 
Meat! Still rockin' the vegetarian lifestyle.

What I miss?  
Meat. Actually, I don't really miss meat but I do miss eating like a regular person. Finding meals is such a pain in the butt.

Nausea/Vomiting?  
Nope. I'm done with the UTI medication which was making me SO nauseous, but I'm feeling much better now.

Symptoms? 
BIG. OL. BELLY.

Labor signs?  
Nope, not yet.

Gender? 
BABY GIRL ♡

Belly Button In or Out?
My belly button is currently a "halfie" the top half is starting to pop and the bottom half is still normal....it looks super weird and I would never under any circumstances make anyone {except for Jason} look at it. Lucky Jason.

Wedding rings On or Off?  
Rings are still on. They get tight after I go for a walk or if I get too hot, but not to the point where I need to take them off.

Sleep?
I was rockin' the sleep, but now it's getting harder. Getting comfortable is nearly impossible, my mind is on overdrive and if I drink even a DRIP of water, I have to use the facilities. Poor Jason has to be ready to boot me to the guest room.

What I'm looking forward to? 
My baby shower with my side of the family this weekend, my ultrasound and doctor's appointment on Monday and my baby shower with Jason's side of the family next Wednesday!!!

I'm Packed!

You all know what a type-A, planner, control freak, spaz that I am. So it's really not all that surprising that packing for the hospital was the one thing I have been obsessing over the entire pregnancy.
No joke.
I was ready to pack up week 15.
But I resisted the urge. 

I waited until we completed our birthing classes and toured the hospital {just in case they had words of wisdom on the subject}, and I also spent plenty of time reading "What to Pack" articles online AND watched this video from my favorite celeb-mom, Kourtney Kardashian. 

Imagine my surprise when the articles recommended being all packed up by 30 weeks! 

Ummmm....excuse me?! 

I am BEHIND???

Obviously, I jumped right on it. 

So without further adieu (I know you're all busting at the seems with excitement)...

Kristin's Hospital Bag Checklist: 

FOR MAMA:
thanks to my amazing friends Robyn, Carolyn & Libby I got a TON of this stuff in my "Push Pack" at my baby shower! 
Thanks again friends! 

*Toiletries*

I don't think I'm really going to need a whole lot, but I did grab some of the basics to have on hand: toothbrush, toothpaste, chapstick, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, face cleanser wipes, body wash, lotion, a razor (the nurse at the hospital actually recommended this), a hairbrush, headbands & hair ties, mascara and Advil (a very wise friend suggested bringing my own advil--obviously the hospital has stuff, but they charge you for that shiz!)

*Jammies/Nightgown, Robe, Undies & Non-slip Socks*

I plan on being in comfy clothes from the moment I arrive until the moment I leave...so I'm going to bring a cotton nightgown and my lightweight robe to hang out in and I plan on wearing some comfy pants & a sweatshirt TO the hospital, so I'll have that on hand as well. As pumped as I was to wear the super weird mesh undies the hospital provides, I think I am going to bring my own. I know things can be a little messy after childbirth so I'm packing a couple pairs that I don't mind ruining. Finally, I hate socks, I prefer to be barefoot but there's no way in h-e-double-hockey-sticks I am shuffling around a hospital in my bare feet...so I'm bringing a pair of comfy socks with treads so that I am both safe and stylish. :)

*Nursing Bras, Pads & Cream*

Since I hope to get breastfeeding underway immediately, I need to be prepared with some of the essentials. Other mamas have suggested nursing bras (comfy ones), nursing pads and nipple cream, so that is what I shall bring.

*Going Home Ensemble*

I would love to rock some skinny jeans and stilettos when I head for home but a) it's going to be November in Minnesota. b) I'm still going to look 6 months pregnant and c) as far as I know the hospital doesn't have a red carpet. SO, it's all about comfort for this new mama--yoga pants, tank & track jacket.

*Snacks*

Thanks to my Push Pack, I have some Reese's Pieces and Green Olives...sadly, the Sour Patch Kids didn't quite make it. I also grabbed some hard candy {apparently your mouth gets all kinds of dry}, my favorite fruit snacks and honey sticks from the State Fair! One of my books said honey sticks are perfect for labor bcs they're quick and easy to eat, taste yummy and give you a little sugar boost.

FOR HUSBY-DAD:

*Snacks*

The hospital has room service, so we can order food if poor JJ is starving...but I got him these essential snacks to have on hand. 

*Change of clothes*

Jason seemed really unconcerned about having extra clothes, so I just threw in an extra shirt, some shorts, a sweatshirt, sweatpants, a couple pairs of socks and clean boxers...he can always run home if he needs something else.

*Toiletries*

Jason doesn't need a whole lot in the way of toiletries; so a toothbrush, mouthwash, deodorant and some chapstick was all he got. 

FOR BABY:

*Coming home outfit*

It's football season, so it shouldn't be a surprise to any of you that our baby girl will be coming home in a Gopher outfit.

Eeeeeek! Cannot wait to see this on her tiny little body!

*Jammies*

The hospital has onesies and little things for her to wear, but I wanted her to have a cute and comfy outfit from home to wear on her first day, so I'm bringing these little jammies, mittens and hat! 

*Diaper Bag*

YAY! I finally get to break out my beautiful Coach diaper bag! I'm not stocking it full with diaper supplies quite yet. But, I figure it's a great bag to bring the baby's stuff in and bring home all the stuff the hospital will send with us.

*Nail File*

The hospital actually suggested this one...they want you to manage baby's nails with a file but they don't give you one, so the nurse recommended having one on hand. I got the cute little grooming kit so that baby has all the beautifying essentials from the start. 

*Receiving/Swaddling Blankets*

I know the hospital provides these while we're there, but it couldn't hurt to have one of our own. Plus, I want something that smells like the baby to bring home to Bailey to prepare her for her baby sister {it's what all the books suggest to do}.

*Car Seat*

The hospital doesn't let you out the door without one of these bad boys (thank goodness!) Thanks to mama P, we have our car seat! Now we just need to figure out how in the heck to get this thing installed.

EXTRAS:

*Hospital Folder*
I've got a folder the hospital gave us filled with all of our hospital paperwork, pediatrician info, birth plan, insurance information, and phone tree!

*Camera*
I'll probably need to use the camera between now and d-day but I'm making sure to put the camera and all accessories back with the bags after I use it and keep it charged!...it would be a NIGHTMARE if we forgot this guy.


*Pen & Paper*
I got a little journal and pen to bring to try and keep track of what's going down, to better recap all the details later. I'd say there's probably a 95% chance this journal doesn't get opened but I have it just in case.

*Cell Phone Chargers*
Since we will need our chargers up until the big day, I haven't packed them...but I did leave a nice little reminder so we don't forget them.

*Pillows*
I've got a pillow for me and one for JJ all ready to go.

*Music*

The iPod is fully charged and the "Labor Playlist" is set and the hospital has iPod docks in the rooms...which is great!

*FRIENDS*
The labor rooms (and post partum rooms) have TVs and DVD players...so I WILL be using my all-time favorite show as a laboring technique...if Chandler Bing can't get me through a contraction, no one can!


So there ya have it. Anything major I'm forgetting?

Keep cooking little one!
But, just in case you decide to surprise us and come early...we're ready! 

October Goals

Saaaaaay whaaaaaat?!?!?

Raise your hand if your mind is BLOWN that it is October!

 2012 is flying by and I CANNOT FRIGGIN BELIEVE that I am a MONTH away from my due date and  a MONTH away from my one year anniversary. 

Time sure does fly when you're getting fat, I mean, having fun!

Now that we've kicked off a new month, it's time to kick off some new goals. Here's what I'm hoping to accomplish this October...

Clean one room a day. 

So, this past weekend I was dusting our bedroom {which hadn't been done in an embarrassingly long time} and I had an idea. If I cleaned one room a day, the house would always be clean. We only have six rooms in our house and none of them are huge, so really I should be able to straighten up, dust & vacuum a room in 15-30 minutes. If all it takes is 30 minutes, I have no excuse not to get one room done a day and that still leaves me with an extra day to make up a room I missed OR to rest and enjoy my clean house. 

Here's the schedule:

Monday: Nursery

Tuesday: Family Room

Wednesday: Turtle Bathroom

Thursday: Kitchen

Friday: REST

Saturday: Master Bedroom

Sunday: Master Bathroom

We'll see how this goes.

Reach goal of 250 miles. 

I am dangerously close to meeting my goal of walking 250 miles during my pregnancy and seeing as I'm only a month from my due date...I better get this done! 

Stand up as a bridesmaid in my brother's wedding. 

My baby brother is getting married in 18 days! Everyone keeps joking that I am going to go into labor and miss the wedding--but there's no way I want to miss this special day, so homegirl needs to stay nice and cozy until after the wedding. 

Finish the nursery

I am SO close to being done! I am waiting on a couple of decor pieces and then from there it's just putting everything in it's place, doing baby laundry and organizing the closet & changing table.  

Make my Christmas list

Yes, I realize it's October...but I have a feeling I'm going to be a teensy bit preoccupied in November/December, so I want to get my list together of who to buy for and get some gift ideas! 

Maybe I'll even start shopping! 

Prepare for maternity leave. 

I have a bunch of things I need to get finished up and organized before I am away from the office.

Any big goals you want to accomplish this month?

Weekend Recap

happy monday everyone. womp. womp. 

Our week is off to a less-than-stellar start as we had to bring Jason's car in this morning. It's been making this awful sound and yesterday it wouldn't start. Thankfully, we were able to get it started and get it to the repair place. I guess something is wrong with a belt, I know nothing about cars...I just know they're expensive and there are tons more things we need to be spending that money on right now....so, bummer. 

Other than the car probs, this weekend was a great one. We kicked it off Friday night with our 4th wedding of September. Jason's friend Todd from college was married in a gorgeous park in St. Anthony. 

Whenever all of J's college friends get together it's always a BLAST! They are a hysterical group of guys that I absolutely adore and it helps that all of their wives & girlfriends are super cool too. We had a great time catching up with friends we don't get to see often and celebrating Todd & Katy's first night as husband and wife. 

Saturday we were up and at my dad's house early for the Gophers vs Hawkeyes game. 

 This game was HUGE for my Gophers. We were going in to the game 4-0, it was the Big 10 opener, Iowa's homecoming, a HUGE rivalry game that we've won the past two years and a HUGE rivalry game. No seriously, the rivalry is HUGE. I had a bad feeling about the game all week and sadly my intuition was right....the Goph's played like horse poop. We lost the game but we still had a great time watching it at my dad's. 

After the game everyone was exhausted and depressed so we all took a nice big family nap. 

 Naps at my dad's are my FAVORITE. His couch is giant and so comfy and the basement gets pitch black. It's the best. 

The rest of Saturday and all day Sunday were pretty low key. I took Bailey for a couple of walks, did some cleaning around the house, went to AOTT for a meeting and since the Gophers lost and Jason had to shave his "lucky" beard, we had some fun with facial hair styles. 

Pretty hot, huh?

I hope you all had great weekends. Here's to a great week and let's hope it goes quick!