Tag Archives: Diamonds and Diapers Themed Baby Shower

Thirty Two Weeks – The 411

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How my baby’s growing

By now, your baby weighs 4 1/2 pounds (about the size of a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You’re gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. She’ll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

She is sleeping approximately 90 to 95 percent of the day.

Most of her wrinkles are disappearing, especially on her face, as more fat is deposited under her skin. Her hair is becoming thicker with each passing week, and you may even be able to see it on an ultrasound! She will also begin to settle in the head-down position, as her birth is fast approaching.

How mommy’s life is changing

To accommodate you and your baby’s growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.

You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your doctor or midwife know right away, particularly if you haven’t had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor.

Assuming it’s not preterm labor that’s ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things.

BABY STATS:

How Far Along?

32 Weeks !!  Woot Woot !!!

How Big Is The Little One?

The baby is the size of a jicama

Total Weight Gain / Loss?

I have gained 1 lb 3 oz this week for a total gain of 8.5 pounds.  I lost 27 lbs the first trimester.

Maternity Clothes?

I am still rocking maternity jean, capris, body con dresses, and oversized tees and running leggings.

Sleep?

I am sleeping most of the night with the exception of getting up to pee.  Occasionally I fall asleep earlier than normal and I wake up for a few hours and watch tv before going back to sleep.

Best Moment of the Week?

Although the baby shower day started off bad for me, as we got stuck in traffic and arrived 40 minutes prior to the start of the shower and we were 20 mins late starting because we had to set up and I was already upset that 12 people (some rsvp’d for 2 ppl) cancelled the week of the shower, some the day or two before, and  8 people were no shows, causing me to lose $2500 , after the room was put together, I calmed down and decided to just enjoy this day I had worked so hard on for the past several months. Those who were supposed to be there were and those who wanted to be there and could not were there in spirit and the all the rest… EFF THEM ! 🙂    The room decor, the floral arrangements, the food, etc … was perfect.  The event was very elegant and beautiful, just the way I envisioned it.  My family and friends had an amazing time and loved the decor.

After the baby shower, we packed up and cleaned up the party room.  Before I could get the car out of the garage, I noticed I had 26 invites on Instagram and a ton of replies to some posts on Facebook.  I click on it to see that two of my friends posted pictures from the event without asking me.  That started a shitstorm of comments, emails, inboxes, calls and texts !   My personal life is private and I keep it very separate from my public life.  Everyone who I wanted to know about my pregnancy and life, knew.  Now all of the 5000 FB fans, old classmates, other family whom I do not even deal with nor speak too, associates etc, were seeing the pics posted and started asking if I was pregnant or congratulating me… all of which I ignored !   I DO NOT comment on my personal life PERIOD.   I ended up at the mall after my mom’s physical therapy appointment on Monday, so I changed my cell phone number, which I had planned to do some time ago when the whole stalking situation was in full swing.  The FBI and NYPD I was dealing with suggested I not change it at that time so that the stalker would keep contacting and they could document it and build a case.   It was time to do a purge anyway.  Too many people over time have been given my number for various reasons and I do not stay in contact with these people.  It amazes me that they felt it appropriate to text me and ask if I were pregnant.  I went to the posts on FB and changed the audience viewing on the pics so that only those tagged in it and those I wanted to see the pics could actually see it and now the drama has died down.  I was livid that my friends posted those pics.  You do NOT do that.  Just because you were invited to an event does not translate to you posting pics for the world to see unless you clear it with the event host.  I hired a professional photographer and a professional videographer to document the event and to put together a video and photo cd for the guests. Now I see why people make you put cell phones in a basket at the entrance to venues !    There is a previous post I made about my baby shower.  Take a peek to see the pics…

Today, I went to LabCorp for a ton of blood work.  I was supposed to have an OB appointment, but I did not feel up to the 3hr train ride to NYC from DC and back.  My legs were very swollen after the baby shower all the way up to my hips !  My legs and ankles looked like they belonged to someone else…   I had the blood work ordered stat and sent to CNY as well as my OB.  I have my next appointment in 2 weeks anyway and also an MFM appointment for a scan and other testing, so unless I start feeling symptoms or feeling bad, I am good with that !

Symptoms?

My skin has been feeling like it is crawling and is super sensitive.  My sister told me to take Benedryl for the itching and crawling feeling and it worked !  I took a few doses of liquid children’s Benedryl and I have been fine since.  My baby feels a lot heavier and she does not move as much as she was before.  It is like she is asleep most of the time.

My boobs FINALLY stopped hurting !   I was in so much pain and the pain evolved to a shooting and stabbing type pain.  On Saturday, it finally just went away !

I have kankles ! 😦

Food Cravings?

I have had no real cravings lately.  Today, I wanted bbq chicken and fresh cooked veggies, so I made that, ate a plate and got over full after eating only half the plate.

Food Aversions?

My aversions are pretty much gone, thank goodness !

Gender?

It’s a GIRL !!!!

Labor Signs?

None

What I Miss

Sangria and a nice glass of wine

What I Am Looking Forward To?

Being able to see this baby and bond with her.  Getting back to the beach for the Winter and hanging out on the beach with the baby and my mom.

Bump?

Still a soccer ball !   I have not gotten much bigger.

Navel In/Out?

In

Baby / Mommy Purchases?.

The only things I have bought were Aden & Anais swaddling blankets I found at SAMS Club for $6.41 and $4.91 for a FOUR pack !!  Such a steal so I bought 24 of them lol.

I will finish up my registry at the end of the month after I wait to see what other items are purchased by those who claim they are going to send a gift who didn’t bother to show up for my shower.  I was waiting for Amazon and Target to post the 15% off completion coupon.  They finally posted them this week so I will wait until the first week of September and then order the few things that we will need, which is basically her Mamaroo swing/bouncer, 4Moms play yard/bassinet, high chair, crib sheets, and burpy bibs. Everything else, I have already purchased along the way or was gifted for the shower.

Excitement Over Baby Shower Wained- The 411

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I am up, dressed, and the car is packed.  I am NOT excited at all to be leaving for NYC for the baby shower.  In the past few days, I have had 12 people text or email me (not call) and cancel their rsvps for various reasons.  None of the reasons are sufficient for contacting someone a few days prior to an event that costs $125 per person and rising…  to cancel when you have known about the event for three months.  A save the date was sent out and invites were mailed out at the end of May.

The latest person to text me was one of the godparents.  He is an actor and got called in to do ADR work for a film he recently completed and because he is in Charleston, there are no flights arriving in NYC the next day in time for him to make the shower, so he can’t get the ticket changed.

I am certain that the day of the event , there will be others who will not arrive.  Of those who cancelled, I have gotten gifts from TWO people.

What is disappointing is that people who know my family KNOW that when we host events, it’s not a come over for cake and cup of punch kinda event !   We hired the florist who was Joan Rivers personal florist to do floral arrangements for the shower !  Butterfield’s is catering !  Sprinkles is hosting  !  Make My Cake is providing the two tier cake !  Banana Bakery of Dallas TX, Leri Sweets of Raleigh NC, and Cakes Etc of Cleveland OH made the favors for the shower !  We ordered white linen chair covers with an organza chair tie in silver for each guest chair !  Ordered silver chargers, bought beautiful dining-ware !   White Linen Table Clothes !  Glass Globes for the tables to put snowball cookies in…. Linen placemats… white platters… white risers and cake plates etc…   It is going to be beautiful…

I was over capacity (as in standing room only) by 13 guests so I really should not be upset because now everyone will be able to be seated, but it is just the unmitigated gall of people NOT showing up and the excuse being bullshit like “it is my mom’s or son’s birthday”….  Really?  You KNEW that when you accepted the invitation.  The $1500 that is being wasted for no shows would have paid for a vacation after baby is here or paid for her crib at Restoration Hardware.   I do not have $1500 to just throw up a cat’s behind !  So yep… I am bitter and pissed off.   I NEVER cancel on rsvps. I have been present at every shower, wedding, birthday, movie premiere, awards show, play etc of every person that I invited… I have even shown up sick as a dog, but was there.   I do not get people’s perception of friendship.  To me, it is about SHOWING UP !  After nearly three years and after seventeen medical procedures to have this kid, not including the one I am having to get her out, this is kinda a BIG DEAL !   Any woman having her first child is a BIG DEAL !

On top of that drama, I have people calling me and asking if it is okay to wear pink or black  to an ALL WHITE party !  At this point, I am over it and wish I had never had the brilliant idea to have this event.  It is too late to back out now and I am sure that I will be okay by the day of the event… I have the rest of the day to rest up once we get to the hotel in NYC.  My sister and niece are flying in and will be at the hotel by the time we arrive.  My other sister is driving up with her daughters and the baby boy.

What is the saying?  Que se ra se ra ?   However the hell you spell it….

Thirty One Weeks ! – The 411

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How my baby’s growing

This week, my baby measures over 16 inches long. She weighs about 4 pounds (about the size of a coconut) and is heading into a growth spurt. She can turn her head from side to side, and her arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump up as needed fat accumulates underneath her skin. She’s probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby’s kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

How mommy’s life’s changing

Have you noticed the muscles in your uterus tightening now and then? Many women feel these random contractions – called Braxton Hicks contractions – in the second half of pregnancy. Often lasting about 30 seconds, they’re irregular, and at this point, they should be infrequent and painless. Frequent contractions, on the other hand – even those that don’t hurt – may be a sign of preterm labor. Call your doctor or midwife immediately if you have more than four contractions in an hour or any other signs of preterm labor. These include an increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge (if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody – even if it’s pink or just tinged with blood); abdominal pain or menstrual-like cramping; an increase in pressure in the pelvic area; or low back pain, especially if you didn’t have it before.

You may have noticed some leaking of colostrum, or “premilk,” from your breasts lately. If so, try tucking some nursing pads into your bra to protect your clothes. (If not, it’s nothing to worry about. Your breasts are making colostrum even if you don’t see any.) If your current bra is too snug, you might also want to pick up a nursing bra. Choose a nursing bra at least one cup size bigger than you need now. When your milk comes in, you’ll be grateful for that extra room!

If you’re having a boy, you and your partner will want to take some time to think about whether or not to have your baby circumcised. Find out the pros and cons from your doctor, and what the procedure involves.

BABY STATS:

How Far Along?

31 weeks !!

How Big Is The Little One?

My little one is the size of a coconut

Total Weight Gain / Loss?

I have gained a total of 7 pounds.  None this week.  I lost 27 pounds during the first trimester so I am doing pretty good.  I think weight gain will start to happen from here on out because baby girl is going to gain 1/2 pound a week.

Maternity Clothes?

I am still wearing my too big maternity skinny jeans, boyfriend jeans, capris, bodycon dresses, oversized tees and running tights.

Sleep?

I sleep like a baby until I have to get up to go urinate !  I do wake up some mornings around 1 or 2 am to the baby moving but I am able to go back to sleep if I do not find something on tv to watch.

Best Moment of the Week?

I have had a ball shopping for baby shower game gifts.  Since my shower is co-ed, I decided to make some gift boxes out of old wooden cigar boxes filled with brown shredded paper and topped with a shot glass, miniature liquor bottles and a Davidoff cigar that says “it’s a girl.”  For the girls, I have Victoria’s Secret perfum, perfumed mist, and lotion with a poof and I am gonna grab a similar body wash from Walmart and put it in a gift box.  I also have two Angel Ball cookie gift boxes coming from a bake shop in Cleveland.  Today, a lot of the items I ordered for the tables and decorations will arrive via Fedex or UPS.

Cerveza, Limon y cigar !

Victoria Secret Body Products & Bath gel with bath scrunchie

Snow Angel Ball Cookie Gift Boxes

Tomorrow, I will pack the car and await the custom baked cookies shaped like onesies, diamonds, rattles, etc to arrive and then put them in the car along with my bags and will be leaving for NYC on Saturday morning early.  Our friends start flying in on Saturday and several of them are staying at the hotel I blocked off.

I have to bake scones tomorrow as well, but only because my scones are ridiculously amazing and I have had few that will compare :-).   My sister is going to make southwest chicken egg rolls (mini ones) and the caterer (Butterfield Market) will be dropping off the rest of the menu items on Sunday for the shower.  Make My Cake is making the two tier cake which is for decor only.  Sprinkles is providing cupcakes and we ordered clear boxes to put them in. I am picking up silver and white ribbon today to tie around the boxes. I am still waiting on my white linen dress to arrive which was shipped days ago !  Hopefully it will be here before Friday….

In other exciting news, more baby shower gifts have arrived and I blown away at the generosity and thought put into the gifts. One of my colleagues, a guy, decided to text me yesterday and told me he sent money via Western Union because he is not good at baby shopping and feels like a bull in a china shop lol.  He sent the baby cash so I will pick out a gift on my amazon registry from him.  My sister friend in Canada sent the baby a whole wardrobe of clothing from Baby Gap and Gymboree ! She even sent tights and shoes to match !!  I was in tears looking at the clothes and it started to sink in… this baby is coming in a few weeks and she is REAL.  She will be rocking clothes and I will be able to see her, smell her, feel her and hold her !  It is still surreal to me.  I just can not wrap my mind around a real baby….   It is a weird place to be.

Symptoms?

My baby is doing flips and kicks that are more noticeable.  She is getting bigger and she responds to my touch and voice now more than ever.  If I tap or rub, she moves to that area or kicks that exact spot.

I awake some mornings feeling like I have to vomit but it passes quickly. My breasts have started a whole new level of hurt !  I experienced shooting pain the other day so bad, I could not sleep.  I got up and put on a nursing bra that looks like a sports bra to keep my boobs from moving and that provided a little relief.  After a while, I just took two Tylenol and went to sleep.  The next morning, I made my nursing tea and the symptoms subsided.

I have noticed that I am still restless at night and I often switch from the bed to the couch for comfort.  But I am sleeping…  I still have no appetite but my aversions to Chick Fil A and sweets is now gone.

My skin is ultrasensitive.  I feel like my skin is crawling sometimes.  I am also growing raised moles and skin tags under my breasts which gross me out.  My OB is referring me to a Dermatologist. 

Food Cravings?

Soda !  Mountain Dew….

Food Aversions?

Not anymore

Gender?

Baby Girl

Labor Signs?

None

What I Miss?

The normal placement of my hands and sleeping on my stomach at times. I usually sleep on my side, but I am afraid to roll onto my tummy or back.

What I Am Looking Forward To?

My baby shower this weekend in NYC, my HD Live sonogram next week, and my maternity photo shoot I will do in the next two weeks.  I am still shopping for a gown to wear.

Bump?

Still have a little soccer ball !

Navel In/Out?

In

Baby / Mommy Purchases?

This week, they had a crazy deal at SAMS Club that I learned about on Hip 2 Save.  They had 4pks of Aden and Anais swaddling blankets (normally $40+) for only $6.41 !!  At some SAMS, they were as low as $4.41.   I got six pks for me and four pks for a friend in Texas since their store didn’t have any.  So now my baby has 49 Aden and Anais swaddling blankets and six more organic cotton ones from another vendor.