Like any animal in preparation for the birth of its young, there is a nesting phase just prior to the arrival. I know it sounds a bit “hocus pocus” but ask any mother who has reached her 36th week and she will validate the realness of the “nesting” phenomenon. It truly is a primal instinct that is unavoidable.
Nesting is the uncontrollable urge to organize, create, and rearrange. Let me emphasize the “uncontrollable” part of this sentence. I have been in the “nesting” phase for the last week or so, but have been unable to act upon my instincts because of work and chasing Harper all evening. My main goal has been to get Harper’s clothes out of the nursery and into his new room and get all of the Harper’s baby clothes out and put them in the drawers in preparation for BB. But, in addition to that, I felt compelled to organize or at least talk about plans to organize and rearrange almost every other facet in our house. Matt would tell you that I only stopped shy of suggesting that we tear down our house and rebuild. Honestly, I was driving him nuts because I was going from room to room suggesting changes, enhancements, alterations and additions that needed to be done in the next week or so. He looked me straight in the eye and said “You are nesting aren’t you?” It hit me at that moment that it had nothing to do with the desire to make changes, it was that primal instinct of walking around in circles, plucking your feathers out and trying to create a nice comfy area for BB.
On Sunday, I was up to my elbows in baby clothes. I had somewhat organized Harper’s clothes as he grew by putting them in plastic Rubbermaid tubs by size. But, in my nesting phase, that wasn’t even good enough. I got every Rubbermaid tub out and went through each stitch of clothing and donated everything that I wasn’t going to use and refolded them to put back in their respective tub. Then I labeled each of the tubs on all 4 sides with the appropriate size. In addition, I recruited Matt’s brother Jake to come over and help Matt with rearranging furniture in both BB’s room and Harper’s room. I wanted them both to have a new feel. I am happy to say that if BB arrived tomorrow, almost everything is done. He would have clean clothes waiting for him and a comfy room (Although I do still have to wash the crib sheets – even though Harper only slept on them a few time in the last 4 months!)
Speaking of nesting, I oddly ended up in a bird store this weekend to look for a few items for the house (I told you my madness did not stop with the baby’s room). We have really been in the bird watching mode lately and I have been trying to attract yellow finches, unsuccessfully. So, I visited our local Bird/Outdoor store to get some ideas. In addition to exotic bird feeds, feeders and the like, they also sell neat yard trinkets, chimes, and books. So, I decided to look around. This is one of those stores where there is not a bare space available and almost too dangerous for a pregnant person to be in. The aisles are slim and the merchandise is jam packed. As I was browsing, something caught my eye on a bottom shelf. I bent down to take a look and gravity took control. I keep forgetting that I am packing 30 extra pounds in the front so my balance is really off! As I bent at the knees, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to hold my pose for long. Matter of fact, I knew I was going to fall flat onto the floor – I was just trying to think how I could fall to avoid every whirly gig, wind chime, glass mobile and yard art from falling on my head! I managed to swing my arms up and down a few times (probably looking like a bird myself) to maintain my balance just long enough to avoid falling into the indoor fish pond. When I finally hit the floor, I looked around to see if I had an audience. Luckily, I think only the store owner saw me. But, trust me, the look on his face was enough to say it all. I’m sure he was having visions of me going into labor on his store floor. But, I managed to dust myself off and the only thing that was broken was my ego! But, any pregnant woman will tell you that ego gets broken so many times during this stage that I am starting to get use to it!
My doctor’s appointment is tomorrow so we will know more about my progression. I am now in the weekly appointment stage and entering the “not so fun” stage of checkups without your clothes on. Ladies you will know exactly what I am talking about! I will write more as I know it – still no name but working on it!
Monday, April 16, 2007
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Where Has Time Gone?
I can’t believe a month has passed by and I haven’t posted any messages on my blog – not only am I losing my mind, but it seems I am also losing track of time! I guess I hadn’t even noticed until many of you have either approached me or emailed me letting me know that you don’t know how I am doing because I haven’t sent out any messages. Then, I assume there are probably many of you who are glad that you haven’t had to read some of the crazy things that have occurred during my pregnancy.
I thought I would just give a quick bulleted list of how things are going and what is new…. So, here it goes:
• I am now in my 34th week of pregnancy – 6 weeks left if I go full term. But, I am hoping more like 4-5 weeks. My belly has completely popped out and I have that lovely “waddle” in my step.
• Since my last posting, I have gained about 5 more pounds – which puts me at about 25 llbs of total weight gain to this point. I am happy to say that this is about 7 lbs less than I gained at the same time in Harper’s pregnancy. I honestly can’t explain the logic because I have been eating sweets with every meal. It seems I have gone from one dessert per day to a dessert per meal.
• Pregnancy is in the water – I swear. So, if you don’t want to get pregnant, you better be drinking something else! Since my last posting, my sister Lorie has announced her unplanned pregnancy and several friends have done the same. I think my mom and dad are overwhelmed with good news. They are going to have 2 new grandbabies this year and their baby daughter is getting married in November. I’m sure Ashley would have preferred to have the spotlight to herself but here Lorie and I go and add some craziness to the mix. The wedding should be fun – two toddlers and two infants and two post partum breastfeeding moms who are probably going to wish they had better figures for the bridesmaid dresses! Our biggest challenge is how to we all get around from a transportation stand point. The days are gone when all of the Collier family can fit in one car. Once we all found significant others, we have gotten use to splitting up into two cars. Then we added 2 babies with car seats and a shit load of gear and we had to start taking three cars. I told dad to start looking into buying a small school bus since now we are adding two more kids with car seats and even more baby stuff! Oh the days of just putting everyone into one car with no seatbelts or car seats sounds so enticing!
• I have officially eaten over 300 TUMS since my pregnancy began. I think I told you in a previous posting that I pop TUMS left and right and carry a bottle of 100 everywhere I go. Well, I have officially finished my 3rd full bottle and have started on several more. I guess the baby is getting some added calcium while I delay my fiery heartburn. Now that I think about it, I wonder if the added calcium has strengthened BB’s legs enough to explain his swift and vicious kicks to my gut all day! This could be like providing Popeye with a boost of spinach 4 or 5 times per day.
• We are being haunted by baby names again. We really thought we had settled on a name but it just hasn’t stuck. Even after asking the mom at daycare for permission to use her son’s name, it still didn’t feel like ours. So, I will tell everyone that the name was Declan since we are no longer using it. Plus, I told mom while I was home and when she called my sister and referred to him as “Dicklin” – I just knew it wasn’t going to work. So, we are back at square one – flipping through the baby name books, reading the credits of movies and TV shows and any other avenue for searching out names.
• I have been going to physical therapy for extreme hip pain and a sciatic nerve problem. I am happy to report that pregnant women don’t have to and shouldn’t suffer with this type of pain. My doctor is a “god-send” along with the physical therapist. I was given a few exercises to do to get things back in line and I feel like a new woman. Honestly I have had less pain this time than with Harper. My previous doctor was a bit old fashioned and kind of took the mind set that all of this pain in the last month was just part of the journey. My new doc is young and specializes in pain management – and he is all about trying to eliminate or reduce unnecessary pain. Plus, who wouldn’t like an occasional deep tissue massage on your butt that is covered by insurance!
Well, that is the overview of my pregnant life to this point. Things are progressing well and I am feeling as good as I can at this point. Mom and dad have booked their flights to be here on the 5th of May. So, I hope BB doesn’t decide to come any earlier. I am looking forward to the help – especially with Harper. Dad is staying a week and mom will be staying for 3 weeks. Then, my sister Lorie is hopefully coming the following week We are all planning to visit VA in early July.
There is still so much to do before BB arrives. I need to finish moving Harper out of the nursery and get all of his baby clothes out and put in drawers for BB. We also want to switch around the nursery to give it a new feel. So much to do, and so little energy to do it! Hope all is well with everyone and I will write again soon!
I thought I would just give a quick bulleted list of how things are going and what is new…. So, here it goes:
• I am now in my 34th week of pregnancy – 6 weeks left if I go full term. But, I am hoping more like 4-5 weeks. My belly has completely popped out and I have that lovely “waddle” in my step.
• Since my last posting, I have gained about 5 more pounds – which puts me at about 25 llbs of total weight gain to this point. I am happy to say that this is about 7 lbs less than I gained at the same time in Harper’s pregnancy. I honestly can’t explain the logic because I have been eating sweets with every meal. It seems I have gone from one dessert per day to a dessert per meal.
• Pregnancy is in the water – I swear. So, if you don’t want to get pregnant, you better be drinking something else! Since my last posting, my sister Lorie has announced her unplanned pregnancy and several friends have done the same. I think my mom and dad are overwhelmed with good news. They are going to have 2 new grandbabies this year and their baby daughter is getting married in November. I’m sure Ashley would have preferred to have the spotlight to herself but here Lorie and I go and add some craziness to the mix. The wedding should be fun – two toddlers and two infants and two post partum breastfeeding moms who are probably going to wish they had better figures for the bridesmaid dresses! Our biggest challenge is how to we all get around from a transportation stand point. The days are gone when all of the Collier family can fit in one car. Once we all found significant others, we have gotten use to splitting up into two cars. Then we added 2 babies with car seats and a shit load of gear and we had to start taking three cars. I told dad to start looking into buying a small school bus since now we are adding two more kids with car seats and even more baby stuff! Oh the days of just putting everyone into one car with no seatbelts or car seats sounds so enticing!
• I have officially eaten over 300 TUMS since my pregnancy began. I think I told you in a previous posting that I pop TUMS left and right and carry a bottle of 100 everywhere I go. Well, I have officially finished my 3rd full bottle and have started on several more. I guess the baby is getting some added calcium while I delay my fiery heartburn. Now that I think about it, I wonder if the added calcium has strengthened BB’s legs enough to explain his swift and vicious kicks to my gut all day! This could be like providing Popeye with a boost of spinach 4 or 5 times per day.
• We are being haunted by baby names again. We really thought we had settled on a name but it just hasn’t stuck. Even after asking the mom at daycare for permission to use her son’s name, it still didn’t feel like ours. So, I will tell everyone that the name was Declan since we are no longer using it. Plus, I told mom while I was home and when she called my sister and referred to him as “Dicklin” – I just knew it wasn’t going to work. So, we are back at square one – flipping through the baby name books, reading the credits of movies and TV shows and any other avenue for searching out names.
• I have been going to physical therapy for extreme hip pain and a sciatic nerve problem. I am happy to report that pregnant women don’t have to and shouldn’t suffer with this type of pain. My doctor is a “god-send” along with the physical therapist. I was given a few exercises to do to get things back in line and I feel like a new woman. Honestly I have had less pain this time than with Harper. My previous doctor was a bit old fashioned and kind of took the mind set that all of this pain in the last month was just part of the journey. My new doc is young and specializes in pain management – and he is all about trying to eliminate or reduce unnecessary pain. Plus, who wouldn’t like an occasional deep tissue massage on your butt that is covered by insurance!
Well, that is the overview of my pregnant life to this point. Things are progressing well and I am feeling as good as I can at this point. Mom and dad have booked their flights to be here on the 5th of May. So, I hope BB doesn’t decide to come any earlier. I am looking forward to the help – especially with Harper. Dad is staying a week and mom will be staying for 3 weeks. Then, my sister Lorie is hopefully coming the following week We are all planning to visit VA in early July.
There is still so much to do before BB arrives. I need to finish moving Harper out of the nursery and get all of his baby clothes out and put in drawers for BB. We also want to switch around the nursery to give it a new feel. So much to do, and so little energy to do it! Hope all is well with everyone and I will write again soon!
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