Hello everyone! I hope this blog entry finds you well! I’m feeling good, and this Friday, I will be entering my 32nd week of pregnancy! It’s really strange to think we could have a little human here in 8 weeks, give or take.
ADJUSTING TO MY GROWING BELLY
Not a whole lot to report on the physical front, except that my belly is definitely getting bigger! I’ve definitely had to get used to being this size. Gone are the days when I could stand on one foot to put a boot on or lift my leg to tie my shoes. It’s a sit-down operation now. I’m also getting to the point where I can’t eat as much. This is both good and bad. Good because I don’t feel like I’m pigging out or overdoing it. Bad because I have to eat every two hours—I feel like I’m always eating. I am getting hungry so fast, because meals are so small.
HEALTHY CRAVINGS
As for cravings…lately, I just can’t get enough veggies. I eat steamed broccoli with Bragg Liquid Aminos at least twice a day. For those who aren’t familiar with Bragg, they are a natural health food company. You can find their various products at health food stores. Bragg Liquid Aminos is an all-purpose seasoning that serves as a great soy-sauce alternative. The product has way less sodium than soy sauce and a very unique taste. Give it a try. It’s great on salads and really good on white fish! (As an aside, Bragg also makes salad dressings.)
LAST ULTRASOUND
Tomorrow, I see the midwife, and Monday, Tim and I have our last ultrasound! I’m very anxious to see Baby Staggs again before he is born. Last time we saw him was the end of December, and he was starting to look human. This time, he should look like a real baby. In fact, many moms report that the face they see is just like the little face they meet on the big day. So, that is just a few days from now, and I’m looking forward to it immensely.
THE MOM CAVE
Tim and I have been really busy finishing our basement the past few weeks. Fresh paint and new carpet can go a long way! We now have about 900 square feet of extra living space. That will definitely come in handy once the baby is here. We didn’t want to be a house without a guest room, and since the baby is taking over the guest room’s spot on the main floor, we decided to put a guest room downstairs in the basement. There is also a living/family room and a wet bar/kitchenette area down there. It will be really helpful to have that space when I am home for a few months after the baby is born. Tim works from home, and we do not want to be in one another’s face all day while he is trying to work. So, I like the call the newly finished basement my “Mom Cave.”
PREPPING BABY’S ROOM
So now the basement is all done, we finally started on the baby’s room. My lovely sister-in-law and Grandma on Tim’s side threw a shower for me last weekend, and we got some of the baby’s room stuff. Thanks, Tabitha and Grandma Staggs!
My mom had a surgery on Monday and stayed with us for her recovery. Last night she was feeling pretty good and wanted to help out, so I tasked her with baby laundry. All baby items should be washed before use or being worn, so she happily did three loads of sheets, blankets, and clothing. It was a tremendous help. Tim and I assembled the crib, put the recliner and changing table in the baby’s room. And, voila…insta-nursery! All that’s missing now are some finishing touches.
PLANNING FOR THE ARRIVAL OF BABY STAGGS
As I start the last two months of pregnancy, my thoughts and roles are changing. Now it’s officially nesting time. It’s time to start making a list of things to pack for the hospital, writing out my birth plan (for my chart, in case my midwife is unable to deliver, and I get stuck with someone else) and little things like that. Within the next couple of weeks, I also need to clean my vehicle out, get the car seat installed correctly, etc. You never know when baby will decide to show up!
Until next time!
