Week 36: A Conundrum & Blog Challenge Day 12: Being OCD

Howdy Humble Readers!

I'm late getting stuff posted today, so this is going to be one heck of a long post I think.  I apologize in advance, but I really do need some input. 

So first up... something I'm OCD about.  I thought long and hard about this, because I am a slightly neurotic hobbit.  There are certain things that I must have done a certain way... the way our gazillion pillows are arranged on the bed, the way my spices are organized in the cupboard, the fact that I have to match up lids with the right tupperware when they get put away.  But I ultimately decided that my biggest obsession is with making lists.  My to do lists never really get finished, just rewritten wth more things added to it.  I've inventoried my freezers and update that list daily.  When we travel I have to list everything we need to pack, otherwise I'm sure I'll forget something.  I confess, there are times I add things to my lists that I have already completed, just so that I have something to cross off.  I told you, I'm certifiable. 

Okay... Here's the update:

How far along? 36w0d

Maternity clothes?  This is where I have a SERIOUS CONUNDRUM.  I need to order my nursing bras soon... but I'm torn between what size and style to get.  Here's the thing... I really do need to order these bras because this little city where we live only has one place to get plus sized nursing bras, but they charge close to $100 EACH!!  I can't spend that, so I have to order.  Generally I'm a 44D (I think I'm closer to a DD right now), but I don't know how big I might get when my milk comes in.  Any of you plus sized mamas out there have any input?  This is the website that I'm planning on ordering from, and I'm trying to decide between the Original Plus or the Original Double Plus.  Help!

Body Oddities? Pubic bone pain is no fun.  My pre-existing stretchmarks are getting darker, but no new ones.  My feet and hands tend to fall asleep easily these days, which makes getting up in the middle of the night to pee a dangerous endeavour. 

Sleep?  Had a couple of really good nights and a couple really bad nights this week.  I seem to do better if I can manage to stay awake until 10:30 or 11:00, but that's hard most nights.

Best moment this week?  My OB appointment on Wednesday got cancelled because Dr. U had two emergency c-sections that morning.  I was already at the hospital for my NST when I found out, so he came in to check on me there.  All was well with the NST, and he commented to the nurse who was writing up my report that I am the 'most motivated patient' he has ever had.  I know I've said that I adore him, but really... he just rocks!  (his comment especially made me feel good, considering my worst moment... see below)

Worst moment? When I was at the hospital for my NST, the nurse gave me serious heck for not doing kick counts (except for when the Halfling is really quiet).  I really felt like I was seven years old getting a lecture from a teacher.  

Movement?  Super frequent (which is why I haven't been doing kick counts!).  He/she actually kept me awake a couple of nights ago.  According to the u/s I had last week, the Halfling has flipped a bit (head down, but facing to the left now... used to be facing to the right).  He/she is still on an angle tho.

Food cravings?  No true cravings... just obsessing about things I can't have.  Ice cream, chocolate, anything with bread.  Dai.ry Qu.een has their pumpking pie blizzards right now... *sigh*

Rings? Off... and I think they'll be staying off now for a while.  My fingers aren't consistently puffy, but I'm terrified that they will get stuck someday and I'll have to get them cut off.

Gender? Not going to find out, but I think it's a boy.  I recently found out that I am the subject of two pools at my Beloved's office.  One pool for the gender, one for the date.

Intense Dreams? I've been dreaming about blood again, like I was in the first trimester.  I don't like those dreams.  None of them have been baby oriented, but blood has figured strongly in all of them. 

Medical Concerns? High blood pressure (on 50mg Trandate/Lobetalol, 3 times a day... this week began my weekly NSTs, and I am happy to report that my bp has gone way down!), Gestational Diabetes (waking numbers are still off target, but everything else is pretty good, except when I'm stupid), on prescription Zan.tac for heartburn. I will probably be induced in week 39... holy crap, that's soon!

What I miss?  Can't think of anything new... just wishing I could walk like a normal person I guess.

What I look forward to?  Finishing the nursery this week, feeling ready for this little person to arrive (will I ever feel ready?!?!), not having sore hips.

Emotional State?  Pretty even keeled, I think.  No major meltdowns this week.  Just occasional grouchiness.

Blog Challenge Day 11: A Recent Photo of Me (AKA the ONLY Belly Pics)

Good Morning Humble Readers!

Okay... so some of you asked a few months ago, and I said no.  But now that I'm this close to the end, I thought it was time to document this journey.  And today's assignment is the perfect opportunity to do so.

These pics were taken last night, in my school bus yellow living room. 

35w5d

So that's me... right now.  Looking (and feeling) ginormous.

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Today is Halloween, traditionally one of my favourite 'holidays'.  I love carving pumpkins, and I adore seeing the little kids in their costumes.  Sadly we don't get any kids where we are living now.  I haven't carved pumpkins in the last couple of years either, mostly because I usually would have been scheduled to work. 

This year has also been challenging Halloween-wise because of the GD.  This is one of the only times of year that you can actually get the good Kra.ft Caramels readily.  And don't get me started on mini peanut butter cups *drool*.

So, my question for you all is... what is your least favourite Halloween candy?  You know, the ones that were always left at the end of November, the dregs of your loot bag.  For me it was the lollipops, and the Rockets (I think you call them Smarties in the US)... those rolls of multi coloured asp.irin shaped sugar tablets.  Yuck!  But the worst of the worst... those nasty too chewy toffees that come wrapped in the orange, yellow, and black wrappers.  Does anyone even make those anymore? 

The Craft Show: An Exercise in Fun & Sadness

Greetings Humble Readers!
I hope that you're all having a great weekend! 

Mine has been good so far... we had a great time at the craft show and got a few really cool things.  The place was insanely busy, as I expected.  We also spent more money that I had anticipated... but that happens at these things. 

We found Christmas gifts for the parental units (unique framed prints of the word "family").  I got some chocolate covered dried strawberries (for my stocking, Beloved has hidden them away for me).  We got a couple of very cute hats for the Halfling, and this hilarious onesie...

I saw a lot of things I loved, but just don't have the cash for right now.  You all know my addiction to journals and notebooks, right?  There was an artisan who made embossed leather, hand sewn journals.  The books were amazing!  I would actually be afraid to write in one of them tho, for fear of ruining such a beautiful book.

We had a really funny moment... I was standing at a gourmet bakery table, trying to decide which breads I wanted to buy (ended up with foccacia, german rye, and cheesy garlic bread) when Dr. U came up to say hello.  I felt so guilty, lol, being caught buying carbs!  (All the yummy bread is in the freezer now for when this wretched GD goes away.)

We also had a sad moment.  There is a local company that makes slings that I have heard really good things about.  I was in contact with the owner about a month ago, asking about plus sizes, and we sent a few emails back and forth.  She told me she was pregnant, expecting her third, but that she was struggling and may end up on bed rest.  I had told her our history, and told her that I would be praying and hoping all would be well.  When we got to the Bab.yro.o booth today, she was there.  I introduced myself, and she teared up.  She told me that she had just lost her little Sophia two weeks ago.  She shared a sketch that she had drawn of her daughter.  It was beautiful and so sad.  I'm very sorry to say that there is yet another new member of this awful club.  She was really struggling to hold it together and sell her products.  I did end up getting my sling, but mostly I just spent my few minutes with her, listening. 

There were so many incredibly talented artisans there.  And soooo much dangerous food to sample.  I'm proud to say that my blood sugars have been in line all day.  I even managed to stay away from the samples of english pudding with butter rum sauce. 

The only challenge of the day came after we had lunch.  My right hip didn't like how I had been sitting while we ate, and I ended up limping along for the last hour or so.  But I still had a blast.  And then we came home and I took a long nap.  :)

Tomorrow is another busy day.  We're heading to my MIL's after church... the dresser and change table are painted and we are going to pick one of them up and get it home.  And then there's a football game to watch... those Roughriders had better win tomorrow.  They've lost the last three in a row.

Blog Challenge Day 10: A Photo of Me From More Than 10 Years Ago (& Some Randomness)

Good Morning Humble Readers!!

By the time this is posted, I will have dragged my Beloved to the big Christmas craft show.  When I realized that I was going to be on mat leave at this time of year, I got so darn excited because I actually get to go to the craft show this year!  In prep for this day, I ensured that our grocery shopping is already done and the only other to do on our list is a stop at a hardware store to pick up a couple of things to help finish off the nursery.  A whole day of meandering through crowds and looking at groovy craftiness geared toward my favourite time of year.  On the list of things to be on the hunt for...

• Christmas gifts for my parents and my Beloved's mom (in case what I have planned doesn't pan out)
• A baby sling (something that will work for my plus sized form)
• A Baby's First Christmas ornament
• maybe a cute Christmas outfit for the Halfling

Can you tell I'm excited?

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The one thing that can potentially ruin my crafty fun today... the fact that I stubbed my toe yesterday, and it's now some pretty ookey colours.   I'm planning on pushing through the pain tho.  :)

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So, today's assignment... a picture of me from more than 10 years ago. 

If you are long time readers of my blog, then you will have seen this picture before.  It was one of my first Show and Tell posts almost two years ago. 

This picture was taken in Berlin, in 1990.  Yes, that is the Berlin Wall.  And yes, that is a very bad perm and acid wash denim that I'm sporting.  I was 15 and on a three month exchange program.  It's one of my favourite pictures of me.  It's not super quality, but I look so happy and relaxed.  Not to mention a heck of a lot thinner back then. 

Me... back when I was Miss Baggins
Berlin 1990

It's hard to believe that it was more than 20 years ago that I was there.  Time certainly flies!

Blog Challenge Day 9: A Photo I Took

Happy Friday Humble Readers!

Today's assignment is to share a picture that I took... the thing is, almost all the pics I post on here are pics that I took. 

So, in going through my pics, I decided to show you a couple of my favourites from our trip to K-town this past summer.

Grey Monk WInery
Looking North from the Deck

Grey Monk Winery
Looking South from the Deck

I have no idea of the name of this mountain!
Taken from the Trans Canada Hwy - Heading East

I love my home town.  So beautiful!