37 Weeks Update

I had an appointment yesterday with my doctor for my 37 week check up. Got to have an ultrasound! It was fun to see him again for the first time since before I left Honduras. I got to see the (long) hair on his (big) head and his cute little fists up around his face. His head is still measuring big, at about 38 weeks and his abdomen has caught up a bit and is now at 37 weeks exactly. At 31 weeks there was a two week difference between the two measurements and my doctor (in Honduras) was concerned that he wasn't gaining weight. I am hoping his head doesn't keep growing and he will maintain his current weight, ha! She estimated it at 7 pounds, 1 ounce. That's a good weight for a newborn but I've still got 3 weeks to go!!! However I'm holding out hope that the ultrasounds are never that accurate anyway, ha.

I also had quite a scare when I went into the exam room and the nurse asked me if I had diabetes. I was like,  no!?! Apparently my glucose levels were high, but the doctor reassured me that it was only because of the orange juice and breakfast I had eaten right before my appointment. Whew. He also said the outer part of my cervix has started dilating but it is still closed on the inside, which is a normal place to be at my stage in the pregnancy. I am just happy that there is SOME activity down there. Crossing my fingers to go into labor on my own before an induction is necessary.

After the appointment I had a tour of the labor and delivery area at the hospital and talked to the lactation consultant. I was very impressed and feel very calm and relaxed about delivering there. This will be my first experience delivering in a US hospital and I feel very confident that they give good care and know their stuff. She explained to me that they have a nursery but they never use it! They do 100% rooming in and actually do most of the tests on the babies while they are lying on their mothers' chests. I thought that was pretty neat. And of course I will be able to walk around and move or shower as I please. So excited! I just pray that everything will go as planned - I know you have to "expect the unexpected" during labor - but everything seems to be falling into place and so far everything looks good! Unless the baby goes into distress during delivery or labor lasts just insanely long I feel like I have a good chance of a successful VBAC.

Today we went to IKEA with Beth and I spent $40 - two cutting boards, two wooden shelves for spices, popsicle makers, kiddy bowls, cups, and silverware, 2 spatulas, a strainer, and a set of beige plates and bowls that were $0.79 each (to replace all the ones Maria broke). I'd say I got a steal! Now I'm exhausted and trying to rest while Leyla watches TV. Maybe all the walking will send me into labor...

35 weeks...at home in Nashville!

Oh goodness I am getting really bad about updating. Well, we are in Nasvhille and have been here since just after Christmas. We have had lots of fun but I've spent WAY to much money already and still have 2 months  to go!
So far I've bought ALL the baby's things, clothes, blankets, bedding, and a few rattles. I tried not to go overboard but it still seems like a lot!
For Leyla and me, of course we had to buy winter clothes - so I have spent a bit on maternity clothes and long sleeve shirts and sweaters for her. I bought a few nursing tops too, for later. We bought a computer also, so that was a bit pricey! Probably the most expensive thing I bought. I had to get my licensed renewed and my bank account switched to something that worked better for us. We bought Leyla a baby doll, some books, and a few videos to keep her entertained. Mom had bought her some puzzles, playdough, and a dollhouse, which she LOVES. And I guess I've been eating a lot too! So from now on I'm going to try not to spend anymore money unless it's on groceries, until Marcos gets here and then I can blame him if we run out, ha!

 We had lunch with Mauricio at his restaurant - this picture really makes me look like I swallowed a watermelon!

 Leyla and her mommy-me at Mama-Dena's house.

 playing badminton in the yard at daddy-dee's house!

 playing tea party and birthday party at mommy-me's - one of her favorite things to do!

eating spaghetti at Fazoli's! yum!

I always end up slacking on maternity pictures; tried to take one every 4 weeks and I think I've only gotten a 4, 9, 12, 19, 28, ad 34 week picture! OH well. Anyway, I think I am pretty big but still not as big as I was with Leyla at the end. I was sticking straight out with her! So I've got at least 2 inches to go with this one. I am starting to get really tired now and am not able to put my shoes on comfortably. Now I'm starting to think about post-pregnancy and how I will shed the weight. I did nothing with Leyla and the pounds just came off, thanks to breastfeeding. But I am afraid I have gained so much in the last few weeks just from being in the USA that I may have a harder time losing it all. We'll see how it goes, but, I will definitely have to exercise some just for my own health and energy. I HATE running but I know that exercise gives you more energy instead of zapping you of it - it is had to get started though. I have always liked to do core exercises and when I found out I was pregnant I had found some great routines that I tried to do a couple times and then stopped because of the pregnancy (they were too intense). I think I will go back to those routines afterwards. I definitely feel out of shape, and not just because I'm pregnant!

Next week, we will be driving to Dallas for my first appointment with my US doctor, at 36 weeks - then it'll be wait, wait, wait!

The past month or so...

It has been about a month I think since I updated, so this is going to be a long one!
I tried to update a few weeks ago but had exceeded my upload limit, so, I have been trying to fix it and was only just now able to.

#1: First, Leyla had her 3rd birthday and got exactly what she wanted: a Tasha Backyardigans piñata and cake. She had so much fun! I tried to put her down to nap before it got too late, so she would be in a good mood for the party, but she wouldn't sleep! I put her to bed and she played in her bed. Then when she came out she had changed entirely out of her clothes and had chosen the dress to wear for her party.

I made her a Tasha cake that I thought turned out really well! I was very happy, and I only came up with  the idea on a whim, when I couldn't decide what kind of cake to do. The main problem was she wanted a pink cake, but the  character Tasha is not pink! So I made a pink on the inside cake with pink accents in the icing. She was happy.

#2: Now, in baby news, I am now 29 weeks and in 3rd trimester! Hard to believe, but I am getting  more and more anxious and ready for this baby to be here. I can't wait to get to the US and relax somewhat, shop for the baby, and enjoy being with family and friends. These pictures are from about 27 weeks.

 This is his sweet little face! If you turn your head to the left, you can see it. Where it says "carita," right  underneath are his eyes, then his chin is on the right. I think the cord is running right in front of his nose, because there are a couple odd-looking stripes there.

 Pretty straight bones!

#3: Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays! I don't know why some pictures won't rotate, even if I've saved them, but anyway, here is Leyla helping to decorate the Christmas tree after Thanksgiving lunch! I made a turkey and dressing, and we went to Joann and Dwight's to share a meal with some other friends. It was all very yummy.

  She put all the ornaments in the same spot, on the same branch.

 We went to Tegus for my birthday and to take advantage of Black Friday sales. Here is Leyla posing with the big teddy bear at the huge Christmas tree in the new mall. She loved it.

 We bought her a little table and chairs that she LOVES; she sits there to color, paint, create, eat, and watch TV. It has been great for her, and just what I had in mind.

 I also bought her this new bedding set and a curtain (should have bought another panel...). It looks a little grown-up so it won't need replacing, plus it ties in all the colors I have planned for the room perfectly. Not sure still if we will be able to paint the walls, but, the baby's things will be blue and green, and the furniture will be white with accents. The bookshelf is the only piece we have so far, with the blue inside panel. Next up is a changing table and a cube shelf-bench for the other wall for toys and a reading corner. I plan on painting it white and the inside of half the cubes blue, pink, and green. Can't wait to get it all done!!

Shopping Spree!

I haven't been shopping in a LONG time. This morning, I decided to check my US bank account because I remembered they were charging me monthly to have the account. I checked it and they have charged me $12 a month for 3 months so far....I would like to keep the account but I can't afford the monthly fee and I can't avoid it :( So I decided I will just close it and look for a different bank the next time I'm in the country! Which means....spending time!!! I'm going to empty the account!

It's August which means summer clearances in the US so I figured I could shop online and get some good deals. I'm so excited because I found Leyla some super cute clothes and Fide's going to bring them in September! Here are a few that I bought:

Aren't they so cute?! I tried to get a variety of colors and shirts that would be easy to mix and match with pants she already has. And, I got everything for an average price of $6 with free shipping!