Day 19: Sweet Freedom

Miss Madelyn was born on 6/18 via planned but unscheduled C-Section at 10:01am. Basically, my water broke 8 days prior to my scheduled c-section and when I got to the hospital they thought I was joking. Uh no, the water that I leaked from the parking lot to the second floor reception desk is not a gag gift they sell at Spencers, ok? Three hours after we arrived, I was in recovery and by lunch, she had already met her Grandma. We were home on 6/20 with a healthy, loud baby who we love despite her feisty stubborness. Hank the wonder dog loves her too!

As of my first followup appointment, I am cleared for light cardio exercise. My shopping trips to Walmart, Target, and Babies R Us are definitely considered light cardio! BUT, I finally got out with my running shoes on and the dog in tow for Madelyn's first neighborhood walk. Definitely a feel good, successful moment! Feels wonderful to be "free".

(Despite her age, Madelyn has a lot of control over her head. She chose the moment I snapped the camera to put her head at a strange angle to look around. Don't go nominating me for mother of the year just yet, I know how the head support works! :))

11 days to go: Maternity Leave, Baking, and Crafting

Well, I'm officially on Maternity Leave and have been since Thursday. I'm a little bummed because it appears that since I'm not having complications that I will not receive Maternity Leave pay until the baby is born, which is a load of crap. I'm 38 weeks pregnant, I don't think it's much to ask to have two weeks off prior to my due date. (I think I'm covered by some state benefits at this point but I'm still a little frustrated)

So I started off my maternity leave by having lunch with a few of my coworkers from my previous job. It was really great to see those ladies and enjoy some much needed Pho. I haven't eaten Pho since I started my new job so I was pretty excited. It felt like it had just been a few days since I saw everyone but I guess that is just a testament to the friendships and the type of people we all are. It was also cool to hear that the girl who took my place appreciates the time and effort I spent in training her. She said things are going well and she has me to thank for it, that was pretty cool. Regardless of whether or not things are peachy, the comment made my day!

I got home later and finished the Boppy Pillow Cover that I had already started a few days before. Part of my "nesting" has been to sew things by hand and this was no exception. I found a great, free pattern and it only cost me $6 to make the cover. Covers cost an arm and a leg and most of them aren't my style, so I took matters into my own hands! I'm decent at hand sewing but my next project will be an absolute BEAST (I'm making the baby her first horse!).

 

And today, after the house was already warm enough for the AC to kick on, I decided to bake. I have an over abundance of squash in my garden this year and decided to make Zucchini Bread. I found a recipe on Pinterest and went for it!

Start with all the ingredients, a laptop, and a stand mixer.

Start the task of slicing and grating a 7 pound zucchini.

Mix the ingredients. Add zucchinis and mix some more.

Split the mixture between two pans, cross your fingers, and put them in the oven for an hour.

Administer the toothpick test and remove from the oven.

Remove from pans, take a photo, instagram said photo, and EAT.

I have never had luck making bread so I'm happy with the outcome of this little Pinterest inspired product. Not to mention, my husband went back for seconds (whoa!).

Pseudo Juneathon!

How do you knock out an insomnia ridden pregnant lady? You take her SHOPPING. For serious. (This was my Juneathon activity for two days in a row... believe me, it counts!)

My Mom and I had a marathon weekend of returning/exchanging baby stuff, shopping for more baby stuff, setting up baby stuff, and I must not forget eating and going to the movies. I received so many clothes at my two baby showers that we were bursting at the seams. To be honest, we still have so many clothes that the closet isn't equipped to hold all of them. It's ridiculous.  And scary. And completely unnecessary (but much appreciated!).

Good news is that the nursery is basically done. I have a few more things that I need to do and a bunch of things that I want to do but lack the energy to complete. I decided on a Grey, Purple, and White color scheme with a Whale theme. I found a really cute fabric pattern with whales and suns so I've incorporated a you are my sunshine type theme in there as well.

 

And outside of the pregnancy realm, my garden is doing really well!

 

25 Days to go: Turn little baby, turn!

Well, I had my 36 week appointment yesterday and it included a position ultrasound. The baby is breech and my doctor is already talking about a c-section. Not excited. If it happens, so be it but I still don't have to be excited about it!

30 days to go: Cheese Omelette with Goldfish Crackers and Salsa

Yes, I am currently eating  a Cheese Omelette with Goldfish Crackers and Salsa. The goldfish crackers were not there by design, I just saw them in the cabinet and decided that a handful would be a good addition to the omelette. Welcome to pregnancy, folks!

I'm really happy to still be working and keeping myself busy during the day. With my previous job, I would have been off weeks ago due to utter exhaustion and an inability to lift heavy objects (and an inability for that employer to keep me off the warehouse floor). I do however, have to watch my accounts get transitioned to our new employees and I have to train them. The changes are permanent so when I get back it will be like I'm a newbie again because I'll have to learn new accounts. Luckily, I won't need to relearn how to do my job. In general, things are going well but my customers are bummed to lose me. One of them even sent me a handmade baby blanket. How awesome is that? A woman who I have never met in person spent precious hours of free time on a baby blanket for Miss Baby D. 

Posting my belly progression... because I can!

Given my recent activities, I have almost changed my blog title from The Melanie Report to one of these titles:

Been There. Read That.
Babies Love Doughnuts (...so go get me an f'ing doughnut!)
Yes, I am Gigantic. (and other comments received by complete strangers)
Eating Watermelon Like a Boss

Though, I decided for the time being that The Melanie Report should continue to work out and I can't let Pregnancy Hormones rule my life. (Ha! That's a load of BS *incaseyoudidntknow*) And just so you know, my husband has not been sent out on a midnight grocery shopping trip, has not suffered from moments of Pregzilla-ness, and has, in general, had it so easy. Movies lie. There, I said it! Now I might just send him to Starbucks to get me a coffee...

41 ish days to go: My ankles have disappeared

Almost in the home stretch! I'm defining home stretch as the final 30 days of my pregnancy. Who knows, I could be in the home stretch right now.

I don't really have much to say other than I'm tired, I can't sleep longer than 2 hours, my fingers are swollen, my ankles and toes are swollen, and my eyes are dry. It's been in the 90's for the last few days and that is the root cause for most of my problems. I don't do heat well anyway but pregnant... it's like living in the Father of the Bride 2 where two air conditioners are required.

T Minus 60 Days!

And there it is... the baby BELLY! :)

I have 60 days left in my pregnancy and it really seems like just yesterday that we even found out! I guess this is life, you get older and time passes much quicker. What I would have given to speed through high school in the same way that I have sped through the last few years.

I've received a lot of compliments about how I'm handling my pregnancy. Apparently somethings are a huge topic of discussion amongst the people I see daily: my lack of complaining at work, lack of time off from work, ability to remain active, and most importantly, I remain level headed. The funny thing is that I can hear my inner monologue and no one else can. I am to the point where I am chipper for a few hours and exhausted the rest of the day. I'm snapping at people and have less of a filter when I'm interacting with people. I'm staying active only because I have a fear of gaining 50 pounds and because the bathroom is not close to my desk. I guess I'm just putting up a good front (and that is a great thing)!

This is how I feel on weekdays but ask me to get up at 6AM on a weekend and my body is all for it!

So, because I can, here is my list of 10 selfish things that I can't wait to do:

1. Go for a Run (more importantly run Tinkerbell in January!)
2. Drink a Glass of Red Wine...
3. ... while eating Sushi
4. Get off the couch without thinking, "How am I going to do this?"
5. Sleep without needing to pee every hour
6. Wear high heels without my feet swelling
7. Breathe through my nose without smelling the soap in my neighbor's shower (or my coworkers or the food that is eight miles away, etc.)
8. Drink coffee without feeling guilty
9. Vacuum without getting winded
10. Make it through the day without having a moodswing or a heartburn attack

My husband, by the way, is either getting advice from women he works with, reading a book for expectant Dads, or is just an exceptionally amazing man. I have my suspicions but generally just think he's a pretty cool guy. The other day, while gazing at my bare belly (or bear belly), I said, "I wish I had realized ALL the things that came with pregnancy." So, I start listing the things that are bugging me and at the end of my ramblings he says, "Well, don't forget the baby. That comes with pregnancy too and that's pretty cool." *insert a kiss on the cheek and a smile* Well geez, when you put it THAT way. At first I was like, wow... I'm a horrible person for complaining but then I just counted my blessings. I'm glad I have someone who can put me in my place while making me feel a thousand times better at the same time.

And now, my sappy list of  things I can't wait to do with Miss Baby D because my moments of selfishness will be fleeting:

1. Hear her laugh for the first time
2. Read her my favorite book - But No Elephants
3. Realize in her first moment of girl rebellion that she doesn't like my favorite book and decides to pick her own
4. Watch her wrap her Dad around her little fingers
5. Teach her how to walk the dog, even if she is still only crawling
6. Sing to her, sing together
7. Arts & Crafts time (oh newborn baby feet!)
8. Take pictures that will embarrass her later in life
9. Become well acquainted with the stroller and take lots of walks
10. Teach her the messiest way to eat Spaghetti