41 Weeks && Counting

Dudes, 41 weeks already? It's blowing my mind I've made it this far.  I was really hoping to not have made it this far, but that's okay. Apparently, babe needed a little extra time. We were scheduled to go in this Tuesday (4/26) and have him Wednesday, but I got a phone call Monday that we won't be going in until Thursday (4/28). I know it's only a couple more days, but those extra days really threw me for a loop. Every day feels like 10, and the longer we go without him here the more stuff I feel like I need to get done. I'm so thankful to have Andrew, great family, and friends to help distract me from time. Andrew is so patient with my feelings and emotions about the whole thing and always makes me feel sane... that's a nice feeling. <3

Here is a quick breakdown of my feelings and what's going on. Mostly for our little family to remember, but thought it might be interesting for some of you to read. Enjoy!

Baby size: 

• The size of a winter melon. And it feels like it. Although, my doctor told me that he was a smaller baby and probably will only weigh about 7lbs when he is born. We shall see.

Craving: 

• ALL THE SUGAR! Milk, pasta, and more milk. But honestly, just food. I just wish I could keep it down. I feel like it's the first trimester all over again.

The best thing about pregnancy:

• Seeing and feeling his feet and hands poke out of my stomach, but more exciting than that is Andrew seeing and feeling him. I can't wait to see him hold his little babe. 
• My hair looks awesome and is growing like crazy.
• I can protect and take care of him in my stomach... I am nervous for that to change.

What I've been doing: 

• I am reading Baby Wise again for extra preparation.
• Trying things to put myself into labor. Spoiler: Nothing is working.
• Trying to teach myself Adobe Premier but it's hard when you take 4 naps a day. Hopefully the next couple days will be better.
• Nesting. Lots of nesting.
• I got my eyelashes done so I can look halfway decent without doing any work... really excited about that.
• Packed my suitcase with mine and Ollie's things so we're ready to go any day now.
• Finishing up odds and ends that I have been putting off or did weeks ago (like cleaning my car. Not clean anymore).
• Trying to distract myself and stay positive. :)

Belly status:

• Belly button is mostly just flat, but when I have a contraction or he stretches, it pokes out a bit. I am happy it's not out all the time, because not only does it look weird, but it feels weird.
• I have plenty of stretch marks. I didn't have them for the longest time but now it looks like my stomach got attacked by a tiger. It's strange but also beautiful. I am happy that I am lucky enough to get to wear these marks the rest of my life.
• It's hard as a rock. He doesn't have much room to move around, so when he does you can see everything. Its incredible. 

I'm feeling: 

• Tired, excited, restless, emotional but mostly REALLY happy.
• Trying to soak up the last few moments of being a duo with Angie.
• I have low iron so I am extra exhausted and my legs always hurt when I walk.
• I cannot wait to have my family around and to celebrate a new life in our family.

I'm thinking: 

• I am feeling ready some days and that everything is chaos the next. I'm all over the place.
• Can we clean everything and then just hold our breath and not move so its still just as clean when baby comes? Wishful thinking.
• When in the world will he be here? Now? .. Maybe now?
• How is my birth going to go?
• Is everything going to be okay? So many thoughts and so many questions!
• I need to fill out his baby book with the pre-birth information before he gets here. #procrastination
• &&& I cannot wait!

What I've learned: 

• That pregnancy and labor is different for everyone. I haven't heard one baby/labor story that is the same as another.
• "Get sleep before baby comes" is a joke.
• Pregnant women snore SO much.
• AND DROOL. So weird. Why did no one tell me?
• Going over 40 weeks is so much harder than I thought it would be. Not physically harder (well, I am more tired, but thats manageable), but emotionally harder.

An update within an update... bumpception? I think so.

I am checking into the hospital tonight at 9pm. They are finally allowed to give me the proper medication necessary to get this ball rolling. I'm taking bets but I am expecting to be in labor most of tomorrow and won't have him until late tomorrow night or Saturday (4/30) morning. There is no prize, but give me your guesses! Plus, it gives me something to do while we wait. And wait. And wait some more. 

Nursery Painting

Yo, dudes and dudettes (because obvi this blog is the numero uno bookmark on every man's computer). Some of you have been asking about the painting I posted on Insta, so I figured I would do a quick blog post about it. I was looking for something that would put me into labor so I gave painting a try. It took me about 5 hours (I move slower) and cost me about 17 dollars total (I did have a few things on hand already). I call this a win! I got my inspiration from Vintage Revivals, but put my own little spin on it.

Here is what you'll need:

• 2 2x4 pieces of plywood like these here
  or 1 4x4 piece if you have a large vehicle
• Paint colors of choice
• Paint brushes/sponges
• Painters tape
• Nails/screws to hang your masterpiece

I chose the colors I did because I wanted it to go in my babe's nursery. His nursery colors are pretty non-existent with everything just white, grey, and light wood. So the colors I got give me more freedom to mix and match other things into his room without it being out of place. End of unimportant information. :)

You'll basically just put a dot in the corner and tape off rays from that center point. You can put your point wherever. In the exact middle would be really cool, too. Make sure you run over the tape with a credit card or something solid to make sure it seals to the wood in order to avoid paint leaks. Wait for the previous color to dry before taping off the next bit to avoid messes. 

I originally painted it for the dot to be in the top right corner, but hung it upside down. You can hang it with nails since it is light enough, but I felt safer using screws into the studs since it was going over the crib. Ya know, just incase. 

What do I love most about this project? The wood is a really good canvas. It does exactly what you want and takes the color really well. Doing this one project has made me aware of all the blank walls in my house that I could fill with random wood canvas paintings. 

Here is how it turned out on the wall! It's amazing and one of my favorite projects I've done in a while. 

Try it and let me know how it turns out or what you did differently! I'd love some inspiration for my next painting!