—
love this
—// *thankful - a note to tutu*//
My dearest little Tutu,
I have to tell you about this last weekend! You would not believe it. All of our closest family and friends got together just to celebrate us. There were aunties and grandmas and great grandmas and friends. They are so excited to meet you just like me and daddy are!
Let’s just make this clear now. You are one spoiled little girl. :) Just like my mom told me that I was and still am. You were given so many wonderful practical things to help make your life with us better and also tons of cute outfits and toys that you’ll enjoy!
This year has been full of all kinds of changes and risk taking for your mom and dad. We have been taking a lot of leaps of faith. Trust me, you’ll learn how hard this is but how worth it is when it makes you happier. We could not have made it through all these changes without the amazing support of our friends and family. I can tell you now, Tutu, you are never going to be without people who love you.
We can’t wait to meet you. Keep resting and growing strong, little one.
Love, mom and dad
Here are some photos from this weekend.
It’s you! And yes, sucking your thumb. :)
Love notes and a bunch of guesses at your birthday date.
Cake pops. Your auntie will teach you about baking and trying new things.
Mini apple pies were a big hit!
Scrumptious cupcakes!
There’s your grandma with your buddy, Malia!
Here’s your dad figuring out your fancy new monitor from Grandma Michel.
XO
J
// Weeks 28 and 29//
Week 29 Interview
How far along? 29 weeks 5 days
Baby’s size? A cabbage, about 3 pounds. Read more.
Days until next doc appointment? 1
Total weight gain/loss? About 20 pounds. Good grief my feet are feeling that.
Maternity clothes? So thankful for them.
Stretch marks? Yes, but still staying well moisturized with Dr. Bronner’s Coconut Oil
Sleep: My dear friend let me borrow her sleeping wedge. It’s a life saver during nights with extra tough heartburn.
Best moment this week: Getting the baby’s room cleared out, crib and side table painted and assembled, and library shelves in place!
Movement: I love it. She turns and tumbles and jabs, sometimes shocking me with how strong she is. She tends to be pretty predictable - first thing in the morning, mid-morning, after eating, before bed. She had a couple quiet days, but we decided it’s just because she’s growing bones and brains at this time. :)
Food cravings: Not really. D made a delicious stir fry last night that I could use more of!
Anything make you queasy or sick? Not really. I did add Red Raspberry Leaf tea to my diet this week. So yummy and good for the third trimester!
Have you started to show yet? Yes, in fact this week the bump has expanded to my upper abdomen. Sometimes it’s quite painful, especially if I overeat at all. I’ve had numbness where my diaphragm/upper uterus meet when sitting. It goes away pretty quickly, but can be really uncomfortable.
Missing anything? Walking quickly, the luxury of feet that don’t hurt.
Labor signs? Thankfully no.
Belly button: Still technically an innie.
Wedding rings on or off? Depends on the day.
Happy or moody most of the time? Wellll…if I’m honest I’ve been a little more easily irritated. I started taking a vitamin B complex which helps quite a bit with regulating hormones. I may or may not have A. sworn in front of a little boy B. got so mad at Donald that I swiped at his arm and cried in PetSmart C. about stormed the steps of my landlord when she refused to pay for a chimney inspection.
Wooosa people.
Weekly symptoms: As mentioned before: achy feet, back muscles sore a little more often, legs get tight, definitely can’t lay on my back at all because my breathing becomes labored and pulse starts racing, a little irritability, feeling baby’s weight and pressure more strongly, but that is good. :)
Up next: So excited for my upcoming baby shower!!!
Here’s a pic from last week:
Fall has been beautiful!
// Third Trimester Here We Come!//
Good morning friends! And welcome to the third trimester! Whoa.
Hey look, sometimes I wear stuff other than pajamas. :) The new cowgirl boots are an early birthday gift from mom and Ton!
ANXIETY EXCITEMENT
Let me start by saying that the realization that I’m entering the third trimester caused one restless, tossy turny night for me. Laying awake panicking thinking about all of the things still left to do! And wondering what in the world I did during second trimester? It went kind of like this…
- Omg the nursery.
- The shower is quickly approaching.
- There is a giant tower of unread books on my nightstand.
- Have I been getting enough protein?
- What about exercise? Ugh. I suck at that.
- If second trimester went this fast omg she’s going to be here so soon!
- When will our family come?
- What will her birth day be like?
- This freaking house. Will we ever be MOVED IN? So much to do.
Anyway, then I snap out of it and realize, like always, everything will get done.
I have some clear priorities for third trimester and will let the rest figure itself out. My priorities look like this:
- Preparing (Donald and I) mentally and emotionally with reasonable expectations (be kind to ourselves) and proper priorities (focus on the right things) for birth and beginning parenting.
- Protein protein protein.
- Be as active as I can. This means that if I don’t work in a walk every day, still be active in my daily activities like doing laundry (flights of stairs), walking across campus, shopping, going to yoga. Stretch stretch stretch.
- Finishing reading of a couple of the books I’ve started and only skimming a couple others. There are few topics I like to have lots of info/research on and others we’ll figure out along the way or with advice from friends.
- The essentials like finding a pediatrician, taking a hospital tour, and going to an infant first aid class.
ADVICE FROM GOODWILL LADY
Random story…this weekend I was at a Goodwill in Seattle (because that’s what we do). And this older woman comes up to me and asks when my baby is due. I tell her. She says that’s great. They’re hard work but worth it. I tell her I’m counting on that being the case. And then in a tone that made me feel that all along this is the ONLY thing she really wanted to tell me she says, “Well…I just hope you have a good support system at home.” OMG DO I LOOK LIKE TEEN MOM?! I feel super self conscious for a split second wondering what would give her the impression that I’m not well supported. Ugh. Then I just smile and say yep got a good one of those! Thaaanks.?
But seriously. I do, Goodwill lady.
My girlfriends encourage me and tell me I’m doing great and celebrate my every milestone and growing belly. They are excited to throw me ANOTHER shower even though they just bent over backwards for my bridal shower. They’re the best ever.
Even my work family is constantly supportive, asking questions, telling me that I look great, and offering food, errands, and massages!
My family is always excited about everything I share with them. They are already spoiling this little girl like crazy. And they make me laugh. Like hard Santa belly laughs.
And my husband….oh man. He does it all. He doesn’t just do this stuff because I would like it or he feels he has to, Donald is as meant to be a husband and dad as I am meant to be a mom. He applies stretch oil to my belly and likes it. He cooks me breakfast to make sure it’s full of protein. He works so hard almost to the point of exhaustion at times. He goes to Bradley class and soaks it all up. He researches the best car seats. He’s just awesome.
Having these people in my life - and you know who you are - makes me feel like everything will be perfect no matter what.
LADIES NIGHT
Or weekend rather. :) I spend this last weekend in Seattle with my mom and sis for our last girls weekend before the baby arrives! We did what we usually do Shop Till We Drop and eat sushi! It was perfect.
No full update today, just my random thoughts on week 27!
XO
J
// 25 Weeks - Bialamos! //
BAM sister!
How far along? 25 and a half weeks
Baby’s size? About 14 inches, pound and a half. Read more.
Days until next doc appointment? 16. Glucose test coming up! Any advice?
Total weight gain/loss? It fluctuates but around 15. I got the “Are you sure there’s only one baby in there?!” comment this week. LOL! Yep, just one sweet little, tumbling girl.
Maternity clothes? Okay, so I’m starting to not fit in the non-maternity stuff anymore. :( Like the kind of shirts and dresses that are sort of babydoll shaped that can contain the belly…not so much anymore. I also find I need legit maternity leggings and camis. Shopping trip!!
Stretch marks? Haven’t we covered this? Ugh. Just the ones where I went…”Oh look at those veins on my boobs! Yep, they said that’d happen. Wait. What?!” Closer inspection. “WHY does that have texture?! …Crap.” So, yes, doubling up on the stretch mark oils and lotions these days.
Sleep: It’s my favorite. Last night was my most restless of nights though. A car alarm went off at 3am and SOMEBODY thought it would be a great time to get reeeeal low and start a dance off! As much as I love feeling her dance around, this time I just couldn’t get back to sleep until I did some pelvic rocks and propped myself up on my back, pillows under knees. Zzz.
Best moment(s) this week:
1. Donald felt the baby!
2. The cradle & curtains are done!
3. My midwives continue to make me a happy camper with their wonderful approach to my hard questions.
Movement: Bialamos! She’s starting to have predictable active times and really strong movements. I love it.
Missing anything? Being able to re-position my body without it being an Olympic event.
Weekly symptoms: Here’s a new one…I’ve experienced numbness between below my chest and top of my uterus. It’s happened when sitting so I’m thinking there’s just a nerve getting pinched wrong or maybe baby putting pressure on it or something. It goes away real quick, but freaked me out the first time it happened.
Heart burn continues. My nemesis.
My aching feet. The new weight of my belly and the change in balance has made it hard to last very long on my feet especially if I’m wearing anything other than tennis shoes.
Here are some photo highlights of the week :)
The cradle nestled in the corner waiting for more decor and some bedding.
Curtains are hung! Okay are you ready….these are actually Target fabric shower curtains! The window is really wide so we would’ve had to buy 4 panels versus only 2 shower curtains, which are much wider and only $19.99 a piece! Score. I love them. They are absolutely perfect.
Baby’s first concert - Huey Lewis & the News! It was a perfect summer night. The tunes were awesome. A few of our favorites took us back to fun moments had at our wedding.
Having a good time, trying not to get stuck or go numb from sitting in tiny folding chairs. Rock on.
// 23 week interview & happenings//
23 Week Interview
How far along?23 weeks 2 days
Baby’s size? A large mango, about 1 pound, about 11-12 inches.Read more.
Days until next doc appointment?2 weeks
Total weight gain?Somewhere around10 pounds.
Stretch marks?D has been wonderful and applies an organic stretch mark oil or lotion to my stomach and sides every morning and night…I don’t even think it’ll make much difference, but it sure makes me feel spoiled! :)
Sleep: Good!
Best moments this week:
- Feeling stronger kicks and waking up Thursday morning looking like my bump really popped into a belly. I love the growth!
- Also spending time registering for some essentials together. We actually had a great time! Still going back and forth on wether or not to get the Britax or the Recaro Pro for a car seat. Full post on the registry coming later.
- Starting the book The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth - the book I’ve been waiting for —- seriously, READ IT!! For someone like me who wants the hard numbers and detailed explanations behind everything, this is a godsend.
Movement:I feel like we’re so close to feeling her from the outside - can’t wait!
Food cravings:Sweets this week..uh oh. :P
Gender?GIRL!
Belly button:Cave like…pretty sure it would echo if you talked into it.
Happy or moody most of the time?Happy girl.
Weekly symptoms: Not much to report this week, feeling really good!
Other highlights of my week ————————————————
Mom and Dad’s surprise 30th Anniversary Party
We had the greatest time celebrating under a white tent with notes and sentiments from family and friends, good food, good music, and beautiful love.
These are the white cowboy boots my mom wore in her wedding. :) Inspiration from here.
Yummy wonderful cake made by Frost Me Sweet, my cake plate, and adorned by my sis.
Getting together with family always means digging through old family photos. Here’s one of me on my birthday.
New job!
Sometimes things just work out so dang perfectly in ways we never could have imagined or planed on our own. That’s how, after 4 months in Spokane at another job, I ended up being asked to go back to Gonzaga to help build the Marketing & Recruiting function for online masters programs. The team is amazing - family focused, flexible, kind, Jesuit-minded, perfect for me. So excited.
Gifts for Bebe!
My sister is already such an amazing aunt in how much she loves this babe. She came home with a bag full of vintage and gently-used clothes that we love and this gem, a Mary Poppins record for us to all sing along to!
Sneak peak of the cradle progress! Donald painted it this beautiful grey; the little hearts are added; and some vintage linens are draped over the side.
// 21 week interview//
21 Week Interview
How far along? 21 weeks 1 day
Baby’s size? Length of a carrot, size of a cantaloupe. Read more.
Check up report: We had an appointment on Thursday, and baby is good! I am measuring more like 22 weeks - sweet! Heartbeat was 150. I got my pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine. More on that later. ;)
Days until next doc appointment? one month.
Total weight gain? Somewhere around 8-10 pounds.
Stretch marks? They’re kinda itchy. Bad sign?
Sleep: ugh. Although one new position I learned in Bradley class definitely helps me fall asleep!
Best moment this week: Hearing baby’s heartbeat and starting Bradley class! Learning so much already…even stretches that will help the birth canal open an extra 1-1.5cm..that’s huge.
Movement: Still little pinches and jabs occasionally. Want to feel more!
Food cravings: So many peaches and nectarines! Really, I need to slow down. Also, sweets. And salt.
Gender? GIRL!
Belly button: Cave like. You heard me right.
Happy or moody most of the time? Let’s be honest I’ve been a little irritable, easily excited…
Weekly symptoms: Heartburn has eased up a bit with the papaya extract. I’ve had some soreness in my pelvis and low back from my new stretches, which means it’s working! :P
// 20 Weeks! Halfway there :)//
Halfway!! Come so far, but so far to go. :) More about baby at 20 weeks.
p.s. whose idea was it to take these photos first thing when I wake up? gees.
I don’t feel like I’ve grown much in a while, so I think a growth spurt might be in the near future!
Looking Forward To…
- Starting to think about the baby’s room
- Slowly beginning to think about a baby shower and registering
- Bradley birth prep classes starting this Saturday!
- Fulfilling all the cravings I’m finally having! Gone are the days of “not feeling like anything” when it comes to food. I seem to know exactly what I want these days.
- Autumn days (too soon?)
Not Looking Forward To…
- The crazy increase in health insurance costs in our near future. whoa.
- Maternity leave without short term disability. Note to self: Do not forget next time
!
Find of the Week! —— Papaya Extract ——-
I’ve been having the worst heartburn. It always hits hardest around 4pm. Hate it. P.S. That old wives tale about heartburn = hairy baby….not so much of a tale: read.
I was taking Tums, but then heard that the calcium doesn’t really digest well and ends up calcifying, often times on your placenta, and doesn’t really help your stomach long term. So I tried the following:
- Apple Cider Vinegar - yes, gross, it burns.. but totally works. I took just a half cap to cap full. Some people add it to water and honey to make it easier to swallow.
- Papaya Extract - the winner! they’re found in the supplements section of your nearest natural foods store. They’re tasty and you can’t take too many. I’m going to try taking one after each time I eat to see if that makes for less heartburn come evening time.
Have a great weekend!
Here are some photo highlights of my week:
watching horses run in the field during a weekend trip to Waterville
Adorable cradle handmade by Donald’s grandpa 27 years ago for when he was an infant. So honored that our little Tutu will get to sleep here, too.
A thrifting find. Just can’t resist. :)
A sign outside of one of our favorite shops, Atticus.
Me on Instagram: @jwysong
XO
Don’t ya just love a letter! Send one today friend. (Taken with Instagram)
// 19 week interview//
19 Week Interview
How far along? 19 weeks 4 days
Baby’s size? An mango or a large tomato. Read more.
Days until next doc appointment? 8 days
Total weight gain/loss? Somewhere around 6-8 pounds.
Maternity clothes? Lovin’ em.
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: I sleep best on the couch I’ve discovered. I use a boppy wedge to support my belly (or sometimes my back to prevent rolling), a body pillow on one side of me and between my legs, and the fluffy couch keeps me from being able to roll out on my belly or my back.
Best moment this week: Seeing baby’s growth and good measurements via ultrasound! And finding out she’s a girl (reaction here) and sharing the news with family and friends. :) Second to that was my first prenatal yoga class - loved it!
Movement: Still little pinches and jabs occasionally. Want to feel more!
Food cravings: Been craving rice and dishes from my childhood, like Okasu. Also, had a bad craving for McDs. Thankfully that was short-lived.
Anything make you queasy or sick? Dog food. Bad.
Have you started to show yet? Yep. Growing right along. Sometimes I feel like it’s not even there and other days I feel like my belly’s taking over.
Missing anything? Today, it’s sleep.
Gender? GIRL!
Labor signs? Thankfully no.
Belly button: In tact. But why so much belly fuzz ugh.
Wedding rings on or off? Depends on the day. Because it’s hot, usually only wearing my bands.
Happy or moody most of the time? Happy happy! I only get down when I’m running low on energy or food.
Weekly symptoms: Still evening heartburn. I got a recommendation from yoga class to try either apple cider vinegar (tried it once, yucky, but worked) or mango (or was it papaya? have I mentioned baby brain?) extract. I think I’ll buy some of that this week to try.
Um and yes, baby brain setting in hard core. So frustrating. :P
Looking forward to: Starting Bradley classes this weekend!
