35 Week Update

How far along:  35 weeks

Total weight gain/loss:  At some point...I'm not going to admit this anymore, but its around 30 I think.  When I go to the doc now they measure me in kilos, so I don't have a good mental image of X kilos.  

Maternity clothes?  Not only am I in maternity clothes, I'm outgrowing a lot of the shirts.  There's only one place for the belly to grow, and that's out!

Stretch marks?  I saw the slightest hints of some and managed to rub some lotion on the belly.  Since Tim's been home, I've also been able to give my feet more of a rest, which helps.

Sleep:  MUCH better since Tim came home, but I still managed to wake up at 2:30 this morning and stay awake.  Hard to get comfortable these days.

Best moment this week:  We were able to see her face in an ultrasound, confirm that she's currently head down, and she has some hair!  Its amazing what they can see in a 2 D scan.

Movement:  We can make guesses about which body parts are moving...they're visible from the belly!

Food cravings:  Cold things...its warming up around here!

Gender:  We reconfirmed it during the scan today...she's still a girl : )

Labor Signs:  Lots of Braxton Hicks tightening, but not the real thing yet.

Belly Button in or out:   Its slowly going out

What I miss:  energy

What I'm looking forward to:  holding and meeting the new baby

Weekly Wisdom:  Working out actually gives you energy, even if its a super easy workout.  I hit the aquatone class at the Leisure Centre.  It was me and a bunch of old ladies.  Not the most demanding, but it felt great to get into the water and take the weight off : )

Milestones:  We're heading into the home stretch!  This pregnancy has flown by, which has been great.  My goal is to keep the "when will I deliver" thoughts at bay.  It's going to happen when it happens.  

Hope you're all well!

Dori

The Lake District

Tim, Ollie, and I were able to get away to the Lake District for a few days last week and it was wonderful!  For such a small island, England's landscape is hugely diverse and the Lakes were beautiful to behold.  The area is just south of Scotland and the locals manage to exude the same relaxed attitude as the Scots.  

After a leisurely drive up the island (Tim drove and I slept), we arrived in the picturesque town of Keswick and our self catered "cation" house (as Ollie called it).  The town is pronounced Kes-sick...don't ask me why the w is silent.  Its streets are lined with cute boutiques, tea shops, and restaurants.  Our good friends Seward and Brooke met up with us, so we were fortunate enough to enjoy their company.  

 The view from our front window

O enjoying the front yard

Brooke, Seward, and Tim ran a 10k on some brutal trails the next morning, while Ollie, Risby, and I scouted out orange dinosaurs on the landscape.  Who knew that there were nice, grass eating, large reptiles out amid the sheep!?!  Proof that O's imagination works well even on vacation.  After nap, we decided to trek out to the nearest lake and enjoy the gorgeous scenery along the way.  Its not a huge surprise, but Tim and I both went to sleep shortly after putting O man down.  There's something so relaxing about being away from your own house and all of the chores that are ever present.  We both enjoyed the rest!

The Warriors after the race...well done guys!

Risby and I enjoying our exercise for the day as we hike between two pastures.

Oliver and his walking stick.

While traveling on the island one shouldn't expect dry, sunny conditions, especially that far north.  Monday held a day full of rain, so we opted to take a tour of William Wordsworth's house in the nearby town of Grasmere, followed by a car ride along England's "grand canyon" (as an English tourist called it).  The scenery has inspired poets and authors for centuries now, and William lived in Dove Cottage for a short but prolific eight years.  While walking in Keswick, we found a poem under a bridge near the lake.  I was pleased to discover that the poem was Wordsworth's "I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud," which is often mis-titled "Daffodils."  The cheery yellow flower is the first to pop up and signals that the dreary UK winter may possibly end.  I find this poem particularly beautiful.

I Wandered Lonely As a Cloud (1804) 

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
and twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched in never-ending line
along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
in such a jocund company:
I gazed - and gazed - but little thought
what wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

- William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

We opted to drive along the Hardknock Pass after lunch to enjoy some stunning views.  Its a good thing that Tim was driving, because the roads were narrow, curvy, and steep.  You know its going to be a good ride when signs warn that the road is not suitable in winter!

Looking east from Hardknock Pass.  Pictures are hard-pressed to show the dynamic landscape.

Stay tuned for tales of Tuesday and Wednesday and a pregnancy update.  Hope you're all well!

Dori

Homecoming

He's Home!!  Ollie has taken to his father like a duck to water, so that's been great.  You never know how a two year old will react after not seeing their Dad for 4 months.  We've put together a tricycle and a new chest of drawers for the newborn thru 3 month pink clothes that were filling the laundry basket.  I've just stare at him sometimes...it doesn't seem like he's really home.  

32 Weeks

Ollie and I were able to hear the little girl's heartbeat this morning at my 32 week check up, which is always a comforting sound.  Here's a check-list from a friend's blog...hope you don't mind me borrowing it Amy!  Its pretty comprehensive...

How far along:  32 weeks

Total weight gain/loss:  25 pounds so far (WAY better than last time...I was sitting at about 35 or so at this point...MUCH less comfortable)

Maternity clothes?  Oh yeah, Jerry.  Good thing that the Gap had some sales while I was in the states!

Stretch marks?  Fortunately no.  Wish I could claim cocoa butter, but I barely have enough time to drink enough water during the day, much less lube up my belly after O man goes to sleep.

Sleep:  Hmmm....it would be better if my voip phone hadn't rung at 2 am.  Its also going to be better when I have another adult in the house.

Best moment this week:  Ollie put his hands on my belly to try to feel her move (no love yet), and he informed me that she's not a sister, just a baby.  He also likes to tell me that baby's eat food.  How do you prepare a two and a half year old that's the center of everything that a little baby is about to be VERY close to Mommy a lot of the time?

Movement:  She moves, but not as much as Ollie (I hope this is a good sign)

Food cravings:  High fat foods make my stomach hurt, so I've been avoiding too much of those.  Here lately, I've enjoyed some nice carbs.  Calzone at Ask?  Scone at Harriet's?  Yes please!

Gender:  Lots of pink in the laundry : )

Labor Signs:  hmmm...I probably need to sit down more in the evenings, but not really.  I also need to be really good about drinking the appropriate amount of water...I've been much better lately.

Belly Button in or out:   a little of both

What I miss:  my husband!!!

What I'm looking forward to:  Hugging my husband

Weekly Wisdom:  Stress is bad for the baby

Milestones:  None, really.  I don't feel like I'm 8 months pregnant too often.  I'm still able to do the tree pose in my yoga class, along with most other moves besides the abs and forward bending stretches...you just can't get around the belly to lean forward.

In other pregnancy news, I saw the docs on base for the last time.  I've been "disengaged" from the American system (although they reassured me that I can return any time that I like) so that I can begin to see the British consultant (Brit speak for doctor) and the midwives.  The cool thing here is that the midwives actually come to my house for most of the visits.  Why am I switching to the NHS you ask?  I'd like to avoid another surgery, so I'm giving the old fashioned method another try.  Do I want to go through labor?  Not particularly, but I'd like to be able to recover faster, pick up my two year old, and have the "normal" experience of having a baby.  We'll see how it goes.  They give me until 10 days past my due date (which is the 1st of July) to go into labor, so she'll be here one way or the other by the 10th.  

O man is doing well also.  We've had a couple of frustrating days here in the Spaulding house.  Delays can be a challenge, but eventually my better half will make it back to the island.  I'm super thankful for great friends and a VERY loving and supportive husband.  Speaking of great friends, thanks to Shanna, Erin, and Anna for the extra help with O man here lately.  Don't know what I'd do without you guys!

I know that humility is a very important character trait, but I'd like to throw it aside for just a minute and inform the blog readers about my wonderful husband's latest achievement.  He was recognized as the SOS student of the year!!  SOS is a leadership training program that lasts about 6 weeks, and one student is picked out of each class to be the top grad.  Out of the top students each year, one student is picked to be the top student of the year and this year it was my husband.  I'm so proud of you Love!!  Well Done!  Now come home.