Happy Birthday Zann

Happy 28 years to my Zann!
We started off his birthday celebration with some French Toast before heading to work.

Zann received so many thoughtful emails and calls all day yesterday. He brought cake to work and they were so sweet to give him a picture frame to keep at work for a picture of the baby. They also gave him a Swiss Piggy Bank to start saving for Baby H's college. haha

When Zann got home from work we had his little birthday party. He was so excited to get his GPS running watch that he has been dying to have and a few other goodies.

By Zann's request, we had tuna casserole for dinner and finished the night with apple pie for dessert.

Birth week is still continuing. Zann won 4 chf on his lottery tickets that he got as his present on Monday.

Is this not the cutest cake?? Zann and Cubbedge share a birthday and we always had so much fun celebrating them together in college. The Auburn gang in Charleston went out to celebrate on Tuesday night and included Zann on the cake. I can't wait for the day we can all celebrate again together! Vegas anyone???

Baby Bump- 39 Weeks

So the time is almost there. I am 39 weeks pregnant with little girl and looking every bit of it. Babycenter.com says the baby is a little over 7 pounds and is the size of a small watermelon. A bowling ball feels a little more like it to me though. Last night when I rolled over it really felt like I was throwing a bowling ball onto the matress.
This picture made me laugh so hard when I saw it. Erin and Bonner were out bowling to celebrate Cub's birthday and did an impressions of what I look like. I swear I almost went into labor right then and there I was laughing so hard.

With that being said I am still feeling pretty good for being almost 40 weeks pregnant. I am still coming to work every morning until lunch time. No one can believe I am still coming to work but I feel good in the mornings so I might as well save the time until after the baby is born.

The baby is still moving all around especially around 8 at night after I eat my dessert. It feels like she is trying to fully stretch out which can be a little painful. This morning though I really thought that there was going to be a body part to poke through my skin. I don't know if it was a hand or foot but it wanted out and and felt so so pointy on top of my stomach.

I don't go back to the doctor until Monday (the offical due date) so we will know more then. If she has not come my Monday I am not sure what the plan will be. We realized we forgot to ask last time how long they will wait before inducing me. But now we are just going to go with the flow instead of calling to ask. Please just saw she will come before Mom and Dad her here on the 19th. And hopefully we will be almost ready to leave the hospital then so we can enjoy the time with them at home.

So until further updates on Monday here is the big old 39 week belly.

Where to Buy Kids Clothes with Kelly's Korner

Kelly's Korner is doing a fun link up of where to shop for kids clothes. Even thought Baby H is yet to be born that doesn't mean there hasn't been plenty of shopping and window (or online in my case) shopping.

Well I have developed a slight obsession with baby clothes and searching for great deals. With that being said though I have only bought things that I really really love because I know she will not fit in them for long and I want her to wear each thing a couple times.

 I am a lover of classic baby clothes and love smocking and monogramming. They are only babies for such a short time so Baby H will be dressed like a baby or a little girl for as long as she will let me. She will have plenty of time to wear jeans in her life but can only wear sweet little dresses, outfits with her name on them or smockings for so long. The price tag with this type of clothing is not cheap though. My mind (or our budget) can not justify spending $70 ++ dollars on a dress for the baby so I have found other ways to buy the boutique clothing for less $$.

So here is how I have found some great deals.

I signed up for Zulily.com when I first found out I was pregnant (ok maybe a couple months before). They have about 10 or so brands that have sales every day. The sales start at 9:00 ET and things sell out quickly so you have to be fast. Luckily for me that is 3:00 in Zurich and normally a time when I can be at the computer. I have found some super cute things there in the past couple weeks that fit with my baby clothes max price limit (which is not high). I can't wait to see the items when my in laws bring them in November.

EBay has also become a slight addiction of mine. There are tons and tons of cute clothes on Ebay for a fraction of the price. I always look for clothes that are new or in excellent condition and normally sort the prices lowest to highest. That way I don't even look at the things that are above the max price I have set for myself when buying baby clothes. When I see something I like I add it to my watch list and then am able to think if it is something we really need and that I really love. Before auctions end Ebay sends you a reminder and then I go back to check to see if I am still interested and the price has not gone too high.
When searching on Ebay I either type in the brand I am looking for or the type of clothes. Here are a couple of things I frequently type in.
- Kissy Kissy (This is my favorite brand for layette pieces. They are the softest and have the sweetest designs on them)
- Vive Le Fete
-Anavini
-Zuccini
-Ragsland
-Orient Expressed
-Kelly's Kids
-Smocked Dress (and specify Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas or what ever else you want)
- Petite Ami
- Romper or play suit (It will be pretty cold here for baby's first months so one piece outfits will be best)
- Feltman Brothers
-Monday's Child
-Smocked Bubble

Here are two of my recent purchases from Ebay both listed in excellent condition. 

Consignment stores are also a great place to find clothes. I have only been to the consignment stores in Charleston when we were home in the summer and they were jam packed with adorable things. It took a lot of self control to not buy everything. The had smocked outfits over flowing out of the store and I found many Kissy Kissy and Pixie Lily outfits for Baby H's first few weeks.

Here are a couple of the sweet little outfits from the consignment shop in Charleston. Bailey Brother long gown, Kissy Kissy playsuit, and Pixie Lily day gown. 

Now we just need Baby H to get here to wear the adorable things she has waiting for her. 

Baby Bump- 38 weeks

So the count down is on! Only two more weeks until the due date of Baby H. Don't get too excited though because there is no sign of her coming early so far

I had my 38 week appointment today and everything looked great. The baby's measurements on the sonogram were all in the average range or slightly above and everything looked right on track. She weighs a little over 7 pounds right now. So a little bit above average but the doc said I will not have a 9 pound baby. Good news!

When we sat down to talk with the doctor about how I was feeling etc. she said "okay so see you in two week". I quickly responded that my due date is exactly two weeks from today and shouldn't I come earlier. She said there was no need to come any earlier and to just call the hospital if I go into labor. Ummmmm okay???

I thought I would freak out at that point but surprisingly I think it makes sense. She said there is nothing else that needs to be done until the baby is born so there is no sense coming in again before 40 weeks. She seems to be fairly certain that the baby will be late but says you never know. If the baby has not come by 40 weeks she said we will do the non stress test to see how the baby handles contractions but that it is not necessary to do that now since everything is going according to plan.

I have a feeling Baby Girl is going to be late also but this sure does make it hard for my mom to book her plane ticket. We don't want her coming on the due date and sitting around with me for 5 days with no baby then I will be in the hospital for 5 days (at least) so that will be 10 days of her two weeks here. Hopefully she can change her flight to push it back a couple days today.

Until then we will continue to cross things off the "Do before Baby" list. The only big thing left is packing my bag. Other than that we are pretty much ready and I will work on crossing the things of the list like ironing the sheets for the baby bed (Zann thinks I am ridiculous) and washing the windows.

I am starting to feel 38 weeks pregnant. Walking has turned into waddling and getting up from being seated has turned into a major work out. I am now taking a daily nap and have been in bed since 8:00 tonight because I couldn't stand anymore. Too bad you can't store up sleep hours.

My plan is to continue to work half days this week and next week until our October Break starts at school. I feel great in the mornings and am liking going to work still. I really enjoy where I work and enjoy the people even more so I am not ready to give that up yet. If baby comes on the due date or after I will have at least 4 days work free.

Here we are at the pumpkin patch yesterday. 38 weeks

Baby Bump- 37 Weeks

Holy cow it sure it close to the arrival of Baby H now! She is now full term and would be fine if born at any time.
Last week at the doctor Baby H was weighing in at 2 kilos and 700 grams which is just under 6 pounds. According to the computer calculations of how much she will gain until 40 weeks she will weigh just under 8 pounds. She is about 19 inches long which is just slightly above the average line.

The doctor said everything look good and is going according to schedule. She said there was nothing to make her think the baby would come early and that many first babies come late but you never know. I have a feeling that she will be a little bit late and be born on the 14th or 17th. But I am sure Baby H will set out to prove me wrong. I just hope she comes when my Mom and Dad are able to get here soon after!

I started working 50% last week and it has been so much better. I am not sleeping very well so its so nice to come home at noon. Most days I have kept myself busy getting things ready but have taken a nap two days and it was fabulous!

Even thought my back is killing, I can hardly put on my shoes, and I am waking up 4 times a night I am contenct still being pregnant. I think overall for being almost 38 weeks pregnant I am feeling pretty good and just not ready for the baby to come out just yet. So hang in there for at least two more weeks little girl!

36 Weeks

37 Weeks

And once again the pictures won't flip the correct way :(

Baby Shower and Birthday

What happy times were celebrated last week! My wonderful friend Brooke hosted such nice baby shower for Baby H . We had lots ofyummy food and Baby H (and me!) were showered with such cute things.

Here we are before the shower.

Then Birth Week started. Zann made it a birth week to remember. He brought me home a surprise every day and made the best chocolate cake. We ended the week with pizza by the lake.

Pre-Babymoon in Verbania Italy

Last weekend was looking like the last weekend of warm weather so we decided to take a a little pre-baby vacation for the night. 

A hotel with a pool was a must. After a while of searching we found out that outdoor pools aren't so popular in Europe. But we found hotel Zust right over the Italian border in the town of Verbania. 

We loaded up Polly (our car's new name) and headed down South. 

It was a beautiful drive through the mountains and we arrived just in time for lunch. 

 We spent out time reading a relaxing by the pool, 

and enjoying the beautiful scenery, 

 

Zann took a swim while I hung out on the little beach. 

We had afternoon naps and did a lot of reading. Right when we were heading to dinner it started pouring. We found a great little restaurant in the town which was a 2 minute drive away and enjoyed some good old Italian food for dinner then of course gelato for dessert. 

The drive home was not as beautiful. Thankfully Zann is a clam driver and the pouring rain and zero visibility on the top of the Alps did not make his palms sweat nearly as much as mine. We made it back to Zurich Sunday afternoon to watch the first Auburn victory of the season. 

This picture is for Grandmother and a little reminder of the beach house. 

That might have been our last trip just the two of us for a while. 

Baby Bump 34 Weeks

 Baby H is now 4 3/4 pounds and 18 inches long. The fruit of the week is a cantaloupe. She is continuing to gain more body fat to keep her body temp up and her central nervous system is maturing.

We had a great appointment last week with the new doctor. The daughter of the doctor we had been seeing is going to be delivering the baby so we got to meet her for the first time. Zann and I both walked out feeling in really good hands and felt so comfortable with her. We talked with her for a long time and made a plan for the coming weeks and the birth.

The baby looked great on the ultrasound and everything measured normally. She doesn't fit on the screen all at once anymore so we didn't get a good picture to bring home. Her heart beat was steady and in normal range also.

She didn't give any indication otherwise, so we are still going with October 10th as the expected due date. I have a feeling she is going to come on the 14th or 17th though.

My back has been hurting a lot so the doctor gave me a prescription for physio therapy. I have been going twice a week to get the knots rubbed out of my back. It is just a temporary relief not to fix any problems but let me tell you it makes the world of difference for the next two days. I am always very ready to go to my next appointment.

 I am not sure if real Olympians go here but I like to tell myself they do. Thank you Swiss doctors and Swiss insurance for having sympathy on pregnant women.

Sleep, well that has become more of a problem this week. I am getting up 2 or 3 times a night and can just not make myself comfortable. It takes all my strength to roll over. When I do fall asleep I just don't think I am sleeping very deep because I am exhausted in the morning and by after lunch at work. Its part of the price you pay though :)

Baby H has been soooo active lately. She is moving most of the day but especially in the afternoon. When I get home from work she goes crazy if I am sitting down. She loves her little dance parties and especially loves them up in my ribs.

We are going to the hospital tomorrow night for a tour. I can't wait to see everything and will update after that.

Here we are at 33 weeks

 34 weeks

34 weeks

Baby H got some sweet new books in the mail this week from Gaga and Hoo Hoo

And Horay! Zann finished painting the dresser! 

 The baby was so excited she even bought Zann a big pack of gummy candy!

So this week I was wearing dresses every day and every day people would tell me how huge I look, how I just get bigger every week, and ask if I was sure it wasn't twins. It did not bother me at all that people said this because that is how I feel I do feel huge. Then Friday I wore capri pants and a tight shirt and everyone said how small my bump is. So my conclusion is that dresses make you look much bigger in the end of pregnancy, especially after looking at me wearing a dress this past weekend. 

If your hands are not under your belly when wearing a dress you can look like a wide load I have come to realize. Luckily the weather is cooling down so I will be in pants until the end. 

A Labor Day weekend in Switzerland

Since I won't be waking up to this over the weekend... 

We are heading down south and crossing into Italy to spend the night here.

Just as beautiful but with out my parents and Susie.

We made sure to get a hotel with WiFi so we can cheer on Auburn tomorrow night! War Eagle!

Baby Bump 32 Weeks

Here is Jicama which Baby Center says is the size of Baby H this week. I have no idea what this fruit (is it a fruit?) is but it weights 3.37 pounds just like Baby H. She is about 16.5 inches long which is sounding and feeling really big to me. She now has toenails, fingernails, and hair. I wonder if Baby H will come out with hair. I just can't picture her to have dark hair because Zann and I both had light hair as babies but who knows.

I am still feeling pretty good I would say for being almost in my 34 week of pregnancy. But I am definately starting to feel the strain of pregnancy also.

My body just gets tired and I feel like I am lugging around a bag of bricks with me sometimes during the day. I started back at work last week and the kiddos came this week. Luckily I don't have a class or I would be not functioning come 3:00 every day. I am still getting my work out walking between buildings and subbing for teachers while they do testing. After working all day then coming home and doing the normal house chores and fixing dinner and cleaning up for the night I am spent by 9:00 and my back feel like all the bones in it are breaking.

When I am asleep I think I am sleeping pretty hard but I have been getting up many times a night to use the bathroom and to roll myself over.  Our bed is pretty low to the ground since it is a European bed and it takes every ounce of strength in my arms to push myself off my side to stand up. I count that as my work out for the day. I have been doing stretches every morning when I wake up and at night before bed. Yesterday I tried a pregnancy yoga dvd and it felt really good. I am hoping the doctor can write me a prescription for a massage or something next week.

I go to the doctor on Monday and I am very excited to hear what she has to say. I feel like Baby H is pretty low down and have notice I am doing more waddling than walking so we will see if that true. I haven't been to the doctor in 5 weeks because of the scheduling of the appointments from when we were gone in the US for so long. This is the longest we have gone with out seeing a picture of Baby H. I miss seeing her. Hopefully we can get a good picture to bring home this time. And hopefully the scale hasn't tilted too much since it has been 5 weeks since I last got weighed.

Zann has vowed to finish the dresser this weekend. I am dying to get all our baby thing organized so we can see what we still need. So hopefully that will happen so we can put everything together to see what needs to go on the walls. Pictures to come when we make some progress.

Baby H has now been out of the country two more times. We took a trip to Stockholm a couple weekends ago and went to Germany for the day last weekend. We went to go do some shopping but the traffic was so bad getting there we decided just to relax and eat lunch. We will be going back soon though. We looked at the diapers at the store here and they are super expensive. Like 29 chf for 45 diapers and 2-3 chf per jar or baby food. Convert that to dollars and its even more. So Germany it will be for baby products.

Here we are at 32 weeks after a long day at work.

Here is baby H standing over the border of Switzerland and Germany