Waiting for Henry

A lot has happened in the last month. On September 23, we got word that Nick's brother, Joe, died. A few days later we left for Lafayette and attended his funeral. It was then that we met his wife, Sue, and daughter, Cora, for the first time. It has definitely been a difficult and sad time for Nick and the family. We have decided that we will name our baby Henry Joseph, in honor of Joe.

A couple weeks ago we took the 12 hour drive out to Albuquerque for our 4th annual Balloon Fiesta. Everyone was concerned about me traveling at 37 weeks pregnant. My doctor, however, did not think it would be a problem. We went and came back without incident! The weekend there was a bit hard on me due to being so big and needing to be by a toilet at all times. I have had a rough month of sleep and general movement such as walking and bending, but it was a good time for the family. Ruby enjoyed it this year because her best friend, Sophia, went too. The weather was not as nice as it had been in recent years but I was happy because I got what I wanted-- my mini donuts!

Today I am half-way into my 39th week. I expected this baby would have been early. Here we are waiting and wondering when he will decide to make his debut. This past weekend I was sick with a pretty bad cold. I am now staying  home from work and trying to rest and recover and prepare for our little bundle of joy. Being sick at this point in time was not in m plan. I was so weak this weekend that I worried if he came, i would not have had the strength to push him out. I went to the doctor today and I am still at 2cm dilated, which is the same as last week. I hope little Henry comes this week because a lot of people are anxiously awaiting his arrival!

I have been getting things ready around the house for him, too. We set up the baby swing and the pack-n-play. I have three different pumps for nursing and some Ayurvedic recipes to make in the early weeks. I have broth, chai and fiber muffins in the freezer. C'mon baby! The doulas are on stand-by. It has been an amazing 9-10 months of growing this baby inside of me. I don't know if this will be my last, but if it is, what a joy it has been to be pregnant with Henry!

Baby Sprinkle!

My Baby "Sprinkle" was held on Sunday, September 18. It was a lovely brunch at a restaurant in East Austin called Juniper. It was really nice to have my friends and sister there to celebrate in a low-key way. The highlight of brunch was being showered by a spilled mimosa all over the back of my dress. Baby Henry got some nice presents and books and we are now just about 5 weeks away from his debut!

This weekend we also celebrated Ruby's 4th birthday. My parents and Sarah and Ryan came in for the day. Next time we are all together, little Henry will be with us! Hard to believe!!!

Hook 'Em Horns!

It is the start of football season. Here I am with my horns up at 32 weeks pregnant.

Aloha!

We made it to Hawaii for our babymoon trip! It was quite the adventure. Despite Ruby being treated for an ear infection and Nick needing to see a doctor there for sinus infection, we didn't let it slow us down. We landed in the island of Kauai and stayed at the most beautiful resort. It was paradise! We enjoyed the lush island and having Waimea Shaved Ice. The beaches there were beautiful and we traveled to see a waterfall and visited a plantation for brunch and a tour of the orchards and fed animals. Ruby enjoyed it all.

After that we flew to the Big Island and stayed at a really large resort. We traveled all over the island and went to see waterfalls, an active volcano and also attended a Luau, which was really fun for us all. Nick did snorkling at night with manta rays and we also found some pretty beach spots...oh and more shaved ice!

Cleared for Take-off

Ruby went with me to my appointment with Dr. Chao today. We got to hear the baby's heartbeat. 150 BPM. He seems to be doing well. I asked her about positioning and she said she can tell around 36 weeks if baby is breach or if he is head down and getting into positioning. Since they don't do any more routine ultrasounds I was curious how they could tell.

She gave me the all-clear to fly to Hawaii and enjoy the vacation. I am excited to go. I stayed home with Ruby today because she was feverish last night. She seems to be doing OK today. I went to the chiropractor and got an adjustment and now I feel like I have been in a car wreck. My whole body is aching. I am icing my back and trying to take it easy. My weigh-in today was 182 lbs. Gosh, I will be big when the baby comes! I feel like I am in better fitness this pregnancy but am probably gaining the same amount of weight, or more!?

I have been eating a lot--burgers and fires, fudgecicles, bread, you name it! When I get back from Hawaii I will be signing up for my doula and getting that in place. The time is really ticking. This is the 30th week already. Where has the time gone?

HFB

We are officially in the third trimester and counting down now. Wow, time is going by fast! I am starting to feel it. I struggle to bend down, my back hurt and today I officially can't fit my wedding ring/band. Breathing is also a bit labored for me at times. I had a bit of acid reflux last week but nothing too bad. I had my glucose screen done and haven't heard anything from the OB office, so I am taking that as a sign that I passed. I will go back for an appointment next week.

We also decided on a name: Henry Frederic Bassett. Nick has always liked "Henry" and "Frederic" is family name--my dad's brother, my grandma's brother, and my great-grandfather all are named Frederic. I am glad that we can have a family tie-in. We have gotten mostly positive feedback from people who we have told the name.

Oh, I have also started to get even more hungry! I could eat everything and then some right now.
Current cravings: vegan ice cream from Sweet Ritual, granita from Dolce Neve, half-caff iced soy lattes, and burgers & fries, cereal at night. I am trying to stay hydrated and drink lots of water. It has been in the 100 degrees temperature here and I can feel it. We still have several hot weeks ahead. Hopefully out trip to Hawaii will be a nice respite from his ungodly heat.

I have also been having fun getting ready for the trip by shopping. I have found several pieces at the thrift store, Saver's, which I have got great deals on. I have been ordering some things online and have a lot of pretty dresses and beach-type pregnancy clothes. I have been feeling good about the way I look in this pregnancy and am trying to embrace it for as long as I can. I continue to work out and am staying in shape with this little guy. It's not easy, but he is worth it!

Closing out 2nd Trimester

The second trimester is nearing and end and I am getting BIG! July has been quite a full month. This week I finally had my glucose screen, after it was rescheduled twice. I will hopefully find out the results in a few days. The house is now taking shape since our new furniture is here. My next step will be making room for baby boy clothes and items. We have started to receive some hand-me-downs and I really need to create some space for this kiddo.

Last week I was sick with what was diagnosed as a likely sinus infection. I took 7 days of antibiotics and am finally feeling better. I am sad that I have had two infections now in my pregnancy. I am trying to stay healthy for my little guy. I have been eating a lot of ice cream lately. My biggest craving is Peanut Butter Chocolate Hagan Daaz. I am going to start limiting myself from it and shying away from dairy a bit better.

The heat here is now in the triple digits and that is making my mobility a bit labored. I have struggled with work due to visiting people who either do not use their A/C or have broken A/C units. It has been tough to counsel in some of the conditions I have been in. I really hope the next 12 weeks isn't as bad as this past week has been.

Tonight I attended a concert with my friend Elizabeth. We saw one of my favorites, Edwin McCain. It was the 5th time I have seen him in concert and it was wonderful. Baby boy was wiggling around in there and I think he enjoyed the music as well. I wore a long magenta dress, one that I also wore when I was pregnant with Ruby. I have been doing a lot of Thrift store shopping for Maternity clothes. I enjoy getting bargains at Savers and having some different items to add into my maternity wardrobe.

We leave for vacation in a little under 3 weeks and I will also be turning 33! Time is flying by. October will be here before we know it. My friends are planning a Baby Sprinkle for me in September.