8 more weeks...

Even with 2 weeks off for Winter Break, I still wasn’t able to figure out how to blog on a regular basis.    

Garrett and I now have a little over 8 weeks before Graycen’s arrival.  The anxiety is starting to set in as we get closer her due date. 

A recap of month 7:

(1) During month 7, I have gained an additional 4 lbs, which puts my total weight gain at a little over 20 lbs.  I’m sure some of the extra weight was due to the pounds of Christmas cookies and fudge that I have eaten over the last few weeks.

With the additional weight gain has come lower back pain, nights filled with tossing and turning, uncomfortable sleeping positions and lots of bathroom visits.  AND, I have been told by several colleagues that I am starting to waddle as I walk down the hallway. 

But, I am also feeling baby Graycen multiple times each day and night, which continues to be such an amazing feeling.  I can feel her arms and legs pushing against my belly – sometimes see even these movements on the outside.  Although I can’t wait to meet her and be with her on the “outside,” I’m going to miss this “inside” connection we have.  

2)  Garrett and I have spent several hours working on the nursery as well as organizing and cleaning out our storage areas to make room for things that we don’t have room for inside the house and the extra items that we have been acquiring.  Garrett doesn’t quite have the sense of urgency for cleaning, organizing and prepping that I have had recently, but he has been a trooper during my “nesting” time. 

The nursery continues to be a work in progress, but it is looking more like a nursery than a spare room/extra storage. 

  Phase One – “The Clean Out…”

Phase Two – “Putting it All Together…”

Phase Three – “Closer to completion”

Now, I just need time to finish the art projects I have planned to decorate the walls and shelves.

 ….my craft inspirations J

Not only have I been "nesting" and feeling a need to clearn and organize, I've also felt a strong need to make things for the baby.  So, my project is to create some artwork for the walls based on the above inspirations. 

(3)  In addition to working on the nursery, cleaning and organizing, Garrett and I spent a day last week visiting 5 daycare facilities.  What an experience….I can’t believe how many things you need to think about, ask about, look at/for, etc.

Of the 5 centers visited, 3 made it onto the list of potential daycares and we are on the wait list for 2.  I’m glad that part is over, now we just wait until May/June to officially register.  I’m sad that I will have to leave Graycen during the day, but thankful that I have summers off and will be able to spend the summer with her before daycare must start.

(4)  After talking with HR and Benefits center, I learned that in order to keep my health benefits during the summer months, I must return to my classroom by June 1^st.  I was hoping that I could continue my maternity leave through the summer months, but will need to return for the last 3 weeks of school.  It will be a rough 3 weeks – 8^th graders check out at that time as they realize they are going to be high schoolers soon, and I will be checking out early knowing that I have a baby at home J

Thankfully, Garrett and I don’t go on many vacations and he has accumulated lots of vacation time and with some help from the Grandmas, he should be able to stay home with Graycen while I go back to work for 3 weeks. 

Time has not slowed down for us, and we continue to add items to our “Baby To Do List”

On the agenda for this month:

·         2 baby showers planned (Spokane and Seattle)

      ·         8 month check up appointments
      ·         continue to work on nursery and decorate
      ·         paint the bathroom
      ·         start making baby book
      ·         continue to organize and clean