39 Weeks

Baby Aiden is 39 Weeks! And the count down begins! Only 7 DAYS until babies due date April 10th!!!! Who really knows if he will be here before then or after. Dr. Firth told me to expect to go over a week so April 17th. I have pretty much done everything I can do to encourage little one to come a few days early which includes: walking until my legs feel like jello! The past few weeks I have been walking at least 30 mins a day where as of Saturday I have been walking more like an hour a day. I vacuumed, washed washed walls, and cleaned my house top to bottom. Looks like this little baby is happy all snuggly and warm in mommies tummy. Tomorrow is my 39 week appointment. I am hoping to be at least dilated some what. Who knows! This Saturday is the Mann's Easter Egg hunt which my family always goes to except we are thinking about opting out this year because I don't want to go out of town this close to the due date, not to mention my car has decided to take a crap and has been having issues. I love this time of year! The last few Easters we have gone to Old Main Hill to roll easter eggs down the hill as a family. I am looking forward to that as well as the easter egg hunt that Nibley does every year. Its fun to go watch the kids. Hopefully we will be able to go this year. Last year we slept in so we will see what happens. Or maybe little one will decide to make an appearance!
UPDATE: I went to the Dr. and I am dilated to a 3 and 80% effaced. So heres to hoping. Autumn my niece just told me that she thinks he will be born on the 5th and has been saying that for a few days. I would take that!

38 weeks

Baby is 38 WEEKS and about the size of a WATERMELON,  which is about 18.9-20.9 inches and 6.2-9.2 lbs. Which is all a guess of course! Our Dr. appointment went well. Baby's heart rate is good. I am not dilated any more so then I was the last time but his head is right down there. He is ready say Dr. First. Dr. First estimates the baby to being about 6 1/2 lbs give or take a 1/2 1b. I have had 2 times where I thought I might be going into labor. My contractions start to get harder and were about 3-5 mins apart for about an hour but then they started to tapper off. Then yesterday morning around 4 am did the same thing. Dr. says to watch them for about 2 or so hours and if they are still pretty consistent then to on up to the hospital that or if my water breaks then to go right away. Hopefully my water will just break.  My feet have been really tender and swollen this last week. I swear that I am getting up about every hour to pee at night plus my back just gets so sore and uncomfortable so that makes for a sleepless night as well. I have been getting a lot more contractions that run down my legs and into my back. Dr. Firth says that he could come any day now but to just keep April 17th, a week after my due date in mind.  I finally found a changing table and it so happens to be a dresser as well! The baby's room is pretty much done. Just adding a few things here and there. Shoot now what am I going to occupy my time with. Ryan and Heather are coming up today to visit for a few days for Ryan's spring break. That should help distract. Bennett, nephew is now walking so that will be fun to see!

  

37 Weeks

Our baby is now 37 WEEKS which is considered FULL TERM!!! His lungs are now developed enough to the point that he could survive on his own. My Dr. visit went well. I am not dilated yet but Firth says the baby has dropped and is low. Who knows when this baby will be coming! I got all the baby's clothes washed and put away! I have been trying to get the nursery done as much as possible but still keep it on a low budget. Lets see I ended up picking a bright orange, lime green and brown as the colors.  I got the baby's crib bedding together. I was originally was going to make a crib skirt with ruffles but because this crib has a drawer I decided to weave the fabric through the rails of the crib instead, an idea I got off of Pinterest, I did matching drapes as well.  Now I just have to find a dresser/changing table. I found this pretty nice rocking chair and foot rest at the good old DI for 45 bucks! I'm hoping the same will happen for finding something I can use as a changing table. I also got letters for his name from hobby lobby and wooden animals for the nursery. I took off my wedding ring to paint the letters and well now it has to stay off because I can't get it back on. Sad day. But I figured if I have to force it back on I probably shouldn't be wearing it any way!

Aiden's crib. I finally found the fabric I wanted to use.

I originally wanted to do the fabric on the bottom of the drapes but this worked too! I got the panels from good old Walmart for 14 bucks.

The rocking chair I found at the DI! Pretty sweet I got it for 45 and its priced at 150$ at Walmart!

I love the wooden animals I got from Hobby Lobby! I have been thinking about doing a jungle theme but I wasn't sure how I would pull that off. The frame was originally black which I decided to paint brown and add the extra fabric I had. Each Letter was about $1.50 which I painted brown and the board I found at the DI I painted lime green.

36 Weeks: Happy ST. Patrick's Day

Baby is 36 WEEKS!!! Happy ST. Patrick's Day! This week we went to out 36 week check. My tum tum is measuring at about 36 which has is still on track matching the weeks. The baby's heart beat sounds good. Dr. Firths instructions: if my contractions are 3-5 mins apart and are consistent or if my water breaks then we should go up to the hospital! Our baby could be here any time now! He also said though, with your first baby you should expect to go 1 week over your due date. We will see. None of my sisters or mom did. I had a strep-B test done at this appointment and next week I will start having my cervix checked every week to check for dilation. 

How am I feeling: Pretty good. I have contractions/Braxton Hicks? Every 15 mins or so which can get pretty uncomfortable. I'm not sure if they are contractions vs Braxton Hicks though. My tummy will get really hard which will sometimes distort my tummy. They last about 30 secs or so and sometimes have sharp menstrual pains that are low. Other times they are high and they radiate into my back. They say if they are Braxton Hicks and you get up and walk around or switch position that helps. Here's the thing: sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't. I just hope my water breaks so that I know my labor is staring! With my luck that probably wont be the case. 

Today we had the Achatz Baby shower which was thrown by my mom and my two sisters Natalie and Alisha. My sisters came up with some pretty cute games to play. The first was a drink with sprite in it and blue kool-aide ice cubes which had a tiny baby frozen in it. Everyone was given a drink and who ever had their baby melt out of the ice in other words had their "water break" won. Mine broke first. The other games that were played: unscramble baby words, how many words can you make out of AIDEN JEREL NIELSEN, guess what baby food is in the baby food jars ( the labels were removed) and  a candy bar game where you have to come up with a type of candy bar/candy that describes the a baby related words- Hope the Dr doesnt have: Butterfingers, Daddy: Big hunk, hospital bill: 100 grand. I spaced taking a pic of the baby gifts but I got a bunch of outfits, onesies, a bassinet, a big box of wipes, a bath tub/bath supplies. I also ended up getting that crib from my friend Chelsey which was greatly appreciated. (Pictures to come of the crib but not until I have made the crib skirt.) Alisha is letting me barrow all of her baby boy clothes which is totally a life saver! I have 3 big bins of clothes! Bad part: washing all the clothes and folding/hanging them up! The nice thing is that Alisha's due date with Hunter is the same day as mine so all his clothes should fit because he is the same season baby. I am hoping the baby comes before Easter!

35 weeks

Little guy is 35 weeks! Only 4 more to go! - until he is full term and safe to come out! This week was our 35 week check up. Baby's heart beat sounds good. Dr. Firth did say that his position was a little skiwompus kinda funny. I told him that he spoke too soon about me not getting stretch marks! He said they are baby ones and should go a way. Lets hope so. If not they are so light.  Sunday we went over to the Nielsen's for cake to celebrate Janese, Jerel's mom and Porter his nephew's birthdays. Monday was Michelle's bridal shower. Thursday was my mommies birthday but unfortunately she work and I went to Michelle's endowment so I was unable to see her. We spend Friday together instead. We ended up going to the temple, visiting my aunt Connie at my grandmas house and writing out invites for the Achatz baby shower on the 17th which we walked to deliver them. I have been trying to walk at least 30 mins a day. A highlight- Connie gave me her crib just in case I don't end up getting my friend Chelsey's!                           

Michelle's Bridal gift I made.

Burp rags

Carseat cover I made.

Swaddle I made!

34 Weeks

Baby is 34 WEEKS!!! He is about the size of a CANTALOUPE! This week was my first week of no work! I have been cleaning and organizing our house to get ready. I guess its called "nesting" but I would call it preparation. Lucky Jerel has had a yummy breakfast every morning this week: Mon: Eggs, Tue: Pancakes, Wed: French toast, Thurs: Waffles, Friday: Cereal ( his choice), Sat: German Pancakes. Jerel says he likes me not working cause I have time to cook and keep the house really clean. Wednesday we took Jerel to Instacare for Pink eye and to be put back on antibiotics for his sore throat that came back. Luckily, I haven't gotten either. So Jerel got to spend Wed and Thurs home with me. Our little Wiggle Worm is still has room too move and stretch he moves around a lot. Half the time I think its because he has the hickups! I go in for my 35 week Dr. app Tuesday then I will start weeklys. Crazy we will be able to meet our baby boy in such a short time. Sad to report I found a few light, barely noticable stretch marks on the right side, low abdomen! :( Happens! They really aren't noticeable but I have been watching out for them so of course I can see them I showed them to Jerel and he doesn't believe me cause he can't see them. Other than that my feet have been swelling, enough that my high heels are quite snug. My wedding ring is tight sometimes mostly when I'm warm. The meds my Dr. put me on for heartburn WORKS!!!! So I really haven't had heartburn at all, 4 days of no tums! That is totally a record! I have been having contractions, my tummy gets uncomfortably tight for a few seconds. Usually sitting and taking a few deep breaths helps and they calm down.

33 Weeks

33 Weeks! Baby is about the size of a HONEYDEW! He is about 17.2-18.7 inches, 4.2-5.8 pounds! How am I doing? Pretty good. My feet swell more in the mornings which isn't fun but they usually go down as the day goes on. Heartburn is still there but I know now what foods to avoid like pop and spicy food. Cute: The baby must like Jerel's voice because when ever Jerel talks to him he kicks and moves around a lot.  I'm a little behind on getting last weeks post done, we had a busy weekend  where I usually take the weeks pic on Saturday. We helped Jerel's brother, Brooks move into their apt Saturday and had a birthday dinner for my niece Sarah. Jerel and I also cleaned out the baby's closet which I am grateful Jerel was there to help me, with the two of us we got it done a lot faster. Today makes it official! I am no longer an employee of Biomat and am now a stay at home preggie. Lots of people have asked me why I quit so early. Well there are a few answers to that. 1. 8 hrs a day, 40 hrs a week is hard work for my feet plus my work was being retards. 2. We didn't qualify for the health insurance we need for the baby cause we made too much with both of us working.  I was ready to be done with work all together! March has a lot of highlights to look forward to that will keep me busy.  Janese's Birthday ( Jerel's mom) is the 4th. Michelle's bridal shower ( my soon to be sister inlaw) is the 5th. I have a Dr. app the 6th. My moms birthday is the 8th which is also the day of Michelle's endowment. The 10th Jerels' brother Trevor and Michelle get married. Spring Break for Jerel!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I then go to the Dr. every week by then. Achatz  baby shower is the 17th, yes St. Patrick's day. And I think Ryan is coming up for his spring break which I'm not sure when. Thats all I know of so far but that should keep us busy! Hopefully I will be getting the baby's crib from my friend Chelsey this week or next so I can get the baby's room put together. Connie my aunt told be she had a friend that she could get a baby swing from that would be really nice.