26 weeks

Hey y'all.  Nothing really new going on in babyland, just thought I'd give a general update.  I've been tweaking my Target registry here and there as I find new/better/cooler stuff I like, or when I change my mind about something.  Showers are coming up in a few weeks, so I want to get the registry as good as its going to get in the next week or so. For your viewing pleasure, here's my latest belly photo:

In my Easter finery!

I've been trying to figure out what to wear to my showers, and I'm having a tough time.  I want to look nice, of course, and there will be tons of photos, knowing my family and me.  :)  I've found a few dresses online that I like, but I'm hesitant to buy them without being able to try them on.  I've pretty much decided against ordering anything from Old Navy because they won't let you return maternity clothes in store, you have to mail them back.  Which is a giant pain.  Target, however, will let you return things in store. Much better option. 

Tomorrow morning I have my next checkup, which will also include a 3 hour glucose tolerance test.  Ick.  Going to have to pack my big purse so I can entertain myself since they said I have to stay in the office the whole time.  I can't say that I'm expecting to have an issue with gestational diabetes, but it also wouldn't surprise me.  My mom had it during her pregnancy with my sis, I was overweight to start with, and I've had some symptoms (extreme fatigue, thirst, etc) that could be symptoms of GD, or could just be pregnancy symptoms.  Either way, I figure we'll be fine.  I'll do what it takes to keep it under control if it's a problem, and if it's not, so much the better. 

Next week I'm going to start physical therapy as a patient.  For about two weeks now, I've had incredible pain around my pubic symphysis (the part in the front where your pelvic bones meet).  It's not too bad when I'm sitting, or when I'm standing with my weight carefully balanced on both feet, but walking is sore, and getting in/out of bed and the car are miserable, as are stairs.  It's common in pregnancy, since hormones are loosening everything up in preparation for the big day.  I've treated a few patients for it during pregnancy with pretty good results, but there are some things that you just can't do for yourself!  I'm hoping I can get a referral for PT tomorrow at my appointment. 

Peanut still does not have an official name.  We're fairly settled on a first name, but can't seem to agree on a middle name.  This naming a real person stuff is harder than I expected.  You don't want to pick something dumb, in case she wants to be president, but you don't want something too "big" for a child.  Have to think about what mean jokes kids could make out of it, potential nicknames, what will initials spell...stressful!  Anyone have any name advice, or good stories from when you were naming kids?

What the heck IS that? (A registry post)

I have had so many generous offers to throw us baby showers that it makes my head spin.  I guess I shouldn't really be surprised because A: my family and friends are awesome, and B: people were equally as generous when we got married.  I guess I thought that since we're so far from home now, maybe folks wouldn't feel as obligated to throw us a party.  I was wrong! 

Because of the distance issue, I can't really make a zillion trips home like I want to.  And I can't travel too close to my due date because I don't want to deliver this kid on a 747 somewhere over the midwest.  It makes flight attendants cranky.  And we don't want cranky.  My sis is graduating with her Master's degree in early May, and of course I want to be there.  That's also getting close to the mark that I've been advised not to be so far from home.  So I planned a trip and we are going to have a week of solid partying, both for Peanut and I and for my newly graduated sis.  I think I have three showers planned over the course of a few days that week.  Whew!

Then it hit me.  That's only a month away.  I guess I should register for some stuff, huh?  Most, if not all, of my showers back home are going to be gift-card showers, since I'll have to fly back with my loot.  I know some people will be bummed about that because they think gift cards are lame, and some will be overjoyed that they don't have to hunt through the baby aisles for some musical toy.  I happen to think it's great!  I always thought that gift cards were a lazy girl's gift, until I got married.  Not having to return stuff (or getting stuck with things without receipts), knowing I can assess and then purchase what I actually need, not having to store things for later down the line...it's priceless.  Especially the storage thing.  I don't have space in this apartment for hang on to things that Peanut will need as a toddler.  Gift cards will let us buy what we need as we figure out we need it.  So excited!

I was advised by the family matriarchs that I should still create a registry, since some out-of-town folks won't make it to a shower, and some folks might like to buy a gift and have it shipped, or what have you.  And I am having one local shower with friends from church.  So....I did.  Well, I started anyway.  I figured I'd start with Target since it's handy to me, nation-wide, and most people have to pop in there once in a while anyway.  I did it online so I'd have more time to study on things, and since most items will have to be purchased online if they are gifted I wasn't terribly worried about in-store availability.  I clicked through every single item in the Baby Stuff.  I almost had a nervous breakdown.  So much primary colored plastic musical light-up crap!  So overwhelming!  I tried to think practically, economically, and rationally.  It helps that I didn't know what 3/4 of the stuff was anyway. I think I got all the major basics.  I didn't register for any clothes or toys because I figure she'll get that stuff as gifts anyway.  We're cloth diapering, so we don't need too much in that direction.  I plan to breastfeed, so we don't need 800 bottles. And overall, WE HAVE A SMALL LIVING SPACE AND HOW MUCH CRAP DOES A BABY REALLY NEED???  Holy moly, they'll sell you anything if it has the word "baby" on it, and charge you triple for it.  Ridiculous. 

Whew. Stepping down from soapbox now.  Moral of the story, if you know us, and know how to find us on the registry site, there is now a registry created at Target.  Feel free to check it out and let me know what I forgot, or what I was mistakenly lead to believe I need.  Thanks.