Diaper Changing Pad Clutch

I finished this changing pad clutch a month ago, and I'm very happy with how it turned out. Despite the buttons, it actually opens and closes with velcro. It unrolls into a changing pad, as the other side is made of waterproof wipeable fabric. The only thing I don't love about it is that it's kinda small for a changing pad, especially considering the stories I hear from parents about how "things" can spread....ahem.

Still, I'm hoping that it will be useful, because it sure is pretty!

A Storm on the Way

There's a storm moving in over the mountain ridge behind our house today, and it's a race against time to get the laundry done. When it rains out here, the washer fills up with rain water and usually a whole host of dirt with it too. I just put my last load in and am hoping it finishes before the rain drops start to fall!

The rain we've received in the last few months has been a welcome blessing and I'm trying to soak in every moment of the view from my windows actually being green. It is usually just plain old brown dirt, so I feel incredibly blessed with this view.

Today, I've been baking for my baby shower, which is at my mom's house tomorrow. I made mini brownies in these cute little wrappers. I can't wait to see everyone and celebrate tomorrow! The shower is an afternoon English tea theme (one of my favorite things!).

Yesterday, my landlady let me look through bags of baby things she had been given. They were all for boys, so I tried to choose only the gender neutral things that could work for a girl too. I got a few clothes, a bunch of socks, some toys, blankets, burp cloths, and bibs. We haven't gotten much for the baby until this point, so these are some of the first things (other than the cloth wipes and diapers I had made) that are going into the space.

The last few days I've been having a lot more contractions than usual, and I also feel like the baby has moved down lower into my pelvis, which makes walking a chore. I am hoping this means that my body is gearing up for labor and that baby will come on time. Where I live, there is a state law preventing you from having your baby in the care of a midwife past 42 weeks, so I am definitely hoping it is sooner rather than later...

Pregnancy Update: 34 Weeks

34 Weeks

How far along? 34 weeks (last week--I'm a little late on the update)

Baby Size: About the size of a honeydew melon. I think baby has had quite a growth spurt these past two weeks, because there seems to be a big difference from my 32 week picture!

  Total weight gain: 32 lbs. My weight gain isn't coming on as fast as it was before, which is a bit of a relief. I'm gaining right on track now. 

 Maternity clothes? My wardrobe is so limited now, especially my pants! It's hard to find outfits that I feel good in and fit in. I have only one pair of really comfy pants now. 

Stretch Marks? Still none, thankfully. 

Sleep: I've been tossing and turning a lot more. I'm mostly having pain in my pelvic area that sometimes keeps me from getting comfortable enough to go back to sleep in the middle of the night if I wake up.

Best moment this week: Inflating the birth tub. I love it so much. Even if it weren't full of water, I would want to give birth in there because it feels like a protected nest and is perfectly sanitary and contained. 

Miss Anything? I miss my pre-pregnancy wardrobe. I can't wait to have more options again. 

Movement: It seems the baby is even more active than ever. Either that or now that because it is bigger it has a lot more "umph" in its kicks and twists. 

Food cravings: I've been craving dried fruit and fruit and veggies. I bought dried fruit snacks to have in labor and I had to put them in a hard to reach place so I don't eat them ahead of time!

Gender Prediction:  I'm still thinking girl and I have a very hard time imagining it otherwise. I think I will be very surprised if we have a boy!

Symptoms: More pelvic pain and pressure that makes it hard to walk and bend to get things. I'm moving pretty slowly these days.   

Mood:  I've been feeling good these past weeks. I'm surprised with how much I've been getting done considering how slowly I walk around. I've been able to keep up with the house cleaning, work from home (for the old company I used to work for), make meals every night, excercise some, and cross off more baby to do items. I thought that in the third trimester I would be zonked out, but I have had a lot of energy and motivation. I think part of it comes from the thought that I NEED to get it all done before the baby comes. 

Looking forward to: My baby shower on Saturday! Can't wait to celebrate the baby with my close friends and family. 

Pregnancy Update: 32 Weeks

32 Weeks

How far along? 32 weeks. I can't believe we only have 8 (ish) more week to go!

Baby Size: About the size of jicama or pineapple.

  Total weight gain: 30 lbs. This is more than I thought I would have gained at this point, and having always been petite, it feels like a lot to be carrying around. But I know it's normal to start feeling heavy at this point in the pregnancy. 

 Maternity clothes? When I bought my maternity clothes, they seemed so roomy that I didn't think there would come a time when they would get tight, but that time has come. I still am hoping to make to the end without having to make any more purchases, because it's not in the budget. 

Stretch Marks? Still none, thankfully. 

Sleep: It is harder to get comfortable lying down, but I'm still able to get to sleep and sleep through the night. 

Best moment this week: Buying the birth tub. It made it feel a little more real and like we are really getting close to holding our baby.

Miss Anything? I miss being small and nimble. It's weird to not be able to squeeze through things by turning sideways. Lol.

Movement: The baby is still very active, mostly at night or early morning. 

Food cravings: I've been craving healthy meals with fruit and vegetables. I like things made from scratch and as close to "real food" as possible. My husband and I have been eating a lot less processed foods since I became pregnant and it's amazing how we don't even like the taste of a lot of foods we used to like before, like Pringles and certain sweets made with "artificial" flavors.  

Gender Prediction:  I'm dreaming of giving birth almost every night, and every time, the baby is a girl. However, everyone is predicting the baby is a boy, even random strangers and our grocery cashier tonight!

Symptoms: Mostly pelvic pain after days of doing a lot and being on my feet. 

Mood:  I've has a lot more mood fluctuations as I get closer to the end, which feels so weird to me, but I have found that exercising helps keep my mood more balanced. 

Looking forward to: The baby shower we are having at the end of the month, and getting more things ready for the baby's arrival.