Designing a shared room: It's finished!

Well, I'm happy to announce that Parker and Eliana's room is pretty much finished. I have a couple other pictures to hang on the walls(Eliana and Parker's newborn photo's), and we are still deciding on the curtains for the other 2 windows, but other than that it's done!

With being in the hospital for so long and on bed rest at home prior to that, I didn't think it would ever get completed. I've been busy since I've been home and made the last push to get the final touches in place.

If you want to read the other posts related to this project, I will link them here.

Inspiration post

Painting the room


The view as you look in from the bedroom door. The bunting/flags are made from felt. I actually used these for Parker's birthday party as well. The cradle I thrifted for $10. I'm so excited to use it to take some newborn pictures.


A peek inside Parker's tent bed. We added a little hook at the top to tie the Hungry Caterpillar mobile. Everything to make this tent, except the Hungry Caterpillar fabric, I bought from a thrift store. The tent is made from 2 queen sheets, the doors are made from a sheer curtain. The pillow that Parker lays on was also made from heavy duty velvet curtains and the stuffing was made from tons and tons of scrap minky fabric I had been keeping. I spent a total of $20 in materials to make the tent bed.  


The curtains were cheap curtains I purchased from Walmart, and I added a border of Hungry Caterpillar fabric to the bottom and made also made some matching curtain ties.


The shelf was also thrifted for a couple dollars. I spray painted the shelf and because the other hooks that were on the shelf were broken, I removed them and put on some hooks I already had from Parker's room. 


We will be adding some curtains to this window as soon as I can pick them up. The newborn photos will be hung on the empty wall on the left.


The mobile was made using the tutorial found here.
I made a few changes to the design. Instead of wrapping the embroidery hoop with twine, I used some sticky ribbon that I had from scrap booking. I also used some vintage lace ribbon to hang each piece, that I found at the thrift store instead of using the twine.


The crib bedding is from Pottery Barn, which I bought at a consignment shop. Since I was purging a lot of Parker's toys and clothes he'd outgrown, I didn't pay any cash for the entire bedding set.


All the frames on this wall were thrifted. The letters I bought from Michaels and just spray painted them. I have a couple more pictures to add to this collage wall, but I haven't found any frames at the thrift store that I like yet. 


Here is a before and after picture of the room taken from roughly the same angle.

And that is it! Thanks to so many inspirational ideas from Pinterest, I think the room turned out amazing. Could not have done it without Pinterest.

Now, the waiting game begins for Eliana's arrival.


 

36 week pregnancy update!

Finally done bed rest and there is no chance of returning!! Wednesday Oct 3rd, I was officially released from hospital bed rest. Friday of the same week, I was able to stop all the contraction medications.

How far along: 36weeks 3days

Weight gain: 21 lbs total

Movement: Eliana will randomly push at my stomach with her foot, knee, hand or elbow. It's interesting to feel a tiny little bump pushing out. Completely freaks out Nolan though. I've also been feeling her practice breathing. That is really awesome to feel.







Symptoms: A little bit of indigestion/heartburn, up all night to pee and just general pregnancy aches and pains.

Labor: I'm currently contracting every 3-5 minutes, regularly. This has been happening since I stopped taking the Procardia. The contractions aren't doing anything to change my cervix, but they are painful. Since they aren't changing my cervix there is nothing I can do but grin and bear it.


I'm currently 3cm dilated, 75% effaced, and baby is at a -2 station.


Sleep: I'm up all the time peeing. It hurts to switch from side to side and trying to sleep through contractions isn't easy.

Best Moment this Week: We made it to 36 weeks! What a milestone that is for us.

Belly Button in or out: In, and I'm pretty sure it's staying that way.

Feet Swelling: When I'm up and around too much I notice my feet starting to swell.



Wedding rings on or off: I keep them off for the most part. I usually wear three rings on a regular basis. One completely doesn't fit. My actual wedding ring does fit, but after a bit starts leaving marks in my finger. The third ring, my engagement ring, fits good, but it seems out of place without the other two. I just put them on my necklace when I want to wear them.

What I am looking forward to:  At this point the only thing to look forward to is holding our little girl soon!

Next appointment: October 10th for a growth ultrasound. 

33 weeks pregnant: Hospital stay meltdown

It' been 5 days since I was admitted to L&D. Shortly after writing my post on having a "successful" week on home bed rest, I started feeling a lot of pressure and cramping. I called my OB just to see if she could see me earlier in the week, but instead she told me to go to the hospital to get checked out. By the time we arrived I was having contractions that were every 2-4 min apart. I also dilated a little more to 2cm and effaced 75%. Nothing they did would stop the contractions so I was admitted. I was put on magnesium line for 48 hours and was given steroid shots to help mature baby's lungs in case she was born.



Emotionally, the last few days have been draining. All of this has been tough on everyone. Decisions about who would watch Parker while I'm here and Nolan is working. Making sure Vanessa gets to and from school. Figuring out what to do with my unfinished business orders. Parker been so stressed out and he can't even visit without having a major meltdown. I miss cuddling with him all day and I know that he is confused about everything going on. 

It's so hard, I feel so detached from everyone. From Vanessa, Nolan and Parker. I feel so alone. My only comfort is knowing that all this is keeping lil' Eliana in longer. I just can't handle the idea of Eliana having to spend time in the NICU. Not being able to take her home with us right away. Not being able to hold her anytime I want. I recently saw a comment that was made by someone else that is going through something similar in her pregnancy. I was pretty upset by it. The individual stated that she visited the NICU and saw 32 week old baby and that the baby didn't look all that bad off. I don't care how uncomfortable or how much pain I'm in, as long as she's not in distress, I would do anything in my power to keep Eliana from going into the NICU.

I trust my OB and I know that being here is what is best right now. That being said it doesn't make it easier.

Bed rest: week 1 completed!

One more week behind us, and bed rest only drove me mildly insane this week. I feel for those that have been on bed rest since early pregnancy and have months of it. It's actually been much harder on Parker. Normally, we are always on the go and that literally has come to a halt. We did have some friends stop by this week to help keep Parker and I company, but it was still pretty rough on him. He's become pretty clingy to me in the past couple of weeks and is struggling with naps, so that isn't helping right now either.


The DVT therapy on legs/feet...looks funny, but it feels like a massage.

Current bed rest orders:
Length: 3 to 4 weeks (until 35/36 weeks pregnant)
Weeks pregnant: 32 weeks 3 days
Bed rest: At least 8 hours of the day laying/reclined in bed, laying in a recliner or laying on couch.
Restrictions: No long walks, no standing for more than 10-15 minutes at a time, no long car rides(except to appointments), no grocery shopping, no lifting(this one is tough when I'm alone with Parker during the day), very very light housework, no baths/swimming and of course the obvious no "contact" with hubby.
Medications: P17 shot 1x weekly until 36 weeks & Nifedipine 10mg every 4-6 hours

I was given permission to continue sewing, as long as I only sit at the machine for 10-15 minutes at a time. It takes me a little longer to finish something, but this is "mental" therapy for me. I will take my 10-15 minutes. 

On Wednesday, my OB sent over a nurse with a DVT therapy machine and a SCS(sequential compression system) machine for use on my back, feet and legs. This is to help reduce the potential for swelling or clots  in the legs and feet. The SCS is a hot/cold therapy for the back and is to help with having to lay down all day long. What I love about the SCS for my back is when I'm having a hot flash I use it because it gets super cold for a while and helps with the hot flash. Isn't my OB awesome?!?

31 week pregnancy update!

I actually missed posting a 30 week update so I decided to do the update this week. It has been pretty crazy since I posted my last update at 28 weeks. We celebrated Parker's 2nd birthday this past weekend and I will be getting a post up with all the party details. Aside from that I've been struggling with bouts of preterm labor craziness! In the past 10 days I've been to L&D 3 times for preterm issues. After the last visit on Labor Day, I've been put on bed rest, not quite strict bed rest, but I need to tone down my activity levels....even more.  If I can't seem to stay down and relax my OB has threatened hospital bed rest...eek! I'm not the type to sit around, it's tough, but right now I'm doing my best and I know it's what our little one needs.



My husband is finally off overtime so it's been nice to have him home earlier in the evening and on the weekends. My mom also did a last minute family/maternity session for us this weekend. It's a good thing we did it when we did, because it wouldn't be possible any longer.



How far along: 31weeks 5days

Weight gain: 16 lbs total

Movement: She has graduated to the rolling movements. It's funny to watch my belly when she is super active.

Symptoms: Other than when I have the bouts of preterm labor contractions, I'm feeling pretty good! When I was up and around too much I would have a lot of pelvic pressure/pain. Now with the rest that has become much better.

Labor: As long as I'm on my procardia regiment, I don't have any contractions. Right now I'm 1+ centimeters dilated, 70% effaced and Eliana is at a -3 station. In the past 10 days I haven't had too much change just slight.


I realize that the ultrasound photo is upside down, but when we tried to flip the photo, the pocket covered up too much of baby. I LOVE it anyhow!





Sleep: Sleep is so-so at the moment. Right before bedtime, I get these crazy "itchy" episodes all over. Not sure why, but it is so frustrating and uncomfortable. I'm getting up to pee 3/4 times a night as well.

Best Moment this Week: We made it through another week and also Parker's birthday party! I also pulled out the hospital bag and started packing it. I feel so unorganized this time around.

What I am looking forward to: Another week under our belt is all I ask for. Also, that we can finish up all the small details in the Parker and Eliana's room.

Next appointment: September 12th





I'm adding a few more "tidbits" now that I'm in the home stretch.

Belly Button in or out: In,  it never went out when I was pregnant with Vanessa or Parker. 

Feet Swelling: Not really, but my OB ordered me a pair of circulation socks to wear since I will be laying down most of the day.

Wedding rings on or off: I can still wear them, but after a while they start getting uncomfortable. When I'm home they are usually off.








Another sneak peek of the Parker and Eliana's room:

3rd trimester already!

I didn't realize how much actually changes in two weeks, especially when your pregnant.



How far along: 28 weeks

Weight gain: another 2lbs gain for a total of 10lbs in 28 weeks. At 30 weeks with Parker I had gained 28lbs! Though he was measuring pretty big on the ultrasounds and had a decent weight considering he was born at 35 weeks.

Movement: Today, I can tell that Eliana is sitting transverse. Her head is definitely pressing into my right ribcage and her butt in my left, with her feet kicking away down low. Ever wonder how to tell which way the baby is without an ultrasound? I believe the most popular site to teach you how to do this is spinningbabies.com. Just scroll down the page to see how you can do belly mapping.

 

Symptoms: Not much in the way of symptoms. I'm starting to feel a bit more run down throughout the day. When I sit in the car to long I get very uncomfortable. Contractions are still down to a minimum.

Sleep: Sleep is still great!

Best Moment this Week: Finished the mobile for Eliana this past week. Their room is coming together so cute. Still have the banner/bunting to make and finish hanging up some pictures. Since I finished all the major projects, I will be focusing on Parker's birthday party coming up.





 What I am looking forward to: Ultrasound next Tuesday, Aug 14th!

26 week pregnancy update!

How far along: 26 weeks :D 


Weight gain: No changes in weight, so still at a total weight gain of 8lbs. I feel like I'm carrying A LOT more than that.

Gender: Girl


Maternity clothes: Mainly I'm still wearing maternity jeans/shorts. I have picked up a couple dresses, but I don't quite fill out the belly area and I feel like I look so much bigger when I wear them because of that.





Sleep: Still relatively good. I've been tossing and turning a bit more trying to get comfortable at first, but once I'm asleep I do okay.

Movement: I can tell that she is starting to run out of room by the way she is moving and can now feel when she has the hiccups.

Food Cravings: Peaches and plums! The funny thing is that I was looking back on my posts of my pregnancy with Parker and around the same time I had also craved peaches.

Symptoms: I honestly feel pretty great! My contractions are next to none. I only have heartburn on a few occasions and  my nausea had subsided once again. I think my only issue is quite a bit of pressure "down there" when I walk.  I've been doing my best to take it easy since my OB did put me on modified bed rest. She wants me to be resting 75% of the time and doing what I can to not be lifting Parker too much throughout the day.






It will be a little bit before she wears these, but a couple outfits I made for Eliana.

Best Moment(s) this Week or since last update: If you read my last post you saw that we started the re-decorating for the room Parker will be sharing with Eliana. We picked up the carseat today, which is something I wanted to make sure I had sooner rather than later. Lastly, I have 11 of the 12 newborn diapers finished. I still have to sew all the inserts, but the hardest part is done.

What I am looking forward to: Next ultrasound on Aug 14th!

24 week pregnancy update!

 
How far along: 24 weeks exactly and a big Yay, for viability. It's another milestone that I like to get to. I haven't posted about it, but I was in the OB triage a few weeks back having contractions. It's sad when the Dr. tells you that they can't do too much at this point if the baby decides to come. I know it's the truth, but it's not something that I wanted to hear. I wasn't too thrilled about the whole visit and when I relayed all the information I was told to my OB, she was quite upset.  

Weight gain: I had gained another 2 pounds last week for a total of about 8 pounds.  

Gender: Girl!  

Maternity clothes: Found these AWESOME maternity pants made by Noppies. I could seriously live in these pants. No other changes, with the heat here I pretty much wear pants and a tank top all the time .

Sleep:Sleeping good still, but I have noticed it's taking me longer to relax to get to sleep.  

Movement: She a busy little lady in the late evenings. This is probably why getting to sleep is a struggle, she is rolling all around when I'm trying to get to sleep.  

Food Cravings: No major cravings  

Symptoms: Nausea in the evenings has also returned. I've also been noticing some numbness in my hands and feet. Something I will be bringing up to the nurse that comes by weekly.
Best Moment(s) this Week:Nothing that really stands out, it's been a fairly uneventful week.  

What I am looking forward to: Getting the room started! I hope to get the chevron stripes on the one wall at least drawn out and taped this weekend. I have picked up some frames and some wall letters and did paint those.

22 week pregnancy update!

I'm can't believe that I'm already 22 weeks along! The pregnancy is sure going by much faster this time around. I'm staying fairly busy and I'm guessing that has a lot to do with it. I didn't take any 22 week belly photos, but here are some I took while in Idaho last week. 





I didn't get a chance to link up with this tutorial last as I was out of town the past weekend, but I loved how this turned out and decided to go ahead and share it anyhow. If you are interested in learning how to edit a photo to drawing, the tutorial can be found if you click here. 











The Friday before we left we had our fetal echo cardiogram, basically an in depth ultrasound of baby's heart. Here is a quick clip of the tech catching a glimpse of baby yawning and some of the other ultrasound photos of baby. It's so sweet! The tech also confirmed once again that she is still a girl.






Baby's Size: At the ultrasound 2 weeks ago, baby was weighing in at around 12oz. She was measuring in the 50% and exactly measuring to her due date. 

Weight gain: I know that I have gained some more weight. I have an appointment next week, but I'm guessing based off the scale that I've gained a total of 5-7lbs.

Gender: Confirmed again that she is still a girl.






Maternity clothes?: I'm wearing maternity shorts/pants, but sticking to my regular tops. I feel too frumpy in maternity tops.

Sleep: I'm still sleeping great! Crazy dreams, but I wake up feeling wonderful every morning.

Movement: Miss E moves all the time now. This is my favorite time in pregnancy. 






Food Cravings: Potstickers!?! Is that weird or what, lol.

Symptoms: Heartburn comes and goes. Started feeling a lot of braxton hicks contractions a couple of weeks ago. 







Best Moment(s) this Week: When my hubby and I are sitting together on the couch and he puts his hand on my belly and feels baby moving. I'm not sure what he is feeling, but I love these moments.






What I am looking forward to: We aren't having a baby shower, but I'm going to take my daughter with me to register anyhow. I think it will be some good bonding time for us girls!

18 week pregnancy update!

Baby's Size: According to BBC: "Head to rump, baby is about 5 1/2 inches long and nearly a 1/2 pound."

Weight gain: I find out for sure at my next appointment on Wednesday. My scale shows a small gain, but it is really hard to tell since it's not digital. I also definitely see a difference in my belly picture compared to 2 weeks ago.







Maternity clothes?: This week I tried out my maternity shorts, they are way too big right now. I'm still wearing my pre-pregnancy clothes, but I don't have any shorts to wear and this heat is getting crazy!

Sleep: Aside from waking up once or twice to use the restroom, I'm sleeping great! This is such a change from my pregnancy with Parker.
 
Movement: Feeling the flutters and even today I was able to feel movement when touching my belly. Unfortunately, my hubby was still asleep and he didn't get to feel her and haven't felt her that strong again yet.





A little dress I made last weekend


Food Cravings: Not much in the way of cravings at all. I still don't eat very much due to heartburn. I've tried a bunch of different remedies, but nothing is working right now.






Almost finished with the stash of cloth diapers. I'm hoping to have 12, but I might have time to make 18.

Symptoms: Heartburn

Best Moment this Week: Feeling her kick from the outside and of course we decided on a name!! We found it very tough to decide on a name, but while doing some name research this one popped up and I knew this was the one.







What I am looking forward to: Still waiting for that next ultrasound, I'm so excited! We are also getting ready to visit family and see my SIL get married.

16 week pregnancy update!

Baby's Size: Should be around 4.5 inches and 3.5 ounces. She didn't measure baby's length at the last u/s, but I did see baby's estimated weight was 5 ounces.


Weight gain: Weight gain is still ZERO! I'm a little happy about that. I don't know why I'm so paranoid about gaining too much weight. I was right on track my last pregnancy and I did lose it all within the first year. I'm so worried it will be tougher to bounce back this time around.






Maternity clothes?: Not wearing any maternity clothing yet.

Sleep: Great! I'm in bed around 9 or 10 at night and usually sleep until 6 or 7 in the morning.

Movement: Today, I'm almost certain I've started to feel some flutters. I'm not 100% sure though.

Food Cravings: Yogurt and homemade fruit smoothies...yum!

Symptoms: Heart burn has still been pretty bad. It is probably the reason that I haven't gained weight. I barely eat anything at each meal.

Best Moment this Week: Almost certain that I'm feeling some movement/flutters.

What I am looking forward to: My next u/s at 20 weeks. The tech was more than certain that it was a girl, but since it was a little early I'm still nervous that things will change. I have to admit that I've already bought some girly things.



The start of baby's cloth diaper stash!! When I was pregnant with Parker I knew NOTHING about cloth diapering and it was so overwhelming. Now, I'm very confident in cloth diapers. My goal is to make a 100% of this baby's stash of diapers, at least a dozen before she is born. I have also been slowly making more for Parker and getting rid of any cloth diapers that aren't made by me.

What I am NOT looking forward to: I received my progesterone shots in the mail Friday and the nurse comes on Tuesday to give me the first shot. Bleh, not a fan of needles.  I'm so sensitive to medications and I'm very worried about the side effects. Especially, it's effect on my energy levels. I'm feeling so great right now.

14 week pregnancy update!

I'm starting my first official pregnancy post! I looked back at my 14 week post for Parker's pregnancy and this pregnancy is exactly one month later. My due date for Parker was 10/3 and my due date for this little one is 11/2.










This ultrasound was actually done at 12 weeks, but had to show off our new little one to be.

How far along: 14 weeks. Yay, for the second trimester!


Baby's Size: Should be around 3.5 inches. Baby was measuring 2.27 inches at my 12 week ultrasound.

Weight gain: Nope! At my 12 week appointment I had lost 5 lbs.

Maternity clothes?: I haven't had the need to wear any maternity clothing yet. I did buy a couple cute shirts and some maternity shorts.


Sleep: My sleep has been pretty good. Other than my little guy cutting molars and waking up in the night, I feel pretty rested.

Movement: Nothing yet, though I can feel my uterus and have been able to for a couple weeks now.

Food Cravings: Honestly, it's been salads

Symptoms:  My heartburn is through the roof with this pregnancy. I can't eat anything without getting heartburn. Even water gives me heartburn. My nausea has finally started to subside, but I still find myself having a hard time eating because of the heartburn.

Labor Signs: Nothing to report and hope to not start contractions quite so early this time around.


Best Moment this Week: I took my first belly photo this week. I actually think I look smaller this time around, but it's hard to really tell since I'm not wearing the same outfit. I can also hear the baby's heartbeat on our home Doppler. The first time I was able to hear it was around 12 weeks.


What I am looking forward to: Next Friday I have my anatomy scan scheduled at which point I will be also having an amniocentesis. I'm so terrified of the amniocentesis, but I can't wait for the scan. We will probably have a good idea of the gender at that point.

I chose to have the amniocentesis because when I went for my nuchal scan, the baby's nuchal measurement was above the normal range. That combined with my bloodwork results we were given some scary scenario's. The outcome of the amnio won't change my pregnancy, but I feel that if there is something wrong with the baby I would like to know everything I can before baby's arrival so we can be 100% prepared.