So Big

We have officially hit 2 months! But since I suck and forgot to post his 1 month photos here they are...

At 5 weeks Carter weighed in at a whooping 12 lbs 5 oz! What a big nugget!

Now for our 2 months...

How cute is this guy?! He weighs in at 14 lbs. 6 oz.and is 24.5 inches long. He can roll tummy to back and has started grasping his toys. He loves his play mat and his changing table. His absolute favorite toy is the ceiling fan. He can not keep a pacifier in his mouth at night, boo. He coos and "talks". He can smile and almost giggle. He wears 3-6 month clothes. We are planning on moving him to his own bed this weekend, we will see how it goes.
I think we will keep him :)

Smiles

Carter smiled at me for the first time! Not like smiling in his sleep or a weird almost smile because of gas, a real smile. He was laying in his crib and I came in to put his pacifier back in his mouth. When I leaned over and he saw me he SMILED!

A sleep smile :)

That Moment..

I just had that earth shattering, life altering, heart wrenching moment when I realized that this sweet baby is the best thing I've ever done. A moment of utter clarity where I can step away from being exhausted or worried about him not eating enough or being concerned about my house being a mess and realize that I've witnessed and been a part of a miracle. And this miracle is mine.

Crazy Up In Here

Well, hello there! Let me catch you up on what's happening around here...

Baby had their own plan and didn't come until 5 days past my due date. I was so uncomfortable but I could deal with it until it was 107 degrees outside. That was a special kind of torture. I will write a whole post with the birth story and pictures and everything. Until then, meet Carter Dean Wolf born 6/28/2013 at 3:35pm weighing 8 pounds 9 oz and 20 inches long. He's amazing.

Nursery Tour

I finally got the pictures together :).  Here you go...
This is how the room started out... Actually the true "before" would have been when it was still the "office" with a giant desk, chair, couch, etc. It took us FOREVER to clean it out. We had no idea how much stuff we have crammed in there. It was intense. However, we painted the walls the perfect gray (it's valspar but the color has been discontinued and I'm super pissed about it) and ripped out all of the carpet. Then I started using the room as my "work shop" as I worked on the changing table. Which is what you see here. 

 Ta-Da! Finished product! Things will probably change but here is what we have right now...

 I am so in love with this changing table. Probably a little too much, but whatever. It was a labor of love, with help from my mom and dad. Seriously I could just sit and look at it... So pretty... Anyway, it has lots of storage and I added the crates on the wall to hold all of my cloth diapers (woo!). I know we will be spending a lot of time in front of this dresser and in that chair. Which is incredibly comfy. My mom made the pillows for the chair just as extra padding. The quilt on the chair was made my my great great grandma and the whole room was based off of it's colors.

 My mom made this quilt and bed skirt for the crib. She's one crafty lady and jumped at the chance to make these. Thanks again :).

 This is the stuff that will more than likely change.. I can't figure out what to put over the crib. It will probably end up being sweet baby keepsakes and their initials. Oh well, it will come together.

 Anywho, that's about it. WOOOOHOOO! Now all we need is to add the not-so-tiny nugget.

My lunch bag...

My lunch bag is out of control. Not that it's unhealthy but I have to have lots of snacks during the day. And it has been that way since the begining of this pregnancy.. If I don't eat something small every few hours, I pay for it. So here is what I have today:
Leftover mexican pizza from last night, an orange, a small container of strawberries, and a begal with cream cheese.

Now here is what I wish was in my lunch bag...

Umm.. Healthy. And honestly, I would put the peanut butter on the chicken. In fact, I'm salivating just thinking about that. I don't think it is socially acceptable to eat that but I almost don't care. Almost...

38 Weeks and Stuff I forgot

Here's me...

Holy cow! I can't believe we've hit 38 weeks! It feels like just yesterday we were surprising the crap out of our families, lol. Also, I can't believe how much this little human has grown. For a long time we referred to this baby as "appleseed" because when we found out, that's how big it was now it's the size of a watermelon. Holy guacamole, a WATERMELON!
In the last post I forgot to mention that a few weeks ago at 35 weeks my mother-in-law, Katie, threw me a very nice baby shower. My mom even flew in for it! Yay! I have all sorts of photos from it but I'm just going to post one...

A few of the ladies made me a super sweet diaper cake. Aww! Thanks everyone for coming and I'm seriously grateful for all of the very thoughtful gifts. It's amazing to think how loved this little nugget is and it's not even here yet. Let's just say, Nugget, you are lucky- oh so lucky.
They played a game where everyone guessed what the gender of the baby is going to be.. The results were 15 to 9 in favor of boy. I guess we will find out soon enough. I could truly not care less. Boy or girl, you are going to be one awesome kid and I can't wait to meet you (I think I'm speaking for a lot of people at this point).
In other news, I think I hit the "nesting" phase today. I scrubbed, on hands and knees, both bathroom and pretty much all of the baseboards in the house. I'm super sore now but it was worth it just for my peace of mind. Because, apparently, if you don't have clean baseboards something terrible is going to happen... Logical, totally logical.
Last time I promised nursery pictures... Well, I went a little photo crazy and now I have to sift through to see which ones are the best. But I will post them later this week.

Hitting my Stride

Here's me...

What is that you say? The baby is full term, you say? YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT! According to the interwebs the baby is the size of a winter melon... I have no idea what the heck that is but apparently it's delicious in Chinese soups (according to google).

Way back in my 32 week update I told you about having to start physical therapy... Holy Jesus, I'm so happy I did that. My body was so flipping messed up. I started seeing Ashley the Amazing, she only works with women and most of her clients are pregnant. She is trained in pelvic issues, including pelvic floor muscles. I had no idea there were physical therapists that work only with women's issues but it totally makes sense. My pelvic joints and hips were so incredibly swollen when I started therapy that at one point the therapist couldn't even feel my bones. I impressed her with my pain tolerance at one point she said she would have been in tears and I was handling it.
After going to therapy for a week the therapist was looking at my hips and said "Have you ever broken your tail bone?"
Strange question, lady... "Um, not that I know of. Why?" Now I'm concerned.
"Ok, hold on... Does it hurt when I push here?" IMMEDIATELY I start screaming at her.
"Uh, yeah. You have a broken tail bone and it is pushed all the way over to the left." Ashley was not deemed "Amazing" yet, in fact she was Ashley the Terrible at this point. Anywho, she had to do some seriously awkward stuff to get the bone back in place (I'm not going into that junk, but if you have to have it done I will walk you through it.) It made all the difference in the world. 2 visits of awkwardness and a few weeks of incredibly painful muscle release made me into a person who could stand, walk, sit, sleep and move again. The reason I was in so much pain was because pretty much all of your pelvic floor muscles are attached to your tail bone and they were being pulled to one side. Which was putting pressure on a very important nerve and throwing off all of my hip muscles in the process. I told my doctor about all of this and he was in a little bit of shock. He said "I'm glad you figured that out because you would have ended up with an emergency c-section." Oh, dear doctor man, I'm pretty damn glad too. I'm happy to report as of today, I have been officially released from physical therapy because I am pretty much all better! WOOT! All of my bones are officially where they are supposed to be and my muscles aren't freaking out anymore.
In other news, I have an uncontrollable urge to walk... Like ALL THE TIME. At work I can only sit for about 30 minutes at a time, then I get up and walk around for about 10 minutes. I mean to the point I will just pace around the office. The other night I made Andy go for a walk with me after dinner and we walked for over an hour and a half... It was Ah-mazing! And this will probably be happening a lot more.
Also way back in my 32 week update I came up with a list of things that we needed to do... I'm happy to report most of them are done. We finished our childbirth classes, installed the car seat, organized everything after our second baby shower, I took a breastfeeding class, interviewed and "hired" a pediatrician, birth plan is written and signed by the doctor... Damn I'm productive! However, packing the hospital bag is just a ridiculous task and I will be putting that off as long as I can.

Alright, that's all I've got for right now. Next up is a nursery tour... I'm off to take some pictures! Dear Not-So-Tiny Baby Nugget, keep baking in there. I know you are squooshed, so am I, but the longer you bake the more ready you will be for "life on the outside". Don't make me ground you! I will pull this blog over, don't test me. (Look folks, I'm practicing!)

I'm fluent in Whale

Well, I'm behind... No big surprise there. However, I would like for all of you to know, I have kept up on changing the chalkboard art in my kitchen but me standing next to it seems a near impossible feat. BUT I promise to take a picture tonight before I change into my new "uniform" of comfy-ness which I refuse to be photographed in. Let's discuss this awesome uniform, shall we? It's hands down AH-Mazing! Bright pink shorts that are 2 sizes too big for normal me but right now are just "not too dang tight".

Example of said shorts....

Now pair those incredible shorts with a 8-12 year old t-shirt of Andy's and we are in BUSINESS! However, the t-shirt should basically not touch me in anyway or it is deemed "too dang tight" and must be changed immediately. At this juncture in life, I am running out of options for clothing.

In other news, my new favorite past time is sitting in the back yard doing my very best "Beached Whale" Impression.

Here's what that entails... 2 blue lawn chairs facing each other covered in towels, me in a tank top and glorious pink shorts, and a book. I sit in one chair and put my feet in the other and chill for a while. It has now became ridiculously hot so a kiddie pool may be added for an authentic beach scene. I've only read a few pages of my book (keep in mind I do this quite often) but I have gotten some pretty sweet naps in. And, as an added bonus, gotten a tan and probably scared away the snakes in our yard. BAM! Awesome.

Another thing that is new around Casa de Wolf is the introduction of popsicle molds! Holy, happy dance, Batman! Andy bought me a small mold that makes 6 popsicles and I'm over the moon excited! I've made a few batches and they are freaking delicious and they make this sweet-craving pregnant lady happy and a bit healthier than eating ice cream everyday.

There's more that's going on but I promise to be back tonight/tomorrow to post a picture and continue the update. I mean, come on people, we have MONTHS to catch up on here!

Jumping in Head First

The baby is, that is. You better believe it, the baby is head down. All ready to come into this world, what an overachiever. I found all of this out at my doctor's appointment last Wednesday (31 weeks). The doctor did a quick ultrasound to see what's going on in there and the baby was sucking it's thumb and wiggling it's toes. Can I just say, I think this kid is pretty darn photogenic.
Another thing that no one tells you about pregnancy that I found out at 31 weeks is that your hips will randomly "slip" out of place. How super! At work on Monday my left hip literally fell out of place while I was sitting at my desk. I tried to stand up at the end of the day and my whole leg gave out and it was crazy painful. I tried everything I could think of; stretching, trying to walk, squats, etc. Nothing worked. I sucked it up and limped/dragged myself to my car. So at my doctor's appointment I brought it up to the doctor who informed me that in some pregnant women the bit of cartilage that holds their pelvis together just breaks which makes their pelvis kind of "floppy". Then on top of that, a pregnant woman's body releases hormones to "loosen" their joints. Mix these two things together and you get a winning combination for your hips being a floppy mess. He recommends physical therapy, which I will be starting next week, fingers crossed it helps.
After my doctor's appointment on Wednesday I went to see our doula, Marin, for a massage on Thursday (thanks to groupon!). It was amazing. I told her that my hips were a mess and she seriously worked like crazy on them. We also got a chance to chat a little and get to know each other a little better. After the massage I could walk! WITHOUT A LIMP! And without pain which hasn't happened for nearly 4.5 weeks. Seriously, I nearly cried out of pure amazement and appreciation. Andy said he might send me to see Marin every week just so he doesn't have to hear me complain about my hips anymore. Anywho, I scheduled another massage for May 15th and I'm on the count down. Hopefully the combination of massage, physical therapy and yoga will make me a real girl again.
In other news, the nursery is basically done (YAY!). All that's left is last minute organizing, no big deal. Now we have to start packing for the hospital (which is just ridiculous)\, putting the car seat in the car (car pool lane anyone?\), taking our child birth classes (which start on Wednesday), looking in to breastfeeding classes, I've started to write our "birth plan",and interviewing pediatricians. Well that list is much longer than I thought it was going to be... Apparently I still have a bunch of junk to do. BOO.
Well, this has gotten wordy, hasn't it? Sorry about that. Here's a picture of me at 32 weeks. Big and springy :).

That's right everybody, the baby has all 5 senses and KNOWS HOW TO USE THEM. What a champ! Keep baking little baby nugget- we will be seeing you soon.

My Open Letter to Chocolate Pudding

Dear Chocolate Pudding,
Hey there sweet thang! Can I call you puddin'? Well I'm going to. Puddin', you make me so happy. You are the perfect balance of sweet and creamy. At times you jiggle on my spoon, other times I don't take the time to look but just because I don't take my time when devouring your deliciousness does not mean I don't value you as much as those who do. I need you in my life, Puddin'. You are a quick and easy homemade dessert, if I want to be fancy and impress all of my friends. Or you are a grocery shelf staple that doesn't require refrigeration- you could single-handedly save the world in a blackout/zombie attack/alien invasion/etc. Thanks for being so accommodating, Puddin' it means a lot.
Speaking of accommodating, you really are with all of the different flavors and textures out there- not just chocolate (gasp). I embrace them all, from bread pudding- which I believe is only pudding by name alone, to custards, to warm tapioca pudding, to the ever loved and devoured Snack Packs. Oh and the flavors, so many flavors... Butterscotch, banana, vanilla, chocolate, dark chocolate, and the new "designer flavors" such as cupcake and coconut cream pie. I gladly accept and applaud your diversity. I do not discriminate, Puddin'. You just make me happy. But like a fly to light, I come back to chocolate because it embodies all that is good and holy in this world.You are the whipped cream on my shortcake, the Reese's to my s'more, the milk to my cookie, and finally the pudding to my spoon.
I guess it's time to stop beating around the bush and just say it... But I can't. I feel like a school girl with her first crush. But this is a safe environment and you are such a loving food item. I guess I can say it... I love you Puddin'. I love you with all of my pregnant, sweet loving heart.

With all of my love and admiration,
Stacie

30 Weeks and FOOOOD

My brain has basically dried up and fallen out of my ear... I can't think straight or even remember to brush my own teeth in the morning. But there is one thing I can remember... Food. I remember to eat ALL THE TIME. During most of this pregnancy I've craved healthy things or at least I rarely wanted things that were bad. However, that has now changed. I could basically eat chocolate all day long... Everyday. I thought I would document some of the cravings I've been having for this weeks picture.

Hello, huge belly. Nice for you to make another appearance. Here are a few things that didn't make the list of have definitely been incredibly crave-worthy in my world... Fruit and fruit juice, granola (I eat granola+banana+milk every morning for breakfast), pudding (dark chocolate preferably), and milk. I hate milk but I drink at least 2 glasses a day and it still freaks me out. I probably should have underlined and bolded fish tacos on the board because that was my very first "I need it right now, don't get in my way" kind of craving. I had to drive across town and Andy was pissed about it and I got so angry that there was traffic that there were for real tears.

I checked around on the internet today and found out that as of 31 weeks (which is today) the baby is the size of a pineapple. WHAT?! Next thing you know it will be driving. Stop it, stop it right now.

Well that's interesting...

Yesterday (Sunday 4/14), at 30 weeks exactly, I had Braxton Hicks contractions for the first time. It was definitely interesting. A glass of water and laying on my side helped but they did go on for about 45 minutes. Anywho, I will post 30 week picture soon... I will leave you with something awesome.

FOR THE LOVE OF SPANX!

28-29 Weeks: Holy Bunnies

We have officially hit the 3rd trimester! I was so excited because that means we are getting close to meeting the little baby nugget.. but then my body fell completely apart and now I'm not so excited. My hips and back are a disaster- they hurt so bad. Walking is nearly impossible sometimes. My face is breaking out again, hmm, thanks hormones- you horrible jerks. I'm so flipping sick now, like more sick than I have been the whole time. I guess that means the kid is really cooking in there.
Speaking of the kid, they are a dancing fool anymore. I mean seriously! In fact, the nugget and I got in our first fight today. I was at work and every time I would roll close to my desk the kid would kick, HARD. Therefore pinching my stomach between their foot/head/butt/arm/whatever any my wooden desk. Can we all just say "ouch" in unison. Thanks, I appreciate your sympathy.
Anywho, we hit 28 weeks on Easter Sunday because we have awesome timing. Here I am with a giant belly....

The wall is supposed to say "Happy Easter to our Baby Bunny" but my belly cut off the -ny.... So happy Easter to our Baby Bun. Which makes me giggle. Next time I promise to move back and not let my stomach take over the wall. P.S. this was the very first day my ankles swelled and they were ridiculous! I don't look forward to that...
The next weekend, at 29 weeks, we went to have a quick "sneak peek" of the nugget. We had our 3d ultrasound done and it was amazing. I honestly thought it was going to be like a normal ultrasound where they point something out and I pretend like I know what they are talking about but these were SO CLEAR. Here are a few...

Those are baby faces! :). The kid was kicking around and moving. It was awesome for Andy to actually see the movement of the baby- it made it pretty real. Also, they gave us a dvd of the session so we can look back and see the stretches and twirls.

Ooops, I'm behind

Well, I suck. It has been a busy month and a half around these parts. So let's just get down to business. First we have my 22 week picture:

It took a while to start feeling movement in there. But the baby is definitely making up for lost time. This kid is STRONG! Andy can feel the baby move and most of the time he is very impressed by the strength of the kicks.
Next up, we made the trip to Missouri for my baby shower. It was a lot of fun, it's always great to see a bunch of people in one visit. Speaking of awesome people...

Some seriously awesome sorority sisters :). They are so pretty. Here are some other quick pictures of the shower...

Apparently food is very important to me. After the shower we had a birthday party for me and my niece Madeline.

After the excitement of all of the parties we headed home. Which was a 2 day drive with my parents. I was surprised how hard it was for me to sit for lengths of time, normally I'm just fine in the car for hours and hours. Not so much this time, we had to stop every 2 hours. Which made it a long trip for everyone... sorry. But we finally made it home and started on a bunch of our nursery projects (WOOT!). I will do a whole post on just the nursery projects soon. Anywho, my parents had a very eventful visit. I will fill everyone in on that soon.

To wrap it up, here is my picture from today.. Happy St. Patrick's Day and Happy 26 Weeks!