Frequent Showers

About two weeks ago, I posted about my my baby shower. Except not only was I lucky enough to have one amazing shower thrown for me, the past week I had a second one hosted by the girls in my department at work.
It was purple and gold slash LSU decorations, to go with the somewhat of a theme I have planned for the nursery. And while I don't have photos of the food it did go with the LSU theme as well, since we had gumbo, salad, and potato salad. Plus since there had to be dessert, we had the petite fours you can see above as well as cake squares. I even just may have had part of a cake square myself which tasted amazing, along with everything else.
They all pitched in a filled a basket full of goodies, and while I won't show you everything inside it, I will share some of my favorites. Of course, by that I mean my favorite photos where I look the best!
They were a few board books since everyone in the department knows how much I like to read. I'm pretty sure I've lent almost everyone in the department a book to read at this point, or instead they've lent ones to me.
A few winter-y items, like this crazy comfy looking hat, since I realized once it got cold last week that I really didn't have anything warm for the baby. Obviously I don't need a full winter closest living in Lousiaian, but one or two items will probably be necessary.
Plus some towels to go along with some Honest brand bath products which I had wanted to try. And while it's not pictured there was a boppy as well as an extra cover, which I had gotten a little worried about since we didn't have one yet.

The two showers together definitely made a huge dent in the items we'll need once the baby arrives. But since there's still, somewhat expected, items I feel like we need to have, so I've already started using my completion discounts to finish up. Once those final items arrive I think we'll be pretty much ready to go, at least supply-wise, although I'm not quite sure the rest of me will actually be ready anytime soon!

Mailbox Monday (99)

Yes, I'm back again linking up my newly acquired books with Mailbox Monday!
From Goodreads
I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes
This one is actually a finalist in Goodreads' Best Books of the Year for thriller, which I'm sure if why they were giving copies away in the first place. I tend not to read a ton of thrillers, but knowing this may be considered one of the best published this year... well it's makes me think I'll probably enjoy it too. No idea when I'll have the time to read it, but it's still one I hope to get to eventually.

What did you find in your mailbox this week?

Back to Bradley

Husband-Coached Childbirth by Robert A. Bradley, M.D.
Published: May 20, 2008 by Bantam
First Published: 1965
This is the 3rd childbirth book I've read in recent months. You would think it would start to get repetitive, that you'd have the same ideas and principles drilled into you over and over again, but I haven't found that to be the case. The just isn't the how-to book that Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way was nor it is full of empowering birth stories like Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. Instead it's much more scientific and shows not only where the Bradley Method came from but why it happened.

I thought it was fascinating hearing what childbirth was like for the majority of women back in the '40s and '50s. As much as you may hear people complaining about hospitals today, reading this you realize how far we've really come. I know that husbands are almost expected in the delivery room now and also know that 100 years ago the father would likely be pacing the living room as his wife gave birth, but never really gave thought to how that actually changed, and it was really interesting to read.

This isn't necessarily the perfect book though. It is a little jarring to read Dr. Bradley constantly comparing how women and animals give birth. I understand the reason for it, and while I wouldn't take it out completely, I didn't need to hear it over and over. The book also is written more towards the coaching partner audience. There was still a lot I was able to get out of it, but it would have been nice to feel like I was reading a book meant for me.

Even so, I think this is my favorite out of the childbirth books I've read. I just think the scientific aspect of it all really spoke to me. But yet, I wouldn't recommend it as the only childbirth book to read. I'd probably still stick with Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way which is a lot more practical. But if you have time for a second, then definitely this one so you can understand where all those practices came from.

4.5/5

Today I'm linking up with Blonde Undercover Blonde for Book Club Friday!

37 Weeks Bumpdate

How Far Along: 37 Weeks

Size of the Baby: A bunch of Swiss chard

Maternity Clothes: With the cold weather I have about 5 long-sleeved shirts that still work. But enough to rotate through a work week. Although given Louisiana weather I'm hopefully that we'll have a few warmer days in the coming weeks where I can mix things up a little better.

Nursery: There's still a few final things I want to do before the big reveal, but it's getting closer.

Stretch Marks: Thankfully, still none!

Sleep: Still pretty spectacular. I guess my body knows what's about to go down and is doing it's best to stock up.

Movement: It's funny because these past few weeks I keep saying all the time, and yet even so, it's moving more this week than it did the last.

Cravings: I've already decided I'm having a slice of pumpkin pie next week, and well... can't wait to make that happen.

Symptoms:Things have actually been a little better this week. The only real complaint is that sometimes the baby gets a little too low and the pressure/pain is a little un-fun.

What I Miss: I'm not really too sure here. I'm definitely a bit over testing my blood sugar, even though I realize in the big scheme of things it hasn't been very bad.

Looking Forward To: At this point most things have been taken care of. There's still a few final details like packing my hospital bag, pre-registering at the hospital, and buying a new baby friendly car, but honestly if the baby arrived at this point I think we could survive.

6 Weeks ~ 7 Weeks ~ 8 Weeks

9 Weeks ~ 10 Weeks ~ 11 Weeks

12 Weeks ~ 13 Weeks ~ 14 Weeks

15 Weeks ~ 16 Weeks ~ 17 Weeks

18 Weeks ~ 19 Weeks ~ 20 Weeks

21 Weeks ~ 22 Weeks ~ 23 Weeks

24 Weeks ~ 25 Weeks ~ 26 Weeks

27 Weeks ~ 28 Weeks ~ 29 Weeks

30 Weeks ~ 31 Weeks ~ 32 Weeks

33 Weeks ~ 34 Weeks ~ 35 Weeks

36 Weeks

Mailbox Monday (98)

I'm thinking I just might get to my 100th Mailbox Monday post before the baby arrives! It'll be close, but I guess we'll have to wait and see. For now though, these are the books I've brought into our home this past week.
Purchased
The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, & Mauren Johnson
Like every other Clare book that comes out I had to go and purchase this as soon as it came out. Now I know these have all be released electronically as short stories, but since I still refuse to own an ereader this is my first chance to read them all.

Borrowed From a Friend
The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Yet another newly released YA book. While these books wound up not being quite what I expected, I did overall enjoy it. Plus the last one ended on quite a cliffhanger, and I can't wait to see how the trilogy ends.

From Paperback Swap
The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvery Karp, M.D.
Out of everything I'm most apprehensive about having a baby, loss of sleep is on the top of my list. I've always been one who needed a ton of sleep, and I'm not quite sure how I'll be able to function without it. But I have heard great things about this book and how it can actually get babies to sleep. I'm really hopeful about it, and hopefully not only do I enjoy reading it, but find it to be useful as well.

What did you find in your mailbox this week?

The End of the Mennyms?

Mennyms Alone by Sylvia Waugh
Published: September 1, 1998 by Avon Camelot
First Published: November 19 1996
Series: Mennyms #4
Without giving to much away, this book is completely different than any of the other Mennyms books. At least the second half is like none other in the series, while the first half is exactly what you'd expect. While this is somewhat of a surprise, I do think it's something that made sense and probably needed to happen for this series.

I do love all the coincidences in this book. There's several characters that reappear from earlier books in the series, and while it was obviously intentional by the author, they all feel like such a lucky break. Plus it's fun to check in with these others characters and see what became of them.

Growing up, I always assumed this was the last of the series. It wasn't till college when I learned there was one more! But while I do love the last book and think it is needed to wrap up a few loose ends, in some ways I do think if this had been the last it would have been a beautiful and somewhat poetic to end the story of the Mennyms.

5/5

Today I'm linking up with Blonde Undercover Blonde for Book Club Friday!

Showering the Baby-to-Be

As I mentioned in one of my recent bumpdate posts I recently had my baby shower.

Dressed up wearing my crown and corsageThe party was at my sister-in-law's and hosted by her along with a close friend.With no one knowing the gender the decorations pretty much fit either possibility. There was even pink and blue punch for drinks, so you could guess the gender based on your drink choice.

Sadly I only have a photo of the pink punchWe did play a few games including one where people had to answer questions about me and another where everyone guessed how big around I was. Which basically means I couldn't really play, too bad since I'm sure I would have crushed everyone!

With a group of friendsAnd of course there was all types of different foods including some of my favorites feta, olives, and chicken salad sandwiches.
Then there were the desserts! So props to me, right?
I may have had a bite of a cake ball and a small slice of cake, but I didn't go completely crazy and avoided all the cupcakes!
Of course there was also the reason we were all there in the first place, to shower the baby-to-be with gifts.
Honestly though, it all feel a little surreal. Like how is it possible that I'm here at my baby shower? And am I really about to have a baby? Somehow I'm finding that it's actually true, and I'm not quite sure I'm ready. Thankfully I still have a few weeks to go (hopefully!), and even more fun another baby shower to attend at work. Maybe that one will actually feel real... but I'm guessing I'll probably still feel like I'm at a party for someone else.