35 Weeks and 35 Days remain!!!

How big is Benjamin this week? Ben is the size of a coconut!  He weights about 4.2-5.8 pounds and measures about 17.2 to 18.7 inches.

Due Date: April 9th, 2013

Weight Gain: 22 pounds!!! 

Symptoms:  Super clumsy this past week... not sure what it is but I can't tell you how many drinks I have spilled.  One time I dropped an entire drink in my lap at the movie theatre... during the movie... in the dark... and had super wet pants/shirt the rest of the movie... I did excuse myself to the bathroom and stood under the hand dryer for a little bit, but I didn't want to miss out on the movie so I decided to just deal with it.   Also, last week I found out I have Shingles... super painful and uncomfortable but relieved to know that there is no risk to Benjamin and also thankful that it was caught in the early stages so treatment/recovery shouldn't be to bad... at least that is what they tell me! :)

Cravings:  It is girl scott season which means one thing... Thin Mints!!!

Food Aversions:  Popcorn... or the smell of popcorn... Hubby had some at the movies the other day and it just smelled terrible... 

I am loving:  One of my best friends had her sweet baby boy this last Friday!  He is perfect and I can't wait to meet him in a few weeks!!!  I just know that Ben and George will be best buddies and look forward to watching them grow up together!

I miss:  Seeing my sweet niece!  Since I have shingles I've been staying away from babies/children just to be on the safe side... I should be good to go next week!!

I am looking forward to:  My shingles clearing up soon!  I have been told that I have made great progress which makes me super happy, but I can't wait for the pain and the little bumps to be GONE!

I'm spazzing about:  We took our maternity photos this weekend and I am super excited to see them!   It was the most perfect day and look forward to seeing them soon!  Below is one photo our photographer posted as a "preview!"

Best thing about this week:  So many great things are happening this week... today I celebrated my 5 year anniversary working for The Woodlands Township, tomorrow and Thursday we will celebrate with friends, co-workers, and work colleagues with two fabulous showers, Friday my hubby and I have a special date night planned, we have a maid starting this week, and Saturday is the Chris Tomlin concert!!! 

Milestones:  Ben's hearing is now fully developed and he responds best to high-pitched noises!  And I just have to say it again... 35 Weeks... and only 35 Days till D-Day!!
Movement:  Yes, and I'm starting to pick up on Ben's sleeping patterns... I'm sure they will change and that is ok!

It's a...: BOY!!!!  Benjamin Lawrence Ingram!!!

Exercise:  Nope.

Diet:  Lots of grapes and apples!  YUMM!!!  

35 Weeks!

Preview from our maternity photos!

Photos taken by Melissa Pickens!

Wonderful Friends and Co-workers!!

Last week we were blessed with another fabulous shower... this one was with my co-workers!  They we all very generous and we are super thankful for their support and love in showering Benjamin before his arrival!  Here are a few photos from the special shower.

Love these ladies!!!  Will miss them when I'm out on leave.

The super sweet hostesses, Casey and Kristen!!!

Sweet and clever wrapping paper!!

My hubby LOVED this gift!  Ben's first set of golf clubs!!!  Oh the many memories this toy will create!  Can't wait!

We FaceTimed with my mom and grandparents to share all the wonderful gifts!!!!

Only 37 Days to go!!!  Can't wait!!!

34 Weeks!!! Only 42 Days to go!!!

How big is Benjamin this week? Ben is the size of a Butternut Squash!  He weights about 4.2-5.8 pounds and measures about 17.2 to 18.7 inches.

Due Date: April 9th, 2013

Weight Gain: 21.5 pounds total!!! 

Symptoms:  Sleep is getting harder to come by these days... Last week was a great week where I slept through the night every night... but this week has been quite different.  I wake up around 3 a.m. then again around 6 a.m. and then try to go back to sleep but typically can't.

Cravings:  I'm embarrassed to admit this one... McDonalds... I rarely eat McD's but this weekend I ate a quarter pounder with cheese and it was soooo good!!!

Food Aversions:  I bought raisin nut bran cereal the other day... one I have traditional liked in the past, and absolutely hated it... not sure why... maybe the cinnamon... weird!

I am loving:  Over the last week or so we have checked many things off our "to do list before Ben arrives" and it feels SOOO GOOD!  We still have a few more items left, but are making great progress!

I miss:  Again related to sleep... a full night of sleep!

I am looking forward to:  I have another shower this week!  Super excited to celebrate baby Benjamin with great friends!!!

I'm spazzing about:  Does 42 days mean anything to anyone... eeekkk!!!  Also, one of my very best friends is going to have her baby this week!!!  Couldn't be more excited for her!!!

Best thing about this week:  Saturday my sister and sweet niece spent the morning shopping and then came home to our wonderful hubbies boiling crawfish for a small get together!  It was the perfect day spent with great friends and wonderful spring weather!  Just bummed I didn't take any photos... I need to be better about that!

Milestones:  At 34 weeks I have read that I can breathe a little easier, since baby may descent lower into my pelvis giving my lungs some space!  AHHH.  The pitfall of this decent, of course, is even more pressure on my bladder, so I should be prepared to make even more trips to the ladies room over the coming weeks!

Movement:  Our sweet baby boy likes to push his back/butt agains my tummy and stretch out!  Very uncomfortable for momma but love to feel him stretch!  He also love to kick his little feet out so we can feel his little heals!  Can't wait to tickle his little feet when he arrives!

It's a...: BOY!!!!  Benjamin Lawrence Ingram!!!

Exercise:  Nothing here... 

Diet:  More H2O than ever... trying to be proactive about preventing swelling... So far so good!  Rings are still on!  

34 Weeks!

The One with the Baby Shower!

This last weekend the "Berryhill Ladies" hosted a beautiful shower for Ben and me.  It was perfect and so special to see so many friends and family all in one place celebrating the pending arrival of our baby boy!  We were extremely blessed with so many great things for Ben and can't wait for him to arrive to use them all.

Here are a few photos from our special shower!

The Overbeck Ladies!

The Ingram Ladies!

Love these girls!

The Great Grandmothers to be!

All the Prego Ladies and range from 38 weeks to 15 weeks!!!

The Berryhill Ladies!!

Benjamin's new wheels!

She is just sooo cute!!!

Aunt Jennifer!!!

So blessed, my sister is also my Best Friend!!!

Olivia is just so excited to have a little playmate and can't wait for Ben to arrive!

Showing all the fabulous gifts to hubby after the shower!

First item installed... Diaper Genie!!!  

It was a fantastic afternoon spent with the friends and family we love most!  Jay and I are so blessed and feel like we are more prepared to bring Benjamin home... and ever more aware we are in the home stretch!!!  So exciting!!!  To our friends and family who celebrated with us last weekend... we love you all and know we are incredibly lucky to have you!!!  And can't wait for Benjamin to meet you all!

33 Weeks!

How big is Benjamin this week? Ben is the size of a durian!  He weights about 4.2-5.8 pounds and measures about 17.2 to 18.7 inches.  And he may grow up to a full inch this week!

Due Date: April 9th, 2013

Weight Gain: 21 pounds total!  I have read that Benjamin is gaining around a half a pound each week now so I expect this number to keep growing!! :)

Symptoms: I have had a few hot flashes and headaches this week... chalk this one up to hormone changes!

Cravings:  Umm... nothing special here this week.

Food Aversions:  Nothing new here either...

I am loving:  I have been eating fruit like crazy lately... not sure if it is the juiciness I'm loving or what but apples, grapes, bananas and oranges... bring them on!  YUMM!

I miss:  A nice COLD beer!  With crawfish season upon us this is going to be a hard on for the next 7 weeks... 

I am looking forward to:  A productive weekend nesting and organizing!  We have a long to-do list to accomplish over the next 49 days!!!

I'm spazzing about:  All the wonderful gifts we received this weekend at our "Berryhill" shower!  It is amazing how many items are needed for such a little baby!!  But I LOVE them all and look forward to using them!

Best thing about this week:  We had our first shower this weekend it was just perfect!  We were blessed with so many wonderful and thoughtful things and cannot wait for Benjamin to arrive so we can use them all!

Milestones:  Ben is keeping his eyes open while he is awake and he is also starting to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing.  

Movement:  All day every day!!!  Love feeling him stretch out!!!  

It's a...: BOY!!!!  Benjamin Lawrence Ingram!!!

Exercise:  A few walks here and there.

Diet: More fruit than ever!

We took this after my shower on Saturday...
so technically I am 32 weeks and 4 days!

Our Registry: Part 2

Hello!  Back for part 2 of everything baby!  It is crazy how much a little bitty baby needs, or how much I think he will need!  Let's jump in... the fun stuff... feeding, diapering, bath time and other.

Feeding:
Medela Pump in StyleDouble Electric Pump.  When it comes to feeding I'm on board to nurse, we are even taking a nursing class in a few weeks to learn all about the world of breast feeding.  But when it comes to a pump... I'm not sold on purchasing one because of a few reasons... 1.) Not sure how well I will do or if it will even be needed  2.) They are very expensive to purchase and it might be more economical for us to just rent one when needed from the hospital  3.)  Since I'm going back to work after baby arrives I'm not sure how pumping at work will pay out... My schedule is different every day so we will cross that bridge when we get to it.

So in other words, if we do choose to purchase a pump this will be the one!  Or if we decide to rent one from the hospital, $60 per month, it will be very similar to this one... just the industrial strength one.

Medela Brest Milk Bottles.  I never knew there were so many different bottles out there... man it is confusion and A LOT of information!  But after seeking the advise from other mommies we settled on the Medela bottles.  Both the 5oz and 8oz sizes are compatible with the Medela pumps, so I can pump, store and feed with 1 bottle, which is super convent and streamlined in my book!  The less to clean, the better!  But of course we will see how this one goes over with Benjamin...

Aden + Anais Burpy Bibs.  Another hot item that seems to be on everyones must have list.  They are 100% cotton muslin and serve dul purpose as a bib and as a burp cloth!  And another plus they come in cute fabrics!

Other items we registered for on the feeding front are the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Feeding Bibs, Babies R Us Bottle & Nipple Brush, The First Years Spin & Storage Drying Rack, Avent Microwavable Steam Sterilizer, and My Brest Friend Deluxe wearable nursing pillow.

Diapering:
Diaper Genie Elite Advanced Diaper Disposal System.  In the world of diaper disposals this one allows parents and babies alike to enjoy the fresh smell of their nurseries.  This next-generation Diaper Geni is great in odor control and includes other enhanced features to make diaper changing more hygienic and easier than ever!  And we registered for the refill bags as well.

Pampers Swaddlers Diapers.  Now the diaper aisle can be quite intimidating... so I searched for what mothers of boys recommended and Pampers came back the winner.  I'm sure this will be a trial and error one but we will start with these and see how it goes!  Along with diapers we registered for the partner wipes!  Pampers Sensitive Wipes!

Bathing:

Tubs - Puj Tub.  This flexible tub is perfect for baby when he is little!  Fits perfectly in any sink and allows you to bathe baby in a comfortable position, without hurting your back and knees.  It also cradles baby in with the non-slip, BPA-free material.  And the flat storage is perfect to hang behind a door or in a shower!  This tub is recommended for 0-6 months or up to 17 lbs, whichever comes first!!

Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Deluxe Aquarium Bath Tub.  This tub is perfect for when Ben can sit up and allow him to play during bath time with ease!  The integrated thermometer has easy to read symbols so you know when the water is safe and comfortable for your little one.

Soap/lotion other - California Baby Super Sensitive Everyday Lotion.  This light non-greasy lotion glides on smooth for quick and easy application.  I love that all California Baby products are fragrance, gluten, soy, oat, dairy and alcohol free!  

 

Hooded Towels - Gingham Hooded Towels from Pottery Barn Kids.  These towels are the best!  Super absorbent and the perfect size for growing baby!  Not too big and not too small.... just right!  

Well-Being:

Crane Cool Mist Drop Shape Humidifier.  This mist humidifier has an attractive drop shaped tank thats output control can be adjusted to suite your needs/environment.  It is also energy efficient, using less energy than a regular household light bulb.

Other must-haves we registered for include: Nasal Aspirator, Medicine Syringe, Little Tummys Gas Releift Drops, Rectal Thermometer, Safety 1st Grooming and Healthcare Kit, Summer Infant Brush and Comb Set, Skip Hop Changing Station and Bath Cozy Whale.

So there you have it... round two of everything baby registry!  One more "registry" post to go... all the 

fun toys, goodies and exciting baby gadgets... stay tuned!