30 Weeks

The past two weeks have been great. I have been feeling pretty "normal" except for one morning when I JOLTED out of bed at 5:30 am at the sound of Cooper trying to puke. My whole stomach was a little sore after that, but I was fine by that afternoon. I'm still in "get it done" mode most days. Some days, I don't mind the house being out of order. Other days, I don't want to see one single thing out of place. I don't even want to see a fork in the sink. Energy has been fine except maybe 1 day or so a week.

Nursery:
Everyone has been asking us if the nursery is finished and I feel so bad when I say we haven't even started yet. Technically, we have started, there is just nothing actually in the nursery yet. Bedding is ordering and will be ready in a 2-3 weeks and Rusty is picking up the furniture tomorrow. We have decided to leave the walls the color that they are, but I will just have to see what think when we get the bedding in. So, everything is in the works and should come together really quickly and hopefully be finished within the next few weeks.

10 Weeks?!?!:
We are extremely excited and more than ready to be parents. But, this past week, it really hit me. In 10 weeks (give or take), Rusty and I will never be alone again. Yes, hopefully our kids will grow up, move out, and have a wonderful life of their own, but you know what I mean. Once you are a parent, your life is never the same. There is always something to do, worry about, plan, etc. So, I told Rusty I thought we should have a date night every Tuesday until the baby comes and he totally agreed. Rusty has also been very thoughtful lately...little things mostly, but they mean a lot. He is a wonderful husband and I know he will be a great daddy.

To Do List:
Just a glimpse at our next 30 days...
Dr Appt w/ Ultrasound at UAB, Paint Room (?), Pick Up/Set Up Furniture, Breastfeeding Class, Meet the Pediatrician, Preparing for Parenthood Class, Maternity Pics, Baby Tea, Dr Appt, Carpet Cleaning, Baby Shower at Work................. Fun Fun Fun, but Busy Busy Busy! However, I have made sure to leave March W I D E O P E N. Lots of time to relax, nest, and do any last minute shopping, decorating, etc.

Movement:
I swear he is trying to escape. He is doing some SERIOUS moving in there! It is so funny to think about what in the world he is doing just floating around in there. Tap dancing, kick boxing, rolling around, trying to bust through my skin...some of it has gotten a tad bit uncomfortable. I have read that you should count your kicks/movements at this point to make sure the baby is moving enough. As far as I am concerned, Hudson gets an A+ in movement!

Maternity Clothes:
Gotta have them! Also, my favorite outfit to wear on the weekends/after work is my black maternity workout pants from Forever 21, one of Rusty's t-shirts and fuzzy socks or tennis shoes. I know what you are thinking...HOTT MOMMA!! ha ha Hey, I look cute when I feel like it.

Sleep:
I don't want to complain because it is likely to get much worse as I get closer to D Day. I have good nights and bad nights. Sometimes I sleep great, and sometimes I wake up several times a night, the back of my neck wet with sweat and I am just plain uncomfortable. Sorry to gross you out, but I can't figure out what is going on. Our thermostat is on 67 and the ceiling fan is on. I HAVE to be covered up to go to sleep. I may have to try pulling back my side of the "covers" and just use a light blanket.

Cravings:
None in particular. I have developed a love for McDonald's Southern Style Chicken Sandwich. We normally NEVER eat McDonald's. To me, it is the Wal-Mart of fast foods. But, I swing by for a #5 about once a week now. : ) This has been going on for at least a month. Also, I've always been a big sweets person, so during this normal/feeling good phase, my love for ice cream and anything chocolate is slightly intensified.

30 Week Appointment:
Both of our parents went with us to our appointment today. Today was the day that the doctors would recheck Hudson's kidneys to see if they were still dilated and make a decision about what to do if so. To make a long story short, his kidney dilation was not any worse, but it was not any better. Both kidneys were the same size they were at 24 weeks - right 3mm and left 8mm. From everything that I have read and what my doctor has told us, his left kidney dilation is considered mild (4mm or less is considered average, but 5mm - 10mm is considered mild dilation). So, since the left kidney had not gone down any, they are sending me to UAB Maternal and Fetal Health at the new UAB Women and Infants' Center for a higher level ultrasound. This u/s will allow them to examine his kidneys and ureters better to see if they think it is something that needs to be monitored (a valve causing urine to back up into his kidneys, obstruction, etc), or we could get an all clear, we just won't know until they give him a good look. We have read that even it is something that needs to be monitored until delivery, many times it resolves itself right before or right after birth when the kidneys/ureters have more room to spread out. Again, I am trying really hard not to worry. I think if I had other signs (dilation above 10mm, low amnio fluid, etc) then I would be more concerned. But, all of that is great, he is moving a ton, and his heartbeat was wonderful today. We got to see his precious face, and even got to see him swallow a few times! SO amazing!

30 Week Belly Pic: