Wednesday Wisdom

36 Weeks

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Today was yet another productive Sunday. Noelle's car seat is installed, and the nursery is officially complete! Things are hung on the walls, and all the clothes and bedding have been washed. I think it's ok to say now that we are officially ready. With about four weeks left, I'd say that's a good thing!

I promised nursery photos quite a while ago, but wanted to wait to show you the finished product. Below are several which give you an around the room tour. It's a small room, but perfect for our baby girl.

Some special pieces include "the princess is awake" sign on her bedroom door. On the reverse side it says "the princess is asleep." This is a Shy girl's keepsake. The quilt on the chair was made by Noelle's Great Great Aunt Irene - also the inspiration for her middle name :) And, hopefully she'll get the Silverman need for cognition. Her book corner is ready, and the ABCs wall hanging is from daddy.

Now that you have the nursery low-down, here's the 36 week update!

How far along? 36 weeks. 
Total weight gain? About 32 lbs. 
Maternity clothes? Absolutely!
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep? Eh, it varies. Starting to get a bit more anxious which doesn't help. When I wake up and need to adjust my position in the night, that is also getting more challenging. 
Best moment this week? Brunch with Brian and Kristen on Saturday, and finishing Noelle's nursery on Sunday. 
Miss anything? Probably the same as last week - a nice fall beer :)
Movement? Oh ya!
Food cravings? Nothing that I'm dying to have, but I did want and have fish and chips for dinner tonight - yum!
Anything making you queasy or sick? Not really. The only time I don't feel well is after dinner sometimes if my belly just is stuffed with good food and baby. 
Labor signs? Not yet ...
Symptoms? Swollen feet ...
Belly Button in or out? Sill in!
Wedding rings on or off? Off. 
Happy or moody most of the time? Mostly happy.
Looking forward to? Our doctor appointment on Wednesday. Excited to hear what the doc has to say now that we're nearing the end of this part of the journey!

A Tip for Success

Chasing, Chasing Our Future: First Edition

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

This is a very exciting post for me to share.

I have always hoped that one day I'll be a great writer like my mom, and I really enjoy practicing on this blog. So, when she approached me about being a guest contributor I was thrilled! She is funny, honest, sarcastic, and tells stories better than almost anyone I know. She just has a way with words that I will probably never be able to duplicate or inherit. I tell my mom all of the time that she should blog or write a book - something. The only downfall to having her write is that you can't hear the tone of how she would actually tell her story ... hmm ... video blogging, mom, now that's what we need to do! Until then though, hopefully she'll continue to chase us, and write passages for me to share with you.

And, without further ado, my mom's premier guest contributing blog entry. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did :)

Steve and I are excited for Noelle's arrival and have our first assignment: zoom off to Chicago to rescue Halas while Mal and Dave are at the hospital!  If we can handle Halas, we'll get a shot at Noelle!

All of this got me to thinking and I owe a really BIG apology to the pioneers.  Being first is hard and, honestly, I haven't fully appreciated managing the tasks of daily living in a long, heavy, cotton skirt or finding California without a global positioning system!  But now that I have to be a grandma long distance, like many of my friends do, I find myself pioneering, too.

Look, I grew up at the tail end of "happy days." Then along came Title IX and I had to take girls' athletics seriously, go to college AND get a job, go back to work after the girls were born, watch the economy tank forcing them to leave Michigan to chase their future, and forego fully enjoying my role as doting grandma the way my Grandma did.  Meanwhile, I'm going to live longer, but my joints and memory won't last longer, leaving me with the prospect of yet another frontier:  how to optimize this gift of time.

Sure, we can Skype.  But Skype is not a hug.  Yes, we can travel.  But this isn't a tricycle ride around the block.  And sorry Youtube and Facebook, but you're not a substitute for the noon-time polka in my Grandma's kitchen or a car ride three blocks to school with my Grandpa.

Good thing I haven't found golf perfection.  I'll need something to chase, too.

35 Weeks

Monday, September 17, 2012


This pregnancy is wrapping up faster than I would have imagined. It always seems like when you're really anticipating something, time seems to drag on forever. However, I really can't believe that there are only (about) five weeks left, and our baby girl will be with us. It's unbelievable!

Her nursery is mostly ready, and yesterday we picked up the last few baby must haves. There are a some wall hangings that need to go up, including a mobile, and we'll be ready. I really love the way her nursery has come together, and as soon as it's finished I'll post some photos. 

How far along? 35 weeks. 
Total weight gain? About 32 lbs. 
Maternity clothes? Absolutely!
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep? Eh, it varies. Last night was not a good night. Hopefully tonight will be better. 
Best moment this week? I think there were two good moments this week. 1) Saturday night in and dinner with B. The pups got to have a play date too! 2) Spending all day Sunday with the hubs, including a family trip to the dog park!
Miss anything? I'm really ready for a pumpkin beer!
Movement? Yes, still feeling movement, but I can definitely tell she's running out of room. 
Food cravings? No food cravings, just ready for that beer. 
Anything making you queasy or sick? No, but I've been having a lot more acid reflux lately which is not fun. And, I really hate Tums because they taste like chalk - YUCK!
Labor signs? No.
Symptoms? Swollen feet, and generally uncomfortable. 
Belly Button in or out? Sill in!
Wedding rings on or off? Off. 
Happy or moody most of the time? Mostly happy.
Looking forward to? Girls dinner with Carrie and Leena on Wednesday!

If any moms out there have end of the road (or beginning of it as it may be) advice my ears are ready. I love hearing everyone's stories, tips and secrets, so bring 'em on!
Dog Park September 16, 2012

Weekly {Wednesday} Wisdom

34 Weeks

Sunday, September 9, 2012


Today was opening day for the Bears at Soldier Field, so naturally, we watched football. We decided to go out for the game and check out Anthem in Wicker Park. (Going out is rare for us, so it was well deserved, and a nice change up for the afternoon.) 

Everything worked out really well because this weekend was Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago, which happens to be directly outside the bar doors! This gave me the perfect excuse to go for a walk at half time, and when I needed a stretch. Dave got time with the guys, and everyone leaves happy :) 

There are so many great vendors that I saw at this fair! I picked up a lot of business cards to check out again from home, and Noelle got a few treats too. 
Owl rattle - The Wind and The Sail
Leg warmers & hat - Little Hip Squeaks 
How far along? 34 weeks. 
Total weight gain? About 30 lbs. 
Maternity clothes? Absolutely!
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep? Mostly good now that we are settled in the new apartment, and the creatures are becoming more comfortable here. 
Best moment this week? Simply getting into a better routine at the new apartment.
Miss anything? Nah. Not this week. 
Movement? Yes, lots of movement, and what I think is a butt in my ribs. Little jabs at my sides here and there, too. 
Food cravings? Nothing this week, really.
Anything making you queasy or sick? No.
Labor signs? No.
Symptoms? Just my swollen feet and fingers. Luckily the temperature has cooled, and the moving is mostly complete. This weekend the swelling in my feet has gone down considerably. 
Belly Button in or out? In, but I suspect it will be the opposite in the not too distant future.
Wedding rings on or off? Off. 
Happy or moody most of the time? Mostly happy.
Looking forward to? Our 34 week appointment on Tuesday, and getting to see how the little lady has developed :)

Hopefully at some point this week I'll have nursery photos to share with you. Noelle's room is almost together!

Have a great week, ya'll & happy fall :)