Wanted: Weekend Baby & Trillium Event Reminder

Seeking: Good vibes for a weekend delivery. It doesn't have to be just wishful thinking!

Mark's mom is up for the weekend, so for that and a few other reasons, it would be just swell if Helena put in her appearance this weekend. I'd like to first attend the Trillium fundraiser for Larkin's Place at the Y on Friday May 1st, which is from 3:30 - 6. I figure, if we can get enough people thinking about this, and thinking 6 o'clock on Friday specifically, just maybe it could happen. If you're local, make sure to stop on by Bella Mia Boutique, Shoppes of Knollwood for the fundraiser. If you're not local, visit the links below for more information.

Address: 227 South Neil Street Champaign Illinois
217.352.2222 http://www.bellamiaboutique.com
http://www.thetrilliumproject.org

RSVP here

Previous post about the fundraiser here Amy's post here

Image below of the cut tiles that will be available as Trillium necklaces, starting tomorrow. They turned out so beautifully.

Wordless Wednesday

Spread the Word 3.31.09 Slideshow

The University of Illinois College of Education did a great job reporting on our local Spread the Word event. Click here.
I am so proud of the dedication and efforts of all the people involved to make this such a wonderful event. Together I know we made an impact.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Weeks 37-39

Day 1 of week 39. We are officially full term Baby and have made it longer than with Sophie! (full term is 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after the due date) I had a prenatal appointment this morning and my doula came too. Things are moving along with another 2.2 lb gain in 10 days (despite curbing my sweets intake). Dilated to 1 cm, 50% effaced, and still at stage minus 2.

Things that help me during pregnancy:

• red raspberry leaf tea (twice daily, infusion method) with honey
• Medela Maternity Support belt (to help hold up the baby and ease back pain, Braxton Hicks contractions, and lesson trips to bathroom)
• Knee pillow to ease hip and back aches
• Prilosec when Tums and Pepsid no longer cut it
• Occasional Tylenol PM when insomnia kicks in (and don't think you can get away with half decaf coffee in the AM)
• Water aerobics with other pregnant women for: camaraderie, escaping the house, relief of extra weight for 1 very short hour, great exercise, pull excess water from where it should not be, ease aches and pains, especially back pain
• Medicine/exercise ball (the big kind) for sitting on or even exercising, is comfortable and creates good positioning of pelvis, and is helpful during labor (from previous experience)
• Neti pot for allergy or cold sufferers who cannot take meds during pregnancy
• One banana a day for potassium and reduction of leg cramps

We did a plaster of paris belly and breast cast on Saturday night as we have done for all 3 kids now. It's really a cool experience and bonding time for me and the hubs. You can buy kits (usually $25-$40) or just go to Hobby Lobby and get the plaster of paris strips for $9 and a small tub of Vaseline for under $3. Google decoration ideas and 'how-to' videos.

I've nearly done all of my self assigned chores to prepare for Helena including making a picture book of the hospital for Alexander and Sophie. The rest that are left to do are really not a big deal if they don't get done. I'd really like to make it to the Trillium event on Friday, May 1st, but the only other date on my mind is Mark's last day of teaching on May 5th. I've already got a pedicure scheduled that day just in case I'm still pregnant and need a little help getting started. Can you tell I'm hoping NOT to go all the way to the due date of May 10th (or gasp - later!)?

So I think it's time to set up a pool. If you care to wager a guess, leave a comment on her birth date, time, weight, height, length, or whatever you feel like. As a reminder, Alexander was born at 39 weeks plus a few days at 9 lbs. Sophie was born at 37 weeks 4 days at 6 lbs. 10/12 oz (never could get a straight answer as she was born in the ambulance).

And now for the belly shots. all pics can be enlarged by clicking on them

Week 37

Week 38

Week 39

WARNING

Bare belly shots below complete with unedited stretch marks and gall bladder surgery scars. Can't handle it? X out now.

Week 37

Week 38

Week 39

Trains

On our way home from the water park on our mini Spring Break get away, we stopped at a railroad museum. As Alexander and his dad are borderline obsessed with trains, it sounded like a great plan. Except that they didn't open for the season for another week and the gates were locked tight. A staff member drove up just as I was about to break the bad news. I did my best impression of a silver tongue devil and voila, we had permission to enter. The same weekend our local little mall had their annual model train show, which we of course attended, both days. This slideshow is for you big 4 year old boy!

Spring Break

Last month we decided to get out of Dodge and spend a few days in an indoor water park resort. The water park itself was complete sensory over load, even for Alexander. So, we spent most of our time in the regular pool and had a lot of fun, but not before I went down the dark and scary-fast raft tube slide. The very young life guard explained that they were not supposed to allow pregnant women down the slide and then before I needed to conjure up a response or look, said "but I'm not going to stop you." Good plan. I know my head is all tied up in childbirth right now, but dang, that's what the ride reminded me of. It was a fully enclosed, completely dark tube, full of water, twists, and turns and at the end was a bright light and a strange new world. Sophie loved the pool best. Alexander loved the arcade, especially air hockey. Good times.

Trillium Fundraiser for Larkin's Place

Please come to a Trillium Fundraiser

for Larkin's Place

Trillium Pendants will be available with words of Mothers'

of children with special needs.

Larkin's Place will be a multi-generational all-inclusive

play & community center for all - especially those with special needs.

The facility will be co-located with the proposed YMCA in Champaign

Date:Friday, May 1st, 2009, 3:30pm - 6pm
Location:Bella Mia Boutique, Shoppes of Knollwood
Address:227 South Neil Street Champaign Illinois

217.352.2222 www.bellamiaboutique.com

www.thetrilliumproject.org

RSVP Here

previous post here, Amy's post here