Nursery Progress

The nursery has gone from a storage room to almost done this weekend! I'm really excited to be able to fill the room with so many beautiful things handmade by family and friends, in addition to the adorable bedding set from Babies R Us.

It isn't complete done, so for now, here is a closer look at parts of the room.

part of the mobile from aunt melissa
dresser tags
adorable sensie from june and plaid shoes from old navy

beautiful and soft blanket made by wendy and a glimpse of the crib

baby first aid basket from many mommies who know what we really need

wishes and prayers for baby written from friends at the shower

hand quilted pillows made by grandma lynette

closet organizer with organization tags

fuzzy changing table cover from aunt melissa

Sneak Peek, 35 weeks

Here is a sneak peek into the nursery and shower!

It's been a busy weekend at the Pfeffer's house!

Week 34

You get the PJ/no make-up version today...

I LOOK: the same as the past three weeks. I don't think I've grown anymore, but when I look at the pictures, it is clear that I have. My nails have had major issues this week and my hands are incredibly dry. A few stretch marks appeared right in the middle of my belly (where my two rolls uses to fold in) and I clearly have a linea nigra rising above my belly button. Still blessed with no swelling! Total Weight Gain: +33 (+2 in two weeks).

I FEEL: Tired. Sore. Several long days this week left me almost inmobile by five when I get home. The recliner and heating pad are my best friends. Thursday night I sat down and did not move again until I got up to go to bed. Acid reflux is a daily visitor, but thankfully a 75 mg Zantac fixes it pretty easily.

• Baby Preparations: The nursery was officially started last night. Dave primed the ceiling, taped off the trim, and painted the baby pink walls a new shade of baby blue. Today, we continued to work on several projects in the room (seperate post deserved!).
• Baby Movements: There is a lot of pushing going on in there, but I have yet to have any super painful kicks. I'm assuming that this is because he's in the frank breech position (a visual for you).
• Weird pregnancy Symptom: He's pushing his head directly into my left rib cage--this causes the area under my chest to go completely numb several times a day. It is a strange feeling.

I CRAVE: my cravings have kicked into high gear this week... The list: McFlurry with oreos and fudge, potato salad, cream cheese, 7-up, chocolate milk, cottage cheese, bean burrito from Bakers. I have sent Dave to McDonald's twice for the McFlurry...

I THINK: Andrew being breech scares me a little bit; I've been reading a lot online about breech babies and how to help them rotate (spinningbabies.com). I even watched a few videos of women giving birth to breech babies vaginally. As my friends pointed out this week, I've always joked that I wanted to be knocked out for him to come out and that a c-section would be great because I wouldn't have to deal with the pain of giving birth. Now that a c-section is a greater possiblity, I am willing to do crazy sounding things like laying on an ironing board head down, trying to get him to flip, so a vaginal birth is possible. Strange I know... Also, I get it when Tawni told me that I'd be done being pregnant at this stage. I'm ready for him to be here (mentally, definitely not in the house stage) and I'm ready to stop working.

I HOPE: Andrew flips over himself by our next doctor's appointment on March 7th (we'll have another u/s to check) when I'm 36 weeks. If he doesn't by then, he won't have much more room to do it.

I'm EXCITED: about my Baby Shower next weekend! I can't wait to see all my friends that I don't get to see all the time :) I'm also excited that the house is coming together and Andrew will actually have a nursery to call him own before he's born!

DOCs SAY: I've only talked to my midwife via email, but she says other than the breech issue, all is well. She confirmed everything that the ultrasound tech told us and said that she wasn't concerned that he'll be making an early appearence.

Project Carpet

As I've mentioned, we choose to install carpet in the red room and in the sitting area that was part of the master bathroom addition. A few weeks ago, we picked it out and got a great deal ($2.19 per square foot including tax, pad and installation), it was measured "properly" and today was the scheduled day for the installation. I have been looking forward to this day for weeks because it means that the furniture that has been living in the nursery and living room will get to go "home" and I'll get to start putting together Drew's room.

The red room was already empty, but the closet area had my two gigantic Ikea closets FULL of clothes. I emptied them completely between Drew's closet, a rolling rack, and several plastic containers on Friday night. Then, our wonderful friends Louie and Kristen came over to help Dave move the gigantic things into our bedroom. It was a pretty tight squeeze into bed last night (picture a king size bed completely surrounded).

After threats of a huge storm in Southern California this weekend, I thought it wasn't going to happen... BUT IT DID! They came at 11 (two hours late) and installed the carpet!

It is pretty. I like it. Reese LOVES it.

Almost immediately after they left, I forced Dave to start NURSERY progress...

Step 1: Empty the nursery!

I called Louie and Kristen again and, bless their hearts, they came over AGAIN to help move furniture again! This time Louie and Dave moved the Ikea closets back into the sitting area and all the dining room furniture back into the dining room!

The remaining aspects of my closets that were in the nursery are now in the living room where the dining room table was chilling for the past few weeks. They also helped us take the oak entertainment center to the Goodwill!

Kristen posing with it because I was SO excited that it was gone!

White Room

The "red room" floor is now white. In order to prepare for carpet, Dave prepared the floor!

The red tiles were actually stamped, stained concrete.

We have had an issue with Reese going potty in this room (and no where else in the house), so I got online to do some research. What I found is that concrete absorbs cat urine and we know that this house was overrun with pets before we moved in. I'm assuming that the concrete has absorbed a lot of urine and Reese can smell it even though we can't.

After lots of reading, it seems that we needed a sealer before the carpet gets laid down on Saturday. This white paint is the sealer :)

So right now we have a "white room."

Best kids ever

I haven't blogged about school in forever (which I'm sure that no one is complaining about--they are probably pretty boring), but today it struck me that I because I haven't blogged about school, I haven't bragged about my kiddos either.

This year, I have the best English classes I have had in all of my years of teaching. Period 1 and 4 are the best parts of my day.

• They are kind and sweet; they ask about baby Andrew daily and show actual concern when something appears to be wrong.
• They are respectful; I have given less ten minute detentions to correct mini-issues than any other years because I just give them a look and they stop. I haven't needed to call a significant amount of parents, nor gotten anywhere close to writing a referral
• They are responsible (or at least pretend to be); there is no whining, complaining, or excuses. They do their work (or don't) and generally have very little issues doing it on time.

I feel kinda bad that these amazing, kind, sweet, respectful, and responsible kids aren't getting the best teacher (in me) that they could have because of pregnancy, but at the same time I know that they classes are a GIANT blessing from God.

Baby Pool (prizes involved)

Enter our Baby Pool!

The person closest will win a $20 Starbucks card!

Be prepared to guess Baby Andrew's birthday, length, and weight.

All you lurkers--make sure you guess too!

Growth Ultrasound

Last week at my doctor's appointment, my midwife measured Drew at 36 weeks and was a bit concerned that my due date could be off or that he was actually pretty darn huge. As a precaution, she scheduled me for a growth ultrasound. So Dave and I spent our Valentine's evening at Kaiser getting Baby Drew checked out! I think it was pretty much the best Valentine's day date you could think of, especially because everything looked great.

For the untrained eye, it was REALLY hard to tell what you were looking at (Dave got to do most of the looking, I was laying flat on my back trying to figure out how to make my back stop hurting and later trying not to pass out from the dizziness). As the tech measured the different parts of him, Dave paid close attention to the numbers on the screen (thanks to Bumpies for giving me the hint) and he reports that the sizes ranged from 32w1d to 36w2d, with most of the dates landing in the 34 week range. Dave is pretty sure that the higher date measurements were for his legs and arms which would make the most sense; I have a pretty tall husband!

The tech was super nice and although she isn't allowed to tell us anything officially, she gave up a few statistics.

• Drew is about 4 pounds, 14 ounces (this is about 14 oz bigger than 33 weeks according to BabyCenter.com, but not totally abnormal). Ultrasounds can be a pound off in either direction so he could be anywhere from 3/14 to 5/14.
• He is still breech, with his head pushing directly on my left ribs (explains the numbness I feel there when sitting down).
• He isn't overly large for 33 weeks.

When I got to look, she showed me (and Dave):

• his head (which looks like a giant ball),
• his face (nope, not even going to pretend I could tell what she was showing me),
• his legs (pretty clear, crossed in the picture above),
• his abdomen/ribs (amazing the definition in the rib cage, this is the only part that was SUPER clear),
• his stomach (tiny black hole),
• his hands and thumb (man, they look huge) and
• his boy parts (just in case we may have had an Andrea in there instead).

I should be getting a call within the next few days from my midwife if anything looked out of the ordinary to her. I'm assuming no call = good. Edit: Midwife emailed (man, LOVE Kaiser) and all is good. We'll see him again on March 7th at our next appointment to check his size, fluid levels, and his breech positioning (flip baby, flip)!

Jennifer’s Hospital Bag

As requested...
Important Papers/Information (in folder)

• Index card with critical info (Name, Kaiser #, Doctor/Midwife name, Kaiser L&D number, Dave’s cell)
• Birth certificate forms (filled out already)
• Breastfeeding/pooping log forms
• Birth Plan
• Contact List of emergency numbers

For Jennifer

• Nursing sports bra and tank top
• Nursing night gown
• Going home outfit (tank, casual pants, sweater)
• Slippers
• No-slip socks (2 pairs)
• Toiletries (small shampoo/conditioner/face wash/tooth paste/toothbrush)
• Hair Brush
• Chap stick
• Stretchy headband, bobby pins, ponytail holder
• Nipple cream
• Disposable breast pads

For Baby Andrew

• Going home outfit
• Sleeper w/hat (2 sets)
• Socks (3 pairs)
• Knit blanket from Grandma T
• Receiving Blankets
• Burp Clothes
• Car seat installed in car w/warm blanket in case of cold weather*

For Labor/Delivery/Hospital Stay

• Water Bottles (2)*
• Snacks for Dave (needed WAY more)
• Jolly Ranchers
• Flip Camera w/charger
• Playing Cards
• Tennis balls in a sock*
• Dave's stuff to spend the night

Last Minute Additions to Hospital Bag (Day of):

• Camera (point and shoot)
• Camera (Canon)
• Cell phone charger (Jennifer)
• Cell phone charger (Dave)
• iPad w/charger
• Make-up
• Sweater/Jacket for Dave
• Maternity Underwear (Going Home)
• Boppy Pillow
• Pillow w/colored pillowcase (wanted too)
• Fuzzy Blanket for Jennifer

The *s are things that aren't in the bag yet, but will be soon :).
Been there, done that mommies: If I'm missing something, let me know!
Thanks to Robyn and Kristy for the blue items added to the list.

The things that look like this, I didn't use.

Laborious Sunday (for Dave)

Dave worked all day yesterday (Sunday) on small projects for the dining room. He continued the long, tedious process of stripping the paint from the old trim...He figured out how to fix a good friend's paint sprayer and used it to spray the new trim for the room (Thanks Louie!).He put up plastic to protect the painted walls and ceiling and then sprayed the primer on the ceiling with the hand-dandy sprayer. Using his newer toy, he also cut out all the holes for the electrical plugs in the bead board (this picture wasn't late at night, just strange lightening because of his spot light).

Reese napped A LOT in the chair and on my top of Andrew (her ultimate favorite spot) and I spend a whole lot of time on the Internet and my laptop...

After a long day for Dave, we celebrated Valentine's Day at Olive Garden!

Week 33

I had issues looking at the camera today...
Dave is working REALLY hard on the dining room and I'm doing everything I can think of to "nest" without actually putting together the nursery or clean the house (honestly, I don't think that nesting part will every come).

My project for today: After reading a bunch of recommendations on the Internet, I created my hospital bag list, assembled all the parts, went to Target to pick up the remaining items, and put it all together. The "organizer" in me also made a file of important things (birth certificate pre-filled out form, nursing/pooping chart, important numbers, birth plan, etc). Of course, this bag could be sitting for another seven weeks, so it can't be completely ready... but that is why I have a check list for the day we need it.

My craving for chocolate milk hasn't vanished and thanks to my mom, I now have another quart to drink!

Other milestones of the past week:

1. I can no longer bend over enough or reach far enough to shave my legs. My wonderful husband did it for me yesterday morning (without complaining, mind you).
2. I've done a lot of reading about "measuring big" and I think I've calmed myself down, BUT I'm also fully expecting to have a March baby instead of an April one. After tomorrow's ultrasound, we'll know more.
3. We're registered to take an all day pain management/labor class on March 5. I'm actually pretty darn "curious" about how much pain I'll actually be able to handle in this birthing process. I've started dreaming about it...

Transforming the "Red Room" into a Dining Room

It use to look like this...

ugly paneling, dead bugs, funky everything!This week after work, Dave worked hard to texture the walls, prime the walls, texture the ceiling, re-texture part of the walls, and paint. I don't have pictures of the "texture/prime" stage, because frankly it looked the same every day in the pictures.
Friday night Dave finished painting the room. The brown is two shades darker than the living room even though it looks REALLY dark in some of the pictures.

This morning with the HUGE amount of light that comes into the red room (which, by the way, will need to be officially re-named next Saturday when the carpet is in and there is no red, stamped concrete floor anymore) the paint actually looked lighter in here than in the dining room.

My mom and dad drove out from Orange County to help today! Dad and Dave spent the day getting the bead board on the wall for my wainscoting! Mom and I talked about her 1000 sewing projects, Drew's nursery, and spend over an hour in the Joann's that is going out of business.

I've said it before, but I have "visions" in my head of EXACTLY what I want the room to look like and this room is shaping up nicely into my vision.

After several people commented on the dangers of the openness of the wall and the potential for it to be "open" for awhile (we all know that we usually move pretty slow at this house), we came up with a temporary, CHEAP solution. Dave put drywall on to the wall ($13) and continued the bead board all the way across this wall too. I've been assured that it is temporary, but at least a crawling Drew won't get his fingers in the exposed plaster, nails, or studs.

Tonight, it was my job to fill all the holes made by putting the bead board onto the wall in order to paint it in the coming days. Of course, the wood putty that Dave had was dried up... so I went to Home Depot. Unless you've remodeled anything, or lived with Dave, you may not understand the significance of my next picture. I made it to Home Depot and back with my wood putty in 15 minutes and 4 seconds. Considering it took me 6 minutes and 14 seconds to get there (stopping at every light, of course), I was speedy! Yeah, I'm a nerd who times herself...

What can I say?

(overly proud of myself)

Dave's last project of the night is to sand and strip the old trim from the room to re-put it up. This is his least favorite thing in this entire house, but he loves me, so he has gone along with it for the past two years. I LOVE the fluted, round trim that is original to the house. So we take it down, strip off as many layers of paint as possible and re-put it up :) "We" as in Dave.

Once this trim is ready to go up around the sliding door, entry passage into the living, and door into the hallway, we can put up the chair rail that goes over the top of the bead board and overlaps onto the wall for that finished look.

Done!

The stucco is done! It looks beautiful! These pictures are from tonight at 5:45 pm (they finished about 3:45). It still needs to dry a bit, but man, it's exciting.
The garage

The master bath door (eventually a pool bathroom door)

The left side of the bathroom and dressing area addition
and the view from the garage

As Dave says, "it looks like a new house."

I LOVE Anderson Construction and everything they've done for us

(check them out at www.acsi-ca.com)