37 weeks = Tillman is a "(full) term" baby!

Tillman is term is the theme of the day!  I am glad he has hung out this long.  Although there seems to be some discrepancy between babycenter.com and some folks regarding if Tillman is term or full term. My trusty source, babycenter.com says "your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away."

"If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb.

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz."

I don't have an outie-the shirt is just folded weird...

While "Term Tillman" is growing and measuring like a stalk of Swiss chard, I am still growing as well.  Here are some facts about Mrs. Pregnant in the Lowcountry.

-How big is the baby? Tillman's weight was guesstimated around 5lbs last Thursday.

-Weight gain? Ugh...32lbs. I read one of my post from the first trimester about how much is a healthy weight to gain, and it said 30lbs.  Well, I have passed that and still have 3 weeks to go!  Feeling pretty huge these days...especially my legs (not attractive).

-Stretch Marks? Not that I can tell...at least new ones...ugh puberty was not nice to me!

-Sleep? I sleep just fine with 4 pillows, and wake up at 12, 2 and 4 for potty breaks!

-Best moment of the week? A surprise baby shower at work last Friday!  Complete surprise!

-Food and cravings? Cold food...ice cream (Blue Bell Banana Split).

-Movement? Tillman is "tearing it up" in his happy place this week!  He has been super active.

-What I miss? SUSHI-I had a California roll this weekend...just not the same, but got me my fix.

-Belly Button? Just about flattened out.

-Looking forward to? Getting back into my normal clothes and successfully breastfeeding.

-Milestone? Tillman is full term!

Like The Good Wife Should....

I once heard someone say "dinner is ready...like the good wife should." It was actually the husband saying this.  The saying has always stuck with me.

Now with Tillman 3 weeks out, I wonder, will I...

be able to be "The Good Wife"

to him?

Just this morning, he calls me on my way out the drive way asking where his work pants were.  I thought he had one pair left, but those apparently don't have a button (he knew...I didn't remember).  My job is laundry (I do the laundry like the good wife should.).  I had to tell him that the rest of his pants didn't make it into the dryer last night.  Therefore, Nick is walking around today with no button on his pants and praying that the belt will keep them on!

This made me wonder, am I going to be able to keep up on my "wife" duties when Tillman comes?  Is there a compromise between being a good wife and a good mom? 

I know the pants not making to the dryer is a small example (although...this doesn't start the week off good), but of course, there are other things that I worry about not being able to do, feeling too tired to do, or completely forgetting to do! 

How do relationship stay in tact when a "bundle of joy" enters the mix?  I'm most concerned about the first 3-6 months.  This is where I feel that I'll be getting up every two to three hours and just wanting to sleep, eat (maybe), and well....that is probably it.  However, I know that can't be it because "the good wife should..."

That is on my mind today.  Any advice?

Letter from Tillman

A card arrived yesterday, and low and behold, it was from Tillman! 

Here's what he had to say....

Based on the post mark, I think his Mimi helped him write it!

Tillman also had his weekly check up yesterday with Dr. Villers. We found out that Mommy Meredith's GSB was negative, so no meds needed before delivery. Tillman remains happy at 150 bpm, around 5 lbs, and he is resting easy these days with his head directly on mom's bladder (I'm feeling the love about every two hours)!

Have you heard that song about the 21st of September?

This was a question I got asked this week.  I am pretty good with song lyrics, but I never know the names of songs.  When asked this question, I was completely stumped! 

I am beginning to learn a lot of significance for the 21st of September, Tillman's due date.  For locals, it is know as the anniversary of Hurricane Hugo.  For family, it is know as Nick's Grandfather's birthday.  To most other people, it is know as the first day of fall (or some one's birthday....I have heard more "that's my birthday" than anything!).

Tillman has a lot of pressure to be born on his actual due date! 

So, have you thought of the song?  You know this song....Earth, Wind and Fire- “September” (thanks Beth!)



Do you remember the 21st night of September?
Love was changing the minds of pretenders
While chasing the clouds away

Our hearts were ringing
In the key that our souls were singing
As we danced in the night,
Remember how the stars stole the night away

Ba de ya - say do you remember
Ba de ya - dancing in September
Ba de ya - never was a cloudy day

My thoughts are with you
Holding hands with your heart to see you
Only blue talk and love,

Remember how we knew love was here to stay
Now December found the love that we shared in September.
Only blue talk and love,
Remember the true love we share today

Ba de ya - say do you remember
Ba de ya - dancing in September
Ba de ya - never was a cloudy day

Ba de ya - say do you remember
Ba de ya - dancing in September
Ba de ya - golden dreams were shiny days

Don't do this to a pregnant lady!

This is a completely random post.  I am sure that I am "preaching to the choir," but I feel it must be said. 

Don't tell a pregnant lady (especially someone you don't know) "Oh, when are the TWINS due?"  Really....do you want to be slapped?  As if I am not feeling pretty huge right now, a MAN has got to say something like that!  I was shocked and said "I'm not having TWINS...and HE is due the 21st!"

Don't tell a pregnant lady after you have been in her office for an hour that you have a BUG, you think it will turn into bronchitis, and that you have not gotten your prescription filled yet!!!  I have gone this entire pregnancy without a sickness, and don't need one in the last few weeks.  Do you not know that pregnant ladies are limited in the medicine they can take? 
P.S. on this one....I hope it is my paranoia, but I have been sneezing and sniffing this morning.  Dang!  It better not be!  I've Germ-Xed my office this morning.  If my keyboard stops working, I know it will be from all the hand sanitizer dripping into the keyboard controls.

These two things happened yesterday afternoon, but good things happen too.  Nick isn't a follower of the blog, and you won't see him comment; but he does read my post.  Here's his response to yesterday's post!

"Even though you might feel big, I think you are doing much better than you thought you would be at this time. If that makes any sense. I think you are going great. Look at it this way, your a** is flat. It could be sticking out as far as your stomach.
XOXO
By the way the couch is mine."
 
Nothing like a peep talk from the husband to keep the spirits high!

36 Weeks (full term in 7 days)....

So, I think this is the week that I have starting feeling huge!  I look at this picture of myself, and I can't believe it is me! 

This week I have been pretty active.  We've been walking at night (I'd say we're walking the dog, but he really walks us), walked all over that Babies R Us store on Saturday, and went for a swim on Sunday. 

Sitting for a long time is uncomfortable.  I'd rather stand or lay down.  Nick and I have been fighting over the couch this week.

As for Master Tillman, he has been moving a lot, and at his last heart beat check, Dr. Villers said he appeared "happy!"  Babycenter.com says Tillman should be packing on the pounds this week "at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of his first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely he's in a head-down position. But if he isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating him from the outside of your belly." (Tillman is head-down)

Family Pictures

The week before Christmas we're doing family pictures with Nick's extended family (four generations in the photo).  Since Christmas shopping will probably be at a minimum this year, we thought this would be a great gift and a good time to capture the moment.

We've set the date, Nick's mom found a photographer, and I think his mom and sis have couple places (an airplane hanger or an historic house) in mind.  The only trouble seems to be what we should wear.  Nick's mom suggested black tops and jeans.  At first, I thought, I wouldn't be able to find anything for "my guys" to wear, but being winter, Nick has a black sweater or two. 

As for Tillman, is there a such thing as a black onesie?
I'd never seen one.  It isn't typical to see infants dressed in black.  With a quick Google search, I found what I was looking for!

It's even long sleeve!!!  Perfect.  I think we'll order this for picture day!  Of course, no onesie is complete without a monogram...right?  I think we'll have to put one on there to dress it up (Nick suggested we monogram Purdue on it, but I think for this it will be TAS)!

Now the only other issue is....weight loss!!!  Maternity leave will include lots of walks, healthy eating (ugh!), and the motivation jeans will be prominently displayed! 

Follow Up Growth Scan Video & Yesterday's Appointment

The above video is from my 33 week follow up growth scan.  The results were very good, so we won't have to have another scan!

I had my 35 week check up yesterday.  At this appointment they tested me for Group Strep B (GSB) infection (GSB is not an STD) by a simple swab test.  Every pregnant women will be tested for this because this is an infection that can be transferred to the baby during delivery.  If the test is positive, then antibiotics can be taken.  Many women go symptom free who test positive.  To find out more about the test and GSB, click here.

At this appointment, I was also "checked" for the first time.  Ladies, that is totally unpleasant and uncomfortable!  Dr. Villers checked to see if my cervix was dilated and to see if any effacement has begun to occur.  As I stated earlier this week, I could wait another week to prepare for the rest of my life, so I am really hoping my progress will go slow.  Dr. Villers was also glad to hear this, as she will be out of town the week before my due date (but we have a back up plan if she isn't in town)!

From the "check," Dr. Villers said that my cervix is still completely closed (no dilation yet), and I'm about 50% effaced, but that is completely normal at 35 weeks. 

I have probably told you way more than you ever were interested in hearing about my personal exam, but oh well!  It is much easier to type these things than it is to tell people this in person.  I don't know why that is.  It is kind of like saying the word "sex" in front of my mother.  It isn't a big deal, but IT IS!!!!

Happy Friday!

Tummy Tub

I got an email this week from my friend, Meghan, asking if I had ever heard of the Tummy Tub.  I haven't heard of this one before, so I Googled it.  It is a very interesting concept for calming and bathing a child.  It is supposed to replicate the womb and puts the baby in the natural fetal position.

Check out this demo video:


I asked Nick his opinion of it, and here is what he said...."It looks like an over priced and over sized piece of Tupperware." 

I personally think it is a neat concept and makes a lot of sense on why it would be calming for a child.  If I can't get Tillman to stop crying, don't think I won't put him in a make-shift Tummy Tub (a pot, Tupperware, anything I can get my hands on).  If it works, we'll place our order ASAP!

What are your thoughts?  Have you seen this before?

Tillman's 3 month abode

Master Tillman will be in a bassinet his first few months.  This is another "hand-me-down" from my friend, Jennifer, and her little girl, Susannah.  Tillman will be the third child to lay his head down in this precious thing.  Tillman's CiCi toned down the girly bows and frills on the bassinet for Tillman's "manhood."  She stitched brown trim (easy to remove...of course) at the bottom to cover the pink and put a green and brown sash around the top to match our master bedroom. 

We are thinking he will stay in our room for 3 months (on my side of the bed...Nick has made that clear :-).  This will avoid going up and down the stairs at night and offer the whole house a slower transition.  This was our plan to begin with, but now it is our only plan.  For those of you wondering about the nursery, well, there is no nursery yet.  As some of you know, I've had some furniture "drama."  We still don't have his crib or night stand for his room.  Some of the furniture was damaged in shipment, so they had to reorder.  We should already have all the pieces.  

Am I nervous about that?  Not really.  I'm more concerned about the rocker/glider we ordered that isn't in yet either.  I am sure going to need that before the other furniture. 

5 weeks to go (35 weeks along)

I realize with this title I've just jinxed his arrival.  He'll probably come at 41 or 42 weeks (which is actually fine with me...I could use another week to get mentally prepared for the rest of my life).We learned at our childbirth education class the average pregnancy is around 41 weeks and a few days.

Here's what babycenter.com says about Tillman at 35 weeks: "Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight."

So, I guess in return I'll be packing on the lbs as well for the next few weeks.  There are certain things that are getting snug.  I do find pieces of clothes that I have to put in the "little" materinity wear box.

When we were taking this picture, we looked out the window and saw this full rainbow.  Hopefully, that means we're going to have a great day!

Charleston Shower

Cute wreath to welcome all the ladies to the shower.

Mary-Margaret made it! To learn how to make it, click here.

I can't wait to hang it on our door when Tillman arrives!

Check out the bow detail!

Yummy Lemonade and cute preggo mannequin. 

(To order, click here)

Can you tell Mary-Margaret and I follow Pluff Mudd Studio blog?

Cute favors at the door for all the ladies.

My sis-in-law made these little

diaper favors filled with candies.

Catherine hung these cute onsies up to decorate.

She also opened her house for the shower!

Check out her applique and monogramming skills!

The CAKE table!  I love cake and sweets.

Catherine made the cute cup cakes with wonderful icing

and added cute little rubber duckies to top each.

My sis-in-law made the diaper cake! 

Beside the diaper cake is the invite that Jennifer designed!

Here are all the wonderful hostesses of the shower

L to R:

Catherine, Jennifer, me, Julie (sis-in-law) & Mary-Margaret

Freshman year roomies at College of Charleston.

 This group hasn't been together in 10 years!

L to R

Jennifer, me, Sam & Mary-Margaret

Jennifer had everyone fill out a prediction sheet about

Tillman (weight, eye & hair color, career, favorite sport, etc).

I'm reading them aloud to everyone!

Can't wait to see who is right in 25 years!

Gift opening

The prediction book

Sweet Husband

I came home from Target yesterday, and this is what I saw by the bed.  For those of you who can't tell by the pictures, I'm 5'2" on a good day.  We have a pretty high bed, and the bigger my belly gets, the harder it is to get in and out of bed.  My sweet husband purchased a step stool for me!  (yes people...I love my computer, and it stays by my bedside all the time...crazy I'm sure to some.)

His sweet card read: "Meredith, I noticed you are starting to have a more difficulty getting into bed.  I hope this little step helps the late night trips to the bathroom.  Thanks for being a wonderful prego wife. With Much Love, Nick"  On the other side of the card he said "Keep up the good work and positive attitude. Not too much more to go."

I have a pretty thoughtful husband.  He has been also busy around the house with his "honey-do" list too.  Yesterday he surprised me with clearing out a space in the garage for my car!  This may seem strange to some, but we have lived in our house almost two years, and a car hasn't spent the night in there yet. 

Dear Nick,

You are the best!  Thanks for all you do, and being so thoughtful!  I'm luck to have you in my life.  I know that you will make a great Daddy to Tillman, and I simply can't wait to have a family with you!

I heard this song yesterday (Brad Paisley - Anything Like Me), and I thought of you and Tillman! You're going to be a great Daddy!

Love,

Meredith

Breastfeeding (a face to face chat with the expert)

I met with Jeanne Barreira, MUSC Lactation Consultant, to hear the "skinny" on breastfeeding.  She and I spoke for an hour, but the below clip is 10 minutes of our conversation. 

She was very helpful to answer my questions, dispel myths, and encourage me to breastfeed when Tillman arrives.  Breastfeeding is something I am really looking forward to doing.  I feel confident that the MUSC Lactation team will help me in anyway.  The biggest thing I learned is to ask questions and get help before giving up.  Breastfeeding isn't easy, at times it (could) hurts, but the bottom line is it is the best thing for our babies. 

I relate it to a workout after not working out for a year or for that matter, never working out before.  When you workout it hurts, it stinks, it is hard, but you've got to push through it to get in shape.  Once you get in your workout routine it is easy/easier.  No Pain No Gain...right?

Check out this video:

View this video on MUSChealth.com (click here)

If you are interested in learning more about breastfeeding, visit their website (click here) and view the links on the right side of the screen.

Hospital Issued “Undies” Are All The Rage?

Who knew...but it is true!  Ever since I have been pregnant, moms have told me about these wonderful mesh type "undies" the hospital gives you after you give birth.  I finally broke down and asked the L&D nurse manager, who took me on the tour of the units in the videos, what these things were and what they look like.

Moms have given the advice of tell the nurse that you need a new pair every time you see her...they go on to say "you'll want to go home with a stock of these." These are one size fits all, "boy-short" style undies are the most comfortable thing (at that time), and I hear if you wash them right, you can get more than one wear out of them!

The wash trick is if you wash them in the sink by hand.  Then, take a towel and roll the undies up in the towel.  Ring the towel out, unroll the towel, and your undies are practically dry!

So, here's a snapshot of these things.

I wonder if Victoria's Secret knows about these?

Who knew?

34 weeks

Here's babycenter.com's update: "Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. His fat layers — which will help regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies."

This weekend for us or should I say all day Saturday consisted of Childbirth Education Class (9AM-4PM).  ¡Ay, caramba! 

As far as the way I am feeling this week, it is much the same.  I do find myself wide awake at 5AM (7AM on the weekends...booo!).  That last for about 15 minutes, and then I want to go back to sleep...a deep sleep!  Also, I'm getting up more frequently through the night to "potty."  I heard in our class this weekend (and I've heard it from others) the potty breaks at night are preparing me to get up with Tillman for feedings. 

So, maybe I should have put one hand on the top
and another at the bottom...looking like a huge blob today!

One funny thing I've noticed is our dog, Graham.  He loves to lay on the hardwood floor to stay cool.  I just step over him when trying to get around him.  It isn't a problem, as he doesn't move (although I know he has always slept with one eye open).  However, he must notice that I've gained a few "lbs" because when I start walking towards him, he immediately get to his feet like he is about to play defence.  He wants nothing to do with me stepping over him (I guess he is scared of the potential consequences!).

Graham's "deer in the headlights look"
when I'm coming towards him!

Diaper Shopping...did I do ok?

This post is for all those money-savvy moms out there who buy diapers often....

Publix had a sale going this week with Pampers (a coupon in their ad).  I thought I should take advantage of the tax free weekend and this sale to purchase diapers.  I purchased size/stage 3 diapers.  Hopefully, that was a safe option since we're still not sure how big Tillman will be.

My purchase:
-Pampers mega refill of unscented wipes (216 count)- $6.99 (FREE with purchase of diapers)
-Pampers diapers size 3 value pack (116 count)-$29.99
-Pampers sensitive wipes (64 count)- $2.99 (FREE with purchase of diapers)
-Pampers diapers size 3 big pack (76 count)-$19.99
-Total before coupons-$59.96-

Coupons:
-2 coupons (one from this week's ad and the other from Publix baby club) for buy a diaper pack and get wipes for free (both coupons had differing terms thus the different counts above)
-2 $5 off a $25 purchase from Rite Aid (Publix competitor coupon)
-Vendor coupons of $1.75, $1.00 & $1.75

-After coupons-$35.47-

Is this a pretty good deal or could I have saved more?  What deals have you found on diapers?

Tillman's follow up growth scan

I know I'm not following my own rules, as this is the second Friday, I'm not doing a fashion Friday post.  Honestly, the further I get in pregnancy the less "fashionable" I feel.  I'll think of something soon.

Yesterday we had the follow up growth scan on Tillman at MUSC Prenatal Wellness Center.  Things are looking much better.  In fact, we don't have to go back for another scan!  In short, the results are he has caught up in weight and abdominal growth!  He's still not at the ideal 50th percentile, but I think the 39th percentile is pretty darn close!

As the above picture shows his fetal weight is following with curve and his 33 week mark is much closer to the 50th percentile line than the 28 week marker.  The Abdominal Circumference graph has been plotted three times.  He got his first measurement at the anatomy scan when he was 20 weeks.  At that time, he was right on target at the 50th percentile, at 28 weeks he dropped to the 5th percentile line (middle marker on 5%tile line), and yesterday's measurement was back up around the 25th percentile.

Dr. Eugene Chang read our results.  The physician comments made were "a repeat ultrasound of this single intrauterine pregnancy was performed. The amniotic fluid volume was normal.  Today, interval growth is normal and the EFW is 4lbs. 9 ozs. in the 39th percentile." Biophysical Profile was 8/8 (fetal body movement (kick or anything) , fetal tone (fist clinch, arm curl, etc), fetal breathing movement (practice breathing for 20 seconds), amniotic fluid volume).

They also checked on the blood flow through the brain, umbilical cord, and heart.  All looked very well.  Tillman's heart rate was down from 155 bpm to 133bpm, but that is very normal.

We did get a few pictures of him yesterday.  As always, he had his face in the placenta and his hands in his face as well.  They tried to get a clear picture of him, but he wasn't having it! 

I'm now a Working Mom...Career Women, you need to hop in the back seat!

image from www.top-colleges.com/.../

Up until the day I found out baby Tillman was on the way, I'd have to say I was/am pretty career focused and focused on getting to that next step.  Once I heard the news, my whole thinking changed from career women to working mom (some would say I'm not a mom until that baby is born, but the decision you make now certainly effect your family when you're a mom).  It has been really difficult to put the career aspirations on hold (many tears shed and worrying over this).  After all, Tillman hasn't arrived, and I really have no idea what to expect.  The only thing I know is my current life style, and the way things are now. 

Being content with where I am is easier said than done with a child on the way.  Most advice received is that I don't need to take anything on, but it is hard to change that mindset before my life has changed.  At 33 weeks pregnant, I feel like unambitious career women who is anticipating a life change, but in the mean time, I just have to be content while others continue to climb the ladder of success.

Don't get me wrong, I am so grateful we had not trouble getting pregnant, and I want nothing more in the world to be a mom.  However, reality is I'll have to create work-life balance and forgo career opportunities.  I don't think I can be a career women and a great mom (after all, I hear these comments like "your most important job is to be a mom...your career, well, that really doesn't matter...heard it from a "top dog" at my work just this weekend).  I am sure those unique situations of great mom and career women exist, but the opportunities I've been faced in my career don't allow it.  I can't work all the time and be a good mother who spends time with her child, tries to breastfeed until a year of age, gets supper on the table every night, keeps a clean house, be a good wife and has enough energy to get up the next morning.

My career women brain tells me that I am wasting my talent by being content, but my working mom brain tells me we can't move to take that great job in VA (it's perfect; everything I ever wanted (pay, job, an excited boss who shares the same passion. They came looking for me...something I didn't apply for), but it is in Virginia and of course, I'm pregnant), we have to scrutinize employer benefits and not just get excited over the huge salary increase (I can't pay $700 a month in healthcare when I'm currently paying $275 for our whole family and I can't wait a year to be on your retirement plan although the salary number is attractive and the offer is local), really question the hours of a job (what time would I actually get home at night to be seen as successful to the practice? Would I suffer as that mom never making it to a t-ball game?), question "do they have a medical spending account and daycare account," and the list goes on and on.

I stopped the career hunt a while back, but with everything that is when the opportunities come to you.  It is kind of like dating...once you are with someone everyone seems interested in asking you on a date (you could have gone YEARS without someone asking and now they are lining up).  No different with jobs.  Since I've been pregnant, employers have come out of the woodwork to chat.  Here are some of the things I've heard...."Oh, I found your resume on ACHE, can you fly up this weekend for an interview?"; "I looked at your profile on LinkedIn, and would like to consider you for one of the hospital I recruit for." ; See someone at a party "hey, what are you doing now, I'm looking to hire someone like you, could you meet us this week for an interview?" 
WHERE WERE YOU PEOPLE A YEAR AGO????????????????

If you have made it to this point in my post, thanks for following me through my rant.  I am truly grateful for my current situation and will be content with it.  Success in dollars and cents might be delayed or forever forgone, but I am sure there is a balance of happiness and joy through being a mom.  After all, this might be the place in life God intends me to be.  I am sure there is teaching behind it...like patients, being grateful for what I do have, etc.

Daddy Likes Help....

"Don't get my wrong...my kids are my best friends, but they are like best friends that bum rides off of you, crash at your place, drink all your milk, and then they mess with your stereo."

Too funny!  Toyota, I love your Swagger Wagon family!!

33 Weeks....7 Weeks to go?

Babycenter.com's review of week 33: "This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood."

As for me at week 33, I am really thirsty and am starting to see the signs of "kankles!"  Lovely!  I asked Nick about it last night, but he said didn't notice them (or did he?).  Also, this was the first week I went to the grocery store and had the typical "pickles and ice cream" in my cart.  I wondered why I was buying this stuff, but I know why.  Both are cold, and I'm always hot.  So, it makes perfect sense why women like these items!  Just like my slushies, these cravings are all centered around cold food! 

Another noticeable thing this week was clothing.  I certainly can't wear any clothes that I wore in my first trimester.  Nick helped me get into a top that I wore a lot in May.  Well, we got it zipped, but Nick wasn't going anywhere with me while I was wearing it!!  Let just say....it was TIGHT!  I've had to fold up the "little" maternity wear (if that's a such thing!).

The Diaper Wars-$7 Billon Industry

Pampers vs. Huggies is the big question.  This battle has gone on for years.  It is said that a mom will use the brand of diapers that the hospital uses.  Diaper companies give huge discounts to hospitals to accept their brands and gain mom's loyalty for life.  It is said that parents spend more than $2,000 on diapers before their "bundle of joy" is potty trained. 

The video above gives the full story, but diaper companies are also stepping it up with fashion.....

Yes, Tillman already has a pack of these waiting on him!  The smallest size they come in is 3.  Nick's grandmother just loves this commercial, so when Mimi came, she brought down a box.

Pampers doesn't want to be left behind in fashion.  They have teamed up with designer, Cynthia Rowley, to have some cute prints added to their diapers as well.

This is totally a Fashion Friday post, but it just came to me today!