On to the Nursery

Well I finally finished my work in the second extra bedroom last night. That means my focus can now shift to the baby's room. The good news is that this will be the last room in the house that will need painting for the foreseeable future. We've decided to have the husband of one of Karyn's co-workers give us a quote for the wainscotting that we want in the nursery. We were initially going to do it ourselves but our better judgment kicked in before we got too far into the construction project. It isn't that we couldn't do it ourselves. It is more that we probably shouldn't do it ourselves for a variety of reasons.

In any event, the first part of the project is repainting all of the walls. I'm tentatively scheduled for a Saturday start time. With any luck I should be able to get the room done this weekend, but that might be too ambitious since it is a big room with a vaulted ceiling. Actually, I am not sure if it is a vaulted or cathedral ceiling, but the walls extend pretty high in place. Either way it will be a fun project. Once the painting is done the contractor will install the 4 foot wainscotting over the newly painted walls. He is also planning to transform the lower portion of a built-in shelving area into a built-in toy chest. I'm really looking forward to seeing the end result of Karyn's plan for the nursery. I have a feeling she has been inspired to some extent by Jeff Lewis from Bravo's Flipping Out. The show is ridiculous, but I have to admit that it is hilarious at times.

To keep up with Karyn's use of pictures on this blog I will take some before, during and after pictures of the nursery. I just remembered something that has put a slight damper on my spirits. Unfortunately, the nursery is not my last painting project for the year. I need to repaint/stain/protect/whatever the outside stairs and decks as well. I better get that done soon as the temperatures have really dropped lately. Well wish me luck.

26+ weeks

Hi! Here we are, at 26 weeks and 4 days...

I am continuing to try and enjoy every moment of being pregnant, especially because I know it will be over before I know it!! However, I do have a couple complaints:

1. I have an ache in my lower thoracic spine on the R that will not subside.... at least, not for long. I have been using my foam roller to try and manipulate that area, a tennis ball over that spot when I drive or sit, and I have been begging Nate to try and crack my back. Where are my "big" younger brothers when I need them?!?!?

2. I have to preface this one by saying I am so happy that this has only happened 3 times. In the middle of the night/early morning I have gotten the worse leg cramp/charlie horse EVER. The first time had me in tears, and subsequent ones have been bad. Luckily, the cramp doesn't last long, but oh my goodness!! I continue to be most comfortable sleeping on my back and wonder if this has anything to do with it? I try and drink a lot of water, but maybe I need to guzzle down a few more glasses and see if that helps...

3. I get short of breath doing just about anything, including talking on the phone....while sitting still...

4. I have officially lost my mind!!! Example: This past Sunday I went to the grocery store for a few things (I even made a list) However, before I left I didn't check to see if we needed spaghetti sauce. So, when I was just about done with everything on my list (and a piece of cake that wasn't on the list) I called Nate to see if we needed sauce. After checking, he said "yes." I hung up and went over to get spaghetti noodles (last thing on the list) and the sauce. I must have been overwhelmed by picking out noodles because I completely forgot about the sauce. I did realize it when I was being checked out, but by that time it was too late. When I got home, Nate started unpacking the bags and said, "Where is the spaghetti sauce?" Need I say more...

I love that the little guy continues to be very active, and he has developed a sense of humor - He can be moving all over, kicking, punching, doing somersaults etc. and as soon as I have Nate come and feel, he STOPS. And then when Nate stops trying to feel, he starts up again. He either is stubborn or is completely relaxed and calmed by his father. Hopefully it's the latter - I can about imagine that will come in handy when he needs to be soothed at 2 in the morning :)

We all of a sudden have been thrown into VERY COLD weather. Seriously, I think I heard tonight we will be down in the 20's! I am thinking its just about time for fires in the fireplace and warm cozy clothes to come out. My dad, mom and 3 youngest siblings are in Orlando, FL for the week. I initially took the week of work to be there too. However, once I found out I was pregnant I decided to save my vacation time until the baby was here. Too bad because it'd be awful nice to be in 90 degree weather right about now! Have a great time family!!

25 Weeks

Hi Everyone! We just crossed over the 25 week mark...Baby Boy Dosch continues to be very active and is getting more forceful!!! After being in the car for over 11 hours this past Sunday (will explain in a minute) I think he was just as anxious as I to get out of the car at the end of the day. His kicking was the strongest I have felt yet!

So, why were we in a car for 11+ hours? Over the weekend we went back to Nate's hometown of Devils Lake, ND for a very special event: Grandma Helen turned 90!!! We were lucky to have wonderful weather, which is never a given in ND from what I hear. We were able to see all of Nate's family (minus his dad). It had been quite awhile since seeing most of them and it was great to catch up. The down side: Never having enough time. The weekend flew by. Nate's nieces and nephew have grown up so much in the past year - and with all the girls around, baby Alayna got passed from one to the other all weekend! Nate even got in a bit more practice :)

On Monday I had my 1 hour glucose test done. I called today to get the results and the nurse informed me that my level (110) was normal. So, yeah!!! I get to keep craving sweets. Luckily, the craving hasn't been too long lived, nor am I acting on those cravings - often :) Thankfully or I'd feel even bigger than I already do!

*I do look forward to carrot cake from Carl's Cakes for the baby shower though.

20-24 weeks

Wow! I can't believe its been almost a month since I last blogged... Is blogged even a word? Hmm. Anyway, we've had a busy couple weeks. On Sept 2nd baby and I flew to NC for a nice extended weekend to see the family over Labor Day. Nate and the dog stayed home. Nate did some "boy things" and even got some stuff done around the house. He finished painting one of the guest bedrooms and started on the other. I told him I wanted to get these two rooms done before tackling the nursery. It's nice to be almost done with both of them!!! And then on to much more enjoyable work. Anything involving the baby is enjoyable, no? Baby and I had a good visit in NC. We had wonderful weather, spending a little bit of time at the pool everyday we were there. The little guy really started moving much more while we were there. Emma, Meli, and Mom all got the chance to feel those movements! We did some shopping and went out to eat a lot...What else is new, right? In addition, we had about 10 different people throwing out boy names all weekend!!! Meli likes Josh... but I can promise it won't be that! But I love the enthusiasm. So, Thanks all! 

Work has been really busy for me lately. I am working long days and my patients are particularly challenging. The only upside, which is slight, is that my days fly by. I say this is only slight because I want to enjoy every minute of being pregnant. Unfortunately, September is almost over and I just can't believe it. 

This past weekend Nate, David and I drove up to Appleton topick up the furniture for the little guys room. And guess what? I like it just as much as I did when I ordered it about 2 months ago. I have been spending some time (LOTS) on trying to decide what bedding to order... I keep going back and forth. I do know that we will be painting the room navy and be putting up white wainscoting. That is our October Plan. Nate just doesn't know it yet :) 

                                                                                                           Belly Picture Today! 23 wks, 6 days

Tomorrow I will be 24 weeks! I had my 24 week visit today. I have to schedule my glucose test for early next week. Otherwise, it seems like everything is going just according to schedule. I gained 4 lbs since my last visit. The heart rate was again at 140 bpm. The little guy sure is active and getting stronger. I love feeling him move (even at 3 in the morning). Nate already talks sports - mainly golf - with him. He seems to enjoy his dads voice. 

Below are some pictures from our busy September... ENJOY! 

Me: at 23 weeks, 4 days

Nathan John Dosch, Jr?

First things first, this post title is both rhetorical and an impossibility. I put it out there even though I abandoned that campaign months ago because it still creates a stir around the Dosch house. As difficult as it is for me to formally recognize this, the fact is that January 2010 will not see the arrival of N. John Jr. Now that we have that issue settled we can address more important things like baby furniture, painting, wainscoting, and the upcoming Christmas to Remember - Wisconsin style.

As you can see from Karyn's previous post, our latest US showed that "it" is a "he." I was probably more surprised by Karyn's reaction than she was. I was surprised by my own reaction as well. I understand that a mom-to-be thinks about having a girl and a dad-to-be thinks about having a boy, so I get the momentary letdown that this news can have on a mother. It didn't last very long though. Karyn was able to adapt on the fly as she mentioned in her post. The girl's clothes is now packed away again. In their place we have a new collection of little boy's cloths including a very impressive tiny shoe collection. The little man is 24/25 weeks along and he has more shoes than I do. I'd say he has just as many shoes as his mom, but that would be a lie. His mother has taken shoe hoarding to a remarkable level.

When I heard the news last month I was, well, I'm not sure what I was. Initially all I could think about was how happy I was that everything was still going well. I always said I didn't have a preference between a boy or a girl. I just want the baby to be healthy. That hasn't changed a bit. But when I heard it was a little boy in there I couldn't help but think of all that entails. I don't think I am unlike many dads when I think about all the things I hope to teach my son. I hope to have the opportunity to also teach a daughter some of those things in the future. In either respect I hope they are okay with not being able to beat their dad on the golf course until I'm approximately 70 years old.

All and all I am just very happy that we have positive news and hope to grasp as we race into the third trimester.

It's a BOY!!!

On Monday, August 24th, we had our 20 week ultrasound. I have to say, despite it lasting over an hour, most of the time is a blur. Partly because the US technician was busy taking measurements so she really didn't say much, but also because once I heard, "I wonder what that is?" (Her being subtle about the fact that she saw the penis), all that kept going through my mind was, "A Boy? What am I going to do with a boy?" It still hasn't fully set in yet I don't think. Prior to the US, I was thinking it was going to be a boy but hoping for a girl. Every girl wants a girl, right? I guess it wasn't until after hearing it was a boy though that I realized just how much I was looking forward to having a girl.... Needless to say, I came home after finishing work, and the first thing I did was start looking for boy clothes on line. (And cleaning out the baby closet of all the girl clothes in it) I have to state my ongoing disappointment with my health insurance. I was hoping to come home with several US pictures - feet, hands, etc. Apparently, all I get is a profile picture. (The technician said that's all they give, despite taking 90+ images) And, no 4D images at all. So, I think I may look into those US places that you can go to and pay for out of pocket. I just would love to see more of the baby, and also have more pictures! Below is the Little Guy. On most measurements he was measuring farther along than what I am. And the biggest measurement?? THE HEAD - measuring in at 20w6d. He really must be taking after his father already. (And I mean in the cocky sense, not figuratively) I will let Nate speak for himself about his reaction to finding out he'll have a boy, but my very first thought was (as I looked over to Nate, dressed in shorts and a polo because he was golfing afterward) this little boy dressed in a polo with a golf club in hand. Wonder where he'll get it from.... :) 

19 weeks

19 weeks! I am so anxious for our Ultrasound next Monday. First off, because the only ultrasound we had so far was at 7 weeks. And in case you're wondering - you don't see much of anything!! Secondly, because it will be so nice to know... and see that there is a reason to my ever expanding stomach. I am starting to have an increasing harder time "hiding" the fact that I am pregnant. Especially by the end of the day - I swear my stomach doubles in size!!! Not only that, but after I eat it gets soooo hard! I have no more room in my belly at bedtime. The books have to be wrong - this baby has to be more than 6.5 inches by now :) On the plus side, each day I know this baby is growing and maturing, developing into what I pray will be a healthy and beautiful life we get to hold in the 

matter of months.

Below is a picture taken at 18 weeks, 4 days: A noticeable growth from the last one, huh?