Full Term

Well, when we started this blog, I don't think we thought we would make it to full term with all the complications/scares we had. But we did! After 37 weeks the baby is considered full term and if I was to go into labor today the doctors would not try to stop it.

Speaking of which, how do I make this baby come out sooner? I'm open to any suggestions! My PEPs rash has spread quite rapidly and I am defintely looking forward to a way to make it stop, which is in this case is to deliver. And of course, more importantly, I want to meet Baby Kato. I heard caster oil, which I am not willing to try, but also spicy foods, pineapple, and walking.

I was mainly a lump on a log this weekend, but Eric and I (ok ok mainly Eric) managed to get up the blinds in the baby room, secure the changing pad to the table, install the car seat in the car, put together the bouncy seat and set up the pack n play. Still no crib :( but we should have a carpet and bookcase by the end of the week.

Send thoughts of labor and delivery my way! This mamma is ready!

PEPs or PUPPPs

No Eric and I did not get a dog :)

So my stomach rash continued to get worse throughout the weekend. I made a call to the dermatologist today and was able to get in due to a last minute cancellation. The dermatologist said I have PEPs (previously known as PUPPPs). Basically it's a rash that is common in pregnancy after week 35 and it will not go away until 1-2 weeks after I deliver. Instead of getting better, it will continue to spread all over. Fun stuff!

The one interesting tidbit, I could find on this is the following:

One study has shown that male fetal DNA can be found in skin biopsies of the rash. Since 70% of women with PUPPP give birth to boys, a new hypothesis is that male fetal DNA acts as a skin irritant.

So maybe Baby Kato is a boy?

And in other news besides my itchy belly, my Mom helped me a ton this weekend. She repainted the nursery so we are all ready to hang pictures in the room. We also went shopping for lamps, carpets, and bookcases. Unfortunately, we were only able to decide on a lamp but I have some ideas for carpets and bookcases to purchase. Hopefully the baby room will come together soon! I'll post pictures once it is done.

The 9th Month

It's official, I've entered the 9th month! Technically only 4 more weeks on the count down. I saw both doctors this week. Baby Kato weighs 6lbs. 4 oz and passed the non-stress test with flying colors.

It seemed like Monday all my energy was taken away. I've been dragging all week and had a hard time to keep up with just work. It could be because of all the weight Baby Kato gained! I also seem to have developed a rash on my belly :( at first I thought they were stretch marks but after they have continued to itch after putting on lotion, I'm thinking it's a rash. Dr. V said to put cortaid on it, so we will see if that helps!

Eric is on his final hurrah for the year. He is in Chicago this weekend with the boys. My mom comes up today to keep me company. Nothing much else to report!

The PURGE

Thanks to Aunt Rosy and my Mom, we were able to have a very successful garage sale this past weekend. I cannot believe how much of our stuff sold! We are down to two bins which we will donate tomorrow. It was nice to get everything out of the house!


The baby room now has a dresser in it and a spot for the crib. Unfortunately, we opened up the crib box and found that it was damaged :( so we had to bring it back to the store and order a new one. I am hoping it comes within the 7 - 14 days promised. Looking forward to having the nursery set up.


Now that I'm past 35 weeks I can rest a bit easier. That was the big week the doctors wanted me to get to. On Friday I'll have officially entered into the 9th month. I still haven't figured out if I say I'm 9 months pregnant then or 8 months pregnant, anyone know?

Pregnancy Learnings

What I've learned so far while pregnant:

• I should invest stock in Brugger's Bagels. I constantly am starving in the morning and need to go for an egg, bacon and cheese sandwhich on an everything bagel.
• Carrying open liquids while juggling other things is not a good idea when your belly is big. You tend to spill all over yourself as I experienced the other day at Whole Foods, where I managed to spill salad dressing all over my shirt, pants, sweater, and coat!
• Pregnancy brain really does exisit. The other day I finished my 10 page paper and then managed to save and delete it in one movement. Thankfully Eric was able to restore it for me.
• Crying occurs for silly reasons, like hysterics over deleting my paper or spilling soy sauce.
• It's one way to get your husband to let you do some house projects! Eric let me redo the 3rd floor bathroom, fix our closests, invest in some outdoor furniture, and replace the carpet on our stairwell! He even killed the grass in the front yard and plans to reseed it! Lovin' this perk!
• Tired is a word that will be on the fore-front of one's vocabulary.
• There is no sensor for folks when reviewing the size of your belly. If I got paid for everytime someone said my belly was big I would be rich!

Lions and Tigers and Bears...Oh My!

Memorial day weekend Eric and I went up to Michigan so that I could attend the baby shower my family on the Downes side hosted for me. It was a very nice shower! We had brunch at the Royal Park Hotel which was one of those old fashioned brunches where they served a buffet of options of both breakfast and lunch items. I haven't been to a brunch like that since I was little so I was loving it. My family did a wonderful job of following our safari theme for the nursery and now Eric and I have loads of things to set up a proper nursery! I especially am excited to put on our safari bedding (Thank you again Downes family!). It was wonderful to see everyone and celebrate with family.

We played a couple games at the shower and then the boys came to help us put the gifts in the car. Eric got to play a game as well and won the onesie he is holding up "Daddy Knows Best". I couldn't resist also posting the picture of my dad and Eric holding a sleeper suit. I thought it was cute!

This weekend my mom comes up with my Aunt Rosy to help me have a garage sale. This will allow me clean out the nursery and actually get the crib (Thank you Romant family!) set up and the baby dresser in place. Then it will finally be time to put all the cute decorations and things n place! I'm looking forward to purging the house and getting the baby's room ready to go! Only 5 weeks and 2 days more till July 10th!