30 Day Countdown

Lamperski household is ready to meet Jonah!

Throughout my whole pregnancy I have always thought “I am ONLY” at so many weeks.  No matter which milestones in the pregnancy I reached it still felt I had so much longer to go.  It really has gone fast, but thinking back to the beginning and how long I have been pregnant, that feels really slow.  Now I have reached the 30 day countdown until D-Day and I feel like I don’t have to say ‘only’ anymore.  So many people have told me how they delivered up to 8 weeks early.  Of course, a few have gone late.  I would like to delivery on the Friday or Saturday before my due date, which would be my pick.  Although, this is not something I can choose.  I just hope he does not decide to come more than a week early, or more than a few days late!

 

I have been thinking much more of the upcoming day and asking a lot of my questions who have had children for their stories.  It seems so many of my friends had relatively easy deliveries and/or labor.  I am hoping mine goes as smoothly as theirs! 



34 weeks 1 day pregnant



This weekend I started packing our bags for the hospital.  This task I have put off because so many of the items needed are items I use regularly.  So I made a list and put it in my bag for the items I don’t want to forget.  I packed up Jonah’s bag-probably much more in there then needs to be!  My suitcase is started with everything I can put in there, as well as some of Chris’s stuff and games for the hospital, and our snack bag!  All the packing got me pretty excited for the upcoming day. 



Nursery is complete



We have our pediatrician and daycare picked out.  We still have to have our car seats installation inspected, just to be safe.  Chris still needs to get his T-Dap shot, but other than that I think we are ready to roll!  Our last addition to the nursery came in this week…our glider for the nursery!

Sunday yard work, new red mulch!

I am having a couple days a week now where I do not sleep much at night, not because I’m not comfortable, not because the baby is keeping me up, not even because my mind is racing, I just simply cannot sleep.  Luckily, I have more days that I can sleep well, minus the 4-5 times a night I get up to use the bathroom now!  Within the last week I have been very tired in the middle of the day, I hear this is normal now, but am ready to get that boost of energy I hear about before the baby comes.  My carpal tunnel has not gotten any worse, nor has my swelling, if anything; they have both gotten better in the last couple weeks.  My itchy skin was bothering me, but I switched to fragrance-free soap and lotion and that worked!  So, other than just being ready not to be pregnant anymore, ready to lose some weight, ready to start exercising more regularly and especially ready to meet Jonah, I am feeling pretty good!

a little nap after the race

This weekend we drove down to Matthews, NC for Chris’s 10k trail race, which he WON!  Yay.  That was a very early morning, followed by going to pick up our glider for the nursery and then coming home to take a nap!  Saturday flew by; luckily Sunday was a bit more productive.  We were able to get out in the yard and start doing some spring clean up.  Decided to make a couple trips to Lowes to buy some mulch.  Chris pulled a lot of weeds in the yard and picked up many, many sticks in the backyard!  We decided to go with Red mulch, and I’m very happy we did, it looks great!  We still have a couple more trips to make to Lowes for more mulch to finish the sides of the house, and then finish cleaning up the backyard as well, but things are coming along!  Hoping to have all our projects finished in the next few weeks, not much more left!

First place overall!

Start of the 10k 'sticks and bones' trail race

My Pregnancy Must-Haves

I wanted to share my list of items I have found that I have needed and really helped me through this pregnancy.  I am sure everyone’s list is different, but these are items that I have found beneficial and wanted to share. 

Tums!  This is my second value size bottle I have gone through and I am half way through this bottle with 6 weeks to go.  This is not including the bottle of Tums we already had before I purchased the value size.  Heart burn has mostly affected me at night, when I am laying down, almost every time I move in bed,at night, I feel I need one of these tablets!

My hand splint for carpal tunnel.  This has been very much needed!  Bought on Amazon for about $16. This started around 26-27 weeks, during the night I would wake up, a lot, with my hand and/or fingers being numb/asleep.  In the mornings my fingers were always very swollen as well, hard to bend.  Everntually it led to wrist pain, mostly in my right hand.  Doctor recommended this brace, and I started out only needed to sleep with it on, but now I wear it just about all the time.  My wrist hurts so much when I do not have it on.

My 'C' pillow for Chris!  Haha, just kidding.  I am not even sure what the name of this pillow is, but it is great!  Bought on Amazon for $45.  I even have taken this with me to a hotel, when I have been overnight more than one night.  Helps you to not turn over onto your back, and keeps you on your side while sleeping.

I have been very itchy throughout this pregnancy, especially my back.  I like to have this nearby at most times.  Bought at Walgreens for about $5.

Cocoa Butter lotion.  Bought two a pack of two bottles of this on Amazon for $14.  I try to use this after every shower, I am not sure if this works or will work, but no stretch marks yet.  Helps keep my skin hydrated as well.  Mostly started using this daily in my 3rd trimester.

I was hesitant about this buying this product, just didn't think I needed it, or that it would really help.  This is a maternity support band, I use this when I run/jog.  In my first and into second trimester I had a lot of lower aches after running and my doctor recommended this.  I did some reviews and decided to purchase the Gabrialla brand.  Bought this on Amazon for $30.  This has helped so much for running.  I can tell a difference when I have not worn it.  It heps me not have the feeling that I have to go to the bathroom while running, takes the pressure off my bladder.  I have never felt that I had to stop to go to the bathroom while wearing this.  It also has helped with the any achiness I would feel while running from the added pressure of my baby belly.  I bought this around 22 weeks.  I am now 34 weeks, and still able to run/jog, but I am running about 3 times a week for 2 miles at a time (with a walk break in between each mile.)

I have had alot of swelling/water retention, starting around 20 weeks, and gradually getting worse.  Nothing out of control, just normal, so my doctor says anyway.  I do not have ankles anymore and can't wear my rings, but it isn't anything that causes me pain, for the most part, although my legs do feel extra heavy while running.  When I have to work or be on my feet for extended periods of time I have worn my compressions socks (I have just worn my regular running compressions socks.)  These have been a big help to combat added swelling while on my feet for extended periods of time.

I have to put these on here because I love these leggings.  I bought these at the beginning of my second trimester and I would wear these everyday if I could.  They are so comfortable, from Motherhood Maternity! 

This may have been one of my very first pregnancy purchases, around 9 weeks.  This gave me so much comfort in my first trimester.  This is a doppler monitor so I can listen to my baby's heartbeat.  It is very cool.  I bought this on Amazon for $33.  In my first trimester I never felt pregnant, this gave me peace of mind, and I could listen to the baby's heartbeat each night.  I haven't used it much at all since I was able to start feeling the baby move, but I highly recommend this product!

I have been stuffy since becoming pregnant, apparently this is a side effect as well.  Something about swollen membranes in your nose.  This causes me to breathe heavy when I sleep and apparently I breathe very heavy, according to Chris!  I am not sure how much this humidifier helps, but we read that it does, so we make sure to keep this on, on my nightstand every night.

Of course, last, but not least, my prenatal viatmins.  These are such a good deal, I get them at CVS when they are on sale for buy one get one free.  I think they are like $11 for a bottle of 90, so I get two bottles for $11.  Can't beat that!  Much easier than swallowing a pill as well.

That's my list!  I may be forgetting one or two items, and since I have six weeks left, there may be items added to my list.  I was given advice from friends on some of these products when I became pregnant and just wanted to pass my list on to anyone who may be looking for recommendations.  If anyone has additional items they want to recommend to me, I will gladly accept!

Lately...

Chris and I in front of Stone Mountain

I haven’t written anything in a while.  Not that there hasn’t been anything going on, my computer just stinks so sometimes it is more of a hassle to try and write a post.

I am now approaching 30 weeks of pregnancy!  I will hit this mark on Tuesday.  It has gone really fast, but also pretty slow when I think back on how long I have been pregnant.  I have been blessed to have such a good, healthy pregnancy so far.  I really can’t complain about anything through this whole process, especially when I hear of some stories from other pregnant women and mothers.  I have developed carpal tunnel, and that is an annoyance, more so at night time and in the morning, but if that is it, I can take it.  

I STILL do not know why women say they loved being pregnant.  I still get told this.  I always ask them why they loved it, and no one has really given me a reason.  In the beginning they just told me I will find out soon.  I think since I am at 30 weeks, I can safely say that I do not love being pregnant.  I understand that things in life usually seem better when you look back, maybe that’s it?

glasses fogged up walking in snow!

What I do enjoy about pregnancy is feeling my baby boy move in my belly.  Sometimes it’s a little freaky, sometimes is startles me, sometimes it’s even a little annoying, when I’m trying to sleep and he is being very active.  But, overall it is a really cool feeling.  I love guessing what part of the body is poking out at me and if I’m touching his hand or leg, maybe elbow?  Chris is still a bit freaked out by it all.

still able to run!

I guess the maternity clothes are nice because they are so comfortable!  That’s a plus I suppose.  It’s also fun to imagine what this baby will look like, what his personality will be, what he will be when he grows up, and so on.

Stocking up for Jonah!

What I do not enjoy is not being able to meet up with my girl friends for our morning runs, this was our time to chat and catch up while getting a good workout.  I miss running and not feeling like an out of shape smoker.  I actually miss cycling outside, this may surprise some people.  Yes, I miss drinking wine too. Ha-ha.  

shoveling the driveway with the help of a couple neighbors

Chris helping a driver get out of the snow

I don’t love the changes with my body.  I feel fat, not really pregnant; just fat.  It is not just a cute baby bump.  Although, this does not concern me greatly down the road, I don’t really like it right now.  I just wanted a nice bump, not feeling big everywhere!  I know it will come off in time once the baby is here. I knew I would probably put on more weight b/c my body is use to working out more than I would be able to while pregnant.  Granted, I could be doing more, and I am taking a little advantage of the situation, but still.  

Enough about that.  

this is our walk before the snow came-it was cold!

We have ten weeks to go and are getting very excited!  I am so anxious to get Jonah’s room put together and decorated.  All of our baby stuff and nursery furniture is just packed up in our guest bedroom while we wait for our house renovation to finish.  We had a snow storm here in North Carolina, dropping  10” on the ground, sticking around for 3 days with sleet and freezing rain.  We have been holed up in our house for the week.  This is not fun when you are living in a construction site.  We are very ready to have this project complete.  

 

Chris and my dad enjoying margaritas after my parents drove me home from NY after my baby shower

A couple weeks ago my mom threw my first baby shower with family and friends in New York.  It was great; of course it was during a snow storm up in NY as well.  Everyone was able to make it and we had a good time.  We received so many great gifts and supplies for Jonah, I am so excited to put it all together and look at it again!

Chris at top of Stone Mountain

Other than that, the baby is healthy, I am healthy.  Besides the carpal tunnel and heartburn, which both mainly only affect me at night, it has all gone very smooth for us.  I am sure things will get more uncomfortable in the weeks to come, but I’m thankful how well it has gone this far.  Chris and I were able to get away last weekend to celebrate both of our birthdays in Atlanta; we visited the aquarium and did some hiking at Stone Mountain Park.  That will probably be our last trip before the baby as well.

what we are living in for almost 3 weeks!

Our next two months are filled with up, so I’m sure this time will fly by for us! 

Lucky 2013

I don’t even know where to begin to wrap up this past year.  This has been the best year of my life.  I couldn’t imagine being luckier.  I can’t lie, that also makes me a little nervous, because who gets everything they want, right?  I am going to just enjoy all of the blessings in my life and look back at the wonderful year we have had.

I’m going to try and highlight all of the best times of my year, but I am sure I will miss some things!

I was engaged as I entered this year, Chris and I had been engaged for almost a year at the start of 2013, with just four months until our big day in Jamaica!  It was also an exciting time for us because we were now home owners and still getting settled in our home, in our new neighborhood.

January is my birthday month, and this year was extra special because all of my college girls made the trip down to Charlotte to celebrate my upcoming nuptials with me!  We had such a fun, long weekend at Catherine’s house in Charlotte catching up and celebrating, having a shower and a bachelorette party.  It was so much fun, and went by much too fast!

This was only pic I could find :( missing some girls!

Chris and I share our birthdays within a week of each other, instead of doing gifts, we like to find somewhere to go for an overnight trip to celebrate and explore.  This year, we traveled a short distance to Greenville, SC.  We were able to stay downtown and explore the city, see the nightlife and do some hiking.  That was my first time in Greenville, and I really enjoyed it.

Between January and April, this was a busy time for us.  Planning and preparing for our wedding.  Luckily, we had a travel agent/wedding coordinator who specializes in destination weddings that made our planning so much easier.  I feel like this time flew by between dress fittings and last minute details.  I traveled up to Rochester, NY in March for my NY shower.  My mom put on a great shower for us, complete with my favorite Italian food.  It was so nice to see so many of our family and friends come together to celebrate our upcoming day!

Friends at my Rochester shower

Charlotte shower

During this time, I was also training for the Wrightsville Beach half marathon.  I set a goal of breaking 1:40 for the half, which I had not done before.  Chris helped with my training plan and I had additional help with my training from some of my running girl friends here in Charlotte.  I am happy to report that I finished in 1:39!  Chris ran the race with me to help, and I was so happy when I crossed that finish line and met my goal!  I would like to plan for another PR in the future, but I may wait a couple years on this goal…

celebrating after the race!

I remember being so excited in the weeks leading up to our wedding in April.  Jamaica, the trip, our wedding, far surpassed anything I had in mind.  It was just…PERFECT.  We had our good friends Jaime and Adam and Catherine and Matt with us on the plane ride to Jamaica, which made it so much more fun.  When we arrived, some of our family and friends were already at the resort and I can remember stepping off the shuttle into the resort, smelling the lemon grass aroma, and just feeling like we were in paradise.  I am not going to go on in details about our wedding weekend and honeymoon, because I have already written a blog about all of that.  Just thinking back on it all now, I would go back in a second; this was the best vacation I ever had.  Combined with family and friends, it was just icing on the cake.  I could not imagine a better wedding for us.  We both love traveling and more relaxed, less stressful events, and this was amazing.  I wish I had a trip booked there again.  We will be back to Negril!

Just married :)

making it official!

out honeymoon in Ochos Rios

Once we got back to Charlotte, I’m not going to lie; I had a bit of a hard time getting back to reality.  I missed Jamaica, so much.  More than any trip/vacation I had ever been on.  I felt a little down that it was all over, and I wanted to relive our wedding and that weekend over and over again.  It just went by too fast.  I soon came to realize that it probably was not Jamaica I was missing so much, but the year and half of wedding planning and excitement had come to an end, it was all over.  I was missing it all.  I did not expect to feel that way.  I remember watching our wedding video and looking at all of our pictures over and over again, I could not get enough of it.

Luckily, we have such great friends here in Charlotte who planned us a wonderful wedding celebration in May, when we returned.  The only downfall of having a destination wedding is that many of our family and friends were not able to make the trip with us.  Thankfully, everyone was ready to celebrate with us, when we returned.  

some of the girls at our Charlotte wedding celebration

In July, we traveled up to Rochester, NY for our church wedding and celebration with family and friends in NY.  I was able to wear my dress again, and have our marriage blessed by the church, followed by a backyard reception at my parent’s house.  It was a HOT weekend in Rochester over the 4^th of July, but luckily, we had many cold beverages to keep us cool while we danced and celebrated!  My parents had this reception catered by my favorite NY restaurant, Agatinas!  We also had a DJ and a dance floor to keep the party going.  Then we finished off the night by letting off paper sky lanterns into the sky.  It was so much fun!

Letchworth Park in NY

dancing at our NY reception

This is how fast the first half of our year flew by…in a second!

All of the excitement did not stop there.  In July I received a promotion with my company and made the switch from the medical-surgical division at McKesson to the Health Systems-Pharmacy division.  There was a chance we were going to have to move to either Raleigh or Charleston for this position, but when I received the offer, I was surprised to learn that there was a position that just opened where I could stay right here in Charlotte.  It all worked out just right.  I have been in my new position for five months now, it still feels like I am only a month in, it’s a big transition and a lot to learn, but I am really enjoying it.  I really like my new team and my new manager, and I’m looking forward to growing in my new position.

We had many fun local trips over the summer, Folly Beach, Charleston, Asheville, Blowing Rock, Kiawah Island, and Myrtle Beach.  We were enjoying every minute of it in our newly married life, then in August, I found out I was pregnant!  What an awesome surprise this was, and added excitement to the year we were having!

I am already 22 weeks pregnant, expecting a little baby boy, who we have already picked out a name for!  He is moving around in my belly everyday!  I can’t believe we only have four months left until we get to meet him.  He has already added so much joy to our lives!

In November we took a long weekend trip up to Philadelphia for the marathon weekend.  Originally I planned on running the full marathon, but since I became pregnant, I scaled it back to the half, and Chris ran the full.  On our trip to Philly, we stopped over in DC for a night to explore the city.  My family also met up with us in Philadelphia to support us in our races!

The White House

This brings us to the end of the year.  What a year it has been!  I cannot believe how much has happened and changed this year.  I don’t think anything can ever top this year.  Our wedding, the biggest event of our life, and now to come in, a very close second, a new baby to enter our life in 2014!  I thank God everyday for giving us such a good life and so much to look forward to as we start our family together!