Getting Down to the Wire - Nearly 39 Weeks

Remeber this???

Wow! I can't believe it - I seriously just cannot fathom how close we are to the main event. My due date is in 9 days. We are counting down in single digits now, people! One midwife told me that first time moms often go 1 - 1 1/2 weeks overdue, which is fine, because that's STILL super close... Holy cow.

I've been revamping my workout routines with lots of hip-moving-cardio (arc-glider, walking) and about a billion squats and lunges. Hopefully this baby starts thinking about coming. I'm worried he is a bit too cozy, but I don't really blame him with this ridiculously COLD weather we've been having... 

I've got to give a public shout out to my wonderful husband! He has just been fantastic throughout this whole adventure. He goes WAY above and beyond when carrying out his I-Have-a-Very-Pregnant-Wife duties. Whether its cooking and cleaning, comforting massages, encouraging words, or just helping me carry my bags to the car (I carry about 3 bags of stuff with me throughout the day), he is seriously awesome. Better yet, he's become a great prenatal workout buddy for me!

Walking lunges. Supposed to help
the baby get into position for labor. :) 

Being pregnant has been wonderful - and I'm seriously not just "saying that." I've tried (with success) to make my pregnancy an "enjoyable experience." I love learning in general, and I've loved experiencing the differences and changes that a pregnant body goes though. Plus, feeling your adorable baby moving and kicking inside you is enough to make any ones heart melt...

It hasn't all been peaches and cream, but about 88% of it has, which is totally fine with me. Its not like you feel 100% all the time when your NOT preggers anyways...so how can I complain? Working out and staying positive has been my medicine. Sometimes I back that up with a Tylenol and a nap. :P 

I'm super thankful for all the support I have had throughout my pregnancy! Last night, I met with Dedi, Wendy, Mom and Seth to talk about my expectations of labor. If you don't already know, I've chosen a non-intervention natural birthing facility called New Birth Company. Its run by a team of certified Midwifes. We talked about labor stuff and also about what I wanted each of them to do to help me through the process. Mostly managing pain and discomfort, because they do not offer epidurals or other pain medications at the birth center. 

Kettle-ball squat swings. Also supposed
to help baby drop, rotate and get into a good
birthing position. 

I'm an over planner, of course. Mom says I'll breeze through it without a problem. I think a little bit of over planning helps with the breezing process ;) 

The nursery is basically ready, and everything else has been properly nested. Jackson could come anytime, and I'd be ok with it. I've even nested at work! I'm amazed by all the things that have been given, purchased or gifted to us. I started out with ZERO, and now I have everything I need to welcome a newborn. I'm so thankful for all my supportive friends and family! 

I don't know if I'll be posting again before baby Jackson comes, so the next post might be about him. Can't wait! 

Dana Alley 

35 Week Photography

Warning! This post is very image heavy, so if you don't like photos...you might want to leave like, NOW! :D
Last weekend we met with the lovely Dawn  and she took some fabulous shots of me, Seth and the belly, aka. Jackson. The weather was pretty cooperative, and the photos just turned out GREAT. Here are some of my favorites!

So I'm 36 weeks now, and still doing well! I get lots of pushes and shoves now instead of sharp kicks. Its super cute and fun to both feel and watch. Having a little baby moving around inside is just the coolest thing. He seems to be pretty well behaved, for the most part. Can't complain!

I simply can't wait to meet this baby boy. The next 4 weeks are going to be great! Our new dresser will be delivered this Thursday, and I've got a pre-natal massage coming up this weekend. Lots of other little details are coming to a close as well. The baby room is nearly complete, and I'm wrapping up my DIY and sewing projects as well.

Thanks for checking in... Stay tuned for my next post!

Dana

35 Weeks & The Best Baby Shower Ever!

Welcome!

Well, LOTS has happened since my last post. I've been meaning to write about it, I promise! So far this
pregnancy has been such an awesome experience. I've taken lots of tips and tricks that have been offered up to me from friends and family; like using belly bands, tummy support belts, exercise balls, and of course, - staying active and working out!

Oh, and I listen to my mid-wives and take my red raspberry leaf and alfalfa capsules. Both designed to help in labor (stronger contractions, less bleeding, etc). Both of those equate to 13 capsules a day...goodness! I feel like I'm always popping pills. ;) 5 weeks to go!

Here are some highlights....

• Had my baby shower!
• Jeep died/ Leased a new car ('14 Toyota Corolla! It's amazing!) 
• Had 35 week maternity photos taken by Dawn Vieux (blog post coming soon on this!

The baby shower that my mom (and company) threw for me was friggin' amazing! It was everything you'd expect a baby shower to be. First off, it was co-ed, which really made my dad since Seth and I are friends with lots of "couples" who either have kids, are expecting, or are just plain awesome. We wanted to celebrate with them! 

The decorations were amazing (lots of sweet boy colors popping up everywhere), the games were hilarious and the cute cottage setting was just perfect. Not to mention the food! Mom made all the food, and the presentation just impressed the heck out of everyone. I seriously thought she had it catered...turns out she's just that good. Be jealous, my friends. ;) 

I'm so very grateful for my family for putting on this amazing shower, and to all the people who helped also! I truly believe I have surrounded myself with the most awesome people and each of you bring infinite joy and support to my life. I can't wait to introduce my baby boy to you all! 

And of course I got LOTS of amazing gifts from my family and buddies. 

Until next time! - Dana 

Jackson's First Baby Pictures - Our 3D/4D Ultrasound Experience!!

Let me just start out saying that the 4D Ultrasound experience I had was not at all what I was expecting! I figured we'd go in for 15 or minutes or so, snap some cute face photos of the baby, and watch it for a bit on the video monitor. I'm excited to admit that the whole experience was about 10X more glamorous and exciting that I ever though it would be!
I originally DID want to get an Ultrasound, but I talked myself out of it after reading some pretty grey reviews online... and also the price. I was anticipating the former experience. What we got was totally different. The owners of the "shop" were so sweet and kind, and you could really tell they loved babies! We spent about 50 minutes flipping between the 2D and 4D ultrasounds to basically watch a live video of what baby Jackson was up too! It was amazing! Cindy was super sweet and took extra time and effort to work with my active baby boy (and my huge anterior placenta which was right in the way of the imaging!). We left with amazing photos and video!
Some highlights about Jackson...

• With an easy flip, he can change from pointing east to west in about 3 seconds. 
• He had about 5 hiccups! Takes after his daddy with that one! 
• Loves loves loves playing with his toes! I'm pretty sure he was holding onto one foot the whole time. 

I think the most amazing part of the whole "watching" process was seeing his little head thump up and down during the 2D ultrasound. With each of my heartbeats, his little head was pushed up just a tiny bit, so it looked like he was head bobbing to the rhythm of my heart! Cindy said he just happened to be resting on a major blood supply (either the placenta, or my own) that was causing the movement. No wonder little babies like to hear mom's heartbeat once their born! I used to think that was "cheesy", but after seeing that happen...just WOW! 

Hearbeat! 130 bpm! Thumpa Thumpa Thumpa!

Sweet little black and white face with his hands in front of his chin. 

Just look at that sweet face! He didn't open his eyes at all, but he did make some pretty fun squirmy faces!

aaaaaand....here is the squirmy face! 

...but then he settles down and looks like this again. Almost a little smile?! :) 

Cindy said he's "nuzzling" here. I hope he's a snuggly thing!

Then back to total cuteness!

Yup he is sucking on something here! Couldn't tell exactly what, but its either the hand or foot or something floating around in there :P

And here is a 40 second video to top it all off!!! I swear he must have been sleeping during this part, because this was the quietest he was for the whole ultrasound. 

The whole experience was just amazing, and I have my wonderful and generous parents to thank for treating me to this wonderful event!! I'm so happy I did it! 

Dana 

27 Week Update (Third Trimester!) and Some Awesome Project Photos

Hello!

Thanks for visiting! Not a whole lot of interesting news has popped up since my last post on here, which is a good thing right? No news is good news!

Sunday (11/17/13)  marks the first day of my third trimester! Jackson is doing super well. We both check out great at our monthly appointments. In a few short weeks (once we hit 32 weeks) we'll have appointments twice a month, and then weekly at 36 weeks. WOW! That, combined with all the classes I've taken, it sorta feels like I live there a little ;). So far, I've taken a 4 part breast feeding education class, a water birth class, a 2 part Labor, Delivery and Postpartum Care class, and a Fearless Birth group meeting. Yay! I feel rather educated, and ready as I can be to birth this baby and maybe even take care of him properly, too!

Jackson spends most of his days sleeping and kicking my bladder repeatedly. Besides the constant trips to the bathroom, its been fun! I feel great, and my energy level has pretty much stayed the same. I do get tired a little earlier in the day, and every now and then I actually take a nap (like on the weekends :P). Hopefully I can maintain some of this energy once Jackson joins us for real...

I still work out about 4-5 times a week (I've had to modify quite a bit) - I think that helps a lot!

I've kept busy on several sewing projects! Keeps me distracted, and it passes the time well. I've been able to use the sewing machine mom bought me a couple years, and its just been great!

Crochet baby blanket!

Refinished baby swing cover and padding. 

Large minky baby blanket - super soft. 

Still in progress! Puff quilt crib blanket! 

Still a work in progress - putting on the borders. 

These items are definitely not perfect, but they are full of love and hopefully little Jackie will be able to tell that!

Next Tuesday, mom is treating me to a 4D Ultrasound, so hopefully we can get some great face shots of Jackson up on the blog. Can't wait!

Until next time!

Dana Alley

 

He'll Wear a Bow Tie, Because "Bow Ties are Cool" - It's a BOY!

Welcome!

Seth and I are pleased to announce we are adding a little gentleman to the family! Baby Alley is now - Jackson Carter Alley - the new love of our lives!

I'm sincerely overjoyed by this news! If you've talked to me at all about the baby, you know how much I wished and hoped and prayed for a little boy! From cheering like a lunatic at sporting events to getting him ready for his first date, I've always felt like a little boy would complete our little family, and I already feel like it has. Plus, little boys just love their moms :)

Jackson Alley says "bow ties are cool!"
(That's a Doctor Who quote, for my less nerdy friends and family)

The lovely Dawn Vieux of LeVieux Femme (Facebook / Smug Mug) took these amazing gender reveal portraits for us! I highly recommend Dawn for any of your family portrait needs within the Kansas City Metro area!

With Seth being the science dude, I thought this was appropriate! 

(You knew I HAD to do something Doctor Who related!)

Marketing Paw-Spectives: By Bandt, Office Dog - Week 1

My close friends get a sneak peak of Bandits new weekly marketing column that will be posted to the Integrity Marketing Solutions Facebook page! Thoughts? 

(Click image for a larger version!)

Woof! Welcome to my new weekly column – Marketing Paw-Spectives: Insider tips and hints to get your marketing working for you.

One of my jobs as Office Dog is to sit quietly in the office and nap; however; I help pass the time by gnawing on my delicious organic bone my owner gets me. A good quality bone will last me about three weeks. After that, it starts getting a little stale. The same concept applies to your eNewsletter email message. You need to change your message out at least once a month to keep your audiences interested. I LOVE it when my owner gets me a new bone, and your readers will enjoy a fresh message just the same!