Home Stretch | B3 Week 37

Here we are. Baby has made it to the homestretch!

As of 37 weeks, we're cleared to have a homebirth but baby may be cooking for a while longer. It's funny how each one has such a unique way about them - from conception and on! The older boys were born at 35 weeks and 38 weeks but I really feel clueless as to what this one has planned.

I'm trying not to worry about the logistics of it all.

What to do with the kids when labor really gets rolling (maybe they could sleep right through like the last birth?), what week will baby be born, will labor be a sprint or a marathon.

Worrying doesn't help anything and really just steals the time we have here and now so I'm praying for God's peace whenever worry strikes me. One day at a time. That's how these weeks will go down. Seek God in everything and He will make it all fall into place.
"I want to live life one day at a time, to live each day to the fullest measure of the grace I am given." Sally Clarkson

My "Grace" Cup - and the amazing cookie-in-a-mug dessert!

Nesting has taken on a new flare for our third child. It has felt more like decluttering and organizing for our older kids rather than baby prep. Getting rid of junk, storing things that I need to keep but won't use in this small children season of life, backing up phone pictures and deleting old ones.... You know, the necessities! ;)

The kids' "grown out of" clothes are packed away. Baby bedding and blankets are washed. We have finally recovered from a nasty sinus cold bout in our house. Now if I could only stay caught up on laundry and the typical household things... every mom's battle.

What's New For Baby 3?

I did buy a few new things for this baby, which wasn't the plan originally. How much could you need for a third baby? We already had the necessities but I have been learning through the past two babies what works and what doesn't; what was a lifesaver and what has totally driven me bonkers.

New Nursing Gear

Kindred Bravely makes really amazing nursing/pregnancy products and I'm trying their organic bamboo nursing pads this time, along with a new set of "nursing bras" (tank-style bras from Fruit of the Loom; they have worked so well in the past and are much cheaper than official nursing bras). I'm hoping these nursing pads will leak less than reusable ones I have used in the past!

Fruit of the Loom Women's Pullover Sports Bra

Baby Swing

We made the plunge and bought our own baby swing! For both of the boys, I borrowed a baby swing from my parents and we're trying something new this time. The Graco Glider Lite LX Gliding Baby Swing is shorter and easier to transport up and down stairs. Plus it will take up less space in our house!

Notice the swing is currently hidden in the crib. Any of baby's things that I don't want attacked (by the big brothers) are imprisoned in the crib... I suppose that will have to change after baby is here.


MadeinMinneSEWta Baby Nest

I'm really excited about this one! After doing quite a bit of research on products like Dock-A-Tot and similar baby nests, I found MadeinMinneSEWta on Etsy and really liked her baby nests.

Hopefully this will help our new baby to feel more secure and sleep better than our older two did. We'll see. Then again, maybe sleeping well just isn't in our genes. I wish I would have had this 4.5+ years ago for E's newborn months!

W testing out the Baby Nest for little brother or sister.

Newborn Diapers Galore

I cloth diapered W as a newborn and both of the boys through toddlerhood. For this baby, I just have a bigger stash that I now own instead of borrowing! Woop! It's funny to think diapers could be so exciting - but they really are.

Cloth diapering (these days) isn't as much work as most people think. Especially with the frequency of newborn dirty diapers (what, like 10-14 a day?!), cloth diapering is a huge help and breastmilk washes out easily too.

My stash of Blueberry and Chelory diapers <3
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B3 Pregnancy: Week 37 Wrap-Up

Baby is the size of ROMAINE LETTUCE this week and I'm just thankful to be healthy again. I felt so terrible for that sinus cold week that it was hard to take care of the kiddos... and it was peak harvest season too. But, hey, we survived! I did a couple yoga sessions last week just to loosen up tight muscles from that sinus cold and eased back into things this week.

And just as the sinus cold symptoms started easing off, the Braxton Hicks contraction started ramping up. I suppose it's about that time! Our W (baby 2) was born three days from now... so we'll see what this little one has planned. I'm sure he or she will throw us for a loop regardless. Kids seem to enjoy keeping us guessing!


MONDAY: 

Ekhart Yoga's Morning Bliss Yoga video (21:42)

TUESDAY: 

2 mile walk/run on the treadmill. I started out with 1/4 mile intervals of jogging and walking but reverted to just walking at an incline after a couple intervals. Here marks the end of my running during this pregnancy - I'm totally content to walk until the postpartum recovery road begins.

WEDNESDAY: 

Ekhart Yoga's Runners Yoga video (25:28)

THURSDAY

Went out for a walk with the boys, as usual!

FRIDAY:

I was feeling pretty good in the morning so we went on a grocery walk/bike ride and then mowed part of the lawn after. Followed by the Morning Bliss Yoga video (21:42) that evening.

SATURDAY:

We made a family trip to Chik-fil-A followed by yard work. The littlest guy, the dog, and I went for a stroller walk that afternoon

SUNDAY:

Out for a walk in the afternoon.

What's new with you this week?



Linking up with Holly and Tricia's Weekly Wrap Up.

Cozy Gear for Cool Running | BUFF® ThermoNet Review

Disclaimer: I received this BUFF® ThermoNet Gear to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Just in time for the gorgeous Fall weather and racing season (well, everyone else is racing except me!) I was introduced to some amazing cool weather running gear. The mornings have been in the 40 to 50°F range, which is honestly still pretty toasty, but the freezing temps will be here soon enough.

Regardless of the temp, I believe running outdoors in *most weather is do-able, with the right gear. *Within reason. Not reasonable: hurricanes, blizzards, tornadoes, skin-melting-off heat, extreme limb-freezing cold, etc.

As a BibRave Pro, I received a BUFF® ThermoNet Hat and ThermoNet Multifunctional Headwear in the beautiful pink/purple Crash Berry pattern. The ThermoNet product line uses PrimaLoft® technology to hold in the heat, but not the moisture.


How Does ThermoNet Work?


Per the BUFF® USA site:
“ThermoNet™ fabric uniquely blends PrimaLoft® yarn and the BUFF® ® brand’s long-standing knitting expertise to create a fabric that delivers four times the insulation as BUFF® ™ headwear’s Original microfiber products. The hydrophobic, wicking fibers of ThermoNet® move moisture away from the skin while trapping heat inside, keeping you comfortable and dry even in the coldest conditions.” (source)

The ThermoNet product line features the ThermoNet Hat and Multifunctional Headwear in a bunch of awesome patterns. The Multifunctional Headwear is super versatile and can be worn in many different ways.


Exactly HOW versatile is the ThermoNet Multifunctional Headwear? 

I decided to test out BUFF®'s "ways to wear" guide by using my ThermoNet gear as a Hair Tie, Neckerchief + Hat (my preferred usage!), Do Rag (not a good look for me), and the Face Mask (the best for frozen winter runs).

The seamless design makes it a cinch to wear whichever way works best for you and the weather that day!


I love that the BUFF® ThermoNet gear is lightweight and breathable while still offering highly-thermal insulation, even mimicking the warmth of down! The durable PrimaLoft® yarn is actually FOUR TIMES warmer than regular microfiber. I know I will appreciate that, especially running through our winter months.

Layers are key for running through the winters in Minnesota and choosing the right materials is very important. Sweat- and condensation-drenched cotton layers will freeze, making you all kinds of miserable on sub-zero runs... I've learned that the hard way!

Flashback to winter running. Brrr.

Basically, this ThermoNet gear is ideal for cool weather layering because its high warmth-to-weight ratio means you don’t need dress bulky to stay warm. That's quality layers that get the job done without creating an appearance similar to the Michelin Man!

Here's an amazing deal to take advantage of ASAP (expires 11/17/2017!):
Receive 20% off your entire order at www.buffusa.com when you purchase at least one product from the ThermoNet™ collection. Includes ThermoNet™ Multifunctional Headwear, Hats or Balaclavas. Enter code: *BIBRAVETHERMONET20* at checkout.

The ThermoNet Multifunction Headwear and ThermoNet Hat are available for $27 each, plus, BUFF® USA's official site offers free shipping on orders over $39. Join us for #BibChat with BUFF on November 14th at 8 pm CT!


B3 Pregnancy: Week 35 Wrap-Up

We hit PINEAPPLE status this week! Speaking of Fall racing, one year ago today I ran the Bemidji Blue Ox Marathon... two weeks after running the Wild Hog Marathon. It seems quite hilarious to think about running 26.2 miles in my current state, just 20 lbs heavier and carrying a pineapple-sized baby and all.

As the 35th week is closing, I look forward to crossing the finish of this baby-growing marathon as well. Baby is hanging low, my hips feel all loosy-goosy and we're all SO excited to meet our baby! Now that I'm breaking out the baby gear, even the littlest boy is getting excited about "his baby".


MONDAY:

2 mile run/walk with the kids and dog. E rode his bike for a mile, rode the stroller for a half mile and then helped push the stroller for the last half mile. W rode contentedly. He's a happy passenger!

TUESDAY:

Off.

WEDNESDAY:

3 mile run/walk with the kids and dog to get some groceries. Both passengers rode for the majority of the trip but E did walk home, because the groceries stole his spot in the stroller ;)

THURSDAY:

Ekhart Yoga's Runners Yoga video (25:28)

FRIDAY:

2 treadmill miles with 1/4 mile intervals of running and walking. I love the treadmill during the last weeks of pregnancy! The bathroom is close, the incline is adjustable and I don't need to push the extra weight of our jogging stroller + kiddos out in the wind. Win, win, win.


SATURDAY:

Ekhart Yoga's Morning Bliss Yoga video (21:42)

SUNDAY:

Off

Are you a hardcore all-weather runner or do you prefer to stick indoors? (Not judging, I promise!)



Linking up with Holly and Tricia's Weekly Wrap Up.