Happy Birthday Grandma Lillian Bean!

Today is a very important day... It's my mother's birthday! So on this special day, here is a little note from Baby Lima Bean, for her soon-to-be amazing grandmother: I (heart) My Grandmother!

Another baby shower!

No, not mine. But a former co-worker of mine had her baby shower this past weekend! She is due about a week before me (6 days), is also delivering at Sibley Memorial Hospital, also goes to the same OB-GYN practice and also lives in Bethesda! So I'm looking forward to having someone to hang out with for play dates and to go strollering with while I am out on maternity leave!

This last picture shows how big I've gotten... Taken at 33 weeks, 3 days. Thanks to my mom for the brown maternity dress! Very comfortable!

Our Kid-Friendly Dining Room is coming together!

We just ordered a dining room table & got matching chairs! This was a BIG decision for us. A dining room table can be the center of family life... A place to pull our high chair up to and feed Baby Lima Bean. A place to spend time with family. A place to do homework and projects. We wanted a table that works with our room, fit our style and was also functional.

We started off looking at square tables, like this one from Steve Silver. But most of these tables come in countertop height, and after much discussion, we decided that regular height would be more comfortable, work better with a high chair, and be easier for Lima Bean to eat at once she is a toddler and out of her high chair.

But we still wondered, should we get a square table? Or a round one? Square tables are oh-so-modern looking! But they have sharp corners that kids can bump into. Our dining room table is in a thru-way between the living room, kitchen and sunroom. With a room of such high traffic, we thought a round table might work best. We both grew up with round tables in the kitchen, so it seemed like a good family-friendly choice. Plus, no sharp edges.

Papa Bean did a lot of research and we found this handsome round table that comes with a leaf to extend into an oval from Restoration Hardware! Photos below of the Larkspur table, which comes in dark oak, as a circular table and extended oval table.

We ordered it last week on sale (60% off)! Then, we picked up the matching chairs (pictured below) at the RH Outlet on Saturday (also 60% off)! Score!

Now we just need to find a nice espresso-colored wooden China hutch! Not something we need immediately, but a piece we'd like to get eventually. Next on our list of "needed" items is a couch set for the currently bare living room... Then beds/futons for our guest quarters in the basement and office!

The painting of the nursery has begun!

After work today, we dashed out to a nearby hardware store to check out paint samples! I already knew that I wanted to use Benjamin Moore's Natura paint in the nursery. This eco-friendly paint releases zero toxins and is odorless! And I wanted a bright lime green color.

But now the hard part -- which lime green?

Below are the paint chips I selected. The ones down the middle are my favorites: new lime, eccentric lime, snow cone green, pear green, grape green, apple green and limelight. Also, a Pottery Barn green that isn't pictured.

We got samples of four of the greens, shown below. Here they are with the pink coriander Amy Butler quilt I have and a piece of dark wood, to give you an idea of the color scheme I am going for.

Finally, after dinner, Papa Bean got to work applying the paint samples onto the walls! (Note that the animal wallpaper strip shown here is left over from the previous owner's nursery and it is coming DOWN!)

Can't wait to see how it all turns out!

Let's talk details!

How far along: 33 weeks/1 day

Total weight gain: 27 pounds at my Week 32 appointment (If I am on track, I'd be 28 today)

Maternity clothes: Just got a lovely package of FOUR maternity dresses from my mom! Two brown and two pink. Since dresses and yoga pants are the only thing I am wearing these days, these will sure come in handy!

Main symptoms: My big belly is the biggest symptom! Thankfully, after my dentist appointment, my gums are no longer a disaster zone. I do use the bathroom a lot, but I'm used to that now, so I just go whenver I stand up or start to leave home or the office. I got a cold last week during our move and the congestion was intense! Am over the cold now, but the conjestion has lingered... I have occasional back pain, but my Boppy sleep pillow and wedge are amazing and so it's not that bad and I am still sleeping soundly. Lots of forgetfulness and clumsiness!

Exercise: Walking 0.9 miles from our new house to the Metro every morning!

Best moment: Seeing all my friends at my shower this past weekend! And then, later, putting baby Lima Bean's clothes away in her closet. Every piece I held up, I imagined will soon be filled with a little baby, our baby, and it just makes me so excited to meet her and see who she will be and what she'll be like.

Movement: Nonstop! She kicks. She twitches. She rolls. She sticks her butt (or head? or foot?) up so that one side of my belly sticks up and I look lopsided. Plus, she is definitely getting the hiccups, nearly every day!

Food cravings: In this summer heat, anything cold and refreshing! Gelato and sorbet are still tops in my book!

Gender: DEFINITELY A GIRL! At our last ultrasound, at Week 30, I asked the technician, who was a different technician than the one who originally told us we were having a girl. This one took a look and confirmed, without a shaddow of a doubt, that we're having a GIRL!

Labor signs: None. I might start having Braxton Hicks contractions soon, but haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary yet...

Belly button in or out? OK, how can you tell if it's in or out? My button is almost nonexistant now! It's now so shallow that white skin that was previously never exposed to sunlight is peeking out. But I woudn't necessarily say it's "popped" out...

What I miss: Really miss running! There is a great running trail right next to our new house and I am dying to do some long runs and check it out! Also, very excited to take baby jogging with me!

What I am looking forward to: Setting up the nursery! We are now moved into our new home and plan to paint the nursery this weekend! The chocolate brown glider rocker is being delivered on Saturday, July 25. Still waiting on the crib! Can't wait to start putting things where they go and getting it all ready for Baby Bean!

Weekly wisdom: I take water bottles with me everywhere. In this heat, I need it!

Milestones: So many! We moved into our new house last week! My friends threw me an amazing shower last weekend! We ordered a dining room table... We got an infant car seat and stroller, thanks to Papa Bean's dad and stepmom! We have received lots of amazing gifts to get ready for Baby Bean's arrival, like a swing from Papa Bean's sister and a high chair from my sisters! Plus, I attended a breastfeeding class last week. One thing at a time!

33 weeks down, 7 to go!

Less than two months! Eeek! At 33 weeks, I am now in my 8th month and the size of a honeydew melon! And baby is growing fast. I'm now up about 28 pounds, which at a pound a week, would mean a total pregnancy gain of 35 pounds by delivery. Perfect. I hope!

I am now wearing only skirts and dresses. And I am waddling. And when I sit for extended periods, baby sloshes around inside me, making ripples on my belly! It's funny to watch. I wonder what parts of her are sticking out when I see my tummy get lopsided.

I am still very forgetful. Fatigue such as what I felt in the first trimester has not returned, thank goodness. Having trouble bending over or picking up things from the floor. Stairs leave me winded, a strange thing for someone who ran a marathon less than a year ago!

With the countdown on, here are a few things on our minds:

-- Picking paint colors and painting the nursery! Thinking Benjamin Moore Natura paint: Bright Lime, Yew Green, Snow Cone Green or Apple Green. Hmmm.

-- Hope the crib comes in soon so we can set everything up. The glider rocker chair is being delivered on July 25th! And the stroller should be here by Friday!

-- What to bring to the hospital? We have started a list... More on that to come. In the meantime, any suggestions?

-- Cord blood banking: Do it or pass? So many opinions on this...

-- Pediatricians! We have some recommendations that we are checking into...

-- Maternity photos? Baby photos? Birth announcements? Final baby purchases... Furniture for our house... Finalizing maternity leave... NAMES!

We are plodding along. One day at a time. What seemed like a mountain of things to do way back when we first started looking at houses and thinking about selling our condo seems all the more doable now that we are in an amazing house that we are starting to make our home. We just ordered a dining room table and plan to paint the nursery this weekend. So it's all coming together, one thing at a time! Just hope Lima Bean doesn't come early!

My fabulous baby shower!

My baby shower was Sunday at noon, and it was fabulous! A big thank you to my friends who hosted it and friends who attended -- especially Missy who took the train down from NJ just for the shower! You all absolutely made my shower the most amazing day ever. Little Lima Bean is so lucky to have tons of great "aunties" like you gals!

Now, check out the fabulous decor! Libby used vintage Lima Bean labels to decorate soup cans filled with pink flowers! She also used the vintage labels to make favors that were filled with green jelly beans! It was the most creative and cutest thing ever! Even the balloons matched the Lima Bean theme!

Now, check out the food! Oh my goodness it was delicious! And the cupcakes... Red velvet all the way. But all of them were seriously delish! Wow! And check out the adorable diaper cake that Chimmy made! Holy cuteness meets practical!

Finally, the gifts! My goodness but you ladies spoiled me and baby Lima Bean. She is so lucky to have you all looking out for her and dressing her in all these adorable outfits! I'm now set on clothes, bath stuff, baby toys and gear, even a manly Diaper Dude bag that Papa Bean can carry!

Papa Bean came to pick me up after an amazing afternoon. Can't wait for Little Lima Bean to try on all her new outfits and play with her new toys... What a lucky baby (Week 32, Day 4)!

Got our crib mattress! Adorable baby clothes! Love the new 'hood!

Today was a wonderful day... Started with some light unpacking. Enjoyed breakfast in our new home. Then we walked along a path down the street to downtown Bethesda!

Our house may be on a quiet street, but we are within a nice 15-20 minute stroll to tons of shops and restaurants in town. The path, known as the Bethesda Trolley Trail, will be great to walk baby Lima Bean on in her stroller. And I can go running along the trail, which runs from Rockville to Bethesda and hooks up with the Capitol Crescent Trail to D.C., to get back into shape! We are so lucky to have such a great location. I am so excited about our new neighborhood!

On our walk into town, we stopped at Urban Country's big clearance sale and I picked up some adorable baby clothes for Baby Lima Bean at half off! Check out this adorable newborn hat and mittens! And this cute pink hat and booties! All organic and so soft!

We then enjoyed a delicious meal at Cafe Deluxe, I got a manicure and pedicure, some delicious gelato and we walked home! I got an e-mail letting me know that our crib mattress was in, so we turned the day productive by zipping out to pick it up! Pictured below is the Eco-Friendly Sealy Posturepedic Springfree Crib Mattress. I ordered it on sale for $119 from Wal-Mart

Baby Bean's heartbeat is strong!

Today was my Week 32 doctor's appointment. It was pretty standard. Just a routine check-in with a nurse on my doctor's office so she could measure my belly and listen to baby's heartbeat. 

This time, she gave the monitor to Papa Bean and he rubbed it on my belly, finding our baby's heartbeat right away! Using his iPhone, we were able to record the heartbeat! Stay tuned for a clip, which I will upload to this post shortly. 

After the appointment, we had a nice lunch at a place down the street called Chicken Out Rotisserie. We grabbed a menu because it would be a great place to order take-out from when I deliver at Sibley Hospital, which is also nearby. 

After a short trip to Crate & Barrel and a swing through Bed, Bath & Beyond for some house essentials, we spent the rest of the evening relaxing and making our house home.

32 weeks and a new house!

Monumental week! Lima Bean is now nearly 4 pounds and fully formed. At her size, she makes my belly rumble when she turns and kicks. It's such a trip to watch! She also can hear the outside world. Wonder what she'll make of our new house!

We moved in on Wednesday. We still need furniture and have to finish unpacking, but it's amazing to have our own house! So much room! It's very quiet out here, so relaxing. And, of course, here is my Week 32 bump shot in front of our new pad!

Got a nursing stool!

Another great Craigslist find... An espresso-colored wooden nursing stool! The stool retails for $34.99 and I picked up a nice second-hand stool for $15 from a woman in Silver Spring, Md. Score!

Breastfeeding Basics

A really great resource for women in Washington, D.C., who plan to breastfeed is The Breastfeeding Center, located downtown on K St. The center is a nonprofit that offers a slew of great classes, many of which are free.

Today, I hit the Breastfeeding Basics class, which is recommended for women who are about 8 weeks from delivery. Since I notch 32 weeks this week and was off work for our big move, I decided to hit the class. The center has a no turn away policy and I was warned that the classes are often crowded, so I got there 30 minutes early and snagged a seat up front.

The class was CROWDED and some women ended up standing outside the room! I'm glad I went though, because it was a very informative session. I have heard that breastfeeding can be hard to get the hang of... We'll see. Hoping for the best!

Happy Fourth of July!

We had a great July 4th this year! Thankfully it was a cool day out, which was so nice. Some friends from Hawaii, Gabe & Aiko, and their adorable kids, Addy and Kai, were in Washington, D.C., this weekend so we met up with them at the White House! Photo below of me (yes, I am HUGE) with the gang.

After checking out the White House, we toured the monuments. Here are some shots of Papa Bean and I at the World War II Monument, with the Lincoln Memorial in the background. Then, later, at the Lincoln Memorial with the reflecting pool and Washington Monument in the background.

We think Baby Bean enjoyed the tour as well. She slept through most of it and only started kicking when we got home to take a nap! Doh! We then spent the evening at a rooftop party at a friend's place where we had a great view of the fireworks! Plus great food and company!

31 Weeks and another White House visit

Today I hit the 31-week mark! Yay! Only 9 weeks to go... Also today, lucky Lima Bean was at the White House for her 7th time! All in utero, of course, but still, pretty lucky little girl.


This time was even better.

I was one of nine regional reporters who were invited to take part in a round table interview with the president on his health care reform package. The round table took place in the Roosevelt Room, where I was seated directly across from the president with two reporters on either side of me and two reporters on either side of the president.

When the president entered the room, he went around shaking everyone's hand as we all introduced ourselves. Unable to resist, I whipped out the traditional Hawaiian greeting of "Aloha," which, combined with my Hawaiian name, prompted some Hawaii talk and I think might have snagged us a ride home on Air Force One? You be the judge...

Me: Aloha, Mr. President. Malia. (shakes hand)
POTUS: (smiling) Howzit going? (Pidgin style)
Me: Wassup, bra?
POTUS: Now you know you're going to get special treatment. Where in Hawaii?
Me: Kailua.
POTUS: Ahh. My family was just there for Christmas.
Me: I know. Your beach rental is five minutes from where I grew up.
POTUS: When are we going back? When are we going back, Malia?
Me: Soon?
POTUS: Soon.
Me: You got room on Air Force One? (laughter)
POTUS: All right. You may be able to hitch a ride. Although... (glancing at my belly) I'm not sure. You can't fly right now, can you?
Me: Not now. Not yet.
POTUS: Exactly. See?
Me: But… Christmas?
POTUS: All right. (He then got serious and started the round table interview.)