Thirty Seven Weeks

Things I’ll truly miss about this pregnancy:

The fun maternity wardrobe. Honest, I mean it!
When in your adult life can you score up to date fashionable pieces (more often than not) for a great price and have the green light to be seen in the same outfit once a week if you choose. Yes, I made fun of these crazy duds early on, but once I embraced that there was no getting around it, and flaunt it if you’ve got it, I was golden.

Watching my belly grow, and feeling those lil’ ninja kicks in the morning and evening.

Even though we can’t see him, knowing that the life inside of me is absolutely perfect in every possible way.

The kindness of strangers - their smiles, glances, and fun due date questions. And the check out guy at Trader Joe’s who asked how long I had left and that I looked happy and great.

Being able to justify a trip through the McDonald’s drive through twice a week.


Things I (thankfully) missed out on:

Morning sickness, the unmentionable roids,stretch marks, and heartburn.

Sleepless nights spent tossing and turning. Surprisingly I hated the Snoogie (or a fortress of pillows surrounding me) and ran with a small 12x2 couch pillow instead.

With the exception of the last couple days the crazy swelling felt by some. Still proudly sportin’ the wedding ring.

The top non-baby things I am looking forward to:

A good coffee buzz

Sleeping on my stomach and back - oh my gosh I. can. not. wait!

Wine and Champagne (tried a sip of my beloved BudLight a few months ago and had to spit it out…yucky!)

Sushi –All you can eat sushi

Not having to use a crane to hoist myself out of bed eighteen times a night for those fun bathroom breaks.

Reclaiming my body back as mine. Never have I been more excited and motivated to get back into a healthily workout routine.

Not having a 24/7 case of the ‘drops’. I swear, if it’s in my hand chances are it’s going to be on the floor in no time. I have been dropping everything…and bending down sucks.

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The Perfect Gift

Dear friends Corbin and Melody gifted us one of the most precious and memorable present’s received - maternity photos of this crazy momma and our sweet lil’ buckaroo. Again, Corbin delivered true treasures our family will cherish forever.

Each time I flip through one of the images I have to shake my head and smile. For me each and every image is emotional, intimate, raw and absolutely perfect.

Corbin came to house to shoot the evening after Dad’s funeral. It’s safe to say my emotions were running a tad bit on overdrive. I’m not sure how to put into words the emotions felt during that weekend, the great sadness of a loss one day, and the excitement of a new beginning the next. Along with the roller coaster of emotions, my body buckled on me and I was hit hard with a major cold that kicked my butt. My face was tired and puffy, my sinuses were congested, I felt like I had been hit by a truck and I was about to take my clothes off in front of our good friend (and co-worker). The thought of it all both cracked me up and made me a little nervous.

But wouldn’t you know it, as soon as we started all of the nervous anxiety, bone crushing tiredness and sadness seemed to disappear and was replaced with joy and excitement. It was a crazy feeling, centered in the chaos of the dog running around our transformed family room, the house lights dimming under Corbin’s flash power and equipment, Jack closely watching, and the whole clothes factor, I truly was the calmest, most connected, and centered I’ve felt towards the lil’ guy all pregnancy long. I’ve always thought of myself as one of the world’s most unphotogenic, but looking at all the images, remembering that day and how I felt, that’s me. That’s the real me I see when I look in the mirror. That’s the me carrying our son. That’s the me so happy, so excited and so in love with our little angel.



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The Circle of Life

Early yesterday, dear sweet Dad peacefully passed away in his sleep.

Friday (our last day spent with him while he was alert) was such an amazing day and there wasn’t an hour that went by that we didn’t feel the Lord’s presence or ever doubt that God had the entire day mapped out for us all. All day he was able to see and say his goodbyes to the entire family.

Laura, Jesus, Jack, Sandy and her husband, Jeff were all able to make it to the hospital within a few hours of each other, all before noon. Uncle Denny (who previously too had surgery at V.Mason a few weeks ago) and Lyn just happened to be at the hospital scheduling his own chemo when we ran into them in the hospital cafe, and they were able to come up and say hello and sit with Dad for a bit between his appointments.

For the first time since the earthquake, Michelle in Chile was able to get through and talk to him. We were able to contact Darell, his brother, in Tennessee and they talked for a bit. Darell was then able to get a hold of Jennifer (who’s husband recently was stationed at Fort Lewis) and she immediately made the drive up from DuPont. And Mom was able to find an available flight out Friday evening and made it home just in time to say her goodbyes.

During a day of great sadness, there truly was a peace and comfort found. It's still hard to imagine that he's truly gone, but I'm finding comfort that he is smiling down on us and looking after our lil' buckaroo.

The Circle of Life....

Dear Katya graciously planned to host the Maple Valley ladies luncheon baby shower Saturday afternoon. All day Friday and Saturday morning (before learning of Dad's passing) I anguished over the status of the shower and whether or not I should ask to cancel. Katya was so sweet and so understanding when I spoke to her in the early morning, I expressed to her I was leaning towards rescheduling but would keep her posted (as the lunch was being catered).

Shortly after talking with her, I received the news of Dad, a few minutes past 8:30am.

I was initially a little apprehensive to continue as planned, but after talking to Mom at great length and looking back at that day, and the overwhelming love and concern the women showed, I wouldn’t change it for a second.

I wish there were words to express how grateful I am to have spent those first few hours after learning of my Dad’s passing with such wonderful and amazing women (and with Mom to lean on). They all turned what could have been an afternoon of sorrow and hurt into a beautiful day of celebration and new life. Along with death, there is also life, and as difficult as it was to keep a brave face I know Dad would have wanted us to celebrate this new beginning.


Mom's special gift that couldn't have come at a more perfect time. And coincidentally it was the last gift opened. (I don't think there was a dry eye in the room when I read the card out loud.) While my Grandma was still with us, she knitted this baby blanket with the intent and plan it would be passed down to her first grandson (whenever that may be). This was the blanket my mom has been holding onto for years, waiting for the right time.

Dad and Grandma may not be physically with us here today, but I feel their love and support each and everyday.

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A Month's Worth of Catch-Up

Thirty Four Weeks
February 28th

Wow, what an amazing two days! This weekend Jack and I attended our much anticipated weekend long birth class. Holy smokes what an experience. One I think neither of us expected. The ‘Ice Journey’ came highly recommended by Corbin and Melody (our parenting role models). So of course if the Gross' say it’s a must-do and worth investing the whole weekend and class fee, we’re in.

I wish I could find the right words to describe the two days. It is very difficult to fully explain…it truly is something you have to experience yourself. (Sort of like church camps and retreats. Everyone hears the same message, reads the same verses and sings the same songs, but the feelings, emotions, and take-a-ways are so individual and unique.)

I think a little snip-it from Patti’s blog best describes the general overall vibe.

“Basically, it is a very realistic and heartfelt labor simulation that goes above and beyond just focusing on contractions. We go to a much deeper level that involves the emotional, mental, spiritual as well as the physical power and influence of the birthing experience with an emphasis on nurturing and strengthening their "couple" relationship.”

After this weekend I’m actually feelin’ like we might have the tools, knowledge and better understanding to actually pull this miracle off!

On the way home after the last day of class I asked Jack if it was worth $285 class fee. I think he hit it right on with his response.“I don’t think you could put a price on how the class has strengthened our relationship.”

Who knew a class about pressure points, birth plans, relaxation techniques, and comfort baskets could provide so much?

"Love puts the fun in together, the sad in apart, and the joy in a heart"

Taken on the first day of the men's 'ice journey'.

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Thirty Three Weeks
February 21st, 2010

Another fun filled week! On the 20th our dear friends Ashley and John hosted our Co-Ed Baby Shower, what a fun afternoon/evening!

We both were sportin’ smiles all the way home and into Sunday. It was so much fun, more fun then we both expected. The games were a riot, the wonderful mix of people clicked perfectly, the drinks and food were super yummy and the generosity of our dear friends was overwhelming.

A few highlights of the day:

• The beer chugging from a baby bottle contest.
• With a paper plate on top of your head, try and draw your best baby on the plate.
• Create the best looking adult diaper on your partner using only toilet paper.
• The bib decorating and the "words not to say" games.
• There were three babies less than four months in attendance. Cute, cute, cute.

On the following Tuesday we had our third appointment with the Midwives (again we met with Laura). It was a good appointment but I did get a talking to about my weight gain....It wasn’t a complete surprise, but hard to hear none the less. Thirty four weeks in and I’m up thirty six pounds...ugh, time to step away from all shower sweets and work ‘pizza parties’ (but gosh they were good!).

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Thirty Two Weeks
February 14th, 2010

Note to self :) Trying to back track and fill in the blanks weeks and weeks later isn't so easy. This was the start to my thirty three week post...and sadly this is all I can remember.
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Oh my goodness did I fall behind these past few weeks!

I feel like there’s been so much activity and things worthy of sharing. Now if I can get my crazy pregnant brain to remember it all. Lets’ see...

Going back to thirty two weeks (because I can’t remember thirty one)...
Thirty two was busy, busy and the house saw a lot of action. At the first of the year I drew the month of February to host family Bunco. I thought if I was going to have to get the house in order for one party, I might as well make the most of it and host two parties, (and I didn’t want the clean house to go to waste)! So silly me had the Maple Valley ladies over on Saturday and the family over on Thursday. Call me crazy, but it sounded like the best plan ever! :) Turns out it really was, and I’m sooo glad I did it.

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Thirty One Weeks

It’s been a wonderful week, a little overwhelming, super busy, a bit surprising, but fantastic all the same. I think the reality of a new little baby joining us soon is starting to become more and more real. Eeeee!

Big milestones this week:

Jack felt one of lil’ Buster’s super ninja kicks for the first time on Tuesday. The jolt startled and surprised him so much he instantly jumped back a good foot or two. Super cute.

I made two ‘big purchases’ this week (watch me go - I’m on a roll now)! So silly that I’ve been so hesitant (and almost afraid) to buy the important things I know we are going to need. It’s crazy to spend so much time pricing items, reading reviews, talking to girlfriends and gathering all the info I can about a product not to move forward. I’ve been crackin’ myself up with my crazy ‘oh I’ve got plenty of time’ mind set.

I finally pushed the button on the car seat purchase (and included a diaper sprayer to the order) and purchased an almost new breast pump via Craigslist. Two fun items to check of the list.On Wednesday, Etsy featured one of my Little Retreats items in their spotlight features titled ‘Lost in Translation’ click here to take a peek. It’s amazing how many cool peeps a spotlight like that brings to the shop. This is the second time I’ve been so lucky and honored to have this happen, but golly does it put a kid in the hot seat. The in-box was lighting up with inquires all day long. I was soo fortunate to have enough stock on hand to sell thirteen of the wooden cases (in a matter of a few hours), but sadly, I had to turn away dozens of requests (and a few pleads) for more. Oh I could have made my millions that day. :)In the past month I have been completely blow away by my little store’s success. It really didn’t hit me until this week that my shop is truly a success and my little ‘hobby’ has turned into a real profitable venture. It has brought in more money on a weekly and monthly basis than I ever thought was possible. It is definitely safe to say it has become the equivalent to a steady part-time job, which has caused me a little bit of stress. Evenings and weekends once spent goofing off with my crafts and toys, have been replaced with deadlines, custom orders, a trail of messes left in my path and lots and lots of work. I don’t think there’s been a room in the house that has been spared of the tornado of tissue paper, cardboard, paper scrapes, birch rounds, baker’s twine and packing tape. And there also have been more than one or two evening’s and weekends I’ve become a little bitter towards the orders I’ve committed myself to and the fun I’ve had to miss out on as a result. Through it all Jack has been a champ. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband that has been so patient and supportive.

Friday we had our second appointment with the mid-wife group, we met with Kristen this go around. She was absolutely wonderful, super friendly, easy to understand and extremely thorough going over all the fun adventures to come in the final weeks. I can’t get over how happy I am that we made the switch. So so happy.

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Lil' Buster's First Baby Shower

Saturday was my first Mama-To-Be Baby Shower. It was a wonderful afternoon spent with family and close family friends. Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated!

Lil’ Laura (Mom and Carolyn) did such a wonderful job with everything, the decorations, the food (mmm...the cupcakes), and the games. Call me crazy but I LOVE games. We played ‘Draw Your Best Baby’ (on top of your head, no peaking), Guess My Belly Measurement, and Gift Bingo (each gift was numbered as it arrived, everyone filled out their own BINGO card, and I called the numbers on the gift as I opened them). While the party was winding down and the few die hards were still in party mode we also played Baby trivia, fun too.

We received so many wonderful gifts, lil’ Buster is going to be the best dressed kid for sure! It was an absolutely wonderful afternoon!

Click here to see all the pictures from the shower. While you’re visiting, why not take a peek at all our family pictures, including our getting ready for baby gallery here.

Laura, Erika, and crazy me

Having Erika join us all the way from Finland, (and Lyn from AZ) was such a wonderful treat. Although the circumstances were not the greatest (Uncle Denny had major surgery on Thursday), it was so good to see her. Love ya cous'!

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Thirty Weeks!

Thirty Weesk...

That’s like standing on third base just waitin’ for that line drive hit to head home. Weeeee!

I officially have a complaint this week. I’m NOT a fan of all these bathroom breaks. Oh my goodness this is out of control, and it’s only going to get worse...huht? I’ve always been a big water drinker, averaging about a gallon (four Nalgene bottles) a day. In the last few weeks I’ve experienced a jump in my H2O appetite, some times drinking five Nalgenes (160oz) before 4pm. I’ve been half temped to keep a score sheet by my desk at work and in the bathroom at home and watch my stats. Last night I swear I was up six times in the middle of the night. As it’s becoming increasingly harder and harder to pole vault myself out of bed I’m almost dreading bed time. But on a positive note! With the exception of getting up every hour, I have found it easier to get comfortable and enjoying a more restful sleep.

Tomorrow is my first family baby shower! I am soo soo excited for the fun! And excited to show Mom and Laura the lil’ guys nursery for the first time. Mom flew in from AZ for the shower ( just for the weekend) and Jack will be on an overnight hunting trip so I’ll need help carrying the new goodies in and up the stairs. On tonight’s agenda - finish up the last few ‘Thank You favors’ and clean out the lil’ one’s closet (it’s still housing our misc. ‘junk’).

This week according to FitPregancy - You baby's length is about 16 inches—about as long as a laptop computer—and he measures almost 11 inches from crown to rump. He weighs approximately 2 1/2 to 3 pounds. From now until delivery, every baby will gain weight at a more individual rate. Your baby has doubled in height over the past six weeks, and from now until delivery, he'll gain only a few more inches in length. Don't worry if he's in a strange position (what your care provider might call a "transverse lie"). There's still plenty of time for him to get settled into the head-down (cephalic) position for birth. He's floating in about 1 1/2 pints of amniotic fluid and has some room to move. Your baby's most important organ, her brain, continues to develop at a rapid pace. His eyes are able to track light, and some researchers have theorized that exposing your belly to light may stimulate development. Try moving the beam of a flashlight slowly over your belly in a dim room, and see if he reacts.

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Twenty Nine Weeks

All and all a good week!

We had our first visit with the midwife ‘group’ on Tuesday. Both Jack and I feel sooo good about making the change. We both felt like we learned more in the hour we met with Laura then we had the last 20 weeks or so with our current doctor. I had no complaints about the doctor we were seeing, every visit was pleasant and seemless, the location was perfect and the appointment hours were great. But the further we progressed the more I found myself hoping for just a little bit more. More info about the baby and current progress, more about my changing body, more about the what’s to come, more about the process in general. (Each visit was VERY short and sweet, and a tad bit unpersonable.) We had the complete opposite feel when meeting with Laura (one of the seven mid-wives we will meet).

Happily Jack and I are on the same page when it comes to the labor, delivery, and the hour or so following the lil’ guys grand entrance. Because it’s our hope and goal for our first experience, calm, intimate and as peaceful as possible, it only makes sense for us we enlist the help of the mid-wives vs. the doctor and nurses on call.

Understanding ANYTHING can happen, and there is no play book when it comes to babies, we’ll role with the punches as they come - but ideally we would love a quite and intimate birth. Lights turned down low, the iPod playing a mellow preset playlist, me, Jack and the midwife and that’s it. We both agreed we would really like to avoid the revolving door of nurses, hospital staff, a doctor running in at the last minute, etc. It’s also our goal to keep the private setting even after the baby is born for that first hour or so to enjoy and get to know our new bundle of joy.

From the midwife’s response our our wish it sounds like all is completely doable. Yippee!

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Weekend Fun

The lil' guy's nursery is really starting to come together! I feel we made huge progress this weekend.

We still have few few little things to nail out before we share the big reveal and pictures of the entire room, (not just selected areas). On the to-do list, sew the valance, reupholster the glider and Ottoman, sew the changing pad cover, mount a shelf of two, mount the mirror above dresser and a few little small odds-and-ends. I hope to have those wrapped up in the next week or two, but really, I'm in no huge hurry, we've got 81 days to finish, give or take a couple. :)
Granted we are not completely done with the room, and obviously there are a few more costs to incur, but I couldn't be more tickled at the out the door price tag of everything currently in the room.

My good-to bargain basement reference Baby Bargains, a great resource and tool when pricing and purchasing recommends/est. spending $1500.00 on the Crib, mattress, dresser, rocker. We spent....

The six drawer dresser from IKEA, $249, the two drawer chest (aka changing table) also from IKEA, $179, the fabric for the crib skirt, window valance, glider and ottoman, IKEA, $50.00. Three 5x7 black frames, IKEA $15.00. The floor lamp, $30 and the black dresser lamp (on sale) $20.00 (both from IKEA). The four shelves above the crib $40.00. Storage compartments for the dresser and changing table drawers, $16.00. Misc. fabric rements/samples $15.00 =$614!!

Repurposed, handmade DIY, found around the house, gracious gifts and hand-me-downs. For a whopping out of pocket (purchased specifically to outfit the nursery) - $0.00! Woohoo!

The crib and mattress were a wonderful surprise from the neighbors (more about that here). Three of the six frames that make up the 'silhouette montage' found in my craft room closet (and spray painted black to match the purchased frames), the silhouette 'art work', DIY with on hand scrap book paper. The hanging mobile, a Wednesday evening craft project (oh, can't forget to count the $1.99 embroidery hoop used, purchased from the GoodWill). The Pottery Barn glider and ottoman a wonderful hand-me-down gift, again from our neighbors. The 'ladder' shelf unit, pulled from the bonus room (where it just didn't seem to fit). The beveled oval mirror that will hang above the desser came was the orginal mirror in our downstairs bathroom (I installed a better suited one a year or so ago). All the remaining frames found around the house with DIY art (pulled and created from the craft room, and all the nick-knacks around the room, all found around the house.

So far we're looking pretty gosh darn good! I'm sure before we're done will tack on at least a $100-$150 additional (hardware, decor, and other random necessities), but all and all not bad I say!

And to cap off the weekend, a family photo shoot of the bellies. Here I am 28weeks and 2days...

And crazy McKinley the dog's belly. One year, a fews months and a couple days...

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Twenty Eight Weeks & Our 3rd Trimester

Woohoo!

Today, I’ve officially trucked into our third trimester! I’m sure I sound like a broken record, but I truly can’t believe how fast the pregnancy is progressing.

I’m sincerely looking forward to the next twelve weeks of fun. Poo poo I say to the peeps around the office and unsolicited advice from others carrying on about all the uncomforts to come - the sleepless nights, the aching back, the stretch marks, the horrendous heartburn, and all the other unmentionables they say are heading my way.

There’s too much fun to look forward to in the next three months and at the rate the calendar pages are flipping I want to enjoy every day while this lasts. I’m excited to put the finishing touches on the lil’ guy’s nursery, learning more about the birthing process, learning more about baby things period, the fun baby showers and more.

I super excited to meet our new midwife group next Wednesday. - I received the phone call I’d had been waiting for on Wednesday. My records from my current Dr. finally made their way to them and I’m a go. After a wonderful phone conversation with Melissa (part of the midwife team) I’m even more convinced this might be the best move for us.

I’m excited to see how big this crazy belly is going to get, and strangely how much weight I’m going to pack on. Call me cuckoo, but I’m strangely curious (about both).

No new crazy symptoms this week – hooray!

In the last 28 weeks I’ve completely missed out and haven’t felt the effects of...Morning sickness, I think I’m going to dye fatigue, food aversions, constipation, heartburn, swollen ankles, stretch marks, hemorrhoids, gestational diabetes caused by the pregnancy, shoes not fitting or becoming tighter, muscle cramping of any kind (day or night), pigment discoloration, varicose veins, and any other random and/or major unpleasantly.

What I have felt and seen... a mild acne breakout around ten weeks, a few emotional breakdowns, a cold that lasted a good two weeks, a faint linea nigra line begin to develop under my belly button, ninja kicks that have kept me up for a minute or two, increasing awkwardness getting up and over the body pillow at night to use the restroom, and an odd pain a few nights ago in my breastbone (thought I was having a slight heart attack).

So far so good!

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Sweet, Sweet, Sweet

Twenty Seven Weeks

It’s only Tuesday and this week has been as sweet as sweet can be.

Today I had my twenty seven week check-up. It was a quick appointment, just the basics - blood pressure, weight (hooray, only a 4 lbs. gain – although I must stay away from the Golden Arches, I’m sure I wouldn’t have seen a gain at all if it wasn’t for Mr. McDonald hollering at me each time I passed by.), baby’s heart beat (good!), and my glucose results from Sunday’s blood work...I passed! No gestational diabetes for this kid and mama – thank goodness! I’m sure that would have put a damper on the day and my ice cream fun.

We made HUGE progress on the nursery this weekend. Friday night I picked up the white paint and started right in. I was able to knock out all the cutting in, a couple coats on the ceiling, the closet wall and a half a coat on a big wall before running out of paint. Saturday we headed out, picked up the grey paint, another gallon of white and headed off to IKEA with measurements and notes in hand.

Holly smokes did we cover some ground and score big in that crazy yellow and blue box! I think it might have been one of the best one-stop shopping trips ever. During our two hour adventure we scored: A six drawer dresser, a three drawer chest (aka changing table), a small nightstand/table, a floor lamp, a table lamp, sixteen compartment storage boxes for the dresser, three shelves, three picture frames, nine yards of three different styled fabrics, (one for the glider, one for the curtain valance, one for the bed skirt, and because Jack liked it) and a

Jackaroo cutting his fabric pick

As soon as we got home, we both hit it hard. Jack started assembling the furniture and I went back to the painting. Amazingly, by 10:00pm everything was moved in we had a full blown almost completed nursery! Just throw the crib in the room and it will be ready to rock.

Now it’s just the small fun stuff - picking out a few fun décor pieces and toys, sewing the valance, reupholstering the glider chair covers, and organizing the closet.

I would like to keep the room uncluttered and simple as possible, and because we are on a good roll budget wise, economical. To save a few pennies I thought I would try my hand at making the lil’ guys’ mobile to coordinate with the room. I’m happy and excited to report so far so good, and hope to have pictures by the weekend!

I can’t wait to see what the rest of the week brings!

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