I am overwhelmed by the generosity of my family and friends. Our basement is literally covered in baby gifts; everything from the swing and bouncer to the pack n' play, stroller and high chair. We have towels, washcloths, bibs and clothes. Our 4runner was so loaded down driving home yesterday that we literally could not see out of our back window. We had stuff piled all the way to the ceiling and up to the front seats.
I have been sitting here for ten minutes trying to come up with the words to describe how thankful I am, not just for the gifts, but for the outpouring of love and support they showed Aaron and I this weekend. It really hit home to me how much our family and friends are looking forward to this baby, just as much as we are. They are thinking and praying for him daily, which means more to me than any gift or cute outfit.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
A Small Step Forward
The bedding arrived and I love it! I think the richer colors work well with the chocolate brown walls. Now I just need to find some fun pictures to put on the walls. Aaron has been painting the base boards which have been on our 'to do' list since we put them in nearly two years ago. Lucky me, its a little too hard to bend over or sit on the hardwood floors for too long, so I got out of the project.
I have my first baby shower this weekend which I am super excited about. I was telling a co-worker this morning that its a little surreal to be going to a baby shower for myself, because only people who are about to have babies get showers. It's a little crazy that I qualify for a baby shower!
I also ordered our car seat this week. We decided on the Graco SnugRide Platinum. One of my girlfriends called this week to make sure I wasn't 'freaking out,' after she read my last post. I don't feel anxious or scared about the baby, I just feel more focused and determined to get my house and life organized before he makes an entrance. So many of the things on my list are projects or things I've wanted to get accomplished for months and just haven't gotten around to it.
Which leads me to my last point. I am a procrastinator. And lately, I am really bothered by this part of my personality. Timeliness and organization are also not necessarily my strong suits and I really want to shed some of my bad habits. So, if you have any tricks or advice on how to procrastinate less and organize more...please send me your recommendations.
I also ordered our car seat this week. We decided on the Graco SnugRide Platinum. One of my girlfriends called this week to make sure I wasn't 'freaking out,' after she read my last post. I don't feel anxious or scared about the baby, I just feel more focused and determined to get my house and life organized before he makes an entrance. So many of the things on my list are projects or things I've wanted to get accomplished for months and just haven't gotten around to it.
Which leads me to my last point. I am a procrastinator. And lately, I am really bothered by this part of my personality. Timeliness and organization are also not necessarily my strong suits and I really want to shed some of my bad habits. So, if you have any tricks or advice on how to procrastinate less and organize more...please send me your recommendations.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Nesting
I'm in nesting mode. I have a mile long list of house projects for my husband to complete and every time I look in a drawer or closet around my house, I just want to scream because everything is so cluttered and disorganized.
I'm not the most organized person anyway but as the baby items stack up in the nursery, I feel more and more overwhelmed at where I'm going to put everything. We have an old house meaning we run a little thin on storage space.
So on the list of to-do's is move my closet out of the nursery and into our bedroom, move Aaron's closet down to his office. Touch up paint throughout the house including painting our linen closet because it still smells musty and gross after two years of living here. We also have to finish the nursery and reorganize some drawers in the kitchen to accommodate bottles, bibs and miscellaneous baby stuff. I also want to get our carpets cleaned and buy a new rug for our living room. We will see how much my ambition matches up with our bank account!
The other part of 'nesting' is that I am obsessively researching everything from gliders to breast pumps to c-section recovery. (Not that I will even need a c-section...) I'm currently looking for some good recommendations on a glider/rocker and sling or other baby carrier (I have a Bjorn but I'm wondering if I will want something else). If you have a recommendation, email or leave me a comment.
I'm not the most organized person anyway but as the baby items stack up in the nursery, I feel more and more overwhelmed at where I'm going to put everything. We have an old house meaning we run a little thin on storage space.
So on the list of to-do's is move my closet out of the nursery and into our bedroom, move Aaron's closet down to his office. Touch up paint throughout the house including painting our linen closet because it still smells musty and gross after two years of living here. We also have to finish the nursery and reorganize some drawers in the kitchen to accommodate bottles, bibs and miscellaneous baby stuff. I also want to get our carpets cleaned and buy a new rug for our living room. We will see how much my ambition matches up with our bank account!
The other part of 'nesting' is that I am obsessively researching everything from gliders to breast pumps to c-section recovery. (Not that I will even need a c-section...) I'm currently looking for some good recommendations on a glider/rocker and sling or other baby carrier (I have a Bjorn but I'm wondering if I will want something else). If you have a recommendation, email or leave me a comment.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Growing
I'm 30 weeks pregnant...almost 31 weeks. And I feel like all of a sudden, everything is changing. I need to be ready for this baby. There is research to do and books to read. His nursery needs to be finished, the house needs to be deep cleaned, the carpets shampooed and bottles, diaper cream and pacifiers all need to be purchased.
Even more than the things I need to buy, I want to slow down a little and be really present these last few weeks. I want to remember feeling him move in my stomach and the awe on my husband's face when he sees an elbow or a bum protruding from my skin. I want to spend quality time with Aaron, relishing our last few weeks as a two person family, but I hope part of that time is thinking and dreaming about our little boy.
Anne Lamott, my favorite author and how this blog got a name, writes in her book Traveling Mercies that the two prayers she prays the most often is 'help me, help me, help me!' and 'thank you, thank you, thank you!' I don't think I could sum up my thoughts any better. My mind swings wildly from overflowing thanksgiving for the life I've been given and the blessings that continue to pour out daily and an overwhelming sense of panic and dread that I will be a terrible mother, or something bad is going to happen or that I won't be able to handle the responsibility of caring for an infant much less raising a child.
It's incredible how as my belly grows so does my heart. I can't wait to meet this boy face to face. We have so many adventures ahead...
On a nursery note, I am returning all that bedding. I ordered some really cute blue, green and brown striped bedding from Pottery Barn Kids. Aaron thought the bumper looked purple and I thought it was too light against the dark walls, so hopefully the third time is the charm on the crib bedding. I think my husband is going to freak if I buy any more bumpers.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
3 Hour Glucose Test
When my doctor's nurse called two weeks ago to let me know my test results from the one hour glucose test came back too high, I freaked out. Not because I was worried about my health or the health of the baby...no, I was freaking out that I would have to take the three hour test which requires fasting.
Let me back up a little, anyone who knows me, even just a little bit, knows I am not keen on missing a meal and I will do anything to avoid throwing up. You might even consider my aversion to vomit a full on phobia. I avoid public restrooms, I Lysol my house and anyone in it if I hear of illness and I break into a cold sweat listening to coughing or gagging. It's ridiculous, but I've literally been this way all my life. Thankfully, baby spit up doesn't bother me, so hopefully, that will desensitize me for the real thing.
Anyway, the reason I didn't want to do the 3 hour test was because you have to fast (which is not fun, especially pregnant) and then drink 100 grams of glucola, which tastes like flat fanta, and then sit around the hospital lab for 3+ hours and get your blood drawn every hour on the hour. My doctor, for shits and giggles, throws in a blood draw at 30 minutes post drink, so I actually had 5 blood draws. My arms are hideously black and blue today.
So, after cancelling the test twice, desperately trying to talk my doctor into letting me take the one hour again and basically whining to anyone and everyone who would listen to me, I bit the bullet and took the test yesterday. And surprise surprise, my drama was all for nothing. The test wasn't exactly how I would want to spend the morning, but it didn't make sick like I was told it would and other than having some sore arms and a bit of a head ache yesterday afternoon, I felt fine.
I showed up right at 8am after rolling out of bed all of 15-20 minutes earlier. I got my blood drawn, waited while it was tested, drank my glucola, which thankfully kind of filled me up for a bit and then sat reading People Magazine and talking on the phone. I was able to drink water the whole time and I only got light headed and a little nauseated right at the end and that was just because I was starving! Aaron took me out for lunch afterwards and as soon as I had filled up on chicken tacos, I was as good as new.
When I talked with the nurse this morning, she said two of my readings came back borderline which means I do not have gestational diabetes but it may mean I need to follow a stricter diet. I'll be interested to hear what my doctor has to say.
I've decided that I'm not going to fill my girlfriend's minds with pregnancy/labor/motherhood horror stories. I was terrified to be pregnant because of all the bad stuff you hear but as each new milestone comes and goes, it has been easier, happier and more fun than I could have ever predicted. I think 90 percent of us have decently easy pregnancies and we need to talk about it! Its obviously important that we are honest about our experiences, but at the same time, I'm committed to less drama. I'm here to say pregnancy and all the crap that goes along with it isn't that bad! If anything its more inconvenient than anything else.
That's my soap box for today. Coming up...belly pictures and a finished bathroom. Also, a new washer and dryer that I have been tempted to caress lovingly and give a little kiss.
Let me back up a little, anyone who knows me, even just a little bit, knows I am not keen on missing a meal and I will do anything to avoid throwing up. You might even consider my aversion to vomit a full on phobia. I avoid public restrooms, I Lysol my house and anyone in it if I hear of illness and I break into a cold sweat listening to coughing or gagging. It's ridiculous, but I've literally been this way all my life. Thankfully, baby spit up doesn't bother me, so hopefully, that will desensitize me for the real thing.
Anyway, the reason I didn't want to do the 3 hour test was because you have to fast (which is not fun, especially pregnant) and then drink 100 grams of glucola, which tastes like flat fanta, and then sit around the hospital lab for 3+ hours and get your blood drawn every hour on the hour. My doctor, for shits and giggles, throws in a blood draw at 30 minutes post drink, so I actually had 5 blood draws. My arms are hideously black and blue today.
So, after cancelling the test twice, desperately trying to talk my doctor into letting me take the one hour again and basically whining to anyone and everyone who would listen to me, I bit the bullet and took the test yesterday. And surprise surprise, my drama was all for nothing. The test wasn't exactly how I would want to spend the morning, but it didn't make sick like I was told it would and other than having some sore arms and a bit of a head ache yesterday afternoon, I felt fine.
I showed up right at 8am after rolling out of bed all of 15-20 minutes earlier. I got my blood drawn, waited while it was tested, drank my glucola, which thankfully kind of filled me up for a bit and then sat reading People Magazine and talking on the phone. I was able to drink water the whole time and I only got light headed and a little nauseated right at the end and that was just because I was starving! Aaron took me out for lunch afterwards and as soon as I had filled up on chicken tacos, I was as good as new.
When I talked with the nurse this morning, she said two of my readings came back borderline which means I do not have gestational diabetes but it may mean I need to follow a stricter diet. I'll be interested to hear what my doctor has to say.
I've decided that I'm not going to fill my girlfriend's minds with pregnancy/labor/motherhood horror stories. I was terrified to be pregnant because of all the bad stuff you hear but as each new milestone comes and goes, it has been easier, happier and more fun than I could have ever predicted. I think 90 percent of us have decently easy pregnancies and we need to talk about it! Its obviously important that we are honest about our experiences, but at the same time, I'm committed to less drama. I'm here to say pregnancy and all the crap that goes along with it isn't that bad! If anything its more inconvenient than anything else.
That's my soap box for today. Coming up...belly pictures and a finished bathroom. Also, a new washer and dryer that I have been tempted to caress lovingly and give a little kiss.
Monday, July 14, 2008
When You Can't Think of What to Blog About, Make a List
A Few of My Favorite Things Right Now:
Feeling Baby move. There is something so comforting about feeling the baby move. It’s this awesome little reminder that all is well. Feeling the baby move has made me so much more attached to him than I would have ever predicted.
The fact that our house is almost finished. The bathroom that has been in process for several week/months is on the home stretch. The plumbing, electrical and walls are finished. The floor has been tiled and the shower is almost done. The washer and dryer have been ordered and should arrive any day. We are so close! This is the final major project on the house and it feels so good to be almost done. I love our house and I have loved watching it take shape but I am anxious to sit back and enjoy it!
The husband. He is not only handsome as all get out, but he has been incredibly sweet to me throughout this pregnancy, constantly telling me how cute I look and offering to carry bags, move my car, get me a glass of water ect. The icing on the cake is that he goes to work all day (thankfully he loves his new job) and then comes home and does house projects, not because he has to, but because he likes to. Sometimes I get annoyed at how consumed he gets with the house, but then I remember how lucky I am to have a partner who is such a hard worker.
The nursery. I bought a bumper, crib sheet and crib skirt yesterday and it was so fun to put it all together last night. The bedding is kind of pieced together and it’s not necessarily my dream concept for the room, but it’s a beautiful blue color and incredibly soft…so I’m not going to obsess. I figure it’s a great opportunity to do something fun on the walls and with a rug.
Cherries, homemade waffles, turkey sandwiches, peaches, ice cream sandwiches and Mexican food. I wouldn’t call these my cravings, but these are the staples of my diet. If I could figure out a way to convince Aaron to eat burritos and waffles exclusively for the next three months, I would be a very happy woman. He apparently likes variety, which I’m not to into that right now.
A Short List of Not So Favorite Things:
Heartburn. I get it from anything, even leaning over or burping has been known to get it going. Yuck. I would cut out the spicy food, but toast has brought it on as often as salsa.
Back pain. My back hurts. A lot. Enough said.
Tiredness. I can’t call it fatigue, but holy crap am I tired. Anybody who says they had so much energy while pregnant is a big fat liar.
Work. It’s not as bad as it was, but I’m ridiculously busy and feeling like I’m doing all this work that reaps so few results. I need a team of people to help me and that’s not in the cards, so I just show up every morning dreading what they day will bring. Three months until maternity leave…when apparently the really hard work starts!
A backed up tub drain. We have bad juju in our upstairs bathroom and the latest issue is a clogged tub drain. No amount of drano, expensive organic orange scented “drano,” snaking, plunging or just plain old screaming and swearing at the drain gets the clog moving. Note to anyone visiting in the near future: expect ankle deep water while taking a shower. Sorry about that.
Feeling Baby move. There is something so comforting about feeling the baby move. It’s this awesome little reminder that all is well. Feeling the baby move has made me so much more attached to him than I would have ever predicted.
The fact that our house is almost finished. The bathroom that has been in process for several week/months is on the home stretch. The plumbing, electrical and walls are finished. The floor has been tiled and the shower is almost done. The washer and dryer have been ordered and should arrive any day. We are so close! This is the final major project on the house and it feels so good to be almost done. I love our house and I have loved watching it take shape but I am anxious to sit back and enjoy it!
The husband. He is not only handsome as all get out, but he has been incredibly sweet to me throughout this pregnancy, constantly telling me how cute I look and offering to carry bags, move my car, get me a glass of water ect. The icing on the cake is that he goes to work all day (thankfully he loves his new job) and then comes home and does house projects, not because he has to, but because he likes to. Sometimes I get annoyed at how consumed he gets with the house, but then I remember how lucky I am to have a partner who is such a hard worker.
The nursery. I bought a bumper, crib sheet and crib skirt yesterday and it was so fun to put it all together last night. The bedding is kind of pieced together and it’s not necessarily my dream concept for the room, but it’s a beautiful blue color and incredibly soft…so I’m not going to obsess. I figure it’s a great opportunity to do something fun on the walls and with a rug.
Cherries, homemade waffles, turkey sandwiches, peaches, ice cream sandwiches and Mexican food. I wouldn’t call these my cravings, but these are the staples of my diet. If I could figure out a way to convince Aaron to eat burritos and waffles exclusively for the next three months, I would be a very happy woman. He apparently likes variety, which I’m not to into that right now.
A Short List of Not So Favorite Things:
Heartburn. I get it from anything, even leaning over or burping has been known to get it going. Yuck. I would cut out the spicy food, but toast has brought it on as often as salsa.
Back pain. My back hurts. A lot. Enough said.
Tiredness. I can’t call it fatigue, but holy crap am I tired. Anybody who says they had so much energy while pregnant is a big fat liar.
Work. It’s not as bad as it was, but I’m ridiculously busy and feeling like I’m doing all this work that reaps so few results. I need a team of people to help me and that’s not in the cards, so I just show up every morning dreading what they day will bring. Three months until maternity leave…when apparently the really hard work starts!
A backed up tub drain. We have bad juju in our upstairs bathroom and the latest issue is a clogged tub drain. No amount of drano, expensive organic orange scented “drano,” snaking, plunging or just plain old screaming and swearing at the drain gets the clog moving. Note to anyone visiting in the near future: expect ankle deep water while taking a shower. Sorry about that.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Checking In
I might be the worst blogger ever...
I think the issue is that I don't have time to blog during the work day and by the time the evening rolls around my brain is on empty.
Anyway, here are a few pictures of what we did over the weekend:
I think the issue is that I don't have time to blog during the work day and by the time the evening rolls around my brain is on empty.
Anyway, here are a few pictures of what we did over the weekend:
Willows Lodge
25 weeks...yikes, to say I've gone through a 'growth spurt' would be an understatement
A little wine tasting...just a sip for me!
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