Three Months!



Hey Baby Girl!  You're three months old now!  And for the record, we've quit using the "x" weeks old for a few reasons...one, it'd be like me saying I was "1513 weeks old' (gross!) so now, we say months only.  Also...you were born on a Friday, and some months have had more Fridays than others...so you'd be like 9 weeks, but two months, when really 8 weeks should be two months, etc...you see the problem?

Anyway, what a month!! Let's see... well first off... we had your daddy's election, and guess what? All of our hard work, and doorbelling, and phone calling paid off! HE WON! 68% of the vote too (that's really good!)  So we had quite the celebration...and you wore a pretty coral dress, and everyone loved you!  Also this month...I went back to work and you started going to your Grandma's during the day! It's been an adjustment, but you're happy all in the same.  We also celebrated Thanksgiving and because it was your "first" I made sure you had at least three turkey outfits...I justify it by saying that it's your "First Thanksgiving" ---but really, I think I can use that excuse again, because next year, it will be your "First Thanksgiving" where you can have big people food... see? I'm teaching you early on...

Our best friends are having a baby too and they found out this month that your new best friend is going to be a ......GIRL!! (I knew it the whole time too)...so now you'll have a friend to share clothes with, and go shopping, and have sleepovers, yay!

Oh, and also, the Cougs won Apple Cup! You and Dad spent the day together, which happened to be Black Friday.  We ran out of diapers and totally forgot until Friday morning, so I had to have your dad go to the store...on Black Friday...for diapers. Whoops.  And if that wasn't bad enough, I called him from work because I also forgot the parts to my pump (which would have meant no food for you...Nooo!!!) Yeah, you can imagine, he wasn't a happy camper...also because I called him a half hour before kick off... so we compromised, I would drive over and pick up the parts at the party on my lunch break.  Well, want to know something funny? Your dad called me an hour later...guess what? He forgot the top to the bottle (which would have meant no food for you...Nooo!!!) So I had to go to the store...on Black Friday...for a bottle nipple.  Funny how that all worked out huh? Long story short: You ate = you were happy.  The Cougs won = dad was happy.

As far as new developments go this month.... you have found your hands and you LOVE putting them in your mouth!  You usually fit a few fingers in, sometimes you try to fit your fist, you'll grab a blanket or your shirt and stuff that in too.  You've also started talking alot!  There's a caterpillar on your play gym that plays music and you'll smile and stare at it, then you'll start singing.  It is pretty stinking adorable. 

We also have our own special "girl talk" which usually takes place at night when I'm getting you into your pj's.  Diaper off and totally naked, you start chatting away.  I ask you how your day was, what you did at Grandma's, we sing sometimes...and you just talk and talk and talk.  I love it!

Since I went back to work, I haven't been able to take you in and get you weighed every two weeks like I had been, so I got creative and decided to weigh you at home.  I stepped on the scale (and sighed... too many peppermint pretzels) checked my weight, then grabbed you, stepped back on the scale, and the difference was 14.4 pounds! You're growing so fast!!  You have an appt in January so we'll see officially how much you've grown!

You are such a happy baby Makena, we love you to pieces!  You're still sleeping through the night, even though everyone keeps telling me that will change any day (fingers crossed they're wrong!)...you still look just like your dad, but we keep saying you're getting my personality, like getting completely irrationally upset when you decide you're hungry and you want to eat NOW!  (just like mommy) :)  You've started to discover your lungs and you have three cries: the "I'm STARVING even though I just ate and shouldn't already be hungry" cry.  The "I'm really tired and need to go to sleep but I don't want to miss out on the fun" cry.  And last, and newest, the "This is my fake cry" --but I totally know it and you can't fool me...where do you think you got it from? Haha! 

Here are a few pictures from Month Three -- you're growing up and getting big so fast, we went back to look at your newborn pics, and I can't believe how quickly you've changed!  Love you baby!!

Two Months!

Where has the time gone?!  I'm sure I'll be saying this for the next 18 years, but wow. I can't believe how quickly it has gone by!

Two months... wow.  First off.. the stats:

At six weeks you weighed in at 10 lbs 15 oz! Growing, growing, growing!  At your two month check up you weighed in at.... 12 lbs!  You also grew taller and are exaclty 24 inches long.  Let me just say, this is probably the only time in your life that people will cheer and congratulate you on putting on the pounds, so enjoy it sister!

We went to your appointment on Halloween (exactly 2 months) and your pediatrician was dressed up as Captain America!  I should have taken a picture, it was pretty fun.  You are in the 95th percentile for both height and weight and checked out great!  We also gave you your first round of shots and immunizations - everyone warned me that you'd probably cry your eyes out and be a really fuss, but, because you're such a Rockstar, you were upset for a total of...maybe 20 seconds, then you cozied up and fell asleep.

You are happily sleeping in your own room now in your crib, and sleeping through the night!  That started right about 7 weeks and you love looking at the color of your room when you're awake.  You wake up with big smiles every morning and it's my favorite part of the day!

You are also starting to sit up (with the help of your Bumbo chair) and love being able to look around.   You and your dad like to spend Sundays on the couch watching football, or napping, or both and you have been a busy busy baby helping me with your dad's campaign.  We've enjoyed the beautiful fall weather we've had and doorbelled on the sunny days - and made phone calls on the rainy days.  I will say, you're not too excited about it all, you end up taking your afternoon nap when I'm working (but that's okay!)

Let's see...what else?  Oh!  You went to the Pumpkin Patch for the first time (slept through that too) and had your first Halloween!  We dressed you us as a chicken, or a duck, not quite sure... but you were adorable!  You were nice and cozy in your costume!

You make us laugh and smile everyday!  You have so much character and your expressions are priceless.  You still have that concerned, focused look - but then you'll break out a HUGE smile and squirm all over.  You've started drooling, ALOT, but you're not teething yet, thankfully!  You also rip ones...all...the...time.  Oh my goodness kid, you stink!  But you're so cute we think it's hilarious (as we pull our shirts over our noses...)

It's facisnating watching you look around and discover new things everyday.  We are so thankful and blessed to have you in our lives and you continue to amaze me - we love you so much kiddo!

Happy Two Months!

One Month!

Holy crap!

Unsure when to count "one month" since September doesn't have have 31 days.

Also, no half birthday...February only has 28 days, saddest news.  We'll have to celebrate Happy 3/4 Birthday or something epic, because April 14th is pretty much a holiday in my book, and my daughter needs to enjoy the awesomeness of the 1/2, or 3/4 Birthday.

Anyway, back to month one.  It has flown by! ...the rest of this post is written to Makena....

Stats: At your two week appointment, you not only weighed in at your birth weight (the goal) - you surpassed it!  (Way to go Rockstar!) ...you weighed 8lbs 15oz!

At four weeks you weighed in at 10 lbs 5oz!  What are we feeding you?? You also grew 2 1/2 inches.

You bring happiness and laughter to us everyday.

You are getting more and more alert, but you LOVE to sleep.  I have a feeling 13 years from now, you'll be exactly the same, except it won't be as cute, and I'll likely be yelling at you to get out of bed and get to school.

You're morning stretches and yawns are my absolute favorite.  The way you scrunch your face and raise your eyebrows - the wrinkles on your forehead, and how your little tiny arms stretch above your head with your little fists.

You also have the most serious, focused, old man face - you scrunch your eyebrows into this little scowl face combined with your tight lips, it cracks us up!

You are also quite the drama queen - one minute you'll be content with your focus face, and the next you decide to cry - and almost like you are just checking to see that it still works, you immediately stop crying and go back to your look.  Sometimes when you fuss we blow in your face and you immediately stop, look shocked, and then give us this adorable face - we love you so much!

You LOVE bath time.  I think you'd stay in there forever, and you always fuss when we take you out, but getting you all wrapped up in warm blankets with your towel and cuddling right afterwards is one of the best parts of the day.

You also love the carseat.  You'd also stay in there forever if we let you, usually sleeping.  We get you in the car and within minutes you're konked out. 

Everyone is amazed when we've been out and about - they always tell me "I can't believe you're already out!" But really, you've been such an amazing baby, the first two weeks you would have slept through the night if I hadn't woken you up to feed you. Now you sleep in 3-4 hour chunks - so really, for the most part, I get better sleep then when I was pregnant with you (that last month for sure!)

You're dad loves you to pieces, and I love him so much more seeing how much he loves you.  You bring such a smile to his face and hearing him laugh watching you fills my heart!  He loves to call you "Babykins" and "Stink Bug" (a well deserved nickname!) - He also loves calling you by your first and middle name, "Makena Rae!" 

It's crazy how much you look like him - we joke that we're going to dress you up as him for Halloween - he also calls you "mini-Brandon" and thinks you're pretty stinkin' cute. (I agree).

Part of me can't wait to see what changes you'll make in the next month - but the other part of me just wants time to slow down so we can enjoy these moments before they're gone!

Happy One Month Baby Girl!

39 week recap notes.

One of these days I'll get around to finishing this post, but for now, I'll just post my notes. :)

The. Last.  Photo.

Appt freak out, lying to the Dr saying B was out of town so I wouldn't have to be induced tonight.  Nervous - excited but scared out of my mind - going in tomorrow at 6 freaking AM!  Priority was doing the last chalkboard, worry about packing later.  Total and final weight gain... 60 pounds, hooolleee smokes!  Lime popsicles. Yellow gatorade. No sleep. Lots of movement, lots of energy. Cowboy party...boots didn't fit. No dresses....turned tshirts. Golf tourney...half packed bag...telling B where everything is since the bag isn't packed and just in case. Preggo moment: Trying to swipe ID card for champagne. Seeing friends baby in hospital. Happy, energetic...feel like I'm doing something different, not feeling like "get this baby out!" Fun to tell people when they ask when in due and seeing their reactions. Haha. Tough week politically, appointment and opponent getting back in. Twilight parade...didn't walk it. Back pain, hips out of alignment-pirate peg leg...massage and chiro appts. Tylenol. pics from Challenge...made it! ...turkey timer popped out, must be getting close! Gatorade and chicken ceasar salads... B getting excited, "hey you, come out of there!"  

Yeah yeah yeah....

I know, I know. I'm WAY behind on my postings...especially since my due date is WEDNESDAY.

But really, I promise I have been keeping up with it.  I'm writing this from my phone, so that I can touch base, because that's how busy we are right now!  Pictures and all... I have it!  Just need to spend a few minutes to organize my notes and upload those pics.  Lots going on, which means...lots to share!

I can tell you that as I write this, I feel like she's headbanging in my pelvis.  I keep telling her that 80's hair band music is out, and headbanging is not cool...she's not listening. I think she's having a little "getting ready to move out" party.  Just like her mom, any excuse for a party right?

Well.  Regardless of when she decides to make her debut, I am CAUGHT up on the pics and notes... just not caught up on sharing them with you, sorry. :)

Blog soon!!

Darci

Week 38 in Review

Ok...since I'm stupid behind on these and they've been sitting here collecting e-dust, I thought I would at least post the pictures and my notes from the week...which I usually turn into the journal, which I may or may not do... enjoying mommyhood a little too much right now! :)

Originally written 08/23/12

This chalkboard made me almost wish for fall...so I could have a pumpkin spice latte...and then I told myself I was CRAZY, because I still like summer.  But I really like pumpkin spice lattes....mmmmm.... random.

Crazy Ninga movement
Terrible sleep and kink in my back
Now feel "pregnant" - felt good with a big belly, now I fully feel pregnant.
Bring on the waddle.
Compression Socks = nightmare.
Sleeping at 9pm
Rented movie, popcorn, apples and cheese = date night!
heavy breathing, all the time.
"when are you going to start nesting?"
Going to miss being pregnant, it's a pretty amazing experience.
Hard to really comprehend, oh my gosh, any day this could happen and we'll forever have our lives changed....
Went to Target and got more appropriately sized bras.
Slurged on a few pieces of makeup, as it might be my last chance to spoil myself...ever.
Sleep...tried to use Boppy for cushion, no bueno.  Then tried rolling up blankets to make belly cushion.
EXHAUSTED all the time.
Dilation appt.
Sleep. Waking B up in the middle of the night with all my moving, him complaining about just getting comfortable....what?!
Baby dreams= everything going wrong: csection, taking baby right away, we had to pick up at Dr office, all the shots, and a full on grey moustache and hair!
Finishing up shopping, screaming crazy toddler at Target... oh my gosh, seriously?  Don't ever let me be "that" parent!
Lame weekend of sleeping at 9pm every night.
Prospect at golf course, see lots of people....everyone said I'm too chipper to be as pregs as I am.

Week 37 in Review!

Full Term!  Oh my...

How far along? 37 weeks done...2 weeks to go!  (see, we're really on the beginning of week 38 - cuz that's how I do these) I have to explain it so it makes sense to me, since I still think I messed this whole thing up some how. :)

Total weight gain/loss: 56 pounds. Interesting fact...you know how they say husbands usually gain sympathy weight?  Not B, he's lost weight like crazy!  He's the lowest weight he's been in YEARS.  In fact...we're almost at the same weight.  I have complete confidence that I WILL be heavier than he is by then end.  Let's keep that between us. (wink wink)

Maternity clothes? Totally returned the clothes.  And got nursing bras.  Ugh.  I thought that would be a fun experience, what what I thinking?!  FIRST, pre-pregnancy I was a hopeful 36B - on a bloated day.  Would you believe that when she measured me, she tried to tell me I was a .......40DD.  I didn't have a filter apparently so I immediately responded with, "you're full of "ish" - there's NO WAY." ---and then I apologized - but reassurred her that she was dead wrong.  She tried to explain how much our body changes, blah blah blah - and then said maybe I was closer to a 40D.  I tried on a few, and the cups would have fit on my head!  I came out, told her unless I was going to suddenly have porn star boobs, these were not going to work.  So we compromised on 38C - which I still think are WAY too big.  But, I decided to keep them, keep the tags, and see how things change when "my milk comes in." I also have to share, that nursing bras are a whole other form of birth control, because these are hideous.  I feel like a Grandma.  Maybe Victoria's Secret will start carrying a line of sexy nursing bras...or maybe I need to become a designer.....TM.

Stretch marks? Anyone have recommendations for some magic stretch mark creams/lotions/potions?

Sleep: The previous 9+ months have been managable if not wonderful - so it hit me like a wall this week when all of a sudden, I CANT SLEEP. I wake up every two hours, on the nose, go to the bathroom.  I don't move during those 2 hours, so when I do wake up, I'm still and have sheet wrinkles pressed in one side of my body.  Then, I go back to bed, on the other side, repeat.   ZZZzzzzz....

Best moment this week: Although it was frustrating in the moment, nursing bra shopping was kind of a highlight...it is making is all so real!  I can't believe it...oh and the hilarity of the pack and play assembly..mentioned below!


Best (non-pregnancy) moment of the week: Nothing super amazing that I remember...blame it on the pregnancy brain..you know I can only use the excuse a little bit longer... :)

Anything off this list? We got the pack and play assembled...that was a project!  First we thought it'd be like a popup tent and boom, self-assembly.  Wrong. Then we tried to put it together because we couldn't find the instructions.  Nothing worked.  Then we searched all over for the damn instructions.  Finally found them and assembled.  It is definitely not something that is a quick up and down thing... but, it will come in handy!  Check it off the list!  I also had a good friend come over and help me put together a list of things for the hospital bag...maybe I'll get to that this week... :)

Miss Anything? Sleep is obvious, but I still wake up and work through the day, so I know its doable...I figure this is just prep for the future when I'll be running on no sleep all the time!

Movement: Lots of hiccups and wiggles, the occasional ninja kick that cracks me up - so weird!  I haven't experienced the "foot in the ribs" that a lot of people have talked about, so I guess I'm pretty lucky!

Food cravings: Not craving much, just eating lots.

Labor Signs? Don't think so.  Still getting that pelvic shooting pain once and a while and a TON of bum cramps.  What is up with that?!

Have you started to show yet: I'd feel weird if people didn't know I was pregnant.
Gender: GIRL!

Belly Button in or out? Still flush, I don't think it's going to pop...we'll see!

Wedding rings on or off? I miss my real ring, and I almost made it out to get it cleaned this weekend....almost.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Aside from the sleep and the back pain, still feeling pretty great.  A lot of people tell me I still have a lot of energy for being this close and keep asking if I'm ready to be done - not there yet, we still have a lot to do in the next week or so!  Haha, it's easy right now!

Week 36 In Review!

In honor of the weekly theme, I had to dress in the "watermelon" outfit.  Note: I did not chop off all my hair, although it looks like it, I did however, chop my finger...no bueno, it bled for DAYS.  ....ok, maybe just for minutes, but it was bad!

How far along? Finished up 36 weeks, can you believe it?

Total weight gain/loss: 53 pounds. I was at Costco the other day and I looked at the meat section, you know the BULK meat...where it's like 15 lbs of ground beef.  I imagined 4 of those and thought, holy crap, where the heck am I storing 4 of those packages?! Unbelievable.

Maternity clothes? Went shopping to pick up a couple outfits for our maternity photos this week...may pull a Darci and leave some tags on so I can return them.  I mean, really, I only have a few weeks left, no sense in buying a bunch of stuff that i=I won't want to wear...but maybe I'll just keep them, they are pretty comfy... :)

Stretch marks? Still there, nothing new though!

Sleep: Our dreams have been nuts lately!  Brandon and I both!  I keep having dreams that we're going into labor and then somehow I skip over the labor part and end up having an adorable baby with big eyes looking at me.  It's nuts!  Brandon told me he had a dream that I told him my water broke and he told me to go back to bed and rest up.  I told him we needed to go to the hospital and we bickered about it.  We ended up going to the hospital where I got on the bed, the Dr checked me out and said "oh yeah, you should push!" and then all of a sudden the baby's head and arm popped out and she pulled herself out, in like 5 minutes. LOL  What a dream!

Best moment this week: We got our maternity shots taken!  I'm so excited! I was worried we weren't going to get them done in time and I would have to stuff a pillow in my shirt and fake it.  But we made it, and I can't wait to see them.  Our good friend, Tiffany, took them - and she's crazy talented!  She's not a professional, yet, but she should be!  I'm going to help her start a blog so she can share her work and then people will see her awesomeness and hire her.  I'll post the blog here when we get to that!

I know we got some great shots, but I have to share the one that's probably most "me" ---towards the end of the shoot, we ended up at a playground at an elementary school.  She asked if there were any other photos I wanted, and I semi-jokingly said "yeah, I want to hang upside down from the monkey bars!" Then we looked, and there was a low one that wouldn't require me to get all crazy on the playground equipment, so we totally did it!  There were some middle-school aged kids cracking up looking at us, and how nuts I probably looked - but I can't wait to see if they turned out. Hahaha....

Best (non-pregnancy) moment of the week: The Primary Election was a success!  Brandon pulled 58% of the vote, and the write-in candidate didn't come close - so he's making it to November running virtually unopposed.  I have to give thanks to God for helping take away the stress and anxiety that we were feeling - I found a quote a few weeks ago that is so true, "Faith is believing that the outcome is what it should be, not matter what it is." I kept reminding myself the entire day, that if it's meant to be, it will happen and if it's part of His plan, it will happen.  Knowing it was out of my hands, it really was calming.  And then we saw the results and thanked God and celebrated!  ....by celebrating, I mean, we went over to a friend's house where Brandon and the guys went over PCO statistics and I relaxed on the couch with the wife...until 1am, on a work night!! Brandon was out until 3am - the next day we paid for it...we are NOT that young anymore!!

Anything off this list? I'm switching this one up a bit this week and making it into a positive...like, anything I was able to mark off my list of things to do before baby comes?  To which I will say, YES!  We got the nursery done! ....well pretty much.  Furniture is assembled, paint is done, curtains are up, clothes are in the dresser!  Aaaannnddd.... we installed a dimmer light, which I am weirdlty excited about!  Like, I think it's my favorite part of the whole room!  Haha, the little things.

Miss Anything? With this crazy heat wave, I've totally been missing an ice cold beer.  Or a margarita.  And the free time to sit on the back patio and enjoy it.  Next summer....

Movement: CRAZY movement! I keep trying to get a video of it, but I sit there and recrd a two minute long video where nothing happens and then the second you turn it off, she moves.  It's a fun little game we seem to play.  She's also had the hiccups all the time.  I did get video of that. :)

Food cravings: Kind of the usual.  My daily diet includes: morning - OJ with vitamins, banana or yogurt with dry cereal.  String cheese and a granola bar for snack.  Odwalla protein shake (or coffee) for mid-day.  Something for lunch (that varies) and then usually crackers or trail mix and grapes for a late snack.  Dinner (varies). 

Labor Signs? I wouldn't call it labor signs, because I don't think it is - but I think she's dropped and lately when I walk around I feel like (and I'm sure this isn't what it is, but it feels like) her head is in my pelvis and then she moves it and I get shooting pains in my pelvis.  Like the kind that stop you in your tracks!  Painful!  And then it goes away and I'm fine. But holy smokes...add that to the bum cramps - which I learned not everyone gets (?!) and aye ai ai.  Bum cramps you ask?  The best way I can describe it is you're moving or walking and all of a sudden you can't move because your bum hole has closed up all the way in the tighest cramp!  I know my best friend knows what I'm talking about...but we've learned that people think we're crazy...you're lucky if you haven't experienced these! Haha

Have you started to show yet:  We have high counter and desks at work, so usually you can see mid-waist up.  In the last week or so, I've had quite a few clients look in shock as I move away from the desk/counter and they say something along the lines of "Whoa! When did that happen?!" ---to which I respond, "oh, about 9 months ago!" - they say they had no idea...oh, I have sweet clients.  They may be liars, but they are so nice! :)

Gender: GIRL!

Belly Button in or out? Button is still hiding.

Wedding rings on or off? My bling ring continues to get ridiculous compliments... I started telling people it's a "magic' ring that can even turn your finger green!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Feeling pretty great!  Getting tired a lot more, but still seem to have a lot of energy and not ready to be done with this pregnancy thing quite yet!

Week 35 In Review!

How far along? 35 weeks down.  And I realized this week, I totally screwed this whole thing up.  See.. had I done these blogs at beginning of each week then it would have been perfect!  This week's chalkboard would have been 35 weeks with 35 days to go!  How cool is that?  But, because I do the end of the week recap *and, yeah, this is a few days past that....well, oh well, no use crying over spilled milk...maybe next time.

Total weight gain/loss: I kept it under 50 this week! Woo hoo... little miracles right?  49...still, freakin crazy.

Maternity clothes? Loving this skirt - I pretty much throw it on like sweat pants when I get home.  It's long, it's flowy, and it has stripes - what's not to love?  Kind of wishing I would have got it one size smaller, just so I can continue to wear it later.

Stretch marks? Brandon and I had a good long talk about these this week - it was one of those random car ride conversations where we were both talking about how amazing it is that our bodies can go through what they have been.  And maybe it's wishful thinking but we both agreed that the tummy stretch marks don't look like they're permanent.... ha! We'll see, fingers crossed.

Sleep: Sleep sucks.  I'm sure it's just a prep for things to come.  Exhausted from all we've got going on (just a few more days until the primary!)  When B gets exhausted, he talks in his sleep - and he's been having quite the conversations! 

Best moment this week: Dr appointment this week - I asked if she could tell me how big she though Baby Girl was getting... she did some pushing and moving around and said, "well....my guess is about six and a half pounds - so yeah, she could end up being a big girl!" - holy smokes! And then she asked if we had the car seat (fail), the hospital bag packed (fail), the birth plan organized (fail)....and then I think she quit asking because she saw the panic on my face.  Guess what we did that night?  Stroller/car seat check!  ...along with a few other things on the list, like picking up the furniture!  ....and in true Darci fashion, I semi-freaked out when I saw the furniture box which was all ripped and damaged - like, "ooooh nooo... that is NOT going to be our furniture" which is was - and then I was like "ooooh nooo...we're are NOT leaving without a discount!" And we totally got 10% off, whoop whoop!

Best (non-pregnancy) moment of the week: Well this isn't "pregnancy" related, but it kind of is... I had two friends come over this week and help me go through all my baby stuff!  It's all been in the garage since the showers and intimidating to start on.  Like going to the gym, I didn't want to do it, but once we got started, it wasn't so bad, and I felt so good afterwards!  They were such a huge help..thank you thank you thank you!!

OH, and I can't forget to say that this week we also went to the fair!  Which, on like the hottest day of the year, wasn't as fun as it has been in year's past.  I pretty much sweated through my shirt walking from the parking lot to the A/C convention center - where we volunteered for 4 hours for the CCRP booth.  We also got our photo button (every year baby!) and our milkshake and  our elephant ear. I change my mind, I still love the fair.

Note the mom cheeks.  And...for some reason the paper is super warped on our button...it looks like stretch marks...I can't escape them!

Anything off this list? I've been meaning to mention this for a few weeks...but ladies, let me tell you something about being super pregnant... something they don't tell you.  It is impossible to pee in those damn cups every week once you reach like 32 weeks.  First, your belly is in your view, so you can't see where to hold your cup.  Second, you freakin' can't reach down far enough to get the cup in the stream.  Third, your belly is pushing your bladder all crazy, so where you used to pee isn't the same, so catching the stream becomes a guessing game, and really you just pee all over your hand and hope to get a few drops in the cup.  Lastly, if you're like me... your balance is all off so taking a hand trying to get the whole cup thing down when really, you should be bracing yourself...well...let's just say you may fall off the toilet.

Miss Anything? I think I'm actually really going to miss being pregnant.  This has been such an amazing time, and it has FLOWN by.  I can't believe how fast this year has flown by....when did it become August?? Seriously!

Movement: You know it!  I keep trying to figure out if she's "dropped" since everyone keeps asking...I don't know!  But I have been paying attention to when she moves the most, since I hear that will be similar to their schedule once they make their debut.  Right now she's on an 8am, 11am, 3pm, 7pm crazy movement schedule... I can do that.  Sleep through the night girlfriend, sleep through the night!

Food cravings: I took my Little (through Big Brothers Big Sisters) out to the blueberry farm where we picked a ton of blueberries this week.  We both picked 6.5 pounds...that's a lot of blueberries!!  And guess what?  They're gone. Doh.  They are huge, and delicious, and gone.  I had fun sharing with my Little that her bag of blueberries was the same size as the baby!  She thought that was nuts!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Labor Signs?  Still not sure... asked at the appointment what Braxton Hicks was like, and still, not sure if I'm getting them.. my stomach gets hard once and a while, but it doesn't hurt...and it's not like a full body tightening...really just in the belly.

Have you started to show yet: Oh, I'd say so.

Gender: GIRL!

Belly Button in or out? Button is in.  I think it's staying in!

Wedding rings on or off? Well last week I talked about taking off the ring and wearing it around my neck...well, that just wasn't going to cut it, I was terrified I was going to lose it - so I decided to buy a new blinging ring.  Funny thing was, obviously my fingers are swelling, and they were already big to begin with - so to find a modest fake ring is next to impossible... a size 8 ring = 10 carat plastic...and I've gotten SO MANY compliments on it...c'mon people. :)

BLING BLING.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!  I can't believe how close we're getting...it's absolutely crazy. 

Week 34 In Review!

How far along? 34 Weeks! I keep getting that song "it's the final countdown..." stuck in my head!

Total weight gain/loss: 46ish... at this point, whatever right?  I should just say screw it and eat fries and hot fudge.  Might as well enjoy every last litte bit while I can...too bad I've been craving salad. Ugh.  Oh yeah, and I have to share... so apparently, I've been told, there's a look "moms to be" get... and in all complimentary fashion, I've had more than a few people tell me I have "the look." ...no, I'm not talking about glowing, I'm talking about "mom cheeks"?!?!.....WTF?  I wouldn't have thought anything of it, except twice last week I had two people, on two seperate occasions, in two different parts of town tell me how cute my "mom cheeks" were!!  Serious!  Mom cheeks... aye yi yi.

Maternity clothes? A little of this, a little of that - I'm actually surprise how much of my normal wardrobe I've been able to rock.  There are a few pieces of clothes I've held on to form pre-pregnancy that I was sure would make GREAT maternity clothes should I become pregnant.  HA!  What was I thinking, they look ridiculous!

Stretch marks? Again, ugh.  What can you do?  Yes, they're there.  Yes, I continue to stretch and I don't think my body has any plans to slow down..so, what can ya do?

Sleep: Oh sleep, how I miss cozying up in bed and being most comfortable.  It seems like this week it truly hit me.  Overnight.  Went to bed one night, work up so stinkin uncomfortable and stiff - and getting out of bed has now become its own obstacle.  I swear, if we had a hidden camera, and you could catch this circus act, I would probably will $10,000 on America's Funniest Home Videos (which, for the record, I watched the other day, and just about peed my pants, I LOVE that show!!)

Best moment this week: I don't know where to start, I have two big highlights of the week, one was real, one was a dream...so we'll go real first.  I think I've mentioned it before, but I have a co-worker who recently moved into town and has an adorable little boy who's about 2 years old.  She thought when she went into labor that they were having a girl, so everything they had was girlie girl.  Having no need for it, she generously offered to have me come over to pick up some clothes.  I still am speechless at how amazingly generous she is - not only did she pass down a ridiculous amount of adorable clothing (and shoes, and headbands, and towels, etc etc etc) but she also gave me a play gym, car seat, walker, bouncer, etc.  My entires SUV was packed full.  I am truly truly so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people.  I hope and I will find a way to pay this forward and pass along eveything I have to someone who needs it.  Maybe it's something that changes when you become a mom, but the old me would have had the mindset of "once I'm done, I'm going to make BANK at a garage sale with all this stuff!" but honestly, I couldn't and wouldn't since I know what it feels like to be the reciepent, all I want is to make someone else feel as lucky as I do now!

Enough mushy? Ok, so the other highlight - I totally had a dream that our little girl and I were just hanging out playing around - playing dress up with all the stinkin' cute headbands and hats from my shower ---and she was freakin' adorable and had the best  and biggst smile! Like, the cutest baby you'll ever see in your life.  It was so real, I woke up with the biggest smile and happiest heart! 

Best (non-pregnancy) moment of the week: What a week on the politics side.  It seems as though I have two lives: pregnant life, and political life.  I keep semi-joking that I'm going to pitch a reality series for "Political Wives" because, let me tell you...it would be entertaining, and hellsa drama.  Plus, I feel like I've got the personality that would get me my own spin-off show...which also would be pretty entertaining, from what I hear. ;)  Anyway...back to the highlight, to make a long (and for most) boring story short - Brandon is currently running for office should he when he wins, he'll be a Legislator for the 2013-2014 session.  Currently, through a whole lot of different events and circumstances, the current Legislator took a position as Senator, and there is a vacancy to fufill the rest of the 2012 term.  The process is pretty detailed, but a group of neighborhood representatives (PCOs) have to nominate 3 people to go through the process of being appointed by the County Commisioners.  Well, Brandon was voted as the #1 pick to fill the position!  It sounds like the appointment process with the commissioners might be after the primary - but this was a huge accomplishment! (Especially if I went into detail of all the political drama that ensued...but I won't bore you!) 

One of the funniest things (in my opinion) was when B was giving his speech (and he is a ridiculously great speaker!)  ---oh, a little back information, I was there as an observer, which means, I can't talk during this meeting--- anyway, B was in the middle of his speech and talking about "my wife and I are expecting a little girl in three days..." and I automatically, without thinking, blurt our "WHAAAT??? THREE DAYS?!!" - and then realize what happened and covered my mouth - causing a huge disruption, and a lot of laughter ---I felt terrible, and was a little scared I was going to be booted! ---thankfully, he recovered from my outburst and continued on to give the rest of a great speech.  I spent the rest of the night explaining to people (after the meeting was over) that we were in fact, not expecting to go into labor in 3 days!!

Anything off this list?  About half of all my shoes!  The weather has been wonderful - finally getting some sunshine around here, which apparently means Cankle City!!  Seriously, it's crazy.  I've had to start rocking the socks on a regular basis, which means, I can't really wear my cute sandals, unless I want sausage feet sandals...so I'm stuck with regular shoes, but only the ones that are stretched out since they don't fit either!  (I did have to invest in a new pair of work shoes, I literally wore holes in soles.) 

Miss Anything? Sleeping comfortably.  That is all.

Movement: Still moving - she gets the hiccups alot, she must be like her mom and eat to fast - oh, this is going to be so fun seeing which traits from B and which from me she takes.  I can't wait!

Food cravings: My appetite is actually getting pretty small (I don't think there's a lot of room left in there!)  so I feel like I'm always hungry, and always stuffed!  One thing I'm super thankful for is that I'm not pregnant during Thanksgiving... or football season. I love all that food so much, cannot wait!

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Still nothing... maybe I should make this a "labor signs" post...since apparently we're getting close to that.  In that regard, I would still say no...I keep getting asked if I have had braxton hicks yet, and I don't know...I'll have to ask the doc tomorrow.

Have you started to show yet: In the belly, in the bum, in the cheeks, in the hands... I'm pregnant ALL OVER.

Gender: Guess what?????............................................ we're having a girl.  (did you think I was going to say otherwise?)

Belly Button in or out? No poppage yet, I'm still flush with a bit of an innie.  Still wondering about the outie out belly buttons....

Wedding rings on or off? Ok, ok, I took it off. I kept it off! And then I went and bought a little chain so I could wear it around my neck... except, I'm still terrified that it's going to get ripped off by some crazy person...or worse, it will break and I'll drop it.  Good thing: I've got the cleav to catch it on my chest if it fell (there's a first for everything!) ...but I'm still worried it would bounce off the girls and then it'd be gone forever.  Puffy fat fingers crossed that doesn't happen!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!  We had our last parade this weekend, and although I do love a good parade, and I always love walking in them (despite what everyone keeps telling me "you're not walking are you?" ---yes, yes I am) ---anyway, last weekend's parade totally wiped me out.  I was dog tired...came home, took a nap, and it seems like it hit me after that...I can't quiet get the mileage I used to.  I compared it to me previously being a hybrid and being able to run 50 mpg...and now I feel (and look) like a Hummer... at about 6 mpg.  But, I can still move, so I'm trying to pace myself and not floor it ---and there's too much to do to park it, so I'll keep truckin' along!

Week 33 In Review!

How far along? 33 weeks have flown by!

Total weight gain/loss: 43 total gainage.

Maternity clothes? Still wearing what I’ve got – trying to accessorize and change it up when I can.  I did buy 2 maxi skirts, thinking I’ll like them a lot better than the maxi dresses…which I returned.  When they call them maxi dresses, I think it's because they make you look maxi!  At least me.

Stretch marks? Another milestone.  As I was rub a dub dubbing lotion this week I lifted my belly by the mirror and noticed a colony of stretch marks aka tiger stripes– all on my lower stomach.  At first I was really disappointed, I thought I was going to get by without any significant damage, but then I thought about it, and the changes in my body, and my stomach especially – are, in fact, pretty amazing.  I have grown so much – its mind blowing when you really think about all that your body goes through – so I suppose I can look at them as a little reminder of the whole process, right?

Sleep: It’s been better than it has the last few weeks, so that’s good!

Best moment this week: There was an open house for a local pediatrician clinic this week that I’d signed up for right after I dealt with all the drama with the other ped clinic… and it was SO nice to meet and talk with one of the doctors.  He was friendly, reassuring, confident, funny – and the office staff all seemed to love their job.  It definitely made it much easier for me to check that big “to-do” off my list!  Aaanddd… they sent me home with a book that was like a “how to” for the first year… so great.  I’m actually really looking forward to reading it. 

Aaanddd… I had an absolutely beautiful, amazing, wonderful baby shower this weekend that my best friend and mother-in-law threw.  It was so fun – there was an accessory bar (so Baby Vick now has an abundance of adorable headbands and beanies!) Guests wrote down their best advice for me; there was delicious food and from what I heard, an amazing cocktail (sigh…) and we were blessed with so many great gifts!  One of the most meaningful was a bassinet that was brought that almost everyone on my husband’s side of the family has slept in.  It’s been in the family for over 60 years and at one point – someone asked people to raise their hands if they’d slept in the bassinet – all the aunts, cousins, my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, etc…it was amazing.  I feel so lucky to take on this family tradition.

Best (non-pregnancy) moment of the week: It was B’s birthday!  And although we didn’t go all out crazy, like I usually try to do, it was a great (and very busy week!) Some of the best moments: We had a fundraiser kick-off for his campaign; did our 3^rd parade where we handed out over 1200 popsicles; went to a cruise-in downtown with friends; picked blueberries from our friend’s farm (DELICIOUS); and I used power tools! (I only got to play with the saw long enough to get a picture… apparently, I was really bad with it, and almost wasted a ton of lumber for our signs… oops, haha). 

Anything off this list?  Here’s where I’ll be vain and mourn for a moment the thought of ever rocking a cute two piece again………………………………….ok, moment of silence over.

Miss Anything? I really can’t think of anything I miss… my first thought was to say that I miss having free time, but, who am I kidding, even when I did have free time in the past, I immediately filled it up with something.  I miss the idea of having free time, I miss choosing not to have taken any time off work this year – a few days at the beach, or on vacation sound amazing about now.

Movement: Absolutely, it’s weird to think what it will be like post-pregnancy to not have crazy movement…and if there is, that it’s not baby, it’s probably just spicy Mexican… LOL

Food cravings: Still eating a lot of watermelon, blueberries are a newer addition this week… other than that, nothing too out of the ordinary. Oh, I just remembered, mainly because they sounded delicious, but my go to has been pancakes.  I'll be honest, I've consumed a lot of pancakes lately...not all in one sitting, but they're so stinkin' easy to make (I've perfected them!) that it literally takes 5 minutes.  Breakfast, late night snack, dinner, you name it, it can become a meal... yum!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!  Well….I had a little bit of a stress breakdown this week, which lead me to a total loss of appetite, but B had made a delicious meal and I didn’t want it to go to waste, or hurt his feelings, so I tried to eat it, but I just couldn’t.  Absolutely no appetite and if I had eaten it, I would have been sick.  More on meltdown later.

Have you started to show yet: Yep! I joked to B that I really can’t get backed up on my weekly posts/ board pictures because at this point, I won’t be able to go back and take pictures if Baby Vick decides to come early! Could you imagine, me stuffing pillows in my shirt pretending… I so would too.

Gender: Baby girl!  And after some amazing showers, she is going to be an adorable, fashionable, and maybe a bit girly girl… but not bubble gum pink and fairy glitter girl.  I can’t wait to meet her!!

Belly Button in or out? Flush.  It got me thinking though… if you started out as an outie, do you become MORE of an outie?  Does it look like a tail?  I’m very curious, if know, please share.

Wedding rings on or off? It’s on, and it’s secure, and I probably need to take it off.  I did one day this week and I had a shiny ring spot on my finger, which was from the pressure of my ring… so I let the swelling go down (and took this picture, hence the no ring), and then silly me, put it right back on.  I try in the mornings and make sure it comes off, but I really don’t want to take a chance that it would come to the point someone would have to break it off my finger! 

Happy or Moody most of the time: I will say that 90% of the time, I’m very happy, and excited, and proud, and amazed!  I would even go as far as to say that 6.75 out of 7 days (which is 96.4%) this week, I was absolutely happy!  …as far as that 4%?  I enjoy being go, go, go – always have, probably always will.  This week I had a day where I had no plans after work – and I was prepared to just relax.  The problem was that my mind wanted to stay go, go, go – so I started thinking, which lead to getting nervous, which lead to a little bit of panic, which lead to an all out meltdown. 

Everything from the nursery not being ready, to being scared of the whole labor process and feeling like I’m going to forget everything I’ve read, to not feeling like I’ll know what the heck to do when baby does come, to anything and everything campaign related, to the house not being clean, to feeling guilty if I do want to relax because there are a million other things I could/should be doing…. All at once, and out of the middle of nowhere. 

Apparently, I’d let it buildup a while and being so busy, hadn’t had time to deal with it.  Well, I can say that I emptied my crazy tank for now – and I’m feeling much better about all of it!  And, I’m making a huge effort to take things off my plate, so I can make time for some of the other stuff…so if I say no to something, please don’t take offense, just know it’s so I can prepare for this beautiful baby that’s coming freakin’ soon!!!

PS, I realize I said "amazing" about a million times this post. 

Showered with love, and banana cheesecake.

Thank you to my amazing co-workers for throwing me a wonderful shower last weekend!  I finally cleaned out my memory card (yay to finally posting a week 31 pic!) and was reminded by how lucky and blessed that I am by the people who surround me... I also was reminded that dresses tents, are NOT flattering.  Ugh. LOL.

I wasn't able to grab as many photos as I would have liked to, for example, the food was amazing and I opted to eat it before thinking about taking photos... haha.  But to share with you... there were mini banana cheesecakes (do they know me, or do they know me?) peanut butter chocolate rice krispie treats, and these Russian puff pastry cream filled kiwi desserts...I don't know what they are called, but they are seriously one of my favorite treats - a co-worker makes them for all our special occasions and I was so excited she brought a platter! ...they were all gone - and a bunch of other treats that were all delicious!!

So enough about food... one of the guest activities was to fill out a list of "Wishes for Makena" - I saw this idea on pinterest a while back and fell in love with it - things like "I wish"... you're not afraid of..... you always....you'll never forget....etc --reading through them the responses are so special, and so fitting of the personalities of the people who wrote them - I plan to keep and cherish them forever!

The weather was wonderful, it was hosted in my manager's back year - which is a beautiful garden - you can tell there is a lot of love and time spent there (she even has blueberry plants!)...yumm...

Ok, clearly I can't finish a thought without thinking of food, so here aree a few pictures from the shower....now I'm going to go eat.

I love that they captured the chalkboard theme!

Some of my great co-workers: Amy, Becca, (me), Angela

A framed invite and my baby photo (WHICH, this is the outfit I found!)

I can't believe 46 days....

One of many adorable gifts!

And...the only picture where I didn't feel like a huge tent... a very cute diaper ring, I dread the desperate day when I bust this up because I forgot to buy diapers and I'm completely out... I know it will happen...I just know it.