Friday, October 28, 2011

Pregnancy Thoughts - Week 30

30 weeks! 10 more to go! 

Baby and I are still growing! Here's what we are looking like now:


Pregnancy Thoughts:
  1. I unashamedly used Baby as an excuse at work for the first time this week. I have been trying to get information from someone who just doesn't do well with details and she doesn't understand that other people (me in particular) really likes and needs those details. So I told her I need it now because I need to get the project done now because of Baby. I'm hoping that helps. Pastor Tim and I also decided that I need to work on my crying on cue because that can really light a fire under someone to get things done when they see a crying pregnant lady.
  2. I had my first I just don't want to be pregnant anymore moment this week. I had to work twice as long as I usually do and my back and whole body didn't react well to that. When I got up from my desk It hurt so bad to stand up straight, forget moving my legs. I ended up making myself walk/hobble around the church for awhile until my body relearned how to stand and walk. Then I came home and claimed the couch, I like couches way better than office chairs.
  3. We got to have another ultrasound this week. I was really excited about it, but it turned out kind of disappointing. It was to take a closer look at the kidneys and that is really all we saw. Baby had his head tucked against my spine so we never saw Babes face. But we did get some fun news, Baby has a head full of hair! Wasn't expecting that at all! And little one is measuring in at approximately 3 lbs 10 oz. That just seems huge to me considering there is still ten weeks to go, but glad to see that he's growing like a week!
  4. Bryce and I still refer to Baby as he. But realized that when we think about the future, baby is a girl. So we are just confused.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Ten on Tuesday


Ten on Tuesday 

I thought I would once again go with Ten on Tuesday. A set of 10 random questions that let you get 10 random bits of information about me. Questions are from here.
1. What is the worst compliment you have ever received?
This past week I got a fun one. "I sometimes forget your pregnant and then I see you and it's like, whoa! You are just getting so big!" Yep that one felt good, thankfully I was in a sort of crabby mood and I'm really good at just smiling and changing the topic when I want to yell at someone. (I put this as a compliment because the person really thought it was a compliment! )
2. Did you/would you tell everyone the name of your baby before they were born, keep it a secret, or not choose until after they were born?
Well we have 2 names picked out for each gender. We haven't shared these with anyone and wont until baby comes and we know if we have a son or daughter. Then we can reveal all the surprises at once!
3. What is your favorite candle smell?
There are just too many to choose from, depending on the situation. I love the apple cinnamon candle that my mom burns around Christmas time, I love the calming effect of vanilla candles and I could go on and on.
4. What is the best birthday/Christmas gift you received when you were pregnant or the best birthday/Christmas gift you gave a pregnant person that was really appreciated?
Well very few people knew that I was pregnant on my last birthday. But I did get some gifts that I loved. I got some shirts that hide a growing belly without being maternity shirts. That was a nice feeling to be comfy without baggy at that time. I also got a super comfy deck lounger that I spent my birthday afternoon snoozing on. I still think that there is some sort of drug in there, because as soon as I sit down on it I start dozing off.
5. Who was your favorite teacher?
I think that would be my HS history teacher Mr. Preston. He had a great way of making you learn, and making you want to learn, while keeping everything very entertaining.
6. What is the best game/activity you have ever played at a baby shower?
I really dislike shower games. I get that they get people to interact and chat a bit, but they just are really hard to get some that aren't super cheesy and annoying.
7. What was your major in college and did you end up using it in your career?
Nope, I just got my A.A. and that isn't all that helpful in being a secretary or growing a baby.
8. What is a beauty product you swear by?
I love Mary Kay's night emollient (sp?) cream. Since the winters here get very cold and dry, dry skin is a huge problem. This stuff (its in the Satin Hands kit - but I usually don't use it on my hands) works great on dry lips, eye lids, or any other area that gets dried out easily. Takes care of the problem right away. 
9. What is the kindest thing a stranger has ever done for you?
I probably am not nearly aware as I should be, but one time that sticks out was a month ago or so. I was in line at a grocery store and the place was nuts. I jumped in a line and the older gentlemen in front of me noticed I had a cart load and let me go ahead of him as he didn't have that many things. 
10. If you could recommend one new baby necessity, what would it be?
Well I can't really recommend anything yet, but the items that have been most recommended to me are a good infant carrier, like a Moby wrap or sling, and the Aden and Anais swaddling blankets. So I guess I should get these and in a few months I can tell you if they are a necessity or not! - So if any of you have any suggestions, I would love to hear about them!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Family Time/ Nursery Projects

This past week my mom and sisters made the trek out to visit for a few days. It was wonderful to see them again! We had a blast hanging out and getting some nursery projects done.

It wasn't all work though. We made sure to enjoy some of the gorgeous fall weather and take a walk.

But then I cracked the whip and we got down to tackling some projects. Mom was a rockstar and recovered the glider that is in the nursery/office. When I asked her to do this I was thinking it would be a simple wrap the material around and staple it in the back. I don't think I could have been more wrong! It turned out to be a very complicated process as the chair was constructed in a very unique way. But she did a fantastic job!


I joked that I had set up a sweat shop in my house. We had two sewing machines going...
 Ironing the hems and Krista was busy pinning the curtain hems as well!
 Liv tackled the crib skirt and it turned out so beautifully. Looking at it you would never know she whipped this up in a morning - you would think it was store bought! 

Final products:
I had read somewhere that a cheap way of making darker curtains is to line the backs with canvas paint tarps. I grabbed one from Walmart and it turned out pretty good. It's not a black out, but makes it does make it darker in there and will probably even help with heating costs too.


Mom showing off her handiwork! Just love it!

Liv's crib skirt all put together. It's hard to get a great picture, to really show it off, but I liked this picture because you can see the pattern that is on the fabric.
Thank you all so much for coming out, not just for helping out (slave labor may be more like it!) but for all the laughs, encouragement, and just for being such a wonderful family! I couldn't ask for a more wonderful mom/sisters!
It is so much fun to think of caring for Baby in a room that was so lovingly put together by family!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Pregnancy Thoughts - Week 29

29 Weeks today. I can't get over the fact that next week we'll hit the 30's! That's insane! Wasn't I just looking at two little pink lines pop up? As we get closer to January I can feel my anxiety slowly rise. I wrote down everything I need to do for the next couple of weeks in a planner and that really helped show me that I have plenty of time to get what I want done and be able to rest and have fun.

Two things that stand out about this week as firsts:

  1. I had to have Bryce tie my shoe for the first time when we were out on a walk. Normally I can still do that if I sit or have the stairs to prop my foot up, but out in the middle of nowhere there's no chance.
  2. I had my first oven/stomach incident. Well to be fair it was my sweatshirt that got a little crispy but it made me kinda of laugh ( I would have really laughed except that it is my favorite sweatshirt). I'll have to be more aware of the fact that just because I can't see the bottom of my stomach, it still exists and can get into trouble!
Baby is still going strong. My stomach feels very tired at the end of the day with all the pounding and poking and jumping, but it is still reassuring knowing that babe is doing well inside me. As for me, the energy vacuum has been turned on and small tasks are getting a lot harder. Gone are the days that I plan my big Walmart trips after work while I'm already out and about. Now going shopping is the main event for the day, and then I need to sit on the couch and rest for quite awhile.

Some fun things are coming up. I get another sneak peak at Baby next week. I'm really hoping that I will be able get a 3d picture of Baby! I'll be sure to show off my beautiful child when I get the pictures! Also my mom and sisters are coming out on Thursday for a few days, and I am hoping to get a few nursery projects done as well as enjoy some quality family time!

Here's what Baby is doing to me this week:

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Pregnancy Thoughts - Week 28

THIRD TRIMESTER FOLKS!!!!

We hit 28 weeks this week, which means 7th month and 3rd trimester. That's a big week!

Here's my third trimester belly:

Pregnancy Thoughts:
  1. I waddled for the first time this week. Oh goodness was that embarrassing! 
  2. I go back and forth quite quickly between "only 3 months left, I have so much to do" to " 3 months... ok I'll sit back down and do that later" So will anything get done? That has yet to be seen
  3. I found a dresser for the nursery! Well it is back in MN but will be driven out next week when my mom and sister come to work visit!
  4. Not much is different with baby this week. Still in there moving and wiggling like non other, making sleeping and sometimes concentrating on anything else very difficult.
Sorry to disappoint any of you that came here looking for some great pregnancy revelations. Got none for you today, but hey I'm ok with that!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Family Weekend

This past weekend we had Bryce's parents, his sister and her family out for some family time. I think this is the first time they have come out and we haven't put them to work on some big house project. 

The biggest thing we had to tackle was building the longest play-doh snake.


Or trying to teach my puppy a new trick. Apparently Bentley isn't good at watching Tess and figuring out what he supposed to do.
 They came out for Bryce's cousin's wedding reception that was held that weekend. Our niece was so excited to go to the party the whole time and by Saturday night she just couldn't hold her dancing moves in any more, so Bryce held a pre-dance dance with the little ones.

Finally the moment she had been waiting and practicing for - The Chicken Dance!!!

I don't have a picture of all of us, but this picture of Bryce's sister's family is just too cute not to share!
Thanks for coming out to see us! It was great to see you all again!

Friday, October 7, 2011

Pregnancy Thoughts - Week 27

27 Weeks!

It's been another relatively quiet week on the growing a human being front this week, but here's a quick list of things that stick out to me:
  1. I felt Baby have the hiccups for the first time this week. Babe likes to chill out as low as possible inside me, and at first I couldn't figure out why I was feeling a pulse at the bottom of my stomach, then I realized what was going on. Its so fun to think of this baby doing normal baby things. Makes it more real somehow.
  2. Back aches are now an every day occurrence. If I sit too long, or walk to long, or bend down the wrong way, doesn't matter my back is going to hurt. Uff da!
  3. I finally picked out the fabric for the crib skirt and curtains in the nursery. The fabric store in town was having 20% off everything so I went in and told myself I wasn't coming out until I had chosen something. So it isn't exactly what I was going to go for, but I like it and so does Bryce so that's good. It is much brighter than I was thinking, but it will make it feel very nursery like. I chatted with one of the ladies that works there about raising kids and the important things like really investing yourself in them, which really helped me remember that the material I chose - really isn't going to make an ounce of difference in this child's life so just do it already!
  4. The front of all my shirts get dirty really easily these days. I still don't usually remember that I have a whole lot of me sticking out and try to squeeze places that I shouldn't and find I rub up against too many things.
  5. I think Bentley is figuring out something is coming. He's been really clingy lately, always needing to be right under foot. While this is sweet, it is a little scary because it has already caused a few almost spills and I can't imagine what it will be like when I can't see where I am walking and have even less of a sense of balance.
  6. I passed my glucose test with flying colors! I wasn't looking forward to it as I have heard how nasty the  drink is, but it wasn't that terrible. Tasted like flat Sunkist - which happens to be my drink of choice these days (well fizzy ones, not flat ) and I was nervous I wouldn't pass and then couldn't have them anymore. But all the fun pokes and prods they did that day came back great! Yeah!!

Here is what Babe is doing to me this week!  Can't it just be January already, I want to meet my little one!!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Pregnancy Thoughts - Weeks 25/26

The weeks are just slipping by, we are at 26, just about to 27 weeks already. I didn't put anything up last week because we were on vacation, but did snap a picture when we were down at the Garden of the Gods.  I was a little nervous about going on a 10 hour road trip followed by a lot of walking and exploring during the days, but really it was completely worth the minor aches and pains. Things are still going smoothly. I feel almost guilty about it!




Pregnancy Thoughts:
  1. We are under 100 days! Down to double digits!!!!
  2. I've started in a forced nesting stage. I had no motivation to do the cleaning and sorting that I wanted to get done, so I made myself a detailed list and broke it down by days and am slowly going through the house top to bottom. If everything goes to plan I'll be done by the end of the week, but I think that I may have to do a not so thorough job on a couple of rooms and go over them later if I want the big things done by the weekend.
  3. I can now watch Baby move my stomach around.  Lots of entertainment there.
  4. You are now more likely to see me in one of Bryce's t shirts than my own. I even stole a pair of his sweatpants to wear this week, because I am just classy like that!
  5. Babe kicked Bentley in the head when we were taking a nap. Bent didn't like that too much.

Nursery Progress:
Well not a whole lot to show off here. We did get the crib put together, and we love it!


I'm still on the search for a good dresser to use as a changing table. And I am also looking for some inspiration fabric to really nail down a color scheme. So far coming up short on both. But the search continues! I fell in love with a fabric that I found at Ikea down in Denver, but the only thing that came in it was some pillows :(  So the search continues!