The Gentrys

Phil pointed out last night that I didn't even mention poor Jake in my post yesterday. I posted right before I went to get him from the vet so at that point I didn't know how he had done being neutered. He is fine though. Phil thinks he is still upset with him because he was the one who dropped him off at the vet, but I think he is getting over it. I would post a picture, but at the moment he is laying across my legs snoring so I can't get up to get the camera! He's trying to help the swelling go down in my feet :) That is the picture I really should post...my feet look like fat sausages! Seriously...they are pretty ugly!

Working on some last minute sewing projects before Emma Cate arrives so I'll post about that soon! Happy Thursday!

On the way home last night I think it started to hit me and I began to get a little nervous about everything...especially labor and then even more than that, actually having a baby that is completely dependent on us! We went to an infant safety and CPR class last night at the hospital and I guess I had never really thought about what to do if our baby stopped breathing - it scared me to death! So if you think about it, please pray for the Lord to prepare us and calm our fears. We are so excited to meet our sweet daughter and cannot wait for her arrival!

And a HUGE thank you to all of you readers who left your comments / sent me emails about the different products that worked for you! I don't think I have had a chance to write back to each of you, but I really appreciated all of your help!

Happy Saturday! I'm determined to get some sewing projects done today, but it's only 8:30 am and I already feel like I need a nap...last night I was awake every hour from 12-5 having to try to readjust positions to attempt to get comfortable...I know it's probably the Lord's way of preparing me to get used to the lack of sleep for when Emma Cate arrives...those of you who have lived with me know I typically require a good 8 hours of sleep each night! I know that likely won't be happening for awhile after she is here :)

First of all, thank you thank you thank you for those who gave such great advice in response to the last post. Please keep your thoughts coming, it is really helping! And thanks to those who suggested the Moby Wrap, that was a question I forgot about. I was planning to make a sling, but that wrap has gotten such great reviews so I may just get it - any one else found one they love? I'm sure your comments are going to continue to remind me of more questions so please let me know what you think - even if I don't know you personally and you read the blog, I would love to hear what you think too!

Ok, so here is the long update post...sorry I have been a blog slacker. I've been dealing with a lot of nausea and can't seem to sleep at night so I end up exhausted throughout the day. And it seems like there is still so much to do before Emma Cate arrives! My type A personality is coming through here because I feel like I have to have everything ready right now! Even thought about packing my hospital bag...I know, crazy, since I still have 5 weeks until my due date, but everyone keeps telling me they think I'll go early...we can hope!

So I'll start with my birthday. I'm not going to post the video Phil took as he brought me a birthday cupcake in bed at 6 am on my birthday...you can imagine how scary that is...he is loving having a video camera! I wasn't expecting any presents for my birthday because the monogram machine was my Christmas and birthday from Phil and our glider for the nursery was Christmas and birthday from my parents (shown in nursery pictures below) and Phil's parents were very generous at Christmas too (including aforementioned video camera). So, after Phil came in singing happy birthday, I got back under the covers and started to go back to sleep when he called to me from the hall that I had to come quick because there was a big deer outside. We love to watch the deer so I jumped up and ran out there when he said, "Oh wait, it isn't a deer, it is a church pew!" I love antique benches/church pews. The week before when my sister was here (she left me a beautiful top for my bday that I can't wait to wear after I lose this baby bump! thanks Ali), we went out to a little antique store and found this old church pew that I just loved and Phil and his parents surprised me with it! It is 9 feet long so I think it is going to have to go on the porch, but I love it so much I want to bring it inside where I can see it...it is too cold to go outside right now!



This weekend we had a wonderful shower at our church here in Aliceville. We are overwhelmed by all the sweet gifts we were given and were surprised with a big gift that I can't wait to tell you about. I'm sure you remember the beautiful rocking horses I have posted about. A friend of ours is a master craftsman and builds these absolutely beautiful rocking horses (link in the sidebar to his website). I have been obsessed with the horses ever since I first saw them when he and his wife moved here a few years ago. So of course when we found out we were expecting, I wanted to have a rocking horse of our own, but with all the other big purchases we needed to make that were really necessities, we just couldn't afford one right now. You can imagine my shock and excitement when Mr. Larry comes walking into the baby shower carrying my favorite of his horses with a big pink bow tied around its neck! Phil and I are both overwhelmed! The horse is so beautiful and will be a cherished treasure in our children's lives. If you would like more information about these one of a kind horses, you can see Larry's website at www.horsesthatrock.com.





Thank you so much to the sweet hostesses for such a beautiful shower. They also gave us the pack and play we wanted and are so excited about! I haven't set it up yet, but I'll post a picture when I do. Thank you also to all those who braved the below 20 degree weather to come to the shower. We were given so many beautiful gifts...too many to post about, but all very much appreciated!







Sunday we made a quick trip to Tuscaloosa to pick up a few more things that we needed for the nursery and now it is almost finished. Here are a few pictures.











And of course sweet Jake. He is 65 pounds now and still growing! We are trying to decide if we should go ahead and have him fixed before the baby arrives, but he is so pretty and has champion blood lines so we have considered waiting and trying to find someone with a female to breed with...if you know anyone let us know - he is a white English AKC lab.



Did I mention it is FREEZING here?! Our pond has been frozen for a week!



Ok, this post was really long and I have a ton of thank you notes to write so I better get to it! Have a great Monday and please keep any baby product suggestions coming!

I have a post coming soon about the the last week - my 26th birthday and a wonderful shower we had this weekend, but I have several pictures to take before I can post about it so it will probably be tomorrow. In the mean time, I do have a few questions for all of you experienced mothers out there. We did some shopping today trying to pick up the things we needed to be prepared since our little one is due in just a few short weeks and there were a few things we couldn't decide on.

1. What is the best option for diaper disposal? I've looked at the Diaper Genie and other systems like that, but it seems the refill bags are so expensive and a lot of reviews have complained about them breaking. I read one review that said they ended up just using a regular trash can with tightly sealed lid and put nasty diapers in ziplock bags and it was a lot cheaper. Does anyone have a method they love or hate?

2. What kind of thermometer do we need for an infant? That may sound like a silly question, but I realized the ear thermometer isn't really meant for infants. The idea of a rectal one sort of makes me squeamish. I saw one that is ear or forehead. Any suggestions?

3. Bottle recommendations? There are so many different kinds...a little overwhelming!

4. Several people have told me to get the Medela Pump In Style Breast Pump with Shoulder Bag. It is expensive, but I've heard it is worth the investment. I found it for significantly cheaper at www.lactationcare.com but since I've never heard of them, it made me a little nervous to buy there...anyone used them?

Any products you have really loved?

I'm at 33 weeks, but my belly continues to go straight out! My doctor said since my torso is so short, it doesn't have any where else to go, but when strangers see me they think I am due any day now...I wish! I'm trying to get everything ready as soon as possible just in case she is early, but also trying not to get my hopes up...with my luck she'll be a week late! She is very active. It was fun for my family to get to feel her move a lot over the holidays. The baby center email this week said the average for this week is around 4 lbs - think the size of a pineapple. Hopefully we will get to have an ultrasound at this next appointment so we will have a better idea of how big she actually is.

Earlier this week we got a little bit of time with my sister and her husband before they flew back to Maryland last night. It was great to have them here even though our time was short. I fully intended to take some pictures, but unfortunately did not. I took them to Birmingham yesterday and we did some shopping before I left them at the airport. Then Phil and I spent New Years Eve with a big crowd out at one of his friends camp houses. Even though we were both exhausted and really ready to go to sleep at 9, we decided it was the last New Years Eve without children so we should go out an celebrate!

Hope all have had a wonderful Christmas and New Years. We are so excited about 2010 and the big changes to our little family!