Week 33 (warning - I'm cranky)

You know those days when things don't really go the way you need them to? Yeah, this is one of them. I didn't get done what I needed to get done today, I left work about 45 minutes late, the house is a mess, I have errands that I needed to run today but didn't, my heartburn get worse by the day, Brad is running late and I'm hungry (hungry = cranky). I'm frustrated at everything and really don't have a good reason. Banjo even seems a little off today - she's just sitting on the couch pouting with me. I'm sure all of my crankiness makes you want to keep reading, huh? I'm not really sure what got under my skin today - I guess I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

This weekend we didn't really have much of a schedule or a long list of things to do - but it was very productive and relaxing. We saw The Hangover, purchased and installed 2 new ceiling fans, worked on the nursery, went grocery shopping, Brad did a little bit of work, he got the yard done and we managed to go out to eat a several times. Overall it was a good weekend but I'm already ready for the next one.

Here's the week 33 update from BabyCenter:
"This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (the size of pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. She's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and her skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood."


Check out the progress I made on my list!

List of things to get done before Emily Kate comes:

- install car seats - will do soon
- decorate nursery - all I have left to do is hang a few things on the wall.
- pick a daycare - Picked! We just need to go fill out the paperwork and pay our deposit
- have house deep cleaned - I'm VERY annoyed with all of these people
- pack my hospital bag - found a list of stuff to pack but that's about it
- pack Brad's hospital bag - see above
- pack Emily's hospital bag- see above
- make hospital phone list - working on it
- figure out insurance stuff - Brad needs to bring his information home (HINT)
- finish thank you notes
- wash clothes
- pick up items from Babies R Us that we still need
- organize nursery - I'm really happy with the progress we made this weekend. Everything has been put away.

Now I'm going to eat a bowl of ice cream and go to bed

Week 32...

It's freaking hot! Yes, I know it's summer and I live in Texas but it's HOT! I knew it was bad yesterday when I kept turning up the AC in the car and Brad was turning the vents away from him. Then he complained about the house being cold. Typically I'm the one complaining about being cold and moving the vents off of me. I've been eating a lot of ice cream and popsicles.

This weekend was spent doing lots of baby related stuff. On Friday I started washing all of Emily Kate's clothes. I don't think I've ever done so many loads of laundry in one weekend! Friday afternoon we had another "fun" sonogram. It was neat to see how much she's grown - but it was really hard to pick anything specific things - and she was turned the wrong way to see her face. We did confirm that she's head down (woohoo!). Saturday we visited some friends who had a baby girl on Friday. After that we headed to Babies R Us to pick up some items we were still needing - monitor, burp rags, sheets, towels, changing pad 2nd car seat base and more! It was really nice to start putting stuff away and get the room set up. I'm ready to do the fun, decorating part.

Onto this week's update from BabyCenter:
By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (the size of a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

I'm still feeling pretty good. Heartburn sucks and I've noticed I have trouble breathing if I eat too much. If those are my only complaints - I think I've got it pretty good. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow. Hopefully it will be as uneventful as all of the others. If I get done with that at a decent time I'll be checking out another daycare.

Check out the progress I made on my list!

List of things to get done before Emily Kate comes:
- wash clothes
- organize nursery - made lots of progress but I still have a ways to go.
- install car seats - will do in a few weeks
- decorate nursery - worked on it, this is (and will be) a work in progress.
- pick a daycare - going to visit another one on Tuesday, hopefully this will be the one!
- have house deep cleaned - started getting quotes
- pick up items from Babies R Us that we still need
- pack my hospital bag - found a list of stuff to pack but that's about it
- pack Brad's hospital bag - see above
- make hospital phone list - working on it
- figure out insurance stuff - Brad needs to bring his information home!
- finish thank you notes
- pick out coming home outfit - decided I'm going to worry about this. I think I'm going to change this to "pack Emily's hospital bag"

Growing Up

As a little girl I always thought a day would come and I would be a grown up. I thought something magical would happen, almost like a Disney princess being released from a spell, and I would be a grown up. I'm not sure where I got that idea, but it never came true. Here am I - married, expecting our first child and pretty darn happy with my life. I'm pretty sure that makes me a grown up. So when did it happen? When did I go from kid to grown up?

Was it when I decided to go to college 600 miles away from home knowing it would put me in debt for a long time?
Was it when I had to tell a friend that one of his family members passed away?
Was it when I spent a couple of weeks driving across Texas against my mom's wishes?
Was it when I got the call that my dad had been diagnosed with cancer?
Was it the summer I spent in Jacksonville learning to depend on God?
Was it when I graduated from college determined to make it on my own, even when I didn't have a job?
Was it when I was humbled enough to ask for help?
Was it when I lost my job because I stood up for what I thought was right?
Was it the night I learned my dad passed away?
Was it the day I had to put my dog to sleep because she was hurt too bad for me to care for her?
Was it when Brad proposed to me?
Was it the afternoon my brother walked me down the isle and I married Brad?
Was it when I realized it was time to make decisions that were right for us and not the popular decision?
Was it when Brad and I decided we were ready to become parents?
Was it that morning I found out I was pregnant?
Was it the moment I saw that this little baby's heart beating?
Was it during one of my many "sigh of relief" moments?
Will it be when this little girl is in our arms?

I have no idea when I became a grown up but I'm sure it didn't happen over night. All of those moments have forced me to step back and look at life. They've forced to me grow up a little bit more each time. I'm not exactly sure when I became I grown up- but I'm pretty sure I am.

So if I'm a grown up - why do I still feel like a little kid lost in a big world? Maybe I'm still waiting for my magical "grown up" day to come.

Week 31...just 9 weeks left!

Single digits! Yep, we've reached the single digit mark in counting down the weeks until Emily Kate makes her arrival (hopefully). Just 9 more weeks to go.

I've been feeling pretty good - just hot. Texas summer has arrived and it's hot and humid around here. Which means I'm really hot. Sunday I had 2 popsicles and a Fruit Chiller and I was only outside for about 30 minutes. I think Fruit Chillers are my new favorite snack. They have a lot more taste than your typical popsicle and are very refreshing. They can be found in the canned fruit section, not freezer section, of the grocery store.

Last week we took a newborn care class and took a tour of the hospital. The newborn care class was good with exception of one idiot in the class. It's really not even worth anymore of my time to describe what an idiot he was. His wife was embarrassed by him. And Brad gets a gold star - he was the only dad in the class who was able to properly swaddle the fake baby. The tour was good, nice to see the rooms and learn about the hospital policies. They are big on the babies being in room with mom and dad for at least 23 hours a day (there weren't any babies in the nursery when we walked by). They also encourage mom and dad to spend time alone with baby right after birth - no visitors for for at least an hour.

After the hospital tour we picked up the glider from Babies R Us. I was happy to have the glider and Brad was happy to load something in the bed of his new truck. Yes, you read that right - Brad has a new truck! After almost 12 years his beloved Tahoe is gone. After thinking about a new truck for months and spending several weekends at various dealerships - he finally picked one out and we went for it! Here is his new 2009 Dodge Ram. He loves his truck. She's in need of a name.

Ok - back to baby stuff - I made zero progress in the nursery this week. I need wash the clothes and start putting them all away. I need to organize the books, move the Pack-and-Play to our room, put all of the toys away and lots of other stuff! Here are a few pictures of the mess that is currently the nursery. I plan to spend lots of time in there this weekend working on it! I'll take more pictures once everything is put away, furniture is rearranged and it looks cute. Oh - I ended up being very happy with the wood color on the glider - it was much darker than in the store.

Looking in from the hall way


About half of the clothes.
I wish you could see how high the clothes are stacked. There is another pile just like this one on the other side of the room.


The crib is currently full of diapers, blankets and more!
The blanket on the right was made by my friend, Rebecca. I can't begin to describe how awesome it is!


The dresser/changing table is stacked with bottles, wipes, toys and more.
The orange bag at the bottom is my diaper bag. Doesn't really match the red and brown stroller but I don't care - I like it! Banjo is hanging out with me in the room.

This week's food update - I think Baby Center cheated in this week's update! Emily now weighs about 3.3 pounds - as much as four naval oranges (4 food items = cheating!) and is about 16 inches long. She is just growing and moving around. She loves to hit my left pelvic bone and it hurts!

Here's my list of things to get done before Emily comes:
- wash clothes
- organize nursery
- install car seats
- decorate nursery
- pick a daycare
- have house deep cleaned
- pick up items from Babies R Us that we still need
- pack my hospital bag
- pack Brad's hospital bag
- make hospital phone list
- figure out insurance stuff
- finish thank you notes
- pick out coming home outfit

What did I forget? I know I've left out a lot.
Let's see how much progress I make by next Monday.

Questions, Questions and More Questions!

Pregnany makes people ask you lots and lots of questions. If you've ever been pregnant or are currently pregnant - you know what I'm talking about. If you ever plan on getting pregnant - get ready for the questions. You'll be surprised by what some people ask you.

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions and comments I've receieved. I don't mind the questions or comments from the people that I know. It's I'm not a fan of the questions, comments and judgements from complete strangers. They are in no particular order.

- Are you excited?
- Was this planned?
- How long have y'all been married? (you can almost see them do the math in their head)
- Are you going to find out if its a boy or girl? (often followed by - why?)
- What do you want - boy or girl?
- Do you have a gut feeling if it's a boy or girl?
- Are you going to take the drugs?
- Do you have a name picked out yet?
- Are you going to share the the name once you decide?
- Are you sure you can eat that?
- Why can't you eat that?
- Are you going back to work?
- How much time are you going to take off?
- It's really funny that Brad is going to have a girl. (This one really bothers him)
- Did you buy a shotgun yet? You'll need one if you have a girl.
- Are you going to nurse?
- Are you going to take weekly belly pictures?
- Can I take a picture of your belly?
- How much weight have you gained?
- How are you feeling?
- Have you registered for a Labor and Delivery Class? (NO!)
- You don't look like you are that far along.


I'll add more to the list as I get them.

Week 30

I'm sitting here watching Brad mow the lawn and Banjo follow his every step, watching the Frogs lose to Texas in a baseball game that would put them in the college world series and watching my belly move around. Exciting night, huh?

Baby Emily seems to be the most active right after dinner and before I head to bed. For a few minutes every night I sit here and watch her move around. It's a really strange feeling but comforting at the same time. I must admit - I get really freaked out when I don't feel her move around after a while. So I start pushing my belly to make to her move. She must hate me for that.

Other than my (most likely) irrational fears - everything seems to be going ok. I'm starting to get tired easier and heartburn sucks. I've never had heartburn in my life and I'm not enjoying it. It tends to be worse at night and it doesn't seem to matter what I had for dinner. 1 or 2 Tums seem to help them problem. I do think Tums are gross. I'm not sure how Nanny (my dad's mom) ever tricked my brother into thinking they are candy. I get to go to the doctor tomorrow - hopefully this appointment is as uneventful as all the others. If I make it to 40 weeks I only have to go to the doctor 7 more times (not counting tomorrow). Exciting, huh?

Brad and I started sorting through all of the gifts and clothes we've received. There is so much stuff! A friend of mine gave me a huge box of clothes that her girls have grown out of - oh my gosh - I'm not sure what to do with all of it (I'm very thankful for all of it). If anyone has any tips on organizing please let me know. We ordered the glider this weekend - should be here in a week or two. It wasn't exactly what I wanted but I couldn't justify spending another $100 for the right color wood. There are a couple other must haves we need to get but for the most part we are stocked up. Now I get to start washing everything. I need to take a picture of the nursery and all of the stuff in there. I'll do that soon.

This week Emily is about 15.7 inches long and weighs close to 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). She's surrounded by a pint and a half of amniotic fluid. Her eyesight continues to develop. And she continues to grow (and so do I).

After my appointment tomorrow Brad and I are going to look a daycares - sounds like fun, huh? I visited one on Friday and felt really silly when I left. I had NO clue what I'm supposed to ask. I know I should have questions - but I'm not sure what. Hopefully with both of us looking tomorrow we'll think of something. I really want to make the decision and have another thing checked off the to-do list.

Have a good week - I'll try and take some nursery pictures at some point.

Week 29 down, 11 to go

I'm tired. It was a long, busy weekend. We had a lot of fun - but I'm tired! I'm ready to have a free weekend and do nothing. I'm ready to sleep in, sit around the house, watch trash TV and do nothing. We haven't had a free weekend since the first weekend in April. And I know free time is going to be hard to come by when the baby is born. We are going out of town this coming weekend but after that - NO MORE! No more trips, no more packing in everything we can into a weekend, no more over committing ourselves! It's time to relax and get ready for the baby.

This past weekend was crazy - on Saturday some family friends hosted a huge baby shower for us. We had A LOT of fun. People came from all over the state (and beyond) just for our party - talk about feeling special. I got to spend time with people I haven't seen in over 5 years, others that I just get to see once a year or so and some that I see on a regular basis. We have some VERY generous friends. We spent over an hour opening gifts. It was a tight squeeze getting everything home in my CRV - trunk was packed and 3/4 of the backseat was full. I haven't had time to look at everything again but WOW! This little girl's room is full.

I've almost completed my "assignment" from my OB for this week - find Emily a doctor. I got a couple of recommendations from friends and did some insurance research - I just need to call their office and get everything set up. Another thing to check off of my list. Now I need to schedule tours of a few daycares and pick one.

On to the "Food of the Week" - this week Emily weighs as much as a butternut squash, about 2.5 pounds and is just over 15 inches long. Her head is growing (I hope not too big), lungs and muscles are maturing. Her bones are hardening and she's growing. I've been feeling pretty good, heartburn sucks, but other than that I'm doing alright. It's back to the doctor next week - I'm very happy my doctor has an office down the road from work. Makes these appointments much easier!