39 weeks and counting

Yup, STILL pregnant over here...and hoping to stay that way for at least a couple more days. Today is hub's 32nd birthday, and tomorrow being April fools...I'm hoping this kid will hold off until at least April 2nd, hee!

On Saturday I was feeling so sore and achey, like I was bruised on the inside - which makes sense actually because this baby kicks HARD. It's left me doubled over in pain at times! Honestly, the contractions I've had are nuthin compared to what I feel when this baby squirms around...things must be seriously tight in there because I swear all my important organs are getting kicked and punched on a regular basis. There's a part of me that is surprised the critter hasn't clawed it's way out yet.
Also? the belly is perfectly calm and quiet during the day - but from about 7pm until late at night, it's all squirming all the time...I'm thinking I should take that as a sign that my kid is a night owl and I should be prepared for a wide awake child at 11pm.

This weekend was pretty mellow, we hung out with the family on Saturday for a little birthday celebration for hubs - he and I hit up SLO for some shopping and errand running. It's slow going for me these days, I can't walk very fast and I have to sit down alot....but I think I feel better being up and around and busy doing things, than sitting at home thinking about how uncomfortable I am.
Sunday, we lounged around all day - I took a nap on the couch - and even Georgia napped most of the day. We figured it might very well be our last weekend of being married with no kids, so we decided to enjoy it and be lazy together :)

I do have a doctor's appointment today - and he'll probably look at me and go "yup, you're still pregnant, see ya next week" hahaha.

Anyway, not much going on over here - just cooking the kid, answering the phones for work, doing laundry and trying to keep my house reasonably clean in the meantime....because I have a feeling that's going to be the first thing to go once this baby comes, hee!

Appreciation

I had a rough night of sleep last night...or no sleep I should say. I had alot of contractions, enough to keep me awake and uncomfortable - but not intense enough or regular enough to call the doctor. Plus, the kid has so little room in there that every squirm and movement feels like it's hitting some important organ on the inside. After constantly moving around to different places in the house trying to get comfortable - which I discovered is nearly impossible - sleep was sporadic at best.
SO - since I'm feeling mildy crappy and achey and grumpy today - I decided I need to remind myself that overall, I've had an awesome pregnancy and really shouldn't complain since I'm like NINE days away from my due date and doing pretty well. Here goes:


Things that HAVEN'T sucked about being pregnant:


-no morning sickness...thank the LORD

-not having to take a single day off work because of feeling bad

-enjoying the one time in my life that having a big ole belly is actually cute

-seeing the looks that hubs gives me and knowing he appreciates me going through this pregnancy and how much he can't wait to be a dad

-nesting has been motivation to get myself organized and get rid of tons of crap we didn't need

-feeling the little thumps and bumps and being reassured that everything is okay in there

-knowing that I already love this kid immensely and once he/she is actually here - I think my heart may just explode in a million peices

-being able to eat all kinds of odd stuff at odd times and nobody judges me

-having a husband who is always willing to rub my feet or my back no matter how tired he may be from his day at work

-baby shoes - enough said

-having more appreciation for a long, hot shower 2 or sometimes even 3 times a day

-having a doctor who is so calm and relaxed and sweet natured and reassuring

-discovering that my cats all like to sit on the belly like they're keeping their egg warm or something - thjs kid could possibly be VERY soothed by the sound of purring

-the further along I get with this pregnancy, the more I feel like "I can do this - let's get the show on the road!"

-having long talks with hubby about parenting and our thoughts on all different situations and knowing we're on the same page with almost everything

-feeling so loved by family and friends and neighbors and other bloggers...all anxiously awaiting the news

-feeling good enough at this point in my pregnancy to be showered, dressed, and accomplishing things...instead of being laid up on the couch in a muumuu just waiting for it to all be over

-All the hand me down maternity clothes I've recieved, so we've been able to save money for other things

-being blessed with an awesome work situation...really not enough good things can be said about this one

-my SNOOGLE

-the newfound respect I have for my body and what it can do...and how far it can stretch - ha! and how after this baby is here, I know I'll have even MORE respect for this body that I've never really been proud of until recently

-the fact that my legs have probably never been shaved so often in my entire life, so hubs hasn't had to experience the wrath of the "pokies"

-I am now an absolute pro at peeing in a cup

-my renewed appreciation for fresh fruit...mmmmmmm

-learning that sometimes doctors don't know everything, and it's always good to research and ask the treehuggers!

-knowing that I've had many many many good days as opposed to bad days throughout this pregnancy, and others might not have been so lucky....so I fully appreciate how smooth sailing this experience has actually been for me

***

Okay - I feel better now...not so grumpy, and more grateful. Although I could really use a nap - I think I'm going to go rest on the sofa and watch trash tv for a while. My feet are puffy and I'm having alot of aches and pains today.

*by the way - Kelly, in answer to your question - we'll be at French hospital :)

Happy Easter!

Not much to report over here....still pregnant - 38 weeks today!
I have good days and bad days - definately more good than bad...honestly I'm pretty sure it depends on how I sleep the night before. I've started getting up at about 3am and moving to the couch because it's easier to prop myself up.
The baby hasn't dropped and nothing much is happening...although I do have contractions more often now - they're nothing major. I used to think I'd be early, and there was no possibility of me going to April 6th...but now I'm not so sure. Especially when I have a good day like today, I wonder if I could just be pregnant forever...ha!
We went to church last night and then at noon today met up with my family at a park and hid eggs for the kids - hubs was great and sent them on a treasure hunt full on with clues and everything, kept them busy and out of trouble :)
I pretty much just sat in a camp chair in the shade and enjoying chatting with everyone and watching the kids play and eating WAAAAY too many frosted sugar cookies. All in all, a good day - and of course the weather has been gorgeous all weekend.
We got our car detailed yesterday and installed the car seat - which just blew my mind because everytime we go somewhere, I take a sideways glance at the back seat and nudge hubs and say "hey...there's a carseat back there". We both just get wide eyed and trip out on how soon there will be an actual BABY in that carseat.

Over all, I must say - I'm feeling pretty darn good at this point...I have my moments of severe uncomfort, but honestly - it hasn't been that bad. I feel very blessed at this point in my life to feel as good as I do!
Tomorrow I'm on a hunt for comfortable flip flops though because these swollen feet of mine are NOT into putting on actual shoes, and I realized I tossed all my flip flops at the end of summer because they were so hammered. I also will be looking for a thin cotton robe to bring to the hospital...I'm all about thin cotton these days!

Anyway - just giving a quick update - I have an appt tomorrow so maybe I'll have more info after that. It's just a waiting game for us now - we kinda feel like our lives are on hold until this baby comes. In the meantime, I'm resting and putting my puffy feet up as much as I can!

Hope you all had a good Easter!

Getting Ready

Well folks, I think I'm about as ready as I'm ever gonna be for this baby. The bag is packed, snacks are stashed, house is clean, and the room is ready.
I've been having mild cramps going on since last night, not painful, but enough to keep me awake thinking "hmm, is this it? is it beginning? how will I know?".
I had a doctor's appt this afternoon, and it's "all systems go" for right now. Baby is still head down (hooray!), and although he didn't check to see if I'm dialated...doc said I'm full term now, so this baby could come "anytime".
He wants me to start paying more attention to my crampyness and back pain and see if I can start timing anything...otherwise, I'm just cruising around the house doing last minute stuff and working from home (which is AWESOME by the way).
Thanks everyone for all your suggestions and opinions on the outfits. I'm leaning towards outfit # 2 - but I packed all 3 so I can make up my mind once the kid is actually here. I think having two outfits...boy and girl...is a great idea - but I'm not motivated enough to go out and buy anything, so I'll stick with the neutral stuff for now :) Knowing my mother, she'll show up at the hospital with a gender appropriate outfit in case we want to go with that instead.

I feel like I'm in this big waiting game right now...I'm a little nervous, but also super excited to meet this kid, and find out WHAT it is! I'm alot calmer than I thought I'd be at this point - and also amazed that this is all really about to happen. I can't believe I'm about to be a mom - and I can't wait to see hubs hold that tiny baby with the realization that WE DID THAT.
Bring on the sappyness, people - the emotions are at full tilt right now! hahaha

Course, here I am feeling all crampy and like it's going to happen SOON - and technically, I could still be pregnant on tax day next month. hee! If I am, you'll probably just see a post that says in extra large letters "GET - IT - OUT"

Back to my nesting!!

Pics Finally!

Okay - so the crib is set up and good to go. Carie made bumper pads, a bedskirt, a quilt, and throw pillows (for the big bed, but I tossed them into the crib for now). I LOVE everything she did, and I still get teary thinking about all the hard work she did. Observe the talent: I still have to hang the new blinds and curtains we bought, and she made this valance (I'll take pics over the weekend once everything is up):
And now...for the diaper bag!

She even made a matching changing pad that goes inside and is totally machine washable!

Isn't it just totally groovy???? I absolutely LOVE it - I couldn't have asked for anything more special... oh man, I just love everything she did - I am one blessed person that she was willing to do all this for me!

The changing table is all set up:

Holy Diapers Batman! Amanda and family made me a fabulous diaper cake with EIGHTY newborn diapers in it...

and the bookshelves are pretty much organized, complete with baskets with matching material inserts that my mom put together for me:

So - we're mostly ready to go...we STILL have to pack a bag, but hubs and I pinky swore that we would do that tonight. Which is where I need your help. I have a decision to make...what I've been told is a very important decision. The "going home outfit"!

I've narrowed everything down to three outfits...so please tell me which one you think we should bring for our baby to come home in :)

And finally, my 36 week belly picture - I'm a bit late...since I'm 2 days away from being 37 weeks, but oh well...

Whore-Moans

I know I haven't written in a while...life has been nutty here lately. Yesterday was my first official day of working from home, although I did have to go into the office for a bit - and same with today. I've been super busy tying up last minute loose ends at work and trying to get myself organized here at home, both for work AND for this baby that is coming in like THREE WEEKS (or less - or more - who knows). You guys seriously, how is it possible that it's so close?
Part of me is feeling like this whole thing just whizzed by...and another part of me is ready for this pregnancy to be over. I want my body back.
Today was a rough day. I was achey and tired and having alot of braxton hicks contractions throughout yesterday and today. I found myself getting frustrated because there are so many things I want to do and physically I'm just not capable. I keep having to sit and rest because my body starts complaining, and my poor feet are so swollen and telling me to take a break already. I'm so extremely stubborn that I have a really hard time not being able to physically do all that I want to do. Thank GOD I was never put on bedrest because I'd be a terrible candidate.
Hubs and I were tidying up the house this evening because my brother and his family were coming over and for some strange reason I ended up bursting into tears for no reason at all. It was like I suddenly just felt completely overwhelmed and physically exhausted and so uncomfortable that I just had to let-it-out...I ended up sobbing in the bathroom, not sure WHY I was sobbing, but my emotions just go the best of me. Poor hubs - had no idea what was going on and neither did I really. I hate that! The hormones just took over and there was nothing I could do to stop how I was feeling. I washed my face and gathered myself together and then my sister in law walked in...saw my face and said "what's wrong..something is wrong...what's going on?"
and of course I AGAIN burst right into tears and just said "I don't know!"
and she nodded knowingly and said "oh honey, you're PREGNANT..and you're at the end which is the toughest part"
My brother just hugged me and proceeded to go into the kitchen and make dinner. My neices all were so sweet and just asked if they could do anything or if I needed anything and Carie just kept telling them to give me some space and let me have my moment.
Ahhhhhhh - it was so weird - but nice that they all understood and let me just BE emotional, you know? I hate not having control over myself like that...it makes me nuts. Carie warned me it'll probably be worse once the kid is actually here, so I should be prepared to just have emotional moments for no reason at all.
Could pregnancy be ANY wierder?

Anyway - Carie helped me get the crib all together tonight so I need to take pictures of that...it's FABULOUS! And I owe you all another belly pic as well because I'm frickin huge at this point.

Off to bed now...although sleep has been so sketchy lately, I'm surprised I don't need toothpicks to prop open my eyelids.

Ciao!

FOUND

Oh man...what a crazy night! Thanks everyone for sending all the "come home Tiny" vibes. He's HOME!
I am so relieved, I can't even tell you how happy I am that he's home and he's okay.

If it had been either of the other two cats, I wouldn't have worried, I know they would come back - but for TINY to go missing, it was really bizarre. We both kept thinking something must have happened to him. After spending hours outside in the cold walking the neighborhood and calling him and having no luck - we were both very subdued imagining the worst. We put some food out on the porch, and climbed into bed and said some prayers that he'd be okay. Jackson was VERY upset that his brother Tiny wasn't home, and he kept crying by the front door - so of course hubs and I kept bolting out of bed and running to both front and back doors hoping he'd be there....and I was so worried about the whole thing - I think the kid knew it because there was alot of activity and some Braxton Hicks contractions happening throughout the night.
I must say - I'm impressed at hubs...he really pulls through when it counts.
He is such a heavy sleeper that he never knows how much I get up in the middle of the night - all my fussing and peeing and sitting up reading at odd hours, and he's oblivious to it all - but when it counts, he's got superhuman hearing and can be up and out of bed in two shakes. Everytime we heard Jackson crying, hubs would be out of bed in a flash.
At one point, it was 3am and I had gotten up because I heard Jackson crying by the door - I stuck my head out the front door and noticed the food was eaten and I called "hheeeeere kitty kitty kitty - TINY!!" and I heard 3 distinct meows...so I ran outside in my pj's and no shoes and kept calling. Right then, our neighbor next door came home from work and was opening his garage door. I immediately thought maybe Tiny got trapped in his garage...so I ran out there and said "Hey MARIO!" and he turned around and said "OH SHIT! Girl you scared me!" hahahahaha - poor guy...it was 3am after all. I told him about our missing Tiny - and he's the one with the pit bull, so I'm glad I asked, but then he said his own cat has been missing for 3 weeks. I turned and saw another cat in the driveway licking it's chops....and knew it wasn't Tiny who ate that food...so hubs and I trudged back up our driveway thinking "he's gone...he's just gone"
At 5:30am - hubs heard a small scratch...I didn't even hear it - and then Jackson let out a wail - and before I knew it - hubs had jumped out of bed, ran down the hall, and opened the front door. By the time I lugged this belly of mine out of bed, I walked to our bedroom doorway and looked down the hall, and all I saw was hubs standing there in his underwear hugging our Tiny cat and saying "oh thank GOD".
So yeah, he's home and it was a VERY restless night for both of us. His eyes were huge and he was breathing heavy and obviously completely freaked out...he must have had quite an adventure last night, but boy are we relieved!
I commented to hubs about how amazed I am that he was so quick to jump out of bed at every little noise - and he goes "hey, my instincts kick in when they need to".
And he's right - I was immediately reminded of a time shortly after we got married, and we lived in an apartment. Keeley stayed the night with us and she was about 3 years old...we put her in the full sized bed in our guest room and at some point in the night, she rolled out of bed and hit the floor with a loud THUD. Hubs was up and had her in his arms before she had even opened her eyes and realized what happened. So yeah, he pulls through when it counts. And thank goodness he sleeps heavily all the other times or I'd be driving him NUTS as much as I get up at night.

Anyway, that's the good news for now...

Also? Samantha had her baby and he's BIG and healthy and great...big hugs to her!

Worried...

My Tiny is missing...

I feel so helpless - hubs and I have been all over the neighborhood searching and calling for him with no luck.
I'm hoping he's just out tramping around - and not scared and lost.

Come HOME Tiny!

Turn, turn, turn

To everything....turn, turn, turn
There is a season...turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under Heaven

(Sung by The Byrds - 1965...adapted from the bible)

WELL - THE KID FLIPPED!

Who knows if it's the swimming that did it...but I find it an odd coincidence that I went swimming - and woke up with all that pain and movement early the next morning. Doc says that's most likely when it happened, if that's the most pain I've felt recently.
So I'm sending praise to the treehuggers because they sure know what they're doing!
I'm relieved...I know I still could end up having a c-section - and I can't predict at ALL how labor will be, but I was kinda bummed at the thought of facing a c-section so early on....and I desperately wanted the kid to be in the right position at least. So WHEW!
I'm almost 35 weeks - and veeeery uncomfortable - but happy that the critter is cooperating. Cook away little critter! Time to fatten up, I love me some chubby babies.

I decided to go swimming again on Wednesday, mainly because it felt so good just to be in the water...no somersaults this time though :)
Anyway - I walked into the pool, and a different instructor for water aerobics was there and she saw me and said "oh my gosh! Are you the pregnant lady who was doing flips in the pool????"
and I laughed and said "yup..that's me...and hey...it WORKED!"
She couldn't believe it. She said I looked like I was going to have this baby any second - so I'm taking this to mean that in my maternity suit, I must look like I'm about 15 months pregnant...hahaha.

My shower is tomorrow - which I'm a wee bit anxious about. I never do very well being the center of attention at things like that...so I've convinced hubs to be there and hang out with all "the ladies" just so I don't feel SO MUCH like it's all about me. Course, I know it's more all about the baby - but the baby's not here yet...so it's me by association. I feel really honored by all the people who are coming, and I feel LOVED that's for sure. I'm just a bit nervous at the same time. I'm sure it'll go away once I see all my friends and loved ones and realize that I'm just crazy in the head and I can relax and have a good time.

I'm still swamped at work - so I just wanted to pop on and let you all know the good news!
Have a great weekend everyone :)

Party Animals

****Warning...up ahead there are pictures of a very white and very massive belly...if you do not think you can handle these pictures - or are worried that these pictures will be forever burned into your retinas, then please...don't look***

Okay - so...let's say it's Saturday night. You've spent the day running errands and doing little tasks around the house. You are now snuggled in your comfy pajamas on the sofa, it's raining and windy, there is a fire in the fireplace, there is a movie playing on your tv - and then you get a wild hair and bust out the washable markers and let hubs "get creative" on the giant white canvas that has become your belly.

Behold - our last name is revealed:

What is UP with the clown nose weirdness happening with my belly button anyway? It's all stretched out and narrow. I wonder if it'll ever turn into an outie?

Yes, yes we're party animals - what did YOU do with your Saturday night?

shwimmin

So I met Alison at the pool last night and after shocking all the water aerobics ladies with my ginormous belly ("Oh my gosh! Are you having TWINS? uhhhh - nope....") I climbed into that warm water and lemme tell you - it was HEAVEN. Floating around and feeling weightless was the best feeling ever. *SIGH* I wanna go back!
For once, I didn't feel like I have a 30 pound backpack strapped to the front of me, and it was lovely. I could have bobbed around on a pool noodle forever, but Alison was very good about keeping me on task and trying out all the different things I was supposed to do:

#1 - Walking on my hands....so yeah - I've got the sideways thing down, but for some reason I can't get this body of mine to go forward underwater, very strange.

#2 - Somersaults...I think I'm too old for this because I did one and got hella dizzy. I tried another one and decided I should stop to avoid puking in the pool. Didn't like this one at all.

#3 - Diving to the bottom several times....this was fine and the easiest one to do.

I kept putting my hands on my lower belly and trying to nudge the kid out of my pelvis. I think our critter must have been zoning out in there because I didn't feel much movement at all the entire time I was in the pool.
We did get the excitement of swimming with a nutty guy who immediately reminded me of the Numa Numa kid. I swear, the minute he jumped into the pool with his OWN kickboard, flippers and goggles...I had that song running through my head. Mayiyaaaaheeeee!! Mayiyaaaahoooooo!
Seriously, we got some good giggles out of watching this guy because not only did he have all his gear, but he was talking to himself pretty much the whole time. Being an indoor pool, everything echoes, so it was very plain and clear that this kid was having conversations with his imaginary friend or something. At times we would look over and see two tree trunk legs sticking out of the water. Not sure if he was also trying to turn a baby or what - but I guess he decided that handstands were fun?
We proceeded to just swim laps back and forth with kickboards and it was very relaxing, but also a good workout because when I got out of the pool, not only was I starving - but after going home and showering, I was R-E-L-A-X-E-D.

Now, everyone tells me that I'll KNOW when this baby turns because it's supposed to hurt like hell. Which sucks, but bring it on - cause I'd really like this kid to turn around.
So nothing really happened last night, but I woke up at about 2:15am with a very sharp and severe pain in my belly and the kid was moving and groovin in there, I swear it felt like a giant squid pushing it's giant tenticles around in my belly. I kept getting sharp pains for about 5 minutes and then all was quiet on the southern front...so I went back to sleep. I honestly have NO IDEA if the kid turned though - I really can't tell - it's quite possible that it was just moving around and I've got wishful thinking. But hey, visualization right? I guess I'll find out for sure next week at my appointment.
I'd really like to keep going swimming because it felt so darn good - and can only be beneficial for me towards the end of this pregnancy when everything feels so incredibly heavy.

and NO - there will be no maternity swimsuit pictures because you would all run around in circles screaming "my eyes! my eyes!". Poor Alison was shocked when she saw me and claimed my belly pictures don't do ANY justice whatsoever to the actual size in person. It scares me to think that the kid is probably going to double in size at this point....I think during those last few weeks, I'll be seriously tempted to go buy a muumuu and spend the rest of this pregnancy on the couch eating cheese danish and watching Celebrity Rehab.

Finally it's Friday...

Soooo - KELLY seems to think we're having a boy! Anyone else? Thoughts? Opinions? Wagers?
People seem to think that I should have some sort of "sixth sense" about what I'm having, but I honestly have no idea. I'd say more often than not, I think it's a boy - but that could just be wishful thinking because we've got so many girls in our family already. There are times when I would swear it's a boy...and other times when I just know it's gonna be a girl. I truly have no idea. I have to say, even as difficult as it makes the whole shopping experience and nursery decorating thing - I'm kinda liking the fact that we don't know. It's like I have my own little surprise in there.
So yesterday was Valentines day...an occasion I am not big on. The plan was to just get a Klondike pizza (best EVER) and settle in on the couch with a good movie and a cat or two. Hubs came home with some Lily's for me which was very sweet and unexpected, and told me he wants to treat my mom and I to manicures and bonding time before the critter comes. I may just be trading that in for a pedicure because reaching the feet these days is NOT happening, and I'd love to have fancy toes for the hospital.
We eagerly put in the movie we had...Heartbreak Kid with Ben Stiller...and dug into our yummy pizza and ended up with Tiny snuggled between us and Georgia doing the big sad brown eyes thing so we'd give her little bits of pizza, and after about 30 minutes, we realized how much that movie was sucking hard. We did watch the whole thing - but honestly? I want my hour and a half back. What wingnut on Netflix gave that movie 4 stars??? It was terrible. Not even the gag reel at the end was funny.
So movie night was kind of a bust - thank goodness the pizza was still the best ever.
and that was our Valentines - all in all, it was nice to snuggle on the sofa with hubs because I drank SO MUCH WATER yesterday you guys. I made myself miserable - but the kid was moving around like cuh-razy, much more than normal, so maybe it's working and I'm creating more space in there.


I was doing dishes yesterday when I got home and I had the radio on a cheesy 80's station. I was thinking about some of the things I've been reading online about turning a breech baby and one of the things is visualization. I'm supposed to really think about and envision this baby turning around and getting into position. So I'm doing my thing and scrubbing the dishes, and singing along to the radio - when suddenly it struck me what I was singing. I stopped dead in my tracks because it was totally meant to be my mantra for the next 7 weeks! Anyone who's seen the Wedding Singer should know this song....check it out...

And I, I've got to have my way now, baby
All I know is that to me
You look like you're having fun
Open up your loving arms
Watch,out here I come



You spin me right round, baby right round
like a record, baby
Right round round round

You spin me right round, baby right round
like a record, baby
Right round round round

I got to be your friend now, baby
And I would like to move in a little bit closer
All I know is that to me
You look like you're lots of fun
Open up your loving arms
Watch out, here I come

Hahahaha, I was cracking myself up yesterday singing this song - now I just need to play it down low on my belly and see if I can get the kid to try to follow the music.
Speaking of which, some of the suggestions on midwife message boards and from Amanda's mom who is a Doula - have been veeery interesting:



-Drinking tons of water of course
-Laying on a slantboard or propping my hips up with pillows so my head is 40 degrees lower than my feet
-Playing soft music way down low on my belly
-Playing loud annoying music way up high on my belly
-Shining a flashlight at the top of my belly and continuously moving it down low
-Squatting nekid over a flashlight, or sleeping with a flashlight aimed low...hahaha!
-Having hubs talk in loud, but soothing tones way down low telling the baby to "turn around" (or you're grounded)
-a type of acupunture called Moxibustion...I actually called someone about doing this, but it's $125 for the first session - so I decided to give all the easier stuff a shot first.
-A chiropractic technique called "the Webster technique"..I have yet to find anyone local who knows how to do this
-Plaster pictures of "head down" babies all over my house
-Swimming
-Doing somersaults in the water
-Diving towards the bottom of the pool several times
-Walking on my hands in a swimming pool
-Putting an icepack at the top of my belly..since apparantly babies in utero don't like to be cold
-Elephant walking...which means walking on all fours like Mowgli from the Jungle Book - apparantly this helps get the baby out of the pelvis. I'm not sure if this position is even possible for me since I can hardly even tie my own shoes, but I have a feeling hubs would like to be around when I give this one a try...haha

Most of the above sound pretty easy (although I doubt I'll be squatting nekkid over a flashlight, that's not GOOD nekkid) - and honestly, I can't WAIT to get into a pool of water and feel weightless. It's not going to be pretty squeezing this body of mine into a maternity suit - but floating in the water sounds like heaven right about now. I'm having one of those days where everything just feels tight and uncomfortable and huge, and I'm bumping into things and lumbering around like a Sasquatch.
It was cooold this morning, but I still didn't have the energy to put on actual SHOES, so I've got my sad little bare feet in sandals aimed at a space heater in my office. ha! I should count my blessings though that I didn't have to experience summertime in this condition or I'd be bitching up a storm.



I'll leave you all today with evidence of Tiny and Jackson snuggling...seriously, are these guys brothers or WHAT?

Happy Friday everyone!

**By the way - for Joanna...You should be able to click on Samantha's name for her blog - but it's here you go: http://backtome.typepad.com/my_weblog/

I confess I have no idea who Ali Edwards is...

***updated to add - oddly enough, I just went and clicked on Ali Edwards blog...and she mentions the Serenity Now part from Seinfeld (hence the title of my blog) - too funny!

And the hilarity ensues...

Lately, my every day aches and pains have become stronger and more intense...especially when the kid is pushing on a delicate area.
Last night, hubs and I were in bed on our sides facing each other and snuggling with our dog who was sprawled out between us and fast asleep (we always give her 15-20 minutes of cuddles before she has to go to her own bed). Suddenly I got a sharp pain way down low on my left side and I went "oooooohhhh" and my face contorted into my ugly-that-hurts face.
Hubs goes "what's wrong? is it the baby? or do you have to fart?"
which made me laugh out loud mid-moan and wake up the dog. "The hell? Did you just ask if I had to FART?" hahaha
and he goes "well! the pain face is very similiar to the I've-gotta-fart face"

Now that I know that, it's gonna be real easy to fake a baby kick pain and cropdust him as I leave the room...hee!

Birthing Class Stories - Episode 2

Allrighty - so it took me some time to absorb the last class we attended. Let's just say that when I walked out of there, and climbed into my car - I drove the entire way home with my hands clenched on the steering wheel and tears in my eyes because DUUUUDE, my fears are NOT being calmed by what I saw that night.
Upon entering the class, we sat down and the instructor handed us blocks of blue ice and a couple of clothespins. She then told us that these items would be used to mimic pain, and we'd be experimenting with different ways for us to divert our attention from the pain. We started with simple breathing for one minute, then the husbands or coaches were supposed to massage us to help us relax. Hubs was standing behind me rubbing my shoulders and then moved onto my cheeks (no not those cheeks), at one point I opened my eyes and glared at him because it was giving me the chubby face thing, and not relaxing at all. After the minute was up - our instructor went around the room and asked everyone how the massage was and I made a snarky comment about hubby's technique which brought on a round of "awwww, poor hubby's" from the class. The thing is - he KNOWS my lower back is where it's at, so during the next round, he got it right and I was able to close my eyes and breath myself into another place to avoid thinking about the pain of holding that damn block of ice. She added music at one point...and a focal movie of some sort, but I seem to do better when I have my eyes closed and I can just go elsewhere in my own head.
She had us try different positions to see what was more comfortable, and by the time the first half of the class was over - I was super relaxed, albeit with a nearly frostbitten hand. Kinda cool to learn tools to help through that kind of stuff right?

So during the second half of class - she talked all about the different stages of labor and then put in a movie. The first part of the movie was fine - just a bunch of women laboring at different stages and you'd see a boob or two, but nothing real up close and personal...in fact it seemed as if they were going out of their way to keep certain areas out of the camera's way. That is until WHAM - we were suddenly hit with an up close and personal view of a very hairy baby head being pushed out of a very hairy area. DUDE - I flinched and hubs was like whooooaa - I mean come on...how about a little warning people??? It freaked me right the hell out....and it just continued, shot after shot of different people pushing out these massive baby heads. I've never SEEN so many vaginas all at once...much less in the "state" they were in, you know?
Here's the thing I don't get - I'M not going to be 2 inches away from my own self while I'm giving birth...and hubs sure as hell isn't going to want to get that close - so why oh why do we have to see such a thing THAT CLOSE on a big screen? why? I don't get it! There's a difference between seeing a woman in labor pushing out a baby - and seeing just a big giant VAJ right up there all stretched out....like a slobbery saint bernard trying to squeeze itself through a doggie door.
And THEN - if that wasn't enough to freak us out - they get up close and personal with the placenta and all that fun afterbirth stuff too. Seriously, there were parts I just couldn't watch...
The instructor turned all the bright lights back on and everyone in the room was pretty pale and subdued trying to actually absorb what we all just saw. Hubs looked at me and said "my God, I'm so sorry I did this to you...are you okay? how are you feeling right now?"
I looked at him and said "hmmm, well - you remember how relaxed I was during the first part of class?"
and he said "yeah"
and I said "well I'm kinda wished we'd done that AFTER the video because right now? I'm pretty f*&%ing TENSE!"

It was time to leave immediately after the video and we walked out of there in a daze...wishing for yanked off baby heads, blue socks and fake pelvises instead of the major dose of reality that we'd just experienced.

Please GAWD tell me we won't have to watch a c-section video??? please????

We missed last night's class because hubs was under the weather (and to be completely honest, I think we both weren't ready to face a new video yet) - but I did call the instructor to find out what we'd be covering. Unfortunately, we missed the epidural video...which is like the ONE THING I actually want to see! hahaha - but she's going to loan it to me, so we can get caught up.
Our instructor certainly is wacky - but I kinda like her...she's all over the place and unorganized and she cusses when she's flustered...which cracks me up. I think I'll email her and ask if she's got any oddball advice for this whole breech situation.
In the meantime, I'm knee-deep in midwife message boards, to see what sort of ideas I can find for trying to turn this baby on my own. One of the first things I read was that I should seriously bone up on my water intake because the more fluid in me the better...it gives the baby more space to move. I didn't even think about the fact that I could be dehydrated - but it definately is a possibility because I certainly feel like I'm drinking more than I'm peeing. It makes sense though - medically speaking, so I'm guzzling H20 like a champ over here to see if that helps any.
I have to make a list of all the different suggestions because I'm sure you all will get a kick out of some of the stuff I've read!

Quick recap...

Okay - so I've discovered that if you take the internet away from me for a few days...I not only feel completely cut off from the world, but I also get backlogged on things to blog about and then I don't know WHERE to start, so I neglect and ignore and put off until I have to write a freaking novel to fill in what I've been doing in the meantime.
So let's see, I suppose I should begin by letting everyone know that Samantha is indeed back at home after a 2nd trip to the hospital. She's doing okay...trying to show her uterus who's boss, but also battling a cold, and bedrest - so it kinda sucks to be her right now, but thank GOD baby boy is still in utero and doing well :) I feel a kinship with her since we're the same weeks pregnant, and lemme tell you - she is a TROOPER because I would have freaked the hell out if it were me, and she's taking everything in stride.
***
I should also explain that we had some DSL issues at work - and at home everything was disconnected because hubs and I spent last weekend moving stuff around in our home office to be more accomodating for me once I'm working from home. We went on a search for a new desk as the one we had was from IKEA and super small. I need something with plenty of desk space, but also enough room for a multifunction copier/printer/fax...and of course drawers - but also something that wouldn't take up too much space since that room is somewhat small. Behold my new desk:I'll have to take a better picture once we get the wires all organized and everything in it's place - but for now, I love it, and it fits perfectly. We got this leather couch free from a coworker of hubs (score!) and with the desk and the couch...it kinda takes this room from a cluttered home office/library feel to an office/therapy session feel:
hee! Perhaps if we ever need extra income...I can rent out some couch space and an ear for listening :) We moved our bookshelves to another wall, and I really like the end result...the room feels bigger somehow. We put all our books back nicely, but we still have alot of baskets and boxes of miscellaneous crap to deal with. What IS it with the miscellaneous crap anyway? Where does that stuff come from?

The office is coming together! Now I need to get back into that baby's room that I've been neglecting. I still have to finish the dresser, go through the closet, wash baby clothes and put stuff away.
***
I also need to write episode 2 of birthing class stories...(we missed last night's class because hubs was sick) it's probably good I've had a week to process things in my head though - otherwise my entire post about that class would just be one long terrified scream. I'll try to write about it tonight for tomorrow's posting.
***
Hubs taught Georgia how to shake...and while some people would think seeing two grown adults jump around and giggle themselves silly over something like that is completely lame - we can't help ourselves. If we get this excited over a pawshake...imagine the party we'll be throwing when our kid takes a crap on the toilet for the first time!
***
We didn't get either house we put an offer in on...and we found another one in AG that we looooooved - the house itself was EH - but oh how perfect the location and lot size were. We submitted an offer first thing the next morning and didn't get that one either. Then, the Grover Beach house we'd submitted an offer on came back up for grabs - so we resubmitted a higher offer and still didn't get it. So now we're 0 for 6 as far as offers go...and back to square one. I made hubs promise me that we'd take it easy on the house hunting until after this kid comes though - because between trying to get loose ends tied up at work, and preparing for a baby at home, not to mention the actual COOKING of the baby, I can't handle anymore paperwork/house buying stress right now. It's a frustrating and emotional experience...and I like where we are currently, so I feel like we don't need to be in a rush. That's not to say we're not keeping our eyes peeled for a good deal - but hubs can be a wee bit overzealous when he gets an idea into his head (I call him "instant-gratification man") so I sometimes have to put the brakes on and remind him to think about things practically and not spend every hour on the computer looking at real estate.
***
Pregnancy wise I am just over 32 weeks along now, and I had a doctor's appointment this morning. Everything is fine with me - but our little McNuggett in there is being seriously STUBBORN. Doc says the baby is still in a breech position...actually what's called a "frank breech" position. Basically, the butt is nestled where the head should be and the legs are smooshed up kinda like if it were doing a cannon ball into a swimming pool. Apparantly, more often then not - whatever position the baby is in at 32 weeks, it's most likely to stay there....but I'm still hanging on to hope that this kid will turn. If it doesn't, I have two options:

Option 1 - C-section...which isn't the worst thing - I just hate the idea of having to be in the hospital longer than 24 hours (not a fan of the hospitals...nope), and the recovery time being longer just sucks. BUT - my baby is healthy and whatever I have to do to get this kid out safely, I will do.

Option 2 - A procedure called a "version"...which basically means I go to the hospital, they give me drugs to relax all my girly parts - and they manipulate the baby by hand. It involves alot of poking and prodding and nudging and is apparantly very uncomfortable and not always successful. Plus, it carries a risk of bringing on pre-term labor, or rupturing membranes...and of course the kid could always go right back to it's favored position. Neither of these options appeal to me - but I honestly think I would rather leave well enough alone and end up with a c-section than go through that procedure.

In the meantime - the kid has been officially put into a "time-out" for not cooperating, hehe.

I'm also going to go look up every hippie/granola/midwifey way of getting a baby to turn on it's own because I'd love to avoid a c-section if at all possible. Think hanging upside down like a bat would help??

Oh yes, and as requested - here is a Belly Pic - 32 weeks:

Catch up time

Well wasn't I surprised this morning to find out that Samantha is in the hospital with contractions. Please send good thoughts and prayers her way - we are exactly the same weeks pregnant and that baby boy needs to stay put for a little while longer!

Seriously, it's things like this that kinda freak me out. I hear about other people who go into labor early (like right around where I am now) and all I can think is "I'm not ready...I don't even have any clothes washed - the dresser's not finished!! it's too soon!! the baby's not done cooking yet!!". I know, I know...everything will happen as it's supposed to, but I'm feeling that need to be prepared and have everything ready. Guess I better get crackin just in case. Hubs is ready for me to have a bag packed and everything...I think the size of my belly is freaking him out and he's not sure how long this kid is going to stay put. ha!
We went and registered this weekend which wasn't as horrible of an experience as I'd imagined. Hubs loosened up his dancing skills before entering the store and I swore to myself that I would not cry or get overly frustrated...it's just STUFF. Luckily, since I'd pre-registered online (can't remember who suggested that, but THANK YOU lifesaver!) it was pretty painless to get started. Our first order of business was to check out strollers and car seats, since we figured that would be the most time consuming decision. I had my sister in law's voice in my head telling me all the things to look for in a good stroller, and since I really want one that comes with the car seat that attaches, we took all the ones we liked off the shelf and wheeled em around and took them apart and folded them up and did a thorough dry run with each one. We settled on OF COURSE what I think was probably the most expensive one there...but definately our favorite out of all of them. I think it was $249 or something like that, so all in all, not too bad considering it comes with everything we need for both carseat and stroller.
Hubs wanted to register for a jogging stroller too just for kicks and we found a Jeep one with a front wheel that turns which is nice because I hate how those jogging strollers don't turn for crap.
Anyway - once we got those biggies out of the way, and settled on a pack and play that was simple enough for us, everything else was just details. Hubs was beep-beep-beeping his way throughout the store, so I had to get online once we got home and approve or delete a bunch of stuff...hahaha. We really didn't register for any clothes because they had like one rack of neutral items and everything else was gender specific. The place was pretty packed with people, so we moved pretty quickly and hightailed it out of there before I had an anxiety attack. The lady at the register desk gave me a hard time and said most people's registries are much longer...but oh well. I already have a bunch of stuff, and I prefer to keep things simple. They also gave us a gift box with a bottle, a pacifier and a diaper inside....dude, the diaper was TINY!!!! I couldn't believe it, I guess my neices were only that small for such a short period of time that I forgot how little those newborn diapers are. Hubs's family gave us some outfits and onsies at Christmas that I've decided I will be keeping in the package until the critter arrives because they are for 5-8lbs. and I have a distinct feeling that our kid could easily be almost or above 8 pounds if I go full term.
Anyway, after registering, we headed to Red Robin's for dinner (hello garlic parmesan fries...I missed you) and then walked over to Sears to check out lawn mowers. We found one on clearance that was perfect, so we snatched it up and felt like we had a very productive Saturday.

Yesterday, I slept in late...and then we eventually headed up to my parents house for lunch and to meet with family friends from out of town. They had their dog Molly with them (which coincidentally is the name we've chosen if we have a girl) and we had brought Georgia with us, so she got a good run in the muddy countryside.
Then it was home to watch the Superbowl. I realized at around 2pm yesterday that I hadn't felt the baby move all day. I started paying more attention and trying not to freak out...and then at around 4:30pm I drank a Dr. Pepper to see if that would get things moving and finally around 5pm I felt some thumps and bumps and RELIEF. I swear, we pregnant women can freak ourselves out so easily.
Everything was fine and dandy until 4am this morning when I woke up from some MAD kicking going on in there...something was going on, a disco party maybe? Anyway - I laid there wide awake hoping the kid was going to stay contained because it sure felt like it could claws it's way right out, and my brain was buzzing with all the things we still have to do to get ready for this adventure. I finally got up at 6:30am and hopped into a long hot shower which is when the critter promptly fell asleep. hahaha!
Nobody warned me that sleep deprivation starts BEFORE the arrival of the actual baby.
Our kid must be quite the partier because as I type, we've got another dance marathon going on. I've had alot of people tell me that I should pay attention to when the baby is awake because it'll probably be on the same schedule once it's out. Very interesting. Anyone feel like chatting at 4am? hehee

In other news...last weekend we put an offer in on two houses - one in Nipomo and one in Grover Beach. Lost both of them, which we kinda figured we would. But yesterday a new listing popped up in an older neighborhood of Arroyo Grande, so I'm super excited to go see that one tonight. The house doesn't look like much, but it has a massive yard...so plenty of room to expand. Mainly we just need to make sure the house itself is liveable before putting in an offer. There's alot of things I can live with, but some things I definately can't - so I'm trying to stay open minded and not be too picky. Especially when it comes to a house in a neighborhood that we like.
Are we positively insane to still be looking for a house to buy with this kid on it's way?? Sometimes I think we are...*sigh*...it's all or nuthin with us it seems.

Birthing Class Stories - Episode 1

Allrighty...so we had our first birthing class experience - and it was interesting.
If I had to venture a guess, I'd say we're probably the oldest ones in the class - which is kinda scary. There is one other couple who MIGHT be close to our age, but it's hard to tell.
So the first thing we see upon walking in the room is that up on the board, there is a list of questions - name, due date, dr's name, job title, etc, etc. - It was like the first day of school when you have to stand up and say your name and one word that describes you or some crap like that. I HATE that...
So she goes around the room and asks each couple each question, as well as what type of labor you plan on having (natural or drugs) and what your feelings are about labor.
Everyone is being so sweet about it and saying things like "well, we're really trying for a natural birth...and we're really excited and anticipating this day...maybe a little nervous - but more so excited and can't wait!"
There were a couple of people who admitted they were a bit anxious - but they would add on how thrilled and excited they were and it was all very sweet and nice.
When she got us though - Hubs said "well...as far as the drugs go - BRING EM ON- for both of us!". Some people laughed - some didn't. I'm not sure if they know that we're totally serious about that. I don't see the point of being uncomfortable if I don't have to be. Course I know, it might not work out the way I think - but I'm all for taking drugs, and have no actual intention of purposefully going without.
When he answered how he was feeling about labor, his response was "blllllggggghhhhhh!" and my response was "as far as labor is concerned...I'm not even gonna lie - I'm scared to death!"
and the instructor was nodding her head and going "ooookay, allright...well we'll try to help you with that - have you ever seen a real birth before?"
and I said "yes, yes I have - but I'm not sure that helped - I think it just scared the crap outta me"
So basically, already our answers were pretty bold compared to everyone else's. I personally think that out of the 12 couples in that class, I can't possibly be the only one who's terrified of shooting a kid out of my vagina - so they're a buncha liars...but whatever.
We're all within just a few weeks of each other, and everyone is a totally different shape so it's kinda funny to look around the room at all these pregnant women in one place. There is one couple there who can't be more than 18...and not only did she not know the name of her doctor - but she also didn't know how many weeks she was ("I only know months" she said...which is flippin WEIRD) and also when asked if they'd chosen a pediatrician - they didn't seem to know what that was. Very odd. I worry for the future.

Anyway - so here we start out being the only ones who admitted to wanting drugs and being completely freaked out...and we're the only ones who don't know what we're having, which apparantly is more unusual than I first thought. We're also the only ones who won't be breastfeeding (I have medical reasons people...don't bug me - I would if I could) and we're the only ones with a doctor who has a porno sounding last name...So yeah, feeling a weeeee bit like the outcasts already.
The thing I can't stand about the class is that we have to sit on these hard ass chairs for 2 hours...NOT COMFORTABLE. Oh yeah, and we watched a video of a mexican woman giving birth in her tub at home. They didn't show a whole lot because she was in the tub - so no up close crotch shots or anything, but after it was over, I looked over and hubs eyeballs were popping out of his head and he leaned over and whispered loudly "Hey...do you think it's too late to change our mind?"
Ummm, ya think?
The instructor was full of information about dialating and effacing and she busted out a baby and a pelvis to show us how that all goes down - at one point she pulled off the baby's head...which cracked me up cause she just yanked it off.....then she pulled out this weird sock looking thing what was supposed to mimic a uterus...and proceeded to squeeze the baby's head through the sock hole. I couldn't help it - I was cracking up! (yes, I'm 12 years old) There's just something really jacked up about seeing a fake baby head coming out of a striped blue sock....call me crazy.

I'm kinda wondering if this class is going to make me feel better about the whole labor thing - or if it's just going to freak me out even more. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

A Shameful Admission...

Okay...it's honesty day over here at Che Serenity Now.
I have a confession to make. Something I'm extremely embarrassed to admit - and I can't believe I've let my procrastination skills reach such a degree.
You remember a few posts ago when I mentioned that I still have my wedding dress crumbled in a bag in my closet, and have yet to get it cleaned? Well, that's pretty ridiculous considering I've now been married all of SIX YEARS. But it's nothing compared to the fact that I have an appointment this afternoon to meet with our wedding photographers to finally turn in my selection of pictures for our wedding album.
Yes folks, I was married six years ago - and have spent the last six years with an album of proofs floating around my house, and have yet to get our wedding photo album pictures chosen or turned in.
First of all - I'm damn lucky the photographers are still even in the area....because everything is paid for, it's just been a matter of me sitting down and selecting the pictures for our album and turning them in to the photographers so they can create our lovely memory book.
I have no wedding pictures of us in our house - nobody on either side of our family have any wedding pictures of us - and I am probably the most ridiculous person ever to even have HAD a wedding....considering my procrastination skills.
I seriously think that we got married - and I said "WHEW! well I'm glad THAT'S over...let's get on with life" and didn't think about anything wedding related after that.
I've honestly never even sat down and watched our entire wedding video...

Sooooo - yesterday, I decided enough was enough...my nesting skills are in full force, and I've been feeling the distinct need to tie up all my "loose ends". Meaning, all the crap that sits in the back of my head in that "oh yeah, I need to do that..." section.
I called the photographers and made an appointment for this afternoon. I asked her if I won the prize for biggest slacker and she laughed and said surprisingly I'm not actually the worst she's ever had. "It's pretty unusual" she said...but definately not the worst.
I spent over an hour last night going through our entire album and selecting pictures for our album and both parent albums. Funny how going through that album really sent me back to that day and how I was feeling and how much I hated my hair...hahaha - until I fixed it right before the ceremony. That day is such a blur for me - I remember I wasn't nervous at all until RIGHT before I was walking down the aisle and I realized every single person in that room was staring at me and I started to panic. I got up there and I was willing to say whatever I needed to say to get OFF THAT STAGE. I must really love hubs alot because I'm terrified of doing anything in public, much less on a stage in front of tons of people.
I looked at pictures of my neices who were so little - Keeley was one of my flower girls and only 2 years old...now she's EIGHT. That trips me out.

Anyway - all this to say that I am FINALLY submitting my pictures and clearing out my procrastination box. I feel like when I actually get that album in my hands - a weight will have been lived off my shoulders. I have to wonder why I do this to myself? Why do I let so much time go by before I take care of the things that hang around in my head?
I'm not sure...but it does feel good to finally do something about it.

All you scrapbookers out there must truly be appalled. ha!

Story of US

Tomorrow is our anniversary. Hubs and I will be celebrating six years of marriage!
It's absolutely crazy to me that we've been married 6 years already...and even more crazy to me that we're about to have our first kid. Over the last couple of days, I've been reminiscing about when we first met, and how we got together, and how wierd life can be sometimes.
SO - I honestly can't remember if I've told "our story" before on this blog (who came up with the word blog anyway? it's annoying - I prefer journal instead of baaalaaawg) but I don't have the patience to dig through archives and find out....SO I decided to tell it anyway.
Let me start out by saying that I have a friend named Amanda - we've known each other since we were 4 years old, and she's like a sister to me. We haven't lived in the same town since we were about 6 or 7, but we've always stayed close and our families visited each other often. If it weren't for Amanda, I never would have met hubs...and even after meeting him - I sometimes wonder if we would have gotten together without her insistance that we were perfect for each other. SHE KNEW, long before I did....that hubs and I were meant to be.
We initially met about 3 1/2 years before we actually got together...while I was up in the Bay area visiting Amanda...a bunch of us went out to a comedy club in the city. Of course I was with "the chair" boyfriend at the time, and wasn't in THAT frame of mind. But over the next few years Amanda kept hinting that I should dump my loser and go out with this friend of hers I had met, because she thought we'd be good together. From time to time, I'd call her at work and she'd be on the phone with him and I'd say "oh, well tell him hello" and he would do the same back and that's just how it was over the next few years. She would tell me funny things he'd done - or talk about some girl he was dating - and then mention that he and I would be a good match and remind me to kick my current relationship to the curb. ha!
When I finally got smart and broke up with my ex....amanda tried to arrange for us to get together quite a few times - but somehow it just never worked out. To be quite honest, I was ready to be single for a while anyway - I didn't want to jump right into another relationship right off the bat. I loved living alone and doing my own thing, and didn't want to think about MEN for a while.
Well then in November of 2001, Amanda's younger sister got married - and I went to the wedding, and unbeknownst to me...was seated right next to hubs (sneaky amanda) who I didn't even know would be there. We chatted - and he asked me to dance - I was nervous as hell, and while there was definately a spark between us...and SOMETHING there, the practical side of me said "you're crazy, he lives in San Francisco...never gonna happen".
Which is funny because a few months later we were engaged. All our friends thought we were insane (I think even amanda thought that) because we hardly knew each other and didn't even live in the same town. I got lectures from my friends and family and he got lectures from his friends and family...but somehow, we both just knew it was right. I've always heard that when you know, YOU KNOW - and that's it...and I finally understood what that meant. Eventually all our friends and family did too because when they saw us together, you could just tell it was right.
We did the long distance engagement thing for a year - did all the premarital counseling sessions and saw each other as much as possible. Hubs moved here December 2001 and we got married January 26th 2002.
Hubs was hot to trot to start a family, but I was like "whoa - let's BE MARRIED for a while first"...so we agreed to wait 3 years. Then 3 years came and went and we were both kinda feeling like "wow, that was fast...we're not ready yet". Another year and a half went by before we finally decided to go off the pill and just let nature take it's course. Exactly one year later, I was in the bathroom at work staring at a positive pregnancy test in complete disbelief. And here we are, celebrating 6 years of marriage, and preparing to have our first baby. I don't think we had any idea that we would wait this long, and yet part of me feels like the time has just whizzed by.
I truly cherish all the alone time we've had together, and I love the fact that our relationship is strong and stable because I feel like that's the best gift we could possibly give our child. We truly are best friends, and I couldn't ask for anything more. While we do have our tiffs every now and then - our house is constantly filled with love and especially laughter, and while I can be sappy and heartfelt - hubs can OUT-SAP me any day of the week...and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Last night, we were getting ready for bed and chatting about how we can't believe it's been 6 years already, and I said "you ready to do six more?" and he said "only if you add a zero to the end of that", and as I climbed into bed and put his hand on my thumping belly....I think we both felt like even 60 years, is just not enough time.

Victory

Obviously, any readers of this blog should be able to tell how much I love my dog. She truly is part of our little family and we treat her as such. She gets attention and loves and snuggles and we try our best to make sure she's living a comfortable life. I have always had a passion for animals...I believe animals are good for the soul - and if you're feeling down in the dumps, they have a way of making you smile anyway. Even when I was little, I never played with dolls or barbies - for me, it was ALL about either our real animals or my stuffed animals.
When I was about 6 or 7 years old, my mom took me to the doctor because I was consistently dealing with a stuffy nose. Well of course, they told her I had allergies and to get rid of our pets and all my stuffed animals and try to make my bedroom as dust free as possible. If I remember correctly she chuckled when the doctor said that because she KNEW that wasn't going to happen. I sooooo did not care that I had a stuffy nose, or that our cats would make my eyes itch - I simply could not live without my pets, I would have been a miserable child. At the time, we had 2 cats and 2 guinea pigs. A few years later, we moved out to the country and ended up with 2 dogs, 3 cats, a bunny rabbit, and the guinea pigs. I was in heaven with all my animals and was more than willing to deal with allergies.
Now here I am with three cats and a dog and while it can be chaotic sometimes - and yes, I still have allergy issues as well as some asthma issues....I just love it. There is nothing like coming home to a houseful of unconditional love.
One of the things we try and do almost every weekend is go to the dog park. It kinda sucks because it's quite a drive to get out there, but Georgia loves it so much that we feel it's very important for her to have that social interaction being that she's our only dog. We always meet and chat with the nicest people out there...I'm not sure what it is exactly - but there is just a certain comraderie between dog owners, so it's been a nice social thing for hubs and I as well.
We've attended fundraisers and dog park workdays helping to spread woodchips and things like that....and really wishing we had a dog park closer to home so we could go more often. We became members of the local dog park association in hopes that eventually one would be approved here in town closer to home.
Last night, we attended a city council meeting about the dog park, and the public hearing for that subject alone lasted almost 2 hours. Being pregnant and all, sitting anywhere for 2 hours is not exactly comfortable - but it was fascinating hearing what everyone had to say on the matter. Back in August, the city council approved the dog park - but then some local residents became up in arms about it and everything got stuck in appeal. So last night was a last ditch effort for everyone involved. Some residents stood up and expressed their concerns...some very VALID concerns - some just completely ridiculous concerns....and while it was easy to see their point of view...those of us who actually attend the dog park with frequency knew that their worries would not be an issue. There is an apartment building owner across the street from the park who had hired a lawyer/spokesperson and spent WAAAAY too long at the podium and bringing up some ridiculous points of view that had alot of us just rolling our eyes.
Anyway - when all was said and done...the city council had done a good job with their poker faces and none of were sure which way they were going to vote. One by one, each council member voiced themselves in favor of the park - and so we won 5-0...hands down! It's so exciting because now it's like a done deal, no more appeals - we're actually going to get a dog park.
Course it still has to be built and fundraisers have to be done and all the logistics still have to be worked out...but we're on our way. I have a feeling I could potentially be there almost every day - sometimes there's just nothing better than a worn out and happy dog - and a cup of coffee with friends :)