Weekend updates

I was napping yesterday and finally decided on our first choices for names. I was in that dreamy not really awake or asleep state. As you know, we have been very undecided this whole time, so this is a big step for us to at least have a first choice with perhaps moments to spare! We are also big on meeting baby bliss before really deciding for sure. So we are 80% certain on the names.

Now that you are all on the edge of your seats...I'll also let you know that we agreed to keep it to ourselves until baby bliss arrives. What fun would it be to tell you now with such a short wait? I am terrible at keeping secrets, so this will also be a challenge for me.

The only hint I will give is that only one of the names is on the list to the left! Happy guessing! ;)



R and I were so excited to have a free weekend for sleeping in and doing all the things that we can't do with a newborn around (which is basically watching stupid tv all day un-interupted!) Well, since I am up multiple times a night (at least 3 lately) I woke up around 5am and just couldn't get back to sleep. R was also up. So we decided to just get up and go out for breakfast at our fav restaurant "Brothers" We didn't think they opened until 6, so we actually had to wait until then to go! We drove over in the dark to enjoy pancakes the size of bowling balls with a rather interesting breakfast crowd full of older men. Even though we didn't sleep in, we still enjoyed an excursion that would be more difficult with a little one along.

It's a girl?

Taken from The Nest.

According to the ancient Chinese charts at least. We'll see if they hold true or not.

20 days to go

Wow, only 20 days left! Or 30 or 10... The picture above is from the "Truman Show" movie with Jim Carrey. I totally feel that way lately. How is it going to end? Baby continues to tease us with lots of practice contractions. Last night they were 5min apart for about 8 hours and lasted about a minute long each. What is up with that? Needless to say they really leave me tired out the next day.

Met with the midwife today and she is hoping for a nice easy labor for me after all this. There isn't any way to predict anything at this point, but baby is head down and very low which is good. Heart rate is in the 160's (wives tale would say that is a girl!)

So all is on schedule and doing good. It is just a waiting game now!

Easter 08

We celebrated Easter this past weekend with my family. It was wonderful having everyone together. My parents, sister's family and other sister's family all made it for most of the weekend. My grandma even made the trip out which made it even more special. The deal was that I would make the ham and set the table and the rest was up to the others. Everyone pitched in and it went very smooth. I was tired, but did pretty good. I have included some pictures of the table, since that is my favorite part. My neice, Madison helped to make the flower pot place settings for each person. I hope to have a picture of myself from the day so that you can see my enormous belly in a dress! My sister has that, so I'll have to wait to post it.



Our kitty, Cleo, doesn't do very good with lots of people and this weekend was no exception. We found her sleeping during dinner in the pack and play in our room. Don't worry, she is deffinately not allowed in there! The picture was too cute though to pass up.

Contractions...?!?

I have had Braxton Hicks contractions since about week 27-28 or so. They would come and go throughout the day with not much excitement. Well I have to say that in the last couple of weeks these "practice" contractions have become much more intense.

The logical, educated me knows that these can happen on and off until I deliver (2 weeks, 4 week maybe more...) but the "I want to meet my baby" part of me is wondering what the heck is going on.

Last night they were very regular, about every 15min for about 2 hours. I woke up again with them this morning, and once I got to work they were really coming. 25min apart, 15min, 10 min, 6 min, 20min, 15 min, 10 min etc... They certainly aren't painful and I am still functioning at work, but they do take my breath away and give me a pause in my day.

With all this "practicing" I should have the strongest uterus in Minnesota!

36 weeks

Here is my 36 week belly picture.

Highlights of the pregnancy lately include:
*Hobbit feet and legs. I have enjoyed some recent swelling, icky!
*More intense contractions. Still just practicing, but really getting the practice on!
*Hot flashes. Breaking out in random sweats is grand fun.

All normal I am sure to pregnancy, but since this is my first round of this it is all new to me. I don't feel "normal" at all! I am excited to meet this little pumpkin and have "me" back.

Enjoy a couple photos that R took tonight...

Nursery

We worked to finish the nursery this weekend and I am thrilled at the results. The in-laws were in town to help hang the shelves and new curtain rod.

A few explanations:
The photographs are of a mobile that was mine as a baby.
On the shelf you will find a cute picture of R with Superdog (also pictured) R isn't to sure about sharing superdog with the new baby!
The metal carosel on the shelf came from my dad as a baby present to me.
The Sweet Dreams sign was made by my mom-in-law for baby
The drawing of the girl on the moon was drawn by my great grandfather in the 1900s.

As you can see this baby is well loved already!

It's raining babies!

I can finally take a breath and update everyone on all the babies that have literally been falling out of the sky this week.

First:
Anne and Grant welcomed Miles Gabriel on Thursday, March 13. Only 3 weeks ago they decided that the Vietnam adoption route wasn't doing well and decided to switch to a domestic adoption process. Only about a week after they were accepted into the program, they are now proud parents of wonderful little boy. They are beyond happy to finally be called mom and dad. They are in Utah (where he was born) until sometime mid to late this week. Ryan and I are on pins and needles waiting to meet him.

Second:
Rachel and Brett welcomed Shay Fontaine early Saturday morning, March 15. She was scheduled to arrive via c-section today, but decided she was on her own time schedule. She did arrive via c-section due to some health concerns with Rachel, but mom and baby are healthy and she is nursing like a champ. I got to visit her Saturday and again yesterday with Ryan. Mom and dad are settling into parenthood pretty easily. We kept saying how surreal it is that she is here and not still inside. Awesome to think I have one of my own brewing in me!

Third:
Lisa and Nate Bailey (friends of mine via Anne) welcomed Nina Rose early Sunday morning. I don't have much detail on her, but amazed that these babies keep coming.

For Anne, Grant and my birthday's this year we took a picture of all the prego ladies (4 of them) They have all popped except for baby bliss. We'll keep that one cooking a little longer!

Thanks for sharing in my friends lives as you have shared in mine. Your love and support has helped to build some fabulous families.

love to all!

Dear Shay,

Holy Cow!
You are sure a lot like your mommy~ you are on your own schedule and do as you please already! Coming 2 days earlier than expected and surprising everyone. I'm so glad that you are here safe and sound already. I am really looking forward to meeting you as well. (it'll be at least another month yet maybe) Mommy is really excited that I already have 2 friends born only 2 days a part and only 4 oz different! Be nice to your mom as she recovers and enjoy your first moments in this world with your mom and dad!
love lots,
baby bliss

Dear Miles

Hey there!
My Mommy and daddy are so excited that you arrived yesterday. They just know that God has great plans for you in your life and they are honored to be a part of this occasion. They can't wait to meet you in person. I am also looking forward to meeting you as well. I just know we will be best buds. I can't wait until we can hang out with our dads and invent cool stuff to make money with, or perhaps our moms will have some fun adventures to take us on. The future is looking bright. Give me another month or so and then we'll see who has more hair!

love lots,
Baby Bliss

Labor? nope...false alarm.

Well I had an interesting night last night. Ended up in false labor for at least 3 hours last night. The first contraction was unlike any braxton hicks that I have felt. It came with pain that took my breath away. Interestingly enough R and I were working on our birth plan at the time! After that first one I had a couple more with in the next 20min that were also intense but not like the first. After about 3-4 of these in a 1/2 hour I decided I better lay down and drink some water. They continued to feel more like braxton hicks but a little more intense every 10 min or so for the next 3 hours. Called the midwife and she said only time will tell if it is real or not. I was able to fall asleep and probably had another 3-4 that I remembered. I stayed home from work this morning to rest up some more. Feel better now, but that was sure an interesting wake up call that this baby is getting ready! At 35 weeks though, I hope baby decides to stay in and cook a bit longer.

Maternity Photos

not fit to be parents...still growing up ourselves!



A sweet moment with daddy.



Awefully bohemian no?

R and I got to spent some time a couple weeks ago getting maternity photos done by Michael Cleary, a friend of ours. Here are a few samples so far. I was 34 weeks at the time.

Baby names

Ok, you'll have to start leaving comments on why you like one name more than another. I am getting more stumped each day about which name to choose. I feel like we won't decide until baby is out and home!

R is becoming a daddy

Last night R and I were lying in bed falling asleep. He had his hand on my belly like most nights. As we were dosing off he whispered "I love you" to me and then tapped my belly and whispered "I love you too". Just had to share. ;)

Also, He spent all weekend reading a car seat manual. (car seat isn't installed yet though!) I think a year ago this time, he was reading much more interesting literature!

Baby wants food

I have done pretty good with nutrition in this pregnancy. I have only gained around 20-25 lbs which I count as good. (considering I lost around 60 almost 4 yrs ago)I am human and have my ice cream and chocolate on most days but still feel good about the majority of my choices.

So what is my dilema?

Well, I packed my lunch today (as I am trying to do more often for health and money) and I have eaten all that I brought with me. Chicken, rice, carrots, broccoli, grapes, pineapple and a couple cookies (of course).

Problem?

Still hungry.

R has called me a gremlin when I get like this. I start out all cute and fuzzy and then the hunger sets in and I get a little crazy looking/acting (see above picture of such creature)

Other problem?

Just a few steps away are a host of eating establishments just looking to take my money and satify baby.

Baby wants food...

Daddy humor

Ok, I just had to post this today. I really am hoping that baby has daddy's humor. I can be funny now and again, but I'll never stand up to my husbands comments and off handed thoughts. A little background...

We are Vikings fans. no if and's or but's about it. So of course our biggest rival is the Green Bay Packers and naturally their quarterback, Brett Favre. Well, an announcement came out this morning about Brett's retirement. I emailed R this news and this is his response:

"You know my thoughts on this. There's gonna be five months of speculation, then three weeks before the season starts, he'll come out and say he's gonna give it one more run. All season, announcers gush over what a kind, handsome, charitable soul Brett is. They speculate that maybe THIS will be his last Monday night away game against a second-place east coast team under a half moon when the temperature is below 45 degrees in a light rain. Season ends, rumors start about Favre retiring. Lather, rinse, repeat.

I'll believe it when I see somebody other than #4 throwing interceptions for the green and gold on opening day."