July 16, 2012
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Wonderful Weekend, Sans Baby

This weekend was excellent.  It really was. I wrote about my Saturday and today didn’t disappoint either.  I knew it wouldn’t as I got to see and spend time with some of the most important people in my life.

Everyone has been (and continues to be) very helpful and supportive of getting this little guy moving!  So I thought I’d share my day!

Whenever I have an appointment I can’t help but wake up crazy early.  Today I had an 11:00 (yes 11:00 a.m.) acupuncture appointment and I naturally woke up around 5:15 and really didn’t get much sleep between then and 7:00 a.m. when I got up and got moving.  My wonderful punctual husband got my  heart rate up really high before this appointment, but when we got there… It was heavenly.  I kid you not, even the smaller space of the office was calm, smelled amaze and was just what I needed.  I felt instantly relaxed.  The treatment went wonderful and Frank made me feel like this baby WILL come on his time, and that time should be Wednesdayish if not sooner.  Even if Evan doesn’t show by then, it was worth every second and I will definitely continue future treatments with our acupuncturist.  He is amazing, so brilliant, so warm and so kind.  He has been a friend of the family for as long as I have been alive and I trust him so much, so we will see if his treatments help bring baby.

Next, after a stop at the S-Bucks:

Passion tea for me, costly calorie [delicious] craziness for the Hubs.  Was a trip to the pet shop for fish food, filters and some awesome natural allergy free treats for our first baby, Oso.  This was following directly by a trip to get this prego walking, at the mall with her bestie.

Nicole, is an amazing friend of mine.  We were honestly separated at birth.  I couldn’t wait to catch up and get some girl time in.  The day before she said she was going to bring me pineapple and I told her to bring tissue (as I had been a crying nightmare for two days) and SHE DID!! She brought both!  She also gave me this:

A “Hospital Survival Bag” filled with amazing goodies for momma, baby and husband.  She thought of EVERYTHING… Socks, lip balm, lotion, baby outfits, trail mix for daddy and recommendations for daddy to bring pillows and a blanket (courtesy of her own Hubs, and this is mentioning a FEW things this AWESOME bag is filled with).  As the day has gone on I feel even more emotional about how thoughtful this was (tissue included, it might get opened early!).  She is such a great friend and I’m SO blessed.  She even took the time to type out why the items were included.  It is AWESOME.  She also has a son who is an amazing little man, so she has shared some infant goodies with us, including a pool that is already at my mom’s that will be filled and ready to go before he is even here to use it (no seriously, it will be filled with water, ready to go even though all he will be able to do is stare at it).

Hector and I then stopped at the parents house to show off our new goodie bag, and just say hey.  We did some more walking around Target, spent some cash (it is amazing how things add up at Target) and we came home did a mini treatment to get baby out and now we are going to rest rest rest, hoping baby decides to grace us with his presence – I want to share awesome sunsets like this one:

With him.

Hurry baby!  We all REALLY can’t wait to meet you! ❤

July 15, 2012
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3rd Party Eviction Notice.

Well hello one day past my due date!

I’m sure you will come and go today, and that is OK but my dear son, can you please come before next Friday?  If you don’t I won’t be seeing you in person that day but via ultrasound and they are going to hook you and I up to a bunch of monitors to check that you aren’t in distress (I know, I know, you aren’t you move in there like a champ but I hear it is standard protocol).  But unfortunately my love, they have given you a “get out by” date and trust me, you and I both want you to come out before then.  ♥

It simply baffles me how a doctor can be so insensitive.  Maybe that is what I get for having a male doctor who has never actually been through labor before.  My appointment on Friday was disappointing in and of it self but some choice words my my doctor made it go from slightly disappointing to making me feel like I was failing at getting my little man to come out, or that my body was simply not getting the message (both things sound like FAIL in my book).  What did I learn at this appointment?  A week from Tuesday I will most likely have a baby in my arms, and if he comes that day it will likely be because they hooked me up to a bunch of monitors and filled me with a bunch of meds.

I really only care about him being healthy, and I know that the stress isn’t just on me but on the baby when they induce.  Don’t get me wrong Evan, I know you are a strong one but I’d really like you do to your own thing ;-). xoxo

The doctor did say is that he is still very high and I mentioned to him that I think he lays at more of an angle (clearly I can tell, as he is in MY BODY) and only when I said this the doctor was like “oh, that could be part of the reason you aren’t progressing.”  I thought to myself what do you mean THAT COULD be part of it?  OF course it is part of it, if his head isn’t putting pressure on my cervix, how is my cervix supposed to know to dilate.  IF I ever go through this pregnancy thing again, I will definately go the midwife route because they would have been more proactive on why my body wasn’t engaging.  I will absolutely still be in the oversight of a OBGYN and deliver in a hospital but the OB doesn’t need to see me every time and tell me “oh you are doing great, any questions, no ok see you in a few weeks” I would like more answers.  With this time around I must say I’m lucky enough to have an old family friend who is an acupuncturist and who informed me there are was to get the baby in proper position.  So this morning, my dear husband and I will see him and hopefully he can help move things along.

Yesterday was filled with a whole lot of Labor inducing things!

Lots of walking! My sister, Nicole, took me to Target, Ulta, and Old Navy, pretty much for the sole purpose of walking.  We talked to very aggressive retail people who couldn’t believe it was my due date (hey thanks!  but that means I’m not waddling, AND I WANT TO BE WADDLING LOL).  I made a Labor Cake (more like a death to your arteries cake and forgot a main ingredient, chocolate chips).  My parents bought pineapple, we walked some more down by the lake and enjoyed eggplant parmigiana and hot wings and then I hopped on their handy tredmill at 10:00 p.m. for some more walking.  After all the eating yesterday, I feel like I gained 12lbs and am feeling slightly sluggish this morning, so as I type I’m bouncing on my exercise ball and eating a banana.  But yesterday was very nice.  I was with family, was able to take in breathtaking views of our city and got to eat food that I NEVER eat and not have to feel very guilty for it.  Win. Win. Win.

The Lake ❤

Plus there is always a silver lining to things.   Friday was my last day at work and Thursday was an exciting day because it was the last day I had to DRESS UP for work.  That means no more bella bands, and no more hair ties on all my nice pants and skirts 😉

39.5 days prego, last day of dressing up for work. Yay!’

Although I may decide to go to work tomorrow (hey, paycheck and no baby?  Or no paycheck and no baby? I’m still weighing it) depending on how I feel.  I was given the OK to wear whatever I am comfortable in and I will be taking advantage of that.  My Bella Band has seen better days.

On today’s agenda:  debate booby tubes vs. bamboob-ease therapy pillows, acupuncture appointment, mall walking with my very best friend, and some sort of SPICY dinner.  Should be a good day.  (It would be an EXCELLENT day if contractions were present at any point.)

xoxoxo

July 12, 2012
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Almost 40 weeks, feeling brave.

Three days shy of 40 weeks and… Nothing new to report.  Literally.  Haha.  I haven’t started waddling, feel no pressure, no weight gain, I haven’t made any progress down there and it looks like I’ll be spending a lot of time with this:

The doc says that it should help Evan move down, that his head it still pretty high.  On a selfish note, I don’t mind his head high, it means I get a decent amount of sleep at night, I feel no pressure and I’m generally comfortable all day long.  However, like the good patient I am I’ll sit and bounce on the ball and catch up on DVR programs (or blogs!).  I’m also going to fit in more walking.  Especially since my last day of work is Friday, this weekend is going to be all about figuring out to get my little guy to drop, the weather in Chicago last week was extremely uncomfortable (like legitimate, record setting heat) so I’m hoping that low 90s seem doable.

Me, totally braver that usual – 39 week belly! I just got done “buttering up” ha

^^^ Is why I said I’m feeling brave.  This is so not Jen like, but it is life and my reality and I’m ready to show it.

What am I preparing this week?  Momma stuff post-partum.  Any suggestions, on new momma (not baby but momma who just pushed out a baby) items that will help with recovery?  Any ideas for super quick and easy (and HEALTHY meals)?  One thing I’m doing for Hector is putting together a grocery list that is very specific so he doesn’t drive me bananas with things I don’t want (i.e., yes I want a watermelon but no I don’t want you to spend 15 dollars on it, thanks) when he goes on his solo trips for fresh produce (a must in our house).  He has tried to be grocery helper in the past and the amount of money he spends, makes me crazy.  I’m a HUGE saver/sale person.  It KILLS me to buy things full price because I can just imagine them going on sale the following week.  So I’m making a fool proof “must haves”, “like to have” (code for is it on sale, a decent price, or do I need to sell an organ for it), and “sale items”.  I can’t see myself having the time to check for sales once little EJV enters the world so I’m hoping this list helps calm his want to please my new momma anxiety and my intense need for certain food items.  The list will help me feel like I’m in control and hopefully keep us from going broke while I’m not working.  When I get done with my lists, maybe I’ll share, to get some feed back 😉

My mom sent me this picture – The toy is from my sister Nicole and the Sunglasses are from her – super sweet huh? He has some shades 😉

Fitness realm:  I have officially suspended my gym membership until I can return to a full workout regimen, per doctor’s orders (I even got a note!).  So that went off via email this am and I cannot help but daydream about my happy place (I’ve always considered the gym my happy place, I LOVE it).  It is weird how you miss things so much when you can’t have them.  But I’m sure I’ll find plenty to do between now and my return the gym.  After all there are still tons of things I can do at home/outside between now and then.  Even though I am trying to be really loose with back-to-workout goals (I’m just going to do what feels right, that is how I do) I plan on returning to running and normal yoga sessions first while gradually increasing my weight lifting once again (it has been killer to lift the same boring weight for the past 30+ weeks) and this can all be done in the comforts of my home, while I figure out my new sidekick.  I’m glad I have the support of my wonderful hubby who knows how important it is for me to fit in this me time once my body has healed from childbirth, he knows a happy Jen = a happy him and probably a happy baby.

Fear:  Other (too eager to tell me what they think I’m doing wrong) moms.  I know this sounds terrible, but I’m afraid of it.  What do I mean?  The moms who look at you and say, “why did you dress him that way?” – “That baby must be freezing” – “Don’t nurse him like that” – “Why did you choose that” – etc.  I could write those questions over and over but it is still beyond me how judgmental people are.  Granted, there will be LOTS of compliments (even if I don’t’ deserve them) I’m sure.  However, I have a feeling new moms always feel they are doing something wrong and don’t need ANYONE to jump down their throat in any way shape or form because they feel their way is better, let the new parent, parent.  Geez. I only bring this up because I have looked at many blogs, new mom boards, pregnancy boards, and breastfeeding boards and I feel like there are more moms that “attack” how you feel you should be doing something than thinking to themselves “I did it differently, but maybe that is what works for them.”

Food:  Lots of snacks!  My tummy gets full so easily so I do lots of little snacks.  LOTS of watermelon, lots of spinach and lots of eggs.  I’m also crazy lazy, so simple is the way to be.

Natural peanut butter (or almond butter) and a banana (or apple, or celery or even a whole grain cracker or two)… a staple snack ❤

Excitement:  I’m beyond excited to meet my little dude.  I love you my little guy!!

What I’m doing now?  Smelling the cooking of my awesome hubby, with that, I’m out. xoxo

July 7, 2012
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Family Time on the Fourth

Of course I’m late.  But I did want to share our Fourth!  It was a nice quiet HOT day with family.

My boys and I (Evan at 38 weeks, Oso 2 years) & Hector behind the camera

In between baking out doors for very small amounts of time

Grilling was happening:

Grill master

Jen’s favorite Fourth inspired treats were being made:

Main ingredients? Fresh berries of course 🙂

Yogurt parfaits

Next time I’ll use greek yogurt as it will separate better but regular yogurt was on sale and right now I’m all about sales.

And of course there were fireworks:

Making the neighbors a little crazy, but the boys had fun ❤

Typically our Fourth’s are more eventful but this year we took it easy with myself being well into my 38 week of pregnancy and everyone having to go to work the next day (including yours truly) – but it was perfect.  It was a calm restful belly filling day with family I adore.  But I couldn’t help but daydream about having Evan here and sharing these days with him.  I have a feeling next year we will be seeing a lot of red white and blue and finding our way to some sort of parade but as always I’m super proud to be an American (corny I know).

July 4, 2012
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Enjoying the Little Moments

Yesterday was a lazy day for me.  I hadn’t been able to sleep the night before so my day at work was unusually brutal and I was abnormally crabby afterward.  I spent a few minutes at my parents’ house and picked up my puppy.  I was looking forward to getting home because I knew Hector was waiting there for me, with magical food.  He had texted me earlier in the day and asked if me if I would like it if he picked up some Thai food, on his way home.  Our favorite restaurant of all time was a Thai place that is no longer around, so it had be quite some time since I’ve had any and this change of food pace was very welcomed as cooking in the heat (it has been over 90 degrees outside for just about a week with no near end in sight) was the last thing I wanted to do after a brutal day at the office.  Plus, my sense of smell has come back with vengeance and an air conditioned home doesn’t allow for airing things out so even if I wasn’t the cook, I didn’t want a major food smelly house all night long (the thought of another sleepless night almost brought me to tears).  So I sent him a text message that said I definitely wouldn’t be devastated if he picked up some red curry veggies.  I was really looking forward to getting home to a pretty clean home and not needing to do many dishes.

We had a wonderful little meal followed by a tiny amount of cuddle time, which led to a much needed nap for yours truly.  I woke up sweaty (GROSS) and without my hubby, which made me a little sad.  I picked up a few things around the house and started getting ready for bed.  I was clearly still quite tired and just wanted to hang with my two boys, and that is exactly what we did.

It was perfection.  Oso was wonderfully cuddly and so was my sweet husband.  We joked and laughed and enjoyed my belly’s funny shapes.  Evan really is cozy in there and puts on quite the little show for us.  It was the most wonderful night, just laying around enjoying each other’s company.

I’m hoping to have similar experience tonight and tomorrow with the always festive, this year simple, fourth. This year we are going to go by my mom’s and enjoy some quite (HOT) sunny time together. I’m planning on dressing in something simple and light and getting some much needed vitamin D, some reading time, thank you cards done and eating too much with my awesome family. What am I going to bring?  Some sort of fun (maybe –probably- healthy) side dish and some festive fruit and yogurt parfaits. Do you have any big plans for the Fourth?  I imagined my Fourth this year being super swollen and gross and I’m surprised to say I’m not super swollen although 23lbs+ heavier than usual, I am carrying around a happy healthy 38+ week old boy! 

June 30, 2012
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And That’s Term!

This week marks the big 38 weeks gestation for my little guy, so for a whole week he has been FULL TERM!  This is a pretty big deal because my baby will never be considered pre-term.  If he made his grand entrance today, he would likely be a very healthy little dude ready to rock my world.  I can’t wait!  Bring on the sleepless nights, sore body and my little angel I’ve been waiting to meet.  I hear all the time, literally to the point of annoyance, “Enjoy your sleep now.”  I really understand you can’t understand that until it happens but stop beating the pregnant person with this stuff.  I mean, some people daydream about their perfect experience with the PERFECT baby who sleeps and eats and is blissful, well TRUST me, I’m not that person.  I’m a realist.  I have read the books, listened to friends, read blogs… I get it the sleep is going to stop and especially because I plan on breastfeeding I understand (to the extent I can, not having lived through any of it yet) that I will literally be a milk factory every 1.5 hours (sometimes a glorious half hour more, or a miserable hour less) for the next several weeks following my rock star’s entrance but I’m as ready as I can be for the challenge and BEYOND LUCKY to have the support of friends, and family, and my incredible husband to get me through those crazy emotional days.

Crazy fact:  Did you know that pregnancy hormones completely leave the body and go back to pre-pregnancy levels in just FIVE days!  That is enough to drive anyone insane I’m sure let alone a new mom, with no sleep… Yikes the things we have to look forward to, my supporters and I – PS read the blog Lucie’s List if you are expecting.  She is HYSTERICAL and just a great read with lots of helpful advice on gadgets and postpartum stuff!

 I’m really not sure why I’m not more anxious about delivery, I mean the moment I find myself freaking out even slightly I’m able to coach myself out of being anxious.  I think I lost MAYBE 3 minutes of sleep last night wondering, when I’d go into labor, how much pain I’d be in or if I’d have to be induced.  I was very pleased with how I was able to calm myself down and drift off into a peaceful sleep (only awoken for my hourly trip to the bathroom, good times).  But the odd thing is these trips are really my fault.  My darling son has not dropped but I continue to drink water and eat watermelon like I may get dehydrated but my output (TMI, oh well) tells me that isn’t the case.  😉

Anywho, I had my 37 week appointment a few days ago, where I was surprised by my first internal exam.  Literally, surprised, why?  I don’t know, I thought they’d wait until next week.  Plus I KNEW that Evan hadn’t made any progress.  I have no pressure, no contractions, no NOTHING except sleepiness.  Still the doctor insisted on a baseline, and SURPRISE – cervix completely closed!  He even commented on how high the baby still was, and I was like, “Duh, I could have TOLD YOU THAT – and sort of did!!” Haha, at least I know my body pretty well and know that I have some serious walking in my future (even though I stay pretty active, I’m bumping this up) – my next appointment is bright and early next Friday morning maybe a day shy of 39 weeks I may have some progress… I hope.

37 week baby bump!

I find it very difficult to concentrate on anything but baby related things.  From breastfeeding fears (this is something I DESPREATELY want to do and would be devastated if I couldn’t make it work), to being prepared as far as material items, to how I’ll handle it emotionally to already fast forwarding to the future wondering if it will be impossible for me to return to work.  I so desperately want to be a stay at home mom, even if it could only be 6 months but the reality is Hector and I are a dual income family, and that is what we have to do for our family.  I’m hoping writing this down will help calm some of my anxiety – positive thinking is what I have adopted lately.  Luckily I have found in my life, probably because of my faith, is things just work out and I need to remember to take things one day at a time.

Another thing I do a lot?  Hang out in Evan’s room.  I’m so happy with it; it is such a peaceful room and pretty much EXACTLY what I wanted.  I know it isn’t “themey” but I’m not themey and neither is Hector and until little Evan has an all-out personality I’m sure he won’t mind that everything in his space was well thought out and filled with love.  It is a calm place with soothing colors and items and I simply can’t wait to share with him I daydream about rocking him in his glider and giving him endless hugs and kisses.  I know he won’t sleep in the room off the bat (we will have a bassinet in the bedroom with us, for ease of feeding/changing those early weeks) but I still plan on hanging with my little guy in that room, a lot!

Raspberry Leaf Tea – who knows if this actually works, but I’m down to try just about anything to move things along or prepare my insides 😉

How am I feeling?  Good!  Minus the energy I just can’t seem to figure out.  I’m not swollen, I’ve gained a total of 23 lbs (at 37w 4d), my rings still fit and my butt still squeezes into my Friday jeans with the help of a handy dandy rubberband.  Cravings?  Still none!  I’m sorta bummed, maybe it is my personality that doesn’t allow me to have them but I did indulge in a burger last Saturday (with fries!) but haven’t indulged since.  I guess I just like the healthy clean eats and so does my little man (ahh, he knows the key to my heart, healthy living!).  Maybe watermelon can be considered my craving but I have been addicted to summer watermelon for as long as I can remember. Fitness:  Slow going, I get in my weights, my squats and lunges and my yoga poses but the heat has kept me away from walking as much as I’d like this week.

As for plans for today?  Maybe a trip to the Farmer’s Market (maybe not) and a graduation party.  Also a lot of cleaning, I want things as prepared as they can be! Hope your Saturday is wonderful!!

June 26, 2012
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Preparing to Race Again

All day every day over the past 200 plus days I day dream about my little baby boy.  I think about how he will change our lives, enrich our lives and how lucky I am to have the opportunity to raise the little man.  We have prepared a nursery, done hours of reading, bought the carseat, installed the base and put together the swing, pack and play and read up on how to introduce our wonderful dog to the baby.

What else have I been doing for a great many days?  Missing running, particularly racing and drooling over yoga poses that I never thought I’d miss (hello, crow).  Sure cat/cow and childs pose make it in my days but I can’t wait to really do those sun salutations again.  Fitness is such a huge part of my life and I literally daydream about jumping back into it when I no longer have baby in the belly.  As I’m sure my baby will be what I work around as far as workouts go, I plan on getting slowly back into some sort of plan as soon as my doctor says it is ok.

As excited I am about baby gadgets and all things baby I’m really excited for things like this again:

Preparing for races, lots of stretching!

Early morning photoshoots – pre race ready shots

Showing off my bibs!

 

Getting DIRTY!!!

Post-Race highs and my favorite cheerleaders ❤

There is nothing that compares to preparing for races.  Getting in long runs with friends, and even on your own.  Finishing up those miles just felt like the largest accomplishments.  Nothing mattered when my feet hit the pavement, not my job hunting, wedding planning, or the bills that needed to be paid (they got paid of course, but I still agonize over how expensive life is).  I miss the wind in my face and finding my stride.  I even miss my disappointing runs, the ones you do and when they end you thank God and hope that your next one is better.  Soon I’ll be working out with my new Bob, but I’m really excited for solo runs.  I think it will be important for me as a new mom to find my me time and what is better then 30 minutes, pavement and some peace and quiet (I hear I’ll be begging for quiet and may not even want to run with my iPod).

There are so many things to look forward to in my little family’s future and I’m so excited for the ride.  I really plan on taking things one day at a time and know that running is still out of the question at least for another month BUT that doesn’t mean I can’t daydream about it.  As my baby gets closer so does my running and yoga and sleeping on my tummy.

So I’m prepping to race again.  In so many ways.  ❤

Are you a runner?  Are you a running mom?  Did you daydream about fitness goals while pregnant?  I’d love to hear stories, suggestions on how to get re-started with my fitness goals…

June 22, 2012
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Walk, Talk and be Grateful – Make [& miss] Plans

So 37 weeks is HERE (well mine as well be, tomorrow it is official)!  Holy cow, my little dude is FULL term!  I can’t wait to blog about his nursery which is pretty much completed (super little details need to be done, a plant, maybe a lamp or two), I find myself just hanging out in his room day dreaming of rocking him in my arms.  We put a lot of loving touches in it so I figure I’ll write all about it when I have a chance to take some fun pictures!

Today was one of those days where you make plans, get there, and realize it isn’t going to happen.  Hector and I are lucky enough to live in Chicago, and we rarely take advantage of all the things the city has to offer.  With our little man on the way, we decided to get in some us time and thought we’d visit the Shedd Aquarium.  Hector and I have, like I said before, quite a few fishys ourselves and were excited about our little trip!  Well, we get there and there is a three hour wait.  Um, this pregnant lady is not going to stand for three hours without access to a bathroom.  So Hector and I enjoyed some spectacular views of the city instead:

The lake, lots of sail boats out today.

The weather was perfection.  We took a nice long walk and sat and watched the geese in the harbor and just enjoyed each other’s company.  I told Hector I was sorry about our missed date at the Shedd but that it might be more fun to bring a baby, even if he has no clue what is going on.  We discussed a few things, held hands and told each other how much we care for one another and how excited we are to start our little family, even if it was sooner than planned.  We have both learned that things work out the way the work out, for a reason.

The rest of our day is pretty packed, filled with a mini nap for me (as soon as this post is posted), a meeting with a dear friend, and hopefully some bowling for another excellent friend of ours.  I told Hector I would buy him a fishy or two for the tank since we sadly lost a couple (they lived good long fish lives) and because we missed seeing the huge Cichlid exhibit at the Shedd.

We learned another important lesson today, sometimes plans don’t go as planned and you have to make adjustments.  I didn’t particularly mind as I spent time with one of my most favorite people on the planet.  I’m so lucky to call him my husband, he really is amazing.

At least we get to enjoy the fishes daily 😉

June 19, 2012
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Stop and Smell the Flowers

Happy Monday – and Happy (Late) Father’s Day to all those amazing dads out there.  My main man and husband will be joining the Father’s Club soon enough and to celebrate, I bought him a nifty fan for the house.  Thoughtful I know.  Cosco always pulls at my purse strings…

But I’m crazy grateful I got to spend some time this weekend with my wonderful father.  He is just such a loving man, and I’m so lucky to have him in my life and can’t wait for little Evan to meet him.  My dad will be able to teach him a great many things, and is going to love him to pieces.

Today was tough.  One of those days where you take a deep breath and just take things in for what they are.  You realize sometimes things will disappoint you and you have to adjust to new circumstances.  I am going to sleep on this one and think if I want to elaborate more on the topic, maybe when I’m not as emotional about it.  Thank God for my little bun in the oven because some sort of hormone or maybe it is my wish to have a mellow baby, is keeping me super calm.  Sure the tears were there but overall I really feel like pregnancy has humbled me big time and made me deal with not so ideal situations in a new, much calmer, light.  Today’s brilliant advice, courtesy of my wonderful mom (my hero, in the flowers below), “Just wait until you see your little baby, you are going to love him so much.  None of this will matter in the slightest when you have him cuddled in your arms, you really are going to love him, so much”  She is so right, I know I will be head over heels, as I already am…

My 36 week baby bump at our nephew’s last T-Ball game of the season.

One mini regret, this pregnancy?  That I didn’t take more belly photos.  I’m going to try to make up for that, but who knows if I’ll ever be pregnant again?  Sure this isn’t my idea of my ideal body but I guess I’m growing to love it a little.  My body is doing great things, amazing things, and it is beautiful.  It is just such a natural process.  I mean, really my skin has been great, my body hasn’t ached too much and I’m still being told, “WHAT!?  You are HOW far along?” – I love when my little dude moves, when he does my eyes immediately go toward the belly because it is fun to see it move so much, that means my sweet Evan is growing big and strong and making my belly into a funny looking major lopsided ball.

Some things I’m grateful for going into this week, besides my rapidly ending pregnancy and healthy pregnant body?  The staples of course, family, friends, the wonderful husband, my first baby, Oso, and watermelon.  But also, super cute T-Ball games:

My super darling nephew, kicking some T-ball butt!

The flowers in my momma’s garden (bug eaten and all):

And two beautiful weekend nights with some wonderful fathers and a father-to-be:

I’m coming around, slowly but surely.  I’m getting really anxious about the arrival of my little man, so that is the reason for my baby centered posts.  I can’t wait to hold him, smell him and give him tons of kisses.  This really has been a growth experience.  My go-to life saving fitness has been there for me from the start, and even (in small doses) even now, but this pregnancy has helped me learn new tools:  focusing on breath, realizing even on my worst days, things could be worse , meditation (yep, never knew it was possible) and appreciating the smaller things in life.

I hope your week is productive and fantastic.

Any ideas on how to better cope with stress?  Another favorite destresser of mine?  Hugs from the hubby, guess who is going to go take major advantage… right now.

June 9, 2012
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Babies and the Baby’s Room

Yikes 35 weeks and feeling… sleepy! Haha, I feel like that has been the theme this pregnancy which I’m sure I have said before.  The fatigue doesn’t stop the preparation for baby and life though.  Today I was hoping to make it to the Farmer’s Market.  A huge family favorite which I can’t wait to blog about someday, hopefully before baby is wrapped in the Moby walking around with me 😉 – Anywho, that didn’t happen but some other exciting stuff did!  Today was a big day in the household… Our babies were released!

Hector and I own two fairly large fish tanks, filled with African Cichlids who are mouth breeders.  They carry their young in their mouth and then spit them out (and then most usually get eaten, yikes!) on the rare occasion we can keep this from happening, we do and we use this fancy basket (as shown above, do you see the little guys?) to keep them safe and help them grow:

Although still small, you can see they are getting some color! They grow pretty quick!!

A few will likely still bite the dust, but we have saved quiet a few, if we would have let them just do their thing in the big tank, we may have had one or two reach a mature age instead we have about fifteen of the little guys shown above.  Our tanks sort of replenish themselves (not as much as my Dad’s tank, but that is ok) which keeps buying new fish budget to a healthy minimum which makes me a happy camper!

Also in the works today?  Something I do daily it seems, work on finishing touches in the baby’s room.  Little Evan’s room is pretty close to being complete so I thought I’d show our progress so far:

Evan’s Space – We will order a glider in the next week or two to put where the swing is and the wing will go in a common area.

I am very happy with our progress, there are just some minor additions but I can’t wait for my little man to be introduced to his space.  I feel very blessed that Hector and I have had the opportunity to set up a nursery for him and for it to be as fun of an experience as it has been.  I can’t wait for Hector to do a little more personalization (pictures to be hung above the crib and a shelf above the changing table) and then this room is pretty much done.

As I look toward the future, I see lots of fun moments including Evan meeting the babies above, they will be big enough for him to see when he is able to see objects clearly a couple months down the road and hopefully he will develop a major love for animals like his Cousin Jack, Auntie Nicole and like his parents.  Although I’d like his love for bugs to stay at a minimum at least I have a handsome hubby who is all about the bugs:

Ok, so this butterfly isn’t so scary but he got super up close to just stare at it, and lets face it, if it was a big scary bug (which he would totally be interested in) I wouldn’t be too interested at taking a picture with him and it…

I’m a very lucky girl.  I’m reminded of it everyday.  I hope you are enjoying this awesome Saturday, I’m going go run some errands and hang out with my wonderful momma, and take a nice long walk with my main man for the day:

Oso, enjoying a car ride… such a awesome pup.