8 Months

Today marks 8 months!!

I just got back from my doctor's appointment and gained a whopping 6 pounds this last month (and I should have taken off my boots at the scale, dang it!).  I'm at 21 and counting.  Never mind the pipe dream of only gaining 25 total- ha ha!

I think I'd freak out more had I expected it, or noticed it, as in if my pants wouldn't fit over my thighs or butt.  They've been as snug as they have been since Thanksgiving, okay, a little tighter, I will be honest.  Ha ha.

I'm sure a major contribution to this jump is from the delicious orange rolls I have been making- oh my gosh they are so good!  One of the best things with pregnancy is when something tastes good, it REALLY REALLY tastes good and full on hits the spot!

One thing I won't miss is being so moody.  I've never ever had to deal with PMS or any of these irritating hormones.  Poor Rob.  I know my frustrations are pretty much irrational but it doesn't matter and doesn't make me bitchy when I am on a rage.

I need some opinions here...

I'm going back and forth between setting a date and being induced or going into labor naturally.  I love the idea of being fully prepared if it's scheduled- there are far more pros; however I LOVE the element of surprise with waiting and letting it happen when it happens.

I woke up in the middle of the night in labor with Noah and it was like Christmas!  I was so excited!  I rested until morning- the contractions hurt but it wasn't that big of a deal, then in the morning I showered/got ready, and we drove to the hospital which is just up the street.  I was at a 6 when we got there so we cruised along until Noah made his arrival into the world. 

SCHEDULED

Pros:
*Arrangements made for Noah
*Clean house
*Groceries bought
*Freezer meals prepared
*Fresh pedicure and Shellaced manicure
*Hospital bag ready to go
*Nursery/pack and play/car seats ready to go

Cons:
*Missing the element of surprise
*Waiting around at the hospital while I am in labor, snoozefest

NATURAL

Pros:
*The surprise of waiting and wondering when it will happen...I love that!!!
*Dialating at home sweet home so when we get the hospital we can get the show on the road

Cons:
*Possibly hectic and bad timing with Noah
*Possibly no clean house (Pro for me- Rob will clean it himself while I'm at the hospital (not me))
*Possibly no groceries (Pro for me- Rob can get groceries himself with my list (not me))
*Freezer meals may be an extra week old
*Having to remember to add last minute things to the hospital bag

So...what has been your experience and what is your opinion???

on the list: making a list

Are you a list-ey kind of person?  I always make lists for errands, groceries, meals.  But otherwise my lists are usually mental to-do lists.

The count down is on so it is high time I start making some actual official lists so the baby doll has some newborn clothes to wear, blankies to swaddle in, and diapers to poop in.

The nursery has been painted, the moldings touched up, changing table brought up from the basement, and the glider is ready to go.  This weekend Rob needs to bring up the crib, that's on his list.  I still need to order the bedding and do some accessorizing.  I have been putting it off because I haven't wanted to make any permanent decisions yet.  But I've found a few adorable things from Etsy that I think would be cute...

How darling are these little owls?  So perfect for the glider or corner of the crib. It would be so easy to make them...but eh, no time for that!

I love these customizable color prints. It is important to me that my babies know who and how special they are!
  

I will spell out her name above the crib.  I'm not sure if I want plain letters, these whimsical ones, or what color ribbon- so many options!

broken bones, deer, and hot chocolate

The day before New Years Eve my cute mama shattered her ankle while enjoying a little horse back riding.  Poor thing!  How unfair is that?!  When I told Noah he said, 'again?', just days before we were looking at the plate/screws she had removed from a break a couple of years ago from the other ankle. My mom needs a punch card for her random broken bones.  Ha ha! She is so cautious but somehow has the most random accidents happen.  I'd say she should hang up the bike, skis, horse, hiking boots and stick with knitting...but those needles could be dangerous too, so she might as well continue on with her fun adventures. Right?

Unfortunately due to the nature of the break she has been nearly bedridden.  Noah and I stopped in for a visit at The Lodge a couple of Saturdays ago.  It's been nice to pop in and spend time with her, and time with my dad who is having some health issues of his own.  My parents each have a special relationship with Noah- and he adores them as well so it's a win win! 

While chatting we spotted a few deer outside the window. We kept counting them...there were nine of them!  It was fun to watch them wander around the yard and hop over the horse corral picking at whatever they could find to eat.

It brought me back to being a kid because we always had deer, skunks, racoons, etc. in our yard.  I loved that Noah was able to experience what I did as a child. 

A little later Noah and Grandpapa went out for a hide and seek snowball fight, it was too darling to watch the shenanigans from the window.  I wasn't prepared for outdoor play and Noah's bare hands were freezing cold when they came in so Grandpapa made him some hot chocolate to warm up.

Looking like a Walmart kid after taking off his hat...but still a cutie!

 

I'm wishing my mom a speedy recovery and until then we will continue to enjoy our visits and doing whatever they will let us help with!

And part two- can you believe my darling niece Eire broke her leg skiing last week?!  I don't know what is going on with my family!! We need a picture of Eire and Grams layed up in bed with their casts on. :)  I am wishing Eire a quick recovery too!!!

7 months & 1 week!

29 weeks down and 11 to go!!  It's getting closer! 

Last night Rob came upstairs to find me lying in bed watching a movie, texting, and eating a snack with my bowl conveniently placed on my belly.  He couldn't stop laughing at my built in shelf. One of the advantages of being pregnant!

I had my 7 month appointment and can I just say how much I loved the glucose drink- yum, the sugar tasted awesome!!  Thanks to the blood test I found out the reason I had been so unmotivated to do anything the last couple of months...low iron.  I thought I was feeling okay but now I realize how tired I am, and I am enjoying milking it!  I'm having as many green smoothies as I can possibly drink and chowing down on protein style double doubles as fast as I can eat. Or at least I did with last night's dinner and today's lunch. Hopefully it jumps up soon and that my weight doesn't.  Luckily after all the yummy Christmas food and treats my weigh in wasn't crazy- only four pounds, I was pleasantly surprised!

Over Christmas vacation we cleared out the guest room, painted, and moved Noah in so he can enjoy having a large room.  We also painted Noah's old room to get ready for the Little Miss.  Rob couldn't wait to pick up some pink paint and get to work, it is really cute to see how excited he is for our little baby doll to arrive.  It is coming along!  She will be here before we know it!

Christmas 2011

Aunt Jenny is always so thoughtful, she gave Noah this Santa hat...he wore it to bed every night before Christmas!

Every morning as soon as Noah woke up I would hear him run to his door, tear a chain off the Christmas bear, run to throw it in the garbage, then jump back in bed.  He had so much fun counting the days before Christmas!

Expert knitter whipped up these darling booties and beanies for the little miss! I adore them and can't wait for her to wear them!

 

My cute boys!  Noah is OBSESSED with sharks, whales, dolphins, sea turtles, basically any ocean creature.  Most of his gifts were centered around ocean animals.  His teacher has a globe like this and Noah wouldn't stop talking about it and even drug me to his classroom to check it out.  I found one on Amazon a few days before Christmas.

The boys got a new XBOX 360 for Christmas...Rob is excited about his games and though maybe I should be worried that nothing else will get done...I know this assures me extra time out with friends or shopping at NO RUSH.  It is really cute to watch the boys play Lego Star Wars together!!  

Noah was excited to get a bunch of new ocean animals books!

I received cute accessories for the nursery...and Rob kept the tradition alive with jewelry from Tiffany's.
He probably wishes this is one tradition he never started.  Ha ha!  But I love it and have been able to collect some pieces that have special meaning over the years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After opening our gifts my siblings met up and went to church with my parents.  It was a fabulous meeting and the spirit was so strong.  It was truly the perfect way to spend Christmas morning, reflecting on the real reason we celebrate.  I am so grateful to have a strong testimony of my Savior, Jesus Christ and the importance this plays in my life.  It also meant a lot to be together with my family this Christmas, we have been dealing with some health issues, and being together creating new memories warms my heart and soul.  Family is everything!  it was also Francesco and Evelyn's first Christmas since moving from NYC.  Everyone was there except for Gabey in Virginia.

Then we headed to The Lodge for the annual family Christmas Brunch.  My brother Chris made THE BEST eggs benedict with a killer hollandaise sauce and huevos benedict with avacado and homemade salsa- amazing!!!  We also had breakfast potatoes, sour dough waffles, raspberry pastry ring, vegan style breakfast casserole a la Francesco, homemade hot chocolate with whipped cream, spiced punch, and fruit cakes.  It was delish!!  

 

Francesco and Evelyn!                                                     Eire, Grams, and Noah

My siblings and the cute cousins!