Happy Birthday, Buddy!

OK, so I missed Buddy's birthday by one day. I had to go back to my first Buddy post to confirm, and it was May 25th of last year when we brought him home. We don’t know exactly when Buddy’s official birthday is, so this is the day we will celebrate. He is currently enjoying a belated birthday rawhide. Here’s a little bit about our mutt, in “his” words:

My best features: my wrinkly forehead and my big brown eyes

Favorite toys: I love to play tug-o-war with my rope. I also love tennis balls and balloons.

Favorite food: carrots, peanut butter, bananas, and recently a raw T-bone steak. My dad was not too happy about that one, so I haven’t had any since.

Favorite activities: eating, rollerblading with Brandon, running along the fence with my neighbor girlfriend Maggie

Favorite people: I LOVE EVERYBODY. I want to play with everybody and show everybody how cute I am. But Brandon is probably my best bud.

Most endearing quality: (according to my mom) I know when people aren’t feeling good, and I stick by them to make sure they’re OK.

Least endearing quality: (according to my dad) I try to push people off the couch if they’re in my space.
What makes me happy: PEOPLE! FOOD! PLAY! I’m pretty easy. I also like when somebody rubs that special spot behind my shoulder blade. Oh yeah.

What makes me sad: I get kind of mopey when any of my people are gone for too long. I usually show them how much they are missed by chewing on things that belong to them.

What puzzles me: Toads. What’s the deal with those things? And they don’t taste very good.

Special talents: My farts can clear a room.

Best part of my day: when dad comes home and lets me out of my crate, and when mom comes home and we walk to the mailbox (and I stop to water the pine tree).

We love you Buddy!

Is it Time Yet?

So this week I think I really reached the "OK, I'm ready anytime now" stage of pregnancy. I am over 37 weeks so officially considered full term, which means the baby is fully developed and would be just fine if delivered before the due date...which consequently would also be just fine with me. It's getting a little uncomfy, and sleeping is a major challenge.

I went to the doctor on Friday and my belly is measuring larger than my number of weeks, but nothing too out of range. She said, "but that doesn't mean it's all baby..." but then trailed off as she felt around for the various baby parts and said, "well...?" She didn't clarify and I wasn't pushing it. Next week I will gather the courage to ask how big she thinks this chicken nugget actually is. I am making some progress in the dilation department - 1-2 centimeters. Doesn't mean jack since I could sit here for weeks, but progress nonetheless, and that was exciting. I've had a little cramping but no contractions yet.

After some progress shown, I think both Husband and I are finally ready to get this show on the road. We want to meet the baby, find out the sex, and know that everything is A-OK. The hospital bag is packed, the final essential items are purchased, little baby clothes are washed, and the room is 95% done. I'd like to make it through this week just to tie some final things up at work and at home, but once that has passed, all bets are off. Bring on the June baby!

Spring Cheer

We could all use a little, yes?


Lilacs, lily of the valley, and my very last tulip.

Lovely Time

This weekend Husband's family hosted a baby shower for me, and it was a lot of fun. People were very generous and we received many nice things for the baby. My parents were also here along with my sister-in-law Chrissy and my nephew Little D. He is growing so fast! He's very mobile and talking up a storm. It was a delight having a little one in the house.


We also had some great help from Mom and Dad in the baby's room (hopefully by next weekend I'll have everything all organized and can post some photos) and Chrissy answered what probably felt like hundreds of questions from me. It was so nice to have them here!

35+ Weeks

I’ve been reminded that it’s past due for a new belly photo. So here you have it:

Yes, I’m huge. I hear some version of that nearly every day, along with “you look tired.” It’s very inspiring. After Husband took this photo I said "how does it look?" and he said "fat." That's what I get for asking, I guess. :)

Overall I am still feeling pretty good, just getting a little more tired from carrying this medicine ball around, and little more emotional when I watch Extreme Home Makeover or occasionally when Husband simply asks me a question (I feel a little bit sorry but considering my physical state, not that much). The swelling of the hands and feet/arms and legs is a bit annoying but I knew that was coming. The volume and urgency of urination has also increased, but that’s par for the course. Otherwise everything else seems to be going well. At my last doctor visit everything was looking good and the baby’s head was down. This Friday I start weekly appointments with checks to see how things are progressing.

After our baby classes, and realizing we are going on about 4 weeks until the due date, I’d say we’ve reached that “holy crap” stage of pregnancy. Husband has been a little more active in his suggestions (i.e. you should really pack your bag) and is obviously thinking more about how everything is going to work out. His point of pride lately is that he had the foresight to knock me up at just the right time so I could have my summer off.

My thoughts are more I should really get a chair ordered for the nursery and I should really get a mattress for the crib, and a car seat (all accomplished this weekend) and I should really figure out WHAT THE HELL I AM DOING (not quite resolved just yet). The classes helped us a lot with knowing how to recognize the start of labor, and what to expect in the hospital. So although I am not entirely comfortable with the prospect of delivering a human from a space that seems proportionately undersized, I know that many women have done it before me, and that all the pain is working toward the goal of bringing a healthy baby into this world. The “holy crap” comes more from the realization that we have to bring the baby home and are completely responsible for him or her once the stay at Chateau Hospital is over. Soon our lives are going to change forever. That, my friends, is wonderful and terrifying all at once.

Stay tuned.

Happy Mother's Day!

Craziness Part 2

Here's the flip side of the recent craziness!

Along with all of the work going on recently, there has been a lot of other activity and excitement around our house, mostly centering on the arrival of our little chickadee.

On April 25th, my five best girlfriends came up from Iowa to throw me a little baby shower and spend the night. Five of my Minnesota girlfriends also joined us for the afternoon, and it was great having them all in the same place.They did an amazing job creating a "green" shower, complete with green-themed gifts and extra touches like a decoration made of chlorine-free diapers, and reuse of wrapping paper and bows, among many other things. It was very thoughtful of them, and so very "me!"

Gina did her special gender test on me...girl!

My very favorite part of the weekend was just having the girls here. We had such a great time talking and laughing and catching up. There is just something about girlfriends that is so very special, and these girls and I go way back. They know me so well, and it was a recharge I definitely needed.

Last weekend Husband and I started our baby classes through the hospital where I will deliver. This was the first of two Saturday morning classes, and although Husband wasn't too excited about sitting in a "classroom" for 4 hours, I was so glad he was there. Aside from viewing some videos that made me a little queasy, and a few things that made Husband point at the book and look at me questioningly (mucous plug?), I think we both gained a better understanding of what is going down when I have to get this baby out. It was actually a nice bonding experience, especially at the end when he learned how to give me massages and help me through labor. :) I have no doubt he is going to be my rock during the labor process. Next week we learn about our pain medication options and get a tour of the hospital, which I think will really help get things set in our minds.

The nursery furniture has also arrived and is assembled in the baby's room! I still have some work to do, but it's starting to look like a little one belongs in there. A few more key items and we're as ready as we'll ever be...and I'll take a breath and enjoy this kind of craziness any day.

Craziness Part I

Wow. These past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind.

After multiple deadlines, a 3 1/2 day conference, 4 evening public meetings that required travel, and over 100 hours of work in, I was so ready to kiss the past two weeks goodbye. Sandwich in there a baby shower at my house and hosting 5 friends overnight last weekend...when this Friday came I was exhausted. I was hoping to take the day off, but being out part of the week at a conference meant I was behind on a few things at work, even though I had gone in a couple of nights to keep up. I convinced myself I could leave at noon like I'm supposed to on Fridays, but ended up staying until 3:15 just to get the minimal things done. Which made me miss a vet appointment I had set up for Buddy at 3:45.

Which due to raging hormones and lack of sleep, made me cry for 10 minutes on the way home, muttering things about personal thresholds and lack of ability to manage my schedule. Home has been getting the short end of the stick lately, and I feel so guilty about it. Some days I wonder how I am going to manage all of this when the baby comes. I am also realizing that I am going to have to learn to let some of this stuff go. So what if the laundry doesn't get done that day? It will get done eventually. I can ask for help. Same goes for work. I need to stop feeling bad if I just need a break. I think some people feel that because I am taking three months off when the baby comes, that I'm getting some sort of vacation and I don't need any time off now. While it will definitely be nice and I'm looking forward to it, it's not like I won't have my hands full this summer. In these last weeks leading up to it, there is some time that I need to decompress and prepare both mentally and physically.

When I finally got home Friday, Brandon and Buddy were playing in the backyard. I joined them for awhile and I laughed, and I de-stressed, and I went inside with a smile on my face. This weekend has been good and there's still a whole, beautiful day ahead.

I have many things to catch you all up on...so this was Craziness Part 1. Craziness Part 2 will come soon and will be much more positive, I promise.