A leg to stand on

In my last post I mentioned that I had had minor surgery on my leg so I thought I would expand a little. It all started with a really dark mole on my left calf that looked suspicious to me. When the opportunity arose for a free skin cancer screening at work several months ago, I took advantage of it. The doctor said that while normally color alone is not cause for concern with a mole, this one WAS very dark and I should probably have a biopsy done. I put it off for a little while, then finally saw a dermotologist at the end of June. They did what they call a punch cut biopsy where they basically cut a hole in my leg that looked pretty awful for a couple of weeks. I have pictures but I'll spare you the grusome details.

When I went back for my follow-up they told me the lab results couldn't rule out melanoma but couldn't confirm it either, so they'd like to get more of it. I was pretty upset because the gaping hole already on my leg looked awful enough and I wasn't sure what to expect. But I ultimately decided to go through with it.

Fast forward to a week ago Friday. I had the surgery on my leg and wasn't given any indication of the amount of pain I would have afterward. Maybe I should have realized when the nurse told me she could "see your muscle" when they were in there. When the numbness from the surgery wore off...holy crap. I spent Saturday and Sunday limping around, and by Monday I could hardly walk. Let me say that I am not a wuss when it comes to pain. I swear. But this was by far the worst pain I've been in in my life. And of course, being pregnant, there is very little I can take in the way of pain medication.

Went back and saw the surgeon on Tuesday. He said I may have been getting an infection due to some drainage and the pain, so he prescribed an antibiotic. I ended up being off work last Monday-Thursday, using my precious sick leave that I was trying to hang on to for the end of my pregnancy. Long story shorter, over a week later I am still having a very hard time getting around. Had I known how badly this was going to hurt I would never have done it being 8-9 months pregnant.

Bottom line, sun worshippers - it's not worth it. I spent more time than I care to admit trying to tan my pale Irish self in tanning beds, and I am absolutely done. I wouldn't go through this again for a million bucks. Hopefully I will be on the mend soon because there is soooo much to be done before this little girl makes her debut! More on all of that coming soon!

The final countdown

When I woke up this morning I realized the date was July 27 - one month before my due date. I absolutely cannot believe I am going to be a mommy so soon! Where has the time gone?!? There is so much we still have to do - finish the nursery (I have been kind of immobile due to a minor surgery on my leg the past week - that's another story for another time), figure out child care, take care of the heating and a/c situation upstairs. Possibly get me a new car (I'm thinking this isn't going to happen in the next month). Oh, and did I mention I'm hosting bridal showers for my sister and soon to be SIL on back-to-back weekends? Yeah, I'm crazy like that.

We finished our birthing classes last week and I was able to get the last few items we needed for the nursery with my Target completion coupon and gift cards. Yesterday our crib mattress, swing, baby book and changing pad covers arrived. I also spent an afternoon at Target picking up things like nursing bras, lounge pants for the hospital, etc. I would like to get my hospital bag packed soon just in case. I think I've been putting that off because it makes it awfully real when you're all set to go to the hospital, but I am not one for chaos so I'd probably better get on that lest I want to leave it up to my husband to pack for me - yikes!

I promise to post more as we finish the nursery, etc. For now, here is my 35 week bump shot for your viewing pleasure. Oh, and I got a new cell phone this week so I should have better quality cell pics from now on :o)

These things I'll never say

5 bonus points if you recognize the post title as Avril Lavigne lyrics.

This weekend I drove three hours north to go to my best friend's baby shower. I first mentioned her here when I found out we were going to be pregnant "together". (Quotes because we really only see each other once a year now.) I love her more than just about anyone in the world (she is close in ranking to my husband...maybe even above him some days!). There is absolutely nothing we can't and haven't talked about, from love to family to ovulation and everything in between. We "get" each other like no one else.

But the one thing we've never discussed is money. Because you see, she has it and I don't. Let me say that I get that she worked her ass off in college - completing a 7-year doctorate program in 6 years, never getting summer or Christmas breaks off - and I don't begrudge her the rewards of that hard work. But she makes more than C and I combined, and that's not even with her husband's salary which I don't think is anything to scoff at either. It's even tougher because we are really struggling financially right now (yes, good timing with a baby on the way). So when I went to her house this weekend (her house that cost more than double what ours cost... and yes, I'm a horrible friend because I looked up the sale price on the auditor's website), it was like rubbing salt in the "we need a money tree" wound. Things I couldn't say to her this weekend:

"I wouldn't have missed your shower but it took a full tank of gas for me to get here and back and now I'm afraid we can't afford groceries this week."

"Of course I want to go to dinner with you...but can we please go somewhere I can eat for under $10?"

"An iPad 2 and a new cell phone, huh? Yeah...I still have this refurbished Blackberry and C's using my old phone that is the same one you had three phones ago."

"I'm glad you guys have nice cars. I still have the same one I drove in college and I'm trying to figure out how to get a new one so I can even fit a carseat in it."

So yeah. It was great to see her but I did come home a little depressed about being one of the have nots.

On a happier note, here's a pic of us and our bumps - me at 33 weeks, and her at 30-ish weeks.

Long time no post!

Sorry I have been kind of MIA lately, but really we've just been coasting through summer without anything too exciting going on. I had my second baby shower last Saturday and am thrilled that between all we've gotten as gifts and remaining gift cards, there should be very little we have to buy ourselves. I started washing and organizing clothes last weekend, and the nursery is starting to look like a real room. We still need our crib mattress (getting it with a gift card once we get the Target completion coupon), a lamp, rug, and some other odds and ends. Pics when it's done, I promise!

Last night we started birthing classes. They have this plastic thing that shows you how big each centimeter of dilation is and um...wow. Ten centimeters is a little frightening! We have two more classes, and then I guess we're supposed to be ready to have a baby - ha! When we practiced relaxation breathing I kept thinking, "Phhssshh, how hard can this be?" I have a feeling I'm going to change my tune when the contractions hit...

I also had a regular OB appointment today with an ultrasound to check my placenta. I'm happy to report that it is no longer low (yay!), and that baby girl is curled up right where I thought she was - head down, curled around my right side with her little butt in my ribs. They're estimating her at 4lbs 9oz which seems crazy big to me but apparently she is just right. Since she was smushed up against my belly I didn't get very good pics.

For your viewing pleasure, my bump shot from last weekend at 32 weeks, before the shower:

And a little old school Amy Grant for your appreciation:
"Baby, baby, I'm taken with the notion/To love you with the sweetest of devotion/Baby, baby, my tender love will flow from/The bluest sky to the deepest ocean..."

10 weeks to go

I hit the 30 week mark on Saturday (coincidentally the day of my first baby shower) and I can't believe we're getting so close! This shower was with C's family and a few friends and went well for the most part, minus some family drama from his aunt at the end. We've gotten a lot off our registry, though there will still be some big ticket items to buy when all is said and done. My best friend who lives three hours away was able to come down and stayed the night - she is due three weeks after me (first mentioned here) and it was great to spend time with her. Here's a pic of us at the shower with our girls :o)

Customary 30 week bump shot before the shower

In nursery progress news, I got down to some serious nesting on Sunday while C went golfing with his stepdad for Father's Day. I spent forever rearranging the furniture and am still not 100% sure it is all where it will end up but it will do for now.

Bookshelf from a flea market that C refinished plus the framed embroidery I previously mentioned.

I'm going to repaint the frames and they'll be hung on the wall.

Trying to decide what to do on the flat area of the sloped wall near the ceiling.

I love these alphabet and number cards from etsy, but I'm not sold yet. The bedding is buried somewhere in the crib since we don't have our mattress yet.

Garage sale dresser that my dad refinished - I'll be getting new knobs for it. I'm hoping to squeeze a glider in between the crib and dresser (you see why I have a furniture placement problem?).

Other items to do include still getting the heating/air conditioning situation worked out upstairs and C needs to fix the ceiling where some of the drop tiles are coming loose. I need to decide on some sort of valance for the window too and find some little things like a lamp and a letter "A" that I plan to decoupage with tissue paper. I'm also working on a bird mobile, not that I even know where it's going at this point! After my next shower in two weeks I hope to start washing and organizing clothes. Where in the world has the time gone?!

Life's a Beach

I have been trying to create a new post since coming back from Myrtle Beach on Saturday, but Blogger decided it wouldn't let me add pics until last night (I am also currently unable to comment on anyone else's blogs, even anonymously. So I am not ignorning you, blog friends! I am reading diligently but have no means to let you know. *Sad face.*)

Anywho...I definitely enjoyed having a week off work and getting some sun (man, I am so pasty!). I love the beach and the sunshine, but there is a "but". We were with my hubby's whole family. And by whole family I mean his mom, stepdad, brother, brother's fiancee, other brother, SIL, 3 month old niece, his SIL's father, her two half sisters (ages 13 and 11) and the 13 year old's friend. In one condo. Granted, there were six bedrooms but let me just tell you that I was way over family vacation by the end.

There were simply too many people who all thought we needed to do everything together, and this ultimately resulted in a meltdown for me on Friday, our last night there. That day happened to be our two-year anniversary, and all I really wanted was to spend time with my husband. We did have a nice lunch together, but at dinner time his brothers insisted on seafood (which I hate) and we ended up at a cheesy seafood buffet. And I started crying because I am a hormonal mess. Long story short, C (my hubby) and I went and ate across the street by ourselves after my meltdown. He told me, "I gave up all-you-can-eat crab legs for you." I love him :)

The other cause of stress for me was my 3 month old niece. Not that she was bad, but it just seemed like SO much work! And at 3 mos old it's not like she DOES anything. I mean, it's cute when she laughs but she just lays there. Kind of boring! So I was also having intermittent moments of panic where I thought, "What the hell did we get ourselves into?!"

All in all, it was a nice trip but I don't think we'll be doing a repeat next year despite the fact that several family members had begun starting sentences with, "Well next year when BOTH babies are here..." No way, José.

And now, for your viewing pleasure, some vacation pics, including an unveiling of my husband's face!

C & his brother digging me a belly hole on the beach. hehe.

On our anniversary at Barefoot Landing - we have several pics like this (see below).

Our first trip to Myrtle Beach in 2008.

And on our wedding day in OBX.

Also on our anniversary, C bought this all on his own for the nursery :)

He was really excited to learn the name is apparently German.

And last but not least, my beach belly at 28 weeks.

And today's song lyrics, compliments of our usual beach vacation soundtrack, Jimmy Buffett:

"Nibblin on sponge cake/Watchin' the sun bake/All of those tourists covered with oil/Strummin' my six-string/On my front porch swing/Smell of shrimp, they're beginnin to boil...

Wastin' away again in Margaritaville/ Searching for my lost shaker of salt/ Some people claim that there's a woman to blame/ But I know it's nobody's fault..."

Third Tri and Beach Bound!

Wow. How am I here already?! Third trimester?! I think it's so hard to believe because this pregnancy has been so easy *knock on wood* that I haven't really felt pregnant until the last couple of months. I absolutely cannot believe that in about 3 months this abstract, squirmy thing in my belly is going to be an actual baby - OUR baby. One that lives with us and relies on us and maybe even looks like us. Holy crap.

We leave for a week in Myrtle Beach tonight and I can't wait. We're going with MH's family and I may be ready to strangle someone by the end (especially since I can't drink!) but I am looking forward to some warm weather and sunshine since the weather here has been SO rainy this spring. I'm hoping I do ok with the flight (it's only an hour and a half and it's a direct flight) and with walking around in the heat. Pics to come afterward, I'm sure!

How far along are you?: 27 weeks

How big is baby? Um...eggplant sized I think?

Weight gain/loss?: +20-ish lbs total (yikes!)

Stretch marks?: None so far but I definitely check every day!

Maternity clothes?: Oh yes. And I need to stop buying them! I keep trying to remind myself that I am only going to be pregnant for three more months!

Sleep?: Still pretty good

Best moment this week?: My SILs feeling her move. And I passed my GTT.

Food cravings?: Apple slices 

Gender?: Girl!

Movement?: She is definitely moving in there. I mostly feel her at night, but she makes sure to kick me a few times during the day too.

Belly button?: Definitely getting flat.

Symptoms?: I've been really tired, and my back kills me on the left side after sitting at my desk all day. Also had my first feet swelling incident this week after walking around campus - fun stuff.

What do I miss?: I will definitely miss alcohol when I'm at the beach next week. *giant sad face*

See you all in a week! :o)

30 Years Young

Once again (as will be the case almost all summer), I had a busy weekend. I turned 30 on Friday the 13th - cue creepy Twilight music! (Actually it was no biggie, as I also turned 13 on Friday the 13th and I didn't spontaneously combust or anything.) We went to dinner at Olive Garden with my family on Friday night - my aunt and uncle/godfather were in town from Arizona for my grandpa's birthday party, so it was nice to have everyone together. For once the weather was even nice on my birthday! Here's a pic of me that night. I told my hubby I thought my dress was too short and that people would think I was a slutty pregnant lady. He said, "Then they'll know how you got that way!" hehe

 25 weeks, 6 days - is it just the lights or do I have that pregnant lady "glow"??



On to the gifts... My parents got me this new video camera - the Kodak Playfull - that I wanted to capture baby moments. It's so eensy weensy - even smaller than my cell phone!

My husband got me a certificate for a massage per my request, and when I opened his card I almost cried. He wrote, "I love you and I can't wait to meet little Amelia. That's right, I said Amelia. That is my other gift to you. Our little girl will be named Amelia Grace Miller." He previously had told me on many occasions how much he disliked the name Amelia and also didn't really like Grace, so I was completely shocked that he would make that offer. It was so sweet, but now I feel weird committing to a name after so long!

Here's a gratuitous shot of my niece at dinner because she is just too darn cute.

"Do you think there's any money in this envelope?"

Saturday I went shopping with my mom and aunt while my hubby and the boys golfed. I got a couple of baby things (the outfit below, some cute onesies, and a car mirror for the back seat). 

I came home to the tornado sirens going off, even though there wasn't a tornado warning in our immediate area. There were some funnel clouds spotted but luckily we weren't really in any danger. I did almost lose my mind though, because the sirens went off for an hour! This is the fourth time they've gone off since we've moved - I'm so over our weather this spring!

Sunday was a surprise 90th birthday party for my grandfather (he is actually my grandma's second husband - my grandpa died when I was 2). My mom did a lot of work for the party and I got there early to help set up. It was a nice afternoon with friends and family - here's a pic of my grandma and grandpa as my dad was giving a speech about him. I hope my husband and I are still this in love at 90 years old!

So by last night I was one exhausted girl! It's tough getting old ;o) But all in all I had a great weekend and felt very blessed to be surrounded by so much love!

"May the good Lord be with you down every road you roam
And may sunshine and happiness surround you when you're far from home
And may you grow to be proud , dignified and true
And do unto others as you'd have done to you
Be courageous and be brave
And in my heart you'll always stay
Forever young..." - Rod Stewart

Happy Mother's Day!

Obviously this Mother's Day has me thinking a lot about what it means to be a mom. I can't believe that in a little over three months I will be someone's mommy! I mean...I still need MY mommy! My mom and I have always had a good relationship and I hope that my daughter and I share a special bond too. Sure, I went through the bratty teenage years and then a slightly delayed rebellious stage in my 20s where we didn't see eye to eye, but now I talk to my mom several times a week and don't know what I would do without her. This Taylor Swift song has always made me tear up, especially now that I am going to have a little girl of my own:

While I was listening to the song the other day I started thinking about the qualities I hope I'll have as a mom.

"I'm five years old, it's getting cold, I've got my big coat on
I hear your laugh and look up smiling at you, I run and run

Past the pumpkin patch and the tractor rides

Look now -- the sky is gold
I hug your legs and fall asleep on the way home..."
 

*I want to be the kind of mom who takes the time to do little, fun things with my kids and create memories that I'll always remember (and hopefully they will too).*

"I'm thirteen now and don't know how my friends could be so mean
I come home crying and you hold me tight and grab the keys
And we drive and drive until we've found a town far enough away
And we talk and window-shop til I've forgotten all their names..."

*I want to be the kind of mom my daughter can confide in - who can comfort her when those inevitable awful teen years strike. I kept secrets from my mom, as I'm sure all daughters do, but I want her to feel comfortable with and trust me.*

"Now I know why all the trees change in the fall
I know you were on my side, even when I was wrong
And I love you for giving me your eyes
For staying back and watching me shine

And I didn't know if you knew, so I'm taking this chance to say
That I had the best day with you today."

*I hope I'll be the kind of mom who knows when to hold on and when to let go no matter how hard it may be. And I hope that, no matter what happens as she grows up, she will be as grateful for her mom's role in her life as I am for mine now.*

So to all the moms and moms-to-be, happy Mother's Day! And to those still waiting on their little miracles, I hope that this time next year finds you well on your way to mommyhood as well. (And a special thank you to my awesome friend Kathy for my first Mother's Day card that came in the mail today - you're going to make such a great mom!)

Busy weekend

As is indicated by my creative post title I had a busy weekend, which will be the case for the majority of my summer until our baby girl gets here. First up was a garage sale at my in-laws' on Saturday to clear out some of my stuff and make a little extra money for vacation at the end of the month. It went well but I think I overdid it a little. Because I have felt so good throughout my pregnancy I sometimes forget my body may not react the way it used to. So after hauling around boxes and tables, I had what I think was my first case of sciatic nerve pain Saturday night. Ouch.

Yesterday (Sunday) I threw a baby shower for my friend, J, who is due July 4th. It was at her mom's house but I did all of the planning, shopping and set up, so I was a tired girl by the end of it! J and I have been friends literally since the day I was born - our parents live across the street from each other, and we're three months apart in age. I realized our little girls will be even closer in age than we are! Unfortunately she lives in Louisville (4 hours away) so I probably won't see her again until after her little girl is born. Here's a pic of us and our girls :)

My hubby finished the backyard fence over the weekend as well, knocking one project off our mile-long list. Here's a before pic of the chain link and rotting wood fence that were there before (the hideous light has been removed as well):

And here is our new fence. I'm so glad we don't have to look at the neighbors' back yards (or the ugly fence) anymore. Lots of landscaping to do yet but it's a definite improvement. That's a playhouse at the right of the pic, by the way. Can't wait for our kids to get to play in it!

The rest of this month brings more busy weekends - next Saturday I help judge majorette tryouts for my friend K who coaches at the local high school and then Mother's Day. The following weekend I turn 30 (yikes!) and we have a 90th birthday party for my grandpa. The weekend of the 21st I plan to do some shopping and hopefully work on the nursery since it's one of our few free weekends, and then we're off to Myrtle Beach for a week starting May 28th - yay!

I felt I hadn't ended with some song lyrics for awhile, but all that came to mind was "Rain" by Creed...a band I don't particularly love, but hey, it works with all the dreary weather we've had here lately!

"I feel it's gonna rain like this for days
So let it rain down and wash everything away
I hope that tomorrow the sun will shine
With every tomorrow comes a new life..."