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..."

Nursery Sneak Peek

While we still have a lot of work to do on the room that will be our nursery, I thought I'd give a sneak peak at the pieces and parts that will go into it. I don't have one of those fancy inspiration boards that all the cool kids have, so you're just going to have to make do with what you see here.

The room is definitely "cozy," with barely even a real closet. (Pics of that later.) Here is the room before we moved in - it is currently filled with all the baby stuff I'm accumulating as well as the overflow of my clothes...

We will be ditching the window a/c and baseboard heat once we have our furnace replaced (thankfully my husband works for his uncle's HVAC company). The plan is to paint the walls a pale green, and maybe do something to accent the little "nook" on the right which is where I plan to put the crib (see below - we got the Graco Charleston 4-in-1, which my parents so kindly bought for us).

We already have the changing table that matches the crib (scored for half off at Target!) and a bookshelf that we bought last fall at a flea market that is being painted white.

The bedding is Bananafish Bohemian Chic, which has already arrived. I liked it because it was a little girly but still a little more contemporary than some of the really "babyish" designs.

I also picked up a set of two embroidered pieces at a local antique store that I just couldn't resist. They have bright colors that will match perfectly and lots of little details that I can see our little one staring at and discovering (little bunnies, snails, butterflies, etc.) I figured they were a nice unique touch that didn't come from a retail chain - plus they're already framed and I got both of them for only $27! Here's one of them - they actually make a continuous scene when you put them side by side. Sorry for the quality of the pic, it was with my phone.

So lots to do yet, but I thought I'd share since you're probably all getting sick of my boring routine baby updates!

Half Baked!

As of Saturday I officially hit the 20 week mark, meaning I am halfway through my pregnancy. How in the world is that possible? I feel like there's still so much to do. We should be getting our crib and bedding this week so we can start looking at painting the nursery, but we also have to deconstruct the ceiling due to some tiles falling down (we have ceiling tiles throughout the house because of our old plaster ceilings) and get some heat and A/C in the nursery. Oh, and at some point we need to decide on a name I suppose.

I know these updates are not the most fascinating things to read, and I promise to add something of substance here soon - maybe some house project updates because we have a few going on. Until then...

How far along are you?: 20 weeks

How big is baby? A mango I think (Correction - she's a cantalope. Wow that seems big!)

Weight gain/loss?: +10-ish lbs

Stretch marks?: not yet

Maternity clothes?: I've been rocking the mat pants more often than not

Sleep?: I've actually been sleeping great, though this morning I woke up at 5 a.m. because I was dreaming a bear was trying to eat me.

Best moment this week?: Hitting the halfway mark, and my husband seeing a kick (though he hasn't felt one yet).

Food cravings?: Nachos 

Gender?: She's still a girl

Movement?: She's kicking for sure.

Belly button?: Getting a little flatter.

Symptoms?: Still feel good!

What do I miss?: With the weather getting warmer I'd love a nice cold beer.

Here's my 20 week bump pic. I'm still regularly getting, "You barely look pregnant!" and "I looked like that at 8 weeks!" Eh. Whatever. You'll all change your tune when I'm waddling around in July!

She's still a she!

Today was our anatomy scan - I was a little nervous but everything was great! Unfortunately my hubby wasn't able to take off work, so mom was flying solo for this one. Baby girl's heart, kidneys, spine and all looked good, and the tech confirmed she is indeed a girl! (Not going to lie...I was a little nervous about that too! Especially with all the girly stuff I've already bought...)

Of course she was kicking up a storm all day yesterday and today she barely moved - except to open and close her mouth and to wave at me! :) We got a DVD of the u/s - here's a brief clip:

Baby Miller says, "Hi everyone!"

More good news is that my cervix looked great (I had a LEEP years ago and was worried about that). My OB did tell me that my placenta is "a little low" but that she definitely is not worried about it at this point. She said, "Really this just means you'll get another ultrasound at 30 weeks." Which of course makes me happy since I couldn't believe this would be the last time we saw our little girl before we see her for real! So hopefully that situation will resolve itself - otherwise I would need a C-section.

Finally, they will keep my due date at Aug. 31 but I am going with Aug. 27 - the date Fertility Friend originally gave me, which matched up perfectly with her measurements today. (If you recall I'd gotten two different dates - both ahead of that - with my prevous two ultrasounds.) That's the day after my grandma's birthday (which she shares with my aunt) and we MAY name baby girl after her.

Next appointment is the end of April when I start rotating through the OBs at my practice. Fun fact - the one I see next is the one who delivered my sister when she was born!

Otherwise we are still doing well - I've had some hip pain and round ligament pain that was bad enough to wake me up the other night but overall I can't complain. And I've felt plenty of kicks and saw them from the outside last night as well. I can't wait until my husband feels them too!

18 Weeks

We're approaching the halfway mark! How is that possible?! I'm starting to look around the house at all the projects that need to be done before the baby comes and freak out a little. Deep breaths... we need to paint our staircase/hallways and I MUST clean out the spare room that is going to be the nursery (more on that coming soon). We also need a new furnace/air conditioning because there currently is no heat in the nursery (just a worthless baseboard heater) and the upstairs is cooled by a window a/c unit. Luckily my hubby works for his uncle's HVAC company - it's just a matter of finding the money and time to get it done. Then there's the yard...ugh. A landscaper I am not, and we need a new fence (again...probably more to come on that later).

Our baby girl still doesn't have a name. We can't agree on anything we love, and my mom keeps telling me we'll come across something but I don't know how there can be any names we haven't seen yet! She also says I'm picky. Well, that much is true.

Here's update for the week (which clearly I only post when I randomly feel like it):

How far along are you?: 18 weeks

How big is baby? She's a sweet potato today.

Weight gain/loss?: +6-ish lbs

Stretch marks?: no, hoping I don't get them (well...does anyone WANT stretch marks?)

Maternity clothes?: My pants are definitely snug, but the maternity pants are still a little big. I've got a couple pairs of work pants that still fit (unbuttoned) and a couple pairs of jeans, but I wish it would get warm so I could wear dresses and skirts!

Sleep?: Some nights I wake up multiple times - last night was probably the best night's sleep I've gotten for awhile. I'm thinking it might be because I tried out my prenatal yoga DVD again. 

Best moment this week?: I am pretty sure I felt some kicks last week and Monday but nothing consistent.

Food cravings?: Salty stuff. 

Gender?: Hopefully she stays a girl after our anatomy scan next Thurs!

Movement?: See above. 

Belly button?: Still there.

Symptoms?: Really can't complain.

What do I miss?: Wine and beer, as always.

Here I am on Monday night at 17w 4d. I think the mat pants accentuate my little bump! (I also came to realize in looking at this picture that my glasses are seriously crooked.)