Thursday, February 24, 2011

Tricks of the Trade to Get through the Day

Pregnant or not we all face those days of sheer exhaustion where we just don't think we will make it through the day. And it's barely 8:30am. Under normal circumstances we can chug back several venti starbucks like a frat boy doing keg stands during Greek Week and carry on with our day. Pregnancy however, prevents us (or should) from caffiene loading and creates an even great exhaustion problem.

Imagine if you will a worm hold in space centered over your abdomen sucking your energy away from you in a swirling vortex. There is no Starbucks at the edge of the Universe. Real life is not a Douglas Adams novel despite feeling like a depressed robot on auto pilot!


So as a courtesy to you I have put together my list of things I have adapted to, to make it through a day.

1) Water-there is no caffiene but keeping your body hydrated helps keep it running more efficiently and helps with the sandy dry eye feeling.

2) Walking (especially outside)-when my head keeps jerking towards my desk like its magnetized, its time to take a 10 minute walk to get some fresh air and circulate the blood. If you have to do this twice an hour so be it.

3) Decaff coffee or Hot tea-the warmth and flavor almost tricks the brain into thinking you are fueling up on your caffinated beverage of choice. It gives you a temporary psychological boost.

4)Food-I've never been a snacker. I was doing good to eat 3 meals a day. As your pregnancy progresses your eating habits change with it. Frankly, there isn't room to eat large meals and you don't want the heartburn that comes with it. so you start eating little bits every few hours. This keeps your energy level more even as well. I keep a LOT of fresh fruit around me now. I'm not sure you will find my desk without an apple and water bottle hanging out together.

5) Power Naps- a necessary evil. yes, they are never long enough and you may still feeel groggy but sometimes catching 10-20 minutes of shut eye in your car at lunch is a necessity for your mental stability (so you don't stab a co-worker with a letter opener because they just want shut up during a meeting).

6) Protein- It's burned slower so gives you a more consistent energy level than carbs. Carbs are like an energy drink-they pin your eyelids to your forehead immediately but unlike Joan Rivers cheek bones, they almost as quickly sag to your chin a short time later.

Finally: Caffiene. I know its the forbidden fruit of pregnancy but you can safely have small quantities of it. And Really? I would rather hype my kid up in utero every now and again than risk a car wreck because I fell asleep at the wheel.

Common sense is the key and all of these tips are spread through pregnancy books but as its a daily grind for my insomniac self, I thought it worth its own post.

Picture Credit
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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

35 weeks, 35 Days to GO!


Total weight gain: At the Dr's yesterday I was up a total of 31 lbs. I've blown past that 15-20 lb mark a long time ago. ::sigh:: The only bright spot is that I've been hovering around this weight for a few weeks. Only a month left so maybe I won't gain to a point I can't lose it quickly.

Maternity clothes? Yea. Unfortunately. See my whole rant on that topic here.

Sleep: This is a joke. A brutal constant weekly reminder of what I'm not getting. I've reached the point where my exhaustion is rivaling that of 1st tri.

Best moment this week: Reaching this incredible milestone. Its so amazing to look at those numbers and see how far I've come and how little I have left to go! Scary too!.

Gender: This is pretty pointless too since he is obviously a very stubborn boy that takes after his daddy.

Craving: Vanilla icecream with caramel and fudge sauce. YUM! (what was that about not gaining too much more weight?)

Movement: Very strong movements. Some days he's more active than others. I miss the little thumps and rolls and kicks. Now I get BIG rolls that are painful and he's getting the hiccups more frequently.

Labor Signs: Nope.

Belly Button in or out? Still In

What I miss:
Sleep and living off Zantac and Tums.


What I am looking forward to:
Shopping with my BFF on Saturday for a little girl time. Plus she's after clothes for her sons and this time I get to shop for my son too so its going to be a whole new thing for us to do together!

Milestones: 35 weeks, 35 days to go! Anesthesia consult on Friday! Things are moving right along baby!

Loathing in Las Vegas....erm...North Carolina

Have I mentioned how much I hate maternity pants lately? Because I do. I'm not sure if it's because I'm plus sized, if they just aren't made right or what, but they are th emost uncomfortable and unattractive clothing items, I've ever put on my body. (and I've worn corsets, girdle's and a myriad of other contraptions that weren't deemed clothing). Why? Simply, they do not stay up!

the fit snugly in the hips and thighs, the length is good, but they have huge awkward belly panels that do not stay in place so when I walk the pants slide down leavin ghte crotch at my knees and my ass exposed because they take my underwear with them. There is possibly nothin on earth that makes you feeel more unattractive than exposing winter white flesh of the hip or dimpled butt crack while waddling through your place of employment or the grocery store doing the awkward heave/yank dance to keep your pants up. It's embarrassing.

By the end of the day I'm exhausted simply from maintainig my outfit and immediately slip on the nearest pair of sweatpants and tank top. I feel bad. I want to look cute and feel sexy for my husband but its kind of hard to do when you hate everything about your clothes. I may burn them after the baby is born. This is why I have squeezed into prepregnancy "fat" jeans for so long because the tightness in the waist was far more comfortable than the torture routine of maternity pants. 35 days to go though and I just can't squeeze anymore.

I'm "this" close to wearing yoga pants to work. I'm counting down and hoping that I can return to prepregnancy pants very quickly post partum. The day of would not be too soon but 2 weeks would suffice. My sweatpants can be worn till then!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Poop Vs. Sex- A comparison

Never in a million years did I think I would come to appreciate a bowel movement more than sex. (and if that opening line does not grab your attention you might as well hang up reading pregnancy blogs forever.) If you had even suggested I would compare the two, I would have looked at you like you're crazy. These random comparison thoughts are what the late term pregnancy brain is reduced to though.

I've always enjoyed sex. Probably a little more than the average female. this may have something to do with PCOS and having a higher amount of testosterone than most women. Even through pregnancy our sex life has not diminished. (I can feel the horrified glares of seething women as I type this.) I have high hopes that it will resume even during the early onslaught of infant exhaustion (after Dr.'s clearance of course). Pipe dream? Maybe.

Having a regular and active sex life though does result in new breakthroughs grabbing more of the attention. So I really shouldn't be surprised that the pregnancy constipation that has developed in the 3rd trimester to a consistent level takes center stage.

When you have that much pressure and discomfort building for days and then this struggling major release that leaves you weak, exhausted and relaxed, well how do you not compare it to sex? Especially when you have sex more often than a bowel movement?

You think I'm joking but its a sad truth about pregnancy's affect on your intestines. Or else a testament to the exceptionalism of my sex life. Either way, something in my nether region's probably deserves a medal of honor.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Week 8

I'm still so far behind in my posts. I swear I have recipes and pics to post but I just can't seem to find the energy and time to do it among all this baby prep and nesting!

This Weeks Foodie Holidays:
* February 20: National Cherry Pie Day
* February 21: National Sticky Bun Day
* February 22: National Margarita Day
* February 23: National Banana Bread Day
* February 23: Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
* February 24: National Tortilla Chip
Day
* February 25: National
Chocolate-Covered Nuts Day
* February 26: National Pistachio
Day
* February 27: National
Strawberry Day

Menu Plans for this week:
Southwest Avocado Salad with Grilled Steak and Baked Potatoes

Lemon Spinach Pasta with Roasted chicken Breasts

Mozzerella chicken Skillet

Beef Soft Tacos

Ranch bacon Macaroni and Cheese with Garden Salad

I'm also aiming to do extra Taco Meat to freeze for after the baby is born since Steve doesn't cook.

The Great Education Soap Box

It is amazing to me the absolute ridiculous amount of opinions that come out of the woodwork when you bring up education. You would think you had just opened up the proverbial can of worms on the great debate of creation vs. evolution.

Here's the thing though, my child's education is not up for debate, opinions, or anything else from the peanut gallery. I don't actually give two shits what you think about my choices. I am the one living in this district with under performing schools, an extreme amount of cases of charges against teachers ranging from inappropriate behavior, drug selling to sexual misconduct with students. Our schools are grossly underfunded. Our state has the lowest teacher salaries in the country (its actually what we are known for unfortunately) and my district is a political cesspool of maintaining perfect integration among the schools while passing through children who can't read or write while we have one of the HIGHEST tax rates in the country not to mention an "education lottery" that does not supplement the education system but takes tax money away from the schools to be ear marked for special interest projects and replaces the same amount from the lottery. The great lottery has not added to our system at all but continues to make desperate low income poor people more poor. That's another rant at another time though.

There are a few good schools here. Don't get me wrong. Just like all over the country there are caring, excellent teachers in good quality schools there are the gems even in my district. Our district has an inter-district transfer policy "as long as space is available" but the problem is: there are no spaces in the good schools because everyone tries to get into them.

If you were lucky enough to have your child assigned to a good public school in your district, I am super happy for you. Really I am. I would love for public school to provide all kids with a great education but if you rely solely on what is given you without doing your research or striving for something better if it doesn't measure up, that is your failing not mine. My child is not going to pay the consequences for my states/districts incompetence or my laziness. DH and I have been looking at schools in our district and making plans and back up plans for the past three years, long before we ever got pregnant. Our original plan was actually to move to the desired district before we had to worry about it but we have changed our job and own educational plans and time lines and have to adjust our child's accordingly. Overall, we are doing what is best for our child's future.

We (collectively not just individually) put so much effort into choosing and purchasing the BEST and safest cribs, strollers, car seats, cars, organic foods, decisions on diapering, babysitters, day cares etc. We will pay out the nose for premium dog food so we aren't feeding our animals corn fillers but when it comes to the public education system versus paying for private school, people get in a tizzy and want to close people's wallets for political principles. You even make the mere mention of a controversial movie or article and people try to rip your opinions to shreds or belittle you for their own personal agendas (and I say that loosely, I am not implying everyone who chooses to discuss it with you of course).

Nothing is too good for my child and nothing is good enough for my child. If I find the public options lacking I damn sure will turn to private options and do what I have to do to finance it to give him the best options for his future.

I am blessed. I was raised well with a lot of opportunities most kids do not get. I was able to go to college without a doubt or question of making it through or finances. My parents have made sacrifices to give me and my children more opportunity than the generation before and DH and I are doing the same. Education is crucial in today's society for success and I will not apologize for being a well adjusted, well educated stable middle class household that will reach to go above and beyond what is "standard and acceptable" for everyone else s kids. My child is not everyone else s and his future and possibilities are determined by no one but DH and I. If you disagree with out choices so be it. I don't care. Your opinions have no bearing on our decisions that we have been formulating long before now with experience and research to back our decision up.

Friday, February 18, 2011

People are Sheep

And just occasionally, I follow the herd. Because I thought it was cute and I love the ladies who have posted so far, I decided to join the ABC's of ME fun. So here ya go:

(A) Age: 32

(B) Bed Size: Queen

(C) Chore You Hate: Dishes (even loading a dishwasher)

(D) Dogs? Tedda-14 yo german shepherd/chow mix, Cody-4 yo Miniature Long Haired Dachshund, Scarlett-5 yo Miniature Long Haired Dachshund.

(E) Essential Start Your Day Item: Coffee

(F) Favorite Color: Currently-teal.

(G) Gold or Silver? Silver. Or white gold.

(H) Height: 6'0

(I) Instruments You Play: None. I can peck a few childish songs out of a piano but that's about it. I was a piano lesson drop out.

(J) Job Title: Warranty Clerk (glamorous huh)

(K) Kids: That's a hard one to answer but we are working on our First "Born". He will be here soon. Our first child resulted in a 1st tri Miscarriage and we had a Chemical Pregnancy following that.

(L) Live: NC

(M) Mom's Name: Why would anyone need to know this. I feel like this game is to try and steal my identity all of a sudden...maybe I'm paranoid.

(N) Nicknames: Buckin (for real)

(O) Overnight Hospital Stays? Yes.

(P) Pet Peeve: Democrats :P (I love ya'll anyway but its fun to push your buttons when I can).

(Q) Quote from a Movie: "AS God as my witness, I shall never go hungry again." Gone with the Wind (I have no idea why that one popped in my head)

(R) Right or Left Handed? Right

(S) Siblings: 1 sister plus BIL by Marriage. 1 SIL. 1 BIL

(T) Time You Wake Up? 6:30 NORMALLY. Recently during pregnancy: 2-3am.

(U) Underwear: bikini briefs

(V) Vegetable You Dislike: Beets

(W) What Makes You Run Late: My husband running late: throws off the morning routine.

(X) X-Rays You've Had Done: uh...I have been in one of those cat scan ring thingies so I'm pretty sure my whole body has been xrayed.

(Y) Yummy Food You Make: Everything I make is yummy..are you kidding? I have another blog to prove it: www.gardengourmet.blogspot.com

(Z) Zoo, Favorite Animal: Polar Bears or Giraffes

Thursday, February 17, 2011

34 Weeks


Total weight gain: This morning I was sitting at 26 pounds but when I got to the Dr. I was at 29lbs. I've been sick for two days and today was the first day I could really eat and drink so I was knocking back the Gatorade. Dr. was pretty sure it was my body retaining all the water it had lost and not worried about the gain.

Maternity clothes? Still mostly but I still have those few pieces I haven't let go of. I don't think they will make it all the way to the end but I can live without them for a few weeks....I've only got five weeks left ya'll!

Sleep: Off and on. I tend to be able to take naps but not sleep through the night. Go figure. Maybe its getting me in practice so I don't become a zombie mom.

Best moment this week: Losing weight (and that was before I got sick!)I lost four pounds between last thursday and Monday. Not sure how I did it. Probably water.

Gender: Definitely a BOY!

Craving: Still Salad..with Steak. Coca Cola (which is odd since I'm a pepsi product girl)

Movement: Definitely and I love every second of it.I'm totally going to miss this part of pregnancy. Even though his rolls are getting pretty painful.

Labor Signs: Some mild Braxton Hicks but nothing too bad.

Belly Button in or out? Still In

What I miss: Sleep and living off Zantac and Tums.


What I am looking forward to:
Getting some housework done.

Milestones: Bought the last of the big items on the registry that were musts. We almost have all the minimal things that we need to start out.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Nursery Sneak Peak 1

So we have actually made way more progress on the nursery but I thought I would post a few of the beginning pictures. DH spent a lot of time painting the ceiling, the walls and putting up a new light fixture so I thought it only fair that I start at the beginning.

Color: is Bullfrog.

Crib: DaVinci Richmond

Metal Accents: Brushed Nickle

Trim: Dark Walnut

Floor: Red Oak Hardwoods with Dark Walnut Pegs

Goodbye to an Era

An Era of longhair rebel love. Dramatic you say? Well yes. You see, when I met my husband he had long hair. He had spent four years in the Marines with a military cut so the day he got out (Feb. 14th) he vowed not to cut his hair for four years. He was two years into this when we met. The Valentines day AFTER we married he cut all his hair off and donated it to Locks of Love. (did I mention he has gorgeous blonde silky hair that would make a woman die of envy?)

So he decided to do it again. So the past four years he has been growing it out for the sole purpose of donating it. He decided due to his shortly changing career (he's in school now) and becoming a father, this would be the last time. In a way, it makes me sad, because for the majority of the time I have been with him, he has had long hair. Our children will never know this loose, laid back hippie guy as a father. They will only know this tall guy with the military cut (who is still handsome but seems so much sterner and less rock and roll.)

So for the sake of posterity, on Valentines Day, I recorded the transformation. The loss of our youthful marriage and the progression into full on adult hood. Enjoy.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Week 7 Menu and General Randomness

I missed a week. Sometimes, there is just too much in life and the words won't come. Even if the words are a list of meals. Sometimes, plans change to accomdate life. Last week was one of those weeks. Among Dr's appointments, happy moments, sad moments, a lot of time with family, a funeral and a welcoming of my future son, there just wasn't enough time for me to sit down and form the words of a post.

My mind is filled with a million new thoughts and directions and projects and I'm so far behind in projects already started. I have recipes to post and not enough time to post. Pregnancy induced carpal tunnel is keeping me from spending too much time on a computer at night and my swelling feet are keeping me propped in uncomfortable positions on the sofa. Lack of sleep is diminishing me ability to function. Yet, the time is passing by too quickly! I'm rushing head first into birthing this child and there is still so much to do to prepare for his arrival including trying to fix some meals to freeze so I don't have to cook right after he is born! When am I going to find the patience, time and the strength? I will. I still have bursts of energy that I take full advantage of and overwork myself. Plus being slightly OCD and overly organized, my routines such as meal planning and cleaning patterns keep me calm and rational so I can't stop doing it for too long without going crazy anyway. Lucky you.

I have had one request recently and that is to start including prices and budget information into my meal plans/recipes. I am going to slowly start incorporating that info into my work but I haven't quite figured out the best way to do that so bare with me as my format may change a bit.

National Foodie Holidays for this week:
February 13th: national Tortellini Day
Feb. 14th: Valentines Day and National Creme Filled Chocolates Day
Feb. 15th: Gumdrop Day
Feb. 17th. National indian Pudding Day
Feb. 18th: Drink Wine day (isn't that every day as long as you aren't pregnant? LOL)
Feb. 19th: National chocolate Mint Day

Weekly Menu: (side note: I started this post on Sunday with full intention of grocery shopping and finishing it on Monday...then I came down with the flu).

So this week has been basically my husband eating what he can dig up while i puke. Needless to say, I'll menu plan for next week and call this one a bust.

Looking Back ...Looking Forward...Looking Beyond Myself

It's Happening Too Fast. Everything. It's just whizzing by like a speeding Amtrak Train and I can't slow it down. This past week has been crazy. Monday after the babyshower I woke feeling puny. Puny enough to stay home from work and sleep most of the day. Monday Afternoon was my first NonStress Test which stressed ME out after waiting in the waiting room for over an hour watching people come and go. (yea, they forgot about me).

Tuesday I found out my Uncle (and neighbor) died during the night. It hit me hard. He was like a grandfather to me, this giant presence always in my life. I spent the next few days in a haze of trying to finish up Thank You notes from the Shower, Dr's appointments, work during the day, and spending every night with my family next door at my cousins, taking food over, sharing stories and tears.

Thursday afternoon, at the second NonStress Test I had a melt down. For twenty minutes two different nurses could not pick up the heartbeat. Even though I had felt him move on the way there, I lost it. The stress came crashing in and I panicked. Everything was fine though. He was in a wierd position and the machine was having trouble keeping the heartbeat but once he started moving his test came back perfect. They left me hooked up longer because of that though and so I was stiff and uncomfortable by the time I was done. I rushed off to the Viewing Service at the funeral home and stayed till the very end spending time among my family.

Friday was one of the hardest days in a long long time. I had the day off work since the funeral was at 2 so I spent the morning running errands: hem tape for DH's suit pants, dress shoes for him (as this was the first time EVER my husband donned a suit. He didn't even wear one at our wedding!) the post office to mail out TY notes. I hemmed DH's pants and tried to clean the house to keep myself busy but as usual I overdid it. By the time the funeral rolled around I could barely stand but I made it through. It was one of the largest I have seen in a very long time and I cried my way through it. Silent tears streaming down my face, embracing my loved ones.

Nothing can prepare you for seeing your father cry though. My dad is such a strong man and I've seen him tear up but a few times but when he openly stood there staring at his brother's casket and loudly weeping, no one could take it. My sister, mother and I closed ranks and surrounded him and openly cried for him, with him and for the rest. Nothing prepares you for your family growing old. We have buried two uncles within the past three months. My father is the only brother left among his siblings. Two of my aunts are sick and on the other side of the family the numbers are dwindling. I wouldn't be surprised if before this year is over we are burying four more.

How do you make it through such upheavals of emotions in such short time periods? Elation and joy over family coming together to welcome my baby boy to sadness and grief a few days later over losing one of our own? Not to mention the stress in between with the Dr's etc.

Needless to say, I have not touched my blogs in a week or more. It's just been too much. I didn't know what to say, how to form the words. I missed my weekly update but I just couldn't bring myself to post it amidst everything going on.

And now we have return to normal, but I feel like I've forever been changed. My aloof self that was happy in my own little world with my husband and baby and dogs is gone. I'm clinging to my expanded family and I want Matthew to know them. To have those memories of cousins and crazy adventures and not just at funerals and reunions every other year. I want him to know vacations and holidays and all the frustration of leaving right on top of your family, the good, the bad and the irritating. I want him to be part of this craziness and tell stories to his children of yesteryear and days gone by.

Yesterday morning my parents met me at Babies R Us with an old car seat and highchair that they had tried to donate to Goodwill. We traded them in at the "Trade In Event" and even though Mom and Dad had just bought us our Pack N Play the weekend before for the shower, they shelled out the money for one of our carseats and a few small items. I took full advantage of the sale and coupons to pick up the other carseat, the baby tub set, hooded towels, several outfits and a boppy.

So even though the night before we had just celebrated the life and passing of family, the next morning we still looked to the future and prepared for Matthew. We cried for one and cooed over the cuteness of baby things and the circle continued. This morning I went to church, a church that my grandmother helped start and that my family still attends and I was welcomed with open arms by my aunts and the congregation and they spoke of my Uncle and his passing with fondness and admiration and I cried again. One life that has touched so many in his way, and I hope and pray that I can do the same and raise this precious little boy to make such an impact on his family and community.

I hope, I find the strength and the way to keep this generation tied so closely together and loving and supporting each other the way the generation before me did. We have a lot of stories to create, a lot of life to live to come anywhere close, but I've seen how important it is, and Matthew has led me to see the worth in trying.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Nursery Update and Babyshower

Today is beautiful! I'm so excited I can't stand myself and yet there is so much to do!

Last night we stayed up till 2am working on the nursery. The crib is in place, bedding washed and made up, the mobile is on. The Daybed is up and has fresh sheets ( I need to find some bedding that will coordinate with the room though). We have an antique dresser in there until we buy His matching dresser (which may be a few months), the bouncer we bought is put together and on the floor by the bed. The few items of clothes, books and diapers we have been given or purchased are in the drawers. The curtain rods are up and curtains hung but we need one more panel. As soon as he finishes touching up a few spots and gets the paint mess out of the floor, I'll update with some pictures!

It's not anywhere close to being done as we need to get some shelves and artwork on the walls, polish the floor (putty dust is in the cracks of the hardwood), and take off the closet door and paint the closet and put in some organizers BUT we have a room that you can walk in and places to put things now! I'm so thrilled. Truth be told I wanted to sleep in there last night just to wallow in the accomplishment, but I didn't since I had to reward my husband for all his hard work. *brownchickenbrowncow*LOL

My babyshower is today and I'm so excited. I know my sister, BFF and Great Aunt's Family have worked very hard on it and its going to be beautiful. The day could not be more perfect. Crisp and frosty this morning with bright blue skies and sunny. Highs in the mid 50's. Excellent weather. I'm almost finished with the Hostess gifts. I have a batch of Pumpkin Cream cheese bread to make to put in the basket but that's it. I'm going to start on that momentarily.

I have one whiney admittance here: The one thing I stressed over so much was the registry. Everyone encouraged me to register at two places and I got so stressed out trying to do them. I checked my registry this morning. My mom had told me that when she checked it there seemed to be a lot of stuff unavailable or discontinued so that's been worrying me. There is only one item unavailable but what I did notice is that no one used either one. The shower is in 4 hours and only three things have been purchased off the two.

I'm sure I'll get fabulous gifts and this baby is going to be welcomed with a barrage of love but I'm a little dissappointed that people want you to register but then disregard them completely. Especially since I put so many hours, tears and stress into them. I know that probably sounds super petty when I should just be grateful, and don't get me wrong, i am grateful but I won't lie about being disappointed. It probably stems from how stressed I was surrounding those stupid things. I feel like it was all for nothing. Vent over.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Week 32



I think its definately safe to say my stomach has really popped out recently and I'm starting to feel like I look pregnant versus just fat and thick. LOL

Total weight gain: Well on Monday I was still sitting pretty at about 25lbs but yesterday I had jumped to 28lbs which could be accounted for by water/bloat but my Dr. won't see it that way today. So this afternoon will be the official tally. I guarantee it will be high because its noon and I've already sucked down 5 bottles of water.

Maternity clothes? My whole outfit today is maternity. I've been wearing it more and more and I've noticed my comfy yoga pants are getting tight.

Sleep: What's that?

Best moment this week: Ultrasound today! Babyshower on Sunday!

Gender: Definately a BOY!

Craving: I'm back to really enjoying Salads.

Movement: Definately and I love every second of it.I'm totally going to miss this part of pregnancy.

Labor Signs: No but I think I've started having Braxton Hicks. I've had quite a few painful episodes of that.

Belly Button in or out? Still In

What I miss: Sleep

What I am looking forward to: Seeing my baby today, the babyshower on sunday and Completing the nursery (nothing has been done as we took the weekend off last weekend since DH had the flu).

Milestones: I bought a dress for my babyshower and its this weekend..I'm so excited!