Sunday, November 29, 2009

A simple though for today



If you could do one thing that would bring life, something positive, into the world... even if it's just for one person, what would you do? It could be anything!

What would I do? I'm thinking about that right now.

Friday, November 27, 2009

A sweet Bumbleride ride





On this happy Friday, also known as Black Friday to many shopping crazy people, we made a purchase. Sort of. We made the purchase but really, the item we have ordered is a VERY, VERY amazing and generous gift from Luke's grandparents on his dad's side of the family.

So what is this amazing gift, you ask?

And since you have asked so nicely, I will tell you!

A stroller. For our baby. And not just any stroller... a Bumbleride stroller! Maybe you don't know what this is or even care. And maybe it doesn't even really matter but for us, it's just the stroller we've been looking for. And it's SO pretty! I like it. Wanna see what it looks like?

Introducing the newest, well as soon as it arrives, member of our household!

Such a lovely profile!
I'm pretty thrilled with it. We drove 40 minutes away to get our hands on the nearest one we could find in person. It is a very important decision, the stroller you choose. Sort of like a car, a mode of transportation that could either be a really good choice or a really bad one. This one will work for Luke running on the trails and also for tight corners in the store. Who could ask for more? And only 20lbs.

Anyway, enough gushing on the stroller. It comes in 2 weeks. I'll save the rest until then.



Thursday, November 26, 2009

A Thankful Day.



HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

It's so funny how we make days that become special holidays and somehow, we feel different on those days. Take this morning for instance. It's cloudy (same as always), kinda wet outside (same as always), my kitchen is a vile mess (same as always) and yet, this morning is special. Because it's Thanksgiving Day. Which I am sure you know and are rolling your eyes at me for reiterating it for you this morning.

And although I try to be a thankful person everyday for the stuff that's easy to take for granted, today it feels even more important to take some time and be deeply thankful. For a lot of things too.

1. My Husband: I could seriously gush at this point and probably nauseate the whole of our entire county with how thankful I am for this guy. All I can say is that my hope is for every person I know to be as happy and in love as I am when they get married. I'm totally not joking either. Luke would probably say that I border on creepy every now and again but hey, don't be picky, is what I always say to him!

2. My baby: I'm sure you'd say well duh, of course you're thankful for the bubs growing in your tummy. But really, I'm SO, SO thankful for him. He has been a very long time in coming and my heart is full with how much I love him already. Enough said there.

3. Deeter: Believe it or not, I am thankful for our little mutt of a doggy. No matter how annoying he gets, he makes me laugh at least once every single day and good grief, his face is just so cute! No matter how mad I get at him, his cuteness keeps him at our house!

4. Family: I could go on and on with this one too. All I'll say is that there are a lot of people and I love them all!

Those are my top four for this morning... the ones I've been thinking about a lot since I woke up less than an hour ago. Ha!

As you spend time with your family and friends today, eating hopefully more than is appropriate... I'll leave you with this thought...

I don't know if Deeter could really come up with a thankful thought at this moment. Maybe pray for him if you have a second.


Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Little Miracles

Last night I held the SWEETEST little baby girl. My heart melted a 1000 times just looking at her. And what a little miracle she is to her family and to all who meet her.

There's not much else to say except my heart is full and I can't wait to meet my own little baby.

That's it for today.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

What do you say on a Tuesday?


Today is Tuesday. I'm sure you're more aware of that than I am. I honestly forget even the days now. Pregnancy brain be blamed. But thankfully, right now I'm actually aware of the day! And the time! Miracle #1!

I'm actually on hold with my insurance company while I type this, waiting for some customer "concierge" (puh-lease) to tell me if and when I'm getting money back! I know... I know... and you thought I was actually a real blogger, serious about what I'm talking about. Truth is, I like to talk and I like to type and this just happens to be a good fit for me.

But anyway, as I sit here on hold, getting more and more annoyed by the wpm, I am wondering what I should even say about today? I'm going to a baby shower tonight and I'm VERY excited to meet the little lady that it's being held for. She is just gorgeous and I can't wait to get an up close look at her little face! The pictures alone have captivated me. In fact, I think Hudson may already have a secret crush on her. And she's older. Bonus! He's just like his Dad!

I guess I will maybe say a few things about some of my favorite blogs. Because you care. Mmmhmmm.

www.pioneerwoman.com is my ultimate #1 favorite blogger in the history of the world. She just is. If you don't believe me, go to her site and on the left hand side, click on 'black heels'. If you don't love her by the end of that, I would schedule a visit to the doctor's office. Or at least take your temperature.

AND... she just came out with a cookbook. I am buying one. Yep, I'm pretty lame. Well, let's take that back. The book just hit #1 on the NYT best seller list so that makes thousands of us.
Okay enough about that.

Next up... http://www.jodimichelle.com/ She just happens to be a cousin and she's pretty cool. In my opinion. So I like to read her blog. And she takes a mighty fine photo. You should check it out! Really.

I like this next guy because I like his music. It's different. http://johnmarkmcmillan.blogspot.com/

www.MightyGirl.com is an interesting one. Not my ultimate favorite but some funny stuff from time to time.

And I like a lot of other blogs too. Mostly my friends and I don't know if they'd want me posting their blogs so I'm not going to. Unless I get a text or email that says please post mine too!

With that said, I'm still on hold. The eternal question remains... will I get my money back?

And this one too... Aren't you glad your hair doesn't look like this?

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

What do I do with this??

Last night I had heard that St. Joseph's Hospital had changed their policies in the birthing center due to the H1N1 flu virus as a very BIG precaution for mommies and new babies. So I called today to confirm what was going on and how long this new policy would last. Ready for this?

1. Only spouse and one other person allowed in the birthing room. Total. And you can't switch that other person out.
2. No visitors at the hospital. Ever. Not in the waiting room or even after the baby and mom are transferred to another room.
3. Policy in duration until the end of flu season on April 1.

This is sad news. We have a very large family and this little baby is the first grandchild for both sides. And they will have to wait now until we get home to actually meet the handsome little fellow. Sad.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

comments

My comment boxes have been so empty up until 2 days ago when I changed some mysterious setting. I don't know what happened but now they work. So you can comment right on the blog and that makes me happy!

And that's all I have to say tonight. Oh, and I also have to publicly declare that I had a delish chocolate shake just now... 24 grams of protein. So don't talk to me about late night eating. Bye for now.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Cute at first glance...



Maternity coats. I honestly didn't imagine myself having to think about this because I have this totally great winter coat with an empire waist that I bought last year. Well-he-elllll, not going to happen. That coat doesn't fit anymore and let's face it. It's starting to get colder.

I honestly don't think I anticipated the growth that was going to happen to my body. I mean, I've seen it many times over with my friends but on my very own body, I just didn't quite understand that growing a whole person is going to take up some space. Like a lot of space. Like, um, pants don't even get up over my thighs people. And I'm okay with all of it. But I just didn't know.

So now I do know... And I'm a living education to myself because I keep learning something new about how I personally respond to this "condition". On a side note: who ever termed pregnancy as a condition is a total nerd. I mean, a BIG one. Because so far, I haven't really had to do much except eat more (YES!!!) and my body has just done it's very own job. I am not sick, just pregnant. I am probably more healthy than ever. And it's all good! I kinda like it!

Ahem. Moving on.

Where was I? Oh, right... the coat. So big earth shattering news for your Friday afternoon commute. I bought one today. I know it's the right size because it fits in my shoulders and arms but geez, these clothing designers are sure planning ahead. Because although I'm over halfway to my due date, this coat is still pretty big. I almost didn't buy it. But then, (genius) I decided to sew new buttons on and make it smaller until I need it to be bigger. Because I do want to get bigger. Not for myself but for the little guy inside who needs to get bigger. And I will need a coat and don't really want to buy a new coat for every inch that I grow. Well, that could be fun but really... probably not a good investment in my marriage.

So here it is!!

It's cute right! If you don't think so, please hold comments until after I stop being hormonal... which means, don't ever tell me. Because I like it. And it's going to get worn a whole heck of a lot over the next few months. And I will probably move the buttons at least 3 times.

And I feel like Hudson will appreciate my efforts.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

I think this might be "the one"

Honestly, I can't exactly say I've been displaying what would be considered normal range behavior for a crib consumer. I had a few days back in October when I was consumed with an online search for our little son's future bed. We're talking spreadsheets with colors, measurements, finishes, websites where to find them again (since I was all over the place and kept forgetting where I'd seen this or that...). Then after a firm shake from Luke, I calmed down a bit.

I had some specific constraints that I needed to stick with however, because I am not exactly purchasing the crib myself. My Dad and his wife have offered to buy it for us and they specifically asked that we pick one that was made domestically. You know, made in the USA or Canada. That was the only requirement. Fair enough.

Well, you'd be surprised how many companies really do make their furniture on this side of the Pacific. I found all sorts of styles and finishes and colors and odds and ends to choose from. But once we found out we were having a boy, it became crystal clear in my little head what kind of look I was going to aim for. And I know, I know, the baby doesn't really care but this is our first little person in our home and I care. I like a decorated room. I think that's not too much of a surprise.

So, for the future Hudson in our lives, I think we may have found "the one". I just need to see it in person and maybe scratch the finish (a wise friend told me to do so) and make sure it doesn't come off easily.

Wanna see what it looks like? Well, too bad. Here it is.

Can't you just see his handsome self sleeping ALL NIGHT here?

But if I change my mind, which I have been known to do, maybe I'll talk about it publicly... Someday.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Random Thought

I wonder if my love of bleached white towels is vetoing the environmentally friendly detergent I use in the laundry. Just a random thought I had while doing laundry.

And the sad thing is... the bleach just works too well. Moral dilemma? Maybe.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Birthing Class 1

Last night we attended our very first Bradley Method birthing class. I was a little unsure about what to expect because I have several friends who have gone in different cities and have heard everything from 'totally amazing' to 'totally granola but still worth it'. First off, our instructor Colleen was really great and totally normal! That may be an odd statement to make but we do live in a city that has some fairly granola vibes so you just never know when you go to a natural class on anything. But she was great. And not that I'm knocking granola because I like some granola stuff in small quantities. SMALL quantities. Because I also like other very un-granola things. Lots of them!

Now that we have that clear, let's move on.

Our first class was basically an introduction about the class and instructor, meeting everyone else in the class and then we hit the nitty gritty talk about exercise. I think Luke snorted out loud when she talked about exercising EVERY SINGLE DAY. Because I don't really do that. I mean, in a formal sense. I putter and move and probably walk up and down my stairs about 100 times a day but never all in a row and never enough to really claim any cardiac benefit. That just doesn't sound very fun. At least to me, anyway. I know SOME people who think exercise is really fun and do it all the time. There is help. www.awakeandarise.com. Check it out.

We also talked about labor/delivery specific preparation exercises. Luke threw out a few lewd comments during this part of the class that I pray nobody else heard. It was funny but not really funny if you don't know us. It would just be wrong if you didn't know us. Can we at least wait until week 3 before people actually maybe get to know us a bit better? And our dear instructor had to mention that with the "squatting" exercise, our birth partners need to remind us to do them whenever we have to pick something up. So of course, Luke was ordering me to squat to put on my shoes (how would they get on my feet???) and then when I grabbed my purse off the floor later that night. Gentle reminders please. Not orders. Thank-you very much. I don't do well with orders.

So that was our first class. From what I know about the Bradley Method, which encourages natural delivery, I know that this girl here is probably NOT what I will look like during the delivery of our sweet little boy...


But hey, it does look a little staged. But I also hope I don't look like a screaming banshee, ripping out my husbands hair and declaring my utter dislike for all that he did to me. I think I'll be somewhere in the middle. Or maybe I won't. Who can really know these things?

But when it's all over, I know for sure we'll have a lovely set of these...

to kiss and kiss and kiss some more! Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE baby feet? Well, now you know!

Just call me squatter, till next time!

Friday, November 6, 2009

The Fountain - my cup will runneth over!

Although Bellingham has a myriad of coffee shops (um... #4 in the nation per capita) I am so excited about 'The Fountain - coffee & wine bar" which is opening in the... wait for it... Fountain District. So predictable but really, genius. You don't ever have to wonder where the heck it is.

So here's why I'm excited about this place. It's going to be inexpensive. It's going to have really great contemporary but cozy decor. It's going to be open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and beyond. I know, tell me about it! I'm excited too!! Real food in a coffee shop atmosphere. ALL DAY!

And as we have a new baby on the way, I am already thinking about quick inexpensive dates that Luke and I can have in Bellingham after the baby is born. Just an hour here and there to sit and remind ourselves that in between all the feeding and not sleeping and diapers and learning to be parents that we were first just a guy and a girl who fell in love. I don't think we could give our baby a better gift than that.


Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Note to Self

This I must not do while pregnant:
  • Try to move a queen size bed frame all by myself.
  • Get a full night's sleep... I guess it's good prep (although, I have had many loving talks with our boy and we have come to an understanding about sleeping through the night)
  • Eat whatever I want because I want all the stuff I'm not allowed to eat. Oh FETA, when will we meet again?
  • Think that I can actually get my house organized before the baby arrives. We are simply too messy. But don't blame me for trying. Luke. Ahem.
  • Spend time online comparing the size of my belly to other pregos and sighing in relief.
  • Gag over and over because Tums Tablets are so gaggy.
  • Think of killing my dog because he is getting less and less charming, especially when he barks like he's being paid per bark. Reminder: buy a bark collar. Double Reminder: love the little doggy because he's still pretty cute... for a wiener dog.
But who wants to think about all of that? Not I!

I think I'll go drink some milk.