39 Weeks

I had a doctor's appointment Thursday and doc said I was 1 cm dialated and 50% effaced. I'm feeling good, but baby and I both know that space is running out at the Hotel Tori. We're getting ready to go for a walk to see if we can get things moving along more.

Here are some pics.

My roaring belly

Baby is all over the place this evening! Looking at my belly, I can see it shake rattle and roll with huge movements and crazy looking distortions. I think the little one is about ready to bust out into the world. Also funny- her hiccups have now become visible :)

She slept through the night!

Of course I mean our dog, not our baby, who is still kicking around at all hours and causing me to lose sleep already.

Stella can learn, we can teach (with treats!), and I don't feel nearly as 'guilty' as I thought I would. Yay!

btw, the ticker says 10 days till the due date- wow!

Doggy Training, week 2

I'll be the first to admit that I am overly attached to our little furry live-in. I have more than once (ok, millions of times) referred to her as my "daughter" and of course it was I who encouraged her to start sleeping with me as soon as she was potty trained, over three years ago. Apparently I've been too lenient with my standards of co-habitation and the time has come for me to prioritize and take one of the last steps in preparing for our true, human daughter (cover your ears, Stella). I do not plan on making this bedding-in mistake again, but there will be times when the baby will be in our bed and when she is, it will be best if she isn't lying in dog hair or getting stepped all over by the pup. So, last Monday, after her being in the kennel all weekend, we decided to "get tough" and order her "down" to the ottoman at the foot of the bed each time she jumped up and tried to snuggle in. After sending her "down" we praised her and gave her a little treat. She probably did this 30 times, leaving us both exhausted the next day. The next night was a little better and she was exponentially better the following nights. In fact, being nearly 9 months pregnant, I was up more than she was. So, I'm thinking, 'what a smart, easy dog,' until the past two nights (!). For whatever reason, she has begun testing us and two nights ago it felt like we were starting all over. Or, maybe she's just trying to prepare me for not getting any sleep?

Oh, and don't feel bad for the exiled pup, she is lying on a thick pad of comforter and blankets and this is already one of her favorite day-time napping spots.

Delta Gamma Event

For the first time since graduating from college, I participated in a Delta Gamma event. Tonight was the annual dinner to celebrate the sorority founders with the local alumnae group. It was a fun evening and I met some very nice people.

Here are pics of me in my one maternity dress (bought used for 10 bucks- sweet).

34 weeks, 5 days

Suzanne's visit

Greg and I had a blast with Suzanne when she came to visit! Suzanne has visited us almost as frequently as my mother, making this her THIRD trip to Texas :) While this trip had a different feel from her last whirlwind Austin visit, I think we made the most of it of it.

The day after she got here was cold and rainy-- perfect weather to stay indoors and work on a craft project (to be revealed later) for the baby's room while gabbing and drinking warm coffee. Stella also enjoyed the cozy laps.

Saturday we went on a wine tour of the Lubbock area. Who knew there were so many wineries just north of us?? Though I could not participate fully, the prospect of cruising up to Lubbock this summer with sleeping baby in tow for a few sips of wine and a picnic lunch outdoors is exciting. Poor Suzanne and Greg though-- I think we were all hungry by the time we got to the 1st place, but it wasn't until 3 wineries later that we actually were able to eat the lunch we packed.

On Sunday, the weather was perfect to pay a visit to the Monahans Sandhills about an hour away. Though we were disappointed that we arrived after the cut off time for renting discs (like saucer sleds), we still had fun walking around and on our makeshift cardboard sleds. We all agreed that the sand hills would be the *perfect* place to tire out an active child. :) Oh, but photographers beware, it is very easy to accidentally let sand blow into the lens of the camera, as Greg could attest. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/parkguide/rgn_bb_001.phtml

32 weeks

We went to the doctor yesterday. It was a very boring appointment; doctor measured me and then we listened to the heartbeat. All seems well. I also had gained 6 pounds in 2 weeks (!!) but I can surely trace it back to nearly finishing off the entire baby shower cake (cake and ice cream for dinner, lunch, dessert....) I suppose proper weight gain is no longer a worry. Later on in the evening I had few "fake contractions" (braxton hicks) and after I drank a glass of water and laid on my side for 10 minutes, I didn't have any more.

20 weeks

26 weeks 32 weeks

Not quite pickles and ice cream, but venison and ice cream???

Luckily, I have escaped what might be referred to as "pregnancy cravings." Though I'm probably eating larger quantities, definately more often, and more ice cream than typical, I have not ever had the "hankering" for something I didn't enjoy pre-pregnancy. Tonight was no different, but I think I did eat the strangest meal yet--- DEER SAUSAGE ON CRACKERS and CAKE with ICE CREAM. Though possibly not the most nutritious, each were delicious. This was actually meant to be an afterschool snack of sorts, but I was pretty hungry and it was nearly 6pm, so I guess it turned into dinner b/c I was never hungry again. Hmmmm. (p.s. for all you worrying types, I generally eat much healthier and prior to this trashy meal had had a bowl of oatmeal, vegetable soup with beans, 1/2 a whole wheat bagel, and an orange.)

Showered with Love

I feel so blessed and loved to have had my 4th baby shower :) Today my co-workers put on a joint baby shower for my co-worker (and his wife) and I. My co-worker and his wife, who is a teacher in the district, are having a baby girl due April 4, just about a month before our little one. I am so thankful for the outpouring of support, enthusiasm, and gifts. Greg is gone this weekend, so I have over 1/2 a cake all to myself ;) p.s. you'll notice this shirt seems to be my baby shower shirt. I like it b/c it is comfortable (though a little baggy) and it was like $7 at Old Navy.

Shelly, Joe, and I. Joe and I share an office (with Heather- see below).

I think it was Heather's idea for the shower (far right). Together, we are THE THREE LSSPs (bonus points for you if you have even the slightest idea of what that means) for Midland ISD.

Here was the set-up.

Can you believe this cake??!! A co-worker's HUSBAND enjoys making cakes. He has no training and began just by making his kids' birthday cakes. The main part is Strawberry with Strawberry icing beneath the Fondant and the Diaper is Chocolate. The feet even had little wrinkles in them.

30 week update

We had a doctor appointment on Friday and had another ultrasound. Everything seemed healthy and baby is still within the average range. I'm still feeling good and baby is still moving and kicking tons. Today I think I felt her hiccuping.

My aunt had a family shower for me on Saturday and I had lots of fun with the female Kuzmiches and some ladies from Greg's office.

Here is a cute picture of Stella hugging her baby sister.