Week 32: Cold Weather, Happy Couple

This week, the weather in Colorado has been so great. By great, I mean cold. I have been so hot these past couple months and running the air conditioner nonstop. Justin has been a great sport about keeping me cool (partially because he knows that I get super cranky when I'm hot). Trying to sleep has been difficult because I am so warm. Justin has been opening windows and placing box fans to get our bedroom as cool as possible so I can sleep, even if it means he is freezing. I had begun to think that it was impossible for me to get a chilly feeling.

Today, the weather has been a fantastic 46 degrees so our house has been at 63 degrees all day. I slept with my blanket covering me and I'm actually wearing sweat pants. I own two pairs of pajama shorts (both are very old and have gigantic holes in them that make Justin laugh) that I have been constantly washing to keep cool. The cat is buried under blankets or cuddling on our laps to keep warm. Justin is in long sleeves, wrapped in a blanket, and drinking cup after cup of tea to keep himself warm. They are both being so great about adjusting to my needed temperature. I think Justin is excited to see a dramatic decrease in our utility bills because he knows the AC is off and I have no plans to turn on the heat.

While I am so incredibly relived to see this weeks forecast, I do not think I am ready for the snow yet. I need a dose of fall before we head into winter. Weather related fear: blizzard when I go into labor and getting to the hospital takes forever because of the snow storm. Please snow, can you just hold off blizzards until December when I will have no plans to leave my house for a month. 

Week 31: Colorado Baby Shower

On Sunday, September 30th, three of my girlfriends, Lauren, Lisa, and Sarah, threw me a baby shower! It was so beautiful and they all put so much time and effort into it. I felt so special. The theme matched with our nursery so it was a Paris themed tea party. I got lots of sweet gifts for the baby and one special one for me: the Titanic DVD, which is my favorite movie and our Tivo broke the other day erasing it from its memory.

The beautiful invitation my friend Chandra designed for the shower!

Sarah wrote a beautiful post in her blog that has some of the 180 photos she took throughout the shower. She wrote it better than I could so CLICK HERE!

Week 30: Baby Classes

For the past three weeks, we have been attending a prepared childbirth class. Justin was not happy to find out that it required 4 three-hour sessions, but he has been a great sport about it. He rubs my back and listens to all the information. There are about 12 couples in the class, one of which turns out to be my former boss and her husband. I was a little nervous about having someone I knew in the class because then I start to feel embarrassed, but we don't sit next to each other so it hasn't been a big deal. 

The first week we looked at images of what is going on inside the woman's body and Justin commented on the final image (3-4 weeks before birth) with regards to the almost absence of a bladder. "I thought you went to the bathroom a lot now, but in a couple weeks you'll just be permanently on the toilet." We watched the typical birth video and discussed the stages of labor.

The second week was spent on relaxation techniques and positions to relieve pain and move the baby if need be. That was helpful to an extent, but most are only applicable if you are not planning on an epidural, which I am. However, I did enjoy the massages Justin gave me during our mock contractions. 

We went to a separate class to fill out all our pre-registration paperwork so we wouldn't have to do it while I'm in labor. They went over the birth certificate forms, insurance, and social security card procedures. 

This past week we went on a tour of the hospital's maternity ward. I am planning on delivering at Exempla St. Joseph Hospital, so it was really nice to be able to check out the facility before it's go time. They showed us where our visitors enter the hospital and the room for them to stay in, since I do not want ANYONE in my room with me except Justin and my mom. Then they showed us the birthing suites which all come with tv's, ipod hook ups, jacuzzi tubs, and wifi. That is where the baby is delivered and you stay for two hours after. Then they move you into a different room, which you stay in for the next 24-48 hours before being discharged. That is the room I can finally have Justin bring me sushi for dinner!

It is all so nicely decorated and makes for a soothing environment. It definitely helped us put together our birth plan and figure out what we are going to want to do when it's time. Plus, any hospital that offers free valet parking out front of their emergency room is impressive.

After each class, Justin and I go to Old Chicago for Monday Night Football, pizza, and to laugh about the silly breathing techniques they made us do or the guy who made his pregnant wife rub his back while he ate an apple and peanut butter from a very large jar he brought with him.

We have one more session to go and a class all about bathing, diapering, and swaddling a newborn. I can't believe how little time we have left before our little one makes her grand arrival!

Mail Call!

My cousin and Stella's godmother, Meg, sent a box (full of outfits she picked up while on vacation at Disneyland and a Christmas ornament from her mom) which arrived today. Look at who it was addressed to:

Not even born yet and she gets more mail than us! Justin and I thought it was hilarious! Apparently, Meg didn't even know she had done it! Hah!

My Mom's Birthday

The day after my baby shower was my mother's birthday and I was so glad I got to spend the day feeding spoiling her. I made German pancakes with fruit and whipped cream for breakfast, which we ate in her garden. We sat there and chatted for an hour or so, which was nice, until it got too hot out.

For lunch, my brother and I went to one of our favorite places, the Burger Barn, and picked up burgers and fries for the three of us. We ate those and then my brother and I gave my mom her gift......we shaved her dog for her. 

Tucker is a little black poodle, who was in desperate need of a hair cut. He couldn't see and he was so shaggy he looked like a sheep. So, with the 40 year old clippers my mom handed me that were used for her childhood dog, I started hacking away at Tucker's mangy hair while Bren held him still. I had strict instructions not to do his face. After about 2 hours of trying my best, I gave up when the clippers became too hot to hold anymore. 

I feel so awful for what I did to that poor dog. His back is naked, legs are half done (so it looks like he has boots on), and head is still outrageously fluffy. I do not have a future in dog grooming. For the next day, he wouldn't go near me. He was so angry at me for doing what I did to him (and laughing at his appearance). Now I understand why my mom wanted me to do it - so I would be the bad guy, not her. Poor dog.

Tucker before (with his best bud Opie the pug)

Tucker after

We rounded out Mom's birthday by having dinner at Grappolo's, the best Italian in Santa Ynez.

Mom, me, Bren, Luis, and Pam

I hope Mom enjoyed her birthday, I know Tucker didn't. I'm sorry Tucker....

Week 29: California Baby Shower

Because I am such an incredibly lucky girl, I get to have two baby showers! The first one was September 15th in Solvang, California, where I grew up. It was all put together by my mom and her best friend, Lisa O'Neill, (who was my fourth grade teacher and has since become like my second mother and had a large part in raising me with my mom). They took inspiration from my nursery and did a Paris theme with hot air balloons. The tables had pink table cloths with burlap runners topped with mason jars full of fresh lavender.

Food Table

Even my gift from Lisa was in theme!

I was so excited to see all the ladies who I hadn't seen in a long time - my girlfriends from elementary school and college. Seeing all their faces was great. We chatted and ate croissants, salad, fruit, and had tiramisu and chocolate cupcakes for dessert.

Left to Right: Kim, Liz, Tracy, Me (we all went to school together from elementary to high school.)

All my ladies!

Julia and I (She went to college with me and was my saving grace on many occasions)

Jenny and I (she's due right after me and having a boy!)

After eating, I got to open gifts. This baby is already so spoiled! We got tons of cute little outfits, bath supplies, toys and keepsakes. My friend Kim actually made some adorable baby boots! The bath tub we received was AMAZING! It is a jetted baby tub with shower attachment. It is more elaborate than our baths at home. Everyone says I should use it as a foot bath until it's time for baby. I can't believe how lucky and loved I am. I was so touched by everyone's presence and generosity.

The day was amazing and it was much needed. September 15th marks the anniversary of my father's passing and having my baby shower on that day truly shows the circle of life. We had a moment to remember my dad and enjoyed the happiness of welcoming a new life. I think he would have been the best grandpa and I'm sure he is very proud.

Now the dilemma: I flew to California with only one large suitcase. Packing everything up was impossible so I had to prioritize what to haul back, while keeping in mind not to go over 50lbs for fear of a $75 fee! Luckily, the bag weighed in at 33lbs (Damn! I could have packed more!) and Justin agreed to drive out to California and bring the rest of the gifts back. Such a great guy!

Maternity Photos

Matt did such a great job with these photos! We were really worried about how cheesy maternity photos can be so we avoided all of the silly traditions people typically do and we love the way they all came out. On top of the hard work he already put in, he printed all of the images for us as an added surprise. I feel so lucky to have such an amazing person in my life who would give up his free time to spend two hours taking our picture, editing all the photos, and then printing them without complaining or charging us. 

It was hard to narrow it down, but here are some of my favorites: