Happy New Year!!

I am so blessed for everything I received in 2010, but I can honestly say that I am glad it's over. I am so ready for 2011. Here's what I'm looking forward to:

• Our sweet baby boy - I know it's going to be a challenge and a constant struggle, but it will be so worth it. Baby Jack come soon!!
• Our first Mother's/Father's Day - how fun will this be to celebrate?!
  
• Our second wedding anniversary - maybe we will get to have a weekend away again. Yeah, right.
  
• Growing my new hobbies - sewing and photography. Hopefully I will learn some cool stuff :)

I guess I should also post some resolutions. I haven't given them much thought since my mind is a little bit preoccupied at the moment, but here are a few:

• Enjoy more moments - I have the tendency to get so caught up in the planning and organizing of a moment that I forget to enjoy and savor it. I don't want to do that this year with our family, so I am going to make a serious effort to be more like my laid-back husband.
• Be content with a dirty house - I know that the laundry will pile up, the fur bunnies will grow into giant monster bunnies, and dinners will be pre-made when Jack comes. It makes me feel unsettled to not get everything done and keep it all organized. I need to realize that life goes on and all will be okay.
  
• Put my marriage as a serious priority - this already happens, but I have heard lots of horror stories from new parents that they forget about each other. Not in this house, pal. I promise to remember that my husband is there for more than nighttime feedings and lawn-mowing.
  
• Take care of my body - so many new moms are so concerned about everyone else and often forget to take care of themselves. I will try my best to remember to exercise and still put healthy food in my body so I can be a better mommy and wife to my family. Plus I vow not to be one of those moms who still looks pregnant when their baby is 11 months old. I may come close to that :)

2011 is sure to be full of new adventures and I can't wait!

Happy New Year family and friends!

Pet Peeves and Annoyances

After having a lovely conversation with my friend Jen about what ticks us off about Facebook, I started thinking about my top ten pet peeves. Naturally, I am so into myself that I'm posting them on my blog for the five return readers to enjoy. Here you are friends:

10. Spelling mistakes - We have all graduated high school and yet, so many people that I know cannot spell simple words like business or definitely correctly. Drives me crazy - husband included. I have terrible grammar, but the spelling is there. Trevor has the grammar down, so between the two of us, we are pretty good.

9. Husband leaving a teeny tiny little bit of food in a container - For instance, Trevor will leave the smallest amount of ice cream in the container for me to enjoy. It's not even close to enough for a full serving, but he just can't bear to toss it or finish it all. Bless him - I know he has problems with all my shoes being all over the house.

8. People who pretend like they can't see your turn signal - I know you see it a**hole. Let me in nicely or I'm going to make this embarrassing and terrible for the both of us when I come charging over into your lane and then make a scene.

7. People who tsk at me - This happened last week in the Target checkout line. The woman behind me decided that I had too many items and she was SO inconvenienced to wait behind me. I thought her eyes were going to roll out of her head when I had the audacity to ask the cashier to double check a price for me. She couldn't take it anymore and proceeded to walk to another checkout line. B*tch.

6. My dog Kesler's fur - I want to shave it off. He sheds constantly. I will vacuum and dust in the morning and by the evening there are already fur bunnies all over the house. Also, it gets in everything. And I mean it; I've found his fur in my food, in my underwear, and in my nose. Gross!!! I wish Trevor would let me try shaving him one summer. I would honestly accept this honor in lieu of a birthday present. I adore this dog, but I could live without his fur.

5. Text talk - i cnt undrstnd sht whn youuuuuuuuuu tlk lyk ths. Stop abbreviating everything. It literally takes me four times as long to understand this nonsense.

4. Grocery store shopping when it's even a little crowded - there are always plenty of a**holes at the grocery store, and they multiply on weekends and near holidays. A few weeks ago I encountered a douchebag lady that was blocking the aisle and wouldn't move because she needed to spread out to decide which almond extract to purchase. When her daughter told her I was trying to get by, she responded, "She can wait until I'm finished". I then proceeded to smile at her like a creepy Cheshire cat and follow her around the store. Don't mess with the pregnant hormones. I will go out of my way to annoy you back.

3. Facebook abusers - We've all done it. Posted something on Facebook for attention. No big deal. Until you do this 18 times a day and comment on the most ridiculous nonsense, such as what you ate today, what the weather is like, and how big your morning poop was. WE DON'T CARE. I also don't care about the depressed people on Facebook. Stop posting that you are SO upset with your life and that it's all over for you and then refuse to answer the poor people who pretend to care about you. Lastly, stop "checking in" to places. No one gives a sh*t that you are currently at Subway on 16th street. We aren't going to go out of our way to see you. Could you be any more self-absorbed? Or are you just begging for a creepo to come and get you? Since you are also the type of person to have 1500 friends that you have never met on FB. Chances are you've got a sex offender in the mix.

2. Pregnancy heartburn - I'm over it. I want to sleep without feeling like my chest and back are on fire after drinking a glass of water. How on earth could water give you heartburn???

1. Myself as a pregnant lady - I get annoyed all the time, I have to pee every five minutes, my body is starting to resemble a giant ant, and I can't sleep more than two hours at a time. Which is why I am on here ranting like a lunatic. Don't get me wrong, I could have it so much worse, but I can safely say that I am getting on my last nerve. I need the next 7 weeks to fly by, or I may just beat myself up soon.

32 Weeks

7 weeks, 4 days to go. Almost under the 50-day mark! I know it's going to be here before I know it, but the days are dragging on.

Here are my stats:

How far along? 32 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: about 18 lbs - huge jump!!
Food cravings: Fruit and yogurt.
Feeling Baby? Starting to slow down a bit as he gets bigger and bigger.
What I love this week: New Year's! And hitting the 50 day mark.
What I hate: Feeling like a giant whale. Bleh.
What I can't wait for: Getting through January. And it's supposed to snow tomorrow. Yes!!

Moment of last week: Spending time with family.

Nursery Update

The nursery is complete - *sigh*. Now I just need a baby.

I completed a few more small art projects for the last blank wall. Originally, I wanted some prints from etsy.com to put up, but they were just a little out of my budget, so I had to get creative.

I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up the following: 2 square canvases (on sale for $4 each), 2 yards of fabric ($4 each), a white shelf (50% off for $17), and some small wooden animals (3 for $2). I cut the fabric to fit my canvas and simply used a staple gun to secure the fabric to the canvases. It came out great! Almost like a wallpaper effect without the hassle and permanence.


Then I took a piece of scrapbook paper and hot-glued the baby animals to the paper. I put the piece inside a shadow box frame that I already had hanging out in the house and set it on the shelf. Voila!

7 Months and Single Digit Weeks

Oh boy! I am exactly 7 months pregnant today. I officially have 9 weeks to go. I can remember being only 9 weeks pregnant and thinking that I would never get to the other side. I am so excited to be in the home stretch, and yet I keep telling myself not to get too attached to dates since there is a good chance I will go past my due date.

Here are my 31-week statistics and some photos that were taken yesterday by my lovely
husband.


How far along? 31 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: somewhere between 14 and 15 lbs
Food cravings: Back to Wendy's. Yikes!!!
Feeling Baby? Yes. Pretty sure he is doing acrobatics in there.
What I love this week: Christmas!!
What I hate: The acid reflux/heartburn and feeling like I have to pee right after I go.
What I can't wait for: Spending time with family and friends.

Moment of last week: having some time to myself. and hot chocolate :)

Sleep. Yeah Right.

The third trimester insomnia is starting to make regular appearances. It has yet to be stay up all night and roam around insomnia, but it's definitely not very exciting. It's the wake up all night to go to the bathroom, to remember the dream I just had about baby Jack, to blow my nose, to rearrange my pillows insomnia. Blah.

I know what you're going to say, "This is just preparing you for when the baby comes and you get no sleep at all". F you. Say it to me again and I will punch you in the teeth. Or throat. Your choice.

I don't know what makes me crazier - not sleeping well or the know-it-alls who love to pass out advice. Especially when those know-it-alls have no children.

Ok, not sleeping makes me crazier. But not by much.

Here's what I look like now in the morning:

SEXY :)

30 Weeks

I am so thrillled that I am 75% finished with this pregnancy. Don't get me wrong, it's been really great (most of the time), but I'm getting more and more ready to meet our baby. And have my body back to normal - no more acid reflux, sinus congestion, peeing every 20 minutes, acne, etc.

Here are my 30-week stats:


How far along? 30 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 14 lbs, not too bad yet
Food cravings: Fried eggplant. I want it all the time.
Feeling Baby? Lots of little elbows and feet moving around! Kinda weird to watch parts of your stomach move up and down.
What I love this week: Entering a break from coaching - SO needed.
What I hate: Not sleeping well anymore and lots of random aches and pains.
What I can't wait for: Christmas!

Moment of last week: decorating for Christmas with my husband. So fun!

Sneezing - Beware!!

I never thought I would see the day that I am scared to sneeze. It's not always the most pleasant of things - with all the fluids and your body convulsing with your eyes squeezed shut, but it's tolerable.

Until you are pregnant.

I was caught off guard today when I sneezed and caught a leak. Not in my nose, but in my pants. Ewww..... I haven't peed my pants since the 2nd grade, so this was quite embarrassing. Thankfully I was at home, and it was a minimal amount. Still - now I am terrified to sneeze again. What if this happens in public? Should I stock up on some grown-up diapers? How terrible!!

Ah, the horrors of pregnancy.

Hormones

Ah, gotta love those pregnancy hormones!! I am definitely much more emotional these days and get sad, happy, angry, upset, excited much quicker than I did before. Here is a lovely example of that:

Sunday morning I was watching tv when one of those animal cruelty commercials came on. You know - the ones where pictures of sick and sad-looking animals are shown in terrible circumstances. Pre-pregnancy, I got upset looking at these pictures, but moved on after the commercial was over with a quick thought of love toward my own doggies. Not this time. This time I started tearing up immediately, and couldn't bear to watch the rest of the commercial. I was crying by the time it was over.

Then, to make matters much worse, my darling husband realizes what's happening and decides to play it up for his own entertainment. He starts making comments about the animals and when I look at him, he gives me the saddest face ever, complete with his bottom lip sticking out.

For whatever reason, that does it for me and I start full-blown sobbing. Mixed in with uncontrollable laughter at how ridiculous this all is. It would have been over in a few minutes if the husband would have quit with the pouty face.

What a disaster.

28 Weeks

I am in the middle of my 28th week, so here are the stats:




How far along? 28 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 13 pounds - getting up there!
Food cravings: Sweets - like Christmas cookies and candy.
Feeling Baby? Yes, a little less this week because I believe he has turned.
What I love this week: State competition for the girls I coach. Stressful, but exciting!
What I hate: The lower back pain. It is NOT enjoyable.
What I can't wait for: Meeting this little man! But I hope he stays in the oven a lot longer so he's safe and sound.

Moment of last week: Seeing baby Jackson on an ultrasound this morning. He is about 2 1/2 pounds and he looks so adorable!

Nursery

We have put together the nursery!! It's about 85% finished, and just some additional touches are needed to make it complete. My husband did such an incredible job on the chair rail, even if he fought me on it the whole time.

Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure!



The before picture

Paint before chair rail

Chair rail

Up close of chair rail

Crib before bedding


Closet - using my organizational skills :)

Crib with bedding on it - I love it!

Wall Decals

More decals

The letters came out great! I purchased wooden letters from Michael's and then spray painted them to match the green on the walls. I love them!

We got the glider on a Black Friday sale and it is sooo comfy! Can't wait to use it :)

I just love this adorable monkey changing table cover. I added it as well as the green contact paper to change up the changing table.

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with lots of family time and love and delicious food. Here are some pictures from our day -

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Today we are spending the day with family and delicious food. I am so thankful for everything in my life - family, friends, our home, everything. Today I am particularly thankful that I have this amazing little man growing in my belly and that everything has gone well so far. I can't wait to meet him and get to know him :)

Have a lovely holiday!

More Thanks

Bachelorette Party June 2009

Today I am so thankful for all my friends. I have the best friends in the world and they are all so wonderful to me. Everyone is scattered across the country, but I still feel so close to them. I love you girls!!

Girls' Night Out 2007

Graduation Party 2007

San Diego 2006

My best friend Akane - you are more like a sister than a friend, but I am so blessed to have you in my life. I love you!

27 Weeks

Officially in the third trimester, here are my 27-week stats:

How far along? 27 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: a little less than 12 pounds
Food cravings: Onion Rings by Alexia - delicious!
Feeling Baby? All. the. time. It's cool to see my stomach bounce around, but not as cute when I'm trying to sleep.
What I love this week: Thanksgiving and time with family. Can't wait to indulge in delicious food on Thursday and then finish up decorating the nursery this weekend!!
What I hate: Starting to REALLY feel the extra weight and limited movement. Plus, it seems like I am tired ALL the time.
What I can't wait for: Finishing the nursery and fulfilling some nesting.

Moment of last week: Seeing Harry Potter. SO awesome.

Tuesday Thankfulness

My two favorite fur babies

Today, I have to say that I am so thankful for the two little doggies in my life. I don't know what I would do with myself if they weren't here to keep me company.

The boys on a walk

Kesler is such a personality - he is so independent and smart, but cuddles like no other when he is in the mood. He only likes certain people, and he is a biter, but he's just protecting his family. I love finding his giant 80-pound body sprawled out on beds, couches, and ottomans.

Kes and Dad cuddling

Tanner is our little bundle of love. He has unconditional amounts of love to give, and he shares that with anyone and everyone that he sees. You can't help but perk up when you see him because he is over-the-top excited to see you every single time you come home. It took us a while to train this little man, but it was worth it.

Tanner as a puppy

Thankful

It's Thanksgiving week and I am so excited for this time of year. I love the holidays and this year I have so very much to be thankful for, so this week I will take time to give thanks back :)

Today I am so very thankful for my amazing husband. I wouldn't be the same girl without him, and he makes me so much better. I'm so excited to become parents with him, and know that he is going to be an amazing daddy. I've never met anyone who makes me laugh and love the way he does, and I know that he truly is my other half.

Plus, he's just so darn cute!

Third Trimester!!

I can't believe it, but I have made it to the third trimester mark as of today! Hurrah.... (visions of confetti falling)

I'm not totally sure why I am so excited about this. It's supposed to be really tough - feeling miserable and heavy, not sleeping, rib discomfort, stretch marks, and the impending doom of childbirth hanging over me like Eeyore's little black cloud. Still, I am happy to be two-thirds finished with this pregnancy, and even closer to meeting this little nugget (who is now estimated to be the size of a head of cauliflower and weighs in around 2.5lbs).

This trimester also marks several other milestones that I think are great - Jackson could conceivably survive on his own, we start childbirth classes next Sunday, we are taking maternity pictures at the beginning of January, and I finally get to decorate the nursery!

So, here's hoping that this last trimester will be more full of joy and excitement than sleepless nights and nasty stretch marks.

Baby Shower!

My baby shower was incredible!! My mother-in-law really outdid herself with all the wonderful decorations and fabulous food. I am so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends who came out to shower me with love :) Here are some pictures from the great day.

Cake!!

Wonderful friends :)

Fabulous hostess and Mother-in-Law
Grandma and Mom

Decorating onesies for baby Jackson

Me & grandma

Baby Picture Game

Diaper Cake

Adorable decorations

Today's the Day!

I woke up at the crack of dawn this morning (ok, 7am, but still) and all that was going through my head was, "Grandma's coming today, Grandma's going to be here in 4 hours". I spent a good portion of yesterday prepping my house and going a little overboard with the cleaning, but I figure the house could use it anyway. Besides, this woman taught me how to make a bed for guests, to scrub your floors before they arrive, and go to any means necessary to make them feel comfy and at home.

I'm so excited that she is going to be here to share the shower with me; I can only think of a handful of others that I will miss on Sunday (shout out to Akane, Nan, Aunt Jean, Marcie, Sarah, Michelle, and Sejal - love you and miss you :)).

Here is a picture of Grandma and I in May 2010 when I visited her in Florida - just pregnant and didn't know it! I will post an updated pic of us after this weekend - boy do I look different!!

Doesn't she look amazing?!?!

I will always be so indebted to this woman - she, along with my grandpa, has shaped me into the person I am today. We have had so many wonderful adventures together and I look forward to sharing this one with her as well. Here's to a wonderful weekend!!!