"Count Your Blessings... Literally... With a Spread Sheet."

I've been trying to get this posted for a few days now, but have been too busy running around having fun with my dear friend Star!

This past week, Josh and I attended the Global Leadership Summit, a leadership conference for business and church leaders. While sitting for two days was a bit rough on my back, it was well worth it to gain insight from some amazing world leaders. One thing that one of the speakers said has really resonated with me this weekend. He said that it was very important to "Count your blessings...literally...with a spread sheet." Now, I'm not quite a big enough dork to make a spread sheet, but I do feel very blessed.

I am blessed to be eight months pregnant and feeling really great.

I am blessed to receive many wonderful and beautiful gifts for our little girl, several of them hand made by my super talented friends and family.

I am blessed with a sweet husband who worked hard this week on his "honey do" list and who can't wait to meet his daughter.

I am blessed to have an amazing family on both sides that love and support Josh and I, and who we actually really look forward to spending time with (I know this is rare).

I am blessed by a wonderful community of friends who feel like family.

I am blessed to have a nice place to live complete with a wildlife filled back yard for my little one to play in as she grows.

I am blessed to have a job I find fulfilling and look forward to, but which will allow me paid time off to be with my baby.

I am blessed to have an active baby who, while I think she might be a ninja later in life, reassures me with her constant movement.

I am blessed to live in an area of the world where healthy food and good medical care of many varieties are easily available to help me have a healthy and safe pregnancy.

I am blessed to have a God in my life who knows everything about me and loves me any way, a God who loves, protects, and knows my little girl even though she's not here yet.

I am blessed in many other ways that my pregnant brain can't even think of.

I am blessed!

Good Fortune

Let's face it. Fortune cookies are rarely anything to write home about. I've been quite disappointed with most of the ones I've gotten recently. They seem to be getting more and more generic.

Today, however, my fortune was quite poignant given my current life situation. It said "A package of value with arrive soon." How cool is that?

Josh thinks it refers to some recording equipment he ordered for his band, which actually will arrive tomorrow. I guess it could also refer to the gifts we are and will receive for the baby, but I prefer to assume it's referring to my most valuable cargo! Although, I guess, I hope it doesn't mean too soon! I did have a dream last night that I went to the doctor and was already dilating. It would be a bit too early for that. September is soon enough!

Grana's Quilt!

One of the gifts that baby girl Hall (I know...it would be easier if we shared her name, but it's fun to have a surprise) got this weekend at the shower was especially special. Her Grana, my mom, made her a special quilt. At some point in my life my mom began making quilts. I think it started with simple "lap quilts" for our long car rides to Florida so no one would complain about being cold.

But this latest quilt is different. It's special. It is made from beautiful fabrics and quilted with an amazing swirl pattern (thanks to a family friend with a fancy quilting machine). I love that mom chose colors that are girly without being baby. I know that this is more than just something that will keep our little girl warm. It is something she will treasure all her life because it was made by her Grana with love!

Shower the People you Love with Love!

This weekend Josh and I had our second baby shower for baby girl Hall! My sister, with the help of more family, planned a lovely event for all of our friends and family in Pulaski. It was wonderful to be "home" and surrounded by the people who have known and loved Josh and I for most if not all of our lives and celebrate our joy. I continue to be amazed and overwhelmed by how generous our friends and family are. I'm beginning to be a bit afraid that this little girl will be quite spoiled!

This is the stack of bags and boxes sitting in her room waiting to be sorted and put away!and this is her closet, already filled with adorable outfits. At this point I hope she really is a girl :)!And we still have two more showers scheduled! We really need to get a dresser and some more closet storage for all of her things.
Thank you so much to all of you who are helping us be very prepared for our little one!

Mommy's Time Out!

A few weeks ago, when registering for baby items I discovered this:At the time I sort of laughed and thought it was a bit ridiculous, although I must admit that I've been missing having a good glass of wine! Josh and I do have a good bottle we brought back from California that we were saving for a special occasion (i.e. having a baby).

Then, a friend, and mom of two posted this on her facebook:


I'm starting to think I might purchase these two items together! One friend did respond "Tequila" to my question of what she couldn't have survived the first year without! :)

The Clumsies!

All the books warn you to be careful when you are pregnant because you can become clumsy. I have noticed that I've bumped into things a bit more frequently, but yesterday I had my first actually painful accident. I was in the process of making some yummy Thai food for dinner while Josh was working on some recording. I went to take the fish sauce bottle out of the fridge and it slipped out of my hand. It probably would have broken if it hadn't landed on my foot!

It hurt...I mean it seriously hurt. I'm pretty sure I screamed several words that would not love for my little one to hear. So I'm standing there in the kitchen, on one foot, afraid that my toe(s) are broken and knowing that I can't walk on that foot. I was sure that Josh, with his headphones on, hadn't heard what happened, and I had no idea what I was going to do. Luckily for me, the crash, or my curses, had been loud enough and Josh did come to my rescue. He helped me get into a seat, brought me ice, and saved my caramel sauce just in time!

While it is still quite bruised and a bit swollen, I don't think I actually broke anything. I am a little sad though because I really wanted a pedicure this week, but I'm afraid it will be too painful!

Birth Class #2

On Thursday Josh and I had our second birth class. We talked a lot about comfort measures and positions during labor. One of the reasons that I really like our doula is that she is a realist. While she did encourage us to watch the documentary "Orgasmic Birth" she told us this week that she thinks some of the new age birth theories that labor is painless are setting women up for disappointment. Her theory is that it hurts, but that it is pain with a purpose, and that women have been surviving it for years without being drugged. She also talks to us quite a bit about the natural hormones of labor, how important they are, and how synthetic medications can mess with that.

I agree, and I think I can do it, but I am also a realist and know that I need help! I believe that knowledge is power over fear, which is the biggest barrier to natural birth. A big part of this weeks class was dedicated discussing the labor process and to Josh and I practicing different positions to labor in both at home and at the hospital and I found it quite empowering. I think that Josh, on the other hand, found it a bit scary. He turned to me at one point and said "I just really realized that you have to push her out of there". I have to admit that sometimes, if I take time to think about it, that freaks me out a little!

Have any of my readers had successful natural birth stories they'd like to share? I would LOVE to have the encouragement. I do not want to hear about your horrible, terrible, painful, or blissfully drugged births!

Swimsuit Spiders ;)!

Warning: This is one of those posts that is a bit graphic and mostly for my female readers. Boys ...you should stop reading now.

As my belly grows, there are a number of things that are becoming more difficult. I struggle to get out of bed, get clothes out of the back of the dryer or dishes out of the bottom shelf of the dishwasher, and to pick up anything from the floor. Painting my toenails and shaving my legs are also a bit of a challenge, but today I discovered a new difficulty.

This afternoon I was going to meet a friend at the pool and was feeling the need to check for and eliminate swimsuit spiders (so named because one of my cousins, as a small child, tactfully pointed out to his mom that she had a "spider" coming out of the leg of her swimsuit). Only one problem...I was completely unable to see that region. What?!?! Where did it go?

Not only was it difficult to see, it was equally difficult to reach! I know that just a week ago this was not a problem. With a mirror and some interesting maneuvering, I managed, but I'm sure it would have been hilarious to watch. Perhaps I'll look into a swimsuit with shorts!

The Kindness of Strangers

Have you ever noticed how kind people are to pregnant women? It's almost as if my belly has a sign saying "Please be nice to me". I've heard women talk about how they dislike being treated as invalids, but I personally appreciate the added kindness, especially since my hormonal emotions make me super sensitive to lack of kindness.

Today at the grocery store I began to think I was on candid camera. A nice man offered to get the couscous off a not really all that high shelf. A teenage boy picked up my grocery list when I dropped it. A woman held the freezer door open for me, and another helped me pick good peaches. A man old man in the parking lot took my cart to the return for me.

Every person I passed smiled at me and the cashier was extra friendly and talked to me about her own baby boy. It was almost funny, but also fantastic. It really makes a person feel special. I can't help but thinking that we all should treat each other like this all the time!

The First Birth Class

Tonight Josh and I had our first birth class with our doula, Erin. It was very informative and somewhat inspiring. I am very happy that we have decided to attempt natural child birth and to use a doula. We started by talking about our expectations and desires for birth. She told us a little about her philosophy and the ways she would support us both.

Then we watched a video with funny clips that showed how birth is portrayed in the media. I do think that media's love for drama has lead to birth being portrayed as violent and dramatic. We talked about our fears related to labor and child birth. It was interesting to learn that women, myself included, tend to focus on the pregnancy and labor pain and symptoms, while men, Josh included, tend to think more about the future after the baby comes home.

She then spent some time talking to us about how to work together and support each other. She had us practice massage and pointed out that we need to practice and talk about things like that now while we are both logical! Then we did some non-violent communication scenarios, which were fun. "Josh, imagine Mamie comes home very excited about all the things she has bought for the baby. She has spent a lot of money and you are worried about all the other expenses. How do you respond?"

After that we talked a little about anatomy and how birth works. I feel like I already knew a lot of this, but a lot of it was new for Josh. He said it did help him understand what I would be going through. I think that, for me, it was helpful to think about what is "normal". I think the big challenges for me when it comes to natural birth are going to be staying calm and focusing on the moment not worrying about what "might" happen. I feel very confident after tonight that Erin and Josh will be able to help me do it!

The Dresser Debacle

This past weekend I found this lovely "French Provincial" dresser on Craig's list that I thought would be perfect for the nursery. I called the woman on Saturday, but explained that we couldn't come look at it until Monday night. She said that was fine, then emailed me her address and confirmed that we could come any time after 6pm Monday and she would call me if someone expressed interest.

Last night Josh and both rushed to get to her house a little after 6 to look at it. I rang the doorbell, and no one was home. I was a little annoyed, but decided to call her. When she answered the phone she was somewhat hostile (at least to my hormonal ears) and said that I was supposed to call her at 5 if I was still coming and that someone else was coming to get it. I started to get angry. I was rude. I hung up on her.

I'll admit that I got irrationally upset. I ranted and cried. I know Josh though I was overreacting. I was. I blame the hormones, but it just really pissed me off. I wanted this dresser, I was already making plans to paint it, I worked out things to drive all the way to Hillsborough (okay, it's not that far, but it is certainly out of the way), and now she was saying it was my fault and making up something about how I was supposed to call her and come by 5:30, which was never mentioned? It also made me mad that she said, and I have in writing, that she would let me know if someone else was interested. I guess this is what I should expect dealing with people online, but I think I tend to assume people will do what they say.

Grr...now it's back to searching.

P.S. Luckily the evening was salvaged by meeting our lovely friends and their two boys in Hillsborough for dinner and then play time in their backyard. After which, Josh was very excited about having his own little ones to play with soon!

When it Rains it Poors...

...babies that is. At least in my group of friends! This past Sunday Josh and I had our first baby shower. It was lovely and I send out a huge thank you to everyone who was involved in making it such a special day. Josh sends out a not so big thank you for making him eat "Macaroni and Cheese" baby food! :)

It was the first time that this group of friends has all gathered in one place for a while and it was amazing to realize how many of us have growing bellies. Out of the eleven women there, six of us were expecting! That is more than half. It's crazy, but also very exciting. It will be so much fun to all have our little ones around the same time. I really wish we had taken time to take pictures.

I have to admit that, in writing this, I am feeling very grateful that, this time around, I'm part of the group that got poured on. Many of these girls were part of the first group of my friends to get pregnant two years ago when I was first trying. At that point, it was a real difficulty for me to see so many of their big bellies. Now, as I join them, I feel so blessed!

Buy Buy Baby!

Today I went with a friend, who is also expecting her first baby, to register at Buy Buy Baby. While somewhat fun, it was also overwhelming for both of us. I avoided this store for the first several months of my pregnancy on principal. I hate the name. I hate the implication that because we are having a baby we have to buy buy a lot of things. I do have to admit, however, that I appreciate their large selection. Creating a baby registry has been very difficult for me, but I know it is a necessary evil. I've struggled with deciding which items to include, where to register, and how much to register for.

These stores, of course, offer a handy list of almost a hundred "must haves" , but I just feel somewhat silly registering for many of the things on their list. I did my research and decided fairly easily on the major items, but it's all the other little stuff that is tricky. At first, I was only going to register online, and I didn't want to put much on our registry, but then I realized that people want to buy us stuff, many of them are last minute shoppers, and most of our friends don't have big bucks to drop, so I did create a registry at Buy Buy Baby that includes more items.

Josh and I have talked a lot about how we do not want a lot of unnecessary "stuff" that will eventually end up in a landfill, so the registry contains no toys and almost no clothes. We also would like to make sure we don't get all newborn or infant things, but are somewhat prepared for he next few years, so I tried to include things we would need in the future. We are also interested in and open to alternative gifts such as "contribute to baby Hall's college fund", "help build baby Hall's library", and "diapers". I hear you can never get enough of those!

I feel somewhat silly about the number of posts on this blog dedicated to the registry and baby "stuff", but it has honestly been one of the toughest things for me to figure out. Somewhere inside of me, there is a hippie that says that all I need is cloth diapers and a dresser drawer! :) Then, of course, there is the rest of me that is fascinated by all the gear.

Fashion Fun

Most people are aware that there are funny maternity shirts out there for moms to be. I have the watermelon one and one that says "Good Things Come to Those Who Mate". Both are quite cute, but there are a few out there that are downright bizarre. Check out this one:What is interesting is that I discovered yesterday, when looking at a magazine while waiting for the midwife, that they also make "maternity" clothes for dads. This one makes me laugh:There is also a company that makes "I am the daddy" scrubs, for fathers to wear at the hospital.What will they think of next?!?!

Yum...Orange

Yesterday was my glucose tolerance test, and I have to admit that I was a little nervous. I've heard some yucky things about the glucose drink, but, to be honest, I thought it was yummy. It was sort of like drinking a melted orange popsicle! I chilled it, put it in a glass, and sipped it with a straw and had no problem at all getting it down. People might think I'm crazy, but I think I would drink it for fun.

I had to rush and almost didn't make it in time for my blood draw, but I made it. They said they would call today if something was off, and I haven't heard from them, so I'm assuming it was fine. Like all others before, my midwife appointment was quick, but good. Baby Hall is the right size, my weight gain is on track, and her heart rate and my blood pressure were good. I'm not having much swelling or any of the other nasty symptoms many people have. I feel so lucky that everything is going so well. I just pray that it keeps up.