Doll Bed Makeover

As kids we used to play all the time with this toy doll bed that used to be my mom's.  And as you can imagine with 3 girls, it got a lot of use.  Well I decided I wanted to add it ot the baby's room, but after a little makeover to make it fresh and new (and to cover up the pen marks all over the one side - which one of us did that???)  It also needed some structural fixes - that Ryan did for me.  So now it's sturdy and ready for toys and fun for Baby Delaney.

I'm a model again

It was like our wedding all over again.... except not quite as hot and nice outside (but we did luck out with 55 degrees and the majority of the snow had melted).  Misty came over again to take some maternity pictures and I'm super excited about how they turned out.  Although I realize that maybe I should have gotten them taken a little sooner so I wouldn't have felt so fat... but as Mary keeps say... you aren't fat, you are pregnant. 

Here are a couple of my favorites.

Misty also wrote an awesome blog post about our session... love her writing style and how she captured the moment.  http://mistyminna.com/blog/abbey-ryan-maternity-ann-arbor-family-photographer/

Baby's Room Decorating Day

The baby's room got some finishing touches put on today... shelves, pictures, and more.  After my IKEA shopping trip, I was excited to get things put up and with only 4 weeks left to go, I want to make sure everything is ready too.  I've even started my bag packing (although it's really only a pile right now).  My master craftsman and handyman did a great job laying everything out... I think we might have found our new calling.  Anyone need a baby room decorator?

I only need to order the tree decal for the other wall and the room is ready for Baby D!

Prenatal Massage

Back for my birthday, Ryan had gotten me a gift certificate for a mother-to-be massage.  Well I didn't want to use it until I really needed it.  I figure with 6 weeks to go, I needed and what would be better than for Ryan to go along for an expectant couple's massage.  Ryan loved it... said it was the best massage ever.  Mine was okay, but definitely not as good when you aren't pregnant because you can't lay on your stomach so you have to lay on your side, propped up with pillows. But I'm sure it helped!

Greenwood Baby Shower

Well despite being quite under the weather, we ventured to Greenwood for a weekend of family, fun and a baby shower.  We made it Greenwood alittle before 10:00 pm and I finally got to meet Ryan's grandmother.  She was wonderful - so warm and friendly.

Saturday morning we got ready and then headed over to Suzy's house for the baby shower.  It was great - about 20 people came over for it, yummy food and cupcakes, and one baby shower game (how big is Abbey's belly and to be exact it was 11 toilet paper squares, which 3 people guessed). 

Joy, Linda and Suzy - my gracious hostesses

We got lots of great things and are pretty much ready for Baby Delaney to come - 7 weeks and counting!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Ryan and I celebrated Valentine's Day a little early with dinner at Red Robin and some baby shopping or picking up our dresser.  He also surprised me with some beautiful red roses. 

Then on V day, we did a little photoshoot for 8 months and had a great spaghetti diner.

Baby Shower #1

After Saturday, I feel very blessed to have such great family and friends and grateful for the time they spent with me (and Ryan) and the wonderful baby gifts they brought.  The afternoon of talking, laughing, eating and reminiscing and learning about what some of the gifts were that I opened.  Probably the best one was that I kept calling the teething toys chew toys instead.  Oops.  Well I figure Miller will eventually get his paws on them so then they will be chew toys (he already brought one of them out to me).  Also, baby D's library is quite extensive already.  I think we better start practicing by reading a book a night until he or she comes.  Baby D now a high chair, 2 strollers, a car seat, lots of toys, a bouncy chair, a portable swing, burp clothes, diapers, and so much more.  Having all the baby stuff here is making me realize how close our due date really is - less than 8 weeks away and I think it will go by quickly.

A big thank you to my best friend Alicia for all she did to help with the shower - all the wondering decorations and fun activities she planned. (writing sayings on diapers, decorating blocks, and leaving a message for the baby)  It was perfect.  And to my sisters for all the food and drinks and coordinating all the people that came and keeping the party going.  I am so lucky!  And this baby is going to have some amazing aunts.

Last plane trip before D-Day

As the end (or beginning) is nearly, I boarded a plane for my last trip before Baby D comes.... and a long flight and a week trip to Belgium.  Luckily when I booked our tickets I was able to score exit row seats so I could easily get up as often as I needed. And the flight wasn't too bad, but the baby decided it was a great chance to party for 8 hours straight.  It kicked and turned and flipped and rolled.  He or she was having a great time but made for a miserable flight for me.  On the positive side, the baby was moving so I was couldn't complain too much.

At HQ, I had some great meetings, but some longer nights than I am used to.  I missed my bed, my hubby, my normal food (not that the food there isn't good, because it's really good).  By Thursday, I was ready to come home, but had to wait until Saturday.  We went bowling on Thursday, and I was pretty proud of myself by beating all the guys in my office except one.  Let's just say I think I crushed their egos losing to an almost 8 month pregnant girl.

I got to enjoy a couple waffles while I was there too!  :-)  My favorite.  Flight home was just as smooth but the baby had another party.  I am now continental US bound for a while.

Hospital Tour

Lots of baby things have been on the calendar and last night we went to get our tour of the birthing rooms and the mother/baby rooms.  The rooms were great and we had a great tour guide Mary who made it very enjoyable and let us in on lots of secrets and tips and ideas to making the stay your own experience (mom, dad, and baby).  Feel better now knowing where we need to go, what it all looks like, and some idea of how it all works (because I'm sure this baby has a mind of his or her own).

Childbirth Class

Childbirth class... a success!  I actually really enjoyed it and feel much more prepared for going.  We learned breathing techniques, positions that might be comfortable, the stages of labor you go through, and watched some videos.  So after all that - Ryan asked if I was nervous about everything and I could honestly say no.  I might even try (or as long as I can) to go without meds.  Part of me sees the benefits of being able to be up and moving around (even if I don't want to) to help progress the labor.  I say that now, but in the moment I might decide something else, especially if this baby is as big as I think he or she will be.  Prediction now - over 8 pounds by birth.  Maybe even more.

Also, I learned a bunch of stuff that no one tells you. I included a few of my favorites.  Like after an epidural, you are not paralyzed from the waist down, which was the impression I got.  You can't walk but you can move your legs and change positions.  Next up, once your water breaks... it doesn't stop.  Those darn movies making it seem like oh my water broke - glad that's over.  Nope - it just keep running.  Last one, you don't have to wear that lovely, beautiful hospital gown the whole time, if you don't want to - and who does?  Not me.  I'm going sporty... sports bra and shorts.  Well that is until I have to push a watermelon out.

I figure either way... Baby D is coming out, one way or another and pain is just inevitable.  So I will pray and pray and pray.  And then do my best and rely on Ryan for support.  But other than that not much else I can do.

Heartburn Stinks

So up until about a month or so ago, I had never experienced heartburn... and I so wish I could go back to the time.  Seems like it doesn't matter what I eat or drink these last couple days and instantly I have heartburn.  So I took my first tums last night and to anyone who thinks those things are good, seriously needs to get their head examined... they are chalky and not good at all! But it did seem to help enough that I could get some sleep - whatever that means these days, tossing and turning and trying not to walk up on my back (which inevitably I do).  Gotta love it!

Baby's Room facelift

So we've been calling the Baby's room, the baby's room or nursery since we bought the house.  But until this point, it was a wedding storage room, Christmas present central, gun storage, etc.  But after this weekend, it's officially looking like a baby's room.  Baby D got the crib for Christmas and on Saturday we picked it up and put it together and took no time at all.  This was making it very real. 

Then Sunday, we went to Home Depot with the plan of getting some storage organizer things and a ceiling fan.  Well we got the fan and then eventually found the storage organizer at Lowe's that we liked.  Back home to start putting it all together.  The closet stuff was nice and easy for the most part, but the ceiling fan put up a fight and I'm proud to say that Ryan won that battle and the fan is up.  We even have things put
away in the closet. 

14 weeks to go Baby D!

Baby's Room painted

Well we bought the bedding and I had the urge to paint the baby's room... so painted I did today.  And I realized that I don't enjoy painting pregnant as much as I do painting not pregnant.  Up and down the ladder isn't as much fun, making sure I don't fall off the ladder isn't fun, and how I feel after painting all day definitely isn't fun.  But nontheless... it's finished and I love it.  Just need some furniture now.

The before... a yellow color

The after Corn husk green (even though the lighting doesn't make it look very different... it is) and it looks great.  Also check out our bedding... so many great colors to work with.

New Routine

I am a creature of routine and Baby Delaney has created a new routine for me.  Wake up, get ready, go to work, eat breakfast, eat a snack, maybe eat another snack, have lunch, another snack, come home from work, make dinner, fall sleep on couch, go to bed, sleep, pee, and repeat, wake up and do it all again. 

It's my birthday

Happy Birthday to me!
Happy Birthday to me!
Happy Birthday dear me!
Happy Birthday to me!

Another year gone by and where has the time gone... 32 years young.  But from 30 1/2 to 32 has been the best yet.  I met the love of my life, bought my dream house, got engaged, married my love, got pregnant - oh have I not mentioned that yet.  Yes - my 32nd year is going to be very memorable as Ryan and I are excited to welcome Baby RAD around April 7th.  We have started to break the news to family and friends and it's exciting as it just feels more and more real because until our first ultrasound when we actually saw the baby on the screen I didn't really believe it was real.  But now we have proof and are very thankful.