"School" Pictures

Our First Field Trip - The Apple Orchard

1 month Pictures

I'm Surfacing...

To be honest, I have no clue where to start. The last seventeen days have been abnormal. Well maybe not ABnormal, but the new normal that I'm trying to get used to which is abnormal for me and what I've known until this most precious blessing presented herself into our lives.
I'd like to start with the birth story and work my way forward, but that is going to take some time. So for now just know that I haven't forgotten you all. I'll be posting and updating and everything else. It is just that life has changed for us in the Jones household and everyone is still adapting. The news will come though... between feedings, cooking, laundry, dirty diapers and the such. I'll get it in. I promise.
Now where's all those people who volunteered to change at least one dirty diaper... I'm looking for you. Especially since Sweet Potato just made a new one while we were on her doing this short update. See what I mean. It may take a minute.

PS. Thanks everyone for the prayers and support. I know those prayers got me through the long labor and the c-section. Please keep us in your prayers.

More Pictures

She's starting to change and look different already.


Peacefully sleeping at the hospital


Ready to go home


One last nap


Getting freshened up at home


Trying to catch a little shut eye for the night

Some Pictures

I'll post an update later... I had no clue how busy being a mom is. Wow!

First Bath!


First Shampoo courtesy of dad and PawPaw


Oodling Grandparents


"Yes, I'm clean"


"Yah, we get to go to our room!"

You are So Beautiful!

So after months of anticipation and years of waiting the new Jones family member is here.



Isn't she beautiful? (I wish you all could hear this sound bite from my wedding.)

Born: 3/31/08 @ 11:03 pm
Weight: 8lbs 4 oz
Length: 20.5 inches
& they say she looks like: Her dad and he says she looks like me.

I'll be updating the blog with more info and details as soon as a I get home and get some more rest.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and support.
This has been such a rewarding experience... even after 27 hours of labor and a c-section. I don't even know what I've done to earn such a beautiful blessing.

& for those of you who raffled, guessed, and racked your brain helping us try and come up with something, her name is Kyndahl GiAnnah Jones. Named Kyndahl by her dad which means Royal Valley. GiAnnah after her mother, maternal grandmother, and maternal great-grandmother who is deceased, but the name means God's Gracious Gift which she is.

Life is over as I know it...

Today my life will change. I am on the way to the hospital to be induced. I will be officially laboring... soon. As of now, I have become the member of a new group. I've experienced at least 4 births live and in color over my lifetime, but that has only been bedside. Today, I am not just a spectator in the miracle of life anymore. I am a participant.

Not knowing how this will turn out or who all will be there at my bedside is only part of the apprehension. I trust God, which is what matters most.

Please say a prayer for me and our little girl as we welcome her into this world... We are on our way to the hospital and should have a baby soon. Can you believe that? I will be bringing a baby home to parent for the rest of life.

I can't thank my mother enough for making this the hardest thing I'll ever do in my life. I am very grateful for that. She's been the best mother I've known; and not just to me. I've watched her be an outstanding mother to several children. Her own, the neighbors, and others my parents took in as I grew up. Thanks to close proximity I also have the joy of seeing her be a grandparent and parent to even other young and grown children. My mother has definitely set the bar high. At 30 something, I am still following the chain of life like children do. Imitating my mother to learn to be my best.

I do know though there are some things you just figure out. I hope being as awesome as the mother I have is one of them... Thanks momma for making this the hardest task ever. Sincerely. Doesn't that mean that if I even come close to being as great as you are I'll I be amongst the stars?

Okay so maybe that's my last emotional pregnant cry. Hopefully we'll have pictures to email out as soon as sweet potato arrives and then you'll be witness to my first cry as a mom!

Welcome a whole new world...

The uneventful Week 39

Week 39. It has come and just as quick has gone. Mainly because for the last 5 months I have miscalculated my due date. Nice, I know. The Dr. has charted me with a due date of 3/25 since we made the discovery of being pregnant back in July 2007. For whatever reason though I've always had in my records 3/28. Now 3 days is not really a huge deal as far as the whole pregnancy has been, but when you get to week 39 and figure out the mistake it makes for a really, really short week. Its funny though because I feel like I really lost 3 days somewhere.

I'm thinking sweet potato is feeling the same way too. Especially since she seems to be pretty content in her humble abode. It appears she's quite the happy camper in this short torso, somewhat wide, but not too heavy space. Even as the living quarters are getting smaller and smaller. She's still very much the dancer and definitely part of my lineage just due to the pure fact that she likes to eat. She makes no qualms about telling me when meal time is or how happy she is after she eats. That's something that I'm sure won't be so cute once I'm holding her vs. carrying her.

After knowing that 3/25 was my actual due date, I was a little nervous about my Dr. appointment today. Of course that was evident to me last night when I got up twice before 3am. I know pregnancy sleep is sporadic and causes frequent wake ups, but last night was outside of the norm for me. I love to sleep to much to get up that often. By the 3rd wake up I decided to be fair to me and hubby. I got out of the bed. He wasn't going to get any sleep with me tossing and turning and I wasn't gonna get any sleep trying not to toss, turn or turn the TV on.

Plus these three things were consistently running laps in my head... email, name, insurance. Like cross country laps. Not sprints. Not a 40 yd dash. I mean miles. So at 3:10 am I visited this very spot and did those 3 things successfully. Even still it was 5:34 am before I made myself get back in the bed. I knew rest would be needed for the visit today. (Note: For those if you wondering that does not mean I have a name picked out either. I was looking up the meaning of a one of the names that are in our option pool when we finally meet her.)

Honestly for this appointment, I thought they would send me right over to labor and delivery to start the "show." Instead my appointment started out with a non-stress test to see how sweet potato is doing since she is now considered a post-date baby. I'm telling you, I've got a smart child. She passed her first test with flying colors! No studying either. She's going to be just like her mom! All the other things were fine too. BP, protein, weight (gained less than 2 pounds), and my body is showing no signs of labor UNLESS you count the contractions I had while doing the non-stress test. The nurse had to clue me in that I was even having a contraction which was quite funny to me. As she was watching the monitor she said, "Oh a contraction."
"Where?" I responsed as I was trying to look at the screen.
While showing me on the monitor she asked, "Don't you feel it?"
I just laughed. Told her no. Asked her to explain to me what a contraction feels like and then reminded her to tell me when another one starts so that I can see if I feel it.

Then I yip, yip, hoorayed that if labor would be this painless I am definitely IN. I mean it's not like I have a lot of options at this point anyway, but I was comforted in knowing that a contraction could be painless for me. What a great feeling. (For my concerned co-worker... there is hope!) I'm not a wimp after all and that was without any medication. So I was very pleased when the appointment turned out to be a normal visit... relatively speaking. The only thing not normal was that we now have a confirmed due date. It's like that game you play when you're a kid and you say, "Ready or not, here I come."

On Sunday, March 30, we will be rolling out the red carpet, bringing the flashing lights and setting the back drop for a wonderful evening of stars... okay star (not plural, don't want to jinx myself. Seriously, there's only one baby in here). Now this is only the induction pre-show. Based on my Doctors estimates being induced may take up to 36 hours. That means I'll be having one of the best meals of my life before we go to the hospital Sunday and I'll be going to give some thanks to God that morning. I'll also be asking for any forgiveness that I need before they start the laboring process. I don't want this to be my payback for something I've done not so favorable in my life. Eve's curse has already made it NOT one of the most pleasant experiences for a woman.

So everybody, prayers for me and sweet potato. Safe, healthy, standard, painless, dreamy, piece of cake type of labor and delivery. (Okay I know I'm getting carried away, but you know what I mean.)

Oh and welcome to week 40 +... since it's here already.

Really resting during Week 38

So week 38 has come and gone and still no new arrival.
Honestly, I'm not complaining. Seriously, I could be pregnant for another few months. I love it. But there are others who are starting to get antsy. Ah,hum. The grandparents. Just a teensy bit. lol.
My husband on the other hand is sitting happy as a pig in slop right now. I can tell you truly he's the reason sweet potato isn't here yet. He's been having these evening conversations with her about arriving during the start of March Madness and how it would be better for her to just "take her time" getting here. lol. I think it's quite funny since he does this with his lips right were her butt probably is and when he does it she moves her butt right towards his direction. I just laugh so hard. But I think it might be working. He's getting to enjoy all the games and consistently updating his bracket since he did take 2 days off to see every minute of the big dance.
I have also finally mastered bed rest I believe. I was struggling with trying to keep a schedule while on bed rest, but I realize that's out the door. I mean if you sleep past breakfast it is still OK to have cereal when you finally do wake up. Or if you want a hamburger at 10:30 am, that too is fine. I've also noticed that pregnancy napping is much like sleeping while pregnant. I can't take one of those nice long lay out in the sun naps because I can't get comfortable or I have to relieve my bladder before I know it. So the naps are shorter and usually start right during Oprah. (dang!)
I unpacked my hospital bag because I just kept adding stuff to it and then forgetting what I had in it already. Plus I realized that the bag I have is more like an overnight cosmetic bag than a good hospital bag. So I guess I'll be re-packing that tonight... or tomorrow.
My appt this week was the usual. No weight gain. No proteins and my blood pressure is fine. I even had less swelling this week. Of course for the 3rd week in a row I asked them to write it in my file that if I go into labor and get the on call Dr. that it says in big, bold letters: EPIDURAL RIGHT AWAY AND PREFERABLY NO C-SECTION. They just laugh at me. They understand, but they think its funny that I ask every week. They have no clue that its really not an option for me to not have meds or to have to go under the knife though. So we'll see what happens next week.
I also think it is the funniest thing for them to ask me if I'm having contractions. I have no clue. I don't know what they feel like and everybody explains them differently. So I always answer that no. I will say I have noticed more trips to the bathroom since sweet potato thinks that's a nice size pillow for her head and this weird feeling after I eat. I've never had heartburn either, but I would say over the last week after every meal I get this kinda burning, gassy feeling in my chest or throat. I'm calling it heartburn, but that may not be it. Sometimes I get nauseous too, but not to the point where I talk to the porcelain god. I think these are all signs a baby getting her soon though. When? I don't know. But as soon as I hear something. I'll clue you in.

The Nursery

Ok. I've moved things around plenty of times and changed a few items. Since the checkout time for the baby's current home is drawing nigh, I'm pretty sure this is how the room will look when we introduce sweet potato to her new home.

The Crib and mobile w/ bumpers that I know will have to be removed before long.


The changing table with safety belt, just in reaching distance of the curtains for her to pull on while being changed.


The dresser, that still has room believe it or not.


The closet that doesn't have anymore room. (Now you know why I said that about the dresser.)


All the pampers that my mother has assured me I'll use sooner than I think.


Side Note:
Now take a second look at the first picture. The one with the crib and glider. The nice big, extra wide glider on the side of the crib in the perfect color shade to match the walls and furniture. Yeah, I know. Nice, right? My hubby still has not noticed. If you look really good you even see that the accompanying card is still in the seat of the chair. I know. It hasn't been touched. I believe he may have noticed the glider but has not observed it closely. Kinda like the hearing vs. listening thing that people sometimes do.
Well I'll have you know I purchased that glider specifically for my husband's comfort. We have one that suits me fine and fits my small 5'2 1/2" build well, but I wanted something that would make his somewhat larger build feel comfortable too. This glider is it.
Now he'll say it wasn't necessary and I really shouldn't have and he likes it. All the while being very grateful, but let's be honest - its no 40" inch flat screen T.V. Yes, he wanted a huge flat screen T.V. for the baby's room so he doesn't miss any March madness or future basketball games for that matter. (He also was told in our birthing class that watching T.V. during labor was downright tacky... although he claims the thought never crossed his mind when he took note of the flat screen cable access T.V. in the labor and delivery room on the hospital tour... asking if it had DVR. lol)
So needless to say I'm waiting. Wondering when he'll finally look at the chair in detail and notice it's for him. I guess its just a testament to how much he goes in the room now since it's not being occupied. Now when sweet potato gets here, I'm sure that will all change and I'll have to lock him out of there for her to have peace and quiet while she rests.

Okay. This really is week 37...

I've found that "light duty" can be pretty uneventful and very helpful to swollen, achy, distressed pregnant feet. While I haven't been completely down for the count like light duty was described to me, I have been taking it easy. Which says a lot for me. Hey, I even have a doctor's note that says I need to do that. So when it's dinner time or laundry time for the big folks around here light duty comes in handy. hehe. Just kidding.

My 2 appointments this week were good news. My blood pressure has actually dropped a little. Not quite back to normal but closer to being in the range to be more mobile. So that was a great excuse for me to attend the lovely shower at my hubby's job.

Either he's a really, really nice guy at work (just like at home) or he's not in the office long enough for anyone to dislike him. lol. His colleagues did an absolutely fabulous job of planning, decorating, and sneaking... it was a surprise for him. I must say that it was very nice to be in attendance and not be the center of attention. He did all of the talking, gift opening, etc. Thank you everyone for such a wonderful time... and no I didn't eat all of the cake I took home even though it was absolutely delicious. Please send pics.

So I'm going to finish up some of the last things to do around the nursery, take pictures (& of course post them), go get the car seat and outfit to bring our little one home, and find something to wear that's comfortable for the trip home... which happens to be nothing in my closet right now. Third trimester dressing is a unique event. Yes, I said event.

I'll keep you all posted on what transpires.

36 weeks? or 37?

So from here on out there shouldn't be too many excuses of not posting. We're in the final leg of this lovely pregnancy marathon. My appointment this week was good as usual except that I have an elevated blood pressure reading... that was after doing it twice. So the Dr. has ordered "light duty."
Nice! Light duty and I have several things in the baby's room that have to be put away, clothing that needs to be washed, items to still buy (mainly the car seat that baby has to come home in), and then all the other cleaning I wanted to do around the house while making my nesting list.
I guess the fun part will be the resting and kicking back. I love naps so I'll be making sure I get at least a short one (2 hours) in everyday. Although my husband calls my naps "sleeps" I think that will truly help too.
"Light duty" also means releasing most of my duties on the project at work. So I'm trying to work on that transition piece now. I'm sure I will still have sleepless nights and many thoughts that cross my mind about different things to be done that will need to be conveyed to the powers that be. So that's the first task.
For the rest of the stuff... if I plan and act right, I should have 4 more weeks to complete. We'll see. I have another appointment early next week to see how light duty does for me and the baby. I'll keep you posted.

Pictures As Promised...

Me in inappropriate attire - (yes, I was really surprised)

oooweee look, clothes

ohh nice, purple stuff

For those who still don't believe it... yes, I am pregnant.

No, I'm not crying. It's just a really nice, thoughtful gift from hubby.

Okay, the secret is out. I really do like girly things!

35 Already?

Time is going fast. I can't believe pregnancy is going to come to an end so soon. Seems like just a couple of weeks ago we were still in the trying phase.

This week I had some nice showers. Very nice! I have pictures and I promise I'm going to do a post of just photos to catch up on all of these, but trust me when I say I was genuinely surprised. I'm so amazed at the number of people who have been "waiting for this moment," like myself. I guess I didn't realize so many people have been sitting in anticipation with me.



The great news though is that this journey is about to come to a close. (If you were here you would see that I am crying... that's just pregnancy hormones. Don't mind me.) I can tell you, I so don't want this time to be over. My mother has said for years that ALL women should be pregnant and have children - notice that word is plural. I've always thought that she just says that because she had all of us. After being pregnant for the last 35 weeks though I must have to agree with her... at least on the pregnancy part. This is such a fun, joyous, emotional, exhilarating experience. So much so that I think the really sad news is that this journey is about to come to a close.

There is hope though that this journey will be ending on time and not early. At my appointment this week the Dr. said that there aren't any signs of labor showing in my exam. I'll spare you the details, but everything looks fine and they have no reason to believe that I won't make it to term. I do have an ultrasound scheduled for next week though. So we'll see what sweet potato is doing in there other than tap dancing on mommy's fundus and head bopping on my bladder.

Next week we start our labor classes. I know. A little late. But with our traveling schedules trying to coordinate 5 weeks together at home has been a challenge. To remedy that we we're doing the crash course of just 6 hours in 2 weeks. Nice!

With the baby's arrival just around the corner, I have so many things still left to do and some I have no clue about where to start. Like professional pictures - I have this fear that by the time we get them he'll be taking pictures of the new arrival instead of me carrying her. Then there's the rest of the baby furniture. How come stores don't sell these items on location anymore. You have to order it from everywhere so hopefully it gets here soon. Then there's all this cleaning I feel like I need to do. Honestly, I'm not sure where to start other than the linen closet (don't know why THAT of all places is bothering me) and then having an extra closet pole installed in the baby's room.

I'm even having a challenge with the basic stuff:
Hospital Bag - What goes in there? Other than what I wear home... and can't I wear what I wore to the hospital home? I'm lost on that one.
Sweet Potato's Bring home Outfit - So is that a sleeper? Something cuter like a dress? and I've been told to get a preemie size so it fits. Does this sound right?
Christening Outfit - Okay, now this is a big thing for me. I really wanted to make one, but of course I still have those other projects looming first. Plus I can't crochet and I have no clue where to start on that one either. I know for sure though that I don't want white... so that means I better get to searching in other places or sewing. I just like ivory better. (Remember the wedding?)

I'm willing to take any help. So if you've got some thoughts let me know. I better get off of here and get started on something though.

34 Weeks...

This has been a really trying and fun week altogether.

My travel restriction started on Tuesday which was after I begin my last trip for work. Traveling for work is a great concept and one that many people envy until they do it themselves. It does allow you an opportunity to visit new places and climates at different times, but those couple of perks can be cumbersome at times as well... like pulling shorts or lightweight materials out of storage when you travel to places like sunny Florida or Arizona. For the most part I enjoy traveling (other than missing my family while I'm gone), but this week didn't rank too high on the pleasure scale.

(Disclaimer: I feel that training your experienced peers is the hardest thing in life you'll ever have to do as a trainer.) On Sunday, I drove to the training location to be prepared to train for the week. Technically Monday was a holiday at my job. I worked on Monday. 8 hours at least. Tuesday was planned to be a long day... a long day that I would enjoy sitting down. I did. Yah for me! Wednesday - Friday I was on deck to deliver training for a majority of the day. I did. By Wednesday night my ankles looked like rising dough! That was just one day of standing. Thursday and Friday I don't think I even felt my toes my feet were so numb from the water build up. (Wish I had a picture to show you.) The pain my feet were in was only a piece of the story. I didn't know your body could be in so much pain just from breathing (or snorting my co-workers will say.) All in all it was a productive week.

Of course the week would not be complete with a few tears. Remember, I'm pregnant. So on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday I cried. Of course spawned by different emotions each day: stress, joy, pain, worry, surprise, and excitement. In no particular order and as usual, most times for no particular reason.

On Thursday my wonderful co-workers threw a surprise baby shower for me. It was so nice and a very thoughtful gesture. I appreciate every one's efforts, presence at the outing, and gift. My heart was tinkled pink!

Fun was had by all this week, including the baby thanks to the Mexican rice, cookies (special delivery from the west coast), rich tomato soup, and the pebbled ice machine. (Notice all items are food related. What can I say, baby likes to eat.)

So my last travel for work before having this baby was nice and necessary. By Friday I had introduced my co-workers to the lovely world of "survival while pregnant," which includes snorting to breath, not having the strength to lift much, needing help to get up, short memory and a whole new language of gibberish... or just slamming 2 words together. lol.

I must say I'm glad it is over... and so is my body.

Bang! 33 Weeks...

This is officially week 33.
Just seven more weeks or so and I'll be the proud mom of a little baby. Wow! I can't believe it. I'm excited and in shock... and now starting to get scared. What will this seasoned aunt and surrogate mother do with a child of her own to care for 24/7, 365? You mean I'll be caring for a kid that doesn't cry to go home to someone else? Me? Wow! That's amazing.

Well as this week went on there was plenty to do around the house just because it IS getting close. First was finishing the nursery. Not that we did that because there are so many things about it still hanging in the balance, but the border was hung. That just means we're done with all the elbow grease stuff. Now for the arranging... which will probably be more difficult then measuring stripes and marking walls. Especially since I tend to be anal and I've moved the location for the "hanging name," wall art, and bugs (you'll see) about 4 times in my head already.

You know the best part about all of this? The absolute best? He helped! Yep. He sure did. He helped me hang the border. It was nice. I know it is just a small thing for him to help me, but I was absolutely overjoyed that we did the finishing touch together. No, I don't have any pictures of us working together. That would mean one of us wasn't working or the other was being too emotional if you get my drift. Just take my word. Being pregnant of course made it a HUGE deal anyway and brought a tear to my eye, but I restrained and we finished. Here it is:

Sweet Potato's Room

This week I also had a checkup appointment with my Dr. finally. The last 2 appts have been with the LPN or another physician in the office (which by the way I didn't like and requested NOT to see her again over the next few weeks... or ever for that matter.) Of course I love my Dr. and we had a good time just talking and catching up. She's the physician for half the women in my family so talking to her is like old times and I'm glad she knows my family well. It makes sharing "personal things" with her easier than I imagine it would be if she didn't know our family. So for the part you want to hear. My BP was fine again, no proteins, and I gained 1.1 pound. (That's just 12 for the whole pregnancy, yah!) She also told me not to be alarmed about my size. I'm carrying all in my stomach (see previous pic of me from behind). So for my family and others who are concerned... she's sure this is just one baby. Just 1. Only O-N-E. She's also sure that it is still a girl, lol. Just to be safe, we're going to check all of that again at the next appointment via ultrasound so more to come on that.

Somewhere in between the last 7 days or so too, shower invites started being mailed out. That's pretty much about all I can say about that, since that's all I know. I tell you these girls are good. I'm very grateful for my family and friends who want to throw a party for me and sweet potato! Especially since I tend to be the party thrower in my cirles. To be honest it is really weird knowing there is an event coming up, but I don't have anything to do to get ready for it... other than clean and dust my house. I've asked to pitch in wherever, but have been turned down a few times. So I guess I'll go find something presentable to wear other than sweats or work clothes and just wait. Oh and I guess I better go clean and dust too... yuck!

I've also had a little Sewing Mania but that's a post all by itself so I'll wait till later to show you that. I've got plenty of things that I'm finishing and some I just need to take pics of so more to come later.

Until then I'm getting ready for my last work trip of this pregnancy. I'm taking a drive a couple of hours away to see my co-workers for what will probably be the last time as a pregnant woman this year. The great thing about it is about 20 or so of us are going to gather for the week to work on an big project, but for some of them it will be the first time they've seen me since I announced being pregnant. They're going to be shocked.

As a matter of fact, I talked to one of the guys on the phone this week and right after he said, "congratulations, I can't wait to see you." The very next thing out of his mouth was, "aren't you so absolutely scared?" lol. Thanks, buddy. Thanks. YES, but I was trying to not think about it. Now you've caused all this fear to run through me, tighten up my muscles and trigger my TMJ. Thanks. All I can say is give me everything legal to stop the pain when the time comes! I have changed one thing about that request though. I want to be up. Don't knock me out with sedatives. I do not want to miss a thing about the birth of this miracle. Not one bit!

Week 32. Just 8 or so left...

Nothing new to report. Nothing has really changed. No Dr. appointments this week. No completed projects this week (although I did start a few).

No sudden changes in me from baby or in baby from what I can tell... other than the fact that I think she's gonna be a dancer. Apparently, round weightless spaces make for great dance floors! She's been doing a lot of moving around this week. Even through the night which was been the first time I've felt it. It's like she's rolling from one side to the other and then sticking out an elbow or knee, which would be true to form like her ultrasound pictures. No complaints though. I know movement is just one of the signs of a healthy baby. Besides, she isn't in my ribs like everyone keeps telling me about. Isn't God good? (Have I said that before?)

This week I finally met up with my friend Lora. We sometimes have uncoordinating travel schedules. Trying to plan office time together has been a little challenging. She was with me at the baby shower in D.C. and had the remainder of the gifts in her luggage because my carry on was too small that trip. Anyway, I have gotten from her the final piece to the nursery decorating puzzle. (Does that sound like an excuse?) One of the gifts I received at that shower was some wall art to hang in the room. So this weekend's project is to finish what has been started. Pictures of course to come soon.

Getting the room done is getting to be more and more important. I mean it IS only about 8 weeks away from my due date. Not to mention I believe I was finally bitten by the "let's-buy-everything-baby-needs-right-now-bug." I have my dear friend Amy to thank for this though. I was doing great. I mean really. I had only purchased a couple of outfits for her and had been keeping my eyes from getting too excited about any one thing.
Then Amy calls me last Saturday morning to tell me that the local baby store right down the street was having a Grab Bag Sale starting at 10am on clearance items. Everything on clearnce you can fit in the bag for just $15. I don't miss good sales. So I was in! Now Amy lives in another state so she wasn't going to be able to join me, but she did give me some pointers.

1) Get there early. To which I replied, "Yeah, I was thinking like 5 minutes or so. Maybe more like right at 10am when the doors open."
2) Stand in line, but move fast when the door opens. My response, "Stand in line? What? Nah. You've got to be kidding me! Are these people gonna be that serious about it?"
3) Be careful about your selections. You can get a lot in one bag. "Oh I'm the queen of packing! I will watch that very carefully."

Based on our conversation, I was on board with 1 of the 3 tips. I got there about 4 minutes before 10. So I guess I did get there early. I sat in the car. Waited. Then I noticed the first person get out and go to the door. It was still locked. That one lady doing that thus created a line. So I sat in the car and watched and just like everyone else, before I knew it I was getting out of my car to join this LINE! (So what's that about? The whole line sensation? I couldn't resist getting in that line. It is something about seeing a line form. I've done that at places when I have no clue what the line is for. I think a lot of people do. Like the man behind me who was really trying to go to the store next door. lol)

Anyway, I had now conquered 2 of the 3 tips and the last tip wasn't an option. I knew I would be very good at that one. I grabbed my bag and listened to the rules from the associate while proceeding to my rack of attack. After grabbing all the outfits I wanted from the hangers and even lying in wait, (which will be tip #4 next time) for people to put back stuff they didn't want I moved to a small corner.
In this small corner I removed all outfits from the "roomy" hangers that would tear my grab bag and I began to grampa Woodson. Yes, that's a verb. Grampa Woodson is a meticulous well thought out form of pack-ratting. I folded each outfit neatly in half and then rolled. While doing this I checked sizes and the cutest factor. Grampa would be real proud of me! God rest his soul. I miss you Grandma and Grandpas.
Long story short $15 for $126 of merchandise! Wow, I was so excited! I couldn't believe it. I now have most of my purchases hanging neatly in the baby's closet. Well at least the ones I had hangers for. I'll have to go buy more hangers and then put the rest in the dresser drawers.

With that said I'm hiding the car keys from myself. I am no fool and aware that the "let's-buy-everything-baby-needs-right-now-bug" can be very dangerous. In the meantime here are some pictures of me and our growing baby.

In the office at home


Feeling like I really look like my mother right here


Hating the delayed response to our digital camera


& the "Babe, really. You don't look pregnant from the back" shot

Taking on Projects in Week 31

So this week has been pretty harried at work. Even still my mind has enough energy to run creatively at home. Since I've decided on a somewhat unusual color scheme for the nursery, I'm working on clothing the windows and crib accordingly.

That means I'll have to reach back in memory to my home economics classes when my friends used to call me Martha Stewart. As a matter of fact, in high school I sewed quite a few prom dresses for money, although none of my own. (I begged my mother who used to make wedding dresses all the time to sew my prom dresses.)

What makes this project even more interesting is I don't own any sewing supplies right now other than the standard black, white, beige threads, and needles for the occasional hem repairs. So off I go to the local fabric and retail stores to buy materials, threads, a seam ripper (believe me I'll need one), a tape measure and patterns to get started. I borrowed my mother's travel Singer and now I'm ready. There just has to be something out there that will match these colors?

It has been a pretty creative start considering I really don't know what I want for sure yet for the windows or the crib. I've been surfing the internet every evening trying to narrow down the options and stumbling upon even more projects that I will just have to try. Like baby bonnets, lacey socks (like mom used to make us), hats, blankets, burp cloths, and baby booties. All sewing projects. All things that I can't seem to get out of my head now.

Like last night... I had this dream I was stuck at the same step on several pairs of baby shoes. The pattern was pinned, but I just couldn't go further. Not to mention that in the dream there were baby shoes everywhere. This child won't even have enough outfits to where all the shoes that I was making. It is so funny to me how our minds just run wild while we're sleep and waking up every few hours a night for "pregnancy reasons" just helps me to remember all that wildness.

This week I also had my bi-weekly appointment. Everything checked out fine. God is really good to me. (Somebody say, "All the time.") I gained 1 whole pound this week and the baby is measuring about 2 weeks ahead. Nothing unusual or to be concerned about. No proteins or high blood pressure AND I didn't have to endure a blood draw this time. God is good!

Other than waiting about 9 more weeks to meet this precious little one and to see what and who she's going to look like, I've got plenty to keep me busy. So maybe by the time she's here all the projects will be done and she'll have her own pair of lacey socks like we did as kids. Handmade by her own mom...
possibly at least one pair of baby shoes too... without the pins.

So last week was 30...

And a lot of things happened so I didn't make time to post like I should have but here's the catch up version:
On Monday I loafed... for most of the day and then I went shopping for an outfit for a BIG meeting for work and a winter coat. I know, I know. Winter is almost over (except for in Indiana) and I am just now getting a coat that fits. I guess that's because in my mind my other pre-pregnancy coats would fit through all this cold weather. Well, baby hasn't missed a meal yet so she's making sure that a maternity coat is needed. Needless to say I wasn't able to find a coat last Monday while shopping though because it IS the end of winter. And the gray outfit I got turned out real nice!
The rest of the week was quite fun. On Tuesday evening my friend Lora came over and we finished the painting part of the nursery. This time I was much more productive and actually did a nice chunk of it. It looks so nice! I can't wait to post pics for all of you to see.
Wednesday I flew to D.C. for the meeting and had a great time with the information gathering and mingling. It was a very productive meeting for me to attend.
The best part of the week though was Thursday morning! I got up early to meet with my manager at the indoor pool like usual for coffee (yes, coffee... although I had cranberry juice) and to discuss meeting notes. So that was another good meeting I had last week. Then in my long sleeve shirt, pre-pregnancy running shorts, ashy legs, and black crocs he coerced me into "checking out the buffet" in the hotel restaurant. Little did I know that Lora and some of the other girls from work planned a surprise baby shower for me! How neat it was.
Now this was no small feat, since these ladies flew in from all around the country with gifts, tableware, and even decorations. I wasn't even scheduled to be at the meeting until 5 days before. Such a nice surprise... and I'm not easy to surprise. More than shock, I was overwhelmed that these ladies thought that much of me to even have a party for the baby. I held my guns and did my best not to cry and enjoyed the laughs, breakfast, gifts, and pictures... which I'll post later.
The rest of the week went well except for the cold I picked up from not wearing a coat... since I dind't have one that would zip close. oops! Live and learn. I know. But the baby is doing well and still eating so I better find a coat that fits soon!
I had a bunch of calls for my birthday last week too and even got my favorite cake to top off the week. Chocolate on Chocolate. What a great ending!

29 Weeks and Counting...

Well we're getting to the point where it is hard to call all my friends to keep them up on the progress of "the bun in the oven," so I thought it would be a good idea to start posting here for everyone to see at their leisure.

I am officially at 29 weeks today and in the final stretch!
While most women that I know who have been pregnant tend to be excited about the 3rd trimester, I am slightly long-faced. I have enjoyed my last 28 weeks with child. Even with all the travel for work and the reduced selection of my shoe options, I am having a wonderful time being pregnant. I have embraced that my body is not mine for these 40 weeks but more of a haven for one of God's beautiful miracles that will be introduced to us sometime in the later part of March.

My blood test from my last appointment was just fine except that I am anemic. The Dr. prescribed an iron supplement that has worked out pretty good for me. Now I am not falling asleep mid-sentence anymore. Although the latest edition of the Pregnancy Weekly newsletter stated, I need to learn the art of power napping at this stage... perfect timing! Had I gotten that email sooner I would not have complained about being tired all the time.

As far as pregnancy symptoms, the most notable I have experienced this week is ankle swelling, the numbness in my left pointer finger which has recently been joined by a "catch" in my upper left arm, and the desire to have very icy water.

I have another appointment in a couple days. Hopefully everything still checks out well.