I'm not worthy

Of having a blog... I am so terrible about updates, I know. Honestly, getting on the computer at the end of they day (or during Sam's nap(s)) is often the last thing I want to do. I guess I would rather be lazy and read my book, watch my shows, or I have too much housework to catch up on to justify sitting down. I think it's a true sign of being an introvert - when I have time to myself I just want to tune out and turn off the phone, computer, etc. I love to read all my friends' blogs, I guess I'm just not a blogger. It feels like a chore sometimes.

Anyway, I did want to capture some memories of Sam's first Christmas. I can't believe it's already over! Makes me so sad. We spent Christmas Eve with my family and Christmas day with the Finnertys, as we usually do. Sam soaked up all the attention, it was so fun to watch him interact with his aunts, uncle, cousins, and grandparents. He actually seemed to have fun opening presents too (with our help of course). He pretty much has a new wardrobe for the 12-18 month period (they make some pretty stinkin' cute boys clothes these days) and he got a few new toys, which was a relief because the toy pile is already too big at our house.

This Christmas, for some reason, has been rough for a lot of good friends and acquaintances. Along with that, sharing the experience with Sam made me appreciate it that much more. The best part was just being with family and enjoying our precious time together.

Tonight we are staying in - Bill has to work all weekend and Sam goes to bed pretty early anyway so we'll snuggle in for some family time. Our lives have truly changed, but Sam is such a blessing. Happy 2012!



Having fun with Dad


Sam with Aunt Kate


With his new teddy bear and giraffe slippers.

Sam, Sammy, Sammer pants

is 8 months old! (And there are at least 3-4 other nicknames for him, in true Finnerty tradition) I haven't really taken time to reflect on or record all the changes since my last post, oh... about 2 months ago.

Let's see...what can I say about my beautiful boy? I love him more than I can express. Observant, cautious, curious, sensitive, sweet Sam. In the last few months, he has started eating 'solids' and is definitely enjoying food these days. His favorite thing so far is mashed banana. He also eats a boatload of puffs each day, which is so great because I can set him up in his highchair in the kitchen and dole out the puffs while I go about cooking, doing dishes, etc. Ah... little bits of freedom are so nice! I'm still nursing him, but he's a pretty quick eater, actually more of a 'snacker' now except for first thing in the morning and right before bed. I'm supplementing with formula now though, just so I know he's getting enough. I feel like I'm not able to keep up with his appetite anymore. He doesn't have any teeth yet but I can feel the bottom two, just slightly, and think they might emerge soon.

He loves his routine - gets up around the same time each day and goes to bed fairly early because he's not a great napper in the afternoon. He loves his bath and is ready for bed after that each night, like clockwork. He's turned into a pretty good sleeper, only waking once to eat after about 9-10 hours, then he'll go back to sleep for a few more hours. I never thought we would get here!

The days I'm home with him we usually play in the morning, go out for a long walk with the dog, and then try to get out somewhere in the afternoon, either play dates or errands. He loves to ride in the front of the Bjorn and take in all the sights, or try to get strangers' attention. He squawks just to hear his own voice - it's pretty funny, but ear-piercing sometimes. He's getting to the point now where he doesn't want to sit, just stand (while I hold him up) or lean against something. He can't crawl but is getting better about being on his tummy & pushing up. I make him 'work out' each day. :)

He is pure joy, and making him giggle is the best feeling in the world. I wish I could bottle it (that, and snuggling). I'm so excited for him to experience his first Thanksgiving and Christmas this year! I'm hosting my family tomorrow (Bill has to work from 2-midnight... boo!) so am a little stressed about pulling everything together, but I hope I can still enjoy the whole experience. Hopefully I'll be a little better about blogging through the holiday season, documenting all the firsts! For now I need to go get my kitchen ready for the madness tomorrow.








Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

He keeps growing

Sam is already half way through his first year. I don't want him to grow up and yet I can't wait to see the little boy he will become. He loves each new experience. He's really enjoying 'solid' food so far, is almost sitting up, rolling over half way, and experimenting with new sounds every day. Poor baby has his first cold this week so keeps making this dry cough/scratchy throat sound. He's had a rough couple of days with the cold + 6 month shots.

6 month stats - he weighs 15 lb, 8 oz and is 27 inches long. Lean and mean! I need to fatten this boy up. It really does bother me that he doesn't weigh more; I wish he was one of those chubby babies. But he is perfectly healthy and the dr. doesn't seem concerned, so I guess I should get over it. Here he is on the swing at a new playground by our house. He didn't even fill up half the seat!

Just doing some window shopping

Think I'll take one of these



I would make some style changes, but still. What would your dream house look like?

P.S. I know this is an odd transition from yesterday's post, but we all like to day dream. :)

Guest Post: Sarah from Ask 5 for 5

Guest Blogger: Sarah Lenssen from #Ask5for5

Family photos by Mike Fiechtner Photography



Thank you Fur Factor and nearly 150 other bloggers from around the world for allowing me to share a story with you today, during Social Media Week.



A hungry child in East Africa can't wait. Her hunger consumes her while we decide if we'll respond and save her life. In Somalia, children are stumbling along for days, even weeks, on dangerous roads and with empty stomachs in search of food and water. Their crops failed for the third year in a row. All their animals died. They lost everything. Thousands are dying along the road before they find help in refugee camps. 



At my house, when my three children are hungry, they wait minutes for food, maybe an hour if dinner is approaching. Children affected by the food crisis in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia aren't so lucky. Did you know that the worst drought in 60 years is ravaging whole countries right now, as you read this? Famine, a term not used lightly, has been declared in Somalia. This is the world's first famine in 20 years.12.4 million people are in need of emergency assistance and over 29,000 children have died in the last three months alone. A child is dying every 5 minutes. It it estimated that 750,000 people could die before this famine is over. Take a moment and let that settle in.



The media plays a major role in disasters. They have the power to draw the attention of society to respond--or not. Unfortunately, this horrific disaster has become merely a footnote in most national media outlets. News of the U.S. national debt squabble and the latest celebrity's baby bump dominate headlines. That is why I am thrilled that nearly 150 bloggers from all over the world are joining together today to use the power of social media to make their own headlines; to share the urgent need of the almost forgotten with their blog readers. Humans have the capacity to care deeply for those who are suffering, but in a situation like this when the numbers are too huge to grasp and the people so far away, we often feel like the little we can do will be a drop in the ocean, and don't do anything at all.

When news of the famine first hit the news in late July, I selfishly avoided it. I didn't want to read about it or hear about it because I knew I would feel overwhelmed and uncomfortable. I wanted to protect myself. I knew I would need to do something if I knew what was really happening. You see, this food crisis is personal. I have a 4-year-old son and a 1 yr-old daughter who were adopted from Ethiopia and born in regions now affected by the drought. If my children still lived in their home villages, they would be two of the 12.4 million. My children: extremely hungry and malnourished? Gulp. I think any one of us would do anything we could for our hungry child. But would you do something for another mother's hungry child?

My friend and World Vision staffer, Jon Warren, was recently in Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya--the largest refugee camp in the world with over 400,000 people. He told me the story of Isnino Siyat, 22, a mother who walked for 10 days and nights with her husband, 1 yr-old-baby, Suleiman, and 4 yr.-old son Adan Hussein, fleeing the drought in Somalia. When she arrived at Dadaab, she built the family a shelter with borrowed materials while carrying her baby on her back. Even her dress is borrowed. As she sat in the shelter on her second night in camp she told Jon, "I left because of hunger. It is a very horrible drought which finished both our livestock and our farm." The family lost their 5 cows and 10 goats one by one over 3 months, as grazing lands dried up. "We don't have enough food now...our food is finished. I am really worried about the future of my children and myself if the situation continues."

Will you help a child like Baby Suleiman? Ask5for5 is a dream built upon the belief that you will.



That something I knew I would need to do became a campaign called #Ask5for5 to raise awareness and funds for famine and drought victims. The concept is simple, give $5 and ask five of your friends to give $5, and then they each ask five of their friends to give $5 and so on--in nine generations of 5x5x5...we could raise $2.4 Million! In one month, over 750 people have donated over $25,000! I set up a fundraiser at See Your Impact and 100% of the funds will go to World Vision, an organization that has been fighting hunger in the Horn of Africa for decades and will continue long after this famine has ended. Donations can multiply up to 5 times in impact by government grants to
help provide emergency food, clean water, agricultural support,
healthcare, and other vital assistance to children and families suffering in the Horn.



I need you to help me save lives. It's so so simple; here's what you need to do:

1. Donate $5 or more on this page (http://seeyourimpact.org/members/ask5for5)


2. Send an email to your friends and ask them to join us.


3. Share #Ask5for5 on Facebook and Twitter!

I'm looking for another 100 bloggers to share this post on their blogs throughout Social Media Week. Email me at ask5for5@gmail.com if you're interested in participating this week.



A hungry child doesn't wait. She doesn't wait for us to finish the other things on our to-do list, or get to it next month when we might have a little more money to give. She doesn't wait for us to decide if she's important enough to deserve a response. She will only wait as long as her weakened little body will hold on...please respond now and help save her life. Ask 5 for 5.



Thank you on behalf of all of those who will be helped--you are saving lives and changing history.





p.s. Please don't move on to the next website before you donate and email your friends right now. It only takes 5 minutes and just $5, and if you're life is busy like mine, you probably won't get back to it later. Let's not be a generation that ignores hundreds of thousands of starving people, instead let's leave a legacy of compassion. You have the opportunity to save a life today!

 

Sam @ 5 months

My boy is no longer an infant! I feel like I can already see glimpses of the little boy he will become. This month more than ever he seems to be learning/growing so quickly (I'm sure I'll say that every month).

I don't have his stats since he doesn't have a doctor appt this month, but I'm guessing he's around 16+ lbs and at least 26 inches long (that's what he measured at 4 months). I know you can't really predict future height until around 2 years, but this kid has big feet and big hands so I'm guessing he'll be tall like his Dad and Grandpa (Bill's Dad).

He is so curious about the world and very aware of his surroundings, dare I say too aware? We were at my parents' house yesterday and Sam screamed each time my Dad would talk to him or try to hold him. Same thing with my brother. When my mom held him he was perfectly fine, but he knows her since she's at my house on a regular basis. He hasn't seen my Dad or brother for a few weeks. Still, I was a bit shocked. I don't know why they scared him so much, but it seems like maybe he has 'stranger' anxiety already? Even though they're not strangers! He is just a very shy, sensitive little guy and very dependent on familiar surroundings and routine. He is not a fan of going to my mother-in-law's house every other week when I'm at work either, so I chalk it up to his need for predictability/routine. Is it too early to worry about that or do we need to help him learn that new places/people are ok and develop some flexibility?

On the other hand, Sam's 'shy' nature is part of what makes him so sweet. He will flash you a smile but then turn away quickly or bury his head in my shoulder. His favorite thing right now is to just lay down, kick his legs, talk to Mom and Dad (well, gurgle), and practice rolling over. He can't quite do it on purpose yet but has accidentally rolled over quite a bit, and seems to enjoy it! Just like most other 5 month olds, he wants to put everything in his mouth, including my face. He also seems to be very interested in what I'm eating and drinking, so I went ahead and bought him a high chair so he can sit at the table with Bill and I, and practice drinking from (an empty) sippy cup. I think he loves it...sitting with the big kids! Will probably start solids soon, though the pediatrician said we could wait until 6 months. He's a little on the conservative side anyway.



We also started putting him in a jogging stroller facing forward, rather than in his carseat facing us. He loves the new view!



Finally, his favorite new buddy is definitely Addie. He seems to have just noticed her the last few weeks, and thinks she's the funniest thing in the world. She's not a big fan of him pulling her fur or tugging her ears, but she puts up with it. I'm sure they'll be inseparable in the future.

Family pics are here!

Pics are up, over here. Thank you Molly!!!!!!!!!!

Ask 5 for 5

If you already received an email from me, I hope that you've taken the time to donate and find 5 friends to help raise funds for the East Africa Famine. If not, I beg you to do it! I have to admit that, even though I work for a humanitarian organization, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless to do anything, and therefore to overlook crises as they come up. But this famine is on such a large scale and the suffering, especially of children, so horrible that I can't ignore it. Of course being a mother now I empathize even more with the parents who are having to watch their children starve to death.

It also helps that I have a brilliant co-worker (in fact my job share partner!) who came up with a simple but effective way to help. Check out Sarah's blog to hear her story and to learn more about the Ask 5 for 5 campaign.

What's New Around Here

Just getting back into the swing of things at work, adjusting to our new routine and enjoying watching Sam grow and change. It's cliche I know, but he's growing right before my eyes! He'll be 5 months next week and I haven't been the best at documenting all the little discoveries and changes, but I'm going to try to do better because I know I'll forget so much (besides just being a rather forgetful person sometimes, it's funny how all my friends seem to have a selective memory of their child's first year)!

Lately Sam has been fascinated with his feet and working really hard to get them in his mouth. I snapped away with the iphone the other day as he was working on project foot in mouth. He has the most expressive eyes and has already mastered the scowl at a young age. He is such a joy and just cracks me up. He's on the verge of rolling over, but hasn't had as much practice as he probably should since we don't give him much tummy or back time. The reflux seems to be slowly improving (fingers crossed) so we should be able to put him down on his back/tummy more often.










We should have some new family photos up soon. Molly was in town last weekend and we were so lucky to have her take our pics. I can't wait to see how they turned out!!

Grandpa Durbin

My grandfather passed away suddenly last night, though he had been sick with prostate cancer for quite some time. He was a tough man. You actually believed him when he would say "I used to walk 5 miles, uphill in the snow to get to school." My relationship with him was uneasy. Alcoholism unfortunately got the best of him more often than not, and created some chaos and damaged relationships in my family. Still, he was trying to make amends in later years and my Dad especially had grown closer to him recently and urged my brother and I to spend more time with him. He knew how much I wanted to start a family and was so happy for me when Sam arrived. That's my Dad, the only son & oldest child, in the picture below.



My Dad wrote all of us a note today with some interesting history about Grandpa Durbin:
Born 4/29/1927 in Devils Lake ND
Served as Radio man in the US Air force from 1945 - 1947. Stationed in Hiroshima shortly after the fall of the atomic bomb.

Married to Clara Belle Winchester on April 29, 1950 in Eugene Oregon. First born Gregory Ross Durbin born in Eugene on 3/8/1951. A sister Debbie followed born in Eugene. Three daughters followed after the family had moved to Great Falls Montana: Rebecca Ann (died 11/5/1987), Diane, and Janet.

Jerry worked some years in the HVAC industry in Great falls, before starting his own shop. He also owned a sea food restaurant, The Seven Seas, in Great Falls which in retrospect, was not a good idea in beef loving Montana.The family moved to Tacoma Washington in 1966, where Jerry worked for National Blower, before he again struck out on his own, and started his own shop.

Jerry grew up on a small farm in North Dakota during the dust bowl and depression years. The family struggled at times to keep food on the table. His farther was forced to kill a cow that he had leased from a local banker. When the banker demanded to know why the cow had been killed and butchered, Jerry's father told him that the family had to eat, lease be damned. The family were devout Catholics, and during the winter months, hitched a horse to a covered sled with a wood stove inside for warmth, and drove to church.

Until the late thirties, they did without mechanized farm equipment and electricity. Jerry's grandfather was a well of farmer who installed the first electric lighting in the county. Powered by large lead/acid batteries in the barn, they were the wonder of the neighborhood. A trip to a restaurant was a treat. Once a year after they sold some of the produce that they grew on the farm in town , they enjoyed a hot beef sandwich in a local cafe. Barn dances were a relief from the hard work and tedium. Jerry and his brother Bob, loved to go together. They danced until midnight, when the dancing stopped for coffee, and not infrequently fist fights between rivals for a lady's attentions. After the coffee and the scuffles, the dancing continued until almost dawn. Jerry and Bob would arrive home to find their father waiting for them in the barn with their work coveralls. They got out of their finery, put on the coveralls and put in a full days work.

The family traveled to Washington following the apple harvest. They earned scarce hard cash picking the apple crop. Jerry learned the habit of hard work on the farm. He worked hard his entire life to provide for his family. His reach sometimes exceeded his grasp, but when he failed, as several business he started did, he dusted himself off, and started again. He and his wife Clara could be generous to a fault. A book keeper who kept the books for him in Montana asked for a loan so he could visit his mother in Arizona. Jerry and Clara loaned him the money, and never heard from him again.

In his latter years, he could be a delightful companion. He was a favorite at the nursing home where he spent his last years. Joking with the staff, admonishing the ladies who complained too much about the food, and making new friends. He wanted to take one of the nurses out to dinner, and protested when he found out that the nursing home rules did not allow it.

A famous movie quote is apropos to his last days: "get busy living, or get busy dying." Jerry got busy living.

Radio Silence

Wow, I looked at the date on my last post - was it really June 2? I guess I've been gone quite a while. There's too much to fill in but suffice to say, it's been a rough couple of months, with some wonderful moments too, but mostly, ugh. Hard.

I love my boy like I've never loved anyone, but he's been a bit of a high maintainence baby. It's not his fault, he has reflux which makes him uncomfortable 75% of the time (it seems), doesn't like to be put on his back or his tummy, can't be put down for 30 minutes after eating and really just wants to be carried around everywhere. I know I had bad heartburn during pregnancy and was very uncomfortable most of the time, so I can only imagine what it's like for a little kiddo who doesn't know what's going on, just that sometimes it hurts to even eat. :( Sleeping? Fah-get about it. He would be up 4-5 times a night, sometimes screaming until he threw up milk that had been in his tummy from the last feed (sorry, gross I know).

So for a while there, I was just to exhausted to do much or go anywhere. I was afraid to go anywhere because Sam would be so fussy & tired during the day. I didn't really clean my house, didn't take showers often enough and just felt like a huge loser. I know this could be considered whining...after all I only have one child and he's not even really 'sick' so how hard can it be? I guess for me, hard! It probably doesn't look that way, since I do happen to get lots of pictures when Sammy is smiling. His smile is the best thing in the world.

The past week really has not been so bad though. Here's what I'm thankful for:
- A sleeping wedge that we got last week, that makes sure Sam's in a comfortable/upright position at night. He (and I) are sleeping MUCH better now (so far... the last 5 nights anyhow).
- The fact that my baby is still gaining weight, smiling and is healthy.
- The fact that most babies outgrow reflux between 6-9 months. Hallelujah!
- The help and support from my family and friends, mostly my mom. She is an angel.
- The fact that I'm going back to work next week. Ok, not really excited about that, but thankful that I have a job and that I only have to work part-time. I think it will be a good break and nice to get out of the house more.

Will update more later, but now I want to go catch up on all my friends' blogs! Sorry I've been MIA. It's not because I don't care. I know there will be ups and downs but I finally feel like I'm coming 'back to life'.

I am loving this book!

I've been spending some quality time with my Kindle this week, reading "How to Have Your Second Child First." It's been somewhat of a trying week and I feel like this book has validated everything I'm experiencing and feeling lately but might not necessarily say out loud; it's encouraging. This is probably just in my head, but I get the feeling sometimes that after the first few months (dare I say weeks?) people expect things to smooth out and get easier (and they DO, in some ways) but I am still figuring all this out and it is still tough! I don't know why but I feel like I should say things are going well when asked "how's it going?" so others don't feel obligated to offer advice and I don't sound like a complainer. Anyway, I digress.

The book is made up not so much of chapters, but 100 different observations and reflections from 2nd (and 3rd and 4th) time parents who did things a little differently after their first child, although I'm guessing any parent who's made it through the first year would say many of the same things. Here are a few that are particularly relevant to me right now:

# 61 - "It's ok for you and baby to "do nothing" all day. You are no longer judged on how much you cross off the to-do list--you are accomplishing a major feat each day that you parent this new person. Hey, if you and your baby have been fed and are reasonably clean, you've done quite enough, thank you."
# 63 - "Parenthood can be extremely boring" (Gasp!) Sometimes it really does feel like Groundhogs day, when you're doing the same things over and over in 3 hour cycles and have little adult conversation. Some days are worse, some days are better.
# 65 - "You and your [husband] don't have to do everything the same way." Yeah, sometimes I just need to shut up and let Bill take the baby for a while. Nuf' said.
# 79 - "Don't Get Ahead of Yourself. It's easy to get wrapped up in what's lying ahead--and how that place might be better, easier or more interesting. That's normal. We all skip ahead in parenting books to learn what our baby will be doing next week, and we imagine how exciting that will be. With all that forward-thinking, it can be hard to remember to relish the moment you're in. Try. [Second-time] parents realize that even though there are times that seem painfully slow, the first year really does go quickly. And as soon as [he] stands up on his own, that new baby will disappear before your eyes." Okay, so I'm working on this one.

Yes I'm exhausted but just when I feel like I'm going to blow a fuse he does this:

Sam @ 8 weeks

A couple pics of my baby at 8 weeks. His smiles KILL me!

What do you do with a baby all day?

Ummm... I'm kind of embarassed to ask, but seriously. These weeks with Bill working 7 days in a row are going to be looong. Sam's not much for napping in his bassinet or crib. He will sleep if I have him in the carrier or if I'm out running errands, in his carseat/stroller. But I can only run so many errands! I've been driving all over the place since I have no friends/family in my neighborhood and the gas bill is adding up. The chores are also stacking up because there's only so much I can do with Sam in the Baby Bjorn. I'm sure he'll grow out of this soon and hopefully nap lying down but in the meantime, the house is a mess (oh and I kind of am too). At least the weather is gorgeous this week so we can get in some good long walks with the dog.

Oh, and Sam is 8 weeks old today! (Will snap a pic later)

Slowly Coming Back to Life

I can hardly believe it's almost 8 weeks since Sam was born, and even longer since I have blogged. I wish I had been better about documenting the birth experience and the first few months, but blogging's been pretty low on the totem pole! No time like the present, right?

I don't even know where to begin. I love my baby boy like I have never loved anyone. I could stare at his sweet face all day (well, maybe except when he's screaming or crying which is often at this age). Most of the time despite being exhausted, I feel so much joy and am amazed when I think about how blessed we are and all the support & love we've received from family and friends. Admittedly though there have been a few times, more in the first few weeks, that I wanted to run away. The change is so immediate and so intense that I didn't know how to deal with it. I'm still trying to figure out what this new life will look like. Sometimes I find myself thinking that I can keep doing the things I've always done, the same way. I can fit in walking the dog, cooking, keeping the house clean, seeing friends, doing my hair & make up (well, let's be honest - taking a daily shower!), getting pedicures, maybe working out from time to time AND be this wonder mom, right? (Oh, and add to that list blogging and reading) Ha! It sounds ridiculous but I really do have those delusional moments and have to come to my senses and realize that life IS different, priorities have changed and it's GOOD. It's so hard but so wonderful.

It is still early days, I know that. I'm anticipating that regular 5 hour stretch of sleep, the predictable routine, less fussing at night. It will come, right? I'm torn. I know he won't be this small for long and he'll grow up too fast. I try to remember that when I'm holding him and memorize him just as he is.

Here are a few iPhone shots from the last 7+ weeks:

Post-epidural. Chillin'


Brand New Baby (No that's not my natural color, that would be a fever!)


Proud Papa


Ecstatic Grandmas


Ready to head home. We have no idea what we're in for!


First Bath


First Walk at Green Lake


Story time with Dad

Nowhere to go from here

but OUT! Look at this belly -there is no.more. room.



I had a feeling I (or I should say Sam) would be late, but I'm starting to go a little crazy. (Almost) every inch of the house is clean, carseat's installed, I've watched more Netflix than I care to admit, and am starting to become a hazard to our bank account since I seem to find a reason to run to Target or Old Navy or Fred Meyer just about every day. (Couldn't resist this little number... I think it might be his going home onesie).




The weather's been beautiful the last few days so I've gotten out on some long walks with the dog. I feel like a slacker for not working until the last minute, but luckily I had a ton a sick time built up so this really won't shorten my actual maternity leave at all. Induction is scheduled for Monday night. Please pray with me that baby boy will come earlier, on his own. Stay tuned...

The bebe's room

The baby room is complete! It's so pristine right now... I like to sit in the chair and think about holding my baby boy, actually using the changing table, dressing him... I can't believe I will meet him SOON.

I'm actually trying to soak up the quiet, if that's possible. I know there won't be many quiet nights for a long time. I know that my life is about to completely change but I have no frame of reference for what it will be like...it's bizzare!

I'm praying that he's safe and healthy, and that he will stay that way. I don't think about it too much but every now & then I worry that something could go wrong. Mostly I'm just excited to see him and hold him. And I must add, excited to not be pregnant any more! I think a bottle of champagne is going in that hospital bag.

Couldn't find the cable for uploading from my camera so these crummy iPhone pics will have to do.

My Valentine - Belated

Hope our baby looks just like my William. We're so excited, but it will be strange to have another person in our relationship after 14 years together, just us. We had a nice leisurely breakfast Sunday morning and I made this awesome french toast. It didn't look quite as pretty as Annie's but it was so good.


Hope you all felt loved and appreciated on V-day.

Overwhelming

in a good way. I'm a few weeks behind, but had a wonderful baby shower the weekend before last. I was truly overwhelmed by the generosity of my friends and family. This baby and I will want for nothing, materially anyway. We have just about everything we need at this point based on lots of hand-me-downs and gifts. It pays to have babies later than most of your friends, I have to say! On top of all the stuff, it's so great to have everyone share in the enthusiasm and joy of having a baby.



Babylegs for boys!




Yummy cupcakes


Thanks Johanna for taking pictures!


The day before the shower Bill and I went to our 8 hr birthing prep crash course. That was overwhelming in an entirely different way. I loved our instructor. She's a mother of two grown girls and also happens to be a doula. I hadn't considered hiring a doula (and I probably won't) but she was awesome. I could've done without the videos - I think I prefer to cross that bridge when I come to it! Until then I will be in denial that this baby has to actually get out somehow.

With 40 days to go on the official timeline, I am checking things off the to do list left and right. If baby comes early and I don't get it all done I know we'll somehow survive... I would just like to have everything in order (maybe for the last time?) before surrendering to the great adventure of parenthood.

Collective Wisdom

Aside from the heartburn, difficulty getting comfortable and getting up to pee every hour or two, the to do list is keeping me up at night. Lots of decisions to make... I could use your wisdom and advice dear friends!

First, Bill and I looked at our soon-to-be budget the other night (with my income reduced to part-time) and it wasn't pretty. It really didn't add up. We are probably going to have to put baby boy in day care 2 days a week (or every other week but they would still charge us each week), and as reasonable as it is, it's still adding a strain to the budget. Without getting into too much detail, we are looking for ways to trim. Our grocery budget is the first on the cut list. We do spend a lot right now just because I'm not necessarily paying attention to prices on everything. I'm not a big coupon clipper b/c often it seems like the items on sale are processed foods or stuff I don't usually buy. I do like to buy organic when I can but am not religious about it. So... who out there has some tips for how to cut back on the grocery bill? (This will now also include diapers, and includes toiletries, cosmetics, etc).

I'm also starting the search for a pediatrician. Where to even begin? I don't know anyone who lives in my neighborhood or city. Probably because I spend all my time in Tacoma or Seattle and I pretty much disdain the city I live in. My doc is in Seattle but I've decided for the little one it would really be more convenient to have his doctor close by. How do you go about choosing a pediatrician? What questions should I ask/what should I be looking for? What do you love or dislike about your kids' doctors? Any websites that would be helpful for reference?

I know these posts without pictures are getting kind of boring. I am working on the baby's room and will take some pics when it all comes together. I just ordered the crib bedding and I hope I like it as much in person as I did online. Oh yeah, and have a baby shower coming up! Other than that not a lot of photo worthy activities lately.

Anyway, bring on the advice!

Belly Shots!

Check them out here. I was very lucky to have Molly take my belly shots - I keep telling her she had to draw blood from a turnip considering the weather was awful that day, it was dark, and we had to work around the Mr.'s schedule. I will treasure these... thank you Mol!!!

Back from a winter wonderland

Had a lovely, relaxing weekend here with Bill and the dog. It was beautiful, the food was amazing and it was a good time to reflect on the changes headed our way. It was probably the last quiet vacation, just the two of us, for a long time. Bill starts his new job next week, and I am staring at a long list of things to do in the next two or so months. Let the craziness begin!