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!