Baby Room is DONE!

YES! FINALLY!

Here are some pictures of Haley's wonderful abode.









well, now that the room is done and out of the way, Ian and I are getting the last minute necessities together before the little one gets here. I THINK we have everything, but can you ever be fully prepared? I am sure there is something I am missing, but I've decided that those holes can be filled down the road. I'm just fixated on her getting here now! And from the way my body has been acting, that could be sooner than later. I am definitely having contractions of some way, shape, or form on a daily basis. Some are painful, some are not. Some are long, some are short. But the main thing is they aren't consistent. And I don't want her to come yet anyway! I won't be 36 weeks until Thursday. Then, I will have my 36 week checkup and a better idea of whats going on, as I'll start having weekly visits and the doctor will check my cervix for signs. I sure would like to meet Haley sooner than later, but my doctor did at least give me great news at my last visit. No matter what, I will at least have her by the 18th of February if she has not come yet. This was for no medical reasons; I think she was a little concerned for my mental state though! At my last few visits, I've had nothing to say but how depressed and sick I am of being pregnant, and she truly felt my pain. To shave 8 days of torture and wait is a HUGE relief. Although I'd prefer not to be induced, I'm not going to be choosy! This at least gives me a clear date that I can go by to close things down at work, which is so helpful.

The days and nights are harder for me, definitely, but with the help of my husband, he really does make me see the big picture. What would I do without him???

Hope you like the room! I'll post any news come Thursday. I sure hope there is something to report- I'm getting antsy!!!

Happy 6th Anniversary to US!

January 4, 2009- Ian and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary! Seriously, where does the time go? Ian and I have been through many hardships that the average couple never have to experience in their lifetime, but it has never brought us down. IN fact, it only made us stronger (you know what they say). We just keep on plugging. I can truly say that life just gets better and better with him. No "itches" here!








I love you Ian and look forward to the rest of my life with you. We have much to look forward to!

34 weeks...in the homestretch

Time seems to be flying by and standing still, all at the same time. On January 2nd, I went into St. Louis to visit family and attend two baby showers in Haley's honor. These types of events are tough for me. I get really flushed when I am surrounded by such generosity from others. But I made it through, and I can't tell you how grateful I am to have such wonderful friends who came to show their love and support for me and lil Haley. It's a great feeling and words can't describe it. It really puts so much in perspective.

My first shower was held by my Aunt Vanessa. It was very low key, mostly family and some friends from my moms work- only 10 people or so. I got lots of great things, including my car seat and stroller from my lovely grandma, an umbrella stroller from my cousin, and from my Aunt -one of my favorites- a Baby Einstein Aquarium that plays water sounds and classical music in the crib while the baby sleeps! Perfect!

Can you tell I like orange??


My mother also surprised me with this totally cute blanket that she made- I had no idea! I absolutely love it. It has little doggies on it too- gotta represent her "brothers." :)


But, thats just a sampling. I got lots of clothes, toys and other items to get me started! I felt so blessed. Thank you for a wonderful day Vanessa!

On Sunday, shower #2. We had 22 of my great friends and neighbors over to partake in another shower, held by my sister and Julia Gold (along with help from my mother). It was overwhelming! Everything from the food, the friends, and just the love I felt for my unborn child, made me feel pretty special. I could begin to tell you how much great stuff I got, but it would take me forever! Here are some pictures instead:

My other pregger friends, Missy and Gina:


mmmmmmmm....food....


Got my baby bouncer! Whoo Hoo!


The coolest burp cloth EVER, compliments of my mother!


Baby clothes make me cry every time, it never fails!!!


Thanks again to Julia and my sister for a truly special day! Mom, you rock too!

So, this past Saturday, Ian and I went to our 8 hour birthing class. I'm going to waste a lot of time talking about how STUPID this class was, but I completely regret taking it. I could have been catching up on sleep and rest, but instead, I was learning about stuff that I already know through my books, while my poor husband was forced to watch birthing videos of strangers' lady parts- oh, the torture! Oh well- we took a few tidbits of information away from it, but thats 8 hours of my life I'm never getting back!

My mom and dad are finally bringing down the crib this weekend. Yeah! The room will finally pull together and I can start putting some pictures on the wall. I had an issue with the curtains though- one was shorter than the other(which I'm sure you can tell in the photo), so I am waiting on a replacement. I'll post more when all is finished, but here is a sneak peek:



Also, I got the cutest frame from Ian's grandma for Christmas (I love ladybugs) and thought I'd put my favorite ultrasound photo of Haley there. After all, that was the day that changed my life forever...


I have a doctors appointment this Friday, which will be helpful to see where I might be at this point in the pregnancy. I have been having more frequent contractions that are hurting more than what I'm used to, but obviously too infrequent to be considered the "real thing." Not to say I'm going to be having this baby sooner than I think, but it sure gets me wondering. I'll be sure to give everyone an update, should I be surprised with anything!

Happy New Year, Blah Blah...

Well, my promises to continue with blog posts didn't last very long, did it? Again, it took me about 3 weeks to get around to posting again. I don't really have an excuse, other than I am terrible at this blogging routine. And I am frigging exhausted, all the time. I warned myself that I wasn't a very interesting person,but... pregnancy is quite intriguing and maybe the people in my life would like to know how its going. Well, on that note lets get you up to speed:

I am 32 weeks. I am depressed. I am fat. I am forgetful. I have baby limbs coming out of me as we speak. I am in love with this girl. I am READY!

As much as I bitch and moan, I know its all for a worthy cause, but my fuse is starting to shorten. I do have good days, but the tough, stressful days where the pain of caring around a 4 lb baby are starting to take its toll. I have been pregnant for so long, I don't even know what life was like before hand. Being pregnant beforehand and having so little time in between Fiona and Haley is probably the culprit. I've been pregnant for a whole year practically!!! Which is why I was ready to let 2008 go. It was the worst year and the best year all wrapped up into one for me. Now I'm ready to move on. 2009 is the year my first child is born, and I can not WAIT to see what it all brings. I swear, sometimes I feel like I could run when I think about the fact that I will be responsible for someones life, thats its all on me and my husband to mold her and shape her and educate her. Loving her is easy, but geez...what a load to take on! Does it all just come naturally? One only knows, and I will learn in the next few months. I can only rely on my hope and faith that it will...and the 4 baby books on my nightstand that I've yet to finish.

8 more weeks. How am I going to do it?

Here are some recent pictures of my enlarging tummy:




Probably doesn't look too different from the 28 week photos, but believe me, there is! I can feel it more than see it.

On to Christmas. We headed down to Ankeny, Iowa, which is where my husband is from, to be with my in-laws. Most of them hadn't seem me since I was 5 weeks pregnant, so it was quite a shock to see me now! I had a nice long break while there, 5 days off, and it was sooooo needed. We exchanged presents on Christmas Eve, and I must say, Haley is spoiled already. I am not surprised; this is the first grandchild for Ian's parents. Ian is the oldest in his family; I am the youngest in mine. My parents only have one grandchild, and he is 16 now! So in a way, Haley is definitely "new" to my parents as well. They have to start all over again. Anyhow, Sandra, Ian's mom, got carried away at a Carter's outlet and here are some of the clothes Haley got. It is all adorable and I can't wait to see my child in them!!!



Joey wants Haley to get here too!

Haley got some fun toys and gifts from her aunts and uncles too!


Ian and I also received a fabulous video camera from his parents to take lots of videos of Haley since they don't live very close by. We were so grateful! Once I figure out how to upload the videos to the computer, I'll start getting some up here. I told Ian we had to do a "Baby Story" now (for all you TLC lovers). We'll see if that actually happens...

Probably one of the most creative Christmas gifts, and coolest, that I recieved was this frame from my great friend Christy. We had gathered the idea from a friend of ours who had one in her house, and we totally decided to steal it and do it for Haley's room. I am so glad we did, I really feel like it will be the centerpeice of the room.



The photos were taken around Columbia at different venues and businesses. It was fun trying to guess where each letter came from, but I was only able to figure out one. I need to get out more I guess! When Haley is born, the 6th frame will be filled with her newborn photo. As she gets older, the photo can be updated through the years and always stay with her. I absolutely love it. Thank you Christy!!!

In other news, the baby room is FINALLY getting underway. *sigh of relief* I recieved the dresser and drapes the other day, and we got a bookcase for her toys and books at Target. The crib should have been here by now, but unexpectedly, the crib company called 7 weeks later to tell us they no longer manufactured it! SAY WHAT??? Terrible customer service on their part. They said they could give us the Expresso crib, which is really dark wood and looks almost black (what we originally wanted). Well, after a good long cry, we took them up on the offer. But this threw off the whole black and white idea, so instead, I went with Espresso furniture, and pale lavender walls. And I'm so excited. I think when all is said and done, its going to look absolutely beautiful. Ian and I are painting today, if I can ever get him out of bed. Here are some small tidbits of the room:

Haley's college savings fund

Dresser

Drapes


I can't wait for it to all pull together!

Well, I have an eventful weekend coming up: two baby showers in St. Louis! I can't wait to see all my family and friends. It's going to be a very emotional weekend for me, I can feel it already!

I don't like making promises anymore, but I can tell you there will be a lot more to post and talk about in the coming months as the end gets near. Stay tuned!