A SURPRISE Baby Shower!

The lovely ladies at work threw me a baby shower!

Of which i had no clue i was attending!!!

We were having our quarterly meeting where we review our goals, do some training, figure out any problems we might be having, etc.

Our boss always springs for lunch, and this time the meeting was in Hailey so we ordered lunch from Big Belly Deli.  

When my boss asked if i would go with him to pick up lunch, i thought nothing of it as i am the only person who lives in the Hailey area.  

So we pick up the order and head back to the office.

As we pull up to the building, a few ladies head on out to meet us and asked if we needed help with carrying the lunch in.  We only had two bags, so we didnt need help, but I thought it was sweet of them to ask!

Little did i know they were stalling me so that they could finish decorating the office!!!

When i walked into the hallway before our office door, i noticed the lights were off, but i figured they had turned them off so that we wouldnt be bothered by patients who thought the office might be open for business.

When i walked in, they turned on the lights and all yelled SURPRISE!

They had turned the audiology clinic into a lovely baby shower :)

left to right: Debbie, Vicki, Misty, SuAnn, ME and baby, Amy, Amanda, Nicole.

Misty made yummy YUMMY goodies (if you live in Idaho you should so have her make the goodies for your next event!), including apple pie caramel apples that tasted even better than the ones they sell at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, 

we had lunch provided by the boss, and they had presents all around for me.

We played some fun baby shower games including "Guess the melted chocolate bar that now looks like baby poo", "How many baby items can you remember?", and "Drop the quarter into the bottle with a balloon (or baby) under your shirt", the latter being so funny to watch everyone waddle around. 

I was spoiled and received many wonderful items!

Amy made a cloth diaper cake from everyone.

The girls all pitched in and bought me a baby bjorn and a travel bassinet.

I opened clothes, blankets, bath items - so spoiled! :)

I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such lovely gals - little baby peaches has so many aunties that love him/her! 

Thanks ladies!!!! (And Gregorio, the bossman)

You are amazing :)

20 Weeks

5 Months Along - 20 weeks!!!

HALF WAY!!!

(ok so it is more like almost 24 weeks... but its still in the 5th month)

wowza!!! can you believe the difference 20 weeks makes?!

AND this is the first time ive noticed that my butt is bigger... hmmmm

How Far Along: 23w6d - seriously, i know i said this at 4 months, but how is it so hard to just post an update pic once a month?!?

This month has been particularly crazy due to two things: 1. A 6 month old Border Collie pup who now calls the living room home due to her broken femur and its healing process... i swear she is getting me ready for a toddler. 2. Its calving season - full swing.  That means Matt is working 16 hour days at times... so its hard to get anything done that requires him - ie. a photo. 

Weight Gain/Loss: +7lbs more, totaling 140lbs.

Maternity Clothes: Yes!  Ive decided at this point i need maternity pants and maternity jeans to be happy - if i leave the house in regular jeans and a belly band, normally around lunch time i have the desperate need to take off my clothes. This would be highly inappropriate at work, so ive started wearing maternity pants - underbelly or overbelly, i have no preference.  They are much more comfortable, and i can stay in them throughout the day - big plus. My shirts all need to be maternity in order to be long enough to cover the baby belly.  Good thing there are SOO many cute ones out there!  I do need to invest in some maternity pjs... ive been lusting over some at target, i think i need to break down and buy some. 

Sleep:  When i find sleep, its very VERY restful.  Yet lately the baby has been spreading my ribs apart, which always makes sleeping difficult. I swear that little baby is doing jumping jacks or perhaps just doing something like this kid is doing between two walls but instead the baby is doing it between my ribs!  

(pic courtesy of erinscreative.blogspot.com)

Best Moment This Week: (errr... this month) our 21 week ultrasound.  We got to see babys profile, babies leg, babies arms... its the cutest little baby ever :) and im so not biased...
Miss Anything: I miss riding.  Matt has been tagging calves all week, and i wish Oakey and I could go help him.  I miss roping, holding down the baby calves, loping out in the pivot field looking for new babies.  Riding is so cathartic at times, you forget about everything else in the world and just spend the moment with your horse... its so wonderful and i do look forward to getting back on my mare.  I also have a bottle of JLohr in my fridge... it calls to me every so often.  Other than that, i miss sleeping on my belly.

Movement:  LIKE CRAZY!  this baby never stops moving, which is lovely.  And due to the fact that my placenta is attached to the top of my uterus, i feel everything right on my tummy.  Which also makes it easy for Matt to feel it too.  And SEE it!  Sometimes it just sits there and kicks over and over again in the same spot.  We are surprised at how hard it kicks our hands... this little baby is gonna be strong! 

Food Craving:  Im always hungry.  And not for snacks, for meals.  I feel like i belong in the Shire - Breakfast, Second Breakfast, Elevensies, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Supper & Dinner.  I so eat all of these meals. However, how did the hobbits skip dessert?!?  

Showing:  Yes.  I love this belly :) 

Gender Prediction:  I keep asking mommas if they "knew" what their first baby was before finding out. Because i dont have a feeling, an instinct, an inclination one way or another.  All i know is that it dances like its daddy and eats like him too. 

Labor Signs:  My cervix at 22 weeks was 3.2cm.  The docs dont like to see it drop below 3.0cm.  So its thinning fairly quick for only being just past half way.  They encouraged rest and days spent horizontal, so im taking their advice.  The couch and i have a great relationship, not to mention ive watched seasons 1-6 of Gilmore Girls in the last month or so... 

Belly Button: Out-ish.  

Wedding Ring: On - i have been cursed with my mothers LARGE knuckles, which makes me take a ring thats a full size too big in order to get it over my knuckle.  I have bony fingers, so once its passed the knuckle, it freely spins around and around - i doubt ill have to take it off, but we shall see.

Mood:  Great - i am tired in the mornings due to lack of sleep (see sleep habits above), but after i get some food in me, im a happy clam.  

Weekly Wisdom:  Dont sit on the floor/ground unless there is something nearby to help you up.  This can include a couch, a tree, a dog... chloe is a lot stronger than she looks :)

Side Notes:

Weeks 20-24 have been marvelous.  I finally stopped getting round ligament pain as my growing uterus has finally stretched the ligaments to the max.  And the rib pain, although very uncomfortable, is a constant reminder that there is a baby in my belly - a healthy, growing baby!!!  I love being pregnant.  I can sit on the couch with my hands on my belly ALL day, just taking it all in.  Of course i'll trade this belly in for a healthy baby when its ready to come out... but in the mean time, ill take this budda belly over being skinny any day! 

I swear this little miracle is by far the COOLEST thing ever! 

16 Weeks

4 Months Along - 16 Weeks!!!

(although that tummy does not say mango.. more like a whole bushel of mangoes!)

How Far Along: 16 weeks, 1 day (on 1/19/14) (yes im late at posting this... it is actually surprising how hard it is to get this up on time! im glad i chose to do updates in months and not weeks!!!)

Weight Gain/Loss: +5 lbs more, totaling 133lbs

Maternity Clothes: Yes!  The maternity band is lovely.  My jeans all still fit my thighs and such, they just will not button around this baby!  And maternity shirts are long enough to cover my "openness" down there, so they are my top of choice.

Sleep: Ever since i invested in the Snoogle, sleeping is much better!  I still wake up to pee all the time, and im really trying to sleep on my left side (i read that it is better to do that at this point) However, i still find myself on my belly at times. 

Best Moment This Week: It was a toss up between getting the nursery more complete and having baby announcement photos taken! *thanks Christine!!!*

Miss Anything: Missing sitting down without pain... apparently my pelvic bone has migrated into my tailbone... makes sitting very uncomfortable.
Movement: Not yet... so wanting it tho!

Food Craving: Im always thirsty!  Perrier, Ruby Red Squirt and Caffeine Free Diet Coke.

Showing: Yes! Baby belly is unmistakable now.

Gender Prediction: Old wives tales say boy... i still have no "instinct" on it... all i know is its a baby... :)

Labor Signs: No, praise the Lord!

Belly Button: Even more Out-ish 

Wedding Ring: On

Mood: Great! But i seem more tired now than the last few weeks.

Weekly Wisdom: Im simply amazed at how fast it is going by and im loving being pregnant!

Looking Forward To: My second ultrasound on the 22nd and getting to hear that lovely heartbeat again!

Side Notes: 

On the 22nd (since as mentioned above, im a slacker...) at a little more than 16 weeks, we were able to see the little baby again on the VJ ultrasound, little bright backbone and all!!!  My "cervix" was about 3.7cm on average, which is great for all my surgeries!
On the February 5th (again, slacker) we had another ultrasound at 18 weeks, and this time all you could see was the babies head because it has grown SO BIG!!!  We could see all the little parts of its brain, it was amazing!!!  It also threw its hand up into view a few times.. what a sweet little hand! Cant wait to hold it!!!  My cervix actually measured longer this time, which is great!!! So far, this pregnancy thing has been lovely :) 

Daily Discovery #3: What is Your Choice?

David Foster Wallace was a commencement speaker for his graduation class of 2005 at the Kenyon College graduation ceremony.

A video, which uses an exerpt of his speech, is below.

I hope you find this video as life changing and as empowering as I did.

What I took away from this short video:

"The most obvious, important realities are often the ones that are the hardest to see and talk about."

Why is it that we seem to overlook the obvious?  

"In this life, you'll find boredom, routine and frustration.... Dreary, annoying, seemingly meaningless routines."

And everyone feels this way!  

It's a situation that we can all relate to in one way or another.  

This ability to relate should cause empathy, and yet emapthy doesn't seem to be a very common emotion amongst the people interacting all around us.  

Frustration yes.  Empathy???

"If I don't make a conscious decision about how to think and what to pay attention to, I'm going to be pissed and miserable everytime I have to __________ (insert activity here)"

For me, it might be dealing with "entitled" people, or driving in traffic, or having to repeat or explain myself multiple times, or being ignored...

"Your natural default setting is the certainty that every situation is all about me... that everyone else is just in my way.  My natural default setting is the automatic way that I experience the boring, frustrating, crowded parts of adult life when I'm operating in the automatic unconscious belief that I'm the center of the world and that my immediate needs and feelings are what should determine the worlds priorities."

Your natural default setting is not making a conscious choice... It's not being patient and not being open minded.  It's not having empathy toward others, regardless of how you feel or what has happened to you.  

I am not the center of the world.  Yes I have my own priorities, my own agenda. But this does not matter to anyone but me.  

Imagine what the world would be like if we all thought of ourselves being in others way, instead of others being in our way. 

"There are totally different ways to think about these kinds of situations...Some of these people probably have much harder and more tedious or painful lives than I do"

Everyone is fighting a battle, and we are almost always completely unaware of the struggles that they are facing.  The financial difficulties they are having, the loneliness they are feeling, the depression they are fighting, the physical ailments that are bringing them down.  

The loved one they just lost, the cancer that is eating away at them, the job that they were just let go from, the divorce they are going through, the child that is rebelling, etcetera etcetera.

"(Choosing) is hard, it takes will and effort...If you're aware enough to give yourself a choice, you can choose to look differently."

Making this choice is especially hard when you yourself have had a rough day, a rough week.  It's hard to put your own battles aside and think about others.  Selfishness is always easier than selflessness.  

"If you're automatically sure that you know what reality is and who and what is really important then you probably won't consider possibilities that aren't annoying and miserable.  But if you really learned how to think, how to pay attention, then you will know you have other options."

You get to decide how you see things!!!

You get to decide if you are going to let someone else ruin your day or make you angry.

You get to decide if you try to help others or if you try to ignore them.

You get to decide if you will see a possible reality that includes pain and sorrow and humanness, or if you see the blind certain reality of anger and annoyance. 

"You get to consciously decide what has meaning and what doesn't - that is real freedom, that is being educated and understanding how to think "

We live in a country where we are free to choose, free to act, free to speak.  And yet so many people do not actually make this decision... They do not consciously decide how to behave or what to say - they let themselves fall into that rut and react out of habit, out of selfishness.  

"This is about life before death"

What choices will you make on this earth?

What daily choices will effect your routine, your seemingly meaningless routine?  

Ultimately, what choices will you make to better achieve happiness, not only for yourself but for others? 

"It's about a single awareness, an awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us all the time, that we have to keep reminding ourselves, over and over, that this is water."

After watching this video at a conference I recently attended, I have made a conscious decision to remember that this is water, that this is my life, that this is a world where I have a choice in every situation.  I will need to constantly remind myself that I have this choice, as i do not want to slip into my natural default setting.  

I choose to be critically aware.  

I choose to be a little less arrogant.

  I choose to not look through my lens of self, but to look through a lens of others. 

I choose to see the truth in my daily consciousness.  

I choose to truly care about others and to make sacrifices for them.  

Ultimately, I choose joy. 

What is your choice? 

Meeting the Little Buddy

On November 26th we got to see the first glimpse of baby ingram.

And the little baby stole our hearts!

How could we possibly love you as much as we do already!?

SOOOO in love with this little buddy...

We even saw your little arm move! It was as if you were waving to us.

And we saw your big ol' head and your teeny tiny foot!

I weighed in at 125 lbs (3 lbs up from my pre preg weight) with my blood pressure at 107/67 and your heartbeat at 143bpm.

You are absolutely perfect!

And so far, everything looked great with both you and i!

You were only about the size of a grape on your first ultrasound with little arms and legs - but you had a wonderfully strong and amazingly beautiful heart - we watched it flutter and it sure made ours do the same.

On January 9th we had our second dr appointment where we listened to your heart beat again.

It was so strong, and we could even hear you doing summersaults!

We both were crying tears of joy... there is nothing that prepares you for hearing that little beat-beat of your babies heart... i cant even image actually meeting you face to face!

I weighed in at 133.8 lbs (up a total of 10 from my pre preg weight) with my blood pressure at 106/70 and your heartbeat at 156bpm.

Your daddy and i couldnt be more excited!

We are so blessed!

We had another ultrasound last week on January 21st and although I don't have a picture from it (I was so amazed at looking at you on the screen that I forgot to ask for a print out!!!) you had little bones and you were much bigger than last time :) 

My "cervix" is looking good, not as long as a normal one, but it's long enough for now!

They'll measure it again on February 5th and this time, I'll make sure to get a print out of you :) 

I still cannot believe that there is a baby growing inside of me!

A little baby that Matt and I, with Gods wonderful grace, created!!!

If I think about it too much I start crying... So I won't go into detail...

It's just purely a miracle that you are in there, and soon you will be out here, in our arms!!!

Little baby bump!!! (Excuse the pj's ... and the tang... And the trash can)

12 Weeks

3 Months Along - 12 Weeks! 

The baby bump is totally here to stay! (for at least the next 6 months or so...)

How Far Along: 12 weeks, 2 days

Weight Gain/Loss: +3 lbs more, totaling 128lbs

Maternity Clothes: No, but i really need a belly band because my jeans wont button.  Ive been doing the hairband trick, but i just feel a little exposed. 

Sleep: Really good actually!!! Im still on my stomach tho... :/

Best Moment This Week: Cleaning out the sewing corner as i get ready to make it into a nursery!

Miss Anything: Still missing soda... and jeans! I used to love jeans, and now i cant stand them...

Movement: not yet...

Food Craving: My breakfast almost every morning is sourdough toast with cream cheese, tomato slices and lemon pepper.... mmmmm

Showing: Yes! Little buddy is making my belly grow!

Gender Prediction: Matt says girl, i say its a baby

Labor Signs: No, praise the Lord!

Belly Button: Out-ish.... it is still in, but its moving out... and you can push it back in, but it pops back out... weird!

Wedding Ring: On

Mood: Fabulous! Vacation in 2 days!

Weekly Wisdom: So happy to have made it to 12 weeks!  Baby ingram is strong and healthy!

Looking Forward To: Christmas in 2 days, spending time with Nina and being on vacation!  Cant wait to spend 2 weeks without work with my hubby, for him to see his buddies at Gene and Robins wedding, and for us to start this new year together!

Side Notes: 

Between Christmas gifts and personal purchases, we have a car seat, a swing/bouncer combo, a bedside cosleeper, some clothes, a changing armiore, a dresser, a crib, a boppy, a bumbo, a clip on highchair, a sleep sheep, a Bob Stroller and a breast pump!

Even if we dont get anything else but diapers, we will be set!

8 Weeks

Two Months Along - 8 weeks!

 The bump has grown just slightly from 1 month to 2!

How Far Along: 8 weeks, 5 days

Weight Gain/Loss: +3 lbs, totaling 125lbs

Maternity Clothes: No, although after 5pm i need loose pants! BLOATING!

Sleep: Better than my first few weeks, but this persistent cough ive had and the rib pain due to coughing sure keeps me up!

Best Moment This Week: Seeing baby on the ultrasound! It was simply amazing!

Miss Anything: Soda and coffee... i just want a sip!

Movement: lots of gas... hehe... does that count?

Food Craving: Mexican food, Fried food, french fries, mac & cheese, grapes, toast and the occasional milkshake.

Showing: Sort of, but im definitely bloating, its actually quite impressive.

Gender Prediction: Per the heart rate, im told by current mommas its a girl?

Labor Signs: No, praise the Lord!

Belly Button: In

Wedding Ring: On

Mood: I cry a LOT, but all happy tears.  You'd have to ask matt to get the honest answer.... :)

Weekly Wisdom: Having this baby inside me is so surreal - cannot wait until 12 weeks, ill feel a little more sure of everything.

Looking Forward To: Telling all our family at christmas time! And showing our little buddy's first picture to everyone!

Side Notes: 

Nausea is not fun, but i havent thrown up yet.

My farts smell terrible - so not attractive i know, but its truth, and the truth sucks sometimes.

Jenny Mcarthys book "Belly Laughs" recommended to me by my bff from childhood is So. Spot. On.

Constipation... im eating... but where in the world does all that food go??? Cause it aint comin out!

AND IM A LADY!!! THESE THINGS ARENT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN!

I took out my belly ring... it might be the strangest looking thing ever...