The Nursery

So here are some photos of the nursery, before and after. We are thrilled with the outcome, I didn't ever want it to be too babyish and thought the stripes and white furniture were a little cleaner of a look - since really this is my room for the next year or two til the little man takes it over. It's more or less done, with some accessories yet to go in there. Our bedding is planes, so you'll see some other plane accessories on the shelves and in the mobile. Yep, that's Bruce's bed below the window - which he is already using! And yes, that is the new tv with cable and dvd. What can I say, we need something to do during those midnight feedings! And this is US we're talking about!

I am 38 weeks tomorrow and had a doctor's appt this week. Suffice to say he won't be arriving anytime too early, that's for sure. No dilation yet and he seems to have dropped a little but not all that much yet. I guess he figures he needs a little more basting in the oven, even if he is fully cooked!

XOXO


Before....


And After!








Miraculously, that weekend I also caught this close up of the elusive and rarely seen Spotted Labrador Retriever! (Told you - he LOVES his Grandpa and was always under foot, even for painting!)

You asked for it

Here are a few of the shots we took with Brenda a couple of weeks ago.

Our Baby Shower

So Ilene & Chris hosted at their home (along with cohosts Monica & Storm and Connie & Rob) a shower for us while Mom & Dad were in town a couple of weeks ago. Yes, I said a couple of weeks ago, but I just now got some photos from it so I just now mention it. Of course, it was a great party and fun was had by all. Our pals were way too generous and we left with a criminal amount of loot! But it sure was appreciated, because I'm certain I don't know the half of what-all a baby needs yet! So to everyone who came to help us celebrate - THANKS! And to those who couldn't make it (esp family far away) - we missed you! We really did have a great time - it was more of a bbq for friends who brought us gifts than a traditional shower. I am NOT a fan of the silly games you often have to play at showers and mercifully Ilene didn't make us do any. Good times!

So yes, I also said "while Mom & Dad were here". They came in for that long weekend to help us do the nursery. I'd like to say "finish" the nursery but really aside from cleaning out the room, we started and finished that weekend. Something about having a set amount of time to have the help really kicks ya into gear. Plus Dad is not exactly known for leaving projects half done! Dad did all the painting and such (hardware, curtains, lights) for both the nursery and bathroom, James did most all the furniture-putting-together and Mom and I mostly did the shopping and accessorizing. Bruce of course supervised - MAN does he love his Grandpa Glen, "me and my shadow" kind of thing! Quite the team effort if I do say so. But we're thrilled with the result and super relieved it's done, since we're getting down to the wire, only about 4+ weeks to go! We have a few finishing touches to put in there so I should have pix up this weekend. But I leave you with a few from the shower (yes, of course I wore black - but it's a funny t-shirt!). The "pretty" shots still aren't done yet, don't hound me!


Mom and Dad enjoying the gift opening.

Me and a couch full o' loot!

James and I opening a gift.

Pat and Jennifer posing.

James opening Phyllis' gift.

Lisa and John and baby Jordan (Zy's older-woman-to-be!)

Monica, Aaron, Kristi, Alex and baby Jordan - she's the life of the party.

Mom, Dad and me

Ilene, Connie and Monica

It has begun...

Just had to share this - This morning I found what is sure to become a daily event: The sharing of the "babies" - babies being Bruce's generic term for all stuffed-animal type toys. Today it was a nice, soft baby rattle out on the foyer floor. When I picked it up and brought it back to the nursery, I found right next to the baby's basket of goodies on the floor, one of Bruce's stuffed ducks. So I suppose it's nice he traded his duck for the monkey rattle, instead of just taking it. James' theory is that Bruce was just getting his trade in before the dealine: duck for monkey plus a "baby" to be named later. I suppose the reality is dog drool will be a big part of Zy's life, just as it is ours!

Nursery and maternity pictures are coming soon. We're putting the finishing touches on the nursery this weekend, still need some art and stuff for the walls, but we did get the glider and ottoman this week (thanks Pat and Jim and Jenn and Nikki!). And as soon as I get the proofs back from the photog, I'll post a few pictures. Yes you're getting the nice staged ones. What? You didn't actually expect fatty-around-the-house candids did you?? :)

Prepared Childbirth

So we took The Class and even watched The Movie! The movie wasn't that bad, she cut to the heavy labor and 2 quick money shots, and it was over. While it was gratefully brief, what is up with the people in those?? I'm no Miss America, but wow are those some unattractive people who allow the filming of their goods! Poor James was expecting Angelina delivering the twins, alas it was NOT quite like that. We spent a full Saturday at Baylor Hospital taking Prepared Childbirth with a licensed doula (sort of a midwife) named Melissa Espey. She was terrific and we actually may hire her to help us through labor and delivery, since in James' words, he's really more of a waterboy than a coach! Personally I think he could do it just fine, but given she's a mom of 5 herself besides being a doula, I think we'd both be grateful for her support and expertise. We also got a tour of their amazing facilities. Baylor did a huge renovation in December and some of the recovery rooms haven't even been used yet. Needless to say I'm pretty thrilled with my own recovery room with flat screen and huge potty! Of course, given that I was there with the class wisenheimer when Melissa wanted a "volunteer" to demonstrate the nifty craftmatic-type labor bed, James got called. Thankfully I got it all on video! It was actually very cool, because you can lay, sit, face forward or back - whatever makes you comfortable. Soooo, while I don't exactly look forward to labor, at least the labor & delivery and recovery areas of the hospital where we'll be are pretty awesome. Enjoy James' highlight reel!


This last one is Bruce - he howls at when the phone rings and I finally caught a moment on film. Such a cutie. (turn it up, the howling is at the beginning, even if you can't really see him.)

Sonogram

So this is the video of the whole sono, we thought it was pretty cool and fun to share! The stills follow in the next post. The sono gets better after a few moments, the beginning is measurements and stuff. I had a doctor's appt last Wednesday (the 4th?) and I'd been a little squirrelly over the weekend, since I wasn't feeling the usual acrobatics. Sunday we went to a movie - "Taken" with Liam Neeson, I loved it, right up my alley - and I barely felt him all day. He did finally kick a little and picked it up a little early in the week. But compared to the activity over the last couple of months, I was a little nervous. So at the appointment, I had this sono plus what they call a non-stress test. They strapped a monitor around my large belly and measured his movements for about 20 minutes. Needless to say, everything was just fine, he moved 18 times in those 20 minutes (10 per hour is the minimum) and as you can see, the sono showed him doing his thing. So all's well!

New Pictures!!

So here are the stills from the sono. Doc says he's measuring 4.2 pounds already, which is about a week bigger than he actually is. Hello Big Boy! Yeah I'm so looking foward to labor.




So he's definitely a boy!


Um is that a snail on his tummy?! (Good one Kate!)


Look at the camera!


Snoozing baby