Reality

I am 36 weeks pregnant... And generally you see this ^ side of things! And I do look like this. On Sunday. When I have to dress up, and squish my huge, puffy feet into real shoes. For the 3 hours of church and then the time it takes to snap a few pictures and rid myself of the entrapment. 

Oh yes, this is more like it! Please note the practically permanent placement of my hands!

Ahhhhh, the comfort.

When even my husband's shirts do not pretend to fit me, we find the rare gem of a t-shirt that does not make me have a Tommy-Boy-fat-girl-in-a-little-shirt moment! 

Luckily my sweetie never minds taking pictures of me, and always makes me smile!

I'm pregnant and I know it!... Look at that belly :)

Fun fact: When Bella saw this shirt she got really excited and pointed at Blue's clue! Why yes, that is a blue paw print! Winner. 

Now. Check out my huge man shoes. These babies are gold, I tell you! 

Have you met my beach ball?

We are so happy to have such a wonderful, healthy baby! Even if, at this point, he is mostly wrapped in old, stained T-shirts!

So yes, this is my reality. And mostly, it doesn't include cute shirts and nice, little skirts. Getting dressed is a fight, almost every day, between me and the wardrobe that just doesn't fit anymore. My back hurts, and I don't remember what my feet used to look like. My hair is constantly up in the messiest bun imaginable and my legs usually un-shaved.

But let me tell you. This reality: it is a good one! My sweet sister reminds me daily how beautiful my pregnancy is and delights in my popping belly button. My mommy constantly provides the calm strength and reassurance I need when I am not sure what to do or expect. My husband looks at me like the most precious thing in the world. He loves my belly, and as one of the few to actually see it, in all its stretch-marked glory, this is saying something! I no longer have to go to work for a million hours a day, and even though it is hard for me to not feel useless, no one minds that I am a bum. I have incredible friends. And amazing family. Plus, this beautiful child inside of me is growing and moving and happy as can be. What more could a girl ask for!

With about 4 weeks to go, we are truckin right along :)

My belly...

... Looks like it was ravaged by some wild beast. Oh stretch marks, how lovely you are. Thank you so much for coming to visit. And what is even better is the knowledge that you will never go away! How generous of you stay... indefinitely :)

...Gets awkwardly numb and tingley when I try and sit in a normal upright position. Apparently this is normal, but you can bet your buttons it sure doesn't feel normal!

... Is most definitely what they like to call a hand-magnet. Luckily though, I have not had to deal with a stranger taking that liberty. I'm sorry no. Just because my tummy is gigantic and has its own gravitational force does not mean that you, person I don't know, can touch it :) Have a nice day.

...Has awesome protrusions when my cute little baybay decides to hang out in my side, which he does quite frequently. I guess I should be proud! He has already learned to choose the right! :) Bahaha, made myself chuckle a little with that one (there is nothing wrong with appreciating your own awesome humor!)

...Is still measuring ahead. For those of you who are unaware: this kid is big. Like so big, that we got an ultrasound to see just how large our monstrosity is... and we are getting yet another ultrasound next week for the same purpose. Ryan and I were both about 10 pounds at birth, so we are pretty much destined to have a chunker! Would you like to see our huge, sweet, and simply perfect baby? Ok, ok, fine... I will show you the most recent pictures! But only because seeing you beg like that is just so pathetic ;)

32 week ultrasound:::

Look at his handsome face!

He has hair!!! :) Those little white squiggles are the proof!

His nose and upper lip

Look at his cute little toesies!

Nesting... or not!

I have often heard expectant mothers describe a strange phenomenon, in which they have the overwhelming urge to clean, arrange, rearrange, cook, and in general make the house ready for baby. This, they say, is called nesting. But "this" is completely foreign to me! 

I have no more had the urge to clean like crazy or rearrange furniture, than I have to run a marathon, or slide down a banister of razor blades into a pool of rubbing alcohol... Ok maybe its not quite that drastic. But even now, at 35 weeks, the preparation I have been doing is mostly out of necessity. The reality is this kid is coming and soon. Ready or not... And I think all the involved parties would be much more pleased if we are ready!

The only even slightly nesting-like urge I have noticed, is an increase in my desire to bake... I have always really loved baking and anyone who knows me is well aware of my love affair with the Food Network. Ryan has always wondered why I love watching people cook so much, when we can count the number of times I have cooked in our marriage on one hand! Well recently my passive has become more proactive. It began with some divine lemon ricotta cookies, then picked up speed with a delicious tres leches cake... And the latest creation to emerge from my oven, strawberry lemon yogurt muffins! Because I am so proud of this new development, I feel that it should be documented!  So feast your eyes on this my friends!

We begin with the handy dandy recipe (not as cool as a Handy Dandy Notebook, but then again I am not looking for Blue's Clues!) P.s. Can you tell where my laptop is sitting? Why yes, that is my washing machine... we seriously lack counter space!

Then we need some ingredients... and I am proud to say, we had most of them on hand!

A little mixy-mix and presto!

Bake into these little beauties! 

They totally look like the ones from the pictures in the recipe. Proud? Perhaps!

Add a little lemony glaze...

And try not to eat them all in one sitting! 

Results!

Today was a day. Not like a sunshine and rainbows day (although the weather was quite lovely)! But more like a try really hard to be patient as you wait to find out some really important news, but then said news never seems to come and you get really frustrated and consequently have very little patience for the non-direction-following-driving-you-completely-nuts children you call students kind of day...

Call number one took place at 12:31 (See! I told you I was trying really hard to be patient!)

Call number two... also 12:31 (Patience= fail.)

Call number three... 2:22

Call number four... 2:22

Call number five...2:23 (I can only take so much of this!!!)

Call number six... 2:28

Call number seven... 3:10

And what came of these seven calls and my torn and tattered patience. A big fat nothing!

I left school knowing that my doctor's office was closed and I would not be hearing from them until tomorrow. That is not a good feeling.

In case it slipped your mind, today was the day I was to find out the results of my 3 hour glucose test. In other words, I expected to know the future of my relationship with cake, cookies, ice cream and other sugary goodness for the duration of my pregnancy... Gestationally diabetic?!?!? Come on now.

It wasn't until I got home, and helped my sweet husband activate his new phone that we got to hear the most lovely voicemail ever. Oh Summer, your voice has never sounded so sweet! (Summer is my nurse, you kooks.)

So hear it is::: NO NO NO. This is one gestationally diabetic free lady! Break it down! That's what my body does!... to sugar! Woooo! :)

On a more serious sidenote... for those of you who have, or know someone who has, had gestational diabetes: I know, it is not the end of the world. It is perfectly treatable. Generally it ends with pregnancy, and is no big deal. I also do not mean to be a snooty booty, and I hope I don't hurt any feelings! Peace and blessings ya'll!

Things lately

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind. It has seemed like every day is packed with one thing or another. Not really a bad thing, just a busy and tired thing.This lovely Saturday morning my schedule is surprisingly bare, and seeing that I haven't blogged in a bit I will go

ahead and catch ya up on some of the happenings while the food network keeps me company... Stay a while, why dontcha :)

Last week some of my family got the opportunity to go to the temple. Boy how I love that place ---If you are unfamiliar with LDS temples, and would like to find out more you can go here... or here--- and this trip was especially wonderful because it was the first time that my sisters and I got to go all together. Beautiful peace and surrounded by loved ones, I am just not sure it could

get much better.

This trip was also special because it was probably the last time that we will go to the St. Louis temple while still in its district.

Currently the Kansas City Temple is having an Open House. All who want to are invited to tour the lovely building.

I, personally, can't wait to see the brand new temple!

In other news, my little fellow has recently discovered that he can hang out in my side. Naturally, this discovery has brought much testing and trying. Sometimes it feels like he is literally trying to poke right out of my side. Wondering what the coolest and weirdest feeling in the world is?? Let me tell you: Pushing down on the little human inside of you and feeling him squirm all around beneath your fingertips! Amazing.

Our suspicions were confirmed this week. Kiddo does in fact party while we sleep. I generally go to sleep before Ryan and a few days ago, he was resting his hands on my belly while I slept. Gus was just dancing the night away! What a little night owl.

For the most part, we have been showered with good things lately. On less desirable note, this week I received a call from my nurse informing me that I tested right on the line for the glucose screening test. In other words, a longer, more awful test was required to determine if I have gestational diabetes. This delight (dripping with sarcasm) took place yesterday morning. I had to fast (which is pretty much torturous on its own), drink a too sweet drink, and have my blood stolen 4 times. Not to mention the oh-so-entertaining sitting in the waiting room for 3 and a half hours... Results of said test are still to come. Don't worry, I'll let ya know!

I know we are kind of bouncing around today, but like I said I am trying to catch you up!

Husband is gone, away on a scout trip, and I, for the millionth time, am faced with the realization of how blessed I am and how much I truly love him. Next week he will be leaving for more than just one night and I am dreading it. Being the incredibly sweet man that he is, he has volunteered to drive with my mom and sister to Utah! So that means a whole week without my Ryan. I am not sure that survival is possible.

Did you catch the underlying story there??? Next week. Cassie. Utah.

My beautiful, inspiring, dramatic, loving, funny, spiritual, snow-hating, all nanny no fun, adventurous big sister is going to UTAH......... Next week.

I miss her so much all ready that I can't even bare to imagine life without her smiling face for 18 months, but I am so proud of her. Cassie is going to serve a full time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. And what a missionary she will be! The people of the Salt Lake City South Mission are so lucky to have her. But they better not get too used to it! After those 18 months we get her back!!!

Well. The time is drawing near that me and all my girth must be presentable. A beloved family friend is being baptized today! Off I go to begin the unbelievably long process of dressing this baby-bloated body of mine! :)

Hope you enjoyed our time together!

Spring Break...

Last week was wonderful. Spending time with my sweet friends, family, and of course Ryan. Sleeping in, or something like unto it. Lovely weather. Countless walks, and trips to Ava Drug. Getting stuff done around the house.... Blissful.

But oh Spring Break, how you have turned against me. You have completely obliterated any remaining desire to work that I had left. And let me tell you. That sucker was pretty scarce to begin with! Gus and I got so used to your delicious warmth, and your sweetly empty schedule. How could you betray us this way.

Needless to say, returning to work this morning was less than delightful. I am even more grateful now, after the small taste I had last week, that I will be able to stay home with my little guy. Gus is very grateful too, I can tell. He hated going back to work today as much as I did; he was kickin up a storm in protest all day long!

p.s. We finally put the crib together... and by "we" I mean Ryan! :)

My somewhat bonkers decision to..

CLOTH DIAPER!

Whoa baby. Yeah, I said it. I am one of those people. You know, the nuttso people who CHOOSE to become poop scrubbers. At least I plan to be one of those people... Clearly my child is still inside the womb, so for now it is a decision that is currently dormant.

Yes, I do realize that whenever my little guy has any junk in the trunk, I will have to transform from mommy to poopy cleaner and then back in a flash!... But not only have I accepted this, I have fully embraced it.

I realize that cloth diapering is not for everyone, and heck! It might not be for me... but I think it is and I won't know till I try!

I am genuinely excited about cloth diapering.

Cloth diapering and I have had an on-going flirtation for quite some time. I didn't really take it too seriously, I mean why would I. Until my magic pee made the stick say "Pregnant", it just didn't mattered much. But given that I will have a cute little bum to diaper soon, I have given it more thought.

One day, when I was still in my first trimester I found this blog. I devoured the information like it was a fresh glazed donut! Armed with my new-found knowledge of how easy and completely possible cloth diapering can be I began to search the web. I read review after review. I looked on various websites to get a better idea of prices. I talked to my husband and family.

Apparently, besides the most obvious financial benefits (which when you compare, is like $200 versus $2000) there are other unexpected bonuses. Things like less diaper rash, or early potty training.

Can I say again, I am so excited about this. I asked my mom if its weird that I am so thrilled at the prospect of cloth diapering. She went ahead and said yes!

Wanna know my plan??? Huh? Do ya? :)

I plan on using Flip Diapers, with both the Stay-Dry inserts and also Chinese Cotton Prefolds. I am probably going to use disposable diapers for trips and when I am out and about. Its a pretty simple plan, but there you have it!

Cloth diapering here I come! I'll let ya know how it works out :)