Six to Ten DAYS and Counting...

It's hard to believe that it's just a matter of days (hours?) at this point. I was on my way to the doctor this morning when they called to say she would be out today and that I had to reschedule for 10:15 tomorrow. Boo hoo! I've been looking forward to this appointment all weekend! Since I was already out and about I went to Curves. The owner said that even though I'm only paid through the fifth I could work out until the ninth if I felt comfortable doing so. I plan to try. I'm going to start wearing a T-shirt that says "June 6th, Boy, and It's a Secret," because those are the three questions that I get every time that I go and work out when there are people who either don't know me or are new. I'm really starting to feel like a watched pot and we all know that those never boil! :)

When I got home the doctor's office had called again to reschedule the appointment for 12:15 instead. I'm frustrated because this wouldn't be an issue if my regular doctor were in the office this week. It's the other doctor who isn't there today. Oh well, we'll get an update tomorrow I guess. Until then I'll just work on my cross-stitch.

Happy 30th Birthday Lorne!

It's hard to believe that he's 30 but it's true! Feel free to leave him a Happy Birthday message in the comment section if you'd like. We spent the day just like he wanted. We slept in and he played his two new X-Box games Nascar and Myst IV that he bought yesterday. We bought him a recliner a few months back so that is his actual birthday present.

I made him chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans for dinner. I'm baking him a peach cobbler for his birthday cake. He said he would choose something easy for me this year since I'm 39 weeks pregnant and all.

I had planned to have a big 30th birthday party for him back before I found out that I was pregnant. I'm really wishing now that I had planned something since the day has come and gone and still no baby. I didn't have any way of knowing one way or the other and that's what makes it frustrating. Anyone who knows Lorne knows that he doesn't care one way or the other though. We did go to Fishmonger's on Saturday with Jeremy, Denise, Jesse, Laura, and Christopher and that was fun. We think it's the best seafood we've found this far north. We practically had to swim there because the weather was so bad. When we got there Jesse and Laura were waiting and the restaurant was pretty empty. They said that their power had just been restored after 1 1/2 hours so we had pretty good timing.

On the baby front, I called the doctor's office Friday to see if they had scheduled the induction. The nurse said that it was scheduled for 8 A.M. on the 10th but that we had to call at 7:00 to see if they had a bed for me. I thought that it would be a sure thing since we scheduled it two weeks ahead of time but who knows? She also said that I couldn't eat or drink ANYTHING from midnight on. That will be a long day of just ice chips! She said that if I did eat or drink anything they won't induce which is crazy because if you come to the hospital in labor and later need Pitocin they won't deny it to you if you've eaten in the past eight hours. I've asked a few people and no one knows why they do it this way. I guess it's just hospital procedure.

I have another prenatal appointment tomorrow with the other doctor since mine is on vacation this week. I kind of feel like she's abandoned me, but I'm sure that she scheduled this time off months and months in advance. She also seemed to genuinely want to be able to deliver him when she returns next week. I just keep remembering that the OB is actually there for the last thirty minutes or so of labor and the rest of the time it's the nursing staff who will be taking care of me.

I'm almost finished with my cross-stitch. I kind of want to go ahead and get it finished so that I can take it to get framed. The other part of me wonders what I will do with myself for the remaining days if I do finish early. I can always read a book or work on my monstrous tree skirt I guess.

More tomorrow...

Are you Coming to See Baby Smith?

If so I thought that I would share with everyone some nearby accommodations since we're getting really close! There is a Holiday Inn Express next to Presbyterian Hospital of Plano where we're having the baby. This is about thirty minutes from our house so you'd probably only want to stay there if you're visiting while we're in the hospital.

For anyone who may be coming to see us once we get home there are some hotels closer to our house. There is a LaQuinta, a different Holiday Inn Express, and a Super 8. These hotels are about fifteen minutes from our house. I wish that there were some closer. Maybe I should open a hotel in Wylie. I could probably make a mint!

Braxton-Hicks are Just Mean!

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that I'm having these Braxton-Hicks contractions, but they're driving me crazy! I really thought it was going to turn into something interesting last night but NOTHING! I woke up this morning and told Lorne "I'm still pregnant." It's very frustrating! It's a good thing that I have my cross-stitch to work on to keep my mind off of what isn't happening yet!

I'm excited about TV tonight. How sad am I? I want to watch Lost and American Idol, but they're on at the same time and both two hours long. Boy those networks bigwigs are sooo tricky! I think I'll show them and watch Lost and TiVO American Idol so that I can fast forward to the last five minutes. I figure that will be the most interesting part anyway. I would like to hear Carrie sing with Rascal Flatts though. I didn't like last night's performances. I thought that the songs were pretty cheesy. If I hadn't heard them sing before I don't think that I would have thought much of either one of them so I didn't vote. I think it's because I was preoccupied with those wanna-be contractions.

I watched "Rob and Amber Get Married" today. I know, I'm a dork, but I love weddings and I wanted to see what kind of wedding you can get for being on two CBS reality shows. It was extravagant to say the least. I wanted to share this really neat part of their ceremony. I actually listened to it again so that I would write it correctly. You'll have to forgive me. I'm crying at Chase Bank commercials these days so I'm feeling just a little emotional. I think this would have gotten to me either way. I'll put quotes since I can't say I wrote it but I sure wish we could have had it at our wedding. The officiant had them join hands and said:

"As you gaze upon each other's hands know that these are the hands that will hold your children. These are the hands that will hold your family as one and these are the hands when old and wrinkled will still reach out to you, will still comfort you with a touch that comforts you tonight."

I just LOVE that! I think that it is so poignant and pretty.

I'd better get back to my cross-stitch!

Two Weeks and Counting...

No need for a warning tonight because I don't have anything gross to report since I'm not progressing. :( We DID set June 10th as my induction date! That means the longest I will be pregnant is eighteen more days! Yea! That's really good news! We liked that date because it's a Friday (I knew you'd like that Matthew) and that way we would be in the hospital over the weekend for anyone who wanted to visit. My doctor is also on call that day. It's just funny because Lorne's been saying that he's going to be born on the 10th so he may get his wish after all. Of course in the next breath she says I could go into labor tonight so there's just no way to know for sure. This is the worst case scenario.

We also got the results of our echoes and they're NORMAL. It's nice to know that at least part of us is. My OB was right. She said that the PCP was probably just hearing a result of the extra blood supply from the baby so that's a load off of my mind. I'd better go so that I can finish my first letter! Take care everyone!

It's A Small World After All

I was leaving church this evening and the strangest thing happened. It went a little something like this:

I felt a tap on my shoulder so I turned around and a woman asked me, "Is your name Kelly?"

"Yes," I replied. I figured she was from Curves or maybe she'd seen me at Weight Watchers or on the poster there since I was a poster girl BP (before pregnancy). I was surprised that I didn't recognize her though because I am pretty good with names and faces which I will prove a little later.

"Are your parents named Al and Pat?" she asked. Now I was really confused. How could she know my parents? I mean, I know my dad probably knows someone in all 254 Texas counties, but even this was a stretch!

Anyway, she told me that her name was Barbara and she was married to one of my mom's cousins, I think is how it went. She said that she was at our wedding and recognized me. She lives in Katy but her daughter lives in Sachse which is right next to Wylie. Her daughter is a teacher in Plano. She is pregnant (it's the Collin County water, I'm telling ya) and due in December.

It was a really neat experience, but caught me off guard because it was so unexpected. Now I know how people must feel when I come up to them. I will never forget my sophomore year at A&M when I was at the Post Oak mall. I recognized a girl from Bellville that I had met at 4-H camp my freshman year of high school. I asked her if her name was Paige and she said yes. I could tell at that point that there was not an ounce of recognition in her face and she didn't know me from the man in the moon. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't stop me from going up to people to this day! I'm too much like my father not to. It's really a curse actually because I just can't help myself.

Lorne and I had another fun day today. We finally found a cross-stitch project for me after going to Hobby Lobby, Michael's and Jo-Ann's. We looked last night too and I actually bought one, but I like what I got today much better. It's the baby's name with animals corresponding to the letter (the K has a kangaroo, for example). I'm hoping to finish a letter a day. No, I won't tell you how many days the project will take, don't even try it! :) My plan is to finish it before he graduates from high school. :) It's part of an entire book of patterns for baby so I can always do others if I want. We also bought a book of pictures of baby animals that are too cute. I think I'll do the elephant, zebra, and probably the chimpanzee to go along with his crib set and the safari theme if I stay motivated. (I won't hold my breath!)

I'd better go. We're TiVOing the Nextel All-Star NASCAR race so that we can watch it without commercials. It's a deep dark secret that I watch NASCAR so don't tell anyone if they ask because I will deny, deny, deny! :)

The Heat is On!

I'm starting to understand why everyone tells me that I should be glad I'm due at the beginning of summer. It's HOT out there! What kills me is how people talk about how humid it is up here. They have obviously never been to the Gulf Coast. The weird thing is that I never really noticed it when I lived there. Let me tell you it hit me like a ton of bricks after living here for a while though. I like what Mom says: it's good for the complexion! :)

No Mark, I will not turn into Jack Byrnes on Meet the Fockers with the whole Baby Signs thing. I can see myself being pretty bad, but hopefully not that much so! :)

I had a fun day away from the house today. Denise and I always carpool to our lunch outings and it was her turn. We went to Stonebriar mall in Frisco and Super Target and then it was off to lunch with Laura and Christopher. He is getting so big! He'll be eighteen months in a few days. The shrimp fajitas were as fabulous as I had anticipated. Yum! We finished up with a trip to Baby Depot and a stop at the snow cone stand. I LOVE snow cones by the way!

I think that I'm going to start cross-stitching again to take up time. The only problem is that I have this tree skirt that I will probably finish on my death bed. I hate to drag it out and feel like I have made no progress. It really is enormous. Aunt Net told me it took her seven years to finish hers and I think that I'm on that same track. It must be genetic! :) I think that I may hit up Hobby Lobby and find a smaller project to get me through these last few weeks.

I hope that everyone has a great weekend!

Echoes all around

Lorne and I had our echoes today. I went first and the technician kept telling me that my heart was "beautiful." I wasn't sure if she meant hearts in general, or mine specifically, but I guess we'll see. The echo will be interpreted by a cardiologist and can take up to two weeks to get the results. They said that our PCP will go over the results with us at that time. I'm hoping that not only will everything be fine with us, but we'll be playing with our new baby by then.

We went to Blue Goose for lunch. It is my absolutely favorite Mexican food restaurant. Their sour cream chicken enchiladas are unlike anything I have ever tasted. There's a location pretty close to Presbyterian Hospital of Plano where we're having the baby so I've already warned Lorne that he may be making an enchilada run! :) I would have to say the chicken fajitas at Lopez in Houston are a close second as far as Mexican restaurants go. We drove to Frisco last night to Manny's for their buffet. It was okay, but I think the buffet at Dos Charros here in Wylie is just as good. I'm having Uncle Julio's shrimp fajitas tomorrow with Denise and Laura. You would think three straight days of Mexican food would be some kind of record, but not for Lorne and I! The great thing is that I never stopped eating it, even on Weight Watchers. I've heard that eating spicy foods can induce labor, but I eat so much spicy food as it is that I would probably have to chug Tabasco to get results.

I've started reading the Baby Signs book that my friend Kristy recommended. It is going to be so much fun to "communicate" with the baby before he can speak. Lorne had a good point about the whole concept. He said that we've taught Rosie a sign for every trick she performs (sit, beg, roll over, etc.), so we figure if we can do Dog Sign we should be able to do Baby Sign.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention American Idol. I was so excited! I voted for Bo and Carrie, but more for Bo. I think his voice is great and that he seems so comfortable on stage. Carrie is beautiful and talented, don't get me wrong, but I think she seems like a robot up there. Her eyes look like the lights are on but nobody's home. Just my two cents...

I'm posting some updated pregnant pictures. I wanted Lorne to take one before the baby drops since it will probably change my shape. I'm feeling really huge and get pains in the right side of my back from time to time, especially if I sit in one place for too long. I just keep telling myself that it all means that we're getting close!


I asked Lorne to take a picture of my belly, so Mr. Literal took the first picture OF MY BELLY! Gotta love him!


I had to put Rosie outside while Lorne took the pictures because she wouldn't get out of the way. She is so helpful when we don't need her to be!


The great thing about having a big belly is how trim it makes my ankles look! :)

Not Much to Report

It's been a pretty quiet day here at Wylie baby central. I went to Curves this morning. Every day that I'm there it seems like someone says they're surprised to see me. I don't see any reason to stop going and neither does my doctor so every morning I brave the sight of myself in my yoga pants and head out. I actually had someone tell me yesterday that "you look trim from the back." I'm not exactly sure how to take that so I just nodded and smiled. I know people mean well, but they can say the craziest things. Therefore I'm doing more and more nodding and smiling these days.

I finished all that I could of his baby book today. I was daydreaming as I was turning the remaining blank pages and wondering when I will be able to fill them. I'm wondering a lot these days about who he will look like and act like and if I'll be the mom to him that I have always dreamed of being.

We went for a walk last night and Lorne always gives me the choice of the long way or the short way. It was a nice evening so I said the long way which seems to be getting longer by the day by the way. I was having some nice Braxton-Hicks while we were out, but that was all they were because they went away after I rested for a bit. Not sure if it will be the long or short route tonight.

Final three in American Idol tonight. I can't wait! I swear sweeps month is getting me through these remaining weeks. I am such a nerd for watching so much TV, but I blame it on TiVO. It makes it way too easy to watch all of my favorite shows because you can do so when it's convenient. I think this baby is coming at just the right time because I won't have time to watch TV anymore anyway so I will be able to wean myself during the summer drought of reruns.

I guess that's all I know. Off to clean the kitchen. I've cooked dinner three days in a row-a new record for me these days!!

Three Weeks and Counting...

We had another prenatal appointment today so that means this is your official "too much information" warning. Continue reading at your own risk! :)

I'm dilated to 1/2 cm. In my estimation that means I should be 10 cm and deliver right around August or so! :) My cervix is "anterior" and continuing to soften which is apparently a good thing. This is all news to Lorne and I so we're playing it by ear. He still hasn't dropped and she said that she wants him to do so by next week. She could feel his head again though so at least he knows which direction he's supposed to be moving toward.

My OB also made me feel better about the whole heart murmur thing. She was apparently not very happy at how the PCP handled the whole situation. She said that instead of a murmur it is probably the extra flow she's hearing because your body produces twice as much blood to support the placenta and the baby while pregnant. She said chances are if it is a murmur it will pass by six weeks postpartum and not to worry about it. She said that a murmur would be accompanied by some change in blood pressure (it was 110/74) or shortness of breath or dizziness and I haven't had any of that. She said to go ahead and have the echo because it will not hurt the baby. She did mention that I should find out who is interpreting the results. She said that I should request it be interpreted by a cardiologist and not just the PCP. If that wasn't possible and the PCP says that there is a murmur that I should request a referral to a cardiologist so that they can perform one and interpret it. I told her that sounds like a lot to worry about with three weeks (or fewer) to go before I deliver and that's when she told me not to worry. It was really funny. As she was walking out of the exam room she popped her head back in and whispered, "Don't worry" one more time. I really do love my doctor. She's really gotten to know me well in these last few months.

I got the baby's clothes and bedding washed today. Once I get him packed that will make us officially ready for the hospital. At least as ready as we can be. :) I'm so excited!!!

Just the Two of Us

We didn't do much of anything spectacular this weekend. We did do some baby-related things like having the car seats inspected (they were fine just like Lorne suspected), buying toner to make the announcements, addressing the announcements, and working on the baby book. I'm also sure that I was having some pretty strong Braxton-Hicks contractions on Friday. Of course I had my hopes up that it was the real deal, but they eventually stopped. I'm looking forward to tomorrow and my next appointment to see if they caused any progress.

Other than that it was just a quiet weekend for Lorne and I. We went to dinner at Razoo's on Friday. Eating there always makes me miss Mark because that is one of his favorite places. It's hard to believe I haven't seen him in four months. That's the longest I've gone without seeing either one of my brothers. We also went to Toyota and looked at Camrys on Friday. The lease isn't up until March, but we're already over on our mileage thanks to grad school and me having an extra class in Commerce. Lorne swears he will never lease again because it is such a headache. They weren't able to help us so we left. We decided that they were in a hurry to get home and watch the Mavericks. They actually told us they were short-staffed because three of their four finance guys were at the game. Lorne did some calculations and unless gas gets up to $5.00/gallon it's cheaper for us to drive the Tahoe everywhere since we're having to pay 15 cents a mile plus the cost of gasoline for the Camry from now on. He's going to start driving the Tahoe to work. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but he only drives every other day so I guess that I can share. :)

Saturday we went to Texas Roadhouse after church. Every time we eat out I wonder if it's going to be the last time we eat out before the baby gets here. I see people with tiny babies in restaurants all the time, but I don't know if I will be quite so willing to do that. We also went shoe shopping for Lorne. He buys a new pair of tennis shoes about once a year so he was due. We stopped for snow cones and then it was off to Best Buy. Lorne bought me the movie Airplane! on DVD. If you haven't seen it you should watch it. I think it is one of the funniest movies ever made. I was laughing at Best Buy just thinking about watching it. Lorne said that was why he wanted to get it for me. He wanted to hear me laugh until my ligaments ached, and I did. It is just too hysterical!

See what I mean? We hung out together, just the two of us. Don't get me wrong, I am absolutely ecstatic at the idea of the baby coming in a few weeks, but I can't stop thinking about how much our lives will change and how weekends like this one will be a thing of the past.

New Doctor Blues

Lorne and I had appointments with our new Primary Care Physician yesterday. Our previous one sent us a letter saying he was leaving Plano so we had to find a new one. This new doctor was referred to us by Denise so I felt pretty confident that I would like her. I called to make Lorne an appointment because he's running out of his blood pressure pills, but they said I need to come in during open enrollment even though I'm pregnant. The nurse said that if she begins no longer accepting new patients and I haven't been in to see her I would have to find another PCP. I'm just expecting to fill out paperwork and leave but I actually have an exam and she says she's detected a heart murmur and that I need an echocardiogram. She said they are common in pregnant women, but I've never heard that before. Of course in true Kelly style I keep it together while I'm scheduling the procedure for next week and then I lose it as soon as I call Lorne on my way out of the office. I am very upset and scared at this point because I don't know what it all means. I don't know if its' caused any harm to the baby and I don't know if it's something I could have prevented. Most of all I'm worried because I have been healthy my whole life and don't want to stop now. I mean, I had tubes in my ears when I was seven and my wisdom teeth extracted in high school and that's it as far as surgeries go. I've never even spent the night in the hospital other than when I was born!

We go to lunch and then return to the office for Lorne's appointment. He gets more of a workup than me! He has an EKG (which was fine), gets his blood sugar checked because of glucose in his urine(it was 98), blood taken, and his ear cleaned out. On top of that HE gets to have an echocardiogram next week too! They're also drawing blood again next week after he's fasted. I was getting really upset at this point because I'm thinking here we are about to be parents and it's like our health is falling apart! I've decided that she just wants to be thorough because we're new patients, but geez, I'm 36 weeks pregnant. I can't take a lot of drama right now!

I talked with the nurse at my obstetrician's office this morning and she said Dr. Watts would check my heart at my appointment on Monday. She said the echo and the murmur wouldn't do any harm to the baby. She also said that if I have a true murmur I will probably have it THE REST OF MY LIFE. Yeah! Just what I want to hear! She did say that lots of people have them and that I will just have to let my doctors know from this point on so that I can get antibiotics before any procedures I have like at the dentist. My main question for Monday is whether or not this will affect my desire to NOT have a C-section. I want to be able to have a vaginal delivery more than anything at this point. Of course the health of the baby is my main concern, but I really don't want a C-section.

OK, I'm through whining. Hope everyone is doing well!

Four Weeks and Counting...

WARNING: Don't read on if you don't want to hear about my cervix and/or uterus! :)

Lorne and I went to the doctor today. There is no dilation yet, but Dr. Watts said that my cervix has begun to soften which is good. She also said she could feel his head so it's still down. My hope is that he's getting too big to move back to breech at this point. I think that's usually the case but I guess anything can happen.

She asked me if I am having any contractions, but I don't think that I am having any yet. She said I would feel a pain like menstrual cramps and that my uterus would harden. I may not be feeling contractions, but he is definitely very active these days! She told me that we probably won't be having a baby this week, but that he CAN come any time he's ready. We go back next Monday and every week from now on. I found out today that my doctor will be out the week of Memorial Day so if he comes then her partner will deliver him. I actually am fine with that because Dr. Woolridge was my doctor until a year ago when she stopped accepting our insurance. One of her nurses told me at the time that the only difference between the two doctors is their laugh and I think she's right. Their "bedside manners" are very similar.

Lorne turns 30 on May 30th. How awesome would it be if he were born then ?!? I guess we'll see! I'll keep you posted!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! Lorne surprised me this morning with a card and four James Avery charms, one for each of our little boy's initials. I'm going to wear them on the James Avery bracelet I got from Aunt Dodie for graduation. I won't be able to wear it until I get to the hospital since his name is a secret. Maybe I can wear it while I'm in labor as a focal point.

Lorne installed the "Gram Cam" in the nursery yesterday and I organized the little boy's closet. Mom calls him a "Techno baby" because he has his own video monitor and we have this website that will be dedicated to him. I also cleaned the guest bathroom and made the guest beds so now we're ready for the grandparents. At least that part of the house will be clean when they come! I can't make any promises about the downstairs though.

We hosted poker night at our house last night. Tom (Lorne's boss), Jeremy and Denise, Jesse and Laura, and Lorne and I played. Laura and Jesse's kids Ryan and Christopher also came. I think everyone had a good time because they stayed until 3:00. We figured it was because it will be our last poker night for quite a while since we're due next month, Denise in July, and Laura will probably deliver at the end of August.

I absolutely LOVE to cook for other people for those of you who may not know that about me. Mind you I haven't cooked for my husband in a week, but cooking for poker night is another thing entirely. :) Cheese was the theme of the night. One of my favorite shows is Paula's Home Cooking and I made some of her recipes. I made Herbed Cheese-and-cracker bits, Northern Italian Stuffed Shells, and Chocolate Cheese Fudge (it has VELVETTA, but you'd never know it!). I also made an Italian Cream Cake using Velma's recipe. It's one of Lorne's favorite cakes. Denise brought a cheese ball and bread and Laura brought a great salad. We had a lot of fun! I didn't make any money but I like poker because I get to hang out with my friends and eat! :) I probably should have thought about the fact that I have to weigh in at the doctor tomorrow when I was making the menu. Oh well! I have to make Paula's recipes while I can because they are definitely not Weight Watcher's friendly!

Looking forward to tomorrow and my first once-a-week appointment. I can't believe we're 36 weeks already!

A Daddy's Job is Never Done

Lorne has been working really hard getting everything ready for when the baby comes. I thought that I'd post some pictures of him hard at work.


Scotchguarding the ottoman in the backyard. Rosie is helping as usual.


Installing the second base in the Camry. Now I need to make an appointment to have them inspected. I think I'll do that next week.



Installing the carseat in the Tahoe.



The stroller wasn't too much work for him I don't think. It was mostly already put together in the box.


The swing has a toy on it that makes a noise when you spin it and it drives Rosie crazy so of course Lorne and I were spinning it over and over.



I know we will use the Pack 'n Play daily. I plan have him sleep in it downstairs during the day. It has a bassinet and a changing table.

I wanted to post some updated pictures of the nursery. It's amazing how much the "junk room" has been transformed over the past few months.


The crib with the mobile, tiger, and Me in the Mirror toy.



The changing table loaded down with all the "stuff" we'll need.



The shelves that Larry made. Lorne organized the stuffed animals. I think it looks so cute!


Velma did a great job on the curtains! They really change the entire look of the room.

Getting ready

I'm not sure that I will know when this so-called "nesting" will start right before I deliver because I already feel like I am doing that. I think that we have bought everything nonperishable that we can possibly stock up on before the baby gets here. Maybe I will have this overwhelming desire to cook and clean as part of my nesting because I definitely don't feel that right now. I think that the last time I cooked dinner was LAST Wednesday. That is horrible considering that last year at this time I was doing my counseling internship all day, class at night, and I still managed to cook dinner about five nights a week. It's both of our faults, though, because most nights Lorne says "Let's just have cereal." Who can say no to that? Definitely not me!

Lorne and I went to Kohl's, Target, Sam's, and Babies 'R Us last night. He is a trooper I'll give him that. Three hours of shopping and not one complaint. How did I get so lucky? I can't believe that one little baby needs so many things. The good news is that I feel that I can finally say that we have everything that we "need" for the baby. I have some other things on my wishlist, but I can wait to buy those things. I may never buy them and that's okay too.

I had lunch with my friend Jen today. Yes, I also ate lunch out yesterday but who's counting? I'm trying to leave the house as much as possible before the baby boy gets here because I keep thinking that I won't want to leave for a while after he is born. We had a good time and I was happy to get to see her again.

Five Weeks and Counting...

It's hard to believe that we can count on one hand how many weeks we have left. Lorne and I are saying 3-7 weeks though because we've heard that the baby is considered full term at 38 weeks. I like the idea of knowing that the worst case is seven weeks because I can't stay pregnant forever!

I had lunch at On The Border with Denise, Laura, and her son Christopher today. I think that I eat Mexican food about five times a week (at least). I LOVE it!! I keep thinking that soon when the three of us get together for lunch we'll be a party of seven and we'll need four high chairs! Plus Denise and I won't be able to ride together like we normally do because we'll each have car seats. A lot is going to change in the next couple of months to say the least.

I've been working on tying up some loose ends before the baby gets here. I went to State Farm yesterday to get some information about life insurance for the baby. It got me thinking about our own policies and any changes that may need to be made. I am also gathering information on starting a CD for his college fund.

I ordered a book on breastfeeding that comes highly recommended, a baby sign language book, and the What to Expect the First Year book from Amazon.com. I would like to have as many resources as possible on hand before he gets here. I am looking forward to using the baby sign language book especially. My friend Kristy used it with her daughter Caroline and her vocabulary is very advanced for someone her age.

I also requested some information about Advanced Newborn Screening. Apparently the state of Texas only requires testing for five metabolic disorders, but this test will cover an additional thirty. It uses the same sample that is required for the state test and only costs an extra $25. That's a small price to pay for peace of mind I think.

I've started packing, sort of. It reminds me of when I was little and I would visit Aunt Tisha and Uncle Larry during the summer. I would be packed two weeks ahead of time, my suitcase waiting patiently by my bedroom door. Lorne said I also need a list of the last minute things to do before we leave for the hospital because we'll probably be pretty scatterbrained at that point. I'm a huge list maker so I love the idea of having one more list on hand.

Lorne and I are going shopping tonight to pick up some odds and ends for the nursery. I feel like we have just a few more "basics" to buy before he gets here. I'm excited to get the car seat base for the Camry so that Lorne can get them installed and we can take them and get them inspected to make sure they're installed correctly.

We were so glad that we got through the weekend without giving away his name. It has been really tough, but I think that it will be worth it when we get to "introduce" him to everyone on his birthday. My friends and family who want to monogram/embroider gifts for him aren't very happy, but I think that they understand. :)

Enough rambling for now. I have thank you notes to write!

Showered With Love

We had a baby shower at our house on Saturday. The hostesses Courtney and Melissa drove from Houston and San Antonio. I can't believe that we have almost known each other for ten years! We met at A&M when we all went potluck for roommates at Krueger Hall. We decided that we were grouped together because we each have two brothers and no sisters. I feel like we have become like sisters over the years. I wish that we lived closer together though. I think that us being apart makes it even more special when we get to spend time together.

Speaking of distance, our moms and dads made the 300 mile trip from Van Vleck. Lorne took our dads, Jeremy (Denise's husband), Rick (Priscilla's husband), and Erik (Ashley's fiancee) to Wizard's sports bar during the shower. They played pool and shuffleboard and watched the Maverick's game.

I had so much fun at the shower! They served chicken and cucumber sandwiches, a fruit and veggie tray, and petit fours with blue rattles and booties. They came from Casa Linda bakery in Dallas. They also make great cakes. They served cherry punch in baby bottles. Mom is holding one in the picture of us together.

We played the name the baby food game, a Bingo game, and the dirty diaper game. I posted a picture of Melissa with one of the diapers.

There were jokes about the fact that four of us at the shower are pregnant. Most of the guests decided it would be best not to drink the water! :) I posted how far along we are in the picture that we took together. Someone I know is having a baby each month from June to November. Talk about great play date opportunities!

Here are some of the pictures:


Mom and I



Velma (Nana) and I



The hostesses Melissa and Courtney. They wanted so badly for the baby to kick but he was being shy. Mel said Lorne probably told him to stay still just to aggravate them!



Three of my five pregnant friends: Denise (31 wks.), Kristy (15 wks.), Me (35 wks.), and Laura (21 wks.). Lorne works with Denise and Laura's husbands and I taught with Kristy at Rowlett High School.



Priscilla and I. I student taught for her husband Rick at Naaman Forest High School in the fall of 1999. We have been friends ever since.


We call Rick and Priscilla our baby's "Collin County Grandparents." They have been like another set of parents to us! She's holding Velma and Larry's poodle Neekie.



Lorne's cousin Ashley. She lives in Wichita Falls and is getting married in July.


Melissa demonstrating the dirty diaper game. They melted candy bars in diapers and we had to name the candy bar. Gross but really fun!