Adiós 2013.

We've been running around a bit so I haven't thought about the highs/lows of the last year nor looked ahead to the next year the way I usually do around this time. 

But I will!

First? A bit of celebration, wearing clean and new underwear {always a good way to start the new year}, and I'll toast my pregnancy appropriate drink along with everyone else's champagne later tonight.

A year ago today I was soooo sick and tonight I'm soooo grateful to not be feeling that crummy.

Happy New Year!!
xoxo, natty ♥

Time warp..

I'm in that funny vacation place, the one where it's easy to lose track of the days...in other happy news:

1. Today {& the forecast for the next few days to boot} was gorgeous; mild and warm in the sun. I'm certainly soaking up this sunshine to help me through the cooler days ahead of us back in DC.

2. My dad who's also visiting here in Arizona hit a deer tonight while driving up near Flagstaff. The good thing is that he and my stepmom are OK and that the biggest damage to their car seems to be an antler-punctured tire and some left over deer on the bumper {gross}. I'm SO happy they're safe.

3. Tomorrow is New Year's Eve...time to reflect and look ahead.

4. Despite hating grapefruit {this one's for you Becs!}, I'm loving the pink grapefruit juice/club soda/Sprite concoctions I've been whipping up while here. The juice comes from the fruit of the trees in the back yard.

5. I'm still feeling bouncy and happy from the two wonderful baby showers that were thrown in our lucky daughter's honor.

I hope that you're enjoying your week and looking ahead to 2014!!
xoxo, natty ♥

Rocks and gifts.

Today dawned a beautiful day in the Valley of the Sun. We took my dad and stepmom {who drove down here for the baby shower} to climb up some pretty rocks and get a good view of Phoenix.

Then my dear, dear mother-in-law threw both of us a fabulous baby shower. It was a big family/friend/neighbor affair and we had Mexican food - we were so happy! Our little girl continues to be the best dressed fetus and we are feeling extremely blessed after a full and wonderful week of family in two states and showering of baby love.

Here's to a good week! 
xoxo, natty ♥

Phase two.

I'm in Phoenix! I missed California before I even left but I'm really looking forward to baby shower #2 and some quality time with my husband's side of the family.

Happy day!!

xoxo, natty

30 weeks.

Ahhhhhh this feels SO good. I’m smack dab in the middle of break and loving every minute of it. And I’m also officially into the last 10-week {hopefully!!} stretch of this pregnancy; how did THAT happen? But it certainly does feel good to say I’m 30 weeks pregnant.

Bathroom selfie since my photographer is already with his family in Arizona.

How far along: 30 weeks

Symptoms: Things have been quite nice this week and I’m going to say it’s because I haven’t had to teach a.k.a. be on my feet for any extended period of time. My upper back has only hurt when I lay on one side for too long and my feeties have given me nothing but leisurely walks around the neighborhood. Body-ache wise, other than that I’ve been pooped in the evenings but I dare say it’s just jet lag thanks to the three hour time difference.

I haven’t felt super thrilled about eating at various {& random times}; I’ll be hungry and not feel queasy at all but I’ll almost feel ill at the thought of food. But I eat anyway and I’m glad that I do. Oddly enough, I have been feeling super hungry this week. I’m not sure if the little one is growing a bit more or if it's because I don’t have the lovely dining hall at work for lost of lunching.

I’m still getting this weird tingly feeling at the top of my ribs. It’s an odd sensation and definitely not on my skin so I think, as I mentioned last week, that it has to do with stretching and a possibly tweaked nerve somewhere in there.

Wait gain: So I’m at 160 finally {who's ever going to enjoy saying THAT?}. But this isn’t on my usual scale and it was after a big dinner so I’m guessing I’m still somewhere around 159. I’m pretty sure I actually lost weight this week {see: no dining hall and we oddly haven’t been eating very many big meals, despite the holiday} and I want to make sure that this bun in the oven gets big and curvy {not for my own personal delivery ease, obviously, I just want her to be a fat and healthy bebé}.

Size of baby: it’s weird this week {isn’t it always?} – a cucumber or a head of cabbage!

Exercise: some easy walks. Not what I had hoped for this break but the days have been busy. Hopefully when I get to Arizona things will slow a bit and we’ll find time for longer constitutionals.

Milestones: I had a beautiful first baby shower last Sunday. It was wonderful and oh-so-nice, thanks to my darling aunt and grandmother. Little bit scored herself some very cute outfits as well as a neat set of alphabet cards – each guest decorated a card with a certain letter on it and my aunt will laminate them.

I also got to see everyone here which is great because the last time I did I didn’t look pregnant at all {though I certainly felt it} and the next time I see most people here there will be an outside baby to pass around.

What I miss: nothing =)

Sex: GIRL!

Movement: she’s still going at it and most everyone at home in California has gotten a change to feel her move.

The weirdest/coolest thing is seeing my belly go up and down; she’ll be so obviously on one side of me and be pushing out while the other side of the tummy dents in a bit. I haven’t seen any body parts yet – I don’t think that necessarily happens to everyone. I can tell you that I can feel either a head or a bum, it’s hard and roundish so I think it must be her noggin.

She still very obviously favors my right side and she most definitely is still in an oblique position {kind of diagonal} which is not what her mama wants. But she has time to move into head-down which is what I do want.

Thoughts/questions/concerns: Last week’s flight went well, though I was just sore the whole time. I fly again tomorrow though it’s a much shorter flight and my dad will be driving to Arizona so the doggy’s hitching a car ride which means I can drink as much water as I want and not worry about dragging a dachshund to the airplane bathroom with me every 25 minutes. Too bad this is the short flight.

I’m also concerned about the baby’s placement; I really do want her in the right position, not in some odd placement like she is now. The midwife seemed completely nonplussed about it and my feelings/concerns are completely self-inflicted so I should take a page out of her book and relax.

I also started thinking about childbirth classes and after some research of what’s available in our next of the woods think that we might end up just reading some books. I’m pretty smitten with Ina May Gaskin’s writings and may add in the Bradley method book or the Hypnobirthing book, but I kind of like the midwife from Tennessee’s words. I just have to hope that Mikey can find some time to sit down and read through them. I felt a bit freaked out realizing that a class probably won’t work in our schedule or budget but I’m really not, I think I feel more at peace about reading up on things and having the midwife/midwives to help.

Sleep: this is sad; it’s been good since my husband left California. The bed we get to sleep in here is a full. It’s great to have a bed! But we’re used to a queen and for me these days, I sleep best when I can stretch spread out. But our bed in Arizona is much bigger PLUS I get my hubby back so I’ll be a happy camper sleeper.

Goals: drink water, eat, walk a lot, rest, enjoy the next week and usher in 2014!

Random: we’ve had SUCH a good time in California. I don’t leave until later tomorrow evening so I still get a full day here, which is lovely. The weather has been unseasonably warm and visiting with family is one of the things I miss most living in DC – I’m really grateful for this time here.

xoxo, natty ♥

A hair cut.

I love getting things neat and tidy for the New Year.

And that includes ourselves, even if we have four legs.

 

How are you gearing up to usher in 2014? 
xoxo, natty ♥

¡Feliz Navidad!

xoxo, natty ♥

Lights.

Merry Christmas Eve!

xoxo, natty ♥

Fog on the water.

Today we took advantage of our location {how did we not drive over to the coast at every possible chance when we lived here? It's only half an hour away! } and drove over to the Pacific to try out our snazzy new Christmas/next several birthdays-present camera. 

Internets are slow in the room I'm in so I'll post more of these at a later date; this one took at least five minutes to load.

We're so excited to get some nice shots and also to be able to chronicle our young lady's life with clear, non-blurred, and quality images. 

That sounded like a boring camera ad.

Anyway, it was clear and beautiful in Half Moon Bay then a bit foggy as we drove south. The fog cleared and it was a beautiful day with the breakers and we had a wonderful time walking around at the beach with pebbles where the sand should be and then driving down Highway 1 to Santa Cruz.

And then I just realized it's Monday; woah!

Some other great things...

1} It's so pleasant here weather-wise; 60s and sunny during the day! Thought thanks to a really big cold snap earlier this month most plants here look way bedragled.

2} We're just about done with our Holiday shopping and the best part, actually giving the gifts, is just around the corner. Don't judge on the lateness, by the way! We didn't want to buy anything in DC and since most all of December has been extremely busy for both of us mail-ordering ahead of time just didn't happen.

3} It was so so so so so pretty at the water today.

4} There are tamales in our near future.

5} My first stop in town when I arrived on Saturday night was...our favorite Indian restaurant. Even though it was after 9 {midnight DC time} and had been a long day for me Mike and I were determined so we did it.

I hope that your Christmas week is full of peace and enjoyment of all shapes and sizes!
xoxo, natty ♥

Beautiful day.

It's lovely here in California. Though they suffered a hard cold snap a few weeks ago and everyone's plants are droopy and brown. I realized today that in actual cold climates, winter isn't droopy to them, it's white and pretty {until the slushiness sets in late winter/spring} but in places like the Bay Area everything just looks kind of denuded and dingy. But at least we still get 60-something degrees in December!

In other news, I had my first baby shower today for little girl and it was a wonderful day. We had a yummy lunch, a couple of good games, presents to open, and delicious little bakery cookies to snack on; I loved it all!! Our young daughter is well-loved already and well-dressed to boot!

OK Monday, let's see what you have in store for us.
xoxo, natty ♥

Dog on a plane.

Guinness and I made it to California.

Let the holiday merriment begin!
xoxo, natty ♥

29 weeks.

As of this morning I’m on a lovely two-week vacation…yippee skippee!! I get to go to California tomorrow and then Phoenix next Saturday so we get in a good visit with both families and for that I’m really grateful. On to this week’s update.

How far along: 29 weeks

Symptoms: My upper back still hurts…laying down helps.

The soles of my feet still hurt…being off of them helps.

I get this odd tingly feeling at the top of my rib-cage in the center of my chest and I think that this child is maybe hitting a nerve or that my stretching uterus is affecting a nerve somehow.

I’ve been a bit tired and really thirsty too. I’ve been drinking much more water than I had been, since two weeks ago, and I’m constantly going to the bathroom now which is OK because it’s all good for baby.

I also have some restless legs going on. It’s mostly if I’m sitting on the couch in the evenings and thankfully it’s not too bad in bed {watch it get really bad tonight}. Stretching them out helps a bit.

Wait gain: 158 as of yesterday afternoon. So I’ve really plumped up in general but I’ve gone down one pound since last week? And I haven’t really fluctuated for several weeks so I’m curious about this.

Size of baby: a butternut squash or an acorn squash…it’s squash week!

Exercise: a bit of walking but not much.

Milestones: our daughter has a few more outfits and a great start to her library. I also started going to the birthing center and to my first group session there {see yesterday}.

What I miss: nothing =)

Sex: ¡niña!

Movement: she’s going at it. I’m seeing my tummy move a lot. She also seems to favor my right side. And I can tell that she’s almost sideways. The midwife said that she’ll straighten up soon enough and that can’t be soon enough for me…I want this baby head down!

Thoughts/questions/concerns: I’m flying tomorrow, wish me luck! My plan is to walk up and down the aisle as much as I can and getting my water bottle filled up when I get past security so I can stay hydrated. The trouble is that I will have Guinness with me so I’ll have to hold him and that complicates things. I’m sure I’ll be fine. The midwives cleared me and I trust their judgment. I just hope that my hips or back don’t get too sore sitting on the plane or that my legs get the crazy restless feeling. And I hope I don’t feel crampy or crappy on the plane, but the water I plan to drink should help.

Sleep: good this week, despite waking up every few hours. Mike’s actually been In California since Monday so I get to stretch out and take up the whole bed and that helps. Weird dreams {which I’ve had the whole time}, snoring, and drooling are still persisting. I’m a beast.

Goals: keep drinking water, get past this flight, get ready for Christmas, go to my first baby shower {♥}, and enjoy the holidays.

Random: Guinness and I helped a couple get engaged tonight!!!!! I’ll explain more at a later date. 

xoxo, natty ♥

FIrst group meeting.

Today I had my first group meeting at the Birth Center. They employ somewhat of a group care model for their prenatal patients that starts at around 25 weeks {I came in a couple sessions later than the women who started}.

The women who are due in the same month start to meet once every other week for a check-up with the midwife as well as a class, each one with a different topic. It's hard to picture but each session is two hours and for the first hour a lactation consultant begins the lesson while a midwife takes each of us aside for a quick check up/heartbeat hearing/etc.

I'm really excited about this since I get to meet other women due around the same time who are also interested in a midwife/birth center experience, plus I get this great prenatal curriculum without having to seek it out/pay for it.

Plus there are snacks. And a week where we plaster our bellies and make a cast to paint. You better believe Daddy's gonna be involved in that one.

Today's topic was the mechanics of breastfeeding, part I, circumcision, and the birth center vs. the hospital {they do have admitting rights at a near-by hospital and some women choose/need to give birth there}.

I'm glad I made this transition and am meeting other mamas and learning new things in a small group setting, my preferred method of taking in information.

I also got this folder that explains what size our baby is.

I love the reminiscent of the 80s clothing/earring outline.

xoxo, natty ♥

2/5 done.

 

xoxo, natty ♥

Holly jolly.

I need to update my phone {I've had to since forever} but before I plug it into my computer I wanted to clean up the pictures on the phone. I don't like to dump a ton of photos from my phone onto the computer since it's  always telling me that my "startup disk is almost full" so I try to pare down all the phone shots I take before I plug it in {which is no excuse for rarely going through this process}.

Anyway, tedious and long story short, I found this picture of us from our Yankee Swap party last weekend.

 

Do you put off photo-archiving? On a somewhat related note, do you print out your pictures? I keep an album for each month and used to take out a few for each month with intentions to print them out. The printing out part never happened but maybe that's a do-able maternity leave project.

We'll have to wait and see!

xoxo, natty ♥

There it went.

I was doing some work and just looked at the clock; it got late!

In other news...

1. It's supposed to warm up around here later in the week. Tomorrow's supposed to bring some snow flurries.

2. There's a smelly little dog on the couch with me.

3. There's a bit of a vacation on my horizon...yippee!!

4. I heard little girl's heartbeat this morning at my appointment; always a wonderful sound. And nice and strong!

5. There's some trash TV also going on around here {it starts with MT and ends with V} and as enjoyable as it is, it's time to switch off and do some reading.

I hope that you're enjoying the season and staying warm!
xoxo, natty ♥

On to Monday!

Today was a day of gearing up for the week with a running soundtrack of two separate Law & Order marathons to keep me motivated {thanks TNT & USA}.

Here's to a stellar week!
xoxo, natty ♥

Trees and lights.

Today we got to go look around the White House Christmas Open House {many happy thanks to our hook-up who got us in!!!}.

The entrance was pretty metallics and purple.

I look worried. I'm not.

There's always a nice program that explains each room.

My favorite part was Bo and Sunny.

You can't tell in the picture but their tales were wagging.

Bo has white feeties, Sunny does not.

There was a book tree opposite from where the doggies hang out.

I like the massive Lincoln bust photobombing the tree.

We enjoyed the main tree; it's so tall! It has decorations made my children living on military bases.

The best part of this tree was a cross-stitch of all the United States in the shape of a heart - it was dark already so it's not super easy to see.

The annual gingerbread house was neat - this year it's build on top of an all-cookie fireplace with {cookie} tiles meant to mimic those on FDR's official fireplace. The whole effect is to evoke his fireside chats.

Here's last year's gingerbread house.

It was a really fun tour and we topped it off with a shot under the presidential seal.

And here's last year, for some reference.

That pretty orange tunic won't fit me any more.

In scrolling through 2012's White House Christmas pictures I'm realizing that I like last year's decorations better; they were more colorful and vibrant {a fruit garland and a rainbow hued tree amongst them} while this year was pretty traditional. There's nothing wrong with tried and true fancy decorations but my eyes are more drawn to bursts of color {& fruit}. Both years were fabulous, though, don't get me wrong!

Have you done any holiday sight-seeing? Christmas in the Park if you're back in San Jose? Lights viewing from a warm car?
xoxo, natty ♥

28 weeks.

Snow and ice days graced our area in the past week. I’m gearing up for mid-terms at school and Mike’s finishing up his second to last semester of graduate school {way to go sweetie; you’ve been working SO hard!!!} which all bring us to 28 weeks!

It was red and green day at school today.

How far along: 28 weeks

Symptoms: My upper back pain has returned with a vengeance. Oh my goodness. It starts in earnest which at school then the car ride home exacerbates it. Laying on the couch hasn’t been helping…usually laying on my side for a bit seems to let it ease up but man oh man it’s killing me {can you tell it hurts right now?!}.

No more cramping this week; yea! But I’ve been drinking a TON of water.

I’m not as hungry as before but it’s not because I’m feeling full rather I feel kind of queasy. But it’s not the queasiness I’ve felt like pregnant; it’s just a tummy-ache type of yuckiness. So who knows?!

I’m feeling big and leaning down/over isn’t easy.

My feeties feel a bit bigger which isn’t very exciting.

I actually took off my wedding/engagement rings because my hands felt bigger one night but I think I was just having a swollen sort of day since they’ve been totally normal since then. I’m too afraid to put my rings back on, though, because I have a fear of my fingers getting too big and then how would we get off the rings?!!?

Wait gain: 159 still. I actually weighed myself at some point in the week and I was at153 so me thinks it’s because last week {& this week} I stepped on the scale in the afternoon after eating and drinking all day {like a normal [pregnant] person, not in some bacchanalian sort of way}.

Size of baby: apparently I was wrong again?! Both websites say that she’s an eggplant this week.

Exercise: Lots of couch surfing while doing work.

Milestones: little girl now has a place to lay her head; my mom very kindly gifted a pack-and-play {thank you so much Mama!}. Since we’re in a one-bedroom apartment that’s not that big of one-bedroom, we’re holding off on getting a crib for le bebé and the pack-and-play seems to be the best option for now.

What I miss: nothing =)

Sex: girl girl girl…stealing away her mother’s beauty; my skin has not been a good thing this pregnancy but then again I’ve never had a wonderfully clear complexion.

Movement: yup! She’s starting to give me some movement that is stronger and stronger…a few times she almost takes my breath away – it doesn’t quite hurt but it almost does.

Thoughts/questions/concerns: I’m still concerned about the traveling I’ve got ahead of me in the next few weeks. I’ll ask the midwife about it all at my appointment this upcoming week.

Sleep: waking up every few hours for the baño. I’ve also had this gross thing where I wake up with a start because it feels like I’m starting to throw up. Then I wake up and I’m fine because I sit up. Gross gross gross. Another gross thing? {I’m trying to not feel bad but remember that this is a place for me to remember what’s going on during this pregnancy =)} I’m drooling so much at night – I’ve heard that some women have a lot more saliva when pregnant. I’m also snoring some. Sorry Mike.

Goals: continue to drink a lot of water, get my mid terms graded so I don’t have to do that work over break, maybe start to think about the work and plans I can leave for my maternity substitute, get thinking about Christmas gifts.

Random: we’re so excited and happy to go to California and Arizona!!!!!

xoxo, natty ♥

Those crazy drivers.

I've had this post percolating for quite a while. It's a post defining and classifying the various drivers I encounter on the road {think: "I perpetually go five miles below the speed limit", "I never use my turn signal", "I brake ALOT and for no good reason"...}. I don't feel bad for feeling so icily towards these people because most of them are within my age range and seem to have no good reason for this malarky.

Anyway, I don't have time or energy to get it all out so I'm just writing about how I'm busy prepping for mid-terms at work, Mike's busy with finals at his school, and we're trying to stay warm.

And to end on a lighter note...

This is how the man who runs/own the farm where did our summer CSA signed off his end of the season email.

Yes, Leigh, I will try to to have a bodacious winter, busy days, darkness, and chilly temperatures {& bad drivers} be darned!
xoxo, natty ♥

New blankey.

xoxo, natty ♥ 

Staying in.

We had another snow day today and since it was a pretty light snow, we started off our day with some breakfast treats. 

Then I did school work for most of the day.And I'm still not exactly where I wanted to be. Oh well.

Guinness was not a fan of the weather. The salt they put out everywhere really hurts his paws. I think he was cold too. Poor thing!

But the rosemary seemed a-ok; so icy and pretty!
I hope that you're doing well and warm wherever you are!
xoxo, natty ♥

Icy.

There's laundry everywhere in our place and most of it's clean; yippee!!

In other productive news today...

1. School was cancelled. Due to inclement weather and really nastily icy roads, I got to stay home. I slept in, lazed a bit, got no school work done, but got a ton of apartment/life maintenance taken care of which felt so super good.

2. I didn't have to drive on treacherous icy roads in traffic that's normally pretty crazy {the crazies I drive with each day? --> Another post in and of itself. Stay tuned.}; I'm so thankful for this.

3. We finally opened our Advent calendar; I got four pieces of chocolate and I let Mike have five because he was having a sweet tooth kind of night.

4. There's some snow predicted for tomorrow; snow is so much prettier than grody ice and icy rain.

5. I get to go to California {then Arizona} in less than two weeks...and we get a baby shower in each of those states. I'm so excited about, grateful for, and happy to have these chances to visit with friends and family and celebrate this little girl. I'm especially tickled that one is a co-ed shower so that Mikey gets a chance to be a part of it all. We are so blessed.

How you doing today Reader? Iced in? Chilly weather? Looking forward to Christmas and the New Year?! 
xoxo, natty ♥

Yankee Swap.

Last night we had some friends over for a Yankee Swap {a.k.a. White Elephant, a.k.a. many other names I'm sure}. Our rule was that you had to bring a re-gifted gift or something worth $5 {or less} and I'll let you Goog-le the rest of the guidelines if you're so curious.

I, the pregnant woman, ended up with this.

My husband snagged this.

And this morning we woke up to this.

I decided that the tree lights had to go on and a picture had to be taken.

We didn't do anything for the holidays here last year so I'm very glad to have this little tree {he lives on a table} and it didn't get wintry like this outside until some time in January {late January I think?} so it's doubly nice to have a Christmas tree AND some snow.

But it never sticks - today it's supposed to turn into "freezing rain" {everyone's favorite thing}. I think if we were only about 25 miles further north we'd get a lot more snow than we do. As it is, it might snow but it doesn't stick. There can be big snowstorms here but I think this snow-then-melt business is what it's like, or at least what it was for us last year.

Anyway, we're warm inside, reading the paper {online, womp womp} and enjoying a great weekend. 

I hope you're warm too! 
xoxo, natty ♥

December 7th.

It's a day that I feel gets overlooked a bit amongst the younger crowd and a day I like to be aware of each year.

I visited the USS Arizona memorial Hawaii when I was in college but I definitely didn't get it the way I feel about these things now {an effect of "growing up"?}. I was certainly touched at the time but I think I'll feel even more strongly the next time I visit, whenever that may be.
 
I hope we all think about what happened 72 years ago today and hug a veteran while we're at it if we get a chance.
xoxo, natty ♥

27 weeks.

We’re lurching forward towards Christmas {19 days to go!} and we’re also moving forward in this pregnancy. I’ve been a bit grumbly about things this week but I’m truly loving this time. It’s so amazing to feel her move around and know that there’s a whole lot of excitement ahead of us.

On to the update!

How far along: 27 weeks

Symptoms: Being able to smell things really strongly came back alluvasudden this week. I’m sitting on the couch and the bowl Mike at his salad out of REEKS of salad dressing.

The bosom feels sore again, I get full really quickly, and I’ve been quite tired this week.

The main symptom I’ve had this week, though, has been that my feet are killing me; it’s the soles of my feet and they start to hurt after about half an hour of being on them, no matter which shoes I wear. The doctor said that this happens to some women and that, unfortunately, it only worsens in breastfeeding. It can be a combination of weight gain {which would alleviate it after giving birth and nursing wouldn’t make it worse}, hormones that cause relaxation {which could very well mean it stays bad/gets worse}, and just the mysteries of pregnancy.

I’ve been quite hungry this week. Like, really hungry. I’m still craving straight meat but several nights this week I’ve had a snack that involves peanut butter since there’s no extra meat laying around and I know my body/our baby is requesting protein.

I don’t like how complainey this sounds but I suppose these are just this week’s symptoms.

Wait gain: 159. And it’s no longer the week after Thanksgiving. BUT! But this is after tonight’s epic water drinking extravaganza {see below} and dinner. But still, that’s almost 35 pounds which is the high end of weight gain recommendations for all of pregnancy. Oh well?

Size of baby: so I was wrong last week…week 27 – a rutabaga and a scallion. Week 28 – an eggplant and a head of cauliflower. These comparisons are ridiculous! And they keep flip-flopping, what one website says one week is what the other will say a week or two later, or vice-versa! 

Exercise: I got in a three mile walk earlier this week.

Milestones: we got ourselves a car seat {thanks Grand Bill & Betty}! It’s weird seeing it in the apartment {we live in a one-bedroom apartment and there’s no hiding anything unless it’s clothing}; I keep thinking it’s someone else’s. We need to figure it out, of course, and get it in the car but we hopefully have a long time to do that.  

We also made our first wardrobe purchases for this child; I realized we weren’t ever going to be near a store together {maybe during our time in California or Arizona} and Gap had a really good sale online so I showed Mike a few things to get his OK. When they arrived, he didn’t even remember the exchange. So maybe he won’t be in charge of picking out her outfits.

What I miss: nothing =)

Sex: still Miss Melamed!

Movement: some good kicks and what feels like rolling around. There are also these weird things she does where it feels like the hands of ten little elves tapping up against my insides but what in the world could she be doing to cause this?

Also, I hadn’t written it here before but Mike has been able to feel her kicks for quite a while now. He still says they’re just gas.

Thoughts/questions/concerns: I’ve had some cramping this week, “time-of-the-month” style cramping. It’s all been light and very sporadic but I decided to call the midwives {there’s a BBC reference for you fellow fans!} this evening and was told to drink three glasses of water and rest for an hour; if they were still happening then I should go in. That was a couple of hours ago, I’ve been to the bathroom SO many times, I think they’re gone, and I don’t think I’ll call in again tonight.

I’ll monitor this through the weekend, like the midwife said to, and if it’s still happening sporadically, then I’ll call them back on Monday and hopefully get seen. Also, I’m switched over to the midwives {yippee!} but since I haven’t had my first appointment there yet, I’m in a weird limbo. The one I spoke with was very nice and it’s so nice to be able to call.  

Sleep: not great. I wake up for the bathroom or because my hips hurt really badly. I’m supposed to sleep on my sides, not on my back and the belly is obviously out for now, but if I don’t lay at an angle I get horrible hip pain and almost need to get up and stretch. I haven’t been using my Snoogle very religiously {I normally just prop up myself with my regular pillows} but I may give it a try.

Goals: drink way more water to avoid these cramps. NOT have to go into the hospital because of these cramps.

Random: I’m SO excited for our upcoming baby showers!!! We got an invitation for one today, an extremely adorable invitation {!} and it made me so happy.

xoxo, natty ♥

The Hills.

What I couldn't say in only pictures yesterday is that I'm proud of having figured out how to use that little car seat - in our apartment at least.

Mike and I looked like Zoolander trying to get the straps pulled out {they were totally up against the seat}, pull the car seat out of its base {is there a trick to this?}, and make the base go down {there's a hard-to-adjust lever that lets the base go up and down}.

Now, on to getting the thing into the car and figuring out that confinguration.

And then there's the whole aspect of the child we'll actually be putting into the car seat but we can worry about that later.

In other Thursday night news {it's Thursday already?!}, there's a dress-down day at school tomorrow {YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS}, there are some ice cream sandwiches waiting in the fridge, a gingerbread house kit that needs to be assembled {maybe tomorrow night - woot for crazy Friday evenings}, and THE SOUND OF MUSIC on TV tonight.

Are you watching Carrie belt out the tunes? I plan on singing along with all the songs {growing up, the original movie was about as important to me as Little House on the Prairie}. But I'm actually a bit nervous about this "show" because I love the original so much and so dearly - I even heard from someone at work that Carrie Underwood was receiving death threats which seems pretty excessive. If it's crummy I figure that I can just file it away in the pantheon of "remakes that shouldn't have been made in the first place". But I'm still hopeful and very excited, though I think it'll just make me want to watch the Julie Andrews version ASAP.

Happy watching {or not!} to you!
xoxo, natty ♥