28 Weeks Later [...from conception, not as in the scary movie]

Here I am -- nearing the 30 week mark. 

Man, it is going by crazy fast, my baby registry tells me I have only 85 days left to expected arrival of Baby. Yikes! I'm getting really excited to meet our baby and honestly, a little nervous about how this baby is going to come out of me! My body has been changing a lot this past week as I enter my third trimester. I tell Jordan I can feel my pelvic bones BREAKING! He laughs at me and tells me they're not breaking, I know they're just shifting and widening, but he's not the one feeling the pain! These last two days I've felt like I'd been hit by a Mack truck! 

Saturday I believe I experienced my first case of Braxton Hicks contractions. As my body prepares itself for the real deal it will start to have fake contractions to teach itself how to deliver this baby. It's good to know that at least my body knows what's happening because I sure don't. It's funny though because people describe the 'fake' contractions I'll be having as 'similar to real contractions,' but how am I, a first time mother, supposed to know what that means!? Ha. So while at work on Friday night I felt some dull cramping in my lower abdomen and of course it worried me because it was a new physical feeling I had not experienced before and the only similar feeling I could equate it to was that of menstrual cramping. I have come to realize that a lot of normal pregnancy pains feel like period pains, so I try not to freak out so immediately. I texted a few friends who'd fairly recently had babies and they described just what I was feeling as Braxton Hicks, that calmed me and I just took a break from work and put my feet up for a few minutes to relax. 

Relaxing is a bit hard since I am still working VERY full time [full time + some!]

I have promised Jordan [and my body!] that I will be able to cut back here very soon, but it feels like I've been saying that for weeks! [I have.] And my Baby Showers are coming soon, so I'll get to utilize some much needed vacation time at the end of February!  

I am feeling much better today than I felt Friday and Saturday; however little things are becoming very hard to do-- little things like rolling over in bed. Now I see why dogs get treats for doing such a seemingly simple task! 

My Strange Addiction

I am going through withdrawals...

I haven't had MILK since breakfast this morning! 

I texted Jordan to pleeeeeeease get milk from Sam's yesterday [because I was stuck at work], to which he responded, "Okay," but then apparently he didn't! This morning I had just enough for my cereal and a little sip leftover. And now, we have no milk or juice. 

So I have to drink WATER all day-- like a common criminal!

We choose not to make any purchases on Sundays, to keep the Sabbath day holy, so I can't simply go to the store and get some. This is a big fasting moment for me I guess... my mouth is watering [/milking] for milk. This crappy water simply isn't cutting it. 

So you want to know what I am craving? -- Mmm-ILK! 

At least I know what this Baby and I will have in common! 

A Fine Farewell

Last Sunday I was so fortunate to be able to attend the Missionary Farewell Talk of a former employee of mine, Alex. I believe this is the 3rd or 4th of my employees Farewells I've been to. I try to go whenever I can, to show support and stand as witness that missionaries change lives! 

Alex's talk was Uh-may-zing!! He is like a young prophet in training! Can I say that? Seriously though, it was like listening to a General Authority speak. He is such a great young man, enlightened beyond his years and with a bright attitude like his, he will do so well in the mission field! 

Alex spoke about belief. He suggested we should each 'believe' Christ as much as we 'believe in' Him. "It is my understanding that we all want to believe in something or someone" he said, and further speculated that every person wants to believe there is a reason.  A reason for everything that is. How true this is, I thought. I do not believe-- ha! 'believe'-- I do not think that anyone does not, at some point in their life, search for answers. No matter what spiritual persuasion or lack of one we cling to-- we each look for a reason in everything. Whether it be through religion or science, we want to know 'WHY.' 

Alex went on about how people give their lives for what they believe; noting Joan of Arc. The most powerful statement he made [and one of the more powerful things I've likely ever heard] was that '...people should not just give their lives for what they believe, people should give their lives to what they believe.'

What a strong thought!  

Our belief in Christ is not a one time conversion, a single, simple gift of our hearts to Him; but a lifelong pursuit to be more like Him daily and act in His name accordingly. If we are willing to give our lives for what we believe, then why are we not, daily, willing to give our lives to what we believe is right? Sure, for most, it is easy to attend Sacrament meeting every Sunday. We may even make time for Ward activities; Temple Night, Trunk or Treat and Ward Picnic, but why are we often too busy to clear our schedules to help a neighbor move or volunteer to watch young children so their parents can have a date-night?

Our beliefs are solidified by our faith to act. We should hold strong to that which we believe and neglect not our responsibilities to live harmoniously exhibiting our creed.  

Jane, his wife.

Jordan lost his wallet! 

Ugh. He noticed it was missing on Thursday morning and we've since searched the house and cars high and low... to no avail! It's gone. I've been quizzing him in an attempt to try to get him to remember where he may have left it, but he's sadly become convinced that he threw it out at the gas station. Which he secretly blames on me-- because he was cleaning out my car at the time in question. 

We were able to carpool to work everyday last week because of some traded days in my schedule [yay!] and on Wednesday night we stopped to get gas. Jordan had taken my last Swiss Roll in his lunch, when all I had was an apple and two oranges, so I thought this meant for sure I was deserving of a treat! I asked him for a dollar so I could run in for a candy bar. He opened his wallet and moved past the five and ten dollar bill to hand me two one dollar bills. Um, hello? I didn't literally mean ONE dollar, what if they have KING sized bars on sale 2 for $2.22, as they often do? 

[I was just pretending to be the stereotypical wife and teasing him to empty his wallet on me! *Think Jane in the intro to "The Jetsons"] 

"Maybe I would like a treat too," he said, and handed me the five. While I was checking out, Jordan had time to fill up the tank and clean out the mess inside my car. I don't keep my car quite as clean as his; it's littered with half empty work cups, smashed water bottles and apple cores.

This is where it all went wrong! 

He fears he must have trashed his wallet along with it all. He said yesterday, that he remembers thinking to himself, 'Maybe she needs some of this?' but then figured who needed rotting apple cores ?? and threw it all away. Somewhere in his hands was his wallet and now somewhere in the dump it lies. Boo. 

By Friday Jordan had still insisted it must be in the house or car somewhere [fingers crossed it still could be!] but when his all day Saturday search came up empty handed, I made him give in and call our cards to cancel them. "Better safe than sorry," I say, and honestly I wasn't really that comfortable waiting until the weekend to call either. He finally caved and canceled all his cards. 

I'm not so afraid that anyone got a hold of them because Jordan called the gas station and asked when the trash was picked up and if they have any bums digging around for buried treasure. Thankfully they said there were little to no trash diggers and the garbage truck came on Friday morning. 

So, what's the lesson here? 

When your wife tells you to 'fork it over' you should listen to her, because now we are out that extra 12 bucks he wouldn't give me. And when she says she'll clean her car-- she will... when she gets around to it. ;) 

26 weeks

It's the final countdown... 

dun, nuh, nuh, nuh, dun, nuh, nuh-nuh nuh... 

Less than 100 days to go!

If we make it to 40 complete weeks then we've only 98 days until we get to meet our little nugget! Old wives tales say that boys come late and first births come late too, Baby is both, so we'll see how long he holds out in there. I'm anxious to get to hold him in my arms, but we've still got a lot to get organized before he gets here, so we'll be patient and welcome him whenever he's ready!

Baby Daddy and I went out yesterday for an all day-baby registering spree! 

We found a crib and changing table we really like, from Ikea, but we'll wait and get it delivered after we find a home. We're definitely going to be cutting everything really close-- we've been waiting until Jordan graduated and got accepted full time at work until we made any final decisions on where we'd end up. We've got to get the ball rolling now, but life certainly hasn't settled down any more for us, even now that the holidays and hoopla are over.  

It is a little nerve-racking not being settled in yet. I'd love to start painting a nursery and getting Baby's room all set up, but I guess there will also be some fun in throwing it all together at the last minute! Right? Maybe. Until that time comes, I'm just telling myself to relax, I've got 3 months left and it'll all work out in the end. 

Oh, and for all of you saying I'm SO SMALL, here's a side view-- look at that BUMP! 

Babies R Us[uck!]

A baby registering we will go! 

Ugh... what a day. We finally had a free weekend together and thought, well iiii thought, we should take advantage of it and drag my husband out to the baby stores. I thought we'd start at Babies R Us, even though I think they're a little overpriced, because they'd have an abundance of all things baby and knowledgeable employees who could help us and start us off on our adventure. iiiiii was wrong! Oh-m-gee it was terrible. We started with an older lady whom I told I had already started a registry online, but she couldn't find it... so we created a new one. Well, when I went home, I signed in and found 2 accounts attached to my name, so now I have to figure out how to delete the other. Okay, not so bad. When we started out she gave us a brief overview of the store areas, but that was it. There was no one there to help us and we were totally on our own. I had thought to myself, earlier in the week, that perhaps it would be easier to go registering with a mommy friend rather than hubby, since we both clearly have no idea what we're doing! But I didn't want to exclude Jordan and thought that with the guidance of the store employees we could do it! I thought, lets save the furniture and big appliance area for last since it will likely be overwhelming, lets start small with bottles, binkies, pumps, bathing needs, etc.. wrong idea again! There are literally [no, literally!] 9,000 varieties of bottles, binkies and finger nail clippers! I freaked and said lets start small and look at clothes [which we don't even need] because those will be strictly fashion vs. function, an obvious choice. 

We found some cute shoes and a diaper bag for each of us. 

Strollers were great, we found a travel system/jogger we love! But couldn't find anyone to assist us in our questions, so I recruited an experienced mommy in the same aisle who was thankfully able to answer my basic questions. The stroller we loved was under a sign that said "Clearance; $104!" and we so excited, but when we scanned we realized it was not in the right place and found it is actually $250, but we really love it and maybe some aunts can go in on it as a group gift. Psst! Winky face!

I really like the idea of making my own baby food, so we looked at a bullet and packaging system, but as soon as I started looking at an ENTIRE WALL of baby spoons, snack grabbers, bottles and binkies, I just freaked and almost started crying. No joke, I was whining and Jordan was laughing at me. I completely realize how ridiculous I was, but like- how the heck am I supposed to know which spoon my kid is going to need in like 6 months, 9 months? When can he start feeding himself? I don't even know. And WHY are there SOOOO many!!? 

Side note-- there was a baby bath thermometer. Don't you just put your hand in it and if it's too hot then don't put your baby in it. Do you really need an octopus thermometer? I'm just saying, half that store was JUNK, just silly THINGS, gadgets that no one needs, but some  marketing scheme tricks new moms into thinking they need, which after one use will just take up room and collect dust. 

After about an hour and a few near mommy meltdowns I just decided we needed to leave and I'd come back fresh another day. There is also something to be said about at home registering online in the comfort of my own home with the wonderful world wide web at my fingertips! 

I can't say I was expecting a personal shopper to guide us around the store for 2 hours helping us pick the necessities from the nonsense. However a little assistance would have been nice. And dare I say expected-- when Jordan went to the register to ask for an employee to help us and nobody came. 

We've already inherited several of our big ticket items, so we're not entirely starting from scratch-- which is definitely nice, but I thought it would also have been nice to just go a clicking away so I could have more than 10 items on my registry--and at least feel like we'd accomplished something with our day. 

We went from Babies R Us to Target, which was better, then to Ikea, which was BEST. We found a crib & changing table we'll get once we move. The stroller we're obsessed with and everything else so far is just little trinkets and baby necessities. I plan to add more online, after doing some clearly much needed research into the life of a baby. And maybe next weekend I can drag one of my mommy friends  to help [one who hasn't read about my meltdowns!]