Nursery Time!

As my due date rapidly approaches (she could be here in as little as 4 weeks!), we're working like busy bees to finish the nursery. With it ALMOST done, I thought I'd post our progress! I believe the only thing we still need to add is the rocking chair (which will go in place of the Pack and Play which will be moving into our bedroom), the rug that matches the set, a small table to go next to the crib, and the lamp that matches the set. I'm still looking for some kind of simple border to go along the top of the walls but have been very unsuccessful. Obviously not something that needs to be done ASAP. Anyway, here it is so far!

Baby, Baby, Baby Shower!

What a wonderful day! Being able to share our upcoming arrival with my closest friends and family was magical! I just want to thank everyone who was able to come yesterday and let you know that each of you individually made the day so special. A special thanks to my mom and sister-in-law Sarah for helping put everything together! Couldn't have done it without you two! I LOVE YOU BOTH!

The gorgeous diaper cake my grandma made

Custom cake from Shannan (it was delicious!)

Yummy!

Wowza!

Look at all that loot! : )

Me and Becca

Me, Michelle, and April

Shannan and Nicole

Lindsay, Aubrey, and Ariana

















Melissa and Melissa : )

Fran and Linda

Getting ready for the games

Go Kim!

Workin' hard!

Mom handing out game prizes

And the present opening begins...

Baby's First Image

Yesterday was the big ultrasound day! I have been looking forward to this day for a long time! They say the best time to have the 3D/4D ultrasounds done is between 27-32 weeks so I thought it would be perfect as I hit the 29 week mark yesterday! Oh my gosh! 29 weeks! I only have 11 weeks (or less) to go!?!?! Ahhh!

We were originally planning on going to this place called Miracle in Progress but when I called them, they informed me that they were closing... on Saturday. Great. They were nice enough to refer me to another place called Baby's First Image which actually turned out to be closer to my house so yay! The ultrasound room was decorated so nicely and there was soft music playing in the background and I got to lay on a really comfy bed! The lady who performed the ultrasound was really nice. First she did Ally's measurements and everything was measuring normal. She weighs 3 pounds now! WoW! Hard for me to believe that! We got a total of about 70 pictures and about 15 minutes of video.

Ally was very active during the entire ultrasound and did really well for the first 10 minutes or so, until she decided to stick her fingers/hand in her mouth and wouldn't take it out for anything which spoiled most of the rest of the pictures. The images were distorted with her hand/arm in the way. We were lucky to get a few good ones though! Maria, the tech, said she definitely has a prominent nose (which you will see shortly; it totally looks like Shane's nose)! How exciting!

I know what it's like to have your parents' features because I look a lot like both of my parents, but Shane, being adopted, has no idea what it's like so I think this is extra special for him. I'm so glad I'm able to share this with him. Sometimes I feel more happy for him that we're having a baby than for me. I'm so excited he gets to understand that bond and I think he's going to be the best dad.

Without further ado, here she is! I'm not going to bore you with 70 pictures on here so I chose the best. (As soon as I figure out how to add video, I'll add that too.)



Her eyes were open for a lot of the ultrasound! She looks mad!

She's smiling!

Good picture of her foot.

Yawning!

She look so innocent here.

Nursery Furniture

We ordered Ally's furniture today! The good news? It's beautiful! The bad news? It's not in stock and could take 6-8 weeks to get in... I love it because we got it at this place called Dagerman's and they are the only store in town that carries it, which makes it rare and special (just like my baby Ally). I'm so hoping it doesn't take as long as they said because that would bring us to the beginning of August! And if you have read my previous blogs, you know how OCD I am and how I want everything to be done ASAP. So let's keep out fingers crossed for a speedy delivery!

Here's a picture of what the furniture looks like. We only ordered the crib and the dresser (without the hutch).

SAHM

I'm sure every mother at one point or another dreams of being a SAHM (stay at home mom.) It is definitely a dream of mine. It WAS definitely a dream of mine... until that dream came crashing down into little pieces. When I found out that Ally was due at the end of August, I thought it couldn't be any more perfect! I would be able to work through the rest of the school year and end my contract honorably. Then I would take the next school year off (at least) to be home to take care of my baby.

All of that was before my husband's job decided to slow down dramatically. He's not making nearly as much as he was this time last year and in all honesty, we probably cannot afford for me to be taking time off right now. I couldn't be more upset about this. I can't image another person practically raising what could possibly be our only child. Not only that, but we know NO ONE that could even be that person. Which means we will be relying on a stranger to take care of our most precious gift. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.

However, I do live in the real world and I know you don't always get what you want. I just wish I could have what I want this time! Because I'm a first year teacher, there was a good chance I was going to get riffed (taken out of my current position because of the budget cuts) but as of today it looks like that isn't going to happen. On one hand, I'm thankful I'm able to keep my job and that my principal wants me there. On the other hand, I'm not exactly sure that where I am is where I belong. Don't get me wrong, everyone at my school has been AMAZING and I feel so lucky to have the help and support (and friends) there. Because most of my students are ELL (English Language Learners) it is a difficult task and sometimes I feel like I don't have what it takes to help these children. With things the way they are in the district, I unfortunately don't have the luxury of just "finding a new job". So as it stands, I will work through the rest of this school year (my last day being August 5th). When school resumes, that will begin my 6 weeks maternity leave or 8 weeks if I have to have a c-section.

I have to try to look at the bright side; I will have the entire summer off and my hours are pretty good. My friend Shannan also mentioned that because I'm working, that's more shopping I can do for her! F-U-N! And who knows?? Maybe by next year Shane will be busier at work and I can take time off then. I'm so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful family and friends that I know I'll be able to get through this.

Enough Already!

If I have to hear from ONE MORE person how MISERABLE I'm going to be in the summer during my third trimester, I'm going to S-C-R-E-A-M!



.......................That is all.

6 Month Appointment

Yay for a successful doctors appointment today! Ally is measuring right on target at 1 pound, 8 ounce! I can actually breath for a while knowing that she is okay! She also showed herself for the first time today in 3D! It was so amazing to see her face! The image isn't perfect because I'm still pretty early on for 3D pictures. The technician said in about a month the pictures will turn out a lot better because there will be more fluid which helps produce the pictures. Nonetheless, it's still my baby girl! <3 I'm so in love!


My mom is taking me to a 3D specialty place in a few weeks and they will do an hour long session where we will get video too. I'm super excited for that! The images should be much clearer! Yipee! On a different note, my baby shower invitations will be here tomorrow and they should be going out by the end of this month! The baby shower is June 26th! Also, Ally's crib bedding was ordered on Sunday and should be here by the end of the week! Things are starting to come together! Here's the link to the nursery theme:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3755957

That's all for now! <3

Pregnancy. A Rant.

So it's been a little while since I've posted but only because there hasn't been anything significant happening lately. I am currently 5 and a half months pregnant and yes, I'm about to vent. You've been warned...

I thought that when this day finally came and I got what I've wanted for so long, I would enjoy every second of it. That being said, it couldn't be farther from the truth. I'm already starting to feel uncomfortable in my daily activities, i.e.: walking, bending over, sleeping, being awake... haha. I'm having pains I never new existed, sleep deprivation which I've never experienced, and anxiety like nothing I've ever known.

I know what you're thinking... "GIRL, you just WAIT until your baby is here!" Okay, okay! I get it! I know I'm not going to be sleeping, I know I'm going to be worried all the time, but that time is not right now. Right now, I'm dealing with these pregnancy issues and I'd appreciate it if you'd just let me be cranky! Thanks! : )

I know that the moment Ally arrives, our lives are going to instantly change forever. I know we're going to experience a love that we didn't even know was possible and I want that so badly! I just want it to be here now! Though I feel like I'm emotionally ready, I am no where NEAR physically ready. Thanks to my amazing sister-in-law, Sarah, we have a good start on baby stuff but we have a long, long way to go. With 3 and a half months to go, I have less time in front of me than behind me which is... SCARY! I know the baby shower will be a huge help, but I'm a planner (almost at an OCD level) and I feel like everything needs to be done NOW, hence my anxiety!

On a different note, I had my 20 week ultrasound 2 weeks ago and everything looked good. She is measuring 2 days behind but that is normal according to my doctor. The doctor said she'd probably be a 6 or 7 pounder. Don't even think about joining the baby pool now that you know that bit of information! I go back on May 11th because when the tech was doing my ultrasound, Ally decided to face towards my back and she wouldn't turn over for anything. We didn't even get to see her face or more importantly for the anatomy scan, her heart. So wish us luck on the 11th! Hopefully she's not being stubborn and will show us what we need (and want!)

Before I Was a Mom...

I received this poem from my mother-in-law and I had to share it.

Before I was a Mom

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on,
Pooped on,
Chewed on,
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body...
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment,
or the satisfaction of being a Mom ...
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.

- Author Unknown

Holy Babies'R'Us!

I finally registered for my baby shower yesterday. I say "finally" because all of the women on my pregnancy forum have been done for weeks. I have no idea why because their showers will be around the same time as mine (end of June) and I felt out of the loop. Apparently everyone wants to be ahead of the game. Usually I'm one of those people but because I have no idea what I'm doing, it's taking me a while to get motivated. Plus I've been on Spring Break for a week and have gotten absolutely nothing accomplished.

That being said, I feel so relieved! Not that I've actually purchased anything but just getting an idea of what I need is calming. I registered at Babies'R'Us online because going into that store right now makes me anxious. There are thousands and thousands of items and it's so overwhelming.

After a review by Shannan and my mom, I think I have everything covered! Here's the problem... I need so much stuff! And I'm not talking the diaper genie, bottle warmer, bottle sterilizer, baby wipe warmer... I'm talking about the basic necessities! I'm hoping that the people attending the baby shower will not ignore the registry just to buy "cute newborn outfits" that Ally will probably be able to wear once and grow out of... Maybe I could put something on the invitation like, "necessities only".... No?

Speaking of "cute newborn outfits", my sister-in-law came over the other day with some really cute outfits for Ally! Note: these outfits are NOT newborn because she is a smart cookie!

























So cute, right?!?! She is going to be the BEST Auntie ever! Sorry about the pictures... I was taking them quick on my phone to show my mom and was too lazy to take better ones. Also, I have NO idea why the layout of the pictures is so messed up but I can't figure out how to fix them... Why is blogger being so difficult today??

If you want to take a peek at my registry, here's the link: (If you notice something I'm missing, send me a comment! Thanks!)

http://www.toysrus.com/registry/search/index.jsp?_flowExecutionKey=_cD8CB1A9A-FA71-9940-7A7A-5C3D7C6FB9F5_k23A9FA1D-F19A-5716-CE41-17E883BD2582&overrideStore=TRUS