Thursday, June 25, 2015

Last week in June!!

Hi everybody!! I have lots of pictures to share with you but I won't be in town till next week but I wanted to write a quick update for you all in the meantime.

First - We've had a lot of people ask us what we still need for baby Blaine (7.5 weeks to go!!). I sat down with Scott and we came up with a list of things that we didn't think of when creating the baby registry - these are NOT on the baby registry (except for the diapers).

-Sippy cups

-Baby teething items (chew toys, amber necklace, ....)

-Toys (we have only one small hand held toy - small toys, educational toys, walker/bouncer....)

-Books/VHS tapes/DVDs (We do not have a blue ray player so keep that in mind. Educational, animal related or farm related, or even old school cartoons like looney tunes! We would love items that are used or from thrift stores too.)

-Strollar (it MUST have all-terrain type wheels, not the small solid plastic ones. With all the gravel areas around, we want to be sure we can get a lot of use out of one)

-Diapers of all sizes. We have about 3-4 packs of the small size 1/NB diapers, but that's all.

-Regular sized bath towels (girly colors). We have 2-3 terry cloth hooded towels, but we've been told she will outgrow those quickly.

-Hair Accessories (we have 2 headbands and one hair clip)

-Tooth Brushing stuff for babies?!?! I don't even know what we'd need here.

-Clothes - size 12 months and up

-Baby Shoes and Toddler Shoes

-Baby socks and Toddler socks

-Baby Book (There are some really nice ones on Etsy that I like, but I haven't purchased anything. I do have a blank journal that I have been writing all sorts of things in, including all gifts received, documenting my pregnancy, etc).

ALSO - I updated our gift registry to remove any items we no longer feel we need or items that are no longer available on the website.

If you need the link, here it is:


https://www.walmart.com/lists/view-baby-registry-items?id=f4be6f75-dd91-4b3f-8b4b-3ceed9ea3960



If you can think of anything we need that wasn't purchased on our registry and isn't listed above let me know!! We are so new at this we don't really know what we need!

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House update - We busted our behinds yesterday and rearranged the loft, put lots of extra 'stuff/boxes' from the downstairs up in the loft, reorganized the downstairs, and even unpacked and organized pretty much all of the baby stuff we have so far!! I'll work on getting pictures of everything for you all so you can see how the flow of our house has changed. It's much more open and roomy now that we got all the extra stuff out of there (including the scooters!!).

Scott has the concrete foundation for the cellar completed and within the next week or 2 (he has to work this weekend so I'm not sure if he'll get much accomplished this weekend) he should have a really good start on the cellar!! Now we've noticed there is a few small issues with the shower stall but Scott is actually working on fixing part of it tonight! First - we don't have it grouted/sealed yet (because of our priorities list) and there seems to be some water leaking from around the 'bump out'. Scott is adding cement to the inside of the bump out to seal up any cracks. Then we will test it out and see if that fixed it. Second, Scott and I have both walked all over the square tiles on the floor of the shower, and one of them cracked about 2 weeks ago, but then today when I showered 2 more cracked on me!! I feel horrible about it! But we talked about it and we already need to order more of the pebble stones to finish around the entrance, so we may just remove all the small square tiles and put all pebbles on the floor. I think that may actually kill two birds with one stone - the square tiles are very slippery when wet!! And the stones pebbles seem to be much easier to walk on. Fingers crossed we get this all figured out. And until the shower is grouted/sealed, unless we are testing it for water leakage, we are both going back to 'old school original showers' over the sink.

Scott also started connecting the plumbing for the shower and for where the water enters the house! I have pictures of both for you next time I'm in town.
I've been asked a lot about my sewing lately..... I'm working on my LAST custom order which should be completed next week!! YEAH! I've been so slow at getting anything accomplished that it has taken me 1-2 months per order. Not exactly what I had in mind, but baby comes first! After this last order, my goal for the rest of the year, is to use up the fabric I have on hand for shirts, vests and jackets. Many of these items will be basics and many will be at reduced prices. However, I'll also be working on more items to send to Just Peachy in Ohio too! So keep an eye on my Facebook page for all show clothing updates: www.facebook.com/KLSDesignsShowClothing


Baby news!! I'm 32.5 weeks along now and feeling very VERY pregnant! All the work we did organizing the house took its toll on me and I was really sore yesterday and today. I'm feeling better tonight, but my lower back is starting to hurt throughout the day. The interesting thing is this last week I've had little to no appetite and have had to remind myself to eat. I'm actually surprised by this because I assumed I'd be having cravings like crazy or be hungry most of the time, but that doesn't seem to be the case at the moment. I'm blaming it on the heat and my hormones. I'm hot all the time it seems and I'm drinking lots of cold water and eating probably 5-6 popsicles a day! I think my belly has gotten a little bigger (we don't have a mirror so unless I measure it or see it in the reflection in the door's window, I have no idea! haha). I'll try to get another belly picture to share with you all next week too!

Otherwise, no major issues.... I'm getting close to sleeping on the couch more often because of having to pee more often at night (and climbing up and down a ladder isn't the most fun thing!). And for some reason I'm not sleeping very well through the night, but really good when I nap during the day. And I've tried to skip my naps, but that just makes me lethargic all day long and yet I still am not sleeping well at night. That just means I have a great excuse to nap!! But I'm feeling good, just getting tired more quickly.

And we are in food preparation mode right now too. I'm trying to come up with healthy things to freeze to help with meal times after Blaine is here. Right now I'm focusing on breakfast items specifically for Scott - banana bread and cinnamon bread, then next I'll work on french toast for him too. I also made meatloaf one night this past week for dinner and was able to freeze half of it for later, so I'll probably make more of that too.

We are both doing great! No major issues and everything we still need to accomplish is on track or in process of getting completed. And next week I have another doctor's appointment so I'll update you again plus I have quite a few pictures of our progress to post too!

Friday, June 19, 2015

59 days to go!

This is a post I've been debating on writing, but I feel that I've been so open with everything that's gone one out here that this is no different.

I'm scared.  Ever since I was discovered where babies came from, my biggest fear has been giving birth.  Don't get me wrong - I'm overwhelmingly joyed to be pregnant, and even more excited to meet our precious little girl; but in the back of my mind I'm terrified of the birthing process!  I'm so thankful that Scott is going through this process with me.  He is the calm one!  When I have a bad day, he's there to rub my back, hold me in his arms, and just tell me that everything is going to work out.

I'm a very positive and optimistic person and most of the time I've been able to put this fear of mine at the back of my mind!  And lately if I can stay busy I don't think about it.  But my anxiety has gotten stronger as Blaine's due date has gotten closer.

With all this said, I am ok!  Scott is going to take a prenatal class with me next month (that is actually FREE from our hospital!!) and part of the class is going over anxiety tips.  Another part of helping with my anxiety was asking lots of questions of my doctor/nurse and also taking a tour of the hospital itself.  A little at a time I'm feeling better.

And I have a huge thank you to send out to everyone!!  All my friends and family who have talked to me about my fears, you really have helped!  I'm so grateful for all of you, and be prepared! I'll probably be leaning on you even more as the days go by! 

Saying thank you just doesn't seem like enough for all the support, love and gifts that we've received.  You all just don't know how much that's helped.  When they say a family and a community helps to raise a child, I couldn't believe it more than I do right now!  And our family hasn't been limited to just blood relatives - we seem to discover family wherever we go and are blessed with our horse show family, our Wyoming family, our neighbors who are our family (both near and far!), and our military family!  We have so much love for all our family and we are thankful for each and everyone of you! You've all made an impact on our lives and we are very excited to share our adventure and journey with you.

I can't thank you enough for allowing us to lean on you for advice, for comfort and for encouragement.  Your support has allowed us to get through the tough times. 

Thank you all!


Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Reality Check!

Over the last week we've made progress on our house and some interesting progress on the baby front too.  And we have so much to be thankful for right now!!

Unfortunately I don't have pictures of our house progress (I'll try to get some for next week!!!).  First, Scott finally found an attachment for his drill to cut the hole through the concrete backing and tile (the hole for the shower handle to go through).  All that is left with the shower is to grout it and attach the hardware (shower head/handle - plus the water connections).

Just like in OH, we've had a lot of rain lately.  The problem for us was that since our driveway slopes all the way down to the house (and the cellar is next to the house), all the water from the rain would run down the hill and then drain into the cellar!!  Well about 10 days ago we finally got some gravel!!  We got 3 full dump truck loads of a road base gravel.  2 loads were spread through our driveway/parking area by the house.  The third load was dumped right behind the mudroom and actually turned out to be like a 'dam' for any water that did run down the hill so now it won't go into the cellar (keeping the cellar dry so Scott can work in it!  Scott spent all last Saturday framing up the concrete pad (for the cistern to sit on) in the cellar and putting gravel in the forms.  Now we are all ready for the concrete!!  Scott was planning on doing the concrete last Sunday, but his back was sore from doing the gravel/forms on Saturday, so I asked him to take it easy on so he wouldn't be hurting too bad for work this week.

Here is the exciting part!!!  Once we get the concrete pad in, we will be so close to having running water - it's so exciting!!  Once we get the cistern, Scott will hook it up to the house (and to the pressure tank) and we will either have water hauled in or we will get a second tank so Scott can get water and haul it in.  This way, while we are waiting on the well guy to come and hook us up to the well (which will be used to keep the cistern topped off), we will still have running water!!!!

Additionally, Scott and I have been working on clearing out the house of extra building materials and unnecessary clutter (all the cooking stuff I don't use each week has been temporarily boxed back up to get rid of the clutter).  We are working a little at a time to prepare for Blaine and making a space for her!!! 

It's exciting and scary at the same time (mostly for me - Scott is actually the calm one right now!!).  I'm going to be honest... I'm sort of in freak-out-mode right now for a few reasons.  I had another 'spotting' episode last Friday, but it was not followed by pain or anything that my doctor said I should be worried about - that's good!!  But then someone I know, his grandson was born over the weekend 8 weeks early!!!  And when I read that I freaked out because I'm 31.5 weeks along and don't have any of Blaine's stuff organized and ready for her to use yet.  Then Sunday night, I had a bad acid reflux/vomiting episode in the middle of the night that was not fun.  But I am unbelievably thankful for Scott!  Every time I get sick I get the shakes and cry.  He was by my side, going up and down the ladder with clean clothes, wet wipes, paper towels, water.... all because he was there for Blaine and I.  He makes me so very thankful to be his wife on a daily basis!

Yesterday my 'nesting' started to set in.  I am went through all the baby clothes we have, organizing by size, and today I washed them all!!  So we at least have clothes clean and ready to go for her!  I also started my food preparations  - I'm in the process of making up extra food to freeze so once Blaine's here I don't have to worry too much about food.  The first thing I've been making has been breads - banana nut bread, cinnamon bread, and almond poppy seed bread.  Next up is pumpkin bread and zucchini bread!  I'm in the brainstorming part of making up dinner stuff we can freeze.

Today I had another doctor's appointment and it was a great one!!  I went in with a list of questions I had about everything from contractions, what kind of thermometer should we get, and others too.....
My doctor and nurse were great and spent at least 30 minutes with me answering my questions! 

The baby is doing great! She has a strong heartbeat and the doctor said he has no concerns about me or the baby at this point.  And here is some fun information!!  First, I did NOT gain any weight over the last 2 weeks!!! I'm only up 3 lbs total so far (and almost 32 weeks along now!!).  Then the nurse told me that once I give birth, the hospital nurses will actually take lots of newborn pictures for us (for FREE) and send us home with a CD of pictures!!  How cool is that! So now I'm on the hunt for a cute newborn outfit!  I have been gifted some adorable hair bows, a newborn crocheted hat but I think most of what I have are 0-3 months and I'm thinking those may be too big on her for pictures?!?  What do I know! I'm new at this!! But I've received so many wonderful and amazing gifts and I can't wait to get pictures in all the outfits!!!

Also, I found out that our hospital has FREE lactation consultants for while I'm in the hospital and even when I'm at home!!  I'm planning on nursing, but I know there will be a learning curve for us both so I'm planning on taking advantage of the consultant.

Over the next week or 2 we have a lot to get accomplished! Scott should have us hooked up to our 'temporary running water' via the cistern.  I'll be finishing up my last custom order till after Blaine arrives.  And after that I'll be working on pre-made items that will be for sale all while prepping the house, setting up all our wonderful gifts, organizing clothes, figuring out how to use a car seat (and going to the Annex at the hospital where there are 3 certified car seat techs who will walk me through the do's and don'ts, plus continuing our meal prep for after her arrival!

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers over the next 2 months!! Our lives are about the change forever and it's exciting but scary at the same time!

Have a great week everyone!!!  I'll have more exciting news and pictures in a week!

Monday, June 8, 2015

It's HOT HOT HOT!!

I wasn't supposed to come into town today, but 2 nights ago, the cats (we think it was Tiger and Tuffy) were fighting.  When we woke up Sunday morning we realized that Tuffy was favoring his eye and it was watery and goopy.  He didn't do much of anything but lay around the house yesterday and neither of us saw him eat/drink till this morning.  So just to be safe, we took him to the vet this morning.  We think Tiger scratched Tuffy's eye.  The vet didn't see anything, but it was obvious that something was bothering it.  To be safe, Tuffy had to get an antibiotic shot and is now on eye drops!  I'm not looking forward to giving him eye drops.... he's not a fan of anyone touching his head with their hands (but he has a foot fetish and loves rubbing on toes!!).  I'll let you know how the eye drops work out!!

On the home front -
Over the weekend we got 3 dump truck loads of base gravel for the driveway!!  This was on our to-do list to get completed before this fall.  But with all the rain we've been getting, and with our driveway being a hill that slopes down toward our house, there have been days where Scott had had a hard time getting out of the muddy driveway.  So we bit the bullet and went ahead and got our initial loads of base gravel.  Our thinking is that once we get the base built up, then we will get a better looking gravel on top.  But if we start with the better looking (and more expensive) gravel, once it gets compacted down it would have been a waste of $$.... just our thinking.

Scott had to work on Saturday, but he had the rest of the weekend rain free!!  He worked a little in the cellar and now has the concrete pad framed up.  Next he has to put gravel in the bottom of it as right now it has lots of dips in it - so he needs to level it off.

No more progress in the house yet because Scott's been working outside as long as it's nice out!

On the baby front -
Everything is good!  Last week I forgot to mention that I had to get a Tetanus/Whooping Cough shot.  We are encouraging all our family and friends that are planning on seeing Blaine to get this shot.  It didn't hurt and could be the difference between life/death for Blaine.

Blaine has quit with the hard kicks and jabs and now it's more pushes and some flutters here and there. 

We have noticed that with no air conditioner, when we use the stove/oven for dinner, the loft of the house is getting warm and holding the heat!  It's not horribly hot, but we've had to use a box fan to blow out the hot air in the evenings which has helped a lot!  We do have 2 window air conditioners from the old house, but the problem is that our current windows slide side-to-side and not up-down.  But we may look into getting a swamp cooler if it gets too unbearable - especially when Blaine is here we don't want her getting too hot!!

If all goes well, I won't be updating the blog till next week as I don't have any more scheduled trips to town till my next doctor's appointment.

Have a great week everyone!! It's going to be a hot one for us - up to 90 today!!!

Thursday, June 4, 2015

29.5 week Doctor Appointment

I can no longer say I haven't gained any weight! I am up 3 lbs now!  I think that's pretty good for almost 30 weeks!

Everything went well...  my blood pressure was actually perfect this time (usually it's high on the normal scale), but my pee test is still showing I need to drink lots more water.  I feel like a fish, but still not good enough.  And they did see small traces of protein in my urine this time.  Nothing to worry about yet, but they are going to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get worse or lead to anything bad.

I'm a little emotional today.  I know I'm not a skinny girl.  But for some reason my doctor insists on telling me nearly every appointment that I'm a big girl or overweight.  Maybe it's because I'm hormonal, or maybe it's because it brings up stuff from my past, but it really upset me today. 

Isn't it crazy how you can be having the best possible day but one person says one small thing that makes it a not so good day?  I'm going to try to not let it get to me because I really have had a perfect day otherwise!!

I got to eat lunch with my husband!  I talked to Charlotte today!!  And I even got to thank my brother Darren for the wonderful surprise gifts he bought for Scott and I (which apparently there are 8-10 packages being sent and so far we've only received the one!!!).  Focusing on the positive right now! 

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week!!! 

You are in luck!!

For those of you that follow the blog, now that I'm having to come into town more often, sometimes once a week if not more, then I'll be updating our blog more often too!!!

I don't have a lot to update on today... 

With the house - We've really been enjoying, and feel like we are on cloud 9, our appliances!!!  We've discovered, or rather I should say our little Princess cat has discovered, that she can get underneath the deep freeze and hide!!  NOT GOOD!  So we had to put up a piece of plywood behind the freezer to keep her out!
Scott has wired up our first 2 lights - one in the mudroom and one in the bathroom!  It has been a struggle for me to remember that we have those 2 lights.  Scott has to continually remind me of them! haha
At this moment, Scott is waiting for the weekend and for the rain to let up too.  He's not done with wiring outlets/lights or running the water lines through the house yet, but he's on call this week and has been catching up on some sleep too.  But it looks like the rain is going to give us a break next week (fingers crossed), so he should be working more in the cellar soon!!

On the baby front - GREAT NEWS!!  I passed my 3 hour glucose test! I don't know yet what my exact numbers are, but the nurse called and said I was normal and passed!  I have my regular doctor appointment this afternoon (and then every 2 weeks now!) so if anything else comes up I'll post it.

I'm starting to get more tired every day, wanting to take a longer nap or sleep in a little longer.  I think part of that is because it has been a bit humid here and has been harder for both Scott and I to sleep at night because of it.  Also, we discovered, that the heat from the stove/oven really heats up the house fast!! (This will come in handy this winter!)  But right now it's a drag because the loft (where our bed is) holds the heat making it harder for us to sleep.  On one hand I wish we would have put in an upper window in the loft, but on the other hand, I sleep better in the dark so I'm glad we didn't.

My belly is really starting to pop now!! I'm almost to my 8th month! (just one more week and I will be!)  Now, I've had a lot of friends/family ask to see my baby bump.  I'll admit I'm not the most comfortable with pictures of myself because, for lots of reasons over my entire life, I've had body issues.  However, one of my goals is to own it and get it under control (once Blaine is here) because I don't want Blaine to see my issues and inherit them herself.  So with that, I've taken a 29.5 week baby bump picture to share!


Along the lines of being healthy and owning it, Scott and I (now that we have appliances) have been eating healthy together!!!  For dinner 2 nights we each had a few BBQ ribs, a large salad, and another veggie on the side (potato and lima beans).  And I have to admit that in the 1 week we've had the refrigerator, I've already eaten an ENTIRE watermelon, cantaloupe,  3 peaches, and a large bowl of strawberries all my self.  But at least they are healthy for you, right?

That's about all the info I have right now.... I'll post more later!!

Monday, June 1, 2015

PICTURES!!

PICTURES!!!!  I discovered, as I'm waiting for my 3 hour glucose test at the hospital, that the hospital has great WIFI!!  Here are pictures of everything we've been working on this spring - electric, water, tiling, wiring up the house, cats being silly, online baby shower gifts received (THANK YOU!!!), even our appliances.  Enjoy!!
 
Also, these pictures are in no particular order.... and there is no wording in between them, so the easy way is to click on the first one and scroll through them!