Preparations - Getting My Learn On!

We learned in our homegroup last night about preparing for the things God will accomplish through you by way of prayer. This theme is also coming at me through a book I've recently started reading about studying the bible. Before starting any task you have to prepare...make sure you have all the information or ingredients you need, make sure you understand the directions and have appropriate safety equipment if needed.

Well John heard from a friend that our hospital offers baby classes. I checked it out and three of them interest me: "Baby Care", "Baby-Friendly Breastfeeding" and "Prepared Childbirth Crash Course". At first when he told me, I admit I was skeptical. I mean, I feel like some of this stuff I will have already learned from books and family and online resources. However, the message of preparation kept playing in my head. Plus John sounded super excited about attending. He said "Don't make me go to these classes alone because I'll do it!" As funny as that image in my head is, I thought that since babies DON'T come with a manual it might be better to learn what I can before Bean arrives.

Time Out for Color Therapy

So yesterday was a rough day for me, emotionally. Actually both of us. John got to listen to rumors at his company of potential layoffs later this year. Nice kick in the teeth, eh? Add to it that we've been trying to configure a floorplan for Bean's room while keeping all of our own stuff sequestered to the 6.5 x 6.5 walk in closet. Jobless or not, a baby is coming and needs a place to dwell.

We've already packed our attic slap full, cut ties with things we really don't need to hang on to, and it still won't all fit in a way that won't make us insane to go into the room. I REFUSE to throw more out. So we came to terms with the fact that the nursery will have to be a nursery/office. I really hate it but there is no other way around it. Now the huge task is configuring everything in a way that we both like. I've got my priorities and John has his. Which is totally fine but of course they don't match. I guess it is what you get when you live in a cracker box and can't buy a bigger house because your job may not be around next year. Wow, I had better stop describing yesterday because I can totally feel the frustration coming on again.

To keep from imploding, I took a break from trying to fit 20 lbs of life in a 5 lb room. I can't worry about the job sitch since there isn't anything we can do about it anyway. Because colors and patterns always make me happy I started researching crib sets. John and I like the idea of not having a theme sewn into the fabric. For example, John loves airplanes for our son's room and I would love lambs and sheep for our daughter. We don't really want to have blankets or curtains with airplanes or animals on them. We'd rather decorate with gender specific colors and use wall art or toys as the 'theme.' This way we aren't replacing curtains as Bean grows and changes his/her mind about what theme she/he likes.

So I present the bedding I love for a girl's room. How cute will this look with a stuffed sheep or rocking-horse style lamb in the corner?




And this is the bedding we love for a boy's room:



The color therapy totally works because I get happy just looking at these pictures again. I think they will work well into toddler-hood.

Please God, I beg you, please let us keep our jobs and help us find a bigger house between now and toddler-hood. And keep us at peace until those days arrive. Thanks in advance. Amen.

Preggie Update

So I'm into my 13th week now. Wow, seriously? Am I already 1/3rd of the way there? Things are going pretty good. I still burp a lot (which to me is REALLY gross!) but considering what other gals endure, I'll take burping over yakking any day.

I don't show yet. I don't know how most women feel about that part, but I welcome it. At least if your belly appears pregnant then people wouldn't look at you like you are an idiot when you play the pregnancy card. Which I've only had to do twice.

For instance, during our vacation to Lake Tahoe John, Amy and I went on a snow mobile trip. Afterwards the bus driver wanted to herd us all back onto the bus like there was a fire he had to get to. Well Amy and I needed to go to the bathroom. He made all the men get out of the bathroom line and foolishly tried to tell us we needed to hold it til we got back to the resort (30 minutes away.) I said, in a less than gentle tone, "There are two pregnant ladies that WILL use this bathroom BEFORE we get back on that bus!" He rolled his eyes but let us go. Now if I had a big ol' belly to stick in his face there would be no eye roll. There probably wouldn't have been any snow mobile ride either but that is totally beside the point.

I have my 2nd OB appointment on 2/19. I don't know what they'll do but I've learned I'll be seeing doc once a month for the next several months. I imagine he'll measure stuff, weigh me (yippeee...not) and ask if I have questions. Which I don't. I think I'll get to hear the heart beat again. That part is neat.

So, all in all, it's been a pretty smooth pregnancy. Would I do this again? Based on what I've experienced so far - heck yes.

Can't stop laughing!

John, hope you are ready for this...

Things I don't have to do when I'm pregnant

1. Share my food with anyone. Ever. Note to my coworkers: Yes my food smells AND tastes delicious. No you can't have any and if you touch it, I'm pretty sure I'm allowed by law, to keeeeel you.

2. Change the cat litter box. Thank goodness we don't have a cat but if we did, I could actually get a doctor's note that absolves me from that responsibility. Something about toxic cat poo germs or something. I dunno.

3. Feel bad about putting the A/C down to 30 in the house.

4. Listen to nearly any advice I get from strangers. My doctor says there are only 2 things someone should legally be allowed to say to a pregnant lady: "You look wonderful!" and "Everything will be just fine."

5. Feel guilty about putting on some lbs. Sweet freedom!

Now someone go get me a cupcake!

We're Baaaaaack...

...from our ski trip and boy oh boy God sure made a beautiful planet. Snow-capped mountains, majestic pine trees so thick with snow that you wonder how the branches don't break off, clear zephyr skies....*sigh*...just breathtaking.

John skied several days. I got a massage at the spa. We went snowmobiling. I took many many pictures. We rode the ski gondola up to 11,000 ft elevation. We ate at several great places, some not so great. I soaked in the jacuzzi tub in my room. It was a vacation well worth the six-month anticipation. And it didn't fly by either. It was the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. My favorite part was the view.

I really appreciate this world we live in and hope to see more of it. It is also my hope that John and I are able to share our sense of adventure with Bean. Some kids are afraid to try new things, and yeah I'm sure it has a lot to do with how their parents react to new experiences. I think baby is getting a good head start, having us for parents. Bean's dad has gone sky diving, bungee jumping and we are both scuba divers. We love to travel and experience new things.