What in the world is going on?!

I decided to put the rest of the shenanigans happening in a post all to itself.  After all, no nasty possum should share space with the description of our fun anniversary weekend.

We came home from our weekend to find a possum had taken residence in our house.  Not in the walls of our house, behind our living room furniture.  My theory on how it arrived there - it did what possums do and played dead.  Let me start at the beginning, our dogs have a tendency to hunt animals that make the unfortunate decision to come into our backyard.  They come in and out via dog door anytime they want, so the results of the hunting expeditions usually end up in the house.  So, I think they caught the poor fella, he played dead (an action that saved his life...maybe) and he came to life in the house to scurry behind the furniture where the dogs couldn't get him.  To make a long story short, with help from our friend Paul, we shooed the poor guy out the front door.  He eventually hobbled down the driveway and into our neighbors backyard.  For comfort, I'm pretending that he will live a full life - even with whatever injuries he sustained while being hunted.

I didn't get a picture of Petey Possum, but trust me when I say possums are ugly creatures.  This is especially true when you're viewing them from inside your own living room.

Next, our poor buddy Finley got stung by something that caused an allergic reaction.  By the time I caught it, his face was the size of a pumpkin.  Here's a picture comparison of what our boy looks like pre sting and post sting.

Poor guy, he had to get 2 shots before the swelling started to subside.  It was a sad, sad day for him but he's feeling much better now!!

On to the baby - 35 weeks along with 35 days to go!!

Our baby is currently over 5 lbs and all the vital bits are developed.  He'll spend the next 5 weeks focused on gaining weight until he shows his beautiful face to the world.  I cannot wait.  This pregnancy has gotten very uncomfortable in the past 48 hours.  I think the baby shifted, which might be unrelated but I've also been having a lot of contractions, back pain and pelvic pain.  I'm hoping this isn't a sign he's coming early, but on the other hand 5 weeks of this will be a serious beating.  I don't have a belly picture, but here's one my friend took when we hunted down the mobile sno cone stand.

Yes, I'm very pregnant.  I'm also very excited to be at the sno cone stand.

Anniversary Weekend!

Chris and I decided early on in marriage that we'd alternate planning our anniversary festivities each year.  I went first, so it was my turn again (we're celebrating 3 years for those who flunked 1st grade math).  It was difficult to plan since I'm really not supposed to leave the Dallas area and flying was definitely out.  I eventually decided that we'd stay the weekend at the Belmont, our favorite and where we stayed after our wedding.  During the weekend, we had a ton of fun activities that I planned!

But first, before we even left the house I got the best surprise ever!  Chris surprised me with an anniversary present (we don't exchange gifts normally) and it's a fantastic new camera.  I mentioned literally ONE time that I wish we could get a new camera before the baby comes and he remembered.  I am beyond words excited about the new camera and all the memorable pictures it will capture of our son.  A million thank yous to the best husband ever.

First, we went to the fair an annual tradition.  We do it as part of the anniversary weekend because we went there will all our favorite people in the wedding the day before we got married.  I love the fair.  I love corn dogs, funnel cake, the people, everything.  We had to cut it a bit short because all the walking induced some seriously painful contractions.  But we had time to eat some corn dogs and try the fried bubble gum, see picture below!  It's really a fried marshmallow and I'd give it a 5 out of 10.

Next, we decided spur of the moment to see Moneyball at the Angelika.  It was pretty good, almost made me like the Oakland A's.  Almost.

Next, we checked in at the Belmont where we had a beautiful terrace suite with fantastic views of downtown.  If you haven't visited the Belmont, I highly recommend it.  Not only does it have fantastic rooms and views, but it has a delicious restaurant and bar.  Both of which have won awards locally in Dallas.  The restaurant is called Smoke and the bar, is Bar Belmont.

I forgot to take pictures of our room, but here's one of the view!

We ordered delicious Smoke room service and stayed in on Friday night.  Such a fun start!

Saturday morning we woke up and ate Smoke again for breakfast.  It was really good!  We walked around Bishop Arts for awhile until our massage appointment at 1pm.  We got a couples massage, which was fantastic even though I had to get it on my side. 

We had originally planned on going to Smoke for dinner, but that seemed like overkill so we went to Tillman's Roadhouse instead.  It is, in my opinion, the best moderately expensive food in Dallas.  Yum.  We finished up the night with treats from Cretia's, who bakes my favorite cake in the world.

Sunday we woke up, checked out and headed the Cowboys game.  I cannot believe I didn't take a picture.  :(  We had really good seats so our view of the Cowboys meltdown was spectacular.  I'm sorry Chris for getting us tickets to the worst lost in Cowboys history.  It was fun regardless!

I love canteloupe.

So of course that's the size of our baby this week, which means I'm on a no-canteloupe diet until next Tuesday.  Suck.

Our baby is now 34 weeks developed, leaving 6 weeks for it to pack on some weight and get ready to join this world.  I wonder when it will feel real?  Probably when the little bugger emerges from the womb and we realize we're stuck together for life.  I'm sure there will be crying from both parties as this reality sinks in.

I'd like to take this moment and openly admit that I probably should have (I know there is still time) the baby books.  Instead, I'm using one as a doorstop and the rest have either been returned to their owners who lovingly let me borrow them thinking I'd read them or collecting dust somewhere in our house.  Of course I want to be a good parent!  Of course I want my baby to be happy!  Of course I want him to sleep through the night, be a genius, have perfect pitch, read at age 2, identify portugal on a map at age 3, and roll his R's (this is so much harder than it sounds).  But I just want to do it our way.  :)  I know that the minute I crack a book and begin to learn the "right" way or several "right" ways, I'll lose all self confidence that I can raise this baby into a stable man.  I'll be bogged down with rigidity and rules, which just doesn't work with my personality.

I wonder if after a sleepless night of crying, those books will become a life saver?  Maybe.

I have the same approach to labor & delivery.  Clearly, it's going to happen.  I'm very aware that this baby will exit my body one way or another, but I'm not sure how to develop a plan for it.  How in the world can I plan for something when I have NO idea what it will be like.  I'm playing it by ear.  If I need drugs, I'll ask for them.  If I want to soak in a tub, I'll do it.  If I want to listen to my ipod, I'll be sure that it's fully charged.  My plan is to be open to what my body is telling me.  If that means that I barely make it to 1/2 centimeter before I beg for medical invervention, then I won't be disappointed in that.  If my body tells me that this can't happen, I will clearly pack up my things, politely thank the medical team for their help, and get in my car and head home.

The bottom line is, I trust my doctor.  I believe if she tells me I need something, it's because I really need it.  I also trust Chris and know that he'll have read a ton more than me about labor and delivery, so I can divert decisions to him.

The plan:  be open
The goal:  baby out & healthy
The reward:  TCBY on the way home (oh and a baby)

I'm back, or I'm slowly on my way back.

Never underestimate the power of food.  I can't say that it was just the food that finally ended the 2 day crying spree, but the combination of Chris and mushroom risotto did the trick.  Sometime around Tuesday at 7pm, the tears dried up and I started to feel human again.  Thanks to everyone who called, messaged or just thought about me during what was a minor emotional breakdown.  And thanks to Chris, whom I'm sure was one more cry fest away from panic.  I love you more than words.

It's probably time I learned a lesson in thankfulness.  If you've read even 2 days worth of this blog, then you know I'm at my best when I can put things in a list.  So, here we go again:
I am thankful:

• that the guy at work hasn't clipped his toenails at his desk this week
• for my dad, who I know loves me to eternity and back - forever
• for Chris:  marrying you was the best decision I've ever made
• for that mushroom risotto that might just have saved my life
• for this sweet baby, my son, that continues to thrive and whom I love so passionately it hurts in the best possible way
• for material things, like our comfortable house, good jobs, underwear that still fits, and candy corn
• that the creepy sacker at Kroger didn't molest my stomach last time I saw him
• for my family:  distance is something I'll have to tolerate, but it is my mission to ensure that this boy is raised knowing how lucky he is to have you.  We're lucky that love knows no distance.
• for my friends:  new and old, you are the best there ever was

33 weeks and a little reality

I find people that are always happy a little annoying.  I appreciate a positive outlook just as much as the next sarcastic girl, but sometimes a girl's just gotta cry.  Since I've decided to embrace putting my personal life on the world wide web, I might as well include the good, bad and the ugly.  And yesterday, quite frankly was as ugly as it's ever been.

I literally cried myself to sleep (subsequently, I've only cried twice today) last night.  I don't even have a valid reason to cry, which only made me cry harder.  I cried because I felt guilty that I have so much to be thankful for, yet I feel so sad.  I cried because my baby won't get to grow up around my family.  I cried because my mom hasn't spoken to me in months.  I cried for my favorite pajama pants that are now too small.  I cried about everything and everyone.  I cried so openly and for so long that it even scared me.

This is real life after all and even though I am thankful for this baby, my family, my husband, my dogs, stability and much more - it can still be hard and little lonely at times.

I don't know the answer to getting out of this little funk, I'm hoping to ride it out with time and giant bag of candy corn.  Fingers crossed that I've found the perfect combination for a little late in pregnancy rally.

Our baby, the jicama?

Why would anyone compare our sweet baby to this horrible potato, onion fruit thing?  The fruit and vegetable comparisons were funny at first, but this one just kind of irritates me.  8 weeks and 8 random fruit to go.

I feel like each week that I celebrate this baby's growth it becomes more and more like my 16th birthday. I wait for nearly a year anticipating this day, knowing that it will forever change my life.  Time drags on, my friends have their big days and then FINALLY my day has come.  Or at least it will eventually.  I know, just like when I woke up on that fantastic day and drove my first solo route to school - it would never be the same.  I hope there are signs cheering me on the entire route, just like when I was 16 and my mom painstakingly posted words of encouragement all along that route to school.  I can't wait.  56 days to go!

Chris and I had our first lamaze class, which was really, really fun.  Here are the highlights in no particular order:
1.  The gigantic mexican guy next to us falling asleep (and snoring) during the birth video.  How someone can sleep through that carnage is beyond me.
2.  The guy on our other side asking the teacher if there will be a full or queen bed in the recovery room...for him.
3.  Our teachers nipples making an appearance throughout the day, sometimes both - sometimes just one.  I guess it was a little cold in there.
4.  Chris having to rub me with all kind of fantastic things, incuding but not limited to a paint brush roller.  He did at some point ask when we would reverse it and the pregnant women would rub their husbands, to which I replied, like any woman would "when you push a watermelon out of your vagina."
5.  Chris asking me on the way out "So you're going to get an epidural right?  That seems like the way to go."

Now, some pictures:

 My view from the toilet.  I can't imagine why she looks so miserable?

 A very special gift....

 from 3 very special dogs.  I'm still trying to figure out which one typed the order in online.

I pretend to hate football Sunday, but really it's kind of awesome.

Single digits...less than 9 weeks to go.

I know that it should not come as a surprise that this baby's arrival is imminent, but it is.  Sometimes, when I wake out of a deep sleep it hits me that I'm pregnant, now VERY pregnant and I laugh.  Then I laugh again when I try to get out of bed to pee...for the 3rd time.  I sort of have to rock myself off of the mattress onto my feet.  I am glad there are no mirrors in the bedroom because I am pretty positive the whole ordeal is very unattractive.

Here are some things I miss:
1.  Seeing my feet
2.  Being able to put my underwear on without falling over
3.  Chai lattes
4.  99% of my wardrobe
5.  Sitting indian style in my desk chair (of course this could be less about the baby and more about the growing size of my thighs)
6.  Going more than 14 days without being weighed in and judged like the cows at the county fair

Here are some things I love:
1.  All the sympathy I get for carrying this baby in such a hot summer, it doesn't make me any less sweaty but it feels nice to be recognized
2.  Feeling the baby move or hiccup, this will never get old or less amazing
3.  His room
4.  Getting gifts  :)  I'm sure this makes me sound selfish, but I do love it - I don't care what you think.
5.  Starting to plan for 3 months off work - hooray!!
6.  Folding all his little clothes and being amazed that anything that small has ever existed
7.  That I have finally been able to sit outside without danger of heat stroke
8.  High school football (ok it isn't baby related, but I do love it

Something I do not love:
1.  The guy at the office that clips his finger nails MAYBE even his toes - AT HIS DESK.

Funny questions/conversations/statements I've had/heard lately:
"Rikki Lake had some seriously dark nipples during pregnancy." - wha?!
"Jewish people wouldn't drive a Mercedes, it's like telling Hitler you love him" - loose translation
"We'll need to leave Lamaze class early in order to get to the UNT game.  I doubt we'll miss anything" - I love my husband
"Everyone loves a poop story" - not true

Cheers to 62 more days of pregnancy!