Letters to Lyla and Lottie

I've been a slacker on the summer festivities so here's some updates. Probably don't read this post it you don't like pictures.

The fireworks were rockin this year but the performers kinda sucked in my opinion. I say eh on the whole Beatles' cover band idea. The second picture is of Melissa (in the blue jacket). She got to speak about playing soccer. It was cool. Callie walked too. Father's Day Weekend

We also had a fun date night the other weekend. We ate at a trendy little cafe by Zions called Oscar's (Todd found it on trip advisor) and went to Night at the Museum II at the IMAX. Thats all..ish.

I've officially lost my damn mind. Like really. I should not be allowed to talk to or interact with people for the next three months. On top of that, I should not be allowed to make any decisions of any kind. Truly. I'm insane. One short example...the other day I was talking to Todd and just stopped mid sentence and started staring at my wedding ring. It's like I was overtaken by the shininess. That was just the start of it though. Here's my list of crazy....

First. I Got a second job. Yup. I started looking for a new job-one that would be PART time after I had the baby. Wanted to CUT BACK on the hours. So I was offered one but it wasn't enough hours to justify quitting my current job. So instead, I just added it on. What the crap?

Second. I have serious intentions of talking my husband into letting us get another dog. Not just any dog. a puppy. I want a miniature Schnauzer. I want one bad. I can't get it out of my mind. Remember that I'm having a baby in three months?? What the crap again?

Third. Yesterday I was working with some clients at workforce services. When I walked into the building I noticed a car parked right out in front-RIGHT in the sun-and they had three big dogs in there. It was 115 degrees in St. George yesterday. When I talked in, they were hanging their heads out of the little crack in the window panting like crazy. So, 40 mins later I went to make sure the car was gone. Nope. Still there. This time they were lying lethargically on the seats. When I approached the window they started whining the whimpering. So I walked in and basically announced "who's got the dogs in the car?". It just happened to be three GIANT males of the Polynesian culture. Without hesitation I marched up to them and basically let them have it. When the guy told me to mind my own business I said "okay. I won't give you the chance to be a decent human being. I'll just call the cops. Heard of animal cruelty?' That's when they left. Did I mention these guys were giant?

Fourth. Today some miserable woman with low job satisfaction called me to tell me that our credit card payment was sent back because we paid it with an account that didn't exist. I had no idea what she was talking about. She was basically accusing me of faking a payment. The more she said, the more I caught on. It just clicked that when I paid online I chose the "saved account info" option not realizing that it hadn't been updated since before we got our new accounts (from when my cards got stolen [we don't use our credit card much]). So I explained this and she just kept at me. Then when I asked her how to rectifying it she was like "duh- look at your balance and pay it". OOOOH. I was ticked. So after a few mins of stewing, I called her back, asked to speak to her supervisor and let HIM know what I thought of his little minion. I went off about how she was rude, condescending, and the works. Poor guy didn't know what hit him.

There's more but I'm tired. And crazy. Cheers.

Remember that cute lil post I made a few weeks ago about life being bliss in prego land? I swear this blog has karmic powers. TWO days later I found myself held hostage in Labor and Delivery getting tested for Swine Flu. Yea, so I was just starting to think I could worry less. I'm feel girlfriend kick so frequently that it really calms my fears. That lasted about two weeks until my fears moved from miscarriage to preterm labor. I just woke up one morning with horrible cramps and pain by my right rib cage. In my delirious state that morning, I thought aunt you-know-who must have come to visit and then shot up in bed like oh crap I hope not. There were some other issues I won't go into as well:) So of course I went into the doctor who did an exam and said that I was not showing any signs of dialation or anything else. He just casually said, "but lets have you head over to L & D for some blood work". So that's what I did thinking nothing of it. Oh contrair! The nurse met me with a mask on her face saying I was going to be tested for swine flu and some other tests like for my galbladder. What the F? I had a fever and what not but swine flu? Seriously. So they locked me in a room with the she-is-toxic sign on the door and anyone who entered had to wear a mask. It was awesome. Have ya heard about what is involved in that bloody test? So not cool. They shove a GIANT tube up your nose and suck a half liter of snot out of it! What was killer was that good ole Kenny from respiratory could not get the tube down the one side of my nose but boy did he sure try before moving to the other side. After being held hostage for about 4 hours, they decided it wasn't the swine and let me go with some instructions (like no hanky panky for a week...haha poor Todd). The gal is okay too so it looks like it was just some random virus. I swear I was a very healthy person before pregnancy came along. I never got sick, never had a UTI, never even went to the dang doctor. Now look at me. Bubble Girl. Oh well, a fun story I guess. I really wasn't that ticked though because I got to spend those three hours hooked up to the fetal monitor which is WAY fun. You can hear every kick and movement. It almost sort of made up for the discomfort, frustration and worry. Almost.

Todd got an early present...to feel/see his baby girl! Two nights before Father's Day, I was sitting up in bed and felt some serious kicks so I pulled up the garms to have a look. I told Todd to look at it and he responded by saying I was crazy (I had literally spent half the day trying to get him to feel her and he couldn't-so he was discouraged). Then he went whoa! He saw the ripple of a kick. So then he reluctantly put his hand on my belly and felt her 3 or 4 times. It was so funny cuz each time he acted shocked by the force behind those bad daddys. I think we have a little linebacker on our hands. I was delighted to prove to him that I'm not crazy (at least in that sense). For Father's Day we went camping up Yankee Meadow (more on that later) but this is what else Todd got....

One of my most favoritest books from childhood. Watching the trailor brought me back to those carefree days of my youth-when fantasy wasn't a luxury and anything really did seem possible. I need to get this book for girlfriend. See how underprepared I am?!

I can't believe we're 25 weeks! I remember when my friend Aubree posted about having less than 100 days left. At the time, I thought that still seems like a long time. That was before I knew anything about pregnancy. 100 days or less seems like nothing! Things have been going really well. It's true I am 6 months pregnant and still hurling...but 1/10th of what I was before. It's not every day and sporadic. Still, people look at me like I'm crazy when I say I'm not puke free. I'm just happy to be so much better!

15 weeks

21 weeks

25 weeks

Some other random updates....

*Last Wednesday I was sitting in my prego chair (this old reject from Jenny that is quite comfortable) and I felt some serious kung-fu style kicking. So I pulled up my shirt and low and behold...I saw the jiggle. Three times! I couldn't even believe it! I was so mad Todd wasn't there to feel it or see it. She always does that. As soon as Todd is gone or trying to feel her she disappears. Todd really wants to feel it already but he's not taking it personal like I am.

*Girlfriend definitely beats to her own drum. I love her for it...but it also ticks me off from time to time. The books all say that baby is most active when you're resting and when you lay down for bed. They also say that if you eat protein and something sugary you should feel movement when lying down. So NOT true for her. I feel her most early in the morning (like on my way to work) and at about 3pm everyday. I always freak when I first lay down to bed and feel nothing but I just tell myself I'll feel her good in the morning and I always do. One night, I ate a KING size snickers bar right before I went to bed because I was going to prove a point (or try to have control over her that I don't have!) and I felt nothing-I stayed up for two hours that night bound and determined. Nada. I was so mad because the next morning she transformed into an Olympic gymnast. I have felt her much more regularly in the last week though. I got to see the jiggle again yesterday and last night was the first night I actually woke up from movement. I usually sleep quite deep but struggled last night so that might be why too.

*We are in our third week of prenatal class! At first I was so excited to go but now Todd and I kind of dread it (and yes, I kinda feel guilty about it). It's 2 hours and goes til 9:30pm. It's funny because I think I am just on a different plane than most of the new moms. Each one said their biggest fear was pain-in delivery. That is at the BOTTOM of my fears list. I figure-pain or no pain, she'll get here regardless. It's the other stuff that really freaks me out-preterm labor, complications, undetected birth defects, and the list goes on. Todd and I are sort of the seasoned ones in the class too-I feel really quite old. There are two moms under 18, many that are in college and stuff-none that are old w/ careers and what not...it's okay though. One funny note, the day we had to say what our biggest fear was, Todd said his was just having a girl. I was so mad at him. haha. At least he's honest right?

*Two Fridays ago was our 23 week apt. The nurse found the heartbeat immediately! It was so nice and such a comfort to hear it. I also learned that I've actually only gained 6 lbs according to their scale. So that's good I guess. After that we spent the day house hunting (more on that later) but we found a really cute house we really want. I couldn't help but imagine the nursery.

*Speaking of...the nursery (items) are coming along nicely. We have the crib, changing table, car seat, bassinet and other fun things like a boppy, a baby swing, some clothes and wall decorations. Last week we had a huge find...someone on craigslist was selling a pink dresser from IKEA, an adorable white and pink toy chest, and a book shelf...all in great condition. I made an offer but wasn't too hopeful because I had seen tons of posting trying to contact the seller. Well, low and behold it was one of my colleagues who was selling it! I couldn't believe it! She gave me the whole set for $75. They match the crib bedding perfectly! The colors are pink and plum. If we get into a house, I plan to do white bead board and then finish with pink walls. The wall decor will mostly be plum or espresso wood (like the crib). I hope it all comes together. So, while things are coming along, I still feel quite under prepared. Sometimes I just want everything bought and the whole thing done in one day. I struggle with impatience. Is it too early to be in the nesting stage?

That's about all in the way of updates on Girlfriend. I'm getting more and more excited to finally meet her. I get all teary eyed when I see births now and imagine what ours will be like (probably chaotic :0). Not sure who this woman is that I've become but I like it.