I think I'm going to bow-out from twitter. I've tried it. Twice.
It's just not me.
A. I really don't like birds. B. Does anyone really care about what I'm doing 24/7? C. It's yet another "social networking site." I'm at my maximum with the blog and facebook.
Back when C. and I were a wee lass and lad preparing to get married, our pastor required that we go to pre-marital counseling with a licensed therapist.
I specifically remember our therapist flat out telling us that in order for our marriage to be a success, among other things, we needed to not lose ourselves in our marriage.
He explained that we needed to maintain our identities; our voices.
Becoming passive and silent are not options. Communication is key.
He was right.
Looking back at nearly six years of marriage and nearly 12 years together - I agree.
Well, hello there 35 weeks! At this point in the parade, Lila keeps truckin' along... getting bigger and healthier. She's moving around, but the movements have changed from rainbow-and-butterfly-flutters to a constant Nazi-like presence in my right ribs.
If asked to currently sum up my pregnancy, I'd say this:
I still feel relatively good and keep waiting for the bottom to fall out; for that moment when I will absolutely loathe being pregnant. It hasn't happened yet and all of the proper variables have been put into place:
It's over 90 degrees where I live.
I'm tired. Like 1st trimester tired. Again.
I'm bloated.
My body is heavy.
My feet have gone on strike against some of my tighter shoes.
I'm swelling... every so slightly, I'd like to think.
I don't sleep.
I'm larger than I've ever been in all of my life.
And, I get up to go to the bathroom no less than five times a night.
Still. I love it. I love her. I love all of this.
Let's dig in, shall we?
Q. How was your Dr.'s appointment last week? A. Perfect. The Dr. projected as of last week that Lila Ross is weighing in at approximately 5 lbs. 10 oz and that she is approximately 18.5 inches long. (That would make her already way larger than her cousin Micah at birth.) She's measuring about 2 weeks ahead of schedule in terms of her projected size.
Again, I think that those ultrasounds are way off.
Q. Do you feel like sharing any ultrasound images with us? A. Sure! Check out Lila's face below. (It's quick - only 22 seconds. I think you see her face best in the beginning few seconds. It's like a hidden picture.)
Q. So, are you nesting? A. If you call re-organizing the t.v. cabinet and all the DVDs, the cleaning products under the sink and washing all of Lila's clothes, blankets and burp cloths "nesting."
Q. Are you taking a maternity leave? A. Indeed I am. Back in the beginning of April my employer afforded me the opportunity to start working from home. I wasn't overwhelmingly excited about it first - I'm social. I need that office environment. However, I've been usually going into the office 3 days a week and working at home for 2 days. It.is.fantastic. I get quite a lot done at home... and I'm more comfortable.
After La-La-La-Lila is born, I'll get 3 months off then will be returning to work.
Q. Are you taking parenting/birthing classes? A. No. We already know everything there is to know about child birth, labor and parenting.
Tee hee.
Yep. There's an English-speaking doula down here who facilitates birthing classes. We start the first one on the first Friday in June. My thought: If I learn one thing, it'll be worth it.
Q. Are you having any help after the baby comes? A. At this point, both of our mothers are scheduled to come visit (separately, of course. For sanity's sake.) And I am fortunate enough to have my sister, brother and sister-in-law here. And of course, my newly blogging niece, Chloe. (I'm thinking the teenage nephew probably won't care too much...)
Q. Are you nervous? A. No.
Q. How's Craig doing? A. He remarked this past week that when June actually hits, he's probably going to lose it.
He's definitely on high-alert. Any sound I make, any pause I take... he's watching and asking, "ARE YOU OK?"
I love him. I've said it before: I WISH FOR EVERYONE A CRAIG.
Q. How's the Cabo heat workin' out for you? A. Superbly. (Is that a word?)
Here's a couple of conversations between C. and I this week:
Convo #1: Him: Geez, it's really cold in here. Me: When you're pregnant, you can decide the temperature in the house.
Convo #2: Him: Have you cooled off enough? Can I turn the A/C down? Me: No. Get a blanket.
Q. So, are people commenting on your size these days? A. Why yes! They are! (How lovely of them.) Each and every time they see me! Some of my favorites:
*"Wow, you're really getting big." (Then complete silence. What do you say to that? "Thanks!") *"You seem to be 'blossoming'" (That's my fave.) *"It seems you've got a pretty good-sized baby in there, eh?" (Me? No. I'm not pregnant. Are you?)
Q. Anything you reccomend for currently non-sleeping pregnant women? A. Yes. When sleeping becomes uncomfortable. Get your hands on one OF THESE: It's a boppy pregnancy pillow. It looks...um...odd... but it's AMAZING. Because of it, I'm able to get some sleep. See it here online. It's $50. A friend gave it to me and I love it. I'm serious. Don't hate on it.
-- This past weekend, the niece (Bella) and the dog (Ferg) enjoyed Lila's new stroller. (I LOVE this stroller. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. I seriously could go on and on about it. So could C.) Cute, no?
I can sum it up right here, right now: I wanted to love it, I really did. I just didn't.
'Twas about the death penalty, the relationship that develops between a death-row inmate, his lawyer and a priest, and of course, the victim's family. Throw in a bit of supernatural skills and there you have it.
I'm not really a John Grisham fan (I know. Gasp.) and get bored easilly with the minutia of fictional court cases - so this really wasn't the book for me. However, if you're detail-oriented (like all of your resumes should say you are) - you'll like this one.
Not a BAD read - in fact, I've spoken with several people who loved this book.
I'm glad that Adam didn't win. I don't think the male-population of our world was ready for that much guy-liner. (Both C. and my brother have declared that they would never buy his album.)
Kris was a wussy winner. Um, you worked for it. Be gracious and actually thank the people who voted for you. (Of which I was not one. I didn't vote.)
When the whole group sang the P!NK song (So What) in the opening number I cringed and had to look away.
Fergie is a terrible live singer. I do, however, enjoy Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas.
When Jason Mraz came out after those two Idol singers butchered the first part of his song, I was delightfully surprised, yet alternately annoyed. Mraz is cool enough to not have to sell out on AI. I was disappointed.
Now, when Lionel Richie came out with Danny Gokey - it made.my.night. (Lionel must pimp himself out to the younger generation. I understand. I get it.)
I had no idea Rod Stewart was still...um... singing. AND dancing. (Yikes)
That Danny Gokeycan really sing. (I'm excited to see where his career goes.)
I was entertained by the show. I really was. I liked it when Kara sang, too.
Photo note: This is a highway. Avg speed: Eh...about 70-80 mph Occupants in the bed of that truck: Two 10-year-old to 12-year-old children -- Ah, Mexico.
If I were to die tomorrow and someone went through my pantry and found the jar of Skippy peanut butter (gasp!) that is currently stored in it, I would be embarrassed.
Friends, it's not mine.
We bought it when we had guests recently. (They needed peanut butter for a recipe and I couldn't bear to share the last of my JIF.)
But seriously, I would never buy/use/enjoy Skippy. Ever.
JIF forever. (Turtle Parade: Thank you for the two GIGANTIC jars of JIF peanut butter you got me when we were in T-town. They literally arrived from the importer the DAY I ran out of my last small jar. YOU are a God-send.)
Um, when I first began seeing the Glee commercials on Fox I had an inkling that the show was for me... what with the Journey hit, "Don't stop Believin'" playing in the background, and all.
It did not disappoint.
Let's just say, cool or not, Glee is now added to the DVR schedule.
Why, hello there 34 weeks! You're looking...round...and...well...round. Thank you, thank you. I'm proud to say that at this point my waist has gone the way of Elvis (it has left the building) and is upwards of 37.75 inches. (Ok, fine. It's 38 inches.)
In all honesty, I kind of find it humorous. I had no idea my skin could do this. As far as I'm concerned, my skin deserves some kind of "Way-to-go, skin!" award.
I'd like to show you my view when looking down:
Pretty, huh? Clearly, I haven't seen my feet in quite some time.
Q. What's Lila up to this week? A. Cookin'. Her job from now until D-day is to "fill out" and "fatten up." Essentially, she's like a Thanksgiving Turkey, except we're not going to eat her in the end.
Q. How am I feeling? A. Pretty good, actually. According to all the books, fatigue is supposed to have set in again and let me tell you, he's here and he's intense. Bottom line? I'm going to bed a bit earlier and resting when I need to.
Oh, and someone has attached 15 lbs weights to my legs. Or at least it feels like that.
Q. So... can you give birth...like at any minute now? A. Well, I certainly hope not. I've said it before: I feel as if I require ALL 40 weeks to prepare for parenthood. However, while I've read that between now and 37 weeks I'm considered pre-term, Lila would more than likely be just fine if she were to be born.
Q. So, how's the whole reading-about-labor thing going? A. Ah yes, it's going. My favorite thing I've read is from The Pregnancy Bible and it warns against expecting your newborn baby to look like a sweet cherub.
Instead, I believe it says something to the effect of, "Your new baby girl will more than likely be swollen, red, bruised and... not exactly what you had in mind."
HA!
I believe I'll be hoping for the best, but expecting a bald spider monkey.
Q. Have you done/are you going to get any photos done whilst pregnant? A. Indeed. I told my Mom that we were going to have some photos taken on the beach of Craig and I. Care to know her response?
"You're going to have naked photos of you taken on the beach?"
Me: "Um. No. Did I say 'naked' at any point in there?"
Can you imagine?
--
Anywho, we're going to have some photos taken very soon by a friend and hopefully a few more after my nephew (the photographer) gets back to Cabo. (My sister has confirmed that he will indeed not be wigged out to see his Aunt's baby belly.) Stay tuned. Q. How's Lila's room going? A. Well, we've painted the walls (Honeydew dream) and assembled the 'ole changing table and the crib. We're waiting on the mattress to be imported down, along with the changing pad and some other fun stuff. (Sadly, we didn't pose Ferg that way.)
Here's me this past weekend. That's a Target pregnancy Liz Lange shirt and me stuffed into my pre-pregnancy jeans with a rubber-band keeping them on me.
(Not sure why I'm standing that way... )
I did some more paintings for La-La-La-Lila's room. Care to see them? (I think I'm going to add more pizazz to the "L" one.) Oh! So I bought this cute "dress garland" on clearance on Pottery Barn Kids for only $14.99. They're five felt dresses. Um, they're TOO cute. Super cute. We're thinking of putting them above the crib.
Indeed! Today is the third-anniversary of Two Pretzels. How exciting is that?
In honor of the occasion I have whipped up a short list regarding why I blog:
Ah-hem.
Why I Blog by Kylee
I blog because I love it. I blog because writing makes me happy. I blog because it makes me feel connected. I blog for comments. I blog for levity. I blog for therapy. The end.
I must say it again, as I said in 2007 and 2008 - thank you. I am so thankful that when I write, you read. Thank you. And, thank you for sharing my blog with your friends. Your comments and support truly mean so much to me.
For 'ole time's sake: "Two pretzels were walking down the street... one was a salted."
Last week I won this cute large Vera backpack (new) on eBay for $30 less than what I would pay on the Vera website.
With this purchase, I kinda feel like I beat "the man." Or at least, "the woman..."
I'm thinking a backpack may be super-easy with Lila. You know. For her to carry. (She needs to pull her own weight around here from the get.) Incidentally, I saw this GREAT molded laptop bag when I was in Ohio. (Patt had it.) I LOVE it and it will be my next Vera purchase. I'm telling you - it was adorable. And, structured and safe for the 'ole 'puter.
Patt has Cupcake Green and I'm copying her. How fun?
I strongly feel that I couldn't hack it as a hockey player. (C. is currently watching the Red Wings on DVR.)
As far as I'm concerned, there's absolutely nothing on TV right now and this summer doesn't look very promising.
I think I'm going to bow-out from twitter. I've tried it. Twice.
The time is approaching!
Back when C. and I were a wee lass and lad preparing to get married, our pastor required that we go to pre-marital counseling with a licensed therapist.
At this point in the parade, Lila keeps truckin' along... getting bigger and healthier. She's moving around, but the movements have changed from rainbow-and-butterfly-flutters to a constant Nazi-like presence in my right ribs.
Ok, on that note.
Author: Jodi Picoult
HA! (It's all fun and games when it's someone else's kid.)
Um, THE Man: Lionel Richie.
Photo note: This is a highway.
If I were to die tomorrow and someone went through my pantry and found the jar of Skippy peanut butter (gasp!) that is currently stored in it, I would be embarrassed.
Um, when I first began seeing the Glee commercials on Fox I had an inkling that the show was for me... what with the Journey hit, "Don't stop Believin'" playing in the background, and all.
I did watch the final American Idol tonight and I have to say, I really don't want Adam Lambert to win.
Why, hello there 34 weeks!
Pretty, huh? Clearly, I haven't seen my feet in quite some time.
Q. Have you done/are you going to get any photos done whilst pregnant?
Alright, until next week friends!
Indeed! Today is the third-anniversary of Two Pretzels. How exciting is that?
Last week I won this cute large Vera backpack (new) on eBay for $30 less than what I would pay on the Vera website.
