Merry Christmas... I'm huge!

We decorated the tree and tried to take a picture ourselves!

This is Bryan's favorite picture... yikes!

It wasn't until this picture did I realize how big I am... 31.5 weeks

Yeah, we're mature enough to have a child!

I hope everyone is doing well and having a wonderful Christmas!

Weekend Update...and Baby Jack!

This weekend I wanted to try and see as many people as I could before I get huge, uncomfortable and don't have the energy to run around. So I left Friday afternoon and drove directly to the hospital to see Amy, Conor and my new godson, Jack! Then I went to dinner with some friends from high school. Baby Pershing got a new twins outfit from Maria, it's adorable!!

Saturday I went to visit my first baby, Caleb. Okay so he's not mine but I did hold a leg and was there when he was born. I changed his first "tar" diaper and held him while he was only a couple hours old while his Mom slept and I couldn't stand leaving him in the nursery. And now look at him! He is 2 1/2 and speaks in full sentences. I'm going to try and post a video I took because he is so funny!!! I caught a quick picture!

Molly and I met on Saturday for coffee, we also brought along our little boys... I have one cookin' but she has TWO little boys cookin' in her belly!

This is us, I am 31 weeks and Molly is 21 weeks!

And now... introducing, Baby Jack Anton Chaput!

Amy, me and Jack only about 12 hours old. Doesn't Amy look great!

I had a great weekend and tried to fit in seeing a lot of people. I had lunch with Meghan which was also nice. Saturday my mom and I went to the yarn shop on Grand for me to pick out colors for the baby blanket and yarn for the shall that she is making me. Then we went to church and came back and I ate pizza with my parents and watched "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear." It is one of my favorite Christmas movies. Its a made for TV movie from 1984, with Mickey Rooney and the red head from ER.

The weather was supposed to get a little sketchy on Sunday so I had to cancel some plans on Sunday but I'm glad I got home without much trouble.

I hope everyone is having a great holiday season!!

30 Week freakout

30 Week Picture

Okay, so I just had my 30 week doctor's appointment and it went well. Bryan was able to come since he was off that day. It was nice to have him there, he really hasn't been able to come to any of them, besides the dramatic in and out appearance at the big ultrasound. So- weight is good, which my doctor was very careful about telling me how important it was for me to not gain too much. She didn't want me to try and get a 9 pounder out of this 5'2 body. She told me my weight looked excellent. Since I get to gain a pound a week, the last two appointments (a month apart) I have gained 3.8 pounds, not bad huh?

My blood pressure is nice and low which she was also happy with. And baby's heartbeat is around the 150's.

She measured my belly and I am measuring right on, then she felt around a bit and thinks he's head down, so please cross your fingers he stays that way!

All and all our stats look good! I go back in 3 weeks, then 2 after that, then EVERY WEEK!

Are you ready for that? Yeah, I'm not... this seems to be happening fast and whether I'm ready for it or not!

I am starting to get tired, heartburn is starting to make an appearance which is really great! Otherwise I really can't complain. I am working, not full time but working as much as I can, but will be done mid January- I'm excited for that!

We finally registered at Baby's R Us, which I was happy to get out of the way, and I decided not to register at Target. Everything I want they have at Baby's and it'll save another trip.

So this is where all you come in. Since I'm totally freaking out and needing some advice please give me some advice. Anything you know I will NEED, any info you wish you were told, just basically ANYTHING! My best resource are my mommy friends!!!!!

I am bummed that Bryan has a really busy three months and wont be around as much as most dad's. He doesn't even get more than two days in a row. It is hard, especially since he has been so awesome through the whole pregnancy. He supports my cravings, tells me I look good when I feel like a whale and likes to feel the baby kick just as much as I do. Since we don't have a lot of people down here, when he is home we spend a lot of time together and it has been so nice. It was hard to get used to him going to back to 80 hours a week when he had a week off (since he didn't get called during his on-call week) plus our vacation. To make myself feel better I realize how many women have to do all this alone, without a supportive partner. Even if he's not here as much as other spouses get to be, when he's here he's wonderful and I know he will be even more amazing once we have someone else to take care of. I'm very lucky, and I really try and remember that every day. Especially the days I feel sorry for myself when I see all the spouses in the waiting room at the doctor, or talking about paternity leave or 9-5 kinda guys who get weekends and evenings off. I know it could always be more difficult and we are lucky to have each other, a home, Bryan has a wonderful career that he loves and someday will pay our bills!

Wow- I didn't know I was going to go there but apparently I needed to let that all out!!!

So, what I really wanted to say is, I would love some emails or comments on advice. I am in need of any advice, small or not to help me get organized in the baby's room and in the house, mentally and physically to be as best prepared as I can. Yes, I know, there is nothing I can do to fully prepare but at least a little prepared?

At least I've held a leg during labor right? That's gotta count for something...

This is how I want all my pictures to look like, but Bryan makes me smile...

This is how I really feel at 30 weeks!!!

Disney '08

So we are back from Florida, and I am exhausted but we had a really amazing time! So, here are some pictures from the trip!

Noelle feeling the belly before fireworks at Epcot, my uncle Jeff in the background.

With Pocahontas at Animal Kingdom

Bry and Jeff doing their best gorilla impression

Bryan, loving Animal Kingdom! Can you find him?

So this was my first and only hormonal breakdown at Disney. It was another ride I couldn't go on and I was just sick of sitting out since I love rides. So I had a mini break down. Thanks to my mom who got off the ride to be with me during my crying fest... happiest place on earth... if you're not pregnant! Bryan wanted to capture the crying!

In front of the Tree of Life, it looks like the belly is escaping from my shirt!

Noelle and I before A Bugs Life sporting our glasses

George, Jeff and Noelle giving me some sympathy while I tried to give my back a little break.

Bryan, Rian and the monkey from Jungle Book

Care- this picture is for you! We ate at this amazing Irish Pub in Downtown Disney, they had live Irish music and an Irish dancer, plus the food was awesome!

George, Noelle and Jeffie on the boatride to Downtown Disney

Bryan made me take a picture in front of the alien from the movie "Alien" look at that belly... yeah he is growing!

The whole gang before the show

Noelle, Mom and I in front of the castle, doesn't it look gorgeous?!

Bry and I at dinner in Japan... in Epcot

Mom and Dad in Epcot, aren't they cute?

Our fam at Epcot

Bryan and I in Venice... Epcot

This was the day we flew in, I was a little puffy and tired but we were excited to be in the Magic Kingdom!!

Me and Noelle

So that was our trip! We had a great time, and I think it came at a good time for me. It it would of been any later I think I would of been struggling. My Mom bought a "Mommy to be Massage" at The Grand Floridian and that helped a lot! It was wonderful because we were all there and Jeff and George were able to come down and hang out. It was nice to have a trip with the family before the baby comes. And now, onto Christmas!

Some baby stuff to share!

So since we're moving in on three months left I thought we should probably get the baby's room ready, not a bad idea huh? I know there are a lot of people who would have already finished everything but I didn't want to do the room by myself and this week Bryan has some time to paint. He has a float week which means he carries the pager ALL week, 24/7 and hopefully he will not get called in. Everyone think non-paging thoughts!

So a couple weeks ago I was getting really frustrated about trying to find bedding. I didn't want any "themes" so finding just colors I like was becoming difficult. But thanks to Anne B. (who should have her own blog- but that's another story!) who sent me a couple links I found the bedding I love! Then I googled it and found it even cheaper at JCPenny! What did people do without Internet!!!

So here is the bedding, I think we're going to paint in the bright green... whatta ya think?

And here is the bassinette! I really needed something small because our bedroom isnt very big. I also wanted something that rocked and something I could wheel out of the room in case I had to. I love the neutral colors and it also has music with it!

So, that is where we're at. Although thanks to friends and family buying us gifts and giving us their stuff we are very lucky and have a room of stuff! I am excited to get the room finished, I think that will make it seem very real.

I think what's scary is now when I read my week and what's going on it tells you the chance of survival at this point. This week if my baby was born he would have an 85% chance of survival. It's scary to think of but crazy too!

I passed the three hour glucose test which is good because if I had to give up doughnuts and sweets it would of been a LONG three months. It wasn't fun but I can't complain, I have had a very smooth pregnancy so it's a small thing to do.

But things are going well. This baby kicks so much, but I figured out where it's coming from. My wonderful husband likes to drum on everything. The table at the restaurant, the coffee table, basically anything that makes noise he will tap. I think our son is taking after his father and is drumming on anything he can find!!! It's a crazy feeling but so nice to have a reminder that someone is in there.

My sister and Rian were down for a couple hours and Noelle got to feel some good kicks, everytime she would jump! There were some good ones for her, which I think helps other people start getting attached to the baby. I totally get that. I was always the first one to feel the belly on everyone else!

So, this was going to be a short post but oh well! We are off to Disney on Saturday morning! Our flight leaves at 7am, Bryan is on call until midnight. So we have to leave Rochester around 4am, pick up Rian and get to the airport around 5:30! Yikes!

I had to move up a size in scrub pants...ehhh!

Things are going well and this baby is growing! I just had a doctor's appointment following the failure of my glucose test. I missed it by 3 points so now I have to go take the 3 hour test, I'm not looking forward to that. But my doctor wasn't too concerned and either was Bryan so it'll just be a pain for that day. Other than that, baby's heartbeat was good, between 150 and 160. She measured me and I am measuring right on, which is really nice to hear because everyone and their mother has been telling me I am tiny for how far along I am.

I have been able to develop a really great symptom of pregnancy; nose bleeds. I have been doing all I can to help it and the doc is going to test me just to be on the safe side. But a really attractive side effect huh?

The baby is kicking a lot, he is still kicking in the morning and at night but I still get kicks throughout the day. The doctor said to count at least 10 kicks within 2 hours just to make sure they baby is doing well. It takes me about 5-15 minutes to count 10 kicks. He is always moving!!! It is fun and comforting but sometimes in the early morning I'd rather he sleep a little more!

In less than 2 weeks my parents are taking my sister, Rian, me and Bryan to Disney World for 5 days. I am very excited to have a little vacation with my family before the baby is here and have some time to relax. Although I don't have a maternity bathing suit and there's no way I'm buying a new one for a trip, so we'll see how that one goes!

I have about 2 months left of working before I am going on maternity leave after the first of the year. And by maternity leave I mean my parents are going to help us out. My mom said that the best gift she could give me was giving me time off before the baby comes to relax and get things ready without having to work. So I am excited for that, and very thankful they are helping us out. Financially, I am barely helping to pay a bill or two so it's nice to not stress about money knowing that we have some help when/if we need it.

We bought the bedding for the baby's room and also bought the bassinnette so we're on our way!

Here is the belly, in all its big ol glory!

This is my favorite maternity top/sweater that my mom bought me!

The day after the election...

I am going to preceed this post letting you know that it's going to be political so if you don't agree with me you may want to skip this one, it's totally your call!
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I have to say that after watching the coverage last night I was so inspired and excited. I know that many people don't agree with my opinions but because of how big this is, I need to get it out of my system. I was very excited to see so many new voters, especially minorities. This country was built on minorities, we have no national language, we are all immigrants. I think for one thing young african americans can look up and strive to be a president because there is someone in the white house who looks like them. It is inspiring!

One thing that bothered me was when people said that they were angry that black people were voting for Barack just because he was black. Really? It seems like after the exit polls there were more white people who voted for McCain because Barack was black. I would rather have people vote FOR something than AGAINST something.

Call me an idealist but I went into social work because I believe that people, ALL people deserve a shot at a great life. I have seen and worked with plenty of families who were never given a chance and even with hard work can't get out of the hole. I have never seen a canidate, (besides Paul Wellstone) where he was an idealist, where he came from a "normal" background. Not a lot of money, single mother, and worked hard in his community to make it better. To me, those are the people that should lead the country.

I thought that McCain had a very good speech. He was insightful and gracious and I really enjoyed his speech. (Although all the boo-ing was pretty annoying) I feel that Obama is a uniter and will really try and make things work with both sides. This country is way too divided and I would like to see Americans come together during this time.

So, anyone who actually read all this- wow, you must be bored, or agree with me, or really pissed off right now! Either way, I'll take it! After 8 years of Bush I feel excited for our country and proud that we elected Barack. No more telling people you're Canadian when you travel outside of the country!

Now bring on the Christmas commercials!!

I have officially popped!!!

Ok kids, apparently I look pregnant because I have started to get asked when I'm due at least 2-3 times a day at work!

Here was my 14 week picture...

And now my 22 week picture
Here is my fireplace picture
Now, I decided that since I am looking pregnant and I always wanted you girls to take bare belly pics that here are a few of mine!

Bryan was on call when I got up the energy to take them so keep in mind that I took these on my own!!

I think this one is the best one to show the belly!
So, now that I am getting bigger and people are starting to ask me questions it is nice that I finally FEEL pregnant because I FEEL the baby! I had been feeling him a little at night but not until this week has it been more regular and kicks instead of fluttters. A few days ago Bryan got to feel the baby which was good! I also have been able to see the little kicks once in a while.

I was laying on the couch, and my belly was itching so I started itching my belly, I stopped and a second later there was a little poke in the same place. Apparently he doesn't like the itching!

Also, this little one seems to get up when Bryan is getting ready for work, around 4am. Bryan came in before he left and I told him his son wouldn't stop kicking, he told the little one to go to sleep, and I kid you not- he stopped! It was really funny! I hope that is not a look into the future!

All and all things are going well. Feeling lots of kicks, feeling pretty good, some tired days but for the most part I have a good amount of energy. I have my monthly appointment on Monday but things are good!

Trip to the Apple Orchard

Last weekend while Bryan was working, like always, Sarah and my sister came down to visit and keep me company. We went out to a nice lunch and since it was such a nice fall day we decided to try and find an apple orchard. Since my phone has internet, my sister looked it up as I drove around. It was only about 20 minutes away and we had a blast! Here are some pictures!

Sarah and I on the tractor

My sister thought the baby should have a picture of his first tractor ride!
Me and Noelle, and the top of Sarah's finger!!
Sarah, me and Noelle in the pumpkin patch
My sister also thought the baby needed his face in the ghost, it took a little work but I got him in there!!

20 weeks

So, our big ultrasound under our belt and I'm feeling good. Well I am starting to get a little back pain but I think it's because I'm not sleeping well since I used to be a stomach sleeper. I don't like body pillows and it's hard to sleep with a pillow between my legs. Any advice?

I am starting to feel him kick more now so that has been fun and makes it feel a lot more real. Bryan is getting frustrated he can't feel it yet, but I told him soon!

Although I don't know a lot of husbands who try to feel the baby kick and instead says, "wow, your uterus is huge!"

Luckily scrub pants are easy access for us so that is nice for p.j.'s!

My 20 week picture

Do you like our fireplace? I thought it was much better than a boring wall!