I'm not sure what "normally" happens when a soon-to-be mom starts to organize things for her baby. Right now, I've been sorting our baby's clothes based on the size of each item. I have a lot of items of clothes, that are all nearly as cute as the next. I find the whole idea of organizing baby things to be a little comical. They are organized now, but I can see chaos erupting the moment baby arrives home. I won't want to do the laundry, so Ken will do it. And, he will probably sort the clothes according to some strange method that is different than what I sort. Who knows. Hopefully, the clothes will make it back to baby's room at some point, but I've heard babies wear multiple outfits during the day. Kind of sounds like what my husband does, though I think the reason for the changes is entirely different. Well, not all together different because he sometimes does spill things on himself. So, clothes are washed and sorted.
I bought the biggest box of diaper wipes that I could find. I was amazed at how many TYPES of butt wipes from which one can select. We were given a wipe warmer too. I think Ken might like the warmer enough to install one in our bathroom. Who knows?! Simple luxuries.
Most of my clothes that I had been wearing as "maternity clothes" no longer fit. Even the shorts that I have with the belly band that goes all the way up over the belly no longer goes up over the belly. Ken was a very helpful husband and accompanied me to a consignment shop that has a fair selection of maternity clothes. I did find 4 new tops that sufficiently cover my belly. I am a happy mama. I mostly stick to Ken's gym shorts during the day.
Our 34 week visit to the doctor went well. Not much to say here. 2 more weeks and another visit.
My sister Ashley is also expecting a baby. She is just out of her first trimester and is doing quite well. I am so excited for her.
I think autumn is just around the corner. I hope Ken and I can get a few pumpkins before our pumpkin comes!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
What I love about being 8 months pregnant:
- A very interested husband in all things pregnancy: "honey, can I give you a loooonnngggg backrub? You look like you're hurting" ..... "what is a breast pump for?"
- Abbie: "Let's watch these videos on breastfeeding." Ken: "I've never seen so many breasts."
- I am interested in reading about baking bread. My latest find: Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day by Hertzberg, M.D. & Francois. The library is great. Free books. New books all the time.
- Feeling Baby M move and move and move. Feeling her little hiccups, feeling her squirm around and shift positions. Feeling elbows, tiny feet (or so that's what I imagine).
- Talking with our doula. She checks in with me about what I'm doing and learning and how she can be of help. She's wonderful.
- Most conversations include words such as baby poo, nipples, and contractions.
- Growing out of my shirts. Now I really need maternity clothes.
- Wearing Ken's clothes. He laughs at me.
- Getting advice about baby things from friends. Most of it is very informative and helpful.
- Sharing pregnancy stories and joys and pains with other pregnant friends
- Going for walks with Ken. Being pushed up the hills when I run out of energy (ok, so I've never actually been pushed yet, but we tease about it).
- Parents who want to help around our house as we get ready for baby to arrive (this is AWESOME!!) I think "grandma and grandpa" are more in to nesting than I am at times!!
- Learning how to cuddle with my husband with a baby inside of me that is very in the way
My cousin Kaleena is passing through Kansas City today and will be staying the night with us. I love having company.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
OK...Farmer's back!
Well...it seems Mamaberry has entered the Blogosphere. I'm kind of excited about that, not only because it's about dang time, but I have about as much reliability in maintaining the blog as a 5 year old with a puppy. A lot has been going on around the old Berrypatch. Mamaberry and I have been building our little nest. We just had two baby showers, one at my office and one at the house with loads of family and friends. I'm sure Mamaberry will post some photos at some point. Some of the highpoints:
- Showing off our newly painted nursery, complete with Bonavita crib and dresser, glider rocker, crib set, and a closet that is slowly filling with baby items
- A diaper cake made by Bushel.
- A cloth diapering game. Incidentally, I came in first in the Men's division (and yes, it was more than just me.
- A homemade afghan from one of my co-workers
- A Chicco KeyFit 30 car seat from my co-worker
- Wonderful, yummy food at both showers
In more recent news, we just brought home our new stroller, a BabyJogger City Mini. There are lots of strollers, but the City Mini has a one hand fold, which we are told is a definite advantage. Plus, it has an adapter for our Chicco, so Blueberry can travel in safety, comfort and style.
Speaking of Blueberry, she is a whole lot more active. She's gotten to the point now where Mamaberry feels every move she makes. I love this, since I get to feel her all of the time. Mamaberry like it too...except when Blueberry pushes on her bladder. Still...it's totally cool. Farmhand says she's doing well too...so that's just GREAT.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Background change
This new background seems to adequately fit at this time in our life. The background is hot, I'm hot, Kansas City is hot. It was actually 84 degrees yesterday around supper time, which felt like a cold front.
The three of us (I am starting to refer to myself as "we") are headed to Iowa City tomorrow to be in Laura Billingsley's wedding. Marriage is such a great gift, and I wish them all the best.
Some new friends of ours have four BEAUTIFUL girls who have outgrown all of their infant gear! Yesterday I was able to go for a visit and look through lots of great baby things. Especially after seeing the price tags on some items, I feel so grateful to have such generous people in my life. We now have 2 different sized pack-n-plays with homemade sheet covers, fun sheets for the crib, adorable sleep outfits, other outfits, blankies, baby towels, etc! Needless to say, I have been sorting and storing little items until this little lady arrives. Thank you, thank you. Ken had a great time as I showed him all the fun little items.
Also, our crib and dresser for the baby room arrived and is ready to be delivered! I'm so glad we have the painting done.
The three of us (I am starting to refer to myself as "we") are headed to Iowa City tomorrow to be in Laura Billingsley's wedding. Marriage is such a great gift, and I wish them all the best.
Some new friends of ours have four BEAUTIFUL girls who have outgrown all of their infant gear! Yesterday I was able to go for a visit and look through lots of great baby things. Especially after seeing the price tags on some items, I feel so grateful to have such generous people in my life. We now have 2 different sized pack-n-plays with homemade sheet covers, fun sheets for the crib, adorable sleep outfits, other outfits, blankies, baby towels, etc! Needless to say, I have been sorting and storing little items until this little lady arrives. Thank you, thank you. Ken had a great time as I showed him all the fun little items.
Also, our crib and dresser for the baby room arrived and is ready to be delivered! I'm so glad we have the painting done.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Keeping up
"Keeping up" is a difficult task. My life has taken me many directions and has given me lovely connections with people from all over the world. Many of them I hold dear (that is, I still think about them, pray that life is bringing blessings, etc) and wish beyond wish that I could have regular morning coffee times with most all of them, which in reality, my desire is to see most people I love about once every two weeks. That would make for an over-caffeinated mama-to-be, averaging at the VERY least 4 cups of coffee (but actually, most often tea these days) per morning. My ideal morning coffee time would last about 70 minutes per person, and if I started these 70 minutes 4 times per day, that would be 280 minutes, or around 4 and 2/3 hours per morning. I best get up early.
I have also decided that I simply cannot do everything I wish to do to "keep up" with the lives of all the people that have been involved in my life from time to time. I am sorry for this. I wish it weren't the case. I love reading my friend's blogs and facebook pages because, at the very least, it gives me a connection to them that feels a little like having a sweet morning cup of joe and hearing about what is precious in life to them at that time. Thank you, my dear friends, for taking the time to share your life in these ways. I appreciate it much.
I also like to keep up with my husband. Attempts are made daily. I try. I like him enough to put him in my "coffee time" rotation. He would tell me straight away that he would have a diet coke and would like to be on the every-other-Friday rotation after at least an hour of watching West Wing re-runs. Mostly because I wouldn't be allowed to interfere with his work schedule.
Above all, my most frequent coffee times will be with our new baby, at least every 2 hours at the beginning as we get to know each other. I think she'll have the milk, though.
I have also decided that I simply cannot do everything I wish to do to "keep up" with the lives of all the people that have been involved in my life from time to time. I am sorry for this. I wish it weren't the case. I love reading my friend's blogs and facebook pages because, at the very least, it gives me a connection to them that feels a little like having a sweet morning cup of joe and hearing about what is precious in life to them at that time. Thank you, my dear friends, for taking the time to share your life in these ways. I appreciate it much.
I also like to keep up with my husband. Attempts are made daily. I try. I like him enough to put him in my "coffee time" rotation. He would tell me straight away that he would have a diet coke and would like to be on the every-other-Friday rotation after at least an hour of watching West Wing re-runs. Mostly because I wouldn't be allowed to interfere with his work schedule.
Above all, my most frequent coffee times will be with our new baby, at least every 2 hours at the beginning as we get to know each other. I think she'll have the milk, though.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Mamaberry here.... :O) I love how Ken has coded this blog with different names. It is so his style. I'm starting to think that the background needs to be updated a bit since we are having a girl; with a keen eye, a blueberry really can have deep hues of purple.
Ken and I finished painting the nursery a lovely....tan. It was lavender, but the tan is so much more versatile. I have a feeling that when baby # 2 comes, I won't want to repaint, especially if we have a boy next. Really, though, the tan looks AMAZING, thanks to the help of my wonderful sister Ashley who just sent me the paint sample and said, "get this one". She knows how I decorate. Tell me what to do and I'll do it. At least, if it is Ashley telling me what to do.
Now, trying to decide on crib bedding. I'm not a huge fan of the pink girl bedding sets (or the purple ones for that matter). I have some fun ideas for wall art that I like that have the theme of doll dresses and jewels. Very sweet girl things, but I'm not too sure how that would match barn animals (lots of crib sets have animals in them-- and I love the colors in these---reds, greens, browns, neutrals). We'll see.
Today I was in Radio Shack getting a new car charger for my phone. The man assisting me just kept staring and trying to make awkward conversation about my growing belly. First he thought that I might give birth in his store (or at least, that's what the expression on his face said) and then he asked me if I was having twins! I just smiled and shook my head. I still have 9 weeks to go. Sigh.
I've decided I love being pregnant. And, Ken is the best husband and father already. He knows how to load the dishwasher, take out the trash, sweep the kitchen, keep accounts, grill, and listens to me sigh every time I roll over in bed, trying to get comfortable. Amazing. He just does these things because he sees all the work of pregnancy. I love to feel the baby moving. Her kicks and rolls that nearly take my breath away bring to reality how quickly she is growing and how full of life she is. Yes, it is difficult to take a deep breath and my back aches often, but it is so worth it.
I'll have Ken put pictures of the baby's room on the blog soon.
~Abbie
Ken and I finished painting the nursery a lovely....tan. It was lavender, but the tan is so much more versatile. I have a feeling that when baby # 2 comes, I won't want to repaint, especially if we have a boy next. Really, though, the tan looks AMAZING, thanks to the help of my wonderful sister Ashley who just sent me the paint sample and said, "get this one". She knows how I decorate. Tell me what to do and I'll do it. At least, if it is Ashley telling me what to do.
Now, trying to decide on crib bedding. I'm not a huge fan of the pink girl bedding sets (or the purple ones for that matter). I have some fun ideas for wall art that I like that have the theme of doll dresses and jewels. Very sweet girl things, but I'm not too sure how that would match barn animals (lots of crib sets have animals in them-- and I love the colors in these---reds, greens, browns, neutrals). We'll see.
Today I was in Radio Shack getting a new car charger for my phone. The man assisting me just kept staring and trying to make awkward conversation about my growing belly. First he thought that I might give birth in his store (or at least, that's what the expression on his face said) and then he asked me if I was having twins! I just smiled and shook my head. I still have 9 weeks to go. Sigh.
I've decided I love being pregnant. And, Ken is the best husband and father already. He knows how to load the dishwasher, take out the trash, sweep the kitchen, keep accounts, grill, and listens to me sigh every time I roll over in bed, trying to get comfortable. Amazing. He just does these things because he sees all the work of pregnancy. I love to feel the baby moving. Her kicks and rolls that nearly take my breath away bring to reality how quickly she is growing and how full of life she is. Yes, it is difficult to take a deep breath and my back aches often, but it is so worth it.
I'll have Ken put pictures of the baby's room on the blog soon.
~Abbie
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