Um, yeah. I just watched the introduction and I'm going to have a really hard time taking this seriously. There will be no photographic evidence of me and the baby gut trying to look serene while doing bizarre stretchy things.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Prenatal Yoga
My copy of the following DVD arrived today:
Um, yeah. I just watched the introduction and I'm going to have a really hard time taking this seriously. There will be no photographic evidence of me and the baby gut trying to look serene while doing bizarre stretchy things.
Um, yeah. I just watched the introduction and I'm going to have a really hard time taking this seriously. There will be no photographic evidence of me and the baby gut trying to look serene while doing bizarre stretchy things.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Slide show #3
The last one, I promise! Stupid Photobucket limits the number of pictures in a slide show so I have to do a million of them. This show has most of the shower guests, a shot of the tea room, etc. (If anyone can tell me how to do a slide show without a limited number of slides, I'd be eternally grateful! Right now I just want to get the darn pictures up. ;o)
Slide show #2
Okay, so I'm posting the second one now...I'm already up, it's already late, might as well.
The New Jersey shower was very nice...it was an early afternoon tea held at the Lavender & Lace Tea Room and given by my mother-in-law, Pat. Everything was so beautiful! (Of course, it was slightly humid out and thanks to the bean sprout my body temperature is all out of whack so I was sweating like an animal, but that's okay... ;o) The people who attended are all members of Craig's family and friends of the family he's known since childhood. It always feels a little awkward when it's not the family and friends you yourself grew up with, but it was very nice and by now, I've met many of these people more than once so some of the weirdness was gone. We were given a lot of things off of our registry, plus a TON of clothes (Ava darling, I hope you like pink!) and among other things, Craig's grandparents gave us a beautiful cradle that was handmade by his grandpa. The in-laws are driving all of the gifts down this weekend so I'll take a few close-up pictures and post them. (We actually received a lot of beautiful things people made themselves--some articles of clothing, blankets, a photo album, a stuffed animal--these people could make a killing on Ebay!)
(BTW--the blonde girl next to me in most of the pictures, helping me with the gifts, is Melissa, a family friend of Craig's. I've met her a few times before...she's pretty much awesome, and a lot of fun.)
The New Jersey shower was very nice...it was an early afternoon tea held at the Lavender & Lace Tea Room and given by my mother-in-law, Pat. Everything was so beautiful! (Of course, it was slightly humid out and thanks to the bean sprout my body temperature is all out of whack so I was sweating like an animal, but that's okay... ;o) The people who attended are all members of Craig's family and friends of the family he's known since childhood. It always feels a little awkward when it's not the family and friends you yourself grew up with, but it was very nice and by now, I've met many of these people more than once so some of the weirdness was gone. We were given a lot of things off of our registry, plus a TON of clothes (Ava darling, I hope you like pink!) and among other things, Craig's grandparents gave us a beautiful cradle that was handmade by his grandpa. The in-laws are driving all of the gifts down this weekend so I'll take a few close-up pictures and post them. (We actually received a lot of beautiful things people made themselves--some articles of clothing, blankets, a photo album, a stuffed animal--these people could make a killing on Ebay!)
(BTW--the blonde girl next to me in most of the pictures, helping me with the gifts, is Melissa, a family friend of Craig's. I've met her a few times before...she's pretty much awesome, and a lot of fun.)
Slide show #1
Here they are!
These are pictures from visiting the family, going to the pumpkin farm, downtown Geneva with Kathie, and the Museum of Science and Industry with mom. There aren't many because my camera doesn't actually hold that many pictures at one time and I hate taking a million pictures anyhow. Oh, and yes, I am wearing the same shirt in about every picture....I wore it to my baby shower as well...it ended up being really hot up north (gee, thank goodness I ran out and bought cold weather clothes before my trip) and that shirt is the cutest, most comfortable, most versatile, and most resistant to wrinkles in my knocked-up wardrobe.
I will do the baby shower slide show later this week....also, I know I said there was a big story about the Chicago Trip from Hell but I'm just about out of energy regarding that incident. I'll give you all the very short version: Mom and I parked downtown on a side street to go to the museum, came out and our car had been towed even though we were not in a marked tow zone, only found our car at an impound lot thanks to a kind police officer who helped us, were treated absolutely horribly by the impound people and had to pay a FORTUNE to get the car back, went back to the site and photographed evidence that we were not in a tow zone, all of this took nearly three hours so we were unable to meet up with Anna for dinner, and more recently, mom appealed the charges and lost. The moral of this story is that the city of Chicago is run by dishonest, money-hungry slobs who screw you over and make it impossible for you to fight back. I will still love my Bears and Cubs, but I hate Chicago. It's been totally ruined for me.
These are pictures from visiting the family, going to the pumpkin farm, downtown Geneva with Kathie, and the Museum of Science and Industry with mom. There aren't many because my camera doesn't actually hold that many pictures at one time and I hate taking a million pictures anyhow. Oh, and yes, I am wearing the same shirt in about every picture....I wore it to my baby shower as well...it ended up being really hot up north (gee, thank goodness I ran out and bought cold weather clothes before my trip) and that shirt is the cutest, most comfortable, most versatile, and most resistant to wrinkles in my knocked-up wardrobe.
I will do the baby shower slide show later this week....also, I know I said there was a big story about the Chicago Trip from Hell but I'm just about out of energy regarding that incident. I'll give you all the very short version: Mom and I parked downtown on a side street to go to the museum, came out and our car had been towed even though we were not in a marked tow zone, only found our car at an impound lot thanks to a kind police officer who helped us, were treated absolutely horribly by the impound people and had to pay a FORTUNE to get the car back, went back to the site and photographed evidence that we were not in a tow zone, all of this took nearly three hours so we were unable to meet up with Anna for dinner, and more recently, mom appealed the charges and lost. The moral of this story is that the city of Chicago is run by dishonest, money-hungry slobs who screw you over and make it impossible for you to fight back. I will still love my Bears and Cubs, but I hate Chicago. It's been totally ruined for me.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Home!
Well, after eight nights and nine days split between Chicago and New Jersey, I'm finally back home! I'm going to attempt to run through all that has happened but I think it will probably take a couple of posts, because I'm going to put up a couple of picture slide shows (and I don't know how to do it yet) and I have the Downtown Chicago Day From Hell and the New Jersey Baby Shower stories to run through, and that's quite a bit of material. And yes, a 24-week picture of the baby gut will make an appearance soon as well. :o) So, here it goes....
--Saturday, Sept. 15th--
Arrive in Chicago around 8pm or so. Stop in to see the grandparents, then go to Portillo's (woohoo!) for chili cheese dogs. Home, hang out with the parents for awhile, go to bed.
--Sunday, Sept. 16th--
To church with mom (Elgin Bible Church), then later in the afternoon it's off to a family birthday party for my Uncle Bill and cousin Andy. My great-grandmother died a year ago this week and both of my brothers are in Florida now so family gatherings are REALLY small. Ah well...more cake for those who show up... ;o) It's good to see everyone as usual, since the last family gathering I was present for was last Thanksgiving. (This Thanksgiving will be interesting...I'm going to look like I'm walking around with the turkey stuffed under my shirt.)
--Monday, Sept. 17th--
Hanging out with mom...we just ran around to different places like Trader Joe's and the pumpkin farm. Note to self: pumpkin farms, prior to the last week of September, totally suck. Better luck in October when I go back, I guess.
--Tuesday, Sept. 18th--
Hanging out with Kathie...we explored the little shops in downtown Geneva, and I managed to fight the urge to buy the most beautiful little trunk for Ava's room...it was antique-looking, painted pale green with light and dark pink roses on it. Kind of wish I hadn't fought the urge because it was very reasonably priced. Argh. We came across a number of really cute baby shops--of course totally out of my price range--and we laughed at some of the weird crap they have for babies. Yes, there are pictures. We also went out for Greek food, yay! I've been dying for some good Saganaki....opa!
--Wednesday, Sept. 19th--
The Chicago Trip from Hell. More on this later...the first part was fine, Mom and I went to the Museum of Science and Industry; but the events that transpired thereafter kind of screwed up the day for us, and caused us to not be able to get together with Anna as planned. Luckily I'll be able to see her in October. But still...I'm very bitter about Chicago right now. (I took a picture of myself giving the Chicago Tribune the finger but have since deleted it. The Trib didn't do anything wrong, I was just flipping off the word "Chicago.")
--Thursday, Sept. 20th--
Exhausted from the Chicago ordeal and pretty much out of ideas of stuff to do, I just hang out in the house all day with mom and read a book. Towards the end of the day we left the house so I could pick up a box of Fannie May candy (means nothing to you unless you're from the Chicago area.... ;o) and we stopped by the cemetery to visit the gravesite of my great-grandparents. I felt absolutely nothing while I was there: I didn't feel sad, nor did I feel any closer to them...I know sometimes people visit the grave and talk to the person but that would have felt absurd for me. This is all good though...it's because I know that they are in heaven, and the bodies buried under the ground are not the people they were in life.
--Friday, Sept. 21st--
Relax at the house, lunch at Portillo's, hang out with mom and the grandparents, and then it's off to the airport...time for New Jersey! Pat and Don (Craig's mom and stepdad) pick me up, we get home and have a snack and talk for a bit but it's really late so bedtime follows before long.
--Saturday, Sept. 22nd--
I manage to sleep pretty late (woohoo!) and then wrestle with straightening my hair for about an hour (it was humid out of course...) then off to the baby shower...more on that later. Dinner at Bahama Breeze, then home and bed.
--Sunday, Sept. 23rd--
Brunch with Pat and then I'm on my way home! After Craig picks me up from the airport we grab some food at Cheesecake Factory and then hit the Apple store to have my iPhone checked out, the battery basically sucks. They swap it out for a new one (which takes forever, but the workers at the store are super-nice so it's okay) and all is well. We get home, I unpack and do some laundry and get settled in just in time to turn on the Bears game so that I can watch them lose miserably to the stupid Cowgirls and totally break my heart. Two words: Rex Grossman. Dude...you are KILLING us! Come ON!
And that's about it! While I was visiting my parents, my mom and I tried to use a stethoscope to listen to Ava's heart, but we couldn't seem to find it. Something funny though...every time we pressed down the stethoscope to listen, she'd kick it! It was pretty entertaining because it wasn't once or twice, it was almost every single time. I still love the kicking, and now I can feel other movements too, not just jabs...I can feel if she turns, or if a limb drags against the side of my uterus. Very interesting. Oh, and Craig is still looking at me like I'm a mutant. I really kind of thought that while I was pregnant he'd look at me with some kind of loving expression or something because I'm carrying his child, but not so much. I get the "holy crap, my wife has mutated into some kind of freak" look from the corner of his eye. I've thought about it and maybe it's because he's seen me at mealtimes, and he's afraid I'm going to eat him. ;o) Anything is possible.
--Saturday, Sept. 15th--
Arrive in Chicago around 8pm or so. Stop in to see the grandparents, then go to Portillo's (woohoo!) for chili cheese dogs. Home, hang out with the parents for awhile, go to bed.
--Sunday, Sept. 16th--
To church with mom (Elgin Bible Church), then later in the afternoon it's off to a family birthday party for my Uncle Bill and cousin Andy. My great-grandmother died a year ago this week and both of my brothers are in Florida now so family gatherings are REALLY small. Ah well...more cake for those who show up... ;o) It's good to see everyone as usual, since the last family gathering I was present for was last Thanksgiving. (This Thanksgiving will be interesting...I'm going to look like I'm walking around with the turkey stuffed under my shirt.)
--Monday, Sept. 17th--
Hanging out with mom...we just ran around to different places like Trader Joe's and the pumpkin farm. Note to self: pumpkin farms, prior to the last week of September, totally suck. Better luck in October when I go back, I guess.
--Tuesday, Sept. 18th--
Hanging out with Kathie...we explored the little shops in downtown Geneva, and I managed to fight the urge to buy the most beautiful little trunk for Ava's room...it was antique-looking, painted pale green with light and dark pink roses on it. Kind of wish I hadn't fought the urge because it was very reasonably priced. Argh. We came across a number of really cute baby shops--of course totally out of my price range--and we laughed at some of the weird crap they have for babies. Yes, there are pictures. We also went out for Greek food, yay! I've been dying for some good Saganaki....opa!
--Wednesday, Sept. 19th--
The Chicago Trip from Hell. More on this later...the first part was fine, Mom and I went to the Museum of Science and Industry; but the events that transpired thereafter kind of screwed up the day for us, and caused us to not be able to get together with Anna as planned. Luckily I'll be able to see her in October. But still...I'm very bitter about Chicago right now. (I took a picture of myself giving the Chicago Tribune the finger but have since deleted it. The Trib didn't do anything wrong, I was just flipping off the word "Chicago.")
--Thursday, Sept. 20th--
Exhausted from the Chicago ordeal and pretty much out of ideas of stuff to do, I just hang out in the house all day with mom and read a book. Towards the end of the day we left the house so I could pick up a box of Fannie May candy (means nothing to you unless you're from the Chicago area.... ;o) and we stopped by the cemetery to visit the gravesite of my great-grandparents. I felt absolutely nothing while I was there: I didn't feel sad, nor did I feel any closer to them...I know sometimes people visit the grave and talk to the person but that would have felt absurd for me. This is all good though...it's because I know that they are in heaven, and the bodies buried under the ground are not the people they were in life.
--Friday, Sept. 21st--
Relax at the house, lunch at Portillo's, hang out with mom and the grandparents, and then it's off to the airport...time for New Jersey! Pat and Don (Craig's mom and stepdad) pick me up, we get home and have a snack and talk for a bit but it's really late so bedtime follows before long.
--Saturday, Sept. 22nd--
I manage to sleep pretty late (woohoo!) and then wrestle with straightening my hair for about an hour (it was humid out of course...) then off to the baby shower...more on that later. Dinner at Bahama Breeze, then home and bed.
--Sunday, Sept. 23rd--
Brunch with Pat and then I'm on my way home! After Craig picks me up from the airport we grab some food at Cheesecake Factory and then hit the Apple store to have my iPhone checked out, the battery basically sucks. They swap it out for a new one (which takes forever, but the workers at the store are super-nice so it's okay) and all is well. We get home, I unpack and do some laundry and get settled in just in time to turn on the Bears game so that I can watch them lose miserably to the stupid Cowgirls and totally break my heart. Two words: Rex Grossman. Dude...you are KILLING us! Come ON!
And that's about it! While I was visiting my parents, my mom and I tried to use a stethoscope to listen to Ava's heart, but we couldn't seem to find it. Something funny though...every time we pressed down the stethoscope to listen, she'd kick it! It was pretty entertaining because it wasn't once or twice, it was almost every single time. I still love the kicking, and now I can feel other movements too, not just jabs...I can feel if she turns, or if a limb drags against the side of my uterus. Very interesting. Oh, and Craig is still looking at me like I'm a mutant. I really kind of thought that while I was pregnant he'd look at me with some kind of loving expression or something because I'm carrying his child, but not so much. I get the "holy crap, my wife has mutated into some kind of freak" look from the corner of his eye. I've thought about it and maybe it's because he's seen me at mealtimes, and he's afraid I'm going to eat him. ;o) Anything is possible.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Track-Out RULES!
It's that time again...vacation!! WOOHOO! Man, I need this. I had a student in class today who just randomly, out of the blue, for no reason, said, "Hey! Wouldn't it be funny if you were sitting in the teacher's lounge and all of the sudden your water broke?" Okay, first of all, I don't want students thinking about my "water" or it breaking. Ew. Second, the teacher's lounge would be the best place for such a disaster, because not only is it way more private than, say, the classroom...most of the women I work with have been through it and would know what to do. Having said that, I'm definitely rethinking my decision to go back to work after Christmas break, as Ava is set to arrive just days later....I'm just not thinking I want to go into labor in the middle of teaching algebra or something. However, if she arrives on time or late, I'm going to feel like I wasted a week of maternity leave doing nothing but worrying about my classes. I'm kind of a freak about work like that: I joke about getting a nice vacation during 3rd quarter but honestly, stepping back and letting someone else run my class for 8-10 weeks is really going to be hard.
Anyhow, it's up to Chicago tomorrow to see family and friends and then over to New Jersey to see Craig's family and have the first baby shower. It's going to be fun, aside from the fact that being the center of attention like that kind of freaks me out. (I'm not kidding...I cried before one of my bridal showers because I didn't want everyone looking at me, and I didn't think I'd make it down the aisle at my wedding for the same reason.) Craig's grandfather made a cradle for the baby and I can't wait to see it! It'll go in our bedroom so that for the first few months she can be near us while we sleep. Or at least, while we try to sleep...
I know I said I'd post a 23-week picture but that may not have been accurate... ;-) If we have time tomorrow before leaving for the airport, I'll do it, otherwise it'll be another week or so. Sorry!
Anyhow, it's up to Chicago tomorrow to see family and friends and then over to New Jersey to see Craig's family and have the first baby shower. It's going to be fun, aside from the fact that being the center of attention like that kind of freaks me out. (I'm not kidding...I cried before one of my bridal showers because I didn't want everyone looking at me, and I didn't think I'd make it down the aisle at my wedding for the same reason.) Craig's grandfather made a cradle for the baby and I can't wait to see it! It'll go in our bedroom so that for the first few months she can be near us while we sleep. Or at least, while we try to sleep...
I know I said I'd post a 23-week picture but that may not have been accurate... ;-) If we have time tomorrow before leaving for the airport, I'll do it, otherwise it'll be another week or so. Sorry!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Group B Strep
I have no idea what it is, but I have it. From what I have gathered through the Internet, it seems to be a germ that just kind of hangs out and does nothing in particular, but if you have it and you are pregnant, it can give your baby pneumonia, meningitis, or some kind of septic illness when she's born. Luckily, a round of antibiotics now and another during labor will keep the baby safe.
That's it here...23 week picture will be posted before I leave for Chicago!
That's it here...23 week picture will be posted before I leave for Chicago!
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