Today's the Day the Teddy Bears have their Picnic

So today was the home shower. There were about 25 friends and family that made it out for our Teddy Bear Picnic. My Mom and my friend, Crystal, flew up from New Mexico to partake in the festivities. I'm not sure why I wanted a teddy bear picnic shower, but it sounded cute and hey, I like cute.

My friend Stephanie headed up the shower organization, while both Grandmas were in charge of the details. We had boxed lunches loaded with sandwiches, chips, and bottled drinks. Teddy bears were strategically posted to ensure the playful ambiance. It was a tight fit, but it just made everything feel more cozy.

After lunch, we played "Guess the Bees in the Honey Pot." You had to guess the number of black jelly beans amongst a baby bottle full of yellow ones. Then we did "Guess Mommy's Girth." Most women find this game humiliating, as some guests are not as tactful as others and take a HUGE amount of ribbon. Most of my party goers were pretty conservative for me. The winning guess was 41 inches and Steph's mom hit it right on the nose! Then we played Baby Bingo, but things got wonky and we only played one round. There were 6 winners, in case you were wondering.

Shortstop was showered with lots of love and many, many clothes. Let's just say that this child will never be naked!

(left to right: Shortstop's Grandma Pat, Great-Grandma Boyce, Mommy, and Grandma Rita)

It was such a lovely day and I wanted to thank all of you for making my pregnancy so enjoyable. It makes me think that we should do this pregnant thing again sometime.

Me with Crystal (top) and Steph (bottom)

A Shower of Love & A Shortstop Update

I was lucky enough to have a reason to ditch work Friday. Eric's work threw up a baby shower. With only about two weeks to plan, everything was just perfect. There was a Mexican pot luck and this absolutely delicious cake from Costco (yellow cake with strawberry filling, oh yeah). Even though it was held in the middle of the day, we had an impressive turn out.

I really enjoyed opening all the gifts and oohing and ahhing over all things tiny and pink. But I'm really gratefully that Eric works with so many people who genuinely care about him and his family. Everyone was amazing and I had so much fun meeting staff and getting reacquainted with those I had previously met.

Thank you all so much for caring about our family so very much. We truly appreciate all the love and hard work you put into throwing this lovely party.

Shortstop Update: After the party, we headed over for our OB/GYN appointment. Shortstop's heart rate is 148 beats per minute and she is showing signs of being head down. I've gained another 1.5 lbs and my belly is measuring 33.5 cm. We both are doing great and because every is right on target, I have a feeling that she will show up around her due date. However, I had this dream where she was born on April 28th, so we'll have to wait and see.

As far as pregnancy related things go, I have openly declared that I refuse to waddle. I even wore high heels today, just to make my point (and they happily matched my outfit). I feel that pregnancy is such a beautiful time in a woman's life, why would you want to ugly it up by waddling? For those of you who waddled, don't be too offended. I am a Scorpio, which makes me a bit stubborn. Even if I have to walk all crazy, I will whatever is necessary to maintain my sassy runway strut.

28 weeks (7 months, 2 days) 33 wks (8 months, 2 days)

Gearing Up for Drama

Tonight Eric and I went to our first child birth prep class. There were about 10 other couples there and you could see all the women checking each other's bellies out (yes, I'm guilty). We watched a video about the stages of childbirth, which when I read about it in my Anatomy book, didn't seem so vivid. Now that I'm pregnant and will have to endure this cycle of life, I'm totally freaked out. Eric, on the other had, was calmed by the knowledge he received. He's actually ready to be my support team captain and put on his cheerleader's uniform.

We took a tour of the labor and delivery wing and I was impressed. Everything was hotel grade and the birthing room even has a jacuzzi tub to sit in for active labor. The baby is never out of the mother's sight and will stay in the room with mom until they both are discharged. Pretty cool, huh?

We have three more classes to attend and hopefully we'll be well prepared for the drama that will ensure on the big b-day.

Nesting

Eric was out of town this weekend for a guy's trip to Tucson, AZ for baseball spring training. As I can no longer travel, I had the whole weekend to myself. Only I didn't know I had to share it with my nesting syndrome.

Seriously I was a crazy person. Friday we had dentist appointments then ran some errands. then we had a short nap and Eric left around 4:30. At 4:45 I was out the door and went shopping for 4 hours (say what?). After which, I came home and rearranged all the pictures in the living room and the stairwell. I lined the drawers in the changing table and dinked around in the nursery.

When I finally looked at the clock it was 2:30 in the morning! Oops. I was a little surprised but probably could have done more work if it had not been for Pazu's attitude. Apparently, he was waiting for me to go to bed, so he could sleep. If you have ever had a dog give you a look that says, "You are an idiot. When are we going to bed?" mixed with an attitude laced posture, you would have gone to bed too.

Sunday marked another surge of energy and I used it to spend time with a good friend (it was great to see you again, Jenn). But I'll tell you this. I paid for every minute of insanity on Monday. Naps are so underrated.

How Many Fingers Are You!

I deeply apologize for the seeming abandonment of the blog. I've been dealing with a lot lately (mainly work related) and haven't had much time for anything else but stress (oh boy).

Anyway, at the end of February, Eric's grandmother celebrated her 90th birthday! The family threw her a big party and all of the family (even those out of state) made the special trip out in honor of such a great lady. Grandma was very happy to have all of her loved ones close.

We also celebrated David's birthday (Eric's younger brother). He turned 26, what a youngin'. It wasn't anything extravagant, just dinner out and the opening of the gifts later. Later at his apartment, we played a ghetto-fied version of Jenga. David and Eric played, Eric won. Then Eric went head-to-head with Jesse. Jesse ended up winning, although Eric swears up and down the boy cheated.

Well, I grew up in a family of board game masters. So I challenged Jesse and despite all of his trash talking, I was the victor (35 minutes later). Even if I would have lost (which was highly unlikely anyway), I certainly played a better game.

Here's to birthday fun. Eric's is coming up in April. How will we celebrate next?

Shortstop Update: Wks 24 & 28

So it's been awhile since we've had an adequate update on our little All-star. Since our last update, we've been to two more doctor's visits.

Week 24: Shortstops heart rate was 147. This visit, they started measuring my little Buddha belly, from top of pubic bone to the top of the uterus. From this point on, my belly measurement in cm, should be equal to my pregnancy weeks. For example, at this 24 week visit, my belly should be around 24 cm. I was 25 cm. No harm, no foul and since my weight is good (7.5 lbs gained), I can indulge in more of my craving (watch out you tasty little sodas). She is starting to really move at this point. Sometimes when she really gets going, Shortstop manages to tickle me and I can't help laughing out loud.

Week 28: I missed taking the monthly belly picture at 24 weeks, which I'm still peeved about. Nothing can be done about it now. So Shortstop's heart rate was 150 and my belly was 28 cm. I've gained 1/2 lb since last visit and everything is going great. Little girl is getting bigger and therefore able to scare the hoozie-whats-it out of me when she kicks hard. Startling really. Eric's even mention how strong she's getting. What's really funny about our daughter right now, is that when she's in her dance aerobic groove, I call Eric over to feel my stomach. By the time he's placed his hand on my skin, she's stop. For reals? Hopefully, this is not a precursor of things to come--like she'll be a little whirlwind while Daddy is away and as soon as he come within a foot of her, she become his little princess.

Man, did I just jinx us.
21 weeks (5 months, 1 wk)

28 weeks (7 months, 2 days)

Valentine's Weekend

So we celebrated Valentine's Weekend by sharing our time with family and friends (honestly, we see each other enough as it is :0) I went to my co-worker's baby shower on Saturday and Eric hosted a Coffee Party on Sunday.

Saturday: I couldn't just do the old stand by and buy my coworker, Mina, a gift card or some item off her registry. So, I cheated and bought a quilt kit and made her baby boy a quilt. It's full of texture with flannel, cotton, and chenille squares and circles. I added a touch of red yarn for anchoring and aesthetic purposes. I hope that the baby will like it. Mina's mom made her baby shower cake (pictured below) and man, was it amazing. Marble cake and rich buttercream frosting. I'm drooling just thinking about it. It was a lovely party and Mina and her husband were totally showered in love.

Sunday: Now, I'm sure you've heard of wine tasting parties, where everyone brings a bottle of wine and everyone gets a sip (or two out) from it. Then they score each one a variety of parameters and then the group discusses things (if you even make it to this step). So based off this premise, the coffee party was born. He invited some of his coworkers, his parents and a few friends. Even though I can have some caffeine, I chose instead to stick to the sweet bubbly euphoria known as soda. The party lasted about 2.5 hours and I hope and pray everyone was able to sleep that night. Good clean fun, in any case.

Our godson, Phoenix

However, you spent your Valentine's Day/Weekend, we hope that you spent it with someone you care about.