A glimpse into the day to day routine, social awkwardness, and simple life of the typical girl next door . . .who likes to rock out. . . and talk about babies.
You know those days you find yourself just sitting and thinking about things you need to do, but can't seem to actually get up and do them, or maybe you're frozen because you don't know where to start? I've been having a lot of those days lately.
Last Tuesday, Josh and I went in for our 28 week appointment with our OB. The appointment didn't quite go as planned. First, I threw-up from my glucose test--charming. Next I got a rhogam shot in my butt check and bled through my skirt from the giant needle. Then we had an ultrasound that revealed my cervix is shortening (sorry if this is TMI for our guy friends). Usually around 28 weeks, women have lengths of anywhere from 4cm - 3cm. Unfortunately I'm between 1.6cm and 1.4cm. What does that mean? Well, basically, I'm already effacing and am high risk for going into pre-term labor. It also means I have to be on strict bed rest--reclined for 23 hours per day. I'm allowed to get up and go to the bathroom; take short showers; move from one room to another; and sometimes sit up to eat, but for the most part, I need to be reclined all day. It's basic physics and the only real solution to help keep the little muffin baking longer. Full term is anywhere from 37-42 weeks. I hit 29 weeks on Tuesday. You can do the math. This might be an interesting summer. Luckily we have lots of family and friends to help us out.
As I mentioned earlier, I'm still a little frozen trying to figure out what to do with myself. I'm slowly navigating what I can accomplish while reclined. It will be a tough journey, but I'm feeling very positive this week that everything will work out. It may not be according to my plan, but things will be ok. Most importantly, she will be ok.
Hi everyone. This is Erin. I'm back after Josh's inaugural blog post. Due to the overwhelming positive response to his literary debut, I'm going to try and get him to come back every now and then to share his perspective on life.
The past two weekends have been pretty exciting. One included the celebration of my first Mother's Day and the other the celebration of my sister Abby being a champ (yeah, I know, much more exciting than Mother's Day)
For Mother's Day Josh got me several nice gifts. The big gift was a custom glider for the nursery. It is still being built, but the one I tested in the store was one of the most comfortable chairs I have ever sat in. I can't wait for it to arrive!! I'm sure the baby girl is going to like it too. Josh also gave me several sweet cards and flowers. One of the cards included a picture of cute chihuahua puppies kissing and my other favorite featured a handsome beagle on the front. The Mother's Day celebration included brunch with my in-laws and a trip to one of the most stressful places on Earth--Ikea. Brunch was delicious. Ikea was intense, but we emerged successful with a handful of useful items including a bookcase for the nursery, spice racks we are going to use as nursery bookshelves, and a step stool for the kitchen. The other highlight of the day was visiting my new second cousin, Jude. He was born on May 10th and is pretty darn cute. I bet he and our baby girl will be good friends.
Here are a few pictures from the brunch.
26 Weeks
I think I got the raw end of the deal perspective-wise on this photo. Marian got to stand on a piece of concrete in the background to look taller and smaller, while I had to be in the foreground with my enormous belly.
Now onto exciting weekend #2--The 2012 Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships!!
This year Abby competed in four events (4 preliminary events and 3 final events) over a three day period. Did I mention during those three days the weather shifted from blazing heat to freezing downpours? Yeah--it was nuts.
She qualified for the finals in the 100m, 200m and 400m sprints. All three of her final events were ran in the pouring rain on Saturday, but it didn't seem to phase her. She took 2nd place in the 100m, 3rd place in the 200 m, and was #1 in the 400m. Yes, #1 = STATE CHAMPION!!!!! It was so exciting. Our entire family is so proud of her. I'm think I busted into tears as she crossed the finish line--but who really knows for sure, it was pouring rain.
That is Abby at the TOP of the podium!
Sweet signs Anna and I made the night before finals.
Mom and Dad drenched in rain, but still smiling
27 Week Belly Photo. Also note, Josh and I mixed-up our rain pants. I grabbed the larges and he squeezed into my extra-smalls. Also, I'm not sure who he is threatening.
The Champ
Hmmm. I look enormous in my rain pants next to Abby in her spandex pants. I think I probably out-weigh her by at least 40 pounds right now.
CONGRATULATIONS, ABBY!!
Oh yeah, Josh and Anna also ran this weekend. They were part of a Colfax Marathon relay team. They didn't look nearly as fast as Abby, but I commend them for their efforts. I just cheered from the sidelines.
Josh completing 6.3 Miles! He ran from the Broncos Stadium, through downtown and into City Park.
The relay team running the last 200 yards in together.
This is Josh, Erin's husband (in case you were unaware). Erin let me know that I would be writing the old blogster this time. I have also been informed that the topics shall be Abby's Birthday Fiesta and a photo of my ever growing daughter (from the outside of Erin's belly, a.k.a the 25 week belly picture.). As of late that is the way things have been going, Erin tells me what to do and I do it... unless the request is a bit, scratch that, very ridiculous. So I find myself writing. In addition to the aforementioned topics I will most likely go off on several tangents, such as Cheetos commercial sound tracks (I believe this one is "The Hit" by Richard Myhill).
Last week we went down to Pueblo and had ourselves a birthday fiesta (insert awesome mariachi music here). Abby is now an adult, 18 years old, although I still view her as the 8 year old I met 10 years ago who tricked me into trying to shake her hand goodbye as she pulled it away and brushed it over her head. Yup, still the same jokester now. At any rate, we thought it would be fun to buy a pinata, an Angry Bird pinata to be exact (a.k.a. Fat Bird in our house hold). We filled it with candy and car air fresheners... the Black Ice scent was for Anna.
Pinata, aka Pigata, aka fat bird, aka anger bird, aka about to get smashed for its sweet, sweet candy brains, mmmmmmmm, candy brains.
Erin's Pop, Big Tom Simpson, and Uncle, Lil' Dave Simpson, strung that sucker up and let the kids swing away while pulling it just out of reach. Then is was Abby's turn, she spun around with a blind fold on and went for it, seems the joke was now on her. The fat bird pinata was pulled as she swung and the bat came crashing into her shin (I laughed and barely felt bad about it, I think I might be evil). She was fine, most likely due to the toughness I have bestowed upon her though endless practical jokes and an unrelenting ping pong battle (no need to ask what our record is, what's in a number anyway?). Soon the pinata would break and enjoyment was had by all.
Abby preparing to hit herself with a bat.
Here is an amazing picture of our best beagle, Stanly, who is always up for a fiesta! He also turned eight or ocho en espanol.
And yet another great photo. This of Anna and Grandpa Lee showing a little fiesta flare
(please note the chili pepper suspenders)
After the smashing of the pinata we started making margaritas for everyone (a virgin one for my baby mama). We made them from limeade, OJ, and unsweetened grapefruit juice... nice nice. After the food and drink were consumed and the festivities came to an end. None to soon either as Abby had the toots (kidding, it was Anna [joking again, it was me, those fried bean/meat tacos are awesome but I should really try to eat only 1 or 2]).
Let's see what else is going on. I have been crushing the mountain on my bike and almost crashed the other day because I saw a snake. For the record it was a very odd looking snake, did some research and I think it was either a black mamba or a run of the mill red milk snake. There is really no way of knowing but I did what anyone would do as I road by it... teared up and screamed snake! I also learned that one of my best buds is having a baby too, congrats Chris and Rochele! Finally, I learned that a new micro brewery is opening up no more than a mile from our house, sweet (said like Cartman). This will bring the total bikable breweries from our house to 5. Don't worry, I will need to make use of these prior to August as I will liekly grow up and become responsible. Oh yeah, and I bought a sweet plush deer skin rug for my daughters room.
See, it does look scary, like some sort of death machine
In retrospect this might do some sort of damage to my daughter's psyche
Last but not least, here is a picture of Erin's belly... BOOM! I wish it was a movie of it because this sucker is moving a bunch. The baby might be a fighter, I think we are in for an interesting 18 years. I bet the rug is a good idea after all.
Today two awesome people* are celebrating birthdays! My sister Abby is turning 18 and my dog Stanley is turning 8. Time flies. I still remember the day Abby was born and exactly what I wore to the hospital to see her for the first time (I knew I had to look good, I just didn't know the 90's weren't the best of times for fashion). My ensemble included a hooded t-shirt, striped shorts, and my hair held up in a bun with a scrunchie--all in red white & blue. I also remember thinking it was weird she had such long fingernails for just being born. It's strange the things that stick with us. I don't remember what I wore the day we pick-up Stanley from the paking lot in front of Sam's Club in Pueblo, but I do remember our drive home. The only time he stopped crying and howling was when he heard guitar solos on the radio. I also remember Josh and I padding the entire area around his little kennel with throw pillows from the house--we were so afraid his crate would slide around and he would get hurt. I can't imagine what we will be like driving a real baby home from the hospital.
Stan is celebrating his birthday at daycare today. I think we'll probably give him a special treat too since he's been on a diet lately.
In honor of Abby's birthday, we will have a fiesta this weekend. I can't wait!!!!!
I just took a shower in my pink bathroom. It turns out it is much easier to shave my legs when I can use the tub as a step. In addition to shaving my legs, I also starting thinking about this little baby girl. I'm pretty sure she will appreciate the pink bathroom. I guess some things are just meant to be. A little boy may have been a little upset with the bathroom situation.
We have been making a lot of progress on the nursery. We ordered our crib and dresser. Lots of paint samples are up on the wall. Plus, I've got fabric on the way to start working on a few projects.
It is strange these days. In the beginning of my pregnancy I felt like I was counting up: 14 weeks to the end of the first trimester; 20 weeks until we were halfway, etc. Now, I feel like I'm counting down. I hit 25 weeks on Tuesday, but in reality, that means only 15 more weeks (give or take) until we meet our little baby! She has been kicking and punching up a storm this week. Josh started calling her Metta Worldpeace.
