The Babe, He Has Arrived

After a lot of this...

a good amount of this...
(contraction faces)

a little more of this...

and a lot of help from these folks...


we got this!

Welcome to the world, Grey!

The Exception to the Rule

As a rule, I don't have a huge problem with people touching my pregnant belly. If you're a total stranger, yes, it's a bit strange. However, if I know you, I probably don't have a problem with it.

This was not cool though.
Slinking towards me, he said, "That's a really big...."
And as I took steps backwards, he trailed off with, "...nevermind."

He was about 6 inches from touching my stomach the other day.
In my book, that's too close of a call.

Wordless Wednesday

He's Baaack

Yesterday, while Sam and I were at the pool with Courtney, MCM & LCM, this kid made another appearance.

He greeted me with, "So, are you pregnant, or what?!"
I answered, "Yep, I'm still pregnant." (in a slightly annoyed voice, I've gotta be honest)

Creepy Kid: "How long have you even been pregnant?"
Me: "I've been pregnant for 9 months."

And later.

Creepy Kid: "You don't have rings on your hand! WHY NOT?!
Me: "I forgot to put them on. You don't have rings on your hands either. Why not?"
Creepy Kid: "Uhhh, I don't wear rings on my hands."

And even later.

Sam had been playing with a bush behind the pool chairs. I can only guess that he pulled off some leaves and rubbed them on his head, irritating the skin or scratching it because he started crying and saying "ouch, off, off, ouch, off, off!" You get the idea.
So, I rinsed his head under the shower and took him in the pool to dunk him, thinking the cool water would ease the pain. As I sat on the stairs trying to figure out what was making my kid scream like he was in pain, Creepy Kid broke the last straw.

Creepy Kid: "What's his problem?!"
Me: (A little, ok a lot, fed up with this kid and his underwater surveillance). "Can you just leave us alone for a few minutes, please?"

Next thing I know, the kid is leaving the pool. Oops. I felt pretty bad until Courtney told me his mom had come to pick him up. Whew.

Nothing Ever Made My Feet Look So Small!

Just because I think it's funny.

Take Your Best Shot

As of Saturday, I was 37 weeks. That makes me 37 weeks and 2 days today, but who's counting. I probably shouldn't be. That's because I went 13 days overdue with Sam.

All this leads me to my point. I wanna hear when you guys think this little one will make his debut. Here are some factors that may help you make your guess.

My mom went 3 weeks overdue (and then had to be induced) with her first, me.
I went 2 weeks overdue (and then had to be induced) with my first, Sam.

My middle sister is about 21 months younger than me.
My second babe will be about 21 months younger than Sam.

Said sister came on her due date.
My youngest sister came 6 weeks early.

Guess away! And let me know if you've got any questions that might make your guessing easier. I believe it would help for me to mention that my official due date is August 8th.
Whoever is the closest to the actual date will get a little something fun!

Sleep is for the Birds

I decided I'm suffering from a little sleep deprivation this morning after I got (ashamedly) extremely frustrated with Sam and was sitting on the floor crying...all before 9:30 a.m.

I know what you're thinking.
Just wait until the baby comes! What are you going to do then?!
You think you're sleep deprived now? Ha!

However, I slept better after Sam was born than I did the 2 months or so leading up to his arrival. It's all about discomfort and needing to go to the bathroom at this point. Really it's all about discomfort because if I didn't wake up 7-8 times and roll over, I probably wouldn't notice that I think I might have to go to the bathroom, a little.

Once the babe is here, and the big belly is gone, I know I'll be much more comfortable. Yes, I'll be getting up multiple times to feed but I'll hopefully be able to sleep for stretches longer than 1 .5 - 2 hours. Hopefully.

Just a Little Light Reading for You on a Friday

Mmm, this post really hit home with me. And when I say it hit home, I mean I felt like she read my mind and typed out what I was thinking better than I could've expressed myself.

You see, I tend to err on the strict side as well. Mainly because I figure it's easier to give more privileges and responsibility than to take them away after they have been experienced. Kind of like, you don't know what you're missing until it's gone. If you've never had it, you don't know you're missing out.

Honestly, this is something I've been thinking about for a few weeks. Why do I say "no" so much? I don't want to say "no". I also don't want to have discipline and obedience problems. I want Sam to have fun, to learn and to be obedient and disciplined. Some days are easier, that's for sure. I think at the root of this is my desire to keep some type of control. I do not want to have kids who are out of control.

Anybody else struggle with this?

8 Months (Almost 36 Weeks)

I'll be 36 weeks on Saturday.




And apparently, since we had our friend Josh take some professional shots, I didn't take one of myself around the 8th month.
***Edited*** I meant to say I didn't take one of myself when I was pregnant with Sam.

Creeper at the Pool

I attract creepers...I just do. Something about me being pregnant (even though stuff like this seems to happen even when I'm not pregnant) just attracts creepers.

Sam and I were at the pool this morning with my friend Laura. (Yes, this time there was a witness to the creepiness).
We were minding our own business, playing near the stairs when I notice this boy, maybe 13ish, floating underwater very close by...with goggles. So I'm of course suspicious because there's not a whole lot for him to be doing other than looking...at me...underwater.



He pops up and looks at me, with the creepy eyes and asks, "Sooo, hmmm, are you pregnant?"
"Yes I am", I respond while keeping an eye on him AND on Sam.
"For how long? Uh, Imean how far are you?" creeper asks as he eases closer.
"8 months" I say, backing up.
"Mmm, so not much longer then..." he sort of asks.
"Nope, not too much longer" I say backing up some more as he eyes my belly.
It's important to note here that I'm wearing a two-piece suit...which is something I'm currently re-thinking.

I decide it's time to get the heck away from this creepy kid before he reaches out and rubs my belly Sam out of the pool and take a little break for some juice and a snack.

I do and the kid kind of slinks away...if you can slink in a pool.

So we get back in a few minutes later and he comes back.

Popping up from underwater, he asks, "How many are in there?!" It may have just been me imagining it, but I think his eyes were kind of bugging out.

I look up at Laura and repeat his question while sort of laughing.

I tell him there's just one.

He asks if it's a boy or a girl and I tell him boy, intentionally being short in an effort to wrap up this little convo we're having.

Then, he slowly sinks back underwater while I'm left standing there feeling like I showed up to school naked...and pregnant.

Call Me What You Want

I'm starting to get tired of being big.

Some Fun and Frivolous Stuff

I got tagged by Lauren to list 6 completely unimportant things that make me happy....sadly, not difficult at all.

-Clean, fluffy, warm towels.
-Starbucks coffee - namely Iced Caramel Macchiato, White Chocolate Mocha and Pumpkin Spice Latte.
-Etsy
-Gift cards
-Earrings - especially these.
-And you know I had to include Mr. Pibb, or Dr. Pepper - either will do.


If I may...here are a few things that make me happy mainly because it's late June and I'm pregnant. Although, arguably, air conditioning doesn't fall in the unimportant category.

-Air conditioning.
-Pillows, lots of pillows.
-Cold, sugary drinks...think Mr. Pibb, Dr. Pepper, Starbucks iced drinks. (Some things apply to either list).
-Microwave popcorn especially paired with the previous drinks.
-Browsing the baby section of Target.
-Frozen chocolate chip cookies.

Wanna do your own list? I'd love to read it. Just let me know in the comments :).

To Dad & Bob

Dad - You are an honorable man and easy to respect. You don't flaunt challenges you've had but you have had them and have faced them head-on and I do believe, conquered most, if not all of them. It's inspiring.

The way you have fathered me, Laura and Julie has greatly influenced the women we are today. It influences how I parent Sam and how I relate to Bob. Thank you for taking your job so seriously, to provide for our family, love Mom and protect us. You are still doing a most excellent job.


Bob - You are a wonderful father. I always knew you would be. It's a big part of why I married you. It's such a neat thing to watch a man be a dad, without being the subject of the fathering (no offense, Dad). Your love for Sam and Baby #2 is contagious, encouraging, and fun to watch. It brings me so much joy to see how much you enjoy being a dad. It only deepens my love for you...adds another facet to it, if you will.

Your devotion to providing for and protecting us is more than I/we deserve. I may not ever be able to put into words how much I appreciate all that you do for us.

I'm so pleased and humbled that God is allowing our family to grow. And I'm blessed to have you as a partner in raising these two boys. I truly look forward to seeing how you father our sons in each stage of their lives.

I love you both. Happy Father's Day!

A Few Things I'm Missing

And please do not take this to mean that I'm not grateful for being pregnant. I'm just getting to that point where you can't not feel pregnant.

So here are a few things I'm missing:
- Sleeping on my stomach.
- Hugging my husband without having to push my rear out.
- Wine.
- Running...not that I was a big runner before I got pregnant. I just have a desire to now and it's probably because I can't.
- Bending over without making a sound.
- Holding Sam in my lap comfortably.
- Sleeping all the way through the night. (But I'll be missing that for at LEAST a few more months).
- The scale staying the same number for more than a week.
- Going up the stairs without getting winded. (Don't laugh.)

What about you? What do you/did you/will you miss while being pregnant?

My New Favorite Thing

From the sewing room of the wonderful Sew Jenna, I give you, a picture of my custom-made, amazingly-cool, can't-wait-to-use-it, nursing cover! It is so well made, has an adjustable neck-strap, AND boning around the neck so you see your baby. I'm probably way too excited about it :).





Curious as to which fabrics those are? Ok, I'll tell you. On the front, Amy Butler's Lotus Lacework Grey and on the back, Amy Butler's Lotus Full Moon Polka Dot Lime.

I've enjoyed Jenna's blog for quite some time now. I found her through Molly's blog. (Don't you like how I call them by their first names like I actually know them? I don't think it would creep Jenna out, but I don't know about Molly. Molly, if you're reading this, please don't be creeped out).

Anyway, Jenna has a most excellent sense of humor, 3 adorable kids with another on the way and I, basically, think she rocks. Granted, we've never met in real life...but you can tell a lot about a person from their blog people. You can tell a lot.

So, with that said...
1-You should subscribe to and/or start reading Jenna's blog. It just may change your life.
2-If you are, or know of anyone who is, in need of a nursing cover, you should seriously consider ordering one from Jenna. Her prices are super competitive and you get to pick your fabric, or fabric combo should you go the reversible route (like I did...who doesn't want a little variety in their life?)
***Updated***
Interested in ordering? Just email Jenna at jennascheetz(at)gmail(dot)com.

Oh, I should mention that to Jenna's, and my, shock and horror, Amy Butler has discontinued both of the fabrics used on my cover. However, if you just HAVE to have one or both of them, I recommend checking Etsy.

31 Weeks (7 Months)

So...apparently Baby #2 had quite a growth spurt this month.

And here I am with Sam...a little bit further along but you get the idea.

Oh, and here is Bob - roughly 32 weeks along with his 1st baby, who apparently wanted Milo's that night. :)

27 Weeks (6 Months)

Startin' to get a little pregnancy plump ;).

Too early in the morning for me. Am I even awake?
(About 6 months with Sam).

Sweet Teeth

With all the sweets I've been eating this pregnancy, I'm pretty sure this baby will only have sweet teeth.

Paranoia, Paranoia

(Did "everybody's coming to get me" just run through your head? No? Ok, nevermind.)

The other day, I was checking out at Walmart...in a lane with a live person, not self-checkout. Can you believe it?!

Anyway, the lady keeps talking to Sam and telling me how cute she thinks he is. He's vacillating (10 pt. word) between flirting with her and almost falling out of the cart to push the buttons on the credit card swiper machine.

"Is he yours?" she asks.

I sort of chuckle and say "yea, he is."

According to Bob, that was just her best way of trying to find out if I was the un-married, pregnant mother of a toddler or simply a babysitter or aunt.

Again...with the ring paranoia. I'm ready to have them back.

I know Rachel's with me on this. Anybody else? Do you ever "ring-check" a pregnant lady and wonder? I know I do. And yes, I know that I'm paranoid because I'm guilty of it.

Just Some Thoughts

I was trying to take a nap yesterday. After about 10 minutes, I woke up to the phone ringing. I couldn't go back to sleep because I couldn't stop thinking about eating a peanut butter & jelly sandwich. Sad.

I had a delicious veggie sub for lunch today. I'm sitting here contemplating making another one.

I'm not a vegetarian.

The first three thoughts are about food and I'm holding back.

I just got some really cute burp cloths off Etsy. (These aren't the exact ones I got. The beauty of this store is that you can just pick and choose which fabrics you want. I got some for gifts a couple for myself!)

I can't wait for May. With it comes my birthday, Mother's day, a camping trip, our family beach trip, and the wedding of some really good friends! Oh, and my blood glucose test. How could I forget that?!

I'm in a phase of pregnancy where I'm not sleeping well. Although I'm usually awake and back to sleep before this once or twice, something happens around 3:30 a.m. that wakes me up every morning. Maybe it's just that I have to go to the bathroom....

I lost a small diamond from my wedding band. My rings, since they're saudered together, are at the jeweler for the diamond to be replaced. Now I'm paranoid that everyone thinks I'm a single, pregnant mom of a toddler.

It won't be just Bob, me and Sam much longer. That makes me a little sad. That, obviously, means it won't just be Sam and me hanging out during the day much longer. That's gonna end real soon and it just makes me kinda sad.