Baby Update and More!

Yesterday afternoon I had my weekly appointment. Besides waiting forever in the waiting room, nothing has changed. So, we'll wait until next Wednesday for the next appointment and see if there is any news to report. I am actually glad that the baby is not ready to arrive. I only stopped working this past Tuesday, so I'd like some time to do my own thing and be with David.

Speaking of David...he has a lot going on. Steve and I got him a big boy bike and he loves it. We finally got him the helmet and knee/elbow pads so he can ride without fear. He does real well riding his bike and when he does fall, he gets right back up. Yesterday was the Halloween Parade at David's school. He was Buzz Lightyear and looked great! My parents, Steve and I went to watch. All the kids did a nice job. After they marched in the parade, they stood in a line and sang songs for us. We loved it!

The other night Steve carved our pumpkins. David wanted a mean face on his pumpkin and I asked for a funny face on the other one. They came out great. Steve is very talented in the carving department. For our 1st married Halloween, he made me a NY Yankee pumpkin! I loved it.

My Mom helped me (did most of the work) to sponge paint the babies room. Instead of doing a border, we chose to randomly place the Palm Trees around the room. I think it looks awesome. There are a few spots I will do after she is born, like where we hang her name.

Putting our Pumpkins in order

Saturday morning David, Steve and I ventured off to Cheesequake Farms in Old Bridge to do some pumpkin picking. We happened to pick a very chilly morning, so we bundled up. When we arrived, we walked through to see all the unusual gourds and fall crops. Then we headed over to the ponies so David could take a pony ride. Usually we take the hayride out into the farm, but I opted to pick from the pre-picked crop this year. I was afraid a bumpy ride would bring on labor! David picked out all our pumpkins. He got one for Steve, one for himself, one for his baby sister and one for me. I wanted one with a little green on it - just to be different. On our way to pay, he noticed the gourds and picked out 4, again, one for each of us. I wanted to buy him a candy apple, but they all had nuts, so luckily he was happy with a chocolate lollipop. When we got to the car to load it up, he insisted that he help Steve. It was so cute to watch him act like a big boy trying to lift those pumpkins. He did a great job. At home, we unloaded the car and he and Steve cleaned the front yard and decorated the porch. We now have a Fall house. It looks great - I love it!

Week 37 Baby Update

We just returned from our 7:20 pm doctor appt. Steve and David joined me to listen to the heartbeat and exited during the exam - smart move! I gained only 1 pound - yeah! The baby is still head down, but not fully dropped. I am 1 centimeter dilated. We are not getting excited about that because I was 1 cm dilated with David for 4 weeks! Either way, look for more updates. My next appt is next Thursday.

What a day!

Yesterday we had some great things occur. Two of them were surprises and one was just a blessing.

• David slept in his OWN bed the WHOLE night!

To some people this would not be such a big deal, because you'd think a 3+ year old was already doing this. Well, in our house, it was not happening. Our baby boy was an awesome sleeper. He slept through the night at 3 weeks old and every night until he turned 2. Then, it was ALL over. We've tried in the past to get him to sleep by himself, but this time we had to put our foot down. With some great advice from Tracey, Wednesday night was the night. AND he did it! Last night I was able to get him to go to bed on time and in his room, but he did end up in our room. I am not as upset about this, because he is learning that he has a bedtime and that he needs to sleep in his own bed. We talked this morning and he told me he forgot he needed to stay in his own bed and he'll try again. That is all I can ask for. I know he can do it.

• I was thrown a baby shower at work!

On the days David goes to school, I work from home until I pick him up - then I go into work. Yesterday was one of those days. Before I left to go into the office, I got an email for a meeting with my director. I accepted the invite and headed to the office. When I arrived, my co-worker was waiting for me to go over some things she'll take over for me while I am on leave. After we finished, I was called into the meeting with my director that in fact was my SHOWER! I had no idea and was so surprised. All the ladies on our floor were there. We had some delicious cake, cookies and fruit and I received a Target Gift Card, some clothes and bibs, a Pooh doll, a cd and a grooming kit. David was given an Elmo pinata! The card had some really nice wishes written it in. I was very happy.

• Steve was given a promotion and a raise!

When I returned from my desk after my wonderful shower, Steve called me. He informed me that he just left his bosses office where he was told that he would be bumped up to the next level in his job and would get a nice raise! I was so surprised and happy. Not only for our family, but for him personally. He is well deserving of both. I told him how proud I was and that we'd go to dinner to celebrate.

So, as the title reads....WHAT A DAY!

Picture of Nursery

Baby Update

Today I am 36 weeks along with 4 weeks to go! I went to the doctor this afternoon and the baby's head is down, but she is very high and there is no dialation. I did not think she dropped just by the fact that I still have trouble breathing when I am sitting down.

My maternity leave starts 2 weeks from today and I sure am looking forward to it. I am VERY uncomfortable at work because I sit most of the day. Not to mention that I get tired after lunch and I a little swollen.

The babies room is coming along. There are just a few finishing touches and it will be all set. I had ordered some decorative items from Target after my shower last Sunday and they should get here within the next week.

Speaking of my shower, it was great. The weather was perfect, the food was delicious and Laurie was the greatest hostess. I received LOTS of great clothes and other gifts. It was so nice to have my family and friends together.

I think that is all for now. I return to the doctor next Wed. evening, so you can expect another update then. Maybe I'll have more to tell you!

Memory Walk

This past Saturday, my sister in law Tracey, niece Ally, cousin Jeffrey and his girlfriend Lisa and I walked in the Pt. Pleasant Memory Walk to raise money for Alzheimer's research. They had a great turn out and between Tracey and I, we raised close to $800! The walk was great. We could not have asked for a more beautiful morning. We walked along the boardwalk all the way to the Manasquan inlet and back to the end of the Pt. Pleasant boardwalk. The sun was shining and the air was cool but not cold.

Raising money for Alzheimer's research is important to both Tracey and I because both our maternal Grandmother's passed away from the disease. It is a horrible way to live for the one suffering and for the ones watching the person suffer. Most of the time (like in the case of our grandmothers), the victims are not sick in any other way, but their minds. They reside in nursing homes for years in perfect physical health before their minds forget to have them eat or breathe, and then they pass on.

If you or someone you love has been touched by Alzheimer's and you'd like to make a donation, please visit www.alz.org . Every little bit counts.

Thanks Tracey for teaming up with me!