For the Love of Random

So, with about 5-6 weeks before this kid makes his grand debut we are starting to slowly pick away at the last few things that we need.  First, I am happy to say that almost everything we have fits into the one changing table/dresser combination thing.  We really worked hard to shop for space saving things.  I'm also trying to be conscientious of need vs. want.  Jason and I have made a huge effort to separate these two things...denying ourselves of a lot of wants because A) we didn't have the money with him in grad school and B) we just don't NEED to buy everything we want...even if it's cheap (Jason is WAAAAY better at this then me haha).  We would like to teach our little mister this...but also practically speaking our house is too small to go baby crazy with products. 

For extra products outside of clothes, diapers, and things for his general care we decided to get a foldable swing...that fits under his crib, a pac and play type thing to take with us when we go home
and travel, a breast pump, a foldable PUJ bathtub that hangs on the side of his changing table/dresser, a Moby and an Ergo (probably didn't need both of these though...but Jason won't do the Moby and once the booger gets bigger I think the Ergo will be our go-to) and a BOB stroller.  Aside from a few toys and books that were gifts that's the extent of our baby stuff.  And I'm quite content.  The only thing I can foresee us needing in the future is some sort of mat or rug thing for the baby to lie on since our whole house it tile...but that can wait. :)

Anyways, one of the things I think I would like is a Boppy.  It seems like a good idea but let.me.pick.my.chin.off.the.floor.  It's 30 freaking dollars???  For a pillow?  You have got to be kidding me.

So, here is my idea.  What if I took a waterproof Boppy cover for $10 on amazon and stuffed it super full of stuffing (that I already have).  Do you think it would work?  Since the cover is water resistant it will rid myself of the need to wash the pillow in the washer...and I have plenty of fabric to make my own cover.  Am I being too cheap?  Should I just break down and buy the dumb $30 pillow?   :) What do you think?

On a totally different note I've come across a few blogs/charities on accident about still birth and can I just say...freak.out.  Break my heart.  I don't know why I never thought of this before but holy cow that's scary and totally not something I want to think about.  Sometimes the internet and over exposure totally sucks.  Good grief.  Sorry, that was a downer moment but just thought I'd let you know the extent to which I worry sometimes over this pip squeak.  Darn child.  :)

Anyways, Jason was wanting to go backpacking not this weekend but next weekend.  He thought there was cell service but it looks like there may not be.  He would be gone for about 2 1/2 days.  He now doesn't want to go because he's terrified I'll go into labor and yet I WANT him to go because being that it's 4 weeks before my due date I don't foresee me popping a baby out anytime soon.  I mean, doesn't your body give you warning signs or something that birth is coming?  Do you just wake up and out of the blue have the baby?  What do you think?  4 weeks before due date too soon or should he go for it?  I have an appt. this Friday and thought I'd ask my doc.

Phew.  Well, that concludes my rather random post!  Happy Tuesday everyone! :)

Happy Birthday to Yoooouu!

Happy 31st birthday to my baby daddy!

Side Note:  Okay so maybe he's not my baby daddy since urbandictionary.com says the definition of baby daddy is:

01. A guy who isn't your boyfriend, or your husband, or even really your friend, but happens to be the father of your child.

02. Your boyfriend/husband, who you have a child with, but who ran out, or doesn't come by, or never pays for what the baby needs, so you don't want to call him a husband/boyfriend/father.

03. Can also be used negatively, to insult the supposed father of your child.

 

Ex 1. There go my Baby Daddy. I sho' was drunk that night. What's his name again?

Ex 2. He ain't no kind of husband, he just my Baby Daddy. 

Ex 3. You ain't even my Baby Daddy! It's Jeromes! What do you think about that?

And there you go.  A lesson on the use of baby daddy.  Bet you had NO idea that was coming...you're welcome.

Any.ways....back to my very RELIABLE, very PRESENT baby daddy.  You are pretty much...well, okay you are DEFINITELY my most favorite person on this garsh darn planet.  I guess that's good because I'm pretty much stuck with you for the rest of my life...or the rest of yours...who ever goes first.  Hopefully you go first.  Because you aren't a very good cook and I think you'd starve without me.  Maybe we can die together in our sleep, side by side in bed holding hands when we're 83...in true soul mate fashion.  I think that's the perfect plan.

Anyways, you make my heart happy Jason Paul.  Love you now and forever.  Happy Birthday!!!!

32 Weeks

32 Weeks.  Ack!

I can't believe it.  32 weeks down...only 8 to go.  I feel like time has flown by and at the same time I'm having trouble remembering what it's like to be NOT pregnant.  Slow and fast all at the same time.  I saw a picture of me about a year ago and I thought, "Oh my gosh!  I was so freaking skinny!"  It makes me wonder if I will ever see that body again.  I understand that those days are gone...my body will never be exactly the same.  I just hope it mooooostly goes back to normal ;).  But in the end...it's all worth it either way. 

So time for some updates eh?

• Had an appt. with my dr. last week.  I've gained 25 lbs or so.  It's looking like I might go a little past the 30 lb mark when all is said and done.  Yeah, I scoffed at the idea of gaining 30 lbs when at the beginning of this my doctor told me that typical and healthy weight gain was in the 30 lb range.  So.bring.it.on!  :)
• I got the whooping cough vaccine at my last appointment.  I felt nervous doing it even though the CDC recommends it at this point.  I know it protects the babe until he can get his own vaccines but I just feel weird putting stuff like that in my body with him chillin' in me.  Wasn't thrilled with the idea...but I did it.  And I felt like crap.  I was so sore, achy, and just blah.  But...if it helps keep him healthy then it's worth it.
• Swimming still.  Yup.  It still feels good.  Although I was on a hiatus this last week because I couldn't lift my arm because of said shot.
• Baby is moving, kicking, pressing like there is no tomorrow.  Seriously.  Sometimes I think his goal is to jail break out the side of my abdomen.  Also...never try to hold your pee.  Otherwise he might suddenly bounce on your bladder making your urge to go intensify x 1000.  Also...always take caution when sneezing and coughing. ;) 
• Baby is supposedly about 4 lbs (please be this size, and not bigger).  That's crazy to me.  I feel like for so long he was the size of a kumquat, apple, etc.  Now he's 4 lbs!  That's like half his birth weight...or more then half (hopeful thinking)...or more likely...less then half (realistic thinking)  ;).
• I have very little appetite lately.  I feel nausea here and there and I rarely feel hungry anymore.  Most things are not appealing to eat.  Oh well, 'tis life.
• Heartburn.  Oh my gosh.  Don't get me started.  Ugh.  I've had it nearly my whole pregnancy but it's become baaaaaad lately.  Everything gives it to me and I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to start sleeping sitting up here in the next couple of weeks.
• We had our birthing class yesterday.  Tear jerker for sure.  I didn't expect it of myself but yeah...totally got all teary when the baby was given to the mama.  Jason got all choked up too.  Man, we're going to be puddles of sappy goo when this monkey comes. 
• Overall we are getting more and more excited to meet this little booger.

Enough

Well, the man and I are back from 4 glorious days down south in San Luis Obispo.  My mother in law threw an absolutely lovely baby shower for me (pictures to come).  It was so fun to see sweet friends and family that I haven't seen in a while.  It was actually a little hard to come home to San Francisco.  Back to work, back to the every day life.  Our babe got so many wonderful goodies.  We really have almost everything we need...without having to purchase any of it.  There are a few more random items to buy but yeah...we're getting there.  :)

On a different subject.

I just feel blessed.

You know, sometimes I just get caught up.  I get busy and and I fill my soul with things that aren't necessarily bad in and of themselves...they just aren't...enough.  They don't do the job.  I feel full of fluff.  Not full of substance.

I fill myself with work stuff, with to-do's, with the latest thing I'm coveting, with meal planning, grocery shopping, and etc.  I should be filling myself with sweet prayer times, the Word, time with my husband, and building relationships with others.  You know how it goes right?

I don't know what exactly to attribute this shift that I've been feeling but I just feel content.  I feel blessed.  I feel satisfied with life and what God has given me.  I feel like He is enough.  Enough for my soul, my joy, my desires.  He is enough.

It's amazing to realize that in about 7 or 8 weeks our life is going to completely change.  We will be responsible for a sweet, beautiful life that God has gifted us with.  Our priorities are going to change.  We won't be always on the hunt for the best restaurant, we won't be looking forward to the next backpacking trip.  We'll be changing diapers, feeding our little one, hanging out at home more then we're used to, and taking in what it is to be parents.  My work life is going to be cut down significantly...as well as our expendable income  And you know what?  I'm okay with it.

Because when it's all said and done.  God is still enough.  In every phase of our lives He meets us there.  I know it will be hard.  I know that it will be different.  But I'm choosing to trust and embrace.  To fill myself with His substance, not the fluff of this world.  I know that He has His hand on our little fam.  And for now.  I just feel content.  At peace.  And I'm kinda digging it.  :)

Week in Review

•  Ok, so I would love to incorporate some Instagram photos into this "weekly review" but I can't figure out how to do it.  I asked my dear friend Jenny how she does it but when I email my photos it just gives me a link to the actual photo on Instagram.  Boo.  Any ideas?  I tried looking it up online but didn't find much....oh snap.  I just figured it out!  haha.  Nice. 
• Note:  Aaaaaaaand yeah, judging now from what I see on the posted post...the pics did NOT work.  haha.  Oh well.  I give up.  :)
• So I maaaaaaay be totally insane and possibly agreed to doing a cake next month.  I mean it's a month before I'm due.  Not so bad right?  I'm trying to tell myself this.  Jason is slightly worried for me.  hehe.  I'm going to plan the cake strategically though.  Nothing too crazy and yet still cool looking.  That's the plan anyways.  :)
• As you are reading this we are probably on the road.  Escaping San Francisco.  A four day weekend in SLO.  I'm a little excited.



Lunch outside.  Not sure why the pic is so blurry.
And yes, I was there 20 minutes and got a sunburn.  Don't judge.

• The weather.  Oh the weather.  It's been glorious.  So warm and delicious.  I love it.  The forecast for down south is projected to be lovely also.  Oh yay.



Shopping for dandelions :)

• Over the weekend I posted this pic below on instagram...you know, of us buying dandelions from the farmers market.  We also bought stinging nettle.  Yeah...for real.  Let me say this...it was 100% Jason's idea and desire.  He's getting more and more into natural medicine and things like that.  I'm not dabbling much in it at this time because of the babe with in me but I did take a swig of his nettle tea and let me say...not bad.  The dandelion salad though....not so good.  As Jason said it, "It tastes like the clippings from the weed whacker".  That's because they ARE the clippings from the weed whacker. :)
•  We got our first baby gift in the mail last weekend.  A Baby Ergo!!!  So exciting.  It made this whole baby thing feel extra real.  Jason wanted me to buy a large squash at the grocery store so that he could practice with it in the Ergo.  hahaha.  I also started putting it on and adjusting it until I realized...oh wait...I won't have this big ole' belly when I'm carrying the kid.  Oh yeah.  :)
• This Tuesday is my last appt before I start going to the doc every 2 weeks.  Yikes.  It's all going by so fast.
• We got some new neighbors.  We had partying frat boy neighbors before. Nice ones.  But frat boys none the less.  They moved out and we got a couple from Massachusetts.  They are pregnant also...she's due in May.  After we met them I said to Jason, "Now that's the difference between a tall woman with a long torso and a short woman with a short torso carrying a baby."  I'm a month behind her and my bump was definitely bigger, haha.  Oh well.  :) 
• Welp that's all!  Have a great weekend friends!!! <3

Diaper Bag

Aight.

So, I'm trying to pick out my diaper bag yo.

Kinda fun. 

It's basically going to be my purse also.  If you know me at all in real life you know I don't do purses.  I do bags.  :)  What's the diff?  Well, I have a particular love for Timbuk2 bags.  I've bragged about how awesome they are on here more then once.  And NOW...we live in San Francisco...the home of Timbuk2.  Together Jason and I own 4 Timbuk2 bags...and we're going to make it 5.  With the addition of my diaper bag!  Hollah!

So, with Timbuk2 you get to design your own bag if you so desire.

And guess what...I so do desire.

So, here is what I've come with so far.  I've decided to go with the Cargo Tote with the added cross body shoulder strap.  We normally use messengers but I didn't want the velcro sound from opening it interfering with a possible sleeping baby (I felt really proud of myself for realizing that possible problem...booyah!)  This one has a bottle holder in the inside...for me or the babe :), and plenty of pockets.  I also wanted to get something that Jason wouldn't feel awkward toting around town if he had too...esp. since he'll have Baby Mr. two days a week.

Here are some designs I've come up with so far.  Whatchya think?  What's your fave?


We have an all grey herringbone with a teal logo.  Not bad, not bad.

A little more fun and spunky.  Black, teal, and dots.  Jason might not be as keen on this one...but it's not pink or flowery. :) 

It's a little hard to tell the difference between this one and the 1st one but this is a "textured grey" rather then the "herringbone".  It does have a little pink on it...sorta.  :)

And this is probably Jas's fave.  Black on each side, textured grey in the middle, with a neon emblem.  Not my fave but I could sport it no doubt. 

And there we go.  What do you think?  Which one would you choose?  I've looked at other bags...including the Pettunia Picklebottom ones.  They're nice but they're expensive and just a little too...not sure.  Girly?  I think Jason would cringe if he had to use it too, haha.  Is there a diaper bag that you loved?

Anyways, Happy Wednesday ya'll!

Just Trust

Pregnancy has been a "just trust" thing for me.

After our first miscarriage, getting pregnant again was scary.  There were "what if it happens again" fears.  But the Lord was telling me to "just trust".

As the pregnancy progressed more fears came up.  Before I could feel this little one moving, with each pre-natal appointment there was the fear "what if there's no heartbeat".  As the day draws closer and closer when he enters this world there are fears of a safe delivery, a healthy baby, and etc.  But God has been whispering, "just trust".

Then there was the financial side of it all.  There was a one month period where doctor bills were coming in but Jason wasn't teaching because of winter break.  I had moments of "how is this all going to work out?" and God said, "just trust."  My work gave me an end of the year bonus that exceeded Jason's missed income for the month.

Now as the end is getting closer and closer and my maternity leave begins in 7 weeks there is the "what about after maternity leave" question.  Do I go back to work?  Can we afford to lose my income?  So many questions.  Yet we were trying to "just trust".

Though it would be lovely to completely stay home it became apparent that in the end I needed to bring home some sort of income.  Not necessarily the amount I'm doing now but enough to cover two major expenses...our health insurance and Jason's student loan.  Yet, there was this problem.  We really feel strongly about the role of the mother in the home...and the father for that matter :)  How do we do both?

In the end we decided that I could work Fridays and Saturdays...and that was it.  Jason would be home to watch the little man on those 2 days because he teaches Mon-Thur (it would be daddy/baby bonding day :)).  I would be cutting my hours down from 40 hours/week to 14 hours/week.  What if my job said no?  There were many "what ifs" and yet in the end I felt at peace.  We have no family in the area to babysit for free.  Daycare wasn't an option.  The price of it to my income ratio didn't make sense AND...it just wasn't something we wanted to do.  I knew that if my job said no then that would be that...and in the end...the Lord would provide a way for it all to work out.  He was saying, "just trust".

And you know, my work agreed.  They are fine with me only working Fridays and Saturdays.  "Just trust."  Okay, okay God, I get the point.  You provide.  Sheesh.  :)

So, it's settled.  2 months of leave.  Returning at 14 hours/week.  Baby E will either be with me (mostly), his daddy, or the both of us.  We feel blessed.  :)

Week in Review

• Yikes.  It's been a WEEK since my last post.  Seriously dudes, it feels like yesterday.  To be honest I don't do all my posts the day of the posting???...did that make any sense?  I usually do at least one during the weekend and schedule it to post later that week.  Last weekend we pretty much weren't home at all and sooooo...no posts this week.  My apologies.  I'm sure you were all, "Dude, where IS that girl...my life is incomplete without her nonsensical ramblings."  I know, I know.  Do not fret.  I'm here. :)
• Jason got his blue belt in jiu jitsu last weekend.  I got to see him in action too which was pretty darn cool.  He sweats a lot.  Just thought you should know that.
• In order to get said blue belt we had to drive about 1 1/2 hours inland and let me tell you...it was WARM much.  Normally, I would be loving this.  I LOVE the heat.  But I didn't realize it would be so much warmer and so I wore jeans, a long sleeve shirt, and shoes.  Oh my goodness.  Being pregnant in the heat is not very comfy.  I could feel my body swelling the longer I was there.  For once in my life I was actually relieved to get back to our foggy, cool San Francisco.
• We are SLO bound in less then a week.  yay yay yay.  We both have been looking forward to it immensely.  It's time to take a much needed break from the big city.
• Yesterday I ate 5 mini Reese's eggs.  Yep.  In a matter of 15 minutes.  The peanut butter part was extra delicious.  I did have a salad for lunch though...and I swam laps.  It all balances out right?  :)
• I received awful indigestion from said Reese's eggs.  Serves me right I guess. 
• We have come to a solution for my work future post baby birth...well post maternity leave I guess.  Yay.  I'm not going to quit working all together...but I will be very part time.  There's a post to come on the deets.
• I'm 30 weeks and I feel uber cool saying I'm now in the 30's.  Feels like the last leg of the race.  Especially since we're doing things like getting Baby E's health insurance in line, attending a birthing class in a few weeks, and etc.  I even started, and I use the word "started" veerrrrrry loosely, organizing the spare bedroom a.k.a. the future baby room a bit. 
• Is anyone else married to a teacher/professor?  Oh.my.gosh. There is soooooo much paper involved.  Students papers, lessons plan, overheads, the list.goes.on.  And it's all over our house.  We need a solution because other wise...I might go crazy.  Certifiably mad.  Anyone want to come over for a bonfire?  Kidding....sorta.  :)
• This weekend we are going to finish our garden, and go to the Ferry Building Farmer's Market which if you didn't know...is like the most hoity toity thing to do in San Francisco.  We are in search of nettles.  Stinging nettles.  Yeah.  So, apparently you can eat them.  And they are very good for you.  It's a rather "in" thing to have at some of the nicer restaurant in San Francisco.  So, we're going to give it a try. 
• And that's it!  Happy weekend friends! <3