Ten days until "D-Day"

Um, maybe.

I just read in What to Expect to When Expecting that only five percent of all babies are born on the original pregnancy due date or the Expected Delivery Date (EDD).

Of the remaining 95% that arrive either before or after the pregnancy due date, 30% arrive before and 70% AFTER.

Thank goodness I still have nesting projects and work to fill my days. I also have a lot of reading on parenting to catch up on… I feel like I’m cramming for an exam.

Below are some photos of the belly the past nine months.

Month one - before I had a clue. This photo was taken on our first anniversary trip to New York.
Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 5 p.m.
This was one of five tests taken.

Month two - I remember feeling bloated and thinking my belly was already growing. Now, I only WISH I can fit into those pants again someday.
Month three - I'm pretty sure I threw up right after this photo was taken. I had a rough first trimester.
Month five - on one of our four river trips last summer. Can't find any photos from month four, but I didn't really see much physical changes until month five.
Month six - starting to show finally and past the stage of people assuming I've had one or two many donuts.
Month seven - the last time I felt "okay" wearing a bathing suit.
Month eight - in one of two maternity dresses purchased. Thankfully, I’ve not had to blow a paycheck to buy a lot of maternity wear.
Month nine - nesting.
A close-up of the belly.
My little art project for Isa to stay busy. It's a watercolor painting called "Exploring the World from A to Z."
My weekend drawing and painting.

Showered - again

On Friday, my co-workers hosted a baby shower for me at the Grand America Hotel, Afternoon Tea. It was a wonderful party with a harpist playing in the background, classic European ambience, and delicious finger sandwiches, desserts, and teas.

They were also incredibly generous and purchased for our family the Chicco Keyfit Travel System and several other items from our registry.

This was our third baby shower, and we are truly grateful.

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Birthday weekend

Mike turned 34 last Friday.

HAPPY BIRTHRDAY!!!

Since it coincided with opening weekend of the Sundance Film Festival, we celebrated with "indie" films in Park City, sushi, and friends.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take photos of the weekend... BUT, I did make this collage for Mike that captured the highlights of his 33rd year: our first yurt trip together, his first marathon, first visit to the Big Apple, first trip up the Space Needle, Desolation Canyon, fourth annual FAT CAMP, summiting of King's Peak, four-wheeling in the FJ, and our first pregnancy.
So far, we've seen Push (though disturbing, highly recommend), Lymelife, and Shorts Program III. I took a photo of the Lymelife cast because the Culkin brothers starred in it, and thought that it would be something I would find amusing in the future – that I actually PAID to see a film with the Culkin brothers.

Full term

Another dreadfully early blog post.

I've actually been sleeping well for the past several days. But, this morning I woke up from a very active dream where I was cleaning all the Duncan hairs from the washer.

So, I cleaned the washer at 3 a.m.

I am officially FULL TERM at 37 weeks. I would post photos of myself, but I spend more time in my size-L pink flannel pajamas than normal clothes these days. Not the maternity look I care to capture for future reminiscing.

I've had several people call, text, and e-mail me this week to check in on me. Encouraging me to "hanging in there." It's so nice to have the support... I mean, I really need it.

My current state of mind and body:

• The word "excited" doesn't adequately describe how much I am looking forward to meeting and holding my daughter in a few short weeks... On a (very) side note, I was told by another pregnant co-worker the other day that I don't seem very excited. I wasn't sure how to respond at the time. I felt like I was being accused of something. Or maybe I should have assured her that yes, she wins in that category?
• Braxton Hicks contractions. UGH.
• I’ve had some interesting cravings throughout the pregnancy – yogurts, bananas, plums, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies, pickled jalapeno peppers, and Clementines. Now, all I want is a dirty Grey Goose martini and a plate of sashimi.
• Heartburn. UGH.
• I’d like it to be acceptable to wear only size-L flannel pajamas for the remaining three weeks. And slippers. You should hear all the noises I make just putting on socks.
• I can’t stop staring at my belly. Not just because it’s so big. But because IT DOES THE WAVE. I get the giggles watching her stretch her tiny body inside of me.
• The swelling kind of freaks me out. Like now. I just looked down at my feet, and I swear they could be mistaken for a football.
• READY. Well, almost. I’m still waiting for the changing table… I know, I need to let this one go…
• Sane??? I ironed all her onesies this week and enjoyed every minute of it.

Yes, we are counting on the ultrasound to be 100% correct.
Another pic of the nursery.
Mike and Duncan up dreadfully early as well some mornings to shovel the driveway. Thank you sweetie!!

Product of third trimester insomnia

Some call it "nesting."

But, I'm not sure if "nesting" is suppose to only occur between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m... Nonetheless, below are a few "work-in-progress" photos of Isabel’s nursery.

As mentioned in an earlier post, I have a few "art projects" to complete and still waiting for the d*mn changing table which may not arrive for another two weeks (a very long and tiring story about ordering from PBK). I should have just taken Mike's advice and spread out a big plastic sheet over a random table and called it good.

PINK plastic sheet, of course.

Again, thank you dear friends and family for all the wonderful gifts to help us prepare this room for Isabel!

This is one of several "before" photos. Once upon a time, I was foolish and thought that I could paint the room on my own. Four strokes into it, I asked Mike to hire a painter.
This is one of the crew members from Joe Larson Painting Company recommended by my friend Liz. She's VERY picky, so I knew that they would do a great job. We had them finish painting the kitchen, the hall way, and repaint our bedroom, too.
Rather than buy a new dresser, I decided to repaint one of Mike's childhood dressers to add a nice sentimental touch to the room.
Gifts stacked in the middle of the room.
Gifts stacked against the wall.
Stacked everywhere...
And more in the closet.
FINALLY - the crib assembled! We chose espresso brown, pink(s), and apple green for the nursery colors.
Another view of the crib and frames to be filled with pretty photos soon.
Not the best photo, but you get the idea of the layout.
The bassinet will be moved to the bedroom and will be replaced with the changing table - when it arrives.
Mike's childhood dresser repainted and filled with the cutest little onesies and jammies for Isa.
This gliding rocking chair (from Babinski's) was a birthday gift from Mike, and it is the MOST comfortable chair EVER.

"Pregnant Woman Acting Like No One Ever Got Pregnant Before"

Click here to read this hilarious Onion article.

I do wonder if my co-workers say the same of me...

Speaking of work, I had a nice two week break from it over the holidays. I spent my time off giddy over the fact that I was not at work and even had a few days when I stayed in my pink flannel pajamas watching bad 90’s movies. There were a few productive days, too. On Christmas Eve, I prepared a turkey dinner for the family – two of Mike’s brothers and my younger brother. On Christmas day, I prepared a ham dinner for the family AND six friends. And after several trips to Pottery Barn Kids, Baby Babinski’s, and Babies R Us, I have the nursery completed at about 90%. Still waiting on the changing table to arrive and have some “art projects” to complete, but the crib is assembled and the clothes are hung in chronological order and by color scheme. Yes, I really did go that far... I’ll post photos of the nursery in progress soon.

So, Mike claims that the Bose Companion 3 is the BEST Christmas present EVER (next to the remote control car he got when he was seven). I had to scratch my head as I think speakers are boring, but he hinted so many times that this was something he really wanted, that I picked them up from Circuit City (thought they would have better sales since they are going out of business, but I was wrong). I mean, compared to new cross country skis, snowboard, and other really cool gifts from previous Christmases???
I think I came out the winner with the Cannon Vixia HF10. Don't worry, we won't be filming the birth and force our friends to watch. I may start video blogging though.
Here we are at Rob and Rina's Boxing Day party.
With friends at Jodi and Jeremy's on New Year's Eve for game night!
Not drunk - but clearly on something. Blame hormones?
Happy 2009 everyone!