Work Shower

My Barkley co-workers threw me a baby shower at work on May 7th.  Jared, Baby Teach and I got a carseat and two bases (one for each vehicle) and lots of yummy treats.  Thank you guys!!!

34 weeks and one big baby

We had a sonogram today to see just how big Baby Boy Teach is.  At 32 weeks I was measuring 35 weeks, so the doctor wanted to see what was going on in there.

Well ... we have one big baby on our hands!  According to the measurements, the baby is 6 pounds 3 ounces.  That's a full size baby- and I still have six weeks to go!  I believe the quote from the sonographer was "this baby has a perfectly shaped head ... and it is a very large head.  He has been enjoying his time in the womb".  I think I need to lay off the McDonalds and chocolate these next few weeks.

Oh, and, Baby Boy Teach has a full head of hair!  She could see wispy hair on his head. I guess that's what has been causing all of my heartburn (or so they say).

Mother's Day- I get it.

I think there are several things in life that you just can't comprehend until you have actually experienced them.

When you are in high school you just can't imagine how your boyfriend of two weeks breaking up with you isn't the end of the world.  Then you go to college and realize there are so many fish in the sea.  What was that guys name again?

And when you are in college, you just can't understand why someone would want to get married and settle down- those old farts don't have any fun.  And then you meet the man of your dreams and can't imagine NOT being married to him.

I have experienced both of the above, but just recently I have experienced one of the best and most frightening experiences of my life.  Motherhood.  I know, I know... the baby hasn't even been born yet. BUT- I can honestly say I "get it" (or at least am on my way to getting it).  The past nine months have really opened my eyes into what being a mother means and how much a mother sacrifices for her family.  Granted at this point, I have only sacrificed caffeine, alcohol and some sleep. Oh ... and shoes that are fashionable!  But, like I said, I am on my way of "getting it".

Recently we visited the Harger Family in Tucson and I swear to you Cari took maybe a few bites of food before she was up getting napkins or more water or forks or spoons or whatever else her little ones needed.  Just as she sat back down, up she would go again.  I think a hot meal is something of the past for her. And she did it without a complaint- she was sacrificing for her family.

And then I think about all the things I "made" my mom do when I was young.  I refused to wear a pair of jeans more than once- can you imagine the loads of laundry she had to do to keep me clean and fashionable?  And all the trips to the sporting events, sleep-overs, and movies without one thought in my mind about if she had the time or the energy to do those things.  She just did them- she was sacrificing for her family.  And oh my, lets not forget about my college years. I have no idea how she survived those years- I barely did!  She had to go to sleep every night wondering when the phone call was going to come and what I had done this time.

So, Mom, this post is dedicated to you.  Thank you so much for everything you have done for me the past 29 years and everything you will do for me over the many years to come.  I appreciate your more and more every day now that I am on my way to becoming a mom and "get it".

Love you!

Oliver and his tricks

Have you ever heard of the old saying "You can't teach an old dog new tricks"?  Well, you can.  But, I have learned quickly that you should think twice about what tricks you are teaching your dog.  Here is a list of good tricks and not so good tricks we have taught (some on purpose, some inadvertently) Oliver.

Good Tricks:

• Sit
• Down
• Beg
• Shake

Bad Tricks:

• Your water is his water- At the dog park one day I let Oliver drink out of my water bottle.  Since then, he thinks all water is his water. He will scratch a cup or water bottle until you give him some out of it. Or, if he is feeling lucky, he'll just help himself.  Visitors beware- always keep an eye on your water!
• Ice Cubes are treats- Don't even think about going to the freezer without giving him an ice cube.  And sometimes the ice cubes in the freezer are not good enough. They must be the ice cubes in YOUR cup.  If you're lucky, he will wait for you to give him an ice cube out of your cup instead of just sticking his head in and getting one for himself.  
• Keys in hand= Oliver going for a ride.  If you don't take him with you, he will leave you a "surprise" when you get home.  And not the good kind of surprise. 
• Computer out= work time.  You think this would be a good one for Oliver to be taught.  If I'm on the computer, it means I'm busy. But for Oliver, if I'm on the computer it means he must be right by the computer, jumping back and forth over the computer, walking on the computer or just plain sitting on the computer.  The computer is his competition for my time.  Oh, little does he know that soon something (or should I say someone) will be battling him for our attention!

Baby Shower

Raegan, Nici, Heather, Melanie and my Mom threw me a baby shower this weekend.  It was such a great time and I had so much fun visiting with everyone.  Thank you girls!  Here are some pictures from the shower. 

Diaper Cake that Raegan made.

Chocolate fountain with goodies for dipping. 

The grandparents and great-grandparents. 

The hostesses.

College Roommates. 

Kendall and Oliver

Kendall and the family came up this weekend for the baby shower.  Kendall and Oliver are really starting to become good friends!

33 Weeks

7 weeks to go!  The only thing comfy these days are Jared's sweats!

32 weeks...or is it?

I had my 32 week appointment today.  Baby boy Teach decided to have quite a growth spurt the past few weeks.  I am measuring at 35 weeks!  The doctor assured me that this did not mean that I was going to have a 10 pound baby- although I don't quite believe her.  

The polls are open for when Baby Teach will make his appearance.  Vote on the right hand side of this blog. Original due date was June 22.  

A view from the couch. 

Tucson Visit

Jared and I went to Tucson to see our good friends, The Hargers, last weekend.  We had so much fun learning about the desert and visiting with Jordan, Cari, Coleman and Campbell. 

The Hargers threw Baby Teach a baby shower! They bought Baby Teach all of their favorite items.  

Campbell showing off her "trick". She uses her two front teeth to pop the tops off of cans!

Jared and Coleman playing baseball in the backyard. 

Jared and Jordan hiking in the mountains. I stayed back due to swollen ankles and a large belly :)

Out to dinner with Cari and Jordan.

The Sonora Desert Museum. We got rained out, but still had a great time.  

Coleman climbing through the rocks at the Desert Museum.

Coleman and Campbell getting surprised by a Raccoon!

Jared in Tubac, a small town outside of Nagales. The scenery was beautiful- some of the mountains still had snow on them. 

Thank you Jordan, Cari, Coleman and Campbell for a great time! Can't wait until we can see you again!

30 Weeks

 Jared and I had a busy weekend, but still managed to have a nice dinner with our neighbors at Nara for a 30th birthday party.  Here is a picture of us after dinner- note the huge protruding belly :)  

Easter

The family came in to town for Easter and I got to see my cute little nephew.  

Grandma feeding Kendall green beens and cereal for breakfast. 

Grandpa and Kendall watching tv together. 

Jared and Kendall relaxing in the backyard. 

Oliver sniffing the goods. 

Grandma holding her Grandson and Granddog

28 Weeks

Wow- time has really flown by.  Here is a pic of me at 28 weeks.  The doctor says I am right on track still- measuring 28 centimeters, although I feel much bigger than that :)  

26 Weeks

I feel pregnant.  Really pregnant.  That's all I have to say this week.  Pregnant.   

Professional Bull Riding

We went to the PBR event at the Sprint Center on Friday night and had ourselves a rootin' tootin' good time.  Jared got himself a pair of boots for the occasion. 

24 Weeks

I had my 24 week appointment today and everything checked out great. I measured right where I was supposed to and the baby's heartbeat was 150.  After the appointment, I went to a baby consignment sale at the Overland Park Trade Center.

I spent all evening digging through racks of clothes and toys and
ended up with some great deals. Including this three-foot giraffe for the baby's room.  It should match the decor nicely.  Oliver had to sniff the giraffe up and down before I was allowed to take it upstairs.