Albino Wedding Weekend

At my 35 week doctor appt I got the go ahead to travel down to Annapolis at almost 37 weeks for Shannon and Rob's wedding. My doctor said that typically, most women have their second babies around the same time as their firsts, the labor itself is just a lot quicker. In my case that would be 41 weeks- ugh! But then at my 36 week appt (the day before we were to leave for MD) I learned that I had already begun to dilate (apologies if that's too much information) and that NO WAY was I to make the trip. In fact he told me I was "insane" to even consider it. Errr! Devastated was not even the word. Had it been just another wedding than it wouldn't have been a big deal but this was a really special one! As I think I've mentioned before, this was one of my best friends marrying one of Andrew's (they met through us). How often do you get to go to a wedding where you know both sides so well? Plus it was in Annapolis, so we already had my Mom planning (and looking forward!) to watching Connor all weekend. It was with a heavy heart that I called Shannon on Thursday night to tell her that we would decide in the morning but that there was a chance that we wouldn't be able to make it. Andrew and I polled a bunch of people for other opinions and got 8 "no ways" and 2 "go for its." However, the 2 "go for its" were from my Mom and Jessica's Mom- the only two that have actually had kids. It might not have been the smartest thing but we ultimately decided to go for it- what the heck. The worst that could have happened would have been that I gave birth down in MD- and that wouldn't have been all that bad being that so many of my friends and family are down there! My Mom would be there to watch Connor too! We brought with us my bag for the hospital, the infant carseat and my medical records (just in case). I figured the more prepared we were the less of a chance there was that I'd actually go into labor. We were right!

Soooooo glad we decided to make the trip. It was an unbelievably fun wedding and weekend and coming from someone who was completely sober I think that says a lot! Shannon looked more beautiful than I've ever seen her before and had to have had more fun than I've ever seen a bride have. Her Dad gave one of the most heartfelt and sweetest toasts I've ever seen at the reception- I truly adore her parents. I got to see all my girlfriends- some that I get to see all the time and others that I only get to see on special occasions like this. And Andrew got to see so many of his old college buddies, a couple that we hadn't seen since our wedding. I told myself I wouldn't dance at the wedding but I ended up dancing most of the night- it was just that kind of a wedding- the dance floor was packed all night long. And now that I know there was no labor (and still nothing a friggin week later!) I wish I had hit the after party too but at the time I just had to call it a night when the reception ended at midnight. Here's a few of my fave pics from the weekend, some are from Tracey's camera.

The Rehearsal Dinner: The Federal House in Annapolis.

And if it looks like I've been wearing the same thing all summer long its because I have. I've spent next to nothing on my maternity wardrobe!

A and I before leaving for the ceremony.

University of Maryland chapel!!!!!!!

The girls with Shann just before the ceremony. Even though I'm not in it I love love love this picture!!

Post ceremony.


My belly is ridiculous.

First dance.

Congrats again to Shannon and Rob!

On Sunday I met up with Jessica for an early lunch in downtown Annapolis. Turns out Kim and Stacy were there too-- for a surprise "sprinkle" for me! Stacy even drove all the way up from the beach where she has a house this summer. We must have sat at our table for hours- just talking and laughing so much. Had the best time. Not to mention they spoiled me absolutely rotten with baby girl stuff. I am so set now. Thank you guys so much! And for those that don't know what a sprinkle is (because I didn't)- its a much scaled down version of a baby shower for a second child. This was actually my second sprinkle, I just haven't written about my other one yet! I truly do have the best friends ever and am so lucky!! Here's Jessica and I before heading to lunch, yes there's that grey dress again:

And as for Connor, he had such a blast with my Mom that weekend. She's just so amazing with him and loves to play all the silly little games that he loves. At one point he ran in the house after being outside with Andrew, gave me a little wave and ran up to throw his arms around my Mom, saying "Hi Grandma, I'm back now! Ready to play again!" It made me a little sad that his hug wasn't for me, but so happy that he adores his Grandma so much. Thank you thank you to my Mom for taking such great care of our little man last weekend!!

37 Weeks!

As of today the baby is officially full term, WOOHOO! I learned at my 36 week appointment last week that I've already begun to dilate and all that fun stuff. Not that that really means anything- I began to dilate around 37 weeks with Connor and he didn't make his debut until 41 weeks so who knows what will happen. I'm not expecting any action any time soon. Overall, still feeling pretty great. First trimester aside, this baby has treated me really well!

Above picture taken over the weekend before Shannon and Rob's wedding. It was a ridiculously fun weekend- more pictures to come!

This Old House, Part 1

We have been hard at work on house projects lately, knowing that once the baby arrives everything will probably be put on hold for awhile. Here's some before and after pictures of a couple things we've been working on lately.

The Foyer/Stairs:
Most of the house had been painted a neutral off-white before we moved in, one exception was the downstairs foyer, stairs, and upstairs hallway which was all painted a not so pretty bright yellow. There was also this really old, really ugly pine cone carpeting going up the stairs. We ripped up the carpet, had the stairs refinished, and then painted everything. So happy with how it has turned out!

I never took a before picture of the stairs, but here's one of the boys from a long time ago that at least shows the ugly carpet.

Phase 1: Ripping up the carpeting and refinishing the tops of the stairs.


Phase 2: Painting everything. I'm really loving the color we chose for the walls, its called French White by Benjamin Moore.

Phase 3: Our family picture wall. Connor helping me hang with his (plastic) hammer.

Still need a couple more frames.

Phase 4 (Future): we'll put in another carpet runner on the stairs, and also a small table in the foyer.

Downstairs Bathroom:
I think the pictures speak for themselves:


After (picture taken awhile back, belly was still small and cute then)


Andrew did everything himself, he rocks!! Taking down the old wallpaper border, sanding, repainting, installing the new sink/vanity, faucets and mirror from home depot, even the rewiring of the new light fixture (my stepdad helped with this too). Just need some pictures up on the walls and we'll be finished!

Current house projects include the nursery, Connor's room, and our bedroom. We're trying to get all finished before the baby arrives. Here's Connor "helping" Andrew do some taping of the bedroom walls tonight.


And lastly, here's Connor in his Home Depot apron that he got at a kids workshop Andrew took him to this past weekend. He likes to wear it around when we're doing projects!

New Do

My hair grows pretty fast anyway but it grows ridiculously long and thick when I'm pregnant. Here I am just a few days after Connor was born, so long!

A day or two after this was taken, with hormones going haywire and exhaustion starting to set in, I decided that I no longer wanted to have long hair (or any hair for that matter- I totally would have shaved it all off Britney Spears style had my hairdresser been up for it). It was just taking way too long to wash and blow dry. So when Connor was about a week old, Andrew drove both of us to my hair salon in Tokyo. He (being the awesome husband that he is) waited in the car with Connor while I chopped my hair to an inch or so below my chin. I couldn't find an "after" shot- but then again who takes many shots of themselves in the days and weeks after giving birth, ha!

Fast forward to today, in an effort to stay one step ahead of my (potentially) future crazy self, I just got a major haircut (though not nearly as major as it could have been had I waited until after the baby was born). They took 4+ inches off and thinned it out considerably. Now, if I let it air dry for a bit too, I can blow dry it into a cute flippy 'do in minutes, yay! Not the best shot, but it's tough to take a picture of yourself when Connor wants to be in it too and you're looking directly into the sun.

The Can't Waits- only one month to go!

I can't wait to...

Meet my baby girl. I think about her constantly.

See Andrew hold his daughter for the first time.

Introduce her to her amazing big brother.

Begin our new life as a family of 4.

Have a glass of wine. No make that a patron silver margarita on the rocks with salt (forget this whole heat thing, summers without margaritas are TOUGH).

A big ole mug of coffee. This caffeine addict has a really hard time kicking the caffeine habit, I've always found it much more difficult than the no alcohol thing.

Go for that first sweat inducing, heart pounding, I-just-really-worked-it-out jog/run. I love that feeling you get after a really good workout, like you really used your muscles and did something good for yourself. That endorphin high is real and I just haven't had that in so long now! It now feels like I have a bowling ball in my belly, like I want to support it with my hands. This has made even walking uncomfortable. No fun. Thinking as soon as we have the baby sleeping through the night and I get my running legs back I'll find a race to train for and then I'll really be back in the game.

Wear normal clothes. It would appear that skinny jeans are going to be the style again this fall, just lovely.

Take normal breaths. The baby is right up against my lungs so right now I never feel like I'm able to take full breaths in. Not a fun feeling.

Sleep on my stomach again. And maybe even fall asleep at a normal time. It's now after midnight before I finally turn off the light. Although I'm tired, I just can't fall asleep until then. Andrew calls me the resident vampire.

Enough of the complaints, because I'm most of all looking forward to holding that snuggly little baby in my arms and smelling that new baby smell. It will make all the tough parts of being pregnant beyond worth it! I know from experience now that they are only that teeny tiny for a short while and I will cherish every precious second of it!

My little Connor, just a few hours old here, checking out the scene. Can't wait for that!

Ready for Sister!

The other day a really fun gift arrived in the mail from Melanie- a little girl babydoll and pink stroller. Of course the gift is for the baby but Connor couldn't wait to play with it! I thought it would be good practice prior to the arrival of his little sis so I let him open it up. I couldn't believe how serious he was about taking care of her! He refers to her as "his baby" (and if you ask him about Mommy's baby he'll tell you that she's going to come out of Mommy's belly soon).

Lots of kisses!

Wanting to put her shoes on before taking her out for a walk.

So careful taking the stroller down the steps!

And they're off!

Wanting to rock her and kiss her before nap time (and take her shoes off, read her a story and sing her a song- oh my goodness did it make me smile watching him take her through his own bedtime routine!)

It was noted that we need to work on how to carry the baby around (by the neck is probably not good). Sorry so blurry but I had to catch this on film. He had just declared that she was tired and needed to go take a nap now!

Also need to work on putting her into the crib. Side note- he's wanted her to be tucked in next to him in his crib every night since she arrived!

But other than that I think he's ready to be the best big bro EVER! Thanks for the wonderful gift Melanie, we have so enjoyed this!!

Happy Friday!

Flowers

Andrew and I are not known to have the best plant/flower skills. We have usually kept only one or two indoor plants around, and they have always been the type the person at the store swore we couldn't kill (and even then sometimes we managed to). Now that we have a house, we've planted a bunch of flowers outside and have been really good at the whole watering, fertilizing, etc. thing. We're so proud! And look how great they are doing!

Our roses and flower boxes just after being planted.

And now!

We just can't believe how much our roses are thriving. Even after the crazy heatwave we had in July. Of course it helps to have our little resident gardener on the case!

Sometimes his watering is more like powerwashing but it seems to be working.

Other patio pictures. We have loved hanging out here this summer.