A Baby Shower at Work!

So, out of 108 employees, 15 of us are female. I was totally floored when ALL of them came to the shower! They are completely fantastic!

Some men were a little disappointed that they were not included in the festivities. I don't know, but I think it was because we had lunch catered, and a wonderful cake made (banana!!).

(I told them they could bring me presents anyway!! HA!)

This was the cake. Deeeee-lish.

Here is the gaggle. Of course, I was hiding behind a table and you can't see my HUGE belly . . .

Here I am hiding behind some gift bags.

Concentrating hard on a card . . .

Hiding behind some cute pj's . ..

Really excited about some sockies.

Can't wait to play with this thing!

And, a new stroller, with a built-in seat for Natalie!

The woman taking the photos (Rachel) also made the baby a Classic Pooh Pillow. How cool is that?!?

Thanks so much, Ladies!

Baby Shower Photos!

Hopefully, I can con my sister Christy to send me some larger files of the ones she took, but here are the ones I have so far . . . .

This is the cake . . .

And this is what the cake was supposed to look like . . . ! I heard it was really good, though! Aunt Cheryl was so disappointed with how it turned out, but it was a very good conversation piece!

These were some little favors . . . they're all edible pacifiers (jelly beans, chocolate wafers, life savers, and frosting)!

On the left is a signable photo frame (this was obviously before the signing) and on the right is my baby advice jar. I'll post a closer picture of this in a new blog posting.

Here is a little clothesline, full of baby necessities (useful for the Price is Right game).

This is me with the beautiful cake. See the anger in my eyes? I couldn't have any.

This is me being caught off-guard. Not a good thing to do to a pregnant woman.

Just some of the gifts for baby Peanut! She is already spoiled!

Baby Shower Activity Ideas

After having had a shower this weekend, I thought I would compile a list of activities that could be fun at a shower (we did some of these at my shower). I am calling them activities because they are not all really games.

• Have guests address their own envelopes. This takes the stress out of doing it later (and potentially having the wrong address), and can be used to draw names and/or give door prizes.
• The Price Is Right. Have your guests guess the correct price of common baby items. Whoever is closest to the most items wins.

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  Write a note to the baby. Make a jar or shadow box and cut strips of paper that coordinate with baby's room. Pass out the strips and ask guests to write advice, predictions, or other little notes to the baby. Wrap strips around a pencil to curl and insert into the jar/box. It keeps as decoration and later as a note to the baby.                     
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  Stick a tag on guests back. Make strips of paper and write a baby item (stroller, car seat, bottle, etc.) on the strips. When guests arrive, stick one object on each person's back. They must ask each other yes/no questions to figure out which item is listed on their back. Helps with mingling.
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  Quiz Time! Make a quiz about mom and/or the baby. Most right wins. Sample questions:
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  What is mom most nervous about with the baby's arrival?
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  What has mom been craving the most?
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  What embarrassing thing has happened to mom during this pregnancy?
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  How long did it take to put the crib together?
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  You can even add questions about dad:
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  What was dad's reaction when he first heard the baby's heartbeat?
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  How many tests did dad make mom take before he was convinced they were pregnant?
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  How long did it take dad to secure the car seat in the car for the first time?
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  Guess the girth. Allow guests to cut lengths of string or ribbon to estimated girth of mom. Then measure the actual and compare. Closest to the actual girth wins.
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  What flavor is it? Somewhat disgusting but also hilarious, this one requires several flavors of baby food. Give each person toothpicks and pass around several numbered jars (labels removed). Guests have to guess what the flavor is. Most right wins.
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  Save the card. Bring a book. This one is so cool because for the cost of a shower card, your guest can buy a book for baby and sign it. This allows for a more meaningful greeting for the guest, and gives the baby a lasting item that they can use and remember each guest by. Here are some poems  that you can put in your invitation: 
• Although cards are nice with their sentiment and prayer, / They're read once or twice then tucked away with care. / A book is a treasure, words and pictures unite, / Read over and over to teach and delight. / So instead of a card for Baby and mother, / Please give a child's book with your thoughts in the cover. / Your book will be cherished; God will watch from above, / When it's read they will remember your kindness and love.
•  We can't wait to see you at the shower / When (mom-to-be's name) will be the woman of the hour / We have one request we hope isn't too hard / Please sign your name to a book instead of a card / Then mom and dad will be ready when the baby arrives / To read to their darling for the rest of their lives.
• Just one last request, and we hope it's not hard / Please bring baby a book in place of a card / By signing your book, we will remember and share / Your special gift, even when you're not there!
• Start a piggy bank. Define a list of words that cannot be said during the shower (baby, diapers, bottles, pregnant, etc.). Every time someone is caught saying that word, they have to donate change into a piggy bank for the baby. (You may have to warn the guests ahead of time so they will bring change).
• Candy bars in a diaper. Melt several different candy bars and put the melted remains into diapers (1 candy bar in each diaper). Pass diapers around for inspection. Have guests try to determine what kind of candy bar each was. Most right wins.
• Buy-in is a bag of diapers. If dad is feeling left out, or if you're having a couples party, arrange a poker tournament for the men. Buy-in is a bag of diapers.
• Loaded purses win. Use the baby's name for this one (or nickname if the name hasn't been chosen yet). For each letter of the name, guests must find an item in their purse that starts with the same letter. Points are awarded for each item found. Example: L (for Lorelai) -- lipstick, lozenge, lighter, etc. etc. 1 point for each. O -- Orbit gum. R -- reading glasses, rolaids, etc. . . .

A Baby Shower and a Flub

Okay, so I don't have a new photo to post . . . I'm so bad!

But, I've been quite busy. Last week was full of time spent in the hospital, getting poked for blood here and there . . . for them to tell me I have gestational diabetes. HOWEVER, when I called the doctor's office Monday, they said my sugar levels were within acceptable ranges.

Hooray for sugar once again! I missed out on a lot of good-looking cake over the weekend, but I'm sure I've made up for it over the last couple of days.

Cake? Why cake? Well, in addition to my baby shower back home that my wonderful Stepmom and Aunt provided for me, I was present at my friend's wedding shower. She had a great tea party and great food (and tea) was consumed. The cake looked splendid -- I think it was lime-infused with lemony frosting and raspberry glaze . . . I'm hung up on this, can you tell?

My shower was wonderful. Again, no cake for me (strawberry this time), but I had great family and friends all around. And the gifts abounded. My grandmother (GiGi to Peanut) made a baby bonnet that will turn into a handkerchief for Peanut's wedding day (OMG I can't believe she's not even here yet and we talk of some man someday wanting to take her away from me!). Aunt Bev (Francie's side) quilted a blanket and crocheted a blanket. They are beautiful.

We also received some great stuff from the registry (car seat, crib, umbrella stroller, bathtub, etc.) and some great stuff I never thought of (gas relief medication for baby, hygiene items, potty training stuff and things, photo frames, some clothes for me, and so on and so on). The coolest thing was that we asked for books rather than cards. That way, the books were signed for Peanut, and the cost of a card is about the cost of a baby book, so it's a win-win situation. Peanut has at least 12 new books . . . I'm thinking about reading them to her now.

In addition to all of this, we received a TON of baby clothes. This child will never be able to use "lack of clothing" as an excuse for being nude (I know when I was little, I loved being nude, just because. So, she'll have to use the same excuse: just because.).

There are two best parts to the day, though, not heretofore mentioned: 1) Great Aunt Cheryl and Grandma Francie are spectacular people; and 2) My friends and family were there with me to celebrate Peanut. Aunt Cheryl and Francie fretted over this one day, wanting to make it perfect and memorable. They succeeded. Peanut is going to be welcomed into a very loving family and I am grateful that we can give her that. I am grateful for everyone who helped!! And my friends! They gave up an afternoon to be there with me, and I loved that I had a chance to talk with them all and catch up.

Now that we have the bedding (thanks to Aunt Beth and Aunt Christy!), we will be purchasing the paint and any other necessary materials to convert the empty bedroom into Lorelai's room. Because the original theme I picked out was discontinued, we went with a different Classic Pooh bedding. The colors will end up being easier to match, and I am so excited to get started. The walls will be a tan color (like Pooh), and there will be a rainbow of red, yellow, and blue up one side, on the ceiling, and down the other side. I am still considering having someone paint a mural for us, but at this point, it will be quite simple

Week 27! 91 Days to Go!

First, I will post week 26's photo by Monday . . . I've been slacking.

After a couple of weeks of pure pain (only in the ankles and back . . .), I took the glucose tolerance test that all pregnant women endure around week 24-26. I flunked it. (And I fainted -- I warned them to be gentle, but they didn't listen!!) I should hear back from the doctor today regarding my situation, but his nurse told me 2 nights ago that I can't have pop or ice cream or cake.

I am miserable.

I am miserable not only because I crave that stuff (not the pop so much, but all the rest seems yummy at all times of the day), but because since I've cut it out, I've felt light-headed and kinda sicky. Maybe I need that stuff!!

Otherwise, things are good. Peanut is still breeched, but from what I hear, that means less back pain. And I still have 13 weeks to go, so there's plenty of time for her to roll around.

And, I'm in my third trimester already!! It feels so good to say that, because now if anything should happen, we have an excellent chance of her being totally okay.

My ankles are literally twice their size, and have bruised a little, but I am cutting down on salt and upping the water intake. The diabetes probably has something to do with it too, so it's good to know that it will be taken care of shortly.

The new boss is female, and from what I had heard about her previous to me working for her, I thought she was going to be a bear to handle, especially through the pregnancy. Fortunately, the opposite has been true. She's had 3 children herself, so she understands what I'm going through, and has been very understanding about the time I have to take off for this and for that.

My first baby shower is this weekend, back home. I am soooo excited! Unfortunately, less than half of my friends are able to make it, but I think a large part of the family will be there. I keep having dreams that I go into labor on the way to Michigan. Yikes.

That's about it for now. . . I can't wait for her to get here!

In Need of an Update!!!

Hi all -- It's been a couple weeks (a couple rough weeks), but I'm back . . .

As surprising as it may seem, my pregnancy became somewhat masked by the tragedy that has befallen our family. Within about 7 or 8 days, Clint's side lost 4 family members, and we lost our dog, Dill. Unfortunately, I don't have many photos of the family members (I had met 2 of the 4) . . .

This is a 5-generation photo of the Herren side. Grandpa Don Herren passed away last week, and I am so lucky to have met him.

I don't have a photo of Grandma Margie Mosier, but she also was a special woman, and both hers and Grandpa Herren's services were quite unique and spectacular.

This is Dillinger. He ate a sock last week (or something similar), and it seized up his digestive tract. We had to put him down amidst the rest of the chaos. He was 3 years old. I just can't seem to get over it.

The things I'm thankful for:

-I was touched by these people in one way or another (Grandpa Herron for his candor; Grandma Mosier for her devotion; and Dill for his  . . . well, fortitude).

-Natalie was able to spend quality time with these people, and has good stories to remember them by.

-They lived good lives.

-We had fantastic support around us through it all.

So . . . aside from all of that, there was good that came too. I met some of Clint's close school friends while we were at his home, and I'm pretty sure the baby was kicking and rolling around this last week.

I haven't gained any more weight (none in 4 weeks, actually), but my belly is much more basketball-like than it was. We go for another ultrasound and checkup today, so I am excited to see a bigger, more active baby in there. They say that Dad should now be able to hear the heartbeat by putting his head on Mom's belly, so we'll have to check that out. I will take a new photo tonight to update you all a little more.

My first baby shower is coming up in 3 weekends. I am excited!! However, I've gone a little crazy on all of the cute clothes I keep finding on clearance racks, so I'm kind-of hoping that I don't get a ton of outfits as gifts (although I'm sure I'll love anything!!).

I am really wanting to start on Peanut's bedroom . . . it's cleared out, but it needs paint. And I can't pick out the paint color until I have the bedding . . . I wonder if I can buy one little piece of the bedding so I have somewhere to start. And don't worry!! I think I can find an able body or two to do the painting!

This month also brings a wedding shower and bachelorette party for my good friend, Sara. I can't wait!! Even though I can't partake in the alcohol consumption, I will surely be welcome as a DD. That's fine with me.

I also started my new role at work on Tuesday. So far, it's been hectic, especially after missing 4 days . . . but I think I am doing alright so far, and the real test will be after my first event Monday and Tuesday next week.

Finally, our friends Sarah and Tom have agreed to be our Peanut's godparents. They are our age, have similar beliefs and lifestyles (at least in most ways), and will probably be planning for a family very soon. I am sooooooo excited for this!

That's all for now. I will try to post more in the morning.

21 Weeks!! Over the hump!

I went in for a checkup and an ultrasound last Thursday. After peeing in a cup, having gel slathered on my belly, and having my blood pressure taken, they told me everything looked good. At the ultrasound (photos posted below) the technician said everything looked good as well.

Yesterday morning I received a call from the office. Apparently, they did not get a good look at all the parts they were wanting to . . . I was scheduled to have another ultrasound with my next visit (March 4) . . .

At first, I freaked out. Did they only see 3 valves? Was there a toe missing? Does the head look funny?

Then I realized if they had seen something out of the ordinary, they would have had me come in much sooner than 4 weeks from now.

I even asked my forum friends on whattoexpect.com if they had ever been called back in for a follow-up ultrasound. They all told me not to worry.

So I'm not.

Otherwise, things are good. However, I did have a creepy dream the other night. I dreamt that all of my high school classmates were pregnant at the same time, and we all had blonde-haired babies, born on the same day. It was kind-of like that horror flick, Village of the Damned. Yikes. (Mine was the cutest baby though!)

March will bring a big weekend. The 20th will be a day of celebration for my friend, Sara, who is getting married in April. On the 21st, assuming all of my friends survive the previous night, will consist of a celebration for Lorelai Mosier (this is going to be a Michigan family and friends party -- Indiana party will come later!!). I am geeked.

Boppa Don and Grandma Francie will be visiting in a couple weekends -- I will be putting dad to work on the baby's room, where painting, sanding, and staining will be necessary. We will also have to remove all of the furniture in there . . . Goodbye, spare bedroom!!

It seems as though things are moving quickly now. I think with less symptoms, the days fly by faster. Really, the only symptoms I have are fatigue, backache, and having a hard time getting up from sitting or bending over . . . :)

I do love my belly though. It's fun. But since I haven't felt her move much, I am still having a hard time realizing that there is someone in there. I don't talk to my belly, or rub it, or play music for it . . . but I am trying not to yell (at the dogs or at Clint, for example) - I don't want her to hear my yelling and think that's how I talk.

That's about it for now . . . I will be posting a belly photo soon!