AW!

AW is message board talk for "Attention Whore". Because if I was in a play, the lights would turn down and there would be a spotlight on just ME (isn't that what most of this blog is about anyway?!) If I were on a TV show, it would be VH1 (is that still a station?) "Best Day Ever".

Yesterday, I had a surprise baby shower at work! It was awesome!

I have to start with the background details first. So my boss called Nic about a month ago and asked if my company could rent some tables and chairs for a lunch (which we have done in the past). However, it was a surprise lunch for me and it was a baby shower! That night Nic went to my parent's house to sent up the tent for my mom's birthday party and had to tell my dad - he was so excited! Nic and I can not keep secrets from each other - so I know this was hard for him!
Then my boss (Mary) tells me a few days ago that we going to have lunch with one of our Staffing agencies - Mary knows me well and knows I would dress up for this event. I was working with Sarah (the newest HR Team member) yesterday and we had to tour two of our other plants. We got done with a plant tour a little earlier and headed back to my plant. Sarah wanted to stop and get bottled water - I told her we had vending machines at the plant, but she said she wanted a big bottle. So we stop in the ghetto for some water. I'm waiting...and waiting...and waiting...for the love of gosh - it's a bottle of water - in and OUT! Little did I know that Sarah went into the gas station and basically sat there - trying to kill time. Mary told her not to be back before 11:45.

Finally Sarah comes out and we head to County Line Road. The parking lot is FULL and I notice another HR Team member's car there. This is so weird - why was she here and WHY is the parking lot so full? I parked in the handicap stall, because let's be honest - I'm a little handicapped these days!

I walk in the door and see a bunch of tables and chair set up. I guess, at this point, I kind of thought - is this for me? But really it was so much to register, I didn't really put it all together. Everyone shouted SURPRISE! And I almost feel over! It really was too much! Pink tables, decorations, a HUGE potluck lunch (which I wish I could eat again!). As if that wasn't all flattering enough - there was a table mounded with presents! My co-workers were beyond generous. We received our monitor, our JOGGING STROLLER (5K here I come!), our diaper champ and beautiful clothes! I just can't get over every one's generosity.

Our little baby girl is already SO loved, I just can't wait for her to come here so we can all show her how important she is. 8 more weeks!!

3/6 more prepared!

Ok, Ok, 1/3 more prepared!

Last night was our 3rd childbirth class. We learned about pain meds. Honestly, the epidural video was WAY more disgusting than the childbirth video. I don't care what is coming out of where, you are NOT sticking a needle with a tube in my SPINE! Hit me with a two by four, don't give me an epidural. It was so nice talking to our instructor because really it is very frustrating to hear everyone say, "You've never given birth, you'll want an epidural". Well, actually, I don't - there I said it. It's public. I don't. It was refreshing to talk to someone that has had a, recent, natural childbirth and to tell me it's a realistic goal. I also think that Nic realized how much this means to me. He will try to distract me from getting it - even if I ask. However, we have a code word. If I say the code word it means I'm done, I'm exhausted and I need the epidural to rest. So if you are driving by St. Mary's hospital on my delivery day and you hear some woman screaming "BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES!!!!!" You know Dana has decided to get the epidural.

The sad thing is that St. Mary's does not administer "walking epi's". This is an epi that you can still feel some things, move around a little and then be numb to some parts of the pain. So it's full epi - or nothing.

However, last night I did learn one shocking thing (what is a childbirth class without a shocking moment). You can push for HOURS. No seriously, hours! I HONESTLY thought once you started pushing, it was all down hill. Some lamaze breathing and out comes the baby. Nope. You push during the contraction, baby drops, contraction stops, baby pops back up. 2 steps forward, 4 steps back and this process can last for hours!

Really, Hollywood should make this experience a little more realistic in the movies. I feel so stupid for thinking pushing only took a few minutes. That after 9 months of pregnancy, potential hours of labor that pushing was just a blink. I better stop working now - I need lots of energy for this marathon I'm participating in!

Another Baby Shower!

Today was the Terrones Family Baby Shower. What a great day! My sister-in-laws: Gina, Jolene and Heather, did a great job planning and organizing the event. They had a pink/yellow, little princess cupcake theme going on. It was adorable! There were M&Ms that said "Baby Terrones" and "Little Cupcake". At first I told everyone they couldn't eat them, but my sister took a picture, and then I decided it was OK.

I HAD to include a picture of the quilt made by Gina. It is SO soft and SO pink! The label says "...December 2008..." A lot of people are banking on the fact that Osito is coming this year! I hope they are right! She also MADE Osito (Lola Lynn - as called by Gina) her first pair of Mary Janes. So cute! I just want her so I can put her in all of her new clothes!

We also received our travel system. I feel like a great anxiety has been lifted. I was really scared we would have our baby and have no car seat to put her in. That has been taken care of and now I am ready to have a baby :)

We really received many, many wonderful gifts! Everyone spoiled Osito with many wonderful things. She is such a lucky little girl. So many people can't wait to love her! (Already do love her!) I had to check my registry tonight because we have one more shower coming up. After two weeks of great showers, our Target registry is almost completely bought! I can't believe I need to add more things.

In other news, I am 31 weeks this weekend. Baby T is 3 pounds now! Can you believe it? She busy kicking away in there. Trying to get comfortable (or trying to drive me crazy...I'm not sure). We can barely compare her to a fruit/vegetable now, because at 3 pounds, she's just growing to fast!

It was a busy day for the two of us. Dad is relaxing watching football and I might sneak upstairs and go to bed!

2/6 Prepared (TMI)

Yes I know this is really 1/3, but we finished class 2 of 6, so I like to say 2/6 more prepared! And TMI = Too Much Information.

Last night was our second childbirth class. We watched "The Video". The video they always warn you about. The video diaries of three moms going through child birth - the natural way.
I have to say - the video was great and I am more excited now than I was before.

However, be aware...it's not a good video. The three woman start by noticing their little VW Contractions (see post 1/6 prepared). They are still at home. They take walks, breath through them and relax in their own bed. Then they move to the hospital. The start with the SUV contractions. Still doing very well, but getting noticeably tired and uncomfortable. I'm starting to squirm in my seat. Then the Mack Truck hits. These women are EXHAUSTED. Pain is visible on every part of their skin. They can't communicate with their husbands. They moan, they cry, the baby starts to drop. They start pushing and they show you how this GIANT baby wiggles it's way out of another human being. (This would be the eww part! I don't want to see my body to that!) I want to grab my crotch and run out of the room saying, "Turn it off, turn it off!" I'm in shear pain just watching it. I even feel Nic tense up next to me.

Then, the baby is out. In most cases, the doctor puts the baby on mom's bare belly right away and every ounce of pain is erased from her face. I immediately swell up with tears, just as I feel right now. Mom helps clean off baby and you hear her first cry. Mom is no longer tired, Dad is no longer scared. They are in awe of the tiny miracle in front of them. The tiny miracle they have only felt for the last 9 months. There she is, in their arms. Everything- feelings of shock, denial, fear - GONE.

It was amazing. An amazing thing that I am SO lucky to be able to do. No matter how awful it is, I just need Nic holding my hand, petting my hair and reminding me what it is all for. Our daughter.

So then we took a tour of the Country Club. What a great hospital we get to birth at. It really was neat to actually see the rooms and know that in two months that is where we would be. We learned about some theory, about the 5 senses, that help you to relax. Bring in pictures to help visualize, soft baby blankets for touch, suck candy for taste. (anything to help with the agony called Child Birth).

We may only be 2/6 more prepared, but I am 6/6 ready. (minus the nursery isn't done, she has no car seat and we aren't packed for the hospital!) I'm so excited for this next step, but am trying not to rush these last few, precious months of carrying her with me.

I have no idea what I'm doing!

Seriously...I have been SO forgetful lately, it isn't even funny. Half the time, I can't even remember what I was going to do or saying!

First, let me say that today I had my first baby shower and I intend on posting a full report; however, I want to post a few pictures with that entry. So what I need to say right now is that I had the oddest dream last night that I was having a baby BOY! I'm almost a little freaked out by it right now. But don't people have dreams about things that don't happen. We've all had the dream that we are giving a presentation naked...that doesn't happen. So it's just a dream - right? But really, I can't shake it.

Second, I ran to the liquor store on my lunch break the other day. I was looking for a very particular bottle of wine. First, it's weird to be in a liquor store at 11:30 AM. Second, I'm obviously pregnant! I was at the store when most of the distributors were there delivering their "wares" and this old man walks down the aisle I'm in and mumbles something under his breath. And I swear he said something along the lines of "You shouldn't be here". I mean really - is it possible that I could be buying this wine for someone else? Could it be, I wasn't drinking it myself? (Which I wasn't!). I felt almost ashamed there and tried to get out as quickly as possible. Now really - how is that fair. I guess it's my own paranoia. He probably didn't even say anything to me!

I promise - tomorrow - pics of the 30 week belly and of the FABULOUS baby shower I had today!

1/6 more prepared!

On Monday we had our first Childbirth Class. There are about 20 couples in the class with due dates ranging from 11/24 - 1/19 and Nicolas and I agree - I probably have one of the biggest bellies in the class. Oh dear baby, I think she's going to be big!

So we all line up and introduce ourselves, holding a pool noodle, say what we want to learn in class and what we would do with the noodle during labor. My classmates want to learn everything possible about labor and would use the noodle as back support or to squeeze for stress. I announce that I like being ignorant about the labor process, I'm not sure I feel like I want to learn anything and I will probably throw the noodle during labor. Hmmm, not sure how many friends I made :) My sarcasm can be overwhelming at times. I really want to learn everything possible (but I probably will throw the noodle).

Later into class the teacher starts talking about contractions. How will we know when we are really in labor and when to really go to the hospital. She starts out by saying early labor contractions are like VW Bugs. There aren't that many of them, but you notice them when you see them. People typically like them. You midlabor contractions are like SUVs. There are more of them, they are bigger, they are strong and you notice them. Your delivery contractions are like MACK TRUCKS! They are big, they are long, you notice them and they can knock you out! Wait - what? I don't want to know that!! That sounds scary and painful!

But then she says things like contractions don't last forever. Up to 120 seconds (that's two long minutes, they just talk about in seconds to make it seem shorter!) Then you get a break in between. She teaches the dads how to say encouraging things and how during delivery contractions, don't talk to us. Let us get in the zone. Don't say things like "You look uncomfortable, can I fluff your pillow for you? Do you want another one?" Say things like "Pillow?" That's all we can register.

Then she says AMAZING things like, this little child knows exactly how to move and position herself to her big self out of that little space. She knows when to flip and when to rotate. Doctor's don't do that - babies do. Isn't she amazing? My daughter is SO smart already ;)

I tell you, this labor thing is like that uphill climb on a roller coaster. You have NO idea what's over that bump, but it's scary and it's exciting and hopefully at the end you stand up and say "That wasn't so bad, let's do it again". And I'll look down into my daughter's eyes and up into my husband's and even though I was just knocked out by a Mack Truck, I'll be smiling!

A kick and a KICK

So for the past few weeks I have been enjoying feeling our daughter move freely. I love her light flutters, stretches and kicks. I didn't realize that was all they were...flutters. Thursday night I was lying in bed. Nic had just gotten home from his kickball game and was eating a late dinner in the kitchen. All of a sudden, I felt her. Not her moving, but HER. I felt a little leg, hand, head, whatever, bump my hand. I softly called to Nic. I've done this a few times, pulled his hand over my expanding belly and told him to feel what only I could feel from the inside. He came into bed saying, "She'll probably stop now that she knows I'm here". Only his sentence was interrupted by a "WOAH, what was that!" I looked into his eyes, "That, was our daughter". Do it again! So for a few brief moments, my husband and I sat, hands on my belly, feeling, for the first time, our daughter. It was, without a doubt, the most magical moment of my life. I know now why my wedding day was the day I loved my husband the least, because in that moment, I have never loved him more.

She began to get comfortable and quiet down. Nic went back to his dinner and I drifted off into sleep. But I know...both of us can't wait for that next time that we actually get to feel her.

3rd Trimester!

According to my original due date (I switch between my due date and my original due date), I am 28 weeks pregnant today! That means, we are in the third trimester! Can you believe it? I look back on the last 23 weeks and I can't tell if time has just flown by or if time is just ticking by. The sad thing is that October is SUCH a busy month for us, November starts the holidays and before you know it, our little girl will be here!

This weekend we finished painting the nursery - we, ha ha...we had a painter come do it for us...but it's done! Next - rip up the nasty, stained blue carpet and go pick out new stuff! I can't wait to see it all finished. It's all getting so real!

I'm married! I'm having a baby!

No, these aren't really "new" revelations for me...however, two things happened in the last week that made them both seem very real!

First, after nearly two years of marriage, we finally have our wedding video! The video that caused too much stress and anxiety in my family. The video that started turning happy memories into feelings of anger and stress. Nic and I eagerly sat down to watch the video on Friday evening. At first, we weren't to sure how we liked the arrangement, but really, I cried through most of it, so I couldn't make a decision. Saturday we watched it with my family. I loved it, I decided. Sometimes I feel like the sound quality could be a little better, but I think I'm being critical. Overall, it's an amazing highlight of the entire day. A day that went by so fast and yet I feel like it was just yesterday. It was so neat to finally see that day. To relive the parts I wanted to and see other parts for the first time: Like little Collin, Colin and baby Emma walking down the aisle. Nic walking into the front of church. And what was that ridiculous dance my husband was doing at the reception? I could watch it every single day! But...as much as Nic liked it, I think twice in one weekend was enough for him! At least our anniversary is 12 days away and I can make him watch it again then!

Then...I'm having a baby! Yup, I knew this too; however, we received our first "official" baby gift. Not that cute little stuff people buy you when they find out you are PG, we received something we actually need for the nursery. Unfortunately, Nic's cousin's wife can't come to my baby shower. **side story and background on why this is sad for me: Melissa and Brad tried very hard to have a baby and were finally blessed with Brody last June (May? I'm so bad, I can't remember now!) I was feeling very down on my luck because Nic and I weren't PG yet and going to Melissa's baby shower in April (March? Good grief, I'm awful!) was tough. However, Melissa and Brad were one of the only couples I felt happy for at that time because I knew how much they wanted and already loved their little one. Lo and behold, I was probably preggers at Melissa's shower and I didn't even know it!** But anyway, now Melissa can't come to my shower, so she sent her gift already. The Babies R Us box just sat on our kitchen table. I wasn't sure how it worked. Could I open it? It isn't like a wedding present, I don't have to wait until the baby comes to open it - right? So...we opened it! I wasn't even sure what it was - but we registered for it. Well, after reading the box and playing with it, we learned it was the baby soother. This little aquarium looking thing goes in the crib and soothes the baby (Really?! Is that all it takes? Is it that easy?) It soothed Nic and I and we are thinking about putting it in our room for awhile. It even has a remote control so we won't wake the baby up when we turn it off - wow, technology is great! So, now our first baby gift is sitting in the closet of the nursery. The nursery, which I may add, is now white, primed and ready for the painter to come and work her magic.

So in one week Nic and I accomplished two huge milestones, marriage and babies. I wonder what next week will hold!? Retirement ;)