Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Names, names, names

We are 25 weeks today!  As of Friday Lucky weighed 1 lb 10 oz – which is so strange to me.  That seems enormous but my OB said it’s within average (which the baby websites I read said 1 ½ lbs is average for 25 weeks so we aren’t too much above average). 

So 25 weeks means we only have 15 left – eek!  105 days!  (Obviously depending upon when Lucky decides to make his/her entrance!!!)  As excited as I am about that I am also a little freaked out by it.  I don’t feel we are really ready.  We have the nursery done, for the most part, and a pack of diapers and wipes, a few burp clothes, a blanket or two but that’s about it.  Granted I did ask for baby stuff for Christmas and we have two showers coming up but it’s still a little unnerving. 

The other thing that is freaking me out a bit is our lack a name for this little blessing.  I think we have two for a girl that we both agree on.  One is first name Greta with my Dad’s first name as her middle name and the other is a combination of the first names of my Dad and Walleye’s Mom for the first name and the middle name being my middle name (which also happens to be my Mom’s middle name).  Obviously my Dad’s first name is both male and female.   We have a few others that we somewhat agree on but we (well I) keep going back to those two.  Being a Daddy’s girl I am pretty set on his name being somewhere in the name.
We are having the hardest time with a boy name.  Walleye is pretty stuck on using his first name as the baby boy’s middle name but I am pretty stuck on using my Dad’s name for the middle name.  My reasoning is the baby will already get Walleye’s last name.  Especially if it’s a boy – he’ll have Walleye’s last name forever, unlike a girl who would most likely change it if she got married.  Neither of us like my Dad’s first name well enough to use it for a first name – it’s a little feminine.  I do however like my Dad’s middle name for a first name with Walleye’s first name as the middle name. 

That combination has extra special meaning to me because my Dad’s middle name is his Godfather’s first name (my Great Uncle, whom we were really close to).  But my Great Uncle didn’t like his first name so he switched his middle name to his first name and put his original first name as the middle name.  It just so happens that the first name my great uncle went by is also the same as Walleye’s first name.  So really the baby would go by my great uncle’s birth name but still have Walleye’s name as the middle name and a tie to my Dad’s name.  Confused yet?  Let’s try it this way…hypothetically speaking:
     My Dad’s middle name is Edwin
     My Great Uncle’s birth name is Edwin Jeremy but he didn’t like that so went by Jeremy Edwin
     Walleye’s first name is Jeremy
     Proposed name for Lucky would be Edwin Jeremy but we could call him EJ   
     But Walleye isn’t too keen on Edwin, which is why I say we could call him EJ

We had originally talked about Adam for a boy – way before we had told anyone we were expecting and we both really liked it but then once we told my MIL we were expecting she started referring to Lucky as “Adam or Eve” and ever since that very first time she said “How’s little Adam or Eve doing?” I can’t stomach the name.  I’ve thought about asking her to stop referring to Lucky/the baby as Adam or Eve but it’s too late – I will always associate Adam with her calling the baby that.
We’ve both thrown out names that the other has said they don’t mind but to be honest sometimes I say I don’t mind because I don’t want to constantly be turning down Walleye’s ideas and I think he might be doing the same.  I just feel bad because I really haven’t liked any of the names he’s thrown out.   Maybe I am too set on the above scenario to really give any other names a chance.  Or maybe it’s just Walleye’s names are just to blah.  Not that I want an off the wall, crazy name. 
Who knew this would be this hard!  And knowing my luck we will have decided on a name and the baby will arrive and we’ll take one look at him or her and decide that is NOT the right name and poor Lucky will go two weeks without a name like my sister did when she was born.  My Grandpa even started a bank account for her with “Baby” as the first name and our last name as the last name. 


Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yes, I know Thanksgiving isn't for a couple of days but this will be my last chance to post until next week.  (Meaning I am off until Monday and I typically only have time to post from work...mainly when I am feeling rather uninspired to get any real work done and so typing a post both sounds and looks like I am busy!)

I have so many things to be thankful for this year... (no particular order)
1. Lucky (and that this pregnancy has been so easy)
2. My wonderful, wonderful Walleye
3. The general good health of my family - granted not everyone is 100% healthy but things have been looking better the farther into 2011 we go - Duckie's treatments seem to be working and without too many adverse side effects, my Mom's health hasn't declined too drastically and my MIL seems to be not getting much worse even though not getting any better.
4. My family and friends - they are all so loving and supportive
5. That both Walleye and I have decent and stable jobs that allows us a comfortable life
6. My two furry babies - one who loves to cuddle under the covers with me on lazy Saturday mornings and one who loves to "talk" my ears off whenever given the chance
7. That my cousin, who has been deployed to Kuwait since May is able to spend two weeks with his family- including his eldest daughter's birthday and Thanksgiving.
8. That Walleye and my FIL finished painting the nursery, the crib is up and the dresser almost done - all in time for my family to see it - as they most likely won't be up after Thanksgiving until Lucky arrives!
9. We get to "see" Lucky on Friday!
10. The never ending love of our Lord

And the list could go on and on....

Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 18, 2011

One week until....

Black Friday and our next ultrasound!!!  So stinking excited about both!
A week from right now my sister, cousin and I will either be pushing our way through the Black Friday crowds in our 11th hour of shopping (yes we are going to attempt starting at midnight) or passed out cold from exhaustion after middle of the night shopping!  Either way I’m super excited about it!!!
Next Friday is also our next ultrasound.  Which is good – as I really don’t feel the baby move that much which is sort of freaking me out.  I know with an anterior placenta it’s harder/later to feel the baby and I am sure my weight doesn’t help matters but it’s rather concerning and disappointing to not be feeling Lucky.  Not to mention I want more than anything for Walleye to get to feel him/her!
So when I set up the ultrasound three weeks ago I picked out next Friday with the thought that 1. Walleye and I would both be off work so we wouldn’t have to take any more time off as we are both trying to save up vacation time for when Lucky arrives.  And 2. My sister would be in town and thought it would be way cool for her to attend the ultrasound (if Walleye was cool with it).  I don’t think my sister will ever have kids so this might be her only chance to go for an ultrasound and experience this first hand. 
Well when I brought it up to Walleye originally he automatically, without even considering it for one moment, said no.  He didn’t want her to go.  He didn’t think other people ever went to ultrasounds other than their own child’s.  I asked why and he really didn’t have much of an answer but later said that he didn’t want to her to try to find out the sex when they tell us to look away.  (She’s been pushing for me to find out so she can shop – but I don’t think she’d go that far.) 
It got brought up at a Halloween party and a couple of his friends’ wives agreed with me that my sister should go with.  (Yes, I know completely unfair of me to do that to Walleye – I should have left that conversation between us.)  They kind of bombarded him and backed him into a corner, making him feel pretty crappy.  So I dropped it and figured we could talk about it closer to the date and in private. 
Well earlier this week I reminded him that we have the ultrasound and that I hoped he would come with to the OB appointment after so he could at least meet the OB.  Walleye said if my sister was going to the ultrasound he wasn’t.  I asked why again and he said the room is too small and things are already weird enough with my sister.  I understand the room one but don’t know where he’s coming from with things being weird with my sister.  So now he’s making me feel like I have to decide between him and her and of course he comes first – he’s my husband and the father.  But he’s rather insistent that she can go and he understands she’ll most likely never have another chance like this.  But I still feel bad.  Like I am depriving him of something.  I just don’t know what to do.  I wish they both could/would go with. 
To end with a happier note....while I am off in the cities visiting a girlfriend tonight/tomorrow and going to "Breaking Dawn" my wonderful husband and FIL will be painting Lucky's room!  (And, crossing fingers and toes, putting the crib and dresser together!!!)  I'll post pics when it's done!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Baptism, Baby Showers and Bedding

It's somewhat crazy to me that I am actually thinking about those three things and that they relate to me!  That I am actually starting to plan a baptism, register and give dates for a baby shower and opened a big huge box that was delivered over the weekend that contained our nursery bedding...and that it is all for OUR baby! 

There are days when I am still in shock that I am pregnant - and almost 23 weeks pregnant at that. I am so blessed!

BAPTISM
I have been trying to connect with Father at our Church about how to begin planning the baptism but every time I call he is out and I am told to call back around 8:30 the next morning.  Wouldn't you know those are the mornings when I have meetings during that time. 

Our Church website says that we have to take a 2 day class in preparation which I am hoping is more like the "class" or "meeting" we had with Father prior to our wedding - where we just met with him and discussed marriage and such.  I was telling Walleye about that and he suggested if that's all it is (a meeting with Father) then maybe we suggest he comes over for dinner one night - great idea in my book!  I so excited to talk with Father and to get started planning the baptism (even if it is still months away!)

BABY SHOWER
On our 2nd wedding anniversary we spent the evening registering for our baby shower(s).  This past weekend when I was at my sisters we talked potential dates and locations!  Thinking sometime in January - which in reality is just around the corner!!!

BEDDING
When I arrived home from my sisters this weekend what was waiting on our doorstep but our crib bedding!  I am so stinkin' excited!!!  We can finally pick out paint colors and hopefully Walleye can start painting soon (like maybe this weekend while I am visiting a girlfriend in the cities).  It is even cuter in person than it was online!  There are so many accessories I want to buy to go with it but must be patient as those were put on my Christmas list.  :)

BLESSED
That should really be the first "b" in my title....because we truly are blessed! 

Friday, November 4, 2011

Swift Kick (of punch) to the ribs!

So for a while now I have thought I had been feeling Lucky move but was never 100% certain.  But today, well that's a totally different story!  I am 110% positive Lucky gave me a swift kick (or punch) to the ribs earlier this afternoon.  I was just standing and talking with my coworker and all of a sudden I felt this huge jab to my ribs.  :) I LOVED IT!!! 

We had our 20 week ultra sound last Friday and it was simply amazing!  Everything looked great! No matter how tempting it go we stuck to our guns and did not find out the sex.  And man was it tempting!!!  We do have to go back for another one the day after Thanksgiving as the tech couldn't get a real good picture of Lucky's spine because of how he/she was laying.  No cause for worry and my OB even said he didn't think it was necessary but why not get one more peek!  I didn't argue!  Especially since my sister will be in town so I want to bring her with as I am sure she would love it! (Even if it means interrupting our Black Friday shopping or post-shopping nap!). 

I am a DHW for the next few weeks....Deer Hunting Widow.  Walleye heads to deer camp right after work tonight and I might, MIGHT, see him on Tuesday night for a bit and then he's out at it again until after that next weekend.  I don't mind too much though.  I have a high school friend and her three kids coming up tomorrow for a visit and next weekend I am going to my sister's for the weekend!  Although I do secrety hope he doesn't shoot a deer...or if he does it's when I am not home so I don't have to see and SMELL it when the process the deer at home. YUCK!

Not much else going on right now.  I have been reading and praying for fellow bloggers and tried to comment but for some reason I am not able to comment.  It's getting a little frustrating!!!  Please know I have been thinking of you! 

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

2nd Wedding Anniversary

On Monday Walleye and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary.  I can't believe it's been two years already - feels like yesterday!  To celebrate we both took the day off, had a lazy morning then drove down to the cities for lunch at The Melting Pot, did some shopping on our way back home and then at night bought blinds for the nursery and started our baby registry!  It was pretty fantastic! 

A while back I read on someone's blog something similar to the below...

Where/how did you meet: He was my neighbor two doors down and after a few weeks of “stalking watching” him I decided to go introduce myself (of course it helped that I had some liquid courage and friends over to encourage me!).
How long have you known each other: since September 22, 2007
How long after you met did you start dating: The night we met! We’ve been inseparable ever since!
How long did you date before you were engaged: 1 year, 3 months, 1 week and 1 day
How long was your engagement: almost 10 months
How long have you been married: 2 years 2 days
What is your anniversary: October 24
How many people came to your wedding reception: about 220 people - we were expecting quite a few more but it was the height of the H1N1 outbreak so several guests couldn't make it
What kind of cake did you serve: The guests had carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and we had a fake cake with a real top layer that was white cake with raspberry filling and fondant frosting
Where was your wedding: The Church of St. Stephen – the same Church his parents were married in!
What did you serve for your meal: Chicken breast, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn and buns for the adults and chicken nuggets and fries for the kids
How many people were there in your bridal party: 15 (5 bridesmaids, 5 groomsmen, 2 ushers and 2 personal attendants and 1 super adorable flower girl)
Are you still friends with them all: I believe so – however one of the BMs and I have not talked in months but not sure entirely why
Did you or your spouse cry during the ceremony: I got a little misty eyed but not as much as I thought I would
Most special moment of your wedding day: Toss up – officially being announced Husband and Wife or when my DH and Dad hugged after my Dad handed me off
Any funny moments: The guys in the wedding party dancing their way into the reception wearing pink, feather boas. 
Any big disasters: A few...
  1. The cupcakes were horribly decorated (exactly how we told the bakery NOT to decorate them) and were dry and had no flavor. 
  2. A few days before the wedding the flower girl’s mom had a seamstress pressing the FG dress and the seamstress burnt a hole in the top of the FG dress – the seamstress found some fabric (that in my mind sort of worked but was not nearly as cute as the original) and sewed a new top.  It was just ok. 
  3. One of the BMs ordered a dress in a size too small for her because her Mom told her she would lose the weight by the wedding and when the dresses came in 4 months prior to the wedding she put off picking it up/trying it on until less than a month before the wedding (the night of my bachelorette party) because she knew it wouldn’t fit.  It didn’t.  Not at all.  Wouldn't even zip up more than half an inch.  Less than a month to go.  She told me she found a seamstress who was able to take out the seams and let it out but what she neglected to tell me was that the seamstress took at least three inches from the hem and sewed a panel down the side!  It looked horrific! 
Where did you go on your honeymoon: Our mini-moon right after the wedding was to the North Shore to stay in a super nice, three story, 5 bedroom, 3 bath million dollar “cabin” for 4 days (which we both got really, really sick during).  A month and a half later we went to Grand Bahama Island in the Bahamas for a week. 
If you were to do your wedding over, what would you change: A couple things...
  1. My dress…it was so not what I wanted.
  2. I wouldn’t have one of my BMs (yes the dress one somewhat because of the dress incident but mainly because I didn't really want her in it in the first place but felt I had to have her in it since I was in hers).
  3. The cake vendor.
  4. A written list of what pictures I wanted my photographer to take so we didn’t forget anyone.
  5. Go over the beginning of the wedding more during practice – i.e. the Mother’s were escorted up to Ave Maria, then let the song finish before the GMs and BMs started up the aisle (they started right away) so the timing was all off.
What is your song: “Shadow of the Day” by Linkin Park and “At Last” by Aretha Franklin
What did you dance your first dance to: “At Last” by Aretha Franklin
Describe your wedding dress: strapless, unique, ivory, it had a lace bust with beading, then the rest of the bodice and skirt was all ruched, taffeta, that from right to left got longer at an angle, there was a lace with beads ruffle under the hem and then more taffeta to complete the skirt.  It was pretty and all, and was “so me” according to my Mom but not the dress I wanted but it was on sale for a good price and my Mom and Sister both said it was so flattering.  There are two other dresses I wish I would have gotten – they were the only two dresses out of the hundreds (ok maybe it was closer to 75 dresses tried on) I tried on that I got teary eyed…I should have known…
What kind of flowers did you have at your wedding: A really beautiful mixture of fall flowers in oranges, yellows and deep red – calla lilies, daisies, mums, roses, fern frawns, wheat, maple leaves.  Then tied to it I had my Grandma’s locket with of both of my grandparents wedding pictures in it.  DH had an orange/rust calla lily, mini roses, fern frawn.  The MOH, BMs and FG had a mixture of my flowers (minus the calla lilies).  The GM had boutonnieres of one of the flowers but can’t remember which one. 
Did you have the traditional something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue? Of course!! 
  • Something old: my Grandmother’s locket with wedding pictures of both sets of Grandparents in it tied to my flowers.  (I really wanted to wear my Mom’s headpiece and veil but it didn’t work with my dress and needed major repair.) 
  • Something new: my dress and veil. 
  • Something borrowed: my crinoline from my lovely cousin and my headpiece from a BM (whose wedding I was also in). 
  • Something blue: My shoes!  So cute!  And then my sister found these adorable blue crystal stickers to put on the bottom that said “I DO”. 
Did you and your husband exchange wedding gifts? Yes, he gave me a beautiful white gold heart shaped pendant with the journey diamonds in it and a white gold chain.  I got him a fancy fillet knife (Lake of the Woods maybe?!?), engraved with: “To the catch of my life…BGFSH 10.24.09” on the blade.
Are your wedding bands engraved? Mine is too thin to be engraved but DH’s is…”BGFSH 10.24.09”

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Whirlwind

It's been a while...especially for me!  I feel like the October has been a whirlwind of non-stop activities.  Things the last week or so have been incredible crazy busy - at work and home!  We have a new $45 million building scheduled to start construction in November on campus and I am in charge of organizing the groundbreaking ceremony - complete with guest speaker Governor Dayton!  YIKES!  Not to mention all of my other regular duties.  In the evenings we have been visiting daycares.  Weekends have been busy traveling, housework and cleaning out the room for Lucky.  Not to mention Walleye and his friends have been "getting the woods ready for hunting".  I didn't know one needed to do that but apparently they do!  :)

Our trip was fantastic!  And I didn't get sick this year!!!  I was surprised as the last two years I have. (Although I am still sticking to my story that I get sick as a reaction to the flu shot I get the same time every year and this year we went on vacation before the shot!)

Here are some pics from the trip:

We wanted to hike to the top of that peak but figured it would be a little too much so chose a smaller one just across the way.

One of the many State Parks we visited. 

After a day of hiking we each had our own evening drinks...I fancied mine up by putting it in a wine glass! 

Sunset over Lake Superior outside our "cabin".

Heartbreak Ridge - a beautiful tree canopy lane we drove. 

Early morning (like 7:30 am) hike at the State Park less than a mile from our "cabin".

When we got back from our trip I emailed my family pics and a quick "We made it home.  Had a great time." and my mom's immediate response was "Did you make reservations for next year yet because your Dad and I will come to your house a take care of Lucky?".  Not "Glad you had fun." or "Great pics."!  Guess they're a little excited about their first grand baby!  :) 

Today marks Week 19! Hard to believe I am almost half done!  Still one of the luckiest pregnant ladies I know as I still don't have much for symptoms and have been very blessed with no morning sickness or anything worse than a few headaches here and there, heartburn almost daily and the occasional constipation.  Next Friday is the 20 week ultrasound and I can't hardly wait.