39 Weeks

Well, we have finally reached the end! My due date is NEXT Friday (July 2nd). I can't believe it! I don't have ANY indication whatsoever as to if I'll be early or late. And I'm completely torn on whether I want to have her 2 days late (July 4th!) or NOW. The July 4th "wish" mainly pertains to the fact that I am a (July 24th) Pioneer Day baby--and figure it would be nice to give Olive the same gift of fireworks, rodeos, parades, etc.

But no complaints if she comes NOW. Especially since I only have two more vacation days--which I would like to use preceding my due date next week. But if I go over, that means I would have to come into work up until I go into labor... ugh!!!

So I am supposed to see my doctor every week at this point but skipped the visit last week since he was out on vacation. (He could have scheduled me to see another doctor, but neither him nor I fretted about missing one week since everything has been perfect and I hadn't had any contractions yet...Last we checked I was dilated to a 1 and 80% effaced. His guess was that I was still a couple weeks out EASILY.) But I was definitely looking forward to my appointment for yesterday just to see if there had been any progression in the last two weeks.

So I go to my appointment and begin to play the normal waiting game. 45 minutes into my appointment, I am sitting on the butcher paper--still waiting for the doctor--when the nurse comes in and explains that he has run to the hospital to do a C-section. She was apologetic and asked if I wanted to wait or reschedule. She thought he would be back in 45 minutes and would be happy to put me at the top of the list if we wanted to come back then. Kevin was with me and we decided that we could run an errand and come back.

So we came back about an hour later and waited a few minutes in the waiting room. It wasn't long before the doctor got back, so a nurse took me back to the room and said he would be right in. At this point, we were getting a little pressed for time but figured it would be no problem and that we should be done pretty quickly. A few minutes elapsed, which I figured was normal since he had just gotten back. A nurse offered to bring me a drink and brought it in a few minutes later and again reassured us that he should be right in. Then Kevin and I hear him go into the room next door and help that patient. I was a little irritated but was thinking, "we're next." Then I swear I hear him go into the room on the other side of us. Kevin and I are both getting a little impatient at this point since we need to leave but are trying to be understanding. I really hate to nag people at the doctor's office because I always "know" that as soon as I say something, the doctor will show up. (Plus, the nurse had reassured us he would be right in...) However, enough time has elapsed at this point that Kevin began insisting that we needed to leave. So finally, Kevin peeked his head out into the hallway and the nurse looked surprised to see him.

"Has he not been in there yet?"
"No..."
The nurse comes into the room looking extremely perplexed. Then she discovers my "papers" on the desk.

"It's totally my fault," she explained, "I left your papers right here and so he doesn't even know you are waiting for him. I am sooooooo sorry..." Unfortunately, he was with a patient that would require a few more minutes and honestly, we just couldn't wait any longer. So we left, both EXTREMELY mad. I know the nurse felt completely awful and that she didn't do it on purpose. I don't think I would have been so upset except for the fact that I'm due NEXT WEEK. Grrrrr. My next appointment is Wednesday and I feel okay about waiting until then since I haven't had any major contractions or anything but it would have been nice to know where I'm at.

Olive's Crib

It took forever, but I finally completed the bumper pads. I sincerely do not believe they should have taken as long as they did. Maybe I was unrealistic in thinking I could do them in an evening?

The Diaper Bag!!!!

Am I really posting an entire entry on my diaper bag? Why yes, I am! Can you tell how thrilled I am about it?

I began the search for the perfect diaper bag last Monday after I decided I was feeling too lazy to make one. All I knew was that I wanted something that looked more like a purse but was roomy with lots of pockets. Kevin helped me do some searching and found some fantastic ones on ETSY. This is the one I settled on, and I had been crossing my fingers it would arrive quickly since it was shipping from Malaysia.

Again, that was last Monday. I received it today, exactly one week later. Amazing. I am so happy. The OCD part of me especially loves the nice big exterior pocket (hidden under the bow) for me to throw in my keys, phone, wallet, etc. I can't wait to transfer the contents of the temporary diaper bag to this one! (Yeah, I decided I should have something thrown together since I had assumed it would take a while from Malaysia...)

110 in the Shade

Kevin is currently in rehearsal for a production of 110 in the Shade, a musical adaptation of the play, The Rainmaker.

It will open June 28th and run through August 9th. The first two weeks are a fundraising event for the theater and will star Tony award-winner Audra McDonald as “Lizzie Curry” and Tony award-nominee Will Swenson as “Bill Starbuck.”

Kevin will be playing the role of “File,” the cautious divorcee/sheriff who ends up with Lizzie. He played Starbuck several years ago in the play and is happy to have the challenge of playing a different character in such a beloved show. And he is especially thrilled to be working with such a talented cast. When we lived in NY, the whole reason Kevin wanted to perform professionally was to work with people like Audra and Will. And here he is, getting a chance to work with them in Orem, Utah! There are other VIPs coming in town, apparently. There are rumors that the director of the Broadway production will be coming to see the show, as well as the artistic director for Shakespeare in the Park/producer of the Broadway production of Hair. I think the fellow who wrote the book for the musical is coming too! As I watched the preview the other night, I realized that the show is stunning even without Will and Audra. Everyone has been working so hard and it truly shows what amazing talent there is already here in Utah.

Since we only have one car, I have been hanging out at the rehearsals and it is shaping up to be a fantastic show. The message is such a simple but sweet one and it has been an experience to see all the elements come together. I have tickets for opening night and hope that Olive won't come early! It is a bittersweet thing just because it is the last show Kevin will be doing for quite some time--what with law school starting in the fall.

Oh and FYI, for those who are planning on getting tickets, just be aware that Kevin will be out for the July 22nd, 23rd, and 24th performances for a family vacation. His understudy, Ben Hess, will be going on for him during that time. It will be a great show whoever you see, I just wanted to give anyone a heads up since we gave no previous indication he would be missing any shows!

for ticket information: http://www.haletheater.org/theater/coming_next/coming_next.php

Ella's Quilt

My work recently commissioned me to make a quilt for my lovely co-worker, Mati, who is due next week with baby Ella. Here is a picture of the quilt I made for her! It has been finished for quite some time but I had been reluctant to post it since we all wanted it to be a surprise. I have been working on a couple other projects, and I will post them later...

Surprise!

My sweet co-workers had decided to throw me a baby shower today. I had no idea about it and was surprised to walk into a cubicle festooned with balloons and confetti. It was a fantastic day!

I left my desk for a few minutes and when I came back, there was a little gift sitting on my desk. It had no note attached. I opened it and found a tube of Desitin. Which is actually great. I need Desitin. Little did I know that it would be the first of many gifts to come. I found gifts in my path ALL DAY at the branch. This gift fairy seemed to be following my every move. I even found a gift during one of my many trips to the ladies' room.

And just when I figured there couldn't possibly be any more, there were. I had a mountain of presents by the end of the day.

My co-workers Victoria and Brittney were kind enough to test out the towels. They seem to be pleased with the product!

Mati and I finally got a picture together. She is due June 23rd!!! It is bad to have two pregnant women working together. When I eat a second cookie, she eats a second cookie... It is a vicious cycle.

The ladies made a scrumptious "pink" themed lunch with chicken salad sandwiches, pink jello salad (with mandarin oranges), cherry seven-up, cupcakes, and sun chips! They really outdid themselves! Thanks for the great party everyone!

8 Months Down

Well folks, we are in the final stretch with one more month until D-Day! Yesterday, we set up our crib (yes--we decided to get a crib before the move after all!) I also decided to tackle making bumpers for the crib since that is really all we need in the baby bedding department. Kevin and I went over to the Pine Needles Quilt Shop next door at Gardner Village to pick out fabrics. He has such a great eye for fabric--I am so glad he was with me! My mom is sending me the actual bumper padding so I am just anxiously awaiting for that to arrive so I can get the bumpers started (and finished)! The yellow bird print is meant to be the "inside" bumper print and the gray print "outer" bumper print. And the best part is that it matches the quilt I made for Olive--and we didn't even think about that beforehand!

I am also realizing that I haven't given much thought about a diaper bag, so my mom is also sending me a pattern so I can make one! I have a great mound of fabric accumulating at home and haven't decided what to use for the diaper bag yet.

I feel pretty good! At my doctor visit last week, Dr. Haskett asked if I had been having contractions yet. I wasn't really sure what to tell him since I'm not sure what they are supposed to feel like! I have had very little discomfort besides the occasional heartburn. There HAS been a time or two where I feel like my lungs are being squished (and making it a little difficult to breathe) but I usually assume it's Olive doing the squishing. Some friends tell me it is probably a contraction. Either way, I am not complaining!

I can't believe Olive is almost here! I realize that one month is no time at all and yet it seems like there are still so many tiny things to do. I want to just thank everyone out there for gifts and for the constant love, support, and well-wishes! Kevin and I appreciate it sooooooo much!

Good Prospects in FL

Once upon a time, Kevin and Vanessa lived in New York and fell in love with Shake Shack.  Yes, Shake Shack.  The one that has been featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives." The one with the amazing "shack stack;" a not-so-ordinary cheeseburger topped with a portobello mushroom that has been stuffed with cheese and deep-fried. It is gooey heaven.

Well I just discovered that they have expanded beyond the NY state borders.  I hear a cherubic chorus with the news that there is one in Miami, FL.  Four hours away from where we'll be living.  Kevin and I are already planning weekend visits.  It's that good.

Month 7

I will be at the 30-week mark on Friday.  That means I will have completed 7 months of pregnancy!  I can't believe how fast it has gone by.  And yet, when I feel immense pressure pushing on my ribs, it doesn't go fast enough.

I wish I could say all my clothes still fit but that would be an outright lie!  I keep trying to squeeze into my jeans but I'm not sure how long this charade will continue to hold up.  Zipping them was abandoned long ago along with the practice of putting them in the dryer.  Is it pathetic I am fighting this hard to avoid maternity clothes?  Pretty soon I am going to look like 10 lbs of potatoes in a 5 lb sack...

Olive kicks a lot.  Once in a while she will give a good swift kick when I am dozing off and it scares me!!!  I still get a little weirded out about all the movement happening inside but I am addicted to it all at the same time.  And I am starting to have really weird dreams, which I will not elaborate upon.  I will just say that they are strange.

Anyway, I do know that in 2 more months I will be SO READY for Olive to come out!

Florida Bound!

As many of you may already know, Kevin plans to attend law school in the fall. It has been a difficult decision, but after serious deliberation, Kevin sent his acceptance into Stetson College of Law in Gulfport, FL.

Back in February, Stetson College of Law paid for Kevin to attend a scholarship weekend retreat where he got to know many of the professors and check out the area. Stetson had already been high on Kevin's list because of its reputation as #1 in trial advocacy. (Since Kevin wants to be a prosecutor, it just makes sense.) The full ride scholarship plus stipend isn't too shabby either! We both decided to fly out and check it out. Well, they sold us!

Kevin spent most of the weekend in workshops and was able to build a rapport with many of the professors. He became completely enamored with the school and everything it offers. We both fell in love with the area and the close proximity to the beach. Still, we weren't sure...

Weeks after the retreat, the dean sent Kevin a package of Vosgue's "Moe's Bacon Chocolate Pancake Mix." Was that the smartest move or what? He sent in his acceptance the same day.

So, we are planning to move to the Gulfport/St. Petersburg area early August. Olive will be one month old, so it will be an interesting move for sure! We are going to hold off from buying major furniture for her since it appears the most cost-effective way to move will be selling the furniture and cramming everything into the car again. I will probably fly with Olive just so we don't have to spend 4 days in the car with an infant. We are still working out all the details and trying to save lots of money to prepare for all these changes!

Month 6

Well here is a look at my little big belly at 26 weeks. 6 months down! I feel great and Olive is kicking a lot. This morning she woke me up with her hiccups. SO CUTE!!! I am able to sleep just fine though I tend to toss and turn frequently.
My clothes really don't fit too well but I just really don't want to buy more clothes. Especially maternity clothes. Do they all have to look so frumpy? I think I am going to break down and get a skirt at bare minimum--I only have one left that fits and I am already tiring of wearing it to church every week!
I started getting heartburn last week and have had to take "tums" with every meal. Oh well, if that's all I have to deal with, no biggie!

Olive's Quilt

I had a day off of work last Wednesday and decided it couldn't hurt to stop by the quilt shop... Well, $40 later, I had found the materials in which I was going to create the most delicious quilt for Olive. Two days later, it was finished. I feel like an addict that just went on a binge. Anyway, I am excited to be able to show it off! Not the best pictures, but I guess that's what happens when I am too impatient to wait for Kevin to get home!

This is to show off the underside--a nice, soft flannel backing.

And a closer look at some of the darling materials! I call them my whimsical ice cream flavors!