A Note on Pregnancy

At 38 weeks I sit here really contemplating what it's been like to be pregnant and the miracle that it is. I have been pregnant for 266 days. That's crazy right? And if the "What To Expect" book is right then today he is about the size of a medium watermelon weighing around 6.5 lbs+ and between 19-22 inches long. Pause for second with me. SERIOUSLY? I can honestly say though I am physically feeling the effects I don't think that I have actually been doing the work this whole time. Yes my stomach is a basketball and my whole body is currently unrecognizeable, I just seriously cannot take the credit. Seeing him in the beginning on the little screen as a blip, then with his full body makes me look at this growing, breathing, living thing and know it's not me. It's all God. It is his miraculous hand and work that have led me through it and helped him grow to the large baby I will soon deliver. There's no way vitamins and "eating right" can alone lead to this beautiful boy who's about to come.

So that being said and the sap being pretty much out of the way I thought of the things I will miss and the things I won't about being in my current state (without the overshare). Let's start with what I won't miss since it's always good to end on a positive note:

Things That I Will NOT Miss

1. Sweating to death because my hormones are nuts (hence the nickname Derek has provided of "Crockpot" - because I am slow cooking a baby and always running warm)
2. How much we spend on toilet paper because I pee every half hour max. 1 hour
3. The constant stuffy nose that accompanies pregnancy
4. Maternity clothes - let's face it most of them are not the cutest and the band in the pants just gets awkward toward the end because it doesn't go all the way over your (my) huge stomach
5. The awkward and sometimes rude comments you get from people such as "Are you sure there isn't two in there?" "You must be due any day now" "Wow you have just gotten so big!" (Yes people along with my belly came the thickest skin ever and I no longer am sensitive to rudeness!)
6. FORGETTING EVERYTHING - Pregnancy Brain which I know will turn in to Mommy Brain but atleast I have hope at this point that some of it may return

Things that I Will Miss

1. The constant movement and kicks that he does in there always surprise me and make me so happy. He is so active and I love knowing he's in there wanting to get out and be with us.
2. Sitting on the couch or in bed and grabbing Daddy's hand telling him to feel this or that - his face and reactions always make my heart skip a beat
3. Though I can't wait to meet our son, I will miss being able to rub my belly and know he's safe and protected in there where no one else can get to him
4. Yes I use the excuse "I'm pregnant" so I can eat some dessert, so I don't have to lift things, etc. So what?
5. There are people who are so nice to you when you're pregnant  (despite the afforementioned #5)- the nice ones open doors for you, let you go first, always tell you how children and babies will change your life, and encourage you, etc. For some reason they think a pregnant woman is approachable and nice, which I like!

I am sure there are more which I can't think of at this moment. But I guess it's really wrapping up here. I just can't wait to actually meet him, see his face, and start this next chapter as a 3 person family!!!!

Overdue Shower Post

This post has the best title don't you think? It's very overdue but the last few days/weeks have been a whirlwind for me that blogging was the last thing on my crowded pregnant mind.

So a few weeks ago my bestie and her loving family through us the most beautiful shower. It was simply beautiful filled with the greatest details. I am so thankful for Ashlee, her sister, mom and grandma all working hard to give me the intimate, relaxed, and fun shower I wanted! Thank you guys - you know you are so loved and appreciated. Here are some awesome snapshots thanks to Ashlee!

Yiayia-to-be, Prego, Bestie Ash, and Gigi Lee

Grandma Cari, Prego, and Great Grandma B

 

My trio of besties and precious "niece" Hannah

(thank you for driving down you 2!)

The adorable favors included a plantable seed packet, candle, and these delicious treats:

Vanilla/red velvet cupcakes + made by Auntie Jordann = Prego's sugary downfall

(girl if you are reading this - start your business already!)

The CUTEST CAKE EVER matched the invite perfectly

It was such a perfect afternoon. Thank you everyone who came and the few of you blog stalking reading this right now. I am truly grateful for the piles of clothes, swing, play mat, books, blankets, quilts, etc. etc. I have the most generous family and friends and I am so grateful you already love my son just as I do.

 

Our First Baby Shower

Saturday, May 7 we had our very first baby shower. We went to the Anaheim White House for lunch and of course, gifts. Most of the attendees were my mom's family and Derek's dad's family. I know some of you traveled quite far so many thanks that you came. It was a really nice day and I can't tell you how surreal it was to be there opening gifts for our little guy and talking about him all day. He's one blessed and loved little boy already.

I really am thankful to my mom, sister, Yiayia, and the entire Hernandez clan for throwing us the shinding. Thank you guys so much! The only thing I really missed that day was getting some good pictures! So sorry there are few. Thanks Lil for those you took below...

The yummiest cupcakes matched the invites

Adorable diaper cake made by my cousin Taylor

Table of fantastic guests and shower hostesses

Pretty sure that's an "aww this is too cute face"

Blanket by mom's friend

And this is probably one of my favorites - he recieved the "Love You Forever" book... which Derek's mom actually gave Derek at our wedding. It has special memories and it's sorta a family book and I am so glad Peanut has his own copy now.

I am so grateful for everyone that came and the many clothes, blankets, toys, etc. that we received. Everyone is so generous. Later that night we went through it all and were so overwhelmed at everyone's geneorousity and love. But more than anything laughed at the piles and mounds of diapers we got. (But surely if he's related to the boys in this family we'll need them. HAHA)

5 Things

Sorry for my absence and this irregular post... It's been a bit busy lately and exciting all at once... That's one reason this post shifts focus at the end.

Number 5
The baby's room was painted! Yipee! Now don't judge because this was officially our junk room. And between giving away furniture, then accumulating furniture we just closed the door on that mess until painters were able to come.

Number 4

Daddy put together the crib. I supervised.

(sans sheet and etc. because I haven't washed it all yet)

Number 3

The artwork was hung with great care. And yes daddy won out the debate that it should not be hanging on the large crib wall. He didn't want glass falling on our son's head. Good call I suppose. But we are starting to baby proof as we go. Thanks to Quake Hold, a.k.a. one of the coolest things ever invented. It's this putty-like stuff that you affix to anything and it will hold everything in place. So we have been sticking it to the back of pictures and etc. That way one day when someone gets curious or doors are slammed nothing moves. But these pictures help you see the room color a bit better. I am still working on our fancy new camera.... 

Number 2

We re-did the entire closet space in this room. The walls had never been painted and it was really in-effecient storage in there, just one long shelf and no place for shoes, etc. Derek designed a little system, painted, and then we installed this beautiful storage. It is so exciting because it will hopefully help me get organized especially once it fills with more socks, shoes, and diapers. 

Number 1

Now this has nothing to do with peanut's room per say but a future play mate! My best friend Ashlee had her beautiful baby boy Luke David Thomas on April  16, 2011. He is a precious little man, who will one day be peanut's best little buddy. I have been spending some (not nearly enough) time with him and of course the proud new parents. He is so tiny, so sweet, and a big cuddler. He's definitely a good baby and was born to fantastic, caring, loving parents. I can't begin to express my love for her baby, her, and her supportive husband. It's been amazing watching my best friend of around 15 years go through his birth and now adjusting at home. I have seen her change already... and yes it has been a big eye opener and a blessing for me. I am so grateful for the advice she's giving me, things I am observing, and of course thankful to our Lord who has given us all this healthy baby boy to love on. It makes it so real for me that in not too long I will be holding my son and falling in love with him too.  Congrats Mom and Dad Thomas!

Sorry for the poor photo... I snapped this picture the other day from

my phone when I was trying to "get some practice in" and loving on Baby Luke

Warning: Sad Post Ahead

So I have some sad news to address. (Remember how I said my blog was cathartic? Well, here it is...) On March 31, 2011 my grandma (Peanut's great grandma) passed away. There's no way to put it other than to say my heart is really heavy. I am happy in knowing that she is no longer in both physical and emotional pain, but also very sad to know that she is no longer on this earth. My heart breaks for my dad, his brother, and for my family who lost our matriarch.

I want my son to know that one day he will hear funny, off-the-wall stories about his great grandmother Alice Patricia Burns. She was a very unique, headstrong woman. There was no questioning how she felt about something or her opinions. To put it bluntly sometimes she was off-putting and upset people, but my mom said it so beautifully and gracefully that I admire her so much, "Even though grandma didn't always let us in or say the nicest of things, God forgave her the moment she did anything."  She wasn't always the kind of grandma who took you shopping or asked about every detail of your life, but she was the kind of grandma that had great pride in her beliefs, her heritage, and her family.

What I know now in reminiscing is that she always stayed true to herself. I hope that one day when I tell my son about her I teach him how she never made apologies for standing up for what she believed in or thought. She was a woman of traditions and deep convictions. She went to church every Sunday, even in the care of her nursing home. She taught all of our family to pause and pray together before every meal. We spoke two prayers together, on in English and one in Swedish.

Bless us, Oh Lord,
and these thy gifts which we are about to receive

from thy bounty, through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

(Then in Swedish)

In Jesus' name we go to the table

To eat and drink at thy Word.

She was also fiercely loyal to my grandpa and loved him beyond words. Grandma was married to my grandpa, Robert Leo Burns and loved him since she was 14. He too was a strong man, but more importantly a spiritual man. He always told us how much he loved us and tried to teach us things about his passions like gardening, farming, photography and reading. I will always cherish our family swim parties at their house and fun Christmas traditions. Grandpa died March 11, 2004 but there is no doubt he has been waiting for my grandma in heaven. Above all I am so thankful to God that they raised my dad to be a loving, strong, intelligent Christian man that peanut will love as fiercely as I do.

Although I am sad because this meants peanut won't get to meet another great grandparent, I am rejoicing in knowing that all of my grandparents loved me so much (he still has his ProYiayia to love on him!). And I praise God that Derek's grandparents are still living and have embraced me and loved me like they do. I am grateful they let me call them "grandma" and "grandpa" and that they treat me as one of their own.  I will miss my grandparents but I am forever indebted to have had them all as long as I have because each of them shaped my life. I hope that the greatest Papou ever, the sweetest Grandpa, and the strongest-willed Grandma are all dancing in the Golden Streets together!

5 Things

In my efforts to be an organized mommy we've checked these 5 things (of 1,000) off our list this week:

Number 5
Cleaned out peanut's closet in preparation for closet organizer and etc.

Number 4
Painted the room!!! Yeah! Thanks to dear family friends and painters we got his room painted the beautious Lunar Eclipse color that we blogged about here. Pics to come!

Number 3
Daddy assembled the crib Sunday. He did a great job as always... and it is quite sturdy if you ask me. He makes everything look so easy even though it had some bizarre directions.

Number 2
Researched and starting registration for some birthing classes. GULP. No I am not nervous. I'm not I'm not I'm not!

Number 1
Registered at the hospital!! Say what? I know isn't that crazy... it is suggested to do this about 2 months out from anticipated delivery. But I just wanted to get this done sooner rather than later.

Bump Watch: 25 weeks...

... and huge! This picture was taken last week at the Ducks Game. My best friend Ashlee and her husband Chris (Auntie Ash and Uncle Chris) invited Derek and I to the game - it was fantastic! We had a blast and the whole time kept thinking that that may have been the last outing of the 4 (ok 6) of us were going on because she's due VERY soon. Thanks guys for a fun time!