Family Fun

The past two weekends Mark and I have been spending lots of time with our families. We went to Oglebay Golf Resort in Wheeling, WV with the Bruns' for a weekend of, well, mostly golf! Unfortunately the weather wasn't conducive for much sun time but once the rain disappeared the golfers were able to golf and Katie and I were able to take Maddie swimming for the first time. But brrr...the water was cold! We all did play a little put-put and I'm officially the worst golfer in the family!

Then we were in Columbus! Elizabeth & JB made their yearly trip to Ohio so there was lots of laughter, wining, chatting, belly rubs, and golf!

And, my best girlies hosted a baby shower! We got lots of fabulous necessities and Laurie & Dana outdid themselves!

All of the ladies & 1 little gentleman!

Hostesses with the Mostesses

Jack's Friday Night outfit!

Uncle Dave's famous "Sam the Lamb" story

Oh the horror...

I HAVE STRETCH MARKS! Stretch marks! Ugh!
Mark noticed them last night when he was saying goodnight to Jack. I can't see them because they're below my bellybutton, but sure enough, I ran upstairs to grab a hand mirror and much to my dismay, there they were. I was so close to making it through without getting them. *Sigh* Now all I can hope is that they'll go away so I don't have to be one of those Mom's, buying bathing suits at Lands End with little skirts that match.

Becoming Rational

Over the past few weeks I've gotten a few things done and my mind is beginning to settle! Being out of town 3 weekends in a row is enough to stress me out, under normal circumstances, but with the CrAZzIEs, its a tad extreme! Jack's bedroom is basically done! We just have some decor that needs to be hung. We went to a flooring store this weekend and found a remnant that is being bound. And I've picked up a few necessary items on trips to the grocery store. Mark mentioned packing the hospital bag last night, so I think against my will, I'll be doing that this week. And, I've been tackling other "to do's" a little at a time during the evenings while Mark is coaching football (yes, I know, its the spring...)! And Mom has decided to come down this week to help do a few things! She volunteered (long ago) to wash windows so I'll be sure to pull out the bucket for her! I of course am now trying to jog my brain on a few other tasks she can help us with!

Mr. Jack is growing by the day and I think has run out of space to kick!

31.5 weeks

Ridiculousness

I would first like to thank Emily Stanyard for making me lose my mind! It all began in a friendly email and her tid-bit of information for having both her boys early. Tid-bit: pack your hospital bag! WHAT? Pack my hospital bag...but I have 10 weeks to go! (Well, maybe I should go with 7 more since 37 weeks is considered full term.) And, on top of having 7 weeks...I need the bag 3 more times for weekend trips! (Because of course in my irrational thoughts, I can't fathom the thought of packing a suit case or different bag for any of these events.) Needless to say, I AM NOT READY! The nursery isn't ready. We don't have a carseat. Or diapers. I haven't washed the floor in the nursery. (Damn wood floors.) We need to find an area rug. I haven't sterilized bottles, nipples, pacifiers, or breastpump attachments. I haven't done the latest load of baby laundry. I have a load of regular laundry in the dryer right now! I STILL haven't picked up the dry cleaning that was ready a month ago. I haven't called Pediatricians. The glider needs to be assembled. I haven't reorganized Jack's closet. Don't even get me started on what still "needs" to be done in the rest of the house! I could go on and on and on and on! But, I think you catch my drift...I am going cRaZzzy!

Thankfully Mark knows how to calm me down. Well, he did as much as he could do via email since he's at school! He's probably just glad that he has football practice and won't get home until 9 the next 2 weeks. It'll give me lots of time to be a nesting nut-job without him laughing at me! And the other good thing, I know I'm ridiculous!! But I'm still waiting to laugh at myself...

Tick Tock

Holy Cow! I'm in the 3rd trimester and am 30 weeks tomorrow! Time sure does fly when you're having fun! Life in the Bruns household has been fairly busy this past month. Mark is counting down the days until summer "break" and my countdowns on are a weekly basis based on the events of the weekend! Last weekend my wonderful in-laws, Katie & Donna threw me a baby shower! It was great to see most of the Aunts & cousins and we were certainly spoiled!

29.5 week

The Grandma's

Love the butt! And we're ready to stay warm on Friday nights!

The nesting continues on - in spurts though! A few weekends ago I spent hours cleaning and organizing the kitchen cabinets! We now have a specific place for bottles and other kiddie paraphernalia! (I don't really need to have 12 wine glasses in a cupboard! And margarita glasses that have never been used =)!) There are still a few rooms that I MUST give a good cleaning to and Mark is probably singing hymns of praise that I only need his help in the family room to move his massive man couch so I can sweep the bunnies and move the ginormous TV so I can free the bunnies that have gotten stuck on the millions of cords! (A house full of wood floors is going to be the death of me!)

And, I've officially started pampering myself by getting pedicures!

Baby Prep...

The countdown is on until Jack's arrival! We have 100 days to go!

The past couple of weeks Mark and I have gotten a few BIG things checked off the baby prep list! We met with a potential babysitter a week ago who was recommended to us and we love her! Her house was a disaster (thankfully Donna warned me about that), but it was good to see what the house will look like at the end of the day, but she loves what she does and from what Donna's said, the kids love her! (And she's in Anderson!) Check!

And on Saturday we spent the day in our child birth class. There was a lot of information reviewed and of course all I can recollect is how freaked out I now am! (Too bad you can't have a baby without the labor & delivery part!) The breathing techniques are interesting - I'm sure we'll try everything when the time comes, but as for now, I think the deep breathing is for me! The massage & relaxation techniques were great (Mark almost fell asleep) and I need to find a CD with the relaxing music! (Although, I honestly think I prefer some old school Jock Jams when it comes time to push!) We got a tour of the labor/delivery/recovery unit and Mark is ready to coach! Hopefully he leaves his whistle at home (or in the car since camp will have started)! Check!

We still have a few things to get for the nursery. I think Mark's on a mission to find a glider this week and we need to pick out a carpet! I need to take advantage of Mark's spurts of Daddy-Duty energy though! (I did a load of Jack's laundry last week so we have a few things in his drawers! And, I already have a sock that is MIA...) The search for a pediatrician is also on!

Spring (Snow) Showers

Mom & I went to Denver to visit Elizabeth & JB for spring break! And, much to my surprise Aunt E threw me a surprise shower! It was so wonderfully thoughtful of her to a. throw me a shower and b. pay her CO friends to come! But really, I was extremely touched since the Denver girls are her "besties" and I see them once a year! Jack & I certainly got spoiled! And, Miss Rachel even showed me some fabulous new mommy tips on organizing the nursery! Oh, let the nesting continue =)

Aunt E (in outfit #1)

The Colorado Girls

With Mom & Elizabeth