Kris is losing it and I'm on overdrive...

Kris is losing it... 
1.  His memory has always been great...but in these last few weeks he can't remember a thing!  For example....today he had to come home from work to help me with the stupid smoke detector.  He also realized he had forgotten his softball spikes at the house so he was going to grab those.  After he fixed the smoke detector, he sat down and chatted with me for a few minutes telling me he needs to grab his spikes.  After that, he heads back to work.  He is on the main road headed to work when he realizes that he forgot to grab his spikes. So, he turns back around to come home.  Then...he realizes that his spikes were in his bag...in his car.  I've tried to encourage him to write everything down (since that's the ONLY way I'm staying half way organized) but he keeps forgetting! It's so funny! It's hilarious to watch him come downstairs from the nursery to do something....but he forgot why he came downstairs!  HA!  He just has this dazed and confused look on his face more and more these days!  ...and our little girl isn't even here yet!  :)  Hee Hee Hee...
2. His ADHD is running on high.  Did you see that episode of Modern Family where Phil was tasked with helping Lucas complete his school project?  During this episode, he kept getting distracted.  As soon as he focused on something...something else would grab his attention....and the pattern continued.  This is TOTALLY Kris.  Click HERE to watch the episode.  Today, for example, he came home to fix the smoke detector...and got distracted by the fridge.  I didn't realize until after he went back to work, but in the 10 minutes he was at home he managed to take all the food that was old out of the fridge. 

I'm on overdrive....
I've been exhausted for weeks...and all of a sudden I got this burst of energy yesterday.  More than that...I got this intense urge/need to start cleaning the house.  Now...if you know me...you know that I hate cleaning...especially detailed cleaning.  But...yesterday and today I couldn't deny this need to clean!  So...

Yesterday: I cleaned (dusted and disinfected) both living rooms, the dining room, our bedroom, the kitchen, vacuumed our bedroom, organized and filled out a bunch of paperwork, made stuffed peppers, and baked white chocolate chip brownies.

Today: I have vacuumed the entire downstairs, done 9 loads of laundry, organized one of our utility drawers, and completely disassembled and cleaned the fridge.  I believe the next target is going to be the kitchen floor.  :) 

Last birthing class

We had a very productive day yesterday!  We went to the Annapolis Mall and got the nursing bra thing sorted out and the baby's "going home" outfit bought!  YAY!  Then, we went to our last birthing class.  Neither one of us really wanted to go...in fact we even tossed about the idea of going to a movie instead.  :)  BUT...we are glad we went because we learned a few things from the Pediatrician that came to talk with us AND we exchanged emails with a couple that we really liked from our class!

And today...I was a BEAST!  Let's see.....I ordered the curtains for the nursery window, our duvet cover, got some important paperwork done, cleaned the kitchen, cleaned the oven/stove, cleaned both living rooms, cleaned and vacuumed the bedroom, ordered some things we needed off amazon, made white chocolate chip brownies, and the stuffed peppers that have been cooking all day are almost done!  Wooohooo!!!!! 

Now, Kris is on his way home and I can't wait to see his expression when he walks into a CLEAN home.  :) 

35 weeks!!

Baby update: 
~This little one is hyper!  ...I wonder who she gets that from?  She is constantly moving...I can even feel her moving when I'm walking around and doing stuff. 
~I've had a rougher week with a couple nights of really bad back and abdominal pain.  It's getting pretty rough to walk around...I can definitely feel the pressure pushing down and my knees are killing me.
~I finished packing the hospital bag, the snack bag, and Oreo's bag.  :)  Everything is ready to go whenever it's time. 
~I did have a frustrating experience this week trying to get a darn nursing bra.  So....against my better judgement, I went to the Waldorf Motherhood Maternity to get measured for a nursing bra.  I had been told by their website and a sales associate that they will measure me and get me fitted for the right size.  Well...that was not true.  The person helping me was horrible.  All she did was just hand me bras to try on.  She didn't explain how they were supposed to fit, etc... and MOST IMPORTANTLY I did not know that I was supposed to get 1-2 cup sizes larger than I fit into now.  So...thinking I could do a better job picking a good bra size I head to JC Penney's.  The sales associate there was not interested in helping me...she was looking for something she misplaced and then completely left the department.  So, I was totally on my own.  Well, I found 3 that were awesome.  :)  They were so comfortable and fit me perfectly.  So, I bought them.  On my way home, I called my sister because I somehow felt something was wrong with my purchase.  She informed me that I was supposed to get a couple cup sizes larger.   I was ticked off.... later I talked to Alli and she told me the same thing.  Grrrr...... So, I had to return them the next day.  When I went to JCP to return them, the sales associate asked me if I wanted her to fit me for the correct size.  You can imagine my shock when I realized that the associate from the other day was supposed to have helped me.  @#$)(@#$)(*  So...we are going up to Annapolis Monday for our last birthing joke of a class early so I can go to the Motherhood Maternity store in the mall there where they are more helpful. 

Nursery update:  Poor Kris was sick for half the week.  :(  But, he did push through and got good work done in the nursery.  :) 
~We got our curtain rod for the closet curtains, but had to return the window wireless cellular shade because our window wasn't deep enough to accomodate it.  :(  So...we are back to square one in the window. 
~The dresser/changing table came in on Wednesday.  Chad and Kris picked it up on Thursday.  This furniture is beautiful....but strangely constructed.  The drawer rails are only attached by glue and one screw.  And the door on the dresser doesn't have a magnet or anything that latches it closed.  So...Kris had to add more screws to each drawer rail.  Other than that though...it's awesome. 
~He's been working hard on banding, polyurethaning, and sanding the closet shelves which look great. 
~He had to patch the bottom of the nursery door...I'm sure I'm going to say this wrong...but I guess the door is hollow except for the edges.  And, I guess when they cut the door down to fit, he cut out the bottom edge making the bottom hollow?  I dunno...anyway, so he added wood to that so it was more stable.  He also painted the door and is putting it up as I type this. 
~Currently, I only have a couple pictures to share, but probably by tonight, I'll have more.  So, check back and click HERE to see the closet curtains up, the door to the nursery up, and the shelves in the closet! 

Non-baby news: Despite Kris' exhausting schedule and recovering from the stomach flu, he was still able to participate in his first ever race!  He ran a 6K on Sunday morning and jogged the entire way!  He clipped 5 minutes off his expected time and had an amazing time!  The race was for a foundation that helped the Shipmans a lot with Kellan.  Click HERE to learn more about the race and foundation.  Also, click HERE to see pictures from the race!  Kris got to run in his brand new running shoes that he was fit for.  :)  He was looking forward to wearing his brand new running sunglasses (which were from Patty) but it was all rainy.  Here's a picture, though, of him ready to kick some butt!

Here's a 35 week pic:

Birthing Class #3

We had our doctor's appointment yesterday and birthing class #3. 

Our appointment was good...
  ~Weighed in at 172
  ~Good blood pressure
  ~Baby's heart rate was great...we can definitely tell it's slowed down.  :) 
  ~Baby's measuring at about 5 pounds
  ~She couldn't confirm it, but our doctor thinks the baby is in the head down position already.
  ~Our doctor eased my concerns about our long drive to the hospital.  She told us that we will probably end up coming in as soon as the contractions are 5 minutes apart (usually you wait until contractions are 5 minutes apart for 2 full hours before coming in).  She also assured me that if we get to the hospital and I'm not really ready to be admitted, but am close, they will be more accomodating for us (instead of sending us home).  That made me feel a lot better.
  ~At our next appointment (in 2 weeks), we will get our sonogram and have a couple more tests done...and then we are at our weekly appointments.  We are definitely getting closer.

As usual....we had a bit of a wait in the doctor's office and I got a little bored....and this is what happened:

Birthing Class
  ~Ugh....I'll spare you the details about the stupid and ignorant questions that were asked by idiots...and the poor teaching by our instructor.... HOWEVER, we did get to take our tour of the hospital!  That was cool.  The rooms are really nice and everything is laid out nicely.  I definitely think that our birthing experience is going to be great there.  

Also on Sunday, my parents made a surprise visit and got to see the nursery!  :)

34 weeks

Almost there!!!  :) 

Baby update:  We have our doctor's appointment and birthing class #3 tomorrow...so I'll update then.  She seems to be doing just fine, though.  She's moving around tons and tons!  I'm just at that point I remember everyone talking about...the point where you are just uncomfortable all the time.  I know we are in the final stretch, though....
The hospital bag is almost all packed.  :)  Just a couple more things to put in there and it'll be done.  Kris ordered our video camera and it came in the mail this weekend!  It's sooo easy to use.  Click HERE to see it.  :)  And then....the stroller arrived in the mail (Thanks Mom and Dad Chamberlin).  :) So....we'll be putting the carseat into the car this week or next!  :)  YAY! 

Nursery update: We are up to Phase 15...and I anticipate just 1 or 2 more phases til' we're done!  John and Teri came down for the weekend....and lots of stuff got done.  They put up the fan/light, fit the nursery door, put up the crib, attempted to move the dresser in (story is below), and started building the shelves for the closet.  For the nursery to be done: need to install the closet curtains, the window treatments, put the shelves in the closet, paint the door, and decorate the room!  We moved the furniture in on Friday, and after they put up the crib....they discovered that the dresser/changing table was broken.  :(  So...Kris called Babies R Us Saturday morning and they were wonderful.  They immediately ordered us a new one and John and Kris returned the dresser that morning.  :)  Below are a couple pictures, but click HERE for more pictures. 

Oreo's been more and more protective!  He insists on cuddling as close to me as possible.  He just has to be near me!  :)  Here are two pictures of that. :)

Saturday, Teri and I went shopping because I needed to pick the curtains for the nursery and get some last minute items for the hospital bag.  I was exhausted when we got back....and I passed out on the couch.  Apparently, Oreo felt the need to protect me! 

Here is a week 34 picture:

Birthing Class #2 with a hint of HORMONAL ANNOYANCE

Ok....so I'll admit that I may have been a little cranky at our second birthing class last night.  However...here is how I saw our class...
1.  Our instructor, who is a Labor and Delivery nurse, continues to give us her opinion mixed with fact.  This is highly annoying when we are just wanting information so we can formulate our own opinions.
2.  Our instructor belabors (pun intended) every question/topic.  She has way too many stories about every question/topic. 
3.  While she was "teaching" or we were watching the, oh so wonderful, videos (which by the way were STANDARD definition....lame  ;) )...our instructor was fanning herself with the learning tool that has the different stages of the cervic dialating....somehow this really struck me as disturbing. 
4.  Annoying dude with a thick accent kept asking really strange questions and writing in a HUGE spiral notebook.  I don't know why that was bothering me.
5. Then this other dad kept correcting and trying to teach parts of the class...he's going to be a first time dad.  He will later be given the nickname "annoying dude that was playing with the cervix"
6. Then, I wanted to ask our instructor a private question.  So, I waited until the break...another person was in front of me.  I was standing there obviously waiting to ask a question.  Well, the instructor wouldn't stop talking...i mean it.  After she answered the question, she must've talked for at least another 5 minutes about whatever.  Then the dude from #5 came up next to her and picked up the cervix dialating thingy and started playing with it....I just walked away because i was so frustrated and did not ask my question
7. And, while there is good information that we did pick up...our instructor has successfully managed to 1-end class on a downer both times and 2-scare the crap out of me.
    Case and Point #1: Class 1....the last thing she talked about before dismissing us was that we needed to count our baby's kicks....she went on and on about all the things that can go wrong...what it means if your baby isn't moving as regularly as normal...all the BAD stuff... and then she went on to tell us all the signs of pre term labor....what to look for...what to do...EXCEPT-all she did was harp on all the things that can go wrong.  She went on a tirade about how all us women should never be without a water bottle (I was the only one in the class without a water bottle).  Nevermind the fact that I had all my required (and more) water intake for the day before class even started.  Anayway...ALL that week and next I was freaking out thinking I was going into preterm labor. 
   Case and Point #2:  Class 2...she went off on our water breaking.  She made such a big deal about it.  She told us if our water breaks, we have to get to the hospital because we could get an infection.  She described the difference between urine and amniotic fluid...that was great EXCEPT, she wouldn't stop talking about it.  Now I'm freaking out thinking that I need to stick my hand in my pee to see if it's urine or amniotic fluid...and that I should be taking samples of ANY liquid that comes out of my...um...."watering hole".  Seriously...she went ON and ON about how the baby can get sick if you don't know your water broke.  She kept telling us and some women will know that their water breaks and someone won't know at all....so NOW I'm freaking out that I won't know if and when my water breaks.

I reiterate that I MAY have been cranky at class and now...but I was so annoyed....I was not this stressed or freaked out before we started these classes.  I've done A LOT of reading on all this pregnancy stuff...and watching "Birth Day" or "Deliver Me", etc.... and feel like I've got lots of information.  NONE of that stuff freaked me out...but our nurse is making me very anxious. 

A  good thing did happen at class, though.  We found out that I will be delivering on a Hill-Rom Affinity birthing bed which is SUPER sweet.  Click HERE to see more about it!  :) 

On an unrelated note...today Kris is steam cleaning the carpet in the nursery!  Thursday, the closet is getting mounted in the nursery!  And Friday, the furniture gets moved in!!!!  :)

Question to the moms reading this:  can you describe what the braxton-hicks contractions feel like?  And, can you tell me what real contractions feel like?  I thought I was clear...then I got confused...then I was clear...and now I'm confused because I've had (what I thought were) 3 contractions in this hour....

33 Weeks

Just about 7 more weeks to go!

On Easter Sunday, we enjoyed a nice BBQ with my parents and my grandmother's sister, Aunt Oris!  Here are some pics from our wonderful day!  :)

On Monday, Kris left on a work trip.  He spent the whole week in Las Vegas....this was the longest we've been apart since we've been married...I missed him tons and tons.  :(  But, we did get to Skype a couple times and he called me many times.  :) 

This week:

1. The crib mattress was delivered!!!

2. The changing pad was delivered!!!

3.  I ate 2 FULL orders of french toast from IHOP by myself.  And, while I was there...something funny happened!  It was a really hot day, in the 90's I think.  Well....it might as well have been 200 degrees with how my body gets all overheated.  The temperature inside IHOP was (I'm sure) normal and comfortable for all the other diners.  Well...I was hot...I didn't want to say anything so I just started fanning myself.  My waitress and the manager saw that I was doing that and that I was pregnant and they turned down the temperature in the whole restaraunt!  I didn't even ask them to do that!  In fact, I told them that I would be alright as is... Well.....they turned it down so much that other diners started complaining.  The manager's response was "well there are several other diners who were overheating".  Seated at the table next to me was a little boy (maybe 9) who had pneumonia and was freezing...I felt horrible and amused at the same time that the manager preferred to make me comfortable!  How interesting...

4.  I got to spent the whole week with Kellan!  :)  We even went for a walk....and....
5.  I discovered that I do not have any shorts that fit me...so I had to improvise my outfit when I took Kellan for a walk...these are Kris' boxers....

6.  And...I started to have contractions on Friday afternoon!  I felt pretty yucky the whole day, but then in the mid afternoon I started cramping in my abdomen and lower back.  Chad and Alli brought some dinner over for me so I didn't have to worry about that...and then they checked on me very regularly.  I'm not sure I could've gotten through that night if they weren't checking in on me as often as they did.  Alli suggested I call my doctor, so I did...and she told me to start timing my contractions.  If I had 5 in one hour I needed to come in.  She also said that cramping isn't uncommon, starting at week 35....she told me to drink more water and stay off my feet.  Honestly, I don't know how she expected me to drink more water.  I drink well over 72 oz of just water (not including OJ, V8, or coffee) every day.  Anyway...so I did drink more water...and pee MORE water.  But...eventually the contractions slowed down.  They were at 20 minute intervals around 6 pm,by 2 am (Saturday morning) they had slowed down to 1 an hour, and then by 7 am they were not regular.  It was a little bit of a scare, but I'm ok now.  I'm just trying to stay off my feet and continuing to drink lots of water.  I had a few contractions on Saturday, but nothing regular.
7. Kris got home on Saturday morning and I made sure he had a yummy treat to welcome him home!  I made him peanut butter/chocolate candy and made sure I had coffee waiting!

Then....within one hour of Kris getting home from a week long trip and a red-eye flight, he and Chad began working!  They tilled the garden and got it prepared for planting.  Kris also finished the dresser for the closet!  I do NOT know where he finds this energy!  He's amazing.... Click HERE to see Phase 14 of the nursery construction.  :)  And, here's a picture of the completed dresser (he just needs to put the drawer fronts and handles on)! 

8.  Here are just a couple neat pictures I took while I was outside "supervising" Kris' construction work.  :)  It was such a beautiful day!

9.  Here is a week 33 picture:

32 weeks

8 more weeks!!!!  :)  I'm so excited! 

I wanted to share a couple pictures from our doctor's appointment on Monday.  :)  Sorry Kris...  :)

We waited in that room for about 30 minutes before our doctor came in....so you KNOW I got bored and then got silly...and I started goofing around with the doctor's toys! 

I have two new cravings.  1)This AHHHMAZING bread dipping spice blend. I can't stop eating it with french/italian bread. Oh my gosh...yummmmm... All you do is grind the spices and add olive oil. 2) Subway whole wheat sub with banana peppers, spinach, onions, olives, green peppers, and mayonaise.  yummmmm...I can eat a foot long by myself.... 

I had the BEST day on Thursday!  Alli, Kellan and I went to the National Harbor for the afternoon!  The weather was perfect!  We walked around, had some treats, ate some lunch and enjoyed the sun.  This was the most activity I have had in a looooong time.  It felt great to be out in the sun and walking around with the two coolest people!  I had a couple "OMGosh" moments though.  :)  I would walk by a reflective store window or large mirror and glance at the huge person I saw...and then I'd realize it was ME!  hee hee hee!  We started our adventure by getting a cupcake at Cake Love...it was tasty, but a little hard.  After walking around the pier, some shops, and at the Gaylord we ate lunch at the Ketchup restaraunt (the Ashton Kutcher restaraunt)...definitely overrated.  I think Alli waited 30 minutes just to get a glass of water!  The french fries were really good, though.  :)  Then we finished off our visit with a yummy ice cream cone at Ben and Jerry's!  We sat on the pier and enjoyed our treat.  :)  When I got home, I passed out for 2 hours.  I was 100% non functional when I got home...

On Friday, I launched my final website.  I've decided to stop designing sites for a while...at least until I get a handle of what life will be like with a precious little one (and because my carpal tunnel and swelling hands hurt so bad when I'm attached to the computer). It's much simpler than I'm used to...but that's what she wanted!  :)  Check it out: THE GROOM ROOM 

Then on Saturday, Kris got to "play" with the baby!!!  He stayed in bed a little longer than normal, and she started moving around like crazy!  He would press on my belly and she would return with a kick, punch, or movement.  It was awesome!  They had some nice bonding time!  After we got home from some errands, I ordered the crib mattress and changing pad!!!  OMGOSH!!!!!  I can't believe that all these things are getting done! I already drafted our "who to call" list for when we go into labor and the checklist of what to pack/bring to the hospital.  I'm going to schedule a couple appointments with some pediatricians in the next two weeks to find one that will work for us, too....soooo exciting! 

I attempted, for a second time, to make blue and gold cupcakes/cake to support WVU against Duke!  They didn't turn out great...but they are much better than my last attempt!  I'm posting this before the end of the game...so I don't know if my bakery skiiiils will help or not. 

Nursery update: The closet is almost done.  Kris took a half day off on Friday and we got to work together in the garage!  We worked Friday and Saturday.  I helped hold some of the wood and helped put banding on the pieces he cut!  It was fun!  We are up to Phase 13.  Click HERE to see more pictures!  And I need to confess something....when Kris told me he wanted to build this closet organizer thingy, I thought it was a great idea!  It looked complicated but simple all at the same time.  Well....I still think it's a great idea, but I no longer think it's simple!  I had NO idea what was entailed in building a closet.  I had no idea how many steps there were!  Coming up with the measurements, measuring and cutting the pieces of wood (and by the way-it's not as simple as just cutting the wood.  There are numerous steps you have to follow to have a clean cut that is balanced), banding the edges of the wood, sanding, polyurethaning, sanding again, repeating many of the previous steps, constant measuring and leveling, I'm sure I'm still missing many steps...and seriously: did you know how many DIFFERENT tools are necessary for EACH ONE of these steps?!  MY GOSH!  Kris is amazingly patient and knowledgable.  I cannot believe how much work he has put into this closet.  For SURE-there was nothing simple about this project!  And I just can't believe this is his FIRST real carpentry project.  The closet is already flawless looking!  In addition to the hours he is putting into this project, he still works 40+ hours a week, exercises, did the taxes, helps me with house stuff, takes time to read his book, AND takes time everyday to spend quality time with me.  Man-I married well!  :)

This has nothing to do with the baby...but can you vote for some friends of ours?  They are entered in this cool contest for their wedding.  It's easy and free to vote for them.  If you can, click HERE to vote. 

Here is a week 32 picture and a funny picture!