Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Oh yes, I did.

That's right. My baby's not even born yet and I bribed him to do Mommy a little favor...get me out of parent / teacher conferences next Thursday and Friday.

I would do anything to get out of going to those things. They are evil and uncomfortable - much like most of my clothing right now.

To my credit, Thursday is only two days away from my actual due-date, so I'm not asking anything of little Jeeter that is out of the ordinary. But since most babies are born after their expected birthday, I'm not holding out much hope. What do you think...fake contractions in the middle of the afternoon and then play dumb when it turns out to be a false alarm? Hey, I may only get one chance to use this pregnancy for all it's worth.

I'll let you know what I decide by next Wednesday.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Holy Moley...

...there's a carseat in my Honda.

And, yes, we put Practice Baby in there just to try it out. He may even stay in there until the very day that he gets booted out by Real Baby.

We installed the carseats and bases in the car and truck today, which was (I think) the last thing we had to do to be ready for baby to come. (Well, physically ready...emotionally we're still wide-eyed and a little nervous.)


Whew! This is big, people! It might actually happen soon...

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Thirty-eight Weeks Today!

Today was my last (seriously, the last one) baby shower, which was hosted by my dear friends (and kick-butt running partner) Kelly and Scott. All the gals from work came, and we feasted on crepes, quiche, petit cakes, and blueberry crisp. It was amazing. We played some fun baby games, including one that I'll have to save for Katie's bridal shower...we learned a lot about each other's crazy experiences.

The jury is out on whether or not I'm "dropping". I can't really tell, but I do know that baby looks a lot like a basketball at this point. You decide:







After the shower we took a nice walk up Skyline Drive, just in case the exercise would help baby Jeeter (or whatever you're calling him) make up his mind about being born this weekend. No dice.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Drop it like it's...

...38 weeks! What? You thought I was going to say "hot"?

Baby isn't going anywhere just yet. I had my 38-week appointment today, and my doctor confirmed that I am zero centimeters dialated and my cervix is still closed for baby-birthing business.

I guess I just might get through next week, and maybe even my stellar CSAP review activities, too.

Sigh.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Things that freak out my co-worker...

...number one on the list is when baby does this:

(Fair warning - if you don't like seeing peach-fuzz bellies or alien-like movements, don't play this video.)


It's hard to get a good picture of baby moving, since he is pretty sporatic about it and doesn't really give much warning. But I wanted to use our new camera (thanks, Dust!) to capture at least one little somersault.

It's a pretty amazing feeling, and one that has really highlighted the stages of pregnancy. I remember visiting CA in October, and I could feel the faint sensation of movement. It felt like when your stomach falls going over a roller coaster. Then, I got kicks and jabs that Ben could barely feel. Now, I can feel a whole arm or leg move accross my belly. (He has had a foot up in my right rib, just hanging out, for the better part of the last two months.) Or, I can feel his hiccups about twice a day. Or, he'll stretch out and push his little butt as far as my skin will allow.

I can't wait to watch him do all his baby dances outside...I bet it's way more fun. Two more weeks!

Monday, February 20, 2012

It's so hard...

Raise your hand if you know me. Raise your hand if you know that I am a lifelong procrastinator. (Kim, you can put both your hands down - I know I still owe you for letting me "borrow" material for the Statistics Project circa senior year.)

So you will understand how difficult it has been for me to plan for seven weeks of substitute teacher material. I usualy have a 'general' idea of what I'm going to teach in the next few months, but the details of a lesson usually happen magically between 6:45 and 7:20 in the morning. The day that it's going to be taught, that is. I get my best ideas under the stress of time constraints.

That is unfortunately not an option with maternity "leave". I very much doubt that I am going to want to wake up at 6:00 a.m. just so I can have an "ah hah" teaching moment and forward lesson plans to a sub. So, I currently have this little beauty - complete with weekly plans and individual days' lessons.



What? Ashlee planned ahead? Do you notice the tabbed folders for weekly plans on one side and worksheets / handouts on the other? Daaaang.

I just need two more days to finish it up...so don't make a 2.5-week early appearance, little buddy. Seriously, just two more days. Seriously.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

What are we up to?

It's getting close to go time, so I thought I'd introduce you all to my newest blog. This one is intended just for you, family. In case you're wondering what silly nesting chore I've been working on, or what project I've put Ben on, this is your daily news.

Yesterday was 37 weeks, y'all. My doctor says that if I were to go into labor right this minute, she'd let it happen. Technically, baby is at "full-term" and could very well be fully cooked.

Everything is in order now. As you can see, we have been very busy. All of the wonderful gifts that we've been given are washed, sorted, and put into their rightful spot. (Unlike my own clothes, which are currently in various places around the floor or random drawers - sorry, Dad, I never did learn to 100% pick up all my stuff.) We have been so lucky to get gifts from every friend we've ever had, and the love shown by these people is humbling and overwhelming.

James and Shelby donated a beautiful crib (which recieved a new mattress courtesy of the Neinas family), and Zack gave us a load of toys and blankets. We've also been getting boxes and boxes from Kim and Grayson, who was kind enough to grow out of his clothes in time for his cousin to grow into them. She's also given us toys, gadgets, and even a car-seat. All this love has enabled us to buy some of the things that we normally wouldn't have splurged for: a new bassinet for our (very tiny) room, a nice front-pack Ergo carrier (we're so trendy) and some other stuff that we can't imagine a little tiny body in just yet. It blows our minds.







I just want you to know that I bargain-hunted those brown baskets at Home Depot for $5 each. (They sell for about $15 at Target.) Baby shopping has brought my thrifting / deal skills new purpose.