A little of this, a little of that

Here is another post full of random tidbits.

Bed rest: A Typical Day

My husband is currently on his day shift rotation for training, which means the alarm goes off at 4:30 am. I'm not even sure I knew this time existed before, but I've quickly learned it does - the sun is not up, there is no sign of life, the radio is filled with music and not your normal morning talk, and the news isn't even on yet. It is quite a strange time if you ask me, but so be it. Now, before bed rest, when I was still waiting for my alarm to go off around 6:30am, which was always too early for me, I would make sure my husband was up and then go back to sleep. I mean, 4:30am was just way too early to even think about getting up. But yeah, now that my schedule has changed a little and I don't have to worry about getting up, battling through the shower and teethbrushing that usually ends up with me gagging and possibly getting sick, and then sitting in the car for 45 minutes while driving to work, now, when I can actually stay in bed and sleep until about 7:30am or so and then just mosey into the living room in time to log on for work by 8am, well now, now I can't sleep once the alarm goes off at 4:30am. So I lay in bed while he gets ready for work, giggling at my cats picking on one another and talking to my husband as he runs around like a zombie getting ready for work. He'll leave about 5am and I finally get up and plop my butt onto the couch, turn on the morning news (because 5am is finally late enough for the news to start) and turn my computer on. I spend the next few hours browsing on the internet (catching up on blogs, checking out my baby forums, other random searching), watching the news, eating breakfast, cuddling with my kitties, and snoozing in and out on the couch. Around 7-7:30am I start my work at home time, taking my breaks for lunch and to hear updates from my husband as the day goes on, and some more kitty cuddles since they force themselves into my lap and make typing a little difficult. What is funny is I still feel like I get more done here than when I'm sitting at my desk, even with my attention hungry furballs. My husband gets home usually close to 4pm so I'm able to finish up what I'm working on while he showers, checks email, and does whatever he does to wind down from the day. Our evenings are spent together, we figure out dinner, and the only real change here is that we're usually in bed by 9:30pm so we can do it all over again the next day.

Now, let me explain the most difficult part of this - staying off my feet! I mean, even riding in the car to pick something up to eat I notice how quickly my fingers and feet begin to swell, so obviously this whole bed rest thing is doing its thing, and you might think "Wow! I wish I was prescribed rest and relaxation, I would love it!". On one hand, it is nice to know that sitting around with my feet up is truly what's best for me, but on the other hand, its so hard not DO things - like cooking and dishes and laundry and all those things I want to do to keep the house clean. It's hard to sit and watch my husband clean up the kitchen, I feel so GUILTY. Luckily, my husband is a wonderful man and was with me when the doctor told me to get off my feet and rest, so rather than resent me, he makes sure I'm following the "rules" and he does what he can to ensure the house is taken care of. The best part of it all? He keeps asking "Is the baby coming yet?" with this look of excitement in his eyes that tells me this question has nothing to do with him having to take care of the house until she's here but that he's so excited about the birth of his daughter and getting his wife back that he can hardly stand it. These are the moments where I'm looking more forward to seeing him with Pebbles than I am about holding her myself. These are also the moments when I think to myself that once Pebbles IS here, we may have to hire a housekeeper because I have a feeling we are both going to be so excited / thrilled / overwhelmed / tired when she's here that neither of us will be interested in emptying the dishwasher and swiffering the floors. Oh well, only time will tell!

Autumn is almost here

And I am soooo ready for it! The weather has slowly been getting cooler here in the wonderful DFW area - our highs are now in the 80's instead of the triple digits and the low's are in the 50's. We're almost to the point where I can leave the windows open all day (which I love!). What I'm also looking forward to is FALL FOODS - chili and lasagna and chicken and dumplings, hooray! I'm not sure how things will go when Pebbles first gets here, but I hope it settles down enough in a short period of time that I can utilize my maternity leave to do some serious cooking, not only on the weekends but during the week as well. I'm ready to start trying new recipes again, baking cookies, and basically spoiling my husband (and his family). Although, one flaw in THAT plan is if he does end up back on evening shift for the rest of the year, that would mean he's gone from about 2pm to about 10:30pm - so no dinner waiting on the table for him. I guess in that case I might be able to increase my breakfast recipes. I am keeping my hopes up a LITTLE bit that he ends up on days though, since they are having another guy who is promoting next week I think which means his department needs to ensure their schedules work together (since they don't want them over the same shift they came from while they are establishing their new role). So, while I'm not expecting it, I can still hope.

What is even better than all the great weather and fall foods though is that the holidays are right around the corner, and I love the holidays! I need to have my husband get the Halloween decorations out of the attic so they are all ready to put up (and we all know I'll start putting a few items out once he gets them down). I'm not sure what we are going to do with Pebbles for Halloween yet, I'm still leaning more towards a Halloween themed onesies or outfit verses an actual costume, but who knows. I am hoping to either take her on a short walk early evening to show her off on Halloween, of if my husband is working, we'll meet up with him for dinner. I know, BIG dreams since she could be quite the fussy little thing making any of these great plans more of a headache than anything else, but one can hope. And then there is Christmas. I can't wait for Christmas and to take Pebbles to get some cute pictures and everything. I am actually hoping we can get a nice family picture done this year, so here's to hoping Pebbles cooperates and that my double chin goes away. I guess there is always photo shop though!

Pregnancy rambling

A few things I'll miss once Pebbles is here:

1. No kitty litter duty
2. Never feeling cold
3. Not worrying about my weight
4. Having strangers offer help with everything

5. The anticipation and dreaming of having a baby

A few things I won't miss:

1. Bumping my belly on EVERYTHING
2. How hard showering and brushing my teeth can be

3. The swelling
4. The gymnastics involved in putting pants on
5. Not being able to enjoy sushi or adult beverages

A few things I've learned since getting knocked up:

1. I've become a much more conservative driver
2. I don't miss the bar
3. People lose all sense of appropriateness when it comes to pregnant women (I'm amazed at how easily people are willing to touch my stomach and the questions they ask)
4. How judgemental people can be about personal decisions (like how you feed your child and what type of birth you want)

5. 9 months is both a REALLY LONG time and a REALLY SHORT time

A few things I know I'm being naive about but can't help it (I'm being optimistic, please don't burst my bubble!):

1. My husband and I will be able to work happily together to soothe Pebbles and ward off colic
2. Cloth diapering is going to be easy and we'll have no trouble sticking with it (with which we'll be able to avoid blow-outs, leaking, and diaper rash)
3. I'll be able to avoid supplementing with formula and won't struggle too much with pain from feedings
4. I'll be able to cook and clean while on maternity leave
5. Pebbles will use all the clothing we have for her before outgrowing it

I know it is going to be hard and things won't work out even close to how we expect them to, but I have complete faith that my husband and I will do just fine in the end. Right now we are just ready to start this next chapter in our lives, so come on Pebbles, show yourself!

Totally random thoughts

I miss my family. I love that we live close to my in-laws and that we get along so well, but I still miss having my family close. I feel like they are going to miss out on Pebbles and that Pebbles is going to miss out on them.

I'm scared my cats are going to get neglected once Pebbles is here.

I can't wait to take Pebbles to Michigan in October to get fresh cider and donuts, go to a real pumpkin patch, and enjoy a true Fall.

I'm scared of needles. I cry when they show me the needle, before they even touch me with it. I thought I'd outgrow this fear when I grew up - so either I won't outgrow it or I haven't grown up.

I'm addicted to apples. Braeburn, Cameo, Crisp Pink, Fuji. Plain, with caramel, in salad - you name it. I guess there are worse things to be addicted to.

Thats all.