Back to School

Happy holidays from the Belly and I- 26 weeks big.

Cookie and I are writing this blog with a belly full of Outback Steakhouse, courtesy of a gift card from my  mom. (Thanks Muggy!) JBB and I have been having a great break - Christmas Eve was spent in Tipton, Christmas Day in Seymour, and yesterday was spent being happily snowed in. We went for a walk around the neighborhood, played three games of gin, cleaned out two hall closets, and got a good nap in. At dinner tonight, we talked about how lucky we are to be able to celebrate our Christmas with both sets of parents, all of our siblings, our niece and nephews, and my grandpa. There is truly nothing better. We look forward to this time every year. Now that it is passed, and we are both off work until next Wednesday, we are looking forward to next year. (Not, I should clarify, to going back to work). As we wait to ring in 2013, JBB and I, like thousands of other Americans, have signed up for classes for the "spring semester" - that's right, we're going back to school!! Baby School, that is.

At our first appointment, we were given a list of recommended baby classes that would help us "prepare" for Baby Blythe's arrival. Being the type-A personality that I am, I've been chomping at the bit to sign us up for these classes, but every time I went online to register, we were still too early. Even in my "get it done" state of mind, I realized it wasn't smart to take "Preparing for Childbirth" in December, when my due date isn't until April. I can't remember what I ate for lunch yesterday, so I sure as heck can't be expected to remember the finer points of labor and delivery 3.5 months in advance.

Finally, this week, I was able to register us for our classes. We are now the proud students-to-be of "Preparation for Childbirth," taking place three Monday nights in February. (Confession - can we talk about how I considered not taking this class once I realized it would be the same time as the new season of The Bachelor? I need to talk to the schedulers at this joint). We will also be taking "Breastfeeding Basics" in January, and I still need to sign us up for "Newborn Basics" and "Infant and Child CPR." We are also set to meet with Trish at Monogram Maternity to view the maternity suites and "formalize" my birth plan. Which will look something like this - get Cookie out safely, by whatever means necessary. Period. And someone please bring me unheated up Subway as soon as this baby is out!! (Italian Herb bread, ham and turkey, extra oregano. Thanks.)

Scrolling through the classes online, I had flashbacks to IU when I would finally get my paws on the schedule for the upcoming semester of classes - I'd spend a good three hours planning my schedule, my roommates'  schedules, the pizza delivery guy's schedule, and anyone else I could con into forking over their class requirements to me. I'd even make myself Plan B and Plan C class lists, where I'd plan alternate schedules - one typically revolved around not missing any of my shows, no small task in the pre-DVR days (how I miss you Dawson's Creek, Felicity, and Party of Five), and one typically centered on never having a class before 10:30 am or on Fridays. If I could have majored in class scheduling, I would have. Alas, scheduling for Baby U was not quite as flexible - classes are either Saturday morning (barf!) or Monday nights, from 6:00 - 9:00. You already know my beef with Monday nights, but class until 9:00?? Don't they know that pregnant women in their third trimester (especially first time moms who don't have toddlers to chase around, bathe, feed, and water) are in bed at 9:00 pm? Or maybe that's just me.

Regardless, I'm excited for these classes. I'm sure a lot of it will go out the window in the heat of the moment, and JBB and I will adapt on the fly and do whatever needs to be done, and whatever feels right for Cookie. Still, it feels like a rite of passage, and one in which I'm excited to partake. I'm also hoping to get the inside scoop on clipping those itty-bitty fingernails, how to care for the umbilical cord stump (this seriously has me flummoxed) and how to effectively use one of the those snot-sucker bulbs. I'll try to repress my inner geek and not take too many notes. I'm already anticipating the "discussions" that will arise over where to sit - I'll want to sit front and center in the front row (former teacher's pet), while JBB will want to be in the back, wisecracking with the other dads. Mom and Dad, we apologize in advance for any notes sent home from the teacher over our behavior. We've got our pencils sharpened and our trapper keepers bought - bring on the blue book tests!

Cookie's furniture, painstaking redone by JBB.
Just waiting for the hardware and they'll be done.

On the baby growing front, things are perking right along. Tomorrow we start 26 weeks; I can't believe I'm in my 3rd trimester! My belly button is pretty much gone, and is going to pop soon, I fear. I can't see my feet without leaning over and searching for them. I find I'm moving a little slower and having a little trouble getting the forward momentum needed to get out of bed. But certainly no complaints - I've heard too many war stories to quibble about a popped belly button or needing a push to get into a sitting position. Knock on wood this last trimester is as uneventful as the first two.

Cookie's crib, generously given to us by a friend.
Just need the mattress and bedding!

The nursery is coming along - Cook's furniture is painted, her fabric for the curtains has been purchased! (polka dots! yay!), and JBB is finishing the windows. We hope to have the nursery done by February. My first baby shower is January 16 at work - I can't wait! I'm so excited for these last 14 weeks. If you haven't already, pop over to the poll on the right side of the page and vote if you think Cookie is a boy or a girl. JBB and I think girl, but most of our family thinks boy. As my very wise dad says, "You've got a 50/50 chance." :)

Happy New Year's a few days early! Wish JBB and I luck as we head back to school!

Happy Holidays with a heavy heart....

This blog is written with a heavy heart as I, like everyone else, try to understand the violence that occurred in Connecticut on Friday. It is simply incomprehensible; as an expectant mother, an aunt to four beautiful little kids, the sister, daughter, and daughter-in-law of 4 educators,  and simply a fellow human being, my heart breaks every time I think about what happened, hear about it on the news, or see a picture of one of the people who lost their lives so senselessly. I don't know what the answer is to prevent another tragedy like this; I certainly think stricter gun control is called for, as is more understanding, discussion, and treatment of mental illness. I pray hard that our country never experiences another event like this, and my child never has to be scared to go to school, the movie theater, or the mall. If I could keep her safe inside of me forever, I happily would.

The sweetest face in my world.

As JBB and I talked this weekend and tried to understand what happened, there were a couple of things that stood out to us. Life is short, and sometimes damned unfair. We don't ever, ever want to regret not saying, "I love you," or look back and think, "I wish I'd have spent more time with my family, or told my friends what they mean to me." We were both raised in families who aren't afraid to say "I love you," and to say it often. My brother, sister, and I are 36, 34, and 32 years old, and I don't think a phone call or face to face meeting has ever occurred between any of the three of us that didn't end with an "I love you." My brother's two older kids, who are 5 and 7, demand a hug and a kiss every time we part, and I happily oblige, smothering them with kisses. JBB and I hope to instill that openness and affection in Cookie - tell the people you love you love them. Don't assume they know it, or are sick of hearing it. Even if you're frustrated with them, or ready to hang up the phone, or your mind is somewhere else. Tell them.

We also talked a lot this weekend about not living in fear and always looking over our shoulders waiting for the next tragedy to occur. That is my instinct as a worrier. I want to draw the shades, lock the doors, and live in a safe bubble in my house. But as JBB reminds me, that is not living. And that would not be fair to our children. We'll be smart, not put ourselves in dangerous situations, and we'll exercise caution, and I'll probably hover too much, but we'll live our lives. We'll still go on vacations, take our kids to the movies, and teach our kids about all of the good that happens in this world. We'll show them through our example how great it feels to help others, and we'll hope they'll carry that spirit through into adult hood.



So nice to see the smiling faces of
family and friend's holiday cards in the mailbox each day.

With that mindset, we continued with our plans for what was supposed to be a very festive, holiday-filled weekend. Friday night I hosted our 4th Annual Girls Holiday party, where myself and nine friends ate too much food and listened to holiday music as we wrapped presents for the girls in need who we "adopted" this season. Everyone was a bit subdued, but after being inundated with such sadness all day it felt really, really good to be actively participating in something good - injecting some positive karma back into the universe, no matter how small. These two little girls, age 7 and 9, will have a heck of a good time unwrapping Christmas presents next Tuesday morning as they open new pink and purple polka dot bedspreads, glittery tops, girly DVDs, new art kits, their own Target gift cards, and a whole arsenal of lip gloss, nail polish, and sparkly picture frames. All topped with pink and purple bows picked out especially for them. My friends have hearts as big as Texas, and I love them.

Cookie and I exchanging gifts with Grampy.
How awesome is that bow?

Saturday, JBB and I made the 25 minute drive to Tipton where we exchanged Christmas presents with my grandpa. For those of you who have never met my grandpa, picture the sweetest man in the world. Then double that sweetness. Now you have an idea of what my grampy is like. Exchanging gifts with him was enough to make my heart happy for the rest of the afternoon. How lucky I am to still not only have my grandpa in my life, but to have him only a 25 minute drive away. And I'm so lucky to have a husband with the patience of a saint who loves to make the trip with me. Family is everything to me, and these visits with my grandpa remind me of that. He and my grandma were married for 69 years, and the love between them was fierce and unflappable. JBB and I should be so lucky.

Sunday was spent with Cookie's "Auntie Jen" who was in town from Chicago - we made a smorgasbord of Christmas cookies, ate too much Pizza Express (we just can't make the switch and call it Hot Box Pizza) and just caught up. I was again reminded of how important it is to make the effort to stay in touch with friends. The older you get the harder it is - jobs get busier, husbands, kids, and life starts to take up more and more time, and it's easy to put off that phone call and say you'll reach out next week. I'm going to redouble my efforts to keep in touch with my friends. They're in my life for a reason, and I don't want to lose them.


Jen and I hard at work icing our masterpieces.

Some updates on Cookie: we had a doctor's appointment last week and it went great! We had a second ultrasound, as Cookie didn't cooperate last time and they weren't able to get a clear shot of all four chambers of the heart. This time they were able to see and capture that image, as well as tell us that Cookie weighs 1 pounds and 10 ounces - 75th percentile! It appears our little shug has long legs and a big belly. Just like her mama, minus the long legs part. :) I'm still feeling great - starting to experience heartburn and moving a little slower, but no complaints! I'm in my 24th week, which means I'm starting my 6th month, which just doesn't seem possible.

I'll end my rambling; I hope this blog didn't sound preachy or sanctimonious. That is not my intent. Happy holidays to everyone; whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or nothing at all this season - tell the people you love you love them; call your college roommate you've been meaning to catch up with for the last 6 months; listen to your grandparent's stories of when they were young, regardless of how many times you've heard them; buy the donuts for the car in line behind you at Dunkin' Donuts. While nothing can ever, ever make up for the weekend's events, maybe we could all do something good to help a stranger, a family member or a friend, in memory of the lives lost.

Happy Birthday to JBB!

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS SAPPY AND CORNY. PROCEED WITH CAUTION. 

Happy birthday to JBB, Happy Birthday to JBB, Happy Birthday dear JBB (and Daddy!), Happy Birthday to you!!

Cookie and I can't put into words (especially Cookie - she can't talk yet...) how much we LOVE JBB/Daddy. (Is it too soon for me to start calling JBB "Daddy?" He likes to call me "Mother" when he wants to get my goat. I told him we've got at least 10 years ahead of us before we start doing that...)

Back story: two and a half years ago, I was pretty sure I'd die alone, maybe with cats (which I really don't like). I'd been on literally dozens of bad blind dates, dabbled in speed dating, and considered the nunnery, but I'm not Catholic and I didn't think the habit would look good with my chubby cheeks. Then ol' JBB kicked things up a notch, and suddenly things were looking brighter. He could have proposed to me on our first date and I would have said "yes!" When you know, you know, and I knew.

Fast forward 2.5 years, and we are married and expecting Cookie. I am truly, truly lucky and try to never forget it.

In honor of JBB's big day, Cookie and I have compiled a Top 10 list of things we love about JBB, aka Blythe, aka the Silver Fox, aka Jake, aka Daddy...

JBB hard at work on the window project.

10.) My new nursery windows! Now Cookie will be warm and cozy while she slumbers. In exchange for the windows, she promises to begin sleeping through the night and changing her own diaper by 6 weeks. She'll be washing her own onsies by 12 months.
9.) That JBB has taken over dinner making duties! Never have I been so happy to walk through the door and see a taco bar laid out, or a fresh pot of spaghetti. Post Cookie, I promise to make dinner 5 nights a week; okay, maybe 4...okay, I'm blatantly lying. I couldn't even finish typing it without laughing.
8.) Speaking of laughing - JBB's laugh! While I don't like the shows Happy Endings or Big Bang Theory, I love listening to him belly laugh from two rooms away while watching those shows. No demure chuckle for JBB - when he laughs, he laughs whole hog. Nothing makes me happier than when something I say or do elicits a guffaw from JBB. I imagine Cookie smiles inside when she hears her daddy laugh so happily.
7.) JBB's calmness and "we'll take care of it" attitude. While I whip myself up into a lather worrying about finding a daycare, a pediatrician, too high blood pressure, ultrasounds and a million other things, he never fails to calm me down, assure me that whatever it is, it will get done, and it will be fine. And, so far, it has always gotten done and it has always been fine.


Umm...hello..this is Patches, this is Patches...

6.) The alter egos, Spotty, Patches and Wizzo - I like to pretend they're for Cookie, but let's be honest, we both know that I'm their intended audience. Their voicemails and daily shenanigans can pull me out of a funk faster than anything.

5.) Cookie really loves Sunday mornings when JBB surprises us with freshly made cinnamon rolls in bed. She does a little dance after that sugary goodness hits her system. (She's wondering what Daddy's doing this Sunday morning?? :)
4.) JBB's handiness around the house - I had no idea, before we embarked on home ownership, how handy JBB is! Need to install a new ceiling fan? No problem! Rewire the sockets and change the plate covers? Piece of cake. Swap out the "fart fan" in the bathroom (his name for it, not mine)...well, still working on that one. 2 out of 3 isn't bad.
3.) Cookie loves her daddy's patience - she knows how badly he wants to feel her kick and dance around, but she's just not quite strong enough yet for JBB to feel it. He'll sit for 10 minutes with his hand on my belly, just hoping to feel one flutter. She says give her about another month, and she'll make it worth the wait.


That is a face that is up to no good...

2.) JBB's ornery side. While I might act exasperated and put out when he scares me so badly coming out of the bathroom at the movie theater that I throw my popcorn in the air, or when he wraps me up into a straight jacket in the comforter and sheets because "I looked cold," or when JBB turns my car seat heater on full blast in 100 degree July weather, I actually really love it. It keeps things fun and keeps me laughing. (Cookie requests that you don't start jumping out of dark corners and scaring her until she's potty-trained.)
1.) And the number one thing Cookie and I love about JBB is, well, JBB. Everything about him. Our little family-to-be, the care he's taking in readying the nursery for Cookie, the twinkle in his eye, the way he meets me in the driveway after work to help carry in the 5 bags I always seem to schlep around, how crazy into Colts games he gets, his "pep talk voicemails" during the month of May, how sweet he is when we visit my grandpa, and a million more things!

Happy birthday JBB!