Mental Preparation

In the last few weeks, I've been trying to find quiet moments where I can concentrate on the big task that lies ahead (the labor part of all of this)! I've started to go for long walks along the beach on Saturday and Sunday morning when there aren't many people out. In doing so, I've found the focal point in which I will use (or attempt to use) to get through some of the contractions.

Here is my new happy place (Portland's new love nest too).

No longer must I say...

I am due on August 31st, because now all I simply need to say is I'm due on the 31st (of this month!!!!!!!!!) Wow, it's gone by so quickly. 29 days to go!

Here is a baby bump photo opp from 35 weeks:

And for anyone interested in seeing what's going on behind the scenes:

Can't wait to meet you.

Because we made you, my darlin

With the love in each of our hearts

We were a family, my darlin

Right from the start

-Wilco

My name is Lindsey and I have a problem...

Today I'm using my blog as a confessional...I'm confessing to my obsession with baby clothes. I have been so overwhelmed by the amount of cute baby that's out there. Check out my latest purchase:

Who doesn't love a little man in a tie! I know some may think it's ridiculous to buy too many onsies, outfits, etc. for the first 6 months. But...I'm a first time mama and I've decided it's okay to be over the top when it's your first time : )

So, yes....My name is Lindsey and I have a problem.

Baby Prep

With only 5 1/2 weeks left to go, Dave and I are busy with all the hospital's recommended baby classes (Yes, I signed up for all of them, just ask Dave : )))! We've done everything from watch a real time birth (wow) to diaper our dinosaur! I have to say, our pseudo child was the cutest kid in class....by a long shot!

Sunbathing the babe

Dave, Portland and I spent the afternoon at Coronado's Dog Beach with some friends and their pooches. I can still see my toes, but it's a stretch.

The unlucky baby-moon

For Dave's first Father's Day, I booked a surprise trip to this little town called Julian, California. It was going to be our "baby-moon" a.k.a. our last trip away (alone) for about the next 15 years when we won't have to find a babysitter. I found the perfect pet-friendly cabin located in the middle of the mountains with beautiful scenic views and lots of hiking trails. It sounded like the most perfect vacation. Dave and I were counting down the days.

Well, the day finally arrived. We packed up the car with lots of yummy food, hiking shoes, board games, DVD's, and of course Portland and Lucy. We arrived at the cabin and it was exactly what I had envisioned. Portland was out roaming on the acre of fenced in yard while Dave and I were checking out the weekend pad. Just before dust, we decided to start preparing dinner. While I'm cutting up loads of veggies for our stew, Dave was off trying to figure out the cabin's stereo system. Suddenly the entire cabin shook and we were left with no electricity in our unfamiliar and dark cabin. We were both certain that since we were out in the middle of no where in a cabin that seemed to be a 100 years old, turning on the stereo was just too much for the cabin too handle. We turned the breaker on and then off several times before calling the owners who did not answer. Dave decided to take a quick walk around the perimeter of the property before it got too dark (I don't know why I didn't think of that) only to find the main electrical pole conveniently located on the edge of the cabin's property had come crashing over into our yard. Not only was the pole lying across our yard, but electrical wires were sprawled across the very dry, brown grass. It was evident that we were S.O.L. and likely needed to call someone immediately and get the heck out of there. By this time, it was completely dark and were packing all of our unpacked belongings with flash lights. Earlier in the day we were lucky enough to make 1 successful trip into the town of Julian and were able to purchase 1 famous, carmel-apple pie. Our baby-moon accounted for 1 apple and 3 mosquito bites!

While we were both quite grumpy and had frowns on our face the entire drive home at 10pm, we managed to make the most of our weekend. We enjoyed a hike on a trail we'd never visited and a prime-rib / lobster tail dinner next to the ocean on Saturday.

My Life in the Zoo

A couple weeks back, Dave and I decided to head to USA, BABY: San Diego's stroller store extravaganza! I'd literally spent hours researching different stroller, reading reviews, etc. etc. etc. While most people would think I'm nuts, I wanted a multi-function stroller so we didn't end up 3 or 4 strollers all serving a different purpose. Anywhooo......after test driving each of the strollers, I finally had my mind made up. I'd found the perfect stroller and Dave agreed it was a great pick!

Instead of asking the sales clerk to go to the back and bring us out our new, beautiful stroller, Dave picks up this gi-normous stuff tiger and heads to the cash register. I really, truly, seriously believed he was just pulling my leg. I thought for sure he would walk up to the cash register and start laughing and turn around just to make my blood boil. Oh no, he was serious. Yes, folks....we did not come home with a stroller in our back seat. Instead, a life size, plush tiger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you don't believe me, take a look at the length of this creature:

While I was trying to keep a straight face and tell Dave he had lost is damn mind, I was laughing hysterically (note to Dave...not funny enough to get a 2nd creature)! The only thing occupying the stroller space at this time is this giant tiger, I'm happy to report I have picked my stroller and we will be going to purchase it in the next couple weeks. Not only is it ADORABLE, it is super functional for both everyday use as well as hiking and light jogging. I love it. Oh, and they are manufactured in San Diego....Doesn't get any better than that!

Note to Dave: Seriously!!!! No more!!!

Single Digits

I'm happy to announce we have hit the single digits in our official countdown! 33 weeks and counting. I'm starting to feel extremely excited about this little man's arrival; I can't believe it's only 7 weeks away. For those of you that think my belly may still be small.....look again : )

Dave (new dad) Quote of the Day

"I really can't wait until our little guy is both an input and output device"

My Eco Friendly Family

When Dave asked if we could use to cloth diapers a few months back, I envisioned our little babe running around pant-less with a white cloth and giant blue pins around his bum. I thought it would be a huge mess (literally :))

After months of research, I've not only found semi-easy and convenient eco-friendly diapers, but they are super cute on top of it all!

Check them out...

Basically we will use cloth inserts when we are home and have extra spare time, while using the 100% biodegradable, flushable inserts when we are on the go. It sounds pretty easy to me.....While most moms think I'm nuts and aren't too confident this will last, Dave and I are going to give it our best shot. Especially after reading that...

Americans put 50 million diapers into landfills everyday....that's 20 billion diapers a year!

p.s. The diapers we choose are called gdiapers. Pass the link onto anyone you know who may be interested. Believe me, I've done my homework! www.gdiapers.com

p.s.s Check back in about 5 months to see our progress.....

Pre-Nesting Stage

After all our travel and adventure, we are finally ready to stay home and getting ready for this little guys arrival. I've been waiting for the day we could start organizing and assembling all our wonderful baby goodies (a tribute to my wonderful baby showers soon to come...holy cats, look at all these gifts)!

Here is the current state of our spare bedroom...

And the current state of our bedroom.....

Stay tuned for a house ready for our little man's arrival.....It may take us a few weeks ; )

Josee Brooklynn Downing - The Little Angel (a.k.a. My New Niece)

Josee Brooklynn Downing made her big entrance on Friday, June 11th at 2:19pm. She couldn't wait to meet her mommy and daddy so she decided to come a little early. All 4 lbs and 17 1/4 inches of her are pure angel! Both Josee and mommy are doing amazing!!!!

Long story short, I was scheduled to arrive on Thursday night (June 10th) into the Milwaukee airport. Due to my luck with airlines, I got rerouted on Friday to the Madison airport which is about 15 minutes from the University of Madison Hospital. I made Josee's delivery by 30 minutes (literally)! I guess Auntie Lindsey was meant to be there : ) At least that's the story I will share with Josee!

Our baby bug in 4D

Here is a sneak peak at what our little baby bug's profile may end up looking up in just a couple months when he makes his big appearance. 4D technology is pretty amazing......

A Quick Look Back...

Our first ultrasound at 9 1/2 weeks

(the day both Dave and I had to pick our jaws up off the ground)

The bump's first appearance (about 4 months prego)

Our little man at 4 1/2 months

(Just Chillin'...what do you think, a surfer?)

The Bump at 5 months...

Where it all begins...

So here goes, I've decided to start my very own blog! I realize my life isn't THAT exciting, but with our recent (well not so recent anymore) baby news, I feel like I could shout my news to the world ! As if I'm the only woman on the face of the earth pregnant, I know! Good way, none the less, for all my friends and family 100's of miles away to watch the progress.
I'm starting my first blog post with the story of Dave and I finding out our big news. The way we found out could literally be made into a cheesy, Lifetime movie! Just wait...
So it all started on Monday, February 1st, 2010. Dave and I were on our way to visit my OB-GYN for a matter related to something other than babies.....Without going into all the gushy details, I had been having some cervical issues and was going to have some routine tests......etc. etc. etc. Let me preface this by saying, I hadn't had my 'girly' cycle in nearly 3 months! However (I'm no idiot) and had taken 3......yes, 3 pregnancy tests... all of which told me "nope, no, Lindsey, you are NOT pregnant.
So back to the story, we fill out the paper and we wait in the crowded waiting room full of glowing and beautiful pregnant woman. I swear, everyone in that waiting room was excited to be there; everyone except for me. As the nurse calls my name and I make my way back to room, I am already tearing up (Dave is in the waiting room at this point). As part of a routine visit, I give my urine sample and put the lovely gown on. By this time, the tears are running down my cheeks and the nurse is rubbing my arm telling me the doctor would be in the room in a just a few short minutes. Tears turn into sobs by the time the doc enters the room.....only to my surprise she is wearing a big, gleaming smile on her face. Before I started crying even harder, she told me to wipe the tears from my eyes because everything was going to be okay. "Okay? I thought....your not the one that has to...." well again, I won't bore you with details : ) Her exact words were, "no biopsies today.....we need to do an ultrasound of your new baby instead. Lindsey, you are pregnant!" The first words out of my mouth were "are you sure? I mean I've taken 3 pregnancy tests!" No, she was pretty sure and she would be even more sure when we did the ultrasound just minutes later. The only thing she was unsure of, was just exactly how far along I really was!
In the meantime, Dave is still out in the waiting room......I burst into the room (white as ghost, I'm sure) and still crying. I told him, " you better come back here"....walking into the ultrasound room now "because were having a baby!!!" I'm honestly not sure at this point what his face looked like or even the first words out of his mouth because I literally felt like I was in my own dream. Sure enough, we saw our little baby boy and his heartbeat for the first time just moments later. And I was indeed not just a little bit pregnant, but 9 1/2 weeks or 2 months pregnant! The doctor told us to go home and let this news sink in (as we were both so shocked I'm pretty sure we were speechless saying....OMG, OMG).
Looking back now, the Universe was definitely giving us all the signs along the way. No, Dave and I didn't listen to the signs! I had literally told him just days prior that I couldn't believe how tired I felt. Or the fact that it was just so strange how I had to get up to use the bathroom every night at 2am! No, Dave's response was, "doesn't it sink getting old!"
I'm not sure when the news really did sink in, but it has been the most exciting and happy news of my life. Now...at nearly 28 weeks, I still wake up in the morning and remind myself that this is no dream!