The Bump Report: Week 36

I may be taking the week off from blogging, but I couldn't miss a Bump Report!  

At 36 weeks, all I can say is that Travis and I are getting more excited every day to meet little miss Abigail...she is still moving around like a maniac and it feels so reassuring to know that she's in there doing so well!  

Sounds like the last thing to fully mature are Abby's lungs, so we'll wait patiently for that to happen.  

In the meantime, we'll continue prepping for her arrival!  Here are a few pics from this evening...

Ohhh and in SUPER exciting news, my Baby Shower is on Saturday - WOOHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and I have BANGS now...in case you couldn't tell...

In Case You Couldn't Tell...

I'm taking a break this week...

I have plenty to update you all on (and many 30 Day Blog Challenge posts to catch up on), but right now we're focusing on setting things up for Abigail and more importantly, we're focusing on relaxing!

That being said, I'll give you a quick update on Abby's nursery...

For Christmas, Abby was gifted a perfectly crafted canopy from Grandma and it truly completes the look of her crib (here's what it looked like without a canopy).  Here it is (you can ignore the golf bag and other random stuff Daddy likes to leave sprawled all over the place)...

Happy Holidays everyone!

The Bump Report: Week 35

This is 7x7xMommy...Christmas Edition!

I'm going to keep this one short and sweet...we're officially over 35 weeks along in this Pregnancy.  

According to The Bump (and the Doctor as of our appointment on Wednesday), Abby's head is currently located directly on my bladder.  I am literally in the bathroom every 15-30 minutes (it probably doesn't help that I drink so much water).  It'll be worth it though, right!  

The best part is that Abby is getting into position to make her journey into the world.

Here are a couple (festive) pictures from the week!

Week 35

Week 35

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 3: a Favorite TV show

I'm glad this doesn't say "a Favorite TV show this week" because there's nothing worth watching on TV these days...well, nothing worth watching other than cheesy holiday specials and goofy Christmas movies which are totally worth watching, but I digress...

a Favorite TV show...hmmm...another tough one...

I would most definitely have to say that a Favorite TV show of mine is Man vs. Food on the Travel Channel...it's so entertaining!  Travis and I tune in most weekends when there's nothing else on in the mornings. We watch Adam travel around and gorge himself with somewhat disgusting looking yet somewhat enticing looking meals. 

Every once in a while, he introduces us to a gem that we'd actually be interested in trying, like the Bacon Donut at Dynamo Donuts in the Mission in San Francisco.  I say that we'd be interested in trying it because we haven't done it yet...it's on our to-do list...and I'd like this to be something we do in the next five weeks while I'm still pregnant (because eating a bacon donut sounds a lot more acceptable when you're pregnant...). 

Anyway, if you haven't checked out the show already, we'd recommend it!  If you're a veggie, however, I might not be so quick to suggest you watch it...in fact, stay away if you're a veggie...you may be completely repulsed and never read my blog again!

Help Support the Diaper Drive at HealthTap!

Friends, Family and Followers:

Nothing says Holiday Spirit quite like giving to those in need...Travis and I just made our donation to this amazing cause and we're hoping to help even just a few Mothers this holiday season.

Join Us, HealthTap, Stanford’s Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital, and non-profit, “Help A Mother Out” to give diapers to families in need and get 2011 off to a healthier start.   

HealthTap’s goal is to collect 10,000 diapers by New Year’s Eve!  Let's help them achieve that goal!

It is for a GREAT cause.  Click {here} to donate easily, quickly, and cost effectively through their Diapers.com registry (less than $10 w/ no shipping).  If you want to learn more, visit the TapMommies blog. 

Help create healthier communities for 2011!

Some Facts:

• 1 in 3 American families struggle to provide diapers for their baby.
• Diapers are not covered under Food Stamps or WIC.
• Babies left in dirty diapers face greater risks for diaper rash, staph & UTIs.
• Diapers are required to attend free or subsidized childcare programs.

Please help me spread the word!

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 4: a Favorite Book

I enjoy writing (hence the reason I started a blog). 

I wish I enjoyed reading half as much as I enjoy writing. 

I will be the VERY first person to admit that I do not read enough (nor does my Husband, but even he does better than me!). 

I still struggle to find books that draw me in, keep me interested, and not make me want to chuck them across the room because I'm reading about yet another weak, insecure, female lead with whom I have nothing in common...I'm just saying...

So...a Favorite Book of mine?  The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach

While I may not read much, I love learning about how to do everything I can to ensure my future will be financially secure (I say "I" because the first time I read this book, I was 23, new to San Francisco, and 1,000% single).  And trust me - this is not some kind of get-rich-quick book or how-to on making massive amounts of money.  

It's a tool. 

A very smart, helpful, structured tool that I utilized the moment I was handed my first paycheck as an independent woman (rather, the first wire transfer I received in my bank account as an employed drone).  

Three years later, I couldn't be happier that my Dad (the CFO in the family - hence the reason I've always had a thing for numbers and saving) gifted me this book and suggested that I read it and put it to use - THANKS DAD!

It's all about the choices we make in our lives...and if you're interested in setting yourself up for success (financially), this is a fabulous book to pick up and read (even for a non-reader like me!).  

Now that I'm married and having a baby, it looks like I need to pick up another one of David Bach's books...Smart Couples Finish Rich...I'll keep you posted on my thoughts.

Happy SAVING!    

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 2: a Favorite Movie

OK...this is going to be a tough one...

Do I go with something that will make me seem cool and intellectual?  Or do I go with something a bit closer to the truth?  Something that will truly illustrate how "cool" I really am...

We'll go with the latter because the whole point of blogging is to express your true self, right?

Right.

So here goes nothing...and here's my confession: I LOVE Musicals

I can't recall what my first exposure to Musicals was, but I can recall that I fell in love with song and dance at a very young age.  I've mentioned it before in previous posts, but I would be an incredibly happy camper if people broke out in song and dance in real life...I feel like that would make the world a happier place!  

With that said, a Favorite Movie of mine is most definitely Bye Bye Birdie...from 1963...with Ann-Margaret (who could do no wrong in my eyes).  I'm pretty sure I've seen it at least 50 times...and don't tell my Mom (who will most definitely read this anyway, so I guess it doesn't matter), but I would fake sickness at school to come home and watch this movie again and again and again.

This story could be applied to other movies as well...La Bamba, Grease, Footloose (which isn't a Musical, but the music and dancing in the movie made me just as happy as traditional musicals), The Sound of Music, West Side Story, and the list goes on...

To this day, I can still belt the lyrics to ANY of these Musicals and feel happier and more relaxed.  

And to be honest, I secretly hope Abby will love musicals as well...then we'll be able to sing and dance together through life (and annoy the crap out of Daddy!)...sounds like fun to me!

Is there anyone else out there who shares my unique obsession with Musicals? 

Stay tuned for Day 3 of the 30 Day Blog Challenge!

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 1: a Favorite Song

First of all, let me just say that I'm so glad this challenge includes an "a" before each topic..."a Favorite Song" - I can do that...if it had said, "Favorite Song/Movie/Book of all time," I would have been much more intimidated and probably wouldn't have begun this Challenge in the first place.

That being said, I know exactly which song to select for this Challenge...it's a song that literally changed my life...

The song?  What a Beautiful Day by Chris Cagle

The story?  This song is the inspiration behind my Husband's proposal (have I mentioned lately how amazing he is?  For more on that, click {HERE})...

In the weeks and months leading up to our Engagement, Travis was trying to figure out how to creatively propose to me...and then it clicked - each morning while getting ready for work, we turned on Pandora (Zac Brown Band mix, of course)...and each morning, What a Beautiful Day came on...and each morning, I (embarrassingly) shed a few tears because I'm a romantic and couldn't help myself from falling in love with the lyrics every time I heard them...

So Travis creatively (and romantically) utilized this song by writing me a note and changing the lyrics to Days that coincided with our relationship (and YES, these are the exact number of days that each of these events occurred on...I checked)...

Travis' Note?

Day 1 – Stumbled through hello at Elephant and Castle (not so much because I was nervous, but just because I’d introduced myself a million times before without you remembering my name!)

Day 2 – Emailed and asked for your phone number, only to be shot down again. (emailed and got it a day later btw).

Day 13 – Grabbed a black and tan (or 3) and shared some quesadillas at Frankie’s Bohemian Café (Little did I know I was in for a life of quesadillas with you!)

Day 42 – Is when I knew I was in LOVE (you accepted my trip request to Portland!)

Day 53 – Accepted an invitation to Bacara (no it didn’t seem premature to me…I’m a planner!)

Day 73 – Celebrated our two month anniversary (this could go on forever btw, since we celebrated every month…so I won’t repeat this sentence).

Day 98 – Picked you up off the ground and carried you to the hospital – did you think I would do anything less?

Day 112 – Caught a flight to ATL – we laughed, loved, cried and crutched our way through the South.

Day 214 – Cried as I walked into 330 Ritch for the best surprise birthday party EVER!

Day 361 – Made our way down to Bacara – FINALLY…308 days later!

Day 378 – Celebrated our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

Day 473 – You read this letter, cried a little bit, loved a whole lot more, looked up at me and I said…

***AND THIS IS WHERE HE GOT DOWN ON ONE KNEE...***

Day 473 – Run home and pack your bags, grab a bathing suit and get ready for a fun weekend!

Actual Lyrics?

Day one, I stumbled through hello on 5th Ave
Day two, we grabbed a bite to eat
And talked all afternoon
Caught a movie on day fourteen
And day sixty-seven she said "I love you" to me

Oh, what a feelin'
What a wonderful emotion
Yeah, what a life
Counting my blessings and knowin'
Ooh, we had our ups and downs
All along the way
She had a chance to leave
But chose to stay
What a beautiful day
What a beautiful day

Day one-sixteen I asked her what she was doin'
For the rest of my life
Day one eighty- nine, oh I almost lost that girl
To my foolish pride
She said "I do"
On day four eighty-two
And gave me a son
On day seven sixty-one

Oh, what a feelin'
What a wonderful emotion
Yeah, what a life
Counting my blessings and knowin'
Ooh, we had our ups and downs
All along the way
She had a chance to leave
But chose to stay
What a beautiful day

Day eighteen thousand two hundred and fifty-three
Well, honey that's fifty years
Yeah, here's to you and me

Oh, what a feelin'
What a wonderful emotion
Yeah, what a life
Counting my blessings and knowin'
Ooh, we had our ups and downs all along the way
She had a chance to leave
But chose to stay
What a beautiful day
What a beautiful day

Day one
I thank God I said hello on 5th Ave

I think you can now understand why this is "a Favorite Song" of mine...and here are a few Engagement Photos to add some color...

Bring it on, 30 Day Blog Challenge!!!

Spotted...the "30 Day Blog Challenge"

Thank goodness for other bloggers!!!  

Most mornings I log onto the Blogger Dashboard to see what my fellow bloggers had to say the previous day (or in this case, over the weekend)...and luckily for me, not only did I discover some fascinating updates from the weekend that was, I discovered INSPIRATION!

The Moments in Between (inspired by Whoa Momma) explained a 30 Day Blog Challenge and invited others to join in...and I am going to do just that. 

Here's the list in the event YOU want to join in as well:

(and if you do, let me know so that I can follow you and your updates!!!)

Day 01 — A favorite song
Day 02 — A favorite movie
Day 03 — A favorite TV show
Day 04 — A favorite book
Day 05 — A favorite quote
Day 06 — A fun fact about me
Day 07 — A favorite photo
Day 08 — Something I crave
Day 09 — Pet peeves
Day 10 — A photo of me taken over ten years ago
Day 11 — A photo of me taken recently
Day 12 — Something I bought recently
Day 13 — Something I want to buy
Day 14 — An old photo
Day 15 — My celebrity crush
Day 16 — A favorite food
Day 17 — A photo of my family
Day 18 — A baby photo
Day 19 — A fun memory
Day 20 — A hobby of mine
Day 21 — A favorite recipe
Day 22 — A favorite joke
Day 23 — A video
Day 24 — A travel story
Day 25 — A favorite photo
Day 26 — A funny (true) story
Day 27 — A child I love
Day 28 — A place I love
Day 29 — A person I love
Day 30 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days

Wish me luck and stay tuned...this is DEFINITELY going to be a challenge!

Pregnancy and Weight Gain - Part 2

As promised, I've completed Part 2 of my article over on TapMommies...

"Pregnancy and Weight Gain"

And don't forget - join the TapMommies community {HERE}!

The Bump Report: Week 34

Yet again, we didn't find time to take pictures last night...luckily, I have a picture from the weekend that's almost like a Bump Report photo (just a much nicer one!)...

Week 34

With 6 weeks to go (more or less), we have zero complaints.  I've still been feeling superb (knock on wood it stays that way), we've been good parents-to-be and have attended a Childbirth Preparation class and a Newborn Parenting class through CPMC (and we have our final class - Breast Feeding - on Sunday morning), and we even picked up our stroller and car seat this past weekend (both still in their boxes taking up space in our kitchen).  

Abby is feeling bigger and just as active as always, this week measuring in as a Honeydew (again).  

Here's a fun fact from The Bump (though I'm not sure "fun" is the best adjective to describe it): "She now urinates about one pint per day."  Lovely...

In more exciting news, she "can recognize and react to simple songs...time to start practicing your lullabies! In fact, baby will recognize frequently sung tunes after birth and probably find them soothing."  

Maybe I should play a little less Rihanna and a few more Lullabies when I'm getting ready in the morning...

Stay tuned for next week's Bump Report!

How Accurate are Due Dates???

My best friend's Wedding is January 22, 2011

This is not just any friend...this is my BEST FRIEND (remember her from my post about being Thankful?)...my best friend since elementary school...the only friend who I can go months without talking to (or seeing), reconnect, and feel as if we had our last conversation 3 minutes prior...that best friend. 

This best friend...

So let's try this again...

January 22, 2011...my best friend is getting married.

January 27, 2011...I am due with my first born. 

That's a 5 day window...

Now let's revisit my original question:  how accurate are due dates???

I've already had to resign as a Bridesmaid...I won't be able to attend her Bachelorette Party...and now I might not even see her get married!?!  

It's not every day your best friend gets married...and it's not every day that you're expecting your first baby...

I've heard so many stories lately: stories of babies arriving super early...stories of babies taking their sweet time and arriving weeks late...stories of babies making their entrance into the world right on time (I wonder if those babies will have Type A personalities...???  But I digress...). 

Bottom line is that at this point, I plan on being there. I plan on making the 7+ hour car ride down to Southern California 5 days before my due date...being an "honorary Bridesmaid"...and witnessing Emily tie the knot.

My Husband thinks I'm insane (which is a topic of discussion regularly, so that's nothing new). 

My Doctor says we can play it by ear (as long as we do research about local hospitals down South).

My Gut tells me it's possible (though 34 weeks Pregnant and 40 weeks Pregnant are two totally different animals). 

And My Best Friend is keeping the faith...

I feel like I should create a poll here...a "Will we make it or not make it?" Poll...

Am I dreaming?  Because you can't blame me for wishful thinking...

In case you missed it the first time, it's my best friend's wedding!

Maternity Shoot with Brooke Bryand Photography

This may be a ridiculously obvious statement, but I'm going to say it anyway...

We LOVE pictures. 

Our lives have been well documented.  Travis and I both came from families who took photos at every family gathering, sporting event, and non-significant milestone (because not every picture can be a Wedding photo...though we have plenty of those as well).  

We have most definitely kept up our family traditions...I'm actually halfway surprised we don't have a photo from our very first date, but I suppose we were both on our best behavior that night and snapping photos may have been considered a little bizarre. 

Some may find our documentary-style take on life a little over the top and that's OK, but we love having visual representation to compliment all of our wonderful memories (and even those memories that aren't so wonderful, like when Travis was snapping photos at the basketball game where I blew out my knee). 

Bottom line is that we're always prepared to supply our friends with photos for their Wedding Slideshows; we're able to create amazingly personalized Photo Calendars for our family at Christmas time; and we'll always have these amazing moments frozen in time...

And now that we're having a baby, we knew this would be yet another amazing opportunity to capture some moments in time.  

Thanks to the Golden Gate Mother's Group, I was turned onto Brooke Bryand Photography...

I honestly cannot say enough about Brooke...she's super fun, uber-professional, shockingly speedy, exceptionally patient, open to ideas, and most of all, she's EXTREMELY talented!!!  We couldn't be more thrilled about our Maternity Photos.  

Luckily for us, we'll get to hang out with her again when baby Abigail enters the world...we cannot wait to see what kind of magic she's going to work then!

Here's a sneak peek of our shoot...

To see more of her amazing work (and more Maternity shots!), check out Brooke's incredibly impressive blog: Brooke Bryand Photography

Be sure to "Like" her on Facebook...

And visit her website for more information (because she does a whole lot more than just Maternity shoots!): Brooke Bryand Photography

Spotted...My Dream Job!!!

I'm seriously contemplating moving to China and becoming a Scientist...sorry, Travis!

Thanks to some of my friends and followers who know of my obsession with Pandas, I have recently been turned onto a new career path...

What do you think? 

{Chinese Scientists Wear Panda Suits To Prepare Baby Pandas For The Wild}

A little frightening, yes...but I think I could pull it off!  

This one is particularly scary...

Pink & Pandas: A Work in Progress

As promised from last week's Sneak Peak of Abby's Nursery, here are a few more photos of her soon-to-be-occupied crib! 

It's still a work in progress (my Mom is currently working on sewing the canopy top to complete the look), but it's coming along.  I'm in LOVE with the company we ordered the bedding from - Carousel Designs - not only are their fabrics amazing and their designs absolutely adorable, but their service was quick and they sell fabric by the yard!  So cool!  I ordered a few yards of the fabric and that's what my Mom is making the canopy out of.   Plus, if we want to make pillow cases or other things in the future, we know where to find the fabric.  Love it.

As you can see, we're not going super literal with the theme (Pink & Pandas), but we'll be incorporating more Pandas as we find them...

Stay tuned for more updates...with 7 weeks to go, there are still many changes coming!!!

The Bump Report: Week 33

We didn't take photos last night (what slackers!), but we did take Bump pictures over the weekend while cutting down my parent's Christmas Tree (because who doesn't like to show off their pregnant bellies in the rain while hunting for Christmas trees?!?).  

Yes, I admit we're a bit crazy...but that's what makes us so "special," right?

Anyway, we're 33 weeks into this whole process and we're getting more and more excited to meet Abby...and I think she's getting more and more excited to meet us (or at least exit the womb) based on the amount she lovingly punches, kicks and rolls around...I know I've said this before, but she is one active baby!

According to The Bump's latest email update, she is now the size of a Honeydew and she may grow up to a full inch this week alone.  Incredible!  I'm not really sure where she's going to fit, so I have a feeling I should be diligent about applying my Mother's Special Blend to assist in the smooth growth of my ever-expanding belly!  

Enjoy some pictures from Week 33...

Also, be sure to stay tuned for tomorrow's post where I'll be unveiling a bit more of Abby's Nursery!  

Week 33

Week 33

Week 33

Nothing says Christmas like a White Elephant Gift Exchange

There's something about White Elephant parties that fill me with so much joy.

From the gift purchasing to the gift giving to the fighting over gifts to the final outcome, the dynamics of a White Elephant exchange are truly like no other.  The dynamics are even more entertaining and amusing if your guests have consumed a fair number of spirited cocktails before and during the exchange.  Gosh, top it off with the integration of an Ugly Sweater Party and you're absolutely golden! 

Pregnant Woman Note: Being that I'm pregnant this year, I have obviously not been involved in the spirited cocktail consumption, but that didn't stop me from having just as much fun as my cocktail sipping counterparts!  I sported my Ugly Sweater with the best of 'em and picked out some pretty stellar gifts (if I do say so myself).

This past weekend during our first exchange of the season (we have two more White Elephants to go...), I felt as if I'd had three glasses of wine and four cups of egg nog (spiked with Brandy, of course). I had not laughed that hard in a LONG time...

Here are a few photos from the other night...

If you aren't familiar with White Elephant parties, it's time to familiarize yourself...click {HERE} for details...

If you are, you probably know just how wild, crazy, and ridiculous they can be...

What's the best White Elephant gift 

you've ever given or received???

Spotted...A Christmas Tree for Grandma & Grandpa's House

There's no such thing (at least in my mind) as too much Christmas Spirit.  After conquering our living room last weekend, this weekend we helped my parents (aka - soon-to-be Grandma & Grandpa) get into the spirit...

We ventured out in the rain and after walking past a whole bunch of duds, we finally found a great tree for their living room.  After almost losing it on the way home (Travis may or may not have forgotten to tie it TO the car...no big deal), we made it back successfully...tree in tact...thank goodness. 

Here are some images of our adventure!

Belle was very excited to join us for the tree gathering

Little Momma (aka - Grandma! or Reindeer...)

Actually a true statement...

We finally found one!

We were working very hard too...

Belle got a little soaked...

On our way back to their house

Sneak Peak: Abby's Nursery

As most of you know by now, Abby's nursery theme is going to be Pink & Pandas...

Well, I received a VERY special shipment yesterday...it's definitely feeling like Christmas these days!

Here's a sneak peak...stay tuned for more...

Pregnancy and Weight Gain - Part 1

For those of you who are curious about how much weight gain is considered healthy during pregnancy (I know I was!), head on over to TapMommies to check out Part 1 of my latest article, 

"Pregnancy and Weight Gain"

Stay tuned for Part 2...

In the meantime, join the TapMommies community {HERE}!

Oh, and have a WONDERFUL weekend!