Thursday, August 30, 2007

Still no baby... sorry

Nope, still no baby. Today is almost my last day of work. Tomorrow's my last day in the office, but no one really comes into our office in the summer on Fridays... people are on vacation, traveling, etc., so I brought some "farewell" bagels in today. They're almost gone already. Pigs. ;)

It's strange how time has STOPPED. I've gotten everything off my plate at work, so I literally sit here staring out the window waiting for something to happen. Same goes for at home at night. I cleaned the house this weekend, but of course, it needs to be cleaned again (great, it's gonna look awesome come baby time), so maybe that could occupy some of my time? Although, when I get home at night I'm more of a vegetable than I was during the day and even more immobile than ever.

Is there some sort of "talk" that I should be giving this baby to let him/her know that he/she can come out and meet us?

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Tick, tick, tick...

That's all I can hear... "tick, tick, tick..." No baby yet... OBVIOUSLY. We had another checkup on Monday and the report: no progress. NONE. Whoopi di dooo! How can that be??? I am seriously in delusional / wishful thinking world because on Sunday I was having very sporadic contractions and new movements and thought for sure, I'd be going into labor any second. WRONG.

So, again, here we sit. Hurry up and wait. I'm feeling okay, but definitely UNCOMFORTABLE and pretty much immobile. Poor Jake. I flop around in bed at night like a fish out of water and he's so patient. Doesn't say a word, but I know what he really wants to do is clobber me with a pillow and say, "Hold still already!!!"

Eight days until our due date... tick, tick, tick.

Two more days in the office... tick, tick, tick.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Teagan Reese


Here's our friends Kelly and Matt's peanut, Teagan. They came for a visit on Saturday and Teagan asked me if she could sit in baby Sherman's bumbo chair and then asked me to take a picture of her so I could show the baby how to use it.

How funny is this picture?? Teagan, you crack me up!

No baby yet, but almost a ceiling...







Well, no baby yet. My efforts yesterday went unnoticed by this little one. I cleaned the house, did laundry, played w/ Hudson 100 different times, went grocery shopping (the cart has never been so full before and I truly think this was some kind of record as far as the bill goes... the clerk asked if we were going into hibernation, and I told her that's exactly what we were doing). There were a few times where the baby said, "Whoa mama, take it easy," but I never once heard, "Alright already! I'm comin' out!" Damn.

While I kept Hudson, baby and myself busy, Jake and Ice Man kept VERY busy in the basement. All day. There was ONE break which was a very important one, I'm told. Bonus tags went on sale at 12:00 p.m., so the guys were upstairs setting up the computer so that as soon as the clock rolled from 11:59 to 12:00, they could click on "purchase" and their day went from okay to THE BEST DAY EVER. It gave me flashbacks of when I was a kid, staying on hold w/ticket master trying over and over to get tickets to see the New Kids on the Block. Oh shut up... I know there are a few of you reading this now who went to one of their concerts, or at least tried.

Next week will be my last week at work... hopefully not a full week. But baby Sherman gets to make that decision, not me. Again, damn. After Friday, I won't be going back into the office. Strange. It would be strange enough if I was just leaving to go on maternity leave for 3 months, but I've recently accepted a new job with the company and won't be returning to that building, or the people I've worked with for some time now, once maternity leave is over. A great move for me career wise, stress wise, and family wise, which is what's most important. But some good times have been had w/the round heads that I work with now, and I'll miss them.

Some pictures for you to enjoy... dad relaxing w/ his boy the night before the ceiling tile party commenced, ceiling tile progress and the oh so important "bonus tag lunch break."

:)

Friday, August 24, 2007

Things NOT to say to a pregnant woman...

For your own safety reasons, if in the future a hugely pregnant woman comes into your life (your wife, friend, family member), please for the love of God, do not say any of the following things to her. If you choose to ignore my warning, than at least where a helmet with a face shield, nut cup, shin guards, chest pad, etc.:

1) "OH MY GOD! You're still here?"
2) "You are looking VERY pregnant, my dear."
3) "You look like you're having triplets."
4) "You look miserable."
5) [Head tilt with pitiful excuse for a sympathetic sad face] "Aww, you're so ready, aren't you?"
6) "You're huge."
7) "No baby yet?"
8) "Get used to being tired, because it only gets worse."
9) "I hope you're ready, because there's no going back now. Your life is over."
10) "Haha.. I can't look at you w/out laughing, you're sooo cute." [Oh shut up.]

Monday, August 20, 2007

Belly Pics... check out the link

Well, we finally got our belly pics taken. Jaimie, our wonderful photographer friend, was kind enough to take these shots as a baby gift to us! What a great gift! I like them because they're so casual and we had so much fun doing them.

To view the pics, enter the link below:

Link: http://www.jmsmoments.com/
Click "login"
Enter passcode: 000580
Enter email: april.j.sherman@wellsfargo.com
Click "view my images"

Hope you like them! Won't be long now... 2 weeks and 3 days until our due date, but who's counting, right? Yesterday, when we were driving past our hospital in Hartford, we saw one of the dads from our birthing class walking into the building! We just about JUMPED out of the car we were so excited for him and his wife! Just strange to be in a class next to women who are all due around the same time as you, and then see that they're actually at the hospital, having their baby!!! It's so surreal.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Nursery Pics






Finally, nursery pics. Went shopping w/Rachel yesterday and picked up some sweet puppy wall hangings. I'm pretty happy w/them, as they're not "cartoonish" or bizarre looking (well, I don't think they are). Thanks to Rachel for taking me to Michael's! The wall over the crib is still bare, but that's because I've designated that spot for the wooden letters that will spell the baby's name. Haven't gotten them yet, as we don't know whether the baby's a boy or a girl. Also, I just need to get the window treatments... don't think I'm just going to leave those blah blinds as they are!

Enjoy!

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Back at It



Well, we managed to get out of dodge and landed at The Abbey Resort on Sunday night. The resort was very nice and Jake and I were able to truly RELAX. We didn't do much of anything... mainly, we slept and just took it easy. Went for a swim in the pool, played some water HORSE and PIG, went out to dinner a couple of times, into Lake Geneva to cruise some of the shops, went to a movie (Bourne Ultimatum... highly recommend it), and slept. :) Definitely needed by both of us. I'm so glad we did it!

Back at home now... and Jake's already managed to cross a few more things off his "list". After drooling over a couple of ads in his hunting mags on our vacation, he managed to find ONE place in our area that sold the "Hot Dot" bow sight. That's all I'm going to say about that. I'll let him type the in the blog about it's wonderful features. To me, it looks like a black circle w/three red dots in the middle. Now, he and his dad are at Menard's, picking up the ceiling tiles. Ceiling will be put in the basement tomorrow.

The crib is finally up and the nursery is complete (we were waiting for two brackets to be shipped to us that weren't included w/the crib when we brought it home... sore subject w/Jake, so avoid that one) except for the wall and window hangings. Now that everything is in, The bare walls and window are staring at me begging for more decor. Hopefully, I'll be able to round something up this weekend.

Somehow, the boppy swing we have for the baby managed to really trip us up on where the batteries were to be placed. We misplaced the directions, so Jake and Tony spent a good amount of time studying the swing and disassembling it. How many masters degrees does it take to put batteries in a baby swing? Apparently two. ;) Thanks guys.

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Progress










Enjoy some before and after paint pics of the basement... after pics are actually appearing above the befores...so scroll to the bottom and work your way up to see before and after... more to come. I believe the ceiling's being put in next week, then the bathroom, then floors. Whooo hoo!!! I'll post some pics of the nursery soon. I'd rather post pics of the final than the "almost final".

Ahhhh... it's Sunday. Normally, I would be happy only in the a.m. that it's Sunday - a day to sleep in a bit (until Hudson stomps on our heads that is), get some cleaning done and then slapped across the face w/the reality that the next day is Monday, which only means facing another week of work. Boo.

Today, not your typical Sunday. Hudson was kind enough to let us sleep until about 7:45 (with some loud sighs and him sitting directly on Jake's chest). Jake and I are into our normal routines (me cleaning up the upstairs, him cleaning up the downstairs). Jake was painting ALL DAY yesterday. The hero primed and painted the ENTIRE basement. Looks WONDERFUL. I tell you, the guy has DETERMINATION written all over him. I'm not sure about the tears part, but he sure put some blood and sweat into yesterday's basement work (seriously, blood too. He sliced his finger a good one on something while he was painting and his over sized Whitewater t-shirt, which I think I stole from one of the guys I lived w/in the purple house, has blood all over it).

To reward him for all his hard work, and mostly to give him a break so HE doesn't break, we're headed out today for an ESCAPE until Wed. Going to The Abbey in Lake Geneva. Hopefully, I can get in for a mani/pedi, and we can rent a boat for a day, but mostly, all I really want to do is RELAX. Hudson will be staying w/ our neighbor, Lori and her dog, Zoe. He'll be fine, especially since he's right next door to our house, but he's been so nervous about this baby coming lately that I think he might think we moved away forever w/out him. Oh well, it's only for a few days.

Packing the hospital bag today... the diaper bag is already packed. Putting the car seat in too. Weird. Measuring the windows for some new curtains and possibly ordering a few more things for the walls and that's it. Bring on the baby... okay, not just yet. Maybe in a couple of weeks bring it on.

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Sleep Walking

Hmmm... apparently, going to bed early doesn't do anything for you when you're 36 weeks pregnant. I woke up this a.m. to the alarm thinking there was something wrong w/ it and that I had surely woken up in the middle of the night. No such luck. In fact, I pushed snooze until 7:00. Nice. Today will be more than a challenge w/ what I have on my plate at work. On a normal, non-pregnant day, it'd be a cake walk. Not today. Everything from creating a to-do list to getting on a conference call takes all the energy and will in the world. So if anyone out there has any extra energy, please send it my way.

Jake, his brother and Pete are at the grid iron today hanging tree stands. Should make for some interesting stories. They took Hudson along to see if they could turn him into a man again... as my belly grows, he turns into a 3 month old puppy again - and a girl for that matter. He's nervous all the time, afraid of anything that moves or makes noise and becomes a lap dog (eh hemmm... he weighs almost 70lbs) every chance he gets.

Basement is almost finished. Jake will be painting this weekend which is HUGE. While he's doing that, I'll probably run out for a few more final touches on the nursery, then maybe come home and take a nap in the rocking chair that's in there. ;)

Tonight, Jake and I have a photo shoot w/ my dear friend Jaimie. She's a freelance photographer (http://www.jmsmoments.com/) and has offered to take pics of my buddah and Jake and I. Should be fun and the pictures will be awesome to have!!!

Signing off... duty calls. More pictures tomorrow. :)

P.S. Happy Birthday Nicole!!!!

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Hormones, or Life in General?

Ahhhh!!!!! I'm soooo annoyed with people today! The day started calm, slow and easy. I even managed (for the first time in months) to get out and run an errand during my work day. But wouldn't you know, all hell breaks loose once I'm back in the office. And really, it's not hell breaking loose, just annoying little things. Someone at my desk every 30 seconds to ask about the cake (still some left over from a surprise baby shower that my coworkers had for me on Monday, bless their hearts), the toys on my desk - yes, I have toys on my desk, and, a sticker on my computer monitor that says, "Cute but psycho, things even out," as well as one that says, "Can't listen, you're dumb," when my last day is, how far along am I, am I ready, blah blah blah. I know, how rude and ungrateful am I? It's definitely time for an April nap, that's for sure. I think I just get wigged out when I'm slammed w/ 32 people on the phone, at my desk and popping up in email at once. That's it. I'm done. My last day at work is today. Kidding.

Jake and I are continuing to move at warp speed, okay Jake more so than me, so I think that's really starting to beat me down. I'm BEYOND ready to get out of here and have a little R&R. I don't care if I just sit in a room and stare at a wall for 3 days. At least I won't have to deal w/being a grown up... I don't think.

My brain capacity no longer exists. I have no thought process, logic, or memory. Now I completely understand why CA law allows expectant mothers to take 4 weeks off PRIOR to delivery. It's DANGEROUS for me to even be in public, let alone driving on the freeways, and working at an investment firm.

Mother of God.

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

A picture of the Buddah


Today we had our last ultrasound. Baby is doing fine... weighing in at 6lbs and 3 ozs already! Heartbeat: 140. Baby is no longer breech, he/she is head down and ready to go. He/she was sucking the thumb, sticking out the tongue, yawning and blinking. Pretty crazy.

Won't be long now...

Here is ONE picture... Nancy, don't sweat me cuz my face isn't in this. It's 8:44 p.m. and I look like death. ;)

Enjoy. And no making fun. This belly is HUGE.

:)

Monday, August 6, 2007

Under Construction

Well, let me first explain that the lapse in postings is due to the fact that almost our entire house is under construction at this point in time. The nursery is pretty much complete, with only a few minor decorating details I'd like to add, if there's time. The basement is nearing the finish line as well thanks to Jake BUSTING HIS ASS in there day after day, night after night. He's completely dedicated to having it done before school starts. I've never seen a more intense look of determination on his face. The only time that look broke was for about 90 minutes on Friday night when we went to The Simpson's Movie... Homer is Jake's hero. So that was a good break for him.

Our new dishwasher is being delivered today (hallelujah) after washing dishes the old school way since November. There's someone coming to help Jake with the drywall mudding and taping over the next few days, then the painting will commence, the ceiling, bathroom, floors and done. He's got it all very strategically planned. He's doing a great job and when he explains something to me that I don't understand, I just smile and nod... I know he's got everything under control, so why ask questions? I sure as hell don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to construction.

Four weeks from today is my due date, and my lovely coworkers have not been subtle in the least in reminding me that my belly continues to grow. It's great to be surrounded by a young guys who've never had kids (please note sarcasm). The baby kicked me hard today which made me say, "Ouch," and one of them froze in his tracks and said, "What? What's happening? Is that bad?" They're all SURE I'm going to deliver right here on the office floor. Pansies.

I have planned one final hiatus for Jake and I before our lives are turned upside down. We're heading to the Abbey Resort in Lake Geneva this Sunday for 3 days of R&R. I know it's hard for Jake to leave the construction zone, but he needs it just as bad as I do. I know good and well that if I just take a few days off to "chill out" at home, we'll both be pulled into our own projects... him in the basement, me in the nursery.

Because there's really not an "office" at our house anymore (until the basement's finished), we're relying on my laptop from work as our connection to the outside world. I don't bring it home every night though, so that's also adding to the lapse in postings... but I'll try to do better in these upcoming days to avoid leaving you all hanging.

Until our next post... :)