Sibling Class

So, hopefully in no more than one week and no less than 48 hours, Olivia's baby sister will be here!  To better prepare Olivia, we took her to a sibling class at French Hospital on Saturday.  She absolutely LOVED the class and jumped right in as soon as we got there!

David sat down on the floor with Olivia and the other kids.  Most of the kids were older - between 7 and 10 - but there was one other that was 2.  All the kids got a baby doll with a diaper and a blanket and they learned how to swaddle a baby and learned how to help Mom out when changing a diaper or entertaining a baby.

Olivia had more fun grabbing as many babies as she could and asking David to change their diapers over and over.  The kids also had a chance to color some pictures and then watched a little video about life when a new baby comes along.

By far the best part of the class was the visit to the birthing area where we were able to meet a baby who was born only 24 hours before.  Olivia jumped right to the front of the line for that and snuggled up right by the teacher so she could get a good look at the precious baby girl.  Then all the kids serenaded the baby with Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star.  So sweet!

I think it was great that Olivia was able to visit the hospital and see what a hospital room would be like. She has been talking non-stop about the class and that sweet little baby.

Today I am 39 weeks pregnant.  If I had more energy after taking a shower to put some makeup on and do my hair, then maybe there'd be a picture or two of me up right now, but alas, that's not the case!  I'm worn out and uncomfortable and overly ready for my mom to be out here to help out with Olivia.  I feel so bad for her because I have very little patience left, especially on a day like today when she refused to nap and was Cranky Crankopotomus.   I think it will be a relief for all of us once Nana gets here!

So, if you are a praying person, pray that this baby stays put until at least Wednesday evening and then after that, she can make her debut.  And pray for a little bit of relief for me {and the loved ones who have to put up with me}!

Happy Monday from the Central Coast!

The Kindness of Friends

You know how yesterday's blog started off with the words I'm beat!?  I'm pretty sure that the rest of my blog posts for the next three {plus, plus, plus} weeks could start off that way.  After a morning of running errands in SLO {Target, Katie's shop, the post office, Michael's and Von's} with Olivia and then spending the afternoon making a batch of breakfast burritos, I literally hit a brick wall this evening around 6:00 and had to lay down and leave the clean-up and dinner preparation to David.

But, I got my second wind when it came time to open a fabulous package that came in the mail today from one of my high school friends {and blog reader}, Natalie!  She is the sweetest thing in the world and has two of the most adorable kids EVER, Hazel and Harrison.  It was so thoughtful of her to send Baby Girl something along with something for Olivia!

Shout out to Aunt Marissa for this AMAZING dress!

Opening the card that Smarty Pants Hazel wrote letters all over.

Umm, yeah, I've already read this to her 3 times!

Can you tell she is IN LOVE with what's inside?

A new Fancy Nancy sticker book!!

So, Natalie MADE a towel, washcloth and burp cloth for the new baby!  I kid you not, Friday night I emailed my mom letting her know that if she wanted to get us something that we "needed" for the baby, she could get a couple new towels because most of the ones we used with Olivia were starting to look shabby.  And then, VOILA, this shows up!  So, Hey Natalie, tonight's email request to my mom was  one million dollars if you want to do anything about that!  ;)  

The gifts are awesome and, again, it was so SO sweet of her to think of us!  

And, speaking of the new baby, I have narrowed down her names to two choices!  {Umm, presented both to David and got no real response, but since I'm the one carrying this baby, I'm pretty sure I'll have my way!}  And, for prosperity's sake, so she knows that not everything she is getting is a hand-me-down from Olivia, here are a couple of newborn outfits I picked up for her not too long ago.  I'm not sure which one she'll be wearing home from the hospital.  {Speaking of...she is due THREE weeks from today!}

In addition to being a little more tired these days, I'm also getting more bouts of heartburn.  Thus, meet my new best friend:

I wish they tasted a little more like candy and a little less like fruity chalk.

Happy Monday from the Central Coast!

Thirty-Six + Three

Today I am 36 weeks and 3 days along.  That means I have TWENTY-FIVE days left until this little babycakes makes her appearance...well, that is, if she arrives on her due date.

There were a few days last week {that I think I blogged about} where I was feeling really uncomfortable, but thankfully that has passed.  I definitely have some moments where I am tired, or my heartburn flares up, or my emotions take over, but for the most part I am hanging in there.

Not my most favorite picture, but it will have to do.

I didn't remember my belly sticking out this far when I was pregnant with Olivia, but I looked through some pictures of my pregnancy with her and it did.  This little baby is still moving around like crazy and since she is getting so big, those movements are like WOW.  But, the doctor says she is head down, so I am thankful for that.

I am still reading my HypnoBirthing book - it has some interesting ideas that I hope I am able to utilize.  It's hard to find the time to "practice" the relaxation techniques, so hopefully I can schedule in some ME time to make it happen.

I talked to Irma yesterday and she reminded me that this may be my last pregnancy and that I should cherish these last few days of being pregnant - and she's right.  Despite the small complaints that I have, I really do feel blessed that I've had another easy pregnancy and I really DO love feeling her move around inside me and I DO love being pregnant.  {But, I'm also excited to meet this sweetheart.}

Happy Thursday from the Central Coast!

Thirty-Five Weeks and Counting

Yeah, thirty-five weeks today and it feels more like forty-two!  I am really feeling it these days.  I have seriously been so blessed to have had two fairly easy pregnancies {knocking on wood now}.  But, this one feels so much different.  I know that it has to do with the fact that I'm chasing around Olivia, picking her up about 30 times a day, and bending over to clean up all the messes in the house.  Whereas before, my biggest concern was making sure David had his 4 square meals a day {and that at least one of them was egg-based}.  Sorry, babe.  I'm at least pretty good about feeding you one meal.  AND, I make sure there is food in the house.


Anyway, I remember with Olivia that I was totally fine with being pregnant, even five days overdue.  But, at this point, the thought of being overdue makes me sweat.  Are you listening, Baby Girl?  Let's be on time.  But, not too early since we still can't agree on a name.*


I know I promised a blog post about the fair, but the only thing I want to do now is lay on the couch and watch television.  Maybe in the next couple of days...

In the meantime, here's one picture from the fair of me, Olivia and my big ol' belly!

Happy Monday from the Central Coast!

*Your dad suggested Isis, Europa and Estrella the other day.  I vetoed those immediately.  You can thank me later. 

Attention Miss Dilettante

Dear Miss Dilettante,

I just read your 100th post, and while I tip my hat off to you for being so prolific, I feel the need to reply to your diatribe with a little rant of my own.

While I haven't complained much about this pregnancy, your update reminded me of some things going on in my body (ha! like I need any more reminder than a simple glance in the mirror). You and I are in the same boat when it comes to our hopes and dreams of being an adorable pregnant woman. When I had just found out I was pregnant, and even before, I would look at the cute round bellies of all the pregnant ladies and couldn't wait for the day to have one of my very own. Now, when I go into the baby stores or see them at the Farmer's Market, I secretly curse them. Why do their legs get to be skinny? Where is their back fat? Why does my belly look more like a beer gut and less like a home for a baby?

But, it doesn't just stop at the belly. Can someone please tell my chin that it is not 14 anymore? (The crows feet by my eyes seem to have gotten that memo!) I thought by second trimester, the hormones would level out some. I know they have to a degree because it was less worse than it was around Halloween time when I should have gone as a connect the dots page, but I'm still waiting for that "glowing skin" that is supposed to happen with pregnancy.

And, while we are at it, I wish MY arse would realize that it is not the home for the baby, although it feels as if there is ample room for quadruplets in there. And, yes, like I told you yesterday, all I want for Christmas is skinny thighs.

I haven't even started on the baby hairs that are growing around my scalp because I'm afraid to curse them as my hair dresser has told me that once I start breast-feeding I will also start to lose my hair.

And, yes, my boobs feel enormous these days too. I was still pretty much wearing a training bra before I got pregnant. The seamstress had to sew in boobs to fill out my wedding dress. I look back at those pictures and wish for the tiny ones to return because what I am carrying around (probably 1/3 of yours Jill) just seems to get in the way.

Since I've already moaned and groaned about the gas and the heartburn stage is a couple weeks away, I'll stop with my complaints.

Because I do LOVE being pregnant. And, I love this baby girl so much already. You hear mothers say they would die for their children and I know it is true already. EVERY decision I make, I think about the effect it will have on her before I make it. I want to do everything humanly possible to give her the best life she can have. So, I will take on whatever this pregnancy dishes out to me tenfold if I have to, and from now on, I'll do it with minimal complaining.

Much love to you and yours Miss Dilettante,
Amanda, her baby and her diary