Week 35 started off with a bang! Sat was my shower! I got to go out with Bobpuin in the morning while it was being setup. We went to the mall, I got a new shirt for the shower, and we saw “Crazy Stupid Love”~ it was good…. a “dramedy” but it was longer than I thought and we were late getting back to the house for the shower. I must say, all involved did a wonderful job! My sister Leah… Ferrah, Vee, Mini! My step-mom Kathy! Everyone! My mom flew out from Florida too which was a nice surprise. We are not very close so it was quite a gesture for her to want to be there. She said she had been planning it for months
AND…. best of all…. was the generosity! I cant believe how wonderful people were! I was so worried… and warned by others… that most of what I would get is clothes… the cutest clothes ever… but clothes none-the-less. Well I am on cloud 9 because I got all needs! There wasn’t a thing to take back! Actually, I took back a pack-n-play cause I had 3… but that was my fault… I had bought one 2 months ago . All in all, it was awesome! Food was good! Mini bundt cakes for dessert! Games! Prizes! And everyone decorated quilt squares for a quilt Ferrah and Vee are sewing for baby! Great idea! Below are some pictures!
Also, it was my last week of work! I’m so glad it was because I was really starting to get uncomfortable! It went by fast and with little stress. On Friday, me and the work friends went out to lunch to my favorite burger joint “The Counter”. Near the end of the day, I got a surprise of a lifetime! Bobpuin had put a send off together for me! She got a delicious chocolate/raspberry cake and got the studio together to give me a nice send off! They all clapped for me and wished me well… I love where I work. I told them all thanks for always having really nice things to say to me and that I would be back with baby boy on Halloween to win the costume contest! It was awesome. She even made up a card for me for people to sign and draw. I work with so many talented people
(my last day of work)
Lastly, at my apt Dr. Petite examined me and said I had not yet begun to dilate, even though I had lost quite a bit of mucus including the plug. She pretty much told me baby is full term and I could labor anytime now and all would be safe. She also said at 39 weeks we would be discussing induction or c-section because the baby’s size. They don’t intend to let me go late at all and I think we all hope Pickle is a little early, actually. We will have to wait and see…
~Piece PS. get those guesses in! Yes you can change yours if you want!
I had to wait a few extra days to do this weeks wrap-up because they moved my EDD back to Sept 2nd again. Not really sure why since I’m pretty much measuring full term, but whatever. Only 2% of babies are born on their due dates so it doesn’t really matter, he will come when he comes.
This week was quite eventful. Ill get to the small things quickly, first. We got a few more things crossed off the list. Finally we got a mattress for the crib… which is very important . Also took care of the rug and I’ve been working on the mobile. My shower is awfully close and I happened to see some of what has been purchased off of the registry. So far, I’m impressed! We will be receiving some of our highly needed items. I wont be looking anymore though, accidental or otherwise… Ferrah gave me a hard time about letting it be a surprise and I agree *side note: I don’t know who bought what at all
Also, the photographer, Erin Leppo, who did our maternity shoot put a few teaser photos up! We love them! They are centric to us and include the belly, but doesn’t make it the main focus. I know Vee was interested to see how they came out as she is considering her own session. We will see about the rest but I have no doubt we will love them too.
As our week came to a close and week 34 started, we had our 5 year wedding anniversary on July 22nd! Its been 10 years total and it has been nothing short of wonderful! I love thinking of all the excellent times hubby and I have had together and I really look forward to future ones! As a tradition, we get a specialty made cake every year… usually a 6″ round that would be found as the topper to a wedding cake. Our wedding was on a tight budget so we didn’t splurge for a traditional cake. Instead, we treat ourselves each year! Here are the past 4 year’s cakes:
And this years, of course! I think this one is my FAVORITE so far!
Lastly, and most importantly, my grandfather, Randall S Epps Sr., passed away on July 11, 2011. He was 82 I think. He had a double aneurism about 8 wks ago. They did a lot of surgery, but he never awoke afterwards. A few days before he died, they stopped the breathing machines. He breathed on his own for a few days and then passed. I want to say I’m very grateful for all my friend’s support and condolences. Even the mamas I follow on twitter were very comforting. So, thank you.
I was in San Diego, where I’m from, this past weekend and part of the week. It was overwhelmingly awesome to see so much family I haven’t seen since I was a child. I noticed how much they flocked to me, because of my soon to explode belly. I hope it was a comfort and a joy for them after losing their brother, father, uncle etc. It was a joy and welcomed distraction for me too. The Church service was Monday and the burial was Tuesday morning. The service had so many people… family, friends, members of his church, and community. But Tuesday was the hardest as it was very intimate. Yet I find I’m comforted by my last encounter with my grandpa on Easter. He said a few things to me in a “in case I don’t see you” kinda tone. He told me I was beautiful, and I had a wonderful pregnancy glow. He told me he was proud of me and to take good care of myself and the baby… always remember to eat right and exercise. I happily told him we were expecting a boy and his middle name is going to be Randall… after him and my father. Ill never forget how his face lit up and the chuckle he gave. :’)
I hope no one minds, but I took a few shots that really capture Tuesday morning.
Next weeks wrap up will mostly be about finishing the nursery I think and posting photos. My shower is the 30th so that will be part of week 35 wrap up. In the mean time, there are still plenty of dates left in the baby pool. I think Ill send the winner something I made… like a cute vinyl bib or something. If that’s not useful to you, then maybe some earrings. Ill think of something. Check out the calendar to the right and hover over the dates to see what they say. Leave a comment with the date you want and Ill add you! Its ok to guess the same day as someone else.. its all for fun
Thanks for following all this time… we are almost to the end!
Weeks 32 was a great week! All the cool things far outweighed some of the less comfortable moments.
First I’m so glad we made progress on “the list” this week! We washed all the windows on the outside of the house! They were sooo dirty and nasty! Craigery also repaired the screens that had slits and dog claws in them. Many of the things on our list are to spruce up the house before the baby shower on July 30th. We were also able to frame and hang the artwork for the nursery. Its really coming together and looks adorable! AND we are expecting some fluffy mail… cloth diapers! I found a great deal at this site called Kelly’s Closet which sells all cloth diaper related items! The deal was pretty much buy 3 get 1 free! So we bought 18 and are getting 6 free= 24 cloth diapers! I know it sounds like a lot, but newborns use 8-12 diapers each day so that’s still a load every day.
On Saturday, I had an engagement session to shoot for a girl’s wedding on Nov 12th. I was a little worried about how difficult it was going to be getting around. Craigery was a trooper and came with to hold all my props and bags. The shoot was great, actually! I felt pretty good (during it, anyway) and I think I got some great shots! After, It was lunch and tea time with Vee, Minni, and Ferrah. We had a groupon to this awesome tea lounge near LAX. It was so wonderful and relaxing! We all had delicious teas and desserts and couldn’t resist bringing some home. We did have quite a discussion about Minni and I going to the Death Cab or Cutie concert at 39 weeks pregnant. I didn’t know everyone was feeling so nervous about it, even the tea shop owner! I suppose I’m taking a risk, but I only conceded to probably not going if I’ve given birth already . And lastly, that night was a Harry Potter tribute art show at a small gallery. Many people in animation contribute artwork to the various shows and its well known in the industry, but not to the public really. We get there and the line is comic-con sized! No f-ing joke! I saw a buddy from work and I waited with him for about 1.5 hrs to get in. The artwork was awesome, but we didn’t stay long.
Sunday was our maternity shoot! We were both so excited! We shot down in old town Pasadena area and I think it went good! I cant wait to see the photos! The photographer, Erin Leppo, did what I wanted which was to focus on Craigery and I, and not so much on the belly Pickle is housed in. Of course, there will be plenty that include the belly but I really wanted some good photos of us as a couple. I will post the link as soon as I have it!
This coming week, I’m working on a new episode at work so it should be pretty easy going. I’m gonna focus on doing the mobile during the week, and getting lots of other things done on the weekend! Only 3 weeks left of work and until the baby shower! Gotta get busy! BTW, next apt is Thursday with an ultrasound to check Pickle’s position and last week I finished the curtains so here is a photo of them!
**NEW POLL** I made this poll based on the discussion of the concert! Vote now! Feel free to elaborate on your opinion in the comments
**BABY POOL**! I posted a calendar on the sidebar for a baby pool! Its for fun so leave the date you want to sign up for in the comments and I’ll pencil you in! Ive posted some dates of things around that time in case it sways your choices. If more than 1 person wants the same date that’s fine!
As some of you know, I have a little problem… It’s hard to simplify it to a word or two but here I go… Obsessive compulsive shopping. That’s the best way to describe it. Before you get your panties in a wad let me be clear… It’s never for designer stuff.. except Toki Doki. My problem stems from my current interests. What ever is filling my life is constantly on my mind… and therefore anything that can be bought for that interest is a struggle for me to keep my purse closed. Examples: I already have a stash of football baby socks, football baby shoes, and a onesy of Maggie Simpson. Not too bad. But it could easily become the same problem as fabric has become… impulse buying.
Ferrah was nice enough to send me a link to an article about how to be cost conscious when it comes to baby. You can find the article HERE but below I have given a small review about it!
#1~ Resisting baby clothes. Failed already! Sherry, new mother and writer of the blog, understands how hard it is, and gave in some times herself. But what I didn’t know or realize is that loads of friends and family are gonna want to buy our baby-to-be cute outfits, not to mention hand me downs. Though, I can’t imagine we would get too many of those because all my sister’s kids are quite grown and we haven’t had a baby in the family for some time. We will see. In the meantime, I’ll try to limit it to the special ones.. like Maggie and the football shoes and socks previously mentioned.
#2~ Register for biggies~ Now we won’t be having to worry about this for a while, but it’s smart. Get the needs on that list. People will buy wants. Some friends might even go in on bigger items which would be way more awesome than getting tons of binkies.
#3~ Hand me downs~ As I mentioned, not sure there will be much of that, but I will be visiting the baby second hand stores. Many baby things are so gently used that they are practically new! And that will extend my budget so I can buy more things… for the baby of course
#4~ Conventional, but necessary?~ She suggests really assessing what you will need for the baby. Talk to other moms and find out what you can do without or find an alternative. This will save space in your house… which is what I will need. I have to have space for all my fabric. An example she gave was high chairs. Everyone in my family always had high chairs for the babies so of course I automatically default to high chair. But a great space and cost alternative is a booster seat with a tray! I never thought about it before but I certainly will look into it when the time comes. Also, we have already decided to go for the cloth diaper thing, which I mentioned in a previous post. Don’t worry, there will be disposables for whomever is babysitting!
#5~ Filling the piggy bank~ Now this is the only thing I disagree with. Not that it’s not a good idea to invest in your baby’s future… college is expensive… but every financial book we have read, including “Smart Couples Finish Rich”, says don’t be too eager to put away for your kids. There is time for that later and better to invest the monies in paying down debt and what not. It still benefits the baby for mom and dad to have finances straight. Plus, I can’t imagine there won’t be things the baby will still need.
#6~Return and exchange!~ Of course it’s inevitable that you will get a cute sundress that the baby won’t be able to wear until 6 months old… But that might be December! Don’t feel bad to return or exchange and get a cute warm coat for the baby instead.
#7~Sample what you can~ Not all babies like swings… or doorway jumpers… or countless other things. If possible, try things out on your baby before buying one for yourself… borrow from a friend. This can be difficult though. Anyone who is hanging on to those items might have a baby thats still using it. Still, if you buy, keep the receipt!
#8~ Bassinet?~ I think this will be the hardest thing for me to decide. We will have a nursery with a crib, but when the baby is young, and you’re waking and feeding so often, to have the baby in the room with you could be so convenient. And it seems like it might encourage daddy to wake up and handle it sometimes too. I am not ok with my baby sleeping in my bed, so if he/she is going to be in there, then there must be a bassinet. Feel how you will about babies in bed but I feel that’s for me and my husband. A toddler with a nightmare is a different story, but babies off limits! We do plan to put some sort of comfy futon or pullout couch thing in the nursery. I know family will want to come and help but it will also be easy if one of us wants to crash in there sometimes. We will see…
#9~ Milking mother nature~ It is my goal to breast feed as long as possible. I know and agree it’s not for everyone, and many women who want to end up not being able to… and even I might change my mind (though I doubt it).But you can’t deny it would save money cause you don’t have to buy formula. Also, don’t overdue it with the amount of bottles. Obviously breast feeding will help with that too. Not much more to say about that.
#10~ Coupons for things now~ I have to try really hard not to buy things the baby will need in the future. I have to remember that the store isn’t going anywhere and that item will be there when I need it. I am always a fan of coupons… so that won’t be difficult.
That’s it! It’s all so exciting but so many things to think about. And everyone around me is having babies! My turn will come… soon I think . Until then!
. All in all, it was awesome! Food was good! Mini bundt cakes for dessert! Games! Prizes! And everyone decorated quilt squares for a quilt Ferrah and Vee are sewing for baby! Great idea! Below are some pictures!
(my last day of work)
*side note: I don’t know who bought what at all
