Entertainment

I don't think I have specifically mentioned how Google Reader has changed my life, but seriously--it is the greatest thing EVER! When before I linked from blog to blog to blog and then later would do the whole process over again to see if anyone had updated, now I sit back and let Google Reader do the work for me.

The result?

Google Reader checks on 204 blogs for me. Yes, that is right over 200. Each one is categorized and I am rarely without a blog to read.

However, this has resulted in me not linking to a few blogs on my own blog and as such all of you have no idea of some of the goodness that is out there.

So for your enjoyment: a few of my favorite blogs. (Warning: I don't know any of these people personally.)

DesignMom. I was almost slaughtered yesterday when friends realized I had been keeping this gem to myself. She does have fantastic giveaways sometimes, but she also has fantastic ideas. I don't know her personally, but she lives in NY and has 5 kids (and she's LDS).

Oh Happy Day. The sister to DesignMom. She finds the greatest things and lives my dream life in San Fransisco. Well, at least she buys my dream clothes and furniture.

Adventures with Lindsay. She's a young, hilarious mom and avid reader living in NY. Love it.

Bone Junior. She's single. She's sassy. Her stories are so funny they seem a little unbelievable, but then she has pictures to prove it.

Cicada Song. Just married. Designs purses (coolest. job. ever).

Hollywood Flakes. I bet you can guess where she lives. Read her archives though--you will NOT be disappointed.

Voice of Reason. Never met her, but we could be friends I think. Based purely on her movie taste and sarcasm.

You can take this post as proof that I am not yet in any kind of labor.

I'm a Winner!

I have been entering the giveaways over at Design Mom for what seems like forever and I finally won.

It just happens to be the PERFECT thing too!

This book:

Head on over to check out her awesome giveaways yourself!

No Progress

This post is about the pregnancy and how I am not one of *those* people who have their babies early. If you don’t care to hear about such things, move along.

I went to the doctor yesterday.

It was the one I don’t really like (since they force you to see everyone in the office, even after you have clearly found one you like the most).

The baby is great, he is growing (no estimate on size), and I feel really good for a 39 week pregnant lady. Warning—more information than you may care to know: I am 50% effaced but not dilated at all. I have been this way since they started checking two weeks ago. Oh, and I also have not dropped yet.

The doctor then told me that he would see me next week and that it may be a good idea to start talking to my uterus about having contractions (Really? Don’t you know I want this child in here forever?)

I proceeded to ask if he was sure that I wasn’t one of *those* ladies who have contractions, but don’t know about them. He smiled and then answered, “No.” (So much for my dreams of a pain-free, drug-free, 20 minute labor and delivery).

So, if I call you this week—be prepared that as soon as you say “Hello” I will immediately respond with “No baby yet” and then we can proceed to solve the world’s problems via telephone.

Flu Shot?

I have never, in my entire life, had a flu shot.

It’s not really that I am against them, but more that the inconvenience of getting one was never outweighed by the flu that I did catch.

For the last month or so, my doctor’s office has really been pushing them on me—using phrases like, “We REALLY recommend them for pregnant women” or “ Are you SURE you don’t want one?” or “You will die a horrible death without one.”

So at my last appointment, I gave up.

When the nurse asked me for the third time if I was interested in getting a flu shot, I said yes.

She proceeded to giggle, blush, and skip out of the room in excitement to get me a permission form and then stood over my shoulder as I wrote out the check (because they REQUIRE pre-payment of course).

I filled out the form, but left one question blank, since I was unsure of the answer.

It asked if I was allergic to thimerosal (a preservative found in contact solution).

I have had much frustration with the wearing of contact lenses. My eyesight is really not that bad, but the truth of the matter is, I just don’t wear glasses like I should, so contacts seemed to be the obvious choice.

A year and a half ago, after all of the tests, etc, I was fitted for my “special” astigmatism contact lenses. I happily wore them for 3 weeks and then my eyes turned blood shot red.

I went to the doctor and tried a new solution. Same problem, this time within a week.

Again, to the doctor. AGAIN, another solution. Same problem. Same day!

So, I gave up. We were moving, I was busy and didn’t want to take the time or money to fix what was going on. (Remember, my eyesight isn’t THAT bad.)

Fast forward to three weeks ago. I went to a new doctor here in Laramie, told him about my frustrations and was prescribed a new contact lens and new solution. For the first time, my eyes actually felt normal as I was wearing the contacts. I was happy and the doctor was happy.

The only thing I was told was that I was allergic to *A* preservative in regular contact solutions. Not the specific preservative.

See my problem?

The flu shot form did not say what would happen if I was allergic to thimerosal. For all I knew, my arm could have fallen off.

The nurse returned and I asked her about thimerosal. She looked at me as if I was speaking a foreign language and then proceeded to tell me to call my eye doctor. As luck would have it, the doctor was out as was the contact lens consultant, so I forced the poor receptionist to go get a bottle of my solution and read me the ingredients.

My solution had no thimerosal, so I concluded that I was, in fact, allergic to that specific preservative.

The result?

I can’t have flu shots! Ever. (Well, at least not until they develop one that is thimerosal free).

How’s that for making your day?

ETA: Since my cousin was so kind to point out that there are such things as preservative free shots (see the comments), I suppose I can't use this excuse for the rest of my life as previously planned. [Insert rant about how MY doctor's office is completely clueless as to the availability of such a shot.]

Thanksgiving and such

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend with maybe a bit too much relaxation (based on the internal struggle I had getting up this morning).

We stayed here in Laramie since I can't travel and spent the day at my parent's house. It was wonderful to eat good food, have good laughs and watch good movies. Ronnie even took the ENTIRE day off of school.

Now it is back to the real world--sadly.



P.S. Yes, I'm still pregnant.

No News

I suppose I'm to the point in the pregnancy where people are starting to want more regular updates, so I apologize for my lack of posts this week.

I'm still pregnant.

In fact, I went to the doctor yesterday and haven't made any progress at all in the last two weeks, so it is pretty doubtful this little one will arrive early.

I haven't gotten around to taking a 38 week photo yet, so in lieu of looking at my gigantic belly I thought I would show you a few of the new things in the baby's room.

Here is the finished project! Crib sheet and everything. Ronnie laughed when I arranged it all, since the little guy will be sleeping in a bassinet for the first several weeks/months and this won't even matter.

Another shot of the crib. You can kind of see one of my presents received at a recent baby shower from my two sisters.

This darling light switch cover! It is perfect for the room. As I look at this picture, I'm realizing that the crib will definitely have to be moved once the baby figures out what that switch will do.
And here is what the shelf now looks like. I received that darling frame and poem at my shower as well, and it goes perfectly!


Lastly, this is what I woke up to this morning. I suppose the 60 degree days in November couldn't last forever! I'm just grateful that we aren't trying to travel this weekend.

Flintstones, Meet the Flintstones

So, as promised--here they are in all of their glory.

A feet picture last night, after sitting with them up for about an hour.

And here they are, in the middle of the day--in all of their swollen-ness. They really don't hurt, but I will admit that it is a little weird to physically not be able to bend back your toes. Those lines you see? Those come from the shoes that are the closest to fitting at the moment.

These bad boys. Mary Jane Crocs. I really love them! I swore when crocs first hit the scene that I would never be caught wearing them--but my pregnant self has succumbed. They are heaven.

And speaking of extremities, those who know me well will be shocked to know that this is really what my nails look like at this very minute.

Yes, it seems to be true.

I have broken my 20 year habit of biting my nails.

What did the trick you ask? Prenatal vitamins to make them more than the paper-thin they were before and the threat of up-close pictures of my hands during my maternity shoot with my friend Bethany.

It's been 21 days, so that means I'm free and clear--right?

It's Official

Scenario: Sitting with several other law school wives watching our husbands play intramural basketball.

Friend 1: "How are you feeling?"
Me: "Really good, except I can only fit in two pairs of shoes now." (as I hold up my feet)
Friend 1: (Obviously horrified by the sheer size of my feet) "Do they hurt?"
Friend 2: "Is that what c'ankles look like?"

I am immensely proud that I could be an intricate part of Friend 2 seeing her first c'ankles.

(It's a good thing that I love these girls and have not been affected by raging pregnancy hormones, or there could have been some serious smack-down.)

Feet pics to come tomorrow--so don't come back if Fred Flintstone feet make you queasy.

Crafty, Crafty, Crafty

Well, this is another post where I will toot my own horn--but at least I have warned you!

This weekend was one full of completing little projects (which means they are crossed off of my "to-do before the baby comes" list).

I was able to paint and distress this little shelf for cowboy-ish items for the baby's room. It hangs above the crib (high enough so little hands will not pull it down someday!)

Next, I went to the sewing machine and completed the binding for the quilt kit that I bought online. I love it!

And finally, once I had worked out the binding tricks on the other quilt, I was able to complete the quilt for the crib set! I am FINALLY done with that project. Unless I find some extra time to make a pillow or two with left over fabric. (Only if everything else on the previously mentioned "to-do before the baby comes" list is completed).

Oh, and in answer to what a machine-quilting lady is: There are many ways to attach the layers of a quilt. You can tie it, quilt it by hand or machine quilt it. I have the means to machine quilt with my beloved Bernina, but was unwilling to take on that project with my time constraints, etc. So, I called the local quilt shop and was put in touch with a lady who does the machine quilting out of her house. She did great work, quickly and was not expensive at all! I highly recommend this route if you are not up to doing it yourself!

A List of Laramie

I’ve decided to compile a list of a few of the quirky things that I love about Laramie. Things that contribute to its homey and laid-back feel.

1. There are still stop lights on the sides of the streets that are not overhead. I don’t know if most of the world has seen them, but they look like the picture on the right. Visitors to Laramie are usually guilty of either running them or coming very close to doing so.

2. Speaking of stoplights, all of the cities stoplights (overhead or not) get turned “off” after midnight. One direction has a flashing red light and the other, a flashing yellow light. I love driving deserted, dark streets, but don’t love that I have to stay up so late to do so. (man, that sentence is proof I am getting old—midnight used to be NOTHING).

3. Everyone says excuse me in the grocery store. And I mean everyone. Instead of fighting crowds of stressed out people who are rude and inconsiderate (like I did in U***), I have a pleasant experience at Wal-mart each time I shop.

4. University students run to open the door for me. I mean that literally. Especially now that I am quite large. I love and appreciate the special treatment.

5. I have my family close, but not too close. I’ve enjoyed being in a different ward and carving out our own place in Laramie, separate from the one I had so long ago. But, I have to admit that driving three minutes to my mom’s has some great advantages as well, especially when Ronnie has gone to the library for the evening.

6. Fashion is just not as important. Don’t get me wrong—I like looking cute, but in Provo it seemed like church was a bit of a competition of the cutest clothes and many weeks I was the obvious loser. Here, church is church. You dress nicely, but if you don’t have the latest style no one will ever notice. (sidenote: Laramie has never been on the cutting edge in the fashion department. I still vividly remember the day in Jr. High when one of the more “fashionable” girls wore a pair of capris for the first time. I looked at them and vowed to never wear a pair—EVER. Ahh, the mistakes we make!)

7. People know how to drive in the snow. I’ll be the first to admit that the first snow storm is always a little scary, since the out of state students are adjusting, but problems with stupid drivers are minimal for every storm afterward.

8. I don’t ever have to parallel park. Anyone who knows me well knows that not only do I despise parallel parking; I really CAN NOT do it. Luckily Laramie has less traffic and relatively ample parking on all streets, so this is never an issue.

There you have it—just a few of the things I love about Laramie. I could go into a few things I don’t love so much, but let’s keep it positive—shall we?

P.S. The machine quilting lady just called and told me my quilts are done. Whooo Hooo! Look for a completed quilt post soon!

36 weeks

And here is the 36 week picture. You are not lucky enough to see my face because believe me, you didn't want to see it. (I believe Ronnie had just said something and I was in the middle of a reply). I have also posted the 30 week and 27 week pictures below, just so you can have solid comparisons.

I'm still feeling really good, except for darn Mother Nature teaching me what no sleep is like. It really isn't too bad though and other than that, I could forget I am pregnant the majority of the time.

I have learned that pregnancies must seem as long to the people I work with as they do to the pregnant mother. I am asked several times a day when I am due--always followed by a "you look like you are ready to pop!" (note to others: this is never, ever, ever an acceptable comment. The pregnant woman knows exactly how she looks and does not appreciate getting confirmation of that fact.)

36 weeks

30 weeks

27 weeks

A Little Update and Lights

Just a month to go until this little one’s expected arrival—which seems crazy! I promise to post some 36 week photos this week since in Ronnie’s words “You are starting to look big!”

We had a great weekend with more free time than we should have. I’m sure Ronnie will *want to* regret it (even though he won’t be able to admit it since it was time together) as he works long hours to get everything done in school this week.

We went to Cheyenne on Saturday with our friends Steve, Lindsey and little Brinley. It was so nice to have one last getaway before the baby—even if it was just a 45 minute drive (I don’t think my pregnant self can go much farther than that these days). We got some last-minute items at Target, shopped at Kohls and Michaels (thank the crafting gods that I have SOMETHING relatively close) and then ate a delicious meal at Texas Roadhouse.

I know this post would be much better with some pictures, but I didn’t take the camera, so continue reading with that in mind.

Then we parted ways from our friends and went to Home Depot. You see, my dad is building two spec houses and we offered to get all of the lighting fixtures for the second house while we were in Cheyenne so he wouldn’t also have to make the trip.

I don’t know how many of you have picked out an entire house of lights in one trip, but it was (to say the least) a bit overwhelming. We wanted everything to be in stock (due to the distance from the store) and preferred to have the entire house in the same style and color.

This proved to be difficult.

We were able to move along fairly well until we got to the last four lights. They included the dining room and kitchen island (which needed to match) as well as the living room and front entry (which also needed to match). Home Depot had only one fixture of the four that I was completely satisfied with and NOTHING to coordinate!

Did you know that Brushed Nickel, Satin Nickel and Antique Pewter are different silver colors that match okay when in separate rooms, but look HORRIBLE right next to each other?

I finally gave up and bought three fixtures that I was okay with and one that I really didn’t like at all, and decided that if my mom and dad wanted to drive back over and change things they could, but I got things that would at least be tolerable.

So in conclusion, I learned that it is possible to pick out an entire house of lights in 2 hours, but probably not advisable.

P.S. Home Depot’s online selection also stinks, since I was going to post examples of the hideous light fixtures I was choosing from, but NONE of them exist online.
P.P.S. I was very pleased with all of the light fixtures until these last four, so Home Depot is not a total waste, just close.

Maternity Shots

My uber-talented friend Bethany and I had a photo shoot when I was in Utah! Oh, how I wish we lived closer to one another so she could document my entire life. Her photos are that amazing!

Below are a few select ones. The rest you can view on her photography blog.

Shameless plug: Her prices are reasonable and she is amazing. If you are in the Wasatch Front area--check her out!

How to make...

...a 35 week pregnant woman infinitely happy.

Book a massage at a place that has a special prenatal massage table so she can lay on her STOMACH for the first time in five months!

Seriously, it was heavenly!

Quilt Top #2 Complete!

While my house did not get the deep cleaning it usually does on Saturday, my weekend was productive nonetheless.

I finished the quilt top for the crib bedding! I've learned a lot through the process--like next time I will pick a less time consuming pattern if I have a limited amount of time, and I will try not to use fabric that is a *little* too busy for the pattern. (Ronnie complains of a headache if he looks at the quilt too long). I just figure it will stimulate our little one's brain!

Now to get it off to the machine quilter's house and hopefully REALLY finish it soon!

Tag 2--Embarrassing Moments

The rules: Each player lists 6 facts/habits/embarrassing moments about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people.

First Fact/Habit/Embarrassment: I was 15 (yes that really is 1-5 and not just 5) and peed my pants at work. I have already told this story here, so I won’t waste space with it on this post.

Second Fact/Habit/Embarrassment: Most of my extended family lives in Utah. While I was going to school at BYU, Ronnie and I were my immediate family’s “representation” at all family functions. We were attending a large family reunion on my dad’s side just after Thanksgiving. I had made my delicious spinach and strawberry salad at home and had taken off my sweater during the preparations so it would not get dirty. About two hours into the reunion, a distant relative (so distant that I had never seen her before) informed me that my sweater was on inside out. You may think that not that many people had noticed, but this sweater had a hood and pocket on the right side, so all of those seams were proudly displaying themselves all night.

Third Fact/Habit/Embarrassment: I cannot whistle. Luckily, most of the time, I am able to go on living a normal life despite this fact, but every once in a while I have to hang my head in shame (like when my brother who was 4 at the time learned how). And don’t think that you are the wisest, greatest teacher of whistling—cuz many a person has been sorely disappointed when they try to teach me.

Fourth Fact/Habit/Embarrassment: I have been involved (aka: driving) in five accidents since I began driving. Three of them were my fault, and those three occurred within 1 year of obtaining my license. (Obviously I had a rough start to the whole driving thing.) My parents did not know about the second one until I moved back to Laramie this summer. It didn’t do any damage to my car and I had a friend fix the dent on the guy’s truck.

Fifth Fact/Habit/Embarrassment: I sometimes wear the socks I have had on all day to bed at night. Well, actually I don’t do it anymore, because Ronnie FREAKS out about it and closely watches to make sure I change my socks. Some nights, he makes me put on a new pair of socks again, because he didn’t SEE me put on the first pair of clean ones. In my parents’ defense, we were talking about this the other day and they also FREAKED out, so obviously I was taught at some time in my life that it was gross, but it just doesn’t bother me.

Sixth Fact/Habit/Embarrassment: I have to eat my foods one at a time. I never take one bite of potatoes and then one bite of steak, then a bite of salad. I select my least favorite food on the plate and then eat it all. Then I move on to my second least favorite, and so on. I do not like the fork to be “contaminated” and food CAN. NOT. TOUCH. (not ever!)

And now I tag: Anne Marie(private blog, sorry), Amber, Ginny, Jess, Lindsey, and Lauren.

Tag 1

I’ve been tagged by both Jen and Anne Marie (who has a private blog) so for the next two days, I will finally be responding.

What is your favorite smell?
Fresh cut grass.

What is your favorite sight?
Hmmm, this one doesn’t come as quickly to my head, but I think something clean and visually pleasing, like this.

What is your favorite taste?
I’m pregnant, my cravings change daily. Last night it was Raisinets, the day before, chicken nuggets, and today? Who knows?

What is your favorite sound?
A well-played violin.

What is your favorite touch?
Ronnie’s backrubs.

I tag Bethany, Cheryl, Carissa, and Jill.

Evaluations

Disclaimer: There is one swear word in this entry. I am retelling a story—a story that would not be funny without it, so try not to judge me.

I work at a University. I also talk to professors (surprise, surprise).

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of hearing the following story.

Professor A (PA) was new to the faculty. It was time for class evaluations. Each professor was assigned to proctor another professor’s evaluations and PA was assigned to proctor Professor B’s (PB) evaluations.

PA went into the department office to collect the evaluations sheets before heading up to do the evaluations. PB happened to be in the office at the same time.

PB: “Are you proctoring my evaluations?”
PA: “Yep.”
PB: “Let me tell you how I would like them administered.”
PA: “Great.” (PA was assuming at this time that every professor liked to have evaluations administered a certain way.)
PB: “After you pass out the evaluations, it usually helps if you go to the board and write the following words: marvelous, outstanding, and fantastic. Those words come up a lot on my evaluations and it gets annoying when you have 20-30 people ask how to spell them.”

It was then PA realized that he had been the butt of a joke. They laughed together and PA proceeded to the classroom to proctor the evaluations.

Later that same day PA and PB happened to be in the department office again.
PB: “So how did the evaluations go?”
PA: “Fine, the students just had one question.”
PB: “Really? What was it?”
PA: “They just wanted to know whether or not to add a hyphen to asshole.”

PA and PB have been great friends ever since.

Utah Trip

This weekend was a quick one! My mom, Erica, Sarah and I traveled down to Utah for a baby shower my aunts were throwing for me. It was a fabulous trip, but WAY too short.

The shower was great—but unfortunately, my camera never made it out of my bag, so I am relying on others to get me pictures to post. It was wonderful to see friends and family!

I had such a feeling of comfort as we drove into Happy Valley—something that I never thought I would have as I grew up. I had so many fantastic memories for six great years and am so grateful for the friends and family I was able to grow close to during that time!

Now I’m back to reality. Just six weeks until this little one emerges (hypothetically). Look for maternity pictures taken by Bethany in the next few days as well!

Crib Bedding...kind of

So after months of promises, I have pictures of some of the crib bedding. My wonderful dad came over last night and explained where the two mystery metal pieces went (the only part Ronnie and I were stumped over) and the crib is up!Here you can see the bed skirt which is made of the same material as the valance. I tied the front two panels of the bumper so you could get an idea of how it will look, but since I don't own a single crib sheet yet, the bumpers are obviously coming out soon.

And here is the inside of the bumper. You can see 5 of the 6 fabrics I used for this project here. The bumper was probably the easiest part of the entire thing. I bought padded panels made just for crib bumpers from the local quilt shop and they are perfect!

This is a close up of the 6th fabric and is the one on the outside of the bumpers. I LOVE the Moda fabric I was able to find for this project.

And here we see the 90 quilt squares ready to be assembled when I return from Utah. I probably should have picked a wee-bit easier pattern than the rail fence quilt I am attempting, but live and learn!

Now, I just have to get a shelf up and decorated and name this little one so I can order this wall decoration for over the crib.