Almost a year old!?

Madeleine is 11 months, 2 weeks old - seriously. It was this time last year when I believed that the clock could not move more slowly and I could not wait to finally have Madeleine. Here we are a year later and the clock could not move more quickly. She's grown so much this past year, is nearly walking and loves to talk and sing (though we have little clue what she's saying). She does have "da-da" down.

5 months later...

It seems like just yesterday when I last posted during the last days of my pregnancy. Now here I am with a 5 month old daughter! The memories of the discomfort of pregnancy have faded. I'm enjoying every moment of being a mother and here are pictures from birth to nearly 5 months old:


Go here to see the slideshow.



The slideshow speed is controlled on the bottom left corner.

1 week, 2 days til due date

The nursery is ready, the baby seat is in the car, the bags are packed and my belly is as big as it can possibly get! It is so hard to believe that inside me I'm holding a full-term baby who probably weighs somewhere between 6 1/2 and 8 pounds. I can feel the outline of her little feet as she stretches against the very tight space she's in right now. I've read everything there is to read about pregnancy, labor and delivery and I keep waiting for the clear signs that all these books say will tell me when the time is near. I've had contractions that started and seemed to be progressing, and then stopped to my disappointment. I had no idea how frustrating the last few weeks/days would be for a type A control-freak with a touch of OCD. It's inconceivable that I can't control when and how our baby is going to come into the world! Truly this has been a lessen in deferred gratification, discipline, patience and love. We can't wait to meet, hold and name our baby girl!

The Diaper Bag Dilemma

I never expected that shopping for diaper bags, strollers, car seats or even baby mattresses could be so complex and confusing. It's been a social study on the paradox of choice. I have spent a good portion of the last two weekends on the computer and at stores looking at diaper bags, trying to figure out why this one costs $80 and that one costs $165. That doesn't even touch the ones in the $300-400 range (which frankly intrigue me, but don't interest me). I honestly can find better ways to spend the extra $200 than on a bag that is going to hold smelly diapers and rash ointment. I suppose you can say this is also a study in consumerism in America. The number of designer diaper bag choices over $300 is staggering.



Anyway, back to my own personal Diaper Bag Dilemma. I finally decided on a large bag and small clutch.




I chose a large bag from Oi Oi that we could use to throw everything but the kitchen sink for long days or overnight trips. One that is feminine enough for our little girl, but not too feminine that Steve would balk at carrying it. The bag I chose has some neat features - outside drink holders for baby or parents, inside there is also an insulated bottle bag and plenty of pockets, there is a wipe bag and a large changing pad that is relatively padded. It also has options for hanging the bag over your shoulder, on the stroller or on a shopping cart. Pretty much everything you need in a waterproof and easy to clean bag. My mom and I found one on the rack on Saturday, but I opted to buy one on line so that mine could be brand-spanking new. Also, I found found a site which features coupon codes which had a coupon for $10 off at http://www.diaperbag.com/, and that site offered free shipping SO - I got a bag which retails at $110-120 for $90. Yay me!







As soon as I saw how large the multi-purpose diaper bag was, I realized I needed something smaller for everyday use. There are, again, a large number of options for these as well. I selected a Reese Li option because of the ease of getting to the wipes, I preferred the removable changing pad to the connected one, and because of the fabric options. The one I chose will go with the stroller set we chose and can hang on the handle-bar or slip into one of my larger purses.

Nursery Furniture - check

Well, we did it! We ordered our nursery furniture yesterday. After all the shopping and trying to compromise on a style for the room, we walked into a wonderful store around the corner from our house to look at a glider and found nursery furniture we both like. The good news is that it should arrive in 4-6 weeks - just in time to set up the room! So without further prolonging the suspense, here it is...

Our Crib:

With the toddler bed conversion kit:

Our Combo Dresser/Changing Table:

The first set of bedding (we both liked the style and the colors, which are both feminine and contemporary):

The whole reason we went to the store in the first place was to look at this rocker/glider (which we ordered, with the ottoman) in brown:

We also broke down and ordered a bassinet. We weren't going to buy one because we weren't excited about anything we saw. But this one is perfect for us. It is exactly the right height for the bedroom. Also, we both like that it's features are minimalist and that the bedding portion is soft and well padded. It is also removable so that we can move it easily from room to room with us. Also the bedding fits nicely into the crib, which will help baby get used to the crib when we move her out of our room:

Babymoon

Prior to July, neither Steve nor I had ever heard the term, "Babymoon." Fortunately, Steve did some web surfing for trip ideas when we first thought about taking a pre-baby trip. He learned that this is an actual term used to describe trips taken by a couple before the birth of their first child. Brilliant! Now it was mandatory that we have a few days to ourselves...



We first discussed going to San Antonio, since Steve has never been, and going to Seaworld for a day. My brother and sister-in-law told me I was crazy. Of course, at the time I wasn't nearly as big as I am now - who knew I would blossom so quickly and that the changes from then and now would be so drastic. Comically, I also considered an overnight trail ride at a dude ranch outside San Antonio. My doctor didn't seem to like that idea either.


So, where DID we do the apparently mandatory "Babymoon?" Vail! The morning after Laura's wedding, we hit the road and headed to Vail. Frankly, Steve was not excited about being in Vail without snow on the ground and wasn't convinced that this was going to be such a great time. He agreed to go anyway, but complained that the drive up there would probably not be that great.




Obviously, he quickly changed his mind on the ride out there. The weather was perfect for a pregnant woman (though a tad chilly for the husband) at 45-60 during the day and 30's at night. We had to wear coats Sunday night. I didn't have to do much but eat, walk/rest, and sight-see, but that made for a relaxing, stress-free weekend for both of us. Here is a great picture overlooking Vail village and mountain:


Steve booked as at a gorgeous hotel (the Arrabelle) and our friend, Sharon (she used to live in Vail, poor thing), told us where to have a fabulous dinner (Russell's). Fortunately for Steve, we also got to Vail just in time for the last afternoon of their annual Oktoberfest! Polka dancing, beer (for Steve), streudel (for me) - it was fantastic:





What a great Babymoon!

My cousin is old enough to get married?!

Steve and I went to Denver last weekend for my cousin, Laura's, wedding. We spent the day sightseeing in Denver, at Sixth Street Mall primarily. The weather was almost perfect for a hot-blooded pregnant woman. Sunny, 70's with a slight breeze.

The wedding was in DTC, the tech center of Denver, about 15 minutes from downtown at the popular Hyatt Regency. People came from all over the country. Laura was stunning, just gorgeous. She and her sister, Leann, are both beautiful women - it is just hard to believe that they are women - weren't they just born?! I think I was in high school or close to it when they were born - am I really that old?! My Uncle John and Laura had a dramatic entrance in a glass-enclosed elevator from the top of a hotel down to the 2nd floor where the wedding was held in a dramatic atrium. At wedding's I'm all about the dress, the cake and the flowers. Laura's were all perfect.

Here is a great picture of Laura with her husband, Robert.

Here is a picture of me with Laura's sister, Leann. I have a feeling I'm going to be making a trip in the not-too-distant future to Seattle for another family wedding soon. I can't imagine Leann's boyfriend letting my beautiful cousin stay single for much longer.

Here is the cake:

After the wedding and a fabulous dinner, the DJ started playing all the great wedding dance music - like the electric slide and the twist. Steve talked me into doing the twist by myself on the dance floor.

Oh MY - Am I really that big?! I'm starting to enjoy the pregnancy look. Which is a good thing because - Look At That Belly! Little Baby GoodNix was dancing around all night, too. She must have enjoyed the cake and the music.

Speaking of dance moves - My mom has the moves... and way more energy than me. Impressive!

My Mom and her brother (father of the Bride):

My parents - the energizer bunnies:

There was almost a full moon - which might explain why my mom and cousin, Drew, were dancing to Thriller.

What a wonderful event! Congratulations to Laura and Robert! I wish you all the happiness your hearts can imagine and a long marriage full of love and admiration for each other.