Thanks!

Thank you for all your suggestions. I knew I could count on you! I wrote a nice list and now I feel better about the whole thing. I can't wait to have this baby! She is going to be such a wonderful addition to our family (immediate and extended) My mom is so excited to become a grandma!

For a while now I've been wanting to make a bag to carry our prayer books in when we go to mass. We have several and I just like to have them all in one place. So I bought this fabric very cheaply (I don't want to admit from where...well, it starts with a 'W') which I really love, then looked up a simple tote bag pattern thing online. It was a piece of pie! I made it big enough so that when Louisa is born we can add her Mass books and toys too :)

Baby Items, help me!

HELP!

Here's the deal. I am going to be a mom for the first time and I have NO IDEA WHAT TO GET! I started a registry but there are only a few items on it, and it's kind of stressing me out about what to register for. So I would love to have all the suggestions you have in your playbook about what baby items are essentials and what to never waste money on.

Carseats?...Strollers?...Baby clothes? Where does one start?

I'm pretty sure I don't want all pink, as fun as that might be :) I do like pink, but also soft yellows, greens, and ivory. I'd say those are my favorite "baby" colors. I thought this was cute from Target:



That is where I started the registry but I'm sure there are other places better to buy certain essentials.

One thing I am looking forward to buying the most is little baby/children's books. How I love those. But I'm thinking I should concentrate on the right kind of diapers and a good car seat before I get to pick out books. Oh and also we have a family cradle and crib so we won't have to worry about those.

Once again I plead for your help! (Sorry about the scattered post! Like I said suddenly this is stressing me a little, which I'm not sure why. I'm sure babies need alot less than our materialistic society insists upon. Still, she needs a few things right?)

Gettin' out of town

hehe...he's the cutest pumpkin in the patch

We took a road trip over to visit my friend Jessie and her husband Will this weekend. I enjoyed the drive and getting out of town and most of all seeing Jessie again because it had been too long! Another friend, Shannon, joined us on on Saturday, oh my goodness it was so good to see her. Then finally, on Sunday we got to see another old friend, Matt, who lives not too far from Will and Jessie. There was pumpkin carving, carmel apples, huge sandwiches, Zingers (that is a story for another day), apple cider, visiting, and MadGab. What more could a girl ask for? (especially a pregnant one :)

Oh, the nerve

Well, I'm pretty convinced that Aubri is right about my sciatic nerve being my problem. I had never heard of this being a problem before but apparently it's pretty common.

Sciatica is pain, tingling, or numbness produced by an irritation of the nerve roots that lead to the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is formed by the nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord into the lower back. Branches of the sciatic nerve extend through the buttocks and down the back of each leg to the ankle and foot.

...In rare cases, sciatica can also be caused by conditions that do not involve the spine, such as tumors or pregnancy.

(WebMD)

So WebMD says that in rare cases it happens in pregnancy, but I think it's actually more common than they say because I also found it in one of my pregnancy books. Anyway, this is just something that's been bothering me for the past oh, two months. Luckily it's not constant pain, it usually comes up most after I've been sitting or laying for a long time. But even though it does hurt quite a bit, I have to say it's really the worse uncomfortable thing I've experienced in my pregnancy so far. Of course, not including the three months of horrible morning sickness.

Last night Mike and I went to Safeway and the checker (he was this young college guy) asked me if I was pregnant!!!! This is literally the first time someone who didn't know me has noticed my belly! I was pretty pleased about that :)

I Voted

Don't really have much to blog about today. Except that I voted. I had to drive to the courthouse because I forgot to put the ballot into the little pink envelop before sending it. Limbaugh was saying something about how he thinks early voting goes against what the constitution says. I wanted to look that up come to think of it...but I don't think he's talking about absentee voting but rather actually going to the polls and voting on another day besides Nov. 4th. Not sure though, again, something to look up.

Poor Mike is sick. Well, he has been fighting something for the last week or so. He also thinks his allergies are to blame. I hope he feels better soon.

Well, gotta go get the laundry out and finish washing the dishes! Ah the joys of domestic life : )

Happy Birthday Mom!

I love you!

Belly #4

Still not huge, but I am seeing a marked change!

Also, I went shopping at a maternity store and almost got this dress. It reminds me of the dress Kelly wore to our wedding. I think I might go back and get it when I'm in Seattle if they still have it because it was so comfortable and cute. (And maybe it'll go on sale?) We had fun shopping, my friend Kim is ready to pop at any moment! (Actually no, she has a fake belly bump on :)

One last think I was going to write about is that there are two big families living on either side of us right now, one with 5 and one with 4 children. They are both really sweet families, I especially love the little boy who, one day when I was talking to their mom just walked right into our apartment and started checkin' it out for himself, wandering all over. He is adorable. Anyway, the other side to having cute kids as neighbors is that we hear the babies cry sometimes early in the morning (faintly, the walls aren't too terribly thin.) I've been trying to mentally prepare for this baby by imagining that I have to get up at the moment when I hear them crying. And it's a tough mental exercise because it does feel so good to just be laying in bed. It will definitely be a time of sacrifice and discomfort, as I'm sure all the mamma's out there will say it is when we have a baby to care for. I really hope that we are ready for the challenge!

Happy FRiDay!

The weekend is almost here!

Wedding thoughts

Well, it's been 5 months since our wedding. I am writing this post about our wedding because I'm feeling a little guilty about two things: one, I have YET TO FINISH those thank you cards. I am close, less than 10 to go, but still, I have a whole bunch that have not been sent off yet. (What am I waiting for? Who knows!) Like I said earlier in the summer, we are so grateful for the support and love people showed by coming to our wedding and by their generous gifts. I almost would rather call everyone up and tell them thank you, rather than write all these cards. It's just a daunting task, that's all. Secondly, we have not even requested our enlargements from our photographer yet! How rediculous is that? We plan on finally going over our pictures again so we can have them at least by Christmas. Good grief, maybe our first child will be born before we get thank you cards written and pictures handed out.

At least we were good at one thing - getting our family started! ;)

Louisa's Quilt

...is coming along! It's definitely not going to be perfect, but I have to say that my first experience with quilting is turning out to be a positive one.

I have yet to cut the green fabric and add it as the border (see second picture) Then I have to figure out how to do the backing (I haven't even bought that yet) but I'm waiting for a new coupon in the mail for that.

Do you think Louisa will like it?

My favorite Psalm

The bible is so poetic. I can't help but think, even if you set aside its Revelation of God's message to us, it could be considered the greatest work of poetry ever written. I myself cannot write poetry (I wish so much that I could!) but as I get older I feel like I am learning to appreciate it more and more. I would just like to share parts of my favorite psalm, if for no other reason but to bring some beautiful words to my blog.

PSALM 139

Behold, O Lord, thou hast known all things, the last and those of old:

thou hast formed me, and hast laid thy hand upon me.

Thy knowledge is become wonderful to me: it is high, and I cannot reach to it.

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy face?

If I ascend into heaven, thou art there: if I descend into hell, thou art present.

If I take my wings early in the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea:

Even there also shall thy hand lead me: and thy right hand shall hold me.

*

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast protected me from my mother's womb.

I will praise thee, for thou art fearfully magnified: wonderful are thy works, and my soul knoweth right well.

My bone is not hidden from thee, which thou hast made in secret:

and my substance in the lower parts of the earth.

*

Of course I especially cherish the verses that talk about how God formed us while we were in our mother's womb. What a special thought for an expectant mother, don't you think?

He's baaack...

...And right now he's sleepin' like a baby. I'm not because for some reason, I just can't fall asleep. But boy I'm happy he's back!

*

I am putting my two weeks in tomorrow at work. I am having this hip problem, it's hard to explain but there is just this shooting pain in my lower back, right side area that goes down through my hip in to my thigh and so that's been making it hard for me to stand up for 6 hour shifts. I was asked to nanny for a week in November which will pay me more than I get paid in about a month so it works out perfectly if I go ahead and stop working for the rest of the time we're here.

*

Oohh, is anyone else looking forward to the holidays? I can't wait for Thanksgiving, and even more so Christmas. Also, my grandma and grandpa are celebrating their 50th Anniversary in December which is so incredibly special (they both mean so much to me) and will be another big family event. Goodness I hope and pray that we get to experience 50 years of a marriage like theirs. It is a little neat that they got married in 1958 and we got married 50 years later, in 2008. Ahh, anyway I just had to share that I get excited and happy just thinking about the upcoming festivities.

*

This is a kind of a random post. Do remember though, I said I couldn't fall asleep - so weird! Mike is usually the one trying to fall asleep while I am zonked out.

Missing my man

Well, I am somewhat of a hypocrite. I apologize for getting on you guys for not updating your blogs often enough and here I am, posting only every 3-4 days. I won't complain about your quiet blogs anymore ;) I know things can be busy and the Internet should always take second to actually living.

This has been a busy week for us. Wednesday Mike and I prepared and gave a talk at the Young adult group that we have at our church each week. It was on the Culture of Life. I wrote a 6-7 minute talk about why we as Catholics believe that all life is precious, from conception to natural death, and why we are responsible to defend life at these most vulnerable stages. Then we had a discussion question whereby everyone shared their thoughts in smaller groups. After that, Mike led us all in praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet. He did a lovely job, as we actually sung it :) Overall, I thought it was a pretty successful night. I hope Mike and I will continue to participate in church activities, particularly in leadership roles. Mike jokes that we will be re-taking over his church back home as soon as we get back, because in the past his family had always played a large role in the affairs of St. John's. We will see about that - I don't know if I'm up for a coup just yet. I'm thinking we'll ease into it.

This weekend there is a retreat with the church up at the retreat house which is about an hour and a half away. Mike is helping so he's going to be gone until SUNDAY :( tear-drop. I honestly already miss him - and we only said goodbye about 3 hours ago. Kelly, now I know how you feel when Dan leaves :( I honestly miss him alot and it's probably going to get worse. Sunday, please come quickly!!

I will end with a happy note so I don't get myself depressed. Louisa is really moving now. Mike actually visually saw a kick for the first time a few days ago. We got all excited about this for some reason. I am happy because I feel like I can keep track of her more, just based on her movements I know she is okay. Although, I still don't look that big, which sometimes gets me worried. I am 5 months now and yet I can still hide the belly under my clothes. I have heard when women have their first baby they show less than in their consecutive pregnancies and also that women carry their babies differently so I don't really have any reason to be concerned. I don't know, maybe I just want to be huge already so that I know she's growing healthy and strong!! But yeah, right now she is happily movin' in mom's tummy and just loves to hear her mommy and daddy's voices :)

If you made it this far, I hope you all have a lovely weekend. God Bless You and keep you safe!

Home-made fall decorations

One of my favorite aspects of teaching used to be decorating my little classroom (and it really was little!) I miss decorating using the kid's art and changing the decorations for certain saint's days and for the seasons. Fall is definitely one of the best times to decorate. Well, since I would like my home to be a future classroom, and of course since I like the apartment looking nice just because, I want to keep up my decorating trend. When I went to the craft store to buy quilting materials a few days ago, I was soooo very tempted to buy some of the lovely fall decorations they had. I even had some things in my cart, but upon further reflection about how we will be moving so much in the next year or so, and how our pocketbook doesn't really allow for such extras, I was a good girl and put it all back. Thankfully my decorating dreams were not over. I had gathered some foliage a few days back and I decided to put that to use. I came up with some simple fall decorations that cost - well, nothing! I have some more ideas too, so I'll let you know if anything else turns out worthy of blogging.

1. I got this mug from Starbucks a while back. Find some fall-ish flowers (I picked those from a parking lot actually) and place on your table for a simple center piece.

2. Gather leaves together and tie a nice ribbon over the top. Hang on your door or wall

3. I used left over garland from our wedding to tie around our little napkin holder

The future

I would like to extend a prayer to my husband who, for the next few months, will be seeking employment for when he graduates. And to all our friends and family members as well

God, our Father, I turn to you seeking your divine help and guidance as I look for suitable employment. I need your wisdom to guide my footsteps along the right path, and to lead me to find the proper things to say and do in this quest. I wish to use the gifts and talents you have given me, but I need the opportunity to do so with gainful employment. Do not abandon me, dear Father, in this search, but rather grant me this favor I seek so that I may return to you with praise and thanksgiving for your gracious assistance. Grant this through Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

***

“Bless, 0 Lord of the centuries and the millennia, the daily work by which men and women provide bread for themselves and their loved ones. We also offer to your fatherly hands the toil and sacrifices associated with work, in union with your Son Jesus Christ, who redeemed human work from the yoke of sin and restored it to its original dignity.
- John Paul II

***

Pretty campus and swing dancin'!

Brothers walking on campus

I think that campus looks really nice this time of year. The Saturday sky was really interesting, going from dark and ominous to bright shining luminous through the rain clouds. I wish I got more pictures of the sky itself. I have to say I enjoyed having the little drizzle, it was refreshing.

*

We had a swing dance at our church. Usually we will go to a club, but occasionally we have them at church which is nice because its free. If you think it's nerdy, that's fine. If you went to our wedding you might have seen us and our friends swingin' away. I love it, it is a great form of exercise, and so much FUN! I think Louisa must have enjoyed bouncin' around in there too :)Here are a few pictures that were snapped of the swingin' evening.

Cotton-eyed Joe


Swing your partner dosie-do


Pat taking care of the music

Happiness

Belly picture #3

First of all, I want to say - where is everyone?? Many of you have not been updating your blogs recently and I feel disconnected from your lives! Come on girls, get with it! Well, I'm half kidding. I know that alot of us are busy so I understand. But do check in once in a while!

We are doing great here. Filling in our time between school and work with scrabble games, hanging out with friends, quilting (I bought some materials I need to get me started, more on that later!) and loving on one another ;)

Lastly, here is a third belly picture for you. I don't feel as if this week I am looking any bigger. I did gain about a pound since the last time I weighed in which was a week and a half ago, so I know she is indeed growing! And I know I have baby fever. I tried to tell my husband a story yesterday that started like this:

"So this morning I was walking and I saw this...."

Mike attempts to finish my sentance with, "cute baby...? mother with her children...? sweet little girl...?"

Actually, that wasn't even what the story was about! But he knows me and lately that would totally have been fitting because it's true, I do bring up that sort of thing alot now.