36 weeks & Busy As Can Be

Can you believe I am only two days shy of being 36 weeks!? I can't. It's just crazy how soon he will be here.

We've been extremely busy lately and on the go non-stop. I don't know how we have found time to finish the nursery between sporting events, family in town, showers, work and other miscellaneous things.

I went to my first Sporting KC game last week. It was quite the experience. The score ended at 2-2, and that was it. I was confused by that, but I guess that's just soccer. My favorite part were the fans. Soccer fans are SO loud and energetic. The entire game. I also enjoyed watching "The Cauldron" section. And the suite we were in thanks to Brian's company. I indulged on pretzel sticks with cheese, chicken wings and an ice cream bar. Baby K was in heaven.

Here's a few pics from some other things we have been up to:

How about them cats? Ranked 11? Unbelievable.

The Royal is always a great time. I didn't get to partake in the beer and dance party, but it was a good time. The smell of my clothes and hair when we got home was all to familiar to college...specifically Pats.

Mmm...beer. Root beer that is. I had never been to Noodles & Company before, so we tried it last week. I was stoked they had Root Beer in a bottle!

At class last week, the guys got to try out "The Empathy Belly." It's supposed to give them an idea of what the gals are going through. A body suit that weighs 25 pounds. LOL. Brian was a trooper. 

Belly to Belly pic. I look Chinese. I was laughing so hard because the body suit looked so small on him compared to some of the other guys.

And...here's a 35 week pic, with our new awesome stroller!

I don't know how my husband seems to always get his way talk me into purchasing something different than what we had planned, but it seems to happen a lot. See everyone, I'm not as bossy and dominant as you all think!? LOL.

Anyways, we went to the store to get our stroller/car seat travel system and ended up leaving with something completely different than what we had planned. I will say that Brian is extremely functional and always looks at the parts and pieces of things. This stroller was way more compact, lighter, and a lot easier to fold up.

I suggested we put Jake in it and give it a whirl around the block, but Brian didn't let me. He's a fun hater sometimes.

How far along: Almost 36 weeks
Size of Baby K (according to Baby Center): 6 pounds, 18 and 1/2 inches long
Fruit/vegetable comparison (according to Baby Center): Crenshaw melon...whatever that is
Total weight gain: Probably 25
Sleep: Getting better, but I now get up about every 2.5 hours to go to the bathroom. It's just preparing me for when he is here!
Movement: Still active. He is head down and should stay that way. The doc said it would be hard from him to make a turn at this point.
Unglamorous body changes: Some stretch marks just started popping up. Seriously. I am not happy.
Food cravings: Nothing in particular these days. Still just ice and anything cold. 
What I miss: Being able to easily pick my self up off the floor or get out of bed. It's so hard these days!
Strange experiences: Stares from strangers. It's quite odd...haven't you ever seen a pregnant lady before?
Milestones: At the end of week 36, I will be considered full term.
Best moment this week: Feeling accomplished. We have just about everything ready and it feels so good.

33 Weeks

Boy, have we been busy. Getting ready for the boy of course. Only 7 more weeks, which feels like an eternity, but it will be here before we know it.

We finally purchased a glider for the room, and it is starting to look more and more complete. Our accent wall of squares turned out great, I love the dark furniture, my sweet hubby made some awesome floating shelves that look like they were crafted by a professional, and the bedding is just plain adorable.

Pictures to come soon, promise.

We had our family in town last weekend and I had my first shower. It was so much fun! I'm not a huge fan of opening gifts in front of a bunch of people, but all the cute little baby boy stuff definitely makes me smile:). I am truly blessed to have such wonderful friends and family.

Our childbirth classes are going great. It's nice to hear what to expect (somewhat) and getting my brain prepared for what's to come. This week, we talked all about labor and delivery and the stages you go through. Did you know there is a whole stage dedicated solely to delivering the placenta? I didn't.

Get this...

There is a couple in our class that wants to keep the placenta. The teacher said to bring a cooler of ice to the hospital to take it home in.

Utter craziness, I say.

Sorry, I am not an advocate. In fact, I just think it's plain weird. I have actually heard of people keeping these in their freezers. Why!? Imagine reaching in for some frozen chicken and accidentally pulling out your placenta.

Bump Check...ready go!

How far along: 33 weeks
Size of Baby K (according to Baby Center): 4 pounds, 17 inches.
Fruit/vegetable comparison (according to Baby Center): Weighs as much as a pineapple
Total weight gain: I had a doctor appt on Tuesday and I have only gained 23 pounds! I was pretty happy to hear this because I truly thought it was more. At my shower, we played a little game, and someone guessed 15. LOL, this is why I love my friends:)
Sleep: Pretty much terrible this week, but Tylenol PM has helped tremendously the past two nights. I just can't seem to get comfortable. And if I wake up to go to the bathroom, it takes me hours to start snoozing again.
Movement: Active. I'm starting to get better at knowing whether it's his head, butt or foot when a bump protrudes from my belly. It's pretty surreal.
Unglamorous body changes: Eating is getting hard. I eat extremely slow and even if I don't eat much, I feel like I devoured a cow. Oh, and I'm also starting to get the "growth" line. It's not super dark, but I hear it goes away.
Food cravings: This isn't a food, but lots of ice water. Did I mention I didn't like ice in my water before? 
What I miss: Wine and cute clothes.
Strange experiences: I had a hair appt and drove to my stylist's old salon. The salon she left about 2 years ago. Pregnancy brain at its finest!
Milestones: He's starting to lose the wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening.
Best moment this week: Sitting in the new glider and just looking around the nursery imagining him here. :)

Mrs. Ruddick

This post is LONG overdue.

So, rather than me explain Katie's beautiful day that took place almost 2 months ago, I'll let the photos do the talking. Enjoy. Congrats Mrs. Ruddick!

Beautiful venue

Beautiful dress. Beautiful bride.

College buddies.

Dancing Queens

Katie and her daddy busting a move

Love this pic of Mr. Haller and Brittany and Lauren.

Out in downtown Tulsa

Ski ball and arcade games make drinking being sober more fun!

In a Fog: 32 weeks

Source: flickr.com via K on Pinterest

I drove into work this morning surrounded by a thick heavy Kansas fog.
That's how I feel lately.
Overwhelmed. Stressed. Consumed.

Are we ready? Do we have everything?
Have we prepared ourselves to bring a baby into this world?

The list is never ending and my moods are all over the place.
Brian is exhausted with my honey-dos.
Why can't I shut my mind off at night? I need sleep.
I don't want to think about gliders, going into labor or whether to use a bassinet.

Big changes to come. Only 8 more weeks.
What will we name him? We pretty much already know.
Will he look like mom or dad?
Will I know what do when he cries?

He will be loved. And the light of our world.
My outlook on life has already started to change.
I have a baby growing inside of me. A true miracle.
We are anxious for his arrival. And ready for our lives to change.

32 Week Update: Check out that bump!

How far along: Just a day shy of 32 weeks
Size of Baby K: Still think this is off, but I'll stick with Baby Center's updates: 3.75 pounds and 16.7 inches long.
Fruit/vegetable comparison (according to Baby Center): Weighs as much as a jicama.
Total weight gain: Who knows, I wish I would never have included this question!
Sleep: Bad back pain, getting up a lot, trying to get comfortable and shut my mind off...
Movement: Still very active and pushing on my bladder!
Unglamorous body changes: I feel huge and couldn't stop waddling if I tried. It's getting harder to breathe.
Food cravings: Nothing particular as of lately.
What I miss: Goat cheese! I had to order my favorite sandwich from Farmhouse in the River Market without it last week. If you haven't tried the Fried Green Tomato sandwich from here, you should! 
Strange experiences: Still getting sick occasionally aka vomiting. I think the prenatal vitamins are the culprit.
Milestones: He will gain a third to half his weight during the next 7 weeks.
Best moment this week: Getting closer to finishing the nursery. Still have a few small touches left. I can see the light...

We start our childbirth classes this week! Pray that I don't run out of the room scared out of my mind.

All Frills

Last weekend, I attended a baby shower for my dear friend, Adriane. She is due any day now and is having a sweet baby girl!

Her shower was full of pink, pink and more pink. And don't forget the tulle, fringe, frills and sequins. It definitely made me envious of all the cute girl stuff. Baby K is definitely going to have one stylish girlfriend to play with!

 Mini cupcakes from Baby Cakes. I had three, and a cake ball. Yum-o.

 Grace joined the girls to celebrate Baby Falco's soon-to-be arrival. She had fun playing with the tissue paper and gift bags. Love her little tushy!

Owls were extremely popular.

Look at those teeth!

She must have some K-State gear of course.

What are you looking at? Just leave me be and let me play with my gift bag:).

Congrats to Adriane and her baby girl! Can't wait to meet her!

First Timer: Antiquing

Is antiquing a word?

Hopefully, because that's what I'm calling it.

I did it for the first time this week. You're probably thinking, "What, she's never been in an antique store before?" The honest answer is, well yes I have, but I have never, ever bought anything. And most of the stores I have ventured in have been outrageously priced and sold nothing I would pay that much money for.

But not this one. Nellie and Nico's - an antique boutique. A lot of the prices were right up my alley.

From the outside, I was a little hesitant to even step inside. But, my swollen feet and aching back told me to suck it up and go inside to see if I could score any treasures.

I was in love. Dipping in and out of every aisle, scouring all the great items and finds as ideas and DIY projects filled my head. I was lost. Literally.

There was dust and rust and lots of old crap, but it sucked me in.

I wanted to drop hundreds of dollars right then and there and redo my entire house.

I'm not sure if every antique store is operated the same as this one, but the antique mall was made up of "booths" where sellers were displaying their antiques for sale. There were themed booths, random booths, booths that made me stop and take a picture because they were so fab, and booths that just contained a bunch of old knick knacks.

But the greatest thing about an antique store is that someone out there will find a use for those crap items. All anyone needs is a little inspiration and a vision, and BAM! You have yourself a project or unique piece you never thought you'd stumble across.

I was pretty stoked about my $7.50 find. I almost did a little happy dance until I realized that wouldn't be flattering of a waddling pregnant lady.

It was hanging high up on a wall just screaming for me to buy it.

My first purchase from an antique store. For Baby K of course. The little wooden oar that I plan to paint and put in the nursery.

We're doing a transport theme so it will fit in nicely. Trains, cars and boats.

Evidence of my excitement:

Thanks Antique Mall. I'll be back someday.

Um...thanks.

I never knew what it would be like to have strangers ask you questions about your pregnancy or co-workers comment on your growing belly, or to just have anyone and everyone give their opinions about your body changes.

Here are the comments I have received the past few weeks:

From the account rep at the video production company we use, woman. Hadn't seen me in 2 months:
"Wow...you're looking...round."

From co-worker, male:
"Where did that thing come from!?"

From complete stranger in store, woman:
"You're going to pop my dear."
My response: "I actually have a ways to go..."
"Oh really."

From co-worker, male:
"I saw you waddling in today as my wife was dropping me off for work in our minivan."

From neighbor, woman. You know the one...CN:
"You're looking quite plump these days!"

From co-worker, male:
"With what you're wearing today and your size, you look a lot like (Insert another co-worker's name here) did 3 years ago."
Sidenote: This person was not pregnant 3 years ago.

The more awkward part of these comments/conversations is the way they expect me to respond.

How do you react to something like that?

Um thanks...I know I'm growing, but my body just grew a brain. C'mon. I deserve some kudos.

29 weeks

Another week passed and I missed the 28 week update. Oops. Sorry.

The good news is that we are making some super-duper progress on Baby K's nursery. The trim and walls are painted and complete, we are just working on the accent wall. We hope to finish it up this weekend.

Brian loves taking these kind of pics.

The color on the wall looks gray in this photo, but I promise it's not. It's a muted blue. Brian thought it would come out looking gray, but he confirmed that I was right with the paint choice this time!

The furniture has also arrived, but is still sitting in the garage. I can't wait to see Brian put the crib together! He's pretty handy, but let's hope for an easy-peasy process. He had some struggles collapsing an exer-saucer we purchased from Heather's co-worker. I think every cuss word in the book was used before he finally figured it out. 

Another thing we have been tackling is trying to find daycare for our sweet little man. It is much harder than I thought it would be. If you want your child in the best daycare centers, simply sign up for another hefty monthly mortgage payment. Seriously, these centers charge $1,200 - 1,400 per month. It's just crazy.

Ok, how about a 29-week bump update?

How far along: 29 weeks
Size of Baby K: I'm now convinced this has been off all along. According to babycenter.com, Baby K is 15 inches long and 2.5 pounds. But according to the sonogram I had yesterday at my appointment, he is more than 3 pounds. Probably explains why he is in the 70% percentile. The technician said this was a nice size!
Fruit/vegetable comparison (according to Baby Center): Butternut Squash.
Total weight gain: 24 pounds, yikes. I think the average is 25-35 pounds. Hoping it slows down some:)
Sleep: Last night = horrible. Woke up at 2:30 to pee and couldn't get back to sleep until 4:30. Oh and the back pain is back, boo.
Movement: I'm his punching bag and I'm perfectly ok with that. I love feeling him move around in there so much.
Unglamorous body changes: Same as before, but bending over is harder than ever. It's even hard to get up off the floor from sorting laundry or putting on tennis shoes.
Food cravings: This past week was Chicken salad sandwiches (had one 3 different times for lunch) and sweets! Thanks to the baby shower and wedding I attended this past weekend.
What I miss: Cute clothes that make you feel sexy and being able to wear heels without your feet feeling like they were put through a meat grinder.
Strange experiences: All the lovely comments I have received lately from people including strangers. Post to come about this!
Milestones: His muscles and lungs are maturing and his head is getting bigger to accommodate his growing brain.
Best moment this week: Finding out that he has hair! The sonogram tech pointed it out to us. I was balled until I was one, so I am really hoping for Baby K to have hair still when I deliver:).

Twin Cities Road Trip

Watch out folks, I've posted the past three days consecutively. What is going on!?

Beats me.

This post is WAY over due, but it was too fun of a trip to just forget about.

Brian's best friend Sterling and his wife Jen have lived in three different cities since college. First in NY, then in Chicago and now Minneapolis. Every time they have moved, we have promised to go visit, but it just never happened.

Well, we finally made the trip! We road tripped it with friends Nate and Lindsay. I was a little worried about the car ride considering my 4-week stint of traveling out-of-town and my brutal back pain, but it actually wasn't that bad. Frequent stops for the bathroom, ICEEs and McDonald's chicken McNuggets (love their new dipping sauces) made it more tolerable:).

Say hello to what we pretty much did the entire time:

I didn't get to consume any Coors Lights (CLs), but me and Baby K enjoyed lounging around in a raft.

The heat was a little more intense than you'd expect from up north, but the evenings were SO nice. Especially since it was 100+ degrees back in KC.

Our entire 3-day trip consisted of the following:

• Lounging at Lake Minnetonka
• Catching up with great friends
• Blasting the "Gangster's Paradise" Pandora station on the lake and getting stares
• Lots of eating (Had the best pancakes I've ever had, seriously.)
• Watching fireworks from the rooftop amidst the Minneapolis skyline
• Relaxation, relaxation, relaxation

Sterling had an obsession with hanging the America flag from the boat. Jen kept taking it down because it added to the WT. Sterling also has a way of trying to embarrass his wife:)

Brian almost lost those sunglasses from Nate flipping him off a raft, but somehow they found them in the murky lake water. Lucky SOBs.

Photo: Top right

"C" is for CL. They kept begging for us to throw them beers, but they could barely stay on the tube when the boat wasn't moving.

I apologize for my ta-tas. This was prior to me getting new bras. Please scroll fast.

Fireworks on the condo rooftop before it rained on us

It was honestly one of the best trips we could have taken with me being pregnant. Not gonna lie, I was exhausted, but we had a blast.

So long Twin Minnnnn-e-sooooota! Until next time!