31 weeks :-)

I am 31 weeks today! Yesterday I had my 30ish week appt, and all was well. I gained two pounds in two weeks, which is perplexing since I'm on a tremendously high caloric intake right now. I eat EVERYTHING IN SIGHT! Shim must be having a growth spurt. He supposedly is between 4-4 1/2pounds by now, in theory. His FHT were between 130-140's. He has his head snuggled down in my pelvis, and that makes me happy as a lark. I really didn't want a breech baby, since that takes pretty much all choice away. I've got a lot to get done today before heading to Florence, but just wanted to update really quickly. Have a great weekend!

Our weekend in Buffalo

We had a short but wonderful weekend in Buffalo. Friday night we got in about 6:30pm, and went to dinner with Eric's parents, brothers and sisters. I got to meet my gorgeous nephew Gavin! He is so adorable, and a really good baby. He hardly fusses at all, and it's usually just because he's hungry. I really hope Shim is such a good baby too!

Saturday was the baby shower, and it was an awesome time. We got so many nice things for Shim, and I've been working on getting his nursery all ready for him. Everyone decorated onesies with fabric pens, and I can't wait to put him in them. We had a little get together Saturday night at the Kirsch's, and I got some wings and pizza. The only thing I was missing was the beer. We had brunch at Lindsay's Sunday morning, and left for the airport after the Bills game. It was so much fun to see everyone, since it won't be until after Shim is here that we make it back. It sucks that Eric's family is so far away, but it makes the trips back home all the more special. I've included alot of pics below.

This coming weekend is my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary party, plus two baby showers in Florence. We'll be gone Friday to Sunday again, but this is our last trip. If we make it to Florence for Thanksgiving and Christmas, it'll just be for the day. Look for lots more photos after next weekend.

Buffalo shower

All of his cute clothes! My MIL and Aunt Karen (they are sisters) bought the same outfit while living states away...so funny.

My SIL Lindsay is also cloth diapering, and even sews them! She made me three fitted diapers in bigger sizes, plus two pair of baby legs, and a wetbag with a drawstring. I'm so excited!
A baby book I've already started filling out, plus a scrapbook kit, and a frame to match his nursery.
Organic burp cloths, froggy towel and washcloths, stuffed animal loveys, and a duck that changes color if the bathwater is too hot. The big tan thing in the middle is called a snuggle me, and it fits in the carseat, with slots for the straps to come through. It's made out of lambs wool, and is so snuggly warm.
Our first set of bottles, by Born Free. They are BPA and PVC free. We also got the microwave sterilizer:-) Dianna's mom is a retired teacher from a school for the deaf. She got us the Baby Signs Kit--how appropriate. Now Shim can learn sign language with his cousing Gavin. I didn't even know Dianna was teaching Gavin, and now I'm really excited they'll both be learning baby signs.

The baby Einstein exersaucer; Shim is going to love playing in it.

At the shower with my SIL's Lindsay and Dianna (plus baby Gavin), and cousin Rachel. Rachel has helped all three of us at wedding and baby showers to open stuff and stay organized.
North meets the south!
Gail and Sandy working on their onesies. They are two of my MIL's best friends.
Isn't the cake cute?

Off to Buffalo

Eric and I are heading out of Charlotte tomorrow for a quick weekend trip to Buffalo. We'll get back late Sunday night, so we can both go to work on Monday. It will be a jam packed weekend, but lots of fun. We are going to dinner with all the family tomorrow night, and we finally get to meet our nephew Gavin! I am so excited, and can't wait to take lots of photos of him. On Saturday, my MIL, SIL's, and aunts there are throwing me a baby shower. It's our first one, and I'm so excited. It's so much fun to see all the little tiny clothes that Shim will be wearing in 10 short weeks. I can't believe how fast time is flying. Sat night is more family time, and this time with good ol' Buffalo pizza and wings. I'm salivating already....
Sunday morning is brunch at his sister Lindsay's, and we fly out about 5pm Sunday night. So much to do in so little time. Unfortunately, with a baby on the way--coming back to work is essential. We're trying to save a lot so my maternity leave doesn't put too big a financial stress on our accounts.

I hope to get some pics from the shower up next Monday when I'm back, but we'll see. I have been known to procrastinate!

No more political commercials!

I am so happy the nasty commercials are over! Here in NC, the ones between Elizabeth Dole and Kay Hagan were ruthless and hateful. I'm glad it's all over and finished. I obviously am happy with the results, now I just hope people will come together and support Obama. At least give him a chance to either prove himself, or fail....then hate him if you want to. But I am so sick of hearing people say that they just can't support him, because they are scared of him. What are you scared of? I've started asking people that when I hear them say they are scared. No one has had a good answer yet. Someone at work said they are scared of his wife b/c they think she's an angry black woman. And that has what exactly to do with Obama leading our country? Enough political talk.

Shim is well, he moves ALL the time now. Crazy little man in there. I wonder what on earth he's doing. Taebo again? My next checkup is on next Thursday, with Sage again. I'd like to have a couple more appointments with Jan as well, b/c it's been a while since I've seen her. I've been considering giving a couple of the OB's a chance. Particularly the lady I've seen before (when the midwives were all booked), and the OB that delivered my friend Kim. It would be nice to feel comfortable with a couple of them, in case I end up with them.

Our diapers are all washed, fluffed, and ready to go. I promise to take some pictures soon so you all can see!

It's election time!

Those who know me well already know that I'm traditionally quite liberal. In all actuality, I'm socially liberal and more fiscally conservative. Honestly, the Libertarian party is probably the one most aligned with my thoughts and beliefs. No matter my beliefs, I'm so excited about this presidential election. It truly is a moment in history with a black man and a woman on the ballot. It's about friggin time that there are candidates out there that are inspiring people to vote. I cannot wait to see what the numbers turn out to be, as far as the percentage of Americans voting. Obviously, it's going to be the biggest percentage ever. Early voting (as well as absentee voting) has been hugely popular here in Charlotte. Lines have gotten over 3 hours long. I can only imagine what the lines will be like on Tuesday.

I'm sure that it's no shock that I'll be voting for Obama and Biden. My shirt kinda gives it away. (Thanks Katie!) Their social policies mirror my own beliefs, ranging from Roe vs Wade to gay marriage. I've been more of a fiscal conservative, especially since Eric and I already get killed with taxes. I'm often torn in this area. I think that the policies of Bush, and the last 8 years in Washington, certainly haven't helped our economy. Let's give the other side a chance. Might as well, because the economy doesn't have signs of improving anytime soon.

I think that the economy is honestly so bad right now, that there isn't a person alive who can truly turn it around in the next 4 years. That's one reason I've decided to vote based on more social issues. Obama and Biden will probably be more CRNA friendly as well! That makes me happy!

I just found out today that Obama's last stop before election day will be right here in Charlotte, at 5:30pm tomorrow evening. I work 10-6:30, but REALLY want to call in sick so I can go. How monumental it would be to go to a rally the night before such a historic election! Especially if Obama ends up winning. Enough about my political ramblings.....I just wanted to say how excited I am that Obama will be in Charlotte tomorrow!

Yippee Skippee!

I am so excited!!! It's been a very busy three days since I found out, but my sister in law Bridget IS HAVING A GIRL!!! I finally get to buy some pink. Between Gavin and Shim, it's been nothing but blue for quite a while now. I found a onesie I have to get: it's pink and says "Nobody puts baby in the corner". So adorable! I feel bad for my SIL Lindsay, because she is due two weeks before Bridget, and still doesn't know what her little one is. A crappy and mean ultrasound tech combined with a shy baby didn't bode well. She has another one in two weeks, so I'm crossing all crossables that we'll find out then!

So, Bridget and my brother went for a regular checkup on Thursday, and were supposed to schedule their big anatomy scan then. Well, they scheduled it alright, but also asked to see if there was ANY way they'd also do one that same day. The out of pocket cost was really cheap compared to most OB's offices, and the US tech worked them in. SO many things fell into place, it was just perfect. The tech said she'd been doing this a long time, and was 90-95% sure it was a girl. The big anatomy scan in two weeks will tell for sure.

I have done MAJOR organization in the nursery tonight. The cloth diaper stash is almost ready; I have my bins and baskets all divided for prefolds, covers, and all in ones. I cannot wait to get my changing pad and start making my cleaning solution. I have to decide on a recipe first though. If some or all of what I'm talking about seems foreign, don't worry. I promise to do a nice long blog on cloth diapers sometime soon. No one I know uses them or is familiar with them, except my SIL Lindsay. She is cloth diapering as well, and even making alot of her own. My mom got a new sewing machine, and gave Lindsay her old serger. Bridget and I certainly wouldn't have used it, so I'm glad she gave it to someone who will actually appreciate it.

Shim is well, and moving all the time. He kicked really hard this morning before we got out of bed, and Eric was like "Whoa!". You'd think it would hurt, but it doesn't . I love feeling him move around in there, but I do wonder what he's up to. Cartwheels apparently. I have a ton of Braxton Hicks (AKA toning contractions) these days. I hope it's not an indication that Shim will make an early appearance. At least if he comes now, he'll be just fine. A little NICU stay, but nothing too crazy. It feels really good to be 29 weeks. Well, I'm off for a bedtime snack, and some sleep!