Battle of the Tundra

Cody convinced me 1 1/2 years ago that I needed to start driving the truck to work since my commute is shorter than his.  In his mind, it was necessary in order for us to save money on fuel.  I love my small little car that can weave into any parking space with ease and for this reason I fought it a little.  I gave in and the truck became my daily vehicle.  I used to be so cautious-trying to change lanes as little as possible and parking in the back forty to ensure I wouldn't hit any nearby cars!  After driving a small car my whole life, the truck was a big change for me. However, it didn't take me long to get used to it.  Before I new it I was cutting people off on the freeway and weaving in and out of lanes. Okay, I wasn't that crazy of a driver but I became completely comfortable driving the truck.  Within weeks I was backing into my parking spot at work without even using the tailgate back up camera :o)

Last fall, Cody took the truck hunting and got several tree branch scratches along both sides.  He originally bought our truck new and has always kept it looking new. So, we were both pretty bummed out about all the scratches.  We FINALLY took it in over the weekend and gave it a full makeover! The scratches were sanded and buffed out, and the inside was detailed.  Once again, its looking brand spankin' new!! And guess what?! He wants the truck back!! Haha....Funny how that works :o)

Snug Jeans and Daddy Love

As week 17 approaches, my jeans are starting to fit a little snug and my belly is rounding out to where it looks slightly more "pregnant-like" rather than "I have just overdone it on the doughnuts-like".  Since I wear scrubs during the weekdays, its hard to feel the changes during the week. As soon as the weekend arrives and I try to squeeze into my jeans the changes are very apparent! Thanks to my friend Jess and rubber bands, I felt a lot more comfortable this weekend :o)

I had my first pregnancy massage on Friday, which was amazing! I am already looking forward to my next one!

Cody has been absolutely amazing throughout this journey so far. I have always heard that a woman becomes a mother as soon as she becomes pregnant and a man becomes a father when the baby arrives.  This has been completely false in our house.  Cody has taken on full father duties from day one.  Always making sure I am comfortable, understanding during my emotional moments, cleaning out the kitty litter box (Dr.'s orders! And something he has never done in the past!), and making sure that he tells me how beautiful my changing body is to him. That has been something that was hard for me to accept at first.  I have never been a vain person by any means but weight gain and body image has never been a concern of mine because I have always been in control of it. Cody rubs my belly often with this look of amazement and love in his eyes.  He once told me that he loves seeing my little bump grow because its the one thing that he really has to remind him of the exciting changes in our life to come. Last week in the middle of the night in a half asleep state, he sat up in bed and placed his ear on my belly to see if he could hear Baby's heartbeat :o)  I am so happy to see him just as excited as me about every little step of the way in this 9 month process.  Thank God for Daddy's like him!

Baby's New Bed

We got a great steal on a crib and dresser set from our friends Jessica and Nathan. So we picked it up last Sunday when we were in Eugene. After dinner on Tuesday night, I walked into the nursery to find Cody had already set it up.  I am not sure if it is the pregnancy hormones or what but I started to get emotional.  It was just another moment that made everything feel so real to me.
 

Not only did Cody set up the crib but he carefully placed the baby blanket inside.  His Great Grandma made this baby blanket when Kim was pregnant with Cody. Kim had saved this special blanket and gave it to us last weekend.

I really love Baby's crib. It's totally my style and something I would have picked out myself....the problem is Maxi likes it too.  She's been trying to sneak into the nursery and figure out how to get into the crib to take a nap.  She still hasn't figured out that the new bed is not for her!

Best One Yet!!!

We had a great weekend in Eugene! It was full of baby shopping at Fletcher's (and at the Kunasek's!!), Madison's 2nd birthday party, dinner with the In-Laws and a Mother's Day brunch at my brother's house.

The Birthday Girl:

This was my "first" Mother's Day. A day where I had no expectations other than spending time with my Mama and my Mama-In-Law but how it turned out to be such a special day for me as well. My wonderful husband surprised me with a book for me and a book for baby. Oh how he know's the way to my heart!

My Mom bought me a blueberry plant with this note attached to it:

"For My Lovely Daughter...Mother To Be!

As I reflect upon the upcoming birth of my first grandchild, I am compelled to do something as special as the child to come.  So, I chose to give you a blueberry plant for your first Mother's Day gift.

As the little plant grows and develops, it will produce lovely little blueberries to enjoy eating.  As you tend to it's needs throughout the year, each year the plant will produce more and more berries; giving back to you bigger and more flavorful berries.  These are natures way of giving you hugs and kisses.

Such is the same with a child...the more you nurture and tend to his/her needs, the more the child will give back with their hugs and kisses.

Why a blueberry plant? I wanted a healthy and delicious snack that kids love and could easily be picked with out getting pricked or hurt.  I chose this particular variety because  the fall leaves will turn yellow and orange (in honor of your wedding colors).

My hope is that over the years every time my grandchild picks and eats the berries, they will think of Grandma who gave them the plant.  That is why I too bought myself a blueberry plant for my garden.  Every time I pick and eat one of those hugs and kisses from nature, I will think of my expected lovely grandchild.

My Love Runs Very Deep With Love For You!
Mom (soon the be alias "Grandma")."

(And yes, of course I cried after reading her note!)

Aunt Gail mailed me a Mother's Day card and several friends sent me Mother's Day texts! I was overwhelmed with how thoughtful everyone was. I would have to say that this has been my best Mother Day yet!!!! However, I am looking forward to next years Mother's Day when I get to hold our little one in my arms.

Old, Married, and Loving it!

Oh, how I love to read! The problem is Cody hates that I love to read before bed.  The difference between Cody and I is that he likes to turn of the lights, crawl into bed and go to sleep. I on the other hand, like to crawl into bed, turn on my bedside lamp and dive into a good book.  In my opinion, its a great way to end the day and slowly shut down my mind before drifting into an 8 hour coma. I have tried getting Cody to read in the past.  We even went to the bookstore together and picked out a couple books for him which he never read.  Between his long work hours and studying for his PE exam, he has had no interest in recreational reading (which I can't really blame him) until recently. One night we crawled into bed together and he pulled out his book "Where Men Win Glory" by Jon Krakauer.  I am not sure where his sudden urge to read came from. After all, this book had been sitting in his nightstand untouched for over a year. Maybe he figured my lamp was going to keep him awake anyways, he might as well read too! To my surprise, he found this book completely intriguing.  Not only has he been giving me updates on the storyline of his book during dinnertime conversation and evening walks but he even out read me last night! I am absolutely loving our new nighttime routine of reading together at night like the old married couple we are :o)

Date Night!

I made dinner at home Friday night then we headed out to go bowling. It reminded me a lot of our second date when we went bowling with Jordan, Marissa, Jessica and Nathan.  At that time Cody was on a bowling league in Corvallis. Naturally, I assumed he was a really good bowler but he proved me wrong.  I think his team in college was more about the beer than the bowling!  I must say that neither scores from last nights games are anything to brag about though.
Game 1 went to Chelsea:
















Cody made a comeback in game 2:
















After bowling these parents-to-be obviously made a trip to Babies R Us.  We walked around the store checking out car seats, strollers, etc. You know all the expensive stuff that gives Cody heartburn.  Thankfully he drank a couple beers at the bowling alley so he was a little more relaxed when making a mental list of all the things this baby is going to need!

It was a perfect way to spend our Friday evening together.

A Precious Sound

We had another Dr.'s appointment today. The best part about this quick appointment was getting the chance to hear the baby's heartbeat. The worst part about the appointment was that Cody almost missed it! It wasn't entirely his fault though. I got there 15 mins early, got checked in, and sat down to wait in the lobby.  Before I could even pick up a magazine and get comfy, they were already calling my name. I told the assistant that my husband was on his way and would be here soon. She assured me that she would take me back to check my vitals and have the front desk send him back as soon as he got there. A few mins past 4pm (our actual appointment time) the Dr. walked in and Cody still wasn't there! So, she killed some time discussing my lab results until a tardy Cody got there. When he walked in the room, I jokingly told him he already missed it.  Cody laughed and said, "The one time in my life I was counting on the hospital running late, you guys were actually early!" In the end, the only thing that matters is that we got to experience the sound of the baby's rapidly beating heart together...and what a wonderful sound it was! And a side note: I bet Cody will be early to our next appointment!