Baby Prep 101

For Family Home Evening last night (we had friends over for dinner on Monday), we learned some baby skills: putting on a cloth diaper and swaddling. At first, Justin was grossed out by my old teddy bear. But once it became the baby, he went into daddy mode, and it was so cute! He talked to it and treated it as if it really were our baby. I just had to take photos!

Swaddling the baby

Putting on a cloth diaper

Me: "Stop making funny faces."

Justin: "But that's how I'm going to look when I change his diaper!"

Me: "It's a clean diaper!"

Helping Baby be reverent during the closing prayer

Then this morning, I found Justin lying on the couch, and I put the teddy bear on him, thinking how much I can't wait to see him hold our little baby. Justin confessed he fell asleep holding it earlier when he first moved to the couch. I had him reenact it:

Watching golf together

Isn't he going to be a great daddy?

Let Me Explain

I know the title of my last post probably got some of you wondering what was the big deal. I HATE bugs with a passion. Always have, always will. Some are just a nuisance, others are plain gross, and even others are scary. The bug I faced this morning was all three.

When we first moved here, it took me forever just to kill a cricket. I used to trap them and then have Justin kill them when he got home. The first time I had to kill one, I freaked out, called Justin, and cried hysterically because it was ginormous and wouldn't get sucked up the vacuum (old, handheld one). Then I progressed to calmly smashing them with a shoe and letting Justin clean them up (I don't like to touch them even when they're dead).

The king of all bugs (I even hate to say its name) has appeared in our house a few times. Luckily, when I come across one, it's either already dead or Justin is home to rescue me. This morning it finally happened: the faceoff between me and said bug--alone. Naturally, I freaked out even worse than during the cricket experience. Like, someone-died or I-saw-Frankenstein kind of hysterical. I called Justin up and bawled my eyes out. I trapped the huge bug under a small trash can after a frightening chase, while screaming into poor Justin's ear. Justin was super understanding and supportive during the whole ordeal. It took me like an hour and several more phone calls from Justin to finally calm down. The bug stayed there until about an hour ago, when Justin was able to take care of it.

I know I sound ridiculous and crazy and wimpy. But just imagine facing your worst fear alone for the first time!

Angry with God

Why, oh why, did Heavenly Father create bugs? Opposition in all things, right? Well, I can't think of any good things about certain bugs. They should DIE!!!!!

(If you're wondering where this came from, I just had a massive mental and emotional breakdown facing a certain insect alone in my home.)

Birthday

I turned 23 yesterday. This year was the first time I wasn't super excited and planning ahead for my birthday. The reason? More excited about the baby and planning for his birthday! But I still figured something out last minute and the day was great.

We started out by going to the temple. It was wonderful of course. Afterward, we chilled at home, playing Rummy and eating shaved ice (the day before we found a Smart & Final in Scottsdale and bought a huge carton of syrup--Tiger's Blood, what I grew up on). Then my friend Cherise took me shopping. No luck at Ross, but at Burlington Coat Factory I found a pink maternity shirt for $5 and a cute jungle-themed frame set for Baby's first handprint and footprint. Thanks, Cherise!

Justin made me a delicious dinner. I wanted something new, so I chose his aunt's manicotti he's always raving about. It was really good! He also surprised me by renting Monsters vs. Aliens, which I've been wanting to see again. And I got a leg massage. It was a good birthday. The only bad thing was I forgot to take photos!

p.s. Justin washed the dishes this morning! What a good hubby!

27 Weeks

Yesterday was my doctor appointment--not quite what I expected! I had to have more lab work done; wasn't excited about that thanks to previous experiences. The midwife saw me first and found the baby's heartbeat. And the baby kicked the instrument so hard the doctor felt it! She said he is really strong for his age and obviously doesn't like his space invaded. I've noticed that whenever we've gotten ultrasounds, though that was the first time he protested our hearing his heartbeat. He has been moving around so much lately. I even saw my tummy move last night! Sometimes it's a little painful when he kicks hard. Like earlier today, he made me gasp and double over because I wasn't expecting it. I think he's going to be stubborn like his mama and obnoxious like his daddy.

After the appointment, I went fearfully to the lab. I had more blood drawn--painlessly! This phlebotomist was way better than the last. She was fast and didn't have to squeeze the blood out of me. I had to take the glucola test again (yuck). When my results were ready, more blood, then back to the clinic to get my Rhogam shot. I have O- blood, and Justin is positive, which means our baby might be positive. The shot is to prevent my body from attacking the baby. I have to have another one after birth.

So far I've gained 18 lbs. total. Everyone tells me I look so small, but my uterus growth and weight gain are right on target. The midwife said I hide it well, and my clothes do too. But I've still got time for my tummy to grow more. Only one trimester to go!