Maternity Photos...By Jess

"All Because 2 People Fell in Love"

Last Sunday Kennie and I ventured out to Buffalo to have our maternity pictures taken by Shannon's friend Jessica. It was something that I really wanted to have done to remember our first pregnancy, but I wanted that special touch that you dont get from a Sears or JcPenny studio. I mentioned it to Shannon and she said she talked to Jess and she would be more then willing to shoot for us! I was soo excited, after checking out some of Jess's work on her blog I knew we would be happy. She has great talent and should really start her own business!

We took a lot of pictures and had many laughs, Shannon would make a great assistant to Jess, I think they could make a killing. Once we were done, we headed over to Shan's house for dinner and to see the kids. Frank made an awesome pot of pasta fagioli soup, and tuscan bread, and Shannon sent us on the road with an apple pie(a favorite pregnancy craving for me!). It was a great trip, and well worth the drive for some greats pics, and spending time with our friends in Buffalo.

Here are a few of our favorite pics! Thanks again Jess and Shan!

36 Week Doctor Appointment

36 Weeks, 1 Day
Just a quick update...I had my 36 week doctors appointment yesterday morning. First stop was the scale where I have gained 6 pounds since 10/8...I didnt gain any between 9/24 and 10/8 so I guess its just balancing out. The doctor did say that a lot of it might be water weight because my legs and feet are swollen. The heartbeat was great, and Beaner was very active and had the hiccups while the doctor was listening. He or she even kicked the wand on my stomach. Very sassy at 8 am I must say! I have a Sono scheduled for next Friday, just to make sure the head is down and how big the baby is. I am very excited we get to see the little one, once more before the big day! I did get my hall pass taken away to go to Buffalo on Sunday for Shannons jewelry party. I really wanted to go, but the doctor said I should sit in the car that long and I should stick close to home...I was bummed but understood. I'm glad that everything is still going good, and now we are counting down the days, it seems weird knowing that at this point if I went into labor they wouldnt do anything to stop it, you spend all this time keeping the baby inside to grow and now they can appear at anytime!

The Finished Product...Baby's Room

I have been promising pictures of the babys room all finished...but after the shower it took me quite awhile to get things organized again, but now its finally set and ready for a baby to complete it! This has been a long process for me, as I started painting the room from top to bottom in July. All the trim and closets got painted and then the 2 different colors on the walls. I did the brown on the bottom and Kennie did the green on top. He was very lucky and only had to do 2 coats, I on the other hand had to do 4 to get the dark color to cover over white. Then came the white chair rail that my dad cut for me and Kennie installed. We love just sitting in the room and feeling accomplished. It couldnt have come out better to what I have envisioned in my mind! We were trying to keep it simple, not too babyish but with some cute stuff. I think we accomplished that, and I cant wait to be sitting in my gilder (thanks Lisa and Dad) feeding our little one! Each one of our parents contributed something special to the room...my grandfather bought the crib and dresser, my parents bought all the linen stuff, rug, organizers for the closet, and shelf, and a lot of the clothes in the closet... Dad and Lisa bought us the glider, and Kennie's Mom had the awesome quilt made, proof that this baby will be loved very much! Enjoy the pics! Looking in from the hallway

The crib all set to go

The awesome signs Shannon made by hand...and the fully stocked book shelf

Glider and Dresser

Quilt rack and quilt

Another hand made sign by Shannon and the ribbon holding the star is actually from the packaging of the diaper bag Kellie sent!

Stocked and organized closer..I think we are set on clothes for a little bit!

A view from the other side of the room

The basket of toys and handmade blankets we have received!

34 Weeks...6 To Go!

Just a quick update..I had my 34 week drs appt on Wednesday. I have decided that this was the last appt at 7 am...latley I need all the sleep I can get, and that just seems too early to get up! It was another routine visit, I did get bloodwork this time and my flu shot. I have gained 0 pounds since my appt 2 weeks ago. I was surprised to hear that because I currently feel like the goodyear blimp. My belly is measuring about a week behind, but the dr said its nothing to worry about right now. I have one more appt on 10/23 and then its every week! We are really getting into the home streatch! Sorry no pictures this week...I was exhausted and I wasnt looking too happy!

On a side note...I am 34 weeks pregnant, and tomorrow is Kennie's 34th birthday! How weird is that?! Unfortuantly he has to work, but I have a few surprises for him for his lunch box and then I'm making his favorite dinner and we are going to have cake and watch a movie. Birthdays are not so eventful once you get older!

I cant be more happy that its the weekend! Its going to be a really really nice fall weekend. I am sad because I am missing out on 2 of my favorite things to do...One being going to Sherri's camp in the Adirondacks...Kennie and I have gone every fall since we got together with a group of friends and this year, we are just are not going to make it. I cant be too far away from my heating pad and there just doesnt seem to be time. I am very sad, we are missing out, as I love spending time with Sherri and everyone up there and I feel it really is part of Kennie and I...I would probably be pretty boring and cranky though! Next year for sure...even with the baby in tow...

Second being the Lafayette Apple Festivle...Its been another yearly tradition, and its a ton of fun! Crafters, food, all kinds of good stuff, but I think my legs would be killing me by the time I got back to the car. I have to get my truck inspected at 9 am...and I usually get there by 9 to beat the traffic, and I dont have the patience to deal with traffic right now! So next fall is going to be very busy for the Baby and I! But something to look forward too!

So tomorrow will consist of an errand day...and making Kennies birthday dinner! I'm hoping Sunday I will finish putting everything away in the babys room and enjoy the afternoon outside with the dogs! I hope everyone enjoys this great fall weekend...the snow is on its way!

Baby Shower~September 28th

Here is a slideshow of the shower...just some shots from the day! Enjoy!

So here is the big post about the baby shower...I have been slacking a bit because my hands are a little sore from typing at work...but I know I must post now before this is lost forever!

My baby shower, thrown by my mother, mother in law and best friend Shannon was Sunday 9/28...We decided it would be best just to have it at our house so everyone could see the baby's room and the house and we wouldnt have to cart all the gifts home! I think it was a little more work for me preparing the house, but I'm very glad that we did it that way!

Shannon and I got up early and started getting things ready, by the time 12 noon came Carrie, Nicole and Elisa all showed up and got all the food out and everything was really coming together! Everyone started to arrive and we dug right into the food and treats! Rhonda (Kennie's cousin) made cupcakes, 1/2 moon cookies, chocolate covered strawberries...everything was awesome!

The afternoon consisted of pretty much gift opening and spending time with everyone! As it usually goes at big parties, you never get to spend time with each person like you would like. The day flies and before you know it, everyone is leaving! But I was glad to see everyone for even a few minutes that we have not seen in awhile! ....We were even contenplating the "how big is the belly" game, but by the time we got done with presents everyone was very tired and ready to wrap up the day!

We received some awesome gifts! We are almost totally prepared for this baby to arrive! Everyone truly thought of every different thing to give us, and I love all the hand made blankets and outfits! I was totally overwhelmed when everyone left. I couldnt believe how blessed Kennie and I and this new baby are! I cant thank everyone enough for there generousity and everyone who helped out that day! It was absoulty perfect!

Now its time to get everything put away!

A BIG Update......33 Weeks...Lots to Blog About!

I know, everyone keeps telling me I need to update my blog! So here I go..this is going to be a long one for sure!

Last weekend (9/20) Was our last camping/four wheeling trip for the season! It was really nice weather, and though I enjoyed sleeping in the tent, I'm done camping until this baby is out!!

The Snackbar Update..Last week started out on a grim note. Susie had a follow up at the vet. She had made progress with her leg, but was overly hyper on Saturday and by Monday she was in a lot of pain again, and we were out of meds. So it worked out that she had an appt that day anyway! Off to the vet we went. I was hoping that her shoulder just wasnt healing good, but that wasnt the case. I could tell the vet was very concerned about the huge yelp she left out just went she got in the area of the shoulder, she wanted to do another x-ray and the words bone cancer came up again before she took her. Sure enough the vet...with Snackbar in tow came back to the room with bad news. As soon as she switched the monitor on I could see that something wasnt right. She had the xray up there for a few weeks prior and you could tell something was eating away at the bone. Our biggest fear, bone cancer. Now being pregnant and all, you would have thought I would have burst into tears, but I held my own. I actually never cried at all, until I got back into the truck. After much discussion, with the vet, we had our plan of attack. Knowing that Snack is almost 9 and the rotties, like other big dogs dont live as long as smaller dogs, we know she is getting towards her older years. We could amputate her leg and do physical therapy and chemo, but there is no guarantee that the cancer wont be back within a few months. We opted to put her back on the anti-inflammatory/pain med mix that she had been on. We will focus on keeping her pain managed, until we are out of options. Now I know this sounds grim, but currently she is her happy, go lucky self, hopping around on 3 legs, begging for food, eating apples from the apple tree, so I'm hoping we have a few more good months left with her. She brings so much joy to our life. It took me awhile to accept what was happening, as being emotional doesnt help. I dont think I have cried that much in a long time, but I kept focusing on the bad, and not all the good she has brought us. We all have to go through this terrible time of losing a pet, but at least we have time to cherish her a little more and get more good memories. For everyone who are dog lovers they know the bond you form with your pets, and its truly an amazing thing. Please keep Snackie in your prayers...and I will keep everyone updated on her progress! As long as she is still begging for food and licking me every chance she gets...she stuck on this earth for a little longer!

Wednesday, I had my 32 week dr appt. Everything is going well! I have gained another 4 pounds...seems to be my number, for a total of 25..my appetite has not been huge, nor can I eat a huge meal, so this baby must be getting big!

Heres a 32 week picture!
So as you can tell, last week was already busy...not busy enough though! Sunday was my shower, so there was a lot of work that had to get done! I must thank my wonderful husband, because he worked his butt off getting this house ready! Everything on his honey-do list was complete, and the house looked awesome! I took Friday off, and Patti and I cleaned everything so I could relax on Saturday with Shannon. Lisa was supposed to fly in Friday evening, but she was very sick and had to stay in Florida. I felt very bad, as I know she really wanted to see everyone!

Saturday I met Shannon at the Christmas Tree Shops, we did a little shopping, had a great lunch and caught up on everything and went and had awesome pedicures and manicures! Then it was home to do more work! We went to bed at 11...and boy were we tired, but everything for the shower was coming into place! Saturday was a really great day!

Stay tuned...more to follow!