Nutcracker and baby's crib

So, apparently I'm a bit behind on this whole blog thing....here are just a few things that I have been up to:

Here is baby's new crib.  Josh put it together today!!  I love it.  Thanks mom and dad!!!!  =-)

Me and Caitlyn after her performance in the Nutcracker.

With my sister Jennie.

Making Christmas cookies with Caitlyn and Aubreigh...they were much more creative than I was.

Baby and I at 26 1/2 weeks.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

First baby purchases and 22 weeks

We have received a few gifts from friends and family, but so far I hadn't bought anything for baby....until last night.  I got baby it's very first book "Mommy's Best Kisses"...so sweet.  The shoes I need a second opinion on: Do you think they could pass for boy OR girl shoes?  I think they are ADORABLE, but it is so hard to find something that is gender neutral.

And here I am at 22 weeks.  I seem to have popped overnight!!  Baby is continuing to kick, but so far I am the only one to feel it.  The kicks have been strong enough at times to feel on the outside of my belly, but baby doesn't like to cooperate with daddy!  Hehe!!

Other fun news:

-We just got the pink slip to the Corolla!  Yay.  One car paid off, one to go!!

-Josh has declared Thursday's "Wife Appreciation Day".  =-)  Last week I woke up to an iced vanilla latte in the fridge and a rose on the counter.  Today I woke up to a perfectly clean kitchen-dishes done, counter cleaned off and the dishwasher unloaded (and I know he HATES to do that!)  So, yeah....Thursday's are pretty awesome!

-We are hosting Thanksgiving this year.  My parents are coming to stay with us, Josh's sister and fiance will be coming and possibly Josh's dad and his wife.  So, we will enjoy the company, lots of yummy food and maybe some Wii!  =-)  Jennie- tell Caitlyn that I'll bring the Wii up next time I visit!!  She hasn't tossed that poor cow in over a year.

Half way there!

Here's my 20 week preggo picture.  It's not the best, but it's the only one I have.  =-)

We had our 20 week ultrasound last Friday and it was lots of fun to see our little one again.  This ultrasound was much different than the one we had at 14 weeks.  At 14 weeks, baby was nice and calm and was more than happy to pose for a few pictures.  However at 20 weeks baby was moving and grooving the whole time!!  =-)  It was really cute.  We got a little wave at the beginning, but our little one was not up for sitting still for a picture.  For those mommies out there: Did you find that an active baby in the womb meant an active child once they entered the world?  If so, then Josh and I are going to have our hands full.  =-)  I look forward to finding out.  In the meantime I'll just enjoy the punches and kicks I get from little baby Tang!!

What will I do with myself?

Between the stress and getting sick on and off it looks like I'm finally going to put my two weeks notice in at work.  I have had a cold for the last 3 weeks now and I know the stress has taken a toll on me as well.  Josh finally convinced me this morning that quitting is the best thing for me and baby. (Yeah, he has been asking me for a while now to quit.)  I'm home sick today (...again), so it looks like I have to confront the boss tomorrow.  Yuck.  I'm dreading the conversation.

I think what I'm more concerned about it what will fill my time in the days and months to come once I'm not "working".  Time will tell.  Let me know if you have any suggestions.

I'm starting to feel a bit better today (don't know if that has anything to do with my decision to quit!??) and Josh and I are looking forward to a nice dinner at home together and a board game.  =-)

Confession

I have an addiction.  I can't seem to stay off the computer.  My house is a mess and I have NO excuse.  I don't even go to work until 2pm, yet the internet and all the lovely blogs take up my time.  I called Josh and asked him to take the computer to work with him tomorrow so I wouldn't be tempted to sit around all day, neglecting the things I actually need to do.  So, I have at least admitted that I have a problem and reached out to my hubby for help with my yucky addiction.  =-)

A not-so-cute preschool story

I just got home from work and I'm a bit peeved.  I'm supposed to stick to the mellow, easygoing stuff at work right now (per my boss) and avoid the confrontational children (since I cannot pick them up and remove them from situations....that sort of thing.)  However, today a child decided to follow me around and hit me.  I tried to ignore the situation, hoping the child would stop, but then it became necessary to take an object away because they were hitting me with it.  It only got worse from there.  Everywhere I would go, the child would follow - then proceed to hit me again and scream.  The mom was there (throughout the entire process) so I finally went inside to mom and told her that her child was hitting me and screaming and that I needed her to come out and take care of him.  She came out for a bit, talked to the child, then went back inside.  I decided to hang out with the mellow kids who were coloring and he comes up to tell me something....I acknowledge him and he KICKS me!!  That's when I grab him by the hand and bring him to mom.  NOT COOL!!  I don't get an apology or anything.  If I was the parent I would have been SOOOO apologetic.  I understand hitting is acceptable at the child's home, but completely unacceptable in my mind.  This is not the first time this child has hit/kicked/screamed at a teacher and I doubt it will be the last.  I am just shocked at the way mom dealt with it.  I still stick by my idea to have a tip jar at the preschool!!!  You know, for when kids are...well, this way.  I mean, waiters and waitresses get tips...why not the people that take care of children all day???  Sorry that this has turned into a rant.  I really do enjoy my job and working with preschool kids, I just get frustrated when things like this happen.  It makes me wonder how I will be as a parent.

On a lighter note, today I received two special presents from some sweet girls at the preschool. A leaf shaped like a heart and a pumpkin picture.  The picture is at the top for your viewing pleasure.  Apparently pumpkins can be royalty too!

Funny kid quotes

I haven't really said much to the kids at work about baby, but every once in a while it comes up (like when they try to jump into my lap or head butt me in the stomach...yes, that has happened). It's times like these that I need to let them know that I have a baby growing in my belly and they have to be gentle.  Here are some of the funny questions that I have received:

Boy: "You have a baby in your belly?  Can I see how fat you are?"  Charming.

Girl: "Does everybody have a baby in their tummy?"

Me: "No."

Girl: "How does it get there?"

Me: "You should ask grandma that question."

I love their questions!  They crack me up sometimes (although I try not to laugh in front of them.)  I'm sure there will be many more the bigger I get.

Introducing Baby Tang

HOW CUTE IS THIS?????
Here is baby at 14 weeks!!  The dr.'s appt went really well and everything looks great at this point.  =-)  It was quite reassuring when the dr came in and asked us why my midwife sent us over and when we said "Parvo" he responded with "Is that it?"  There were quite a few pics taken of little baby, but this one was the most clear.  You can even see his/her profile!!  Josh has already had 2 dreams that baby is a boy, but who knows, maybe my Aunt Sue Ann is right about baby being a girl!?  

We took some time to look at baby names today....boy, that is hard!!  Most of the names I like, Josh doesn't and most of the names Josh like, I don't.  We still have plenty of time to decide, we'll come up with something.  Anyone have name suggestions??

This and that

Let me begin by answering some questions about the last blog:

The whole midwife thing...

Yes, we are using a midwife this time around, BUT that does not mean a home birth or all natural birth by any means (not in my case anyway.)  I like knowing that I'll be in a hospital where there are trained medical professionals and they will be able to step in if anything goes wrong.  I also like the fact that pain medication will be readily available if I so choose.  I talked to a few people before making the decision of a midwife over an OB to see what their experiences were.  I decided to go with the midwife this time for a few reasons 1) I was told they are able to spend more 1 on 1 time with you 2) I want to have a woman this first time around....figured it would help me ease into the whole "There goes my dignity" situation 3) I was told that the dr I would have seen is a little bit on the technical side (not a great bedside manner) and 4) Josh was fine with whatever I decided.  

Parvo side effects on Baby...

So, like I said, it looks like we have a very high percentage that baby will be just fine, but here are some of the possible complications due to the fact that I had Parvo.

*higher chance of miscarriage (about 4% more)

*anemia in baby (possible blood transfusions??)

*something called hydrops (?) where fluid can build up in baby

That's what we have been able to find through a bit of research, but we'll learn more at our appointment on Friday. 

Anyway, I've been feeling ok....just tired.  I had a few days where I had a TON of energy so I thought maybe the 2nd trimester had really kicked in....but no.  I am also starting to discover the joys of heartburn. =-)  If only I can get Josh to stop stealing my Tums.  Do any of you mommies out there have any good tips for the 2nd trimester???

Oh, and how can I forget.  This weekend Josh and I went to lunch with some friends and got to see a bit of a surfing contest, then went to see Burn After Reading (stange, but so funny).  Upon returning home Josh told me.....here's the good part....that I could take a nap while he went to the laundromat to do our mass amount of laundry!!!!  Yeah, he's awesome.

Little lime baby

I'm now about 13 weeks along and we got to hear the heartbeat on Tuesday.  =-)  Baby is about the size of a lime.  (Sorry for the unattractive picture, but I wanted you to see that I am starting to get a bit round.)  Right now I love my maternity pants....ahhh, the stretchy goodness.  

Josh and I had a bit of a scare on Monday as my midwife called to inform me that one of my lab results came back showing that I had parvo (no, it's not just a dog disease) either right before I got pregnant or sometime during the first trimester.  They knew I was at risk for this since I work with preschoolers.  I was at work when I got the call so I was thinking, "Great! What else are these little kids going to give me!?"  So, I pretty much freaked out.  She said there could be complications or it could be perfectly normal, but I needed to go get my blood drawn again and see a Perinatologist (dr who deals with higher than normal risk pregnancies).  Anyway, it looks like the odds are for us (80-95% chance that nothing will be wrong).  We see the Perinatologist next week.  Pray that everything will come back normal....and that I won't get any more fun germs from the kids at work.

My parents are in town for a bit visiting some friends who are camping nearby, so it's been nice to have the company. I'm looking forward to having the day off tomorrow so I can spend the day with them....unless I get called in to work.  Have a great Thursday!

Yippee!!

I get to see him tomorrow night!!!  Sure, he'll be jetlagged...but at least he'll be with me!  =-)

Return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte

My mom was here for a few days and it was awesome.  She got so much done around here that I have been putting off.  Our back room (that will eventually be baby's) has been filled with boxes that Josh and I shoved back there so we wouldn't have to look at them.  Then my mom comes and unpacks them and reorganizes in the 3 hours that I'm at work!!  And as if that were not amazing enough.....she made me a wonderful dinner of Bratwurst and Potato Pancakes...Josh isn't the only one getting amazing German food!  Yummy.  Thanks mom.  I usually only get this for my birthday dinner.  =-)

The next day was not so fun for me.  I had to get my blood drawn and I tend to get all worked up and nervous before hand.  I was doing pretty good until the lady said, "Hm, it's not working."  Are you SERIOUS??  Don't tell me that!!! So, then I start getting all light headed and dizzy.  I had to put my head down and they brought me water and gave me a cold towel for my forehead.  (Awkward.)  They had to move me to a bed so I could lay down.  They then proceeded to stick a larger needle into my other arm (yeah, that didn't feel so good) and take 5 viles of my blood.  Soooo glad that is over.  However, if I can't even handle a little blood being drawn, how am I going to deliver a baby?? The rest of the day was fun.  Mom and I went to the mall and looked at all the cute baby stuff.

Today we went to Target before she went home and I went to work.  More fun times looking at baby stuff and just enjoying LOTS of time at Target!!  Oh, cute story...well, I think it's cute.  At work I asked one of the boys if he thought I was having a boy or a girl.  His answer was, "A boy. He's going to be a crime fighter like me."  WOW, who knew I had a little crime fighter in there!!

In other awesome news......the Pumpkin Spice Latte has returned to Starbucks!!  (don't worry, I'm not getting the full caffeine....)  Any other lovers of the Pumpkin Spice Latte out there???

Oh yes, and I'm still missing this guy:

He made it

I just got a call from Josh!  We even got to video chat for a bit.  =-)  That made me a happy woman!!!  He made it to Germany.  Unfortunately his luggage didn't make it all the way, he should be getting it tomorrow morning.  

Missing my man!

Right now I'm curled up on the couch with my fluffy cat (ok, let's be honest, she's quite large) and missing Josh.  Unfortunately for me he is about to board an airplane for a business trip to Germany. =-(  He hasn't even been away from me a day (he still had to work today before the flight) and I already miss him terribly.  I've even been close to crying.  It could be the pregnancy hormones or just the fact that I really enjoy his company.  Come home to me soon babe!  

Us in Santa Cruz on our 3rd Anniversary

(hence the 3 fingers)

Here are a few pictures we took while waiting for fireworks at the Boardwalk:

I think he might be trying to eat me...

We ALWAYS look at each other like this!

Or is it always like this???  =-)

Luckily this wonderful woman (my mom!) is coming to keep me company for a few days! Thanks in advance mom!  I love you!

Oh yes, and today I am 11 weeks pregnant!  Getting closer... =-)

The big news!

Yep!  That would be a positive pregnancy test!  Josh and I found out a little over a month ago and we are now 9 weeks along.  We are very excited (and nervous!)  Baby should be arriving late March of 2009.  Not sure whether we'll find out the sex or not.  Josh is all for it being a surprise, me....not so much.  Hopefully I can get the ultrasound picture on at some point.  Yesterday we got to see baby's heartbeat and it even wiggled it's "feet buds"!!  So exciting to see!!

Happy Birthday Brie!

Happy Birthday beautiful girl!  Have fun blowing out your very own candle.  xoxo

Love, Uncle Josh and Aunt Stephanie

Moving time

The movers are here, the house is in disarray and I just downed a Starbucks double shot!  I'm feeling a bit jittery!!!  Is it the move or the Starbucks????  At least the cat isn't freaking out.....yet.

It's been awhile.....

I haven't blogged for a while because I am a bit overwhelmed by the amount of topics I have to blog about.  Does that make any sense??  I really want to write about and show pictures from: my trip to my sister's, the baseball game, Josh's mom's wedding, the preschool graduation and the beautiful fireworks last night at the Boardwalk.  See!!??  So much to say.....  Oh yeah, and we're moving tomorrow, so I'm trying to go through the stuff that we have collected over the past 5 months and chuck anything we don't need.  So, I will try to get all the pictures downloaded to the computer once we are moved and (somewhat) settled in.  Hope everyone is doing well.  Here's a picture to tide you over for a while.  =-)  It was taken at Josh's mom's wedding reception a few weeks ago!

I love these kids....

Tomorrow I'm off to my sister's place to watch these three for a few nights while my sister and her husband head to SoCal on a business trip.  I can't wait to spend time hanging out and spoiling (but, not too much....don't worry Jennie!) my nieces and nephew!!  I'll post some pictures when I get home.  

Fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Please be praying for the families who are being evacuated from their homes in the Santa Cruz Mountains.  It is extremely windy out today which makes it even more difficult to contain the fire.  

Decisions, decisions....

Lately I have been getting the itch to teach my own preschool class again.  Right now I am an aide and a substitute so I work with all the kids and I don't have to plan for any of the activities.  I miss the monthly lesson planning, coming up with new, fun projects and messy experiments to do and having a bond with "my kids".  There were times though that were difficult, but overall I really miss it.  So, do I start looking for a teaching position and give a year commitment or do I stay where I am?  We'll see what happens.  I have called 2 preschools to see if they are hiring and they both said to come by and get an application (though I don't think they have any openings at this time.)  Oh, I miss my little munchkins and can't wait to see them (and all of my fabulous former co-workers) at graduation!!

Happy Tuesday all.

The sounds of Santa Cruz

Here are some video clips from bands that we have seen playing in downtown Santa Cruz.  You just never know what kind of music you'll hear when you're there!!   

I'm not exactly sure what genre this band would be considered, but I like it.  Any ideas??

Kuzanga Marimba of Santa Cruz with Move Hoops (they had light-up hula hoops!)

Wonderful weekend with my sister

Josh and I had the pleasure of my sister's company over the weekend.  It was such a fun and relaxing time for all of us.  Josh and I are slowly trying to entice my family to move closer to us (not exactly fair since we're the ones that moved away, but oh well!)  We had a full weekend of...eating sushi, watching various downtown musicians in Santa Cruz, going to the beach, seeing Iron Man, dinner and drinks at Kianti's, thrift store shopping, looking at the adoptable cats at Petco (poor Josh couldn't get me out of there fast enough), and just enjoying each others company!  Come back soon.  I miss you already Jennie!!

Me and Jennie on the pier in Aptos...

we both got sunburns =-(

With my hubby in Aptos

Josh and Jennie by the creepy cement boat

Out to dinner at Kianti's

(where we bring anyone 

and everyone who visits us!)

Me with my yummy drink

Recent Happenings

It's been a busy, guest filled few weeks.  Here's what we have been up to:

The beach in Santa Cruz with my dad

Lunch with my mom and dad in Capitola

Me and Julie with the surfer statue in Santa Cruz

Me and Julie by the boardwalk waiting for 

the men to get the car!

Josh is SO EXCITED about our date night!

A little better....

Oh, come on Josh!  How about a nice picture??

Julie's graduation party!  Congrats Jules!!

Fun times in Seattle

The beach with Joey and Emma

Emma and I at Pike Place Market

Joey!

The Thompson Family

Joey and Emma

Enjoying a sunny day

I had an amazing time with Travis, Emma, and Joey!  Thank you so much for your hospitality!

Randomness

I haven't posted in a while because I was going to wait until I uploaded (is that the correct term??) my pictures from the camera to the computer.  However, seeing as how I still have not found that cord-device-thingy I will simply post without pictures.  I had a GREAT trip to Seattle!  I loved all the talks I had with Emma (they meant so much to me Emma!  I am so glad we are able to stay in touch despite the distance and our different stages in life!)  Joey was adorable and it was great to finally see Trav and Emma as parents.  Too cute!

Here's what's been on my mind:

*I have really enjoy watching Home Improvement again (thank you Netflix)!  It was funny when I was a kid, but now that I'm married I see a different side of the humor.  Tim, Al, Jill, Randy....how you make me laugh (Brad and Mark....not so much.)

*The longer I live in Santa Cruz, the less I find odd about the people here.  For instance, today I saw some girl riding her bike.  She had this short mohawk that was bright yellow and pink and instead of thinking "Oh my gosh!  That girl has a mohawk!!"  I found myself thinking, "Wow, interesting colors."  This place is growing on me....not that I'm going to get a mohawk anytime soon.

*I love the way the air smells up here!  The redwoods just smell so pretty!  (Remember how it smelled at Mt. Hermon in the summer Jennie?)

*I have four loads of laundry just waiting to be folded....yuck.

*While I was tying this little boys shoe today I caught him telling me he loved me.  When I said, "What was that?"  He said, "Nothing....." and quickly walked away.  How cute is that??

*We went to one of the best surfing spots in Santa Cruz over the weekend with my dad (my mom came up later that day) and it was gorgeous!!  The waves, the flowers all around, the beautiful lighthouse...I think that's when I really started to like this place!  Yay!  It's finally starting to feel like home.  =-) 

Happy Birthday Caitlyn!

Happy birthday to you!  Happy Birthday to you!  Happy 

birthday dear Caitlyn!  Happy birthday to you!

Happy Birthday Caitlyn!  I hope you have a wonderful day.  I love you and miss you.  I wish I could take you out to Starbucks today so we could get our special treats and read books together.  Can't wait to see you on Sunday!  Love,  Aunt Stephanie

Here are some fun pictures I found of us since you were born:

(they were in order, but got messed up...oops!)

Fun in Monterey

Funny faces

Out to dinner

When you were born 

(I was SO EXCITED to meet you!)

Aunt Stephanie's room at Grandma and Papa's:

You liked looking at yourself in the mirror!

My pretty flower girl

Holding my hand =-)

I Love You Caitlyn!