33 weeks, 154.5 lbs

Well, last week started off by my sis Jessica and her fiance coming to visit...I think that is where I left off in my last post??? Well, we had a blast, just relaxing really, trying to get to the beach when it wasn't RAINING.

On Friday we had a doctor's appointment with my regular OB, he just measured and what-not. I'm still measuring a couple cm behind but that baby is measuring over so, they aren't worried about that at all :) That night everyone came over for our "Desserting Us" party for Jen and Felipe! Since they are moving to B'ham we decided to give them a hard time for desserting us and used that as our theme. Everyone brought desserts (my favorite!)

Yes, Jill and I read the same "party planning" blogs soooo, she kind of stole my thunder already, haha...heifer! Anyway, when everyone came in they were stopped by a note and a table at the door. It read, "Who Will You Miss Most?" I made pin-back buttons (yes I have a friggin' industrial button maker...what possessed me to buy that anyway) with Jen or Felipe's pictures on them. Each guest had to pick which one they were going to miss the most and wear their button all night! (Don't worry, Jen and Felipe don't get their feelings hurt by that kind of thing, they think it's funny)

The guests came in and we enjoyed the usual social gathering, converstaion, rockband/other boy video games, and FOOD!

All the cupcakes had little signs that read a sweet saying of "goodbye" in all the ways I could think to say it! And all the desserts had a clever name that wished our couple farewell...(too many desserts to show all of them but some of my favorite names were, "On the Rocky Road Again Ice Cream", and "Bon Bons Voyage", etc.)
Anyway, we all had a great time and sadly said goodbye to our friends...but, since my fam lives in Bama, I know I will still get to see them!

Then came Saturday morning...so tired. But, mom and dad showed up bright and early and Mom wisked me off to my Breastfeeding class at the hospital. Okay, now, this is the one area I am most scared of...I feel like no matter how much "research" you do on it, you just have to experience it to know what you are doing. Well, the class was BORING. We had these cute little plastic babies laying all swaddled in front of us the whole time and I got excited thinking we were going to practice how to hold them, etc. But we didn't touch the darn babies the whole time. The lady just talked and talked. Well, I touched my baby, I unwrapped and re-swaddled him many times in my boredom. I was really tired when I walked out of there. So, regardless, we rushed back home, got fixed up and headed to my SHOWER at the church. My girlfriends did SUCH a great job. Everything was black and white damask and polka dots and HOT PINK! Woo Hoo! So cute. They had tons of food and just impressed everyone with their planning skills.This is me and my mom opening gifts, well, I opened and she wrote them down :) And this is when I found out I was getting the big comfy, adorable polka dotted glider I wanted SO badly!!! Check out that face, it was followed by a scream. Big Mama's side of the family went in together and got it for us! This frame I am holding is too funny. The glider had to be special ordered, so it wasn't going to be here in time soooo, they took a picture of it, which was NOT in the right color or pattern, so they drew polka dots all over a green chair (trying to make it resemble the one I wanted), then they decorated all around the rocker to look like Charleigh's nursery, and to top it off, they wanted to represent Charleigh IN the glider chair soooo, they cut out a picture of MY body (in a cheerleading outfit none the less) and Justin's head (when he was a baby, and topped it off with a pink bow....I think I cried, I was laughing so hard!
Here are some of the GLIDER culprits! Big Mama and her kin folk. Justin's cousin Wendy and his Aunt Polly drove all the way down from Mississippi and Atlanta just for the shower...wasn't that the sweetest thing! Plus Wendy HAND QUILTED a black, white and pink quilt for Charleigh...cutest thing EVER!

Some of the guests at the shower...

PT and his wife wanted a picture...I was glad they didn't make me stand up because that chair was making my butt sweat...TMI?

This picture just makes me laugh cause Charleigh is WAY out there.

All my adorable gifts!

Jus did not want his picture taken since he was just there to load up the gifts...but I MADE him...for the child.

Granny and GrandMaMa

Everyone at the shower wrote a little note to Charleigh on a diaper, so that when I change her for days to come, I can smile at the thoughtful (and some, not so thoughtful) wishes everyone had for her!

We got home and mom and I went through all Charleigh's gifts again! I love doing that :)

Sunday rolled around and we headed to church and then lunch with the rents. Sadly, they had to head back home right after lunch :(

Monday we had our 5th night of childbirthing classes and it was pretty un-eventful. We did learn a lot about C-sections, which was helpful since we just may be having one! Justin was a little disturbed by how they do the surgery. He decided that there are two options of getting this baby out and he didn't like either of them...How does he think I feel!

Tuesday was our last night of GmCGR bible study :( It has been just awesome, those girls have grown so much and so have us leaders! Thanks to Leah Taylor for working with me on this and all the great insight she had. Amazing!

Wednesday I headed to the beach with Audrey, PJ, and Jill. It was just what I needed after a LONG few weeks. We all got to catch up and have fun together :) I need to take more pictures...(Jill, hook me up with that picture you took of me and Kennedy in the car...you know, the one that she is totally NOT paying attention to me in???)

Thursday was filled with meetings...not too formal though. Girls' ministry meeting over strawberry crepes at Village Inn, had to get a small rip in the leather on my car repaired during lunch and then headed to a dinner meeting with Jaime and Jen to say our goodbyes on a smaller scale.

Whew, then it was Friday. Hung out at the pool with Big Mama, Jill, Kennedy and her mom. I think Kennedy basically loves me. I refuse to believe she loves everyone that much, instead I will tell myself it is my amazing charm and good looks that attract her especially to me....Afterwards, Kennedy needed a nap so they headed over to my house and tested out Charleigh's new Pak-n-Play, I think it worked fine. Meanwhile, I got to hang out with Jillian just a little bit more before she heads back to the Natti!

This morning I am getting some laundry done (Charleigh's laundry of course), updating this thing, and sending out mass emails to prepare for our Mother /Daughter retreat next weekend!! ahhh, already?? Tonight is UFC party!

32 weeks, 153 lbs. (warning: Image overload!)

Holy busiest week ever BATMAN! Okay, okay, so it started out very relaxing...beach on Monday with Big Mama, then again on Wednesday with Audrey (my long lost friend who is FINALLY home from Japan!!!) and her sis PJ...who is a hoot!

Also on Monday we had our next round of Childbirthing classes. This week was "The One with the Videos" (did that sound like a Friends episode title just then?) Justin closed his eyes through most of it, I forced them open a few times but he insisted he did NOT need to know all this. I beg to differ... We also took a tour of Sacred Heart Hospital. We aren't sure where we want to deliver yet, there are pros and cons to both hospitals so, we'll take a tour of West Florida (hopefully Friday) and maybe we'll just KNOW? Justin also worked on his packing list of things "needed" at the hospital for delivery, let's just leave it at the fact that his idea of music to "help" your wife during labor includes his Jock Jamz CD...

Saturday was Jus's 10 year reunion. He was on the planning committee so he basically worked the event. For some reason he signed up to show up to the beach early that morning and reserve a pavillion for everyone. So there we were, 6:30am "reserving" our pavillion. The others finally got there around 10, and instead of taking off, for a nap, Justin wanted to stay and visit until 1:00!! I was so exhausted. So we hurried home, got some things done, got dressed up and went to the actual reunion at the Fish House. It was fun, but I was feeling pretty anti-social. I was just so tired, and my feet hurt...but Justin said I did fine and fought through it well. So, if he thought I was friendly enough, then I must have done a good job :) Justin was voted "Least Changed". He is still not sure if that is a good thing or bad, but I am pretty sure, from what folks told me about him in HS that it is definitely good. He's just as sweet, personable, and moral as he's always been. Hopefully a little less of a tease though...

I had to get up EARLY the next morning to get ready for church. We're talking 4:30am people! I picked up Grandmama and headed to Bama...I wanted to make it in time to attend the 9:15 church service. I figured if these people were throwing me a shower, the least I could do is show up a little early...just appearing for the shower might look a little greedy, don't ya think?

Anyway, it was the BEST shower ever...but I might be biased? Here are some awesome pics:

Let me start by giving you a tour of the place...

Little chocolate bars wrapped with pink and lime papers declaring the event where given as favors. Plus all the guests were given an envelope to write their addresses on...so I wouldn't have to when sending out Thank You cards!

The centerpieces were quite hilarious. Little babies in polka dot vases...weird at first, but they seemed to grow on you...pretty creative I'd say!

The food table, so adorable.

The tables, before all the guests arrived

Okay, can we say, "cutest baby shower cake of all time"?

I like to call this little joker the "fruit baby". She has her own little fruit stroller.

My corsage, which I am mostly showing because I really liked this picture ;)

Me, Mom and my Sisters! (yes, Lindsay is pregnant too! due in November)
Thought I'd throw in a maternity shot

We waited until the absolute last minute to cut the cake, no one could bare to ruin it. So, we debated over whether to give it a c-section or a masectomy...bye bye boobies!

The gorgeous furniture Trey (Jessica's fiancé) made for Charleigh! (If any of you out there need woodworking done...let me know, he's your guy!)
The changing table

This is me modeling the BIG gifts...furniture, and the LOAD of stuff from mom and dad. They got us the pak-n-play, travel system (stroller and carseat), and the matching swing!

All of the other loot Charleigh got to walk away with...Some of the shower guests (Jill I did NOT have to photoshop you into any pictures, people did show up after all! hahah)

Here are the little gifts I made to thank my hostesses...initial key fobs!

And here are updated pictures of Charleigh's nursery! (including her new furniture). We are still missing all the wall art and decorations (which is the job of her Granny). Plus Big Mama and I will be working on the bedskirt once things slow down a little...no, I still haven't steamed the shades.
Just another random craft I wanted to try out. I whipped up this little bib for Charleigh out of some cute polka dot fabric and the chenille minky dot material.

After the shower on Sunday, I spent some time with the fam, went to bed EARLY because I still hadn't recovered from the reunion, and the 4:30 wake up that morning. My feet and hands were soooo swollen...never seen them like that. My body was definitely trying to tell me something.

On Monday morning, I got up somewhat early, seems I can't sleep in anymore. So weird. And headed back home. Jessica and Trey followed us and are staying to visit until Friday. We've had fun so far, just relaxing, trying to work around every day life and find times to head to the beach, etc. Our next doctor's appointment is also on Friday and then our Going Away party for Jen and Felipe that night...

Saturday, mom and dad get here (along with some other far travellers, Auntie Shauntie and Wendy, Jill from the Nati, and Audge!) for the shower. Mom is going to get here early so that she can go to my nursing class with me that morning. She could probably teach the class. I told Jus that he didn't have to come to this kind of class, might be awkward for the poor boy, he's been through enough.

I am so excited about my shower on Saturday...I'm sure I'll have plenty of pictures from that one too...those girls will impress I'm sure!

Sorry Charleigh!

Two things I must apologize to my daughter for: #1 - I have been SO busy keeping up with orders from the Prissy Pink Polka Dot that I haven't taken the time to craft cute things for HER! (This post is to rectify that) and #2 - In the last couple of weeks I have been informed of SEVERAL little girls that are being named Charlie, or Charlee, or Charley....and then my mom called me yesterday to tell me that on the "Most Trendy Names of 2009" List, guess what was #8...ahhhh! I promise I was trying to be original, but I'm afraid she may end up another "Christi" in a sea of Christy's like her mother. Sorry baby girl! (At least your name has meaning, else I'd be all depressed).

Anyway, here are my latest creations for baby Charleigh girl: Information overload right? Okay, I'll break it down...below is a personalized burp cloth with fabric and coordinating ribbon. I then used the same fabric and appliquéd it on in the shape of a "C" and stitched her name on top of it. Now, she can throw up on it if she wants :)

Next is a pacy clip, pink and green of course (I was going for a theme here). I feel like this one kinda looks classy or grown-up with the little formal green print ribbon and the three-letter monogram. Had to add the polka dots of course.

Here is a onesie to match her coordnating burp cloth above. I made one of these appliquéd onesies for a friend, not thinking much of it...and now everytime I make it for someone it's their favorite thing. So, figured I needed to make one for Charleigh too.

And my proudest creation (because it took the longest, and the most effort, and I made it from SCRATCH, and it was the first one I've made!) To make a long story short, I took two flour sack cloths, added a thin layer of batting, appliquéd my letter on one side, added my pink and green ribbons, and finished with the green binding around the neck. :) I'm pretty proud of my funky little bib.

And since my husband is NEVER in any of my "preggo" pictures. I wanted to include this one from tuesday night...we went to Olive Baptist's Dinner Theatre. I wish my belly was in the picture so Charleigh would know that she's there too

**Update** Oh, I almost forgot to include pictures of the Auburn themed stuff I made for my friend Laura and her sweet baby boy Will! He will be here 3 weeks before Charleigh (we think).

31 weeks, 151.5lbs (weight update)

For those of you who are anxious to see how much weight Fatty McFatterson has put on this week, I'll update tomorrow...I pride myself on taking accurate measurements at the same time in the morning, and I forgot today was the day to weigh...so, it will be pushed back till tomorrow.

On to other things...
Childbirthing classes are becoming more and more fun. Well, just watching and listening to the questions Justin asks is a hoot. He really is concerned about this. His job especially. He keeps saying, "are you going to remember all this? I'm trying but she goes too fast." He has the breathing techniques down pat for sure! And when they tell us to do the "Blow breathing" he holds his little finger in front of my face so that I can pretend I'm blowing out a candle...he may lose that finger in the delivery process...but for now, it's cute :) He is still a bit disturbed by the class topics last night. I thought he might fight with the midwife lady when she showed us the fetal probe (it's this little metal probe that they reach up and embed into your baby's scalp during delivery if they can't get a good reading on their external monitors...he flat out told that lady that he would choke her out if she tried to do that to Charleigh, as a matter of fact he announced that everyone in the room would be "choked out" if that happened...haha (he watches too much UFC). After he got all frazzled, she whipped out the forceps, the vaccuum extracter (which he swears is just a high tech plunger), the IV, the internal Uterine monitor, the cathiter, the local anesthesia kit, the enima bag...and much much more. As we drove home, he decided three things... #1 - He doesn't want to do this anymore, #2 - they put more things up in you than they take out during childbirth, and #3 - he's not going back next week (birthing videos!). hahahah. I love him, he makes class fun.


Things of concern: Charleigh doesn't kick nearly as much as she used to. She moves enough to let me know she is in there but, I've gone from feeling her every hour to feeling her every "few" hours. And most the time I only feel her because she has the stinkin' hiccups ALL the time. She seems to sleep a lot more. Doc says she's running out of room and can't move as freely. I understand that but for some reason it does not ease my paranoia. I've busted out our little fetal heartrate monitor that I used to use at the beinning of the pregnancy and started using it again. I just NEED to hear her beating in there.

Nursery Update: We finished Charleigh's bumper (by "WE" I mean, my sewing slave, Big Mama, and the mouse in her pocket). I did whip-stitch the bottom closed after she did all the hard work :) Glad I could help, haha!
It turned out EXACTLY as I pictured it in my mind! Damask on the inside, BIG polka dots on the outside and all the pink accents you can muster!

And here it is in it's place in our fabulous round crib that we FINALLY got! woo hoo! We are still working on the bedskirt.
And here is the final version of our Homemade Roman Shades. I had them waded up on the floor before we hung them so I apologize for the wrinkledness...I plan to steam them soon :) Also, the treadmill will soon be removed as I don't think Charleigh will be needing it.

This week I get to pick up the rest of our furniture that I just found out will be finished by Saturday! I am SOOOOO excited to get all her stuff organized and set up.

And what I am most excited about this week is my shower up in Bama! I HAD to post a picture of the invitations...That's really Charleigh in that belly! Isn't it the cutest idea ever! My mom had something to do with this I KNOW! P.S. If you are in the Prattville/Coosada area on this date and time....stop by, the more the merrier!